Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-06-23

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CONTENTS

[01] French-U.S. spiritual chorus gives concert "Song to Kosova"

[02] Turkey will support Albania in overcoming difficult situation - Demirel

[03] Press review

[04] Albanians, a priority pillar for new Balkans - U.S. President pledges aid for region after war -/Note/

[05] Control finds weak points in Guard of the Republic

[06] U.S. contingent of "Task Force Hawk" in Albania expected to increase in number - spokesman

[07] Exchange rates in Tirane on Wednesday

[08] Italian 28 naval group rescues lives of 7 Syrian sailors

[09] Kosovars leaving en mass towards their territories

[10] Kosovars leaving en mass towards their territories

[11] Meidani meets with former representative of Kosova Office in Tirane

[12] Meidani asks from United Arab Emirates to complete Kukes airport

[13] NATO allows civil air flights without limits

[14] "Stop" to false declarations at custom offices

[15] Construction police: All objects in from of Democratic Party building to be removed next week

[16] German army accords aid for its Albanian counterpart

[17] INSTAT: 20% of families with sufficient financial sources

[18] Abdiu and Everts discuss issues of Albanian Justice

[19] Measures adopted for reconstruction of ruined schools due to Serb shells

[20] Employees interrupt their strike

[21] Two projects on drainage of Maliqi field

[22] Representatives of "Kent Bank" in Albania to buy National Commercial Bank (NCB)

[23] Albanian Premier visits NATO troops at Rinas

[24] USA: 8 million dollars on administration of private forests in Albania

[25] Clinton says aid for the countries of the region depends on their programmes

[26] British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook visits Albania tomorrow

[27] Meidani, Demirel initiate creation of "Friends of Kosova"

[28] Majko to attend meeting of Socialist International Council

[01] French-U.S. spiritual chorus gives concert "Song to Kosova"

Protagonists of the concert were singers of the French-U.S. spiritual chorus "The Yale Glee Club."

The representative of the U.S. church in Paris, James Stewart, considered the activity a close cooperation between the U.S. and France in aid of peace in the region.

The money from the concert were donated to the humanitarian organization "Enfants du monde" which works in Albania. The organization, created in 1979 by an entrepreneur from Marseilles who after a tragedy of his devoted all his asset to assistance of the children throughout the world, has for some time now been working for the region of Korca and concretely with the camps set up for the Kosova displaced people. /lh/xh/

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[02] Turkey will support Albania in overcoming difficult situation - Demirel

Mr Demirel also said that the Turkish people have followed with concern and commitment all the developments in Kosova and the region.

Mr Gjinushi, who is in Turkey to take part in the 13th Session of PABSEC in Ankara, said that the process of peace opens new vistas to the region. He added that the presence of NATO in Kosova is a guarantee for Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro for a lasting stability.

According to the Parliament's press office, Demirel and Gjinushi expressed the conviction that the relations between the two countries will continue to be excellent also in the future.

Albanian Speaker of Parliament had today meetings also with the Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the chairman of the Great National Assembly of Turkey, Yildiri Akbulut who confirmed the support of Turkey for the pact of stability and the implementation of a Marshall Plan for the region. /dast/xh/

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[03] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

- "Hillary Clinton, lady to remain in Albanians' memory," is the title of the editorial of this paper. - Great American epoch of the Balkans starts." U.S. President Clinton confirmed yesterday in Skopje the respect for Tirane, - "We can's sign in a table with Milosevic-Milo." Albania abandons for the third time the Balkan conference in which Belgrade takes part as well. - "I will come to Tirane soon - Clinton." U.S. President pledges Meidani and Majko powerful investments in Albania.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

- "Clinton in Albania - Meidani." Interview with President of Albania Rexhep Meidani. - "NATO between FARK-KLA conflict." - "Assembly decides fate of employees." Deputies are examining the status of the employees. Rights of budgetary employees determined. - "Execution with antitank, two people killed." Settling of accounts ruins completely the armoured vehicles, while two youngsters were killed in the city quarter Allias.

Shekulli, independent daily,

-"Medani: Instructions of Bill Clinton...." President of Albania uncovers some of the secrets of his talk with the White House Chief, in Skopje yesterday. - "Clinton: here is how I want the Balkans to be." It is a summary of the visit and meetings of President Bill Clinton in Skopje yesterday. - "UNHCR is making nothing for us."The prefect of Prizren Kadri Fejziu declares.

Rilindja, independent informative daily,

- "The number of the returned people amounts to 180 thousand." - "Sincere enthusiastic welcome." - "Proportions of genocide clear up."

Albania, independent daily,

- "Poci: The Guard, net of criminals and thieves." - "Aid: The state has 'stolen' 35 billion lek." - "Iron fist in SP. Nano wins over the Presidency."

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development.

- "Albanians, pillar of new Balkans." - "IMF: Albania responded well to crisis of refugees." - "Effects of new Customs Code being felt."

Zeri i Popullit, daily of Albanian Socialist Party,

- "Clinton: I owe you a visit, Albanians." - "Braho: Deputies in Prishtine." - "Strike ends, decision of Government did no change."

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania,

- "Massacre with antitank in middle of Tirane." - "Berisha, today in Crans Montana."

Republika, daily of Albanian Republican party,

- "Berisha, 30 million debt, ready the indictment." - Teta: Some politicians fear my trial." /y.pa/xh/

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[04] Albanians, a priority pillar for new Balkans - U.S. President pledges aid for region after war -/Note/

The background of the tour of President Clinton, besides the visit to the camp of Kosovars of Stenkovac (where he was welcomed as an Albanian national hero) was also the official meeting with the leaders of the Albanian state, President Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and the Foreign Minister Paskal Milo.

The meeting, which consisted of two stages of official talks (trilateral: American-Albanian-Macedonian and bilateral: U.S.- Albanian) is the first official summit in the real meaning of the word, between the highest-ranking state officials of the U.S. and Albania.

The chairman of the most powerful country of the world promised to his counterpart Meidani, that he will will provide great assistance at least during the period that U.S. President hold his mandate as the President of the leader country in the world. Through the increase of the NATO troops number in Albania a security and a proper climate will be created for the attraction of the foreign investments.

In addition to the U.S.-Albania bilateral role, the present meeting had also the regional aspect of the wight of the Albanians in the Balkans, who are now in three states in which the western protectorate is now being evident: Albania, Kosova and Macedonia.

"Now the new Balkans, totally integrated in the Democratic Europe, will feel considerably the role of the Albanians who demonstrated that they know to preserve and cultivate the values of the human freedoms and rights and the tolerance of ethnic cohabitation," said President Clinton in the meeting he had with highest ranking officials of the Albanian state, held in Skopje of Macedonia on Tuesday.

"The Pact of Stability for the Balkans," which was established in the G-8 meeting in Cologne of Germany, focused precisely on the role of the Albanians in the tense Balkan region who with the crisis of Kosova, showed realistically their weight in this corner of the world, which until yesterday was left in oblivion by the civilized west... /led/xh/

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[05] Control finds weak points in Guard of the Republic

The conclusions were made on Tuesday in a meeting which was attended by the Public Order Minister Spartak Poci as well.

As the spokesperson of the Ministry, Edlira Birko, said, the control found irresponsibilities and lack of capability in the direction of the Guard during the September 13,14, 1998 events. Grave violations detrimental to the state were made evident also in the economic-financial activity.

For all the violations of the normative acts and the law, personal responsibility was determined along with the concrete measures adopted for some former high officers and persons who continue to have posts in the Guard.

Minister Poci demanded that the work and concept for the Guard of the Republic must change essentially. /pas/xh/

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[06] U.S. contingent of "Task Force Hawk" in Albania expected to increase in number - spokesman

According to him, the number of troops will increase gradually and by a special order from the Pentagon, but for the moment nobody knows the exact number and time when these troops will arrive and spread in Albania with the Base Centre only being installed in Rinas.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the British, French, German and Italian troops deployed in the military airport of Rinas, started their transfer to the Kosova territory. These troops will be attached to their contingents who are in Kosova for several days now carrying out peacekeeping missions. /led/xh/

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[07] Exchange rates in Tirane on Wednesday

Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies:

Kind of currency Bought Sold USD 135,2 138 DM 72,3 74,2 LIT(1000) 73,03 74,94 GRD(100) 43 44,5

/xh/

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[08] Italian 28 naval group rescues lives of 7 Syrian sailors

At 2.20 a.m. on Wednesday, some Syrian sailors in another ship, which was in the harbour, asked the Italian military men of the Italian 28 naval group to help their friends at sea. After 30 minutes, a motorboat of the group reached the Syrian ship, located only one mile from the harbour. The rough sea with a force of 3-4 degrees and a breakdown not yet clarified created technical problems to the Syrian ship.

At 3.20 a.m. the seven Syrian crew members were all out of danger. /led/Na/xh/

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[09] Kosovars leaving en mass towards their territories

Some of the camps set up close to the city of Kukes are getting empty with each passing day. Despite the propaganda made by the local government, UNHCR and UNICEF of the risks coming from an unorganized departure, the Kosova deported peoople continue to leave on mass towards their homes.

Only in the last few days, more than 26 people have stepped onto minefields, and five of them have lost their lives. /led/xh/

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[10] Kosovars leaving en mass towards their territories

Some of the camps set up close to the city of Kukes are getting empty with each passing day. Despite the propaganda made by the local government, UNHCR and UNICEF of the risks coming from an unorganized departure, the Kosova deported peoople continue to leave on mass towards their homes.

Only in the last few days, more than 26 people have stepped onto minefields, and five of them have lost their lives. /led/xh/

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[11] Meidani meets with former representative of Kosova Office in Tirane

Meidani evaluated the efforts to respect the agreements with the representatives of the international force, and efforts for an effective coordination of the Albanian leadership in Kosova in the context of establishing the military and civil international authority there. /pas/lm/

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[12] Meidani asks from United Arab Emirates to complete Kukes airport

Considering this a significant part of the infrastructure which connects the Albanians in the region, Meidani asked the completion of this airport, which will serve as a model of a concrete and long-term contribution the United Emirates donate to the Albanian people at these crisis moments, the President's press office reports.

Alsuweidi expressed himself in favour of the humanitarian and economic aid both in Albania and Kosova. He praised the cooperation with the Albanian authorities and considered this basis for strengthening the relations between the two peoples and countries in the future. /dast/lm/

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[13] NATO allows civil air flights without limits

The unlimited flights from all the civil airlines are expected to resume on June 24. The total number of air companies operating in Albania is estimated to be 13.

Rinas airport was closed on March 25, 1999, as a result of the beginning of NATO bombardments, and since March 30, the flights in the only international airport in Albania, Rinas, are realized according to some corridors decided by the Organization of Eurotransport with its headquarter in Brussels. /dast/A.A/

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[14] "Stop" to false declarations at custom offices

According to him this directorate completed the draft of a project law concerning this problem, which is going to be approved these days.

The project law foresees in cases when the custom officers make evident low prices in the merchants' bills, which do not correspond to the averaged prices of the world prices, then they have the right to buy the product by giving to the merchant the profit percentage only.

After then the product is sent to the State Reserves, to be sold in auction with its real price. /led/linda/

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[15] Construction police: All objects in from of Democratic Party building to be removed next week

Nearly 27 kiosks and 108 concrete objects are in this area, but no one of the owners has the legal documents about them. /dast/linda/

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[16] German army accords aid for its Albanian counterpart

Behar Metohu, specialist in the Directory of Public Relation of the Defence Ministry, told ATA on Wednesday, that the German delegation of military experts in the German Defence Ministry, chaired by Colonel Wagner, held meetings with their Albanian counterpart, where they have discussed some cooperation projects in the logistic, communication and medical field.

In the meeting with the chief of General Army Staff, Brigade General Aleks Andoni, the German teams said that the cooperation projects with the Albanian army aim at its modernization. /dast/A.A/

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[17] INSTAT: 20% of families with sufficient financial sources

According to this questionnaire nearly 12% of the Albanian families declare that have sufficient financial sources for a week vacation in Albania or elsewhere.

15% of the families declare that they have sufficient incomes to eat meat or fish at least once every two days and 18% of them to buy new clothes once a year. /led/linda/

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[18] Abdiu and Everts discuss issues of Albanian Justice

Sources from this Court report that they discussed the indispensability of Justice independence and the legal tasks emerging with the compulsory implementation of the juridical decisions by the bailiffs' offices, state bodies and the citizens themselves. /pas/lm/

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[19] Measures adopted for reconstruction of ruined schools due to Serb shells

The main aim of Kukes Education Directory is to reconstruct the damaged schools within two months.

According to Elezi, some eight are to be reconstructed in Tropoje, and some five other ones are to be reconstructed in Has district, while the schools to be reconstructed in Kukes are two. /lh/A.A/

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[20] Employees interrupt their strike

According to this Trade Union, one of their main requests was the salary increase, which increased by 45% and a food diet of 180 lek per month.

The request on improving the working conditions and the stability of number of the employees for 2000 were fulfilled. /led/linda/

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[21] Two projects on drainage of Maliqi field

Gjergj Janollari, Director of the Water Directorate of this district told ATA that the Government approved a fund of 30 million lek and put in disposal of this directorate two heavy excavators for emergent operations on drainage of 2500 ha land, flooded during winter.

The first project foresees 150 000 m3 excavation of the bed of Devoll River and Sovjan collector to decrease the water level to 2-3 m. The project will be implemented within this year.

The second project, which is the final solution of the drainage of this field, foresees the construction of a hydro collection center, to be financed by World Bank by 1 million dollars. This project foresees the complete drainage of 5200 ha land of this field. /pas/linda/

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[22] Representatives of "Kent Bank" in Albania to buy National Commercial Bank (NCB)

The Turkish representatives will meet the state owner of National Commercial Bank, which according to the law is the Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli, to define all the points on completing this process.

The privatization process of this bank will be completed within 1999, while the rest of the share-certificates of 49% are expected to be bought by financial investitures such as EBRD and IFC, which are international financial institutions, and other domestic and foreign financial institutions. /led/linda/

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[23] Albanian Premier visits NATO troops at Rinas

In this visit Majko was accompanied by Minister of Information Musa Ulqini.

"NATO's presence in Albania is evident and Albania being NATO member tomorrow is in our future vision," said Majko.

Majko said that everything speaks of a long-term cooperation between Albania and NATO and Albania and the U.S..

Hinton said that the NATO troops will be present in Albania until all the projects undertaken by NATO are realised.

Following this visit at Rinas military airport, Majko left for Argentine to attend a conference of the Socialist International. /lh/lm/

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[24] USA: 8 million dollars on administration of private forests in Albania

This fund consists of distribution of the wooden materials to the private subject by the auction. According to a special regulation they will administrate forest ownership in conformity with the Albanian laws.

A part of this fund marking the value of 2 million dollars is foreseen to be used on constructing of the forest roads, project administration and technical assistance. Investments will start firstly on the Northern area of the country.

At the moment the forests are under the supervising of the communes of the districts and the application of the project will bring a correct administration of the forests in Albania. /lh/linda/

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[25] Clinton says aid for the countries of the region depends on their programmes

Clinton said that a meeting of the countries of the region is thought in July which will extensively discuss the aid to be provided to these countries, therefore the leaders of each country should have a clear short- term and long-term programme, including both the version of developing the region together with Serbia and that without Serbia, he said.

He added that "the aid for the countries of the region depends on the programmes to be presented by them".

Clinton said that the movement of the countries to be integrated into Europe should be accelerated.

He said that a good part of financial aid should be given to countries such as Albania and Macedonia, which bore the major weight in this crisis, but stressed that for a comprehensive and long-term development a regional development strategy should be worked out.

He stressed that in order to efficiently help Albania the Americans need to know what they can do in such sectors as economy, military, education and other fields.

At the end of the meeting Clinton reconfirmed his commitment to helping Albania. /dast/lm/

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[26] British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook visits Albania tomorrow

According to the formal agenda, Cook will have a working dinner with Albanian senior authorities on the same day. /lh/lm/

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[27] Meidani, Demirel initiate creation of "Friends of Kosova"

This was the main idea of a telephone conversation between Meidani and Demirel, on Wednesday afternoon, the President's press office reports.

Turkey and Albania would like to take part in this new initiative alongside with the U.S. and other developed democratic states and significant European and International organisations and institutions.

Demirel also asked about the problems of the forcefully displaced Kosovars and the situation in Albania.

He expressed the readiness of the Turkish government to continue its contribution in their favour, but also to create appropriate conditions for the coming winter for that part of the deportees who could not return to Kosova immediately. /dast/lm/

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[28] Majko to attend meeting of Socialist International Council

The SI groups the socialist and social-democratic parties around the world and has about 140 members.

Albanian SP applied for SI membership last March, a request examined at an accelerated procedure at the meeting of the SI presidency in May of the same year in Oslo.

The SI presidency has recommended the SPA candidature to the Council of the Socialist International, which starts proceedings in Buenos Aires on Thursday and after examination it will be sent to the SI Congress, scheduled by the end of this year in Paris. /dast/lm/

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