Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-05

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Kosovars' evacuation from Kukes continues

[02] Serbs pound Letaj for third day in succession

[03] Serb artillery shells Padesh

[04] NATO Command in Tirane confirms Apache crash -Two military investigators from Apache base in Berlin arrive in Tirane-

[05] Gjinushi: There is no long-term stability without correct solution of Kosova crisis

[06] Albania is playing a special and very constructive role - Rossin

[07] Dornan: Apache helicopter crash will not hinder our operations

[08] Special measures for education of Kosova children in Albania

[09] Tirane currency rate

[10] Spain wants to consolidate cooperation with Albania

[11] Austria will continue to support Albania

[12] Tense situation in border villages, Has

[13] Hajdaraga says only continuation of bombardments will force Miloshevic accept NATO deal

[14] A new political mentality must be formed in our region - Meidani

[15] Phare Program 5,2 million ECU support for Albanian agriculture

[16] Only continuous strikes would force Milosevic to accept NATO demands - Albanian Defence Minister

[17] Grieving Kosovars describe new Serb massacre -Based on testimonies of new arrivals in Kukes-

[18] Relations between Albania and Greece are in their best point - Majko

[19] Families joining right even to those who receive pensions in Albania

[20] "Rainbow" mission to collect more than 89 billion lirets

[21] Values of precious metal reach to 2,389 million lek.

[22] EU will start projects on creation of a regional stability, Austrian Chancellor

[23] English group DFID sets up a new refugee camp in Labinot-Fushe

[24] European commissioner to visit Tirana on Saturday

[25] Albpetrol: Crisis freeze oil production of foreign companies

[26] Solution to crisis in Kosova linked to NATO-led troops' presence

[27] Influx of Kosova people to Morina fall

[01] Kosovars' evacuation from Kukes continues

Albanian army and NATO vehicles as well as buses and private vehicles continue the operation for the evacuation of Kosovars from the main square of Kukes to other districts of the country.

According to the prefecture officials, 12 buses left Kukes in early morning, while 30 Albanian army and NATO vehicles are ready to start right after loading Kosovars. Evacuation also continues from camps erected in the town's suburbs.

Around 7 000 other deported Kosovars arrived in Kukes through the Morine border point of Morine one day ago. This has made urgent the evacuation of refugees, most of whom passed the night in the open.

The generally stabilised humanitarian situation in this town risks to be disturbed with an increase of the number of Kosovars, according to a UNHCR official. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Serbs pound Letaj for third day in succession

The Serb artillery on Tuesday afternoon, continued to shell the border area of Letaj village, Has district.

According to the spokesman of the district police station, after 14.00 on Tuesday, the bombardments were intensified and shells also fell near an eight-year school in the centre of Letaj. There have been no casualties as the population of the village has been removed since 10 days ago.

This area is being shelled by the Serb army for three days in succession, and have killed an inhabitant of Zogaj village, Tropoje district.

The chief-editor of Radio Kukes, Besim Cengu, says that "we have removed the TV equipment installed in Qafe Prush because two days ago the Serb artillery targeted them and the shells fell at a distance of two metres, failing to damage them," he said. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Serb artillery shells Padesh

The bombardments have been fierce as the Serb army is trying to take over its border point of Koshare, which has been in the hands of the KLA since one month ago. The shells have also landed inside the Padesh village, but caused no victims.

The Padesh village, 30 metres from the border, with 20 houses, has been emptied from the children and women and is inhabited only by men, as the Serb snipers shoot on anyone beyond the border.

But the men are staying there, along with the border police and forces of the Tropoje brigade. Bread is transported during the night, which is now considered normal. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] NATO Command in Tirane confirms Apache crash -Two military investigators from Apache base in Berlin arrive in Tirane-

The NATO command established in Albania, precisely at Rinas airport, on Wednesday confirmed that a U.S. helicopter AH-4 (Apache), crashed early today.

An officer of the Alliance commander, who is at Rinas, said that an Apache helicopter crashed 75 km northeast of the airport. The two pilots of the helicopter were killed, while the causes of the crash and the names of the two pilots have not been disclosed for investigation reasons.

Meanwhile, two U.S. military investigators have arrived from the Apache base in Berlin for this purpose.

The two pilots are the first NATO military casualties in the Kosova crisis and the first U.S. servicemen to die in the military intervention against Yugoslavia which the Alliance began on March 24.

The spokesman of the U.S. Command in Europe in Stuttgart, Commander Tom van Leunen, had no not further details of the cause of the crash, which occurred in darkness, some 75 km north of Tirana's Rinas Airport.

It was the second Apache crash, since they were deployed in Albania late last month for action in Kosova after a along delay which the United States said was caused by logistics problems, currently overloaded with refugee aid flights.

The first helicopter crashed during a training mission on April 26, north of its base at Tirane airport. The two crewmen managed to escape without serious injuries. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Gjinushi: There is no long-term stability without correct solution of Kosova crisis

Referring to developments in Kosova, Gjinushi said that the deepening of the crisis in Kosova also jeopardizes peace and stability in the region, therefore unless it is correctly resolved, there will be no long-term stability in the region and broader.

Further on, Gjinushi laid the stress on the withdrawal of all the Serb forces from the territory of Kosova and the return of the deported Kosovars to their lands, the Assembly's Press and Information office reports.

He said that this process would necessitate a NATO-led international presence, which, he said, would guarantee not only peace in Kosova but also the stability in Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Any idea of Kosova's partition is absolutely unacceptable, said Gjinushi.

Hailing EU's readiness for a protectorate and programme of development, he said that the presence of NATO and EU in Kosova brings closer the aspiration of the peoples of the region to integrate into these important institutions.

Constandopoulos, supporting a political solution, put emphasis on the return of the refugees and presence of an international force that would guarantee this solution. A wide-ranging autonomy, with adequate political structures would be a solution, he said.

Also present at the meeting was the chairman of the permanent Parliamentary Commission of Public Order and National Information Service (SHIK), Neritan Ceka. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albania is playing a special and very constructive role - Rossin

Mr Lakrori briefed Mr Rossin of the maximal commitment of the Albanian Government in coping with about 400 thousand forcibly evicted Kosovars, actually in Albania.

Mr Rossin highlighted the close cooperation of Albania with NATO and said that this cooperation is the only road of Albania's integration in that structure. They stressed in the meeting the importance of the Albanian political factor in Kosove in order to deal with the genocide and policy of ethnic cleansing of Milosevic and to set up the democratic institutions after the conflict ends in Kosove.

They underscored the importance of coordination of the acts of all countries bordering Yugoslavia not to leave Milosevic any possibility to destabilize the Balkans and to spillover the conflict outside Yugoslavia. Mr Rossin highlighted the stands adopted by the Albanian Government regarding the military incidents on its border, provoked by the Yugoslav army. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Dornan: Apache helicopter crash will not hinder our operations

The command of the NATO forces in Albania on Wednesday confirmed that the crash of a U.S. AH-4 Apache, which killed two pilots, will not hinder the Alliance's plan to use this military weapon in the operation against Milosevic, the spokesman of the NATO forces installed at Rinas airport, Lieutenant-Colonel, Garrie Dornan, told a news conference in the premises of this military base.

As to the causes of the helicopter's crash, Dornan said that they are still unknown, but experts are working to throw light on the mystery. He said that two military investigators have arrived for this purpose from the U.S. military base in Germany.

Referring to the efficiency of the Apache helicopters, Dornan said that they are one of the best weapons of the U.S. army, but stressed that such defects are not unlikely.

"We will persistently continue our training and are waiting for new orders to begin military operations on Yugoslavia. We are prepared for risks as they are part of our work and are proud of the two pilots who gave their life on duty. We condole with their families," he said.

Asked whether civilians have been injures on the site where the helicopter crashed, Colonel Dornan said that "we do not have any information about this".

According to the spokesman, the crash of the helicopter occurred early on Wednesday, at around 01.30 (local time), 75 km northeast of Rinas airport. The helicopter during its crash hit a power line and this has caused serious electric defects on the area on which the incident took place.

The two pilots are the first NATO military casualties in the Kosova crisis and the first U.S. servicemen to die in the military intervention against Yugoslavia which the Alliance began on March 24.

The spokesman of the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Commander Tom van Leunen, had no not further details of the cause of the crash, which occurred in darkness, some 75 km north of Tirana's Rinas Airport.

It was the second Apache crash, since they were deployed in Albania late last month for action in Kosova after a along delay which the United States said was caused by logistics problems, currently overloaded with refugee aid flights.

The first helicopter crashed north of its base at Tirane airport on April 26 while on a training mission. The two crewmen escaped without serious injury. /led/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Special measures for education of Kosova children in Albania

The preliminary assessment by the working group operating close to the Ministry, shows that a total of 1 754 338 dollars is needed for the didactic instruments and the salaries of the teachers in the summer courses envisaged to start by June 15, 1999. Whereas for the new academic year 1999- 2000 a sum of 36 775 150 dollars is needed.

If the study drafted by the Ministry and AEDP is not applied step by step, said Mr Myrto, the teaching program for the Kosova pupils is put to question along with the whole educational process for the new academic year.

According to UNICEF sources, nearly 60 per cent of about 400 thousand Kosova people displaced in Albania, are at school age. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Tirane currency rate

Currency Sold Bought USD 141,2 144,6 DM 76,5 80,1 LIT(1000) 77,2 80,9 GRD(100) 45,6 47,8 EURO 149,6 156,6 /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Spain wants to consolidate cooperation with Albania

"I have come to demonstrate the full will of the Spanish Government and of all Spanish society to consolidate the bilateral cooperation in all the fields and to express a more active solidarity for the grave humanitarian situation. I also express the support of Spain for the correct solution of the question of Kosove," said the Spanish Minister of Defence.

President Meidani expressed his evaluation for the concrete commitment of Spain in facilitating the humanitarian situation in our country and stressed the will for an all-sided consolidation of the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.

By encouraging the Spanish presence in Albania and the request for the opening of the embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Tirane, Meidani underscored the role of that state over the past two years in the relations of Albania.

Meidani encouraged the completion of the legal infrastructure of the bilateral cooperation and encouraged the ministers Serre and Hajdaraga for the signing as soon as possible of the agreement of cooperation in the field of defence.

The Spanish Minister stressed the determination of his country to crown with success the NATO operations for the solution of the crisis in Kosove and the establishment of peace in the region. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Austria will continue to support Albania

Klina congratulated the Austrian military troops for their help given to thousands of Kosovars forcibly driven away by the Serb police and military forces.

Klima said that the Austrian government will grant more aid for the displaced Kosovars settled in Albania, including here even aid for families accommodating dislocated Kosovars.

Albanian Deputy Premier, Ilir Meta, speaking on the name of the Albanian government thanked the Austrian people and government for the contribution given in this very tense situation for Albania.

Chancellor Klima payed a visit in the grounds of the camp and held a meeting with some of the displaced Kosovars.

During the meetings with the leaders of Shkoder local government, Chancellor Klima promised that the aid of Austrian government for the Kosovars will be increased, and the camp will be afterwards used to help the inhabitants of this area. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Tense situation in border villages, Has

He reported that reinforced military-police Serb forces are seen in the vicinity of the border.

Ukberakj added it is actually impossible to enter the village of Letaj because the Serb snipers shoot at anyone at anytime. Such a situation has urged the inhabitants of this area to abandon the border villages and leave for other places.

Several incidents are reported during the recent days in the villages of Pogaj commune. A youth is shot dead in the village of Letaj and the successive shells of Serb military forces have rendered tenser the situation in the border region.

Golaj commune comprises 9 villages and has almost half of the border line of Has district. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Hajdaraga says only continuation of bombardments will force Miloshevic accept NATO deal

Hailing the actions of NATO-led forces for destroying Miloshevi� military machine, Hajdaraga said that only the continuation of NATO bombardments will force Miloshevi� accept all NATO conditions, which are the only solution for regional stability". He pointed out that "NATO is now performing a great peace mission".

Spanish Defence Minister, Serra, highlighted that "the principle issue is to win the operation, and such a thing will mean fulfilment of all NATO conditions". Serra added that "the alliance is unique in its stand. We will continue to combat in all directions to defeat Miloshevi� as soon as possible".

In this meeting Albanian Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga, set forth the necessity of signing a cooperation memorandum in the military field between Albania and Spain. Giving a positive response to the proposal, Serra added that this cooperation will pave the way to other cooperations with reciprocal interest. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] A new political mentality must be formed in our region - Meidani

Albanian President stressed that Belgrade must receive clear signals and approaches of determination from all the sides telling him that there is no time to lose with a partial solution which costs human lives. He stressed once more that an international force with NATO in its basis is the only element of security for the return of the displaced Kosovars to their homes.

President Meidani also stressed the need for the creation of new equilibriums for the stability, security and especially for the economic development of the region.

Mr Constandopoulos considered positive the fact that in the present situation of the crisis in the region, Albania and Greece are having a very high level of mutual cooperation. He pointed out the stance of his party for the indispensable need of halting all the phenomena related to the war and its consequences, for the return of all Kosovars under the security of an international force, which he saw under the U.N. umbrella. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Phare Program 5,2 million ECU support for Albanian agriculture

This program foreseen to divide this fund in two fields, in agriculture and fishing respectively by 2,5 million ECU and 2,7 million ECU.

The accorded fund for agriculture of 2,5 million ECU will be divided further into 1 million ECU in veterinary, 0,6 million ECU in food control, 0,7 million ECU in Adviser Unit and 0,2 million in different projects./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Only continuous strikes would force Milosevic to accept NATO demands - Albanian Defence Minister

Expressing his thanks for the operations of all NATO armies to ruin the war machine of Milosevic, Hajdaraga said that only continuous strikes would open the way to talks and will force Milosevic to accept all NATO conditions which are the only solution for the regional stability. "NATO is now carrying out a great mission of peace," he stressed.

The Spanish minister said that "the fundamental question is to win the operation which means fulfilment of all the conditions set by NATO." In this respect, all NATO members are ready to make something, he pointed out.

"The Alliance is unique in its approach" Serra continued further on. "We will continue to work in all directions so that to make Milosevic surrender as soon as possible."

Minister Hajdaraga presented to his Spanish counterpart the need of a memorandum of cooperation to be reached in the military field, and which would institutionalize the cooperation started between the two armies. After a positive response to the proposal, Minister Serra added that the cooperation will open the way also to other cooperation of mutual interest. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Grieving Kosovars describe new Serb massacre -Based on testimonies of new arrivals in Kukes-

Shukri Abazi, entering Albania late on Tuesday, says that a line of 20.000 people sluggishly coming towards the Albanian border were halt near Smerkovice prison, Vushtri city.

Serb military forces distracted more than 200 people from the group, mainly youths, and afterwards they allowed the rest to continue the road towards the Albanian border.

Abazi said that they heard gun shots as they continued the way to Albania. Kosovars arriving later in Morine pass said that "entire families are executed in Studine".

According to Abazi, 27 males of Krasniqi family, Suareke, are caught by Serb forces and nothing is known about them. Other members of this family passed the border and are sheltered in Albania. /y.pa/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Relations between Albania and Greece are in their best point - Majko

According to the spokesman of the Prime Minister, Majko stressed that "we will never say no to the Kosova refugees of war who will come to Albania, and not only those coming directly from Kosove but also those coming from Macedonia and Montenegro. This is our unchangeable stance."

PM Majko said that the relations between Albania and Greece are in their best time and that there is not any open problem between the two countries.

Mr Constandopoulos said that Albania has the solidarity of Greece in the efforts to cope with the influx of war refugees of Kosova. "We reckon that they must return to their homes and this act must be secured by an international presence in Kosove," he said. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Families joining right even to those who receive pensions in Albania

The Italian Consulate facilitates the persons who receive pensions in Albania to join their relatives in Italy, which was not allowed before.

After the assignment of the employment agreement about 3 000 persons per year moved to Italy.

Recently the Italian Consulate in Tirana agrees to give the legal right of employment beside the Albanian citizens even to the Kosova comers in Albania.

Italian Embassy encouraged the cooperation of the Albanian structures of the Local Government aiming at experience exchange and taking care of Albanian immigrants./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] "Rainbow" mission to collect more than 89 billion lirets

ON Tuesday is made possible the opening of a fund of more than 13 billion lirets from the collected sum.

The aim of the humanitarian mission, announced by the Italian Government, is to assist and support the Kosova Albanians to enter in Albania.

According to the figures announced by the Italian Government, the total collected sum for this humanitarian mission is nearly 88 billion lirets. The total value marked at the end of April was 86 billion lirets.

The total value given by the Italian Government to the humanitarian mission "Rainbow" is nearly 65 billion lirets, which in the end of June it will reach to 134 billion lirets./led/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Values of precious metal reach to 2,389 million lek.

Golden and silver are estimated according to the fixed rate of London market December 31, 1998. The total golden administrated by the Albanian Bank is nearly 54,899.474 onze Golden.

The value of golden and precious metals increased in 1998 by 191 million lek compared with the value marked in 1997. This year their value is 2,580 million lek.

According to the sources of Tirana Bank this decrease is a result of weaking the estimation Rate of the golden. One onze golden costs 289.2 dollar in 1997.

On the contrary with the way used previous years the revaluation of golden and silver is done monthly, instead of annually or once in two years./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] EU will start projects on creation of a regional stability, Austrian Chancellor

"Our attempts should be concentrated in the drafting of plans for a political and economical stability in the region, and they (attempts) should support especially Albania which is undergoing a very tense situation", Klima told the journalists immediately after a briefing with the Albanian Premier, Pandeli Majko.

Austrian Chancellor Klina added also that "Austria is working hard in drafting and financing the long-term plans for the Balkan". /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] English group DFID sets up a new refugee camp in Labinot-Fushe

Gezim Jazexhiu, a specialist of the "Euro project" company, told ATA that the French military group, and DFID group in cooperation with the Albanian companies "Euro Project", "Eurobeton" and aqueduct enterprise, are setting up this new camp.

The total amount of investments used to be used for building up this camp is $ 32 000. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] European commissioner to visit Tirana on Saturday

Press office of the European Commission in Tirana said that Bonino was expected to hold a news conference in this center. /ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Albpetrol: Crisis freeze oil production of foreign companies

But the current situation of Kosova crisis the loses in the Albanian oil sector are great due to the fall of the research intensity and the discovering of new oil wills, for which the foreign companies promised great investments. No increase of the oil production till the end of the crisis.

In these calculations are taken into consideration the fulfilment of the last years.

Restarting of the wills out of use for a longtime will affect in the quantity of oil and gas production.

Oil company Albpetrol planned this year to increase the oil production but the situation freeze the production of the foreign companies as well.

If this increase of the production would be possible Albpetrol will benefit considerable incomes, because the production quantity of the foreign oil companies was planned to be more than 53 000 tonnes./dast/linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Solution to crisis in Kosova linked to NATO-led troops' presence

"Austria and the whole international community give full support to Albanian people and government in helping them cope with the tremendous crisis," Austrian chancellor said.

President Meidani briefed the guest on Albania's position, which is in full compliance with NATO and European Union as regards a solution to the crisis in Kosova, which Meidani considered closely linked with the establishment of NATO-led international troops as the only guarantee for a climate of security to enable return of displaced people to their houses in Kosova.

Meidani, responding to the interest of the chancellor Klima, gave a full panorama on future developments in Kosova which are linked with the presence of international bodies for the establishment of democratic institutions and rehabilitation of life there. He expressed reservation on a possible political and diplomatic solution with Milosevic as side in agreement and considered the present Belgrade leaders and the dictatorial regime responsible for what is happening in Kosova and the Balkan region.

President Meidani was assured on the Austrian support as regards the intensification of cooperation between Albania and the European Union and both senior officials praised the role of the international community for the future of Albania and the whole region. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Influx of Kosova people to Morina fall

They were mainly from Gjakova and Prizren. Some thousands Kosovars have been evacuated from Kukes to other districts by 12 buses and some NATO and Albanian military vehicles.

A UNHCR official said that the evacuation was a necessity due to high temperature and frequent Serbian provocations in the border. He said that they would persuade the displaced people not to hesitate for the evacuation. /lh/ak/

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