Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-08-18

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] About $ 70 million accorded on elemination of emergency consequences

[02] Albanian Primer offers condolences to his Turkish counterpart after quake

[03] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

[04] Press Review

[05] Number of repatriated Kosovars estimated at 431.551

[06] Swiss national, Daniel Endern, proclaimed "Citizen of Honor" of Kukes city

[07] Tax police of Southern areas to be concentrated at prefecture center

[08] Albanian Prime Minister Majko asks for tripartite meeting between Albania, Croatia and Montenegro

[09] Gjinushi: Albanian political forces, stability factor in region

[10] Meidani concerned about quake aftermath in Turkey

[11] Croatian Deputy Prime Minister - Croatia is ready to cooperate with Albania

[12] Other staff changes of Police Directorate of Tirana Prefecture takes place

[13] AFOR 1 hands down the flag to AFOR 2 in September 1

[14] Albania and Croatia should work for joint projects - Meidani

[15] 130,5 million leks cashed from solidarity tax

[16] Foreign nationals with invalid documents intercepted

[17] High number of unemployed people goes on

[18] Only 52% of licensed subjects present balances

[19] Expired wheat and other foodstuff buried

[20] Lower percentage of infantile mortality in Lezhe

[21] Informing society of government's acts is essential

[01] About $ 70 million accorded on elemination of emergency consequences

According to this ministry, a water pomp will be installed in Manze village, Durres district, donated by Spitalle camp after it was closed, due to $ 5000 donated by the Program of Rehabilitation of Immediate Circumstances of UNHCR and the assistance of the American NGO, Care.

Regarding the swimming pool complex in Tirane, where a make shift camp was set up during the crisis in Kosove, a rehabilitation project is underway. The projects started in July and is carried out by the International Organization for Rehabilitation.

UNHCR in cooperation with the aid of Norwegian People is clearing the holes of Durres boulevard. The international Rescuing Council and UNHCR has accorded through NGO-s some hundreds of thousand dollars for the rehabilitation of Sports Club in Tirane, which was one of the main hosting centers for refugees.

The French NGO, Premier Urgence, will rehabilitate 10 schools in Tirane. /dast/A.A/

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[02] Albanian Primer offers condolences to his Turkish counterpart after quake

In his message, Premier Majko offers his deep sympathy for the natural misfortune, due to which hundreds of persons remained dead.

"Sharing your sorrow, I want to express to You on my behalf and on the name of the government I lead our heartfelt prayers to You, to the Government you lead, to all the Turkish people in general and especially to the families whose loved ones have been so suddenly and tragically taken from them" Majko said in his message. /A.A/

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[03] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies:

Kind of currency Bought Sold

USD 133 133,5

DM 71,8 72 LIT(1000) 72,8 72, 1 GRD(100) 42,3 42,5

/A.A/

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[04] Press Review

KOHA JONE, independent daily

-"Meidani joins Majko and Nano". In his 55th anniversary, Albanian President has "obliged" his old friends, Nano and Majko to shake hands. - "The stance with the "defruter" Rugova rendered tender". Tirane politicians have not changed their stance against the LDK leader, Ibrahim Rugova. But even the state leaders have considered him as a central figure. -"Nano and Pollo 'postpone' September 14. The absentia of attestors in the September 14 court offers the release hour for the arrested persons accused of armed gangs. -"Tirane police 'upside down'". Albanian Minister of Public Order, Spartak Poçi, at last signed the latest changes in the leading structures in Tirane police.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily

-"Arms from Kosove to Europe". According to the data of Prosecution office and SHIK Albanian arms are sold in clandestine markets of England and France." -"Meidani; DP made the amnesty". The law on amnesty of 1997 is decreed by the ex-President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, and that is why the DP request on its abrogation is absurd, that is what is declared on Tuesday be Presidency representatives. -"The state wants to attract investment". The Finance Ministry drafted a draft-law which is expected to attract investments.

SHEKULLI, independent daily

-"Majko: Albanians, the same language, the same history .... and from now on, a same school". In the meeting held on Tuesday with the Albanian Minister of Education, Et'hem Ruka and with the Albanian rectors, Premier Pandeli Majko, threw the idea of pan-Albanian education. -"Many happy returns for Meidani". President Meidani celebrated his 55th anniversary on Tuesday evening. -"War, a police injured". Two employees of Shkoder police attacked on Tuesday by unidentified persons, in the vicinity of the market of the city.

ALBANIA, independent daily

-"Investigations for the person who nominated Haklaj". -"Tensions between Majko and Meidani increase". -"Traders warn: We will increase the prices".

EKONOMIA daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development

-"13 days left for the the licensing of oil companies". -"Debate pro and against the creation of zones with special fiscal conditions". -"Other subjects, besides banks, allowed to give credits".

ZERI I POPULLIT, daily of Albanian Socialist Party

-"Police seizes criminals, money and arms in Durres". -"The government: Pensions to be increased in September".

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of the Albanian Democratic Party

-"Albania without press freedom" -"Berisha: Cooperation with KFOR and UNO".

REPUBLIKA, daily paper of the Albanian Republican Party

-"Prosecution office threatens Meidani". -"Majko: Education - the bridge which will connect Albania with Kosove". /A.A/

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[05] Number of repatriated Kosovars estimated at 431.551

He reported that some 431.551 people are removed towards Kosove until Tuesday evening through the crossing points of Kukes prefecture. The ciphers declared by Shahu are lower than those issued earlier by UNHCR offices.

The reason why the UNHCR data do not correspond with that of Kukes prefecture is that UNHCR does not consider as refugees the people who come from diaspora to Albania and through the passing borders of Kukes go to Kosove, explains Shehu.

As much as 481.600 people poured in Kukes prefecture since the beginning of Kosove conflict (March 26).

Actually KFOR forces in the border post of Vermice do not allow passing of residents from both sides without identification card. A severe control is underway in the crossing posts of Morine and Vermice against those who trade in border cities of Prizren and Kukes. /so/A.A/

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[06] Swiss national, Daniel Endern, proclaimed "Citizen of Honor" of Kukes city

He reported that the Kukes mayor honoured Mr. Enders with this title due to the distinguished contribution he dedicated in managing of the situation during the time Kosove refugees stood in this city.

Mayor Sulaj said that during the Kosove crisis, some 41 humanitarian associations operated their activity in the city of Kukes, but the main burden in the humanitarian field was carried by UNHCR.

Three foreign citizens are awarded so far with the "Citizen of Honor" prize by Kukes city. /lh/A.A/

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[07] Tax police of Southern areas to be concentrated at prefecture center

Tax police offices in the districts of Permet and Tepelena will be located close to tax-duty office of Gjirokastra. They will lead by a same directorate and by the general custom directorate in Tirana.

Such concentration is asked by the prefecture itself and has to do with the increase of the work efficiency, and with the extending of the local government competencies, as well.

According to Bedjava, the reorganization of the tax police it is thought to be completed within August.It will consist of small administration staff of some 13 people in total. /dast/linda/

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[08] Albanian Prime Minister Majko asks for tripartite meeting between Albania, Croatia and Montenegro

Albanian Prime Minister after thanking Mr. Graniç about the assistance offered to Albania by the Croatia during Kosova crisis, considered the bilateral relations as very good ones and was for their intensification in the future by increasing the cooperation fields.

"Our region is intensively passing through a number of events and in this frame, Albanian Government sees Croatia an important partner", Prime Minister Majko said.

Prime Minister presented to the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister the point of view of Albanian Government on region situation and stressed the support offered by the Albania to Montenegro and the President Milo Gjukanoviç and the interest on keeping the stability in Montenegro, as well.

Croatian Deputy Prime Mate Graniç expressed the wish to develop and intensify the bilateral relations.

"Croatia is interested to have good relations with all the countries of the region. Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe is a good chance offered on the developing of our relations", stressed Graniç. /dast/linda/

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[09] Gjinushi: Albanian political forces, stability factor in region

"Democratic developing in the region and its perspectives, are strongly affected by the implementation of Stability Pact", Mr. Gjinushi stated.

He thanked him, in the name of the Albanian Parliament, about the assistance offered during Kosova crisis by the Croatian people and Government.

Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed, since the beginning, that there are no differences between political forces as far as the relations with Albania and Kosova are concerned.

Croatia, as always, is ready to cooperate with Albanian in bilateral and multilateral plan, Mr. Graniç said.

Croatia is among the first countries to support the action of NATO forces in Kosova and welcomes some 6 000 Kosova refugees. /dast/linda/

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[10] Meidani concerned about quake aftermath in Turkey

Meidani expressed once again to the Turkish head of state the solidarity of the Albanian people with the Turkish people, his condolences to the victims' families and asked about the proportions of the catastrophe and rescue work linked with it.

Meidani expressed his conviction that the Turkish state institutions and international community will help restore normality to the quake- devastated area.

Demirel informed President Meidani of the quake's aftermath, which so far has killed over 2000 people.

He also informed Albanian President of the efforts underway to rescue the people and eliminate other consequences created by this great natural disaster. /lh/lm/

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[11] Croatian Deputy Prime Minister - Croatia is ready to cooperate with Albania

According to Mr. Graniç, this cooperation must be seen not only in the framework of Stability Pact, but even in the framework of integration of the two countries in Euro-Atlantic structures.

Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paskal Milo confirmed to Mr. Graniç the will of the Albanian Government on further development of the bilateral cooperation. "This visit is organized in the framework of the new cooperation spirit created already in the region", stated he.

The Head of Albanian Diplomacy suggested earlier meeting of the Joint Commission of Economic Cooperation, where the priorities of this cooperation will be defined.

The implementation of the Stability Pact and Kosova current situation is discussed in the meeting of the two foreign ministers.

Both Ministers stated that they fully supported KFOR force and stressed the necessity of the cooperation between the political forces in Kosova in order to stabilize the situation. /lh/linda/

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[12] Other staff changes of Police Directorate of Tirana Prefecture takes place

According to him Ylli Vasili was nominated as new chief of the police at this directorate. He substituted Mayor Pandeli Sullaj, who was nominated the head of Commissariat No.3 in Tirana.

New chiefs of crime and anti-drug sectors started the work on Tuesday at Tirana Police Directorate.

According to the spokesman of the Police Directorate other changes are expected in other sectors of this directorate. /lh/linda/

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[13] AFOR 1 hands down the flag to AFOR 2 in September 1

Mr. Williams said that the work done till now by AFOR in Albania was so evident in the acting way and time, that served to humanitarian mission. New NATO forces will continue all the started and non-completed projects by the part of AFOR 1.

But this will not be the only way of NATO presence in Albania, stated Williams. NATO office established at the Ministry of Defense in Tirana started several tasks, and one of them is even the restructure of Armed Forces in Albania, said he.

Humanitarian mission named AFOR, started its activity in April, after the coming of some 500 thousand Kosova refugees in Albania. This mission will be completed in September 1. After this, another force named AFOR 2 will be dislocated in Albania, which consists of some 2000 troops. /dast/linda/

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[14] Albania and Croatia should work for joint projects - Meidani

Meidani concentrated himself on the construction of the north-south corridor, which, he said, serves the interests not only of the economy of Croatia and Albania but also of the western partner countries.

Meidani said that Albania and Croatia should increase economic and human contacts, build an air or sea corridor, which necessitates at the same time the liberalisation of visas between the two countries.

He also asked an increase of cooperation in education, creation of Albanian and Croat language chairs in both countries.

Granic endorsed Meidani's ideas to increase cooperation between Croatia and Albania and said that his visit to Albania aims at evaluating the perspectives opening to the Croat-Albanian cooperation as part of the Stability Pact.

Granic conveyed to the Albanian President greetings from Croat president Franjo Tudjman. /dast/lm/

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[15] 130,5 million leks cashed from solidarity tax

The value forseen in the plan of the General Tax Directorate for the period January-July was 1,185 billion leks, but it was not fulfilled.

The monthly solidarity tax for public order and defense is temporal and aims to stimulate the forces of police to combat the crime through the increase of the salaries and modernization of the means they use.

The monthly tax for budgetary and non-budgetary employees is 500 leks. Based upon the calculations done by the Ministry of Finances, the number of state and private subjects, small business and Albanian citizens paying this tax is some 267 thousand.

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[16] Foreign nationals with invalid documents intercepted

According to the sources, on the Tirane-Vlore service train the police seized 24 Egyptian nationals, who had come to Albania on Monday by midday by the Bulgarian company airline "Balkan" as well as 12 Iraqi nationals, who had come from Turkey to Qafe-Thane on a Turkish company tourist bus.

The 36 nationals were later taken to the Fier district police station for further explanations.

Several months ago, the Rinas police turned back around 30 foreign nationals, most of whom Kurds. /lh/lm/

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[17] High number of unemployed people goes on

From 1000 private companies of the town, only one company managed to employ 40 people, but again the employment marks high figures.

The number of unemployed people in this town is 16.472 persons, 1.634 of them are treated with unemployment salary, while 14.835 are treated with economic assistance, told ATA the director of this office Spiro Fara.

Meanwhile, the number of the unemployed increase dues to the privatization of the steel plants by the Turkish company "Kurum", which added to the number of unemployed people some 500 workers. /A.KE/linda/

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[18] Only 52% of licensed subjects present balances

According to the High State Control, many juridical private subjects reported in many cases that they are losing, and do not profit by their activity. The High State Control made evidently also irresponsibilities in approving of the financial balances of the private companies.

Only 3754 from 7114 juridical persons licensed have presented the balances for 1998, that is say some 52% of the total.

Referring to High State Control, the private subjects with losses for several years are Dv Alba, Mak Albania, Coca-Cola, La Vikinga, etc. /a.gj/linda/

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[19] Expired wheat and other foodstuff buried

He said this amount of wheat, aid for Albania in the context of Kosova emergency, had been stored since several months ago in Durres port. The analyses carried out showed that the wheat had bacteria, which cause the disease of the potato.

Some 6.8 tons of juice, 200 kg. of soups, 10.7 tons of vegetable oil and seven tons of flour.

Meanwhile, analyses continue for 35 tonnes of flour, which according to the Agricultural and Food department is suspected to be expired. /lh/lm/

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[20] Lower percentage of infantile mortality in Lezhe

He said mortality in infants aged between 1 to 0 from 25 per thousand in 1998 has dropped to 23 per thousand over the seven months of 1999.

The reduction of this percentage is result of the increasing health care for the mother and child. Health centres and consultation rooms are functioning in all the district's communes, said Tonaj.

Nutrition structure has also helped reduce this figure. /dast/lm/

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[21] Informing society of government's acts is essential

Informing the society of the Government's acts in various domains of public life is fundamental in supporting reforms and building institutions, says Wolferson.

The WB president expresses the conviction that Albania will successfully cope with the challenges facing it and assures Ulqini of support from the institution he runs also in the future. /dast/lm/

/

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