Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-02-03

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Minister of Justice has not blocked funds for any party

[02] Culture ministry reports on financial violations in institutions

[03] Albania PM agenda includes talks with U.S. president Clinton

[04] Folk Ensemble of Librazh goes to Italy

[05] U.S. navy offers motorboats to Albanian coast guard

[06] Demand of market for further privatisation of enterprises with joint capital tested

[07] Working group set up to draft new regulation of ART Leading Council

[08] Publius Ovidius Naso published for first time in Albanian

[09] Parliament passes two-week working program

[10] Heads of households suffer unemployment

[11] Guardia di Finanza seizes a dinghy

[12] Tirana currency rate

[13] Albania totally engaged in Rambouillet talks, Minister

[14] Bonus auction to be hold tomorrow

[15] Police arrest intruder into Greek ship

[16] Albanian state praises efforts of Catholic community

[17] Albania totally engaged in Rambouillet talks, Minister

[18] Imports highest value in December 1998

[19] 9 billion lek more exports in 1998

[20] Looter of Greek ship crew in jails

[21] Private sector cover 100% of overplus credit

[22] Persons killed on 27 January in Yugoslavian territory identified

[23] Stock-breeding to cover 50% of the total agricultural production

[24] Albanian state highlights great work of Catholic community

[25] Rambouillet, a step towards solution of crisis of Kosove

[26] Inter-border local commissions met; Has

[27] New organization of the Commettee of Tourism Development structure

[28] Collaboration in war against organized crime

[29] Telephone talk between Albanian PM Majko and NATO Chief Solana

[30] Health Ministry waiting for compiling of requests by syndicate

[31] Joint representation of political and military factor of Kosove in France is an indispensability - DBSH

[32] 37 Kurd nationals turned back from Albania

[33] Fifth collaboration agreement with WHO expected to be signed in 1999

[34] We will demand highest possible level of participation of Albanian political factors in Rambouillet

[01] Minister of Justice has not blocked funds for any party

"It is not true that the Government has blocked the DP budget or that Minister Kondi has been ordered that finance for the greatest opposition party be cut," said spokesman Neza.

The list of all the political parties to be financed by the state has been presented Monday to the ministry of Finances.

"This has not to do with the cut of finance for any party but it is simply a verification of the documents of the political parties including the new ones which have been registered in the Ministry of Justice," ends the refutation of the Ministry of Finance. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Culture ministry reports on financial violations in institutions

After a meeting of the parliamentary culture group with leaders asking for investigation on financial and legislative violations in different structures, the Ministry reported on financial violations found out by the supervisor sector at the ministry.

Sources from the Culture Ministry said to ATA that "damages worth 1.562 thousand leks have been recorded in institutions during 1998."

According to them, 1.260 thousand leks have been embezzled in Scientific research Center, National Film Archive and Center for folk activities.

Besides control on financial violations other controls have been undertaken as regards the administration of property. They have controlled the administration of a fund worth US$50.000 accorded by UNESCO for the antique city of Butrint.

The same sources said that such violations have been found out in the recent years in Opera and Ballet Theater, National Theater, Soccer Federation, National Gallery of Arts, Albafilm Animation and others which is estimated at 479 thousand leks. Responsible persons have been punished. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albania PM agenda includes talks with U.S. president Clinton

Albanian Ministry of Information said that Majko's agenda included talks with senior personalities of the U.S. political life with U.S. president Bill Clinton at the top of agenda.

As regards the role of the union of the Albanian factor in Kosova, the Albanian premier told journalists that its government had done what was needed and it was irreplaceable in the mission.

Saying that the Albanian government was not the one which could decide on the issue but the political forces in Kosova, Majko hoped that Albanians would be represented with dignity in the round table.

Majko said that another Bosnia was being repeated and if this situation neither war nor peace would continue in spring, the war is inevitable.

Albanian prime minister mentioned the guarantee of the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that Albania's borders will not be violated.

Majko said that our goal was the rapprochement of political forces in Albania and also our concept for the reconstruction of the Albanian politics.

"These are no political bargaining but confidential therapies," Majko said. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Folk Ensemble of Librazh goes to Italy

The choreograph Sadi Halili reported to ATA that "this annual festival, which is held in Southern Italy, is similar with the celebrations of the Summer's Day in Albania, and this year it will also have the Albanian folk of Librazhd and the Arberesh one.

In this festival, the ensemble of the Librazhdi district will be presented with several dances, like the dance of Rajce, Cermenika, and others, as well as with the well-known singer of the folk music, Roberta Prenda.

The tournament of this ensemble to Italy is the first during this year. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] U.S. navy offers motorboats to Albanian coast guard

Captain Osman Metalla said to ATA that specialists on Tuesday finished mounting the five motorboats whose parts arrived two weeks ago on board of a Danish cargo ship.

The motorboats 12 to 18 meters long will be used by the forces of the maritime district of Durres which are going to be trained.

After heavy damages caused to the Albanian navy in March 1997, part of the ships were put into efficiency in Italian ports and were handed over to the Albanian side.

The Italian-Albanian forces of Guardia di Finanza have been controlling the territorial waters for 16 months in fight against contraband and weapons, drugs and illegal aliens trafficking.

Coast guards will have the status of defending Albania's water territories. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Demand of market for further privatisation of enterprises with joint capital tested

The documentation of these enterprises, in which the Albanian state continues to have the major part of capitals, is at the disposal of the businessmen interested in this.

Sllavica Rexha, chief of the public services branch in Durres, told ATA that there are five big joint-ventures, with the state capital, and only the "Taulantia" agency, in which the foreign party is represented by the Venetian navigation company "Adriatica," continues to have admirable financial results.

Meanwhile, other joint-ventures are almost out of function for different motives. The Albanian state, represented in these enterprises with some 80% of the capital, is interested in the future of these large material and monetary values.

According to Rexha, the Ministry of Economy and Privatization is interested in the secure future of the shipyard Durres-Gdansk, where some 300 specialists have been employed. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Working group set up to draft new regulation of ART Leading Council

Also this meeting, which was headed by the chairman Kastriot Caushi, decided to immediately start the work to draft the project-status of the public Radio and Television, and decided not to change the respective structures and staff until the approval of the status of the Albanian Radio and Television. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Publius Ovidius Naso published for first time in Albanian

The book "Metamorphosis" includes some 12 thousand verses while only 4 thousand of them have been included by the translator in the new poetic work. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Parliament passes two-week working program

two weeks which included draft laws submitted by the government and question and answer sessions.

The approved program said that the parliament will convene in a plenary session early on Thursday with minister of Public Order, minister of Education and minister of Public Economy and privatisation answering questions of deputies.

Deputies presented demands and remarks on draftlaws they had reviewed and question and answer sessions with government members.

Later parliamentary commissions held separate meetings to review draft laws which would be discussed by deputies in coming sessions.

Among the most important draft laws to be considered by the parliament was that of people's lawyer which was approved in principle by deputies last week. /ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Heads of households suffer unemployment

According to the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), in the end of 1997, the heads of households who are unemployed are estimated to be 44 per cent of the general number of the unemployed registered in the country.

The number of heads of households, registered as unemployed in the labour offices, has increased from year to year.

Anyhow, a green light is opened for the unemployed, because in the budget of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for 1999, some 500 million leks have been accorded in support of the active masses of employment, Also, through encouraging employment and financing projects, it is directly aimed at creating new jobs. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Guardia di Finanza seizes a dinghy

A spokesman of the Guardia di Finanza mission said that the border police informed the mission's operation command in Durres port on Monday 15.00 p.m. on the dinghy which was some miles away from the Kep i Lagjit, South of Durres.

The patrol boat rushed immediately to the site and found the abandoned dinghy. They took the dinghy to the port of Durres and confiscated it under the law approved by the parliament.

The grey dinghy 8 meters long with two motors 150hp each can travel 40 miles per hour.

Another dinghy was seized on January 18 by the Italian Albanian forces in the same area while the owners were put under custody.

The same source said that in the last six days no dinghy bounded for Italian shore was intercepted due to bad weather. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Tirana currency rate

US $1.00		141.2
German mark		 82.6
Italian lire(1000)	 82.8
Greek Drachmas(100)	 49.9
EURO			159.7

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania totally engaged in Rambouillet talks, Minister

The meeting, which was asked by the CG ambassadors, aimed at discussing about the recent developments in Kosova and familiarization with the ongoing preparations of the Albanian government for the talks of Rambouillet, due to be held on 6 February in France.

The ambassadors of USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Russia asked a maximal engagement from the Albanian government to give contribution so that the Kosova political factors go together to the talks with the Serb party.

"We will continue our efforts even during the remaining days, not only to secure the complete participation of Kosovars in talks, but also to insist in the level of representation," said the Albanian Foreign Minister.

While the ambassador of Great Britain, Stephen Nash, added that "The highest the level of representation in Rambouillet talks, the most stable will be the outcome."

Minister Milo considered this meeting as a concrete demonstration of joint efforts of the Albanian Government and international community to reach a peaceful solution of the Kosova issue as soon as possible.

"We would be all very pleased to see the parties sitting in the Rambouillet talks, a meeting which would open the perspective for a more realistic solution of the crisis and beginning of a process which is supposed to bring peace and decide on the future status of Kosova," said Milo in the end.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Bonus auction to be hold tomorrow

Bonus will be of different maturity 3 months, 6 months and 12 months maturity. The total sum of bonus of 3 months maturity is 1 billion and 700 million lek, for bonus of 6 months maturity the value offered is 1 billion and 700 million lek and for 12 months maturity the sum marked the value of 3 billion and 400 million lek./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Police arrest intruder into Greek ship

Press office at the Public Ministry said to ATA that police arrested early on Wednesday Ardian Prekaj, 28, inhabitant of Shengjin who had been previously sentenced twice for theft.

The same source said that Preka was arrested on charge of looting the Greek ship in accomplice with Fatos Alia. They have grabbed jewellery, foreign currency, video, radio and others.

The stolen goods were found in Prekaj house who conceded to have robbed another Greek ship "Ermini" on November 7, 1998.

Alia was on the run by the police. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albanian state praises efforts of Catholic community

The Vatican senior representative was accompanied by the head of the Bishopery Conference of Albania Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, Apostolic Nuncio of Vatican Bulatis and other representatives of Catholic clergy in Shkodra.

On behalf of the Albanian state, President Meidani thanked the Catholic community for their contribution in easing tension, boosting cooperation and understanding between people in Albania.

Archbishop Hamao briefed Meidani on the activity of the Papal Council and yesterday's visit in Shkodra and other districts where he met the Kosova people.

He praised the cooperation established between Catholic organisations and institutions and central and local government to help the Kosova people. He hailed the government's programs especially that of children education and youth who were among the displaced.

President Meidani, reiterating the idea of a Catholic university in Albania, urged the guests to speed up efforts for this important projects which had been welcomed by intellectual circles and people.

Representatives of the Catholic clergy praised the insistence and support of Albania president to this project and presented some concrete steps to be undertaken to this end. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Albania totally engaged in Rambouillet talks, Minister

The meeting, which was asked by the CG ambassadors, aimed at discussing about the recent developments in Kosova and familiarization with the ongoing preparations of the Albanian government for the talks of Rambouillet, due to be held on 6 February in France.

The ambassadors of USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Russia asked a maximal engagement from the Albanian government to give contribution so that the Kosova political factors go together to the talks with the Serb party.

"We will continue our efforts even during the remaining days, not only to secure the complete participation of Kosovars in talks, but also to insist in the level of representation," said the Albanian Foreign Minister.

While the ambassador of Great Britain, Stephen Nash, added that "The highest the level of representation in Rambouillet talks, the most stable will be the outcome."

Minister Milo considered this meeting as a concrete demonstration of joint efforts of the Albanian Government and international community to reach a peaceful solution of the Kosova issue as soon as possible.

"We would be all very pleased to see the parties sitting in the Rambouillet talks, a meeting which would open the perspective for a more realistic solution of the crisis and beginning of a process which is supposed to bring peace and decide on the future status of Kosova," said Milo in the end. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Imports highest value in December 1998

The main increase is seen on tax import which increases by 15% having tha value of 9 billion lek, while the not taxed import is 3,7 billion lek, increase by 14%.

During December 1998 food, textile, machineries, equipments and tha transport means cover the main and specific place. In comparison with the imports of the previous month an increase is on food and transport means, while there is a fall on the import of plastic, leather, paper, metals and their subproducts.

124,335 billion lek is the total value of imported goods in 1998, that is to say 27 billion lek more compared with the value of the goods imported in 1997, which have the value of 97,6448 billion lek./pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] 9 billion lek more exports in 1998

The exports from the active increase by 20%, where the main place cover textiles and the shoes produced with the customer's material.

Durresi custom house continue to do the greatest part of the exports, this is due to the fact that 68% of the exports are Italian one. Durresi custom house is followed by Kapshtica one with 13% and that of Vlora with 6%. Greek exports cover 15% of the total exports./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Looter of Greek ship crew in jails

The press office of the Ministry of the Public Order told ATA that at about 2p.m on Wednesday was arrested on the spot the Albanian citizen Ardian Prekaj, aged 28, inhabitant of Shengjin.

According to the same source Prekaj was arrested because on Tuesday midnight in collaboration with Fatos Alian, he entered the Greek ship "Telias" and looted its crew by taking golden things, foreign currencies, videos, radios and others.

The looted materials were found in Prekaj's dwelling place, who admitted that he had looted another Greek ship on 7 November 1998. Fatos Alia is proclaimed wanted by the police forces. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Private sector cover 100% of overplus credit

The credit values in years (in billion lek)

----------------------------------------------------------------
                 | 1996    |  1997   | T1-98   | T2-98   | T3-98 
----------------------------------------------------------------
 New credit      | 7.4     |  3.98   | 0.7     |  1.09   | 1.0
----------------------------------------------------------------

Given one (in %)

----------------------------------------------------------------
C in cash       |   63    |  37     |   17    |   12    |   12
----------------------------------------------------------------
Short term C    |   50    |  65.5   |   68    |   72    |   50
----------------------------------------------------------------
C privat.sectors|   83    |  98     |  100    |  100    |  100
----------------------------------------------------------------

Nevertheless, economic credit is relatively low. The fall of credit given the two last years is closely connected to the high risk of the credits and the high cost of loans. The expell of the state capital banks from giving new credits affected as well.

In 1997, the Albanian Bank decided to stop the credit activities of the banks with credits' standing over 20% of the total credits.

But according to the sources from Albanian Bank is inform for opening of new private banks in Albania and the privatisation of the banks of state capital, which will create possibilities for the return of the credits given before./pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Persons killed on 27 January in Yugoslavian territory identified

According to the press office in the Ministry of Public Order, with the request of the Yugoslavian part, the Albanian captain Ali Preka together with three other citizens from Hasi district, went to Prizren to identify the persons killed on 27 January, who resulted to be: Artan Xhem Kovaçi, aged 17, from the village Vlaham of Hasi district, Rame Muste Geca, 19, from Kruma, Neritan Uke Dauti, 22, from Zahishte of Hasi.

The cadavers were taken according to all regulations and entered Morine customs house in Kukes district later on Tuesday.

The Yugoslav military forces opened fire against an Albanian group who was illegally passing the Albanian-Yugoslav border on 27 January of the current year. As a result three inhabitants of Hasi district were killed. /s.s/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Stock-breeding to cover 50% of the total agricultural production

The animal product increase especially after the closing of copmanies and it is totally realized by private farmers. Stock-breeding in Middle and Southern Albania is greatly developed and according to the accounts thousand farmers families have actually 2-3 cows.

According to Njazi Tahiti, director in Stock-breeding Directory in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, problem is the lack of experience in marketing of animal products.

In order to solve this problem speciaslists asked for the help of foreign assossiation to fullfill the projects on opening the centers of milk stocking and treatment as close as possible to the zones of high animal products.

The number of sheep in Albania is 771000, and that of cows 432000.

According to Tahiri, although the stock-breeding cover the main part in the total agricultural production, the level of this sector is low.

849600 tons milk and 104000 tons meat are produced in Albanian during 1998./pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Albanian state highlights great work of Catholic community

According to the Press and Information office of the President, at the beginning of the talk Mr Meidani voiced the thanks of the Albanian state for the great work of the Catholic community in Albania to lower the tension, to increase cooperation and understanding between the people.

Arch Bishop Hamao briefed the President of the activity of the Pope Council and the visit he paid yesterday to the displaced Kosovars who have settled in Shkoder and other districts of Albania. He expressed his thanks for the fruitful cooperation that Catholic organizations and institutions have had with the central and local governments to facilitate the stay of these people. He highlighted the government programs especially that of education of the children and youths among the displaced Kosovars.

In his constant line for sensitization of the people for the establishment of a Catholic University in Albania, President Meidani asked those present to make more efforts for this important project which has been welcomed enthusiastically by intellectual circles and the people in general.

The Catholic representatives appreciated the insistence and support of the President of Albania to realise the project and reported of some concrete steps to be made in this direction very soon. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Rambouillet, a step towards solution of crisis of Kosove

TIRANE, Feb.3 (ata) - Although he is optimistic and hopes that Rambouillet is a step towards a solution to the crisis in Kosove, the Ambassador of Albania close to NATO in Brussels Idriz Basha, still does not fully believe that the Alliance may intervene in Kosove if Rambouillet meeting fails.

"There are two main problems," said Mr Basha in an interview with ATA, "the first is that all the countries must agree to an intervention, something which is rather difficult, because it is evident and Milosevic has understood it wisely that Europe has not a common policy. As for the U.S. the President himself, he has been busy with his personal problems."

But for Mr Basha, a good connoisseur of the western policy regarding the Kosova crisis, "the most important problem is that even if a NATO intervention to hit the bases of Serbs was decided and if the boys of France and Germany and others were sent to the spot, something which would be rather efficient, none of the heads of state would agree to put the lives of the soldiers at stake."

However, Mr Basha is of the opinion that "an air intervention would find a broad support by the western community because they cannot agree to barbarism at the end of the 20th century.

Nevertheless, Mr Basha would prefer to speak less of a solution of the military type and more of a peaceful solution to the problem of Kosove. He has pinned his hopes to Rambouillet Meeting. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Inter-border local commissions met; Has

According to the spokesman no concrete results were achieved in the meeting regarding the pretensions of the Yugoslavian part on the recent incidents in the border between the two countries, but another meeting is appointed to be held on this issue.

The same source reports that the Yugoslavian part pretends not to have opened fire towards the Albanian territory on 26 January. This fact was totally refuted by the local commission of the Albanian border.

Regarding the incident of 27 January, where three Albanian citizens from Hasi district were shot dead 3 000 meters within the Kosova territory, the Albanian local commission stressed that there is no information on the victims' aim to go to the other side of the border.

The incidents in the north-eastern border of Albania have been numerous even during the outgoing year. During this period are encountered several provocations by the Yugoslavian part, up to artillery shots 2000 meters within the Albanian territory. Although the Albanian part has insisted to make analyses on the incidents, the Yugoslavian part has refused to analyze these issues in the local commissions for solution of inter-border incidents. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] New organization of the Commettee of Tourism Development structure

The new structure will have 4 directors, who will cover different fields like marketing, touristic investments, infrastructure and touristic policy, which is a new branch of a new staff.

It will have also two advicers about the correct developments of the projects planned by this commettee in tourism./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Collaboration in war against organized crime

TIRANE, Feb. 3 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: A group of prosecutors from the Attorney General Office held work meetings with their counterparts from Italy and Zurich during the week they visited these countries. The main issue discussed in these meetings was the beginning and development of cooperation between these countries in the war against the organized crimes, is said in a press release of the General Attorney's Office issued to ATA by the spokesman of this organ.

The declaration says that the Albanian investigating group has taken several documents that have to do with the penal prosecution of "VEFA- HOLDING" ex-company, and has discovered names of foreigners implied in the affairs of with this company.

The press release explains that the information published by some press organs regarding the founding of $ 19 million are not true. The aim of the Albanian group was not the control of the bank accounts of Switzerland.

The General Attorney is to be transparent, and will say only the truth to the public through his spokesman, ends the declaration of the General Attorney Office. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Telephone talk between Albanian PM Majko and NATO Chief Solana

Mr Solana made the call to Albanian PM taking interest in the latest developments in the Balkan region. The crisis in the region, the action of the International Community for the solution to this crisis and the exchange of viewpoints on the situation were the topics of the telephone talk between PM Majko and the NATO Secretary General, Solana.

PM Majko briefed Mr Solana of the opinion of the Albanian Government on these developments in the future.

Majko is for five days now on an official visit to the U.S. Members of the delegation he is leading are also the Minister of Finances, Anastas Angjeli and the State Secretary for European Integration, Maqo Lakrori. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[30] Health Ministry waiting for compiling of requests by syndicate

The workgroups appointed by the syndicate are to deal with the compiling of requests and drafting of a special status for the University Hospital Center "Mother Theresa", which is to be presented afterwards to the Health Minister Solis.

The request of increasing the wage by 20% is to be discussed and reviewed in a general framework. While the tax of solidarity with the police forces depends from the government decision.

During this week is to be worked for improvement of work conditions according to the programs that the Ministry of Health has got for 1999, as well as consolidation of nursing role by forming a new structure near this Ministry.

The Health Independent Syndicate held last Friday an hour strike. Five requests are listed in its petition: the wage increase by 20%, the exclusion of the tax of solidarity with the police forces, the status for the University Hospital Center "Mother Theresa", signing of work-contract as well as the improvement of the work conditions. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[31] Joint representation of political and military factor of Kosove in France is an indispensability - DBSH

The chairman of the Republican Party, Fatmir Mediu, in a press conference of this grouping said that the joint representation of the political and military factor of Kosove in Rambouillet is indispensable.

"Such a representation will enable the Albanian party to defend all the stages which must be passed in order to realise the right to self-rule for the people of Kosove," said Mediu.

The DBSH asked that a meeting be held in support of Kosove a day prior to the conference in Rambouillet of France, a request which will be made to all political parties and associations of the country, they said. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[32] 37 Kurd nationals turned back from Albania

The press office of the Public Order Ministry told ATA that on Wednesday, at 10 a.m., police forces of the district of Mallakaster stopped a Benz in village Povell of this district, whose driver was Viktor Gjika from Vlore, who was accompanied by Luan Zotaj from Gjirokaster.

The same source said that they were carrying in their bus 37 Kurds. From preliminary investigation it turned out that the Kurds had entered Albania through the land border with Greece with the aim of going to Italy.

Local police forces handed over the Kurdish nationals to Greek police. The driver and his friend were detained, ends the report of the press office of the Public Order Ministry. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[33] Fifth collaboration agreement with WHO expected to be signed in 1999

The spokesman of this Ministry, Artur Rada, told ATA that this document, signed once in two years, has begun to be prepared by the Regional Office of the WHO with its representatives in the Albanian Ministry. The three main fields where their attention is drawn are: the healthy way of living, the creation of a healthy environment and the appropriate services for the health training.

This agreement is to point also the priorities in the field of public health for 1999-2000. According to the spokesman, priority is to be given to the policy of epidemic deceases.

During the years 1989-1991, the Regional Office of the WHO for Europe drafted a special program for intensive collaboration in the health field, called EUROHEALTH. In this framework, was organized in 1992 the Regional Office of WHO in Albania and four collaboration agreements are signed so far between Albania and World Health Organization. The fifth agreement is expected to be signed in the middle of 1999. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[34] We will demand highest possible level of participation of Albanian political factors in Rambouillet

As the press department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry reports, the ambassadors demanded explanations regarding the stance and opinion of the Albanian Government for this meeting and on the development in Kosove in the recent days.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Milo stated: "In the name of the Albanian Government I have declared once more its maximal commitment to the peaceful settlement for Kosove."

After he pointed out the efforts that Albanian Government is making in this direction, Milo underlined that "we shall make efforts that not only all Albanian parties go the the Rambouillet meeting, as members of the joint delegation that will be formed, but we will also demand the highest possible level of representation of the Albanian political factors there."

"This meeting will go down in the history of Kosove and not only of it, because that is supposed to open perspectives for a realistic objective solution to the conflict in Kosove," said Foreign Minister Milo. He stressed that the meeting will mark the beginning of a process which is supposed to bring peace and stability in the region, leaving behind a three- year transitory period and open doors for a final settlement of the future status of Kosove.

Milo also said that at the end of the meeting with the ambassadors it was decided that the Albanian Government and the international community must cooperate more closely to face the situations and to find the best possible solutions for the conflict in Kosove. /lh/xh/

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