A Greek man massacred at home TIRANA — An extraordinary investigation into the week's crime in Tirana. For more than 1,500 hours, a Greek citizen — killed in the Albanian capital by one of his compatriots — remained only a person of unknown identity. Until, through a model investigation by the public order bodies of Police Station No. 2 in the capital, almost the entire plot of the crime was uncovered, including how, who, and the perpetrators. Thus the latest confirmation from the Ministry of Public Order makes known that the killers of the 30-year-old Qiriakos Dhudhis are Sotiris Apostolis together with Jorgjica and Enrik Morina, while at present only Nikos Morina is being held, suspected of having full knowledge of the crime and its motives. It took only a hopeless investigation, one that had begun on the morning of 2 June, after the body of the Greek citizen Qiriakos Dhudhis was found with two bullets in the head. To identify the victim required dozens of testimonies, which eventually showed that he was a wealthy Greek — arrived from Canada — for commercial activity in Albania — and perhaps with $700,000 in his pocket. But this time the foreigner's fate — like that of many wealthy foreigners who often become targets of bandit attacks — was badly tainted. A remarkable investigation in the home of another Greek citizen — also a trader — Sotiris Apostolis — has ultimately solved the knot of the mystery. There was only a patched section of wall that managed to explain the true aim of the professional. There, in a matter of minutes, one of the bullets was fired — the means that had struck trader Dhudhis in the head — and which ultimately reveals the names of those involved in the crime. Immediately, from the public order bodies — the only ones left in Tirana — Jorgjica Morina, the wife of Greek citizen Sotiris Apostolis, disappeared. According to sources from the Ministry of Public Order, Apostolis together with Jorgjica and Enrik Morina — her son — are suspected to have left in an unknown direction, perhaps toward their Athens, Greece. Meanwhile, another report — though unofficial — confirms the fact that another Greek citizen — involved in the “Dhudhis case” — was found dead in a Greek village, very close to the Albanian border. This new fact, together with the possibility that the crime was committed to seize $700,000, may especially lead to a complete change in the mystery, despite the fact that the Albanian and Greek police and Interpol have already been mobilized. This applies only to the final part of the mystery, because most of it has already been uncovered, thanks to the Albanian investigators. (e.)

Albania enters the third millennium with only 130,000 more inhabitants TIRANA — The year 2010 will mark the slowdown in the growth rate of the Albanian population in the year 2000. According to a demographic study conducted by Hendrik Van der Pol, a Dutch specialist with more than 30 years of experience in this field and with detailed knowledge of the situation in 1990, the main causes of this phenomenon will be births, which will continue to decline, as well as the number of Albanians emigrating abroad. A more pronounced surge will be seen only in 2010, when Albanians will number 3,825,000. The year 2000 will find Albania with 3,420,000 inhabitants. This is a figure that represents a notable increase compared with 1990 — when there were 3,200,000 — but one that is lower than the projection for 1995, when a number of 3,250,000 inhabitants was specifically forecast. The main factors affecting Albanian population figures in the last decade are population movement, total fertility rates, as well as overall mortality, with 1,000 live births in the fertile ages of the year 20,000 and a life expectancy rising from 71.4 years to 74.5 years. Another factor considered significant in the population count — based on this demographic study — is emigration. By 1995 there will be nearly 300,000 Albanians outside the homeland, while this figure will fall in the following five-year period, reaching 50,000. After 2000, emigration is assumed to be zero. Important changes will also affect the very structure of the Albanian population in the coming years. “These are the changes of an accelerated transition,” Ylli Vejsiu, deputy chairman of the Academy of Sciences, tells Gazeta Shqiptare, “that the population of Albania will face in the future.” Thus, for example, children in the 0-14 age group will make up a smaller share of the population than in the past, while the older age groups will grow. The group of people over 60 will also increase. Changes in the countryside will also be seen in the ratio between the rural and urban population, clearly in favor of the latter. An.Ste./Ar.Me.

TIRANA — It is the story of a sacred place, steeped for centuries in the devotion of believers of three faiths who go there to witness the miracle, our own kind of “Albanian Lourdes”. According to a tradition that reaches back into the depths of the Middle Ages, two sacred places near Laç — the cave of Shna Vlash and the Shrine of Shna Ndou — are capable of healing people's illnesses. In fact, the healed, those suffering from diseases considered incurable, swear that they have managed to speak with God, explaining the troubles they have. And many of them — according to tradition — God has heard, saving them from serious illnesses. The compassionate pilgrimage will also take place today — 12 June — to Shna Ndou — by the many believers, but this time in the Shrine, renovated some time ago, through initiatives promoted by the Albanian Catholic Church. Catholic tradition links the history of the sacred place to that of the Franciscan Convent founded in Sebaste around 1394. The Church of Shna Ndou, besides being honored for pilgrimage, has been a witness to the long and troubled history of the Albanians. For a time it served Gjergjoti Ivan Shuli, who later called it Devlet Flakë e Lutës së Dytë Botërore, and did not spare himself in witnessing to people. In 1944 it was burned by German troops. In the last 30 years the shrine had no different fate from that of hundreds of cultural institutions closed and violated by the communist offensive against religion. Indeed, the Shrine of Shna Ndou entered history not from the day it was closed by the then government. Few know that it was closed in 1966, in the first year before the atheist initiative began. The large crowds of people who, despite Party propaganda, continued to carry out the ritual of venerating the saint as best they could and in strange ways. So a quick solution was found. The entire surrounding area was enclosed with barbed wire and declared a “military zone”. A year later the church and the cave were blown up with dynamite. Nevertheless, the miracle of the blessed place continued for a long time. Although the church is no longer in ruins, people's faith in the miraculous properties of this place continued for a long time. Again Shna Ndou continued to pray to God for the healing of human wounds. They say that then someone took advantage of the believers' persistence in honoring the Saint. Soldiers, tired of the monotony of service and military discipline, would choose a time and take the symbolic gifts that believers had left as a sign of devotion. In a not-so-small day, for the soldiers of that time everything human was ultimately at stake and this kind of mercy, which in any case had to be guaranteed again by Shna Ndou for the whole. (p.re.)

TIRANA — Another money changer in Tirana is robbed by force. This time the victim of an armed gang was a person around 40 years old, a dogajza, who had a bag containing $25,000 snatched from him by force right on the steps of his building — about 15 meters away. After injuring the victim in the shoulder with a bucket, the robbers immediately fled in their car. It is confirmed that the public order bodies have identified the perpetrators and are now pursuing them. Only a few days ago another money changer in Tirana had about $9,000 stolen from him. (p.re.)

SHKODER, ALERT OVER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION — Alarm among Shkodra environmentalists over the many and serious environmental pollution problems that have been recorded in the city and surrounding area. Great concern has been expressed in particular about the condition of Lake Shkodra, which — according to environmentalists — is threatened by unchecked and unauthorized dredging. Significant damage has also been observed in the forests of the area, as a result of abusive logging. TIRANA, THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF SAMI FRASHERI COMMEMORATED — A special commemorative meeting on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the death of Sami Frashëri was organized in Tirana by the Albania-Turkey Friendship Association and the National Library. At this meeting, numerous historians spoke about the figure of this distinguished patriot and thinker as well as a number of his well-known works. BERAT, ARMED ROBBERY AGAINST A CITIZEN — Edmond Beça from Çerma in Lushnja was threatened with a knife and then robbed by an unknown person. Beça — recently returned from Italy — was leaving his brother's house when a person, brandishing a knife, seized his car, watch, 300,000 lira and then left him as a hostage in a house. Fortunately, the robber — who had driven away in Beça's car — collided with another tanker truck. The accident enabled the police to identify the robber, who fled in an unknown direction.

A total of 250,000 people killed ON PAGE 2

TIRANA — Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dhimitër Anagnosti has left for Austria. The Albanian minister will take part in the opening ceremony of a series of events for the inauguration of the exhibition “Albania, land of eagles.” The event, considered one of the largest Albanian cultural activities abroad in recent years, will be organized in a historic medieval castle in the Land of Niederosterreich. During his visit, Anagnosti will have a working meeting with senior Austrian officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. (p.re.)

TIRANA — “They made it so that they won't renew my professional license.” TIRANA — “They made it so that they won't renew my professional license. The only pretext they gave me is that I am from Tirana and not from Durrës.” Arjan Minarolli, owner of a bar near the Shëmbullit bridge, told Gazeta Shqiptare about his bureaucratic adventure, which took him from Tirana to Durrës. Ardiani was also a businessman and had been a representative for “SIEMENS” on the market. It was decided that this activity should be transferred to Durrës. Arjan needed premises, drinking water, electricity, and a telephone. He found the place and gathered all the necessary documents to obtain the required permits. According to him, the permit was rejected only because he did not have residence in Durrës. “Adrian's case was first and foremost a conflict that arose with the local 41 and municipal authorities of Durrës, who interpreted an absurd decision. The permit request was assessed arbitrarily and without legal basis.” According to him, the permit could not be conditioned on place of residence, but on the completion of the documents and conditions provided by law. Moreover, the reply Ardhiani received in Durrës was that he had to be a resident of Durrës. According to him, this is evidence of a serious misunderstanding and of a bureaucratic administration.

ANYTHING TO SELL? ANYTHING TO BUY? This space is free for your economical purchases. Send our message by sending the message to our addresses: In Tirana: Bajram Curri Street, 370, or in Bari Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. State in your message what you are looking for and offering, your name and address FOR SALE — parts rrj. morkoje for fu mono, tuar on truck of the “Fiat” type of various sizes. Spare parts for industrial “Fiat Iveco” vehicles are also available. Very reasonable prices. For information call 32646 in Tirana in the afternoon hours. FOR RENT — a 2-room apartment and 1 kitchen in the city center with suitable conditions. Contact at the address Rruga “Sami Frashëri”, Building 21, Staircase 1, Apartment 2 in Tirana. FOR RENT — a 2-room apartment and 1 kitchen (behind the American Embassy). Contact in Tirana Bari Muhamet, address: Rruga “Budi”, Building 4, Staircase 1, Apartment 2. FOR SALE — complete German film color laboratory. Interested persons should call Rruga “Qemal Stafa” number 81 in Tirana. FOR SALE — a Fiat “OM” dump truck with 29 kv capacity, in very good condition. $3,600, customs paid. Contact Destan Kokoçi, Rruga “Kongresi i Lushnjës” number 22 near the restaurant “Mondial” in Tirana. FOR RENT — a shop with an area of 18 square meters (brick wall) on the side of the main road near the Medrese. Contact Agim Dyllalli at phone 34650 or at the address: Rruga “Bajram Curri”, Building 335, Staircase 2 in Tirana. FOR SALE — a bakery oven for the production of 200 kva numbers yearly is of months). Contact Vito Basko by phone 26182 in Tirana. FOR RENT — a 3-room and 1-kitchen apartment (third floor), Rruga “Shyqyri Ishmi” (former city band, mosque). Contact at phone number 26901.

Zattere 1411 - Tel. 0039/41/781611 - Fax 781805 - Tlx 410045 Ferries for Passengers, Cars, Trucks DURRES - BARI - ANCONA TRIESTE - DURRES From DURRES to BARI: every Tuesday departs at 22.00 every Thursday departs at 12.00 From DURRES to ANCONA: every Sunday departs at 12.00 From DURRES to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departs at 19.00 every Saturday departs at 20.00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRES: DETARE SHQETERORE Tel. 052/22233 - Fax 22911 - Tlx 4148 Agency in ITALY BARI: AGESTA Srl - via Libia, 4 Tel. 080/560/3355 - Fax 530628 - Tlx 810043 ANCONA: MARITIME AGENCY Srl - Via XXIX Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204916 - Fax 202206 - Tlx 660082 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Srl - Piazzale Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460059