Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-10

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] Education and entertainment for Kosova children

[02] "Agimi" association provides 100 million lira for Kosovars in Sarande

[03] France provides aid for Kosova refugees

[04] Centre for 100 children with psycho-physical problems

[05] Salonika provides aid for Kosova refugees

[06] Last week's best sold musical albums

[07] Fischer proposes Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe

[08] Dollar at 142 leks

[09] New camp built in Durres for Kosova refugees

[10] Albania President decrees Chairman of Academy of Science

[11] Nearly 800 Kosovars enter Albania through Han i Hotit

[12] Lino says Albanian generosity has surprised the world

[13] We are closer then ever to the cause which Prof. Agani died for, Speaker

[14] NATO present in Albania until Kosova war refugees return to their soils

[15] Economy on trout cultivation to start

[16] Albania waiting for a new Albania-EU agreement

[17] About 400 Kosova children from Kosove take part in the Spring marathon, Vlore

[18] IFDC accords 10 million dollars on agricultural business

[19] Repair of damaged axes need a fund of 62 million lek

[20] Fire on small hydro power station of Smokthina

[21] Nine ships with humanitarian aid for Kosova expelled to be elaborated in Durresi port

[22] Albania participating in Forum "Economic Cooperation in Southeastern Europe"

[23] Kosova reconstruction to cost from 6 - 10,5 billion dollars -Albania needs as a budgetary support 167 million dollars-

[24] NUD to finance eight thousand dollars about water provision of Mjekesi camp

[25] No limits on budgetary expenditures any more

[01] Education and entertainment for Kosova children

This joint programme with the Soros foundation intends that these children are educated and entertained, so that they are free from stress, fear and terror of war experienced in Kosova.

The project which is envisaged to last until the end of June, will be realised by 16 specialists, teachers and nurses, of whom eight are from Kosova, also including mothers of the children from Kosova. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] "Agimi" association provides 100 million lira for Kosovars in Sarande

"Our aid is a contribution of the inhabitants of Racione, a city which established sister-city relations with Sarande four years ago," said Cavalaro, adding that the aid consisting in clothes, medicaments, blankets and other articles, will soon be made possible through the Italian operation "Ylberi".

After three years of suspension, this association reactivates relations with the Sarande town. /led/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] France provides aid for Kosova refugees

Robert Digo, representative of this association, said they have brought seven truckloads of aid, and 25 other truckloads of aid are expected to arrive in Durres port to distribute aid not only in Shkoder but also in other northern districts of Albania, where the number of Kosova refugees is very large.

Some 30 000 Kosovars have been accommodated in Shkoder, 18 000 of whom in five reception centres in the city and in two camps, while 12 000 others in Shkoder families. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Centre for 100 children with psycho-physical problems

The representative of this association, Doris Langhoff, told ATA that for a year the treatment of these children will be financed by the association.

Langhoff added that "through radio and TV channels we will invite to this centre Kosova children with psycho-physical problems accommodated in various areas of the country". /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Salonika provides aid for Kosova refugees

Sources from the radio report that the food supply will address the Kosova refugees.

The mission was accompanied by the professors of the Law Faculty, J. Koukiandi and K. Hatzikonstantinu, the director of Radio Paratiritis, Petro Papassarantopolos, and reporter Rena Haritidou.

Professor Koukiadis stressed that "we should show our solidarity with the refugees, irrespective of religion and nationality.

Papassarantopoulos underlined the fact that such an initiative began in Salonika, a city which in the past has done its utmost to help the refugees.

The committee will continue to support the Kosova refugees with humanitarian aid, considering that in this way the good traditional relations between the Greeks and Albanians are strengthened further. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Last week's best sold musical albums

"Wengaboys", with the rhythm of its songs has attracted most of the youths and its is one of the most preferred groups in discos.

The group Prodiggy with the album "The crash beater" ranks the second.

The classification of ten best albums:

10- Five Five

9- Laura Pauzini La risposta 8- Offspring Americana 7- Sottotono Amor de mia Vida 6- Emilia Big big world 5- Britney Spears Baby one more time 4- In go Snow on the Sahara 3- Metallica Garage Inc 2- Prodigy The crash beater 1- Wengaboys Open down the party album /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Fischer proposes Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer last week presented his ideas for a stability pact for Southeastern Europe, the spokesman of the German embassy in Tirane told ATA on Monday.

The ideas of the Senior German diplomat for this pact aim at creating political and economic perspectives for South-eastern Europe. The aim of the pact is to avoid violent conflicts, guarantee the building of democracy, market economy and regional cooperation as well as integration of Southeastern Europe into the Euro-Atlantic structures.

According to Fischer, this will be preliminarily enabled with a regional meeting, with the participation of all the EU states, five former Yugoslav Republics, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, the U.S., Russia, Turkey, the OSCE and the CE.

According to sources from the embassy, Fischer proposes that the opening conference of the Pact of Stability be held in Bonn. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Dollar at 142 leks

The dollar has gained points against the lek also in the banks operating in Albania.

Foreign currency exchange rate

USD 142

DM 77,5

ITL(1000) 78,3

GRD(100) 46,3

Swiss franc 73,3

EURO 151,47 /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] New camp built in Durres for Kosova refugees

In this camp, which will be managed by the Spanish NGO-s and the Spanish Caritas, some 5000 Kosova refugees will be sheltered. A clinic with Spanish doctors is also set up inside this camp which will offer medical treatment for the newcomers.

Another big camp is underway building in Hamallaj village by the U.S. forces, while two other camps, one from the Belgium forces and the other by the German forces are being built in Spitalle and 16 000 refugees are expected to be accommodated in them. /led/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albania President decrees Chairman of Academy of Science

Giving the decree to Prof. Popa, President Meidani said that he wished the voice of the Albanian academicians be strongly present in the process of elaborating the public opinion in what he called 'public democracy.' This voice should be particularly present in mass media in order to serve the national question, by compensating what is missing on the part of the Kosova intellectuals. This is very important to convey the voice of Albania in the entire international public.

Thanking President Meidani and the colleagues who elected him, Prof. Popa assured them that the national issue will be the priority of the Academy in the future.

Ylli Popa was born on 12 January 1930 in Elbasan. He was graduated in the University of Bucharest, branch of medicine in 1954. He carried out post graduate studies during 1958-1962 in the field of cardiology in the medical institute of "Pirogov" in Moscow and was awarded the title "Candidate of Sciences." He was elected deputy of the People's Assembly during 1982-1990. Since 1991 he is member of the Albanian Helsinki Committee.

In 1983 he was elected member in correspondence of the Academy and three years later he was chosen academician, and was awarded the title 'professor.' In 1997 he was elected temporary chairman of the Academy of Science. /led/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Nearly 800 Kosovars enter Albania through Han i Hotit

The spokesman of the police commissariat of Malesi e Madhe told ATA that 800 Kosovars, mainly women, children and elders, who arrived early on Monday through Han i Hotit, were sent by busses to Shkoder.

The secretary of the town hall, Bardhyl Shaqiri, said that the refugees are sheltered in the reception center in the tobacco factory in Shkoder where are actually 4800 Kosovars.

Some 37 000 Kosovars have entered Albania through Han i Hotit over the last 36 days and a part of them has been distributed towards other districts of the country. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Lino says Albanian generosity has surprised the world

The mayor of Korçe city, Robert Kotmilo, presented to the American ambassador the attempts made to host and systemize the Kosova refugees, and with actual economical and social life problems in this city.

The perfect of Korçe, Bardhi Aliçkolli, told Lino during the meeting that the number of Kosovars accommodated in this prefecture amounts to 12 000. They are mainly sheltered in makeshift camps, objects adopted for this aim and in the families of the city.

Ambassador Lino payed a visit in the Qatromi camp, and got acquainted closely with the living conditions of the Kosova refugees.

During her stay in Korçe, American ambassador to Tirane, Mariza Lino, visited the house of the People's Painter Vangjush Mio and the National Museum of the Medieval Arts. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] We are closer then ever to the cause which Prof. Agani died for, Speaker

"With the unshakeable conviction that we are closer than ever to the cause which Prof. Agani died for, we join our efforts with the international community for the fair solution of our question, according to the will expressed by the Kosova people," ended the telegram of the Albanian Parliament Speaker. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] NATO present in Albania until Kosova war refugees return to their soils

Erickson highlighted that "our mission is to help in transporting the displaced Kosovars, and to assist them with all the necessary living materials". Asked about the possibilities on the movement of the dislocated Kosovars, Erickson said that "we can not oblige the refugees move from Kukes to other camps, although the situation in Kukes is rather emergent, because these Albanians have undergone several violations before coming to Albania.

"AFOR command has got daily information on Kosova refugees' influx. We are closely cooperating with UNCHR and with the Albanian government to face the necessities created", added Erickson.

NATO forces involved in "Allied Harbor" operation are setting up new camps in several cities such as in Elbasan, Korçe, Vlore, Fier and others and they are reconstructing some road segments. Erickson said "we will take into consideration the necessity of the Albanian government to improve road infrastructure".

NATO troops will make the reconstruction of Gjadri airport after the Albanian government drafts this project.

"We think that this project will last for too long, depending to the political situation in Kosove. However we are going to be here until the refugees return to their Motherland. lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Economy on trout cultivation to start

Two Albanian merchants invested more than 5 million lek on the construction of the concrete tanks for trout breeding with an area of 1 000 meter square. They got trout maggot from Janina, Greece.

Two native investitures started to sell the first production of this cultivated fish not only in the southern markets in Saranda, Delvina and Gjirokastrs, but also in Tirana and elsewhere in the country.

This is the third case of rare fish cultivation, after that established near Bistrica Hydro Power Station and the one in Dibra, in cold water of Sete river./led/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albania waiting for a new Albania-EU agreement

A press release of the Foreign Ministry reports that Mr Lakrori informed the Committee members of the development of the integration process so far, the problems and the tasks emerging from the promotion of the process in the conditions created by the situation in Kosove and in the region."

According to the declaration, "representatives of the ministries of Defence, of Public Order, the department of Local Government, of Education, etc., discussed the activity of the units of integration in these institutions."

The participants in the meeting discussed the near perspectives of the construction of the contractual relations between Albania and the European Union.

The declaration gave no further details. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] About 400 Kosova children from Kosove take part in the Spring marathon, Vlore

The marathon started in Skela square and finished in "Flumari" square. The children from Kosove run besides their friends from Vlore and several of them tented to be the first in at the end of the marathon.

This activity was organized by a cooperation of Vlore Youth Center with the Italian association "Vivicitta". /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] IFDC accords 10 million dollars on agricultural business

The new project Assistance for Albanian Agricultural Associations is due to the fruitful cooperation of the United States Agencies of International Development (USAID) and IFD.

The project will be implement in some phases for a period of 3-5 years. According to the Head of IFDC beside the construction of network system that encourages and support the aggrobusiness it is thought to find the solution even for the credit's problem for Albanian farmers./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Repair of damaged axes need a fund of 62 million lek

At the moment all the areas damaged are under the supervising of the Maintenances Directories, but many funds are using to allow the traffic circulation, but without any hope to find a final solution about the stability of road axes.

Minister Ingrid Shuli asked in this meeting about a project and about the prediction of a fund to implement the final repair of these roads.

According to the representatives of the General Directory the most harmed axes are Burrel-Peshkopi, Ndroq-Plepa, Fier-Ballsh-Tepelena, Elbasan- Gramsh, Kelcyre-Permet, and Vlora-Llogara./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Fire on small hydro power station of Smokthina

This unexpected fire covered even other equipment by harming them. At the moment the Hydro Power Station is out of work and the provision of the energy is cut for the inhabitants of that area.

But even line 220 kV of Fierza-Koman is put of use.

The production of the energy in Albania is 15.249 million kW/h, where 15,058 million kW/h are producing by Hydro Power Stations and the rest by Termo Power Stations. This production manages to meet the needs of the clients, which this month marks the value of 14.468 million KW.h./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Nine ships with humanitarian aid for Kosova expelled to be elaborated in Durresi port

According to the sources from the captain of the Port beside the two ferries of the lines from Bari (Italy) and Cooperi (Croatia), nine other ships are elaborated, which came mainly with humanitarian aid for the Kosova expelled population.

The specialist of the ship elaboration sector Barbara Stepa said that on Monday 9 ships loaded with different goods such as wheat flour, construction materials, are elaborating in this port.

"Vjoco" and "Apollo Prestike" ships brought from Croatia 3140 tones humanitarian aid consisting of food, clothes addressed for the Kosova population entered in Albania.

Seven other ships with the same weight of 14 100 tones are standing in the queue to be elaborated. According to the contracts with the native merchants, they brought food, construction materials, pesticides for agriculture and fuel./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Albania participating in Forum "Economic Cooperation in Southeastern Europe"

The forum organized with the initiative of the Greek Government will focus on the economic and trade cooperation between Southeastern European countries. Along with Greece as the organizer of the forum, attending the forum are also government delegations from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia, and representatives of international financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Albania and Macedonia are expected to demand financial aid for the management of the humanitarian crisis. Analysts think that the future of the Balkan countries depends on their relations with the EU, but most of the perspectives of the official integration are gloomy. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Kosova reconstruction to cost from 6 - 10,5 billion dollars -Albania needs as a budgetary support 167 million dollars-

According to the prediction done by the European Ministers, beside the value of Kosova reconstruction after the end of war, the International Community will face the humanitarian situation even financially. The needed value of the humanitarian aid will vary from 340 million dollars for four months war and 780 million dollars for nine months war.

Beside the financial value for Kosova reconstruction and facing the situation the Ministers of Finance of European Union discussed even about the budgetary support for the regional countries affected by the crisis.

The assistance about the salaries balances in favor of the countries of Balkan region, such as Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Sloven is reckoned to be from 650 million dollars, if the conflict will continue 4 months and 1,5 billion dollars, if the conflict will continue 9 months.

The finances of these sums will be divided between European Union and World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

According to the calculations done by the International Monetary Fund 167 million dollars is the value needed by Albania as budgetary support till the end of 1999./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] NUD to finance eight thousand dollars about water provision of Mjekesi camp

According to him PNUD will invest even for the inhabitants of the area around the camp, to make possible the water provision for 24 hours./lh/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] No limits on budgetary expenditures any more

In the end of March 1999 due to the situation created in Albania, the Government decided to limit the budgetary expenditures. According to this decision the administrate expenditures for phones and fuels fall fro 20,30 to 50%.

Meanwhile, the expenditures on medicine and military are remained unchanged.

The Albanian Government reached to the conclusion that to keep the necessary levels between the incomes and expenditures because the delicate financial stability and any lose of the control might bring to a crisis, it is necessary taking of some severe measures in the expenditure's field.

But due to the beginning of the budgetary support by the International Financial Institutions and different countries these limits are pulled off. The first step was the decision to increase the salaries of the budgetary employees starting from May 1,1999. This increase was predicted to occurred in April 1,1999.

The Directors Board of World Bank decided to approve the credit of 30 million dollars to support the budget of Albanian State. Beside World Bank is going to finance to Albania even 45 million dollars in the frame work of the Structural Adjustment Credit (SAC).

According to the calculations done by IMF in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance the value needed by Albania as budgetary support till the end of 1999 is 167 million dollars./linda/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article