THE “OMONIA” TRIAL / Prosecutors’ closing submission Albania will file a complaint in The Hague THE “OMONIA” TRIAL / Prosecutors’ closing submission “Here are the Greeks’ aims” Albania will file a complaint in The Hague TIRANA — Albania wi...s to address the International Court, presenting it with a documentary review of the verbal documents brought forward by the secret services and several other Greek organizations. This was said yesterday in Tirana by the prosecutor in the closing submission, who—throughout all the other hearings in the “Omonia” trial—had kept all this evidence from the Court, the Prosecutor General and Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in view. Thus, regarding te persons—four of whom were employees of the Greek secret services—the prosecutor requested that they be declared “persona non grata” by his state authorities. Meanwhile, the defendants alone responded to the stringent requests made by the prosecution; the prosecutors also took into account the existing Penal Code, which provides for minimum sentences as determined by the Albanian judiciary. In the end, with sentences of 7 to 9 years, the five “Omonia” figures were found guilty, and a total of 41 years in prison was sought for all of them. “We will approach the Prosecutor General of the Republic, submitting to him all the material that documents and proves the activities of the Greek Asfalia, the Institute for Vorioepirote Studies, the Central Committee of the Vorioepirote Struggle, the Institute of the Priesthood and the Return of the Greek Homogeneity, the ‘Steva’ organization and all the other organizations working against Albania,” Qeleshi said in his closing submission, “asking the Prosecutor General of the Republic to prepare material to be submitted for consideration to the International Court in The Hague.” It was the only initiative by the prosecution during its closing submission that, in order to be carried out, did not require the approval of the judges in this trial. And if this request is taken into account by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Albania, then for the second time in the past 50 years Albania could once again become a protagonist at the International Court of The Hague—this time, however, in the role of complainant. Another request by the prosecution—but this time requiring the approval of the judges and then of Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs—was that the Greek citizens be declared “persona non grata.” “These Greek citizens,” prosecutor Arben Qeleshi said during his closing submission, “have acted contrary to Albania’s national and state interests and to the principles of good neighborliness, harming the territorial integrity of our country.” The list of persons declared “persona non grata” includes the head of the Asfalia in Janina, Andrea Zarbakulla; another senior Asfalia official and author of a historical-diplomatic study on Vorio Epir, Viron Bozho; as well as Kosta Vraka and Spiro Qiço, officers and inspectors of the Greek secret service. The priest Sebastianos was also declared unwelcome, as were the leader and sponsor of numerous organizations operating in Greece for the autonomy of Vorio Epir and its union with Greece, the senior heads of the Institute for Vorioepirote Studies, Ksenofon Konduri and Minella Zoto, and the Janina director of the State Institute of Aid, based in Athens, Kosta Hallmaja. A photograph taken during the “Omonia” trial. (Photo A. Babani)

After two years in office He has opted for a one-year specialization in public health in Canada After two years in office Deputy Minister Nuri leaves his post He has opted for a one-year specialization in public health in Canada TIRANA — Another change at the top of Albanian Health. The departure two months ago of Minister Shehu—whose place was taken by Hakim Ciu—is now followed by that of Besim Nuri, who has held the post of deputy minister for two years. Starting today, Nuri is leaving the number-two seat at the Ministry of Health to head to Canada, where he will take part in a two-year specialization course. Meanwhile, no one has yet been selected to replace him. Several proposals have been submitted to Prime Minister Meksi, and the new deputy minister of Health is expected to be chosen any day now. They too now have to decide definitively about the five “Omonia” figures; on Saturday they will also hear the defense arguments from the defendants and their lawyers. They face charges of “treason against the homeland in the form of carrying out the tasks of foreign agents” and “unauthorized possession of weapons,” as well as the 41 years in prison requested by the prosecutor. This sentence is below the minimum stipulated for these two charges. The prosecutors chose it “because they did not want these defendants to suffer under the harsh weight of legislation that has not yet been amended; they wanted them to be tried and sentenced as in those countries of the world where freedom of speech, equality, humanism and respect for human rights prevail, so that their sentence would not be a drama with serious consequences as in the past, but an effective punishment in keeping with the criminal act they committed.” (e. l) Health, too, has not escaped the general changes. What are its most urgent problems? “It must be said that these two years have been more of a phase of planning the changes that need to be made. Now it will enter a phase of major changes, without forgetting that many things have also been done over these two years. The biggest changes will involve improving the infrastructure in Health at the same time as changing mindsets, so that there is more motivation and a greater sense of commitment.” What are your plans after you return? “My idea is to work at the Institute of Public Health (the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology) and conduct scientific research in public health. I would also like to work as a lecturer, training postgraduate specialists in this new field. I could also return to the Ministry, but I wouldn’t like to, because it is very demanding work with many problems.” Armand Mero

He wanted to call abroad TIRANA — The phenomenon of phone-unit theft has reached the most important telephones in Albania. Not even the Head of State himself, President Berisha, has escaped it. On Saturday, a citizen was arrested, accused specifically of stealing the president’s phone units. Some time ago, the President himself had decreed tougher penalties for all those taking advantage of the state’s phone units, electricity and water. Apparently, the bold move by the “illegal phone operator” will not prove quite so sensible. The person now accused of stealing the phone units was arrested several days ago. Details of the incident that led to his being taken in for questioning are still unknown; only his identity and place of residence are known: E.R., 48, from the village of Lana-Bregas near Tirana. The call made using units that did not belong to him was placed to Greece, where several of his relatives are employed. The line that was tapped is the one connecting the presidential telephone at the holiday villa on Mount Dajti. After he was detained—it is not yet known how the police tracked him down—and after the initial questioning by investigators, there was no longer any doubt, and he was arrested. E.R. must now count the days in prison until his case is concluded. If his guilt is finally proved, he will certainly serve one of the strict sentences recently introduced. The mitigating circumstance may be that his call was made during a difficult time for Albanians in Greece. Reports of endless waves of refugees being sent back from Greece alarmed E.R.; worried, he wanted to find out what had happened to his relatives and so decided to make this call, which may cost him dearly—far more than if he had made it through normal channels. Fatos Baxhaku

IN TIRANA, MUNICIPALITY CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS — The Municipality of Tirana and the Public Lighting Enterprise have declared war on illegal advertisements. This follows the display of colorful advertising signs by many companies—including “Samsung,” “Filips,” and “Tronemburg”—without obtaining the proper license or paying the relevant taxes. The measures planned by the Municipality include removing the illegal advertisements and imposing fines. FIRST ESPERANTO DICTIONARY FOR ALBANIANS PUBLISHED — The first dictionary of the international language “Esperanto,” authored by Lutfij Meda, has been published. The first of its kind in our country, it contains around 10,000 words and is divided into 3 parts: an Esperanto-Albanian dictionary with 3,000 words, an Albanian-Esperanto dictionary with 7,000 words, and a method for learning the language in 12 lessons. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF KONISPOL’S LIBERATION CELEBRATED IN SARANDA — Konispol celebrated the 50th anniversary of its liberation and the 51st anniversary of the resistance against the German Nazi occupation. For the occasion, a commemorative gathering was held in the town center, attended by residents of Konispol and Saranda, as well as representatives of political parties. After the reading of Prime Minister Meksi’s greeting and an address by the commune chairman, participants paid their respects at the martyrs’ cemetery.

Drachmas are also “in circulation” FIER — Another alert over counterfeit banknotes. This time the report comes from the Savings Bank branch in the city of Fier. In recent days, an increasing number of people have been turning up at its counters who were found to be in possession of counterfeit banknotes. Along with the 500-lekë notes, according to a statement by a spokesperson for the bank branch, there have also been counterfeit 1,000-lekë notes. Fortunately, attempts to deposit these notes at the bank have failed. The counterfeit money was detected by the bank’s counter clerks. These same employees also said that people had presented at the bank counters old Greek drachmas that had long since gone out of circulation in their own country. But these, too, did not make it into the bank. En. My.

Confirmation from UEFA TIRANA — Albania’s participation in the “EURO ’96” qualifying rounds has been definitively confirmed. UEFA made the decision on Monday; its officials no longer had reservations after receiving “all the assurances from Albania.” According to UEFA’s report from Bern, “the previous reservations regarding Albania concerned only the assurance that its players would not threaten any politician during the qualifying matches.” Georgia’s participation in the European Football Championship was also confirmed, despite UEFA’s concerns “about the facilities, reception arrangements and transport for visiting teams.” Thus, Albania will finally play and—according to the schedule—travel to Wales on 7 September for its first “Euro ’96” match. (e. L)

KAVAJË — The city of Kavajë will soon take on a new appearance. — The city of Kavajë will soon take on a new appearance. A project to renovate the existing promenade and build a new one is nearing completion. Alongside infrastructure works, the plans include asphalting and the construction of new surrounding pavements. The projects will be financially supported by the German bank “KFW,” which has allocated 2.5 million German marks for the city’s improvement. The Albanian government will invest a further 13 million lekë for this purpose. Work will begin soon, and 200 workers will be employed. (Ge. Ca.)

REALITET KURSIV GJIROKASTËR — The Greek “sweep” seems to have begun operating. Along with thousands of Albanian emigrants, it has swept “in droves” even Albanians out of the market. In the city of Gjirokastër, emigrants from the Greek state have returned in large numbers. The latest case is that of a Greek citizen named Bojaxhi. He was in Gjirokastër — eating a wall in a town near the border — when he asked the police to revoke his residence permit. And although he no longer belonged [unclear] — so that he could return easily — to Greece. One of those who entered with the Greeks’ “sweep” has begun speaking of the force of an emigrant [group] and a purge... [continues, cut off/unclear]

After the alarm over lemonades TIRANA — Strong reaction by the “Albanian Consumer” association to the issue of synthetic sweeteners in the contents of soft drinks. TIRANA — Strong reaction by the “Albanian Consumer” association to the issue of synthetic sweeteners in the contents of soft drinks, as well as their flavorings brought to Albania from eastern countries, mainly Bulgaria. In a statement issued in recent days, the association calls for a full explanation of whether or not the synthetic substances in lemonades widely sold in the country are hazardous. The concern of “Albanian Consumers” extends further, even accusing the relevant authorities “of their prolonged silence in denouncing the bulk of the types of imported flavorings, where the group to which the artificial content belongs is not stated, or where its presence is falsified.” Meanwhile, it is asking these authorities to help take measures regarding this problem so that “our consumer can be safe when using drinks entering Albania.” The association has also contacted its counterparts in Bulgaria so that they can contribute to clarifying this problem and preventing it.

IN THE INSIDE PAGES US sets aside plan to invade Haiti A priest is murdered in Port Au Prince ON PAGE 2 Albania, an ideal destination for “tracking” enthusiasts A new tourism phenomenon ON PAGE 3