Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-05

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Two Albanians killed in vicinity of Vitia

[02] "Funeral Business" to be shown in March 1999 - co-production of Albania General Vision and Rumanian companies Marc Film and Daleks Film

[03] Cultural activities envisaged by Albanian Ministry of Culture for 1999

[04] Expired pesticides in Durres are still a danger to people's health

[05] Ratio between urban and rural population changes

[06] Albanian-Macedonian meeting on inter-border incidents

[07] A clean Tirana - emergency in the end of the century, says Majko

[08] Dollar against Albanian currency

[09] Arrangement of North-South and East-West passages costs $357.5 milion

[10] Norwegian lawyer resumes work in prosecutor's office

[11] Albanian Bank sold bonus of 5.3 billion lek

[12] Christian Democrats hail Majko-Demaci meeting

[13] DP leader says 1999 - a year of dialogue between political forces

[14] Agriculture Ministry: "No favourable systems for export of Albanian agriculture products"

[15] Constructive Police again in the square against kiosks

[16] Low percentage of females in parliament

[17] 210 items on sale in 22 January 1999

[18] Berisha says yes to return of DP former members

[19] Premier says no to any construction permit in central square

[20] Meidani: Kosova needs authoritative voice for a dramatic reality

[21] US mediator meets Kosova leader

[22] "Free Kosova" radio broadcasts in FM 100-104 MHz

[23] Minister says Kosova issue needs coordination of political actions

[01] Two Albanians killed in vicinity of Vitia

The youths Bekim Miftari, aged 26, and Qerim Rrahmani, 33, were killed in their work place, in a service, the Council for the Human Rights in Vitia, announced. This source does not yet have information on the killing circumstances. /I.Pu/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] "Funeral Business" to be shown in March 1999 - co-production of Albania General Vision and Rumanian companies Marc Film and Daleks Film

The film, a co-production of Albanian company "Albanian General Vision" with Marc Film and Daleks Film, Rumanian cinematographic companies and with the Imaginary Academy of the Ohio University of America, was financed by the Film Centre.

The new Albanian feature film is expected to have its premiere in March 1999.

All tragic circumstances of March 1997 are part of the film. A little dialogue, a little text, with some elements of logic horror film, the whole new film is based on psychological action. It is built on paths without geography, which comes to show that the drama of March 1997 was national.

The message of the film is that the people must not invest for the death but for the life. The life must be lived with honesty and dignity in every circumstance. Otherwise, any kind of compromise the man makes with the evil turns him not only into a bearer of the evil but also a transmitter of it.

The film scenario is a cooperation between Dhimiter Xhuvani and the producer of the film, Gjergj Xhuvani.

The main character of the film Funeral Business is the renowned actress Luiza Xhuvani and the actor Vasjan Lami. /f.n/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Cultural activities envisaged by Albanian Ministry of Culture for 1999

The Book Department

For the Book Department, priorities will be the completion of the legislative framework in the direction of libraries and publications, the drafting of the law and the status for the construction of the National Book Centre, rehabilitation of the book distribution network, encouragement of the distribution of the Albanian book in other countries.

The publication of a series of albanological works, of national values, of cultural guide books for cities, the catalogue of the Albanian book in the world, etc., will be some of the priorities of this department in the field of publications.

The Book Department also aims at rehabilitating the libraries in Vlore and Shkoder. These libraries will also be added with another, named "Arshi Pipa," to be set up in the city of Shkoder.

The personality of literature, Arshi Pipa, donated to the Historic Museum of the city of Shkoder in 1990 his personal library. The fund, which is really a national asset in the field of albanology, is being kept in inappropriate conditions for its protection and usage.

Plans for the National Library in Tirane are to enrich the fund of the books and to reconstruct the scientific reading hall.

Part of these projects is also the construction of an international library and the creation of public libraries in the main districts of the country.

National Heritage Department

The international symposium "Albania in 2000th anniversary of Christianity" envisaged to be held in 1999, aims to present the contribution and the ties of Albania with Westeuropean civilization.

The creation of the pavillion of iconographic art in the premises of the Museum of National History will be made a reality during this year, sources in the Cultural Heritage Department say. Adopted in 1998, this project will be funded by the state budget of 1999.

The European Academy for Culture and Management, in its second edition, aims to focus on the problems of direction and management in the field of museums and the monuments of culture.

The drafting and publication of the guide book "National Museums" is a project of this department which aims to publish for the home and international opinion the authentic museal values of Albania.

Festfolk '99 is thought to be organized again in the fortress of the museum city of Girokaster, after its displacement in the scene of the Berati fortress in 1995. Even folk groups from France, Spain and others are to take place in this activity.

"The days of Arberesh and Arvanitas culture" are to be held this year with the participation of the personalities of culture, of Greece arvanits and of Zare Arberesh. This project aims at unfolding the values of the Albanian culture, which is preserved and developed in the ancient Albanian dwellings in Italy, Croatia and Greece.

The activity "The days of the European Culture Inharitance" this year is to be dedicated to the Albanian fortresses, and is to be held in Gjirokaster.

The Balkan craftsmanship meeting is to be organized for the first time this year. The project is ideated in the form of a Balkan meeting where are to be exhibited productions of the Albanian and foreign masters, the way of producing and others.

The directory of the artistic projects

One of the priorities of this directory is the realization of the law on "Live spectacle".

The law will be ready to be presented in the Albanian parliament in the Spring of 1999.

The construction of the new building of the National Theater, the regulation of the legal acts to pass all the district artistic institutions in the dependance of the town-halls, the transferring of the incomes secured by the selling of tickets in the institutions budget and others, are some of the priorities of this directory. /pas/xh/A.A./

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Expired pesticides in Durres are still a danger to people's health

The Regional Environmental Agency in Durres has given the alarm for the stocks of locally produced or imported pesticides which are not yet removed from there and which are a great danger to the environment and the health of the people.

The chairman of the REA Ilir Qesja said that some 2 500 kg of natrium arsenic are left at the mercy of fate in the storehouses of the former agro- technical enterprise of Fushe-Kruje.

Despite the efforts made, according to Qesja, still this problem is not being solved.

A concern is the environmental situation in the zone of Porto Romano in Durres. Although some 500 ton of active linden were removed from there some time ago, still the air pollution is in a considerable level. Qesja added that amounts of expired pesticides are still out of control in some former enterprises of agriculture.

The consequences of these toxic substances are noticed in the past year in many children and adults living in the zones close to the location of pesticides. /Ani.s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Ratio between urban and rural population changes

According to the Institute of Statistics INSTAT, at the end of 1997, the urban population increased 45.9 per cent, while, in the latest census, this part of the population took 35.7 per cent of the general number of the population.

Comparing the urban population of 1997 with that of 1989, there is a growth of 34 per cent or 388 thousand inhabitants.

According to INSTAT specialists, the process of the new administrative division of Albania in 36 districts which started in 1992 (from 26 districts in 1989) makes impossible the comparison of the rates of the growth of population for set districts or cities.

The number of population in 1990 was 3 255 900 inhabitants, of whom 1 176 000 or 36.1 per cent were urban population and 2 079 900 or 63.9 per cent were rural population. In 1997, the number of the population in Albania was 3 324 000 inhabitants of whom 1 526 000 or 45.9 per cent were people of urban zones whereas 1 798 000 or 54.1 per cent were inhabitants of rural zones. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albanian-Macedonian meeting on inter-border incidents

Out of 14 incidents which occurred last year in the border line between the two countries, the Macedonian party protested for 11 of them, Edmond Roci, representative of the Albanian party in this meeting, told ATA.

While the Macedonian party mentioned among the main incidents the cases of the illegal passing of the border, the illegal trade and fishing in the waters of Ohrid Lake. While the Albanian party urged the implementation of the points of agreements signed between the two neighbouring countries for the observation of the spot by the experts of both countries. The object of discussion in this meeting was the murder of a 14-year old boy from Lini, Pogradec. According to the Albanian party, the murder happened in the border zone, while according to the Macedonians, the murder occurred inside the border.

This was the only problem left to be discussed in another meeting of experts from the Order Ministries of both countries, said Arben Caka, chief of police commissariat in Pogradec. /s.s/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] A clean Tirana - emergency in the end of the century, says Majko

PM Majko hailed the cooperation with the mayor of Tirana, Albert Brojka in sensitizing the central ministries and respective local bodies for cleaning the city of Tirana, whose population is expected to become soon half of that of Albania.

Addressing to the participants in today's meeting, Majko urged them to take urgent measures for the solution of problems having to do with the cleaning of Tirana, but also with the regulation of the Tirana city planning.

The Albanian army will also contribute to the urgent cleaning of the capital, and 10 vehicles and water-pumps, as well as foreign experienced experts, will be put in their disposition, Minister Hajdaraga said in the meeting.

The Mayor Albert Brojka, considered today's meeting with the Premier Majko as very useful. While the governor of Tirana, Makbule Çeço, optimistically said that "the changes in the environmental view of Tirane are to be materialized soon."

Minister Ulqini said that this meeting also discussed the problems regarding the water supply of Tirane from the Reservoir of Bovilla, the town planning of the capital's center, "Students" campus and others by drafting concrete urgent and midterm projects. /A.A./mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Dollar against Albanian currency

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

Currency	Rate
USD		140.20
DM		 84.50
LIT(1000)	 84.80
GRD(100)	 49.80

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Arrangement of North-South and East-West passages costs $357.5 milion

Meanwhile for the segment Elbasan-Librazhd 30.5 km long, $11.9 million needed still is not provided any financial aid. The same fenomena is happening with other segments such as, Qafe Thane - Pogradec and Pogradec - Kapshtice.

The arrangement of North-South passage 367.7 km long costs $201.6 million. $106.8 million are provided for this activity, from $94.8 million needed. These money are going to be used mainly on arrangement of Shkoder- Hani i Hotit, Lushnje-Fier, Fier-Vlore, Fier-Tepelene and Tepelene- Gjirokaster segments.

There are no concrete projects and financial sources for some parts of these segments./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Norwegian lawyer resumes work in prosecutor's office

Wangberg came to Albania at the beginning of December '98 for a three- month mission as an adviser to the Albanian chief Prosecutor Ylli Rakipi.

He resumed his work considering the file of the deputy Azem Hajdari, who was killed on September 12 this year, besides usual procedures, a spokesman of the prosecutor's office said to ATA.

His mission, according to him, included an assistance to specific cases, important issues of the Albanian prosecutor's office including Hajdari's case."

During December 1998, Wangberg was acquainted with the Albanian legislation and started considering some files.

Wangberg, 50, graduated law in the Bergen University, Norway in 1973. He had worked as a juridical adviser to the Maritime Directorate of Norway for one year, assistant lawyer in two different district courts in Norway for three years, lawyer for one year, local prosecutor in police department for four years and director of the prosecutor's offices at three Norwegian districts for 16 years, including that of Bergen for the last 10 years. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian Bank sold bonus of 5.3 billion lek

According to a Bank's source, three, six and 12 months maturity bonus are sold in this auction. The total value of bonus three months maturity is 1 billion and 200 million lek. The maximal accepted interest is 20.3 %, the minimal one 19% and the average one 20.0891%.

The total sum of bonus six months maturity is 1 billion 300 million lek. The maximal accepted interest is 21.5%, the minimal one 20.5% and the average one 21.4117%.

The total value of bonus 12 months maturity sold in auction is 2 billion 800 million lek. The maximal interest is 23%, minimal one 22.5% and the average one 22.9911%./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Christian Democrats hail Majko-Demaci meeting

Bushati considered the meeting a successful step undertaken by the prime minister Pandeli Majko.

1999 for PDK should be characterised by dialogue and efforts to find new ways in resolving the national issue, Bushati said in today's meeting with Majko.

"Difficult moments are overcome only through historical compromise and joint contribution of all political forces in Albania and Kosova," the PDK statement quoted Bushati as saying.

Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko had an official meeting on Monday with the political representative of the Kosova Liberation Army Adem Demaci. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] DP leader says 1999 - a year of dialogue between political forces

"This year should be the year of an indispensable dialogue between all political parties to resolve the problems facing Albania," Sali Berisha, the DP leader, said in a press conference.

But he added that "the DP will insist in its demands for early elections because they can lead to a solution to the crisis in Albania."

As regards his party's presence in parliament, Berisha said that their return or not to parliament could not resolve the problems Albania is facing.

Berisha excluded the possibility of a congress on the issue, though on last December 24 he had declared that the DP could reconsider its decision for a final boycott of parliament if the government met its statements on the political situation in Albania and attitude towards Kosova.

The DP leader considered necessary the cooperation of the political forces for a right solution to the Kosova issue. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Agriculture Ministry: "No favourable systems for export of Albanian agriculture products"

Although the export of oil, medical plants, vegetables, fish atc increased, their volume is diregarded compared with the considerable deficit of commercial bilance. This is the result concluded by Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Based on the annual analyse of this Ministry the market of agriculture products corresponds to a pattern of abnormal "free market ", because of the lack of favourable and supportive systems in production or limited measures of exports.

"Market unstability, still traumatic for the specialists of the Ministry, is due to the lack or insufficiency of specific infrastructure about conservation and commerce of agriculture products atc.

For a better market functioning, it is important the existance of contractual relation between the producers, bussinesmen and trade policy. This will improve export possibility and protect internal market.

"Albanian Ministry of Agriculture predicted to improve the commercial infrastructure through fiscal and financial systems" said the spokesman of this ministry for ATA./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Constructive Police again in the square against kiosks

It is decided to eliminate the rest of them, 27 altogether in "Scanderbeg Square," where 37 were elininated in December 1998.

After these 47 objects are going to be pulled off near "National Museum". Meanwhile, in front of the museum stand 59 objects and according to Constractive Police they do not possess any lawful documentation.

The director of Constractive Police Proletar Roshi asked for the help of Tirana Prefecture and Town Hall, to consider this action as a common one, not just of Constractive Police./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Low percentage of females in parliament

The Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) said that the average wage of deputies in the Albanian parliament in 1997 was 52 year old. The youngest deputy was 25 while the oldest 69. The average wage of female deputies was 39.

The highest average of female deputies in the history of the Albanian parliament was recorded in 1974 when they made up 33 percent of all deputies.

Over 50 percent of female deputies in parliament of 1997 are lawyers and economists. More than half of male deputies are teachers, 18 percent are economists and only 2 percent lawyers.

Apart from the public administration with only 40 percent of employees are females, the female presence in governing the country is inferior. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] 210 items on sale in 22 January 1999

There are 210 items on sale in Tirana and Fier. Different vechicles (taxes, lorries, busses etc), furnitures for bars and restaurants, offices' items (tables, chairs etc) and other items as well.

The offers will be accepted only in cash. The payment in foreign currency is allowed only for those who will export the assets abroad. The final results of this auction are going to be announced in January 26, 1999. /linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Berisha says yes to return of DP former members

"I, personally, have nothing against their return to the DP. On the contrary I praised the contribution some of them have given against negative phenomena in the Albanian society," Berisha told a news conference.

Berisha did not exclude the possibility for an alliance with the Democratic Alliance party but added "this will be decided by party forums."

Members of the Democratic Party had quitted its ranks after its founding in December 12, 1990 due to differences on principal issues and created other parties.

By mid 1992, a group of intellectuals, DP founders, were ousted from its leading structures after a motion on the party's reformation.

Later, these intellectuals founded the Democratic Alliance Party, which is currently part of the government coalition of the centre- left.

In 1995, another group of intellectuals left the DP and founded the Democratic Party of the Right. A little later, its deputy chairman, Eduard Islami, was ousted from the DP as he asked for deep reforms in the then government

and in the party. Meanwhile, just before the elections of June 29, 1997, other DP members quitted it and formed the Movement for Democracy party.

After early elections in June 1997, which were prompted by people's revolts sweeping the whole country, the DP was the biggest opposition party in Albania and part of the political grouping "Union for Democracy". /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Premier says no to any construction permit in central square

"I will not sign any permit for constructions which suffocate the central square," Pandeli Majko told a cabinet meeting which discussed the situation and projects on the future of the square.

Lorenc Vangjeli, press adviser at the cabinet, said that a statue of Mother Teresa, the Albanian Nobel prize winner, will be erected in the square.

The same source said that the meeting had also presented the idea for the creation of a permanent structure to clean the capital. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Meidani: Kosova needs authoritative voice for a dramatic reality

The same source said that during the two-hour meeting Demaci thanked president Meidani on the assistance and attitude towards national issue of Kosova. He also stressed the need for a stable and strong Albania.

President Meidani considered the talks important and said that the institutionalisation of contacts was indispensable.

"It is time to have an authoritative voice for this dramatic reality in Kosova," Meidani said.

He added that unified forms of pan Albanian structures, which could result from a wider political pact, should be found.

At the end of the talks, both officials said that "the polarisation of the life in Kosova is a loss of time which needs a lot of energy."

President Meidani expressed his readiness to discuss and boost contacts with all forces in Kosova aiming at reaching a pact and a more realistic position. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] US mediator meets Kosova leader

The same source said that the talks focused on developments in Kosova and need to speed up the political process on a solution to Kosova issue.

President Rugova said to Ambassador Hill that the situation in Kosova was worse and urged intensification of efforts to stop Serb violence in Kosova. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] "Free Kosova" radio broadcasts in FM 100-104 MHz

Another daily "Koha Ditore" quoting a KLA source saying that "the frequencies cannot be made public but it is sure that it has 100 km wave- length."

The same source said that this radio can be clearly listened in Prishtina, Mitrovica, Vushtri, Drenice, Malisheve and surroundings, Peje and central Kosova.

"The radio is broadcasting a few-hour daily program now," Koha Ditore quoted the KLA source as saying. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Minister says Kosova issue needs coordination of political actions

Minister Milo said that "given the difficult situation facing that part of our nation living in Kosova, we should coordinate our efforts to find a political, acceptable solution with the mediation and support of the international factor."

Demaci backed the idea for the coordination of attitudes and praised the engagement of the Albanian politics and especially of its diplomacy.

"Despite the difficulties Albania experienced, you have always closely followed the grave situation in Kosova," he said adding that they were interested in a strong and stable Albania because as such it would be a strong support for the right cause of Albanians in Kosova.

In a press conference the Albanian minister said that the talks showed a spirit of understanding for what was dealt with and expressed conviction that the only way to resolve to conflict in Kosova was as diplomatic as the decisive attitude of the international structures.

Demaci said, among others, that "he is feeling himself well, very intelligible and decisive in finding first a peaceful solution but also by being ready for non-peaceful resistance, because their peaceful resistance is longer that non-peaceful one against those who do not want to hand in weapons, those who do not want to leave Albanians live a free life and be an active part of all Europe." /dast/ak/

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