Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-09-02

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press review

[02] Road signs and markings to be installed on national roads

[03] Echange rates of Lek in Tirana currency market on Thursday

[04] Removal of right to sites for some foreign firms demanded

[05] Growing demands to buy Albanian Mobile Communication

[06] Investments in infrastructure in national minority area, south Albania

[07] World Bank accords 300 thousand USD to increase forest-covered areas

[08] Garbage burning, a serious risk for environment and people's health

[09] Serb paramilitaries attacks on Prishtine suburbs

[10] Police sequester a house with 18 crates of grenades

[11] Town-planning study of Tirane-Durres area adopted

[12] Works in Kapshtice customs compound advance

[13] Angjeli asks increase of cooperation between customs and taxation departments

[14] We will help improve infrastructure in Albania - Frisone

[15] Some 9,86 billion Leks of treasury bonuses sold

[16] One Moldavian and three prostitute smugglers arrested

[17] Italian musical group to stage a live concert in Tirane

[18] DP should work more on its programme and statute

[19] Albanian Ministry of Finances and "Alpha Credit Bank" to boost cooperation

[20] Extra fund of 18.5 million leks on infrastructure in Shkoder

[21] Let us precede the economic boom the country is heading for - Majko

[22] Meksi appreciates OSCE support for Albania's development

[01] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily newspaper

- "Mafia members and criminals in police - Holbrooke." America launched its first direct accusation for mafia and criminal gangs which are members of the forces of order in Albania and which are involved in corruption. - "DP, Pollo chairman, Berisha, chief of elders' council." Genc Pollo, actually DP deputy chairman, declared officially on Wednesday his candidacy for the post of the chairman of this party. - "Nano-Majko big clash approaching." The General Leading Committee of the Socialist Party has named Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and the former party chief, Fatos Nano as delegates of the SP presidency in the SP conferences in Gjirokaster and Tirane.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily

- "No compromise, I will defeat Berisha - Pollo." Interview with Genc Pollo, DP deputy chairman, who declared formally yesterday his candidacy for the post of the party chairman. - "SP doubts in Berisha's rival." Parliamentary majority has manifested reserves in hailing the challenge of the DP deputy chairman Pollo. - "Majko inaugurated special force unit "Rambo" The government has adopted the decision for the creation of a special unit which will deal with the fight against organized criminal gangs.

Shekulli, independent daily

- "Hajdaraga against prosecutors." Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga prevents investigators from checking the tenders for soldiers' shoes. - "A surprise, Pollo confronting Doctor Berisha?!" - "Mines kill two youths in Has." As a result of the explosion of mines on the border line, last Wednesday afternoon two youngsters were killed and another was gravely injured.

Albania, independent daily

- "I will win - Pollo." - "Berisha and Pollo, worthy rivals - Brojka." - "Chains ready for Hajdaraga's generals."

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development.

- "Building splits, trial starts." - "Italians steal openly Albanian national assets." - "Anglo-American Fund ready to buy Albanian mobile phone company."

Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania.

- "Here is how clown-like people steal." - "SP open to make changes in statute." - "Fino: Berisha in trial this weekend."

Rilindja demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania.

- "Pollo declares his candidacy." - "Corruption in the plant of Mjekes."

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania.

- "Supporters of Majko sidestepped." - "Anti-crime teams emerge: "Rambos of Albanian police will eliminate criminals." /xh/

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[02] Road signs and markings to be installed on national roads

According to them, in several cases, especially on Ballsh-Tepelene road segment, south of Albania, the missing road markings has been the cause of grave accidents that have claimed the lives of many people in the last years.

"In spite of our continuous request to the Regional Roads Department in Gjirokaster, the situation has not yet changed and there is little hope it will change soon", police officials reported. /so/xh/

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[03] Echange rates of Lek in Tirana currency market on Thursday

Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies:

Kind of currency Bought Sold

USD 135,7 136,2

DM 73 73,5

LIT(1000) 73,5 74

GRD(100) 43,6 44 /led/xh/

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[04] Removal of right to sites for some foreign firms demanded

"The Italian firm SIKS, the German KIRCHBERGER and MAK Albania have not been serious and have made no efforts for several years now to start the work for the construction of tourist villages, at a time when some of these firms have alos received the permits for construction, as the German KIRCHBERGER," said Papagjika.

The opposite happened with the Italian firm TORCELO, which, following the events of 1997, resumed the work for the construction of a tourist village, which has been continuing well so far.

According to official sources, in the period from 1993-1996, at least 6 foreign firms and companies were directed to Saranda district, asking from it sites in the tourist zone, and in addition to this, a part of them had their studies and blueprints adopted by local KRRT. /xh/

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[05] Growing demands to buy Albanian Mobile Communication

The Anglo-American Investment Fund has mediated in the U.S. Company for this purpose. Three main leaders of the MIC Inc. will come to Tirane the coming week to meet with AMC and central institutions leaders and later they will prepare the offer for the purchase of AMC shares.

MIC Inc operates in mobile phone networks in 20 states of the world, covering a population of 400 million. This company operates in Europe, U.S. , Asia, Latin America, etc. Over 50 per cent of the shares in the Millicom belong to U.S. owners.

Offers for the purchase of AMC will be accepted until Sept.15 and later the commission for the offers will make the selection, while the Albanian Government will declare later the winner which will buy over 51 per cent of the shares. Within 1999, the purchase contract is expected to be reached by the winning firm. /led/xh/

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[06] Investments in infrastructure in national minority area, south Albania

Livadhja district consists of 15 villages, most of which are inhabited by Greek minority in Albania. /so/xh/

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[07] World Bank accords 300 thousand USD to increase forest-covered areas

This fund, he explained, follows the project for forests of the World Bank started two years ago in that district, including the afforestation of the outskirts of the city of Elbasan. /dast/xh/

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[08] Garbage burning, a serious risk for environment and people's health

"Public" filth's burning is one of the most "practical" and widespread ways in Albania to eleminate garbage. The burning process is made not only in the suburbs of different cities but also in principal streets and bouleards, beaches, tourist spot etc.

Some 555 contaniers out of 1 478 that the Austrian company Saubermacher has sited in Tirana during 1996-1998 period have been burned. In most cases the garbage containers are set on fire by careless street cleaners who burn refuses within the the containers just "to save time," not thinking of the great demages they cause to the environment.

The production or the specific quantity of daily garbages in the capital is 0.8 kg. per capita. In Tirane, although taxes on cleaning are collected, tax-payers do not only fail to get free from garbages but their health is seriously risked with refuses recycled again through air. /so/xh/

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[09] Serb paramilitaries attacks on Prishtine suburbs

Other attacks took place in Plementin village, 10 km northwest of Prishtina, and in Graçanice, 5 km south of Kosova's capital. In Graçanice district, Serbs have recently blocked Prishtine-Gjilan road, while KFOR forces are trying to free it.

After requests of representatives of the Serbs minority for division into cantons, which were refused by Kosova Provisional Council, Serbs are more and more inclined to set up blocades and borders around enclaves, begining from Mitrovica to Kamenice.

Meanwhile, Albanian students and teachers were not allowed to go to schools north of Mitrovica, yesterday and today, as the new school year started in Kosova. /led/so/xh/

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[10] Police sequester a house with 18 crates of grenades

During the control by the police forces of No.1 commissariat in the house of Ramiz Zyber Kollaci, 49, police found 18 crates with grenades, an automatic rifle and three cartridge clips.

Police arrested the owner of the house and his 20 year-old son, who possessed the illegal firearms, said the spokesman. /xh/

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[11] Town-planning study of Tirane-Durres area adopted

The first study, adopted in today's meeting, was for the extension of the Durres city-limits, while the second study approved was the town- planning study of the Tirane-Durres zone.

This study was considered of a national importance and a working group will be set up to work on more details of this study.

In the context of the development of tourism, the study "On tourist development and protection on Sarande-Ksamil seashore," the town-planning study and a site for a tourist village and camping in the zone of the bay of Lalez, Durres district, were also forwarded in the meeting on Thursday. /xh/

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[12] Works in Kapshtice customs compound advance

Roland Cane, head of this customs branch, told ATA on Thursday that the works have also been extended to the enlargement of the site north of the customs. The main customs building has also been reconstructed.

The project for the construction of this compound also includes the building of a six-lane motorway, from the current one lane, the building of a compound of goods-handling storehouses, the building of a parking lot, large enough for 40 heavy vehicles, as well as a new lighting and communication system.

The project is financed by the European Union through the PHARE programme, 1,5 million Euro, as well as by a contribution of 0,3 million Euro by the Albanian government. The works are scheduled to be completed within 15 months. /lm/

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[13] Angjeli asks increase of cooperation between customs and taxation departments

Albanian Finance Minister on Wednesday met with leading officials of the General Customs and Taxation Department and asked an increase of cooperation between the Customs and Taxation Departments, sources from the Finance Ministry told ATA.

The enforcement of the new Customs Code requires a closer cooperation between the two institutions to verify the NIPT (the register number in duties of the big business subject), fiscal control until the moment the values declared by the subjects are sold.

According to the taxing officials, the agreement with the customs not to allow access to Albania of debtor subjects without paying the obligations is being implemented in general. However, in several customs branches, such as in Vlore and Sarande, subjects are allowed by the customs' officials to clear their goods through the customs without paying their obligations.

Angjeli asked that the agreement be respected by both sides and asked crackdowns on those workers who do not respect the agreement. /dast/lm/

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[14] We will help improve infrastructure in Albania - Frisone

Commander of the newly arriving NATO contingent in Albania, named AFOR 2, Italian General Pietro Frisone, told a news conference on Thursday that NATO, besides the task as KFOR's rear, will also provide its contribution to the improvement of infrastructure in Albania.

At the conference, held at the Military House in Tirane, Frisone explained the aims of NATO mission, AFOR 2, in Albania. He said the aim of the mission is to improve the Durres-Kukes road through which the convoys of aid for Kosova will pass.

Asked why Italy holds the command of this multinational mission in Albania, Frisone responded that the command belongs to the state that has more troops in the mission. /lh/lm/

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[15] Some 9,86 billion Leks of treasury bonuses sold

According to sources of the Albanian Central Bank, the sum with a three-month maturity period offered to be sold amounted to 2,4 billion Leks, while the investors asked to buy 3,5 billion Leks. The maximal interest was 17,1% while the nominal interest was 2,4 billion Leks.

For the bonuses with six-month maturity period, the sum offered to be sold was 2,6 billion Leks, while the sum demanded by the investors was 2,56 billion Leks. The maximal interest asked was 18,1 while the minimal interest was 17,9%, The nominal value of issued bonuses was 2,56 billion Leks.

For the bonuses with a 12-month maturity period, the sum offered for being sold was 4,9 billion Leks while the sum demanded by investors was 5 billion Leks. The maximal interest was 19,6% while the minimal interest was 4,9 billion Leks.

The majority part of the treasury bonuses issued by the Albanian government was bought by the secondhand banks. /A.A/

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[16] One Moldavian and three prostitute smugglers arrested

He said the Moldavian, Ina Zgaci, aged 22, was under the patronage of Albanians Vesel Fakina, 23, from Hoti i Ri, Shkoder district, Gezim Telollari, 29, from Prrenjas of Librazhd district, and Palme Gova, 33, from Veria of Greece.

They aimed to take her to Greece to exercise prostitution.

From preliminary investigations, the group of traffickers is suspected to have other memebrs. /lh/lm/

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[17] Italian musical group to stage a live concert in Tirane

The arrival of the Italian group is initiated by Rock No War, which together with the International Italian Institution will inaugurate a children's park for the children of Albanian capital a day prior to the concert.

The concert is thought to be a great spectacle where participating will be several Albanian and Italian artist for the arts and musical fields.

The concert of "Pooh" group is being held on succession of several activities organized by the Albanian Ministry of Culture, as the concert of renowned Swiss singer, DJ Bobo. /lh/A.A/

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[18] DP should work more on its programme and statute

"So far, the DP has not been acting properly concerning the party's statute because it will be discussed at the National Council only on Sunday, at a time when none of this council's members is aware of the current changes to the statute and the changes have not been debated.

Brojka also made remarks about the DP programme as, according to him, this Party's programme, which is demanded to be approved by the National Council, is not made known yet.

Referring to the alternatives for DP chairman which will be discussed at the DP Congress by the end of this month, Brojka said that so far these alternatives are worthy candidatures.

The DP Congress will meet on September 30 and the chairman of this political force will be elected in its proceedings. So far, besides the current chairman of this party, the candidature has been put forward also by its deputy chairman Genc Pollo. /lh/gs/lm/

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[19] Albanian Ministry of Finances and "Alpha Credit Bank" to boost cooperation

According to the press department close to the Finance Ministry, the Director General of Alpha Credit, Mr. Costantine A. Kyriacopoulos, and the other members of Greek delegation revealed that new affiliations are opened for the widening of their activity in Albania.

The Finance ministry has assigned respective agreements on implementation of support program of private business with the three Greek banks operating in Albania. The three Greek banks exercising their activity in Albania are "Tirane Bank", "Alpha Credit Bank", and "Affiliation of Greek National Bank in Tirane, and this program will be financed by a Greek credit worth 5 billion Drachmas.

On the bases of requests that the three Greek banks made in the Finance Ministry and on the bases of the request presented by the above mentioned ministry to the Greek government, the first part of the credit, worth 550 million Drachmas, was disbursed a few days ago. /lh/A.A/

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[20] Extra fund of 18.5 million leks on infrastructure in Shkoder

He said that this fund is being used for building the new reservoir of the town's water pipeline, for procuring garbage containers and for rehabilitating several roads.

This year the Government and foreign donors have provided about 1.2 billion leks for Shkoder, funds which have been used to further improve the town's infrastructure. Works are going on to rehabilitate 6 main roads and set up the high voltage line.

These works are expected to end within this year, concluded Shaqiri. /lh/gs/lm/

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[21] Let us precede the economic boom the country is heading for - Majko

This is what Prime Minister Pandeli Majko said at the meeting of the Territorial Adjustment Council of the Republic of Albania today.

According to the Ministry of Information, the Strategic Plan of Tirane-Durres corridor, prepared by the Town-Planning Studies and Designs Institute, was approved at the meeting.

The study contains the latest data on authorised and unauthorised buildings in this zone, the kind of ownership on land, its quality as well as special studies on hydro-energy, railway and road network of this zone.

Considering the importance of this study on this zone of great perspective to attract foreign and local investments, the commission decided that this project be declared a "national project", while the creation of a State Commission would bear the priority and continuity of this study. /lh/lm/

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[22] Meksi appreciates OSCE support for Albania's development

Meksi also praised the support provided by OSCE in realising the development projects as well as in strengthening state institutions.

Arens, speaking of the difficult situation the country underwent, made evident the spirit of sacrifice manifested by the Albanians in coping with the humanitarian crisis and the Albanian Government's efforts for the country's economic development.

Arens is appointed head of the OSCE office to Albania in stead of Daan Everts, who is now OSCE representative in Kosova. /lh/lm/

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