Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-12

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Meidani praises cooperation of Diber local government with central government

[02] Javier Solana arrives in Albania for formal visit

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] Majko urges greater engagement in coping with governing and humanitarian emergency problems

[05] Dollar at 142.3 leks

[06] Majko: Albania supports five NATO terms Solana: Albania can strongly count on NATO

[07] NATO will continue bombing campaign until Kosovars return home - Solana

[08] NATO cooperates with division of Korce to construct camps for deported Kosovars

[09] Albanian police forces exchange fire with Serb military forces

[10] European Parliament demands drafting of a Marshall Plan for Albania

[11] Rhythms of displaced Kosovars evacuation increased

[12] Soros foundation, UNCEF support education of Kosova children

[13] Majko: Albania supports five NATO terms Solana: Albania can strongly count on NATO

[14] Unity of Albanian factors is very important for coming developments - Solana

[15] NATO will subdue Milosevic - Solana

[16] European Union split up 150 million EURO for humanitarian aid

[17] Social insurance 4.6 million lek for pensions

[18] Mobile dental clinic in service of displaced Kosovars sheltered in camps

[19] Bank approves contemporary competence of supervising

[20] Measures on deposits guarantee

[01] Meidani praises cooperation of Diber local government with central government

The aim of the visit was to establish contacts with the deported Kosovars housed in this district and the distrcit local authorities, according to the President's Press and Information office.

Over 5000 displaced Kosovars have been settled in Diber. About 3000 of them have been accommodated by the families in this district.

The senior authorities had a brief meeting with representatives from the local government, international community, non-governmental associations, and guests from Diber e Madhe (FYROM).

Meidani called on those present to draft projects to create conditions for sheltering the displaced also during the winter period, by repairing old buildings or constructing light-structure buildings. He urged the promotion of the central and local government cooperation and schooling of the Kosovar children coming from traumatic experiences.

Meidani familiarised the participants with the aftermaths in facing the crisis in Albania and the proportions of its economic and financial engagement.

The relations with Macedonia were also treated by the president at a news conference, also attended by Albanian reporters from Macedonia.

"We have often treated in our talks with our Macedonian counterparts the need to build a civil and non-national state in our countries. It is true that among the Macedonian political circles, separate individuals have expressed nationalist concepts pretending that the admission in Macedonia of a large number of deported Kosova Albanians would disturb the ethnic balance and destabilise Macedonia.

They have even spoken of deportation corridors of the displaced towards the country of origin, which, according to them, is "Albania".

Kosova is the place of origin for the Kosovars, just as Macedonia is the place of origin for the Macedonia Albanians. We have spoken of corridors of regional integration, such as the 8th corridor and not of deportation corridors. As to their claim that the admission of a large number of deported Albanians will disturb the balance in Macedonia, I would say that the return of the displaced to Kosova would be in the interest of the whole international community, that is also of Albania, because the contrary would mean victory of Milosevic's ethnic cleansing.

As to Macedonia's stability I would say that it is very significant for us. If the Dayton agreement elevated one of the legs of the stability bridge in the region, Macedonia's stability is its second leg. Macedonia's destabilisation would be the best gift for Milosevic.

We should work to strengthen cooperation with Macedonia, because this is vital also for the development of the Albanians there," said Meidani.

Further on Meidani dwelt on other problems such as that of the Kosova interim status.

During his stay in Diber, Meidani, along with the minister accompanying him and the local government representatives visited two centres housing deported Kosovars and three Diber families that have housed a considerable number of Kosovars.

They also paid a visit of condolences to a family which had lost a member of the family in emigration. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Javier Solana arrives in Albania for formal visit

Solana is expected to hold separate meetings with President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani and Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.

After official talks, Solana will hold a news conference at the hall of the Presidency seat. At around 14.30 he will leave Albania. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS REVIEW

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily: - "MIGs attack Albania". Five missiles dropped by Yugoslav MIGs near the Albanian border. -"Majko from Greece melts the ice with Macedonia". The article deals with yesterday's meeting in Salonika of Greece between Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko with Macedonian Prime Minister Georgevski. -"Rugova:"I have never been against NATO". Rugova's yesterday's statements to several foreign newspapers. - "NATO: Kukes dangerous zone". NATO and UNHCR warn that Kukes can be considered "very dangerous zone".

Shekulli, independent daily: -"KLA shoots down Serb MIG". Long exchange of fire among the Serb army, Albanian army and the KLA, also with the aid of the Apache helicopters. -"The Majko ignores us". Debate among the parliamentary group on the annulled resignation of Minister of Public Order Petro Koci. -"Daan Everts: We have frozen relations with Berisha". Statement by OSCE representative in Tirane, according to who the DP has been isolated by the international community. -Rugova to work like in Rambouillet". President Meidani speaks of the LDK leader Rugova. -"The last days of Dr. Agani", is an account by the niece of academician Fehmi Agani who is now sheltered in Elbasan.

Rilindja, independent daily: -"Rugova begins to speak and supports the NATO strikes", Rugova's statements yesterday.

Albania, independent daily: -"Lazarat blocks national road". -"EU invites Rugova". EU foreign Ministers have invited Rugova to take part in their meeting in Brussels next week.

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development: -"IMF: Do not change the plan of budget incomes", the correct implementation of all parameters established by the signing of the midterm agreement ESAF-2 with the IMF, also under the current crisis conditions.

Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania: -"Tanks shoot at 120 Serbs". The article deals with yesterday's fighting along the northern border. -"Remove the barricade". Appeal of the family members of one of the two persons killed in Lazarat on Friday addressed to their fellow villagers. -"Rugova in unison with the whole Kosova". Yesterday's statements of Rugova.

Rilindja demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania: -"KLA shoots down one MIG in Padesh". -"The government encourages destabilisation of the South". /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Majko urges greater engagement in coping with governing and humanitarian emergency problems

Minister of Public Order Petro Koci, Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli and Minister of Local Government Arben Demeti reported on the performance of their ministries.

The Council of Ministers approved in principle the draft law "On managing public functioning" which has been conceived as a framework law, which adjusts the management of public functioning such as juridical relations of public functionaries' performance, their rights and obligations, the way of recruitment, promotion, remuneration of work and disciplinary procedures.

The draft-law has been prepared through the assistance provided by SIGMA and World Bank experts and is an important part of the reform in public sector. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Dollar at 142.3 leks

today, according to the Tirana Bank exchange rate. Foreign currency exchange rate

USD 142.3

DM 77.7

ITL(1000) 78.4

GRD(100) 46.5

EURO 150.9 /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Majko: Albania supports five NATO terms Solana: Albania can strongly count on NATO

The Albanian government fully supports the five conditions NATO has put forward to Milosevic, for a halt to the fighting, said Majko.

At this meeting the head of the Albanian government stressed that the "support of the Albanian people for the NATO forces, deployed in support of the humanitarian operations, is at its highest level".

"In this context, also the political stand of the Albanian government will in full accordance with the NATO operations, because in this way we defend our interests," stressed Majko.

"In Albania I have found what I really appreciate, friendship," said Solana.

The generosity of the Albanian people in coping with this really dramatic situation is to be admired," he added. Solana said the cooperation with Albania will continue, just as it was also stressed at the latest summit in Washington.

"My visit to Albania is not the first and will not be the last, either. Albania can strongly count on NATO, in which it will always find full support," said Solana. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] NATO will continue bombing campaign until Kosovars return home - Solana

"Our aim is that all refugees, forced out of their lands, return. The conditions that the International Community has put forward will become a reality and in particular, the return of the refugees to their country," Solana told reporters after his meeting with Albanian President Rexhep Meidani today.

Meidani said that "we shared with NATO political and military views for a stop to the conflict in Kosova".

Evaluating NATO's humanitarian role in Albania, Meidani said that "We are convinced that all Kosovars will be able to return to their lands if the NATO principles are met and if NATO leads this operation. Albania is ready to meet any new demand that might be forwarded by NATO," stressed Meidani.

Asked about the solution of the dilemma regarding the refugees' displacement from Kosova towards Albania or Macedonia, Solana said: "NATO supports the UNHCR humanitarian mission and all the NATO militaries deployed here have only one mission, to help with the humanitarian crisis."

He added that the Alliance would not forcibly relocate refugees reluctant to do so.

Referring to reports that a Yugoslav MiG plane has been shot down in Albania and the mission of the Apache helicopters in Albania, Solana said he had no such information at this moment.

As to provocations on along the Albanian border, Solana stressed that "NATO will not allow the conflict's spillover onto Albania and it will not allow any action that might threaten this country". /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] NATO cooperates with division of Korce to construct camps for deported Kosovars

The commander of the NATO forces deployed in Korce, British General Cross, in a meeting with the commander of the Korce Division Colonel Ethem Shkurta on Wednesday, said that work is going on for the construction of three camps in Barc, Zapet and Gjanc, with the funds of the French, German and British government respectively. Each of the camps will house 5 000 deportees.

The commanders decided to step up cooperation between the NATO forces and the Division of Korce for various military problems, giving priority to the humanitarian ones.

Over the meeting with the militaries of the Division of Korce, the British General Cross highlighted the welcome and assistance that the inhabitants of this region are providing to overcome the situation. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albanian police forces exchange fire with Serb military forces

The spokesman of Tropoje police commissariat told ATA on Wednesday that the Albanian border forces helped by the inhabitants of the village responded with fire the attack of the Serb forces not to allow them enter into the Albanian soil.

The spokesman said that no casualties were reported so far. Reinforcements coming from Tropoje brigade and from the district police commissariat resulted in the stability of the situation in the border.

Unidentified sources reported that two people from the village died due to the exchange of fire between the Albanian and the Serb forces /s.s.Ani/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] European Parliament demands drafting of a Marshall Plan for Albania

Upon the initiative of the parliamentarian Tom Spencer, chairman for the questions of security and foreign policy, the European Parliament, in its regular session, adopted a resolution including in it an amendment for Albania.

The 7th paragraph of that document writes that: "We congratulate the Albanian Government led by Prime Minister Pandeli Majko for its achievements in the stability and establishment of peace in Albania as well as for sheltering the deportees from Kosove."

The resolution requests from the Council of Ministers and the EU Commission "to start immediately a genuine Marshall Plan for Albania."

The European Parliament asks from the EU Commission and Council of Ministers to start negotiations start as soon as possible for the completion of an Association Agreement between EU and Albania. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Rhythms of displaced Kosovars evacuation increased

Kukes district spokesman, Emri Peca, told ATA that some 2872 people were evacuated on Wednesday from 06.00-09.00 a.m. According to his this cipher is considered high compared with the figures of the previous days.

Sources from border police of Morine custom house told ATA that the total number of people entering Morine pass by 12.00 a.m on Wednesday is 500 persons.

The new arrivals show that they are obliged to leave their soils not only because of maltreatment and violation exercised by the Serb forces, but also from the hunger. This was the main aim, especially for the city inhabitants why they came to Albania. /led/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Soros foundation, UNCEF support education of Kosova children

Gurevic said that the aid will consist in the qualification of 60 teachers coming from Kosove. Minister Ruka pointed out that the drafting of reduced program for the schools situated in the northern Albania have just finished. Even teachers from Kosove are to be involved in this program. Ruka explained that a facility is the fact that the Albanian schools in both sides of the state border have applied similar programs, and that's why it will be not be difficult for our teachers to work with Kosova children.

Minister Ruka presented as well the problem of the lack of text books for the children coming from Kosove. /led/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Majko: Albania supports five NATO terms Solana: Albania can strongly count on NATO

The Albanian government fully supports the five conditions NATO has put forward to Milosevic, for a halt to the fighting, said Majko.

At this meeting the head of the Albanian government stressed that the "support of the Albanian people for the NATO forces, deployed in support of the humanitarian operations, is at its highest level".

"In this context, also the political stand of the Albanian government will in full accordance with the NATO operations, because in this way we defend our interests," stressed Majko.

"In Albania I have found what I really appreciate, friendship," said Solana.

The generosity of the Albanian people in coping with this really dramatic situation is to be admired," he added.

"NATO countries are very much impressed by your approach. I would like to tell you that keep supporting NATO, NATO is behind you today and will continue to cooperate closely with you in the future too," said Solana.

Majko said that the Albanian Government considers the deployment of NATO troops in Albania as the deployment of troops in a NATO member country, stressing at the same time that the Albanian Government gives a powerful support also to the efforts for the solution of the conflict in Kosove through diplomatic ways.

"The Albanian Government has the conviction that the air campaign of NATO on Serbia must continue and NATO military troops must be deployed in Kosove, as guarantors of peace in the period after the conflict is settled. This is the best solution, which helps avoid a hot bed of permanent conflict in the region," said Majko.

He explained the efforts of the Albanian Government to ensure stability in the Balkan region, of which he highlighted the meeting he had recently with the Macedonian Prime Minister.

The Albanian Government is keeping continuous contacts with all factors in Kosove, said Majko, expressing the conviction that the formulae of the representation of the Kosova political and military factor, which functioned in the Rambouillet talks, may function also in the future. "We consider as very dangerous the tendency for the division of the Kosova factor into moderates and terrorists," said Majko, underscoring that the Kosova policy is totally based on the fundamental principles for the present and future of Kosove.

The NATO Secretary General stressed that NATO is committed to continue its air strikes on Serbia until it meets the five declared conditions: end of ethnic cleansing in Kosove, return of refugees to a democratic Kosove, withdrawal of Serb troops and deployment of troops which would guarantee the return of the refugees," said Solana, stressing that NATO must be the bulk of the structure of the military troops in Kosove.

Mr Solana said that along the military attempts for the solution of the conflict, efforts are being made also through diplomatic channels. He stressed that there are some changes in the regime of Milosevic but his latest movements must not be taken seriously.

"Our commitment in the region goes beyond the conflict. Work is going on together with the EU to figure out a long term perspective for the entire region, on the economic, political aspects and in aspects related with the security to establish democratic institutions in the region," the NATO Secretary General said. He hailed the meeting of the Albanian PM Pandeli Majko with his Macedonian counterpart as a movement in the right direction.

The NATO Secretary general considered as rather important the permanent contacts with the Albanian Government. /led/lm/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Unity of Albanian factors is very important for coming developments - Solana

Meidani voiced to Mr Solana the readiness of Albania to accept any other request of NATO and its assistance for the rehabilitation of the infrastructure which would help facilitate the NATO objectives in Albania and would serve in the future the Albanians of Albania as well, the President's press office reports.

Responding Mr Solana's interest in his opinions on the situation in Kosove, the settlement of the crisis, the final document of the G8 meeting, Meidani said that the return of the forcibly deported Kosovars to their territories is indispensably linked with an international military presence led by NATO or with its presence in the bulk of the structure."

Further on President Meidani said that "we must talk of the transitory period which we think would pass through the establishment of an international protectorate or authority which would have both a military and civil structure."

Meidani also demanded support and aid for the Kosovars actually in Kosove.

President Meidani said that Albania is making efforts for the unity of the Albanian factors in Rambouillet avoiding any difference which would have a negative impact on the Albanians of Kosove.

Mr Solana said that the unity among Albanian factors is very important in the coming developments.

President Meidani highlighted the stability of Macedonia and the need for the consolidation of the bilateral relations with it in service of the regional stability and the Macedonian state itself, something which was appreciated by the Alliance Secretary General, Solana. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] NATO will subdue Milosevic - Solana

Then the NATO Secretary General in a press conference with local paper reporters said that last night NATO had intensive air strikes on Serbia. There was total blackout in 16 cities. Many military facilities, tv stations and other industrial buildings have been ruined.

Solana said that NATO guaranteed Kosovars that in a short period of time they will return to their territories. NATO will subdue Milosevic and it will not halt bombing until the demands it has set will be fulfilled. Very soon, Milosevic will be sent to the Hague Tribunal for the war crimes he has perpetuated to the Kosova people, said Solana in conclusion. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] European Union split up 150 million EURO for humanitarian aid

According to the sources of the Commission of European Union the sum of 15 million EURO will be added to the sum of 32 million EURO, put in disposal by the Humanitarian Office of European Union (ECHO) to meet the urgent needs of Kosova Albanians.

The sum of 150 million EURO will be sent by a packet of emergent aid foreseen by European Union. 100 million EURO from this sum will be in disposal at once, while the rest of 50 million EURO will be used to help those who might return in their homes in Kosova, as soon as it will be possible.

The sum of 100 million EURO will be divided between Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosova. European Union defined 15 million Euro to Albania, 15 million to Macedonia, 5 million to Montenegro, and 5 million Euro to Kosova. The rest of 46,5 million Euro will be administrated by the humanitarian enterprises of Unites Nations Organization and Red Cross.

Albania profited a sum of 62 million Euro as a budgetary support from the European Union.

The new packet makes the value of humanitarian aid given by the member countries of European Union and ECHO during 1998-1999 on Kosova crisis more than 489 million Euro.

Following is the summary table of the humanitarian aid given concerning Kosova crisis:

(in million Euro) 1998 1999 Total ECHO 21,6 182,0 203,6 EU countries 40,4 245, 4 285,8 In total 62,0 427,4 489, 4

/dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Social insurance 4.6 million lek for pensions

335 000 people profit retirement pensions by the sum of 4.6 million lek. 175 people profit pensions in villages.

But the head of Social Insurance continue to ask for cashing contribution by the peasants, because the considerable part are self- employed in agriculture and do not pay social insurances./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Mobile dental clinic in service of displaced Kosovars sheltered in camps

The mobile dental clinic will be there for a week and will give priority to the children. It will be displaced afterwards to other camps where the dispatched Kosovars are accommodated. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Bank approves contemporary competence of supervising

It is the first time in such regulation to be included the competencies of contemporary methodology of supervising on open positions such as "Structural position", "Operational Position" and "Global position".

In the meeting of the supervising organ of Albanian Central Bank discussed even the following information "On implementing of the decision of the Supervising Council during the first three months of 1999", "About the results of the examinations done in National Commercial Bank and Dardania Bank", "On monetary proceedings in March 1999" and " About some problems to come out due to the current political situation in the region and the possible changes in the Albania economy"./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Measures on deposits guarantee

This proportion is expressed in percentage and is defined to be no lower than 12%. In the International experience the accepted proportion of the capital is no lower than 8%.

While due to the great risks Albanian Banks are facing, they are obliged to have that capital value, which have to be provided in a higher level in guaranteeing the deposits./linda/

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