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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-01-06

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] Albanian Radio and Television towards self-administration
  • [02] Ministry of Culture to analyse Albanian culture for 1998
  • [03] Measures, ways to change situation in KESH
  • [04] Reconstruction of university building to finish on 15 January
  • [05] Radio, television structures to be changed in a public television
  • [06] Police chief appointed in Gjirokaster
  • [07] Switching box on fire, 200 subscribers without phone connections
  • [08] Modernization of Rinas airport will continue during 1999
  • [09] Peace, war not depend only on KLA, spokesman says
  • [10] Removal of kiosks in "Skenderbej" square starts
  • [11] Central Albania records a greater density of population
  • [12] Gunshots in regions of Vushtri and Mitrovice
  • [13] Police seize 10 tons of smuggled flour
  • [14] Tough measures against firms polluting environment
  • [15] Surface sown with wheat reduced
  • [16] Rilindja Demokratike served emancipation of society in first steps of political pluralism - PM Majko
  • [17] 1999 will bring Rinas aeroport modernisation
  • [18] 52 Albanian-Greek joint ventures in Gjirokaster
  • [19] New auction for bonus
  • [20] Albania member of World Trade Organization soon
  • [21] Index of infantile and mother mortality reduced
  • [22] Albanian Bank apply EURO
  • [23] Foreign currencies against Albanian one
  • [24] Public Work: Intensive proccesing this month in Students' Town
  • [25] Demaçi hails Parliament resolutions on Kosova
  • [26] Protection of national interests, priority task of Albanian politics - Demaci
  • [27] Strike of teachers of Shkoder continues
  • [28] Holy Water Day marked

  • [01] Albanian Radio and Television towards self-administration

    TIRANA, Jan. 5 (ATA) - By E. Riza: The law "On the private and public electronic mediae," entered into force on 4 November 1998 and as a result the Albanian Radio and Television, the only state-run electronic institution, will turn into a public institution.

    This new definition will bring several changes, in which the most important one is the self-administration of its entire budget. Thus, its budget will be filled up by the incomes from the taxes of the licenses for the radio and television equipment, taxes to be collected from the public, by the incomes through the commercials, as well as services for the third. In these services are included the services for the foreign radios, as well as the obligations of the Albanian state, which will finance the programs for the compatriots, which are broadcasted in the radio and television.

    A part of these incomes will be used for the wages and rewards, a part for the financing of programs and some for the restitution of the credits that the Albanian Radio and Television can receive from different donors in improving the technical equipment in this institution," the deputy director of the Albanian Radio and Television, Sefedin Cela, told ATA.

    The self-administration may start during the second six-month period of 1999. /dast/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] Ministry of Culture to analyse Albanian culture for 1998

    TIRANA, Jan. 5 (ATA) - By K. Shehu: The analyses of the Albanian culture during 1998 will be the main topic of the meeting to be organized by the Ministry of Culture by the end of this week in the grounds of "Dajti" Hotel.

    Attending this meeting will be personalities of the Albanian culture and politics, leaders of the cultural and artistic institutions, as well as reporters of private and state mediae.

    Sources from the Ministry of Culture told ATA on Tuesday that "the meeting will be held in form of a debate."

    This meeting will also present the groups which are drafting the laws on different cultural institutions in the country. /pas/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Measures, ways to change situation in KESH

    TIRANA, Jan 5 (ATA) - Restructuring Power Generation and Distribution firm (KESH) and overcoming the difficult crisis it is facing were the topics discussed in a meeting between prime minister Pandeli Majko and ministers on Tuesday.

    Majko stressed the importance of this firm for Albania and urged the identification of measures and ways to change the situation, press office at the Council of Ministers said.

    The meeting pointed out defaults of KESH in managing the corporation and carrying out investments as well as presented possible options for its future.

    They hoped that intervention in power system would help supply population with power within next two months. /dast/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] Reconstruction of university building to finish on 15 January

    ELBASAN, Jan. 5 (ATA) - By P. Zekthi: The reconstruction of the building of "A. Xhuvani" University will finish on 5 January.

    The reconstruction of the building is being carried out with the fund worth 14.5 million leks, accorded by the government. This amount will be used for the replacement of doors and windows, improvement of the facade of the building and others. The major part of the constructions is over.

    The rector of the University, Teuta Dilo, told ATA that with the funds, accorded by AEDP project of Soros Foundation, by Tempus programs and others, the teaching equipment and computers have been provided. /pas/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] Radio, television structures to be changed in a public television

    TIRANA, Jan 6 (ATA) - By E. Riza: Structure of Albanian radio television (RTSH), the only state institution of electronic media, will undergo great changes after the new law on private and public electronic media which entered into force on November 4, 1998.

    Within January, the Albanian parliament will appoint the leading council of the RTSH which will have all legal competencies to elect administrative and leading structures, to work out a platform and supervise work in the institution.

    "It is important that all the RTSH structures function according to the law," Sefedin Cela, RTSH vice director, said to ATA.

    He said that the new law urged new structures and not patching those existing because a partial reform would compromise the law itself.

    He said that all employees which are working at the RTSH, part-time employees and others who have been employed before should be tested.

    "Professionalism and skills will be the basis for their selection. These persons should be free of cliches and self-censorship," Cela said.

    Selection of people who will deal with management of the institution and program department would be of importance because according to the new law they would totally serve the taxpayers of the radio and television. /pas/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] Police chief appointed in Gjirokaster

    TIRANA, Jan. 5 (ATA) - The new chief of the police commissariat in Gjirokaster, Gani Zeneli, was presented Tuesday.

    His appointment to the post was made upon the order of the Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci, the spokesman of this ministry reported to ATA.

    Zeneli has been chief of police commissariat no. 2 in Elbasan and replaced in the new post colonel Shkelqim Berberi, who has been named director of the regional police in the prefecture of Gjirokaster. /s.sh/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] Switching box on fire, 200 subscribers without phone connections

    ELBASAN, Jan 5 (ATA) - By P. Zekthi: A switching box was set on fire on Monday in "28 Nentori" quarter causing an interruption of telephone connections for 200 subscribers of the Telecom in Elbasan.

    Jasir Pasho, a telephone technician, said to ATA that the fire was deliberately and police were investigating on the case.

    He said that the fire had damaged the equipment and it needed over 80 thousand leks for the repair. /pas/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Modernization of Rinas airport will continue during 1999

    TIRANA, Jan. 6 (ATA) - By M. Pupa: The modernization of the Rinas airport will continue even during 1999. After the reconstruction of the runway during 1998, a project for the improvement of the communication system will continue this year, with the financial support of PHARE program worth 480 000 ECU-s.

    The PAHRE program is implementing the tasks for drafting the master- plan of the air transport, in which are included the reconstruction of the General Department of the Civil Aviation, the legislation in the Civil Aviation, and the improvement of the flight systems.

    In cooperation with the Euro-control, the air zones have been defined regarding the flight of airplanes in the air space of Albania, as well as the collection of the main data for the construction of a new terminal.

    The bodies of the air transport will give special importance to the materialization of the ongoing programs during 1999, collection of incomes from the flights of airplanes and use of these funds for new investments in the field of civil aviation. /mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Peace, war not depend only on KLA, spokesman says

    PRISHTINE, Jan 6 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that in an exclusive interview with Kosovapress, the new Kosova news agency, the spokesman of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) Jakup Krasniqi said that the solution of the Kosova issue was not dependent only on the KLA but also on the international community and Belgrade.

    "Will this year be a year of a peaceful solution or continuation of the war in Kosova." This is not dependant only on the KLA but also on the attitude of the international community and that of Belgrade," he said.

    Krasniqi said that "KLA is for a political solution to the issue," and urged all sides to work for it.

    "If this political solution is not found at the right time with the engagement of all sides, we are prepared to continue the war," Krasniqi said. /pta/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] Removal of kiosks in "Skenderbej" square starts

    TIRANA, Jan. 6 (ATA) - By G. Dilaveri: The operation for the removal of kiosks from the "Skenderbej" square restarted on Wednesday afternoon in Tirana.

    The order forces were also engaged to support this operation. The situation has been calm until now and no problem has been noticed, one of the policemen on service says.

    Some 10-15 kiosks in this zone were coffee-shops, video-games, and others. Close to them, behind the National Museum, there is another block of kiosks.

    "The deadline given to us is 11 January," says the owner of a travel agency in this group. "Along with the financial losses, it is impossible for us to dismount the computers, which have all the lines of the airplanes, " he complained, adding that the deadline needed for this removal is at least one month.

    Meanwhile, the complex of games in the center of the square was normally functioning even today.

    "No one has told us anything about them, and the police have not intervened so far," workers of the games said.

    "The town of kiosks" in the center of Tirana is made up of the central group in front and behind the former monument of the communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, and two others behind the National Museum and in front of the National Bank.

    The removal of kiosks from the "Skenderbej" square started by the end of December. /s.s/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] Central Albania records a greater density of population

    TIRANA, Jan 6 (ATA) - By E. Nepravishta: Population of Albania is estimated at 3.32 million inhabitants and its density is 115.8 per square km.

    The Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) said that areas which record a greater density of population are those of central Albania with 206 inhabitants per square km.

    The northern Albania has the smallest density with 81 inhabitants per square km. The population in these areas has been reduced during the latest years after many of them have removed towards central Albania.

    The density in the South is 101 inhabitants per square km.

    Free movement of population after '90 brought about an overpopulation in Tirana, Durres, Elbasan and Fier districts.

    In 1997, Tirana's population is 480 656 inhabitants with a density of 388,1 inhabitants for square km.

    United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Tirana says that the population of Tirana has increased by 30 percent since 1990. /pas/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] Gunshots in regions of Vushtri and Mitrovice

    PRISHTINA, Jan. 6 - ATA correspondent in Prishtina, Belul Jashari, reports:

    Uninterrupted gunshots have been heard on Wednesday in the regions of the Albanian villages of Okrashtice, Pantine and Oshelan, which are situated between the town of Vushti and Mitrovice.

    According to sources from the Kosova Democratic League (KDL), the Serb forces are shooting from Frasher village, while it is reported on movement of the motorized forces of the Yugoslav Army along the axe of the road Mitrovice-Vushtri.

    Sources from the Human Rights Council reported on heavy gunshots, heard from the barracks of the Serb army in Mitrovice, but there are no reports on casualties. Mitrovica has informed that yesterday, the military base of the Yugoslav army in Kutllofc of Shale e Bajgores has also shot towards the Albanian regions. /pas/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] Police seize 10 tons of smuggled flour

    TIRANA, Jan 6 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Police forces of Malesia e Madhe have seized on Tuesday 10 tons of flour for not having the relevant documentation.

    Press office at the Public Order Ministry said to ATA that local police forces detained on Tuesday at 22.00 p.m. Dritan Canaj who failed to present the documentation for 10 tons of flour he was transporting and accused him of goods trafficking. /pas/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] Tough measures against firms polluting environment

    TIRANA, Jan. 6 (ATA) - By G. Dilaveri: The town-hall of Tirana has decided to take tough measures against all the construction firms which pollute the environment. The last meeting in the town-hall has discussed the problem of cleaning and the emergency created right after the holidays.

    According to an order issued for this purpose until 25 January, all the construction companies should have taken measures to clean and systematize the grounds around their object, the spokesman reported.

    The town-planing council will not examine the requests for new squares to those companies which have finished their objects and have not cleaned the grounds where they have constructed. This meeting also decided to send the respective proposals to the Ministry of Public Works and Transports for the examination of licenses to those firms, which have violated the rules.

    Cleaning of the environment was in the center of the meeting that the Albanian PM Pandeli Majko held Tuesday with leaders of several ministries and representatives of the prefecture and town-hall. PM Majko hailed the cooperation with the Tirana Mayor, Albert Brojka in sensitizing the central ministries and respective local bodies for cleaning the town of Tirana, whose population is expected to become soon half of that of Albania. /s.s/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] Surface sown with wheat reduced

    TIRANE, Jan. 6 (ATA) - By P.Shuteriqi: The Tirane district farmers have sown small surfaces with wheat this year, the chief of the advising sector close to the Tirane Agricultural and Food Directory, Betim Goci, told ATA on Wednesday.

    The peasants of this district "sown wheat only for meeting their families' demands," Goci added. The communes with a greater surface sown with wheat are Baldushku, Kanza, Ndroqi, where approximately 250-300 ha with wheat are sown, maintaining in this way the previous year tradition.

    The head-specialist of the Tirane Agricultural and Food Directory stressed that some 2 200 ha are sown with wheat for this year, and this surface is approximately 50% smaller than the previous year surface.

    Goci lists among the main factors causing this phenomenon the harsh competition, and the rainy days especially in November. /pas/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Rilindja Demokratike served emancipation of society in first steps of political pluralism - PM Majko

    TIRANE, Jan.6 (ata) - Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko sent a message of greetings to the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike, newspaper of the Democratic Party of Albania, on occasion of the 8th anniversary of the first publication of this paper, the spokesman of the Prime Minister reported today.

    "The first issue of the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike marked a symbolic day for all Albanian media because it registered a new dimension not only for the free thinking but also in the Albanian society," writes Majko in his message.

    "Rilindja Demokratike," writes Mr Majko, "served the emancipation of the society in the first steps of the political pluralism and the perception, under another light, of the institutions, until then deprived of the election through the free vote."

    Majko expressed the conviction that RD will know to re-find normally the place of its first issue in the market of the Albanian opinion of the present days."

    He wished that "let us finally part from the way of making a conflictual press for the sake of another morrow day, to which I would like that Rilindja Demokratike will make its own contribution." /s.s./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] 1999 will bring Rinas aeroport modernisation

    Tirana, Jan.6 (ATA) - By M.Pupa - Rinas aeroport modernisation will continue through year 1999. After the riconstraction done in 1998, is the turn of another new project in improving the communication system planned and financed by PHARE program. 480.000 ECU are provided for this activity.

    All the duties are fulfill in completion of the Master Plan in air transport, by PHARE program help.

    It is hardly worked to define the air areas for planes flights in country's airspace and gathering the basic data having the close coorperation of Eurocontrol.

    1999 is the year of concrete action of various programs, cashing of the incomes and using them as fond in different new investments in air transport./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] 52 Albanian-Greek joint ventures in Gjirokaster

    GJIROKASTER, jan 6 (ata) - By H Cani: During 1998, about 52 Albanian- Greek joint ventures operating in the district of Gjirokaster have enabled the employment of over 1 000 people.

    According to the chief of the Chamber of Commerce of Ioannina in Gjirokaster, Niko Curri, the joint ventures in 1998 compared with 1997, the year when unrest prevailed in Albania, have expanded their activity with about 15 per cent despite the insecure situation time and again in the area.

    25 of these firms, operating mostly in the Greek minority zone, are production firms and the rest deal with trade. Three of these companies bear the names of gigantic producers of refreshments and spirits, known nationwide as Fresh-company, Boukas, Alfa-Glina.

    In other companies, the productive subject deals with ready-made garments, timber furniture, different marbles, etc.

    Besides, two other Albanian-Italian and Albanian-German joint ventures do also operate in the district of Gjirokaster.

    The total number of juridical subjects in the district is 298, while that of physical subjects is 560. All these have created jobs for about 2500 people. /pas/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] New auction for bonus

    Tirana, Jan.6 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - January 7, 1999 is the date of first auction hold by the Albanian Bank for bonus of the Government of Republic of Albania. Ministry of Finance is offering bonus of different maturity in this auction; three months, six months, and 12 months maturity. The total sum offered by this ministry is 6 billion lek.

    The total sum offered for bonus of three months maturity is 1 billion 500 million lek. 1 billion 500 million is the sum for bonus of six months maturity, while for bonus of 12 months maturity the total sum offered is 3 billion lek./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] Albania member of World Trade Organization soon

    Tirana, Jan.6 (ATA) - By D.Koça - On Wednesday morning the interministral meeting is hold to discuss mainly on promises kept till now by the Albanian Government to its efforts to become a member of World Trade Organisation(WTO).

    "The World Trade Organization make known the date of the work group meeting, which is January 27," said for ATA the general coordinator of Permanent Sekretariat Majlinda Osmanlliu.

    "This meeting is the most important one, because it ended the second part of WTO discussions to accept Albania as its member", said Osmanlliu.

    In this meeting it was announced all the work and efforts done by the Albanian Government to become a complete member of this organisation./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] Index of infantile and mother mortality reduced

    TIRANE, Jan. 5 (ATA) - By Rudine Xhuvani: The index of the infantile and mothers mortality has reduced during the outgoing year.

    Referring to the figures of the Primary Health Care Directory, the infantile mortality was 21 among 1000 births for 1998, while this figure has been 22,5 among 1000 births during 1997. The mother mortality for 1998 was 22 in 10 000 births, while this figure encreased in 25,7% in 1997.

    These indexes are related with the change of the social-economic conditions, with the decrease of the number of the infantile mortality before birth, with the demographic movements which are made under control as well as the close attention payed to the pregnant women in the consultation centers.

    According to the same source, the aborts' number has reduced due to the use of contraceptives. A positive aspect in this case is the change of the ages that exercise aborts. During 198, women aged 25-35, are the dominant persons making aborts.

    According to the information of the Institution of the Statistics, some 67.913 children are born in 1996, while this number is reduced in 61.350 in 1997. Referring to the same source, the caesarian births are often remarked during the recent years. Out of 59.760 normal births for 1995, 5.910 are caesarian births. Although the birth number has reduced in 53.544 in 1997, the caesarian births are increased in 6.187.

    Some 489 children have died during the births and aborts in 1996, while this figure for 1997 is reduced in 473 children. During 1996, 15 mothers have died, while this number is increased in 16 during 1997. /pas.A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] Albanian Bank apply EURO

    Tirana, Jan.6 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - Albanian Bank started to apply the new currency, EURO. Now, the Albanian currency beside the other foreign currencies will be exchange with EURO, as well. EURO against the Albanian currency is 159.7 lek on buying and 169.3 lek on sale. These are the value rate of Saving Bank. In Tirana Bank EURO against LEK is 160.0 lek in buying and 168.0 lek on sale.

    Although the EURO started to be applied, there is no request for the new currency in Albanian Banks. While in the free market the EURO application does not started yet.

    The customers of these bank can deposit their savings in EURO as well or can exchange them with the new currency. The merchants importing and exporting goods beside the other currencies will use EURO, too, which can have it effects in trade exchange./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] Foreign currencies against Albanian one

    Tirana, Jan.6 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - The following are the rate of the foreign currencies against Albanian one:
    Currency	Rate(on buying)	Rate(on sale)
    EURO		159.70		169.30
    USD		138.50		141.10
    DM		 83,20		 85.40
    LIT (1000)	 83.00		 87.00
    GRD(100)	 49.00		 50.70
    
    /linda/
    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [24] Public Work: Intensive proccesing this month in Students' Town

    Tirana, Jan.6 (ATA) - By Lolita Thanasi - The projects of public work begin even in Students' Town. During last year 2-3 small activities have been realized, while this month intesive processing have been predicted to start in order to reconstruct the buildings and the surrounding.

    According to the Director of National Service of Work Eduard Prodani 700 projects of public work are financed and nearly 300 people are involve in them. The total sum financed in these projects is 1 billion 300 million lek, 1 billion of which belongs to the previous year, the rest belongs to fond of this year. 500 million lek are going to be spend in 1999 in projects of public work./linda/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [25] Demaçi hails Parliament resolutions on Kosova

    TIRANE, Jan. 6 (ATA0 - By I.Luto: The chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Policy, Sabri Godo, hold a meeting on Wednesday with the political representative of the Kosova Liberation Army, Adem Demaçi.

    The meeting was held without the presence of the journalists, but Demaçi declared before the beginning of the meeting that "A new dialogue climate is created in Albania between the political forces, and this helps the Kosva case.

    The chairman of the Parliamentary Commission, Sabri Godo, after welcoming Demaçi, said that it is best for the Albanians to discuss and dialogue to solve the problems they have, and especially the Kosova problem.

    The political representative of the Kosova Liberation Army, Adem Demaçi, met the senior leaders of the Albanian state; he met the Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, the Parliament's speaker Skender Gjinushi, the Premier Pandeli Majko as well as other leaders of the ruling and oppositional political parties. /lh/A.A/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [26] Protection of national interests, priority task of Albanian politics - Demaci

    TIRANE, Jan.6 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Sali Berisha and his deputy Genc Pollo had a meeting Wednesday with the political representatives of the Kosove Liberation Army, KLA, Adem Demaci.

    They discussed the problems worrying the people of Kosova today.

    The DP chief thanked Demaci for his visit and said that Albania's Albanians support the resistance of the Albanian people of Kosove to the Serb violence and terror.

    "We discussed and agreed that the contacts and meetings among Albanian political factors in Albania, Kosove and elsewhere are of a great importance in reaching results towards a solution of the national question, " said Berisha to reporters following the meeting.

    "We had understanding on the problems worrying the people of Kosove today, in their efforts for self-determination. The protection of the enslaved part of the Albanians is one of the priority tasks of the Albanian politics despite the ruling positions of some parties or those in the opposition," said Demaci after the meeting.

    Demaci also hailed the meeting held on Dec.21 between the Albanian Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko and the DP chairman Sali Berisha. /dast/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [27] Strike of teachers of Shkoder continues

    SHKODER, Jan.6 (ata) - By M Malja: The meeting of the activists of the independent education trade unions in the district of Shkoder, held Wednesday, decided that the strike started about two weeks ago by local teachers, must continue until the demands presented two weeks ago to the Ministry of Education and Science are fulfilled.

    After the meeting between the representatives of this trade union and Minister of Edcuation and Science, Et'hem Ruka on Tuesday, the chairman of the strike commission Pac Sheldia told ATA that they saw a complete readiness on the part of the Minister for the solution of the economic demands of the teachers. In a meeting held Wednesday with the deputy minister Andrea Marko, the strikers were told of the promises of Minister Ruka for the solution to their demands such as the removal of the Solidarity Tax (for the police), the increase of the labour difficulty coefficient by 15 % and the signing of collective labour contracts.

    Marko said that the collective contract of labour will be signed right after the meeting with two of the biggest trade unions on education. As for the demand for a salary increase, he said it will be presented to the government, while for the Solidarity Tax a proposal will be made to the Ministry of Finance so that it be reduced from 500 to 100 lek per month for the teachers.

    Marko asked the strikers to end the strike until January 15, a deadline set for the strikers to receive an answer to their demands.

    But the trade union activists decided that the strike would continue until their demands are met. /dast/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [28] Holy Water Day marked

    TIRANE, Jan.6 (ata) - By Erma Zagorcani: After Christmas, the Sacred Mass conducted on occasion of the Day of the Holy Water gathered Wednesday evening in the Catholic Church "The Priest's Heart" scores of believers.

    During the mass, the believers made prays accompanying them with songs and excerpts from the Gospel.

    Then, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, made the rite of the blessing of the Holy Water, accompanying this process with the respective pray: "Admiration for and following of the path of Jesus Christ leads you to the road of honesty, fraternity, peace, a road which brings us closer to the God day by day."

    The same ceremony took place also in other cities of Albania such as in Berat, Gjirokaster, Durres, Sarande, etc.

    In the ceremony held in Sarande, the Arch Bishop of Tirane, Durres and all Albania, Anastasios Janullatos, conducted a special Mass in the presence of hundreds of Orthodox and other believers.

    "I wish on this occasion the people of Albania, its government, a prosperous and happy year," said Arch Bishop Janullatos. /dast/xh/


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


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