Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-08-30

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Two mass graves with nearly 400 Albanians uncovered in Prishtina

[02] Hungary's premier visits Tirana

[03] Week starts with a slight advance of dollar over lek

[04] Week "Action against mines" starts

[05] Taxation office realise task over 107 per cent

[06] Albanian Government considers important relations with Hungary

[07] Former police commander of Kolonja jailed

[08] Albania will support Hungary regarding question of Voivodina

[09] Common Albanian-Hungarian commission for economy to be set up

[10] Mirush Kabashi, guest of honor in the Festival of Experimental Theater, Cairo

[11] Italian singer Gigi D'Alessio in a concert in Skanderbeg square

[12] Albania to take part in the meetings of World Francophonie Organization

[13] Angjeli demands transparency with the funds delivered by donors

[14] Hajdaraga considers AFOR 1 mission in Albania very successful

[15] NATO transport means and goods through Albanian railway

[16] Minister Bufi invites Hungarian companies to invest in Albania

[17] Minister Angjeli asks for transparency in fonds offered by donors

[18] Economic cooperation to respond to political relations level - Meidani

[19] Stability Pact to open debate at parliamentary session - Gjinushi

[20] Some 236 821 unemployed registered in July 1999

[21] Some 550 million drachmas disbursed on private business credit

[22] 16 million dollars released on registration of cadastral areas

[23] Memorial devoted to British soldiers inaugurated

[24] Twelve policemen accused of corruption dismissed

[01] Two mass graves with nearly 400 Albanians uncovered in Prishtina

The reports were published yesterday while the mass graves were also visited by the U.S. Ambassador in the U.N. Richard Holbrooke, who was on a visit to Kosove.

The mass grave in the quarter of Dragodan of Prishtine seems to have more than 350 people, said the chairman of the Council of the Defence of Human Rights in Kosove, Prof. Dr. Pajazit Nushi. He added that the Council "has live witnesses of this macabre crime and all measures have been taken to open the grave and to identify the buried bodies."

The Kosove press also informed of another mass grave uncovered in Matiqan, another quarter of Prishtine, in which, according to preliminary reports, at least 20 Albanians have been buried after violent deaths or after being executed by Serbs in the hospital of Kosove capital.

According to information from the Council for Defence of Human Rights in Kosove, there are accurate data for more than 11 000 Albanians killed or massacred over the period of military operations by the Serb forces, but the number is expected to be greater and may be as high as 15 000 people. /i.pu/xh/

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[02] Hungary's premier visits Tirana

Albanian Premier, Pandeli Majko, received in Rinas the Hungarian counterpart. Hungarian premier will have a tete-a-tete meeting with Majko and afterwards will have other meetings.

Urban's agenda includes meetings with the Albanian president, Rexhep Meidani, opposition representatives, and Hungarian community in the Hungarian embassy.

Another meeting will be held between Stumpf, Hungarian minister, and the Albanian minister of Economy and Privatization, Ylli Bufi./gs

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[03] Week starts with a slight advance of dollar over lek

Currency Bought Sold

USD 134 134,5 DM 71,5 71,8 LIT(1000) 71,5 72 GRD(100) 42,4 42,7 /led/gs/

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[04] Week "Action against mines" starts

It is the second year that this activity is being held and it coincides with two anniversaries, the death of Mother Teresa and the death of Lady Diana, two figures which are symbols of peace, humanism, fight against violence, protection of life.

The aim of this action, in which 300 people throughout the country will be engaged, said to ATA Besnik Alibali, chairman of KMAM, is to sensitize citizens of the dangers stemming from mines, instructions for them, especially for the children how to protect themselves from mines.

Everyday in this week, underlined Alibali, is full of activities for which we have prepared everything necessary such as posters, leaflets, talks, meetings with veterans in mine clearance, exhibition of paintings which treat mostly the topic of the fight against mines, etc.

According to information by KMAM, only during the last two months, 27 people have been killed and 50 others have been injured on the border due to the explosion of mines.

Within the territory of Albania, stressed Alibali, there are 1 million anti-tank mines, 1 million shells, 3.5 million hand grenades, 360 tons of TNT which were looted during the turmoil of 1997 and are being illegally kept by people, thus posing a potential threat to their lives. /xh/

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[05] Taxation office realise task over 107 per cent

During the last 8 months, there have been realised 370 million lek more than the same period in the previous year, said to ATA Pellumb Rakipi, taxation office branch chairman.

According to him, the overfulfilment by 20 million lek of the August plan is mainly due to the collection of the national tax, which comprises port taxes as well as taxes on exit -entries of the Albanian and foreign citizens in the port of Durres.

He added that so far about 2100 various subjects have been registered in that branch, of which 1400 belonging to small business. /gs/xh/

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[06] Albanian Government considers important relations with Hungary

In the official meeting, Mr Majko considered special the visit of his Hungarian counterpart to Tirane. It is the first visit of this kind following 60s, he said, stressing that"the Albanian government considers important the relations between Albania and Hungary."

According to Majko "this importance becomes more touchable for the fact that the two countries, in the view of the new balances being created in the region, have the perspective of going in the same direction in the context of the principles of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe."

Majko demanded the promotion of the multilateral cooperation with Hungary and political encouragement to the completion of the framework of economic and trade cooperation, which is entering a new stage. "The Albanian Government would welcome the creation of a joint committee for a positive development of the economic cooperation between the two countries. We would also welcome the development of the relations in the field of education and between the chambers of commerce of the two countries," said Majko.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban stressed that "for Hungary, Albania plays a rather important and decisive role in the regional developments. With the admission of Hungary to NATO, my country has established and is keeping direct relations with the Balkan region, with a special attention to the developments in it," said Orban.

The Hungarian PM shared the same opinion with the Albanian PM on the need of intensification of the relations in the economic field and promised his personal encouragement for the relations in the field of education. They discussed various problems as well as those related with the visas for the two countries. /led/xh/

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[07] Former police commander of Kolonja jailed

The warranty for Sadiku was delivered because on August 24, together with police chief, Shpetim Zoto, actually arrested, hit and treated badly several habitants of Erseka.

The warranty for Sadik was released in absentia since he fled to an unknown direction.

The Court announced he is considered wanted. /led/gs/xh/

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[08] Albania will support Hungary regarding question of Voivodina

"We shall be on the side of Hungary, by respecting the international conventions, as well as the new realities created in the region," said Majko.

Majko spoke of a less and less usage of the word Yugoslavia, after the crisis in the Balkans, "and the Serb politicians themselves are using less and less this word (Yugoslavia) replacing it with Serbia."

According to Majko, this means that the Serbs have started to think of the Serbs and it is natural that the Hungarians too must think of Hungarians. /led/xh/

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[09] Common Albanian-Hungarian commission for economy to be set up

According to Orban "this common commission, which will observe the cooperation possibilities in the economic field, will be erected till the end of November'99, time when a meeting between businessmen of both countries is scheduled".

"The commission will offer its help in creation of the financial system, because this is the key of passing the transitional period", revealed Orban.

As regards to the debt of $ 15 million that Albanian state owes to Hungary, Orban said that he is conscious of the economic difficulties of Albania, and possibilities for a acceptable solution for both parts should be considered. In the mean time he was expressed on the possibilities of Hungarian participation in the privatization process of Albania.

In the framework of this cooperation, the Hungarian airline, "Malev" with make two flights a day in Albania. This airline company made only a flight a day to Albania so far. /led/A.A/

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[10] Mirush Kabashi, guest of honor in the Festival of Experimental Theater, Cairo

Kabashi was a participant in this activity in 1997 with the essay "Socrates' Apology", where he was estimated as the best actor among 1000 actors from 46 different countries and awarded "The Golden Sphinx".

In this year's edition the Albanian theater will be represented by the free theatrical company "Oasis" supervised by the directors Gazmend Gjoka and Altin Basha. This company consisting of students of the Academy of Fine Arts, will participate in this event with the plays "Etyd" written by the two directors. /led/gs/A.A/

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[11] Italian singer Gigi D'Alessio in a concert in Skanderbeg square

The concert of D'Alessio is part of the project "Napoli for Tirane", in the context of a further cultural cooperation between Albania and Italy.

Participating in the concert besides D'Alesio will be even six singers form Napoli, ten Albanian singers as well as ten Albanian and Italian top-models, the names of whom are not released.

Gigi D'Alessios is momentarily considered as the idol of Napolitanian songs. His last album (the sixth) won the Platin Disk. /led/A.A/

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[12] Albania to take part in the meetings of World Francophonie Organization

According to these sources, the chief of Albanian diplomacy will hold several meetings with representatives of participating countries.

Milo will take part as well in the meeting of the state chairmen of Frankophonie World Organization countries, to be held on September 2-5 in the city of Moncton, meeting where Albania will be presented by a high- ranking delegation headed by the President, Rexhep Meidani. /dast/A.A/

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[13] Angjeli demands transparency with the funds delivered by donors

This transparency, on the bases of special programs, will be spread even in the other part of the budget, by winning a permanent status and by creating in this way conditions for a communication with all the interested people for the destination of funds, said Angjeli.

Angjeli demanded the affiliations of the Budget and Treasury to render public the budget parameters two times a month, while as regards to the accompanying documents for the delivery of given funds accorded on public works, social assistance and the unemployment wage, Angjeli said that they "should be verified". /lh/A.A/

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[14] Hajdaraga considers AFOR 1 mission in Albania very successful

"AFOR 1 mission in Albania was very successful and your contribution at its head has been very precious," Hajdaraga told General Reith.

"Cooperation with AFOR troops has been decisive in coping with the crisis caused in Albania by the arrival of 500 000 Kosova refugees," he said.

The Defence Minister assured the British General of further cooperation also during the stay of the new NATO troops due in Albania on September 1, in the framework of AFOR 2 mission.

Reith expressed thanks for the facilities created by the Minister of Defence during his presence in Albania and assured minister Hajdaraga of continuing cooperation in the future.

"In Albania there will be two kinds of NATO troops presences," said Reith explaining that, besides the force called western communication zone, which will succeed AFOR, there will be another permanent NATO force which will deal with joint exercises. /dast/lm/

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[15] NATO transport means and goods through Albanian railway

Logistics Vice Commander of NATO military troops in Europe Selzer stressed that "NATO is looking to perform this transport through Albania and needs to know the legal standards between the Albanian Government and NATO".

Albanian Minister Shuli guarantees that the Albanian Government and the Ministry of Transport will create all the possible facilities ans securities for all the transport kinds, that NATO is interested to perform through Albania. Minister Shuli explained that the transport to Kosova and Macedonia will pass through the road Durres-Kukes and Durres-Qafe Thane.

NATO American representatives showed their readiness to intervene in the rehabilitation of the railway network. /lh/linda/

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[16] Minister Bufi invites Hungarian companies to invest in Albania

At the beginning of the meeting the Minister Bufi presented the projects prepared by the Albanian Government in the framework of Stability Pact, the projects of regional interest in power provision and road infrastructure, and especially on Corridor 8 and North-South Corridor, which will connect Dalmat coast with Jon one. He said that there are delays in construction operation and there are needs for investments, as well.

In this aspect Minister Bufi asked the Hungarian delegation for its support in international meetings, dealing with these projects and invited the Hungarian companies to cooperate to make possible their implementation.

While, Mr. Stumpf stressed the great importance that Hungary pays to Albania and expressed the wish for the presence of Hungarian companies in infrastructure projects and in the ones of strategic importance.

Concerning this issue Mr.Stumf suggested the organizing of Albanian- Hungarian Economic Forum in November this year. He suggested also the assignment of several agreements on investments protection, avoiding of the double tax and the increasing MALEV flights twice. /dast/linda/

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[17] Minister Angjeli asks for transparency in fonds offered by donors

This transparency, based upon special programs, will be spread even in the other part of the budget, by gaining a permanent status and making proper conditions for better communication with all the ones interested on the funds destinations, said Minster Angjeli.

Minister of Finances Angjeli asked the Budgetary and Treasure Offices to make public the budget parameters twice a month, while as far as the escort documents are concerned of the funds given for public affairs, social assistance and employment salaries, Minister Angjeli said that "they must be verified"./lh/linda/

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[18] Economic cooperation to respond to political relations level - Meidani

"Economic cooperation should respond to the level of political relations," Meidani told Orban at a meeting in Tirane on Monday.

He stressed that implementation of the Stability Pact and strategic privatisation, which has already started in Albania, are two of the directions to promote this cooperation and increase the interest of Hungarian investors in Albania.

Responding to the interest of the Hungarian premier, Meidani presented his vision of the future of the region and Kosova.

He said that with the course of events in the region, the creation of two new units, Montenegro and Kosova, directly integrated into the United Europe, dependent on it, and another status for Vojvodina, are the best solutions for the stability of the region as a whole.

"The Unites States of Europe, into which various states and regions are integrated, with borders losing their importance, are the perspectives aspired by our peoples," he stressed.

Referring to the situation in Kosova, Meidani said that it is improving and that the gradual installation of a multiethnic society, respect for the people's will are the solution and not any kind of division of Kosova or the creation of "ethnic Serb pockets in its territory". /dast/lm/

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[19] Stability Pact to open debate at parliamentary session - Gjinushi

Gjinushi confirmed that Parliament, in the framework of the Pact of Stability, will discuss the ongoing performance of the government, remarks and suggestions to carry this process forward.

Gjinushi said that Parliament will also examine several draft-laws, among which the most important will be that on state administration and the law on state police. /lh/so/lm/

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[20] Some 236 821 unemployed registered in July 1999

Based upon this data the greater number of unemployment is covered by the males by 128 044 people, while the unemployed females are some 108 777. Some 24 011 people out of the total number of unemployed people are treated with unemployment assistance. While, some 647 people got employed in July 1999.

The Minister of Work prepared the Program of Employment Stimulation, aiming at smoothing the unemployment in Albania and it is foreseen the opening of some 13-15 thousand new working places.

It was in 1998, when the Albanian Government offered for the first a program and state funds to decrease the unemployment levels. The program of Public Affairs was accompanied by a fund of some 1 bln leks. Some 683 projects are started to be implemented in 1998. 505 of them are implemented in the municipalities and communes and 178 in the private companies. The total number of the people involved in these projects is some 42795 people.

Some 212 projects are started to be implemented in 1999 by the Program of Public Affairs. 154 of them are implemented in the municipalities and communes and 58 in the private companies. The total number of the people involved in these projects is some 60 thousand people. /led/linda/

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[21] Some 550 million drachmas disbursed on private business credit

According to him, in the framework of the financial support that the Greek Government offered to Albanian one marking some 20 billion drachmas, 2 billion of them are grants, three other programs, such as sheltering, supporting of private business development and the development of social infrastructure are included as well. Each of the projects marks 5 billion drachmas and will be given as soft loans.

The supporting project of the development of the private business is efficient already. The respective agreement between the two governments is assigned in March 10, 1998. This project will be implemented in three banks that perform their activities in Albania, such as Tirana Bank, Alpha Credit Bank and the branch of Greek National Bank in Tirana. /dast/linda/

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[22] 16 million dollars released on registration of cadastral areas

According to the official sources starting from July 1999, the Albanian Government is cooperating with USAID and PHARE Program on implementation of the project, to make possible the preparation of the documents for the registration office, to consolidate the estate all over the country, and computerizing of all the data.

Till now the project "On registration of the real estate" has completed the registration of 30% of the cadastral areas.

The project is foreseen to be completed in 2001. /lh/linda/

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[23] Memorial devoted to British soldiers inaugurated

This memorial, erected on the great park of Tirane, has been repaired by the British soldiers of the AFOR mission who will leave Albania on Wednesday.

Mikk Hahn, one of the mission's officers, who has been engaged in supervising the works on this memorial, said that the Commission of the Commonwealth War Graves has been the initiator of this undertaking.

German and American soldiers have as well contributed to the repair of this memorial.

Besides a group of British military police which acted under AFOR, also present at the inauguration ceremony were General John Reith and British ambassador in Tirane Peter January.

"We organised this ceremony in honour of the British soldiers who fought side by side the Albanian fighters during the World War Two," said Reith.

"The same thing we have done for the soldiers fallen in Belgium, France, Germany, according to our custom, that the ashes of the fallen remain where they are killed". /a.ke/lm/

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[24] Twelve policemen accused of corruption dismissed

These crackdowns were prompted by the scandal of 1,5 billion leks of solidarity tax stolen by the Kakavije policemen, themselves.

The scandal of the solidarity tax urges once again the need to change the procedures in gathering this tax, a police source told ATA.

On the same day the new commander was appointed in Kakavije. The whole police staff will be changed in the next days, the spokesman said.

In November 1998 the government approved a decision which provides that every Albanian citizens should pay a certain amount of money as a solidarity tax in aid to motivate the public order forces in the fight against crime. This tax at the border points is 1 000 leks per citizen. /lm/

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