Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-21

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Post enterprise to modernize service for customers

[02] A protocol for Albanian-Greek cooperation to be signed soon

[03] First matches of quarter finals of the 47th Cup of Albania in football to be played on Jan.23

[04] Fund of economic assistance during 1998 is twice that of 1994

[05] Greece to back Albania progress

[06] Graver humanitarian situation in Podujeve

[07] Number of families receiving economic assistance reduced

[08] Albanian Ministry of Culture awards prize "For best translation from Albanian into foreign language"

[09] Serb police raid Albanian houses

[10] Research staff attend Balkan conference on culture monuments

[11] Construction police to remove kiosks in city center

[12] Patrol guards intercept dinghies

[13] Albanian ambassador presents credentials

[14] Five people killed in Mitrovice

[15] Albanian Helsinki Committee demands a quick approval of jails regulation

[16] 15 thousand tons of scrap to be exchanged with railway wagons

[17] CE Communique on Conference of Legislative Reform in Albania

[18] Macedonian Prime Minister to visit Tirane on Friday

[19] OSCE office inaugurated in Korçe

[20] First edition of "History of Albania" to be published within 1999

[21] Some 12 million ECU-s allocated for Cross Border Program

[22] Fund for construction in infrastructure falls down by 2%

[23] Mit'hat Havari named new police director of Tirana prefecture

[24] Planned controls of police forces in Tirane go on

[25] Selling of tapes along Tirana streets forbidden

[26] Govt. adopts decisions on transparency of loan-taking companies

[27] WB permanent representative in Tirana is not robbed

[28] Tirana townhall decides to stop selling along sidewalks

[29] Situation in Kosova is unacceptable for us, says Fischer

[01] Post enterprise to modernize service for customers

"The post enterprise has asked assistance from the post administration of developed countries which will be provided soon," Aleksandra Collaku, director of the Post Enterprise said.

Every project applied in Tirana in collecting data, administration and database of addresses would be easily carried out in other cities of Albania, she said. /lh/ak/

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[02] A protocol for Albanian-Greek cooperation to be signed soon

Reports from the Ministry of Information told ATA that participants in the meeting stressed the good relations of cooperation existing between the two countries. Mr Meta stressed the need of a greater cooperation in the field of interaction of the border zones, the reform in the public administration, the institutional reform, public order, security, etc.

Referring to the problem of Kosove, Meta underlined that the Albanian Government sees NATO as the only organization which can impose on the Serb party a continuous dialogue, which will lead to the solution of the conflict through political means.

Mr Papadopoulos stressed that the relations between the two countries are registering the highest intensity in the history of the two states.

By proposal of the Greek party, it was decided that all agreements to be attained for cooperation in various fields will be summarized in a protocol to be signed in Athens soon. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] First matches of quarter finals of the 47th Cup of Albania in football to be played on Jan.23

Follow the teams and the arbiters of the matches:

Lushnja - Tirana Ylvi Kollari (Tirane) Apolonia - Partizani Bujar Pregja (Tirane) Shqiponja - Vllaznia Sazan Velçani (Patos) Flamurtari - Teuta Myrteza Allkja (Elbasan)

The matches will start at 1 p.m.. /A.Ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Fund of economic assistance during 1998 is twice that of 1994

During 1998, 5416 families have come out of the assistance scheme and 6 200 others have been registered with a total of 6 500 lek per month for each family.

Out of the families not receiving any longer social assistance, said the director of the regional economic assistance, Rezarta Shalsi, 2 650 of them are included in various projects of public works applied during the last 5 months of 1998.

As compared with a year ago, the fund of the state economic aid increased with 1.100 lek per each family, while in some administrative centres this amount has been greater.

The speakers in the meeting stressed that the strategy of the state consists in the further increase of the benefit for every low-income family.

The prefecture of Elbasan including the districts of Librazhd, Gramsh and Peqin is considered as the most problematic for the unemployment there. Unemployment in Gramsh registers 40 per cent of the able-bodied population, while in Elbasan about 35 per cent.

Along with the financial assistance from the state, the low-income families have been systematically assisted by foreign associations established in that region such as the Red Crescent association, Cefa, Family, Kolping, etc. /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Greece to back Albania progress

The parliament, representing all political trends, despite the parliamentary majority, followed with the same attention the relations with Greece, Gjinushi said. The same was shown by the Greek parliament, he said.

Focusing on the order and local government, Gjinushi said that they were still sensitive and complex given the events of March '97 when the state was disintegrated and the population was armed. The complex situation was explained, among others, by political motifs and crisis in Kosova.

Parliament backed with proper legislation the strengthening of public order and judiciary, Gjinushi said adding that the approval of constitution was a guarantee for the reconstruction and well functioning of democratic institutions.

"The constitution guarantees proper support for a real democratic reform in these institutions," Gjinushi said.

Referring to the issue of disarmament of the population which was a "major problem", Gjinushi said that though there was a legal support we lacked the necessary infrastructure and also the consensus on a part of the opposition.

He laid the stress on the support of international institutions as well as cooperation with neighbouring Greece.

Gjinushi hailed increasing care of the Greek government towards Albanian refugees and stressed that the liberalisation of visas and granting of status of refugees would materialize a controlled emigration avoiding negative consequences.

As regards the contraband and trafficking, Gjinushi stressed that further cooperation between the two governments and the respective parliamentary commission would enable a higher efficacy in fight against them.

Greek minister Papadopoulos said that both countries had very good relations and that Greece was by the side of Albania not by words but deeds given the economic, military and health aid.

"My presence here expresses the good will of the Greek government for a further support," Papadopoulos said.

He added that Albania experienced a hard period but with determination and support of its friends you would overcome the difficulties. Greece would support Albania's progress. /ake/ak/

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[06] Graver humanitarian situation in Podujeve

The LDK Presidency called on international humanitarian organizations to offer aid for Albanian displaced population while the people in less threatened villages asked solidarity with the displaced to ensure shelter and other indispensable need for them to overcome the situation, stressed Kosove Information Centre. /pas/xh/

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[07] Number of families receiving economic assistance reduced

The number of families was reduced by 11.230 or 7.4 percent and the average payment was increased in town hall by 27 percent and in communes by 40 percent.

One of the methods applied for the reduction is the number of persons registered in project of public works and their monthly employment. /ak/

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[08] Albanian Ministry of Culture awards prize "For best translation from Albanian into foreign language"

John Hodgson has translated into English the novel "Three-Arch Bridge" written by the renowned Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare.

The translator Hodgson, a good connoisseur of the Albanian language, has learned this language while he has been living in Prishtine and later in Albania. He is one of the most passionate people for Albania and the Albanian culture.

Hodgson received the surprise prize in a simple ceremony in the Ministry of Culture of Albania by the head of the contest jury, Aurel Plasari.

Hodgson said that the translators of the Albanian language in the world are few while the Albanian culture is so great. "Precisely at this time when Kosove is clashing with Serb barbarism, we feel as duty to confront the Albanian culture with other cultures. In this way, the world will learn that the Albanians are known not for their problems alone, but also as a people with traditions and culture," said Hodgson.

Besides the novel "Three-Arch Bridge" Hodgson has also translated into English some novels by the writer Kadare and an anthology of the best authors of the Albanian literature. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Serb police raid Albanian houses

Inhabitants of Tenezhdol said to the Kosova Information Center that the Serbian forces entered the village and raided Albanian houses.

Women and children of the village left the houses days before and those remained to take care of the house were forced to leave. /pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Research staff attend Balkan conference on culture monuments

Specialists from all the Balkan countries are present at the conference.

Four Albanian specialists Artan Shkreli, Emin Riza, Valter Shtylla and Kliti Kallamata dealt with system of organisation and protection of culture monuments in Albania in their references. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Construction police to remove kiosks in city center

Meritan Stari, chief of the construction police, said that the police forces in cooperation with the order forces would remove first 41 kiosks occupying some hundreds of square meters surface in front of Telecom building.

Owners of the kiosks have been informed a week earlier to remove the kiosks.

Stari said that the removal of kiosks would end within 4 to 5 days. A group of owners have asked a three-month delay of operation but the police chief said that "the procedures have been applied in conformity with the law."

He added that this operation would include other 30 kiosks in the "1 Maj" park in the city. This action has been also backed by the local government bodies. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Patrol guards intercept dinghies

A spokesman of the mission deployed in the port of Durres said that patrol boats intercepted three dinghies with 80 persons aboard which left Vlora for Italy.

The dinghies were blocked between the Sazan island and Kepi i Gjuhezes and forced to turn back.

The spokesman said to ATA that a group of illegal aliens who got off three dinghies were blocked on the other side of the Adriatic Sea.

Guardia di Finanza forces have intercepted 36 dinghies in the last five days carrying some 900 illegal aliens. /s.s/ak/

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[13] Albanian ambassador presents credentials

President Cardoso said that Brasil was beside Albania in finding a right peaceful solution to the Kosova issue and strongly condemned the recent repression against innocent population in Kosova.

Brasilian president said he supported boosting of bilateral cooperation which will be materialized with the signing of agreements underway. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Five people killed in Mitrovice

Albanian sources said that three Serb militaries were killed while Serb sources reported of two fighters of Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) killed.

Units of the Serb military, police and paramilitary attacked the region early on Wednesday bombing part of the town of Mitrovica with artillery and other weapons. Some 15 000 inhabitants have been evacuated from some city quarters and Vaganice village. /pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albanian Helsinki Committee demands a quick approval of jails regulation

AHC notes that four months have passed beyond the deadline to open the road to the implementation of the law "On rights and treatment of jailed detainees," adopted by the People's Assembly in April 1998, writes the report.

According to it, the delay in the approval of the regulation on jails has prevented the Ministry of Justice to adopt the internal regulation of institutions, as the law requires. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] 15 thousand tons of scrap to be exchanged with railway wagons

After the offers were announced, only 3 of the foreign firms were qualified with the winner to be declared by the tender commission after some days. The tender, which had to be held some months ago, was blocked because the firms did not apply due to the tense situation in Albania over September.

The Railways General Department took the approval of the Council of Ministers for the sale abroad of about 15 thousand tons of railway scrap, so that it be directly exchanged with passengers wagons for Albania.

According to Albanian Railways, the inventory of 54 wagons, most of which amortized, must be replaced as soon as possible so that the Railways General Department be competitive with the road passengers transport. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] CE Communique on Conference of Legislative Reform in Albania

Taking part in the conference were the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Legal Reforms, the Chairman of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the deputy minister of Public Order, the judicial adviser of the President of Albania and the director of the Magistrature School. Attending were also the European Commission, representatives of the international organizations operating in Albania, including OSCE, U.N., the World Bank, the Council of Europe etc.

The participants agreed that Albanian authorities have made an important progress with regard to the legal reforms especially th the work for the new Constitution, the Juridical National Conference, the new law of the organization of the judiciary, the establishment of the Magistrate School and in the field of administrative law.

They appealed for further legal and juridical reforms, stressing that the improvements in the judiciary and the consolidation of the independence of it will depend on the efficient execution of the reforms.

The commitments taken in the meeting will be realised through the the CE Act-Plan on the Legal and Juridical Reform in Albania, signed at the beginning of January by Albanian authorities, the European Commission and CE, the Press and Information Department of the Interior Ministry told ATA. /ata/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Macedonian Prime Minister to visit Tirane on Friday

Over his one-day visit, the Macedonian PM will have a number of meetings with senior Albanian authorities, including the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and the chairman of the People's Assembly, Skender Gjinushi.

The Macedonian delegation is expected to sign some bilateral agreements.

As one of the opposition leaders against the Yugoslav communist regime, Mr. Gjorgievski has contribute to its overthrow and has always supported the establishment of an independent Macedonian state.

In 1991-1992, Mr. Gjorgievski was elected deputy President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and after 8 months in this post he resigned.

During all his political career, Gjorgievski has promoted the ideas of the market economy and the integration of the Macedonian state into European structures and in the world economic and security systems.

Mr Ljubeo Gjerogievski has graduated at the Phylological Faculty - the Chair of Comparative Literature in Skopje and is the author of three books. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] OSCE office inaugurated in Korçe

The OSCE vice-ambassador to Albania, Tem Alles, speaking in the inauguration ceremony said that this office will help for the democratization and development of the civil society in this region.

Alles said that several experienced experts in the judicial field and in the protection of the human rights field are send to work in this office.

The chief of the office, John Mattson, said that its employees, already know the problems in Korçe region and have settled good relationships with the state institutions, political parties, representatives of the religious communities, different associations and media.

The chairman of the district Council, Frederik Miço, the town-hall chairman, Dhionis Kotmilo, deputies, representatives of the political parties and religious communities took part in the inauguration ceremony held on this occasion. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] First edition of "History of Albania" to be published within 1999

Stressing the main objectives of this year, the vice-director in the Institute of History, Xhelal Gjeçovi, evidented the work made by the scholars for publishing the "History of Albania".

"This will be a history different from the history of monist system, it will overcome the lacks and absences, partial politicization, as well as the deformations made in the period of the beginning of democracy," he added. This history is to comprise periods from the ancient times till the present days.

According to the vice-director, the first edition of the "History of Albania" will be send to be published within 1999, and the work for editing 2-3 other editions is under the way.

The publishing of the main documents, articles and historical studies which have to do with the national issue, especially the studies concerning the right solution of Kosova problem, is another important project for the scholars and the employees of this institution. This project is to be realized within the first 6-month period of this year, while the scientific symposium dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Bujan Conference is to be held in January 29.

Another important project is the preparation and publishing of the Albanian encyclopedic Vocabulary. As Prof. Gjeçovi said "a similar work exists nowadays, it was drafted in the monist system, but according to a decision of the Chairmanship of the Academy, it it to be reworked leaving aside many shortcomings.

A special attention is to be payed to the activities dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the National Liberation. Gjeçovi said that this period is to be treated with objectivity and will present the greatness of the heroic war of the Albanian people. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Some 12 million ECU-s allocated for Cross Border Program

Meanwhile, the investments in the sectors of transports and canalization will be financed with a grant worth 12 million ECU-s. This fund will be managed by two PMU-s, set up in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

The budget of the European Union for 1999 includes 42.5 million ECU-s for the national program, plus 20 million ECU-s for the Cross Border Program, which will be equally divided between Italy and Greece as border countries with Albania. The European Commission and the Albanian Government are making preparations for the new strategy in the cycle of cooperation during years 2000-2003. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Fund for construction in infrastructure falls down by 2%

As compared with the investments in buildings sector, the investments in this field are lower. The funds foreseen for the construction in infrastructure during 1995-1997 have undergone a considerable increase. In 1995 this fund occupied about 10% of the general funds, at the end of 1996 this figure was 22.3%, while at the end of 1997 it decreased in 18,3%. This thing was connected with the difficult social political situation of Albanian at that period of time. This decrease has continued during 1998, when the fund for construction in infrastructure occupied only 2% of the general fund.

Investments in this field are made mainly in the aqueduct, electric and telecommunication networks.

The massive privatization of this sector has made the majority part of the constructions, such as dwelling centers, hotels, commercial buildings, industrial constructions as well as a small part of the objects in mini-infrastructure be financed mainly by Albanian and foreign public investors. /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Mit'hat Havari named new police director of Tirana prefecture

The presentation of Havari was made on Thursday midday by the Director General of Police, Veli Myftari, who said that these reshuffles are made to the good of the work and everyone should contribute with professionalism where he is able. Myftari also appreciated the work of this department and of the former director Ilir Bellovoda and expressed the conviction that the gained experience will serve for new results in restoration of order and tranquility, as well as in the fight against crime.

Colonel Mit'hat Havari, with a rich experience in the police sector, has carried out a series of duties, like police chief in the commissariats of Berat and Elbasan, as well as director of Shkoder police. /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Planned controls of police forces in Tirane go on

On late Wednesday, services of the police forces organized controls in movable post-blocks and roads, locals, hotels, motels, bingos cited as "preferable" by the wrongdoers, the spokesman of the Police Directory of the Tirane Prefecture, told ATA on Thursday.

During these controls the police forces accompanied 22 persons in commissariat for verifications. 15 of them were accused of order violation, while 2 persons were accused of illegal arm possessions, the spokesman clarified.

According to him, the police forces controlled approximately 300 vehicles. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Selling of tapes along Tirana streets forbidden

The town-hall of Tirana, through an administration order, has forbidden since Thursday selling of any kind of music in cassettes or CD along the sidewalks.

"Selling of cassettes in sidewalks by private subjects has caused anomalies in the movement of people, as well as violation of public order," says the order signed by the mayor Albert Brojka.

At the beginning of '90-ies, the business of music, which was "forbidden" in Albania since decades, became very popular in the streets and sidewalks of the capital. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Govt. adopts decisions on transparency of loan-taking companies

The Ministry of Information reported that based on the law "On the administration of loan-taking companies," as well as on the proposals presented by two foreign auditing companies in this process "Deloitte & Touche," and "Procewater house Coopers," the following decisions were approved: for the declaration of persons regarding the loan-taking companies, Gjallica, Vefa Holding, Kamberi, Cenaj, Global Foods, Sude and others; restitution of the value of goods, looted in the warehouses of the State Reserves, which belonged to the loan-taking companies Vefa Holding and M. Leka, closing the bank account of the former charity foundation "People's Democracy Xhaferri," and passing the remained funds to a special account for the construction of dwelling centers for the creditors who lost their money in pyramid schemes; for several amendments to the decisions of the Council of Ministers regarding the process of transparency, for legal assistance in the group of jurists close to loan-taking companies.

Along with this package, it was also approved the package of draft- laws for the standardization and anti-dumping, the decision "On the privatization of commercial association "Albkromi" and "AMC" (Albanian Mobile Communication), which operate in sectors with strategic importance, as well as the project worth 1.2 billion lek "On the rehabilitation of the sectoral group of the Tirana aqueduct, and other decisions. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] WB permanent representative in Tirana is not robbed

Elbirt himself, explained in a press release that as a permanent representative of the World Bank in Albania, he was not robbed, as it was written in several dailies on Thursday. Elbirt explained that his driver was robbed and the car was highjacked.

Several dailies on Thursday reported that armed persons robbed on Wednesday at 20:00 in "Avni Rustemi" square the car of the World Bank mission in Tirana, which was driven by the WB representative, Carlos Elbirt, also by terrorizing him.

Elbirt explained that he was not driving the car at that moment, but his driver fell pray of the robbers. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Tirana townhall decides to stop selling along sidewalks

The mayor of Tirana, Albert Brojka, through an administration order, has forbidden conduct of any kind of commercial activities along the sidewalks.

"Selling in sidewalks by private subjects has caused anomalies in the movement of people, as well as violation of public order or pollution of environment," says the order signed by the mayor Albert Brojka.

The phenomenon of trading in sidewalks continues to be very wide spread in the capital. Different orders issued on this purpose have not managed to stop this phenomenon. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Situation in Kosova is unacceptable for us, says Fischer

The German Foreign Minister declared that "the situation in Kosova is unacceptable for us, but it is important that the international community is trying to speak in unison in front of the Serb stand, which has been until now "violence, instead of dialogue." According to Fischer, actually, all the options remain open, especially now that the NATO Act Order in still in force.

Further on, Fisher said that Germany supports the idea of dialogue on a temporary status. "Let us reach this compromise first, then we discuss for more," stated Fischer. In this framework, the German Foreign Minister assured his Albanian counterpart that the pressure on Belgrade will be increased in the future.

Minister Milo on his side informed Fischer about the new diplomatic initiative of the Albanian Government regarding reaching a unique stand between the Albanian factors of Kosova. /lh/mt/

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