Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-10

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] New refugee camp to be set up in Prrenjas by Greek Government

[02] Concert in Israel in support of Kosovar people

[03] Greek Defence Minister to visit Albania on Saturday

[04] Number of Kosovars in Prefecture of Tirane amounts to over 39 000

[05] Statement of Albanian Foreign Ministry on Friday's incidents

[06] Over 39 thousand Kosovars in Tirana prefecture

[07] Switzerland to help Kosova displaced people

[08] Serbian forces fire artillery rounds inland Albanian territory

[09] French health secretary to visit Albania soon

[10] Medical clinic of association "Lions Club" assists displaced Kosovars

[11] Morina border crossing reopened

[12] Some 70 children from Kosove resume school in Librazhdi schools

[13] Bari, Ancona accord 60 tons of aids for displaced Kosovars

[14] Guardia di Finanzia accords aid for displaced Kosovars

[15] Minister Shuli takes part in annual meeting of World Bank

[16] Albanian becomes a member of ICOMOS

[17] Displaced Kosovars to return to their homes under international protection, Xohaxopullos

[18] Nearly 100 NGO-s manage humanitarian relief for Kosova refugees

[19] Camps for Kosovars built in Korce

[20] Gianfranco Fini to arrive Monday in Tirana

[21] Person, kidnaping Kosovar baby, arrested

[22] Albania needs help to cope with the situation, PM

[23] Students and pedagogues of Shkoder donate blood

[24] Albania PM meets with Greek Minister of Defence

[25] Turkish President to visit Tirana on Sunday

[26] Camdessus: IMF will do its utmost to help Albania preserve its financial stability

[27] UNICEF's engagement considerable and long-term

[28] New appointments in police structures

[29] Cooperation between Greece and Albania to go ahead - Greek Minister

[30] Serbia should end military actions, withdraw troops from Kosova - Hajdaraga

[31] Incidents near Albanian border continue

[32] Over 300 000 Kosova refugees to Albania

[01] New refugee camp to be set up in Prrenjas by Greek Government

According to him, so far the number of the Kosovars accommodated in the district of Librazhd is 1 600 and this number is expected to increase.

Hushi stressed that a refugee camp financed by the Greek Government, is expected to be set up within this week in Prrenjas. The camp will shelter 5 000 people from Kosove. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Concert in Israel in support of Kosovar people

The Foreign Ministry of Albania reports that taking part in the concert were renowned artists and the motto of the concert was: "We cannot keep silence."

According to the ministry, the artists called on citizens present to provide aid for the people of Kosove.

According to the Hebraic agency, until last Thursday, 600 thousand dollars have been donated for the Kosova refugees along with a great amount of food articles and clothing. The Albanian Foreign Ministry also said that "the Israeli Government has adopted all measures to receive a number of refugees from Kosove." /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Greek Defence Minister to visit Albania on Saturday

Mr Cohaxopoullos will leave for the refugee camp in Kukes right after his arrival in Rinas airport. Then he will go to the Naval Base in Durres to see the unloading of the humanitarian aid on the board of the warship "Xios."

The Greek Defence Minister is expected to meet with the Albanian Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga, on the warship Xios and later will visit the military unit ELDHAL-2.

At 1.30 p.m. Cohaxopoullos is expected to hold a meeting in the headquarters of the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister of Albania, Pandeli Majko. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Number of Kosovars in Prefecture of Tirane amounts to over 39 000

The Kosovars sheltered in the district of Tirane reached to a total of 28 485, while in the district of Kavaje there are over 11 000 Kosovars accommodated so far, said to ATA the prefect of Tirane Makbule Çeco on Friday.

According to her, besides the people sheltered in the centres set up for the Kosova refugees alone, 12 321 Kosovars have been accommodated in families of Tirane people, with 1 000 of them taken by capital families only today, out of 3 000 Kosovars that arrived in Tirane on Friday. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Statement of Albanian Foreign Ministry on Friday's incidents

After exchanging machinegun fire with the units of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA), the Serbian border forces fired in the direction of the Albanian border post and villagers' houses without any reason.

These opened provocations have continued even in Friday afternoon tensioning the situation in the northeastern border.

The Albanian Foreign Ministry said that the armed attacks, which were assessed even by the officials of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the international media reporters present in Tropoja, were aimed at carrying out the scenarios of the Yugoslav regime to spread the Kosova conflict in other regional countries.

After massacring and deporting the defenceless population of Kosova, after burning and destroying dozens of cities and villages, after carrying out a savage ethnic cleansing at the heart of Europe, the Serbian chauvinists are preparing to engulf the rest of the Balkans in the war.

Albania will remain loyal to its policy of respecting international norms and principals but will react with determination in defending its territorial sovereignty and integrity. Belgrade' attempts to drag the Albanian state into a conflict will fail together with the oppressive policy against Albanians. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Over 39 thousand Kosovars in Tirana prefecture

The new arrivals housed in Tirana district were 28. 485 while in Kavaja over 11.000, Makbule Çeço, Tirana prefect said to ATA.

Besides those accommodated in camps, 12.321 Kosovars have been settled in with families of the Tirana capital. Over one thousand out of three thousand arrivals were settled on Friday in Tirana. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Switzerland to help Kosova displaced people

The Swiss humanitarian aid on the Kosova crisis is worth 50 million Swiss francs, 20 million of which have been delivered on March 31.

To coordinate the logistic, a leading staff including officials of the foreign, defence departments, as well as federal office for refugees was set up.

The federation has backed the humanitarian actions of the International Red Cross and UNHCR with a fund worth 5 million Francs for each organisation. The rest will be administered by the Division for Humanitarian Aid (ASC) which is being used to meet the needs in Albania. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Serbian forces fire artillery rounds inland Albanian territory

Fighting was intensified between forces of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) and the Serbian military forces on Friday until 17.00. and 17.45. p.m. in the border area near Padesh and Kamenica, Tropoja district, the statement said.

The Yugoslav forces fired with artillery rounds inland the Albanian territory near border posts of Padesh and Kamenica, it said.

Albanian border forces have taken up positions on the border line assessing the situation.

Heavy fighting was also reported early on Friday between KLA forces and Serbian army in the same area. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] French health secretary to visit Albania soon

He is expected to visit health institutions and be familiar with the needs to cope with emergencies in the present situation.

Officials of the Health ministry have prepared a list of medicaments, which are part of the health aid for Albania in emergency.

Sources of the ministry said that the visit of the French secretary would be followed by an aid contingent including medicaments and medical equipment. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Medical clinic of association "Lions Club" assists displaced Kosovars

The chief of the cabinet of Durres town-hall chairman, Desdemona Hatibi, told ATA that this clinic was built for Durres inhabitants, but in the actual situation it has opened its doors even for the Albanian Kosovars settled in Durres.

This health clinic will help in facing of health situation created in this district due to the displaced Kosovars driven away from their soils because of the Serb violence and repression.

The clinic has got a capacity of 80 beds, and is accomplished with the wards of pediatrics, surgery, dermatology and laboratory of analyses. The medical personnel is mainly Italian, and it payed 200 visits only on Friday. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Morina border crossing reopened

About 1.559 people from Kosova have crossed the Morina border crossing to Albania within an hour.

A spokesman of the Kukes prefecture Emri Peca said to ATA that a huge influx of people was recorded overnight.

At present, the border post is opened but the number of people is low.

The total number of Kosova people arrived in Kukes prefecture from March 26 has totalled 273 thousand, 134 thousand of whom have been evacuated to other districts.

Chief of the evacuation commission Qemal Perllaku said that over seven thousand people from Kosova had been evacuated to other cities on Friday. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Some 70 children from Kosove resume school in Librazhdi schools

They were send in different classes according to the age, and to the classes they previously belonged to. They were supported also by their schoolmates. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Bari, Ancona accord 60 tons of aids for displaced Kosovars

According to the Durres town-hall chairman, Arqile Gorreja, two lorries and a container with aids for displaced Kosovars, came from Bari town-hall, while another lorry came from Ancona town-hall.

Gorreja added that the aids arriving in Durres harbor will be delivered today to the hosting centers for refugees in Durres. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Guardia di Finanzia accords aid for displaced Kosovars

Some 4 tons of food items and clothes were gathered today in the center of Guardia di Finanzia, and this aid was afterwards carried towards Fushe Kruje.

Guardia di Finazia send some 700 packages with foods to Kavaje to face the difficult situation created there ten days ago. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Minister Shuli takes part in annual meeting of World Bank

Sources from this ministry reported to ATA that Minister Shuli will discuss in these meetings about the current progress of the World Bank projects in the sector of transport in Albania, as well as about the possibility of realizing the new projects of this bank in Albania.

Actually in Albania, the World Bank is implementing 22 projects worth 253.25 million dollars, a credit accorded by IDA. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albanian becomes a member of ICOMOS

ICOMOS is an International non-governmental cultural organization created in 1965 in Warsaw.

Albania is a member of the International Center of Study and Restoration of Cultural Monuments and it adheres in this organization since 1962. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Displaced Kosovars to return to their homes under international protection, Xohaxopullos

He was accompanied by the Parliament deputy chairman, Namik Dokle, and by the Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga and they got acquainted closely with the very difficult situation this area is facing due to the influx of Kosovars.

Minister Xoaxopulos said that we are here not only to get acquainted with the situation, but to help the Kosova people as well. Our political viewpoint consists in the idea of returning back of Kosovars in their homes under an international protection. We are obliged to cooperates because we are neighbouring countries, pointed out the Greek minister.

He mentioned the engagement of the Greek government for the setting up of a camp with all the necessary infrastructure for 300 people. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Nearly 100 NGO-s manage humanitarian relief for Kosova refugees

According to the calculations, it comes out that 90.7% of the value of the humanitarian aid is managed by NGO-s, while the government manages only 9.21% of them, the chairman of the government commission of economic aid, Vasil Stefani, told ATA, who was categorical against abuses.

According to him " the humanitarian aid is directly addressed to the office of refugees in the stores of the state reserves, while the other part is administrated by NGO-s themselves."

The government commission of humanitarian aid will publish soon the addresses of NGO-s which deal with them, by creating the necessary possibilities to the competent bodies to exercise control for the verification of possible abuses, stressed Stefani. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Camps for Kosovars built in Korce

According to the spokesman of this prefecture, Jovan Katundi, a camp with the assistance of the Greek government is being built in Pojske of Pogradec. Nearly 5000 Kosovars will be sheltered in the tents of this camp.

Katundi also said that 30 NATO officers, deployed in Macedonia, went Saturday to Korce. In cooperation with the military men of the Division in this region and representatives of local government, they concretely saw the terrain, which allows building of 3 other camps with 5000 persons each.

The equipment of these camps, the accommodation and food items for the Kosovars will be provided by the NATO countries, said Katundi. Nearly 1000 Kosovars will be sheltered in them at the very beginning, who are actually staying in the sports hall of Korce. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Gianfranco Fini to arrive Monday in Tirana

Fini is accompanied in this visit by Mirko Tremaglia, who is in charge of foreign relations in this party.

During his stay in Albania, Fini will meet with the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Pandeli Majo, as well as with the chairman of the Democratic Party.

Fini will also visit some of the reception centers of displaced Kosovars, built by the Italian government, such as the camp in Rrashbull, the Italian military hospital in Durres and the camp in Kavaje where he will hold a press conference at 11:30.

Gianfranco Fini will also visit the coordination center of "Ylberi" operation in Tirana International Hotel. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Person, kidnaping Kosovar baby, arrested

The spokesman of the Tirana police department told ATA that the police forces of commissariat no. 3 arrested the citizen, Silvana Kostandin Papanikolla, 40, accused of kidnapping.

Papanikolla, inhabitant of Tirana, was caught in the act by 19:00 on Friday while she was kidnapping the two-month baby, S.M., born in Decan (Kosova), who was staying in the temporary collection center in the sports hall "Asllan Rusi" in Tirana, explained the spokesman. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Albania needs help to cope with the situation, PM

In the meeting with the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and development, Heidemarie Wieczorek Zeul, Premier Majko said that Albania needs urgent assistance to cope with the situation created recently.

"We will offer shelter to the Kosova Albanians, hoping that the German assistance will be useful and obvious," stressed Majko.

Meanwhile, the German Minister said that the aim of her visit in Albania is to closely know the situation, created due to the influx of Kosova refugees, and to also offer aid to deal with this situation. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Students and pedagogues of Shkoder donate blood

In the grounds of the University "Luigj Gurakuqi," upon the initiative of the Albanian Red Cross, a temporary nursery was set up for the donation of blood.

Secretary of the Albanian Red Cross, Eshref Bilali, told ATA that 30 students and pedagogues from Shkoder donated 400 ml blood each. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Albania PM meets with Greek Minister of Defence

The Greek Minister said that his visit in Albania is closely related with the problem of Kosova refugees.

"We are against the violent change of borders, we are against the policy of ethnic cleansing, and this is the reason why we have helped the exiled Kosovars, to support them and to express our solidarity," said Cohaxopoullos.

The meeting is going on. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Turkish President to visit Tirana on Sunday

During his one-day visit in Tirana, Demirel will meet with the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, the Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko and the Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi.

Also, President Demirel will visit Dinamo sports grounds in Tirana, where Kosova refugees have been sheltered, as well as the camp which will be built in Elbasan by Turkey for the Kosova refugees.

The Turkish government reported on Thursday that it is ready to welcome 20 000 Kosova refugees, also the Turkish Red Crescent has sent humanitarian relief for the exiled Kosovars in Albania and Macedonia. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Camdessus: IMF will do its utmost to help Albania preserve its financial stability

According to the spokesman of the Prime Minister, Camdessus writes in the letter that he has asked the IMF team to continue to closely work with the Albanian government and the Bank of Albania to review the economic panorama and if possible to improve the ESAF programme.

He writes that although coping with the refugee problem has become an immediate priority, it is important that Albania, too, preserves its adequate expenditures on the economic and social development and go ahead with the structural reform programme.

"We envisage that this will require a supplement to the foreign budget and to the payments' financing. We are discussing with the World Bank, European Union and bilateral donors how to meet Albania's needs and carefully consider your request for an intensified access to the IMF sources," the letter says. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] UNICEF's engagement considerable and long-term

"The drama of the Kosova Albanians has especially affected the mothers and children, who have deeply felt the anti-human violence of the Serb regime," said Meidani.

"I would like to encourage the world organisation of UNICEF to work in the direction of calming down the spirit of the Kosova children and mothers," he added.

Bellami expressed solidarity and evaluated the Albanian hospitality, as a message not to be forgotten by the world. She added that she has come to closely see to their needs and that the engagement of the organisation she heads will be considerable and long-term.

At this meeting Meidani and Bellami exchanged views on the way of a better coordination of foreign aid.

Mrs. Meidani, present at the meeting, will go to Kukes on Sunday together with the Executive Director of UNICEF. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] New appointments in police structures

The Public Order spokesman told ATA on Saturday that Lieutenant- Colonel Gezim Licaj has been appointed chief of the Road Police Sector, while Colonel Fatmir Shehu chief at the same sector but at the Tirane Prefecture Police Department.

Colonel Fatmir Rizaj has been appointed Chief of the Rinas Police Commissariat, while Lieutenant-Colonel Ali Vokshi Chief of Police Commissariat in Kurbin.

Leiutenant-Colonel Gani Zeneli and Lieutenant-Colonel Besnik Kuci have been appointed chiefs of the Librazhd and Gjirokaster police commissariats, respectively.

The newly appointed chiefs have a relatively long experience in police structures. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] Cooperation between Greece and Albania to go ahead - Greek Minister

According to the spokesman, Majko stressed that a significant moment of responsibility share has now become prominent in the relations between Albania and Greece.

"Our cooperation keeps increasing and has turned into an example of coexistence in the region, built on the basis of the Albanian pragmatism and philosophy."

Majko said he considered significant the aid Greece is providing Albania to cope with the grave situation created after an influx of 300 000 Kosova war refugees.

He said that Milosevic is the key person responsible for the crisis the region is undergoing, the generator of the crisis of destabilisation in the region and he is showing that he is against cohabitation with Albanians.

Tsohatzopoulos considered extremely grave the crisis the region is undergoing and reiterated the Greek government's view that it is against the ethnic cleansing Milosevic is undertaking in Kosova.

"We hold that the war refugees should be enabled to return to their homes and that their life there should be guaranteed and defended by a multinational military force," said the Greek Minister, adding that the region is facing two real risks, a possible change of borders and the conflict's spillover onto other countries of the Balkans.

He expressed the Greek government's support for the Albanian government at these moments and the belief that the cooperation between the two countries will go ahead with joint projects. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[30] Serbia should end military actions, withdraw troops from Kosova - Hajdaraga

"The solution of the crisis in Kosova is that all refugees return home without obstacles, under the responsibility of the international organisations," said the Greek Minister at a meeting with Hajdaraga on board the Greek aid vessel "Hios", at Durres port.

Hajdaraga, referring to the situation created after the influx of the Kosova refugees in Albania, said that "the Albanian Government has opened its doors to the Kosova brothers, creating conditions for accommodation and food".

"For the very conditions of Albania with a poor infrastructure, the aid of our allied neighbours is indispensable," Hajdaraga added.

Referring to the solution of the crisis in Kosova, Hajdaraga said that "Serbia should end its military actions and withdraw its troops which are still deployed in Kosova."

"The NATO forces and international organisations should intervene to ensure the return of the refugees to their homes," said Hajdaraga. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[31] Incidents near Albanian border continue

Ulqini reported of fierce skirmish over the last 24 hours in this zone near the Albanian border. Ulqini also confirmed the fact that several shells have landed in Albanian territory but did not precise their number.

Ulqini categorically denied yesterday's statement of the Democratic Party chairman, Sali Berisha, that Serb troops have penetrated deep in Albanian territory.

"It is not true that Serb troops have entered Albania. It is only about several shells landing in Albanian territory," said Ulqini, who in a news conference yesterday considered the skirmish near the Albanian border as part of the Serb provocations, which have been going on for months. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[32] Over 300 000 Kosova refugees to Albania

The figures were made public on Saturday at a joint news conference by Minister of Information Musa Ulqini and Minister of Local Government Arben Demeti.

Demeti said that the equipment of all refugees with identification cards takes 30-45 days. While as a daily cost for one refugee, Demeti gave a preliminary figure, around $3-3.5 per day, or $100 per month. /lh/lm/

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