In the capital, the Hygiene Directorate closes more than 30 venues Cholera persists in Tirana More sick people in hospital The infected have no connection to the earlier outbreaks ARMAND MERO TIRANE — This wave of cholera has struck Tirana. The growing number of suspected cases, who are immediately admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, has been joined by the figures for people fully confirmed as ill. On Monday morning, laboratory analyses at the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology detected the vibrio in eight more people. Of these, six are from villages around Tirana: Babrru, Paskuqan and Yzberish — Kristo Pano, head of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, told Gazeta Shqiptare — while the other two are from neighborhoods 9 and 1 of the capital. All of these people are currently in the wards of this hospital, where 1 suspected and 3 others are being monitored, and one of the suspected cholera cases is a minor. The geographical spread of the sick has, according to doctors, also raised suspicions that the vibrio was transmitted through food. Protective measures continue in the capital. The Hygiene Directorate, in cooperation with the police forces, is carrying out inspections in all of Tirana’s venues and commercial units. By Monday, the number of closed premises that did not meet hygienic-sanitary conditions had risen steadily in the heat and cold, and had exceeded 30. Meanwhile, during a government meeting, Prime Minister Meksi ordered the creation of a special commission that will closely monitor compliance with and implementation of this decision by the authorities dealing with the epidemic and its consequences. In cases of negligence there will even be punishment with very severe measures, including criminal prosecution by the Prosecutor’s Office. But alongside these very important measures, the care that the population itself must show in the current conditions also seems crucial. "Under no circumstances must we be negligent," Pano appeals, "everyone must show maximum vigilance and respect the necessary hygiene measures." The outbreak of cholera has not spared Korça either. Also on Monday, laboratory analyses confirmed a case of illness in this city. It is a woman from Tërhuqë who, from the first information, appears to have contracted the vibrio in the Kuçovë area, where she had gone for a visit. The sick woman — along with 10 others who are suspected — is now isolated in the city’s "hot diseases" ward. This ward was created specifically to deal with possible cholera cases from Devoll, Kolonjë and Pogradec. The situation is also serious in Korça and Berat, where on Monday the number of admissions continued to rise — 25 in total — while only 10 people were hospitalized, one of them a girl in serious condition. The situation in Librazhd is also tense, where the number of hospitalized patients appears to have kept increasing up to Monday. That same evening, a team of infectious-disease specialists left Tirana to assist local doctors in coping with the situation. The infectious ward of Tirana Hospital

Today in Tirana MPs begin the parliamentary "marathon" TIRANE — Today the plenary session of the People’s Assembly, which began two days ago, will continue, the 6th Session of the 13th Legislature. One of the features of this session is linked to the current working chamber, which is equipped with a modern electronic communication system. It was the Speaker of the Presidium of the Assembly, Arbnori, who in his opening speech gave a summary overview of the most important events that dominated the country’s political and social life between the two sessions. On this occasion, Arbnori devoted important attention to clarifying Albanian-Greek relations. He condemned the Greek side’s attempts to directly impose its will on Albanian institutions, as well as the expulsion of Albanian economic migrants from Greece. Regarding the debates over the approval of the Constitution, Arbnori supported the idea of a Constituent Assembly with a broader base than that of the Parliament made up of 140 deputies. "What is most important," he stressed, "is that everything be approved within the law." Arbnori then informed the deputies of the work program for the period 19 September-23 November as well as the work calendar for this period, previously approved by the Presidium and the heads of the parliamentary groups. (p. re.)

A 16-year-old is killed by his peers Teenagers’ quarrel turns into tragedy Police have detained two participants in the fight VLORE — A serious घटना has shaken Vlorë. A teenager, almost a child, I.B., 16 years old and a first-year student at the Industrial Secondary School, was killed by a stab wound to the heart inflicted by one of his peers. The loss of the young man has caused shock first and foremost — as in other murder cases as well. Not only because of the victim’s age and involvement, but also because of another factor: the killer was known as a boy who was unusually calm and not like what we are used to seeing. The serious incident occurred right in the city center, near the Monument of Independence. According to the initial investigation, the victim was attacked by a group of teenagers and, after the first clashes, was unexpectedly struck by a knife that pierced his heart. At the center of this story was a simple quarrel between the victim and the aggressors a few hours earlier near I.B.’s home. The quarrel was fierce and the teenagers exchanged a few blows, but nothing more, nothing that would have suggested the event could end in tragedy. After a short time, the group of young "avengers" waited for the victim again where he had almost no chance of defending himself. The police have now detained two teenage participants in the incident and are conducting intensive investigations. The real killer has still not been identified. Although there were many passersby at the scene of the murder, none of them has been able to testify whose hand delivered the fatal blow. The murdered boy was the son of a well-known teacher in Vlorë. Highly successful in recent years through his boxing activities, I.B.’s father was one of the main sponsors of the "Flamurtari" club. (St. Ma.) The city of Vlorë

TIRANE — An adolescent has been separated from his family, torn away by a completely absurd death. A simple quarrel between peers, the kind that happens hundreds of times in the cities and villages of Albania, this time seems to have had a super-tragic outcome. Similar incidents had already occurred before in other cities. Now in Vlorë, but not only here, the question arises by itself: why all this aggression at such an age, when, to what extent, it has been felt by the children? Opinions, as everywhere, are also divided here. Some blame television. This educator of adults often educates badly by presenting before the eyes of children, still unaccustomed to it, scenes of violence that even resemble something unreal. (Is it not also considered savage in other countries where the phenomenon of the "baby-killer" has taken worrying dimensions?) But it cannot be only that. Albania is now going through a difficult period of rebirth, and the environment, with its insecurity and various obsessive influences, is not among the best examples for educating adolescents. Scenes like the one that happened in Sheshi i Flamurit should make all of us reflect. (f. b.)

BERISHA STATES THAT ALBANIA HAS SUFFICIENT MILITARY POTENTIAL — Confirming this fact before the personnel of a military unit in Gjirokastër, the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, also added that "we are in a region where there are movements and our nation is not without arms." Berisha also called his tour in the South on Monday, taking part in the celebrations for the 5th anniversary of the liberation, for the Liberation Day of Gjirokastër. THE NEW HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OBSERVERS’ MISSION ARRIVES IN TIRANA — It will be Jean-Noel Derespas, the new head of the Regional Office in Tirana for the European Union observers’ mission in Albania. Derespas’ mandate — the place where he had previously been linked to monitoring Albania’s border agreements with Serbia and Montenegro, for immigrants had begun after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union on 21 December ’92. FUSHË-KRUJA STILL WITH ONE MILL — As it seems, it will still be obligatory for the women and men of the Fushë-Kruja commune, who used to grind their grain in Krujë. This is because there has never been any such mill in the commune, and the existing one is very primitive, in fact not always in proper condition. Only this year, peasant families received a subsidy of over 25 quintals per hectare, and to distribute it as bread requires a long detour. At present there is a lack of funds for building 2-3 mills and electric saws.

The former President sends a letter to the Court of Appeal TIRANE — Former President Ramiz Alia has once again requested acquittal — the defendant, required by the Tirana Court to pay nearly 10,000 dollars in damages to the state budget for having withdrawn from the papers. Alia and Haderi were also the only defendants who did not take advantage of the opportunity to escape the accusation by requesting to be included in the proceedings that had ended on 3 July ’94, so that the former servant might stand before the court. Meanwhile, Çarcani and Myftiu — sentenced with suspended sentences — were not represented in the proceedings that began on Monday, not even by their lawyers, thus "surrendering" to the guilt that had been declared respectively. "I personally have not committed any unlawful act," wrote Alia in his letter, who — precisely after 13 months spent in Tirana Prison — had a second opportunity to defend himself publicly. The annulment of the decision of the Tirana Court and acquittal were also requested — both personally and through their lawyers — by Marko and Stefani (sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment each), Isa Gela (7), Ramiz (6), Mino (4) and Haderi (3). The accusation against them this time was defended by Nezir Goda, while the court was chaired by Bashkim Cani. (o. re.) Ramiz Alia

SHKODER — In just one year, Shkodër will have in its center a mosque unlike any other in Albania. The completion date of the Fushë-Çelës Mosque is confirmed for Gazeta Shqiptare by the mufti of Shkodër, Fak Hoxha. It is envisaged that this structure will have a capacity of 1,500 people, two minarets and other facilities, including a library. The Fushë-Çelës Mosque — built from the best of Turkish construction projects — has a very long history and now proves the soundness of its construction. It will cost about 600 thousand dollars, financed by Saudi Ali Zem.[?] Meanwhile, "Saza Company" — the well-known Turkish construction firm — will be the executor of this project. (Ar. Mo.)

Cursiv reality ELBASAN — Several million old drachmas lost within a few hours. A hand that had drawn by chance the main lottery prize for Nderim Bahja from Kosova e Elbasanit, but in an instant returned it to a historical nightmare where the winning dream becomes a distant dream. It had been an ordinary workday at the company "?" where Nderimi works. Even before work arrived, people and work were in his hands. Seeing it as a "gift from heaven," he began making plans for how he could spend it for the good of the family and the children. But the illusion did not last long. That very same lucky morning, a co-worker told him the content of a dream he had had the previous night: it was said that someone resembling Bahja’s brother — who had died a few years earlier at the age of 5 and whose grave is considered a holy place by the patriots — had warned that a valuable object would be found and had to be handed over. When everything was turned upside down again, about 8.6 million drachmas were now in his hands. And, seeing it as a "gift from heaven," he began making plans for how he could spend it for the good of the family and the children. But everyone’s amazement did not last long. That same morning, another person in Elbasan, with whom he had financial dealings, claimed the amount, saying that the lost wallet was his. Found near him, the wallet had remained there. And Bahja, until then unaware, took the message sent by the "saints" as convincing and handed the precious wallet over to its owner. But he was not left unrewarded. In gratitude, the owner of the wallet gave him a sum of money that would only cover 4-5 months of work. But that is not all: Bahja feels calmer and morally rewarded for having carried out a divine will. Me. Kl.

It will be shown in Tirana and Shkodër within the month ROME — By the end of September there will also be an Albanian premiere of Amelio’s "Lamerica", a film that received much support from critics and audiences at the special Venice Festival. Tirana and Shkodra, these two Albanian cities where Amelio has decided to project the beginning of the rescue, meanwhile for all spectators who by name have been waiting with great curiosity for the film, the many scenes about Albanians were shot precisely in these two cities. According to the official Italian news agency and Shkodër, the film will be screened in the month with the circulation from October passengers. The announcement was made by Amelio himself — who with this film was declared best director of the Venice Festival — in an interview. "I need to set an exact date for the premiere in Albania," said the Italian director, "and for that I first need to agree with the Albanian Ministry of Culture and the Italian Embassy in Tirana. The event will be much anticipated and will be even more special if it seems to you that all those who worked on the production deserve admiration. Amelio — and many Albanians who have in this way seen Albanian films — also emphasized that there is great curiosity to see how the film has portrayed foreigners." o. s. p. The protagonist of the film Lamerica, Enrico Lo Verso

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