HERITAGE Back to Interpol investigations: two Albanian citizens detained. Were the items found that had earlier been stolen from the museums of Apollonia and Durrës? Art traffickers uncovered 25 Albanian ancient objects in Greece EDMOND LACI TIRANA — The threads of a clandestine traffic in works of art stolen in Albania are being uncovered. It was the Greek authorities, through their INTERPOL service, who a few days ago announced the seizure in Florina of 25 antiquities, which had been registered in Albania. According to the same information, these antiquities were discovered after a surprise inspection carried out on a taxi in which two Albanian citizens from Patos and two others from Greece were found. The Greek authorities now expect — in accordance with the usual international procedures — intervention by the authorities from Albania, after which a joint commission will decide on the final resolution of this episode. On other occasions too the Greek INTERPOL authorities had cooperated with the homologous service in Albania. The latest concrete cooperation concerns the rather paradoxical denunciation by the Greek authorities regarding the discovery of icons thought to have been stolen in Albania. Although — after bilateral verification — the icons were not found to be Albanian, the latest episode is expected to bring important success in the fight against clandestine trafficking of works of art stolen in Albania and then transited through Greece. Nevertheless, Albanian specialists — who will directly verify the origin and value — will have the final word on the 25 antiquities currently being held in Greece. Specialists TIRANA — The detention of the two Albanian traffickers in Greece is perhaps important not only for the recovered ancient objects, but even more for the further investigations that may arise from it. "Some of the objects have inventory numbers," Greek Interpol experts said, suggesting that we are not dealing simply with objects collected by peasants during chance excavations, but with antiquities stolen from Albanian museums. In fact, from the partial description of the items found on those detained, some of them have raised the hope that our museums may get back quite a number of objects missing from their displays and collections. The list of the 25 objects also includes seven bronze spearheads and one iron sword. Some years ago, the same group of objects had been stolen from the National Museum of Apollonia. From another museum, that of Durrës, a bronze sword had disappeared. Now the list of the objects found also includes such an item, which may perhaps be precisely the one from Durrës. In any case, all this remains hypothesis as long as the contents of the cargo — antiquities seized from the two traffickers — are not yet fully clear. The Temple of Apollonia, one of the best-known Albanian archaeological landmarks works of art stolen in Albania and then transported through Greece. Nevertheless, Albanian specialists — who will directly verify the origin and value — will have the final word on the 25 antiquities found seized in Greece. Fatos Baxhaku

Historic inauguration of the new factory The new «Coca-Cola» plant in Tirana. Below, President Berisha (Photo A. Babani) TIRANA — At last, the decisive moment has arrived. Today at midday, with a highly formal ceremony, the "Coca Cola" plant will be inaugurated. The president of the northeastern and Middle Eastern group of the "Coca Cola" company, Neville Isdell, will press exactly at midday the button that will set the production system in motion and thus, a few seconds later, in front of the photographers and television crews who have come for the occasion from all over Europe, the first bottle of Coca Cola "Made in Albania" will be released. An event of great importance, not only economically but also culturally. For decades, "Coca Cola", together with blue jeans, has represented the symbol of that American consciousness which, in the imaginary communist world of Eastern Europe, stood as the modern negative sign of Western capitalism. It has weakened the image of communism, so feared as a political enemy. The production of "Coca Cola" in Albania is therefore one more step toward tearing down the ideological and political wall that until a few years ago divided Europe into the "good" and the "bad". No less important is the economic aspect of this industrial enterprise which, besides creating new jobs for Albanians, certainly represents an important moment for the country’s future and for reducing imports. At the inauguration ceremony, among others, Franco Busti, representative of "Coca Cola Bottling" of Tirana, will be present. p. re. Sali Berisha cuts the ribbon TIRANA — It will be President of the Republic Sali Berisha himself who will cut the ribbon at the inauguration of the first Albanian Coca-Cola factory. Berisha will be present today for almost the entire multi-hour ceremony organized at the modern plant near Tirana. Those present will also hear the President’s special greeting for the occasion. Also today Berisha will meet an Italian delegation from the Region of Puglia. The new «Coca-Cola» plant in Tirana. Below, President Berisha (Photo A. Babani)

SARANDE, 4 PEOPLE ARRESTED ACCUSED OF MURDER — Four people are now among those accused of a sensational murder some time ago in Sarandë. The arrested men — in Londër Dhristi, two from Delvina and the other from Sarandë — allegedly took Bujar Basha, 31, on 8 May. After the crime they fled in an unknown direction and only after several days of searching did the police find them in a cave, 20 kilometres from Sarandë. TIRANA, ARBNOR RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOVEREIGN MILITARY ORDER OF MALTA — During his visit to Albania he was received by Arbënor, the Speaker of the People's Assembly, the representative of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Baron Xhoakino Mauzi di Montenero. Representatives of the Order were keen to discuss diplomatic relations with the Order, he told the ambassador, Sovereign and Albania. TIRANA, THE PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION DISCUSSES THE NEW DRAFT LAW — At the beginning, several laws were discussed by the Permanent Parliamentary Commissions. Among the main ones was the one "On Notaries", which for the first time will also make this profession a private one. The deputies also discussed the draft law "On the price of land to be compensated" as well as "On damages caused in waters for the privatization of state dwellings". DURRËS, FROM NOW ON THE TROLLEYBUS WILL OPERATE 9 FOREIGN STATIONS — All the residents of Durrës, apparently, can follow the channels of 9 foreign television stations on their TV screens. From its tower there are Italian channels, while two others are French, one Turkish and RUSTO Nesti known.

Selection completed Pippo Baudo tells "Gazeta Shqiptare" during the RAI UNO program «Tutti insieme». In the photo the presenter together with singer Miguel Bosé TIRANA — Although two days later than expected because of the large number of letters received, RAI UNO has selected the Albanian family that will take part in Monday’s meeting on 20 May in the program "Tutti insieme". It is the Cemali family of Jolanda Xhono, residing in Tirana in Rruga Kongresi i Lushnjës. The parents and both children will leave for Rome together with two Eraldo (30 years old) and Enis (19 years old). We at Gazeta Shqiptare, which organized the selection together with RAI UNO, thank the readers who took part in this initiative.

TIRANA — The first prefects in Albania have now been appointed. It was Prime Minister Meksi who presented them to the government the day before yesterday. Their role will be to coordinate the activity of the central government with that of local government. At the same time, the prefects will also exercise oversight over the implementation of government laws in their prefectures. Prefectures as separate institutions were created for the first time during the government of King Zog. The establishment of the new system of governance of the country after the Second World War caused this institution to cease to exist. The prefectures regained their status in Albania — after many years — in 1992 with the approval of the relevant law by Parliament. At present Albania is divided into 12 prefectures. However, the day before yesterday Meksi presented only the first 8 prefects. Appointments have not yet been made for the prefectures of Tirana, Vlorë, Dibër and Fier.

Roger Moore will celebrate with the children TIRANA — James Bond in Albania. This time actor Roger Moore, famous in Albania especially for his performances as the English super-spy 007 in the film "Meto". "Let Her Die" and many others, will land on Albanian soil. Moore — on Saturday evening the special representative of UNICEF for Film Art — has been invited to Albania within the framework of the activities being carried out to celebrate Family Day. Roger Moore’s visit to Albania had previously been announced and set for 30 May, while meanwhile it will take place earlier. On the 10th it will be for three days. Moore will also be present at a festive show at midday at the Palace of Congresses. The places there are intended for life, at the UNICEF Institute — among them it will be set aside for children’s rights. The famous actor will also be present at a ceremony within the framework of the signing of the International Convention "On the Rights of the Child". Actor Roger Moore For the celebration of 1 June this year — for the first time in Albania — a State Commission has also been established, which operates and is under the direction of Tirana, the Education Directorate and UNI- CEF. (Ed. La.)

Today together with the newspaper the magazine «PIU» PIU Surviving

"On this special occasion I want to recall that with the new government the traditional Italian commitment in the Balkans and especially in Albania will not diminish; on the contrary, it will be further increased. Albania, a country which, because of its geographic proximity and the intensity of our relations, has truly come into our hearts. Italy’s cooperation with Albania is destined to continue in new forms, taking into account the historical ties that unite the two countries". Foreign Minister MARTINO on page 2

Economic crisis in Russia (On page 2) Inflation jumps during April (On page 3) Pilgrimage to Mecca (On page 4)

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Economic and Social Consulting 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 cooperating with Italian investors, may contact this agency. Address: TIRANA - Rruga «Islam Alia», Building 72/1, Staircase 2, Apartment 36 (near the intersection of the street where the restaurant «Rugova» is located) - Tel: 042/23501.

that it would be followed by a very special one, and that presented a difficult one with many masks". But Armand Mero