Brozi attacked by his own people The Court President: “This is the mafia of power” A serious denunciation last night on the main TV news program Two judges accuse: “The Greek man’s release was illegal” ARMAND MERO TIRANA - Another fierce attack on Brozi. This time, those accusing the President of the Court of Cassation include his own people: judges Metush Saraj and Zef Nika, members of the panel that examined the case of the Greek man Kalafatos. The attack erupted last night, at around 20:25, on television during the main news bulletin. In the “Speciale” segment, Brozi’s two colleagues, answering questions from the TV journalist, described their President’s decision—as a result of which, by means of a letter from him, a Greek judge was released—as “a flagrant violation of the law and an arbitrary, one-sided act.” According to Saraj and Nika, the decision they had made concerning the Greek citizen merely overturned the decisions of the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal and did not call for his release. Moreover, Brozi, the judges continued, made his decision without making any contact with them, “manipulating things outside the judicial panel.” A few minutes after the television interviews, Zef Brozi responds: “This is all a huge deception,” he tells Gazeta Shqiptare. “The issue is not about releasing the Greek man, but whether we can eliminate Zef Brozi as soon as possible.” The President of the Court of Cassation then categorically rejects, one by one, all the accusations made by his colleagues. “The court’s decision does not say that the Greek citizen should be reinvestigated while under arrest,” Brozi explains, “and legally, since the decisions of the other courts have been overturned, everything is in order. As for the claim that I did not contact the judges, that is not true. I made my decision after it was communicated to me by the presiding judge of the panel.” Despite the various attacks and accusations that have recently targeted the President of the Court of Cassation, he appears calm. “I will not resign,” Brozi declares firmly. “Never. I could ask to do so; it would bring me personal relief, but it would contribute to the dishonest struggle being waged at democracy’s expense. I believe we must fight and join my efforts with all those fighting in defense of the law.” The President, Brozi, considers the accusations by his two court colleagues part of what he had called on television a “unconstitutional coup.” “I regret that some of the judges of the Court of Cassation are obedient tools of political power. I want to denounce the dark hand of the mafia in power, which is trying to harm anyone it considers an opponent. The psychology of violence, prison and handcuffs that is prevailing,” Brozi concludes, “is seeking to eliminate me now, on the eve of the trials of the Omonia minority members, or Arsidi, whose case file seems likely to reveal a great deal.” Once again, fiery words that do nothing to quell the conflict that has also erupted within the Court of Cassation. Zef Brozi: last night’s latest attack against him

Rainstorm TEPELENE - Once again, heavy damage caused by torrential rainfall. This time it was the Vjosa, swollen by heavy rain that had continued for several days, which burst its banks and flooded the wheat fields near Tepelene. The raging waters also spared no plots of land situated above the two gorges of the streams that flow into the Vjosa. Their destruction has made the connection between many villages along the valley and the district center much more difficult. Villagers—especially those from Kodra e Hormovës—have had to take a long route, passing along footpaths or secondary roads, which have also been damaged. According to information from Tepelena, nearly two kilometers of secondary road have been unusable for some time. As of yesterday, it had still not been possible to make a full assessment of the damage, but specialists from the Directorate of Agriculture are already in the flooded area. Another part of the country had also been severely hit by rainfall in recent days. In Librazhd, the flooding of the Shkumbin had caused serious damage in the Hotolisht area. Ten houses collapsed—five of them completely uninhabitable—primary schools were damaged, and dozens of hectares planted with grain were swept away by the raging water: this was the st[?] of the storm’s toll in Librazhd. Here, the alarmed District Council had set up a special commission to help the affected villagers. (ra.ko.)

A sensational victory against “Parma” News, figures and curiosities on pages 4 and 5

American lawyer for Bezhanin An American lawyer for Theodori Bezhanin at the Court of Cassation. The case concerns the trial of 5 Albanian citizens who were sentenced by two Albanian judges for treason against the homeland in the service of foreign intelligence agencies and for possessing weapons without a permit. Sarandë, more victims identified Three more bodies have been identified out of the 7 people who drowned on the night of last December 25. Besnik Doci from Burrel and Llambo Shurdha and Florenc Bane, both from Lushnja. Two other bodies still remain to be identified. A US military team in Tirana A US military team has arrived in Tirana, with experts from the land, air and naval forces, to take part in a joint conference with Albanian forces. Such an activity is being held for the first time in Europe.

IMF: “Lower spending” TIRANA - The state budget for the first 3 months of 1995 has been approved by the government. While expenditures amount to 14.6 billion lekë, revenues will reach 11 billion lekë. This is yet another year in which the Albanian economy is forced to operate during the first months within the framework of provisional budget parameters. The reason seems to be that the draft budget for the year in question has not been completed. And, as always, at its center are the government’s consultations with representatives of the International Monetary Fund on reducing the budget deficit. IMF specialists in particular, during preliminary consultations, recommended that the Albanian authorities further reduce the deficit indicators drawn up by the Albanian side. The parties’ next talks on this matter, officials at the Ministry of Finance told the newspaper, will take place in February. Reducing the domestic deficit is perhaps—alongside inflation figures—one of the most optimistic indicators of economic reform. But given the limited growth in revenues, further improvement can be achieved only by cutting expenditures. The deficit, at 8 percent in ’94, is expected to fall to around 6 percent in ’95. An. Ste.

Smuggling surrounded by cordons of roadblocks North, fuel blocked 30 sales outlets closed near the border SHKODËR — “Not a single barrel of fuel beyond the border.” The Albanian authorities’ crackdown on smuggling has just closed more than 30 fuel sales and distribution outlets in the northern border areas. But that is not all: through the roadblocks—set up five kilometres from the border—not even small cars can pass; they used to refuel in the northern areas and then empty their tanks at the border. The most heavily monitored areas are Bregu i Bunës and Bajzë. The operation to close fuel sales and distribution outlets—both private and state-owned—was virtually completed last week, thereby also fulfilling a decision of the Albanian Government on strict compliance with the embargo. The national road toward Malësia e Madhe has also been brought under border restrictions, while fuel sales and distribution outlets can now be found only in towns. Thus, the latest operation—carried out under the slogan “not a single barrel of fuel beyond the border”—allows fuel stations only to those who conduct their business within the so-called yellow line. The increase imposed by traders seems inexplicable given that fuel sale prices are not liberalized and, for this reason, it is always the state that sets them. For their part, the owners of supply stations in the capital have not supplied sufficient quantities on time and, as a result, sales have fallen, causing market prices to rise. (Ar.Ça.)

Tirana, another price increase TIRANA — Sky-high fuel prices. Immediately after the government’s decision to change the price of oil and its by-products—which came into effect on January 1—the private dealers have now imposed a second increase. In recent days, at many retail fuel outlets, RON 85.1–95 gasoline—which was previously sold at 65 lekë per litre—has been sold for 15 lekë more than the price set by the government decision: 75 lekë per litre. have fallen, causing market prices to rise. According to what we have been told, the sale of oil and its by-products… Perhaps the change in the amounts of the price-difference payments they must pay into the state budget for imported gasoline and gasoil may also have had an influence here: under the government’s latest decision, these amounts too have not escaped an increase.

Italy, Albanian on trial: smuggled children A trial is under way in Bari for Bajram Tanani, 37, accused of clandestinely bringing children into Italian territory. The incident for which Tanani, captain of the fishing boat “Apollonia”, was accused took place in July 1992, when he attempted to land two children at the port of Bari with his vessel, together with their parents. For this service Tanani was to receive 500,000 lire or a car of the same value. Bergamo, young Albanian victim of an attempted murder Agron Hasibura, 21, was shot five times with a revolver from behind in his sporting-goods shop in Bergamo, Italy. According to the first statements by witnesses, he was shot with a pistol while, in that position, he gestured to him once, showing five fingers, which followed in succession, to no avail! The attacker, who followed him from behind and emptied his gun into his body, has not been identified. The fact is that witnesses did not even hear gunshots, and that they had seen [people] in Bergamo to meet some Albanians. Moscow, mothers of soldiers in Chechnya take to the square Dozens of women, mothers and wives of soldiers sent to Chechnya have taken to the streets to protest against the war there. Members of “Soldiers’ Mothers” have staged a tragedy in the city square in which their sons died in Chechnya, and have announced that they will return to protest at the Russian Ministry of Defence.

After Clinton’s appeal to Greece TIRANA — Berisha’s response to the appeal made to Athens by US President Bill Clinton—during an interview given to a Greek newspaper—to stabilize relations and resume dialogue with Albania. The Albanian President immediately expressed, through a statement released to the press, his gratitude for Clinton’s conciliatory message, calling it an appeal to both countries to make a joint contribution to peace and stability in the region. “I consider very important and welcome President Clinton’s appeal to Greece,” Berisha stressed, “to begin dialogue with Albania without preconditions and also to ensure that it does not block EU aid to Albania in the future. I regard it as an appeal by President Clinton and the US government for the normalization of relations and the establishment of understanding between our two countries.” Berisha then once again expressed Albania’s readiness to remain open to constructive dialogue with Greece and to give concrete form to mutual understanding through a treaty of cooperation and relations between the two countries.

Librazhd defeats “Tirana” On page 3 Nallbani, the year’s “sale” On page 3 The 11 Players of the Century announced On page 3

YESTERDAY IN ALBANIA For Bezhanin[?] IMF: “Lower spending” The budget in government Smuggling surrounded by cordons of roadblocks INSIDE

The song marathon resumes Radio: Hit-Parade ’95 ON PAGE 2 The Topia, the history of the principality Who made Durrës the capital ON PAGE 2 The composer cardinal How Koliqi’s operas were saved ON PAGE 2

There are also 46 others with 12 points The amount available to the winners is 2,483,638 lekë. There are 4 winning columns with 13 points, by district: Tirana 0456466, Kavaja 0031135, Durrësi 0431060 and Elbasani 0433927; barring any possible advertising deduction, each receives 372,545 lekë. There are 46 winning columns with 12 points; barring any possible advertising deduction, each receives 21,596 lekë.

Sali Berisha Bill Klinton TENDER Tender sale on 19.1.1995 Gjirokastra Hospital will hold a tender on 19.1.1995 at 10:00 for the supply of medical items for 1995. All solar-related equipment, firewood, kerosene, diesel, gasoline; 2. Agricultural foodstuffs, flour, milk, etc. Offers will be accepted until 19.1.1995. For information, contact the hospital secretariat or call 2222, 3768. Hospital Administration Sali Berisha; Bill Klinton