Arms for arms from the US? A turning point in military cooperation TIRANA — NATO is closing its doors to Eastern Europe, but the US Department of Defense is opening them to Albania. After confirmation of this measure, this past weekend within the “partnership for peace” project and the inclusion of all the countries of the former Warsaw Pact seeking to become NATO members — the head of the American defense delegation, Kruzel, who left Tirana a few days ago, stated the intention to include Albania among the countries from which it is possible to import from the United States “classified security materials,” classified in military language, meaning secret or strategic. In fact, Albania is still on the list today (which includes all countries in the world and not only the socialist bloc), under which US law forbids the export of any type of military equipment. When this is examined (Kruzel promised to speak with President Clinton as soon as possible), Washington could materially contribute to strengthening Albania’s military defense. To what extent? That will certainly depend on the requests made by the Tirana government and on Washington’s military policy strategies. At present, the United States considers a wide range of equipment to be classified defense material: from computers to communications systems, from documents on military strategy techniques to weapons. The delegation led by Kruzel, which held long talks with President Berisha and with the Albanian Defense Minister, Zhuli, is the first to examine concretely the problem of military cooperation between Albania and America. The decision to organize imports of strategic materials from the United States represents an important turning point in the political-military sphere, also in relation to international issues. p. re. An American military base: in the foreground, a missile base

In the North, snow blocks the roads TROPOJË — Many main roads in the northeastern area are blocked because of the bad weather. Heavy snowfall has fallen over these days in this remote area and has seriously hampered the movement of vehicles and travelers. Road maintenance crews were immediately sent in to deal with the situation. Members of these teams worked in shifts to make car traffic possible. The situation has been particularly difficult in Fushë-Arrëz and Kukës. In these areas the snow continues to fall heavily, also hindering the work of maintenance staff. Vehicles are now moving only with great difficulty and with chains on the wheels. Besides the blocked roads, the bad weather has also caused problems in the electricity network of these areas. Many villages in these areas are without power, as a result of the collapse of high-voltage poles.

Sport Italian Championship Milan extends its lead Chasers slow down Milan player Papin celebrates after scoring the second goal On page 4 the results of Serie A matches On page 3 the results of the Albanian Cup On page 4 the draws for the European championship

Expired foods threaten buyers Merchants have not yet been fined TIRANA — There is once again concern about the sale of imported food products. This time the signals come from the Fire Circular? after noticing cases of abuse and the sale of products without any analysis carried out by the specialized hygiene and sanitary authorities. The technical director of the company ev? den? in Tirana says that shops are offering expired goods and other chemical and bacteriological parameters outside the permitted norm. Some time ago, the Directorate of Hygiene and Epidemiology told Gazeta Shqiptare that only in Tirana, over the 11 months of 1993, significant quantities of cheese, eggs, marmalade, canned goods and other products worth 200 thousand dollars had been destroyed. Part of these products were below standard, while others were blocked from traders in stalls or in shop windows. Now it is Asllan Sejdo, head of the standards? and quality control? office techn? of the Court? of p? attached to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, who speaks about the violations observed in the inspection of imported food products. “There are cases where food products have been sold without analysis,” he says, adding that “for such cases fines have also been imposed on the buyer and goods.” More than that, it is the failure to collect these fines that has made the legal system hopeless in dealing with these violations. “A large part of the fines have still not been collected,” Gazeta Shqiptare was told at the Directorate of Hygiene and Epidemiology, “those imposed in Tirana against merchants who did not respect the rules.” Of the 1,284 fines over 11 months, only 142 have been collected.

Berisha continues his visit TIRANA — Sali Berisha, President of the Republic, continues his visit to Malaysia and Brunei. President Berisha will stay in these Eastern countries until 29 January. During these days, the visit of Malaysia and the Sultan of Brunei. This visit aims to expand Albania’s economic cooperation relations with these two countries. Recently, relations with Malaysia in particular have seen new developments. Here it is worth mentioning an agreement to abolish transit visas for both sides. Also in Malaysia, 150 Albanians have gone there to work on regular contracts through the Ministry of Immigration.

Velipojë, the new project The aim is to connect Shkodër with the only coastal tourist spot on the Adriatic that is still unexplored. It is thirty-five kilometers long The aim is to connect Shkodër with the only coastal tourist spot on the Adriatic that is still unexplored. It is thirty-five kilometers SHKODER — Work has just begun in Shkodër on another project that would give life to the still unexplored Adriatic coastal tourist spot of Velipojë. It is a project for the reconstruction of the Shkodër-Velipojë road, 32 kilometers long, which will be widened to 8 meters. To support the project, another road has also been included, the one connecting the city with the cultural site of Murtem? Hani. Shkodër companies have meanwhile started the work. The plan also includes the building of two rather important bridges to help what is already there: the bridge of Deg Gjo Luli and that of Baks. In any case, the reconstruction of this road will also include the construction of 40 other bridge works, such as the necessary canal bridge?. The project of engineer Tom? Hita has required an investment of 325 thousand lek. As for the other road: Ura e Bunës-Murriqan, 15 kilometers long, work has begun on the unpaved section, from the border point near Shkodër with Ulcinj. At present this road is being surfaced with gravel, while the next phase of the project provides for its widening to 7 meters. Another fund from the company “Stel” — which is carrying out the reconstruction — will make possible the connection of Shkodër with Ulcinj over a rather short distance, in order to continue on to Dajmal. These are two roads that define the city’s prospects for connecting with the only Adriatic coastal tourist spot — for Shkodër — as well as with the neighboring country, the customs point with Montenegro, because the other border point — Hani i Hotit — now belongs to the Malësia e Madhe district. But even though the project has begun to be implemented, it will still remain a prospect, because the embargo imposed by the United Nations on Montenegro and Serbia has reduced Shkodër’s contacts with the rest of the border area. In recent days, what has come to the fore is precisely the breaking of this embargo — especially with fuel — thus bringing about the flourishing of illegal smuggling. Na.Me.

Bari, two Albanians are killed near the sea A third is injured, perhaps in a prostitution story VLORE — Two Albanians were stabbed to death last night in Bari. A third was seriously wounded and is now hospitalized at the city Polyclinic. The two people who died are Luan Iliazi, 33, and Besnik Nuha? 31; the injured man is called Ilmi Nuhan? and is 29. All three are from Vlora. They were found in an area near the sea, on the outskirts of the city. They were with one another? at the entrance to a shed? while the criminals who helped them? when the carabinieri arrived shortly after the report of the murder, two brothers ge? transport to the hospital of shok? with serious wounds. Even Ilmi Nuhaj’s condition appeared very serious; he was treated immediately in the intensive care unit. The next day, after being transferred, the wounds had not affected the internal organs, and the doctors allowed the two to stay? inside privately for days. Ilmi Nuha? was questioned by the carabinieri and by the kyes? i? po nd? and kë? m? d? evidence? prosecutor of Bari Giovanni Di? but from what has been learned so far, Nuhaj has given no precise information about who attacked them. The carabinieri are certain that this was an assault carried out by several people and also suspect authorja? a name? without permission? shkat? i? of hers? a? shq? and? there are changes. At the scene of the crime, the knife used by the aggressor? was not found; the carabinieri found a 9-caliber pistol made for a Fiat Uno car, a car left? as evidence? near the victim?] According to what the carabinieri have been able to establish, Ilmi Nuhaj and Luan Iliazi had both entered Italy clandestinely, while Besnik Nuhaj had been staying in Italy for three years with regular documents and it seems that recently he had started working in a market? job. No trace regarding the murder of the two men. The carabinieri think it was a settling of scores over issues of profit? in prostitution. The place where the attack took place is known as a place frequented by prostitutes. Investigators are also convinced that the attackers are Albanian: only? they have turned to groups of Albanians living in Bari. However, other possibilities are not ruled out: a few weeks ago the police in Bari uncovered an organization of Albanians who stole together with? theft by? putting them with money with sleep? in sleep-inducing substances. The injured Albanian photographed in the hospital

THE BULGARIAN INTERIOR MINISTER ARRIVED IN ALBANIA — Vlorë (Morning?)? — The Interior Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria arrived yesterday for a visit to Albania. Mihajllov? had taken part in the inauguration of the Agrom Murat? club in the Mediterranean? The minister was received by his Albanian counterpart, Rustid? forves? by the Bulgarian prime minister? and Swedish? Naumov, foreign ambassador? representative of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana. IN SHKODER THE RED CROSS IS SEEKING THE RETURN OF ITS OWN PROPERTY — are? 60 properties put into use? — Recently in the Shkodër district the Red Cross has raised a property claim. They have been used by or are areas? that were owned by the Red Cross. Regarding the ownership decision? the Red Cross Committee has cooperated with the district council in support of the return of this asset under the laws in force. IN THE PORT OF VLORA FOUR CARS ARE SEIZED Vlora border police have seized four “Benz” cars, which still? Albania The seizure was carried out on the vehicles, one Italian citizen to Albanian citizens, one Englishman Italian woman and a citizen from Macedonia — the lack of customs documents for these vehicles was the reason.

PROGRESS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PLO — Relations between Israel and the PLO can now be considered on the verge of declaration, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said on Radio Jerusalem, after the meeting in Oslo where he met the PLO and Arafat. He then met Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and after that left Cairo for Damascus, to give his advice to Syrian Head of State Hafez el Assad? and? of? the? day? WAR, SNOW AND COLD IN BOSNIA — Fierce fighting in central and northern Bosnia, where snow and cold make the situation of civilians who have not managed to leave the crisis areas even more dramatic. In Sarajevo? there were harsh clashes between Croat-Bosniaks and Muslims around Vitez in central Bosnia. THE TRAGEDY OF THE SKIERS’ BUS — Five people died and 26 were seriously injured in a bus accident. The driver? lost control of the vehicle and crashed it against? in? a g? v? The victims are all skiers? and? alpine? in? in? An?] THE BIRTH OF A MILITARY? IN AN AMERICAN? SHIP? — On the coast of Marina? an? American? was? by the sailors born? with? in? a military ship. L? di? n? e? valley? e? luxury? and? n? analysis? USS Yellowstone. This event sparked controversy over the special effort to compose? a? group? that? was? for? i? e? of the Marines.

Agreement for the production of serialized films “This investment is profitable” ON PAGE 2 History of crimes and murders The communist hell in Albania Testimony of Amik Kasoruho ON PAGE 2