Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-15

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Net foreing currency reserves amount to $ 289 million

[02] Press review

[03] Exchange rates in Tirana

[04] Fino asks continuation of UNHCR projects in Albania

[05] Demolished part of Eastern quay restored

[06] SP drafts convention of relations within coalition

[07] Law commission reviews two economic agreements

[08] Deal to create Kosova Interim Administrative Council signed

[09] Durresi Port the main port of the region

[10] Chromium mines toward privatization

[11] Democratic Party is against any governmental invitation on anti- corruption

[12] Albanian Prime Minister highlights constructive stand of CDP on anti- corruption process

[13] Draft strategy on national security presented to Parliamentary Defence Commission

[14] Work of children, a worrying phenomenon of Albanian society

[15] A 14 month old child dies after taking her father's drugs

[16] Development of Shkoder region is in the focus of the government - Albanian Minister

[17] Powerful centre of prostitutes' trafficking operates in Durres

[18] About 45 000 USD for a play ground in Kukes

[19] SP hails creation of administrative structures in Kosova

[20] Albanian PM Meta hails creation of Provisional Administrative Council in Kosova

[21] Canada to support process of democratization of Albania

[01] Net foreing currency reserves amount to $ 289 million

The current level of the net foreing currency reserves of the Central Bank of Albania is approximately US$ 124 million above the defined minimum quota of $ 165 million.

The increase of the foreign currency reserves of the Bank of Albania is due to 20 million EURO provided by EU to support the budget deficit of this year and to the third tranche taken in the framework of ESAF 2 programme worth $ 12,8 million and the funds accorded by the World Bank.

The fund worth $ 2,4 million provided by the Government of Finland to help the Albanian government has also influenced in the increase of these reserves.

The inflow of foreing currency, although it immediately increased foreing currency reserves of the Bank of Albania, did not influence monetary indices as a whole.

The Albanian Bank in order not to influence the further evaluation of the lek and to curb consumption of the population, due to the evaluation of their incomes in Lek, has followed during this year the policy of increasing foreing currency reserves and has not interfered in the market of the foreing currency exchange, sources close to this bank report. /dast/so/

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[02] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Berisha exploited Azem, then he killed him". After Isamedin Haxhia's confession, another member of the Haxhia family denounces the DP chairman, Sali Berisha. "Xhaferri: I remember Berisha's tears when we asked restoration of immunity". This is what DP deputy Ferdinand Xhaferri said yesterday. "Anti-corruption experts make ready the axes". Reexamination of anti-corruption plan and targeting law violators begins.

Gazeta Albania, independent daily,

"SP defines game rules". The first project of the convention which will adjust the relations among the allies in the "Alliance for State" coalition has been drafted. "Nano's visit, reactions in Kosova". The visit of SP chairman Fatos Nano to the Republic of Montenegro, planed for January 2000, has aroused various reactions in Kosova. "Poci asks guarantees from the Montenegro police on the SP chairman". The Albanian Public Order Ministry has entered into contacts with the Montenegrin Interior Ministry, to receive guarantees for the Albanian delegation to visit this republic, found in rump Yugoslavia.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Meidani: I do not recognise Taiwan". "We only recognise one China". Albanian President Meidani made this statement at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, yesterday. "Gjinushi: Pollo will not be ousted". This is what speaker of Parliament Skender Gjinushi said after the DP National Assembly lifted the right to representation of the moderators. "Xhaferri: Berisha, Marshall of the hunt of witches in DP".

Albania, national daily,

"Salihi is not under trial". "Distribution of money begins with three per cent".

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

"Poci: Why are those who burnt the commissariat employed?". "Politics in danger, Berisha pays to kill opponents". "Bids, an agreement of traders robbing the state".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania,

"Berisha - Ahrens meet on corruption and the Hajdari issue". "Berisha: Albanian minority in Greece should be recognised".

Republika, daily of the republican party of Albania,

"Berisha denounced of slanders". "Albanian-Italian trafficking network identified". /lm/

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[03] Exchange rates in Tirana

Foreing currency exchange rates Currency Buying Selling

US$ 135,5 136

DM 69,5 70

ITL (1000) 70 70,5

GRD (100) 41 41,2 /so/

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[04] Fino asks continuation of UNHCR projects in Albania

The participants at the meeting discussed cooperation possibilities between UNHCR and the Department to be raised close to the Local Government Ministry to continue the projects after the order issued by Premier Ilir Meta on dissolving the Emergency Management Group (EMG).

Fino appreciated the performance of these bodies during the Kosova crisis and stressed the role and contributions given by the UNHCR during this period.

Akawi praised the hospitality of the Albanian Government and people during the crisis without which foreign aid would also be impossible. /dast/so/lm/

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[05] Demolished part of Eastern quay restored

The restoration of the demolished part, long 25 meters, was made possible by "Cosmar" company, engaged in ferries terminal construction, in cooperation with Port's experts, the director of the Port Leonidha Gjermeni told ATA on Wednesday.

The port provided a fund worth $ 10 thousand to carry out constructions.

A week ago, a part of eastern quay, dredged up by the ferries propellers and powerful waves, was demolished obstructing normal conditions for ferries to anchor.

In the meantime, a fund worth 56 million leks provided by this Port is making possible the continuation of operations for interior repairs such as rehabilitation of buildings and asphalting Port squares. /dast/sm/so/

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[06] SP drafts convention of relations within coalition

A SP selected group of members and secretaries are drafting the main points of this convention, to be approved first by the chairmanship of the party in power.

"This project defines the redimensioning of the governing majority towards the new Albanian reality in the framework of the Stability Pact", Luan Rama, Secretary for Public Relations in SP, told ATA on Wednesday.

This document after being examined by the SP presidency, which will meet on Thursday, will be submitted to other parties of the "Alliance for State" Coalition.

SP Chairman Fatos Nano praised the approval of this Convention stressing that "it will define Coalition longevity also after local elections".

The next round table of the coalition parties, as scheduled a month ago, will be due by December 20. /dast/so/lm/

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[07] Law commission reviews two economic agreements

Laws parliamentary commission, on Wednesday, reviewed several draft- laws which aim at the ratification of two agreements between Republic of Albania (RA) and foreign companies.

The first agreement is On harmonized program, integration of European air traffic control and implementation of managing measures for the air traffic direction by Central Management Unit of the influx direction through RA and European Organization for air navigation security.

This agreement intends to utilize air spaces based on European technical and operational guaranteed standards. Advantages from ratifying this agreement are great because the increase of flights' influx over the Albanian space raises incomes that go to the state budget.

Also, the Parliamentary commission is working on the examination of draft-law to ratify the agreement on "Concession in copper industry through Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization and the U.S. company "The metal Research Group Corp".

This draft-law aims at best exploiting copper resources in Albania, based in the foreign experience. /dast/sm/so/

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[08] Deal to create Kosova Interim Administrative Council signed

This agreement was signed by Bernard Kouchner, U.N. civil Administrator in Kosove, Hashim Thaçi, Chairman of the Democratic Progress Party of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, Chairman of Democratic League of Kosova and Rexhep Qosja, Chairman of the United Democratic Movement.

Kouchner, at a joint conference, which was also attended by KFOR Commander, General Klaus Reinhardt, considered the agreement "an important step in the process" and declared that he would prefer best consensus in taking decisions by the Interim Administrative Council, rather than the implementation of the right to veto right it will have.

Kouchner stressed that he expects a successful co-governing with Kosovars, for the benefit of Kosova.

The Albanian Kosovar leaders, Thaci, Rugova and Qosja stated that they will respect the agreement and will have a full cooperation.

They pledged they will work continuously for Kosova's independence, following this transitional phase.

"The agreement signed today, just like the Conference on Kosova in Rambouillet and Paris, are steps of a historic process". This process inevitably leads to independence," said Qosja, adding that "now autonomy is out of date" "Kosova's independence is the best solution," said Rugova, while Thaci said that "independence is the sole solution for Kosova". /dast/so/lm/

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[09] Durresi Port the main port of the region

"Already, when the finance of Corridor 8 is over with the finance of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the last segment Elbasan-Librazhd, the expansion of Durresi Port is of extraordinary importance.It is not only Durresi port, or the only port of Albania, but it is the main port of the region". The development of Durresi, Albania and all Balkan depends on this port", stressed the Prime Minister Meta.

Prime Minister asked for maximal managing of the port by all the institutions that perform their activities in its territory.

Albanian Premier criticized the custom and private custom agencies that create unjustified obstacles, by making even false documents for profits purposes from Kosova brothers, who already "do not pass through Durresi Port, but through Macedonia", pointed out the Premier.

Albanian Prime Minister asked for establishing within a short period of time a harsh regime against contraband by saying that "the cooperation between State Informative Service and Ministry of Public Order will increase aiming at establishing as soon as possible a severe regime to combat contraband". /dast/linda/

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[10] Chromium mines toward privatization

Four units of "Albkrom", Batra, Klosi, Ternova and Kam i Tropojes, are involved in privatization process by giving the exploitation right to the private subjects in conformity with the Albanian mineral law.Referring to the sources, nearly 27 exploitation permissions are given only for Batra mine.

Concerning the mines of the southeastern region, Prrenjas and Pojske, the negotiations with Italian company "Darfo" are going on. While for the mines of the northeastern region the Turkish company "Hayri Ogelman" is interested in taking them with concession.

The most important part of chromium industry, Bulqiza mine, Burel factory and Klos selection implant, are asked by Italian company "ITS & SOGERED", American company "The Metals Research Group" and German company "Preussag". Referring to the sources, this part pf chromium industry is thought to be privatized by international tender. During the privatization the social protection of the employees will be taken into consideration. /led/linda/

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[11] Democratic Party is against any governmental invitation on anti- corruption

Democratic Party spokesman reported on Wednesday that we have said even before that we will not take part in any governmental comission, but only in the commissions set up in institutional way, that is to say the parliamentary ones.

Democratic Party has presented a number of requests on avoiding of this phenomena, which according to the spokesman are taken into consideration by the Government.

In the meeting of anti-corruption commission held on Tuesday, Prime Minister Meta reiterated the invitation to the opposition parties to take part in this commission, in the level of technical group as well as in monitoring one. The first invitation to the opposition parties to collaborate in combating the corruption is addressed by Prime Minister in mid November. This invitation is refused by Democratic Party. /led/linda/

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[12] Albanian Prime Minister highlights constructive stand of CDP on anti- corruption process

"The invitation addressed to the Albanian opposition to take part in the process is a serious commitment of the Government to cooperate concretely in the fight against this worrying phenomenon," said Meta.

He added that the Government will not accept political conditions imposed by anyone to take part in the process, but it will hail all the responsible stands of the opposition which serve the uncompromising fight to corruption.

"In this context, we hailed the latest CDP stand to be open to this process," said meta.

The CDP leader stressed that his party welcomed the initiative of the Government to invite the opposition to take part in the anti-corruption process, ensuring that the stand of the Christian Democratic party will be constructive, and that it would demand a more complete information on the process. /led/xh/

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[13] Draft strategy on national security presented to Parliamentary Defence Commission

This document aims to adjust the functioning of the military organizations in relation with other state institutions. According to this strategy, on the longterm plan, the objective is Albania's membership in NATO and the EU. Likewise, the draft carries the constitutional definitions on the People's Assembly, the President of the Republic, the Security Council, the Prime Minister and the ministers in the period of peace and in case of war.

After the presentation and the examining of the draft strategy by the Parliamentary Defence Commission and later in other permanent parliamentary commissions, it is expected to be presented for approval to the Parliament in one of its plenary sessions. /lh/xh/

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[14] Work of children, a worrying phenomenon of Albanian society

Although prohibited by law, so far there is not any organization or public institution to send to the court even a single case, to help stop the employment of children, the same source said.

Differently from some states, where the heavy work of the children, though prohibited by law, is spread to a great extend, in Albania the are no heavy jobs for children for the only reason that industry in this country is almost nonexistent and the level of unemployment is very high.

Almost all the children working in Albania are under 14, many of whom have started to work since when they have been 10-12 years old, because the family conditions cannot allow them to have a normal welfare. Only 17 per cent of the children interviewed by this centre said they work and study at the same time, a fact showing that the work among children is one of the main reasons that school is being abandoned.

The work that most of the children presently do is selling various articles such as cigarettes and lighters, bananas and roasted maize cobs. Only in Tirana there are more than 200 children who start their jobs in the morning as ambulant sellers in Tirana bars and streets. /led/xh/

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[15] A 14 month old child dies after taking her father's drugs

They added that Anxhela Tena, was gravely intoxicated after she had taken a high dose of Tegretol Amitriptiline, his father used to take for his mental disease.

The girl was taken to hospital of Gjirokaster, where despite, the urgent medical aid, she died several hours later.

Hospital sources told ATA that the 14 month old girl was only with her 5-year old sister at her house in Gjirokaster in the moment she took the pills. /xh/

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[16] Development of Shkoder region is in the focus of the government - Albanian Minister

Taking the floor in the conference, held by the faculty of economy of Luigj Gurakuqi university in cooperation with the prefecture of Shkoder, Minister Meksi stressed that for 1999, the state budget and foreign donors invested 1.2 billion lek to rehabilitate the infrastructure, streets, schools in that region. Also for 2000, Meksi guaranteed that Shkodra would be a priority in our work.

She focused on two important projects of the World Bank, such as the construction of the new hospital compound, with a fund of 7 million USD, which will be completed next June, and the rehabilitation of the irrigation network of the plain of Mbishkodra, which has just started with a fund of 12 million dollars by the World Bank.

Meksi said that with a fund of 1.5 million USD by the PHARE Program of the European Union, the complete reconstruction of the Hani i Hotit border point will be realised, while with a 500 thousand USD fund by the Albanian Fund of Development, work for the rehabilitation of the city streets will start.

Taking part in the meeting was also the State Minister in the Council of Minister, Prec Zogaj. /lh/xh/

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[17] Powerful centre of prostitutes' trafficking operates in Durres

Kordha explained that "during the investigation process made so far, the prostitutes detained two days ago have admitted that the centre of Durres has ties with other cities of Albania, thus creating a very profitable trafficking."

Nonetheless, he added that "the investigation is in continuing and only after it is over we can bring forth accurate data," said Kordha. He said that they are cooperating with the police of Durres, the second big city in Albania, by exchanging the necessary information.

In an action on Sunday to hit prostitutes' trafficking, police forces in Fier detained 4 girls under charges of prostitution, of whom one from Moldavia, two from Romania and another from the city of Shkoder. Also two policemen were detained under charges of being involved in the case. /xh/

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[18] About 45 000 USD for a play ground in Kukes

A fund of 45 000 USD of the association Care International made possible the construction of the play ground, the only of this kind in the city.

Speaking to ATA about the play ground, the chief of the development- coordination office in the town-hall, Lume Baja, stressed that the work took two month and the play ground covers and area of 0.8 hectares. It has different games, a park, etc.

According to the chief, the construction of the play ground helped create a nice environment for the children to pass their free time, because such grounds have been lacking in that city. This is also due to the illegal construction which keep going on. /xh/

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[19] SP hails creation of administrative structures in Kosova

These forums were set up by the U.N. Administrator in Kosova, Bernard Kouchner and by the representatives of the Albanian political forces of Kosova, Hashim Thaci, Ibrahim Rugova and Rexhep Qosja.

In a press release, SP hailed the Party of Democratic Progress led by Thaci, which Albanian socialists consider as the fundamental factor for the triumph of peace after the war.

SP is aware that the creation of the provisional administrative structures in which other national minorities of Kosova will take part, will give a greater impetus to the complete stabilization of the situation in Kosova. SP also hails other Albanian political forces of Kosova for the realisation of this national strategic objective. /lh/xh/

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[20] Albanian PM Meta hails creation of Provisional Administrative Council in Kosova

PM Meta considered this agreement a consequence of the greater political maturity of the Kosova Albanians "to win the peace battle." "I consider this act as a sign of the responsibility that the Albanian factor there is manifesting and the commitments it is ready to undertake, to construct a new life in peace, prosperity, democracy and cohabitation with Serbs and all other communities in Kosova," said meta.

This agreement creates the premises for the acceleration of the processes for Kosova's recovery, the establishment of the democratic institutions which will lead to the preparation of the free and democratic elections there. /lh/xh/

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[21] Canada to support process of democratization of Albania

According to the Information Department close to the Council of Ministers, Mr Chretien expressed in his message the best wishes for the appointment of Mr Meta to the post of the Prime Minister. "Albania has many challenges to defy on its road of modernization towards an open and democratic society. Canada will continue to make its contribution to this process also as one of the member countries of the Albania's Group of Friends," writes the message.

"The readiness and hospitality that Albania manifested to the influx of Kosova refugees, proved to the world that Albania wants to play a constructive role on the international arena. We welcome with pleasure the cooperation with you and your Government to promote the cooperation with you and your government, to carry ahead our joint longterm objectives to establish a sustainable peace throughout the Balkan region," underlines in his message, Canadian PM, Chretien.

He stressed that Canada has lately opened a representation office in Tirana to facilitate the programs of cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic fields, that of assistance, emigration, etc. /lh/xh/

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