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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-02-15

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] Albania without polio in 1999 - Ministry
  • [02] Initiative "1 000 children, 1 000 presents" brings toys and books from Bari to Durres
  • [03] Albpetrol controls 50 percent of fuel market
  • [04] International chess tournament opens in Paris
  • [05] Belgrade aims to undermine efforts of international community for peace in Kosove - Gashi
  • [06] 1000 private subjects registered in taxes branch in Durres
  • [07] Inadmissible re-formulations and omissions in declaration signed by Serb delegation in Rambouillet - Mustafa
  • [08] Most preferred video films of the week
  • [09] Ships of navy district resume sea patrol
  • [10] 18 tons of expired pesticides waiting to be eliminated in Tirane district
  • [11] Musical albums mostly sold in Tirane in the past week
  • [12] Veterans say Rambuillet conference - historic, very important
  • [13] Two dead Albanians recovered in Decan
  • [14] Three Albanian children, a woman injured in explosion
  • [15] Yugoslav military forces gather in villages of Vushtrri
  • [16] Export of medicinal herbs increased
  • [17] US$ 1 as much as 140,6 leks in the Bank of Tirane
  • [18] Kurds arrive in Albania through border paths
  • [19] Albanian policy to be inclined towards a politically stabilized Balkan; Majko
  • [20] President Meidani meets U.S. congressman, Wolf
  • [21] Tourism: Albania member of internatinal fair of Milano
  • [22] Blood donors ask for improvement of health treating
  • [23] Money in total : 232.2 billion lek
  • [24] Rambuillet talks - an important step we have backed, Speaker
  • [25] Cooperation between prefectures and ministries must be more effective, PM
  • [26] Parliament backs will of Kosova population for self-determination
  • [27] Albanians should ask independence of Kosova in unison, Traficant
  • [28] Five banks to compete on National Commercial Bank privatisation
  • [29] Continues interest's fall of treasure bonus
  • [30] 85 new equipments on help of Albanian milk industry
  • [31] Another provocation in border between Albania and Kosova
  • [32] Progress in commercial exchange with Italy
  • [33] Contact Group engaged in successful finalization of Rambouillet talks

  • [01] Albania without polio in 1999 - Ministry

    TIRANE, Feb.14 (ata) - By R Xhuvani: The Albanian Ministry of Health is expecting confirmation by the World Health Organization (WHO) for declaring Albania "A country without polio" for 1999.

    According to sources of the Public Health Institute, the two national polio vaccination campaigns have covered 95 per cent of the population.

    On the basis of these results, during 1999, WHO is expected to rank Albania among the countries without polio, said to ATA the spokesman of the Albanian Ministry of Health, Artur Rada.

    During 1997, the first cases of polio appeared in some regions of Albania. Immediately the Ministry of Health and institutions of public health in different districts adopted the necessary measures, which continued with the two campaigns of vaccinations held during 1997-1998 throughout the country. /lh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] Initiative "1 000 children, 1 000 presents" brings toys and books from Bari to Durres

    DURRES, Feb.14 (ata) - By Gezim Kabashi: An amount of aid arrived Saturday from Bari to Durres in the context of the initiative "1 000 children, 1 000 presents" which the town-hall of the Italian city has undertaken for three months now. The two coastal cities, which established sister relations a year ago, have conducted so far a number of joint activities.

    According to the member of the Bari municipal council member, Lucio Alberghi, part of the aid is also an amount of detergents and disinfectants. In December, Bari sent to Durres 105 boxes with books, 12 with clothes, 3 boxes with medicaments and an amount of food articles. /lh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Albpetrol controls 50 percent of fuel market

    FIER, Feb 15 (ATA) - By Harilla Koçi: Albanian fuel corporation Albpetrol controls 45-50 percent of the Albanian fuel market, sources of the marketing office said.

    Albpetrol processed every day one thousand tons of fuel same as the average daily production drilled from oil sources. But there were periods when the corporation controlled only 70 percent of the fuel market that is August-October 1998.

    Recently, the corporation has reduced the fuel prices with gas oil from 45 leks to 43 leks per liter and benzol from 100 leks to 90 leks per liter.

    As compared to other companies which import fuel, with the two products have been reduced to minimum 50 and 103 leks, the Albanian corporation is favoured due to the quality of production which is higher than those of import. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] International chess tournament opens in Paris

    DURRES, Feb 14 (ATA) - By G. Kabashi: International chess tournament started on Saturday in Paris with the participation of 110 international great masters.

    Albania is represented by the great master Erald Dervishi.

    At the first day of tournament, the master from the city of Durres played against the Yugoslav great master with ELO 2.600 coefficient.

    Dervishi, 19, said to ATA in a telephone conversation that he played the black pawns and at the end of the game he had a favourable position to win.

    A lack of attention obliged Dervishi to accept a draw at the first day of tournament. He said that late on Sunday he would have the second match with the Russian great master ELO 2.550.

    This year's edition of Paris tournament will continue until February 21 and the winner will be announced after nine tournaments. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] Belgrade aims to undermine efforts of international community for peace in Kosove - Gashi

    PRISHTINE, Feb.15 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: The explosion in Ferizaj, the third in the cities of Kosove since

    the beginning of the Rambouillet Conference, was considered by Albanian subjects as an effort of Belgrade to escalate violence in urban centres and to undermine the efforts of the international community for a peaceful solution to the armed conflict in Kosove.

    "The explosions in Kosove at a time when the peace conference on Kosove in Rambouillet keeps going on is not a coincidence," said Alush Gashi, secretary for foreign relations of the Democratic League of Kosove, LDK, adding that "execution of Albanians from Serbs and the explosions in cities increase more the indispensability and acceleration in the efforts for the installation of NATO forces and the political settlement of the question of Kosove." "The future of Kosove must be freedom and not violence against the people who are demanding justice and are demonstrating determination to take upon themselves the responsibility for the fate of Kosove," said Gashi. /dast/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] 1000 private subjects registered in taxes branch in Durres

    DURRES, Feb.15 (ata) - By S Gjordeni: So far the number of the registered in the taxes branches in the district of Durres is 1000. From 300 private subjects registered until Feb.10, the chairman of the district taxation office Pellumb Rakipaj said that within four days this number has amounted to 1 000.

    This fact was a result of the coordination of work between three police, that of taxation, of construction and public order.

    This coordination was realised both to ensure the incomes for the state budget and to verify the legitimacy of the subjects engaged in private activity. This practice of work will continue until all private judicial and physical subjects in the district of Durres will be registered.

    During the past year, 2500 judicial and physical subjects were registered in the district of Durres.

    The deadline for the registration of private subjects in the taxes branch for this year is February 28, 1999. /dast/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] Inadmissible re-formulations and omissions in declaration signed by Serb delegation in Rambouillet - Mustafa

    PRISHTINE, Feb.15 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: "The charges of Serb President Milutinovic against the delegation of Kosove in Rambouillet are not to be trusted and taken seriously by the international community," said to ATA correspondent in Prishtine the spokesman of President Rugova, Xhemail Mustafa.

    He said that "it is precisely the Serb party and Milutinovic himself that are refusing to talk seriously and who, in various ways, are creating obstructions and undermining the Rambouillet Conference." Mustafa said that so far, the Serb party has not agreed to work on the drafts and documents of the Contact Group and to present in written their remarks for these documents.

    If the declaration of the Serb delegation, whose facsimile was published by Belgrade papers on Saturday, is analysed one can clearly see that it has inadmissible re-formulations and omissions which do change radically with the content of the fundamental principles of the Contact Group," stressed the spokesman of Rugove. He recalled on this occasion the declaration of the Conference leaders that the principles of the Contact Group cannot be subject to negotiations and that the delegations have accepted them since they have agreed to participate in the conference. /dast/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Most preferred video films of the week

    TIRANA, Feb 15 (ATA) - By E. Riza: Though the quality of video tapes offered to the Albanian public is low the buying and selling rate is the same as the previous week.

    "Generally the youth are those who preferred these films and particularly action films but also the children who ask for animation films, " sources from the video shops said to ATA.

    Following are the most preferred video films of the week: 1. Ronin - new action and thriller film with Robert De Niro, Jean Reno and Natasha McElhone.

    2. Blues Brothers - with Dan Aykroyd and John Goodman 3. Armagedon - action film with Bruce Willis 4. Godzilla - with Jean Reno

    5. Un topo sotto sfrato - A very successful comedy with real cast considered by the critics "an unbelievable entertainment both for the adults and children. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Ships of navy district resume sea patrol

    DURRES, Feb 15 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: Ships of the navy district in Durres have resumed sea patrol to prevent

    alien trafficking towards Italy, contraband and the like.

    In the last four days seven warships of the district have started sea patrol after three-year suspension, a spokesman of the district said to ATA.

    The forces will have an additional three ships out of five which arrived from the United States recently.

    With these ships we are able to carry out our task in protecting the seaside under our jurisdiction.

    Forces of Guardia di Finanza, Guardia di Costiera and CAM-SEA as well as ships of the Durres district navy are reinforcing the fight against sea contraband. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] 18 tons of expired pesticides waiting to be eliminated in Tirane district

    TIRANE, Feb.15 (ata) - By P Shuteriqi: The existence of about 18 tons of expired pesticides stored in the storehouses of the former agricultural enterprises and the branch of agriculture supply in Tirane district is posing a great danger to the life of the people and animals in the district of Tirane, said to ATA the head of agriculture and food department in the district of Tirane, Petrit Dervishi.

    The amount of pesticides, expired many years ago, had to be evacuated from the zone and gradually eliminated through a special credit by the Dutch government, but which was not realised for different reasons, said Dervishi.

    In the mean time, the "inherited" remnants from the dissolution of the collective system of agriculture, were added with another amount of 120 quintals of herbicides, expired as well, which were imported from Russia through Greece.

    There are 26 agricultural pharmacies in the district of Tirane, of which 6 in the countryside. They have sold for about one year, nearly 28 quintals of pesticides tested in laboratory and which have been used in an area of 4 180 hectares planted with various agricultural plants.

    Over 70 000 fruit trees and 210 000 vines have been treated with herbicides and consequently their production increased 11 per cent. /dast/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] Musical albums mostly sold in Tirane in the past week

    TIRANE, Feb.15 (ata) - By Enkeleida Riza The collection "Hit Mania Dance '99" with hits mostly danced at

    the beginning of this year, continues to be in the first place of the classification of ten mostly sold musical albums in the capital of Albania, Tirane.

    Follow the classification of the ten mostly sold albums of the week in Tirane:

    10- George Michael Ladies & gentlemen
     9- Five Five
     8- Venga Boys Open down the party
     7- East 17 Resurrection
     6- Jennifer Page Crush
     5- Offspring Americana
     4- 'N Sync The winter album
     3- Cher Believe
     2- Metallica Garage Inc
     1- Hit Mania Dance '99
    
    /dast/xh/
    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] Veterans say Rambuillet conference - historic, very important

    TIRANA, Feb 15 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: Veterans of the Antifascist National Liberation war support the right demands of the Albanian delegation in the Rambouillet conference, France.

    The memorandum of the national committee of the Organisation of Veterans to the co-chairmen of the Rambouillet Robin Cook and Hubert Vedrine and negotiators delegated by the Contact Group on Kosova, considered the conference historic and very important.

    "Like all Albanians, we hope and believe that you should be the genuine representatives of the great powers, which based in the high principles of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for peace and justice in Europe, would repair the injustice done at the detriment of Kosova at the beginning of the century. In the interest of peace and stability in the region we are convinced that you will do everything for a right and lasting solution to the issue of Kosova, " the memorandum said.

    "We back our work and engagement of the Contact Group, United States, OSCE and NATO to reach a right political solution according to a planned project even by use of force against Serb aggressor which continues violence and massacres against Kosova people. This process should be finalised with a final status of independence until the self-rule of Kosova is established, an aspiration which has been asked through blood and sacrifices since a century," the memorandum said. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] Two dead Albanians recovered in Decan

    PRISHTINE, Feb.15 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Two Albanians have died from tortures in the outskirts of Decan. One of them was recovered yesterday near a Serb colony in village Baballoc with serious wounds and who later died, while the other was found suffocated near village Carrabreg. /p.ta/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] Three Albanian children, a woman injured in explosion

    PRISHTINE, Feb 15 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that three Albanian children and a

    woman were injured on Sunday by an explosion in Kramovik village, Gjakova.

    Sources of the regional center of the OSCE mission in Prizren said that they were injured as a non-detonated grenade of the Serb army exploded after falling from the roof to the door of the house where the children and their mother were. /pta/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] Yugoslav military forces gather in villages of Vushtrri

    PRISHTINE, Feb.15 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Forces of the Yugoslav army are heading to villages Bukosh, Novolan ad some other villages on the eastern part of Mount Cicavica. Albanian sources say that a convoy with over 20 tanks, armoured vehicles, transporters carrying canons and other heavy equipment is moving from Vushtrri towards Bukosh.

    The Yugoslav army has informed the OSCE Mission office in Vushtrri that during this week military exercises will be conducted near Novolan and villages round it. Since September last year, the population in that region was hit by Serb forces, and yesterday they began to leave the place. /P.ta/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Export of medicinal herbs increased

    DURRES, Feb 15 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: The customs house in Durres which carries out the import and export of goods has started exporting some products to Western countries since the beginning of the year.

    Besides the export of ferro chromium, cooper and chromium, 390 tons of medicinal herbs have been exported to Germany, France, Italy and Greece, Petrit Koçiu, customs house director, said to ATA.

    Five firms from Tirana and one from Malesia e Madhe have exported timber to Italy. In the last 15 days, some 59 tons of unprocessed leather, 83 tons of aluminum, 25 tons of marble stone, 5 thousand liters of Skenderbeu cognac were exported.

    The statistics of the Durres customs house said that 47 different cargos have been exported since the beginning of the year with 35 of which in Italy, 5 in Germany, 5 in Belgium and one in Austria and the other in Denmark.

    The Durres customs house has exported some 61 percent of the nationwide total production and imported over 33 percent of the total goods in 1998. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] US$ 1 as much as 140,6 leks in the Bank of Tirane

    TIRANE, Feb. 15 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi: The exchange rate of the foreign currencies against the Albanian lek in the Savings Bank on Monday was as follows: US$ is bought with 138 leks and sold with 141.3 leks; German DM is bought with 80.2 leks and sold with 83.8 leks; Italian liras (1000) are bought with 48.0 leks and sold with 83.8 leks; GRD is bought with 48.0 leks and sold with 49.8 leks and EURO is bought with 156.8 leks and sold with 162.3 leks.

    The following is the exchange rate of the foreign currencies against the Albanian lek in the Bank of Tirane:

    currency	rate
    US$		140.60
    DM		 81.50
    LIT(1000)	 82.00
    GRD(100)	 49.92
    EURO		158.15
    
    /A.A/
    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] Kurds arrive in Albania through border paths

    KAKAVIJA, Feb 15 (ATA) - By H. Çani: Tight control in the border crossing of Kakavija has forced the

    Kurd emigrants to search for other border paths to enter Albania.

    The police commander at the border with Greece first captain Gezim Gjermeni said to ATA that the border patrols had seen groups of 10 to 15 persons led by traffickers of Albanian-Greek joint rings dealing with trafficking bound to Vlora.

    Border police said that in the last two months over 120 legal aliens were turned back to Greece. The same sources said that some times they had failed to prevent them enter Albania because they could not patrol all the area.

    In order to prevent the Kurds going to Vlora, the regional police have built up special check points along the Kakavija-Ballsh national road. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] Albanian policy to be inclined towards a politically stabilized Balkan; Majko

    TIRANE, Feb. 15 (ATA) - The Kosova crises, the immediate solution of which would open new perspectives for the South-western Europe, as well as the cooperation between the United Sates and Albania in the field of war against crime, were in the focus of the meeting the Albanian Premier, Pandeli Majko, hold Monday with the American congressman, Frank Wolf, the Ministry of Information reported.

    "If the crises in Kosova is rightly solved, then all the international community will give another big chance for development of all the countries in region, region which has underwent different political risks and unsecurities", stressed the American congressman.

    By stressing the necessity of growth of cooperation in all the fields between the two countries, Prime Minister, Majko, underlined that Albanian policy will be leaded towards a stabilized Balkan.

    American congressman, Frank Wolf, was interested for the cooperation between the two countries in the war against crime, and he offered the American help, especially in the training of the Albanian specialists close to the FBI Academy in USA.

    Participating in the meeting was also the American ambassador to Albania, Mariza Lino. /dast/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] President Meidani meets U.S. congressman, Wolf

    TIRANA, Feb. 15 (ATA) - Albania President Rexhep Meidani met Monday with Franc Wolf, the renown personality of the U.S. Congress for the respect of human rights, who is holding a two-day visit in Albania.

    In this meeting, they both exchanged opinions regarding the further development of bilateral relations and particularly the development of the climate of cooperation between the politicians and members of parliament, President press and information office reported.

    President Meidani underlined in particular the necessity of creating a good political climate by giving more scope and possibility to the Non Government Organizations (NGO) as a necessary element for the cultivation of democratic concepts in the society.

    Talking about the Kosova problem, President Meidani underlined the necessity for the presence of NATO troops as the only guarantee to support OSCE for the implementation of the agreement which will emerge from the Rambouillet talks.

    Attending the meeting was also the U.S. ambassador in Albania, Mariza Lino. Both parties agreed to hold a series of meetings with U.S. congressmen in the future. /mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] Tourism: Albania member of internatinal fair of Milano

    Tirana, Feb.15 (ATA) - By A.Lila - February 24-29 is the time of International Fair on Tourism in Milano, where Albania will take part in a special outhouse of this fair.

    Sources from this fair announced the number of the countries that will participate in this fair, which is nearly 120 countries. It predicted that this fair will have a great number of visitors, almost the same like the previous year.

    Albania will be introduced by the Committee of Tourism Development and Albtourist, too. They will present the natural resources and the most particular touristic places of Albania. Beside the touristic symbols, the tradicional Albanian costumes will be shown in this International Fair.

    From the Albanian part it is thought of organising different meetings with counterpart companies in tourism field aimed at strengthening the coorperation on tourism with the foreign couterparts and increasing the number of the tourists in Albania.

    In the International Fair of Milano, the head of Albanian tourism group, is expected to present to the foreign investitors the privatisation structure of public touristic objects and the important areas where it is approved the building of the new touristic structure, as well./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] Blood donors ask for improvement of health treating

    TIRANE, feb. 15 (ATA) - By R.Xhuvani: The requests of the members of Association of Blood donors in Albania are reasonable and can be fulfilled, the chairman of this association, Skender Hekuri, said in the meeting organized in the grounds of Hotel Tirana International.

    Despite the difficult situation, the members of this association have not interrupted the giving of their blood.

    This association asks for improvement of the health and social treating as well as normal hygienic conditions. Some 15.000 donors are members of the Association of Blood Donors. /A.Ke/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] Money in total : 232.2 billion lek

    Tirana, Feb.15 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - According to the recent figures taken from the Albanian Bank the total amount of money increase by 4 billion 322 million lek. Already the total amount of money reached the value of 232 billion 246 million from 227 billion 924 million lek before.

    Considering the monetary situation in general there is an increase of Currency assets and the internal credit. The currency aseests increase to 84.1 billion from 81.8 billion lek. While the internal credit reached the value of 203 billion lek. The pretensions towards the Government mark the value of 186.5 billion, while those towards the public enterprices, non financial one, are nearly 2.8 billion lek. 14.5 billion are the pretensions towards the private sector.

    There is an increase of capital income as well, which increase from 75.1 billion to 76 billion lek./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [24] Rambuillet talks - an important step we have backed, Speaker

    TIRANE, Feb. 15 (ATA) - Albania Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi, held a meeting on Monday with Mr. Thanas Veremis, Prof. of political history in the Athens University and at the same time President of Greek foundation in the field of foreign policy. Gjinushi told him that Albanian Parliament is closely attending the talks on Kosova. It has supported the will of Albanian population in Kosova for self-determination through the negotiations and guarantee of international community.

    The press office close to the parliament reports that Gjinushi said "we have underlined that the Albanian population of Kosova should share the same standards of rights and freedoms with the other countries of ex- Yugoslavia. The ongoing talks in Rambuillet make an important step, which we have supported", he continued.

    Hailing the approval of Constitution as one of the main achievements of the last years, the Speaker of Parliament stressed that the legislative reform is now a process in accordance with the New Constitution. Further reforms are to be taken in justice, policy and administration, but the judiciary still remains problematic, although several laws and Constitution guarantee its independence, he added.

    On his side Prof. Veremis thanked the Speaker of Parliament for his analyses and stressed that Rambuillet is a hope for agreement. He added that Greece is ready to contribute in NATO forces. /s.sh/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [25] Cooperation between prefectures and ministries must be more effective, PM

    TIRANA, Feb. 15 (ATA) - The legal package which ensures the decentralization and autonomy of local government and which increases the controlling role of prefecture in accordance with the new Constitution was the main issue discussed in a working meeting that Albania PM Pandeli Majko held Monday with the governors of the country.

    The Ministry of Information reported to ATA that the Minister of Local Government, Arben Demeti and the governor of Tirana, Makbule Ceco, informed about the work being done so that this legal package is prepared as soon as possible. In this way, the effectiveness of the prefecture's work will be increased and their relations with the local government will be regulated in accordance with the European Charter of the Local and Regional Autonomy.

    The second issue which was discussed in the meeting was the increase of cooperation between the prefectures and ministries in accordance with the laws in force.

    Premier Majko stressed that "the more direct, quick and effective the cooperation between prefectures and ministries is, faster the problems are solved."

    The ministers and governors, present in the meeting, focused on concrete issues and decided to solve them within February, ends the report of the Ministry of Information. lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [26] Parliament backs will of Kosova population for self-determination

    TIRANE, Feb. 15 (ATA) - The situation in Kosova was in the focus of the discussion held between Speaker of Albanian Parliament, Skender Gjinushi, and American congressman, Frank Wolf, the press office close to the Parliament reported.

    Gjinushi stressed that the Albanian Parliament has constantly followed the situation there and through its resolutions it has supported the will of the Albanian population for self-determination, through a peaceful solution negotiated by the International Community. Gjinushi said further more that Rambuillet represents an important moment for Kosova and for the entire region.

    American congressman, Wolf, who was just back from a "prayers breakfast", said that reconciliation and wellunderstanding climate are very necessary to convey hope and confidence for the new generation. /lh/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [27] Albanians should ask independence of Kosova in unison, Traficant

    TIRANA, Feb. 15 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: The head of the Albanian Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, held Monday a working meeting with James Traficant, U.S. congressman and Joseph Dioguard, chairman of the Albanian- American civil league and former congressman. The main issues discussed in this meeting were the current political situation in Albania and the grave situation in Kosova.

    "All the Albanians wherever they are must ask in unison the independence of Kosova," the U.S. congressman, Traficant, told a news conference, after the meeting with the opposition leader, Sali Berisha.

    Traficant stressed that for this aim it is needed the sensitization through a petition to be presented to the Albanian people.

    Dioguard said that the Democratic Party should undertake such an initiative for the independence of Kosova in the Albanian Parliament and later on it should turn to the normal life of this institution. /lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [28] Five banks to compete on National Commercial Bank privatisation

    Tirana, Feb.15 (ATA) - By D.Koca - Five foreign banks are selected to compete on the privatisation process of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) in Albania.

    The first preeliminary section of the banks interested in this privatisation process is hold today in the Ministry of Finance under the direction of the Finance Minister, who is the head of the Offers Commission about the NCB privatisation.

    According to the spokesman of the Fianance Ministry the commission opened the documents sent to it and concluded that the further documents' examination will be done for the following five bank companies: One italian bank, Banca di Roma; two greek ones, Alpha Credit Bank and Pireaus Bank; and two turkish one, Cent Bank and Bankcapital.

    The documents will continue to be taken into another second test, that is going to take place soon.

    National Commercial Bank is the second greatest bank of the second rate in Albania, after the Saving Bank. The bank privatisation is predicted to finish within the first six months of this year./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [29] Continues interest's fall of treasure bonus

    Tirana, Feb.15 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - The percentage of bonus interest continues to fall for the three kinds of bonus maturity. The interest of bonus of three months maturity fall to 19,9 % compared with the value of 32,4% marked on January 1998.

    The interest of the bonus of six months maturity compared with the value of the previous year fall from 34.1% to 21.5%. While the interest of the 12 months maturity marks the value of 23% from 34.7% in January 1998.

    Beside the bonus there is a fall also of the refinanced percentage, the percentage of 12 months deposits and that of 12 months credit. The refinanced percentage fall to 22.9% from 32% in January 1998. The percentage of 12 months deposits marks the value of 26.4% from 17.2% marked last year.

    The credit percentage from 43% last year fall to 35%. Although there is a considerable fall the credit interest continues to be high./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [30] 85 new equipments on help of Albanian milk industry

    Tirana, Feb.15 (ATA) - By E.Xhajanka - 86 new eqipments of the capacity of 1-3 tons, together with respective labs will be devided within a Fabruary in a form of credit to the members of the Albanian Assossiation of Dairy Products. They are provided by USAID project.

    "This help will strongly affect not only the qualitive proccesing of the milk products, but will affect in the better supply of the market with such products" - said Petraq Karaj the president of the assossiation.

    Actually a great number of the farmers unable to process the milk are selling it directly on the roads and kiosks without any hygienic examinations. Although there are a lot of milk plants like Ajka and Extra Milk in Tirana, Elbasan, Durres, Fier, Kavaja and Lushnje. Their processing capacity is nearly 150 tons per day. Beside these plants, there are small processing centers in all the country, but anyway thay can't take all the milk production.

    USAID help, by giving 85 new equipments, aim at the increase of milk industry capacity in Albania and the improvement of the processing technology, as well./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [31] Another provocation in border between Albania and Kosova

    HAS, Feb. 15 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: The Serb military and police forces made provocations again in the Albanian border with Yugoslavia.

    The spokesman of the police department of Kukes prefecture reported to ATA that early on Monday machine guns and heavy machine guns were fired towards the Albanian state border, in the village of Dobrun, district of Has.

    According to the same source, the Albanian border forces are on alert, meanwhile that leaders of the district police commissariat went to the spot for the verification of the situation. The inter-border commission of the Albanian party urged the Serb party to explain the circumstances of this provocation.

    Meanwhile that the Albanian-Serb talks continue in Rambouillet, the Serb military and police forces continue the provocations in the border with Albania. There have been 5 cases during January and February of this year, by thus keeping tense the situation between the two countries. /lh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [32] Progress in commercial exchange with Italy

    Tirana, Feb.15 (ATA) - By D.Koca - During year 1998 there is a progress in the commercial exchange between Albania and Italy. The commercial exchange during this period is 75,9 billion lek that is to say 45% more compared with the value of year 1997. They represent 49% of the total Albanian trade with the other parts of the world.

    According to the Italian Embassy the Albanian exports towards Italy in 1998 mark the value of 19,9 billion lek that is to say 64% of the total Albanian exports. While the imports from Italy reached the value of 56 billion lek, which cover 45% of the total imports.

    The 1998 data compared with those of 1997 show an increase in the Albanian exports towards Italy by 92% followed by an imports' increase of 31%.

    The high increase of the percentage of the registered exports in 1998 compared with the increase of the Albanian exports with the other part of the world show an increase of the productive activity in Albania. It has a positive effects on the Albanians' employement, in which main role is played by the Italian bussinessmen and the great common Italo- Albanian companies.

    The other goods imported from Italy includes textiles, homes'equipments, leather, wheat, clothes, machineries, cement, paper, chimical and plastic products .

    Other important Albanian exports are : textiles' materials, food, cigarettes, clothes, furnitures and handmade goods./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [33] Contact Group engaged in successful finalization of Rambouillet talks

    TIRANA, Feb. 15 (ATA) - The U.S. ambassador, Christopher Hill, the main mediator in the conflict in Kosova, called on Monday noon the Albania Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo.

    Ambassador Hill familiarized the Albanian Minister with the results of the last meeting of the Contact Group. He underlined the fact that the Contact Group is very engaged in the successful finalization of the Rambouillet talks.

    Further on, Hill estimated the constructive stand of the Albanian delegation in the Rambouillet talks by clearly saying that "we are very pleased with the unity, work and their common contribution to reach the final agreement."

    Hill added that NATO is ready to back the political efforts of the international community, and will guarantee the complete implementation of the accord that will emerge from the Rambouillet conference.

    On the same day, Minister Milo held a telephone conversation with the OSCE rotating chairman and the Foreign Minister of Norway, Knut Vollebaek. They both exchanged opinions regarding the progress of talks in Rambouillet and the prospective of the solution of the Kosova crisis. /lh/mt/


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


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