Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-08-04

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press review

[02] Mine clearance begins in Kukes

[03] Efforts underway to put mineral industry into operation

[04] Exchange rate in Tirane

[05]

[06]

[07] USAID provides $20 000 to build sports compound in Durres

[08] Works begin on Mirake bridge in Librazhd

[09] Turkish firm Behase to help repair infrastructure in Peqin

[10] Albanian literature for children included in Swiss school programs

[11] Military firing by Albanian marine ships

[12] Kukes - passing gate for Kosovars returning to their soils

[13] Thirty cases of fire registered in Gjirokaster during July

[14] Some 45 thousand bullets collected in a day in Mat district

[15] Tirana Commerce Chamber to assign an agreement with its Corfew counterpart

[16] Albanians, Macedonians discuss common projects and trade problems

[17] World Bank offered 1 million dollars on setting up National Park in Berati

[18] Taxes-Tirana: 1,4 billion lek incomes in July

[19] Action on kiosk removal resumes in Vlore

[20] Milot-Lezhe: Some 187 million lek investments are realized during six months period

[21] Four killed, three injured in Bajram Curri

[22] Work of military units that defended Albanian northern border commended

[23] Government passed Kuwait loan of 2,5 million dinars on Qukes-Qafe- Thane road

[24] Albanian Government adopts law "On organization and functioning of Supreme Court"

[25] Information center on technical standards and rules

[26] Albanian artists perform charity in Croatia

[27] Sister relations of Shkodra with city Besancon (France) etsablished

[01] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Nano and Berisha, agreement for the position of chairman". Through a written or unwritten agreement, two most conflictual elements of the current policy help each other to remain on the political scene.

"Ceka: Gjinushi has stolen 30 million leks from us". This is what the leader of the Democratic Alliance Party, Neritan Ceka, said yesterday.

"All small parties meet today". "Down with the DP and SP, and receive what we deserve". Complaints on the law on financing the parties join the small parties.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"IMF:Fiscal Amnesty? Meidani is wrong". Interview with the IMF chief in Tirane, Volker Treichel.

"Coalition, fewer allied ministers". One of the proposals launched at the meeting of the socialists' leadership was to review coalition relations based on the June 29 elections.

"Meksi: It was me who demanded the faction". This is what former Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi said in an interview with Gazeta Shqiptare, while explaining the reasons of the group's creation.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"AFOR 2 in Tirane on September". One of AFOR's public affairs officers has said that "the coming mission has to do with a partial repair of Albanian infrastructure".

"Ultimatum to Turks on the 8th Corridor". President Meidani and Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta yesterday issued an official ultimatum to the firms that have won the bids for building the motorway, part of the 8th Corridor.

"Ceka: Changes after the SP Congress". The ultimatum of the DAP head for urgent government cabinet shuffle drops after meeting Majko yesterday.

Albania, independent daily,

"Court created in DP"

"SP asks aid from DP: We cannot restore order".

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development.

"Misappropriation of 556 of public treasure".

"8th corridor : Turks pledge to make up for lost time".

Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania, "Dade: new politicians: They have visions".

"SP" Commitment to a new Balkans".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania, "House of democrat deputy raided".

"Beja:Assembly of DP's internal democratisation". /lm/

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[02] Mine clearance begins in Kukes

A theoretical-practical activity was organised in the border village of Morine, Kukes district, on this occasion.

Taking part in the activity were militaries, leading officials of the prefecture and local government of the districts of Kukes, Has, Tropoje and border communes as well as representatives of AFOR, and NGO active in this zone.

The commander of this operation, Captain Agim Braha, explaining the operational phases, stressed that the mined zones lying from Tropoje to the border with Diber, which extend up to 400 metres inside Albanian territory, will be finally identified.

The engineering teams of this division later carried out a series of actions which aimed at identifying, limiting and deactivating the mined zones. At this instruction lesson, concrete actions were carried out for all the operational stages.

Since June 13, in the districts of Kukes prefecture, mines have killed nine people and injured over 30 others. /lh/lm/

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[03] Efforts underway to put mineral industry into operation

Thus, after eight months of suspension, work will begin in all the sectors of mineral enterprise of Kalimash, Kukes district, by the beginning of September.

The industry inspector in Kukes prefecture, Qemal Parllaku, said that they are also working to attract foreign investments, mainly as regards technology improvement.

During August, he said, agreements are planned to be signed with Turkish firms to improve the technology of this enterprise and create conditions to upgrade the quality of chrome ore.

Earlier, the mineral enterprise of Kalimash had up to 1200 workers, while during the transition years the number of workers in this enterprise has dropped to 350. /lh/lm/

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[04] Exchange rate in Tirane

Currency buying selling

$US1 131,5 132

DM 71,5 72

ITL(1000) 71,5 72

GRD(100) 42,5 42,8 /lh/lm/

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[05]

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[06]

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[07] USAID provides $20 000 to build sports compound in Durres

The project envisages the construction of 16 sports grounds such as football, mini-football, tennis, basketball and volleyball fields. A parking lot will also be built near the compound.

Arqile Gorea, mayor of Durres, told ATA that for the construction of this sports compound, besides USAID's contribution, cooperation is underway with other international and non-governmental organisations, which are interested in this project of social character and are ready to provide funds. /lh/lm/

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[08] Works begin on Mirake bridge in Librazhd

Some 30 million leks have been provided by the European Community for the construction of this bridge.

The chairman of Polisi commune, Nezir Muzhaqi, told ATA that although funds have been provided twice for the construction of the bridge they have not been used because of the Spring '97 unrest and the Kosovar emergency in 1999.

According to the project, the works for the construction of the bridge are expected to be completed within 1999. /lh/lm/

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[09] Turkish firm Behase to help repair infrastructure in Peqin

He said Behase will repair the main road to and from the town as well as the ring road, which are damaged and will invest for the construction of new premises for the weight-lifters of Shkumbini Sports club who are training to take part in the European weight-lifting championship in Rome. /lh/lm/

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[10] Albanian literature for children included in Swiss school programs

The story entitled "When one weeps from joy", written by the distinguished children's writer, Odhise Grillo, will be published in the literature text books of upper-grade pupils of elementary schools.

Odhise Grillo is awarded the first price in the competition organized on the best creativity bearing the theses of the Kosove tragedy, proclaimed by the Swedish publishing house "Orell Fussly"

In the focus of the story is a Kosovar child mutilated during the war days, who dreams of being back to his Motherland and who is afterwards repatriated back home.

Odhise Grillo was the only writer from Albania who took part in this competition organized two months ago. He is known as one of the most renowned Albanian writers in the literature for children. Poems for children, poetry, fairy tales, translations and the like are involved in his 130 creations. /lh/A.A/

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[11] Military firing by Albanian marine ships

For this aim the military ships of Durres and Vlore naval districts were dislocated in the Bay of Borsh, Sarande.

This is the first time after 1996 that this training is being organized, Vladimir Bajrami, Commander of Durres naval district, told ATA on Wednesday.

Four vessels of our district, said Bajrami, will stay 48 hours in Borsh together with ships of Vlore base. During the sailing they will also complete the mission of the sea guard, which duty is the struggle against the clandestine traffic, drugs as well as investigation of dubious ships which enter Albanian coast. /lh/A.A/

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[12] Kukes - passing gate for Kosovars returning to their soils

The number of Kosovars passing Morine crossing point during the last 24 hours is estimated to be 703 people. The Kosovars have mainly come from Switzerland and Germany, and travel towards their homes to meet their relatives to have a first-hand look to the war destructions, Kukes prefecture spokesman, Emri Peca, told ATA on Wednesday. According to him the border pass of Morini is passed so far by a total of 438 refugees.

In the meantime Kukes makeshift camp 1, which served for more than a month as a transitory center for the stay of Kosovars coming from other Albanian areas, is closed down on Tusday. /lh/A.A/

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[13] Thirty cases of fire registered in Gjirokaster during July

Some 80 hectares of forests have been burnt, 10 hectares of which only in Dervician and cases of fire have been recorded also in 190 hectares of forests.

But the summer high temperatures have caused in August too over 12 cases of fire such as in Goranxi, Terihat, Arshi Lengo, Bulo, Subash, Shentriadhe, mainly in broad areas of pastures.

The commander of the district fire protection unit, Lefter Qirici, explains the cause of the fire also with the indifference of the shepherds and peasants who burn their plots and do not care for the damage of the fire further. It can't be otherwise when you see that there have been no cases of fire in private ownerships. Sometimes the police for forests and the observers of the forestry enterprise do not denounce those those who cause the fire. /lh/xh/

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[14] Some 45 thousand bullets collected in a day in Mat district

Sources of the Public Order Ministry told ATA that from morning up to 5 pm on Tuesday, police forces of Mat district, in cooperation with inhabitants of village Gurre e Vogel of that district, collected 45 thousand bullets of different kinds.

The same sources said that such cooperation between police and the inhabitants must be extended to other villages of that district and not only with the collection of ammunition but also of the weapons in the hands of the population since the military depots were looted in March 1997.

Police have undertaken also operations to block contraband of iron- chrome. Only in the past two days, more than 90 tons of iron-chrome ore has been collected. The amounts of the ore have been found in a secret place in the storehouse of the former forestry enterprise of the district and in the homes of some villagers. /lh/xh/

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[15] Tirana Commerce Chamber to assign an agreement with its Corfew counterpart

This agreement is also the first step on institutionalization of the agreements between these two Chambers.

This agreement foresees the exchange of the commercial and business information between the two Chambers, participation in different fairs, tourism and different exchanges.

Different ideas, on finding the institutional way for establishing the business connection, increase of the exchanges between Tirana and Corfew companies, are exchanged between the President of Corfew Trade Chamber Spirios Dendias and the Head of the Tirana Commerce Chamber Luan Bregasi in the meeting held in Greek island Corfew. /linda/

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[16] Albanians, Macedonians discuss common projects and trade problems

The spokesman of Economic Cooperation Ministry reported that the meeting between Meksi and Nokovski is held under the climate of Stability Pact and Sarajevo Summit, which have in their center the strengthening of cooperation between regional countries.

Ambassador Nikovski handed in to Meksi the invitation of Macedonian Minister of Trade for a work visit in Macedonia. During the coming meeting the ministers Meksi and Gruevksi will have in the center of their talks commercial problems between the two countries, stimulation of trade between the two countries and the problem of free areas. /A.A/

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[17] World Bank offered 1 million dollars on setting up National Park in Berati

According to the sources from the forest directorate in this district, the project is in the preparatory phase and will be located in Tomorri mountainside.

The project includes new forest planting, survival of the special species of the forest in this area and the construction of park infrastructure.

The forest surface in Albanai it is reckon to be some 1 million ha and the project on protecting and survival of the forest in Albania, financed by the World Bank, marked the value of some 20 million dollars for 1999, to be used in different components of this field. /lh/linda/

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[18] Taxes-Tirana: 1,4 billion lek incomes in July

The above mentioned figure provided to the state budget some 53% of the revenues compared with the one marked in all tax branches. The licensing of the commercial subjects is another positive signal, where more than 10 thousand companies are inscribed till the end of July, versus 8 800 companies registered in the end of 1998.

During the first half of the year the tax police sequestrated the goods of some 430 commercial subjects without respective permission to perform their activity. /lh/linda/

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[19] Action on kiosk removal resumes in Vlore

Heavy vehicles and employees of General Directorate of Police Construction, supported by order police forces, concentrated their work today in the pavement near the flats in front of "Plumbi" mosque, where a considerable number of kiosks are settled during the last years by rendering worse the view of this area, one of the best views of the city.

Kiosk owners were made known the order on destruction of their kiosks several days ago, so the were warned to remove their kiosks but the order was not implemented. However the work on cleaning of the pavement was carried on normally.

The order issued by Vlore Territory Regulation Council foresees the removal of kiosks from different areas in which are envisaged to be implemented 11 projects for improving the city infrastructure. /s.s/A.A/

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[20] Milot-Lezhe: Some 187 million lek investments are realized during six months period

290 million lek investments are foreseen to take place in 1999.

The Italian company "Falcione", which is the constructing company, undertook to pay at the moment the dispossessed farmers to solve the obstacles to make possible the further progress of the construction operations. This sum will be paid back to the company,after the enforcement of the decision of the Council of Ministers.

Only 1% of the sum foreseen to be used on dispossessions worth 195 million lek is not used.

Milot-Lezhe segment is 12 km long and marked a total construction cost of some 20 million dollars. /lh/linda/

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[21] Four killed, three injured in Bajram Curri

Press office close to the Public Order Ministry informs that the first event happened in a road segment in vicinity of Valbone bridge, at about 09.10 a.m, where still unidentified persons had planted a mine which could be commanded in distance. Due to the blast two people traveling with a "Landrover" vehicle are killed and three others are wounded.

According to the information given so far, this grave terrorist act results to have happened due to a struggle between two rival groups.

The same source says that two other persons are killed in Bajram Curri at 10.10 a.m. Their death came as a result of automatic riffle use, and the information gained so far reports that they have nothing to do with rival groups.

Tropoje police commissariat has adopted all the measures for protection of the spot, and for delivering the first help to the damaged. In cooperation with the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Public Order send to the spot a group of specialists by plane for delivery of the first aid to them. /s.sh/A.A/

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[22] Work of military units that defended Albanian northern border commended

"All armed forces and especially the troops that were engaged directly in the north, are experiencing moments of a legitimate pride," stated the Albanian Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga during the meeting, which was attended also by the Chief of the Army General Staff, Brigade General, Aleks Andoni and deputy Minister Ilir Bocka.

They in the meeting appreciated the work of the troops of the General Staff of the Tirana Division, of the Tanks Brigade of Tirana and the Commando Brigade in their successful activity during the crisis in Kosova.

Hajdaraga also said that after more than half a century, the Albanian army stood the test in the north, in defending the territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania, a test which they realised with success. The aim of the road started for the restructuring of the Armed Forces is to attain NATO standards, which will lead to the realisation of the objective of integrating the army in the Euro-Atlantic alliance, said in conclusion the Defence Minister Hajdaraga. /s.sh/xh/

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[23] Government passed Kuwait loan of 2,5 million dinars on Qukes-Qafe- Thane road

According to the Ministry of Information, the project law "On ratification of the loan agreement between the Republic of Albania and Kuwait Fund "On Arab development" on the project on the national road Elbasan - Qafe Thane" is passed in the meeting held on Wednesday by the Albanian executive.

The agreement, assigned on July 28, 1999, foresees a fund of some 2,5 million dinars or 7 million dollars, which will be used on rehabilitation of the road Qukes-Qafe Thane, 19,6 km long.

This project is co-finance of the World Bank, EBRD, PHARE Program and Albanian Government.

The Kuwait loan will be paid back within 20 years by an annual interest of 2% and the five first years will be granted.

The road Qukes-Qafe Thane is part of National Road project, which has as its aim the rehabilitation of some 90 km national road of the Corridors East-West and North-South. /linda/

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[24] Albanian Government adopts law "On organization and functioning of Supreme Court"

The Information Ministry told ATA that the adoption of the law came as a result of the changes determined by Constitution and aims to adjust the activity of the Supreme Court. The present law "On Appeal Court" despite its good points, creates an institutional vacuum in the organization of Supreme Court, because the Constitution has accepted the system with supreme court in stead of that with appeal court.

As compared with the existing law, the draft law "On organization and functioning of Supreme Court" has some priorities and brings something new. It determines the procedure for the naming of the judges in the Supreme Court, envisages guarantees for the judge of this Court after the termination of his mandate and defines the position of the head of the Supreme Court being equal with that of other members as far as the process of judging is concerned.

According to the law, part of the Supreme Court are envisaged to be three colleges, instead of four in the existing law.

The new law defines the procedures for the trials in the first level from this court. The cases of the court will be judged by a jury consisting of five judges. /s.sh/xh/

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[25] Information center on technical standards and rules

The agreement with the WTO asks each member to have a reference point, an information center concerning the technical standards and rules. This center will respond to all the duties in the framework of Albanian membership in WTO. On this occasion all the ministries and central institutions should report regularly on technical rules, being even in the preparatory phase or in the final one.

The Council of Minister passed even the decision "On the criteria and competencies in the standards, certification and accreditation". This decision defines the criteria and the competencies of Standard Directorate General and of all the parts interested in their drafting.

This decision is passed in the framework of Albanian membership in World Trade Organization. /linda/

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[26] Albanian artists perform charity in Croatia

Protagonists of the concert were renowned artists of Albanian and foreign classical music such as the soprano Inva Mula, mezzosoprano Merita Juniku, the guitar player Ehat Musa, etc.

Organisers of the concert were the Union of Albanian Municipalities of Croatia, the Albanian Community of the city of Pula and the Municipality of that city.

Along with the numerous spectators, also present were representatives of the local government of the city of Pula, diplomats of foreign embassies accredited in Zagreb the Ambassador of Albania in Croatia, Miriam Bisha and others. /f.n/xh/

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[27] Sister relations of Shkodra with city Besancon (France) etsablished

Shaqiri said that this was concluded after a one-week visit that local authorities of Besancon had in Shkoder recently. During their stay, the French guests had talks and meetings with local authorities, representatives of various fields of culture, education, health, etc., who helped them to see the needs of Shkoder city.

Jacques Villeneuve, deputy mayor of Besançon, said that they were going to see the fields for which they will invest to improve the situation. He singled out the infrastructure and mainly the improvement of the situation in sewage, illumination and the drinking water system. He also promised concrete assistance for the hospitals, schools and cultural institutions.

The city of Shkoder has already sister relations for three years now also with the zone of Emilio Romano and the city of Toscana (Italy.) /s.sh/xh

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