Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-01

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Poland denounces Belgrade's policy of ethnic cleansing in Kosova

[02] Army veterans ready to offer contribution

[03] About 12.000 Kosovars settled in Tirana prefecture

[04] Himara port opens

[05] Some 11 000 Kosovars arriving in Has in last 24 hours

[06] Number of Kosova refugees in Kukes and Has brought to 110.000

[07] Seven deaths among Kosova refugees

[08] Finance Minister asks further aid from western counterparts

[09] Some 120 000 Kosova refugees in Kukes and Has

[10] Albanian Caritas donates US$ 20 000 for Kosova refugees

[11] Passengers train in Mjede at disposal of Kosova refugees

[12] "San Marco" brings aid again for Kosova refugees

[13] Albanians in Rumania protest against Serb violence in Kosova

[14] Albanians in Poland protest against Serb violence in Kosova

[15] 500 Kosova refugees cross into Albania at Hani i Hotit

[16] Bakeries work non stop in Tirana

[17] Rally held in solidarity with Kosova brothers

[18] Slight fall of dollar's value

[19] Rinas airport: Only day flights

[20] UABO:Do not speculate with prices

[21] We are determined to continue the military attacks against Belgrade, Josselin

[22] Kuksi Saving Bank to intervene to prevent abuses in DM exchange rates

[23] Measures to control animal products in boundary

[24] Health situation of people coming from Kosove is under control

[25] Wheat auction: Still 3 500 tons on sale

[26] Albanian sport expresses its solidarity with displaced Kosovars

[27] If Rugova has met Milosevic of his free will, he has acted in an irresponsible way - Majko

[28] Export-Import volume: Italy 53% and Greece 25%

[29] Influx of displaced Kosovars increased in Kukes

[30] Released militaries ready to defend national questions

[31] Custom incomes: Durresi to "miss" more than 231 million lek

[32] Crisis in Kosove is not only humanitarian but destabilizing for the whole region - Meidani

[33] Gjinushi, Dokle visit Kukes

[34] Tendency toward prices' increase

[35] 120 other displaced Kosovars arrive in Vlore

[36] Support for NATO strikes against Serb military machine - rally

[37] Telecommunication - Meeting's priority

[38] Over 8 thousand Kosovars reach Has district

[39] Albanian farmers' reserves about "Green Strategy"

[40] In the conditions created, one can speak only of the independence of Kosove; KLA coordinates acts with NATO - spokesman

[41] The only wayout is deployment of NATO troops in Kosove - Majko- Josselin

[42] Greek assistance for Kosovars arrive in Albania from Kakavija

[43] Number of Kosovars crossing Hani Hotit amounts to 700

[44] Two members of international investigation team for war crimes in former Yugoslavia arrive in Tirane

[45] Number of Kosovars reaching Mat district is 1 500

[01] Poland denounces Belgrade's policy of ethnic cleansing in Kosova

"The Foreign Ministry of Poland protests energetically and denounces the policy of ethnic cleansing, burning of Albanian villages and repression against the Albanian intelligentsia in Kosova carried out systematically by the Yugoslav authorities," the statement said.

The Polish ministry, stressing the need for a political solution to the conflict in Kosova, considered that "NATO military actions are the only means to force Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to start negotiations and respect the human rights."

Expressing "the deep pain" for "the humanitarian catastrophe", the Polish ministry said that "endangering the life of civil population, driving thousands of people from their homes, depriving them of identity papers and displacing them by use of force of military, police and paramilitary units is a flagrant violation to the fundamental human rights, " and that "the whole responsibility and juridical consequences for these violent acts and hatred fall on the Yugoslav authorities."

The ministry called on Yugoslav authorities to stop "immediately the shameful practices of ethnic cleansing, which are contrary to every norm of action accepted by the international community." /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Army veterans ready to offer contribution

They backed the measures adopted by the government to cope with the situation resulting from the ethnic cleansing directed by the regime of Milosevic in Kosova.

The militaries offered their contribution in structures of the Defence Ministry and that of Order and were ready to offer their contribution.

Prime minister Majko thanked them for the readiness and said that they could contribute in managing collection centers for the Kosova new arrivals.

He promised to consider this proposal with the inter ministerial committee, which was coping with the situation. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] About 12.000 Kosovars settled in Tirana prefecture

The number of Kosova people in the capital is estimated at 8.000 people, while in Kavaja about 4.000 others, Makbule Çeço, the prefect of Tirana.

There are possibilities that this number can be increased and other camps are thought to be erected. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Himara port opens

A symbolic ceremony was held in the port with the participation of officials of the local government and Vlora prefecture.

This port will be part of the customs house of Vlora until the customs directorate general selected the staff only from the Himara town hall. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Some 11 000 Kosovars arriving in Has in last 24 hours

The number of the Kosova refugees arriving in the district of Has during the last 24 hours is estimated at 11 000.

The secretary of the Kukes prefecture, Fadil Gjuta, told ATA that around 8 000 Kosovars, mostly women, children and old, crossed into Has district at Qafe-Prushi border post on Wednesday.

Another 3000 refugees crossed this border point overnight bringing the number of the Kosova refugees in the last 24 hours to 11 000. /past/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Number of Kosova refugees in Kukes and Has brought to 110.000

Uk Toda, responsible for the enrolment of refugees for Kukes and Has told ATA that the number of the Kosova refugees in these two districts is estimated at around 110 000.

Inhabitants from cities far from the border, like Prishtine, are also arriving in the town of Kukes. This complicates the situation further as Prishtine has over 250 000 inhabitants.

The latest arrivals say that some tens of thousands inhabitants of this city are on the way to the Albanian border.

The Serb military and police forces threaten them to flee their homes, they say, adding that while the NATO air bombardments continue the Serbian army has installed its military arsenal along the lanes of this city. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Seven deaths among Kosova refugees

"There have been seven cases of deaths among the Kosova refugees, two men, a newly-born baby and four women," the responsible for funerals in the Kukes town-hall, Nuhi Coka, told ATA.

Meanwhile, sources from the maternity home of this town report that eight children were recently born and their health state is good. /dast/lm/

KUKES, April 11(ATA)-By R. Hoxha, Since the Kosovar refugee influx began on March 26 in the distrcit of Kukes, there have been seven cases of deaths among them.

"There have been seven cases of deaths among the Kosova refugees, two men, a newly-born baby and four women," the responsible for funerals in the Kukes town-hall, Nuhi Coka, told ATA.

Meanwhile, sources from the maternity home of this town report that eight children were recently born and their health state is good. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Finance Minister asks further aid from western counterparts

Angjeli thanks his European counterparts for the support they have offered so far with emergency humanitarian aid, but tells them this aid is insufficient and slow.

Angjeli has asked from the European counterparts immediate budgetary support for Albania as the war in Yugoslavia has substantially decelerated collection of incomes, especially those from the customs.

He guaranteed the European Finance Ministers that the Albanian Government is doing its utmost to preserve the economic and macro-financial stability at home, but the adoption of immediate aid to prevent any crises is urgent. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Some 120 000 Kosova refugees in Kukes and Has

Emri Peca, spokesman of the Kukes prefecture, told ATA on Thursday that the total number of the Kosova refugees is estimated at nearly 120 000. Some 13 000 refugees crossed into Kukes at Morine border point overnight.

Meanwhile around 40 000 of Kosova refugees have left for other districts of the country. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albanian Caritas donates US$ 20 000 for Kosova refugees

The aid was presented by Monseigneur Rrok Mirdita, president of the Albanian Caritas, the Tirane municipality's press office told ATA. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Passengers train in Mjede at disposal of Kosova refugees

Petraq Skrame, official at the Railway General Department, told ATA that a passengers train with seven carriages on Thursday will have as destination the Vlore city. Dependant on the requests it may travel twice a day with nearly 1.500 refugees.

According to Skrame this train will constantly be at the disposal of the refugees' movement inside the country. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] "San Marco" brings aid again for Kosova refugees

According to sources from the customs of Durres, this warship brought 1820 tents, 600 mattresses, 600 beds, 600 pillows, 6200 blankets, 600 sheets, 120 electric heaters, 120 ovens, 24 gas stoves.

Some 120 household utensils were also unloaded.

The Italian warship also brought 120 plastic tables, 60 plastic chairs, 120 cleaning brushes, several water-tanks, 2 vehicles "Land Rover," 26 mobile kitchens, with a total amount worth 114 000 USD. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanians in Rumania protest against Serb violence in Kosova

The rally was organized by the Albanian embassy in cooperation with the Cultural Union of Albanians in Rumania, the Foundation "Albanian League of Rumania," Union of Albanian Students in Rumania and the Friendship Association Albania-Rumania.

Attending the rally were more than 1000 Albanians, resident in Rumania, Albanian intellectuals, their Rumanian friends, Albanian students who study in several universities of Rumania, members of Albanian associations and others. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanians in Poland protest against Serb violence in Kosova

The demonstrators, who carried Albanian, U.S., Polish and NATO flags, launched slogans as "Stop ethnic cleansing in Kosova", "Milosevic-criminal, the Hague is waiting for you", "Thank you NATO", "Polish citizen, be proud of NATO", "Kosova will win" and other slogans.

Poland powerfully protested on Tuesday against shameful practices of repression and ethnic cleansing, systematically implemented by the Yugoslav authorities against the Albanians in Kosova, and hailed the NATO military operations to force the FRY to return to negotiations. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] 500 Kosova refugees cross into Albania at Hani i Hotit

The spokesman of the Shkoder Prefecture Police department told ATA that the first group of about 200 refugees arrived at around 12.00, and later a group of 300 refugees.

Meanwhile the local government and police structures are working to transport them to various districts of the country.

According to the spokesman another influx is expected later.

The Hani i Hotit customs point has been shut since March 1997. Over the last three days this point has been open for the Kosova refugees. /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Bakeries work non stop in Tirana

In the town of Tirana, as well as in the rural zone, there is no problem for the supply of the population with bread, because "the bakeries work non stop," the technologist engineer close to this department, Gjergj Ndoja, told ATA.

For this aim, some 120 subjects have been involved, also including the largest bakery with its two units, he added.

To cope with the increasing demands, mainly in the northern districts of Albania, the largest bakery has recently increased bread production by 7- 8 fold, stressed Ndoja.

Also in Tirana, some 9 mill-factories function in Tirana, and another bakery will start work soon, by reaching a general capacity of 450 tons a day. The supply of market with flour is being realised by the state enterprise, the commercial enterprise of wheat (NTG) in Durres, as well as from the import through different private firms. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Rally held in solidarity with Kosova brothers

Those present in the meeting kept silence for a minute to honor the martyrs who died for the freedom of Kosova.

The participants in the rally hailed the resolution of NATO and the international community for the solution of the Kosova problem.

The participants shouted the slogans "Kosova is calling," Long live KLA," "Slobodan, you are a criminal," and others.

The inhabitants of Librazhd expressed their readiness for the accommodation of the Kosova refugees. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Slight fall of dollar's value

Exchange rates of the foreign currencies against the Albanian one:

CURRENCY Bought Sold

USD 146.4 147.2

DM 81.1 81.6

LIT(1000) 81.3 81.8

GRD(100) 48.2 48.45

EURO 156 158

/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Rinas airport: Only day flights

Actually "Albanian Airlines" that operates in Tirana-Bari and Tirana- Bolonja lines restart the flights. Beside it "Hemus Air" in Tirana-Sofje line and "Ada Air" in Tirana-Athens lines restart the flights.

The flights will operate during the day and in a limited height, there will be no flights during the night, due to NATO air strikes in Jugoslavia.

The flights' reduction is not done only for Albania, but for Bosnja- Hercegovina, Krocia, Macedonia and Bulgaria as well.

"Since yesterday March 30, 1999 in Rinas airport began to land the planes with humanitary assisstance and their number was ten per each day, but these planes are coordinate by NATO", said Hoxha.

Rinas airport face a passengers' flux of nearly 300 000 persons per year and nearly 900 000 tons goods per year.

DHL service functions normally in this airport.

International airport of Rinas is closed in March 25 by the order given by Eurotransport Organization with a center in Brussels, because of NATO air strikes in Jugoslavia./pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] UABO:Do not speculate with prices

UABO hailed the readiness and the involvement of the businessmen to support the measures taken by the Albanian Government to stand the flux of the comers from Kosova.

UABO attracted the attention of the state and financial authorities of the country concerning the falling of Albanian currency due to the lack of foreign currencies in the banks and free market.

UABO hailed also the initiatives of the regional councils for giving important contribution, financial assistance and materials, in support of Kosova brothers./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] We are determined to continue the military attacks against Belgrade, Josselin

The press directory close to the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Josselin has confirmed the engagement of the government of his country to continue the attacks against Belgrade and to finalize at the same time the attempts for returning the displaced Kosovars back to their Homeland.

French Minister arrived in Tirane on early Thursday to accompany the aids accorded by the French government for the displaced Kosovars.

Minister Josselin will meet today the Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani, Premier Majko, and the Speaker of Parliament, Skender Gjinushi. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Kuksi Saving Bank to intervene to prevent abuses in DM exchange rates

"To eliminate the abuses in the exchange rate of DM against LEK after the flux of the comers from Kosova Kuksi Saving Bank began to exchange the currencies according to the official course", told ATA the Director of Kuksi Saving Bank Esat Domi.

There is an increase of the number of the money dealers in Kuksi town. Actually there are 100 money dealers that operate and are spread in all the streets of the town. The exchange rate used by them is lower than the official values.

DM rate value, the most used in this town, varies from 65 to 75 lek./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Measures to control animal products in boundary

This decision is added to the law "About Food" and predicted the increase of the number of the veterinary specialists in custom houses to control the foods and the continuity of job for 24 hours as well.

The project decision predicts the control and isolation of the ill animals, which might be transported by the kosovars.

"Having in mind the situation created by the comers from Kosova, especially in Morina border point, the Directory of Food Control in corporation with the Veterinary Directory considered as reasonable the increase of the controls of any product to enter in Albania", said a specialist of the Albanian Ministry of Food and Agriculture./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Health situation of people coming from Kosove is under control

This ministry has taken all the measures to face with medicaments and medical care all the cases that can occur in the University Hospital Center "Mother Theresa" as well as in the different health center in Tirane and in other districts.

The health situation of children is graver due to the lack of food during several days.

Regarding the medicaments, the Health Ministry is carrying out the work to supply the ambulances of the quarters with recipes to take gratis medicaments for assisting the displaced Kosovars who have health problems. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Wheat auction: Still 3 500 tons on sale

The total quantity of the wheat sold in the auctions is 21 500 tons from the total one of 25 000 tons brought by the American Government as an assistance for Albania.

The remains quantity which is less than 3 500 tons will be sold in another auction, foreseen to be hold every Monday in the Ministry of Agriculture, inform sources from this Ministry.

Periodical control is taken in the remaining quantity to guarantee the clients its qualitative parameters, inform specialists from the Directory of Food Control in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The total quantity of 25 000 tons wheat is brought by the American Government in August 28, 1998 and it is deposited in the public enterprises of wheat trade in Durres./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Albanian sport expresses its solidarity with displaced Kosovars

The footballers and leaders of sportive club "SK Tirane" are organizers of the aid for Albanian Kosovars.

The president of the sports club "SK Tirane", said that all the leaders of this club will donate blood and will also accord 5000 leks as a modest aid for Kosovars. The Tirane footballers will donate also 5000 leks. In the framework of this aid the President of Sorts club "Eurest" has placed in the disposition of the displaced Kosovars the "Arbana" and Officers' House buildings in Tirane for sheltering of about 400 Albanian Kosovars.

The leaders of Albanian Olympic Committee, reported that it is hightime for the Albanian sportive movement not to be remained in the plan of personal initiative, and to raise their voice against the Serb repression against the Kosova Albanains. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] If Rugova has met Milosevic of his free will, he has acted in an irresponsible way - Majko

The few-line communique issued by the cabinet of Premier Pandeli Majko says: "The Press Office of the Prime Minister Pandeli Majko is authorized to comment today's meeting in Belgrade between the chairman of Kosove Democratic League, Ibrahim Rugova and the Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic: 'If Mr Rugova has held the meeting of his free will, then he has acted in an irresponsible way.'" /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Export-Import volume: Italy 53% and Greece 25%

According to the official figures of the General Custom Directory for February the value of the goods exports is 2,811 billion lek, marking an increase of 33% compared with the value of 2,117 billion lek marked in January.

Meanwhile the value of the goods imported from Italy is 3,497 billion lek, marking a fall of 41% compared with the January value of 5,906 billion lek. The total export with Italy in January covered 56% of the exports.

According to the same sources the volume of export-import with Greece increased by 25% from 23% marked previous month.

Albanian exports toward Greece marked the value of 371 million lek, marking a slight increase of 2% against the January value of 362 million lek. The value of imports in Greece was 2,617 billion lek marking a fall of 7%./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Influx of displaced Kosovars increased in Kukes

Some more 15 000 people have entered the Albanian border by 14:00, by carrying out the total number of Kosovars in approximately 130 000 people. The newcomers are not only from the regions of Prizeren, Suareke and Peje but also from Prishtine.

The newcomers declared that the influx of people coming from Kosove is expected to be very high in the forthcoming hours, because there are hundreds and hundreds of persons who are driving towards Albanian with their cars, as well as with lorries and other means of Serb military army, which is doing its utmost for the ethnic cleansing of Albanian Kosovars.

The work for evacuation of displaced Kosovars towards the other regions of Albania is going on. Qemal Parllaku, chief of commission for evacuation of persons coming from Kosove, said that the number of persons evacuated from Kukes amounts at 50 000 persons. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[30] Released militaries ready to defend national questions

The president's press and information office told ATA that the released militaries present in the meeting highlighted the fact that in every district of the country there are good specialists who are ready to make their contribution in every field of the military activity and civil defence. "We have come to meet the General Commander not to ask for any of our rights, but only to express our readiness to defend the homeland and our national question," said one of the militaries.

The President thanked the released militaries for their readiness and asked them to keep contacts with the leaders of the local government to help face the situations. President Meidani stressed once more the full cooperation of Albania with NATO forces and pointed out that "we must make all efforts not to fall prey to the Serb provocations or other voices close to Belgrade, seeking to expand the conflict to a regional war and broader, aiming to harm the serious commitment of our euro-american partners."

"Our cooperation with NATO is a guarantee to the destruction of the hitting potential of the Serb military machine and the solution of the very grave humanitarian question in Kosove towards a political settlement."

The released militaries were accompanied in the meeting by the Secretary of the Defence Commission of the Parliament, deputy Ali Dervishi.

The representatives of the released militaries met Wednesday in the evening also with the Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, and voiced their readiness to contribute to the defence of the homeland. /s.sh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[31] Custom incomes: Durresi to "miss" more than 231 million lek

During this month 763 million lek are cashed from the annual plan of 994,2 million lek, marking a difference of 231,1 million lek.

According to the figures taken by the General Custom Directory Tirana, Vlora, Elbasani and Lezha custom houses marked a positive fulfilment in the custom incomes, although marking a low value than the predicted one.

Tirana Custom fulfills 80% of the plan marking a deficit of 154,5 million lek. Vlora custom cashed 233,8 million lek or 88% marking a deficit of 32,4 million lek. Elbasani one fulfils 82% of the plan "missing" 17 million lek. Lezha custom house marked the greatest value 96% of the plan.

While Shkodra, Saranda and Peshkopia customs mark the lower value respectively by 54%, 57% and 56%.

The Albanian custom houses cashed in February 1999 2,487 billion lek or 78% of the monthly plan. The total incomes cashed in the state budget are 4,822 billion lek.

According to the Albanian Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli severe measures are taken in the custom houses, even work dismiss, because of these figures, the plan fulfilment in the rate of 80-82%, speculations, abuses and attempts to benefit by supporting particular individuals./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[32] Crisis in Kosove is not only humanitarian but destabilizing for the whole region - Meidani

Mr Meidani hailed the very clear stance of the Government of his French counterpart, Chirak for settlement of the crisis in Kosove, which is not "only humanitarian but also destabilizing for the whole region," the President's press office reports. Mr meidani briefed the French minister of the latest figures of the displaced Kosovars and asked from France and the international community to see the possibility of providing aid in all directions through the air in Kosove as well. "There are zones with a great number of citizens, still subject to the monstrous interventions of the Serb chetniks, without food for whole days," said President Meidani. "The fight for life must be supported," he continued.

The French minister voiced the solidarity of his country with Albania in these difficult moments and highlighted the commitment of the Albanian state and people to assist the displaced from Kosove. According to him, France will offer 120 million francs.

The two interlocutors agreed on the need for continuous intensive strikes by the NATO, ruling out other options, to prevent the further ethnic cleansing and elimination of the Albanians of Kosove.

President Meidani confirmed to Mr Josselin the stance of his state to avoid any warmongering provocation. "This is the best support we can offer to NATO," the President said. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[33] Gjinushi, Dokle visit Kukes

Gjinushi and Dokle had a meeting in Kukes prefecture with the staff of the state of emergency, which carries out a round a clock service to give solutions to the several problems the district of Has is going through.

The Deputy Premier, Ilir Meta as well as Kukes Prefect, Qemal Elezi, presented the the concrete grave situation to the Albanian senior officials. They pointed out that the situation continues to remain dramatic because the influx of Kosovars is frequently increasing. The total number of Kosovars is more than 130 000.

The Parliament Speaker, Gjinushi voiced that the Albanian government as well as the Albanian government are doing the utmost to cope with the situation.

Participating in the meeting were also representatives of Italian government and UNHCR, and representatives of humanitarian associations operating actually in Kosove. The representatives of Italian Defence Ministry agreed on setting up a camping within a timelimit of 48 hours, where some 3 000 persons could be sheltered. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[34] Tendency toward prices' increase

"We have to do with merchants speculation, who want to benefit as much as possible from the situation created in the Albanian capital Tirana, after the coming of the great numbers of kosovars", inform specialists of Ministry of Food and Agriculture./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[35] 120 other displaced Kosovars arrive in Vlore

According to the Vlore Perfect, Tare Hamo, some 300 Kosovars are accommodated in the commune of Novosela, 20 kilometers away from the city, while the rest are systemized in the families of Vlore citizens. All the measures are taken to secure the necessary life conditions and medical assistance for the displaced Kosovars.

Vlore prefecture has prepared several massive grounds for the Albanian Kosovars forced to flee their houses due to the Serb offensive. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[36] Support for NATO strikes against Serb military machine - rally

The press department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry reports that the speakers in the rally voiced their support for NATO strikes against the Serb military targets and thanked the international community for the support they are giving to the Kosove Albanians.

The participants in the rally chanted slogans for the freedom and independence of Kosove and for the KLA, and sang patriotic songs. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[37] Telecommunication - Meeting's priority

The General Director of Railway transport Leonard Burnaci,member of this delegation told ATA that in this meeting the priorities of railway transport are defined as well.

The Trade and Development Agency (TDA) asked by the American Government about the initiation of Eight Corridor assigned for the Albanian part the reference project concerning railway telecommunication.

Already is accorded a fond of 1.6 million dollars to be used on railway system, to support in insurance increase of this transport.

The increase of the attempts by the Albanian Government and Macedonian one to joint the two countries through railway line will make easy the initiative of Eight Corridor.

The coming meeting will be hold after some months in Sofja./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[38] Over 8 thousand Kosovars reach Has district

Over the past night and during Thursday, the number of the Kosovars reaching that district has been more than 8 thousand, the same sources said. The limited conditions in Has district have created difficulties to find shelter for the displaced people. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[39] Albanian farmers' reserves about "Green Strategy"

"This strategy is constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Local Power, while its main points have to be the farmers' thoughts and problems", stated the representatives of the National Union of Albanian Farmers (NUAF).

NUAF representatives said that " the farmer protection from non- productive seeds or from fertilizers that enter in Albania and there is any open way for Albanian farmer credits are not mention at all its paragraphs".

Several other topics are discussed in this meeting such as agriculture land, illegal constructions, water lack and the construction of a lab to control the pesticides.

At the end of the meeting the farmers asked for a better presentation of their interest in the policy of Albanian Government through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[40] In the conditions created, one can speak only of the independence of Kosove; KLA coordinates acts with NATO - spokesman

"Something is not normal in the latest presentations of Mr Rugova. Perhaps out of pressure from the Serb police which allegedly are protecting him, he has demanded a halt of NATO strikes, which he himself had sought every Friday in his news conferences. If these statements are made of his full will, we will consider him a traitor," the KLA spokesman Jakup Krasniqi told reporters on Thursday afternoon in Rogner Hotel in Tirane.

Krasniqi stated that with his latest presentation, Rugova has lost the right to represent not only the Albanians of Kosove but also himself. However, Mr Krasniqi was restrained in his words as long as he has not accurate information regarding these statements by the Kosova leader.

The KLA spokesman also commented the contradictory information coming from Kosove with regard to the assassination of intellectuals and political leaders of Kosove. "Among the reports coming here, there are many of them made deliberately to misinform. The reports for the murder of Agani, Rugova or Haxhi aim in this direction," stated Krasniqi.

Asked whether the KLA is, in the present conditions, ready to demand the independence, he replied that "The Rambouillet Agreement has now lost every sense and in the created conditions, talk can be made only of the independence of Kosove."

Krasniqi admitted that there is a coordination between the KLA and NATO forces.

Asked by a reporter what he meant with coordination, Krasniqi replied: "The coordination is made in the bombing made in different places of Kosove." Krasniqi said that the struggle of the KLA has never had an offensive character but only a defensive one.

Referring to Hashim Thaci, the KLA spokesman said that he is in the Albanian territories, implying Kosove, and that his position regarding the statements and Milosevic-Rugova meeting, is that of the KLA. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[41] The only wayout is deployment of NATO troops in Kosove - Majko- Josselin

According to the spokesman of the Prime Minister, Majko said that "with the events taking place in Kosove, the Serbs are proving they do not want to co-habitate with the Albanians in Kosove." The Prime Minister underlined that the process to find a solution to the crisis is now on an irreversible road. "Now there is no more talk of politics but only of genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and massacres, which the politics had hidden a little time ago. The only solution to the situation remains the deployment of NATO troops in Kosove," said Prime Minister Majko, who, however, was optimistic for a peaceful future in the region.

PM Majko stressed that the relations between Albania and France have many moments to be reviewed in the sense of identifying the demand for closer relations in a near future. "France may win from Albania that which it has lost in its relations of historic character with Serbia," said Majko.

"All political factors in France denounce the acts of Milosevic in Kosove. We do completely side with Albania and Kosove. The French political line on the stand regarding the situation of Kosove is the same, Milosevic must be forced to withdraw," said Minister Josselin.

He confirmed that France will send a great quantity of humanitarian aid for Kosove war refugees and that a request for a global assistance of the Albanian economy is being examined. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[42] Greek assistance for Kosovars arrive in Albania from Kakavija

The Greek aid consists mostly of food items, medicaments, clothes, etc.,and its destination is the Kosova people in Tirane, said to ATA one of the leaders of the team accompanying the long vehicles.

This is the first contingent of the assistance from the Greek government to Albania through this border crossing, following the massive exodus of the Kosovars to Albania as a result of the Serb repression. A day before, the first two Greek aircraft arrived in Rinas airport, carrying humanitarian aid for the displaced Kosovars.

The Greek Foreign Minister Jorgos Papandreou, in his meetings yesterday in Tirane, met with the most senior Albanian Government and promised that the Greek state will help overcome a humanitarian disaster which now is threatening thousands of people coming from Kosove. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[43] Number of Kosovars crossing Hani Hotit amounts to 700

The inspector for refugees close to the Local Government Ministry, Vullnet Ademi, said that the Kosovars were taken by buses to the rail station of Mjede to be distributed in other districts of the country.

During the past two days, 1100 Kosovars have come to Albania through the Hani Hotit crossing point.

Hani i Hotit, the only point linking Albania with Montenegro, has been closed since March 1997. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[44] Two members of international investigation team for war crimes in former Yugoslavia arrive in Tirane

Two members of this group, Tim Kelly and Rayandiren Murugan, have come to Albania to see and hear concretely the stories of those Kosovars who have been massacred in Kosove in the recent days, the Albanian Ministry of Information told ATA.

They have expressed their interest to cooperate with Albanian authorities, foreign organizations and Albanian non-governmental organizations which have been close to the people coming from Kosove, in the past days in particular.

Today the members of the international investigation group met with the Information Minister Musa Ulqini. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[45] Number of Kosovars reaching Mat district is 1 500

Sources from the commission set up for this purpose said that they are settled in a centre prepared some months ago with UNHCR funds.

The centre has a round o'clock medical team and so far the Kosovars have had no problems, with only two people sent for medical treatment to the hospital of Burrel.

The Kosovars are mostly women, children and aged people from the communes of Rahovec, Prizren, Suhareka, Gjakove, etc. /lh/xh/

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

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