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

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Flag of Albanian peacekeeping team of the Balkans multinational force handed over

[02] Seven Russian prostitutes arrested in Albania

[03] Boxing team of Vllaznia (Albania) to take part in Kosova Cup

[04] Albanian-Swedish cooperation of interest in field of economy

[05] Press review

[06] Currency exchange rates in Tirane

[07] Kolping treats 90 children with social problems

[08] Albanian Prime Minister meets with Swedish Foreign Minister

[09] Customs incomes amounted to 90,5 % in last eight months

[10] Albania wants its own representative in implementing Stability Pact

[11] Sweden to support Albania's interests in framework of Stability Pact

[12] Second round of Albania-EU talks to be held soon

[13] Relations with Italy of priority for Albania

[14] Italy occupies important place in Albanian foreign policy principles - Majko

[15] Majko orders publication of executive senior officials' properties

[16] Albania should be helped with its commitments to long-term stability - Gjinushi

[17] SOROS foundation to be present in Albania with new projects

[18] Germany provides 10 million DM for power station in Korce

[19] Weapons collection prolonged for further 12 months

[20] PASOK, New Democracy to strengthen Albanian-Greek ties

[01] Flag of Albanian peacekeeping team of the Balkans multinational force handed over

Attending the ceremony were the Defence deputy minister Ilir Bocka, the Chief of the Army General Staff, brigade general Aleks Andoni and representatives of the delegation of Italian experts in Albania.

The idea for the creation of this force in the zone of Southeast Europe emerged in May 1998 in a meeting held in Tirane between the deputy defence ministers of the Balkan countries and some NATO member countries.

According to Metohu, this idea is now materialised and the countries participating in the multinational brigade are ready to start the mission. /lh/xh/

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[02] Seven Russian prostitutes arrested in Albania

They were arrested while travelling in a van together with another person who was accompanying them.

Also in August, these police forces had detained about 30 prostitutes coming from Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Romania, etc.

Since 1992, the trade of prostitution has been realised through Lake Shkodra, from where the prostitutes left illegally for western countries especially for Italy and Germany. /lh/xh/

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[03] Boxing team of Vllaznia (Albania) to take part in Kosova Cup

Over the past two years, the team of Vllaznia of Shkoder has taken part in several important international activities such as in the Naples tournament, that of Thesalonniki, in Macedonia etc., where it has won silver and bronze medals. /lh/xh/

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[04] Albanian-Swedish cooperation of interest in field of economy

Milo proposed to his Swedish counterpart Albania's adherence to the Swedish Agency Credit Board, which will pave the way for several Swedish investments in Albania.

"Albania is at the center of our attention and we are ready to double our economic cooperation in the future", streesed Lindh.

Regarding the question of Kosove Milo said: " We are for a co- existence of all ethnic populations in Kosove and condemn national revenge", highlighting the correct behavious of Kosovar politicans on this issue.

Swedish Foring Minister Lindh expressed her approval for the commitment of the Albanian govenment to organize and host several discussions to be held in the framework of the Stability Pact. Lindh also underlined the support of the Swedish government for the ideas presented in this meeting. /led/so/xh/

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[05] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily newspaper

- "Kakami of Vlore torched alive." Alfred Nebiu, nicknamed Kakami and released some months ago by Tirana district court, together with two of his friends was found torched in a van in Vlore on Wednesday morning. - "Albania in hands of Friends." European Commission will examine in the coming meeting the realisation of conditions set by the "Friends of Albania" Group. - "I vote for Majko-Meta compromise - Agolli." This was what Dritero Agolli, distinguished writer and SP deputy declared yesterday before reporters.

Gazeta Shqiptare

- "Kakami carbonised." Alfred Nebiu (Kakami" the leader of one of the gangs of Vlore over unrest of 1997 was found carbonized in the morning of Wednesday in Vlore. - "I want to unite rightists." The only rival of the present Democratic Party chairman Genc Pollo demanded yesterday the unification of all political forces of the right wing spectrum. - "Candidates outside illegal congress - Zela." Secretary for public relations in the Socialist Party, Ilir Zela said in a news conference yesterday that the candidacies announced so far for the post of the party chairman are not according to the statute.

Shekulli, independent daily.

- "Earthquake causes fear in Albania too." Expectations of Academy of Sciences reported to the Government while Albania is one of the countries with highest seismological levels in Europe. - "Kakami killed and set on fire." Alfred Nebiu, nicknamed Kakami, was found carbonised in a red van in Vlore on Wednesday. - "Brokaj: Nano-Meta? There is a compromise." According to the SP Presidency member, Sabit Brokaj, the possibility for a Nano-Meta compromise exists.

Albania, independent daily.

- "Kakami torched alive." - "Building of Gjinushi must be destroyed - Brojka."

Ekonomia, daily paper of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development. - "Angjeli gathers officials dealing with fight against contraband." - "Low imports and exports, Albania loses 8.5 billion lek - INSTAT." - "Pyramid investment schemes of insurances? Albania is not threatened...."

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

- Kakami of Vlore turned to ashes." - "DP outlawed with this statute." - "On the eve of SP Congress, an open party."

Rilindja Demokratike, daily paper of the Democratic Party of Albania. - "Pollo: I will unite the right wing." - "Is Kakami torched?"

Republika, daily paper of the Republican Party of Albania.

- "Earthquake threatens Tirana." - "Light thrown on mafia of hostages." /xh/

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[06] Currency exchange rates in Tirane

Foreing currency exchange rates

Currency Buying Selling

$US 136 136,5 DM 73,2 73,5 ITL(1000) 73,8 74,2 GRD(100) 43, 5 43,7 /so/

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[07] Kolping treats 90 children with social problems

The German family Kolping, carrying out charity activity in Elbasan for 6 years now, is actually treating 90 children with social problems in its residence.

The children lack support or have been abandoned by their families. They are of various age-groups from 6 to 13 years old, vice-mayor of Elbasan, Ali Turhani, told ATA on Thursday.

In this centre they have found the generosity and concern they have missed for a long time from the eight German social assistance employees.

The children, who pass most of their time in that centre, are offered the possibility to learn foreign languages, computer and musical instruments apart from the programe of entertainment. /so/xh/

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[08] Albanian Prime Minister meets with Swedish Foreign Minister

Majko stressed that "in the new realities created in the Balkans, Albania would welcome a Swedish intervention in the process of privatization of the Albanian economy which in these moments is offering numerous possibilities."

Albanian PM made a panorama of the developments in the region in the context of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe. He told the Swedish ministers of the latest efforts of the Government to guarantee law and order and in the fight against domestic corruption.

Mr Lindh said that "we are convinced that Albania has and will play an important role in the period after the conflict in Kosova. A strong Balkans does need this role of Albania." She underscored that the Swedish aid for Albania must be considered as a signal for the good will of cooperation existing between the two countries.

PM Majko asked the Minister Lindh to present to Swedish Premier the invitation for an official visit to Tirana. /led/xh/

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[09] Customs incomes amounted to 90,5 % in last eight months

Albanian customs offices, according to operative data, have cashed in the last eight months of 1999, 22,911 billion lek in the state budget as against 25.304 billion lek that was planned. The plans for the past eight months have been realised in the amount of 90,5 % .

The reason for the need of the plan to be reviewed, was the influx of humanitarian aid for Albania during the crisis in Kosova over April, May, June, which brought about a considerable decrease of taxed imported goods and increased the quantity of untaxed imported goods.

So, the plan for customs' incomes in 1999 is 43.697 billion lek, while the sum that the administration offices should deposit for the four remaining months of the annual plan is 20.787 billion lek. /a.gj/so/xh/

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[10] Albania wants its own representative in implementing Stability Pact

Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, at a joint news conference with his Swedish counterpart, Lindh, who is on a 24-hour visit to Tirane, said that he had sent a letter to the Coordinator of the Stability Pact for the Balkans, Hombach, through which he requests that a representative of the Albanian Government takes part in the staff of the office that will conduct projects' application.

Milo repeated the Albanian government's claim that the Stability Pact gives priority to Albania.

Lindh responding to this request said that the Swedish government has already set up a working staff to attentively follow the projects in the region, adding that Albania will be devoted the same attention as in the bilateral relations. /led/so/lm/

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[11] Sweden to support Albania's interests in framework of Stability Pact

Meidani stressed the need for a greater economic assistance and for an increase of investments and trade between the two countries. "We should go ahead with concrete aid and cooperation projects for more fruitful relations in the future", he said.

Sweden's role, in the framework of the Stability Pact, occupied an important place at the meeting. Lindh said that the Swedish government will contribute to the economic recovery of Albania and of the whole region. /led/so/lm/

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[12] Second round of Albania-EU talks to be held soon

The second round of talks between Albania and European Union (EU), which will assess the results of a EU Study to the situation in Albania, is due in Helsinki in October 25, 1999, Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo said at a news conference on Thursday.

Milo said that this meeting will pave the way for negotiations that will lead to the signing of the Association agreement with the EU, scheduled for April 2000.

We must be conscious that this process will take a long time, the Albanian Foreign Minister said. /led/so/lm/

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[13] Relations with Italy of priority for Albania

Gjinushi said that the Albanian parliament totally supports the region's Stability Pact, whose realisation will help these countries, especially Albania, Kosova, Macedonia and Montenegro integrate into the European family as soon as possible.

Pointing to the acute problems the region is facing, especially the status of Kosova which is not definitive, Gjinushi said that the democratic reconstruction and functioning of institutions in Kosova will enable the coexistence of a multiethnic society there.

Migone expressed the readiness of his country to support Albania in the framework of the Stability Pact. /led/lm/

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[14] Italy occupies important place in Albanian foreign policy principles - Majko

Majko said that now the Italian senators can find in Albania a transformed country and thanked them for Italy's aid to Albania during the conflict in Kosova, according to the Prime Minister's spokesman.

The Albanian government, along with the Italian government, is working to create intensive moments for the strategy of cooperation, which, in the new realities created in the Balkans and under the spirit of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, can be furthered in the regional contexts, said Majko.

He added that the development of the relations between the two countries cannot depend on the governing colours.

The delegation of Italian senators, headed by Gian Giacomo Migonese, expressed its preoccupation to identify any problems in the bilateral relations in order to improve them.

The delegation was composed of senators of the Italian majority and opposition and visited Tirane with the aim to consolidate relations between the two parliaments and familiarise itself with the Albanian government's opinion on the level and perspective of the Albanian-Italian relations. /lh/lm/

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[15] Majko orders publication of executive senior officials' properties

The order says that "in order to realise transparency in declaring the properties of the senior officials of the executive, the officials who in the organisational structure of the Council of Ministers hold leading political and public positions, down to heads of departments in ministries, prefectures and central institutions dependant on the Council of Minsters, should declare their personal property and of their family members".

According to this order, the properties to be declared will be real estates and real right to them, as well as their sources, shares and vouchers in their possession, amounts of money or valuables over one million leks and real estates, registered in compliance with the law, and their sources, the functions they have had in trade companies and the part of the capital they possess in them.

The property declaration will be carried out through the official evidence of the incomes subjected to personal income-tax for the last three years.

The order asks from the ministries and central institutions dependant on the Council of Ministers, through the personnel departments, to distribute and gather information on the declaration of properties by the senior officials at their institutions, based on the form to be distributed for this purpose.

The information gathered from the personnel departments will be sent to the Personnel and Technical Services Organisation Department at the Council of Ministers.

After elaboration, they will be sent for publication to the Ministry of Information, within October 10,1999. The Ministry of Information will publish them through a special issue of the Government Bulletin. /lh/lm/

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[16] Albania should be helped with its commitments to long-term stability - Gjinushi

Albania, added Gjinushi, is a factor of stability in the region. It sees the future of the region as integrated into the realisation of the Stability Pact.

He expressed determination to go ahead with the legislative and institutional reforms in support of the economic reforms of the government and stressed that this process is realised in close cooperation with the Council of Europe, OSCE, European parliament and other international institutions.

Lindh evaluated Albania's contribution during the crisis in Kosova.

"We are optimistic of the cooperation with Albania and evaluate the serious efforts of the Albanian institutions to strengthen security and fight against corruption." /lh/lm/

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[17] SOROS foundation to be present in Albania with new projects

Soros will soon start two projects in Albania which have to do with school construction and reconstruction. For this project, worth US$ 4 million, the SOROS foundation will offer US$ two million, while the rest will be provided by the Albanian government through direct intervention of Majko.

Another important initiative of the SOROS foundation in Albania will be stimulation of public sector with extra salaries, so that qualified people approach state institutions.

Majko appreciated the SOROS assistance in improving teaching conditions and in qualifying Albanian officials and students abroad.

The participants at the meeting shared the same opinion as to the importance of globalizing the region, extension of regional interests, placing them over the narrow nationalist interests.

At the end of the meeting, Soros expressed optimism about the future of Albania and underlined that "Albania has never had so many friends who are ready to support it to build a better future and I am one of them". /lh/lm/

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[18] Germany provides 10 million DM for power station in Korce

The head of German firm FIXHTNER, which deals with the works' study, Ralf Etpping, said that "the power of this station will increase 1.5 times with the installation of the three new transformers. All the other aggregates too will be renovated with state-of-the-art technology."

After the project's application, the power station will be able to meet the needs not only of Korce district but also of Pogradec, Devoll and Kolonja. /led/gs/lm/

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[19] Weapons collection prolonged for further 12 months

This law contains the legal basis for weapons' collection through the creation of special structures, including police cooperation with the local government and non governmental organisations.

The Parliament also approved the signing of three international acts:"On the Albanian Republic's adherence to the Convention on the means to ban and prevent import and illegal transference of cultural asset ownership"; "On the ratification of the loan agreement between the Albanian Republic and the Kuwait Fund of the Arab Economic Development for the Elbasan - Qafa e Thanes national road project" and " On the European convention on cross-border Television". /led/gs/lm/

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[20] PASOK, New Democracy to strengthen Albanian-Greek ties

In these meetings the leaders of the two main political forces of Greece confirmed their political will to strengthen the Albanian-Greek ties, which were described as a model for regional cooperation, based on the European concepts of the Stability Pact. /lh/lm/

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