Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-05-28

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Serb forces set Albanians' houses on fire in Kline

[02] Italy to upgrade Albanian postal service

[03] USD quoted at lek 155,40

[04] Alfa Credit has 530 clients in five months

[05] Reduction of inherited internal debt is done gradually

[06] IMF policy seeks to speed up Albanian reforms

[07] Italy backs surveillance structures in Albania, Kosova border

[08] Turkish military delegation visits Albania

[09] CoE observers, MAPE experts inspect southern border

[10] Guardia di Finanza follows motorboat carrying smuggled cigarettes

[11] Exhibition on Drenica massacre opens in Brussels

[12] Copies of "Lady of Good Counsel" reach 80 000

[13] 900 drug-addicts registered in Durres

[14] Commission for drafting of the Constitution convenes in Durres

[15] Figure of candidates of the Alliance for State for mayors to be verified by Bezhani Commission

[16] Albanian draft of constitution on competence of the President

[17] Alfa Credit Bank issues first loans

[18] Industrial output increased during Q1

[19] Over 3500 engaged in farming receive social assistance

[20] Soderberg voices concern of U.S. Administration on worsening of situation in Kosove

[21] Albanian Foreign Minister to attend meeting of foreign ministers of Euroatlantic Partnership Council

[22] Revenues from excise only 51 percent

[23] President Meidani hails statement of NATO Foreign Ministers on Kosova

[24] Serbian forces bomb Decan, Beleg, Carabreg and Rastavice

[01] Serb forces set Albanians' houses on fire in Kline

in Kline villages, according to the information commission of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) division.

The same sources say that bodies of two youths killed, whose identity was not known, have been laying in one of the roads of Grabanica since May 22. bca/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Italy to upgrade Albanian postal service

The signing of bilateral agreements in the fields of postal services and telecommunications duly followed Italy's Premier Romano Prodi speech, who with Albanian counterpart Fatos Nano attended the fair.

President of the Italian Post Office Enzo Cardi signed an agreement whereby his agency is to help with the modernisation of the Albanian postal service, starting with Tirana and Durres cities, in a three-year program.

Over 200 exhibitors from Italy, including the major public and private groups like ENI, IRI, Gruppo Marconi, Simest, Itainvest, Alitalia and about a hundred from Albania and other Balkan countries participate in the fair.

The fair covers construction, agriculture, clothing, tourism, interior decorating and the food industry.

Italy is now leading the economic reconstruction effort and strengthening already strong economic ties through initiatives such as the fair.

Chairman of the Marconi telecommunications group Sandro Gualano signed an accord pledging his group's collaboration with the Albanian Public Order Ministry to set up a national radio network for the country's security forces.

Italian Foreign Trade Minister Augusto Fantozzi said that the reconstruction of Albania represented a great opportunity for developing southern Italian businesses, especially in the fields of construction, agriculture, food and tourism.

He added "Albania, today more than ever, offers important opportunities for Italian businesses wanting to invest, create joint ventures, exchange know-how and participate in the realisation of infrastructure."

Italy is Albania's leading commercial partner, and 500 Italian firms are already working there, with investments worth over 200 billion lire ($114 million).

The fair will be open until May 31. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] USD quoted at lek 155,40

So $1 = 155,40 lek, gaining 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 155, 30 lek.

The DM was traded for 87,50 lek, gaining 0,10 points compared to yesterday's 87,40 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 88,70 lek gaining 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 88,60 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,40 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 50,50

The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 105,30 lek and so on.

Thursday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 155,40 lek DM 87,50 lek ITL (1000) 88,70 lek GRD (100) 50,40 lek SFR 103,20 lek FRF 23,10 lek GBP 220,20 lek JPY (100) 111,50 lek NLG 73,40 lek /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Alfa Credit has 530 clients in five months

Alfa Credit Bank, which is the biggest capitalized bank in Greece received its license in Albania seven months ago, in January, rendering the same services like it does in Greece.

Around $1 million are invested for its computerization, and another two millions for the building, accommodation and security facilities. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Reduction of inherited internal debt is done gradually

Somehow this high figure is curbed, because from the second quarter of 1997 until the last quarter of the increase stands at 19 billion leks, while if we compare the third quarter with the last one, the internal debt is only 3 billion leks.

The specific weight of internal debt is held be the treasury bonds with 71 billion leks or 59 percent.

For this purpose the government aims at to pay 36 billion leks within 1998, as interest rates of the internal debt reimbursement.

Also in budget is forecasted the drop of accumulated debt of this year from 63 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 59 percent.

Meanwhile, a considerable part of 34 percent of the internal debt worth 40 billion lek, is hold by the Central bank loans.

According to these figures, the debt against the banking system in relation with the blocked loans has been stable since 1994 until late 1997, and is estimated at 8 percent or over 9 billion leks.

According to specialists the reduction of this inherited and accumulated debt, which has deepen the state budget deficit, will not be implemented immediately by step by step, with the revival of economy and inflation drop, which is part of a mid term policy. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] IMF policy seeks to speed up Albanian reforms

The first annual loan, worth about $16 million, will be given in two equal semiannual installments, the first of which will be available immediately, the fund said.

A recent IMF statement reported it expected Albanian growth of 10.0 percent this year under the reform program underpinning the loan. Growth would moderate to 7.0 percent in 1999 and 7.5 percent in 2000 from a crisis- induced drop of 7.0 percent in 1997.

Meanwhile, retail price inflation was forecast to tumble to 5.0 percent in the year 2000 from an estimated 10.0 percent in 1998, a vast improvement from last year's 42.1 percent showing.

"The main objectives of Albania's medium-term strategy are to sustain rapid growth and reduce inflation further, with a view to generating employment and reducing poverty," the IMF said.

Under the government's three-year economic program that ends in 2001, fiscal policy will back economic objectives by cutting the domestically financed deficit to about 6.5 percent of gross domestic product this year from about 11 percent of GDP last year, the IMF said.

Monetary policy will also buttress inflation targets through "appropriate interest rate policy and judicious application of credit ceilings," the fund said.

The IMF offered Albania some $12 million last November to help the economy recover from crisis triggered by unrest following the collapse of bogus pyramid loan schemes. Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano has been striving for months to win a bigger and longer-term program.

Officials had also hoped for a far bigger credit from the IMF they had talked of $300 million over three years.

Albanian officials have said the IMF funds could open the door to some $300 million from foreign donors. The money would help fund structural reforms and close a budget gap. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Italy backs surveillance structures in Albania, Kosova border

"The border between Albania and Kosova is very delicate. It is clear that surveillance structures are needed and if it is necessary even military structures will be used," Romano Prodi, Italian prime minister told journalists after a meeting with the Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano in Tirana.

Prodi said that Italy, one of the Contact Group member countries, fully agreed on an intensive control in the Kosova-Albania border.

Unrest in Kosova, where 90 percent of the population are Albanians who are asking for independence from the Serbian regime, have cost around 200 casualties since February 1998.

"We think and wish that police intensive surveillance is sufficient in the border between the two countries not because there is reluctance on our part to assume responsibilities but because I have never wished to think about the Balkan countries as an area which can live only under a tight military control," Prodi said.

He said that he hoped that any military deployment could be avoided in the area by using civil not military means.

"Naturally, I clearly said to the Albanian prime minister that in case the situation deteriorates we and other Contact Group member countries would not withdraw from our responsibility and even other countries which had greater responsibilities in safeguarding peace in the region," Prodi said.

"We are continuing to support without hesitation the policy and political activity of Rugova which is a policy of moderation, self- restraint, peaceful resistance towards violence against civilians," Nano said.

"After thanking prime minister Nano for the moderation with which he had handled the Kosova issue, I asked him to follow this moderation even in the future because it is a balance element in that period," Prodi said.

During his one-day visit to Albania, the Italian prime minister Romano Prodi held separate talks with the prime minister Fatos Nano, president of Albania Rexhep Meidani and a group of Italian investors and attended a ceremony marking the opening of the Fiera del Levante Fair. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Turkish military delegation visits Albania

The delegation on Wednesday met Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga and Chief of General Staff, General Aleks Andoni.

On Thursday the delegation will take part in the ceremony of delivering the Turkish army aid for the Albanian army which will be held at the Durres logistic base.

The Turkish army has undertaken to reconstruct the Navy Military Base of Pashaliman and the Maritime Academy in Vlore, destroyed during the Spring '97 riots. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] CoE observers, MAPE experts inspect southern border

Commander of the border police close to the regional police department, first rank captain G�zim Gjermeni told ATA that the CoE observers had visited almost all the regional border posts according to a program based on special military maps.

Training courses and inspecting expeditions of specialists of MAPE mission have been continuing for ten days in Gjirokastra, Tepelene and Permet.

Gjermeni says that according to experts there exist a possibility of having only three border posts instead of the existing ten along the border line with Greece. s.sh/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Guardia di Finanza follows motorboat carrying smuggled cigarettes

A sposkesman of the Guardia di Finanza deployed in Durres port told ATA that the motorboat was some 15 metres long and had stopped 10 miles away from the Kep i Lagji, southern extreme of the Durres Bay.

The motorboat with three persons aboard headed for the North with a maximum speed navigating in the Albanian territorial waters after seeing the military boat.

The Guardia di Finanza followed the overloaded motorboat, which threw into the sea part of the cargo, for an hour until it reached the territorial waters of Montenegro but failed to block it.

The Albanian and Italian crew, according to the spokesman, managed to seize some packages of Marlboro, Merit, Chesterfield weighing 50 kg each and handed them over to the border police command.

The same sources said that the motorboat had failed to unload the cargo coming from Montenegro bounded for Italy or Albania.

Last Thursday, the forces of the Guardia di Finanza followed two Italian contraband motorboats "Freccia 1" and "Freccia 2". A few months ago the same forces intercepted two merchant ships "Demon" and "Stephanos" carrying large cigarette cargo in a space of two weeks as they failed to present the needed documentation.

Forces of Customs Assistance Mission on Sea (CAMSEA), which will deal with sea contraband, joined the mission of Guardia di Finanza two days ago. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Exhibition on Drenica massacre opens in Brussels

The exhibition of more than 40 thrilling photos on Drenica massacre and other materials was inaugurated by Vandeemeulebroucke.

He told those present that "this testifies what has happened and is happening in Kosova and the photos are clear, horrible and thrilling proofs. This has happened and is happening not more than 2,000 km from the capital of Europe, Brussels.

"We are very concerned and protest against violence of the Serbian occupier in Kosova against the defenceless civil population. We favour self- rule of every people in the world and that of the Albanians in Kosova," Vandeemeulebroucke said. pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Copies of "Lady of Good Counsel" reach 80 000

The publication of the book has been enabled by a Rome catholic association. The "Lady of Good Councel" has been republished twice in the last two years. The book is translated by the chief of the Radio Vatican Albanian section, Gjon Pjeter Gjonmarkaj, and published by Spanish editor Gitierres Sanches.

The book treats the history of Catholicism in the Albanian national culture. The book speaks of one of the masterpieces of the Albanian medieval painting, realised more than 700 years ago, which had been painted in the church of the "Lady of Good Councel" in Shkoder.

On April 25,1467, three months after the death of the Albanian National Hero, Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbej, it flied to the church of the Genazzano town, near Rome.

The painting, regarded as a wonder, was drawn on a wall 31 x 42,5 cm. and portrays the Blessed Lady with an exciting and maternal appearance, carrying in her arms child Jesus Christ, both crowned by a an arch of rainbow.

Seven centuries have passed and the painting preserves the fresh colours, although drawn on a thin layer of mortar. It has not needed any repair or special conservation. No painter has been able to reproduce it as the colours constantly change their tonality, from golden to reddish.

The book's first 30 000 copies were distributed in 1996 in Albania and Kosova (where 10 per cent of nearly two million Albanians are Catholic). This prompted the association to issue a new edition of 50 000 copies, from which 4 000 arrived in Durres port and were sent to the Shkoder city last Sunday in the inauguration of the Lady of Good Counsel church. In the second edition the literary language has been used, as suggested by Monseigneur Rrok Mirdita.

The association has invested 100 million liras on the 80 000 copies of the book and realisation of a documentary film on the same topic, Spanish editor Sanches said. /s.s/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] 900 drug-addicts registered in Durres

The doctors think that the number of the drug-addicts in Durres (second big city in Albania with nearly 140 000 people,) is higher, because some of drug users do not go to hospital although they need medical assistance. The most affected ages are those from 17-25 years. /a.ke/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Commission for drafting of the Constitution convenes in Durres

"Only outside Tirane we can work intensively, 8-9 hours a day, because in Tirane the commission members are also engaged in other tasks," the co-chairman of the parliamentary commission for the drafting of the Constitution, Republican Sabri Godo told ATA.

For the same reason, this commission worked in Lezhe for three days a fortnight ago.

"In Durres the commission will discuss the chapters that have to do with the competence of the government and the president and will continue the debate on the coming structure of the Albanian parliament," said Godo.

He confirmed that they would also consider a proposal made by the President of the Venice Commission, Antonio La Pergola, last week in Tirane, for a committee within the one-chamber parliament, with some competence of the senate.

The Socialist Party and its allies (except the Democratic Alliance Party) have been in favour of a one-chamber parliament, while DAP, RP, HRUP and Legality League Party have been for a two-chamber parliament.

The proposal of La Pergola was considered by the other co-chairman of the Constitutional Commission Arben Imami (DAP) as a road of compromise which needs consideration, whereas the SP Secretary General, Pandeli Majko has considered the one-chamber system a success of the alternative of his party. /s.sh./pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Figure of candidates of the Alliance for State for mayors to be verified by Bezhani Commission

"We expect the Bezhani Commission will present its considerations on the figures of the candidates as soon as possible," Petro Koci, Organizational Secretary of the Socialist Party told ATA on Thursday.

There are 7 municipalities and 9 communes which will have local elections in June. Speaking on the preparations for the polls, Koci said that the Alliance group, which keeps contacts with the Central Election Commission, has sent to the CEC the proposals for the chairmen and the members of the local elections commissions.

So far the Alliance for the State, called like this ten days now, has not yet determined the slogan for the elections.

"The Alliance for the State consists of six parties (SP, SDP, DAP, HRUP, AP and NUP) which will have joint candidates in the partial local polls. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albanian draft of constitution on competence of the President

The press adviser in the Commission reported that this chapter, with 8 articles, was approved by all the commission members. According to the draft, the creation of the institution of the president as a neutral figure would serve the equilibrium of the powers.

The adopted chapter says that Head of State can be any Albanian national over 40 years of age. The candidate for president is proposed to the People's Assembly by a group of no less than 20 deputies (....) He is elected for a 5-year mandate and may be reelected only once. During this mandate, the head of state is prohibited to carry out any public or party activity (....)

In today's meeting, the members of the technical staff of the Commission worked out in judicial terms the idea for the creation of a parliamentary committee which would serve in some way as a senate or a second chamber for the legislative body. This committee was the point of compromise offered last week by the Venice Commission on the two alternatives envisaging a parliament with one or two chambers.

The commission will continue working in Durres also on Friday. It is expected to adopt two other chapters of the draft of the constitution, that on the executive power and the judiciary. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Alfa Credit Bank issues first loans

Alfa Credit Bank that commenced its activity in Albania early this year until recently has as its main operation sight accounts and term deposits.

It offers clients deposits in every kind of hard currency and in local currency "lek" as well.

But its primarily goal is the increase of deposits in local currency.

Its transaction commissions charges are the cheapest and carried out within a short period of time.

Transactions within the bank are carried out in seven minutes, with a foreign bank in one day and those in Europe within a two-day span, while transactions with other countries need around four days./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Industrial output increased during Q1

Tirana, May 28 (ATA) The Institute of Statistics (IS) reported Thursday, the rise of industrial production index during first quarter of 1998, compared to last quarter of '97.

Production index of extraction sector was realised 105 percent compared to previous quarter. The extraction of energy sector products has been 102,9 percent, while the extraction of non energy sector products was realised 108,1 percent compared to previous quarter.

So chrome output continues to preserve the increasing pace. According to IS oil processing industry realised the plan 127 percent, compared with predecessor quarter, while metals processing sector realised only 76,6 percent of the plan.

Also the output of power keeps high paces during various quarters. In this quarter the electricity output is 8,7 percent higher than the previous quarter.

These high figures of the Albania production sector show an increase of people awareness in working, cutting off forever the expectation of getting rich quickly through bogus pyramid investment schemes.

Though the industrial production levels mark an increase in the first quarter of 1998, they remain below the achieved quotas before the start of market economy reforms./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Over 3500 engaged in farming receive social assistance

This new measure for unemployed farmers is introduced recently. After the implementation land restitution reform, farmers were automatically considered employed due to the land ownership.

Realising that the bulk of land in mountainous regions was unproductive and the majority of farmers lacked financial means to plough it, the state decided to include into social assistance schemes these farmers.

Based on the farmers unemployment rate, Shkodra district comes first, than Kukesi and third Dibra district.

In Shkodra district, north east Albania which has a high unemployment rate, there are 741 farmers, who receive social assistance./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Soderberg voices concern of U.S. Administration on worsening of situation in Kosove

According to the press and information department of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Soderberg said that the visit of Rugova in Washington and the meeting he is expected to have with President Clinton is a clear expression of the U.S. support for Rugova and his moderate stand.

They spoke extensively on the role of the international community with regard to the conflict in Kosove and an international presence in Albania. The U.S. senior official reiterated the readiness of the President Clinton administration to further assist the positive developments in Albania.

Albania, stressed Minister Milo in the meeting, is a factor for security and stability in the region. Voicing the deep concern of the Albanian government for the escalation of the Serbian repression in Kosove, Milo stressed that the sooner the international commitment is materialized, the less human losses and the sooner a lasting and stable solution will be found.

Milo stressed that the Albanian Government does fully support Ibrahim Rugova in his realistic and objective alternative for the solution to the crisis in Kosove. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Albanian Foreign Minister to attend meeting of foreign ministers of Euroatlantic Partnership Council

The council consists of NATO member countries and the countries members in the Partnership for Peace, reports the press and information department of the Foreign Ministry of Albania.

The main topic of the Luxembourg meeting will be the exchange of views on the prevention of conflicts and the measures to be adopted to restore the trust. It is also expected an extensive discussion in the meeting on the situation in Kosove.

As is known, the meeting is being held one day after the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Alliance, which, through a communique, made public the measures expected to be adopted with regard to Kosove. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Revenues from excise only 51 percent

Data from the Statistics Department at the Customs General Directorate show that excise tax is not collected in Pogradeci and Shkoder districts.

Meanwhile in customs houses of Tirana, Vlora, Durres and Gjirokaster the excise plan is fulfilled at 91 percent.

During this year around 2,7 billion lek are predicted to be collected in excise revenues, which is double the amount of the previous year./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] President Meidani hails statement of NATO Foreign Ministers on Kosova

The President's press and information office reports that the statement is related with the adoption of preventive measures and the increase of security through the international presence and military acts of the Allies in Albania and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to prevent further escalation of the conflict in Kosove. Meidani stressed that the declaration and the appeal of the Alliance Foreign Ministers addressed to Yugoslav President Milosevic to accept former Spanish Premier, Felipe Gonzales as a special envoy of the international community in the Belgrade-Prishtine dialogue, is a serious commitment in the peaceful solution to the issue of Kosove.

Reiterating the need of the international presence for the settlement of the conflict in Kosove, President Meidani hails the unalienable role of the U.S. in the starting of this dialogue.

"The visit to the U.S. of the representatives of the group of the negotiators of the Albanians of Kosove and tomorrow's meeting of the Kosova leader, Ibrahim Rugova with the U.S. President Bill Clinton is a very important event and an encouragement for the peaceful solution as the only settlement of the crisis in Kosove."

President Meidani calls on Belgrade to stop the violence and crimes against the civil population in Kosove so that not to put to question the success of the initiated dialogue.

In his declaration, President Meidani says that the Albanian state, like so far, will cooperate with the U.S. and the international community to contribute to the stability and the democratic development of the whole region. /s.s./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Serbian forces bomb Decan, Beleg, Carabreg and Rastavice

A very grave situation continues in the city of Decan where Serbian shooters keep opening fire. In other suburbs of Decan, such as in Rastavice, Baballoq there was fighting during the night and the day. It is reported that Albanian resistance forces are making a powerful resistance to the attacks and are defending their homes. b.ca/das/xh/

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