Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-02-26

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CONTENTS

[01] NGOs discuss cooperation, partnership with local government

[02] CoE to offer ongoing assistance to order in Albania

[03] Minister says Tirana role in Rambouillet only consultative not imposing

[04] Friends of Albania satisfied with Albanian government work

[05] Albanian writer becomes member of Romania Writers' League

[06] Albanian little painters awarded in Forli exhibition

[07] Greece ambassador to Albania presented credentials

[08] Minister says we aim at applying voluntarily blood donation

[09] Draft law on bed-equipped clinics soon

[10] Tirana currency rate with dollar gaining points

[11] Fresh Serb military reinforcement in Kosova

[12] Kiosk operation resumes in Tirana

[13] Rugova says Belgrade's military offensive in Kosova - catastrophic

[14] Mini-ringroad to "evacuate" Tirane center from vehicles

[15] Alexandros Mallais, new representative of Athens in Albania

[16] Higher studies may be also attended on payment

[17] Serb forces attack south Kosova, people flee to Macedonia

[18] Foreign music most preferred by youths

[19] Three notaries dismissed, 15 others warned for dismissal

[20] Winners of "Velija '98" Competition on journalism, culture to be announced on March 1.

[21] Reconstruction of Tirana-Durresi railway to its end

[22] Vocabulary written by Kokona to be presented in International Book Fair, Paris

[23] Two new health centers built in Pogradeci district

[24] Albania has become an element for solution of crisis in the Balkan region - PM Majko

[25] Law on fuels: Tax inspectors start to fulfil it

[26] Balkan Olympic Assembly gathered in Skopje

[27] CE to continue aid for consolidation of Albanian institutions

[28] Albanian citizen possessing fake documents, US$ in jails

[29] AEC to analyze technic-financial situation

[30] 225 Albanian students in Russia

[31] Shuli: Albania-Bulgaria transport agreement must be assigned

[32] Albanian Army in full alert to defend homeland - Minister

[33] KLA defeats Serb forces in fighting in south of Kosove

[01] NGOs discuss cooperation, partnership with local government

Head of the Albanian Forum of NGO Artan Spahiu said to ATA that over 300 associations and foundation adhered to this independent forum of non- political and non-religious character.

The forum aims at coordinating the NGOs themselves, reinforcing information, providing qualifying courses, holding open dialogue with all and conducting researches and surveys worth of the Albanian society.

Enkelejda Turkeshi, head of the Durres Forum division, said that some 32 associations and foundation operate in the district while the seminar underway was the third within a few months. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] CoE to offer ongoing assistance to order in Albania

A spokesman of the ministry of Order said to ATA that the minister Koçi pointed out that order and security in Albania had been improved.

"We have increased efficiency, undertaken structural reforms in police, but we have much to do," Koçi said.

He added that international mafia was very powerful while the Albanian state was fragile. Therefore, he asked for a greater engagement in this fight and a complex assistance not only from neighbouring countries but also from other European ones.

The Euro deputies Tura and Smorawinsky voiced their interests in measures to establish security in Albania, Hajdari' case (Democrat deputy killed last September) programs on disarmament of population, protection of children from different trafficking and the like as well as expressed the readiness of the Council of Europe to help Albania. /lh/ak/

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[03] Minister says Tirana role in Rambouillet only consultative not imposing

"The Albanian government tried to contribute modestly in achieving an agreement," Milo told journalists in a press conference in Tirana after ending his Vienna visit. Milo had also been to Rambouillet where the peace talks on Kosova conflict ended on Tuesday.

"Our role was only consultative and not at all imposing on anyone," chief of the Albanian diplomacy said expressing his optimism on the agreement.

Nevertheless, Milo told journalists that the agreement could be threatened by development in the Balkan region but he said that "those who could sabotage it might be Serbs, who did not agree on NATO forces and autonomy for Kosova."

Asked about the attitude of Adem Demaçi, KLA representative, who was against the agreement, he replied that "Demaçi made the statement before the Albanian delegation returned from Rambouillet and I hoped that delegation members would acquaint him on what was achieved there."

He said that he hoped Demaçi would join the other Kosova leaders.

Albanian minister also hailed the formation of the Kosova government considering it "part of the Rambouillet agreement" and said that during the last three weeks until the next meeting in Paris on March 15 where an agreement on Kosova was expected to be reached, the Albanian government would have ongoing contacts with the Kosova leaders. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Friends of Albania satisfied with Albanian government work

Albanian foreign minister Paskal Milo, who attended the meeting of the "Friends of Albania" in Vienna, said that this meeting was a very serious engagement on the part of Albania's partners, who joined for the first time a meeting as that of Wednesday.

"We present our views on developments in Albania after the International conference in Tirana and discuss our achievements and failures in fulfilling goals coming up in October conference," Milo said.

He said that "the Friends are satisfied with the efforts undertaken by the Albanian government so far even in those sectors, which were more sensitive. They stressed that despite good efforts in easing political tension in Albania, order in particular, the fight against all kinds of trafficking continue to be the challenge of the present government."

The grouping created on the initiative of the United States aimed at supporting Albania politically.

"This support would be in both local and international levels such as the Wednesday meeting in Vienna," Milo said. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Albanian writer becomes member of Romania Writers' League

Kyçyku is the author of a series of novels and volumes of stories in Albanian and Rumanian which were praised as the basis of his success in becoming a member of the Rumanian Writers' League.

Two thousand out of 21 thousand writers in Rumania are members of the Writers' League including an Albanian author.

Kyçyky has displayed his works in two book fairs in Leipzig in March '98 and Frankfurt in October '98, Germany. Most of his novels have been published in German and Hungarian magazines and the author is going to present other four novels for publication.

Ardian Kyçyku has graduated the faculty in Bucharest, Rumania and lives there. He runs a bilingual literary magazine, which aims at presenting and reviving Albanian and Rumanian literary and cultural values. /lh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albanian little painters awarded in Forli exhibition

Sources close to the jury said recently that the works of little painters from Shkodra had attracted the attention of many visitors both for their artistic skill and theme where peace dominated.

The Director of the Cultural Center of Children, Reshat Mehmeti, said to ATA that "this is the third year that our painters attend the international exhibition opened in Forli, Italy, with the participation of painters from all over the Europe."

They presented 23 works in the exhibition and were awarded prizes and special souvenirs. Eris Bushati, 9, was also given a symbolic cup for her work. /dast/ak/

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[07] Greece ambassador to Albania presented credentials

Sources of the Protocol Directorate at the Albanian Foreign Ministry said that present at the credential ceremony was Foreign minister Paskal Milo.

The Greek ambassador was accompanied by diplomats of the Greek embassy to Tirana. /s.sh/ak/

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[08] Minister says we aim at applying voluntarily blood donation

He added that they would amend the relevant law and incite voluntarily blood donation. A draft act, which incites this, would be submitted to the Council of Ministers.

Tatiana Nurka, chief of the blood donation center in Tirana, said that this kind of donation secured controlled blood because volunteers did not donate blood for economic reasons.

The center has collected some 170 blood units during January and February, more than last year and the center has met the demands of the Tirana University Hospital Center for blood.

The blood donors are qualified in four categories. The first includes those who are paid, applicable in a few countries in the world; the second voluntarily donors, the third and the fourth family donors and those who reserve their blood for a possible surgery intervention. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Draft law on bed-equipped clinics soon

A ministry spokesman said to ATA that a normal functioning of such clinics needed proper legislation, which would enable clinics to operate.

A working group is outlining a draft law, which will define the conditions for such clinics, specific elements for their existence in face of competition, provisions to be borne in mind by the relevant legal medical team for a status, on which they will operate.

It will define legal procedures to supply them with medicaments containing narcotics, which are necessary in surgery, the spread of the network of clinics.

A draft law on private bed-equipped clinics has started a year ago and now it is in its final stage. Such clinics are thought to be opened first in Tirana and later in other districts. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Tirana currency rate with dollar gaining points

US$1.00			141.60
German mark		 80.30
Italian lire (1000)	 80.60
Greek Drachmas (100)	 48.40
Euro			158.40

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Fresh Serb military reinforcement in Kosova

Sources of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Serb forces were digging fortifications in a two-km long area from the place called "Zabeli i hoxhes" to "Guri i Zi" (Black Stone) and had placed heavy armaments targeting the villages of Sferke, Dush, Panorc, Rudoselle and others.

"The situation is very tense and the population there is afraid of a large presence of Serb military forces," LDK sources in Malisheva said, quoting the Center for Information in Kosova.

Movements of troops and vehicles were seen on Thursday towards Skenderaj, central area of Kosova, sources of the LDK in Mitrovice said. They added that Serb forces were placed in villages of Mitrovica commune.

The same sources said that six armoured carriers, eight big personnel carriers and other military vehicles arrived in Skenderaj on Thursday.

LDK sources in Mitrovica, north of Skenderaj near the ore mine of Trepca, reported on Serb forces deployed in villages of this commune. They said that Serb tanks and military vehicles were placed in the hills overlooking the area.

Serb soldiers are deployed in mountain-chains linking villages of Lushte, Zhabar, Koshtove, Broboniq and Koprive. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Kiosk operation resumes in Tirana

Vehicles of construction police were seen early on Friday in the area to resume the removal of kiosks. Some hundreds of kiosks were removed in Tirana so far.

The area where operation is going on numbers 43 kiosks including two- floor buildings.

The removal of kiosks, which started two months ago in the capital has been the main point of the undertaking for a tidy and cultured Tirana initiated by Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko.

Police said that there were no reports of confrontation with the owners and police forces. Most of them had started dismantling the kiosks.

Chief of the construction police Proletar Roshi said that some 65 kiosks were planned to be removed within March 3 from the above mentioned area to Avni Rustemi square.

In the last meeting, the working group for a tidy and cultured Tirana urged the police of construction to continue removing kiosks at the Culture Palace, Unknown Soldier and parliament. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Rugova says Belgrade's military offensive in Kosova - catastrophic

Asked by the ATA correspondent in Prishtina on present reinforcement of Serb forces and possibility for a new offensive in Kosova, Rugova replied that "this is done on purpose and there exists the risk that the peace accord on Kosova can be violated and bring about a catastrophe and a new tragedy for Kosova."

Rugova praised the concern of the international community over the peace in Kosova and especially the reactions of the United States and the European Community.

"We are interested in achieving a peace agreement as soon as possible and deploying NATO in Kosova," Rugova said.

He added: "Such a step would create a guarantee for all the Kosova citizens and the Balkan region."

Rugova urged Belgrade to stop immediately the offensive and abandon plans for military pressure on the free and democratic will of the Kosova people. /pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Mini-ringroad to "evacuate" Tirane center from vehicles

Tirane town-hall prepared the project for this mini-ring and the Municipality Council presented it to the government, waiting for the necessary funds.

The circle will begin from "Zhan D'Ark" boulevart, to continue in the street after the Parliament headquarter, where this segment is thought to be divided into parts, by using a part of the place being used actually as a cloths market.

A new axis is to start from the monument "Partizani i panjohur", passing afterwards after the hotel "Tirane International" and which should pass after the Socialist Party headquarter. The ring-road will continue afterwards in the Defence Ministry where it will be connected again with the "Zhan D'Ark" boulevard.

The most critical points of the busy traffic in capital are in the center. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Alexandros Mallais, new representative of Athens in Albania

TIRANE, Feb.26 (ata) - By I Luto: The new Ambassador of the Republic of Greece in Albania, Alexandros Mallais, presented credentials on Friday to the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, the Information Office of the Greek Republic in Tirane told ATA.

Attending the ceremony held in the Palace of Brigades was also the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paskal Milo.

The Greek Ambassador Alexandros Mallais replaced Ambassador Constantin Prevendurakis, whose diplomatic mandate in Tirane terminated at the beginning of February this year.

Mr Mallais was born in 1949, his origin is from Stemica, a zone in Arcadia of Peloponnisos.

He was graduated in the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the Athens University, and later he had postgraduate studies for Political Sciences in Geneva of Switzerland.

With an almost 30-year diplomatic career, Ambassador Mallais has served in the Greek representations in the U.N. and OSCE and in some important departments in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such as the NATO Department, that of Middle East, of the Relations with Balkan countries, etc.

In 1993, Mr Mallais was a member of the negotiating group for the question of FYROM in the U.N., led by the Liaison Office of the Greek Republic in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

In 1997, Ambassador Mallais was upgraded as Plenipotentiary Minister B'.

Mr Alexandros Mallais is married and has two girls. /y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Higher studies may be also attended on payment

The new law "On higher Education" adopted by Albanian Parliament yesterday, envisages a special tariff for the attendance of public higher schools, said to ATA the deputy Minister of Education, Mimoza Hafizi.

The law determines that admissions in the university are made according to main and secondary quotas of students, said Hafizi, adding that the secondary quotas may be as high as nearly 10 per cent of the number of the students, winners of the admission contests, who are entitled the right for studies on the basis of special tariffs, which are yet not fixed.

Over 90 per cent of the money made from these special tariffs will be administered directly by the universities and other higher schools. They will be used mainly to improve the university infrastructure, the working and studying conditions. A part of them will serve to pay honorariums for the teachers' staff and to give scholarships to low-income-students. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Serb forces attack south Kosova, people flee to Macedonia

The attack started at 8.00. a.m. against Pustenik and Rezhance villages forcing the population of both Albanian villages and the surrounding area to flee the area to Macedonia.

Shootings were audible but there was no report on casualties, sources from Hani i Elezit said adding that the OSCE verifying mission in Kosova had been informed on the attack. /pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Foreign music most preferred by youths

The private radios created recently in Albania make use of a wide variety of foreign songs of different kinds, as dance, alternative, rock, metal songs while the place occupied by the Albanian songs is rather small.

This is connected with the requirements and the preferences of the fans. Majority part of fans are Albanian youths.

Despite radios, and musical market, the Albanian new generation goes even in discos to "taste" thier preferred music. All discos offer every kind of foreign music, but they offer no kind of Albanian music.

The Albanian music is not served because it does not meet the standards of dancing in discos. They are trying to solve this problem by the remix version of the best Albanian songs.

Another phenomenon encountered in the Albanian music is its low productivity. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Three notaries dismissed, 15 others warned for dismissal

The ministry spokesman told ATA that during the control in the notary offices in all the districts, on the basis of the Law on Notary, violations have been found for several notaries. Consequently, three of them were sacked and 15 others were warned their licence may be removed. The controllers fined and passed remarks for several other notaries.

The spokesman said that the program of qualification for young notaries and attorneys has changed with higher demands in their exams and tests.

The registration of all attorneys is being made now in cooperation with the National Chamber of Attorneys, with the aim of gathering individual information for each of them and granting them identity cards. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Winners of "Velija '98" Competition on journalism, culture to be announced on March 1.

This is the forth time that such a competition is organized. The journalists of culture present themselves only with an article, which treats important problems of the Albanian culture.

The jury has accorded three prizes last year. The first prize was given to Fatos Baxhaku, who was presented with the article "1914-1997 - unfortunate years", published in the weekly magazine "Klan", the second prize was given to the journalist Mimoza Dervishi, while the journalist Sokol Balla was awarded the third prize. /f.n/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Reconstruction of Tirana-Durresi railway to its end

Tirana, Feb.26 (ATA) - By M.Pupa - Today is hold the ceremony of completing the reconstruction of the railway line Tirana-Durresi.

The Albanian Prime minister Pandeli Majko, the minister of Public Affairs and Transport Ingrid Shuli, and representatives from the Italian Embassy take part in this ceremony.

The Albanian Prime minister was the first to inaugurate the new line and traveled by train from Vlora to Tirana.

The project on rehabilitation and modernization of this part of the Albanian railway is financed by the Italian Government by an assistance credit of six billion lirets in a form of soft loan. The other part of the credit of 1.7 billion lirets is financed by the World Bank.

The railway line Tiran-Durresi 37 km long is part of the eight corridor.

Until now it is reconstructed a part of the actual line of 28.2 Km. Its reconstruction is done by the Italian Company "Fersalento" financed by the Italian Government in cooperation with the World Bank.

The travel from Durresi to Tirana and vice-versa can be done within 30 minutes.

According to the agreement the Albanian Government must to pay the soft loan within 30 years from the accord day and will pay an interest of one percent./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Vocabulary written by Kokona to be presented in International Book Fair, Paris

The vocabulary "Albania-French" comprises 35 000 words and is accompanied with phraseologic expressions and proverbs.

The work for issuing this vocabulary has started years ago, and is based on the Albanian-French vocabulary published in 1997. The Albanian critics have qualified this book as "a work with undisputable scientific values, which brings a lingual purity" and that it "has strengthen the friendship climate between the Albanian and French people ".

Vedat Kokona who passed away last year, is known in Albania as one of the best Albanain translators. He has translated with originality several works in Albanian language.

The Book Fair in Paris is one of the biggest fairs of books in the world, where countries from all over the world take place. Some 8 Albanian publishers from Albania, Kosova and Macedonia are to go in Paris to present the Albanian book there. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Two new health centers built in Pogradeci district

Vasfi Topçiu, Director of the Health Public in this district, told ATA that these health centers were built with a finance of US$ 100 000 accorded by the German government in the framework of the project "Care for mothers and children".

According to him, even the furnishing with the necessary materials are to be realized with the funds of the German government, through the Bank for Construction and Development.

The German part will finance even the construction of two other health centers in the communes of this district. The number of the health centers to be constructed is foreseen to be eight. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Albania has become an element for solution of crisis in the Balkan region - PM Majko

As the spokesman of the PM told ATA, the local situation, the crisis in the Balkan region, the question of Kosove and the new institutional relations established with the approval of the new Constitution of Albania and the relations between the ruling majority and the opposition were the main moments of the talk.

The new constitution enables the approval of decree-laws by the government which has created an evident flexibility of the government especially for the economic problems, said Prime Minister Majko. He added that one of the sharpest problems Albania is facing is that of public order, and he presenting the measures that the government must adopt to solve it.

PM Majko said that from a country which experienced an internal crisis, Albania has become an element for the solution of the crisis in the Balkan region. He considered as very flexible the role that the Albanian delegation has played in the Rambouillet talks and what Tirana has made in support of the process for peace in the region.

PM Majko considered an evident reality the political detente in the country and explained the steps made by the ruling majority in this regard.

PM stressed that also opposition parties have returned to the Parliament and that there was no sufficient reason for the Democratic Party to keep out of the Parliament. He pointed out that his government is attaching full attention to the approval of a draft law for the creation of an investigation group for the murder of deputy Azem Hajdari, and the draft law proposed by the Democratic Party for this purpose has been consulted with experts of the Council of Europe and OSCE.

"We support every legal initiative in this direction. We have full will but this may not be unconstitutional," said PM Majko.

Deputy Sole Tura considered as very important the implementation of the new Albanian Constitution and highlighted the cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties demanding a closer cooperation in the future. "Naturally, by expecting the opposition to take part in the Parliament," said deputy Sole Tura. /ani.ake/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Law on fuels: Tax inspectors start to fulfil it

According to the information from the Tax Directory there are a lot of fuel sale points in Albania. From the control taken these days the tax inspectors stated that the bill of the fuel bought were not in use at all. This was done in purpose by the shopkeepers to hide the real benefits.

Actually in Albania nearly 60% of the clients needs for oil and gas and their products as well are provided from the import. The lack of the state structure and the proper devices about the quality check and the spread of these products let the possibilities for smuggling and abuses in the quality and prices of these products.

The new law predicted the establishing of the Public Inspectorate of the Fuels as the only specialized organ in controlling the activities of different subjects that act in this field.

By the law it is defined that this Inspectorate will depend on the Ministry of Finance, while the President returns this article of the law asking the Inspectorate to depend on the Ministry of Public Economy and Privatization, as more specialized institution.

According to the law the fuels' exports and imports will be done freely, but the juridical persons are obliged to present in this Ministry the program on the developing of this activity.

The fuel sale-points must supply only the companies of wholesale trade, licensed according to the agreements assigned between them. They are not allowed to sell fuel for sea and air transport.

The sale station must keep the trade mark from the companies of wholesale trade and must expose obviously the kind, prices of the fuels on sale, the worktime and other services as well./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Balkan Olympic Assembly gathered in Skopje

This assembly, which is gathered for the fifth time, will discuss on the collaboration of the Balkan Olympic Committees and preparation for the Olimpic Plays "Sidney 2000".

Participating in the activity is also a delegation from Albania, leaded by Arben Jorgoni. Another issue to be discussed in this meeting is also the proposal of Macedonian Olympic Committee, on organization of second edition of Balkan Olimpic Days in 2001. The first edition of this activity was hold in 1997, in Sofje, where participating was also an Albanian olympic team. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] CE to continue aid for consolidation of Albanian institutions

Reports from the president's press and information office say that Mr Meidani underlined that positive tendencies for the development of the democratic society and institutions are being noticed in all the country and in every field.

President Meidani stressed the role of the civil society in easing the conflicts in the political life for the country and the dialogue within institutions, as the best way to serve the country.

An indisputable achievement for the latest period was for President Meidani the liberal spirit in the development of the Albanian society, mentioning along others also the private press and medias as an indispensable element for the development of a democratic society.

The European delegation considered these results as positive and reconfirmed CE's will to help consolidate Albania's institutions and stability. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Albanian citizen possessing fake documents, US$ in jails

The spokesman of the Tirane Police Prefecture told ATA on Friday that at about 20.00 o'clock the economic-financial anti-crime police forces arrested the citizen Faik Baku, who was caught with international passports of several citizens, in the vicinity of "Dajti" hotel.

The police forces sequestrated fake US$ 600, 20 Kosovars birth certificates bearing the seals of different communes, 13 international passports, 13 certificates, 30 photos of different citizens, to whom he had promised visas for different countries, the spokesman explained.

The spokesman said that the detained person collaborated with other persons. Police forces are working to identify them. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[29] AEC to analyze technic-financial situation

In this meeting it is stressed that the AEC mechanism and the "Task Force" must have a very active role to keep efficiently the system and in cashing the incomes as a weak point of AEC.

Another issue discussed in this meeting is the future AEC investments.

AEC decided to interrupt the energy provision to all subjects that do not pay their fees, while the deadline for the public institutions to pay the debts to AEC is March 5.

Within this month (march) AEC will present a study about the new methods and structures to be applied in cashing the incomes.

AEC predicted to assign contracts with defined private structures to be very efficient in cashing the incomes./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[30] 225 Albanian students in Russia

They highlighted the fact that now in Russia there are 225 Albanians studying in secondary and higher schools, of whom 50 are there on the basis of an agreement reached between the two countries. "They are very good pupils and students with average marks above 9.8," said Ambassador Saprikin.

Russian Ambassador told Minister Ruka that his country offers ten other university and five post-graduate scholarships for 1999-2000 academic year.

The chief of the foreign relations department in the Albanian Ministry of Education, Artan Canaj said that the minister and the Ambassador considered the possibility for continuous studies for Russian language in Albania "according to the relations between the two countries and the demands that Albanian pupils and students have" who, as Minister Ruka said, are manifesting more interest in western languages such as English, French and German. The Minister assured the Ambassador that for the Russian language they were going to maintain some acceptable parameters conformed to the demands of the Albanian state." This year, he stressed, a class for the Russian language will be established in the Asim Vokshi secondary foreign languages school in Tirane, with the aim that they continue studies in the university as well. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[31] Shuli: Albania-Bulgaria transport agreement must be assigned

The minister Shuli informs that in the meeting between the Albanian- Bulgarian common economic commission hold in 23-25 February in Bulgaria it is assigned the protocol agreement between the two countries.

This agreement in Transport has the same date with that of visit of Bulgarian Foreign Minister in Albania.

In the common economic Commission are treated different agricultural problems and it is said that soon a general agreement will be assigned between the Transport Ministries of the two countries concerning the protection of the plants.

It is planned to be assigned an agreement in the trade field, mainly on the further developing of the small and medium enterprises (SME).

The minister Shuli said that in this meeting is discussed the possibilities of establishing a business center between the two countries.

"There are some Albanians in Bulgaria that have their businesses there. Meanwhile there are many others in Albania that look forward to have their activities in Bulgaria" explains the Albanian Minister Shuli.

In the meeting of the common economic commission there were preparations for another agreement between the two countries in energetic and environment field./linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[32] Albanian Army in full alert to defend homeland - Minister

Taking part in the inspection were also the Chief of the Army General Staff, Brigade General Aleks Andoni and the U.S. military attache in Albania, Colonel Applegate.

"With the conflict in Kosove, close to the border with Albania, the Albanian military units in the north are manifesting through their high military preparedness and patriotism that they are ready to face any unexpected situation which may threaten the country's sovereignty," said Mr Hajdaraga in his address to the military units.

"The Albanian Government" added the Defence Minister "is for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Kosove which may be guaranteed through a political and military commitment of the international diplomacy."

After the recent increase of the military tension in Kosove, with the Serb Army moving very close to the border with Albania, the Albanian Government has devoted a great attention to the army and the increase of its readiness. This month, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko inspected the most important Albanian military bases, such as the military aviation base in Gjader, the missiles base etc., and has visited the infantry division in Kukes whose task is to defend the northeastern segment of the Albanian border. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[33] KLA defeats Serb forces in fighting in south of Kosove

Village Pustenik of Hani i Elezit was hit with tanks, armoured vehicles and heavy artillery pieces and in the fightings which continued until afternoon, according to Radio Kosova e Lire, two members of the Serb forces were killed while only one soldier was slightly wounded from the KLA. According to the same source, the KLA positions were defended while the Serb forces had to withdrew at about 2 p.m. /lh/xh/

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