CARLO BOLLINO There is a question raised by recent events between Albania and Greece: why is all this happening, or rather, why is Greece expressing its indignation against the Tirana government precisely today? The question takes on meaning in light of several events that have occurred in recent days. After the expulsion from Gjirokastra of Argentinians who were speaking illegally about Albania, Prime Minister Micotaqis ordered the “sweep operation.” A large proportion of the 20,000 Albanian emigrants were expelled from Greece. It was clear that this was an expulsion, as both the Albanians and Greeks officially said. The police, responsible and of Kobenedu, for the United and persecuted and sent to the village, easily, in the youth of dialogue and the growing tension among all, this, at least, seems so. But suddenly—precisely when the climate between the two countries seems to be calming down—Micotaqis goes on the attack again. He summons the newspapers and makes an important appeal and accusation against the Albanian Government, setting out a series of conditions, some of which are completely unacceptable. Tirana calls for dialogue. Meanwhile, Papandreu, an opposition official, also contributes with his provocative letter, throwing fuel on the fire. And now a sensation is growing: someone has an interest in increasing tension between Greece and Albania. Who? To try to discover “Who,” we must ask “Why.” Western observers put forward three hypotheses on this point. First: Athens and Belgrade have not welcomed the arrival in Macedonia of the first contingent of Kosovars and Albanians, who continue to remain in that country, where Tirana and the tension with Tirana have been unable to comment, to explain the strategy devised for talks. The second hypothesis. Athens seeks to propose, in dramatic terms, a solution to the Greek minority issue in Albania, on the pretext of linking it to the situation of Albanians in Kosovo. A gift that Micotaqis apparently intends to give his “great friend” (as he himself recently described him), Slobodan Milosheviç. The third hypothesis. The young? wants tension along the Greek border; in concrete terms, this means diverting attention from the conditions in the North, as well as Kosovo, a region that continues to live under the threat of Serbian aggression. A threat whose danger is increasing as a resolution of the Serb-Bosnian crisis takes shape. However the recent events may be connected, one thing is clear: Greece’s way of dealing with Albania suggests a much broader strategic course, extending not only to local matters but to the entire Balkans. And resolving the dispute really must urgently involve the International Community. Kakav, the Greek-Albanian border

Around 70 percent of revenues come from car policies “It is the strongest activity” Around 70 percent of revenues come from car policies The insurance business: $14 million in two years “It is the strongest activity” TIRANA — (p.r.e.) Funded by the state with 500 thousand dollars two years ago, it has now become an institute with financial activities stronger than those of the banks. It is the Albanian Insurance Institute, and it now has around 14 million dollars. It is connected with its counterparts in 35 European countries, whereas only two years ago it was the only one—along with the former Soviet Union—not included in the international insurance scheme. But this does not mean that the Institute has already set aside its concerns. “The population is still not informed about the benefits of an insurance policy,” Arben Siliqi, manager of the Institute, told ATSH, “because this service did not previously exist in Albania.” While people are still not sufficiently aware of the various types of insurance, the Insurance Institute cannot yet offer what is also most essential: theft insurance. “Starting in 1994,” Siliqi continued, “we will offer theft insurance for various warehouses or goods.” However, Institute representatives do not rule out the possibility of later insuring citizens against theft from their homes or of their property and cars as well. “At present, a theft-insurance system cannot be offered, despite the great demand,” Siliqi explains, “because of the high level of risk. The value of goods in circulation inside and outside Albania is estimated at 1 billion dollars, and the Institute could earn a great deal through insurance.” Nevertheless, the largest revenues—around 70 percent of its activity—still come from cars, specifically their insurance. Its insurance activity is also considered successful: the Institute currently works with a London insurance company and another in Munich, Germany. The sale of accident insurance for the airlines “ADA AIR” and “Arbëria Airlines” is also a result of this cooperation. Even in this activity, and despite the Greek activity, the Institute is currently demonstrating a positive hegemony: 700 apartments in the western area of Tirana are part of the investment projects of the Insurance Institute. In addition, plans include opening “free shops” in various border areas. But the Institute’s managers are worried about the law on private and foreign insurance being considered by Parliament because, in their view, it could put domestic companies at risk. This is despite the fact that the Institute’s activity is so widespread and its offices are located in 26 districts of the country. The manager of Insing, Arben Siliqi, says: “People still don’t know our service”

GOLEM — After the rain and cold outside, summer has arrived. In stifling heat (on Sunday, the temperature in Tirana reached 35 degrees), people headed for the beaches along the coast. So the summer and holiday season has begun. And for Albanian tourists, so has the ferry season. This is the story of Fatmir Gjuzi, a landowner in Golem (near Durrës) and owner of the first private beach. A graduate of the Faculty of Economics, Fatmir Gjuzi returned to Albania three months ago and invested in a beach using the first proceeds from his emigration to Germany. The services he offers now—as can also be seen in the photo—are still modest. But the start is encouraging and, with time, you will grow stronger; you, like all Albanian entrepreneurs, will surely prosper. Good luck with your work.

According to the president of the EC NEW YORK — The United States and the EC have warned Serbia not to spread the conflict to Macedonia and Kosovo. The warning was issued at the end of a meeting in Washington between U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, the current president of the EC Council, Willy Claes, and Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek. The meeting also focused on an analysis of the international guarantees that should accompany a possible peace agreement between Serbs, Croats and Muslims in Bosnia. Claes, the Belgian Foreign Minister, said the EC could increase pressure until an agreement was reached. The society close to the senior government official responsible for the movement could bring about the parties’ complete submission. Claes warned the Americans against accepting 300 soldiers in Macedonia, specifying that the collapse in the Serbian-Albanian province of Kosovo should be considered “very dangerous.” If the conflict spreads, “the possibility of a strong response cannot be ruled out,” Van Der Broek stressed. L.25.09 V. Kosovo L.25.09 L. Kosovo Trepça Podujevo Mitrovica Prishtina O S O V O Gjilane Orahovac Uroševac Prizren Tetovo Skopje MACEDONIA ROMANIA YUGOSLAVIA KOSOVO

Sport The transfer campaign ends Football — a poor market But Inter and Samp remain queens FABRIZIO NITTI A transfer campaign that ended in simplicity. The final market was unusually quiet: there were very few deals compared with what had happened in previous years. On the other hand, this was to be expected, given the current contracts, with salaries set so high, and the very few changes; for this reason, we do not understand—above all, given the standing of Inter, one of the two queens—why the team has undertaken such purchases. But Corobba has gone to Juventus, while Vena is with Inter and Sampdoria. In fact, with the foreign stars Bergkamp and Yorke (who have achieved great success) and the positive conclusion of negotiations with Udinese for Dell'Anno, Inter is certainly the team that has strengthened itself the most, entering the championship as the leading side on paper. The Genoese deserve credit for the surprise coup of signing Gullit, the Dutchman who for six years was a symbol of Berlusconi’s Milan. This episode brought life to the final days of the transfer market, with the Dutchman rejecting Torino’s offer to remain in Liguria. While waiting for Boksic to leave Marseille in favour of Roma, and for Lados to be signed, Juventus, Milan and Parma still have work to do to complete their squads. Juventus, despite criticism from its leader Roberto Baggio, seems more measured and sensible: strengthening the defence is a sound idea, while the attack offers numerous and valuable alternatives. Rijkaard is no longer there, and Van Basten will resume playing after a few months, but Milan are still the reigning champions: Panucci, Carbone, Raducioiu, Ielpo, Orlando and Laudrup bring them joy. Parma will try to make major changes. Napoli, by contrast, due to financial needs, has been forced to shut itself off, also suffering because Ferrara made no concessions to Lazio. With little money available, it seems that football’s economic level is changing. And the queue of footballers, with the budgets of lower-division clubs, appears to be a show and a source of support. Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit

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IN KRUJË, MOTHER HITS SON ON THE HEAD WITH AN AX — The astonishing news comes from the town hospital in Krujë, where V.A. is in a coma after being struck three times on the head with an axe by her mother. The hospital doctors confirm only the victim’s condition—almost without hope—but not the other details, because the child does not want to speak. It is officially said that the motives were personal and family-related. MAN ARRESTED IN APULIA HAD KILLED ENKELEIDA LABAN IN VLORË — Following the newspaper’s report on the arrest in Apulia of Skënder Dines, 26, accused of murdering a young woman in Vlorë, the victim’s name has now also been made public: she was called Enkeleida Laba and was 20 when she was killed on 9 January 1991. Police arrested Dines in the locality of “Baia d’argento,” on the coast of Taranto. EGON KLEPSH, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, ARRIVES IN TIRANA — Egon Klepsh, President of the European Parliament, arrived in Albania yesterday following an earlier invitation from Petrit Arbnori, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Council. Klepsh will hold talks with President Berisha and senior figures in the country, and will also visit various Albanian cities. SEMINAR IN DURRËS ON THE FOOD INDUSTRY — Managers and finance officers of food enterprises in the Durrës district gathered for a seminar in their city with the aim of assisting the privatization process. The seminar was led by Paolo Accorran, an FAO specialist. The Italian Government has also provided credit as assistance for completing the privatization of enterprises using the most up-to-date methods. SHKODËR LAND RECLAMATION WORKER SHOT IN THE CITY — While working on his car at 11 in the morning, Nazim Beqiri, 33, a driver at the Shkodër Land Reclamation Enterprise, was shot six times with a pistol—four shots to his legs and hands—by three people. Police say the perpetrators have been identified and are being pursued.

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN, THE GROUND ALSO SHAKES IN CHINA — The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Japan’s northern islands in recent days has risen to 175. Sixty-nine people are missing. The ground has also shaken in China. An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale was felt in the southeastern province of Yunnan, on the border with Vietnam, Laos and Burma. Four people are missing and there has been extensive material damage. CAIRO, 2 DEAD AND 7 INJURED — Islamist extremists tried to avenge the killing of five of their comrades, but one was killed and two others were captured. A civilian who was hit during the pursuit after the attack also died. In total, seven people were injured: four civilians, two police officers and one army officer.