But studying also costs money As of today, 70,000 pupils start first grade; 35,000 begin secondary school FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANA — Today will be the first day of school for nearly 70,000 little ones, who will thus make their first contact with proper educational institutions. On the same day, nearly 34,500 pupils will sit for the first time at the desks of general and vocational secondary schools. For parents, it will undoubtedly be a memorable day, but for many of them also one more cause for concern. A parent sending their child to school for the first time has spent nearly 1,500 lekë—almost half the average monthly salary of a teacher. The parent of a pupil starting secondary school has spent somewhat more. This school year will bring changes compared with the last one. Once again, pupils at all levels will have most of the new textbooks in their hands, although the financial and technical difficulties involved in producing them have not yet been completely resolved. Good news for pupils who have to live in dormitories: taking the further rise in prices into account, the Ministry of Education has proposed increasing their scholarships, an issue that has not yet been fully settled. The number of pupils enrolled in secondary schools of both types, general and vocational, will fall considerably compared with last year. Part-time education is nearing extinction. Of the 10 such schools that existed in Tirana, the number fell to 4 last year, and this school year perhaps only two will operate. The phenomenon is primarily linked to the lack of industry and of mandatory qualification requirements. These were the factors that kept this type of school alive. In eight-year schools, the reform has affected the content of the curricula and teaching plans most. The changes in the secondary-school system are more widely known. The most visible change here is the substantial drop in the number of pupils. The Ministry explains that this has also happened because a considerable number of agricultural schools—which made up the majority of vocational schools—have been closed; they were rightly considered excessive under the country's new circumstances. They will now exist in only 22 major cities and will be thoroughly restructured. In Korçë and Berat, two pilot schools will operate this year, and the experience gained from them is intended to be extended throughout the country. Nevertheless, the Ministry adds, pupils and parents are showing increased interest in enrolling in the new technical and vocational schools, designed according to modern methods. In the new programs, practical instruction accounts for up to half of the class hours. While the content of schooling continues to improve, its economic problems continue to intensify. Heating school premises is still out of the question, while the longstanding problem of windowpanes has been resolved only for schools in the capital. Some school administrators have already chosen not to install the panes in classrooms, preferring to save them for the opening day of classes. That way, at least on the first day, all the school windows will have panes. «Qemal Stafa» School in Tirana

The reasoning of the High Council of Justice: «There is a lack of quality in the work, but also of physical fitness» After 14 dismissals, 10 replacements EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — “In dismissing 14 prosecutors and investigators, the High Council of Justice has applied only the criteria of ability and performance in the job, while also taking physical fitness into account.” Prel Martini, a member of the High Council of Justice, confirms and explains the latest changes in the Albanian justice system. At 2 p.m. the day before yesterday, the 14 prosecutors and investigators were informed of their dismissal for various reasons. The decision had been made a few days earlier by the High Council of Justice, chaired by President Berisha. The appointment of 10 new prosecutors was announced along with this decision. “These moves have been made as part of the Reform that has been under way in the justice system for some time,” says Prel Martini, who is also President of the Court of Appeal. Of the 14 employees recently dismissed from the Prosecutor's Office, 7 are prosecutors and the others are investigators. Most of the investigators are women. “Political affiliation was not taken into consideration at all,” insists Prel Martini, also rejecting claims that the dismissals are connected with the completion of the Legal Professionals Course. According to him, the legal professionals undergoing intensive training in Durrës “still have exams to take, and none of those dismissed will be replaced by course participants.” The Tirana Prosecutor's Office confirms that all 10 newly appointed prosecutors have the relevant higher education. “The newly appointed prosecutors,” the Tirana Prosecutor's Office explains, “are all investigators and will now also perform the role of prosecutor.” However, this does not appear to be a definitive solution. Following the latest changes and the wave of prosecutors seeking to leave their posts voluntarily, a shortage of qualified legal staff at the Prosecutor's Office is expected to become apparent. This is connected with the new desire—though one that has become widespread in the last two years—to move into the legal profession, which naturally pays much more. “In any case, there is nothing to be alarmed about,” Martini continues. “The trainees who are expected to receive their law degrees can work freely and without any legal obstacle in the justice institutions.”

Yesterday in Albania Voting in

NEW BAKERIES BUILT IN KAVAJË — Bread production is expanding in the district of Kavajë. So far, 12 private bakeries have been installed, 2 of them in Rrogozhinë, 2 in villages and 8 in the city of Kavajë. This has had a positive effect on meeting market demand ever more effectively. Contracts signed by private producers with local government bodies have helped better meet consumers’ needs, including in terms of product range. BANK LOANS FOR PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES IN KORÇË — The successful development of its activity in the sphere of citizens’ savings deposits has enabled the Korçë branch of the Savings Bank to intensify its lending activity in support of production. Recently it [sic] and 18 million lekë in loans to encourage productive and construction activities. Of these, 8 million are long-term loans. In such a short time, attention has also been paid to borrowers repaying their loans in installments; 60 percent of short-term loans have been repaid. ALBANIA SEEKS INTEGRATION INTO NATO STRUCTURES — With the aim of ever closer cooperation with all NATO structures, while seeking membership in this alliance, President Berisha made this statement during his reception of a delegation from the North Atlantic Assembly. Emphasizing the difficulties and risks that arose in former communist countries after the fall of the Iron Curtain, Berisha added that NATO’s umbrella is a guarantee of protection against instability and of peace and stability in those states.

TIRANA — Elections for the head of local government have concluded in two northern communes. In Zërqan, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party — its ally in these elections — won 84.3 percent of the vote. Their rival, the Socialist Party, managed to collect 15.6 percent. The PD candidate also won by a wide margin in the Commune of Luzni, receiving 61 percent of the voters’ support. The Socialist Party collected 26.5 percent. The Republican candidate came third with 12.5 percent. Elections were also held for the Commune Council there, where PD candidates received 57 percent of the vote.

With a single pistol shot TIRANA — (Ed. La.) — A party chairman has just been wounded by the law of the Albanian Parliament that allows everyone to obtain firearms. Guri Rapushi Dullorali, Chairman of the Movement of Legality Party, accidentally wounded himself. After shooting himself in the leg and being admitted to hospital immediately, Dullorali was discharged on Monday in good condition. Guri Dullorali, chairman of one of the two major Legalist groups in Albania, had shot himself during a family celebration in a northern district. According to sources at the Central Army Hospital — where he was treated for two days in the Neurosurgery Clinic — the bullet from his pistol remained lodged below the calf of his left leg. According to the same source, Dullorali, after firing several shots into the air — in accordance with traditional rites — tried to put the pistol into his back pocket, thinking that the bullets had run out. The remaining bullet caused the accident. Dullorali, 54, a doctor by profession, had been re-elected at the 11th Congress as Chairman of the Movement of Legality Party. At the same time as his appointment, in June this year, the other Legalist group — the Albanian Legality Party — had elected Nderim Kupi to the post.

Declared illegal by the court TIRANA — The old medieval castles under the care of the Institute of Cultural Monuments have begun to suffer damage. Recently, cases of unauthorized construction within the grounds of these historic monuments have been confirmed in several cities around the country. At the Medieval Castle of Lezhë, some residents began laying the foundations of their homes. Following the intervention of the Institute of Monuments, a court hearing held in Lezhë declared these constructions illegal, and now only intervention by the Municipality is awaited. Similar cases have also been confirmed in Elbasan and Tepelenë. “Here, too, decisive intervention by the local government is awaited,” they told Gazeta at the Ministry of Culture. A view of Shkodër Castle

TIRANA — The Order Police will face a special assignment today. At the request made by the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, it will have to confront its colleagues in the Financial Police. The matter concerns forcibly evicting the General Directorate of the Financial Police from the building where it currently works, in order to allow only the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office to move into it. The decision had been made some time ago by the Council of Ministers. But even after this — citing the lack of another suitable premises — the General Directorate of the Financial Police continues to remain in the building. The request made by the Prosecutor’s Office to the Financial Police is that it be accompanied by another functional unit. The Prosecutor’s Office will work in a building with the Investigation Department. The Financial Police and the Prosecutor’s Office, which had worked for many months separated by just one wall, “coexisted” for the last time yesterday. Today — if the Order Police enforces the decision — the Financial Police will leave the capital’s center for good. Some time ago its leaders had gone to inspect the building that was to serve — necessarily — as their new home: the former Institute of Viticulture and Fruit Growing. This institute — attractive for its surrounding natural setting — is near Tirana’s Artificial Lake, but apparently does not meet the requirements for housing the entire apparatus of the General Directorate of the Financial Police and its Tirana branch. Meanwhile, the General Prosecutor’s Office is expected to be joined a building with the Investigation Department. A Financial Police vehicle

Dear Paolo! I would like to congratulate you on the swim across Lake Ohrid that you will undertake on September 19, 1993. I hope that in the future, too, you will take up initiatives of this kind, which are not only sporting but also noble. Dear Paolo! I want to congratulate you on your swim across Lake Ohrid on September 19, 1993. I hope that you will also undertake similar initiatives in the future, which are not only sporting but noble. (Murat Aruçl — Fushë-Krujë) On September 16, 1993, my Italian friend Daniele Rotonda, who lives in Fasano (Brindisi), turned 33. On this occasion I want to wish Daniele, from the bottom of my heart, a hundred more celebrations like this. May he always have joy, happiness and success in his work as a television journalist. I send Daniele my warmest greetings in Albania. journalist. I greet Daniele with my warmest wishes and hope to see him in Albania. (Murat Aruçl — Fushë-Krujë) On the occasion of Habibo Balla’s birthday, who turns 30 on September 16, greetings from Kukës are sent by B. Brahami, Rita, Marjana, Hekurani and little Dritani. We wish him a long and happy life and send him a hug from afar. Do you have a relative, a friend or a loved one far away, across the sea? Would you like to reach them with a greeting, a message or simply a good wish? This space is yours: they will read it. If you are in Italy, you can write to this address: GAZETA SHQIPTARE, viale Scipione l’Africano 264, 70100 Bari. If you live in Albania, you can write to this address: GAZETA SHQIPTARE, Rruga Bajram Curri 370, Tiranë. (Balla family — Kukës) Gazmendi from Tirana sends greetings to Dr Gabriele Mantovana in Florence, Italy. He sends him, from the heart and also on behalf of his family, his warmest greetings. He thanks him for the care and dedication he showed in treating Ermal, his son, who was admitted to this clinic in March this year. On this occasion, he also sends greetings and thanks to the entire team of doctors in the cardiac surgery department in Florence: Paola, Michele, Francesco, Franco, Damiano and Maria Renata. He also extends a special invitation to Professor Gabriele to come to Albania. Ermal sends his special greetings and gives him a big hug. (Gazmend L. — Tiranë)

TIRANA — How much did a parent pay for a first-grade school kit? The start of the school year is an important occasion, above all for six-year-old little ones and their parents. The latter have been busy today making sure their children have all the school supplies they need. Schoolbag 560 Lek textbooks 50 6 notebooks 90 apron 600 paints 60 pen 15 ruler 40 sharpener 12 eraser 5 pencil 5 Total 1,437

TIRANA — Here are the expenses a parent must meet when sending their child to the first year of secondary school. At this school, pupils in all four grades use an average of ten textbooks, around twenty notebooks, as well as other supplies. Schoolbag 560 Lek 10 textbooks 150 20 notebooks 600 pen 15 pencil 5 eraser 5 ruler 60 compass 120 Total 1,515

The historic agreement between the PLO and Israel Fierce fighting resumes in Somalia Bribes paid for the 2000 Olympics