Read The Treatment of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire (Part 1) (by Viscount Bryce) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-03-29

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] Albanian Foreign Ministry protests to attack on Albanian Embassy in Belgrade
  • [02] Urgent meeting of Albanian Government
  • [03] Massive flow of Kosovars estimated at 50 thousand people - Minister
  • [04] Emergency measures in Albania to accommodate displaced Kosovars
  • [05] Emergent measures by Albanian Government to face situation
  • [06] Urgent meeting of Albanian Government ends
  • [07] About 3000 Kosovars expected to be sheltered in Tirane on Monday
  • [08] Entire political spectrum meets to face situation in Albania
  • [09] Number of Kosovars estimated at 60 thousand people
  • [10] Some 70 000 people have come from Kosova until now
  • [11] Truck with 50 Kosovars arrives in Durres
  • [12] Customs of Morine closed
  • [13] nearly 2 000 Kosovars housed in Durres prefecture
  • [14] Majko says another 100 000 Kosova refugees expected to arrive in Albania
  • [15] KLA calls on Kosova Albanians not to flee their hearths
  • [16] Health Ministry adopts measures for Kosova refugees
  • [17] Parliament adopts statement on Kosova
  • [18] "Friends of Albania" to help Albanian government cope with situation
  • [19] Contribution to be calculated upon minimal level of salaries
  • [20] Some 132 vehicles bound for Kukes
  • [21] Salaries increase to be postponed
  • [22] Some 500 Kosova refugees accommodated by Tirane inhabitants
  • [23] Albania-Austria:Cooperation agreement between Trade Chambers to be assigned
  • [24] Nearly 300 tons fuels toward Northern Albania
  • [25] Camps for Kosova refugees in capital
  • [26] Financial limits of public budget in details
  • [27] Morine border station reopened
  • [28] Budgetary employees deposit 5% of monthly salary for Kosova new comers
  • [29] All Albanians in support of Kosova brothers - DBSH
  • [30] Albanian parliament urges NATO to stop Milosevic crimes
  • [31] Albania- Sllovakia : Trade Chambers to assign cooperation agreememnt
  • [32] 15 thousand Kosovars leave Kukes for other Albanian districts
  • [33] Premier says influx of Kosovars concerns both Albanian govt.,state and international community
  • [34] Minister says present situation - real humanitarian catastrophe
  • [35] Increase trains' number of Shkoder-Tirana railway line
  • [36] First train with Kosovars leaves Mjeda for Tirana
  • [37] EU to help Albania face Kosova refugee problem
  • [38] DAP says Albanians to respond government appeal to help Kosovars
  • [39] 400 Kosovars settled in Kavaja
  • [40] Albanian premier meets Italian minister
  • [41] Premier says Agani's execution - another fatal sign on what Belgrade is preparing

  • [01] Albanian Foreign Ministry protests to attack on Albanian Embassy in Belgrade

    TIRANE, March 29 (ata) - Albanian Foreign Ministry protested Sunday afternoon through a statement to the attack on Sunday against the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Belgrade by groups of Serb nationalists, causing considerable material damage to the embassy.

    The Albanian Foreign Ministry considers this incident "as grave and an unprecedented act in the diplomatic relations of the two countries," and as "an act which runs counter to the Vienna Convention and other international documents."

    The Foreign Ministry of Albania considers these acts as "primitive" and "they add more responsibility to those who are demonstrating their crisis and their all-sided international political isolation."

    "The attack with inflammable substance against Albanian Embassy in Belgrade, which is a sovereign and invulnerable institution of the Republic of Albania, is another sign of the aggressive policies of the Belgrade regime and its insistence to spillover the conflict in the region and to set all the Balkans on fire," the statement writes.

    "The Albanian Government will continue to follow with a special attention the stances of the authorities of Belgrade and will continue to act accordingly, ends the statement of the Albanian Foreign Ministry. /f.n./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] Urgent meeting of Albanian Government

    TIRANE, March 29 (ata) - Albanian Information Ministry reports that the Government will convene on 1 a.m. on Monday in a special meeting to analyze the situation in the country.

    It will, reportedly, call on the International Community to intervene immediately to halt the real human disaster in Kosove. /f.n./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Massive flow of Kosovars estimated at 50 thousand people - Minister

    TIRANE, March 29 (ata) - By K Shehu: The Minister of Information Musa Ulqini confirmed to ATA on late Sunday evening that "the massive flow of the refugees from Kosove is increasing."

    Referring to the latest reports for the Ministry of Information, Ulqini said that "50 thousand Kosovar refugees reached the Prefecture of Kukes on Sunday."

    Ulqini said that their influx keeps increasing and "for the economic state of Albania, such a situation is hard to be overcome."

    For the creation of the best optimal conditions for the Kosovars, Ulqini said that "all Albanians must provide their assistance."

    Ulqini explained that "many army vehicles are going towards the city of Kukes to transport the Kosovars to other cities of Albania, where local governments have prepared conditions to shelter them. /xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] Emergency measures in Albania to accommodate displaced Kosovars

    TIRANE, March 29 (ata) - The commission for the accommodation of the people coming from Kosove was set up in the Prefecture of Tirane by a special decision of the Council of Ministers of Albania adopted on Sunday, Ministry of Information told ATA.

    According to reports coming from the communes of this prefecture, the commune of Golem, Kavaje district, is ready to accommodate 430-500 people, while the commune Preze about 100 Kosovars.

    A citizen of Tirane, Ramiz Cerkanji, said he could give shelter to about 100 people, whereas other citizens have voiced their readiness to take people from Kosova to their homes.

    In the Students Centre No.3, measures have been adopted to accommodate 100 people from Kosove. /xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] Emergent measures by Albanian Government to face situation

    TIRANE, March 29 (ata) - The Council of Ministers adopted on Sunday afternoon the decision for a limitation of the budgetary expenses for 1999 in order to overcome the emergent situation the country is passing, Albanian Ministry of Information reports.

    This decision, which is temporary, determines in details of the limits to be applied in various expenses for all state institutions.

    The Council of Ministers decided in its meeting to add to the budget of the Defence Ministry for this year operational expenses estimated at 27 million lek to pay the reservists.

    The Council of Ministers decided strict measures for the good management of humanitarian aid and to create all facilities for their crossing through Albanian customs houses.

    The meeting also decided that the first big centre, in the form of camping, for the refugees from Kosove must be set up immediately in Cape of Rodon, near Durres. /f.n./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] Urgent meeting of Albanian Government ends

    TIRANE, March 29 (ata) - The Information Ministry reports that the meeting of the Albanian Government held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister Pandeli Majko has ended. It discussed and adopted measures for the state of emergency in northeastern zone of the country.

    The Albanian Government has adopted measures for the evacuation of 50 000 Kosovars who have reached the prefecture of Kukes and other cities since the beginning of NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia.

    The reports also say that the Albanian Government will convene again on Monday to take other measures for the accommodation of the displaced Kosovars who have come to Albania to escape Serb aggression. /f.n/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] About 3000 Kosovars expected to be sheltered in Tirane on Monday

    Tirane, March 28 (ata) - Nearly 3000 people coming from Kosove are expected to arrive in Tirane on Monday, Albanian Information Ministry told ATA.

    Most of this group have arrived in north eastern Albania in the past two days and will be accommodated in the Asllan Rusi palace of sports and in the Dinamo sport compound.

    During the last Sunday, work has been going on in the Asllan Rusi sports palace to create necessary conditions for the Kosova refugees. /f.n./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Entire political spectrum meets to face situation in Albania

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - The governor of Durres, Martin Cukalla, held Sunday a meeting with the entire political spectrum of Durres regarding the situation created due to the influx of people coming from Kosova, the Ministry of Information reported to ATA.

    Cukalla reported in this meeting about the measures taken by the prefecture of this town, as well as about the preparation of bomb shelters, readiness of the hospital, as well as the organization of work for the accommodation of the displaced Kosovars.

    The meeting also stressed that the officials of taxes and tariffs and other controlling bodies have been asked to be careful and prevent any speculation regarding the price of food items.

    The inhabitants have been called to clean bomb shelters, to donate blood and to accommodate the Kosova brothers. /f.n./mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Number of Kosovars estimated at 60 thousand people

    KUKES, March 29 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: The number of Kosovars in the district of Kukes is estimated at 60 thousand people.

    Convoys of vehicles with people have continued throughout the night, going towards Kukes through the border point of Morina.

    According to the spokesman of the prefecture, Emri Peca, nearly 60 000 persons entered Kukes until Monday morning. The people were mainly women, children and elders.

    The distribution of displaced Kosovars started early on Sunday. Nearly 1700 persons left towards Durres by army vehicles and busses. A convoy of vehicles has arrived from Berat, which has taken more than 400 persons. Others have started towards Shkoder with the aim to be distributed in other districts of the country by train. /pas/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] Some 70 000 people have come from Kosova until now

    KUKES, March 29 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: The influx of people coming from Kosova is estimated at 70 thousand people until now. The number of the displaced Kosovars is increasing quickly, because the people are displaced also from big cities like Prizeren, Peja and Prishtina, under the threat of Serbs to completely empty Kosova.

    The structures of local government, despite the efforts being made, find it difficult to cope with this influx of people, although measures are taken to distribute them to other zones of the country.

    According to Qemal Parllaku, chairman of the commission for the evacuation of Kosovars, more than 110 vehicles with some 3000 persons have left for Lushnje, Berat, Bulqize and Mjede early on Monday. While 8000 persons left Sunday from Kukes. Too many leave, meanwhile that too many come.

    This influx of people has also influenced on the increase of prices for different items.

    Different small vehicles of Kosovars are leaving in convoys towards field zones under the control of the road police. /s.s/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] Truck with 50 Kosovars arrives in Durres

    DURRES, March 29 (ATA) - By G. Kabashi: Nearly 50 Kosovars arrived on Monday morning in the town of Durres. They left on Sunday evening from Kukes by a truck and travelled all night. They are all children, women and elders.

    The truck, which stopped for half an hour in the center of Durres, was surrounded by scores of citizens who offered them food items. A very old Kosovar told ATA that he was coming from Dushanove village, but there are too many others from different zones of Kosova, he added. While, a woman has fled her home in Vernice together with her six children.

    The newcomers are being distributed in the hosting centers and in families.

    Meanwhile, hundreds of other Kosovars are expected to arrive in Durres. /s.s./mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] Customs of Morine closed

    KUKES, March 29(ATA)-By R. Hoxha, The Serb police have stopped Kosova's refugees passage through the Morine customs.

    Sources from the Kukes district police commissariat told ATA that today, at around 11.00, the Serb police have prevented passage via the Morine customs, while thousands of Kosova refugees are waiting to enter the Kukes district.

    According to the head of the office to host the Kosova refugees close to the Local Government Ministry, Enton Lika, thousands of Kosovar refugees are waiting beyond the border and their number is thought to reach 100 000 within today.

    The number of the arrivals in the Kukes district so far has been brought to about 70 000 people, while a part of them continues to move in the direction of the lowland areas on buses, vans, military vehicles and other transportation means.

    The local government has called on the vehicle owners to engage in transporting the refugees towards the country's lowland areas. /s.s/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] nearly 2 000 Kosovars housed in Durres prefecture

    DURRES, March 29 (ATA)-By K. Kabashi, More than 1 500 Kosovars fleeing the fighting zones arrived overnight and early in the morning in Durres prefecture, while 500 others, who have temporarily stopped at Mamurras will be accommodated in the coastal district.

    The Durres governor, Martin Cukalla, told ATA that the local government has totally provided their accommodation and the necessary food reserves.

    Maminas, Kruje, Durres and Kavaje will be the main points of gathering Kosovars. Meanwhile, numerous are the telephone calls from citizens offering their hospitality to the Kosovar brothers. Two brothers in Sukth have offered a warehouse of 1200 square metres.

    According to Cukalla the hosting groups, headed by the prefecture, are regularly operating in the prefecture's town-halls and communes. /pas/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] Majko says another 100 000 Kosova refugees expected to arrive in Albania

    -Majko considers aid provided by international organisations not enough-

    TIRANE, March 29 (ATA)-By E. Koraqi, Y. Pata, Albanian parliament on Monday discussed the emergency situation created after the arrival of a large number of Kosova inhabitants as well as the current situation in Kosova, which is extremely grave.

    At the beginning of this session, Parliament's deputy-speaker Dokle, said that "we have gathered here to denounce the monstrous crimes of Milosevic, who should be sent to the Hague Tribunal.

    "In this situation we should be united," said Dokle.

    Afterwards, the floor was taken by Albania's Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, who portrayed the situation in Northern Albania and Kosova.

    A coolheaded genocide is going on in Kosova and a forced displacement has affected 25 per cent of the Kosova population. Around 45 000 refugees have arrived in Kukes and another 100 000 are expected to arrive, said Majko.

    "There is an indefinite number of killed and injured people," said Majko, who said that one of the aims of this humanitarian catastrophe is destabilisation of the situation in Albania.

    He said that the arrivals will be distributed to all the country's prefectures. Shkoder, Kukes, Diber will be the first prefectures to host refugees.

    "At the disposal of the war refugees will be public buildings, as well as provisional campings, which will be mainly set up in coastal areas, " said Majko.

    He also familiarised parliament with the measures adopted by the government to send food and medicaments to the north. The aid provided so far by the international organisations is insufficient, said Majko, who declared that the situation is precipitating with each passing hour. The Council of Ministers has accorded a special fund for the Defence Ministry.

    Majko, referring to the current situation in Kosova, said that the second phase of the NATO operation aims at putting an end to ethnic cleansing in Kosova.

    In his address in Parliament Majko called on the whole Albanian nation, in these moments, to be united and serve the country's stability.

    "Any action against this course will cost us dearly," said Majko in conclusion. /s.s/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] KLA calls on Kosova Albanians not to flee their hearths

    KUKES, March 29 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha, The General Staff of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) on Monday called on all Kosova inhabitants not to flee their hearths.

    Today by midday an appeal of the KLA General Staff was read at the centre of Kukes town for thousands of refugees.

    "Mothers and sisters, the bloody enemy is forcing you to leave your homes, your families and children, and leave the country in which you have the graves of your forefathers. This desertion is a great disaster. Be careful not to fall a prey to it's provocations. Do not leave your country, but return because your life and future is only there. Do not desert your Homeland".

    The KLA General Staff calls on the youths and men who have accompanied their families to Albania to return home as soon as possible and join the KLA to fight the Serb invader.

    "It is a duty of each one to give his contribution to the great cause. Otherwise, the mother land will curse you. It is high time for every one to provide his own contribution: today or never" - the appeal stresses. /pas/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Health Ministry adopts measures for Kosova refugees

    TIRANE, March 29 (ATA)-By R. Xhuvani, The Ministry of Health, following the increasing influx of the Kosova refugees, has adopted measures to cope with the emergency needs as most of the arrivals are women, old people and children.

    "Under the conditions created, mostly needed is ambulant service, which will be provided with contingents of medicaments (mainly antibiotics) and mattresses, blankets, urgently sent by UNICEF and the organisation Doctor of the World, Greek branch," Minister of Health Leonard Solis, told ATA on Monday.

    Solis said that under the situation created, of priority importance is the correct management of aid in order to provide the refugees with normal living conditions.

    A team of surgery and intensive care doctors from the University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa" (QSU) and the Central Military Hospital (SQU) left for Kukes today.

    On the same day the Kukes hospital was provided with an apparatus for anesthesia production, which doubles the surgery possibility, if necessary. /pas/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] Parliament adopts statement on Kosova

    -NATO's intervention with ground forces demanded- TIRANE, March 29 (ATA)-By E.Koraqi, Albanian Parliament on Monday adopted a statement, in which after denouncing Milosevic's genocide against the Albanian people of Kosova, asks NATO to intensify its operations to save Kosova, also employing ground troops.

    "What is happening in Kosova, is a crime against humanity in the heart of Europe," the statement says.

    The statement supports the struggle of the Albanian people of Kosova and of all their political and military forces.

    The statement will be sent to the European parliament, the Council of Europe and the legislative institutions of the European states. /s.s/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] "Friends of Albania" to help Albanian government cope with situation

    TIRANE, March 29(ATA)-By I. Luto, Ambassadors of the "Friends of Albania" Group countries and representatives of international organisations in Tirane on Monday met with Prime Minister Majko and other cabinet members to discuss the emergency situation created due to the very large influx of the Kosova refugees and the measures to be taken to cope with it.

    The deputy chairman of the OSCE mission in Tirane, Tim Eils, told ATA that the participants at this meeting spoke of undertaking an action plan, which would coordinate the work with the Government Emergency Commission, created yesterday to cope with the situation created at home after the arrival of a very large number of Kosova refugees which, according to a report read by Prime Minister Majko today, is expected to reach 145 000.

    According to Eils, the ambassadors of "Friends of Albania" Group states and the UNHCR representatives will meet again this afternoon to define the aid strategies to be presented to the government to enable the accommodation of the Kosova refugees. /s.s/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] Contribution to be calculated upon minimal level of salaries

    Tirana, March 29 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - According to the sources from Work Inspectorate at the ministry of Work and Social Affairs there is a silent agreement between the employers and employees concerning the paying of social contributions. It is payed upon the minimal level of the salary and this is a wide spread phenomenon in all private businesses.

    The minimal salary to be used as a base for social contribution calculation is approximately 6 000 lek and it is lower than the minimal value the employers take from their business in all branches of productive industry, trade, construction and services.

    According to this source the difference between nominal and minimal salary in several Albanian districts is 50-60% and in some cases it is twice higher.

    By adding the different rewards the nominal value of the salary taken by the employers is mach higher than the minimal limit used widely in calculation of the social duties.

    The general tendency is that the private businesses work with two list rolls including the actual number of the employees involved in the business, establishing so the group of " black work employees"./pas/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] Some 132 vehicles bound for Kukes

    TIRANE, March 29 (ATA)-By Th. Thanasi, The emergency created as a result of the increasing number of refugees arriving in the Kukes and Has districts has necessitated the indispensability of their transportation to other zones of the country.

    The spokesman of the Ministry of Public Affairs and Transport told ATA on Monday that 115 buses, vehicles and 17 minivans are bound for Kukes to take the Kosova refugees to the centers set up for them in various zones of the country.

    Vehicles have been sent from nearly 10 districts, the spokesman explained.

    He said that a group from the Ministry of Public Affairs and Transport has left for the Northeastern zone to follow the evacuation of the Kosova refugees. /pas/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] Salaries increase to be postponed

    Tirana, March 29 (ATA) - By E.Metaj - The salaries increase of the employees of the public sector in Albania by 10 per cent predicted for April 1, it will be postponed for May 1.

    According to the vice minister of Finance Adriana Berberi this decision is taken in the meeting of the Albanian Government and it is due to the tense situation we are living in and due to the dramatic situation in Kosova.

    "If this situation will go on, then the salary increase will be postponed again", stated the vice minister of Finance Adriana Berberi.

    The Albanian Government adopts on Sunday afternoon a decision about the limiting of public expenditures for this year in order to stand up the emergence situation of the country.

    The Albanian Government approved the increase of the salaries of the public employees by 10 per cent in March 18, 1999./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] Some 500 Kosova refugees accommodated by Tirane inhabitants

    TIRANE, March 28 (ATA)-By Th. Thanasi, Nearly 500 Kosova refugees were immediately accommodated by the Tirane inhabitants on Monday.

    After the first contingent of 100 Kosovars, today by midday nearly 500 refugees arrived by various vehicles at the "Asllan Rusi" sports-hall in Tirane, head of Tirane Prefecture Police Department Mithat Havari, told ATA on Monday.

    Havari stresses that the citizens of the capital hosting the refugees are avoiding the life of provisional camping prepared for these refugees.

    He said that the same phenomenon is taking place in the district of Kavaje.

    Tirane has prepared provisional housing at the sports-hall "Asllan Rusi" and the premises nearby for nearly 3000 people. /lh/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] Albania-Austria:Cooperation agreement between Trade Chambers to be assigned

    Tirana, March 29 (ATA) - By Elton Metaj - It is assigned the Cooperation Agreement between the Trade and Industry Chamber of Tirana and Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

    According to the spokesman of the Trade and Industry Chamber of Tirana, the agreement is assigned by the heads of the two delegations Schroeder and Shehi.

    The discussions between the two delegations were concentrated in exchanges of ideas concerning the bilateral cooperation. The Austrian delegation confirmed the will to realize the common projects, predicting European projects as well.

    In this meeting it is hailed also the work done by the Trade and Industry Chamber of Tirana concerning its institutional improving./lh/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [24] Nearly 300 tons fuels toward Northern Albania

    Tirana, March 29 (ata) - By Manjola Pupa - Since Sunday started the sending of the necessary fuels quantities toward Northern Albania. This measure is in the frame work of the measures taken by the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization to provide the necessary oil quantity due to the tense situation in this area.

    "The total quantities of the fuel sent in Sunday toward the provision points in Northern Albania is nearly 300 tons oil", informed ATA the official sources of this Ministry.

    This petrol quantity is sent through railway line. According to the same sources the oil reserves will continue in the coming days. "Albpetrol" company is creating petrol reserves.

    The oil reserves consist of 5000 tons gasoline, 4000 tons petrol and 2000 solar, which is going to be used by the hospitals, heating system and termopower stations.

    Albpetrol Corporation produces fuel for airplanes as well. While in producing the oil subproducts, it covers 30 per cent of the market.

    According to the sources Albpetrol Corporation is working normally and has stable the production./lh/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [25] Camps for Kosova refugees in capital

    TIRANE, March 29 (ATA)-By P. Shuteriqi, Camps have been set up for Kosova refugees within few hours on Monday in the grounds of the Sports Club "Dinamo" in the capital.

    According to the Tirane mayor, Albert Brojka, the 200 tents, to be raised here, are predicted to house around 1.200 Kosovars expelled from their lands by the Serb military-police forces.

    Mithat Havari, director of the Tirane prefecture police, told ATA that, for the first influx expected to be accommodated in this area, all the necessary measures have been taken to ensure security and normal life.

    The public order forces will carry out a 24 hour service, avoiding in maximum the problems that might be created, he added.

    According to the operative chief of the civil defence regiment, the first 50 tents were erected until 14.00 today. In cooperation with the local government all facilities are being created to house as well as to secure drinking water and electricity for the Kosovar refugees. /lh/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [26] Financial limits of public budget in details

    Tirana, March 29 (ata) - By Dorian Koça - The Albanian Ministry presented in detail the financial limits to be accomplished by the public administrate to fulfill the yesterday decision of the Albanian Government.

    "The administrate expenditures on phones and fuels will fall to 20, 30 and 50 per cent. Meanwhile the expenditures on medicine and military remain unchanged", stated for ATA the vice minister of Finance Adriana Berberi.

    Taking into consideration these factors the Albanian Government reached in the conclusion that to keep the difference between the income and expenditures is necessary the use of the severe measures in expenditures, because we do know the further developing in region and beside this the financial balance are fragile and the loss in their control will result in crisis.

    The Albanian Government adopts on Sunday afternoon a permanent decision on public expenditures limits for year 1999, to stand the emergence situation.

    In this meeting the Albanian Government decided to accord with the Ministry of Defence a fond of 27 million lek to be used for operative expenditures.

    Ministers Council decided to take harsh managing measures of the humanitar aids and about the facilities to pass in Albanian custom points./lh/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [27] Morine border station reopened

    KUKES, March 29 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha, The Serbian police on Monday at 14.00 reopened the Morine border station in the Kukes district, allowing the Kosova refugees coming across this post.

    Sources from the border police told ATA that the influx of the Kosova refugees through this post is decreasing. Since its reopening until now the number of the arriving Kosovars does not exceed 1 500.

    The Serbian police shut the Morine border post at around 11.00 today. /lh/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [28] Budgetary employees deposit 5% of monthly salary for Kosova new comers

    Vlora, March 29 (ATA) - By Harilla Koci - The budgetary employees of Vlora city offered on Monday 5% of their monthly salary for Kosova new comers.

    The first to declare this statement was Vlora Prefect Tare Hamo. He was followed by the heads of 85 institutions and then by the budgetary employees of all public institutions and enterprises.

    The Police Directory of the Prefecture appealed all the citizens to join in the welcome of Kosova new comers and to provide concrete help with money and food for them./pas/linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [29] All Albanians in support of Kosova brothers - DBSH

    TIRANE, March 29 (ATA)-By A. Haxhiu, Considering the very grave situation created in Albania after the arrival of tens of thousands of Kosova Albanians as a result of ethnic cleansing that the criminal regime of Milosevic keeps up exercising, all Albanians should offer besides moral support and fraternal solidarity, also their genuine hospitality, representatives of the political formation of the Albanian United Right (DBSH) say in a statement on Monday.

    DBSH calls on the civilian population to house the Albanian brothers coming from Kosova. At the same time it invites the Albanians to financially contribute to this humanitarian and noble mission.

    "This generous act will lessen ever so little this pain and influence in a further spiritual and fraternal rapprochement," the statement says. /s.s/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [30] Albanian parliament urges NATO to stop Milosevic crimes

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - Albanian parliament voted unanimously on Monday for a statement on Kosova read by the parliamentary deputy speaker Namik Dokle.

    "The Albanian parliament voiced its deep grief and strongly protested on massacres against thousands of Albanians of Kosova," the statement said.

    The parliament condemned the barbarous crimes and monstrous violence undertaken by the regime of Milosevic (Yugoslav president Slobodan) which was applying a genocide policy, massive ethnic cleansing and were committing unprecedented crimes against humanity after the World War Two, killing thousands of innocent Albanians, driving from their land over half a million Albanians, mainly women, children and elderly people.

    It highly regarded and totally supported the efforts of the NATO member states, headed by the United States, to prevent and stop the crimes committed by the police and military machine and Serb terrorists in Kosova. It expressed the need to speed up the NATO actions by finding and applying without delay the forms of intervention and resistance on the ground until the Rambouillet process was fully implemented.

    The parliament called on all parliamentarians and governments around the world to give their contribution in order to help Albanian refugees of Kosova who have been driven from their land.

    The Albanian parliament, closely following the situation and getting acquainted with the difficulties, hailed the measures adopted by the Albanian government in welcoming and accommodating a large influx of refugees from Kosova and urged it to use all domestic and foreign sources to provide minimum living conditions for them.

    It called on the U.N. High Commissioner of Refugees, International Red Cross and Red Crescent, all international regional and national government and non government organisations, to pay a maximum attention to this sensitive and complicated problem and give a right assessment of the situation of Albanian refugees fleeing Kosova and assure that the aid, which is urgent, reached destination.

    The parliament expressed his deep gratitude for what Albanian people in the north and all over Albania have done and are doing to welcome the people of Kosova and being aware of the difficulties created by the large influx it called for a larger support to share in the pain, sorrow and bread.

    Being concerned over the consequences of the Serb terror in Kosova, the Albanian parliament supported the appeals of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) and the Kosova politicians, who are sacrificing their lives for their brothers do not abandon their ethnic territories. /y.pa/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [31] Albania- Sllovakia : Trade Chambers to assign cooperation agreememnt

    Tirana, March 29 (ATA) - By E.Metaj - It is assigned the Cooperation agreement between the Trade and Industry Chamber of Tirana and Sllovakian one.

    According to the spokesman of this Chamber the agreement is assigned by the Sllovakian President Peter Mihok and the head of Albnian Chamber Arben Shehi.

    After the assignment of the agreement Mihok considered this event as important one by promising to give his personal contribution concerning the exchanges with Tirana Chamber and through it with the representatives of Albanian business.

    Both part agree in principal to organize a business mission of the Sllovakian companies in Albania.

    The assigment of the agreement is the example of a good relationship between the two countries and the great number of the recent exchanges, said the spokesman./lh/linda

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [32] 15 thousand Kosovars leave Kukes for other Albanian districts

    KUKES, March 29 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: The major duty of the local government structures of the prefecture of Kukes today is the evacuation of the refugees from Kosova to other districts of Albania.

    Qemal Parllaku, coordinator of the prefecture dealing with the evacuation said that some 15 thousand Kosova people left Kukes to other areas. Most of them were sent to Tirana, Durres, Mjede (Shkoder). The Diber prefecture had confirmed that it could welcome some 5 thousand people from Kosova, Parllaku said.

    Some 109 different vehicles were directed to these districts while many Kosovars were travelling with private vehicles.

    Sources of the prefecture said that 50 other military vehicles were ready to evacuate the Kosovars arriving in Kukes. /lh/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [33] Premier says influx of Kosovars concerns both Albanian govt.,state and international community

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - By E. Nepravishta: The situation in the prefecture of Kukes and measures adopted to face the present situation created by a large influx of people from Kosova was the topic of the Council of Ministers meeting on Monday.

    The council decided that Ilir Meta, vice prime minister and minister of government coordination, be delegated him the task of the extraordinary government official at the Kukes prefecture with a large government team.

    It decided that large camps be built up in Durres and Fier with the assistance of the international factor to house some thousands Albanians coming from Kosova.

    Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko, briefing on the intensive work aiming at making international factor aware of the situation, said that the problem of facing the humanitarian situation created by a large stream of Kosova people in the Kukes

    prefecture should be considered not only a problem of the Albanian government and state but also of the international community.

    "There is no reason of panicking, there is reason for concern and urgent mobilisation. We are convinced that the Albanian government in full understanding and solidarity with all Albanian political forces and organisations, Albanian families and international factor could avoid a really humanitarian catastrophe," Majko said.

    The Council of Ministers was informed in details on foodstuff supply for thousands Albanians of Kosova who arrived in Kukes prefecture. In the early hours of Monday, some 550 quintals of flour, some tons of different foodstuffs reached Kukes.

    Ministers reported on the measures to evacuate the population of Kosova from Kukes. The meeting said that some 5.000 people had been evacuated early on Monday and a large number of vehicles backed by police were directed to Kukes.

    All prefectures in cooperation with the local governments are finding possible premises to accommodate Kosova families and are calling on all citizens to offer personal contribution as well as vehicles, possible shelter and financial aid. /s.sh/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [34] Minister says present situation - real humanitarian catastrophe

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: Albanian minister of defence Luan Hajdaraga held separate talks with military attaches of the United States, Italy, Greece, Turkey and France embassies accredited to Albania following the measures adopted by the government and ministry of defence in facing the emergency.

    A spokesman of the Ministry of Defence Albert Mullai said that the minister briefed on the measures adopted by the army and other state structures to face the situation and voiced great concern over the unprecedented violence and latest massacres of the Serb army in Kosova.

    Hajdaraga reiterated the concern over the situation prevailing recently in the northeastern area as a result of a large number of Albanians from Kosova who were forced to abandon their lands.

    Hajdaraga considered such a situation a real humanitarian catastrophe and stressed that it was more than necessary to increase aid for the Kosova people.

    Military attaches expressed their concern over the situation and engagement in offering all possibilities to face the situation. /lh/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [35] Increase trains' number of Shkoder-Tirana railway line

    Tirana, March 29 (ata) - By E.Metaj - Increase the number of the trains in the railway line of Shkoder -Tirana to stand the transport of the comers from Kosova.

    According to the official sources from the Directory of Transport Developments after the order given by the minister of the Public Affairs and Transport Ingrid Shuli, concrete measures are taken to stand the great number of the new comers from Kosova.

    Beside the two trains that operate in the line Shkoder-Tirana and vise-versa in disposal is another train with five carriages.

    The transport heads said that beside the two trains another train will be used if neccessary./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [36] First train with Kosovars leaves Mjeda for Tirana

    SHKODER, March 29 (ATA) - By M. Malja: The first train carrying 1.200 Kosova people who were transported by bus to the railway station from the city of Kukes left Mjeda on Monday for Tirana.

    A spokesman of the Shkodra prefecture said to ATA that the first train with some 1.200 Kosova people left for Tirana at 16.00. on Monday.

    A second train arrived there to transport other Kosova people, expected in Kukes, to other cities, he added.

    The first 35 people from Kosova have arrived in Shkodra city through the border crossing of Hani i Hotit 30 km from the city, the spokesman said. They all are from the city of Peja and are accommodated at the collection center of Caritas.

    Prefect of Shkodra, Puka and Malesi e Madhe Jetmir Shpuza called on all the people of the three districts to help the Kosova people as they did last September. /lh/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [37] EU to help Albania face Kosova refugee problem

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - Minister of Euro Atlantic Integration Maqo Lakrori had met in Brussels with the DG1A Director General Burghardt on the sidelines of the third meeting of the Albania-European Union (E.U.) joint committee, according to the Albanian Foreign Ministry.

    Burghardt expressed the satisfaction that the Albanian government had attended the activity despite the difficult situation it was facing.

    He confirmed the E.U. support for the NATO air strikes against Belgrade as the only way to communicate with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and stressed that the E.U. would help Albania without reserves to face the problem of refugees from Kosova.

    Burghardt clearly said that the E.U. adopted important decisions in its latest meeting as regards its relations with the Balkan region states in the future favouring first regional cooperation and second harmonization of the region with E.U. rules and norms.

    Minister Lakrori said that the Albanian government had reorganised and reformed the administration in order to respond to requirements for a cooperation between Albania and E.U. He also said that the international community would not let the crisis of Kosova rest at that. /lh/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [38] DAP says Albanians to respond government appeal to help Kosovars

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: Democratic Alliance party (DAP), assessing the position of both Albania and Kosova in the fight launched by NATO forces against the regime of Milosevic, urged on Monday all its members, activists and citizens to respond to the appeal of the government to help Kosova brothers, who had been forcibly driven from their lands.

    The party issued a statement saying that the Albanian citizens should offer financial contribution to the displaced people and be always in contact with the prefecture emergency staffs to carry out every task delegated.

    The DAP asked the citizens to be ready in order to respond positively to every message, order, requirement by the Albanian parliament, president of Albania and Albanian government.

    In such a situation the Albanian people should contribute as ever before to maintain order and law, establish understanding and unity, the party statement said. /s.s/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [39] 400 Kosovars settled in Kavaja

    KAVAJA, March 29 (ATA) - By G. Kabashi: Some 400 Kosovars forcibly driven from their lands by the Serb military and police forces were settled on Monday in the Kavaja city.

    Chief of the U.N. High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) Trifon Llupo said to ATA that the new arrivals were accommodated in the state reserve warehouses in the suburbs of Kavaja.

    He said that this center could house some 1 000 people while its reconstruction would double the capacity for the others.

    Late on Monday the militaries of the navy group 28 deployed in the Durres port, have distributed about one tons of food from their base to the Kosova people. Other aid in foodstuffs was expected to be distributed by the Italian militaries. /lh/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [40] Albanian premier meets Italian minister

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - By E. Nepravishta: Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko is holding a close door meeting on Monday at the government headquarters with the Italian Interior Minister Rosa Russo Jervolino, who promised him that the government of Roma would help Albania accommodate the new arrivals from Kosova.

    The meeting of the Albanian head of state and the Italian Interior minister with the participation of other government ministers was focused on the situation resulting from a huge influx of Kosovar refugees to Albania.

    The Italian minister promised the prime minister Majko logistic, sanitary assistance within a short time. The Italian army and the Red Cross will bring medical equipment to help build up a center of medical treatment. Some voluntaries were also expected to arrive. Jervolino promised technical assistance for the accommodation of the Kosova new arrivals.

    Over 5.000 tents, mattresses and the like, which are going to be collected in Bari, Italy, will be sent to Albania. /ak/

    (more)

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [41] Premier says Agani's execution - another fatal sign on what Belgrade is preparing

    TIRANA, March 29 (ATA) - By Ilir Paço: Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko told a news conference on Monday that the execution of Fehmi Agani, one of the leaders of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) and member of the Albanian delegation in the signing of the peace accord in France was not occasional.

    This is "a response of Belgrade that it would not accept peace if it was imposed by force," Majko said.

    He warned that the execution of Agani and other distinguished intellectuals in Kosova "are another fatal sign on what Milosevic is preparing in Kosova."

    Asked by a journalist whether he knew anything on the fate of Ibrahim Rugova, the Albanian prime minister said that "every attack on Rugova would imply another crime added to the file of war crimes for the regime of Milosevic."

    He seemed not to have any news on the fate of the peaceful leader of Albanians in Kosova. /lh/ak/


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


    Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ata2html v1.01 run on Monday, 29 March 1999 - 21:14:32 UTC