Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-21

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] First book fair closes in Albania

[02] Negotiations, agreements - only way to resolve Kosova crisis

[03] Anti contraband forces seize 40 tons of flour

[04] Northeastern areas facing depopulation

[05] Alberie Hadergjonaj awarded first prize in Fest '98

[06] Best films of the week

[07] Serb border troops fire at Albanian border unit

[08] Omonia elects new chairman

[09] Albania interested in regional initiatives, speaker says

[10] We support solutions attained through democratic means - Frlec

[11] Albania is not for ready made formulas for solution to crisis of Kosove - Majko

[12] Meidani considers priority strengthening of relations with Slovenia

[13] Majko meets Berisha in Europa Park Hotel

[14] Application of projects of Italian-Albanian cooperation must be accelerated - Majko

[15] NATO Mission in Tirana to be extended, Tonegutti

[16] US dollar exchanged at 140 lek on Monday

[17] Albania should have an independent social policy, Turco

[18] Majko-Berisha meeting ends

[19] "We must work together to pull the country out of grave economic situation," Meidani

[20] New Brindisi-Vlore line ferry boat inaugurated

[21] Meeting with Majko - a step towards cooperation between ruling parties and opposition - Berisha

[22] Albanian Government and students strikers agree to start dialogue

[01] First book fair closes in Albania

The closure was followed by a wider meeting of the Association of the Albanian Publishers, one of the organizers of the fair. Fatmir Toci, head of the association, praised the fair considering it "a success due to its organisation and the possibility it created for a tradition in the Albanian book fair."

The association presented the idea for other fairs in different cities which according to publishers will bring the book closer to the people.

The publishers reacted against the literature awards for '97 given by the Ministry of Culture on Saturday evening. They argued that no award could be given to a volume of poetry in Northern dialect "when Albanians need to defend their language now more than ever."

The awarding panel gave a special prize in '97 to the volume of poetry "Ave Maria bahet ne lot" of a young writer Ledia Dushi.

The Association of Albanian publishers was created in 1994 and included some 40 publishing houses from Albanian territories, Kosova and Macedonia. This association has attended some international fairs such as the Frankfurt and Geneva Fairs. pas/ak/

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[02] Negotiations, agreements - only way to resolve Kosova crisis

In its last day, the orators discussed the importance and role of the Contact Group in resolving the crisis in Kosova as well as NATO role in stabilising the situation there and preventing a spill over of the conflict in the Balkans.

Albanian deputy prime minister Ilir Meta, praising the role of the Contact Group and international structures in achieving the Dayton peace, said that "Yugoslavia's issue should be dealt with as a full package of peace agreement preventing a spill over of another conflict and new ethnic cleansing."

Meta considered the accord reached between Holbrooke and Milosevic an important achievement which would lead to negotiations but said that, nevertheless, the crisis in Kosova was still far from a solution.

"It is evident that there will be no final solution for Kosova through use of military force. The only solution is that of negotiations and agreements and, in this occasion, Albania and its government will continue to act as part of the international community," Meta said.

The conference conveyed ideas of scholars and specialists from different fields historic, political, military and Kosova crisis. Despite different ideas on the way how to establish peace, orators shared the view that it was not late to achieve peace and prevent national tragedies which have neither loser nor winner. /dast/ak/

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[03] Anti contraband forces seize 40 tons of flour

They said that anti contraband group operating in the area seized the cargo, smuggled via Shkodra lake, at 05.00 a.m. in Grishe village 4 km from Koplik city.

The vehicles with Malesia e Madhe number plates were blocked for failing to present relevant documentation for the cargo.

Four days earlier, these forces seized four other lorries carrying flour, smuggled via Shkodra lake, too, in Pjetroshan village.

Some 10 lorries carrying flour, four with bananas and a considerable quantity of beer were seized during the last three months.

Four Montenegrins, who tried to smuggled goods via lake to Montenegro, have been detained. /dast/ak/

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[04] Northeastern areas facing depopulation

In July '98 there were 81.400 inhabitants compared to 91.390 inhabitants at the end of '95, Nebi Dida, chief of the local civic office said to ATA.

The movement or displacement of inhabitants towards low lands is the main cause of the decrease in the recent years. Some thousand inhabitants have left the area due to the free movement of people within the last three months.

The displacement is to an extent stimulated by the youths who help their families move to low lands through remittances.

Drinas village, which numbered 700 inhabitants, now has only 4 families with 24 inhabitants. A great number of people have left the villages of Shikaj, Kryemadh, Ujmisht, Domaj, Kolejsan, Breglume, Tejdrine, Bushtrice, Arren and others, Dida said.

Even the intelligence is part of this displacement. There is no architect there and the number of constructing engineers has decreased.

Chief of the local education office Islam Gjana said to ATA that 350 teachers, lacking the respective education, are teaching the pupils and students and there is no English language teacher who has graduated the faculty of foreign languages.

The city hospital director Bajram Cenaj said that the massive movement of nurses increased the need to organize nursing training courses. /ake/ak/

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[05] Alberie Hadergjonaj awarded first prize in Fest '98

Panels of Tirana, Korca, Gjirokaster and Shkodra, chose the song "Goodness and truth" written by Arben Duka, composed by Luan Zhegu and conducted by Miron Kotani among the 17 songs qualified for the last night of the song festival.

The second prize was awarded to the song-singer Francesk Radi "I lost the spring" and the third prize to "I am innocent" composed by Adrian Hila.

The staff, who organised the festival, includes Zhani Ciko, artistic leader, Petri Bozo, producer, Jorgo Papingji and Genc Ymeraj, scenarists, Bashkim Zahaj and Leka Doko, scene-painters, Paskal Ngjeliu, illumination master and Stefan Gajo, photo director. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Best films of the week

The film "U.S. Marshals" of Warner Bros Company produced by Stuart Bard is second. The "Anastasia" animated cartoon which showed the adventure of the Princess of Russia, Anastasia, in search of her identity, is third.

"So cosa hai fatto" of Medusa cinematographic company, produced by Jim Gillespie is ranked fourth this week. The message of the film is that "when you kill someone verify that he is dead."

The violent film "Dobernmann" produced by Jan Kounen, played by Vincent Cassel, Tcheky Karyo, Monica Belluci, is ranked fifth among the best video tapes sold this week. /pas/ak/

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[07] Serb border troops fire at Albanian border unit

The same source said to ATA that Yugoslav border forces fired at the Albanian unit on duty at 11.10 a.m. 500 meters inland the Albanian territory at the border post C 9/7 in Zherke village, Tropoja district.

An hour later, a sniper opened fire at the Albanian unit on duty and two OSCE verifiers, who were closely monitoring the situation in the region, the report of the press office said.

No casualties have been reported in both incidents.

This is the third incident within few days in the Albanian-Yugoslav border.

Four days ago a group of six Yugoslav militaries crossed into the Albanian territory in the same region while 14 others stood across the border and opened fire at the Zherke village for 45 minutes. s.s/ak/

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[08] Omonia elects new chairman

Omonia, was elected former deputy of the Human Rights Union Party Vangjel Dule, actually a pedagogue of the Greek chair at the "Eqerem Cabej" University of Gjirokastra, by the 4th conference of Omonia, which ended its two-day proceedings late on Sunday in Saranda city.

The conference focused on some changes in the statute of the organization, election of new general council and the election of new chairman. It voted for the candidature of Vangjel Dule and Andrea Marto, present deputy minister of the Education and Science.

It is not known when the general council will meet to appoint the Omonia deputy chairmen and general secretary.

Discussions on the changes in the statute also included issues related to political and social dimension of the ethnic Greek organisation of Albania, which actually live in Saranda, Delvina and Gjirokastra.

A few days ago, two explosions rocked the city of Saranda where the Omonia permanent headquarters is. These explosions were considered by different circles as terrorist actions and pressure against the general chairman and secretary of the organisation on the eve of the conference.

But police have not revealed any reports on investigation and motives of this penal offence. /ake/ak/

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[09] Albania interested in regional initiatives, speaker says

meeting with the Slovenian Foreign Minister Boris Frlec on Monday, press office at the Albanian parliament said.

"Albania is interested in initiatives of regional cooperation and the parliament totally supports the government policies for regional integration, as part of the European general integration," Gjinushi said.

He criticized the destabilizing role of the opposition in the democratic processes.

"The policy of instability followed by a group of politicians has not been supported by the international community," he said.

Referring to the most sensitive issue in the Balkans, that of Kosova, Gjinushi said that without a final solution to the Kosova crisis there would be no stability in the region.

"The Albanian parliament has always supported dialogue for a peaceful solution to the conflict as well as the will of the Kosova people for self- rule," he said.

Minister Frlec, sharing the same view with the Albanian speaker on developments in Kosova, said that Slovenia would further contribute to establish dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade for a durable solution. /pas/ak/

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[10] We support solutions attained through democratic means - Frlec

"We support all those solutions which would be democratically attained," said the Slovenian Minister, who stressed that "we support every solution reached on the coming status of Kosove, although we consider it part of the Yugoslav Federation with its majority Albanian population."

Albanian Minister said that "in order to accelerate the process for the settlement of the crisis, a round table must be called between the Kosova political forces and the Albanian forces, to determine the approach to be adopted in face of the options proposed by the international factor." "Slovenia is setting a good example," said Mr Milo, referring to the efforts of Slovenia to integrate into Euro-Atlantic structures.

The Slovenian Foreign Minister voiced the support of his government to offer the forms that would serve the democratic institutions in Albania. "I believe that this will be materialised during the visit of Albanian President Meidani to Slovenia the coming year," he said. /xh/

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[11] Albania is not for ready made formulas for solution to crisis of Kosove - Majko

The spokesman of the Prime Minister reports that the two politicians focused on the possibility for closer multilateral relations between the countries watered by the Adriatic sea, relations which would useful for Albania and Slovenia.

PM Majko, expressing the view of the Albanian government for the crisis in Kosove, said that Albania is for ready made formulas to be found for the solution to the crisis. According to PM Majko, the Albanian Government respects all possible solutions, which would be acceptable for the Albanians of Kosove and observe international norms. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Meidani considers priority strengthening of relations with Slovenia

"Now, Slovenia is a successful pattern in the road of interior stability and European integration," said Meidani, adding that the cooperation in the political field aims at gaining from this integrating experience and at the same time at the mutual support in the international arena.

Also, Meidani urged the facilitation of consular procedures for a wider communication of special professional categories, which was backed by the Foreign Minister of Slovenia.

Both interlocutors shared the same opinion regarding the necessity of unification of the Albanian factors in Kosova as a necessity for the situation created there. President Meidani stressed the necessity of a wider attention and a more supportive Sloven policy for the Kosova Albanians, who have been forced to abandon their homes.

Minister Frlec underlined that Albania enjoys an increasing international support and hailed the steps made towards stability and strengthening of the democratic institutions.

The parties in this meeting voiced the readiness to cooperate for the establishment of regional structures to fight the illegal traffics. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Majko meets Berisha in Europa Park Hotel

Premier Majko is also accompanied by the deputy Premier Ilir Meta, while the DP head is accompanied by the DP deputy chairman, Genc Pollo. The meeting is going on behind closed doors. /lh/mt/

MORE

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[14] Application of projects of Italian-Albanian cooperation must be accelerated - Majko

PM Majko insisted during the meeting in the acceleration of the projects which have to do with the Public Order Ministry and the Ministry of Transport. The application of these projects would have a positive impact in the country both in the social and psychological aspects. "Such a thing becomes more emergent especially in the specific conditions which the country is forced to face," the spokesman cites Majko.

Illegal emigration was one of the other points of discussion. "The basis of this emigration is poverty and a primary condition to ease it is the refrain this phenomenon," said Albanian PM. He considered as first rate importance the assistance that Italy may give in this direction. Hence, according to the PM, only police measures to refrain the illegal emigration are not completely sufficient.

PM Majko briefed Ms Turco about the law passed by the government for the speedboats, explaining that this is a law which bans the use of dinghies and makes more efficient the work of police to fight illegal emigration.

Ms Turco highlighted that law and hailed the initiative of the Albanian Government. /dast/xh/

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[15] NATO Mission in Tirana to be extended, Tonegutti

He stressed that "NATO office, based on the agreement, is authorized to operate till May of 1999, but we have planned to propose to our ministers in Brussels the extension of its stay in Tirana."

NATO office in Tirana, which is very active even in the Balkan, prepares the Albanian specialists, military specialists, for the creation of the new concepts of security.

Talking about the activity of this office in Albania, Tonegutti said that the field of its activity has been focused on the collection of weapons, looted from the army depots, the development of the field of military communication, the restoration of the air forces, the preparation of the emergency centers for the civil population and others.

The NATO office was opened six months ago close to the Albanian Ministry of Defence and works for the coordination of the aid that the other members countries offer for the restoration of the Albanian army. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] US dollar exchanged at 140 lek on Monday

Folow the exhange rate of some foreign currencies with Albanian lek:

Kind of foreign currency	Exchange rate
USD				140.00
DM				 84.60
LIT(1000)			 84.70
GRD(100)			 49.80

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Albania should have an independent social policy, Turco

The Italian Minister of Social Solidarity, Livia Turco, declared this in a joint news conference with the Albanian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Kadri Rrapi.

"The strategy of intervention of the Italian government is not only to offer financial assistance, but also to assist, so that Albania has an independent policy in the social field," said Turco.

Today's day, she added, marks the inauguration of projects and experiences introduced in the social field as a result of the cooperation between the governments and the Non Government Organizations (NGO-s) in both countries.

It is a matter of 64 projects throughout Albania, in which many of them are to ease poverty and set up center of social care for women, infants and youth.

Minister Rrapi on his side pointed out that the Italian Minister Turco "has initiated the programs of social assistance for Albania over the months of last year's crisis." For this reason, she can be considered "not only the minister of solidarity in Italy, but also of the solidarity with Albania and Albanians," said Rrapi.

The projects have been realised in the framework of a total fund worth 20 billion liras, accorded in July of 1998 by the Italian government. Involved in it are 31 Italian NGO-s, as well as 51 Albanian NGO-s. /dast/mt/

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[18] Majko-Berisha meeting ends

The closed-door meeting treated various questions, including the relations between the ruling parties and the opposition, the demands of the student strikers, the question of the killing of Azem Hajdari and the issue of Kosove.

Taking part in the meeting were also deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta and DP deputy chairman Genc Pollo.

After the Majko-Berisha meeting, Meta and Pollo met with representatives of the student strikers. /dast/xh/

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[19] "We must work together to pull the country out of grave economic situation," Meidani

In this meeting, President Meidani thanked for the assistance regarding fulfillment of many projects in the framework of Non Government Organizations (NGO-s), both in the aspect of employment and easing the social problems in our country, and for the emancipation of the society, mainly of the life of the Albanian woman.

The Albanian President said that "we should work together to ease pulling of Albania out of the grave economic situation."

The Italian guests on their side stressed that the entire political spectrum of Italy is positively engaged to help the process of stability in Albania and the restoration of the democratic institutions.

The meeting also considered that the polarization of the life in the country retrains the common efforts of the local authorities and the international community towards the acceleration of the complete restoration of the country.

President Meidani estimated once again the personal contribution of former Italian Premier Prodi, the current PM D'Alema and the other senior authorities of Italy in strengthening the bilateral relations. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] New Brindisi-Vlore line ferry boat inaugurated

The ferry boat of the Italian company Skanderbeg Lines"with its headquarters in the city of Brindisi (Italy) and with affiliates in Vlore and Durres, has a capacity of 1 000 passenger seats, 80 vehicles and 26 trucks. Europa-1 increases considerably the possibilities for travelling of people from Brindisi to Vlore and vice versa.

This is the fourth ferry boat with access to the port of Vlore along those of the companies Iliria Lines, Albania Travel Tours and Blumare with services from Brindisi, Otranto, Patra and Igumenica to Vlore. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Meeting with Majko - a step towards cooperation between ruling parties and opposition - Berisha

After considering the meeting as a step towards cooperation between the Albanian ruling parties and those in opposition, Berisha said among others that "we presented our opinions about the demands of the student strikers. Anyhow, it is up to the government and the students to establish a dialogue between them to make possible the end of the hunger strike."

Berisha described as important the fact that they in the meeting had agreed to a law to be sent to the Parliament, which, as Berisha said, would demand the creation of a special investigation team to inquire into the assassination of deputy Azem Hajdari.

"An important issue we discussed in our meeting also was the approach towards the question of Kosove. It must be stressed the understanding between the two parties to adopt a common policy towards the question of Kosove," said Berisha. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Albanian Government and students strikers agree to start dialogue

In a meeting held in two rounds in Hotel Europa Park, the Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, and later Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta and the deputy chairman of DP, Genc Pollo held talks with a group of students taking part in the hunger strike.

After the meeting, Meta and Pollo stated they had agreed that a government team and a representative group of the student strikers meet on Dec.22, in the morning in one of the halls of the Rectorate of Tirane University, where a pact is expected to be signed for the realisation of the economic demands of the student strikers.

In the improvised press conference after the meeting, Meta and Pollo, declared that Monday's meeting was a step forward in the cooperation between the ruling parties and the opposition parties in Albania.

Albanian Deputy Prime Minister, Meta stated that "the opinion of PM Majko and mine, following the meeting with the opposition leaders, is that the desire and the good will to come to terms between the the parliamentary majority and the opposition exist and that the present gap between them on many questions may be filled in and all possibilities exist on both sides to intensify democratic processes and to ease the artificial tensions in the country.

During the meeting, besides the problem of the students, they also discussed the question of the investigation into the killing of Azem Hajdari and the question of Kosove.

With regard to the Hajdari issue, they agreed to form a group of independent prosecutors to inquire into the matter, while on the question of Kosove, the parties in the meeting were for a common stand on both sides of the Albanian politics.

After the meeting, the OSCE Ambassador in Albania, Daan Everts told ATA that "this is a very good news and the meeting between the leaders of the ruling parties and the opposition itself is a good omen for Albania." /dast/xh/

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