Replies are awaited in Geneva The content of the “confidential” report approved by the international committee CARLO BOLLINO GENEVA — A request for clarification addressed to the Albanian authorities regarding the state of the judicial proceedings and the imprisonment of Fatos Nano, and no political judgment of any kind: this is what is contained in the “confidential” document approved in recent days by the Committee on Rights of the European Parliamentary Convention here in Geneva, which has not yet been made public. The document contains the committee’s reservations regarding the case of the leader of the Socialist Party, which the Swiss committee began examining on 12 April, and on which it will return for reconsideration only in September. On that occasion, during the meeting to be held in Copenhagen, the international authorities will assess the replies received from Tirana and will decide whether to close the case or take it up again before the inter-parliamentary council. What is written in this document, about which so many hypotheses have circulated, but none is certain? Here in Geneva it has been clarified that the report is “confidential”, but in journalistic circles something has been learned. The committee members note, above all, many contradictions between statements and unofficial data on the one hand, and information communicated by the official authorities on the other. From this — the document states — the progress of the complex case involving Fatos Nano is familiar from reading the newspapers and cannot proceed in that way to the trial. Words that suggest the committee’s concern about the way the trial is being conducted, but do not call the first-instance decision into question. Another important piece of information emerging from the committee is that in the Geneva file it is still not clear how many charges were actually brought against Nano: in one act there are five, in another four. A gap that raises doubts about the accuracy of the procedure. Another point the committee seeks to verify concerns the documents containing “state secrets”. In fact, according to the committee, it is still unclear whether such material was used in the trial against Fatos Nano and, if so, in what manner. The request for clearer information about the conditions of his imprisonment is also reiterated. In particular, the committee appears sensitive to claims of prolonged isolation and restrictions on contact with family members and with lawyers. According to some sources, the committee has expressed the conviction that the case cannot be considered closed. For this reason, in September, in Copenhagen, the file will be reopened and the replies expected from the Albanian side will be examined. If the clarifications are not considered sufficient, it is not excluded that the matter will be referred for broader political assessment by other international bodies. [Note: parts of the text are difficult to read in the image; the transcription has been made carefully according to the visible sections.]

For «Omonia» Sharp rebuttals between Tirana and Athens TIRANA — The controversy between Greece and Albania is flaring up again. The setting of a trial date for the members of the minority organization «Omonia», accused of treason and of acting in favor of the secret services of foreign countries, has once again prompted a reaction from Athens. In an official statement, the spokesperson of Papandreou’s government, Venizelos, had strongly protested against the accusations, which he considers unbelievable. The Athens statement was issued at a time when in Greece — as usually happens in such cases — the issue enjoys broad support across the political spectrum. Greek public and religious figures have expressed strong criticism of Tirana regarding the press and the legitimate rights of the Greek minority. The Albanian diplomacy immediately responded. In a separate statement, the spokesperson of the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers Greek interference in matters that belong solely to Albanian justice unacceptable and emphasizes that this is a trial against individuals and not against the Greek minority as a whole. At the end of the statement, Tirana expresses the hope that Albanian-Greek relations will not be damaged by this issue and that the court will be able to decide on the basis of the facts. Fatos Baxhaku

Today is the second day of the protest by many outlets Journalists’ strike: The government objects “Maybe we will only reduce customs duties on printing materials” TIRANA — The government has responded harshly to the demands of the striking journalists. Describing them as “premature demands” and “reckless,” the coalition socialist government says it is not possible to accept an immediate reduction of taxes on the press, except for a possible review of customs relief for printing materials. Across the country, many editorial offices have continued today the protest that began a day earlier. The strikers are demanding a more favorable legal framework for the independent press, tax cuts, and recognition of professional status. One of the most debated points remains the relationship between the government and the critical press. Representatives of journalists’ organizations say that without minimal economic support, many newspapers risk closure. On the other hand, the executive fears that any immediate concession could create a financial precedent. The debate is expected to continue in the coming days. Fatos Baxhaku

LEZHË, AREAS DESIGNATED FOR OIL, ONE FOR THE NORTHEASTERN POPULATION — Nearly 240 hectares of land have been designated in Lezhë where the population of several villages from the Puka area, whose land was flooded by the waters of Lake Fierza, will be settled. This is the latest in a series of population relocations from the northeastern population, which may be forced and controlled. The land designated for the families affected by the rising waters will be assigned with documents. BELL TOWERS ARE BEING BUILT IN THE NORTH — Bells have been installed in a church in Dom Llesh in Lezhë. They were donated and erected [?] for another church, known as the Italian Enel. This event deeply moved the residents of this region, who closely followed the repairs and installation. ASSISTANCE FROM THE EC FOR THE COUNTRY’S SCHOOLS — The European Community has drawn up an aid plan for Albanian schools, which will begin to be implemented in early September. The total amount that the EC will invest in repairing and making some schools functional is 6 million 300,000 ECU. The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with representatives of schools in the country and the relevant Albanian commission, writes that 1,901 notebooks, leaflets, educational materials and equipment will be distributed to secondary schools and 7,811 to eight-year schools [?].

Still a mystery DURRËS — Mystery at the shipyard of the Port of Durrës. A person has been found dead, sitting and laid out in the fuel depot of this shipyard. His body, found among the tanks — the initial investigations did not show that he had been struck — was discovered for the first time by shift workers who were fueling the ships. Until Wednesday, it had only been learned that he was at work and had died for reasons that were not made public. The causes of his death also remained unknown and unexplained.

He had been arrested 5 months ago Gjirokastër, the accusation is not proven GJIROKASTËR — Vasil Naçe, president of the company «Anonime Kakavijë», known as «Bosi i Viresave», has now come out of prison. On Tuesday afternoon, around 5:00 p.m., Naçe left behind the cell where he had spent 5 months of his life, to return to normal life and to his business. It seems that the charges against Naçe were not proved, since the deadline for pre-trial detention expired before the trial had even begun. Nevertheless, although he has escaped prison, he will have to appear whenever summoned by the justice authorities. Naçe had been handcuffed at the end of February this year, accused of cigarette smuggling. On the same day, other traders were also arrested, as well as 5 customs officers from Gjirokastra and Tirana. Immediately after the arrest, Naçe’s lawyer had requested a change in the security measure imposed by the Prosecutor’s Office. But this request was rejected by the Tirana Court in the last days of March this year. Although now free, Naçe has refused to give any explanation to representatives of the mass media in southern Albania. Ra. Ko.

Flori Omari and Doriana Cala, aged 11 and 13 respectively, lost their lives in the waters of a small lake near the town of Cërrik. The two friends had left home without telling their parents. And it is believed that the wish to escape led them into the lake. In any case, after the children had raised the alarm over their disappearance, the two bodies of the little girls were found by the fire brigade near the lake. And the police expert report rules out the version of a crime: they drowned from the desire to swim. Me.Ki.

CURSIVE REALITY KAVAJË — It was a real attack on a village chief. In Luz i Madh in Kavajë — a village with five in the capital [?] — irresponsible people severely damaged the village chief. The village’s attack was made on his fruit trees and melon patch; still unknown persons have barbarically destroyed all the watermelons ripe for being taken to the area for their shop. The damage amounts to 1.5 million lek. Lost in one night, said the villagers in concern, but the destroyers were not satisfied with that alone. A haystack was also damaged. [The text continues partially and is difficult to read at the end of the column.]

Elbasan — The heat took his life. Nur Cala from the village of Mollas had gone down to the bottom of the well at his house, which had dried up because of the season’s heat. Suddenly he felt short of breath. The cries for help of the 30-year-old Cala were answered by his neighbor V. Zdrava. He quickly descended to the bottom of the well but suffered the same fate: he was suffocated by lack of oxygen. It took the accidental intervention of several other people to pull the two asphyxiated men out to the surface. But while he was still being taken to hospital, help for Çela arrived too late and he closed his eyes forever. All efforts to bring V. Zdrava back to life appear to have failed. Doctors stated that the cause of death was lack of oxygen. Me.Ki.

Algeria increasingly shaken by terrorists The wave of attacks continues ON PAGE 2 The itinerary of the poisons that will be removed The evacuation operation on 5 September ON PAGE 3

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