Greece increases troops along the border with Albania TIRANA — Greece is dangerously reinforcing its border with Albania. A few hours after the Tirana court’s decision on the five minority members of 'Omonia', the Greek Defence Minister, Geras Arsenis, announced 'the strengthening of troops along the land border with Albania'. This was perhaps the last step taken by the Greek top authorities before the Tirana court found five leading figures of 'Omonia' guilty of 'treason in the form of carrying out orders for a foreign intelligence service' and 'possession of weapons without a permit', sentencing them to 35 years in prison, more than the prosecutor had requested. A few hours after the judges in Tirana issued their verdict, Greece took its first diplomatic step: its ambassador in Tirana was urgently recalled to his country. Once again — as is usually the case in recent times — it was expressly stated that this was for 'consultations'. Thus, the neighbors to the south were the first to 'heat things up' on August 7. Athens did not even wait for the end of the trial to announce that 'from next year all Greek conscripts will be required to serve their military service away from home in areas along the border with Albania'. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, replied to a group of deputies from all the main Greek parties — who had come specially to Tirana — that 'the government of Albania would make an unprincipled concession, and every democratic country would denounce Albanian democracy'. Even so, tensions really rose in the afternoon. TVSH broadcast information about the end of the trial and the immediate increase in the number of refugees — nearly 50,000 — and reported 'threats from some individuals against its leading journalists', while Greek media announced that their Embassy in Tirana, despite the importance of the trial’s final stage, 'was cut off from telephone lines, electricity and water'. And in the evening, in all the extra news bulletins, the highest authorities of Greece spoke about the new situation created after the conviction of the five leaders of 'Omonia'. The request by some Greek parties for Parliament to approve 'a severe punishment against the Tirana regime' was initially transmitted by the Greek government only through a formal protest to the Albanian Embassy in Athens, combined with the relevant United Nations and foreign ministers, which at the end of the week are in Germany. Also on Wednesday evening, the Albanian Embassy in Athens expressed, without diplomatic harshness, its acknowledgement in Greece of the Albanian justice system’s decision. (P, r e) The defendants in the «Omonia» trial

Illegal migrants in Italy Now it needs to be discussed CARLO BOLLINO Italy is threatening to block Albanian illegal migrants. And it does so with two different proposals. The first comes from the head of the Puglia region, led by the prefect of Bari, Domenico Cardareccia, by order of the Interior Minister Maroni and the Defense Minister Previti, who have asked for the intervention of the military navy to patrol territorial waters and block unauthorized landings of Albanian illegal migrants. The second proposal, issued by the Italian Deputy Minister for Police, Michele Serra, concerns criminal law provisions on illegal migration. 'Today, if there are illegal migrants held in Italy who do not comply with the repatriation order, nothing happens — says Serra — whereas it would be right to update the law, providing for their arrest as well.' Serra then adds: 'The problem of prostitution among Albanian girls can also be solved better by setting an example of respect for the law. To establish restrictions...' The decisions, of course, belong only to the government, and after the request from the prefects, the Navy will meet as soon as possible — it seems highly likely that the proposal will be accepted. The Navy already patrols the Adriatic, but the important change is that control will be carried out not only in international waters but also in territorial waters, and this is happening for the first time. This reasoning also deserves further discussion. There is no doubt that the problem of illegal immigration is becoming a social emergency for Italy. In the first months of this year alone, 8,000 illegal migrants have been repatriated to Albania from the city of Brindisi. The phenomenon certainly does not involve only Albanians, and if this figure is multiplied for the entire national territory, it is clear why Italy is forced to deal with this problem. But the issue is how it can be solved. Increased vigilance may be an effective way, but only for a short period of time. The arrest hypothesis seems excessive and also because it would lead to a tightening of the provisions of the current immigration law. (The Martelli law amendment) is also considered very harsh. And in any case, prison is not the only thing that can prevent a simple social act. The current Berlusconi government, in the final stage of its mandate, is also now aiming to restrict immigration as much as possible on the basis of the current availability of jobs in Italy, and to stimulate investment in poorer countries in order to create job opportunities there as well, in exchange for maximum cooperation from them to block the phenomenon of illegal migrants. Next week the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Martino, will be in Albania: it will be an ideal opportunity to discuss these issues concretely as well.

Smith: «It is lucky that we scored» WALES: Southall ('Everton'), Williams ('Reading'), Bodin ('Sunderland'), Melville ('Sunderland'), Coleman ('Crystal Palace'), Goss ('Norwich'), Phillips ('Nottingham Forest'), Speed ('Leeds United'), Rush ('Liverpool'), Blake ('Sheffield United'), R. Giggs (Manchester United). Coach: Terry Yorath. ALBANIA: Strakosha ('Olimpiakos'), Vata ('Celtik'), Kaçaj ('Olimpija'), Xhumbi ('Janina'), Shuli ('Partizani'), Kola A. ('Tirana'), Bellaj ('Janina'), Demollari ('Dinamo'), Pano ('Skoda'), Kola B. ('Athinaikos'), Shehu ('Shibenik'). Coach: Neptun Bajko. Scorers: 9' Coleman, 67' Giggs Referee: Beschin (Italy) Bookings: Fortuzi, Shukaj, Bodin (yellow card) Stadium: 'Cardiff Arms Park', pitch slightly heavy. Attendance: 6,500 Albania made Wales fear the return match in Tirana. Because the expected 'goleada' — as the current favorites had anticipated — ended exactly at the number that they had predicted. And to their good fortune, the Albanian forwards missed glaring chances in front of goal. 'It was a superbly built team, with incomparable defense, which did not allow us a single opening for 90 minutes. It is very lucky that the goals came from set pieces' was how coach Mark Smith described his first match with the team from the Land of Eagles, immediately after the final whistle. So Albania began its loss and its first hope for 'Euro '96', but deserved at least one goal, chances for which Kaçaj, Fortuzi, Shehu and even Demollari had during Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Bajko, impressed by the sporting response, told Gazeta Shqiptare: 'I thank all my players, in every respect. They played excellently tactically, were very disciplined and showed real character.' 'I find it hard to believe that the Albanians mentioned such an incentive — 2,000 US dollars per head — makes such an impression, and I would like to know where they will find those 32,000 dollars.' Under the cynical disbelief of Alun Evans, Executive Chief of the Welsh Football Association, and through a false ray of sunshine, on Wednesday afternoon Bajko and his protagonists leave the 'Fortes Posthouse' hotel. More than two months earlier — 500 of them Albanians from Kosovo — had been waiting with songs and flags for the line-ups. At 8:30 p.m. the minutes of anguish begin for Bajko’s team, while the captain remains for 6 minutes without its captain — Demollari — to whom only then is the armband handed from the bench. Three minutes later Strakosha hesitates, allowing Coleman to turn a Goss corner into a goal. And it seemed that the 'old story' would be repeated. But only for 10 minutes, because everything on the pitch was even, even until the end of the first half. From then on the field is increasingly dominated by home 'chances', while Kola A. — the newest name on the pitch — is replaced by Fortuzi. Tactically the Albanians make an impression and the defense with Vata and the midfield with Demollari are far above the level of the attack, which remains anaemic. But chances do come, although twice the home goalkeeper Southall saves, and Kaçaj and Shehu waste them badly. But another set piece and the Welsh idol Giggs 'saves' his country from a minimal result. The late minutes are also reached, with two more chances for the hosts, who end the match with a yellow card for a rough challenge. Perhaps because the ending was truly unpredictable, while the visitors claimed they had paid 15 pounds — a little more than they should have. Wales will need another result — Bajko replies: 'Please. Your superb team lost only because of a lack of experience.' Albania has now passed the first test, even frightening Wales ahead of the return match in Tirana. Edmond Laci Ylli Hasa

TIRANA — Inflation is at its lowest levels since then. At the end of this period, the Consumer Price Index — monitored and calculated by the Institute of Statistics — recorded a fall of 2.1 percent compared with the first month of this year. Meanwhile, on an absolute scale — compared with the previous month of 1993 — this index reached 111.41 percent. The negative sign of the index in August — following the 3.3 percent drop in July — is mainly due to the 3.2 percent decrease in prices included in the 'food, beverages and tobacco' group. Particularly due to their seasonal nature, fruit and vegetables recorded a significant drop within this group. The only items in this group to show price increases were coffee (6.6 percent) and tobacco (1.1 percent). Price declines were also recorded in the 'transport and transport communication services' group by 0.3 percent and in the 'recreation, education, culture' group by 0.5 percent. By contrast, the 'Rent, water, fuel, energy' group recorded an increase of 1 percent as a result of a 10.9 percent rise in the price of firewood. (An.St.)

VLORË — An unusual incident disturbed the peace of the island of Sazan. A soldier, handcuffed, H.M., 19, from Durrës, was escorted to Vlorë by a police motorboat. According to preliminary confirmations, H.M. allegedly tried to shoot with a weapon at lieutenant A.B. during the hours when the latter was on duty repairing it. Apparently, there is a long history of quarrels and misunderstandings between the two. Details on how the bloodshed was prevented have not yet been made known. The sight of the soldier, handcuffed as he got off the motorboat at the port, made a strong impression on passers-by. Sazan, 18 kilometers from the coast of Vlorë, is an island where the presence of civilians is extremely limited. (St. Ma.)

The list of «victims» of the spider grows GJIROKASTËR — The threat from venomous insects has once again increased in Gjirokastër. In the city hospital, after 48 hours of the 'aggression' of dangerous insects, two new patients have been admitted. A girl and a man, M.B. and I.F., were taken by their relatives to the hospital in urgent condition after being stung earlier by scorpions. The girl had been sleeping when this unpleasant adventure happened to her, while the other patient had been resting in the shade after exhausting work in agriculture. Meanwhile, the number of people stung by spiders has increased. Four more have now been added to the first 13. (Ra.Ko.)

ANDREA STEFANI TIRANA — Market economics tends to relativize and erase moral and social boundaries. In one newspaper appear provocative invitations from the capital and they keep pace with the many street sales. The place changes from those, it has not sought to buy. And it is clear that it interests a person. Pjetër Groshi addressing the citizens of Tirana. Through an 'advertisement' on cardboard he has expressed his willingness to buy from them 'the medals, orders and badges of the old regime'. And on the poster the purchase prices of these symbols of contempt from the old target are listed: 'War Medal' 160 lekë, 'Civil Medal' 100 lekë, 'War Order or higher' 600 lekë. I 200 lekë. 'I would also like to buy the medals of King Zog’s regime!' — collector Groshi tells Gazeta Shqiptare, who for this statement believes that people have gotten rid of them out of fear of Enver Hoxha’s rule. Nevertheless, he is satisfied with collecting the symbols distributed during the years of socialism as moral rewards for good work. And there has been no shortage of 'customers'. But even so, this 'market' also has difficulties: some. Some citizens, after hearing the explanations of the German, leave shaking their heads: 'Not every medal is a great memory for the home...' But there are others. 'Once before, but they do not agree.' 'A person offered me an 'Hero of Socialist Labour' order for 100 dollars' — says Groshi, 'so I could not buy it.' But there are also those who, out of necessity, sell. Thus the alchemy of market economics and its cold calculations turn rewards into hard cash. And surely the moral and social stimulus that will guide the whole high trade and also 'buy' continuously for money, from their former world — no longer existing — will not be had for a lifetime.

LEZHË — A serious incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon near the village of Manati in the district of Lezhë. A 25-year-old man, Toni Ndoci i Ivanaj from the village of Ishull Shengjin, was the victim of a tragic motorcycle accident. While riding near the bridge over Gryk Manati, his high speed caused him to lose control and crash hard into the bridge barrier. Ivanaj’s body ended up 20 meters farther on. Every attempt to get him to a hospital in time was not enough. The motorcyclist’s death is the second to occur within two hours in the district on a single day. (M. Ra.)

Bosnia, the refugees’ situation is serious On page 2 Clinton repeats threats against Haiti On page 2 At the Venice International Film Festival On page 3

OBTAINS DEGREE IN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE AT THE AGE OF 60 — Enveri devoted himself with great dedication to graduating in the Albanian Language and Literature department, as was done by Alfred Stafa from Berat. Forced to leave higher studies temporarily in 1955 because of life circumstances, he fulfilled his wish after a death, yet he followed the teacher’s work path carefully. IN DURRËS, THE TELECOM 'UNPAID' BY 300 ENTERPRISES — Alarm bells are ringing for Telecom debtors. The Albanian telephone and telecom company for Durrës has, after considerable difficulty, issued two notices with an order and a warning of service interruption to 300 customers, most of them owing payment for its use. It seems that everyone has secured their phone bills for the months starting from January.

THE ENTERPRISE SELECTS experts in videocassettes On 'Macintosh' computers and for stable work • designers in accounting and in a specified Albanian field Knowledge of Italian and residence in Tirana are required. For further information call: 042/326-46