Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-11-13

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Assistance for police of Vlore arrive from Italy

[02] CE to assist in democratization of local government in Albania

[03] Press review

[04] Population of Durres city doubled in last 10 years

[05] Albanian Autochephalous Orthodox Church 'helps' monuments of Orthodox Cult

[06] Exchange rates in Tirana market on Saturday

[07] CE aid demanded for creation of CEC and elaboration of Election Law

[08] World Bank accords USD12 million for rural crediting in Albania

[09] Contraband tobacco sequestered

[10] Emergent measures required on school attendance

[11] Meta praises WEU assistance for Albania police

[12] Mr. Furrer is for position-opposition dialogue

[13] Albanian RP demands implementation of final sentence

[14] AFADA: Not only trade, but even agriculatural industry

[15] Alpetrol profit marks 87 million leks

[16] National Commercial Bank finally privatized in March

[17] WEU pledges to contribute in combating fiscal crime

[18] European social-democracy to discuss Stability Pact in Tirane

[19] School, weapon resisting time for Albanians - Meidani

[20] Military Police towards transformation into gendarmerie

[21] Mat police gathers half million cartridges

[22] President Meidani inaugurates fair "Tirana Trade 1999"

[23] Butriniti monuments included in a special edition

[24] Albanian legislators invited to Spain

[01] Assistance for police of Vlore arrive from Italy

He explained that part of this aid are means for the forensic laboratory of criminal police, which are contemporary products. According to him, these means will ensure an accurate investigation and expertise and quick rates in completing the exact proofs of a penal act.

In the mean time, said the spokesman, after the arrival of the first aid, other contingents of assistance are expected to be brought from Italy. Aid for police of Vlore is part of the agreements signed between Albanian and Italian governments. /lh/xh/

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[02] CE to assist in democratization of local government in Albania

Minister Fino, after thanking Mr Furrer for the support he has given to Albania over the transition period and in its difficult moments, highlighted the CE commitment for the support to the democratization of the local government in this country.

Appreciating the concrete steps towards the democratisation of the government and politics in general through the division of the powers and democratic coordination between the local and central governments, Mr Furrer said that further work must be made through the creation of the National Centre for the training of the adminstration and local elected staff in Albania.

They in the meeting also discussed the need of Albania for assistance while it is implementing the project of decentralisation of the government which the Albanian cabinet has already prepared. /lh/xh/

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[03] Press review

Koha Jone, independent daily

- "If I do no reach objectives, I will resign - PM Meta." Albanian PM Ilir Meta said he would not hesitate to dismiss from his cabinet the corrupted ministers, as part of the efforts to convince the sceptics he is serious when he speaks of the fight against crime and corruption. - "Reformers led by triumvirate." Sources say that soon the second secret meeting of the DP reformers will be held and they will take the final verdict on the political line they will adopt in the future. - "Reinhardt: Serb soldiers are not glad to enter Kosova." So did the KFOR Commander say yesterday in a meeting he had with PM Meta.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily

- "VEFA, chains in courtroom." Two witnesses were arrested in the courtroom yesterday, in which VEFA judicial process was being held, because they had declared a different story in the prosecutor's office and another different in the courtroom. - "Meta with Georgievski in Korce." Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta and the Macedonian one Georgievski met yesterday in the border city of Korce to discuss ways of cooperation. - "Bank Governor signals the alarm." Bank Governor of Albania, Shkelqim Çani envisages a gloomy future for the crediting, at least in the coming two years.

Shekulli, independent daily

- "Meta: Berisha, come to my office." PM Ilir Meta invited yesterday the opposition for dialogue. "If Mr Berisha comes to the premier's office to talk on the problems of the country, the PM has no prejudices so that to have his second meeting with Berisha in the latter's office," said Meta. - "Rayan Akant: Death penalty must be lifted." The CE representative in Albania, Rayan Akant said yesterday. - "'Pole of freedom' back up DP - Berisha."

Albania, national independent paper

- "I will meet Berisha - Meta." - "Two witnesses of Alimuca arrested." - "Only 6 hours energy per day - KESH."

Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania

- "28 million dollar man arrested.:" - "Meta - Georgievski, spades in Corridor 8." - "Four wagons with 200 tons of oil overturned."

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania.

- "Gjinushi out!" - coalition" - "Regime of Tirana, a restoration - Italy."

Republika, daily paper of the Republican Party of Albania

- "Law of Albanian antimafia without any wayout." - "Witnesses of VEFA arrested in courtroom." /xh/

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[04] Population of Durres city doubled in last 10 years

The city of Durres has officially reached the record number of 140 744 inhabitants or almost twice as many as the census of this city population in 1989, said to ATA on Saturday, Elida Prifti, directress of the statistics office of the district. This growth is mostly due to the free movement of the people from southeastern zones to the coastal areas, while the number of the rural population of the communes has remained almost at the same quotas.

More than 66 per cent of the population in the district of Durres live in towns. According to Prifti, at the end of September this year, the coastal city of Durres had 241 747 inhabitants, of whom 160 281 living in the city of Durres and the town of Shijak. While the number of the families registered in all the district is 60 766, with an average number of 4 members in each family. /xh/

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[05] Albanian Autochephalous Orthodox Church 'helps' monuments of Orthodox Cult

According to sources from the Autochephalous Orthodox Church in Tirana, since 1991 until now there are 72 churches built anew, 65 old ones which have been rehabilitated and over 130 other churches just restored."

For several years, KOASH has been cooperating with the Institute of the Monuments of Culture for the restoration of the objects declared Monuments of Culture, for which it has offered financial and technical assistance.

The funds from the KOASH have been used for the rehabilitation of the Church of Saint Maria in the village Leus of the district of Permet, the construction of the church of Saint Spiridhon, district of Vlore, the restoration of the Church of Saint Koll and Saint Maria in the mediaeval town of Voskopoja, objects which are expected to be completed within this year. /xh/

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[06] Exchange rates in Tirana market on Saturday

Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies in Tirana market

Kind of currency Bought Sold

USD 134,8 135

DM 71,2 71,6

LIT (1000) 72,2 72,5

GRD (100) 42,1 42,4 /lh/xh/

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[07] CE aid demanded for creation of CEC and elaboration of Election Law

Gjinushi asked the political and technical aid of CE for the creation of the central Election Commission and the elaboration of the Election Law. According to Gjinushi, the commission is attacked by the Democratic Party. Hence, if the European institutions make the necessary pressure, the solution will be compulsory, but always conformed to the Albanian Constitution.

Gjinushi asked from Mr Furrer financial aid for the creation of the infrastructure of the CEC, creation of offices, adoption of laws and attraction of the experienced experts.

As for the revision of the Election Law, Mr Gjinushi said that "there are joint programs for the improvement and drafting of laws on elections, thus leaving aside the practice of making them only one month before election day." /lh/xh/

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[08] World Bank accords USD12 million for rural crediting in Albania

The newest project of WB aims at supporting with small credits the farmers for the development of agriculture and livestock. For the delivery of this fund, the World Bank and Albanian Government have chosen the Rural Financing Fund (RFF).

According to the directress of this fund, Zana Konini, "the project of the rural credit" will be applied in 10 districts including 234 villages with 8659 active clients. The credit will meet most emergent needs and is expected to help expand the existing activities of the farmers. The associations of crediting will follow the development of the project so that the efficiency of the credit be as high as possible. /lh/xh/

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[09] Contraband tobacco sequestered

Police forces of the sector of economic-financial anti crime (SAEF) in cooperation with "Shqiponja" forces after preliminary information searched the house of Engjell Hashimi, suspected to possess contraband goods.

Police discovered and sequestered there 12 000 cigarette packets having no fiscal stamp, but suspected to be false goods.

"Marlboro", "Dunhill", "Assos", "Monte Carlo", "Cooper", President", "Bond", "Karelia", were the kinds of tobacco sequestered.

Hashimi was caught in the act for goods contraband liable to excise. /lh/gs/

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[10] Emergent measures required on school attendance

The study is based on the survey of 2 802 pupils from 8-15 year old and 328 teachers questioned in eleven districts of Albania.

Though this figure is lower as compared with 1992-1993 period when the number of kids quitting school was sharply increased because of the demographic movement of population, the association demands emergent measures to prevent this phenomenon.

"Several factors influence the phenomenon of quitting school temporarily of permanently", say the sociologists and specialists of Institute of Pedagogical Studies who rest specially on problems of the transition period we are experiencing. The education reform, they stress, "has not yet offered the desired solutions on school, order, discipline and protection from violence". To specialists "the massive abandoning of schools during transition period has also objective reasons influenced by the devastated economy and poverty". Many of children abandoned school to provide money for their families, being temporarily employed or doing menial work in their own estates, mainly agricultural.

Everyday in Tirane more than 200 children peddle various goods. It is also figured out that many non professionals exercise teaching mainly in rural areas thus influencing negatively in the pupils', parents' and community's opinion of school. Many experienced teachers left school looking for more profits in other professions or through emigration, mostly in the neighboring countries, or are employed in private education institutions. /gs/

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[11] Meta praises WEU assistance for Albania police

"The cooperation between Albanian police and WEU has been concrete and I wanted to thank you in the name of the government I chair for the readiness and assistance you have provided to our order bodies", said Meta.

The Albanian Premier hailed as very important the law on state police expected to be passed soon in parliament. This law aims at dividing police from politics. Meta paid a special attention during the meeting to the work Albanian police in carrying out against crime and to the attempts made for creating efficient structures.

Cutiliero pledged to continue the cooperation in order field and revealed that "the policy being followed in this direction is a guarantee for the future of Albania". /dast/A.A/

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[12] Mr. Furrer is for position-opposition dialogue

Berisha agreed with Mr. Furrer's declaration saying that the dialogue among political forces is an unchangeable principle to DP.

The meeting, held without the presence of journalists, focussed on the political situation in the country and in the region including the issue on minorities, press office reported. The interlocutors shared the same views on the issues treated in their talks. /dast/gs/

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[13] Albanian RP demands implementation of final sentence

"RP points out that before removing the capital punishment government should find roads to decrease criminality and create conditions to return normal life to citizens", RP secretary Alksander Garuli told a news conference.

The republicans reiterated their request for holding a referendum on life sentence in Albania.

The declaration of this party comes two days after this problem is discussed in the Constitutional Court. The discussion is opened after the decision issued by the Appeal's Court in Sarande to give the death sentence for Flamur Rokajt accused of the penal act for killing on purpose, violating and kidnaping of a person.

The constitutional Court is expected to proclaim its decision after some days. /dast/A.A/

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[14] AFADA: Not only trade, but even agriculatural industry

In its strengthening process AFADA aims at continuing the role in the market development with agricultural inputs and stimulating the business in rural areas, mainly in revival of aggro-processing industry.

The activity of this organization is based mainly from an American project IFDC and the assistance offered by different organizations, such as VOCA and USAID. /linda/

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[15] Alpetrol profit marks 87 million leks

The company increased the production and the incomes per each employee and aims to pay back 35 million leks within November.

During this period after the reconstruction, the petrol association gave up to the delays in paying the active employees and the assistance for 4000 employees, whose salaries are faced by Albpetrol itself.

Referring to the sources of this association starting from January 1, 2000 a considerable increase of the salaries of the all employees of all levels will be implemented. The increase of the salary next year will be based upon the achievements of the company, where the most important is the stability of the production quota and the conviction to increase it further on next year. /dast/linda/

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[16] National Commercial Bank finally privatized in March

Albanian Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli and the representatives of these banks agreed the transaction on privatization of National Commercial Bank to be completed in the end of March, 2000.

The transferring of a part of loan of Albanian Agency of Credit Treatment will be performed during this period. Meanwhile, Albanian Parliament and Government are expected to make the necessary completion of legal acts, concerning the transferring way of the share-certificates. /linda/

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[17] WEU pledges to contribute in combating fiscal crime

Minister of Finances Angjeli stressed out the positive cooperation with CAM-Albania mission in combating contraband and fiscal evasion and asked for the continuation of this cooperation in the future, mainly to combat the corruption within the custom structures.

The continuation of the collaboration with MAPE in different fields and in particular in combating the fiscal crime was other issue treated in this meeting. /linda/

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[18] European social-democracy to discuss Stability Pact in Tirane

The decision was taken at the Skopje meeting in which participated Albanian Socialist Party. SP leader Fatos Nano made known the decision on his return from Paris.

The role of social-democracy in the region, in power or opposition and the contribution of all countries and parties of the region to implement Stability Pact projects is in the schedule of this table.

ASP (Albanian Socialist Party) became SI consultative member at the 21th Congress of Socialist International held in Paris early last week. SP submitted the request to become member of International in May 1998. /dast/gs/

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[19] School, weapon resisting time for Albanians - Meidani

"School is the weapon resisting time for the Albanian people, because education and civilisation are weapons to go ahead", said Meidani.

The master of "Antoni Athanas" school Perparim Musai thanked the German and Austrian Governments for the aid provided to realise the project of hostel trade and tourism branch in this school.

He also thanked Soros foundation for its aid to reconstruct school premises.

Also present at the ceremony were German Ambassador in Tirane Peter Kiewit, Austrian Ambassador Riedel, head of AEDP programme of Soros foundation Gurevic, Minister of Education Ethem Ruka and other personalities. /dast/so/lm/

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[20] Military Police towards transformation into gendarmerie

"The military police, which is a very efficient structure of the Defence Ministry, through a new legislation, can be transformed into a gendarmerie and in this direction, the MAPE assistance, is very valuable," said Hajdaraga.

He said that the law on gendarmerie is being drafted.

Things are progressing in Albania, said Kutileiro who promised a continuation of the MAPE mission to help public order.

Kutileiro met with President Rexhep Meidani on Friday and with Prime Minister Ilir Meta on Saturday during which meetings Kutileiro pledged cooperation in public order. /led/lm/

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[21] Mat police gathers half million cartridges

Besides fight against crime the police of this district has strengthened the fight against ferrocrome contraband. Over 90 ton ferrocrome mineral have been blocked during the control the police forces have conducted in the last two months. /led/so/

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[22] President Meidani inaugurates fair "Tirana Trade 1999"

Albanian President Rexhep Meidani on Saturday cut off the inauguration ribbon of Fair "Tirana Trade 1999".

Attending the fair, which is organised by the Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Albanian Business Organisations and the Union of Trade and Industry Chambers, are 120 production and trade firms which have been exercising their activity in Tirane and other districts of Albania for several years now.

"I wish business in Albania goes ahead," said Meidani greeting the participants at the Fair. Attending the activity are heads of ministries, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps and foreign institutions and organisations contributing to the economic development in Albania.

The Chamber of Trade, as the main organiser of the fair, has practiced low tariffs to enable small firms display their products. Foreign firms from Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, China and other states are represented at the Fair. It will stay open until November 17.

According to its organizers the fair will also open in Prishtine this month. /led/lm/

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[23] Butriniti monuments included in a special edition

"Butrint and sites around it" is the title of the monograph on the Southern antique city which is being drafted by IMC specialists Gjerak Karaiskaj and Guri Pani, financed by European Union.

The edition, 60 pages, will be published in English language and will serve as a guide for local and foreing visitors.

The antique city of Butrint, 19 km far from Saranda, has its beginnings during bronze age, around 3400 years BC. /led/so/

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[24] Albanian legislators invited to Spain

The visit is part of the continuation of the first stage of the seminar "On the Spanish experience of political transition, reflections," organised in Tirane in February '99.

The group of deputies, composed of Namik Dokle, Jozefina Topalli, Sabri Godo, Genc Pollo and Arta Dade, will be closely familiarised with the political transition in Spain, its main figures and institutions.

A meeting on Albania is also planned to be held in the spaces of the Foundation Ortega of Gaset which will treat current topics.

The visit will precede the third stage of the seminar, due in Tirane by the beginning of year 2000. /led/lm/

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