Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-15

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

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CONTENTS

[01] We will make all efforts to facilitate this humanitarian disaster - Red Cross

[02] Argentina shows solidarity with the Kosova displaced people

[03] Vaccination of Kosova children and pregnant women started in Elbasan

[04] New refugee camps for Kosova people in Albania

[05] Care to eliminate effect of mortar bombs landed from Serb army - Albanian Ministry

[06] 1 500 new comers arrive in Kukes

[07] Kosova children enrolled in schools

[08] Tense situation in Morine

[09] 40 airplanes land daily in Rinas

[10] Food assistance at normal parameters

[11] Albanian book for children in Book Fair in Bologne

[12] Tirana currency rate

[13] Red Cross, Red Crescent guarantee support to Albania

[14] Albanian Prime Minister highlights position of British Government to question of Kosove

[15] Serbian forces fire at Dobrune village

[16] Serbs take blood from Albanian Kosovars and then kill them - Kosova woman

[17] Serbs kill Albanians in retaliation of NATO attacks

[18] Children from Kosove assume lessons, Sarande

[19] Mines of northern Albanian suspend production

[20] Scouts of Europe to help children coming from Kosove

[21] Lloyd: "We should work for long-term political solution for the region"

[22] We can speak of a constant political solution of the crises after an international intervention is secured in Kosove, President

[23] Meidani says NATO troops' presence in Kosova - guarantee for return of the displaced to their lands

[24] Total number of Kosovars accommodated in Tirane prefecture estimated at 63 750

[25] Wold Bank to support Albania

[26] Nearly 2285 ton aid to come on Wednesday

[27] Influx of displaced Kosovars continues in same rhythms, Information Minister

[28] Ulqini says deliberate provocations by Serb forces continue

[29] Red Cross to distribute 700 ton food

[30] 10 100 loaves' bread sent to Kuksi

[31] Four explosions near Myc-Has

[32] All wheat quantity to be sold in auction

[33] We do not fear Serb provocations which seek to involve Albania in conflict - Milo

[34] France asked for special meeting concerning Balkan

[35] New comers' influx increases in during afternoon

[36] Five mortar bombs fall in Kolsh of Kukes (two inhabitants injured)

[37] Simitis says Greece will continue to help Albania

[38] France powerfully engaged militarily in resolving Kosova crisis - Fouchet

[39] Greek Foreign Deputy Minister to visit Tirane

[01] We will make all efforts to facilitate this humanitarian disaster - Red Cross

The senior officials of these organizations voiced their readiness that they would make all efforts to be close to the Albanians of Kosove not only in Albania but also in Kosove to facilitate this humanitarian catastrophe.

Those present assured president Meidani that their activity will be continuous until all displaced return home and a normal life starts in Kosove.

After expressing his thanks of their readiness in humanitarian assistance, the President of Albania explained that in their opinion, the staying of the displaced from Kosova in the region is linked with the success of the efforts of NATO to put an end to the ethnic cleansing and genocide in the heart of Europe. Albania, he said, has demonstrated a continuous will to the benefit of peace, stability and prosperity of the peoples and the region. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Argentina shows solidarity with the Kosova displaced people

President of the Republic of Argentina Carlos Saul Menem in a letter to Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko expressed its full solidarity of his country and government with "the sufferings of all those who have been displaced from their lands and parted with families due to the conflict."

Menem briefed prime minister Majko on a series of steps taken by the Argentinean government to show solidarity with the Kosova people. They have approved to provide medical assistance through a quantity of medicaments for Albania and are considering the possibility to deliver another quantity of food.

They are also considering sending "white helmets" voluntaries in the conflict zone and grant quantity of wheat worth one million dollars via World Food Program.

President Menem expressed the wish for a quicker solution to the conflict in the region. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Vaccination of Kosova children and pregnant women started in Elbasan

Dorida Bashalliu, director of the medical service of the district told ATA that the vaccination of Kosova children from 0-14 years old for polio and diphtheria has started. The vaccination will continue with pregnant women to eliminate the transmission of these diseases to their coming babies, she added.

Measures have been taken in cooperation with the local government to keep the medical situation under control in the reception centres in that district. To this end, groups of doctors of various specialities continue the control in these centres. So far, 741 patients have been checked, 58 sick people have been treated and two women have had deliveries. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] New refugee camps for Kosova people in Albania

The large number of new comers in Tirana has urged the prefecture to build new refugee camps. Given the situation, plans are under way for the reconstruction of buildings and erection of tents in Dajt, Ndroq and Valias, Makbule Çeço, Tirana prefect, said to ATA.

The number of people registered in the Prefecture of Tirana on Wednesday was estimated at 62 810 people, 48 012 of whom accommodated in the Tirana district.

About 24 118 people were settled in with families, 21 063 with the Tirana families. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Care to eliminate effect of mortar bombs landed from Serb army - Albanian Ministry

The zones in which these mines have been landed mostly are villages Kamenice, Zherke, Lugu i zi, district of Tropoje and villages Helsham and Gajret of the district of Has.

Due to the dangerous character of these kinds of bombs, the Public Order Ministry advises all people, police and army effectives and all civilians moving round those zones to be careful.

This ministry instructs all local government and the army structures to coordinate the acts in order to inform and protect the population. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] 1 500 new comers arrive in Kukes

They said that others were on their way to Albania. The arrivals and other hundreds expected to arrive are from the Istog, Drenica area and also from Peja and Prizren.

The total number of Kosova people, who have crossed into Albania since March 26, is estimated at over 285 thousand people.

Some 166 thousand Kosovars have been sent to other districts.

Bedri Haxhiu from Istog arrived in Kukes after walking 50 kms to reach the Morina border crossing due to lack of fuel.

"On our way we saw that the town of Zhuri, 7 kms from Morina, was set on fire," he said, adding that all their properties were raided and burnt by Serbian paramilitary forces. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Kosova children enrolled in schools

Director of the education department Lavdosh Beqiraj said to ATA that they had begun enrolling Kosova children to help them continue classes and establish friendship with their schoolmates.

The education department said that 920 children were under six years old, 1.151 were enrolled in the elementary schools, 2 303 at the primary schools and 1. 152 at the high schools.

He said that they were preparing a two-phase pilot program in cooperation with the Soros Foundation.

The first phase will last until the end of the academic year including also the opening of summer schools while the second phase will start in the next academic year. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Tense situation in Morine

Serb police and military forces, the spokesman of the police department of the prefecture of Kukes told ATA, have bombed at about 2.00 a.m. on Thursday the border village of Vermice, near the frontier with Albania, and many pieces of mortars have hit the Albanian territory.

This has forced a number of people living near the border to evacuate immediately.

According to the spokesman, Albanian forces of border reinforced by units of the second infantry division, have been on the alert along the border. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] 40 airplanes land daily in Rinas

10 out of 40 airplanes are civil ones, while the rest are NATO planes carrying aid for the Kosova people. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Food assistance at normal parameters

According to him, the controls on the quality of the food aid have been intensified over this period to eliminate the cases when they have expired. Controls have also been made in the storehouses where the food aid for Kosova people is stored. The controls have proved that all aid brought to Albania for Kosovars have been at normal parameters. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian book for children in Book Fair in Bologne

Taking part in the fair, for the fifth consecutive year, were also Albanian publishers.

Exhibited in the Albanian book stands were the best publications for children printed in the last year by the publishing houses Toena, Dituria, while the book for children published in Kosove was not presented.

Odhise Grillo, participant in the fair, told ATA that the publishing houses Buzuku, Rilindja, Dukagjini of Kosove that used to be regular participants in the fair, were not present with their publications.

During this spring, the Albanian book has been displayed in several book fairs in the world. In mid of March, the Albanian book was presented in the International Book Fair in Paris and in the Book Fair in London, while in the coming days, the Albanian book will be exhibited in the Book Fair in Geneve, Switzerland. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Tirana currency rate

US$1.00 144.5 German mark 80.1 Italian lire (1000) 80.3 Greek Drachmas (100) 47.7 EURO 155.5

/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Red Cross, Red Crescent guarantee support to Albania

Majko said that the situation is being aggravated and the number of refugees is expected to increase.

"It is possible that Kosova refugees arrive to Albania from Montenegro and Macedonia and at the same time there is an influx of local people fleeing the Albanian border villages due to Serb provocations," he said.

Both officials expressed their appreciation for what was done for the Kosova refugees by the Albanian government and society and assured prime minister Majko for maximum assistance to that end. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian Prime Minister highlights position of British Government to question of Kosove

"We want to be secured of a partnership for the solution of the question of Kosove," said the Minister in the Foreign Office, Tony Lloyd, in the meeting he had with Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.

PM Majko highlighted the clear position that the British government has adopted to the question of Kosove. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Serbian forces fire at Dobrune village

A spokesman of the police commissariat of the Has district said to ATA that at 08.00 a.m. a group of Serbian soldiers opened fire with automatic rifles in the direction of the Dobrune village.

Albanian forces, which were in state of alert, responded to the fire of the Serbian forces.

The same source said that there were no reports on casualties and Serbian forces withdrew inland their border after a counteract from the Albanian forces. /s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Serbs take blood from Albanian Kosovars and then kill them - Kosova woman

But the worst of it, said Shukria, is that the Serb army takes blood from these boys to use it for its wounded soldiers. Many of these young Kosovars, she said, are now killed or left to die after a great quantity of blood is taken out of them.

Another woman named Kosovare Foniqi, 17, said that in addition to the young boys from Kosove, also many young girls have been taken, and nobody knows of their whereabouts because they have not returned home. According to her, only in the quarter Ortakoll of Prizren, 15 young girls have been taken and not allowed to return home. Nobody knows anything of their fate. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Serbs kill Albanians in retaliation of NATO attacks

One of the Kosova arrivals, Abdyl Budakova, 70, said on Thursday that the Serbian army had fired at the column of Albanian civilians in retaliation of NATO air strikes against a Serbian column passing near by.

The Serbian soldiers had opened machine gun fire at the column of the Albanian civilians killing many of them, he said.

According to the accounts of the Kosova new comers, the number of those killed varies from 61 to 70 and that of injured from 20 to 30.

Such news can be confirmed even by Shukrie Foniqi, who arrived now from Prizren. She said that it had heard about the news from some members of the column in Prizren who told about the Serb massacre.

Even the number of those killed and wounded told by Budakova correspond to what Foniqi said. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Children from Kosove assume lessons, Sarande

The chief of the education and cultural office in Sarande town-hall, Zamir Brinja, told ATA that 82 children are attending the elementary school while 20 others attend the high general school.

The total number of Kosovars in the city of Sarande amounts to 917. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Mines of northern Albanian suspend production

The miners have suspended the work and are engaged with the accommodation of the Kosovars in their house, while several grounds of mines in the areas of Has are functioning as shelters for the refugees.

The economic-financial situation of these enterprises is grave and it is getting graver each passing day. Doda said that the actual situation has caused the lack of interest of foreign donator. They were scheduled to come at the end of March. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Scouts of Europe to help children coming from Kosove

The President of this organization, Mihal Dhima, said that the project "Help for Kosova children" was an appeal for the General Assembly of European Scouts, with its headquarter in Geneva, and to the World Community of this organization. The appeal was accepted by several European and world countries.

The Director of regional office for Europe, Domenik Bernar, had contacts with representatives of different scouts' organizations all over the world. The first to deliver aid for the children from Kosove are the English scouts. Dhima added that this scout's campaign is going on in many other countries, such as in Italy, Holland, Germany and the like. The scouts' organizations of these countries are ready to deliver aids for the children of Kosove. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Lloyd: "We should work for long-term political solution for the region"

"Allow me to express our maximum sympathy for the very clear stand the British government has maintained for the solution of the conflict in Kosove. This position also makes us reconsider a series of issues in our future bilateral relations. We are discovering in you what we had not discovered earlier and which we should finally mark in our future geopolitical strategy," said Majko.

Majko expressed the Albanian government's profound gratitude for the British performance in resolving the conflict in Kosova and personally for Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"For us, Prime Minister Blair does not represent only the Great Britain but all the new generation in the European policy, which clearly intends peace and stability," said Majko.

Majko reiterated the view of the Albanian government that the Albanian factor in the region be a factor of stability.

He asked Great Britain's support in the European Union for Albania's possible associate agreement with the EU.

"The role of Albania and your government is extraordinary in coping with the situation created due to the influx of the Kosova refugees and the weight of the problem you are bearing merits our gratitude," said Tony Lloyd, who later explained the steps undertaken by the British Government to help resolve what he called a humanitarian catastrophe.

"We are asking the EU that Albania receives direct aid and achieves direct association with the EU," said Lloyd. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] We can speak of a constant political solution of the crises after an international intervention is secured in Kosove, President

Press and Information department close to the President, announces that the aim of the mission of Mr. Fushe is to carry out consultations with the political leaders of the region engulfed by the crises. The consultations are to help in adopting of short-term, and middle-term solutions for a safer, a more constant, and a more economically developed region.

Albanian president reiterated the Albanian position on territorial protection, without falling prey to the provocations which will result in the change the nature of the existing conflict.

Answering a question of Mr. Fushe, President Meidani folded the Albanian vision for passing the crises, and voiced the necessity of the return of Kosova refugees in their soil under the guarantee of an international military presence in Kosove, which according to him "should be leaded by NATO". They should be followed by a civil presence which will secure the rebuilding of institutional life and stability of life in Albanian families.

"Only after an international presence, depending on the evolution of the political, institutional, and social life, is secured in Kosove, we can speak for a constant political", said Meidani.

Albanian President warned Mr. Fushe on the risks of the idea of dividing Kosove, which would bring about a wide war in a region "where live many ethnic groups live". /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Meidani says NATO troops' presence in Kosova - guarantee for return of the displaced to their lands

Meidani expressed gratitude for the stand of the British Government in support of the NATO operations to call an end to Milosevic's mentality and practices of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

"Without the presence of the NATO-led international troops in Kosova there can be no security envuronment for the return of the displaced to their lands," was the view shared by Meidani and Lloyd.

Meidani said that the aims of the Serb propaganda to foster the idea of partition in Kosova are very dangerous and aim at destabilising the whole region.

Lloyd evaluated the ongoing approach of the Albanian Head of State as regards the future of peace and stability in the region and added that understanding and cooperation between states and ethnic communities is very significant for the stability of the region.

The Great Britain will support the plans for economic recovery, development of Albania and the entire region, Lloyd concluded. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Total number of Kosovars accommodated in Tirane prefecture estimated at 63 750

Sources from Tirane prefecture told ATA that the total number of accommodated refugees is 36 000. 27 000 are taken by different families, 8728 are waiting in the hosting centers, while the rest are accommodated with their possibilities.

Some 22 000 people are sheltered in the families living in the city of Tirane, while 6 500 others are sheltered in the refugees' hosting centers set up in different places.

The number of Kosovars accommodated in Kavaje town-hall is 14 798. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Wold Bank to support Albania

Few days ago the Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko asked through a letter the President of the Wold Bank an immediate assistance by this international financial organization for the Albanian state budget in order to ease the pressure caused by crisis in a broader sense and by the unexpected coming of the Kosova displaced.

In his letter the President of World Bank wrote:" I am writing to you with deep concern and I want to express to you my admiration for you and your people about the welcome toward 300 000 Kosova refugees. We, in the World Bank, know not only the extraordinary sacrifices of the Albanian People in these dangerous hours of the modern history of the country, but we are also deeply impressed by the tragedy the Albanians are passing through recently."

"We have in plan to prepare and sent a credit of 30 million dollars in support of the public emergency expenditures, which is going to be preceded by fast steps.We want to ensure that sufficient sources to be sent to the Albanian Government within a shot period of time to finance the unpredicted and extraordinary request due to various emergency programs undertaken since the crisis eruption," it is said in the letter of the World Bank President.

The World Bank President informs the Albanian Premier that a second grant assistance of one million dollars is approved some days ago. This assistance will be funded by the Fond of Post Conflict in support of the refugees.

"Mr.Prime Minister please let me express our empathy with the Albanian people and especially of Kosova, you and your Government to stand this extraordinary challenge", it is closed the letter of the President of World Bank sent to the Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Nearly 2285 ton aid to come on Wednesday

According to the Minister of Information Ulqini nearly 2183,5 tons humanitarian aid are brought by foreign countries for foreign agencies and Non Governmental Organizations addressed for the main prefectures of the country.

In the total quantity to come yesterday in Albania the greater part is covered by the one to come from USA in Durres for World Food Program, which marks 1471 ton food planned to be distributed all over the country.Beside these 110 ton of tents come from Japan for UNHCR having as destination Durresi town.

According to the Minister of Information Musa Ulqini, nearly 842 sending with food, clothes and disinfectants come from Italy./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Influx of displaced Kosovars continues in same rhythms, Information Minister

These are the figures Albanian Minister of Information, Musa Ulqini issued in a press release hold on Thursday.

Ulqini said that the new comers are mainly from Drenice region, who have admitted that the Serb military planes shot several times in their directions, and many of them have been killed.

"Serb soldiers, told the Kosovars that the NATO war planes were bombing them", added Minister Ulqini.

Some 500 refugees entered Shkoder Prefecture through Monte Negro.

Total number of Kosovars entering Albania is estimate at 312.714. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Ulqini says deliberate provocations by Serb forces continue

According to Minister Ulqini, several mortar bombs landed overnight in a village near the border point of Morine, while early in the morning the Serb forces directed automatic weapon fire at the Albanian border hamlet of Dobrune of Has.

Today, a number of artillery shells landed in the commune of Tropoje, in the villages of Drezhnjev and Koldete.

"The situation for the time being is calm. There have been no material damages or casualties as the inhabitants of the border villages of the Kukes prefecture, mainly of the Tropoje Commune, around 3000-4000 inhabitants, have been transferred inside the country for safety reasons," said Ulqini.

Ulqini said that the Albanian military forces, especially the border police, are carrying on their military tasks.

Asked about the imposition of a state of emergency in the country, Ulqini said that the Albanian government has not yet considered reasonable the imposition of the state of emergency as, he said, the military would have to carry out functions which, at normal situation, are carried out by other institutions.

Ulqini said that at the present moment it would be better for the army to be totally engaged in its primary task, to preserve Albania's sovereignty and integrity. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Red Cross to distribute 700 ton food

The representatives of the International Red Cross and Half Red Moon expressed their readiness and that of the organizations they direct to support the Kosova displaced with food, blankets, and food packets for children.

The Red Cross distributed during these days 40 food packets as ready meals for the Kosova displaced to come in Albania.

The Red Cross planned not only to distribute the humanitarian aid in the Kosovars Camps, but to support even the Albanian families who sheltered the Kosova Albanian in these difficult times.

The visit of the heads of the International Red Cross and Half Red Moon had as main objectives to see from near the situation of the Kosova comers and to coordinate the humanitarian activities as well.

The delegation of the Red Cross and Half Red Moon visited on Wednesday Kuksi town to see the condition in which the Kosova comers are living in./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[30] 10 100 loaves' bread sent to Kuksi

To stand the provision situation with bread in this district, where the number of Kosova comers reckons to be greater than in other districts, Tirana bakery took by a special order of the Government produces since March till now with a full capacity having as destination Kuksi district and the Albanian Military.

44 000 loaves bread are produced by Tirana bakery during the last week, 30 000 of which are sent to Kuksi district and are distributed for grant to the Kosova displaced.

"Actually the bakery beside the bread provision to Kuksi district and the Albanian Military, produced bread for Tirana population just to keep the price stability," told ATA the Director of Tirana bakery Abdyl Sinani.

Tirana bakery is the only public factory to function with full capacity for 24 hours.

Representatives of UNHCR during the visit in this bakery considered it as a modern one, which uses coherent technology./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[31] Four explosions near Myc-Has

Police sources say they have been the explosions of four shells landing in the vicinity of the Myc-Has village of the district of Has, nearly 8 km from the Kukes town.

There are no further details available as the experts have just arrived in the area. /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[32] All wheat quantity to be sold in auction

The sum collected in this auction are cashed in the enterprise budget. The wheat of French origin is sold by 195 USD/ton.

According to the specialists of the food control, the wheat kept since eight months in this enterprise has high qualitative parametres./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[33] We do not fear Serb provocations which seek to involve Albania in conflict - Milo

"No international document can justify the aggression of one country against another sovereign one," said Milo, ironically adding that "according to Belgrade's logic all the forcibly displaced Kosovars are KLA members".

Milo told reporters at a news conference on Thursday afternoon that Albania does not fear any Serb aggression and that it possesses all means to defend the country's integrity.

"Above all, we have NATO's assurances and support," said Milo.

Milo regretted yesterday's incident with a NATO aircraft mistakenly attacking a convoy of Kosova refugees leaving Prishtine.

"If such a thing is proved, our government expresses its deep regret at this incident," said Milo.

Referring to a solution to the Kosova crisis, Milo said that "efforts should be made by the international community that Russia becomes an active partner in resolving the Kosova issue".

Asked how many Kosova refugees Albania is still able to receive, Milo answered:"We will receive as many as they they will come". /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[34] France asked for special meeting concerning Balkan

"The French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Dominique Strauss-Kahn in both his letters sent to the General Director of International Monetary Fond and to the President of World Bank asked them to hold a special minister's meeting concerning the situation in Balkan," inform ATA the French Embassy in Tirana.

"This meeting might be enlarged with the organizations which are active in this region, such as HCR and European Commission, it is said in a press release.

France on its part asked the countries to finance Paris Club to define the measures to allow the region countries to welcome the refuges and to afford all their sources in facing this inpredictable shock with great dimensions.

According to the French Embassy in Tirana "this initiatives allegate the France wish to consider the weak economic and financial situation in Albania and other countries of Balkan region. It is clear that the international community has to prepare as soon as possible the economic reconstruction in all region". /dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[35] New comers' influx increases in during afternoon

The train of the people to cross the border is extremely long, informs sources of the border police. The new comers are mainly from Drenica area, and Prizreni town. The comers from Drenica are mainly women, children and old people. The men are members of KLA, said the new comers, by adding that 52 villages of this region are burned completely.

The new comers told that the Serb premilitary forces abuse with them. This is the reason why during the afternoon hours 5 wounded kosovars pass the border custom.They are sent immediately in Kuksi hospital./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[36] Five mortar bombs fall in Kolsh of Kukes (two inhabitants injured)

The spokesman of the district police station told ATA that the five bombs have landed inside the "Cikaj" quarter of this village, injuring two inhabitants, one of whom is in a serious health state.

According to the same sources, the bombs, which have fallen in the vicinity of Myc of Has, Has district, and those of the Kolsh village are thought to belong to the Serb artillery.

A team of military experts was sent to Kolsh immediately to verify the source of the bombs. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[37] Simitis says Greece will continue to help Albania

"Like in the past, my country will continue to help the friendly Albania, especially today when it is facing extremely big problems."

Simitis says that Greece is committed to providing a three billion drachmas worth of aid, the largest part of which will be sent to Albania through the air corridor of transporting food, pharmaceutical materials and other products necessary for the Kosova war refugees.

In the meantime, Simitis assures Prime Minister Pandeli Majko that the aid Greece has provided for Albania will continue also in the future and at the same time expresses hope for a quick solution of the crisis and return of the refugees to their homes. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[38] France powerfully engaged militarily in resolving Kosova crisis - Fouchet

The Foreign Ministry Press department cites Fouchet as saying that France is persistently working also diplomatically to find a solution.

Currently France is working in the framework of the U.N. Security Council to draft a resolution on Kosova, he said, adding that Albania has a fundamental role to play in the solution of the crisis.

Responding to Fouchet's interest in Albanian Government's stand towards the Kosova status, Milo said that everything should begin with the implementation of the five conditions put by NATO.

Referring to the activity of the KLA and other Albanian political parties in Kosova, Milo stressed that the Albanian government supports the Thaci government which came out from Rambouillet with consensus and is working that these forces remain united.

Fouchet evaluated the readiness of the Albanian government to contribute to the solution of the crisis. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[39] Greek Foreign Deputy Minister to visit Tirane

On the first day of his visit the Greek minister will meet with the country's top authorities. /dast/lm/

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