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

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Vlore police to have full support of government in fighting crime

[02] Press review

[03] Spectacle devoted to 40th anniversary of Albanian circus

[04] Chancellor Schroeder hails Meta as Premier

[05] Exchange rate in Tirane

[06] Construction firms damage Durres infrastructure

[07] "Rotary club" helps hospitals in Bilisht and Korce

[08] Some US$ 59 million enter Albania with Kosovars arrival

[09] State transfers in cash increase to 31 million dollars

[10] Ministry of Privatization asks for 635 million leks for year 2000

[11] Parliament approves "Status of civil employee"

[12] Prosecutor's office demands life sentence for Leka Zogu

[13] SP has a concrete program of cooperation with Socialist International leading forums

[14] Parliament approves "Charter of Local Autonomy"

[15] Legality Movement Party opposes life imprisonment for Leka Zogu

[16] "Alpha Credit Bank" opens its branch in Tirane

[17] Albanian Foreign Minister to visit Switzerland on Friday

[18] Albanians in Mitrovice block industrial complex "Trepca"

[19] VOCA to continue support also in 2000

[20] Turkish Minister of Health arrives on an official visit to Albania

[21] "Friends of Albania" presents project on public order in Albania

[22] Madeleine Albright writes to Premier Thaci

[23] KFOR Commander Klaus Reinhardt arrived in Albania

[24] Police blocks 50 kg of narcotic plants in two villages of Vlora

[25] 2000 years of Christianity: International Symposium "Christianity among Albanians"

[01] Vlore police to have full support of government in fighting crime

Official sources of Vlore police say the aim of the meeting was the analysis of the present situation in this city in order to give further support to the good work of the local police in the future challenges with crime.

It was said that apart from further consolidation of order and tranquility, police should guarantee and protect honest business and prevent contraband and other forms of anti legal acts.

The meeting was held the day after a police operation to block a base where speed boats were made took place. /lh/gs/

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[02] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily.

"How the speedboat with $1 million disappeared". During yesterday's session of "VEFA" lawsuit, a witness accused former boss of this company of stealing the gold of the former Political Bureau. "Italy starts Winter operation". Premier Meta yesterday paid an official visit to Italy where he discussed with the Italian party illegal trafficking and other bilateral problems. "Life sentence for (King) Leka Zogu". The Prosecutor's Office demanded from the Court life sentence for Leka Zogu. The claimant to the throne is accused of attacking state, the prosecutor of the lawsuit said.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily.

"Zogu, life sentence". The Prosecutor's Office yesterday demanded life sentence for Leka Zogu. It accuses him of armed uprising at the beginning of July two years ago when the Central Elections Commission was attacked. "D'Alema to Meta: Consulate in Vlore before Christmas". Albanian Premier Meta paid a formal visit to Italy where he met Italian top officials. "Banks: Order hindered us". Second level banks operating in our country ask government for order and more security for their investment.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"D'Alema: visas and consulate". Speedboats, emigrants, mafia and economy, have been the hottest points discussed yesterday in Rome between Albanian Premier Ilir Meta and his Italian counterpart Massimo D'Alema. "Poci: Italy should block bases of illegal speedboats". This is what Albanian Public Order Minister Spartak Poci declared in Rome yesterday. "Agolli : Politics should not defend crime".

Albania, national daily,

"Life sentence for King Leka Zog". "Experts: VEFA, 325 million dollars debt".

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

"Meta, six hours work in Rome". "Poci guarantees Italians: Fight against speedboats, now on the ground". "Death or life sentence?".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania.

"Berisha at rally supports of Berlusconi" "Lac: three killed at a bar"

Republika, daily of the the Republican Party of Albania,

"File of 100 customs workers disappears". "Year 2000 without any Albanian bank". /gs/lm/

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[03] Spectacle devoted to 40th anniversary of Albanian circus

The spectacle, which the organisers have entitled "The Caravan" to symbolise the long road of circus development, will include the most renowned figures of this genre in Albania.

Kujtim Dumi, artistic leader of the performance, told ATA the performance will be interpreted by the best artists of all generations".

It will include veteran and the youngest artists to make evident the achievements of the Albanian circus, the only of its kind in the country, from November 1959 up to November 1999.

The National Circus dates back to the year 1952 with the circus troupe of the Palace of Culture in Tirane and the city's Professional Variety Show. But its activity as a professional circus dates back to 1959 with Ali Xhixha, Ali Dumon, Belul Hatipi and others.

During these years its has conducted a heavy artistic activity with various successful spectacles for the Albanian and foreign public. /dast/lm/

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[04] Chancellor Schroeder hails Meta as Premier

"I cordially congratulate you on your election as Albania's Premier. You have assumed a very responsible task, at a very difficult time for your country", the information department of the Council of Ministers say quoting the message.

"I am convinced that our governments will keep cooperating reliably, as Albanian-German relations deserve", the message goes on. /dast/gs/lm/

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[05] Exchange rate in Tirane

Currency exchange rate:

Buying Selling

US$ 135 135,2

DM 71,2 71,6

ITL (1000) 72,2 72,5

GRD (100) 42,1 42,4 /lm/

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[06] Construction firms damage Durres infrastructure

The prefect Martin Cukalla told ATA on thursday that the construction firm "Edicom" working on roads of the city damaged the electric network with a value estimated at 500 000 leks, interrupting the electric power to the inhabitants of the area.

The joint Italian-Greek company "Safa", has completely damaged the optic cable and the canalization of the high waters in the segment of Corridor 8. Whereas "Esi" company has damaged the telephone and electric network at the quarter number one of the city.

As a prefecture we have already asked the firms to comply with the contracts and make sure not continue damaging the city's infrastructure. /dast/gs/

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[07] "Rotary club" helps hospitals in Bilisht and Korce

"The aid for the two hospitals amounts to 500 million liras," said the director of "Rotary club" Prof. Dr. Francesco Damegro.

He added that this association will bring another aid contingent consisting of medicaments and apparatuses. /dast/gs/

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[08] Some US$ 59 million enter Albania with Kosovars arrival

But, despite the crisis, statistics of the balance of payments show that the Albanian economy managed to be administered also through the support provided by the international community.

The most prominent development according to the Central Bank, is the improvement of the current transactions balance which have recorded a surplus of US$ 39 million.

Incomes have been mostly effected by tourism and state transferences. Export marked an increase of 4,7 fold higher than the preceding period. As a result, by the end of the second three months, the positive balance of foreign trade is estimated at around US$ 88 million.

This increase is mainly result of the expenditures in foreign currency by the Kosovar refugees as well as of the International Community aid.

According to the Central Bank, the daily expenditure for around 500 000 Kosovar refugees in this period amounted to 1,4 US$ per person daily, as a result of which some US$ 59 million in cash circulated in the market.

The value of trade transactions over the second three month period (export-import) amounted to around US$ 327 million, or 27% higher than the preceding three month period and 32% higher than that of the same period of 1988.

According to customs statistics, during the second three month period some US$ 198,3 million, imports in aid, entered Albania. Most part represents the aid provided by the international community as support for the Kosova refugees. /dast/lm/

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[09] State transfers in cash increase to 31 million dollars

Based upon the report of this bank these transfers represent the assistance of European Community in support of governmental budget. The high state transfers covered the falling of the sums sent by the immigrants that during these three months period covers only 84% of the transfers performed previous month. Under the impact of the state transfers the reserve of coherent transfers increased by 5%. Referring to Central Bank the falling of the emigrants sums during these three months is due to the high currency influx entering in Albania by Kosova comers.

Although, the capital influx during the second three months balanced each-other to give a result of 3 million dollars. The capital accounts are affected mainly by the development of foreign debt and currencies increase.

The transactions of foreign debt increase the duties toward the nonresidents by 55 million dollars. Credit disbursement worth 43 million dollars (almost twice of the value marked previous period) are dedicated almost completely to the support given to the state budget to face the crisis by the part of World Bank.

The above mentioned sources report that due to the extraordinary development of this period the foreign investments have been at minimal levels during this three months period. But the observations show that several investments are performed in construction, road rehabilitation, construction of Kuksi airport, etc, which Albanian economy profited in form of capital transfers.

Positive balance of coherent account combined with a capital account and stable finances results in increasing of currency reserves of Monetary Authority (Bank of Albania) to 57 million dollars. /linda/

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[10] Ministry of Privatization asks for 635 million leks for year 2000

The requests for investments by the part of state budget are mainly for geology and mines field. The finance fro the geology field is justified with the role and development of geology service, continuation of the study work and preserving of the scientific and technical potential.

Referring to the sources of the Ministry of Privatization, the finances for mines are asked to cover the expenditures when the muffle level is very high one. The most necessary expenditures will be performed in the coal, iron-nickel mines and some others as well.

The ministry asked for budgetary finances for the development of cooper branch and Electro Energy Corporate.

In principle the budget finances in productive branches. But the request of the ministry is justified with the poor financial situation of these branches, which are not able to pay even the duties for co-financed projects with foreign companies and preliminary preparations for privatization. /linda/

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[11] Parliament approves "Status of civil employee"

This project law serves to reforms' implementation in state administration and aims at protecting the rights of civil employees through creating a stable and effective professional service.

The main axe of this project law is the creation of Civil Service Commission, which couldn't be realized by the law approved in 1996 "On civil service in Republic of Albania". According to the project law the Commission of Civil Service will be the most suitable body for employment of the civil employees by excluding them from political patronage as an effective governing way.

Many clarifications concerning the discipline measures, employment moments, employees' promotion, and others.

The project law "On status of civil employee" is presented to Parliament on May, 1999. International organizations, OSCE, World Bank, Sigma contributed in drafting and elaborating of this law. /lh/linda/so/

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[12] Prosecutor's office demands life sentence for Leka Zogu

The request addressed to the court on life sentence for Leka Zogu is based on facts and proofs gathered from the investigation group, and on facts presented during the legal trial, the prosecutors of this lawsuit told ATA on Thursday.

According to the same sources the proofs and cassettes presented, as well as the testimonies made in the trial declared guilty Leka Zogu under the accusation "organizer and participant in the armed uprising to overthrow constitutional order in Albania".

Five files, two videos and other materials were handed over to the court on May 6 of 1998. The investigation group had planned to call 60 witnesses during the legal trials, out of whom more than 20 bore witness.

Leka Zogu is accused of "organizing the armed uprising to overthrow the constitutional order of Albania", after the elections of July 29, 1997. On July 3, 1997, Zogu dressed in a military uniform, accompanied by a a group of monarchy supporters, were gathered in front of the Central Election Committee, in the Palace of Congresses, after an illegal rally in "Skanderbeg" square. Claiming to win the referendum on the kind of regime, the monarchy supporters protested using even arms. A citizen remained killed due to weapons' use.

South-African police arrested on February of 1999 and kept for a long time under house arrest Leka Zogu and four other persons accused of illegal possession of arms. An arsenal of arms (over 70) was caught during a control at his house in the southern outskirts of Johanneburg.

Leka, 58, the son of Zog king who reigned in Albania from 1928 to 1939, has been self-proclaimed king after the death of his father in 1961. He lives in Southern Africa since 1979. /so/A.A/

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[13] SP has a concrete program of cooperation with Socialist International leading forums

Chairman Nano said in Rinas Airport right after the arrival of the socialist and social-democrat delegation in Albania, there is now a close relations that SP has established with the SI and its leading structures, especially with the new leadership and the SI Committee for Eastern and Southern Europe.

Nano said that SP has a program of cooperation with the Socialist International leading structures which will held in Tirane the second round table socialdemocrat discussion for the reconstruction of the Balkans planned for the coming spring. /lh/xh/

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[14] Parliament approves "Charter of Local Autonomy"

Bashkim Fino, Minister of Local Government while responding the questions of deputies on the first draft-law, said that the Council of Europe has asked the Albanian state authorities to ratify the European Charter of Local Autonomy. According to him, after the charter was signed by the Council of Ministers last year, the government clearly declared its political will favoring consolidation of local autonomy and initiation of an important decentralization reform.

The new Constitution guarantees the autonomy of local government at the time when decentralization and reforms of local government are proclaimed by the coalition government as an important political objective.

Afterwards deputies and representatives of parliamentary groups discussed and unfolded the importance of the second draft-law. /lh/so/A.A/

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[15] Legality Movement Party opposes life imprisonment for Leka Zogu

"Such a demand aims at preventing Leka Zogu to return in Albania, but it is also a political fight against legalists in general," stated Ekerem Spahia, chairman of Legality Movement Party on Thursday.

Leka Zogu is accused as "organiser and participant of the armed uprising to topple the constitutional order in Albania," held on July 3, 1998, after the June 29, 1998 elections. Leka, the son of King Zog I, who reigned in Albania over 1928-1939, lives in exile in South Africa since 1979. lh/xh/

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[16] "Alpha Credit Bank" opens its branch in Tirane

"The new branch of this bank has employed a staff of 24 specialists in the finance field. It counts actually about 3500 clients and more than 4000 banks accounts are opened so far there.

According to Janis Costopulos, Director General of this Bank, "Alpha Credit Bank" plans to open new branches in Albania in the cities of Elbasan, Durres, Berat, Gjirokaster, Shkoder and a second branch in Tirane.

Present at the inauguration ceremony were also the Albanian Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli, and Greek ambassador in Tirane, Aleksandros Malias.

Alpha Credit Bank was established in 1879 and it is currently the biggest private bank in Greece. This bank is the second biggest bank in Greece and occupies about 18% of the market following the National Bank of Greece. This bank numbers nearly 400 branches in Greece and it has affiliations in United Kingdom, Rumania, Albania and Cyprus. /lh/A.A/

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[17] Albanian Foreign Minister to visit Switzerland on Friday

According to the information department in the FM, one of the agreements has to do with the removal of double taxation and the second agreement is related with the co-financing of the program of structural adjustments in Albania.

During the visit, Minister Milo will have talks with his Swiss counterpart, Jozef Dais, who has invited Milo, and with senior political personalities of Switzerland. The talks will serve further encouragement of the bilateral relations especially will help boost Swiss programs in Albania. /lh/xh/

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[18] Albanians in Mitrovice block industrial complex "Trepca"

The protesters stated they would not allow that only Serbs work in the complex, they too want to come back to work in Trepca."

The economic giant of Kosova, Trepca, has had more than 24 000 workers, and more than 20 000 of them were Albanians. Ten years ago, the military-police regime of Belgrade dismissed violently the Albanians from Trepca. The number of the Albanians sacked in Kosova amounts to 150 000. /xh/

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[19] VOCA to continue support also in 2000

This organization has been active in Albania since 1991, and nearly 2500 private farmers have profited from advisory consultations through VOCA all over the country.

"We do not provide financial aid for private farmers or their associations, but give technical assistance for them who need to successfully develop agricultural business in the conditions of the trade economy", VOCA's representative in Albania, Sandra Stajka, said.

VOCA's projects for 2000, aim to define the main directions in: industrial processing of agricultural productions in the country, professional education with agricultural plans as well as in the continuity of technical assistance and different training courses for private farmers and their associations.

VOCA operates with funds free provided by the U.S Government and administrated by USAID (U.S Agency of International Development). /so/

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[20] Turkish Minister of Health arrives on an official visit to Albania

Invited by the Minister of Health, Leonard Solis, the Turkish Minister of Health is expected to have a number of meetings with Albanian senior officials during his stay in Tirana.

The Turkish Minister will sign a new agreement on bilateral cooperation among the two ministries.

Part of the program of the visit to Albania of the Turkish Minister of Health is also a visit to the University Hospital Centre in Tirane and to other health centres. /xh/

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[21] "Friends of Albania" presents project on public order in Albania

The main issues discussed in the meeting were the creation of a general strategy to hit organised and economic crime, including the customs and contraband, the fight against the complex phenomenon of illegal migration, the approval of the draft law on state police or judicial police and the police of the prosecutor's office, as steps to clarify the responsibilities of the respective institutions.

In order to reach higher results of the said project, MAPE has planned to train police officers by setting up two training centres close to the police departments in Tirane and Durres.

It is the first time that Friends of Albania group take such initiatives but the realisation of the program Law and Order is a duty of the Albanian government and of the forces of law and order, which will have, at the same time, the support of this organization. /lh/xh/

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[22] Madeleine Albright writes to Premier Thaci

Albright thanks Thaci for exchanging ideas and information regarding the situation in Kosove and supports the creation of a democratic and multiethnic society there. She encourages in particular the integration of the former militaries of KLA into civil society. /lh/so/

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[23] KFOR Commander Klaus Reinhardt arrived in Albania

General Reinhardt arrived on Thursday evening in Durres, Plepa zone, where the NATO command troops of the Mission COMMZ (W) Western communication Zone, are deployed.

During his visit on Friday in Tirane, General Reinhardt will meet with Prime Minister Ilir Meta, Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga and will have a news conference in the press centre of COMMZ (W).

General Reionhardt took the direction of NATO force in Kosova (KFOR) on October 8, replacing in this post the British General Mike Jackson. /lh/xh/

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[24] Police blocks 50 kg of narcotic plants in two villages of Vlora

According to him this quantity of cannabis was discovered during the control conducted by the police on Thursday, in the houses of the two citizens, in Terbac e Gjorm villages of Vlora.

This quantity has been transported to the police station, while the two citizens, whose names have not been reported yet, were taken to the district commissariat for further investigations.

This action follows several others that the local police has planed to organize, to block narcotic plants cultivation and trafficking. Villages of River of Vlora and Llakatund zone have been objects of police control during July-August period. Several thousands cannabis roots have been destroyed during these actions, and 35 persons have been indicted. /lh/so/

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[25] 2000 years of Christianity: International Symposium "Christianity among Albanians"

In a news conference on Thursday noon in Hotel Europe Park in Tirane, the organisers of the Conference stated the aims of the conference, due to be held on this jubilee year, which has been declared by Pope John Paul II as the sacred year.

Dom Nik Ukgjini, secretary of the Organisational Council of the International Symposium said that the celebrations of this jubilee year will be held throughout the world. For the first time, the symposium will present in brief the most latest notes and the results reached so far in the field of history of churches, archaeology, Christianity geography, history of art and culture of Christianity, etc., said Dom Ukgjini.

Outstanding people in science and culture of albanology in Albania and outside it are expected to read their papers in the symposium, to be organised in cooperation with the Arch Bishopric of Tivar and the Bishopric of Kosova. /lh/xh/

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