TARANTO / Eleven arrested by police Billions in trafficking between Italy and Albania TARANTO / Eleven arrested by police Gang of stolen cars Billions in trafficking between Italy and Albania TARANTO — Accused of participating in criminal activity, specifically in the international trafficking of stolen vehicles, eleven people have been arrested in Taranto and in several locations in the Campania region by officers of the Taranto police mobile squad. These measures — which will also be applied to other people not yet caught — were ordered by the court in Taranto. Other people have also been reported. According to investigators, members of this criminal organization were “selling” stolen vehicles in Greece, Albania and other Eastern European countries through a large-scale operation. The arrested men are also accused of forgery of documents, such as driving licences and passports, and foreign banknotes, especially dollars. During the operation, items worth two billion lire were seized, such as American, German and Italian banknotes worth more than one billion and 800 million lire, 1,500 forged car registration documents, one thousand partially prepared promissory notes, four stolen high-displacement cars, one of which also had the licence number altered, and three thousand false vehicle plates. The police also found stamps for falsifying documents, numerous passports and residence permits, circulation permits, a P38 pistol with the serial number erased, and a rifle. Among those arrested are a Czechoslovak citizen, Vladimìr Beranek, 35, who had previously been imprisoned in Greece, and an Albanian, Artur Leci, 27. All eleven are charged with fraud, possession and forgery of Italian and foreign banknotes and documents, as well as international trafficking of stolen cars. The other arrested men are Francesco Soletti, 44, Nunzio Serino, 32, Giuseppe Chifri, 32, Michele Sangermano, 38, Maurizio Sorano, 30, all from Taranto, Amilcare Mont Condesitt, 26, from Molfetta (Bari), Cosimo De Padova, 26, from Torricella (Taranto), and Michele Pirozzi, 46, from Castellammare di Stabia (Naples). According to investigators, these arrests were made possible precisely by complex inquiries carried out through informants and careful checks, including at the port of Brindisi. Artur Leci, the Albanian arrested in Taranto

TIRANA — Defence Minister Safet Zhulali was the Albanian representative at the ceremony for Nelson Mandela’s inauguration. TIRANA — Defence Minister Safet Zhulali was the Albanian representative at the ceremony for Nelson Mandela’s inauguration, after he was elected last week as the new President of the Republic of South Africa. Zhulali was entrusted by Albanian President Berisha to congratulate him at this ceremony, attended by heads of state from all over the world. Zhulali thus became the Albanian eyewitness to one of the most significant events of the century. Nelson Mandela’s election — a prominent fighter against racism and candidate of the African National Congress — to the office of President marks the closing of an era of the old wounds of apartheid Africa. The end of the long period of racial hatred is the result of the many efforts of South African progressive forces and of the policy of dialogue inaugurated by former President De Klerk. It is now expected that the new political changes in the most industrially developed state in Africa will serve as a model of development for the world’s most backward continent.

Sport Four days before the end, the fate of the Serie B teams has been decided Fiorentina in Serie A Monza relegated Batistuta, the leader of the Fiorentina team On page 3 Albanian football On page 4 Serie B matches On page 5 toward the World Cup

He changed the photo, but not the name BRINDISI — Passports with unlimited use are on offer. One of the many pieces of evidence came to light from an episode recorded on Saturday in Brindisi. A passport issued by Yugoslav authorities could have allowed, if properly arranged, Albanian citizens to reach Italy. But the criminal activity was interrupted by officers of the port police station, who arrested, for violation of the Martelli law, 24-year-old Sulejman Sahitolli, from Polaçani, but living in Tirana, blocked at Brindisi railway station while he was receiving his passport from an Albanian citizen just as well. Everything began on Saturday afternoon, before the ferry “European Glory” from Albania had docked. The port police knew that an Albanian citizen would arrive with a Yugoslav passport, which he was supposed to hand over — together with payment — to a third person. “European Glory” arrived in port at exactly 6:30 p.m. The officers of Polmare, Cazzella, Madaghiele and Perringerio immediately singled out the passport: it was in the name of Gërmaz Cela, 24, from Lushnja. At this point, the Polmare officers decided not to intervene, but rather to follow the young man, convinced that they would reach the third person, the one expected. And so Cela wandered around the city for about 3 hours, with the police following him. Finally, around 10 p.m., before the Lecce-Rome train arrived (the one he was supposed to board), the police noticed Gërmaz Cela handing over the document to the hotelier of his age. At that moment they intervened and arrested Sulejman Sahitolli. The officers searched him: in the suitcase there was not only one million lire handed over by Cela but also one thousand dollars. For Sulejman, the handcuffs were ready to open the gates of the Brindisi prison; against him, the accusation of illegal immigration stood, aggravated by the fact that he is unemployed and without income. Above all, Deputy Prosecutor Domenico Catenaci is now investigating this affair, and it seems he has been assigned to support the hypothesis according to which, thanks to that Yugoslav passport — altered each time by replacing the person’s photograph — no small number of illegal immigrants have entered Italy, in a steady flow. Angelo Sconosciuto

The detective speaks BRINDISI — “The passport passing from one person to another is a new method among the means used by foreigners to reach Italy,” says Inspector Ferdinando De Punzio. BRINDISI — “The passport passing from one person to another is a new method among the means used by foreigners to reach Italy,” says Inspector Ferdinando De Punzio, head of the Brindisi port police squad. “Without doubt, this fact highlights how the protective measures in these cases of migration have one or more criminal organizations that prepare these movements.” “The mechanism is simple,” the inspector added. “It is enough to replace the photograph on the document with that of another person, or to obtain it from the person ordering it. Saturday’s episode shows how the techniques used by various criminal organizations have become increasingly sophisticated.” Meanwhile, the case has activated Criminalpol units throughout the country, and at the start of the investigation it was understood that the matter concerned the entire national territory and would also involve the Albanian police. a. scon.

During a phone call with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu “Overcome the contradictions you have with Skopje” During a phone call with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu Clinton intervenes on Macedonia “Overcome the contradictions you have with Skopje” TIRANA — Clinton continues his efforts to achieve a solution to the disputes between Greece and Macedonia. By means of a phone call, he asked the Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu to resolve easily the disagreements with Macedonia concerning certain constitutional issues, such as the text in its continental English language and its Greek title. The United States has made known that, in the context of the White House announcement — these are the same as Papandreou’s meetings in Washington in April. In connection with Macedonia, Clinton pointed out that the United States are interested in ensuring that the UN efforts to reach an agreement between the two states are successfully crowned. His aim is that, regarding this dispute, the international status of Macedonia and certain constitutional issues of the new Balkan republic be addressed. According to some sources, the American president spoke of a territorial variant involving Greece. At the center[?] both countries are backed by most European states. Cyprus was also at the center of the conversation between the two statesmen. According to the same source, Papandreou expressed his appreciation for the UN policy of bringing Turkey and Greece closer together on this issue. p. re. Clinton intervenes in the Macedonian issue

PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENT BERISHA. — A broad range of issues was addressed in the press conference given by President Berisha. Questions from journalists, first and foremost foreign ones — and the unrealistic ones about Berisha — focused on relations with Greece, the Kosovo issue and the fate of Albanian refugees in Germany. On the domestic front, considerable attention was given to the Kukës incident between residents and the police, the rise in energy prices and the progress of the overall economic reform. Berisha answered journalists’ questions regarding the Socialist Party’s demand for early elections, the stance toward the far right, or the existing coalition between PD, PSD and PR. OPEC FUND LOAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HOSPITAL IN DURRES — Five million US dollars have been offered by the OPEC aid fund and will be used to build a new general hospital in the city of Durres. It will have 170 beds and will be equipped with modern technology for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Meanwhile, the Government has just approved in principle the loan agreement with the OPEC Fund. The construction of the new hospital is necessary because the existing one does not have suitable conditions for treating patients and equipment for staff as well as living facilities. PEN OF THE FMITAMI VALUES DISTRIBUTES AID FOR THE POOR AND ORPHANS — Fifteen tons of food aid have been distributed by the Municipality of Vlora to the association of work invalids. With the support of the Albanian Muslim community, it also made possible the securing of a fund of 600,000 leks for the orphaned children of Tirana. RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT — In Tirana an event was organized on the occasion of 8 May, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. It was attended by members and volunteers of this organization, representatives of the local authorities as well as various private companies. They were greeted by the chairman of the Albanian Red Cross, S[?]bashi. The meeting discussed the history of this respected association as well as the projects it has carried out and will carry out in Albania.

“Black Pantheon,” the new novel by Fahri Balliu The backstage of the “Bloc” ON PAGE 2 A flying saucer observatory is born In San Marino an international center ON THE LAST PAGE

EGYPT, THE WORLD'S OLDEST PAVED ROAD IS DISCOVERED — Two American geologists have discovered the oldest paved road in the world. It belongs to Ancient Egypt, around 4,600 years ago. It was discovered during research in the Faiyum area.[?] Separate blocks of stone covered with geological debris. BRAZIL, PRISONER REVOLT IN RIO DE JANEIRO — 63 prisoners have risen in revolt in two security camps in the Rio de Janeiro area. According to some sources, the police used weapons to kill the prisoners.[?] Life-sentence convicts seized weapons and took prison guards hostage. RUSSIA, GRACOV ASKING FOR “MONEY” AGAIN — Russia’s Defence Minister Gracov has once again asked for money for the Russian army. In a report he requests a minimum budget of 17 billion[?] for war and other problems of the armed forces.

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Economic and Social Advisory Agency CONSULTANCY FOR LAND AND BUILDING OWNERS This agency has been commissioned by a group of Italian entrepreneurs to find investment opportunities in land or buildings. Owners of land or buildings, equipped with ownership documents and interested in collaborating with Italian investors, may contact this agency. Address: TIRANA - Rruga “Islam Alla”, Building 72/1 Staircase 2, Apartment 36 (near the intersection of the street where the restaurant “Rugova” is located) - Tel: 042/23501.