Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-09-21

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CONTENTS

[01] Press Review

[02] Italian police 'finance' Albanian culture In September

[03] Majko addresses to prosecutor's office about "Koha Jone" article

[04] Premier Thaçi signals creation of political force

[05] "Oda Dibrane" festival due in October

[06] US$ loses ground

[07] Albanian Formerly Politically Persecuted support hunger strike in Kosova

[08] Second bridge over Osum river to be constructed in Berat

[09] "Action against hunger" reconstructs 20 health centers in Korce

[10] Kucove families to benefit from Greek housing credit

[11] KLA transformed into Kosova Protection Corps

[12] Some 11 000 signatures to release 7 000 Albanian hostages from Serb jails

[13] Affiliate of Naples University to be opened in November in Durres

[14] Customs collect 3,8 million leks from penalties on different subjects

[15] Albanian-Greek cooperation in field of military health sector promoted

[16] World Bank suggests holding of a conference on Stability Pact in Tirana

[17] Albanians from Albania, Kosova and Macedonia together in Festival of Children in Tetova

[18] Albanian Parliament Speaker address Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

[19] Italian engineering unit "Frasimeno" leaves Albania

[20] Assistance for Albanian system of justice

[21] Republic Civil Defence (MCR) Regimen, most outstanding of Albanian Army

[22] OSCE opens its 7th office in Albania

[23] MAPE is close to police forces in Gjirokaster

[24] German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to visit Albania on Wednesday

[25] KESH to elect a team of foreign managers

[26] Secondary schools in Northern city of Albania closed

[27] Albania will attract Greek investors after law and order is reinstated

[28] Britain to continue support for Albania

[29] Good will for promotion of Chinese-Albanian relations

[30] German assistance for Albania to the tune of over DM1 billion

[31] Albanian PM receives official invitation to visit Montenegro

[01] Press Review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Bosses of America, dinner with Meidani". The President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, who is attending the opening of the 54th session of the U.S. General Assembly, will begin the heavy agenda of meetings today, among which that with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and President Bill Clinton. "All against Nano". The latest compromise "Majko chairman, Dokle Secretary General", declared several days ago by deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta, is now joined also by renowned writer Dritero Agolli, expresses himself in favour of the youths in the SP. "AMC in Germany, Albania in EU". Interview with Albanian Ambassador Bashkim Zeneli to Germany.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"Edi Rama with the SP party card". Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, along with the chief of his cabinet, Blendi Gonxhe, and singers Kozma Dushi and Luan Zhegu have forwarded their request for SP membership. "This is how rival of Berisha is sabotaged". Collaborators of Berisha's challenger have confessed that during Genc Pollo's campaign for party chairman they have encountered a series of difficulties created by Berisha's supporters. "Owner of 'Drini' firm executed". One day ago un unknown person killed in the eyes of his workers the owner of an import-export firm.

"Shekulli", independent daily,

"Berisha: After the congress, elections". The Democratic Party renews request for early elections. "Gjinushi continues liquidations". Prior to the departure of social-democrat chairman Skender Gjinushi for the Council of Europe, the SDP leadership dismisses former organisational secretary, Bahri Myftari. "Police, administration no armed force". The parliamentary Commission of Public Order and NIS yesterday examined the new draft-law of State Police.

Albania, independent daily,

"Take care, fake money". "Berisha: DP enjoys support of the West". "DP, in power.....for a long time".

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development,

"Malaysian Bank reduces deposit interests". "AFOR 2 to rehabilitate infrastructure".

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

"Police detain 50 people in Shkoder". "Property issue, deadline not expired". "SP programme, changes in the context of regional developments".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania,

"Powerful support for the DP from the West".

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania,

"Founders return to DP" "Mafia of falsifiers disolved". /lm/

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[02] Italian police 'finance' Albanian culture In September

Present in the inauguration ceremony held in the National Library in Tirane were Alberto Cutillo, diplomatic adviser in the Italian Ministry of Culture, Edi Rama, Albanian Minister of Culture and representatives from the cultural institutions which will benefit from this financing.

The intervention plan in the Albanian cultural infrastructure was inaugurated with a seminar on the catalogues of the cultural assets, in which experts from Italy and Albania will determine for seven days running the forms of organization of an integral centre of the data regarding all what is considered cultural heritage.

The plan includes intervention in the Mother Teresa Square, in the infrasstructure of the main institutions of culture such as the National Art Gallery, the Institute of Monuments, the National Theater, etc. /lh/xh/

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[03] Majko addresses to prosecutor's office about "Koha Jone" article

According to the official source, the request of the Prime Minister will be handed over to the Tirane Prosecutor's office today (Tuesday) to start investigations.

On Friday, the Prime Minister's press office told ATA that it had been authorised to consider this article "totally ill-willing, written for certain purposes at the current moment" and that this article had used "totally untrue 'facts' in order to argue Prime Minister's intervention in the adoption of unjust decisions by the Council of Ministers in favour of his relatives".

The said article, carried by Friday's issue of the independent daily Koha Jone, says that "through a government decision one month ago the Prime Minister decided that a company, which owes millions of leks to the state and the formerly politically persecuted, a pyramid scheme and sued by the state, continues its activity".

According to the article of Koha Jone, Majko has intervened because his father-in-law is the lawyer of the said company. /lh/lm/

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[04] Premier Thaçi signals creation of political force

"This political force will powerfully express the interests and values of our war for freedom," said Thaci at a news conference on Monday.

" After the KLA transformation agreement, the political department of KLA and other forces, which supported and helped it in the war for freedom, peace and democracy, conscious of their mission in the free and democratic Kosova, came out with a statement on the creation of a new party force, which will carry through the process of Kosova independence," said Thaci.

He has considered this new party organisation a promoter of Kosova authentic democratisation.

Thaci explained that "the party to emerge from the political transformation of KLA will be a party which unites all forces, which supported and helped the war, which accept it as an absolute indispensability for Kosova's present freedom and support the process of independence and the civic values of the individual and society without reservations".

He said that the name of the new political organisation is still under discussion.

Asked by reporters about the demilitarisation of KLA, Thaci said that demilitarisation was over and that several technical issues were being discussed. /lh/so/lm/

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[05] "Oda Dibrane" festival due in October

The organiser of this activity, in its fifth edition, is the Cultural Center of the town with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture.

This pageant, the biggest cultural activity taking place in the Northeastern area of the country, brings together Albanians from both sides of the border.

Diber, situated in the Northeast of Albania, is distinguished as one of the most outstanding regions in popular culture and tradition. /lh/gs/lm/

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[06] US$ loses ground

Currency exhange rate

Currency buing sellig USD 135,8 136 DM 72 72,4 ITL(1000) 72, 8 73 GRD(100) 42,8 43 /lh/gs/lm/

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[07] Albanian Formerly Politically Persecuted support hunger strike in Kosova

The association said on Tuesday that the hunger strike was staged in all the districts of the country conform the respective rules.

The formerly politically persecuted went on strike on Monday in token of solidarity with the strike staged on the same day in Prishtine. /lh/lm/

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[08] Second bridge over Osum river to be constructed in Berat

A fund of US$ 150 000 will be used for the construction of this bridge. Some 90% of this fund will be financed by the Albanian Development Fund and 10% by Berat town-hall, the inspector of ADF, Ilir Papa, said on Tuesday.

The second bridge over Osum river, 80 meters long and 4.5 wide, will be a suspended bridge. It will be constructed one km far from the museum stone bridge.

Crevices observed in the 200-year-old stone bridge as well as facilitation of traffic, which becomes heavier with each passing day, necessitate the construction of the new bridge.

The existing bridge can carry all movements of vehicles and people towards regions southeast and northwest the city. /lh/so/lm/

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[09] "Action against hunger" reconstructs 20 health centers in Korce

Ilia Pecani, head of this district public health, said on Tuesday that this organisation is working on the reconstruction of two health centers in the city of Korce, five health centers in communes and 13 outpatients' clinics in several villages.

The Spanish humanitarian organisation "World Medics" in the meantime is implementing another project connected with the first one, to provide the health centers and clinics with medicaments and equipment, along with training of the personnel for the use the apparatuses.

Both projects, Pecani says, are financed by UN through ECO Uverture programs, in the framework of the assistance this organisation is giving to Albania. /lh/gs/lm/

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[10] Kucove families to benefit from Greek housing credit

According to Kucove mayor, Artur Kurti, with the number of such families reaching 150, the municipal council found it difficult to define only 11 of them.

Some 13 581 000 leks were distributed to the families benefiting from the Greek housing credit.

Nearly 60% of the homeless in Kucove gambled their fortune away by selling their houses and poured the money into pyramid schemes. /lh/so/lm/

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[11] KLA transformed into Kosova Protection Corps

The accord was signed in Prishtine late on Monday, after talks among representatives of KLA, Kosova Government and top international officials in Kosova which yesterday were also joined by the NATO Supreme Commander, General Wesley Clark.

The statement on KLA's demilitarisation process and its transformation was signed by the Prime Minister of the Kosova Interim Government, Hashim Thaci.

A significant achievement for Kosova in the talks with the international top officials was nomination from the proposed Kosova Corps to Kosova Protection Corps.

This maybe is also a compromise and a possibility that Kosova Protection Corps be assigned additional tasks, according to sources close to the talks, held at KFOR headquarters in Prishtine among General Jackson, Prime Minister Thaci, General Ceku and commanders of the KLA operational zones.

According to the statement signed by Thaci, the Kosova Protection Corps will work under the leadership of the special representative of the U.N. Secretary General for Kosova and act under the supervision of the KFOR troops.

According to reports, Administrator Bernard Kouchner signed the UNMIK regulation which provides the Kosova Protection Corps with legal status.

On this occasion, Kouchner handed over to General Ceku the document, on whose basis he is nominated provisional commander of Kosova Protection Corps.

General Mike Jackson signed the statement of principles and rules, according to which the Kosova Protection Corps should act. Meanwhile General Ceku presented the written statement which confirms that KLA demilitarisation is completed.

General Jackson approved this statement and confirmed that he admits that the agreement on KLA demilitarisation has been fully complied with.

According to this agreement, the KLA personnel will cease wearing uniform and this army will cease to exist from September 21 midnight. /E.Lu/so/lm/

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[12] Some 11 000 signatures to release 7 000 Albanian hostages from Serb jails

The petition is being signed in the light of the candles in front of U.N. Mission headquarters, while 199 hunger strikers continue the strike which began yesterday afternoon to demand the release of hostages from Serbian barracks. /lh/so/lm/

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[13] Affiliate of Naples University to be opened in November in Durres

With the opening of the affiliate, possibilities are created for the integration of Albanian school in the international school and youngsters have it easier to take a foreign diploma, said the director of education in that district, Lavdosh Beqiraj.

For a long time, intellectuals of Durres, the municipality and the prefecture have demanded from the Holy See the opening of a Catholic university of a non-theological character in Durres.

In the context of the urban development of the Tirane-Durres metropolis, the Territorial Adjustment Committee of the city-hall of Durres has set an area of 15 hectares for the university compound and scientific institutions. /lh/xh/

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[14] Customs collect 3,8 million leks from penalties on different subjects

3,4 million leks is the penalties value, while 393 thousand leks are covered by sequestrations.

Referring to the sources, the operative anti-contraband groups have performed rigorous controls in all the custom areas of Albania, main roads and in particular in the processing processes of ships and international transits. /led/linda/

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[15] Albanian-Greek cooperation in field of military health sector promoted

As the Public Relations Department in the Defence Ministry reports, those in the meeting discussed the activities to be planned in this field for 2000, the further qualifications of the Albanian military medical staff in medical centres and important institutions in Greece and the procedures for greater possibilities for the medical treatment of Albanian sick militaries in medical centres in Greece.

Discussion was made also of an assistance to maintain the equipment of the clinic in the central Army Hospital in Tirane, built by the Greek army and on the work for the new army hospital in Gjirokater under construction by the Greek army, with a total value of 480 million drachmas.

The team of Greek experts is led by colonel Kcukos Ioanis, while the Albanian team was led by colonel Mehmet Musai, deputy chief of the Albanian Army General Staff. /xh/

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[16] World Bank suggests holding of a conference on Stability Pact in Tirana

This proposal is presented to the Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli by the Director of World Bank for Albania and Croatia Arntraud Hartman, during the meeting held on Tuesday in Tirana.

Minister Angjeli estimated the above mentioned proposal and pledged the wide support of Albanian side in its implementation.

Minster Angjeli and Director Hartman discussed about the reforms developing in Albania, the assistance of World Bank in these reforms, and the projects of this Bank in Albania.

Another issue discussed in the meeting was the work performed by the Government on pyramidal schemes and their supervising process. /led/linda/

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[17] Albanians from Albania, Kosova and Macedonia together in Festival of Children in Tetova

The activity organised by the local radio Bleta of Tetova, is being attended by Albanian little singers from Albania, Kosova and Macedonia.

Bletezat '99 is one of the numerous activities underway in Tetova of Macedonia with the aim of uniting the art, culture and tradition of the Albanians.

In addition, the festival "Let Song Echo" is an annual activity which conveys the message of the unification of art, culture and traditions from all the territories lived by Albanians. /led/xh/

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[18] Albanian Parliament Speaker address Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

Gjinushi spoke of the full legislative reform underway in Albania in line with the implementation of the Constitution and about the laws drafted for the reorganization of the judiciaries.

Demanding CE cooperation in this process, Mr Gjinushi stressed that it is indispensable the creation as soon as possible of a legal election infrastructure basis.

Referring to the post-conflict developments in Kosova, Gjinushi said that 'the knot of stability lies with the reconciliation of Kosova and a long-term protectorate which ensures the building and functioning of self- ruling and democratic institutions."

The Parliament of Albania appreciates the Stability Pact as the only wayout for the future of the region and this is the reason why Albania is committed to playing an active role in the realisation of this Pact, said Gjinushi. /led/xh/

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[19] Italian engineering unit "Frasimeno" leaves Albania

"Frasimeno" is one of the main components of Italian contingent involved in NATO humanitarian mission.

During their stay in Albania, this unit has rehabilitated 19 road segments in the northern part of the country and has assisted in transportation of Kosova arrivals. /led/linda/

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[20] Assistance for Albanian system of justice

Minister Panda estimated the assistance that the American Justice Department has and is offering through this association on training of some 140 Albanian magistrates in Poland. The representative of American Association Mr. Herbert pledged to Minister Panda the continuation of Albanian magistrates training.

The Ministry of Justice in cooperation with EC trained judges, attorneys, barristers and students of Magistrate School in the Western countries.

The Italian Government will fund and train some 100 Albanian magistrates through a program prepared by two institutes of United Nations.

Minister Panda met also representatives of World Bank, and discussed about the loan to be given by this bank on Albanian court system. /led/linda/

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[21] Republic Civil Defence (MCR) Regimen, most outstanding of Albanian Army

Hajdaraga considered the military unit as the best in the army of Albania especially referring to its efforts to overcome the crisis of Kosova.

The U.S. Ambassador voiced the readiness of his country and army to coordinate the work and assist the regimen in the future.

In the panorama of the MCR activity since its creation in 1987, the regimen commander Colonel Bashkim Shehi reflected the activity of the effective to support and aid the civil population in overcoming many natural calamities.

Those present visited all the compound, the logistic basis and the technique of the regimen. /led/xh/

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[22] OSCE opens its 7th office in Albania

OSCE Ambassador in Albania Geert Hinrich Ahrens stressed that the opening of this office puts to 7 the number of OSCE offices in Albania.

He hopes that the establishment of this office will be considered as a clear objective of OSCE to give a continuous support to Albania in expanding its programs of reforms and the development started in Albania in 1997, in close cooperation with the Albanian Government.

Ahrens promised he would do the utmost to support the activities in the city of Durres, within OSCE mandate. /led/xh/

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[23] MAPE is close to police forces in Gjirokaster

The mission of MAPE experts is envisaged in several stages and will be completed in 6 months. In this mission, MAPE has tasked six of its best experts who will be divided in three groups according to the three districts of that prefecture.

The latest successes attained by criminal experts in Gjirokaster in the fight against crime have made European specialists optimistic to hope that professionalism of their colleagues in South Albania will be of a higher quality. /led/xh/

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[24] German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to visit Albania on Wednesday

This is the first leg of the tour of the Balkans by the German Chancellor and the delegation accompanying him.

Mr Schroeder is expected to have separate meetings with Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and other members of his cabinet. He will also meet with representatives of Albanian opposition parties and with German experts of MAPE.

It is the first time that a senior German leader of this level visits Albania and this at a time when Albania-Germany relations are considered by both sides as "classical and excellent."

The talks between German Chancellor and Albanian senior officials will focus mainly on the creation of closer relations between Albania and CE and on the support Germany is expected to offer in the context of the Stability Pact. /led/xh/

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[25] KESH to elect a team of foreign managers

Thirteen European companies have taken interest in KESH, and they are renowned for the production and selling of electric energy.

The selection of the managing team of KESH will be directed by the World Bank, EBRD and donors of KESH such as the governments of Italy, Switzerland and Japan. These organizations or governments are financiers of the greatest investment projects of KESH, with values amounting to 160 million USD. /led/xh/

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[26] Secondary schools in Northern city of Albania closed

A cause for the reduction of the number of students is not only the free movement of people to lowland zones but also the exodus of youngsters towards western countries in search of a better life.

Some 24 schools from 46 throughout the district have opened their doors this academic year and over 8 000 pupils are attending classes there. Work is going on for the reconstruction of the schools of the border villages of Gegaj and Thernice after the heavy damage caused to them by the Serb bombing during the conflict in Kosova. /led/xh/

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[27] Albania will attract Greek investors after law and order is reinstated

During a tour of south Albania (Permet, Gjirokaster, Sarande and Himare) Mallias made the statement after he visited the fair "Expo Gjirokastra '99" in which mostly Greek-Albanian firms are taking part.

The Ambassador also met with local officials and saw closely the activity of Greek-Albanian subjects which are contributing to the economy of south Albania.

According to the local media in Gjirokaster, the Greek Ambassador has promised the opening in that city of an affiliate of the National Bank of Greece. /led/xh/

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[28] Britain to continue support for Albania

Milo demanded from the British Government to support the approval of the study of feasibility and the acceleration of the signing of the agreement of Stability and Association between Albania and the European Union. He also urged British backing for the treatment with priority of Albania in the context of the Stability Pact.

Cook promised Minister Milo that the British Government will powerfully back up the signing of the agreement of Stability and Association between Albania and EU. In the coming meeting of the CE General Council due in October, he will speak precisely on this issue. Mr Cook also expressed clearly the approach of his government to provide support for the projects of the regional development which are of interest for Albania.

Cook supported the present stands of the Albanian Government on the question of Kosove and asked for further consolidation of the cooperation with regard to the normalization of the situation in Kosova and the development of the democratic processes there. /led/xh/

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[29] Good will for promotion of Chinese-Albanian relations

Milo invited his Chinese counterpart to make his contribution to the encouragement of Chinese investments in Albania.

The Chinese Foreign Minister expressed the will of his Government to encourage Chinese businessmen to make investments in Albania. /led/xh/

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[30] German assistance for Albania to the tune of over DM1 billion

During the visit, Chancellor Schroeder will be accompanied by a group of German businessmen who will see the possibilities for new German investments in Albania. The German aid for Albania is so far estimated as high as 1 billion DM. In the field of the cooperation for development, the German Government has funded altogether about 500 million DM, of which 350 million only for financial cooperation.

In the context of the assistance of the European Union for Albania, the share of Germany amounts to 455 million DM, or 28 per cent of the delivered aid. The German direct investments in Albania are worth about 20 million DM. From the present information, Germany ranks second among the donor countries, after Italy, as far as the aid for the economic development of Albania is concerned. /led/xh/

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[31] Albanian PM receives official invitation to visit Montenegro

In a letter that Mr Gjukanovic has sent to PM Majko, he writes that "we would be particularly grateful to you if Your Excellency will visit Montenegro in this period."

Gjukanovic writes in the letter to the Albanian Premier also of the invitation for an Albanian Government and trade delegation to take part in an international exhibition in Bar, due in May 2000.

The exhibition named "Balkan Reconstruction," in which Albania will have a stand of its own, will be opened by a decision of the Montenegrin Government and aims to reactivate the relations with the neighbour countries. /led/xh/

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