Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-05

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CONTENTS

[01] Bulgaria and Macedonia to take part in Festival of Corridor 8

[02] Title "Doctor Honoris Causa" awarded to Albanian-American Ferid Muradi

[03] Four conventions adopted in field of labour and wages

[04] German Foundation GTZ finances modernization of trade secondary school in Vlore

[05] CE support for judiciary in Albania

[06] Press review

[07] Book "Pjeter Bogdani, letter and documents" presented in Prishtine

[08] Albanian President sends message to NATO Secretary General Solana

[09] Military marine officers specialize on sea maps

[10] Exchange-rates in Tirane

[11] Order improves North of Albania - Arens

[12] Present consolidation of Lek is not a worrying problem

[13] Telephone conversation between Solana and Meidani

[14] Tirane SP branch supports "Majko" Government

[15] NATO deputy commandant for Europe in Albania on Thursday

[16] CE to continue aid for Albanian Constitutional Court

[17] Albanian Film Central archives serving European film companies

[18] Fire engulfes Permet forests

[19] Italian Cultural Centre to become active soon

[20] Strike of shipyard workers considered illegal

[21] BBC in Albanian covers "Sexual Identity" in a series of programmes

[22] Actor Michael Dougllas supports disarmament in Albania

[23] Number of Albtelecom subscribers increased, new directory lacking

[24] Italian-Albanian relations to be institutionalised further

[25] Balkan architectural issues in Venice meeting

[26] Soldiers of "Laberia" division visit Ioannina

[27] One killed, several wounded in clashes in Mitrovice

[01] Bulgaria and Macedonia to take part in Festival of Corridor 8

The festival is expected to be held by the end of October in the context of the activity "Days of cultural heritage." So far, Macedonia and Bulgaria have confirmed their participation in the festival.

The activity will continue three days and will choose Miss Corridor 8. The festival will end with a concert in the coastal boulevard with the participation of all folk groups and the Misses from the Balkan countries.

"Days of cultural heritage" is being held for the fourth consecutive year in Albania under the auspices of the Council of Europe. /led/xh/

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[02] Title "Doctor Honoris Causa" awarded to Albanian-American Ferid Muradi

In the presence of Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and personalities of the Albanian science and culture, the Rector of the Tirana University, Marenglen Spiro, said that "it is in the honour of the Tirana University to grant the Title 'Honoris Causa' to one of the distinguished figures of the world Science, moreover to one outstanding personality of Albanian origin."

"I feel proud, happy and full of emotions for the honour made to me by the Tirana University," said the Nobelist Muradi. /led/xh/

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[03] Four conventions adopted in field of labour and wages

According to sources from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, these conventions are expected to improve the legislation in the field of employment and wages and have been drafted on the basis of the European Social Charter.

The conventions will be presented for approval to the Albanian Parliament. During the meeting also the idea for an agreement of understanding was launched between the Government, trade unions and employers, which aims at increasing the contribution of these partners to the Stability Pact. /led/xh/

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[04] German Foundation GTZ finances modernization of trade secondary school in Vlore

The secondary trade school in Vlore becomes member of a program financed by GTZ which aims at rehabilitating completely the didactic methods and bringing them closer to German standards. Along with the school in Vlore, a part of the above program is also for the same type of schools in the cities of Tirane and Sarande.

To serve the German program, a two-day training seminar started on Monday to qualify the teachers for more qualitative work with the students. /a.ke/xh/

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[05] CE support for judiciary in Albania

Along the fund worth 2 820 000 Euro for the rehabilitation of 6 court buildings in the districts of Elbasan, Korce, Vlore, Durres, Gjirokaster and the Appeal Court in Tirane, CE is committed to continue this aid to provide euqipment for the offices of the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court with a fund of 130 000 Euro.

In the mean time, the project for computerising of the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court, the reconstructed courts and the Attorney General's Office with a fund of 410 000 Euro is near to completion.

The CE and the Phare Program have funded 100 000 Euro for the realisation of the project for a new court of Tirane and a total of 2.3 milliom Euro for its construction.

Some 150 000 Euro have also been earmarked for the whole project for new prison in Fushe-Kruje and 2.7 million Euro for the construction of the prison compund. CE and the Phare Program, in cooperation with the Albanian Ministry of Justice, have accorded for year 2000 a total of 7.7 million Euro to be used for the construction of two new prisons and the improvement of the internal infrastructure of the Department of Prisons. /led/xh/

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[06] Press review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily - "SP decides: To invite DP in the Congress". Whereas the democrats did not invite the socialists in their convention held a few days ago, the Socialist Party decided to invite DP in its congress, to be held from 9-19 October. - "Nano supporters out of list". The Tirane steering committee did not accept as candidates for delegates the advocates of the former SP leader, Fatos Nano. - "Brokaj: will run for chairmanship". Interview with Mr. Sabit Brokaj, military councilor of the President of the Republic.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily - "Majko-Nano, today Tirana's showdown". On the SP congress eve, today will be held the last conference. the Tirane socialists will elect the delegates to the party's congress. - "Hill causes conflicts in Tirane". The talks the Albanian government delegation had with the the President Clinton;s councillor, Chris Hill, have been interpreted in quite contradictory versions by the protagonists of the Albanian politics. - "Brussels imposes conditions on Albania. 62 million Euro after the probe". The Albanian government should meet certain conditions to have the other part of the trache earmarked as an aid of the European Union.

"SHEKULLI", independent daily. - "King of "Mercedes" caught". Police discovered the mafia-like network of cars yesterday in Tirane. The chief of the gang was handcuffed yesterday. He confessed the mechanism of the car smuggling toward Montenegro. - "Berisha reveals black list". Yesterday was published the list of the DP National Council. - "Final statement for Nano to be given". The SP conference for Tirane will be held today, in which is expected fierce clashes between rivals for chairmanship.

"ALBANIA", daily national. - "Majko-Nano. Today the Tirane fight". - "This is what changes at the DP top". - "Fatos Nano is donated the innocence".

"ZERI i POPULLIT", daily of the Socialist Party of Albania. - "The truth on the creation of the Socialist Party". - "Albania, steps towards EU". - "FBI representatives coordinate with the police".

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of the Democratic Party of Albania - "voting for the new DP chairmanship". - "Hunger strikers' life in danger".

"REPUBLIKA", daily of the Republican Party of Albania. - "Berisha: Forgiveness for assassins of Azem". - "DP and SP on verge of dissolving" /gs/

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[07] Book "Pjeter Bogdani, letter and documents" presented in Prishtine

TIRANE, Oct. 5 (ata) - By A Pulaj: The book of the charity missionary Odette Marquet "Pjeter Bogdani, letters and documents" was presented last weekend in the Church of Saint Ndou in Prishtine in the presence of many intellectuals, sources from the Kosova capital told ATA.

In the meeting held on this occasion the speakers focused on the life of the writer born in Paris in 1935, and her life for a long time in south Italy, where she has got acquainted with the Albanian language, traditions and culture.

In 1975, she defended her diploma in Prishtine on the topic "National conscience of De Rada," while three years later she defended her doctor's title in the University of Sorbonne (Paris) on the topic "Arberesh communities, proofs of Albanian ethos" for which she won the title "Doctor of Sciences."

Sister Odette became one of the most renowned names of albanological tracing, enabling the publication of Albanian national values also in various languages of the world.

Her latest book "Pjeter Bogdani, letters and documents" is qualified by specialists as a great contribution to the Albanian culture, heritage and history, a real work to throw light on the past of the Albanian people. /led/xh/

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[08] Albanian President sends message to NATO Secretary General Solana

"I find myself deeply obligated and motivated to express to you, Mr Secretary General, on behalf of the Republic of Albania and the Albanian people, the sincerest appreciation that under your wise leadership NATO managed to act as a single body, fully determined to put an end to the genocide and ethnic cleansing that Milosevic caused to the Albanian Kosovar people," writes President Meidani in his message to Mr Solana.

Further on Albanian President writes: "It is certain that different countries of Europe, Albania as well, have still their aspirations for further and decisive steps towards membership in NATO and EU."

"The path we have entered needs leadership and we strongly rely on personalities like you with the vision and the will to make differences in Europe lesser and values commonly shared," ends the message to Mr Solana by the Head of Albanian State. /xh/

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[09] Military marine officers specialize on sea maps

The specialized military ship "Mirto" conforming the protocol between the two respective ministries, will serve as a school for the Albanian officers who are participating in the drawing of the sea maps of the area nearby Sazani island port.

The ship, with a personnel of 43 militaries, is one of the two specialized hydrographic ships of the Italian Navy.

The Italian and the Albanian group of officers, at the moment is working on seashore recognition near the military port of Sazani island, along with the drawing of the submarine maps of the area surrounding it. /led/gs/

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[10] Exchange-rates in Tirane

Currency bought sold USD 133 133,5 DM 72,4 72,6 LIT(1000) 73 73,2 GRD(100) 42,6 42,8 /led/gs/

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[11] Order improves North of Albania - Arens

Arens, after the meeting with principals of the city - hall and police, told journalists that North of Albania, from Shkoder to Kukes, order has improved. He said that "This is very important and good work should be kept up", adding that OSCE is interested in helping to maintain order".

The ambassador valued as a factor of development the opening of the Albania-Kosovo border. This event marks the beginning of a wide movement and communication between Albanians on both sides of the border and this is very important for the moment. But the rules and laws on the people's and goods transport should be applied, he said.

The OSCE ambassador discussed with the local authorities about the municipality's economic problems. He estimated the economic situation in the area as difficult and asked for cooperation by the political parties for the solution of the ownership problems in agriculture. /led/gs/

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[12] Present consolidation of Lek is not a worrying problem

According to these sources, the exchange rates of dollar with Lek are being constantly followed and the present strengthening of the Albanian Lek in the Tirana free market is not a worry and cause to interfere.

Over the past two weeks, the U.S. dollar lost about 3 points towards the Albanian money, Lek, in the free exchange market in the capital of Albania. In the mean time, on Monday and Tuesday the dollar has still lost points in its exchange rates with lek. Today, the foreign currency market opened with one dollar bought at 133 lek and sold at 133.5 lek.

The average dollar-lek exchange rate for 1999 is envisaged to be in the quota of 147.5 lek. /led/xh/

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[13] Telephone conversation between Solana and Meidani

During the conversation made on the day when Solana's term in the post of the NATO's Secretary General ends, Mr Solana praised the steps taken towards Albania - NATO cooperation and pledged to work for the consolidation of safety, stability and prosperity in the region.

Meidani thanked Solana for the attention he showed to Albania and for NATO role in establishing a lasting peace in the region.

Albanian President congratulated Mr. Solana on the new post as Commissioner of the European Union for the Foreign Policy and Security. Solana replied to the congratulation with the certainty and good will of a friend of Albania.

On the occasion of the termination of his mandate as NATO Secretary General, Meidani sent a message to Mr. Solana on Monday, in which he highly praised his capability in the head of NATO. /led/gs/xh/

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[14] Tirane SP branch supports "Majko" Government

"The SP of Tirane supports the Government of Majko, the fight against corruption and contraband", said Poci who opened the proceedings of the conference with a report where he introduced the analysis of the Tirane steering committee on the governing of the socialists up to now.

Tirane SP leader mentioned Majko's Government attempts for taking the country out of the crisis and restoring the order, after the resignation of the former premier Nano.

The report supported the government measures to restore order, the struggle against corruption and contraband along with the suing of the persons involved in it. /led/gs/

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[15] NATO deputy commandant for Europe in Albania on Thursday

During his visit General Smith will hold talks with the Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, Minister of Defence Luan Hajdar Aga as well as with the Foreing Minister Paskal Milo.

After the scheduled meetings, he will hold a press conference in the press center COMMZ(W).

The U.S. General, Smith, is the deputy of the General Wesley Clark, who currently leads the military force of the Atlantic Alliance in Europe. /s.sh/so/

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[16] CE to continue aid for Albanian Constitutional Court

The Special representative of the CE in Tirane, Reihan Akant, at a meeting on Monday with the head of the Albanian Constitutional Court, Fehmi Abdiu, expressed the commitment of the organisation she represents to continue aid for the Albanian Justice.

They dwelt on aspects of the Constitutional Court decision-making activity to put into practice the constitutional provisions from the executive and judiciary.

The spokesman of the Constitutional Court said that the two shared their views that there is still much to be done by all the constitutional institutions, ministries, central institutions and the local government bodies to implement the provisions of the constitutions. /lm/

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[17] Albanian Film Central archives serving European film companies

This was reported by the head of the Albanian Film Central Archives, Natasha Lako, who said: "This cooperation was attained at a conference whose topic was exploitation and circulation of filmic image of the European countries, organised in Athens of Greece by the international association "Eureka Audio-Visual".

According to Lako, two filmic companies, Dutch and French, have expressed the desire to realise a documentary film on Albania, based on the Albanian Film Central Archives. /lm/

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[18] Fire engulfes Permet forests

A carelessness act has set on fire the forest area of Luare, Permet, South-Western Albania, on Monday afternoon, the criminal inspector of the district police commissariat, Arben Kalaja, reported.

According to him, everything began after a citizen of Luare village burned some bushes. Right after that, the flames helped by the wind engulfed the forest area in the middle of Luare and Gorice village, causing a damage of million of leks.

Protection Against Fire of the district arrived at the area, managing to quench the fire after a long time.

During this year's summer time many forest areas, in Permet, have been damaged from the frequent fires, but in no case the local police has undertaken any serious inquiry and in several cases the cause of the fires has remained an enigma. /so/

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[19] Italian Cultural Centre to become active soon

Thoma Papagjika, chairman of Sarande District Council, who recently met with a group of intellectuals from the city of Riccione, told ATA that "an amount of books of various genres and other equipment, will soon arrive from the Italian city."

The activity of this centre is expected to be inaugurated on November 20.

Sarande established sister city relations with Riccione in 1996.

The Italian Cultural Centre in Sarande will be the second after a similar centre of German culture set up in this city in March of this year. /lm/

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[20] Strike of shipyard workers considered illegal

On Tuesday afternoon the head of the judge-panel, Ndue Gjura, read the decision of the district court, which considers illegal the strike staged on September 20 by nearly 150 workers of this shipyard.

According to the court, not all possible efforts have been made to resolve the conflict between the enterprise's department and the workers, while the strike started without warning since the day when it was made public by the organisation commission.

The Durres-Gdansk shipyard is a company with joint Albanian-Polish capital. Currently, this enterprise employs nearly 290 workers, a part of whom receive half the payment for lack of work.

The strike aimed to clarify the position of capitals between the two parties as well as to prevent a further job cut in face of the decreasing demands for ship repair. /lm/

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[21] BBC in Albanian covers "Sexual Identity" in a series of programmes

The series of 12 broadcasts, will treat sexual problems connected with puberty, contraception and sexually transmitted illnesses. A special place will be occupied by the century illness, AIDS.

Specialists in different fields, who will try to give full information within a limited time, will be invited in BBC studios.

The project, financed by a British Foundation is extended in 7 countries of the Eastern Europe. /so/

TIRANE, Oct 5 (ATA)-By G. Dilaveri, The Hollywood actor and superstar Michael Dougllas is visiting Albanian on October 11-12, the UNDP office in Tirane reported on Tuesday.

Dougllas, a messenger of peace, charged with this task by U.N. Secretary General, aims to visit Albania in support of U.N. programme "Weapons in exchange for development".

During his visit to Albania the U.S. actor will take part in a demonstration of collected weapons' destruction in implementation of the pilot project in Gramsh and development projects realised in this region in exchange for their surrender.

He will also visit the city of Elbasan to encourage its inhabitants to extend the project to this region as well.

In Tirane he will publicly attract the attention of national and international community on financing disarmament projects.

Dougllas, famous U.S. actor has a 20-year old working experience in theater, cinematography and television.

He has become known with his movies "The China syndrome", "Fatal Attraction", "Basic Instinct" and other movies. /lm/

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[22] Actor Michael Dougllas supports disarmament in Albania

Dougllas, a messenger of peace, charged with this task by U.N. Secretary General, aims to visit Albania in support of U.N. programme "Weapons in exchange for development".

During his visit to Albania the U.S. actor will take part in a demonstration of collected weapons' destruction in implementation of the pilot project in Gramsh and development projects realised in this region in exchange for their surrender.

He will also visit the city of Elbasan to encourage its inhabitants to extend the project to this region as well.

In Tirane he will publicly attract the attention of national and international community on financing disarmament projects.

Dougllas, famous U.S. actor has a 20-year old working experience in theater, cinematography and television.

He has become known with his movies "The China syndrome", "Fatal Attraction", "Basic Instinct" and other movies. /lm/

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[23] Number of Albtelecom subscribers increased, new directory lacking

Over 52 000 subscribers can actually be numbered only in Tirana and 35 000 new telephonic numbers will be added by the end of the year, but to find out whose number is it is quite difficult.

After the directory published in 1986, the last one has been published in December 1997 and it is still used. But this directory does not include hundreds of subscribers, a part of whom has changed addresses along with telephonic numbers.

Meanwhile, by the end of 1998 in Albania could be numbered 116.212 subscribers, where the greatest number after Tirana is occupied by Elbasan with 8841 and Korca with 5093 subscribers. /so/

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[24] Italian-Albanian relations to be institutionalised further

This was agreed upon at a meeting on Tuesday by Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini, at whose invitation Milo paid a formal visit to Italy between October 4 and 5.

The two diplomacy chiefs treated a wide range of issues, which covered the Albanian-Italy bilateral relations, the Stability Pact, the process of Albania's Euro-Atlantic integration and the situation in Kosova.

According to Foreign Ministry sources, the two ministers also discussed the process of Albania's integration into the EU and its membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Dini declared Italy's full support for the quick approval of the Feasibility Study by the European Commission, which will pave the way for starting negotiations to sign agreements of stability and association with the EU.

He expressed his satisfaction over the progress regarding Albania's membership in WTO and confidence that this process will end soon and positively.

Kosova and the situation created there in the recent weeks was the other topic of Milo-Dini talks. They underlined the importance of the full implementation of Resolution 1244 of the Security Council, the setting up of the administration and its functioning as well free elections at a reasonable term.

Milo said that Albania continues to stand by its known positions of respecting international institutions and acts which regulate peace in Kosova. /lm/

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[25] Balkan architectural issues in Venice meeting

Architectural issues of Balkan heritage will be discussed in the meeting with the topic "War and cultural heritage", due in November 20 in Venice, Italy, sources from the Institute of Monuments reported on Tuesday.

The meeting will gather functionaries and specialists from Serbia, Bosgnia and Albania.

Besides discussions over Balkan architectural issues an important place will be occupied by the registration of historical and artistic damages, examination of the great interventions as well as the protection of international institutions.

This programme also includes the analyses and the role of the institutions and international bodies, where representatives of international organizations such as ICBS, ICCROM, UNESCO, ICOMOS, Forum UNESCO Universidad Y Patrimonio, European Council and others are thought to participate. /so/

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[26] Soldiers of "Laberia" division visit Ioannina

The match between the two shooting teams, during which the high preparation of the Albanian team attracted great attention, was conducted in the framework of the joint training, sources from the Foreing Ministry reported.

This activity was also followed by the Consul General of Albania in Ioannina, Ilirian Zhupa and Ioannina Division Commandant, the General Mayor Panajotis Rusos. /so/

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[27] One killed, several wounded in clashes in Mitrovice

After the provocation a clash burst out, killing one Serb and injuring two others, according to reports available at present.

A member of the peacekeepers was also injured and immediately sent to hospital by helicopter.

Injuries are also reported among the Russian troops. During the clashes a Russian armoured vehicle was turned over and several other vehicles were set to fire. Witnesses say that the Serbs were armed.

Members of KFOR and international police arrived immediately in the area and in cooperation with the Kosova Protection Corps managed to stop the clashes. /lm/

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