Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-06-08

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CONTENTS

[01] Letaj village shelled again

[02] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

[03] Press review

[04] Nine artists of the visual art represent Albania in Biennal of Venice '99

[05] Meidani: We are trying hard that you retun to Kosova as soon as possible

[06] Ulqini says Albanian army is carrying out its constitutional duties

[07] Situation on border under control

[08] We hope Kosovars will return to their soils within summer season; Zogaj

[09] Minister Ruka meets with Kosova pupils and teachers

[10] Kosumi says circumstances should be created for a secure future of Kosove

[11] Bufi: Privatization of small enterprises to be completed within September

[12] Annan to Meidani: UNO will make the utmost to help Albania

[13] Some 15 computers accorded for University centers in the districts

[14] Majko asks for acceleration of procedures on payment of Albanian families sheltering Kosovars

[15] Only road of strength will force Belgrade to accept peace plan for Kosova

[16] AMC to be privatized within this year

[17] New National Countability Council is established

[18] Two people detained for placing TNT in a house in Shkoder

[19] Tirana: Food market is closed

[20] Four drug-traffickers put under arrest

[21] Telecommunication on strike

[22] Greece has offered immediately its assistance for Kosova refugees in Albania - adviser

[23] NATO to be on first line for a safe return of Kosovars to their territories

[24] Debate in Public Order Ministry on draft law "On State Police"

[01] Letaj village shelled again

Letaj village of Has district has again been shelled by the Serb artillery.

On Tuesday after 05.30, five shells fell in this village. There are no reports of casualties or damages.

Letaj, some 1.5 km far from the border line, over the last three months has, for several times, been the target of Serb artillery. The shelling has damaged at least five houses and killed one person.

All the inhabitants of the village have been evacuated deep in the district since NATO bombardments on Yugoslavia began. /led/lm/

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[02] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

Follow the exchange rate of lek with foreign currencies for Tuesday

Kind of currency Bought Sold USD 137 138 DM 72 73 LIT(1000) 73 73,5 GRD(100) 43 43,6 /A.A/

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[03] Press review

Follow some of the main headlines of Tuesday's press,

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Fear hindered Rugova to come to Tirane". Moderate leader of Kosova Albania Ibrahim Rugova did not feel the proper physical safety three days ago, when he was expected to come to Albania. "Eight illegal emigrants' managers in jail". The Vlore police in a recent operation arrested eight illegal emigrants' managers and sequestered dozens of passports, through which the illegal emigrants crossed to Italy. "Thousands of villagers flee their homes". As a result of Serb artillery shelling, inhabitants of the border villages in the Kukes and Has districts have fled their houses.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"Albright's meeting with Thaci, Rugova and Qose fails". A meeting called by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with Rugova, Thaci and Qose failed to be held yesterday and has been put off for today. "Greece: Let us build the Eighth Corridor". Greek ambassador in Tirane has asked that his country builds those parts of the Eighth and Tenth Corridor that go through Albania. "This is how they killed the mother and her child". This is the testimony of a former inmate of Smerkovnice prison.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Rugova, Qosja and Thaci shake hands". Rugova, Thaci and Qosja met in Bon late last night. "Anti-Berisha camp in DP seceded". Joining parliament without a political decision by the DP leading forums seems to remain an isolated action. "Kidnapping persons, crime without punishment". In the last five years the Albanian justice has sentenced only 28 persons for the act of kidnapping.

Rilindja, independent informative,

"Nearly 120 000 Kosovar pupils attend 250 summer schools in Albania". Summer schools began for Kosova children all over Albania yesterday. "Belgrade's tricks and "complementary" explanations by Antisar...."

Albania, independent daily,

"Schools open doors to Kosova children". "Rugova: I will meet with Thaci in Tirane".

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development,

"Washington hails liberalisation of telecommunication" "Aid fair: many promises, no contract". "Number of Kosovars increases, food prices decrease".

Zeri i Popullit, daily of Albania's Socialist Party,

"Serbs want war with Albania". "Albanian Mafia sophisticated". Public Order Minister Spartak Poci, told an analysis meeting yesterday. "Shehu: moderators quickly to parliament"

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of Albania's Democratic Party,

"Rugova-Thaci meeting today". "Prosecutor's office mobilises false witnesses". "Two killed by volleys of gunfire".

Republika, daily of Albania's Republican Party,

"Who wanted Teta's head on September 14". "Summer schools open for Kosovars". /lm/

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[04] Nine artists of the visual art represent Albania in Biennal of Venice '99

The artists selected according to the concept "The art of ironic optimism" are Besnik and Flutura Haxhillari which will be presented with the work entitled "On planes", Edi Hila to be presented with "Display of the portraits", Edi Rama with a work dedicated to Kosove, Anri Sala with "The interview - Finding the work".

The artists Adrian Paci, Alban Hajdini and the Albanian painter living in England, Lala Meredith, will be presented with the works exhibited in the international exhibition "Onufri '98" The works of nine Albanian artists will be included in the catalogue of Biennales while a separate catalogue will be realized for the Albanian ward. /pas/A.A/

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[05] Meidani: We are trying hard that you retun to Kosova as soon as possible

The military atache at the Greek embassy, General Ksiros, welcomed President Meidani and stressed that the setting up of this camp is part of the aid the Greek government has provided for Albania at this difficult moment.

"The camp set up by the Greek government is a model which should be advanced further. This shows the care of the Greek government, which with the same concern is thinking of the return of the deportees, building the same houses also in Kosova until life is normalised there," said Meidani in his speech.

Leter, Meidani toured the houses of this camp, where he met with the Kosovars accomodated there. They told the President of the crimes exercised by the Serbs against the Albanian population, and of their relatives killed by them.

Meidani condoled with them and said that "we all are doing our utmost for you to return to Kosova as soon as possible and together to rebuild it."

The camp set up by the Greek government includes 197 parafabricated houses for 2650, among whom 90% are mainly women and children. /led/lm/

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[06] Ulqini says Albanian army is carrying out its constitutional duties

"Albanian army, military police and the civil population are in a full sincronization, and they are carrying out their constitutional duties" Ulqini briefed on Tuesday in a mutual press conference he hold with the Information Minister of Kosove, Bajram Kosumi.

Ulqini confirmed that the bombardments of Serb artillery continued in the Albanian northern border even on Tuesday morning. So, seven shelled slammed in the Albanian territory on early morning, while 5 other shells struck Albania at 05:00 in Has region. According to the Minister Ulqini, Albanian military forces repelled the Serb military forces in the four cases they tented to violate the Albanian territory.

"Our military units have not fallen pray to Milosheviç who has tended to turn this conflict in a conflict between Albania and Serbia", said Ulqini. According to him Albanian government as well as the Albanian army are closely cooperating with NATO forces, and they are convinced of the fact that the maintaining of self-control is very important in these moments. /led/A.A/

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[07] Situation on border under control

The border chief at the prefecture police department, Abdyl Mersini, told ATA that "the situation on the border belt continues to be calm and we are keeping it under total control. The whole border belt, at a length of 160 km, from Velipoje to Vermosh, is under the control of the Albanian border posts".

He said that reinforcements of military troops have recently been observed on the Yugoslav border, while over the last two weeks no more Kosovars have crossed into Albania through the border point of Hani i Hotit. The Shkoder lake is being patrolled around-the-clock also by two border vessels. /led/lm/

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[08] We hope Kosovars will return to their soils within summer season; Zogaj

"We hope for the better, but we should be prepared for the worse", aid Zogaj in the camp near the swimming pools in Tirane, during a visit the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, payed on Tuesday in this camp.

We should adopt all the measures to create conditions for Kosovars during the winter, because " no one believes the words of Milosheviç".

Asked on establishing of well-understanding between the three Kosova leaders after the announcement made on the meeting in Bon of Rugova, Thaçi and Qosja, Zogaj said that "We want them reach consensus, but we are know nothing about this meeting".

Albanian President accompanied by the Greek ambassador to Tirane, Aleksandros Mallais and the Greek military attache close to this embbassy visited Tuesday the roulette camp donated by the Greek ambbassy for the Albanian government where are sheltered 2. 650 Kosova refugees. /led/A.A/

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[09] Minister Ruka meets with Kosova pupils and teachers

"You cherish the inextinguishable hope of returning to a free and democratic Kosova as soon as possible," he told the Kosova teachers and pupils attending the summer classes at the "Don Bosko" centre.

The education of the Kosovar children, stressed minister Ruka, has been handled with priority despite the difficult conditions Albania, itself is experiencing, but, he added "any sacrifice is completely justifiable, as we are of the same blood, we are one nation".

The deputy chairman of the Kosova Education and Science Trade Unions, Ali Shabani, also greeted the participants and appreciated the great assistance provided by the Albanian people and government also for the schooling of the Kosova children.

In his visit to the "Don Bosko" centre and the camp which house some 1 500 Kosovars, Ruka was accompanied by representatives of UNICEF, of the Education and Science Trade Unions and of the capital's education department. /led/lm/

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[10] Kosumi says circumstances should be created for a secure future of Kosove

"The Interim Government has a full political and organizational control on the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) and this is a very important fact of consolidation of military and political factor in Kosove", said Kosumi.

Kosumi unfolded the situation in Kosove, where "Belgrade regime has intensified in maximum the clashes in all the front lines and all over Kosove".

According to Kosumi the withdrawal without conditions of all the Serb military, paramilitary and police forces and the fulfilling of NATO conditions is in the interest of creation of peace preconditions in Kosove and wider in the region. "KLA will not prevent and will not attack Serb army during the withdrawal", said Kosumi.

Kosova Interim Government is engaged for a transitional phase in resolving the Kosova issue with an international military and civil observance, but "it is resolute in its thought that Kosova people will decide its chance through the democratic way of referendum, after the transitional phase", said Kosumi.

Kosove Information Minister said that the humanitarian situation in Kosove is alarming, and asked NATO and the Western countries to be more engaged in Kosove people after the bombardments, ethnic cleansing and the damage of properties of Albanians.

"The return of refugees in their soils and the security for them is not enough. The creation of circumstances for a secure future for Kosove and its people is the emergent necessity", said Kosumi. /led/A.A/

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[11] Bufi: Privatization of small enterprises to be completed within September

According to Minister Bufi the number of the small and medium enterprises privatized, sold, rented and paid off is 313. Meanwhile 106 other enterprises are still to be privatized.

131 enterprises out of them are sold, 32 are rented and 155 ones are paid off.

While 106 enterprises undergo the privatization proces, 24 of them have the satus of commercial share enterprises and 82 are objects. /dast/linda/

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[12] Annan to Meidani: UNO will make the utmost to help Albania

Secretary General of the UN Organization, Kofi Annan, addressed a letter to President Meidani where he reconfirmed the stand made public during the discussion held in Tirane that UNO will make everything possible to help Albania.

The announcement delivered to ATA by the Press and Information Department close to the presidency said that "this aid consists not only in facilitating the grave humanitarian crises, but it will consist even in finding a right solution to Kosove crises, which will help in the development of the whole region".

Annan expressed the high evaluation of the discussions made in Tirane and at the same time he expressed the highest gratitude for the marvellous stand of Albania and its people is assisting hundreds of thousands war refugees.

Annan writes that his visit in Kukes was rather impressive and I am convinced that the Albanian generosity characterized many people who welcomed to their houses Kosova refugees. At the end of the letter Annas expresses his thanks regarding the visit he made in Albania together with other delegation members. /led/A.A/

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[13] Some 15 computers accorded for University centers in the districts

The English government supported the project of the Ministry of Education and Science on strengthening of the managing network towards the creation 'of first electronic cells" sources from the Ministry of Education and Science told ATA today.

The first amount of 15 computers will be followed by other capacities to meet the growing demands of the university centers in the actual transitional period.

Participating in the ceremony organized on this occasion was the Minister of Education and Science, Et'hem Ruka, OSCE ambassador to Albania, Daan Everts and the British ambassador, Peter January. /led/A.A/

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[14] Majko asks for acceleration of procedures on payment of Albanian families sheltering Kosovars

Majko said that the most emergent issues which ask for immediate intervention from the executive are the beginning of wages for Albanian families sheltering Albanian families, the registration of refugees and the end of contracts that will serve for bilateral contacts between Albania and other different international organizations.

Majko asked to be informed regarding the problems of payment of Albanian families welcoming Kosova refugees and highlighted the special importance of this issue. "This action should be followed with a maximal attention, and every delay in this direction will be intolerable", said Majko.

Albanian Minister of Finances and the Minister of Local Government said that all the procures regarding this problem are over, and the payment for these families will be made within this week.

The two ministers said that the state structures depending from them are ready to finish the payment for the two outgoing week, and the same procedure will continue even for the forthcoming months until Kosova refugees are returned to their houses. /dast/A.A/

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[15] Only road of strength will force Belgrade to accept peace plan for Kosova

TIRANE, June 8 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The Republican Party of Albania considered the suspension of the talks on the peace plan for Kosova between NATO and Serb representatives as an ordinary cause that Milosevic dished out to the international community.

The Republican Party has always been sceptic to any diplomatic movement of Milosevic in the context of the international efforts to attain peace in Kosova.

Milosevic has never been inclined to respect accords, a statement of this party stresses among others.

This party hopes that following the suspension of these negotiations there will be no more illusions in some circles of representatives of the western countries who, as the statement says, have so far believed in the possibility of convincing Milosevic to accept peace in the negotiating table.

The only road to force Belgrade to accept the peace agreement is strength. Ground intervention of NATO will definitely solve the conflict in Kosova," writes the RP statement. /dast/xh/

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[16] AMC to be privatized within this year

Taking into consideration the Policies of Telecommunication Development in Albania Minister Bufi explained the tender process of AMC privatization will start as soon as possible and be completed within this year.

Already the Ministry of Privatization drafted a project law "About the privatization of Albanian Mobile Communication (AMC)", which predicts "no less than 85% of share-certificates are offered to the strategic investitures".

Minister Bufi said that with the beginning of the procedures of AMC privatization, the liberalization of the market will take place as well. /dast/linda/

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[17] New National Countability Council is established

It consists of nine members. Meanwhile, the National Countability Council nominated its head Prof. Jorgji Bollano. The Council also defined the short-term platform, which aims at the continuation of the specialists on countability, improving of marketing forms and the financial balances of private enterprises according to the coherent standards. /dast/linda/

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[18] Two people detained for placing TNT in a house in Shkoder

As the press office of the Public Order Ministry reported on Tuesday to ATA, forces of police commissariat of the district of Shkoder arrested on Monday the two culprits whoc were Gentian Selami and Darsen Sekniqi.

Selami and Seknici, residents in Shkoder, in cooperation with each other, had planted some time ago an amount of TNT in the house of Dashamir Dini, chairman of the branch of the Socialist Party of Shkoder district, but its explosion caused no victims.

Later on Sunday, still unidentified people placed an amount of TNT in the house of the prefect of Shkoder, Jetmir Shpuza, whose explosion caused material damage also in the nearby houses. /pas/xh/

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[19] Tirana: Food market is closed

A hundred businessmen were not allowed to sell their food products and the market was left completely empty. The reason for this action was the lack of the licenses to be issued by the Tax Directorate.

Meanwhile, according to the businessmen the taxes are regularly paid at the offices of the Free Market enterprises, at Tirana Municipality and there is no any reason to pay other duties in the Tax Directorate.

While the head of Tax Police of Tirana stated that the law obliged these businessmen to be equipped with licenses in order to perform their commercial activities.

Whole sale market, near Pupils Town is functioning in Tirana since five years and it is one of the main provision centers of food items for the other commercial units, in and out Tirana./dast/linda/

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[20] Four drug-traffickers put under arrest

Sources of the Public Order Ministry told ATA on Tuesday that a day before, police of Pogradec arrested the nationals Ylli Kollcaku, 27, Altin Hysolli, 27, Edmond Balliu, 21 and Julian Gegprifti, 25.

The same sources added that they were detained because they were caught by police while transporting 10 kg of narcotic plants.

Police found in the house of Kollcaku a hand grenade, six fake passports and some pistol bullets, which police blocked as material proofs. /dast/xh/

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[21] Telecommunication on strike

Tirana, June 8 (ATA) - By E.Metaj - Public services of phone cabins, different repair in Telecommunication system are interrupted on Tuesday in different Albanian districts, while there were no any problem in automatic network.

The work is not interrupted in the northern area due to the emergency situation.

This is due to the strike of employees of Telecommunication Trade Union, which started on Monday three days strike by asking for the fulfillment of their economic requirements, mainly of that of salary increase up to 40%.

Sources from the Trade Union informed that the Telecommunication Directorate did not answer to the employees' requests and this is reason why they stated the three days' strikes, by considering their requests as "minimal" and "completely realizable ".

When asked about this strike Minister of Public Economy and Privatization Ylli Bufi stated on Tuesday that " this issue have to solve by the Albtelecommunication Directorate and the Supervising Council". /dast/linda/

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[22] Greece has offered immediately its assistance for Kosova refugees in Albania - adviser

Mr Vlahakis stressed that "besides the efforts made by EU in valuing the necessary funds to cover the budgetary deficit of Albania, Greece doubled its assistance for Albania."

Greece was one of the first to initiate the creation of a corridor of humanitarian aid with its destination to various Albanian state institutions, NGOs and Kosova refugees sheltered in the camps set up by the Greek military contingent in Albania (ELDAL), he stressed.

According to him, the Greek Government set up with its funds three camps for Kosova refugees and soon the Greek Red Cross will manage the construction of the fourth camp for refugees, which will be carried out by a U.S. non-governmental organization. "The camp will be made on the basis of an agreement signed between U.S. NGO, the International Relief Committee, the Greek Red Cross and Albanian respective authorities," said the press adviser of the Greek Embassy in Tirane, Nikos Vlahakis. /dast/xh/

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[23] NATO to be on first line for a safe return of Kosovars to their territories

In an exclusive interview with ATA, the AFOR spokesperson, colonel Helge Eriksen, said among others that "we will not leave Albania even if the the peace agreement accepted by NATO is reached. We will work to prepare camps for the Kosova displaced people. In some of the camps, measures will be adopted for the winter season so that the conditions for the refugees be good.

With regard to the plans of the NATO humanitarian mission in Albania, Eriksen stressed that now NATO is engaged in transporting refugees and the rehabilitation of roads.

"We will finish the projects we have started. When the refugees will begin to return to Kosova, we'll help transport them to their homes together with KFOR," he said.

Asked which will be the act of the NATO forces if a lasting peace accord on Kosova is not reached, the AFOR spokesman said that "if there is not any agreement acceptable by NATO, the air campaign will continue. But we all are hoping that there will be an agreement which will fulfil the NATO terms."

In response to a question what will happen if Russian troops will demand a separate command, Eriksen said: "We will not agree that Kosova be divided into safe and unsafe zones. We shall work so that the Kosovars be able to return to any zone where they have been living in Kosova. The main preoccupation of NATO is that even if Russian troops will participate in the peacekeeping force, Kosova refugees must be ensured the same security also in the zone where these forces will operate." /dast/xh/

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[24] Debate in Public Order Ministry on draft law "On State Police"

The spokeswoman of the ministry told ATA that the aim of the meeting was to discuss the draft law presented to the Government "On State Police" and the completion with some by-laws several of the present competence of the Information Service of Order, to give it space of action.

Public Order Minister Spartak Poci demanded a closer cooperation between the commission and the ministry he leads especially in this phase, so that an improvement be realised and the law be adopted as soon as possible.

A second phase was the coordination of the work between the Public Order Ministry and the Government to prepare the package of legal and by- laws which ensure the implementation of the law. /dast/xh/

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