Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-03-12

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Albanian parliament supports Kosova Albanians' self-rule

[02] Prime Minister denounces situation of roads after management

[03] Consensus reached among Albanian representatives to Rambuillet, guarantee for signing deal - Surroi

[04] 7th anniversary of "Elsa" association celebrated at Law Faculty

[05] National conference on "Problems of economic development in Albania"

[06] Dollar marks the same value, 142.1 lek

[07] 20 native companies and 11 Italian one to participate in second editions of "Summer Day '99 Elbasan"

[08] President Meidani holds speech at Law Faculty

[09] Government-business forum to be institutionalized

[10] Rugova says no one can play with destiny of Kosova

[11] Albanian Governor: Albanians increase their trust in national currency

[12] Bulgarian Foreign Minister visits Tirane

[13] 1/3 of controlled subjects out of tax schemes

[14] World Bank supervises projects' progress

[15] Police seize 130 kg of marihuana

[16] False public notices bearing OSCE insignia appear in Prishtina

[17] Angjeli: GDP to increase by 8%

[18] Human rights council says 59 people killed in Kosova

[19] Council of Europe discusses future status on Kosova

[20] Italy Arberesh - inhabitants who keep strong relationship with mother country

[21] Corruption, hinder of private companies

[22] New books in Albanian book market

[23] CoE interested in reinforcing local government in Albania

[24] Institution of Monuments in search of a new shelter

[25] Albania minister meets British, French ambassadors to discuss Kosova

[26] Jury of International Exhibition of Photography "Marubi '99" proclaimed

[27] PM says Tirana urges Kosova parties to sign accord

[28] Tirane sanatorium to be reconstructed during 1999

[29] Albanian parliament praises Kosova will for self-rule

[30] Defence lawyers ask for Zani gang be acquitted

[01] Albanian parliament supports Kosova Albanians' self-rule

Highlighting interparliamentary contacts Gjinushi said that meetings between the two countries' parliaments have been frequent.

Later, Gjinushi, referring to the crisis aftermath Albania has been coping with said parliament is engaged in legally supporting the economic, institutional, justice and other reforms.

He said that the approval of the constitution is one of the major achievements of the Albanian democracy and that it is a guarantee for the consolidation of the rule of law.

Further on, Gjinushi said that the basis of the country's foreign policy is integration into the European family, "being at the same time constant in our stand of good friendship and in partnership with regional initiatives."

Gjinushi dwelt mainly on the developments in Kosova and said that the Albanian parliament since the beginning of the crisis has been realistic in its stands.

Through its resolutions and statements, he went on, parliament has constantly supported the will of the Albanian population in Kosova for self- rule, to be attained through political negotiations and guarantees.

Also now, he said, the Albanian parliament has called on the Kosova Albanian negotiators to sign the Rambouillet agreement, with all its aspects, also including the military.

Ivanov also bringing greetings from the speaker of Duma said that parliamentary relations are a significant component in the relations between the two countries.

"Our political will is to expand them further. Political contacts should be strengthened through inter-parliamentary contacts," he said.

Referring to the solution of the conflict in Kosova, Ivanov said that Russia supports its political solution, pointing to the need for close cooperation which helps this solution. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Prime Minister denounces situation of roads after management

The sources say Majko's denunciation to the prosecutor's office in Tirane refers to the road segments which have easily been damaged after they have been managed and asphalted.

The denunciation refers to the decision of the Council of Ministers on May and July '98 "On direct procurement of funds on investment, management and asphalting works in the Tirane city," the sources explain.

They add that for this purpose 67.205.000 leks were provided in May '98 and 91.5 million leks in July of the same year.

These decisions were applied by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Consensus reached among Albanian representatives to Rambuillet, guarantee for signing deal - Surroi

According to the president's press and information office, Surroi acquainted Meidani with the full consensus reached by all the Albanian representatives to the Rambouillet talks, considering this as a guarantee for the signing of the agreement.

Meidani considered this approach very positive for preserving the cohesion of the Kosova Albanians' delegation with the whole international factor and expressed his conviction of the indispensability of signing the agreement prior to March 15.

The two observed the need for a quick and direct communication among the delegation members to find technical possibilities to realise the signing act.

Surroi evaluated the role of President Meidani and official Tirane in assisting the Albanian delegation in Rambouillet. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] 7th anniversary of "Elsa" association celebrated at Law Faculty

Also present was President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, who was awarded the title Chairman of Honour of this association.

Today's meeting, which was also attended by Minister of Justice Thimio Kondi, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mimoza Hafizi, Rector of the University of Tirane Marenglen Spiro and other authorities, focused on the current teaching situation and other issues facing the coming jurists.

Dean Vasilika Hysi, among other issues, made evident one of the disturbing issues, such as that of the teachers' quitting the universities, and treated possible ways of improving the conditions of their job, which is remunerated with a minimum salary of 10 000 leks per month.

Leaders of "Elsa" spoke of its activity and performance over a seven year period and dwelt on problems in the teaching premises, lack of texts and other problems.

At this ceremony, the President of the Republic also held a speech. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] National conference on "Problems of economic development in Albania"

The two days' conference organized in the frame work of the projects undertaken by the Albanian Center about the Economic Researches and it is entitled "Informal Economy in Albania".

Among the main themes treated in this conference were " The illegal employment and the hide of the taxes", supported by International Center of Private Enterprises (ICPE) and "Balcano web: The illegal Barriers toward economy increasing, supported by Chesapeake Associates/USAID.

In this conference take part representatives of the Albanian Government, of Central Public Institutions, representatives of foreign donators that act in Albania, representatives of Business community, of non- governmental organizations and different analysts.

Albania in 1998 inscribed an economic increase of 8%, after an economic fall of 7% in year 1997. For year 1999 it is predicting an economic increase of 7%. This value is predicted even in ESAF 2 agreement signed between the Albanian Government and the International Monetary Fond.

The conference started today aimed at analyzing and discussing the actual situation, challenges and the possibilities of economic development, economic policies toward the business and informal sectors and the steps in accomplishing institutional anti-corruption schemes./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Dollar marks the same value, 142.1 lek

Bank today, March 12, the dollar's value do not mark change compared with yesterday value. A dollar against the Albanian Currency LEK is again 142.10 lek, DM against Lek is 79.80 lek, LIT(1000) is 80.2 lek. GRD (100) mark the value of 48.15 lek and EURO is 154.2 lek.

The following is the exchange rate of the foreign

CURRENCY	RATE
USD		142.10
DM		 79.80
LIT(1000)	 80.20
GRD(100)	 48.15
EURO		154.20

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] 20 native companies and 11 Italian one to participate in second editions of "Summer Day '99 Elbasan"

In this fair it is predicting the participation of 20 companies from Elbasani and 11 Italian ones, which are going to expose their commercial and productive activity.

The aim of this fair is to find new selling markets for their products exposed in this fair, affecting in the economic development of this town, which historically is known as a very important commercial center in Albania, told for ATA the secretary of Trade Chamber Albert Harja./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] President Meidani holds speech at Law Faculty

Meidani stressed the need for creating a five-year branch for juridical formation, which may be opened after the second or third year at the Law Faculty, to raise the level of preparation for a selected group of students and increase possibilities for long-term university and postgraduate studies abroad in jurisprudence.

"The transition, which has been difficult, long and full of spontaneous elements, has created acute problems, even conflictual and multi-facet negative traces. It could not but affect the justice system, which suffers the defects and consequences which are also verified in other parts of our society," said Meidani.

He stressed that under the conditions when crime is organised, sophisticated, internationalised, when it operates through banks, the judges and prosecutors should upgrade their professional level.

Meidani mentioned cases of judges who wrongly interpret the laws in force or who publicly refuse the implementation of laws.

"These are paradoxes created by lack of professionalism and law ethic level of these law representatives."

He added that the law, but also social interest, should be abided by and respected also by the lawyers who have to defend the criminals, not the crime, as well as by the notaries, depositors of justice.

Meidani severely criticised the negative phenomenon which, in a philosophical language, he called "ethic deficiency of the law representatives in general."

"Here I mean that element of commercial type who trades, sells justice, puts economic prices on it," said Meidani adding that this deal benefits "the criminals, those who abuse with justice, who will also remove the foundation stones of our common house, which, on its part, will trap us all inside, also including the deal-seekers."

The president said that all, also the politicians, journalists should refer to abide by the law.

Referring to the Albanian justice system, Meidani said 'this is a sick system" which needs a deep reform. "It is paradoxical, but the changes carried out in the organising legal framework of this system have a liberal, democratising character."

"This is result of our conviction that the judiciary can better and more correctly resolve its problems by itself, without being influenced by politics," he said, explaining that in this way "we may delay in time but we gain quality."

He said that the role of the President of the Republic in the High Council of Justice, is a role of a guarantee type and not that of leading, command.

"No one should expect that dozens of judges be dismissed at one stroke. This time has vanished and no political representative should take under protection or deepen the errors committed in this system by raising a hue and cry against the dismissals of judges carried out in a democratic and legal way by their institution, their electors."

In conclusion, he stressed that failure to understand, respect, implement the law is one of the main defects of our society and state.

Meidani expressed the hope that the participation of the youths in the system of juridical values will bring a new era in this system, that their participation in the economic and social life will positively change the flow of this life. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Government-business forum to be institutionalized

According to the spokesman of this ministry the aim of this meeting was the establishing of the new way of understanding and coopering between the governmental representatives and those of business community, which will operates through a forum and a bilateral Secretariat.

Concerning the Secretariat a project decision is drafted by the Ministry of Economy and Trade Cooperation. Soon it is going to be sent the Government for its approval. This draft decision is presented to all representatives of the native and foreign business.

The representatives of Investitures Union, of the Union of Albanian Business Organizations, the director of Italo-Albanian Bank, Greek supervisor, representatives of Trade Chambers and of AFADA were present in this meeting. In the meeting was present the OSCE ambassador Dan Everts, as well./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Rugova says no one can play with destiny of Kosova

"No one can play with the destiny of Kosova," Rugova told a news conference in Prishtine, while criticizing the Serbian side for "still being inflexible regarding the Rambouillet document".

He denounced the escalation of Serbian military forces attacks, of grave consequences for the people of Kosova, and asked their urgent interruption to pave the way for peace.

"The Kosova delegation has accepted the agreement since in Rambouillet. We all are ready to sign; 90% of the Kosova people, institutions, political parties, KLA support the agreement," said Rugova.

He added that "Any delay means loss and deterioration of the situation in Kosova".

Rugova assessed that the agreement reached would call a halt to the painful and tragic tendencies and situations in Kosova and would create fresh prospects.

"The establishment of the NATO troops in Kosova, as envisaged in the Rambouillet agreement, would calm down the situation and create peace and security for all the citizens of Kosova and the region," said Rugova. /p.ta/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian Governor: Albanians increase their trust in national currency

According to the Albanian Governor Cani the moneys out of the banks fall by 7.2 billion lek, the deposits of non-limited time fall by 1,5 billion lek, while the time-limited deposits in LEK increase by 42 billion lek, mainly in two public banks.

According to him the total sum of the deposits in foreign currency of the clients falls considerably. So from 40% marked in the end of year 1997 they reached to 30,6% in the end of year 1998.

"The returns of the monetary and financial stability, the considerable fall of inflation rate and the increase of the trust in the national currency, compose the most important objectives for Albanian Bank", stated Cani.

According to him Albania has done a progress especially on monetary stability. It is to mention the facts that the inflation annual rates fall to 8,7%, the price's level is kept under control and the International Reserves increase by nearly 40 million dollars./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Bulgarian Foreign Minister visits Tirane

Bulgarian Minister Nadezhda Mihaillova, arrived in Tirane this morning for a two-day visit, during which she will meet with the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the head of the Parliamentary Foreign Policy Commission and the Minister of Transport.

Mihaillova is the fourth European Foreign Minister visiting Albania this week. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] 1/3 of controlled subjects out of tax schemes

The Director of Work Inspectorate in the Ministry of Work and Social Affairs Nexhmedin Dumani informed in the National Conference on the problems of economic increase that 1/3 of the controlled subjects are not subscribed in the tax schemes.

Nearly 1.233 businesses 6 000 subjects controlled in Tirana act without license.

According to Dumani the greater part of the fiscal evasion is composed by small businesses, physical persons and a little by the juridical ones. In a control did in 300 construction companies 100 of them act without lisenses./pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] World Bank supervises projects' progress

Till now the World Bank presented several projects, which are considered with problems. The projects with problems are mainly the one of transmitting and spreading of electric energy, the developments of work market and the forests' projects. The mission from World Bank will go on with the discussions about the projects and together with the Albanian Government will decide about the measures to be taken in the future.

Actually in Albania are acting 22 projects of World Bank and their total sum is 253.25 million dollars' credit from IDA.

Last year the World Bank accorded for the Albanian Government an acting plan aiming at improving the projects' accomplishment.This acting plan includes 34 recommendations, which according to the World Bank 65% of them already finished, 29% are partly finished and 6% do not start yet.

Two recommendations not accomplished by the Albanian Government are the placement of a monitoring process of a high level by the Albanian Government, which had to finish in July 1, 1998. The other one is the approval of a privatization strategy and the completing of a managing contract about the Albanian Power Corporation.

As far as the lack of efficiency in accomplishing the projects of electric energy, the World Bank stressed that in November 24, 1998 the disbursement of this project is stopped, as a result of the difficult situation of Albanian Power Corporation. This action aims at reduction of the illegal use of electricity and improving of the way of the cashing of energy bills, as it is predicted./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Police seize 130 kg of marihuana

The police operation was launched early on Thursday and was also aimed at hunting down a person, who was on the run by the police and thought to be in hiding at a block of flats near the rice factory.

Nothing was said to the press but only late in the afternoon the local police chief Sokol Koçiu told ATA some details on the police action.

Two brothers, whose identity was not revealed, were put into custody and the quantity of marihuana was seized in their house.

Koçiu said that apart from the house where the suspected person was thought to be in hiding, the police were keeping under survey other two houses, in one of which the drug was found out.

The police chief said that they failed to catch the suspected because he had fled Albania. Nevertheless, it was one of the successes of police and a follow-up to the operation when police eliminated a wanted criminal Renato Sadiku dubbed Llerka,

who had been accused of a series of murders. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] False public notices bearing OSCE insignia appear in Prishtina

in Europe (OSCE) and saying "Temporary accord on Kosova in Rambouillet talks - Let's give peace a chance" were distributed in Prishtina on Thursday.

They were in three languages English, Serbian and Albanian and their text had a Serb connotation, the Center for Information in Kosova said.

The public notice said that the Rambouillet accord foresaw "renouncement to independence and Republic of Kosova," and "the autonomous province of Kosova within Serb Republic."

Asked about notice, Beatris Lacoste, spokeswoman of the OSCE's Kosova Verification Mission, said that "it is bad information."

"The aim is to make people angry with the OSCE and hinder the process of peace in Kosova," Lacoste said, adding that the OSCE was going to publish a statement on that. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Angjeli: GDP to increase by 8%

According to him, " the accounts indicate real value of GDP in March, which is 1.272.000.000 lek more than the value marked last year, when the industry marked an increase of 2,6% higher than a previous year. The inflation is also under control".

Angjeli appreciated the work to be done in gathering the budget's incomes and in good administrating of the taxes through a strict accomplishment of the fiscal policies.

"Nevertheless the non positive situation created by the law "On incomes' tax", the tax organs continue their work and brought to the public budget nearly 31% more incomes within the two first months of the year compared the value of the same period last year", stressed Angjeli.

As far as the incomes and custom administrating are concerned the minister said that "although the plan is larger than the one of the previous year, we have almost the same level in incomes' value."/pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Human rights council says 59 people killed in Kosova

During the same period 25 persons have been wounded, 693 Albanians have been maltreated while 84 others have been sentenced by Serb courts under the charge of "complicity in hostile activity" and "terrorism", the council's report said. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Council of Europe discusses future status on Kosova

Present at the colloquy would be parties from Kosova, Serbia and Montenegro, press directorate at the Albanian Foreign Ministry said to ATA on Friday.

Wolfgang Petrisch, mediator of the European Union in the Rambouillet peace talks and ambassador of Austria to Belgrade will present the temporary accord initiated in Rambouillet.

The colloquy aimed at encouraging participants to accept proposals and stimulate dialogue between different political forces.

Representatives of the Contact Group, committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, OSCE presidency, Venice commission as well as Congress of European local and regional governments.

The outcome of the colloquy would serve as a basis for a report to be presented in the next session of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly scheduled for April, press directorate said. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Italy Arberesh - inhabitants who keep strong relationship with mother country

The Arbereshs abandoned their soil after the Osman occupation, in order to prevent the robbery. The number of displaced Albanians is thought to have been about 200 000.

A part of them settled in the northern Italy, while the majority part of emigrants from central and southern Albania settled in the soils of Napoli kingdom. Kalabri, Sicilia, Basilica regions, and Puglia became the dwelling place of these people.

The last wave of Albanian emigration was unfolded up to the end of XVII centuries.

The total number of Arberesh villages created was 80. Albanian dwelling places are nowadays situated in the vicinity of Palermo and Kalabri.

Together with their name, language and culture the Arbereshs inherited even the cult of our national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Serving to this fact were their distinguished war traditions, the schools they attended such as the Italian-Albanian college of Palermo, the college of Saint Adriani in Kalabri, both founded during the first half of XVIIth century.

There were several distinguished Arbereshs, who played an important role for the Albanian language as well as for the acquaintance of the history of our country.

Together with the mother tongue, which carries its archaic features, the Arbereshs preserved the vices and virtues as well as the tradition in the field of culture. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Corruption, hinder of private companies

According to this questionary more than the half of the companies declared that this is a considerable cost more than 5% of their monthly incomes.

According to the opinion of the interviewed companies (80%) the practise of declaring another low salary in the contracts than the real one, is a frequent one or even very frequent in the private enterprises.

Still a weak financial infrastructure is in use and it affects negatively in stimulation of private businesses developments. Only 3% of the interviewer declared that have had the possibility to take credits to improve their business' activities.

Meanwhile the informal market of the work took wide dimensions being so in a competition with the formal work market (57% of the companies declared that do not have work contracts with all their employees).

Almost none of the companies do have any difficulties in finding employees without contracts.

According to the opinion of the interviewers (94%), the illegal employment must be stopped by the government./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] New books in Albanian book market

One of the new books is "The Balkan history", written by George Castellan by the Publishing House "Çabej".

This work, translated by the scholars Arben Puto and Luan Omari, describes the history of Balkan during six months. It is very symbolic, bearing the crest placed in the center of Saint Sophie in 1453.

"Albania amid present international developments", written by Harilla Gogu and published by "Dituria" Publishing house, is another new book published recently.

The book entitled "Contemporary political philosophy", written by Janos Cris is another new book published by the Publishing house "Onufri". The book translated by Arben Kallamata, is a philosophical-political study.

The political prose of Russian writer Turgeniev, is published recently by the Publishing house "O.M.S.C.A".

"Esenini - a life" written by Gordon Mc Vay, translated by Meri Lanaj, is another new publishment of "Onufri" Publishing House. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] CoE interested in reinforcing local government in Albania

"Saranda has a brilliant future," Papaconstandinu said assessing the possibilities of the city and the whole region for the development of tourism.

Referring to the CoE contribution to that end, the official said that "we should back all initiatives on establishment of twinned relations between Saranda and other European cities, because this is the CoE objective."

The aim of his visit was to contact officials of the local government on problems and priorities of work, Papaconstantinu said to ATA adding that the visit was a follow-up to visits in other areas.

"The Council of Europe is interested in reinforcing the local government in Albania and cooperate in concrete projects in many fields," he said.

The city mayor Çapajev Zera acquainted Papaconstantinu on the work and priorities of the institution he runs on the development of the city.

"We aim at increasing the number of tourists during the new tourism season over 3 000 registered during '98", Zera said.

He said that the town hall was adopting measures and would improve the city infrastructure to boost tourism using their funds.

Chief of the police commissariat Edmond Kule told Papaconstantinu on the ongoing work of the police in fight against crime and efforts in maintaining law and order.

Taulant Dede, deputy minister of the local government was present at the meetings of the CoE special representative.

"We are closely cooperating with the CoE in all reforms in the local government for the consolidation of democracy in Albania," Dede said to ATA.

This was the first visit to Saranda by the CoE special official in Albania. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Institution of Monuments in search of a new shelter

The leaders of this institution, and those of the Ministry of Culture, have actually begun the searching of a new building for its 70 employees.

One of the most preferred buildings is the Palace of Pioneers in Tirane.

Artan Skreli, director in the institution of monuments told ATA that the Palace of Pioneers is known as the residence of the king Ahmet Zogu, and it is comprised in the assemble of kingdom palaces. The Monuments Institution through the sector of contemporary architecture asks to have these buildings under control.

Its worth mentioning that the problem concerning the building of this institution, is not new. The arguing has started four years ago, when the commission for restitution of properties, based to the law proclaimed as legal owners the persons claiming the building.

During these years, the owners of the building are treated by the state with hire according to the legal procedures. According to the law the hire is decided by the state during the three first years, but the owners have the right to liberalize it after the above mentioned time-limit.

Regarding the hire liberalization, is reported that it is so high that it could not be afforded by the institution. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Albania minister meets British, French ambassadors to discuss Kosova

The officials exchanged views on present situation in Kosova, efforts of the international diplomacy, especially the Contact Group in the run-up to the next Paris meeting on Kosova.

Milo urged the British and French ambassadors, whose countries were co-organizers of the Paris meeting, to guarantee security and safety of representatives of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) and all the Albanian delegation of Kosova on their way to Paris as well as their presence in the talks.

The meeting said that unacceptable situation as that when the Albanian delegation was banned from leaving Prishtina for Rambouillet talks by the Yugoslav side should not be repeated. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Jury of International Exhibition of Photography "Marubi '99" proclaimed

"The two Albanian members of of the international jury are Leon Çiça and Albes Fusha, while Jan Jeffrey and Matthias Harder are appointed to be members of this jury a week ago", the director of the National Art Gallery, Gezim Qendro, told ATA on Friday.

Leon Çika, is a distinguished photo-reporter, painter, and participant of several photographic exhibitions at home and abroad, while Albes Fusha, is a reporter of "Specter" and "Pamor ART" magazines, and an organizer of the Competition of Photography "Marubi '98", in its first edition.

Ian Jeffrey, scholar of contemporary art, and especially scholar of photography in England, is another member of this jury. He has written several books which treat the art of photography.

The other member of the jury if the German Mattias Harder, art historian, organizer and critic. He has organized many international photographic expositions in Berlin and in other cities of Europe. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] PM says Tirana urges Kosova parties to sign accord

He added that Tirana was urging the Kosova parties to undertake such a step.

Majko said that the situation in Kosova is worse and stressed that Albanians in the Balkans, Macedonia and Montenegro had shown that they were factors of peace and stability.

Bulgarian foreign minister Mihajlova said that Bulgaria was expecting that the Rambouillet agreement be signed in the next tour of talks and that the international forces should later guarantee the implementation of the accord.

The spokesman said that the talks were focused on bilateral relations between Albania and Bulgaria.

Premier Majko and minister Mihajlova shared the view that the eighth corridor was of special importance and assessed other projects on road axis. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Tirane sanatorium to be reconstructed during 1999

The reconstruction will be carried out with a fund worth 7.5 million leks delivered by the state budget. This fund is placed in the disposition of the Ministry of Health, the spokesman of this ministry, Artur Rada told ATA on Friday.

As much as 4 million leks out of this fund are said to be used for the reconstruction of larger boilers, while two other millions are to be used for buying of medical equipment. The rest sum will be used for buying vehicles for this institution.

The reconstruction comprises also regulations made in the inner grounds during 1998.

The sanatorium of Tirane, built in 1960, has initially served only to cure the turbeculosis, while after 1993, it begun to cure pulmonary deceases as well. It has got 220 beds, and some 190 patients from different districts of Albania are actually cured in this sanatorium.

Some 3 000 patients suffering from lung deceases, and 650 patients suffering from turbeculosis are cured every year in this center. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Albanian parliament praises Kosova will for self-rule

"We are interested in boosting interparliamentary contacts in support of bilateral integration and broader because we have common interests, the integration of our countries in European families," Gjinushi said.

Focusing on what he praised as Albanian difficult transition, Gjinushi said that all Albanian institutions were engaged in encountering as soon as possible the consequences of the crisis of 1997, which destroyed the Albanian state.

As regards the development in Kosova, Gjinushi said that the Albanian parliament had backed the will of the Albanian population for self-rule in Kosova what could be achieved through dialogue and guarantee by the international community.

"Failure to find a right solution to the Albanian issue in Kosova will keep the whole region under a possible conflict," he said.

Chief of Bulgarian diplomacy Mihajlova conveyed the greetings of the Bulgarian parliamentary speaker to Gjinushi and said that bilateral relations had been intensified.

Referring to Kosova issue, Mihajlova said that they were expecting what would happen in France. Focusing on a wide-ranging autonomy with all rights stipulated by the agreement, she added that an international presence was necessary there. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[30] Defence lawyers ask for Zani gang be acquitted

Gazmend Zeneli defence lawyer of Çaushi dubbed Zani said that his client was innocent.

"The charges are groundless. Zani and his friends have protected and helped the people and police," he said.

Other lawyers said that the defendants were not guilty because they had not committed any crimes.

A few days earlier, the prosecutor of the case Xhevat Hanaj urged that Zani and some other accused be condemned with the detention period they had already served.

Hanaj dropped the charge for four murders and kidnaping because he said that there were no proofs on that.

The trial against Myrteza Çaushi and his accomplices started on October 12 last year. 24 hearings have been held in which 90 witnesses have been summoned but only 12 of them have been present.

The other hearing was set for March 22. /lh/ak/

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