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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-11Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Migration has left untilled 39 per cent of agricultural land in BeratBERAT, Jan.10 (ata) - By I Manka: 39 per cent of the agricultural land in Berat has remained untilled in the past few years.Asqeri Shehu, director of Agriculture and Food in the district, said to ATA that this phenomenon started after 1991. The growth of migration and rapid reduction of agricultural means have influenced in the increase of the level of this index, he explains. The great areas of untilled land are in the hilly and mountain areas. Many people from there have moved to lowerland zones in and outside the district, and most of them are peasants. About 30-67 per cent of peasant families from the remotest villages of mountain communes of Sinja, Terpan, Roshnik have left, says Shehu, adding that their lands are now pastures or covered by bushes. According to Shahin Muhameti, jurist in the district council, migration of peasant population is not accompanied with any legal provisions. Consequently, the uncontrolled movement has brought about social, economic and legal problems. For the moment, the sharpest problem is the economic one, because the agricultural land of those zones ensured 23 per cent of the total livestock products of the district since 10 years ago. I left my village, Vokopole, when my sons left for Greece and I was not able to till my land, says Sejmin Hodo. He is settled in Berat and engaged in trade and, as he says "I am well off." Also 72 other families from his village and from Terpan and Dodovec have also settled in Berat. Economic analysts link this phenomenon with the obligations that the peasant should have towards the land as well as towards the state. Lack of taxes in the village is the first direct cause that the people in the village can leave easily, thus creating overpopulated cities. By paying not a penny for what he realises, the peasant feel himself privileged towards the citizen who has to pay a number of taxes. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Number of Kosova asylum seekers in Switzerland increasesGJENEVE, Jan 11 (ATA) - Worse situation in Kosova was followed by an increase in number of asylum-seekers from Kosova in Switzerland.A report of the Federal Office for Refugees said that 41 302 requests for asylum had been presented during 1998 in Switzerland, 72 percent higher than a year before and that 49.4 percent of those who arrived were particularly from Kosova. They were followed by citizens from Albania who are estimated at 9.1 percent, from Iraq 4,9 percent, Sri Lanka 4.6 percent and Turkey 3,8 percent. The office said that only 2 032 or 12,5 percent out of 41 302 requests had gained the refugee status, the Center for Information in Kosova said. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Sahat supermarket to return to town hallVLORE, Jan 11 (ATA) - By Harilla Koci: Sahat supermarket in the center of the city of Vlora will return to the city town hall, municipality sources said.The city mayor Neki Dredha said that the supermarket of historical values had been a property of the town hall and should be returned to it. "The privatisation of the supermarket is done contrary to the law," Dredha said, who added that they were considering other similar cases, which had been property of the town hall. The Sahat supermarket in the center of Vlora was constructed at the beginning of '20 with the contribution of Vlora people and was one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was privatised in 1995 after a long conflict between the town hall and the National Agency of Privatisation and went under the control of the latter. This building was actually emptied and destroyed and its reconstruction needed some dozens of million leks. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] 75% of vans transporting people in Kukes district are without licencesKUKES, Jan.11 (ata) - By Riza Hoxha: 30 thousand lek per day is the loss in the state budget from the unpaid taxes by the private subjects in the sector of transport in the district of Kukes.There are over 40 vans transporting people within and outside the district every day, of which only 25 %, mostly in the inter-urban service, are licensed. Whereas the vans and buses running services within the district are not licensed and consequently do no pay any taxes. The president of the transport company ED ltd. Nezir Beqa said that these conditions may lead some licensed companies which have been so far correct with all obligations to the state, to be dissolved due to dishonest competition. There are 4 transport companies in this district, of which two are licensed by the Transport Ministry and two others by the town-hall of Kukes. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] New draft on higher educationTIRANA, Jan 11 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: A draft law on higher education in Albania aiming at introducing an optimal autonomy has been worked out, education minister said to ATA on Monday.Minister of Education Et'hem Ruka said that legislation of some Western countries had been consulted before the draft was worked out. The draft was approved by the Council of Ministers and was expected to be considered and passed by the Albanian parliament in the first two months of the year meeting one of the demands of the Student's Independent Union. "Draft law sanctioned institutionalisation of free and democratic elections," Ruka said. He added that this was a right demand for all higher schools in Albania. Institutional autonomy was foreseen in the existing law approved by parliament in 1994 "but not to the appropriate extend," Ruka said. The draft paves ways for universities enjoy a real autonomy through competition between them as well as a financial autonomy. Ruka said that it gave the green light for a private higher education and aimed at including also higher military schools. The draft foresees the first steps for an integration between higher education and scientific research, especially in the institutions of the Science Academy, creation of a specialised center to evaluate the diplomas of higher schools in Albania as well as a special center on students' information. Minister Ruka said that the article on elections in higher schools was never applied by the Meksi cabinets. He added that the new law would save the higher school from the party political control. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Explosion damages power pylon in Fushe KrujaTIRANA, Jan 11 (ATA) - By M. Pupa: A power pylon of 220 kv was damaged by explosion early on Monday near the Cement factory in Fushe Kruje, sources of the Albanian Power Distribution firm (KESH) said to ATA.This followed the fault in the hydro power station of Fierza on Sunday causing shortages in power supply, specialists said. KESH has decided to import energy in order to meet the need of consumers. Because of explosions which had destroyed power pylons during 1998, KESH had suffered a damage estimated at over $370 thousand. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] The most preferred musical albums for the past weekTIRANE, Jan.11 (ata) - By Enkelejda Riza: The singer Cher with her album "Believe" also the week was in the first place among ten most sold albums in the capital, while her album registered the highest number of sales both in Europe and in America.According to a poll in some shops of cassettes in Tirane, the new albums introduced at the beginning of this year have taken the first place in the 10 most sold albums. The London youth group, East 17, with their fourth album "Surrection" ranked fifth from third they were in the past week. Classification of the ten albums in the past week: 10 - Five Five 9 - Aerosmith I don't want to miss a thing 8 - Laura Pausini La mia risposta 7 - Alanis Morissette Supposed Former Infatution Junkie 6 - George Michael Ladies & gentelmen 5 - East 17 Resurrection 4 - 'N Sync The winter album 3 - Metallici Garage Inc 2 - Jennifer Page Crush 1 - Cher Believe/f.n/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Eight Albanian families blocked in Peran of PodujevePRISHTINE, Jan.11 (ata) - Eight Albanian families have been sealed off in their homes in village Peran since last Saturday when the offensive of Serb forces against that village and some other villages of the commune of Podujeve, started.According to LDK sources in that city, there are 52 people, members of the eight Albanian families, for whom there has not been any report since yesterday afternoon, because the roads are still under the control of Serb forces and police. These forces are stationed in the yards of some Albanian families and in the vicinity of some Serb homes living in that village. The Podujeve-Kerpimeh road continues to be blocked, the Kosove Information Centre reports. /p.ta/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Albanian-American delegation urges end of violence in KosovaPRISHTINE, Jan 11 (ATA) - An Albanian-American delegation headed by Joseph Dioguardi, head of the Albanian-American Civic League, held a series of official talks in the US Congress urging an increase of efforts to stop the violence in Kosova and review of the US ambassador's plan, the Center for Information in Kosova said.The violence in Kosova risked spreading all over the region, Dioguardi said. The delegation held separate talks with congressmen concerned over Albania's issue. The congressman Henry Hyde said that an international military intervention was the only way in finding a final solution to the Kosova issue. /pta/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Durres, ancient centre of ChristianityDURRES, Jan.11 (ata) - By S Gjordeni: All roads going amidst the Balkans in the time of the Roman Empire pass through Durres. The road Egnatia linked the East with the West. In those conditions, as various local and foreign studies which have been collected in a scientific book by Fabjan Miraj, say, Christianity has started in the city of Durres in the apostolic period.Saint Paul Apostuli addressed the Romans: "From Jerusalem up to Illyria I have spread the gospel of the Christ and I also tried to declare it not in the places where the name of the Christ was known in order not to build on the foundations of the others." From the works of the apostles, one understands that Saint Paul Apostuli has passed from the Hellespont of Bosphorus through Thrace, Macedonia and Illyria, hence through Durres. Fabjan Miraj underlines that the oral tradition shows of the Cape of Paul, presently Bishti i Palles, and this goes down in history after the name of Saint Paul Apostuli. The Church of Saint Maria and a monastery has been built there. Like in some coastal places such as Apolonia, Butrinti and Nikopoja, Miraj underlines that also in Durres, the first communities of Christianity were formed. To this period belong also the first martyrs of Christianity. In year 58, Saint Caesar was martyred in Durres and in the year 100, in the time of the Roman Emperor, Trajan, Saint Asti was also martyred. The Christian community of Durres in 58 is supposed to have had about 70 families. In 491-565, the Empire of Byzantium reached its climax. Precisely in 491 in the lead of the Empire comes Anastas with his origin from Durres. To him are devoted many constructions, such as the initial work to built the surrounding wall of Durres and a part of the churches and basilicas of the New Epirus. The Durres city underwent great changes with the spread of Byzantium. The great Basilica and the monastery in Arapaj village were constructed at that time at the place called Saint Mehill. The Church of Saint Mehill occupied a big site and it is some 70 meters high and 20 meters large. A multicolour mosaic some 54 square meters, one of the pearls of Byzantium art of Bibles theme was there. Signs of a paleochristian basilica were unearthed in the city. A church belonging to the XI century was also constructed there later. Churches belonging to the Byzantium time, Miraj said in his study, were those built up near Mali i Robit, monastery church in Lis-Patros, church of Saint Peter near Kep i Rodoni, that of Saint Ilia in Gjuricaj village of Ishem and others. They showed that Christianity was spread even in region of Durres. The Baptistery, unearthed near the Durres-based Culture Palace "Aleksander Moisiu" was of great value. It was called the Baptistery of Saint Constantine and had a surface of 1256 square meters and it was, maybe, the biggest in the Balkans. The small church with a mosaic situated in the Durres amphitheater with a place where the people were baptized belonged to the paleochristian period. The church was in the Western part of the amphitheater and many Christian graves were also found near the church. In V and VI centuries, the Metropolis of Durres ran a large number of Bishoperies - the Diocese of Amantia in Vlora, Berat, Bylis, Ohrid, Skampa, Apolonia and others. Even the epigraphic documentary of ancient Christianity belong to that centuries. Besides them there are Christian inscriptions in Greek and Latin languages in the church mosaic. Given these important archaeological finding dated to VI century, it is evident that the city of Durres is an ancient center of Christianity. /pas/xh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] False bomb alarm in Albanian Telegraphic AgencyTIRANE, Jan.11 (ata) - By Th Thanasi: An anonymous phone call warned Monday noon in the Albanian Telegraphic Agency that a bomb was planted in the premises of this institution which was supposed to explode in about 20 minutes. Police went to the spot immediately and after the control, it turned out that the report had been false. An hour after, work in ATA resumed.Special forces of Police Commissariat 1 of Tirane, special units of people and dogs for such situations were engaged in the control. They searched in all premises, inside and outside the institution of ATA. This is the second false bomb alarm for ATA within a year's time. The phenomenon of false alarms has been frequent at the end of 1997 and the beginning of 1998, and it has been rarer in the later period. Police sources stressed that the false alarms are made by ill-doers who want to create panic and disorientate police. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Most preferred video cassettes of the weekendTIRANE, Jan 11 (ATA) - By Enkelejda Riza: The video cassettes of the film "U.S.Marshals", film realized by the Warner Bross cinematographic company, with the scenario of Stuart Bart, and interpreted by the actors Tommy Lee Jones, Wesley Snipers and Robert Downey Jr, has marked the biggest number of selling in the capital during the outgoing weekend."The rhythm of action and tension it creates, has attracted the fans of the capital, and especially the teenagers," R.D, owner of the "Fantasy" video shop in Tirane, told ATA on Monday. The film "La Machera di ferro", based in the book "The three muchoteers" of the renowned writer Alexander Duma, listed in the first place some weeks ago, has marked a reduction of requests, and is listed in the second place. The cartoon film "Anastasia", based in a real story and realized in a new technique and a wonderful animation, is in the third place in the classification of the best sold videos. The film "So cosa hai fatto", realized by the cinematographic company "Medusa", with a scenario of Jim Gillespie, is listed in the fourth place. The film "Doberman" with the scenario of Jan Kounen under the interpretation of the actors Vincent Cassel, Tcheky Karyo, Monica Bellucci this week is listed in the fifth place in the classification of the most sold videos. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Platform for improving health public sector in '99TIRANE, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By Rudina Xhuvani: A platform which aims the improving of work in the public health sector for 1999, is being processed in the Ministry of Health.The renovation of the medical legislation as well as the radical physical rehabilitation of health sector is being realized for this aim, spokesman of this Ministry, Artur Rada told ATA on Monday. According to him, the strengthening of the prior health service through the infrastructural development and the physic rehabilitation of the health centers and hospitals, are to remain priorities of this Ministry. This is to be achieved through the internal financial sources and funds accorded by the donators. The short-term and the long-term training of the general, family and other doctors are to be in the focus of this ministry. In the program of the Health Ministry for 1999, a special attention is to be payed to the improvement of the pharmaceutic system in order to affect and reactivate the producing sector. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Unemployment - main factor of poverty in AlbaniaTIRANE, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By Eranda Neprevishta - The unemployment, one of the gravest social problems of the Albanian society nowadays, has become one of the main factors of poverty at home.The data shows that, beginning from 1990 and afterwards, the number of the unemployed in Albania has increased. So according to PNUDI, some 1.4 million Albanians, or 75% of the population were employed at the end of 1990, but this figure decreased in 1.1 million, or 60% of the population at the end of 1997. The growth of unemployment resulted from the privatization of several industrial enterprises, public services, the building and food industry, and as a result of the close down of many enterprises, as well as from reforms in the public administration. The transitional period, 1992-1994, was accompanied by an increase of the unemployment level. Some 400 000 unemployed were registered at that time. In 1996, and in 1997, the number of the unemployed persons, according to PNUDI, was 158 000. The decrease of unemployment level came due to the new work places created when the new agencies were opened, or due to the employment in different private activities. According to the statistics the greatest number of the unemployed belong to the persons aged 21-34. At the end of 1994 this group comprised 50% of the general number of the unemployed persons, while at the end of 97, it made 45% of them. Unemployment in Albania is almost equal in both sexes. The unemployment percentage in women and men varies from 45-50%, from 1993-1997. /dast/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Teaching conditions improved in Korça UniversityKORÇE, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By F.Fejzullai: The teaching and living conditions of "Fan Noli" University students in Korçë are being improved.Sytki Mullaj, rector of this University, said to ATA that for the improvement of teaching and studding conditions in the dormitories of the University, has begun the building of the new heating system, with 23 million leks allocated by the state budget. The project, which is being implemented by the Italian firm "Proterm", foresees the install of a steam large boiler. All the proceedings are to finish within 15 days, Mullaj said. According to him, new windows and doors are to be placed with 40 million leks accorded by "Soros" foundation. "Fan Noli" University has 1 800 students, and 800 out of them live in dormitories. /dast/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Environment risked from irregular demographic movements- Tirana may have some 700 000 inhabitants in year 2010 -TIRANA, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By Rudina Xhuvani: The environment of Tirana is risked by the overpopulation day after day. From the recent data of the National Environment Agency, a constant pollution of the environment is noticed, due to the increase of the population in the capital, beyond the average of the Republic. According to the data, published by the Institute of Statistics, INSTAT, the population of Tirana has been 243 000 inhabitants in 1990, some 401 493 inhabitants in 1995 and 480 000 inhabitants in 1996. While in 2005, the population of Tirana is expected to be 600 000 inhabitants and in 2010 some 700 000 inhabitants. According to the specialists, it is expected a rhythm of increase of 2.8 per cent from 1996 to 2010. As the current demographic situation is facing a period of deep modification, characterized by an intensive flux of migration towards the capital, the overpopulation has surpassed its capacity regarding housing, infrastructure, and other activities which create new jobs and make money. For these reasons, the specialists think that the development of the city is likely to go out of the control of organization and planning. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Serb planes violate again Albanian air spaceTIRANE, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By Urim Bajrami - A Serb helicopter violates again the Albanian air space.The speaker of the Public Order Ministry told ATA on Sunday, that a Serb helicopter flew towards the village of Morine, (Kukes), at 13.10 violating our territory by entering 500 meters. The Albanian part has asked explanations for these incidents. The meeting of the local commission of Albanian and Yugoslavia regarding this incident is to be held soon, the spokesman of the Public Order Ministry said. This is the second case within a few days. Two Serb helicopters violated the Albanian territory in the district of Kukes and Has only three days ago. /lh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Italian Defence Minister to visit AlbaniaTIRANA, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: The Italian Defence Minister, Carlo Scognamiglio will arrive Tuesday in Albania for a two-day working visit.The Italian Minister will meet with senior personalities of the Albanian state, the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. On Wednesday afternoon, Scognamiglio will take part in the ceremony organized on the occasion of giving the Italian vehicles to the Albanian Academy of Defence "Skenderbej," and will also hold a working visit in the 28th sea district in Durres. The visit of Scognamiglio with his Albanian counterpart, Hajdaraga, is held right after the visit of the Greek Defence Minister, Akis Xohaxopulos. The Ministers Hajdaraga and Scognamiglio are actually in Athens to take part in the meeting to be held Tuesday between the Defence Ministers of Southeastern Europe. The participating ministers will sign the final documents for the establishment of a Multinational Peace Force for the Southeastern Europe (MPESEE). Right after this meeting, Scognamiglio will hold his visit in Tirana. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Albania PM visits town of VloreVLORE, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By H. Koci: Albania Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and also the Secretary General of the Socialist Party, during the visit held in Vlore on Monday, took part in the meeting of the SP General Leading Committee of Vlore branch. This meeting was organized in one of the grounds of the cultural hall of the town "Laberia."During his visit in Vlore, Majko was accompanied by the SP Coordination Secretary, Gramoz Ruci, the Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci, and the Minister of Finances, Anastas Angjeli. Today's meeting in Vlore, which was held behind closed doors, treated problems regarding the organization of this party at local level and the current situation in Vlore. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Necessary cooperation between Albanian, German judiciaryTIRANE, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By Urim Bajrami: The extension of collaboration between the Albanian and the German judiciary remains a necessity. This has been the theme of the meeting that the Chairman of the Supreme Court, Avni Shehu, and the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hans Peter Disdorn had together.The spokesman of this Court, told ATA, that the German ambassador was interested for the organization problems and the functioning of the Albanian judiciary during the meeting. The chairman of the Supreme Court, Shehu explained to the German ambassador the organization of the Albanian judiciary and the functioning of this court in the framework of the New Constitution. Shehu discussed with the German ambassador, even for the problems with which the Albanian judiciary encounters today, the spokesman of the Supreme Court, ends its announcement. /lh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Albania PM visits island of SazanVLORE, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By H. Koci: Albania Prime Minister Pandeli Majko visited Monday the island of Sazan in the district of Vlore. The aim of this visit was connected with the ongoing process for the construction of the operation hall in this island.The operation hall in the island of Sazan was foreseen in the agreement that the Albanian Minister of Order, Petro Koci, signed with his Italian counterpart, Jervollino a few months ago. This modern hall will serve for the control of the coastal line in this area, for the control of the movement of illegal emigrants by motorboats from Vlore towards Italy, as well as other illegal traffics. This hall is being assembled by 70 members of the Italian mission "Interforza," who have been deployed in this island since a month. The other members of this mission helped in assembling of the operation hall of the Police Department in the framework of the service "Eagle 19" for the town of Vlore and which is expected to be inaugurated this week. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Albania PM meets BukoshiTIRANA, Jan. 11 (ATA) - By I. Luto: Albania Prime Minister Pandeli Majko held Monday a meeting with the Premier of Kosova Bujar Bukoshi.The meeting started at 18:00. Bukoshi declared before the meeting that "the aim of this visit is the institutionalization of the attitude of the Kosova Albanians." The visit of Bukoshi in Tirana is held right after the visit of two representatives of the Kosova political factors, Adem Demaci and Rexhep Qosja. Bukoshi also said before the meeting that "we need the powerful international assistance, mainly of Albania." He declared that he considers the configuration of the next government of Kosova with the participation of all the Albanian political factors, also including the Kosova Liberation Army, UÇK. Asked whether this is the way to join all the Kosova political factors, Bukoshi said that "This might be a way. It is important that the political subjects and all the Kosova political factors understand each other and draft a joint platform. We should all be ready to sit down and reach this." /lh/mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |