President Skalfaro in Tirana for the second time …delicate, such as the parliamentary elections here. But, in fact, the presence in Albania of President Skalfaro himself, who is certainly the most suitable and highest-ranking institutional figure in his country, also demonstrates the regard Italy has for Albania, a country that holds this place in Italian foreign policy. Oskar Luixhi Skalfaro is one of the most respected figures in Italian politics. Throughout his career, from its very beginnings… Partizani should wait for So- S. R. Today, the president of Italy, Oskar Luixhi Skalfaro, arrives in Albania for an official visit, invited by President Sali Berisha. Skalfaro, responding to the invi-

The “Arkond” scandal crosses the continent Two Albanians from Kosovo, protagonists in the failed banking operation The “Arkond” scandal crosses the continent Depositors’ money in Nigeria? Two Albanians from Kosovo, protagonists in the failed banking operation The “Arkond” scandal is taking on intercontinental dimensions. By now, its geographical reach has expanded astonishingly. Kosovo and Nigeria have also become involved. In other words, the threads of the scandal under investigation, after crossing Albania’s borders, stretch from Kosovo all the way to the African continent, to distant Nigeria. The presence in the bank of the accused as the alleged mastermind of the proceedings. In addition to this fact, the courtroom also had two Albanians from Kosovo as defendants, alleged accomplices in collecting the money; this was what astonished those present in the courtroom where the proceedings were taking place. In addition to this fact, the trial reveals dozens of mysteries that are entirely unknown to Albanians. One of the defendants in particular is a member of the Kosovo Parliament and Continued on p. 3 The Tirana Court

European Parliament resolution on Kosovo Yesterday, late in the afternoon, the European Parliament voted on a resolution concerning Kosovo. The resolution, drawing attention to the grave human-rights situation prevailing in Kosovo, calls for immediate recognition of the Belgrade regime to be made conditional on respect for all the rights of Albanians in Kosovo. The Serbian authorities are also called on to grant Kosovo autonomy as it had before 1974 and, above all, to begin unconditional talks with the Albanians. Indeed, this is presented as the main condition imposed on Belgrade. It is significant that the adopted resolution supports talks in the presence of a third party, something that what remains of Yugoslavia has consistently opposed. The resolution calls for cooperation and the opening of a representative office in Prishtina, similar to the one opened by the Americans. Among the names of the MEPs who submitted the resolution for adoption were those of the Italian La Malfa, Pol Anri Spaak, etc. The resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority. Only a small number of communist members voted against it, their voices remaining a voice in the wilderness. Among them was the Greek Alamanos. According to “Deutsche Welle”

The Turkish ship Ocak, 80 metres long, ran aground on a shoal 300 metres from the Italian coast of Salento. The Italian coast guard, which according to official Italian sources had already been alerted to a new wave of clandestine migrants, apprehended on the shore those who had just disembarked from the above-mentioned ship—more than eighty clandestine migrants, 40 of whom were Albanians and the rest Kurds and Pakistanis. The same sources report that around 250 clandestine migrants—Albanians, Kurds and Palestinians—were aboard the Turkish ship Ocak, whose eight-man crew has been arrested. For all the Albanian clandestine migrants, the “journey” ended quite quickly, as they were immediately transported to the ferry Artemis, which promptly set off in the direction of the port of Vlora. Meanwhile, the Italian coast guard has been placed on full alert to prevent waves of clandestine migrants, while the area’s bishop, Ruppi, has appealed to the Italian government to change the immigration law so that waves of clandestine migrants, which have not infrequently turned into tragedies, can finally be avoided. K. P.

Yesterday, one of the most distinguished figures of Albanian nationalism, Dr. Mentor Çoku, died in Rome. Born and raised in a family with patriotic traditions, he was brought up to love his homeland and nation. Dr. Mentor Çoku, one of the most devoted nationalists, understood from the outset that communism was, as he called it, “the greatest evil for the Albanian people”; he fought against it throughout his life, contributing with all his strength to the establishment of a democratic system in Albania as well. With the advent of democracy, he stood alongside it, making a valuable contribution. But alongside this, Dr. Mentor Çoku never paused his activity in service of the national cause. With his death, all Albanians have lost something, and the national cause now has one fewer fighter.

Only 6 “stigmatised” people have taken their case to court P. 2

The Municipality of Tirana, the preferred defendant P. 3

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