Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-11

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albania hopes Kosova crisis end soon, refugees return home

[02] PM says Easter - an appeal for hope, faith, victory over death

[03] Albanian government hails press role but not misinformation

[04] Great Britain hails role of Albanian government on Kosova crisis

[05] Albania foreign minister meets US secretary of State on Monday

[06] Hospitality and solidarity of Albanians have impressed French people - French intellectuals

[07] Number of refugee camps for Kosovars increases in Albania

[08] 70 Kosova newly-born babies and all of them are alive - Kukes

[09] 2 500 Kosovars sheltered in Mat district

[10] Minister of Culture to help Kosove with contemporary British music

[11] Kosovars continue to come through border check of Morina

[12] Belgium to build a camp for 3000 Kosovars

[13] Turkey has been, will be close to Albania in these difficult moments, Demirel

[14] NATO, part of solution of Kosova crisis, PM

[15] Turkey to build camps for refugees in Albania, Macedonia, Demirel

[16] NATO ground troops should enter Kosova, Speaker

[17] Children from Kosova should have a better food

[18] NATO will continue to support humanitarian operations in Albania

[19] Serb mortar attack kills two and injure six Albanians in Tropoje

[20] Number of Kosovars arriving in Tirane prefecture exceeds 42.000

[21] Some 21 000 Kosovars in Durres prefecture

[22] Yugoslav mortar attack kills two Albanians and injures 12

[01] Albania hopes Kosova crisis end soon, refugees return home

The Ministry of Information said to ATA that the prime minister Majko expressed the gratitude of the Albanian government for France's complete commitment for a solution to the Kosova conflict.

"We hope that the crisis in Kosova end soon and the war refugees return home," Majko said.

Referring to France's commitment in the Kosova crisis as well as relations with Albania, Majko said: "The Balkans is being redimensioned now and we are aware of the role of France in the new era of relations with Albania. We will undertake all our efforts for the evident impact of your country in Albania be redimensioned in our relations in all fields in a near future," Majko said.

On his part, Lang said that he was in Tirana upon the request of the French prime minister to show the solidarity of France for Albania.

"Our friendship is concrete and we are offering humanitarian aid and idea for the future. We are backing Albania in its efforts to cope with the difficult situation it is facing with and would like to convey the message that we should look forward to the future in promoting relations in all fields," Lang said. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PM says Easter - an appeal for hope, faith, victory over death

Following extract of the message: "I wish you heartily a happy Easter holiday! The Easter invites us all to be courageous, have faith, determination and strength in unity, action and patriotic devotion and total mobilisation in order to cope with difficult challenges and win over them.

"... In these difficult times for our nation followed by macabre tragedies and crimes caused by the Serb chauvinism, Easter holiday is an appeal to strengthen ranks, to believe that life will win over death and hope for a future of our nation." /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albanian government hails press role but not misinformation

Ulqini said that the Albanian government praised the role of media especially how it highlighted the situation Albania was facing with resulting from the arrival of 300 thousand refugees.

"The Albanian government has been trying to be transparent for all decisions regarding the way how to cope with the situation," he said.

He stressed the fact that "any Albanian media, especially the newspaper of the Democratic party, has published a number of articles, which do not express the government activity as it was."

"Every media is free to comment, but naturally, every media is obliged to respect the ethic and the truth, particularly in these moments when the government, state and citizens are forced to cope with the situation related to the survival of the nation and it is necessary not to misinform and hinder anyone in his mission," Ulqini said. /f.n/ak/

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[04] Great Britain hails role of Albanian government on Kosova crisis

"I understand the great pressure exerted by the present crisis against your country. This is the reason we with others should do our best to help you cope with the problem of refugees from Kosova who are in Albania," Blair said.

Referring to the latest visit to Albania of Clare Short, secretary for foreign cooperation, Blair said that his government would accord 20 million pounds to Albania.

"The department of Clare Short is preparing a team for humanitarian assistance to back the efforts of your government and the UNHCR. We have also offer to set up and coordinate two new centers for refugees in Albania in cooperation with the UNHCR. We are ready to do more."

British prime minister hailed the attitude of the Albanian government as regards the NATO military actions. He said: "we praised your determined support to NATO military actions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" and that "I share in the pains caused by the sufferings of the Kosova Albanian population."

"Britain is determined with the help of NATO allies to stop the sufferings and oppose the policy of hatred and ethnic cleansing followed by Belgrade," the letter said.

He praised the role of the Albanian government for a solution to the crisis in Kosova and said: "I would like to thank you for the positive role played by your government in trying to resolve the crisis."

"Your balanced and constructive line is highly regarded," Blair said in his letter.

"I hope we will be in close contacts. We should be united to achieve our aims," Blair said to Majko at the end of the letter. /f.n/ak/

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[05] Albania foreign minister meets US secretary of State on Monday

Albright is going to hold consultations with foreign minister of countries bordering Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Rumania and Slovenia.

This meeting takes place on the eve of the NATO foreign ministers meeting next week in Brussel.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said in a letter to Albanian foreign minister Milo that they were profoundly sensitive for the concerns of those countries bordering the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as regards the regional security and economic situation, refugees, sanctions and other issues related to the Kosova conflict.

"Through our meeting and later with my NATO counterparts, I would like to reaffirm our commitment to reach a direct and lasting peace in Kosova," Albright said. /f.n/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Hospitality and solidarity of Albanians have impressed French people - French intellectuals

The two French personalities are for a long time now taking part in the front to sensitize the French public opinion in favour of the Kosova people rights and freedom and the fight against the regime of Belgrade.

The press and information office close to the president, reported that Mr Meidani briefed the french intellectuals of the Albanian state viewpoints for the solution of the Kosova crisis, the situation in the region, the relations between the two peoples and his vision for the future of the region.

The two French friends said the best words with regard to the solidarity and hospitality of the people of Albania for the displaced Kosovars, a quality which according to them, "has impressed much the French people and Europe in general." /y.pta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Number of refugee camps for Kosovars increases in Albania

With the aid of the Italian Government, a refugee camp with 480 tents has been set up for 3 000 people, with good sanitary conditions.

In addition, refugee camps will also be set up in Kukes by the Red Crescent Association of the United Arab Emirates and the Greek Government, which pledged last Saturday to construct a refugee camp for 300 people from Kosove.

However, these camps cannot shelter all the tide of Kosovars continuing to come to Kukes. This is also due to the fact that many of them do not want to be far from Kosove hoping that they will soon return to their homes. /dast/xh/

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[08] 70 Kosova newly-born babies and all of them are alive - Kukes

"Since the beginning of the flow of the Kosova people to Albania, averagely 4-5 Kosova mothers have had deliveries a day, 10 per cent through operation," the director of the maternity hospital Safet Elezi told ATA.

So far the newly born infants are all well, a fact which according to Elezi "is also related with the care taken of them by the doctors in the maternity hospital." /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] 2 500 Kosovars sheltered in Mat district

The mayor Jaroslav Alla told ATA that the staff set up for this purpose has adopted all measures to accommodate the Kosova people. The situation so far, according to Alla, has been coped with the reserve funds of the town hall and the district council. The growing number of Kosovars has put in difficult position the local government because now the sleeping facilities and medicaments are running out. So far, except for the UNHCR, only the assistance provided has been only f rom the district associations. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Minister of Culture to help Kosove with contemporary British music

Sources from the Ministry of Culture told ATA that "the organization of the concert was a request by the Minister of Culture Edi Rama during a recent meeting he had with Lord Rothschild, founder of the Foundation Butrinti in Sarande and Peter Mendelson, adviser of the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair in Tirane."

Along the discussions for the question of cultural heritage according to the latest mission of the World Bank in Albania, sources say that the concert, expected to be performed in one of the Tirana stadiums, was also discussed in the meeting.

Although the name of the group is not yet determined, the protagonist of the concert may be the famous U2 group. The money from the tickets of the concert, the greatest in Albania so far, will be used to assist of the Kosovars expelled from their ethnic territories in Kosove. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Kosovars continue to come through border check of Morina

Meanwhile, the number of Kosova refugees since the beginning of the influx on 26 March in the districts of Kukes and Has has reached 278 099 persons, sources from the Kukes prefecture added.

Actually, early on Sunday there is not any influx of exiled Kosovars, although the border checking of Morina is still open.

Also, it is noticed a decrease of the number of refugees who are evacuated towards other districts of Albania. Thus, during Saturday only 4600 persons have been evacuated. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Belgium to build a camp for 3000 Kosovars

The governor of Durres, Martin Cukalla, held Sunday a meeting with the representative of the cabinet of cooperation and development of the Belgium government, Vinje Michael, accompanied by the secretary of the Belgium embassy in Tirana, Fabric Vallert.

The guests from Belgium declared that Belgium has decided to build a modern camp with a capacity of 3000 persons. The camp will be built by Belgium soldiers of NATO forces, while the needs for food items and medicaments will be covered by the Red Cross of Belgium. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Turkey has been, will be close to Albania in these difficult moments, Demirel

"The international community is supporting the NATO air strikes. The exiled Kosovars will turn back to their home by every means. The regime of Belgrade should understand this message very well, because the intervention of NATO will continue until this objective is reached," said President Demirel during a joint news conference with his Albanian counterpart, Rexhep Meidani.

Meanwhile, the Turkish President called on all supporters of Milosevic to give up the stimulating policy towards Milosevic, if they really want to contribute to peace.

"The only contribution is to convince Milosevic to stop the ethnic cleansing. The only way to reach the success is to fulfill the conditions imposed by NATO. The difficult days will pass. NATO is resolute. All those who carry out barbarous acts will fail," said Demirel, adding that Turkey has been and will be close to Albania in these difficult moments.

Meanwhile, the Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani considered the visit of President Demirel as a great humanitarian, political and moral support of the Turkish people for Albania.

"The Albanian people is going through a difficult period and this has come due to the machine of ethnic cleansing led by the regime of Milosevic, and also due to the old and obsolete mentality applied by this regime," said Meidani.

According to Meidani, this conflict is not a conflict among peoples, but among mentalities. It is a conflict between the new and the old mentality, between barbarism and democracy, between genocide and respect for democracy, human rights, a conflict between the past and the future.

"I am convinced that the future will win, because this is to the interest of the Balkans, Europe and humanity as a whole. I hope that the displaced Kosovars will soon turn back to their homes and this will be the real triumph of democracy," said President Meidani.

Meanwhile, Meidani called on the international community and European organizations: "Turn your eyes from the Balkans. Consider the possibility of implementing a Marshall plan in the Balkans for a rapid economic development in the region, which may also devaluate the old mentalities and turn the borders only into geographic symbols." /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] NATO, part of solution of Kosova crisis, PM

The Albanian Premier stressed that he considered NATO as part of the political solution of the crisis in Kosova and Albania strongly supports the military action of the Alliance against Serb military objects. "The Serbs are showing that they are not ready for any kind of cohabitation with the Albanians," said Majko.

The head of the government expressed his esteem consideration for the role played by Turkey in according humanitarian relief for the Kosova refugees.

President Demirel expressed his deep concern for the huge wave of refugees, the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Kosova, carried out by Milosevic and said that the first duty is to guarantee the survival of the Kosova refugees.

President Demirel appreciated the stand of the Albanian government, which opened the doors for the Kosovars and added that NATO military action will be successful and will continue until the conflict is solved or until Milosevic is surrendered.

Premier Majko and President Demirel shared the same opinion regarding the very good relations existing between the two countries. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Turkey to build camps for refugees in Albania, Macedonia, Demirel

Demirel, who arrived Sunday in Albania, visited the camp that Turkey is building in Elbasan and the Dinamo sports ground in Tirana.

During a press conference, Demirel stressed that the camp of refugees in Elbasan will shelter at the very beginning 5000 persons and then it may accommodate 10 000 persons.

Meanwhile, a camp for 20 000 persons has been built in Turkey and 6000 other Kosovars have been sheltered in the families of their relatives in Turkey. According to Demirel, Turkey will also build a camp in Macedonia for 10 000 Kosovars.

The Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel, confirmed a visit in Macedonia, after the visit in Albania. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] NATO ground troops should enter Kosova, Speaker

Gjinushi said that the Albanian Assembly expresses its gratitude for the complete support of Turkey and its people for the peace process in Kosova.

"The only solution is the intensification of NATO operations and its intervention by ground troops to impose peace," said Gjinushi, who added that this intervention does not serve only peace there, but it also a guarantee for the stability in the region and broader.

As long as NATO has not decided to intervene by ground troops, the only way of the existence there is the self-defence, stressed Gjinushi. Thus, the Albanian population in Kosova should be supported not only by food items, but it must be backed also to self-defend in its territories.

Speaker Gjinushi considered the relations with Turkey as very good and said that Parliament supports the Government to further boost them in all fields.

Stressing the return of the Albanian population in their homes, Demirel said that the exiled Kosovars cannot return there without being sure about their life. Serb forces should withdraw and a NATO peace-keeping force should be deployed in Kosova and Turkey is ready to take part in this force. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Children from Kosova should have a better food

She had a meeting with the Kukes Prefecture officials, where the Prefect Qemal Elezi made a summary of the situation this prefecture is going through due to the influx of Kosovars and added that the children from Kosove should have a better food treatment.

Ms. Bellami pointed out that she is greatly impressed by the generosity of Kukes people. "It not easy to welcome within a few days so many people who escaped from the war flames, and to face many problems. In this framework we will work and give our assistance in the vaccination of children against measles, polio and the like".

She pointed out that UNICEF will assist the people of this region in several directions to face the problems there.

Ms. Bellani had a visit also in the camp of refugees improvised in the square of the city, and visited the new mothers, as well as Kukes families which accommodated Kosova refugees in their houses. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] NATO will continue to support humanitarian operations in Albania

The spokesman of Defence Ministry told ATA that General Reith explained to Minister Hajdaraga that the aim of his visit in Tirane is the finding out of a proper place for settling the NATO staff which will coordinate the humanitarian activity for the displaced Kosovars.

General Reith pointed out that NATO will continue to support directly humanitarian operations in Albania.

Albanian Defence Minister presented the actual situation created due to the influx of displaced Kosovars, and measures taken by the Albanian government so far and stressed that "The situation in Albania is totally under control. We assure you that your concrete aid in all plans will be administered with the maximal effectiveness".

Participating in the meeting were also the Chief of Army General Staff, Brigade General, Aleks Andoni, and the Chief of NATO office in Defence Ministry, Paolo Tonegutti. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Serb mortar attack kills two and injure six Albanians in Tropoje

Minister of Public Order Petro Koci told ATA that as a result of the Serbian army mortar attack against Albanian territory, in the district of Tropoje, two Albanian citizens, inhabitants of this district, were killed and six wounded.

Koci urged NATO's intervention to neutralize the Serb artillery near the Albanian border line whose attacks in the direction of Albanian territory have been frequent. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Number of Kosovars arriving in Tirane prefecture exceeds 42.000

Some 31 485 Kosovars have been sheltered in the district of Tirane, and 11 050 in Kavaje, Makbule Ceco, governor of Tirane told ATA.

She said that other big centres in other areas of Tirane district are thought to be opened. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Some 21 000 Kosovars in Durres prefecture

Around 128 refugees have been admitted into the Durres hospital so far and 40 of them have been discharged. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Yugoslav mortar attack kills two Albanians and injures 12

The artillery forces have also launched attacks further inside Albanian territory, in inhabited areas, killing two people and injuring 12 others. Four of the wounded are members of the Tropoje border guard.

The State authorities have taken measures to give first aid and take the wounded to the military hospital of Tirane. /dast/lm/

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

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