Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-24

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] City-hall of Shkoder has realised over 95 per cent of investments for 1999

[02] Press review

[03] Albanian Telegraphic Agency commemorates its anniversary

[04] Commander of Guardia di Finanzia promises assistance for Albania's police

[05] Opening of Italian Consulate is an important event for Albania

[06] Savings Bank going towards privatization

[07] Currency exchange-rates in Tirane

[08] Soccer: New coach of national soccer team elected

[09] First contingent of Army Special Forces graduated

[10] Shkodra and Podgorica reiterate the request on opening the border point of Hani Hotit

[11] Christmas celebration in Pristine to be transmitted all over the world

[12] His Holiness Anastassios visits Kosovar families in Olympia camp

[13] CRS begins activities on year's end holidays

[14] Municipal council rejects names changing

[15] Albania must benefit from Stability Pact - Deputy Parliament Speaker

[16] AOC hands over "Olympic gate of 2000" trophy to President Meidani

[01] City-hall of Shkoder has realised over 95 per cent of investments for 1999

This was declared in a news conference by the chairman of the municipal council, Mark Kroqi on Thursday.

Kroqi said that "so far investments in 13 projects have been made mostly for the further rehabilitation of the city infrastructure and medical and educational institutions." He singled out the implementation of the projects for the illumination of the main city streets, for the rehabilitation of some schools, etc.

The investments made this year amount to a total of "1.2 billion lek by the state budget and foreign donors," said Krowi.

In the mean time there are 8 projects ready for the coming year which are presented to the Albanian Government and foreign donors to ensure the necessary money for their implementation. /s.sh/xh/

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[02] Press review

Koha Jone, daily independent

- "Street violence defeats law." Crime has intensified recording only yesterday 6 people killed and 8 injured. - "Nano like Berisha with threats." Opponents within SP of chairman Fatos Nano comment the latest quarrel in the meeting of the General Leading Committee. - "More education in DP." One of the points of the platform of the reformers which will also affect the high DP leadership, will be the change in the statute which is linked with the fact the the leadership of the party must not be reelected.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily

- "Traffickers killing near President's office compound." Rounds of automatic rifle has caused two people killed and three wounded in a bar in front of the Croatian embassy. - "Simitis"we must remake history." Athens has proposed to Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta review of text books of the tow countries. - "DP: Let us show pockets to the party." In yesterday's meeting of the DP presidency, it was decided that a financial board of the party was to be set up along with the commission for the declaration of the assets for the DP functionaries and elected.

Shekulli, independent daily

-"Six people killed in Tirana." Yesterday, two people were killed and four were wounded in one of the bars in front of the Croatian Embassy in Tirana. According to the chief of the police of Tirana, the motive of this crime is presumed to be revenge. - "Zef Preci: Here is how emigrants will be insured." Interview with the Minister of Public Economy and Privatization, Zef Preci. - "Berisha disassociates from West." Following DP attacks to Mr van der Linden, the position of DP with foreign institutions becomes more complicated.

Albania, national daily

- "SP should return 130 million dollars". - "Massacre close to the presidency". - "DP refuses the reformers' platform".

Zeri i Popullit, daily paper of Albania Socialist Party

- "Six wages reward to the custom employers". - "Italy opens its consulate in Vlore after 60 years". - "Poçi: The people who do the work should lead, not our friends".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily paper of Albanian Democratic Party

- "Six victims in front of the presidency". - "Refusal of deposits return begins".

Republika, daily paper of Albania Republican Party

- "Bloody massacre in Tirane". - "Interview: Majko tells about his government leading". /A.A/xh/

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[03] Albanian Telegraphic Agency commemorates its anniversary

Present in the ceremony to mark this anniversary were also Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, protagonists of the several- year life of ATA, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps in Tirana, writers, sociologists, etc.

The General Director of ATA, Frrok Çupi, spoke in the name of his institution, stressing that "although the date of ATA's creation is not yet fixed in one day, its first elements have emerged together with the first independent state of Albania, as an important part of it."

Under the name "Administration of Telegraphists of Albania State" the archives which have survived so far prove that official reports of the Albanian state go as far as the beginning of 1913.

"This is a compliment of the fate not only for ATA, but is also a completion of the configuration of the first Albanian state which was formed not only with the ministries of War and Finances but also with the organisation of information," said Çupi.

Highlighting the contribution of this institution, President Meidani said that "ATA, by radiating on the means of information civic values, accuracy of reporting and national elements can make a distinguished contribution in the progress of the society, far from speculations."

Today ATA broadcasts in two languages (English and French) besides the Albanian, it has relations and cooperation with scores of news agencies in the world among which with most prestigious ones, it receives and edits hundreds of reports a day with the same speed as other world agencies.

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency functions on the basis of some departments of journalism and technique, it has permanent correspondents in all the regions of the country and capitals of Europe and in the first office of Albanian press in Kosova.

It is member of the European Alliance of News Agencies, of the Association of the Mediterranean News Agencies and the Balkan News Agencies. /led/xh/

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[04] Commander of Guardia di Finanzia promises assistance for Albania's police

According to sources of Guardia Di Finanzia dislocated in Durres port, the Commander General of Guardia di Finanzia expressed his congratulations for the results achieved so far by the two missions of Guardia di Finanzia which operate in Albania. He hailed the level of cooperation with the Albanian police and custom forces in Interforce and CAM SEA mission.

Guardia di Fianzia personnel operates its activity in the framework of Interforze mission since November 1997 in cooperation with the forces of coastal border in Durres and Sazan. Thier main scope is the combat against the illegal traffics and especially the struggle against the clandestine smuggling. CAM SEA mission (Custom Assistance Mission in Sea) against contraband has started its operation in April 1998. /led/A.A/

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[05] Opening of Italian Consulate is an important event for Albania

"The opening of this consulate will assist with consular actions not only Vlora but all southern Albania," said Bova after the joint news conference with the Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo in the compound of the consulate.

Bova linked the opening of the Consulate with a broad program of regional exchanges between Albania and Italy in the trade field, the logistic infrastructure, the road and sea transport, agriculture, culture, regional economic cooperation, etc.

The opening of this consulate has been a commitment of the two governments, whose realisation will facilitate the consular acts for Albanian citizens and will encourage the regional cooperation between Albania and Italy, said Milo.

Asked whether the opening of the consulate will help prevent illegal traffic, Milo said "Undoubtedly, its opening will be a barrier for illegal acts and will influence in the free legal movement of the Albanians."

Present in the opening ceremony of the Italian consulate in Vlora on Thursday was also the Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta. /led/xh/

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[06] Savings Bank going towards privatization

With strategical investors, according to the law "On appointment of form and formula of Savings Bank privatization" is meant one or several banks which are ready to buy the shares of Albanian bank.

In the meantime not more than 49% of shares of the Savings Bank, the last bank with a totally state capital, will be offered to the international financial institutions.

Some 24% of the shares of the Savings Bank will be sold through a public offer to the physical and judicial Albanian persons only in foreign currency.

The number of second-level banks operating in Albania amounts to 13, out of which only the savings bank is actually with a total state capital.

The strategical investor for the National Commercial Bank is already selected (Turkish Bank Kent Bank). Negotiations are being carried out with IFC and EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) to conclude privatization procedures for the three-month period of 2000. /A.A/

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[07] Currency exchange-rates in Tirane

Foreign currency exchange-rates versus the Lek

Currency Buying Selling US$ 133,7 134,5 DM 69 69,3 ITL (1000) 69, 5 69,7 GRD (100) 40,5 40,7

/A.A/

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[08] Soccer: New coach of national soccer team elected

The candidatures were many, but the the Executive Committee of Albanian Soccer Federation has estimated as more appropriate the candidacy of Zhega through the majority part of votes.

The election of Zhega marked an end to the thoughts on appointment of a foreign technic in chairing the Albanian national team.

Zhega started his football career in the team of his birth city, Vllaznia of Shkoder. Afterwards he has played even for Dinamo and has been a member of the national team.

Medin Zhega has been an assistant trainer during the world championship in 1986 which was held in Mexico. Afterwards in 1998 he was nominated to the post of the trainer of "Shpresa" team.

The work for the newly-elected trainer will start with Rothmans tour which will be held in Malta at the beginning of the next year. /A.A/

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[09] First contingent of Army Special Forces graduated

The graduation of the first contingent of Special Forces was organized under a qualified tactic and technical training of the officers of Turkish Special Forces, which through their experience brought the standards of NATO army.

This is considered as the basic course but not the last qualification course so it will be accompanied by other important programs.

Present in the ceremony organized on this occassion the Albanian Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga and military attaches from U.S., Turkey, Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria and China accredited to Albania. /A.A/

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[10] Shkodra and Podgorica reiterate the request on opening the border point of Hani Hotit

During the meeting between Shkodra mayor Bahri Borici and his counterpart Mihajlo Buric, the first repeated the request for opening of border point of Hani i Hotit, entering points of Muriqani and Vermosh, which will facilitate the free movement of the people and economic and commercial cooperation between the two regions.

Buric presented to his homologue a number of cooperation projects in the field of trade, tourism, education, science and sport. Concerning these projects he asked for setting up working groups consisting of specialists of the two town municipalities.

The telephonic line with optic cable is built up few days ago, which will facilitate the telephonic lines between Albania and Montenegro and other countries of the region. The inauguration ceremony of this line is foreseen to take place next week.

The delegation of Podgorica municipality met with Shkodra prefect Jetmir Shpuza. /led/linda/

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[11] Christmas celebration in Pristine to be transmitted all over the world

It is the first time that Kosova celebrates in freedom. The main manifestation has started on Friday midday, where the main square "Nene Tereza" in Kosova capital city is decorated and is fulfilled with thousands people.

Upon the initiative of local authorities and sponsored by Italian humanitarian organization "Missione Arcobaleno" and Protestant Church in Pristine, the manifestations will go on through the day and all night long, under the care of UNMIK and Kosova Defense Troops on public security. Many well-known singers and groups from Kosova, Albania and Great Britain are involved in the feast programs. /led/linda/

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[12] His Holiness Anastassios visits Kosovar families in Olympia camp

"We wish you are in your own homes next year", Anastassios told the Kosovar families remaining in the camp.

"Albania's Orthodox Autocephalous Church will be the last to close the camps," he said.

Around 25 000 Kosovars found the support of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church during the war period in Kosova and a special care was devoted to 100 children born in Albania by the Archbishop himself.

The children of the camp gave a concert on the occasion of the visit of Archbishop Anastassios and Christmas and New Year holidays. /lh/lm/

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[13] CRS begins activities on year's end holidays

Some 100 children selected by three eight-year schools, in presence of teachers, parents and their friends gave a festive concert for about an hour, in the premises of CRS center in Elbasani district.

"The implementation of this programme aims to arise all children's interest towards activities and intensify the role and parents' consultations in schools, in order that they be more engaged in the education process", the coordinator of this center said.

CRS presented the 100 children with gifts, while in the oncoming days this association will organize such activities in seven other schools of Elbasani district. /so/

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[14] Municipal council rejects names changing

Participants in the meeting asked citizens to reformulate the demands and give reasons about them.

"We can not legalize decisions to change names, which might also lead to illegal documetation", the counsilor Viktor Baboci said. Dwelling on he underlined that "the argumentation presented is not convincing, so we should think better before we vote this demands".

The demands to change names during the last years in Gjirokastra district, South of Albania close to Greek border, in most of the cases is connected with citizens' baptizing by Greek citizens. In other cases they have required these changes in function of the documents of legalization in Greece, because they have early declared orthodox names for communication facilities.

"Changing names has not to do with changing the nationality, because this procedure is a competence of the state central instances", the responsible of the registry office Mimoza Lluri said.

Nearly 500,000 Albanian emigrants work in Greece. /so/

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[15] Albania must benefit from Stability Pact - Deputy Parliament Speaker

Asked which have been the most important moments of the work of the Parliament during this year, Mr. Dokle replied that "I would highlight the fact that 1999 was the first year that the Albanian Parliament worked on the basis of a Constitution. The end of this century found the Albanian Parliament with a new constitution."

Mr. Dokle also explained that "with regard to the fundamental events in which the Parliament has been one of the protagonists is the management of the crisis of Kosova. With its decision, the Parliament carried out a historic act by allowing the entry of NATO forces in Albania and that military actions be carried out from the Albanian land in the direction of Kosova. This is a great contribution of the Parliament and I regret that at that time, the opposition was not close to us. In the mean time, all analysis, political decisions, resolutions that the Albanian Parliament has adopted have been a great contribution to the solution of the crisis of Kosova and helped create the space that would lead the people of Kosova toward the aspirations they had been dreaming of." Mr. Dokle said that "the third lement of the work of this parliament hasbeen the legislative activi ty, for which a very good work has been made. During this year, we have approved 126 laws and have adopted 26 very i mportant decisions on political, economic problems of the country. In the mean time, parliamentary control has been intensive, with scores of interpellations and sessions of questions demanded both from the opposition deputies and those of the parliamentary majority. The objective of this work has been the further development of the democracy in Albania, the opening of ways for a continuous and stable economic progress of the country, and this has contributed to the improvement of the situation, public order and stability in the country. This also is contributing to the first steps undertaken for the implementation of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe."

Asked about the stand of Albania's Assembly towards the opposition, Dokle responded that "it is normal it is not in a bloc as in the Assembly take part 13 parties and of these five are in the 'Alliance for State' coalition and eight others are opposition parties."

"Naturally, the main opposition is that composed of the DP parliamentary group, but also the other parties, which have two or three deputies, are opposition parties."

"Being eight opposition parties from the centre to the right it is a very wide political spectrum with various programmes and alternatives. It is understandable that at certain moments their stands in the Assembly or outside it have been and will be different."

"But what I would say is the fact that we yet we do not have a consolidated opposition," he said.

Further on, referring to this issue, Dokle said that "also the DP parliamentary group is not consolidated and here I do not mean the problems it has inside it, but I see that in the Assembly the opposition has not yet presented alternatives and solutions on the country's problems. They often are not the mouthpiece of their electors, but of the rallies held outside the Assembly."

"This somehow weakens the force of the opposition. The strengthening of the opposition serves the strengthening of democracy in Albania. A country with a developed democracy always presupposes a powerful opposition with powerful alternatives and solutions and initiatives which affect the country's life in general.

Asked about the future performance of the Assembly Dokle said that "the upcoming year is the year of elections to the local government and later of the elections to the legislative power. In this context, one of the working elements of the Assembly should be enhancement of legislative and organizational infrastructure of local government."

"Here we cannot count on our possibilities alone, therefore the Assembly and the government have contacted international organisations, EU, CE, friendly governments, friendly parliamentarians, who will help and contribute to this field".

"A second important element on this issue is to work out the Albanian legislation in accordance not only to the constitution of the Republic of Albania, but also to the legislation of the EU member countries, so that during the implementation of the Stability Pact we can bring the Albanian legislation closer to that of those countries".

As a third element, Dokle made evident "the performance of the Assembly and of all the Albanian forces in implementing the Stability Pact, for the region".

He said that "this is an initiative of five political parties, of the Alliance for State coalition, which has found support in the international public opinion, international conferences, especially in those organised by the CE."

In conclusion, Dokle said that "we hold it is necessary to set up an ad'hoc commission to implement the Stability Pact, just as we had an ad'hoc commission at the time of the crisis in Kosova. Now that the crisis in Kosova is resolved and the international community intends to develop this region of Southeastern Europe, we should work in a way that Albania benefits as much as possible from the implementation of this pact". /lh/xh/lm/

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[16] AOC hands over "Olympic gate of 2000" trophy to President Meidani

AOC, at a ceremony organized in the premises of "Tirana International" hotel, awarded the "Olympic Gate of 2000" trophy to President Meidani on behalf of the World Olympic Comity.

The chairman of AOC Perikli Jorgoni said that "the World Olympic Committee, on the occasion of the last year of this millennium, has decided to award this trophy to Presidents of all countries. This trophy is connected with the proclamation of 2000 as the year of culture and peace".

The President of the Republic praised the organization of this ceremony and referred in his speech to the specific importance this trophy represents for Albania. According to him, "the gate-the basic element of this artistic work of the Swiss author Nag Arnold symbolizes the Olympic movement, and the integration of Albania into the European family". /lh/so/

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