Answers are awaited in Geneva The contents of the “confidential” report approved by the international Committee CARLO BOLLINO GENEVA — A request for clarification addressed to the Albanian authorities concerning doubts about the judicial proceedings and imprisonment of Fatos Nano, and no kind of political judgment: this is what the “confidential” document approved in recent days by the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians here in Geneva contains, and which has not yet been made public. The document contains a reserved statement on the case of the leader of the Socialist Party, which the Swiss Committee began examining on April 12 and will return to review only in September. On that occasion, during the meeting to be held in Copenhagen, the international authorities will assess the answers received from Tirana and decide whether to close the case or take it up again before the Inter-Parliamentary Council. But what is written in this document, about which many hypotheses have circulated but none is certain? Here in Geneva they stress that the report is “confidential,” but something has managed to emerge in journalistic circles. The Committee members note, above all, numerous contradictions between statements made by unofficial sources on the one hand and information communicated by the official authorities on the other. Hence, the document says, the need for further clarification. A meeting of the Geneva Committee seeks to learn from the Albanian authorities whether Fatos Nano has been allowed to read newspapers and whether he has the possibility of receiving visits from family members and holding visits himself. According to a complaint received in Geneva, in fact, Nano “does not see his family in prison for two or three months at a time, because the permit that must be issued to family members by the judicial authorities is not granted regularly.” This is a fact that the Geneva Committee wishes to verify. Another piece of information requested by the Committee concerns Nano’s state of health and the actual possibilities for treatment. Finally, it asks for clarification about the provision for his release or the possibility of a retrial. It should be noted that this document was approved before the Tirana Court of Cassation confirmed the sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal judges. This circumstance could change his situation in prison—a fact that the Geneva Committee wishes to verify. Thanking the President of the Albanian Parliament “for his cooperation,” the Geneva Committee writes that it “hopes the information to be received on this occasion will serve to clarify every doubt, so that it will not prove necessary to bring the case before the Inter-Parliamentary Council with a public report accompanied by a draft resolution.” The document concludes with a commitment to continue studying the case at the next meeting in Copenhagen, to be held in mid-September. Political and international observers here point out that the document never refers to a “political prisoner” or a “political trial,” but simply to “Minister Nano” (the document is written in English). This has very likely dashed the hopes of those who believed that the court case concerning the aid scandal would be recognized as having a political dimension, which, in fact, has so far been ignored in Geneva as well. In short, the “Nano case” remains a judicial matter concerning a political figure.

Over «Omonia» Harsh exchanges between Tirana and Athens TIRANA — Controversy has flared up again between Greece and Albania. The setting of the trial date for the members of the minority organization «Omonia», accused of treason against the homeland and of activities in favor of the secret services of foreign countries, has once again provoked a reaction from Athens. In an official statement, Papandreou Government spokesman Venizellos had strongly protested against the accusations, which he considered “unfounded.” The statement from Athens was issued at a time when in Greece—as usually happens in such cases—the issue of the arrested minority members has caused a veritable storm in the press and public opinion. Greek public and religious figures joined in the criticism directed at Tirana as a “suppressor of the legitimate rights of Greeks.” Albanian diplomacy responded immediately. In a separate statement, the spokesman for the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the outbursts by Venizellos as “a brutal and unacceptable interference in the work of the judicial authorities” and in Albania’s internal affairs. The Albanian spokesman, in turn, stated that Tirana hoped this issue would not have a lasting impact on Albanian-Greek relations and that the trial did not involve the Greek minority as a whole in any way.

Today is the second day of the protest by many newspapers Journalists’ strike: Government objects “Perhaps we will lower only the customs duties on printing materials” TIRANA — The Government has responded sharply to the demands of the striking journalists. Describing them as “completely unacceptable and based on the old socialist deceit and hypocrisy of a tax-free socialist society,” Government spokesman Meksi immediately made it clear that it was inclined to implement only one of them: lowering customs tariffs on all printing materials. In their response that same day, the striking newspapers had called the existence of taxes “discrimination” and “absurd,” and the Government’s attitude toward a long-standing, well-known problem “indifferent.” The Government’s move had been preceded by the first contacts between some striking editorial offices and experts from the Ministry of Finance, who had offered to familiarize themselves with the problems. “A strange attitude,” said one of the strike leaders; “we have made our problems known for a long time.” It is precisely this Ministry that took up the issue after President Berisha’s change. Despite this, the striking journalists’ firm position has not changed. On Wednesday, according to official sources, two more newspapers joined the strikers: “Balli i Kombit” and “E djathta,” while individual expressions of solidarity were also forthcoming. According to the strike group, another step has been taken by some journalists on the staff of Alternativa SD. The duration of the journalists’ protest has now also been decided. After a discussion in the steering committee, it was decided that the newspapers would be on sale on Sunday. “Nevertheless, we decided that the newspapers would be on sale. Perhaps it has been decided that on Sunday the strike should sit down for talks.” Rakipi, meanwhile, denies that Republika is on strike: “I have received confirmation from my journalists that no such thing has been decided.” Criticism of the strike’s organization has also come from the organization of the Independent Trade Unions. Arben Bllaci, editor-in-chief of Sindikalisti, expresses his reservations: “I certainly agree with the demands, but I have reservations about the way the strike was organized; depending on how it develops, we will decide what to do as well.” Thus, amid fierce controversy, an entirely unusual strike continues—the newspapers’ strike—which may remain at the center of public attention for some time yet. Fatos Baxhaku has been uncovered. The members of the Committee raise ... above all, many contradictions between the statements given by sources Joz- ... on one side and the information communi- ... by the official authorities on the other. From here — let him hold the meetings himself. According to a complaint received in Geneva — in fact — Na- three months at a time, because le- ... must release ... thousands, the judicial authorities do not regularly grant ... the possibility of reviewing the proceedings. Naturally, it must be clarified ... this document had been approved before the Court of Cassation in Tirana This circumstance could change the situation of the priso- ... a political dimension which, in fact, has so far also been ignored in Geneva. In short, the “Nano case” remains a court case concerning a political figure. ... in the court case concerning the aid scandal, the Albanian press, for its part, stated in silence that Tirana hopes this matter will not have a lasting effect on Albanian-Greek relations and that this trial does not implicate the Greek minority as a whole. decided. After a discussion ... ... the data solidarity have also not been lacking. Another important journalistic step, ... ... whose declaration states that it is ... — [unclear] from the strike; now, in accordance with its strike, we will also decide ...”. Thus it continues amid heated disputes between ... a completely separate strike, that of the newspapers, which may continue to Fatos Baxhaku

— About 240 hectares of land have been designated in Lezhë for the settlement of the population of several villages in the Puka area, whose land has been flooded by the waters of Lake Fierza. This development offers a sign that the resettlement of the northeastern population may be directed and controlled. The land allocated to the families from Puka was made available through investments by the former Agricultural Enterprises. ENEL DONATES BELLS TO CHURCHES — Bells have been installed at the Church of Dom Lleshi in Lezhë. They are a gift from an Italian presence, Enel. The company installed them with its specialized contribution and [?] plans to install similar ones at the Church of Troshan, also in this district. EU AID FOR THE COUNTRY’S SCHOOLS — The European Community has drawn up an aid plan for Albanian schools, which will begin to be implemented in September. The total amount to be invested by the EC to repair and make several dozen schools operational is 6 million and 300,000 ECU. The Minister of Education, in cooperation with EC representatives, has already selected the schools where implementation of this plan will begin. They are Fresku, Surrel, ... Ndërmarrja in the district of Fier, Rrëmulli, Jam Madh, Kurqari, Cerru, Fulgjet, Darës, Bejku i Majtë, Sagdani, Qyral, Pali in the district of Elbasan. AN 18-YEAR-OLD’S POSITIONS ARE PRESENTED IN DURRËS — A girl has been presented in Durrës to organize in the line? ... Port? ... the poem by 16-year-old Lea Tyl. The girl’s positions ... In the end ... of ... life ... Lea’s talent ... [part cut off / illegible]

Still a mystery DURRËS — Mystery at the shipyard in the Port of Durrës. A person was found dead on Tuesday in the fuel depots at the shipyard. His body, found among the tanks, showed no signs of having been struck, according to the initial investigation. It was first discovered by workers while they were refueling ships. By Wednesday, it had only been learned that he was a railway employee; no other details had been released. The causes of his death also remain unknown and unexplained.

He had been arrested 5 months ago Gjirokastër: the accusation is not proven GJIROKASTËR — Vasil Naçi, president of the “Anonime Kakavijë” company, otherwise known as the “Boss of Vrisera,” has now been released from prison. On Tuesday afternoon, at around 5 p.m., Naçi left behind the cell where he had spent five months of his life, returning to normal life and to his business. It seems that the accusations against Naçi were not proven, since he was released without first standing trial. Nevertheless, although he has escaped prison, he will have to pay—according to the first unofficial reports—a large sum of money in compensation to the state. Naçi was arrested at the end of February this year, accused of cigarette smuggling. Other traders and five customs officers from Gjirokastër and Tirana were arrested the same day. Immediately after his arrest, Naçi’s lawyer had requested a change to the security measure imposed by the Prosecutor’s Office. But his request was rejected by the Tirana Court in the last days of March this year. Although now free, Naçi has refused to give any explanation to representatives of the mass media in southern Albania. Ra. Ko.

CËRRIK — Two little girls, Florida Omari and Doriana Çala—11 and 13 years old, respectively—have lost their lives in the waters of a small lake near the town of Çërrik. The two friends had left home without telling their parents. It is believed that their desire for the “sea” led them to a tragic end. Several hours after their families raised the alarm about their disappearance, the two little girls’ bodies were found lifeless in the lake. The police investigation has ruled out the possibility of a crime: they drowned because they wanted to swim. Me.Ki.

REALITY CURSIVE KAVAJË — It was a genuine attack on a village headman in Luz i Madh, Kavajë — a village with five hectares of watermelons... An unknown person seriously damaged the village headman’s property. The attack was carried out at the weakest point any villager has: his property. The still-unknown person barbarically destroyed all the watermelons ready to be ... on an area of two dynym planted with them. “Two million lekë were lost in one night,” the farmer had lost? [unclear passage] ... But the destroyers did not stop there. A haystack — fodder intended for the cows during winter — was also set on fire. It is still unknown what drove the mysterious assailants to this extreme act. They acted under cover of night and while the villagers, exhausted from working in the heat, were fast asleep. Alarmed by the light from the haystack ablaze, the village headman notified the police. But so far every search has been in vain. Even the tracking dog was no help; it sniffed in vain around the worthless pile of damaged watermelons.

Elbasan — The drought cost him his life. Nuri Çala, from the village of Mollas, had gone down to the bottom of the well at his home, whose water had dried up because of the intense heat. Suddenly he felt short of breath. His calls for help were answered by his neighbor V. Zdrav a. He quickly climbed down to the bottom of the well but suffered the same fate: he was asphyxiated by the lack of oxygen. It was only the chance intervention of some other people that made it possible to bring the two asphyxiated men to the surface. But while he continues to struggle in the hospital, help arrived, sadly, much too late for Çala. All the doctors’ efforts to bring him back to life failed. And it is these same doctors who confirm: he drowned and suffocated in the depths of the well that first claimed the life of Mr. [unclear]. Me.Ki.

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