Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-08-21

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Gjinushi finishes last preparations before convening the Parliament

[02] Agency of Economic Development inaugurated

[03] Ministry of Labour: 1,300 people employed during July

[04] Eleven Kurds turned back to Greece from Kakavije border point

[05] 10755 new jobs for first half of 1998 - director

[06] Budget deficit at 18.2 billion lek for the first 7 months

[07] Dollar at a quota of 151.5 lek

[08] 620 arms and 900 000 bullets collected in Gramsh

[09] Italian Colonel Angelo Militelo dies in Tirana

[10] Albania supports American counter-response to terrorism

[11] Two laboratories for food control to be set up in Durres and Vlore

[12] Local government structures do not deliver funds in time

[13] Albpetrol has paid only 78.5 % of duties to State budget

[14] Exercise "Cooperative Assembly" ends a day before set date

[15] Tirana municipality tells its own history in a museum

[16] Some 200 emigrants return to Italy daily

[17] Prices reduced in fruit and vegetable market in Shkoder

[18] Boxing: national championship for seniors

[19] Cultural Ministry approves creation of Cultural Centre for Children

[20] Packed books distributed to eight-year-school pupils

[21] Scheduled exercises in Adriatic not held

[22] La Pergola: Albania's draft-constitution much advanced

[23] Biza ends "Cooperative Assembly" exercise

[24] Soros: Credit for small businessmen of Gjirokaster

[25] Nano: Berisha seeks to exploit conflict in Kosova to take up power

[01] Gjinushi finishes last preparations before convening the Parliament

"The meeting with prime minister intended a coordination of our work with that of government, about the people arriving from Kosova and on measures the parliament should take, to create a legal context for the systematization, administration and care for the arrivals. The government is the main initiator which has prepared this draft" told Gjinushi to ATA.

"Besides the date of meeting with chiefs of parliamentary commissions we will also discuss on Monday about the setting up of a new special parliamentary commission to deal with problems of people arriving from Kosova", said Gjinushi.

Parliament closed the first session of this legislature, on August 6, 1998, but with a clause that will convene in case of an emergency situation in Kosova./fh/

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[02] Agency of Economic Development inaugurated

Agency of Economic Development with 100 per cent state capital, will encourage foreign investments, development of local business, etc. It will help private business through training economists in different business. The agency will process the economic, trade information necessary for the new or current businesses, consultations for the development of business, the legislation in force, specialized data according to international standards, etc. State privatization and technical-financial assistance for the structures of various enterprises in the post-privatization period will be among the objectives of the work of this agency.

The Agency will issue in the first days of September the first Albanian economic paper "Ekonomia." It will carry economic information for businessmen regarding the economic development of Albania. /xh/

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[03] Ministry of Labour: 1,300 people employed during July

It is also a number of 3 700 other people who are employed through programs of public works, 75% of which were realised in villages, with people who were previously treated with economic support.

During the first six months of this year, a number of 10 755 new jobs were opened in the private and state sector as well. In the private sector were employed 6 871 people while the state sector has employed some 3 884 people./fh/

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[04] Eleven Kurds turned back to Greece from Kakavije border point

According to police in Kakavije, the Kurds were stopped while they were crossing the border, about 100-150 meters from the entry and after the necessary procedures, were sent back to Greece.

A police officer of the Greek border point told ATA that "about 20-23 other Kurds wanted to enter the Albanian territory later but the return of the first eleven stopped them from their adventure."

The Kurd emigrants who have the permit to stay in Greece, aim to reach the Italian coast through Albania and from there to go to Germany. In the recent days, according to the Italian press, local police caught on the Italian coast of Otranto 13 Kurd emigrants coming from Albania.

According to the spokesman of Gjirokastra police, during this year over 3,500 immigrants from Kurdistan are not allowed to enter Albania through Kakavije border point and the customs house of Qafe Bote. But even higher is the number of those who have managed to cross the Albanian border, said the same source. The payment to make a transit through Albania varies from 500 to 1000 dollars, while only a few months ago to reach the Albanian shores one had to pay 1000 to 2000 dollars. A guide from Gjirokaster said that the "price" had fallen because many Albanian and Greek traffikers have many a time cheated the weary Asian emigrants. /xh/fh/

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[05] 10755 new jobs for first half of 1998 - director

During the first quarter there were created 3543 new jobs in which 2303 in the private sector and 1240 in the state sector. In the second quarter, the rate for the creation of new jobs was about 100 per cent higher, with 10755 jobs, 6871 of which created in the private sector and 3884 in the state sector.

The number of jobs created in the state sector is explained mainly with the resumption of work in some enterprises and businesses which were damaged during 1997, were closed or reduced their activities over the past years.

According to Prodani, measures will be taken also for the unregistered work, something which will have a positive impact in the increase of the number of new jobs in the private sector. "By the end of the year, about 140 000 new jobs may be created due to this factor," said Prodani. /xh/

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[06] Budget deficit at 18.2 billion lek for the first 7 months

By analysing the two variable factors of deficit (incomes and expenses), it results that incomes are at a value of 63% against the yearly forecast and with an increase of about 13% against last month, while spending show an increase of 10%, reaching at about 50% of the yearly expenses in the first 7 months.

General state deficit for the first 7 months, compared with the yearly forecast is at about 30%. According to ministry of Finances, taking into consideration these figures, we can say that have e normal continuation of this figure, which reveals very optimist quotas for the future development of macroeconomics situation of our country./fh/

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[07] Dollar at a quota of 151.5 lek

Exchange rate of hard currency

Kind of Currency Average exchange rate

USD 151.50

DM 84.50

LIT(1000) 84.70

GDR 49.60

SFR 99.50 /fh/

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[08] 620 arms and 900 000 bullets collected in Gramsh

"Control was realised in seven communes of this district and collection of such a big amount of armament was as a result of the cooperation of these forces with local government", spokesman said.

According Sinan Meta, chief of Police Commissariat of this district, during the first three months of the year are gathered 4,500 automatic arms and 13 million bullets.

During the troubles of Spring 1997, when many military depots were opened, only in Gramshi district were plundered about 350,000 arms of different kinds and a considerable amount of ammunition.

"A part of this armament and ammunition is hindered in holes, which will result with the passing of time in their destruction", said Meta./fh/

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[09] Italian Colonel Angelo Militelo dies in Tirana

Spokesman of Police Directory of Tirana prefecture told Friday to ATA that on Thursday, at about 19:30, died unexpectedly from e heart attack, Angelo Militelo, while chatting with one of his colleagues.

Medical help, which arrived in place after only two minutes, could not change anything. The heart attack had caused an immediate death of colonel, said spokesman.

Angelo Militelo was born on August 14, 1946 in Messina, Italy, and was an inhabitant of Rome. He was married and had a son and a daughter.

Last year in October, colonel Militelo was appointed Chief of Interforce Mission of Police in Albania and responsible person for the organisation of police offices in Albania.

Also in Tirana, from a heart attack, on July 25, of this year, died French colonel of MAPE Forces in Albania, Jean Batiste./fh/

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[10] Albania supports American counter-response to terrorism

A press release on Friday of the Albanian Foreign Ministry stresses "the resolute stand of the Albanian party against terrorism, its organizers and supporters."

"We do energetically back up all the efforts to stop terrorist acts, in the name of democracy, peace and respect of human values," says the communique.

Thursday's U.S. air strike was targeted to some special zones in Sudan and Afghanistan, suspected to shelter terrorist groups, which, according to Washington, were involved in the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

"Terrorism implies indiscriminating violence and innocent victims, causing with all its forms, human tragedy up to humanitarian disasters. Therefore we join all those who believe that there is only one possible response against terrorism, and that is constant and uncompromising striking." /xh/

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[11] Two laboratories for food control to be set up in Durres and Vlore

The investment covers the construction, equipment and qualification of the staff of the new laboratory. It will analyze food items for the district of Durres and other cities in Central Albania.

The same laboratory is expected to be built in the district of Vlore, Southern Albania.

Not rarely goods imported to Albania, which have been beyond their expiry date and on the verge of their expiry, are yet put on sale for lack of special laboratories to analyse them.

The construction of the two laboratories in the two biggest sea ports of Albania, in Durres and Vlore, where most of the imported food items enters, according to the specialists in the Food Department, aims at a strict control and analysis of the imported food. These laboratories will also analyze the locally produced food articles. /xh/

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[12] Local government structures do not deliver funds in time

According to the press office of the ministry, in many cases the local structures have not delivered at all the funds set for a period of time and which cannot be used beyond the deadline.

A case to illustrate this is the Tirane Municipality, which has not yet delivered the funds for the asphalting of the Ali Demi street and that leading to the Cemetery in Sharre planned for 1998.

The analysis of the meeting found that the Department of Water System and Sewage has not used 235 million lek earmarked for 1997. /xh/

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[13] Albpetrol has paid only 78.5 % of duties to State budget

Factors leading to this weak financial situation of Albpetrol in the market at home are low prices in international market, trafficking of gas oil and some shortcomings in management of this company, which actually controls nearly 1/3 of markets of hydrocarbones in Albania.

A study is completed on the restructuring of Albpetrol, which has also been approved by the Committee of Economic Policies. The Department covering Albpetrol and ministry of Finance are negotiating how to surpass this critical situation.

Albpetrol has given e program which will influence in improvement of financial situation and increase of sales./fh/

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[14] Exercise "Cooperative Assembly" ends a day before set date

Speaking before reporters, the senior NATO officers gave no details but considered the withdrawal of the troops an exclusive right of the U.S. for reasons that may be linked with "national questions."

"The withdrawal of the U.S. warships from the exercise planned to be held on the Adriatic on Friday is not a competence of NATO, but it is related with national questions," U.S. representatives told reporters.

U.S. hit Thursday morning the terrorist bases in Sudan and Afghanistan as a counter-response for the bombings in the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

Anyway, the closing ceremony of the Cooperative Assembly will be held as programmed at Rinas Airport on Saturday. The NATO-Albania joint exercise started on August 17, in Bize of Tirane.

Taking part in the exercise are about 1700 troops from the U.S., Germany, Great Britain, France, Canada, Spain, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and the armies of the Partnership for Peace member countries such as Russia, Lithuania, etc. /mima/xh/

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[15] Tirana municipality tells its own history in a museum

The museum will have photos and life stories for about 36 mayors, who have directed this local government from 1913, year that points out the first administrative separation of Albanian state, and personalities who have been honoured with the title "Citizen of Honour" by this municipality.

Besides this the museum will also exhibit photos of Tirana in years, relics of the history of our capital, seals of the municipality, or different emblems and trophies./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Some 200 emigrants return to Italy daily

Some 200 emigrants return to Italy daily through the Vlore port after spending their summer holidays in their birthplace.

This is a considerable figure, which has made port officials take preliminary measures to avoid any possible confusion while carrying out document filling procedures.

For this reason, two other document checking points have been opened, a thing which also prevents crossing by persons with invalid documents.

The arrival of numerous emigrants from Italy in Vlore is also associated by an influx of vehicles moving in the city's port. The readiness of the public order forces has been increased to cope with this influx, so that every procedure is normally carried out.

The emigrants' travel is guaranteed by the ferries of the Otranto and Brindisi-Vlore service such as "Niobi", "Iliria lines", "Tirana", through their respective agencies. /lm/

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[17] Prices reduced in fruit and vegetable market in Shkoder

Guri Beshi, chief agricultural worker at the Agricultural and Food department in the district, told ATA that this price reduction results from an enlargement of the vegetable sown area and increase of productivity.

Between 400 and 500 quintals of fresh vegetables are sold in the fruit and vegetable market daily.

Increase of production has reduced prices. So, one kg of melon costs five or six leks, from 10 to 12 leks it cost one month ago. One kg. of tomatoes costs 10 to 12 leks from 20 to 30 leks it cost one week ago. One kg. of peppers 12 leks from 15 to 17 leks etc.

The prices of vegetables in Shkoder in this period are 40-45 % lower than in the markets of the neighboring districts, thus, making the traders of vegetables from these districts address themselves to the Shkoder market to secure the vegetables and fruits of the season. /pas/lm/

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[18] Boxing: national championship for seniors

Taking part in this championship will be 10 teams with around 45 boxers. The matches will be played in five rounds, 2' each. /pas/lm/

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[19] Cultural Ministry approves creation of Cultural Centre for Children

After three years of expectancy, the current staff of this ministry supported the creation of the centre, "projected" by a British Foundation "Task Force Albania".

A special decision has ensured the newest centre for children a space of 400 square metres inside the International Cultural Centre.

The centre will have a library for which 20 000 British schools and eight million children have so far collected some 200 000 book titles for the Albanian children. Its fund will serve foreign literature, mostly British.

The centre will also include computers which will make the connection with internet and serve for teaching the technology of information. This centre will also serve for selling books. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Packed books distributed to eight-year-school pupils

The Book Trading Enterprise confirms to ATA that book distribution has begun by mid August and will end on September 14. For the first time all the pupils will receive their books packed.

Ilmi Brace, director of the School Book Trading Enterprise, says that this way of book distribution has helped reduce abuses noticed in books sale in the past years.

A total of 3 900 000 school books will be distributed for the eight- year-schools.

While for the students of the secondary and middle schools the book distribution will delay, that is, the Odyssey of writing lectures will continue. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Scheduled exercises in Adriatic not held

Speaking before reporters, the senior NATO officers gave no details but considered the withdrawal of the troops an exclusive right of the U.S. for reasons that may be linked with "national questions."

"The withdrawal of the U.S. warships from the exercise planned to be held on the Adriatic on Friday is not a competence of NATO, but it is related with national questions," U.S. representatives told reporters.

U.S. hit Thursday morning the terrorist bases in Sudan and Afghanistan as a counter-response for the bombings in the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

Anyway, the closing ceremony of the Cooperative Assembly will be held as programmed at Rinas Airport on Saturday. The NATO-Albania joint exercise started on August 17, in Bize of Tirane.

Taking part in the exercise are about 1700 troops from the U.S., Germany, Great Britain, France, Canada, Spain, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and the armies of the Partnership for Peace member countries such as Russia, Lithuania, etc. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] La Pergola: Albania's draft-constitution much advanced

TIRANA, August 21 (ATA)-By Y.Pata, Antonio La Pergola, chairman of the Venice Commission "Democracy through law" says in an interview with Italian daily "Corriere della sera", on August 18, that Albania's draft- constitution, compiled by a parliament's special commission, "is much advanced".

La Pergola, the renowned European constitutionalist, speaking of the draft of the fundamental law of the Albanian State, says that "The Albanian commission, headed by co-chairmen Sabri Godo and Arben Imami, has welcomed all suggestions offered by us".

Meanwhile, La Pergola also speaks of the difficulties encountered by the parliament's special commission as result of the political fight, especially the boycott of the constitutional process by the "Union for democracy " parties.

"The constitution is almost ready, but is strongly opposed by the DP, lead by Sali Berisha, who constantly attacks the socialists. I know Berisha well, have written and spoken to him. I have told him that if he is ready to cooperate he should come to the commission and give his options."

Referring to the draft-constitution, La Pergola says:"The text is very advanced, but we the Italians should continue to try to reconcile Albania."

The Constitutional Commission has now completed the draft and has submitted it for discussion in public. Godo and Imami have sent a special invitation to the Democratic Party to take part in a meeting of the commission and present their options on the text of the state's fundamental law. /pas/lm/

/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Biza ends "Cooperative Assembly" exercise

But, for professional reasons the U.S. warship Lasalle was not anchored at Durres port, where several naval exercises were scheduled in the presence of the media.

"This is their national issue," NATO representatives in Tirana explain, adding that "everything will continue normally as scheduled."

Meanwhile, exercises have continued throughout the day at the Biza base. In the context of these exercises the Albanian troops along with the Italian team have carried out mountain ascents, training related to antiterrorist activity, creation of roadblocks and other training.

The "Cooperative Assembly" exercise ended today.

After a technical change of the programme, the school reconstructed by the NATO troops will be inaugurated in Kruje and the ceremony on the end of the exercise will be held at the Rinas base, Northwestern Albania, tomorrow. /pas/lm/

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[24] Soros: Credit for small businessmen of Gjirokaster

The foundation's coordinator in Gjirokaster, Silvana Xuhano, told ATA that this credit is part of the "Programmes for the community" and intends to revive and rebuild it.

Carpenters, painters, dentists, photographers and others who have benefited from this credit, will pay off the credit by working in their own profession close to the district's educational centres, Xuhano adds.

A sculptor will pay off the credit for equipment, worth some thousands of US$, through two marble works for the city's two middle schools; an oculist by carrying out eye checks for pupils through a modern apparatus given as a credit by "Soros", and a painter by preparing frames for the decoration of school corridors etc.

In ten months the Soros foundation has invested around $ one million for the reconstruction and modernisation of the educational system in Gjirokaster. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Nano: Berisha seeks to exploit conflict in Kosova to take up power

TIRANA August 21 (ATA)- By Y. Pata, Albania's Prime Minister, at a government's meeting on Friday, asked from the Albanian political parties more responsibility regarding the Kosova issue.

Referring to the stands of several parties Nano said that "different signals are coming from the Albanian politics: some want the imposition of the state of emergency, some are working to repeat the request for NATO to intervene in Kosova, while others, such as those of Berisha, seek to exploit the conflict in Kosova for taking take up power".

As to the latter, he said: "This category of people who destroyed the country, who brought about the greatest disaster of new Albania, has now launched the idea of extending the armed conflict also to Albania against the legitimate democratic Government of coalition.

This has brought back for discussion the old denigrating, often anti- Albanian theses such as Albanians' division into Gege (Northern inhabitants) and Toske (Southern inhabitants), religious and other divisions.

Nano stressed that the Kosova issue has now become a priority issue and has involved the Albanian state in all its functioning segments. /pas/lm/

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