Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-02

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Kadare awarded title "Citizen of honour of Tirane"

[02] U.S. General Robert Ruth visits NATO military hospital

[03] Albania, Greece cooperate against economic, financial crime

[04] ATA to open office in Prishtine soon

[05] Press review

[06] Foreign currency exchange rates in Tirane

[07] Cooperation between Tirane and Prishtine in livestock

[08] Church of 18-th century risks demolition

[09] Revenues from immigration mark 15-25% of GDP

[10] Albanians invested abroad 80 million dollars

[11] Buffalo in world festival of documentary film

[12] Cooperation between Tirana and Pristine in stock-breeding

[13] Continuation of work of cabinet does not depend on fate of SP congress - Majko

[14] Seminar on capital market in Albania

[15] "BLUE SKY" radio broadcasts in Kosova territory

[16] PM Majko worried of 'symptoms of crisis' in political parties

[17] Italian Government allocates 1 billion lira on infrastructure of Vlora town

[18] SP prepares program-documents to be presented to congress

[19] Program to know and protect ancient city of Butrint

[20] Italian police repatriate 100 Albanian illegals

[01] Kadare awarded title "Citizen of honour of Tirane"

Ismail Kadare was awarded the title "Citizen of Honour" by the Tirane municipality, at a ceremony held at the National History Museum on Friday,

"Even the biggest prizes are not so beautiful and important as a prize awarded by your country can be," said the renowned writer Kadare.

"You feel happy wherever you are honoured, but if you are not honoured in your own country, you feel the honour lacks something, and these are not patriotic phrases," added Kadare, distinguished creator of Albanian literature and dignified representative of the Albanian culture on the international arena, candidate for the Nobel prize in literature since two decades ago,

"I am deeply touched and happy to receive this tittle, because Tirana is the capital of my country where I have lived for many years," said the great writer who has been living in France since 10 years ago.

His works have been appreciated and translated in many foreing languages.

The name of Ismail Kadare, member of the French Academy among 12 foreing associate members of this Accademy, member of the Berlin Accademy, has recently been present in the long conversations in Stockholm, where Nobel Prizes have been annually awarded since 96 years ago. /so/lm/

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[02] U.S. General Robert Ruth visits NATO military hospital

Ruth, accompanied by the commander of the NATO troops in Albania, Brigade-General Pietro Frisone, attended the farewell ceremony of an Italian officer, who retires after ending service in Albania.

Several days later Ruth will assume the office of NATO troops commander in Macedonia, replacing Major-General Pergiuseppe Giovanetti.

Ruth arrived for a visit in Albania on Friday. On Saturday he will tour NATO forces units and go to Kukes to travel to Skopje later. /led/lm/

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[03] Albania, Greece cooperate against economic, financial crime

At this meeting, the foundations for a further systematic cooperation were laid to jointly fight and exchange experiences, information and aid, to improve structures against economic crime, fiscal evasion, dirty money laundering, contraband and other negative phenomena.

The Albanian officials, representatives of the General Customs and Taxes Department, were briefed on the Greek state experience and structures established there during '97, which have yielded results in the said directions.

The latest talks between the Albanian and Greek officials on the fight against economic and financial crime have been held in '95 and '97, in Corfu and Tirane respectively. /led/so/lm/

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[04] ATA to open office in Prishtine soon

TIRANE, Oct 2 (ATA)-The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) will soon open its office in Prishtine.

The Minister of Information in the Kosova Interim Government, Bajram Kosumi, has approved the request of ATA correspondent in Prishtine, Behlul Jashari, to open an office of this agency in Kosova.

"This agency is allowed to work in the territory of Kosova as well as to officially establish its personnel in the centre of Kosova," the permission issued by Minister Kosumi says.

The ATA office in Prishtine will temporarily be located in the premises of the former-Diamant Bank, near the Press Palace in Prishtine. It will be further provided with cameramen, operators and others.

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency is the first media of Albania installed in Kosova. /a.ke/lm/

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[05] Press review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily

- "The last winter with Berisha". Former deputy leader Genc Pollo, though he did not put forward his candidature for chairman, gained one-fourth of the votes in the DP Convention. - "U.S.: The government should in no way change". President Clinton's aide, Christopher Hill, has said that U.S. is against ideas for changes in the wake of the Congress of the Socialist Party. - "They support Albania, not candidates for chairman". This was Pandeli Majko's declaration yesterday after his return from USA.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily

- "Berisha fires Pollo from the Council". Number one of DP, Sali Berisha, deprived Pollo of the right to forward his candidature for the National Council, whereas in the same day Berisha was reelected leader of the Party. - "Allies' bargains with SP rivals". The victory of the SP head and Premier, Pandeli Majko, would benefit the liberal-democrat leader, Ceka, who might assume the number two post in the government, whereas Nano's victory, former premier, would please Gjinushi's social-democrats. - "U.S. to Majko: We do not support any rival". Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko yesterday declared that U.S. will not support any of his rivals for SP chairmanship.

"SHEKULLI", independent daily

- "USA: Majko, untouchable". The U.S. government has expressed itself against changes after the SP Congress. - "Pollo defeats Berisha". Former democrat deputy leader, Pollo, won 41% of the votes in the open ballot for his candidature in the National Council. - "Brokaj: Nano, less incriminated than Berisha". Interview with the military advisor to the President of the Republic, Sabit Brokaj.

"ALBANIA", independent daily.

- "Berisha chairman, Pollo out of forums". - "Hunger strikers, "no air", no doctors and no lawyers". - "Pollo: I want referendum".

"ZERI i POPULLIT", daily of the Socialist Party of Albania.

- "From USA: Government dissolution, a catastrophe". - "U.S. signs: Albania in WTO". - "Berisha: I will take the land from 600 000 peasants, and return it to seven former owners".

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of the Democratic Party of Albania.

- "DP: Berisha, lead us to the victory". - "Azem Hajdari declared DP President of Honour".

"REPUBLIKA", daily of the Republican Party of Albania.

- "Majko - Meidani conflict precipitates". - "Berisha astounded by Butka's voting for him". /gs/lm/

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[06] Foreign currency exchange rates in Tirane

Dollar again lost ground as against the Lek on the Tirane currency market on Saturday.

Foreign currency exchange rate

Currency Buying Selling

US$ 133 133,5

DM 72,5 72,9

ITL(1000) 73,1 73,5

GRD(100) 43 43,2 /led/lm/

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[07] Cooperation between Tirane and Prishtine in livestock

The agreement, signed in Prishtine, provides for biological and genetic material exchanges, medicaments, literature and other exchanges.

Meanwhile, the first exchange of biological materials for cows has already begun.

This has been the second cooperation between Tirane and Prishtine after an agreement between two agricultural universities, was carried out under the auspices of the German Staff of GTZ (German association for technical cooperation). /led/lm/

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[08] Church of 18-th century risks demolition

Saint Mary church, in Kolondas village, Fier, constructed in the 18- th century risks demolition, while 13 meters of its wall fresco risk to vanish definitively.

According to the Institute of Monuments' specialists, the church and its frescos are at danger by the great Seman river floods as well as climatic agents.

Frescos, which risk vanishing, cover totally the Western wall of the church and are of rare beauty, while the church itself has an Hellenistics architecture with Apolonia temples, with big bas-reliefs, showing sea monsters.

Specialists of monuments consider this church a unique object, of a refined style, and a crescent with a cross on it is found in one of its side naves.

According to researchers it was Ali Pashe Tepelena who realized it as a sign of fraternity among Albanians. /led/so/lm/

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[09] Revenues from immigration mark 15-25% of GDP

This is pointed out in the seminar held on Saturday morning by the Albanian Center of Economic Researches (ACER).

According to the specialists, a structural capital market will bring at the same time even the formalization of the investments. The demand for bonus depends on a number of factors, where the most important is the level of the number of the potential investitures with sufficient sums of money to by the share-certificates.

The banking credit in Albanian economy is not able to respond properly to the increase of the businesses. Thus the possibility to invest with bonus will open new spaces for the owners of the companies.

At the same time the capital entered through immigration are deposited in the banks and very few of them are financed directly in the production section, where the profits will mark high levels. /led/linda/

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[10] Albanians invested abroad 80 million dollars

This figure is made public on Saturday by Selami Xhepa, economist in the Researches Department at Bank of Albania in the seminar entitled "Capital market in Albania: The reality and future", organized by Albanian Center on Economic Researches (ACER).

Referring to the foreign statistics till 1996 many capitals of the native businessmen is invested in movable or real estate abroad, in foreign exchange stocks or bank deposits.

"The foreign direct investments in 1999 are foreseen to reach to 800 billion dollars (from 644 billion dollars in 1998), where USA absorbs more than 30% of the total", said Mr. Xhepa by adding that "the production of the transnational corporates reached to 11 thousand billion dollars, compared with the work experts of some 7 thousand billion dollars".

According to Xhepa "Albania has already an open market for private capitals, and it is listed beside a hundred countries to be selected by the investing companies". /led/linda/

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[11] Buffalo in world festival of documentary film

Albania, which is participating for the second time in this activity, is represented with the documentary film "Buffalo in Albania, an appeal for an animal is passing away", written and produced by Fuat Memeli and cameraman Fatos Loli.

Festival jury announced that the Albanian documentary film passed the first test. He is selected for competition among 100 films presented by 22 world countries.

Last year the producers Fuat Memeli and Fatos Loli won the cup of the festival with the documentary film "Back to the tradition", and it rewarded the cup "Queen of Agriculture" by World Food Organization (FAO). /led/linda/

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[12] Cooperation between Tirana and Pristine in stock-breeding

This agreement signed in Pristine foresees exchanges of biological and genetic materials, devices, literatures, etc.

Meanwhile, the first exchange of the biological materials for cows is made possible under the care of a French Project.

This is the second cooperation in agricultural field between Tirana and Pristine, after an agreement between the two agricultural universities, which is implemented under the care of German Association for technical cooperation GTZ. /led/linda/

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[13] Continuation of work of cabinet does not depend on fate of SP congress - Majko

"This cabinet has worked a lot. I am convinced that there are still many things to be done. But I don't want that this work be interrupted by various names. The Albanian Government voices its full determination to face these challenges and the lacking of any other alternative which would aim to stepside this challenge," said PM Majko in response to the interest of the reporters for the fate of the government he is leading if former SP chairman Fatos Nano would take the party chairmanship.

The PM considered as one of the achievements of his government the attraction of foreign investments in Albania.

"The Albanian Government has introduced the country to a quick process of privatization of the strategic sectors under the philosophy of an unlimited privatization. Most serious and powerful investors of the international economy and business are coming to Albania and showing their total interest for cooperation due to our seriousness toward them," said Majko on Saturday, one year after his election as Prime Minister.

According to Majko, the international business is finding normality in Albania for them to make business, thanks to the efforts of the Albanian Government to offer them security and tranquility in this country.

One day after he completed his visit to Washington, Majko said that the U.S. will remain the strategic and priority partner of the Albanian Government. Albanian PM has made public the U.S. full support for Government Majko.

"In the meetings with leaders of IMF and WB we received their profound consideration that they have found in the Albanian Government and in Albania complete guarantees to invest, and offered their maximal support for our efforts in the reconstruction of the country," said Majko.

PM Majko said that the European Union has voiced support and willingness to cooperate with his government. /y.pa/xh/

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[14] Seminar on capital market in Albania

The vice director of this center Auron Pasha stressed that the time for the capital market in Albanian economy to find its position and played the role it should have in this economy, has come.

The fact that the market almost did not existed is closely connected with the problems coming out from the development level of the economy, the level of engagement and the will to build up the structures of this market.

He said that "the privatization moment of strategic sectors is perhaps the most suitable one, which will put in use all the mechanisms of capitals market".

But according to the vice director of ACER "the drafting of a strategy by the part of governmental structure responsible for this issue in cooperation with the institutions participant in the capital market is necessary in order to make possible such a thing".

There is a lot of experience in this matter, because many countries of Eastern Europe have established and strengthened the structures of the capitals market through the privatization process. /led/linda/

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[15] "BLUE SKY" radio broadcasts in Kosova territory

The news bulletin will be prepared by Albanian and Serb journalists, and special timetables are planned for transmitting in two languages. The radio staff of UN in Kosova will be supervised by an international team.

The radio program consists of debates on different fields, press conferences, curiosities, nonstop music, live programs, where the participation of the audience will be needed, and other programs, as well. /lh/linda

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[16] PM Majko worried of 'symptoms of crisis' in political parties

"Considering the political parties as lines of institutional communication between the government and the direct interests of the citizen, I have noted with concern deformation of these lines, accompanied with the weak points in the formation of the Albanian political class," said Majko on Saturday in a news conference after his cabinet completed one year of governing.

According to Majko, replacement of the process of normal election of the leadership of the political parties with the process of appointment and nomination of this leadership risks the normal political game and leads to artificial increase of tensions and to a policy fraught with conflicts in the country.

After considering the congresses in the two biggest Albanian parties as processes of reflection and not as processes of technical solutions, Majko said he was optimistic for the fact that now rank and file citizens are exerting pressures on the Albanian political class. "These citizens don't mind the lobbies within the parties but they are interested only in the future of their children and of their own," said Majko.

Majko responded to the calls of the newly-elected chairman of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha for new elections in the country. "The elections in the Republic of Albania will be held in 2001 and Berisha knows this well. We are ready to dialogue with the opposition," said the Premier of Albania. /lh/xh/

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[17] Italian Government allocates 1 billion lira on infrastructure of Vlora town

He explained that 900 million liras of this fund will be used on implementation of the project on rehabilitation of the road to connect the city ring with "Pavaresia" square, while the rest will be use on rehabilitation of other road segments in the town.

The fund of 1 billion liras, financed by Italian Government confirmed recently, is part of the fund of 4 billion lira foreseen to be invested by the Government of neighbor country on the infrstructure of the southern coastal town. /lh/linda/

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[18] SP prepares program-documents to be presented to congress

"All changes to the program are related with various problems of the organization in the Party and reflect the latest developments in Kosove and in the Albanian policy and economy," said Dokle.

The member of the commission, Taulant Dedja, said that though the existing statute is generally good, it needs some changes to be made. He mentioned the questions discussed in the respective working group, which have to do with two proposals of the candidate for the SP chairmanship, Fatos Nano, referring to the financing of the party and the election of delegates.

The program and the statute, together with the changes included in them, will be presented to the party presidency prior to October 9, when the congress of the Socialist Party is set to be held. /lh/xh/

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[19] Program to know and protect ancient city of Butrint

The program aims at creating a new structure with trained people who will carry out several functions, protect the park from illegal interferences and damage, apply separate programs to make this monument known at all levels of the pupils in the schools of the country.

According to the Butrint Office, "the creation of this structure, which has been lacking almost totally in this zone, has started with the assistance of the International Federation Ranger."

The program also envisages the publication of all values of Butrint and the zone around it in the world press organs, the conduct of a campaign of publicity with the population of that area, the economic study, etc.

The ancient city of Butrint, whose starting point dates back to 3400 years before Christ, has for a long time now been in the focus of international organizations. In 1993, the archaeological nucleus of 16 hectares was declared "a world cultural asset" by UNESCO. /lh/xh/

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[20] Italian police repatriate 100 Albanian illegals

He explained that 100 illegal Albanian arrived in the port of Vlore aboard Niobi and Scanderbeg ferry boats on Saturday morning. They were taken to police commissariat of Vlore for further procedures of verification.

The Albanian nationals were from various districts, mostly from Northern Albania.

Men-smuggling to Italy coast has also continued last Friday evening. Some of the dinghies bound for Italy from the Bay of Vlore have managed to escape the pursuit of Guardia di Finanza vessels and have carried their "cargo" onto the other side of the border. /lh/xh/

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