Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-17

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press Review

[02] Albanian railways to profit 20% by Japanese grant

[03] Some 800 places ready for tourists in Himara

[04] Exchange rates in Tirana

[05] Albanian, German agreement to combat poverty signed

[06] Six Albanians are brought to court in Belgrade

[07] Vienna in an Albanian exhibition

[08] SP chairmanship approves institutionalization scheme of Stability Pact

[09] Trial against six Albanians in Belgrade

[10] Danish Council for Refugees transfers its activities in Kosova

[11] Austria offers assistance for Albanian Army

[12] Democratic Party contests institutionalizing of Stability Pact in political party level

[13] Rain causes damages in Tropoja

[14] Italy provides 2,9 billion lire for cleaning in Lezhe

[15] Taxes mark some 25,385 billion leks

[16] Albanian PM discusses issues regarding combat against corruption with CDP chairman

[17] Where will Albanians spend year's end holidays?

[18] Weapon, crime debated in Vlore

[19] Opposition will be welcome to Anti-corruption Commission - Meta

[20] Candle, voice against violence - motto of Friday's protest in Prishtine

[21] Ceco appreciates Albania's relations with U.S. and Italy

[01] Press Review

"Koha Jone", independent daily -"He raped his daughter, family will kill him". Tirana's District Court has sentenced a 40-year-old man to jail for raping his 15-year-old daughter. -"Testimonies against Berisha are valid". The Attorney General Arben Rakipi yesterday reported to the parliamentary commission on the performance done so far regarding "Hajdari" cause. Rakipi, as regards Berisha, said that testimonies publicly bore lately and that accuse the democrat leader of being implicated in Hajdari's assassination are valid and are being examined by the prosecution. -"Meta: Perfects should be rapidly replaced". Premier Ilir Meta on Thursday asked from the Minister of Local Government Bashkim Fino to make proposals for replacing representatives of the local government.

"Gazeta Shqiptare", independent daily -"The daughter: He tied and raped me me". The 40-year-old man from Valias yesterday at Tirane District Court denied the charge for raping his daughter, while the court has sentenced him to prison. -"Meta 'threatens' prefects: I will discharge some of you". Premier Ilir Meta warned 'storm' on prefects of any party they may belong to. -"Rakipi: Berisha's immunity? It's to soon to give it back to him". This is what the head of the Prosecutor Office Arben Rakipi said yesterday.

"Shekulli", independent daily -"Silva, only 20 million leks". The money that "Silva" company can distribute to 6 thousand creditors are only 20 million leks. -"Meta in Greece, the mysteries of his visit". The visit of the Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta to Athens is being prepared. - "Tirana's anti-drugs chief discharged".

"Albania", National daily -"This is why Berisha is charged". -"Nothing new about Azem Hajdari's murder". -"Meta towards Athens".

"Zeri i Popullit", daily of the Albanian Socialist Party -"Hajdari's assassin will have a name". -"Meta: Prefects should be replaced". -"Total reorganization of Socialists".

"Rilindja Demokratike", daily of the Albanian Democratic Party - "Assassination of the Century is being resolved". -"Devaluation of bonuses brings back pyramidal schemes".

"Republika", daily of the Albanian Republican Party -"Corruption, product of the government abuse". -"Prosecution: 60% of processes are suspended". /so/

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[02] Albanian railways to profit 20% by Japanese grant

Although the amount that Albanian government will provide for the country's railway system has not been officially reported yet, experts have started to prepare the prior demands to exploit this important investment. These days several meetings have been held with representatives of "Crown agents", the British Agency which has the right to accord goods proposed by the Albanian party.

This is the first phase of a process that will be concluded within June 2000. Important equipment for the Albanian railway system will be bought through this grant by the end of this process. /led/sm/so/

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[03] Some 800 places ready for tourists in Himara

Himara, South of Albania alongside Ionian sea, currently has a capacity of 800 places for the foreign and local tourists, sources from the district town-hall told ATA on Friday.

Nearly 90% of this capacity belongs to Himara and the rest to other villages of this zone. The premises are buildings adapted by the inhabitants themselves for the development of tourism. The touristic capacity of Himara may reach to 1000 places if only there could be some more investments.

The Fund of Rural Development in cooperation with the Albanian Community of Tourism is contacting with German, English and other touristic agencies to attract tourists to these places during year 2000 season.

Himara, about 90 km far from Vlora district is the center of the Albanian Riviera extended from Llogaraja to Borsh. /led/so/

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[04] Exchange rates in Tirana

Foreign currency exchange rates Currency Buying Selling

US$ 135 135,3

DM 70,2 70,5

ITL (1000) 70,5 70,7

GRD (100) 41,3 41,5 /led/so/

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[05] Albanian, German agreement to combat poverty signed

The fund worth six million DM, provided by the Credits Institution for Reconstruction (KfW), will support several projects to combat poverty in Albania.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade Ermelinda Meksi and the German Ambassador Peter Kiewitt.

Meksi, after signing the agreement, said that "this financing will help solve several social problems". The German Ambassador, Kiewitt said that "this financing follows other investments", and promised that these investments will continue during next year as well.

This financing is included into the multi-dimensional German cooperation for development. The governments of the two countries last week signed an agreement worth 35 million DM, to be utilized for supplying with electricity Southern Albania.

The general capacity of the bilateral financial cooperation between Albania and Germany by the end of 1998 amounted to 353 million DM. This amount in 1999 increased by 32 million DM. In the domain of bilateral technical cooperation there were provided 104 million DM till the end of 1998. Some 6 million DM were added to this amount in 1999. /led/so/

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[06] Six Albanians are brought to court in Belgrade

According to ATA office in Pristine, referring to Beta agency, the six Albanians are accused of "terrorists diversions" and can be put in prison for 20 years.

Some 7000 Albanians from Kosova are hold as pledge in Serb prisons. /led/linda/

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[07] Vienna in an Albanian exhibition

The Austrian Embassy in Tirana supported the exhibition organized under supervision of Austrian Ambassador Arno Rieder.

Photographers brought Viennese miracles in Tirana taken in November 1999, beginning from 'pearls situated alongside Danube and continuing with the houses the most renowned composers of all times such as Mozart, Schubert, Strauss lived in.

"This exhibition impressed me so much. The tradition of the Albanian Photography has found its alternative even in this presentation", said the Austrian Ambassador in Tirana at the inaugurating ceremony.

"Such exhibitions represent a good experience for Albania. I know Vienna pretty good and I had the chance to see its marvelous places in this exhibition once again" said the U.S. Ambassador Joseph Limprecht in Tirana, present at the exhibition's inaugurating ceremony. /led/sm/so/

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[08] SP chairmanship approves institutionalization scheme of Stability Pact

This scheme will liberalize SP commitment, as the biggest parliamentary party, in defining institutional levels and instruments that the Stability Pact offers to the region's countries.

SP, supporting this initiative, will demand from parliament the creation of a special commission, as a coordinative structure of the three National round tables for the Stability Pact performance, in which representatives of the government and civil society will be integrated.

The approved scheme will be active in 2000. /led/so/

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[09] Trial against six Albanians in Belgrade

According to ATA's office in Prishtina, which refers to Beta agency, the six Albanians have been charged of "terrorist diversions" and risk to be sentenced to 20 years of prison.

Nearly 7000 Albanians from Kosova are currently kept hostage in Serbian jails. /led/so/

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[10] Danish Council for Refugees transfers its activities in Kosova

The Representative of this council, Kirsten Nielsen, received by the Perfect of Tetova at a farewell meeting on Thursday, said that the Danish Council has been present in Kosova even before the war, while its humanitarian activity will be further extended due to the increasing need of Albanian population living in Kosova.

This council will continue to finance several humanitarian projects in Tetova and Gostivar during the four next months.

The Danish Council for Refugees is financed by the Danish government. /led/sm/so/

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[11] Austria offers assistance for Albanian Army

The assistance consists of 150 radio transmissions, 100 automatic phone centrals, 4 panels and clothes (shirts and shoes) for nearly 2000 people.

Austria, like Albania is a member of NATO program "Partnership for Peace". In this context, the cooperation partnership between the two countries is positive one.

Austrian Army has given its assistance during the crisis of Spring '99, when the great influx of Kosova refugees flow in Albania, by establishing a refugees camp in Shkodra, where more than 3000 Kosovars were sheltered. /led/linda/

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[12] Democratic Party contests institutionalizing of Stability Pact in political party level

"The initiative of Socialist Party Head Fatos Nano on establishing of parliamentary commissions on the Stability pact is a tend to be successful in the work. Already there are parliamentary commissions and can not be created other parallel ones", said the Under Secretary of Democratic Party and the Head of parliamentary group.

Socialist Party discussed and approved the instituionalizining scheme of Stability Pact in political party and parliamentary level. In support of this initiative Socialist Party will ask Albanian Parliament the setting up of special commissions on the Stability Pact, which will coordinate, harmonize and enjoy the contribution of all, mainly of the opposition parties. /led/linda/

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[13] Rain causes damages in Tropoja

The Head of district council Xhevdet Hoxha told ATA on Friday that more than 500 m2 slide near Mertur village and has isolated nearly 6 000 inhabitants of the villages of Lekbibaj commune.

Massive land slide took place even in Valbona road, while Bujani bridge on Valbona river risks to fall.

The structures of local government are taking all the measures on reducing the damages caused last days. "Problematic remains Bujani bridge on Valbona river, considerable funds are need for its repair, but at the moment there is lack of these funds", pointed out the Head of District Council.

The rain of last days is accompanied by land slide, mainly in Lekbibaj, Geghysen villages. /dast/linda/

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[14] Italy provides 2,9 billion lire for cleaning in Lezhe

He said that an agreement has been signed recently between the Italian firm and the Lezhe municipality, on whose basis the project will start in January 2000.

The project provides that an installation to process urban wastes will be set up and metallic waste-bins will be placed on all streets of Lezhe. This firm will bring in five vehicles to transport wastes to the installation.

The implementation of this project, according to Dash, will end next year and it will be the same firm to continue work for cleaning the town.

Meanwhile, the Milan municipality has undertaken the financing of another project in Lezhe to rehabilitate the electricity system. /dast/lm/

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Swiss government donates 30 lorries for Albanian army

DURRES, Dec. 17 (ATA) - By Gezim Kabashi: In one of the bases of army supply in Durres was organized in early Friday the delivery ceremony of 30 lorries, present of Swiss government.

The Minister of Defence Luan Hajdarga hailed during his speech the contribution of Swiss government for helping Albanian army reconstruction and for the aid being accorded on destruction of industrial poisoning matters with a high contamination.

Some 1000 lorries worth 5 million Leks each have arrived from Switzerland.

The aid comprised as well several apparatus for destruction of industrial poisoning matters without consequences for the population. /lh/A.A/

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[15] Taxes mark some 25,385 billion leks

Meanwhile the total value cashed in November is 2,429 billion leks against 2,585 planned. The value to be cashed in state budget in December has to be nearly 3,6 billion leks.

According to the sources of the General Tax Directorate, although the monthly incomes have satisfied ones, the annual plan of year 1999 of some 29,2 billion leks is foreseen to be fulfilled by 99%. /lh/linda/

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[16] Albanian PM discusses issues regarding combat against corruption with CDP chairman

During the meeting Premier Meta unfolded the engagement of Albanian government on inclusion of opposition parties in the structures of combat against corruption and discussed the ways how to fight this negative phenomenon.

The chairman of DCP expressed his readiness to cooperate with the government in the combat against corruption and illegal traffic.

"We are pro inclusion of opposition parties in this commission in order to make it (the commission) present even in the high-ranking institutions of the struggle against corruption and not only be a part of the executive", said Bushati.

As regards to the creation of a parliamentary commission on anti- corruption Premier Meta said that the government is open for discussions on its creation, but it can not discuss modalities, because such a thing can be reviewed in parliament.

Premier Meta has invited the opposition parties to take part in the anti-corruption Governmental commission. This request is refused by DP, the biggest opposition party in Albania. /lh/A.A/

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[17] Where will Albanians spend year's end holidays?

To pleasantly and joyfully spend the holidays or also for the fact that the century's end is something rare, each one has planned something.

Some have booked luxurious restaurants in Tirane for the holiday nights.

While youths, those who love music, friends and gaiety have decided to spend these days in discos or in numerous taverns of the capital.

"I like to be with friends this year's end," says Eda, 22, "therefore, I have decided to joint them in disco."

Matilda, 27, says that her family has booked one of the best restaurants of Tirane for the new year night.

And the prices? Behind the rich menu, the entertainment party and humour, stand the high prices the Albanian restaurants have offered in the last days of December.

They vary from 20 000 to 18 000 leks per person in the most luxurious restaurants like Tirana International and restaurant "Piazza" and from 9 000 to 7 500 leks in the simplest and smaller ones such as "The calm cave" and "Blue moon".

For those who can afford, this is not a large amount, while for others this amount cannot be afforded.

They consider more normal and pleasant to enjoy holidays at home with home cooking, among relatives and wishes for a better year. /lm/

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[18] Weapon, crime debated in Vlore

The members of the "Hearth of Vlore woman" and students from the secondary school "Ali Demi" and "Halim Xhelo", participants in the meeting, aired valuable opinions on how should the population begin collecting weapons and as a result check crime.

Since two years ago this association has initiated frequent actions of arms' collection in the district of Vlore. /lh/lm/

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[19] Opposition will be welcome to Anti-corruption Commission - Meta

At the first meeting of the Anti-Corruption Technical Group Meta said that this is another step of serious commitment of the Albanian Government and of its will to have concrete results in the fight against corruption.

The technical work group, composed of local experts, foreigners and other invitees, is duty-bound to assess the current plan and prepare the new anti-corruption plan.

Also attending the meeting were participants of the opposition Christian-Democratic party, which has expressed readiness to take part in the fight against corruption.

The structures of the strategy defined at the meeting are: the Inter- ministerial Commission, headed by Premier Ilir Meta, and the Technical Work Group, headed by Minister of State Prec Zogaj.

This group also includes the work sub-groups: of economic policy, public administration, Justice and Law rules, Order and Justice, Public Information and Participation. /dast/lm/

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[20] Candle, voice against violence - motto of Friday's protest in Prishtine

The citizens, among whom many renowned figures, such as KFOR Commander, General Klaus Reinhardt, the chief of the Kosova Protection Corps (KPC), General Agim Ceku, members of the youth non-governmental organisation "Forumi" and others, carrying lighted candles in their hands and in silence marched from the National Theater to Hotel Grand, placing the lighted candles along the road "Mother Teresa".

The protest was against violence, killing and abduction of citizens. /lh/lm/

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[21] Ceco appreciates Albania's relations with U.S. and Italy

Ceco appreciated the relations of the Albanian Government with the U.S. administration.

Ceco today also met with the Italian Ambassador to Albania, Mario Bova, and discussed relations between the two countries and their further intensification.

Ceco and Bova considered the opening of the Italian consulate in Vlore on December 23, 1999, a step forward in the relations between the two countries.

This, she said, will not only serve for issuing visas to Albanians but will also be a point of reference in the relations of economic, scientific, cultural cooperation between the two countries. /dast/lm/

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