Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-11-02

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CONTENTS

[01] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeo I to visit Tirane today

[02] CE experts evaluate first laws of postwar Kosova

[03] Defence Minister Hajdaraga leaves for Bulgaria

[04] Nearly two thirds of population unemployed in Kosova

[05] Swisscontact strengthens cooperation with Shkozet professional school

[06] Offers for Albanian soccer player begin

[07] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeu I arrives in Tirane

[08] Planing conference for "Cooperative Dragon 2000" exercise

[09] Exchange rates in Tirane

[10] Statement by the IMF Mission

[11] Inflation in levels of 2-3% would encourage economic growth

[12] Albanian Minster of Foreign Affairs Milo moves to Strasbourg

[13] Poçi says we will continue to have problems with clandestine traffic even for some time

[14] Albanian SP Parliamentary Group approves Government Meta

[15] Albania takes part in international tourism fair in Selonoki

[16] Greek credit of 5 billion drachmas on sheltering in use

[17] William Walker arrives in Kosova

[18] Meta asks for daily report on fulfillment of custom incomes

[19] Stolen art works sequestrated

[20] Shkoder demands economic cooperation with Monte Negro

[21] Albanian President Meidani meets Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholemeu I

[22] Role and functions of Sport Arbitrage Council presented

[23] Conference for reconstruction of the Balkans starts in Thessalonika

[24] President of Albania Meidani says banks privatization is important

[01] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeo I to visit Tirane today

His Holiness chairs all meetings of the 14 independent Orthodox Churches, of which the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania is a full rights member.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeu I was born in the Imbros Island on February 29, 1940. In the period between 1963 and 1968 he carried out postgraduate studies at the Eastern Studies Institute in Rome, at the Bossey Institute in Switzerland and the Munich University, specialised in the Canonical Law.

In 1972 Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitris, who created the Special Patriarchal Office, invited Archimandrite Vartholomeu as a director of of this office, whom he promoted in the next year as Metropolis of Philadelphia.

In 1992 he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch under the name Vartholomeu I. His Holiness Vartholomeu has carried out a very heavy international activity. /led/so/lm/

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[02] CE experts evaluate first laws of postwar Kosova

This was reported on Tuesday by Blerim Reka, head of the Albanian experts delegation participating in the two-day consultation with CE experts in Strasbourg about Kosova new laws, which invalidate the implementation of the Serb and Yugoslav laws in Kosova.

At the consultation session an official report will be drafted on the meeting of the CE Ministers' Committee, due by the beginning of November.

"I hold this report will be positive," said Marie Odile Viederkeher, who chaired the second day of the consultation session.

The CE Director General for Legal Affairs, Gny de Vel, said that the first contract is only the beginning of cooperation at experts level between the Council of Europe with Kosovar law experts, a cooperation which will continue. /led/so/lm/

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[03] Defence Minister Hajdaraga leaves for Bulgaria

During this visit Hajdaraga will meet with Bulgarian President Peter Stojanov, Speaker of Parliament Jordan Sokolov, as well as with Defence Minister Georgi Ananiev.

Hajdaraga will also visit military units of Rapid Intervention Air Forces.

He will hold a report under the topic "Albania's experience in relations with NATO" at the Military Academy.

The Albanian delegation, headed by Hajdaraga, will also conduct visits to cultural, museum and historic places of Bulgaria. /led/so/lm/

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[04] Nearly two thirds of population unemployed in Kosova

Some 470 000 out of 1 330 000 able-bodied people are economically active, sources available from Prishtine say in reference to the report on Tuesday.

War aftermath and discriminating laws of employment practice in FRY during the 90s are among the reasons of the very high level of unemployment.

The report underlines the need of resuming production in public enterprises, responsible for about 80% of the country's total productions. ILO also encourages direct job creation in the projects for intensive reconstruction and aid for employment, making active small and medium enterprises. /led/so/lm/

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[05] Swisscontact strengthens cooperation with Shkozet professional school

Sources from the Ministry of Education reported on Tuesday that the Swiss government has so far provided a fund of 1 31000 francs, which has substantially affected the uplift of the education process.

Swiss representative Raff Rote shows optimism about the continuation of the project, stressing that a group of specialists will soon visit Albania to identify the emergencies in the Albanian professional education sector and the beginning of a new project in another school. /led/lm/

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[06] Offers for Albanian soccer player begin

Continue offers for the player of the Albanian National team Ervin Murati, who has been playing since several seasons in the first French league with the renowned Paris Saint German team.

Murati himself has said to have an offer from the British second category, where he is asked to play with Nottingham Forest and another offer from Bundesleague 2, required by Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Murati, in the previous season, has played with Fortuna team. His sportive abilities have attracted the attention of the German team who would like the Albanian soccer player to join them. /led/so/

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[07] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeu I arrives in Tirane

At Rinas airport his Holiness was received by deputy prime Minister Makbule Ceco, representative of the government cabinet and high clergies.

During his stay in Albania His Holiness, besides formal meetings with state, political and chiefs of other religious communities, will also visit centres of Metropolies and various zones of the country.

In the context of this visit, cult institutions (Orthodox church "The resurrection of Christ" in Shkoder) and the church social services centres (Orthodox Diagnosis Centre "Evangelisation" in Tirane) will be inaugurated. /led/lm/

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[08] Planing conference for "Cooperative Dragon 2000" exercise

The initial planing conference, due on November 3 to 5, will treat some of the main training aspects.

"Cooperative Dragon 2000" exercise, due in Albania, aims at coordinating joint actions between the armies of the Atlantic Alliance member countries and the partner ones. "Cooperative Dragon 2000" will be conducted under the auspices of NATO's Southeastern Wing command.

Military forces of 18 countries are expected to take part in this joint exercise, also including Albania, which is a member country of the Partnership Programme for Peace. /led/so/lm/

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[09] Exchange rates in Tirane

Followin are the buying and selling rates of foreign currencies against the Lek on Tirane currency market on Tuesday.

Buying Selling

US$ 134,5 134,7

DM 72,5 72,8

ITL (1000) 72,9 73,2

GRD (100) 42,7 43,0 /led/lm/

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[10] Statement by the IMF Mission

Economic developments and policies remain favorable, despite the upheavals of the Kosova crisis and the difficult challenges it posed to the authorities. Growth is projected to reach the targeted 8% this year and inflation will be around zero at year end, significantly below the original target of 7%. The balance of payments and foreing reserve position are relatively strong. Macroeconomic policies have been in line with the program: the budget deficit is within the ceiling and monetary developments are on track. Structural reforms have continued, with notable progress in the privatization program, including with the National Commercial Bank.

The mission has had extensive discussions with the new government and the Bank of Albania on the economic framework for 2000. It agreed that the growth target for next year of 8% remains feasible, assuming macroeconomic policies remain prudent and structural reforms and progress in improving law and order continue. In recognition of this year's achievement of price stability, the inflation target has been set at 3%. The mission reached understandings with the government on the outline of the 2000 budget that would support continued growth and macroeconmic stability. The budget has three main objectives: to reduce high-priced domestic borrowing further, improve tax collection and allocate more public spending to investment. Improving customs collection, which was disappointing in 1999, is key to achieving these objectives and the mission has discussed a number of measures to strengthen customs controls and address corruption and smuggling.

Accelerating structural reforms is essential if Albania is to take full advantage of more stability in the region and attract needed foreing investment. The mission understands that the government will accelerate privatization in the banking and strategic sectors, implement measures to improve the efficiency of the public administration - including putting in place civil service reforms and reducing bureaucratic obstacles to spending on priority projects - and continue to improve the legal and institutional environment for sound bank lending. If policies are to be successful, the fight against corruption will need to be intensified. /so/lm/

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[11] Inflation in levels of 2-3% would encourage economic growth

"It is for certain that some prices are lower this year", said Mr. Corker according to whom "there have been sound reasons for reduction in prices. One of the main reasons is the arrival of humanitarian aid in Albania which entered the market and caused a considerable price reduction in food products".

"If we prevented this factor the inflation percentage would be 2-3%, which is right", explained the leader of this mission. He added that "the majority part of economists think that this inflation rhythm of 2-3% is a very good rhythm for encouraging the growth of economy".

For 1999 the Albania government and International Monetary Fund had foreseen as an inflation limit the 7% level.The inflation level for the forthcoming year is expected to be 3%. /a.gj/A.A/

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[12] Albanian Minster of Foreign Affairs Milo moves to Strasbourg

An important part in this session (November 3-4, 1999) will cover the discussions on implementation of the arrangement process in Kosova and Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe.

Albanian Minister Milo will meet Secretary General of Council of Europe Mr.Walter Schwimmer. /dast/linda/

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[13] Poçi says we will continue to have problems with clandestine traffic even for some time

According to the spokesman of public order ministry, Poçi did not precise the forces which try to keep this traffic alive.

Issues regarding the intensification of bilateral cooperation, appointment of the strategy of practice actions in the fields considered as hot, as well as details on aid for Albanian police were on the focus of this meeting realized with the request of ambassador Bova.

Minister Poçi analyzed the latest order situation in Albania and said that the necessary attempts to minimize the problems caused by clandestine traffic are being carried out.

The Italian ambassador considered the engagement of Minister Poçi and the achievements of Albania police in the combat against crime as a guarantee for acceptable standards of order and security in Albania. /lh/A.A/

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[14] Albanian SP Parliamentary Group approves Government Meta

PM Ilir Meta assured the socialist deputies that the program to be presented to the Parliament on Thursday is based on the priorities recognised by the Socialist government, in the light of the Stability Pact.

"It is related with all the elements of our governing policies, beginning with the security, recovery and consolidation of institutions and continuing with the fight against crime, trafficking and corruption, the reforms of the public administration and with all those policies which ensure a great macroeconomic stability," said Meta.

During the meeting of the SP parliamentary group, there were criticisms and options presented until the group members reached a common point and adopted the structure of the government, the cabinet decreed by President of Albania Rexhep Meidani and the fundamental parts of the government program, which will be presented to the plenary session of the Albanian parliament on Thursday," said Gramoz Ruci, chairman of the SP Parliamentary Group. /dast/xh/

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[15] Albania takes part in international tourism fair in Selonoki

Referring to the sources of Tourism Development Committee some 80 states, Tourists Agencies, Airline Companies, etc attended this fair. Albania is represented by state company Albturist and several hotels and private tourists agencies.

The tourism packet will be presented in this fair and the signing of the contracts between the states and Tourists Agencies is foreseen, as well. The representatives of Albanian Committee of Tourism Development, to take part in this fair will present the strategy of tourism development and some of the main touristic places of the country, to be visited by the foreign tourists.

Several agreements signed between the private tourism agencies on organizing short touristic visits from Corfu to Saranda will come true. /dast/linda/

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[16] Greek credit of 5 billion drachmas on sheltering in use

The buying of the flats in the free dwelling houses market for 10% of the profiteers of this credit will start at the end of this year. Meanwhile, the meeting of Joint Albanian-Greek Technical Committee, to define all the procedures and to open the final way to the credit use, which will make possible the immediate buying of the flats in those towns where the market value is lower than the construction cost, will be held in November 20.

Referring to the figures of National Dwelling Houses Enterprise some 180 flats will be bought till the end of the year 1999. The construction of 1620 new flats is foreseen to be set up by the Dwelling Enterprise in the future. Although the number of the families that lost their houses in get- quick-rich pyramids is 6300.

The Saving Bank is defined as the bank to use this credit.Greek credit will be paid within 25 years by an annual interest of 5%. /lh/linda/

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[17] William Walker arrives in Kosova

Walker met in Prishtina with the U.N. deputy administrator in Kosova, Jack Covey, and during his three-day stay in Kosova, Mr Walker is expected to meet with Premier Thaci, LDK chairman, Ibrahim Rugova and with other Albanian and international personalities. Walker will also visit the township of Malsheva and village Recak, in which, a great Serb massacre was committed last year. /lh/xh/

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[18] Meta asks for daily report on fulfillment of custom incomes

"Combating the corruption and contraband is troubling phenomena for Albanian Government and our international partners", said the prime minister in the meeting held with the customs directors, where the Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli and Minister of Public Order Spartak Poci were present, as well.

"Combating the corruption and contraband, total income fulfilment in tax system and in particular in custom offices, which remain a problem, will be in the center of my attention as Prime Minister and the government I run", said the prime minister Meta.

He added that no three, six of twelve months analysis will take place any longer, but asked for "daily report by the part of Minister of Finances on the above mentioned issues and you will be responsible in case of non- fulfilling the incomes, or any contraband case, which can be accpeted as incurable illness, if the will and the non-implication do exist in it".

Prime Minister ensured the customs directors for his and governmental support in this issue.

According to the prime minister the facing of corruption phenomena is not just a matter of Ministry of Finances, but it has to do even with the strengthening of public order and security, as well.

Later on Minister Angjeli presented the situation of the incomes fulfillment. "The tax incomes for the ten months period are fulfilled by 100% and the custom ones by 86%", informed Minister of Finances Angjeli.

While the Minister of Public Order Spartak Poci asked for establishing of a structure aiming at cooperating to combat contraband and economic crime. /lh/linda/

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[19] Stolen art works sequestrated

According to her on Monday Durres police exercised controls in some city headquarters for detaining the incriminated persons, collecting illegal arms and the like. During a control exercised in the cellar of the private hotel, property of the citizen Sokrat Mane, in the quarter no 2 of the city were found a considerable number of art works such as paintings, sculptures, statues belonging to different centuries, five swords as well as a pistol of TT type.

After the sequestration of art works the police is searching for the owner of the hotel.

Police sources reported that all these art works were stolen during the riots of March 1997 in the archaeological museum of Durres. Traffickers are thought to have sold a part of them to collectors of art works abroad. /lh/A.A/

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[20] Shkoder demands economic cooperation with Monte Negro

The prefect of Shkoder Jetmir Shpuza send an official invitation recently to the Deputy Premier of Monte Negro Drogisha Borzan to visit the city of Shkoder. According to Prefect Shpuza this invitation is positively received and the visit is expected to take part as soon as possible.

We would ask the Monte Negrin government not only to open the Hani i Hotit custom point but even a closer cooperation in all the economic fields said Prefect Shpuza.

The government of Monte Negro has agreed to open this custom point, but it is obstacled by the federal government.

The custom point of Hani i Hotit is partially closed by the Yugoslav authorities since March 1997. Despite the continuous attempts and requests of the Albania government it continues to be closed. /lh/A.A/

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[21] Albanian President Meidani meets Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholemeu I

During the meeting, the Ecumenical Patriarch shared the same view with the President Meidani who considered this cohabitation as excellent and an example not only for Southeast Europe but for the whole world as well.

His Holiness Vartholemeu I briefed President Meidani on the role of his church on the global aspect, a role which encourages the dialogue with other religions, as well as with laic groups.

Mr Meidani considered this dialogue as important also to prevent any kind of fundamentalism, which, stressed Mr Meidani "unfortunately is still present."

Attending the meeting also were senior representatives of the Albanian Orthodox community led by the Arch Bishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania, Anastas Janullatos. /lh/xh/

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[22] Role and functions of Sport Arbitrage Council presented

The first efforts for the functioning of this Council started in 1995, but the council became a specialised institution in the field of sport only in 1998.

The aim of the council is to solve, through legal ways, the disagreements emerging in the field of sport like those between various sport clubs, on the transfer of players, the respective payments to be paid between contracting parties, disagreements between players and clubs, etc.

According to jurists, specialised in this field, the advantages of solving a case in the Sport Arbitrage Council and not in the court are the quick decisions, professionalism, etc. /lh/xh/

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[23] Conference for reconstruction of the Balkans starts in Thessalonika

Attending the conference are the ministers of Economy of Rumania and Macedonia, the Bulgarian Minister of Tourism and Trade, while preparations for the program of Meta Government have been a reason for the Albanian Minister of Finances, Anastas Angjeli, not to take part in the conference in Thessalonika.

Taking part in the conference are also about 500 businessmen from Balkan countries, Europe and the U.S.

The Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact, Bodo Hombach considered the Pact as a project to build bridges in the Balkans, which will be based on the democratisation, economic development and stability of the region. He stressed the need of financing by EU of the programs for the economic development of the Balkan countries.

The President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, invited in the conference, asked that his country be included in the programs for the reconstruction of the region.

A guest in the Thessalonika Conference is also the chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, who will be the key speaker in the formal lunch on Wednesday. Mr Nano had meetings with the President of Montenegro Djukanovic, and with the chief of the working group for the reconstruction of the Balkans in the European Union, Marc Franco.

The conference continues on Wednesday, too. /lh/xh/

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[24] President of Albania Meidani says banks privatization is important

As the president's press and information office reports, President Meidani, highlighting the work of the IMF in Albania, considered as important the development of the process for the banks privatization in Albania, thus barring the way to illegal transfer of money.

After evaluating the work of the government in the latest period, Korker said that "the government has still work to do in the privatization of banks, making them more attractive for the savings of the people, in the fight against contraband, trafficking, etc." Korker briefed Mr Meidani of the lines of cooperation between the organization he represents and the Albanian Government in the future.

Taking part in the meeting also were the Albanian Minister of Finances, Anastas Angjeli and the resident IMF chief of mission in Albania, Walker Traykel. /lh/xh/

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