The first trial in the pesticide scandal opens quietly Two Albanians accused of bringing the “cursed cargo” into Albania. Here are the evidence presented in the indictment The first trial in the pesticide scandal opens quietly “The truth about the poisons” Two Albanians accused of bringing the “cursed cargo” into Albania. Here are the evidence presented in the indictment TIRANA — The first trial in the scandal of pesticides made from German waste and expired products, which had been donated to Albania from August 1991 to March 1992, opens quietly. After nearly 20 months of investigations — for the first time — the Prosecution brings before the judges of Tirana the people “responsible for the arrival” of the pesticides in Albania. They are Nevton Kodra, former chief specialist for plant protection at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Pirro Trebicka, former trade attaché at the Albanian Embassy in Bonn, who are now also charged with “abuse of office, as a result of which the possibility of causing significant economic and ecological damage to Albania was created.” On the first day of the mentioned trial, the arrest warrants were only in Kodra’s hands, because the other defendant, Trebicka, arrived at court from his home after having been investigated in the north. At liberty. These are the indictment pages through which the Tirana Prosecution describes in documentary form the moments before and during the arrival of the expired German pesticides. According to this material, “the pesticides are, for the most part, expired and unsuitable for any use, some of them since they had already been placed on the lists of the category of dangerous poisons.” These products have been under criminal and civil responsibility for those who were responsible for their arrival and placement within state institutions.” Meanwhile, the defendants themselves — as during the investigation — did not admit the charge. “I only confirmed the technical side,” defended Nevton Kodra, while investigators checked facts against him such as that, immediately after leaving state employment, he became a collaborator with the German firm “Schmidt Createn”, even bringing pesticides from Tuzha to Gjormë in Lushnjë and later selling them outside Albania. Trebicka’s defense argument that “I tried to do good for Albania in that difficult economic situation” was also deemed unacceptable by the prosecution’s indictment, since — according to it — the defendant insisted on bringing another 40 types of pesticides into Albania, although he had already been informed of the dangers of those that had arrived earlier. Thus, just as the final removal of these pesticides from Albania has been confirmed, the Tirana court opens the trial of those accused of bringing them. (e.l.)

They will leave within a month It will be the first week of September that will see the pesticides brought from Germany in 1991 leave Albania. This deadline was announced after a series of talks that the Albanian Environmental Committee held with representatives of Western states. The operation to transport the tons of poison will be completed within a month. The pesticides, which are concentrated in Bazë, Midri and several other warehouses in various districts of the country, will be collected in Durrës, from where they will be taken away by special ships and returned to Germany, where they will also be destroyed. a.m.

Reason and balance prevail TIRANA — Calm returns to the “Nano case”. And now this is a matter for politics. After the Cassation protest and Friday evening’s public rally — organized by the PS with its members and supporters — the prospect of incidents in the street seems over. Balance and reason have won. The leader of the PS, Fatos Nano — on Friday by his party to be released with an open letter which the Copenhagen meeting is to address, when the Interparliamentary Committee is also expected to issue a final resolution. The only new “prospect” until September for Nano may be his transfer from Tirana Prison, a hypothesis categorically denied until Friday afternoon by the PS itself and the official authorities. (e.l.) Fatos Nano

Police crushes passerby FIER — Two serious accidents in Fier within just one hour. — Two serious accidents in Fier within just one hour. The painful sequence was opened by a police car which, while speeding in pursuit of another vehicle, crushed Qamil Zdrava, 33, who was hospitalized in serious condition. Only after almost 60 minutes, in the same stretch of road — on the way out of the city — Osman Koço, 45, who was riding a bicycle, became the victim of a collision with a truck. As a result of the impact, Koço died. Both accidents were also caused by vehicles skidding off the road made wet by rain. En. My.

Volunteers in Durrës In memory of Ervin... Today “Clean and safe beaches” DURRËS — A Sunday morning dedicated to the protection of the beaches. Starting at 10:00, on the “Railway” beach in Durrës, this initiative was taken by “Gazeta Shqiptare” and the Soros Foundation. The chosen slogan is “Clean and safe beaches”. Twenty young Albanian environmentalists — all volunteers — will arrive with ribbons in different colors in parts of the beach to prevent cars from passing through (a terrible habit that still no one has decided to fight with the necessary firmness), and then they will clean it of algae, paper and rubbish. Bins will also be installed there to collect waste, while young artists will paint the bunkers in bright colors, which also spoil the view here. The objective is thus to create an ideal stretch of beach, clean and safe, which should become a symbol of all Albania’s wonderful beaches. Naturally, what the organizers would like is for the initiative not to remain isolated. Organizing a continuous cleaning of the beaches and blocking them from automobile traffic does not seem like an unattainable goal. This day is dedicated to the memory of an 11-year-old child from Berat, Ervin Zhylleku, who was hit and killed by a car last June while playing in the sand. A brutal and unjustified death that shows that the problem of beach safety is one that concerns everyone. At today’s event in Durrës, besides others, a representative of the International Committee of the “Greens” and an Austrian team that will make a documentary about the changing Albania will take part. Many journalists and all beachgoers who wish to do so will also take part. (p.rep)

They are bitten during a break in the fields GJIROKASTËR — 13 people suffering from severe pain and kidney and digestive disorders have been admitted to the city hospital. The cause is accidental bites. The situation reported from Gjirokastër will not be heavily dramatic because of the results of the bite of an insect. All the hospitalized patients were “attacked” by a very poisonous spider. According to Dr. Çela of the Gjirokastër hospital, this year an increase in bites from this aggressive insect has been observed. Most of those admitted come from rural areas and were “hit” while resting in the fields during the hot hours of the day. “Fortunately,” says Dr. Çela, everyone is fine, because had it not been in time, the complications from the powerful poison could have led to unpredictable situations.

SARANDA — An accident in the engine of a Saranda speedboat has caused an event that is very likely to have turned into a serious tragedy. On the return trip from Corfu to Saranda, the speedboat, driven by Dest Buxha, suffered a breakdown in a seriously damaged part. Afterwards, both drivers jumped into the sea, swimming toward the shore. But while the sea adventure ended well for Buxha, the fate of his companion was not the same. As the days passed, hopes that the latter would make it there have now faded. His name was lost at sea. All searches for him in Corfu and Saranda have been unsuccessful.

Elbasan, trial for 3 children... ELBASAN — It was more than a simple court case; it was child bullying in a gymnasium. Perhaps for the first time, a case in Elbasan has had children as the main protagonists. Their voices echoed throughout the proceedings of an unusual trial against three 14-year-olds accused of theft. The three accused, A.I., A.M. and U.V., had been arrested back in March of this year. According to the indictment, they are considered guilty of several thefts totaling 9,600 lekë and are to be sentenced to a number of months in prison. They had reached the courtroom while still only a few weeks away from having moved beyond the law. The presence of many children — friends of the accused — created a special atmosphere in the hall. After the hard questioning at the start of the proceedings, the children also forced the presiding judge several times to restore order. Upset by the legal jargon — incomprehensible to them — used during the trial, the children tried to communicate with their three “swaggering” friends, perhaps without even realizing the danger that was hanging over them. The defense lawyers for the three “little thieves” exploited precisely the strategy of age in order to reduce their clients’ punishment. According to them, the first purpose for the three 14-year-olds, instead of helping them, would push them deeper into the path they had only just begun. Me. Ki.

THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO THE GREEK POSITION AT THE “TIRANA” FORUM Albania considers “absurd” Greece’s stance regarding the blocking of the 35 million ECU aid, whose issue has been dragging on for eight and a half months. “Greece, in a statement on Friday, has clarified to the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Tirana is ready to resolve all the problems created through dialogue and not to link this to Greece’s issue with the European Union.” Meanwhile, the press office of the Presidency of the Republic has denied the news according to which pressure had been exerted to block this aid. SEMINAR AGAINST AIDS IN SHKODËR The news of the presence of an HIV-positive person in Shkodër perhaps prompted the city’s first awareness-raising effort aimed at preventing the “dangerous spread”. To this end, a session was organized by the Committee Against AIDS, the infection clinic and the local foundation. One of the most important points discussed was the need to establish a specialized center for disease testing in Shkodër. This group in the discussions, this issue will determine for what reason it is considered that the northern regions verify a high level of awareness. IN PËRMET AN OLD BELL IS DISCOVERED The police of Përmet have uncovered, after a significant operation, an old bell of very large dimensions. Investigations into prices lead to its value; according to sources close to the police it is believed to be a clandestinely trafficked object of art and heritage, destined for Greece. However, there is still no arrest for the act. IN ELBASAN, A COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE AUTOCEPHALOUS CHURCH IS NOT... It had been created in Elbasan, a promoted committee for the Albanian Autocephalous Church. According to the official government announcement on legal matters, the Directorate of Cult belongs to the government. Its current chairman, Dhimitër Bedri, has been appointed by the relevant ministry through an order. As a result, it has declared that all the activity of the KJ? is not to be recognized as informal and the leaders of the Albanian Autocephalous Council will carry out all their activity subject to the laws in force.

GAZETA TV Cosa mia, cosa mia

Berlusconi “divorces” Fininvest On page 2 ETA strikes the heart of Madrid On page 2 How much does an apartment cost On page 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? This space is free for your classified ads. Send the application up to 10 days before the publication date to our editorial office: Viti Trani: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370, or Bari: Viale Scipione l’Africano, 264. The market in our paper what it seeks and offers, under 1000 and thanks. FOR RENT — a 3-room apartment and 1 kitchen (storage room), two balconies and water at every hour of the day) located near the “Children’s Playground” on “Elbasani” Street in Tirana. Interested parties should contact 24020. FOR SALE — a two-storey villa, 4 rooms, 3 garages (warehouse), veranda, 400 square meters. Address: “Mihal Grameno” Street, block III. Interested parties may contact 27704. FOR RENT — a shop of about 75 square meters. Address: “Bajram Curri” Street, Building 121 (near the “Phillps” shop), Interested parties should contact the Shyti family. “Mihal Stelo” Street, Building 97. Entrance 2. No. 27 in Tirana. FOR RENT — a warehouse 6.75 by 3.75 square meters, interested parties should contact the address Rruga e “Dibrës” (“Bajram Curri”), Building 260, Entrance 1. FOR SALE — a video recorder, almost new, Japanese. Bought for 800 marks and now 460 marks. Contact in Durrës at telephone number: 052/23767 from 7.00-8.00. FOR SALE — a “MAN” truck, 10 tons and in very good technical condition, e. Price 450,000 lekë. Contact in Durrës at telephone number 052/23757. FOR RENT 05 — a two-storey house with 4 rooms on each floor. Yard area is 400 square meters. Usable basements. Contact at address: “Dëshmorët” Street, number 44. Telephone 24586 in Tirana SEEKING 1 teacher[e] from a 2-room apartment and 1 kitchen on the first floor, preferably within the “Ring Road” in Tirana. Interested parties should contact 42677. FOR SALE — a house, apartment with two rooms and one kitchen with annex, on the fourth floor, in New Tirana. Address: “Pjeter Budi” Street - Building 91, ap. 12, tel. 24470. FOR SALE — a “Mercedes Benz” 240 car, already in customs. Genci Lufi. Neighborhood no. 1, “Mihal Grameno” street, building 9/1, ap. 19, staircase 1. Telephone 28631, Tirana. FOR RENT — a shop of about 75 square meters. Address “Bajram Curri” street, building 121, near the “Phillips” shop. Interested parties should contact the Shyti family, on “Qemal Stafa” street, building 39, entrance 8, no. 47, Tirana.

Zattere 1411 - Tel. 0039/41/781611 - Fax 781805 - Tlx 410045 Ferries for passengers, cars, trucks DURRES - BARI - ANCONA TRIESTE - DURRES From DURRES to BARI: every Tuesday departs at 12.00 every Thursday departs at 12.00 every Sunday departs at 12.00 From DURRES to ANCONA: every Tuesday departs at 19.00 every Friday departs at 22.00 From DURRES to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departs at 19.00 every Saturday departs at 19.00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRES: DETARE SHTETERORE Tel. 052/22233 - Fax 22911 - Tlx 4148 Agency in ITALY BARI AGESTA Srl - Via Lirida, 4 Tel. 0039/80/331565 - Fax 330628 - Tlx 810043 ANCONA: MARITTIMA AGENCY Srl - Via XXIX Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204916 - Fax 202280 - Tlx 560082 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Srl - Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460059