Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-09-23

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Schroeder supports Albania's efforts towards European integration

[02] Albanian-Greek joint patrolling at Jon sea

[03] Schroeder concludes his visit in Albania

[04] Mediterranean countries treat emigration through the seventh art

[05] Abdiu briefs US ambassador on Constitution Law Court competencies

[06] Minister of Culture says entertainment of youths - condition for soothing social problems

[07] Exchange-rate in Albania

[08] Albanian Foreign Minister demands support in the framework of Stability Pact

[09] Chancellor Schroeder visits pediatrics hospital in Tirane

[10] Albanian-Turkish cooperation on military historiography

[11] Albania to continue playing an essential role for Kosove

[12] The end of Kosove conflict should bring peace for the whole region

[13] Albania writers support the proposal on construction of Tirane- Pristine road

[14] Albanian ambassador in Paris presents priority projects for Stability Pact

[15] Conference on discussing Stability Pact in social aspect

[16] World Bank allocates 150 thousand dollars on Tropoje-Qafe Morine road

[17] Art Gallery reopens in Pristina

[18] President Meidani conducts numerous meetings in New York

[19] UMNIK set up custom office in Kosova-Albania border

[20] Inauguration of out patient clinic reconstruction in Vlora

[21] KFOR commander to visit Albania on Saturday

[22] Starting of operations in Kakavija-Gjirokaster highway

[23] American Ambassador visits Elbasani for the first time

[24] Grave situation of 100 000 Albanians of Presheve

[25] Albright met with Foreign Ministers of Southeastern Europe

[01] Schroeder supports Albania's efforts towards European integration

After the meeting, held without the presence of the journalists, the DP deputy chairman, Genc Pollo, said that the German chancellor expressed his support for a democratic Albania as well as her efforts towards the European integration.

" We assured Schroeder that these are also the opposition aims and suggested that the German government cooperate with the local government which unlike the central one is free of corruption", Dp deputy chairman, Genc Pollo, said.

In the meeting it was also discussed on Kosovo issue and the region in general. "I had the opportunity to stress our viewpoints for a stable Kosovo, democratic with rule of law and an independent future", added the democratic leader. /lh/so/

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[02] Albanian-Greek joint patrolling at Jon sea

Both sides at the Corfu meeting expressed their readiness to cooperate intensively against drug traffic, arms contraband, illegal emigrants and prostitution traffic. The Greek counterparts, after being introduced to the logistic means of the Sarande police, promised to give a motorboat for maritime patrolling.

Sarande police commissariat chief, Ilia Nasi, during the talks with the head of Corfu coastal police,Mr Papanikolau, asked for explanations about the incident occurred on September 11 when a navigation boat of the Greek police opened fire against an Albanian trawler in our territory. A similar incident reoccurred on September 13. The Greek counterparts, concerning these events, confirmed that the act might have been executed by a Customs police powerboat, but a complete answer will be given in the regular meeting by the competent organs. /led/gs/

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[03] Schroeder concludes his visit in Albania

This visit concluded the German Chancellor agenda in Albania.

Schroeder arrived in Albania on Wednesday afternoon. He and the German delegation, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ludger Volmer, and Secretary of State, Uwe-Karsten Heye, held talks with the Prime Minister Majko as well as with other representatives of Albanian opposition parties.

Chancellor Schroeder left Albania at 10.30 on Thursday morning to continue his tour in Balkan, comprising two visits in Bulgaria and Romania. /led/so/

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[04] Mediterranean countries treat emigration through the seventh art

In this conference where will take part all the Mediterranean and European countries, Albanian cinematography will be presented with four films: "The waiting years", with the scenario of Esat Musliu, "Bolero" with the scenario of Besnik Bisha and two documentary films based on archival materials which present the emigration after 90-s in Albania.

The conference, in its second edition, is organized by the international association "Eureka Audio-Visual", which is based on the cultural policies of the European Community for the circulation of films' images. /led/A.A/

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[05] Abdiu briefs US ambassador on Constitution Law Court competencies

The US Ambassador showed interest in the Constitutional issues of the legal and by law acts, as well as in the characteristics of the constitutional control as against the justice system.

Interlocutors exchanged ideas on the problems that exist in Albania for the application of laws from the state administration and justice system. /led/so/

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[06] Minister of Culture says entertainment of youths - condition for soothing social problems

Regarding the foreign missions coming to Albania, Minister Rama said that "their common scope should not be 'the isolation of problems' in our country, but their final resolution".

About 80% of crimes in Albania are committed by 20-year old youths or by persons of about this age, said Rama pointing out the lack of system of values in youths.

Considerable expenses are made during the last 10 years for the repressing state apparatus that is prisons, law courts, police forces, but no serious investment is carried out on creation of other more fruitful alternatives as the 'creation of local environments' where the youths can pass their free time, added Rama.

One of the priorities of UNICEF strategy presented on Wednesday was the creation of conditions for a normal physical, psychological, social and acquaintance development of this age. /A.A/

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[07] Exchange-rate in Albania

currency buying selling

US$ 135,2 135,5

DM 72 72,5

ITL(1000) 72,8 73

GRD(100) 43 43,2 /led/A.A/

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The Albanian parliament approves privatization of 83 local hydro-power stations

TIRANE, Sep 23 (ATA) By D. Koca: - The Albanian parliament on early Thursday approved the privatization of 83 local hydro-power stations, which were in poor working conditions since no investment was made for them.

Whereas the distribution affiliations administrating these hydro- power stations are in great financial plight, the actual output of electric power marks very low levels. These were the main causes why Albanian Energetic Cooperation (AEC) and the Ministry of Economy decided to privatize them.

Their privatization, according to specialists, will affect the improvement of AEC financial condition and will restore to work some 44 hydro-power stations actually out of use.

These hydro-power stations have been constructed to supply with electric power villages and mountainous remote areas. /led/gs/

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[08] Albanian Foreign Minister demands support in the framework of Stability Pact

Milo, who is taking part in the proceedings of the 54-th General Assembly of United Nations, asked support from his counterparts on encouragement of feasibility study and assignment of Association agreement between Albanian and EU.

Endrius and Vollebeak promised to become the advocates of this issue in support of Albania.

As regards to the post-was conflicts in Kosove they revealed that they can offer their contribution in such problems as solution of Mitrovice issue and provision of identification documents to Kosove Albanians under the authority of United Nations.

Milo met as well with the Canadian Deputy Premier, Herbert Gray who promised to widen the functions of Canadian Mission in Tirane, including even the consular bodies. /led/A.A/

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[09] Chancellor Schroeder visits pediatrics hospital in Tirane

Chancellor Schroeder, during his visit in the hospital, donated personally in a symbolic way a considerable number of medicament equipment for urgency cases.

Schroeder, accompanied by the Albanian Premier, Majko, and the minister of health, Solis, has also announced a private initiative of a German magazine which will provide the hospital with complete surgery equipment.

"Germany will continue to help the Albanian health system, so that your children can be better served", the German Chancellor said while visiting a pavilion for children.

The visit in the pediatrics hospital concluded the agenda of the German Chancellor in Tirana, who left to continue his tour in Balkan with two other visits in Romania and Bulgaria. /led/so/

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[10] Albanian-Turkish cooperation on military historiography

Colonel Etem Tumca, head of the Turkish delegation briefed that the Turkish army considers as very important the right reflection of the military history of a nation. The Turkish part has prepared a draft- protocol on the bilateral cooperation and is willing to deliver technical and material aid for the historiography of Albanian army, central archive, mediae and army museums.

Turkish delegation was received even by alternate chief of General Staff, Colonel Mehmet Musai who said that the cooperation in these fields will boost the relations between the armies of two countries. /led/A.A/

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[11] Albania to continue playing an essential role for Kosove

Albania's commitment towards Kosova is due to the historical moral right as well as its responsibility as part of the International Community to totally implement commitments in the framework of Security Council resolution, Milo said.

Milo expressing his views said that the future of Kosova will greatly depend on the consequences of events in Belgrade, and above all on the issue whether Serbia will become a democratic state or will remain a nationalist-communist state.

The Albanian Foreing Minister, Paskal Milo, is actually in New York to take part in the 54-th Session proceedings of the UN General Assembly. /led/so/

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[12] The end of Kosove conflict should bring peace for the whole region

In this conference Kosove and the Pact of Stability were on the focus of a two-day long debate.

"The functioning of the rule of law should start in Kosove as well as the construction of a civil society which respect the rights of all, the right of each country to self-determine for its future and the right of Kosove does not belong to "Great Albania" to the "Great Serbia", but it belongs to the "Great Europe", said Dokle.

After speaking about the drafting work being carried out in Albania on the implementation of the Pact of Stability, Parliament Deputy Speaker, Dokle, stressed that "this pact should serve to all the regional countries aiming at their integration in Europe". /led/A.A/

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[13] Albania writers support the proposal on construction of Tirane- Pristine road

"The road is life in motion, quick development, civilization. Durres- Pristine highway will help to win time and realize as soon as possible the national and regional integrations", the Albanian writers and artists said about the constructions of this road.

Majko proposed the initiative on the opening of a bank account in August 1999, where everyone can offer financial contribution.

The road will connect Durres with Morine and will continue towards Pristine. /led/A.A/

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[14] Albanian ambassador in Paris presents priority projects for Stability Pact

The conference was organised in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and the French inter-government mission for the Stability Pact.

The Albanian Ambassador in Paris, Luan Rama, was also invited to the conference, to make a presentation of the Albanian demands and projects in the framework of this Pact.

Rama, speaking of the political will of Albania, also expressed at the Sarajevo meeting, presented the priority projects linked with public infrastructure, projects which have to do with water, electrical energy or projects linked with agriculture.

"Strengthening security and order is a key priority of the Albanian government," Rama told the participants.

"The work for the reconstruction of the Balkans should be parallel with the efforts of the European Community for Serbia's democratisation," he said.

Rama called on the entrepreneurs present to concretely engage themselves in various Albanian projects under the example of the Balkan Development Fund, which has started several projects with the Albanian Development Fund. /led/lm/

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[15] Conference on discussing Stability Pact in social aspect

Upon the initiatives of ILO a meeting with the social partners that perform their activities in Albania, representatives of Albanian Government, employees and employers is held. ILO representative Gianni Rosas presented the idea and the objectives of this conference concerning the employment policies, social protection and partnership in regional plan.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Work and Social Affairs Kadri Rrapi by estimating Stability Pact as a chance in the development of the region, presented the desire of the Albanian Government to reach a social pact between the social partners, trade unions, employers and Government.

The representatives of the Trade Union presented the request that this dialogue to be realized with the Ministry of Work and not in Trade Union- Government level. /led/linda/

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[16] World Bank allocates 150 thousand dollars on Tropoje-Qafe Morine road

At the moment is working on completed the project as soon as possible, to start the operation within 1999.

The construction of this new road will improve considerably the movements between the border areas. More than 30 vehicles per day are toward Gjakova, 37 km way from Bajram Curri. /led/linda/

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[17] Art Gallery reopens in Pristina

The ceremony is opened with the exhibition of 29 authors, who presented 43 works of figurative art. /E.Lu/linda/

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[18] President Meidani conducts numerous meetings in New York

After participation in the plenary session of the Assembly, in which U.S. President Bill Clinton took the floor, Meidani took part in the reception extended by the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, according to the President's press and information office.

During this activity Clinton met and talked with Albanian President Meidani on the increasing bilateral relations and the U.S. role in the regional framework of the Stability Pact.

Meidani had a special meeting, which lasted over one hour, with French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. They concentrated themselves on bilateral cooperation, France's support for the Association Agreement with the EU, as well as on the Stability Pact.

Meidani met with the President of Cyprus, Prime Minister of Slovenia, and with assistant Secretary of the State Department, James Swigart.

Today and tomorrow Meidani si also expected to hold meetings with deputy-secretary of State Thomas Pickering and Secretary Madeleine Albright, as well as with the special advisor to President Clinton on Southeastern Europe.

Meidani spoke at the Council for Foreign Relations before representatives of U.S. media and business. This was organised by George Soros, on Albania's role in the perspective of regional development.

Today Meidani will address the U.N General Assembly and meet later with the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. At the U.N headquarters he will hold a news conference.

On the same day he will meet with representatives of the Albanian community of New York. /a.ke/lm/

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[19] UMNIK set up custom office in Kosova-Albania border

"50 000 German marks per day is the value to be collected at the beginning in this entrance border point", stated the official of UN mission in Kosova Scott Brown.

The Director of custom service Ylber Rraci stated that 10% custom tax and 15% on tariffs will be paid already by the people that move through this inter-Albanian point.

Of course, the taxes and tariffs are not welcomed. The idea of continuation of non-taxable circulation at least till New Year time is dominating at the moment. /E.Lu/linda/

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[20] Inauguration of out patient clinic reconstruction in Vlora

The reconstruction project of this clinic marked some 21 million leks financed by European Community via " Medicine Sans Frontier".It foresees the total survival of the building and partial equipment of the environments of this out patient clinic with necessary apparatuses. /lh/linda/

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[21] KFOR commander to visit Albania on Saturday

British General Jackson is expected to visit COMMZ(W) as well as the Italian Military Hospital in Durres, where a news conference is scheduled to be held. /lh/lm/

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[22] Starting of operations in Kakavija-Gjirokaster highway

According to the sources close to the Greek constructing company AEP- SAMETEP, already has started not only the installation of the heavy means, but even the leveling of the first part of the road.

The highway to start from Kakavija toward Gjirokastra, is part of the project of the construction of Kakavija-Tepelena highway.

Referring to the sources of the Greek company, this highway is predicted to be completed within 18 months. The total value allocated for this highway is around 15 million ECU and the tender completed two years ago should have to be made concrete with the beginning of the operations.

"But, the tense order situation had hindered the beginning of their operations", reported the sources. /lh/linda/

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[23] American Ambassador visits Elbasani for the first time

According to the Mayor of the Town Hall Engjell Dakli, the aim of this visit is to get informed from near with the continuation of USAID Programs, where the municipality of this town in included. At the moment it is working on a development scheme based upon the parameters presented by the American institutions and the drafting of a projects program with American Urban Institute.

The American Ambassador visited the plant of milk production and processing Ciko-Milk, which is included in USAID project on agriculture. He met representatives of Local Government and PNUD representatives of Regional Agency of Business, that acts in this town.

The American Ambassador and the people to accompany him visited the castle and ethnographic museum of the town. /lh/linda/

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[24] Grave situation of 100 000 Albanians of Presheve

During the war in Kosova these regions, too, were affected by terror, killing, burning and at least 25 000 Albanians were deported.

The Party for Democratic Action urges the interruption of these developments, the return of the deportees to their homes and a larger presence in the region of international institutions engaged in human rights.

This party also asks the materialisation of the political will expressed in the referendum of 1992 for autonomy of the region (Presheve, Bujanoc and Medvegje), with the right to join Kosova, and is committed to the cultural, economic and political integration of Albanians into the European integrating processes.

This party is also committed to unifying the political action of the Albanians of the region also through the constituting a National Council. /lh/lm/

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[25] Albright met with Foreign Ministers of Southeastern Europe

According to the Press and Information Office close to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs.Albright, referring to the situation in the region after Kosova conflict and in the frame work of the implementation of Stability Pact, drew attention on stabilization of the investments clime in the region and on organized combat against corruption phenomena.

USA has started the fulfillment of the involvements that President Clinton undertook in Sarajevo Summit, stated she. Later on she invited the countries of the region to strengthen the partnership and the cooperation among them.

Mrs. Albright stressed that obvious progress is made evident in Kosova and the building up of a civil society and holding of the elections is so necessary there.

Speaking about the situation in Serbia and the demonstration organized yesterday in Belgrade, she asked for a wide regional support for the opposite against Milosevic. Milosevic is problem for all the region. We cannot support any project on Serbia construction, even the construction of the bridges on Danube, as long as he will be on the head of the country, she said.

Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paskal Milo spoke in the name of the Albanian Government and presented the projects of regional reconstruction. These projects will be presented in a round table to be held in October. /lh/linda/

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