Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-07

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Album "L'acqua al deserto" by Italian singer Leda Battisti ranks first

[02] Powerful transformer for Tirane and Durres districts

[03] Dollar exchanged for 142.2 leks

[04] Vehicles blocked at Kapshtice customs begin clearing goods

[05] Two tonnes of wine sequestered in Durres port

[06] Albanians and emigration; work, but disappointment as well

[07] Best sold books of the week

[08] Manifestation of December 8 - commemoration of the students movement; Berisha

[09] Transition also augmenting unemployment

[10] New university branches for Greek and Turkish languages

[11] Albanian Government prepares programs to use funds envisaged in Donors'Conference

[12] Shkoder Students' Union's strike goes on Rector Gruda:

[13] Fiscal objectives for 1999 in Albania's draft budget

[14] Detention in jail for drugs' trafficker

[15] Not only the future but the present are calling on youth - President

[16] Constitution is not for one party but for all Albania

[17] Belgrade regime is deviating everyday from Holbrooke-Milosevic agreement

[18] Northern Atlantic Partnership Council to be gathered on Tuesday

[19] 57.4 % of deficit for 1999 in Albania to be paid by inner sources

[20] WTO membership asks completing technical aspects

[21] Appeal for tolerance, understanding, solidarity and cooperation - ACHR

[22] Belgrade seeks to disregard agreements signed with international community

[01] Album "L'acqua al deserto" by Italian singer Leda Battisti ranks first

The already renowned Italian singer, Leda Battisti, with her album "L'acqua al deserto" continues to lead the classification table.

Battisti, niece of the great singer, myth of the Italian song, and adored by many generations, Lucio Battisti, held last week's first place. In this album the songs of Battisti are characterised by Indian motives.

The album of famous German group Scooter "No time to chill", which for several weeks was in the lead of the classification table, this week ranked the fifth.

The album "I don't want to miss a thing" by the successful Aerosmith group has also suffered a drop in the classification table.

In the race of the 10 best albums, Italian singer Laura Pausini, with album "La mia risposta" nor ranks the second from the third place.

The standings of 10 best albums.

    10- Hit Dance Mix Compilation
     9- Backstreet boys Non poi lascarmi cosi
     8- Five Five
     7- Aerosmith I don't wanna miss a think
     6- Garbage I think I'm paranoiac
     5- Scooter No time to chill
     4- Michelle Zarillo L'amore vuole l'amore
     3- Tow-Four Family Stay
     2- Laura Pausini La mia risposta
     1- Leda Battisti L'acqua al deserto

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Powerful transformer for Tirane and Durres districts

This transformer weighs some 90 tonnes and has a power of 100 megawatts. According to specialists it will increase electricity power by 30% for Tirane and Durres. Specialists of the ENEL firm from Italy have come to assemble it.

The transformer and the respective aggregation are part of an Italian credit of seven billion lira which aims to improve the Albanian electricity system.

Some 50 electricity distributors will soon be set up in the cities of Tirane and Durres that will ensure a better distribution of electricity in these two cities. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Dollar exchanged for 142.2 leks

Foreign currency	exchange rate
US$ 1			142.20
DM			 84.80
LIT(1000)		 85.50
GRD(100)		 50.08

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Vehicles blocked at Kapshtice customs begin clearing goods

Xhafer Halili, chairman of this customs affiliation, told ATA that with the end of a one-week strike by the Greek customs officials, the large lorries, waiting in Greek territory, cleared their goods through this customs.

The source says that the movement of cars and buses began since Sunday.

The Kapshtice border point is the main customs for the goods' and people's land crossing to both sides of the border. For the 11 month period of this year, the Kapshtice customs has realised incomes by 108 percent. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Two tonnes of wine sequestered in Durres port

The customs director, Petrit Kociu, told ATA that there were 220 boxes of nearly two tonnes of wine, which were sent for storage at the port's warehouses. This amount was imported by a Vlore firm and came from Bari port.

Besides the documentation, the bottles also lacked the fiscal stamps.

The value of the sequestered wine is thought to be more than 500 000 leks.

This is the second time the Durres customs blocks large amounts of goods lacking the accompanying documentation. Sometimes ago, this customs blocked two vans loaded with beer, which aimed to escape clearance through customs. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albanians and emigration; work, but disappointment as well

TIRANE, Dec. 6 (ATA) - Albania got acquainted with the massive emigration in 1990. After this year emigration was the main cause of huge demographic changes in Albania.

Italy and Greece continue to remain the main destinations of the Albanian emigration.

According to PNUDI there are some 350-400 000 Albanian emigrants in Greece and some other 100-150 000 in Italy. According to the data given by several Western embassies to Albania, thousands of Albanian refugees are settled in US (10 000), Belgium (2 5000), France (2 000), Germany (12 000), Turkey (2000) Canada and Switzerland.

According to the data given, one Albanian is found in every group of 25-30 Greek persons, while this figure in Italy is 1 Albanian in each group of 400-450 Italians. However the social problems connected with the emigration and the emigrants integration in work and society are similar in both these countries.

At the beginning of 1997, in Italy were settled some 62 000 legal emigrants, while according to Caritas, the number of the Albanian emigrants in Italy at that time reached 100 000. Out of 350 000 emigrants in Greece only 10 000 were legal. According to statistics 78.6% of the Albanian emigrants are illegal.

The majority part of the emigrants are male persons. In Italy and Greece respectively 70.9% and 60.4% of the emigrants belong to the male sex.

According to the statistics 15% of the Albanian population actually lives out of the Albanian territory. The Albanian emigration is three times bigger as compared with that of other countries. The emigration is characterized by the high number of of emigrated families and youths.

The Albanian emigration is not only due to the economic necessities but also to the tense situation that the Albanian society has undergone through the transitory period. The revolts of 1997 brought a forced emigration for the Albanians, and the clandestine emigration during this time was rather big. However the economic necessity is the main reason for emigration. In this framework is known also the organized emigration and the seasonal employment.

The integration of the Albanian emigrants

The majority part of the Albanian male immigrants in Italy and in Greece are employed in the building and agricultural fields, while the female emigrants are employed in the house service sector.

The large number of emigrants preforming dull works has obstacled the role that the emigration plays in the imigrants' professional qualification and their familiarization with the contemporary technology of the respective countries.

The first difficulties that the Albanian emigrants encountered for their integration in the hostess countries were the crimes and the negative opinion on Albanians. Generally the negative opinion created is caused by images presented by media and by the relations between the Albanians and the hostess countries citizens. The studies made by emigration experts in these countries, have shown that even the people having no contact with the Albanian emigrants have a bad opinion on them.

The majority part of the Albanian emigrants are employed in odd sectors, and even in illegal employment. This makes even more difficult the life and their integrity in the community.

Repatriation of emigrants

During the 7 years of emigration, Albania has not got any serious investment from the Albanian emigrants despite of some small investments. In 1997 the Albanians were as much motivated to emigrate as in 1990. In the meantime, the emigrants returned mainly in 1996, to start small businesses with the emigration incomes, lost all these money in the pyramidal investing schemes during 1997. The emigrants were the last group of creditors who invested their multi-years incomes in the pyramidal schemes and because of this reason they were harmed more by their destruction.

Now, the majority part of the emigrants come back home when they feel unable to integrate in the life of the hostess countries, or when the police of these countries forces them to return home.

However, there have been cases when emigrants having success abroad, want to come to Albania. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Best sold books of the week

According to a survey made in some libraries of the capital, the best sold book is "The word" of the American writer Irving Wallas, translated by Vasil Gjymshana which is cited by the world critics as 'the most sensational book of the end of this century'.

The book was published by the "O.M.S.C.A" publishing house.

Many copies of the book "Adolf Hitler", with records from the life of the dictator are sold during this week. The book is translated by Agim Llanaj and is published by the Publishing Association "Egnatia".

The new book "Kaput" of the author Kurcio Malaparti has attracted a lot of readers of the capital.

This book translated by Klio Evangjeli, presents a view of the Second World War. It is published by the Publishing house "O.M.S.C.A".

"The social contract" of the distinguished philosopher Zhan Zhak Russo, is one of the new books in the libraries, and well liked in the book market by the Albanian readers.

It is published by the publishing house "Luarasi", in the framework of the program "Books for a open society". /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Manifestation of December 8 - commemoration of the students movement; Berisha

"8 December '90 marked the beginning of the studental movement for the settling of pluralism in Albania, and it is not a property of the Democratic Party, but this date should be commemorated by all the political forces, said Berisha.

The Democratic Party will organize several activities to commemorate this event, such as the manifestation in the Student City where the protests started 8 years ago, the inauguration Azem Hajdari memorial as well as the manifestation in "Skanderbeg" square. /y.pa/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Transition also augmenting unemployment

Based on the data available, beginning from 1990, the number of the unemployed in Albania has increased.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), by the end of 1990, 1.4 million Albanians or 75% of the population were employed, while by the end of 1997, employed were 1.1 million Albanians or 60 percent of the population.

The increase of unemployment is result of the privatisation of many industrial enterprises, public services, construction and food industry, closure of many unprofitable enterprises, or of reforms in public sector.

The transition period (1992-1994) was associated by a very high level unemployment, the number of the enrolled unemployed was 400 000.

In 1996 and 1997 the number of the unemployed, according to UNDP data, fell to 158 000. This decrease of unemployment was result of the creation of new jobs in many new agencies or in various private activities.

According to statistics, the largest number of the unemployed belongs to 21-34 age-group. By the end of 1994 this group made up 50 per cent of the total number of the unemployed, while by the end of 1997 it made up 45 percent.

Unemployment in both sexes, from 1993 to 1997 varies between 45 and 50 per cent. It is higher than in the northwestern part of Albania. By the end of 1993 the unemployed of this zone made up 25% of the number of the unemployed in Albania while by the end of 1997, 16 per cent. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] New university branches for Greek and Turkish languages

"According to the quotas set by the Ministry of Education and Science, 8 contestants will attend the studies in the branches of Greek and Turkish languages respectively," Maksim Daiu dean of the Faculty told ATA. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian Government prepares programs to use funds envisaged in Donors'Conference

Though the date for second Donor's Conference envisaged for the coming year is not yet set, the spokesman of the Albanian Foreign Ministry told ATA on Monday that the Albanian Government is preparing the programs for the complete attraction of the aid promised in the last Donor's Conference, in the fields which are most emergent for the development of Albania."

"The latest visit of the Albanian foreign Minister to Denmark and the visit of the PM Pandeli Majko in Brussels," said Gjoka, "showed once more that the International community is sensitive towards Albania which has now its Constitution."

The existence of a complete legal basis is a real guarantee for the European partners to continue to offer assistance to Albania.

The spokesman mentioned the aid of 16 million dollars that the Danish state has offered to the Albanian Government to help consolidate the democratic state in those directions which are a priority, an aid which was confirmed during the visit of the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo in Denmark recently at the invitation of his Danish counterpart. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Shkoder Students' Union's strike goes on Rector Gruda:

SHKODER, Dec. 7, (ATA) By M.Malaj Students' Union of "Luigj Gurakuqi" University in Shkoder keep on the strike requiring fulfillment of their 12 requests.

Rector of this university, assistant professor Gjovalin Gruda told ATA that the students can not attend the classes, because they fear outsiders exert pressure on them.

Students' Union chairman Alfred Pellumbi said that the strike will keep on, because students are decisive to bring it to the end.

A meeting between Students' Union with University pedagogues, to side with their strike, was planned to be held today, but this meeting failed because the pedagogues did not appear.

In a meeting, held previous week, with the University senate, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mimoza Hafizi said that 8 out of 12 requests, presented by the Union to this ministry, are already fulfilled, while the other 4 are beyond the competence of this ministry. Tow requests are within the competence of courts.

Students strike is closely followed by the Council of Europe and OSCE observers, attached in this city.

Among the fulfilled requests, as Deputy Minister Mimoza Hafizi said in Friday's meeting with the students of this University, are: placing national symbols at the University, including Shkoder University in the first category just as those of Tirane, improving students' living conditions in the dormitories and taking further measures by the police to secure students' life.

Regarding increase of the scholarship by 50%, Deputy Minister Hafizi said that it is not possible for current country's conditions. Regarding finding the perpetrators of democrat deputy Azem Hajdari, Hafizi said that this is a duty of Prosecution's Office.

Students of this University are on strike since November 24. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Fiscal objectives for 1999 in Albania's draft budget

The deficit financed from internal sources will be 5.6 % from 6.4 % envisaged for this year. During the coming years, in conformity with a midterm program and in conformity with terms by IMF and ESAF 2, a further fall of the budgetary deficit is envisaged with the goal of reaching a level of about 3.2 % of the GDP in 2001. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Detention in jail for drugs' trafficker

Tow days before, police forces against drug addiction and trafficking of local Police Department detained this citizen and in the raid carried out in his house they found 4 bags with 800 mg drugs each.

Spokesman of this Court said that this is the first case over this year that a person trafficking drugs in this city has been detained. /A.KE/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Not only the future but the present are calling on youth - President

"I have the special pleasure to greet and wish you all on the National Youth Day.

Dec.8, 1990 is the day that marks the beginning of the student and popular movement for the establishment of political pluralism in Albania. Three days later, on Dec.11, this will took a legal form. The single party regime was over, democracy started for Albania.

The Albanian people and state will always honour the former students and progressive intellectuals of the December Movement who despite the directions they took in life, in our minds they are united round their political devise for a European Albania and round the loftiest values of democracy. Youth has reasons to be pleased with the days they are living. Albania is the country of an open society, freedoms and rights in it are of contemporary standards, the adoption of the Constitution has opened way to the consolidation of the rule of law and democratic institutions."

Further on in his message President Meidani writes that "not only the future but also the present are calling on the youth.

The younger generation has the task to overpass the old political realities and to introduce another culture, the culture of dialogue without prejudices, and of the legitimacy in its broadest meaning. This is a mission which must be carried ahead not only by the youth represented in the government but by all youngsters wherever they are working, studying and living.

I am convinced that the Dec.8 celebration is another chance for the younger generation of Albania to reflect on how to make our beloved Albania European," ends the message of President Meidani to the youth of Albania. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Constitution is not for one party but for all Albania

As the President's press and information office reports, Adem Celaj, chairman of the branch Ali Pashe Gucia of the Albanian League of Prizren, send a message of greetings to President Meidani and to senior authorities in Albania.

The adoption of the Constitution in this time, which is as difficult as historic for the Albania people, is a very good news for every Albanian, writes the message. Its adoption, writes Celaj, is the first step, because the greatest work starts now with its translation into life.

The constitution belongs to none of the parties or political forces, writes the same message. It is the Constitution of all Albania and as such it belongs to all. The constitution is not a taboo. Each time there is a need to change it and when the people demand this, amendments can be made to it as it happens in democratic America for 220 years now.

Wishing that the Constitution opens new vistas for Albanians wherever they are and for the Albanian nation in general, the association Ali Pashe Gucia, centered in new York, voices its commitment to contribute to the initialed road of democracy Albania has embarked on. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Belgrade regime is deviating everyday from Holbrooke-Milosevic agreement

The President's press and information office told ATA that Blaku voiced the pleasure and gratitude of the people of Kosove and their political leadership for the head of state of Albania, and he described the situation in Kosove as rather dramatic. The Belgrade regime is deviating each day from Holbrooke-Milosevic agreement, he added.

President Meidani assured Blaku that Albania will continue to intensify its efforts and assistance especially on the international arena, for an all-sided support, for a realistic settlement on the basis of the will of the Albanian people in Kosove. Albania, added Meidani, is committed to make everything possible to help solve the national question. "We must work together for an efficient act of the international factor," said President.

Attending the meeting also was the Chairman of the Office of the Republic of Kosove in Tirane, Iljaz Ramaili. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Northern Atlantic Partnership Council to be gathered on Tuesday

Albania-NATO relations issues and still hot issue of Kosova will be in the focus of the speech, which Minister of Foreign Affairs Paskal Milo will hold in the framework of the summit at foreign ministers level of Northern Atlantic Partnership Council.

Press Department close to Albania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that meeting, held twice a year, will have as the main topic: "Future challenges of NATO's Security and Cooperation with partner countries in the framework of Northern Atlantic Partnership Council."

This current meeting will be held in the Headquarters of Northern Atlantic Alliance in Brussels, Belgian capital.

Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo is also expected to have other meetings, which, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said "by all means will be used to find a sooner resolution of Kosova crisis, regarding which International Community and specially NATO will have their sake". /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] 57.4 % of deficit for 1999 in Albania to be paid by inner sources

The draft budget of 1999 envisages that the inner budgetary deficit be covered by 4 billion lek through direct credits from the Bank of Albania and 23.9 billion lek through treasure bonds, hence with the monetary savings of the population. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] WTO membership asks completing technical aspects

Third round of talks of Albanian delegation with the countries, members of World Trade Organisation (WTO), finished in Geneva.

According to the coordinator general of the Permanent Secretariat of membership, Majlinda Osmanlliu "Albanian delegation presented WTO membership strategy, approved by government. According to WTO members some of its items should be completed from technical aspects."

Osmalliu said that European Union and Switzerland offered technical assistance for Albanian file, in order to be well prepared for the next phase.

Albania's membership process in WTO began in 1992. But this is the first meeting of Albanian delegation with representatives from WTO since 1996.

Meetings, held with WTO coordinators, were concentrated in presenting membership procedures and experience of the counties in the region.

Albanian government has set up a special group of negotiators to prepare the documents and bring further the WTO membership process. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Appeal for tolerance, understanding, solidarity and cooperation - ACHR

In its pronunciation, the ACHR appeals for tolerance, understanding, solidarity and cooperation so that to construct a stable state, with democratic institutions after best patterns existing in the western developed countries, in which law and order, tranquillity and social peace will prevail. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Belgrade seeks to disregard agreements signed with international community

TIRANE, Dec.7 (ata) - The recent events are proving that Belgrade authorities are more and more seeking to disregard the agreements they were forced to sign with the international community, at a time when they do not hesitate to address the same accusations to others, writes a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania issued on Monday.

The statement stressed that the panorama that the Belgrade offices and mediae are trying to provide is even ridiculous.

According to them, the statement continues, Albanians of Kosove, the international community and together with them the Republic of Albania are working to spoil the truce, to instigate the resumption of fighting and to sabotage the process of peace, for which the Yugoslav authorities have allegedly made continuous efforts.

The regime of Belgrade is known today by everybody as the one that has caused wars and calamities and not as a factor for peace, recalls the statement. All know that that the policy of truce proposed some time ago in Kosove, was imposed on Belgrade by the international community, otherwise it would have continued to the end the massacre and the humanitarian tragedy of the Albanian people of Kosove. /s.sh/xh/

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