Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-07

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Trepce miners to protest for return of their rights

[02] Vollebaek meets members of Kosova Transitional Council

[03] Press review

[04] Soccer: Greece-Albania 2-0 (1-0)

[05] Meidani leaves for Italy

[06] Exchange-rates in Tirane

[07] Crime in Albania marks downward tendency

[08] New commandant of Maritime Group 28 of Italian Military Marine appointed

[09] Albania's National History Museum fund added with 15 works of art

[10] Cooperation between Ministry of Justice of Albania and IOM

[11] Donors estimate the economical situation in Albania

[12] Greek consul promises to help Southern Albania.

[13] SECI discusses on priorities of Stability Pact projects

[14] Agro-industrial fair opened in Fier

[15] Austrian companies invited at "Tirane trade '99" fair

[16] Membership in NATO - the most important project for Albania

[17] U.S. General pledges NATO will have a long-term presence in Albania

[18] Lower flux of illegal people seeking to go to Italy from Vlore

[19] NATO, friendliest organization for Albanians

[20] German Land of Walheim grants 400 000 DM for Elbasan

[21] Albanian intellectuals meet in Ionnina

[22] Albanian Socialist Party is the most serious political force - Premier

[23] Support for economic-social development of Albania has fundamental importance for Italy - Ciampi

[01] Trepce miners to protest for return of their rights

Albanian miners of Trepce have been given the sack from Serb regime since ten years now, while Serbs continue to work in this mine.

Albanian students of Mitrovica will also protest in front of United Nations headquarters mission (UNO) to return to University.

In North of Mitrovica has been intensified the presence of military and paramilitary Serb forces. According to sources from Northern Mitrovica, on Wednesday, in this zone arrived also top officials of Serb police- military forces. /dast/so/

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[02] Vollebaek meets members of Kosova Transitional Council

After the meeting Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said they had discussed the security situation in Kosova, failure to respect Resolution 1244 of U.N. Security Council, the situation in Mitrovice city and other issues.

Thaci said they had also discussed Kosova's reconstruction, stressing that free democratic elections could not be held before the reconstruction began.

On the same day Vollebaek visited the school of Kosova Police Service in Vushtrri and met with International authorities in Kosova.

In the evening in Prishtine Vollebaek inaugurated the first center founded by OSCE on the performance of Kosova political parties. /dast/so/lm/

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[03] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Chairmanship: Trial against Majko for the special forces". Legal proceeding was proposed at yesterday's meeting of the SP chairmanship yesterday against persons responsible for the incident at the Tirane conference hall. "Meta ready to put forward his candidature". Following the Tirane conference, Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta was convinced that time is high to put forward his candidature for SP chairman. "Now we violate the statute, laws, when we come to power". DP deputy Ferdinand Xhaferri harshly criticises the assignment of the parliamentary group by the National Council.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"Body-guards not grata at the SP congress". Ideas launched by former chairman Nano on the party statute to be discussed at the SP Leading Committee today.

"Xhaferri: I observe statute violation for the head of the Group". Interview with DP deputy Ferdinad Xhaferri.

"Businessmen: We do not trust second level banks". This was the conclusion of a study made evident at a seminar yesterday.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Nano, only four delegates". The results of the tirane conference were made public yesterday, 56 supporters of Premier Majko elected.

"Five shops" arrested. Police Director General Veli Myftari, headed the arrest operation against eight members of the so-called "Gang of five shops" in Korce yesterday. "Pollo continues to be fired". DP chairman Sali Berisha has changed statute and removes his rival Genc Pollo from the lead of the parliamentary group.

Albania, national daily,

"Hunger strikers violated". "Quarrel at the SP presidency".

Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania,

"Donors: OK with the government, tasks to continue" "Gangster of "Five Shops" released. "Trafficker caught in Kapshtice. Half a ton of hashish and 310 000 cartridges".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania

"Malaj threatens Majko" "Minarolli: The strikers, hostage of SP Congress".

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania

"Nano creates "shadow government". /lm/

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[04] Soccer: Greece-Albania 2-0 (1-0)

This match, of Group 2, valuable for Euro- 2000 qualifications was played in the presence of 50000 viewers of whom 4000 were Albanian.

For the Greek team scored Tsartas in the first minute and Georgatos in the 87-th.

The score of the first match, played in Tirana, was 1-0 for the Greek team.

Albania has remained the last of the group with 4 points.

Our national team will play with Georgia in Tirane on Saturday.

In group 2, where teams of Norway, Slavonia, Latvia, Greece, Georgia and Albania participate, leads Norway. /dast/so/

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[05] Meidani leaves for Italy

Meidani will meet with Italian senior leaders and his counterpart Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

Meidani will also attend the International Conference of the Aspen Italia Institute "The European Union, the Balkans and the Danube region," at the invitation of the president of this institute and at the same time Italian Minister of Defence Carlo Scognamiglio.

The conference will discuss the spaces of cooperation in the context of the perspectives created by the Stability Pact and the processes of economic and political transformations in the region.

In Rome Meidani will also be awarded the title of honour Doctor Honoris Causa of the U.S. University of Rome, where, according to tradition, will also hold a speech. /dast/lm/

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[06] Exchange-rates in Tirane

Dollar lost ground in its exchange rates with Lek on Tirane currency market on Thursday. Foreing currency exchange-rates

Currency Buying Selling

US$ 132 132,5

DM 72 72,5

ITL(1000) 72,9 73,1

GRD(100) 42,9 43,1 /so/lm/

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[07] Crime in Albania marks downward tendency

According to data provided by the Public Order Ministry some 3 629 crimes have taken place this year, that is, 110 crimes per 100 000 inhabitants. In relation to the same period last year the number of crimes this year has reduced by 592.

In the total of crimes for this year the crimes against the person make up 32.6%, against property 35%, those in the field of drugs 6%, in the economic financial field 10%, terrorists acts 1.4% and other crimes 15%.

This year the number of crimes against person as compared with one year ago has reduced by 21%, thefts through violence or which result in death have decreased by 21%.

A positive indication from these statistic data is also the high percentage of crimes uncovered by police bodies. In June, July, and August alone, some 79.5 % of crimes have been uncovered. /dast/lm/

TIRANE, Oct 7 (ATA)-By R. Xhuvani, Criminality figures this year have had a downward tendency if compared with last year.

According to data provided by the Public Order Ministry some 3 629 crimes have taken place this year, that is, 110 crimes per 100 000 inhabitants. In relation to the same period last year the number of crimes this year has reduced by 592.

In the total of crimes for this year the crimes against the person make up 32.6%, against property 35%, those in the field of drugs 6%, in the economic financial field 10%, terrorists acts 1.4% and other crimes 15%.

This year the number of crimes against person as compared with one year ago has reduced by 21%, thefts through violence or which result in death have decreased by 21%.

A positive indication from these statistic data is also the high percentage of crimes uncovered by police bodies. In June, July, and August alone, some 79.5 % of crimes have been uncovered. /dast/lm/

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[08] New commandant of Maritime Group 28 of Italian Military Marine appointed

"The 28'th group will continue to undertake the scheduled duties in controlling Albania's coasts to fight illegal trafficking, as well as in supporting the reconstruction and strengthening of the Albanian Military Marine", Sbordoni,46, reported to ATA.

Sbordoni, with 26 years of experience in Italian Military Marine forces, was born in Albano Laziale close to Rome and has recently worked in La Spezia port.

The 28'th group is active in Durres port since April 1997. Lately one of its nucleus has been located in Sazan island.

Attilio is the substitute of Claudio Confessore, who will be appointed Commandant of "San Marco" Regiment in Italy. /dast/so/

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[09] Albania's National History Museum fund added with 15 works of art

Zeqo said that these works, which are not allowed by Albanian customs employees to be carried onto the other side of the border, are an important collection for the fund of the Museum which has more than 5 000 objects.

Eight of the works are sculptured heads in marble and lime stone, three of which falsified from ancient times. Their realisation dates back to 1st and 2nd centuries of our era.

The rest of the works are an original Venetian sword of the 16th century, a cross with the crucified Christ in sculpture of the 20th century, a religious sculpture of the 19th century which shows Saint Mary with the Christ.

The trade with works of art is known in Albania but in the recent years it has assumed great proportions although there are no statistics of the damage that illegal 'archaeologists' are causing. /dast/xh/

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[10] Cooperation between Ministry of Justice of Albania and IOM

Mandro presented the situation of the Albanian legislation system, referring to the question of illegal trafficking of Albanian girls for prostitution, and all respective clauses stemming from this: the status of the witness (his protection and security) and other questions related with this subject.

Mandro asked assistance from IOM for a revision of the Albanian Penal Code, which has some shortcomings that may lead abuses regarding the organized crime and corruption.

Itaya promised assistance for Albanian legislation aiming to support the Ministry of Justice in studying and preparing a draft law applicable for Albania's conditions. /led/xh/

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[11] Donors estimate the economical situation in Albania

According to the sources of Finance Ministry, the participants in the meeting were informed about the latest macro-economical situation in Albania and with the outcome of IMF and WB negotiations with the Albanian delegation held at the end of September.

The Pact of Stability issue and the arrangement of future meetings were on the focus of the meeting.

As regards to the Pact of Stability the donors suggested a better coordination of the priority projects of regional countries, their representation with dignity in the fields of infrastructure, energetic, economy, finances and social-education for securing effective sources of their finance, and demanded more responsibility from the Albanian institutions.

According to the donors the realization of all these points need a political and leadership stability at home. /dast/A.A/

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[12] Greek consul promises to help Southern Albania.

The Greek consul, in the meeting he had with the Mayor Ylli Asllani, inquired about the problems the museum city had to maintain the present architectonic configuration, the city- hall spokesman reported.

On the visas issue, about which a part of the population employed in Greece is very interested, Pedhiotis said that "An open policy will be followed in granting visas. The criteria will be such as to establish equal rights for everyone despite the nationality".

The consul affirmed that he would do his best to mediate the investments in the field of education, aqueducts and the solution of immediate problems of the population. /dast/gs/

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[13] SECI discusses on priorities of Stability Pact projects

Albania was presented in SECI regular meeting by experts in the fields of transport, energetic and environment.

The Albanian minister of Public Works and Transport, Ingrid Shuli presented the projects expected to be financed in transport field where are included the construction of Kashar-Rinas road, rehabilitation of Qafe- Thane-Pogradec road and the reconstruction of the border and custom point of Qafe Thane, with a total value of $ 8 million.

The Albanian experts asked more finances for reconstruction of roads ruined during the pass of heavy military vehicles during the crisis in Kosove, mainly in northern area. /led/A.A/

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[14] Agro-industrial fair opened in Fier

Some 32 production and trade subjects had displayed their exhibits in the fair. Among them is the Albanian-Greek joint venture "Kamberi- Kristopulos," the Fier firm for production of wines Sara which is the winner of a national prize in 1998 for one of its products.

A special place in the fair was given to many foreign firms which deal with agro-industrial literature and propaganda, with the studies for the orientation of investments and which operate in Fier. Claiming distinction among them are the exhibits of the association "Centre of Dutch Information on Agro-Business," ADRA, "International Corpus of medicine," "The Religious Relief Service," etc.

This is the first fair held by the Chamber of Commerce of the district of Fier, which, according to its leaders, will be followed by others. /led/xh/

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[15] Austrian companies invited at "Tirane trade '99" fair

The spokesperson of the chamber of commerce reports that its representatives held talks with the commercial aide of Austrian embassy in Tirane, Herbert Geissler and with the director for southern Europe in economic federal chamber, Bristinger. The increase of commercial exchange between Albania and Austria were on the focus of these talks.

"The chamber of commerce can help business a lot", said Geissler who mentioned the fact that the commercial relations have been sporadic. "We hope that these business relations be stabilized, continuous and for a long period of time", said Geissler.

The president of representative assembly of Tirane chamber of commerce, Diana Gambeta, asked the Austrian delegation to help the Albanian part with more concrete data on the companies interested to cooperate with Albania. /led/A.A/

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[16] Membership in NATO - the most important project for Albania

"Albania-NATO cooperation is on the right path and this is a guarantee for the future", emphasized Hajdaraga. He mentioned the COMMZ(W), (Communication Zone West) mission, currently operating in Albania, as the closest cooperation.

General Smith assured the NATO's continuous support in the future.

This is his second visit in Albania, following that of March 1999. General Smith is General Wesley Clark's deputy, currently running the NATO task force in Europe. /led/gs/

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[17] U.S. General pledges NATO will have a long-term presence in Albania

Majko considered indispensable the presence of NATO in the region and said that this was proved not only during the conflict in Kosova, but also now that NATO is being considered a guarantor of stability.

After briefed of the opinion of Tirana with regard to the future of the cooperation with NATO, General Smith said that "NATO will continue to be present in Albania also for longer terms."

The PM offered his vision for the future developments in the Balkans, considering Serbia as the most uncontrolled centre of the region, as a potential possibility to generate destabilisation again. "The presence of the international factor and of NATO in the region is a reason which offers optimism. In this context, Albania and the Albanian factor in general in the region, will continue to influence in the stability of the entire region," said Majko.

Albanian PM stressed the importance that the implementation of the Stability Pact has for the region, because in essence it implies establishment of clear ties of communication between the countries of the region. "Important is that the formulae which would influence in the protection of the stability in the region be identified in face of the formulae that generate destabilisation," said Majko.

General Smith, who is visiting Tirana for the second time, highlighted the contribution Albania offered during the conflict in Kosova. /xh/

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[18] Lower flux of illegal people seeking to go to Italy from Vlore

According to them, the fall is linked with tight control measures by local police and the Guardia di Finanza vessels, which patrol the Bay of Vlore.

Only during the past 24 hours, local police made several operations to control the men-smuggling bases along the coastline of Vlore and on the Fier-Vlore road segment. Consequently, 35 people, contingent of the trafficking with people, have been accompanied to police station.

As a result of joint operations of local police with the vessels of Guardia di Finanza, more than 20 dinghies with illegal people on board seeking to reach Italian coastline, have been turned back over the past two weeks. /xh/

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[19] NATO, friendliest organization for Albanians

"Your presence in Albania will have a strong impact on the consolidation of the security and stability in the country and in the acceleration of the process of Albania's integration in NATO," said Milo.

The interlocutors highlighted the cooperation of NATO with Albania both in the context of the Partnership for Peace and during the crisis in Kosova and after it. They expressed their trust that this cooperation will continue also in the future.

General Smith stressed that "we could not do as much as we did during the crisis in Kosove without Albania's help. I have come to Albania after a four-month period. I am satisfied to see essential transformations in which NATO too is making its modest contribution."

During their meeting, Milo and Smith discussed latest developments in Kosova, in the region and the perspective of the Stability Pact. Minister Milo said that Albania is very interested and active to create the necessary atmosphere for the implementation of the Stability Pact and the economic development of the region. /led/xh/

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[20] German Land of Walheim grants 400 000 DM for Elbasan

According to the Mayor of Elbasan, Engjell Dakli, the fund will be used in two stages, with the first including the construction of a vocational school and a Benz car service centre. The second stage envisages the creation of a SOS village with a capacity of 60-70 orphan children and a house for the aged.

In addition, a third stage of the project is also sketched, which includes the training of experts in various fields and the exchange of artistic ensembles of the two countries. /xh/

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[21] Albanian intellectuals meet in Ionnina

The aim of the meeting is to create an environment and tradition of meetings with intellectuals and creators, emigrated in Greece, making a modest contribution to boost their creative activity.

In the meeting participated intellectuals, painters, sculptors, musicians who have been working for years in Ioannina.

This is the first meeting of this kind held here since this diplomatic unit started functioning in Ionnina.

The Albanian consulate opened in 1995. In the Northern Greece region, according to its sources, work some 70 000 Albanian emigrants. /led/gs/

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[22] Albanian Socialist Party is the most serious political force - Premier

"We have all the chances to prove we are the most serious political force," said Majko to reporters after the meeting.

Discussions in the meeting of the General Leading Committee of the Socialist Party two days before the third congress of SP this weekend, focused on the changes presented from the grass-roots and the former chairman of the party, Fatos Nano, for the party program and statute.

Proposals for these changes, together with the number of votes for each of them by the Commission, will be presented to the congress for discussion, as the only decision-making institution within the Socialist Party. /led/xh/

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[23] Support for economic-social development of Albania has fundamental importance for Italy - Ciampi

After receiving guarantees from his counterpart "that the support for the development of Albania has a fundamental importance for Italy," Meidani said that "the development of the infrastructure will lead to the normal development of tourism." In this context, the assistance for "Albania's two windows to Italy, Durres and Vlore, would be welcomed."

Laying the need of passing from the cooperation in the stage of emergency to the implementation in practice of the Stability Pact, Meidani urged "a positive impact from EU for an agenda of operations, with conditioned deadlines for the Balkan countries so that they create space for the free movement of commodities, people and for a customs system similar to that of the EU in the region."

Ciampi said that "we will support you with great financial sources, but we need to have clear operational projects with set deadlines according to priorities."

The proposal of Meidani for the establishment of an Italian University in Albania was enthusiastically welcomed by the Italian President.

Meidani also demanded assistance for the creation of the carabiner unit for the fight against crime, an agreement for the liberalisation of movement for a limited category of citizens, etc. /led/xh/

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