Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-16

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Some 50 projects to be realized in 2000 in Kukes

[02] Press Review

[03] Exchange rates in Tirana

[04] EU,EIB provide US$ 34 million for Port of Durres modernization

[05] SOS-Kinderdorf provides US$ 1 million for education in Albania

[06] Oil services sector to be privatized within 2000

[07] KFOR intensifies control on Kosova-Serbia border area

[08] Education Ministry approves didactic equipment for professional high schools

[09] OMS finances bacteriological laboratory in Korca

[10] AFD to provide US$ 400 thousand for roads asphalting

[11] Germany accords DM 6 million to combat poverty

[12] Delegation from Kosove pays official visit to Sarajevo

[13] Jorgo Gjikondi awarded a prize for translating "Pan Taduesh" poetry

[14] "Tree of hope on coexistence" settled in divided Mitrovice

[15] First night of Kouchner govt finds Kosova in blackout and morning without papers

[16] CoE ready to help Albanian Parliament

[17] CoE issues book on Albanian cultural inheritance

[18] German project ends restoration of UBT dormitories

[19] Government approves in principle economic agreements

[20] SP chairman meets with European Commission ambassador

[21] Meta pledges aid for talented sportsmen

[22]

[01] Some 50 projects to be realized in 2000 in Kukes

According to her these projects will mainly aim at improving infrastructure as well as the reconstruction of social-cultural institutions seriously damaged during the period of the Kosova crisis.

For a better cooperation of NGO with structures of the local government, on Wednesday, it was organized a meeting in Kukes Prefecture, where donators demanded not only projects but also the increase of local government concern on the maintenance of the institutions reconstructed by them (NGO) so far.

NGO that are active in zones of Kukes prefecture invested nearly $ 600 thousand to reconstruct 46 social-cultural institutions. In the meantime the sum to be invested by NGO during 2000 is approximately calculated US$ 1 million.

Currently, 13 NGO continue to be active in the Kukes prefecture. /lh/so/

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[02] Press Review

"Koha Jone", independent daily -"Berisha 'assassin' goes to Prosecution". Everything written yesterday in the letter that Ismet Haxhia published in this newspaper, is now a direct accusation against Sali Berisha. But not only about "Hajdari" cause. Other charges have been formulated against DP leader, which in the letter, have only been "reminded" to him. -"Meta in Durres: Let's keep politicians away from the Port of the Balkans". Premier Meta in Durres on Wednesday, at a meeting with the Director of the Sea Port, demanded to establish as soon as possible a severe regime against contraband. -"Meta-Bushati, opposition splits up ". The Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, Zef Bushati, on Wednesday confirmed his participation in the anti-corruption commission.

"Gazeta Shqiptare", independent daily -"Police expels UNHCR man". Salathiel Mavyemanzi from Rwanda, UNHCR employee in Albania, has been expulsed from Albania on Tuesday morning. -"SP decides to write the history". Socialist have drafted the project of a convention, in which will take part the entire Albanian society to redimension Nation's values. SP chairmanship will discuss today the drafted project, where other ideas to restore the country all positive characteristics of Albanians are expected to be brought forward. -"31 deputies do not show their 'pockets" This is what Luan Shahollari, chairman of the parliamentary mission for the declaration of property of clerks and senior officials, said yesterday.

"Shekulli", independent daily -"Commissar Havari confesses". In Albania during 1999 have taken place 30 % of the penal acts on the country scale. The figures have been published yesterday in the annual analysis of the Tirane Police Department. -"Meidani in China: You have a model state". Albanian President Rexhep Meidani continues his formal visit in China.

"Albania", National daily -"Liquidation plan for Azem's witness". -"In Tirana even children are addicted to drugs".

"Zeri i Popullit", daily of the Albanian Socialist Party -"Testimony for 3 hours in succession and accusation of the two Haxhiaj brothers in front of the Prosecutors". -"Berisha killer, orders to kill since 1991". - "Premier: Politicians have nothing to do with customs and police".

"Rilindja Demokratike", daily of the Albanian Democratic Party - "Berisha-Limprecht discuss 'Hajdari' cause". -"State condemns to death assassins and witnesses".

"Republika", daily of the Albanian Republican Party -"Files of officials close" -"Criminals take shelter in Kosova". /so/

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[03] Exchange rates in Tirana

Foreing currency exchange rates Currency Buying Selling

US$ 135,5 136

DM 70 70,5

ITL (1000) 70,5 71

GRD (100) 41 41,2 /so/

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[04] EU,EIB provide US$ 34 million for Port of Durres modernization

"The fund provided by these bodies will be utilized in two projects: the construction of he new ferries terminal and reconstruction of the existing terminal", said Gjermeni.

In the meantime has started the implementation of the investment worth US$ 23 million, provided by the World Bank for the reconstruction of the four existing quays, roads within the port, as well as new cranes and technological equipment insurance.

In the Port of Durres, where 90% of the performance of maritime transport is carried out, the annual capacity of goods processing amounts to 3 million tons.

Realizing these investments, according to Gjermeni, "during the next year the port will manage to process 5 million goods per year". /dast/so/

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[05] SOS-Kinderdorf provides US$ 1 million for education in Albania

Due to this cooperation has been reconstructed the dormitory and dinning-hall of the electric professional school in Tirana, where around 200 students are treated.

The emergency director in the SOS-Kinderdorf foundation in Tirana Serad Krupic, on Thursday in the inaugurating ceremony, expressed the desire for the consolidation of cooperation with the Albanian Ministry of Education and Science.

Ethem Ruka, stressed that with the contribution of the foreign donators during this year have been restored 700 school infrastructure institutions. Despite the necessary improvements, said he, the needs of this sector are still great. According to Ruka "only Tirana needs some US$ 35 million for this purpose". /dast/so/

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[06] Oil services sector to be privatized within 2000

The privatization of services sector, Servcom, is scheduled to be carried out within 2000 and this sector is envisaged to improve the financial state of the company, sources from the Ministry of Privatization told ATA on Wednesday.

In the meantime, as regards oil striking, the continuation of agreements with foreign companies is foreseen to give positive results for the increase of production from existing resources so that employees previously discharged can return back to work.

Experts in the Ministry of Economy and Privatization, stressed that besides these measures "Placing oil stations, produced by APC (Albanian Petroleum Corporation", at service of private subjects, will improve the financial result despite the many troubles it has caused".

The most powerful oil company in Albania, currently operates basing on three enterprises, that are Albpetrol engaged in oil striking, ARMO engaged in refining and marketing and Servcom engaged in services sector of oil industry. /led/sm/so/

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[07] KFOR intensifies control on Kosova-Serbia border area

According to the Kosovar agency, on Wednesday evening, several military helicopters flew over this border area for hours in succession to supervise the security state.

Kosovapress reports that the implementation of a social assistance program has started in Podujeva commune since December 14.

According to the administrator, Zikfrid Brake, this programme has to do with aid distribution to elderly persons, over 70, and families for which nobody can take care for. /dast/sm/so/

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[08] Education Ministry approves didactic equipment for professional high schools

"Special attention, in the education programme of these schools, has been paid to subjects of National nature such history", the responsible of the general high school education in the Ministry of Education and Science, Ilia Paluka, said.

The pilot project of the professionalization of the high education in humanitarian and exact sciences began to be implemented for the first time during the academic year '99-2000 in 15 high schools of 11 districts of the country.

The students of the first year were faced with the lack of texts, but according to Paluka this concern has been already exhausted with the publishing and distribution of the new texts. /dast/so/

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[09] OMS finances bacteriological laboratory in Korca

Gjergj Mikerezi, district Primary Health Director reported that "most of this grant, 70 %, was utilized to buy the proper equipment necessary for various analysis while the rest went for building repair expenditures".

In this laboratory a series of running water and food analysis, without forgetting pollution cases, are carried out every day. /sm/A.A/

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[10] AFD to provide US$ 400 thousand for roads asphalting

"This fund has been provided basing on projects launched by the district town hall and is expected to begin by the Spring 2000", said Hasa.

The municipality Secretary, Bardhyl Shaqiri said that "operations for the rehabilitation of the lightening system in the main six roads of Shkodra will begin soon through a fund worth 20 million leks provided by (AFD)".

"Some US$ 150 million out of this fund will be utilized in January of 2000 to asphalt the district ring, long 1.8 km" AFD, since '94, the year of its creation and up to now, has invested nearly US$ 1,5 million in Shkodra, mainly to improve the district and village infrastructure. /dast/so/

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[11] Germany accords DM 6 million to combat poverty

For this aim, the Albanian Minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade Ermelinda Meksi and the German ambassador Peter Kiewitt will sign on Friday an agreement on the German finance contribution for the Albania fund and social investments.

This grant is delivered by the Institution of Credits on Reconstruction (KFW).

The financial support comprises as well a multi-dimensional German cooperation on development. A governmental agreement, worth 35 million German Marks planned to be used on reconstruction of electric energy supply of southern Albania, was signed during the last week.

As far as the end of 1998 the bilateral development cooperation between Albania and Germany amounts to 353 million Marks. This sum was increased during 1999 by 32 million Marks. In the field of bilateral technical cooperation were placed into disposal 104 million Marks till the end of 1998. Some 6 million Marks were added to this sum in 1999. /dast/A.A/

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[12] Delegation from Kosove pays official visit to Sarajevo

The delegation will meet with the Premier Ethem Beçakçiç, President Alija Izetbegoviç and the co-chairman of Bosnia-Herzegovina Federation, Haris Silajxhiç.

The talks will be concentrated on the situation in Kosove and in the region as well as in cooperation possibilities. /led/A.A/

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[13] Jorgo Gjikondi awarded a prize for translating "Pan Taduesh" poetry

Three other special prizes are awarded to the three best translations of the poetical work "Pan Taduesh" during 1998, year which coincides with 200 anniversary of the birth of national poet of Poland, Adam Mickievic, in a ceremony organized in Warsaw by the association of Polish authors.

Amid the Russian and Rumanian translator is awarded even the Albanian translator Jorgo Gjikondi who brought for the first time in Albanian the great work of the Polish author. Participating in this ceremony were members of the association Poland-Albania, the Albanian ambassador in Poland Osman Kraja, personalities of literature, art and the like. /led/A.A/

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[14] "Tree of hope on coexistence" settled in divided Mitrovice

The tree, more than 10 meters high, was inaugurated on Wednesday by UNO administrator for the region Stefan de Mistura, but he did not manage to join the Serbs and Albanians during this ceremony.

He was welcomed with applauses by thousands of Albanians in the southern part of the bridge, but hundreds of Serb paramilitary forces, who were staying at the northern part of the bridge received him with scoldings and threatenings.

The regional administrator held a meeting on Wednesday with the miners of Trepce to mark in this way the beginning of work in this mine. Some 1 500 Albanian miners were expelled by Serb regime 10 years ago. /led/A.A/

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[15] First night of Kouchner govt finds Kosova in blackout and morning without papers

Shortage of electricity in the post-war Kosova is only one of the numerous problems pending solution. This is also stressed by a paper of Prishtine covering the ceremony of the agreement signed Wednesday between administrator Kouchner and the main leaders of Kosova, Thaci, Rugova and Qosja, on the creation of the Interim Administrative Council.

Due to electricity shortage, only newspaper Kosova Sot, printed in Skopje, could appear this morning.

The paper highlights Kouchner's statement that "there is no contradiction between the will of the Kosova people and what is stipulated in this agreement," and the statement of KFOR commander Reinhardt that "this is the most significant mission of UNMIK and KFOR and at the same time a basis for the Kosova future", and "I am happy to achieve this". /led/lm/

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[16] CoE ready to help Albanian Parliament

At the end of her mission to Albania, Akant evaluated the performance of parliament in approving a legislation of contemporary democratic standards.

Gjinushi, pointing to the CoE aid and role in preparing the legislation, expressed the will of the Assembly to further cooperation and promote the legislative reform. He added that "any CoE contribution to education will be welcome". /led/lm/

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[17] CoE issues book on Albanian cultural inheritance

The book was published in the framework of the project on action-plan for 2000, which is a multidimensional project in the field of cultural inheritance organized by the Ministry of Culture.

According to the above mentioned sources "this book is published to increase donors' interest on recognition of cultural inheritance in international opinion.

The publishment is totally financed by the Council of Europe and it realized by Albanian specialists.

The book, illustrated with 40 photos which reflect Albanian archeology, monuments, environments and even lanscapes belonging mainly to the southern Albania. The book published preliminary in English is foreseen to be published even in four other languages. /led/A.A/

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[18] German project ends restoration of UBT dormitories

According to the director of THW in Albania, Peter Bytomski, the restoration started in August and is already over, along with the project's working contract in Albania.

The project has been present in Albania since 1994. It has dealt with drafting the plan of transforming the toxins gathered in the country, the construction of shelters for Kosovars, who were deported from their lands in March 1999 and lately with the restoration of the UBT compound. /lh/lm/

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[19] Government approves in principle economic agreements

The Agency of Coordinating and Implementing this project will be the Albanian Fund of Development (AFD).

In the context of supplying the city and region of Korce with electricity, the Council of Ministers agreed to the draft-decision on approving in principle the agreement between the Albanian and German governments on a financial cooperation, for a 10 million DM of loan.

This agreement will be negotiated and concluded by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatisation.

Regarding the project "Support for the Albanian juridical practice", the council approved in principle the agreement with the FRG on an amount of 1,5 million DM.

The council also approved today the agreement on a grant of nine million DM on the project "Discharge of sewages, Kavaje", a project that will serve the further improvement of sewers' infrastructure.

The draft-decision on approving in principle the draft-agreement "Programme of Financial Cooperation between the Republic of Albania and the Government of Spain", which was approved today, provides Albania with a credit for a 4O-year pay off period and interest rate of 0,3 per cent. /lh/lm/

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[20] SP chairman meets with European Commission ambassador

Nano explained to Peretti the initiatives the party of the majority has undertaken to build structures according to the pact pattern, both in the executive and in the legislative, according to the SP press office.

Nano explained to Peretti the "ad hoc" parliamentary commission as well as the role the legislators, both of the government coalition and of the opposition, will play in this process.

Regarding the government coalition-opposition relationship in the integrating process, Nano said that the SP has extended repeated and sincere invitations to the opposition for cooperation.

"But we will not allow anyone to delay the process of Albania's and Albanians' integration into the European Union," said Nano. /lh/lm/

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[21] Meta pledges aid for talented sportsmen

Prime Minister Ilir Meta has pledged aid for the Albanian talented sportsmen, at a meeting with the weight-lifters of "Dinamo" team on Thursday.

Meta stressed that training and treatment conditions should improve so that the Albanian talented sportsmen do not leave the country and compete with foreign teams, as the world champions, Albanian weight-lifters Piro Dhima, Luan Shabani and others, have done.

Meta, who is known as an amateur of football as well as of other sports, stressed at a meeting with leading officials of Weight-lifting Federation, coaches and sportsmen that the results attained by talented sportsmen "make us help and support them, as the state is responsible in this direction". /led/

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[22]

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