Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-01

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] USD quoted at lek 155,30

[02] Sectors of economic cooperation defined

[03] Around $117 million allocated to transmit, delivery of electric network

[04] 800 Kosovars in Tropoje, Albania

[05] Foreign reporters not allowed access to Gjakove

[06] Flux of Albanian refugees of Kosove towards Albania begins

[07] Fiera del Levante draws Italy and Albania closer

[08] Tirana Bank alters interest rates

[09] LDK calls for an end to Serb massacres in Decan

[10] Grave situation in Decan

[11] Albanian sportsmen association created in Greece

[12] Serb massacre in Poklek of Gllogoc

[13] Albanian Police turn back 47 Kurdish refugees in Kakavije

[14] 16 Albanians killed in De�an identified

[15] Berisha's name adjourns approval of Ngjela commission's report

[16] Guardia di Finanza intercepts four dinghies with Albanians aboard

[17] Socialist accuses Berisha of persecuting KLA activists

[18] Albania urges international community to intervene in Kosova

[01] USD quoted at lek 155,30

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

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

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

Monday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 155,30 lek DM 87,40 lek ITL (1000) 88,60 lek GRD (100) 50,40 lek SFR 103,20 lek FRF 23,20 lek GBP 220,10 lek JPY (100) 111,30 lek NLG 73,20 lek

/gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Sectors of economic cooperation defined

Both ministers and also representatives of Albanian Energy Corporation, Telekom, Albpetrol held talks with officials of the biggest Macedonian companies like EMO, Macedonia Telecom, Koncar, Mak-Petrol etc.

Two sides decided to extent their economic cooperation in various sectors. In the energy sector they agreed to set up local hydro powers and the study of common hydro sources.

Another point was the cooperation in the Telecommunication field, drafting regional projects and setting up joint study groups like Albpetrol -Mak-Petrol-Gazprom.

The creating of joint tourism agencies in Oher, Macedonia and Pogradec to exchange holiday makers was also part of the agenda.

The development of regional tobacco and mechanical sectors was discussed too.

The Corridor 8 in which two countries are encompassed will be considered not only as a highway construction but also as a possibility to expand regional cooperation in energy, transport and telecommunication sectors./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Around $117 million allocated to transmit, delivery of electric network

The amount will be provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Japanese OECF and also by two grants from the Swiss and Italian governments.

According to specialists from the Albanian Energy Corporation (AEC), the project which has started since June 1996 is predicted to end by June 2001.

Among the main objectives of this project is the general rehabilitation of the electric grid in order to adequately supply people with power.

Another project's significant objective is the reduction of unbilled power, which currently makes up the greatest financial loss to AEC.

Also the starting of privatization process in this sector is regarded with priority. In projects' framework is also encompassed the privatization of the delivery network of Elbasan, Vlore and Shkoder towns with 30 percent of shares./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] 800 Kosovars in Tropoje, Albania

The spokesman of the Public Order Ministry of Albania informed ATA today that nearly 300 people from villages of Kosove near the state Albania- Yugoslavia border, crossed the border last Sunday and settled in the village Gegaj of Tropoje.

Near the C/T border post, some other 500 Kosova refugees entered Albania's territory on Sunday, the spokesman of the police commissariat of Tropoje, Xh. Vokshi told ATA.

The refugees, terrified by the Serb violence and terror, have abandoned their ancient homes, and amidst the flames of war, have crossed the state border and come to Tropoje, northern Albania, on Sunday.

Vokshi said that leaders of local government and police commissariat went immediately to the commune of Tropoje to accomodate the new comers who are mainly women, children and aged.

Yllka Cela, director of the civil hospital of the city of Tropoje, told ATA that so far no patients from villages of Kosove have come to the hospital, adding that the comers from Kosove have been seen by a doctor and three nurses.

Tahir Synici, telephone operator of the commune of Tropoje, said he had sheltered four aged people. They had told him that Serbian violence was taking ever greater proportions and that whole villages we set on fire. Most of the inhabitants have gone to mountains to escape Serbian terror.

Ganimete Kadrija, 24, student from Drenovci of the commune of Decan, shows of the adventure of a group of 80 people until they reached Tropoje. "We have walked for 15 hours," she said, adding that the new comers were mainly from Drenovc, Kamenice and Shipash. They had passed the first night in families of the commune of Tropoje, most of them in their relatives', because inhabitants on both sides of the border have friendly and blood relations. /s.s./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Foreign reporters not allowed access to Gjakove

Sources of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) report that the foreign reporters were stopped at Bishtazh and were not allowed to go further. /p.ta/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Flux of Albanian refugees of Kosove towards Albania begins

Near the C/T border post, about 500 Kosova refugees entered Albania's territory on Sunday, the spokesman of the police commissariat of Tropoje, Xh. Vokshi told ATA.

Vokshi said that leaders of local government and police commissariat went immediately to the commune of Tropoje to accomodate the new commers who are mainly women, children and aged.

Yllka Cela, director of the civil hospital of the city of Tropoje, told ATA that so far no patients from villages of Kosove have come to the hospital, adding that the comers from Kosove have been seen by a doctor and three nurses.

Tahir Synici, telephone operator of the commune of Tropoje, said he had sheltered four aged people. They had told him that Serbian violence was taking ever greater proportions and that whole villages we set on fire. Most of the inhabitants have gone to mountains to escape Serbian terror.

Ganimete Kadrija, 24, student from Drenovci of the commune of Decan, shows of the adventure of a group of 80 people until they reached Tropoje. "We have walked for 15 hours," she said, adding that the new comers were mainly from Drenovc, Kamenice and Shipash. They had passed the first night in families of the commune of Tropoje, most of them in their relatives', because inhabitants on both sides of the border have friendly and blood relations. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Fiera del Levante draws Italy and Albania closer

"An extraordinary event which besides commercial and economic values that are special compared to other editions of the Fair, it is also an act filled with important political values," Prodi said.

"I hope Premier Prodi will do something more to boost Italian investments in Albania," Nano said.

Organised with the Bari-based Levant Fair, its Albanian twin hosted over 200 exhibitors from Italy, including the major public and private groups like ENI, IRI, Gruppo Marconi, Simest, Itainvest and about a hundred from Albania and other Balkan countries as Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Rumania and Montenegro.

The fair covered 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.

In numerical terms, a majority of the Italian exhibitors were from Puglia, south east. Italy is Albania's leading commercial partner, and 500 Italian firms are already working there, with investments worth over 200 billion lire ($114 million).

During the fair days the 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.

While the 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." /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Tirana Bank alters interest rates

Thus interest rates for 1 month deposits dropped from 21 and 25 percent to 20 and 22 percent, for 3 month deposits from 23 and 27 dropped to 22 and 26 percent, etc. Below will present a table with various interest rates deposits.

Deposit interest rate (%) per annum

-------------------------------------------------------------- Lek (all) ! sight acc! 1M ! 3M ! 6M ! 1Y

--------------------------------------------------------------- 100,000- 500,000 ! 2 ! 20 ! 23 ! 23 ! 23 --------------------------------------------------------------- 500,001-1, 000,000 ! 2 ! 20 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 --------------------------------------------------------------- 1,000,001-3, 000,000 ! 4 ! 20 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24

---------------------------------------------------------------- 3,000,001- 6,000,000 ! 4 ! 21 ! 24 ! 25 ! 25 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 6,000,001- 10,000,000! 5 ! 21 ! 25 ! 25 ! 25 ---------------------------------------------------------------- over 10, 000,001 ! 6 ! 22 ! 26 ! 26 ! 26 -------------------------------------------------------------- Former deposit interest rates

lek (all) !sight acc ! 1M ! 3M ! 6M ! 12M ---------------------------------------------------------------- 100,000- 500,000 ! 2 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 23 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 500,001-1, 000,000 ! 2 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 --------------------------------------------------------------- 1,000,001-3, 000,000 ! 4 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 ! 24

---------------------------------------------------------------- 3,000,001- 6,000,000 ! 4 ! 24 ! 25 ! 25 ! 25 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 6,000,001- 10,000,000! 5 ! 24 ! 25 ! 26 ! 27 --------------------------------------------------------------- over 10,000, 001 ! 6 ! 25 ! 27 ! 27 ! 27 ------------------------------------------------------------ For amounts less than 100,000 lek, there is not interest.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] LDK calls for an end to Serb massacres in Decan

A statement issued after an emergency meeting of the LDK says that the situation in this part of Kosova, especially in the villages of Decan, Peje and the border area with Albania, is very grave.

Meanwhile reports from the attacked zones are difficult to be obtained because of the telephone line cut and blockade by the Serbian forces.

The reports available speak of large-scale operations and massacres carried out by Serbian army and police against Albanians, killing and wounding many, especially children, women and old.

The situation is especially grave in the town of Decan, where, according to well-informed reports, the police have ruined and set to fire many houses.

The LDK leadership says that because of these attacks, the inhabitants of the villages of the Decan commune and of several villages of Peje have been forced to leave their homes and go to others parts of this region of Kosova.

Also, by blocking the movement of people and transportation of commodity, of aid in food and medicine, the Serbian regime aims to realise the plans of ethnic cleansing of Kosova and the LDK leadership regards these operations as crimes against humankind.

The LDK calls on the international community, first of all the U.S. and EU, to undertake urgent actions to call a halt to this aggression of the Serbian forces and save the undefended population of this part of Kosova.

The LDK leadership also asks from its members and the inhabitants of the villages and communes surrounding the attacked zones to help accomodate the displaced population to overcome the very tense situation imposed by the Belgrade regime, the statement concludes. /p.ta/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Grave situation in Decan

Sources of the LDK in those communes say that the attacks which have started since May 29 are directed against the villages: Carrabreg, Beleg, Dranoc, Hulaj, Isniq and Strellc of the commune of Peje which have been hit nonstop by Serbian military forces.

Albanian inhabitants of those villages are making resistance to the Serb forces, by defending their homes from which they have evacuated the women, the aged and children.

As a result of the confrontations, people from both sides have been killed and wounded. In Decan about 20 homes have been totally ruined, while many others have been set on fire. About 70 people from Decan have been arrested and nobody knows anything of their fate.

Heavy fighting is reported on Sunday morning in Isniq while the city of Decan was covered by flames. Many houses are burnt in Strellc where two people were killed and some others were wounded, whereas in the village Kryshec of the commune of Peje, 6 houses have been hit. On Saturday afternoon, Serb artillery pieces attacked the medical centre Mother Teresa in Grejkoc.

Women, children and aged people have been evacuated from the communes of Peje and Decan, along with villages which are totally evacuated, says LDK, adding that their inhabitants have left towards Isniq and other villages, in which a great number of Albanian population has been gathered. Food articles, medicaments and other necessary articles are now missing. Electricity and telephone systems in these areas are not functioning and movement for other zones is not allowed because Serb military-police forces have blocked many of the roads. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian sportsmen association created in Greece

The Association "Albanian Sport in Greece" has been created in Athens, on the initiative of a group of Albanian emigrants.

The aim of the association is to make known the history and contribution of the Albanian sportsmen and coachers on the Hellenic land, to generalise the best features of the Albanian sport among the young generation growing up away from Albania and cultivate in them the love for the Homeland and will to defend with dignity Albania's colours in international sports activities.

Attending the first activity organised by this association were Albanian active and veteran sportsmen, residing in Greece and many emigrant sports fans.

The former football player and coach of the "Flamurtari" of Vlore, Leonidha Curri, familiarised the participants with the statute of the association which was unanimously approved by the participants.

Later, head of the association Ramadan Bigza spoke of the historical sports links between Albania and Greece.

The activity was held in the sports club "Zhapa", which is made up of young Albanian sportsmen and takes part in Athens' championship.

The Albanian Sports Community in Greece is very large and the creation of the association fills a substantial vacuum. /s.s/s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Serb massacre in Poklek of Gllogoc

Inhabitants who have been allowed to leave the village, said that as soon as Serb forces entered the village, they had gathered the inhabitants in long queues and selected them. Some were allowed to leave "beyond Bjeshket e Nemura," as Serb militaries said, while a part of the inhabitants was kept in the village and killed.

LDK sources in Gllokovc and the sub-council for the Defence of the Human Rights in the city, said that six Albanians were killed: Ahmet Berisha, Hajriz and Ahmet Hajdini, Sahit and Sefer Qorri and Ardian Deliu, who was said to have been stabbed in the throat. Some witnesses say that police have set ablaze 20 houses, and many others have been looted.

Yesterday's attack of the Serb forces was a result of a banal incident between two Serb policemen. LDK sources said that deputy commander of Serb police in Gllogovc, Trajkovic, injured while playing with another policeman, said that ha was attacked by Albanians. Today Serb information means reported that this village was hit yesterday at 3 p.m. and the policeman Tomislav Fatic was killed, while the attack against that village had started yesterday at 1.15 p.m., Centre for Information of Kosove reports. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian Police turn back 47 Kurdish refugees in Kakavije

After talks with the Greek border authorities, the Kurdish nationals were sent back to the Greek territory, where they had come from.

The Kurdish refugees intended to sail towards the Italian coast, after paying large amounts of money to Albanian traffickers.

On May 30 afternoon, the police forces of the Mallakaster district (southwest of Albania), detained 11 Kurdish nationals for illegal crossing of the state border.

Albanian national Sulejman Demir Myfiti, 39, inhabitant of Gjirokaster, was also arrested along with them, as he carried out their transportation towards to Vlore city (the starting point of illegal emigrants to Italy). /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] 16 Albanians killed in De�an identified

Those killed are Tafil and Shaban Kasumaj, both teachers from Lloshaj village, Shaqir Dobraj, Ahmet Blakaj, Besart Dautaj, Teuta Lloshaj and Ajmane Balaj from Carabreg i Eperm village, Shyhrete Zekaj and Xaje Ku�i from De�an, Beqir and Fat� Krasniqi from Vranoci, Ymr Ukaj, Halit Krasniqi, Avni P�rgjegji from Lumbarda and Hajdar e Mehmet Ukshini from Lubeni�i.

Two Albanians have also been killed in Strellcin e Eperm but so far they have not been identified.

The De�an city and the villages Carabreg i Poshtem and Carabreg i Eperm, Beleg, Isniq, Strellci i Eperm, Lubeni�, the quarter of G�rvallaj in Krushec, Vranici, Rastavica and Prelepi were especially ruined as a result of bombardment. pta/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Berisha's name adjourns approval of Ngjela commission's report

"The surprise is expected in tomorrow's meeting," Ngjela said to ATA adding that this surprise "has to do with the state principles."

He said that the members of the commission had not agreed to a few things but refused to elaborate.

Spartak Braho, a Socialist member, told ATA that the only topic on which the Ngjela commission failed to agree to was "whether the commission has the right to name former president Sali Berisha in the report."

"Whether he should be penalized this is something the respective bodies and the parliament only should decide," Braho said to ATA.

"The events of January-March 1997 have only one responsible and this is Berisha. Ngjela did not present any other material today and I agree on the evidence," Braho said.

Albania plunged into anarchy on February-March 1997 after the collapse of investment schemes, where the people lost their life savings and toppling of the then ruling Democratic party of former president Sali Berisha. Around 1,500 people were killed due to uncontrolled use of weapons looted from the army depots.

Ngjela and Braho said that they agreed that a report be submitted to parliament. ake/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Guardia di Finanza intercepts four dinghies with Albanians aboard

A spokesman of the Guardia di Finanza, deployed in Durres port, said to ATA that on Sunday at 21.30 p.m. a patrol motorboat intercepted four miles from the Bay of Palla (Durres) a dinghy with refugees aboard and forced them to return to the shore.

The same patrol boat also intercepted two other dinghies in the outlet of Vjosa, Permet, four hours after the first one.

The fourth dinghy was intercepted at 01.00 a.m. on Monday by another motorboat five miles west of Sazan island, Vlore.

The dinghy tried to enter international waters but the boat intercepted it for some 15 miles obliging it (dinghy) to return to the shore. ake/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Socialist accuses Berisha of persecuting KLA activists

"Berisha should be very careful because he owes much to Kosova Albanians. In some cases, Kosova activists have remained in prison and have been eliminated in Berisha's catacombs when he was in power," Braho said to ATA on Monday.

Berisha accused Braho in Sunday's television program "Debate" of organising the attempted assassination against him on June 1997 in Shkallnuer when a person tried to throw a hand grenade against former president.

"This is an alibi, Berisha continues to be a classic mythoman. I would suggest him not to be afraid of me, but be attentive to KLA fighters, " Braho said.

He added that at the time of the attempt, Berisha was president and the whole state structure was under him.

"None of the investigations established that I was the organizer," Braho said.

Referring to the facts of Berisha's governing, the deputy Braho said "the KLA activists became prey of Serbian police after leaving Albania for Yugoslavia. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albania urges international community to intervene in Kosova

"Women and children fled the horrible attacks of the Serbian army leaving behind villages, burned down houses and their killed relatives and entered the territory of the Republic of Albania asking for protection and accommodation from the regional authorities," a press release said.

It said that the Albanian government believed that the wave of refugees was the direct result of a policy pursued consistently by the Belgrade authorities whose final aim is the ethnic cleansing of Kosova.

The Albanian government thought that being under these conditions, the recent dialogue after a powerful investment of the international diplomacy and that of the United States in particular could suffer irreparable damage.

"The Albanian government calls on the governments of the United States, European Union, Contact Group member states and other international organisations engaged in the Kosova crisis, to intervene powerfully and immediately to stop the ethnic cleansing in Kosova because this cleansing is a forerunner of a bloody war", the press release said. ake/mima/ak/

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

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