Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-11-08

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Court sends to jail child kidnappers

[02] Exchange rates in Tirana

[03] Selection of garbage, new method to have Tirana clean

[04] Foreign funds on health sector in Kruje

[05] Handicapped women together in an exhibition

[06] Draft law on Constitutional Court details its functioning

[07] Albanian weight lifters in World Championship in Greece

[08] 566 new buildings constructed in six months - INSTAT

[09] DP supports cooperation of political forces in Kosova with UN

[10] Canada offers 100 million dollars on Kosova and Balkan reconstruction

[11] Kent Bank, IFC and EBRD work together on privatization of National Commercial Bank

[12] Foreign illegal emigrants intercepted

[13] Ministry of Finances presents for approval budget project 2000

[14] Albanian Energy Corporate imports 5 Mln KVH per day to meet electric energy needs

[15] Peace Bell arrives in Elbasan

[16] Some 176,999 pensions for rural inhabitants

[17] NATO is a powerful partner of Albania

[18] Albanian, Prishtine universities increase cooperation

[19] Police sequesters a motorboat at Vlore seashore

[20] Money market in Albania on the right track

[21] Fall of Berlin Wall turned over new leaf in world history - Meta

[22] No unfundable fees for transition of humanitarian aid and personal belongings

[01] Court sends to jail child kidnappers

Elidon Laze, Ridvan Leraj and Samir Osmani have admitted the charge of kidnaping Xhelaj, sources from the investigation group told ATA on Monday.

The police is on the track of another individual who may be the main person of this happening which was the "epicenter" of the public opinion in the Southern coastal city for several days.

Denis Xhelaj, 6, was kidnaped on October 24 close to his house, in the vicinity of the city's center. After 10 days of continuous research, the police managed to intercept the building where he was kept in, and freed him during an action, in cooperation with the district police. During this action were also captured the three persons who together with a fourth one held the kid to ransom of 2.5 million leks. /s.sh./so/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Exchange rates in Tirana

Foreing currency exchange rates

Currency Buying Selling US$ 134,8 135

DM 72,5 72,8 ITL (1000) 72,9 73,2 GRD (100) 42,7 43,0 /led/so/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Selection of garbage, new method to have Tirana clean

"We have started selectioning the garbage, placing them in various containers according to its composition," said the director of public works in the city hall of Tirana, Lulezim Qinami. But, he added, a problem is that the containers are not sufficient to carry out this job properly.

Selection of garbage, thus their division according to their composition elements (plastic, paper, metal, etc.,) is one of the contemporary methods being followed in the world, to make easier their later processing.

But a great role in this direction, both in the world and in Albania, plays the level of consciousness of the population in this regard, because the selection of garbage will be made by they themselves.

The cleaning of Tirana, although two foreign firms have been working for this in the recent years, continues to be one of the greatest communal problems of the capital.

The specific quantity of the daily garbage in the capital amounts to 0.8 kg per capita, a figure which is equal with that in developed countries, in which a more organized and strict service exists for the garbage clearing. /xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Foreign funds on health sector in Kruje

International Medical Company (IMC) has delivered 10 million lek for the rehabilitation of the out patient clinic in Kruja while with a fund of 6 million lek, IMC had previously delivered, the maternity hospital in Fushe Kruje is in the final stage of its reconstruction.

On the basis of the study this company has made on the situation of the medical institutions in the villages and hospitals of the district, projects have been outlined for the rehabilitation and their furnishing with the necessary equipment.

The Dutch humanitarian association, AHA, has provided a fund of 6 million lek for the outpatient clinic of Fushe-Kruje. While the Dutch humanitarian foundation, RUP, brought an electric generator worth 120 thousand dollars for the hospital of Kruja. It is also making preparations for the rehabilitation of the maternity hospital in that city and its furnishing with equipment estimated as high as 10 million lek. /led/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Handicapped women together in an exhibition

This exhibition is the forth of this kind organized during the last four months by the handicapped women of Durres, who work together since one year under the supervision of the associations' council which offer social services.

The exhibition was opened in the cinema-hall of the Youth Center of Durres and comprises about 140 different works, all artisanal.

The greatest part of the exhibition works, highly appreciated by the public, was bought by the visitors, while the works of the former exhibition were also bought by the Italian militaries of AFOR contingent and of the 28th maritime Group.

"The success of the first exhibition encouraged the opening of a new one, which aims at the real and morale integration of this part of the society into the everyday life", the coordinator of these associations, Bajana Ceveli, told ATA. /so/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Draft law on Constitutional Court details its functioning

"Since not all the procedures that this court should follow for the period when it examins the questions are determined in the Constitution, an organic law is needed to precise the procedures to be followed by the Constitutional Court," said the chairwoman of the Law Commission, Zamira Caka.

The participants in the meeting discussed and listened to suggestions and remarks by the specialists of the Venice Commission on the draft.

The outlining and examining of the draft law is a constitutional obligation. From 1992-1998, this court has worked without a law of its own. The law of 1998 has been inadequate. At present, there is a separate chapter in the Constitution dealing with the constitutional court, the main principles of its organisation and functioning, the subject, the way of the election of its members and who has the right to put this court into motion. /led/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albanian weight lifters in World Championship in Greece

The best Albanian weight lifters will take part in the World Championship, due on November 18, in Greece.

Eight best weight lifters for the respective weights have conducted a two week training in Bulgaria, sponsored by the World Federate of Weight Lifting. On Monday they left for Greece to participate in another training before the World Championship begins.

Albanian weight lifters hope to reach high results in this important international activity, which would make possible their qualification in the Olympic Games of Sidney 2000. /led/so/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] 566 new buildings constructed in six months - INSTAT

The fund earmarked for these buildings was nearly 6.1 billion lek. The greatest number in these buildings is taken by homes, amounting to 337 covering an area of 82353 square meters and with a fund envisaged to be about 2.59 billion lek.

Over January-June, 1999, period, 110 trade buildings have been built in an area of 17 335 square meters and a fund envisaged to be nearly 172,8 million lek. Some 24 industrial buildings have been constructed in a zone of 18301 square meters and with a fund of about 220 million lek.

In the mean time, the number of new hotels set up over the first half of 1999 is six, covering an area of 2100 square meters and with a fund envisaged to be 77,5 million lek. /led/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] DP supports cooperation of political forces in Kosova with UN

During the meeting that Arbnori had with Kadri Bala, the charge d'affaires of the Republic of Kosova in Tirane, they discussed the democratic developments in Kosova and the importance of strengthening the institutions in Kosova after the NATO force intervention there.

Arbnori stressed that his party will not spare its assistance in this direction. /led/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Canada offers 100 million dollars on Kosova and Balkan reconstruction

The new program of Canadian Government will be focused on humanitarian assistance, the way of governing, life democratization, humanity rights, dismining actions, support for the investigations on war crimes, assistance in treating the police forces in peace keeping process and combating the organized crime.

Canada will encourage the friendship and peace process in region through the use of humanity and financial sources.

Canadian Government is working to open a new office in Pristine to coordinate the implementation of these initiatives and to establish connections with international organizations set up in conformity with the Resolution 1224 of UN Security Council.

This program consists of a number of projects in support of the infrastructure, educational system, main health needs, etc.

These new initiatives are undertaken in context of Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe. /led/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Kent Bank, IFC and EBRD work together on privatization of National Commercial Bank

The spokesman of the Ministry of Finances explained that the talks between the state owner of National Commercial Bank, Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli and the buyers group of the Bank, respectively Kent Bank, IFC and EBRD have started on Monday.

The experts groups of the three main rivals on buying the share- certificates of National Commercial Bank will stay in Albania for a week and will talk with Minister Angjeli about the last terms concerning the selling of this bank.

After the end of the talks the three pretenders on National Commercial Bank shares will monitor the bank for two months in succession. During this period Kent Bank, IFC and EBRD will follow from near the bank activity. /dast/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Foreign illegal emigrants intercepted

They were intercepted during a police control on the Tirane-Vlore train. The illegal emigrants, seven Kurds and 12 others, who lacked the respective documents, were bond to Vlore from Tirane. They were later taken to the local police station for further verifications.

Meanwhile, during a control along the coastal area of Vjosa river outlet, police blocked a speedboat and three vehicles which served illegal smuggling.

This is the second group of illegal emigrants blocked in a week in the region of Fier. Some 21 Kurdish illegal emigrants bound for Italy were blocked in the suburbs of this city several days ago. /dast/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Ministry of Finances presents for approval budget project 2000

Budget project, drafted after several months work in collaboration with International Monetary Fund, will be discussed firstly in Interministerial Committee of Economic Policies and later on in the government meeting. The project, after being approved by the government, will be sent for approval to Parliament.

The financial law of Albanian state for year 2000 will have several priorities.It foresees an increase of some 23% of the tax and custom incomes, compared with the plan 1999 and an increase of 34% of the capital expenditure level financed by domestic and foreign sources, compared with the realization of year 1999.

The operative expenditures are planned to increase by 10% compared with the value marked in 1999.

The salaries increase of the budgetary employees and pensions will continue even in 2000. Starting from July 1, 2000 the salaries and pensions will increase by 8%, while the inflation level will be 3%. The increase of General Domestic Production GDP is foreseen to be 8%.

The deficit financed by the domestic sources is planned to fall to 4% of General Domestic Production, while the cost of domestic debt for year 2000 is foreseen to be some 28,6 billion leks or 18% lower than the figure marked in 1999.

The budget project foresees that the Government will continue the policy of further decentralization of Local Government by creating new spaces in using the funds that the local budget is transferring to local budget. /dast/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian Energy Corporate imports 5 Mln KVH per day to meet electric energy needs

Sources from Albanian Corporate on Monday reported that nevertheless the appeal for saving the electric energy the consumption of energy increases instead to fall. It has started to increase in 2 million Kvh if compared with the value marked some days ago.

Albanian Electric Corporate appeals again for not abusing and misusing the electric energy. The corporate will take new measures on the private and familiar subjects that enter illegally in the network.

The General Director of the Corporate announced for interruption of the electric energy in defined intervals if its consumption will continue to increase, especially at the moment when the levels of the lakes of hydro power stations dropped considerably due to the lack of the rain. /linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Peace Bell arrives in Elbasan

Made of shells collected by children of Zadrime, district of Lexha and nearby zones, the Peace Bell was welcomed by thousands of Elbasan children, by senior authorities of the city's catholic church, local government representative and others.

The representative of "Saint Piu" catholic church, Don Franco Galicia said that "It brought the message of Pope John Paul II, the message of peace, and it transmits as well the message of God for Albanians at the end of this century", said Galicia.

It was cast in Italy and has traveled in 19 cities of Italy. In a part of it are written the words "Peace has got the children's name, let us it just like we serve the children", signed by the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani. On the other side one can read the words "I was born from shells and will toll for the peace of Albanians in the third millennium". /dast/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Some 176,999 pensions for rural inhabitants

The latest data show that pensions for the aged in the countryside which make up the largest part of the pensions' total are for 150,970 persons.

According to statistics of the Institute, also paid in the countryside are invalidity pensions for 4,117 persons, pensions for accidents at work for 384 and family pensions for 21,930. /lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] NATO is a powerful partner of Albania

The contingent of the mission COMMZ(W) in Albania, Communication Zone West, will undertake a powerful operation to back up the KFOR troops in Kosovo to pass the winter season, said Ruth. "The Albanian infrastructure meets the standards for NATO plans to supply and support KFOR logistically", he added.

On the Kosovo issue, Ruth said that NATO troops are working on territory defence, but all the ethnic groups and the whole community living there should cooperate for the future of Kosovo.

The U.S General assured the continuity of cooperation between NATO and Albanian Army in various respects such as mine clearance, infrastructure improvement and qualification of Albanian military staff.

Ruth in his four-day visit in Albania, paid visit at the bases of the Italian troops of "Friuli" Brigade and met the heads of the Albanian Defence. /dast/gs/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albanian, Prishtine universities increase cooperation

Three rectors of Albania's universities will go to Kosova by the end of this week to sign this agreement.

Hafizi said that "the signing of this agreement consists of exchanging experienced university lecturers in pedagogy, organisation of conferences and activities of scientific character as well as in coordinating the work in drafting and implementing joint projects."

The visits and meetings with Kosovar university authorities will also be associated with an exchange of teaching programmes and study plans. /dast/A.A/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Police sequesters a motorboat at Vlore seashore

The motorboat, he said, was blocked on Monday noon in a joint operation of Vlore police and Guardia Di Finanza at the vicinity of Orikum, several kilometers away from the city.

The operation was accomplished with no incidents and afterwards the motorboat was taken to the island of Sazan with the navigation vehicles of Guardia Di Finanza, the spokesman concluded. /dast/gs/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Money market in Albania on the right track

The money market in Albania is on the right track, Andreas G. Bartzis, manager in "Alpha Credit Bank", told a news conference on Monday, evaluating at the same time the decision of the Bank of Albania to lower the minimal interest rates.

On November 11, 1999, the "Alpha Credit Bank" will inaugurate the opening of a second affiliate in Tirane, which employs 24 people.

Currently, the affiliate of this bank in Albania has 3 500 clients and some 4000 accounts have been opened.

Also, "Alpha Credit Bank" foresees to open other affiliates in Albania in the cities of Elbasan, Durres, Berat, Gjirokaster, Shkoder and a second affiliate in Tirane.

"Alpha Credit Bank" was created in 1879 and currently is the biggest private bank in Greece. This bank ranks the second in Greece for its size, occupying around 18% of the market, following the National Bank of Greece. This bank has around 400 affiliates in Greece and is present in the United Kingdom, Romania, Albania and Cyprus. /dast/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Fall of Berlin Wall turned over new leaf in world history - Meta

In this message, which expresses gratitude and sympathy for the German people who "by dismantling the Berlin Wall turned over a new leaf in the world history", Meta says that "as a Premier of a former communist country I underline on this occasion the great impact this landmark had in the course of the contemporary history of Albania.

"Today, ten years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe is a real possibility for the creation of an atmosphere of cooperation and inter-ethnic coexistence among peoples of this part of Europe, when hatred among people is still the most difficult wall to dismantle," says Meta.

Meta evaluates the role of Germany and of chancellor Schroeder in creating this new era in Southeastern Europe and assures him of the Albanian Government's commitments in the framework of the Stability Pact". /dast/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] No unfundable fees for transition of humanitarian aid and personal belongings

Based on the order of Minister Angjeli, unfundable fees will be applied only for the commercial goods transiting through Albanian territory with 50 000 leks. Whereas the unfundable fee for the transition of goods liable to excise such as fuel, coffee, alcoholic drinks etc, will be 100 000 leks.

The general customs deputy director Vasil Pilo told ATA that "for the trucks with commercial goods or with goods paying excise transiting Albania, this sum in unfundable because of being controlled and escorted by the customs". /dast/gs/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article