Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-31

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Week in capital's book-shops

[02] President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to visit Albania

[03] Foreign currency exchange rate in Tirane

[04] Last week's best sold musical albums

[05] Last week's most preferred films in capital's video-shops

[06] Serb artillery shells Tropoje

[07] Number of refugees decreases

[08] Serb artillery shells border villages of Has

[09] Some 10 families from Monte Negro enter Albania through Shkodra lake

[10] Programs for social education of Kosova deported women and children - Meidani

[11] Officers of the Guard start a training course

[12] Wave of expulsions of Albanians from Greece would change many things

[13] Fund of Social Development of European Council accords 870 000 Euro on infrastructure of refugees camps in Albania

[14] Albania on the eve of membership in EC Social Development Fund

[15] Export of agricultural products increase by 26% during three first months

[16] Meidani says Albania is resolute in following the road of Euro- Atlantic integration

[17] All possibilities exist for Japanese investments to be present in Albania and in Kosove

[18] Tovornik: "Albania member of Social Fund of Development"

[19] Transformer addressed to Fierza came in Koman

[20] DP asks for immediate intervention of NATO ground troops in Kosove

[21] Italian assistance on financial system will go on

[22] Loans of Fund of Social Development to smooth poverty and stimulate employment

[23] Pact for Balkan Stability, aim of international community - Xhufi

[24] Prices of food items at the same level

[25] Serb bombing in Pogaj, Has

[26] Meeting of National Security Council of Albania held

[27] President Meidani invites Japan to be present in Albania

[01] Week in capital's book-shops

According to a survey in the capital's books, last week shelved a number of new books in the book-shops.

"Quo Vadis", novel by Polish writer and poet Henryk Sienkiewicz, translated by Halil Babameto, published by the Publishing House "Toena".

"Ivory Dragon", novel by writer Fatos Kongoli, published by the publishing House "MCM Cabej".

"Offended and humiliated", novel by Fedor Dostoievski, published by the publishing House "Albin".

"Child Harold", poem by George Byron, written in 1817, reedited by "Onufri" Publishing House.

Novel "The shadows" by Brunilda Zllami, published by "toena" Publishing House. /led/lm/

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[02] President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to visit Albania

The OSCE spokesman told ATA that in this visit Degn aims at familiarising herself with the situation in Albania and the main areas where the OSCE is present.

Degn, who represents more than 300 parliamentarians from 54 OSCE member countries, will meet in Tirane with President of Albania Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and Speaker of Parliament Skender Gjinushi. She will also meet with opposition leaders Sali Berisha, Genc Pollo and other leading officials.

During her stay in Albania she will visit two camps of refugees in Durres and will devote special attention to the humanitarian situation created by the conflict in Kosova.

Degn is paying a three-day visit to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) prior to her visit to Albania. /pas/lm/

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[03] 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 140 140,2 DM 74,8 75,2 ITL(1000) 75,8 76 GRD(100) 44, 8 45 /lm/

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[04] Last week's best sold musical albums

Meanwhile the group The cranberries with the album "Promises" ranks the second for this week.

Classification of ten best sold albums:

10- Cher Strong enough 9- Laura Pauzini La risposta

8- Offspring Americana

7- Sottotono Amor de mia Vida 6- Emilia Big big world

5- Britney Spears Baby one more time 4- TLC No scrub

3- Mr. Ozino Flat Beat

2- The cranberries Promises

1- Fat boy Slim Right here, right now /f.n/lm/

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[05] Last week's most preferred films in capital's video-shops

1-La vita e bella

2-Obssesion

3-Armagedon

4- Ronin

5-The Patriot

1-"La vita e bella", production of the Checci Gori" company is a humoristic film, honoured in the last edition with three "Oscars". Playing are renowned Italian actors Roberto Benigni, who is also producre of the film, Nicoletta Braschi and others.

2- "Obsession"- Social theme is at the centre of the film.

The film is a production of "Columbia Tristar" film company. Playing in this film are actors Jessica Lange, Gwyneth Paltrow and Johatan Scach.

3- "Armagedon" one of the newest films of actor Bruce Willis, Lize Tyler, Billi Ben and others.

It is an action film, which in its 151 minutes shows the life of a city some 18 days before its utter destruction.

4-"Ronin" is an action film, thriller , produced by John Frankenheiener. The actors playing are Robert De Niro, Jonathan Ryce, Natasha MC Elkone.

5- "The Patriot", with renowned actor Steven Seagel, continues to be most preferred in the capital's video-shops. The film treats the Patriotism of an American doctor, who puts his life at stake to fight a mortal epidemic. /led/lm/

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[06] Serb artillery shells Tropoje

The spokesman of the district police commissariat told ATA that at around 11.25, the Serb artillery fired in the direction of the Zherke village for several minutes. Later, from 14.15 until 14.45 the Serb artillery shelled in the direction of Kamenice village and at around 21.10 in the direction of the Zogaj village.

Serb artillery shells fell several meters inside Albanian territory but caused no casualties as the inhabitants of these villages have been evacuated deeper in the district since two months ago.

Our border forces have not responded to these attacks with artillery as the shelling came from beyond the border. /s.s/lm/

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[07] Number of refugees decreases

The latest arrivals say that the decrease of the refugee number is a result of the recent fierce fighting between the KLA and the Serb forces, especially in the zone of Gorozhup, Has and Prizren.

In the meantime, the relocation of the Kosova refugees from Kukes to other districts of the country has been increasing.

"From 06.00 to 11.00 on Monday some 1 117 Kosovars were evacuated from Kukes to other districts," the member of the commission for the evacuation of the Kosova refugees in Kukes prefecture, Xhevit Germishi, told ATA.

Since the beginning of the refugee influx, some 416 545 Kosovars have crossed into Kukes and 339 752 of them have been relocated to other districts. /led/lm/

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[08] Serb artillery shells border villages of Has

The border area of the district of Has, at a length of 25.6 km, has been the target of Serb artillery shelling from Sunday to Monday before noon.

Shelling in the direction of the Vlane area began at around 18.30 on Sunday and lasted for around 40 minutes, but caused no damage.

Police sources of the Kukes prefecture report that from early on Monday until at around 10.30 this area has been attacked with artillery and automatic weapons. A number of shells have landed deep on Albanian territory.

After this shelling, which lasted for a long time, police sources confirm the damage of a building, which earlier belonged to the Vlane mine sector.

As a result of the daily bombardments in this area of Has district the inhabitants of the Qarr village, which is near the centre of the Golaj commune, has begun evacuation.

The head of this commune, Muhamet Ukperaj, says that now all the inhabitants of the villages along the state border have been relocated deep in the district.

There have remained only the men, who, along with the border police and army forces are safeguarding the border and their houses. /s.s/lm/

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[09] Some 10 families from Monte Negro enter Albania through Shkodra lake

The spokesman of district police commissariat told ATA that the Albanian border forces halted the new arrivals in Shegan village, 6 kilometers away from Koplik city.

After making the necessary verifications, the 26 members of these families are send to Shkoder city accompanied by the police forces.

The chief of the refugee office near Shkoder town hall, Esma Boksi, said that the refugees from Monte Negro were sheltered in the refugee camp set up by the Austrian government in Shtoj village, about 4 kilometers away from the city.

The refugees from Monte Negro told ATA that they were obliged to leave their soils because Yugoslav authorities appealed to their sons to join the Yugoslav army. /led/A.A/

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[10] Programs for social education of Kosova deported women and children - Meidani

Ms Trone briefed President Meidani of the work of the organization she represents towards the Albanian population and those violently evicted from Kosove. She assured the President of the higher commitment of her organization also due to the interest of the donors to increase their financial support for projects in favour of this category.

During the meeting, President Meidani highlighted the work of the U.N. organizations and of the Fund for Population and suggested that programs for the social education of the women and children deported from Kosove and women's emancipation in general be drafted and realised.

Meidani briefed Ms Trone of the social developments in Albania, the excellent co-habitation between different religious groups and the growth of the role of non-governmental associations. /led/xh/

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[11] Officers of the Guard start a training course

Spartak Poçi, Albanian Minister of Public Order, thanking the Turkish government for the support given to Albania, pointed out that this meeting is hold in a time when the military help is needed in Albania. The knowledge gained during this course should be applied in the every day life by the officers to be trained, added Poçi.

After the presentation made by the commander of coordination group, Colonel Zafer Çamllexha, the officers were greeted by the Turkish ambassador accredited to Albania, Ahmet Rifat Okçun.

Logistic aid accorded by the Turkish government was handed over to the Guard of the Republic at the end of the ceremony. /led/A.A/

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[12] Wave of expulsions of Albanians from Greece would change many things

TIRANE, May 31 (ata) - By Ilir Paco: Albania showed self-restraint on Monday with regard to information, mainly from the Greek press, which reported of the beginning of an operation against illegal Albanian emigrants living in Greece.

Albanian deputy Foreign Minister Pellumb Xhufi told a news conference today that "so far there is not an extraordinary influx of Albanian emigrants expelled from Greek police authorities and coming to Albania through border posts. Xhufi said that really some Greek authorities have publicly spoken of expulsion of illegal emigrants but this process has not been continuous.

Xhufi made these statements after an incident two days ago when an Albanian national took a Greek bus near Salonica and brought it to Albania together with eight hostages in it, all Greek citizens, and in which one of them was killed during an action of Albanian police.

Asked what would be the response of the Albanian Government towards a wave of expulsions, Xhufi said that that "it (wave) would change many things; that would not be a factual problem but a political one."

Mr Xhufi seemed to be optimistic that this event would not affect the good bilateral relations, mentioning the contacts that Foreign Minister of Albania, Paskal Milo, had with senior officials of Athens, of which one could imply that the event is not going affect the bilateral relations.

Mr Xhufi also implied that it was not a good idea that the Greek authorities allowed the bus to go towards Albania, thus transferring the conflict from its territory. "The event had started and ought to end in the Greek territory," said Xhufi. He legalized the act of Albanian police which Greek authorities accused of having killed one of the Greek hostages, saying that the bus could not be allowed to reach Tirana where the consequences of the event would have been greater. "The murder of the Greek national was without doubt a regrettable act but in cases like that, such events take place anywhere," said Albanian deputy Foreign Minister.

Xhufi also said that according to not fully officially confirmed reports, the Albanian terrorist was also an arms-trafficker, and he had relations with Greek persons involved in this kind of trafficking. /dast/xh/

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[13] Fund of Social Development of European Council accords 870 000 Euro on infrastructure of refugees camps in Albania

Minister Angjeli thanked the representatives of the Fund about the attempts done on Albanian membership in this financial organization, a process, which is going to be completed soon.

He estimated the role of this important institution of European Council to support the member countries in such issues as emergent situation, accommodation, unemployment, environment protection, etc.

Tovornik informed Minister Angjeli that the organization she led, which is functioning as a bank, will pledge an assistance of 870 000 EURO to meet the needs of the refugees camps mainly on water and hygiene sanitarian situation./dast/linda/

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[14] Albania on the eve of membership in EC Social Development Fund

According to him such a thing will create other possibilities for realization of projects in the social, educational and other fields.

Torovic informed Lakrori on the important decisions undertaken by the CDF to accord a considerable aid in order to facilitate the consequences of the humanitarian crises of the displaced Kosovars. She told Lakrori as well that the sum to be payed by Albania on its membership will be payed by the incomes of the countries members in this fund. This decision paves finally the way for Albania to join this EC structure. /dast/A.A/

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[15] Export of agricultural products increase by 26% during three first months

The total export of agricultural products during the first three months of 1999 reached to 638 million lek, by marking an increase of 26% compared with the same period of last year, told ATA sources from Statistics Directorate at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Fishing sector marks an export value of 47 million lek, where 20 million are covered by fresh fish and the rest by conserved fish. During the same period of time nearly 20 ton cigarettes are exported.

Main exports of agricultural products are addressed to Italy by 34% of the total, followed by Greek and Germany by 21%./led/linda/

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[16] Meidani says Albania is resolute in following the road of Euro- Atlantic integration

Blum hailed the solidarity and the aid of Albanian people and government for facing the crises and estimated this stand as an extraordinary aid for the attempts the international community is making to solve Kosova issue.

"You placed Albania and its people on the focus of the political and public international opinion by securing solidarity from all the countries. The responsibility of European politicians to assist your country has increased", said Blum.

Albanian President expressed his gratefulness on the aid Germany offered in coping with this very tense situation and highlighted its role in strengthening of the bilateral cooperation and intensification of relationship between Albania and the European Council.

"Albania is resolute in following the road of the European and Euro- Atlantic integration. Our country merits more attention in this direction " said President Meidani in this meeting. /dast/A.A/

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[17] All possibilities exist for Japanese investments to be present in Albania and in Kosove

Gjinushi stressed that "your country and Government are ranked among those countries which want and are contributing to the long-term peace and stability in the region."

After the establishment of peace, said Gjinushi, "we believe that all possibilities exist for the Japanese investments to be present in Albania and in Kosove."

The Japanese parliamentarians voiced their will for cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, stressing that the Japanese Government has been committed to a financial assistance of 200 million dollars, 100 million of which to be allocated for the return of the refugees to their homes and the reconstruction of Kosove. /dast/xh/

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[18] Tovornik: "Albania member of Social Fund of Development"

Tovornik stressed out that this fund undertook to pay the membership quota for Albania, which marks the value of 1.8 million EURO.

It is the first time that Albanian Government based upon a special decision of October '98 drafted by the specialists of teh Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Trade presented its request to become member of this Fund. The membership procedures are completed within a shot period of time.

Tovornik after gets acquainted with the current situation in the country stated:" Albania by entering in this organization has much more finance possibilities for different sectors of economic activities".

Minister Meksi for the other hand stated Albania's needs for finances in accommodation, water supply and education./linda/

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[19] Transformer addressed to Fierza came in Koman

This transformer is expected to move toward Fierza. Its power is 150 megavolts -ampere and is bought in China by 700 000 dollars.

At the moment Fierza Hydro Power is working with one aggregate that is to say 25% of its capacity. /linda/

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[20] DP asks for immediate intervention of NATO ground troops in Kosove

"At this time when bombardments on Belgrade's regime and its leaders are intensified, and Sloboan Milosheviç is accused of crimes against the mankind, he should declare that he is willing to accept the latest accord of G-8 on Kosove", Sali Berisha, chairman of DP briefed in a press conference today.

The leader of the Democratic Party hailed the intermediation of the Russian special envoy in Yugoslaiva, Viktor Çernomerdin, and the Russian indiferent stance towards Milosheviç. /dast/A.A/

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[21] Italian assistance on financial system will go on

Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli met on Monday the Delegation of Guarda di Finanza headed Vice Colonel Fabrizio Kuneo.

In the frame work of this assistance two renew agreements are preparing and soon will be assigned the one on marine custom assistance and the Understating Protocol between Albanian and Italian Ministries of Finances for one-year period.

Italian delegation expressed its readiness to support and cooperate in strengthening the fiscal administrates in Albania./a.gj/linda/

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[22] Loans of Fund of Social Development to smooth poverty and stimulate employment

Mrs. Tovornik stated to Minister Rrapi that Albania is already member of the Fund of Social Development. According to the spokesman of this Institution the membership of the new members of this Fund, which is acting as a bank, is completed after the payment of the membership quota.

Taking into consideration the difficult situation of the budget of Albanian Government and showing at the same time solidarity about the humanitarian crisis Albania is facing with, the Fund show its readiness to pay by itself the quota of Albanian membership.

The Fund of Social Development of European Council offers assistance in loans to the countries receiving emigrants and to smooth other social problems. This Fund covers to 50% of the costs for the projects presented. The Fund of Social Development has given till now 1 million EURO for Kosova refugees accommodated in Albania. This Fund is administrating by UNHCR.

Albanian membership in the Fund of Social Development will make possible the implementing of different projects aiming at smoothing the poverty and stimulating the employment, said Minister Rrapi./linda/

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[23] Pact for Balkan Stability, aim of international community - Xhufi

Albanian deputy Foreign Minister Pellumb Xhufi who headed the Albanian delegation in Bonn, said on Monday in a news conference that the meeting was a materialization of the initiative that the international community and especially the European Union have been undertaking since the time of the negotiations in Rambouillet.

"The essence of this document," said Xhufi, "is the consolidation of the security and stability in Southeastern Europe, which will be realised in three directions, consolidation of the security in the region, consolidation of democratic institutions and the recovery of the market economy."

Those who will direct the pact of stability will be the U.S., EU, which will coordinate the work with OSCE, the World Bank, IMF, EBRD and will be supported by initiatives like SECI, CEI, etc. An important role in the pact will also play the donor countries like Canada, Japan and Russia as countries which are contributing to the peace and security in the region.

The project, according to Xhufi, aims to offer to the countries of Southeastern Europe also an Euro-Atlantic disposition with the perspective of admission in the European Union or in NATO.

Planned to be examined by the end of June at the level of foreign ministers, the pact drafted in Bonn last week, will, besides others, be reexamined due to the opposition by the Russian delegation to the exclusion of the rump FRY from the pact and the special treatment for the Montenegro. /lh/xh/

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[24] Prices of food items at the same level

Sources from the Agriculture Directorate reported for a fall in chicken price, while the prices of other products remain at the same levels of the previous week.

The following are the price marked on Monday

Product I whole sale price I selling price ------------------------- ----------------------------- Flour I 60 lek/kg I 70 lek/kg ------------------------------------------------------ Rise I 75 lek/kg I 80 lek/kg ------------------------------------------------- ----- Sugar I 60 '' I 65 " -------------------------- ---------------------------- Oil I 160 '' I 165 " --- --------------------------------------------------- Cheese I I 450 " ------------------------------------------------------ Milk I I 55 lek/litre ------------------------------- ----------------------- Eggs I I 13 lek/egg -- ---------------------------------------------------- Domestic I I 650 lek/kg beef I I

Imported I I 630 lek/kg beef

Chicken I I 270 lek/kg

/linda/

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[25] Serb bombing in Pogaj, Has

The bombing of the Serb army has been intensified also because during this period NATO aircraft have stepped-up their attacks against Serb army deployed in the zone of Gorozhup, near Albania-Kosove border and in the zone of Vernice, Lushnje, on the right hand side of Drini.

During Monday, the fighting between the KLA and Serb military forces in the zone of Gorozhup near Albania-Kosove border has been rather fierce. Serb military forces are insisting to retake the positions lost for one week now in that zone. /lh/xh/

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[26] Meeting of National Security Council of Albania held

Heads of some institutions charged with the security in the country reported on various problems linked with the present situation created by the forceful eviction of hundreds of thousands of Albanians from Kosove and the continuous provocations on the northeastern border.

After the discussions, the participants in the meeting agreed, according to the law in force and the Constitution, on some measures needed to be taken to solve these problems. /lh/xh/

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[27] President Meidani invites Japan to be present in Albania

Asked by the reporter in what sectors may the Japanese support for Albania be efficient, Mr Meidani said that an aid during the period of the crisis would be necessary and after this a Marshall Plan for the region, where Japan may play a very great role will have a good impact. At present we need investments in the infrastructure, said Meidani.

Referring to the problem of the accommodation of the Kosovars in Albania, Meidani mentioned the indispensability to restructure and construct new prefabricated buildings to house the deportees for the coming winter and stressed that an aid for the Albanian families would be appreciated.

"We know that in the context of the international organizations, Japan has provided a considerable aid and we express our thanks for this," he said, adding that "we are resolute also that a rapid economic development plan for the region is needed, a sort of Marshall Plan. Its realisation must be made possible, in my opinion, under the umbrella of G7 and the EU, where Japan may play a great role." /dast/xh/

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