Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-25

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] NATO leaders determine to escalate raids against Yugoslavia

[02] Police force taking care of Kosovars waits government's consent

[03] Minister says hospital's reconstruction to continue

[04] Tirana residents urge tidy environment in capital

[05] General Wesly Clark visits NATO forces in Rinas

[06] Works to start soon in the super highway Kakavije-Gjirokaster

[07] Relief arrives from Spain, England, France, Poland, Italy

[08] Hope for solution of conflict in Kosova is KLA, NATO

[09] Nearly 600 other Kosovars enter Han i Hotit

[01] NATO leaders determine to escalate raids against Yugoslavia

The new attitude envisaged by a 17-point communique represented a series of compromises reached by NATO leaders in their summit in Washington to keep the alliance firmly together a month after the air raids.

U.S. officials expressed their doubts whether Russia's efforts would bring about results even after a change in NATO attitude. In such conditions, Pentagon said that it would send 2050 extra troops and some Bradley military tanks and vehicles in Albania. According to Pentagon, supplementary forces would be sent to back Apache attack helicopters.

There were different views as regards ground forces. Britain and France said that ground troops could be sent to Kosova to guarantee return of refugees without the consent of Belgrade but other governments said this would not be a clever move. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Police force taking care of Kosovars waits government's consent

Police director general, colonel Veli Myftari said to ATA that "the police, which will take care of Kosovars and maintain order and law in refugee camps is waiting for the consent of the government."

Such an idea on special posts and stations was proposed by the deputy minister of Public Order Bajram Yzeiri in the three-month analysis of the work of the police department at the Tirana prefecture.

It is thought the police would include some 1.500 forces and their department would be installed at the Ministry of Order.

Lack of total control over the Kosova new arrivals, lack of identity papers were issues that delayed the creation of such a police force. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Minister says hospital's reconstruction to continue

The release of credit from the World Bank, a credit of the German bank and the implementation of other agreements reached between the Health Ministry and foreign organisations would not only be suspended but would continue to cope with the health situation in Albania, Leonard Solis, Health Minister said to ATA.

The University Hospital Center in Tirana is in the center of short- term plans of the Health Ministry and a major center where a long-term credit of the World Bank will be invested.

A project of the World Bank worth US$11.7 million will start within this year.

Meanwhile a credit of the German Bank (KFW) will go to six districts of Albania to buy ambulances and different apparatus.

The Ministry of Health is trying to attract the Turkish firm Tepe Construction, which will help reconstruct hospitals of Vlora and Shkodra but whose work has been hindered by the closure of Rinas airport. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Tirana residents urge tidy environment in capital

The bid is going to be held because a five-year contract of the Italian firm Nuova Ecolega, cleaning firm operating in the northeastern part of the capital, is going to expire and it (firm) has also failed to meet its obligations during this period.

Those, who can testify for the work of the firm, are the residents of Tirana who have not seen their capital clean and tidy.

Sources from the town hall said that this firm had failed in Bologne, Italy, and it had also failed to pay legal financial obligations to the Albanian state and social insurances for its workers. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] General Wesly Clark visits NATO forces in Rinas

The U.S. General went to the military airport to meet with the military commanders of the Alliance.

Official sources of the Albanian government told ATA that "Clark may hold official meetings with the political and military leaders of the country."

Clark was for the last time in Albania on 17 April and declared among others that "The Alliance will increase its presence in Albania and in its northern borders, and will also continue to work together with the Albanian armed forces." /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Works to start soon in the super highway Kakavije-Gjirokaster

According to the director of this department, Meleq Karabina, "the construction company is Greek 'Harallambopullos,' the bid winner and it is expected only the approval from the World Bank for the beginning of works as soon as possible.

Actually, the Greek company has only defined the construction site, the offices and the other necessary grounds.

According to Karabina, the deadline for the beginning of works will be the end of April, meanwhile that it is expected to finish in two years.

Constructed before the World War II, adjusted and macadamized later on, the national road Kakavije-Gjirokaster and on has become obsolete and today it cannot deal with the heavy traffic. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Relief arrives from Spain, England, France, Poland, Italy

The Spanish ship "Pizzaro" has brought aid from the government and people of the Iberian peninsula for the displaced Kosovars. Sources from the Coordination Center of Ylberi operation reported that the navy ship "San Giorgio" brought humanitarian relief in food items, clothes and medicaments from England, France, Poland and different cities of Italy.

The same source reported that the ferry boat of the Italian state railways "Scilla," which arrived in Durres for the seventh time, brought a large number of vehicles with humanitarian relief as well as many volunteers of the Italian Red Cross and Civil Defence. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Hope for solution of conflict in Kosova is KLA, NATO

Sulaj hailed the 50th anniversary of NATO, he greeted the United States, President Clinton, the European Union for the embargo on Yugoslavia, especially Albania, its government and people for the hospitality and generosity they welcomed the displaced Kosovars.

Further on, he described the current situation in Kosova, considering it very grave and said that "the hope for the solution of this situation remain on KLA and NATO. The KLA is brought up from the people, but it has no armament and supply. Anyhow, it is fighting and defending its positions, it is defending the people of Kosova."

The military spokesman, Husi, said that KLA is fighting in several zones. Thus, in Rahovec and its suburbs it has seized vehicles and arms of the Serb army. Fighting was also held in Mitrovice, Kacanik and Han i Elezit, Suhareke and Pashtrik.

Husi pointed out that the situation of the population is very difficult and critical, because the inhabitants live in mountains in most of the cases and the humanitarian relief for them is very necessary. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Nearly 600 other Kosovars enter Han i Hotit

The spokesman of the Shkoder prefecture told ATA that the newcomers, accompanied by order forces, were sent by busses in the town of Shkoder and were sheltered in the new reception center, built in the tobacco factory. Some 3500 Kosovars have been accommodated in this center until now.

UNHCR is taking care of their supply with blankets, food items and a team of American doctors visited the newcomers today. More than 100 visits were carried out today.

Nearly 25 000 Kosovars have entered Albania through Han i Hotit over the last 16 days, a part of them have been sent towards other districts of Albania. /lh/mt/

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

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