Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-07-13

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CONTENTS

[01] Majko says Albanian is interested to strengthen bilateral relations with Holland

[02] PRESS REVIEW

[03] Meidani demands a greater presence of Holland in Albania

[04] 700 000 war refugees are repatriated in Kosove in a month

[05] Albanian government discusses the priority projects in the framework of Pact of Stability

[06] Exchange rates of lek with foreign currencies on Tuesday

[07] Albanian will be one of the candidacies to be accepted in NATO - Cohen

[08] Albanian ballet to be presented for the firts time in the yearly Grand Gala of Oslo

[09] DP sets July 17 as date of its Extraordinary Assembly

[10] "Kosova press" resumes its work in Pristine

[11] Construction police removed kiosks in front of Democratic Party building

[12] Date for DP Extraordinary Assembly set again

[13] President Meidani meets with U.S. diplomat of career Thomas Melady

[14] Post crisis situation: Economic problems in focus of Albanian Government

[15] First phase of construction process of Lumalasi airport is completed

[16] Very wanted Kateshi arrested by police in Elbasan

[17] Kosova press resumes work in Prishtine

[18] Pensions: Albanian citizens with defined number of insurance

[19] More than 108 women unemployed

[20] Tax-customs: Stop to customs indebted merchants

[21] Former chairman of Supreme Court appeals to Constitutional Court

[22] "Kent Bank" to privatized National Commercial Bank in Elbasan

[23] Tripartite meeting in Prespe between Albania, Greece and Macedonia

[24] Albanian DP condemns pillage of camps of refugees

[25] Cards of identity for Albanian nationals help normal conduct of local elections - Deputy Premier

[26] A compulsory 10 form school set in Albania

[27] Exchange of experience with Germany in field of information of medias and public

[28] Accident of five Italian nationals in a crash of two vehicles

[01] Majko says Albanian is interested to strengthen bilateral relations with Holland

The spokesman of the Premier quotes Majko saying that "Albanian is very interested in strengthening of the bilateral relations with Holland."

Premier Majko pointed out that the implementation of Stability Plan for the Southeastern Europe is necessary for the change of realities which have generated the conflicts in the region.

Dutch Foreign Minister of Holland shared the same opinion with Majko regarding the necessity of strengthening of the bilateral relations between the two countries. He added that the opening of embassies of both countries in the respective capitals will positively affect this issue.

Van Aartsen hailed the role of Albanian government in managing the crisis caused due to the arrival of Kosove war refugees and paid attention to the latest developments in the region. /pas/A.A/

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[02] PRESS REVIEW

KOHA JONE, independent daily -"NATO airport in Kukes assailed". The most important military investment in northern Albanian destroyed, while the refugee makeshift camps continue to be looted in Vlore. -"Six members of the Central Voting Commission nominated". The list is proclaimed. The president signs for Ardian Klosi. -" Plans and staff of NANO "fraction" discovered." About 20-30 people, advocates, accountants and doctors are working with the outgoing Premier, Fatos Nano. -"Cohen: We will not leave Albania, we will accord $ 600 000 for the Albanian army". American Secretary of State confirms 2002 the year of membership of Albania in NATO.

GAZETA SHQIPTARE, independent daily -"The policemen looted Vlore refugee camps". The blue uniforms of order encountered their military colleagues during the looting of "Rainbow" camp in Vlore. -"Cohen annuls his visit in Tirane." The Chief of Pentagon says the change was made with the request of General Clark. -"Pisli's father complains to Poçi: Why was my son killed?." The testimonies of Greek hostages speak in favor of the boy from Burrel.

SHEKULLI, independent daily -"Arbur: More accuses and accused persons for the crimes committed in Kosove. Hague-run Main Prosecutor meets Meidani and Majko. -" Changes in government ready." the Premier meets the DAP leader and is preparing the platform for the coalition table. The Politic Director Furrer meets Albanian Premier Majko and the parliamentarians Dokle and Pollo.

RILINDJA, daily independent -"The return ruins the borders" -"Contradictory evaluations on the damages of Kosove". -"I was astonished of the quick vivacity of Kosove people".

ALBANIA, independent daily -"EC, no investment in Albania." -"Cohen refuses Tirane."American Secretary of State annuls his visit in Tirane. -"PD sets July 17 as the date of its convention". Berisha to be back to his office today or on Wednesday.

EKONOMIA, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development -"May '99: Albanian loses 8.5 bilion leks". -"Taxes: 270 million leks gathered for the blue uniforms". -"Business: About $ 300 000 for its development"

ZERI I POPULLI, daily of the Albanian Socialist Party -"Poçi orders: Do your job properly or sacked from the work". The Minister of Public Order warns the police chiefs. -"Cohen: Albania is our important ally".

RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE, daily of the Albanian Democratic Part -"Cohen annuuls his visit in Tirane". -"The special Convention of DP to be held on Saturday".

REPUBLIKA, daily of the Albanian Republican Party. -"315 cars of the pyramidal-investment schemes 'donated' to the looters" -"Mediu: Albania was given the fate by Kosove". /A.A/

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[03] Meidani demands a greater presence of Holland in Albania

The press and information department close to the Presidency, reports that Meidani asked the Foreign Minister of Holland to set up a common economic commission, to deliver its assistance for a partial liberalization of visas, to accord aid for training of administration staff and the like.

Regarding the situation in Kosove, President Meidani retrieved his demand for the international community administration and KFOR to take the situation under control in the mine of Trepca, where barbarous massive crimes are thought to be committed. Speaking on the latest demonstrations of the opposition parties in Serbia, Meidani said that he does not hope that these demonstrations will bring the democratization of the country, but however he considered them as a positive step.

Meidani unfolded to Aastern his vision on the region's perspective and the future of Albania in the realization of the Pact of Stability on the bases on common projects, where, according to him a special place is occupied by the 8th Corridor and the corridor North-South.

The Dutch Minister appreciated Albania's role during the humanitarian crises in Kosove. He hailed the views of Meidani on infrastructural projects, as a bases for a regional development.

Participating in the meeting was also the Albanian Foreign Minister, Pandeli Majko, and the Albanian ambassador accredited to Holland, Fatos Tarifa. /pas/A.A/

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[04] 700 000 war refugees are repatriated in Kosove in a month

More than 30 children were due within a day in the Prishtine genealogical hospital, and these newly-borned are another sign demonstrating the returning of life in Kosove. Albanians have also resumed access to the health institutions and other institutions, from which they were expelled nine years ago by the barbarous Serbs.

The work has resumed in several enterprises and factories in Pristine, Ferizaj, Prizeren, Peje, Gjakove and other cities of Kosove. /lh/A.A/

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[05] Albanian government discusses the priority projects in the framework of Pact of Stability

Albanian Deputy Premier, and the Minister of the Governmental Coordination, Ilir Meta, presented the fields and the sectors to be comprised by the priority projects, and which are connected with the infrastructure and energy network, the Information Ministry announces. These projects were concretely presented by the ministers Bufi and Shuli, and they will soon be discussed by specialists in the meeting of the Committee of Economic Policies.

The Council of Ministers endorsed even the decision which puts in the disposition of the Sarande town-hall and Konispol 15.7 million Leks. This fund will be accorded for the problems of the road infrastructure and the lightening of public places. The Council approves as well decisions on changes in privatization procedures of some state packages, and changes on tender procedures for selection of strategical investors. /LH/A.A/

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[06] Exchange rates of lek with foreign currencies on Tuesday

Exchange rates of Lek with other currencies:

Kind of currency Bought Sold USD 134 134,5 DM 70 70,3 LIT(1000) 71 71,3 GRD(100) 41,7 41,8 /lh/A.A/

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[07] Albanian will be one of the candidacies to be accepted in NATO - Cohen

Regarding the entrance of Albania in NATO, Cohen said that NATO will not examine the membership of new countries as far as 2002.

Cohen thanked Albania for the precious help it gave for 500 000 forcefully expelled Kosovars, and he thanked the Albanian government for the support accorded to NATO troops dislocated in Albania.

Asked about the visit he scheduled to pay to Albania, Cohen said that his visit in Europe is made to appreciated American military troops settled in these countries, which contributed to the resolving of Kosove issue. "My visit in Albania was annulled in the last moments with the command of Westley Clark, Supreme Commander of South-eastern European Alliance, due to the fact that the majority part of American troops left Albania." He said that the removal of NATO forces from the Albanian military base of Rinas airport is being carried out according to the schedule, because the refuges are resettling in Kosove and the Serbs are respecting the deal reached.

Cohen said that the increase of NATO troops in the future is an issue to be discusses and to be settled in the meeting of the Council of Atlantic Alliance, and that the cooperation between Albanian and NATO will be carried further through the mutual trainings. He added that NATO will continue its aid program for the Albanian army, where it will accord $ 600 000 on training of Albanian military members and the equipping of the army with logistic means.

Regarding the reactions of Albanian population on the dislocation of Russian troops in Kosove, Cohen said that Russia has helped in achieving of the peace deal in Kosove and that Bosnia experience has shown that the American soldiers and their Russian counterparts had very good relations. Russian troops will cooperate with NATO even in the peace mission in Kosove, and this should be well comprehended by Kosove population. /pas/A.A/

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[08] Albanian ballet to be presented for the firts time in the yearly Grand Gala of Oslo

The evening, an activity held every year with participation of several European Countries, will be held on August 6 of the current year.

The Director of Ballet Academy, Arjan Shukniqi, told ATA that the Albanian ballet will be introduced this evening with selected classical works.

The Ballet Academy, the only of this kind in Albania, is established in 1957. It is the most important institution which prepares professional ballet-dancers in Albania. Some 200 students attend the studies actually in this school. /lh/A.A/

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[09] DP sets July 17 as date of its Extraordinary Assembly

The same source informs that the issue to be discussed in the assembly is the return to parliament of this party. Some members of the National Council can ask in this assembly even the vote of confidence for this council regarding the decision it took the last year for the final boycott of DP from parliament.

The Extraordinary Assembly of the DP was decided to be held on July 8. Due to technical reasons, it was postponed for July 11. The assembly was put off for the second time because of the grave health condition of DP leader, Sali Berisha. /pas/A.A/

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[10] "Kosova press" resumes its work in Pristine

The staff of this agency, which has worked in Tirane since its creation and which had correspondents all over Kosove, is aettled in the important center of Kosove mass media some days ago. The agency has begun its organization according to new working conditions adopted due to the new reality created in Kosove.

"Kosova press" was one of the few Kosove agencies, which informed the wide public on the events in the whole Kosove during the war period.

The situation of Kosove electronic media is going towards its normalization. The first private radio station in the Albanian language resumed work on Sunday.

The publishment of the two dailies "Koha ditore" and "Kosova sot" are delivered gratis for Kosove population. No reports are given so far regarding the resuming of work of the Pristine Radio-Television. /lh/A.A/

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[11] Construction police removed kiosks in front of Democratic Party building

Tirana Municipality has taken measures to return the garden in its previous situation before the construction of the kiosks. /lh/linda/

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[12] Date for DP Extraordinary Assembly set again

According to this source, the Assembly will discuss the return of this party to the Parliament. Some members of the National Council may request in the Assembly a vote of confidence for the Council about its the decision adopted last year for this party to finally boycott the Parliament.

The DP Extraordinary Assembly was set to be held on July 8. DP's press office reported that for technical reasons, it was adjourned for July 11. But more than technical reasons it was the medical state of the DP chairman Sali Berisha which dictated another postponement of the Assembly. /pas/xh/

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[13] President Meidani meets with U.S. diplomat of career Thomas Melady

Mr Melady, former Ambassador in many countries of the world and lately in the Vatican, is the author of many political monographs and close to the Republican circles in the U.S. Congress. He is on a visit to Albania together with his wife, who is presently President of the U.S. University in Rome.

During the meeting, they exchanged opinions on the local situation following the conflict in Kosova. Mr Melady expressed the high sensitiveness of the U.S. policy for the role of Albania in the crisis of Kosovo and for assistance to the development of our country. /led/xh/

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[14] Post crisis situation: Economic problems in focus of Albanian Government

Albania Government started the discussions on "The Program of the priority needs on economic development of the country", in the framework of the Stability Pact.

In order to make concrete this strategy Prime Minister Majko asked all the Ministries to define the concrete projects. In the meeting of the Council of Minister held on Monday infrastructure and energy were considered as the main fields.

During this month, Government passed even some changes in the state budget for 1999, which will be supported by the international community by 160 million dollars.

It is approved as well the decision "About a change in the decision of the Council of Ministers "About the approval of the Document of the Policies on the development of the telecommunication sector in Republic of Albania".

This change will be done to adapt the respective legislation with the agreement signed between the" New World Telecommunications" and "Albtelecom" in rural telecommunication field, mobiles and satellite services.

The privatization of AMC is passed by the Goverment.Its privatization process will be completed within this year.

Albanian Government opened the green light on using the Greek credit of the value 5 billion drachma, about the sheltering of the families that lost their houses in the pyramidal schemes.

Government approved even the decision on privatization of the enterprises not sold yet, which foresees the solution of the problems related with this process.

One of the important decisions of the Albanian Government is the project law on rectification of the fourth amendment of the agreement between Albania and IMF, which is another step of IMF financial assistance to be given to Albania.

Council of Minsters approved even e decision concerning a project of the value 26 million dollars in the Agriculture field, which will be financed by the American Agriculture Department.

The project decision concerning the agreement of the credit development between Republic of Albania and International Development Association is approved by the Council of Ministers.

The above-mentioned agreement marks the value of 22,8 million dollars and it is foreseen to increase the investments in the agricultural economies and development of self employment in the rural areas.

Government approved even the decision "On the import and store of the tobacco and the foreign tobacco products" in the framework of combating smuggling and fiscal evasion in tobacco and cigarettes sector.

Government approved even the agreement between the Government of Republic of Albania and NATO on rehabilitation of the road Rinas-Tirana, by NATO financial means. /pas/linda/

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[15] First phase of construction process of Lumalasi airport is completed

According to Colonel Gross, this made possible regular flights of NATO military planes from this airport mainly for the transport of the Kosovars located in this Prefecture to Kuksi.

Lumalasi airport, 5km away from Korca town, is the second in our country, after Kuksi one, set up during the emergency situation due to the situation created from the coming of Kosova comers. /led/linda/

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[16] Very wanted Kateshi arrested by police in Elbasan

Kateshi was declared wanted for a number of crimes made over the unrest of spring 1997 and later, together with the gang called after his name.

He is accused of murders in cooperation, thefts with the use of weapons and resulted with death, the murder of a policeman while in duty, "fines" for various citizens and other crimes. /lh/xh/

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[17] Kosova press resumes work in Prishtine

For some days now, its staff, which has been working in Tirana since its creation and with correspondents throughout Kosova, is established in the important centre of Kosova mass media. The agency has started reorganization in the new conditions and the new reality created in Kosova.

Kosova Press has been one of the only agencies of Kosova which have made coverage of the events in Kosova.

Normal situation is also prevailing in electronic media. First transmitter of a private radio in Albanian language was installed last Sunday. Radio 21, independent, is expected to start transmissions in the coming weeks.

The publication of two newspapers Koha Ditore and Kosova Today continues and their copies are being delivered free of charge. No report is yet made about the work in the Radio Television of Prishtine. /lh/xh/

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[18] Pensions: Albanian citizens with defined number of insurance

According to the Vice Director of the Institute of the Social Insurance Ilir Beqja "the number of the Social Insurances is given when born and remains the same for all the life. This number is individual and cannot be confused with somebody else's number."

The person uses this number in relation with the Institute of Social Insurance, Institute of Health Care and other institutions authorized by law or any decision of the Council of Minister to profit form the contributions paid.

The distributions process of these numbers will be completed in the end of 2000. /led/linda/

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[19] More than 108 women unemployed

127 347 of them are men and the rest of 108 568 are women.

From the registered unemployed have found job during May some 1546 persons. /linda/

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[20] Tax-customs: Stop to customs indebted merchants

In this act-agreement is foreseen the control of the identification of each taxpayer imported or exported one at the moment of clearance, in order to eliminate completely the NIPT (number of the commercial subjects registered at the state) and the false registration certifications and their illegal usage by the contraband subjects.

The important point of this act-agreement is stopping of the performing of the custom duties, import or export, for all the subjects that are indebted to the customs. /led/linda/

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[21] Former chairman of Supreme Court appeals to Constitutional Court

The judicial session of Shehu was held on Tuesday. He indicts the Presidency because, according to him, it has violated the law by removing his mandate before it terminated. The representative of the President's office Theodhori Sollaku presented some documents proving that Shehu had the mandate since 1992, hence 7 years ago.

Maks Haxhia, one of the four defence attorneys of Shehu, asked the replacement of the head of the jury, Fehmi Abdiu, claiming that Abdiu had made public statements before a final decision was made by the court. The jury refuted the request considering it as "not based on law" and at the end of the session, it decided it would adopt its decision later.

Shehu was substituted as chairman of the Supreme Court on May 20, 1999 by the Minister of Justice Thimio Kondi, who will continue to have this post until 2008, since he has an 8 year mandate. The four candidacies to that post were presented by the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani and the People's Assembly chose Kondi from the four candidates. /pas/xh/

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[22] "Kent Bank" to privatized National Commercial Bank in Elbasan

The Director of National Commercial Bank Alfred Gjuraj told ATA that 51% of the share-certificates of this bank are bought by the Turkish Bank, while 49% by the financial institutions of World Bank.

Privatization of this bank will create great advantages, which will have the impacts in all banks services. /led/linda/

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[23] Tripartite meeting in Prespe between Albania, Greece and Macedonia

The press and information department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry said to ATA that the meeting will discuss the joint projects that Albania, Greece and FYROM will present in the framework of the Pact of Stability. /led/xh/

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[24] Albanian DP condemns pillage of camps of refugees

Recently, crowds of people have attacked the former camp of refugees in the district of Vlore and that of Shtoj in Shkoder, with the aim of looting them.

Ritvan Bode, DP secretary general said that in the situation when the government is being unable to fight organized crime, it is necessary to create the conditions for new elections in Albania. "In order to make possible the realisation of these polls, it is indispensable to create a technocrat government on a large basis with representatives from the ruling parties and those in opposition," said Bode. /led/xh/

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[25] Cards of identity for Albanian nationals help normal conduct of local elections - Deputy Premier

Meta said that the basis of the existing information has been damaged a lot due to the abuses with office and electoral campaigns which have brought about rigging of the vote in civil state offices and in the voters' lists.

A project has been forwarded to the Council of Europe for the census and a fund of 1.5 million ECU has been adopted. The total cost, along with 1 million ECU by the Italian Government and the donors for the realisation of this project, amounts to 7 million ECU. /led/xh/

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[26] A compulsory 10 form school set in Albania

The ten-year form school is also made necessary due to the new instruments used, accelerating the terms for the assimilation of various subjects and opening new fields for an independent work by the pupils.

The scholars also spoke of the indispensable need of specialization of secondary schools, orientated to two main directions, linguistics- humanitarian and technical-scientific disciplines. /led/xh/

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[27] Exchange of experience with Germany in field of information of medias and public

The visit was made at the invitation of the German Government and according to a project of the Soros Foundation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Information of Albania. The Information Ministry reported that the aim of the visit was to establish direct contacts between the analogous institutions of the two countries.

During the meetings, presentation of the Ministry of Information of Albania was made along with the presentation of the government system of information and communication with medias and the public, the concrete ways of communication, the main publications of the Ministry of Information, etc. /led/xh/

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[28] Accident of five Italian nationals in a crash of two vehicles

Sources from the Albanian Public Order Ministry reported to ATA that the car Iveco directed by Italian Vincenso Corado was overturned during a manoeuvre of the driver, running into another vehicle of BMW type, with foreign number plate, directed by an Albanian national.

As a result, five Italian nationals, Caritas missionaries, were injured, three of them are in Durres hospital out of danger for their lives while the rest two were airlifted to Italy urgently. /led/xh/

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