Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-07-02

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CONTENTS

[01] We ask our rights be determined within state of Montenegro - Nimani

[02] Leather factory in Durres closed for environmental pollution

[03] Greek ambassador Mallias visits TIrane University

[04] Police confirm injury of Myrteza Caushi (Zani)

[05] The exchange rates of foreign currencies in Tirana market for Friday

[06] Press review

[07] Singer Vace Zela among 500 renowned figures of the century

[08] Italian Mission "Arcobaleno" continues aid for Kosovars

[09] 1 800 Kosovars leave Mjeda railway station and make for their homes

[10] National Conference on stock-breeding development

[11] Investitures of UAE soon in Albania

[12] AFOR may realise transport of 2000 refugees a day

[13] New unit of Priority Projects will support Albanian economic development

[14] First contingent of 500 refugees transported by UNHCR arrive in Kosove

[15] Minister Poci demands support for police by local authorities

[16] Police forces are intensively working to through light upon Thursday's event in Vlore

[17] Dutchmen complete Institute of Plants' Protection in Durres

[18] Dutch Army grants USD100 000 for Albanian Army

[19] Master plan of Durresi Port to be reviewed

[20] 840 million lek on Albanian Electro Power System

[21] Persons sentencing release for Zani and Gaxhai to appear before the court; Ceka

[22] Milo meets with delegation of Democratic Union of Albanians of Montenegro

[23] Blair: I will support Albanian integration into European and Euro- Atlantic structures

[24] New spaces for a broad regional cooperation created - Speaker

[25]

[26] Government has not acted to restore order in country - Berisha

[27] "Peace through justice" gathers testimonies on Serb crimes in Kosove

[28] UNHCR lacking funds to realise Kosovars' repatriation

[01] We ask our rights be determined within state of Montenegro - Nimani

Nimani, whose party is part of the government coalition of Montenegro, considered his meeting with Majko "a warm meeting among brothers".

He said that the Albanians of Montenegro would be pleased if the Constitution of 1992 would really be implemented, as it recognises the rights of ethnic minorities in Montenegro, but, according to him, the only point that is really implemented is the right to Albanian information.

Expressing his conviction that one could not speak of change of borders, he stressed that "the Albanians in Montenegro, Macedonia and elsewhere should determine their rights conform the programmes of the international community". /lh/lm/

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[02] Leather factory in Durres closed for environmental pollution

Hundreds of inhabitants of this zone had for years been complaining of difficulties in respiration, of itching and acne.

The Hygiene Service and the ARB had often asked the factory's owners to take measures not to harm the health of the inhabitants.

This has been the first case of closing a factory which contaminates the environment, said the head of ARM, Ilir Qesja, adding that other enterprises which harm not only the health of their workers but also of the inhabitants of their surrounding areas, are considered to be shut up. /pas/lm/

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[03] Greek ambassador Mallias visits TIrane University

Accompanied by Neo-Hellenic study professor at the Tirane University Constantino Mizi and Press Attache at the Greek Embassy in Tirane Niko Vllahakis, the Greek ambassador met with the rector of the Tirane University, Maringlen Spiro, and held separate meetings with the dean of the Foreign Languages Faculty Maks Daiu, vice-Dean Niko Ketri and Director for Balkan Studies Mukadez Mance.

A meeting was also held with the students of the Greek Language Chair, which is attended by 20 students. The chair, which has been functioning since 1994, is under the dependance of the Ioannina University and headed by C. Mizi. /lh/lm/

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[04] Police confirm injury of Myrteza Caushi (Zani)

The gunfight broke out a around 18.00, inside a private restaurant owned by citizen Artur Shehu, and killed citizens Robert Shehu, 30, Luan Bedini, 50, both from this city, and Afrim Rami (Luciano), 25 from Burrel. Citizens Arben Lala (Kola), 25, from Tirane, and Myrteza Caushi (Zani) were wounded. Lala is hospitalised in Vlore while Zani fled the hospital immediately after medical treatemnt.

Police are working to throw light on the incident. /led/lm/

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[05] The exchange rates of foreign currencies in Tirana market for Friday

Kind of Currency buying selling USD 136,8 137 DM 72 72,2 LIT(1000) 72, 8 73 GRD(100) 42,8 43

/led/Na/

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[06] Press review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily. - "The new Balkan Confederation will be created: Tirane- Prishtine- Podgorice- Skopje". The new Confederation based in Tirane is a new way to join the European Union, but also a way to secede Kosova from Serbia. - "Luciano, the right arm of Zani, killed in Vlore". The right arm of Myrteza Caushi (Zani) was killed in the city of Vlore yesterday. Meanwhile, the police accuse Zani, himself, of committing this crime. -"Milo: Albania thrice princess until Autumn". Within a month there will be Friends of Albania, The Pact of Stability and The Conference of Donors. - "Tirane, the criminals' agency". The Minister of Public Order, Spartak Poci, yesterday sieved the Police of the capital.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily. - "Zani's end is coming". Three killed and two others wounded in Vlore late on yesterday; Luciano, Zani's close friend killed. - "Shehu: I will cooperate with Selami". Former DP leader Tritan Shehu yesterday said he is ready to cooperate with the other former leader of DP, Eduard Selami. - "In a six months time the state creates jobs for 3 000 unemployed". 3017 have been employed by the state in public works in Tirane during the last six months.

"SHEKULLI", independent daily. - "Coalition, new rules of game." The head of SDP and speaker of Parliament Gjinushi demands round table of all allied government coalition parties. - "Zani wounded, curfew in Vlore". Myrteza Caushi's close friend, dubbed Luciano, and two other businessmen from Vlore killed in Vlore yesterday. Police forces are hunting down Zani. - "NATO in Albania also after 2000". AFOR: The NATO forces will not leave Albania.

"RILINDJA", independent informative daily, - "Looking towards Kosova". - "The West and others promise to help Kosove". - "Albanians did not abandon Kosova for any moment"

"ALBANIA", independent daily, - "Terror in Vlora - Three killed, Zani wounded." - "Massacre in Elbasan. A whole family eliminated for a fence". - "Tirana the nest of crime, drugs and prostitution".

"EKONOMIA", daily of Albanian Agency for Economic Development. - "Macroeconomics development: Open debate". - "Taxation: Plan realised, deficit reduced". - "GNB (Greek National Bank): 240 million drachmas for the private business."

"ZERI I POPULLIT", daily of the Socialist Party of Albania. - "Coalition: To respect the agreement". - "Myrteza Caushi wounded". - "The police catch the kidnapers of Sofia Goga".

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of the Democratic Party of Albania. - "NATO will not leave Albania" - "Officer kills his mother, father and himself".

"REPUBLIKA", daily of the Republican Party of Albania. - "Bloodshed in "Bolonja": Luciano killed, Zani wounded". - "Tritan Shehu: Vote of confidence also for Berisha in the Congress." /na/lm/

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[07] Singer Vace Zela among 500 renowned figures of the century

This edition contains the whole life the Albanian artist has devoted to the song and stage.

Vace Zela was born in April 7, 1939 in the town of Lushnje. In 1973 she was awarded the title "Merited Artist", in 1977 the title the "People's Artist" and in 1996 she was given the prize of career. Singing is not the sole hobby of Zela. She is very much fond of movies, literature, guitar and flowers. /led/lm/

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[08] Italian Mission "Arcobaleno" continues aid for Kosovars

The spokesman of this mission told ATA that from 40 000 Kosovars in Albania, who were assisted in the context of the humanitarian operation "Arcobaleno", only 15.500 have remained.

The "Arcobaleno" mission continues to provide food forthose who return to their lands and temporary tents for those who have lost their homes from Serb misery.

According to the same source, the Italian Government has not yet envisaged a possible transference of the mission to Kosova, while aid continues for over 50 000-100 000 Kosovars who may stay in Albania for the coming winter. /led/lm/ /led/lm/

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[09] 1 800 Kosovars leave Mjeda railway station and make for their homes

The spokesman of the prefecture of Shkdoer told ATA that about 1800 Kosovars arrived in Mjede from other prefectures of Albania, and were transported today to Kukes by Albanian army and NATO vehicles, to continue then the way to their homes in Kosova.

Last Thursday, when organized repatriation of the deportees from Kosova started, 1 300 people left the railway station of Mjeda towards Kukes. UNHCR has adopted the necessary measures to provide food to Kosovars for the days they will be traveling. In addition to this, they will have medical aid in the transit centres set up on Mjede-Kukes road. /led/xh/

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[10] National Conference on stock-breeding development

"In the program of the Government I run, - said the Prime Minister, agriculture covers a very important place and I paid great attention to it due to the fact that more 50% of the Albanian population deals with agricultural activities and based upon this fact, more than 80% of these families deal with stock breeding.

Government supports the proposals done by the Ministry of Agriculture concerning the customs' tariffs, the policy which makes possibly the provision of pesticides, seeds and the protection of the potential products in the country and the stimulation of their investments".

Many issues concerning the developing of the stock-breeding, encouraging the aggro-industrial production, strengthening of the control on food security and application of the scientific achievements in these fields, as well, were treated in the sessions of this conference. /led/linda/

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[11] Investitures of UAE soon in Albania

Mutual information on the legal frame and the priorities of the development of these two countries was exchanged in these meetings.

The businessman of both Commerce and Industry Chambers of United Arab Emirates expressed their great interests to invest in Albania soon, encouraged by the perseverance of the President of United Arab Emirates.

Deputy Prime Minister, speaking about the need of the investments of UAE in Albania, stressed that these investments should be concentrated in infrastructure, tourism, oil and telecommunication. /led/linda/

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[12] AFOR may realise transport of 2000 refugees a day

According to him, during Thursday which marked the beginning of the organized return of the Kosovars with vehicles of AFOR, 500 Kosovars were repatriated. "Our aim," said Eriksen, "is to transport about 2 000 people a day, but this depends also on the needs of the refugees themselves and the number of the registered Kosovars."

Asked about the NATO plans in the future in Albania, Eriksen said that NATO and AFOR are discussing the time how long these forces wil lstay in Albania. Since an agreement has been signed between the Albanian Government and AFOR for the continuation of the humanitarian mission in Albania, I think that there many be a new reorganization of the AFOR. Nevertheless, this is a continuing process and the Supreme Council of the Atlantic Alliance will decide on the work in the future. /lh/xh/

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[13] New unit of Priority Projects will support Albanian economic development

The International Monetary Fund will provide the support of the payment balance in Albania. This support will be given if several specific duties, undertaken by the Government, are fulfilled.

As far as the current role of IMF in Albania and the assistance of the post crisis situation is concerned, Treichel said that we provide technical assistance for Albania and post conflict situation.

Executive Board of International Monetary Fund increased in June 14 its loan toward Albania to 60 million from 45 million dollars. This sum is planned for three years period of ESAF Program. /led/linda/

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[14] First contingent of 500 refugees transported by UNHCR arrive in Kosove

Kosove refugees, organized by UNHCR have traveled by train from Durres and Elbasan up to the railway station of Mjede, Shkoder district. They arrived on late Thursday in Kukes, and they are to travel from Kukes to Prizeren, Pristina, and Uroshevac on Friday.

Some 13 500 Kosovars have returned to Kosova on Wednesday, while the total number of refugees returning from Albania, Macedonia, and Monte Negro under their own steam is estimated to be approximately half a million although the situation is far from normal. /lh/A.A/

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[15] Minister Poci demands support for police by local authorities

Demanding support by local authorities and all the state links for police, Poci said that "all of us must respect the law, because in this way we will manage to restore law and order for all citizens."

The remark of local authorities for the Public Order Ministry was the frequent replacement of the police commissariat chiefs, which, according to them, has prevented an incessant consolidation of the police structures.

Present in the meeting was also the deputy minister of Local Government, Liri Jani, who spoke on problems related with the crisis created by the arrival of Kosovars in Albania. /lh/xh/

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[16] Police forces are intensively working to through light upon Thursday's event in Vlore

Hajdini mentioned as well some other elements encountered during the judging process, such as the wounding of a citizen from Tirane named Arben Lala, 25, who is actually hospitalized in Vlore and kept under the police control. He confirmed officially that the citizen Myrteza Çaushi is wounded, but he did not clarified if Çaushi was declared a wanted person. Hajdini pointed out that an automatic riffle with no 8024425, a bag full of clips of cartridges, as well as a car with number plate VL 2341 with green color, were found on the spot. /lh/A.A/

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[17] Dutchmen complete Institute of Plants' Protection in Durres

According to Aleksander Kolacit, Director of the Plants' Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, "during this period the project has completed the Institute of the plants' Protection in Durres will all lab devices and equipment, and trained Albanian experts abroad concerning the specific control of the plants and the apparatuses' usages".

At the moment the implementors of the project are working in improving the Albanian legislation in the above mentioned field in conformity with EC directions. /lh/linda/

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[18] Dutch Army grants USD100 000 for Albanian Army

As Behar Metohu in the Public Relations Department in the Defence Ministry told ATA, the amount of aid worth USD 100 000, consists of 15 transport vehicles for troops, 5 armoured vehicles of Land Rover type, about 16 medicaments and other medical equipment in the amount of 10 tons.

The ceremony for the handing over of the aid was held on Friday in the storehouse in Durres, and was attended by leaders of the Albanian Defence Ministry and the Dutch Defence Ministry represented by the head of department in the Dutch Defence Ministry, Admiral Von Marion.

During the several-day visit to Albania, the Dutch team will have meetings with specialists of health in the defence Ministry and will visit the central Military Hospital in Tirane and the Dutch military troops deployed in Durres in the context of the AFOR mission. /lh/xh/

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[19] Master plan of Durresi Port to be reviewed

The problem of reviewing this master plan is discussed today between the Minister of Public Affairs and Transport Ingrid Shuli and the representatives of the World Bank, which finances this project. The value of this project is 23 million dollars.

According to the representatives of the World Bank the current operations guarantee their enlargement in the future.

The Albanian side asked for the finance of establishing a new terminal for the containers and the definition of a cooperation plan with NATO, to make as flexible as possible the goods' movement through Durresi Port. /lh/linda/

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[20] 840 million lek on Albanian Electro Power System

"This finances in APC, that are planned to be fulfilled during the period 1999-2000, are not done for years and this is the first serious investments", Deputy Minister Bello said.

This Fund, according to the projects presented by APC will be used on the construction of several new power stations, in strengthening of the existent ones and in construction and rehabilitation of the electric distribution network.

Electro power system in this period is facing with great problems, from one side the increase of the request for electric power by the clients and from the other side the lack of the great investments in facing these charges, due to the low cashed values. /lh/linda/

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[21] Persons sentencing release for Zani and Gaxhai to appear before the court; Ceka

Speaking with a scolding tone for the event of Vlore, Ceka said that all these incidents point out the need a fundamental reform of the Albanian judiciary.

"The last victims in Vlore, Durres, Shkoder, Vlore and other cities, show that the struggle between the police forces and armed gangs has become tough, but at the same time these events put a big question mark on the Albanian justice ", said Neritan Ceka.

According to him it is high time for creation of new mechanisms, which should deal with the verification of special cases, as the release of Zani and Gaxhai. This procedure should be followed by the setting up of a parliamentary commission which will re-observe all the practices attended by the lawcourts and will especially control the implementation of laws by the respective bodies. /lh/A.A/

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[22] Milo meets with delegation of Democratic Union of Albanians of Montenegro

The chief of Albanian diplomacy said that "your presence here proves of the role that Albanians are presently playing in the processes for the democratization of the Balkans, in the building of a new southeastern Europe, as part of the great European family," the press office of the Foreign Ministry of Albania reports.

Milo said that the Albanians in Montenegro, along with their contribution as factor for stability in Montenegro, must also serve as a bridge between Tirane and Podgorica.

Mr Nimani, who is having a several-day visit to Tirane together with his delegation, asked that the contacts between the Albanians on both sides of the border, must be more frequent. /lh/xh/

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[23] Blair: I will support Albanian integration into European and Euro- Atlantic structures

Prime Minister Tony Blair wrote: "When I visited Albania in May, I thanked you all for your efforts to help the international community achieve its objectives in Kosova.

With the immediate crisis behind us, I would like to underline my deep gratitude for your Government and people's overwhelming support for the innocent refugees of Kosova. Your steadfastness in extremely difficult circumstances has helped open up propects for a new phase of economic growth and prosperity for the whole region. Albania will continue to play a vital role.

My determination to see your generosity rewarded is a strong as ever, I am committed to helping Albania integrate into European and Euro-Atlantic structures and will pursue this at every opportunity. /linda/

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[24] New spaces for a broad regional cooperation created - Speaker

"We," said Gjinushi, "in the context of the Pact for Development and Stability of the region, "must exploit the moment for an all-sided development of the Albanian space, increase the contacts and drawing up of joint projects of development."

Focusing on the activity of the Union, Mr Nimani said that this political force, through its presence in the Parliament, has helped improve continuously the position of the Albanians in Montenegro.

The delegation shared the same opinion for further cooperation, especially in the field Albanian education and culture. /lh/xh/

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[25]

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[26] Government has not acted to restore order in country - Berisha

"So far, the government has not been able to act properly to restore law and order in the country," said the chairman of the DP, Sali Berisha, criticizing the Government for dealing more with attacks on the opposition.

"The Government has launched directs attacks on opposition members at a time when criminal gangs operating freely in the country, traffickers, smugglers or people involved in corruption, have not yet been penalized," added Berisha.

The DP chairman mentioned again today the pact on public order that his party had proposed months ago, and which, according to the democrat leader, envisaged the discharge of incriminated people in the Public Order Ministry. /lh/xh/

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[27] "Peace through justice" gathers testimonies on Serb crimes in Kosove

"Peace through justice" Center, created two weeks ago with the initiative of eight non-governmental bodies, has assumed to collect, study, classify and identify the testimonies of Kosova refugees.

Sources from this center told ATA that "the testimonies are gathered from Kosova refugees who are actually in Albania, while the this project plans the continuation of the program in Kosove through a pilot mission".

NGO group interviewing the refugees is trained by the European Council.

The project is mainly financed by the American Association of Lawyers ABA-CEELI.

The members of this center do not exclude the possibility of the use of this facts by Hague-led Tribunal. /lh/A.A/

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[28] UNHCR lacking funds to realise Kosovars' repatriation

"It seems unbelievable that after a conflict with so much money spent in Europe, UNHCR must declare it has no more money to assist thousands of refugees displaced from the crisis," said McNamara, the UNHCR office in Tirane reports.

McNamara stressed that a dangerous vacuum was being created between the phase of emergency of the operations in Kosova and the urgent need to start the final construction and the efficient implementation of civil laws.

UNHCR has a "modest" budget of 10 million dollars per week to cope with the operation in Kosova and it needs also 234 million dollars more for its activities in the region for the rest of 1999, the same source said.

He considered the repatriation of about 523 000 refugees within the past two weeks to Kosova as "one of the most dramatic and spontaneous returns in the latest history." He also stressed that the Kosovars consist "the group of refugees mostly inclined to return in all the conflicts of the recent times." /lh/xh/

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