Fatos Nano is also expected in the courtroom today The former Minister of Finance testified on his feet for two and a half hours For two and a half hours, the former Minister of Finance testified on his feet Confrontation with the accused: Why was Hoti also appointed director of the Commercial Bank? TIRANA - For two and a half hours before the judges, recounting the truth about the wrapping up of 1.6 million dollars and the people it involved. Genc Ruli became the principal protagonist of yesterday’s hearing in the “Arsidi” trial. Called by the presiding judge to testify first, the former Minister of Finance and one of the most important figures in Albania’s political world in recent years was compelled to answer dozens of questions. His testimony was followed—with only short intervals—by that of Gromoz Pashko, whose account was limited solely to the procedures for appointing Amato as negotiator. Gavrosh Pogace and Osman Shehu, meanwhile, focused more on the dispute between Albturizmi and a Swiss company, with Arsidi as intermediary, over the restructuring of Hotel Tirana: it has now been assigned to another company. It was precisely the consulting services that Salihu and Tartari provided to Arsidi in connection with the project that, they say in their defense, they were paid for, and not for other matters. The debate over Hotel Tirana continued until the end of the hearing, which concluded with a face-to-face exchange between Ruli, Pogace and Shehu. Meanwhile, it was announced that the list of witnesses for today’s trial would be expanded to include Shemijën Camaj, Ro-bert Çeku and Brunilda Barbulushi. Ruli began his account calmly, confidently and with great precision in his words. “Arsidi? I met him several times.” He said that Arsidi’s appointment as negotiator had led to an agreement in seventy-nine, and that they had met during a working visit to Washington, where they were all present. Throughout his testimony, Ruli denied having discussed the external debt issue with Arsidi. The only point that seemed to shake the former minister’s confidence and undermine the precision of his initial answers was the proposal he had made to appoint Governor Hoti to the dual role, including that of director of the Commercial Bank. Here Ruli appeared to have a lapse in his memory and was content with a few words: “Maybe, but I don’t remember.” For several minutes he was faced with questions from Salihu and Tartari themselves—they wanted to know the reason for their being placed on leave—and from Hoti, who tried to understand from the former minister the reasons for, and timing of, such a decision. According to the documents presented as evidence, Ruli’s proposal was made on 18 July 1992, at a time when the two Commercial Bank executives had not yet been removed from their positions: their leave was decided on 7 August. They therefore asked for a series of clarifications. Tartari: “What kind of government was it that removed us?” Ruli: “I’m surprised you were put on leave. But I only knew that you had a conflict with Hoti; in fact, I was often put in the role of judge in these conflicts.” Salihu: “How am I to explain your proposal? Legally, I was director on the 18th, and even on 19 July I had not sat down with anyone else over my position.” Ruli: “I can’t remember.” Salihu: “Around the 20th, Hoti told us we were being dismissed, saying that it was the Minister of Finance who was dismissing us, and gave other explanations.” Ruli: “There is no dismissal letter from me for you.” Hoti: “Ruli, we were told somewhere that I was to take the measures. I already knew it was my responsibility, and then you were appointed.” Ruli: “I don’t remember.” The exchange of remarks continued for several minutes, with the participants moving between the statements and the lawyers. Meanwhile, today other intermediaries and witnesses are expected to come to the courtroom to testify—including the Socialist Fatos Nano. Hoti consults with his lawyer during yesterday’s hearing - On the right, Genc Ruli testifies before the judicial panel (photo H. Pustina)

At the Court of Cassation: “Brozi’s decision is illegal” TIRANA - A new escalation in the heated debate among the judges of the Court of Cassation over the Kallafatos case. TIRANA - A new escalation in the heated debate among the judges of the Court of Cassation over the “Kallafatos case.” Six members of this Court sent a long letter yesterday to the People’s Assembly, describing as “illegal” President Brozi’s decision to release the Greek citizen. “The act of the President of the Court of Cassation,” the six judges’ letter says, among other things, “is contrary to the powers granted to him by law.” This is a grave accusation, which immediately puts Brozi in motion, forcing him on this final day to respond to the attack and defend himself. Brozi has immediately announced a press conference for today. With the many reactions and counter-reactions of recent days, the “Kallafatos case”—for which the General Prosecutor’s Office had asked the People’s Assembly to lift President Brozi’s immunity—has acquired a new dimension: a clash among the very members of the body headed by Brozi himself, the central protagonist of this story. The President of the Court of Cassation has defended himself to the end, not only declaring that he acted in accordance with the law and his powers, but also vigorously denouncing what he considers to be violations of legality by the Prosecutor’s Office.” the weapon. The historic decision to establish the Albanian Police—a measure attributed with respect by Interior Minister Musa- by the Director General of Police Agim Shehu, and the Tirana Police Director. (p.re) (a.m)

On the 82nd anniversary of its founding TIRANA - “An important role in improving and presenting Albania’s image to the world.” This is President Berisha’s assessment of the Albanian police department, expressed at the anniversary meeting marking the 82nd anniversary of the creation of this force. The historic decision to establish the Albanian Police—an act that Interior Minister Musa-raja respectfully attributed to Ismail Qemali—was described as “a patriotic and humanitarian act.” Yesterday’s event was also marked by the awarding of the rank of general to two current Albanian police officials: Sabri Jacez, Deputy Minister of the Interior, and Agim Shehu, Director General of the Police, as well as the Tirana Police Director. (p.re)

Mystery after the Church’s denunciation TIRANA - The mystery of Saint Kozma has returned to the fore: the monk has been known to the Orthodox Church for centuries, but this time the issue is not academic discussion of his mission in Albania, but the disappearance of his own remains. TIRANA - The mystery of Saint Kozma has returned to the fore. He is a monk known for centuries to the Orthodox Church, but this time the issue is not academic discussion of his mission in Albania, but the disappearance of his own remains. It is unknown where they have ended up since September 1993, and so far all the Orthodox Church’s efforts to find them again have proved fruitless. Recently, the competent authorities have also begun to take an interest in the matter, but they have not achieved any concrete result. The last time the remains of Saint Kozma were seen was in September 1993, by several Orthodox believers. Almost a year before that, in August 1992, the saint’s remains had been taken from the Fier Museum with permission for use in a traditional ritual, and then returned to their place. Now, however, there are conflicting accounts between the Church and the former director of the Fier Museum. According to Church authorities, the former director more or less stated that the remains had been brought out into the open, and assured them that a portion of the 100 kilograms was in a bag in Fier; people from Australia and Canada had offered as much as 100,000 or 200,000 dollars. “If the Orthodox Church wanted to take the remains, it should have kept and guarded them well.” The former director says he feels offended by this statement. According to him, he himself wanted to hand the holy relics over to the Church, but it refused. He then hid them in the museum’s attic, but they disappeared from there without a trace. The mystery is further deepened by statements from the current director of the Museum. “I cannot offer any judgment,” he says, “because when I took over the museum, the saint’s remains were not listed in any inventory.” Saint Kozma is, in fact, a saint venerated abroad as well. In 1984, against the backdrop of strained relations between Albania and Greece, interest in him grew considerably. At that time the saint’s tomb was opened several times—the first opening of Saint Kozma’s tomb had taken place in 1781—and specialists from both sides carried out anthropological measurements. Also in 1984, Saint Kozma was transferred from the Kolkondas Monastery to the Fier Museum. The manner in which the transfer took place is also shrouded in a kind of mystery. According to one version, it was done on the order of a government official of the time, to prevent pilgrimages to Kolkondas. The former director, by contrast, says he took this step on his own initiative, while at that time the Party had issued an order for their destruction. (k.d.)

SHKODËR - Gunshots again in the Shkodër district. - Gunshots again in the Shkodër district. This time near Vau i Dejës, where a person—now being pursued by law-enforcement authorities—shot at two people, leaving them wounded. The victims of the attack are believed to be Arter Gjeçi, 16, and Nard Kol Ndrekaj, 30, both from the village of Stojka; another person was also seriously injured. According to them, the serious wounds—to the lower parts of the body, especially the hands—could be life-threatening. The motives for the incident, which occurred on Wednesday at around 3:30 p.m., have not yet been established. (v.pre.)

Was the victim a thief?; Two others under investigation Was the victim a thief? Drowned girl: brother detained Two others under investigation ELBASAN - The mystery surrounding a young girl found drowned several days ago in a small lake in the village of Tregan, Elbasan, has begun to be clarified. The initial swift investigations by the Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office have established at least the victim’s identity and laid the groundwork for the first detentions. The investigation has now included the victim’s three brothers. The drowned girl, 19-year-old Z.K., a resident of Tregan, was not entirely unknown to the Police. Some time ago she had been convicted of stealing from her fellow villagers. Now many people in the village have said that she had stolen 200,000 drachmas from one of her brothers. Perhaps this is precisely the main lead the investigators are pursuing, since the girl’s three brothers are under investigation. Z.K.’s lifeless body had been found a few days earlier by a villager passing alongside the lake. (m.k.)

From the Fleet VLORA - The Naval Fleet reassures the staff of the Naval Academy in Vlora. Amid widespread discussion about a possible relocation, Captain Agron Goga has spoken on behalf of the Fleet. “The rumors about the Academy’s closure have not been confirmed by us and are inaccurate. In recent days, the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sheme Kosova, and the Commander of the Naval Forces, Captain Muharem Kërçana, have been in Vlora themselves. They assured the Academy’s staff that it will not close, but will continue its activities in Vlora.”

Bektashis TIRANA - A future Italian investor in Albania could be reported all the way to the Vatican—to Pope John Paul II. The warning has been issued by a group of Albanian believers from the Bektashi community who, as they tell Gazeta Shqiptare, have just learned that local authorities intend to demolish the Sacred Vakëf located in Kodër Selitë, on the outskirts of Tirana. According to the petition bearing 552 signatures, they are trying to dispossess 87,000 believers; the site where the Sacred Vakëf still stands today is to be used to build two nightclubs. (p.re.)

TIRANA - Another hopeful sign of easing tensions in relations between Albania and Greece. This time the initiative has come from Athens, whose Foreign Minister has confirmed his willingness to visit Tirana in December and discuss a new relationship. “I am optimistic about this,” Papulias said, adding that during this period the problems hindering the normalization of relations with Albania will be overcome. Papulias made his positive statement last month, also with the President of the Republic, Karamanlis. Although he called the initiatives for talks “unfinished,” he said he “welcomed them once again.” (p.re.)

Mystery after the Church’s denunciation Shkodër Had the victim stolen? By Flota INSIDE HOROSCOPE Rising in Italy

PR’s anniversary It was the fourth anniversary of the founding of the Republican Party, almost the most important event of the year for this party, the second opposition party in the history of Albanian pluralism. But it was also a good occasion for its leaders, who not only recalled the days that had passed but once again announced their most important commitment for the future. Many senior state and party officials took part in the ceremony held on this occasion. Roma protest to the Government The Roma of Albania have also reported the matter in their own press, particularly the case of 21-year-old Bujar Ibrahimi at Tirana prison. Fatally struck by a cellmate, Ibrahimi has now also become the focus of a protest by the Association of the Democratic Union of Roma of Albania, which has just released its public statement, thereby bringing the matter to the attention of the Government and the Albanian Helsinki Committee.

Immigration from the East to Italy is increasing Most are Romanians and Albanians ON PAGE 2 Football in Albania: Round II of the Cup Today, one goal is worth two ON PAGE 3 The “king” of stadiums speaks Interview with Panajot Pano ON PAGE 3

TIRANA - The fourth horoscope installment for 1995. Today’s sign under analysis is Cancer. Tomorrow will be a day off: the forecasts for the new year, prepared by the star magicians, will begin with the sign of Leo.

Currency Commercial Bank Buying Selling Albakredit Buying Selling Free market Buying Selling Dollars 94.40 96.10 95.80 96.50 95.20 96.40 Marks 69.40 69.80 61.50 62.00 61.80 62.00 Lire 57.40 59.40 57.80 58.30 58.00 58.10 Drachmas 38.50 39.20 39.20 39.40 39.40 39.50