TERRORISM After the Greek massacre at the border barracks and the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats, the Prime Minister Papandreou’s son, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, speaks... From Athens the first statements “Maybe it was one of our own soldiers” Let diplomacy triumph FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANE — The shocking impression of the massacre of 4(?) innocent soldiers in the Peshkopia barracks and the immediate and unexplained expulsion of two Albanian diplomats from Athens has still not faded. Relations between the two countries have entered the most difficult days since they were re-established. But in the end, from Athens comes a first unexpected statement about the Greek nationalist incident in Sunday’s attack. It is Georgios Papandreou himself, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and son of Prime Minister Papandreou, who has expressed his opinion. Immediately ruling out the responsibility of the Greek government, Papandreou told the accredited foreign press in Athens: “It is true that there are extremist elements in the issue of Northern Epirus and no kind of hypothesis can be ruled out, even that of the individual participation of some Greek soldier in this act.” Papandreou’s statement departs from that of the official Greek spokesman, Venizelos, who had earlier been very blunt and insistent in implicating Tirana — and who proposed joint investigations with Albanian specialists, “if this is necessary,” in order to shed light on the real causes of the tragic event that led to the worsening of relations between the two states. Today is the deadline for the departure of the Greek Consul General in Gjirokastër, Christos Iacovou. As a countermeasure, the Greek government has declared the First Secretary of the Albanian Embassy in Tirana, Kastriot Rrobo, a person unwanted. Tirana’s decision to expel the Greek consul in Gjirokastër was communicated to the Greek ambassador in Tirana on Tuesday. Iacovou must leave Gjirokastër today because — according to Tirana’s note — he carried out actions incompatible with his diplomatic status. From Gjirokastër come contradictory claims. Many citizens testify that on Tuesday the consulate, which normally carries out visa-issuing activities, was closed. On the other hand comes the response of the Greek diplomats, on the basis of reciprocity. “No other reason was presented by the Greek side,” one of the Albanian diplomats remaining in Athens told Gazeta Shqiptare. From the same source it is learned that the situation in the Albanian mission is calm. Apart from the very large number of requests we have had from the local and foreign press to speak about Sunday’s event, the situation at the embassy is normal.” The harsh reaction of all political forces and Albanian authorities has softened. In a declaration unanimously approved by deputies from all parliamentary parties as well as the chairmen of the local councils, the act is blamed as a serious terrorist act. Foreign Minister Serreqi has asked the Security Council to reconsider Greece in the list of countries that practice state terrorism. The Albanian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg has informed all delegations of Albania’s position regarding the situation created on its southern borders. On the other hand, President Berisha once again reconfirmed Albanian policy toward the Greek minority. He stated that the serious terrorist act would not shake the Albanian government’s stance in guaranteeing full minority rights for Greeks living on Albanian territory. (p.r.) A view of Gjirokastër

During '93 there were over 6,000 fewer weddings than in '90 The number of registered marriages drops sharply TIRANË — Even in Albania, marriage is becoming a passé phenomenon. The number of married couples keeps falling. Apparently, Albanians are also giving up the desire to make formal bonds in life. While until the end of the 1980s statistics spoke of an increase in the number of marriages celebrated at civil registry offices, the current figures are lower, and from year to year they are fewer. This new family trend may also have been negatively influenced by the bitter marital experience of couples who, in ever-growing numbers, are divorcing. The year 1990 marks the peak of marriages in Albania, when the figure came very close to 30,000 cases. It remains the happiest year for Albanians, who in the following months seem to have changed their minds about married life and began to frequent civil registry offices less and less. In 1992, according to data from the Institute of Statistics, only 26,405 couples appeared before the employees of these offices to swear eternal fidelity to one another. That number fell even further in 1993, during which a little over 24,000 marriages were registered throughout Albania. The residents of the capital rank first in the whole country in terms of the number of marriages, continuing to make up almost one tenth of the total. And unlike the general trend, Tirana has maintained its level; indeed, in 1992 the number of marriages rose significantly, to 3,392 cases. However, this is a situation created mainly as a result of the larger number of arrivals from other districts. The city of Rrëshen ranks second; unlike the capital, it has shown a decline. Thus, if the marriages celebrated in 1990 were over 2,600, in 1992 this number fell to 2,500 and then declined even further in 1993. The people of Gramsh are the ones who marry least often. Always at the bottom of the list, they proved it once again in 1992, when marriages fell by almost half compared with 1990. But the time of year also matters for marriage. For Albanians, the beginning of autumn — late September and the month of October — seem to be the most favored moments to make this important life decision. In addition to the increasingly fewer ceremonies, the number of marriages is also reduced by divorces, which in Albania are rising. According to statistical data, they account for 1 case in every 9 marriages concluded. Armand Mero

New ordinance from the Municipality SHKODER — "Stop damage to the cemeteries." This is an ordinance recently issued by the Municipality of Shkodër, which asks believers of the three different faiths to comply with its provisions. Thus, the hope that citizens will build and plant at the cemeteries, after this ordinance, will remain very faint. Municipality of Shkodër, dated 8 April 1994. This short ordinance, also with very strict rules, states that no one may work — as has been the case until now — without first having a license from the authorized enterprise for the administration of the city cemeteries. It also prohibits the opening or transfer of graves without prior order and approval from the Municipality. But the most important thing is that this ordinance — signed by Pjll(?) Guraziu, Mayor of the city — provides for immediate legal interruptions, which will be handled by the competent authorities. Meanwhile, burial in these cemeteries is granted only to families from the city of Shkodër and the surrounding commune. The final steps to bring brilliance and a final initiative, which will be carried out in three years — with months of cemeteries — in order to finally bring them back to the original state of two or three years ago.

Two articles on property are being used The new owners are speeding up co-ownership TIRANE — The new owners win. In the end the Constitutional Court has ruled to definitively repeal two articles of the Law on Compensation of Property and Former Owners, approved in April '93 by the Albanian Parliament. This makes it possible for the new owners, together with their 20,000 dismissed workers, to escape the co-ownership imposed — according to them — with the old owners, to which Parliament Articles 121 and 17. Drafted perhaps to balance the interests between old and new owners, the law immediately won the hostility of both sides at once. On one side stood the Association of Free Private Owners — which defended the category of private individuals who had bought plots and premises after 1991 — and on the other, the old owners, those who were in fact the lawful owners of these premises, but who had been forcibly taken from them by the communist regime. Although now the Constitutional Court — by repealing these two articles — gives the right to the new owners, the situation remains mysterious. In the same Court, the association "Pronaësi me Drejtësi" has long since filed its complaint concerning the Property Law, as well as the Land Law. (Ed. La)

Tiranë TIRANE — A 67-year-old monster is sent to prison. On Monday — after a successful operation — Tirana’s law-and-order authorities had detained an elderly man who then raped a 13-year-old boy from Shkodër on a train, committing sexual violence against him. According to still cautious confirmations, the forensic doctors’ expertise had confirmed the previous day the assault committed against the boy. In any case, the prosecution is now expected to clarify the charges, having immediately also begun the criminal case. (el)

Two hundred contracts between Italy and Albania The activity of BISH is presented ON PAGE 2 Electricity prices rise fivefold According to specialists, production costs must be covered ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SELL? DO YOU NEED ANYTHING TO BUY? This space is free for your classifieds. Send your message, no longer than 15 words, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. CALL FOR... seeks and offers, your name and address. WE ARE LOOKING FOR RENT — a plot of land with an area of 1,000 square meters, located near the main road. Interested parties should call 27662 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. FOR RENT — a house on Rruga "Tefta Tashko" number 98 near Bulevardi "Zhan D'Ark", close to the "Ismail Qemali" school in Tirana, with empty rooms and a large yard. Contact phone number 24120. FOR RENT — a 1+1 apartment near the 8-year school "Ali Demi" near the school "Kushtrimi i Lirisë". Interested parties should call 25056 or go to Rruga "Mine Peza", Building 23, Apartment 14 in Tirana. FOR RENT — a two-story house with a yard, four rooms and a kitchen, bathroom, balcony, veranda, with telephone. For sale. Located on Rruga e "Elbasanit". Contact phone numbers 22711 or 23373. FOR RENT — a 1+1 apartment near the school "Sami Frashëri". Interested parties should call 24120. FOR RENT — a furnished apartment with 3 rooms on Rruga e Kavajës at Kasat. Interested parties should contact in the evening hours.

FROM ALBANIA IMMUNITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT ASSOCIATIONS — An agreement is signed in Tirana between the Albanian Government and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. According to this agreement — said Alfred Shkreli, Minister of Health, it establishes the relationship, which is in line with international and legal rules for carrying out the activities of this organization’s delegation in Albania. DURRES, A NEW INFORMATION BRANCH — The "Information Office" has just been opened in Durrës as well, and the service first introduced in the capital, in cooperation with an Italian firm. According to the managers of this office, this new and welcome service provides information on all services, hotels, tourist agencies, marinas, shops and cultural monuments. The very motto of the activity "Durrësi i Informacionit '94" — to achieve this, thanks to — is that, following a change through roads and all necessary means of communication, such as computers, photocopiers, etc., they serve a staff for use by foreign specialists and the border fields.

Announces operations on two new destinations TIRANE - BOLONJE - TIRANE TIRANE - SHKUP - TIRANE TIRANE - BOLONJE - TIRANE Operations on this new direct route begin on 19 April 1994 Every Tuesday and Thursday. Departs from Tirana at 16:35 and arrives in Bologna at 18:50 Departs from Bologna at 19:20 and arrives in Tirana at 21:35 TIRANE - SHKUP - TIRANE Operations on this new direct route begin on 27 April 1994 Every Wednesday. Departs from Tirana at 22:15 and arrives in Skopje at 22:45 Every Thursday: Departs from Skopje at 07:10 and arrives in Tirana at 07:50 Departs from Tirana at 21:50 and arrives in Skopje at 22:20 Every Friday: Departs from Skopje at 05:50 and arrives in Tirana at 06:30 Note: Albanian Airlines offers an information service for travelers who will use the Tirana-Bologna air route for prices and train schedules in Bologna to various destinations within Italian territory. For further information you may contact the Albanian Airlines booking office at telephone number 42857.