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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-02

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

  • [01] Police of Gjirokaster fighting drug-trafficking
  • [02] Verification of corruption is necessary to increase faith in justice - Meta
  • [03] Exchange rates in Tirana market
  • [04] Premier Meta demands increase of cooperation with Belgium
  • [05] Press review
  • [06] PHARE Program with new projects in field of Albanian education
  • [07] New mass graves uncovered in Kosova
  • [08] Owners of freighters invest for quay in Lake Koman
  • [09] Albanian President Meidani urges economic cooperation with Belgium
  • [10] IFC finances 500 thousand dollars on custom warehouses in Rinas
  • [11] ARMO processing capacity 1,5 million ton oil per year
  • [12] President Meidani visits China
  • [13] Ambassador Mallias presents Greek action-plan on regional reconstruction
  • [14] National Juridical Conference to begin proceedings on Friday
  • [15] National Conference on school autonomy and decentralisation begins
  • [16] Administrator Kouchner arrives in Albania
  • [17] Minister Hajdaraga leaves for Brussels
  • [18] Albanian Bank Monetary Programme for 2000 approved
  • [19] Albanian government sees Kosova future in new Europe - Meta
  • [20] Group of flags in Command headquarters of COMMZ(W) inaugurated
  • [21]
  • [22] Kouchner says situation in Kosova has improved

  • [01] Police of Gjirokaster fighting drug-trafficking

    GJIROKASTER, Dec. 1 (ata) - By H Cani: The Albanian southern border with neighbouring Greece, for its mountain terrain, is considered by narcotic traffickers as very appropriate for the trading of this prohibited commodity.

    Sources from the anti-drug trafficking in the police of Gjirokaster confirmed on Wednesday to ATA that the trafficking of narcotics, mostly cannabis, had its climax in 1992-1996. Experts of drugs explain this with the fact that the price of 1 kg of cannabis at that time was very high and the it was on great demand by the Greek market of narcotics.

    The statistics available from this sector show that the selling curb of cannabis in the Greek market provides differentiated figures.

    Over the past 9 years, more than 130 people have been detained for hashish-trafficking, while the sentences passed by the courts are totally around 2 years of imprisonment terms.

    YEAR MARKET VALUE 1kg Can. Detained Arrested

    1992 Greece 35O 000 Drachma = =

    1993 ====== 4OO 000 Drachma 3 =

    1994 ====== 3OO 000 Drachma 14 5

    1995 ====== 25O 000 Drachma 1O 3

    1996 ====== 15O 000 Drachma 7 2

    1997 ====== 1OO 000 Drachma = =

    1998 ====== 15O 000 Drachma 18 14

    1999 ====== 25O 000 Drachma 3O 22

    Police fight has intensified over 1999. For the first time, police have seized 5 traffickers of pure cocaine. Trafficking in border passes near Kakavija has also been hit. Only 8 days ago, police caught 8 people for hashish trafficking.

    The latest law on drug-trafficking, drafted by the Public Order Ministry and expected to be adopted recently, envisages strict measures for traffickers and stipulates clearly the position of police towards them. /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] Verification of corruption is necessary to increase faith in justice - Meta

    TIRANE, Dec.2 (ata) - By Th Thanasi: Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta expressed on Wednesday in a meeting with leaders of the Attorney General's Office the resolution to "bring to the fore the irresponsibility noticed in the state administration regarding the abuse with public funds."

    Meta stressed in the meeting that the institutional verification of corruption is indispensable to increase the faith in justice, to make the division of the corrupted from the uncorrupted, he voiced the conviction that not all are corrupted, on the contrary only a handful of people are such."

    The Prime Minister confirmed once more that in that meeting that he intended to protect nobody who is unable to understand his own institutional and public responsibilities but on the contrary makes abuses with them.

    Meta voiced the conviction that "the force of all our institutions, the force of law, the force of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania will fall on all traffickers, the corrupted so that the country gets free once and for ever from all these evils and follow the road of long-term development." /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Exchange rates in Tirana market

    TIRANE, Dec.2 (ata) - By Dorian Koça: The US dollar has lost points in its exchange with local Lek in Tirana money market as compared with Wednesday. One dollar was bought at 136 lek and sold at 136.5 lek.

    Exchange rates of lek with other currencies on Thursday:

    Foreign currency Bought Sold

    USD 136 136,5

    DM 71,2 71,5

    LIT (1000) 72 72,2

    GRD (100) 42 42,2 /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] Premier Meta demands increase of cooperation with Belgium

    TIRANE, Dec. 2 (ata) - Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta expressed in a meeting with a group of Belgian senators the will of the Albanian Government to boost and further promote the relations with the Belgian Government, the Information Department of the Prime Minister's office told ATA on Thursday.

    On the bilateral aspect, Premier Meta called for a closer cooperation in the parliamentary, central government and local government context, and extension of the autonomy which is one of the objectives of the Albanian Government.

    He also demanded a growing commitment of the Belgian Government and Parliament for the quickest possible membership of Albania in the Euro- Atlantic structures, stressing that "this is also one of the main priorities of the Albanian foreign policy."

    Belgian senators offered assistance for a cooperation in the fight against organised crime and corruption. Meta underscored the commitment of the Albanian Government for an uncompromising fight against these phenomena in cooperation with the Friends of Albania Group for the preparation of a strategy and a complete and efficient legal framework. /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] Press review

    TIRANA, dec. 2 (ata) - By Urim Bajrami: Follow some of the headlines of the Albanian dailies on Thursday:

    Koha Jone, daily independent

    - "Clinton's adviser: Meta, continue fighting." Christopher Hill, special adviser of U.S. president Clinton, had a telephone talk yesterday with Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta. Hill appreciated the increasing security and the determination of the Government to continue with the anti- corruption process. - "Customs Director Ago catches 10 customs workers red- handed." Two days ago, by midnight, the general director of Customs, Petrit Ago, inspected alone the Kapshtica Customs House. Presenting himself as a passer by, he could see how three long vehicles carrying clothes were smuggled. - "Brojka: If I am removed, socialists will take the Tirana Mayor's post." This was the Tirana mayor, Albert Brojka told the press.

    Gazeta Shqiptare, daily independent

    - "Selling wife for 3 million lek." A shocking story was heard in courtroom yesterday. The parents of a 17 year old girl told in courtroom how the husband of their daughter had sold her in Greece. - "Meta to the prosecutor's office, lower tension." PM Ilir Meta met yesterday evening with the highest ranking officials of the Attorney General. - "We have decided to low the customs fee again - Pashko." The economic adviser of PM Meta, promises the unification of the tariffs with those of the World Trade Organization.

    Shekulli, independent daily

    - "Contraband fevers in Shengjin." Police of Lezha blocked yesterday a ship carrying smuggled oil, while its Syrian captain is detained. - "Meta and Rakipi, to render account before Meidani." Albanian President Rexhep Meidani met yesterday with the Prime Minister Ilir Meta and the chief of the Attorney General's office, Arben Rakipi. - "Fuel explodes."

    Albania, national daily.

    - "Nano-Meta fight starts." - "OSCE: Investments, hostage to crime and corruption." - "DP regains international support."

    Rilindja demokratike, daily of the Democratic party of Albania.

    - "Secret pact in Presidency." - "Where did 20 billion lira by Italian Government go?"

    Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania.

    - "Jealousy within coalition." - "200 page-dossier for contraband." /xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] PHARE Program with new projects in field of Albanian education

    TIRANE, Dec. 2 (ata) - By P Shuteriqi: Albanian education will be treated with priority by the European Union through the PHARE Program during the academic year 1999-2000, the deputy minister of education and science, Mimoza Hafizi told ATA on Thursday.

    According to her, the PHARE Program will attach priority to the professional training of teachers, creating them possibilities through post- university specialisation to receive certificates as specialists of another profile, to respond to the requirements that the labour market demands in the sector of education.

    The two projects of the PHARE program include the Albanian higher education in the system of management of universities according to the demands of analogous Western institutions and the sister-relations of these institutions with the regional ones in Puglie of Italy, in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Macedonia, etc. /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] New mass graves uncovered in Kosova

    PRISHTINE, Dec. 2 (ata) - By B Jashari: Another mass grave was uncovered in Terstenik of Drenica in which scores of massacred Albanians were buried, ATA office in Prishtina reports.

    This is the 13th collective grave found in the commune of Gllogoc. The press of Prishtina reported on Thursday that in the past 24 hours, more than 20 Albanians have been identified in these graves in various regions of Kosova, and efforts are being made for further identification of the recovered bodies.

    Some 11 bodies of massacred Albanians were exhumed today in the mass graves in Suhadoll of Mitrovica. Also a team of experts from the Hague Tribunal arrived in Gjakova yesterday to make inquiry into Serb crimes.

    More than 500 mass graves with Albanian bodies in them have been uncovered so far in Kosova. /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Owners of freighters invest for quay in Lake Koman

    TROPOJE, Dec. 2 (ata) - By R Hoxha: The owners of freighters for passengers in Lake Koman invested for the construction of the new quay for these freighters to anchor.

    The Secretary of the Tropoja district council, Isa Kuliqi told ATA on Thursday that "freighter owners paid 1 million lek for the quay in village Roj, 25 km from Bajram Curri town."

    The fall of the water level in Lake Koman brought out of operation the existing quay. This dictated the need of the new quay, 4 km far from the existing one, said Lazer Rama, owner of Dardani freighter.

    The freighters operating in Lake Koman carry on board every day from Tropoja (north) to other districts with over 200 people and 50 vehicles. /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Albanian President Meidani urges economic cooperation with Belgium

    TIRANE, Nov. 2 (ata) - By Eva Londo: Albanian President Rexhep Meidani urged economic cooperation with Belgium in the meeting he had on Thursday with a group of Belgian senators.

    Having the comprehension from Belgian parliamentarians, Meidani laid the stress on the importantance of the economic cooperation with the aim of developing Albania so that it can prevent negative phenomena, such as illegal emigration, etc.

    "Repressive measures must be strengthened, but they will not yield final result until the causes that make the people flee the country are fought, through the creation of better living conditions, employment, etc., " said Meidani.

    During the meeting, the two sides discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the field of public order and in other mutually benefited fields. President Meidani underscored the international character of crime. According to him, crime must be fought on an international front as well, in collaboration among various countries and with the aid of bilateral and multilateral joint structures. /led/xh/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] IFC finances 500 thousand dollars on custom warehouses in Rinas

    Tirana, Dec.2 (ata) - By E.Xhajanka - The well known Italian company in the transport services sector IFC will start soon the implementation of its first project in Albania on building up the custom warehouses in Rinas airport.

    Referring to the president of the company Francesco Quaranta the construction of the custom warehouses in Rinas will start in 2000 and they will be furnished with the necessary equipment and will facilitate the work in custom points.

    According to Quaranta, the establishing of these warehouses will bring great advantages in receiving the goods in the proper time and their storage, as well.

    Some 500 thousand dollars will be invested in the first phase of the project, by extending the activity even in other custom points of Durresi and Saranda. /led/linda/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] ARMO processing capacity 1,5 million ton oil per year

    Tirana, December 2 (ata) - By M.Pupa - ARMO, integrated part of Albanian Petrolium Corporations APC with its headquarter in Fier dealing with the refinery and Albanian oil marketing, presented in the fair held in the end of the year in Albania (November 25-30) its processing capacity to 1.5 million ton oil per year.

    Referring to ARMO representatives, processing capacity is done through two refineries, Ballshi one by 1 million ton per year and Fieri by 0.5 million ton per year.

    Fieri refinery having its capacity 0.5 million ton per year is projected and put in use in 1986 by Albanian specialists.

    Some of the strong Albanian companies that fall under the definition strategic sectors of privatization, including ARMO, took part in the fair. /led/linda/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] President Meidani visits China

    Tirana, December 2 (ata) - Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, invited by the Head of Chinese State Jang Zemin, will visit People's Republic of China starting from December 12, reported on Thursday the press and information office.

    President Meidani will meet the Head of Chine State Jang Zemin and other senior Chinese authorities. /lh/linda/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] Ambassador Mallias presents Greek action-plan on regional reconstruction

    TIRANE, Dec. 2 (ATA) - By Eva Londo - Greek ambassador accredited to Albania Aleksandros Mallias unfolded on Thursday in the presence of mediae the national plan of Greek action on reconstruction of the Balkans.

    Greece will accord a fund of 100 billion Drachmas (equal to $ 334 million) for Southeastern Europe within a 5-year period in the framework of the Pact of Stability.

    Out of this sum $ 81,4 million, or 25% of the total sum, will be used on reconstruction of Kosove, as a country with the most emergent need for aid.

    Some $ 55,35 million, or 17% of the sum, will be provided for Albania while the rest will be used to assist Macedonia, Bulgaria, Rumania and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia if it meets the conditions set by the international organizations.

    The Greek ambassador Mallias revealed that "we will cooperate with the Albania institutions to appoint the priority fields of aid application".

    The Greek aid for Albania will be materialized through concrete projects and special activities that will be carried out in the field of social infrastructure (18 $ million), in infrastructure in general and other services ($ 23 million), and in production sector ($ 15 million). /lh/A.A/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] National Juridical Conference to begin proceedings on Friday

    TIRANE, Dec 2 (ATA)- By R.Xhuvani, National Juridical Conference will conduct proceedings on Friday and Saturday in the premises of the International Center of Culture in Tirana, the spokesman of the Supreme Court reported on Thursday.

    The conference will be held at the request of the Executive Committee, consisting of the Chairman of the Supreme Court, members of the High Council of Justice and members of the Executive Board of the Office on Administration of the Justice Budget, in cooperation with the Organization of the U.S. Jurists (ABA/CEELI) and the Foundation of Open Association (SOROS). It aims to support and implement Albania's Constitution.

    The conference will review the actual situation of the juridical power and will establish duties to reach international standards in its activity.

    The Conference is expected to elect the Executive Committee of the Conference, reform the juridical power from constitutional and institutional viewpoint as well as define the procedure of electing members of the Council of Justice in the future. /lh/so/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] National Conference on school autonomy and decentralisation begins

    TIRANE, Dec 2 (ATA)-By P. Shuteriqi, The National Conference on school autonomy and decentralisation, organised by the Ministry of Education and Science, in cooperation with the Soros Foundation, started proceedings at the Palace of Congresses in Tirane.

    On its first day, the national conference, which ends tomorrow, discussed the first steps of the project already started by the Ministry of Education, along with its dependent institutions, the pedagogical studies institute and the education department in 13 districts of the country as well as "Albania's Education Development Project" (AEDP) of Soros Foundation, an increase of school autonomy, according to AEDP director Saimir Rrepishti.

    The participants were greeted by the AEDP Director General in Tirane, Robert Gurevic, as well as by the deputy Minister of Education and Science, Andrea Marto.

    Debates also focused on finding possible sponsors in education, alongside state budget sources. /lh/lm/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Administrator Kouchner arrives in Albania

    RINAS, Dec 2 (ATA)-By R. Xhuvani, U.N. administrator for Kosova Bernard Kouchner arrived in Albania this Thursday for a two-day visit, during which he will meet with Albanian statesmen.

    "We are trying for the situation in Kosova to become better in all aspects, both in creating and making efficient its infrastructure and in regulating the administrative system," Kouchner told reporters right after his arrival at Rinas airport. /lh/lm/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] Minister Hajdaraga leaves for Brussels

    TIRANE, Dec 2 (ATA) - Albanian Minister of Defence Luan Hajdaraga left for Brussels on Thursday to participate in the meeting of Defence Ministers of the Partnership's Eur.- Atlantic Council, the Ministry of Defence spokeswoman reported.

    This meeting will be due on Friday to discuss cooperation in the Balkans and the progress made in expanding the partnership. /lh/so/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] Albanian Bank Monetary Programme for 2000 approved

    TIRANE, Dec 2 (ATA)-E. Metaj,

    The Supervising Council of the Bank of Abania, based on the quantitative macro-economic indices defined in ESAF 2 programme, approved the "Albanian Bank Monetary Programme for 2000", sources from the Central Bank of Albania reported on Thursday.

    The Supervising Council agreed to finance the domestic budgetary deficit up to eight per cent of the annual average of the budget incomes of the Government of the Republic of Albania for 1997, 1998 and 1999, provided that an up to three percent of inflation is preserved.

    In implementation of the law "On the Bank of Albania" and the defined conditions, the Supervising Council will allow the Albanian Central Bank to buy Government vouchers on open market, or on secondary market, to the extend that these purchases do not go beyond the main objective of the Bank of Albania.

    The council decided to reexamine the monetary programme in every three months of the year 2000. /lh/lm/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] Albanian government sees Kosova future in new Europe - Meta

    TIRANE, Dec 2 (ATA)-By E. Nepravishta, The Albanian government sees the future of Kosova in the new Europe, the Europe of regional integration processes which the Stability Pact has opened and will further encourage, said Premier Ilir Meta right after his meeting with Bernard Kouchner, U.N. administrator and chief of UNMIK in Kosova.

    Meta said that the Albanian government will continue to contribute to peace and stability in the region as well as to the consolidation of peace, democracy and coexistence in Kosova, "because this is important for the stability of the whole region which also includes Albania."

    Meta also expressed himself for a prominent progress to build confidence in the future of institutions in Kosova. /lh/lm/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] Group of flags in Command headquarters of COMMZ(W) inaugurated

    DURRES, Dec 2 (ATA)- By Enkelejda Koraqi, A new group of flags was inaugurated on Thursday in the Command headquarters of COMMZ(W) in Plepa, Durres.

    Present at the ceremony were the Albanian Premier Ilir Meta, the Chief of the Army's General Headquarters, Brigade General Aleks Andoni.

    The commandant of COMMZ(W) mission in Albania, General Luigi Chiavarelli explaining the symbolic of the flags placed in the command headquarters said that the Albanian flag represents the people, who are so hospitable with us, the Italian flag the Friuli Brigade which is a representing structure of COMMZ(W) and the NATO's flag the symbolic of the union and fraternity of the free people.

    NATO's mission COMMZ(W), is a mission operating in favor of the stability in Albania and the region.

    Premier Meta, accompanied by General Chiaravelli paid a visit also to the Military Hospital in Durres, which is managed by the Italian military troops headed by Colonel Luigi Mancone. /lh/so/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21]

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] Kouchner says situation in Kosova has improved

    TIRANE, Dec 2 (ATA)-By E. Nepravishta, Bernard Kouchner, U.N. Administrator and chief of UNMIK in Kosova said in Tirane on Thursday that the situation in Kosova has improved.

    "The situation in Kosova is improving. The situation on streets and in private life is improving, electricity is improving, the food system is functioning and we are stabilising relations to open a banking system, to improve police and security systems," said Kouchner.

    Kouchner expressed the desire of strengthening relations with Albania.

    "We need to cooperate with our friends, with the neighboring states. Thus, it is necessary that relations are stabilised. Stability and democracy in Kosova requires the cooperation of all. Albania, Kosova, Serbia, Montenegro and all the other countries are part of Europe," he said.

    But, he said the situation of the minorities is not satisfactory.

    "Unfortunately, the situation of the minorities is not satisfactory. We are duty-bound to defend the minorities, to secure support for them," said Kouchner.

    He considered the situation in Rahovec different from that in Mitrovice. In Rahovec, he said, difficulties have been overcome, road are open and the relations among the population, UNMIK and KFOR are good.

    Meanwhile, Kouchner said that there are difficulties in Mitrovica, as regards coexistence of ethnic groups. /lh/lm/

    D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:


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


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