Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-22

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Government lifts oil embargo from Montenegro and Kosova

[02] President Meidani awards "Great Master of Labor" prize to Vace Zela

[03] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies in Tirana

[04] Press review

[05] Police uncover a base for pressing narcotic plants

[06] Commercial exchanges increased during 1999

[07] Italian consulate opens in Vlore

[08] Japanese aid to be materialized in 2000

[09] Bullets on police near Lazarat

[10] IAC of Kosova holds its first meeting

[11] Earthquake tremors rock northeast Albania

[12] Greek aid for Albania over 55 million USD for five next years

[13] Albania's Parliament closed proceedings on Wednesday for year 1999

[01] Government lifts oil embargo from Montenegro and Kosova

The decision allows the ministries and other central competent institutions to authorise sale, supply and direct or indirect export of oil and its by-products by each juridical or physical person to the Republic of Montenegro and Kosova, on condition that they do not pass through the Serb territory.

Participants at the meeting also decided several changes to the Code of Penal Procedure of the Republic of Albania, regarding the pre-trial terms and the suspension of these terms.

They also approved a series of other significant issues. /led/so/lm/

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[02] President Meidani awards "Great Master of Labor" prize to Vace Zela

The prize was awarded in the final night of the 38th edition of the Song Festival on RTV of Albania under motivation "For virtuous interpretation of the Albanian music becoming a symbol of our light music, for the rare talent that she devoted to the Nation and its representation in the world".

Vace Zela, was born in Lushnja and is one of the most distinguished figures of the Albanian song.

In 1973 she has been awarded the prize Merited Artist and in 1977 she has been awarded the prize People's Artist.

Vace Zela, in the last months, has been included into 500 most distinguished people of the century, chosen by the U.S. Institute of Biographies. /led/so/

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[03] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies in Tirana

In the meantime the German Mark was bought at 69 lek and sold at 69,3 lek. Exchange rates on Monday in Tirana market:

Foreign currency Bought Sold

USD 134 134,5

DM 69 69,3

LIT (1000) 69,5 69,7

GRD (100) 40,5 40,7

/lh/A.A/

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[04] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Nano reveals customs' officials of former Minister Lakrori". Division begins among the new socialists just like before the 3rd Congress. Yesterday's meeting of the Steering General Committee closed with new quarrels and old splits. "It is the turn of reformers: We do not quit at any cost". The reformers within the DP do not obey the latest decision of the parliamentary group of this party which deprived them of the right to represent the DP in international delegations and organisations. "Nano: Thanks God we are at the head of the Balkans". This is what SP head Fatos Nano said yesterday.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"Nano threatens SP lazy members". SP chairman Fatos Nano threatened his opponents at the General Steering Committee (GSC) yesterday. "Meta in Athens: Okay with the Greek plan". Albanian Premier Ilir Meta is expected to give his consent on the plan declared by Athens in the context of the Stability Pact during the visit he starts in Greece today. "Europe: Berisha, be careful with Pollo". The Council of Europe openly opposes DP chairman Sali Berisha and his latest stands towards reformers.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Anti-terror arrests four people". The anti-terror sector yesterday detained four persons. One of the versions for the suspects is "Islamic terrorism", but they may be the killers of Kozeta. "GSC, Nano-Dokle confrontation". SP chairman Fatos Nano yesterday asked at the meeting of the General Steering Committee to strength ranks to support the Government. "Enough with expulsions, Mr. Berisha". The head of the group of the people's parties, Van der Linden, yesterday sent an open letter to the DP chief Sali Berisha, opposing his latest stands regarding the reforming deputies.

Albania, national daily,

"CoE: Berisha, do not undertake actions harming the DP". "Pollo: I have not quitted and will never quit the DP". "The Libohova sisters: This is why we left the festival".

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

"Nano: The Party will provide political support to the government and will also make up an opposition to it". "Van der Linden: Pollo will not move from our delegation". "November, Solidarity Tax, 27 million less".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania,

"Nano: I am the Prime Minister". "Berisha-Akant, worry over the situation of the prosecutor's office".

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania,

"Nano: Socialist secretaries are irresponsible". "The Festival discovers success and paradox of century's end". /lm/

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[05] Police uncover a base for pressing narcotic plants

The police has uncovered a base of pressing machineries and 107 kg narcotic plants, cannabis, of which 20 kg was pressed for trade, in one of the villages of Vlore district, sources from Police Department told ATA on Wednesday.

A Kalashnilov automatic gun and another illegaly possesed haunting gun as well as a considerable quantity of cartridges were also uncovered during the lodging's control.

According to Police Sources, during investigations it is expected to throw light on the mechanism of narcotic plants which aim at Italy. /led/sm/so/

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[06] Commercial exchanges increased during 1999

Greece which covers 25% of the volume of imported goods and 12% of exports remains the second biggest partner of Albania.

The imports with Greece were increased five times and achieved an increasing level as compared with the average of imports from the neighboring country during 1998. However the exports with Greece remained 12% lower as compared with the average of exports during 1998.

The high exports of tobbacco and wood are recuperated while the reduction of the export of textiles, metals, and vegetal products have paved the way for a higher volume of exports during the first three-month period. The export of tobacco during this period was totally destined for Greece. In the meantime Greece has attracted over 35% of the exported wood.

Although the export of basic metals is increased, Greece has not preferred to import from Albania metals during this period. The export of metals in this country has marked an obvious decrease during the first six month period of 1999 following an increasing tendency in 1998.

In the total of imports with Greece, the increase marked with food and mineral goods has soften the negative effects of the registered decrease of other imported goods.

Greece remains as well one of the main investors in the field of industry of good processing by covering about 12% of the whole volume of these transactions. The main goods processed at home by Greece businessmen are the textiles and shoes. During this year the re-exports from the active processing with Greece have marked a decrease of 11%, as compared with the average of exports from this country during 1998. Despite these goods, has started in Albania even the processing of electric apparatus and different of metal from several Greece companies. They cover about 15% of the whole total of the processing of these products.

The Albanian businessmen are buying from Greece machineries and other equipment with a high technology for the light and food industry. About 14% of the total of the imports of machineries and equipment are realized with Greece.

The imports of food stuff prepared with Greece occupy about 20% of the total while the imports of water and beer with this state are in the first place with 63% and 59%. Albania during this year has imported from Greece even 25% of the whole cereal total, 40% of mineral products, 41% of iron used for construction, 15% of the articles of concrete, and 18% of pharmaceutical productions.

In the total of transactions Greece follows Italy and occupies 22% of all the commercial exchanges of Albania.

Greece is reviewing the possibility of the insurance of an energetic aid for Albania. This issue is expected to be discussed in Athens during Wednesday's visit of Albanian Premier Ilir Meta in Athens. The discussions on electric energy are expected to be concentrated in the aid of Greece part on the sector of gas and electricity. /A.A/

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[07] Italian consulate opens in Vlore

On the same day the personnel of the consulate will begin the necessary primary procedures to initiate service to the citizens in the shortest possible time.

All citizens living in Berat, Fier, Gjirokaster, Kucove, Lushnje, Mallakaster, Permet, Sarande, Skrapar, Tepelene and Vlore will present their requests at this consulate.

Following Tirane this is the second Italian consulate in the coastal city of Albania. /lm/

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[08] Japanese aid to be materialized in 2000

According to sources from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food the procedures for the utilization of the whole grant should be concluded within March 2000, distributing it in six zones of the country, Shkoder, Lezhe, Korce, Elbasan, Fier and Berat.

The executive head of the Agricultural Mechanics Association praised the aid of the Japanese Government for the development of the Albanian agriculture mechanism sector.

Some 8 thousand tractors are active in Albania and are normally utilized by farmers to till about 500 thousand ha ground out of 700 thousand ha agricultural ground in the entire country. But according to specialists the agricultural mechanism needs the utilization of new technologies and more support to develop an effective agriculture. /so/

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[09] Bullets on police near Lazarat

There were no injuries among the police but the volley of gunfire, antitank attacks, hand grenades as well as heavy machinegun fire coming from the lower quarter of the Lazarat village damaged a police vehicle and movement on the national route was halted for around 30 minutes.

The chief of police commissariat, Lieutenant Colonel Agron Jace, told ATA that following the unexpected attack, immediate actions were taken to bring the situation under control.

Asked about the motives of actions by the Lazarat group on the public order forces, Jace said that "the police successive operations over the last three months against authors of criminal acts in this village have disturbed the perpetrators of crime".

Another reason for this reaction, he said, are the decisions taken one day ago by the Gjirokaster Prosecutor's office, which has released three persons from this village without the proper juridical argument. /led/lm/

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[10] IAC of Kosova holds its first meeting

The provisional deputy administrator Jack Covay stressed that this was an opened meeting during which a draft-regulation of the administrative structure was discussed. Covay refused to comment whether discussions included Mitrovica issue and other problems created there, as well as other issues in Kosova.

According to the agreement reached earlier there will be created 14 departments of the Council, which will be proportionally divided by the three Albanian subjects that have signed the agreement. Also, it is said that 12 departments will be led by Albanians, one by Bosnians and the other one by Serbs.

Representatives of Kosova Serbs, who have long since been boycotting all Kosova institutions, did not participate in the first meeting of Kosova IAC. The Serbian National Council it is reported to have met yesterday in Gracanica, near Prishtina, to discuss the decision whether to join the Administrative Council of Kosova. /so/

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[11] Earthquake tremors rock northeast Albania

Sources from the Seismological Institute report that the epicenter was located 110-120 km northeast of Tirane, in the Kukes Zone, with coordinates 41.88 grades V, 20,62 grades L.

These tremors are felt five degrees (EMS-92), in the towns of Kukes and Peshkopi.

There are no reports on material damages. /led/lm/

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[12] Greek aid for Albania over 55 million USD for five next years

During the coming five years, 2000-2004, Albania will profit 55,35 million dollars from Greece for the sector of economic infrastructure and services. Now this pledge was declared at the beginning of December by the Greek party and it is expected to be materialised the next year.

The money will be offered in the framework of the Greek national plan of action for the reconstruction of the Balkans.

In the context of the Stability Pact, for a five-year period Greece will accord a fund of 334 million dollars for Southeast Europe.

For Albania, financing worth 55,35 million dollars will be given for Albania, divided for the economic infrastructure and services, social infrastructure and the productive sector.

The economic infrastructure and services will profit most of the money, 22,75 million dollars. In 2000 will be given 2.73 million dollars for this sector, while for 2001, the financing will be 4,55 million dollars.

For the development of the productive sector in Albania, Greece will finance 14,75 million dollars, of which 1,77 million dollars are allocated for the first year of the plan. In 2001, the financing for this sector will be 2,95 million dollars, in 2002 with 3,69 million dollars, in 2003 with 3, 40 million dollars and in the last year with 2,95 million dollars.

The social infrastructure in Albania will also profit from the Greek financing of 17,84 million dollars. In 2000 it will be 2,14 million dollars, to come to year 2004 for a financing of 3,57 million dollars.

In total, the greatest part for Albania will be given in 2002, 13,84 million USD for the three sectors together. /xh/

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[13] Albania's Parliament closed proceedings on Wednesday for year 1999

In Wednesday session were approved 11 laws and agreements, mostly of economic character.

The draft laws on levies, expropriations of public interest and the agreement on the concession of copper industry have been topics of debate for the deputies.

This year, the Albanian Parliament started work on January 11, 1999. During the 12 months of work, it has adopted 127 draftlaws, 26 decisions, 39 plenary sessions and 30 interpellations. The parliament has made an intensive work during the Kosova crisis, adopting categorical political approaches in support of the resolutions signed on this purpose.

The parliament of Albania will resume working the next year, on January 3. /lh/xh/

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