The fury of the weather causes colossal damage, the army intervenes In Shkodër, Lezhë and Malësi e Madhe thousands of hectares of agricultural land are flooded. Hydroelectric plants are also at risk Three thousand soldiers are helping the population hit by the severe disaster. In Shkodër, the raging water has destroyed 5,000 hectares of planted land. The same fate has befallen 1,500 hectares in Malësia e Madhe An alarming situation in the fields of Lezhë. Torovica, Balldreni and Dajçi are seriously threatened. Cut roads, severed telephone lines and entire families at risk of isolation: this is the situation after the heavy rains that have not stopped falling On page 5 Yesterday’s floods seen from a helicopter

INTERVIEW The Deputy Minister of Economy speaks '96, no new taxes "This system delivers what we want" With the budget proposal that is to be approved, there will be no change in fiscal policy. The press has criticized the Government for frequently changing tax laws, but after so many years of experience we have achieved a modern tax system; the introduction of value-added tax completes this system. So it must be emphasized that no other taxes are planned; this is the message that should be conveyed to traders and businessmen. I do not think other taxes should be introduced, not because we do not know how. For example, in the whole world the unmarried and bachelor tax is known, whereas here it will not be introduced. On page 3 Parliament

VLORË On page 3

SHKODËR On page 3

KORÇË A hatchet over pine trees: 1,500 trees damaged On page 3

Arbnori: "We have met all the conditions" The parties comment. Gjinushi: "They have no reason to be satisfied" Yesterday’s meeting of PAD and PBDNJ On page 3

- Will PAD make a pre-election coalition agreement with PBDNJ? The new idea was raised yesterday by the leaders of the two parties, Neritan Ceka and Vasil Melo. A political project for which everything will be signed only if, on the part of the ruling party, the existing electoral law with some technical changes is not respected. Here is the objective that must be achieved. Will it remain to be carried out? Arbnori signing the EC amendments On page 3

HOROSCOPE '96 On page 6

Hygienists "Villagers keep clean" KORÇË - "Villagers, keep clean." This is the appeal issued by the staff of Albanian hygienists, these days in the villages of the Korçë district. Different diseases with serious consequences are increasingly appearing in the countryside. To set a better example, these days before the turn of the year it was also necessary for some clean-up work to be carried out by the village hygienists. They voluntarily resumed cleaning in Mbroje, Korçë - which has spread to many other areas - considering by chance a number of dirtier places in terms of maintaining cleanliness, but also distributing concrete tasks to the main units[?] of the village council. As a necessary[?] requirement, here are the achievements and the areas that were opened and that, in every household, after some time, the required sanitary checks should be carried out. el.KA

Helsinki The Human Rights Committee once again calls for a review of the law On page 3

From the world The severe weather is expected to last until the end of the year. In Spain, the first five victims: three of them drowned in floodwaters caused by rain On page 2

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the big screen Cinema celebration: TV, film marathon Albanian Radio Television On page 5

Yesterday at the Court of Cassation "Arsidi" 10 years in prison Ilir Hoti Reduced sentences for three others: Ardian Xhyheri, Agron Saliu and Agim Tartari The "Arsidi" case has closed its cycle with Albanian justice. The court handed down sentences to the figures involved - Xhyheri, Saliu and Tartari - and did not alter the verdict for banker Ilir Hoti; nor for former prime minister Aleksandër Meksi. On page 5

New Year in Elbasan, an appeal from the electricity company to the public ELBASAN - "If you want to have light for the New Year holidays, then kill the turkey. Roasting the turkey with electricity is not allowed!" This was the request of the electric utility of Elbasan, which has been posted for citizens. Wishing first and foremost itself, the "citizens of Elbasan" a Happy New Year 1996, the electricity company is at the same time calling on citizens to save the electric power needed for roasting the traditional bird of the year’s biggest holiday and use it three days earlier. According to the same appeal, this is how they hope to avoid a risk that always remains evident: serious faults in the main network, which could make many people celebrate the arrival of 1996 under the dim light of candles. The notice, which truth be told has seriously mobilized the citizens of Elbasan, has been seen in all the places posted on the walls of the city’s central buildings, at road intersections and in other visible places. Mentor Kikia

Happy New Year 1996! Autumn - Winter '95 Collection Tiranë - Durrës - Shkodër