Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-05-22

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

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CONTENTS

[01] OSCE gathers NGO-s in Vlore to discuss ways of disarming population

[02] Decree by Albanian President on CEC procedure of voting

[03] Albanian-Greek enterprise Mika-Berat resumes work

[04] Constitution - basis for the stability and democracy in Albania - Meidani

[05] Trial for robber of military rockets put off

[06] Deposits in hard currency to be paid off in local currency

[07] USD quoted at lek 155,20

[08] Committee of Economic Policies in Albania examines Investment Program for 1998-2001

[09] Albania's deforestation process reaches gallopant pace

[10] 55th anniversary of Al-bano's birthday marked in Vlore

[11] Serbs in Ropotove warn they will take Albanians hostage

[12] Italians competing with German companies for Rinas airport terminal

[13] Albanian President seeks active preventive international presence in Kosove

[14] Reinforcements of Serb troops in Krusheve e Madhe (Kline)

[15] Reinforcements of Serb troops in Krusheve e Madhe (Kline)

[16] Text of Albanian draft constitution is of European standards

[17] Prishtine-Belgrade talks begin

[18] Venice commission says draft constitution conforms to European standards

[19] Socialist International welcomes SP request for membership

[20] FEFAD on brink of becoming bank

[21] DP evaluates supplement to law on local elections

[22] Around lek 8790 million collected from customs' duties

[23] Bitincka mine to resume work soon

[24] Deputy ministers sign letter of intent on peacekeeping force

[25] La Pergola suggests compromise solution for next parliamentary structure

[26] Football club leaders in districts ask privatisation of clubs

[27] Distinguished translator awarded Knight of Legion of Honour

[28] Albanian television to renew accord with Skopje public television

[01] OSCE gathers NGO-s in Vlore to discuss ways of disarming population

The aim of the meeting, according to the chief of the OSCE office, Aldo Tenich, was to draw opinions on the ways to be followed for the disarmament of the population, which is one of the major objectives of the organization.

The deputy director of Police in Vlore, Sinan Meta, after presenting some of the successes they had reached in the process, said that the gathering of the weapons looted in 1997 will continue in the context of a national program.

Mr Tenich explained that the program for disarming has two stages, the voluntary handing over of the arms first, which would be followed by concrete acts by specialized structures which will also have the necessary logistic support from international organizations.

It was the first time that OSCE held such a meeting in Vlore. Tenich said that it was planned that Vlore set a good example to other districts for the gathering of the looted weapons. /s.s./pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Decree by Albanian President on CEC procedure of voting

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[03] Albanian-Greek enterprise Mika-Berat resumes work

Some 320 workers are employed in the enterprise, the biggest joint venture in Berat (Southern Albania.) They receive a monthly pay ranging from 9-12 thousand lek (1 USD is about 157 lek,) besides paid social insurances.

The production of the enterprise is completely exported mainly in Greece, Japan, America, etc.

Along this enterprise, another Albanian-Italian joint venture for ready made garments, named Valcuvia International, has resumed its activity as well. /a.ke/pas/xh/

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[04] Constitution - basis for the stability and democracy in Albania - Meidani

"The constitution is a basis for the stability of democracy, while the democratic stability increases the credibility in democracy and all together step up the country's credibility for fresh investments to come," said President Meidani.

The expert on constitutions, La Pergola, said a report of the press office, praised the encouragement that President Meidani is giving to the process for the drafting of the constitution in Albania considering it as an open, all-embracing and educational process to bring normality to the country's democratic development, and expressed the complete commitment of the Venice Commission to give European dimensions to this process.

The Constitution is a consequence of the political consensus and the round table debate, said Meidani and La Pergola.

Referring to the world experience, La Pergola said that the success of the Americans is that they believe in their Constitution, therefore the Council of Europe, the Venice Commission and all Albanians have to realise a durable constitution, in which not the form for the organization of the state but the content has a great importance, in which the equilibrium and the mutual control of the governments, the avoidance of the concentration of the governments in one hand, are important principles helping a sound development of the democracy.

The working group of the Venice Commission, "Democracy through the law," led by the chairman of this commission, the distinguished expert on constitutions, La Pergola, held on Thursday a number of meetings with the Albanian Commission for the drafting of the Constitution and senior officials of the country to help unblock the process for the constitution. /s.s./xh/

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[05] Trial for robber of military rockets put off

Sinani looted on July 27, 1997 in the garrison depot of the military unit Arshilengo (Garrison of Gjirokaster) 10 antitank rockets and 6 air rockets.

Experts of criminal police and specialists of defence could find out the location of the looted rockets on August 6, 1997.

More than 1 500 people were killed following the unrest in Albania in February-March 1997 as a result of the collapse of pyramid investment schemes. During that period, about 1500 military depots were rioted and looted. So far only 25 000 of 600 000 looted weapons have been seized. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Deposits in hard currency to be paid off in local currency

Based on the draft law in relation with the delivery of creditors' money, it is decided to be carried out only in local currency.

If they should be reimbursed in hard currency, then hard currency should be bought, but USD exchange rate was then $1 = 100 lek, while the current exchange rate is $1=160 lek, so less USD will be bought to pay off creditors.

Based on this scheme creditors, who have deposited hard currency will gain less.

Only in five loan taking companies checked by "Deloitte & Touche" are found out $11 million, which compose a small percentage of money to be delivered to creditors, who have lost thousands of USD in these bogus pyramid investments schemes.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] USD quoted at lek 155,20

So $1 = 155,20 lek, lossing 2,10 points compared with yesterday's 157, 10 lek.

The DM was traded for 87,30 lek, gaining 0,10 points compared to yesterday's 87,20 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 88,50 lek gaining 0,20 points compared with yesterday's 88,30 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,40 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 50,50

The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 105,30 lek and so on.

Friday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 155,20 lek DM 87,30 lek ITL (1000) 88,50 lek GRD (100) 50,40 lek SFR 103,10 lek FRF 23,20 lek GBP 220,40 lek JPY (100) 111,70 lek NLG 73,40 lek

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[08] Committee of Economic Policies in Albania examines Investment Program for 1998-2001

The meeting stressed that the signing of ESAF-2 Agreement with IMF and the adoption by the Albanian Government of the Program for Public Investments are an important basis and a further step to unblock and realise the projects and aid ensured in the Rome and Brussels conferences.

The Program of Public Investments will be presented to the Parliament for approval. /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albania's deforestation process reaches gallopant pace

Forest General Director, Kole Malaj, presented the grave situation of forests and pasture land and the impossibility of police forestry to safeguard them.

According to him last year some 700 denunciations were made and over 100 this year for forests' offenders, but non of them was sent to court.

Under these conditions when forests and pasture land are being destroyed the ministers were committed to coordinate the actions to prevent this phenomenon.

Meanwhile sources from forestry department report thousands of forests hectares are being destroyed in Albania and only during the last two months over 135 million lek timber and charcoal are exported.

The "exodus" of lumber and charcoal continues uninterrupted.

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[10] 55th anniversary of Al-bano's birthday marked in Vlore

A cocktail was given in the club with the same name, in which, along with the admirers of the Italian couple, were also present local authorities and the OSCE regional representation in Vlore.

The activity was sponsored by the SOROS foundation.

The "Al-bano e Romina Power," created two years ago, has about 5 thousand fans in the city of Vlore. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Serbs in Ropotove warn they will take Albanians hostage

A group of Serb inhabitants of the village Ropotove went to the police station in Kamenice yesterday, threatening they would kidnap Albanians in return. A report of the Serb press centre in Prishtine said that policeman Stamenkovic was last seen on May 19 on a Peje-Mitrovice service bus, in village Cubrel of Skenderaj. /p.ta/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Italians competing with German companies for Rinas airport terminal

There is a cluster of powerful Italian companies like Italiane SEA, Simest, Banca di Roma and Elsag which are keen on the race to build the new terminal of Rinas Airport, 25 km far from the capital, Tirana.

SEA company is engaged in managing aeroportual projects, like that of Milan and its international links.

While Simest is a public Italian company which gives assistance to Italian industrialists outside the country.

Elsag s.p.a. is a company with state as part of shareholders, that operates in the aeroportual computerization sector. They have carried out work in the biggest Italian airports.

The Italian consortium is along with two powerful German consortiums like Siemens and Lufthansa in the race to construct the new Rinas Airport terminal /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian President seeks active preventive international presence in Kosove

Meidani made a declaration in a one-day meeting in Tirane of the deputy defence ministers of Southeastern Europe with the participation of the deputy defence ministers of Albania (the host country) Bulgaria, FYROM, Greece, Rumania and Slovenia. Invited to the meeting are also the deputy defence ministers of Italy, Turkey, U.S., a delegation of the North Atlantic Organization (NATO) and of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE.)

"Only an international, active and preventive presence in Kosove and the region, the installation of monitoring mission in the borders it shares with neighbouring countries, may guarantee the talks between the two parties, avoiding further radicalization of the situation," said Meidani.

"The violation of the universal rights recognized by international charters and conventions for the Albanian people of Kosova, the ignoring of the new political, economic, demographic equilibriums created in Yugoslavia and broader, are causing daily bloodshed," said Meidani.

The Albanian negotiators of Kosove (with its 90 per cent Albanian population) started on Friday the first talks with the Serb Government for the settlement of the crisis in Kosove which has caused more than 160 casualties since the beginning of February 1998.

The leader of the Albanians of Kosove, Ibrahim Rugova met for the first time with the Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic on May 15, 1998, a meeting which opened the way to the beginning of the bilateral talks. No foreign representative attended the May 15 meeting, a condition set by Milosevic and accepted by Rugova, following the efforts by U.S. envoys Richard Holbrooke and Robert Gelbard.

Focusing on the indispensable need of integration in the western structures of the Southeastern European countries, Meidani pointed out that the societies in these countries must be emancipated by implementing liberal and integrating concepts.

"Albania must elaborate a simple policy on defence, not with declarations but real and pragmatic as much as possible and in conformity with the possibilities of its integration into NATO," said meidani.

"We must all work to transform our region into a zone without wars and conflicts," said Meidani. /s.s./mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Reinforcements of Serb troops in Krusheve e Madhe (Kline)

The same source said that Serbian police arrested on Thursday in the village Krusheve e Madhe three members of the communal Finance Council, while local sources of the village refuted today's reports in the Serb press of an attack of Albanian inhabitants against Serbs. /p.ta/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Reinforcements of Serb troops in Krusheve e Madhe (Kline)

The same source said that Serbian police arrested on Thursday in the village Krusheve e Madhe three members of the communal Finance Council, while local sources of the village refuted today's reports in the Serb press of an attack of Albanian inhabitants against Serbs. /p.ta/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Text of Albanian draft constitution is of European standards

"The approved text is of the democratic European standards," La Pergola said to Skender Gjinushi, parliamentary Speaker.

The Speaker Gjinushi praised the active cooperation of the distinguished Italian constitutionalist in drawing up the constitution.

"The International community is very interested in Albania have a constitution as soon as possible," La Pergola said. s.s/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Prishtine-Belgrade talks begin

The talks are being held behind closed doors in the premises of the Kosova and LDK presidency seat.

The Belgrade delegation was received before the Presidency building by Dr. Agani and Blerim Shala. This meeting might be described as cool.

The Prishtine-Belgrade negotiations, although under no direct mediation, are being internationally supervised, largely by the U.S.

The U.S. ambassador in Skopje, Christopher Kill, has been staying in Prishtine for several days now. This morning he met with the Kosova delegation. Two days ago Hill was also in Belgrade. /la/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Venice commission says draft constitution conforms to European standards

"The text we read was considered by my colleagues and me in conformity with the European standards besides the technical modifications we suggested," Antonio La Pergola, head of the Venice Commission said to ATA.

The Constitutional commission has said that it will finalize reviewing the draft constitution in June this year.

As regards the absence of the Unity for Democracy political grouping in the commission, La Pergola said that as an unbiased observer, he could not express himself on political decisions.

"What I can do is only to wish that the constitution be approved through a wide possible consensus," La Pergola said.

The Venice commission has begun to work for the Albanian constitution in 1991 with the General Provisions as the first Albanian constitutional text currently in force in Albania.

The Albanian legislators have asked the Venice Commission to give its view on the new constitution and the commission has prepared a working group of jurists to communicate directly with the constitutional commission in Albania for the most urgent problems of the constitution.

La Pergola and his delegation, wounding up their two-day visit in Tirana today, held separate talks with the constitutional commission, president of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, prime minister Fatos Nano and parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi. ake/pas/ak/

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[19] Socialist International welcomes SP request for membership

SP secretary for Foreign Relations Maqo Lakrori, told a news conference on Friday after returning from Oslo that the Socialist International paved the way for the other procedural phases for SP's acceptance.

The final decision for SP's membership in the International will be taken in the next congress of the Socialist International in Paris in 1999.

"The SP participation in the Socialist International's meeting expresses the support of the latter for the progress of the Albanian socialists," said Lakrori, referring to the statement of the Socialit International Secretary General, Luis Ayala, for SP's participation in all the International's activities.

The statement for the Central and Eastern Europe, issued after the meeting of the international, positively assesses the performance of the Albanian government and calls for a continued support for Albania.

It also expresses deep concern at the developments in Kosova and condemns any case of abuse of power and violence exercised over the recent weeks.

"The Socialist International will send a mission to the region to help overcome tensions and contribute to finding political solutions," the statement says.

It is the first time an Albanian SP delegation has taken part in a meeting of the Socialist International council, at the invitation of its Secretary General. /s.s/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] FEFAD on brink of becoming bank

Since three years now, a loan agreement between the KFW and Bank of Albania (BoA) exists on the amount of 7 million DEM to create FEFAD.

Meanwhile is approved the guarantee agreement between the KFW and the Republic Albanian, represented by the ministry of Finance, in the context of loan agreement on this project.

According to the decision BoA was responsible for following the implementation of loan and project agreement.

Finance ministry has followed the legal procedures for the FEFAD registration, while this should have been done by BoA.

Thus, the Council of Ministers has proposed an additional agreement, after talks among, ministry of Finance, BoA and KFW.

The agreement was sent for ratification to Parliament.

Meanwhile, the BoA will serve as an agent of the Republic of Albania to channel the funds according to the loan and project agreement.

These issues clarify the BoA position against FEFAD, lifting so some of the main obstacles of giving FEFAD the banking license.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] DP evaluates supplement to law on local elections

"We consider the decree of President Meidani an important towards the Albanian democracy," the DP public relations secretary, Vili Minarolli, told ATA.

He described this act of the Albanian president as a victory of the DP and of all the Albanian political forces.

He said that after this supplement to the law, his party would present the candidatures to the CEC.

Albanian President Rexhep Meidani on Thursday evening decreed a supplement to the law on local government elections which also defined the voting procedure in the CEC.

According to the decree the decision must be taken by a two-thirds- majority of the votes of the members present. Otherwise, the voting is interrupted and nine hours are given before the second voting to reflect and consult experts of the bodies following the electoral process.

After this voting, if the two-thirds-majority is not reached again, a new voting is held after three hours and the decision is taken based on the mere majority of the members present. a.ke/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Around lek 8790 million collected from customs' duties

So from the forecasted plan of lek 1,2 billion, only lek 878,5 million are picked up during this period.

The plan is surpassed by Korca, Lezha and Gjirokaster customs houses, while pitiable in collecting customs revenues are Tirana, Durres and Vlore customs, where only 72 percent of plan is expected to be realised by them.

In 1996 revenues from customs were posted at lek 7,1 billion, in 1997 they reached lek 8,6 billion, while the ambitious target for this year lek 14,5 billion seems hard to fulfill. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Bitincka mine to resume work soon

Thus, is being implemented between the Greek company Narko and the mine's managing staff. After the first preliminary phase was over, the second and the last one is almost finished.

Meanwhile, Albanian side is preparing the necessary documents for the equipment to be used in the mine, extracting and transporting the mineral in cooperation with the Albanian customs stuff.

The agreement with Greek company Narko signed late February enables the resumption of work at Bitincka mine, south east Albania, which had suspended its activity for years.

The work is divided into two stages, during the first will be extracted 50,000 tonnes of nickel ore with the assistance of Greek company's technology.

In the second phase is aimed the extraction of 200,000 tonnes of mineral, which will influence in the development of the mine and the employment of the inhabitants of the area.

The reserves of the iron nickel mineral in this mine are estimated at 100 million tonnes. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Deputy ministers sign letter of intent on peacekeeping force

A spokesman of the Defence Ministry said to ATA that the participating and observing countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and the United States agreed and decided to create a multinational peacekeeping force for the Southeastern Europe.

This force will be available for deployment in conflict prevention and peace support operations under NATO or WEU having a U.N. or OSCE mandate, the document said.

This force will not be used against a third country and does not damage the rights and obligations resulting from treaties and agreements signed by the participating countries, the letter said.

It also said that all the decisions will be taken through consensus and the participating countries decided "to create a leading political- military committee".

"The contingents of this force will be deployed in their countries and the necessary documentation concerning its establishment and functioning will be negotiated and approved by the participating countries in conformity with the respective national provisions," the document said.

The one-day meeting of the deputy Defence ministers of the Southeastern Europe was held in Tirana on Friday with the participating delegations from Albania, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, United States, NATO and OSCE.

The United States has the observer status whereas Italy attends the meeting within its role as an NATO member in the restructuring of the Albanian army.

The meeting is a follow up to the Sofia ministerial meeting on October 3, 1997 and precedes the ministerial session in Skopje next October. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] La Pergola suggests compromise solution for next parliamentary structure

This committee, in essence serves to examine problems of the constitution, the most significant legislation, whose suggestions and proposals can certainly be reexamined by the Assembly's plenum, but through certain procedures.

"The committee can also serve to ratify legal decrees or other important tasks. This would be a kind of permanent Constitutional Commission inside parliament which exercises in a qualified way the role of a legislative Corpus inside the Assembly," La Pergola told ATA, after a meeting of the Constitutional Commission, in which he and his group took part.

The co-chairman of the Constitutional Commission, Arben Imami, who has expressed himself in favour of a two-house parliamentary structure, considered La Pergola's idea, an idea of compromise.

Although no final positive response was given on this committee, Imami said all the Constitutional Commission members should reflect on the idea launched.

"This committee inside parliament, maybe would be of equal access both for the government coalition and the opposition, and should not allow that organic draft-laws, that is, laws which are extremely important for the state, be drawn up without a consensus between the government coalition and the opposition," Imami told ATA on Friday.

At the Constitutional Commission, the Venice Commission delegation members held the view that the two-house system is used in the federal system states, whereas in the unitary ones a very strong idea should exist to create a two-house parliament.

"The only recommendation I can give is for you not to create a second house that will be a copy of the first," said La Pergola.

The Constitutional Commission members are divided in two as regards the structure of the Albanian parliament and neither of the sides has been able to attain the decision-taking majority for their own alternative.

The SP and its allies (except DAP) have declared since the beginning that they are against the creation of a senate in Albania, while the co- chairmen of the constitutional commission, Sabri Godo (RP), and Arben Imami (DAP), as well as the representatives of the Legality Movement party and Human Rights Union party have expressed themselves in favour of the two- house parliamentary structure. /a.ke/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Football club leaders in districts ask privatisation of clubs

The presidents of the Tirana, Flamurtari, Vllaznia, Apolonia, Skenderbeu and Partizani clubs asked the privatisation of the clubs they run.

After the meeting, the deputy minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kreshnik Tartari, said that they agreed that until by the end of May these club presidents present their official requests for privatisation, also including the documentation of all the funds deposited by them.

"The only favour the ministry will do for them will be some priority they will have in face of the other competitors," said Tartari. /a.ke/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Distinguished translator awarded Knight of Legion of Honour

The awarding ceremony was organised in the premises of the French National Assembly, press and information office at the Albanian Foreign Ministry said.

Head of the parliamentary foreign commission Jacques Lang handed over the high order to Jusuf Vrioni in the presence of French senior politicians and art representatives. Present was also the Albanian writer Ismail Kadare.

Jusuf Vrioni, one of the most distinguished Albanian francophone, is the author of dozens of translations from the Albanian literature into French, but he has remained anonymous for political grounds during the years of dictatorship.

Vrioni is now Albania's UNESCO ambassador. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Albanian television to renew accord with Skopje public television

Mazi, who was for a few-day visit to the Macedonian capital at the head of an Albanian television delegation, said that "a group of specialists will start work for a direct broadcasting of television programmes from Skopje to Tirana and vice-versa."

The Macedonian public television is actually broadcasting a three- hour program in the Albanian language including a news bulletin, other programmes and films. This department employs 60 qualified people. s.s/pas/ak/

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