Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-13

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Road axis in Lazarat village cleared

[02] Special teaching program be applied in summer schools

[03] Press review

[04] Construction police resume demolishing illegal constructions

[05] Tirana currency rate

[06] Fighting erupted in some areas of Kosova

[07] Accounts on Serbian crimes increase

[08] Chief of French army general staff to visit Albania on Friday

[09] Minister of Public Works and Transport reports on Greek housing credit

[10] Majko assigns Lakrori to make preparations for Albania-EU agreement

[11] European Commission approved to support Albanian budget with 62 million EURO

[12] 12 million USD on watering system of Shkodra field

[13] DP rejects Albanian Parliament resolution on Kosova

[14] Meeting of Mediterranean Ministers of Agriculture

[15] Influx of Kosovars arriving in Morine pass reduced, evacuation rhythms increased

[16] Small business cashed 132,3 million lek incomes more

[17] NATO military plane lands with difficulty in Rinas airport

[18] Social insurance: 679 million lek from private business

[19] Albania in "Europartenariat Austria 1999"

[20] Alcoholic drinks and tobacco to be sequestrated

[21] NATO command in Tirane accepts a F-16 landing in Rinas airport

[22] Settlement of Kosova crisis must be reached conformed to NATO stands

[23] NATO bombing on Yugoslavia must continue - Kavan

[24] With Rambouillet Agreement all sides have obligations before Albanian people - Xhaferri

[01] Road axis in Lazarat village cleared

He said that the road traffic was opened to all vehicles and the road was under police control. /led/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Special teaching program be applied in summer schools

The teaching program will be applied for 3 to 4 hours a day and the rest will be used for other activities and entertainments to alleviate the stress of the Kosova children.

Kosova teachers are also going to be trained by education directorates in the districts.

At the end of the special education program the Kosova pupils will be granted respective documentation for the summer school they have attended. /led/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Press review

KOHA JONE, and independent daily

- "Diplomacy to reconsider new relations," is the editorial of the daily. - "Berisha: we will occupy all country's squares." In yesterday's commemorating rally the Democratic party re-launched the campaign of rallies against Majko government." - "State surrendered to Lazarat". Police negotiated with the "village government" to clear the national road, but the latter refused." - "Milo: Skopje closed than Tirana for Rugova". Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo briefed parliament on the situation in Kosova and steps undertaken by the Albanian government. - "Albanian parliament recognises Thaçi government". A resolution on Kosova was passed by parliament. - "Air raids until conditions are met," Javier Solana, NATO Secretary General said yesterday in Tirana.

GAZETA SHQIPTARE, independent daily.

- "Serbs are dying in Tropoja". Albanian Ministry of Defence said that weapons, dead bodies, blood stained uniforms were found after heavy fighting two days ago in Tropoja. One person was held war prisoner. - "Solana: Kukes empty for Apache", says NATO Secretary General on Wednesday in Tirana. - "European parliament: Marshall Plan for Albania." A resolution was passed on Wednesday in Brussels urging a Marshall plan for Albania. - "Berisha: KLA becomes cannon fodder for government". The DP leader told yesterday's commemorating rally. - "Albanian parliament recognises Thaçi government". Parliament approves a resolution on Kosova. - "NATO: Most successful day of air raids". Alliance assesses its activity in the 50th day of air raids.

SHEKULLI, independent daily

- "Parliament recognises "Thaçi". The resolution passed by parliament on Wednesday backs KLA as the decisive political factor. - "Milo: Rugova to visit Tirana". Paskal Milo, Albanian Foreign Minister told parliament on Wednesday on a possible visit of Rugova. - "Confidence motion for presidency," says Petro Koçi, Public Order Minister and also member of the Socialist party leadership in an interview with the daily. - "Solana: air raids to continue". Javier Solana, NATO Secretary General said during his visit to Tirana on Wednesday. - "Two residents of Kamenica killed" during an exchange of fire in the Albanian northern border.

RILINDJA, independent information daily.

- "Hunger is marking its first victims in Drenica". The article reports on the death of Kosova war refugees due to lack of food in the mountain of Gospoje, Drenice. - "Stay nearer to Kosova in order to return there as soon as possible", Otto Schily, German Interior Minister, said on Wednesday during a visit to refugee camp of Cegran, Macedonia.

ALBANIA, independent daily.

- "Parliament splits Kosova." - "Majko appoints special envoy to Lazarat."

EKONOMIA, daily of the Albanian Economic Development Agency.

- "From Washington to Brussels, a move to help Albania." The European parliament urges real Marshall plan for Albania. - "Banks occupied by the lek and the dollar", two most preferred currencies by the banks for the moment.

ZERI i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania.

- "Berisha and Sllobo, alone against Majko", this is the editorial of the daily. - "War is generating money." European Parliament urges Marshall plan for Albania. - "Lazarat, police start attacking gangs on Wednesday." The first five have been arrested. - "Solana to Majko: Rely on NATO." Javier Solana, NATO Secretary General, told Albanian premier Pandeli Majko in talks on Wednesday in Tirana.

RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania.

-"Parliament does not recognise Republic of Kosova."

/ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Construction police resume demolishing illegal constructions

Police sources said that they were destroying eight buildings four of which near the Italian embassy residence and other four near the Swiss embassy residence.

The same sources said that the action would continue in areas near the residences of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Albania and later to other areas of the capital. /led/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Tirana currency rate

US$1.00 142.5 German mark 77.4 Italian lire (1000) 78.3 Greek Drachmas (100) 46.5 EURO 151.5

/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Fighting erupted in some areas of Kosova

Kosovapress said that two Serbian paramilitaries were killed in an exchange of fire with the KLA in the road between Gjakova and Klina (Western Kosova). In the area of Gergovs village, KLA units killed three Serbian soldiers and destroyed their vehicle.

The KLA forces killed on Wednesday a Serbian soldier, who was raiding the Albanian houses in the village of Lluge e Poshtme, commune of Decan.

Heavy fighting erupted two days ago between the Serbian forces and the KLA fighters in the village of Junik near the border area between Kosova and Albania.

Kosovapress reported on the grave humanitarian situation of the population in many areas of Kosova. It said that about 3 thousand Albanian civilians, mainly women, children and elderly people, driven from their homes, were living in bad conditions for at least one month in Drenica region, in mountain of Gospoje.

Possibilities for the KLA to provide food for the endangered civil population are limited, Kosovapress said, adding that in many areas of Drenica the population is running short of water and the first victims of hunger and disease are being recorded. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Accounts on Serbian crimes increase

The same sources said that they possessed film evidence from the Serbian massacre against three Albanian families. Four people were burnt in Carraluke before. Other four Albanians had been burnt in village of Gurabardhe, four in Morine and one in Drenice.

The victims were mainly women, children and handicapped, who had not managed to flee.

Following statement on withdrawal, Serbian forces have not moved an inch from their positions and continue to threaten the life of residents of Malisheva, the same sources said.

They said that shootings and artillery rounds from Turjaka e Vogel have forced the population settled in surrounding areas to move to other safe places. /led/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Chief of French army general staff to visit Albania on Friday

Sources of the Public Relation Directorate at the Defence Ministry said to ATA that General Kelche was expected to meet with the Albanian defence minister Luan Hajdaraga.

He will also meet the chief of general staff of the Albanian army Brigade General Aleks Andoni and visit refugee camps in Elbasan and Korçe.

Before leaving Albania General Kelche will meet in Rinas airport with Lieutenant General John Reith, commander of the NATO humanitarian operation in Albania. /led/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Minister of Public Works and Transport reports on Greek housing credit

The Greek government is the only one that has offered to help with a credit of 5 billion drachmas, which meets only 30 per cent of the housing needs.

The ministries assigned to deal with this issue have prepared a draft- decision on "the criteria of credit granting, distribution of funds as well as the scheme of materialising the platform of the Greek housing credit", which will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers.

Albania's Prime Minister, in his meeting with his Greek counterpart Simitis a few days ago in Salonika, was guaranteed that the credit issue would be discussed in the nearest meeting of the Greek Government cabinet.

The lists of the persons to profit from this credit have been compiled by the local government, district councils and will be verified by the Pyramid Firms Transparency Commission.

The Albanian Parliament on Thursday approved the law "On the competencies in defining wages", a law which liberalises wages in the state enterprises tending to be privatised. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Majko assigns Lakrori to make preparations for Albania-EU agreement

Based on this order, Lakrori as representative of the Albanian Government, will define the organisational and auxiliary structures as well as the strategy and preparatory procedures for holding negotiations. The negotiation objectives for each stage should be presented to the Council of Ministers for approval.

This order, based on one of the articles of Albania's Constitution "on the operation rules of the Council of Ministers", comes into force immediately. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] European Commission approved to support Albanian budget with 62 million EURO

The program includes a grant of 61,4 million EURO to be used as a budgetary support and 0,6 million EURO as technical assistance.

These funds will make up for what is spent and will be spent from the state budget during the period from March 15 to December 31, 1999, due to the influx of Kosova comers.

They will support the Albanian authorities to keep the predicted level of the budget for the investments and operative expenditures during this year.

This assistance aims at covering some of the expenditures related with the Kosova comers, where the ones covered by the humanitarian aid are excluded.

Based upon the information from the Albanian Government already are identified the fields to be covered by appendix expenditures in health, education, public affairs, national and local infrastructure and in registration of the Kosova displaced, as well.

Meanwhile other sums from different governments are confirmed, such as 10 million dollars by the Japanese government, three million by the Norwegian government, and nearly three million dollars by the Finnish government.

While USA put in disposal of the countries affected by Kosova conflict a sum of 50 million dollars./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] 12 million USD on watering system of Shkodra field

The specialist of Food and Agriculture Directorate of this district Guri Bedhi told ATA that the project of World Bank marking the value of 12 million dollars on rehabilitation of the watering system of Shkodra field will be fulfilled within three years.

The project foresees the watering of nearly 25 500 ha from 10 500 to be watered now in this field.

During the last years the watering system is harmed considerably./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] DP rejects Albanian Parliament resolution on Kosova

"The Democratic Party condemns the resolution and the stand of the Albanian parliament, which denies the state-constituent and internationally recognised efforts of two million Kosova Albanians over the past ten years for constituting their parallel state and its functioning," said Berisha.

According to Berisha, this resolution does not support the cooperation between the political factor and military factor, but supports only the latter.

"This might lead to a split among the Kosova Albanians and does not serve the unification of the Albanian factor," Berisha said.

The Albanian Parliament on Wednesday afternoon adopted a resolution on Kosova, which supports the interim government headed by Hashim Thaci and encourages the completion of the Kosova government, based on the agreement reached in Rambouillet.

The resolution considers the acceptance of the five NATO terms and expressed by G8 as a sure way to give an end to the conflict, endorsing every option of the international community backing this line. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Meeting of Mediterranean Ministers of Agriculture

"Many important issues concerning the acceleration of agriculture's development in the Mediterranean countries based upon the requirements, tradition and geographic position and to create a connection between the Mediterranean countries and the European ones, were in the meeting", said the Minister of Food and Agriculture Lufter Xhuveli.

Minister Xhuveli during his visit in Roma met the Italian Minister of Agricultural Policies De Kastro and discussed with him about the beginning of some important projects concerning the development of Horticulture in Albania.

While in the meeting with the Greek Minister of Agriculture, the Albanian delegation discussed about the possibility of intensive cooperation in the future as neighbor countries.

Minister Xhuveli met even the Head of the European Commission Romano Prodi. In this meeting Albanian preparation with the negotiations to be held concerning the association in European Union, is discussed./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Influx of Kosovars arriving in Morine pass reduced, evacuation rhythms increased

In the meantime sources from Kukes prefecture report that the rates of refugee' evacuation are increased. Officials from this prefecture told ATA on Thursday that more than 5 000 Kosova refugees are sent to other Albanian areas by means of military trucks, buses and other private vehicles on Thursday. The evacuation rates are thought to be carried in the the same rates during the forthcoming days.

Since the beginning of the ethnic cleansing in Kosove, a constant contingent of 60 000 people is settled in Kukes town-hall.

Spokesman of UNCHR in Kukes, Ray Wilkinson, told journalists on Wednesday that southern Albanian cities are carrying out preparations to shelter 160 000 Kosovars during the two coming weeks. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Small business cashed 132,3 million lek incomes more

But the director of the General Tax Directorate Kujtim Brovina told ATA today that in " many districts there are many subjects that are not inscribed in the tax offices, and the Tax police took measures concerning this problem".

The end of May is the deadline of the registration process of the private commercial subjects and according to him nevertheless the situation created in the country this process undergoes successfully.

Non cashing of the profit tax by these subjects is still a problem."In the future will be concentrated in cashing the value of more than 2 million lek, becuase here is included considerable incomes", said Brovina.

Small business in Albania is a sector where many Albanians are employed and for the moment when the main productive enterprises are involved in the privatization process, it plays the most important role in proving the incomes for Albanian families./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] NATO military plane lands with difficulty in Rinas airport

The plane, which was transporting military materials, has undertaken this action due to a technical breakdown in the direction system, spokesman of NATO forces dislocated in Rinas international airport, Lieutenant Colonel, Garrie Dorman, told ATA on Thursday.

Colonel Dornan said that the incident was not grave and added that the pilot leading the plane as well as the charge in the plane were not damaged.

Colonel Dorman said that the breakdown did not affect the normality of flights in Rinas airport. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Social insurance: 679 million lek from private business

The cashing of this business for social insurance is 20% higher compared with the value marks in the same period of the previous year, but according to the sources of this Institute the reserves are even greater and at the moment is working to collect as mush as possible from the contribution of the private subjects.

"During the first three months nearly 679 million lek are cashed by the contributions of the private business" told ATA the Vice Director of this Institute Ilir Beqja.

According to him the contributions for social insurance increase even by the employees themselves. Their contributions reached to 196 million lek./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Albania in "Europartenariat Austria 1999"

This activity is organized under the supervision of the European Commission, which improved the organization level and the ways of cooperation between the mid and small companies, participant in this activity.

As it is stressed in the statement of the European Commission "Agenda 2000" the enlargement process of the European Commission toward the Central and Eastern countries is another possibility for enlarging the markets between the would be members of European Commission. Austria will play the main role in this process due to its geographical and history.

A delegation of Albanian businessmen from Albania headed by Arben Shehi, Head of Trade and Industry Chamber of Tirana. Beside the planned meetings with Austrian companies Albanian businessmen met many business representatives from Italy, Germany, Holland, Turkish, Greece, etc./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Alcoholic drinks and tobacco to be sequestrated

Objects of the undertaken actions during the second day were the commercial subjects which do not fulfill the legal parameters of the private commercial activity.

According to the heads of the tax office of Vlora district the reason for sequestration of the alcoholic drinks and tobacco was the lack of fiscal label on them.

The operation on checking the whole sale points in this district will continue in the coming days.

The tax offices of this district fulfill the income plan for the first four months by 106,4%./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] NATO command in Tirane accepts a F-16 landing in Rinas airport

The spokesman of the NATO forces installed in Rinas Lieutenant Colonel Garrie Dornan told ATA at about 7.10 p.m. that "I am authorized to say that a U.S. aircraft, precisely a F-16 was forced to deviate from the runway a little during its landing in the military airport of Rinas at noon on Thursday."

The aircraft did that as a result of technical problem in the direction system.

In a statement an hour ago for ATA the spokesman of NATO forces, Dornan, said that the plane with the defect was a transporter C-130 and not an aircraft. But after one hour, the spokesman accepted that a military plane had landed in the Rinas runway. The U.S. military experts are investigating into the incident.

Since the conflict started in Yugoslavia and the NATO troops were installed in Albania, only planes for transport the of NATO troops have landed in Rinas airport along with the famous Apache antitank helicopters. Thursday registered the first landing of a bomber, like F-16, which has carried out its operations from the Aviano air base in Italy and from the airplane carriers of the United States, installed in the Adriatic. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Settlement of Kosova crisis must be reached conformed to NATO stands

The talk between President Meidani and the Czech Foreign Minister focused on the need of consolidation of the bilateral cooperation following the end of the conflict and after a lasting solution is found for the question of Kosove.

Mr Gjinushi said in the meeting that the parliament of Albania reckons that the only solution to the issue is the fulfilment of the five NATO terms as well as the stability of Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia Herzegovina.

Stressing that Albania is in favour of a protectorate for Kosova, Gjinushi highlighted the support of the Czech Parliament for the military acts of the Alliance and asked the Czech backing for the further integration of Albania into the NATO and the EU.

The Czech minister Kavak and Ms Buwgova appreciated the support that the Albanian people and state are giving to the international community for the correct solution to the crisis in Kosove and the solidarity they have manifested in support of the deportees from Kosove. They expressed once more the desire to consolidate the relations between all state structures of the two countries. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] NATO bombing on Yugoslavia must continue - Kavan

Kavan said that the Czech Republic is for the establishment of international troops in Kosove, with the mandate of the U.N. Security Council, with NATO in the bulk of the force. He added that a Marshall Plan is needed for Kosove and the region, which must have the broad support of the European Union.

During the meeting, Mr Milo said that NATO and the international community must force Milosevic to meet the five terms set before him: halt the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Kosove, withdraw all military and police forces from Kosove, allow the deployment of international security forces led by NATO and the placement of Kosova under an international protectorate.

As for the bilateral relations, they were considered good and with perspectives for development. The two ministers said that they will meet again at the end of June in Karlovivar of the Czech Republic, to consider the developments until then. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] With Rambouillet Agreement all sides have obligations before Albanian people - Xhaferri

Xhaferri, said after a meeting with the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo today that "it is time for a clear stand regarding the final political definitions of the Albanians to establish the structures which would take upon themselves the responsibilities of representing the people of Kosove for the future."

It is an unrepeatable case in history that the international factor is totally present here, when a big plan exists for the restructuring and the construction of the Balkans, said Xhaferri.

Asked about the contradictions between Thaci and Rugova, Xhaferri was critical for both, although he mentioned no names.

"With the Agreement of Rambouillet all sides have obligations before the Kosova people. It is not time for statements in newspapers," said Xhaferri. He added that he was in Tirane to give a final push forward to the efforts for an internal agreement among the Albanians wherever they live.

Minister Milo invited again all leaders of the Albanians in Kosove and in all their territories, to come to Tirane. "Let them come to Tirane, because Tirana must become the capital of all Albanians now that Pristine is occupied," said Milo. /lh/xh/

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