Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-07-19

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Thousands of Kosovars arrive in Kukes to return to their soils

[02] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies on Monday

[03] Strategical plan of local government decentralization hailed

[04] Celta Vigo interested in Albanian footballer Altin Haxhi.

[05] Best sellers in Tirana book shops over past week

[06] Five dinghies and a speedboat with approximately 200 clandestine smugglers on board turned back

[07] Wolfenson says Albanian government has full support of WB

[08] Powerful speedboat sequestrated; speedboat smugglers arrested

[09] Four drowned people taken out of Fierza Lake on Thursday

[10] Majko-Wolfensohn signed three credit agreements on 41 mln dollars

[11] Wolfensohn promises assistance in drafting a plan for construction of Albania

[12] Lezhe- 60 million lek on infrastructure rehabilitation

[13] Albania's Interministerial Integration Committee discusses questions related to Pact of Stability

[14] Albanian national loses both legs from mine

[15] Aid for Albanian army from U.S. Defence Department

[16] Renewal of Albanian railway line needs more than 278 million dollars

[17] Wolfensohn: Albania's future is in Albanians hands

[18] President Meidani encourages monitoring work of EU delegation in the Balkans

[19] 40 railway engines for Elbasani by Austrian Government

[20] Children - mostly risked from mines

[21] Overpopulation of capital, Albania, a threat to environment

[22] 98 kv expired food items are blocked in June

[23] Second stage of training for Albanian police by ICITAP

[24] Eyes of world directed to you - Wolfensohn

[01] Thousands of Kosovars arrive in Kukes to return to their soils

According to Kukes town-hall prefecture, Emri Peca, some 2.505 Kosovars left the border passes of Kukes on Saturday, carrying the total number of resettled Kosovars from Albania in 282.723.

In the mean time, all the Kosovars wanting to be repatriated in Kosove are every day displaced by the planned organized return according to UNHCR plan.

The Kosovars arriving on Saturday in Kukes from different regions of Albania are numbered to be 2 976 people. /A.KE/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies on Monday

Exchange rates on Saturday:

Kind of currency Bought Sold

USD 136,5 137

DM 71 71,26

LIT(1000) 71,5 72

GRD(100) 42 42,3 /A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Strategical plan of local government decentralization hailed

TIRANE, July 19 (ATA) - The creation of a strategical plan of decentralization of local government as well as the National Committee of Decentralization, were two issues regarded as very positive by the Minister of Local Government, Arben Demeti, in the 6-th month analyses of the ministry he leads, which held its proceedings on Saturday.

A real support in this strategy is accorded by the foreign international bodies. The drafting of the law "On local government wealth" and "Law on wealth duties" during the first three month period of this year, was regarded as a positive step. Minister Demeti expressed his reserves on the incompletion of structural projects which will enable the gathering of local taxes.

The analyses pointed out that the work during the second three month period was focused on hosting the Kosove war refugees. /pas/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Celta Vigo interested in Albanian footballer Altin Haxhi.

It seems as the Albanian "colony" of Letoviç will disappear after the transference of the other Albanian, Alban Bushi, from Liteks to the Turkish league team, Adanaspor.

The official negotiations between Liteks and Celta, have not started yet and it seems that they are appointed after the second match of the preliminary tour of the Champion League, where Liteks will play against Glentoran of the Northern Ireland.

If the Albanian footballer, Haxhi, will be transferred to Celta, he is scheduled to replace the player of the Spanish national team, Miguel Angel Salgado, who is transferred to Real of Madrid. /pas/NA/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Best sellers in Tirana book shops over past week

"Net of snakes" by Francois Mauriac is a novel treating a social topic and translated into Albanian by Vandush Vincani. It is published by "Dituria" Publishing House.

"Ivory dragon" by Fatos Kongoli is a publication of "MÇM Çabej" publishing house. The book speaks about the life of an Albanian student during 1960 in Pekin. Events, people, and shadows of the past follow the protagonist from Tirane to Paris.

"A British on Dibra Road" work of the writer and publicist Niko Nikolla, is a summary of satires. The book is published by Toena publishing house, and treats the daily life of Albanians seen from a very interesting view.

"Quo Vadis" by Henryk Sienkiewicz continues to be one of the most preferred books of this week. The book is a translation by Hajro Babameto.

"Aminta" is the newest book in the libraries of the capital. It is made up of 2 225 lines out of which 270 rhyme. It is a publishment of "Onufri" Publishing House.

"Borges Labyrinth" is the book offering information, lacking so far, on on the life and literary creativity of one of the most outstanding writers of the century, the Argentinean Jose Luis Borges.

The book is full of testimonies on the life of Borgesi, and it is rich in world critical opinion on his work. The work is a translation by Feride Papleka, and a publishment of "Onufri" Publishing House. /pas/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Five dinghies and a speedboat with approximately 200 clandestine smugglers on board turned back

Sources from Guardia di Finanzia told ATA on late Sunday that they were informed on the departure of 10 dinghies and speedboats from the Albanian coast towards the Italian shore. The Italian speedboats of the type V 5000 with Italian- Albanian personnel on board, managed to turn back until 02.00 of Monday five dinghies and speedboats. According to the same source more than 30 clandestine smugglers, mainly women and children, were on board of each of them,.

Two other speedboats are reported to be forces to turn back by the forces of Guardia di Finanzia, while they were about 25 miles away from the Italian coast, Taranto area. /pas/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Wolfenson says Albanian government has full support of WB

Angjeli informed the president of the WB on the priorities of the Albanian government in the field of privatization, stabilization of micro- economic situation, elimination of the pyramidal-investing schemes and the like.

Albanian Premier, Pandeli Majko and the WB president, James Wolfenson, are expected to sign three projects with a total value of $ 45 million on Monday midday. The projects include the agreements on the loans for the Second Irrigation Project worth $ 24 million, the project of Micro-credit worth $ 12 million, and the Project for Community Work (Bathore area) worth $ 9 million.

According to sources from WB, the three loans will be accorded with facilitating terms, and are to be paid within a time limit of 40 years, where no divident will be paid during the first ten years. The dividend for the forthcoming years will be 0,75% a year.

The WB loans accorded to Albania since 1992 are estimated to be $481 75 million, sum delivered in support of 33 projects. /pas/NA/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Powerful speedboat sequestrated; speedboat smugglers arrested

Sources from Guarda di Finanzia reported to ATA that the motorboat was captured some miles away from the Italian coast, while coming back. The three owners of the three-motor speedboat with power totaled 500 horsepowers, were arrested. Two arrested aged 29, and 23 were from Vlora, while a 17 year old boy was from Fieri. Their names are not made known by the Italian authorities for investigation secrecy.

The 38 clandestine smugglers, landed at the coast from this motorboat were interdicted. /pas/N.A/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Four drowned people taken out of Fierza Lake on Thursday

It was made possible by a group of divers from Vlora.

A van with 12 passengers, came out of the road as a result of a defect in the steering wheel and fell into the waters of Fierza Lake on Thursday at 14.20, but only 8 people managed to rescue from the accident. The victims were Viliha Vehapi, 70, Arif Thaçi 55, Bilbil Sadria 27, and Shpend Thaçi 20. /pas/NA/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Majko-Wolfensohn signed three credit agreements on 41 mln dollars

The three projects financed by the International Development Association (IDA) and World Bank mark the value of 41 million dollars.

These finances have to do with the Supplemental credit on Community Affairs, which marks the value of 5 million dollars, Second Project on Watering and Drainage marking the value of 24 million dollars and Micro credit Project of some 12 million dollars.

These credits are provided in very favorable conditions, whose paying back will start after 40 years, including here a grant period of 10 years and marking an interest of 0,75% per year.

Mr.Wolfensohn signed also a credit agreement on small business between International Financial Corporate (IFC) and FEFAD (Foundation on Enterprises Finance and Development) and an Albanian-German Bank. /dast/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Wolfensohn promises assistance in drafting a plan for construction of Albania

According to the press office of the President, Wolfensohn promised assistance from the World Bank to draw up a several-year plan for the construction of Albania and to determine the priorities for the attraction of international finance.

Meidani and Wolfensohn expressed understanding on the need of coordinated efforts to eliminate corruption and increase efficiency in the sectors of justice, public order, customs houses and continuation of decentralizing policies especially for the local government.

Meidani expressed the opinion that for Albania's integration in the EU, important ideas or steps must be studied such as the creation of free trade zones, creation of a customs union and a full and joint market, in which Europe must penetrate as soon as possible.

Wolfensohn stressed that Albania must continue to have the very positive image that it created in the international community during the crisis in the region, so that all possibilities for a recovery of the Albanian economy be exploited. /dast/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Lezhe- 60 million lek on infrastructure rehabilitation

The spokesman of the Prefecture told ATA that the rehabilitation of the four main roads of Lezha town have started already with the funds accorded by the World Bank.

The spokesman told that even the main roads of Shengjini town will be reconstructed.

The operations on roads rehabilitations are performing by the Italian company "Falcone", which is the winner even of the tender of Milot- Lezhe broadway. /pas/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania's Interministerial Integration Committee discusses questions related to Pact of Stability

Sources from the Foreign Ministry report that KNI devoted importance to the topics to be treated in the three discussions envisaged to be held by this Pact.

Lakrori briefed those present of the preparatory scheme for the negotiation of the new agreement between Albania and the European Union and the way of its functioning. A priority role in this scheme will be attached to the units of integration in each ministry and other central institutions. /led/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian national loses both legs from mine

Sources from border police reported to ATA that Hoti's condition is very bad.

Has, with a border line of 25,6 km, is the most dangerous place due to the great number of mines placed alongside the frontier line. About 120 ha of land has been mined. As a result of uncontrolled movement of people, five have been killed and at least 28 other have been injured from mines in Kukes Prefecture. /led/so/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Aid for Albanian army from U.S. Defence Department

The trucks are the first delivery of a three stage shipment. By the end of July, the Albanian Army will have 96 other vehicles donated, including transport lorries, buses and ambulances, which will carry the total value of the donated vehicles to USD1 million.

"We will continue to work closely with the Defence Ministry and will encourage Albania in its efforts to observe the NATO criteria to reach a full logistic infrastructure." Expressing his thanks for the U.S. aid, Mr Bocka said that the donation will help consolidate the Albanian army. /led/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Renewal of Albanian railway line needs more than 278 million dollars

This sum includes the investments on "Modernization of the Railway Infrastructure", 447 km long, which needs more than 247 million dollars.

According to the specialists the value needed for the investments which will make possible the existence of the railway infrastructure till its renewal or "Emergent Phase" is some 26.0 million dollars.

While the railway line Albania-Macedonia, 2.8 km long, marks some 5.0 million dollars.

The value of "Modernizing of the Railway Infrastructure" will fall if this modernizing will start at the same time with "Emergent Phase", because, according to the specialists, the infrastructure part to be renewed will not be included in the expenditures of the emergency phase, which for each 1 km renewed railway will save some 46 thousand dollars.

Albanian Railway possesses at the moment 100 engines of passengers transport, which are some 35 years old.

Albanian railway network consists of two main parts North-South (Shkoder-Vlore) and West-East (Durresi-Pogradec), which at the same time are parts of Corridor 8. /dast/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Wolfensohn: Albania's future is in Albanians hands

"At the moment you have the unique possibility for the development of your country", said he. The President of the World Bank presented the projects that this Bank is crediting for Albania and was very content for their progress.

"Albanian Government is giving priority to infrastructure, energy, water sector, education, health, etc, but we should think more about the structural reforms in the justice system. If we want Albania to compete in the Stability Pact, we should be concentrated in these points, otherwise the world will invest in other countries", stressed Wolfensohn.

According to him World Bank disbursed some 237 million dollars credit on financing some projects from the value of 481 million dollars assigned with Albania since 1992.

This sum is foreseen to increase by 200 million dollars, which are ready, and according to the President a sum of 50-100 dollars per year is predicted for Albania. /dast/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] President Meidani encourages monitoring work of EU delegation in the Balkans

The President's press office reports that an important place in the meeting took the role of EU in the context of the Pact of Stability for the economic, democratic and institutional recovery of the Balkan region.

President Meidani encouraged the extension and intensification of the work of this mission in the region and considered as very important the cooperation of Albania with EU and its member countries.

According to Finnish Ambassador, Inki, this mission is mandated by the U.N Security Council and assists the Council and the EU commission to determine the policies of aid and the relations with Albania and other countries of the region in the context of the Pact of Stability.

"We want to make our presence in Albania as much sensible as possible, thus proving the interest of the organization we represent in the development of the country," said Mr Inki.

The delegation will visit later Skopje, Prishtina and Podgorica. /dast/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] 40 railway engines for Elbasani by Austrian Government

Mr. Cela explained that is performed in the framework of the agreement assigned between the two countries, concerning the equipment of the main railway stations of Albania with new engines.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of Elbasani-Progradec line has started, followed by other repair operations on the existent engines. /dast/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Children - mostly risked from mines

The Tirane-based UNICEF office reports that the number of the people injured from land mines, most of whom children, is no more than 100. UNICEF is still campaigning to make people aware of landmine risks, especially now, at the moment when the people from Kosovo are returning back to their homes and when northeastern Albanian areas are mined.

UNICEF is also drafting a long-term project to make people aware of the mines danger, and which is being discussed with the Albanian party. /led/so/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Overpopulation of capital, Albania, a threat to environment

According to the data from the Statistics Institute, INSTAT, the population of Tirana in 1990 was 243 000 inhabitants, 1995 it amounted to 401 493 inhabitants, in 1997 it was over 480 000 people and in 1999 the population reached to about 700 000 inhabitants.

This growth of population of Tirana above the average of the Republic has been accompanied with a number of negative consequences for the environment.

Specialists envisage a growth of 2.8 per cent of the population of Tirana district for the period 1999-2010.

The present demographic situation is recording a period of profound modification characterized by an intensive influx of migration towards the capital.

This tendency has surpassed the supporting capacity of Tirana, related with the housing, the basic infrastructure and other activities which create jobs and income. To this end, specialists hold that the development of the city has tendencies to come out of control as for the planning and organization. /dast/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] 98 kv expired food items are blocked in June

Some 1452 controls of different levels in productive and commercial subjects are performed and the total value of the goods which resulted out of the standards and requests of the law "About food" is some 775 900 lek.

According to the specialists of the Agriculture Ministry many items that remained from the food aid for Kosova comers are on sale in Albanian markets. According the above mentioned sources a part of food items is on sale, although expired ones.

The directorate of Food Control blocked some 11 kv expired food in June in Tirana. /dast/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Second stage of training for Albanian police by ICITAP

The spokesman said that 20 senior officers from all branches of public order police will be trained in this course by U.S. specialists for a two-week period.

Present in the ceremony on this occasion were the Public Order Minister, Spartak Poci and the charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Robert Frowick.

Considering a priority the maintaining of stability, the U.S. Ambassador said that "America will assist in particular the Albanian police creating the premises to face the challenge now offered to the Albanian people for a bright future." /dast/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Eyes of world directed to you - Wolfensohn

Wolfensohn said that we have come here for two reasons: first to express our gratitude for what you have made for the refuges and second for the reconstruction of your city. I want to tell you that you are the first in the list and I will convey this message to donors as well, said the World Bank President.

Kukes prefect Qemal Elezi made a panorama of the situation in Kukes stressing that the consequences of the crisis are still evident such as the destruction of the infrastructure, roads, electric network, etc.

Wolfensohn and the persons accompanying him visited the family of Xhelal M.Elezi who hosted 53 Kosovars for three months and the refugee camp Kukes 1. He stressed that Albania should not base itself on credits but on its own legs. With regard to the aid for Kukes, Wolfensohn said that they will work with the Albanian Government to assist the community of that zone.

The WB President was accompanied in this visit by the Albanian Finance Minister, Anastas Angjeli. /led/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article