Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-04-12

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albanian Government denounces escalation of military actions by FRY against Albania

[02] "San Giorgio" warship brings other aids for displaced Kosovars

[03] Most preferred books of outgoing week

[04] Most preferred video films of outgoing week

[05] Aids of Finnish Red Cross for displaced Kosovars

[06] Tirana currency rate

[07] Meeting between police of Saranda and Corfu held

[08] Nearly 100 Kosovars enter border checking of Han i Hotit

[09] French navy ship "L'Orage" brings logistic means for NATO troops

[10] Building of two camps for Kosovars starts

[11] Musical albums mostly sold in past week

[12] WFP promises aid for displaced Kosovars

[13] Influx of displaced Kosovars reduced

[14] 800 million dollars to pass the situation

[15] Prices to remain stable

[16] NATO militarymen to set up a refugee camp in Korce

[17] DP of Albania denounces Serb attacks on Albanian territory

[18] Aid provided by Consumer's Association

[19] The people wounded in Tropoje by Serb mortars brought to Tirane military hospital for intensive medical treatment

[20] Young recruits of Military Police Battalion take oath

[21] Humanitarian aid provided by Albanian Government reached 16.500 ton

[22] Presence of NATO troops in Albania is an indispensable element - Minister

[23] Argjiro-Shota, organization of Kosovars displaced to Albania

[24] Number of Kosovars coming to Albania in past 24 hours has been small - Minister

[25] No grave incidents in commune of Tropoje on Monday - Ulqini

[01] Albanian Government denounces escalation of military actions by FRY against Albania

At the end of the meeting the government issued the following statement:

The Government of the Republic of Albania strongly denounces the dangerous escalation of the military actions launched recently from territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) against territory of the Republic of Albania.

Today, on April 11,1999, at around 18 00, as a result of the Yugoslav forces' heavy artillery attacks on the village of Tropoje e Vjeter of Tropoje district, three Albanian citizens were killed and 12 wounded, some of whom are in serious condition.

The Albanian Government considers this unprecedented act a grave violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania.

After attempts to destabilise the neighbouring countries through deportation of a large flux of refugees, the criminal regime of Belgrade is now switching over to open military actions, such as the latest one against Albania. These actions are part of Milosevic's regime to detabilise the Balkans and the entire Europe.

The Albanian government warns that any attempt to realise this sinister plan, will but near the inevitable end of the Belgrade regime. The Albanian people and their armed forces are ready to face any military aggression that may be launched against the Republic of Albania.

Considering this latest aggressive act of the FRY against the Republic of Albania, the Abanian government is taking all the necessary measures to guarantee the security and inviolability of the country's territory.

Of this grave event the Albanian Government has informed its Euro- Atlantic allies with which it shares the concern and commitment to peace and stability in the region. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] "San Giorgio" warship brings other aids for displaced Kosovars

The warship "San Giorgio", charged with aids for the displaced Kosovars arrived in Durres port on Monday at 07.45 a.m.

The spokesman of coordination center of this operation told ATA that this aid consists in 12 containers with food items, cloths and health materials, 11 generators used to produce electric energy, 10 vehicles of the Red Cross and Civil Protection and others.

On board of the ship were also 35 volunteers from the Red Cross. A part of them are to go in Kavaje camp while 35 others left for the city of Kukes.

"San Giorgio", "San Marko", and "San Giusto" warships have made seven travels charged with humanitarian aids from Bari port to Durres in two- weeks time.

A French ship is expected to be anchored in Durres port after about an hour. /s.s/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Most preferred books of outgoing week

Book sellers say that such a drastic fall in the numbers of books sold is not even encountered during the riots of 1997.

A survey made in several libraries of the capital shows that more preferred were the philosophic, historic and especially the political books. The following is the qualification list of most preferred books of outgoing week:

1- "Balkan's history", written by Georges Castellan, and published by the Publishing House "Çabej", The work is translated by the scholar Arben Puto and Luan Omari, and it describes the history of Balkan during the last six centuries.

Castellan is a history pedagogue in the Institution of Languages an Civilization of Eastern Countries.

2- "Return in diversity" written by Joseph Rothscild, published by the Publishing House "Onufri", and sponsored by "Soros" foundation in the framework of the cycle of books "Books for an open society" it is translated into Albania by Virgjil Muçi. It unfolds the political history of Eastern and Central Europe from the Second World War since nowadays.

3- "Historical Biography", written by Tomm Pejn, and published by the Publishing House "Argeta LMG". The book presents the historical biography of the Second World War. The book is translated in Albania by Vasil Ghymshanaj. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Most preferred video films of outgoing week

The comic film "Flubber" is listed in the second place of the qualification list of the most preferred books of the outgoing week.

Another preferred film is the film "Double team", with the main protagonist the distinguished actor Steven Seagel. The film treats the patriotism of an American doctor.

"Leather weapon", with the participation of Mel Gibson, Donny Glover, and Rene Russo is listed at the end of the qualification list. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Aids of Finnish Red Cross for displaced Kosovars

The health center is made up of the ambulatory health service, obstetric and consultation "The mother and the child" are to be installed in Kukes, where are settled the majority part of the displaced Kosovars.

The same source said that the Labor Minister of Finland, Liisa Jaakonsaari, by giving explanations on the decision of the Finnish government regarding the refugee settling, declared that Finland is ready to welcome 1000 people, if such a thing will be asked by the UN Commission for Refugees. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Tirana currency rate

Currency Bought Sold

US$1.00 144 144.5 German mark 79.5 80.2 Italian lire (1000) 80 80.5 Greek Drachmas (100) 47.3 47.7

/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Meeting between police of Saranda and Corfu held

"The minimization of illegal traffics of emigrants in the sea space of the Ionian sea was considered as a positive step in this meeting," the chief of the police commissariat in Saranda, Edmond Kule, told ATA.

According to this source, the patrolling of the sea space of 70 km with units of Greek and Albanian police was asked to also continue in the future.

The cooperation between the Albanian and Greek police started in autumn of 1997 after signing in Ioannina an agreement from the then Ministers of Order of both countries, Nertian Ceka and Jorgos Romeos. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Nearly 100 Kosovars enter border checking of Han i Hotit

The official of the office for the reception of displaced Kosovars close to the town hall, Esma Boksi, told ATA that the refugees have been accommodated in the collection center of sports hall of the city.

Nearly 6200 Kosovars have crossed this border checking over the last 10 days. Most of them have been distributed towards other towns of the country. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] French navy ship "L'Orage" brings logistic means for NATO troops

This navy ship brought logistic materials for the establishment of a staff of NATO troops in Albania.

Some 230 military men and French volunteers of the civil defence also arrived by "L'Orage."

Nearly four hours before, the Italian navy ship "San Giorgio" arrived in the port of Durres, which brought humanitarian relief for the exiled Kosovars in the framework of the humanitarian operation of the Italian Government "Ylberi." /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Building of two camps for Kosovars starts

The spokesman of the prefecture told ATA that the Austrian and the German governments have started to build in the village of Shtoj, 2 km far from the town, two big camps for the accommodation of refugees.

Both camps will have canteens, health centers and five persons will be sheltered in each tent. In these cams will be accommodated the refugees who are actually staying in the collection center of the sports hall and those who are in the families of Shkoder.

Actually, the number of Kosovars in Shkoder is estimated at 12 000 persons. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Musical albums mostly sold in past week

Meanwhile, a new album has been introduced this week "Baby, one more time" of Britney Spears," which is ranked the tenth.

Classification of the ten mostly sold musical albums:

10- Britney Spears Baby one more time 9- Five Five

8- N'Sync The winter albvum 7- Cher Believe

6- Venga Boys Open down the party album 5- Emilia Big big world 4- Prodigy The cast Breadder 3- Metallica Garage Inc 2- Offspring Americana 1- Best Alternative (Mix)

/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] WFP promises aid for displaced Kosovars

The Ministry of Information reported to ATA that Premier Majko said the fact that most of the Kosova refugees are women and children, conditions the food structure of aid. "It is of primary importance for us to provide the suitable food for children," said PM Majko.

The Albanian Premier stressed that the aid in food items and its distribution should be carried out in cooperation with the local government.

Bertini said that the Albanian people and government deserve thanks for the way they have chosen to cope with the grave situation.

"It is important for us to offer humanitarian relief for the exiled Kosovars and to offer assistance for the families which have sheltered the refugees," said Bertini, who added that "we must also think of the assistance that Albania should take after the crisis." /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Influx of displaced Kosovars reduced

The spokesman of the Kukes prefecture reported to ATA that only 38 Kosovars have entered the border checking of Mornina.

According to him, the problem is only the evacuation of the exiled Kosovars, because Kukes is over-fulfilled.

Nearly 151 134 Kosovars have been distributed until now towards the other districts of Albania. This process continues by army vehicles.

Some 127 000 refugees are actually sheltered in Kukes and its suburbs. Some 70 of them continue to stay in the open air in tents, while the other part in the families of citizens in Kukes and nearby villages. /s.s./mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] 800 million dollars to pass the situation

According to the Albanian Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli nearly 400 000 persons are going to be accommodated till the end of the year with this sum.

Sources from UNCHR announced the number of the displaced Kosovars to enter in Albania till Sunday evening, which reached to 310 000 persons.

"A financial packet of 600 million dollars is needed to meet the humanitarian needs, while for keeping the budget index nearly 200 million dollars are needed," said the Minister of Finance Angjeli.

All the expenditures done by the state budget till now, the expenditures to be passed by budget of different Ministries for 1999 and UNCHR, as well are taken into consideration to define this sum, said the Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli.

The negative effects, such as the custom income's situation after imports' fall, the restriction of native and foreign investments, stopping of work process in several enterprises, mainly in the mines of northern area and the fall of the planned incomes in tourism are discussed and calculated as well.

Some days ago European Community declared in Luxemburg the financial packet of nearly 250 million EURO for Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.

150 million EURO will be used as humanitarian aid and 100 million EURO as a financial support for these countries./pas/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Prices to remain stable

The prices kept the same value with the ones of the previous day. /linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] NATO militarymen to set up a refugee camp in Korce

The camp underway in Qatrom, 5 km west of Korce, will shelter at first 5 thousand Kosovars, the spokesman of the prefecture Jovan Katundi told ATA.

The camp and the whole accommodation of the Kosovars will be defrayed by the German Government.

Work is going on for three days now for the another camp in Pojske, near Pogradec, by the lake with the same name. The camp is financed by the Greek Government. At first 5 thousand Kosovars will be accommodated there, later the capacity may double according to the needs.

There are 13 thousand Kosovars in the prefecture of Korce so far, and 10 000 of them are in the district of Korce. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] DP of Albania denounces Serb attacks on Albanian territory

The Secretary of the DP Public Relations, Vili Minarolli asked the U.N. Security Council to investigate into the infliction of the territorial integrity of Albania and to condemn this Serb aggression.

The DP also urged the Albanian Government to be more active towards these provocations which have been continuous, describing this stance "as rather indifferent."

On Sunday, at about 6 p.m. as a result of the heavy artillery strikes by the Yugoslav forces into the territory of Albania, in village Tropoje e Vjeter, district of Tropoje, three Albanians were killed and 12 other were wounded, a part of whom are in a grave situation. lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Aid provided by Consumer's Association

The members of this association, beside the contributions in LEK, collected considerable quantities of food, including sugar, spaghetti, milk, meat, biscuits, etc, which are distributed in Tirana camp, where a part of the displaced is sheltered.

The sources stressed that the members of the association in districts do observation to check the food and the environment of the centers where the Kosovars are sheltered./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] The people wounded in Tropoje by Serb mortars brought to Tirane military hospital for intensive medical treatment

Ten of them were were gravely wounded are taken to the Central Military Hospital, among whom a foreign reporter who was there to make coverage of situation in northern Albania. The six others are expected to arrive in the Central Military Hospital in Tirane after received in the first medical aid in Tropoje.

Last Sunday, as a result of the Serb artillery strikes in the Albanian territory, three Albanians were killed and 16 others were wounded. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Young recruits of Military Police Battalion take oath

The department of Public Relations in the Defence Ministry of Albania told ATA that present in the oath ceremony of the young recruits were the Minister of Defence Luan Hajdaraga, the Chief of the Army General Staff, Brigade General Aleks Andoni, high military officials, military attaches of some NATO countries, etc.

The Defence Ministers addressed the recruits saying that "the oath of this effective is taken in a special situation for all our nation."

After the ceremony, the effective of the Military Police Battalion in Sauk made some exercises with elements of professional character.

The Minister of Defence, Luan Hajdaraga, expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Italian army which have assisted in the creation, training and functioning of this important structure of the Albanian army. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Humanitarian aid provided by Albanian Government reached 16.500 ton

According to the Minister of Information in this figure is not included the humanitarian aid distributed all over the country by the international agencies, like UNHCR and World Program of Food, but only those which were in Albanian warehouses before March 26, 1999.

In this number is not included the humanitarian aid brought by NATO, as well.

The humanitarian aid provided by the Atlantic Alliance till April 7, marked the value of 284 ton.

Humanitarian Aid to enter in Albania during March 30 - April 12, is provided by different countries such as Italy, Turkey, Germany, Greece, USA, England, etc. They are taken and distributed by different ministries and non-government assocations./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Presence of NATO troops in Albania is an indispensable element - Minister

The spokeswoman of the ministry told ATA that the talk focused on the measures and contribution that NATO troops will make to Albania to cope with the situation created after the the influx of Kosovars arriving in Albania.

NATO representatives voiced their readiness to assist in setting up refugee camps in some zones, with logistics etc.

Minister Koci hailed the initiative of NATO to deploy troops in Albania. "Their presence here is an indispensable element to preserve the local stability and security. They will have the assistance, support and all facilities to accomplish their mission," said Public Order Minister, Petro Koci. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Argjiro-Shota, organization of Kosovars displaced to Albania

According to the leader of this organization, Hajdin Begolli from Prishtine, the main aim of the structure is to create all facilities and conditions for the return of the refugees to their homes.

Begolli said that the establishment of this organization following the barbarous tide of Serbs against Kosova was very indispensable with a great number of families being split and lost. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Number of Kosovars coming to Albania in past 24 hours has been small - Minister

With regard to their health situation, Mr Ulqini said that 7 000 children from Kosova in the prefecture of Kukes were vaccinated for measles and 120 000 doses of vaccines for diphtheria, hooping cough and tetanuses are made ready for the Kosova children along with 60 thousand doses of vaccines for adults from Kosove.

According to Ulqini, situation in all refugee camps is under the full control of medical teams of the Ministry of Health.

This ministry has taken measures for the medical treatment of 16 wounded people in Tropoje yesterday. Ten of them, including a French reporter, were flied to the Tirana military hospital. Two most seriously injured are now out of danger and six others, four of whom militarymen, are being brought to military hospital in Tirane. All of them are out of danger for their lives.

Minister Ulqini said that the 24 refugee camps and centres adopted to receive the Kosovars have 31 thousand people in 13 districts of the country. Work is going on for the creation of 10 big refugee camps which will accommodate 57 666 Kosova people.

As for the humanitarian aid ensured by the Albanian Government for the Kosovars, the amount has been 16 500 for the period from March 30-April 12, 1999. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] No grave incidents in commune of Tropoje on Monday - Ulqini

"Until 4 p.m. no shells have fallen in the commune of Tropoje," said Minister Ulqini, adding that fierce fighting was continuing on the other side of the border.

Asked about the stance of the Albanian army towards these incidents, minister Ulqini said that "the Albanian army is carrying out its constitutional duty to defend the sovereignty of Albania."

Minister Ulqini stated that the Serb troops have not violated the Albanian border so far and highlighted the calmness on the part of the Albanian army which "has not fallen into the track of Milosevic." /lh/xh/

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

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