Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-02-10

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Minister of Culture appoints team which will monitor construction of new National Theater building

[02] Order ministry controls collection of solidarity tax

[03] Italy offers ongoing assistance to Albanian finances

[04] Customs clearance carried out by candle light

[05] Traders wait for customs code

[06] Minister Cook responds to petition of an Albanian association

[07] Economic situation - main reason of prostitution

[08] New University Dentist Center inaugurated in Tirana

[09] National Center of Folk Activities helps folk activities

[10] Tirana currency rate

[11] "In the other world" - a movie for the street dogs

[12] Albanian President appreciates work of BKFSH

[13] "Food, drinks, cigarettes" group covers 30% of albanian commercial imports

[14] EBCD selects Italian company to manage $14 million

[15] Italy and Greece cover 83% of Albanian exports

[16] Health sector under full attention of Albanian Government - Majko - Albania Premier visits Mother Teresa QSU -

[17] CORRECTION:

[18] Albania beats Macedonia 2-0 (0-0) in football

[19] Durres: New tender on port reconstruction

[20] Book from Kosova exhibited in National Library

[21] Presented young judges of Shkodra Court

[22] We demand that Kosove must win right to self-rule - SP declaration

[23] Librazhdi Assembly one of the best participating groups in Agricento Festival

[24] Police unblock road from transport trade union strikers in Gjirokaster

[01] Minister of Culture appoints team which will monitor construction of new National Theater building

On the basis of the agreement, the Greek party will finance the new theater building. Albanian Minister of Culture Edi Rama declared the names of the two Albanian representatives in the working group.

Responsible for the Albanian party are Arben Papadhopulli, in the department of projects in the Ministry of Culture, and Xhevdet Ferri, director of the National Theater.

Sources from the Ministry of Culture told ATA that the naming of the group is the first stage of the cooperation between the two ministries.

The Greek party will create its working group which is expected to visit Albania soon.

The National Theater is not having performances for six months now. Although the Ministry of Culture has named the new director of the National Theater, the renowned actor, Xhevdet Ferri, still the date for the resumption of the performances is not yet determined. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Order ministry controls collection of solidarity tax

A ministry spokesman said to ATA that controls in border crossings of Rinas, Durres, Kakavija, Kapshtica, Sarande and Pogradec had shown backlogs in administration of solidarity. Delays in collecting it have caused an economic damage estimated at 1812 thousand leks. They have also found out gross violations related to the procedure of registration, payment and cash.

The spokesman said that the minister Koçi had issued an order on disciplinary measures. He had attracted the attention of the chief of the police directorate of Tirana, Durres, Gjirokaster, Korce as well as the chief of the police commissariat of Devoll and Saranda.

For lack of control in recording Albanian citizens going abroad, attention was attracted to the police chief of border crossings of Devoll, Gjirokaster, Korce who were also warned of dismissal. Other measures had been taken for the dismissal or removal of personnel commander, chief controller in border crossings of Kapshtica, Kakavija, the spokesman said. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Italy offers ongoing assistance to Albanian finances

The assistance is granted by the Italian Ministry of Finance in the framework of the agreement of cooperation and assistance signed in Tirana on March 12, 1998.

The same sources said to ATA that the agreement, part of the programs for institutional assistance given to Albania by different Italian ministries, programs coordinated in Italy by an extraordinary commissar close to the presidency of the Council of Ministers and in Albania by the Special Diplomatic Delegation, assured a continuous presence of experts, assistance in reorganizing central and local structures of the Directorate General of Customs House and Tax of Albania as well as the consideration of operation methods of respective personnel.

Implementation of the one-year agreement was delegated to functionaries of the Italian Ministry of Finance and officers and non-commissioned officers of the Guardia di Finanza. They are concluding a training of personnel to be charged with tasks of financial police and fight against contraband as well as use of 4 motorboats granted by Italy.

The assistance of Guardia di Finanza and Italian officials of customs house is carried out in coordination with CAM European mission. It includes additional supply of materials and equipment in the coming months, including customs analysis laboratory in Tirana. The mission for which a new financing by Italy is being considered by the extraordinary commissar for Albania shows the trust and support of Italy in strengthening institutions of the Albanian state and at the same time the evaluation for the achievements in the sector including the customs code approved recently, the embassy said. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Customs clearance carried out by candle light

Director of Korca customs house Ridvan Avzia said that this was due to the lack of generator and the power was limited in these winter days.

Avzia said that the buying of generator was mere red tape negligence because its value was negligible in comparison to revenues of the customs house.

Other problems which hinder the work were communication in the border crossing because it was only a radio available there which in bad weather did not work, lack of weighing-bridge for vehicles avoiding abuse and evasion of customs clearance when the goods entered the border and lack of personnel bus, he said.

During 1998 the customs personnel had handled 3 489 trucks carrying goods and secured 5.7 billion leks in revenue. It had also confiscated goods worth 1.5 million leks and collected some 1.6 million leks in fines.

However, no investment had been done in the customs house since 1994, the year it was opened, Avziu said. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Traders wait for customs code

Petrit Koçiu, customs director said that there were a small number of ships harboured and handled in the port and this was due to the fact that the new customs code had not been entered into force.

Foreign and domestic traders are expecting the enforcement of this code which lift the price-floor and establish the selling price for goods what could bring about changes in customs tax in favour of traders.

The customs house has secured only 20 percent of the revenue during this period. "This means that we hope to secure only 70 percent of the monthly revenue," Kociu said.

Businessmen of Durres dealing with goods import asked the new code be enforced as soon as possible, Koçiu said.

They added that both they and the state had lost considerable amounts of money. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Minister Cook responds to petition of an Albanian association

In this response, Cook says that he will serve his duty "with dignity and justice."

The petition of "Ismail Qemali" association says "We convey the voice of protest from Vlore... with the hope to repair the historical injustice towards the Albanian people." It expresses the confidence that the Kosova issue will be fairly judged based on international principles and rights to give to half of the Albanian nation the freedom and incontestable right for self-determination.

This petition has been also sent to the embassies of the United States, Great Britain and France. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Economic situation - main reason of prostitution

The association interviewed 530 youths of 30 to 35 age group from all over Albania.

50 percent of the interviewed think that the main reason which obliges a young woman to become a prostitute was the difficult economic situation. There are also other reasons such as the lack of tradition, lack of family care and others.

53.9 percent of the interviewed think that the family holds a 50 percent responsibility for the fact that the young woman becomes a prostitute.

Some 33 percent of the interviewed think that prostitution is a social problem, 31 percent says that it is a personal problem while some 27 percent considers it a profession.

30.8 percent of the interviewed think that the media has played a positive role regarding the problem of prostitution, 26.7 percent think that this role has been negative, 21 percent think that media has been indifferent towards this problem and 21.5 percent considers it a non- realistic attitude.

According to data offered by UNDP some 30 thousand Albanian women are prostituting in different European countries. Most of them are in Italy and Greece. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] New University Dentist Center inaugurated in Tirana

The funds for the construction of the building and its equipment were provided by the Albanian Ministry of Health, the spokesman of this ministry reported to ATA. The fund accorded is estimated at 400 million leks.

The work for the construction of this center started two years ago. The medical care there will be offered free of charge. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] National Center of Folk Activities helps folk activities

Set up in 1994, after the reconstruction of this Center has carried out a series of activities, mainly folk ones.

The National Center of Folk Activities will also deal with the production and distribution of cassettes and video tapes with folk music, specialized publishment on folk culture, like albums, or illustrated magazines. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Tirana currency rate

US$1.00			140.70
German mark		 81.70
Italian lire(1000)	 82.10
Greek Drachmas(100)	 49.30
EURO			158.80

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] "In the other world" - a movie for the street dogs

This is where it originates the adventure of two characters of the movie "In the other world," of the producer Eduard Makri, with animal- artists, which will be shown on 13 February, on the verge of the Valentines's Day in the International Cultural Center.

Both characters of the film, Eduard Makrise, Romeo and Juliet, pass in front of the camera the hours of prosecution. On their run to escape, both lovers learn that in this world they are either eaten or killed. All the animals confess this in the language of man: "The big eats the small."

The characters of the film are all animals. This movie has been realised by the Albanian Television, in cooperation with the association "Mother Albania," with the assistance of Soros Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and the branch of Tolba association in Gjirokaster. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Albanian President appreciates work of BKFSH

As the press office of the President of Albania reports, the Union representatives briefed Mr Meidani of the steps of this association to introduce new concepts among farmers so that they get adopted to the new conditions of the market economy.

President Meidani highlighted the work of this association in creating a new mentality for the agricultural and livestock production. He underlined the importance that the growth of this production has for the development of the country and the welfare of the people.

Mr Meidani suggested a greater propaganda must be made for the creation of new productive communities which make a better use of human, financial and natural resources of the country along with the assistance of foreign partners. /s.sh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] "Food, drinks, cigarettes" group covers 30% of albanian commercial imports

The consume goods imported in December continue to have a considerable impact. The imported group "Food, drinks and cigarettes" covered about 29, 8% of the total commercial imports. Nearly 32,2% of the total commercial import of this group is covered by the "Ready food, alcool, cigarettes" subgroup.

The imported group of "Machineries and mechanical equipments" during this month get 19,1% of the total commercial imports and within this group the "Machineries, mechanic and electric devices" subgroup covers nearly 70, 1%.

The imported group of "Construction materials and metals" got about 10, 3% of the total commercial import during December 1998.

In Albanian exports beside the goods produced by the clients demands, such as textiles and shoes covered respectevly 34,8 and 26,5 % of the total exports. Of great importance is the exports of the "Minerals, fuels and energy" group that covers 13% of this total.

Nearly 9,8% of the total albanian export is covered by "Food, drinks, cigarettes", from which 35,3% is covered by Vegetables" subgroup./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] EBCD selects Italian company to manage $14 million

After making a tender, EBCD appointed the Italian association of the united economy as a manager for the finance worth $14 million, from which are to benefit the small and the middle businesses, after a control made to the companies wanting to exercise this activity. /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Italy and Greece cover 83% of Albanian exports

According to the recent figures of INSTAT, Italy and Greece together realize during this month about 69,9% of the total comercial import and 83, 1% of the total exports.

By comparing these data with the ones of the previous month there is an increase in the exports with France, Greece, Macedonia, Slovenis and Turkey. Beside this there is an increase in commercial imports from Bullgeria, France, Greece, Italy and Turkey.

Continuing the comparison with the figures of November the commercial imports from the contries of the European Community increase by 3,3%, the one from the Eastern Europe increase by 9,4%, and that from EFTA countries nearly 40,2%.

There is an decrease in the export with the contries of European Community in December approximatly by 7,7%, with countries of Soviet Union decrease by 33,9%. meanwhile the exports with EFTA countries and Eastertn Europe increase considerably.

The main place in commercial exchanges continue to be that of the countries ofEuropean Community. During December the commercial exports and imports covered by this contries cover respectively 92,7% and 79,1% of the total trade exports and imports./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Health sector under full attention of Albanian Government - Majko - Albania Premier visits Mother Teresa QSU -

"The health sector is in the full attention of the Government because here the individual is directly faced with the state and feels what it can offer to him," said PM Majko.

Considering the situation in QSU linked with that throughout the country, the PM said that there are still real sources and possibilities to improve the situation.

Majko took interest in the level of the medical service towards patients and for other services that the patients have in the hospital.

At the end of the visit, Albanian PM demanded from high officials in the Ministry of Health their maximal commitment for a good administration of the delivered funds and those expected for QSU and for all medical system in Albania. /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] CORRECTION:

Follow the corrected version:

EBRD selects Italian company to manage $14 million TIRANE, Feb. 10 (ATA) - By M.Pupa: Albanian Minister of Public Economy and Privatization, Mr. Ylli Bufi, held a meeting on Wednesday with representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), regarding the finance of a sum of $14 million, destined for the development of the small and medium businesses, where as much as $ 7 million are financed by the Italian government.

After making a tender, EBRD appointed the Italian association of the united economy as a manager for the finance worth $14 million, from which are to benefit the small and the middle businesses, after a control made to the companies wanting to exercise this activity. /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albania beats Macedonia 2-0 (0-0) in football

The first half ended without any goal. The second part ended 1-0 for the Albanian team with the goal scored by center defender Rudi Vata at the 48th minute.

In the supplementary play, the Albanian team scored again by Bushi but the goal was annulled. Then the striker Erion Bogdani scored another goal for Albania and the whole match ended 2-0 for the Albanian national team.

The Albanian team will have a match on March 3 in Bucharest and another one planned by the end of March versus the Slovenian team in Lubjane for the eliminatories of "Euro 2000." /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Durres: New tender on port reconstruction

Beside two Albanian construction companies in the coming race will take part companies from US, China, Germany, Turkey, and Belgian ones. According to the requirements put by the Word Bank the competitive companies must have experiences in masive constructruction almost the same with this one, also to have a profesional skilled staff and the annual financial incomes to be nearly $40 million.

The specialist of projects execution Tomor Spahiu told ATA that the World Bank put in disposal the total sum of $ 8.5 million to complete the full reconstruction of the port, including here the rehabilitation of the electric web, the illumination system and the reconstruction of some warehousesof the port.

The rest of the sum from the total one having the value of $23 million will be used on modernisation of the shipment process and on bying several new electrocranes.

Spahiu said that in a particular tender hold recently the Wold Bank selected the american specialised company Louis Berger to procure the coming tender. While its specialists in Tirana have started their work time ago. Meanwhile within the period of the first six months another tender with six qualified copmanies, will define the superviser controller of the reconstruction process, that is going to start in the begining of the coming year./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Book from Kosova exhibited in National Library

"The listing of the book from Kosova among the other books in the fund of the National Library would not make an event in general conditions, but in the situation created there, the acquaintance with the books published in Kosova takes a special importance", Aurel Plasari, Director of the National Library, stressed in his speech.

The main aim of this exposition is to "extinguish" the curiosity of the visitors regarding the books published in Prishtine, Peje, Kumanove, Mitrovice, Gjakove and others.

"This is the national coexistence", - said Muhamed Bicaj, Minister of Culture and Science in the Republic of Kosova, who took part in the ceremony.

Some 547 titles of books, comprised in the funds of the National Library during 1998, and published by the Kosova Publishing Houses, were exhibited in this exhibition.

So, the Publishing House "Rilindja" has brought during 1998 about 122 titles of books, followed by "Dukagjini" Publishing House with 67 titles, the publishing house for school texts 70 titles, the Albanologic Institution 26 titles, the Science Academy of Prishtine 12 titles, and so on. /f.n/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Presented young judges of Shkodra Court

Already the head of this court will be Omir Thanxha, 28, who has been judge at this court. While vice chairman was nominated Ramiz Gjetja, 55, who was head the of this court.

After the presentation the heads of this court, the minister of law Kondi said that profesionalism and the responsibility in the work must be the guiding principles of all judges in general.

During the truobles in March 1997 and February 1998 almost the whole building of this court is damaged and ruined. Its reconstruction finished in June 1998 by a fond of 9,7 million leks accorded by the state budget./s.sh./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] We demand that Kosove must win right to self-rule - SP declaration

The Socialist Party notices that this conference is a result of the long and difficult process of international diplomatic shuttles and Euro- Atlantic structures for the solution of the conflict, kept burning by the Serb terrorism, violence, mass crimes such as those in Drenice and Recak, exerted on the Albanian people of Kosove.

The SPA has longsince demanded the holding of a Dayton-type conference, writes the declaration, because the delays made were creating possibilities for Milosevic to start ethnic cleansing in Kosove and were making more evident the extension of the conflict throughout the region.

The coalition governments where the SP has had the majority, has worked actively with the European and Euro-Atlantic factors to avoid this conflict and to reach a just and lasting solution for Kosove, demanding the mediation of the international factor for the organization of a Prishtine- Belgrade meeting and the guarantee from this factor of the results of this meeting.

The Socialist Party voices its conviction through this declaration that the unified Albanian factor in these negotiations will play the historic role as representative of the aspirations of the Albanian people of Kosove.

The Socialist Party hails the demand of the Albanian delegation for an armistice in Kosove and the withdrawal of Serb forces from its territory and supports every solution which the Kosove representatives would agree upon.

The process of negotiations is a positive step on the difficult road of the settlement, through peaceful means, of the Kosove question and we hope that the Rambouillet Conference will adopt the necessary decisions to put an end to the dramatic situation in Kosove and to create the premises for the population there to express their democratic and undeniable right to self-determination, says the declaration.

Additionally, the Socialist Party of Albania hails the stance of the international factor for the deployment of NATO troops in Kosove, for the guarantee of the results of the conference, stressing once more that the stability in the Balkans and broader will be reached only through a peaceful solution and political means, through Prishtine-Belgrade dialogue.

All Albanian political forces through their declarations have been optimistic about the talks in Rambouillet and have demanded for the Albanians of Kosove their right to self-rule. The Albanian parties have also asked that NATO troops be installed in the territory of Kosove. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Librazhdi Assembly one of the best participating groups in Agricento Festival

Participating in this every year competition were 33 groups from 33 countries from Europa, Asia, Latin America and others. The Assembly of the district of Librazhdi together with the assembly of Mexico opened together the first night of this folk traditional festival.

The speciality of the festival was not only the fact that it was held in a city where the spring had come, but differing from other countries organizing international activities, the exposure of these groups was made two times, at the beginning and at the end of the festival.

The group from Chechenia and that of Librazhd were qualified as the best groups at the end of the festival. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Police unblock road from transport trade union strikers in Gjirokaster

Only after an energetic mediation of police, the road was freed at noon on Wednesday.

According to one of the leaders of the trade union, the blocking of the road had no relation with the demands that the strikers had presented in a petition to the Ministry of Transport.

After the timelimit that police set for the voluntary release of the road from the strikers, police forces of Gjirokaster also assisted by police forces of Permet and Tepelene, intervened and freed the road. Berberi said that meanwhile no incident was registered and they had made clear to the strikers not to act contrary to the law.

Sources close to the strikers said that a representative group of the strikers would go to Tirane on Feb.11 to meet with representatives in the Ministry of Transport. /xh/

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