A new type of insurance will soon be introduced Three percent will be paid from wages A new type of insurance will soon be introduced Payment for health begins Three percent will be paid from wages TIRANA — A revolution in healthcare. For the first time in Albania as well — the draft law already approved by the Government will soon go before Parliament — health insurance will be introduced. The application of this new form — one of the most important steps in the reform of this field — is intended to regulate healthcare financing and find new ways to generate revenue for the sector. The Health Insurance Law is considered by specialists to be essential for financing healthcare. It will be implemented through the creation of a special fund that will be filled by the state and by citizens themselves. “This fund is expected to amount to about 2.6 billion lek,” explains to Gazeta Shqiptare Zamir Kadiu, director of the Economic Directorate at the Ministry of Health — of which the State budget will contribute 1-1.3 billion, while the rest will be covered by the contribution of the working population. Thus, each person will now pay an amount that will represent 3.4 percent of their monthly income. Of this, 1.2 percent will be paid by the employer, while the rest will be paid by the employee. The contribution of the self-employed will be different (mainly farmers): for them, a fixed fee will be set, calculated on the basis of average annual income for the countryside and the minimum wage for the city. The rates of this new insurance have nothing to do with those currently paid — mainly for pensions — by Albanian citizens. “Applying health insurance in Albania — says Kadiu — will mainly cover the prices of essential medicines — a special list will be included, to be approved by the Council of Ministers — as well as the cost of visits to the general practitioner.” As for medicines, it is thought that this form will once and for all solve the problem of medicine shortages. Meanwhile, in hospitals treatment will be free and the patient will pay only the co-payment at a subsidized price. “Meanwhile, the state will continue in the future to finance from its budget — Kadiu assures — preventive healthcare, consultations and examinations for the initial diagnosis, as well as specialist care and various investments.” So far in Albania all healthcare expenditures have been covered by the state budget; for 1994 they accounted for only 2.8 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), whereas in other countries they range from 5 to 14 percent. Per-capita spending does not exceed 15 dollars a year. “The successful implementation of health insurance will raise the level of healthcare” — it will eliminate the frequent abuses that have appeared today in the domestic pharmacy market, Kadiu concludes. Meanwhile, this new law will always be considered an open framework, so as to reflect any changes that will be made in the future in the field of healthcare. University Health Center in Tirana Armand Mero

Under arrest since last year The customs scandal: the former director returns home as well TIRANA — The former Director General of Albanian Customs has left the cells of Tirana Prison. Accused at the end of last year of “abuse of office,” Thoma Bicoi had been arrested after suspicions of involvement in what was then called “the customs scandal,” later followed by charges against him from the capital and other regional centers. The latest decision of the prosecution authorities still remains unconfirmed as to whether his return to his family was merely a change in the security measure or a dismissal of the criminal case. In any case, since Thursday noon Blloku was no longer part of Tirana Prison. A similar decision was also taken that day for two other members, who were in the same prison, after charges of “smuggling.” This charge, together with “abuse of office” or “forgery of documents,” had led to criminal proceedings against around 20 customs officers and various traders. The latest decisions are perhaps the first sign toward the end of the investigations. (e)

Proposal in Parliament National day for the killed and displaced Chams TIRANA — It is proposed that tomorrow’s date in Albania’s national calendar — specifically 27 June — be declared “The Day of the genocide against the Albanian Chams by Greek chauvinists.” Around 30 deputies of the Albanian Parliament have just submitted the report of a draft law that also provides for the construction in Konispol of a memorial in memory of the victims of the June '44 genocide. “We make this request guided by love and not by hatred, by understanding and not by revenge, by life and not by death,” write, among other things, the Albanian deputies, who also become the first Albanian politicians to raise the Cham issue to the level of a law before the Albanian Parliament. What is today being requested as a national day began exactly 50 years ago and has remained written in the history of the Albanian nation as one of its most painful tragedies. “The bloody Monday,” known to the Great Powers in 1913 — write the Albanian deputies in the report on the draft law — Çamëria and its Albanian population, an inseparable part of the Islamic faith, became victims of systematic expulsion at the end of the Second World War in June 1944.” The entry of Parliament Europe.” According to this material, Albanian Muslims who for centuries had managed to escape Hellenization — as a result of the violence and terror of the gangs of the Greek general Zerva — were forced to leave their ancient lands in order to finally seek refuge in Albanian territory. By March 1945, 2,300 Albanian Muslims had been killed, while another 2,400 died on the way to Albania, leaving behind the abandoned property of more than 60 villages and 5,800 burned houses. (e.) Entrance of Parliament

THE 66TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC GUARD IS CELEBRATED — The 66th anniversary of the creation of the first engineering unit of the Albanian armed forces was celebrated in the presence of the country’s highest state authorities. In connection with this event, organized in Tirana in a commemorative ceremony, President Sali Berisha, Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Kopliku, Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali, and Minister of Public Order Agron Musaraj took part. On this occasion President Berisha decorated a number of military personnel of this special unit with various orders. TIRANA, URBAN PLANNING STUDY FOR THE SAUK AREA — A full urban planning study for the Sauk area in the southeast of Tirana has now been approved. According to this study, more than 5,000 residents are expected to be accommodated in this area, to be housed in two-story buildings according to Tirana’s regulatory plan. 1,200–1,400 residents will be settled in the center and the rest on an individual basis. THE ALBANOLOGIST BAXHTIHASAN IS REMEMBERED — The Institute of Folk Culture of the Academy of Sciences organized a meeting to honor the memory of the well-known folklorist Qemal Haxhihasani. His colleagues at the Institute gave several presentations on Haxhihasani’s figure and devoted work as a collector and researcher of the treasure of Albanian folklore. On this occasion the order “Distinguished Worker of Education and Science” awarded to Haxhihasani by the President of the Republic was presented.

Commemoration A journalist was killed 1 year ago TIRANA — A year has passed since the tragic death of ATSH journalist Fatmir Elezi. Struck in the face with a fist by unidentified persons after a random incident in the street near the Presidency of the Republic — Elezi, who at the time was head of foreign news at ATSH, died after ten days in a coma at Tirana Civil Hospital. “Albania survived because apparently we still do not count the two years of his freedom as a heavy burden of ordinary criminals” — said one of his colleagues at Elezi’s funeral, and all this because of the forgetting of a little kept piece of skin. Today, after one year, Elezi and the story again, his grave, call for remembrance. (e.)

University Square: the giant screen is installed here TIRANA — The large television screen set up on the terrace of the University of Tirana is not finding any peace. Along with it, the many fans who want to follow the matches of the World Cup “USA '94.” Programmed from the outset to broadcast every moment from this championship, the screen is sometimes on, sometimes not at all. Perhaps because, as well as the organizers, one truth is not being organized within a few days: other activities are taking place that make impossible the “final purpose” of this screen’s existence. A. M.

The equipment arrives TIRANA — The television equipment for the Italian satellite stations is also arriving in the capital. Tirana, Rai stations will also be received via satellite TIRANA — Television equipment for the Italian satellite stations is also arriving in the capital. Starting this week — according to RTVSH specialists — the signals of Rai Uno and Rai Due will no longer be received as they have been until now — directly over the air — but via satellite. At present everything is focused on installation, while this operation is still being considered in terms of the permanent existing site, which for some time has requested transmission qualities for all. Financing for the Italian state television stations was also made possible by the Municipality of Tirana. Initially the plan for two satellite stations — now already functioning — has been definitively entrusted also for the rebroadcasting of Rai. Thus, during this month of “USA '94,” viewers in the capital will have a “harder” time choosing their preferred stations. The number has increased... (e.l)

The perpetrators disappear TIRANA — Many passersby and other customers were also miraculously spared. Injured after gunshots in the center TIRANA — Many passersby and other customers — in one of the bars opposite the “Dajti” hotel in the capital — were also miraculously spared at the very moment when a young man, perhaps wanted by a rival, was wounded by pistol shots. In any case, there was only a little tension and the wanted man — on Thursday evening — perhaps also because of the immediate presence of public order forces. The injured man himself escaped with only a blow to the calf of the leg, while the people who fired the shots are still being pursued by the police. (p.re.)

How much do holidays in Albania cost On page 2 The KS meeting in Corfu On page 2 Summer with the rhythm of rock Last page

In the World Cup stadiums a group of “electronic cleaners” washes the stands with the force of water Predictions and results from London On page 3 Today's challenge Bulgaria-Greece Balkan derby On page 3 Results, figures and comments On page 3

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO BUY? Small notices are published for the first time free of charge Sale, purchase, rental of movable and immovable property, as well as jobs. For notices in Gazeta Shqiptare call Tel. 042/32646. State your wish and offer in short, clear words. FOR RENT — a house with 2 rooms and 1 kitchen located on “Vllazen Huta” Street No. 91 (former offices of Europianes SH.P.K.). Contact the Resora family, “Idj Vorobov” Street 14 in Tirana. FOR SALE OR RENT — Hotel Restaurant “Horoskopi.” It has 5 floors, a 200-seat restaurant, the second floor, 10 large sleeping rooms, a basement with an area of 250 square meters and parking. The property is for sale or can be rented out also partially and is located at the last stop of “Tirana e Re.” Address: “Lufta e Stalingradit” Street, No. 6, phone 42515. FOR SALE — new house: 2 rooms, living room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, laundry room, balcony, garage, storage room, terrace, villa-style. Property 290 square meters. The house is located on the western side of the Artificial Lake of Tirana. Address: “Ludgj Gurakuqi” Street, No. 6, phone 42615. FOR RENT — premises 65 square meters, 1 restaurant, 1 bar, enclosed, basement, with storage room, shack, bathroom. The shop is located on Kavaja Street. Address: “Lufta Çlirimtare” Street, No. 6, phone 42517. FOR RENT — a 4-room apartment, 1 kitchen, bathroom, with access to the yard. For information by phone 27115 (from 13:00/20:00) directly at “Mite Frashëri” Street, Building 32, Staircase 1, Apartment 13 in Tirana. FOR RENT — a single-story house with a yard, with space also for storage. The house consists of 2 rooms, 1 kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Phone 2210 (from 19:30–10:00) at the address “Besa”. FOR SALE — a house with 2 rooms and 1 kitchen with an annex, with yard, veranda. Address: “Ibrahim Dalliu” Street No. 9 in Tirana.

Zattere 1411 - Tel. 0039/41/781611 - Fax 781805 - Tlx 410045 Ferries for Passengers, Cars, Trucks DURRES - BARI - ANKONA TRIESTE - DURRES From DURRES to BARI: every Thursday departure at 12.00 every Sunday departure at 12.00 From DURRES to ANKONA: every Tuesday departure at 19.00 every Friday departure at 22.00 From DURRES to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departure at 19.00 every Saturday departure at 19.00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRES: DETARE SHTETERORE Tel. 052/2233 - Fax 22911 - Tlx 4148 Agency in ITALY BARI: AGESTEA Srl - via Liside,4 Tel. 0039/80/331555 - Fax 330628 - Tlx 810043 ANKONA: MARITIME AGENCY Srl - Via XXXIX Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204915 - Fax 202296 - Tlx 560022 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Srl - Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460059