Tomorrow the aid scandal goes before the Court of Appeal “The Nano file has been manipulated” Lawyer for the PS leader goes on the attack Claims that pages were removed from the documents and figures are fictitious EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — “There is manipulated evidence in the Nano file, around 200–300 pages have been removed, there are documents that have not been translated from Italian and, above all, a large part of the 9.4 billion lire — for which the PS chairman is accused — is fictitious.” It is Përparim Sanxhaku, one of Nano’s two lawyers, who, just hours before the appeal hearing — which begins tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. — denounces to Gazeta Shqiptare the “irregularities” in his client’s file. Following his 12-year prison sentence — handed down by the Tirana Court — and Nano’s appeal, lawyer Sanxhaku says that he has, for the first time, managed to examine Fatos Nano’s investigative materials in full. According to him, there is a voluminous file of around 4,000 pages, accompanied by 13 volumes of investigative materials and four further court volumes, one of which contains only the letters, telegrams and various petitions submitted for Fatos Nano’s release. “I am now finally ready to defend Nano’s innocence,” lawyer Sanxhaku assures us. “Although Nano has still not seen the materials in the file against him,” lawyer Sanxhaku tells Gazeta Shqiptare, “he has prepared to speak before the appellate judges. So far he has found 15 pages of material in Albanian, which will be disclosed for the first time only in the courtroom.” It was precisely because they had not been allowed to see the investigative-file materials that Nano and his lawyers, Sanxhaku and Tirana, boycotted the proceedings and the trial panel at the first-instance trial as a protest. Now, in the appeal hearing, the Court of Appeal has made this possible, and the full text of Nano’s famous “anëtsoja” is expected to be disclosed; lawyer Sanxhaku had made it known during an interview with Gazeta Shqiptare. “I prefer to speak only during the proceedings,” lawyer Sanxhaku continues, “but after reading the Nano file in full, I have noticed that evidence has also been manipulated in some places and that there are many other inaccuracies.” The most important point for Sanxhaku — although he is keeping it very closely guarded — remains the “fictitiousness” of the sum of 9.4 billion lire, for which his client was accused and convicted. “There has been manipulation of this figure,” Sanxhaku adds. “It is not real, and I will prove this convincingly at tomorrow’s hearing.” Meanwhile, Sanxhaku has made a series of other allegations concerning “irregularities” found in the investigative materials in the Nano file, some of which he prefers to make public before the hearing begins: “From what I browsed in the file the first time, it appears that around 200–300 pages have been removed,” Sanxhaku says, “while in this same file there are more than 200 pages that have not been translated from Italian — documents important to the case, whose source and the way they were joined to the other materials in this case are unknown.” Once again, lawyer Sanxhaku — as in the first trial — says that a number of decisive documents have not been admitted into evidence; according to him, these “would prove that all the Italian aid granted to Albania and arranged through ‘Levan-Te Co.’ arrived.” Meanwhile, senior PS officials denied reports that Nano would bring photographs or film footage to the appeal hearing with which he would denounce his “one-sided” trial at first instance. In any event, tomorrow it will be the trial panel — chaired by Prel Martini, President of the Court of Appeal — that will decide not only on Sanxhaku’s new claims, but also on the Tirana Court’s ruling, which had declared Fatos Nano guilty and sentenced him to 12 years in prison. Former Prime Minister Nano at the hearing

TIRANA — Thousands of Muslim believers took part in the traditional “Bajram” prayer in the early hours of yesterday morning on the occasion of the Kurban Bajram holiday. The ceremony, held in Tirana’s large Namazgja square, was led by the Chairman of the Albanian Muslim Community, Hafiz Sabri Koçi. The country’s highest authorities subsequently extended their greetings to the entire Muslim community on the occasion of this important holiday, which also brings this year’s cycle of religious celebrations for Muslims to a close. A special greeting was sent on behalf of President Berisha. An hour after the major prayer, thousands of clerics across the country sacrificed animals in honour of the holiday. This year, many Arab Islamic associations operating in the country made a substantial contribution to the purchase of livestock. According to Islamic tradition, the sacrificial offering is divided into three parts: one is kept by the person making the sacrifice, another is given to their relatives, and the third is given to a poor family. According to Muslim moral teaching, this is done so that all believers, without exception, may benefit from this festive day. (fa.bax)

The Security Council addresses the Government Every night, 60 clandestine motorboats set out from Montenegro The Security Council addresses the Government “Albania must prevent Montenegrin smuggling” Every night, 60 clandestine motorboats set out from Montenegro TIRANA — The Security Council is now also concerned about smuggling carried out near Albanian territory. A special body of the Council has asked the Albanian government to take further measures to prevent the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons and cigarettes “in the territories under its jurisdiction”. The concern was conveyed to Albania in a letter from Ronald Mota Sardenberg, Chairman of the Security Council Committee for the Implementation of the Embargo against the former Yugoslavia, to Pëllumb Kulla, Albania’s permanent representative to the United Nations. Sardenberg cites information gathered by the Albanian Financial Police itself. “According to information from your financial experts,” Sardenberg writes, “more than 60 motorboats leave Montenegro every night, each loaded with 300 packs of cigarettes as well as other materials, including drugs and weapons.” Now, according to Sardenberg, it is the Albanian Government that must take measures to stop this illegal activity. But the latest letter to arrive from the “Glass Palace” and the UN raises many questions that have left many people perplexed. First of all, it is not clear what direction the 60 smugglers’ boats from Montenegro take each night. And secondly, it is even less clear what responsibility the Albanian government bears for an activity that does not originate from its territory. The lack of clarity in this letter has led some people to go even further, to the point of thinking that this may be a case of the letter having been addressed incorrectly. But perhaps the Committee is insisting specifically on smuggling that passes through Albanian territory; if so, the Albanian authorities certainly have a great deal of work to do. Fatos Baxhaku 724 (1991) concerning Yugoslavia, I wish to inform you that the Committee has recently received from the Director of the Sanctions Assistance Mission's Communications Centre at SEETELJ...(document in English, partly illegible): ... the amount of ... included in the resolution. The report provides information that ... Financial Police of Albania ... 60 fast boats ... [The text of the English-language document is partly illegible in the photograph.]

SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT IN SARANDA — One dead and 8 other people injured SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT IN SARANDA — One dead and 8 other people seriously injured; this is the toll of a serious car accident that occurred at the entrance to the city of Saranda. This time too, as Saranda traffic experts confirm, the accident occurred as a result of traffic violations. Following a collision between a car and a van — both bearing Saranda license plates — 47-year-old Sokrat Xhaferri died. TEPELENË, A FOUNDATION FUNDS INFRASTRUCTURE IN VILLAGES — Four villages in Tepelenë are expected soon to be connected to one another by roads. Following funding from the Foundation for Rural Development, the first 3 kilometres of this 12-kilometre road have just been completed; its projected costs reached 3.5 million lekë. The initiative has also provided employment for 200 workers. NEW ALBANIAN-CANADIAN COOPERATION IN THE OIL ENERGY SECTOR — Two senior Canadian officials in the field of oil extraction visited Albania. Don Vilson, Director for Europe at Alberta’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and Konrad Ajaz, Director of the Petroleum Research Institute, also in Alberta, promised concrete material assistance during meetings with Albanian officials from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy and undertook to provide specialist training for Albanian personnel in the oil sector.

A 54-year-old man

The Committee for the Defense of Autocephaly protests

A 54-year-old man ELBASAN — Perhaps only the courageous intervention of 54-year-old Bashkim Arapi saved three families in the city of Elbasan from a terrible tragedy, when their children were caught in the terror of the flames on the morning of May 18. Three fuel drums that exploded inside a resident’s garage engulfed Rodena Agolli, 12, Armand Radi, 9, and Sonila Borova, 13, in flames as they were on their way to school. The children and their rescuer, Bashkim Arapi—all in serious condition—were urgently transported by helicopter to the Burns Clinic in the capital. (p.re)

The Committee for the Protection of Autocephaly protests Removal of Janullatos demanded He did not appoint an Albanian bishop TIRANA — Controversy has erupted once again between the “Committee for the Protection of the Autocephaly of the Albanian Orthodox Church” and Orthodox Archbishop Janullatos. During a meeting of this Committee, it was once again demanded that Janullatos leave his position as head of the Albanian Orthodox Church. The cause of the renewed controversy was the Archbishop’s response to the proposal to appoint Nikolla Markos as Bishop of Elbasan. “It is still too early for this appointment,” Janullatos had replied. This stirred up passions, and the “Committee for the Protection of Autocephaly” once again demanded his departure. Similar cases had been observed before. Immediately after the celebration of Orthodox Easter, this committee had called for Janullatos’s departure, considering him an instrument of Greater Greek politics in Albania. Janullatos himself has often stated that he regards his activity in Albania as temporary and that he will leave as soon as a senior Albanian cleric meets the requirements to take the head of the Orthodox Church. (p.re) Janullatos, Archbishop of the Albanian Orthodox Church

Albania’s first photograph at risk SHKODËR — An invaluable cultural treasure is at risk of being damaged. The 1-1 negatives of the first Albanian photograph — a portrait of Hamza Kazazi from 1858, taken by the photographer Pjetër Marubi — have been put at risk by prolonged mold and failure to observe the technical conditions for preservation. The issue of ownership of the renowned “Marubi” photo archive has been before the court for some time. Relatives of the well-known photographers have asked for this heritage to be returned to where it was created, in Shkodër — a city institution — and kept in offices with [unclear wording], thus making the risk of damage to the oldest negatives more evident; most of them are on glass plates, also including photographs.

From Apulia “Albanians and seasonal work in Italy” TIRANA — “Albanians can come to Apulia and work seasonally,” Giuseppe Martellotta, President of this region of Italy, told Gazeta Shqiptare during his official visit to Albania. This was also one of the points in the protocol agreement that the Italian representatives signed with the Albanian government. The protocol also contained a number of joint programs and projects in various economic and social fields. Martellotta — who also expressed political support for Albania — answered clearly the question put to him [unclear wording] by President Berisha himself. A reception that he described as “truly pleasant.”

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