Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-03-20

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] CoE allocates US$11 million for water pipeline reconstruction

[02] Premier says Albania territory not to be used against Greece

[03] Britain offers assistance for Vlore police

[04] Pay Shkoder the attention it merits, PM

[05] German Cultural Center inaugurated in Sarande

[06] Serb police forces under attack, Drenica under encirclement

[07] Tourism - an important factor of development in Sarande, Dizdorn

[08] We are here for our obligations for Shkoder inhabitants, not for ballots; Premier

[09] 14 youth groups in "Rino-ritem '99"

[10] An electrician dies in snow in Mount Cervenaka

[11] Ministry of Culture presents idea on Albania's pavilion in Expo 200 fair

[12] Konstandin Shpataraku, painter of vital inclinations in Albanian iconographic art

[13] Albanian Bank to finance 56% of internal deficit

[14] Shkoder will become an important economic centre in northern Albania - Minister

[15] Another market of industrial products to be opened in Tirana

[16] World Bank to finance on draining system project in Maliqi field

[17] NATO should intervene in Kosova to prevent conflict extension - RP

[18] Turkish company "Kurum" to increase steel production three times

[19] Turkey fully committed to reconstructing Albanian army

[20] Ulqini says government's relations with press will be correct and equal

[21] Unless NATO intervenes KLA will fight for Albanians' survival in Kosova

[22] Soccer: Matches of 22nd week of National Championship held

[01] CoE allocates US$11 million for water pipeline reconstruction

Official sources of the city's town hall said to ATA that this fund would be used for the emergency phase and was expected to be followed by other long-term investments.

This phase includes repairs in those areas where there are leakages in the water pipelines and damages to it as well as in those areas where there is no running water.

The funds have been accorded through the Phare program and a respective project is underway. It will include total reconstruction of the city water pipeline.

The existing water pipeline is almost in a poor maintenance state because no investment has been done in it since its construction in '30- '40.

A British specialist, who visited Vlora three years ago, said that the pipeline could supply the whole city with running water based on the quantity of water passing through it. /s.sh/ak/

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[02] Premier says Albania territory not to be used against Greece

In his address, Majko referred to the present level of relations between Albania and Greece stressing that there were no walls between the two countries and that the bilateral relations represented an example for many other Balkan countries.

Majko briefed 5. 000 participants in the congress and through them all the Greek public opinion on the military cooperation between Albania and Turkey.

"I am here to say that no foreign soldier, who is in the Albanian territory, will never be used against Greece," Majko said causing a storm of applause in the congress hall.

Recently, the Greek media has reported about Turkey's undertaking in helping reconstruct the military base of Pashaliman. Greek analysts create the opinion that Turkey is building up forces in the Albanian territory in order to use them against the integrity of Greece.

These issues were discussed by Majko in a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. Majko said to ATA that they focused on boosting the good level of relations between the countries.

Greek Socialists assured Majko for their "total support," as he said, for the SP membership in the Socialist International. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Britain offers assistance for Vlore police

According to the spokesman of the police department in the prefecture, this aid has arrived two days ago and has the necessary equipment for the police laboratory, also including computers. The spokesman said that a specialist of the British police has come close to this department to learn the usage of these computers. The English specialist is also heading a two- day seminar.

The seminar, which has become a regional activity with representatives from other police commissariats of Fier, Berat, Lushnje, Sarande and Delvine, includes issues regarding the laboratory processing of first reports and others. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Pay Shkoder the attention it merits, PM

"Although this meeting is delayed, because Shkoder is the town which is paying dearly what is called political and regional risk, we are here to pay this city the attention it merits," said Majko.

Majko invited the ambassadors present in the meeting and the representatives of international bodies and foundations to help Shkoder with projects, a town which is part of our important history.

The meeting is going on behind closed doors in one of the halls of the "Luigj Gurakuqi" University.

Attending the meeting are the Minister of Public Economy and Privatisation, Ylli Bufi, the Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci, the Minister of Health, Leonard Solis, the Minister of Economy, Anastas Angjeli, the ambassadors of the United States, Greece, Switzerland, Great Britain, OSCE ambassador Daan Everts, as well as several representatives of foreign foundations operating in Albania. /mt/

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] German Cultural Center inaugurated in Sarande

In the ceremony hold on this occasion, the president of this business center, Skender Muço said that "the opening of courses for teaching of German courses, giving of lectures on history, culture, literature, economy and others, as well as the exchange of the artistic and cultural values between the two countries will be in a near future a concrete space of the activities of this non-governmental institution".

Participating in this activity were intellectuals, leaders of local government, deputies and the German ambassador in Tirane, Hanspeter Disdorn, who told ATA: "I appreciate the initiative for creation of German Cultural Center in this city. As a non-governmental organization it will be considered in the future as a partner and we will support it when in need".

Sources from this center told ATA that the businessman Skender Muço helped for opening of this center, while the German embassy has helped the center with texts for learning of German language. /f.n/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Serb police forces under attack, Drenica under encirclement

There are no reports on these attacks by the Albanian sources, which inform about Serb forces' build-up in above region and fresh displacement of population.

Kosovapress news agency reported that "over 40 tanks have been bound for Gllogoc early on Saturday," while some 100 different military vehicles entered the Serb forces base overnight.

The same agency said that "Drenica is totally under encirclement and there are possibilities for new attacks."

Serb forces entered Korotice e Eperme at 9.00 a.m. and were attacking Korotice and Vasileve. Other Serb forces are attacking Çitakova e vjeter and Gllobar from Gllogoc.

Sources said that some 100 armoured personnel carriers were transported by train to Lipjan early on Saturday. While sources of the Kosova Verification Mission (KVM) which can confirm information on the ground are not available.

The evacuation of verifiers from Prishtina has started early on Saturday at 4.00 a.m. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Tourism - an important factor of development in Sarande, Dizdorn

Dizdorn pointed out that the main factor for development of the city will be tourism. He considered as important the projects the European Union has undertaken to supply with potable water the city and to reconstruct the network of the sewages. "One of the reasons I am here today is the German investment for reconstructing Bistrice hydropower station together with the network of transmitting and defusing the electric energy in your region", said Dizdorn.

He underlined the fact that the slow proceedings of the German project is conditioned by KESH work and some problems this cooperation faces.

"Albania has been alone for 50 years, but now it not alone. Germany is close to Albania, and is a series partner", said the German ambassador. After getting familiarized with the projects to be applied in the district and with the engagement of state structures to support them, Dizdorn stressed that Saranda is a region which merits support.

This was the first visit that the German ambassador payed in Sarande. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] We are here for our obligations for Shkoder inhabitants, not for ballots; Premier

The meeting was opened by the major of Shkoder, Jetmir Shpuza, who pointed out the problems the inhabitants of this city are facing, such as the low economic level, unemployment, situation of infrastructure and others.

Premier Majko stressed in his speech that Shkoder has got a bigger budget as compared with the last year.

"Shkoder is a part of the written history of our country, and each government, will do the same thing we are doing today. We are here for our obligations towards the people of Shkoder, not for ballots", - said the Premier.

Participating in the meeting were ambassadors of different countries accredited to Albania, representatives of international bodies, representatives of the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development as well as representatives of different foundation operating in Albania.

The meeting was held without the presence of journalists. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] 14 youth groups in "Rino-ritem '99"

Some 14 musical groups from Vlore, Elbasan, and Lushnje presented their creativity in the first day of the competition before many youths.

The jury will appoint today the best four groups.

This is the first activity of this kind held in Vlore. It unfolds the increasing number of musical youth groups which carry out their activity during the last years. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] An electrician dies in snow in Mount Cervenaka

The spokesman of the police commissariat of this district told ATA that Sadush Minga, 43, living in Korce city, died in the hospital of Pogradec Friday evening. He was a member of the high tension lines maintenance group, in the energy sector of Korce.

Last Thursday, there was an electric failure in southeastern districts of Albania due to a defect in high tension line 110 KW in Mount Çervenaka. In order to fix it the maintenance brigade from energy sector of Korce went on the spot, but as a result of the bad weather and the heavy snow, over 1.5 meter thick, three members of the group were sealed off in the snow for 24 hours. On Friday two helicopters went for them and after several hours the three electricians were found in a coma and taken to the Pogradec hospital.

Although they were were given an intensive medical treatment, Sadush Minga could not be brought to life. The two other electricians, Guralli Korcari and Rexhep Zarreli were sent to the hospital of Ohrid, Macedonia, and according to reports from there, now they are out of danger for their life. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Ministry of Culture presents idea on Albania's pavilion in Expo 200 fair

In an area of 300 square meters in the big fair, Albania will present the idea of the breaking off the isolation and the chains of the dictatorship.

The exhibits from Albania in the fair will be related with the history, natural asserts, the modest efforts to protect the nature in Albania.

The idea outlined by the Ministry of Culture of Albania has been sent to a German coordinator of the Technical Cooperation Enterprise (GTZ.) After this, Albania will present the final version of its presentation in the Fair.

The Hanover fair on the topic "Man, Nature, Technique" will be held in June-October, 2000 and Albania has expressed it readiness to take part in the fair since 1996. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Konstandin Shpataraku, painter of vital inclinations in Albanian iconographic art

In the arsenal of his works, a part of which have a separate place in the National Museum of Mediaeval Art in the city of Korce, one can clearly see the treatment of the figures with evident vital elements, with clothes in fashion for the time, with a natural composition and drawing full of movement and vividness.

The most ancient icon by Shpataraku, dates back to 1736. He has made many of the icons in the monastery of Ardenica, in that of Saint Prokop in Pogradec, etc. Among most renowned of them is the icon called "Saint Gjon Vladimiri." The central figure of Vladimir is surrounded by 12 stages. In the middle of them stands the figure of Karl Topia with the church in the background.

The inscriptions in some of the icons do also carry his name and surname, Shpataraku, therefore the scholars of the Albanian iconographic art are of the opinion that Shpataraku's origin might have been from the region of Shpat, district of Elbasan. His name is also seen in a codex of the church of Saint Koll in Elbasan, dated 31.5.1759. /f.n/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian Bank to finance 56% of internal deficit

The Albanian Bank will finance nearly 56% of the internal deficit, inform the same sources. The definition of this limit is based on the actual low levels of the difference between money-deposits.

According to the law "About the public budget of 1999" the total budget's deficit it is predicted to be 53,841 billion lek.

While the "real deficit" of the budget, which is the difference between the total common incomes and the coherent expenditures, including the interests' expenditures, is 15,049 billion lek.

The internal finance of the budget's deficit is predicted to covered by direct credit of Albanian Bank of 4 billion and 23,9 billion lek by bonus' value that to say with population monetary savings./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Shkoder will become an important economic centre in northern Albania - Minister

After the meeting, Ermelinda Meksi, minister of foreign economic cooperation said that they had discussed the priority fields of the development of the region of Shkoder, especially in the infrastructure, health sector, education and energy sector. "We believe that also with the support of the friends of Albania who were taking part in the meeting, the region of Shkoder will become an important economic centre in the whole northern region," said Meksi.

Soon, said she, the construction of Shkoder-Lezhe highway will start with 11.8 million dollars from the World Bank, as part of the north-south corridor. She mentioned the fund of 5.6 million dollars from the Austrian Government to be used for the reconstruction of the aqueduct of Shkoder and the construction of the hospital centre with a fund of 7 million dollars from the World Bank, etc.

Regarding the new projects presented by the local structures in the meeting, Ms Meksi said that they will be realised soon with the aid of foreign donors.

Expressing his optimism for the meeting, the Mayor of Shkoder, Bahri Borici, said that new vistas were being open to their city.

While the chairman of the district council, Lorenc Mosi, said that the meeting will create new prospects for their city which has unexploited resources especially in tourism, in mining and energy industries.

Taking part in the meeting were also the ambassadors of some western countries accredited in Tirane, representatives of international organizations, of the World Bank, of EBRD, etc. /s.sh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Another market of industrial products to be opened in Tirana

This market will make possible the gathering in a proper place of all the merchants that actually are selling along the roads of the capital city.

The municipality council of Tirana city passed the sum of 34,9 million lek for the construction of the new market. The establishing of the market in this region, where exists the other one of this kind, will make this region in a strong commercial center not only for Tirana, but for all Albania.

The trade of the industrial products in Tirana city, in which are involved nearly 1 200 merchants, "invaded" the main Tirana streets, by giving to this town a disfigured image and hinder the move of the people in this town./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] World Bank to finance on draining system project in Maliqi field

Fehmi Xhemo the General Director of Food and Agriculture of Korça District informed for ATA that a work group composed with representatives of Water Directory, University "Fan Noli" and Institute of land study prepared the studies concerning the draining system of this region. It is known the flooding phenomena during the winter in this region, where 2200 ha lands are flooding and nearly 3000 ha are damaged.

The project aimed at rehabilitation and draining of 5200 ha lands and the improving of 12 000 ha./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] NATO should intervene in Kosova to prevent conflict extension - RP

"After the signing of this agreement by the Albanians NATO should urgently intervene in Kosova to prevent a further extension of the conflict, " the chairman of the Republican Party, Fatmir Mediu, told a news conference today.

Mediu hailed the unity in the Albanian delegation in Paris and concentrated on the stand the international community should maintain against the Serbian policy.

"The international factor should understand that Milosevic is one of those who have created the biggest problems in Europe and for this he should be punished for all what has happened in former Yugoslavia," Mediu said.

The Kosova Albanians' delegation to Paris on Thursday signed the interim agreement for peace and self-rule in Kosova.

The agreement was signed by the head of the Kosova delegation, Hashim Thaci, as well as by the three other delegation members, Ibrahim Rugova, Veton Surroi and Rexhep Qosja. Meanwhile the Serbs did not agree to sign it. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Turkish company "Kurum" to increase steel production three times

The aim of this meeting was the coordination of the work process between the two parts to fulfill the objective of increasing the production of the steel by three times within this year, meeting so the native needs and export's increase, inform for ATA the Director of this Combine Kozma Biba.

According to him during the first year 60 000 tons steel will be produced, from 20 000 tons producing actually.

The Turkish company "Kurum" planned to invest during the first four years of the work in the combine nearly 6.1 million dollars aiming at increasing the production in the coming years by six times.

The agreement between the Turkish company "Kurum" and the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization is assigned in March 10, 1999. The investments are expected to be realized in four years in three phases./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Turkey fully committed to reconstructing Albanian army

Speaking of the ancient traditions of cooperation between the two friendly countries, Okcun said that Turkey with its experience as a typical military state will work for the good of the Albanian army.

"The fields of bilateral cooperation are broad both as regards material aid and that of training Albanian militaries," he said.

Referring to the reconstruction of the Pasha-Liman base by a Turkish company, Okcun said that a bilateral agreement has been signed for the realisation of this project.

The Pasha-Liman base is an important strategic port for Albania, whose reconstruction, after the damages of 1997, takes several years.

The aid of the Turkish army will also consist in repairing the Marine school in Vlore, training of the Commando Brigade in Zall Herr as well as in the constant training of the Albanian militaries at Turkish schools.

Meanwhile, Turkey is working intensively to put into operation the military industry in Albania, said the Turkish ambassador. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Ulqini says government's relations with press will be correct and equal

Ulqini stressed that the mission of the Ministry of Information is among other things to create the necessary facilities for the journalists and bodies of the media to provide the public with a better information, the ministry reports.

In this context, the representatives of the electronic media and written press asked from Ulqini that the Albanian government has a correct and equal relations with them.

They raised once again their problems including fiscal obligations, price of paper, distribution and other problems, which have created a difficult situation for the press.

Ulqini considered correct the editors' opinions and listened to their troubles, stressing that the Albanian government is always open and its relations with the press will continue to be correct, equal, and transparent. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Unless NATO intervenes KLA will fight for Albanians' survival in Kosova

This was declared by three representatives of the KLA, Ram Buja, member of the KLA General Staff and member of the Kosova delegation to the Rambouillet talks, Jakup Krasniqi, KLA spokesman, and Melahim Zeka at a news conference at Hotel Rogner Europa-Park on Saturday.

The KLA representatives expressed the belief that NATO will intervene in Kosova, but unless it does so the KLA will fight for the Albanians' survival in Kosova, they said.

They said that the point of the agreement signed unilaterally by the Kosova delegation in Paris two days ago, which envisages KLA's structuring and limitation, becomes invalid unless NATO intervenes and in the conditions of an open aggression by the Serbs. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Soccer: Matches of 22nd week of National Championship held

Results:

Tirana - Bylis		0-0
Besa - Dinamo		1-0
Vllaznia - Shkumbini	4-1
Tomori - Teuta		2-0
Elbasani - Laçi		3-0
Burreli - Skënderbeu	(nuk ka informacion)

Standings:

44 points Vllaznia
42    "   Tirana
41    "   Bylis
37    "   Lushnja
34    "   Shkumbini, Tomori dhe Partizani
29    "   Dinamo
28    "   Skenderbeu
27    "   Teuta, Elbasani
26    "   Flamurtari, Laçi dhe Besa
24    "   Apollonia
17    "   Burreli

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