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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-30Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Vehicles donated to Albanian police by British GovernmentTIRANE, Jan.29 (ata) - By Urim Bajrami: In the presence of the Public Order Minister of Albania, Petro Koci, some vehicles, aid by the British Government for Albanian police were donated on Friday by British Ambassador in the Republic of Albania, Stephen Nash.The spokesman of the Public Order Ministry said to ATA that in the context of a broad project between the British Government and Albania's Ministry of Public Order, it is the second time within a short period of time, that a contingent of vehicles is donated to Albanian police. This aid is earmarked mainly for border police in northern and northeastern zones such as Shkoder, Koplik, Bajram Curri, etc. In his address, Minister Koci expressed his thanks for the British Government for the continuous concern it is manifesting for Albanian police, especially for border police. The British Ambassador Stephan Nash promised an all-sided and continuous assistance. /lh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Men-smuggling from Albania is encouraged from outside - chairmanTIRANE, jan.29 (ata) - By I Luto: The chairman of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, Arben Puto, in a in a pronunciation for ATA, considered as groundless the fuss made lately by foreign mediae blaming Albania for the men-smuggling and considering it the one to bear the main responsibility for it.Prof. Puto considered these campaigns as bearers of old prejudices, according to which the Albanians are not capable of making a state. "It is true that law and order is the greatest challenge Albania is presently facing, but we must not forget that traffickings are encouraged and controlled from outside Albania, therefore the fight against them too is directed from outside." "Since such campaigns are encouraged by a part of Italian politicians, " said Puto, "these problems may be discussed with Italian authorities who have stressed in their direct contacts with Albanian government members that they are ready to assist Albania and the public order in this country, which is most problematic." "The untrue image for Albania in the world serves some set circles which want to create the idea of a country which generates destabilization, " ends his pronouncement for ATA the chairman of the Albanian Helsinki Committee. /lh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Declaration of Albanian Government on KosoveTIRANE, Jan.29 (ata) - After the meeting of the Contact Group Foreign Ministers, the Albanian Government released the following declaration:"The Albanian Government got informed of the text of the Declaration of the Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group on the crisis in Kosove, held in London today. On this occasion the Albanian Government declares that the beginning of the dialogue with a mediation between the parties in the conflict in Kosove remains urgent and imperative. The Albanian Government considers that the inclusion in the document of the Contact Group of some elements which envisage a transitory self-rule for the Albanian people of Kosove opens the road to a lasting solution of the problem after the end of the three-year period. As in the past, the Albanian government expresses the idea that political character measures must be accompanied with a strong pressure on the regime of Belgrade. Today's massacre in Rogove of Has, in which Serb police killed over 20 Albanian civilians only some days after the massacre in Recak, confirms once more that there must be no illusion that Yugoslav authorities would observe the decisions of the International Community, without the use of force. Only such a strategy would make that the latest proposals of the London Meeting be respected by Milosevic, as it has happened so far with two U.N. Resolutions and the Accord of Richard Holbrooke. Therefore, the Albanian Government takes special interest in the decisions that the Atlantic Alliance will adopt tomorrow with regard to the latest developments of the crisis in Kosove. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Growth of local production is a priority of Albanian society - PresidentTIRANE, Jan.29 (ata) - Albanian President Rexhep Meidani addressed Friday the national seminar on agro-food policy held in Tirane. He stated that one of the preoccupations for the Albanian society is the growth of local production, which must be closely linked and determines the future of the development of the country and its stability, said Meidani, adding that this must be accompanied with the efficient use of all human and economic resources of the country and with the Albanian tradition of surviving.Meidani spoke in his address of the Albanian town planning which must not be based on demographic movements without criteria but on the increase of the production centres and the construction round them of appropriate urban environments," said Meidani. Stressing the main points of the increase of the local production power, Meidani said that one of the strategic priorities of the development of Albania is a modern agruculture and efficient agricultural processing industry. The objective is an extensive plan for a more pragmatic economic policy, along with a new social dimension, in order to encourage structural changes in the economy and correcting the asymmetry of the development. This is also achieved by an efficacious implementation of the concept of solidarity between social-professional groups and regions. Creation of good conditions for Albanian and foreign investors in this sector is also another objective which must be attained. The establishment and consolidation of agricultural and food industry is indispensable both to meet the demands of the people and to improve the trade balance, to reduce the imports of food products, to develop tourism, etc. /y.pa/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Ratification by Albanian Parliament of Penal Convention against corruption makes Albanian legislation more perfect - KondiTIRANE, Jan.29 (ata) - By Enkelejda Koraqi: The total fight against corruption was the essence of the Penal Convention on corruption signed in Strasbourg recently by Council of Europe member countries.Corruption is an international phenomenon but in Albania corruption and illegal traffic have found a proper terrain because of the difficult transitory period of this country," said to ATA the Minister of Justice, Thimio Kondi, after his return from Strasbourg. "This convention will be presented for ratification to the Parliament, " said Kondi. "The ratification makes the Albanian legislation more perfect and helps consolidate the respective institutions to be more efficient in the fight against corruption," said Kondi. "The signing of the Penal Convention on Corruption created better premises to absorb the aid from the European Community and makes Albania a member of these international organizations with the respective political and judicial benefits and obligations. The efficiency of the fight against corruption now depends on a close cooperation between government institutions and the judiciary," said Kondi. The Penal Convention on corruption was signed Wednesday in Strasbourg, and the signer for Albania was the Minister of Justice, Thimio Kondi. /lh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] During January 37 people in Berat with jaundiceBERAT, Jan.29 (ata) - During January, the hospital of Berat has registered 37 people infected with jaundice. The disease, said to ATA Vladimir Kumaraku, director of the hospital in Berat, has affected people in villages of Deshnik, Kutalli and Mbrakull. Ten children from 10-15 years of age, most of whom from the same kin, have been hospitalized from village Deshnik, a few km from Berat.The doctors think that the main source of the disease this time is the considerable lack of hygiene, of drinking water, the poor sewage, the garbage, which no body takes care of. Until December last year, the total number of the people affected by jaundice in that district was 187 with some treated at home. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Semifinals of 47th Football Cup of Albania - Tirane, first semifinalistTIRANE, Jan.30 (ata) - By Besnik Meta: The return match valuable for the quarterfinals of the 47th Cup in Football of Albania, was played on Friday in the national stadium, Qemal Stafa, in Tirane.The set time ended in a draw and the 11 meter scores determined the winner, with Tirane scoring 3 goals and Lushnja only one. Tirana is now the first semifinalist of the Football Cup matches. The matches to be played on Saturday are: Partizani - Apolonia Teuta - Flamurtari Vllaznia - Shqiponja/A.Ke/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] 30 thousand Kosove refugees within a month - UNHCRPRISHTINE, Jan.30 (ata) - The spokeswoman of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Belgrade, Pola Gedini, said that about 6 400 people have fled their villages round Suhareka and Shtime in which armed clashes took place between Serb police and the Kosove Liberation Army, KLA. The greater number of the refugees are Albanians, with some 1 500 Serbs among them, said Gedini, cited by the Kosove Information Centre.According to figures by UNHCR, since December last year, about 30 thousand people have been forced to flee 23 villages in the communes of Decan, Podujeve, Suhareke and Shtime, whereas at least 10 thousand people have resettled at their homes. 50 000 people displaced from Kosove are in some regions of Serbia, said Gedine, adding that half of the population in Malisheve has returned to their homes while in Junik about 1 500 people have returned to their places. /p.ta/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Albanian Government supports disarmament project in Gramsh- MinisterTIRANE, Jan.30 (ata) - The Albanian Local Government Minister, Arben Demeti, during his visit to U.S. recently took part in the meeting of the group of the countries interested in the project of the collection of arms in Albania. Minsiter Demeti expressed in the meeting the full political support of the Albanian government for the project of disarmament, the spokesman of the Local Government Ministry reported. Demeti focused on the work made so far by the leading project committee for the collection of arms in the district of Gramsh.The undersecretary general for the questions of disarmament, Dhanapala, present in the meeting, promised to pay a visit to Albania at the beginning of March. During the meeting, Ambassador Kastrup of Germany, currently holding the EU rotating presidency, promised that in the coming meeting of this organization due on February 5, 1999, the EU will offer a considerable amount of money for the project in Albania. Whereas the representatives of Belgium and Norway, in the name of their governments, promised the amounts of 140 thousand and 100 thousand USD for the project of Gramsh. Taking part in the meeting were also the director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Eastern Europe, Krinderink and the U.N. resident Representative in Albania, Wahleberg. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Identity cards for about 3000 Kosovars settled in DurresDURRES, Jan.29 (ata) - By Gezim Kabashi: Beginning with last Tuesday, the Kosovars who have fled the warring areas and have settled in the district of Durres, will be granted identity cards.The Refugee Office directed by the Local Government Ministry and UNHCR, installed in Durres two months ago, is working intensively for the registration of the people coming from Kosove since the start of the armed conflict there and to give them identity cards. Specialist of this office Adrian Shehu told ATA that this document gives Kosovars the right of an official identity recognized by the U.N., avoids abuses in the distribution of aid for them, makes their identity known in the world and like in the case of Bosnia, assures them the priority of treatment by international organizations when they will resettle in their homes. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Military reinforcements arrive in Podujeva from SerbiaPRISHTINA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By Belul Jashari: Reinforcements of military and police troops from Serbia arrived Friday in the region of Podujeva, swept in fighting since three days.Albanian sources report that involved in fighting are also the villages of Majac, Lluzhan, Godishnjak and Lupc, while movements of military vehicles, which transported troops, were noticed on Friday. Too many deployments of Serb forces are mainly noticed in the town of Podujeva in the axe of the road Prishtina-Podujeva and Podujeva-Kerpimeh. The attacks and shelling have continued until late on Friday evening. /p.ta/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] 500 million lek to support the employment measuresTirana, Jan.30 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - According to the recent figures 17% of the total number of the unemploees in Albania are young people of 20 years old, while 44.7% are young of 21-35 years old.The application of the employment stimulation law, which will open the ways to new working places through financial support of actual bissnesses, will be one of the main strategies of the Ministry of Affair during 1999 inform sources of this ministry. 500 million lek are accorded from this ministry in support of these active measures of employment for 1999. Through the law of employment stimulation and the finance of the institucional training projects new working places will be open inform the sources of the ministry./linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] We are resolute in fight against traffic of emigrants, RanieriTIRANA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By I. Luto: Italy and Albania are resolute to put an end to the illegal traffic of emigrants, the Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, and the Italian deputy Foreign State Secretary, Umberto Ranieri, declared Saturday right after the meeting held in Tirana."My arrival in Albania is expression of the determination of the Italian government to fight the traffic of emigrants" declared Ranieri. On the other hand, he said that "we also appreciate the efforts of the Albanian government and its serious commitments to stop all sorts of traffics." Another important point discussed in this meeting was the crisis in Kosova. Ranieri said that the Albanian government should carry on its diplomatic efforts so that the Kosova party manages to elect its representatives in talks. While Minister Milo considered the decisions of the Contact Group as a good beginning of a process which should be finished. "There is no other way for the solution of the conflict in Kosova, except the peaceful way," said Milo. Mr. Ranieri arrived Saturday in Tirana on a one-day working visit. After the meeting with the Albanian Foreign Minister, Ranieri also met with the Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Efforts of Contact Group, last appeal on Belgrade, Minister MiloTIRANA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By I. Luto: The measures to be taken for the realization of the Contact Group platform, drafted Friday in London, regarding the solution of the Kosova crisis, were in the focus of talks held Saturday between the Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, and the Italian delegation, headed by the deputy Foreign Secretary, Umberto Ranieri, press office close to the Albanian Foreign Ministry reported to ATA.Minister Milo, considering yesterday massacre in Rugova of Has, where 20 Albanians died, said that "the international community should warn Belgrade that the diplomatic effort of the Contact Group will be the last one, to be replaced later on by other operations, without excluding the military ones." He familiarized the Italian deputy Foreign Secretary with the unification of stands of all political forces in Kosova to be represented with an all-embracing negotiating team in the next meeting of Rambuje. Hailing the attitude of the Albanian government, Ranieri urged Albania to play an active role in the beginning of talks on 6 February, due to be held in Rambuje of France, also in cooperation with the international community and particularly with the Contact Group. With regard to the bilateral relations, challenges offered by Mafia and different illegal traffics, Milo and Ranieri expressed the readiness of respective governments for a more intensive cooperation in the future. Minister Milo asked the Italian diplomat for a greater engagement from the international community with economical and financial projects in Albania. He also urged the representative of the Italian government to accelerate the procedures for opening the Italian consulate in Vlore, possibly within spring of this year. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Albanian Mobile Communication to invest $3 millionTirana, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By A.Gjata - The Albanian Mobile Communication (AMC) Company, the only one of this kind in Albania, is included in the strategic sectors that will be privatized.The company has a positive financial bilance and the offers to take part in its privatisation are increasing. Among the companies interested to participate in the international auction of AMC privatization is PANAFON, a greek company of Mobile Communication. Its Executive Director George Koronis visited AMC recently and asked about the privatisation's procedures and the auction that is expected to be hold in the begining of the spring. PANAFON is the greatest mobile company in Greece. It covers nearly 52% of the mobile market and has approximatly 1.1 million clients. Meanwhile AMC predicts to increase the value by investing nearly $3 million to enlarge its communication activity. Only Tirana cover 75% of the total clients. Actually there are 12000 mobile numbers. The project predicts to create 12 new stacions to spread the mobiles in Gjirokaster, Korce, Pogradec, Sarande, Erseke, ect. AMC starts its activity in 1996 by an invest of $10 million of Albanian Government and the Saving Bank. The GSM-s mobile comminication covers 42% of the Albanian territory. During 1998 AMC put in action the ROAMING service with 47 GSM operators in 34 countries./pas/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Italian projects for Albania need concrete implementation, PMTIRANA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By I. Luto: Albania Prime Minister Pandeli Majko held Saturday a meeting with the Italian deputy Foreign Secretary, Umberto Dini. In this meeting, PM Majko asked the assistance of Italy for the concrete realization of joint projects, PM spokesman reported to ATA.Ranieri voiced the readiness of the Italian party to make all the possible efforts for the concrete realization of all bilateral agreements and initiation of new accords. In the talks between Majko and Ranieri, the Kosova issue was also discussed. The Italian diplomat greeted the role of the Albanian government "for the encouragement of the dialogue of the political factor in Kosova," the spokesman of the Albanian Prime Minister. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Meidani backs deepening of cooperation with ItalyTIRANA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: Albania President Rexhep Meidani held Saturday a meeting with the Italian deputy Foreign Secretary, Umberto Ranieri. Meidani familiarized the Italian guest with the ongoing work in Albania to strengthen the institutions, a tendency which characterizes the entire period after the approval of the Constitution.Talking about the cooperation between the two countries, the President of the Republic considered it as very important, while he defined two directions where it should move forward: enlargement and acceleration of materialization. Ranieri on his side, also appreciated the necessity of cooperation between the two countries, not only in the current sectors, but also in other directions. In response to the readiness of the Italian party for the materialization of support, President Meidani expressed the idea of a micro Marshall Plan for Albania, which was considered by Ranieri as realizable even in the regional plan but in the context of a tranquility and stability. Talking about the conflict in Kosova, President Meidani, with the understanding of Ranieri, said that the international community is very late. Meidani and Ranieri shared the same opinion regarding the negative effects of the conflict, the delays for its solution, in Albania and in the region. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Supreme Court of Justice holds first meeting for 1999TIRANA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: Under the direction of the Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani, the meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice was held on Saturday.This was the first meeting of this Council, held after the approval of the Constitution and the election of five new members by the Judiciary Conference, conducted on 15 January 1999. In this meeting, a special commission of the Justice Supreme Court verified the legality of the election of the new members and discussed the proposals of the Justice Minister for new appointments in several district courts and the Appeal Court, by taking the respective decisions. In this meeting, it was also approved the number of members of the working group, which will deal with the preparations of the next test of judges. This group will be made up of foreign and local jurists with high reputation. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Naval forces must guard territorial waters from violationsTIRANA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: The mission of the Albanian naval forces is only to fulfill tasks in case of violation of territorial waters, the spokesman of the Defence Ministry reported to ATA on Saturday.Actually, in the fight against the illegal traffics of drugs and smuggling, the structures of the Ministry of Public Order have been engaged. An agreement has been signed between the Ministry of Public Order and the Ministry of Defence, according to which, two buildings in the island of Sazan will be used by the Ministry of Public Order to control the coastal zone for illegal traffics. The spokesman of the Defence Ministry explains that in case the Albanian government will ask from the naval defence forces to carry out duties for the protection of the border from different traffics, this can be enabled by the approval from Parliament of a law on the establishment of coastal guards. For this, the Defence Ministry has prepared a draft-law, which is expected to pass in Parliament, according to which the coastal border will be put under the direct control of the Naval Defence Forces. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Inter-ministerial Committee for Economic Policies discusses economic problems of the dayTIRANA, Jan. 30 (ATA) - The Inter-ministerial Committee for the Economic Policies held Saturday a meeting, which discussed the energetic situation in the country and the measures for its improvement; the sub- legal acts for the implementation of the new Customs Code and the new draft- law on the treasury bonds.The Ministry of Information reported to ATA that after the analysis of the energetic situation in the country, it was also discussed and approved an inter-ministerial program, which defined the concrete measures for the improvement of this situation. For this purpose, several sub-legal acts were approved, which create the necessary conditions for the supply of population with electric power. The meeting also discussed the working program for the reorganization of the customs system, so that the new Customs Code, newly approved in Parliament, will start to be implemented, by marking a step forward in the fight against smuggling and corruption. /lh/mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |