Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-08-07

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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] Exchange rates of Albanian money Lek with foreign currencies

[03] Albanian Public Order Minister arouses suspicion on Secret Yugoslav Service

[04] Finnish businessmen and experts to contribute to reconstruction of Kosova

[05] Albanian-Serb clashes in city of Mitrovica

[06] Collection of weapons from population in Gramsh enters final stage

[07] Press review

[08] Vlora debtors to cut electric provision

[09] "Kurum" invests 9 million lek in steel plant

[10] Tirana-Durres highway: 397 million lek on dispossession

[11] New lab on testing food items

[12] Italian media made public Albanian Prime Minister's visit in Italy

[13] Fire in forests of Salari and Dukaj quenched after 50 hours

[14] Italian Government's aid for Albania will be comprehensive - D'Alema

[01] Press review

KOHA JONE, Independent daily. - "We won't allow Gjinushi to play with our party-Luftim Ahmetaj." Deputy and chairman of SDP of Tirane, Luftim Ahmetaj comments latest developments in his party. - "We have twice as greater electorate than Gjinushi, we receive five times less money." This is what the small parties stated yesterday. - "Terrorist-islamic danger for Albania at the end of this century." All enigmas of the explosions made earlier in Kenia and Tanzania uncovered, while the arrest of the chief of Jihad Al Nagar and his friends in Tirane led to the explosions that Bin Laden ordered against two US embassies in Africa. - "Police on alert until September 14."

GAZETA SHQIPTARE, daily independent - "Albania in NATO in four years." President of Albania Rexhep Meidani, in a letter to George Robertson, newly- appointed NATO Secretary General, has made a sort of official request for Albania's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. - "Taxes, here is how we are deceived." Chief of taxes office Kujtim Brovina tells mechanism of falsification of invoices. - "President Clinton will come to Albania in September-Poci" stated yesterday the Public Order Minister Spartak Poci.

SHEKULLI, independent daily

- "DP-Majko is not linked with crime." Democrats encourage PM Majko in his declarations regarding Hajdari case. - "This is how Pellumb Shehaj was released." Minister of Justice has shifted yesterday the responsibility for the scandal related with the release of the former boss of the pyramid investment scheme Silva to the Foreign Ministry of Albania. - "Punishment starts in Tropoje." Hundreds of policemen have taken under full control the town of Bajran Curri have decided to undertake operations of control and arrests not only towards suspects as members in the massacre of Wednesday, but also other criminal contingents operating in this zone.

ALBANIA, independent daily.

-"Why don't we dispatch Haklaj from police." -"Teta-a-tete meeting of SHIK chiefs in Tirana." -"Who is preparing torching of Vlore."

EKONOMIA, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development.

- "USA: USD826 million for AMBO gas pipeline." - "Minister of Finance complains: Ministries are late for supplementary funds." - "200 million lek for public works, 10 000 people to be employed."

ZERI I POPULLIT, daily paper of Socialist Party of Albania

- "Operation 'Punishment', warranties for suspects." - "Ministry of Justice: Albanian emigrants legalized."

RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE, daily of Democratic Party of Albania.

- "Police kill DP activist." - "Grave situation in Tropoje continues." /xh/

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[02] Exchange rates of Albanian money Lek with foreign currencies

Exchange rates in Tirana market on Saturday

Kind of currency Bought Sold

USD 132,5 133

DM 72,5 73

LIT(1000) 72,6 73

GRD(100) 43,3 43,5 /lh/xh/

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[03] Albanian Public Order Minister arouses suspicion on Secret Yugoslav Service

On Wednesday before noon, two episodes of violence caused four people killed and three others wounded in the town of Bajram Curri, Tropoja district. /lh/xh/

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[04] Finnish businessmen and experts to contribute to reconstruction of Kosova

A symposium will be held in the coming Saturday in the city of Tammerfors of Finland, in which, experts of various fields will discuss the necessary aid for Kosova during the stage of reconstruction, said Kosovapress, referring to the state news agency, NTB.

Initiator of the project Timo Salo, chairman of the Explorers' of Finland Association, told agency NTB that "small and medium firms must be encouraged in Kosova so that they make the investments in Kosova efficient." p.ta/xh/

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[05] Albanian-Serb clashes in city of Mitrovica

At about 10 a.m. fierce shootout started between Serbs and Albanians near the bridge of Ibri which divides the city in two parts, while numerous KFOR forces have intervened with tanks stop the clash, but so far they have not been successful.

At about 11 a.m. fire of arms was heard but so far there are no reports of the consequences. At the moment, passing on the road is not allowed, while thousands of Albanians are trying to find ways of passing the river on the northern part of the city where they have their homes.

Over the past three nights, Serbs have opened fire in the direction of the Albanian part of the city. A grenade has also hit the building of the prefecture of Mitrovica causing material damage there.

Serbs dismissed yesterday from the hospital of Mitrovica, located in the northern part controlled by Serbs, 170 Albanian medical staff and all Albanian patients there. /p.ta/xh/

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[06] Collection of weapons from population in Gramsh enters final stage

The number of the weapons collected over a one-year period by the Gramsh district police is more than 6 500 automatic rifles, 51 thousand defensive and offensive grenades and 18 million bullets.

According to Mete, the arms collection is over in the town of Gramsh, the commune of Tunja, Pishajt and Skenderbega and is still going on in the commune of Porocan and Lenia.

The collection of weapons during this period has led to a lower number of crimes committed by fire weapons.

Last year, a U.N. pilot project "Development in exchange of the handing in of weapons" started in Gramsh. With a fund of USD500 thousand, several projects are underway for the development of rural zones, such as the construction and rehabilitation of roads, extension of the telephone network, etc. /lh/xh/

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[07] Press review

KOHA JONE, Independent daily. - "We won't allow Gjinushi to play with our party-Luftim Ahmetaj." Deputy and chairman of SDP of Tirane, Luftim Ahmetaj comments latest developments in his party. - "We have twice as greater electorate than Gjinushi, we receive five times less money." This is what the small parties stated yesterday. - "Terrorist-islamic danger for Albania at the end of this century." All enigmas of the explosions made earlier in Kenia and Tanzania uncovered, while the arrest of the chief of Jihad Al Nagar and his friends in Tirane led to the explosions that Bin Laden ordered against two US embassies in Africa. - "Police on alert until September 14."

GAZETA SHQIPTARE, daily independent - "Albania in NATO in four years." President of Albania Rexhep Meidani, in a letter to George Robertson, newly- appointed NATO Secretary General, has made a sort of official request for Albania's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. - "Taxes, here is how we are deceived." Chief of taxes office Kujtim Brovina tells mechanism of falsification of invoices. - "President Clinton will come to Albania in September-Poci" stated yesterday the Public Order Minister Spartak Poci.

SHEKULLI, independent daily

- "DP-Majko is not linked with crime." Democrats encourage PM Majko in his declarations regarding Hajdari case. - "This is how Pellumb Shehaj was released." Minister of Justice has shifted yesterday the responsibility for the scandal related with the release of the former boss of the pyramid investment scheme Silva to the Foreign Ministry of Albania. - "Punishment starts in Tropoje." Hundreds of policemen have taken under full control the town of Bajran Curri have decided to undertake operations of control and arrests not only towards suspects as members in the massacre of Wednesday, but also other criminal contingents operating in this zone.

ALBANIA, independent daily.

-"Why don't we dispatch Haklaj from police." -"Teta-a-tete meeting of SHIK chiefs in Tirana." -"Who is preparing torching of Vlore."

EKONOMIA, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development.

- "USA: USD826 million for AMBO gas pipeline." - "Minister of Finance complains: Ministries are late for supplementary funds." - "200 million lek for public works, 10 000 people to be employed."

ZERI I POPULLIT, daily paper of Socialist Party of Albania

- "Operation 'Punishment', warranties for suspects." - "Ministry of Justice: Albanian emigrants legalized."

RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE, daily of Democratic Party of Albania.

- "Police kill DP activist." - "Grave situation in Tropoje continues." /xh/

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[08] Vlora debtors to cut electric provision

The tense financial situation, created the two last years due to non payment of the duties by the part of the clients, made the directing staff of this association to draft a special strategy for the private and state subjects that have to pay considerable quantity of money. This interruption will start from August 19 in three main points of the town, which are known as the most problematic areas as far as the paying of energy duties is concerned.

10 points in different areas of the town are opened to help the citizens and the subjects in the process of cashing their duties.

The capital of Vlora Electric Association is shared between the shareholders and the state respectively by 70% and 30%. /lh/linda/

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<a href="/ata/990807/hdlines.htm#1"AMBO oil pipeline project estimated 826 million dollars</a>

Tirana, August 7 (ATA) - By D.Koca - The total value of the project on AMBO oil pipeline is estimated to be some 826 million dollars. AMBO LLC company announced the formal assignment of the agreement in Sofia between USA Government and Bulgarian one to support the further support of Trans- Balkans Oil Pipeline Project.

Trans-Balkan Oil Pipeline will bring raw oil from Burgasi Port, Black Sea (Bulgaria) to Vlora Port (Albania), Adriatic Sea.

The line will bring 750 thousand barrels per day and includes three countries; Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania.

Upon the initiative of American Government on developing of Southern Balkan, AMBO projects will become part of Corridor East-West, which will include highway, railway, gas, telecommunication's lines, ets. /linda/

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[09] "Kurum" invests 9 million lek in steel plant

The total value of the investments offered by Turkish company reached to 9 million lek. Meanwhile the construction company "Skampini" started to repair the offices of the plants. /s.s.art/linda/

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[10] Tirana-Durres highway: 397 million lek on dispossession

The construction of this highway is predicted to be performed in three sections, Tirana -Vore, Vore-Sukth and Sukth-Durres.

The operations in Tirana-Vore section are completed and there are finances from World Bank and state budget for the continuation of the construction of the highway.

In the section Vore-Sukth some 200 million dispossession is realized that is to say the total foreseen sum to be used on dispossession. While in the segment Sukth-Durres 197.6 million lek are realized from 199 predicted to be used.

Vore-South section is financed by PHARE Program worth 13.34 million Euro. This section is 14.2 km long and will be constructed in two paths 22 metres wide. The constructing company is "ITALSTRADE s.p.a".

Thw last section of the highway Sukth-Durres is financed by European Bank of Investements , marking some 22 million Euro. This section id 9 km long, 22 meters wide and the constructing company is the Italian one "Ruskala". /linda/

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[11] New lab on testing food items

Mr.Beshi said that the establishment of this lab was made possible within three months and by the fund of some 4 million lek accorded by the state budget. So the conditions on performing the physic-chemical tests for 70% of different food items are created.

Upon them the items to fulfill the market requirements and will be defined soon. The necessary devices and equipment, brought from Italy, serve to this purpose. /s.sh./linda/

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[12] Italian media made public Albanian Prime Minister's visit in Italy

A number of newspapers, such as, "Il Matino", "Il Messaggero", "La Republica", "La Stampa", "Corriere della Sera" and different television stations made public this visit.

The materials published on the visit of the Albanian Prime Minister presented the meetings and the discussions held with its Italian counterpart Massiomo D'Alema and other Italian politicians, representative of Toskana region, Ravelos, on new cooperation and friendship spaces between the two countries.

"Il Matino" newspaper published a long interview of Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.

Albanian Prime Minster Majko, by responding to the questions of the journalists stated that Albania although touched by the war, a new atmosphere is created, and it has the wish to do something good to be a nation. Nevertheless, the war taught us a great lesson. Already the things seem more simple, because the Albanian people regained the trust.

Answering to the question related with Kosova future, Prime Minister Majko said that after Sarajevo Summit a new situation is evident in Balkan region. The solution of Kosova problem depends on the process to be followed on the construction of the democratic state and institutions in this country. Kosova future depends on the institutions established there.

To the statement of an Italian journalist that Albania should be developed on its own, Albanian Prime Minister said that the relationship between the two countries cannot be over. Italy cannot be a country to be represented only by a sack of wheat flour or rise. We are looking to increasing the cooperation even in other fields.

Asked about mafia question, Albanian Prime Minister Majko said that Albanian mafia is green thumb, but unfortunately it is operating under the umbrella of the older mafia. Even for this thing we have to cooperate intensively, in prudent and operative way to find out and to eliminate the parts which cooperate with Italian and Albanian crime. These are the other fields of bilateral cooperation.

Responding to the interest of the journalists on the issues discussed with Italian Prime Minister D'Alema, Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko stated that we discussed about many problems, about new intiatives to be undertaken aiming at Balkans development. I ensure Mr. D'Alema that Albania will do the utmost to perform its duties. /s.sh./linda/

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[13] Fire in forests of Salari and Dukaj quenched after 50 hours

The forest police of this district, Avni Abedini, told ATA that as a result of high temperatures there have been many cases of fires in several of the district's forests.

The fire in Salari and Dukaj, first set by shepherds for burning pastures, the fire spreading from shrubs had later engulfed the forest.

Forest service workers were immediately rushed to the area to quench the fire and were helped by inhabitants of the surrounding villages. The fire continued at least for 50 hours and could be quenched only on Saturday, according to Dervishi.

There have been around 15 cases of fire in the district of Tepelene recently. /s.sh/lm/

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[14] Italian Government's aid for Albania will be comprehensive - D'Alema

During his visit to Italy, Majko had a very warm and friendly meeting with his Italian counterpart D'Alema on Friday evening, the Ministry of Information told ATA.

The two discussed a series of important issues facing the region today, following the Sarajevo Summit and reiterated the commitment and responsibilities Italy has undertaken for the reconstruction and development of the Balkan region.

The aid the Italian government is expected to provide to Albania occupied an important place at the Majko-D'Alema meeting.

D'Alema assured his Albanian counterpart that the Italian Government aid for the development of Albania will be comprehensive and include all fields.

They also spoke of the further promotion of the bilateral ties between Albania and Italy, the new spaces of friendship ahead of the two countries. /s.sh/lm/

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