Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-16

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Telecom of Durres, 63 million lek more than annual plan

[02] Order results positive, despite problems, says Koci

[03] Work in iron-chrome plant in Mat interrupted

[04] French award for Association "Friends of Villa Dea"

[05] Lack of witnesses puts off trial against Myrteza Çaushi

[06] CAM mission in Albania to be extended

[07] "We agree with kiosks removal, but we are are against library-kiosks removal" - Publishing association

[08] Albania Minister of Culture meets Greek personalities

[09] Telecommunications - first to be privatized

[10] New profiles in professional schools

[11] Collection of weapons in Gramsh starts on 26 January

[12] Crime prevention in capital, object of "Safer cities-Tirana" project

[13] Drafting of legislation in accordance with Constitution gathers senior state, government officials

[14] Dormitary conditions improved, Shkoder

[15] Greek aid to improve infrastructure in Aliko commune

[16] El Relief association provides aid for Kosova people

[17] Round table on how media highlights conflicts

[18] Customs officials abandon duty

[19] Police find equipment stolen in Protestant church

[20] Minister says Italian govt. misunderstands Albania's attitude on Kosova

[21] Fighting continues in regions near Albania border

[22] 80 Albanians killed, massacred in Shtimje

[23] Yugoslav armoured vehicle patrols border

[24] Kosova leader urges NATO immediate intervention

[25] Albanian, Italian relations continue to be good - minister

[26] Kosova president declares mourning day

[01] Telecom of Durres, 63 million lek more than annual plan

The analysis of work for 1998 shows that from 383 million lek encased, the lion's share is that from telephone services, which are no more than 15 per cent ensuring 313 million of income.

The chief of the finance branch of that affiliate, Majlinda Ciraku told ATA that the telephone boxes service has ensured 47.8 million lek.

The service of telegraphy has tripled its incomes to 3.4 million lek through the fax service. While radio-communication, once most wanted in that affiliate, has realised only 43 per cent of the plan. According to Ciraku, the lower demand for this service is related with the privatization of the trade fleet whose ships seek now other ways of communication. /lh/xh/

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[02] Order results positive, despite problems, says Koci

Minister Koci accepted that during the work of the Ministry he heads, too many difficulties have been faced, but anyhow, the results remain relative. He mentioned among others the enormous economic, social and mainly the psychological problems the Albanian people is going through.

"Anyhow, the structures which have old elements should be renovated," said Koci.

With regard to the disarmament of the population, he said that "this problem does not belong only to the ministry I head, but we will undertake complex operations regarding this issue."

The Minister of Public Order is soon expected to take some structural reforms in the ministry, which aim at making the structures of the Albanian police more efficacious. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Work in iron-chrome plant in Mat interrupted

The biggest production enterprise in the district of Mat and countrywide is facing financial difficulties announced some months ago by the Albkrom Corporation and the respective Ministry. The deficits accumulated for the payments of social insurances, those for the electric affiliate, the superfluous labour force, at least 270 of the workers have to leave their jobs, all these have led the plant to a full collapse. lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] French award for Association "Friends of Villa Dea"

"Villa Dea" is the first mental house in Albania, set up from a project of the Children Development Center with the support of the Association "The European House" and Soros Foundation.

"Villa Dea" serves since 15 months as a psychiatric and social rehabilitation house for a group of mentally disabled children.

The daily function of this center is based on a series of activities like reading, cooking lessons, personal hygiene and others.

This award was given to this association on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Statement for Human Rights. /pas/mt/

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[05] Lack of witnesses puts off trial against Myrteza Çaushi

The witness Sulejman Aliaj, summoned to testify for the murder of his son, policeman by profession, has asked with persistence to set Zani free by considering him not guilty for the murder of his son.

The lack of other witnesses, summoned by the accusation, forced the court's jury to postpone the sitting to 21 January.

This was the nineteenth sitting held in the Tirana Court against Myrteza Caushi and his collaborators. In the previous sittings, the witnesses responded to the questions of the court's jury which were often contradictory with the ones confessed before during the investigating process. Thus, a witness will face trial for false testimony.

The gang of Çole is accused of a series of crimes, including murders, kidnapping, hostages, raping, robbing. It includes all the penal acts carried out by Myrteza Caushi alone, or in collaboration with the other members of the gang. /a.ke/mt/

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[06] CAM mission in Albania to be extended

Angjeli considered as positive the extension of the agreement for the operation in the future of the mission of the European Customs in Albania. He urged the Italian party a deeper assistance, training of the Albanian staff in the system of finances, also including the customs structures, as well as institutionalized establishment of the exchange of information to eliminate the fiscal evasion in Albania and Italy. Minister Angjeli asked entering into force as soon as possible of the agreement for the elimination of the double tax, as well as assistance for the preparation of the draft- law "On tobaccoes," by applying in Albania the Italian experience of the state monopoly. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] "We agree with kiosks removal, but we are are against library-kiosks removal" - Publishing association

"We are convinced that the kiosks removal is a necessity, but the book selling points should not be removed, on the contrary they must become more frequent, on the bases of the laws and regulations," is said in the declaration.

The leaders of 40 publishing houses stress that on the present conditions of damages on the book network, these selling points and book kiosks remain the only centers which offer books to the readers. "The removal of these kiosks, would leave Tirane almost without libraries, bringing absurd circumstances to the capital," the declaration said.

According to the association the library-kiosks are the only activity which are set up and function according to the regular legal procedures and which have got licenses.

The Albanian Publishing Association was created in '93 and comprises about 40 publishing houses from Albania, Kosova and Macedonia.

This association has taken part in several International Fairs where they have introduced the Albanian book. This association has taken place in Frankfort, Geneva, Tirane and other fairs. /pas/A.A/

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[08] Albania Minister of Culture meets Greek personalities

In the opening address of the conference, Rama stressed that "on by developing the huge cultures we have inherited in this region, we can prepare a better millennium that the one we are leaving behind."

In the grounds where the conference is being held, Minister Rama met with the Greek President, Kostis Stefanopulos, as well as with the Parliament Speaker, Apostolos Kaklamanis.

On Saturday, Minister Rama met with leaders of the "Llaci" foundation, from which he asked financial support for several cultural projects, like the organization of the first International Theater Festival "Argjiro '99," which is expected to be held during this year in the fortress of Gjirokaster.

Minister Rama also met with his Greek counterpart Venezellos with whom he discussed about the reconstruction of the National Theater of Albania.

The Greek Minister of Culture expressed the delight to visit Tirana soon. In the framework of this visit, a detailed cooperation agreement in the field of art and culture will be signed between the two countries.

During his stay in Greece, Minister Rama also met with the director of the National Theater of Athens, Nikos Kourkoulos. In this visit, Rama is accompanied by the chief of the cabinet, Blendi Gonxhe, the director for the coordination of youth policies, Vasilika Vjero, as well as by the director of the working group for drafting the Law on the Live Spectacle, Xhevdet Ferri. /pas/mt/

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[09] Telecommunications - first to be privatized

So the Albanian Mobile Communication is to enter the privatization procedures in the first three month period of 1999.

The liberalization process, is to give a direct impact on the decrease of mobile telephones and the fix telephone taxes. New opportunities are created for foreign investments and collaboration between the Albanian and foreign investors with this service liberalization.

The Public Work Ministry is not to allow the exclusiveness be release to any firm or company which operates in the telecommunications field.

The foreign financial consultancy is to be taken for the successful realization of this project, according to a project in collaboration with the World Bank.

Actually, the Albanian Telecommunication sector, is the most successful one. He gives the state budget millions of $US income, and the competition among the companies which want to privatize this sector, is foreseen to be very severe. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] New profiles in professional schools

Actually, in 12 education institutions function new profiles, and we have undertaken changes to reconstruct the teaching-plans, the Director of the high education in the Ministry of Education and Science, Rexhep Kuço, told ATA. Amid these schools he mentioned "Beqir ÇELA" school in Durres, the construction school "Karl Gega" as well as the technologic school in Tirane. A lot of pupils begun studding this year in the electro-energetic, hotel specialists and other profiles.

Several professional schools are opened in Fier, Golem, Vlore, Cerrik and other cities. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Collection of weapons in Gramsh starts on 26 January

The operation for the collection of weapons starts in the commune of Tunje and will continue for several months by being extended in other communes of the district, the program coordinator, Philip Piera, told ATA.

The action aims at realizing the collection of weapons in exchange of investments in the infrastructure of the district, said Piera. There are four projects for these investments. Actually, drafting of the project for the telephone connection of communes with the town of Gramsh has already finished. By the end of January it is expected to finish the project of electricity in Gramsh through two lines, while the project for the construction of a road in the commune of Tunje will finish within February. The fourth and the last project is the construction of a bridge in Sulth which is being drafted.

The affiliates of Telecom and the Albanian power generation firm (KESH), the engineers and the local labour power will be involved in the realization of these projects.

The pilot-project started in June 1998, when a mission, headed by the deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Jayantha Dhanapala, visited Albania. Gramsh was appointed for the implementation of this project because some 10-12 per cent of the weapons, looted during the riots of 1997, were in this district. Some 1000 weapons have been voluntarily handed in, while some 10 000 others are still in the hands of the population. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Crime prevention in capital, object of "Safer cities-Tirana" project

The project "Safer cities-Tirana" provides the local authorities of Tirana with practical support regarding the security problems. It will help the local authorities, as well as the inhabitants to halt crime and its causes, the spokesman of the Tirana town-hall, Dritan Nasi, told ATA.

The program Safer-cities is now being applied in Johanesbourg and Dar- es-Salam. The localization of problems and concentration of multilateral efforts in this direction, accompanied with local investments, will bring lowering of illegal traffics.

From this project, which will last three years, it is expected the institutionalization of relations with the Non Government Organizations, as well as the extension of experiences gained throughout the country. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Drafting of legislation in accordance with Constitution gathers senior state, government officials

According to the press an information department close to the President, present in the meeting were the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, Premier Pandeli Majko, Speaker of Parliament Skender Gjinushi, member of governmental cabinet, representatives of the state institutions, deputes and others.

The aim of the meeting was the coordination and encouragement of further steps in drafting of that part of legislation, which is connected with the putting into power of Constitution as well as the transparency which should characterize these steps.

Hailing the work done so far, President Meidani, considered as important the acceleration of work in this direction and the creation of a center which was to coordinate the work of each institution interested in the above mentioned legislative changes.

The people present in the meeting expressed their views for the way, terms and the organization of this important lawmaking process and hailed the importance of transparency of this process. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Dormitary conditions improved, Shkoder

The director of the students treating, Ramiz Bilaloi, told ATA that some 350 mattresse, 770 sheets, 500 pillos, 100 beds, 100 shelves, and 6 color televisions are bought with a fund worth 4 million leks and accorded by the state budget. These materials substituted the old existing ones, he added.

The work to improve the conditions of the dormitories in this city is to continue further on. According to Bilali, the reconstruction of the boys dormitary, and the large boiler are also foreseen to be made with the same fund.

In the meantime, are being realized the other requests presented by the Students Union. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Greek aid to improve infrastructure in Aliko commune

Vasil Joanu, head of the commune, said to ATA that this aid given by the youth non government association of the "New Democracy" party would serve facilitate water supply for inhabitants.

He said that water pipe lines would be rehabilitated in Aliko and Caush villages.

The Aliko commune has also received aid from Cypriot non government association in the last two years which helped construct a school and adjust new center of the commune. /s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] El Relief association provides aid for Kosova people

Director of the association Sait El Hamdi said that the aid including foodstuff, mattress, boots, shoes would be distributed to 3 100 people from Kosova.

This is the fourth time that the association brings aid for the Kosova people. The aid is estimated at some US$ 300 thousand, director of the association said adding that they had taken measures to distribute aid every month.

In September 1998, some 4 600 Kosovars arrived in Shkodra through the border point of Vermosh. Part of them preferred the seaside cities while 3 100 of them had been accommodated in Shkodra families and accommodation centers. /pas/ak/

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[17] Round table on how media highlights conflicts

The aim of the round table was to reveal the results of the first phase of a project on monitoring the written daily press, which was conducted by both foundations.

The first phase monitored the media between November 15 to December 15 of 1998 and included the newspapers Albania, Gazeta Shqiptare, Shekulli, Koha Jone, Republika, Zeri i Popullit, Rilindja Demokratike and Mesuesi.

Major conflicts monitored included beatings, murders, wounding, revenge, bloodfeud, family disputes and property disputes and others.

The result of monitoring showed that the property disputes were first with 18.3 percent followed by murders with 18.2 percent.

Another conflict grouping includes violence against people such as grabbing, theft, rape, violence against property and persons which are estimated at 25.6 percent of the conflicts.

The project aims at analysing the conflicts, selecting and defining involvement of most possible persons and age groups in conflict. Detailed conclusion will be given at the end of the project by the end of February. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Customs officials abandon duty

Sources from the customs house said that they had allowed four trucks carrying smuggled iron to cross the border two days ago. This case was uncovered by the Directorate General of the Customs House and other bodies.

The four trucks carried 160 tons of iron worth US$ 64 thousand. They should have paid to the customs some 3.9 million leks.

Prosecutor's office is investigating on the case. /s.s/ak/

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Police find equipment stolen in Protestant church

A spokesman of the police said on Saturday that based on evidence and finger prints, police managed not only to find the equipment stolen in the church but also to identify those responsible of the theft.

Police did not reveal the place where equipment were hidden and names of robbers. Police are trying to catch them.

Unknown persons stole on Thursday night different equipment of the headquarter of the Protestant Church in Tirana.

The church officials said that two armed and masked persons had stolen three computers, an electric generator, a photocopy machine, two radio receivers and some electric household appliances. /pas/ak/

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[20] Minister says Italian govt. misunderstands Albania's attitude on Kosova

Milo responded to a question on how he commented the statement of his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini on Thursday saying that "the Italian government is disillusioned and concerned over Tirana attitude on the Kosova issue, an equivocal attitude which does not back the attitude of the international community."

Milo refused to elaborate on what he considered "a misunderstanding on part of Italy".

"Italians wanted to be informed on talks between the Albanian government officials with Albanian leaders of Kosova," he said.

Milo added: "After talks, the Italian side expressed full understanding on our attitude, as well as what Fini considered 'emotional aspect' towards compatriots."

Minister Milo who was in Rome on Friday with a delegation headed by the Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko commented on the statements of the chief of the Yugoslav diplomacy Zivadin Jovanovic who accused Albania "of being a shelter of international terrorism."

"One can expect everything from Yugoslavia," Milo said adding that "Jovanovic's statement was a propaganda bomb which was no surprise to anyone."

As regards Italy's attitude on Jovanovic's statement Milo quoted Italian prime minister D'Alema as saying "Italy cannot accept any aggressive act against Albania."

"This does need no comment," Milo said implying that the statement of Jovanovic was considered by the Albanian government a threatening for a possible aggression against Albania.

Asked by ATA that what was going to happen if, as the KLA has warned, contacts with the international community would be interrupted unless its fighters arrested by the Serb authorities were released within 10 days as it was promised by the OSCE, Milo said that he would not want such thing happened.

"Maximum efforts should be undertaken to launch a dialogue and hope that the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) would know how to act for a peaceful solution to the conflict in cooperation with the community and particularly with the OSCE verifiers," Milo said.

He added: "War is the last solution when all other possibilities have failed." ypa/ak/

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[21] Fighting continues in regions near Albania border

Kosova press news agency and other Albanian sources said that Serb military and police forces had used tanks, armoured carriers, heavy artillery to attack and bomb the villages of Ratishte, Dashinoc and Mazniq early on Saturday.

In the early hours of the attack, the Serb forces had launched 22 rockets. The villages of Dushkaja region were attacked with heavy explosive weapons not used so far, sources said.

Forces of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) operating in the area of Dukagjin have responded to the Serb attacks. The KLA fighters are helping evacuate the population of the attacked area. There are no reports on damages.

The same sources said that two Albanians were shot and killed while travelling on Friday night in Shkabaj village, near Prishtine. /lh/ak

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[22] 80 Albanians killed, massacred in Shtimje

Most of them were women, old men and children. They were killed while trying to flee the attack and found dead out of the village. Killed and massacred people were also found in houses with 24 persons killed in a room.

Eight out of all killed and massacred in Recak are KLA members. LDK sources in Shtimje said that there were no reports on casualties in Mollopolc and Petrove villages, which were the targets of the attack of large Serb military, police and paramilitary forces.

Sources said that identification of those killed and massacred was continuing. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Yugoslav armoured vehicle patrols border

A spokesman of the Order Ministry said to ATA that an armoured carrier had patrolled along the border between 14.20 and 15.00. p.m. in the area of the Qafe Morina border crossing.

The vehicle belonged to the Yugoslav army and carried 20 soldiers, the spokesman said. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Kosova leader urges NATO immediate intervention

Rugova said that an energetic and decisive international intervention could stop the Serb military and police machine and create preliminaries for a political solution to the Kosova issue. Rugova made the statement after yesterday's massacres of Serb forces in Shtimje region.

He strongly denounced the massacre of the Albanian population and said that the heavy attack of Serb forces against the Shtimje region was undertaken while the international factors were engaged in finding a political solution to the Kosova issue.

The attack against the civilian population was a flagrant opposition to these efforts, Rugova said in his statement.

He urged international energetic intervention in Kosova in today's meetings with an extensive delegation of the Foreign commission of the Norwegian parliament and Swiss ambassador to Belgrade Pol Vilfi.

Many political parties and organisations condemned the massive execution of Albanians in villages of Shtimje and asked for urgent deployment of NATO forces in Kosova. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Albanian, Italian relations continue to be good - minister

Milo, who briefed journalists on a visit of an Albanian delegation headed by prime minister Pandeli Majko in Rome on Friday, said that everything was contrary to the climate created by part of the press which said that the Albanian delegation would be in a difficult position due to some sensitive issues such as emigrants' trafficking.

"Issues like that of emigrants were discussed by both sides on basis of a reciprocal responsibility and they also dealt with the issue of an Italian-Albanian mafia," Milo said.

He added that Italians praised the approval of a law on dinghies by the Albanian parliament, which would be an efficacious measure against emigrants' trafficking in the future.

Minister Milo said that the Italian government showed its readiness to help Albania in different fields and that within March it would deliver 50 percent of the Italian aid to Albania.

The good climate existing in relations between the two countries was shown by the fact that some Italian senior officials accepted the invitations of premier Majko to visit Albania, Milo said.

Milo added that the leader of the Aleanza Nacionale, an opposition party, Gianfranco Fini would visit Albania by the end of the month and minister of Italian Foreign Trade Piero Fasino would visit Albania in February. /ypa/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Kosova president declares mourning day

Sources of the presidency said that "following the massacres of dozens of Albanians in the commune of Shtimje by Serb military and police forces, the president of the Republic of Kosova declares Sunday, January 17, 1998 a mourning day in Kosova to honour the victims." lh/ak/

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