Imami and Teta: “Here is the truth about the mystery of Vela Luka and Sotirios” Hajdari: “The Prosecutor’s Office should investigate too” The Chairman of the Parliamentary Defense Committee gathers information “Exporting weapons is not a breach of the law. But special permits are required” TIRANA—The weight of the suspicions hanging over the Ministry of Defense has increased in connection with the enigmatic transport of ammunition toward the hottest zone of the former Yugoslavia. Imami and Teta have presented accurate documents concerning the entire Adriatic itinerary of the Vela Luka, the ship under suspicion. According to Imami, the only possibility is that “the weapons ended up with the Bosnian Serbs.” The AD leader later added that he would send the documentation to the Prosecutor’s Office so that it could be investigated, and that an investigation was warranted. “The accusations are mostly a political deduction,” Imami said, “a deduction built on many elements of Albanian politics as a whole.” Azem Hajdari, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Public Order, also commented on the conflict between AD deputies and Minister Zhulali. Does the export of weapons from Albania constitute a breach of the law? “It is not a breach, except that in this case the destination of the war materiel and all the documentation must be specified. In such cases, initial authorization is granted by the National Defense Council and then obtained from other high-level bodies. It is a procedure that is usually complicated and takes a long time.” As chairman of the committee, are you aware of this case? “Our committee’s task is to examine Government policy in the field of defense; specific cases are usually not part of our work. In this particular case, I am gathering all the necessary information. It is also important to me to establish the facts of this story.” And then what will you do? “I will act in accordance with the facts we have as a committee, but in my view the Prosecutor’s Office should intervene as soon as possible in this matter. We are dealing with mutual accusations. Teta and Imami have accused Zhulali of serious wrongdoing, but Teta has also been accused just as harshly by Zhulali during an interpellation. One accusation was made during an interpellation; in my view, it has legal weight. It is enough for the Prosecutor’s Office to take both matters in hand.” What is your personal opinion about this story? “I have had a working relationship with Zhulali and know him as one of the most successful ministers in terms of reform; I do not believe he could have become involved in such affairs. But I also know Teta as a capable and honest person. I do not believe the accusations that may be made against him.” The documented history of the arms trafficking, ARMAND MERO, on page 3 Azem Hajdari Imami presents the evidence (photo: H.Pustina)

Serreqi’s signature expected TIRANA—Albania may soon become a signatory to an international convention for the protection of minority rights. Approved just a few days ago by the Council of Europe, this important and, in some respects, delicate document has already been signed by a number of European countries. International experts consider it one of the most advanced instruments in this field, and it is now also being examined by Albanian diplomacy. For the convention to take effect in Albania, Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi himself must sign Albania’s accession. At a meeting held just a few days ago in Strasbourg, the Albanian representative had already given his approval in principle, although the final response from Albania has not yet been given. In Tirana, all the details of the convention, a voluminous document, are being studied. Some provisions appear to pose difficulties for Albanian diplomacy. The convention provides for the free declaration of nationality, a provision whose implementation in small countries with specific economic problems could create considerable difficulties. Nevertheless, the convention also allows accession to only part of it. And it seems that the section on protecting and guaranteeing minority rights in the field of education and schooling may be the most acceptable to Albania. The Council of Europe has meanwhile asked Albania to allow a group of its experts to study the situation of the Greek minority in the country in the coming months—perhaps very soon. The Albanian side will also respond to this request shortly. European observers will be particularly interested in the state of education in the Greek language and, more generally, in the rights of the Greek minority living in the southern regions of Albania. f.b.

During the month of Ramadan Champion Besnik Musai TIRANA—“Victory! Allah, Lord of the worlds, granted me my good fortune.” That is what Albania’s new cycling champion, Besnik Musai, declared in the first days of January ’95. And now, while all Muslim believers are observing the month of Ramadan, the 20-year-old from “Tirana” does not want to forget the strength that success had “given” him. In doing so, he may be the only champion in Albania who simultaneously carries out two of his most cherished practices: fasting and training. “To achieve my goal, I would sacrifice some activities that take place during Ramadan,” Musai tells the Albanian Gazette, “regardless of what I might win.” Can you fast and train at the same time? “Yes, although I have cut back on training these days. Nevertheless, with my own willpower and Allah’s, my strength will certainly increase. Roberto Baggio is also a good Buddhist, but that has not stopped him from being a star in sport as well. On the contrary.” Aren’t you afraid that sometimes—the days when you are required to fast—might coincide with an event, perhaps even an international one? “I know that an Algerian—formerly a world champion in athletics—once gave up a major event and many medals. And he did that solely because he was fasting. I think that is a very good example.” “What does religion mean to you?” “Most people in the world today believe in God. I am among those believers, and I also observe all the religious rites of my faith. To me, believing means also being trusted. And for that to happen, a person must do only good.” “Why did you dedicate the championship title to Allah?” “Because by thinking of Him and following His ‘advice,’ I managed to do what my coach had set for me, too. Every difficulty in the cyclocross race truly became easier for me.” (En.To.)

GJIROKASTER—Southern Albania has been seized by antiquities fever. The ancient archaeological sites in Gjirokastër and Sarandë have become the most attractive locations for seekers of ancient objects. Recently, numerous and regular traces of excavations have been noticed here—most of them carried out at night—in the areas around the Castle and the walls of ancient cities. According to archaeological specialists, this phenomenon is driven by the desire to sell abroad the ancient objects that may be found. The antiquities hunters have targeted the amphitheater of Sofratika—about 20 kilometers from Gjirokastër—where traces of digging are clearly visible in its central square, as well as near the protective walls, which have been severely damaged by the wholly barbaric work of illegal excavations. The same situation exists at the other ancient city, Antigonea, also in Gjirokastër. The church of Labova e Kryqit, one of the most interesting and richly endowed monuments, dating from the sixth-century Byzantine period, has also been attacked by cultural pirates. The fever for searching has also spread to Sarandë, where abusive excavations have affected an Ali Pashë Tepelena castle in Lëvadi. The surrounding area has also been dug up, as has the ancient site of Finiq, where Albanian archaeological specialists have recently made several new discoveries. Ra. Ko.

TIRANA—Were there irregularities in the tender for Tirana’s traffic lights? —Were there irregularities in the tender for Tirana’s traffic lights? At least that is the view of the Audit Commission. The matter concerns specifically the investment to install Tirana’s traffic lights, the project in which, according to the Audit Commission, violations were identified. They began when the tender was organized: participating companies were invited only by being notified of the amount, and no cost estimate was prepared for installing the traffic lights using the allocated funds. The Audit Commission insists that the company “OSPAE,” which won the investment contract, did not properly comply with the tender requirements. As a result, an additional sum of 5 million and 900 thousand lekë had to be provided to complete the installation of the traffic lights. As an administrative measure, the institution has requested the dismissal of the enterprise director. Ar. Ça.

Inspection of the Ministry of Interior TIRANA—This time it is the Ministry of Interior that is in the spotlight of the State Audit Service. All the figures have been laid out on the table. Thus, the execution of budget expenditures for 1993 exceeded the total by 901 thousand lekë in salaries, an amount covered by revenues. An inspection of the cashbox of Unit No. 100 found an unaccounted balance of 6,400 dollars, as well as a sum of 400 dollars and 8,000 dinars for which no payment document had been provided. This cashbox also contained 150 counterfeit dollars, 17,000 lire and 8,000 dinars that had not been reimbursed. Among many other shortcomings, the State Audit Service also uncovered uncollected fines owed by police officers—now dismissed—amounting to 2 million 648 thousand lekë. Dismissal from work has been requested, and warnings have been issued to several employees. Ar. Ça.

Vlorë, they were heading illegally to Italy VLORË - Hopes are fading for four Albanians who tried to land illegally in Italy. So far, searches for the four people whose rubber boat capsized at sea in the evening have yielded no hope. The boat had set off from Vlora with six people aboard. Two Albanians managed to swim ashore on the Italian coast: Aleks Ribaj, 24, and Basri Hoxha, 32, who recounted the tragedy that befell their fellow travelers. Hoxha was also injured in the leg by a strike from the propeller of the boat as it was sinking. Both Albanians have been admitted to hospital. ON PAGE 3

YESTERDAY IN ALBANIA The revenues of the Insig Kukës branch fell significantly during 1994. Only 15.2 million lekë were achieved, or half the projected revenues. According to inspectors at this branch, this was due to the privatization of many of the city’s enterprises. Meanwhile, according to the inspectorate, around 40 percent of motor vehicles are allowed to circulate without insurance. Two new books by Luan Myftiu Two new books by the writer Luan Myftiu—Fabula and Nën terrorin komunist—were presented yesterday at the premises of the Association of Former Political Prisoners. Myftiu, 62, spent 10 years as a political prisoner in the notorious Spaç prison. Luan Myftiu is currently editor-in-chief of the newspaper Liria.

TIRANA - Saint George and Saint John have returned among us once again. Veiled by the mystical veil of the unknown, they had long stood as testimony to sacred history, right before our eyes. Their icons were suddenly discovered in the city museum, the Museum of Medieval Art in Korçë. Unknown until now, they date from the 14th century and are considered to be of great historical and artistic value. The centuries-old presence of the famous icons of Saint George and Saint John in the Korçë museum attests to the centuries-long existence and continuity of the art and culture of this area. Fortunately, their identity having gone unrecognized saved them from the hands of those seeking to “smuggle” icons out of Albania. The Museum of Medieval Art in Korçë is one of the country’s most important museums because of the unique treasures it offers visitors. So far, 650 icons and 350 objects made of metal, stone and textile have been restored there.

TIRANA - Durrës is becoming the capital of cars. One in every four people has a driver's license. And one in every five licensed drivers is a woman. Of the 24,000 residents of Durrës who have so far obtained the right to drive a car, 4,500 are women. Last year, the number of women who attended driving school courses reached 6,000. Currently, in the coastal city, the number of people over 18 who can obtain a driver's license has reached 98,000. The desire of women to get a license as soon as they turn 18 is also striking.

Abusive excavations Tirana Ministry of Interior inspection A page with games 5 6 7 8

It began in Durrës TIRANA - It is still unclear where the shipment of 470 quintals ended up. According to the official news agency, this quantity was impounded in Durrës because the Lushnja merchant who brought it, Sokol Habi-Beri, was suspected of having bad intentions. After the coffee had already spent several hours in a private parking lot—following its time at the financial police station—two unknown people from the “financial police” appeared there at midnight and took the goods away with them. An investigation is under way into the matter, amid suspicions concerning a forged document sent by …, as well as other issues, but with it as something different.

Starting today, every Saturday a super-crossword Starting today, every Saturday, Gazeta Shqiptare will offer you a whole special page where you can find a super-crossword, illustrated humor, puzzles and various games, which will surely entertain you immensely. You will find all of these on page 5. 5 6 7 8 1 20 24 27 30 33

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Currency Banka Tregtare Buying Selling Albakred Bank Buying Selling Free market Buying Selling Dollar 93,00 95,00 94,00 94,50 94,10 94,30 Mark 60,55 61,40 61,20 61,50 61,20 61,30 Lira 57,40 58,70 58,00 58,40 58,00 58,10 Drachma 38,10 39,25 39,10 39,30 39,20 39,30