VATICAN RADIO INAUGURATES A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR THE BALKANS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 28, 1999 (VIS) - On May 24 Vatican Radio inaugurated a special, one-hour long program for the Balkans, which is transmitted from 9 to 10 each evening in Albanian and Italian. The program includes news in Albanian and linkups and interviews from refugee camps, local dioceses, Caritas Albania and coordination centers for humanitarian aid.

News clippings from Italian papers, such as the Catholic dailies Avvenire and L'Osservatore Romano, are read in Albanian. There is also news useful to refugees, including messages aimed at reuniting family members.

In an interview on Vatican radio, Fr. Federico Lombardi, program director, said that they hope the broadcast will be of assistance in the humanitarian emergency, and an answer to the many demands made by humanitarian and religious organizations for "better information and for an exchange of information." It is hoped as well that the program will serve as "a moral support" for those involved in relief efforts.

For the Balkans this program is broadcast on 1611 KHz (MW), using a 120kW transmitter and Intelsat Atlantic satellite (325.5 degrees East, C band). For Rome and Italy, it is broadcast on 1611 MHz (MW).

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