Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-02-20

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] 300 children sell on Tirane streets every day - Centre

[02] Religious communities appeal for social peace

[03] BOBSH regional board urges review of law on income tax

[04] New hospital be constructed in Durres soon

[05] Population increases, budget decreases in Albanian capital

[06] European commission allocates first tranche to Albanian budget

[07] Education directorate urges opening of high professional schools

[08] Children say we know how to express ourselves

[09] U.S. state secretary meets Albanian delegation

[10] Tirana currency rate

[11] U.S. State Secretary meets with Albanian delegation

[12] Gymnasium students preparing for International Physics Olympiad

[13] National youth soccer team prepared for European Championship

[14] Commemorative stone against crime close to VEFA ex-supermarket

[15] Low number of women carrying leading posts

[16] Draft-law for defence of rights of violated children

[17] DP holds rally to commemorate 20 February

[18] Matches for second stage of national football championship of Albania played

[19] Spanish Agency of International Cooperation accords scholarships for 1999-2000

[20] European Commision financed 9 million EURO in support of Albanian Budget

[21] Daniel Tarchys condemns Recaku massacre

[22] 53 enterprices to be privatised within March 1999

[23] Finance: 2 450 000 DM help to Agricultural University of Tirana

[24] Six former senior state officials freed from home arrest, investigation will continue

[25] 166.7 billion LEK cashed in banks

[26] Fightings in outskirts of Suhareke

[27] Second meeting for adoption of laws between EU and Albania

[28] Slovenia promises support to Albania's European and Euro-Atlantic integration

[01] 300 children sell on Tirane streets every day - Centre

According to the Centre for Defence of Children's Rights in Albania, there over 300 children in Tirane who sell on the streets. In small cities this phenomenon is not so evident and the number of children selling there is 50.

The Code of Labour prohibits the work of minors under 14, but still this is not observed in practice. The existence of such a law does not prevent 10-13 year olds to sell everyday on the streets of Albanian cities cigarettes, bananas, cassettes, and sometimes, becoming victims of violence and abuse.

This has brought about the abandonment of school by some children, who, in order to overcome their economic difficulties, are forced, sometimes by their parents, to abandon school and work in stead.

According to the Centre, over 38 per cent of the pupils of 8th form school leave classes regularly. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Religious communities appeal for social peace

"We should keep the weapons out of the reach of the children and should not teach them play with weapon toys", the appeal of the religious communities said.

It added that the education of the youth strengthened the relations in family and among people.

"Killing is a sin and as such should be condemned by God. Weapon does not protect you, but it is the law, which protects you," the appeal said.

It called on all politicians to find a common language, which is the only way to establish social peace in Albanian society. /ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] BOBSH regional board urges review of law on income tax

President of the regional organization Dritan Çela told ATA about the decision of the board which was backed and approved in a joint meeting even by the representatives of the Commercial Chamber asking the remarks on the law be considered.

Çela said that the draft and approval of the law were done without consulting and cooperating with businessmen.

"We back not only a 10 to 15 percent rate on income tax as against 30 percent foreseen by the law and 10 percent for the production section. While for local mountainous areas it should not be 10 percent," said president of the local BOBSH, which was founded two weeks ago. /pas/ak/

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[04] New hospital be constructed in Durres soon

In order to have the fund, the respective bodies have made the necessary repairs and the total spending for the project was equal to the fund allocated by these bodies. The dispute was totally resolved and the city of Durres would have a new hospital.

Arqile Gorreja, city mayor said to ATA that OPEC and the Islamic Bank for Development had confirmed that the credit would be given to help start the construction works.

Gorreja said that representatives of the Italian studio "Monaca & Mastaj" would be in Durres on March 2 with a project to help implement the hospital project.

Local government officials and hospital administration have discussed the preparation for the infrastructure system and construction site. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Population increases, budget decreases in Albanian capital

The real figure for 1999 is some 900 million leks with 89 percent for employees' payment and spending for enterprises under the jurisdiction of the town hall. The amount of money for investment during 1999 is only 100 million leks, a spokesman of the town hall said to ATA on Friday.

The budget for 1999 is under the quotas of 1998 budget and given the fact that inflation is 7 percent it (budget) is some 80 million leks less.

The Tirana town hall has voiced its concern to the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Local Government and Prefecture. The prefecture and Ministry of Finance have conceded a reduction in the budget of 1999 and the latter has promised to give the difference created during 1998, town hall specialists said.

The municipality council discussed on Friday the budget of 1999 and said that the Tirana town hall had the right to use a part of the income from the local taxes and other services. The council said that the aim of the town hall was to collect all local taxes and use them efficiently.

A fund worth 102 million leks provided by taxes was used by the town hall for investments. The Ministry of Local Government had set a limit of 130 million leks in revenues be used for investments. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] European commission allocates first tranche to Albanian budget

Chief of the DG IA of the European Union, Mr Barbaso has sent a letter to the Albanian minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli acquainting him with the decision.

Barbaso said that the delivery of the fund worth 9 million Euro was done after "the European authorities appreciated the achievements in privatising the state owned economic sectors, stability of the macro economic situation in Albania, reforms in banking system and the final stage of liquidating pyramid schemes."

Another factor was the approval by the Albanian parliament of a law on state budget for 1999, which paved the way for fundamental improvements in administrating public spending as well as progresses in agricultural sector.

The European Commission, through Phare program, has prepared the second tranche worth 5.5 million Euro but according to Barbaso, the delivery of the fund was related to further steps undertaken by the Albanian government that is speeding up process of privatisation, reforms in judiciary and public order, public administration and public main services.

He said that "if there are any positive signals to that end the second tranche worth 5.5 million Euro will be delivered." /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Education directorate urges opening of high professional schools

A questionnaire was distributed to different specialists asking them on possibilities of opening high professional schools.

At present, there are 11 high schools in Kukes but of general education. Until 1991 the district had some mechanical, mining, agriculture high schools but they were closed. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Children say we know how to express ourselves

The exhibition was organised by the Education Directorate in cooperation with the Culture Center of Children in observing the Convention on children' rights.

The drawings were selected among 400 works presented by the pupils of the eight-year schools of the capital.

Present reality seen through the children' eyes, their wish for peace and 'protest' for their rights show that they are matured in their way of expressing feelings and emotions they face daily.

The Foundation Opening Society for Albania and Soros Foundation, sponsors of the activity, will decide for the best drawings within five days. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] U.S. state secretary meets Albanian delegation

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Tirana currency rate

US$1.00			140.60
German mark		 81.10
Italian lire (1000)	 81.40
Greek Drachma (100)	 49.00
EURO			158.10

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] U.S. State Secretary meets with Albanian delegation

The U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, who arrived Saturday in Rambouillet, held a meeting with the Albanian delegation by 9:30, sources from the Kosova Information Center reported. /p.ta/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Gymnasium students preparing for International Physics Olympiad

The members of the team are to be selected among the pupils of the forth year of the high, professional, public or private schools, who demonstrated thier knowledge in the second phase of the national olympiad of physics.

The third phase is to be organized on March 27.

Albanian took part for the first time in this activity with the observer's status. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] National youth soccer team prepared for European Championship

The young football players are gathered in the grounds of the tropical beach in Durres and are trained by the coaches Mexhit Haxhiu and Genc Misha. The soccer team is making the last preparations before the departure for a friendly tour in Greece.

The players of the Albanian team are Sula, Xhafa, Vrapi, Ballco, Gjoni, Grizhaj, Bekaj, and others. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Commemorative stone against crime close to VEFA ex-supermarket

The stone where are written the words "No to crime, yes to life" aims at commemorating the event and to give a strong message in favor of peace in the capital, stressed the town-hall advisors.

Some four persons died and 30 others were wounded in the explosion happening in VEFA supermarket, near Tirane center. /A.Ke/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Low number of women carrying leading posts

Participators in the seminary pointed out the important role the Albanian woman has played in the democratizing process of the Albanian society, through her participation in the taking-decision process and stressed the necessity of growth of this role in the future.

According to Tirane prefecture, Makbule Çeço, the participation of women in the local government is low.

The participants in the seminary hailed the training role of the seminary and said that training will directly affect in qualification and increase of women participation in the decision-taking process. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Draft-law for defence of rights of violated children

The Center for the Defence of Children's Rights, through a project financed by the European Union, will prepare a draft-law for the defence of the rights of the children in Albania within six months.

The project will be realised in cooperation with the sub-commission of Woman and Youth in the Albanian Parliament, as well as with the contribution of the specialists known in the filed of law and children's rights.

According to the representatives of this center, Albania needs a special law for the defence of the rights of children, because the transition process that the Albanian society is facing, has also affected the children. This law is necessary because it defends the rights of the most unprotected part of the society, the children, who have been violated, kidnapped and sold until now. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] DP holds rally to commemorate 20 February

Leaders of this party and its allies commemorated 20 February as a day when the symbols of communism were overthrown.

The Public Relation Secretary in the Democratic Party, Vili Minarolli, said that "the day that we are commemorating now has a double meaning. It is connected with half a century of the communist rule in Albania and of the Serb rule in Kosova."

Also, they said that this is a memorable day also for the Kosova people, because its fate will be decided today in Rmabouillet.

The Ministry of Public Order and the Tirana Police Department had taken all the necessary measures to maintain order and tranquility for the normal conduct of the rally. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Matches for second stage of national football championship of Albania played

Follow the results of today's matches:

Besa - Apolonia			1-0
Vllaznia - Laçi			2-0
Tomori - Bylis			0-0
Teuta - Skenderbeu		1-1
Shkumbini - Dinamo		1-0

Standings after the matches of the third week are:

34 points Vllaznia and Tirana (-1 match)
33   "    Bylis
31   "    Lushnja (-1 match)
29   "    Dinamo
28   "    Shkumbini
27   "    Tomorri
25   "    Partizani
23   "    Besa and Skënderbeu
20   "    Elbasani
19   "    Laçi
18   "    Apolonia and Teuta
17   "    Flamurtari, Burreli

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Spanish Agency of International Cooperation accords scholarships for 1999-2000

It is the second time that this Agency accords scholarships mainly for Spanish speaking people in the context of the educational, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation with various countries of the world.

The scholarships from this Agency cover different fields such as education, culture, arts, science for various periods of time.

According to statistics from the Association "Spain's friends", a cultural association created a year ago, there are about 1 000 people who know and speak Spanish in Albania. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] European Commision financed 9 million EURO in support of Albanian Budget

According to Mr.Barbaso, the sum of 9 million EURO is given because " European Authority hailed the attempts and the results got from the privatisation process of the public sectors of the Albanian economy, the stability of macro-economic situation in Albania, the reforms taken in the banks' system and the final step in paying off the pyramidal schemes".

According to Barbasos, another factor that affects in giving this sum is the approaval of the law of the budget year 1999 by the Albanian Parliament. The approval of law brought the progress in administrating the public expenditures and especially in the progress done in the agricultural sector.

European Commission through PHARE program prepared a second help for the Albanian Government, which consits of 5,5 million EURO, according to Barbasos. This help is closely connected with the further progress of the Albanian Government, especially in acceleration of the privatisation process, the predicted reforms in the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the reforms to be undertaken in the public administration and main public services.

He stressed that "the help of 5,5 million EURO will depends on the results of these affairs"./linda/

[21] Daniel Tarchys condemns Recaku massacre

Daniel Tarchus has condemned on Tuesday the masaccre committed to 45 Albanians of Kosova in the village of Recak , is said in a press release issued by the Council of Europe. "The massacre presents an open violation of fondamental values upon which the European Council is set up," Tarchys said.

In a meeting hold with the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, the Secretary General of the CoE, said that the persons responsible are to be judget in the tribunal. He appealed to the FRY not to prevent the Investigator of the International Lawcourt for the Crimes in ex-Yugosllavia, Luize Arbour, and to withdraw the decision for expelling of the Leader of the Kosova Verifing Mission, William Woker.

Tarchys and Milo urged the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to interrupt immediately the force against the Kosovars. They said that they wanted all the parts to stay away from violence and revenge.

The Albanian Foreign Minister was in Strasbourg to take part in a meeting for the reform of the legal and judical system in Albania. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] 53 enterprices to be privatised within March 1999

Several meetings are hold in the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatisation with its partners, who have the possiblities to buy directly the Government's share-certificates based on the two Government's decisions.

The partners in the joint-stock companies and the commercial ones, which cover more than 51% of the share-certificates have the right to buy the public pocket of the share-certificates without participating the auction.

In the cases when they disagree to buy the share-certificates the National Agency of Privatisation (NAP) have the right to announce the day of holding the auction process. In this process are taken into consideration the former landowners and the value of the share-certificates for the employees.

In the list of the 47 joint-stock companies predicted to untertake the privatisation process within March according the share-certificates are the Shoes Factory with 34% of the total share-certificates, Euterma Peqin with 30%, Sportive Club Partizani with 20%, Butan Gaz with 40%, etc.

The commercial companies to be privatised are Bloja Tirana with 30% of the total share-certificates, Cement Factory Elbasan with 30%, Bitumium Mine with 30%, Didactic Devices Tirana with 49% of the total share- certificates./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Finance: 2 450 000 DM help to Agricultural University of Tirana

This project aimed the further qualification of the students that will be graduated from this University, and to improve the research results in the field of the agricultural system.

GTZ project that supports this university is directed by Jorg Lohmann and started its activities since 1993 acting with three main components, furniture, equipment and sharing experiences./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Six former senior state officials freed from home arrest, investigation will continue

Agim Tirane, head of the Investigation department in the Attorney- General's Office said to ATA on Saturday that the ex-officials will be investigated while being free.

The court had decided for them to be under home arrest, but according to the law, said Tirana, after six months the custody becomes invalid automatically.

Nonetheless, investigation for the six will continue until the case is sent to court. /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] 166.7 billion LEK cashed in banks

The Deposits increase also in the public enterprises, other financial institution and private sectors. The public enterprises reach the value of nearly 14.7 billion lek from 14.1 billion lek before.

The deposits of the joint-stock enterprises increase compared with value of the previous periods.

             Deposits (milion lek)
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Enterprise                              |  Deposits'sum
---------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Public enterprises'                     |        14.770
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Other financed institutions'            |         4.760
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Common enterprises'                     |         0
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Private Sector                          |        15.710
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Individuals'                            |       131.515
----------------------------------------------------------------
  In total                               |       166.755
----------------------------------------------------------------

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Fightings in outskirts of Suhareke

According to Serb sources, firing of arms and grenades came from the positions of Serb forces against village Mushitisht of Sahareke.

A powerful explosion was heard last night in Landovicxe, on Prizren- Gjakove road. Another strong blast was early today in the city of Rahovec, where firing of bullets by Serb forces were also heard during the night.

The explosion in Landovice was also accompanied by the fire of machine-guns while the spot was blocked by great number of Serbs.

During last night, in all road intersections in the city of Prizren, numerous Serb forces were stationed. They had ordered the inhabitants to switch off the lights and had arrested several Albanians. OSCE verifiers in Prizren have not been allowed by Serb forces to come out of their offices. Reports from Prizren say that a great number of Serb military forces and war machinery are moving to the border with Albania and they have blocked the road leading to Kukes.

Movements of Serb forces are also seen in Vushtrri, Mitrovice, Prishtine and other cities and villages of Kosove. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Second meeting for adoption of laws between EU and Albania

As the press and information department of the Foreign Ministry of Albania told ATA today, the meeting on Feb.22-23, 1999, will present a broad program of work.

The participants in the meeting will also discuss questions of the legal reform and the reform in the public administration, including the civil service. It will also review the aid to be offered in the context of the PHARE Program for the public administration in Albania. A special place in the meeting will take the discussion on questions of the market economy.

Albanian delegation will be led by the State Secretary for European Integration, Maqo Lakrori. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Slovenia promises support to Albania's European and Euro-Atlantic integration

The press department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry reports that Mr Lakrori met on Saturday with his Slovenian counterpart, Igor Bavear. He also met with the State Secretary in the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, Franko Juri, with the State Secretary in the Defence Ministry, Bogdan Koprivnikar and other high representatives of the Parliament and the Government Office for European Questions.

In the context of the promotion of the concrete cooperation between the two countries in the field of integration, Secretary Lakrori informed his interlocutors of the platform of integration of Albania and the creation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee.

The Slovenian party promised support for the integration processes in Albania.

The question of Kosove was also treated in the meetings of Mr Lakrori in Slovenia. They have stressed their support for a positive outcome of the Rambouillet Conference. /dast/xh/

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