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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-11

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

  • [01] Increasing rates of refugee evacuation
  • [02] Parliament pays homage to Fehmi Agani
  • [03] Order situation in Gjirokaster is under control
  • [04] Funds requested to be released for Kosova pupils school-texts
  • [05] "Onufri" publishes the full creativity of Lazgush Poradeci
  • [06] Dollar at 141.8 lek
  • [07] Meta asks adoption of measures for winter
  • [08] Inhabitants of Lazarat village block national road
  • [09] Some 150 Kosovars from Stankoveci camp, Macedonia, arrive in Korçe
  • [10] UNHCR office opens in Korce
  • [11] Camps to house Kosova refugees in Tepelene
  • [12] NATO, international community will force Milosevic to accept solution, Berns
  • [13] NATO Secretary General to visit Tirana on Wednesday
  • [14] Aid, support for Albania be more intensive in future, President
  • [15] Albania, Greece are giving example of good neighbouring, PM
  • [16] Only fulfillment of NATO's five conditions will be guaranteed solution of Kosova crisis, PM
  • [17] Transitory period of humanitarian emergency successfully passed, official
  • [18] Bank note of 500 lek falsify
  • [19] Humanitarian operation "Allied Harbour" assists exiled Kosovars
  • [20] Humanitarian relief reached to 80 million dollars
  • [21] Starts project implementing on installing 200 mobiles
  • [22] Airfield of Kukes inaugurated
  • [23] Hotels mark considerable profits in Tirana
  • [24] We support Rugova's demand to cooperate with political and military factor in Kosove - Berisha
  • [25] Increase prices of food products in Albanian markets
  • [26] Custom offices announced goods to be excluded from import duties
  • [27] Albania's People's Assembly is in favour of a protectorate for Kosove - Parliament Speaker
  • [28] Albanian Government reckons that Milosevic and his regime must be punished - Minister
  • [29] 850 Kosovars reach Albania through Hani i Hotit border crossing
  • [30] Gjirokaster-Kakavije national road continues to be blocked

  • [01] Increasing rates of refugee evacuation

    KUKES, May 11 (ATA)-By H.Cani,

    The evacuation of the Kosovars arriving in Kukes to other districts of the country continues at accelerated rates through NATO and Albanian army trucks as well as through transport vehicles sent by the government.

    Some 4 522 refugees were evacuated on Monday alone. According to sources from the prefecture, some 288 994 refugees have been dispatched to other district of the country through 15 508 transport vehicles.

    In the meantime, the influx of the Kosova refugees in this district decreased on Monday. While during the weekend some 20 000 Kosovars entered through the Morine border point, on Monday arrived only 3 762 refugees.

    The number of Kosovars arriving in the districts of this prefecture through Morine, Qafe Prushi and other directions is estimated at a total of 394 249 refugees. /led/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] Parliament pays homage to Fehmi Agani

    TIRANE, May 10 (ATA)-By I. Luto, Albanian Parliament began its Monday's session with a one-minute silence in respect for Prof. Fehmi Agani, deputy of the Kosova Parliament, who was killed several days ago under mysterious circumstances in Prishtine.

    Meanwhile, a draft-resolution on Kosova was prepared which summed up the Albanian parliament's positions on the latest developments in Kosova. But its approval was put off, at the request of the parliamentary groups, to be considered and voted in the next session.

    Parliament examined several draft-laws, approving the law "On several changes to the law on transforming state enterprises into trade associations, " "On Albanian Republic's adherence to the International Conventions for Plant Protection" as well as "On preventing and fighting contagious diseases". /led/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Order situation in Gjirokaster is under control

    GJIROKASTER, May 11 (ATA) - By Sh.Hajno: The order situation in Gjirokaster continues to be under the total control of police forces, which are on high alert to prevent every tentative for blocking the national road, Director of the Prefecture Police, Colonel Shkelqim Berberi, told ATA on late Monday.

    Regarding the warning of a group of inhabitants of Lazarat village to block the national road Kakavije-Gjirokaster at 17.00 p.m on Monday if some of the conditions presented in a petition were not fulfilled, Colonel Berneri said that "police forces have taken all the measures to secure the normal circulation of vehicles in this road axes".

    The killing of two citizens from the village of Lazarat, provoked the reactions of the inhabitants of the village, who in a petition made public warned that they would block the national road if the requests of the petition were not fulfilled. /led/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] Funds requested to be released for Kosova pupils school-texts

    TIRANE, May 11(ATA)-By P. Shuteriqi, The necessary funds for school-texts for Kosova refugees to attend schools in Albania, especially for the summer period, have not not yet been released.

    "The SOS" signal was issued on Tuesday by the director of the school book enterprise, Ilmi Brace, who told ATA that only 25% of the texts have so far been secured.

    He said that with the existing funds only 100% of the elementary schools are secured.

    Some 1.5 million school-texts for the Kosovar pupils are so far estimated, said deputy Minister Andrea Marto today.

    More than 150 million leks are needed for the texts for Kosovar pupils to attend the summer schools, while various donors such as UNICEF, the Soros Foundation, the World B ank and other donors should speed up the fund release processes as the time to begin the summer school is approaching. /led/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] "Onufri" publishes the full creativity of Lazgush Poradeci

    TIRANE, May 11 (ATA) - By Ornela Kadaifçiu: President of the publishing House "Onufri", Bujar Hudhri, told ATA on Tuesday that the work of Lazgush Poradeci will be completed this week with another publication of Lazgush Poradeci creativity.

    The republishing of the full work of Lazgush Poradeci under the attention of the Albanian distinguished writer, Ismail Kadare, started at the end of the last year with the publishing of his poetical work.

    The work of Lazar Gusho, to whom the lake gave the name Lazgush Poradeci, will be published for all the layers of the society, explained Hudhri. The Publishing House "Onufri" has got the exclusivity of two personalities of the Albanian literature Lazgush Poradeci and Ismail Kadare. /led/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] Dollar at 141.8 lek

    TIRANE, May 11 (ATA)-By D. Koca, US$ 1 was exchanged by 141.8 leks today, according to the Tirana Bank exchange rate.

    Foreign currency exchange rate

    USD 141.8

    DM 77.8

    ITL(1000) 78.2

    GRD(100) 46.4

    EURO 151.9 /lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] Meta asks adoption of measures for winter

    TIRANE, May 11 (ATA) - By P.Shuteriqi: Albanian Deputy Premier, Ilir Meta, asked on Tuesday to accelerate the measures for facing the influx of dispatched Kosovars, and to adopt measures for the forthcoming winter.

    During the meeting organized on Tuesday with the Albanian Prefects, Deputy Prime Minister, Ilir Meta, presented the measures taken by the executive in cooperation with the representatives of the local government for a better managing of the humanitarian aid delivered for Kosovars and to help more the Albanian families sheltering Kosovars.

    Meta highlighted that we are now passing the state of emergency, and we should adopt more effective administrative measures to face the situation even in the winter period.

    The attention should be concentrated in the possibilities to replace the temporary tents with more stabilized shelters, by installing para- fabricated buildings and by rehabilitating some administrative buildings which are actually out of use.

    Meta pointed out in the meeting the necessity of coordination of the work with different non-governmental organizations, NATO forces operating in Albania in the framework of the "Allied Harbor" operation, UNCHR, governments of several states, and several donors offering thier considerable aid for displaced Kosovars.

    The first phase of building Kukes aerodrome, financed by Saudi Arabia and "Red Crescent" of the Arabic countries is to be inaugurated very soon, was said in the meeting. /led/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Inhabitants of Lazarat village block national road

    GJIROKASTER, May 11 (ATA)--By Sh. Hajno, The Gjirokaster- Kakavije national road, near the Lazarat village, has been blocked since early on Tuesday, in reaction to the killing of two Lazarat inhabitants by an armed group from Gjirokaster on May 7 and non-identification of crime perpetrators.

    Meanwhile all vehicles moving via Gjirokaster-Kakavije or Kakavije- Sarande-Delvine towards Tirane have been blocked before arriving at the roadblock set up in Lazarat village.

    At around 06.30 on Tuesday, the chairman of Lazarat commune, Islam Gjolleshi, gave his orders to a roadblock preceding the main roadblock, not to allow vehicles to pass.

    According to him, only ambulances carrying sick persons, Kosovars, aid for Kosovars, people for funeral reasons as well as Diplomatic Corps' representatives would be allowed.

    "The people travelling should not be touched", Gjolleshi ordered the roadblock persons early on Tuesday.

    According to a confirmation by the chief of Gjirokaster police commissariat, Lieutenant Besnik Kuci, the police have not yet taken any action to unblock the national road.

    "We have still not decided what actions to undertake," he told ATA adding "maybe we will undertake concrete actions only after a meeting which began at around 11.00 at the District Council with the participation of local government leaders and political forces of this district".

    The killing of two inhabitants from Lazarat village on May 7 by an armed group from Gjirokaster, in continuation of a conflict on the previous day and non-identification of the crime perpetrators, provoked this reaction by the Lazarat village inhabitants, who, through a petition, had warned they would block the national road. /led/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Some 150 Kosovars from Stankoveci camp, Macedonia, arrive in Korçe

    KORÇE, May 11 (ATA) - By B.Fejzullai: Some 150 Kosovars coming from Stankoveci camp, Macedonia, arrived in Korçe on early Tuesday accompanied by UNCHR.

    The spokesman of Korçe prefecture, Jovam Katundi, told ATA that the health situation of the new comers is good, excluding two persons who were shot by the Serb police forces. They are now hospitalized in Korçe civil hospital.

    Ignazio Mateini, chairman of UNCHR office in this Prefecture, said that the refugees left willingly the camp of Stankoveci because conditions in that camp were very bad. He added that the families of new arrivals came previously in Korçe.

    The total number of Kosovars accommodated in Qatromi camp so far is estimated at 2500 people. UNCHR office and the non-governmental organizations are working to improve the living conditions in this camp. /led/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] UNHCR office opens in Korce

    KORCE, May 11 (ATA)-A UNHCR office opened in Korce prefecture on Tuesday. Ignaxio Mateini, head of this office, told ATA that "We are prepared to conduct contacts with local authorities, to help them accommodate and treat the refugees, as well as to coordinate the activity of the non-governmental organisations.

    He said that 50 non-governmental organisations are active in the Korce prefecture, where 12 000 Kosovars have been housed and the UNHCR office is coordinating the work so that aid goes equally to all refugees. Mateini stressed that the Korce families which have housed Kosovars will be aided by the European Community.

    "UNHCR is for a voluntary movement of the refugees from Macedonia or wherever they are, but even if Macedonia makes a non voluntary movement of them, thus causing an influx of refugees in the Korce region, we are prepared to receive them," said Mateini. /led/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] Camps to house Kosova refugees in Tepelene

    TEPELENE, May 11(ATA)- By Sh.Hajno, A camp to accommodate some 2000 Kosova refugees in the Tepelene town is under construction, according to representatives of Italian association CESVI, which is investing the erection of this camp.

    Local government sources report that the camp will also accommodate the new arrivals who currently are in Kukes. The camp will be equipped with all appliances necessary for a normal life, including showers, ovens, health and other services.

    Some 900 Kosova refugees have so far been settled in Tepelene. /led/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] NATO, international community will force Milosevic to accept solution, Berns

    TIRANA, May 11 (ATA) - Albania Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, met Tuesday with the U.S. ambassador in Athens, Nicholas Berns.

    Press and information office close to the Albanian Foreign Ministry reported to ATA that the talks with the U.S. ambassador focused on the Kosova issue. They both considered as very grave the situation in Kosova and countries around Yugoslavia due to the policy of ethnic cleansing followed by Milosevic. The Albanian Premier and the U.S. Ambassador expressed the readiness of both countries to closely cooperate between them, as well as with the governments of other countries interested in overcoming the crisis and realising the return of the displaced Kosovars back to their homes.

    With regard to the last "initiative" of Milosevic "for a partial withdrawal of Serb troops from Kosova," both interlocutors expressed their scepticism and shared the opinion that the withdrawal of these troops should be complete and Milosevic should meet all the conditions imposed by NATO. This would be a viable solution of the Kosova crisis realised by Milosevic.

    Berns voiced once again the complete support of the U.S. government for the Albanian government, as well as the confidence that the countries of NATO and international community will force Milosevic to accept the solution. /mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] NATO Secretary General to visit Tirana on Wednesday

    TIRANA, May 11 (ATA) - The Secretary General of NATO, Havier Solana, will arrive Wednesday in Albania.

    Sources from the Foreign Ministry reported to ATA that a joint meeting between Solana and the President of the Republic and Prime Minister is expected to be held.

    Later on, press releases will be issued in the hall of the Presidency. The NATO Secretary General will leave Albania at 13:30 on the same day. /mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] Aid, support for Albania be more intensive in future, President

    TIRANA, May 11 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: The President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, met Tuesday with a delegation of the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), based in New York, headed by Mr. Diabre.

    In the center of talks were issues regarding the humanitarian relief for the displaced Kosovars and the developments in Albania, President press office reported.

    During the meeting, President Meidani appreciated the current contribution of international organizations in coping with the emergency of the displaced Kosovars and said that the aid and support in the future should be more intensive, also taking into consideration the preparations for the winter time.

    The delegation of UNDP presented some of the projects and commitments to help the exiled Kosovars.

    Further on, Diabre also spoke of the projects to help the Albanian population in towns and villages. For this, meetings will be held with authorities of local government, he added. /lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] Albania, Greece are giving example of good neighbouring, PM

    Salonika, May 11 (ATA) - After a joint working lunch, the Albanian Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko and the Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis, issued a pronouncement for the press in Salonika.

    Majko said that Albania and Greece are giving an example of good neighbouring at the time when the region is facing great difficulties. Albania favours NATO actions and also favours the fulfillment of conditions imposed by NATO against Belgrade, said the Albanian Premier.

    The Greek PM said he had talked with Majko about the problems in the region and the fighting in Yugoslavia.

    Simitis stressed that the peaceful efforts for the solution of the conflict should continue because peace should exist in the region. He said that a long-term solution is needed in order not to have war in the Balkans anymore. A plan for the reconstruction of the region is requested and in this plan, our cooperation will be greater, said Simitis. Greece has offered Albania humanitarian relief and will continue to offer in the future, he added.

    The opening of the Albanian consulate in Salonika is another expression of our cooperation, stressed Simitis. /lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Only fulfillment of NATO's five conditions will be guaranteed solution of Kosova crisis, PM

    TIRANA, May 11 (ATA) - The Albanian Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo and other members of the Albanian delegation, after the activities held on the first day of the sixth Balkan Forum of Salonika, met late on Monday with the high ranking delegation of Macedonia, which takes part in this Forum, headed by the Prime Minister Georgevski.

    The dramatic situation in Kosova and coping with its consequences in Albania, Macedonia and the region were the main topics of the bilateral talks, press office close to the Albanian Foreign Ministry reported.

    Both Premiers expressed their concern for the very grave situation in Kosova and the ways to overcome it. They stressed their cooperation with countries of NATO and international community, which offer long-term and durable solution of the crisis.

    The Albanian Prime Minister said that only the fulfillment of five conditions imposed by NATO would be the guaranteed solution of the crisis in Kosova and will enable the return of the exiled Kosovars in their homes.

    The prime ministers stressed the necessity for the creation of all necessary living conditions in the grounds offered to them both in Albania and Macedonia.

    At the same time, both prime ministers urged the international community to further continue the aid for Albania and Macedonia to cope with the humanitarian crisis created by the genocide and the policy of ethnic cleansing in Kosova. They also voiced their support for the government of Montenegro and President Djukanovic, who is under a constant and fierce pressure of Milosevic to extend the conflict in the entire Balkan. /lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] Transitory period of humanitarian emergency successfully passed, official

    TIRANA, May 11 (ATA) - Under the direction of the deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Government Coordination, Ilir Meta, a working meeting was held with the governors of the country regarding the overcoming of the humanitarian emergency, created by the influx of the exiled Kosovars, the Ministry of Information reported to ATA.

    Talking about the situation created by the arrival of more than 400 000 Kosova refugees, Meta stressed that 'we can now say that we successfully passed the transitory period of the humanitarian emergency and it is necessary to work in this direction based on a middle-term plan. For this reason, the prefectures are asked to draft projects for the treatment of the displaced Kosovars, supply with electric power, water, problems of the infrastructure, said Meta.'

    The deputy PM urged the intensification of work for the increase of public grounds where the exiled Kosovars will be accommodated, both in rehabilitated state buildings or in mobile prefabricated buildings.

    The Minister of Local Government, Arben Demeti, informed the governors for the draft-agreement reached with UNHCR to assist the Albanian families. According to this project, the host families who have sheltered Kosovars will be assisted with money every month according to the number of refugees. This will be only for the needs of accommodation.

    Demeti informed that very soon the families who have sheltered refugees will be also assisted with food items.

    Representatives of UNHCR, World Food Programme, NATO and governors also spoke in the meeting. They expressed concrete thoughts to strengthen cooperation and coordinate work among prefectures.

    Attending the meeting was also the Minister of Information, Musa Ulqini, the special Coordinator of the Government Commission in the Emergency Management Group, Kastriot Islami. /lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] Bank note of 500 lek falsify

    Tirana, May 11 (ATA) - By E.Metaj - The most falsified bank notes in Albania during 1998 have been the ones of 200 lek, 500 lek and 1000 lek, inform ATA sources from the Albanian Bank.

    The great number of falsifications is marked in the bank notes of 500 lek by 521 pieces and the bank notes of 1000 lek by 103 pieces and the bank notes of 200 lek only one piece.

    According to the Albanian Bank the Albanian market did not escape from the currencies falsification.The most falsified currencies belong to American dollar, Italian lirets, Greek drachmas and German mark. Considerable part is covered by the note of 100 dollars belonging to 1990. The falsification quality is different for different currency and according to the Central Bank for the same currency we may find two or more ways of falsification.

    During 1998 nearly 80 000 dollars is the value of the false bank notes in Gjirokastra Saving Bank and nearly 30 000 false dollars are sequestrated./led/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] Humanitarian operation "Allied Harbour" assists exiled Kosovars

    TIRANA, May 11 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: The forces of AFOR, in the framework of the humanitarian operation "Allied Harbour," have transported more than 3500 tons of materials, food items and drugs.

    The information office close to the Coordination Center with the AFOR Staff reported to ATA that with the construction of several new camps in the country, the conditions are created for NATO to start the evacuation of the exiled Kosovars towards the secure areas.

    Along with the care for people inside the camps and their supply with food items, work is being accelerated to put into use the field hospitals. The hospital set up by the Czech military forces in the region of Kavaje started its activity today.

    The air forces in Rinas have offered assistance for the proceeding of 30 transport airplanes with material aid. Some 29 helicopters have continued transport of people and materials to the camps inside the country from the heliport of Farka. /lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] Humanitarian relief reached to 80 million dollars

    Tirana, May 11 (ATA) - M.Pupa - The Governmental Commission of Aid informs today that during the period of March 30-May 10, the value of the humanitarian aid addressed for Kosova comers reached to 78.174.015 dollars.

    Nearly 54.559 ton humanitarian aids in food, detergents, clothes, medicaments and medical equipment, etc, entered through the Albanian custom offices.

    Statistics shows that the humanitarian aid in address of the Albanian Government covered 14,4% of the total aid and the ones addressed to the International humanitarian institutions performing their activities in Albania covered 85,6%.

    According to the donor countries USA has given the greatest contribution by an assistance of 8.255.822 dollars. After that is coming Germany by a quantity of 15.482 tones. They are followed by England, Holland, Italy, Swiss, Denmark, Norway, etc. Several other countries have assisted Albania by their value is not specified./lh/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] Starts project implementing on installing 200 mobiles

    Tirana, May 11 (ATA) - By M.Pupa - A meeting with the directors of the General Directory of Post-Telecommunication of AMC and representatives of the well-known company in telecommunication ERICSSON is held at the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization.

    In this meeting the implements of project agreement on mobiles network in Kuksi area is approved This project will be fulfilled by a grant finance by ERICSSON company and the Contribution of Swedish Red Cross.

    This project will make possible the installation some stations in Kuksi area, the construction of a radio station for the current network of AMC and the installation of 200 fixed mobiles in service of the public and especially of Kosova comers.

    The value of this project marks 800 000 dollars. This project will be completed within a month./lh/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] Airfield of Kukes inaugurated

    KUKES, May 11 (ata) - By H Cani: Albanian Deputy Premier Ilir Meta and the Minister of Public Works and Transportation Ingrid Shuli received two senior militarymen of the Arab United Emirates on Tuesday afternoon in the airfield of Kukes which was completed today.

    The military plane the Arab United Emirates with the Chief of the Army General Staff of that country, Muhamed Benzaed, Colonel Nahjan Benzaed and the Minister of Information Adbullah Benzaed, the three sons of the President of that country Zaid Ben Sultan, landed in the new airfield of Kukes at 1.18 p.m.

    Mr Meta expressed to the Chief of the Army General Staff, Mohamed Benzaed his gratitude in the name of the Albanian Government, the Albanian people and in the name of thousands of deportees from Kosova for the investment their country has made for the construction of the Kukes airfield.

    Mohamed Benzaed said that the aid of the Arab United Emirates to cope with the grave humanitarian situation created in Albania by the flood of thousands of Kosovsars evicted from their territories will not be over only with the construction of the airfield. He said that soon, in cooperation also with the Albanian Government procedures will start for the construction of the second stage of the airfield.

    Mohamed Benzaed was pleased that his country was showing care to facilitate the sufferings of some thousands of Kosovars through the camp set up in Kukes.

    After this they visited the camp set up by the Government of the Arab United Emirates in Kukes.

    The runway of the airfield of Kukes is 950 m long and 70 meters wide. /lh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] Hotels mark considerable profits in Tirana

    Tirana, May 11 (ATA)- By A.Gjata - The hotels in the capital city of Albania, Tirana, are marking considerable profit due to the coming of the foreigners. Kosova crisis brought in Tirana hundred journalists and television teams from all over the country, representatives that accompany the humanitarian aid, numberless governmental delegations from different countries, religion missionaries, experts of different world organizations on human question.

    In the luscious hotels in Tirana Center such as "Rogner" and "Tirana International", nevertheless the high prices, which varies from 100-150 dollars per night, there is no any free room since a month ago. The rooms of these hotels are changed into offices, where the television teams and journalists put the satellites and the aid missionaries coordinate the actions.

    Even in the 27 other private hotels of Tirana, where the owners put the starts upon their desire, is very difficult to find free rooms and their price increase by 50% which means 50-80 dollars per night.

    The hotels owners due to the lack of tourists for nearly three years at the moment are having the best days of the profits they have never thought about it.

    Meanwhile the number of the foreign is increasing and the answers taken are no free room, and already many citizens leave their flat for rent. The first to rent the flats were Kosova families well off, but at the moment the prices increase twice for foreigners./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [24] We support Rugova's demand to cooperate with political and military factor in Kosove - Berisha

    TIRANE, May 11 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The most important problems of the Albanian policy and the question of Kosove were in the centre of the meeting of activists of the Democratic Party for Tirane. DP chairman Sali Berisha explained to the participants in the meeting the stance of that party regarding Ibrahim Rugova.

    "We have supported Rugova during all his political career because he has continuously demanded the independence of Kosove, and even after his release from being an hostage of Belgrade he kept demanding cooperation among the political and military factors of Kosove," said Berisha.

    The DP leader added that "we must influence in their unification because a quick cooperation between these factors is indispensable. Berisha expressed reserves for the Albanian Government in relation with its position towards Rugova and the support that this government is giving to the provisional government of Kosove led by Hashim Thaci. /lh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [25] Increase prices of food products in Albanian markets

    Tirana, May 11 (ATA) - This week began with price's increase of the food products in Albanian markets, inform on Tuesday the Statistics Directory at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

    According to the specialists of this directory the coming of Kosova displaced caused the consume's increase of the food items above the predicted levels, which is accompanied even with the increase of the prices of the products.

    Since the beginning of entering of Kosova comers till last week the selling prices of the products were stable. This is the first week to mark a general tendency of price's increase of the food items./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [26] Custom offices announced goods to be excluded from import duties

    Tirana, May 11 (ATA) - By Elton Metaj - The General Director of Albanian Customs Adrian Maci issued an order concerning the goods to be excluded from paying the import duties and has as their destination Kosova expelled.

    According to the order all the imported humanitarian aid of Relief organizations, from state budget enterprises, diplomatic missions and delegations to be recognized by the custom authorities or based upon the legislation on this question are excluded from paying the import duties.

    The offices' materials and equipment sent by a person or organization abroad without any commercial purpose by the sender are excluded by the import duties.

    According to the instruction of Director Maçi the import equipment, vehicles, provisions and other products brought in Albania by NATO forces, which are used by them or to fulfill their activities in the region is also excluded from the import duties.

    Meanwhile, will not be excluding the alcoholic drinks, tobacco and its products, coffee, tea, and the vehicles which are connected with the emergency.

    The above mentioned products are allowed only in the cases of individual or familiar portion for Kosova comers and NATO food, as well.

    According to Maçi in drafting this instruction NATO presence in Albania, the emergency due to the great influx of the Kosova expelled, the need to accelerate the process of entering the humanitarian aid due to the need to avoid the abuses and the irregularities in the custom offices./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [27] Albania's People's Assembly is in favour of a protectorate for Kosove - Parliament Speaker

    TIRANE, May 11 (ata) - The Albanian Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi met on Tuesday with the visting delegation of the Commission of Foreign Policy of the Italian Parliament House of Deputies, led by Achille Occhetto.

    The Parliament's press office reports that Gjinushi focused on the developments in Kosove and voiced the stance of the Parliament that only the realisation of the demands set by the international community, expressed through NATO, will guarantee the stability in Kosove, in the region and broader.

    The Parlaiment of Albania is in favour of a protectorate, said Gjinushi, who hailed the E.U. initiative to administer Kosova temporarily. Any other partial solution, any other eventual experiemtation or halting of NATO operations would not be a solution, said Mr Gjinushi.

    Highlighting the role of the KLA as a factor of the existence of the Albanians in Kosove, Gjinushi said that it must be backed up in all forms. In Rambouillet, he continued, the Albanian factor was unified and spoke in unison. We reckon that these three factors, those that were signatories in the Rambouillet, be again together, said Gjinushi. Before going to any other place, Rugova must be here to influence in the unification of the Kosova factor, said Gjinushi, adding that nobody has the right to sign without the consensus of the political factor.

    The chairman of the Foreign Policy Commission of the Italian Parliament, Mr Occhetto, expressing the solidarity and appreciation of the Italian parliament for the Albanian people and authorities, said that "we are here to prove our support for you and the Albanian people of Kosove, who were deported from their homes. Considering as necessary the international intervention, he said that efforts must continue for the unity of the Albanian factor in support of the international community for the correct settlement of the crisis. /lh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [28] Albanian Government reckons that Milosevic and his regime must be punished - Minister

    SALONICA, May 11 (ata) - The address of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Albania Paskal Milo in the second day of the Sixth Forum of Salonica focused on the crisis in Kosove, describing it as the most profound crisis of Southeastern Europe since the Second World War, crisis which has now come to intolerable limits.

    "The Albanian Government reckons that Milosevic and his regime deserves punishment," aid Milo who highlighted the NATO military operations as acts which are generating positive effects, because they have ruined a good part of the military infrastructure of Milosevic. "The NATO air strikes were imposed by Milosevic," said Milo.

    Minister Milo expressed the opinion of the Albanian Government for the establishment of an international administration in Kosove immediately after the armed conflict ends. He added that the diplomatic action of the international organizations must be accompanied and guaranteed in every step by the NATO forces.

    Milo qualified Kosova as the last chapter of a bloody diary, which starts with Slovenia and continues with Croatia and Bosnia. "Our region, in which there are a number of ethnic peoples, cultural and linguistic minorities, must learn to cohabitate," said Milo. According to him, the example of Kosove showed that the respect for the human rights does not belong to a single state, and has not to do only with the national question. "The human rights are problems of international dimensions," said at the end of his address the Albanian Foreign Minister. /lh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [29] 850 Kosovars reach Albania through Hani i Hotit border crossing

    SHKODER, May 11 (ata) - By M Malja: 850 Kosovars, mostly coming from Peje and Gjakove, entered Albania on Tuesday through the border crossing of Hani i Hotit, about 30 km from the northern city of Shkoder.

    The spokesman of the prefecture of Shkoder told ATA that the newcomers were mainly women, children and elderly people. He added that they are sheltered in the camp set up by the German Government in village Shtoj, about 4 km from Shkoder.

    Over this period, nearly 38 thousand Kosovars, a part of whom have been taken to other districts of Albania, have come to Albania through through Hani i Hotit border crossing. /lh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [30] Gjirokaster-Kakavije national road continues to be blocked

    GJIROKASTER, May 11 (ata) - By Sh Hajno: The Gjirokaster-Kakavije national road near village Lazarat continues to be blocked by a number of people from that village.

    The group of inhabitants of the village who had blocked the road allowed passing on the road only people and not vehicles. An exception in this regard was made for the vehicles transporting aid for the Kosovars, for the sick, people with calamities, etc.

    At 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday, the director of the police of the prefecture of Gjirokaster, Colonel Shkelqim Berberi, had a meeting with a representation from the village, led by the chairman of the commune, Silam Gjollesha and the chief of the Council of the Elderly, Riza Gerveshi, but they did not reach any agreement for the road.

    In the mean time, according to Berberi, another meeting is planned for Wednesday for the solution of the issue.

    A group of forensic experts of the Public Order Ministry arrived in the police department of Gjirokaster today to help accelerate the investigation for the identification of the killers of two inhabitants of village Lazarat on May 7, an event which has served as a cause for the blocking of the national road by some local villagers in early hours today. /s.s./xh/


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


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