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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-23Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Our aid has been, will be all-round, ScifoneTIRANA, April 22 (ATA) - By Urim Bajrami: The Albanian State Secretary for the European Integration, Maqo Lakrori, met Thursday with Euro parliamentary deputy, Luciano Scifone."We have come in Albania to show the presence of the European Parliament, and to closely see the consequences of the dramatic developments in Kosova," said Scifone. The Albanian government is closely cooperating with NATO, different international organization and with Italy, Lakrori told Euro parliamentary deputy. After the destabilization of Yugoslavia itself, Milosevic is trying to destabilize the entire region, both through the violent displacement of Albanians from Kosova, and through the different provocations and open military operations, which are noticed every day in the northeastern border of Albania, he said. Lakrori explained to Euro parliamentary deputy the stands of the Albanian government regarding the developments in Kosova, as well as about the acceleration of integrating processes of Albania in the Euro-Atlantic structures. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Collection of testimonies on Serb genocide, massacres continueTIRANA, April 22 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: The Albanian Ministry of Information is trying to point out all the facts published in media or collected by different sources which testify the unprecedent repression of Milosevic in Kosova and to present them in front of the international public opinion, sources from the Ministry of Information reported to ATA on Thursday.Meanwhile, the Prosecutor's Office has ordered the investigation in the whole country in order to point out as many facts as possible on the crimes of Milosevic in Kosova, these sources added. According to the Ministry of Information, the Albanian government has welcomed the Fact-collecting Mission of the Hague Tribunal for the Investigation of War Crimes in former Yugoslavia and is cooperating with this mission. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Albania government interested in correct, transparent management of humanitarian relief, PMTIRANA, April 22 (ATA) - By E. Nepravishta: Albania Prime Minister Pandeli Majko met Thursday with the Italian Minister for the Relations with Parliament, Gian Guido Folloni, government spokesman reported.Premier Majko said that the situation in the region is precipitating and waves of other Kosova refugees are coming towards Albania, which would create difficulties for the management of the situation. PM Majko said that the Albanian government is very interested in managing the humanitarian relief correctly, although the political cost of any problem caused would be covered by the Albanian government itself and Albania's stability. "And what is more important, any abuse in aid management would have consequences for the human lives," said Majko. The Albanian Premier said that he considered unacceptable the idea of Italy to rennounce from the management of the reception centers built by the Italians themselves. "You have showed to be efficious, thus I do not consider right and suitable that these centers be managed by UNHCR, whose activity we have contested," said Majko. The Italian Minister for the Relations with Parliament, Folloni, expressed his readiness to further cooperate with Albania to overcome the crisis. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Special police stations to set up for security of Kosovars' lifeTIRANA, April 22 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Special police stations and regions will be soon set up to secure the life of displaced Kosovars, the deputy Minister of Public Order, Bajram Yzeri, declared on Thursday evening.The establishment of these special structures will maintain order and will guarantee the life of the Kosova refugees in the camps they live, added Yzeiri. According to him, the leading officials in these special police structures will be active officers, meanwhile that the policemen will be employed with contract. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Deployment of French, Danish troops be followed by new campsELBASAN, April 22 (ATA) - By M. Lulja: A group of French and Danish militaries headed by the French military attache in Tirana Colonel Laperre, who is also commander of the French troops to be deployed in Albania soon, held a meeting on Thursday with the head of the district council of Elbasan to get acquainted with the grave situation in the city resulting from the huge stream of Kosova people.The aim of the meeting was the deployment of 700 military troops next week in the city of Elbasan as well as the erection of two to three refugee camps to accommodate the Kosova arrivals. Their troops will also include a contingent of Greek troops. They will contribute to aid administration but also investments for the appropriate infrastructure when the first troops would be moved in. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Rinas airport operates around the clock on humanitarian reliefTIRANA, April 23 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: The only airport of the Tirana district is Rinas, which works for 24 hours handling humanitarian reliefs provided by different associations for the Kosova refugees.Chief of the cargo services Ylli Spaho said that the work reorganisation in airport had enabled them to cope with the huge influx of humanitarian aid including food, clothing, medicaments, logistics provided by dozens of airlines of military and civil airline companies around the clock. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Orthodox church distributes over 150 tons of foodstuffsTIRANA, April 23 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: The Albanian Orthodox Autocephalus Church on its initiative and under direct auspices of His Beatitude Anastas, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, has continued to give its contribution to help Kosova people, who are driven from their lands, cope with the unusual situation.The church's press office said that the activity was being backed by the ACT (Action by Church Together) Network, an office at the World Council of Churches, which cover emergencies and other international organisations and by international personnel, who are contributing to this end. From April 4 to 20 the Orthodox Autocephalus Church of Albania has sent over 150 tons of humanitarian reliefs for Kosova refugees in major reception centers in Kukes, Tirana, Durres and others. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Exchange rates in Tirane on FridayTIRANE, 23 April /ATA - By D.Koça - Following is the buying and selling rates of the foreign currencies against Lek in the Bank of Tirane.Kind of foreign currency Exchange rates USD 145 DM 79,7 LIT(1000) 80 GRD(100) 47,3 EURO 154,4 /mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] KENT BANK to privatise national commercial bankTIRANA, April 22 (ATA) - By Elton Metaj: Turkey-based KENT BANK has been proposed to the Albanian government as a strategic investor for the privatisation of the National Commercial Bank after the end of the second phase of privatisation process.A commission set up in December 1998 on decision of the Albanian government to monitor procedures of privatisation of the National Commercial Bank has considered the offers of five banks interested in privatisation and decided to propose KENT BANK as the strategic buyer of the Albanian bank. Albanian parliament has approved a special law on privatisation which defines the forms to be followed until the change of property. The process for the privatisation of the bank has started last year with an announcement both in foreign and domestic press. 10 foreign banks from Italy, Greece, Turkey and other international financial institutions have presented their offers. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Premier says Albania unhappy with UNHCR operationsTIRANA, April 23 (ATA) - Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko held talks on Friday with the deputy high commissioner of refugees at the United Nations Gerald Walzer to brief him on preparation for another influx of Kosova refugees which could lead their number to half a million.According to a government spokesman, Majko said that the precipitation of the situation conditioned swift and concrete actions. "We would continue to express our dissatisfaction for the UNHCR reluctance in a series of moves to be undertaken by the organisation mainly in erection of refugee camps and assistance of Albanian families welcoming Kosova refugees," he said. Majko said the UNHCR staff operating in Albania to manage the situation was insufficient. "If we were going to be backed on the aid of the UNHCR there would have many dead citizens in Albania due to lack of food," Majko said. He also expressed his dissatisfaction on the activity of some non governmental organisations (NGO) as regards the distribution of humanitarian relief for refugees. "We are asking for total transparency in this process. Humanitarian relief for refugees has been seen in the Albanian market. We do not tolerate and pardon anyone, who speculates with the tragedy, be him Albanian or foreigner," he said. Deputy higher commissioner for refugees Walzer said that any increase in the number of Kosova refugees in Albania would boost efforts to provide humanitarian relief. He briefed Majko on the assistance provided by the UNHCR for refugees in Albania as well as assistance to be given to Albanian families, which have welcomed Kosovars. Walzer considered as very fruitful the resolution of the Albanian government to secure a more transparent process on aid management and shared the concern expressed by the Albanian prime minister Majko on that problem. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] New refugee camp under way in ShkodraSHKODER, April 23 (ATA) - By M. Malja: A new refugee camp is being erected in the village of Shtoj, 2 kms from the city of Shkodra.A spokesman of the Shkodra prefecture said to ATA that the German government was financing the camp. Some 100 camps will be erected in the site where some five thousand people are going to be settled. The camp will have the first care unit, cultural center and other necessary premises for a normal life for Kosova refugees. This is the second camp after that erected by the Austrian government near the Shtoj village where some five thousand people are going to be settled. The camp is expected to finish within 15 days. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Albright expresses U.S. powerful support for Albania in coping with humanitarian crisisWASHINGTON, April 23 (ata) - By M Backa: The President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani held Thursday at 11.30 (local time) in the U.S. Department of state a working meeting with the U.S. State Secretary, Madeleine Albright.During a meeting for reporters held in closed doors for about 40 minutes, the two interlocutors discussed a number of bilateral cooperation questions, the situation in the region and the humanitarian crisis caused as a result of the mass deportations of Albanians of Kosove from their territories, and the problems accompanying this situation, said the Ambassador of Albania in the U.S., Petrit Bushati who was present in the meeting. The U.S. Secretary of State Albright expressed once more the U.S. support, of President Clinton personally and of the State Department for Albania, the Albanian Government and people that are coping with this situation through extraordinary efforts. She highlighted the commitment of all the structures of the Albanian state, especially of Albania's population, for the evicted Kosovars. The two senior officials discussed the way of the organization of the humanitarian aid, the construction of camps for the deported Kosovars and the role that the international organizations in this action, such as NATO, various states and U.N. humanitarian organizations. The Albanian President and the U.S. Secretary of State discussed the options for the solution of the problem of Kosove and the security of the region. Albright reassured President Meidani that NATO and all allied countries are a powerful guarantee for the security of Albania, its territorial integrity and sovereignty. In this context, Mr Albright stressed that the NATO summit, due on April 24-15, in Washington, will be an important event which will discuss the future options for the extension of N Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Hungarian doctors in aid of Kosova refugeesTIRANE, April 23 (ATA)-By E.Koraqi, In the context of the NATO humanitarian operations and under the patronage of the Hungarian Defence Ministry a group of Hungarian military doctors will arrive in Albania on Monday with aim to prevent contagious diseases at this critical situation, created as a result of the large influx of the Kosova refugees.The Hungarian 35-strong contingent will be made up of epidemiological doctors, who will be helped with their work by a Hungarian personnel of 15 people, according to a press release of the Albanian Foreign Ministry. This group, which will also bring laboratory equipment, is thought to stay in Albania for six months and, depending on the needs, this term may be extended. /lh/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Saving Bank:Contributions for Kosova refugees reached to 176.7million lekTirana, April 23 (ATA) - By Manjola Pupa - The total sum to be cashed in the Saving Bank in support of the Kosova comers reached the value of 176.7 million lek. 3.8 million of them are collected by the physical persons that is to say 2.2% of the total contribution and the rest by juridical persons that is 97.8% of the total sum of the contributions cashed in Saving Bank's branches ,- informs ATA the General Director of the Saving Bank Artan Santo.140.7 million lek or 79.7% of the total sum are contributions collected by foreign juridical and physical persons. The great value of the contributions are collected in Tirana branch by 96.3%, followed by Gjirokastra with 0.6%, Saranda by 0.6%, Elbasani by 0.4%, Korça by 0.4%, Vlora by 0.1%, Lushnja by 0.9%, etc. The number of the people to cash their contributins in 23 branches of Saving Bank is nearly 1050./lh/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Ulqini: 534 ton humanitarian aid reached Albania yesterdayTirana, April 23 (ATA) - By Elton Metaj - " 534 ton humanitarian aid in food came yesterday in Albania," stated in a press conference the Minister of Information Musa Ulqini.The coming of 15 planes with humanitarian aid is confirmed till 14:00 and 47 helicopter flights are planned to be performed by NATO to transport food, medicaments and necessary equipment. According to Minister Ulqini the Albanian Government is working intensively with all foreign donators and International Organizations to be assisted as soon as possible in a considerable way in the state budget, to give up the decision of stopping any investement, which means the continuation of keeping the macroeconomic stability, and the country progress and the reforms programs will continue normally, nevertheless the very difficult conditions. As very important factor indicating that Albanian Government is facing simultaniously two challenges, the extraordinary problems of thousands Kosova expelled and the ones of every day, the Minister of Information stressed out that"during this time the macroeconomic stability is kept, which is presented by the stability of Albanian currency, inflation's level and other similar indicators."/lh/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Fierza power station to work with 25% of the capacityTirana, April 23 (ATA )- By Manjola Pupa - Fierza power station is working only with one aggregate form four ones, that is to say 25% of its capacity, inform ATA sources from the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization.According to the daily figures the electro power production in Albania is 17.876 million kwh. 17.706 million kwh are produced in termo power stations and 0,169 million kwh in Fieri termo power station. Meanwhile Fierze-Koman line is out of use. The electri power consume in country is 17.270 million kwh and its peak is marked at 20:30h./lh/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] We are committed to assist Albania - CETIRANE, April 23 (ata) - By I Paco: The Council of Europe will realise three important objectives in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Albania following the influx of Kosovars into Albania.Reyhan Akant, representative of the CE Secretary-General in Albania said on Friday to reporters in a news conference that "these objectives consists of the registration of the refugees, gathering of facts on the violation of the human rights and the coordination of support from 6 000 town-halls of the European countries to assist Kosova refugees." Akant, Turkish diplomat in the CE in Strasbourg, replaced Andrea Papakonstantinou from Greece on April 1, 1999. In the capacity of the CE representative in Albania, Ms Akant stated on Friday that "work is going on in European town-halls to assist Albania in overcoming the humanitarian crisis." /y.pa/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Registration of Kosova refugees to be completed soonTIRANE, April 23 (ATA)-By E. Nepravishta, The registration of the Kosova refugees in Albania will be completed very soon, Minister of Information Musa Ulqini told a news conference on Friday."The Albanian government has asked that the registration of the Kosova refugees should be carried out as soon as possible and for this reason a project, which is almost ready, has been drafted." The project is fruit of the cooperation among the Council of Europe, OSCE, which has sent 90 representatives who have been earlier in Kosova, the International Migration Organisation and the Local Government Ministry. Ulqini said that the complete registration of the Kosova refugees will yield positive effects and also help define the needs for distributing humanitarian aid. /lh/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Works on new camp for refugees beginTIRANE, April 23 (ATA)-By U.Bajrami, Works have begun on a new camp for Kosova refugees in Labinot-Fushe, Elbasan district, which will be totally managed by the British government.The Ministry of Information told ATA that the works on this camp are expected to be completed within a month. The number of the Kosova refugees settled in the Elbasan district is some 14.500, of whom 6.107 are accommodated in camps. /lh/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] 45 571 Kosovars sheltered in Prefecture of DurresTIRANE, April 23 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The prefect of Durres Martin Cukalla had separate meetings on Friday with the representatives of the Belgian and Spanish military forces participating in the NATO mission in Albania.The Ministry of Information of Albania told ATA that the topic of the meetings was the creation of the conditions for the refugees to live in within the shortest possible time. The Kosovars in Durres prefecture amount to 45 571 people. They also discussed the setting up of a camp with a capacity for 2 500 people in Katund i Ri by the Belgian forces and another in Hamallaj, near Sukth to be established by the Spanish forces. Work is presently going on for the setting up of a refugee camp by U.S. military forces and another in the region of Durres by Norway. /lh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Serb provocations on Albanian border continueHAS, April 23 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha,Serb provocations continued today on the Albanian border, Has zone. Also today, like in the past days, Serb military-police forces stationed along the border, opened fire in the direction of the Albanian territory. The spokesman of the district police commissariat reports that today at 16.30' a Serb military unit opened fire in the direction of the Dobrun village, Has district. The fire continued for a relatively long period and at intervals. There have been no casualties as the population of this village has long since left the area. /lh/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Calm day in customs crossing point of MorineKUKES, April 23 (ata0 - By Riza Hoxha: This day was somewhat calm as compared with the previous days in the crossing point of Morini. Sources of border police report that on Friday until 2 p.m. only 30 people forcibly depicted by Serb militia could cross the border with Albania.The situation for the new arrivals in the city of Kukes and in the camps set up round it has been dramatic because of the rain going on during the past night and today. Some 10-15 000 refugees from Kosove who were staying in Kukes under plastic sheets have been evacuated to other districts, so others in camps. /lh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Italy and Greece, Albanian main goods providersTirana, April 23 (ATA)-By E.Metaj - Italy covers nearly 50 % of the Albanian import volume during the first three months of 1999, inform sources from the General Custom Directory.The total value of the goods imported from Italy is 13,787 billion lek, while the total Albanian imports marked 26,230 billion lek. Greek products are the second in the import volume. During the first three months of 1999 the total value of the products imported from Greece is 8,557 billion lek, covering nearly 31% of the total imports. The goods imported from Italy and Greece cover 81% of total imports. Beside the two main commercial partners, Italy and Greece, Albania imports goods even from Germany. The value of the goods imported from Germany during this period is 834 million lek. After the three ones comes Bulgaria, with 635 million lek as a total value of imported goods./lh/linda/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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