Browse through our Interesting Nodes of the Cyprus Government Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 29 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-05-13

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] At least two Albanians killed and four injured in Rahovec
  • [02] Committee on economic policies discusses law on banking system
  • [03] Albania urges NATO extended presence in its territory
  • [04] Prime Minister condemns terrorist attack against free press
  • [05] Police detain two Albanians accused of women trafficking
  • [06] British Foundation TFA to set up national library of children's book
  • [07] State budget insufficient for text books
  • [08] Yugoslav aircrafts fly over Kosova
  • [09] Albanian in Kosova restore Albanian language inscriptions
  • [10] Milosevic, Rugova to meet on May 15 in Belgrade
  • [11] Political subjects must agree on solution of Kosova issue, President
  • [12] DP greets U.S. efforts regarding Kosova issue
  • [13] 1999, Day of Education - Minister Ruka
  • [14] USD quoted at lek 157,90
  • [15] Albanian public discusses three powers in new constitution
  • [16] Silver medal for Albanian pupil in Balkan contest
  • [17] Unlimited detention for former VEFA company
  • [18] Constitution in 1998 thanks to mobilization of Albanian intellectual and political forces - President
  • [19] WB to assist Albania's health sector
  • [20] Albanian Parliament unprepared for a parliament with two houses, deputy Speaker
  • [21] DP deputies express will to contribute on Constitution process
  • [22] Government coalition presents political platform on local polls
  • [23] Godo and Imami praise symposium on three powers
  • [24] Scores of Albanians killed and wounded during attacks of Serbs
  • [25] Milosevic-Rugova dialogue paves way to settlement of conflict in Kosove - Statement
  • [26] WB to assist rehabilitation of Albania's urban infrastructure

  • [01] At least two Albanians killed and four injured in Rahovec

    PRISHTINE, May 12/ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: At least two Albanians were killed on Tuesday in a Serbian forces' attack against villages of Vranjake, Postoselle, Ratkovo and Bratotine of Rahovec (some 20 km Northeast of Gjakova), according to the Kosova Centre of Information.

    The information commission of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) in Rahovec reports that four Albanians were injured; two from the Ratkovo village and two from the Drenoc village, but the number of the killed and wounded is thought to be greater.

    The villages of Ratkovo, Vranjake and Bratovine have been hit by grenades from Kramoviku of Gjakova, where a police checkpoint is located, and from the village of Malesi e Vogel. The population has been overwhelmed by panic and many villages have been deserted.

    Tuesday's attack began at 9:30 a.m.. The cause of the attack is not exactly known because of the complete blockade of the attacked part. The activists of the LDK branch in Rahovec have been informed that the attack was triggered by the Serbs of the Bratotine village who attacked the Albanian villagers of the Vranjak village and then asked the aid of the police. The killed and injured Albanians are thought to be victims of Serbian civilians.

    Serbian sources reported in the evening of an armed attack against Serbian policemen in Ratkov. A policemen was killed and two others injured, the sources say.

    The Serbian police in Prishtine on Tuesday killed Isuf Hajdini in the yard of his house and are thought to have killed another Albanian. cela /das/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] Committee on economic policies discusses law on banking system

    TIRANA, May 12 (ATA) - The committee on economic policies under the Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano discussed late on Tuesday amendments in the existing law on banking system in Albania, press release of the media and information department at the Council of Ministers said.

    "This law guarantees one of the main promises of the government to the Albanian citizens and electorate and to international financial bodies. It finally closes every possibility for a renewal of the investment schemes in Albania as well as liberalizes the banking system," Nano said.

    The press release said that the amendments to the law consisted particularly in a new classification of supervising elements of the second hand and licensed banks, in the need to begin a regular liquidation of clients, in reviewing level of interests in conformity with the capitals and account payable and taking into consideration the financial and institutional liabilities of a bank. s.s/das/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Albania urges NATO extended presence in its territory

    TIRANA, May 12 (ATA) - K. Kostreci: The Albanian parliament and government urged on Tuesday an extended presence of NATO in Albania after the situation in Kosova was aggravated.

    Sabri Godo, the head of the Foreign parliamentary commission, and Paskal Milo, the Foreign minister, said to ATA on Tuesday about the need to extend NATO presence in Albania.

    "We are totally against the deployment of NATO forces in the border between Albania and Kosova and would consider this an anti national stand. Meawhile, we are asking for an extended presence of NATO in Albania," Godo said to ATA.

    Milo said that Albania's request conformed to the NATO's will to assist Albania.

    "Albania is included in NATO's defence sphere," Milo said, confirming the creation of a working group on Kosova at the Foreign Ministry.

    This group would be asked to report on its work in future parliamentary sessions, Godo said. s.sh/pas/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] Prime Minister condemns terrorist attack against free press

    TIRANA, May 12 (ATA)-Prime Minister Fatos Nano has described the act of placing explosive at the house of newspaper Koha Jone reporter in Vlore, Zenepe Luka, as a terrorist attack.

    In a letter sent to Mrs. Luka on Tuesday Nano says he is sorry for the grave moments she and her family suffered due to a deeply criminal act which does not spare either the lives of young children, the spokesman of the prime minister reports.

    Nano assures Mrs. Luka that "the respective bodies have been assigned to identify the persons responsible for this bloody attempt" and wishes "speedy recovery for the dear children hit by the criminal hand".

    On Sunday evening, unidentified persons placed some 5kg of explosive at the house of the Koha Jone correspondent in Vlore.

    The explosion wrecked the house and injured four children: two of the Luka family and two of the next-door neighbour. s/sh/das/pas/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] Police detain two Albanians accused of women trafficking

    LIBRAZHD, MAY 12 (ATA) - By H. Balliu: Police forces of Librazhd detained on Monday two Albanian nationals accused of women trafficking to Italy, police sources said.

    A. Meta, 32, from Elbasan and T. Poda were detained after D. Brahja from Librazhd-Katund village, east of Albania, accused them of kidnapping his daughter, E. Dauti, chief of crimes said to ATA.

    He added that there had been other cases in the region and the police suspected that there was a secret ring dealing with women trafficking. s.sh/das/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] British Foundation TFA to set up national library of children's book

    TIRANA, May 12 (ATA)-The TFA British charity foundation plans to set up a national library of children's book in foreign language in Tirana.

    The press and Information office close to the President says that this project was made known to the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, on Tuesday, at a meeting with representatives of this foundation.

    The leaders of the TFA foundation stressed that the project had had the support of Princess Diana and now it will be realised in her memory. They said that 20 000 British schools and eight million British children have so far collected some 200 000 titles for their fellows from Albania.

    The project envisages the creation of a library network all over Albania.

    President Meidani praised the idea to set up the library and favoured a close cooperation with the local government structures to find an appropriate environment to set up the library. /s.s/pas/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] State budget insufficient for text books

    TIRANA, MAY 12 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: Deputy minister of Education and Science Andrea Marto said to ATA that the publication of text books for the new school year '98-'99 was a big concern due to an insufficient fund accorded by the state budget for all text books.

    The heads of the Ministry of Education and Science and board members of the text book publishing houses said that the fund accorded so far covered particularly the text books of compulsory education and less those for the secondary and professional education.

    The meeting urged a prevention of "a black market" where the books were sold at multiplied prices. It also asked for a release of the Italian aid as soon as possible, specifying it for the publication of the most necessary text books, an aid worth $9 hundred thousand, according to Marto.

    They would propose two drafts to the Council of Ministers for a change in retail prices in accordance with the high cost of publication and allow the publishing houses to receive credits. s.sh/das/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Yugoslav aircrafts fly over Kosova

    PRISHTINE, May 13 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that the Yugoslav aircrafts continue flights on Wednesday over Prishtina and other regions of Kosova.

    The daily Bujku reported that NATO was expected to impose a non-fly zone in Kosova today.

    Serbian forces withdrew from Ratkoci and other regions of Rahovec, some 20 km northeast of Gjakova, on Wednesday at 03.00 a.m. after yesterday's firefights which claimed the lives of two Albanians and wounded four others.

    The daily Koha Ditore reported on six Albanians killed whose bodies were in the hospital morgue in Prizren.

    The same sources said that seven Serb policemen have been killed and some others wounded. While the Serbian sources informed on a policeman killed and two others wounded. pta/das/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Albanian in Kosova restore Albanian language inscriptions

    PRISHTINE, May 13/ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Inscriptions in the Albanian language, which had been forcibly removed by the Serbian authorities and replaced by Cyrillic letters, are being restored in Kosova.

    At the Prishtine-Peje railway, which crosses Drenica, the first Albanian language-written boards were restored at the train station in the villages of Ujmire and Cerovik. /p.ta/das/lm/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] Milosevic, Rugova to meet on May 15 in Belgrade

    PRISHTINA, May 13 - United States Information Service in Prishtina issued a press release on Wednesday quoting the U.S. ambassador Richard Holbrooke as saying: "We have been asked to announce that Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, the Kosovo Albanian leader, and his delegation, will accept the invitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic, to meet in Belgrade on May 15. The meeting between President Milosevic and Dr. Rugova will take place with no preconditions. The purpose of the meeting is to begin the dialogue.

    "President Milosevic and Dr. Rugova have agreed that the May 15 meeting will be followed within one week by a series of meetings, to take place at least once a week, between the delegations of both sides. These meetings will take place in Pristina. They will alternate between sites chosen by both sites.

    "A meeting between President Milosevic and Dr. Rugova is only the first step toward a political solution of Kosovo. We commend president Milosevic's willingness to assume personal responsibility in the search for a resolution of the problem.

    "A solution to the problem of Kosova must guarantee the civil and human rights of all persons and ensure common prosperity on the basis of equality of all those living there. All residents of this ancient area, with its rich history, have the right to live in their homes in harmony without fear of persecution."

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] Political subjects must agree on solution of Kosova issue, President

    TIRANA, May 13 (ATA) - By Ilir Paco: Albania's President Rexhep Meidani declared Wednesday that the unification of the stands of the Albanian political subjects in the meetings with representatives of international bodies would be very favourable for the sensitization of the most important chancelleries regarding Kosova issue, President's press and information office reports.

    Meidani, who issued this statement during a meeting with a group of jurists and constitution experts of the Prishtina and Tetova Universities, also said that "this sensitization can be reached through contacts in all political, academic and social levels of the Albanian subjects, convergence of viewpoints in joint documents, which consider all the factors of the present and the future not to lose the precious time for the peaceful solution of this issue."

    The group of the constitution experts from Tetova and Prishtina are in Albania to take part in the scientific activities of the constitution drafting process, President's press office reported.

    The meeting also stressed the cooperation between the Albanian specialists in both sides of the border for drafting a constitution which would serve the entire nation. /mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] DP greets U.S. efforts regarding Kosova issue

    TIRANA, May 13 (ATA)- By A. Haxhiu: The Albanian Democratic Party (DP) hailed the efforts of the U.S. special envoy regarding the Kosova issue, Richard Holbrook, for a fair solution of this problem.

    "We greet the efforts of the United States to enable a fair and long- term solution of the Kosova issue. This is noticed in the constant negotiations of the U.S. special envoy, Holbrook, in Prishtina and Belgrade, " DP head Sali Berisha told a news conference on Wednesday.

    Berisha expressed the confidence that the United States is expressing a wide support for the Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova, against the absurd stands of Milosevic.

    The DP leader restressed the necessity of intervention of NATO troops in Kosova and even in Albania, which would enable the prevention of an armed conflict in Kosova and in the region in general. /mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] 1999, Day of Education - Minister Ruka

    TIRANE, May 13 (ata) - By P Shuteriqi: The Albanian Minister of Education and Science, Et'hem Ruka, confirmed in a news conference on Wednesday that "1999 is declared by the government as the 'year of education.'" He presented some of the points of the Agreement of Understanding signed on April 29 in Rome between the Ministry of Education and Science of Albania and Italy's Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Universities and Scientific and Technological Research.

    Ruka said that the aim of the Albanian school is to be near the labour market, by attaching importance to the professional education. He pointed out that the reformation of the system of compulsory education, of secondary education and its scientific-natural, technical and humanitarian- social directions are being studies.

    Taking part in the conference also were the Ambassador of Italy, Marcello Spatafora and Italian professor Ennio Grassi. Albanian Minister Ruka focused on the new program of Italian aid worth of 6.5 billion liras, which aims at 'reforming the educational and administrative system of the Albanian secondary schools and universities. A part of this assistance will be used for the publication and distribution of school books. /s.s./pas/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] USD quoted at lek 157,90

    Tirana, May 13 (ATA) - Wednesday's average exchange rate in the informal market of Albanian currency "lek" against foreign currencies like USD, DM, SFR, ITL was in favour of these last.

    So $1 = 157,90 lek, gaining 0,20 points compared with yesterday's 157, 70 lek.

    The DM was traded for 87,40 lek, gaining 0,10 points compared to yesterday's 87,30 lek.

    The ITL (1000) was traded for 88,10 lek gaining 0.10 points compared with yesterday's 88,00 lek.

    GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,50 lek, lossing 0,20 points compared with yesterday's 50,70

    The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 105,30 lek and so on.

    Wednesday exchange rates

    Currency Average exchange rates

    USD 157,90 lek

    DM 87,40 lek ITL (1000) 88,10 lek GRD (100) 50,50 lek SFR 103,30 lek

    FRF 23,50 lek GBP 220,60 lek JPY (100) 111,70 lek NLG 73,60 lek

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] Albanian public discusses three powers in new constitution

    TIRANE, May 13 (ata) - By Keida Kostreci: The three powers: the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary in the new Albanian constitution are subject of a three-day symposium which started in Tirane on Wednesday in the course of the process of the education and participation of the Albanian public in the drafting of the Constitution.

    Three foreign experts, John Paul Jones, professor of Law in the University of Richmond, Gunter Frankenberg, professor of Law in the University of Frankfurt am Main and George Katrrougalos, attorney and expert on constitutions, discussed on Wednesday with Albanian experts questions related with the legislative power and, in the their context a debate took place on the coming structure of the Albanian Parliament (with one or two chambers.)

    On Thursday the symposium will discuss the Executive power and the day after the questions of the Judiciary.

    The President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, the U.S. Ambassador Marisa Lino, the OSCE Ambassador in Albania, Daan Everts and the German Ambassador, Hans Peter Disdorn hailed the symposium.

    The symposium is being held and sponsored by the U.S. Jurists Organization, the Legal Initiative for Central and Eastern European Countries, the Company of German Technical-Legal Assistance (GTZ) with the supplementary assistance of the Administrative Centre for the Coordination of the Assistance and Participation of the Public. (QAKAPP.) /s.sh/mima/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Silver medal for Albanian pupil in Balkan contest

    TIRANE, May 13 (ata) - By P Shuteriqi: Valentin Tako, Albanian pupil in the Turkish private college Mehmet Akif Ersoy in Tirane was awarded the silver medal in the Balkan contest on mathematics for secondary schools of this region, Neritan Babamusta, sector chief in the Ministry of Education and Science told ATA.

    Pupils of secondary schools from Albania, Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Moldova, Greece, Cyprus and Macedonia took part in the 15th contest on mathematics held from May 3-10 in Cyprus.

    "This is a great success because this medal is won by Albania after 5 years of its participation in such Balkan activities," said Babamusta. /s.sh/mima/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] Unlimited detention for former VEFA company

    TIRANE, MAY 13 (ATA) - By F Zekthi: The Court of Appeal of Tirane decided on Wednesday the form of custody, unlimited detention, for former president of the loan taking company VEFA, Vehbi Alimucaj, the spokesman of this court said.

    Alimucaj is accused of "appropriation in cooperation through deceit and in large amounts."

    During the time Alimucaj was in the court, a small group of people demanded the release of the former president of VEFA. They urged their credits be paid and did not want to disperse. Police accompanied to police commissariat four people from the group. /s.sh/mima/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] Constitution in 1998 thanks to mobilization of Albanian intellectual and political forces - President

    TIRANE, May 13 (ata) - By Keida Kostreci: Albanian President Rexhep Meidani declared in Tirane on Wednesday that the country will be made with a constitution within 1998 if the political and intellectual forces will mobilize themselves in order to attain this goal.

    "In a meeting I had with the chairmen of the Constitution Commission I realised that the procedures are being observed. An intensive work is being made by the commission for the Drafting of the Constitution so that the it be ready in June, said Meidani to a group of reporters during a break in the symposium being held in Tirane with foreign experts on the three powers in the Constitution: the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.

    The President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, the U.S. Ambassador Marisa Lino, the OSCE Ambassador in Albania, Daan Everts and the German Ambassador, Hans Peter Disdorn hailed the symposium, which is being directed by three western experts on the constitutional field. s.sh/mima/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] WB to assist Albania's health sector

    By Dorian Okoca

    Tirana, May 13 (ATA) - The World Bank Tuesday approved a $17 million credit to Albania for a health system recovery and development project to establish and strengthen the country's health sector, and improve the accessibility, quality and efficiency of essential health services.

    The project consists of the following components: National capacity building will develop and strengthen institutions and competencies required to implement the health sector development strategy.

    Governance and management of health system in Tirana region will support the establishment and functions of institutions to undertake the decentralization of health sector planning and management to the regional level in Tirana, through assistance to the regional health management team and its management board.

    Upgrading of Tirana health care delivery system will support civil works, medical equipment and supplies for a network consisting of one hospital, three polyclinics and 37 health centres.

    It will also provide technical assistance to improve the functional relationship among health services and facilities; technical assistance for the use of standard clinical protocols, and technical assistance in support of selected public health interventions.

    Project management will provide management of the project in the form of office equipment, technical assistance, staff and training for the existing Project Coordination Unit in the ministry of Health.

    Total project cost including contingencies is $28 million. The Albanian government will provide $2,4 million and other donors will provide $8,6 million of the total project cost.

    The credit will be disbursed on standard IDA terms with a maturity of 40 years and a grace period of 10 years.

    Since Albania joined IDA in 1991, IDA commitments to Albania total approximately $313 million for 25 projects, excluding those approved Tuesday. /gen/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] Albanian Parliament unprepared for a parliament with two houses, deputy Speaker

    TIRANA, May 13 (ATA) - By K. Kostreci: The deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Namik Dokle (Socialist Party), declared Wednesday that the Albanian opinion is unprepared for a structure of the legislative with two houses.

    "The discussion in theory is useful, but the Albanian opinion is unprepared for this debate started after 70 years," Dokle told ATA.

    Dokle said that "if the members of the Constitution Drafting Commission do not agree on the structure of parliament, the issue will pass to parliament and then to a referendum."

    Meanwhile, the co-chairmen of the Constitution Commission, Sabri Godo (Republican Party) and Arben Imami (Democratic Alliance), both favour the establishment of two houses, think that if consensus lacks in the commission regarding the structure of Parliament, the issue will be resolved through a political decision of the parties represented in the commission.

    Along with the Republican Party and the Democratic Alliance, also the Legality Movement Party and the Human Rights Union Party have been in favour of the two houses, while the Socialist Party and its allies of the coalition (except the DAP) have been in favour of one house. /s.sh/mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] DP deputies express will to contribute on Constitution process

    TIRANA, May 13 (ATA) - By K. Kostreci: The deputies of the Democratic Party (DP) expressed the will to contribute to drafting a new Constitution, but said they feel themselves expelled from this process.

    "We feel ourselves expelled from the constitution drafting process, for we do not want to take part formally, but to give a real contribution, because the constitution does not belong to a party, it belongs to all," the former Parliament Speaker, Pjeter Arbnori (DP) told the journalists during a break in the symposium on the three powers in the constitution held with foreign experts.

    DP, which has not defined its representatives in the Constitution Commission, has put two conditions to take part in the constitutional process: to have a blocking minority and to appoint one of the co-chairmen from the opposition.

    "We have not said that one of the co-chairmen be necessarily appointed by the Democratic Party, but be chosen by the opposition. Our requests are not unreasonable," said Arbnori.

    With regard to the last problem in the Constitution process regarding the Parliament structure, Arbnori said that he personally favours "a one- house structure."

    Meanwhile, the other DP deputy, Ylli Vejsiu, said that the fact that DP deputies participate in the symposium, shows that they are interested in the constitutional process, but the Assembly should consider their requests."

    Western experts in the constitutional field headed Wednesday the proceedings of a three-day symposium on the three powers: the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary in the new Albanian Constitution, which was also greeted by the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, the U.S. Ambassador in Tirana, Mariza Lino, the OSCE Ambassador, Daan Everts and the German Ambassador, Hans Peter Disdorn. /s.sh/mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] Government coalition presents political platform on local polls

    TIRANA, May 13 (ATA) - By K. Kostreci The representatives of the government coalition met Wednesday to present the political and organization platform of the joint candidates in the partial local elections, which will be held on June 21, 1998.

    "The candidates in the elections will be representatives of the five coalition parties and their selection will be made in the presence of the coalition," one of the SP Secretaries, Petri Koco, told ATA at the end of the first phase of a table of the coalition parties regarding the appointment of the candidates.

    He said that the five coalition parties (the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance, the Human Rights Union Party and the Agrarian Party,) will have a joint symbol in the local elections.

    The second stage of the table will continue with the discussion of the local leaders of the coalition parties for the appointment of candidates in the elections. /mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] Godo and Imami praise symposium on three powers

    TIRANE, May 13 (ata) - By Keida Kostreci: The two chairmen of the Commission for the Drafting of the Constitution, Sabri Godo and Arben Imami, praised on Wednesday the symposium on three powers in the new constitution and reiterated their view for a two-chamber legislative structure.

    "The symposium for the three powers (legislative, executive and judiciary) is being held in the right time, bearing in mind the fact that the Commission is discussing the institutions and the division of powers," Godo told ATA on Wednesday, the first day of the symposium.

    He added that the symposium is also important for the question of the legislative structure on which the Commission of the Constitution has different opinions.

    Godo was for a two-chamber structure adding that on this question "an agreement is indispensably needed so that to keep the commission functioning." According to him, there is still room for discussion of this matter.

    According to co-chairman Imami, the public opinion has a special importance with regard to the decision on the legislative structure. /s.sh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [24] Scores of Albanians killed and wounded during attacks of Serbs

    PRISHTINA, May 13 - ATA correspondent in Prishtina, Belul Jashari, reports:

    Scores of the Kosova Albanians were killed and wounded in the villages of Ponoshec, Smolice and Popoc of Gjakova in vicinity of the border with Albania on Tuesday by 21:00 by the Serbian military and police forces, the Human Rights sub-council and the branch of the Kosova Democratic League in Gjakova reported.

    According to the above source, the Serbian forces have also used the missiles to shoot on the civil population. /cela/mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [25] Milosevic-Rugova dialogue paves way to settlement of conflict in Kosove - Statement

    TIRANE, May 13 (ata) - The Albanian Government was acquainted with the decision on the start of the dialogue between FRY President, Slobodan Milocevic and the Albanian leader of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, the press and information department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry writes in a statement today.

    It hails this event which paves the way to the resolution of the conflict in Kosove through dialogue and peaceful means.

    At the same time, the Albanian Government hails the U.S. Government, which, through the intensification of political and diplomatic undertakings in Belgrade and Prishtine and in all other countries wishing the conflict to be settled, managed to form the possible modalities to bring the parties at the negotiating table, under the American supervision. The Albanian Government also appreciates the efforts and contribution of the governments of the other Contact Group member countries in this direction.

    The Albanian Government, directly interested in the immediate and durable solution of the Kosova crisis, has been and is of the opinion that only through the direct and constructive negotiations between the parties in the conflict in the presence of the international factor, an end will be put to the bloodshed in Kosova and the status it deserves will be realised on the basis of international documents and experiences, ends the statement of the press and information department of the Foreign Ministry of Albania. /s.sh./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [26] WB to assist rehabilitation of Albania's urban infrastructure

    Tirana, May 13 (ATA) - The World Bank approved a $10 million credit to Albania Tuesday, for an urban land management project.

    The project will provide essential urban infrastructure to unserviced or neglected areas in Tirana and surrounding areas and will strengthen the institutions responsible for delivery of urban services at the national and local levels.

    The project consists of the following components: extension of essential infrastructure networks will provide essential primary and secondary infrastructure, such as access roads, water supply, sanitation, power supply, street lightening and domestic solid waste collection to areas now barely serviced.

    Institutional development will support the government's initiative to develop an institutional framework for addressing urban management and informal settlements.

    It will also enhance the fiscal and environmental sustainability of urban development through preparation of subsequent subprojects and strategic infrastructure planning for greater Tirana.

    Project administration and management support will support the essential task to carry out project implementation.

    Total project cost including contingencies is $15,86 million. The Albania government is providing $1,71 million and project beneficiaries are providing $4,15 million of the total cost.

    The credit will be disbursed on standard IDA terms with a maturity period of 40 years and a grace period of 10 years.

    Since joining IDA in 1991, IDA commitments to Albania total approximately $313 million for 25 projects, not including those approved Tuesday. /gen/


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


    Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ata2html v1.01 run on Wednesday, 13 May 1998 - 21:11:49 UTC