Will punishments take the place of charges? For the first time, the jurists speak out TIRANE — In a clear move toward peace, an exponent of “Omonia”, who has been on trial in Tirana since 15 August for four years, is condemned to risk. For the first time since their arrest — in April 1994 — the minorities accused of “espionage” and “illegal possession of weapons” must now, after 24 hours, also defend themselves against sentences. Tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., Tirana’s senior prosecutors, Qelësi and Gjokutaj, will present their request before the judges. But although on the very first day of the trial prosecutor Gjokutaj asked for the withdrawal of the charge of “high treason against the homeland”, the other two charges — if the judges consider them proven — will not be enough to spare the five minority defendants from “Omonia” severe punishment. As provided by Albania’s current Penal Code, for the crime of “espionage” alone the sentence ranges from no less than 10 years of imprisonment up to the death penalty. The position of three of the defendants is even more difficult, since — Theodhori Bezhani, Irakli Sido and Kosta Qirjako — are also accused of “illegal possession of weapons”. Another crime that in Albania is punishable by 5 to 15 years’ imprisonment. However — as jurists explain — in such cases the penalty is determined through the “system of absorption or aggravation”. The first means that if one of the defendants is first given one sentence — the heavier one — while in the other case, the two sentences are combined, although the total must not exceed the sum of the two maximum penalties. In any case, until tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. the five minority members of “Omonia” remain accused, indeed even “innocent citizens” until the most famous trial recently in Greece and the judges decide. Only tomorrow, for the first time, the prosecutors’ case presented by Qelësi and Gjokutaj will also be the first legally and factually argued claim of guilt or innocence. Until tomorrow, at least until the final decision of the judges, Greek diplomacy will continue to “snatch away” from them the profession they themselves are asked to be independent in. The three defendants in the ‘Omonia’ trial. Edmond Laçi

Gjirokastër, venereal diseases are on the rise Unsafe sex: fear of infections From emigration come not only money GJIROKASTER — Fear and concern in the southern city over the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Doctors’ observations show that the number of affected people is steadily increasing, and even diseases that had not previously existed in Albania are appearing. At the same time, another sign worsens the situation: in Gjirokastër alone, more than 90 percent of those seen in a private clinic were emigrants in Greece. So, while a sort of “import” of the disease is taking place first and foremost, it is also creating a focus of illness and consequences that are often serious and extremely painful for the future sexual life of these people. “Venereal diseases have reached worrying levels among both women and men — Filip Kote, director of a private clinic in Gjirokastër, tells Gazeta Shqiptare — and often, from the clinical signs shown by the patients, infections have been observed that did not exist before in Albania and that perhaps precise analyses can show to be the presence of dangerous viruses.” Greater spread, as in the whole country, is also due to parasites, especially “Trichomonas vaginalis” in many forms. The situation is alarming in cases infected with “Clamidia trachomatis” [?]. “Albania in recent years — which affects women and can leave severe consequences, even leading to sterility — three years ago has not only gone through ‘clamidia’, but its rapid spread in many cases has also brought types of sexual normality failures in married life.” A remaining problem is the undeveloped psychology and the low level of sex education. The feeling of “shame” is still felt, so those affected go to the doctor only when the disease has advanced significantly. Even more serious cases make it impossible to reverse the consequences. In a conversation I had with Gjirokastër high school students — says Kote — I noticed a very low level of sexual knowledge. A worrying phenomenon that favors the further spread of venereal diseases.” Rajmond Kola Everyone at risk TIRANE — For the past 3 years, sexually transmitted diseases have been increasing in Albania. The Gjirokastër case is not an isolated phenomenon — here and in other districts of the South the risk is greater because of more frequent contacts and movements — but throughout the country the alarm concerns both disease and the population itself. The spread of these diseases — let us not forget that AIDS in Albania has struck several countries and capitals — has now become a visible phenomenon. In an effort to receive care and treatment, people do not go to the doctor. The use of contraceptives — different kinds can be found in every pharmacy — should and cannot by any means be considered something indispensable so that everyone can protect first and foremost their own health as well as that of their partner.

The odyssey of a family TIRANË — “Now I had been condemned to death because of my refusal to fight alongside the Serbian troops against the Bosniaks. My only salvation, and that of my family, is to return to Sweden; otherwise I lose everything connected to my status as a refugee.” The man who tells Gazeta Shqiptare his painful story is an Albanian who two years ago lived in a region of Serbia. He refused Milosević’s authorities’ call to mobilize for war, fleeing together with his wife and children: “They tell me it was as if I were going to fight against my Albanian brothers,” he now adds, recalling an event that is the cause of his unusual odyssey. We are not publishing his full name and identity in order to protect the rest of his family from any possible attempt. Now, although living in utterly miserable conditions and fed up with the bureaucracy — he, his wife and children live in one of the small huts used by guards at the entrance of a dormitory in the “Studenti” city — he decides to speak to tell of the pain he suffers. A family of two people, a couple with an 8-year-old [?] had fled from Serbia two years earlier. In Bulgaria they heard — something all refugees are too prone to — that they would be handed over to the Serbian authorities. Panicking, they boarded a bus going to Macedonia and from there, after a tiring journey — on 12 March of this year — they arrived in Tirana with three children. It was not the first time they had arrived in Albania. At the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs they were directed to international organizations. The Red Cross took responsibility for helping them with whatever it had available. Their case was also treated as entirely special by the High Commissioner for Refugees. Now the family, sheltered in the hut in Studenti city, continues life from office to office. “We have learned that Sweden accepts everyone who is in conditions like ours — says the head of the family — and we think that is where we should go. Here in Albania we do not see any hope that we can settle down, and in Kosovo we cannot return for now. But for how long will we have to wait for this?” It is a question that no one has answered so far. And while the five family members who fled the hell of the former Yugoslavia shrug in surprise, they had imagined they would be treated differently, they who, by refusing to take up arms against their fellow citizens, were the first initiators of the peace they all now so forcefully promote. Fatos Baxhaku

Peshkopi, tragic episode Child’s play: burns in a tree a 10-year-old girl PESHKOPI — The “game” of several small children in the Shehu mountains near the city of Dibër ended in a truly tragic way. A 10-year-old girl engulfed by the flames and several other minors terrified by the macabre scene shocked public opinion, not only in the village of Vrani. Such was the ordinary summer outing yesterday, when some children, together with their livestock, turned into the protagonists of a story they will not forget for the rest of their lives. At the moment when 10-year-old Dafina Fishti climbed a pine tree to pick fresh leaves for the animals, the children lit a fire nearby. And the high temperatures, in a few seconds, caused the fire to reach the pine where the little girl was, and the flames did not spare her; together with their helplessness in trying to put out the fire, the victim’s peers did nothing more than cry over their “game”, which ended terribly badly. (D.Me.)

Cup Winners’ Cup draw Tirana will meet Brondby’s Danes The Danish team Brondby was founded only in 1964, yet it is the club that has shaped the recent history of Danish football. It was the first team to introduce professionalism to that country and has always occupied the top positions in the standings, winning two titles (90 and 91) among the five league championships. It has also won two cups, the last one last year, which qualified it for the Cup Winners’ Cup and so it will face Tirana. But even in European cups this team made an impression and UEFA eliminated it from Roma. For the first time the Danish side accumulated a good points total, finishing second in the group stage. It has as manager the legend of Danish football Bresit [?]. The Danish championship started two weeks ago and Brondby, although a contender for the title, is at the top of the table. The coach is Ebbe Skovdahl, and the famous twins Laudrup, it has at its disposal many Danish national-team players such as the strong central defender Rieper, free player Hop, goalkeeper Krog, veteran Wilfort, striker Strudal. But they will also need to focus on Burg, Kristensen, Jensen and especially striker Thogersen. Pino Montagna

YESTERDAY IN ALBANIA — At last, a strong intervention has been made to solve one of the most troubling problems for the population of the capital. During a meeting with the minister and the social leadership of the Albanian Mineral Resources and Energy and the Ministry of the Albanian Power Enterprise, measures were discussed against the people responsible for the chaos caused in the electricity distribution sector. Soon, other regular payment points will be set up in Tirana and in Tirana. The hot season is also changing. “The director”, specialists thought that taking these measures would facilitate the practice of paying on time, which for the residents of Tirana had been carried out in a thoroughly “bureaucratic” game. THURSDAY’S SUPPLEMENT: BLACKOUT AND CIRCULAR FLOODING OF RAIN — It caused great damage and it seemed that at last — drivers even with ever-higher currents and long wages had caused a power cut and electricity interruption. In any case, the sources of this country were strong alarms for the electricity site. Some dubious and cloudy sources pushed it in Durrës only within a few — no — that the cause was 40 faults in the network circulating over — since 2 p.m. to with unpaid construction that a new translation. In Lezhë, problems with the system, in several large places the event had been unexpected for the capital Tirana. At last also in the place. This and the roads of the towns allow all calmness so that the entry of interruptions has not allowed Tirana’s residents to think by the riverside and because of the lack of water. On the other hand, flows spreading into their outskirts caused problems. In another of the distributed ones, flooding is feared. It was reported in a decline that there are 20 functioning registered buildings and especially some quiet offices, from where traffic passes circulated later, there has also been a block in the movement of vehicles.

Prostitution: a murder The story of a Albanian woman Sarajevo bombed again On page 2 Loans are not repaid to Albanian banks On page 3

GAZETA TV SHQIPTARE TWO EVENINGS FOR MISS ITALIA '94

Buy and sell HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? This space is free for your economic notices. Send your message, no more than 15 words long, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370 or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. Indicate in your message what you are looking for and offering, your name and address FOR SALE — a new two-storey villa built with modern floors and materials. The villa has 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms, balcony, veranda, garage and yard. It is located in the area of Durrës, near the “Vasil Shanto” block. For details: Rruga “Luigj Gurakuqi”, no. 6. Telephone 4251. FOR SALE — a 3-room apartment and 1 kitchen, on the fifth floor near the Austrian Embassy. The price is reasonable. For details Rruga Luigj Gurakuqi, no. 6. Tel. 4251. FOR SALE — a private house with yard, 2 rooms and 1 kitchen. Address: Rruga “Xhahil Ibrahim Dalliu” no. 9, in Tirana. Price 240 thousand lek. FOR SALE — a “Benz” vehicle (truck over 16 tons) closed, thermos type. Address: Myslym Kullolli, Rruga Zenel Baboci, no. 8 in Tirana. FOR RENT — an apartment formed by combining two apartments with two rooms and a kitchen, suitable for use as an office. Address: Rruga “Ferit Xhako”, Building 59, Staircase 1, Apartment 7 and 8, Tirana (near the Durrës restaurant). Telephone 32372. FOR RENT — a two-room apartment and a kitchen with annex. Address: Rruga “Sami Frashëri”, Building 15, Staircase 1, Apartment 25, Tirana. For details you can contact by phone 24084. FOR RENT — a two-room apartment and a kitchen, on the third floor. Address: Rruga “Kon i Manastirit” (near the “Xhezmi Delli” school), Tirana. Interested parties should contact the kiosk next to the “National Theatre”. WANTED — to buy a used washing machine, but in good condition. Address: Former Party School, telephone through the exchange at no. 23516 ask for number 210. FOR RENT or FOR SALE — a two-storey house with 4 rooms on each floor. The yard area is 400 square meters. Documents in order. Rruga “4 Dëshmorët”, number 44. Telephone 24686 in Tirana as FOR SALE — a used vehicle, minibus. For more detailed information contact the directorate of the electro-medical equipment workshop.

Zattere 1411 - Tel. 0039/41/781611 - Fax 781805 - Tlx 410045 Passenger, car and truck ferries DURRES - BARI - ANCONA TRIESTE - DURRES From DURRES to BARI: every Tuesday departs at 12.00 every Thursday departs at 12.00 every Sunday departs at 12.00 From DURRES to ANCONA: every Tuesday departs at 19.00 every Friday departs at 22.00 From DURRES to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departs at 19.00 every Saturday departs at 19.00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRES: DETARE SHQIPTARE Tel. 052/22233 - Fax 22911 - Tlx 4148 Agency in ITALY BARI: AGES EA Srl - via Liside, 4 Tel. 0039/80/331555 - Fax 330628 - Tlx 810043 ANCONA: MARITIME AGENCY Srl - Via XXIX Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204916 - Fax 202296 - Tlx 560022 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Srl - Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460089