Conservative Evert calls for the expulsion of all Albanians In Athens, the pilot of the leaflets is innocent GJIROKASTËR — The first consequences of the blockade of the Albanian-Greek border crossing at Kakavija have already been felt. On Thursday evening, drivers from both sides of the border protested in their own way after 11 p.m. along the road under the still scorching heat. Meanwhile, the closure of Kakavija is said to be affecting the Albanian economy as well, especially in the southern regions of the country, where the first signs of price increases have appeared. The foreign exchange markets have also reacted, where the drachma is everywhere ten lekë lower. Despite statements by Greek officials denying the blockade of Kakavija — the Greek government spokesman Veni[z]elos had said that there had only been a “standstill of vehicles due to the intensification of checks on entry visas” — the line of cars waiting to cross the border has stretched out enormously. Tired of the long wait and already fearing that the goods they were carrying would spoil, drivers from both sides of the border began to protest by continuously honking their horns. Perhaps this was the reason why the Greek side allowed fuel-laden vehicles to cross on Friday morning. They had also been allowed the previous day. At Kakavija, only citizens who had obtained visas in the last two or three days entered Greece, the majority for health reasons. In the southern markets, mainly in Gjirokastër, many traders preferred to keep their goods unsold, fearing a prolonged blockade of Kakavija, which in some cases led to price increases for certain food items. In Tirana, the drachma costs 36 lekë less, from 47.31 lekë per 100 drachmas. Meanwhile, in Athens, the spokesman for one of the two pilots — Evert — is said to have been found innocent. All the people of Athens found the situation absurd. On the other hand, the government and the opposition in Athens have called for calm. He was accused of having dropped leaflets against the Greek government over Athens. The Greek side reacted harshly with nationalist statements, but the court’s decision has temporarily calmed the situation. Evert’s prosecutor added that there is no evidence for more serious charges. In any case, the case has sparked a strong political debate in Greece. Greek media also reported statements by the conservative Evert, who called for the expulsion of all Albanians, a statement that caused numerous reactions in Athens and Tirana. (p.r.e.)

Vlora, the clandestines’ route Every night dozens of people head for the other shore VLORË — They are thousands, and their stories can be read in the streets of the coastal city of Vlora. The many “fish” have turned into refugees and into something different, almost like a game. Especially for the “managers,” who have the hardest task, although they have thought of growth, it gives them the opportunity to send them off dozens of times, all together or on any given night, not only in Albania but also on the opposite shores. Today everything appears to be well organized: the new industry has come to the aid of dozens of young people in the poorest areas of Albania, to ease the movement of the new refugees, who are then transported by motorbikes and trucks to the agreed destination until a safe departure and at a favorable price. Some are even paid later, but with responsibility. STAYING — Of course the entrepreneur of this industry takes a share for them. There are also trucks that have been put at the service of refugees for their arrival on the coast. That is the truth. Since 1 April, 20- to 30-year-olds of both sexes, in fact very disciplined, have been living in houses and places of stay. The owner calculates the flow of movement and they learn when refugees who arrived with other people can wait for a lower price to leave. Albanian clandestines stopped by the Italian police ARRIVAL — Only an hour and a half by road, and the condition set by the skiff operators distinguishes the Apulian shore. First the “passengers” are given instructions, while praying that God will help them overcome the last obstacle, the landing. Touching down is quick and lasts only a few seconds. Then the skiff takes the return route, announcing on the radio that the operation has been successfully completed. DISTRIBUTION — The single journey would be followed by series of buses and trains heading north. In order not to attract attention, refugees are told to dress in a more Western style. It happens that the train smiles at them, when it is taking them to departure. For those who do not make it, we would accompany their fate to the police. CHILDREN — It is a payroll that begins and ends with twenty signatures. The price for mobility, because of competition, continues to rise and in the various vehicles can reach 1 million lire. With that, many houses are bought. The people who work are paid, those who hunt them, those who guard them, fuel and everything else. Many families live this way. (p. re.)

The verdict is handed down SHKODER — The first sentence has been handed down against fuel smugglers in a phenomenon that has become quite widespread in the north, especially in the Shkodër area, which has thus received its first blow. According to the official Albanian news agency, five people accused of smuggling have been sentenced by the Shkodër Court to penalties totaling 22 months and 10 days in prison. The charges against the five relate to an incident that was verified about four months ago. At the time, police had stopped them near the village of Pulaj while they were trying to cross into Montenegro, which had long been under embargo, with 1,800 liters of fuel. The heaviest sentence was given to the owner of the confiscated tanker truck, 6 months in prison. In his case, the court took into account his aggravated health condition. The others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 4 months. Also involved in the case were five soldiers from the Pulaj border post, who had been arrested together with one of their superiors.

“Recognized by its aroma” TIRANË — State authorities have uncovered another troubling phenomenon: brandy counterfeiting. This concerns one of the best-known Albanian brandy labels, both inside and outside the country, where it bears the name Skënderbeu. Counterfeit producers, who in many cases remain anonymous — identifying them is difficult even though the fake brandy can be recognized by its external appearance and the labels do not differ from the genuine product — have increasingly flooded the market with large quantities of brandy, whose recipe and therefore taste are far removed from the famous drink. The placing of such quantities on the market appears to have affected the brandy’s reputation in foreign markets as well. One of the specialists in the food industry said in a television program that there is a lot of room for counterfeiting. “The suspicious brandy has a vanilla aroma — he said — an aroma that the original ‘Skënderbeu’ does not have.”

LEZHË — A taxi driver from Durrës has fallen victim to an assailant from Lezhë, who has now disappeared together with the Durrës driver’s car. The driver, F.F., and the passenger, V.GJ., had agreed on the fare for the trip to Durrës, 3,000 lekë, which is what the man from Lezhë had to pay. But upon arriving in Lezhë, V.GJ. asked the driver to take him to Shëngjin. At the small port he was also able to lead him into some dark places, until he neutralized the driver with an unspecified blow. The driver from Durrës filed a complaint with the police, which is now searching for V.GJ.(R.)

SHKODER — A simple fountain placed in one of the central squares near the Prefecture has been one of the most frequented places in Shkodër throughout the hot season. It has become a meeting point for many people from Shkodër who have shops, kiosks and cafés nearby. The reason for this phenomenon is the water itself that flows from it, supplied by the city’s water system, and which, because it is filtered and purified, has been used by citizens to cool off. Above all, children and young people have spent hours there. Buy and sell FOR SALE OR LEASE — the second floor of a villa in the city of Durrës, with sea view, 30 meters from the sea. The villa is located near the “Nënë Tereza” area in Durrës. The building has 4 rooms and 1 bathroom. Separate entrance and parking space for cars. Interested parties should contact: Rruga “Budi”, no. 67 in Tirana. Telephone number 27187. FOR RENT — a villa with 2 rooms and 1 kitchen, with yard (40 m2) and near Police District No. 1; the building is unfurnished and can be used as housing, offices or for other purposes. Contact for further information at: Rruga “Vllazën Huta”, no. 87. FOR SALE — at a very low price a new object such as [...?] FOR SALE — shop, 52 square meters. Price around 1,500,000 lekë on Rruga “Niaz Mula”, building no. 1. Interested parties should contact: Kostandin Marku, Rruga “Kostandin Kristoforidhi”.

FIRST MEETING OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION CELEBRATION COMMISSION — The first meeting of the government commission to organize nationwide celebrations of the country’s liberation anniversary was held under the chairmanship of its head — Minister of Defence Zhulali. The activities will be organized on the basis of a state plan that will coordinate them nationwide. SARANDË, SEMINAR FOR TOURISM BUSINESSMEN — The European Community and the Ministry of Tourism organized a seminar in Sarandë for the preparation of Albanian businessmen — from the two districts of Sarandë and Gjirokastër — who will operate in the tourism sector in the coming season in this area. According to Genci Panku, Director of the Directorate at the Ministry of Tourism, the European Community will support the development of tourism in small private enterprises in this area with 800,000 ECU. The investment will be made within the framework of the implementation of a PHARE programme. FOR, PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR — Schools in Fier are completing preparations for the opening of the new school year. Of the 14 schools counted, 12 have already entered this phase. Repairs have been carried out with a fund of 1.3 million lekë, which the Municipality used for the necessary repair work, but the fencing of school buildings still remains a concern in many schools. Funds from the central ministry are expected to carry out these works. Meanwhile, in many schools the enrollment of pupils was found to be unfinished.

GAZETA TV

IN BRIEF Agreement on refugees between Cuba and the USA 20,000 visas per year will be issued for Cubans ON PAGE 2 More people live below the subsistence minimum in cities Positive signs in rural areas ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? This space is free for you! For economic notices. Send us 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 your message and ask and offer, your name and address. FOR SALE — apartment 1/2, Building 1/2, Staircase 1, apartment 4, Tirana. FOR SALE — a 1-room apartment and 1 kitchen, with annex and balcony. Address: Rruga “Hodo Beg”, Building 156/1, second floor, apartment 5 in Tirana. Phone 92771. FOR SALE — a set of industrial machines; sewing, sports, and others. Contact items are used but in excellent condition. Also offer an optical plant. Interested parties should contact in Italy: Francesco Solovag, Via G. Mazzini, N.C., Celano. FOR RENT — a house with 1 room and 1 kitchen in the building of Baprak near Police District 76 in Tirana, call us at 25687. FOR SALE — a house in Sarandë, 2 rooms and 1 kitchen and a large annex with sea view, third floor. Address: Rr. Lalzi 4, Building 52, Kodra, Sarandë, phone 2226. FOR SALE — a two-storey house, 6 floors with dwelling and basement, with 200 square meters of land. Interested parties should present themselves at the address: Ismail Muçhtari, Kodër Kamëz. FOR SALE — land on Rruga “Irfan Tomini” (next to the Biological Institute), 850–800 square meters of land. Interested parties should contact 042/32675. FOR SALE — an apartment with 1 room and 1 kitchen, first floor, near “Petro Nini Luarasi” School. For the price, interested parties can contact: Rruga “Luigj Gurakuqi”, no. 6. Phone 42515. FOR SALE — a three-storey villa built with a project and very high-quality materials. The villa has 5 rooms, 2 bathrooms, balcony, verandas, garage and yard. It is located in the new construction area, near the “Vasil Shanto” block. For more information, contact: Rruga “Luigj Gurakuqi”, no. 6. Phone 42515. FOR SALE — an old apartment with 3 rooms and 1 kitchen, close to the Austrian Embassy. The price is reasonable. For more information, call: Rruga “Luigj Gurakuqi”, no. 6. Phone 42515. FOR SALE — a very good “Benz” car, closed with four doors. Further information can be obtained at: Myslym Kuli Toli, Rruga Zenel Baboci, no. 8 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 Tuesday departs at 12.00 every Thursday departs at 12.00 every Sunday departs at 12.00 From DURRES to ANKONA: every Tuesday departs at 19.00 every Friday departs at 22.00 From DURRES to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departs at 19.00 every Saturday departs at 19.00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRES: DETARE SHTETERORE Tel. 052/22233 - 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 XXIX Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204918 - Fax 202206 - Tlx 860032 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Srl - Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460059