Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-13

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Minister says government success related to fight against crime

[02] 13 thousand people of Lezha emigrate to different countries

[03] Assets of investment pyramid schemes to be sold

[04] Bank of Albania issues results of Treasury Bonds auction

[05] Council issues permit to construct agroindustrial park

[06] Limited use of pesticides saves Albanian flora

[07] "Dituria" to publish Allende's books in Albanian within this year

[08] High prices in Tirane market

[09] Kiosks to be removed around Skenderbeg memorial

[10] Telecom to trade 300 thousand phone cards monthly

[11] Port infrastructure does not meet fishing development demands, Lezhe

[12] KLA hails visits of Kosova officials to Tirana

[13] France provides humanitarian aid to Kamza

[14] Three Albanians killed in Kosova

[15] Parliament approves law "On registration and control of dinghies"

[16] First National Conference of Public Health starts Thursday

[17] Fruitful cooperation between Albania and European Union

[18] Odyssey of National Theater Troupe continues

[19] Dialogue between ruling party and opposition should continue

[20] Some 1,3 billion investments in education sector

[21] 4 billion lira for rehabilitation of schools in Albania

[22] U.S. Democratic Institution assists information in Albania

[23] German aid in medicaments for Kosova refugees

[24] Greek government accords funds for aqueduct of Vrion village

[25] Italy helps Albanian army in logistic

[26] Hajdaraga and Scognamiglio visit Italian military naval group 28, in Durres

[27] We are resolute to challenge crime - Minister

[01] Minister says government success related to fight against crime

"Fight by the state against anti state factor starts from the Skenderbeg square and ends at the remote parts of Albania," Ulqini said, adding that decades were needed to end this fight against the criminality. But the importance stood at the fact that this fight had started and was giving its first optimistic signs, he said.

Minister Ulqini said that fight against crime was one of the major problems in Albania and the Albanian government was not satisfied with what had been achieved.

"The government is engaged at the maximum to limit the time needed in fight again crime in general because the success or lack of success by the government is directly linked with that fight and maintenance of order and law in Albania," Ulqini said. /ypa/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] 13 thousand people of Lezha emigrate to different countries

The local labour office has reported that most of the emigrated are between 18 and 30 years old but there are others over 30 to 45.

Most of them have preferred to live and work in Italy and Greece. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Assets of investment pyramid schemes to be sold

Persons who have done illegal transactions on assets should return what they have profited from selling.

A special group which has established contacts with Interpol and some Swiss banks, have been created to that end. The return of capitals will be another possibility to compensate the creditors.

Other sources of income are selling of buildings which were owned by firms and others which yield assets are going to be used in favour of creditors.

There are buildings which are yielding assets and belong to Vefa, Silva and M. Leka investment pyramid schemes.

The selling of firm assets through auctions provided some $1 million. Eight other auctions and a public auction for all creditors are planned to be held during this year where assets of these companies are going to be sold. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Bank of Albania issues results of Treasury Bonds auction

Three, six and 12 month maturity period treasury bonds were sold in the auction. The total sum sold in the auction for the three month maturity period bonds was 1 billion and 500 million leks; the minimal interest accepted was 18.9%, the maximal interest was 20.3%, while the average interest was 20.018%.

The sum offered by the Finance Ministry for the six month maturity period bonds was 1.5 billion leks. In fact the sum sold in the auction was 1 billion 216 million and 400 thousand leks. The minimal interest accepted was 20.27%, the maximal interest accepted was 21.5%, while the average interest was 21.468%.

The total sum sold in the auction for the 12 month maturity period treasury bonds was 3 billion leks. The minimal interest accepted was 22.5%, the maximal accepted interest was 23%, while the average interest was 22.99%. /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Council issues permit to construct agroindustrial park

The meeting issued permit for the construction of an agroindustrial park in Durres, squares to collect and process solid urban garbage for Tirana, Durres and Kavaja districts.

Projects on changing destination to the area in "Qemal Stafa" road from an industrial to a residence area have been presented. Other projects on the construction of a block of apartments at the side of the Albania Today exhibition and tennis grounds in the Big Natural Park of Tirana will be approved. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Limited use of pesticides saves Albanian flora

Albania has an active population of 120 to 130 workers for every 100 hectares agricultural land in comparison to Europe which has 15 to 20.

The same sources said that 11 percent of Albanian farmers use only chemicals; 42 percent have never used pesticides. This had brought about the reduction of productivity on one hand and on the other it had increased the quantity of these products as well as kept the flora tidy.

Now, Albania is ranked among the first countries in Europe with BIO agricultural products.

Albania has a rich flora. It has 3 200 kinds of plants 29 percent of which can be found in the European flora and 47 percent in the Balkan flora.

Medicinal and aromatic plants of Albania are being exported by some private trade firms in some states. Some 37 percent of the agricultural exports of Albania are covered by medicinal herbs. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] "Dituria" to publish Allende's books in Albanian within this year

According to the Director of this publishing house, Petrit Ymeri, "Allende is informed about the publishing of her books. She has even signed a contract during November of the last year."

The writer Isabel Allende is known by our reader through her book "Spirit house" translated in Albanian by Viktor Kalemi and published in 1990 by the publishing house "Naim Frasheri".

The publishing house "Dituria", one of the most serious publishing house at home, is created 7 years ago. Its catalogue comprises more than 180 publishing of all kinds of literature such as the classic, contemporary, foreign and Albanian literature. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] High prices in Tirane market

According to a survey made today in some shops, a kilo of beefsteak is sold 1 200 leks, and a kilo of roast 1 000 leks. In the market "Pazari i Ri" a kilo of cheese was sold 700 leks, while the prices of the white cheese vary from 300-400 leks a kilo.

In the second week of January is marked a slight increase of the prices of some season vegetables. Rama said that the price of apples, grapes and other fruits imported from the neighboring countries continue to remain high.

The market of the capital continue to be supplied also by Albanian farmers, and especially by the peasants of Vore, Preze, Ndroqi, Kashari and others.

Many articles come to the Tirane market from other neighbouring districts such as Durres, Kruje, Kavaja, Lushnja, Fieri and others. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Kiosks to be removed around Skenderbeg memorial

Representatives of local government, town planning and Institute of Monuments of Culture in Tirana held a meeting recently to deal with the issue of kiosks.

Mimoza Zeneli, chief of cultural buildings in the city, said to ATA that the market near the Memorial would be removed to another appropriate place.

Some 79 kiosks placed around the memorial not only have ruined the view but also the park in front of it.

The memorial of Skenderbeg constructed in '81 is one of the important monuments of the Albanian national history which was and is being visited by domestic and foreign visitors. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Telecom to trade 300 thousand phone cards monthly

Telecom has planned to provide a continuous supply of phone cards with 300 thousands monthly. The Albanian Telecom has reached a contract with the Finish firm manufacturing phone cards for a first supply of 2.5 million cards.

Telecom has also reached contracts with the Savings Bank and Albanian Mail Enterprise to help increasing trade of cards. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Port infrastructure does not meet fishing development demands, Lezhe

After privatization, the new owners renewed the fishing fleet and enriched it with investments which brought not only an increase of the ships number, but also the enriching of the fishing means and fishing methods by using mainly the Italian and Greek experience.

Out of 15 fishing-boat encountered in 1990, in 1998 were numbered 40 more fishing-boats. Some $20 million are expended to buy these equipments.

Some 820 persons are employed in the fishing sector. The production is doubled due to the fleet modernization. Today are caught 20 000 kv fish, while this figure in 1989 varied from 9 000-10 000 kv fish.

Some raw sea productions much preferred from the foreign market, bring considerable incomes to the fish-dealers.

Some four conserving factories, with Italian investitors are actually operating their activities in Lezha city. These factories process more than 100 tons of fish, bringing thus an income of $500.000. The fish conserved in these factories is send to the Italian and Greek markets. The first factory set up in Lezhe is "INICA" company, where are employed 150 persons, while "Eurofish" factory has employed 200 other persons.

The "Poiseidon" Company has also set up a factory in Shengjin, with an investment worth $500 000. Some 200 persons are thought to be employed again during the first three month period of this year. The company "Mare Adriatic" has invested more than $200 000 for setting up a new line of fish conserving. In this city there exist also 6 fish collecting centers.

Sources from Lezhe custom house affirm that about 1200 tons of conserved fish are exported each year, by enclosing 6 million leks to the state budget.

The situation of the Shengjini port does not meet the demands for the development of this industry, which with its two piers is not able to face the work flux of the fishing fleet.

Although the Albanian government has accorded a fund worth 15 million leks to improve the conditions of these piers, the work has not begin to be carried out yet. The ship mending is actually made in the Durres port, although the European Council has accorded a fund of $340.000 for the building of ship construction-site in Lezhe.

In the meantime the specialists regard with concern the damage of Lezha lagoon, with a surface of 120 ha. Its degradation, has caused the disappearance of 47 out of 58 kinds of fish that were there previously. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] KLA hails visits of Kosova officials to Tirana

"A great progress has been achieved in intensifying the role of Albania's diplomacy in cooperating and creating a common body of the Albanian political forces which would serve find a solution to the issue and liberation war," Albin Kurti, secretary of the KLA political representative office told a news conference on Tuesday.

He also praised the visit in Tirana of the Academician Rexhep Qosja, head of the United Democratic Movement as well as Albania's role in uniting Albanian political forces and finding a solution to the Kosova issue.

Kurti said that other officials from Kosova had been invited to Tirana.

As regards the negotiations with the international mediation on the release of eight Serbian soldiers who had been taken hostage in a confrontation with the KLA, Kurti said "the KLA urges that they should be exchanged with Albanians who were kidnapped and arrested."

He said that "KLA has released more than 40 Serbs, militaries and policemen who were taken hostage, while Serb forces have not freed any Albanians and the number of Albanians missing after being kidnapped is increasing."

Kurti accused the Serb regime and secret police for all the attempted assassinations and murders which were increased in Kosova.

The assassination of the head of Kosova Information Center Enver Maloku in Prishtina" should be uncovered and KLA will contribute to this," Kurti said.

He called on members of the Serb nationality in Kosova "not to be manipulated and used by the Belgrade regime," as happens when armed civilians blocked roads. Kurti said that Kosova Serbs should not be personified with Belgrade regime.

"That regime does not represent and defend their interests and those of any others in Kosova," Albin Kurti told the news conference. /pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] France provides humanitarian aid to Kamza

"France has always aimed at showing its solidarity to the Albanian people even in hard times they are facing as well as concretely showing that it is contributing not only in cultural, scientific, technical, trade, military and police cooperation but also in improving daily life," press statement of the France Embassy in Albania.

It mentioned three realizations which would be inaugurated in Kamza; the construction of a bridge to enable children to go to school without difficulties, establishing a penthouse in an opened market to help traders sell during the winter and installing a generator for dozens families which are still without power.

"These cannot resolve all the troubles facing the population but directly facilitate them and remind us that friendship and solidarity are not vain words for France," the statement said. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Three Albanians killed in Kosova

An Albanian is killed in the yard of his house in Mitrovice, another in the street in Ferizaj, while another killed unidentified person lays in the village of Krivove, Gllogoc. No comment is given so far for the above mentioned killings.

In the wave of the unclear killings and attempted attacks, made rather frequent during the first weeks of this year, was killed in Prishtine two days ago the chief of the Kosova Information Center, Enver Maloku. The Albanians have accused the Serb secrete police for committing all these crimes. /P.Ta/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Parliament approves law "On registration and control of dinghies"

The People's Assembly convened today in an urgent plenary session, asked by the Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko. The demand of the Premier was to immediately pass through Parliament the draft-law, approved by the Government a month ago. The law "On the registration and control of navigation vessels under 20 tons," which was approved with the majority of the deputies'votes, with the consent of the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, enters into force immediately. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] First National Conference of Public Health starts Thursday

Along with the complete presentation of the health system in Albania, the Conference aims at drafting the health policies for the improvement of the health of the population.

"The Ministry of Health has drafted programs, but the necessity for the Albanian health sector is drafting a health strategy with a 20-year vision, with a defined strategy and system, which can be also called "The Constitution in Health," the Albanian Minister of Health, Leonard Solis told ATA on Wednesday.

Solis also said that the two main documents for the Albanian health policy have been drafted so far in the pharmaceutic and dentists' treat. But, the investment in the field of health is important for all, mainly for the prevention of diseases, underlined Solis.

According to him, the fund per capita in the health system, worth $40, has been defined so far. Now, the ways of how and where to use this fund should be defined in order to prevent the diseases, he added. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Fruitful cooperation between Albania and European Union

The President's press and Information office reports that during the meeting Meidani and Germano exchanged opinions on the 5-year cooperation of the European Union of Albania, by identifying the important projects in economy, infrastructure financed by this institution.

President Meidani and Ambassador Germano highlighted the role that the Albanian administration should play for the acceleration of all procedures to attract the investments of projects in Albania.

Ambassador Germano noted with pleasure the respect of the institutional spirit in the Albanian political life in spite of the difficulties in the last year.

Albanian President congratulated especially for the contribution and assistance of the Ambassador in the consolidation of the relations of Albania with the European Union wishing him successes in the new post he will be charged with. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Odyssey of National Theater Troupe continues

This was decided Wednesday in a meeting of the artists of the National Theater.

"We will meet with PM Majko to explain to him the problem which is related with the existence of the National Theater," was the unanimous opinion expressed by all the artists present in the meeting.

The acting director of the National Theater, Sulejman Dibra, who supports the demands of the artists, stressed that "the coming Saturday the National Theater will resume its performance."

The artists discussed a special status that the National Theater must have in their defence. They also asked the withdrawal of the Minister of Culture Edi Rama, who, according to them, "is leading the theater to its elimination, although the national Theater has a 70-year existence." /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Dialogue between ruling party and opposition should continue

According to Topalli, the government should keep the promise for the establishment of an independent investigating group to uncover the murder of former DP deputy Azem Hajdari.

"The Democratic Party is working on drafting a law which will enable the establishment of this team, and then we will wait for the reaction of the government, which, if it will be positive, will influence on easing the political situation in the country.

But, on the other side Topalli expressed reserves towards the current government, stressing that only the establishment of a broad-based technocrat government will create premises for the solution of problems that the country is going through, like the restoration of order, disarmament of population, and will create the conditions for early elections. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Some 1,3 billion investments in education sector

Some 60 million lek are accorded from this amount to the preschool education, 610 million lek to the 8-year education, 210 million lek to the high school and 135 million lek to the higher education.

The respective department in the Ministry of Education and Science has made the distribution of funds by defining the priority sectors. For this purpose, some 487 600 000 lek or some 48% of the general fund for investments have been defined for this aim, according to Bogdani.

Also, during the ongoing year, the priorities will be mainly the education sectors of Tirana, in which over the last three years, no investment has been carried out, because "the intervention of foundations and foreign donors was expected," stressed Bogdani. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] 4 billion lira for rehabilitation of schools in Albania

According to the director of coordination-development department in the Ministry of Education and Science, Isuf Bogdani, "6 new schools with 48 classrooms will be built with the money, along with the restructuring of 21 other educational institutions." The project drafted for this purpose includes all the districts, with priority the buildings which are most indispensable. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] U.S. Democratic Institution assists information in Albania

Ulqini briefed on the work of the Ministry and presented the needs it has in its first steps, the Ministry of Information reported to ATA.

The U.S. representatives expressed the readiness to assist the special sectors of the ministry, like training of the staff and the necessary materials in the field of media. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] German aid in medicaments for Kosova refugees

A report of the German embassy in Tirana for the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) says that the supply in medicaments is part of an aid from Germany for the Kosova refugees in Albania. The first part of this aid was delivered by the former Foreign Minister, Kinkel, during his visit in Bajram Curri last year.

The medicaments will be distributed to the hospitals in Tirana, Durres, Shkoder, Kukes and Lezhe. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Greek government accords funds for aqueduct of Vrion village

The deputy of this area, Ziso Lluci, also initiator for the construction of the new aqueduct, told ATA that the delivery of this fund will start soon, as well as the tender procedures.

According to Lluci, the Greek government will also help with a fund of 35 million drachmas for the construction of another aqueduct in the zone of the Greek minority of Livadhja.

The Greek government has helped the district of Delvina and Saranda several times over the last six years, mainly in infrastructure, like in construction of aqueducts, roads and others. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Italy helps Albanian army in logistic

This is the last part of the aid, included in a project, which was approved by both armies for 1998, which consists of 60 transport means, equipment worth 2.33 million lek, spare parts for the technics and other equipment.

Appreciating this aid of the Italian government, the Albanian Minister of Defence, Hajdaraga, pointed out that the constant relations of aid and cooperation between the two armies will create the confidence and mutual security of good neighbouring and maintenance of peace and security for our countries, the region of Balkans and wider.

The Italian Minister of Defence, Scognamiglio, hailed the necessity of cooperation in the future against the illegal traffics and voiced the readiness to further strengthen the ties with Italy. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Hajdaraga and Scognamiglio visit Italian military naval group 28, in Durres

The group, operating on the basis of an agreement between the Albanian Government and the Italian one, is charged with the task to stop illegal crossing of the Adriatic sea towards Italy.

The commander of the group, colonel Giuseppe Scarpucci, briefed ministers Hajdaraga and Scognamiglio, of the work made in the fight against trafficking. Then, the two ministers had a talk with the Italian group in Durres. The meeting in Durres closed the two-day visit of the Italian Minister of Defence to Albania. Today at noon, minister Scognamiglio left for Rome. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] We are resolute to challenge crime - Minister

The jubilee meeting was attended by Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, deputy Parliament Speaker, Namik Dokle and members of the government cabinet. It was opened by the Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci.

Mr Koci highlighted the work made so far by police forces, adding that there will be no compromise with the violators of the law. "We are resolute to challenge the crime," said Koci.

Representatives of MAPE and INTERFORCA also read messages of greetings in the meeting.

At the end of it, the President Meidani awarded medals to some police members and 53 militaries were upgraded by decision of the Public Order Minister. /dast/xh/

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