Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-27

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press review

[02] Serb artillery continues shelling Albanian border villages

[03] Exchange rates of Lk with foreign currencies

[04] Number of tented camps for refugees in Durres district doubles

[05] Foreign reporter gravely wounded in Morine (Kukes)

[06] Serb artillery mortars destroy some houses in village Pogaj of Has

[07] 250 new comers from Kosove settled in camp of Pojska

[08] Two Albanian policemen accidentally hit by mines

[09] Milo says Milosevic should be sent to the Hague Tribunal

[10] Hungarian Ambassador to Albania presents credentials

[11] Meidani urges press to upgrade professionalism and civic feeling

[12] 15 million lek cashed within 20 days of May by anti-smuggling team

[13] Albania signs agreement on fighting organised crime

[14] Prime Minister Majko arrives home

[15] Italy authorizes employment of 2 000 Albanians

[16] Italy provides aid to reconstruct Albanian army

[17] Albanian Bank to decrease interest levels of state banks

[18] Kosova refugees in Korce set up their council

[19] Albanian chromium to be liked by Turkish

[20] Started construction process of Vore-Sukth road segment

[21] Some 465 Kosovars enter Albania through Morine

[22] Improvement of refugee conditions at the centre of attention - EU observers mission

[01] Press review

KOHA JONE, independent daily. - "Albania receives high school diploma." Donors' Conference in Brussels accords Albania a financial support of 200 million dollars for the state budget. - "Ultimatum approaching, parliamentary democrats emerge." There are now made known the names of 25 DP parliamentarians who will give up the several month boycott of the the Parliament. - "Serbs hit Has, two casualties." On Wednesday two people have been killed as a result of the shells of Serb artillery fire in village Cahan of Has. - "U.S. sidesteps Rugove." Moderate leader of Kosove Ibrahim Rugova seems to have been sidestepped by U.S. Department of State because his name is not in latest meeting agenda.

GAZETA SHQIPTARE, independent daily.

- "Milo: Rugova a behind-the-back stab." Chief of Albanian diplomacy, Paskal Milo, discloses secrets of his talks in Rome with Rugove, a few days ago. - "Majority splits over DP mandates." The so much debated problem of the mandates of DP deputies has aroused debates in the parliamentary majority. - "'Arrow' shakes our border."A great number of provocations by the Serb side have been registered last Wednesday. As a result of them, two persons, father and daughter, were killed.

SHEKULLI, independent daily

- "This is where we part with Berisha." Interview with DP member of presidency Ylli Vejsiu, who presents six ideas that led to strong splits within DP. - "Qosja: Idea for a security council is good." Academician and leader of the United Democratic League of Kosova, Rexhep Qosja, met yesterday in Tirane with Dutch Premier, Wim Kok. - "Don't stay in Tirana cafes." Interview with deputy chief of KLA General Staff, Shpetim Golemi.

RILINDJA, Independent information daily.

- "All for the good of Kosove." - "Fierce fighting on border." - "50 thousand soldiers on border, prelude of invasion of Kosove."

ALBANIA, independent daily.

- "Bombs on Kukes, 2 killed, 15 injured." - "Berisha: Cooperation between Rugova and Thaci." - Durres, 400 thousand inhabitants, 4 days without water."

EKONOMIA, daily paper of Albanian Agency for Economic Development

- "Brussels to Albania, 200 million USD but also demands." Donors give Albania as 200 million dollar budgetary aid. - "Customs Code will lower prices of commodities. - "National Bank of Commerce refuses money of NATO soldiers." - "Agriculture: Imports 12 times on exports."

ZERI I POPULLIT, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania -

- "Gang that exploded illumination posts caught." Four people from Puka were detained yesterday also under charges of killings. - "Army opens fire. Serbs retreat." - "Donors: 200 million dollars for Albania."

RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE, daily paper of the Democratic Party of Albania.

- "Return to Kosove, victory of Albanians." - "NGO's, rich through Kosova pain." - "KLA makes Serb army retreat."

REPUBLIKA, daily of the Republican Party of Albania

- "Rugova far from Albania." - "Pollo sharing same opinion with Majko." /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Serb artillery continues shelling Albanian border villages

There have been no reports of casualties or houses ruined during these bombing.

On Wednesday afternoon, Serb army forces have hit with shells which have planted mines on a whole zone in that village.

The situation has been tense also on Wednesday evening. At about 9 p.m as a result of the Serb bombings in village Dobrun of this district one policeman was wounded and the border post of that village has been destroyed. Also the village Pogaj of this district was bombed by Serbs, while mine-spraying shells were launched in the direction of village Bardhoc.

During fierce fighting of the KLA along the Albanian-Kosova border, some sources close to the KLA leaders in Kukes said that some scores of Serb soldiers have been killed in the fighting. But important is the fact that some strategic zones have been formed giving the KLA possibility to liberate Kosova territories. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Exchange rates of Lk with foreign currencies

Kind of currency Buying Selling USD 141,5 141,7 DM 75,7 76 LIT(1000) 76, 9 77,2 GRD(100) 45,7 45,9

/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Number of tented camps for refugees in Durres district doubles

In Hamallaj, 30 km from Durres, the first stage of the camp has been completed by Spanish military forces, in which 1 3000 Kosovars have been accommodated. The capacity of the whole camp will triple within two weeks. In the same zone work for two other camps is going on, one being set up by the UNHCR and the other by Norwegian military forces.

In the north of the former swamp, 7 km from Durres, there are two camps set up by the German Foundation THW and by NATO Belgian forces, with a joint capacity of 10 thousand people. Seven km from the city, respectively in Rrashbull and Shijak, in the two camps set up by the Italian humanitarian mission Arcobaleno, there are 3 000 Kosovars, while in front of village Xhafzotaj, engineering forces of the Italian brigade Taurinense are completing the camp Rrashbull 2, named Europe-Arcobaleno, which will be a shelter for 3 000 other refugees from Kosove and will be administered by the Agency ECHO of the European Union. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Foreign reporter gravely wounded in Morine (Kukes)

Sources from the Kukes district police commissariat told ATA that at about 10 a.m. on Thursday, a southamerican reporter, about 30 years old, was gravely injured near the border crossing of Morine.

According to these sources, the foreign reporter was monitoring in the direction of the border when he was hit in the head by Serb snipers.

He was immediately taken to the field hospital of the Italian camp in Kukes, but sources from the Prefecture say that his life is at stake.

The wounded reporter is expected to be airlifted to Italy from moment to moment, but still the doctors say they are hopeless his life can be saved. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Serb artillery mortars destroy some houses in village Pogaj of Has

Police sources report that at about 9 a.m. on Thursday, Serb artillery opened fire without stop in the direction of Bogaj. As a result of these bombing, many houses of quarter Maruic of village Pogaj have been ruined, but without casualties. Artillery fire is directed also in border village Kishaj.

The same sources say that since yesterday morning, people of those two villages have evacuated deep ion the country. The situation in this zone of Has district continues to be very tense. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] 250 new comers from Kosove settled in camp of Pojska

Gerhard Fayouch, chief of UNHCR office of the prefecture of Korce told ATA that they had voluntarily heading to Albania one day before leaving Bllaca of Macedonia due to the overpopulation and difficult conditions in that camp.

Injaco Mateini, UNHCR official in that region said that from the newcomers one could clearly see the aftermath of the war atrocities and violence by Serb militaries. Three of the refugees had injuries in their bodies and were hospitalized to receive the necessary medical assistance.

According to him, UNHCR plans to take from camps of Macedonia to the region of Korce every day 300-400 deportees from Kosova. In the camp of Pojska, administered by the Greek Red Cross, there are 1300 Kosovars. In the prefecture of Korce, besides two completed camps with 4 000 deportees from Kosove, five other camps are under construction with a reception capacity of about 22 thousand people. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Two Albanian policemen accidentally hit by mines

The accident occurred on Thursday at about 10.30 in border village of Bardhoc, near the border crossing of Morine.

Asked by ATA, intensive care staff in the hospital said one of the injured is in a grave situation and may lose one of his legs, whereas the other, after medical treatment is out of danger for his life.

Wednesday afternoon, Serb artillery in Mount Koritnik has launched unexploded mine-spraying shells which have made dangerous for passing a considerable big area along the border. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Milo says Milosevic should be sent to the Hague Tribunal

"The reason that some several Western politicians and diplomats do not agree that Milosevic be sent to the War Crime Tribunal is that they consider him the sole political interlocutor in Belgrade, with whom to talk to give an end to the crisis," Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo said Thursday, commenting the objection by his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine to open trial against the Yugoslav President.

However, the chief of the Albanian diplomacy told reporters that he is convinced that after the end of the conflict all will agree that Milosevic should stand trial for war crimes.

Milo declared that Albania has long since demanded that the Hague Tribunal starts legal proceeding against the Yugoslav President.

"Those who regard the charges raised by the Hague Tribunal against Milosevic as political, are doing this for political reasons, which hide other interests behind," said the Albanian Foreign Minister. /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Hungarian Ambassador to Albania presents credentials

Also present at the ceremony on the occasion was Minister of Foreign Affairs Paskal Milo, the Foreign Ministry State Protocol Department told ATA.

The ambassador was accompanied by diplomats of the Hungarian embassy in Tirane. /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Meidani urges press to upgrade professionalism and civic feeling

The aim of the contacts is to determine further effective steps to upgrade the professionalism as well as the moral and professional ethic in their daily activity.

In this context Meidani supported the initiative of White to create a stable national infrastructure to treat the press and media representatives, according to the President's press office.

Based on the current situation of the Albanian press, Meidani pointed to the need of upgrading professionalism in reflecting encouraging phenomena for the development of the society and avoiding aggressiveness prompted by political tensions.

White raised the need of enhancing understanding among reporters in developing a professional tolerant and ethic spirit in determining the lines of the press organs. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] 15 million lek cashed within 20 days of May by anti-smuggling team

This Directorate blocked 115 transport means, suspicious for goods declaration and the low values of the bills. By an approximately calculation the difference between the number of the stopping with the evident one is nearly 3/1, which means that in three vehicles checked, one has low value of the bills of the goods transported.

Meanwhile the Anti-Smuggling checked even the means carrying goods of active elaboration and exports, as well./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania signs agreement on fighting organised crime

Albania on Thursday signed an agreement on cooperation to prevent and fight cross-border crime and the Charter on the Organisation and Operation of the Regional Centre in the framework of Southeastern Countries Initiative (SECI) to fight organised crime.

Albania's Foreign Ministry reports that the agreements were signed in Romania by Albania's ambassador in Bucharest, Marko Bello.

"Albania is determined to offer its contribution and join the other countries of the Southeastern European region in the fight against crime, smuggling, corruption and in the efforts for security in the region," said Bello after signing the agreements.

The agreement stipulates cooperation with all the SECI initiative nations in the fight against organised crime, which is considered the key danger for the stability and security in the region.

The Albanian Foreign Ministry reported that beginning with September a Special Centre to work out qualified information on customs and border areas activities will begin operation. /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Prime Minister Majko arrives home

During the three day tour of the European capital, Majko held talks with NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark, EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek, Prime Minister of Belgium Jean Luc Dehane.

Majko also attended the Donors' Conference on Albania which held its proceedings yesterday.

At the Brussels' summit, the International Community earmarked a $200 million for Albania to be used mainly for balancing the state budget. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Italy authorizes employment of 2 000 Albanians

According to the spokesman of Ministry of Work and Social Affairs an agreement is assigned between this Ministry and its Italian counterpart on Albanians employment in Italy according to the annual plan defined by Italian Authorities.

Last year the number of Albanians to be employed in Italy was 3000 persons.

Nearly 2 000 Albanians' profit work visa to Italy by this agreement assigned June last year.

This si the first agreement in organized and legal immigration field assigned by the Albanian Government since 1990./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Italy provides aid to reconstruct Albanian army

According to the spokesman of the Italian Experts' Delegation, 10 vehicles and one container carry aid for restructuring the Albanian army, based on the bilateral agreements signed in 1997 between the two governments.

Seventy containers were unloaded with aid for Kosovars as part of the humanitarian mission "Ylberi", as well as in support of the NATO forces active in Albania. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Albanian Bank to decrease interest levels of state banks

According to the spokesman of the Albanian Center Bank Fatmir Xhaferri the interest's levels fall from 15.5% to 14.5 % for the deposits of three and six months maturity, while the deposits of 12 months maturity falls to 14% from 15%.

In taking such a decision the Albanian Bank took into consideration the considerable fall of inflation rate till the end of April, Increase of price index by 0,4%, from 8,7% marked at the end of December 1998.

The decision of the Saving Bank is also based on the stability of currency stock, fulfillment of the quantitative targets of the programs during the first three months of 1999 and good progress of monetary indexes./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Kosova refugees in Korce set up their council

The spokesman of this council, Sabit Zeneli, told ATA that the aim of the council is to keep alive the hope of the deportees to return to their lands and cooperate with the local government on problems of education, information and cultural and sports activities.

The council is made up of 15 members, with a seven-member presidency. Abdyl Hoxha, former teacher of the Prishtine University has been elected chairman of the Council.

The Council will also work to reunite the separated families and find the persons resulting missing. It will coordinate the work with the UNHCR and NGO concerned with health problems.

This council will cooperate with Kosova reporters in this region to publish a newspaper. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Albanian chromium to be liked by Turkish

This project includes the chromium mine and factory in Kalimash, the mines in Vllahane and Perollajt and the possibilities of establishing a chromium plant.

During the discussed the parts agreed on a concessionaire agreement based on Albanian Concession Law.

Within three days, beginning from today, the Turkish company will present to this Ministry the physibility study of the chromium mines in Kalimash, Vllahne and Perolloj and the chromium factory as well, together with the project of concessionaire agreement./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Started construction process of Vore-Sukth road segment

In the inaugurating ceremony were present the Minister of Public Work and Transport Ingrid Shuli, the Ambassador of European Committee Mr. Perreti and the Italian Ambassador in Tirana Mr. Spatafora.

The first section Vore-Sukth 14.2 km long will be constructed in 2 paths 22 metres wide.

The implementing company is ITALSTRADE SpA, while the company to realize the supervision is Join-Venture Sotecni/Hight Point AsT. /linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Some 465 Kosovars enter Albania through Morine

Some 465 Kosovars, mainly inhabitants of Prizren and prisoners from Merkonice prison, 7 km from Mitrovice, entered Albania through Morine border point on Thursday from 15.00 to 18.30.

The new arrivals told ATA that now the Prizren city, too, is being destroyed and burnt by Serb paramilitaries.

Behije Hyseni from Prizren said that "Tusizi", one of the largest quarters of this city is in flames, while in the other quarters the Serb soldiers continue to loot houses. Along the Prizren-Zhur road, the Serb roadblocks separate youths from the column and no one knows their whereabouts, she added. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Improvement of refugee conditions at the centre of attention - EU observers mission

Mennerstorer praised the performance of the local government bodies, which in cooperation with the NGO and the UNHCR, have helped improve accommodation conditions for the Kosova refugees.

"The health situation, especially now that summer is coming, are at the centre of our performance and of the NGO," said Mennerstorer, adding that there is still much to be done in this direction.

He said this mission is following with attention the influx of the Kosova refugees through the border point of Hani i Hotit, which has been crossed by 40 000 refugees so far.

For several days there have been no new arrives from this point as the Serb military forces have set up roadblocks near the border. He said that there have been no incidents so far on the northern border like on the northeastern border.

Asked by ATA whether a new influx of refugees is expected from Montenegro, Mennerstorer responded that there are some 60 000 Kosovars in Montenegro at present who are accommodated at several reception centres, but one cannot exclude the possibility of their arrival here because of the aggravation of the situation there.

The EU Observers' mission in Shkoder opened in 1997. It observes the political, economic and social situation throughout the country's northern region. /lh/lm/

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

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