Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-24

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Some 2 000 Kosovars enter Albania through Hani i Hotit on Friday

[02] OSCE proposes people in camps to keep diaries

[03] Italian aid and volunteers with Scilla and Mario ferry boats reach port of Durres

[04] Lushnja local government demands coordination and not spontaneity in administration of aid

[05] Antique town of Butrint under restoration

[06] Second edition of Summer Games for youth opens in Sofia

[07] Sector of agriculture in Korce working to meet also needs of displaced Kosovars

[08] Majko analyses Albanian government's performance at crisis moments

[09] 650 Kosovars accommodated in Qatrom refugee camp

[10] Turkey provides aid for Kosova refugees

[11] Eight hour fighting in Greme of Ferizaj

[12] Summer school for Kosova children to be financed by Soros foundation

[13] Solis says it's soon to estimate the work done

[14] Serb forces shoot towards Albanian territory

[15] Exchange rates in Tirane on Friday

[16] Agreement on food assistance by World Food Program

[17] After two years the first train with fuel toward Shkodra

[18] Minister of Finance to discuss with IMF and World Bank

[19] 12 banks of second level to operate in Albania

[20] Orthodox Autecephalous Church of Albania involved in a wide program of aid for Kosovars

[21] European Union to decide to divide 100 million EURO on budgetary support

[22] SP General Leading Committee backs government's work for situation in Kosova

[23] NATO forces back humanitarian operation in Albania

[24] Nearly 1500 Kosovars enter Albania through Han i Hotit

[25] Italian ferry brings 140 aid containers for Kosovars

[26] Any reluctance against Serbian violence is a licence to kill

[27] Albanian president meets USAID director general

[28] New police chief appointed in Saranda

[29] IMF ready to help Albania cope with humanitarian crisis

[01] Some 2 000 Kosovars enter Albania through Hani i Hotit on Friday

The spokesman of the police station of Malesi e Madhe district said that the new arrivals, accompanied by public order forces, were taken by bus to the Shkoder city, where they were immediately accommodated in new reception centres, created in the former tobacco-cigarette factory, where around 5.600 Kosovars are currently settled.

Over 21 500 Kosovars have entered Albania over the past 15 days through the border point of Hani i Hotit. A part of them have been sent to other cities of Albania. /lh/lm/

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[02] OSCE proposes people in camps to keep diaries

The displaced Kosovars in this prefecture, added Hushi, are required to write down the stories they have experienced and seen in relation to the Serbs and everything will be recorded to database. The information will be gathered by OSCE monitors who will afterwards send it to the Hague Tribunal, " explained Prefect Hushi. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Italian aid and volunteers with Scilla and Mario ferry boats reach port of Durres

The ferry boat Scilla of the Italian state railways, brought to Albania 133 volunteers of the Civil Defence and the Red Cross association, also accompanied with 39 various vehicles such as fire engines and vans, which will be directed to some of the biggest reception centres of Albania.

Last night the ferry boat Mario arrived in the port of Durres and it is being unloaded.

Thousands of vehicles, carrying aid and volunteers from various organizations, foundations and associations throughout Italy, are going towards the Italian port of Bari to be transported than in a matter of hours to Durres. /xh/

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[04] Lushnja local government demands coordination and not spontaneity in administration of aid

Assistance has been offered time and again in that district but it has been spontaneous and uncoordinated, Kastriot Begaj, member of the staff set up for this aim in Lushnje, told ATA.

According to Begaj, so far the bulk of the aid has been that from inhabitants in the city and communes. Lushnja families have accommodated over 4500 Kosovars from 7440 that have arrived in that city until Friday.

A great assistance has been given by Caritas, whose missionaries have sent in all communes clothing and foodstuff.

The Evangelistic Church has brought food, medicaments and clothing for 615 deported Kosova people.

KAFOD has reportedly stated it would cover with foodstuff the refugee camps set up in communes of Kolonje and Divjake, where 2000 people have been sheltered. /xh/

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[05] Antique town of Butrint under restoration

This process will be realised through fund earmarked by UNESCO, which recently provided $15 000, and through funds earmarked by the Monuments Institute, which has allocated $10 000.

The antique town of Butrint, which dates back to the bronze area, some 3400 years B.C., is well known for its buildings of specific importance, including the Theatre, Baptistery, complex of buildings of the medieval period and other buildings. Considering these values in 1992, UNESCO declared Butrint "Asset of national values".

In the meantime UNESCO will soon declare the area surrounding Butrint, a World Heritage Centre, a status which is expected to create extraordinary possibilities for the preservation of the archaeological values of this zone. /f.n/lm/

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[06] Second edition of Summer Games for youth opens in Sofia

There are 14 Albanian sportsman taking part in four events in the competition: athletics, wrestling, box and shooting.

Two years ago, the Albanian team took part in the first edition of these games reaching very good results. Hence, in the box event, the Albanian team won five medals (four golden and one bronze).

Some of the artists who have taken part in the first edition are also participating in the second one. /pas/xh/

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[07] Sector of agriculture in Korce working to meet also needs of displaced Kosovars

Fehmi Xhemo, head of agriculture and food department in the district, told ATA that following the new situation created with the arrival of over 7 000 Kosova refugees, that department has drafted plans and is working with private farmers to help meet also the needs for food for the Kosova people, on the basis of the resources of the district of Korce itself.

According to him, the consultation service in the department has been working in the terrain so that the sown areas receive all seasonal services in order that the planned yield of wheat increase 5 quintals per hectare. Also private farmers have been orientated and cooperation is going on so that the areas planted with beans, potatoes and vegetables increase, with their production doubling compared to the previous year. /pas/xh/

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[08] Majko analyses Albanian government's performance at crisis moments

Pandeli Majko, Prime Minister and Secretary General of the SPA, on Saturday, at a meeting of the Socialist Party General Steering Committee, analysed the performance of the Albanian government at these crisis moments.

"These have been the most difficult conditions in which an Albanian government has ever carried out its activity".

He said that the government has done its utmost to handle this crisis. Its activity has been concentrated on three main directions: on assisting the Kosova refugees with its own budget, distributing them based on their free will, as well as on asking, absorbing and coordinating aid from the international community.

The Albanian government is prepared to resist this crisis, which seems to continue, said Majko, reiterating the Albanian government's approach that a ground intervention by NATO would be a solution to the conflict in Kosova for the moment.

Majko proposed the Committee to put off the date of the SP congress, which, according to him, would serve the total engagement in handling and resolving the humanitarian crisis. /s.sh/lm/

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[09] 650 Kosovars accommodated in Qatrom refugee camp

Major Likopnskli, leader of the work in the camp, told ATA that the first stage of the camp was over with the installation of 300 tents and other most necessary facilities. For emergency reasons, 650 Kosovars were allowed to be settled there.

The camp in Qatrom will have a capacity for 5 000 Kosovars and is being funded by the German Government with a total of 50 thousand DM. The same source said that another camp will be set up by the German Government, which will shelter 5000 other Kosova refugees.

The chairman of the district council, Frederik Mico, said that electricity and water supplies have been already installed and work is going on in the camp for the setting up of a kitchen. /s.sh/xh/

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[10] Turkey provides aid for Kosova refugees

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Tirane told ATA that this aid includes 240 tonnes of food, 12.5 tonnes of detergents and soap bars, three tonnes of blankets, 1000 beds, medicines and various clothing. The total value of this aid is estimated at $357 850.

This aid will address the Kosovars accommodated in the camp of Mjekesi, near Elbasan, set up by the Turkish Red Crescent.

On the same day, 16 vanloads of humanitarian aid were sent from Turkey for the deported Kosovars who are in Macedonia. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Eight hour fighting in Greme of Ferizaj

The agency said that a day before, KLA forces fought for about 8 hours with Serb forces in village Greme of Ferizaj, creating the possibility for the civil population to withdraw from the surrounded zone. The front line has been two km long and fighting took place at a close distance, said Kosovapress.

It added that during the clashes, two KLA soldiers and two civilians were injured. /dast/xh/

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[12] Summer school for Kosova children to be financed by Soros foundation

The foundation envoy, Bardhyl Musai, held a meeting with leaders of the education sector in the district and said that the children from Kosova will assume school during summer. This process is to be supported by George Soros himself.

The director of district education, Gaqo Mitro, said that according to a preliminary registration of the children coming from Kosove, the total number of children able to attend the school amounts to 2 100. He says that the vast majority of them are actually frequenting the school as listeners. /dast/A.A/

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[13] Solis says it's soon to estimate the work done

"It is early to say that we are doing a great job, although we are proud of the results achieved so far", Solis told ATA.

According to him, the ministry of health is making efforts to create reserves in medicaments, which are to be used in Summer time to fight epidemic deceases.

In the context of the measures the Albanian Ministry of Health is taking to cope with the situation created, Solis highlights the necessity of the opening of new makeshift camps, because open places are the bases where the Kosovar arrivals can be affected by different deceases. /dast/A.A/

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[14] Serb forces shoot towards Albanian territory

Spokesman of Tropoje district police commissariat told ATA that at about 07.30 the Serb military forces shot for several minutes with automatic rifles towards the Albanian territory in Zogaj area.

Albanian border troops, reinforced by the force of the second infantry division have attended the situation created, but they did not respond because the shots came far within the Yugoslavian territory.

The same source reported that several troops and military means, which are carrying fortifications in the vicinity of the border, are remarked in the area. /s.s/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Exchange rates in Tirane on Friday

Kind of foreign currency Bought Sold

USD 145 145,4 DM 79,5 79,8 LIT(1000) 80 80,2 GRD(100) 47,3 47,5 /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Agreement on food assistance by World Food Program

This agreement gives the possibility to the Albanian Government to request food assistance by this International Organization to facing the natural misfortunes or other emergence cases like the coming of Kosova expelled.

Based on the agreement approved in principles, the Albanian Government and the World Food Program will pass an activity plan, where the terms and the conditions of the assistance fulfilment will be specified and the responsibilities of the Albanian Government and World Food Program will be defined.

In its meeting the Albanian Government approved the decision "About the winner of the tender of National Commercial Bank privatization". According to this decision the Turkish "Kent Bank" by offering the buy of 51% of the share-certificates is declared the winner strategic investiture of the tender about the privatization of National Commercial Bank./a.gj./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] After two years the first train with fuel toward Shkodra

The General Director of Railways Leonard Burnaci told ATA that these days are put in action the fuel provision point near the railway station of Shkodra.

The work in this collective and distribution point is interrupted completely during the troubles of Spring 1997, when 12.5 km railway lines are destructed.

During the last two years Shkodra fuel point provision was Laci, which increased the fuel's cost.

The first train sent on Friday to Shkodra 320 ton gasoline./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Minister of Finance to discuss with IMF and World Bank

During this meeting the Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli will discuss with the heads of IMF about the development of the future investments in Albania.

"We are guaranteed to have the support of International Monetary Fond, " said Minister Angjeli. The General Director of IMF Michel Camdessus confirmed few days ago the readiness of the institution he led to support financially the Balkan's countries.

Beside the meetings with the senior Heads of IMF Minister Angjeli will meet the ones of the World Bank as well.

The discussions between Angjeli and the Heads of World Bank will be focused in another point as well, which will be the increase of the promised finance for Albania by the International Financial Organization.

World Bank promised for Albanian another finances of 20million dollars, but according to Angjeli, the World Bank considering the situation created in Albania is planning to increase this sum to 35 million dollars./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] 12 banks of second level to operate in Albania

Till the end of 1998 the number of the licensed banks of the second rate, among which were two state ones Saving Banks and National Commercial Bank was 10. They are followed by "Fefad Bank" and later on by "First Investments Bank".

Meanwhile the Albanian Government approved on Friday the decision "About the winner of the tender of the privatization of National Commercial Bank". According to this decision the Turkish bank "Kent Bank" by offering 51% of the share-certificates was announcing the strategic investiture and the winner of the tender of the National Commercial Bank privatization.

The privatization of another state bank, the Saving Bank is predicted to start in the end of 1999.

"National Commercial Bank", "Saving Bank", "Italo-Albanian Bank", "Dardania Bank", "Tirana Bank", and many other banks of the second level are licensed by the Albanian Bank in Albania./linda/

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[20] Orthodox Autecephalous Church of Albania involved in a wide program of aid for Kosovars

The office of Diakonia Agape (DA,) which covers the social programs of development and assistance close to the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, is cooperating with ACT to provide a wide relief for the displaced Kosovars, press office of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania reported. The appeal of ACT will ensure DA a fund of more than 10 million dollars for the period 1 April-30 September.

Many churches and European and North American agencies are supporting and working as part of the joint group ACT/DA and are offering their assistance many friends from Greece. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] European Union to decide to divide 100 million EURO on budgetary support

A group of EU experts visited Albania and Macedonia to see from near the needs of these two countries concerning the budgetary support.

According to the Albanian Government calculations Albania needs 220 million dollars budgetary support. Meanwhile, the sum of 30 million dollars by the World Bank and the finance of the Japan and Finland Governments by three million dollars each, is confirmed actually. Albanian Government appeals to all donators to contribute to support the state budget during these difficult moments.

Meanwhile, International Monetary Fund is preparing an assistance plan for Albanian budgetary support, to be approved in June in the meeting of the Directors Board./linda/

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[22] SP General Leading Committee backs government's work for situation in Kosova

Also, the SP Leading Committee supports the policy of the Albanian government regarding the situation in Kosova, its efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis, as well as the readiness and measures taken by the Albanian government to offer NATO the air and sea space.

Meanwhile, the socialists call on all Albanian political factors wherever they operate to unify their stands to the good of the national issue and solution of the crisis.

In the statement, the SP Leading Committee strongly backs the conditions imposed by NATO and international community on Belgrade to put an end to the crisis.

The SP General Leading Committee is the supreme body of the Socialist Party and manages the entire life of SP, which is the party that heads the Albanian government since the parliamentary elections of 29 June 1997 together with the allies of the left center. /dast/mt/

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[23] NATO forces back humanitarian operation in Albania

The chief of media, of the information office for the NATO forces in Albania, Andi Williams, told ATA on Saturday that "upon the complete demand of the Albanian government, NATO forces back UNHCR in the operations of the humanitarian relief."

"NATO forces, deployed in Albania are carrying out the transport of aid and civilians by the means and helicopters put at disposal for this purpose."

NATO and UNHCR have planned to build new camps for the displaced Kosovars," he said.

A joint coordination team Albania-NATO is set up close to the Operation Staff, which is carrying out humanitarian tasks. /mt/

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[24] Nearly 1500 Kosovars enter Albania through Han i Hotit

The spokesman of the Shkoder prefecture told ATA that the newcomers, accompanied by the order forces, were sent by buses in Shkoder and were sheltered in the new reception center, set up in the tobacco factory of this city. /lh/mt/

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[25] Italian ferry brings 140 aid containers for Kosovars

A spokesman of the Italian delegation of experts, which coordinates aid in the framework of the humanitarian operation Ylberi, said that the ferry had brought 140 containers with food, clothing and medicaments for the Kosova people driven from their lands.

The same source said that the military ship San Giorgio would enter the port of Durres on Sunday, a month after the start of the Italian humanitarian operation, to bring aid and voluntaries and another contingent of Italian militaries which will deal

with aid distribution. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Any reluctance against Serbian violence is a licence to kill

The aim of the conference was to identify possible policies and their effects towards a long-term stability in the Balkans. Given the concern on the immediate events in Kosova, the conference urged all participants to give considerations on long-term strategy and decisions by the United States and their allies.

Participants debated on six political alternatives, which included: autonomy on Kosova within Serbia and Yugoslavia, independence, international long-term protectorate, Kosova partition, regional redefining of borders, Serbia domination on Kosova.

Albanian president Rexhep Meidani addressed the conference saying that the development, prosperity and integrity of our societies in the South of Europe would remain a cliche if international efforts failed to join in implementing integrating and liberal concepts for the emancipation of multiethnic societies. He considered Belgrade regime an exploding island of ethnic hatred, ethnic cleansing and genocide in the heart of Europe.

"Giving an end to this strategy is a moral necessity and any reluctance is a licence to kill," Meidani said.

President Meidani considered the partition of Kosova a very dangerous multiethnic region. He said that the Republic of Albania had undertaken all efforts to reinforce stability and cooperation in the region and had backed international efforts for a peaceful solution to the Kosova issue. Meidani said that Albania backed the new government of Kosova.

Meidani said that the perspective for a solution to the crisis was depended on the NATO resolution and diplomatic constructive efforts. He hailed long-term initiative of the United States, European Union and NATO to help the region economically and rehabilitate spirit of cooperation in order that borders remains only geographical symbols. /lh/ak/

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[27] Albanian president meets USAID director general

USAID director general, who had returned from Albania, expressed president Meidani his consideration for Albania and Albanian state efforts to cope with the situation. He presented the U.S. projects on construction of accommodation centers for the Kosova new arrivals.

The meeting discussed the improvement of road infrastructure, urgent medical care and a project to register and issue identity cards within two months to Kosova people.

Atud said that the Albanian government and institutions are energetically working to fairly administer international aid.

Julia Taft, U.S. deputy secretary, who had also visited Albania, raised the issue of organising normal life and expressed the importance of making traumatised Kosova families sociable to Albanian people.

Both U.S. senior officials expressed the U.S. commitment to promote cooperation with Albania. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] New police chief appointed in Saranda

Sources of the police directorate in Gjirokaster said that lieutenant colonel Roka was police chief in Berat and he was the seventh police chief in Saranda in a space of two years. /ake/ak/

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[29] IMF ready to help Albania cope with humanitarian crisis

Camdessus assured the Albanian side that no IMF programme in Albania would be suspended and that other financial possibilities were being considered. He urged the Albanian side to assess the daily cost of the new arrivals and the financial needs of Albania to cope with the situation what could help alleviate the financial consequences.

President Meidani urged the IMF to help continue existing projects in Albania and help it overcome difficult financial situation.

Meidani told journalists following a meeting with the IMF director that donor organisations like IMF "are doing everything to help Albania pass through this difficult situation."

President of the World Bank James Wolfensohn said on Thursday that the aid for worst affected countries from the Kosova crisis could cost US$2 billion. /ake/ak/

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