The smugglers’ boat explodes Mystery over the incident in Otranto. Two under arrest From our editorial staff OTRANTO. — Another tragedy in the Otranto Channel between Vlora and Italy. In a tragic, highly mysterious accident, one Albanian citizen lost his life and four others were injured. The rubber boat carrying a total of 17 people toward the Apulian coast burst in mysterious circumstances while it was setting off(?) Italian Finance Guard officers were pursuing it. There is a strong suspicion that the patrol boat may have rammed it and that, because of the impact, the weaker boat may have torn open. The Lecce Prosecutor’s Office has now opened an investigation to clarify the causes of this accident. So far two Albanians who were piloting the boat have been arrested: they stated that they are Iri Shpuza, 51, from Tirana, and Edmond Xhepi, 25, from Fier. Both have been charged with "murder" and "clandestine immigration". The victim is Alan Kotlerja, 28, from Elbasan, who died as a result of the collision. Prosecutor Nicola D'Amato has ordered an autopsy on the body to determine whether he died by drowning or from hitting his head against the boat. Four other Albanians have also been hospitalized because of the cold. The accident occurred 20 miles from the Apulian coast, between San Cataldo and Otranto. The boat with the 17 clandestine migrants had been spotted by a speedboat of the Italian Finance Guard, which was carrying out a patrol operation against clandestine immigration. The mysterious accident happened precisely during the pursuit. After the sinking, 17 Albanians were found at sea, all in good health. The victims: 1 dead, 4 injured Pain in Elbasan ELBASAN — The latest tragedy at sea has hit Elbasan hardest. As of Wednesday, the names of the victims were still not known. Here is their identity, made public by the Italian police: Alan Kotlerja, 28, was found dead. The injured are Rudina Luzi, 22, Mimosa Mali, 23, and Jetë Sula, 23. Among the injured is also a Bosnian, Kar d[?] Ridaj. The two boat operators, Ilir Shpuza from Tirana and Edmond Xhepi from Fier, have been arrested on charges of "involuntary manslaughter". This is the third sinking involving Albanian clandestine migrants just during the month of October. On the night of 12–13 October, in a filthy two-engine[?] — two children had died and 13 Albanians had been on board, 11 of whom were left lost at sea. And on 5 October, in a speedboat — Bahl[?] Shalës, 19 years old — was found dead at sea, pulled out from among the fishing nets of an Italian boat.

Brozi: "No pressure on the vote" At the height of the referendum campaign, the President of the Court of Cassation speaks ARMAND MERO TIRANA — "Rallies around the constitution and its approval by referendum amount to pressure on the vote." The harsh criticism of the way the political forces are conducting the campaign comes from Dr. Zef Brozi, President of the Court of Cassation. In a controversial statement he made public while representatives of the two largest parties have launched a propaganda tour that has covered the whole country, which is now facing the dilemma of two alternatives. On one side there are the calls to vote "for" the Constitution, and on the other those that the constitutional draft itself has set in motion by turning into a threat against it. "I do not vote for this way" — Brozi continues — "The Constitution is the product of a political party, but of all Albania, and I am sorry that it is being politicized. It is paradoxical that in a democratic system a country is asked to go to the polls simply with a "yes" or "no". Rallies are unnecessary. It would be better for the campaign to begin with explanations of the Constitution by jurists, while political parties should leave the content to be decided by Parliament. The people must be left free in their decision." "Some presidential powers have long been approved" "Some of the president’s powers have long been approved" President of the Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi Asked about the referendum, are we dealing with an unconstitutional act? How does one explain the contradiction between the constitutional provisions that give Parliament the right to approve the constitution and the decision to approve it by referendum. "Approval by referendum is not unconstitutional. I was struck by the issues around which the debates of article 2-68 have formed, which gives Parliament the competence to approve, article 16.7 which says that Parliament decides on the referendum and article 3 which states that 'the people exercise their power through representative bodies and referendum' and with a logical interpretation. Sovereignty in the people can be delegated to its representatives, but on important matters it is expressed through referendum. And it is Parliament that has decided on this. Indeed, for the referendum, in one more disagreement and in six parts with the Albanian people to vote by referendum, since it had to be voted on by two-thirds of the deputies. So future changes in the country’s political balances will not have to be used to immediately and forcibly impose a change to the constitution" concludes the jurist. The question for Albania: parliamentary or presidential? "My view and that of most jurists is that powers cannot be expressed fully under a single constitutional model. Albania should be a constitutional republic, based on a constitutional parliament, and the powers it grants to the government are balanced. And in the draft constitution this is clearly reflected and is almost one of the greatest achievements." "But don’t the President’s powers seem typical of a presidential republic?" "That is one of the points we have discussed at length. My view as a jurist is that we are not dealing with a presidential system. In fact, many of his current powers are not new, but were approved by the previous Parliament. Personally, together with the coalition, I was in favor of much more limited powers and of a presidential republic, but my proposal was not supported by the majority and I have therefore submitted myself to its will." "Are there flaws in the draft submitted for approval?" "The current draft is one of the most tolerant models and one of European standards. But there is room for criticism. However, if one looks at the strengths and weaknesses in balance, I would say that the latter are very few and cannot serve to bring it down." Toti Belone

Prosecution request TIRANA — Nearly 13 years in prison were requested by the prosecution for the eight people on trial in the "customs scandal" case. The harshest sentence this time was requested for the Lebanese cigarette trader Joseph Joseph, 6 years in prison — Nabil Sribinti, for whom prosecutor Gjokutaj also requested a civil obligation of 38 million lek. While the charge against Sibilnit was smuggling and falsification of official documents, the "customs officers Bacolli, Ram, Shqupi, Dervishi, Suljçi, Shupaj and Diamantaj" were asked to be sentenced for "abuse of office", although now — unlike in the indictment — the civil suit against them has been withdrawn. Today the judges will hear for the last time the accused themselves as well as their lawyers, before moving on to the final decision. (e.o.Mk.)

— The court has upheld the serious charge: 21-year-old Sh.R. has been sentenced to ten years in prison by the Elbasan district court because he was considered the rapist of his 13-year-old niece. According to the prosecution, the serious act took place at midday on 1 August of this year. That day, the "rapist uncle" asked the little girl to have sexual relations with him. The child’s refusal was met with such violence that he threatened to kill her. The court noted the opinion developed between the prosecution’s request for Sh.R.’s guilt and the latter’s denial. The accused, who preferred to defend himself by refusing all the lawyers offered to him, strongly claimed his innocence. According to him, the accusation raised is only a setup made by the old uncle of the others. But the panel of judges convicted him as charged and left it (...)

A peasant "invention" , peasant "invention" Water "oases" for smuggled fuel oil KOPLIK — What used to be used for water have been turned into fuel oases. This is the latest solution for the villagers of Malësia e Madhe, who perhaps have thought of eliminating the expenses for buying the tanks that store the fuel so much sought after on the other side of the border. They are extremely well known in Malësia e Madhe — especially in Upper Koplik — the oases where, before, the drops of water were gathered with great effort and had to be preserved for the great heat. But the use of the irrigation area and water reserves has now put these oases out of their old function, so much so that they were created there. Perhaps this has been one of the reasons for changing the destination of the oases, which have now been adapted very well to the villagers’ idea of filling them with fuel. It is an unconstrained idea, but also a very dangerous one, when one remembers that just a spark could turn into a tragedy for the villagers of these areas.

President Berisha has continued his trip around Albania in favor of the constitutional referendum. The fourth part of Berisha’s Wednesday. Once again Berisha expressed his determination regarding the approval of the Constitution for this decision, evoking and elevating the patriotic traditions of the marketplace. The Democrats called on up to 50 percent of voters to take part in the referendum and around 70 percent of them to vote for the draft constitution. After making this known on Wednesday, the PD chairman, Eduard Selami, at a press conference in Tirana, said again that his representatives had taken it under the current pretext and stressed that the approval of the Constitution "will be a great continuation that Albania will benefit from". The fifth part of the Council of Europe, but also for the arrival of foreign investors". Meanwhile PS, the staunchest opponents of the draft, also organized a large rally in Shkodër. After Wednesday’s conference, its leader Sali[?] stressed that PS is doing politics with two things against the draft constitution. "We have communicated to Fatos Nano everything that the police state has created for us and he has instructed that under no circumstances should this Constitution be approved." The position of the National Conference of the PSD was also clarified once again by the party chairman Skënder Gjinushi, during a press conference in Tirana. "Yes to the referendum, no to the Constitution": this was the decision of the PSD conference. Speaking about another party which is said to have publicly expressed support for the referendum and the Constitution, Gjinushi said that we are dealing with manipulations. "Maybe it wants to keep its job, but none of them had a mandate to speak in the name of the party."

CURSIVE REALITY GRAMSH — It is the story of a parent’s desperate search, before whom all doors were closed. Duka, father of seven children, has been forced to travel every week from many kilometers away to come and see his youngest son, who, because of a separation case from his wife, is under the care of his brother. Three years ago Duka lived in the town of Gramsh with his wife and children. After a conflict with the neighbors of the village (?) the present day has felt and felt and the few collected his absence(?) of his. Duka, after a quarrel, left the house, but in troubled family circumstances. One day, the wife’s brother appeared and took the youngest son with him. Now the parent is allowed to see him only rarely and with difficulty. He seeks help from the court and institutions, but according to him no one has provided a solution. In his account, he accuses his former wife and her relatives of unjustly keeping the child away from his father. Alfonsi as he remained as a citizen complained on the road to Greece[?], in Kallmas, called from the wooden mosque of the city the great has asked others. No one wanted to tell him where the family of little Duka lives. Desperate, he took the road back. He could not distribute the son. In Gramsh they were waiting outside at a door. Mestor Kikia

The crisis in the Aegean Sea worsens "Greek missiles aimed at Turkey" ON PAGE 2 NB land leased Contract for 20 years There are 170 hectares and 200 firms ON PAGE 3

FOR RENT. — A villa on the Durrës beach (near the railway station, near Hotel Durrës) with two[?] rooms and a kitchen, two-storey. For more detailed information you can call in Tirana at no. 2422 in the afternoon and during the day and after 20:00 at no. 8224. FOR SALE — A house with a yard in Durrës, near the "Iliria" cinema, on "Vaso Pasha" street. Contact in Tirana at phone no. 25122 after 16:00, or any day and 32646 after 16:00. FOR SALE — A premises — working in such hands is located in the square in front of the PS headquarters. Interested parties can contact to inspect any premises — phone during the day and at other hours with its owner. FOR SALE — A two-room apartment and a kitchen near KS "Partizani". Interested parties should contact by phone 20413. Starting price 220,000 lek. FOR SALE — A house with three rooms and a kitchen, two bathrooms, with a yard and parking available. Interested parties should call 22256 at 7:00–8:00, 15:00–17:00 and 22:00. FOR BUY — A two-room apartment and a kitchen in the city center area. Anyone offering should call the number 32646 in the afternoon. FOR RENT — A spacious house on Rrëshen street, no. 10. New house opposite, with rent, a large yard and a water tank. Interested parties should call 20754 at any time of day.

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