Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-10-12

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Winter reserves not arriving in Tropoje yet

[02] Three Albanian painters to present their work in Paris

[03] Archaeologist Vangjel Koci awarded "Pride of Durres city" title

[04] Restoration of antique Basilica begins

[05] Some 100 daily applications for U.S. lotto DV-2000

[06] October first week - custom incomes 160 %

[07] Senior officers of Kukes assess situation along northeastern border

[08] Best sold films of previous week

[09] Monthly Environmental Bulletin for environment problems

[10] New Serb attacks in northwest of Prishtina

[11] NATO intervention in Kosova, obligatory action, says Meta

[12] Some 40 Serb military vehicles deployed in Perpellac

[13] Albanian Parliament adopts some amendments to law "On referendums"

[14] DP towards political dialogue on constitution

[15] Legality Movement party advocates demand immediate release of their leader

[16] 10 thousand tons of wheat, aid from U.S. arrives in Durres

[17] GTZ Project to carry out action against mange disease

[18] Church of Spiridhoni to be reconstructed

[19] Some 250 000 Swiss franc allocated for Public Relations sector of Albanian army

[01] Winter reserves not arriving in Tropoje yet

The situation is becoming increasingly worrying as the damage of the motorway near Vau i Dejes has brought the ferry movement at a standstill, and driving from Qafe -Mali is risky because of looters.

The head of the district council, Xhevdet Hoxha, told ATA that there is a shortage of several food articles and price increase of 10-15 percent due to lack of reserves in staples.

Hoxha said that supplies by local traders have been lacking as they fear the Qafe-Mali passage.

Meanwhile, the stay for over four months of a large number of Kosova refugees, sheltered mainly in Tropoja families, has made the situation more difficult. The shortage of flour has begun to be felt in the remote mountainous areas.

Given this situation it is indispensable that measures are taken to improve the situation, as snow is likely soon in the roads of the district communes, local government leaders say. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Three Albanian painters to present their work in Paris

National Center of Art and Essays "Lucernaire" in Paris, France has recently confirmed the participation of the three Albanian painters in the exhibition which will be opened from October 16 to November 16.

The three painters, who will present their creativeness in the environments of this exhibition in the context of cooperation between the Albanian painters and this art center, are Ilia Xhokaxhi, Edi Hila and Ali Oseku. The Albanian painters will present the works recently realised by them. The topics of their works will be free and the techniques in oil and graphic. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Archaeologist Vangjel Koci awarded "Pride of Durres city" title

At the ceremony on the occasion, held in "Aleksander Moisiu" palace of Culture, city mayor Arqile Gorreja evaluated the special role of Toci in making civil culture evident.

While Toci's colleagues brought facts, documents and memories about his untiring and passional performance in setting up the library, gallery of figurative and ethnographic arts, founding of the archaeological museum, as well as in the discovery of significant monuments of European dimensions, such as the antique amphitheatre, mosaic "The beauty from Durres", as well as evidence indicating to the past of Durres, as the most ancient town of Eastern Adriatic. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Restoration of antique Basilica begins

The Institute of Cultural Monuments is providing funds for a team of workers engaged in maintaining and restoring this monument, which is near the tourist city centre, so that next year it can be visited by foreigners and locals.

The Saranda Basilica, dating back to the V-VIth century, includes a monuments compound. It was ruined in 551 AC, when Onhezmi (ancient Sarande, port city) was subjected to a wave of Ostrogothic destructions, led by Totila. /a.ke/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Some 100 daily applications for U.S. lotto DV-2000

According to data provided by the district's post-telegraph office, around 1.500 applications for this lotto, or 100 daily applications have been presented over the last two weeks.

Idriz Vasku, working in this office, told ATA that the applicants for the U.S. lotto have mainly preferred the simple lotto, without the lawyers' mediation.

About 20 applicants have won this lotto in the Librazhd district, with 82 000 inhabitants, over the last two years. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] October first week - custom incomes 160 %

In August the plan was not realized 4% while in September it was realized 115%. Such an increase of the indexes has to do with the growing number of the vehicles per day passing through this custom.

"The vehicles number passing through this custom has been increased in comparison with the first two weeks of September, which due to the situation in the country recorded a reduction from 30 vehicles, average per day, to 15-20 vehicles," Shkembi said.

The influx of vehicles, mostly bound for Elbasan and Tirane customs, is also a result of the public order measures along Qafe-Thane-Tirane road for the traders not to have problems. /A.KE/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Senior officers of Kukes assess situation along northeastern border

The situation on the border belt with Yugoslavia and the measures needed to be taken to prevent incidents were in the focus of a meeting in Kukes on Monday.

Attending the meeting were senior officers of the Second Infantry Division, police department as well as a team from the Public Order Ministry, led by head of the border department Gezim Goxhi.

The meeting was held behind closed doors but, according to Goxhi, it aimed at assessing the current situation, its aftermaths in case of a NATO air strike against Serbia and measures to cope with the emerging situations.

We are taking all measures to cope with any possible counter-reaction that the Serbian army might undertake against Albania as a revenge for the Albanian government's decision to put the air space and waters at the disposal of NATO if military actions are undertaken against Serbia, said Goxhi.

Referring to the recent provocations along the northeastern border, Goxhi said that they intend to incite the Albanian forces to counteract and blame the incidents on Albania before the international public opinion.

"So far we have reacted by taking measures to avoid border incidents, also advising the inhabitants of the border areas not to come near the border line," he said.

"But if the Serbian forces continue to enter our territory, we will open fire, respond in the same way," he added.

As to the evolution of the situation in the coming days, Goxhi said they are taking measures and considering the possibility of reinforcing the border police. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Best sold films of previous week

In the second place is the film "Sleepers". This film is realized a long time ago, and yet it unfolds before the Albanian audience the marvellous act of Robert de Niro, Michael Doglas, and Brad Pitt.

In the third place is listed the film "Il Macellaio" with a scenario of Aurelio Grimaldit and the main protagonist the renowned presenter of the Italian spectacles and TV shows, Alba Parietti.

In the fourth place is the American film "Soldate Jane" with a scenario of Ridley Scott, interpreted by the actress Demi Moor.

Afterwards come the cartoon films, whose spectators are not only the children. One of these films is "Hercules" of Walt Disney. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Monthly Environmental Bulletin for environment problems

"This publication is the first edition of Environmental Bulletin which is addressed to policy makers and decision takers in central and local state institutions, environment scientists, non governmental organisations and the wide public," Maksim Deliana, chairman of NEA said to ATA.

The bulletin offers to these social groups detailed informations on legislation, projects and policies of environment protection and aims at developing the consciousness of the citizens and the responsibility of each individual for his problems. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] New Serb attacks in northwest of Prishtina

From the positons set up in the village with Serb population, Prilluzh, they are firing towards Gllovatin, Bivolak, Be�uk, Strofc and Zhivode villages, situated near Shishavice in the border with Drenica. Object to the attacks are also made the outskirts of Polaci, in Skenderaj commune.

In the meantime, the district of Drenica, the Qyqavica mountains and Rrafshi i Kosoves continue to be circled by premilitary, militarypolice Aerb forces that are dislocated at least in 48 strategic military bases.

From Monday mourninig three Serb with tens of tanks and other aurmored vehicles, coming from Mitrovica and Skenderaj, have moved through Drenica towards the villages of Polac, Polluzhe, Likofc and Makermal. During the last 24 hours motorized Serb forces have enters in the villages of Pantine, Okrashtice and Oshallan of Vushtrica commune, while yesterday several Albanian houses are torched in the villages of Bubavec, Pllo�ice of Malisheva and in Makermal of Skenderaj and �erovik of Klina. /p.ta/a.a/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] NATO intervention in Kosova, obligatory action, says Meta

Ilir Meta, the deputy Prime Minister, told ATA on Monday that "a political solution without military strikes would be wished for everybody, but in these conditions this would be impossible due to the refusing stand of Milosevic."

Meta said that the international diplomacy will be forced now to use all the ways for the final solution of the crisis, but he was not able to say whether there would be NATO air strikes, or any political solution could be reached at the last moments.

The Albanian deputy Premier stated the great importance regarding the relations of NATO with Russia, which turns down the air strikes against Belgrade, but he said that "it will not be the responsibility of NATO if it will be forced to military intervene for the observation of the recent resolution of the Security Council."

Meta did not made long comments on the statement of the German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, according to which "not everything can be destroyed with Russia, which were hardly restored over the last months."

Meta considered the stands of the neighbouring countries, like Italy, Greece and FYROM, as general will to find a political solution.

"Naturally, no one would love a military intervention, but it seems that with the time passing, there are no hopes for a change regarding the stand of Milosevic."

Deputy Premier Meta said that the Albanian government has permanent contacts with the international institutions and will react as part of the international community.

Meanwhile, the new government of the Socialist Premier Majko decided Saturday to offer facilities to NATO to use the air space, airports and ports of Albania in case of an eventual attack of the alliance against the Serb forces in Kosova. /y.pa/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Some 40 Serb military vehicles deployed in Perpellac

Other military forces have been deployed in the other side of this border, in the Shushnjak village of Serbia, while the Albanian sources have reported that the entering of the Serb military and police forces has continued even during the last days. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian Parliament adopts some amendments to law "On referendums"

The amendments to the law "On Referendums" are related with the establishing of the commissions of the polling stations which consist of the chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and a representative of each subject in the respective municipal council or commune, as well as by a non- party member if the number of the commission is even.

Also some other parts of the law "On Referendums" were approved today. Hence, the timetable of the voting will be 7.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. In the mean time, in the referendum to be held on the Constitution, an amendment or another issue is considered accepted when more than 50 per cent of the valid votes are a "Yes."

During the past week, the Albanian Parliament adopted in principle with 11 votes the new Constitution, which by the end of this week will be examined article per article. The exact date will be set by a special decree of the President of Albania. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] DP towards political dialogue on constitution

"The Democratic Party and its allies voiced their readiness to restore the dialogue among all political forces for drafting the new Albanian Constitution," DP leader Sali Berisha told a news conference on Monday.

Berisha expressed the will of his party to hold a round table of all political parties regarding this fundamental issue for Albania.

According to Berisha, each political party is forced to make several concessions in order to realize what is missing more, the dialogue.

"We are ready to do this and urge all the other parties to voice such readiness," said Berisha.

Some two months ago, the Democratic Party asked the organization of a round table (on August 31) with the participation of all political forces to offer suggestions on the draft constitution. But, while the DP initiative was supported by all the other political forces, it was this party which withdrew by justifying it with the pretext of exercising violence on the opposition. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Legality Movement party advocates demand immediate release of their leader

"The release of political prisoners and particularly of the chairman of our party, Ekerem Spahia is an indispensability for the beginning of the dialogue among political forces," said Monday in a news conference the deputy chairman of this party, Bahri Kollcaku.

He added that in case their request is not taken into consideration they will stage a powerful protest, perhaps even with a hunger strike, a decision which will be adopted in the coming meeting of that party's presidency.

Ekerem Spahia was detained on September 24 under the charge of "participating in the armed uprising and violating state institutions." Two days after his arrest, the Tirane district court decided unlimited arrest in jail for the chairman of the party Movement of Legality, Spahia. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] 10 thousand tons of wheat, aid from U.S. arrives in Durres

This amount of wheat is the second part of a total of 25 000 tons of wheat from the U.S.

The first 15 thousand tons arrived on August 28, 1998 on the basis of an agreement on assistance, and is being sold on auction.

"The second amount of wheat will also be sold on auction," the same sources told ATA.

In addition to 25 thousand tons of wheat, the U.S. Government will also bring to Albania 6300 tons of cooking oil in the context of the assistance for Albania, expected to arrive by the end of November. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] GTZ Project to carry out action against mange disease

The population displaced from Kosova to Tropoja has also brought with them the livestock infected by mange.

"The situation is very grave, because this epidemic has also affected the livestock of that area," sources from the Ministry of Agriculture reported to ATA.

Thus, the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture and Food has asked the foreign donors operating in Albania to offer assistance with different projects in the field of agriculture. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Church of Spiridhoni to be reconstructed

Sources from the Institute of Monuments told ATA that "the roof of the church must be completed because the autumn rains are damaging the paintings."

Considering these conditions, based on a project drafted by the Institute of Monuments, the reconstruction is expected to start soon, although a major part of its values has been destroyed.

The church of "San Spiridhoni" goes back to the XVII century. It has an important place in the monuments of cult situated along the Albanian seashore.

Meanwhile that the church was at the end of its reconstruction, being realised with the funds of the Orthodox Church and under the supervision of the Institute of Monuments, a fire burnt the roof of the church and destroyed the ceiling with decorations, as well as the paintings on the walls. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Some 250 000 Swiss franc allocated for Public Relations sector of Albanian army

A team of the Public Relations Department of the Albanian Army held recently a two-day visit in Switzerland upon the invitation of the Chief of the Information Service and Public Relations, Brigade general Franz Zolch.

Both parties discussed during the meetings held in Berne the implementation of the cooperation project between the two armies, the restructuring of the Information Service of the Albanian troops and others.

At the end of the talks, it was decided that some 20 officers of the Public Relations Department of the Albanian Army will attend a training course in Switzerland at the end of November 1998. /dast/mt/

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

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