Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-09-15

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] French association investment to reconstruct school in Elbasan

[02] USAID to train local administration employees

[03] English, Albanian artists to stage a joint concert against arms

[04] Foreign currency exchange rates in Tirana market

[05] Mass centers ready for Kosovars wintering in Albania

[06] CHF three million investment for "Beqir Cela" vocational school

[07] Cyprus invests 45 million Drachmas in infrastructure

[08] Bucharest Conference suspended due to tragic death of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister

[09] Organizers of first Albanian Economists' Conference received by President Meidani

[10] NATO presence in Albania to be continual - Giovanneti

[11] FAO accords 150 thousand ECU for Fish Institute in Durres

[12] State enterprises fail to cash 780 million leks in state budget

[13] Albanian Government and Parliament follow single China policy - Godo

[14] Ministry of Economy asks for more investments in 2000

[15] Dropping of minimal levels of deposits' interest

[16] Trial against Leka Zogu put off again

[17] Increasing of transparency in bonus auctions

[18] Positive balance of services' commerce marks 80 million dollars during second three months period - Bank of Albania

[19] Kosovars transfers substitute immigrants' ones - Bank of Albania

[20] President Meidani meets with realizers of monument of peace

[21] Austrian investments welcomed to Albania

[22] Some 31 Kurdish illegal emigrants intercepted

[23] We will cooperate to eliminate problems violating sovereignty at home and in the region - Giovanneti

[24] Government priority is to guarantee security - Poci

[01] French association investment to reconstruct school in Elbasan

The fund earmarked by this organisation amounts to 20 million leks and apart from the reconstruction of the inner grounds, labs of foreing languages, physics, biology and chemistry will be provided with the appropriate equipment. /led/so/

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[02] USAID to train local administration employees

USAID representative, James Bull, said the seminars starting by the end of September, will be divided into stages, in which apart from the employees, will participate enterprise managers and employees who carry on their activity in this town.

The lists of participants are being drafted meanwhile, and a commission of 5 persons will be established to complete their training, which is expected to be over in February 2000. /led/gs/A.A/

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[03] English, Albanian artists to stage a joint concert against arms

The program to be called "Drums against arms" is initiated by the Ministry of Culture and will be organized in cooperation with the "Movement for disarmament" association, "Delta Publicity", and " Pagira Muzikverland PR&Events".

This performance which will include distinguished names such as Joi Hiriota, Gue Yeu, Mark Alckock, Liz Walters and the Albanian clandestine, Fatops Qerimi, will boost the cultural cooperation between Albanian and England by bringing a part of English stage in Albania.

The arms looted during the riots of March 1997 in Albania are estimated to be 517.000. /led/A.A/

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[04] Foreign currency exchange rates in Tirana market

Foreign currency exchange rates

Currency Buying Selling

USD 136 136,2 DM 72,2 72, 6 LIT(1000) 72,5 72,8 GRD(100) 42,4 42,8 /led/A.A/

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[05] Mass centers ready for Kosovars wintering in Albania

Some 8 000 beds are actually active, although only a small number of Kosovars may return to winter in Albania, said Jonathan Rothenberg, a grassroots oficer of this organization.

Nevertheless we will keep inactive some 10 000 beds on any eventuality.

Several homeless Kosovars have been actually accommodated in schools put to their disposal during summer time, which should be opened these days in Kosovo. Half million Kosovars were sheltered in Albania over the ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo, of whom only some thousands people have remained in the camps. /led/so/

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[06] CHF three million investment for "Beqir Cela" vocational school

Swissconact actually operates with one of Ministry of Science and Education's joint projects, which is being applied for this school, where according to the Education ministry inspector, Ruzhdi Reci, "the reconstruction is being carried out in three sections: auto-agromechanic, electro-mechanic and electro-energetic".

The Swiss taxpayers contributed with a sum of CHF 1.8 million during the first phase lasting from '93-'96, and since the project was assessed successful by the two parts, it will have a second phase. Some 1.031 million francs provided in the form of grant, will make possible the second phase of the zproject. /led/gs/A.A/

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[07] Cyprus invests 45 million Drachmas in infrastructure

This fund is a donation of the trade-union confederation of Cyprus banks employees. Operations for the rehabilitation of the road and district main square as well as their asphalting are envisaged to be concluded within a few days, and representatives of this confederation will take part in the inauguration ceremony.

Several Cyprus donours have invested, over the last four years, in the reconstruction of two schools, respectively in Lefteror, (Delvine) and Jerme (Sarande). /led/so/

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[08] Bucharest Conference suspended due to tragic death of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister

The plane in which the Greek delegation with 13 people aboard was traveling, was ready to land in Bucharest on late Tuesday when it went into a steep plunge from an altitude of 24 000 feet to 5 000 feet. Five other people besides the Greek diplomat are reported dead.

Albanian delegation in the conference was leaded by the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo. The scope of the conference was the boosting of cooperation between Balkan region countries under the optic of latest developments after the crisis in Kosove, the Pact of Stability and processes of European integration. /led/A.A/

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[09] Organizers of first Albanian Economists' Conference received by President Meidani

The chairman of organization council of this Union, Prof. Dr. Sabri Kadriu, presented to Meidani the Conference platform which aims at bringing to the decision-making circuits the thought of Albanian specialists for strengthening of economic cooperation, commercial exchanges and the effective exploitation of material sources in the space where Albanians in the region live.

Meidani hailed as important the approach of Albania whenever they are, and pointed out as necessary the increase of efficiency with more realistic elements in the specialized proposes of Albanian specialists. /led/A.A/

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[10] NATO presence in Albania to be continual - Giovanneti

General Giovanneti said the aim of his visit to Albania is to contact the NATO troops and familiarised himself with their problems.

At his meetings conducted with Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga, Minister of Public Order Spartak Poci and the chief of the Prime Minister's cabinet, Ilir Gjoni, he evaluated the Albanian Government's support for NATO.

Asked about the changes in the structure of KFOR troops, after the command was taken over by German General Claus Reinhard, Giovanneti stated that this is a rotation which will not bring any change in the KFOR troops mission in Kosova.

A contingent of Argentine soldiers will soon be added to the 50 000 strong KFOR in Kosova, he said.

Referring to the further activity of KLA, Giovanneti said that based on an an earlier agreement its complete disarmament is scheduled for September 19 and it will be transformed in a Peaceful Corps.

As to the return of a part of Serbian population to Kosova, Giovanneti said that under a technical-military agreement, the Serbs will return to Kosova only when the situation has fully calmed down.

In this context he described the ethnic confrontations in Mitrovice as the key problem the KFOR troops are totally engaged in. The United Nations and all international organisations are working to find a viable solution in this region, said Giovanneti. /lh/lm/

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[11] FAO accords 150 thousand ECU for Fish Institute in Durres

According to these sources, the sum allocated will be used on lab equipment and computers, which will be brought FAO organization itself. /lh/linda/

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[12] State enterprises fail to cash 780 million leks in state budget

According to the spokesman of the Minister of Finances, this is due to the default of paying the tax duties for 1999 by the part of the state enterprises, such as Albpetrol by some 450 million leks, Alb-Telecom by 150 million leks, Transalbania by 2,5 million leks, AMC by 39 million leks and Coat Mine in Memaliaj by 11 million leks.

Considerable debts are marked also by Alb Bakri with some 26 million leks, Alb Kromi by 57 million leks and Albanian Power Provision by 51 million leks.

Ministry of Finances has these debtors time after time, but no answer. Minister of Finances Angjeli urged Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization to take the necessary measures on overdue state debtors.

The state budget lacks even the revenues to be received from the privatization of the state enterprises. The revenues from privatization are fulfilled by 428 million leks, from 3 billion planned to be cashed in the state budget, that is to say 14% of the plan. /linda/

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[13] Albanian Government and Parliament follow single China policy - Godo

Godo, at separate meetings with the head of Foreign Policy at the National Assembly, Zeng Janhui, and deputy Foreign Minister Vang Yingfan, stressed the unchangeable stand of the Albanian Government and Parliament concerning the issue of Taiwan, following the policy of a single China, which, he said will continue as such also in the future.

At these meeting the political will was expressed to further promote ties between the two countries and views were exchanged about developments in Kosova.

The meetings of the Albanian parliamentary delegation continue. /s.sh/lm/

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[14] Ministry of Economy asks for more investments in 2000

The total sum of these investments in 2000 should be some 1.781 million leks, from 588.8 million planned for 1999, told on Wednesday ATA sources from this Ministry.

Increasing of the investments is foreseen even in main sectors related with electro power system, study fields, mainly in geology, projects and treatment of the employees, as well.

This project financed by the World Bank, EBRD, donations of Italian and Swiss Government totalled some 130 million dollars.

Concrete sums are defined in line sectors, including fields of oil, mines and industry worth up to 580 million leks. While the value foreseen to be used in the sector of geology and projects is some 400 million leks. /led/linda/

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[15] Dropping of minimal levels of deposits' interest

The decision of the Central bank of Albania on dropping the interest's rate is based upon several events, where the most important is the low inflation rates marked recently. The index of Consumption Prices dropped by 0,6, annually, while in the period August 1999-December 1998 a decrease of some 4,4% is made evident. In August, like in June, the inflation rate is the lowest since the end of 1993.

Another reason for decreasing the interest rates is the stability of Albanian currency lek against the main currencies in the Albanian stock market during the Summer season. The averaged interest of the time-limited deposits in leks continues to remain in positive limits.

Minimal interest

Deposits' maturity Before Now

3 months 11,5 % 10,5 %

6 months 11,5 % 10,5 %

12 months 11 % 10 % /a.gj/linda/

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[16] Trial against Leka Zogu put off again

The Tirane district court postponed the trial against claimant to the Albanian throne Leka Zogu, and against Abedin Mulosmani, minister of the Court, as the prosecutor of the case, Agim Cekrezi, was absent from trial.

According to Defence Attorney Vladimir Germenji, the postponement of this trial is deliberate.

"Someone is interested in putting this trial off," he said adding that the prosecutor of the case, whom he had met at around 08 00, had told him he would appear in today's trial.

Leka Zogu is accused of "armed rebellion to topple the constitutional order". He led around 30 armed people who gathered near the Palace of Congresses, where the Central Election Commission was set up, after an unauthorised rally at the "Scanderbeg" square, claiming the victory of monarchy in the referendum on the kind of regime.

Currently, the claimant to the Albanian throne, Leka Zogu, is living in South Africa. /lh/lm/

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[17] Increasing of transparency in bonus auctions

Referring to the sources, the agreement is approved even by the Supervising Council of Bank of Albania.

This document aims at improving the cooperation and to share the responsibilities to increase the transparency of loan needs of the Government of the Republic of Albania and implementation of the auction process by the part of the Ministry of Finances and Bank of Albania.

The provision of these elements of administrative character is foreseen to be followed by the increase of the active participation of the financial institution in these auctions. /lh/linda/

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[18] Positive balance of services' commerce marks 80 million dollars during second three months period - Bank of Albania

According to the Bank of Albania "the characteristic of the second three months period is the lifting of services' export by 4,6 times higher than the previous months".

Referring to the estimation of the Bank of Albania the Kosova population accommodated in Albania spent considerable currencies' value, beside the one profited by the assistance offered.

The immediate increase of the Kosovars number had its impact in the foreign trade of the goods by increasing the imports (35% against the first three months period). The main increase in the structure of foreign trade is covered by the imports of food items. /linda/

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[19] Kosovars transfers substitute immigrants' ones - Bank of Albania

According to the statements of the Bank of Bank on the development of the payment balance on second three months period of 1999, these transfers represent the aid given by the European Community as budgetary support to the Government.

The transfers during this period are estimated to cover 84% of the previous period, and as a result the coherent transfers lifted by 5% against the previous three months period.

"The great currencies' influx brought by Kosovar substitute the immigrants transfers", reports Bank of Albania.

The total value of the currencies reserves of the Monetary Authority (Bank of Albania) are some 57 million dollars. /linda/

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[20] President Meidani meets with realizers of monument of peace

The Bell of Peace, made of shell casings collected over the last two years by the children of Zadrime, Lezhe district, under the direction of the parish of Blinishti and teachers of the zone, will be placed on this monument.

The bell is thought to ring in Tirane with the dawn of the new millenium, during a mass manifestation with the participation of children from all over Albania to carry to the new millenium the symbol of peace for Albania, the region and broader.

Invited by the children of Zadrime and the parish of Blinisht to help realise this initiative, the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, today was familiarised with the proceeding of the project as a whole.

The President thanked the parish of Blinisht and the pupils for their great performance to turn their initiative into an all-national educational movement on the values of peace and humanism.

The President asked from the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Tirane Municipality and respecting the legal procedures, to accelerate the work to realise the artistic monument on which the bell of peace will be placed.

Attending the meeting were Minister of Education Et'hem Ruka, Head of the Albania's Episcopate Conference Rrok Mirdita, Italian and Austrian Ambassadors, Spatafora and Riedel, who expressed their readiness to contribute to the realisation of the monument of peace and of the activities due on the opening of the new millenium. /lh/lm/

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[21] Austrian investments welcomed to Albania

The Assembly's press office reported on Wednesday that the vast possibilities offered by Albania and the Albanian legislation to invest in all fields of the Albanian economy were discussed at the meeting.

Later Gjinushi took part and spoke at the forum "Competition and vision of the future" organised by the World Bank and the Austrian Government.

Afterwards, Gjinushi was received by the Speaker of Austrian Parliament, Fischer. Gjinushi praised the very good inter-parliamentary relations and expressed himself in favour of their intensification.

As Chairman of the Social-Democratic Party, Gjinushi laid emphasis on the further materialisation of cooperation with the Austrian left and with all European socialist parties in general.

The Austrian Parliamentary Speaker evaluated the role of the Albanian parliament in support of reforms in Albania and laid the stress on the Austrian aid to speed up the democratic reforms.

In the context of the relations between the two parties, but also on behalf of the European left Fischer expressed the readiness of this political formation to support Albania in implementing the Stability Pact. /lh/lm/

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[22] Some 31 Kurdish illegal emigrants intercepted

The Kurds were intercepted on the Radhime shore, in a police operation. The Kurds were waiting for the arrival of a speedboat, which managed to escape the police.

Later the Kurds were handed over to the police authorities of Pogradec who are carrying out the respective procedures.

The latest Vlore police action is part of the operations undertaken to block illegal trafficking to Italy which begins from the Vlore shores. In these operations the Vlore police have been backed by Guardia di Finanza. /lh/lm/

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[23] We will cooperate to eliminate problems violating sovereignty at home and in the region - Giovanneti

General Giovanneti, after familiarising the Albanian Minister with KFOR's activity over the last five months, dwelt on several issues of mutual interest, especially on the situation on the Albanian border, according to the spokesman of the Ministry of Public Order.

The world media has recently spoken much of various traffics conducted between Albania and Kosova, but the reality is quite different, said Giovanneti.

"We have never encountered such a contraband as they speak of. Besides controls at the border crossing points, we have created other control spaces, which eliminate contraband on large proportions. Everything happening is acceptable within the normal parameters like in other countries as well, he said.

Poci, after thanking KFOR for the activity exercised, stressed that despite the heavy damages suffered along the border line during the war in Kosova, "we are rehabilitating the border posts and strengthening order in northern areas. /lh/lm/

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[24] Government priority is to guarantee security - Poci

Bilateral issues, especially the programme recently approved by the German Government in support of the Albanian police, occupied an important place at the meeting.

Kiewit congratulated Poci for the results attained during his performance and expressed readiness for a closer cooperation. /lh/lm/

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