Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-06-24

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Lobby of 8th corridor municipalities created

[02] Foreign currency exchange rate in Tirane

[03] Agreement on cooperation with U.S. air company

[04] Mines continue to pose danger along Albania's northeastern border

[05] British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook arrives in Albania

[06] Refugee camps in Kukes emptied

[07] NATO French troops to rehabilitate Korçe-Gramsh road

[08] Drivers ask for 2 000 German Marks to drive Kosovars from Korçe to Kukes

[09] Encouragement for intensification of Albania-Spain cooperation

[10] Exhibition "Motifs from Albania" to be opened on Friday in Roma

[11] Albania has shown herself a true and reliable partner of NATO - Solana

[12] Hajdaraga to leave for a work visit in Italy

[13] Cooperation agreement with American airline company EVERGREEN

[14] Great Britain, Albania's advocate in Europe - Cook

[15] EBRD offers credits for AMC

[16] Police warn owners to remove kiosks in Rinia Park

[17] Annan appoints two of the U.N. mission leaders in Kosova

[18] Dr. Shefqet Ndroqi awarded the title "Citizen of Honor" of Tirane

[19] Banks to report on foreign currencies activity

[20] AFOR sensitizes Kosovars to protect themselves from mines

[21] Negotiations on SP integration into international organization ofleft wing

[22] Vollebaek names Mr Everts head of OSCE Mission to Kosova

[23] Gjinushi concludes his official visit in Turkey

[24]

[25] Albanian chairman of Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission visits Iran

[26] Averagely 15 000 Kosovars leave Albania every day

[27] Godo hails return of DP deputies to Parliament

[01] Lobby of 8th corridor municipalities created

The mayors of these cities, which are joined by the 8th corridor, expressed their commitment to speed up the works on this Corridor in their areas and cooperation with one another for the solution of the emerging problems.

They also discussed the creation of a climate of cooperation in the economic, trade, cultural and sports fields among them, what will help accelerate the works for the construction of this corridor. The creation of the lobby of the Municipalities this corridor gets through will serve this aim.

The participants in this meeting also appealed to the municipalities of the foreign cities, which are included or benefit from the construction of this corridor, such as in Italy, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey, to take part in this lobby and provide their assistance to speed up works in their zones. /dast/lm/

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[02] Foreign currency exchange rate in Tirane

Currency buying selling US$1 136,5 137 DM 72 72,5 ITL(1000) 73 73,6 GRD(100) 43 43,6

/lm/

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[03] Agreement on cooperation with U.S. air company

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works on Wednesday signed an agreement of cooperation in the field of air transport with the International Corporation of Civil Aviation, "EVERGREEN", an American company based in Oregon State.

The well-known American company will also ensure services of civil aviation within Albania, consisting in air shipment and helicopter services, according to the ministry spokesman.

The "EVERGREEN" will see to the possibility of donating to the Albanian Government a helicopter for the Ministry of Public Order for the Rapid Intervention Forces.

Sources from the ministry said that this is the first step of cooperation and this company is also expected to invest in other economic fields in Albania. /dast/Na/lm/

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[04] Mines continue to pose danger along Albania's northeastern border

Sources from the Kukes prefecture police report that on Wednesday at around 13.00 the officer of the Infantry Second Division, Arben Soti, 32, stepped on mines which injured him seriously.

Also the fact that five people have been killed and 22 injured recently by exploding mines on the northeastern border of Albania shows that crossing this area is very dangerous.

For this reason, the UNHCR and UNICEF have undertaken a sensibilisation campaign for the Kosova refugees and the Kukes inhabitants, aiming at preventing their return to areas still uncontrolled by specialists of mine removal. /dast/lm/

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[05] British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook arrives in Albania

After his arrival at Rinas airport, Cook, accompanied by Albanian Deputy-Prime Minister Ilir Meta, went to Hotel Rogner Europea Park, were his is conducting a series of meetings with President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani and senior authorities of the Albanian state.

Cook, who is visiting Albania for the second time, came to Tirane following his visit to Kosova on Wednesday along with his European counterparts Fischer, Vedrine and Dini.

British Foreign Minister has recently expressed special consideration for Albania's solidarity with the people of Kosova. /dast/lm/

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[06] Refugee camps in Kukes emptied

With the influx of the Kosova refugees, various organisations set up 8 camps in Kukes town which housed nearly 28 000 Kosova deportees.

Actually, five of these camps have been closed and two others are expected to be closed soon. The remaining refugees, around 480, will be housed in the camp to be kept open, the spokesman of the Prefecture, Emri Peca, told ATA.

This camp will also host the Kosovars coming from other districts of Albania before crossing the border into Kosova.

Meanwhile, the flood of refugees returning home continued also on Thursday. From 04.00 am to 11.00 am, 4153 refugees crossed the border point of Morine, sources from local police report.

Some 148 000 Kosovars have left Albania over the last days. /dast/na/lm/

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[07] NATO French troops to rehabilitate Korçe-Gramsh road

Some roads connecting the centers of Gore and Moglice communes with their centers are to be rehabilitated with funds of the World Bank, after the rehabilitation process of this road is over, said Miço

The French troops dislocated in Korçe region have build and rehabilitated some roads of villages of this region and they are intensively working for the reconstruction of Korçe airport, through which will be made the transport of Kosovars towards their homes. /dast/A.A/

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[08] Drivers ask for 2 000 German Marks to drive Kosovars from Korçe to Kukes

Gerhard Fayox, chief of the regional office of UNCHR in Korçe, by expressing his regrets on the abuse of some drivers, said to ATA that UNCHR appeals to all the displaced Kosovars not to leave for Kosove for some days until safe conditions are created for their return.

Fayox said that the removal of refugees from Korçe region will start on July 5, time when the airdrome of Korçe airport is thought to be over.

The removal of Kosovars situated in this condition will be carried by NATO planes within 21 days.

UNHCR and NATO have got detailed plans to carry Kosovars to their villages or cities to protect them from mined areas. UNHCR is carrying out a sensitizing campaign for protection against mines in hosting centers and make-shift camps. /dast/A.A/

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[09] Encouragement for intensification of Albania-Spain cooperation

Riosalido considered his provisional stay in Tirane as an increase of the interest of his country for the intensification of the relations with Albania and as materialisation of the commitment of the Prime Minister of Spain, Joze Maria Aznar, to the institutionalisation of the relations between the two countries.

President Meidani encouraged the acceleration of the steps in signing of the treaty of cooperation between the two countries and highlighted as very important the growth of the Spanish economic presence and investments in Albania and in the region.

In the meeting held during the NATO Summit in Washington and in Tirane with the Spanish Prime Minister, President Meidani has insisted in the opening of the embassy of Spain in Tirane as an expression of the good will for the consolidation of the bilateral cooperation.

At the beginning of the coming year, Spain is expected to open its embassy in Tirane. /dast/xh/

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[10] Exhibition "Motifs from Albania" to be opened on Friday in Roma

The opening of this exhibition which comprises about 40 works of the painters Kujtim Buza, Ndini Bardhi, Pash Pervathi, Besnik Erebara, Vangjel Ghikondi and Parid Dule, was made possible by the Cultural Center "Skanderbeg", with the President Mira Kola in cooperation with the cultural center of Albanian embassy in Italy.

"Skanderbeg" Cultural Center in Rome is opened years ago and its aim is to encourage the Albanian artists who exercise their activity in Albania. /pas/A.A/

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[11] Albania has shown herself a true and reliable partner of NATO - Solana

"With the end of the Kosova conflict, I would like to send you, Mr President, a personal message of thanks and appreciation for everything we achieved together during this crisis. Now that our air campaign is over and Kosovars are beginning to return to their homes, I would like to express to you, Mr Meidani, my deep personal gratitude for the unfailing support you have shown to NATO," writes NATO Secretary General.

After evaluating the cooperation of the regional countries with NATO in the efforts to attain the success, Solana writes that "Albania has shown herself a true and reliable partner of NATO."

"Your unhesitating willingness to grant access to your airspace, ports and other facilities, writes Mr Solana, was critical to the success of the campaign. Moreover, Albania's acceptance without complaint, of the huge burden of refugees stands testament to your country's commitment to peace and stability throughout the region."

In conclusion, Mr Solana thanked again President Meidani for Albania's outstanding contribution and commitment to the resolution of the crisis in Kosova. /dast/xh/

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[12] Hajdaraga to leave for a work visit in Italy

The bilateral relations of the military field both in the bilateral and in "Partnership for Peace" framework, will be on the focus of the meeting scheduled to be held.

This is the first official visit of Hajdaraga after the end of war in Kosove.

Italian Minister, Carlo Scognamiglio, payed his latest visit in Tirane on April 1999, time when he got acquainted with the situation created due to Kosovars arrival, and visited the Italian troops operating in the humanitarian mission "Allied Harbor" (AFOR). /led/A.A/

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[13] Cooperation agreement with American airline company EVERGREEN

According to the spokesman of this Ministry, the American company will provide services in the civil air transport, even within Albania, which consist of the air transport of the goods and services with helicopters.

"EVERGREEN" company will donate to the Albanian Government a helicopter in sipport of the first aid intervention of the Ministry of Public Order.

According to the spokesman, this is the first step of the cooperation, because this company is going to invest even in other field of teh economy in Albania. /dast/linda/

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[14] Great Britain, Albania's advocate in Europe - Cook

TIRANE, June 24 (ata) - By Enkelejda Koraqi: The British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, stated in Tirane on Thursday that Great Britain will be a powerful advocate in the process of Albania's integration into Euro- Atlantic structures.

Speaking in a joint news conference in Tirane with Albanian Deputy Prime Minister, Ilir Meta, Mr Cook said that "soon an agreement of association will be reached between Albania and the European Union. We invite Albania to be integrated in a European fast developing society. Britain will continue to extend its assistance for Albania. As the EU presiding country, Britain will be a powerful advocate for Albania in many directions." The highest ranking official of the British Foreign Office, stated that the end of the conflict in Kosova is not an end of our interest for Albania."

Albanian deputy PM Ilir Meta said that Albania authorities are committed to contribute to the consolidation of the peace process in Kosova and to continue the road for Albania's integration into NATO and EU.

In regard to the future of Kosova, Cook said that the international community is making efforts for the establishment of democracy in Kosova. Referring to the independence, Cook said that the International Community is not committed to the independence. An immediate task now is to reconstruct Kosova and later, let the people of Kosova decide themselves for their future. We will respect the choice of the people of Kosova," said Cook. /led/xh/

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[15] EBRD offers credits for AMC

The question of providing credits to this company is discussed during the meeting between the Minister of Public Economy and Privatization Ylli Bufi and the representatives of this bank.

The sum of 5 million dollars will serve to improve AMC capacity and its technology. It will increase the value before the privatization of this company, told ATA the spokesman of the Ministry Vladimir Avrami. /dast/linda/

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[16] Police warn owners to remove kiosks in Rinia Park

Some 104 owners of the objects in Rinia Park and 108 owners of the objects in front of the building of Democratic Party gathered today to make a petition to the Government by asking for their existence, at least, for three months.

After the removal of the kiosks around Scanderbeg Square, in front of the Parliament Building and in several squares and other streets in Tirana, this time the Construction Police seems determined to "clean" Rinia Park and the public-garden in front of the building of Democratic Party. /led/linda/

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[17] Annan appoints two of the U.N. mission leaders in Kosova

Asked about the candidacy of the Special Representative for Kosova, Eckahard said that Mr Annan envisages that the candidate to this post be from European countries.

As the press and information department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry reports, according to the structure of the U.N. Mission in Kosova, two other special deputy representatives must be appointed and they will deal with the reconstruction of Kosova (EU) and the establishment of the institutions (OSCE.) Along with the Special Representative or the Administrator, they will make up the senior leading staff of the U.N. Mission in Kosova. /lh/xh/

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[18] Dr. Shefqet Ndroqi awarded the title "Citizen of Honor" of Tirane

Shefqet Ndroqi was born in Tirane on March 21, 1914, in the family of the cleric Ismail Ndroqi, who was a distinguished activist of that time.

Dr Ndroqi was known for thirty years "the father of Albanian pneumatology". He has worked as a pedagogue in the Medicine Faculty, ward chief and surgeon. The Municipality Council proposed to the Council of Ministers to give the name of Dr. Shefqet Ndroqi to Tirane Sanatorium. /led/A.A/

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[19] Banks to report on foreign currencies activity

The daily report, to include all the activities performed during the last 24 hours, should be done in 15:00h. Banks should include in this report the actions performed in the center and other offices in Tirana.

Beside the daily report, these banks will do even the weekly report, as well. Once in every two weeks, on Tuesday, only the foreign banks will do two weeks' report. /pas/linda/

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[20] AFOR sensitizes Kosovars to protect themselves from mines

During this sensitizing campaign, AFOR members presented the organized return plan of Kosovars in their soils. This detailed plan of AFOR and UNHCR, in close cooperation with the Albanian government is excepted to start implementation on July 1. /lh/A.A/

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[21] Negotiations on SP integration into international organization ofleft wing

"This was a test of our political subject, which showed finally that Socialist Party is a European, democratic and social democratic party", stated Ruci for ATA.

Nearly 150 parties all over the world are included in this Organization, where socialist and social democratic parties all over the world are united together.

The Council of this organization invited the Albanian Prime Minister, at the same time the General Secretary of the Socialist Party Pandeli Majko and the Secretary of Foreign Relations Arta Dade to attend the Council proceedings to be held in Argentina. /led/linda/

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[22] Vollebaek names Mr Everts head of OSCE Mission to Kosova

According to the agreement between the U.N. Secretary General, Kofi Annan and the current presiding OSCE chairman, Ambassador Everts will also be named deputy special representative of the U.S. Secretary General, responsible for institution building.

As part of the international civil representation in Kosova, the OSCE mission will be responsible for the establishment of institutions, democratization, training of judges, police and civil administrators, the observation of the human rights and for preparing and monitoring the elections in Kosova.

Ambassador Daan Everts, of Dutch nationality, has been serving as OSCE head in Albania since December 1997. By appointing Ambassador Everts to the new post, Mr Vollebaek stressed the need that OSCE, like other international organizations, must start operating as soon as possible to ensure a reliable future for all the groups of population in Kosova. /led/xh/

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[23] Gjinushi concludes his official visit in Turkey

According to the spokesman of Parliament, Gjinushi hailed as very important the debate about the engagement of national parliaments in support of the economical development in the region of Black Sea, and pointed out at the same time that the Turkish President held meetings with the Albanian Premier and Parliament's Speaker where he said that Turkey will totally support the developments in Albania.

The Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea countries hold its proceedings from June 21-23 in Ankara. /led/A.A/

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[24]

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[25] Albanian chairman of Foreign Policy Parliamentary Commission visits Iran

After his returning home, Mr Godo told ATA that the aim of his visit to Iran was to present the needs for aid of Kosova deportees.

By explaining the position of Albania in the Islamic Conference, Godo said that the statute of the founding of this organization is acceptable for Albania despite some oppositions which are related with the state not to be engaged in spreading Islamic religion.

Albania is accepted as member of the Islamic Conference in 1992 and members of this organization are many states of the world from Middle East to Far East, along with Turkey, Bosnia and Albania, which are European states. /led/xh/

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[26] Averagely 15 000 Kosovars leave Albania every day

Entry to Kosova is realised through the border points of Morini and Qafe Prush in the Prefecture of Kukes, the Local Government Ministry reported on Thursday. It added that the number of the Kosovars still in Albania is as high as 338 483 people.

Over the past week and currently, the most common phenomenon is a spontaneous homecoming of Kosovars.

The Local Government Ministry in Albania has started an extensive campaign of sensitization for the risks of an unorganized and uncontrolled movement of Kosovars towards home. The warning has refrained somewhat the transfer but has not halted it completely, the same source said. /lh/xh/

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[27] Godo hails return of DP deputies to Parliament

According to Godo, this is a step to be praised because the absence of the Democratic Party has been felt considerably in the parliamentary political life.

"Now, we have great problems to solve in front of us and we must cope with them honestly and manly as a nation and as a state. If we find the language of cooperation, this means that we have understood the responsibility that time has charged us with," said Godo. /led/xh/

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