Pashko, Shehu... also in the courtroom TIRANA - The figures in this major Albanian political trial in the “Arsidi” case. Today in the courtroom, where former officials of Albania’s main banks sit among the accused, Ruli, Shehu, Pashko and Spaho will appear as witnesses. All have been summoned in this trial—one of the most sensational scandals—by the defense lawyers for Hoti, Xhyheri, Tarari, Ahmeti and Sali, who have submitted a list of 16 people that also includes the name of Socialist leader Fatos Nano, as well as other figures who held important posts in the country in 1991-92. The arrival of these witnesses in the courtroom has been regarded as a great hope for the defense, to shed more light on the $1.6 million scandal in which their clients are implicated. The names among the 16 witnesses who are to appear here are, for the most part, new figures in this case, who—according to the prosecution—have knowledge and information about the figure of Arsidi? Thus Genc Ruli, then Minister of Finance, “signed a mandate appointing Arsidi as an organizer of international trade, to provide assistance in the economic and commercial development of the Commercial Bank, and to seek investors and other financial organizations,” the indictment states. Ruli is later mentioned only in connection with the appointment of Ilir Hoti—at the time Governor—as well as Director General of the Commercial Bank. Nano’s name, by contrast, appears in only one document, and only in connection with a letter dated 20.03.1991 addressed to him—then Prime Minister—by Shane Korbeci, former Minister of Foreign Trade. In that letter Korbeci—according to the indictment—proposed appointing Arsidi as Adviser on International Trade. The appearance in this trial of the best-known names in Albanian politics from the early 1990s became possible only last Saturday, when the first list of hearings was drawn up. According to the lawyers, the presiding judge Celiku had accepted the defense’s request to add to the witness list the names of other figures and personalities, through whom it was proposed… A moment from the “Arsidi” trial (photo H. Pustina) Genc Ruli

Socialists outline their aims Pëllumbi: “There will be no alliances with parties. Only after the vote...” TIRANA - There will be no alliances among the opposition parties during the campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The conditions for such an arrangement will be created only depending on the votes each party receives. This was confirmed by Socialist Deputy Chairman Servet Pëllumbi himself during a press conference held yesterday at the party headquarters in Tirana. “There will be no pre-election alliance,” Pëllumbi said when asked about possible PS alliances in the approaching elections. “The opposition party still finds it difficult to reach this point, but one thing is certain: the elections must be held as soon as possible. Our aim as a party is to consolidate the left. After the vote, an alliance between the parties may be possible.” Yesterday in the early morning, during a conversation with journalists that lasted nearly an hour, the Socialists outlined their political aims for the year that has just begun. “Not to let the country continue rolling into the abyss, to seek to convince the PS electorate of the alternatives it offers, to continue to make the adoption of the Constitution a priority, first in Parliament and then possibly by referendum, to turn the fight against corruption into an anti-corruption movement, to denounce any violation of human rights and to achieve an Albania without political prisoners,” Pëllumbi said. Regarding an issue involving the blockage of foreign relations and the establishment of general relations, according to his statement at the press conference, “we will have a clear policy here…” In his answers, Pëllumbi also touched on the “shadow government” issue. “We have not used this term,” Pëllumbi continued. “I am convinced that they will continue their work even if we come to power. In any case, the concept of a shadow government is a democratic concept, and we must get used to it. I welcome the position expressed by Eduart Selami in Gazeta Shqiptare. He too considers this entirely normal.” And what about a possible motion of no confidence within the PD parliamentary group? “The chairman of the PS parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, answered this question. ‘That is an internal matter for the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group, but we believe it is a political struggle within the class,’” was the substance of Dokle’s reply. The Socialist once again insisted on their demand for early elections.

On L’America TIRANA - The debate over “L’America,” the acclaimed film “Lamerica” by Amelio, has erupted once again. At the heart of the debate are the “violent” judgments of the great Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare, concerning the work of the Italian director. And just days after an interview with Kadare was published on the culture pages of “La Repubblica,” another critical article by an Italian journalist appeared. While entire pages in Italy continue to be filled with debate, in Albania the circle of people who have had the opportunity to exchange views on the film remains limited. The announced premiere has not yet taken place, and it is unclear why it is being delayed. The screening schedule for the premiere of “Lamerica” had been prepared as early as October. It was even said that the film’s promotion would be organized by the Italian Embassy and the Albanian Ministry of Culture. Beyond this, all the requests—including one from Amelio himself and another from the Italian journalist of “Corriera de…,” as well as from the well-known actor Michele Placido—were made, but it is not known why the visit was postponed. Among the few people who have seen the film are former Minister Anastas Kondo and current Minister Laco. Both attended its most recent screening, organized at the residence of Italian ambassador Forosti. According to some other attendees, neither expressed any extremely negative opinion. The difficulty of judging at the Ministry. At the Italian Embassy, those responsible simply answer Gazeta Shqiptare’s question: “It is a work for reflection.” What should one reflect on? Perhaps, before judging the position of Albania’s greatest writer, whose volleys at the outset of L’Amelio have called the image of the film in Albania into question. Perhaps only after the film has been shown in Albania, and Amelio has met one of the other people involved in this case, will Amelio find it easier to understand who is right in today’s debate. (f.b.)

Because of bad weather VLORË - An unprecedented influx of people in Vlorë. Many of them have been turned back in recent days by the Italian authorities, who have stepped up their controls as they anxiously await an improvement in the weather, which would allow them to board the speedboats that will transport them to Italy. Tonight, the speedboat…

ELBASAN - Around 80 percent of young people would prefer to have 3-4 children in the future. On the other hand, almost 98 percent of young people do not want to marry or get engaged for the time being. These are the findings of a survey conducted by a student association among students at Aleksandër Xhuvani University. Meanwhile, 90 percent of respondents believe that women should not work, but should perform the role of mother and educator. (m.k.)

A stele in Sarandë SARANDË - The construction of a kiosk has led to an archaeological discovery. In Sarandë, while work was under way to open a passage for a private café, an object dating from the early first century, used by the inhabitants of that time to collect water, came to light. The stele was in good condition, although it sustained some damage during the excavations carried out by the workers; this was the first section. Archaeology specialists arrived at the site immediately and determined that the object discovered dates from the 4th or 5th century AD. Its significance led to the surrounding area being cordoned off and further work on the construction of the café being halted. (a.m.)

Criminal police detain four people GJIROKASTËR - Cigarette smuggling has once again led to the seizure of two vehicles and the arrest of four people by the criminal police of the Gjirokastër district. The shipment consisted of around 300,000 packs of “Pine” brand cigarettes. After managing to get through the checkpoint at Kakavijë, the vehicles—a milk-colored van with Gjirokastër plate 2377A and a blue one with Tirana plate 5107b—carrying smuggled cigarettes had been hidden for several days in a warehouse belonging to some person in the city of Gjirokastër. In addition to seizing the vehicles, the police detained the owner of the warehouse as well as the three people accompanying the smuggled goods; they include one trader from Gjirokastër and two from Tirana. The documents are expected to be handed over to the prosecutor’s office for investigation. (p.re.) Traffic disruption Tirana-Korçë: heavy snow closes the road KORÇË - The Tirana-Tirana-Korçë road is blocked. Snowfall has closed a long section of this road, making it impossible to travel along it. Dozens of cars—heading from Tirana in that direction—have been forced to stop their journey and turn back. Work to clear and reopen the road began immediately.

Albania-US agreement TIRANA - Reciprocal investments between Albania and the United States of America will henceforth be protected. Yesterday, an agreement guaranteeing the promotion and protection of these investments was signed in Washington. The Albanian ambassador to the US, Luljin Dija, signed on behalf of the Albanian side, together with Viktor Kasimati, Director of the Economic Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the document that places economic relations between the two countries on a legal footing. Kasimati stated that American investors have been particularly reluctant recently and that this agreement will create many benefits for them. In the third quarter of 1994, exports of goods to the US accounted for only 1.79 percent of the total, while imports accounted for 0.2 percent. Meanwhile, American aid ranks first, at nearly 30 percent.

TIRANA - How much does a gas cylinder cost in these conditions? The price, as you can see, is 500 lekë. But IAP, the pipe company? Well, it imposes an additional charge of 450 lekë on all Albanians for transporting and installing the cylinder. And so the total cost comes to 950 lekë, that is, the same price as before the government, by its decree, changed the gas market. The minister’s decision… Photograph of a gas station; sign reading «Iapgas»

Horoscope: everything about Gemini in 1995 AND WHAT WILL 1995 BE LIKE? TIRANA - The third day of the horoscope feature is devoted to Gemini. Today: predictions for 1995. The old astrologers say the next three months will bring Gemini love, money, work and relationships with the other signs. Tomorrow it is Cancer’s turn.

Elbasan, kiosks with “permanent” permits They received permits for temporary kiosks, but later began expanding them, enclosing them with concrete walls and iron frames. They are residents of Elbasan, whom unemployment forces to sell various goods in kiosks, many of which also lack municipal permits. In particular, this has a negative impact on the city’s urban planning and gives rise to conflicts between kiosk owners and landowners. Lushnjë, water missing for agricultural crops Nearly 80 percent of the drainage and irrigation canals in the district of Lushnjë have been destroyed over the past three years. Specialists say that, as a result, yields from agricultural crops have fallen by 20-30 percent. The first phase of repairs to this irrigation system has now begun; a fund of 1.4 million dollars from the World Bank has been allocated to complete it.

Currency | Commercial Bank | Albakrediti | Free market Dollars | Buy 94.30 | Sell 96.10 | Buy 95.80 | Sell 96.40 | Buy 95.90 | Sell 96.10 Marks | Buy 60.36 | Sell 61.40 | Buy 61.20 | Sell 61.80 | Buy 61.40 | Sell 61.55 Lire | Buy 57.40 | Sell 59.00 | Buy 57.60 | Sell 58.00 | Buy 57.79 | Sell 57.90 Drachmas | Buy 38.60 | Sell 39.15 | Buy 39.00 | Sell 39.30 | Buy 39.15 | Sell 39.20

Italian political crisis Di Pietro in Rome Former judge[?] in Berlusconi’s place? The Albanian state before a court in Paris Sued by a Greek company INSIDE TODAY Italian political crisis Di Pietro in Rome Former judge[?] in Berlusconi’s place? ON PAGE 2 The Albanian state before a court in Paris Sued by a Greek company ON PAGE 3