Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-14

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Chinese party shows understanding towards Albania exterior debt

[02] Press review

[03] Kouchner meets political leaders of Kosova

[04] Albanian miners return to Trepce

[05] Exchange rates in Tirana

[06] Albanian emigrants in Greece not prevented to leave for Christmas to their country

[07] DP moderates consider absurd their expulsion from representation on international level

[08] Balkan stability - cohabitation of its countries

[09] Albanian, Serbian meeting due in Fushe-Kosove on Wednesday

[10] China, Albania demand consolidation of bilateral relations

[11] National Swim Centre in Tirana reopened after rehabilitation

[12] CRS finance five projects in Albania

[13] Some economic draft laws discussed in parliamentary commissions

[14] World Bank accords funds on survival of Elbasani forests

[15] Bank of Albania may offer credit worth 6,9 billion leks in 2000

[16] Albanian society against women and children trafficking

[17] Qualitative step in privatization of strategic sectors

[18] Procedures computerizing in Kakavija

[19] Head of DP parliamentary group calls decision against moderators right

[20] Open tenders and auctions on maximizing the incomes from privatization

[21] Health Ministry compiles draft-act for blood donors

[22] Deal to form Kosova Transitional Administrative Council to be signed

[23] Government to repeat invitation to opposition to join Anti-corruption Commission

[01] Chinese party shows understanding towards Albania exterior debt

The Albanian party, in all meetings, underlined Albania's progress in transition decades, challenges, experience gained as well as the laborious efforts of the entire Albanian society for the construction and consolidation of institutions.

Minister of Economy and Privatization Zef Preci, in this direction, considered as very positive the creation of the foreign investments granting agency and the increase of Albania's capabilities to attract them.

Dwelling on Preci stressed that the transition period Albania experienced, despite unexpected changes, was a test for the Albanian society which is now finding itself in the Euro-Atlantic structures.

The visit of the Albanian delegation in People's Republic of China continues. /led/so/

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[02] Press review

Koha Jone, daily independent

- "Berisha killed Azem and wants to kill us, too." Isamedin Haxhiaj, brother of former bodyguard of DP chairman, shows of the coulisses of Berisha, following the accusation of being collaborator in the murder of Azem Hajdari. - "Nano, guest of Gjukanovic in Podgorice." Socialist leader Fatos Nano will go this weekend to the Republic of the former Yugoslav Federation, Montenegro, as a guest of the Montenegrin president, Gjukanovic. - "DP, last expulsion of opponents." National Council of DP lifted yesterday the right of representation to six moderate DP deputies.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily.

- "Greek captain found dead." Last Monday morning, the body of the Greek national Kapani Panajoti, captain of the Greek ship Santa Barbara, was recovered. - "Gjinushi: What are we going to do with 'Black Sea.'" Interview with the Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi. - "Meidani: Albania open door to Chinese goods in Europe." Visit of the Albanian state, Rexhep Meidani in Beijing, has reviewed the project of some decades ago that Tirana be China's antenna in Europe.

Shekulli, independent daily.

- "Skoda" with radioactive contamination." A number of vehicles brought from the eastern countries, bought by some local state institutions, have been made and repaired with spare parts contaminated with radioactivity. - "Berisha continues expulsions." DP National Council gathered in Tirane yesterday has removed from moderate deputies the right of representation. - "CE: You have not yet removed the death penalty." Political director of CE, Hans Peter Fuhrer said in Tirane yesterday that Albania must also sign the protocol number 6 of the Council of Europe.

Albania, national daily

- "Money of former investment schemes, after 14 years." - "DP expels moderates." - "Pollo: This is an absurd decision."

Zeri i Popullit, daily paper of the Socialist Party of Albania.

- "Berisha collects passports in DP." - "Poci: Let us not allow crime to make attacks in Tirana." - "From clouds of sulphur, to linden and arsenic."

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania.

- "Uncovered file of Azem." - "Let us go to elections with peaceful protests."

Republika, daily newspaper of the Republican Party of Albania.

- "Pollo, final divorce." - "Balanced indexes or phantasm figures?" /xh/

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[03] Kouchner meets political leaders of Kosova

In the closed-door meeting which continued almost throughout the day, they have reportedly talked of the creation of joint executive body which will lead Kosova until elections are held. /led/xh/

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[04] Albanian miners return to Trepce

According to the memorandum signed on Monday between representatives of UNMIK, local government in Mitrovica and representatives of Trepce's mine in Stanterg, the first 200 miners will return to work in December 15, to make ready the appropriate conditions in order that other 1 500 miners start work.

This will be the first step to restart work in the mine of Trepce which is the main resource for the economic development of Kosova. /led/so/

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[05] Exchange rates in Tirana

Foreing currency exchange rates Currency Buying Selling US$ 135,8 136,2 DM 70,6 71

ITL (1000) 71,5 71,8 GRD (100) 41,7 41,9 /so/

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[06] Albanian emigrants in Greece not prevented to leave for Christmas to their country

On Monday morning, the commander of the crossing point of Kakavije, Gazmend Shehu, told ATA that he had received confirmation from the Greek police office in Kakavije, that the order which forced the Albanian emigrants with white and green cards to return to Greece before Dec.31, 1999, became invalid by police authorities of Athens.

Shehu said that also the 60 days of the stay in Albania permitted for the emigrants who have received the white and green cards or are in the process of receiving them, will be accounted for the year 1999. According to him, though the emigrants may return to Greece after January 1, 2000, the number of days of their stay will be accounted only for 1999. /dast/xh/

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[07] DP moderates consider absurd their expulsion from representation on international level

"Although this is an absurd decision, we will continue our efforts for the democratization of DP," Ylli Vejsiu, one of the moderates, told ATA.

Deputy Vejsiu considered as groundless the charges by DP chairman Sali Berisha in the address of the moderates, calling them as spokesmen of Fatos Nano and Skender Gjinushi. He added that "on the contrary, the acts of chairman Berisha made possible Fatos Nano's coming in the lead of SP."

In the mean time, DP former deputy chairman Genc Pollo, after considering the decision as absurd, stressed that the right for such a measure belongs only to the DP parliamentary group.

"We are chosen in these commissions by decision of the parliamentary group. The statute of the party does not envisage that the presidency or the party chairman have the right to replace the deputies. We will obey only a decision adopted by the parliamentary group," said Pollo.

DP National Council decided on Monday to remove from deputies Genc Pollo, Ylli Vejsiu, Leonard Demi and Ferdinand Xhaferri the right of representation in the international parliamentary commissions. /xh/

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[08] Balkan stability - cohabitation of its countries

"We want a multiethnic development in Kosova. The Parliament of Albania supports a long-term protectorate in Kosova as an all-sided guarantee," said Mr Gjinushi referring to the situation in Kosova.

Gjinushi said that the peoples of the region, after the conflict in Kosova, are all equal before the integration in the European family.

Mr Furrer pointed out that the region wins more if it rehabilitates the multiethnic society. He also highlighted the moderate role of Albania in the developments in Kosova and laid the stress on the multiethnic cohabitation.

Furrer is in Albania on a two-day visit. He arrived in Tirana last Sunday, two days after Albania's decision to lift death penalty, a condition imposed by the CE. /dast/xh/

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[09] Albanian, Serbian meeting due in Fushe-Kosove on Wednesday

According to sources from the Administration Department in Fushe- Kosove, to which Kosovapress agency refers to, talks on the former confection factory "Jumko" have began a week ago but they have been worthless.

The head of this administration Jetullah Sopjani said that "we are for talks that's why it was decided to hold an Albanian-Serbian meeting on December 15 with the mediation of UNMIK", said he. Mediator will be the deputy of the U.N. administrator in Kosova Bernard Kouchner. /led/so/

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[10] China, Albania demand consolidation of bilateral relations

The current relations between the two countries, their progress in mutual interest, developments in the Balkans region, in Asia and other issues were discussed in the ceremony that the Chinese President Jiang Zemin organized in honor of the Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and the delegation that accompanies him.

Meidani presented to Chinese President the Albanian viewpoints on developments in Southeastern Europe stressing the importance of the definite solution of the Kosova crisis as well as the influence it will have on the stability and peace in the region.

He underlined possibilities that China has with its financial, technical and technological potentialities to be engaged in the Stability Pact.

President Jiang Zemin stressed the creation of favorable conditions to encourage bilateral investments. /led/so/

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[11] National Swim Centre in Tirana reopened after rehabilitation

The restoration of the complex, which became the first reception centre for the refugees of Kosova, was realised on the basis of a three- month project worth 155 thousand USD, directed by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) and financed by the U.S. Government.

Present in the inauguration ceremony were the U.S. Ambassador in Albania, Joseph Limprecht, the Mayor of Tirana, Albert Brojka, the Prefect of Tirana, Taulant Dedja and other representatives of the local government.

The national swim centre was constructed in 1987 and it was the first to face with the influx of the refugees from Kosova in Tirana. From May to July, 1999, the camp served as sanctuary and served about 3 000 Kosovars.

The project for the rehabilitation of the centre was a valuation of the international community for the good will the Albanian people manifested towards the Kosova crisis and their readiness to help during the emergency period. /led/xh/

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[12] CRS finance five projects in Albania

These projects include domains of education, infrastructure of the irrigation and hygiene system, humanitarian assistance and information on human rights.

CRS will reconstruct 20 schools, construct systems of supplying with water rural areas and will provide 5 500 poor families of Elbasan, Fier, Durres and Tirana districts with basic food ration.

Catholic Relief Services in the World have been active in Albania since 1943 and are known as War Relief Services under the U.N. Administration for Relief and Rehabilitation.

In 1991 this organization resumed programmes in Albania through its office in Skopje and in 1993 opened its office in Tirana. /led/so/

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[13] Some economic draft laws discussed in parliamentary commissions

The plenary sessions will start next Monday, while this week the permanent parliamentary commissions will discuss a package of draft laws.

The draft laws are mainly of economic character, and of special importance is the draft law on "Taxation procedures" presented by the Government in August 1999.

In addition, other draft laws will be examined such as that "....on expropriations of public interest and the temporary use of private assets,", "The definition of the form and the structure of the formulae of privatization of the anonymous company Albkrom", "On the definition of the form and formulae of the privatization of the Savings Bank," etc.

During the coming week, the Parliament will ratify in a plenary session the agreements "For the uncovering and punishment of customs violations..", "For Albania's adherence in the non-fertile land convention.." , " and that "On ...the management of air traffic..." /led/xh/

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[14] World Bank accords funds on survival of Elbasani forests

The survival of the forest area in Gjinar, Funar and Labinot have started through this fund. Some 36 thousand saplings of pine, acacia,and poplars are provided by Cerriku seedplot.

Referring to the sources the project will be spread even in other forest areas of Tregani, Kajani, Grekanit within this month. The operation will be completed within 2000.

The forests cover 130 thousand ha of the area in this district. The destruction of these years made the implementation of this project. /led/linda/

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[15] Bank of Albania may offer credit worth 6,9 billion leks in 2000

The sum exceeds the plan of the Ministry of Finances on the budgetary incomes and expenditures, where the value of the credit for government should be 4,3 billion leks.

Based upon the law "On Bank of Albania", the new credit to be given to the government for one year period will be up to 5% of the common average incomes of three previous years and in extraordinary situation to 8%. Within the limits defined by the law, the Supervising Council of Bank of Albania decided to increase the level of the credit for the government for 2000 in 6,9 billion leks.

Referring to the sources, the above mentioned limits do not hinder the Bank of Albania, that based upon the developments to take place in Albanian economy and banking system, to review its monetary program concerning the increasing of the credit spaces for the business and government beyond these limits. /led/linda/

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[16] Albanian society against women and children trafficking

"Our aim is not only to sensitize public opinion but also organise a concrete and fruitful cooperation between government institutions and other institutions dealing with problems of women and children," the director of the Woman and Family committee, Ladvie Ruci, told ATA.

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[17] Qualitative step in privatization of strategic sectors

Although the incomes from privatization till the end of year 1999 are foreseen to be implemented in minimal level of 20%, in 2000 a great step toward privatization of these sectors is expected to take place.

Referring to the above mentioned sources the incomes from privatization, including the incomes from the rent contracts, are predicted to be fulfilled till the end of this year by 1 billion leks or 20% of the planned level.

The low incomes to be benefited from this process in 1999 are due to many reasons, and in particular the negative effect of Kosova crisis, where a great number of Kosova refugees moved to Albania.

"The completion of privatization of the above mentioned companies and other ones planned for year 2000, are good signs fro good implementation in 2000.The experience of the year 1999 created proper conditions for the capital market", reported sources from the Ministry of Privatization. /led/linda/

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[18] Procedures computerizing in Kakavija

According to Head of the Police Commissariat of Gjirokastra Agron Jace "beside the mistakes, which are natural ones, the great influx of the movements is the reason for the long delays and creation of the confusion, where the illegal actions can profit from it".

All the possibilities on implementation of such a project in the beginning of the year 2000 with EC finances are taken into consideration, stressed Mr.Jace.

According to him, computerizing of police actions in this point will affect in increasing of police discipline. /lh/linda/

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[19] Head of DP parliamentary group calls decision against moderators right

"Yesterday's decision is result of the public declarations made earlier by these deputies for withdrawal from the political functions in the party. The right to presentation or non-presentation in these commissions is a political decision of the party which has been taken also considering the latest attitudes of these deputies towards their party," Gjana told reporters today.

The DP National Council ousted from representation in the above commissions moderators Genc Pollo, Leonard Demi, Ylli Vejsiu and Ferdinant Xhaferi. /lh/lm/

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[20] Open tenders and auctions on maximizing the incomes from privatization

This strategy is followed by a special decision of Albanian Government last week to define the basic estimation criteria on purchase of Albanian mobiles' company AMC, which is the offered price.

Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization aims at involving in privatization process more attractive companies than the current ones. The domestic capital in privatization process will increase, the improvement of the business environment, passing from emergency to cooperation and absorption of the foreign capital will be seen with priority. /lh/linda/

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[21] Health Ministry compiles draft-act for blood donors

In Albania blood is currently ensured through payed donors, voluntary donors, in cases of operations through the family members themselves and in cases of planned operation through the person himself.

According to the same sources, the policy followed by this ministry is that of ensuring blood without payment, for which a series of sensitizing measures have been taken by the National Blood Transfusion Centre. In this way, nearly 70 per cent of the needs required are covered.

According to the draft-act, the blood donor status benefits all persons who have donated blood at least five times in a year or at least three times in the last year and who still continue to donate blood. All donors are given two days off, also including the day they donate blood. /dast/lm/

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[22] Deal to form Kosova Transitional Administrative Council to be signed

According to the Premier's press office, at a meeting of Hashim Thaci with KFOR commander, General Reinhardt, on Tuesday the attention was focussed on the creation of a co-governing Council in Kosova and the advantages this undertaking will create to the people of Kosova, such as a grater stability and a quicker social and economic progress of Kosova.

The political advisor to Premier Thaci, Behlul Beca, stated on Tuesday that "the agreement on the Transitional Administrative Council creates an axis for stabilising the situation and building the democratic mechanisms in Kosova. This is a forward step in the positive changes and in strengthening the position of Kosova's position and of the Albanian factor in Kosova." /dast/lm/

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[23] Government to repeat invitation to opposition to join Anti-corruption Commission

The commission met Tuesday under the chairmanship of Premier Ilir Meta and stressed that the opposition will be extended another invitation, which will remain open during the whole process, to their participation both at technical and at monitoring level.

Meta asked the adoption of urgent measures to accelerate the process.

Based on the stand declared by the opposition parties not to take part in the phase of plan reexamination by experts, the Commission decided that the first phase with experts from ministries and other central institutions closes until December 16, and the technical Anti-Corruption Group, which representatives of the opposition and international experts will be invited to join, begins operation.

The commission decided that the preparatory work to determine the composition, structure and powers of the Anti-Corruption Monitoring Group, continues until January 12, 2000, remaining open to possible suggestions from all the parties interested in this process. /dast/lm/

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