Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-08-31

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Minister praises Albania, Greece good relations

[02] Greek foreign minister visits Voskopoja

[03] Serb forces execute an Albanian and injure another in Pecan of Suhareke

[04] Albanian arrested by Serb forces dies by tortures

[05] Guards of military unit of Aranitas threatened

[06] Explosion in micro-biological lab

[07] Currency exchange rates

[08] Draft-agreement in health services between Albanian and Macedonia

[09] Police reopens national road Gjirokaster-Kakavije

[10] Arrive two of the four Italian ships for Albanian coast police

[11] Tirane police strengthen measures to prevent a possible DP rally

[12] OSCE to closely follow DP's rally in Tirane

[13] Defence Policy Commission in German Bundestag expected to open debate on Kosove

[14] Albanian deputy to observe elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina

[15] Albanian parliament resumes its sessions

[16] Iliria bar and restaurant in Durres sold at 40 200 000 lek - auction

[17] PHARE aims modernisation of the fishing sector

[18] Donors have given Albania 49 6 million USD in first half of 1998

[01] Minister praises Albania, Greece good relations

Albanian Foreign Minister Milo said that the tete-a-tete meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos dealt with the level of Albanian-Greek relations including the issue of full legalisation of emigrants, seasonal employment, education and interborder relations.

Milo said that they also discussed the political situation in Albania and that Greece, as a member of the European Union, shared the same stand with this body as regards the political situation in Albania. It also backed compromise, ease of tension and respect of juridical institutions as independent institutions free from political influence.

He said that both agreed to stimulate some agreements which had lagged behind such as the interborder agreement, signed protocol for common patrol in our territorial waters from Saranda to Vlora. /das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Greek foreign minister visits Voskopoja

and his Albanian counterpart Paskal Milo visited on Sunday the village of Voskopoja 25 km from the city of Korça, southern Albania.

He visited the church of Shen Koll, a cultural monument with historical, architectural and artistic values.

Pangalos talked with the inhabitants of the village about the history and ancient cultural and education tradition of Voskopoja.

Greek foreign minister Pangalos wound up his visit in Korca district on Sunday and left for Greece. /das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Serb forces execute an Albanian and injure another in Pecan of Suhareke

Four inhabitants of this village, who had earlier left their homes, tried to return to the village, but the police forces stopped them at Semetisht and sent them to Peca, where they shot dead Hamzi Bytici,34, and injured Naser Fetaj, 22, the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) section in Malisheve reports.

The other two were lucky to escape execution. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Albanian arrested by Serb forces dies by tortures

Bilal Shala, 47, was sent to the morgue of the Prishtine hospital on Sunday.

Sources of the Human Rights Council say he was severely tortured at the Serb police station in Ferizaj, last night.

They add that at least four Kosova Albanians have died in tortures by Serb forces after their arrest. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Guards of military unit of Aranitas threatened

"We need the machine guns to fight in Tirana, as war will erupt in Tirana on June 31," they say.

The spokesman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA that on Saturday at around 12:00 two unidentified persons asked the guards of the Military unit of Aranitas in Mallakaster to take heavy weaponry in exchange of 30 million leks.

The officer on duty asked the unidentified persons to leave.

After resistance by the guards the persons threatened that war would begin in Tirana on August 31 and after a week they would seize the armaments themselves."

Later, the spokesman said that they threatened the guards that "we will shoot you", adding "we need the machineguns to fight in Tirana." /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Explosion in micro-biological lab

TIRANA, August 31 (ATA)-The Shkoder police arrested earlier today two persons, identified as authors of placing explosive substance at the district's micro-biological laboratory.

On Sunday at around 21.45, some 200 gr of TNT was placed at the steps of of the micro-biological lab, near the SP headquarters in Shkoder, which smashed the windows of the lab, but there were no other damages.

At around 24.00, the spokesman said, the same persons attempted to torch the SP headquarters but failed to do so as the nearby inhabitants came out from their houses.

Today, at around 05.00, the police arrested citizens Ferdinant Luigj Gavoci and Rudolf mark Morana, twice convicted of theft, as they are identified as authors of placing the explosive and attempted to burn the Shkoder SP headquarters.

They carried a TT pistol with five cartridges, which they illegally possessed. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Currency exchange rates

Following are the buying and selling rates of the foreign currencies against the lek.

Currencies bought sold

US$1.00 150,5 lek 151,3 lek German mark 84 85,3 Italian lire (1000) 84 84 Greek Drachmas 48 50 /a.gj/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Draft-agreement in health services between Albanian and Macedonia

Vice-minister of Health, Fatmir Brahimi, and his Macedonian counterpart, during talks of the last days, have agreed in principle on a draft-agreement of bilateral cooperation in field of health.

Spokesman of Ministry of Health, said to ATA, that after approval in principle of the draft-agreement by two vice ministers, it is time for ministers of Health of both countries to sign the agreement.

According the spokesman, this draft-agreement covers main topics where Macedonian aid for Albanian health services will consist. He said the Macedonian party offers help in the primary health services, that of emergency service and in the system of hospitalisation./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Police reopens national road Gjirokaster-Kakavije

According to Stepa, the above people blocked, on Monday, at about 13:00, with different surrounding objects the national road Gjirokester- Kakavije, close to Lazarat village, by blocking the traffic flow on both directions, to Tirana, to Kakavije (on the Greek border line) and to Saranda.

"The armed people left, after the arrival of police forces, in direction of the hills over village Lazarat," said Stepa.

A police check point is situated on the point, where the road was blocked./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Arrive two of the four Italian ships for Albanian coast police

Spokesman of Guardia di Finanza, in the context of mission Interforce, told to ATA that, the military ships V 4005 and V 4007, will be used for some days as training ships for the Albanian coast-line police forces. Two other ships of the same type, of a length at 13 metre, will arrive from Bari within a week. The theoretical-practical training of the Albanian troops is the final and most important step of the Guardia di Finanza mission in Albania, said spokesman.

For the practical use of ships will be prepared about 20 members of the coast line police forces in Durresi. They will be prepared about technical and police aspects, and will attend an intensive course, some aspects of which will be realised in the Italian ports.

Maritime police will have in this manner a well-prepared team and four military ships for its fight against illegal trafficking./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Tirane police strengthen measures to prevent a possible DP rally

According to the spokesman, the police commissariats and the main roads leading to Fan Noli Square are being patrolled by police groups and special police forces.

Tirane police refused a request Sunday by the Union for Democracy, member of which is also the largest opposition party in Albania, the Democratic Party of the former President Sali Berisha, to hold on Monday a rally in the Scanderbeg Square of Tirane.

The spokesman said the Monday rally was not allowed because of "the grave criminal situation in the city of Tirane and information this Department had received of eventual violent acts during and after the rally."

On August 27, the DP held an illegal rally in Tirane protesting against the arrest of six of its former senior officials under the charge of "Crime against Humanity" during the unrest for 1997 which cost the lives of nearly 2 000 people. DP claims that their arrest is politically motivated.

According to Tirane police, during the latest rally the protesters hurled stones on forces of order injuring four policemen. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] OSCE to closely follow DP's rally in Tirane

"Taking into consideration the high rhetoric tones and the threat of an unnecessary escalation of the situation, OSCE and other international organizations will closely follow every of tonight's developments, encouraging the media to cover closely the situation and report its observations based on facts and without taking sides," says the declaration.

OSCE calls on all parties to use peaceful democratic means to voice their concerns.

"Violence is undemocratic, illegal and not an acceptable form of expression, therefore all parties are requested to avoid provocations and instigation for violence," writes the statement.

Police Department of Tirane has adopted special measures to prevent the rally of the right political grouping Union for Democracy planned for Monday at 6 p.m., spokesman of this police told ATA.

The spokesman said the Monday rally was not allowed because of "the grave criminal situation in the city of Tirane and information this Department had received of eventual violent acts during and after the rally."

"Police will act conformed to the law on illegal gatherings, therefore, they have adopted all necessary measures," said the spokesman.

On August 27, the DP held an illegal rally in Tirane protesting against the arrest of six of its former senior officials under the charge of "Crime against Humanity" during the unrest for 1997 which cost the lives of nearly 2 000 people. DP claims that their arrest is politically motivated.

According to Tirane police, during the latest rally the protesters hurled stones on forces of order injuring four policemen. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Defence Policy Commission in German Bundestag expected to open debate on Kosove

According to KIC, the meeting will examine a statement of German Defence Minister, Volker Ruehe for the 14 military "Tornado" aircraft to be ready in case of a NATO intervention in Kosove.

"Association for endangered peoples," centred in Getingen of Germany, called on the Minister of Defence, Ruehe, to ask the assistance of NATO regarding the delivery of aid in Kosove. In the villages of Lugu i Baranit alone, this association points out, there are 50-80 thousand isolated refugees from Kosove. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian deputy to observe elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Albanian deputy, Jonuz Begaj, of the Party of National Unity, is appointed by Council of Europe to take part in role of an observer, in the parliamentary elections of September 13, in Bosnia Herzegovina.

Because of the troubled situation in this country, these elections will be followed by a number of observers of the US Senate and Congress, as well as by representatives of high institutions of Europe, as Council of Europe, European Parliament and the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe).

Diplomat Begaj will take part in these elections among well-known personalities like Jacques Baumel (president of the European parliament), Rene van der Linden, vice chairman of the parliamentary group of people's parties in the CE, and others./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albanian parliament resumes its sessions

"This session starts at a time when we have planned to complete important tasks to give Albania stability, to integrate the country into the European family and to solve as soon as possible and as fairly as possible our national question," said Skender Gjinushi, Parliament Speaker in his opening address.

The approval soon of the new Constitution of Albania is the main objective of the Parliament, said Gjinushi.

He focused on his address in the present local political situation and in particular on the stands of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party, following the arrest recently of six of its former senior officials under the charge of "Crimes against Humanity."

"Only those who do not love Albania demand its destabilization," said Gjinushi.

The deputies adopted the two-month program and the two-week calendar of the session.

The last session of the People's Assembly ended on August 6, but on the condition that it would convene earlier than planned if need be. A week ago, the chairmen of the permanent parliamentary commissions and the chiefs of parliamentary groups decided that the People's assembly resume its sessions on August 31, 1998. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Iliria bar and restaurant in Durres sold at 40 200 000 lek - auction

In the first auction there were sold 133 assets which consist nearly half of the 288 assets put on sale in the first tender, which mean 45 million lek for the creditors. But according to David Masters, there have been more offers in the auction, but they are not accepted because of the very low amounts offered as compared with the prices put by Deloitte & Touche.

The biggest sale in this auction was that of Ilyria bar and restaurant in the beach of Durres, in the amount of 40 200 000 lek or nearly 270 thousand dollars. Among the sold assets are also minitractors, vehicles, vans, lorries, office equipment.

32 people, 9 of whom creditors, had presented their offers in the auction and only 19 of the total number were successful in the sales. According to David Masters, the selling prices were higher than the experts had expected.

"The success in the first auction is promising for the future. Until the end of the year there are about 20 other sales and while this process continues more offers are expected to be made," said the consultant of "Ansdell Consulting." According to him, the assets which were not sold in this auction will be included in the coming sales or in a special tender only for creditors. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] PHARE aims modernisation of the fishing sector

"It is on its way the finishing of a tender to choose the company, which will start construction of these objects, valuated at about 2.5 million ECU," said for ATA, chief of Fishing Inspectorate, Eduart Reçi.

Actually there are some 30 fish processing centers, based in Lezhe, Durres and Vlore.

PHARE program for the assistance in the fishing sector in Albania has started to be implemented in 1996. Two fish markets are finished in Vlore and are completed some training courses for fishermen. According to this program, it is foreseen to come aids in laboratory equipment and for the repariring of ships, at a value of 400,000 ECU.

This program will continue for 5 years and foresees to be financed by some 11 million ECU for the modernisation of fish sector./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Donors have given Albania 49 6 million USD in first half of 1998

According to data from the Ministry of Finances, this amount is given as midterm or long term credits by bilateral or multilateral donors. Multilateral donors have delivered 42.7 million USD most of which by the International Development Agency, the World Bank with 42.1 million USD, while IFAD has contributed with about 0.47 million USD.

The main donors for this period have been Germany with 3.2 million USD, followed by Italy with 2.7 million USD and Kuwait with 0.9 million USD.

The sector which has profited more donations, according to the Ministry of Finance, until the end of June has been the Albanian state budget, with an amount of 29.6 million USD.

Besides, 4.1 million USD from the donations are used on aqueducts and sewage, 3.2 million USD on air transport, 2.8 million USD on energy sector, 2.6 million USD on transport and 1,1 million USD on public administration.

0.53 million USD from the donors' fund are used for the development of the private sector while 0.88 million USD are used for the labour market and social insurances. /xh/

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

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