The lawyers ask that the case not be closed Nano: investigation or trial? Today the Court must decide Former Prime Minister Fatos Nano The Tirana Court EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — The mystery surrounding Nano’s trial will last just a few more hours. Today the Tirana Court will finally decide whether his trial will take place by November 9 or whether the case will once again be sent back for further investigation. But the preliminary hearing—requested by Nano’s lawyers—will also determine the fate of the other people, Sokrat Plaka, Robert Gjini and Hasan Alukja, accused alongside the socialist leader in the Italian aid scandal. Thus today, at 10 o’clock, the judge, prosecutor and lawyers will once again face one another. But the real protagonists will be absent: those whom the Prosecution, together with the charges, has so far placed under a cloud of suspicion. This time the prosecutor is Arben Qeleshi, Prosecutor of the Tirana District, who—according to the agreement with his Italian colleagues—must leave immediately afterwards to meet with investigating magistrate Evelina Canale in Rome, who is investigating the Italian officials involved in this affair. Agim Bendo will again sit as judge. He is President of the Tirana Court and head of the judicial panel, and a few days ago he rejected Nano’s request to revoke the detention order. “It’s a routine proceeding,” the lawyers say of the preliminary hearing that begins today. Following Fatos Nano’s request from his cell in Tirana Prison, the lawyers have insisted to the Court: “The requirements of Article 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure have not been observed, which provides for the defendant’s right to examine the case materials and to submit comments on them.” This is the defendants’ and their lawyers’ last chance to have the case concerning the aid scandal returned to the investigating authorities. So far, only the first request—to hold this preliminary hearing—has been accepted, because the other, more important one, will be decided definitively today. The days of waiting for the announced trial—which, under the law, must take place one month after the materials are submitted to the Court—have not stopped the lawyers from studying the evidence against their clients. Nano’s lawyers, Sanxha-ku and Tirana, told the Gazette that they have still not seen these voluminous materials, which, they say, will take considerable time to verify. In any case, the decision will be made in a few hours: either a speedy trial or further investigation.

They have been identified Three skeletons of victims of the regime discovered in Berat BERAT — (p.re.) The remains of victims of the communist dictatorship continue to be brought up from underground. This time, in the Berat district. After a period of searching, the local branch of the Association of Former Prisoners and Political Persecutees has finally managed to discover the common grave of three victims: Jakup Salçi, Ymer Buzi and Asqeri Numani. They were executed by firing squad in November 1945 and buried in a place on the outskirts of the city whose location was almost unknown. The reason for this terrible punishment is already familiar: the victims were accused of anti-communist beliefs and activities. The list of people executed during 45 years of dictatorial violence in Albania is very long. The burial places of the victims, almost always collective graves, were among the state’s many secrets and mysteries. Thus, many of them have suffered a double punishment. Besides losing their lives, they continue to endure another sentence in the world of the dead: having no grave. This is why bringing their remains to light—a task persistently requested by families and relatives—remains difficult and in some cases has ended unsuccessfully.

Sport The Black-and-Blues draw 1-1 in Milan against Juventus Milan held up Parma also at the top of the standings Parma’s Melli, unmarked by Reggiana’s Zanutta, shoots and scores On page 4: Serie A matches On page 3: Albanian league On page 4: Motor racing, Formula 1

TURKEY, 41 SEPARATISTS KILLED BY SECURITY FORCES — Turkish security forces have killed 41 Kurdish separatists during a wide-ranging operation launched on October 9, using air and ground forces in the mountainous areas of Senyayla (Diyarbakir province), in southeastern Turkey. SPAIN, THREE NON-ORIGINAL GOYA PAINTINGS DISCOVERED AT THE PRADO MUSEUM — The Prado Museum in Madrid has three fake paintings by Goya in its collection. The discovery was made during an inspection of works by the Spanish painter, who lived from 1746 to 1828. But news circulating these days about the paintings not being authentic was denied by the museum’s deputy director, Manuela Mena, who clarified that the paintings are not being examined and that other analyses are being carried out. HUMAN EMBRYOS CLONED — In an experiment, the first of its kind, American scientists managed to duplicate human embryos, resulting in two or three genetically identical copies, reports The New York Times, specifying that these copies (genetically identical to the original) have not yet been placed in a womb for pregnancy, but have been discarded. They were considered unusable “for technical reasons.” They were still at the stage of having only a few cells. ALGERIA, THREE OFFICIALS OF THE FRENCH CONSULATE KIDNAPPED — Seven armed people in Paris have been placed… within just a few weeks French officials in Algeria have been kidnapped by Islamist militants and… their safety… and are still free. The secretary, a… and one of the… citizens… of the French consulate in Algiers were kidnapped, demanding…

HEAD OF THE PUBLIC ORDER DEPARTMENT IN LUSHNJË DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT — A car accident caused the death of GJovalin Marashi, Head of the Public Order Department in Lushnjë. His father, who was travelling with him in the car, also died. The accident occurred on Saturday, near the Milot Bridge. IN TIRANA, THE PRIVATE SECTOR ACCOUNTS FOR OVER 40 PER CENT OF BREAD PRODUCTION — There are a large number of bread production outlets—33 have been established just this year—which account for over 40 per cent of total bread production in Tirana. Their production capacity—around 1,000 quintals in 24 hours—is continually increasing. Tirana Municipality is also strongly supporting this trend. The municipality’s Light and Food Industry Section is talking with new producers about ensuring proportional distribution throughout the capital. HOUSING PRIVATIZATION IN TIRANA TO BE COMPLETED BY NOVEMBER — Around 20 per cent of the housing units in Tirana remain to be privatized, and this will be completed during November. This was the conclusion reached at a meeting of the Tirana Municipal Council. The meeting also reviewed cases involving housing units that will not be privatized. These will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval. CONSTRUCTION OF TWO ORTHODOX CHURCHES INAUGURATED IN SARANDË AND DELVINË — Archbishop Janullatos inaugurated the start of construction work on the Church of St. Harallamb, located at the entrance to Sarandë, during a mass. Construction of the Church of the Holy Trinity was also inaugurated in Delvinë, for which the Archbishopric of Tirana has provided 180 million lekë.

FIER/ Five people detained FIER — The children were to be used as thieves abroad. This was the aim of a group of criminals from Fier, who were detained by the police. The children’s disappearance began the investigation after two children from Skrapar vanished under strange circumstances. For several days, no news of them was received. Only on Saturday did the Skrapar police, in cooperation with the Fier Criminal Police, manage to apprehend five people, and the two children were found. The kidnappers’ purpose was anything but ordinary. It recalls the events of the famous film “Oliver Twist.” The kidnapped children were to be trained as thieves. But the unusual aspect of this kidnapping does not end there. The children from Skrapar would practise their “profession” abroad. Increasingly, children are becoming prey to trafficking and the most vile methods of making a profit. The first scandal involving children erupted at the end of 1990, with the adoption case. At the time, much was said about the existence of a trade in young children. Irregularities in the relevant documents—a process that was just concluded in recent days—raised suspicions of organ trafficking. After that scandal, this is the second case in which children have been used as an illegal source of profit.

TIRANA — A Greek guard has been killed at the border between Albania and Greece. According to reports from press sources in Athens, 9 Albanians who were attempting to cross the border illegally killed a Greek civilian guard. Pandalız Zeka, the 25-year-old guard — who belonged to the armed units of the Militia — was escorting the Albanians to the nearest police post. On the way, press sources report, all nine Albanians threw him down — for reasons that are still unknown — causing his death. According to the reports so far, this incident is unrelated to the one a few days ago — in the same area — when the bodies of 3 Albanians were found massacred by Greek border guards.

ATHENS — “We want to improve relations with Albania, on condition that Tirana respects the rights of the Greek minority,” says Greece’s new prime minister, the socialist Andreas Papandreu. ATHENS — “We want to improve relations with Albania, on condition that Tirana respects the rights of the Greek minority,” says Greece’s new prime minister, the socialist Andreas Papandreu, laying down conditions for Albania and the world in order to establish good relations with his government. The first arrival remains the one with Macedonia. In his first statements to the newspapers, Papandreu has promised to transform Greece into a bridge between the Balkans and Europe. From January 1, his country will hold the rotating presidency of the European Community for six months. But let us look at Papandreu’s ideas on foreign policy: EUROPE — Greece wants to join the European Community with “an equal role.” ALBANIA — The intention is to improve relations between the two countries after a deliberate deterioration of relations by Moscow. “The condition set is the protection of the Greek minority by the Albanian government.” MACEDONIA — No understanding with the former Yugoslav Republic, accused of “having appropriated history,” its symbols, and the claim that there is only one Macedonia, the Greek one. Papandreu has asked the government in Skopje to take the first step in seeking common ground, because the Greek government “does not seek revenge, but is not willing to bargain over its sovereignty and history.” TURKEY — Papandreu proposes that Istanbul refer to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to resolve the only disagreement between them, that concerning the exploitation of oil deposits in the Aegean Sea. UNITED STATES — The prime minister has declared himself entirely willing to pursue “an opening” with the United States, with which he intends to cooperate politically and economically. President Clinton has invited him to visit Washington, which will take place within the year. Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu

Yesterday in the world Yesterday in Albania FIER/ Five people detained At the border INSIDE

Naked... before art It is still shameful to pose nude The Academy of Arts is looking for models ON PAGE 2 Barletta, great success for the Albanian Philharmonic Beethoven, Brahms and Grieg were performed ON PAGE 2