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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-03Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Second day of massive evacuation of Kosovars from KukesKUKES, May 3 (ata) - By H Cani: Monday is the second day of the massive evacuation of the Kosovars massed in Kukes. 15 buses with Kosovars left Kukes at about 8 a.m. for the districts deep in Albania. Waiting for the evacuation are also about 50 trucks of NATO placed near the military division of Kukes. The operation is directed by UNHCR and NATO in cooperation with the prefecture of Kukes.The previous day about 7 thousand people were transported from Kukes to other districts and the same number is expected to move today. The warmer weather makes urgent the evacuation of the Kosovars from Kukes for fear of eventual epidemics, sources from the city hospital said. /s.sh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] A refugee camp near Saranda by Italian Civil DefenceSARANDE, May 3 (ata) - By Sh Hajno: The Italian Civil Defence will set up soon a refugee camp in the place called the field of Vrion, 7 km, from Sarande, for the Kosovars in that district.Daniela Silvestrini, representative of the Catholic Mission "Marceline Sisters" which is cooperating for the necessary material base, told ATA on Sunday that through the Italian Government operation Arcebaleno, two containers reached Sarande carrying 100 tents, 2 water canons and a water electric pump for the needs of the camp. All the work for the camp, in which 1000 Kosova people will be housed, will be completed by the Italian Civil Defence, representatives of this organization in Sarande said. Besides this camp, another one is expected to be set up with a capacity for 1 500 people. /led/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Serb artillery shells fall close to an Albanian TV transmitter in Has districtHAS, May 3 (ata) - By R Hoxha: Shells of Serb artillery hit Albanian territory near the Albanian TV transmitter in the district of Has.According to Qazim Peka, technician in the transmitter installed in Qafe Prush, four shells of the Serb artillery fell at about 6.30 a.m. on Monday very close to the place where the transmitter of the Albanian Television and of the local TV station "TV Juli" are installed. So far there are no reports of damage, but leaders of radio Kukes, are concerned of their facilities because now the TV station technicians are retreated deep in the district of Has. The directress of Radio Kukes, Zana Spahiu, said that they are considering the possibility to remove the facilities. The transmitter is about 2 km from the border at a height of 960 m above the sea level. They are installed to transmit TV waves not only for the zones of Has, Kukes and Tropoje but also in the direction of the Kosova areas. This is the first case that Serb artillery hits in the direction of the TV transmitter. /s.s./xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Serb bombs set on fire 5 homes in Dobrune of HasHAS, May 3 (ata) - By R Hoxha: Five houses in quarter Hoti of village Dobrune in Has district were burnt on Sunday afternoon from bombs launched by Serb artillery.Sources of the district police commissariat said that at about 6 p.m. on Sunday in the vicinity of village Dobrune of Has district, Serb military forces have hit with heavy artillery. Consequently, 5 houses in Hoti quarter of that village were torched. No casualties are reported because the villagers have been evacuated deep in the district, the same source said. Also on Sunday at noon, a shell ruined the second floor of the border post building in Qafe Prush. The Sunday's provocations have been, perhaps, the gravest incidents by Serb military forces over the latest period. /s.sh./xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Education and entertainment of Kosova children in Don Bosco centreTIRANE, May 3 (ata) - By P Shuteriqi: There are 930 children from Kosove, mainly of the school age, who have been accommodated in the cultural centre Don Bosco in Tirane."After we set up the camp with all its facilities, we are working for the education and entertainment of the children here," said to ATA Don Izidor. Besides the cultural, artistic and sport activities for the children, the centre has also a special school running courses for foreign languages such as English, French, Italian and German. With the pupils of the 8th form school, a reduced teaching program is being applied, while for older ones there are are courses for computer, etc. In the afternoons, volunteers and animators of the cultural centre together with the children and youths housed there are organizing activities to avoid the stress of the Kosova comers caused by the atrocities of the war. /led/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Machineries on the board of U.S. ship Osprey being unloadedDURRES, May 3 (ata) - By Gezim Kabashi: The U.S. ship Osprey continues to be unloaded also on Monday, 24 hours after it reached the sea port of Durres.According to the chief of the engine hall of the ship, Eng. Yngvar Krantz, the unloading of the machineries on the board of the U.S. ship with a capacity of 33 931 tons, will be over Monday evening. The machineries it has brought will be used to rehabilitate the road infrastructure of Albania. Later the ship will return to the U.S. port of Wilmington (Delaware.) /led/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Exchange rate of Lek with foreign currencies on MondayTIRANE, May 3 (ata) - Follow the exchange rates of the local money Lek with foreign currencies:Kind of currency Buying Selling USD 143 143,5 DM 77,5 78 LIT(1000) 78 78,5 GRD(100) 46,2 46,5 /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] 25 wounded Kosovars in city hospitalBAJRAM CURRI, May 3 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: Some 25 people from Kosova wounded by fire arms or mines are being treated in the hospital of Bajram Curri, Shake Rexha,hospital doctor, said to ATA. She said that medical staff was offering possible assistance to the injured. Some of them, who have been seriously wounded, were airlifted to Tirana for further treatment, she said. During April over 50 Kosova people have been treated in this hospital. Their influx has asked for urgent medicaments mainly for serums, Rexha said. Despite difficulties, doctors of the hospital helped by Kosova doctors are trying to cope with the influx of injured people coming from the war zone. /led/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Differentiated increase in wages of teaching staffTIRANA, May 3 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: May this year marked a 10 percent increase in wages of budget system employees with teachers and doctors being the most privileged, Ilda Sadiku, chief of the Finance at the Education and Science Ministry said to ATA on Monday.The wage increase considers the place where the lessons are being taught, urban or rural remote areas, school categories, experience, professional formation and others, Sadiku said. The decision of the Council of Ministers, though suspended a month ago due to the emergency in Albania resulting from the Kosova crisis, is being implemented in conformity with a special strategy drafted according to wage policies following short and medium term directions, including changes in wages of administrative system and their restructuring. /led/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] LDK is ready to create a joint government of KosovaTIRANA, May 3 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: Armed aggression of the Serbian regime against the Albanian people of Kosova, ethnic cleansing against the population, cooperation of Albanian political factors in Kosova, Albania's help for Kosovars as well as NATO role in the regional crisis were at the focus of a news conference organised by the leaders of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) on Monday."The aim of the Serbian aggression is to change Kosova into a burnt land. Such a move is being followed by forcible expulsion of the Albanian population of Kosova, massive killings of civilians, massive graves, burning of Albanian houses," Naim Merliu, LDK deputy chairman told the press conference. Merliu thanked Albania's government, people and political forces for their efforts in helping Kosova people. Party leaders expressed their concern on the fate of the LDK leader Ibrahim Rugova. "Rugova is still hostage by Serbian forces," they said urging the international community to do its best to save the life of Rugova and enable him to exercise his powers. The LDK expressed its support for the Kosova Liberation Army. "The LDK is committed to a cooperation of all political and military factors in support of Kosova defence and voices readiness to strengthen a joint government of Kosova," Merliu said. As regards the NATO role on a solution to the crisis in the region, the LDK representatives hailed air raids against Serbia and urged attacks be speeded up until the Serbian terrorist machinery was destroyed and NATO- led forces established in Kosova to guarantee return of displaced people and normal life there. During its stay in Tirana, the LDK delegation held a series of talks with senior Albanian personalities, including president of Albania Rexhep Meidani, prime minister Pandeli Majko, foreign minister Paskal Milo, head of the parliamentary foreign commission Sabri Godo as well as Democratic leader Sali Berisha. The delegation held talks with the OSCE ambassador to Tirana Daan Everts. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Kosova comers sheltered in villages to help Albanian farmersTirana, May 3 (ata) - By E.Xhajanka - Kosova comers sheltered in Albanian villages are giving their contribution in agriculture processes, by helping the farmers in their season's works.USAID in cooperation with the Local Government accorded a fund about the registration of the number of the Kosovars sheltered in villages aiming at implementing the assistance projects in support of the farmers. "The National Union of Albanian Farmers (NUAF) is engaged not only to support the Kosova comers not only about the food provision, but also to attract them in the daily works of the Albanian farms", told ATA the head of the National Union of Albanian Farmers Nesti Zoi. USAID project aims at making possibilities to Kosova comers to work in agriculture and animal breeding for the time being, mainly in the rural areas, where the youth immigration marks greater values.So,they can be able to produce the food products by themselves. Meanwhile the Statistics Directory at the Ministry of Agriculture stressed out that "this year more 3750 tonne pulses and more animal products will be produced in order to meet the needs of Kosova comers"./led/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] 500 Kosova people accommodated in new refugee camp in NdroqTIRANA, May 3 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: First refugee camp constructed for the Kosova people by the Action by Churches Together (ACT) and the "Service to Love" operating in the Orthodox Autocephalus Church of Albania received on Monday the first 500 Kosovars.It is expected that other 1 500 Kosovars would be accommodated in this camp in Ndroq, near Tirana. The camp has 80 tents and the Kosovars will have the optimum conditions to protect the environment and the food was provided in cooperation with the World Food Program. Necessary hygiene-sanitary conditions have been provided and the work to secure running water is over while other 100 tents are being erected. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Albanian foreign minister to attend 50 anniversary of CoETIRANA, May 3 (ATA) - By I. Luto: Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo left for London on Monday to attend the ceremonies of the 50 anniversary of the creation of the Council of Europe (CoE), sources of the press directorate of the Albanian Foreign Ministry said to ATA.Senior personalities of the Council of Europe, its member states and host country will be present at the ceremony. On the sidelines of the ceremonies, Albania foreign Minister Milo would also take part in the 104 session of the CoE Committee of the Foreign Minister to be held in Budapest. It is expected that the crisis in Kosova, its effects on the regional countries and ways to resolve the crisis dominate the session. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] AWF protests against Serb repression in KosoveTIRANE, May 3 (ATA) - By R.Xhuvani: The Albanian Women Federation (AWF) is perpetuating with high dolor and with a total engagement the Albanian tragedy in Kosove, is said in a press relief for ATA on Monday.The declaration said that the wild aggression of Miloshevic regime was lately unfolded with the putting into prison of Flora Brovina, chairman of the Movement of Kosova Independent Woman, who has given an incredible contribution in the activities of civil society. Considering Brovina the symbol of the intellect woman of Kosova, AWF appeals to different bodies at home and abroad to give an end to the massacres of the Serb forces against the innocent population of Kosova. /dast/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Curve of budgetary salaries in AlbaniaTirana, May 3 (ATA) - By Elton Meta - The increase of the salaries of the budget employees in Albania by 10% started on May 1,1999.By this decision of the Albanian Government to increase the salaries will profit 133 000 employees. The Government decided this increase to occur in April 1,1999, but the tense financial situation of the state budget make a part of the budget expenditures was focused on facing the coming of the great number of Kosova comers to enter in Albania. After the very difficult financial situation created in Albania the International financial institutions, such as International Monetary Fund, World Bank and European Union, promised a budgetary support for Albania. According to the data taken from the Statistics Institute INSTAT the average salary in the state sector in Albania in the end of 1998 was 10.079 lek, while in the end of 1997 it was 9.758 lek.In the end of 1998 the inflation marked 42,1%, while in the end of 1998 by 8,7%. While in 1999, the inflation is predicted to be 7%. Albanian Government in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund followed a severe macroeconomics policy to stabilize the index of the state budget. Nevertheless, the average salary reached to 10.079 lek, and a dollar against the Albanian currency was 141,14 lek. So, the average salary in the state sector by converting according to this currency rate reached to 71 dollars. The same macroeconomics policy is followed even in 1999, while the possibilities of increasing the salaries of the employees of the budget system and inflation had been under control. The increase of the salaries in Albania since 1992 is performed gradually by following the curve of the price's index.At the end of 1992 the average salary of state employee reached to 2173 lek, while in the end of 1993 it increased to 2955 lek. After several increases performed in 1994, 1995, and two other increases in 1996 the average salaries reached to 8638 lek in the end of 1996. In 1997 there was any salary increase, although the inflation was high. In February 1998 the budgetary salaries increase nearly by 20%, but in special sectors such as order, justice, customs and taxes the increase was till 50% above the monthly averaged salaries. At the end of April 1999, the Albanian Government approved the decision "About the approval of the Government strategies about the restructure of the salaries of the public administrate". This decision defined in very detailed way the medium term of the Albanian Government on the salaries policy in the public administrates and the project about the restructure of the salaries system. It expressed the engagement of the Government to increase the salaries based on the possibilities of the state budget, which aims at work improving and attracting the skilled staff in the Albanian public administrate./led/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Democratic party backs a wide ranging cabinet in KosovaTIRANA, May 3 (ATA) - Situation in Kosova, crisis in Albania resulting from the arrival of Kosovars driven from their lands as well as the role of NATO in resolving the crisis, were the major topics dealt with at a meeting of the National Council of the Democratic party on Monday.Focusing on the policy of extermination and ethnic cleansing the leader of the Democratic party (DP) Sali Berisha said that his party had backed NATO and asked that these bombardments be launched in 1992. He said that the NATO victory against Milosevic was indisputable but added that if such a victory was sure this would not imply that Albanians would win if they refused to return to build a free Kosova. As regards an interim government of Kosova, Berisha said that he had not recognised the government of Hashim Thaçi, but the DP would recognise that government representing people's unity. Berisha backed the Kosova Liberation Army and urged it to be a part of the victory of NATO forces. He considered Rugova a hostage of Milosevic and urged his release. The council did not discuss the DP return to parliament. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Albania, main country to be financed by Phare ProgramTirana, May 3 (ATA) - By Elton Metaj - Albania will be the main country, where the finances of the European Union will be oriented, through Phare Program for the Central and Eastern Europe.Albania will profit more than 56 million Euro by Phare Program. Three new actions' programs will be realized by the predicted finances aiming at the development of the transport, environment agriculture and the institutional strengthening infrastructures. The sum predicted for Albania will be divided into two parts. Nearly 40,9 million EURO will be given in support of the National Program including Tempus program, which is an estimation strategy of the activity concerning education, professional preparation and education. While around 15 million EURO will be addressed for the promotion of the bilateral cooperation program (Phare Cross-Border) with the two border and strategic countries of Albania: Greece and Italy. Phare Program predicted several intervenes and finances for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. As far as Albania is concerned, these finances will be urgent ones./dast/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] General says allied harbour - humanitarian not military missionTIRANA, May 3 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: The mission undertaken by the Allied Harbour forces is a humanitarian and not military mission, British General John Reith told a joint news conference with an official of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Jacques Mouchet and head of the Albanian committee on aid coordination Kastriot Islami."We are here to back and assure the UNHCR and the Albanian government in fulfilling the humanitarian mission aimed at helping the Kosova arrivals, " Reith said. "So far there are 7 thousand NATO troops in Albania, a number expected to increase by 8 thousands." Their major aims, according to Reith, are the distribution of humanitarian relief arriving in Albania, improving infrastructure in Rinas airport, transport of Kosovars from Kukes to other areas inland Albania, building of refugee camps and accommodation. The UNHCR official Mouchet said that their efforts are focused in registering the Kosova arrivals and issuing identity cards. Head of the commission on aid coordination, Kastriot Islami said that the Order Ministry in cooperation with MAPE is working to maintain order and law not only in the north but also in every refugee camp in Albania. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Kosova citizen not allowed to be buried in his Motherland by Serbs, buried in MaliqKORÇE, May 3 (ATA) - By B.Fejzullai: The Serbs did not allow Fehmi Hajdari, aged 70, who died in Switzerland some days ago, to be buried in the land of his forefathers.Zekri Hajdair, the son of Fehmi, told ATA that "the Serbs are killing us, they are driving us out of our lands and they are not allowing us to be buries in the land of our forefathers. He added that despite the requests made to the Yugoslavian embassy in Switzerland for giving a permission to bury the dead person in his motherland, this embassy did not open its iron gates. In these conditions, wanting to fulfil their fathers' last will, they decided to carry the dead body to Maliq, 10 kilometers away from Korçe, where the family of Nuredin Hajdari, one of their brothers displaced from Kosova, is accommodated. Maliqi local government gave the permission to bury Fehmi Hajdari as its citizen. He was accompanied to the graveyard by all the citizens of Maliq. The total number of Kosovars accommodated in Maliq city amounts to 6 000. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Serbian shells land in border post of PogajHAS, May 3 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: Serbian forces launched rounds early on Monday in the direction of the border post of Pogaj damaging it.A spokesman of the police commissariat of the Has district said to ATA that the incident happened a few minutes after the NATO aircrafts bombed and destroyed the Yugoslav border posts along the border. The same source said that there were no reports on casualties. Sources from border villages and the Kukes city said that powerful blasts had been heard near the Albanian border. Fires blazing for hours were also seen. The same sources said that all border posts in the other side of the border, that is, in Gllobocice, Krusheve were destroyed. Such a move has incited Serbian military forces to pound a series of Albanian border posts such as Pogaj, Dobrun and Qafe Prush and the like in sign of revenge. /ake/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Within September to end first 22 km of Eighth corridorTirana, May 3 (ATA) - By Manjola Pupa - The first 22 km of the road segment Durres-Rrogozhina, part of the eighth corridor, are predicted to be completed within September of this year.The joint venture "SAFA" of Italian company Falcone and the Greek one Sarandopulos started the construction of this segment, 38 km long, in March 1998. But the process till now it is not going as it was predicted before. Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta in a meeting today morning with the heads of this company in the site asked for the acceleration of the work process in order to complete it according to the assigned contract and especially of the first 22 km within the September. According to the Minister of Public Work and Transport Ingrid Shuli "the time of the full construction of this road segment will be 2000". In the observation about the developing of the construction process took part the Ambassador of European Community Mr.Peretti, who stressed that " for Albania is opening a gate, a chance, not to be lost, but on the contrary to profit from it." Actually this road segment is financed by Phare Program of European Community by 19,8 million ECU./dast/linda/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Humanitarian Operation of NATO troops carries out its activity with high intensityTIRANE, May 3 (ATA) - By Enkelejda Koraqi: Information Office close to Coordination Center with AFOR staff told ATA that they have performed with high intensity the work to transport the driven Kosovars to closer areas of Albania.Several helicopters and 30 army vehicles were placed in disposition of this evacuation. As a result more that 10.000 people were transported from Kukes in Mjede and in some other Albanian districts. The transport vehicles continued the work in the Kukes and Mjede prefectures to provide the camps with food items. The road transport from Kukes to Elbasan, Durres and other cities has normally functioned. The forces of Naval Protection in Durres organized the work and accelerated the process of unloading two military ships. NATO forces are numbered to be 6 000. Several teams of health assistance were added to these forces in May 2. /dast/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Number of Kosova new comers entering Albania through Hani i Hotit estimated at 400SHKODER, May 3 (ATA) - By M.Malja: Some 400 Kosovars from Gjakova and Peja entered Albania on Monday through the border pass of Hani i Hotit, 30 kilometers away from the city of Shkoder.The spokesman of Prefecture Police Directory told ATA that the new arrivals were mainly children, women and elderly people who were forcefully expelled from their soils from the Serb military-police forces. He added that the new comers are immediately accommodated tin the transit hosting center in the factory of cigaretts, where are actually sheltered 4 500 Kosovars. The total number of displaced Kosovars steaming into Albania through Hani i Hotit border crossing during the last 23 days amounts to 35 000. Many from these refugees left for other cities of Albania. /lh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] Humanitarian aids delivered in the framework of "Rainbow" mission, countinue to arrive in AlbaniaDURRES, May 3 (ATA) - By Gezim Kabashi: "Mario" ship arrived in Durres port on early Monday. It was charged with another contingent of humanitarian aids carried out in the framework of the Italian mission "Rainbow".The spokesman of the Italian Expert Delegation said that this ferry has brought 173 cointainers with cloths, food items, medicaments, different sanitary means to help Kosova refugees driven from their soils. The total weight of the aids is about 1 300 tons. Sources from Durres port told ATA that "Palladio", "Jupiter" and "Horn beam" ferries coming respectively from the Italian ports of Bari and Brindezi and from the Croation port of Coperi are anchored in Durres port on early Monday. The great ship called "Osprey", carrying machineries for the road infrastructure of Albania, left Durres port today. /lh/A.A/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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