Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-14

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] 25 thousand dollars for Gjirokaster castle illumination

[02] Cleaning of Drin river from deposits begins

[03] Vllaznia - winner of Albanian Cup in basketball

[04] Best hits of the week

[05] Electric power curtailment hinders handling of ships in Durres port

[06] Trade exchanges with Italy and Greece increase

[07] Best-sold film-videos of previous week

[08] Dollar exchanged for 140 leks

[09] Attack on police, one killed and another one injured

[10] EU specialists to inspect Albanian coast about fish export

[11] 2300-year-old Via Ignatia losing identity with each passing day - Traders decorate motels with its stones-

[12] New telephone numbers for Berat

[13] Austria presents multi-facet projects on Albanian education

[14] Aid for Kosova refugees from German organisation "Martez"

[15] Aid of Hungarian government for displaced Kosvars

[16] Students not to be the prey of politics: chairman of Student Independent Union in Vlore

[17] Author of assassinating one policeman and injuring another arrested

[18] Foreign merchandise trade

[19] Foreign trade by group of commodities

[20] Padeshi incident - with political motives -Declares the Director of Press Directory in Foreign Ministry

[21] Milo to take part in meeting of countries of Peace Implementation Council in Spain

[22] Project for integration of Albanian peasant women in social economic life

[23] Political parties must not politicize our strike - student strikers

[24] Serious situation of student strikers - doctors

[25] Environmental regional Conference on protection and exploitation of hydrate sources

[26] European Council understands Albanian education difficulties

[27] Investigation into exploitation of Albanian minors in Greece starts

[28] The Right Center asks for a meeting with strike students

[01] 25 thousand dollars for Gjirokaster castle illumination

Mayor of Gjirokaster Ylli Asllani told ATA that "the agency, which is financially supported by European Union, considered the draft-plan, designed by our engineers, complete and regular and approved a fund of 25 thousand dollars, needed to realise the illumination."

"Negotiations with different Greek companies regarding the purchase of the projectors have already begun," Asllani said.

According to him "beginning of 1999 will find the castle with a modern illumination, which will add to the beauty of the museum town." /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Cleaning of Drin river from deposits begins

The cleaning of the Drin river from its deposits has already begun.

A project worth $640.000, provided by the World Bank, intends the cleaning of the Drin river and systematisation of the Bregu i Mates plain in Lezhe district, (northwestern Albania), the director of this project, Ylli Dedja, told ATA.

Dedja said that over the last two days two 40-tonn-dredges, have been cleaning the river at a depth of up to five meters and at a length of 10 km.

The Drin river has not been cleaned since '87, due to the existing obsolete dredge. The deposits brought by the river have caused that the depth at its out fall reach 0.75 m, from its earlier 10 m.

Dedja says that this has been one of the causes of inundations in Lezhe and Bregu i Mates plain, in the Zejmen commune, during the heavy rains. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Vllaznia - winner of Albanian Cup in basketball

The Cup's finals, held at "Q.Dervishi" sports hall in Shkoder, included four teams: Vllaznia, Dinamo, Tirana and Studenti.

Vllaznia and Dinamo played in the final. The first match ended with the result 30:23 for Vllaznia ( Shkoder team ), which secured their victory only in the last minutes, closing the match with the result 68:58.

This is the 12th time the Vllaznia team is declared winner of the Albanian Cup. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Best hits of the week

Meanwhile the other groups such as Tow-Four Family or Aerosmith have suffered a drop in the classification table. Standings of the 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 paranoic
 5- Scooter No time to chill
 4- Tow-Four Family Stay
 3- Michelle Zarillo L'amore vuole l'amore
 2- Laura Pausini La mia risposta
 1- Leda Battisti L'acqua al deserto

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Electric power curtailment hinders handling of ships in Durres port

Hence, in the Durres port, because of only a one-day-power cut off, the handling of 17 ships was blocked, while over the whole past week the power curtailment has delayed the handling of 35 ships.

Although a new transformer, 31.5 megawatt, was installed in Shkozet of Durres, the power curtailment in the city has been continuous.

According to the electricity enterprise, among the reasons for this electricity failure is the antiquated distribution system. As to the new transformer, it is not yet completely functional as it is linked with the completion of the Sharre substation in Tirane.

Also, in order to better cope with the situation, some 12 electric power distributors should be build which are linked with this transformer. /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Trade exchanges with Italy and Greece increase

Both of them realised some 76.5% of the total of the trade import and some 69.8% of the total of export.

Totally, with the 10 main partners of Albania, some 92.1% of the trade import and some 86.9% of the exports has been carried out.

Comparing the data with the previous month, there is an increase of exports to Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, the U.S., Turkey as well as an increase of the trade imports from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the U.S. and Turkey.

According to partner nation-groups, in October, as against September, the trade imports from the EU countries have increased about 16.9% , from the EFTA countries 79.4%, from the former USSR countries some 13.8% and from the East European countries some 43.9%. Exports with the EU countries have increased but 20.5%, with the EFTA countries some 62.8%, while exports to the countries of Eastern Europe and former USSR have decreased respectively by 61.5% and 49%.

The EU countries continue to have the specific weight in trade exchanges. Thus, in percentage, the trade exports and imports from these countries in October held respectively 88.4% and 85.9% of the total trade exports and imports. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Best-sold film-videos of previous week

"Black Jack", a production of the producer John Woo and the star Dolp Lundgern, held the second place.

"Implicated" with the stars William McNahmara and Anny Locan, ranked third in list.

Followed by "Starship troopers", with the producer Total Recall, holding the fourth place.

While "La Maschera di ferro", with the star Leonardo Di Caprio, hold the fifth place previous week. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Dollar exchanged for 140 leks

Foreign currency	exchange rate
US$ 1			140.00
DM			 84.70
ITL(1000)		 85.20
GRD(100)		 50.05

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Attack on police, one killed and another one injured

According to the spokesman of this prefecture, event took place round 06.30 in the morning in the village of Tregtan, in which the police forces went to detain a wanted person, committing a murder (revenge reason), who suddenly attacked the police forces. As a consequence policeman Selim Halili, 35, was killed, while policeman Ismail Kovaci, 37, was seriously injured.

There is yet no concrete data on the event.

Special groups of local Police Department rushed to the spot surrounding the perpetrator in one of the village houses. /s.s./lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] EU specialists to inspect Albanian coast about fish export

A fax from Brussels has recently arrived at the Fish Scientific Studies Institute in Durres which gives green light to studies about fish in Albanian waters.

The director of this Institute, Roland Kristo, told ATA that this will enable Albania to export its fish.

Several EU specialists will come to Durres city to carry out this study. Monitoring of the Albanian coast, which costs 650 000 leks, will begin from the Buna River in the north to Butrint in the South.

Kristo says that this study is of great importance as for three years now the EU has not allowed the export of Albanian fish and molluscs to the European and World export.

The embargo was imposed in 1995 when cholera broke out in Albania.

The EU specialists will check the coastal waters and centres of Albania's export and two months later will decide the resumption of live fish esport from Albania to the European markets. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] 2300-year-old Via Ignatia losing identity with each passing day - Traders decorate motels with its stones-

In Fushebuall village of Elbasan city, some 8 km from it, beyond the Shkumbin river, a good part of the famous road has been destroyed as locals have used its objects for different constructions.

Two bridges of this road, considered as precious works of art and fanatically protected until 1990, have also been destroyed for this purpose.

It is not difficult for any one to notice these bridges' artistically carved arches or parapets on the facades and environments of the recently built private motels, along Elbasan-Librazhd road.

S. Binjaku, inhabitant of the Fushebuall village told ATA that some 800 cubic metres of stones have been robbed from 500 metres of paved road, since the year 1996.

Meanwhile, heads of the museums in Elbasan and Librazhd say that it is not in their power to protect the Ignatia road.

Via Ignatia, 395 km long, was built by the pro-consul of Macedonia, Roman G. Ignatius, several centuries B.C., linking the South Illyrian coast with the east.

It extended from Aulona (today Vlore) to Salonika, as a continuation of the "Appia" road to Italy. "Skampini" (today's Elbasan) is considered as one of the most important stations of this itinerary, as, precisely at this point branched out the other road ending in the Durres coast.

Almost undamaged parts of the road are found also in Librazhd, Shushice of Elbasan, Karine (Peqin), Roskovec and other towns. /pas/lola/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] New telephone numbers for Berat

The installation of these numbers will in some way meet the demands of the people for telephone lines with abroad, the director of this affiliate, Mitat Selmani, told ATA.

Over 8000 requests for telephone numbers have been issued in this city, with more than 70 00 inhabitants.

Alongside the increase in new telephone numbers and installation of optical cables, works are underway in Berat for the construction of the new telecom. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Austria presents multi-facet projects on Albanian education

Ruka said that the joint projects between Albania and Austria have successfully been carrying out, specially those in professional education sectors. Ruka mentioned reconstruction of tourism schools in Tirane and Sarande, cooperation between Austrian Universities and those of Tirane and Shkoder and projects of teaching German languages in some secondary schools, etc.

Responding to Mrs.Gehrer's special interest in a group of students' strike, Ruka said that most of the requests, presented by the Independent Students Union, are already considered resolved, but there are also requests, which need time, as well as there are other requests, which can not be met by current possibilities of the state budget, or which have political character, thus having no relation with the Ministry of Education and Science.

Minister Gehrer and the other members of Austrian delegation presented the possibilities of extending the cooperation through establishing sister-program relations between Albanian and Austrian schools and increasing the aid in school materials, but they asked the Albanian state to exempt them from fiscal taxes and offer convenient conditions for their transport and management, till they reach the destination.

Austrian Minister visited the middle school of tourism in the capital today before noon, while this afternoon she will attend the conference with the topic "Democracy in education". /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Aid for Kosova refugees from German organisation "Martez"

Town-hall secretary Bardhosh Shaqiri told ATA that this aid includes food and winter clothes for Kosova families settled in Shkoder. According to the lists, made by refugee office close to the town-hall, any Kosovar is benefiting a packet of 20 kg food and different clothes.

Over the last two weeks the Islamic organisation "Relieve", the German-based organisation "Dardania", the Albanian Red Cross and the Norwegian Red Cross also brought aid for Kosova refugees in Shkoder.

Some 3 thousand Kosova refugees have been settled in Shkoder, one thousand of whom are settled in Shkoder families, while the rest in refugees receiving centers of Velipoje, "Rozafa" hotel, close to Italian Caritas at "Church of Big Nut-tree", etc. /s.sh./lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Aid of Hungarian government for displaced Kosvars

This aid is delivered after a visit payed by a fact-gathering mission of the CEI held in July of the current year in Albania. The very grave situation created in the northeastern Albania as a result of people coming from Kosova was observed by the group during this visit. This is the first contingent of aid, because other countries of the CEI, are to give their contribution for the displaced Kosovars.

The ceremony on this occasion will be held on December 15 in the grounds of the Hungarian embassy in Tirane. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Students not to be the prey of politics: chairman of Student Independent Union in Vlore

The SIU leader expressed his support for the reasonable economic enquiries by bringing also the opinion of two other bodies operating in this University, but on the other side he rejected the demands of the political character. Rama cited that " It's not reasonable for us to give students a monthly scholarship worth 8.000 leks in the actual wage level." /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Author of assassinating one policeman and injuring another arrested

On Monday by midday police forces of Kukes Prefecture Police Department arrested the citizen Din Katica, 50, from Tregtan of Has district, who this early morning shot dead policeman Selim Halili and injured policeman Ismail Kovaci.

Spokesman of Hasi district Police Commissariat said that Katica was declared wanted person for an assassination committed for revenge motives a year ago.

Besieged by police forces, Din Katica responded to the calls to surrender with shootings, killing a policeman and injuring another. Police forces narrowed the siege and managed to seized him.

Sources from Kukes hospital say that situation of the injured policeman is still life threatening. /s.s./lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Foreign merchandise trade

Trade import of goods on October 1998 has reached the value of 10163.1 million of leks or about 16.5 per cent higher than the previous month and about 19.7 per cent lower than the same period of the previous year.

Trade deficit on this month has reached the value of 7125.4 million leks and the percentage of the coverage of the trade imports from exports was about 29.9 per cent.

Exchange rate on October 1998, was 3.2 per cent lower than the same month of the previous year, while in comparison with the previous month it was 3.7 per cent lower.

In real terms, it can be considered that, on October 1998, in comparison with the previous month, trade import has signed an increase about 21.0 per cent, and export has signed an increase about 30.7 per cent.

On October 1998, humanitarian aid on goods, has reached about 492.7 million leks, or about 6.1 per cent more than the previous month./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Foreign trade by group of commodities

Consumption's imported goods, during October 1998, continue to have a considerable weight; within this group, the import of the group "Food, beverages and tobacco", consists the import of subgroup "Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco".

The import of the group "Machnery, equipment and spare parts" during this month was about 14.0 per cent of the total of trade imports, and within this group,the import of subgroup "Machinery, mechanic and electronic equipment" was about 61.9 per cent.

About 10.7 per cent of the total of trade import, during October 1998, was the import of Group "Construction materials and metals".

In Albania exports, except the goods produced with "commended materials" such as textiles and shoes,that during October 1998 reached respectively about 28.8 per cent and 18.9 per cent of total export, it was important alsso the export of goods of the group "Food, beverages, tobacco" that during this month reached about 13.8 per cent of this total. Within this group, the export of subgroup "Vegetable products", takes the greatest weight, about 60.6 per cent.

About 11.5 per cent of the total of Albanian export was the export of the group "Minerals, fuels, electricity"./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Padeshi incident - with political motives -Declares the Director of Press Directory in Foreign Ministry

The Albania part has asked for a mutual meeting in the presence of interborder commission, but there has been no notice from the Serb part for the meeting of this commission so far," said Gjoka adding that the mutual border commission was the only body which will investigate and charge responsibility on the part causing the incident according to the international norms.

Gjoka voiced that "the Yugoslav part continues to raise pretensions for the disorder of the border regime by the Albania part, and by accusing it as the cause of these incidents, by not giving its opinion on this commission."

According to the Press Director of the Foreign Ministry, the body which is to decide on these incidents is the mutual interborder commission which is to be monitored by European Union special forces.

"The regime of Belgrade has infringed the Albanian integrity and sovereignty in opposition with all the international norms," added Gjoka concerning Padeshi incident. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Milo to take part in meeting of countries of Peace Implementation Council in Spain

57 states and international organizations, members of the Peace Implementation Council, in the course of the Dayton Accord on Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be represented in the meeting with the highest ranking representatives.

The meeting to be held on Dec.15-16, is in the course of the two previous meetings held for this purpose in London and Bonn, and will analyze the results reached so far, by adopting further measures to enable the final consolidation of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Taking part in the meeting will be the current chairman of OSCE, Geremek, the NATO Secretary-General, Solana and U.N representatives.

Milo will address the the meeting and will have meetings with his counterparts and representatives of international organizations in the meeting. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Project for integration of Albanian peasant women in social economic life

According to her, in addition to courses and seminars held during this year in that district for the training of women in the fields of business and family planning, the project does also envisage the creation of small businesses, the inauguration of production lines to be managed and directed by women themselves.

These projects will be financed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Assistance of Italy. lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Political parties must not politicize our strike - student strikers

"We call on political parties not to politicize our hunger strike, because our demands are merely economic," said some representatives of the strikers.

They stressed that the students' demands are the same as before.

The students added they demanded the withdrawal of the Minister of Education and Science, Et'hem Ruka, because he has been rather indifferent towards their legitimate requests. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Serious situation of student strikers - doctors

The doctors said that so far three of the strikers have been sent to hospital for treatment and returned to the strike again.

According to the group of doctors, the health situation of the student strikers is bad. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Environmental regional Conference on protection and exploitation of hydrate sources

The rector of the "Ismail Qemali" Technologic University, Dr. Bilal Shkurtaj, told ATA that the main objective of the conference is the materialization and the assessment of the scientific problems as well as the leading of studies for the exploitation and protection of hydrate sources.

During the two days of the conference are to be presented some 46 studies, 33 of which belong to the Vlora city scholars, pedagogues of Vlora University and persons employed in the scientific institutions of this district.

"Vlore '98" conference is organized by the association "The protection and saving of the Albania lake waters and coast,", the Forum of the Independent Intellectuals, the Vlora Technologic University in collaboration with the Gjirokaster University "Eqerem �abej", Science Academy and the Tirana Universities supported by Vlora local government.

CO-chairmen of the Conference Organizing Commission are Prof. Dr. Niko Pano and Dr.Bilal Shkurtaj. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] European Council understands Albanian education difficulties

The senior representative of the European Council expressed the willingness in the name of the organization he represents, for the continuation of the aids as well as the organizing of new projects with the Albania part for the modernization of Albanian school system according to contemporary parameters.

In his exposure Minister Ruka stressed the institutional attempts which are being carried out to improve the legislation in the education field, and especially the improving of university legislation, as well as for the high level of the academic and financial autonomy that our education and scientific research institutions are to have through the quick approval in parliament of the law on "The university education". /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Investigation into exploitation of Albanian minors in Greece starts

The Attorney General's Office is investigating into the penal act of the exploitation of Albanian minors in Greece, who have been raped or deceived by groups of adult people or individuals and are forced to make different jobs for profiting, Ardian Vishaj, spokesman in the Attorney- General's office told ATA on Monday.

According to Vishaj, the inquiries started a few days ago and cooperation is expected with Greece as well.

Penal acts with reference to the exploitation of Albanian minors in Greece are considered the acts of beggars in the streets, the pickpockets, prostitution etc.

According to the Greek press, the small children, who are exploited for profits, are held in secret centres, in very bad conditions and are maltreated by their "masters."

The Attorney-General's Office has appointed a number of prosecutors for these investigations, who have first consulted the information from the press, to continue then with further inquiries in Albania, and if agreed upon, also in Greece. /lh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] The Right Center asks for a meeting with strike students

The initiative of the Right Center for such a meeting was supported by the Democratic Party.

In the meantime, the Socialist Party Coordinating Secretary Gramoz Ru�i, told ATA that he does not know anything about this meeting.

The students' general strike, which have started days ago, was deepened in December 10 with the proclamation of the hunger strike. Representatives of students coming from Tirane, Shkodra, Elbasani, Gjirokaster, and Vlore Universities take part in the strike. /lh/A.A/

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

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