Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-11

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Fatos Nano elected chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania

[02] British church finances rural road rehabilitation

[03] Albanian PM meets with his staff to determine stance of government

[04] Albpetrol increases daily oil production to 930 tons

[05] Exploiters of timber under state observation

[06] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies on Monday

[07] PM Majko to contact with media

[08] Consumer Prices Index reduced to 1,9 % last September

[09] Privatization adds 1 billion Lek to state budget

[10] No changes in the Government - SP chairman, Nano

[11] Italian Ambassador in Tirane Mario Bova meets with Fatos Nano

[12] Nano negates replacement of Majko government

[13] Turkish Minister of Defence on a three-day visit to Albania

[14] Reelection of Nano to the post of SP chairman not supported by DP

[15] Albanian Justice Minister on a visit to Rumania

[16] Nearly 500 doctors of Mitrovice hospital lodge protest in Prishtine

[17] Alpine brigade "Taurineze" replaced by "Fruili" brigade

[18] EBRD allocates 5 million USD for AMC

[19] MP Majko to stay in office

[20] IMF assists Albanian Tax Administration

[21] Hollywood actor Michael Douglas arrives in Albania

[22] Crisis and destabilization have been overcome - OSCE

[23] Rehabilitation of objects used for accommodation of Kosova arrivals goes on

[24] Nearly same phenomena noticed in SP and DP Congresses - Ahrens

[01] Fatos Nano elected chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania

Nano has won the post of chairmanship of socialists with 295 votes against 261 votes won by the other candidate, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko. The third candidate, Shkelqim Meta has obtained 7 votes, while 5 votes have been invalid.

The ballot box for the post of the chairman was the first to open after the voting process, which continued for about 10 hours, ended.

Majko did not stay in the Congress hall after Nano was declared chairman of the Party, and accompanied by Deputy Premier Ilir Meta and a part of the old socialist party presidency, he made for the party headquarters.

In the mean time, Nano greeted the delegates and his supporters in the Opera and Ballet Theater Hall.

Fatos Nano is one of the founders of the Socialist Party. He has been in the post of the SP chairman since the creation of this party until the beginning of 1999, when he withdrew from the post. /xh/

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[02] British church finances rural road rehabilitation

"A fund of over 2 million leks has made possible the finalization of the first phase of the road rehabilitation, 3 km long, which connects Borsh village with Shkalle close to the seaside", the economist close to this church reports.

Church sources in Borsh say that the second phase for the road improvement, which includes the expansion and pavement of the road, has recently started.

The British Christian church, headed by the missionary Richard Nellch, has started its activity in Saranda's coastal villages three years ago. It is the first time that a foreing church invests in the district's rural road infrastructure.

The Albanian riviera represents one of the country's pearls, distinguished for its beaches and pure water of the Ioanian sea it offers to native and foreing tourists in summer time. /so/

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[03] Albanian PM meets with his staff to determine stance of government

The staff of Majko is drafting a platform on the approach that the present Albanian government will adopt after the Third Congress of the Socialist Party, with ex-premier Fatos Nano reelected as chairman.

Early on Monday, Nano was reelected to the post of the SP chairman with 295 votes, against 261 votes in support of the Premier Majko. /led/xh/

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[04] Albpetrol increases daily oil production to 930 tons

In the mean time, from 1977 oil wells planned to be exploited, only 1426 are active. Over the past 8 months of the current year, a total of 206 626 tons of oil per day, with an average amount of 850 tons per day, have been extracted.

According to specialists of the company, the program of development for 1999 for Albpetrol is outlined on progressive and objective bases, and taking into account the financial possibilities of the company. For the first time, after several year activity, there is a full guarantee that up to the end of 1999, a value of about 120 million lek be obtained.

In the mean time, the program of the investments is as high as 258 million USD for the zone Patos-Marinez, an area which is being considered with priority due to its growth of production. /led/xh/

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[05] Exploiters of timber under state observation

"As Elbasan's prefecture lay on a hilly-mountainous ground over a 130 thousand ha forest area, the number of the subjects that exploit timber without criteria and do not pay taxes to the state is very high", the head of the district's forest enterprise, Ded Prenga, told ATA on Monday.

A control conducted recently in this zone ascertained that only one of the private subjects out of 12 has payed taxes to the state when it is known that a private subject produces 500 up to 600 meter cube of wood in a year. /so/

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[06] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies on Monday

In the Savings Bank, which is completely with state capital, the dollar was bought with 131.8 lek and sold at 133.9 lek. In the exchange rates of Lek with dollar, there is a very great difference between the buying and selling values for the U.S. currency.

Exchange rates of foreign currencies with Lek:

Kind of currency Bought Sold

USD 132,2 132,3

DM 72,5 72,7

LIT (1000) 73,2 73,5

GRD (100) 43,0 43,2 /xh/

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[07] PM Majko to contact with media

Official sources from the Ministry of Information said to ATA that the time of the meeting is not yet announced.

Confidential sources close to the Information Ministry told ATA that PM Majko has met on Monday with his cabinet and staff.

The aim of the meeting was to draft a platform for the approach that the present Albanian government will adopt following the latest developments in the Socialist Party.

Early on Monday, Fatos Nano was reelected to the post of the SP chairman with 295 votes, against 261 votes in support of PM Majko. /s.s./xh/

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[08] Consumer Prices Index reduced to 1,9 % last September

According to him, CPI in September 1999 reached 212,97 % as against December 1993, which is considered as the basic year, marking an increase of 0,1 % as against the former year. The Consumer Prices Index, in comparison with December 1998, marks a reduction of 4,3 %.

Meanwhile, CPI in Albania during August 1999 reached the quota 212,75 % as against December 1993 and in comparison with the same period of 1998 marked a reduction of 0,6 %. /led/so/

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[09] Privatization adds 1 billion Lek to state budget

This ministry has accelerated the procedure to complete within October the plan for the privatization of the enterprises included in the non-strategic sectors. The procedure of the tender will be realised by the National Agency of Privatization.

The trade companies for which privatization through tender is adopted, operate in the non-strategic sectors of the Albanian economy, with better economic-financial indices.

The privatization of the trade companies so far has been realised through auction, while a month earlier the Albanian Government adopted as a form of privatization, along with the tender also the auction without setting an initial prize for the package of shares. /led/xh/

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[10] No changes in the Government - SP chairman, Nano

Nano assured the reporters that the government coalition, too, will continue to operate as before. /xh/

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[11] Italian Ambassador in Tirane Mario Bova meets with Fatos Nano

Ambassador Bova is having a meeting with SP chairman, Fatos Nano. /s.s./xh/

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[12] Nano negates replacement of Majko government

"It is not an issue on the agenda," stated Nano on Monday before reporters in his party headquarters.

"This government is legitimate and as was clearly expressed in the congress, it enjoys the full support of the party," he said.

According to Nano, "this government will be re-programmed and added with with new forces in order to increase its quality and efficiency." He added that "the fate of the government is linked with the progressive coalition elected on June 29, 1997." /dast/xh/

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[13] Turkish Minister of Defence on a three-day visit to Albania

During the first day of his visit, the Turkish defence minister will hold talks with his Albanian counterpart, Luan Hajdaraga, with the Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, and with the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani.

On Wednesday, Cakmakoglu will visit Vlore where he is expected to take part in the inauguration ceremony of Central Corpus of Naval Academy. This academy as well as the general high school "Mustafa Qemal Ataturk" in Vlore are being constructed by a contingent of Turkish soldiers.

During the last day of his visit to Albania, Cakmakoglu will pay a visit in commando brigade of the Turkish coordination council established in Tirane.

After these visits Cakmakoglu and Hajdaraga will give a joint news conference in the grounds of Defence Ministry. /dast/A.A/

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[14] Reelection of Nano to the post of SP chairman not supported by DP

"In the present situation, where the Premier Majko lost against the candidature of Nano for the post of SP chairman, thing that shows that this government did not win the votes of its party, the creation of a government with a wide political spectrum and the appointment of new election date is demanded", Berisha briefed in a news conference.

Fatos Nano is elected on early Monday chairman of Socialist Party of Albania against the candidacy of the Premier Pandeli Majko. /dast/A.A/

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[15] Albanian Justice Minister on a visit to Rumania

The aim of Panda's visit is to sign a joint declaration with the two respective ministries, where is included the cooperation in the field of legislature, the formation of magistracies and assisting personnel of justice ministry, the use of calculation techniques in the juridical practice as well as in the penitence administration field.

The Albanian and Rumanian ministries will exchange information and experience in the field of harmonization of national legislation with the EU legislation, and will coordinate the work in the combat against organized crime. /dast/A.A/

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[16] Nearly 500 doctors of Mitrovice hospital lodge protest in Prishtine

According to ATA sources from Prishtine, the protesters demanded to urgently return to the hospital of divided Mitrovice, from which they have been fired under the threat of automatic weapons and knifes by Serb militaries and paramilitaries, who keep occupied the northern part of the city.

A delegation of the Albanian doctors of Mitrovice was received at the office of U.N. civil administrator in Kosova Bernard Kouchner, who suggested that "a solution will be found to this serious problem".

Tensions promoted by Serbs are running high in north of Mitrovice. Shooting and fire was witnessed overnight. Serbs are said to continue to burn Albanians' houses. The hospital, located in north of Mitrovice, which was inhabited by nearly 80 % Albanians, has remained without any Albanian doctor or patient. /dast/lm/

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[17] Alpine brigade "Taurineze" replaced by "Fruili" brigade

During its stay in Albania, this brigade contributed to the implementation of projects of Albanian government and UNHCR to assist the displaced Kosovars.

It offered its help even in improvement of road segments Puke-Kukes to facilitate the transport of Kosovars expelled from their ethnic soils.

"Fruili" brigade will initiate its six-month long mission in Albania under the command of General Luixhi Ciavareli, and it will mainly deal with the roads' reconstruction, focusing on Durres-Puke road.

This brigade has taken part even in "Alba" mission in 1997 held in Vlore city, southern Albania. /dast/A.A/

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[18] EBRD allocates 5 million USD for AMC

According to Telecommunication Director Pirro Xhixha, this sum will be proposed to the strategic partner, after closing the negotiations, as a possibility to start immediately the investments. It depends on the investiture to receive this loan or not.

"Offering of this loan by the part of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lift AMC value and at the same time shows that this company is economically strong", said Xhixha.

Sources from the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization told ATA that, through this loan, the state asks for the increasing of AMC value in privatization process.

In case EBRD loan is accepted by the strategic investiture to be selected, this investoture will pay back this loan. /dast/linda/

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[19] MP Majko to stay in office

Majko said that as a prime minister mandated by the Socialist Party his personal moral legitimacy has been hurt and not the legitimacy of the institution he runs.

Majko has said he will continue to govern until a change is appropriate, considering the verdict of the 3rd SP Congress as well as the support the Albanian government has enjoyed and continues to enjoy from the majority of public opinion. /dast/lm/

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[20] IMF assists Albanian Tax Administration

The international assistance offered to the Albanian Tax Administration consists of training some 50 inspectors in the field of tax on profit and revenue tax. /a.gj/linda/

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[21] Hollywood actor Michael Douglas arrives in Albania

On the first day of his two-day visit to Albania, Douglas, aged 54, will visit the demilitarised town of Gramsh, to attend a demonstration of destroying the weapons collected in implementation of a pilot-project in this town.

In the town of Elbasan he will encourage the inhabitants to extend this project also to this region.

The agenda includes meetings with Albanian statesmen, President Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, meetings with representatives of local government and UNDP to Albania.

Douglas, who has visited Albania for the first, has a 20 year old experience in cinematography and is known for his movies "The China Syndrome", "Fatal Attraction", "Basic Instinct', "Wall Street", "The American President", with which he has won numerous prizes. /A.A/lm/

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[22] Crisis and destabilization have been overcome - OSCE

This mission has actually focused its work in those issues foreseen in its mandate. OSCE mandate offers assistance in such fields as the democratization of institutions, mediae, human rights, election monitoring and the like.

This mandate comprises as well problems such as the combat against crime and corruption, issues on which OSCE offices in Albania are coordinating their work with Albanian government.

Geer-Heinrich Ahrens, OSCE ambassador to Albania told ATA on Monday that the work preformed so far against crime and corruption has given fruitful results.

The duty of OSCE mission in Albania during the crisis in Kosove was the monitoring of Albanian northern borders.

In post-crisis period OSCE is working to restore relations between offices of its missions in the regional countries aiming at coordinating the work in the framework of Stability Pact, revealed the ambassador.

"Albania needs a great work to improve its image in the world", said Ahrens, who added that although it is not a long time he is appointed OSCE ambassador, the report on the situation in Albania which will be presented in the regular meeting of the organization in Vienna will comprise many positive things. /dast/A.A/

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[23] Rehabilitation of objects used for accommodation of Kosova arrivals goes on

The Administration Head of Shkodra Municipality Esma Boksi told ATA that the work on rehabilitating six objects, with a fund of some 420 thousand dollars accorded by UNHCR, has started already.

Some 38 thousand Kosova comers are accommodated in these and other buildings in Shkodra town during Kosova crisis.

After the end of Kosova crisis, UNHCR pledged to support Albania in total rehabilitation of the buildings used for the accommodation of some half million forcefully expelled Kosovars. /dast/linda/

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[24] Nearly same phenomena noticed in SP and DP Congresses - Ahrens

OSCE ambassador in Tirane Geert-Heinrich Ahrens told ATA on Monday that he had observed the same phenomena in the SP and DP Congresses.

"Reports were read in both congresses which raised personal more than political issues and there were tendencies towards bipolarisation within parties, this more pronounced at the DP Congress," said Ahrens, commenting the developments at the congresses of the two biggest Albanian parties.

"Polarisation by rivals inside the same party is a normal phenomenon in democracy," said Ahrens. "Of importance is to have a democratic consensus, which was noticed in both congresses where there were not any irregularities," he added.

What differs in the Albanian politics from that of the European countries, Ahrens explained, is that the individual comes above the party.

"Therefore, my comment for this is that politics should act vary cautiously, to preserve and improve Albania's image in the world".

"The reelected Berisha and Nano should respect and act conform the principles of democracy," said Ahrens. /dast/lm/

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