Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-04-30

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albanian parliament approves decrees on government changes

[02] Fiscal evasion on rise, but space for radical measures exists

[03] USD quoted at lek 159,40

[04] Only banks can prevent re emerge of pyramid investments schemes

[05] Coffee consumption is high, but its import lowered

[06] Savings Bank changes interest rates

[07] Premier says Albania favours peaceful solution to Kosova issue

[08] Control along Albania-FYROM border tightened

[09] Leader of National Unity party meets leader of French National Front party

[10] Albania Tabac resumes manufacturing

[11] Serbian military forces deployed in Gjakova

[12] Greek constitutionalist assesses work on constitution

[13] Classes suspended in several schools of Gjakova

[14] Defence Minister meets U.S. ambassador in Tirana

[15] Union for Democracy to field up joint candidates in local polls

[16] Constitution belongs to everyone and is for all the times

[17] Canada to start a fruitful cooperation with Albania, Cartwright

[18] Albanian Government pleased with the Contact Group Meeting in Rome

[19] Great Serbian forces surround Prishtine University

[20] Heavy artillery attacks villages of Decan and Gjakove

[21] Calm situation in Tropoje

[22] Interministerial Commission of Economic Policies discusses energy situation in Albania

[23] More than 100 Serbian troops have reached Stregan, near Vokshi

[01] Albanian parliament approves decrees on government changes

The Democratic party (DP) and the political grouping Unity for Democracy voted against the decrees on changes in the government cabinet, reiterating their request on a resignation of the coalition government which, according to them, was leading Albania to a new crisis, institutionalizing contraband and crime.

Some Socialist deputies criticized the ten-month work of the coalition government. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Fiscal evasion on rise, but space for radical measures exists

Although, as its made publicly known the figures are on the rise, not only during our governing period, but also compared with the previous government, there is still room for radical measures, Nano said.

"Our customs and tax system should and will experience soon a total reforming strategy," Premier added.

We can't tolerate the fact noticed also by the press, that despite the immense consumption, customs clearance figures for cigarettes, fuels and beverages are inferior and compromising mainly to customs but also for police forces, said Nano in his speech.

The inter ministerial anti-smuggling committee despite the coordination of the sectors, it is not converted yet into an effective and lissom institution, leaving space for some relatively reasonable critics, said he.

Taking advantage of the occasion Nano called the attention of these segments demanding a detailed strategy, in harmony also with the parliamentary commissions, a strategy which would lead to other levels of customs clearances and hence other public incomes.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] USD quoted at lek 159,40

So $1 = 159,40 lek, lossing 0,30 points compared with yesterday's 159, 70 lek.

The DM was traded for 88,70 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared to yesterday's 88,80 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 89,00 lek gaining 0.10 points compared with yesterday's 88,90 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,00 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 50,10

The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 2,00 points compared with yesterday's 106,30 lek and so on.

Thursday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 159,40 lek DM 88,70 lek ITL (1000) 89,00 lek GRD (100) 50,00 lek SFR 103,10 lek FRF 24,20 lek GBP 230,30 lek JPY (100) 111,10 lek NLG 73,20 lek

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Only banks can prevent re emerge of pyramid investments schemes

As a new and unfamiliar phenomena before, in our country, these pyramids investment schemes manifested some features not similar with other countries like the massive participation of people in them, duration and various shapes they demonstrated.

Thus compared with the country's GDP in 1996 worth $2 billions, the funds pledged into main pyramid investment schemes were around $1,2 billion or 60 percent of it.

Based on a recent study about the characteristics and consequences of the informal financial market, three were the favouring factors in the flourishing of bogus investment schemes in Albania: lack of public knowledge on the informal market and its risks, legal shortcomings and the weakness of legal institutions and the influence of policy upon the economy.

So in relation with the first factor it can be said that the lack of knowledge in this field is still evident, this due to the non functioning for nearly 50 years of the elements of informal market.

Regarding the second factor, it is a well-known fact that the backwardness of Albanian financial system, which was manifested at the lack of private banks and the stock exchange, in the first steps of banks reconstruction and also the void of a full legal framework in relation with collection of deposits without a banking license.

Despite the chaos they created and the blow to country's economy, the strengthen of banking system is among the main elements that can curb re emerging of this phenomenon in the future.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Coffee consumption is high, but its import lowered

According to customs sources during the first quarter of 1998 has passed through customs 52 tonnes of coffee.

The biggest quantities of coffee, around 37 tonnes have entered through Durres custom house, the main entry port of goods in Albania.

The low figures run contrary with the massive consumption of this product in country scale.

So in Albania excluding the house consumption, coffee houses are increased and the turnover from bars is on the rise.

Data from the Customs General Directorate show these last years that the import of coffee is in minimal figures.

So in 1993 some 3,598 tonnes of coffee were imported, in 1994 the figure was 4,104 tonnes coffees, in 1995 around 1,894 tonnes coffee, in 1996 only 668 tonnes coffee and 100 tonnes of coffee in 1997.

These data enhance the doubts of the smuggling of this products in great quantities. Despite the taken measures to prevent its smuggling, the result shows that coffee smuggling is still running in great proportions.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Savings Bank changes interest rates

So the interest rates from 27,5 per cent will drop to 27 per cent.

Also, April 30 new debt interests will be applied for receiving money from the deposit before the matured period.

Thus the debtor interest for 6-month term deposit from 30 per cent will rise to 32 per cent, while for 12-month term deposits the debtor interest from the previous 31 per cent will move to 33 percent.

Interest rates for deposits in lek up to 1-year period

-------------------------------------------------------------- Deposits' kind interest % --------------------------------------------------------------- Demand deposits 2,0 --------------------------------------------------------------- -week term deposit 4,0

-------------------------------------------------------------- 1-month term deposit 19,0 --------------------------------------------------------------- 3-month term deposit 26,0 --------------------------------------------------------------- 6-month term deposit 26,0

--------------------------------------------------------------- 12-month term deposit 27,0

--------------------------------------------------------------- One week term deposit will be effective only for companies which deposit over lek 100 million.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Premier says Albania favours peaceful solution to Kosova issue

"In order to ensure a peaceful solution of the national issue, and above all a favourable solution for Albanians, the Albanian state diplomacy is in total activity," the premier said, adding from the President of the Republic to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, have engaged in a great number of contacts, meetings, have made proposals and official declarations.

Referring to a special working group on Kosova made of diplomats and specialists of the region which is being constituted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nano said: "This group that will be under direct authority of the Prime Minister will include specialists of defence, public order, intelligence service, and also of local government."

"This special group might invite also career diplomats, regardless of their political beliefs," he added.

The principal mission of this group is to intensively inform on the situation, study and propose Albanian and foreign diplomatic initiatives in constant contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and parliamentary commissions.

"This group will also have other duties, from contacts with diplomats of the regions and of the west, to the appointment of one or several especially authorised negotiators for the crisis."

Nano said that during the last days there had been an increase in cases of refugees from bordering villages in Kosovo.

"Serb pressure has been mounted very close to our border, as the press has correctly reported," he said.

Pointing out that provocations at the border strip of Kukes and Tropoja have increased he said that "the provocations are directed from out of the border to the inside of our territory, but also the contrary occurs. There have been noted several cases of purposeful inspiration from Tirana, from individuals or groups, who through their actions, declarations, or traffics might give the Serbs the reason to shed blood."

The Albanian government is firm on its anti-terrorist stand, on blocking by any means weapons traffics, and the differentiated treatment for kosovar families in need, by kallashnikov and flags merchants."

Focusing on the role of the opposition in Albania's reconstruction, Nano said: "Above all, respect for the state, for institutions, investments, and inherited values, are duties of all the political class."

"Unfortunately, I realise that during your last nine months in opposition, we have not listened to any word of self criticism for the damages you caused to the Albanian state," Nano said. s.sh/mima/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Control along Albania-FYROM border tightened

Sources of customs point of Qafe-Thane report that several inhabitants of Librazhd villages have been caught inside the FYROM territory, in an effort to be employed there.

"They have been returned by local authorities conform state rules," the source says. /s.sh/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Leader of National Unity party meets leader of French National Front party

"The issue of Kosova and reprisals carried out by the Belgrade regime against the innocent Albanian people there was the main topic of the talks, " the PUK spokesman told ATA after Beqiri's arrival in Tirana.

"Beqiri asked from Mr. Le Pen an objective commitment to prevent further bloodshed in Kosova and a realistic assessment by the whole French political spectrum regarding the indispensability for a correct solution of the crisis in this region," the spokesman said.

The National Unity won a deputy in the elections of June 29 elections through the aid of the Socialist Party and it is a party which supports the government, although it does not take part in it. /s.sh/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albania Tabac resumes manufacturing

Factory director Kristaq Kote said to ATA that the restructured factory recorded a loss worth $8 millions for the unrest.

The workers are paid 10 to 30 thousand leks monthly. ake/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Serbian military forces deployed in Gjakova

Armoured vehicles as well as heavy artillery cannons have been put on the alert in the territory of this building, while all movements in and out from the city and towards the villages have been blocked.

At access road to Ponosheci, the police have erected barricades with sacks of sand, and the military forces have began inspections in villages.

The same sources report that an army-police column of 15 transportation vehicles was reported to pass yesterday through Decan and large amounts of weapons and ammunition to be unloaded in the police station territory. /p.ta/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Greek constitutionalist assesses work on constitution

The Greek constitutionalist Tsatsos held talks with the Albanian parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi.

Considering necessary the active cooperation with specialised constitutionalists of the international community, Gjinushi expressed the engagement in drawing up a solid constitution to consolidate and guarantee a rule of law in Albania, press and information office at the parliament said.

"Now, we are in a delicate phase. The parliamentary commission is drawing up a draft and we aim at holding a referendum on constitution within this year," he said.

"Our aim is that the constitution should be an achievement of all Albanian political forces, while former president Sali Berisha continues to think how to block this necessary process," Gjinushi said.

Tsatsos, who came to Albania for the second time, expressed his readiness to help offer expert advices in drawing up a constitution. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Classes suspended in several schools of Gjakova

The numerous roadblocks have largely hindered the movements of pupils and teachers. /p.ta/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Defence Minister meets U.S. ambassador in Tirana

Hajdaraga, after thanking ambassador Lino and the U.S. military attache for the great contribution given to Albania by the American government, briefed on the current situation and latest developments in the country.

The Defence Minister stressed that he had held recently several meetings with the military attaches of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Russia and others, where he has discussed about the current situation, mainly in the country's northern part. Hajdaraga said that "we favour the peaceful solution of the Kosova problem." /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Union for Democracy to field up joint candidates in local polls

"We have established a working group, made up of the political forces of this grouping, which will examine the best candidatures," he added.

Further on, leaders of "Union for Democracy" expressed their opinion about the results of the Contact Group meeting yesterday regarding the Kosova issues.

"The Contact Group did not manage even this time to take a severe and clear-cut decision against the Serbian chauvinist policy against the defenceless population of Kosova, meanwhile that the situation there is aggravating," the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, declared.

He considered a failure the meeting of the Contact Group, because, according to him, it showed that it is Milosevic who is deciding in the region and not the international factor.

Berisha considered partial the measures of the Contact Group to block the foreign funds of the Yugoslav Federation and the Serbian government, as well as to block the investments in Serbia if the later does not start the dialogue with the Albanian party until May 9. /a.ke/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Constitution belongs to everyone and is for all the times

The delegation is in Albania for consultations for the drafting of the Albanian constitution.

Dimitrios Tsatsos, professor of Constitutional law in the Athens University talked with President Meidani for the contacts and his cooperation with Albania's Commission for the Drafting of the Constitution.

The Greek specialists said that the Athens Institution will help drafting of the constitution of Albania and contribute to a close cooperation with Albanian experts of the constitution and for the improvement of the Albanian legislation.

The President highlighted the commitment of that Institution and voiced the opinion that the assistance by Mr Tsatsos and that of other experts on constitution who have visited Albania recently, will improve the quality and accelerate the rates of work in the constitutional commission.

"The constitution belongs to all and is for all the times, it is linked with the will and the interest of nobody, therefore the process for the constitution is open to all Albanian political forces," said the President. He and other people present in the meeting voiced their will that all local political forces make their contribution to the process for the drafting of the constitution. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Canada to start a fruitful cooperation with Albania, Cartwright

According to the Department of Public Affairs in this Ministry, Cartwright reconfirmed the invitation that the Canadian Minister of the Human Resources Department, Pettigrew, made to Angjeli for a working visit in Canada, the main aim of which is to sign a cooperation memorandum between the two ministries.

After he made a brief description of the objectives and important programs that the ministry is undertaking, Angjeli focused on the necessity of exchanging the Canadian experiences in fields such as the active policies of employment, flexibility and a stable labour trade, training of the labour administration and others.

"The programs need professional and devoted people to implement the projects," stressed Angjeli. /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albanian Government pleased with the Contact Group Meeting in Rome

The spokesman of the Albanian Foreign Ministry said through a press release that "the steps undertaken in Rome will make possible the blocking of every other policy of confrontation so that the way to peaceful processes opens through bilateral dialogue."

"The Albanian Government considers important and correct the package of measures the Contact Group proposed for Belgrade to disassociate itself as soon as possible from the violent acts and to turn to political process, " says the press release of the Foreign Ministry.

In a news conference last Tuesday, Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, voiced the pessimism of his government with regard to the conclusions of the Rome Meeting.

"The Albanian Government is committed, in cooperation with the Contact Group countries, the United States, NATO, OSCE etc., to offer its contribution to overcome the crisis in Kosove through peaceful ways and means, for a stable and long term solution," writes press release of the spokesman of the Albanian Foreign Ministry. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Great Serbian forces surround Prishtine University

Serb police forces barred today Albanian students to start classes in the three above mentioned faculties, despite the agreement on education which stipulated that these buildings would be occupied by Albanians.

Serb policemen used violence to keep Albanian students out of the university buildings. Serbian students hurled stones from occupied university buildings at Albanian students and as a result there are several injured.

Serbs started protests on the streets of Prishtine with calls against the Albanians, the Contact Group and the international commitment to a peaceful settlement of the situation in Kosove. The Serb protesters called for war and the expulsion of Albanians from Kosova. /b.ca/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Heavy artillery attacks villages of Decan and Gjakove

There are still no reports on casualties, because the village is blocked, as well as the streets of Gajkova and Decan, in which many Serbian troops have moved today. A military convoy arrived Thursday in Koshare village, while the shots of the Serbian arms continued in the villages of Drenice.

The reports speak of a number of houses which were destroyed and torched in the villages of Kopiliq, Turicef and Buroje. Three villages in the zone between Kline and Malisheve - Cerrik, Mleqan and �abiq - were also shot by the artillery. Also, the town of Peje continues to be under the pressure of the Serbian forces, which has been turned for weeks into a tie of the movements of the Serbian forces towards Decan. /p.ta/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Calm situation in Tropoje

The chairman of the district council, Isa Koliqi, told ATA on Thursday that the situation in the town of Tropoje is calm and no refugees have come from Kosova.

The meeting of the district council on Wednesday, held with the participation of representatives from the Prefecture, enterprises and institutions of the district, assingned duties to increase the readiness and take measures to face any situation that might be created.

It was also decided the organization of an extended meeting of the district council after two days, where leaders of local police and army will report.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the state border with Yugoslavia, the deployment of troops and means still continue.

"The Serbian military forces have deployed a huge arsenal of heavy military means," said Isa Memia, chairman of the Tropoje commune, which has under the juridiction Qafa e Morines. /s.s/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Interministerial Commission of Economic Policies discusses energy situation in Albania

The discussion focused on the analysis the Minister of Public Economy and Privatization, Ylli Bufi, made of the present situation and the emergency acts to be undertaken to improve the energy situation in the country.

A special place was devoted to the question of heating with electric energy of the population, which actually is one of the main factors for the deterioration of the situation in this sector, and the alternative ways for the use of liquid gas.

On this occasion, some amendments to the laws in the field of energy were also presented. The ministers of Finance, Economic Cooperation and Trade and specialists of the Department of the Coordination close to the Council of Ministers also discussed the report submitted to the meeting.

The commission will discuss in another meeting the report of the Ministry of Finances "On some emergent measures to improve the work in public finances and in the taxation and customs systems." /s.s./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] More than 100 Serbian troops have reached Stregan, near Vokshi

Three days ago, on April 27, the same movement of troops was noticed in the same place, which was followed by an attack, in which three Albanians were killed and four others were wounded. /p.ta/das/mt/

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

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