Impossibility or neglect? The Albanian side under accusation by the Greek government Impossibility or neglect? What is preventing the extradition of Albanian prisoners? The Albanian side under accusation by the Greek government. For several days, a hunger strike by Albanian prisoners has been under way at the Larissa prison in Greece. They are protesting both the poor conditions in which they are held there and demanding their extradition to Albania. The strike, which began in Larissa, has in recent days spread to other prisons in Greece as well. What stands out about this large-scale strike is the silence of the official Albanian media, as if what is happening in Greece to Albanian prisoners were not part of reality. Some time ago, an agreement was reached on the extradition of Albanian prisoners from Greek prisons, something that was rightly welcomed by various political circles. But unfortunately, as regards the conditions for implementing this agreement, the necessary steps have not been taken. Yesterday, in an interview, the secretary of Greece’s Ministry of Justice, Mr Pavlembas, stated that the obstacles to starting the process of extraditing Albanian prisoners from Greek prisons came only from the Albanian side, leaving the ball in the Albanian side’s court. This may also be taken as an accusation by the Greek side of the sluggishness with which our justice authorities are acting to put the extradition agreement into effect. Indeed, according to the Greek official, “it would be a great fortune if Albania were to take back the approximately 700 Albanian prisoners held in Greek prisons.” This leads one to understand that the strike by Albanian prisoners is directed against the Albanian authorities. The lack of a serious commitment by our authorities to creating the conditions for the extradition of Albanian prisoners from Greek prisons, Continued on p. 4

The government has given its approval The Albanian peace company is heading for Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of NATO’s “Joint Endeavour” operation. Yesterday, following two years of preparation, beginning in Louisiana, USA, the company also received the Meksi government’s authorization, a seal that legalizes the company’s participation. The draft law concerns the participation of the Albanian Company, which consists of a force of 180 people, including 40 career military personnel holding mid-level ranks. The Meksi government has also approved the draft financial budget for the company’s personnel, which provides for special financial treatment of these military personnel in accordance with NATO member standards. The Meksi government also approved the draft law ratifying the memorandum of understanding between the Albanian government and the government of the United Kingdom on the matter of the gold seized by the Germans during the war and deposited in London banks. The gold, valued at 39 million dollars, will be returned to Albania under the procedures of 1996. B. M.

The trial of the four leaders of the Reconstructed Communist Party opens today at 9:00. It is understood that the presiding judge is not the president of the Tirana Court, Qazim Gjonaj, but Judge Gjergji Pojani. This change resulted from the health condition of the court’s number one, Qazim Gjonaj, who unexpectedly travelled two days ago to a hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece, for treatment. The prosecutor in this case, Kadri Skeraj, confirms that the investigation file is complete and that the defendants may request an expedited trial if they admit to the mechanism of the crime. A. Gj.

BSPSH demands 100% compensation for the liberalization of the price of bread p. 4 TIRANA: Brides are “baptized” at the Zoo p. 4

p. 4 GERMANY: Former East German communists at the center of the debate p. 5