Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-30

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Cinematographic center approves documentary films for 1999

[02] Vlora police chief writes texts of songs

[03] Monuments of culture risks to be demolished

[04] Works to construct a local military hospital start

[05] Financial abuse in Verdova mine

[06] Ministry of Finance fulfils annual plan by 88 percent

[07] Draft law on organisation of judiciary

[08] Albania, Greece discuss bilateral military relations

[09] Albcopper produce 43.937 ton copper during 1998

[10] Government approves decisions on country's development

[11] Dollar as aginst 140.2 lek

[12] Euro-Atlantic integration process needs participation of everyone

[13] Albanian President Meidani highlights cooperation between Albania and Greece in military field

[14] "We fully support Majko government" - says Melo

[15] Taxable income fulfill 98% in 1998

[16] Albanians of Kosove must be recognized the right of self-determination without violent changing of borders - Foreign Minister

[17] German Minister of Law assured his Albanian counterpart of bilateral cooperation in field of law

[18] Chief of OSCE Regional Office in Vlore appointed to another post

[19] Cooperation programs with Greek army completely realised - minister

[01] Cinematographic center approves documentary films for 1999

Sources from the public relations office at the Cinematographic Center said to ATA that "nine projects were selected from 13 projects presented to be financed partly by the center."

The council which selected the projects included leading figures of cinema and known intellectuals such as producer Gezim Erebara, producer Spartak Pecani, actor Xhevdet Ferri, cinema critic Abdurrahim Myftiu and journalist Fatos Baxhaku.

Projects of feature films for 1999 will be approved within next year on a special order by the chief of the cinematographic center Petrit Beci. /f.n/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Vlora police chief writes texts of songs

Apart of his duty as a policeman, Kociu has some secrets which were unusual and surprises for a police chief who achieved a number of successes in his daily work within a short period. He had been presented to the Albanian public as a poet with two songs of the known composer Luan Zhegu.

In an interview to ATA, Kociu told about his oldest passion for poetry and the story how he was "tempted" by the Albanian song.

In a spontaneous chat in Tirana with his friend the composer Luan Zhegu and the singer Alberia Hadergjonaj, both winners of the latest festival, Kociu decided to write two songs one of which on Kosova. Kociu also revealed another secret that of participating in the chorus accompanying the singer.

"My profession is that of policeman with happiness and concerns which I do not want to replace with anything else. Nevertheless, I like poetry and especially the text of songs," Kociu said adding that poetry is a way to communicate with the people. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Monuments of culture risks to be demolished

Artan Shkreli, director of the Institute, said that all these monuments needed emergency intervention and not only partial restoration because their situation risks the final elimination from the Albanian memory.

They include cult monuments and other buildings with historical, cultural and architectonic values, which belong to antique and medieval periods.

The Church of Vraho Goranxhi in Gjirokastra district, that of Shirgji in Shkodra district, Rodoni in Durres district, Ura e Mesit in Shkodra district, the Castle of Gjirokastra, amphitheater of Durres, antique wall of Acropolis in Butrint and others, are monuments which need urgent help.

The Directorate of the Institute of Monuments issued a paper asking the Ministry of Culture to consider a priority the restoration of these monuments.

Shkreli said that the small fund by the Ministry of Culture was not enough for the restoration therefore the ministry should attract funds from government or different foundations.

The Institute of Monuments created in 1965, covers some 2 200 monuments, 12.500 square meters painting in fresco, 1.225 square meters of mosaics, 2300 files of graphic materials and others. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Works to construct a local military hospital start

Albanian Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga and Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatsopulos, who was on an official visit to Albania, cut the ribbons to mark the start of construction work.

Hajdaraga said that this military hospital, a present of the Greek army, was a fruit of cooperation between the two armies and peoples.

"The relations between the two armies will continue to strengthen even in the future because they are politically motivated," Hajdaraga said.

Tsohatsopoulos said that the people in Greece have learned to evaluate services offered by armed forces. Both in Albania and Greece, armed forces should defend their countries. But both peoples should take care of armed forces in order to help them carry out their tasks and secure peace in the region, he added.

Greek senior militaries said that the work for the construction of the military hospital will start within January next year. The fund offered by the Greek army is estimated at 448 million Drachmas.

The hospital will have 24 beds and a modern surgery theater, and contagious disease ward, two first aid wards and X-ray ward.

Greek officials said that the hospital will be constructed within one and half year.

The Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatsopoulos will arrive in Tirana to hold talks with senior officials of the Albanian state. /s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Financial abuse in Verdova mine

This was found out by the Korca-based local control team in a routine control in the mine during December.

Lionel Nasto, director of the team, said to ATA that the team had found out considerable financial abuse in the coal mine of Pogradec.

The mine directorate had not launched any bid for the transport of coal to consumer.

Ali Myftaraj, mine director, had embezzled some 500 thousand leks taken from the brick factory. He had also taken 97 thousand pieces of bricks from the factory worth 918 thousand leks for which there were no documents at all. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Ministry of Finance fulfils annual plan by 88 percent

Current spending including wages, interests, social and health insurance are almost near to what has been foreseen.

While capital spending which includes investments foresees a non- realisation by 14.7 percent with a biggest impact by public investments through foreign finance which are expected not more than 50 percent.

The Ministry of Finance said that realisation of budget spending has been urged during 1998 according to an initial plan and not following the previous practice when budget spending have been reduced at the end of the year with the aim of reducing deficit. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Draft law on organisation of judiciary

This draft law includes 50 articles which make evident the independence and division of judiciary from other powers.

The first chapter of the law includes 4 main articles which define the competencies of the judiciary exercised only through courts in conformity with the new constitution. They consider all penal, military, civilian and administrative cases and any issue defined by law.

Lawyers are independent in their work but obey the constitution and law. Organisation and functioning of prosecutor's office and lawyer's office are based on special laws.

The second chapter defines ways of organisation and functions of courts. It includes 14 special articles, which sanction three-division system of courts; district court, appeals court and higher court. While the military court includes first division court and that of appeal. Total number of lawyers is defined on decree of president proposed by the Ministry of Justice.

The Higher court is the highest judicial authority, which has the initial jurisdiction. One of the articles defines that the division of the judicial issues in the judiciary is done on draw. Judicial decisions can be considered only on basis of claims or recourse.

The third chapter includes 7 articles and defines the way, conditions of accepting the lawyers, modalities of acceptance and the control of their activity.

The fourth chapter defines the status of lawyers and the article 26 said that they enjoy immunity. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Albania, Greece discuss bilateral military relations

Majko thanked the Greek minister for the aid offered by the Greek Ministry of Defence to their Albanian counterpart not only in military but also in social field.

The work for the construction of the military hospital in Gjirokaster with the assistance of the Greek Defence Ministry will start on January 1999. The Greeks will increase aid in logistics.

The talks focused on situation in Kosova, talks which urged the international factor to be engaged more on the issue.

Majko told the Greek minister on the decision of the Albanian parliament for NATO intervention on Kosova because with the approach of spring the situation can precipitate and become worse.

Minister Tsohatsopoulos said that he hoped that the next year would bring a new dynamic on the situation in the Balkans. /s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albcopper produce 43.937 ton copper during 1998

Shkodra plant of copper wires restart the its production at the end of the year, producing wire of a high quality.

The copper industry survived in March 1998, after the approval of the study done by its specialists concerning the effectivety of the copper industry. As a result of this recommence cathodic copper is produced and sold, Rubic plant regain itself again helping Lac plant, which needs a considerable quantities of minerals to elaborate the copper.

The fond used for copper industry survival provided by an agreement signed with NEBEX company, marked the value of $2,5 milion.

According to its specialists, the begining of the new year 1999, is going to find Albcopper company completely transformed into a commercial company, where all the economic activities will be based on the rules of market economy./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Government approves decisions on country's development

The Ministry of Information reports that it was approved the decision on the procedures for the privatization of the National Commercial Bank.

It was also postponed to 30 June 1999 the deadline for the use of the air and sea space in the Republic of Albania by NATO.

This meeting also approved the decision on the increase of the superannuation of the town by 10 per cent, while the pension for the disabled persons by 15 per cent.

Some 258 440 pensioners who receive superannuation, 28 800 disabled persons and more than 51 000 family pensions will profit from this increase. /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Dollar as aginst 140.2 lek

The following are the rates of the foreign currencies against the Albanian currency:

Currency	Rate
USD		140.20
DM		 83.80
LIT(1000)	 83.60
GRD(100)	 49.20

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Euro-Atlantic integration process needs participation of everyone

This meeting, which was also attended by the Albanian PM, Pandeli Majko, mainly focused on the presentation and discussion of ideas of the platform, which will issue the strategies of Albania's integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. The meeting also defined the main directions of the work of the Inter Ministerial Committee for the Euro-Atlantic Integration for the future.

This Committee is a structure created recently with the decision of the Council of Ministers and aims at accelerating the country's integration into the above structures.

"The integration process in the Euro-Atlantic structures is a long process which starts from the common citizens," Lakrori told a news conference.

Lakrori was optimist regarding the establishment of this Inter Ministerial Committee, which will be an active informer of the public opinion for the elements of the integration process in the Euro-Atlantic structures.

"The integration process needs time and the engagement of all, because it is evident the change between our parameters and of the other countries, member in these structures," stressed the State Secretary for the European Integration, Maqo Lakrori. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian President Meidani highlights cooperation between Albania and Greece in military field

President Meidani, the press and information office of the President reported, thanked the Greek guest for the assistance of Greece in the field of training and the logistic of the Albanian army over the process of its rehabilitation in the past years. He considered as very important the cooperation between the two countries in the military field contributing to the stability in the region.

After expressing the readiness of the Greek party to continue its contribution to assist the Albanian army, the Greek Minister asked to know the opinion of President Meidani on the issue of Kosove. In this respect, Meidani said that he saw the solution to the status of Kosove in "the better combination of the principle of self-determination and the principle of the territorial integrity."

President Meidani highlighted the resolution on Kosove adopted by the Albanian Parliament and voiced the conviction that a good combination and without delay of the acts by two organizations, OSCE in the implementation of the Holbrooke-Milosevic agreement for the removal of the Serb army from Kosove, etc,. and NATO will favour a quick settlement of the question of Kosove.

Mr Xohaxopullos shared the same opinion with President Meidani for the delayed international action in Kosove, for the role of NATO there, and guaranteed him that "Greece will convey these views in all the organizations where it takes place." /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] "We fully support Majko government" - says Melo

Melo, in a report to ATA, rejected the statement of Goci by considering it personal and said that it had nothing to do with any decision taken by this party.

"We are and will remain in the government coalition. The HRUP will support the government of PM Majko and will use all its efforts to cooperate and cope with the problems that the country is going through," declared Melo.

Melo said that he had not discussed about this with any of the HRUP deputies and such an issue like "this is the end of the coalition," has been never discussed in the presidency of this party.

"We were all surprised and the meetings held today with the HRUP representatives rejected the statement of Goci," stated Melo.

According to Melo, the HRUP has put forward the problem of the institutionalization of the coalition, which means, as he said, that "we are concerned for a better functioning of the coalition so that it will fulfill its tasks." /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Taxable income fulfill 98% in 1998

A great progress is done this year compared with the results of the recent years. Although this progress is followed by faulty in the evidence and registration of the subjects and in the job of Taxable Police, as well.

According to the specialists there is a lot to be done in cashing more effectively the taxes in private sectors, following the same way as with the public subjects./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albanians of Kosove must be recognized the right of self-determination without violent changing of borders - Foreign Minister

Besides the topic of bilateral cooperation, a special place in the meeting took the question of Kosove as one of the sharpest issues for the security in the region. Milo underlined that the situation in Kosove is on the verge of the explosion of a conflict with consequences that cannot be forecast. This situation makes necessary the need of a diplomatic intervention accompanied with the diplomacy of the use of force by international organizations, especially by NATO.

Albanian minister stressed that a lasting settlement must be found for Kosove. With regard to a solution for Kosove, the Albanian Government, he stressed, insists in a political formula to be based on the principles of the Helsinki Charter, hence that the Albanians be recognized the right for self-determination without violent changing of the internationally- recognized borders.

The Greek Minister, Xohaxopullos, voiced the will of the Greek party for the consolidation of bilateral cooperation. He expressed the profound concern for the aggravation of the situation in Kosove and underlined that as a neighboring country Greece will exploit all its possibilities for a peaceful solution of the question of Kosove. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] German Minister of Law assured his Albanian counterpart of bilateral cooperation in field of law

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Chief of OSCE Regional Office in Vlore appointed to another post

This was reported during a ceremony that this Office organized Wednesday in the theater hall of the town on the occasion of the New Year.

Attending this ceremony were intellectuals and personalities of the political and social life in Vlore, the OSCE deputy Ambassador in Albania, Timm Alsen, the local representative of ODHIR, and successor in the head of the regional office, Lino Sciarra. They appreciated the figure and activity of Tenisci in the town of Vlore.

Also, Tenisci came to Vlore in January of 1998 with the experience gained before as representative of the known organization in Bosnia and Croatia.

During the activity in the seaport of Vlore, he enjoyed the respect of the Vlora citizens and of all political forces. In the head of the OSCE Regional Office, he gave a precious contribution for the successful realization of the partial local elections of 21 June, meanwhile that he has become initiator of a series of activities, valuable for the town. He initiated the Donors' International Conference in Vlore and others. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Cooperation programs with Greek army completely realised - minister

Albanian Minister of Defence, Luan Hajdaraga said that the programs of cooperation between the two armies have been completely realised and they are a guarantee to the cooperation in the coming year.

Considering the problem of Kosove as the most complicated issue of the Balkan region, Hajdaraga said that the Albanian Government is based on the principle that this problem must be solved through peaceful means, before it aggravates.

The Greek Defence Minister, Akis Xohaxopullos, after assuring his Albanian counterpart of maximum support in the military field, voiced his concern of the events in Kosove and asked new initiatives to be undertaken by the international factor for the realization of a political settlement for Kosove without any border changes. Dialogue between the parties is the only solution, he added.

Considering the cooperation among the Balkan countries as very important, the Greek minister said that the creation of a multinational force for seven countries of Southeast Europe to be ratified on January 12 in Athens, will have all political and military support. /lh/xh/

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

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