Opposing opinions on the verdict Only three days after its conclusion by the Tirana Court EDMOND LACI TIRANE — “It is natural that we will turn to the Court of Appeal.” Very quickly, while the participants who had listened for 75 minutes to the final sentence of Agim Bendo — the head of the trial panel — and were descending from the third floor of the new Justice building in the capital, the Tirana lawyer had already prepared his answer: “I am convinced that this verdict will not have a long life, since it is blatantly unlawful,” was the lawyer’s first public response, immediately after his client was declared guilty. Meanwhile, the prosecution’s defenders do not put forward reasons to challenge the Tirana Court’s ruling. “There was no major disproportion between our request in the indictment and the Court’s decision,” prosecutor Arben Rroshi tells Gazeta Shqiptare, “so as a Prosecutor’s Office we will not use our legal remedies, such as protest or objection to the decision, at the Court of Appeal.” Thus the socialist leader Fatos Nano ends up once again in the cells of Tirana Prison, but with a charge, transformed into 12 years’ deprivation of liberty. On Sunday at 1:15 p.m., the trial of the year ends with the verdict: “The defendant Fatos Nano is found guilty of the criminal offense of misappropriation of state property through abuse of office, to the benefit of a third person, on a large scale, in the amount of 72,573,000 lekë, as well as the criminal offense of falsifying official documents.” But that is not all regarding deprivation of liberty. The court accepted and noted the penalties for the criminal offenses of misappropriation of state property through abuse of office, to the benefit of a third person, on a large scale, in the amount of 72,573,000 lekë, as well as the criminal offense of falsifying official documents. But that is not all regarding deprivation of liberty. The court accepted and noted the penalties for the criminal offenses of misappropriation of state property through abuse of office, to the benefit of a third person, on a large scale, in the amount of 72,573,000 lekë. Meanwhile Nano’s lawyer is now preparing another defense — in a few days he will once again be before the Court of Appeal. The court decided on the sentence of the defendant Fatos Nano and his brothers, on the basis of article 72,573,000 lekë[?]. The Court, Namik Dokle, chairman of the PS parliamentary group, called it a “political and ordered decision.” Meanwhile, the Tirana prosecutor called the decision “based on the final conclusions of Justice,” both in legal terms and in the severity of the penalties. Civil society followed the first ruling of the Court of Appeal with attention. Only one of the four defendants tried in the so-called data scandal, who stepped down from the dock to head to his prison, Isuf Kalo, was declared guilty; especially, the Court ordered the suspension of the execution of the remainder of the sentence, on the condition that during the one-year probation period, this defendant does not commit a criminal offense as serious as, or even more serious than, the one for which he was convicted. A day after the Court’s verdict, Plaka, as well as his lawyer Meta, had decided whether they would also appeal to the Court of Appeal. Moreover, Plaka was also removed from his post in[?] civil service, after the Court accepted the lawsuit filed by the Prosecutor’s Office. Meanwhile, Gjin and Haloku, who had sought acquittal during the trial, were sentenced respectively — one to five and the other to nine years of deprivation of liberty. The Court’s acceptance of the civil claim for Robert Gjini also ordered him to pay 27,573,000 lekë in full, while Hasan Hallku 144,821 lekë. The file of Gjini will also go to the Court of Appeal, as his lawyer spoke out against the verdict, calling it “unjust and unequal in evidence and law.” Fatos Nano during the court hearing

Justice TIRANE — The law “On the legal profession in the Republic of Albania” has not even lasted two years. Soon Parliament is expected to examine another new law that will undoubtedly introduce important changes in its content and structure. This law will adapt the organization of the legal profession to the new developments in Albania. The proposed changes will affect many aspects of legal practice, which is now regulated by the law approved at the end of 1991. It is envisaged that the profession of lawyer will be organized through a special institution — the highest body will be the National Chamber of Lawyers — which will carry out their professional self-governance. A separate chapter deals with relations between lawyers and their rights in relation to state bodies. According to this draft, lawyers will also have to meet certain conditions in order to practice their profession: they must have at least two years of experience and must also have passed a qualifying exam. The new law also regulates the remuneration of lawyers, which will be agreed with the client while complying with the set tariffs. Ar. Me.

The score is levelled with a goal against Milan Sport Costacurta and Massaro’s joy after Milan’s temporary lead Results of the Albanian championship on page 3 Results of other matches on page 4

POGRADEC — Drilon will become even more beautiful. The Ministry of Tourism has granted its start-up in Pogradec 120 thousand US dollars, to be followed by another 130 thousand dollars. This entire sum of 250 thousand dollars will be used for the reconstruction of Drilon, now regarded by several tourism experts as a priority tourist area. Soon the Pogradec tourism office will announce a competition to select the private construction firm that will carry out the reconstruction of this tourist site. In addition, this office is holding talks with foreign tourist agencies to organize the arrival of foreign tourists in the Pogradec area during the approaching tourist season.

A special page about these traditions INSIDE ON PAGE 2

Plane-tree branches inside a venue Tirana, success of the original idea of artist-owners TIRANE — You can build beautifully without having to damage nature. In fact, in this case, it can be even more original and successful. This is the lesson that comes from one of the most frequented venues in Tirana. Built some time ago at the entrance to Tirana’s main center (opposite the “Shqipëria sot” Exhibition building), the venue has managed to create a sense of wonder among its customers thanks to the original idea of its owners, the Abolli brothers. It rises in the middle of an age-old plane tree, two of whose branches extend into the interior of the venue, creating a special atmosphere. A coexistence has thus been created between its construction — elegant, modern — and nature. The original idea had come to the Abolli brothers some time ago. Now that it has been realized, they are enjoying the first pleasures of this quiet[?] original[?]. The success of the new venue also has another side. The Abolli brothers were until now known as successful circus artists, and artists certainly have the ability to destroy, and when they want to, to build something new. All the more so when nature is involved. p. re. The venue that respects nature

A detective says: “She is alive, she is well, she will return” Is Ilenia Carrisi really in the Dominican Republic? NEW YORK — “Ilenia Carrisi is in the Dominican Republic, in Central America. The news was given by an Italian suspect in Central America. Here some private detectives are carrying forward before me[?] the girl, who disappeared in New York on 6 January, should be searched for somewhere for the moment — they say — they do not consider it reasonable to reveal the locality where she was found, also out of caution toward the Carrisi family. A clear statement came from chief Raniero Rosso, president of the World Association of Detectives. Our informants in a reserve[?] — Rosso said — have the girl’s presence in this place for several days, but every attempt to disclose the investigation has been hindered by the creation of a strong cover[?] by the local police. In any case, it will soon begin. In the meantime, the denial arrived. The Italian ambassador in Santo Domingo, Tommaso de Vergottini, was only aware of the rumors and clarified that for the moment nothing concrete exists. Immediately afterward, Al Bano’s brother, Franco Carrisi, further cooled hopes. “I heard the news from you — he told journalists — and I do not believe it is true: I have many doubts, also because none of us has ever met or known this private investigator.” Ilenia Carrisi, the daughter of Al Bano and Romina

IN POGRADEC A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR THE DISABLED — People with disabilities now also have their own school. In Pogradec, 10 families with disabled children aged 8 to 14 have begun first-grade lessons. Two teachers specialized for this category of children teach in this school. Through special courses, the aim is to rehabilitate these children. FOLKLORE COMPETITION IN GJIROKASTER — It is a showcase competition organized in Gjirokastër for several folk groups from this district. Nearly 100 singers and dancers from the 10 best groups from all the communes of the district competed in one of the cinema venues as part of their folklore. Labe polyphony was, as always, very much appreciated. At the end of the competition, 2 prizes were awarded to the city’s characteristic polyphonic group of Gjirokastër. SHORTAGE FOR DENTAL SERVICE IN KUKES — The staff of the polyclinic of the city of Kukës have handed over all the instruments of the outpatient service and the laboratory. The value of these materials amounts to 50 thousand lekë. This situation has brought the entire urban dental service to a halt, also because of the delay in privatizing dental services. There is now a shortage of such dental services and equipment. IN BURREL THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZERS — An alarm raised by agricultural specialists in the Burrel district. They[?] lack nitrogen fertilizer needed to keep the wheat plant healthy. It is feared that the sown area will be at great risk of decline due to overexploitation. Moreover, taking advantage of rising demand, traders are selling the existing quantity of nitrogen fertilizer at very high prices.

“WALT DISNEY” PRESIDENT DIES IN HELICOPTER INCIDENT — Walt Disney Company president Frank Wells was killed in the incident that occurred in Vancouver while he was traveling, and which fell in eastern Nevada. A FIRE IN A HOTEL IN AMMAN, ONE DEAD — An Italian tourist was burned and ten people were injured in the fire, currently in hospital, after[?] a fall of fire from the fourth floor. The fire, on the first floor of the Int[?] of Orient hotel, left dozens of young people trapped and for hours on its terrace, crowned the first floor. MEETING IN THE KREMLIN BETWEEN YELTSIN AND BOUTROS GHALI — Reports of cooperation between Russia and the United Nations, issues of war in the present world, the situation in the world and the sharpest current topics, with particular emphasis on Bosnia and the Middle East, were at the center of talks that Russian President Boris Yeltsin held in the Kremlin with UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali. CEASEFIRE BETWEEN CROATS AND SERBS IN KRAJINA TAKES EFFECT — At 9 o’clock on Monday the ceasefire between Croatian government troops and the militia of the rebel Serbs of Krajina came into force. The agreement was reached through international mediation with Russian initiative on 30 March. IN GERMANY, 400 VICTIMS DURING THE WALL — There will be around 400 and not just over 200, as had been thought until now, people killed throughout the period of the building and digging[?] of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War, city authorities said yesterday. For thirty years, city residents were continuously killed while trying to escape from East to West. Klaus, the director of the group, assessed the number of deaths at around 400. Previously, the figure had always been spoken of as around 210 victims.