Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-28

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albania hails draft of Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe

[02] Meidani says cohesion of Albanian factors consolidates positive pluralist image

[03] Defence Minister Hajdaraga inspects border forces

[04] Serb artillery pounds Pogaj

[05] Press review

[06] New border crossing point opens in Gjirokaster

[07] Foreign currency exchange rate in Tirane

[08]

[09] Denmark trains Albanian trade union members

[10] Agreement for partial rehabilitation of health system

[11] Albanian Helsinki Committee hails decision of International Penal Tribunal for indictment for Milosevic

[12] Projects on agriculture development in rural areas

[13] Albanian forces should be ready to defend country's integrity - Meidani

[14] Spanish Premier Aznar to visit Albania on Sunday

[15] World Bank: 200 million dollars meet Albania's need in 1999

[16] Strong attack on crime is needed - Albanian Minister

[17] Grant transformer for Kosova arrivals camps

[18] Ten Serb shells hit Dobrune of Has

[19] World Bank and European Community: Supplemental finances may be given to Albania

[20] French Ambassador in Albania, Chrismant, meets with local government leaders in Elbasan

[21] Money in use reached to 64.960 million lek

[01] Albania hails draft of Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe

The Foreign Ministry Press and Information department reported on Thursday that the Albanian delegation, headed by deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pellumb Xhufi, expressed Albania's support for this broad and hopeful initiative for all the Balkan countries, which aspire peace, democratic prosperity and quick integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.

The contributions of the participating countries focused on defining the principles on which the functioning of the Stability Pact and other technical aspects will be based.

At the end of the proceedings, a general consensus was observed on many issues of the project, such as the indispensability of ending the conflict in Kosova, as a condition for a normal functioning of the Stability Pact, the need for Albania's and Macedonia's quick integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures and the construction of the Stability Pact component bodies. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Meidani says cohesion of Albanian factors consolidates positive pluralist image

According to the President's Press and Information office, the representatives of the diaspora praised the role of the Albanian state in hosting the deportees and expressed special consideration for the performance of the Albanian institutions in unifying the political and military factors of Kosova.

They expressed their support for the liberation struggle in Kosova and spoke of the efforts underway by the Albanians' community to also sensitize the institutions of the countries they live in on this war.

President Meidani thanked them for these efforts and spoke of the future of Kosova and the importance of the cohesion of the Albanian factors to consolidate their positive pluralist image on the international arena.

"This cohesion should serve our main objection at present, that is, the achievement and realisation of the international protectorate formula for an undivided Kosova". /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Defence Minister Hajdaraga inspects border forces

According to the Defence Ministry spokesman, Albert Mullai, they first inspected the Bajram Curri Infantry Brigade.

"We praise the achievements of your unit in strengthening military readiness, enhancing discipline and in other important tasks," said Hajdaraga.

Hajdaraga and Andoni met with the units of Golaj which defend the Has zone. Hajdaraga told them that only the implementation of the NATO five conditions would resolve the conflict.

They also inspected Kukes, where, accompanied by the commander of the Division, Brigade General Kudusi Lame, they met with the units of the Lac and Tirane Tanks Division and Brigade which were training together for a big exercise.

In these meetings Hajdaraga was assured by the army units that they were ready to defend the Homeland. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Serb artillery pounds Pogaj

The Serb military-police forces overnight, from 22.00 on Thursday until early on Friday, kept pounding with artillery and automatic weapons Albanian territory in the Pogaj zone of Has district, the spokesman of the district police spokesman told ATA.

There is no immediate report of material damage, while the inhabitants of this village have left inside the district.

Three days ago, the KLA forces near the border area in this village, have brought under control three villages, controlling in this way the Prizren-Vermice road and causing casualties among the Serb forces which are trying to regain control of these villages.

Sources from the KLA report that over 20 Serb soldiers were killed in a battle two days ago. The border belt has recently been reinforced with troops from the Kukes Infantry Second Division. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Press review

Koha Jone,

"Balkan phenomenon 'Majko' is the editorial of the newspaper. "The wish for the newly appointed minister Spartak Poci: Establish order through the force of the Law". The decree of the President of the Republic on appointing the head of the capital's socialists as Minister of Public Order was passed in Parliament yesterday. "Snipers shoot U.S. journalist". Serb shelling on Albanian territory injure a U.S. reporter and three Albanian border policemen.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"Rugova ignores Thaci in Paris". An effort to arrange a meeting between two protagonists of Kosova politics in Paris, at a reception organised at the Albanian embassy for this purpose, fails. "Tritan Shehu declares faction in DP". Former DP chairman Shehu has declared that soon he will declare the existence of a faction within the DP. "Kosova risks partition, this is the plan. Kosova's partition is not only a hypothesis, but rather a proposal launched from the peace tables.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Thaci-Rugova meeting fails in Paris". Rugova refuses at last moment an invitation by the Albanian embassy in France to take part in a reception organised by the latter, where Kosova's Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, was also invited. "Milo: Only regret for Rugova". Interview with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo. "He who joins parliament will have no more to do with the DP". DP chairman Sali Berisha has warned against deputies going to join parliament.

Rilindja, independent daily,

"Serb artillery keeps shelling Albanian border villages". "Some 71.075 Kosovars deported from Macedonia". "Another 61 prisoners from Lipjan jail arrive". News conference in Skopje by UNHCR. "Violence and terror on Albanian population".

Albania, independent daily,

"Bukoshi:I will meet with Thaci". "France between Thaci and Rugova". "Serbs exceed crime limits".

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development,

"Taxes against instruction violating Customs Code". "Euro in decline along with the Lira and Drachma". "Albania the only country in the world without agrarian bank".

Zeri i Popullit, daily of Albanian Socialist Party,

"Berisha sentences deputies to death". "Thaci finds Rugova". "High Council of Justice sacks 25 judges".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of Albanian Democratic Party,

"Tragedy in Otranto, dozens missing". "Substantial contribution in resolving the Balkan crisis".

Republika, daily of Albanian Republican Party,

"Fire exchange or speedboats' collision?" "Donors: Meet the conditions if you want money". /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] New border crossing point opens in Gjirokaster

Local government official sources told ATA that the opening of this point was a realisation of bilateral agreements between Greece and Albania and will enable inhabitants of 15 villages of the mountain areas of Pogon and Zagori to cross into Greece and vice-versa.

According to the district council secretary, Belul Hila, this is the first phase which enables crossing by citizens. On the second stage, after the respective infrastructure is built, this point will also enable the movement of vehicles and goods.

This is the second interstate border crossing point in Gjirokaster district after that of Kakavije which is also the main gate of communication between the country's southern region and Greece. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Foreign currency exchange rate in Tirane

Follow the buying and selling rates of foreign currencies against the Lek on the Tirane currency market today:

Foreign currency buying selling $US1 140,2 140,7 DM 75 75,5 ITL(1000) 76 76,5 GRD(100) 45 45,2

/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08]

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Denmark trains Albanian trade union members

Some 36 leaders and representatives of the two Albanian trade unions, participating in this workshop, exchanged opinions on the organization and functioning of the first Albanian school on trade union movement, set up in August 1996.

For the director of the SID Project, Mandes Lund, the school has now established good relations with the main trade union movements in Albania, but he added "the competence of its leading bureau need to have more scope, including the right for employment as well." /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Agreement for partial rehabilitation of health system

The grant that KFW will deliver on the basis of the agreement amounts to 1.8 million DM and will be used to improve the priority health care service and to rehabilitate and construct 18 health care centres in some districts of Albania such as Pogradec, Kolonje, Skrapar, Has, etc.

Participants in the meeting agreed in principle to sign another draft agreement worth 8 million DM to be used for the purchase of hospital medical equipment. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian Helsinki Committee hails decision of International Penal Tribunal for indictment for Milosevic

KSHH considers the decision completely reasonable and an expression of a new dimension that the human rights have taken and are taking not only in the internal life but also in the international relations, writes the declaration.

The decision of the Hague Tribunal is a legal response to the criminal policy of a government which hits and massacres a part of the population for the only reason that it belongs to another nationality and urges the recognition of its fundamental rights.

The KSHH appeals to all human rights organizations, in Albania and outside it, to side with this decision of the international justice. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Projects on agriculture development in rural areas

The Director of Food and Agriculture Directorate of this district Fehmi Xhemo, told ATA that a group of specialists of this fund visited Korca these day. They saw from near the situation and the current level of the agriculture and animal breeding in rural areas, and the direction of the developments to support their project.

The project will have some mini projects to act in improving the infrastructure of these areas, mainly roads, rehabilitation of water supply system.

The project foresees even the intervention on animal breeding, organization and advice service and the giving of credits in seeds, pesticides, agriculture mechanics.

According to the official sources of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and UN International Fund of Agriculture Development IFAD-3 this project will be implement in Korce, Kolonje, Permet, Berat, Skrapar and the investment predicted marked the value 18 million dollars./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian forces should be ready to defend country's integrity - Meidani

At 11.00 a.m. the President of Albania Rexhep Meidani in the capacity of the General Commander of the Armed Forces of Albania, the Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi, the deputy Parliament Speaker and deputy of that zone, Namik Dokle, the Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga and other senior officials arrived in the zone to attend the exercise.

For about one hour, 1 200 infantry and artillery troops, 40 tanks and other weaponry opened artillery fire.

The Drini i Bardhe '99 was held only four km from the border.

At the end of it, Mr Meidani congratulated the participants for the successful exercise and stressed that Albanian military forces will be always ready to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

President Meidani considered as stable the situation in northeastern Albania. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Spanish Premier Aznar to visit Albania on Sunday

After arrival in the Rinas airport at 10.30 a.m. the Spanish Premier will go to Tirane where he is expected to meet with senior officials of the Albanian state.

Later Aznar will go to the refugee camp set up by the Spanish army in Hamallaj of Durres and in the zone where Kosova refugees are settled, to see the situation and the measures adopted to give them shelter them.

Presently, Hamallaj camp has 1 200 Kosova refugees, who are accommodated there under the auspices of the Spanish military who have been staying in Albania since the end of April. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] World Bank: 200 million dollars meet Albania's need in 1999

"Albanian supplemental needs marked the value of 200 million dollars, including the requests before the crisis in Balkan and due to the crisis. Donors pledge to give an assistance of 200 million dollars and this way the sum is completed," said Hartmann.

The fund put in Albania's disposal in the emergency meeting of G-24 and 15 international organizations will be used within this year and only to cover the expenditures of Kosova crisis.

According to the Minister of Finances Angjeli donors were so positive about the work done by "Majko" Government and about the efficient financial and structural measures taken in this situation.

All the donors expressed "the need for a full support to the Government attempts in managing the humanitarian crisis and the continuation of implementing its programs in economic, structural and institutional reforms"./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Strong attack on crime is needed - Albanian Minister

The spokesman of the Ministry told ATA that the aim of the meeting was to discuss the present situation of the public order in all the territory of Albania and to define efficient measures for the fight against crime and the consolidation of local security in this decisive and difficult period of time.

The heads of police departments briefed the minister of the situation of public order and crime in all country's districts. They forwarded the problems that police forces are dealing with at present.

The moments that are passing have offered Albania an historical possibility for a positive future where police have their main role in attaining it, said Minister Poci. It is indispensable that crime be hit straight at its head, and for this quick, painful but successful actions are needed, he underscored.

Then the public order minister outlined the tasks for each police department and urged from all structures to prevent crime, and to consolidate cooperation with local government. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Grant transformer for Kosova arrivals camps

Its value is more than 700 dollars and the Italian company brought in response to some requests of the Electro Power Directorate to assist the power provision in Kosova arrivals camps.

"Elekta Bel" company is responded to this request as well, which is going to bring seven other transformers of different power", said Mr. Pjetri./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Ten Serb shells hit Dobrune of Has

Sources of border police in Has district told ATA that on Friday, at about 2.30 p.m., ten Serb mortars fell in the vicinity of village Dobrune, about 800 meters from the border.

The same sources said there were no casualties or material damage.

Over the past two months, village Dobrune has been frequently a target for Serb artillery. Shells from the Serbs have ruined eight homes of that village so far. The inhabitants have long since evacuated deep in the country. /s.sh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] World Bank and European Community: Supplemental finances may be given to Albania

The Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli, by stressing that the sum of 200 million dollars to be used mainly on budgetary support, said that the Donors Conference in Brussels "will be followed by several sectoral meetings or sectoral donors conferences in the coming weeks".

The joint conclusions of European Commission and World Bank at Brussels meeting it is said that " all donors recognised the uncertainly of the situation and confirm that further external financing could be needed in 1999".

Upon this base 24 donors' countries and 15 international organizations agreed in Brussels that European Commission and World Bank in consultation with the International Monetary Fund to continue the monitor Albania's evolving needs over the remainder of 1999 and the timely availability of the funding committed.

" They would take the initiatives, if necessary, to hold a meting to mobilise additional resources", ended the joint statement of European Commission and World Bank./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] French Ambassador in Albania, Chrismant, meets with local government leaders in Elbasan

The aim of the meeting was to consider the measures adopted to face the situation created after the influx of refugees from Kosove, said to ATA the mayor of Elbasan Engjell Dakli. They also discussed social-economic problems presently worrying the local government for the solution of which they were promised to have aid of France, he said.

Participants in the meeting highlighted the activity of the French association "Boundless Sea" which has drafted a detailed program to assist not only the Kosovars sheltered in the district but also the locals.

The French military, deployed in the region of Kraste in that district, have assisted not only in setting up the tented camps in Shushice and in Labinot-Fushe, but also for the rehabilitation of roads leading to these camps. For all these the French Government has invested a total of nearly 20 million lek. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Money in use reached to 64.960 million lek

According to the central Albanian Bank the money in use fall by 0.459 million lek compared with the value marked in February, while compared with December 1998 value it marked a fall of 3.323 million lek.

The value of the money in use in February was 64.501 million lek, while in December 1998 it was 68.323 million lek./lh/linda/

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

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