A river over the houses: 5 dead KUKËS — Extreme temperatures and weather in Albania. While in most of the country a constant temperature of nearly 40 degrees Celsius prevails, in the northern districts torrential rains have destroyed houses and caused many casualties. In Kukës and Tropojë alone — in recent weeks — six people have died, five of them under the age of 15. Meanwhile, in these same towns over the last two days there have also been a series of severe landslides — affecting not “only” these towns but also the “victims,” which included not only the houses but also the livestock, especially in the areas of Bushtrica, Markgegaj, Babina and Kërmaji. The greatest casualties were recorded in the Bushtrica area of the Kukës district, where last Saturday a violent downpour turned into a real tragedy for the Xhabri family. The Bushtrica stream overflowed its banks — accompanied by tree trunks and large stones — causing the flooding of Fejzullah Gjabri, killing Rasm, Shukri and Aferd Xhabri, aged 40, 16 and 10 respectively. Last Sunday another tragedy caused the death of the child from Kukës, where in the nine medical houses it was impossible to save the 6-year-old from the released districts, Yllvie and Flamur Xhabri. The day after this tragedy, the Xhabri family felt under the care and attention of the district authorities. Flooding caused by the river overflowing its banks An almost unprecedented hailstorm — with a diameter of 12 millimeters — which fell around 2:15 p.m. and for about an hour “terrorized” the communes of Markgegaj, Babina, Kërmaji and Maliqol; fruit trees and also livestock suffered major damage, still impossible to calculate. “These are local phenomena and occur in narrow areas — explained to Gazeta Shqiptare after these episodes the specialist of the Meteorological Service and Java, as well as the clash of the very hot current air with the cold currents in passage.” (d.)

TIRANA — Another incident with Greece briefly shakes diplomacy. Then, fortunately, things calm down somewhat, but by now it seems clear that both Albanians and Greeks are calling for restraint and not to dramatize the situation. A signal of easing tensions, important enough to be noted, at least once, as a sign of optimism. The incident took place on Thursday evening, in the border area near the village of Peshkëpi (7 miles away; on 10 April the attack against the Albanian barracks took place) and armed Greek citizens. Taking advantage of the darkness, a group of two Albanians decided to cross the border secretly; that is the only part that is clear, because the rest of the story is divided into the interpretations offered by the two countries. The first version spreads on Friday morning at 10 o'clock: the Greek Minister of Defense informs the ambassador in Athens that a soldier was wounded in one leg during an exchange of fire with Albanian soldiers, 500 meters inside Greek territory. “We were arresting clandestines,” he says, adding that “when they were found they attacked us.” From Tirana, the Ministry replies: “The shots fired in the evening were from two armed persons, who were driven into the dense forest of the Peshkëpi stream and then crossed over the Greek border. We suspect they are members of the ‘MAVI’ organization.” Then the chief of police of Gjirokastra, Leonard Caushaj, explains: “We were trying to block a group of clandestines, when suddenly some Greek soldiers approached, spoke to the clandestines in Greek and took them with them across the border.” At this point the diplomats arrive after a flare-up of tension that in recent days had seemed somewhat eased, especially after the meeting in Kakavijë, where representatives of the two countries had discussed, in a constructive spirit, “the incident of 10 April in Peshkëpi.” And then the surprise. At 11 o'clock on Friday the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha — now certainly informed about the situation — states from Athens: “These are the latest incidents, and they express the will of both countries” to overcome difficulties and keep dialogue open. Then, from Athens, the minister replies to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou: “A border incident is always worrying, but I do not believe this can teach us to let our relations remain in crisis.” After all the ups and downs and disagreements, has the moment really come when only dialogue triumphs? (b.o.)

Three people arrested: they had planted 200 square meters with narcotic plants Shkodra SHKODËR — New arrests among cultivators of narcotic plants in Albania. This time the crackdown by the authorities focused on Shkodër, in the village of Maliqol, where they had discovered an area of about 200 square meters planted with “Cannabis Sativa” intended for the production of marijuana. Immediately afterwards — around 6 p.m. on Thursday — the law enforcement authorities arrested Hajrulla Pasha, 36, from Mjushan, Selman Kodra, 27, from Belaj, and Kol Vlashaj, 49, from Malikola in Shkodër, accusing them of having, in collaboration with one another, planted narcotic plants on the land of the latter.” The Prosecutor’s Office has opened a criminal case, while investigators continue to intensify checks and examine new details of this episode. There is growing denunciation here of cases of illegal planting. So far, the only confirmed fact is that Albanian farmers have “preferred” — or have found it more suitable — “only the hashish of Cannabis Sativa.” But while marijuana may still seem “expensive” and more in demand on the foreign market, hashish certainly remains, a plant that is easily transformed into drug and sold quite cheaply, even to domestic users. (p.re.)

TIRANA — President Berisha’s meeting with journalists on Friday generated many comments and explanations about current events in Albania. Here is a summary of the issues discussed at this meeting: The press — There is unquestionably a change in the Albanian press today, in the way problems are handled. I welcome the change and encourage it to keep growing. As for the tax and levy issues affecting the press, the Government must begin negotiations. The Government has no interest in having a hungry press. But it must not interfere with the press so that the latter becomes dependent on the Government. The Government must help printing houses and create the most accommodating possible package of laws. The dossier issue — I am in favor of opening the files for those involved in politics, for deputies and above. I am categorically against opening the files when this leads to a bloodying of Albanian society. The opposition — It is not the opposition that is reacting, negatively speaking; they are isolated Enverist elements. I do not identify the opposition as such, because I know it too. I know very well within the opposition ranks, besides the mass that is undoubtedly a contributor and partner in this democracy, also some Enverists, a small group. Concessions — We must try to move toward a key mechanism for saving the country’s civilization. These concessions in the fields of construction, infrastructure, telecommunications, roads and the use of other resources will be very beneficial. The Constitution — Albania has constitutional laws, a package of laws that in scope and substance is more complete than many constitutions of many European countries. I am in favor of the constitution being approved by a constituent assembly, because it is quite normal for a broader body than Parliament to express itself. t.p.re

POGRADEC — A “secret” love ends in tragedy. Two inhabitants of a village near Korçë have ended their lives in the depths of Lake Pogradec. After a boat ride and after wanting to leave with her two companions, the 28-year-old disappeared from them and from life itself. Only after a long day of searching, on Thursday — at least one of them also at the Pogradec Police Station — the two victims were identified after being pulled from the lake waters, to be transported afterward to their place of residence. Although the fate of these two people still remains mysterious, the fact that the whole summer season has still not taken away the attraction of this very picturesque lake shows that its depths are always dangerous. (p.re.)

GAZETA TV SHQIPTARE SPOKE FROM THE WORLD CUP

ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE AGAINST MANIPULATION OF THE FILES AGAIN — The Albanian Helsinki Committee has rejected manipulation of the files: “In the press, accusations and counter-accusations continue to be made with references to lustration. These contribute to poisoning the bloody atmosphere,” the statement says in support. In the end, the media organs are called upon to respect a period of silence, as it has been ultimately judged. ALBANIAN JUDICIAL CONFERENCE CONCLUDES — The Albanian Judicial Conference, held in Tirana from 7 to 9 July at the International Center of Culture, has concluded. In this conference, with the attendance of 1 language for foreign specialists — several of the main problems related to the period of existence, the laws and the organization of the judicial system in Albania were addressed. SHKODËR, A WANTED PERSON IS ARRESTED POLAND — The Shkodër police have arrested a Kosovar, Helton Naimi, 20, who was wanted by Poland for allegedly having committed sexual intercourse and violence.

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