Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-09-08

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Quake makes Albania-Greece football match a dilemma

[02] Albanian President praises Albanian-U.S. contribution

[03] US$ quotes 136.6 leks

[04] Some 12,5 billion leks of investment in seven months in Albania

[05] Meidani asks increase of U.S. presence in Albania

[06] Sculptor Ylli Plaka opens private exhibition in Italy

[07] Three Albanian immigrants died as result of earthquake which rocked Athens

[08] Faction in Albanian SDP officially declared

[09] Candidate for DP chairman wants to unify Albanian opposition

[10] Soccer-Greece Albania match postponed for October 8

[11] Albanian President Meidani condoles with Greek counterpart, Stefanopoullos

[12] Process of SP Congress preparations has been normal and statutory - Secretary of Public Relations says

[13] EC will continue to assist Albanian judiciary

[14] 800 quintals of food articles sequestered over past eight months

[15] Some $12 million invested to develop rural areas

[16] Italian firm BEG, concession for 3 hydro-power stations on cascade of River Vjose

[17] Italian film producer Gianni Amelio expected to come in Tirane

[18] Kosovar publishing houses want to take part in Frankfurt Fair

[19] Trial for Leka Zogu adjourned again

[20] Albkrom privatisation formula defined

[21] New realities in the Balkans create spaces for economic cooperation - Albanian Deputy Premier

[22] Albanian Premier in Parliament on work of Government in context of Stability Pact

[01] Quake makes Albania-Greece football match a dilemma

The Albania-Greece football match valuable for the EURO 2000 qualifiers, scheduled for Wednesday at 19.30 in Athens, has become a dilemma.

The earthquake which hit Greece yesterday and has so far killed 39 people has dimmed interest in this match and even called its play into question.

The coach of the Albanian national team, Astrit Hafizi, told ATA on Wednesday that under these conditions it is not normal to play football, but the Albanian representative will respond to the rules if decided that the match is played.

A clear decision whether the match will be played or put off can be taken only in the coming hours. /led/lm/

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[02] Albanian President praises Albanian-U.S. contribution

The delegation was headed by the President of the Albanian-U.S. National Council, Avni Mustafaraj, and his Executive Secretary, Ilir Zherka.

Meidani highly appreciated the Albanian-U.S. contribution in aid of the Albanian people and nation, adding that the excellent relations between the U.S. and Albania also enjoy the contribution of the Albanian community residing in the U.S.

The head of the Albanian state availed himself of the opportunity to once again thank the U.S. and the whole international community for their engagement in Kosova.

Mustafaraj pledged continuation and intensification of the performance of the Albanian-U.S.National Council in aid of Albania, Kosova and the whole Albanian nation. /led/lm/

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[03] US$ quotes 136.6 leks

Currency exchange rate:

Currency buying selling US$ 135.7 136.2

DM 73.8 74.1

ITL(1000) 73.7 74.2

GDR(1000) 43.7 44.1 /led/gs/lm/

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[04] Some 12,5 billion leks of investment in seven months in Albania

A total of 12, 5 billion leks have been invested over the first seven months of 1999 in Albania, sources from the Finance Ministry told ATA on Tuesday.

Most of the funds for investment have been provided by foreigners, including various financial institutions and donors. The foreign investments amount to 8,3 billion leks, or make up 66,5% of the investments' total.

Meanwhile, 4,1 billion or 33,5% of the total have been invested from the state budget funds. The funds provided by the state budget have mainly addressed reconstructions in infrastructure, education, health, modernisation of public sector and other domains.

Foreign financing is a continuation of donors' and international financial institutions' programmes, mainly for the construction of road corridors, ports' reconstruction, rehabilitation of the irrigation system and other projects in infrastructure, such as improvement of water and power supply systems. /lm/

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[05] Meidani asks increase of U.S. presence in Albania

"The U.S. investments in Albania are a basic element to make the relations between the two countries more fruitful," said Meidani.

He also spoke of the need to preserve the language and national inheritance of Albanians in diaspora. The discussions at the meeting were mainly concentrated on the aid that Albania and the diaspora can offer to education and culture in Kosova.

Meidani considered significant the opening of an Albanian office in Prishtine.

The leaders of the Albanian-U.S. National Council committed themselves to a further ridemension of the Albanian diaspora in strengthening Albanian-U.S. cooperation.

They also committed themselves to preserving the Albanian language among the Albanian-Americans through organising summer courses in Albania, through publications in Albanian language and other ways.

The participants supported Meidani's idea on the possibility of setting up an Albanian-U.S. university in Kosova. /led/lm/

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[06] Sculptor Ylli Plaka opens private exhibition in Italy

The exhibition, which was followed with interest by people of art and culture, journalists and friends of Albania, has also been covered by the Italian mediae which describe the Albanian sculptor as "an artist between dream and reality".

The best works of this exhibition as well as some of the works realised during '93-'99 by Plaka are displayed in a catalogue in Albanian and Italian languages.

This year Plaka has also held eight exhibitions in several regions of Italy. /led/lm/

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[07] Three Albanian immigrants died as result of earthquake which rocked Athens

According to these sources the chance of 80 other Greek citizens who are under the ruins of the destroyed flats, is not yet known.

Maria Ilia Thanasi, aged 17, from the village of Krane (Delvine district) is one of the quake victims, while the two other victims, whose names are not still released, are males.

Sources close to the family of the victim reported that Thanasi worked and lived together with her family in Greece since 1994. Her family had rented a house in the Leoforos Aleksandros quarter, one of the most badly damaged areas of the city during the earthquake.

The earthquake measuring 5.9 on Richter scale shook Athens at about 13.55 of September 7, and its epicenter was Budelin area, 20 kilometers away from the center of Greek capital. The earthquake rocked mainly the quarters of Menidhi and Metamorfosi and at least 41 people are reported dead, among whom nine children, and some 300 others are injured. /lh/A.A/

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[08] Faction in Albanian SDP officially declared

The new alternative represented by Dhori Kule, former SDP Secretary General, Luftar Ahmetaj and Bari Myftari, discharged from their posts as members of the National Council through open voting in the latest meeting of the National Council of this party, is based on the basic program of SDP and implies uncompromising fight against corruption wherever and in whatever form it appears.

The representatives of the new trend within the SDP said they were against nepotism emerging within SDP, the abuse with the political posts and the unjust and unjustifiable economic profits, they want to continuously pay attention to the concerns of the socialdemocrats in the grass roots. In the mean time, they agree to consider the allies in the coalition as collaborators and not opponents, they are for a policy which does not denigrate anybody, and for the intensification of the relations with the Socialist International. /lh/xh/

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[09] Candidate for DP chairman wants to unify Albanian opposition

Pollo pointed out that the fight between right-wing parties must be ended. There must be unity not only among the political forces within the DP-led political grouping "Union for Democracy" but also with the political formation Albanian United Right Wing (DBSH), he said.

Asked whether the new program of DP envisages the abrogation of the law on ownerships, Pollo said this program must review it.

Pollo told the conference that the alternative he was going to present will be to the benefit of DP and there is not any compromise existing with the present chairman Sali Berisha for the post of the DP chairman. /lh/xh/

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[10] Soccer-Greece Albania match postponed for October 8

The announce, which is not yet officially issued, is released by representatives of Albanian mediae accompanying our national team in Athens. "This match can not be played at the time when death ceremonies of victims caused by the earthquake are being organized", added the same source.

The postponement of the football match date is approved even by the Albanian part, which offered its sympathy to Greece for the victims and for the damages caused by the earthquake. /s.s/A.A/

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[11] Albanian President Meidani condoles with Greek counterpart, Stefanopoullos

"We learned with grief the news on the natural calamity that hit your country causing victims and material damages. I assure you, Mr. President, of our most sincere sentiments of grief and solidarity with you and in the name of the Albanian people and my personal name, I convey to You and through You to all the bereaved families, our most profound condolences.

Allow me also to express my conviction, Mr Stefanopoullos, that the Greek people, with the lofty sentiments of solidarity characterising them, will find strength to overcome the grief and the consequences of the earthquake. /a.ke/xh/

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[12] Process of SP Congress preparations has been normal and statutory - Secretary of Public Relations says

The press release issued to the journalists says that the first phase which includes organizations' and regional councils' meetings is coming to an end.

In these meetings theses approved by the General Leading Council of SP have been greatly supported.

Socialists in the base have appraised Government's activity in coping with the situation created by the war in Kosova to solve the basic problems of the Albanian economy, to stabilize the situation and the public order, to adopt measures to combat corruption, illegal traffics and smuggling.

Proposals to change the programme and party status have been launched during organisations' meetings, and they are being examined by leading Councils and work groups set up close to General Leading Council of Albanian SP. /so/A.A/

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[13] EC will continue to assist Albanian judiciary

According to him, this conference will be organized in the framework of the cooperation of European Council with Albania in the judiciary field. In this context, newly-appointed MAPE chief in Albania, Colonel Claude Mendousse, held a meeting with senior officials of Foreign Ministry.

The initiative upon organization of this conference was welcomed even during the talks held between Albanian Minister of Justice, Ilir Panda, and the Deputy Political Director of EC, Juan Luis Lauren. The senior EC official hailed the engagement of Justice Ministry in its projects for strengthening of the legal state. Mr. Laurens, who came in Albania as head of a EC delegation, hailed as well the activity of Magistrature school and expressed to Mr.Panda his willingness for a future cooperation. /lh/A.A/

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[14] 800 quintals of food articles sequestered over past eight months

According to him, it is the task of this department to elaborate politics which ensure sufficient and controlled food reserves for the people.

During the controls over this 8 month period, violations and abuses have been noticed and for which the food commodities have been blocked or the licence of the abuser removed.

The fines for August have cashed for the state a total of 315 thousand lek. /lh/xh/

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[15] Some $12 million invested to develop rural areas

The encouragement of the agricultural development through rehabiltation and maintenance of roads in three costal villages, in Tirane, and three others in the southeastern area of the country were the objectives of the project.

Official sources stress that World Bank credit worth $6 million covers the most important part in the project cost worth $12 million. The other co-financers were the Swiss and Italian governments with $2,2 million and the Albanian Development Fund.

The project was also supported by the European Union with a fund of $10 million. /lh/so/xh/

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[16] Italian firm BEG, concession for 3 hydro-power stations on cascade of River Vjose

The study for an annual production of about 2.3 billion KWH has been completed for the exploitation of the Vjose cascade.

The Italian firm BEG has an agreement for concession of the type BOT with the Ministry of Economy and Privatization and for the hydro-power of Kalivac. /lh/xh/

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[17] Italian film producer Gianni Amelio expected to come in Tirane

The Italian producer is expected to stay in Albania five days, during which the cinema Millennium will show some of his most outstanding films; news conferences will be held before each film is shown and workshops will be also organized with students of the faculty of film production in the Fine Arts Academy in Tirane.

Amelio will be accompanied by a working group of the school "Centro esperiementale del cinema-Cina Citta," with the aim of cooperating at the level of school for the opening of a department of film production, close to the Faculty of Drama.

The project will be financed by the film house "Cechi-Gori Group," the film house "AliaFilm S.r.l." the Institute of Italian Culture in Tirane, the Albanian Ministry of Culture and Cinema Millennium. /lh/xh/

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[18] Kosovar publishing houses want to take part in Frankfurt Fair

"Since institutional problems, actually evident in Kosove, hinder the participation of publishers in this international activity, we are cooperating with Prishtine-centered Soros Foundation.

The Soros Foundation has promised to sponsor the participation and the stands in the fair, and to solve problems related with the documentation which is completely lacking in Kosove.

The Albanian book, displayed for the 6th year in Frankfurt Fair, will be presented by 10 publishing houses from Albania, 4 from Kosova and 2 from Macedonia.

Frankfurt Fair was held for the first time in 1949, with the publications by 205 editors and with about 10 thousand titles. /lh/so/xh/

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[19] Trial for Leka Zogu adjourned again

Leka Zogu is accused of "armed uprising to topple the constitutional order." Zogu was in the lead of about 30 armed people, who had gathered near the Palace of Congresses on July 3, 1997, in which the Central Elections Commission was working.

Claiming the monarchy had won in the referendum on the form of regime in Albania, they threatened with protests, in which they used arms as well, consequently killing one citizen.

Presently, the heir-to-throne pretender Leka Zogu lives in South Africa. /xh/

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[20] Albkrom privatisation formula defined

The privatisation formula for the shares of "Albkrom" capital, in case the right to ownership is transferred is not less than 80 % of the capital's shares, and is offered for transfer through selling to strategy investors, which are companies specialised in the fields of research, exploration, utilization and processing of chrome ore.

Not less than 20 % of tha capital's shares is offered to former owners of the site according to the value included in the company's capital and also to the former Albkrome employees who are considered such on the date the bid is proclamed, through exchanging their shares with privatisation bonuses. /so/xh/

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[21] New realities in the Balkans create spaces for economic cooperation - Albanian Deputy Premier

According to reports from the Information Ministry, Meta and the delegation accompanying him had a meeting on Wednesday in the Ministry of Development with minister Evangelos Venizelos, who stressed that the visit was serving the further consolidation of the relations between the two countries.

Mr Meta expressed his regret for the damages caused by the quake that hit Greece on Tuesday and the hope that the situation will be overcome as soon as possible. After stressing the importance of the cooperation between the two countries, he stressed that the new realities created in the Balkans following the conflict in Kosove create new space for economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

Mr Meta said that the cooperation must be materialised with the realisation of joint projects as well as with the encouragement of Greek investments in Albania. Projects of priority in the meeting were considered the consolidation of the electric network in the city of Korca, the connection of Albania with the international gas pipeline and concretely Albania's connection with Italy-Greece gas pipeline, the project of Lake Prespa, that for the rehabilitation of the oil refinery in Ballsh, projects in the field of tourism etc.

The Albanian delegation led by Meta was received today also by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Kronidhiotis. They discussed the Euro-Atlantic structures and confirmed the support of the Greek party to facilitate the procedures for Albania's participation in these structures. They also discussed the latest developments in the region and the process of reconstruction in Kosova. /lh/xh/

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[22] Albanian Premier in Parliament on work of Government in context of Stability Pact

Also law and order in Albania will have an important place in the the parliamentary session on Thursday. Restoration of public order, reduction of crime and higher efficiency in police and judiciary structures will be the arguments to be brought forth by the ruling coalition parties and the opposition.

An important place will also be devoted to the economic development in Albania. In the Sarajevo Summit PM Pandeli Majko presented the fields and priorities of the Albanian Government for cooperation in the context of the Stability Pact, such as transport, telecommunication, energy, etc. /lh/xh/

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