Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-04

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Most preferred albums in first days of new year

[02] Pediatric center inaugurated in Durres

[03] Lagoons - a beauty that dies away with each passing day

[04] Students return to campus after holidays

[05] Best sellers in first days of January 1999

[06] State invested some $3 million in Gjirokastra prefecture

[07] Bust of Mustafa Qemal Ataturk to be placed in square with the same name in Tirane

[08] Dollar as against 140.5 lek

[09] Realisation of investments in tourism is expected in 1999

[10] Taxes in 1998 realised 87% of total plan

[11] Commercial Bank's deposits 19 billion lek

[12] Only 49.7% of the subjects have written contracts

[13] Number of females larger than males.

[14] Saranda to be declared archeological park during 1999

[15] The main economic events in 1998

[16] Soros to restore education system in Gjirokaster

[17] Teaching process resumes in University "Luigj Gurakuqi" in Shkoder

[18] Queen Elisabeth honors three British citizens for their services in Albania

[19] Albania PM meets Adem Demaci

[01] Most preferred albums in first days of new year

According to a survey conducted in the shops trading cassettes the East 17 youth group with their album "Surrection" was ranked ninth while the wellknown singer George Michael with "Ladies & Gentlemen" was ranked seventh.

While the singer Cher with her album "Believe" was the first in 10 top hits.

Classification of 10 top hits

10 - Five Five
 9 - East 17 Surrection
 8 - Aerosmith I don't want to miss a thing
 7 - George Michael Ladies & Gentlemen
 6 - Alanis Morissette Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
 5 - Metallici Garage Inc
 4 - Laura Pausini La mia risposta
 3 - 'N Sync The winter album
 2 - Jennifer Page Crush
 1 - Cher Believe

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Pediatric center inaugurated in Durres

The construction of this center was enabled by the Italian multidistrict "Lions Club". 62 representatives of 45.000 members of 17 Italian districts together with the colleagues of Lions Club in Durres, Tirana and Lushnje, inaugurated the center.

Present at the ceremony was president of Republic Rexhep Meidani, officials of the local government, representatives of Health Ministry, Italian Embassy in Tirana and others.

The ceremony was directed by the coordinator of the "Albania" project, Carlo D'Angelo.

Addressing the ceremony, President Meidani said that "the inauguration of the center is a sign of regional integration between Albania and Italy. This center for children who will be the future lions of Albania will remember them that it has been constructed by Lions' contribution and they should follow their suit."

He added that the ceremony was held at a time when the Euro, lion currency of the United Europe, was launched and he was present because he himself belonged to the Lion sign.

Meidani wished that this center be equipped with modern apparatus and skilled people who would serve children.

At the end of the ceremony, Italian and Albanian members of the Lions Club planted two trees.

President of the construction firms Eng. Luigi Fabri said to ATA that some 2 billion lire had been spent for the construction of the two-storey 2.000 square meters building.

The premises are 10.500 square meters. The new clinic has 85 rooms for examination, treatment, chemical analyses and staff. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Lagoons - a beauty that dies away with each passing day

According to specialists, 69 thousand cubic meters of dirty water pours in it and in the sea every month, thus harming gravely the bio- diversity in that natural asset.

As a result of the interrupted communication of the lagoon with the sea since 1987, about 60 per cent of the pine trees and 40 per cent of other trees have been damaged. 47 of 58 kinds of fish have been exterminated. Also rare birds like pelican, pheasant, grouse, savage goose and others are considered as nonexistent any more.

The damage of the ecological system of that lagoon increased by the hunting with dynamite and other prohibited means. The hunting with hunting rifle has decreased the number of savage fowl. Likewise, the eagerness of individuals to set up bars in the lagoon has also contributed to the ruining of the equilibrium of the natural life there.

In 1977, a pheasant-rearing centre was set up in the habitat in the Ishull Lezhe extended in a 23 hectare-area, according to a French technology, and for so many years up to 26 thousand pheasants a year were exported in the Italian and French markets.

The fishing specialist, Gjek Celaj, said that during 1984-1986 also an experimental center was established in the lagoon, in which about 4 thousand savage and tamed ducks were crossbred, a process which helped populate the zone with that kind of fowl.

But during the March 1997 unrest in Albania, the two centers were completely ruined.

Celaj said that the zone has 28 artesian sources, which do rarely appear in the few lagoons of Europe.

Recently, USAID has financed a project to stop the further degradation of the ecosystem of the lagoon. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Students return to campus after holidays

The "Student" campus in Tirana, the biggest one in Albania, was full of students on Sunday afternoon.

Et'hem Ruka, Minister of Education, said to ATA that the government had accorded some 70 million leks in December to improve the living standards in the campus.

During 1998, funds worth 10.1 million leks from the state budget was used for new buildings, 64.25 million leks to reconstruct higher schools, 28.7 million leks to equip them, 5 million leks for technological machineries and 3.5 million leks for professional equipment.

The state budget allocated 104,2 million leks for university text books.

Considerable funds were used for the rehabilitation of higher schools damaged during riots of March 1997, particularly for the Agricultural University of Kamza, partial compensation in Shkodra, Elbasan, Korca universities.

A bus line for students of the Agricultural and Natural Science Universities is expected to start within January to meet one of the demands of the hunger strike students. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Best sellers in first days of January 1999

"Social Contract" by the French renowned philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau is one of the newest volumes in the stands of the book-shops which is selling well in the book market.

The book is published by the Luarasi Publishing House in the context of the program "Books for an open society."

Also demanded in the few past days has been the short stories "Made In Albania" by Teodor Keko.

The book has 30 short stories and is a publication of Albin Publishing House.

Although new in the book shops, the novel "Caput" by Kurcio Malaparti continues to rank as one of the best sellers. The novel, translated by Klio Evangjeli, reflects the psychosis during the World War Second. It is published by the O.M.S.C.A. Publishing House.

Although with a slight lower rank, the novel "Word" by U.S. author Irving Wallas continues to be one of the best sellers in the capital. Translated by Vasil Gjymshana, the novel is a publication of O.M.S.C.A.

The dictionaries "French-Albanian" by Vedat Kokona and "German- Albanian" dictionary by Ali Dhrimo are selling well. These are the two latest dictionaries in the book market published by the publishing house Toena. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] State invested some $3 million in Gjirokastra prefecture

Pandeli Badiava, secretary of the prefecture, said that these investments had helped reconstruct and modernise state institutions, rehabilitate roads, resolve problems of community such as employment, public health and others.

Some 8 thousand unemployed were recorded in the prefecture but investments of Albanian Fund for Development (FSHZH) and non government organisations such as Cesvi had increasingly reduced the unemployment.

FSHZH has invested in rehabilitation and construction of rural roads, improvement of infrastructure in village, improvement of water pipelines and others.

FSHZH total investments are 70 million leks while CESVI's are over 150 million leks. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Bust of Mustafa Qemal Ataturk to be placed in square with the same name in Tirane

The agreement was reached in principle as the materialisation of the first stage of sister relations established between Tirane and Bursa cities. To this end, the spokesman of Tirane city-hall told ATA, a delegation of the Tirane municipality, led by Mayor Albert Brojka, had a visit last December in the city of Bursa, at the invitation of the Mayor of Bursa, Erden Saker.

In this context, the municipality of Bursa will make the town- planning study of the square Qemal Ataturk. The bust of Ataturk will be selected on the basis of a contest and the work for it will be directed by the Turkish firm Gintash.

The two cities have also agreed to organize matches between respective teams of basketball and volleyball. Also the Tirana artistic ensemble will go for concerts to Bursa and exhibitions by most renowned Albanian and Turkish painters will be held in the two cities.

The sister relations between Tirane and Bursa established last December was previously decided by the municipal councils of the two cities.

So far, Tirana has established sister relations with the cities of Rome, Moscow, Marseilles, Ankara, Sarajevo, Genoa and Lubljana. In the context of the relations established with Rome in 1997, a multinational force assisted the Tirane city hall with funds and technology for territory cleaning and adjustment. /s.s/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Dollar as against 140.5 lek

The following are the rates of the foreign currencies against the Albanian one:

Currency	Rate
USD		140.50
DM		 84.50
LIT(1000)	 84.50
GRD(100)	 49.30

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Realisation of investments in tourism is expected in 1999

The Austrian company of Europa Park Hotel is ready for new investments, including the construction of steambaths,a closed swimming pool etc. A new building for hotel's offices is expected to be constructed, as well. Total investment marks the value of $900.000.

Mak Albania company presented new projects in building a touristic village, a camping and other topuristic investments, that marked the value of $17.8 million.

While Duemo Tourism Company planned to invest in Saranda town, aiming at creating a wonderful touristc town in Albania.

Other investments are predicted to take place in Lalzi and Velipoja./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Taxes in 1998 realised 87% of total plan

By VAT, which posseses nearly 43% of the annual plan of taxes'income, 8,339 billion lek is cashed from 9,500 billion planned or 87,8%. So, the deficit shown is about 1 billion lek.

2,817 billion lek are cashed during 1998 from 3,250 planned, that is to say 86,7%. Here the deficit is 433 million lek.

It is important to say that nearly of 75% of the deficit belongs to the period of the first six-months of the year.

During June-December period 100 million lek are cashed, which influenced in deficit reduction, inherited from the previous months. Only in November 132 million lek are cashed.

According to the specialists the taxes' income are predicted to increase in 1999./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Commercial Bank's deposits 19 billion lek

Active assets: Active currencies increased from 43.5 to 47.4 billion lek. Pretensions toward the government increased too, respectively from 132.2 to 134 billion lek. Pretensions towards the public interprices increased as well, while pretension towards the private sector increased from 14.4 to 14.5 billion lek.

Passive assets: Non limited time deposits fall during 1998, from 34.8 to 34.1 billion lek. Time limited and the foreign currencies deposits incerased to 123.9 billion lek compared with 121.7.The obligations remain still zero./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Only 49.7% of the subjects have written contracts

Nearly 0.2% of the workers are underaged.

According to the economic activity the public subjects are devided as:

1.65% - Agriculture, Forest, Fishing

0.5% - Mines

29.8% - Productive interprices

2.1% - Electricity, Gasoline, Water

23.5% - Trade, Bare Restaurants

25.90% - Constructions

4.0% - Transport, Communication

3.6% - Finance

9.4% - Other activities

The total number of the employees is 107.900.

/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Number of females larger than males.

According the Institution of Statistics, 1.63 million inhabitants belong to the female sex, while 1.63 belong to the male sex. Regarding the changes of the population, is remarked that till the end of 1990, the birth number of the both sexes has increased. During 1991-1996, the birth number has gradually decreased as compared with 1990.

Every mother had approximately 7 children in 1960, while this number has decreased in less than 3 in 1995.

A strong impact in the reduction of the birth number has caused the allowance of aborts as well as the family planning method.

The death number has been the same from 1938 till 1996. This figure is 17 000-18 000 deaths a year.

The infantile death of males less than a year old has been high; some 47 male babies have died out of 1000 living babies, while this number is 41 for the female babies.

The main causes of deceases in other ages of population are tumors, infarcts and others where the male sex occupies 60% of the cases dieing from these deceases.

Although the life of the Albanian women is rather difficult, the index of the average life of the Albanian women is higher that that of males. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Saranda to be declared archeological park during 1999

Actually, it has been realised the map of the archeological monuments and work is going on for the registration of these objects.

The Mayor of Saranda, Çapajev Zera, said that for the realization of this idea and activities for the 2300th anniversary of ONHEZM, a working group has been set up from the town hall and the district council.

In the archeological object of ONHEZM in Saranda, some 7 mosaics, basilica in the center of today's town, castles, the antique bight, and others, have been inherited. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] The main economic events in 1998

Jan.19 - 5 agreements asigned about oil search, discover and exploitation.

Jan.20 - World Institute of Saving Banks decided to give its assistance to Albanain Saving Bank.

Jan. 21 - Albanian Telecom put in use nearly 500 new phone numbers.

Jan.23 - National Employement Service is established

Jan.23 - The Understanding Memorandum is asigned between Europian Commision and the Albanain Government about the sum of 10.5 milion ECU

Jan.30 - The Goverment decide from Feb.16 the low pension will be 4.000 lek, while the low salary in state system will be 5.700 lek.

Jan.30 - An Interministral Commission started to function near the Ministry of Trade and Tourism to accelarate the Albanian memembership in World Trade Organization (WTO).

Jan.30 - A great help by Franc Vranicki in attracting foreign investitors in Albania.

Feb. 2 - Several important agreements asigned between the Albanian Goverment and the United European Commision in continuity of European Community help in Albania.

Feb.3 - The agreement about the begining of the special program is asigned between PNUD, FAO and Albanian Goverment, presented by the Agriculture Ministry.

Feb.3 - Albanian Parliament adopted the budget year 1998.

Feb.4 - Norwish company "Hydro Norsk " return in Albania to discuss about the survival of Fier plant, after the assigment of the Understanding Letter two months ago.

Feb.6 - A german economic delegation visit Albania and it is interested in investments in different industrial sectors.

Feb.7 - Started the employment registration in Italy.

Feb.9 - Amarican Goverment gives a help of $10 milion for the program "Food for progress".

Feb.9 - The program about the custom houses modernisation all over the country is approved.

Feb.9 - Arab Albanian-Islamic Bank renew its license.

Feb.9 - The interprices iventory is completed.

Feb.10 - Albanian Goverment ask the donators for coorperation and close coordination.

Feb.10 - Russian interested in coorperation in different Albanian economic fields.

Feb.10 - 14.9 milion ECU given by European Community in frame of PHARE Program.

Feb.10 - World Bank include Albania in a help program "against corruption".

Feb.11 - European Community analises in Tirana the financial realisation about the roads.

Feb.11 - World Bank approves a fond of $10,25 million about the project on the Survival of Private Industry in Albania.

Feb.12 - Meeting of Initiative Cooperation in Southern Europe SECI in Congresses' Palace in Tirana.

Feb.12 - The developments in private economic sector and the possibilities for the future investments are considered by IFC represatatives in Albania,and International Coorperation for Finance.

Feb.17 - Albanain's interests discused in Bruksel

Feb.17 - The Approval of a document in frame of Economic Coorperation between Albania and PNUD.

Feb.17 - World Bank Accord a fond of $3.97 million through International Branch of Environment(IBE) about the protection of Ohri Lake.

Feb.18 - Albanian Agriculture has already its Genetics Bank. USAID gives a fond of around $400.000 for its establishment under IFDC care.

Feb.19 - Greek companies PPC and GENER interested to invest in different projects in Albanian Electronicenergy System.

Feb.19 - Albanian Ministry of Transport and Public Affairs, Alkatel, Siete S.p.a (Firence), SALCEF S.p.a (ROMA) and ATAF (Firence) agree to form a consorc about the public transport in Tirana and Durres.

Feb.20 - The agreement for nikel explotation is asigned between Albanian and Greek industry.

Feb.23 - Greek trademen and bussinesmen interested in constructing an industrial park in Korçë.

Feb.23 - Albania invites the greek businesmen to participate in different privatisation activities, while Greece offers help to strength SME.

Feb.23 - World Bank defines three main priorities for Albania till 2001.

Feb.24 - For the first time Albania is included in great project about the oil.

Feb.24 - The protocol of the sixth intergovernmental sesion about economic, industrial, technical and scientific coorperation, is assigned between Albanian Government and Greek Republic.

Feb.25 - KESH ristarts its coorperation with BERZH.

Feb.25 - The World Bank project of $10,25 million about the industrial survival is assigned.

Feb.25 - Belgian ELECTRABEL Company interested to invest $300 milion in help of Albanian Energetics.

Feb.25 - Starts its activity the Albanian Agency of Investment Guaratee.

Feb.26 - The french SEGELEC looks for Bushati HEC.

Feb.26 - European Commision decides to give Albania a fond of 10 billion lirets.

Mar.3 - Dini and Meksi assigned in Rome the protocoll about the italian financial help of 60 billion lirets.

Mar.7 - The representave of German Air Accociation of Lufthanca Andrea Denekes announces the new agreements about the non-stop flights between Luftansas and Albanian Airlines.

Mar.9 - The agreement in social assureance is assigned between Albania and Turkey.

Mar.14 - Albanian Parliament approved the Privatisation Strategy.

Mar.19 - Begins the constraction of superway Durres-Rrogozhine

Mar.19 - The internation fair "Spring '98" is open.

Mar.24 - Finished the second meeting of Common Committee Albania - European Unity.

Apr.1 - The first Bisness Incubator is inaugurated.

Apr.15 - NEBEX finished the third drilling

Apr.23 - Albpetrol assigned the agreement about petrol searching.

Apr.24 - 23 Albanians are postgraduated in Administrative Bussiness.

Apr.30 - Albanian Goverment passed the projectlaw about the way of distributing the money.

May.5 - Albanian Bank becomes member of Central Banks Club.

May.13- World Bank approved a fond of $17 million dollars for albanian health,$17 for Durresi port and $10 million for urban infrastructure in Albania.

May.13 - Albania - IMF assigned ESAF 2 agreement

May.14 -IMF approved the 3 year loan for Albania.

May.16 -Euroballkan'98 Fair is opened in Tirana.

May.27 -"Fiera del Levante" Fair is opened in Tirana.

May.27 - Albania becomes member of European Conference of Transport.

Jun.2 - Albanian projects are presented to american companies in Oher.

Jun.8 - Donates discuss projects for Albania in transport.

Jun.9 - Greek OTE ready to invest $200 million.

Jun.30 - Start its life Albanian Agency of Investment Guarentee.

Jul.1 - Albania becomes a full member of "ECAC".

Jul.3 - Three greek banks give a credit of 5 billion dhrami.

Jul.3 - Fabri is elected again in the head of Italian Investors Committee.

Jul.10 - Albania-Austrian agreement in rail transport.

Aug.21 - Directors Bord of World Bank approved the "CAS" program for Albania.

Aug.24 -Begin the preparationa about the third round of Albania-World Trade Organization discussions.

Aug.27 - The first auction for selling the pyramids schemes assets is opened.

Aug.28 - Bufi signed the agreementon the privatisation of 193 interprices.

Aug.31 - Albanian debt is announced: $425 million.

Sep.3 - The protokoll of Albanian-Turkish Common Commission is signed.

Sep.5 - An agreement for coorperation in 8 economic sectors between Albania and Macedonia is signed.

Sep.21 - Albania signed the Review European Social Letter.

Sep.22 - Technical meeting between Albanian Government and donators.

Sep.23 - Albanian-Greek cooperation is closely related in transport.

Oct.3 - Albanian Prime minister Majko presented the new minister of Finance, Anastas Angjeli.

Oct.7 - "Union of Albanian Economic Journalists" is established.

Oct.8 - The prime minister Majko presented the government program.

Oct.10 - Albanian Committee for Fasilities in Trade Procedures is established.

Oct.13 - 9 foreign investors interested in privatisation of Commercial Bank.

Oct.15 - "Agriculture and Food" Fair is opened.

Oct.23 - Saving Bank reduce interest values

Oct.28 - The fond of 30,5 million ECU is signed from World Bank for Albania.

Nov.4 - Two Fairs into a week in Tirana.

Nov.10 - Albania takes part in International Fair of Tourism in Selanic.

Nov.10 - "Tirana Trade '98" Fair is opened.

Nov.14 - Albanian Minister of Finance Angjeli signed, in behalf of Albanian government, the agreement about the credit of 5 billion GRD, as a help for homeless Albanians.

Nov.20 - PNUD announce the information about the Human Development in Albania 1998.

Nov.25 - Albania - Euripean Unity signed two agreements about a fond of 6 million ECU.

Nov.26 - The Union of Albanian Bussiness Organisations is established.

Nov.27 - Albanian Goverment approved the project budget year 1999.

Dec.2 - Coca-Cola on fire.

Dec.2 - 3 year of Western Union activity in Albania.

Dec.9 - European Community gives a fond of 30.9 million ECU through PHARE Program.

Dec.10 - Transport Donators gathered in Tirana.

Dec.12 - Albanian Government signed the "Letter of intent".

Dec.29 - Albanian Parliament approved the Budget year 1999./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Soros to restore education system in Gjirokaster

The director of the district education sector, Resul Llogo, told ATA that due to this Foundation, Gjirokaster has today two modern high schools.

According to him, for the reconstruction of kinder-gardens and schools, Soros invested last year 524 000 dollars, while for the vivification of the cultural life of the community, Soros financed some 110 000 dollars, which involved 350 persons.

The coordinator of this foundation in Gjirokaster, Silvana Xuhano, told ATA that during 1998, Soros foundation allocated some 130 million leks for the realisation of a series of projects in four different fields.

Other projects are envisaged for 1999 in the education field, mainly in the zone of the Greek minority in this district, ended Xuhano. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Teaching process resumes in University "Luigj Gurakuqi" in Shkoder

The vice-rector of this University, Artan Haxhi, told ATA that after the winter holidays, 1 600 students of the 12 faculties resumed normally the teaching process. The measures to welcome the students from the northern and east-northern parts of Albania who live in dormitories were taken in time.

According to Mr. Haxhi, the work for improving the students conditions is being carried out through a fund worth 4 million leks, accorded by the state budget. So the demands presented in the Shkodra rectorate at the end of the year by the Independent Students' Union are met. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Queen Elisabeth honors three British citizens for their services in Albania

The British Ambassador, Mr. Stephen Nash, expressed his congratulations to the three on the occasion of the awards. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Albania PM meets Adem Demaci

Attending the meeting, which was held in the Premier's office, was the deputy PM, Ilir Meta, and the Minister of Information, Musa Ulqini. This meeting, which was held behind closed doors, will discuss some of the most important themes of our region, and especially the situation created in Kosova, as well as the efforts of the Albanian political factor in Albania and Kosova for the solution of this crisis.

The meeting with Demaci is held right after the approval by Parliament of the Resolution on Kosova, which urged, along with the NATO intervention, also the unification of the Albanian political factor and the prevention of the fight for power. /lh/mt/

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