Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-01

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Milo attends Francophone Conference in Paris

[02] Ginushi to attend colloquium in Paris

[03] Poci calls police heads of 12 prefectures

[04] Press Review

[05] Exchange rates in Tirana

[06] Serbian court investigates against 155 Gjakova Albanians

[07] Deputy PM asks increased organised emigration in Italy

[08] Infrastructure and new structures for Constitutional Court

[09] Construction rates on Milot - Lezhe road increase

[10] Project law on Constitutional Court to be reviewed by specialists

[11] Provision with electric energy depends on payment

[12] Italy offers 2,9 billion liras on urban residues in Lezha

[13] Albania is going towards consolidation of democracy - Parliament Speaker

[14] Europe ready to defend its own democratic values

[15] Ship loaded with contraband oil is sequestrated in Shengjini

[16] UN Administrator in Kosova Bernard Kushner comes on Thursday in Tirana

[17] Transitory Council of Kosova denounces murder of a Serb citizen and wounding of two others in Prishtina

[18] Meidani asks for acceleration of implementation of Stability Pact

[19] Development Fund marks 215 projects worth 1,96 billion leks

[20] Albanian Minister of Education to take part in Strasbourg conference

[21] AIDS, this threatening syndrome for Albania as well

[22] Eight speedboats sequestered in recent months by police of Vlora

[23] Albanian Parliament continues work to draft legislation

[24] Albanian Premier meets with Political Secretary of Foreign Ministry of Austria

[25] Turkish Army boost cooperation with Albanian Army in field of health

[26] Ambassador Hill reconfirms U.S.support for Albanian Government

[01] Milo attends Francophone Conference in Paris

Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo on Tuesday attended the Ministerial Conference of Francophone Organisation in Paris, which declared Albanian a full rights member of the intergovernmental Francophone Agency on Monday.

According to the Foreign Ministry press office, the Albanian Minister made evident the ongoing engagement of Albania in the various Francophone structures.

He made evident Albania's contribution to the political strategy of the Stability Pact and asked from the Francophone organisation to concretely engage itself in regional programmes regarding this Pact. /dast/lm/

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[02] Ginushi to attend colloquium in Paris

The colloquium is organized in the framework of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Council of Europe. In this colloquium will take part senior officials of CE and several scholars of international relations, to discuss about situation in Southeastern Europe especially in Kosova. /dast/so/

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[03] Poci calls police heads of 12 prefectures

"Your performance during this period has produced increasing results but we are still in first steps of the fight against crime," said Minister Poci The Police Director General Colonel Veli Myftari appreciated the performance of the prefectures' police departments but remarked that "several commissariats are still working under old planning and control by police chiefs on the grassroots bodies is lacking."

Poci asked from the leading officers a more effective work in documenting criminal activity and concrete actions in cleansing police ranks from corrupt individuals. /dast/lm/

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[04] Press Review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Institutional putsch against the Prime Minister". The full text of the speech of Premier Ilir Meta held at the meeting of Council of Ministers on 28.11.1999 is published. "Nano: The movement, not for Greater Albania but for the Great Albanians". SP chairman Fatos Nano in an exclusive interview shows the strategy of all-national integration. "Brojka: DP forces me to resign as mayor". Mayor of Tirana, Albert Brojka yesterday cleared up his approach towards the celebrations on the Day of Liberation, November 29. In the meantime, DP chairman for Tirana Vili Minarolli declared that "Brojka does no more represent DP".

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily

"Brojka: Why I was removed from DP". Mayor of Tirana Albert Brojka comments yesterday's DP official line for his expulsion. -"EU, 753 million EURO for Albania since '91". EU, the biggest donnor in Albania, has provided 753 million EURO from 1991 to 1998.

Shekulli, independent daily

"DP ousts Brojka: he took part in the celebrations". The DP punished the Tirana Mayor yesterday as he took part in the celebrations on Albania's liberation with the socialists. "Investigators: "We don't know whether Azem's assassins have been killed," one of the investigators of the Hajdari case declared yesterday. "Poci meets with Tirana's commissars: Be cautious, anticrime". Long discussions and debates between the Public Order Minister and his main officials analysed the six month performance of the Tirane police yesterday.

Albania, national daily,

"Prosecutor's office should sue Ilir Meta" "Meta: I will arrest putschist prosecutors"

Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania

"Meta: We will avenge for your fathers" "Prosecutors, investigations based on the law, otherwise this is a putsch" "General Cikaleshi, tool of Sali Berisha"

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania,

"Brojka, in line with Hoxha's supporters" "Ceco loses $1 250 000"

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania

"DP, Brojka 'heretic'" "Meta: Corruption can not be avoided by shouting" /so/lm/

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[05] Exchange rates in Tirana

Foreing currency exchange rates Currency Buying Selling

US$ 136,4 136,7

DM 71,2 71,2

ITL (1000) 71,6 71,8

GRD (100) 42 42,2 /so/lm/

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[06] Serbian court investigates against 155 Gjakova Albanians

The defense lawyer reported that the majority of the hostages during the interrogation defended themselves in silence, while those who have presented the defensive line have rejected all accusations. Lawyers also have rejected charges considering them as "totally absurd and inconsistent".

More than 1 500 Albanians of Gjakova are kept hostage in Serbian jails, and are threatened with severe punishments, up to 20 years of imprisonment, under charges of "terrorism". Over 100 students, familiars and representatives of commune subjects went on a 48-hour strike asking to free all Albanian hostages from Serbian prisons. /dast/so/

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[07] Deputy PM asks increased organised emigration in Italy

Albanian Deputy Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs yesterday had a working meeting with Italian Minister of Labour Cesare Salvi in Rome and discussed an increase of organised emigration in the framework of the Albanian-Italian Accord on organised emigration.

According to sources from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ceco asked aid from Italy in professionally training Albanian youths, also including here the young emigrants in Italy.

"We should exploit all legal spaces and agreements for Albania to profit as much as possible and concretely," Salvi stressed at the meeting.

Salvi proposed the setting up of a joint group of experts from both ministries to develop cooperation in the field of emigration and professional training of Albanian youths in Italy and Albania.

Ceco, at a meeting with Italian Minister for Social Solidarity, Livia Turco, appreciated the aid worth 20 billion lire the Italian government has provided for Albania to alleviate the social problems. /dast/lm/

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[08] Infrastructure and new structures for Constitutional Court

The spokesman of this court told ATA that next year connection with the Internet will be realised and the court will be completely computerised.

Likewise, its working practices will improve in connection with other courts and similar international institutions.

Concretely, study structures on receiving, working out information from courts, especially that of Strasbourg will be created.

Likewise, consultative structures will be set up for special fields with specialists of juridical sciences.

The Constitutional Court is an institution with a short working experience. It began operation in 1992. /dast/lm/

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[09] Construction rates on Milot - Lezhe road increase

Working rates have increased on the Milot - Lezhe road, 11.4 km long, part of the Tirane - Lezhe motorway, supervisor Bujar Pelinku told ATA.

Italian Firm "Falcone", engaged in building this road, has brought the necessary materials for the works of art.

The works on this road began since eight months ago and are envisaged to be completed in May 2000.

The construction works are financed by the World Bank through a fund of $4.5 million. /dast/lm/

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[10] Project law on Constitutional Court to be reviewed by specialists

"Due to the fact that not all the procedures to be followed by this court in dealing with different issues are defined, a law to define in detailed way the procedures to be implemented by Constitutional Court is needed",on Wednesday told ATA the spokesperson of this Court.

During the period 1992-1998 this Court worked in conformity with its law. The law of 1998 was not complete. At the moment, there is a special chapter about Constitutional Court in the Constitution, concerning the principles of its organization and function, its target, the way of selecting the members, their status and the man responsible to put in motion this court. /dast/linda/

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[11] Provision with electric energy depends on payment

Nearly 80% of the consumption is faced by the production of termo- power stations and the rest of some 20% is imported, told ATA AEC General Director Farudin Hoxha.

But AEC is in difficult financial situation and does not have the possibility to pay the imported energy, due to the abuses and nonpayment of the electric energy.

This enterprise is obliged to undertake to limit considerably the provision with electric energy if the abuses of electric energy will not be stopped and if the payment will not start at once. /led/linda/

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[12] Italy offers 2,9 billion liras on urban residues in Lezha

The Memorandum related with this issue is signed by Albanian Minister of Public Affairs Arben Demeti and Italian Ambassador Mario Bova.

The value of the program worth 2,9 billion liras is donated by Rainbow Mission. Referring to above mentioned sources, this program is part of Italian Government programs dealing with the protection of the environment in Albania. It marks the beginning of a close cooperation between Albanian Ministry of Public Affairs and Italian Ministry of Environment. /led/linda/

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[13] Albania is going towards consolidation of democracy - Parliament Speaker

"After the overcome of the crisis of the latest conflict in Kosova, the situation is going towards normality, especially with a series of results in the institutional and legal reforms in the course of the implementation of the new Constitution and the support for the economic reform," said Gjinushi.

According to him, Albania and the region consider the implementation of the Stability Pact as a historical chance.

"No democratization and stability can exist without economic development. The price of the economic development of the region would be lower than that of the war or its prevention," stressed Gjinushi. /led/xh/

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[14] Europe ready to defend its own democratic values

In his address to the Colloquium held by the Council of Europe (CE) and the French Senate on Wednesday, in the context of the 50th anniversary of the CE, Gjinushi stressed that "There is no Albanian policy in Kosova to be based on ethnic cleansing. But equally indispensable are also the elimination of some problems which stir up the opposite, such as the division of Mitrovica, the punishment for the war criminals, the release of the prisoners still held in Serb prisons," said Gjinushi.

Further on, Gjinushi said that the building as soon as possible of the self-governing democratic institutions and forums in Kosova through free elections is the fundamental preoccupation.

The democratization of the regional countries is one of the main directions, which must aim at the internal stability, defence of minorities and the guarantee of a policy of good neighbourliness, stressed Gjinushi. /led/xh/

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[15] Ship loaded with contraband oil is sequestrated in Shengjini

Referring to the control performed in the ship "Saturn 2" it avoids the payment of custom duties of some 6 million leks. The ship carrying 1 300 tons oil is sequestrated by the police, which arrested the captain of the ship, Syrian nationality.

The devision against economic-financial crime continuously fights contraband phenomena in several districts of the country, such as in Saranda, Diber, Lezhe, Tirana, Durres, and many others.

Few months ago the ship "Triton" is blocked in Shengjini Port for contraband of great dimensions in fuel. /led/linda/

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[16] UN Administrator in Kosova Bernard Kushner comes on Thursday in Tirana

During his visit in our country Kushner will meet President of Republic Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Ilir Meta, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ben Blushi and Minister of Health Leonard Solis.

The situation in Kosova and the role of Albania in its normalization will be in the center of UN administrator agenda.

Mr.Kushner visited Albania this year in the position of Minister of Health of Republic of France. /led/linda/

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[17] Transitory Council of Kosova denounces murder of a Serb citizen and wounding of two others in Prishtina

According to him, "this is an abuse with the freedom offered to the people of Kosova by the UN Mission and KFOR for the peaceful celebration of the Flag Day in Kosova."

Kouchner said that in its today's meeting, the "Transitory Council called on its citizens of Kosova to be tolerant to one another and to create possibilities for the building of a multiethnic society." /sh.dha/xh/

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[18] Meidani asks for acceleration of implementation of Stability Pact

President of Republic Meidani stressed in the meeting the importance of international support in the context of Stability Pact in the development of infrastructure in Albania, mainly in roads.

Concerning Kosova, issue Rohan said that " increase of the involvement of native citizens in governance is so needed at the moment in Kosova". President Meidani expressed also his concern about Mitrovica division, which is the source of the tension.

As far as the relations with Macedonia are concerned, Meidani considered them as "very good one and this is due to the cooperation between the Albanian parties there".

Present in the meeting were Austrian Ambassador in Albania Amo Riedel and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Albania Pellumb Xhufi. /led/linda/

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[19] Development Fund marks 215 projects worth 1,96 billion leks

AFD is set up in 1993 as a result of an agreement between the Government of Albania and World Bank.Its target is the development of rural and urban areas and to take care about the most poor population.

During the seven years period AFD implemented successfully a number of projects. AFD completed nearly 437 projects worth 1,24 billion leks during the period 1993-1997, while in 98-99 the number of the projects implemented is 215 and the total investments marked 1,96 billion leks.

Rural and urban development in Northeastern areas, but even the social projects remain the main objectives of the fund.

Referring to the sources of AFD, an increase of the investments number foreseen for 2000, and this will come as a result of the donations from the French and Italian Government. /led/linda/

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[20] Albanian Minister of Education to take part in Strasbourg conference

Before leaving, Minister Ruka said to ATA on Wednesday at the airport that "the conference serves the coordination of the cooperation and review of educational politics in the context of the Stability Pact."

According to him, the participants in the meeting will examine the role of the Council of Europe in support of the educational reforms in two main aspects: civic education and teaching of modern history.

The conference is held after the international meeting on the topic "Educational cooperation for peace, stability and democracy," on the problems of Southeast Europe, held in Sofia of Bulgaria from Nov.12-14, 1999. /led/xh/

Tirana, Dec.1 (ata) - By E.Xhajanka - Albanian Fund of Development AFD performing its activity for seven years in Albania aims at increasing the donors number, reported on Wednesday sources from this fund.

AFD is set up in 1993 as a result of an agreement between the Government of Albania and World Bank.Its target is the development of rural and urban areas and to take care about the most poor population.

During the seven years period AFD implemented successfully a number of projects. AFD completed nearly 437 projects worth 1,24 billion leks during the period 1993-1997, while in 98-99 the number of the projects implemented is 215 and the total investments marked 1,96 billion leks.

Rural and urban development in Northeastern areas, but even the social projects remain the main objectives of the fund.

Referring to the sources of AFD, an increase of the investments number foreseen for 2000, and this will come as a result of the donations from the French and Italian Government. /led/linda/

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[21] AIDS, this threatening syndrome for Albania as well

According to this report, in April 1998 there were 34 four HIV cases in Albania, ten of which were people with AIDS.

Most of the sick are males and over 90 per cent are between 20-35 age group.

The predominant road of the illness transmition is sexual way, and only four cases are people infected through blood transfusion.

According to AIDS National Program, there are about 2000 HIV cases but this figure may increase due to some favoring factors, social-economic and political changes, chaotic movement of people, sudden liberalization of sexual behaviour, trafficking of prostitute and, adds to these the lack of sexual education.

On the other hand, drug-addiction stimulates the escalation and spread of the illness by drug-addicts, as it has happened in some countries of the region.

As for the consultation of the cases with AIDS and HIV, so far only accompanying viruses have been treated. The only centre dealing with the diseases linked with these viruses is the Department of Infectious Diseases close to the Tirana University Hospital Centre. There is also a consultation center close to the Public Health Institute in aid of the AIDS infected people. /xh/

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[22] Eight speedboats sequestered in recent months by police of Vlora

The figures were publicized by the spokesman of the department of police of Vlora prefecture, according to whom the sequestered speedboats are being guarded in Sazan island by forces of Guardia di Finanza according to an agreement between Albania and Italy.

The chief of the police commissariat of Vlora, Arben Zylyftari, said that police will intensify their operation to completely block the men- smuggling towards Italy. In this respect, a special strategy has been drafted on the basis of which, police forces are in permanent activity, guarding all coastline of the Bay of Vlora and broader, in cooperation with the vessels of Guardia di Finanza.

During the last week alone, five actions have been carried out by police, and over 80 illegals have been turned back and three dinghies sequestered. /xh/

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[23] Albanian Parliament continues work to draft legislation

Dokle pointed out the work being made for the implementation of the Stability Pact and the role of the parliament for this process.

As for the developments in Kosova, Dokle said that its place is in the integrated Europe.

Evaluating the relations between the two countries, Rohan said that "Albania is the country in which we are spearheading our economic activities."

According to him, Austria will have the rotating presidency of OSCE and this is another chance for support of the reforms in Albania and for the implementation of the Stability Pact. /led/xh/

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[24] Albanian Premier meets with Political Secretary of Foreign Ministry of Austria

Rohen spoke of further promotion of the relations between the two countries. He congratulated the government for the improvement made in the field of law and order and the fight against corruption.

Premier Meta voiced the conviction that Austria will be very successful in its OSCE rotating presidency, just like the previous Norway's presidency was.

Making an expose of the work made so far by the cabinet he is leading, Meta underscored that in the framework of the fight against corruption, cooperation with all other links of the Albanian state and with the opposition are required.

PM Meta also briefed Mr Rohen of the strategy outlined by the Albanian Government in cooperation with the Group "Friends of Albania." "Hence, completion of the legal framework for the fight against corruption becomes a necessity, along with a better coordination of the projects for the attraction of donors' investments in the sectors in which Albania has the greatest need," said Mr Meta. /led/xh/

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[25] Turkish Army boost cooperation with Albanian Army in field of health

The Turkish military delegation led by the Director of Health Service, brigade general Metin Denli talked with the deputy chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Army, colonel Mehmet Musai, on the cooperation between the two armies and the possibilities of extension of its spaces in the future.

The new agreement stipulates that the Turkish Army will create more possibilities for the medical treatment of the military patients and their families and the increase of the number of the military staff who will qualify in Turkey.

During its several day visit to Albania, the Turkish delegation will visit the Military Hospital in Tirane where it will donate a considerable amount of logistic aid for this medical centre. Visits will also be made in the Commando Brigade too. The new agreement between the two armies will be signed within 1999. /led/xh/

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[26] Ambassador Hill reconfirms U.S.support for Albanian Government

Ambassador Hill highlighted the increasing consolidation of the security in the country, the serious efforts of the Government to continue the anti-corruption process and its readiness to cooperate with the opposition in this respect.

He stressed that the consolidation of the democratic institutions is important to ensure a long term stability of Albania and appreciated the constructive policy of the Albanian Government for the realisation of the regional policies in the context of the Stability Pact.

Meta asked Mr Hill to convey to President Clinton the determination of the Albanian Government to accomplish unhesitatingly its priorities, in conformity with the commitments they have taken before the international community. /led/xh/

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