Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-04

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Nobelist Muradi awarded title "Honour of the Nation"

[02] New academic year begins in 11 universities and institutes

[03] Exchange-rate in Tirane

[04] Anti-drug operation in Tropoje

[05] Better conditions created in emergency and radiology units

[06] Some 34 works of distinguished painters from Shkoder exhibited

[07] Taxes director demands support from state for consolidation of taxation administration

[08] Albania's Constitutional Court examines decision for discharge of 59 judges

[09] Nobelist Ferid Muradi meets Albanian personalities of sceince

[10] EU Commission to approve "Feasibility Study" at the end of October

[11] Double number of students in Military Academy Scanderbeg for this academic year

[12] Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko meets Nobel Prize Winner Ferid Muradi

[13] Albania membership in WTO ends in November

[14] Albanian Foreign Minister urges EU's support for Albanian projects

[15] Milo in Italy on agenda of Albanian-Italian relations

[16] Albanian President Meidani demands from French counterpart support for membership in WTO

[17] American assistance is a good sign for establishing high security standard

[18] Fushe-Kosove leadership demands roads release

[19] Discussions on constituting Technical Government of Kosova go on

[20] Two 15 year old girls from Kukes deactivate 200 landmines

[21] 54 Kosovo Albanian released from Serb jails

[22] President Meidani appreciates activity of Sovereign Order of Malta

[01] Nobelist Muradi awarded title "Honour of the Nation"

Present at the ceremony were Prime Minster Pandeli Majko, governmental members, writers and Albanian academicians.

Meidani evaluated Muradi as distinguished figure and part of the Albanian National asset.

Muradi arrived in Tirane on Sunday on a three-day visit.

Muradi, head of the department of Integrating Biology and Pharmacology in Texas University, Medicine School, received the Nobel Prize in 1998, along with Robert Furchgott, from State Medicine University in New York and Louis Igrmarro from Los Angeles University.

The three worked independently in Texas, New York and California carrying out researches for many years on nitric oxide (NO). They not only discovered Viagra but also the fact that NO, in few minutes acts as the most important signalizing molecule of the body.

Ferid Muradi was born in U.S. He is the son of an Albanian emigrant and American mother. In 1965 he received M.D. from Cleveland University, Ohio "Case Western Reverse". In the same year he received PH.D in Pharmacology. He was awarded "Ciba Prize" American Heart Assoc, (1988); NIDDK Bd. Scientific Advisers (1990-1994), Lasker Prize for basic researches (1997); Member of the National Academy of Sciences (1997), Member of the Medicine Institute of the National Academy of Sciences (1998). He is the author and coauthor of 334 medicine-scientific editions. /lh/so/lm/ x TIRANE, Oct 4 (ATA)- By E.Nepravishta, President of the Albanian Republic Rexhep Meidani on Sunday evening awarded the title "Honour of the Nation" to the distinguished Albanian figure, Ferid Muradi, renowned doctor in U.S., winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1998.

Present at the ceremony were Prime Minster Pandeli Majko, governmental members, writers and Albanian academicians.

Meidani evaluated Muradi as distinguished figure and part of the Albanian National asset.

Muradi arrived in Tirane on Sunday on a three-day visit.

Muradi, head of the department of Integrating Biology and Pharmacology in Texas University, Medicine School, received the Nobel Prize in 1998, along with Robert Furchgott, from State Medicine University in New York and Louis Igrmarro from Los Angeles University.

The three worked independently in Texas, New York and California carrying out researches for many years on nitric oxide (NO). They not only discovered Viagra but also the fact that NO, in few minutes acts as the most important signalizing molecule of the body.

Ferid Muradi was born in U.S. He is the son of an Albanian emigrant and American mother. In 1965 he received M.D. from Cleveland University, Ohio "Case Western Reverse". In the same year he received PH.D in Pharmacology. He was awarded "Ciba Prize" American Heart Assoc, (1988); NIDDK Bd. Scientific Advisers (1990-1994), Lasker Prize for basic researches (1997); Member of the National Academy of Sciences (1997), Member of the Medicine Institute of the National Academy of Sciences (1998). He is the author and coauthor of 334 medicine-scientific editions. /lh/so/lm/

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[02] New academic year begins in 11 universities and institutes

"This year, rectorates and leading boards of universities and institutes will apply new more qualitative teaching programmes, aiming at reaching contemporary levels like the Western institutions", Mimoza Hafizi, deputy minister of Education and Science said on Monday.

It stresses that schools will be attended by 1000 students more than last year, among whom around 300 students as against payment but who will have the same status with their fellows, winners in the contests. /lh/so/lm/

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[03] Exchange-rate in Tirane

Dollar gained ground as against the Lek on Tirane market on Monday.

Foreign currency exchange rates: currency buying selling US$ 133,8 134 DM 72,5 72,7 ITL(1000) 73 73,3 GRD(100) 42,8 43

/lh/so/lm/

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[04] Anti-drug operation in Tropoje

In Shushice village of Tropoje the police forces eliminated 200 roots of narcotic plants (cannabis sativa). They were planted in the plot of villager Zenel Nokaj, who is now facing trial.

According to data provided by the Public Order Ministry narcotic plants are mostly cultivated in several areas of Shkoder, Tropoje, Lezhe.

In Tropoje district, besides restoration of law and order, operations continue to track down dangerous persons as well as to collect the illegal weapons and ammunition in the hands of the inhabitants.

In Shushice on Sunday by midnight the police seized and blocked three machine-guns, seven automatic weapons, 14 guns, 20 defence grenades, 10 assault grenades and a considerable amount of cartridges. /lh/lm/

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[05] Better conditions created in emergency and radiology units

Stafa said that the reconstruction works were made possible by fund of 10 million lire, provided by the non-governmental organisation CEFA, currently active in Elbasan.

The Italian government has provided 5.6 billiard lire for the health care sector in Elbasan prefecture. Some 65 million lire out of this fund addressed the reconstruction of the surgery and contagious buildings, as well as the pharmacy and central warehouse of the city hospital.

The second stage of this project, due to be applied next year, includes the reconstruction of the hospitals of Librazhd, Gramsh and Peqin. /lh/so/lm/

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[06] Some 34 works of distinguished painters from Shkoder exhibited

"The opening of this exhibition coincides with the anniversary of this cultural association", the president of this cultural associated revealed.

The painters Andi Hila, Zef Paci, Blerim Kaci, Gasper Zojesi, Niketa Vervica and other protagonists of the second exhibition of this kind presented different works which presented live views from the old city of Shkoder. /A.A/

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[07] Taxes director demands support from state for consolidation of taxation administration

According to him, "more incomes are demanded and will be demanded from this administration in the future too, this is the dialectics of development. But the state should invest more for this administration."

Brovina illustrates this with the taxation structures in the districts which are lacking most minimal conditions of work, namely the taxes offices in Tirane, Gjirokaster, etc. "Nearly 1/3 of the taxation administration is in Tirane where about 55 per cent of the incomes in national level are collected, and where the working conditions are beyond any standard, at a time when about 10 700 taxpayers are numbered in Tirane alone," said Brovina.

According to him, "besides the work that taxation structures should make as specialized technical bodies, they must be supported better by legislative bodies with the acceleration of the work for the approval of some important draft laws in the fiscal sector, such as the Code of Taxes Procedures, which will have a considerable impact with regard to putting these bodies on scientific basis."

Brovina asked for the aid of the state and international financial institutions also for the installation of a computer system in the taxes administration. "Computerizing in the taxes administration will be realised in eight districts until the end of this year, while during 2000 the taxes offices in the districts covering whole country's territory will be computerized as well." /a.gj/xh/

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[08] Albania's Constitutional Court examines decision for discharge of 59 judges

Maksim Haxhia, attorney of Ali Faja, one of the suspended judges, considered the decision of the High Council of Justice for the dismissal of 59 judges as unfair, while the law "On organization of judiciaries in Republic of Albania," on which this decision was based, as unconstitutional.

The accused party, consisting of representatives of the Council of Ministers, the High Council of Justice and the Supreme Court, said the judges were dismissed because of their lack of professionalism. As for the law, they said that it has been drafted by a group of experts conformed to the rules and based on the international norms of legislation.

Five days after today's session, the Constitutional Court will hold the final decision on the case.

On May 25, 1999, the High Council of Justice decided to discharge from their posts 59 judges, because, although notified several times, they had not agreed to take part in the test for their professional knowledge. /led/xh/

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[09] Nobelist Ferid Muradi meets Albanian personalities of sceince

Prof. Dr. Ylli Popa, President of the Academy of Science, introduced the Nobelist with the structures of the Albanian Science Academy, the fields of operation of the Albanian science etc.

Muradi promised support in the field of scientific development and specially in the qualification of the Albanian young scientists in USA, assuring to help intensify the contacts between Albanian scientists and him.

The Nobelist has been in Albania for two days now. The Albanian president, Rexhep Meidani, awarded on Monday the high title "Honor of the Nation" to the renowned Albanian doctor in USA and Nobel Prize Winner for 1998, Ferid Muradi. led/gs/

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[10] EU Commission to approve "Feasibility Study" at the end of October

After a meeting with the European Union countries ambassadors in Tirane on Monday afternoon, Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo told reporters he had asked the ambassadors that "their countries must accelerate work for the completion of the study of feasibility and afterwards for the signing of the association agreement between Albania and EU.

Milo added that he had called the meeting because, as he said, "according to what EU had promised in April, time had come for the study to be completed, so that it can open the green light to the negotiation process for the signing of the association and stability agreement".

The foreign minister affirmed that in the talks he had with his European colleagues in New York, he was assured that "this study is on the right path, despite the difficulties for some objective reasons such as the delay for the creation of the new European Commission, and the intensive agenda the commission had had lately".

The approval of "The feasibility Study" by the Commission, chaired by Romano Prodi, makes possible the signing of the agreement of association between Albania and the European Union. /y.pa/sg/xh/

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[11] Double number of students in Military Academy Scanderbeg for this academic year

In the ceremony held on Monday in this Academy to mark the beginning of the new academic year, the Minister of Defence, Luan Hajdaraga, said that the main objective of the work in the military academies will be to inculcate in the students the scientific thinking for the solution of different political-military situations.

According to him, the attention of the teachers will focus on the attraction of these effective in the study-scientific work, to consolidate the relations with NATO and to attain the necessary standard for Albania's full membership in it.

At the end of this ceremony, a parade of the effectives of the Academy Scanderbeg, of the Noncommissioned Officers Academy and of the faculties of Aviation and Navigation was held. /led/xh/

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[12] Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko meets Nobel Prize Winner Ferid Muradi

Majko said during the meeting that "history has proven that Albania has always provided distinguished minds to the development of mankind and we are proud of this."

"Now it is the moment that all the Albanians, wherever they are, make their contribution to the development of the motherland so that Albania take the place it deserves in the European family, as a nation which proves of and offers human values, as your case is or like the unprecedented assistance that Mother Teresa gave to mankind," continued PM Majko.

Now, for Muradi, Albania has a more respected dimension in the eyes of all.

The Nobelist Muradi shared the same opinion with PM Majko saying this is an important moment for the development of Albania, taking into account the attention and admiration Albanians and the present government of Albania has won in the world for the maturity and hospitality they manifested during the crisis in Kosove. /led/xh/

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[13] Albania membership in WTO ends in November

In a common press conference with the Vice American Ambassador in Tirana, Raymond Snider, Meksi said that the assignment of the bilateral negotiations with USA will support Albania to reform further on the economy, to be integrated in the world of international investments and trade, by offering at the same time the future of stable economic increasing.

The working process for Albania integration in WTO passed into two phases. It has to do with the preparation and introduction of the Memorandum on the regime of the foreign trade and the fulfillment of the negotiations with the member countries to enter in the goods and services market. More than 14 negotiations, the most important are those with EU and USA, are completed.

Minister Meksi said that "this is the most important and successful step for Albania integration in EU. Albania engagement through the offers to enter the goods and services market guarantees and highlights at the same time the image of Albania, which aims at absorbing foreign investments and other business activities".

Deputy American Ambassador Snider estimated the work done by the Albanian negotiator group and pledge the support of the American Government for Albania. /led/linda/

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[14] Albanian Foreign Minister urges EU's support for Albanian projects

In a meeting with EU countries ambassadors accredited to Tirane, Milo said that his country merits a special treatment not only for the role it played during the crisis in Kosove but also because "Albania is one of the key countries for the stability in the region."

According to him, Albania needs a powerful support for the projects with priority which it will present to the round table discussion of Bari.

The meeting will be held at the level of experts from the countries most concerned to benefit from the Stability Pact and those who will enable the financing of the major projects presented by the Southeast European countries in the Sarajevo Summit.

The meeting, to be coordinated by Italy, is also the first concrete aspect of the Stability Pact. It will consider only the projects for the reconstruction of the region and will deal in particular with three main problems: Corridor 8, Cleaning of Danube and the Charter of Investments proposed by the British Government. /led/xh/

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[15] Milo in Italy on agenda of Albanian-Italian relations

Invited by the Italian Foreign Minister, Milo stressed before reporters that "the talks with Dini will focus especially on a better coordination of the cooperation between the two governments and especially between the two foreign ministries.

The two ministers will speak of a strategic long-term cooperation for an Italian entrepreneurship in all aspects in Albania, not only in the field of small and medium investments but also in the field of strategic investments.

"One of the points of the talk will also be the integration of Albania into the European Union, the Stability Pact, concretely the round table discussion in Bari on October 9 and the support that Italy has offered and will offer in the future for the implementation of the Pact and for the priority projects such as Corridor 8," said FM Milo. /led/xh/

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[16] Albanian President Meidani demands from French counterpart support for membership in WTO

Milo said before reporters, after a meeting with EU Ambassadors, that he had made the same request to the governments of other EU member countries.

Some days ago, an Albanian Government delegation signed in Washington an agreement with the U.S. Government on the basis of which, the latter supports Albania's membership in the WTO.

However, Albania needs the unanimous vote of the EU countries because, according to Milo, "there are some obstacles of technical character by some European countries for the full membership of Albania." /led/xh/

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[17] American assistance is a good sign for establishing high security standard

"By estimating the great USA assistance and support given to the Albanian police on restoring the public order, I think that making concrete of the American assistance is a good sign on establishing high security standard in Albania", stated Minister Poci.

During the meeting Bajram Yzeiri, vice minister of Pubic Order presented in detailed way the most emergent directions of the assistance. Training, cooperation in the sectors of criminal police, SHIR, communication with public, etc, according to him are the elements through which the combating of the criminal elements in and out the police will be made possible.

Mrs. Brooke Darby, Senior Official of American State Department highlights once again the work done by Minister Poci and expressed the maximal involvement to assist and support Albanian Police.

The main directions of the work between the representatives of FBI and Albanian representatives are defined in the meeting. /led/linda/

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[18] Fushe-Kosove leadership demands roads release

The blocking of the main road and the railroad by the Albanians as a reaction to the Serb blockades going on for a long time, is expected to end.

Chairman of the Fushe-Kosove Commune, Naser Grajqevci, demanded from Albanians to free the roads, whereas the removal of Serb blockades is a task of KFOR and international police.

"We hold that the road blocking does not lead to fair solutions. The return to normal life is a benefit for both sides," Gravqevci reported to Prishtina press. /led/gs/xh/

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[19] Discussions on constituting Technical Government of Kosova go on

The discussions concerning the forming of such institution or "Technical Government" of Kosova will go on. Nevertheless the fact that the discussions are confidential ones, nothing concrete was reached at, beside the total agreement to continue with the discussions.

According to press sources in Pristine, close to UMNIK, Kosova political subjects and international administration "did not agree on main principles on establishing a technical government and about the way of representation and taking the decisions". The team led by Kushner proposed the representation based upon parity - equal number between Albanians and foreign representatives, while in case of equal number of votes in taking the decision, Kushner vote will be the decisive one.

Kosova leaders asked for participation of Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the executive body. After these requests "international sources in Kosova", quoted by Pristine press saying that "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense will not be seen as contestants, if they are named as something else". As an example of their denomination can be taken "Kosova Defense Troops", which replaced "Defense Troops" or "Kosova Military". /led/linda/

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[20] Two 15 year old girls from Kukes deactivate 200 landmines

Dan Kaloshi, the Commune chairman who confirms this fact, says that their assistance in mine deactivation saved many lives, opening safe passage paths for the citizens across both sides of the border.

Limania, one of the girls, affirms that they have deactivated about 200 landmines so far. She also affirms that it was her brother who taught her how to do the job. Their story spread in Tropoje, Has, and the Commune of Dragash in Kosovo. What they are doing is a voluntary work since they have not been rewarded.

It seems that deactivating mines is their hobby even though it is very dangerous to their life.

After the Kosovo conflict ended, twelve persons lost their lives and fifty others were injured from landmines, on June 13, in the three districts of Kukes municipality (Kukes, Tropoje, Has). /led/gs/xh/

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[21] 54 Kosovo Albanian released from Serb jails

In one of its bulletins, ICRC welcomed this act, recalling that on June 25, 1999, the release of other 166 Kosovars from Serb jails was also made possible.

ICRC also reports that it has visited about 1 900 persons arrested in Kosovo and jailed in Serbia.

Referring to the Association of the Kosovo Political Prisoners, more than 7 000 Albanians are being held in jails, under terrible tortures and threatened to death. No one knows about the fate of 5000 other Kosovar prisoners, at a time when two days ago two Kosovo Albanians were reportedly killed in a Belgrade prison.

Protests and hunger strikes have been staged all over Kosova demanding the release of Albanians from Serb jails. /ledgs/xh/

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[22] President Meidani appreciates activity of Sovereign Order of Malta

Ganser is visiting Albania in the framework of the commemoration of the Order's 900th anniversary.

The ambassador briefed President Meidani of the Order's activity in Albania, consisting of assistance in the field of health and other sorts of humanitarian aid.

Meidani appreciated their work, urging the expansion of the Order's activity in cooperation with other internatonal organisations. /led/gs/xh/

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