Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-19

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Arrest demanded for crew of Lucky Mar ship

[02] Candidate of Alliance for the State in Lazarat threatened

[03] Funds for housing and roads in Albania increase

[04] Albanian prosecutors in Italy for organized crime

[05] Lek outside banks, 68536 million lek at the end of first quarter of 1998

[06] Five court buildings to be reconstructed in Albania

[07] Albanian National Privatization Agency starts privatization

[08] Three draft laws by Albania's Ministry of Public Order in the KNPS

[09] Investment of Diaspora in field of tourism in Albania

[10] Volume of tax-free imports increases

[11] President Rugova meets with Russian diplomat

[12] Two smugglers of iron-chrome detained in Albania

[13] Clashes in villages Grapc and Bingje, Kosove

[14] New spaces in relations between Southern Albania and North of Greece

[15] Kosova president demands NATO intervention in defence of Kosova people

[16] WHO sends emergency packages to Tropoja, Has

[17] 45 refugees arrive in Shkodra

[18] "World Doctor" organisation helps refugees from Kosova

[19] President Meidani meets Kosova Premier Bukoshi

[20] CEC towards normal functioning

[21] 40 percent of Kosova territory under war, shelling in border

[22] Tirana-Durres highway to be completed at the end of 2001

[23] Local govt. urges move fiscal independence

[24] Customs: over 1.4 billion leks of income for June 1-18 period

[25] 473 enterprises to be privatised

[26] CDP leader says NATO should intervene more energetically in Kosova

[01] Arrest demanded for crew of Lucky Mar ship

"The prosecutor's office will ask the district court to give arrest to the crew of the Lucky Mar for illegal trip to our territorial waters and for illegal activity," stressed Tirana.

The Lebanese ship Lucky Mar, sailing with a Cambodian flag, of the Marko Mar Lines company, was blocked near the Island Sazan (south) last Tuesday morning by forces of Italian Guardia di Finanza in cooperation with the customs police of the sea port of Durres.

According to Tirane, over 70 per cent of the crew are Russian citizens, the rest are Syrians and Lebanese.

Natalia Cea, chief of the mission of the 21st Division operating in Albania, and colonel Marcelo Arsika, commander of Guardia di Finanza in Durres, said that the seizing of this great amount of smuggling first quality cigarettes was made possible due to the cooperation between the customs house staff and the customs police of Durres seaport. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Candidate of Alliance for the State in Lazarat threatened

On the same day, two bombs blasted in the vicinity of the home of the SP observer in the election commission of that commune, Nimet Skendi at about 2 a.m. and gunfire was opened by terrorizing his family, said the statement.

"The campaigning for local polls in Lazarat in such an unfavorable situation for the candidate Basha will, without doubt, influence in the coming Sunday's elections," the chairman of SP in Gjirokaster, Besnik Shehu told ATA.

Officials of local police told ATA that still no indictments have reached them for the threats in Lazarat.

Along with the candidate of the political Alliance for the State, consisting of SP, HRUP, DP, SDP, AP, NUP, for the post of the commune chairman in Lazarat, another candidate of the right wing political grouping will compete. This group, named Union for Democracy" consists of DP, WSDP, MLP, DUPA, CDP. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Funds for housing and roads in Albania increase

The media and information department of the Council of Ministers reported that the working groups will study within June all possible funds of the state budget and those by donors to determine the plans for the construction of nearly 2 5000- 3 000 flats as soon as possible, and some kilometers of roads.

PM asked that in the projects for the housing, priority be attached to the families that have lost their credits in the former pyramid investment schemes. /s.sh/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Albanian prosecutors in Italy for organized crime

"Both sides are very interested in cooperation as an indispensability of mutual interest for the two countries, and serving the neutralization of crime," Arben Rakipi, Attorney General, told ATA Thursday.

This is the third working group of Albanian prosecutors to go to Italy for cooperation. Albanian prosecutors have had such meetings also with their German and Greek counterparts. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Lek outside banks, 68536 million lek at the end of first quarter of 1998

In 1991 the lek outside banks was 4439 million, in 1992 it increased to 9897 million lek, in 1993 it was 17990 million, in 1994 it amounted to 27627 million, in 1995 it registered further growth, amounting to 41905 million lek, while in 1996 it was 47814. In 1997 this amount of money reached its peak with 72726 million lek and in March 1998 it reduced to 68536 million lek. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Five court buildings to be reconstructed in Albania

The court buildings to be reconstructed are in Durres, in Gjirokaster, in Elbasan, Vlore and the court building in Korce. Through these programs, Albania will have modern courts by the end of this year, which, along with the restructuring process of the judiciary, will also guarantee a civil efficient service.

The work made by experts of the PHARE Program, in close cooperation with the delegation of the European Commission and the local authorities, including PMU "European Dimensions" directed by Lorena Kostallari, has brought about the development and encouragement of the programs in a short period of time. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albanian National Privatization Agency starts privatization

The process of privatization of the small and medium enterprises is underway. Along with the enterprises declared for privatization, orders were given also for the state enterprises and joint ventures of the system of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Some 30 per cent of the enterprises to be privatized this year are those under the jurisdiction of the local government. To this end, the Ministry of Privatization is holding seminars with representatives of local government and the branches of privatization in the districts about the procedures of the privatization.

Within June, procedures for the privatization for 270 state enterprises will be completed. August will mark the starting point of privatization by the National Privatization Agency. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Three draft laws by Albania's Ministry of Public Order in the KNPS

The media and information department of the Council of Ministers reported that the first draft, that for the accumulation of the weapons from the population, may be applied with the minimum financial means and in a short period of time (8-12 months.) This draft law envisages the prevention of crime, arms trafficking and other illegal activity.

The second draft is related with the protection and security of state institutions. It will release police from this task, and the protection and security of these institutions will be realised through contracts with the Ministry of Public Order or private Police.

The third draft law consists of some amendments to a decision of the Council of Ministers regarding the guarding and accompanying of the senior state personalities. The draft envisaged a lower number of the vehicles needed to accompany the senior state figures. /s.sh./pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Investment of Diaspora in field of tourism in Albania

Brothers Albert and Lui Fundo have completed the construction of a three star hotel in the city of Korce, in the property of their father, Llambi Fundo. They are Albanians living in New York and are resolute activists of the Albanian question. The investment for the hotel, REGENCY, amounts to 500 thousand dollars.

The work for its construction started a year ago by the construction firm Ergeda, but it was interrupted because of the unrest in Albania.

Brothers Fundo's aim is "that Korca, which is described by foreigners as 'the cleanest Albanian city' be also a center of business, gain new impetus and continuous investments, that Korca be a modern city with high welfare."

Besides the hotel, brothers Fundo have also made other investments in the same city. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Volume of tax-free imports increases

The main place in the structure of the tax-free imports is taken by commodities pursuing mediate regimes, worth 2.8 billion lek. Hence commodities delivered in the form of humanitarian aid, estimated at 428 million lek, have increased 3 times as compared with April.

For May, with the exception of the imported goods taxed at 10 per cent, the volume of goods taxed from 5-30 per cent is more or less at the same level as against the figures registered in the previous month.

The high growth of free-tax imports compared with the taxed imports has had a negative impact in the ratio between the taxed and tax-free imports. Hence, this ratio changed respectively in the amounts of 70 per cent and 30 per cent in May as against 73 per cent and 27 per cent in April. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] President Rugova meets with Russian diplomat

President Rugova considered indispensable the resumption of the dialogue between Prishtine and Belgrade, but, at the beginning, he stressed, operations must be halted and Serb forces must withdraw from Kosova. An independent and neutral Kosova state, with all guarantees for local Serbs is the best solution which would ease the Albanians and stabilize the entire region," said Rugova. /p.ta/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Two smugglers of iron-chrome detained in Albania

Spokesman of Albanian Public Order Ministry told ATA that at about 1 a.m. of Friday, forces of Mat commissariat police detained Banush Pali, 37, from Komsi village, and Hajdar Hysa, 42, from the town of Burrel, because they were transporting with their vehicle 10 tons of smuggled iron-chrome, toward Shkoder with Montenegro as its final destination.

Recently, these police forces, in cooperation with special police forces, have seized a number of iron-chrome smugglers. /s.s./pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Clashes in villages Grapc and Bingje, Kosove

The report says that Serb police forces failed to take position in the Hill of Hote on Grapc village, a strategic point from where Serb forces could control a great part of Drenice and Rrafsh of Dukagjin.

Children, women and elderly people of the villages Kerrnice, Jashanice e Eperme, Shtubel and Leskoc have evacuated in sure places, while men are defending their houses. Many Albanian homes in Shtupel and Kerrnice have been shelled by Serbs.

The report says that there were no casualties on the Albanian side in yesterday's fighting. /p.ta/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] New spaces in relations between Southern Albania and North of Greece

"Seen in a broader sense, these mutual relations may extend also in hospital services, in education, business etc," said Xanis.

Asked on the broad possibilities for interborder cooperation between the two countries also taking into consideration that Greece is a European Union member, Xanis said that it was important that EU-funded programs be applied.

"We shall give priorities to these programs, preceding the work with the European Union, because as a zone of Epirus, we have in Brussels a special office with scholars and experts in many fields. This office will inform us in time of the problems and the concrete way to accelerate the programs I mentioned," said Xanis.

Trade, communication, customs houses, telecom are some of the concrete fields we have been lately engaged, said Xanis. /s.sh/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Kosova president demands NATO intervention in defence of Kosova people

"There is a unity of action in Kosove to halt mass massacres and ethnic cleansing," said Rugova, hailing the international commitment and especially the NATO exercises on the Kosova borders.

Rugova considered his visits and meetings in Washington, London and Paris as important moments in the latest history of Kosova.

He said that the situation in Kosove continues to be grave, with military attacks and casualties caused by Belgrade, along with the exodus of Kosovars to Albania and the displacement of people within Kosova which keeps continuing.

"Our structures are doing all efforts to offer these people, especially in Kosove, a solidarity and security and for this are also contribution some international humanitarian organizations," said Rugova, adding that they were demanding an international protection for Kosova.

Rugova had no special comment for Yieltsin-Milosevic meeting and their statement in Moscow. "Let us see what will be realised from that meeting," said Rugova. He stressed at the end the known approach that "the best solution for Kosova is an independent, neutral Kosova with all guarantees for local Serbs and an international protectorate as a transitory stage." /p.ta/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] WHO sends emergency packages to Tropoja, Has

Dr Pino Annunziata, mission's representative, said to ATA that the cargos bounded for Tropoja hospital are estimated at $20 thousand, while those for Kruma (Has) hospital at $60 thousand, and would be used to cure some 10 thousand patients.

Around 15 thousand Kosova refugees are settled in the Tropoja district, mostly women, children and elderly men, who came to Albania to flee Serb terror.

Annunziata said that WHO is working to coordinate the foreign aid in order to distribute them free of charge and to prevent different abuses aiming at profiting.

"Therefore, a pharmaceutical agency under the local authorities was created," he said.

Such a center was also set up in the hospital of Bajram Curri city.

"We are working that people from Kosova do not buy medicines but obtain them free of charge through pharmaceutical agencies." Annunziata said.

The Tirana-based WHO mission receives weekly supplies from WHO centers in Geneva, Copenhagen and United Nations emergency warehouses in Pizza, Italy. s.s/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] 45 refugees arrive in Shkodra

Secretary of the city's town hall, Bardhyl Shaqiri, said to ATA that the refugees mainly from De�an and Peja villages were settled in the houses of the Shkodra people.

The inhabitants of Shkodra are contributing daily financially and materially for the people of Kosova.

Shaqiri said that the town hall had put two dormitories of the professional and secondary schools at the disposal of Kosova people. Some 1, 800 people can be settled there. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] "World Doctor" organisation helps refugees from Kosova

The number of people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and digestive system is estimated at 300 people, mostly of 35 to 50 years old, Artur Rada, the spokesman said. Their health situation is critical as they are overtired and not regularly treated.

"A considerable amount of medicines and antibiotics against different dyspepsia, which are present at 1 to 10 age groups," Rada said. s.s/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] President Meidani meets Kosova Premier Bukoshi

Bukoshi thanked President Meidani for his engagement in favour of a peaceful solution to the Kosova issue, the president's press and information office told ATA.

Meidani said that all Albanian political subjects should better coordinate the work to increase the attention of the international community on the situation in Kosova and exploit the readiness of this community to halt bloodshed and ethnic cleansing there.

Bukoshi informed Meidani of the meetings of the Kosova leaders with top representatives of the world politics, meetings which Meidani considered very significant. /a.ke/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] CEC towards normal functioning

Several days ago the Union for Democracy members close to the CEC had protested against a 20 minute TV programme devoted to the 7th anniversary of the SP which they considered an open electoral propaganda.

They asked that this grouping be given the possibility to prepare a similar programme occupying the same air time as that of the SP.

CEC chairman Daver Cano said that the OSCE representatives in Tirana will first assess the programme prepared by the opposition so that it does not create misunderstandings and groundless accusations.

OSCE ambassador in Tirana, Daan Everts, who helped settle the differences created in the CEC, expressed himself optimistic as to the solution of this issue and hoped for a normal development

of the June 21 elections. /a.ke/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] 40 percent of Kosova territory under war, shelling in border

The shelling of the Yugoslav army continued during Thursday night and Friday morning in the border line between Kosova and Albania.

The army is pounding with heavy artillery the villages of Morine, Duzhnje, Nec, Smolice, Stubel and Korenice, near Gjakova city, from the military positions in the hills of Zhdrelle, �abrat and Pllanik.

Early on Friday, the Serb terrorist forces have heavily shelled the villages of Anadrine - Kramovik and Rakovine, Cermjani in the Dushkaje region, Gjakove. The residents have been displaced to other villages while the Albanian resistance forces are forcing Serbs to retreat, according to Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) division.

Shoot-outs between Serb forces and Albanians who are protecting their families and lands are under way in Klina, Shtimje and Drenice.

Sources of the Council for human rights in Kosova reported on tense situation in the town of Shtimje with Serb gangs of civilians and armed forces destroying and raiding shops, houses of Albanians and terrorizing population.

Different sources report on increasing tensions in other parts of Kosova with movements of Serb military, police and paramilitary reinforcements. fh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Tirana-Durres highway to be completed at the end of 2001

PHARE program has granted some Ecu17 million and the European Bank for Investment has offered a credit worth Ecu22 million for the highway.

Gezim Bimbli, Road Director General, said that other efforts are under way with the World Bank to find new funds for underpasses and overpasses in the highway to facilitate road traffic in the area.

The construction of the highway which links the capital with Durres city is part of the eighth corridor.

Surveys show that 10,000 to 12,000 vehicles move along the Tirana- Durres road in 24 hours and it is foreseen that the density be increased from 13 to 15 percent in the next five years.

The highway will be some 32 km long with four-lane traffic, each 3,5 meters wide and marked division of 1,10 meters wide. A possibility of building parallel roads to facilitate local traffic and lanes to industrial areas is under consideration.

The Tirana-Durres highway will be connected with the Durres-Rogozhine superstrada, works of which started in March this year and foreseen to complete within 24 months. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Local govt. urges move fiscal independence

The IDF is a joint venture of the Council of Europe, Organisation for Economic Cooperation of the World Bank, American Agency for International Development, Interior Ministry of Denmark, GTZ German project, Foreign Ministry of Italy and Canadian Agency for International Development.

It is projected to assist the economies in transition to carry out inter government reforms. It also aims at increasing the capability for financial management by the local government and speeding up their accounting fiscal capabilities.

A report prepared by the Tirana mayor Albert Brojka said that the state gave a financial support of 85 to 95 percent of income to the local governments.

The report urged more local autonomy by increasing responsibilities for local governments in collecting taxes and financing different projects of local benefit. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Customs: over 1.4 billion leks of income for June 1-18 period

The customs realizing the plan of this period ahead of schedule include those of Kapshtice, Korce and Fier, while big differences have been created in the Durres customs where some 340 million leks, or 49 per cent of the plan, have been realised from 693 million leks planned.

Also the Tirana customs' house has realised only low figures, 430 million leks, or 61 per cent of the plan, have been realised from 704 planned.

For the first five months of 1998, some 13.7 billion leks have been cashed in the state budget, while the annual plan is 42 billion leks./lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] 473 enterprises to be privatised

270 out of 473 are state owned enterprises whose privatisation procedures will be over at the end of June, according to specialists of the Privatisation Directorate.

The end of July is the final deadline for the procedures of privatisation of 100 shareholding and that part owned by the state in 102 join ventures.

The handing over of documentation within the set deadline is still a concern. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] CDP leader says NATO should intervene more energetically in Kosova

But, CDP leader Zef Bushati told a news conference on Friday that the European diplomacy is not yet showing itself energetic for a correct solution to the Kosova issue.

"The European diplomacy should understand that only a military intervention against Serbian authorities could halt ethnic cleansing of Albanians and enable Albanian-Serbian dialogue under equal conditions."

CDP takes part in the political grouping Union for democracy along with the DP, SDUP, LMP, DUPA. /a.ke/das/lm/

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