Surprising figures from the Ministry of Finance Electronic games, a business Surprising figures from the Ministry of Finance The entertainment industry is born Electronic games, a business Thousands of dollars... Year 1993 1994 Number of machines 139 250 Revenue for the state (in million lek) 8 30 (forecast) TIRANË — Entertainment games and games of chance are taking on — at an accelerated pace — dimensions and scope that are unimaginable. Some partial data show that, in terms of the revenue it generates, the entertainment industry could soon compete credibly with other productive sectors. During 1993, the state budget received around 8 million lek in revenue from 138 machines or electronic games installed in various towns. Even more significant appear to have been the revenues generated by the enterprise of this “industry”: lotteries. In just the first quarter of this year, the budget absorbed 13 million lek in revenue from them. These figures represent only part of the considerable amount of money collected, circulated and redistributed through this nascent industry. There are still many “black holes” and a considerable share of the machines’ revenue. Thus, from the lottery “Scratch to Win,” winners received 27 million lek — or 50 percent of the revenue — while the state budget received only 6 million lek. In general, it has been the lottery winners who have collected the largest share of the revenue — already more than one third of the lottery “Lucky Net for 12 Weeks,” from which they received 4.5 million lek or only 16 percent of the 23 million lek in revenue generated by the network — with shares fluctuating in the 40-50 percent range. Meanwhile, other sales have also been made on credit, as the industry of “entertainment” becomes larger and more profitable. It is learned that this year the number of machines has doubled compared with a year earlier. Soon, of these 250 machines now in operation — with multicolored screens and signals that attract with tentacle-like force — 10,000 lek per month will go to the budget. Assuming a similar number of machines and the tax burden applied to them, around 30 million lek — almost the value of the transport industry’s volume for the first quarter — will be paid into the budget by the end of the year. And the other million-dollar lotteries are already being implemented, while the new heavy item of this industry is expected to soon come into operation: casinos. Andrea Stefani

EC aid TIRANË — Greece appears to have finally decided to give up its insistence on blocking the European Parliament’s loan — which would forgive 35 million ECU allocated for the balance of payments — to Albania. “We are ready to change the position of using the veto against aid to Tirana,” quietly declared Foreign Minister Yanos Kranidiotis, expressing this stance and “the government’s will to take joint decisions with the other Community countries as regards the support that must be given to Albania.” The new decision, however, does not represent a stable position of Greece on these issues, conditioning its credit on “Albania’s genuine presence on the democratic path.” According to him, Athens is trying to find a “balanced” solution in order to preserve its vetoes for the undertaking of the unresolved rights of the Greek minority. “Nevertheless, the new signal given today by the tension clearly shows that the contrast will verify a future justice at the stage of the Council of Ministers of the European Union. ar. me.

An eye on the World Cup Roberto Baggio: it is not yet known whether he will take the field tomorrow against the Brazilians World Cup in Tirana? There is a dream in the drawer of the Balkan barons, as the state of Romania and Bulgaria has been called in the United States? perhaps it can make its dream more concrete: football matches. Until now it was only an idea: the matches, the final meeting in which they will come in a lottery. The year 2002 is beginning to be felt (so after two editions), and now the football countries should also, and above all, host football matches: Albania, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and former Yugoslavia. The proposal seems to have found the official support of Athens and Ankara. FIFA, of course, has not yet taken a position, but there is still time to do so. The idea seems like a good one for many reasons. The first, the more sporting one, is that the Balkan countries’ football should take a step forward in world matches. Those once considered “teams without value” will from now on dare even to take part in the World Cup. The second reason, a political one, is that it is considered an important moment for governing the Balkans, a great moment of unity. We all know how necessary this is, and sport can hardly fail to take such a thing into account. ar. me.

Tiranë — A large quantity of meat considered by specialists to be below standards has now been blocked in Tirana. About 200 quintals of minced meat have been removed from sale after being deemed unfit for human consumption. The shipment — ordered and purchased by a private company — arrived in the capital some time ago from Belgium. “The checks and analyses carried out have shown that this meat cannot be put on the market,” explain the specialists from the Veterinary office of the Tirana Municipality — “it was old and had lost the necessary nutritional qualities and components.” The blocking of this quantity — quite surprising — spoiled from Belgium — has this time also caused a new concern. Are Albanian traders becoming victims because of the concrete prices? me, the use of the offers only through purchases — being unable to bring in the goods themselves — has in many cases led to goods being sent expired from abroad. Ar. Me.

The victim was from Durrës Two brothers also wounded The victim was from Durrës A Greek goes beyond the border and kills him Two brothers also wounded DEVOLL — Another Albanian desire for a life beyond the Greek border is cut short. This time the victim is 37-year-old Reshat Rexha from the village of Xulli in Durrës — who was shot dead by a Greek a few meters after crossing the Albanian border. The accounts of the latest victim are returning to Albania together with his 50-year-old brother, who told the authorities about other social conditions in which they were — “around 12 o’clock — in the village of Prespa, after the murderous episode, two other Albanian brothers — Asllan and Bashkim Meço from Dibra — were also taken to a Greek clinic, and fortunately escaped with only a wound. As confirmed at the Albanian border post, according to data from Greece that were “stuck,” together with the victim and the wounded, there were also several other citizens from Peshkopi and Tirana, but they managed to escape the sudden ambush of the mysterious gorge.(.)

Sarandë — A ship flying the Greek flag has not been able to cause any incident — even though it violated international navigation rules. As reported, on Wednesday afternoon, a Greek military patrol vessel entered Albanian territorial waters — about three miles offshore — and continued sailing for several minutes. It then left without that being the end of it and perhaps the Greek ship’s verification of the “mistake” led the Albanian coastal guards not to remind it that it had taken an inappropriate course. On the part of the authorities, such a notice means that to stop the Greek ship in that case weapons would also have to be used.

LDK calls for international presence TIRANË — How should the will of this people for a life in Kosovo of independence be advanced? This is the subject of discussions in the Second Electoral Assembly of the Democratic League of Kosovo, gathered in Prishtina and attended by around 350 participants. In his speech, the President of the Republic of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova — who is also the president of the LDK — underlined the serious situation that exists in Kosovo, “burdened by pressure and permanent violence.” At the same time, he also set out the possible ways of solving the problem, stressing the need for dialogue with the Serbian side as well as for an international civilian protectorate for Kosovo.

“Social Justice” allowed TIRANË — Another party has been added to Albanian political life. The party, whose list has joined the 28 subjects that now operate in the country, is the “Social Justice Party.” Once again it was the Court of Cassation that overturned the decision of the Ministry of Justice and ruled the registration of this party lawful, with a program — as written — for the rights of the community, the establishment of true democracy, and the granting of lawful prison-related rights to the persecuted.

— Shëngjin seems gripped by the “fever” of fishing. Recently, despite efforts, hundreds of fishing boats have been brought to Italy by local residents. Meanwhile, the fish business in this part of the Albanian Adriatic coast is becoming increasingly developed. In addition to the residents of Lezha, there is no shortage of operators from Shkodra who carry out this activity with their own boats. What is important and valued by specialists is the fact that the new boats that have begun operating in the waters of Shëngjin are well equipped technically and comply with all regulations. ir. ra.

CURSIVE REALITY SKRAPAR — Private property causes another victim. Only this time the unfortunate protagonist is not some man killed in hatred in order to save his “property,” but through naivety. In the absurd duel of barbarity, he met a tragic end. A 40-year-old man drowns while trying to save the livestock that were in danger of drowning. It had been the early hours of the morning — last Saturday — when the victim, a 40-year-old man from Skrapar, had set out first toward his own livestock, which were thrashing about in the reservoir’s murky water. And the village was in the middle of it all, because the farmer’s house had been lost and the field felt in silence, “thus sending” the 40-year-old “by force” into the last “battle” of his life. The livestock needed to be saved in different ways, but he could not manage it. Spark “Now the balance has been completed. The family and the village have suffered and Moscow for the first time has helped differently, and the property that was dear was also taken away, but which was not replaced by anything except a human life.” (e.l.)

Greece, after the attacks, fire alert is raised It is believed to be deliberate ON PAGE 2 Clinton in trouble over an old debt New scandal for the White House ON PAGE 2

OVER 50 MILLION LEK IN FINES FOR NOT CLOSING CASH REGISTERS IN PREMISES — The value of fines imposed by the Financial Police on traders who have still not equipped themselves with cash registers has reached 50 million lek. “Although the controls carried out continue to be numerous, for a part of the traders they still have not worked — but were still in use in the country after the Council of Ministers’ order of July 1,” sources said. A 8-YEAR-OLD CHILD DIED IN THE AIR BUT KILLS A CHILD? SHOT AND STOPPED? — 14-year-old Besnik Haxhiyaj from Shkodër has been arrested by court order by police forces in the municipality after, on the 5th of this month, he shot 12-year-old Bledar Shkreli, who lives in the “Skënderbeg” neighborhood of this city, with a carbine. (.) WATERS FALL IN DESTROYED KUKËS, 156 SWEPT AWAY — The latest balance of the situation caused by the flooding of Kukës and the damage caused in an area recently is: 175 houses damaged, 86 hectares flooded. There are 175 houses damaged by mudslides, and various crops and pastures are underwater. In addition, three important roads and road bridges have been destroyed in the flood. Efforts are being made for management from the capital. And the police commissariat has reported no loss of life. (.)

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