Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-13

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CONTENTS

[01] Press review

[02] Albanian children "Ambassadors of Peace" to meet with Pope John Paul II

[03] Registration of population in Kosova to begin by end of November

[04] PM Majko meets with Hollywood actor Michael Douglas

[05] Albania participates in Frankfurt book fair for the sixth time

[06] Foreing currency exchange rates in Tirane

[07] Thaci condemns murder of UNMIK worker

[08] The foreign organizations repair houses in Kosovo

[09] Cooperation agreement between Albania and Romania in Justice

[10] Kofi Annan arrives in Prishtine

[11] Kofi Annan talks to Kosovo politicians

[12] Mines still kill in Kukes

[13] Kukes to be provided with new aqueduct

[14] Germany has important role in Stability Pact implementation

[15] 100 illegal people caught on Italian coastline

[16] Balkan future to be discussed in Albania

[17] French specialists are training staff of two professional schools in Albania

[18] German company takes with concession water pipeline enterprise of Elbasani for 30 years in succession

[19] AFOR 2 will contribute to increasing cooperation with Albanian Army

[20] Kosova leadership asks for direct representation of Kosova in UN

[21] Greek private bank in Gjirokaster

[22] Legislative reform - a priority for Albanian Parliament

[23] President Meidani highlights contribution of Chinese Ambassador to Albania

[24] Meidani hails consolidation of Albania-Germany relations

[25] Germans want more space for investments in Albania

[26] Albania's DP open for dialogue with ruling parties

[27] Hajdaraga and Çakmakoglu visit Navigation Academy and military base of Pashaliman

[01] Press review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily.

- "Deputies press on Majko: Get the Italian investments". The big Italian giant COLACEM is waiting for the green light to come to Albania. - "Nano wins KPD as well". The voting results for the General Steering Committee (KPD) members of the Socialist Party were announced yesterday. - "Berisha, socialists' servant". The leader's opponents within DP are against his request for early elections.

"GAZETA SHQPTARE", daily independent.

- "Meidani: Nano, don't oust Majko". Fatos Nano, SP leader, yesterday held a meeting tete-a-tete with the President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani. - "KPD, the losers and the winners". The voting results of the KPD (general Steering Committee) of the SP, left out of list Erjon Brace, the chief- editor of "Zeri i Popullit" paper, Taulant Dedja, vice minister of the local government, Vladimir Prela etc. - "Angjeli to Hajdaraga: I want the comandos at the Vlore Port". The Finance minister's request aims at strengthening the anti corruption measures.

"SHEKULLI" independent daily.

- "This is how I captured the gang of Lushnje". Colonel Niko Brahimaj, head of special forces reports minute by minute the 23- minute operation that handcuffed the 18 members of the gang. - "Pellumbi: Nano, provisional". Former Sp leader, Servet Pellumbi, comments Majko's failure and Nano's victory for the Party's chairmanship. - "Shehu: Sali Berisha, "the folly of greatness". Tritan Shehu, former DP leader, analyzes the latest events in SP and DP.

"ALBANIA", daily national.

- "Hajdari's assassins buy votes for Nano". - "Pack warns Nano: Do not touch Majko". - "World Bank: The economy is very sick".

"ZERI i POPULLIT", daily of the Socialist Party of Albania

- "Here you are the new Sp leaders". - "Pack: No government changes, no new elections". - "The socialists and the congress, all winners".

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of the Democratic Party of Albania.

- "Nano blocks parliament". - "Eqrem Spahia in grave conditions".

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[02] Albanian children "Ambassadors of Peace" to meet with Pope John Paul II

The children, all from Zadrima, accompanied by two nurses and Dom Antonio Sciarra, left for Italy on Tuesday afternoon.

These children are distinguished in Albania for the initiative taken after the 1997 unrest, when in a brief period of time they gathered some thousands of shell casings, exchanging them with books and copybooks.

The initiative of the small children from Zadrima was also spread in Kurbin and Shkoder districts. In few days some 3 000 children collected over 20 000 shell casings and unexploded cartridges.

President Meidani visited Zadrima in December '97 to be familiarized with the children's initiative and three months later, he received them at the Presidency seat, considering them "Witnesses of Peace".

The children decided that the gathered shell casings be melted to mould a symbolic church bell out of them, that would be called the Church bell of Peace.

With the mediation of Albanian President Meidani, the little Ambassadors of Peace met with Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro in May 1999.

They invited him that on the 1st of January, 2000, amid children of all races and beliefs from all continents, visits Tirana, where the Bell of Peace, being moulded out of 20 kg of shell casings in the Agnoni foundry, will toll.

The Bell of peace, which will toll in the first days of the new century, will carry the words that President Meidani has addressed to the children: "Peace bears the name of children. Let us serve it, like we serve the children". /led/so/lm/

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[03] Registration of population in Kosova to begin by end of November

Considering financial difficulties to go to the ground to register the population in villages, UNMIK is expected to open its own centers and through the media to invite the citizens to enroll and get the identification cards.

The persons should have some identification document and in in case they do not have it, they will receive the identification cards through two witnesses. /led/lm/

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[04] PM Majko meets with Hollywood actor Michael Douglas

Douglas, U.N special envoy and messenger of peace to support U.N. programme "Hand in weapons in exchange for development" said that "his presence in Albania aims to secure attention for Albania and the whole region".

He promised that in the future, too, he would to continue to focus himself on this project, which he thinks should spread and extend further.

Majko said that "disarmament is a difficult and psychological project and not simply a technical process. Therefore, the cooperation that Albanian government will offer will be constant, complete and sound".

Douglas said that "his country is greatly impressed by the way the Albanian government and people succeeded in coping with the conflict in Kosova and its aftermaths and highly praised the management of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by this conflict".

"The spirit and positive energies you manifested in this period will be appreciated for long," said Douglas.

Michael Douglas arrived for the first time in Albania on Monday for a two-day visit.

First he visited the Gramsh town in implementation of a U.N. project for the demilitarisation of the population in Albania. /led/lm/

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[05] Albania participates in Frankfurt book fair for the sixth time

Some 6600 editors from 111 countries of the world will exhibit their publications in the biggest book exhibition, which this year is expected to welcome around 290 000 visitors.

For the sixth consecutive year this fair will introduce Albanian publications as well. The Albanian publishing houses such as "Toena", "Onufri", "Lilo", "Dituria", "Omsca", will exhibit their works in this fair. The publishing houses of the Albanian territories "Buzuku", "Dukagjini", "Drita", "Agjensi", "Loro Mac" etc from Kosovo, "Logos A" and "Asdreni" from Macedonia will exhibit their best publications.

This fair opened for the first time in 1949. /gs/

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[06] Foreing currency exchange rates in Tirane

Foreing currency exchange rates

Currency Buying Selling

US$ 132,7 132,9 DM 72,7 72,9 ITL (1000) 73,3 73,5 GRD (100) 42, 9 43,0 /so/

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[07] Thaci condemns murder of UNMIK worker

"This killing is an attempt against the democratisation processes in Kosova as well as against the efforts made by the political forces of Kosova for the stabilisation of the situation in Kosova," said Thaci. /led/lm/

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[08] The foreign organizations repair houses in Kosovo

The "Doctors without borders" organization put up 300 roofs in the villages of Peje, Decan, Kline and Istog, whereas CONCARM planned to repair 200 roofs in the city and 500 others in the villages. The GOAL organization has planned to mend several school buildings in Peje.

"Bota sot" paper writes that Mercy Corps on Wednesday decided to give a credit worth 1 800 up to 90 000 DM to reconstruct Kosovo. The head of this organization,Danua, says that "the credit will be distributed to those interested who guarantee its pay-off and the opening of new job vacancies. /led/gs/

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[09] Cooperation agreement between Albania and Romania in Justice

This agreement includes cooperation in the field of legislation, establishment of magistracies and assistance staff of justice administration.

The Romanian minister promised his Albanian counterpart to provide scholarships for students of Magistracy and cooperation between the students of universities of Justice and Magistracy schools of the two countries.

Presidents of the National Chambers of Notary and Advocacy have expressed to minister Panda their wish for cooperation relations with the Albanian counterparts. /led/so/

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[10] Kofi Annan arrives in Prishtine

He landed in Prishtine airport at around 10:00. Annan, besides meetings with Albanian senior politicians, will also meet with international authorites in Kosova and visit Vushtri and Peja, cities largely affected by the war. /led/lm/

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[11] Kofi Annan talks to Kosovo politicians

Annan is holding talks with the Albanian representatives in the Transitory Council as well as with the Serb minority representatives.

The talks are being held at the new office of the United nations Mission in Prishtine, at the building of the Assembly of the Kosovo Government. /led/gs/

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[12] Mines still kill in Kukes

The last case has taken place on Tuesday, when a man, 74, from Shishtavec village while pasturing the cattle close to the border, stepped on mines, losing his life, police sources report. Another citizen, H. Sokoli has remained seriously injured from the explosion.

Since the 13th of June 1999, after the end of the conflict in Kosova, mines have claimed the lives of 13 inhabitants from Kukes district and 51 others have been injured, many of whom have remained mutilated.

Forces of the second infantry Division, in cooperation with border police forces, have identified mined zones and put distinctive marks but the process of mines clearance continues at slow rates. /so/

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[13] Kukes to be provided with new aqueduct

The United Arab Emirates have provided US$ 800 000 to supply with water the 35 000 inhabitants of Kukes district, north of Albania, sources from the prefecture told ATA on Wednesday.

These funds will address the building of the aqueduct of Lojme, 8.6 km long and with a capacity of 40 litres of water per second.

Over 80% of building and assembly works have been completed.

The aqueduct is scheduled to finish within October 25. /led/lm/

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[14] Germany has important role in Stability Pact implementation

"Germany, as initiator of this Pact, will surely play its role in its quick realisation, especially in the economic aspects," said Gjinushi.

Gjinushi has considered support for the Government's reform a priority.

"In this context, the approval of several important laws on the strategy of privatisation as well as the end of the conflict in Kosova and NATO's presence in the region have created opportunities for increased investments and accelerated reforms," he said.

The representative of the German delegation, Dagmar Schmidt, praised the role of the Assembly in the country's stability and stressed not only the support from Bundestag but also from all European parliamentarians in this direction. /led/so/lm/

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[15] 100 illegal people caught on Italian coastline

Sources of Guardia di Finanza, deployed in Durres, told ATA that in addition to the Albanian nationals and Kurds, among the detained were also 11 Chinese and 14 Iraki people.

In the last 24 hours, from the mouth of River Vlosa up to Cape of Gjuheza 20 dinghies and 2 speedboats which were transporting illegal people to the south seashores of Italy, have been intercepted.

Five of them were turned back last evening by police forces of Vlore prefecture and 150 persons, abandoned by the leaders of the dinghies, were arrested. /led/xh/

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[16] Balkan future to be discussed in Albania

The conference on the topic "Security of Peace in Southeast Europe" is organized by Albania in cooperation with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

It will discuss questions of the defence and security in Albania, stability and reconstruction of Kosova, stability of Southeast Europe in the military and civil fields.

Besides most senior personalities of the Albanian state, the conference is expected to be attended by the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Javier Ruperez, the Defence Minister of Turkey, Sebahatin Çakmakglu, the senior official in the NATO defence office for Partnership and Cooperation, George Katsirdakis, deputy secretary general of WEU for the European-Western Cooperation and Contribution in the establishment and qualification of Albanian police, Ambassador Roland Wegener, etc.

The conference will continue until Saturday afternoon. /dast/xh/

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[17] French specialists are training staff of two professional schools in Albania

Specialists of the French Chamber centered in the city Loir et Cher, near Paris, led by Jean Paul Marchau, are helping with the construction and functioning of a branch of hotel business, close to the technological school in Durres.

The progress of the joint project with the Albania Ministry of Education and the educational department of Durres has urged the French specialists to expand their project also to another institution of professional education in Elbasan.

The Albanian party will help construct the school infrastructure while the French party will provide equipment, programs and will bring to Albania the respective specialists for the professional training of Albania teachers both in Durres and Elbasan. /led/xh/

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[18] German company takes with concession water pipeline enterprise of Elbasani for 30 years in succession

Referring to the sources close to the municipality of this town, the German Bank KFV will support financially this project undertaken by the German company marking a value of some 47.5 million DM, an annual interest of some 0,7% by the Albanian part.

German project is divided into two phases. 25 million DM are going to be invested during the first phase, which will be used on the construction of the water provision system of the town and the rehabilitation of whole the distribution network. The value to be invested during the second phase is 22.5 million DM, which are going to be used on improving sewage system of the town.

The implementation of the project by the German part will start in 2000. /led/linda/

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[19] AFOR 2 will contribute to increasing cooperation with Albanian Army

In a meeting that President Meidani had in Tirane with the Commander of AFOR 2, General Pietro Frisone, and General Luiggi Chivareli, he said that the positive experience that AFOR 2 is giving to the Albanian army will help the latter be integrated into NATO, the President's Press office reported to ATA.

General Frisone, who will be replaced on Friday by General Chivarelli, thanked President Meidani for his encouraging presence in the activities held by that mission and expressed his pleasure for the high level of cooperation with Albanian authorities.

President Meidani expressed the conviction that Mission AFOR 2 in Albania will contribute to the improvement of the country's infrastructure. He asked for a stable NATO presence in the north of Albania, which will boost the cooperation between the NATO contingents on both sides of the border and prevent eventual trafficking on both directions.

AFOR 2 Mission in Albania, with 2 000 NATO troops, is a continuation of the AFOR 1 Mission and supports with logistic means the KFOR troops in Kosova. /dast/xh/

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[20] Kosova leadership asks for direct representation of Kosova in UN

Referring to these sources, this is confirmed by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci after the meeting, which is held without the presence of the journalists.

"The visit of United Nations Secretary-General Annan marks a turning point in Kosova situation and at the same time an important date for Kosova future", said Prime Minister Thaci.

"We talked about different issues, but in particular on the security question in Mitrovice and Rahovec", said Thaci in the meeting of Kosovar subjects that represent even the Transitory Council.

He expressed his convince that "soon we will have an accurate solution concerning the question of separated Mitrovica and the removal of the barricade in Rahovec.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan had another meeting with the representatives of all international organizations performing their activities in Kosova and as it is reported they estimated as successful their work there, by pledging to cooperate with Kosova institutions and people. /dast/linda/

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[21] Greek private bank in Gjirokaster

According to the sources of this team consisting of four bankers, the Greek private bank will have its office in Gjirokastra.

"This is already approved and it is going to be opened within few days", reported the same sources.

Greek bankers considered the situation as very suitable to open an office of their bank in the Southern town of Albania, by taking into consideration even the considerable development of the trade, small and medium business, and great business, which is more evident in here than any other district in Albania. /dast/linda/

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[22] Legislative reform - a priority for Albanian Parliament

After highlighting the relations between the two countries and especially the role of Britain in the conflict of Kosova, Gjinushi focused mostly on the problems of the judiciary. He pointed out that though the Constitution and the legislation in Albania guarantee completely the independence of the judiciaries, still it manifests signs of incompetence and corruption, the Parliament's press office reports.

In reply to the interest of the British guests in the coming local polls in Albania, Gjinushi said that now, with the new Constitution, local self-governing has been guaranteed according to set standards and the Local Autonomy Charter.

The British parliamentarians considered their visit as an expression of the inter-parliamentary cooperation to the benefit of the consolidation of the relations between the two countries and pointed out the important role of the Parliament in the local democratic dvelopments. /xh/

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[23] President Meidani highlights contribution of Chinese Ambassador to Albania

The Chinese Ambassador, Ma Veimao was received on Wednesday by Albanian President Meidani on occasion of the termination of his diplomatic mission, the President's press office told ATA.

Mr Meidani said in the meting that during his mission in Albania, the Chinese Ambassador has made his contribution to all directions, in boosting the cooperation and contacts between the two countries in the political, economic, cultural and other fields, in line with the spirit of friendship between the two peoples.

Ambassador Ma Veimao expressed his pleasure for the fruitful cooperation with Albanian authorities, especially with the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani. /xh/

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[24] Meidani hails consolidation of Albania-Germany relations

In this context, President Meidani stressed the importance that a rapid construction of the material infrastructure of the country has to restore hope of the Albanian people, to fight unemployment, to solve the social problems related with it and to make easier and more acceptable the reforms in all directions, said to ATA the President's press office.

"I believe that the German party too which is facing the problems of the unification of Germanys has it easier to understand how important is the creation of the normal conditions of life such as good streets, highways, water, electric supply, etc., in order to restore hope in the people," he said.

The German parliamentarians confirmed this concern of the President for the importance that the material infrastructure has in the social aspect.

In addition, the German parliamentarians voiced their belief that Albania will play its important role in the context of the Stability Pact in the region.

Meidani expressed in the meeting his concept for the regional integration through the creation first of all of the space for free trade, similar legislation, common trade and customs systems, free movement of people, moments which would devaluate nationalisms and the value of borders and would boost the contacts of all kinds among the citizens of the region.

The German parliamentarians will go to Kosova after they finish their visit to Albania. /xh/

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[25] Germans want more space for investments in Albania

According to sources from the Ministry of Privatization, the representatives of the German Bundestag, after evaluating the economic cooperation between Albania and Germany, asked from Minister Bufi more space for the German investments in Albania, including here the participation in the procedures of the privatization of strategic sectors.

One of the aims of the introduction of capitals in Albania is also the participation of Deutche Telecom in the tender for the privatization of AMC, mobile phones in Albania.

The German aid for Albania amounts to over 1 billion DM. In the field of the cooperation for development, the German Government has delivered about 500 million DM, of which 350 million only for financial cooperation.

In the context of the aid of the European Union for Albania, the German contribution amounted to over 450 million DM, or about 28 per cent of all the delivered aid.

Direct German investments in Albania amount to about 20 million DM. From the present data, Germany is ranked second after Italy as a donor country, in the field of the aid for the economic development of Albania. /dast/xh/

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[26] Albania's DP open for dialogue with ruling parties

"The Democratic Party remains always open for dialogue with the ruling parties and will support every effort for the fight against corruption, for the restoration of law and order and to bring Albania closer to the Stability Pact," said Berisha.

Ms Hartman stressed the need of participation of the opposition in fundamental questions of the Stability Pact. She also spoke of the agreement among political forces, the fight against corruption, restoration of order and consolidation of institutions. /dast/xh/

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[27] Hajdaraga and Çakmakoglu visit Navigation Academy and military base of Pashaliman

According to the spokesman of the Albanian Defence Ministry, ministers Hajdaraga and Çakmakoglu appreciated the very good work made for the reconstruction of the building of the Navigation Academy and confirmed once more that cooperation between the two countries and armies would continue.

Hajdaraga and Çakmakoglu visited later the naval base of Pashaliman, which after the damage caused to it during the spring unrest in Albania in 1997, is being rehabilitated by Turkish military specialists with a fund delivered by the Turkish Government. /dast/xh/

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