ARSIDI CASE Arrested by the Prosecutor’s Office on the charge of «assistance after the crime has been committed». The former Governor of the Bank’s father is held in the cells of Berat Hoti’s father in prison He was keeping documents belonging to his son EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA – Arrests continue in the "Arsidi Scandal". However, the surname of the accused at this early stage of the investigation has also changed the atmosphere, and it has shocked public opinion. The person arrested in the cells of the Berat police is Burhan Hoti, father of the former Governor of the Bank of Albania, who is being held in prison cells. The charge of "assistance after the crime has been committed" is linked to certain documents which, according to his lawyer and family members, prove his son’s innocence in the matter of the unpaid 1.6 million dollars. Immediately after being placed under criminal responsibility, Burhan Hoti was taken to the isolation rooms of the Berat Police Commissariat. Burhan Hoti had been arrested at around 3 p.m. on Monday. "My father had been summoned by the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office to complete the investigation, at 9 a.m. on 7 February" – Vegim Hoti, Burhan’s son and Ilir Hoti’s brother, tells Gazeta Shqiptare – "we learned the next day that our family found out he had been arrested under Article 1 and taken to the cells in Berat". According to the lawyer – Gëzim Bardhi met with the accused Burhan Hoti – everything is linked to several documents that his client had kept for a long time in order to prove his son’s innocence, the former Governor of the Bank, who has now also been arrested. "Burhan explained to me after the arrest – says Artan Gjylbegaj, the lawyer of Burhan and Ilir Hoti – that he had no reason to hide those documents, which at the time, when they were requested by the Prosecutor’s Office, he did not have with him. As for the mysterious documents – perhaps because of the secrecy of the investigation – no one gives details. "I do not know what documents my father had," the son explains to Gazeta Shqiptare, "but I think they are ordinary documents, perhaps some that were even published in the press." Besides the fact that these documents are considered normal by Burhan Hoti’s son, the lawyer explains that Burhan kept them at his sister’s house. "In any case, these documents did not come into his possession unlawfully," says lawyer Gjylbegaj. "In fact, no one had asked for these documents before, and even today we still do not know whether the Prosecutor’s Office had them available or whether these documents were missing." After the meeting in the isolation rooms of Berat with the accused Burhan Hoti – he being there one day after the arrest – lawyer Gjylbegaj also took out a written statement from the accused himself. In this statement too, Burhan Hoti gives no further details about the contents of the documents requested by the investigative authorities. According to this statement, only a few days earlier Ilir Hoti’s father had sent to the hotel where he was staying, on the basis of those documents, his own personal conviction about Ilir Hoti’s innocence in the "Arsidi Scandal". Now the Prosecutor’s Office, which is also continuing its investigation into Ilir Hoti, has made his 65-year-old father a co-accused as well. Thus Burhan Hoti becomes the fifth person linked to the arrested citizen – after Saliu Tari, Astrit Ahmeti, Samur, Xhyehët and his son – to be investigated in what has been called the largest financial scandal in Albania in recent times. Former governor of the Bank of Albania and, on the right, the premises of the Prosecutor’s Office

Berisha «The Sarajevo criminals must be punished» TIRANA — "After the latest barbaric act by the Serbs in Sarajevo, it is essential that the perpetrators of this terrible crime be punished"; speaking to journalists and greeting the President of the Republic of Malta, Censu Tabone, who is leaving Albania after a very intensive visit that lasted five days, President Berisha took the official opportunity to raise the issue of Bosnia and Kosovo. "If the Kosovo problem is not solved," he added, "the crisis in the Balkans will never be resolved." Underlining the important results achieved during Tabone’s visit, Berisha revived the idea of an agreement between Albania and Malta for organizing night patrols. "Cooperation between the two countries," he continued, "can cover many other areas, including tourism, and can be strengthened." And still on the subject of regional security, President Berisha, answering a journalist’s question, officially addressed for the first time the issue of the two CIA spy planes that, operating from a base in Albania, will monitor the skies over Bosnia: "What many newspapers are talking about," he said, "is simply a mission that falls within the cooperation for assistance and support to the well-known NATO missions in Bosnia." p.re

The President of the Cassation confirms irregularities «Cancel the adoptions» Brozi: «Yes, there are violations» Many decisions were taken even though the law forbade them TIRANA — "All judicial decisions taken for the adoption of children after 1992 will be annulled". Zef Brozi, President of the Cassation Court, thus states the position of the court he heads regarding one of the most tragic events of recent years in Albania. A review of these procedures will perhaps shed new light on this mystery. "The decisions taken by the courts are unlawful because the legal procedure was not followed," Brozi tells Gazeta Shqiptare. "That is why we have requested the withdrawal of the case files." So far the cases identified as unlawful are numerous. This now concerns not only those uncovered by the National Adoption Committee, but also others found by the inspectors of the Ministry of Justice itself. They refer to court proceedings held in several districts—after March 1992 or in cases where the procedures were prohibited—on the basis of which various adoptions were carried out. However, the cases verified so far refer only to adoptions carried out within Albania. This is also the key point that has irritated the judges involved in these cases. "We thought that the law," some of them stated in meetings with Brozi, "required this procedure only for adoptions of children by foreigners and not by Albanians." The involvement of state bodies in this scandal—some time ago it had been Vasil Plaku, former President of the Tirana Court, who had been accused of serious abuses and sentenced—so far appears only in the form of a legal misunderstanding. "This also happens because laws are published and reach judges’ hands with great delay," Brozi explains, "but I cannot say whether there was any involvement on their part for material gain." Nevertheless, the direct inspection carried out by the National Adoption Committee also revealed other misappropriations. Thus, for the adoptive parent, only the name and circumstances of birth were verified, without further details. The widening of the adoption issue into the courts had been started by the Adoption Committee after various checks it had carried out in several districts. The scandal around a large number of missing children under the most suspicious and varied circumstances had involved—not only children’s homes and various state institutions, but also the courts. Precisely for this reason, Hilmile Mara, Chairwoman of the Committee, had addressed the Cassation Court as well. At the same time, she is preparing a detailed report on the entire matter, which will also be sent to Prime Minister Meksi himself. Armand Mero

75 MILLION ECU FOR ALBANIA FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY — The European Community will give Albania 75 million ECU for 1994. Thus Ettlio Geramano, Ambassador of the EC, once again confirms the support that will be continuously provided for the reform. The amount allocated for this year is 10 million ECU more than last year. Of this, 35 million will be used for the Balance of Payments, 20 million for the PHARE Programme, and the rest within a regional programme. So far, the aid allocated to Albania by the European Community has reached 300 million dollars. IN BERAT THE EXHIBITION OF THE FRENCH PERIODICALS OPENS — A new exhibition has been inaugurated in Berat. For the first time here, newspapers, magazines and various periodical publications from the French press are displayed. The exhibition—which has been set up with great skill in the city library—has attracted the interest of many residents of Berat. IN FIER FINNS HELP WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS — There are 11 schools reconstructed in the Fier district and equipped with new furniture, including desks for pupils. All this became possible thanks to aid provided by the Finnish association "Finish Free Foreign Mission". It has invested around 100,000 Ffe to carry out this project. In addition, a mission has donated to the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Tirana six chemical fluorescent devices. Among the future projects of this mission is also the reconstruction of a school in the village of Surrë, Tirana.

«Koha jonë» In court, journalists and officers TIRANA — The investigations into the "Koha Jonë" case are finished. Very soon they will appear before the trial panel—only ten days after their arrest—the journalists Frangj and Leka as well as the servicemen Licaj and Feza. The announcement was made on television, following a notice from the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, which also made the final charges public. Thus the four defendants are accused of "dissemination of state secrets", "removal of the journalist Leka also has to defend himself against another charge, that of "spying". Even after this announcement, the date of the trial has not been made known.

New draft laws in Parliament The Government determines the value of land as well The 1994 State Budget is under review TIRANA — There will be two important draft laws that will soon be submitted for approval to the Albanian Parliament. One decision will extend the State Budget for 1994. This draft law—prepared by the Ministry of Finance—had previously been sent for discussion to all ministries. In the end it was the Government that reviewed it—with some changes—at yesterday’s meeting. The valuation of agricultural land for compensation purposes[?] is another very important draft law that will be approved by Parliament. Its adoption would solve the problem of compensation for agricultural land for former owners, since the value of this land will be determined. In addition to these two draft laws, the Government at its last meeting approved for the second time several changes concerning the remuneration of investments with interests in the field of defense. Worth mentioning is the "Promotion of mutual protection of investments" with the Kingdom of Sweden. On the basis of a draft decision submitted by the Ministry of Defense, from now on the Military Academy will be called the Academy of the People’s Defense.

Conference «Relations between Parliament and the press» TIRANA — "Parliamentary communication" will be the theme of a conference that begins its work today in Tirana. The conference—organized by the National Democratic Institute of the USA for International Affairs—will last three days. During its proceedings several plenary sessions will be held on different topics such as: "The role of Parliament in shaping public opinion" and "Working with the press". On Saturday—the final day of the conference—there will be two working sessions dealing with "Communication with the electorate". The conference will be led by four experts coming from different countries.

It can accommodate 334 luxury boats SARANDE — Soon Saranda will be transformed into a modern one. In the near future, as many as 334 boats can dock at its port. The development projects for it—approved a few days ago by the National Council for Territorial Planning—envisage the creation of new coastal structures. There will be more than 300 places—reserved exclusively for yachts, luxury boats and wealthy owners—in the new port project. This first-of-its-kind work, according to the 5-6 hectares of area and land—will occupy a specific part of the coast and port of Saranda and of its bay. Its tourist character would best fulfil the idea of making the use of Saranda Bay possible. Special attention will also be paid to the greenery, which will be carefully planned in relation to the other structures, where the two-storey buildings will stand out. Meanwhile, the existing port complex—for ferries and cargo ships—would initially remain unchanged. According to specialists, it will be integrated into its entrance. And in the future, the modern tourist direction for the port of Saranda will create opportunities for growth in the flow of foreign tourists to this area. Its very geographical position—its proximity to the Greek coasts and especially to Corfu—is a strong basis for this development. Ar. Me. Port of Saranda

Here is what we buy from the world We import raw materials Border countries, more attractive markets ON PAGE 3 Bosnia, "now or never" The White House is ready Clinton agrees with the ultimatum ON PAGE 2

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU WANT TO BUY SOMETHING? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU WANT 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: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. State in the message what you are looking for and offering, your name and address. I RENT OUT a private house in the center of Tirana, first floor, with a small room, kitchen, bathroom, courtyard of 240 square meters, as well as storage, garage and metal gates. The house also has a telephone. Interested parties may call on Wednesday 26.2, from 9.00 - 14.00. I SELL A PLOT of land with an area of 600 square meters. Address: Tuanas Street 25, ko. building 65/3, stairway I, apartment 21, Tirana. I RENT OUT an apartment near the Durres station, second floor, with one room and kitchen with annex and bathroom. Address: Lagja 46, "Partizani" Street, building 89, stairway 1, apartment 4, Tirana. I SELL a house, one room and one kitchen, on the first floor, on the main road, the national road, in front of the center, 40 square meters, space for a shop, which communicates with two, can be made, together with the whole house. Write (quality) 100 square meters. Address: Altin Diepakha, Salo Halili district, "Vasil Shanto" Street, building 95, Shkodër. I SELL OR RENT a premises of 200 square meters, near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (at Unaza). Interested parties should address: Rruga Labinot Guri 89/1, old no. 14/42, 16, Tirana. I SELL an apartment with one room and a kitchen with annex and balcony. The apartment is located on the second floor at the "Çlirimi" Farm, Fier. This unit is sold together with 1,000 square meters of land, as well as agreement and according to the purpose of the agricultural house. The land is planted with wheat. The price will be reasonable. Interested parties should contact the family of Arti Shehu, N.3, Çlirimi, Fier. I SELL a one-storey house, with two usable rooms. On each floor of the house there are a room and two bathrooms. The house is unfinished and the walls have not yet been plastered. In the yard there is also a garage, 6 rooms and two bathrooms as well as upstairs. The house has two separate entrances. Address of the upper part: "Isuf Toptani" Street, building 12, apartment, tel. 88 or 88 in the evening, on Tuesday and Wednesday.