Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-06-07

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CONTENTS

[01] About 2 300 Kosova pupils will start summer schools in Has this Monday

[02] Four shells of Serb artillery hit village Dobrune

[03] Musical albums mostly sold in the past week

[04] Most required video films in the past week in Tirane

[05] Foreign Ministers to discuss Pact of Stability for Southeastern Europe on Thursday

[06] Evacuation of population continues in Has district

[07] Exchange rates of local lek with foreign currencies

[08] Democratic society must be built by fair people - Meidani - Albanian President meets with High Court members -

[09] "Task Force" created for realisation of local government decentralization in Albania

[10] Nearly 120 000 Kosova pupils in 250 summer schools throughout Albania

[11] Ministry of Justice needs professionals rather than politicians - PM

[12] Italy, one of main partners in overcoming humanitarian crisis in Albania

[13] Puig: Europe has special responsibility for helping Albania -President of WEU Parliamentary Assembly addresses letter to President Meidani-

[14] Prime Minister Majko presents new Justice Minister

[15] High taxes hinder tourists' coming

[16] Vlora: Another Italian investment for welcoming of Kosova Albanians

[17] Gjoka: We were not surprised at interruption of talks -News conference by the Foreign Ministry spokesman-

[18] American Bank of Albania stimulates private business

[19] Increase of controls in custom warehouses

[20] Pollo: Milosevic has shown he is not for implementation of agreements

[21] "HABIN Shop": One of the main bread suppliers of Kosova Albanian

[22] FLORYHEN to cover 35% of eggs'market

[23] Taxes: Nearly 300 million lek cashed in the state

[24] Malaj: Albania is open to any cooperation -Meeting of Greek ambassador with Parliamentary Economic Commission-

[25] Greek national kidnapped

[26] Tense situation in Padesh

[27] Ten Serb shells land in Pogaj

[28] Milo: Peace plan for Kosova does not envisage division in two influential zones

[29] Ruci says talks on Kosova should deal with NATO's five conditions

[01] About 2 300 Kosova pupils will start summer schools in Has this Monday

Some 10 schools will be functioning to this end, but their number may reduce due to the grave situation caused by the Serb bombing in the commune of Golaj, said to ATA the chief of the sector of qualification in the education department of the district, Selman Gecaj.

According to him, due to the limited number of pupils some schools of the villages will apply a collective class system. Still decision has not been made for the opening of the secondary school because the number of the enrolled students is small.

Gecaj said that all other measures are adopted for a normal beginning of summer schools. The text books have been collected to be distributed to Kosove pupils along with other necessary didactic instruments. While about 15 Kosova teachers have worked with the didactic programs which will be used at school and have attended qualification courses. /a.ke/xh/

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[02] Four shells of Serb artillery hit village Dobrune

Sources of the district police commissariat told ATA that at 4 a.m. on Monday, the Serb artillery opened fire in the direction of the border village of Dobrune. Two mortars fell in the village, two others in the vicinity of it.

No damages are reported because population has been evacuated several weeks ago.

Village Dobrune, near Albania-Kosova border, has been a target of the Serb artillery in he few past days. In the mean time, fighting between KLA forces and those of the Serb army are continuing on the other side of the border. /led/xh/

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[03] Musical albums mostly sold in the past week

Follow the classification of the ten best sold musical albums

10- Cher Strong enough 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- TLC No scrub 3- Liquido Narcotic 2- Mr. Ozino Flat Beat 1- Fat boy Slim Right here, right now /led/xh/

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[04] Most required video films in the past week in Tirane

1- La vita e bella

2- Ronin

3- Obssesion

4- Armagedon

5- The Patriot

1. The film "La vita e bella", production of the company "Checci Gori" is a humour film awarded in the latest edition with three "Oscar" prizes. It is interpreted by renowned Italian actors Roberto Beningni, who is also the producer of the film, Nicoletta Braschi etc.

2. In the centre of the film "Obsession" is the social topic. The family relations in a house where there is only one woman make the main line of the film.

Famous actors of world cinematography Jessica Lange, Gwyneth Paltrow and Johatan Scach are characters in the film "Obsession," a production of the cinematographic company "Columbia Tristar."

3. "Armagedon" production of the TouchStone Pictures is one of the newest films with actors Bruce Willis, Lize Tyler, Billy Ben, etc.

It is an action film, which in its 151 minutes tells of the life of a city 18 days before its complete destruction.

4. "Ronin" as a thriller directed by John Frankenheiner. The film, produced by Paramount Pictures, is interpreted by the Hollywood actors like Roberto De Niro, Jonathan Ryce, Natasha MC Elkone.

5. The film "The Patriots" with the famous actor Steven Seagel dwells on the patriotism of a U.S. doctor who puts his life at stake to fight a mortal epidemic. /led/xh/

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[05] Foreign Ministers to discuss Pact of Stability for Southeastern Europe on Thursday

Press official in the German Embassy in Tirane, Dr. Rydiger Loc, told ATA that participants in this conference are the members of the so-called Royamount-Format, EU member countries, the European Commission, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, USA, OSCE presidency and the Council of Europe.

The Pact of Stability for Southeastern Europe is based on the proposals of the German Foreign Minister, Fischer for a long-term stability of the region through democratization, the macro-economic development and the regional cooperation of security. These proposals are presented first of all in the special meeting of the EU foreign Minister on April 8, 1999 and had the broad support of the NATO members in the meeting held in Washington from April 23-25, 1999. /led/xh/

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[06] Evacuation of population continues in Has district

The spokesman of the Prefecture of Kukes, Emri Peca, told ATA that the evacuated of today are all Kosovars who have reached Has district during past two months.

The grave situation in that district following the bombing in the past two days has caused the evacuation from Kukes not only the the Kosovars who were housed in that district but also of the inhabitants of the commune of Golaj and of the town of Krume, in which during the last few days there were two people wounded by the Serb shelling.

Since the beginning of the influx of the Kosovars in the Prefecture of Kukes, more than 417 600 Kosovars have crossed the Morini border post and nearly 348 thousand of them have already been evacuated to other districts. /led/xh/

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[07] Exchange rates of local lek with foreign currencies

Follow the exchange rate of lek with foreign currencies for Monday

Kind of currency Bought Sold USD 137 137,5 DM 72,5 72,8 LIT(1000) 73 73,2 GRD(100) 43,5 43,7 /xh/

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[08] Democratic society must be built by fair people - Meidani - Albanian President meets with High Court members -

"I wish your joint work aim at the realization of those parameters which the public opinion and the international community requires for the consolidation of the judiciary in Albania as an important pillar of the rule of law, but also in the fight against corruption and incrimination because the democratic society must be built by fair people," said the President to the judges present.

President Meidani stressed that the High Court must review its work to increase the influence on the first and second instance courts.

During the meeting, Meidani said that the state and the society must have a higher moral consideration for the judges. After improvements in the system of salaries for all the judiciaries, said the President, the high instance judges must be included in the protocol of the personalities at national and local level. /pas/xh/

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[09] "Task Force" created for realisation of local government decentralization in Albania

Representatives from participating foreign organizations in the "Task Force" such as USAID, OSCE etc., considered the importance of this process as one of the most positive undertaken recently in Albania, and expressed their readiness to assist it to the end.

The mayor of the town-hall of Elbasan, Engjell Dakli, in the name of the mayors of Albania, stressed that one of the main objectives of this process should be the drafting of a regulation on the functioning of the municipalities and the hiring of their staff.

As representative of NGO-s, Genc Ruli said that the decentralization of the local government must not be understood as a loss of the power by someone its passing onto another, because in the final say the citizen will profit from this.

Albania signed in May 1998 the Charter of Local Government Autonomy. But the practical realisation of the local government autonomy is a process which cannot be reached immediately, because this demands the involvement of the components of aid in the institutional, political, fiscal and other fields. /led/xh/

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[10] Nearly 120 000 Kosova pupils in 250 summer schools throughout Albania

To this end, specialists of the Education Ministry and the Institute of Pedagogical Studies have mapped out a special teaching program. Some 5 000 Kosova teachers will teach in these schools for 10 weeks along with local teachers from the respective districts. Through a finance from the World Education Trade Union "International Education" a donation of about USD1 million planned to be delivered to pay to salaries of the teachers and for the necessary documents in the schools.

The World Bank and UNICEF have promised to fund USD1 million, each half of the total, which will be used to ensure the text books.

"At the end of the summer courses, a European conference of trade unions will be organized to discuss the experience won and to sensitize those present to grant financial aid," said to ATA today the chairman of the federation of education and science of Albania, Xhaferr Dobrusha. /led/xh/

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[11] Ministry of Justice needs professionals rather than politicians - PM

Attending the ceremony were also the Minister of Information Musa Ulqini and the former Minister of Justice and presently Chairman of the High Court, Thimio Kondi. Prime Minister Majko said the Ministry of Justice needs professionals rather than politicians.

Panda was named to the new post by the President on Friday on the basis of a proposal made by the Prime Minister. /a.ke/xh/

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[12] Italy, one of main partners in overcoming humanitarian crisis in Albania

"We are following attentively everything happening at this time in Albania" underscored Brutti, adding that "Italy is ready to offer a great assistance for the consolidation of Albanian institutions."

Minister Hajdaraga said that the Albanian Government highlights the contribution of the Italian state to face the difficult situation created in Albania as a result of the arrival of some 500 000 Kosova deported people. "Over the last ten days, Milosevic has provoked grave situations in the region. The solution to the crisis in Kosova will come only after the five NATO conditions are met," said Albanian Defence Minister Hajdaraga. /pas/xh/

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[13] Puig: Europe has special responsibility for helping Albania -President of WEU Parliamentary Assembly addresses letter to President Meidani-

In her letter Puig expresses the opinion that Europe and especially the EU and the WEU have special responsibility for helping Albania cope with the current needs and the long term aftermaths the conflict in Kosova has caused it.

Further on, she says that Albania will remain the main point of stability in the whole region.

Puig ensures Meidani that at the coming plenary session of the WEU, due on June 14, she will make all efforts to attain a coordinated European action in support of Albania for the present and future. /dast/lm/

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[14] Prime Minister Majko presents new Justice Minister

"Albania is at a turning point; this period will testify whether we will forever do away with crime and its penetration into certain segments of the society.

Changing the inherited psychology of "self-determined justice" is an undertaking which cannot recognise compromise, otherwise, all our efforts to build a normal Albania will be at stake.

Majko said that the performance of Justice Ministry is of great importance for reestablishing the authority of law and turning the Albanian society into a community dependant only on the authority of law.

He said that within the framework of the constitution, a profound and complete operation should be undertaken in the system of Justice, for as much the executive is concerned with.

"The cabinet I run is determined to carry through to the end the steps of a legislative and institutional character to guarantee total independence of the judiciary and avoid the consequences of bad functioning in the restoration of order and economic development of the country," said Majko. /pas/lm/

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[15] High taxes hinder tourists' coming

According to the president of the tourist's agency "Shkendia Travel" Spiro Angjeli the delay in approving this law caused serious obstacles for the coming of considerable number of tourists in this town, due to very high tariffs per each tourist. The above mentioned taxes increased considerably for the foreigners to land in Albania during December '98 by marking the value of 50 dollars.

According to the law, which is expecting to be approved, the taxes for the tourists will be low ones, in the cases when the tourists' groups are coming through the agencies.

The increase of these taxes was precocious for current situation Albania is facing with, stressed out sources from tourists offices./pas/linda/

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[16] Vlora: Another Italian investment for welcoming of Kosova Albanians

The investments is performing in the frame of "Ylberi" mission aiming at improving the vital parameters of Kosova comers in this town. According to the project the inner parts of these objects will be so functional.

The performers of this project will take measures before the winter period, in case the accommodation of Kosova Albanian in this town will go on.

This is the first investment of this kind, by the part of Italian mission in Vlora, which follows the great tends camp of the capacity 5000 people, set up at the airfield of town./a.gj/linda/

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[17] Gjoka: We were not surprised at interruption of talks -News conference by the Foreign Ministry spokesman-

Albania's Foreign Ministry on Monday declared that "the interruption of talks between NATO and the Yugoslav army in Kumanove of FYROM has not at all surprised the Albanian Government".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Sokol Gjoka told reporters at a news conference that it has not been the first time that Belgrade tries to avoid agreements signed under the pressure of the international community.

"Milosevic, his policy and official Belgrade have always tried to gain time to realise their goals, also profiting from these technical agreements," said Gjoka.

On the same day, representatives of the Kosova Liberation Army said that the interruption of talks in Kumanove has been predicted.

"KLA is not at all surprised, considering earlier experiences we have had with Milosevic," Kadri Kryeziu, KLA spokesman for this region told reporters. He said he believed in the continuation of NATO's bombardments on Yugoslavia". /lh/lm/

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[18] American Bank of Albania stimulates private business

According to its head the value of the loans given by this bank is to 450000 American dollars, with an interest of 10-12% and the deadline for paying it back is three to five years, which is going to seven years.

American Bank of Albania started its activity in September 98. American Government provided a capital through a grant of 30 million dollars.

The main aim of this fund is to support the development of private sector in Albania. The most important part of bank mission is to provide bank services of high levels to Albanian market./lh/linda/

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[19] Increase of controls in custom warehouses

Interministral Committee of Economic Policies approved last days the project law " On the import, transition and the storing of tobacco and its foreign products", which is going to be sent for approval even to the Government.

The project is based upon the needs to stimulate the businessmen to be interested to import directly in Albania through two measures, the fiscal policy due to the falling of the import value and through the use of the regimes, presented at the new custom legislation, which is to say the limited number of the authorizations for the administrating of the custom warehouses.

To avoid the illegal consumes in Albania of the goods addressed to the other countries the transition in the Albanian territory is hindered.

These measures are taken directly after the announcements that different businessmen are bringing in Albania cigarettes by presenting the transit document and after that they sell them in Albanian markets./lh/linda/

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[20] Pollo: Milosevic has shown he is not for implementation of agreements

"The interruption of talks shows that, like other times, Milosevic signs agreements but he never respects them. With his actions he hopes for some split among the NATO members, but so far, the stand of the Alliance against Belgrade has been unique," DP deputy chairman Genc Pollo told a news conference on Monday.

Dwelling on the constant attacks of the Serb forces against the northern part of Albania, Pollo said that it is the duty of the Albanian army not to allow the violation of the country's territorial integrity and respond with fire to the Serb forces which violate the Albanian border.

The Democratic Party also condemned the act of placing an explosive device at the house of the Shkoder Governor Jetmir Shpuza.

"The DP dissociates itself from all acts against the life of any one and especially, when power holders, either local or central, are threatened, " says a press release of this party, which invites the competent bodies to throw light on the crime and punish its perpetrators as soon as possible. /led/lm/

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[21] "HABIN Shop": One of the main bread suppliers of Kosova Albanian

"Habin Shop" performed the bread transport for the Northern Albania in cooperation with the foreign companies through the helicopters and vehicles. Its representatives assigned contracts with UNHCR and several NGO- s in order to continue the further bread provision in the great camps where the Kosova Albanians are accommodated.

This company is a member of Flour Producers Union, assisted by IFDC- Albania and SARA./a.gj/linda/

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[22] FLORYHEN to cover 35% of eggs'market

According to the representatives of this joint venture " at the moment with the product it covers nearly 35% of eggs' market.

Some of the directions of its activity of this company is also the aviculture and the consultions on using new tech in eggs' production.

"The improving of the production organization make possible the distribution all over the country to be performed within a day, a factor which avoids the using of refrigerator conditions", stated specialists of this association./a.gj/linda/

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[23] Taxes: Nearly 300 million lek cashed in the state

According to the head of Tax Office of Vlora district Anastas Gjipali the main direction of the staff was the collecting of VAT, the registration of the subjects and the control of the tax cashing according to the plan.

The incomes by the sequestrations increase, including here the goods not accompanied with fiscal tax. Last days the tax police of this office sequestrated a thousand bottles of alcoholic drinks and packets of cigarettes.

The plan of the five months increases by 30% compared with the same period of previous year./a.gj/linda/

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[24] Malaj: Albania is open to any cooperation -Meeting of Greek ambassador with Parliamentary Economic Commission-

Until the end of June, said Mallias, "We will try to reach an important agreement on road transport. This is a very ambitious project and has to do with the construction of the road which will connect Tirane with Shkoder and Montenegro.

Greece is also interested in the development of all road axes that will contribute to the development of the region, among which the most important are the eight and tenth roads.

Also, linking Kapshtice through Korce and Pogradec with the eighth Corridor will make possible that the distance between Pogradec and the Greek border take 20 minutes.

"We believe that the implementation of these projects will contribute to the stability of the region," said the Greek ambassador.

The head of the Parliamentary Economic Commission, Arben Malaj, said that Albania is open to concrete cooperation. It is now about a new status Albania has gained in the developments in the region but it requires, besides political considerations, also economic support.

The Albanian parliament is determined to devote its whole attention to the Government to encourage the country's economic development," said Malaj at the end of the meeting. /dast/lm/

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[25] Greek national kidnapped

The chief of this commissariat, Lieutenant-Colonel Agron Roka, explained that the incident took place at around 10.00 today, at the site called Berdenesh, nearly 7 km. from Sarande.

The Greek national, Jorgo Lalotis, 27, the son of a Greek investor in Delvine, was driving his father's car in the direction of Delvine- Berdenesh.

Police are tracking down the kidnappers. /lh/lm/

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[26] Tense situation in Padesh

Shelling by Serb military forces continues, said the same sources, which do not provide immediate reports on the damage caused.

The Padesh village served as a crossing point for the first Kosova refugees on June 1, 1998. Within a few days over 17 000 Kosovars entered Albania through the border of this area. /lh/lm/

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[27] Ten Serb shells land in Pogaj

Tense situation has prevailed today in the Pogaj village, Has district, due to Serb shelling, mostly in the afternoon.

Sources from the district police commissariat report that 10 Serb artillery shells landed in Marice quarter of this village after 14.30.

There are no reports of casualties as all the inhabitants of this quarter have long since been evacuated deeper in the district, while the houses have been destroyed by the shells, the sources report.

The situation remains tense in this area where fierce fighting continues between the KLA and the Serb military forces. /lh/lm/

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[28] Milo: Peace plan for Kosova does not envisage division in two influential zones

"The security forces will be distributed to five zones. The Russian forces are thought to be deployed in one of these zones, where the NATO forces will make up the majority,"said Milo.

Milo said that now Milosevic hopes in a split on the Russian side, which now is presented by a hard line represented by Ivanov which has not agreed to Chernomyrdin.

Referring to the talks in Kumanove, between the NATO and the Yugoslav militaries, Milo said that talks have been interrupted, but this is a tactic of Milosevic to gain time. /lh/lm/

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[29] Ruci says talks on Kosova should deal with NATO's five conditions

"Our group is concerned about the fact that while on one hand Milosevic is declared as war criminal and is pursued as such, on the other hand is invited to talks.

Milosevic is continuing his grave crimes also resorting to chemical substance of late.

"The government should give the alarm. It should show no tolerance as regards the Serb paramilitary and military troops pullout. The implementation of NATO's five points and the establishment of its military troops in Kosova should be requested through all diplomatic means," said Ruci.

"Any deployment of Russian troops in Kosova, without NATO's command, will mean partition of Kosova," said Ruci. /lh/lm/

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