Athens reinforces the border with Albania with another 3,000 soldiers Today the issue is on the agenda at the EC ministers’ meeting TIRANA — The Greek authorities have blocked the customs post of Kakavijë. Thus Athens’ anger has continued to escalate after the Tirana Court found five Omonia activists guilty, accused of treason and illegal possession of weapons. And while protests and threats spread through the ether of Hellenic diplomacy, the Greek wind of the border has reached the point where Athens is venting its frustration in rising intensity, taking the form of a border blockade against Albania. At the Kakavijë customs post — which can be described as the main artery of communication between the two states — there is only one-way traffic. It has been open only for the crowds of Albanian emigrants forcibly brought back from Greece. At the same time, the Greek authorities have not allowed Albanian citizens, even those with regular visas, to enter Greece. Vehicles have also been handed over to the Greek authorities. There has been only an occasional exception when they were driven by non-Albanian citizens. Meanwhile, reports from various news agencies reveal broader dimensions of the Greek blockade. An additional 3,000 Greek soldiers have been sent to the border with Albania to reinforce the divisions deployed in that area. Three Greek warships are patrolling the sea border near the island of Corfu. From the Greek press itself we learn that 18 police units — with 300 personnel each — are guarding day and night to prevent the infiltration of Albanian illegal migrants. Numerous police checkpoints have been set up along the road leading near Greece’s ports. It is clear that Athens is not satisfied with this state blockade against Tirana, but wants to give it international dimensions. The first step — although unsuccessful — was the case of the 35 million ECU grant that had been allocated for Albania’s balance of payments. Unable to draw the whole European Community arena behind it, the Greek representative was forced to use his veto to block the fund for Albania. Now Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou has also sought the solidarity of the USA and the partners of the European Community to exert pressure on Tirana. “Greece does not feel isolated, but we seek the solidarity of the EU,” said Venizelos, spokesman for the Greek Government, the only voice in Greece that felt isolated because of the lack of support from the European Community in its conflict with Albania. And once again it is the meeting of the EU foreign ministers, where today Greece will again raise its disputes with Albania. (P.r.e.) Kakavijë border crossing

350 migrants blocked in Otranto European Union high-level meeting A group of clandestine migrants aboard a fishing boat From our editorial staff BARI — Hard times for clandestine migrants. All day long the European Union has agreed to work on a common solution to fight migration. During a high-level meeting in Brindisi on Friday, the leaders of the Twelve took a series of new measures: sanctions against those who facilitate illegal entry; seizure of the financial proceeds of companies that live off clandestine migrants; and an increase in interventions in the countries they come from. On a practical level, in Italy the presence of the Italian police will be checked to involve the Navy in controlling the Adriatic. Yet despite everything, clandestine migrants continue to reach the shores of Puglia. In the last few hours a considerable number of clandestine migrants trying to land near Otranto has been discovered. Naval units from the Port Authority of Brindisi and Otranto uncovered a group made up of more than twenty speedboats, on board of which there were more than 350 extra-EU nationals — most of them Albanian — attempting to land illegally on the shores of Puglia. Some of the speedboats, driven by smugglers, nevertheless managed to get away: nearby, some Albanians were then blocked on land in various areas of Brindisi. The presence of the speedboats, which had been seen while they were at the edge of Albanian territorial waters, was reported to the Brindisi port authority by several fishermen. By the end of this operation more than one hundred clandestine migrants had been captured. But according to the police, half of the clandestine migrants on board the speedboats managed to land on the Puglia coast. During the chase, some of the speedboats, which had been spotted in Greek waters, turned back toward the Italian coast when they noticed the soldiers. As they were being pursued by the motorboats of the border guard units, they changed course and headed for the Albanian coast. Franco Giunno

The ship in Durrës TIRANA — The final phase of the famous pesticide story has begun. On Thursday the ship that will transport them to Germany arrived at the port of Durrës. It had set off a few days earlier; the ship “Jaque” arrived in Durrës only three days later than had originally been announced. Its huge hold contains 180 airtight containers that will be filled within a few days with the dangerous chemicals. Thus one of the issues that has most troubled Albanian public opinion in recent years is moving toward resolution. On Thursday afternoon foreign news agencies distributed a statement by Lirim Selo, chairman of the Albanian Committee for Environmental Protection, who said the operation could begin on Friday night or Saturday morning. The entire evacuation will last two months. It will be carried out by Albanian forces — and the German armed forces will also take part — under the direction of German experts in the field. The operation will begin from the two stations where the largest quantity of pesticides has been collected, in Bajza and Milot. Here the poisons will be repackaged and then taken to the port of Durrës. For transport from the station to the port, the Albanian side will provide trucks with trailers. These, with their frightening cargo on their backs, will then be escorted to a zone inside the port. For the other dispersed points — where smaller quantities have been stored — the procedure will be different. These will first be collected at the Chemical Enterprise in Durrës, where repackaging will take place. Above all, they will be packed into containers. The story of the poisons began three years ago. During 1991-1992, 460 tons of pesticides produced in 1986 had arrived in the country. These had expired as far back as 1988, and Germany had returned them without exception as a burden it wanted to unload onto Albania. Fortunately, everything now seems to be heading toward a solution. (a.iau.)

During an inauguration TIRANA — “Information technology, through its connection with the human intellect, is the science that frees and further enlarges the human mind, and it contributes greatly to the process of integrating ideas and establishing cooperation.” President Sali Berisha, at the inauguration of the Center for Informatics — which was created through successful cooperation between the Institute of Informatics and Applied Mathematics and the Italian IT firm Cedar — took the opportunity to assess the role of Albanian intellectuals in the present and future society of the country and to emphasize the use of a highly modern science such as informatics. Speaking about the difficulties that the development of this science has had in the country and the possibilities it opens up, President Berisha went on to say: “Albania is more interested than any other country in the process of acceleration, above all in the field of human intellect, as a condition for accelerating development.”

Unknown robbers VLORA — He is hospitalized in the surgery ward of the Vlora hospital and has still not been able to believe that he escaped death. A 60-year-old man from Vlora, Filip Janku, a resident of the 28 Nëntori neighborhood, was the victim a few days ago of an assault in his home. While he was sleeping — Janku lives alone on the ground floor — he was attacked by unknown aggressors who tried to kill him. Only one last-minute shotgun blast fired by the attacked man made the “night visitor” flee in fear. At first, the event that struck me hard on the head — Janku tells Gazeta Shqiptare — I quickly realized it was not a dream and tried to defend myself, but for a moment I lost my ability to resist and he was suffocating me. Only with a weapon did I manage for a moment to drive him away.” Now Janku, his body covered with many wounds and fractures, is in the city hospital. The doctors have said that his life is no longer in danger. (St.M.)

Pornography in high demand SARANDË — “The trade of shame” has become a highly profitable business in Sarandë on the Ionian coast. More and more, in visible spots around the city, different street vendors can be seen openly selling various pornographic materials bought at low prices in Italy or in nearby Greece. The sellers have taken advantage of the warm season and the great opportunity provided by the increase in beachgoers. Along with the sale of pornographic materials they have secured no small profits — as in other towns of the country — along with cinemas, often improvised by various citizens, which now show only violent materials. Videocassettes obtained and sold through Greek trade, and competitions between sex and karate, have brought ever-growing profits. The most sought-after materials are the booklets illustrated with a whole range of pictures of naked women, as well as porno magazines published abroad, often long ago and bought cheaply by the traders. They are now also sold using an original method to protect themselves from any possible threat, especially in the Albanian public sphere. As a cover for imported pornographic materials, Albanian erotic publications are often used in sales. And while they advertise the latter with one hand, with the other they hand the customer a colored photo sheet. (Ra.Ko.) City of Sarandë

A new factory SHKODËR — For the first time, Shkodra has become a beer-producing city. The citizens of Shkodra have awaited with great curiosity the first production from the city’s new factory. Located in the building of the former “Migjeni” printing house, the factory has German technology assembled by Hungarian specialists. The production initiative came from the well-known Shkodra company “Gjuraj”. The first production has also been well received by some of the city’s well-known venues. “We will supply the city with 1,200 liters of beer per day and later we intend to move closer to the factory to the place where it is served, so that one can accompany it with our beer for some time,” one of the managers of the company “Gjuraj” told Gazeta Shqiptare. (Na.Me.)

CURSIVE REALITY LEZHË — Four different jobs in one school year. This happened to a teacher in Lezhë, whom colleagues accused locally, at the time, of being promoted to different jobs, with all the positions being managerial posts. The school journey of mathematics teacher Marash Çall — who perhaps represents an original record in the history of Albanian education, in Lezhë — began exactly one year ago. The author of this article, a teacher at the “Besëlidhja” United High School in Lezhë, was sent to teach at the Eight-Year School of the village of Ishull-Shëngjin. The appointment was made by Chairman Cati and he accepted it quite calmly. But only a few months after starting the new job, the teacher, not yet well integrated with the staff, was forced to leave it. The third appointment was at the school in Shëngjin. Here too, fate — apparently for the Education Directorate — was that the district director lasted only a few months. Now Çall is deputy headmaster of the 8-year school in Lezhë. His colleagues have welcomed him — as usual in such cases — with congratulations on the new position, but this time he, although seeming thoughtful, has said: “Better not congratulate me, you never know, maybe soon I’ll go to another school.” A group of children during class

MANFRED SCHULER: “I BELIEVE IN THE STABILITY OF ALBANIA AND IN ITS SUCCESS” — This was a statement by the vice-president of the German Institute for Development and Reconstruction, Manfred Schuler, who in the past, speaking to the Chairman of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, praised the progress achieved in the course of economic reform. Proposals were made to establish a joint financial institution between the Albanian Bank and the German one. EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT - THE STATUS OF THE TEACHER ENSURES THEIR LEGAL PROTECTION — In the collective employment contract that ensures the legal protection of teachers in the school sector, between the Minister of Education, Xhezair Teliti, and the Independent Education Union of Albania. After the blocking of educational reforms because of their democratic content and current political orientation by the Union, this contract is regarded as a greater educational obligation for teachers and their rights. A GUIDE FOR BUSINESSMEN IS PRESENTED: DATA, INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE OF INVESTMENTS — For business, investments and loans, to make international cooperation easier. It is enough to consult the “Albanian Trade Directory”, Albanian traders, to be free as much as a good placement and other functions in the production sector. Various initiatives at work the chairman [...?]

“A world war could start from Sarajevo” Alarmed speech by the Pope from Italy ON PAGE 2 Football again in the country: Today’s Second Round matches Looters’ war in Vlora ON PAGE 3

FIAT SPARE PARTS FOR ALL CAR BRANDS You will find a wide variety of types Center: TIRANA - “Myslym Shyri” Street (Opposite the Palace of Pioneers) Branch DURRËS - “Main Boulevard” Street, Block 1 (Near the Flower Shop)