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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-16Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Albania should be seen as a serious partner in relations with EU, Albanian Foreign MinisterTIRANE, April 15 (ATA) - By I.Luto: Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, declared on Thursday that Albania should be considered as a serious partner in the relations with the countries adhering in European Council."The role Albania is playing in these moments where the region is engulfed by the crises, demonstrates its abilities to administrate even larger crises that the regional ones" briefed Milo in a press release. Albania Foreign Minister assessed the meeting of April 27 to be hold between EU and Albania as decisive for the future of Albania. The meeting will carry out a political analyses of the latest development in Albania and will establish priorities of this collaboration for the future. Milo told the journalists of foreign and Albanian mediae that "We need the support of public opinion promotes that can through more light upon the image of Albania in this process". Integration of Albania in the European, and Euro-Alantic structures, is assessed as the main priority of the program of Albanian government, said Milo. Although Albania is the poorest country in Europe it sheltered 300 000 displaced Kosovars. /dast/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Meidani:Creation of international protectorate in Kosova - indispensable to resolve issueTIRANE, April 15 (ATA)-Albania's President Rexhep Meidani on Thursday met with the Deputy President of the Liberal International, Swedish Lars Leisonborg, and his delegation and stressed that Albania is still under a situation of humanitarian emergency as a considerable number of displaced Kosovars continue to enter its territory."The entire Albanian people and nation have felt not only the solidarity of international organisations and certain states but also of the whole international public opinion," the Presidents press office quotes Meidani as saying. Leisonborg said that although Sweden is not a NATO member, it fully supports the efforts of the Alliance to establish peace and security in this region of Europe. Meidani stressed that making Kosova and international protectorate is indispensable for a viable solution to the issue. They shared the view on the indispensability of a NATO-led international military presence in Kosova for the return of the displaced. Leisonborg expressed his commitment to convey to the authorities of his country and the World Organisation he heads the need of economic aid, sensitizing the realisation of an economic project to rebuild the whole of our region. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Grave situation in northern, northeastern border regionsTIRANE, April 15 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: The situation in the northern and northeastern border areas has been grave during Thursday due to the continuation of shells landed there by the Serb artillery, and to the influx of displaced Kosovars.Spokesman of Public Order Ministry reported on late Thursday that the Serb patrol forces opened fire in direction of our border station in the pyramid C 14/19 in Dobrum, Has district. The exchange of fire, which lasted for some minutes has caused no casualties, the spokesman added. At 12.10 a.m, the Serb forces begun the shelling towards the villages of Derzhnjeve and Koldere in Tropoje district. No casualties and damages are confirmed so far. After a pause of some hours, the Serb forces assumed the shelling at about 16.30 towards Koldede which lasted till 18.30, by engulfing even Kamenice and Zogaj regions. The spokesman added that the latest information shows that the situation in these regions is calm now. /dast/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Some 170 Kosovar patients hospitalized in DurresDURRES, April 19 (ATA) - By Gezim Kabashi: Some 170 Kosovars driven away from their soils from the Serb forces are hospitalized in Durres since March 28.According to the general director of hospitals, Gjegj Koja, only in the pediatric ward are hospitalized 55 Kosova children of different ages. Koja added that the sick persons have acute health problems. More than 50 women are hospitalized in the geneacologic ward, and some 26 children are born there. Durres hospital are cooperating with the Italian military hospital installed in the construction build by "Lions Club" association situated in the suborn of the city. /dast/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Economic Politics Committee convenesTIRANE, April 16 (ATA)-The Economic Politics Committee met Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Pandeli Majko. The meeting approved the material, put forward by the Finance Ministry, that defines the financial expenditure of the Albanian state, as a result of the crisis in Kosova.According to the accounts made by the Ministry of Finance, also in cooperation with foreign experts, the direct cost for keeping 400 000 Kosovars until the end of this year is $600 million, which should be covered by humanitarian and foreign donations for this purpose. The information gathered from the ministries shows that the supplementary expenditure of this institutions due to the crisis in Kosova is estimated at over $200 million. Finance Minister Anastas Angjeli, after presenting the measures taken to keep under control the macro-economic parameters, stressed that the ministry he heads has simplified the procedures of releasing the funds needed to cope with the crisis as well as of the foreign donations arriving for this purpose. At the end of the meeting Majko asked from the members of the Economic Politics committee to consider an exact agenda to cope with the crisis and post-crisis period. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Government agrees to important draft-laws and decisionsTIRANE, April 16 (ATA)-The Council of Ministers met Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and agreed to several significant draft-laws and decisions.One among the draft laws worth mentioning is that "On a limit supplement to the limited funds", according to which, based on the difficulty of the tasks currently undertaken by the officers and civil workers in the army, the limit of using the income funds will amount to 560 million leks, which will be used for a salary surplus. The project of a World Bank credit of $30 million to cover the public expenses used to cope with the emergency situation created by the arrival of the Kosova Albanians in need for help, was approved in principle. The government also approved the decisions for the approval of a project for the rehabilitation of health system in the region of Berat; a project for the Public Health Institution in Tirane; a project for the rehabilitation of the health system in the region of Elbasan and other decisions. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] United Emirates "Red Crescent" furthers aid for Kosovars in AlbaniaTIRANE, April 16 (ATA)-By P. Shuteriqi, Nearly 1 150 boxes of tinned food, as well as 1 600 blankets arrived at Rinas airport, from Sheik Fatma, the wife of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Zeid Ben Sultan.On this occasion, a delegation of the association "Red Crescent" of the United Arab Emirates, headed by Sanna Dervish, President of the association, came to Albania as well. According to representatives of the coordinating council of this association, this is the 4th plane of humanitarians aid, with 40 tonnes of material each, that the United Arab Emirates have sent to Albania for the Kosova refugees. Dervish met with senior authorities as well as with Mrs. Meidani. The delegation also visited several Tirane families and the refugee camps where it was received by Mayor Brojka. /a.ke/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Dollar at 145.2 leksTIRANE, April 16(ATA)-By D. Koca, US$ 1 was equal to 145.2 leks, according to the Tirana Bank's exchange rate today.Currency exchange rate $US1 145,2 DM 79,8 ITL(1000) 79,9 GRD(100) 47,4 EURO 154,5 /lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] $50 000 of aid provided by Albanian emigrant Gjergji NdrioDURRES, April 16 (ATA)-By S. Gjordeni, Albanian emigrant in Salonika of Greece, Gjergji Ndrio, sent a letter to the Durres prefecture several days ago saying that under these difficult situations for the Kosova brothers he would provide various aid.Last Thursday Ndrio sent to Durres two vans, one with 2 600 blankets and the other with various food, worth $50 000, for the Kosova refugees. Ndrio informs the Durres prefecture that this is the first contingent of aid and that he and other Albanians are sensitizing all emigrants to help the Kosova brothers as much as possible. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] World Bank to provide $1 million for Kosova pupilsTIRANE, April 16(ATA)-By P.Shuteriqi, A $1 million "Refugee" project, financed by the World Bank, "also consists of elements of educating Kosova pupils in Albania", deputy Minister of Education Andrea Marto told ATA on Friday.He said the project of integrating the Kosova children in the educational process includes three stages. Alongside the World Bank and the Ministry of Education and Science, also taking part in the implementation of this project are the UNHCR, the Soros Foundation, UNICEF and many local and foreign non-governmental organisations, Genc Vincani, concerned with the development politics at the Ministry of Education, told ATA. He said the project stipulates the education of some 15 000 Kosova children as well as the activation of 300 teachers, psychoanalysts as well as of 20 specialists of the methodological Studies Institute. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Prime Minister Majko visits NATO troops at Rinas military airportTIRANE, April 16 (ATA)-By E. Nepravishta, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, accompanied by U.S.ambassador in Tirane Marisa Lino, on Friday visited the NATO troops deployed at Rinas Military airport since several days ago.Visiting the territory on which the NATO troops are deployed and whose mission is logistical support for the distribution of aid to the Kosova refugees, Majko hailed their engagement in this mission which serves the stability in the region. He said that "the presence of the NATO troops in Albania has to do with the preservation of peace in the region both for the present and the future". Majko was also accompanied by Minister of Defence Luan Hajdaraga and Minister of Information Musa Ulqini. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Large influx of Kosovars in KukesKUKES, April 16 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha, Over 8 000 Kosova refugees crossed the border point of Morine, Kukes district, on Friday until 12.00 and this influx continues at rapid rates.Today's influx is perhaps the largest in the last days, which has created a chaotic situation also in the Kukes town, especially at its main square, where there is a large number of refugees. Today's refugees are from the northern areas of Kosova such as Mitrovice, the zone of Drenice, Decan and other zones. The refugees arriving today not only have been maltreated by the Serb military forces, but their accounts show that the aim of the Serb chauvinists is ethnic cleansing in Kosova. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Situation in Bajram Curri getting worseBAJRAM CURRI, April 16 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha, The Serb military forces continue to shell border areas of Tropoje distrcit.The Mayor of the Bajram Curri town-hall, Sabri Isufi, told ATA that shelling has become a daily event, especially in the last three days. This has caused over 4 000 inhabitants of the distrcit border areas to move deeper in the distrcit. Isufi admits that the situation is getting worse aso in this distrcit as there is a shortage of humanitarian aid for over 2 500 Kosova refugees who continue to remain mainly in the Bajram Curri town. The situatin is further complicated for the fact that neither wages nor economic benefits have been received since one month ago. The inhabitants evacuated are also concerned over the fact that they have left all their properties in the villages near the border. /a.ke/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Other aid for Kosovars arrive in AlbaniaKORCE, April 16 (ata) - By B Fejzullai: Other aid for the Kosovars arrives in the prefecture of Korce.Jovan Katundi, spokesman of the prefecture, told ATA that 21.6 tons of food aid, donated from the Albanian Orthodox Autochephalous Church were stored in the state storehouses. According to him, this church sent a week ago also 40 tons of aid, mainly food. The same source said that the humanitarian association Dorkas, centred in Holland, brought for Kosovars on Friday 20 other aid, mostly kitchen appliances and food. This association has also set on road four trucks with sleeping facilities, such as mattresses, sheets and blankets. Katundi said that so far 178 tons of aid, 5.1 tons of detergents, 17 thousand of blankets have reached this prefecture for the Kosova displaced people. /dast/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] MAPE specialists inspect northeastern borderTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - By Urim Bajrami: A group of specialists of the MAPE mission present in Albania inspected recently the Albania northeastern border.Sources from the mission said to ATA that the aggravated situation in the border between Albania and Yugoslavia and numerous incidents in the border area had forced a group of specialists of the MAPE mission to carry out an inspection on the Albanian-Yugoslav border to verify and clearly define the causes of recent incidents provoked by the Serbian army. It seemed that the central command of the mission was interested in a precise and detailed report on the incidents. Another group of specialists is actually in the city of Kukes to enable the implementation of the tasks defined earlier in order to help ease the situation in the city resulting from an unusual influx of Kosova refugees. The MAPE mission is working on basis of a program signed between this mission and the Public Order Ministry which is applied by Albanian inspectors and those of the MAPE mission. /ake/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] NATO leaflets for Yugoslav soldiersHAS, April 16 (ata) - By Riza Hoxha: In the early hours of Friday, leaflets were seen in border zones of the district of Has up to the city of Krume, leaflets which have been eventually flied by NATO aircraft for Yugoslav soldiers.The leaflets are in Serbian language and their text carries remarks for the Yugoslav army forces operating in Kosove. They write among others: "Remarks for armed forces of Yugoslavia. Over 13 thousand soldiers have deserted the Yugoslav army refusing to apply illegal orders of Milosevic in his fight against civilians of Kosove." Further on they write: "Either stay in Kosove and die there or leave your unit and military means and go away from Kosova as soon as possible. If you decide to stay, NATO will incessantly strike from all sides. Choose the road you will follow yourself. NATO." The inhabitants of the border areas of Has district admit that the leaflets were flown there by the wind in the first morning hours. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Attention ought to be focused on Albanians in Kosove now - GodoTIRANE, April 16 (ata) - By I Luto: Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Policy, Sabri Godo, in a meeting on Friday in Tirane with the Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grigoris Niotis, said that attention should be focused on the Albanians who have remained in Kosove with nobody knowing of their fate."When doors will open tomorrow, the world will see a greater catastrophe than that of Bosnia," said Godo. He stressed the indispensable need of more aid for Kosova refugees in Albania, which, he said, is only one third of those promised by the governments of westerns countries. The Greek deputy Foreign Minister, Niotis, is on a three-day official visit to Albania together with deputies of Albania-Greece Friendship Group. Members of his delegation are also parliamentarians of different Greek parties. /dast/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Speaker says no idea on greater Albania in the Albanian policyTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - By I. Luto: Albanian parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi held talks on Friday with the Greek deputy foreign minister Grigoris Niotis, who is on a three-day visit to Albania, and said to him that there was no idea on a "greater Albania" in the Albanian policy.The Albanian parliamentary Speaker Gjinushi said that the policy of ethnic cleansing directed by Milosevic against the Albanian population was the instrument to achieve his final aim, a Kosova without Kosovars. "A democratised Kosova with a guaranteed status could not be easily dominated by Serbia, that is why they (Serbs) refused the Rambouillet agreement," Gjinushi said. He reiterated that Albania backed the continuation of NATO attacks against Serbia until Milosevic fully capitulates and Serbian forces withdraw from Kosova. The Greek deputy foreign minister Grigoris Niotis said that his government and country were ready to help resolve the issue of Kosova both in the humanitarian and political aspect. Niotis expressed the attitude of the Greek government towards the latest developments which was for an immediate end to the war, withdrawal of Serb forces from Kosova, providing a wide-ranging autonomy for Kosova as well as the return of all displaced people to their homes. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] 500 000 dollars granted for container terminalTirana, April 16(ATA) - By M.Pupa - In the frame work of the Southern Balkan Development Initiatives (SBDI) the 12th meeting is hold in Washington under the care of the Trade and Development Agency (TDA), which accords for Albania a grant of 500 000 dollars.This sum is going to be used on feasibility of containers terminal to be set up in Durresi port. According to the sources from the Ministry of Public Affairs and Transport this terminal will be the greater one in Europe. The 12th meeting is hold between three countries of SBDI, Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Albania is represented by the Deputy minister of Public Affairs and Transport Ahmet Ceni. SBDI is undertaken by the American Government and it is initiated by American President himself. SBDI aims at accelerating of the process of integration and economic development of this region to be passed through the transport of eight corridor./dast/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Albanian forces respond to fire of Serb soldiersTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - Two companies of Serbian soldiers came near the Albanian border early on Friday and opened fire in the direction of the border post of Zherke, Tropoja district.Reports from the police commissariat of Tropoja, obtained by ATA, said that the event occurred at 10.40. a.m. The Albanian border forces responded to the fire of the Serbian forces because some of them tried to enter the Albanian territory. The exchange of fire lasted for a relatively long time until 12.00. at noon, a spokesman of the Ministry of Order said. He said that the Albanian border forces were backed by units of the army in Tropoja. The same source said that villages of Rrapaj and Padesh had come under mortar fire. /s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Fierza hydropower station to function by 50% of its capacityTirana, April (ATA) - By M.Pupa - "Fierza hydropower station actually is working with 50% of its capacity," told ATA the Deputy Prime Minister of Public Economy and Privatization, Viktor Doda.Two aggregates are out of use in Fierza Hydropower station. Actually it is using a special program to put them in use as soon as possible is using by the General Directory of Electropower. Beside the two aggregates line 220kV No.11 of Fierza-Koman is out of use, too./dast/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Nearly 872 ton humanitarian aid to come on ThursdayTirana, April (ATA) - By D.Koça - The total quantity of the humanitarian aid to enter on Thursday is 872,1 ton.According to the Minister of Information Musa Ulqini "the quantity of 35,9 ton is addressed to Municipalities of Durresi, Elbasani, Devoll District Board, Refugees Office and Korca Institute". Meanwhile the rest of the humanitarian aid is brought in address of the foreign agencies in Albania and Non Governmental Organizations. The total quantity of the humanitarian aid to enter in Albania since March 26 till April 15 is nearly 21 000 ton./dast/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Albania needs 220 million dollar as budgetary supportTirana, April 16 (ATA) -By Elton Metaj - Budgetary and fiscal effects of the situation created in Albania marked the value of 39 billion lek, as an unpredicted sum for this year, informs on Friday the Albanian Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli.As a budgetary support from foreign donators Albania needs a total value of 32,5 billion lek, that is to say 220 million dollars. Budgetary effects, if Albania will keep 400 000 people till the end of 1999, are predicted to be 20,7 billion lek or 140 million dollars. 17,7 billion lek or 140 million dollars from the above mentioned sum is covered by concrete expenditures on health, education, order, public order, local and central government, and will be distributed as economic assistance for the families who shelter the Kosova comers. While the sum of 3 billion lek is going to be used on investments for the necessary infrastructure to supply the camps of Kosova displaced with water, energy and local roads. According to the Albanian Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli fiscal effects of the recent situation are predicted to be nearly 11,8 billion lek or 80 million dollars, as a result of the fall of the budgetary incomes, mainly in the imports'fall./dast/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] Government commission holds urgent meeting to discuss situationTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - By E. Nepravishta: Government commission on emergency under the Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko convened on Friday noon to discuss emergency measures and present situation in Kukes prefecture.The commission decided that the Ministry of Defence sent all military vehicles to Kukes to evacuate the Kosova displaced people, Musa Ulqini, minister of Information told a news conference on Friday. It also decided that the Health Ministry sent extra medical teams to cope with the situation in the Kukes hospital because many new arrivals need medical treatment. The Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the World Food Program, U.N.High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) and NATO vehicles should speed up delivery of food to the prefecture. The commission decided that all ministries send to the emergency group the list of buildings they administered to prepare them for refugees and find out free sites for new camps. The Order Ministry should tighten security in the Tropoja district in order not to allow repetition of latest cases when foreign journalists were grabbed. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] Prosecutor's office in Shkoder gathering testimonies from Kosove peopleSHKODER, April 16 (ata) - By M Malaj: The prosecutor's office of the district of Shkoder is gathering testimonies for the fierce genocide that Serb military-police forces have been exerting on the civil population of Kosove.Ludovik Doda, prosecutor of this district, told ATA that so far they had gathered 30 stories and work is going on for other testimonies which will be sent to the Attorney General office and later to the Hague International Tribunal. The stories have been gathered from Kosovars of the regions of Drenice, Peje, Istog, etc. According to Doda, one of the Kosovars Agim Zeneli, 28, from the commune of Peje, has witnessed that "Serb paramilitary forces have deported forcibly the people and set on fire all the houses in the village. Along the road for the Montenegro, they brought out of the group of people Agim Ramadani, 22, and executed him in front of our eyes. They did the same with Mehar Rexhepi, 33." Whereas Zyle Zekaj, from village Broj of the commune of Skenderaj, related to prosecutors that they had seen with their own eyes how Serb police forces massacred 104 men of the village on March 27. /dast/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[26] Daily influx of Kosova refugees increasesTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - By E. Nepravishta: After a four-day sharp fall in daily influx of the Kosova people some thousand people entered Albania via Morina crossing on Friday noon.The Minister of Information Musa Ulqini told a news conference on Friday that over 12 000 people passed the Morina crossing point until 14.00. p.m. Reports said that the number was expected to increase during the afternoon and their number was thought to be some 50 thousand. About 500 people entered Albania from Montenegro until 14.00. The total number of Albanians of Kosova who have entered Albania since March 26 is estimated at 325 214 people. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[27] Albanian Government to prepare two scenes on financial cost for Kosova displacedTirana, April 16 (ATA) - By Elton Metaj - The Albanian Government prepared two scenes concerning the financial cost to be faces by Albania to keep the Kosova displaced, stated in a press conference the Albanian Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli.According to the first scene the total sum to keep 400 000 Kosova displaced till the end of June 1999 marks the value of 263,1 million dollars. 123,1 million of this sum will be used to stand the variable cost. In this group of expenditures are included the one to be used on food by 108,7 million dollars, 3,6 million dollars on medical equipment, 3,6 million dollars on personal care, 3,6 million on clothes and shoes and 3,6 million dollars on energy and other expenditures. While the fixed financial cost for Kosova comers according to the second is reckoned to be 235 million dollars. 12 million dollars will be used on transport, 200 million on shelter, 15 million on energy and water and 8 million dollars on other expenditures. To stand the financial cost for 400 000 comers from Kosova, foreseen to stay in Albania till the end of 1999, the Ministry of Finance prepared the second scene. The financial cost in this case is predicted to reach the value of 604,4 million dollars. 369,4 million dollars from this sum marked the value of variable cost. The sum to be spend on food will be 324 million dollars, 10,8 million dollars on medicaments, 10,8 million on personal care, 10,8 million on clothes and shoes, 2,2 million dollars on energy and 10,8 million dollars on other expenditures. The fixed financial cost for the Kosova displaced according to the second scene is reckoned to be 235 million dollars. 12 million dollars from this sum will be used on transport, 200 million dollars on shelter, 15 million dollars on energy and 8 million dollars on other expenditures. "It is reckoned that this cost will be provided by the intentional community through the continuation's aid, that actually are missing, and through the programs to be offered by various countries and organizations asked by Albania in the future," said the Minister of Finance Angjeli. According to Minister of Finance "the sum of 600 million dollars, nevertheless the full and complete cost to be resulting, has a reference point on our calculations, concerning the calculation of indirect cost of the comers' staying to be faced by state budget and the value of the unexpected expenditures, which might be as a local cost on foreign programs implementation."/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[28] Albanian Government Commission names its special envoy in Prefecture of KukesTIRANE, April 16 (ata) - By Urim Bajrami: Albanian Government Commission for the emergent situation created with the displacement of Albanian population from Kosove to Albania, named last Thursday Vladimir Shehu, as its special envoy in the prefecture of Kukes.The Ministry of Information told ATA that seeing the extension of the problems which need treatment and solution in the prefecture of Kukes as a result of the influx of people from Kosove, has ordered: "Mr Vladimir Shehu is appointed special envoy of the Government Commission in the Prefecture of Kukes for the organization of the work and direct pursue of the tasks and the adoption of measures to receive and shelter the displaced Kosovars." /dast/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[29] 80 percent of Kosovars settled in with Kuçova familiesKUCOVE, April 16 (ATA) - By I. Manka: 80 percent of people from Kosova arriving in Kuçova city have been settled in with families."We are trying to tackle all problems we faced with in the recent days due to the generosity and aid of the city residents as well as financial aid or food provided by businessmen," Artur Kurti, Kuçova mayor said to ATA. But most of families are in difficult conditions because part of them has low income, he said, adding that we had decided to settle them in two camps. Therefore, we could tackle the problem of food, housing, medical care and later the education. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[30] Application of a Marshall Plan for the region is indispensable - MeidaniTIRANE, April 16 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The President of Albania Rexhep Meidani met on Friday the Greek deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis and the delegation accompanying him.Mr Meidani said in the meeting that the primary objective of the international community is the establishment of an international authority in Kosove based on the NATO structures to realise the return of Kosovars to Kosove and the reconstruction of the institutional and economic life there. Meidani underlined the indispensable need of a Marshall Plan to be applied for the whole region to avoid the national mentalities and confrontations, to encourage the spirit of integration by turning the borders into geographic symbols. The Greek official expressed the will of the Greek Government and the political forces of his country to help ease the humanitarian crisis. Niotis condemned in the name of his government the ethnic cleansing, which has caused a real humanitarian disaster in all the region and said that the Greek Government holds that the refuges must stay in the region so that they have it easier to return to Kosove. /dast/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[31] Italian deputy says Milosevic be stopped from carrying out ethnic cleansingTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - By Urim Bajrami: Albanian parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi met on Friday with the head of the parliamentary commission on Defence in the Italian Senate Valdo Spini.Gjinushi considered Spini's visit a direct support from the Italian authorities and people to peace process in Kosova. According to the press office at the Albanian parliament, Gjinushi said that the latest development in Kosova showed clearly that the policy of ethnic cleansing directed by Milosevic was planned before and showed not only the basis of the crisis but also the aim of Milosevic to destabilise the region through an influx of refugees in Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro. Gjinushi expressed the gratitude towards NATO and international community. "There is no other solution without a total withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosova and establishment of a NATO-led international force, which will guarantee return of refugees, implementation of process of peace and stability in the region," Gjinushi said. Spini said "we are here to express our solidarity." "We will not allow Milosevic carry out ethnic cleansing," he added. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[32] Albanian deputy says international aid for Albania be speeded upTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - The political commission of the Council of Europe (CoE) held a meeting on Friday in Paris to discuss the situation in Kosova with the participation of an Albanian delegation to CoE headed by Namik Dokle, parliamentary deputy Speaker.Press office at the parliament said that Dokle told the commission that what was happening in Kosova was the most horrible tragedy at the end of this century. Dokle called on them (commission) to speed up international aid for Albania. He said that the opinion of the Albanian parliament and government was that a solution to the problem could be achieved through an end to violence and repression in Kosova, withdrawal of military troops and criminal gangs, establishment of international security troops, return of all refugees as well as the introduction of a political framework for Kosova maintaining the Rambouillet principles but bearing in mind new realities. "We have and will support these goals," Dokle said. Focusing on the aims of Milosevic to enlarge the conflict, Dokle said that Albania's attitude was in conformity with the positions of NATO and international community. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[33] Greece to provide aid for Albania even in futureTIRANA, April 16 (ATA) - By I. Luto: Greek deputy foreign minister Grigoris Niotis said on Friday during his visit in Tirana that his government would continue to help Albania overcome the humanitarian crisis resulting from a huge stream of hundreds and thousands of refugees from Kosova.The Greek aid would continue even in the future because Greece was against the distribution of Kosova refugees to other countries away from their lands where they hoped to return soon, Niotis told a news conference. He held talks with Albanian senior personalities including president Rexhep Meidani, prime minister Pandeli Majko and parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi. "We share the same view on the way how to treat Kosova refugees," the Greek diplomat said, referring to the content of the talks, that is, "the displaced people should be accommodated as near the border of their country as possible to enable them return there one day." As regards the ways to find a solution to the crisis in Kosova, the Greek diplomat said that they were conditioned by the immediate stop to fighting, withdrawal of Serb forces from Kosova, a wide-ranging autonomy to Kosova and conditions for the return of refugees. "Every solution urging a change of borders would cause instability in the region," Niotis said. /dast/ak/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |