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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-28Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Vangjel Toci, one of pioneers of Albanian archaeology diesDURRES, Jan.28 (ata) - By G Kabashi: One of the pioneers of Albanian archaeology, Old Scientific Collaborator, Vangjel Toci, 79, passed away last Wednesday in Durres.Five years ago, by decision of the municipal council of Durres, Toci was awarded the title "The pride of the city" while his title "Great master of Labour" by the President of Albania was to be given to him in a matter of days. Vangjel Toci has the indisputable merit for the creation, right after liberation, of most of the cultural institutions in the district of Durres. In September 1945, after gathering from Durres families 5 thousand of books, he founded the first public library of the city. As the years passed, the ethnographic museum, the art gallery, scores of museums and cultural centres in district villages, do bear the seal of his untiring work. Vangjel Toci did not only establish the archaeological museum of the city, but he is also the explorer of most important monuments of Durres set up 2626 years ago. The ancient theater, dated back at 1st-2nd centuries of our era, the thermal public baths of that period, the mosaics of Hippocampus, etc. and above all the mosaic of "The Durres Lass" of the 4th-3d centuries uncovered from him make Toci for Durres as was the famous Schliemann, who uncovered the ruins of Troja. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Trial against 24 Albanians from Rahovec held in PrizrenPRISHTINE, Jan.28 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Serb court of Prizren started judicial process against 24 Albanians caught by Serb forces last summer in the region of Rahovec while they were leaving their homes to escape shelling in their areas.As it has been reported, over 1 000 Albanians are expected to be tried by Serb courts under charges of terrorism. The series of these processes has started in Prishtine with the trial against 26 Albanians of Ferizaj, which is still continuing. /p.ta/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Fruitful talks between KLA and Ambassadors Hill and Petric - KrasniqiTIRANE, Jan.28 (ata) - The Kosove Liberation Army spokesman Jakup Krasniqi described as one of the "most fruitful" the talks held in Dragobil yesterday between the KLA and Ambassadors Hill and Petric. "After the meeting of Likoc in which an agreement was reached for the exchange of war robbers and in which a great understanding was attained with international factors, a working friendly and constructive meeting was also held yesterday mainly on a political solution to the question of Kosove," said Krasniqi, cited by Kosovapress Agency. Krasniqi considered it as "one of the most fruitful meetings of that level."The main topic of the meeting, were, according to Krasniqi, the ways of finding a common language between political and military subjects in Kosove. The talk covered also the possibility of a provisional solution to the political status of Kosove, said Krasniqi. He added that the talks were rather general and were directly related with the possible future status of Kosove, underlining that this status is rather complex and that talks will continue also in the future. /p.ta/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Kiosks trading books be placed near bus stationsTIRANA, Jan 28 (ATA) - By E. Nepravishta: Removal of kiosks from main roads in Tirana at the framework of operation for tidy and cultural Tirana which started at the end of last year and is continuing now will include the kiosks trading books.Permanent commission charged with the operation discussed in its latest meeting in the Prefecture of Tirana how to find ways to trade the books. The meeting said that kiosks trading books should be placed near bus stations where there are a lot of people. But a final decision is still to be taken, a prefecture spokesman said to ATA. Book dealers, who have been near the Albanian reader and have met their demands, should relax because the commission is dealing with that problem. /s.s/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Cigarette factory in Durres closedDURRES, Jan 28 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: Cigarette factory was closed because the production was suspended and the workers were given annual leave, Josif Sollaku, factory director, said to ATA.Sollaku said that sales were reduced to minimum during last year and everything had remained stock. The main cause of closure, according to the director, is the dishonest competition in the cigarette market because lot of them are smuggled to Albania. Sollaku said that if no measures were taken to protect the domestic production, the factory would go bankrupt. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Albanian president hails IMF contribution in economic developmentTIRANA, Jan 28 (ATA) - President of Albania Rexhep Meidani praised on Thursday the contribution of International Monetary Fund (IMF) in economic developments in Albania.President Meidani thanked outgoing representative of the IMF mission in Tirana John King for his contribution and that of the IMF in economic developments in Albania, press office at the presidency said. Present at the meeting was also the oncoming IMF representative Mr. Treikel. Meidani and IMF representatives discussed possibilities of boosting production abilities, foreign investments in an increasingly positive economic environment despite the instability in the region. /s.s/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Massive fleeing of inhabitants after fighting in PodujevaPRISHTINE, Jan 28 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari quoted sources of the Human Rights Council saying that the number of Albanians who fled the attacked areas in Podujeva was estimated over 25.000 and most of them were under open skies.People of Sferke and Dush of Kline were being sheltered in mountains due to the movement of Serb military armoured forces, sources on the ground said. After fighting between Serb forces and Kosova Liberation Army, which continued until late at night, ambulances had been seen rushing wounded Serb troops to the hospital of Podujeva which was under police control, sources from the council said. The same sources said that Serb inhabitants had also fled the house and been accommodated in eight-year school in Podujeva which was under police control. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Tirana currency rateTIRANA, Jan 25 (ATA) - By L. Thanasi: Following are the buying and selling rates of the foreign currencies against Lek in the Bank of Tirana.USD 140.30 DM 82.70 LIT(1000) 83.00 GRD(100) 49.70 EURO 160.23/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Turkish association offers aid to Kosova peopleSHKODER, Jan 28 (ATA) - By M. Malja: Turkish humanitarian association IHH is distributing aid for one thousand Kosova people who have been sheltered in Shkodra.The aid includes food and winter clothing which have been collected by the "Drita" Cultural association in the city. This is the first time the IHH association is providing aid for Kosovars in Shkodra. Other association such as "El Relief" Islamic association, German, Italian and Norwegian Caritas and the Albanian Red Cross, have also provided aid for them. Some 3 100 Kosova people out of 4600 arriving through the Vermosh border crossing last September have been accommodated in Shkodra. 2.100 of them are sheltered in four accommodation centers in the city. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] NGO-s present new projects for 1999TIRANA, Jan 28 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: Non-government associations and organisations of women have presented new projects for 1999 which are estimated at US$380 000.The chief of the "Woman and Child" committee said that the projects are going to be financed by the Italian Foreign Ministry according to a project worked out by the ministry. A report presenting criteria of application to that project was published in December. The committee should mediate between the women organisations and associations and foreign donors. It has also worked out a strategy on woman which is expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers. During the transition period in Albania, the women have been largely active in problems concerning them and became the initiators of many non- government organisations and associations. Some 64 women organisations and associations operate in Tirana so far, sources said. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Chairman of Albanian Communist Party violatedTIRANE, Jan, 28 (ATA) - By Th.Thanasi: The chairman of the Communist Party, Hysni Milloshi, was hit late on Thursday by three strangers in his dwelling place, in "Qemal Stafa" street, Tirane.The spokesman of the Directory of the Police Prefecture in Tirane, told ATA on Thursday, that 3 unknown persons wearing masks, aged 20-25, knocked on the door of Milloshi apartment, and hit him as soon as he opened the door without pronouncing any word to him. The health situation of Milloshi actually does not create serious life problems, the spokesman said, adding that investigations to whiten the motives of the violation and the authors of this event are being carried out. The Albanian Communist Party, leaded by Milloshi, was excluded from the parliament in 1992. The last year the parliament reinvestigated its decision, and legalized this party. /s.sh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] February 10 - deadline for collection of armsLIBRAZHD, Jan. 28 (ATA) - By H. Balliu: - All the persons possessing illegal arms are to be put under legal procedures after February 10, 1999.This decision was taken in a big meeting hold by the Council of Librazhdi district, where leaders of the local government, political parties, Order and Army took part. The deadline for registration of all these persons who have arms at home will be February 10, Shefki Bahiti, inspector of the section of restoration of order in this coucil, told ATA. During the riots of March 1997, in the depots of the military garrisons of Librazhd district, were robbed 9 000 weapons, millions of riffles, explosive materials, and others. The presence of arms in people's hand has caused tens of victims during the two last years in Librazhd. 10 out of them were children. According to the Chief of the Librazhdi Commissariat, Nuredin Begaj, the number of citizens who have registered the arms taken in the army depots is rather law in comparison with the number of the arms robbed. The police forces have not found the support needed by the local government, political forces and other forces of the communities of the city for collection of arms. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] NATO intervention is very necessary to protect peace in Kosova, DokleTIRANA, Jan. 28 (ATA) - Kosova is the chronicle of a warned war. Milosevic and his political and military group, dominated by the extreme nationalism, are responsible for what happened in Bosnia and what is happening today in Kosova.This was the statement of the Albanian deputy Parliament Speaker, Namik Dokle, in the plenary session on Kosova during the first session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Kosova Albanians only defend their homes, their children, their rights and honor. They cannot be classified as terrorists; this is not fair, stressed Dokle. Today, in Kosova, like in Bosnia yesterday, it is not challenged simply the man as an individual, but the mankind as a community, it is challenged Europe and its democratic institutions, it is challenged and violated the Final Act of Helsinki and its principle for self-determination of peoples, underlined Dokle. Thus, an intervention of NATO is very necessary to defend peace, the human and civil rights and to reach a political accord on Kosova. Kosova, stressed Dokle, should be part of the new Europe and the new Europe is built with its democratic values. "These European values are in danger in Yugoslavia. They should be defended today, because tomorrow it will be late," said the head of the Albanian parliamentary delegation, Namik Dokle. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Will of two people for friendly relations is based on cooperation of both countries, PresidentTIRANA, Jan. 28 (ATA) - The will of the Albanian and Italian people to have friendly relations between them is based on the cooperation of both countries, despite the changes of governing through normal and democratic rotation, Albania President Rexhep Meidani stressed Thursday in the meeting held with the chairman of the Italian National Alliance Party, Gianfranco Fini.President's press and information office reports that referring to the experience of Fini as a journalist, President Meidani underlined the importance of a civilized press in both countries to strengthen this friendship. He familiarized the leader of the Italian opposition with the progress of the electronic mediae in Albania, based on liberal concepts, adopted by the new institutions, which emerged from the June 29 elections, as well as with the work done in the judiciary. Fini expressed his confidence in the role of the Head of the Albanian State for the establishment of a climate of cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition. The viewpoints of both participants were similar in regard to the situation in Kosova and its negative effects in Albania and in the region, as well as about the necessity of finding a peaceful solution. They also shared the same opinion about the temporary status of the Albanians at a federal level, in search of a solution which will resist the time and will be in accordance with the international conventions. Fini expressed the idea that the Albanian legitimate institutions have no responsibility on the conflict in Kosova and considered as necessary the European and Italian support for Albania so that it faces the consequences of this conflict. He voiced the conviction for the readiness of his country to join NATO in case of an intervention in Kosova. President Meidani familiarized the Italian guest with his efforts and those of the Albanian institutions to unite all the Albanian factors in Kosova into a single force, which will have a deliberative function Attending the meeting was also the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Marcelo Spatafora. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Government totally engaged to fight smuggling clandestine traffic - Albanian Premier meets leader of Italian Opposition Party-TIRANE, Jan. 28 (ATA) - By I.Luto: - The Albanian Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, during a meeting he hold on Thursday with the chairman of the Italian "National Alliance" Party, Gianfranko Fini, stressed the necessity of collaboration between the Albanian and Italian police forces in the struggle against illegal traffics."The international traffic has become perfect, and that's the reason why a closer collaboration among our two neighboring countries is needed," Majko said. Albanian Premier spoke about the beginning of investigation on Vlora event, and said that the collaboration between the Italian and the Albanian judiciary for investigating the international smuggling clandestine traffic is a necessity. According to Majko this investigation "will be against all the implied elements in the process". Gianfranko Fini, on his part, considered the idea of blaming Albania as the only responsible country for the international traffic of smuggling clandestines, a psychological moment. Fini expressed his believe that the Albanian government is doing its utmost to struggle the clandestine traffic, and expressed his total solidarity with the Albanian Premier against the accuses addressed to him in some articles of the Italian press. Fini and Majko hold a meeting tete-a-tete with each other, the press office close to the Albanian Premier, reported. Gianfrnco Fini came to Tirane after being invited by his Albanian counterpart, Pandeli Majko and, the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha. He met Thursday morning the Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Return of DP to Parliament depends on dialogue between ruling party and oppositionTIRANA, Jan. 28 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu, I. Luto: The political situation in Albania, the relations between Albania and Italy, as well as the concern for the illegal emigration, were in the focus of the joint new conference, held Thursday by the chairman of the Italian National Alliance Party, Gianfranco Fini, and the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Sali Berisha.Fini appreciated the DP proposal for a national pact for the restoration of order in Albania. "I wish the proposal of Berisha will be estimated by the Albanian government, which should make a step forward towards this cooperation, so necessary in the fight against crime," said Fini. With regard to the illegal traffic of emigrants, Fini said that this phenomenon is creating in Italy a climate of non-confidence for Albania. The chairman of the National Alliance considered the law of the Albanian Parliament for the registration of the navigation vessels under 20 tons as very positive, but urged its concrete implementation by the Albanian government. "We cannot urge the Italian government to stop an illegal traffic, when this traffic is held in the Albanian coasts," he said. With regard to the position of the Democratic Party in the Albanian life, especially in Parliament, Fini stressed that the DP stand towards this institution will depend on the dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition. "If such a dialogue will be fruitful and in the climate of cooperation, I hope that DP will offer its assistance in this institution. But if the Albanian government will turn a deaf ear to the demands of the opposition, such a decision will be difficult," said Fini. During his visit in Tirana, Fini also held talks with the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani and the Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Serb forces attack again Podujeve regionPRISHTINE, Jan. 28 - ATA correspondent, Behlul Jashari, reports: The Serb forces have bombed and shelled towards the village of Llaprashtice and Kosova Liberation Army positions in Podujeve region.The situation continues to be very tense. The Serb forces, positioned mainly in a front-line 25 kilometers long, situated between the villages Lup� and Peran, continue to bomb. No casualties are reported so far. Sources from the Council of Protection of Human Rights, said that the shootings have continued during the whole night, while sources from the OSCE Verifying Mission reported that two persons, KLA members, were shot dead and two Serb polices were wounded in Bishtazhin, in the vicinity of Gjakove on Wednesday. Sources from Suareka report that an Albanian is badly wounded by the mines the Serb forces settled in Draga�ine. Serb reinforces were seen today in the vicinity of Suareke, in Prishtine-Prizren road. /lh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Place of criminals is in trial, not in table of talks, ArbourSTRASBOURG, Jan. 28 (ATA) - By D. Dizdari: The place of criminals should be in trial and not in the table of talks, chief prosecutor of the war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Louise Arbour, told Thursday the Assembly of the Council of Europe."If there are criminals who are responsible for crimes in Kosova, their place is in the tribunal and not in the table of talks," said Arbour. To the Canadian chief attorney, the events of Racak have presented again the issue of non respecting the demands of the international community. "The wider concept of the peace process and the search for a negotiated solution in Kosova do not have any chance to be successfully crowned as long as there is no justice to accompany the operation," said Arbour, who was not allowed to enter Kosova last week by the Yugoslav authorities. According to Arbour, "what happened in Recak, shows again that any massacre which is not investigated leads to terrible manipulation of the truth, which reduces the lack of people's confidence on the authorities." "Any massacre, which is not condemned, instigates hatred, feeling of revenge and further complicates the peace process, which is in reality a very difficult task," stressed Arbour during the debate on the crisis in Kosova, held in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Veterinary experts attend Balkan conferenceTIRANA, Jan 27 (ATA) - By E. Xhajanka: Albanian experts of veterinary are attending a Bulgaria conference of the heads of veterinary service in the Balkan to discuss the creation of a Balkan veterinary committee and working groups of veterinary experts.Present at the conference are representatives from Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Romania, Macedonia and Yugoslavia who discussed exchange of information in veterinary, fight against disease in livestock on basis of standards of the International Epizootic Organisation (OIE). Dragush Mati, chief of the veterinary section in the Agriculture Ministry, said to ATA that the Albanian experts briefed the participants on the health situation of animals in Albania during 1998, epizootic diseases, and veterinary control. They decided that the next meeting be held in autumn this year in Athens. /lh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] IMF approves Albanian govt. macroeconomic, financial activityTIRANA, Jan 27 (ATA) - Executive board of the International Monetary Fund approved on Wednesday, in its meeting on Albania, an agreement of intent to deliver the second tranche of aid to Albania in the framework of the ESAF-2 agreement.The Ministry of Finance said to ATA later on Wednesday that the Executive Board considered the work of the Albanian government in the second six-month period of 1998 and in January 1999 and concluded that: Economic development in Albania had been in conformity with the aims of the bilateral program; the agreed quotas on domestic inflation and budget deficit for 1998 were observed. Progress was also recorded in structural aspects. Albanian parliament approved a budget at the end of December 1998 respecting the aims of the program. In December 1998, parliament approved a law on privatisation of National Commercial Bank. Quotas on number of employees of the state administration had been observed. Progress was recorded in privatization process of small and medium enterprises. Close cooperation with foreign auditors of the pyramid firms was recorded and the compensation of creditors would be made within limits of their assets. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] World Bank gives 83.9 million USD for rehabilitation of irrigation facilities in AlbaniaTIRANE, Jan.27 (ata) - By E Xhajanka: Rehabilitation of irrigation facilities in Albania continues to absorb thousands of dollars. Sources from the project for the water management, PMU, reported to ATA that for 1994-2005 period, the World Bank has accorded in principle 83.9 million USD for the "Rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage projects in Albania."For the first project which has started in 1994 and is near completion, 42 million USD have been invested. According to the director of the project, Ylli Dedja, out of 73 thousand hectares planned for the improvement of irrigation system, 93 thousand hectares were rehabilitated. Whereas 199 thousand hectares which need to be drained 118 thousand hectares were rehabilitated. The cost of rehabilitation was reduced from 470 USD per hectare to 390 USD per hectare for the irrigation and from 190 USD per hectare to 140 USD per hectare in draining. An investment of 42 million USD is envisaged in the second project which will start this year and will continue until 2005. For the first stage, 5 million USD will be invested, 15 million are allocated for in the second stage and will be furnished by IDA, branch of the World Bank. The rest, 22 million USD, will be funded by other donors. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Parliament approves law on "People's Advocate"TIRANE, Jan. 28 (ATA) - By Ylli Pata: The Albanian Parliament approved the law on "People's Advocate",law proposed by the government on the plenary session hold today. The law is a new institution which is to investigate people's complains against the state organs and the other institutions, where violations of the rights of the individual are encountered.The Commission adopted too the law on "The processing and transport of oil and its sub-products". The chairman of the Order Parliamentary Commission, Neritan Ceka, asked to make a protest in the name of the Parliament for a campaign of the Italian opposition press and of some parties in the Parliament of this state, which present Albania as a mafia place which does not merit the Italian aid. /lh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Albania signs Penal Convention on CorruptionTIRANA, Jan. 28 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: Albania signed Thursday the Penal Convention on Corruption, by giving an important political signal for its will for the European integration.Press office close to the Foreign Ministry reported that this Convention was signedfor the Albanian party by the Minister of Justice, Thimjo Kondi. The current President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and Foreign Minister of Hungary, also took the floor in the plenary session, who stressed that the solution of the Kosova crisis remains one of the priorities of the general policy of the Council of Europe. He urged the CoE to put into use its resources to help the solution of this crisis as soon as possible. lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] Govt. adopts a series of ecenomic decisionsTIRANA, Jan. 28 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: Under the direction of the Albanian Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, the government meeting was held Thursday, which examined several important decisions.The Ministry of Information reported to ATA that the decision for the preparation of the project for the development of the southern seaside worth 12 million dollars was discussed in principle. The Council for Policies of Development and Tourism is charged for the coordination of work and preparation of this project. It was also approved the decision, according to which, the calculation of the solidarity tax will be made according to the fixed wage, without the augmentations that are permanent. The government also approved the establishment of the board for the institutional reform and that of public administration, as well as for the organization and functioning of the Commission of Civil Service. The government meeting adopted the decision for an augmentation to the budget funds worth 5 million and 100 000 lek for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, which will be used by Albafilm Studio and Albafilm Animation, until the moment when these institutions will turn into share-holding company. Also the government approved the decision which defined the procedure for the delivery of the funds of the group Commodity Aid worth 22 billion Italian liras, which will be done according to the procedures of the World Bank. This credit will be used to import in Albania the Italian goods and services. /lh/mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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