TRIAL The trial begins in Tirana of the former minister accused of abuse of office, concerning relations with "Iliria Holding" "Favored Sejdia" Farudin Hoxha enters the courtroom Hajdin Sejdia's "hole" in Tirana EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — The name of the president of the firm "Iliria Holding" S.A., Hajdin Sejdia, returns once again to the courtroom. This time the case concerns the accused Farudin Hoxha, Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and Minister attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, at the beginning of '91. On Monday morning — after months in Tirana Prison and then under house arrest — Hoxha appeared at the Tirana Court on the charge of "abuse of office," which refers to the contracts he signed in connection with the activity of the three joint-stock companies in "Iliria Holding" S.A. in Albania. The investigations into Farudin Hoxha were initially carried out together with the file of the painful scandal, perhaps also because "Iliria Holding" S.A. would later turn into a vehicle for share assistance in Albania. In any case, the separation of his criminal case also coincided with the change in the security measure, which allowed the transfer from Tirana Prison to house arrest. For the first time publicly, Hoxha had been accused by Blerim Çela, Chairman of the State Control Service, during a report presented to the People's Assembly "On the activity of the firm "Iliria Holding" S.A. and the emergency aid of the Italian Government for the Albanian people delivered by the firm "Levante Co" Bari, March-July 1991". The character TIRANA — Hajdin Sejdia will be remembered in Albania even if people still openly waited for a spring in the middle of Tirana — it will close very soon. He went through a short crisis period in Albania — from September '90 to August '92 — however, his name still awakens in many Albanians the feeling of someone who has been deceived for the first time. Meanwhile the real person — former Jllud Sejdia — is in Zürich and reliable sources confirm his life outside the bars of prison. In Albania he had left a sackful of debts from usury, transfers and Albanian youth, but also dozens of passionate investments, as well as health centers from the Government of Albania. Those who had worked with him remember him as a good religious man, who did not drink alcohol and who lived in one of the luxurious villas of the former leaders of the regime. Others — who have seen him only from afar — naturally remember only his gray "Rolls Royce", the first and last one that had entered Albania. For the first time Ajdin Sejdia landed at Rinas — at least officially — on 11 September 1990. He who had left — Farudin Hoxha — later appeared before the Tirana Court for "abuse of office." Registered on 15.1.1988 under a joint-stock company name, "Queen Holding" S.A., by a lawyer from Switzerland, two weeks later — 19 September 1991 — the firm was transformed into "Iliria Holding" and Hajdin Sejdia became executive president with signing rights. Exactly five days later, Sejdia also signed the first agreement in Albania — "For allowing the exercise of activity in the RPSSH, of the branch of the firm "Iliria Holding" S.A." — in which he appears as president of this firm. But Hajdin Sejdia was also the first person who "snatched" a monopoly from the Albanian State, whose Constitution at that time did not allow many of the activities he was carrying out, such as: the sale of minerals, conducting transactions, transferring goods, as well as selling consumer goods in foreign currency. Sejdia thus became the first foreign citizen to be extradited from Albania, wanted by another state. (Ed. La.)

TIRANA — "Cooperation with the IMF has been successful and has made it possible to create a balance between social measures and factors supporting economic growth, as well as macroeconomic stabilization." This is how Prime Minister Meksi summarized the IMF's contribution at the end of the first session of the seminar that the Institute of this international organization is holding in Tirana with members of the Government, members of Parliament and economic experts. In his opening remarks at the seminar — which addresses issues of procedures for drawing up the financial and macroeconomic program — Meksi presented two main future objectives for the reform: further reduction of the budget deficit, inflation and monetary control. Alongside these, attention will be devoted to deepening institutional reform by creating mechanisms and institutions that encourage the development of the market economy. During the achievement of these objectives — the Prime Minister further emphasized — the Government will also bear in mind the reduction in the number of unemployed, especially in urban areas — improving the assistance and welfare system, improving the state administration and in particular its relations with the public, giving importance to transparency, preventing corruption and breaking the ossified mindset. (p.r.)

Spring "steals" summer Private beach at Golem The heat breaks out TIRANA — The outbreak of heat — although it arrived a little late — has made the beach season for this year fully ripe. These days, full of drought and long spells without rain, have been stormed by thousands of people seeking to escape the scorching rays of a sun that is warming more than it should at this time. Dozens of umbrellas and tents have been set up not only along the shores of the seas but also on the banks of lakes, even in Fierza. But while the heat — which, as the table above shows, has reached maximum and unprecedented levels for years — continues to push everyone toward the beaches, the latter do not seem at all welcoming. Dirt and widespread pollution seem to have become the masters of these places. And as if all this were not enough, another phenomenon has been added to our beaches: they have turned into a real motoring arena. Cars and motorcycles of various kinds — although racing one another — drive along the coast at high speed, endangering the lives of all those who have gone there to rest. Strangely, while in the cities — rightly — the traffic police are present at every intersection or main road, on beaches and in such public places they are never found. (p. re.) Cities Maximum temperature on 23 May Average level in May over the last 21 years Tiranë 33°C 19°C Durrës 32°C 19°C Gjirokastër 32°C 17°C Peshkopi 31°C 15°C Vlorë 30°C 19°C Korçë 30°C 15°C Shkodër 29°C 19°C Meteorologist TIRANA — The heat wave that had gripped Albania in recent days has now passed. It appeared unusually and had caused temperatures to rise above normal for this period and thus the average temperature for three consecutive days had reached 29-31 degrees Celsius. According to meteorological specialists, these levels belong to the period of July and August. According to them, this heat wave was created as a result of a very warm air mass coming from the countries of Central Africa and later affecting part of Albania as well. But fortunately, like everything premature, this heat is passing quickly. Another air mass has entered our region, bringing a cooling of the weather. 'This will be accompanied by a drop in temperatures' — explained to Gazeta Shqiptare at the Meteorological Center in Tirana — 'the current arriving originates from the west and contains cool air masses.' Forecasts suggest that this mass, which will cover all of Albania, will also be accompanied by clouds and various precipitation.

AGREEMENT IN DELVINË WITH AN AMERICAN AIR COMPANY — An agreement has been signed in Delvinë between the Delvinë District Council and a humanitarian flying company from the USA. According to Mr. S[?], who told the press journalists, the Chairman of the District Council, Vasili B[?], the main objective of the agreement signed with "MAF" — this is the name of the "flying" company — is the connection with the capital mainly for humanitarian purposes, in cases of serious accidents and unforeseen illnesses, as well as for sending aid to the villages of this district. Meanwhile, work is under way to expand the center in Delvinë, in Vrinë. It will be ready to receive the first flights at the beginning of next month. ACTIVITIES IN POGRADEC FOR INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY — Celebrations for the traditional children's day have increased in Pogradec. Recently, a celebration was organized with small children by pupils from the city's four schools. About 20 songs and compositions, mainly from Pogradec, competed in this festival. At the end of the activity, the prizes for the performance of "Song for Mother," performed by the young singer Erida Has[?]. KORÇE, AN ENTIRE VILLAGE DOES NOT PAY ELECTRICITY — Another debate has arisen over non-payment of electricity. The whole village in the Korçë district, Mborjë, has never paid the Electricity Enterprise. Those in charge of the overdue debts created by consumers of [??] consider payment of electricity for the third three months of the year unnecessary, but no final decision has yet been taken by the Korçë Electric Enterprise.

— The study for improving the supply of drinking water to the city of Durrës has been completed. Ten foreign experts from two foreign firms — Italian and Austrian — in cooperation with Albanian specialists in this field have defined the technical measures that need to be taken to fill one of the gaps that has become increasingly evident. Drinking water had become scarce in many cities of the country — one of the biggest concerns for the population and local authorities. The project, aimed at significantly improving the inflow of drinking water into the city's pipelines, became possible thanks to special funding from the EBRD.

Elbasan, specialists' alarm About 60 kilometers of line are awaiting repair Elbasan, specialists' alarm Railway at risk from rotten rails About 60 kilometers of line are awaiting repair ELBASAN — The major financial difficulties for the railway maintenance sector have resulted in railways left to the mercy of fate and almost completely worn out, putting at risk what is nearly a neglected enterprise. For almost 5 years no repairs have been carried out on the Mirakë-Pogradec line segment, while the average age of the wooden sleepers laid there — according to specialists — exceeds 1015 years. "No technical parameter is guaranteed," explains to Gazeta Shqiptare Kostandin Qoja, engineer at the Railway Directorate. "Usable and everyday rail links on this line have not been sought." Under these conditions, train circulation has been possible only by reducing speed from 55 to 25 kilometers per hour. If funds are not secured for repairing the line — says engineer Gjini, director of the Railway Directorate in Elbasan, for "Gazeta" — by the end of the year, we are forced to suspend all kinds of rail transport. (e. m.)

CURSIVE REALITY LUSHNJE — The commemoration of the death — tragically 30 years ago — of Roza Haxhiu, the famous footballer of Lushnja and Partizani, ends in yet another tragedy. But while Haxhiu's former teammates — at a commemorative gathering held on Sunday in Lushnjë — recall moments from his departure on the field in years past, Albanian football remembers a new victim. Namely K[?]çi Krajka, 1, a man associated with Vllaznia, Partizani and the National Team — although he had taken part at the beginning of the [??] — left the podium and a few minutes later died in hospital after a heart attack. The history of 60-year-old Krajka, the great striker with number seven, is full of successes, even unmatched for Albanian football. Twice champion of Albania — in the lap[?]a that [??] — left in place of this memory the silver of the unforgettable Cup of Krajë for a special double. Kim[?] with two sacred trophies — team and Haxhiu from the year and of Albanian football of the [??] 60s. (c. l.)

Decision of the Albetrol Corporation KUÇOVË — The oil processing plant in Kuçovë has been closed and, in the process, parts of it will be offered [??] if possible. The decision was taken by the board of directors of the most powerful oil enterprise in Albania. (Albetrol). The Oil Processing Plant was until a few years ago one of the most important industrial centers in Kuçovë. The majority of the active population of this city worked here and in the Kalanik[?] Oil area. Now its activity can no longer continue. According to members of Albetrol's board of directors, the plant has become an unprofitable installation with low processing parameters. All the oil extracted from the wells in this area will be transported to Ballsh, where it will be processed in the complex of that city. The machinery and parts of the Oil Plant will be dismantled. These processes will be handled by a work group appointed by Albetrol. But only a very small part will be able to be sold. The rest will ultimately be used and transferred to the Metallurgical Combine in Elbasan. Some time ago, the Agency for Enterprise Restructuring had decided to close two of the country's best-known factories: the Nickel-Cobalt Plant and the Soda Factory of Ka[?]nuar. (p.r.)

Victory of the Christian Democrats Our nerves: how to control them Tests for neurological centers IN THE INTERIOR Herzog, the first president of reunified Germany Victory of the Christian Democrats ON PAGE 2 Our nerves: how to control them Tests for neurological centers ON PAGE 3