REPORTAGE A journey through villages covered by the flooding of the rivers The north trapped in the grip of the waters The toll of the tragedy one day after the biblical rains A horizon in which the gray of the sky blends with that of the water’s surface, which has covered almost the entire area around Lezha, sad faces waiting with their heads raised for a sign of improving weather, people who have lost their only hope for a better life. The tragedy has now happened. The entire plain on which tens of thousands had placed their future is under the power of the water. Images from the recent floods On page 5

Discussed today in Parliament TIRANA - More money for housing. The public discussion to be held next year in the parliamentary committees has also brought to light a large number of requests from various deputies. Thus yesterday, in its debate, the Industry and Construction Committee put forward as its request the doubling of the fund allocated for housing construction. On page 3

Berisha "The government must help the victims" SHKODER - The flood in the North has put the country’s highest authorities on alert. Yesterday, the President of the Republic Sali Berisha, accompanied by the Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali, arrived in villages that have now turned into a giant artificial lake. On page 5

The PD leader yesterday in a press conference On page 3

Alliance leaders The difficult problems — unemployment, widespread crime, increasing criminality, inconsistency on the part of the PD and its wasting of time — were the basis of the discussions, and only the PAD leaders, Imami and Peshkëpia, in Memaliaj On page 3

The “ZP” case. The verdict was delivered yesterday The sentence is the same as what the prosecutor had requested Xhixha yesterday during the trial On page 5

Today Gemini Horoscope '96: here are all the predictions On page 7

TIRANA - A lovely surprise on the eve of New Year for two little children from Tirana. The charming old man known as Santa Claus or Father Noel has sent a letter from faraway Finland, from his home in a mountain in Lapland. KËD Fioniti carried in his arms and his two-year-old sister, Edit, Father Noel, in the letter written in a frame with his figures with the giant white beard and the red suit surrounded by various animals, tells them that every dream is cherished when desired and everyone strives in tireless effort without seeing the prepared gifts for the children, he himself writes well to show where he has made his world. "I have my home in Korvatunturi, a mountain that looks a lot like a giant ear" - Father Noel wrote to the Albanian children - "through it I can hear the voices of all the children gathered from north to south". The old Santa’s letter is very moving, like a pleasant fairy tale on winter nights, especially on the eve of the holidays. For the little ones, perhaps, a delight. The letter is serious, full of smiles and different whispers; in his magic, Santa has not forgotten to write down his address either. "Road and wind bring me the letters in the same way as always from the houses, I am thinking, head first. Now I do not know for myself, take Babanoel in the high life." After a place, there is hope these days, convinced that the giant ear of the Finnish mountain will catch the messages.

In the South Pacific SIRPA/ECPA/EA Mururoa Atoll during a nuclear test (REUTERS) France’s gas explosion: was it an involuntary act? Page 2

Strict inspections by the Inspectorate TIRANA - More releases?[?] markets. The successive inspections by the Food Inspectorate have taken upon themselves to sift through a range of commercial products advertised to buyers. Since September, according to sources within this institution, as many as 80 inspections have been carried out. So far, on the eve of the year-end holidays, 1,124 quintals of various food products have been blocked, with a value of 9,276,000 lek. On page 3

Border killings another soldier in handcuffs He had done his service in 1990-91 in Librazhd The fourth arrest for the border killings. The accused is a soldier from Pogradec who has now ended up behind bars after 1991? in the area of Librazhd near the Albanian border with Macedonia. It is suspected that he was an accomplice in a crime committed by the prosecutor?[?] during 29-30? Nights of searches in the days the fact that has occurred? 25-year-old A. Zh. On page 5

The first Albanian to play in England MANCHESTER - Eduard Abazi, the tall footballer, began a new adventure yesterday; the former Dinamo and Albanian national team player has arrived in Manchester to join the English team "Manchester City". The sensational news was announced last night at the English club’s offices, which have taken him on loan from Benfica. The 30-year-old Eduard Abazi will be ready to play for the English club by Monday, 30 December, against "Southampton" in the upcoming "Premier League" match. Ftoja will be the fifth foreign player for Manchester City. Alongside him also play the Georgian Kinkladze, the German Eike Immel and the Dutchman Bosman, and also Romie Ek. It is clear that for Abazi it will not be an easy challenge; the English federation has approved the decision of the 9? k? had from Luxembourg, gifted with jersey number 7? to be activated in European teams? Adaptation. Eduard Abazi having played for many clubs abroad will start where? After being sold to Real? Hajduk Split, "Olympique" of Marseille, "Boavista", Benfica of Lisbon, and his last stop. Manchester City will be his current station, but perhaps not the last.

DURRËS Shots fired over property: arrested On page 5

BERAT Cannabis trader arrested On page 5

POGRADEC Border killings: another arrest On page 5

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PRESS TRANSPORT Offers you fast and reliable service Press Transport Transport rates are 40% lower than any other enterprise of this kind in Albania. Free service with 1,500 newspaper copies. We transport newspapers, magazines, books, etc. to publishing houses. Lgj. "Misto Mame", Rr. "Feni Xhajko" No. 29, Tirana. Tel & Fax: 42 332 74 and 350 16

Restaurant-Pizzeria Ujvara Air conditioned offers you On New Year’s Eve, through a romantic atmosphere full of music • humor and pleasant surprises. Reservations start from 22.12.1995. Gjin Bue Shpata Street, Tirana (near the Dinamo stadium)