For the fans of the 1994 World Cup It will be installed in front of the University of Tirana ARMAND MERO TIRANE — A special gift from the Municipality of Tirana for football fans. Now, on the eve of the USA '94 World Cup, its specialists have decided to install a giant television, 20 square meters in size, from which everyone will be able to follow the matches of the tournament. The screen, which will be installed in the square in front of the University of Tirana, will remain there until all the matches are over. The idea for this interesting initiative — to be carried out for the first time in Albania — was born in the municipality's energy department. "We thought of doing what is done in many countries around the world in such cases." Everything has now been decided and the Municipality has even announced a tender for the company that will carry out the project. The tender will close on 20 May and will evaluate the best and most advantageous offer. "We have thought that the screen to be installed should measure 5 by 4 meters," explains Skënder Muca, head of the energy department at the Municipality, for Gazeta Shqiptare, "but everything will nevertheless be decided definitively on the basis of the proposals that come in through the tender." According to the Municipality's plan, the large television screen will be ready in the first days of June, just before the start of the year's most important sporting event in the world. So the screen will become, more or less, a small stadium where Albanian fans will gather to follow all the matches of this World Cup. For more than a month — the duration of the championship — the square near the University of Tirana will probably become the most frequented spot in the capital. "In fact, we want to carry out this project," Muca says, "to give Tirana more life. We think the most suitable place to put the screen is precisely the square in front of the University, because there people can gather without blocking one another's view. In addition, this will bring life to the area in front of the University, where other activities can also be organized." The square in front of the University of Tirana

5 satellite stations for everyone TIRANE — Another television event for the capital. By June, all luxury apartments in Tirana will have dish antennas installed. There are already 5 luxury satellite stations. The interest of specialists among 15 percent of Tirana families of this kind has prompted the Municipality of Tirana to decide on the installation of a powerful repeater. In addition to strengthening reception for the three main Rai television channels, this repeater will also make it possible to broadcast these satellite stations. It has not yet been precisely determined which ones they will be. "We think we should bring in the best-known stations," explains the municipal expert, "for example CNN, RTL or perhaps some other Italian channel." To cover the costs of this project — which will be implemented by June — the Municipality has decided that each family should pay an amount of 50 lek per month.

Fire in the mine: coal burns TIRANE — Flames in the Valias mine. Although investigations began immediately, it has still not been established who the perpetrators were of the serious incident that occurred in the early hours of the morning of 9 May. It was the private guards of this mine who first spotted the flames on one of the mine’s conveyors, intended to carry coal from the bunkers — each with a capacity of 1,000 tons — to the processing plant. Even though three fire brigade vehicles rushed in from Tirana, a quantity of coal estimated at around 6-7 meters could not be saved from burning. A thick cloud of smoke continued to cover the area near the mine even the day after the fire was extinguished. According to specialists from the Directorate of Mines, part of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, who confirmed the incident to Gazeta Shqiptare, the conveyor, now damaged, had been installed in the mine last year by a German company, which had also undertaken its reconstruction. Meanwhile, representatives of the rescue team personnel of Valias explain that the burned coal belonged to a stockpile, almost since 1991. The competent authorities continue intensive investigations to verify not only the real causes, but also the calculation of the damage caused by the flames. (ed. La)

The owners are seeking another 72 thousand dollars still unpaid Intervention by Minister Papulias is requested TIRANE — "About 72 thousand dollars in debts weigh on the Greek Embassy in Tirana." Since last September — when the Commission for the Return and Compensation of Property in the Municipality of Tirana recognized the ownership of the three owners of the buildings where the Greek Embassy is currently located — they have still been waiting for the contract signed with the Greek diplomatic staff to be executed. To put an end to this unclear relationship with this institution, and another fax to Foreign Minister Papulias, in the hope of a final solution to their problem. "The procedure continues to drag on in a highly unusual way," Albanian officials from the Diplomatic Office also tell Gazeta Shqiptare, "while other embassies such as the Russian and Egyptian ones have settled their issues with the owners of their buildings within the deadlines, the Greek Embassy and the Yugoslav one still have not done the same." The owners’ delays in dealing with the matter of their building began as early as 1 September '93, when they first contacted the diplomatic staff of the Greek Embassy. However, the promises made by diplomat Papulias — who at the time was an official of the Greek Embassy in Tirana — remained unfulfilled because of his transfer. "After that everything became more difficult," the rightful owners emphasize for Gazeta Shqiptare, "since our representatives were not accepted for meetings and many of the documents disappeared." It was precisely on 20 December last year that the first fax was sent to the Greek Foreign Minister, after which officials of the Greek Embassy were forced to appoint a lawyer specifically to follow this case. "At the end of April this year we were presented with a draft contract prepared by the Greek side," the owners continue, "and although none of our requests was taken into account, we agreed to sign it." According to the owners’ calculations, from the time this contract was signed until now — when the Greek Embassy has still made no payment — about 72 thousand dollars is the amount that should now be paid immediately by them. "Perhaps someone has been interested in testing our patience and courtesy," the owners of the Embassy buildings recently wrote to the Greek Foreign Minister. Although the owners are still protesting over their issue, Albanian officials from the Diplomatic Office confirm that the new office in question also encountered financial problems with the Greek Embassy or the Yugoslav one in Tirana. "We hope this is the last time we are forced to trouble you," the owners’ fax to Minister Papulias concludes. One of the faxes sent to Minister Papulias Edmond Laçi

The Ishmi forest is damaged DURRES — The massacre of trees and forests continues. This time the concern has also reached Durrës, where the victims of the cutting have mainly been the oak trees in the Ishmi area. Yesterday, Monday, the Forest Police of this district managed to catch two thieves in the act, who had loaded two trailers pulled by rubber-tired tractors with cut wood — a quantity of 8 cubic meters worth 40 thousand lek. However, these are not the only cases of this phenomenon. In recent times this police force has made several reports, the value of which exceeds 900 thousand lek.

During the meeting with Iliescu TIRANE — "An acceptable solution must be found, because in the state it is in today, Kosova is a ticking time bomb, risking leading to a conflict that will not involve only Albanians." These are words from the conversation between Albanian President Berisha and his counterpart Ion Iliescu during the official visit to Bucharest. Berisha once again returned to the worsening situation in the Balkans and more specifically in Kosova. The Albanian president once again called for greater commitment from the international community to resolve this problem. "They are only asking for the implementation of the CSCE principles," Berisha said. p. re. President Berisha

51 Albanian Muslims set off The price of the sacred rite: 850 dollars TIRANE — They are the fourth group of Muslim pilgrims who — after the restoration of freedom of religion — are setting off for the holy place of Islam, for the Kaaba. The 51 faithful candidates for the "Hajj" ritual — among them also some women — have come together with residents and several accompanying persons who this time paid 850 dollars each to cover the expenses of the long journey to the desert of Saudi Arabia. An Albanian tourist company bus will transport the pilgrims from Tirana to the Kaaba, so they can perform the traditional sevenfold circling around the sacred stone of the Kaaba. The newest history of the journey of Muslim believers to the Kaaba began in 1991. That year — for the first time after the 100-year ban on every kind of religious rite — people were financed by Saudi Arabia. Another 300 followed in two such groups in those two years, which had been helped by the desert country or by various Islamic associations that had begun to operate in the country. This year’s group includes some new elements, whose expenses have been covered by the pilgrims themselves. According to the Deputy Head of the Albanian Muslim Community, Ramazan Yrsheku, this fact is a step further in the implementation of the rules of the Koran. "The pilgrimage to Mecca is a necessary duty for wealthy Muslims," says Yrsheku, "but according to the teachings of the Koran it is fully meaningful only when the 'Hajj' person has already arranged his own path and stay in the holy places after first securing his family." During this journey, Islam does not prevent pilgrims from engaging in trade as well. According to the Koran, in this case one can conduct trade along the way without fear of falling into sin; on the contrary, in the Koran such behavior is considered "sevap". Finally, a curious story. Even during communism, two Muslim pilgrims had been sent to the Kaaba, although all the expenses were paid by the state of that time, which had made a special airplane available to them. This happened in 1957. They were the first and last two hajj pilgrims for a period that would continue for a long time. Fotos Baxhaku

Berlusconi names the new Republic Now the vote of confidence from the Senate must be obtained ON PAGE 2

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU NEED TO BUY SOMETHING? This space is free for your news/economic notices. Send your notice, no longer than 15 words, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Bajram Curri Street, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. State clearly what you want to offer, your name and address. Buy and sell FOR SALE — a twin camping tent, Japanese-made, of very high quality and unused. Interested persons should call 32646 after 5:00 p.m. in Tirana. FOR SALE — a domestic "ARO" car in very new condition, not long ago seen in general use. I am selling it at a very reasonable price. Interested persons should contact phone number 25526 or the address: "Muhamet Gjollesha" Street, Building 39/1, Apartment 4 in Tirana. FOR SALE — 200 beehive boxes, 630 grape and tomato packing crates, 1,800 packing crates made of materials as well as 430 wooden 50-kilo flowerpots, wooden product address: Korçë Wood Processing Enterprise, phone number 0824/[?] FOR RENT OR FOR SALE — 1/8 share in a premises (wood products and burek) on "Haxhi Hysen Dalliu" Street no. 5. Interested persons should contact the above address. FOR RENT — one room, a 4 by 5 meter room. "Ali Demi" Street, building 4/1 (opposite Nënë Tereza Bakery), no. 16. Interested persons should call 38286. FOR RENT — two rooms and a kitchen. Contact phone number 39606 or the address: Neighborhood 10, Niko Avrami Street. Building 2, Staircase 4, Apartment 28 in Tirana. FOR RENT — a two-room apartment and a kitchen. Interested persons should call 26587. FOR RENT OR FOR SALE — a house with three rooms and a kitchen, bathroom, storage room and a small garden in a central area, on a paved street, near the right side of the road from the hall road. The house is mainly built with very good Italian materials and is relatively finished. For information call: 22939. FOR RENT OR FOR SALE — house or room, kitchen, bathroom, in a central area, with garden, in a very good residential area, on a recently paved street. The house is entirely built with excellent Italian materials and finished in excellent detail. For information Tel: 22939. I AM LOOKING FOR — a partnership for the restaurant "Kruja" activity at the beach of Durrës. The property is 3,200 square meters. Interested persons can call 26516 in Tirana.

NEW STUDY OF EMPLOYMENT IN ELBASAN — UNDP will carry out a study on the possibilities for economic development and unemployment relief in the Elbasan district. This was announced during a meeting that the head of the well-known organization at UNDP in Tirana, Marshall, had with the leaders of the local government of Elbasan and with specialists from various fields of the economy. The study will be carried out by a commission made up of foreign and Albanian specialists from Elbasan and will be financially supported by the UNDP office in Tirana. OVER 70 MILLION LEK FOR IMPROVING TIRANA’S INFRASTRUCTURE — The Municipality of Tirana was awarded 105 special funds amounting to 77.3 million lek from the Ministry of Construction, Services and Territorial Regulation. The fund will be used to improve the road network, sewerage and parks of the capital. Part of these funds have been planned for the continuation of the reconstruction of "Studenti" street. A BUILDING PREPARED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON IN DURRËS — The sewer system for the Durrës beach swimming pool, after the project in which another housing unit in the tourist area will be located there where, earlier, such a sewer system had been partly installed, said the project spokesman. He added that nearby residents are also not expected to benefit from this facility. The holiday house is a cabin from the former- [?]

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Economic and Social Consulting Agency INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Economic and Social Consulting Agency CONSULTANCY FOR OWNERS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS 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, who are interested in cooperating with Italian investors may contact this Agency. Address: TIRANE - "Isiam Al-lan" Street, Building 72/1 Staircase 2, Apartment 36 (near the intersection of the street where the restaurant "Rugova" is located) - Tel: 042/23501.