Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-09-13

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Exchange-rate in Tirane

[02] Football: Vllaznia- La Vikinga 1-1 (under-21)

[03] Union for democracy commemorates legislator Azem Hajdari

[04] Funds to reconstruct schools in Durres provided

[05] More than one third of Albanian families have one income source

[06] Albania to enter new century without death sentence

[07] Two new health centers in Has

[08] An earthquake hits Albania

[09] Albanian President takes part in the Congress of European Journalists' association

[10] Section of Albanian journalist accepted member of AJE

[11] Agreement on increasing economic relations between Albania-Slovenia soon

[12] Albania should take over a leading role in the Pact of Stability - American ambassador

[13] Majko says we demand close cooperation with Germany in all fields

[14] Revenues from privatization mark some 288 million leks

[15] Some 60 thousand ha land to be divided

[16] Pollo due to America

[17] GTZ Program offers 1 million marks on cooperatives establishing

[18] Apartments set up for Kosovars in town-hall disposal

[19] President Mejdani presents Albanian situation in Berlin

[20] Kosovo and Montenegro - special entities in Balkan- Meidani

[01] Exchange-rate in Tirane

currency buying selling US$ 136 136,5 DM 72,3 72,7 ITL(1000) 72,8 73 GRD(100) 42,9 43,1 /lm/

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[02] Football: Vllaznia- La Vikinga 1-1 (under-21)

The match ended with the equal score 1-1. /A.KE/gs/

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[03] Union for democracy commemorates legislator Azem Hajdari

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, after speaking of Hajdari's role since the beggining of the democratic movement in Albania and later during the political life, said that his assassination on 12 September last year is a great loss not only to the DP but also to the Albanian democracy.

Representatives of the "Union for Democracy" and the widow of Hajdari spoke at this meeting as well. They blamed the government for not finding the killers and accused the statesmen of being involved in the murder.

During the day the DP also conducted several activities in honour of Hajdari. Homage was paid to him at the monument erected at the murder site and at his tomb.

A symposium was held yesterday on his life and deed, followed by a photo-exhibition devoted to his activity. /led/gs/lm/

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[04] Funds to reconstruct schools in Durres provided

The new academic year 1999-2000 will offer the students better study conditions.

Works on the reconstruction and building of other schools also in the villages of this district, such as in Kulles, Shkallnuer, Hamallaj, Perlatit and Shtraze. /led/lm/

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[05] More than one third of Albanian families have one income source

According to a study conducted by INSTAT on the living standard in Albania, consumption by the villagers themselves of their products, either agricultural or livestock, considerably affect the incomes in areas with less than 10 000 inhabitants, in which the rural zone occupies the largest part.

Meanwhile, according to INSTAT, at a country scale, more than one third of the Albanian families declare that they live on one source of income, only. Among them, half belong to areas with less than 10 000 inhabitants, who have work in agriculture as the only source of incomes.

The average incomes of these families are almost half the average incomes of the country (9 600 leks per month or around US$50). Nearly one fourth of them are mainly pensioners and have the pension as their only living source, which is an average monthly income of 7 400 leks per month, and only five of them declare they live on economic benefits. The average monthly incomes for this family type are around 4 300 leks per month. /led/lm/

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[06] Albania to enter new century without death sentence

Akand asked from Albanian Parliament the ratification of protocol 6, which has to do with the removal of death sentence.

"Albania, by signing this act as soon as possible, accomplishes one of its obligations to the CE and makes a step forward towards the European family," she said.

Sharing the same opinion as the Strasbourg representative, Dokle expressed his conviction of scrapping death sentence in a near future, in this way meeting the constant demands of the CE on this issue. /led/lm/

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[07] Two new health centers in Has

The "Dajci" construction company with a fund of 7.45 million leks provided by this company , is working on building the new health center in the town of Kruma. Whereas the private firm "Pashtriku", with a fund of 6.3 million leks is constructing the new outpatient clinic in the village Fajza. Works for their construction are expected to be due by October. These two health centers will highly improve the care service in this area. /led/gs/

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[08] An earthquake hits Albania

Albanian seismographic Institute reported that the force of the earthquake which hit Albania on Monday at 12.57 (local time), reached 4.0 on Richter scale.

Its epicenter is preliminary thought to be in the zone of Mallakaster. The earthquake, estimated to be 5 on Richter scale, rocked the city of Patos, and its force in the cities of Vlore and Fier had a preliminary magnitude of 3-4 on Richter scale. No casualties are reported so far. /led/A.A/

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[09] Albanian President takes part in the Congress of European Journalists' association

The association Executive Committee session held on Sunday decided to accept Albania and Croatia in EJA as members with full rights.

Participating in the Congress proceedings apart from the association members, were as well many European personalities.

The journalists present in Congress' proceedings showed great interest towards President Meidani. After the afternoon's speech scheduled to be held in the Congress on late Monday, Meidani is expected to give answers to the questions of the journalists for some minutes.

Albanian President left for Germany on Saturday. During these days he held talks with the German Foreign minister, Joshka Fisher, and paid a visit to Berlin town-hall. Meidani is expected to meet the German chancellor, Gerhard Shreder. /led/gs/so/A.A/

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[10] Section of Albanian journalist accepted member of AJE

The debate about the acceptance of the Albanian section in the EJA was opened with a motion presented by the Dutch section of European Journalists, which asked the General Assembly to vote for the acceptance of Albanian in this forum.

The section of Greek journalist rejected the acceptance of Albanian journalists, while the Italian section "asked for an immediate solution, acceptance or nonacceptance of Albanians", rejecting in this way the second views of Greek journalists, according to which (the view) "this question should be analyzed in the coming Congress".

"We are here to demand the membership of Albanian journalists in the forum of European Journalists" - the President of Albanian section, Frrok Çupi, intervened in the debate. The nonacceptance of Albanian journalists in AJE or the rejection of their request, said Çupi, is the simplest act that can be preformed. But the Albanian journalists feel the necessity and have the full dignity to be members of the European journalists. Which principles either than Europe's principles of freedom, can help the Albanian journalists? - said the Albanian representative.

After a long debate, Albanian section was accepted as a member with full rights of the Association of Journalists of Europe, by winning about 2/3 of the ballots in the General Assembly. /led/A.A/

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[11] Agreement on increasing economic relations between Albania-Slovenia soon

For this purpose various agreement in the field of road transport, abolishing of twice tax, custom agreements, ones on establishing a joint business council will be drafted and assigned as well. This is achieved at the end of the discussions held between the Albanian Minister of Public Affairs and Transport Ingrid Shuli, who led the Albanian delegation in the Second Session of the Joint Interministerial Commission and the Slovenian Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Marjan Seniur.

The need for fruitful cooperation and its increase in the future, the extending of the commercial exchanges through increasing of the volume of the goods exchange and the investments of Slovenian investments in different fields of Albanian economy it is stressed in the Ministers discussions.

Slovenian part informed that it is planning to offer a fund to be used on training, qualifications and scholarships for Albania. /linda/

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[12] Albania should take over a leading role in the Pact of Stability - American ambassador

We consider the United States as the main partner for peace and integrity in the Balkans and for the realization of the Stability Pact, Gjinushi pointed out in the meeting.

Gjinushi hailed the role of America in the democratic processes in Albania and he stressed especially its role during the conflict in Kosove, and You have the support of Albanian government, the Parliament's press department quoted Gjinushi as saying.

Afterwards Gjinushi spoke about the role and activity of Albanian Parliament where he remarked as important the adoption of the Constitution. It guarantees the complete independence of judiciary field and mediae, said the Parliament's speaker.

While explaining the latest developments at home and especially the support of the People's Assembly in the struggle against crime and corruption, Gjinushi revealed that the results are optimistic and that Albania, in an inevitable way, is going towards normality.

American ambassador, Mr. Limprecht, expressed his engagement and the engagement of the American government in support of democratic processes in Albania, and hailed the role of Albanian politics during the crisis in Kosove and in hosting the Kosove people driven away from their soils.

Limprecht praised as positive the steps made in the public order field, and said that "visible and decisive steps are made for installation of stable situation in Albania". We will closely cooperate with the government, parliament and all the other institutions, and we are willing to cooperate with all the political forces in support of democratic processes in Albania, said the American ambassador accredited to Albania. /s.sh/A.A/

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[13] Majko says we demand close cooperation with Germany in all fields

"A close cooperation in all fields will be of great importance to Albania. The reality and new balances created in the Balkans as well as the new spaces made possible by the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe, offer a greater chance for the intensification of the relations between the two countries", Premier Majko said.

The Albanian Prime Minister expressed his conviction that the official visit of the German Chancellor, Gerhard Shreder, in Tirane, would give a further and positive impact to the relations between Albania and Germany and to the new ideas for cooperation. Majko underlined that the German participation in the process of privatization in Albania would be greatly welcomed.

The German Ambassador, Peter Kiewitt, stressed that he regarded as important the increase of contacts and the positive encouragement of the joint cooperation programs. /s.sh/so/A.A/

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[14] Revenues from privatization mark some 288 million leks

The top level of the revenues from the privatization of the state enterprises is inscribed in May by some 140 million leks, while the lowest level of them is marked in January, by some 13 million leks. The total value financed in the budgetary deficit from the privatization in July is some 32 million leks.

Albanian Government passed in the end of August the decision "On the privatization procedures with auction without price of the state shares' packets of several commercial associations that performs their activities in non-strategic sectors". Its approval aims at improving the sale technics of the state shares' packets of commercial associations, because the ones used did not bring any success at all. /led/linda/

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[15] Some 60 thousand ha land to be divided

The head of the communes' commissions from all the districts of the country, who defined the areas and the land to be given to the farmers from the ones refused before by them, attended the meeting of the commission of land division. The refused lands consist of the ones far way from the living centers, poor land, as well.

"Due to the fact that the land is estimated as national property and the main element in agricultural production, and taking into consideration also the fact that Albania is so rich in agricultural land, it should be exploited in maximum", said Minister Xhuveli.

A fund of some 10 million leks is passed by the budget to support the land commissions of the Local Government, followed by several therapies, as well. /linda/

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[16] Pollo due to America

He is invited by the Foreign Commission Chairman of American Congress, Benjamin Gilman. During his visit he is expected to hold meetings with representatives of the American Congress, White House, and State Department.

Before his departure, Pollo said that the visit of the delegation he leads will not serve to the interests of set persons, but it will first serve to DP, Albanian opposition, so it will serve to the Albanian country.

It is the first time that an Albanian delegation of opposition parties is visiting the US, and it is the first time that the Department of State invites a group of democratic forces, this time in opposition, to discuss about the situation in Albania.

Other participants in the delegation are Ferdinand Xhaferri, vice- chairman of DP parliamentary group, Albert Brojka, DP deputy and Tirane mayor, Fatmir Mediu, chairman of RP, nad Robert Ceku, RP member. /A.A/

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[17] GTZ Program offers 1 million marks on cooperatives establishing

"The cooperation projects with GTZ Program are seven", said Roland Cela, coordinator of GTZ Program, close to the Ministry of Agriculture. "But four of them have to do with rural development in Albania".

The preliminary phase of the project on self-financed cooperatives is over and the operative areas will be created soon in Kavaja and Lushnja towns.

The project will be completed within two years period and it foreseen to be implemented in two phases. According to Cela "the project will form working groups consisting of 4-5 farmers of the same tribe or nearby farmers, who will unite their lands (by preserving the property borders) to cooperate in production, marketing and selling of the agricultural products".

While the second phase deals with project verification, which will make possible the intensification of the cooperation in the rural areas.

GTZ Program is present in Albania since 1994 and it has implemented several important projects in different fields of the economy. /linda/

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[18] Apartments set up for Kosovars in town-hall disposal

The German foundation GTZ has contributed to the construction of twenty apartments. These apartments, set up at the ex-grounds of Shkodra Division, were envisaged to systematize the Kosovars deported from their soils who were sheltered in this city. As Kosovar deportees have returned to Kosove, these apartments will be placed at the town hall disposal, the above mentioned source explains.

A new school for Kosove children, which went under the administration of the Education Department of Shkodra, was also constructed in this zone, the spokesman said.

The cinema "Republika", sports palace and other units where Kosovars were settled are being rehabilitated with funds earmarked by foreign donors. /s.sh/so/A.A/

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[19] President Mejdani presents Albanian situation in Berlin

President Meidani, invited as a honour guest in the proceedings of the 37-th Congress of the European Journalists Association (EJA), was received by the President of EJA, Helmund Herzeg, over this special session.

Meidani estimated the role of Western countries and the Atlantic Alliance in solving the crisis in the Balkans by saying "without Western countries contribution the conflict would have last endlessly".

Albanian President stressed the necessity of an institutional solution in Kosovo and of a direct integration of Kosovo and Montenegro into Europe.

Albanian President idea on a Balkan's mini-Schengen, aroused interest at the participants in this session.

Further, Meidani stressed Albania needs for investments and actual projects which are being applied in Albania, such as highway constructions.

President Meidani, at the end of his speech, answered European journalists questions over a question-answers session.

Meidani's presence in the Congress of the European Journalists Association, which is the highest forum of the European Journalists, coincides with the adherance of the Albanian Journalists Section as a memeber with full rights to EJA.

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[20] Kosovo and Montenegro - special entities in Balkan- Meidani

President Meidani, invited as a guest of honour at the Congress of the European Journalists Association (EJA), explained over a special session of its proceedings that his idea to create special entities in the Balkans had to do with Kosovo and Montenegro.

Regarding the views on Kosovo future, Meidani said "We're not speaking of a great Albania but of an integration into the United Europe". The right final solution is connected with Serbia democratisation and the construction of its civil society.

Regarding the policy of Milosevic, President Meidani said that the disintegration of this policy can be achived through the creation of pardon system.

"A pardon system will be created in Serbia. But only the institutionalisation of this system in all Serbian society, up to common people, would make possible the disintegration of Milosevic policy", President Meidani said.

Meidani was a guest of honour in the today's afternoon session of the 37-th Congress of the European Journalists Association, which is being held in Berlin. This association is the highest forum of the European Journalists and includes members from 27 European countries.The Albanian Journalists Section, on Sunday, was accepted as a member with full rights in this Association./so/

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