Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-06-10

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CONTENTS

[01] 31 million lek for families hosting Kosova families

[02] Shelling on border, Has district, has been continuing

[03] Gunfire in Kukes and nearby villages to celebrate military deal between NATO and Yugoslavia

[04] Press Review

[05] Thursday's exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

[06] 1 200 tons of food and other articles from Greece for Kosova refugees in Albania

[07] Kosova deportees do not agree to leave Kukes

[08] 104 other tons of milk arrive in Durres from Switzerland

[09] Beginning of installation of NATO troops in Kosove, a positive process

[10] Serb artillery continues to pound border villages of Has, Albania

[11] Kosovars allowed to cross border if they quit their nationality

[12] Albania and Slovenia back up deployment of NATO troops in Kosova

[13] Godo hails peace agreement and calls for unification of Kosova political factor

[14] Solana thanks Meidani for excellent cooperation between Albania and NATO

[15] Budget: 460 million lek to stimulate employment

[16] Tirana: Exhibition "Fokus '99" is opened

[17] Construction of Kapshtice-Korce highway to start on July 7

[18] Andoni says military agreement to be considered in complexity

[19] "TRISS": 11,4 million dollars within five years

[20] Some 15 000 NATO soldiers at Rinas to head for Macedonia Dornan:

[21] Eighth water will at Fushe-Kuqes to be cleaned

[22] Meidani: Stability Pact opens perspective for cooperation between Albania and Slovenia and for the whole region

[23] Albanian foreign debt marks 514 million dollars

[24] March-May: 932 flats to be sold by National Dwelling Houses Enterprise

[25] Parliament passes Convention on juridical cooperation with CE

[26] Majko says Albania, Slovenia can play significant role in the Balkans

[27] Majko says Serb troops have not yet withdrawn from border with Albania

[01] 31 million lek for families hosting Kosova families

The secretary of the town hall, Bardhyl Shaqiri, told ATA that after the completion of the documents on the basis of regions, 2094 families in Shkoder will receive a total of 31 million lek. Every Kosovar in the hosting families will receive 1 500 lek per month.

There are 37 thousand Kosovars in Shkoder, 16 thousand of whom are housed in Shkodra families. /dast/xh/

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[02] Shelling on border, Has district, has been continuing

Overnight at about 1.05 a.m. on Thursday, shelling by Serb artillery have been directed to villages Cahan, Vlahan, Golaj of Has district and in village Zogaj of Tropoje district at the same time. The bombing in village Vlahan has continues for over 30 minutes after it started at 5.30 a.m.

It is reported that in all the cases of the Serb bombing, no casualties have been caused for the fact that the residents of those border villages have left deep in the district two months ago. /dast/xh/

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[03] Gunfire in Kukes and nearby villages to celebrate military deal between NATO and Yugoslavia

The spokesman of the district police commissariat told ATA that fortunately the gunfire for the signing of the agreement between NATO and Yugoslavia, caused no victims and disturbances for the local people and those from Kosova.

Police forces stepped up patrolling overnight in the city, thus avoiding any extraordinary event. /dast/xh/

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[04] Press Review

KOHA JONE, independent daily.

- "Kosova, the turn starts" is the title of the editorial of the newspaper. - "Rugova has not promised to take part in Government." Academician of Kosova Rexhep Qosja has said that during the meeting in Cologne with Thaci and the U.S. State Secretary, Albright, Ibrahim Rugova had not promised to take the vacancies in the interim Government of Kosova. -"Narcotics, 100 hectares with cannabis." According to statistics in the Public Order Ministry, about 100 hectares of agricultural land has been planted this year with cannabis.

GAZETA SHQIPTARE, independent daily.

- "Kadare: Kosova with Albania." Albanian well-known writer Ismail Kadare narrates in his newly-published book in France his efforts to convince the Albanian delegation in Rambouillet for the signing of the agreement presented by the Contact Group. - "Secrets of Albright's visit in Tirane." KLA and the implementation of the G-8 agreements are the aims that will bring to Tirane the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. - "Minors of the crime without judges." Minors are deprived of judgement in specialized colleges of judges for penal acts they have committed.

SHEKULLI, independent daily

- "Albright: Create Security Council." Academician Rexhep Qosja tells of his meeting in Cologne between Thaci and Rugova in the presence of the U.S.Secretary of State, Albright. - "DP, today decision for Parliament." Parliamentary group of this party, after a long silence, has decided to gather and discuss possibility to take part in parliament sessions. - "Ambassadors meet Poci: Order is needed!" OSCE representative Daan Everts and European diplomats met yesterday with Public Order Minister Spartak Poci.

RILINDJA, independent information daily.

- "About 987 000 Kosova refugees since the beginning of conflict." - "United Nations - the civil aspect, NATO - the military and security aspect. - "Serb forces are not pulling out, but taking new positions."

ALBANIA, independent daily.

- "Serbs pound Krume." - "Killings, wounding, looting, taking hostages." - "Way of how refugees will return to Kosova determined."

EKONOMIA, daily paper of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development.

- "Losses worth 3 billion lek for customs." Monthly deficit from the customs houses accounts for 200 million lek more than 1998. - "Dollar back to 140 lek quota." - "Food market - Prices keep falling."

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

- "Narcotics harvested instead of wheat." - "Majko, third pronunciation on streets." - "Berisha, 'democrat lamb' for a visa to USA."

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

- "Serbs set Has on fire." - "Government backs crime in Shkoder: DP"

REPUBLIKA, daily of the Republican Party of Albania.

- "Opposition loots secret files of ruling parties." - Majko: Turk's heads ready in Customs." /xh/

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[05] Thursday's exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

Follow the exchanges rates of Lek on Thursday:

Kind of currency Bought Sold USD 138 138,5 DM 73,5 74 LIT(1000) 74 74,5 GRD(100) 44 44,5

/xh/

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[06] 1 200 tons of food and other articles from Greece for Kosova refugees in Albania

From the whole amount, 400 tons consist of food items and the rest are tents, blankets, mattresses, sheets and alike.

The press and information office of the Greek Embassy in Tirane told ATA that since the beginning of the humanitarian crisis, besides others, the embassy of the Republic of Greece, has been taking part actively in the efforts to coordinate the work with the Albanian Government through bilateral donors and international organizations within the framework of the Emergency Group which functions in the PM Majko's cabinet.

The Greek Red Cross and the Greek sections of the organization "Medicins du Monde" in Albania have been close to the Kosova refugees especially in the camps of Tirane and Pogradec. The president of the Greek Red Cross, Mr Martinisic, has directed for a long time the efforts of his mission in Pogradec.

The total capacity of the three camps set up for the Kosova displaced people by the Republic of Greece, namely "Athens" camp in Kukes, "Olympia" in Tirane and "Poitska" in Pogradec, is for 10 500 people, but so far only 5 400 refugees have been housed in them. /dast/xh/

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[07] Kosova deportees do not agree to leave Kukes

KUKES, june 10 (ata) - By Riza Hoxha: Over Thursday early hours, no people have been evacuated from Kukes to other districts of Albania although numerous vehicles have been waiting for this job in the main city square.

Confirming this fact to ATA, Qemal Parllaku, chief of the commission of evacuation of Kosovars in the Prefecture of Kukes, said that this has happened following the signing of the deal between NATO and Yugoslavia last Wednesday evening.

Now the Kosova evicted people do not accept to leave Kukes hoping that they will return to their homes as soon as possible, During Wednesday, according to border police sources, no new arrivals appeared in the customs point of Morini.

Since the beginning of the influx of Kosovars to Albania on March 26, a total of 418 135 Kosovars has entered the prefecture of Kukes, and 350 998 of them have been evacuated to other districts. /dast/xh/

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[08] 104 other tons of milk arrive in Durres from Switzerland

During the past month, 130 tons of milk arrived in Durres as a donation by Swiss farmers. The milk has been processed in a specialised factory in Switzerland, it is packed and has high qualitative parameters.

According to the planning made, Kosova families take 1-2 liters of milk per person. /dast/xh/

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[09] Beginning of installation of NATO troops in Kosove, a positive process

TIRANE, june 10 (ata) - By Eranda Nepravishta: The new developments in Kosova gathered on Thursday in a joint news conference the Albanian Minister of Information Musa Ulqini, the chief of NATO Public Relations in Albania, Andrew William and UNHCR spokesman, who have voiced their stance on the signing of the peace deal between NATO and Yugoslavia.

"The Albanian Government considers as a positive process the beginning of the installation of the NATO ground troops in Kosova. This is the main basis of the identification of peace in Kosova and the preparation for the return home of Albanian refugees," said Minister Ulqini. He expressed the commitment of the Albanian Government to cooperate more closely with NATO and UNHCR in coping with the situation and the establishment of peace in the region.

While the chief of NATO public relations, William said that the NATO mission continues to be unchangeable.

"We shall continue to provide all our support to the Albanian government and to other organizations such as UNHCR," he said.

The spokeswoman of the UNHCR expressed her thanks for the hospitality of the Albanian people towards the Kosovars, adding that they would continue to cooperate with the Albanian Government for the plan of the return of refugees to their homes, for their registration and equipment with documents and the preparation of the conditions for the coming winter for a part of those who will not be able to return earlier. /dast/

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[10] Serb artillery continues to pound border villages of Has, Albania

Sources of police in Has district told ATA that at 11.10 a.m. on Thursday, Serb artillery pounded for more than 30 minutes village Vlahen.

Many houses in villages Vlahen, Cahan, Golaj, etc., are reportedly ruined by the shelling overnight.

Despite the signing of the agreement, the situation on the border line of this district continues to be tense. Serb artillery keeps bombing not only Vlahen but also in the direction of Letaj, Cahan and Pogaj. /dast/xh/

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[11] Kosovars allowed to cross border if they quit their nationality

The refugees have testified that the Serb authorities are making a new census for the people who are still living in Kosova.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), in Tirane, expressed on Wednesday its concern for these stories, according to which, the remaining citizens in Kosova are asked to get a new document of registration by the authorities. Through this document a person's name is apparently registered or removed from his official residence, the same sources said.

According to UNHCR, the aim of these two measures is not to allow the return of the displaced Kosovars to their homes.

Still based on reports of refugees who have arrived in Macedonia, Serb authorities are issuing new passports for those who want to leave, but before leaving they are asked to sign a declaration that they quit their nationality.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people are still waiting on the border to cross to Macedonia, UNCHR reports. /dast/xh/

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[12] Albania and Slovenia back up deployment of NATO troops in Kosova

TIRANE, June 10 (ata) - By E Nepravishta: Albanian PM Pandeli Majko and his Slovenian counterpart Janes Drnoushek, who came on a one-day visit to Tirane on Thursday, stated after a meeting they had on Thursday, that Albania and Slovenia share the same opinion on the installation of NATO troops in Kosova.

In a joint news conference that Majko and Drnoushek held in the Premier's headquarters, they voiced the agreement of the governments of the two Balkan countries for the peace deal on Kosova, mainly for the deployment of the NATO troops there.

"We share the same opinion on the installation of NATO troops in Kosova but we are waiting, because with Milosevic in power, anything may happen," said PM Majko.

Highlighting the stance of the Slovenian Government on the question of Kosove, Majko said that Slovenians were the first to show the international community which the regime of Milosevic was.

In the mean time, the Slovenian PM Drnoushek was optimistic for the recent days developments, hoping that the war in the region will end.

"This process will be difficult and will have problems but the international community and NATO will know how to find the right solution," said the chief of the Slovenian government.

He expressed the commitment of his country to continue cooperation with Albania. /dast/xh/

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[13] Godo hails peace agreement and calls for unification of Kosova political factor

"War in Kosova is over, NATO came out triumphant and the way for freedom and independence is paved for Kosova," Godo said at the end of the parliamentary session.

Although optimistic of the attained agreement, Godo said "we should be cautious and not to become euphoric."

"We should constantly follow the events", he said adding that "Albania should have still to do with Milosevic until NATO is totally established in Serbia.

The former-republican leader said that Kosova should now strengthen the governing structures. "This is the most significant event for Kosova after the year 1912", he said, asking a quick unification of the Albanian political factor in Kosova and the institutionalisation of mechanisms for the local and central governing of Kosova.

Godo proposed that the Assembly meets at another parliamentary session next week with the participation of the President of the Republic, the Albanian government, Kosova political authorities as well as Kosova's Interim Government headed by Hashim Thaci. /pas/lm/

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[14] Solana thanks Meidani for excellent cooperation between Albania and NATO

The President's Press and Information Office reports that during the telephone conversation the two senior authorities expressed full readiness to continue and promote the cooperation between Albania and the Atlantic Alliance also under the new conditions, for the good of the region and its stability,.

Solana and Meidani treated the latest political-diplomatic developments related to the crisis in the region. Solana briefed the Albanian President on these developments which will lead to the immediate deployment of the NATO troops in Kosova and the quick return of the deportees to their lands. /led/lm/

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[15] Budget: 460 million lek to stimulate employment

For this purpose 460 million is the value put in disposal to the National Employment Service at this Ministry by the state budget.

The new programs where this project will be implemented are approved these days. The project covers the following districts Fier, Malesi e Madhe, Skrapar, Vlora, etc. Nearly 100 projects are presented at the Local Work Office.

The state program of employment aims at stimulating the employment near these subjects by opening new work places, which will support through the finances of the private subjects.

According to the spokesman of this Ministry Naim Zoto, this program consists of four components, including the permanent employment up to six months, where the state is paying 70% of the minimal salary to the private companies to employ the people and 100% of the obliged social insurance.

The third component includes the professional training through the work, where the companies undertake the training of the employees by employing 40% of them at the end of the training.

State undertakes to pay the social insurance and the salary compensation. In cases of exceeded the defined limit the company is stimulated with another salary and the social insurance for three months.

The last component has to do with the employment stimulation through the institutional education, which means that the licensed professional subjects guarantee the employment of at least 20% of the trained ones will be financed by the state, which will also pay the minimal salary and the obliged social insurance for the employees./dast/linda/

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[16] Tirana: Exhibition "Fokus '99" is opened

The President of Republic Rexhep Meidani greeted the participants of this exhibition and said that "certainly that the infrastructure is one of the most important factors of Albania development in the future".

"We should focus our attention in its improvement and development and in fulfillment of the projects of international dimensions and standard, especially the implementing of the great idea suggested by the American President Clinton on the construction of the Eight Corridor", said Meidani.

Meidani considered the Eight Corridor "not only the corridor of the economic exchange, but also the civilization, humanitarian exchange, especially the improvement of the regional friendship relation and the further integration of this region in the Euro Atlantic structures".

Exhibition "Fokus '99" will be opened for four days in succession./dast/linda/

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[17] Construction of Kapshtice-Korce highway to start on July 7

General Secretary of Korca Prefecture Sotir Kokeri told ATA that the Macedonian company "Granit Construction" is the winner of the tender on highway construction.

This highway will be 36 km long and 11.5 m wide. Some 40 art pieces and all the accessories will be constructed in this highway. World Bank will finance 17 million dollars for its construction, 10% of the value will be provided by the Albanian Government.

Kapshtica-Korce highway will connect Korca region with Greece and will facilitate the goods and people movement between the two countries.

During the second phase the construction process of Korca-Pogradec- Qafe Thane highway will start, which will connect it with the Eight Corridor. /s.s/linda/

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[18] Andoni says military agreement to be considered in complexity

"We express our delight at the signing of this agreement but on the other hand we express reserves because many other steps are needed to be implemented," added Andoni.

"There is a kind of reserve among all the political and military circles because earlier events have shown that the signed agreements in most cases have not been implemented by the Serbs".

Among the difficulties of implementing the agreements Andoni mentions not only the elimination of the mined areas in Kosova but also the withdrawal of the Serb military and paramilitary troops, which have acted there for a long time.

Referring to the engagement of the Albanian military troops in the KFOR military force, to be deployed in Kosova, Andoni said that "the Albanian army being a long-time member of several NATO structures, such as the PFP, has been involved in several NATO operations. It has cooperated with it in a dignified way and has been an active participant in the peacekeeping missions such as with the SFOR troops in Bosnia."

"Now, with the approval of the peace agreement for the solution to conflict in Kosova, the modalities for the participation of the Albanian troops in the KFOR peacekeeping force have not yet been defined."

"Even if we are considered not to take part with troops, I think there will be other forms of assistance on our part," explained Brigade General Aleks Andoni.

The military agreement between the NATO and Yugoslav Generals was singed on Wednesday evening in Kumanove of Macedonia. This agreement intends the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosova and the deployment there of the international peacekeeping troops. /dast/lm/

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[19] "TRISS": 11,4 million dollars within five years

"TRISS" company, which presented its projects at the exhibition opened today "Fokus '99", is an Albanian company specialized mainly on construction in infrastructure, hydro technics, industry and projectile skills as well.

The company has won different tenders and constructed objects financed by PHARE, IDA, World Bank, Albanian Government, Italian Government and English Albanian Petroleum.

This company has constructed some of the main objects in the country, such as Eastern Part of Durresi Port, Hydro technic complex of Bovilla, custom complex of Kakavija, the reconstruction of Kruja Castle, etc.

According to the runners of the company "TRISS" at the moment is working in implementing some objects such as the construction of the rural roads in Korca, Devoll, the electric reconstruction of Fierza, Vau i Dejes hydro power stations and some modifications at Komani channel.

The company presented at "Fokus '99" exhibition also its goals to undertake new operations in construction field. It possessed currently a considerable number of the machineries, mechanisms and equipment such as production factory, transport and channel opening machineries, and cement implants, as well./a.gj/linda/

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[20] Some 15 000 NATO soldiers at Rinas to head for Macedonia Dornan:

In the meantime, the core of the "Task Force Hawk" will remain in Albania. Regarding a possible visit of NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark to Albania, Dornan said that "There is no report of such a visit as it is thought that General Clark will carry out visits to the peacekeeping forces in Kosova and Macedonia."

The "Task Force Hawk" is a military contingent, whose core will be composed of a considerable number of U.S. Armed Forces marines. A main part of this contingent will be heavy armament and Apache helicopters.

According to Dornan, this contingent, the most selected of the U.S. Army, is specialised for peacekeeping missions at post-conflict countries. The Task Force Hawk, along with the British troops in Macedonia, will make up the core of the peacekeeping forces in Kosova," concluded Dornan. /led/lm/

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[21] Eighth water will at Fushe-Kuqes to be cleaned

Durres, June 10 (ATA) - By S.Gjordeni - At the moment Fushe-Kuqes station in Laci district, that supply Durresi district with drinking water, is functioning in 7 water wills.

Last days specialists of Hydro- Geology Institute and water supply enterprises of Durresi district started the cleaning of the eight will of this station. Its cleaning process will be completed within this week.

The intervention aiming at full stabilization of Fushe Kuqes station is undertaken due to the fact that the drinking water inflows fall from 1 thousand liters to 700 liters per second. A part of the water is stolen by the illegal interventions in the main water pipe and as a result the drinking water inflow in Durresi is only 350-400 liters per second.

The intervention of the Hydro Geology Institute to put in use the eight corridor foresees to increase the level of the drinking water inflow, but nevertheless the needs still cannot be met. So the approval of another intervention is expected by the part of respective organs based upon a project drafted by the specialists of this sector in Durresi, which will increase twice the capacity of the drinking water from Fushe Kuqja. The implementation of this project will improve considerably the water provision in Durresi town. /A.KE/linda/

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[22] Meidani: Stability Pact opens perspective for cooperation between Albania and Slovenia and for the whole region

Meidani expressed gratitude for the support Slovenia has provided for the solution of the Kosova issue at the international organisations and stressed that humanitarian and economic assistance to rebuilt Kosova remains very significant also for the future.

Meidani stressed the indispensability of NATO to lead the International Forces throughout the Kosova territory for the return of the deportees to their lands. He considered very significant the details and "technology" of implementing the resolution awaiting approval from the Security Council.

The Slovenian Prime Minister said the peace process is irreversible and the conditions of the resolution are logical reaction to the chauvinistic policy pursued by Milosevic.

Meidani considered the Euro-Atlantic integration experience of Slovenia as a model to be followed and encouraged cooperation in this direction.

Discussion of projects on infrastructure also occupied an important place at this meeting. /led/lm/

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[23] Albanian foreign debt marks 514 million dollars

According to the sources of the Ministry of Finaces, nearly 15 million dollars are taken from the accorded loans only during the first three months of 1999.

This debt is considered as regular one because its service(paying off) is done normally and in the proper time during all this period. This is relatively new debt and in general all the loans of this kind have been soft ones.

The value of the non disbursed loans at the end of the first three months period is nearly 373 million dollars.

The value of the loans to be payed off during 1999 is 6,768.9 thousand dollars and the interests mark some 18,110.6 thousand dollars./a.gj/linda/

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[24] March-May: 932 flats to be sold by National Dwelling Houses Enterprise

Nearly 932 flats are sold during the period March-May and this is due to the considerable incomes of this enterprise.

Facilities are created concerning the way of paying the dwelling houses, which now are buying in Albanian currency and not in dollars any more. The client has the right of decreasing 30% of the flat value in case of immediate payment, while the paying off the loan at the moment of assigning the contract, for the homeless, is 25 years.

669 flats are sold in total during 1998.

NDHE during the period 1996-1997 closed its activity with loses, while in 1998 it marked positive values. During the five months the financial result is again positive. Taking into consideration these developing steps NDHE make possible successful implementation of the Greek sheltering loan for the families that lost their houses due to the fall of pyramidal schemes.

Main directions of NDHE activity in '99 is concentrated in investments on construction and purchases of the dwelling houses. /pas/linda/

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[25] Parliament passes Convention on juridical cooperation with CE

The approval of laws "On ratifying the CE Convention on transferring penal cases procedures", "On mutual juridical assistance in the criminal field" and "On transferring convicted persons", completes the legal framework for the extradition of the Albanian nationals serving sentence in other countries, mainly in Italy and Greece, respecting the rules provided in this convention.

The Convention "On mutual juridical assistance" has to do with the logistic and didactic assistance that the CE will provide for the Albanian justice, based on the agreements signed between the Albanian government and the Council of Europe.

The CE has for years been providing assistance for Albania, especially for drafting the new Constitution of the Republic, which was approved by people's referendum on November 22, 1998.

The CE helped draft the fundamental law of the Albanian state, through the special commission of this organisation "Democracy through law" or as it is otherwise called the Venice commission led by renowned Antonio La Pergola. /led/lm/

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[26] Majko says Albania, Slovenia can play significant role in the Balkans

Majko stressed, at the closed door meeting, that now it is clear that the Milosevic regime represents the source which has constantly generated conflict in the region.

After the deployment of the NATO troops in Kosova, new situations will be initiated in the region and a new Balkan will be created, he said.

"The Serbs risked everything to win everything, but suffered a total failure. It will be of little importance what they will think in the new Balkans. We consider that the future of Kosova is a started process and any mix solution would be temporary. In Rambouillet, the Kosova Albanians signed for cohabitation, while the Serbs had prepared the massacre," said Majko, stressing that he did not believe that Albanians would take revenge for the Serb atrocities, also pointing to the statements of the Kosova Albanian leaders instructing self-restraint.

Majko, who considered the presence of the NATO troops in Kosova the sole guarantee for the return home of the Kosova war refugees, expressed evaluation for the efforts of the Russian diplomacy in resolving the conflict and reserves for the presence of the Russian troops in the region.

"Albania rejects any idea of a possible partition of Kosova and considers that its realisation would keep open a permanent hotbed in the region," said Majko.

Majko held that the end of the conflict in Kosova would also eliminate the dilemma of the business community to invest in the region in general and in Albania in particular.

"We have got to know well the Belgrade regime and have provided our assistance for the international community and NATO in resolving the conflict," said the Slovenian Prime Minister, who considered the long-term presence of the NATO troops in Kosova vital to reestablish peace in the region and guarantee security and stability.

For Slovenia the withdrawal of the Serb military forces from Kosova also marks the first day of a new era for the region, he said.

"We follow with attention the idea of the stability pact in the Southeastern Europe, which is a very good and fruitful idea, and hope that the Kosova refugees will return to their homes," said the Slovenian Prime Minister.

Drnovsek said he considered very good the bilateral relations between Albania and Slovenia and that his country was ready to be present in the reconstruction of Kosova and in the economic space of the region.

"Our two countries have signed a number of bilateral agreements. Other agreements are underway and we are open to promoting them further in the future," said Drnovsek, who invited Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko to a formal visit to Slovenia. /pas/lm/

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[27] Majko says Serb troops have not yet withdrawn from border with Albania

Majko also said that the Albanian government assesses that the signed agreement and the withdrawal of the Serb aggressors is a significant step to reestablish peace, the first step to enable the Kosova war refugees to return home.

"The return of the Kosova war refugees to their homes, from which they have been driven with fire and iron and with a criminal platform of ethnic cleansing by precisely these soldiers, and the deployment of the NATO troops in Kosova, are the essential conditions for the achievement of peace and a precondition for condemning the Serb barbarism.

The act of the Serb military troops' pullout is at the same time the act of the capitulation of the Balkan dictator, the man who plunged the region in three bloody conflicts and initiated in Kosova the most unprecedented massacres since the World War Two.

It was the NATO's military force, the determination of the Alliance to carry the operation through to the end that forced Milosevic to kneel down, because it had become clear to all that he understood, obeyed and resigned himself only to the language of force.

The Albanian government is following with attention and preoccupation, in close cooperation with the international partners, the process of the Serb troops' pullout and considers that this should be a complete and verifiable withdrawal. Any deviation from this plan would be of immediate consequences in the processe for the reestablishment of peace in the region.

The Albanian government observes that the withdrawal of the military and paramilitary troops deployed near the northeastern borders of Albania not only has not started but these troops are continuing their provocations, causing a permanent high tension in this zone," said Majko. /pas/lm/

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