Calls abroad are even more expensive New prices come into force Calls abroad are even more expensive Telephone rates set a record New prices come into force Some of the rates that came into force on 1 April - Local calls for family subscribers: 0 - 200 impulses 0.8 lek 201 - 500 impulses 3.45 501 - 1,000 impulses 5.75 above 1,000 impulses 8.05 For other subscribers 8.05 - Long-distance calls Zone I (within 25 km) 5.6 lek Zone II (25 - 50 km) 9.4 Zone III (50 - 100 km) 15.0 Zone IV (over 100 km) 20.7 - Automatic international calls: with neighboring countries 50 lek/min Other European countries 110 Countries outside Europe 173 TIRANË — Telephone service prices have once again risen. At the offices of Albanian “Telekomi”, the new tariffs started to be applied on 1 April. All categories of services have increased, including local, long-distance and international telephone calls, whether made from family telephones, state institutions or private firms. Thus, users of 22,000 family telephones, 17,000 company telephones and 9,000 state-owned devices throughout Albania will have to calculate carefully before dialing. The first 200 impulses will no longer cost 0.5 lek for family users and 2.5 lek for other subscribers, as was the tariff until a few days ago, but 0.8 and 8.5 lek respectively. For family telephones there is now also a new scale: from 200 to 500 impulses, 3.45 lek will be paid, and from 500 to 1,000 impulses, 5.75 lek. In cases where the impulses are exceeded, the price is 8.05 lek. Long-distance call tariffs have also increased. As before, prices are determined by subscribers’ distance in kilometres. For calls within towns and within a distance of 25 kilometres, the price for one minute is 5.6 lek; then, in order, for 50 kilometres 9.4, for 100 kilometres 15, and over 100 kilometres 20.7 lek. International calls will also cost more. Automatic connections with neighboring countries will cost 81 lek per minute, with other European countries 115 and with countries outside Europe 230. The latest increase, following the one based on the achievements of recent months, is, according to specialists, due to the rise in the company’s expenses. The latest increase in electricity prices has certainly been one of the factors that has had the greatest impact. One of the points considered at “Telekomi” states in fact that the billing of tariffs with a progressive increase, as financing and other services, is done periodically within set time periods. A duty that makes one think the latest increase in telephone tariffs will not be the last and that making phone calls will keep becoming more expensive. (Jb. ba.)

Denunciation by the State Control Commission Current leaders: “These facts do not concern us” Denunciation by the State Control Commission Storm at the Chamber of Commerce: suspicion over 150,000 dollars Current leaders: “These facts do not concern us” TIRANË — Serious accusations against the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. An inspection carried out by the State Commission alleges monetary embezzlement committed by this institution during the course of its activity. According to this inspection, very large sums amounting to several million lek were not paid into the state budget and were used and collected unlawfully by the Chamber of Commerce itself. The findings of the State Commission’s inspection denounce a gain at the expense of the state of about 15 million lek. This sum — according to the same source — was obtained through the use of state property. Thus the Chamber of Commerce, as a private entity, although it has not fully settled payment for the state assets it uses, has collected income from their use. Mainly these revenues — amounting to about 34 million lek not paid to the state — were generated from the registration of trade and industrial trademarks, an activity which, according to the conclusions, should be carried out by the Ministry of Trade. For its part, this Ministry had left this in the hands of the Chamber of Commerce — before it became a private entity — which at the end of the year was supposed to transfer the revenues in favour of the state. According to the State Control, the Chamber of Commerce also made profits — amounting to nearly 250,000 lek — from the activities it organizes today. Part of the area of this exhibition was also left to the nearby administration, and the revenues obtained from exploiting these facilities were denounced in favor of the state. All these phenomena were observed after the Chamber of Commerce changed its status from a state institution into a private entity. This very transition is considered by the State Control to be an unlawful act, a characterization that the current Chamber of Commerce authorities reject: “Our registration as a private entity, as Blendi Vathi, the Chamber’s lawyer, told Gazeta Shqiptare, was ordered by the Court, since it is for the Court to determine whether this is lawful or not.” The current representatives of the Chamber of Commerce also reject the other conclusions of the State Control by citing two facts: they themselves took over the management of this institution after August 1993 and therefore do not have to answer for actions carried out before them. “In this inspection,” says Zeni Hoxha, Chairman of the Chamber, to Gazeta Shqiptare, “the activities of the previous leaders must be separated from those of the present ones.” Meanwhile, the State Control also speaks of irregularities in the system of employee bonuses and the various per diems applied by this institution. According to it, the levels used were set for gain. The Chamber of Commerce once again objects: “If we compare them with state per diems, they do not differ much.” Ar.Me. An.St. Headquarters of the Control Commission

A KINDERGARTEN BURNS IN GJIROKASTER — In the “1 Shtatori” neighbourhood, the well-known kindergarten in the “Manalat” area of Gjirokastër alarmed the city. Only after the rapid intervention of the firefighters, alerted by a passer-by, was it possible to prevent the complete destruction of the kindergarten building. Fortunately, at that hour of the night the building was unoccupied. No further details are yet known about the causes of the fire. ACTIVITY IN SHKODËR IN HONOUR OF DRAGAMI — The 50th birthday of the former distinguished footballer of “Vllaznia” and the National Team, Ramazan Rragami, was celebrated publicly. The initiative for the event came from the association of veteran footballers from Shkodër. At the event, accompanied by artistic performances, colleagues of the famous footballer and coach spoke about Rragami’s successes in his sporting career. UNUSED FUNDS IN KRESHEN — Due to a lack of administrative bodies, a large part of the funds allocated by the government for the implementation of many projects in this district has remained unused in the Mirditë district. Of the fund of 20 million lek, only 1 lek has been used for the construction of the bridge in Rubik. The other funds allocated for the motorway/road works have also not been fully used. A DELEGATION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN TIRANË — A special delegation of the Council of Europe has arrived in Tiranë. The delegation includes representatives appointed by the government who are responsible for the development of state activities and for preparation for Albania’s membership in the Council of Europe.

VLORE — Investigations, but also arrests in Vlorë for arms smuggling. Nevertheless — because of the great secrecy of the investigative bodies — neither the activity nor the quantity of the weapons contraband is still confirmed, although it is suspected that the citizen from the Fier district, Ladi Azizi, arrested in the first days of April, had been involved; now, for the 25-year-old Azizi, a criminal case has also been opened for weapons trafficking to Vlorë. While the above-mentioned case is still under investigation, another case of arms smuggling has recently emerged in Albania. Such an investigation had started last year and was led by the Prosecution of the Tirana district. (p.re.)

ELBASAN / Surprise in Court ELBASAN — The four police officers, who had been on trial in the Elbasan Court for almost a month, are returned to the cells of the prison. Although the defenders for the prosecution had requested 12 years and 8 months of imprisonment for them — for mistreatment in service of the 35-year-old police officer, also accusing them of his death — the court panel, by majority vote, despite also having the president Dhomo, decided that the file be returned again to the prosecution body for further investigation. During the hearing itself, new evidence had been presented, with a request to be fully examined by forensic experts and even to inspect the scene. According to the court panel, the four police officers should not be tried for “abuse of office”, but for the criminal offence of “killing a person”. Thus, the most sensational trial of the Elbasan Court remains unresolved, although the investigators must return once again to this file. The घटना had happened a few months earlier when the police officers Rodhe, Shapi, Meholla and Cërriku — in an attempt to defuse a quarrel in a bar — clashed with several young men, among them the victim. According to the indictment brought by the Prosecution, the three young men had been taken to the police station, where — after beatings by the police officers — two remained injured. As for the 35-year-old Hakiu Ceveli, he died after being taken to hospital. Meanwhile, the first expert report had claimed that Ceveli’s death had also been influenced by some illnesses he had suffered from for a long time. In any case, this battle will continue to remain in the hands of the investigators, just as it has remained, unceasingly, in prison. Mentor Kikia

TIRANË — Easier for all foreign citizens of Albanian ethnicity to enter Albanian territory. This is also provided for in the draft decision approved by the Government at its Tuesday meeting. The intended change aims to unify the practice for obtaining entry visas for persons of Albanian ethnicity and to ease the formalities for their entry into the Republic of Albania. The opening of Albania’s borders to the world, as well as the recent process in the Balkans, had significantly increased the flow of requests from citizens of Albanian ethnicity. The latest facilities come after the complete change made in Albania to the visa and passport system. (p.re.)

Identified and detained after the oak damage He “imitated” the Forestry Police Identified and detained after the oak damage Green... fraud He “imitated” the Forestry Police EDMOND LAÇI ERSEKE — Another habitual swindler, and once again with the hobby of impersonating “police officers”. But this time the scene was in the forest. “Mjedhja” — like some colleagues — was discovered by the local guards, to whom he said he belonged to the Forestry Police. Such a “professor” had been moving around Ersekë, frequently issuing orders and taking measures and complaints against forest citizens, asking residents to meet him at least outside [?]. The investigation showed that the detained person had acted by presenting himself as belonging to this forest service. He was found carrying an identity card with the name of a policeman and with stamps as a sign. By order of the Prosecutor’s Office of Korçë district, the person was sent for the offence of fraud and for damaging forests. (p.re.)

Italy, Berlusconi quarrels with Bossi Split among the election winners ON PAGE 2 Albania, land of investments? Industry is attracting more ON PAGE 3

Minister Kinkel TIRANË — And Kinkel too, at telephone number 24020. I AM RENTING a shop with an area of 72 square metres in the former Industrial Mapo, “Rruga e Dibrës” 0800 [?]. (Next to Café “Viena”). Interested parties may contact telephone number 23906 from 13:00 to 20:00. The price is reasonable. FOR SALE — 50 hybrid qylly, qylip and English, mind

Do you have something to sell? Do you need something to buy? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU NEED SOMETHING TO BUY? This space is free for your economic notices. Send your message no longer than 15 words to our address. In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. In the message state what you are looking for and offering, your name and address. I AM RENTING a three-room apartment and a kitchen (on the second floor), in Ballkon, near ndesh ndihma). The house is on the fourth floor in an officers’ building in Tiranë (near the Lodorave të lëmive). Interested parties should contact telephone number 24020. I AM RENTING a shop with an area of 72 square metres in the former Industrial Mapo, “Rruga e Dibrës” 0800 [?]. (Next to Café “Viena”). Interested parties may contact telephone number 23906 from 13:00 to 20:00. The price is reasonable. FOR SALE — color TV 14,000 square metres. Interested parties should go to this address: Rruga “Durrësit” No. 30 on the road (next to the industry). In a house, at the former Party School, opposite the University. Interested parties [?]. I AM RENTING — an apartment with one room and a kitchen in Tiranë. The house is also equipped with a telephone. Interested parties should call the contact: Daud Doda, Lagja Nr. 500, Rruga “Asim Vokshi”, Building 33, Entrance 3, Apartment 13, telephone number 00 355 42 4230. FOR SALE — two houses with a plot of 10,000 square metres. Interested parties should go to this address: Rruga “Durrësit” No. 30 on the road (next to the industry). In a house, at the former Party School, opposite the University. I AM RENTING — an apartment with one room and a kitchen in Tiranë. The house is also equipped with a television and telephone, on the second floor in the city centre in “Vlorës”. Interested parties should call the number 2208. FOR SALE — a fully washing machine, price 6,000 dollars. It is an E-6 model, professional. Interested parties should call Nuro at no. 0039 68557892 (after 10 p.m.). I AM RENTING — premises for a shop or warehouse with these dimensions: width 3.7 metres, height 4.2 metres and 3.4 metres. The premises have three spaces, include a basement with about 9 cubic metres of volume and are located on Rruga “Hoxha Tasim” near Sheshi “Avni Rustemi” (Building R1). Further information may be obtained by calling 26259 from 7:00 to 10:00 and 14:00 to 16:00. I AM RENTING — a 67-square-metre house with three rooms and a kitchen (living room, kitchen) in the centre, furnished and equipped, and bedroom). Address: Rruga “Thanas Ziko” No. 940. Drane. Telephone number 2620 from 13:00 until 18:00.