NARCOTRAFFICKING Another cannabis field is discovered in Vlorë and nearly 2 kilograms of its seed are seized in Lushnjë. Three people are detained NARCOTRAFFICKING Another cannabis field is discovered in Vlorë and nearly 2 kilograms of its seed are seized in Lushnjë. Three people are detained Drugs instead of wheat The Ministry of Agriculture also intervenes VLORË — Drugs instead of wheat and maize. The greater the resistance of Albanian farmers to the — naively generous — offers to change the purpose of their land, the more trouble it continues to cause. The cultivation of narcotic plants instead of agricultural crops is now a reality recognized by everyone in Albania. In just the last 48 hours, various official sources have reported two more incidents, in the district of Vlorë and in Lushnjë. But while law-enforcement bodies were, as usual, taking countermeasures against the fashion of cultivating narcotic plants, the Ministry of Agriculture is now also active. The deputy minister of that ministry, with the support of police officials, has sounded the alarm. "If immediate measures are not taken," he said, "Albanian agriculture will be seriously endangered." Officials and inspectors repeatedly provide valuable information and report areas planted with prohibited crops," Hasan Halla, Minister of Agriculture and Food, told Gazeta Shqiptare. "Indeed, the Tar ... inspectors will, in cooperation with law-enforcement bodies, draw up a control plan across all areas planted with narcotic plants in controlled zones." According to Minister Halla, in order to curb illegal planting, the Ministry of Agriculture has written a special communication, so that farmers will not only prevent this phenomenon themselves, but may also face legal responsibility if they fail to do so. The deputy minister Halla thinks that narcotics and foreign countries are what tempt Albanian farmers. This is increasingly being confirmed. In almost all other verified cases over the last two years, the people detained admitted exporting the produce abroad as well as the "irreversible surrender" of their land in exchange for offers from people who usually come from Greece. In another previously investigated case in Vlorë, on an area of 365 square meters near the village, the crop was seized by law enforcement: 8.5 kilograms of hashish. On the same day in Lushnjë, nearly 2 kilograms of hashish seed were discovered, which had been cultivated in a private garden in the village of Goricë. Three members of one family, Hili, Allmir and Conche Nushi, were immediately detained, while the Vlorë grower — Abedin Zeka — is wanted. (e.)

The press in crisis CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — The Albanian press is in crisis and is asking the government for help. The appeal was made a few days ago by representatives of some of the country's most important newspapers, this time fortunately not over press-freedom issues, but over economic problems. And it is important to speak of this again, because it is not an unfounded protest. Producing a newspaper costs a great deal. A copy bought for 10 lekë actually costs the publisher much more. The logic is simple: no less than 6 lekë go for paper and printing; 1 lek for the selling margin, another 1 lek for the distributor's profit and, finally, 1.5 lek as turnover tax, which corresponds to the seller's profit. Added to this are the wages of journalists and various collaborators, the rent of the newsroom, the costs of telephones and electricity, and so on. Now, are there any examples on the market where someone would produce a good knowing that it must be sold at a price lower than its cost? For newspapers there are two main possibilities for profit: to sell many copies — the larger the circulation, the more the average cost per copy falls — or to secure a lot of income from advertising. But today in Albania, almost all newspapers are reporting a sharp drop in sales, while advertising as well (a market that is almost entirely in the hands of television) does not account for even 15 percent. There is in fact also a third possible source of profit: outside financing. So a newspaper — which otherwise would not be able to balance its accounts — accepts funding from a party, organization, or industry. But at that point, of course, the newspaper ceases to be independent. Here then is an important first point to clarify: the independence of a newspaper costs money, and this depends above all on its financial strength. A newspaper in financial crisis almost never manages to remain free. In recent days, during the Tirana Conference of the Democratic Party — President Berisha made an appeal that seemed particularly interesting to us: "Enough with slander and mutual accusations." The President of the Republic, addressing all Albanian newspapers — he made only one distinction. An appeal that we join without any hesitation. But unfortunately, the President's lesson alone cannot be enough to solve the crisis of the Albanian press if turnover taxes, taxes on advertising and customs duties on paper and ink (which increase printing costs) continue to threaten newspaper finances. Only if the tax burden is reduced, and perhaps the whole system reconsidered together with the sale price of the newspaper, choosing thereby to place more of the burden on the reader in order to escape the crisis. But would that be fair? Independence, of course, costs money, but we believe that independent newspapers serve the state first and foremost. The government and the people. By helping shape informed opinion, the government and Parliament would help the press truly become autonomous; they would remove any alibi for those who, on the other hand, seek "to sell out" and would strengthen another important safeguard for the development of democracy. Cooperation with the state, from this point of view, does not mean a lack of freedom, but a condition for survival.

Mafia involved? They called him "the friend of the Albanians" because in March 1991, at the time of the tragic exodus to the shores of Brindisi, he was the state administrator who handled hospitality for thousands of refugees on behalf of the municipality. But last night, Marco Selleri, 45, a very well-known politician in Puglia, was taken to prison. He is accused of cigarette smuggling, precisely with Albania. Along with him, five other entrepreneurs from Brindisi were arrested by the Italian police, while they are trying to identify an Albanian citizen; his name is Sokol, but that is all that is known for now. He has spoken several times by telephone with Selleri and with his associates to handle the loads of cigarettes which, from the Albanian sea, were to be transported to the coast of Puglia. A very large trafficking network and full of shady dealings: Selleri is also accused of trafficking heroin (during one phone call he was talking about a quantity of 200 grams), while in this case the "Sacra Corona Unita" — the Puglian mafia — also appears to be involved. At least one smuggler from the Sacra Corona, Francesco Trane — now in prison for several months — has come forward and accused Selleri. Besides the politician, the brothers Uj Massimo Selleri, (head of the company "Edil Infinis") the well-known entrepreneur Salvatore Andriola, partner in TV Lugli Prenoce, Ornzo Rizzo, head of a transport company, and Attilio Ricciardi, a teacher, were arrested. According to the Italian police, the six often went to Albania, where they maintained the necessary contacts for their illegal trafficking. During the investigation, which began six months ago, it was discovered that Selleri had run trade between Albania and Italy involving at least 20 tons of cigarettes. The smugglers also profited from Montenegro, where, as is known, Italian smugglers have long been sending cigarette supplies. But this is the first time that the Italian police investigation has also involved Albania, in order to trace the illegal routes. The only episode remembered concerns last year, when in Albanian waters a "sollos" was blocked that was supposed to supply cigarettes precisely to Puglian smugglers. (p. re.)

New agreement TIRANA — It appears that the problem of "Hajdin Sejdiu’s Pit" in the center of Tirana has now been settled. Its "covering" has been taken on by a group of private businessmen, who intended to invest around 60 million dollars in the construction of several important buildings. The area around the 7-storey Barile has now remained under a preliminary agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and the Municipality — which propose the creation of a large shopping center and 5-star hotels on the property in front of the Palace of Culture. Within six months they will submit the final project, and within 12 months they must again present the financial funds for the realization of this project.

Six people in hospital in serious condition KUKËS — Lead is once again endangering people's lives. Six people have been urgently hospitalized in recent days due to intoxication. According to initial data, as well as the statements of the patients themselves, the millstones of the area — Kalimash and Kryemadhi — were repaired with lead to fill the cracks observed in them. "At first there was no stomach pain," says Avni Shahini, 22, who was hospitalized together with his sister and brother, for Gazeta Shqiptare. "Then everything became unbearable." Three other people from the same area — over 100 families — who take their grain to the mill in Kalimash were found in the same condition. Their health now seems to be improving, but the possibility of further poisonings remains a risk. Three months ago, lead from the same area endangered several hundred families. "To stop this situation," explains the hospital doctor Skënderi, "we prefer to close part of the city and hospitalize people in Tirana, because we have given all the necessary instructions for this outbreak to be screened." Ar. Me Kukësi

— The joint fight against fuel smuggling is still continuing. The latest case uncovered by Financial Police agents was found in Berat, where a large quantity of kerosene — 2,200 liters — was seized for lack of documentation. The financial inspection was carried out as a result of the widespread use of kerosene in the city of Berat for this purpose. The people at the center of this smuggling are residents of the northern areas who are supplied from the former Yugoslavia, against which an embargo has been declared. The vehicle carrying kerosene was again headed for Shkodër.

KAKAVIJE — The second meeting of the Albanian and Greek expert groups has also ended; its purpose was to clear away the fog that still surrounds the April 10 massacre at the recruits' barracks in the village of Peshkëpi in Gjirokastër. And once again — as in the first meeting held in early May — the Greek side brought no facts that could help shed light on the mystery of responsibility. This was the reason — as well as the distrust shown by the Greek experts toward the facts and material evidence presented by the Albanian side — that led the Albanian group of experts to propose a close meeting with a third party. The Albanian experts also requested data on the organization "MAVI" (Front for the Liberation of Northern Epirus), which — through a leaflet — had claimed responsibility for the massacre. Although the meeting was considered — even by the Albanian side — open, marked by a spirit of debate and a good level of cooperation, it seems not to have produced any significant progress in explaining the causes and identifying the perpetrators of the serious incident, which had caused an immediate breakdown in relations between the two states. This still unexplained massacre is one of the factors that continue to keep these relations frozen even now, in the hottest month of the year.

— Heat waves are brewing around the Delvinë refrigeration facility, privatized on 11 April of this year by Bajram Kënçë; now the facility must change owner. A recent inspection carried out by the State Inspection Institute decided to call for not only the transfer of the "refrigerator" to be annulled in favor of the representative Syrja Boci, but also the dismissal of the chairman of Delvinë privatization, Durim Alivani, and criminal proceedings against him by the Prosecutor's Office. (e. l.)

IN BUTRINT, REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR MOVEMENT IN THE ANCIENT CITY — The newly approved regulations are part of the package of measures taken by the Archaeological Center of Saranda in cooperation with the law-enforcement forces, to protect the cultural values of the ancient city of Butrint, which were threatened by art smugglers and poachers. The new regulations provide for a ban on entering the city on days not scheduled for tourist visits, a ban on cutting trees in the Butrint forest, and on the circulation of vehicles within its area. SLOVENIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE IN TIRANA — The Slovenian Minister of Defense, Jozko Kacin, arrived in Tirana at the head of a high-level military delegation. The purpose of Kacin's visit is to hold talks with the Albanian Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali and other military and government authorities of the country. The scope of the talks — in addition to bilateral issues — also includes the situation in the region. IN TIRANA, A NEW ADVISORY CENTER FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN — A new counseling center has just been established, with the help of the Swedish humanitarian association "Bokult" Albanian Hope". It is modern, equipped with a doctor, as well as equipment, and operates throughout the day. 21 thousand dollars have been allocated for the 15 Jan project, and around 12 pediatricians and obstetricians will work there.

Brazil versus Europe at the World Cup Here are the four teams in the quarterfinals Facts and curiosities Eye on the World Cup On page 3 The tears of the finals are over and the World Cup "dance" resumes with the quarterfinals ...

INSIDE The Group of Seven in Naples on the problems of the West The meeting begins today ON PAGE 2 Youth, 72% want university Many are in favor of law Survey after graduation ON PAGE 2

Sponsored by the Foundation "Open Society for Albania" FIRST SEMINAR ON LEGAL ISSUES Sponsored by the Foundation "Open Society for Albania" All lawyers, jurists, and students of the Faculty of Law are invited The seminar program will be: 1. The law "On Commercial Companies" and its implementation. (Discussion) 2. The law "On Foundations" and its implementation. (Discussion) 3. Conclusions on this first seminar, as well as discussions on the organization of the next seminar and its agenda. The seminar will be held at the Palace of Congresses on Tuesday, 12 July 1994, at 16:30