Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-19

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] NATO should follow a policy of equilibrium in the region, Georgiu

[02] Construction of Industrial Park in Durres to start next year

[03] Bovilla Reservoir supplies Tirana with water

[04] Police take under protection the new archeological museum

[05] We shall not allow destabilization of the country - SP of Albania

[06] Kosova needs an quick, energetic solution without diplomatic academism - Foreign Minister

[07] Dilemma of solution to Kosova crisis, war or peace?

[08] Contact Group conveys to Prishtine message for urgent resumption of negotiations

[09] Great military convoy on Prishtine-Podujeve road

[10] Boville water reservoir starts supplying Tirane

[11] Tirane in the lead of standings after first stage - Soccer

[12] PM Majko demands improvement of work from prefecture of Durres

[01] NATO should follow a policy of equilibrium in the region, Georgiu

This conference, initiated by the Albanian Atlantic Association, aims at encouraging public discussions for the solution of the crisis in Kosova, for the security, peace and stability in the region.

Focusing on the role of all international organizations in their peace-keeping mission, mainly in that of NATO, the current President of the Atlantic Treaty Association, Theodossis Georgiu, said that "NATO should follow a strategy which provides its presence and not it withdrawal, in order to reach an equilibrium in the regions of Southeastern Europe."

"In order to reach concrete results, the devotion of western countries should be accompanied with a number of initiatives within the institutional frames."

Further on he stressed that Bosnia and Kosova are two similar cases, but not the same. "The international community should make efforts to reach a political solution of the crisis in Kosova, while NATO, on its side, is ready to carry out its peace-keeping mission through military operations like in Bosnia."

While the chairman of the Albanian Atlantic Association, Alfred Moisiu said that "the situation in Kosova is very critical, but we are far from a solution, which could lead to finding a real tranquility."

Attending the proceedings of this conference were senior personalities of the domestic and foreign politics and diplomacy, ambassadors accredited in Albania and others. The conference will carry on its proceedings in the next two days. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Construction of Industrial Park in Durres to start next year

The Secretary General of the Durres prefecture, Paqesor Zeneli, told ATA that the construction of this park will start next year. For this, a project drafted from Italy has already arrived regarding the proceedings to be carried out in the surface of 54 ha that this park will occupy in the area of Shkozet.

Zeneli said that the Albanian Minister of Economy, Ermelinda Meksi, has signed this week respective agreements with the Italian government.

The construction of the Industrial Park, which includes enterprises of light industry, modern garages for the vehicles, will enable the employment of many people. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Bovilla Reservoir supplies Tirana with water

"The water produced by the first line of the cleaning system at the quantity of 600 l/sec, has started to be released since Wednesday in the new lines constructed on the existing network," the deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Kujtim Bejtaj, reported.

The Ministry of Health and the State Sanitary Inspectorate decided to allow access of the water produced from the Bovilla Plant to the enterprise's new distribution network.

Bejtja added that it is necessary that the aqueduct enterprise should make the necessary preparations to reach a better result in the flood of water, the pressure and time of its use.

The supply at full capacity of Tirana from the reservoir of Bovilla is impossible for the time being, because the Italian company Falcione has not finished yet the distribution network, due to the damages it faced in March of 1997. For this problem, the Albanian party has agreed with the Italian association that as soon as the equipment will arrive, the network will be put into motion. /lh/mt/

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[04] Police take under protection the new archeological museum

The director of the Durres Archeological Center, Ylber Osmanagaj, told ATA that the police have put it under protection upon the official request of the Academy of Sciences. This act has been hailed by the employees of this institution and the German specialists who actually work to finish this new museum, he added.

More than 16 000 archeological objects belonging to different ages, since the ancient antiquity and Middle Ages, are placed in this museum.

Mischievous elements looted during last year's turmoil some 81 objects of Illyr and Arberesh culture, and caused material damages in the existing museum of this city. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] We shall not allow destabilization of the country - SP of Albania

In a news conference held today at noon, the Secretary for Public relations of the SP, Ilir Zela read a statement of the SP presidency which noted "with concern and regret that a part of the opposition, commanded by Berisha and his clan, and based on the aggressive policy and the street philosophy, is seeking by every manner of means to sabotage the normal governing of Albania, and working for another destruction of the state and this country."

Later on Friday, the Presidency of SP (its highest forum) convened to discuss the present situation in the country and adopted a statement addressed to the public.

The statement said that "all these are made with the only aim, to restore to power Berisha, who lost in the legal elections of the past year," adding that he wants to realise this not through the competition of alternatives but through kalashnikovs."

The SP accused, in the statement, the DP leader of, as it qualifies it, "politically exploiting the killings made in Albania since 1991 up to September 14, 1998, when after the assassination of the deputy, Azem Hajdari, the Albanian state institutions were stormed through the force of arms."

Referring to the hunger strike of the Independent Student Union, SPA stressed that "being isolated by the International Community, now Berisha wants to instrumentalize the students of the Student Union, who are part of the DP structures, and is trying to make them again victims of his eagerness for power."

The SP Presidency states that "the Alliance for the State is resolute to a consistent governing and will never allow a destabilization and another destruction of the Albanian state and of the life of this people, on the contrary everything constructed with the toil and sweat of the Albanians will have the protection of the Albanian state."

The SP of Albania appeals to the DP moderate members to disassociate themselves from "the destructive part of its leadership and to take part actively in the co-governing of Albania, as a constructive opposition."

In reply to the questions by reporters, Zela declared that he made his step to bring the students out of the hunger strike in the name of the life, and added that during this act not violence or any other abuse had occurred. /pas/xh/

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[06] Kosova needs an quick, energetic solution without diplomatic academism - Foreign Minister

Kosova is not only an Albanian and regional question, but it is international as well," said Milo.

Speaking of the Verification Agreement, Milo said that since three months have passed from the day when the Verification Agreement was signed, it is clear evidence that the enmities vanquished from the NATO threat, are dangerously being recycled.

Based on this logic, Milo stressed that the settlement of the conflict in Kosove cannot be seen as a product of the compromises of the moment, the international mechanisms that regulate the conflicts seem not to be functioning properly.

"Kosova needs an energetic, quick solution without diplomatic academism, and only in this way Kosove may become a good example of the commitment and efficiency of the International Community for the peace and the stability in the region and broader," said Milo.

Further on Milo focused on the Albanian foreign policy, stressing the fact that the Albanian Government is making its utmost to help solve the question of Kosove.

The 4th International Conference on the topic "Situation and Perspectives of Stability in the Balkans" organized by the Albanian Atlantic Association, is being held from Dec.18-20, 1998 in Tirane. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Dilemma of solution to Kosova crisis, war or peace?

The speakers on this day dwelt on some of the main problems of this crisis such as the developments in Kosove and the perspectives of the solution to this problem, the importance of the Albanian factor in the solution to the crisis, the regional influences of the events in Kosove, etc.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Policy Commission, Sabri Godo considered the problem of Kosove as left in the middle of the road and according to him, everyone must do what he can for this problem.

Considering as rather critical the situation that the Kosova people are passing, the member of the ATA Leading Council, Arian Starova described as important the role of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA.)

"KLA was created in the moment when the Albanians found themselves in an impasse. It must not be put on equal footing with the Serb armed forces, " said Starova.

In this context, he said, "the international opinion must not forget that the Albanians of Kosove are not a minority and the Kosovar territory is not part of Serbia."

Other speakers in the conference considered the solution to the issue of Kosove in two aspects, they treated a peaceful solution through diplomatic ways but they did not rule out the possibility for a NATO military intervention.

The conference, held by the Albanian Atlantic Association, will continue from Dec.18 - Dec. 20, 1998. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Contact Group conveys to Prishtine message for urgent resumption of negotiations

After a closed-door meeting, the chairman of the negotiating group of Kosove, Dr. Fehmi Agani, stated that "they agreed completely with the fundamental objective of the message for the need of talks for a peaceful solution and for the need of a compromise, without forgetting the aims and without closing the door to our goals for independence."

The diplomats of the Contact Group also met with the general political representative of the KLA, Adem Demaci, with the leader of the democratic movement Rexhep Qosja and they are expected to have other meetings too.

Along with the CG diplomats, the special envoy of the European Union for Kosove, Volfgang Petric and the Ambassador of France in Skopje, Jacque Huntzinger, have also arrived in Prishtine. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Great military convoy on Prishtine-Podujeve road

In the mean time, Serb forces are holding under strict control the Podujeve-Prishtine road and are detaining and terrorizing Albanians. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Boville water reservoir starts supplying Tirane

Accompanied by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Ingrid Shuli, PM Majko turned on the tap for the supply with drinking water added to the water supply system of the capital. Then, the Premier visited other parts of the huge aqueduct, such as the water cleaning plant for the water of Boville reservoir, 25 km from Tirane centre.

Built in an area of nearly 2 hectares, the water cleaning plant supplies 600 liter/sec during the present first stage. Until March 1999 the two other stages are also expected to be completed, thus enabling a 1200 liter/sec supply of water for Tirane.

Since the beginning of work for the construction of Boville reservoir, in 1989, PM Majko is the 8th Albanian Prime Minister who visits the water project. On May 25, 1998 the gates of the dam were closed and actually the artificial lake has 45 million cubic meters of water, with 10 more meters of water needed for its maximal level. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Tirane in the lead of standings after first stage - Soccer

were followed with great interest, because they would also classify teams for the championship in the winter period. Follow the results of the matches:

Skenderbeu - Partizani 4-0
Dinamo - Bylis 2-1
Shkumbini - Laçi 5-0
Teuta - Apolonia 1-1
Tomori - Flamurtari 1-0
Vllaznia - Lushnja 3-0
Besa - Elbasani 0-0
Burreli - Tirana 0-0

At the end of the first stage of the soccer championship, the standings are as follows:

30 points Tirana
29 " Bylis
28 " Lushnja
27 " Vllaznia
25 " Dinamo
23 " Partizani
22 " Shkumbini, Tomori
18 " Elbasani, Skenderbeu, Laçi
17 " Apolonia, Besa
14 " Burreli, Flamurtari, Teuta

Follow the standings of the past 59th football championship (first stage):

37 Partizani, Vllaznia
33 Tirana
29 Shkumbini, Laçi
28 Teuta
25 Apolonia, Elbasani
24 Flamurtari, Sopoti
23 Tomori, Bylis
22 Skenderbeu
19 Lushnja
15 Besa, Olimpik (Dinamo)
14 Shqiponja
12 Albpetrol

The matches pf the first week of the second stage pf the present football championship will start on February 6 according to the following calendar:

Partizani - Tirana
Burreli - Elbasani
Besa - Lushnja
Vllaznia - Flamurtari
Tomori - Apolonia
Teuta - Laçi
Shkumbini - Bylis
Dinamo - Skenderbeu

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] PM Majko demands improvement of work from prefecture of Durres

Speaking with critical tones on the work of the prefecture of Durres, PM Majko demanded categorically the immediate identification of the problems in that prefecture.

Sharp problems were made present in the meeting from the sector of the customs house, public order and other local sectors.

Albanian Premier demanded a detailed report from the prefecture of Durres on all those problems within the first ten days of January.

Then, PM Majko had a talk in the department of the sea port of Durres. On the basis of the long-term plans for the country's economic development, PM Majko considered the port of Durres as one of the priorities of his cabinet.

The port of Durres is one of the units with the greatest support from the foreign donors and the objective is to turn it into a linking key point for East and West and an important point for the 8th Corridor. /dast/xh/

From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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