Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-26

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Role of Ministry of Law in a rule of law - Seminar

[02] Private ready-made garment firms refuse to pay sick leave

[03] Steel enterprise of Elbasan given to Kurun Turkish firm for 20 years

[04] Super phosphate given to French company on concession

[05] 8 956 000 lek of incomes from licenses office

[06] Tirana sport-club has new secretary

[07] Exhibition Onufri '98 closes

[08] Portuguese minister arrives in Tirana

[09] Non-university higher studies - one of priorities of 1999

[10] US offers 1.200 tons flour to Albania

[11] Deputy Premier Meta and Defence Minister Hajdaraga hold interpellation in Parliament

[12] Fire breaks in Fishing Enterprise in Kavaje

[13] Tirana currency rate On Jan.26

[14] Construction police to remove kiosks at Agriculture Ministry

[15] Kosova Albanians protest in Geneva

[16] Dinamo Plant included in privatization structures

[17] NGO's Forum Office affiliate established in Durres

[18] Inspector of order police shot dead in Tropoje

[19] Albania PM has not held any meeting with representatives of traffickers in Vlore

[20] DP proposes national pact for restoration of order in Albania

[21] Teacher's strike finds support of senior state authorities; Dobrusha

[22] President Meidani meets delegation of Kosova Parliament

[23] International community should intervene to halt crisis in Kosova, PM

[24] Bilateral will to strengthen collaboration between Albania, Portugal; Meidani

[25] Accusations against PM mounted and groundless, Minister

[26] All social-political factors at home are almost unified in their stand for solution of Kosova issue

[27] Political, economical, financial presence of Germany in Albania needed, President

[28] Minister of Justice to sign Penal Convention against Corruption

[29] Ties between Albania and Portugal should be intensified, Milo

[01] Role of Ministry of Law in a rule of law - Seminar

The spokesman of the Ministry of Law told ATA Monday that to this end a seminar will be held on Jan.26-27, 1999 by the Ministry of Law of Albania in cooperation with the Council of Europe.

The seminar will dwell on a number of topics related with the role and the function of the Ministry of Law in Albania, the responsibilities of this ministry in the jails administration and its relations with the judiciary.

The topics will be treated by experts of law of the CE and Albanian personalities in the field of law. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Private ready-made garment firms refuse to pay sick leave

Natasha Lubonja, trade union inspector, said to ATA that over 90 percent of the labour force in 13 firms of the city were women whose sick leave was not paid in majority of cases.

She said that the employers misinterpreted the law on social insurances. The law envisages that a sick-leave over 14 days is paid by social insurances while daily sick leave by the enterprise or firm.

Nevetheless, employers pay only 14 days of sick leave in a year though the law envisages payment for other days. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Steel enterprise of Elbasan given to Kurun Turkish firm for 20 years

This company with its headquarters in Turkey, is specialised for the production of steels with an annual turnout of 50 million USD. The aim of the Turkish firm is to realise the production of foiled steel of different trade marks.

The investment will be made for the reconstruction of the enterprise and its extension, and is estimated at some millions of dollars.

By decision of the government for the adoption of this contract also measures have been envisaged to ease social affects which may stem from the application of the contract.

On the basis of the contract, the production in the first year will increase 60-80 thousand tons of foiled steel and by the end of the second year it will amount to 150-200 thousand tons.

Actually this enterprise covers only 25 per cent of the needs of the country for steels. According to studies of specialists, the needs of the country for steel are about 100 thousand tons mainly for the construction sector. Before 90s, the plant produced about 140 thousand tons of steels, but the lack of raw material brought about the reduction of the production of steel. At present the production is realised from the scrap processing. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Super phosphate given to French company on concession

Super phosphate built up in May 1997 produces powdered and granulated super phosphate for Albania and export.

During 1995-1997 it has produced powdered and granulated super phosphate for EVERTRADE on basis of a contract and material offered by the French firm. The activity was interrupted due to the March 1997.

The new platform of privatisation enabled Super phosphate to be privatised but there was no offer. On the basis of consensus this enterprise can assure its production, employment of workers and specialists and payment of obligations.

EVERTRADE is operating in some countries of the Eastern Europe and produces some 1.200.000 tons of super phosphate a year.

Albanian farmers continue to import chemical fertilizers for agriculture though there are two chemical fertilizing plants in Lac and Fier. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] 8 956 000 lek of incomes from licenses office

Referring to the objectives for this year, Bozo mentioned the creation of a centre of information and technical, scientific and trade documentation in the context of the project "Consolidation of the functions of the Albanian Office of Licenses" financed by UNDP. It also envisages the creation of a database for all licenses, trade and service marks registered in that office.

In 1998, said Bozo, 31 one licenses were registered on national level and 1 380 others through agreement of cooperation with the European Patents Organization. So far, 2 770 national and European licenses have been registered in Albania.

Albania is a member of the Paris Convention for the protection of intellectual ownership and in the Treaty of Cooperation in the field of licenses through its membership in the U.N. Intellectual Ownership (WIPO.) Albanian EPO Office have been donated CD-Rom collections of PHARE Program in the amount of 30 000 dollars, which will provide information for the last five years patents.

Since 1998, Albania has the status of an observer in the administrative council of EPO. Recently, it had bilateral negotiations with 10 delegations for membership in the World Trade Organization as well. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Tirana sport-club has new secretary

Baçi is now a coach of the soccer team of Tirana which is ranked first in national championship standing.

There were two other candidates for the post former soccer players Agustin Kola and Arben Minga. Mema won 28 votes against the two other candidates which won two or three votes respectively.

Mema has been a distinguished mid-fielder in '80 in Tirana team. He has been a coach of the Shpresa national team for two years. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Exhibition Onufri '98 closes

The contest was held by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the National Arts Gallery and was financed by the Soros Foundation.

Taking part in the 6th edition of the contest were artists from Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Italy and Greece. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Portuguese minister arrives in Tirana

Invited by his Albanian counterpart Paskal Milo, Gama was expected to hold talks at the Albanian Foreign Ministry in Tirana. The talks will focus on bilateral relations, situation in the region and in Kosova, press office at the ministry said.

The Portuguese minister will also hold talks with the President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, prime minister Pandeli Majko and parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi.

Both ministers Gama and Milo will hold a joint news conference at the end of Gama's visit to Albania. /ypa/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Non-university higher studies - one of priorities of 1999

During this year, various forms of higher education are predicted to help the small businesses and the development of the sectors of industry, said to ATA the deputy minister of Education and Science, Mimoza Hafizi. To this end do also serve the projects "Distant education" and that for the administration of enterprises which function in the Polytechnic University of Tirane, in cooperation with the Soros Foundation and the respective institute of France.

According to Minister Ethem Ruka, university education dominates the higher education. Differently from other countries, the level of the development of non-university education in Albania is low. The development of the non-university higher education in the directions the country needs would bring education closer to the labour market demands, stressed Ruka.

For the first time, high non-university education is applied in Albania in 1994. It functions only in the part time schools and is attended by nearly 6 per cent of the total number of students. From nearly 60 study courses in the higher schools, only three of them are non-university courses. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] US offers 1.200 tons flour to Albania

The cargo transported by Formo ship at the port of Durres was being handled and sent to the state warehouses on Monday.

Last year the U.S. government granted some 15 000 tons of wheat to the Albanian government.

This is the second aid arriving in Albania from the overseas continent within some months. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Deputy Premier Meta and Defence Minister Hajdaraga hold interpellation in Parliament

Upon the request of the deputy of Puka, Fran Pjetri, deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta responded to the questions on the accommodation of the people whose lands are covered by the lakes of the cascade hydro power stations on the River Drin.

Meta said that Albanian Government will adopt measures to assist these inhabitants by compensating them, in cooperation with the local government.

The Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga, responded the questions of deputy of Berat, Maksim Hasani, in regard to the equipment with documents of the new recruits after they complete military service and about the Polican Plant to be put to work. Minister Hajdaraga said that regulations in the delivery in time of the documents of the recruits have been violated and sluggishness in some military recruitment branches has been noticed.

Referring to the second question, Hajdaraga said that his Ministry is taking care of putting to efficiency the plant in Polican in which for many years ammunition in the service of the army have been produced and actually there is a project with Turkey for the renovation of the technology of the plant. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Fire breaks in Fishing Enterprise in Kavaje

The presence of the fire engines in time avoided the complete burning of the enterprise except two big refrigerators and a refrigerator-van which could not escape the fire flakes.

According to preliminary investigation, the fire was caused by an electric defect in the guard's post. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Tirana currency rate On Jan.26

Following are the buying and selling rates of the foreign currencies against Lek in the Tirana foreign exchange market.

USD		140.10
DM		 83.40
LIT(1000)	 83.70
GRD(100)	 49.95
EURO		161.30

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Construction police to remove kiosks at Agriculture Ministry

There are 33 kioks and bars in the park five of which are concrete buildings and 28 kiosks without legal documentation.

The construction police have removed some 152 kiosks so far in the center of Tirana.

Later the operation will continue in "Durres" and "Kavaja" roads in Tirana. /agj/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Kosova Albanians protest in Geneva

Participants in the protest organised by the Albanian Popular University in cooperation with all Albanian organisations called for an end to massacres in Kosova, acknowledgement of its independence and bringing perpetrators of the crimes before justice. This protest was held when the international community was asking for a quick solution to the Kosova issue.

The government of Switzerland considers the Kosova issue related to the problem of refugees from Kosova, who are arriving there fleeing the Serb aggression against the civil population.

Diplomatic sources said to ATA that important international decisions were expected this week.

Through this protest rally the Albanian diaspora is showing that it supports with all means the aspiration of their compatriots in Kosova. This message was clearly expressed by the protesters. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Dinamo Plant included in privatization structures

The machineries and equipment of it are valued at 175224,6 thousand lek while the economic inventory is 961,2 thousand lek and the turnover of 3604,2 thousand lek.

The plant has been constructed in 60s and its main aim has been to meet the needs of chrome, copper and other ore processing industry.

The procedure for the beginning of the privatization in the plant started in 1996.

At present, Dinamo has only an engineering workshop operating, with 25 workers who have turned out mechanical products, thus ensuring considerable amounts of money. Parts of the Dinamo Plant are also the saws, the thermic and the electric workshops. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] NGO's Forum Office affiliate established in Durres

The Forum, with its headquarters in Tirane, has affiliates in Elbasan, Rreshen and Vlore.

The manager of the NGO's Forum for Durres, Enkelejda Turkeshi, said to ATA that there are 36 non-governmental organizations operating in Durres, which the Forum will support through specializing them in the sectors where they have their activities and for more intensive activities.

The NGO Forum is installed with the initiative of the CE and its partner is CAVA, European Centre for the activity of associations.

Since Jan.25, many NGO-s of Durres completed the documents for the cooperation with the Forum affiliate in Durres. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Inspector of order police shot dead in Tropoje

The press office in the Ministry of Public Order told ATA on Tuesday, that at about 6 o'clock on Monday, is killed in Tropoje the citizen Muse Ymer Dishnica, aged 42, with the duty of the inspector of order police.

According to the same source, the killing of the police inspector has happened in the vicinity of his dwelling place, when he was turning back home after work.

Only a nail was found on the place of the accident. In the meantime, the competent organs are intensively working to catch the authors of the crime and to whiten the crime motives, ends the announcement of the Press Office in the Ministry of Public Order. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Albania PM has not held any meeting with representatives of traffickers in Vlore

It noticed that several Italian newspapers on Monday and some Albanian ones on Tuesday have published quotations of a senior official of the Albanian police, who declared that the Albanian Prime Minister has met with one of the bosses of the illegal traffic of emigrants in the town of Vlore.

Premier press office is authorized to state that all these declarations are not true. It confutes with deep indignation this assembled accusation.

The Albanian PM has visited Vlore in the framework of his institutional obligations and was accompanied in this meeting by the Minister of Defence, Minister of Public Order and the Minister of Finances. The Albanian Premier was not accompanied in this meeting by any Italian politician, as it is declared in the press. He has not held any meeting with representatives of traffickers.

PM press office points out that it has been an initiative of the government of Premier Majko to draft the law "On the registration, use and control of navigation vessels under 20 NRT," which has been appreciated by the Italian government and opposition and aimed at creating the legal base for the fight against the illegal traffic of emigrants.

PM press office is forced to reiterate that the fight against the illegal traffics is one of the priorities of the Albanian government program. It confesses that it is a fact accepted by all that the traffic of emigrants is a traffic of international dimensions. It is unacceptable and far from the reality to find the Albanian state totally responsible. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] DP proposes national pact for restoration of order in Albania

DP head Sali Berisha declared that the order situation in the country is grave and for this reason it is the time for Albanians to join together and say stop to the organized crime and traffic.

"I propose the pact for the restoration of order which includes the agreement among all political forces, local government and order bodies for the implementation of law against crime. DP will offer its contribution in this direction," Berisha told a news conference.

DP leader urged a restoration of the Ministry of Public Order and Prosecutor's Office on the criterion of professionalism and on basis of a consensus between the ruling party and the opposition. Also, Berisha put forward the idea of setting up a gendarmerie in Albania, which, as he said, "should enjoy a special status against crime." /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Teacher's strike finds support of senior state authorities; Dobrusha

Regarding the proclaimed strike of the Albanian Federation of Education and Science (AFES) in the sector of pre-university education, Dobrusha declared that "the teacher's protest will continue till all the demands are met".

The teachers strike has entered its 8the day, comprising the majority part of the elementary and general high schools all over 35 districts of Albania, sources from the AFES declared.

The strike teachers insisted on their demands to increase the wages by 20%, the reduction of the tax of solidarity with the police forces from 500 in 100 leks, the taking of an annual reward equal to a month wage, the status of the teacher and others. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] President Meidani meets delegation of Kosova Parliament

During the meeting, the members of the delegation hailed the engagement of the head of the Albanian state in keeping an active partnership of a real representative factor of the Kosova Albanians with the international community for finding an acceptable solution of the Kosova issue.

President Meidani, referring to the talks held recently in Tirana with personalities from Kosova, noted that there is a similar axe of stands for all-embracing in an executive body, accepted by all, without avoiding the institutional achievements of the Kosova Albanians.

The representatives of the delegation positively estimated the initiative of President Meidani, who expressed his readiness to personally and institutionally serve the issue of defining a similar Albanian political factor in Kosova. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] International community should intervene to halt crisis in Kosova, PM

Further on, PM Majko underlined the efforts of the Albanian Government to encourage the unification of the political thought of the Kosova Albanians for the establishment of a contact group, which would represent the political will of the Kosova Albanians in the face of the international community. But, just in this moment, the Serbs showed with the massacre of Recak that they know only the violence as the only way for the solution of the Kosova issue, underlined PM Majko.

The Portuguese Foreign Minister, Gama, hailed the steps taken by the Albanian government for the stabilization of the situation in the country. Focusing on the Kosova crisis, Gama stressed that the international community is resolute to undertake all the political and diplomatic acts to prevent the further precipitation of the situation in Kosova and for this aim, the political factor there should speak in unison, he added. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Bilateral will to strengthen collaboration between Albania, Portugal; Meidani

After mentioning set directions of the Portuguese aid in Albania, aid given in the framework of the European Union and NATO, President Meidani stressed that the growth of contacts in the business and investment field are very important for the future. He thanked the Portuguese participation in MAPE mission in our country, in the OSCE Verifying Mission in Kosova as well as the participation in NATO troops settled actually in the region.

President Meidani said that the visit of his Portuguese counterpart in Albania would help to strengthen these relations. Albanian President send an invitation to his counterpart through the Portuguese Foreign Minister.

President Meidani and Portuguese Minister, Gama, exchanged thoughts on the dramatic situation in Kosova and encouraged the actual actions of the international community. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Accusations against PM mounted and groundless, Minister

A press release from the spokesman of the Ministry of Public Order says that given the articles published today by several dailies regarding a statement declared to be issued by the police director of Vlore, Sokol Koci, that PM Pandeli Majko has gone to Vlore several days ago and has had coffee with Tozo, the most powerful owner of speed boats in Vlore, we explain that this declaration is mounted and completely invented.

It is completely untrue for the Albanian Prime Minister to have held such a meeting. The constant invention of such facts, like the one for an alleged attack against the Vlore police commissariat, shows the interests of different mafia networks, which exert pressure even through the press. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] All social-political factors at home are almost unified in their stand for solution of Kosova issue

The Information Ministry told ATA, that Premier Majko made a short exposure of the political situation in Albania and explained the attempts of the Albanian government to stabilize the social-political life, where an important part is occupied by the dialogue between government and opposition.

"Is very important that the People Assembly, political parties, ruling party and opposition, all the social-political factors at home, today are almost unified in their stands for finding a solution to the Kosova issue," stressed the Premier Majko.

"The official Tirana, the government I lead, is maximally engaged to contribute to make all factors operating today in Kosova agree to create a representative negotiating group not to be contested by anyone in Kosova and to be reliable by the international factor. It is urgent for Kosova to present before the international factor and the Serb part an option of solution to the crises," - this was the massage that Mr. Majko transmitted to the parliamentarians from Kosova.

Idriz Ajeti, chairman of Kosova Assembly, in the name of all the members of the delegation hailed the initiative of the Albanian government. The Kosova parliamentarians expressed their oppositions for the solution of actual situation in Kosova and presented the most optimal roads that should be followed these moments in order to give a solution to the crises in Kosova. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Political, economical, financial presence of Germany in Albania needed, President

President press office reported that Meidani, during the meeting, expressed his idea for a greater political, economical and financial presence of Germany in Albania as an important element for strengthening the bilateral relations.

In regard to the situation in Kosova, Meidani said that there are no real perspectives for the Kosova issue under the Serb authority.

Further on, President Meidani appreciated the intensity of acts undertaken by the international community and stressed that the presence in field of NATO troops, in support of the verification operations of OSCE, is an important element for the encouragement of the political solution of this problem./dat/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Minister of Justice to sign Penal Convention against Corruption

The spokesman of the Justice Ministry reported that the Penal Convention against Corruption is a new Convention of the Council of Europe. Albania is among the first countries that signs this Convention, which is open to be signed by all European countries.

This Convention, which will be signed in 27 January in Strasbourg, enables the integration of Albania in the international structures of the fight against corruption. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Ties between Albania and Portugal should be intensified, Milo

The development of bilateral relations was the first theme which was discussed in these talks. Both Foreign Ministers expressed their readiness to increase and intensify the bilateral relations of cooperation in the economic, cultural, scientific fields.

Taking into consideration the activation of Portugal in the Euro- Atlantic bodies and the fact that next year Portugal will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union and in 2002 the presidency of OSCE, Milo presented to his Portuguese counterpart the goals of his government for the integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.

With regard to NATO, Milo pointed out the cooperation of Albania with this body and asked a more direct role of NATO in the Kosova crisis.

Minister Gama on his side backed the Albanian option for integration in all the Euro-Atlantic structures, by favouring the extension of these bodies and attraction of more countries in them.

Both Ministers also focused on the current crisis in Kosova. Minister Milo also spoke of the efforts of the Albanian government for a closer cooperation with all the Albanian factors in Kosova to unify the stands and speak in unison for the solution of the crisis there.

Minister Gama greeted the stand of the official Tirana for the role it has played and is playing for a stable solution of the Kosova crisis. He also brought in the meeting with Milo the message of the EU Foreign Ministers to follow an efficacious diplomacy, but a more imposing policy on the official Belgrade.

"Along with the peaceful solution of the crisis, it is of importance also the NATO act order on Milosevic," said Gama. /dast/mt/

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