Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-09-04

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] First part of Decentralisation Reform draft approved

[02] Government provides extra fund for drafting projects

[03] US$ 100 000 added to managing and auditing loan-taking companies

[04] Two explosions in Prishtine(one killed, five injured)

[05] Greater trade facilities under SECI

[06] Press Review

[07] Exchange-rate in Tirane

[08] CE deputy Political Director to visit Albania

[09] Israeli rewards generosity of Albanians

[10] Berisha urges FBI commitment to uncover killers of Hajdari

[11] Albanian Government sees France as an important political partner

[12] Police block 20 automatic weapons in Bajram Curri during control

[13] Albania gets status of associate member in International Conference of Frankophonie

[14] Bank account opened to finance Durres-Morine road

[15] Shooting exercise of anti-aircraft artillery structures near Kavaja

[16] The Chambers of Commerce to take part in the Balkans' reconstruction

[17] Italian singer and composer Gigi D'Alessio to sing live in Tirane

[01] First part of Decentralisation Reform draft approved

Ilir Meta praised the performance for the preparation of this draft and said that the Government is interested in accelerating the decentralisation reform as it has to do with the separation of local government powers from the central government.

The draft should be associated with the preparation of other laws and documents which complete the whole legal framework of the decentralisation strategy, said Meta. /lh/lm/

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[02] Government provides extra fund for drafting projects

The Ministry of Public Economy and Privatisation has asked from the Institute of Oil and Gas (IOG) to carry out studies on Albania's connection with the international gas network, on the Geological Map of Albania.

For this purpose an additional fund of 10 million leks has been requested to be provided to IOG from the ministry's budget funds. /lh/lm/

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[03] US$ 100 000 added to managing and auditing loan-taking companies

According to the agreement, in the context of the transparency of the loan-taking companies which resulted insolvable during 1997, the Italian government had earmarked a grant of US$ one million to support this process.

The Council of Ministers approved the change of the Italian grant Agreement for a supplement of US$ 100 000 in the form of a grant on the project of managing and studying the loan-taking companies, which will be administered by IDA. /lh/lm/

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[04] Two explosions in Prishtine(one killed, five injured)

The blasts wrecked an apartment in the Prishtine quarter of Ulpijane and also caused great material damage.

KFOR and U.N.international police forces in Kosova went to the area immediately. There is no report on the identity of the victims, yet. /lh/so/lm/

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[05] Greater trade facilities under SECI

This agreement is important because it creates the appropriate legal basis for interinstitutional cooperation in the framework of the Southeastern European Cooperation Initiative (SECI).

This agreement facilitates and develops further trade relations and helps fight crossborder crime which the Albanian Ministry of Finance is engaged in through the General Customs Department.

SECI's initiative has political-economic character and is undertaken under the auspices of the American Government in cooperation with the European Union. /lh/so/lm/

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[06] Press Review

"Koha Jone", independent daily,

"Europe breaks up pact; Albania far from EU", under the title "Unrealized reforms and great backwardness", the paper refers to the commissioner concerned with EU's expansion, Guenter Verheugen, who states:"Although Albania and Macedonia are proposed special agreements of association with the EU, these countries will not be included in the EU expansion process in the future as they are far from the EU members and even from its candidates". "Pollo imitates Berisha", Jozefina Topalli, comments Pollo's candidature for DP chairman. "Berisha-Pollo quarrel begins Sunday". "Nano: Court for SP should be set up".

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"Buzani arrested", accused of killing six Guard officers in Cerrik. "U.S. congressman has tete-a-tete meeting with Pollo today".

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Cerrik boycotts SP congress", Under the subtitle "They have neglected us, they have forgotten how they took the power". "Brojka: "Berisha is not a myth, Pollo can defeat him". "Naturally, Berisha is not incontestable, DP has many dignified elements, Pollo is one of these," said Brojka, one of the DP leaders and Tirane mayor.

Albania, independent daily,

"Friend of Meidani and Ceka arrested" "Some 80 files on contraband are missing".

Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania,

"Zani arrested". Who will release him"? "Americans in Tirane", under the subtitle: Eliot Angel: I do not know any problem between Albania and the U.S.". "Majko:Relations with the U.S., part of the national strategy".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania,

"OSCE: Albania like Columbia". The headline: Ambassador Ahrens, who has just come from the Mafia and drugs country: "Tirane better than Bogota". "Master in economy" separates her from politics. Berisha accepts resignation of Karamitro from DP functions.

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania,

"Cea: "Ready the anti-corruption plan". "Albania better than Columbia". /s.s./lm/

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[07] Exchange-rate in Tirane

Following are the buying and selling rates of the dollar against the Lek.

Foreign currency exchange rate:

currency buying selling

$US 135,4 136

DM 73,4 74

ITL(1000) 73,5 74

GRD(100) 43,5 44 /lh/lm/

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[08] CE deputy Political Director to visit Albania

Laurens will meet with leading officials of Justice and local government.

He will also meet with deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta, Secretary of State Maqo Lakrori, Minister of Justice Ilir Panda, head of the Supreme Court Thimio Kondi, head of the Constitutional Court Fehmi Abdiu and with deputy Minister for Local Government Taulant Dedja. /lh/lm/

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[09] Israeli rewards generosity of Albanians

He said Israeli doctor Tikscarlett Epstein intervened that this association spent $100 000 for the construction of this school.

Epstein, who is now living in England and is representative of this association, has rewarded in this way the Albanians' traditional faith and hospitality. In 1938 he came to Albania to escape the cruel persecution by the German Nazis. The Durres families sheltered him until 1945, saving his life.

Beqiraj said that another agreement has been signed with the British association for the construction of a school in the village of Perlat, which will cost $100 000.

During the Kosova crisis this association provided a considerable aid in food, clothing and didactic means for the summer schools. /lh/so/lm/

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[10] Berisha urges FBI commitment to uncover killers of Hajdari

Speaking in the name of the DP, the DP chairman said that "we are ready to cooperate with the Government for the solution of the problems of the country, but if the government does not accept to cooperate, we shall address the people for earlier elections."

Berisha asked the U.S. delegation to help with FBI people to investigate into the murder of the DP deputy Azem Hajdari on September 12, 1998.

Mr. Engel appreciated the meeting and voiced his interest in the local developments and the opposition activity. /led/xh/

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[11] Albanian Government sees France as an important political partner

"The Sarajevo Summit was a rather important meeting and can be considered as a start," said Majko, who added that he considered as valuable the way France is operating in the region and that from the political point of view, the Albanian Government sees France as a partner which takes an important place.

Majko explained the steps the Albanian Government is taking in relation with the Stability Pact. "The future of the road corridors is useful not only for Albania, but it has also a special importance for the communication through the region," said Majko.

The chairman of the Interministerial Mission, Roger Fauroux, voiced his interest in the establishment of permanent contacts with all the countries of the region and with Albania in particular, whose role is rather important in the Balkans, he said. Mr Fauroux wanted to know the priorities and needs of Albania, of which he said he was going to inform the French Government. Fauroux shared the same opinion with PM Majko regarding the road corridors and voiced the French readiness to assist in this direction. /led/xh/

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[12] Police block 20 automatic weapons in Bajram Curri during control

This oepration was part of the actions undertaken by the district police forces for nearly a month ago to seize persons considered wanted for various crimes, to collect illegally possessed weapons and to restore the normality in the district which is considered problematic for the Government for several years. /led/gs/xh/

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[13] Albania gets status of associate member in International Conference of Frankophonie

On this occasion, the leader of the Albanian delegation in the conference, president Rexhep Meidani held a speech. He thanked the member countries and France in particular for the support and high appreciation made to Frankophonie in Albania, whose development contributes to encourage the linguistic and cultural diversity.

"Cooperation with the U.N. General Assembly and with all its auxiliary organizations, the presence of the organization in the important world conferences, the missions of reconciliation, the missions of monitoring of elections under the U.N. umbrella, the commitment to respect the Ottawa Convention, etc., do clearly show the broad range of the activities of this organization," said Meidani.

Albanian President said that "the consolidation of the political dimension of the organization since the Hanoi Summit has been accompanied with the growth of the active solidarity and we noticed this during all the crisis in Kosova, when half of the Albanian nationals were violently displaced from their territories, witnessing horrible crimes and barbarous methods, and the survival of the Albanians of Kosove was also a merit of the international community."

Meidani said that Albania is more and more embracing the values of Frankophonie and in this context he mentioned the fact that French is gropingly being chosen as the first foreign language being taught in Albania.

At the end of his address, Meidani expressed the conviction that "Albania wants to contribute to the development of Frankophonie and is resolute to be affirmed as a country which has French as a language of its own."

During the Summit days, President Meidani had meetings with the President of France, Jacque Chirac and with his counterparts of other countries. /led/xh/

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[14] Bank account opened to finance Durres-Morine road

To this end, the Albanian Government approved a special resolution which enables the opening of the running account "For Durres-Kukes-Qafe Morine road axis financing and construction."

Ten days ago, the Albanian Premier demanded the opening of a bank account in which everybody can offer his own financial contribution to the Durres-Kukes-Prishtine road construction. /led/gs/xh/

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[15] Shooting exercise of anti-aircraft artillery structures near Kavaja

At the beginning, the anti-aircraft effective made a presentation of their preparedness and capabilities in carrying out military duties, which was attended by the Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga and the Chief of the Army General Staff, Brigade General Aleks Andoni, who were also present in the shooting exercise.

Taking part in the shooting were military units of Kukes, Tirane, Shkoder, Gjirokaster, Korce, Shijak, of the Naval District of Durres, Vlore, etc.

Minister Hajdaraga congratulated the military units for the results in the shooting, and said that "the Albanian army proves that it is one of the most stable segments of the state and the experience and cooperation with the structures of the North Atlantic Alliance are guarantee to the accomplishment of the commitments we have pledged for the realization of the NATO standards." /dast/xh/

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[16] The Chambers of Commerce to take part in the Balkans' reconstruction

Albanian representative in the conference, held on August 31 in Ljubljana, was the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Luan Bregasi.

The President of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jozhko Çuk, held the opening speech in which he introduced the aim of the conference, i.e to give the appropriate role to the region's chambers of commerce and industry in the framework of the Balkans Stability Pact.

In his speech, the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tirane, Luan Bregasi, stressed the readiness of his Chamber to take part in all the initiatives which aim to intensify the cooperation among the chambers of commerce and industry of Southeast Europe.

Participating in the conference were presidents of the chambers of commerce and industry of Kosovo, Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Serbia, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Romania.

Those present welcomed a proposal of the Albanian party according to which the coming meeting of presidents of the chambers of commerce of the Southeastn Europe be held in Tirane. /dast/gs/xh/

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[17] Italian singer and composer Gigi D'Alessio to sing live in Tirane

Invited in the concert will also be Italian singers Mario Merola, the group "La Familia," Franco Riciardi, Maria Naconale and Albanian singers Ardit Gjebrea, Mira Konci, Aleksander Gjoka, Rovena Dilo, Manjola Nallbani, the groups Spirit Voice and Rit-folk.

Ideated as a spectacle, two fashion parades are also envisaged, with 9 Albanian and 9 Italian top models taking part in it.

The concert, which will last 90 minutes, will be directly broadcast by Albanian-Radio Television.

The concert of the singer D'Alessio is part of the project "Naples for Tirana" in the framework of the further cultural cooperation between Albania and Italy.

The activity "Naples for Tirana" started on August 27 in Avellino of Italy, where the Italian singer-composer Gigi D'Alessio gave a recital concert in the stadium of Montoro in the presence of 20 thousand spectators. /dast/xh/

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