Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-03-25

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albania ready to overcome any adventure by Milosevic - Albanian PM

[02] Public order in northeastern Albania under complete control

[03] Minister says Albania's sovereignty guaranteed

[04] Serb Army hit with mortars commune of Tropoje - Three houses damaged -

[05] Serb military forces open fire against Dobrune border post

[06] We are ready to pay "peace" cost- Statement by Albanian Premier -

[07] Albania government follows international community line (Government meeting)

[08] Bread factory in Tirane ordered to increase production

[09] Masked people kill four Albanians in Mitrovice

[10] Post university specialisations in Italy and Greece for Albanians

[11] Prishtina is quiet after "storm"

[12] Measures in Berat to restore former bomb shelters

[13] Kosova children hope to return home soon - survey

[14] Telephone line failure in Berat for 60 hours

[15] Prishtina is quiet after "storm"(adds reports on situation)

[16] Local government in readiness to face any emergencies

[17] Commander of border post of Dobrune, Has district injured

[18] Albanian premier reports parliament on government measures

[19] Emergency staff of Kukes prefecture closely follows situation

[20] Kukes prefecture prepared for possible influx of Kosovars

[21] Albanian press makes extensive coverage of NATO air strikes on Yugoslav military targets

[22] Inhabitants of village Dobrune in Has evacuated

[23] Tirana put on readiness shelters, alarm systems

[24] Belgrade must accept provisional deal otherwise it will bear responsibility for NATO strikes

[25] Border forces in readiness to face any situation

[26] Border police on high alert in Albania

[27] Korca prepared to face any situation of war

[28] Round the clock service in out patient clinics in Tirane

[29] Premier says U.S., NATO will not allow violation of Albania's sovereignty, independence, security

[30] Navigation agencies continue voyages towards Italy

[31] Dollar exchanged by 143,90 leks

[32] Tax income to be realized by 105 per cent

[33] Blood Donor Association to continue blood donation

[34] Only 7 per cent of the subjects with business contracts

[35] Albanian airport Rinas to be closed for indefinite time

[36] EU to support Albania in emergence case

[37] NATO nations ready to cooperate with Albania

[38] Vlore governor orders imposition of No. 2 alert

[39] Maritime lines with Italy, Greece normally function

[40] Prodi says European Commission to increase cooperation with Albania

[41] Albania-Austria: Agreement between two Trade Chambers

[42] Ministry of Health leads blood donors

[43] Reconstructed building ready to shelter 250 Kosovars

[44] International fair "Spring 1999" to be opened

[45] Massive killings in two villages near Albanian border

[46] Gjirokaster prefecture closely follows emergency situations

[47] Rrapi:Institutions of social care to be ready

[48] Tirana bakery to increase daily production

[49] Socialists side by side state structures to defend country - secretary

[50] Navigation companies continue to sail toward Italy

[51] Tropoje police take under protection important institutions

[52] Shkoder division on high alert to defend country's sovereignty

[53] Durres port is open

[01] Albania ready to overcome any adventure by Milosevic - Albanian PM

PM Majko appreciated the support of the U.S. Government and President Bill Clinton, stressing that the Albanian Government will offer its assistance for the initiative.

The Albanian Government also hailed the group of negotiators of the Kosova delegation which, with the signing the agreement initiated in Rambouillet "finally ranked the Albanian nation on the same front with that part of the international community which manifested the proper resolve to punish the culprits."

Albanian PM did also hail the fighters of the Kosova Liberation Army, who are facing the Serb war machine, in defence of the nation.

PM Majko said he had a telephone talk with the U.S. Secretary of State, Albright, and discussed with her the situation created after NATO strikes on Serbian targets. Albright assured PM Majko that "any infringement of the sovereignty of Albania by Milosevic will have the resolute response from the U.S." /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Public order in northeastern Albania under complete control

The spokeswoman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA on Wednesday that the situation on the northern and northeastern border following the NATO strikes on the Yugoslav territory has no worrying problems. In some zones the noise of NATO aircraft flying towards Yugoslavia was heard time and again.

Forces of police continue to have the public order in Northeastern zone and throughout the Albanian territory under control, with more attention on the safety of the important institutions, bridges, electric substations, said the spokeswoman.

According to her, all police structures in the country have taken strict security measures and continue to be on full alert. /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Minister says Albania's sovereignty guaranteed

The guarantees given by NATO member states, U.S. State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as well as NATO Secretary General Javier Solana are very clear, that is "Albania's sovereignty is guaranteed by NATO," Hajdaraga said.

He said that the armed forces of Albania were ready to face, as we had said before, any eventualities in our borders.

Continuous reports say that the situation in northern area is under control. Reports from commands of army headquarters and divisions in Shkodra and Kukes tell that the situation was calm and there was no problem so far, he said.

Hajdaraga said that main objectives of the NATO air strike were military airports in suburbs of Belgrade and some other cities and radio communication system of these airports and respective infrastructure.

According to NATO senior officials and military specialists these air strike would continue against other objectives until the Serb military machine, which had brought about disaster among the people of Kosova, was totally paralysed. This machine had also led to the isolation of Serbia internationally making it a negative factor in development in the Balkans and Europe, Defence minister said.

Later he said that the aim of these operations would be a direct assistance for a right solution to the Kosova issue and the stability of the Balkan region, which risked to be turning into a hot spot of tension as a result of Kosova crisis and very dangerous not only for the Balkans but also for the whole Europe. /ypa/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Serb Army hit with mortars commune of Tropoje - Three houses damaged -

The spokesman of the prefecture of Kukes, Emri Peca, told ATA that today at about 01.30 a.m. Serb military forces hit with mortars in the direction of village Tropoje. As a result, he added, three houses were damaged, one of them with great damages.

There have been no casualties because the people had already left their homes and settled deep into the country.

The spokesman said that Albanian military forces have been on a state of high alert but have not responded the fire because the shelling has been made from remote border zones. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Serb military forces open fire against Dobrune border post

A spokesman of the local police commissariat said to ATA that Serb military forces had fired volleys of gun fire from automatic rifles at the border post of Dobruna for 10 minutes in succession at 07.00 a.m. on Wednesday

Police mobile units and other forces rushed to the site to closely follow the situation, the spokesman said.

The Albanian border forces reached defence positions but did not respond to the fire because the shooting arrived from inland the border.

The same sources said that the wall of the Dobrune border post was riddled with bullets. /s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] We are ready to pay "peace" cost- Statement by Albanian Premier -

Further on Albanian Prime Minister declared: Today the history of the Albanian nation has changed. Today, NATO forces have started air strikes on Serbian military positions. The failure of the efforts of the international community to convince the Belgrade regime to find a peaceful settlement to the crisis in Kosove, the continuous unprecedented genocide on the civil and unprotected population of Kosove have made Serb military facilities become targets for the NATO air strikes.

The Albanian Government hails this military drive of NATO, proceeding from the fact that no political means have been spared to find a solution of the crisis in Kosove and to halt the Serb repression. We hail the governments of all those friendly countries, especially the U.S. Government and President Bill Clinton, for not hesitating to intervene in the conflict and to stop it. We will offer all facilities that this operation be conducted conformed to the Alliance plans to hit the Serbian military arsenal.

The Albanian Government hails once more that group of Kosovar Albanian negotiators who with the signing of the Provisional Accord for Peace and Self-determination in Kosove in Paris, ranked the Albanian people on the same front with that part of the international community which manifested the necessary resolve to punish the culprits.

The Albanian Government hails the fighters of the Kosove Liberation Army, who through their heroic self-defence in face of the Serb war machine, in defence of the nation, joined the international efforts for the solution of the crisis in Kosove.

The Albanian Government is following attentively the development of the situation in the region and is prepared for any scenario. It seems that the real price of the peace in the Balkan is war and we, together with our strategic allies, are ready to pay it and to face any adventure that Belgrade may undertake against the sovereignty of the Republic of Albania.

Today I had a telephone talk with the U.S. Secretary of State Albright, and discussed the situation created following the NATO air strikes on Serb military targets. She assured me and I want to transmit this assurance to you too, that "infringement of the sovereignty of Albania by Milosevic will meet with the resolute response from the U.S." The same message is conveyed in the letter I have received by NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, that any threat to the territorial integrity, political independence and security of our country is unacceptable for the Alliance and that it will consider with the greatest seriousness any attack from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against our country.

The Albanian Government reckons that in these decisive moments for the present and the future of the nation, the stability of the Republic of Albania is of a decisive importance. The Albanian Government has guaranteed all necessary measures to safeguard this stability. /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albania government follows international community line (Government meeting)

The cabinet meeting said that the line followed by the Albanian government for a solution to the Kosova issue was in conformity with that followed by the international community.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers said that the Albanian government was in constant contact with the international factor from whom it was taking necessary guarantees for the defence of Albania's territorial integrity.

On Thursday, an Albanian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Paskal Milo will resume talks with the NATO council about the latest situation in Kosova and further steps to be undertaken by NATO there.

Another Albanian delegation headed by the Secretary of State for Euro Atlantic Integration Maqo Lakrori and the minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade Ermelinda Meksi is continuing talks with the European delegation on projects to be also applied with the Albanian government in the future.

The Albanian executive is in constant contacts with the Albanian ambassadors close to the Contact Group member states in order to have information coming from the governments of these states. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Bread factory in Tirane ordered to increase production

"We urgently called the director of the Bread factory in Tirane (the only state-run factory in the country) and asked him to follow attentively the bread market and to increase the production of bread for a greater supply of the population," said to ATA on Thursday the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lufter Xhuveli.

Attention has also been devoted to the improvement of the situation in the state reserves, although there are no problems in this regard.

The state reserves storehouses have had a considerable amount of cereals and food articles for the winter which has just been passing. "A part of these reserves has not been used, especially in northeastern areas, " said the Minister.

According to him, they do not think that the situation created over the unrest in 1997 in Albania when people hurried to buy sacks with flour, will be repeated. "There is no room for manipulations by merchants to raise the prices of flour or bread, because the market is normal," said the Albanian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lufter Xhuveli. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Masked people kill four Albanians in Mitrovice

The Council for the Defence of Human Rights in Mitrovice reports that last night some masked people executed in their homes Latif Berisha, chairman of the LDK branch in Mitrovice, Agim Hajziri, chairman of the Assembly of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosove, his mother and 12 year old son. The masked people entered their homes by midnight, reports the Council for the Defence of Human Rights, adding that there have been Serb threats for terror against Albanians in case of NATO air strikes. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Post university specialisations in Italy and Greece for Albanians

According to sources of the Albanian Ministry of Education and Science, the specializations will cover the fields of grammar-literature, archaeology, monuments restoration, economy, administration, business, art, science, architecture and cinematography.

The same sources inform that also the Greek Government, in cooperation with NATO scientific program, provides one-three month scholarships for post-doctorate studies or for attending lectures in universities or research institutions of Greece. But the inspector of higher studies in the Ministry, Agim Hoxha, said that the candidate must have a scientific title. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Prishtina is quiet after "storm"

Prishtina, with emptied squares and roads, seemed like a phantasm city early on Thursday while its inhabitants, who had been awake all the night, were still indoors.

Albanian sources said that there were no reports on damages after NATO air strikes. /pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Measures in Berat to restore former bomb shelters

There are more than 200 shelters in that prefecture, most of which are ground floors in some buildings, but which nobody has taken care of for many years.

The army units of that zone are reportedly taking measures to prepare and put to readiness the shelters for the population. Nevertheless, the situation in that prefecture is calm and the general opinion of the people is that they are prepared to face any situation in the future. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Kosova children hope to return home soon - survey

The survey interviewed 171 Kosova children between 12 and 18 years old living in Tirana and Durres. EUREKA was backed by the Tirana and Durres town halls.

It (survey) showed that only 5.8 percent of the interviewed slept quietly, other 25.7 percent saw nightmares, 12.2 percent, dreamed of devastations, while 34 percent saw shocking dreams.

It also said that 65 percent of those children were sad, 72 percent said that their life was full of problems, 75 percent were not happy and 60 percent were in a state of anxiety.

As regards their future, 83 percent of the Kosova children hope that they would soon return to a free Kosova. While 67 percent of the interviewed considered United States as their great friend. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Telephone line failure in Berat for 60 hours

A great defect occurred in the local telephone station in the place named Lisi i Becit, spokesman of the district Telecom affiliate told ATA.

The telephone failure has forced the people to go to Fier or Lushnja for urgent telephone calls, or for fax messages.

The telephone lines have not been operating also in the district of Skrapar from where the telephone lines for other districts of the country, pass.

In September '98 Berat had a telephone disconnection for 12 days. /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Prishtina is quiet after "storm"(adds reports on situation)

Prishtina, with emptied squares and roads, seemed like a phantasm city early on Thursday while its inhabitants, who had been awake all the night, were still indoors.

Albanian sources said that there were no reports on damages after NATO air strikes.

The first NATO air strikes were audible in Prishtina and other areas of Kosova on Wednesday evening at 20.00. p.m. The windows of buildings in Prishtina were rattled and the alarm sirens sounded continuously.

Shortly after the air strikes the whole Prishtina and Kosova was under total blackout. Armoured personnel carriers with Serb forces and armaments in readiness roamed through deserted roads of Prishtina. But there were no movements of tanks and armoured carriers after the air strikes. Volleys of gunfire were heard time after time in the city. /pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Local government in readiness to face any emergencies

Head of the Durres town hall Arqile Goreja said to ATA that 50 percent of bomb shelters in the city were in good condition and the work was under way to prepare and outfit the rest for the civil population.

He added that many shelters still had power and radio communication system.

Director of the Durres hospital Gjergji Koja said that from Wednesday the whole administration of the institution would be working 24 hours and doctors were doubled for any emergencies. He added that the hospital had provided extra beds and considerable quantity of blood.

Director of the local Public Health Directorate Hider Koka said that measures had been undertaken to put into operation the underground hospital with 500 beds in the city of Durres. He said that 150 wells opened by inhabitants of the area would be used to provide running water.

Meanwhile tight measures have been taken for the water pipeline of Fushekuqe, which supplies Durres and Kavaja. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Commander of border post of Dobrune, Has district injured

The spokesman of the district police commissariat told ATA that during the attack with automatic rifles by Serb forces against the border post of Dobrune in the morning today, the commander of the border post, Neza, 35, from village Perollaj, was wounded in his hand, but without problem for his life.

According to the spokesman, "today at 7.00 a.m. Serbian military and police forces opened gunfire for 10 minutes in the direction of the border post of Dobrune."

Albanian border forces, he explained, took defensive positions but did not respond to the fire, because the attack was made from remote border zones.

The same sources reported that the signs of the bullets shot can be easily seen in the walls of the border point of Dobrune. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albanian premier reports parliament on government measures

Majko told deputies that "he had the guarantees of allies and the territorial integrity of Albania would be defended."

He reported that all ministries like that of Public Economy, Public Order and Health had taken measures.

The government has taken emergency measures to maintain the stability as well as order and law in Albania.

Head of the parliamentary foreign commission Sabri Godo read a statement in today's parliamentary session voicing the support for NATO air strikes against Serb military targets and urged their intensification in order to stop a possible catastrophe.

Deputies are considering the statement, which is expected to be approved. /y.pa/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Emergency staff of Kukes prefecture closely follows situation

In today's meeting the prefect Qemal Elezi said that the situation along the border line continued to be increasingly tense. He mentioned two incidents taking place early on Thursday in Tropoje, which was attacked by the mortar fire of Serb forces and in Has where the border post of Dobrune came under automatic fire.

Army officers told the meeting that there were Serb military reinforcement along the prefecture border. Such a situation has forced men of the border areas in close cooperation with border police forces and army be in readiness even during the night to face any possible situations.

Officials of the local government reported on the fact that the work for the preparation and outfit of bomb shelters was under way.

Prefect Elezi urged officials of the military structures and local government to inspect villages of the border area with the aim of getting better acquainted with the situation there.

Chief of regional public health Gani Gashi said to ATA that there were reserves in medicaments for the emergency state while the Ministry of Health informed about the delivery of equipment even by air due to situations. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Kukes prefecture prepared for possible influx of Kosovars

Though there was no report on people arriving from Kosova, preparation were under way to receive a considerable number of Kosovars because the Serb army had intensified fighting in villages along the border area with Albania.

One of the officials of the local Red Cross Hilmi Cena said to ATA that they could provide food for 6 thousand people daily. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Albanian press makes extensive coverage of NATO air strikes on Yugoslav military targets

"100 missiles on Serbia" is the main headline in the independent Koha Jone. In a 16-page special editorial this paper covers everything on the fighting in Kosove. "Prishtine in complete blackout, women and children evacuated to North of Albania, what do ordinary citizens, renowned world politicians think and which are the possible scenarios following the bombing," are also some of the issues on the front page of this paper.

"Albania, a step from the state of emergency" is the main headline in Gazeta Shqiptare, which frontpages the chronology of the NATO air strikes and the targets and cities hit by North Atlantic Alliance, last night.

"Night of punishment for Milosevic," is one of the titles published in today's daily of Shekulli. "Only the resolve now can prevent a greater catastrophe later," the paper cites U.S. President Clinton. The newspaper also cited Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko as saying: "We are ready to pay the price of peace." According to this paper, "reports from the commands of the staffs of the divisions of Shkoder and Kukes are continuing and show that there are no new developments. For the moment there is not any problem."

"Ten bombs on Serbia" is a headline covering the whole front page of Zeri i Popullit, SP publication. "Real price for peace is war," the Premier Pandeli Majko is cited by the paper, which, along with the statement of the Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga that "the sovereignty is guaranteed," publishes the statement of U.S. State Secretary Albright that "If one infringes Albania, it means America is infringed."

"NATO, incessant strike, bomb rain on Serbia," "Milosevic - caricature of Sadam," are two big headlines in the daily Albania. "New history commenced for Albanian nation," is the main title of this paper, showing on the picture of B-52 bombers and Tomahawk missiles.

"NATO with Albanians" is the big headline in Rilindja Demokratike, DP's publication. The newspaper cites Berisha, DP leader, to have said that March 24 "has been a day of turn in the Balkan history." "Twenty military bases ruined and 12 Serb Mig-29 aircraft shot down. Cruise missiles hit military targets in Prishtine. Continuous explosions in Novi Sad. Powerful blasts in Belgrade and Podgorice," writes this daily making a balancesheet of last night's strikes by NATO. The paper also writes that DP supports the air strikes on Serbian military targets. /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Inhabitants of village Dobrune in Has evacuated

According to the same sources, the situation throughout the border area is under continuous observation.

On Thursday morning, heavy artillery pieces opened fire from Pllanik of Gjakove in the direction of village Tropoje with 13 shells reaching the Albanian territory. Four shells have been fallen in the city of Tropoje (old part) ruining a house and a part of the post building, sources from the press office of the Public Order Ministry added.

According to the same source, at 01.00 a.m. the territory in the border sign 4/6 was illuminated and gunfire was heard for about 10 minutes, with no casualties caused. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Tirana put on readiness shelters, alarm systems

The ministry statement said that all military means, anti-aircraft artillery are in high alert and the emergency staff operated at the prefecture by keeping in constant contact with the army officers, police and local government officials.

The division command has assumed the responsibility of rehabilitating the air raid sirens. This system has existed and has been unique but now it is thought that every siren be sounded by institutions themselves, the statement said.

Stressing that the moral of army commands and staff of all levels as well as the units is high, the statement said that precepts informing reservists of military alarm should be ready by respective units deployed in Tirana and areas around it.

In his address to the Albanian parliament, premier Pandeli Majko said that the government had been assured by the United States, NATO Secretary General that they would not allow anyone to violate Albania's territorial sovereignty, political independence and security. /s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Belgrade must accept provisional deal otherwise it will bear responsibility for NATO strikes

TIRANE, March 25 (ata) - By E Nepravishta: The present humanitarian situation in Kosove cannot be allowed to turn into a tragedy, Lord Russel Johnson, President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly stated on Thursday, the information department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry told ATA.

"I am shocked by the way how Serbs have escalated their offensive in Kosove following the failure of the talks in Rambouillet and the departure of the Verification Mission. President Milosevic has repeatedly spoken for a peaceful solution, while he is responsible for a savage offensive carried out without distinction, forcing at least 20 000 people to flee their homes over the past week. This delicate situation is indeed very upsetting," said lord Russel Johnson.

He called on Yugoslav authorities to halt the use of force in Kosove and to accept the temporary deal, "otherwise they will bear all the responsibility for the NATO strikes," said the CE Parliamentary Assembly president, Russel Johnson. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Border forces in readiness to face any situation

The border chief at the commissariat Pashk Lakaj said to ATA that there had been a build-up of Serb military forces recently in the border area with the Malesia e Madhe bordering Montenegro.

He said that reinforcement of the Albanian border troops had been deployed along the border area from Vraka to Vermosh adding that there had been no reports on incidents in the border line with Montenegro.

Lakaj said that inhabitants living in the border area were ready to help the border forces and the Shkodra Lake was being patrolled by 5 motorboats.

The district of Malesia e Madhe shares 110 km border line with Montenegro. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Border police on high alert in Albania

She added that border police forces are incessantly monitoring the situation and keeping continuous contact with the leading staff in the Public Order Ministry so that to keep the situation under control and to adopt respective measures in any case.

The spokeswoman reported also that at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, Serbian forces hit with all kinds of infantry weapons the village Goden of Kosove (800 meters from the border line with Albania) and later, they have taken the villagers of Goden on two trucks to their border post at noon.

At 10.50 on Thursday, Serbian forces of Goden opened fire in the direction of the border station of Dobrune, Has district, which was responded with gunfire by Albanian border forces for several minutes, the spokeswoman added.

As a result of the exchange of gunfire, the commander of the border post of Dobrune was slightly injured. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Korca prepared to face any situation of war

The chairman of the district council, Frederik Mico said they have ample reserves of flour and cereals to overcome any unexpected situation.

The staff has reinforced with guards the electric substation, the water supplying network and other special important facilities and has ordered that all bomb shelters for the population to be cleaned and made ready for use.

According to the commander of the division of Korce, colonel Ethem Shkurta, the units of this division are placed on high alert and several tests of preparedness have been made. According to him, the morale in the military units is high and from a survey by socialogists in this division, all the people in the prefecture of Korce support the NATO air strikes in Yugoslavia and have voiced their readiness to defend the homeland. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Round the clock service in out patient clinics in Tirane

The Tirane emergency medical centre is placed on level one alert. The report was made public on Thursday by the Information Ministry, which cited the directress of Medical Service, Valbona Tahiri following a meeting with chiefs of the Tirane out patient clinics.

The three student medical centres have now more doctors in service coming also from the out patient clinics and measures have been taken for a quick supply of their pharmacies, the report points out.

The Ministry of Health reported that all measures have been adopted for the accumulation of blood in the Blood Transfusion Centre and in the blood banks in the hospitals. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Premier says U.S., NATO will not allow violation of Albania's sovereignty, independence, security

"Serbia and Milosevic are facing now the international community, which is interested directly in ending a year-long crisis, which aims at engulfing the whole Balkans and broader into a conflict. While Albania, more than ever, feels itself part of a solution to this issue and is ranked among the progressive forces of the coalition headed by the United States and its strategic and natural allies.

"Our conviction that the geopolitical map of the world cannot have merely friends but also partners, who share same interests, served, among others, for such a ranking of forces, which started to punish those responsible, who have been identified earlier. The war remained the only way to achieve peace," Majko said in his address to parliament.

He added that the Albanian government had hailed the NATO military initiative and had reaffirmed its determination to provide all facilities to NATO in order to help it carry out the operations against the Serb military targets.

"I would say that in the last days and especially yesterday I have been assured from the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and NATO Secretary General Javier Solana that the United States and the alliance would not allow anyone to violate territorial sovereignty, political independence and security of Albania," Majko said.

"I must stress that Albania's stability is of extraordinary importance. Tirana is the moral rear of Prishtina and any disequilibrium here is of incalculable consequences in Kosova and will cost dear. What is happening in Kosova is an ultimatum for the consciousness of all the Albanian politics to renounce primitive schemes of conflict and those, which generates conflict, and ranks in a unique front for our national aspiration,"

prime minister Majko told parliament. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[30] Navigation agencies continue voyages towards Italy

"La Vikinga Lines" has not interrupted the voyages towards Italy. According to the representatives of this company, there is no report on suspension of voyages, thus they continue their activity according to the schedules.

Also "Adriatika," which travels from Durres to Bari and Ancona, as well as the company "Illyria Lines S.A." which travels from Durres to Brindizi and from Vlora to Brindizi, have reported that they will suspend the voyages. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[31] Dollar exchanged by 143,90 leks

Foreign currency	buying	selling
US$1			140.80	143.90
DM			 78.40	 81.20
ITL(1000)		 79.19	 82,02
GRD(100)		 46	 48.80
EURO			153.34	158.81

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[32] Tax income to be realized by 105 per cent

The head of tax office of this district Hajrulla Haderi said for ATA that the objectives of January -March 20 are realized by 105 per cent that is to say 44 million lek more compared with the value of the same period of last year.

630 is the number of the subjects inscribed in this office and 100 are in the process of inscribing.

Although all the measures are taken and the announcements go on there are subjects that are not inscribe yet. For these subjects severe measures are going to be taken such as closing of the productive and commercial activities, stated Haderi./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[33] Blood Donor Association to continue blood donation

The association is following with concern the very grave situation at home and in Kosova, the head of the association, Skender Hekuri, told ATA.

Hekuri said that, feeling the indispensability of supplying hospitals with blood, this association is giving up the warned strike and calls on all blood donors and the Albanian public to donate blood at the blood conservation centre and its banks close to the Hospital Centre.

Also, the National Blood Donor Centre called on the population, considering the situation created, to give their contribution by donating blood. This centre is staying open around the clock for all voluntary blood donors. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[34] Only 7 per cent of the subjects with business contracts

According to the sources from the Work Inspectorate at the Ministry of Work and Social Affairs only 7 per cent of the total number of the subject have business contracts.

They do this for many reasons: the lack of syndicalist activity, the small number of the employees in the business and the people psychology not to change the work place. But the small number of the contracts, individual and collective ones, is a way of organizing the work by the employers who frightened the employees for dismissing from the workplace, the small salaries, avoiding the social taxes, shorting of the holidays and overtime.

The collective contracts are lower than the individuals' ones and are assigned mainly by foreign business and some with the native ones.

Although the contracts' number in the foreign business is somewhat high (nearly 10 per cent and 30-35 per cent of the employees have the contracts) they discriminate the employees concerning the salary, social insurance duties and the holidays.

      The level of business contracts according to the subjects

----------------------------------------------------------------
 No |   Subjects             |       No of the subjects
    |                        | In total     | With contracts
----------------------------------------------------------------
 1  | Budget subjects        |   1320       |   230
----------------------------------------------------------------
 2  | Non-budget subjects    |    970       |   180
----------------------------------------------------------------
 3  | Private Juridical sub. |   8960       |  1830
----------------------------------------------------------------
 4  | Private Physical sub.  |  33950       |   810
----------------------------------------------------------------
 5  |   In total             |  45200       |  3050
----------------------------------------------------------------

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[35] Albanian airport Rinas to be closed for indefinite time

" The Ministry of Public Affairs and Transport, in which this airport depends on, in cooperation with Eurotransport organization, which has its center in Brussels, ordered the closure of the only international airport in Albania for an indefinite time", told for ATA the spokesman of this Ministry Reiz Mulita.

Many fights of different airlines companies, having as their destination Rinas airport, are canceled today.

For insurance reasons are closed Skopje and Beograd airports, as well.

The representatives of the airlines companies said that the coming flights will depend on the political developing. The Austrian airline company "Austrian Airline" canceled the flights toward Rinas till the end of this week./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[36] EU to support Albania in emergence case

The meeting is hold in the frame work of the third meeting of the Common Commission Albania-European Union, to be organized in Brussels in March 26.

Meksi expressed the needs for a wide support of the EU for Albania and especially for the situation in Kosova.

"This organization will continue to support Albania with emergent projects, mainly in Albanian health and water supply", said Navaro./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[37] NATO nations ready to cooperate with Albania

Xhufi expressed the worry of the Albanian government about the latest incidents taking place on the country's northeastern border asked the international factor's cooperation to cope with them, the Foreign Ministry's Press and Information department told ATA.

The latest incidents, besides violation of Albania's territorial integrity, have threatened the life of the inhabitants of these zones. This situation, he added, has also caused massive displacements among the population from these zones.

He said the Foreign Ministry states that the latest Serb provocations against the territory of the Republic of Albania pose a great risk for the conflict's spillover outside the borders of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It addresses itself to the NATO members and asks the adoption of immediate measures to defend, in cooperation with the Albanian government, the territorial integrity of Albania.

The ambassadors expressed the readiness of their countries to closely cooperate with the Albanian government to cope with any emergency situation, that might be created by the official circles of Belgrade against Albania. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[38] Vlore governor orders imposition of No. 2 alert

The governor's spokesman, Shkelqim Arapi, told ATA that all local official institutions have been ordered to begin 24 hour services.

According to Arapi, work has been going on today to prepare the bomb shelters and measures have been taken to precede any situation by supplying the population with electric power, drinking water and food reserves. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[39] Maritime lines with Italy, Greece normally function

The chief of Vlore sea port, Dionis Andoni, told ATA that all the lines of ferryboats have entered the port according to the schedule. He explained that the ferryboats "Artemisa" and "Tirana" entered the port, coming respectively from Otranto and Brindizi (Italy) and left later for Igumenica (Greece) and Brindizi.

Andoni said that some 72 Albanian and foreign citizens have arrived from Vlore, as well as a number of vehicles, meanwhile that more than 15 passengers have departed. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[40] Prodi says European Commission to increase cooperation with Albania

The president's press and information office told ATA that the head of state cordially congratulated Prodi on his election to this significant post, considering him "a true friend of Albania".

Thanking him for this, Prodi showed interest in the situation in Albania and expressed his conviction that the cooperation between the European Institution, he will preside, and Albania will increase. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[41] Albania-Austria: Agreement between two Trade Chambers

According to the spokesman of the Chamber, the agreement predicts information exchange between businessmen's groups, the organization of business missions, active participation in different activities with interest and establish facilities for the respective business's communities in their relationship.

The further bilateral commercial cooperation is discussed in a meeting between the head of Trade and Industry Chamber of Tirana Arben Shehi and the Austrian Ambassador in Albania Arno Rield. In this meeting are discussed concrete proposals to be presented Austrian part for concrete cooperation in economy, such as agribusiness, nutritive industry, etc. The possibilities of credit insurance of the Austrian financial institutions for the Albanian business community, especially in Albanian capital.

The Trade and Industry Chamber of Tirana and Austrian Federal Economic are national advisors for the organization of the important activity "Europartneriat", to be hold in May 1999 in Vien./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[42] Ministry of Health leads blood donors

The employees of the Ministry of Health started Thursday to donate 400 ml blood per person by becoming thus initiator of this important campaign.

The Ministry of Health has called on all health institutions and their employees to donate blood in the name of life. Given the urgent situation the country is facing, an order has been issued, according to which all the family members of patients planned to be operated, must donate blood.

According to the Minister of Health, Leonard Solis, the Blood Conservation Center, blood banks close to the Tirana University Center, the Military Hospital and the maternity have completed by 100% the needs for blood. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[43] Reconstructed building ready to shelter 250 Kosovars

According to the chairman of the staff for the accommodation of refugees close to the prefecture, Gezim Bega, the reconstruction of this building was enabled by the foundation THW, which represents the German Interior Ministry. With the investments of this foundation, the reconstruction of the former dormitory of the physical training school will finish within a month and some 400 Kosova refugees will be sheltered there.

More than 5 000 Kosovars have been accommodated in the district of Durres, after the registration carried out by the Office for Refugees. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[44] International fair "Spring 1999" to be opened

This company is organizing the fourth time the Spring International Fair in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Trade Corporation, Trade and Industry Chamber, Tirana Municipality and AEDA assistance.

60 companies are going to participate in this activity, which will be opened for 5 days in session as an exhibition of the achievements of the Albanian and foreign businessmen in different fields.

Beside the exposition and the sales in this fair are planned to be hold seminars and press conferences./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[45] Massive killings in two villages near Albanian border

The latest arrivals from Kosova who crossed into Dobrune of Has district on Thursday afternoon told ATA that the villages Doden and Prush, some 1.5 km from the Albanian border, have been burnt down, while the Serbian army has committed massive murders.

Various sources say that at least 20 persons have been killed, but their number is thought to be larger.

Muhamet Ukperaj, chairman of the border commune of Golaj in this district, told ATA that after 15.30 there have been no other refugees from Kosova due to fierce fighting near the border.

He says that some 200 refugees, who crossed the border before 15.30, have been sent to collective shelter centers in the town of Krume.

Meanwhile, the families of the border villages have sent the children and women deep in the territory, while the men have stayed. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[46] Gjirokaster prefecture closely follows emergency situations

According to the spokesman of the prefecture, the priorities were the constant communication with the police department, rehabilitation of bomb shelters, rigorous working hours in all institutions and others.

A day ago, in the "Laberia" division in Gjirokaster, senior military officials announced No. 2 alert, and the demands for maximal discipline were increased. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[47] Rrapi:Institutions of social care to be ready

The work is well organized in the General Administration of Social Service and Social Insurance, as well.

The Minister of Work and Social Affairs Kadri Rrapi in a meeting with the heads of the ministry and institutions stated the position of the Albanian Government in this case and the measures to be taken to stand this situation. For this reason the Minister Rrapi ordered the organization of the work groups to face the tense situation./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[48] Tirana bakery to increase daily production

"We called immediately the director of Tirana bread factory (the only public factory of this kind)" and asked him to follow carefully the bread market and to increase its production for a better provision", said for ATA the Minister of Food and Agriculture Lufter Xhuveli.

Great attention is paid to improve the situation of public reserves, although there are no problems till now informed the minister.

"The quantities of the reserves deposited in the warehouses were sufficient to pass the winter. A part of these reserves are not consumed, especially in the northern-eastern areas", added the minister.

According to Xhuveli all the measures are taken and the experience of the troubles of 1997 is not going to be repeated."It not the case to increase the flour or bread price, because the market is in its normal situation", stated the Albanian Minister of Food and Agriculture./pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[49] Socialists side by side state structures to defend country - secretary

Zela said told reporters that the SP leadership and the branches of this party in districts have closely followed the developments in Kosova and have incessantly worked to be ready to cope with any situation.

"Information available from the SP branches in the northern district show that the situation there does not pose any danger," he said.

Zela said that the incident early on Thursday, when the Serb military forces shelled the Tropoje commune, was in the series of provocations.

He said that besides guarantees provided by NATO and the U.S. to maintain the territorial sovereignty of Albania, the concentration and the No 1 alert of the Albanian armed forces in those areas constitutes another security. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[50] Navigation companies continue to sail toward Italy

"La Vikinga Lines" did not interrupt its navigation toward Italy. The representatives of this company said for ATA that "we do not have any announcement to interrupt the navigation, that is why we go on the work according to the timetable".

The same thing happened with "ADRIATIKA", which travels from Durresi to Bari and Ancona, it did not stop its activity.

Sources from "Illyria Lines S.A" inform that this company continue to sail toward Italy./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[51] Tropoje police take under protection important institutions

The Fierze hydro-power station, the dyke and the machinery hall have been under the control of the rapid Intervention Forces since months ago.

The emergency situation staff of the Tropoje district is following the evolution of the situation step by step.

The chairman of the district council, Xhevdet Hoxha, told ATA that there has been a spontaneous displacement from two villages of the Bytyci commune today.

Under these conditions, he said, the local government structures are working not to allow panic spread among the population of this district, which is very close near the border belt. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[52] Shkoder division on high alert to defend country's sovereignty

The spokesman of this division, Major Gjon Vorfi, said that the military structures are now on the high alert. There is a high spirit of responsibility among all the structures of this division, which includes the districts of Shkoder, Lezhe, and Malesi e Madhe.

Sources from the prefecture say that mobilisation of new recruits in all the districts of the prefecture continues and everything is going on as planned. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[53] Durres port is open

Sources from the Durres port told ATA that the two ferries of the "La Viking Lines" left today for Bari port according to the schedule.

According to specialists of the navigation agency "Taulantia" in Durres, there has been an increase in the number of passengers and bookings for the Bari, Ancona and Trieste bound ferries.

The sources from the port envisage a normal service also for Friday. /lh/lm/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article