The director of Telekom explains the new investment “Easier to call anywhere” TIRANË — It seems that 1994 will mark the beginning of a new era in the development of telecommunications in Albania. A contract has just been signed between Telekom Shqiptar and the company “Siemens” concerning the implementation of a project to install two modern digital exchanges. One will serve international calls (international transit) and the other domestic calls between the cities of the country (national transit). Although it is not directly aimed at increasing the number of subscribers — something of great concern to citizens — the project is nevertheless another step toward that goal. “They are two exchanges that will facilitate international telephone service and national transit service,” Adrian Shehu, director of Telekom Shqiptar, tells Gazeta Shqiptare. What new elements will the implementation of this project bring to telephone service? “We have not used such exchanges until now. The technology is the newest possible. In terms of capacity, these two exchanges make it possible to handle 4,000 calls at the same time, significantly increasing telephone traffic capacity. The existing exchange, apart from being outdated, is also overloaded. With the new investment, it will be replaced, subscribers’ demands for a larger number of calls will be met, and this will also last for many years.” People’s demands to have more telephone lines at home are very large. Will the project with “Siemens” influence the fulfillment of these demands? “Although these exchanges do not have that objective, they are a step or a necessary prerequisite for increasing the number of subscribers as well. At the present moment — when the existing equipment does not create enough space for international connections and for connections between cities inside the country — increasing the number of subscribers would deepen this contradiction even further. Meanwhile, projects exist for increasing the number of telephone lines in the coming year as well. We have still not closed the tender for this project. The aim is to meet the demands as quickly as possible. Only a few Albanian cities can connect automatically through the telephone network, while for others telecommunications are difficult, and in some cases almost impossible. [?] These two exchanges will first be used in the Albanian cities that will connect through the automatic network. The quality of communication will also improve. In addition, there is also a project for installing a cellular (GSM) telephone system, which is a promising system.” An. St.

— Controversy has erupted after the death of the Shkodër lawyer, Gjon Lin Çekini, 26, who was killed during a robbery on Friday. On Sunday, the Ministry of Public Order — through a press release — clarified that the robbery had taken place, that it was “a killing in a dispute among youths,” that one of them was “in a drunken state,” and that two people have been detained. In a strong protest, the Democratic Alliance Party stated in a communiqué that “one cannot remain silent in the face of such a crime,” accusing the police of “complete incompetence.” According to this party, “the killing of the young lawyer is proof of the insecurity that reigns.” Meanwhile, the chairman of the Agrarian Party, Roberto [?], said that “we are facing political terrorism” and demanded the resignation of the Minister of Public Order. Representatives of local authorities rejected the version that the event had a political use. The Minister of Public Order declared that “there is no political element” and that the police are continuing their investigations. In another reaction, the victim’s family members demanded that the case be fully clarified. The killing of Gjon Çekini has sparked broad debate in the city.

Sport Italian football championship Milan is sleeping - nobody benefits Lazio-Reggiana, 2-0. Roberto Cravero scores Lazio’s second goal from a penalty Page 4 has the results of the other matches Page 3 has the results of the Albanian Cup On the last page: attempts at the cycling record Lazio-Reggiana, 2-0. Roberto Cravero scores Lazio’s second goal from a penalty

Analysis SARANDË — A false alarm in Delvina after all. The salami was not infected with staphylococcus. This is also the result of analyses carried out on this different dish by the Hygiene Directorate in the Sarandë district. Everything had started after several articles in local newspapers in Sarandë. The articles raised the alarm about the presence of staphylococcus microbes — which can also cause death in humans — in the salami of sidi and of minced meat, produced and packaged by traders for consumers and merchants. On the basis of the trade in Delvina salami, the Hygiene Directorate of the Sarandë district requested the analyses. Its laboratory said that the samples were in order and that there was no risk for consumers. According to the specialists, the news spread earlier had created unnecessary panic.

IN SARANDË THE SECURITY FORCES DETAIN A WRONGDOER — The Sarandë police forces have just learned the identity of citizen J.B. from the Vlora district, accused as an accomplice in the crime of burning public property worth a large amount. J.B. had managed to escape from the security forces; the materials concerning his case have now been sent to the District Prosecutor’s Office for criminal proceedings. IN SHKODËR THE PRIVATE TRADE UNITS ARE BEING RESTRUCTURED — The restructuring of private trade units is beginning in Shkodër. Many shops in this city are now changing their outward appearance. Many have been embellished and transformed by modern wells. In many units this process undertaken by the Shkodër traders themselves has been completed. Others are still under way. According to the data, the number of service commercial units in this city has reached 1,500. These changes thus restore to Shkodër the well-known tradition of its cultured market. IN ERSEKA, DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTING THE LAW ON THE RETURN AND COMPENSATION OF PROPERTY — The absence of a list of vacant plots of land — which must be drawn up by the urban planning section — as well as the drafting of geodetic documentation is hindering this process, which is one of the main problems, a land-registry specialist in this district has reported. Thus, of the 44 requests submitted for the return or compensation of property, the relevant commission — set up for this purpose in the district of Kolonjë — has made only 8 decisions.

Kukës, exports are missing KUKES — Alarming symptoms for the chromium and copper industries, sectors with great profitability potential. If in other branches of industry the problem lies in the inability to restart production, in the chromium industry the situation seems to stem from excess production. Thus, for more than 6 months, the Chromium Mining Enterprise in Kalimash, in the Kukës district, has remained paralyzed. The reason is the large mineral stocks created as a result of the absence of a market for sales. This slowdown runs counter to the medium-term objective set for the 1993-1996 period — to increase exports by 22 percent on average net and in which the chromium industry’s share is considerable. Why? The Albanian Copper Corporation was forced to close the Copper Smelting Plant in Repshaj because it was operating at a loss. In addition to the economic damage, the social consequence of stopping production in these industrial facilities is the increase in unemployment and economic hardship. Meanwhile, it has been made known that the facility in question is ready to be privatized.

An international gang dismantled A Kosovar Albanian woman also arrested VIENNA — An organization made up of Serbs, Montenegrins and Kosovars, specialized in thefts and robberies in Germany of diamonds stolen from stands at the major fairs of the world center, was uncovered by a mobile team from Vienna’s criminal police, in cooperation with Interpol (the international police) and the German police. The operation led to two arrests in Germany, one person was detained in Vienna, two others were arrested in Vienna, while a 32-year-old Serbian woman and a 37-year-old Albanian woman from Kosovo have been declared wanted. According to the investigation, the gang used connections in several Central European countries and operated with quick movements during jewelry fairs. Investigators suspect that the value of the stolen items is high. A model presents a set of diamonds

ROME, THE RAIN EXTINGUISHES THE BOMB’S FUSE — It happened during the 7 o’clock train in Rome: the explosion of a large bomb placed in front of a civil-law lawyer, 45-year-old Giuseppe Nicola Pera from Catanzaro, on Via Appia Antica, was prevented. What was supposed to be a powerful explosion was extinguished by the rain. BUILDING COLLAPSES FROM EXPLOSION, ONE ELDERLY PERSON SERIOUSLY INJURED — A possible gas-cylinder explosion caused the collapse of a building in Attigliano, near Terni, seriously injuring a person who was in the building. HIGH-LEVEL CIVIL MEETING TONE-ASAD — The high-level meeting between U.S. President Bill Clinton and President Assad ended in failure, as the press reported yesterday, with two new ideas in a common effort to take the Middle East peace process forward. RUSSIA, RUSSIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YEGOR GAIDAR RESIGNS — Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar, the architect of Russia’s liberal economic reforms, announced his resignation today, at a time when it was said that his disagreement over the direction of the reform had also been sent to President Boris Yeltsin. According to Gaidar, his replacement should be a reform-minded economist. AFGHANISTAN, WAR RESUMES — At least 650 people have died and another 1,000 have been wounded in the fighting in Kabul that began on January 1 between rival factions. Afghanistan remains unstable.

Albanian film art at a crossroads Our producers feel abandoned ON PAGE 2 In Agolli’s book, between drama and farce “The Splendor and Fall of Comrade Zylo” published in Italian ON PAGE 2

in cooperation with COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Within the framework of the program “Training personnel for leadership positions in administration” Seeks candidates to specialize in partner organizations in the USA for a period of 4-6 months. Candidates must work in these sectors: Public Administration — Banking Services and Social Insurance — Environmental Protection — Health Administration — Housing — Personnel Administration and Human Resources — Administration of Social Services — Taxes and Public Finance The selection of candidates will be carried out through a competitive process. Candidates must meet these conditions: — be between 25 and 40 years old — have a minimum of three years’ work experience — have the support of their institution for the program being offered to them — know English well Deadline for submission of forms: 30 January 1994 A preliminary selection will be made at the Soros Foundation Tirana, while the final selection will be made in the USA. All candidates will take an English exam at the Soros Foundation Tirana FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY FORMS, PLEASE CONTACT THE SOROS FOUNDATION: ARDIAN DHIMA - Tel: 346 21 Address: Rruga Labinoti, No.126