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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-01

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

  • [01] Points of cultural cooperation between Albania and Italy for 1999 determined
  • [02] 85th anniversary of birth of Albanian writer Petro Marko marked
  • [03] Chief of Customs House in Qafe Thane replaced
  • [04] Albanian NGO-s holding activities to prevent AIDS
  • [05] Best-sellers in Tirane this week
  • [06] New Constitution - a fundamental step towards a modern democratic state - WEU Secretary General
  • [07] Italian Minister of Agricultural Policies arrives in Tirane
  • [08] Scalfaro readmits Italian commitment to Albania - message
  • [09] Number of poor families increases 10%
  • [10] Albania's Children Protection Foundation cares for 100 abandoned children
  • [11] Dollar again as against 142 leks
  • [12] Emergency measures for regular school attendance
  • [13] Albanian United Right to contribute to Constitution's implementation
  • [14] Greek custom officers' strike reduces Albanian custom incomes
  • [15] Denmark earmarks $16 million for Albania
  • [16] Italy ready to help Albanian agriculture - minister
  • [17] "Agroni" and "Kambo-Marshall" companies audited
  • [18] Italian, Albanian agricultural cooperation of strategic importance for Albanian economy - De Castro
  • [19] Christian-democrats fraction asks dismissal of their chairman
  • [20] Government approves Platform of Albania's European and Eur.- Atlantic Integration Strategy
  • [21] Norwegian Wanberg, juridical assistant to Albanian chief prosecutor

  • [01] Points of cultural cooperation between Albania and Italy for 1999 determined

    TIRANE, Nov.30 (ata) - Albanian Minister of Culture, Edi Rama determined the main pillars of the cooperation with Italy in the field of culture over a visit he made to Italy recently. He talked there with his Italian counterpart, Giovanna Melandri, sources from the Ministry of Culture of Albania told ATA.

    The fund that Italian authorities would provide to Albania over the next year is larger than the fund from the Albanian state budget for this Ministry, says a report of press office of the Ministry of Culture.

    The same source said that thanks to the Italian aid, during the coming year many objects of Albanian cultural heritage will be rehabilitated, along with the preparation of the catalogues of all the objects of this heritage and the restoration of the objects of first rate importance. A special place will be given to the specialization of the young restoration specialists.

    The Italian aid will also be used for the restoration of the valuable fund of the National Library, for some structural improvements in the National Art Gallery alongside the realisation for the first time in Albania, of a catalogue with the values of the gallery.

    The two ministers also talked of a project which aims at rehabilitating the Square Mother Teresa (in front of the central building of Tirane University,) of a project for a big exhibition in Italy with selected works from the fund of the National Gallery, the fund of the State Film Archives and some presentations in Albania of the best Italian contemporary cultural values.

    A special place in the context of this cooperation will take the assistance that Italian experts will give for the establishment of a contemporary legal framework for the cultural institutions in Albania. /pas/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] 85th anniversary of birth of Albanian writer Petro Marko marked

    VLORE, Nov.30 (ata) - By Harilla Koci: The 85th anniversary of the birth of the renowned writer of Albania, Petro Marko has been commemorated in the city of Vlore.

    On this occasion, the district poets and writers association bearing his name, the cultural association Ismail Qemali and the city-hall of Vlore, held a meeting on Monday with the participation of writers, poets, intellectuals, and other people from the district of Vlore.

    The speakers in the meeting highlighted the literary activity of Petro Marko, focusing on the most important moments of his creativeness. They brought to the fore the fact that as a good friend of the outstanding world literature representatives, Neruda and Hemingway, Marko introduced in his creativeness modern elements to make it a powerful voice in the Albanian tradition.

    The chairman of the Writers' and Artists League of Albania, poet Xhevahir Spahiu, said that the creativeness of Petro Marko rose high the creative genius of Albania. He stressed that writer Petro Marko laid the foundations of the Albanian modern novel. /a.ke/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Chief of Customs House in Qafe Thane replaced

    POGRADEC, Dec. 1 (ata) - By H Balliu: The Finance Minister of Albania, Anastas Angjeli, signed Sunday the substitution of the chief of the Customs Branch in Pogradec.

    After a period of more than one year, the longest time for a customs chief in Pogradec to be in that post, Petrit Shkembi is replaced by Niko Tasellari, economist and with experience in the field of customs houses.

    According to the spokesman of the Customs Branch in Pogradec, which differently from any other district, has two border entries, one in Qafe Thane and another in Tushemisht, the discharge of Shkembi is motivated with the contraband "leakage" from those two customs points. The last case was the smuggling of 200 thousand fiscal stamps from Macedonia to Albania, for which two Albanian nationals from Macedonia were detained. /s.s./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] Albanian NGO-s holding activities to prevent AIDS

    TIRANE,Nov.30 (ata) - By R XHuvani: Various local non-governmental organizations have held recently numerous activities with young men and women to sensitize them with the need of the fight to prevent HIV/AIDS.

    Representatives of these associations, in cooperation with pupils of secondary schools, are trying to sensitize youths of the great danger of the disease. The aim of this activity is the make the youth aware of the ways of the transmission of AIDS and the ways to be protected from it.

    Such a constant activity is preceding the drafting and application of national policies for the prevention and control of AIDS and the strategy drafted in the latest meeting of epidemiologists for this issue. According to specialists, the main factors for the spread of the epidemic are mainly social. The latest statistics show that 82 per cent of the sick from AIDS are unemployed.

    From statistics in the world it results that the HIV infections over 1998 have increased by 10 per cent and half of the new cases are among the youths under 24. In every minute of the year, 11 people get infected by the mortal virus which causes AIDS.

    After two years of hard work, searches for AIDS seem to be failing.

    "We have not anything great to declare and the prevention of the disease has become a human catastrophe," said Dr. Jacque Leibowitch, from Paris, who alluded for the catastrophic figures published by ONUSIDA. According to this organization, the virus has killed 14 million people since the first cases of the epidemic emerged (95% in the developing countries,) 33,4 million are presently virus-bearers, of whom 5,8 million are infected in 1998. /a.ke/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] Best-sellers in Tirane this week

    - according to a poll in Tirane book shops -

    TIRANE, Dec.1 (ata) - By Ornela Kadaifciu: The past week has registered an abundant sale of books in the market of publications.

    According to a poll in some of the book shops of Tirane for the past week, in the lead is the novel "Word" of the U.S. writer, Irving Wallas, translated by Vasil Gjymshana and qualified by world critique as "the most sensational novel at the close of this century."

    The book is published by the publishing house "O.M.S.C.A."

    Although with a slightly lower sale, still the book "Dead Souls" by the Russian author Nikolay Gogol, translated into Albanian by Mitrush Kuteli, continues to be a best seller in the book market.

    The novel has opened the serial of the column "Gold Fund of World Literature," which the Publishing House Onufri has started to release recently.

    "Dead Souls" is a very original novel, it is the novel of the emigration of the devil across Russia, writes in the preface of this book the writer, Ismail Kadare.

    A best seller over the past week has also been the book "Albanian Ancient Stories" by Mitrush Kuteli.

    The book carries ballads and folk rhapsodies which the writer Kuteli has turned to stories. The book is published by the publishing house "Kuteli" and costs 450 lek.

    The novel "Kaput" by Kurcio Malaparti, has attracted a number of readers in the capital. The novel has been translated by Klio Evangjeli and reflects the psychosis of the World War Second. The book is published by O.M.S.C.A.

    The bibliographic monograph "A life for life" written by Prof.Dr.Shefqet Ndroqi, has attracted the readers who love autobiographies.

    In the six chapters of the book, the doctor and scientist, goes through his lectures on the fight against TB in Albania, clinics, doctor's memoirs, etc.

    The book is published by the Publishing House "Dritero." /pas/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] New Constitution - a fundamental step towards a modern democratic state - WEU Secretary General

    TIRANE, Dec.1 (ata) - By E Nepravishta: The Secretary General of the West European Union, Jose Cutileiro, sent a message Tuesday to the President of Albania Rexhep Meidani in which he hailed the result of the referendum for the Constitution of Albania, the Albanian President's press and information office reports.

    "The new constitution is a fundamental step towards a modern democratic state, for which Albanians have made so hard efforts and for which, you, Mr Meidani, are trying so much to achieve. There can be no other wish and greater pleasure for your on the National Day than the approval of the new constitution of Albania was," says the message of the WEU Secretary General to Meidani.

    Cutiliero assured in his message President Meidani that "the commitment of the West European Union to Albania will be stronger than ever." /s.sh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] Italian Minister of Agricultural Policies arrives in Tirane

    TIRANE, Dec.1 (ata) - By E Xhajanka: In the context of the bilateral Albania-Italy cooperation in the field of agriculture, an Italian delegation led by Minister of Agricultural Policies prof.Paolo di Castro arrived today on an official visit to Tirane.

    Over his first visit to Albania, the Italian delegation of Agriculture is expected to meet with Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani and Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.

    A special meeting will be that with the Albanian Minister of Agriculture Food Lufter Xhuveli. The two ministers are expected to discuss the fields of cooperation in the sector of agriculture and the Italian assistance for certain sectors in Albania.

    Di Castro and his delegation will visit the Institute of Veterinary Researches Bilal Golemi and the Institute of Plant's Protection in Durres. /xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Scalfaro readmits Italian commitment to Albania - message

    TIRANE, Dec.1 (ata) - By E Nepravishta: Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro has sent a message of greetings to Albanian President Rexhep Meidani on occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Albania, the press and information office of Albanian President reports.

    In his message, President Scalfaro stresses that Italy will make great efforts in all sectors to assist the Albanian people with the objective the stability and security for Albania, solution to the problems of mutual interests, and with the perspective of establishing a progressive rapprochement of Albania with institutions of European and Western cooperation.

    "This is a joint commitment we have also readmitted in the latest contacts we have had with the new Albanian Government," writes the message of the Italian President. /pas/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Number of poor families increases 10%

    TIRANE, Nov. 1, (ATA) By E.Nepravishta Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs say that number of poor families in Albania is increased 10% in comparison with 1996. Some 16 500 families "won" the status of poverty within 1997.

    Sources from this Ministry say that this level of poverty, was not only a consequence of social economic changes the country passed through, but also a consequence of not a good governance regarding this aspect from the former government.

    September 1998 data show that some 152 293 Albanian families, out of 145 000 families registered by a UNDP report in 1996, benefit from a fund of 374 216 leks.

    Poverty map of Albania is divided in four zones. First zone has to do with unconsiderable poverty and covers those zones having 10% of the families included in the economic aid scheme. This group covers 40% of the municipalities and communes, or 170 administrative units, located in the prefectures of Fier, Vlore, Gjirokaster and Korce.

    Zones of considerable poverty are those zones having over 60% of the families in the poverty scheme, sometimes the poverty scale reaches 80%. This group covers 15 administrative units, which consist 4% of Albanian communes and they are mainly located in Kukes, Shkoder and Diber.

    Employment policies consist one of the most substantial parts of government's program to reduce the poverty in the country. /pas/lola/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] Albania's Children Protection Foundation cares for 100 abandoned children

    KORCE, Dec. 1, (ATA) By B.Fejzullai Albania's Children Protection Foundation in Korce cares for 100 abandoned children of this city.

    Vladimir Molla, president of this Foundation, told ATA that care for abandoned children was enabled from the funds gathered by international organisations and foreign donors.

    "Regarding the children abandoning school the foundation has ensured clothes and food aid. UNICEF fund, accorded for this reason, enabled their systematization in 4 special classes, opened in the town schools," Molla said.

    Albania's Children Protection Foundation consist of 50 members, mainly intellectuals, who work for the protection of abandoned children. /pas/lola/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] Dollar again as against 142 leks

    TIRANE, Dec. 1, (ATA) By L.Thanasi After an increase of the value of dollar, today it decreases again. One dollar was bought 142.0 leks and sold 143.9 leks in the free market today. Following are the unofficial exchange rates of the foreign currencies:

    Currency exchange rate

    Foreign currency Bought (leks) Sold (leks) USD 142.00 143.90 DM 83.00 85.00 ITL(1000) 84.00 85.90 GRD(100) 49.50 50.30

    /lola/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] Emergency measures for regular school attendance

    TIRANE, Dec 1 (ATA)-By P. Shuteriqi, The Tirane based Association for the Defence of Children aims at sensitizing the public opinion on fighting school abandonment by children.

    Under the motto "Illiteracy is knocking on the door", it calls on the responsible institutions to urgently take the appropriate measures to avoid consequences.

    According to a survey by this centre "nearly 38% of children have attempted or finally abandoned the eight-year school". Some 2 802 pupils, aged between 8-15, as well as 328 teachers have been questioned on this issue in 11 districts of the country.

    Sociologists and specialists of the Pedagogical Study Institute stress that among the main factors influencing the desertion of schools by children is the period of transition with its problems as well as the ruined economy and poverty.

    From surveys conducted by this centre it turns out that every day there are more than 200 children selling various goods on streets. Also, according to the surveys, the teaching profession is exercised in many cases by people who are not professionist, especially in the rural areas, largely influencing in a negative evaluation of school by children, parents and community, themselves.

    The minimum wage has on the other hand forced many experienced teachers to abandon school in search for a better payment in other professions. /dast/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] Albanian United Right to contribute to Constitution's implementation

    TIRANE, Dec 1 (ATA)-By A. Haxhiu, The Albanian United Right (DBSH) political grouping has made public its political stand on the November 23 referendum.

    "The DBSH hails the Albanian voters for their turnout in the referendum and commends them for the high democratic level they showed during the voting process, which one should accept that it ran peacefully in general," the DBSH says in a press release.

    "The DBSH accepts the result issued by the Central Elections Commission (CEC). At the same time it protests the expulsion of its representatives from various level comissions. It considers this a biased and illegal act and asks that an end be put to such practices in the future, " the statement says further on.

    This grouping regards the approval of the constitution as the first step towards building a democratic rule of law. To this end, DBSH will render all its contribution to the implementation of the constitution.

    DBSH calles on the two other political groupings to leave aside squabling for political aims and render the necessary contribution to the good of the country.

    This grouping thanks the international institutions such as OSCE, CE, EU, foreign experts, various European states and the U.S. for their engagement in drafting the constitution and monitoring the referendum as well as for their encouraging greetings after the end of the constitutional process. /dast/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] Greek custom officers' strike reduces Albanian custom incomes

    TIRANE, Dec. 1, (ATA) By A.Gjata Greek custom officers' strike has blocked round 70 long-vans, awaiting to be cleared, in goods access points of Kakavije and Kapshtice (southeastern Albania). Over the first 10 months this year, different goods worth of round 12.6 billion leks entered the country through these two custom points, which deposited hundreds of millions of leks in the state budget. Only in October from custom clearances over 700 million leks were deposited. But the privious three days strike, taking place 10 days ago, and the current one, starting on Monday, are causing other income losses.

    Custom points with Greece mark higher trade exchanges by land than any other custom point of Albania. Greece, ranking after Italy, is the second trade partner of Albania. Albania imports from Greece mainly food articles, machinery and equipment, building material, chemicals, industrial articles, etc.

    Albanian custom officials say that Greek custom officers' strike has suspended custom procedures regarding crossing of any kind of vehicle, except for emergency cases. Greek custom officials have not suspended procedures of citizens' movement in both countries. /pas/lola/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] Denmark earmarks $16 million for Albania

    TIRANE, Dec 1 (ATA)-By E. Nepravishta, Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo wound up his two-day visit to Denmark, at the invitation of his Danish counterpart Niels Helveg Petersen, the Foreign Ministry Press Office told ATA.

    The Danish Foreign Minister considered the relations between Denmark and Albania excellent and expressed the belief they will further strengthen in the future.

    "I assess the approval of the Constitution as a historical achievement for Albania and as a failure for the policy of confrontation led by Berisha, who with his stand of boycott is being increasingly isolated." said Petersen.

    He also made public the decision of the government of Denmark for the approval of a new fund of aid, worth over $16 million, for Albania, for the three-year period, 1999-2001.

    Referring to Kosova, Petersen evaluated the Albanian government's moderate policy towards Kosova and expressed himself in favour of a peaceful and long-term solution to this issue.

    Milo thanked the Danish government for its aid and support for Albania.

    During his stay in Denmark he also conducted meetings with the parliament's first deputy-speaker, Birtte Wais, the deputy-secretary of State for Aid and Development, Birger Riis Jorgensen, and with leaders of the Danish Confederation of Industry. /dast/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Italy ready to help Albanian agriculture - minister

    TIRANE, Dec 1 (ATA)-By R. Xhuvani, President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani on Tuesday met with the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Paolo de Castro, who is on a working visit in Tirane.

    The president's press office told ATA that Meidani pointed to the need of a more effective cooperation and aid for agr.- business and agriculture, especially as regards management, organisation and methods for e modern utilisation of the agricultural land.

    Castro assessed his visit as a guarantee for the Italian investment in agr.- business and stressed the will of the Italian government for cooperation and concrete assistance in agriculture.

    Also attending the meeting were Minister of Agriculture and Food Lufter Xhuveli and the charge d'affaires of the Italian embassy in Tirane, F. Azzarelo. /lh/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] "Agroni" and "Kambo-Marshall" companies audited

    TIRANE, Dec. 1, (ATA) By L. Thanasi Sources from Auditing Group say that auditing process, carried out by local independent auditors, regarding "Agroni" and Kambo-Marshall" companies, former pyramid schemes, finished.

    Auditing Group and local auditors will file the documentation gathered during the auditing period of these two pyramid schemes to the Prosecutor's Office. Inquiry and legal procedures will soon start for former administrators of "Agroni" and "Kambo-Marshall".

    "Agroni" debt, to round 30 people, covers 600 thousand dollars.

    "Kambo-Marshall" debt, to round 40 people, covers 500 thousand dollars. /pas/lola/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] Italian, Albanian agricultural cooperation of strategic importance for Albanian economy - De Castro

    TIRANE, Dec 1 (ATA)-By R. Xhuvani, In his meeting on Tuesday with the Italian Minister of Agricultural Politics, Paolo de Castro, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko highlighted the optimistic situation created between Albania and Italy, especially following the high-level contacts between the two country's governments.

    Majko stressed that at this stage it is necessary that periodic contacts are stabilised between the two sides at experts' level, in order to increase cooperation, discuss problems step by step, not allowing them to accumulate.

    De Castro brought greetings from Prime Minister D'Alema and stressed that the cooperation between the two countries in agriculture occupies a specific place, as it is of strategic importance for the Albanian economy. For this purpose it is necessary, he said, that the two government give clear signals of their commitment to supporting this cooperation.

    The importance of future cooperation with the Puglie region, which together with Albania will be terminals of the 8th road, was highlighted at the meeting. /dast/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] Christian-democrats fraction asks dismissal of their chairman

    TIRANE, Dec. 1, (ATA) By A.Haxhiu The fraction within Christian- Democratic Party (CDP), supported by the deputy chairman of this party, asked the dismissal of the chairman Zef Bushati.

    "Christian-democrats decided the dismissal of Bushati as party's chairman till the next party's Congress," Gjelosh Nikolla, chairman of the fraction said in a news conference.

    "Bushati is a traitor of Christian-democratic ideals and has separated CDP into two groupings for personal interests," said Gasper Mani, deputy chairman of this party.

    Meanwhile the Christian-democrats declared that, despite the changes within the party, their political position will not change.

    The attacks to CDP chairman, a party included in the political grouping "Union for Democracy", are carried out following his stand to the Constitution saying no to boycott and voting in favour of basic law of the state. /dast/lola/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] Government approves Platform of Albania's European and Eur.- Atlantic Integration Strategy

    TIRANE, Dec 1 (ATA)-By R. Xhuvani, The Government on Tuesday discussed and approved the Platform of Albania's European and Eur.-Atlantic Integration Strategy.

    Albania's membership of EU, NATO and other international organisations, which is sped up by our country's active membership in the EU, OSCE, Partnership for Peace Initiative and other organizations, will be carried out in symbiosis with the preservation and development of all national, political, economic and cultural values of the country, said the Ministry of Information referring to the government meeting.

    The general objectives of the Strategy for European and Eur.-Atlantic Integration, considering the stages of the country's comprehensive development, consist in the full normalisation of the country's situation, Albania's integration into the road of stable development as well as in the insurance of an all-round and continued prosperity.

    The Government also agreed to the creation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for European and Eur.-Atlantic Integration of the Republic of Albania.

    The committee will be charged with drafting a "Project of the European and Eur.Atlnatic Integration Strategy, expansion and intensification of the process of cooperation and integration into European and Euro- Atlantic structures, as well as with the implementation of the strategy for this integration. /dast/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] Norwegian Wanberg, juridical assistant to Albanian chief prosecutor

    TIRANE, Dec. 1, (ATA) By Th.Thanasi Norwegian prosecutor Wulter Wanberg met Albanian chief prosecutor Arben Rakipi in the General Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.

    "In this meeting, Rakipi familiarized Norwegian jurist with basic principles of Albanian legislation, Penal Code and work experience in the Prosecutor's Office, while Wanberg expressed the readiness of his assistance to Albanian chief prosecutor on different inquiry issues," spokesman of General Prosecutor's Office, Ardian Vishaj told ATA.

    "Wanberg, who currently holds position of the deputy prosecutor for Bergen district in Norway, will be the juridical assistant to Albania's General Prosecutor for a period of 2-3 months," Vishaj said.

    Before some times Rakipi addressed a request to OSCE asking to enable the presence of a European legal expert, who will assist Albanian chief prosecutor with his consultancy on different issues of the institution. /dast/lola/


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


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