Today the National Council of the Democratic Party is meeting. Fate has it that most people will pay attention to what comes out of this Council, since it belongs to the party that holds power. Another, not insignificant, portion do not even want to know; they mind their own business, because politics apparently is not the means that brings about sensible civic co-government, but a fairground where no one can make out what is being sold and bought. That is how things have come to be. The Democratic Party finds itself in the “eye of the cyclone,” and normally this Council should answer a number of questions. It is said that the post of Prime Minister is under discussion, and perhaps that of party chairman too. Today everything is being talked about, and a journalist who respects herself should not waste readers’ time with the conjectures and café gossip. But when something is being discussed so insistently, it seems that something is brewing. If it is entirely untrue, a clarification must be made, because when uncertainty is created, turmoil begins. In any case, the government is not functioning for other reasons too. The heads of institutions do not sign. They pass any matter whatsoever to another office, because tomorrow, due to the political climate, you may suddenly find yourself before the prosecutor. Will the DP find a way forward on the Arsidi matter and the immunity of its MPs? Will a genuine fight against corruption begin, or will the government continue to dance around the fire? Will it show what seriously wounds the pride of Albanians? And how long must we put up with our girls being dragged into prostitution in European countries, while Albania enters the race to rank among the leading countries in this “export”? The people are utterly exhausted; the Nation is being gravely maimed. However cunningly the scenarios are devised to conceal the groups’ struggle for power, however much smoke is made to keep people’s minds occupied, those in power should understand that this cannot go on much longer. The minister’s or MP’s armchair, a position in the administration that gives you the opportunity to “govern” and plunder, prevents you from seeing the harsh and dangerous reality: half a million pensioners who cannot afford bread and firewood, 300,000 unemployed people wandering the streets without hope, hundreds of thousands of rural families who get their bread on credit. When you do not see these things and start talking to me about “the highest rates of development in Europe,” you are an irresponsible official. When, on top of that, you expend all your strength on the struggle between factions, you also become immoral. Finally, with this irresponsible and immoral conduct, you continue to pave the way for the social-communists to come to power. We certainly do not want to tell the Democrats what to do at the National Council and elsewhere. But we feel it is our duty to remind them that they are expected to take more decisive action to save what can be saved, convincingly and seriously. If the many problems of the government and the administration are once again covered up with declarations about successes and the implementation of programs, nothing will happen except that time will be gained and hopes pinned on miracles that cannot happen. Then there will be only one outcome: complete paralysis and failure. it may happen that, due to political circumstances, you find yourself standing before the prosecutor. Will the PD provide a way forward on the Arsidi case and the immunity of its MPs? Will a real fight against corruption begin, or will those in power keep circling around the fire? Will the PD finally make its clear position on the constitution known? Will democracy actually develop, or will we see only round tables about the future of television? Will national production receive serious support so that people can start working? And finally, will this government come to its senses regarding private property and privatization? And what will happen with public order? The automatic weapon crackles as in Chicago in the twenties, and it is fired at foreigners too, which

Perpetrator of the crime arrested Last night, at around 20:00, the wounded American Marine, 20-year-old Tony Miller, left for Italy on a special aircraft. His transport was carried out by one of the helicopters of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, which is taking part in the Sarax 96 maneuvers. The helicopter transported him from the door of the Durrës hospital to Rinas airport. From Rinas, Miller was transported to Italy by special aircraft. The American Marine’s health was extremely serious. During the operation, which lasted about 3 hours and 30 minutes, one of his kidneys and his spleen were removed, his pancreas was stitched up, and a bullet remained near his spinal column. Crime with a trivial motive E. D., 24, the person who shot at the American Marines on Friday evening in a bar in Durrës, is now in police custody. No details have yet been officially released about the incident that led to the wounding of two American Marines, one of whom is in critical condition. At first it was suspected that this might have been a premeditated attack, but witnesses indicate that it was an attempted murder for a base motive. While at the “Olimpik” bar, very close to the center of Durrës, the American Marine, who had been drinking alcohol, harassed a girl who was with her fiancé. The argument that began on that occasion ended with grave consequences for one of the Marines, as E. D. fired seven shots in the Marines’ direction with a sports pistol. The police have also detained other people who were at the “Olimpik” bar at the time of the incident. The American Marines were shot at by someone from outside the bar. On hearing the shots, the Marines threw themselves to the ground, and some of them immediately went outside. One managed to make out the car’s license plate and wrote it on his hand. This appears to be the lead that resulted in the perpetrators’ capture. The wounded Marine being transported by helicopter from Durrës hospital to Rinas Photo: Armando Babani

Berat The young A. D., 24, who is accused of six murders, was captured early in the morning in his village near Kuçovë. A. D., who had long been wanted by the police, was considered extremely dangerous and was finally captured following an operation by the Rapid Intervention units. At the time of his arrest, the suspect refused to surrender and fired back at the rapid intervention forces. The suspect A. D. was wounded, but his life is not in danger. No police officers were injured. Republika correspondent

The Kosova Committee, which operates in Paris, put forward Mr. Ibrahim Rugova’s candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize, the Kosovo Information Center reports. The committee made its initiative public, stating, among other things, that “the leading figure in political life in Kosovo (former Yugoslavia), Ibrahim Rugova, is the principal inspiration and guarantor of the nonviolent resistance to the apartheid practiced by the Belgrade authorities against the Albanian population, which constitutes a majority of around 90%.” In addition to this candidacy, the Kosova Committee has prepared a dossier documenting the political and social situation in Kosovo, especially after 1981, particularly to demonstrate the momentum of the peaceful resistance and self-determination movement of the Albanian population, as well as the role Ibrahim Rugova has played and continues to play in this movement. ATSH

The last case of rabies was 15 years ago A considerable number of dogs roam the streets of Tirana. Every day, they fall victim to car wheels. With their bellies torn open, they lie for days at the roadside or even in the middle of the street until they themselves turn into rubbish. Tirana’s garbage contains many dead dogs and cats, which are a source of infection. This is also how rabies has spread in many European cities. But how would our country cope with a viral, bacterial or flu-like infection caused by dead animals lying in the streets? First of all, we lack the basic element of hygiene—water. Why are we adding to the sources of disease? Apparently, the veterinary office at the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible. Is the work of one veterinarian enough, or ... Control ... Self ... They say that if rabies breaks out, it will be much worse than cholera, since cholera is treated with tetracycline and hygiene, whereas rabies is a disease requiring prolonged treatment. The local authorities, which also have the relevant executive powers, must erect a barrier against the spread of uncontrolled dogs. But when you go to their offices, they tell you that the citizens are to blame because they allow the dogs to breed spontaneously. The large population of dogs is forced to sustain itself among the garbage. The citizens pay the price for the consequences. The Hunters’ Association and the Ministry of the Interior have carried out no culling in the past 2–3 years. We have simply gone 15 years without a rabies case, but that does not mean at all that we cannot fall ill. Bejdo Malo A view of one of Tirana’s mini-markets. Photo: A. Dhimitri

Enters into force on June 1, 1995 The New Penal Code of the Republic of Albania, approved on Friday by the People’s Assembly, enters into force on June 1 of this year. The New Penal Code of the Republic of Albania, approved on Friday by the People’s Assembly, enters into force on June 1 of this year, while its implementation will begin once several other specific laws have also been approved, such as the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Military Penal Code, the Law on Military Secrets, etc. Nearly 80 articles that were discussed were approved by consensus. They address crimes relating to state activity, public order and security, and the democratic electoral system in our country. As Deputy Minister of Justice Vladimir Kristo stated, unlike the other sections of the new Penal Code, the offenses mentioned above were assigned penalties consisting mainly of fines and imprisonment for no more than 10 years. As before, this session also saw many constructive debates, as well as consultations in committees and parliamentary groups and with specialists. Many of the draft articles were approved by consensus, as in the case of the type and severity of the penalty for abuse of office, for which a fine or imprisonment of up to 7 years was set.

Coming soon: Soon, the newspaper “Republika” will be published three times a week. The newspaper’s format will be changed to a tabloid format. The editorial staff has not reached this decision lightly. “Republika” has now entered its fifth year of publication, and readers have become accustomed to the newspaper’s appearance. The editorial staff promises readers that, even in the new format, the newspaper’s graphic design will remain compa- rable

“The latest scandal cannot be allowed to pass like the scandals before it. This scandal is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It’s impossible—take this with you as you leave Parliament—for a person to do such things?! This person was determined to denounce himself. He will tell everything himself before the independent media. He will say it plainly: I have done nothing for myself. I will speak about my inability to secure even the smallest privilege for myself. And I will resign on the grounds of incompetence. Good for him. What use is the position if he is not capable of carrying it out?” “Hard times have come. We are living among people plagued by frustration. For example, I read in a respected opposition newspaper, written by a journalist distinguished for covering the issues of our time, that Greece is a primitive country and that we must not throw ourselves into primitivism. How can they not be ashamed? Greece did not expect such an attack from a party with pure leaves. I have been irritated and upset all day—my Greek colleagues, may this not happen again. Such judgments are primitiv- ism.” “Yesterday the new Penal Code was also approved, according to every standard imaginable. It meets all the requirements to be a penal code. Only, this penal code does not stipulate who will care for domestic and wild animals, who will deal with feeding the pheasant, rooster, rabbit, turkey, guinea fowl, lion, donkey, ox and cuckoo. Are all the rights of these animals guaranteed by this penal code? Well, an amendment can be made for living creatures, but what will become of objects? These reasons are quite sufficient for Albania not to see the door of the Council of Europe for another 15 years. A new sign in the zodiac. The horoscope will have another sign, too. It will be the Penal Code. Those born under this sign (on the very first day the Penal Code was approved) will have a chance to face the law without lawyers. The most likely outcome is that they will all become lawyers, judges, prosecutors, THE CHRONICLER

The wounding of two American Marines the night before last takes us back 71 years, to March 1924. Then too, somewhere near Mamurras, two American citizens were killed. Their murder further inflamed an already extremely tense political situation. Former Prime Minister Ahmet Zogu had not yet been in office for two months and had [text unclear] the government in order to calm the situation, at the time of the prime minister [text unclear] was suspected that this might be an operation. The commander of the Albanian forces, Brigade commander Lieutenant Colonel Sinan Shala, said: “With today’s operations, we aim to coordinate cooperation with NATO forces in the field.” He added: “We have done a great deal of preparatory work and are fully ready to continue the operation.” “Things are going very well, despite the fact that there are four teams working together,” Captain Armstrong, commander of the American forces, told ATSH. “Coordination with the Albanian side is proceeding as planned, and we are very pleased with their work.” Although the day’s activities took place in bad weather, this did not prevent the soldiers from carrying them out on time and accurately. To observe the activities of the Albanian and American forces in the field, [text continues on page 4] Their killing further exacerbated the had not yet been out of office for two months—having resigned to calm the situation—when the other prime minister, Verlaci, was failing to find a political solution that would satisfy the opposition, which was demanding to come to power at any cost. The killing of the two Americans was being exploited by the opposition, which was also fighting among itself, with each side blaming the other for the Mamurras incident, while A. Zogu, by then off the political scene, was also accused.

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