VLORE Four young women from Korça paid members of the clandestine network for their illegal transportation and for prostitution in Italy. Women traffickers uncovered 5 suspected people detained VLORE — A group of traffickers and clandestine transporters of Albanian girls to Italy has been uncovered. A successful operation by law enforcement organs in Vlorë made it possible — on Monday morning — to identify and capture five people who, in cooperation with one another, are suspected of having repeatedly engaged in the buying and selling of women, who after being clandestinely transported to Vlorë would be sent to Italy and also used as prostitutes. It was precisely a report by "Gazeta Shqiptare" addressed to the Vlorë police station — which had brought to the attention of law-enforcement officers the elements that later fully confirmed the suspicion. Thus, the alarm that had previously come from various citizens of Italy about the discovery of the abuses linked to the clandestine trade in Albanian women and their use in prostitution abroad — in response from the state law-enforcement organs — was intercepted, exposed and blocked. A view from Vlorë At home in Albania. After the immediate detention of the five members of the group, intensive investigations began at once. Although still being kept confidential, the first confirmations suggest a fairly active connection between Vlorë and Korça. This is not only because the girls — aged 16 to 25 — who are suspected victims of this trade are from the Korça district, but also because several male members of this clandestine network were at work in this city. Among the five people detained by the law-enforcement organs there is also a citizen from Vlorë, but one who had been working for some time as an emigrant in Italy. It is also suspected that the four girls — in order to be brought into the profession of prostitution — were even paid more than 500 dollars each. However, the investigation continues, while at the Vlorë Police Station it is stated to Gazeta Shqiptare that no measures had been taken by their office regarding the four girls from Korça. The alarm over the transportation, sale and practice of prostitution in various Italian cities by Albanian protagonists had been raised some time earlier. Various Italian newspapers — such as "Il domo" for the areas of Vlorë — in Italy had made known tragic facts of the buying and selling of Albanian women for prostitution purposes, even often speaking of Albanian-Italian criminal gangs, the struggle between which also involved murders and serious crimes. Now it is the Albanian organs that investigate and uncover the protagonists of this phenomenon, but this time before they have even set out for the Italian shores. (Ed. L.)

Import of pigs with plague is prohibited TIRANE — The entry of pigs from several different countries into Albania has now been prohibited. An order from the General Directorate of Customs has decided to not allow in any way the import of this animal and its meat from Serbia, China and Macedonia. The reason for this decision is the serious plague disease that has recently spread at alarming levels in all three of these countries. Pig plague is a disease that in fact does not pose a danger to humans. According to veterinary specialists, the meat can normally be consumed after it has been cooked well. The plague spreads only to the live animal, where it acts quickly and has serious consequences, causing high mortality. In Albania this disease appeared in 1972, when it spread to several districts of the country. As a result, they were all ordered to be slaughtered. Even then the virus of the disease had come from China.

One year after the Pope's historic visit Message of John Paul II: «A special blessing to all dear Albania» One of the historic moments of the Pope's visit to Albania. In the photo John Paul II together with Albanian President Sali Berisha TIRANE — One year after the historic visit of Pope John Paul II, who arrived in Shkodër on 25 April 1993, and his special blessing to all dear Albania. The Pope wanted thus to recall the image of that Albanian day in Tirane and Shkodër during his visit — written, but filled with events and meetings — through a message he sent to Monsignor Frano Ilia, Archbishop of Shkodër and at the same time President of the Episcopal Conference. "May the entire Albanian Catholic community, having the need and the hope of its own future, bear witness with courage to your strong will for peace and development of its own value and memory" — the message says — "let us remember this full year and in Christ". In the cathedral of Shkodër — where the message was read publicly — the first solemn mass of this first anniversary of the visit was celebrated. In fact, 25 April of last year will certainly be remembered by the Catholic community in Albania not only for the first blessing of a pope in Albania, but also because on that day four current bishops of the Albanian Catholic Church were ordained. (P.C.)

AN AMERICAN FRIGATE IN THE PORT OF DURRES — The American frigate "Spartanburg County" has arrived in the port of Durres. The crew of the American ship received on a visit the American ambassador Krist R. Bashëri in Durres, Tom O'Connell, who expressed words of gratitude for the help that the USA has given to the Albanian people during the mild phase of the transition. THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE EIGHTH PARTISAN BRIGADE IS CELEBRATED — A commemorative event was held in Gjirokastër on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Eighth Brigade of the National Liberation Army. The ceremony held at the city's House of Military Personnel was attended by veterans, members of the families of the brigade's martyrs, and representatives of central and local government. BIRTHS INCREASE IN KUKËS — During the first three months of this year, the number of births in Kukës has been almost 250 per month. This figure is higher than the average number of births a year earlier. According to official sources, the director of the Birth Service of this city said that the reasons for this phenomenon should first be sought in the mentality of the inhabitants of this area and in other social factors. The high number of births has not managed to curb the increase in the number of abortions — on average 60 per month — which is now higher than a year earlier. According to the same sources, such a situation of births will continue to be maintained for some time. Albania has long been engaged in the Family Planning campaign, which aims to reduce excessive births. Among the most important aspects of this campaign remains curbing the high birth rate in rural areas.

Tiranë A policeman is arrested: he had killed TIRANE — The killer of 32-year-old Hama Fieri, found dead — after being struck by a firearm — in Fushë-Mezez on the evening of 20 April, is uncovered very quickly. As a result of the rapid investigative actions of the police organs in the capital and Ban-Curr — Shefqet Hajrulla, Chief of the Investigative Police of Police Station 4, tells Gazeta Shqiptare — the identification and capture of the police officer was carried out. According to Hajrulla, it has now been proven that the perpetrator was E.B., 26 years old, a police officer in a unit of the capital. He has now been arrested together with a driver who fled with the perpetrator after the crime. Meanwhile, investigations continue. (e. l.)

They demand an increase in pensions TIRANE — 35 thousand work invalids are going on hunger strike. They demand the approval of their status by Parliament, the implementation of the Government's decision regarding the non-application of the disability deductions, for which the government's penalty has been set at 35 million lek. "These demands" — says the president of the Humanitarian Association of Work Invalids Abdul — are in line with those of the Ministry of Finance and of Endekësisë, or of Labor and Social Welfare. Another unimplemented decision is that all invalids should have priority for employment. In this regard, out of 11,360 partial invalids who should at least be in work, only 2,240 are currently working. 4,238 are on assistance and 4,882 receive only the monthly pension of 1,000 lek. They also demand an increase in pensions above the subsistence minimum (2,400 lek); the inclusion of the issue of invalids in the draft Constitution; treatment according to international criteria. There are also 4,685 invalids living in the countryside who have not benefited from a pension. The National Council of the Association of Work Invalids stressed that it will come forward with a petition to be addressed to the Government. This petition will also set the deadline for declaring the hunger strike. N. Z.

— Museums and other cultural objects continue to be targets of robberies. This time the "victim" was the "Apolonia" Museum in Fier, from which thieves stole an ancient tombstone. According to the employees of this museum, the stolen object had two figures and other symbols carved in relief. Some time earlier the "Apolonia" Museum — which preserves special values from the ancient period to the Byzantine one — had also been attacked and many of its museum pieces had fallen prey to theft. Such items include several ceramic vases from the Hellenistic period, from the 5th century BC. (p. r.)

CURSIVE REALITY BRIKENA CANI TIRANE — Today you will see more exposed legs in the streets of the capital. It is a youth initiative inviting young people in Tirana — yesterday they called girls — to show off their legs as part of a campaign called "Idealiteti ASA[?], Megaklubi Artistik and the Society of Students for Sexual Culture" — which wants today to be declared "Shorts Day." Far from skepticism, it is not even the moment for a whole outdoor spectacle movement. The stage is open, the cardboard name signs of the characters and their surnames should be placed along the walls of the street or beside the sidewalks, one by one. The waterfalls of Tirana's eyes this attention and the spectators of a car school will be set to watch. The money that will be left by the spectators is being collected. Further on, near the "Rinia" club and the Cultural Center, students and stage artists from the Institute of Arts will perform short pieces. Meanwhile, painting students with chalk and colored spray paints will create murals to give as much cheer as possible to "Shorts Day." The ideas will be tied to two acts and the streets and boulevard can be realized in kalëvromë. In this way other people will also enter, but always crazily, with bare legs or in shorts. Once. It was celebrated thus under nënkry. Now, apparently, the order is being reversed. "Day of the bangs"? "Stone day" and it is preceded by the festive binding of the players — this month ends with the day of humility and the exhibition of everyone or delicate shorts. ... which is based not on clothes but on four improvised legs: kumbë ambjli, nuriu, pulë and brekose. A symbol of freedom. It speaks to the human imagination, not presenting hats and the symbol of farewell for the artist who speculates in nature — they will contact the phone number 20522 (in the evening). FOR RENT — a building with 40 rooms for a hotel or offices on four floors, with a total area of 500 square meters. The building has kartor. It has key water for fishery nearby with halls for a café on the second floor with a total area of 154 square meters. Inside the building there is also a basement with an area of 152 square meters for a discotheque or tavern. Address: in the center of Tirana, opposite the Albanian Parliament. Interested parties should contact the number 00355(42)33132.

Massacre in the sky: 239 dead Perhaps an engine malfunction ON PAGE 2 Albania exports pearls and jewels too In 3 months, goods worth 2 billion leave ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU NEED TO BUY SOMETHING? This space is free for your economic notices. Send your message, no longer than 15 words, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Bajram Curri Street, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. State in the message what you are looking for and offering, your name and address. FOR RENT — a building with 40 rooms for hotel or offices on four floors, with a total area of 500 square meters. The building has kartor. It has key water for fishery nearby with halls for a café on the second floor with a total area of 154 square meters. Inside the building there is also a basement with an area of 152 square meters for a discotheque or tavern. Address: in the center of Tirana, opposite the Albanian Parliament. Interested parties should contact the number 00355(42)33132. SELL — two IVECO trucks of 8 and 6 tons at a very favorable price. Interested parties should contact number 29134 at any time of day. SELL — a private house with a yard, two rooms and a kitchen. I also accept exchanges for a larger house or land. Address: Ibrahim Dalliu Street 6, Tiranë. FOR RENT — an apartment with two rooms and a kitchen (water and electricity), on the second floor, two balconies, located in the city center near the "Sami Frashëri" gymnasium. Interested parties should contact the phone number 20420. SELL — I will exchange the house located on the third floor, 2 rooms and a kitchen, annex, drying room, loggia, with an area of 82 square meters. The apartment is located near the "Qemal Stafa" school. I will exchange it for a 2-room, 1-kitchen apartment, preferably located inside the "Unaza" ring road. Contact 33132. FOR RENT — a house on "Peta Tuçka" Street no. 98 near the boulevard "Zhan D'Ark", a villa near the "Ismail Qemali" school in Tiranë. The house has one room and a kitchen, a veranda, yard and garage. Contact the phone number 24126.

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Economic and Social Consulting Agency INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Economic and Social Consulting Agency CONSULTANCY FOR LAND AND BUILDING OWNERS This agency has been assigned by a group of Italian entrepreneurs to find investment opportunities in land or buildings. Owners of land or buildings, equipped with ownership documents, interested in cooperating with Italian investors may contact this agency. Address: TIRANE - Rruga Islam Alla, Building 72/1, Staircase 2, Apartment 36 (near the intersection of the road where the restaurant «Rugova» is located) - Tel: 042/23501.