Belgrade memorandum to the UN and CSCE A harsh response from Tirana to the accusations TIRANË — Diplomatic polemics between Albania and Yugoslavia, now comprising the republics of Serbia and Montenegro, are flaring up again. In the telegraphic memorandum drafted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia — vice — and addressed to the Chairmen of the United Nations Security Council and the CSCE, referring to border incidents on the Yugoslav-Albanian border, it is believed that it also provoked the sharp response of the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the spokesman for this institution, this memorandum has been considered "another anti-Albanian move with a marked provocative and defamatory character". The Yugoslav memorandum, while protesting the increase in incidents and provocations at the border by Albanians, "has mentioned a series of figures" — according to them — relating to the year 1993. "There were 51 border incidents during that year — the document says — 46 provoked by Albanians and only 5 by Yugoslavs". The memorandum goes even further on the "facts" mentioned, claiming that in 16 cases Albanian soldiers had opened fire on Yugoslav border guards. "According to the competent Albanian authorities and the conclusions of EC monitoring missions, the main cause of casualties at the border has been the opening of fire by Yugoslav border guards against Albanian citizens, who posed no danger to the lives of the Yugoslav border guards, since they were unarmed — the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs counters the false facts — the wounded and killed in incidents on Albania's border with Serbia and Montenegro, which have reached 21 people since the beginning of 1993, have all been Albanians and not a single Serb". Although the Yugoslav memorandum claims that during 1993, on the Albanian-Yugoslav border, their forces killed 12 Albanians and wounded 9 others, it justifies these border incidents as attempts by Albanians to cross the border. According to the memorandum, there were 524 attempts by Albanians to violate the inviolability of their territory. Once again — through the telegram — the Yugoslav authorities, even while speaking of border incidents, have not forgotten to mention Kosovo and the "interference of some Albanians from Greater Albania" as an objective of the Albanian authorities. "The institutions of Albania are legitimizing them, disguised in international charters" — is the response of the Albanian Foreign Ministry to this accusation, even rejecting this memorandum as unfounded and demagogic. (Ed.La.) The Foreign Ministry in Tirana

Two more cases in Cassation A final decision for the convicted will come soon TIRANË — Two more death penalty cases have reached Cassation. It is now up to this court to render its decision on two more human lives. Albanian justice thus continues to punish crime with increasing severity. So the day remains far off when in Albania even the law itself will no longer kill. Two of the most recent death sentences will soon be reviewed by the Court of Cassation. This time the rulings came from the Court of Dibra for Gëzim Leka and from that of Tirana for Luan Isufi. Both convicted men have been accused of murder. In Isufi's case, the judges in Tirana had handed down the capital sentence in January of this same year, because he was accused of the murder — earlier in the year in Roskovec, Fier, of the 24-year-old young man Editor Gyro. During the trial it emerged that the cause of this murder had been an argument that had begun some time earlier over a loan. For both convicts, Cassation now remains almost the last thread on which their lives depend. A few days ago it was this same court that upheld the death sentence — by firing squad — of Rushdi Çela from Vlora. The reason for this decision had been the horrific murder that Çela had carried out in Greece against another Albanian in order to take his money. In this way Çela was the first — for 1994 — to be caught and sentenced to death, bringing the number of such sentences to 45 in the last five years. There were 13 cases sentenced in 1989 alone, while this number had fallen to almost half in 1990. It remained at almost the same level during 1991, but a more than doubling increase came in November 1992, when there were 14 cases. The number was again high in 1993, but by now the evidence has shown that the rulings of the district courts have changed. Thus, sentences of only 25 years' imprisonment were imposed on Tomorr Jangulli from Dibra, Gëzim Haxhilli from Kavaja, and 20 years for Adil Malka[j] from Tepelena. "Many times we have overturned decisions or sent cases back for retrial — Zef Brozi, President of Cassation, tells Gazeta Shqiptare — also because in many cases the psychiatric and legal analysis of the offender has not been carried out properly". Meanwhile, in 1993 this court also overturned the sentence for 7 others who had been sent toward execution. One of them, Ibrahim Rexha from Tropoja, had been executed last month in the hills of Shishtufina in Tirana. So the death penalty continues to be the most powerful tool for fighting crime in Albania. "Here we are committing such serious crimes — Brozi says — that even public opinion, without waiting for the court verdict, condemns them to death". So the abolition of this kind of punishment remains very distant and will continue to coexist for a long time with Albanian justice. "I think it would be premature to take such a decision — Brozi declares — for many reasons, both psychological and because of acute social problems. One must bear in mind that blood feud in Albania has had roots, and in recent times signs of it have also appeared in these years". Although it began with death sentences, 1994 is hoped to spare more lives. In particular, the changes made to the Penal Code — approved at the end of 1993 by Parliament — where life imprisonment was introduced for the first time, point to this. Meanwhile, under this forecast, capital sentences have been reduced. They are now, from 13, only 6. Moreover, so far no case of life imprisonment has been applied. "Cassation will keep in mind, when examining death sentences — Brozi explains — especially for young people, that the only alternative solution is to turn them into life imprisonment". Armand Mero Tirana Prison

The new director TIRANË — The new head of Albania's Telekom has just been appointed: Kuqim Rama has been named director of Albanian Telekom, replacing in this important post Adrian Shehu, who is now waiting for another, even more important position. "Yes, it's true that I have been replaced — Shehu tells Gazeta Shqiptare — however, for the time being I still cannot tell you that my name will be ... the newly appointed Rama — an electrical engineer by profession — apparently prefers to keep to himself the news of which manager is being replaced." Shehu's replacement by Rama comes at a time when the first agreements for a real telephone revolution had just been prepared in Albania. The most important of them — at the beginning of this year — was a pilot project that envisages the general upgrading of infrastructure in the country's main cities for digital equipment. Within this project there is also another later phase that could come, perhaps as early as March-April, in the capital — and this concerned the introduction for the first time in Albania of magnetic cards for telephone calls, including international connections. Meanwhile, in many districts, special projects had favored an increase in lines or improvements in connections with the capital. (Ed.La.)

DURRES FARMERS EXPERIMENT MODERN METHODS IN AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK BREEDING — There are 20 farmers from Durrës who are experimenting with the introduction of modern methods in agriculture and livestock breeding. For this they have been assisted by the European Community PIC office in Durrës and the Ministry of Agriculture, with various material resources. The experiments are being carried out by 7 farmers in agriculture for wheat-growing methods and 13 others in livestock breeding for milk production. THE WORK OF THE JUSTICE BODIES IS DIFFICULT ALSO IN LAÇ — Difficult working conditions for the justice bodies in Laç. Lack of means and shortages in premises as well. Investigators in Laç are forced to go to Krujë, Lezhë or Tirana to question the accused, since there is no isolation room for detainees. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY INCREASES IN MIRDITË DISTRICT — The agricultural mechanical base has been put to even greater use in the district of Mirditë. The 52 tractors brought in as a loan from China and 81 others obtained through the privatization of the Agricultural Mechanization Enterprise have been a key factor for the farmers of Mirditë and have reduced the heavy demand for farm equipment. NEW CONSTRUCTION FAILS TO MEET CURRENT HOUSING NEEDS — New apartment construction is not enough to meet the many housing demands in the district of Elbasan. While the number of those waiting is about 5,000, only 180 apartments are currently being completed. Meanwhile, a project financed by the World Bank as well as by the National Housing Authority is nearing completion.

— It is the owner of a bakery who is being accused this time of hiding his income. There are almost 700 thousand lek that — according to the conclusions reached by the Financial Police — the owner from Poshnja in Berat obtained as a result of the change in flour prices on 30 June 1993. For this reason the local finance authorities have seized this amount, which is the highest among the concealments detected in Berat in recent years. The case will now go to court and only after its decision will the money be paid into the state budget.

But in Italy they still do not confirm it A turn in the aid scandal? TIRANË — The Public Prosecutor's Office in Rome has begun criminal proceedings against Torquato Cardilli, the former Italian ambassador in Tirana. The news was given by "Il Mondo", which mentions "well-informed sources", but without specifying which ones. The news that Cardilli (currently ambassador in Tanzania) has been summoned by prosecutor Ewelina Kanale, who is investigating the aid scandal in Albania, was also reported on Tuesday by Albanian Radio and Television. On Tuesday evening, when asked by phone by Gazeta Shqiptare, the Rome prosecutor Tomta (who coordinates the investigations into the scandal of Italian Cooperation) was unable to confirm the news: "I know nothing about an interrogation or about ambassador Cardilli having been summoned," the judge said, neither confirming nor denying the news. However, it was not possible to contact prosecutor Canale. Cardilli has been accused in Tirana by the State Control Commission of having played a role precisely in the aid scandal for which proceedings against Prime Minister Fatos Nano were also opened last week. Within the framework of an ongoing investigation in Rome, among others, the Italian Foreign Minister Gianni de Michelis has also been questioned.

— A special initiative by Shkodër's traders and businesspeople. This time they are the ones who will help clean the city of pollution and waste. The proposal made by the Mayor, according to the project presented by the private sector of the city, whose members had expressed their willingness to contribute. For this purpose, a bank account number will be opened — "Fund for the cleaning of the city" — where all those who wish to support this initiative financially will be able to deposit the sums they offer. Two years ago it had been another trader from Shkodër who donated 600 thousand lek for cleaning the city.

Will she be Honorary President of this institution? Dr. Argjile Boti designs the Balkan healing center EDMOND LAÇI TIRANË — Hillary Clinton — the wife of the President of the USA — has been proposed as Honorary President of the Uro-Medical Institute for the Balkans, which is expected to be established in Albania. The initiative is highly original and belongs to the famous doctor Argjile Boti, who has long served the residents of the Petrika area. The doctor, after an invitation from the market, only drugs directed by visa, it can also inspire humanity, Boti tells Gazeta Shqiptare, explaining at the same time the motive that has pushed him toward an extraordinary project. "This Balkan institute, which will be centered in the Petrika area, will be linked in a sacred way" — the first part will be a section of physiotherapy, homeopathy and folk medicine, a third oral section left from book education, psychoanalysis and music therapy, while the third sector will have a laboratory for experimental therapy and one for experimental biochemistry". According to the famous Albanian doctor, everything is ready to begin, while only the privatization of the premises in the health center where Boti now works is awaited. "We appeal to all embassies and governments of the Balkan countries — but above all the Balkan institution will start work very soon". At the conclusion, Hillary Clinton is addressed by doctor Argjile Boti — who intends to appear with the Monday connector in the funder and on the addition of the engaged person and invites the Albanian doctor to become part of her trail. Hillary Clinton

Clash between Europe and Greece over Macedonia Ministers will discuss in Brussels ON PAGE 2 New economic plans presented in Tirana The end of the need for food aid ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU NEED SOMETHING TO BUY? 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. LOOKING TO RENT a house with two or three rooms, preferably on a plot of land with space for a car. We are a young Italian couple, the house is needed for one year. Send with phone number 3046. Tiranë. GIVING FOR RENT a private house in the center of Tirana, first floor, with five rooms, kitchen, bathroom, courtyard with an area of 240 square meters, and a storage garage with metal doors. The house also has a telephone. Those interested can call the number 426 21, from 9.00 to 14.00. SELL a plot of land with an area of 650 square meters. Address: Rruga Thanas Ziko, building 65/3, staircase I, apartment 21, Tiranë. GIVING FOR RENT an apartment near the Durrës restaurant, second floor, with water, one room and a kitchen with annex and balcony. Address: Lagja 49, Rruga "Fort Knoxu", building 59, staircase I, apartment 4, Tiranë. SELL a house, two rooms and a kitchen, on the first floor, on the main road (national road), the house includes 50 square meters of space for a shop, which communicates and can be made, together with the whole house, shop, total 100 square meters. Address: Altin Djepaxhia, Lagja Salo Halli, Rruga "Vasil Shanto, building 585, Shkodër. SELL OR RENT a premises of 200 square meters, near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (at the ring road). Those interested should contact the address: Rruga Luigj Gurakuqi, entrance no. 6. Tel: 425 15, Tiranë. GIVING FOR RENT a house in the center of Tirana, newly built by Italians. Those interested can call the number 2209.