Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-11-17

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Taxes collection and usage by local government to make autonomy more efficient - Ruli

[02] Press Review

[03] Exchange rate in Tirane

[04] Librazhd, Prrenjas connecting road unblocked

[05] Birth-house of Ismail Kadare engulfed by flames

[06] CE concerns in integration of Albanian emigrants into host countries

[07] Floods damage 80% of land sown in wheat

[08] 55th anniversary of Tirane liberation commemorated

[09] UNDP finances a pilot project on rehabilitation of degraded woods

[10] Clinton greets Meidani on Albania Independence

[11] Albanian-Hungarian trade exchanges amount to $ 15 million

[12] Donors provide 7 million Euros on registration of Albanian population

[13] Rains inundate 480 hectares of land in Fier

[14] Turkey provides aid for commando troops

[15] New autonomous trade regime between Albania, EU presented

[16] Canada opens its consulate in Prishtine

[17] Decentralisation conference discusses results

[18] BSEC summit, real opportunity for development of member states

[19] Positive change of electricity situation in Albania

[20] Albania, Greece, Macedonia increase air traffic cooperation

[21] Pan-Albanian Book Fair opens in Prishtine

[01] Taxes collection and usage by local government to make autonomy more efficient - Ruli

According to Ruli, the financial autonomy of the local government consists in collecting taxes by the local government bodies and using them in the sectors they are mostly needed.

Local incomes of the government, says Ruli, will consist of local taxes, tariffs and other general incomes.

The tax on small business is expected to improve the budget of the most economically developed town - halls and communes in the country.

Other taxes that will provide incomes for the budget of the local government are thought to be those on property, constructions, agriculture land, inheritances, testaments, immobile transactions, fortune games and others. /lh/so/

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[02] Press Review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily, -"Police to keep arms". Draft law on "State Police", expected to be approved soon by Parliament, reduces cases of arms usage by the police. -"Meta shows to "Friends" the anti-corruption ways". Premier Ilir Meta held yesterday the first meeting with "Friends of Albania" as Albania's Prime Minister. -"House of Ismail Kadare burns down". The house of the renowned writer Ismail Kadare, in "Palorto" quarter of Gjirokastra, went in flames on Tuesday evening. Two other houses have been in flames with it.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily, -"Only 40% pay bills on electric power" This is what the former head of Energetic Thoma Meksi said. -" House of Kadare burns". The characteristic two-stores building of Kadare went in flames yesterday due to the house close to it. -"Meta: Fight against foreing Mafia of road construction". Premier Ilir Meta said to give an end to compromises on steling money loaned by the Albanian state.

"SHEKULLI", daily independent. -"Fight in Lazarat, captured head of gangster group". Refat Rabi, who had shot police armored vehilce with another group of persons, was arrested yesterday in Lazaret. -Farudin Hoxha: This is the new strategy of KESH". The newly appointed director explains the new strategy against electricity shortage. -"Witches hunting" in DP. DP, through a press release, has threatened organizers of the meetings of the former deputy chairman Genc Pollo.

"ALBANIA", national daily - "Kadare's house in flames". - "Political pressure has blocked investigation on Azem's assassination". - "Seven conditions to cooperate with government".

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of the Albanian Democratic Party,

- "Albania in blackout". - "DP: Six deputies have committed grave violations".

"REPUBLIKA", daily of the Albanian Republican Party,

- "Mediu: Opposition to control institutions". - "Lazarati's gang heads arrested." /lh/so/

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[03] Exchange rate in Tirane

Foreing currency exchange rates

Currency Buying Selling

US$ 135 135,5 DM 72 72,3 ITL (1000) 72,4 72,7 GRD (100) 42,4 42,6 /lh/so/

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[04] Librazhd, Prrenjas connecting road unblocked

The partial repair of the road close to Dragostunj village was undertaken by "road-bridge" enterprize, in cooperation with the Macedonian company "Mavrovo", which is currently working on a segment of the 8th Corridor.

The passage of the vehicles in the vicinity of Dragostunj village, 4km far from Librazhd district, got blocked on Tuesday afternoon due to the ground sliding from the heavy rains which continued until late at night. /lh/so/

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[05] Birth-house of Ismail Kadare engulfed by flames

The house, located in Palorto quarter, was engulfed by flames due to the explosion of a gas holder which served to hit one of the houses close to the two store building of Kadare family.

Ismail Kadare left the house he was born in, during his youth years. The town-hall of Gjirokastra had drafted several projects on this house.

The house was included among houses which risked collapse and two years ago it was proclaimed a Culture Monument. Its restoration was expected to take place once the families living there left.

Ismail Kadare is one of the greatest writers of the Albanian literature. He lives in France since 10 years and his works have been praised and translated in many languages.

Kadare is member of the French Academy among 12 foreing associate members of this academy, member of Academy of Berlin and has been awarded the title "Honor of the Nation" by the President of the Republic of Albania. /lh/so/

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[06] CE concerns in integration of Albanian emigrants into host countries

According to this Ministry, the round table marks the beginning of the institutional cooperation between CE and the Ministry of Labour in migration domain, helping seriously in transforming emigration into a promoter of the country's development.

"If emigration in other countries may be a factor of assistance, in Albania it is a very important factor of survival", stressed Gjergj Leka, deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs.

Regarding as a normal phenomenon the fact that Italy and Greece, as neighboring countries, bear the main burden of the Albanian emigrants, Leka pointed out that these two states are currently showing good understanding in the direction of the legalization of Albanian emigrants, increasing each year the number of legalized refugees.

The general number of the Albanian emigrants in Greece is thought to be 400 000, while in Italy 150 000. According to data issued by the Western Embassies in Tirane, thousands of Albanian emigrants have been settled in other countries such as U.S (10 000), Germany (12 000), Belgium (2 500), France (2 000), Turkey (2 000), as well as in Canada and Switzerland. /lh/so/

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[07] Floods damage 80% of land sown in wheat

Floods have caused large damages in the districts of Lac, Lezhe, Shkodra, Diber, Durres, Tirane, Elbasan and Vlore.

The damage of production at country scale is estimated at 80% of the areas sown in wheat, 60% of the areas sown in vegetables, 50% of fruits.

Groups of specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday went to the most flood affected areas to take emergent measures to cope with the situation, using subsides and reserve funds. /lh/so/lm/

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[08] 55th anniversary of Tirane liberation commemorated

Brojka expressed respect for the fallen and greeted their families in Tirane.

Also, in the context of the 55the anniversary of the capital's liberation, a photo-exhibition is opened at the National Museum of History which reflects moments from the war for the Liberation of Tirana. /lh/lm/

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[09] UNDP finances a pilot project on rehabilitation of degraded woods

According to him UNDP has accorded a fund of $ 11 000 which will be used to rehabilitate a surface of 5 hectares of woods.

Liqenas is proclaimed a zone with priority in tourism development. The creation of a national park in Prespe-Ohrid ecosystem is thought to be financed by a UNDP fund. This will encrease investments for different touring objects. /lh/A.A/

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[10] Clinton greets Meidani on Albania Independence

The message was handed over to the Albanian President by the U.S. ambassador in Tirane, Jospeh Limprecht.

"This Independence Day marks a fundamental moment in the development of your country, the perspectives of whose progress are in your hand," Clinton writes.

He pledges that the U.S. is committed to helping the Albanian people build a better future.

The U.S. Ambassador also handed over to the Albanian President a letter from Mrs. Hillary Clinton, thanking him for awarding her the Order "Mother Teresa". /lh/lm/

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[11] Albanian-Hungarian trade exchanges amount to $ 15 million

The commercial exchanges between the two countries have reached this year a value of $ 15 millions. During the proceedings of Albanian-Hungarian business forum in Tirane, both parts estimated that its hightime to increase the level of these exchanges.

The Hungarian businessmen gained information during their stay in Albania on some economic fields where they can invest such as in energetic, road system, tourism, the industry of food processing and the like.

A cooperation agreement on economic sector between the Chambers of Commerce of Tirane and Hungary was signed on Tuesday. /lh/A.A/

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[12] Donors provide 7 million Euros on registration of Albanian population

"The preparatory period is under way and it is expected to be more intensive starting from January of 2000" said Ikonomi during a news conference.

The first aide of the delegation of European Commission Dido de Frayer, participant in the conference, revealed that a new registration of population is a necessity and it is a basic instrument to built the intervention policies even in the country's economy".

The total cost of the whole operation which will last three years, is estimated to be 7 million Euros, and it will be covered by the donor countries such as Norway, Turkey and Sweden which will contribute with technical assistance in this operation.

Albanian government which has confirmed the erection of the Central Registration Commission, has planned to use a sum of 300,000 Euros on this aim from the budget of 2000, sum which will be repeated even in the two successive years.

The last registration of population in Albania is made in 1989, where the population resulted to be 3 100 000. /led/A.A/

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[13] Rains inundate 480 hectares of land in Fier

The heavy rains over the last two days have inundated 480 hectares of land in the district of Fier, sources from this district reported on Wednesday.

Among the most flood affected areas are the communes of Frakulla and Levan with 470 hectares of inundated land, while in the commune of Dermenas the flooded area extended to 10 hectares.

The heavy rains also gravely damaged 20 houses in Levan. The cause was the blocking of a sewer going through the communes of Levan and Frakulla.

To cope with this situation the water enterprise put into full operation the Fier district reservoirs, sensitively improving the situation in the damaged areas. /led/lm/

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[14] Turkey provides aid for commando troops

This contingent, part of the aid provided by the Turkish government for the commando troops of the Albanian army, consists of contemporary equipment and training means for these troops.

Turkish military specialists have been training forces of this unit for more than three years. The Turkish army has helped not only with training the commando troops but also with providing it with logisitc aid.

The Turkish military aid, follows the meeting between Albanian Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga and Turkish Minister Sabahedin Cakmakoglu, in Tirane one month ago. /led/lm/

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[15] New autonomous trade regime between Albania, EU presented

The director of the sector of commercial economic analyses, Anila Tanku, said that EU has set standards and regulations on development of trade exchanges and Albania is making progress on fulfilment of these standards, especially for the exported goods.

In the current development status, according to Tanku, are undertaken concrete steps to encourage Albanian exports towards these countries and this new trade regime is a consequence of the joint work between the European Union and Albania.

The most important partner for Albania actually are the United States, but the imports level is remarked to be higher than exports level carrying in this way the budgetary deficit to $ 502 millions.

The seminar, organized by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and held in the grounds of "Tirane Trade '99" fair, aimed at sensitizing all the institutions interested on encouragement of Albania's exports through the incomes from the new autonomous regime and GDP scheme which involves groups and subgroups of groups.

This new regime came into power in Albania on October 1999 and comprises the basic principles of trade as well as the custom tariffs on exports of agricultural ad industrial products to EU countries. /led/A.A/

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[16] Canada opens its consulate in Prishtine

The solemn opening was made by the Canadian Forign Minister, Lloyd Axworthy. He warned a Canadian aid package, worth 100 million Canadian Dollars for Kosove as soon as he arrived in Prishtine. /A.A/

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[17] Decentralisation conference discusses results

The foreign experts present at the conference offered their assistance for a more transparent procedure.

"For a democratic stability, the functions of local government should last more than envisaged," said Engjell Dakli, head of Elbasan commune, expressing the opinion of the speakers.

Drafting local budget and its administration, the responsibility of taking decisions on what will become with local properties were the hottest points of discussion.

As regards organising local government, a circle is envisaged to be set up, as a second level local governing. /led/lm/

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[18] BSEC summit, real opportunity for development of member states

"Our union is a long process and we should join our efforts for a better investment for the future," said Meta, who considered the summit an initiative which marks real development opportunities for the member states.

Referring to the crisis in Kosova, Meta said that "It showed that peace and stability in our continent are linked with the stability and prosperity of all countries".

On behalf of the Albanian people Meta expressed condolences on the latest quake victims in Turkey.

The summit was held in Istanbul on Wednesday on the initiative of Turkish President Sulejman Demirel. At the end of the proceedings the summit approved a statement which says among other things:

"We are committed to contribute to the implementation of the Stability Pact objectives in full conformity with the BSEC objectives. In this context the cooperation among the BSEC member states will also increase with the aim to pass from the projects to the stage of concrete cooperation". /led/lm/

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[19] Positive change of electricity situation in Albania

The electric power situation in Albania over the last two days has begun changing positively and the level of the Fierza lake level for the last 24 hours has increased one metre.

This was confirmed at a parliamentary question and answer session by the Minister of Public Economy and Privatisation, Zef Preci.

Despite this fact, the minister warned that "during the November- December months and the first two months of the year 2000 the electric power situation will continue to be difficult".

Preci also presented the measures to be undertaken by the Ministry he runs. They consist in preserving the viability of the system, meeting the minimum needs of the consumers with electricity.

At the same time, he said that the import of electric power from the 400 kilo-volt Elbasan-Kardhia (Greece) will continue, interrupting the export of electric power from Fierza to Prizren.

Alongside the demands the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatisation has made to the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to accelerate projects for the Power Generation and Distribution Firm (KESH) which are worth US$ 150 million, the Albanian Government has started diplomatic contacts with the Montenegro government to enable import of electric power, the Macedonian government to enable rising of water in the Ohrid lake and the Greek government to keep import of electric power.

"Meanwhile, tight control will be exercised on consumers, also curtailing electricity for those who do not pay it and at the same time effort will be made to provide Tirane, in particular, with the necessary electricity for around-the-clock. /led/lm/

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[20] Albania, Greece, Macedonia increase air traffic cooperation

The agreement will increase cooperation among these countries for a more effective exploitation and management of the air space.

The protocol signed by the heads of transport ministries of Albania, Greece and Macedonia provides planning, coordination and implementation of joint actions in service of civil air traffic.

Based on the protocol, an office for administering air control with experts from the three parties will open in Salonika. /led/lm/

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[21] Pan-Albanian Book Fair opens in Prishtine

Great Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, in the presence of the Premier of Kosova Interim Government, Hashim Thaci, and many figures of Albanian culture, science and policy made the solemn opening of the Fair.

The Book fair was considered a landmark, not only cultural but also political, because it is opened in free Kosova and unites all Albanian creators wherever they live and create. /led/lm/

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