TIRANA—A blackout of the Albanian championship has been avoided. The assurances given to the referees suspected of taking such action were enough for the Albanian referees—often victims of violence in stadiums—to trust the promises once again. This time, however, their safety has been guaranteed by senior state authorities, including the Secretary of State for Local Government, Njazi Koçovrasti, the Director General of the Albanian Police, Agim Shehu, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense, Public Order and SHIK, Azem Hajdari, and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Teodor Laço. Although the Albanian referees’ “retaliation” against the violence was averted at the very last moment, yesterday’s debate appears once again to have ended in their favor. The suspension of the Appeals Commission at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the amendment of the Disciplinary Regulations, and the guarantee that a series of drastic measures would be taken against all displays of violence forced the Albanian referees to return to the football stadiums tomorrow. The “Fair Play” climate in Albanian football—especially after the latest threat by the referees of the Tirana Referees’ Association—was welcomed for the first time and accompanied by a concrete initiative from the sports newspapers “Shqipëria Sportive.” Many of them—participants in yesterday’s development at the Palace of Congresses—assured the referees that every further act of violence in Albanian stadiums would be met with a “press silence.” A protest that would replace football coverage with the blankness of “No comment” (e.l)

All the accusations against people in power Prosecutor General Dragoshi addresses Parliament about the scandals From smuggling to insult: 11 complaints against 9 “big shots” “For scandals reported by the press, the State Audit Office should investigate” TIRANA—Smuggling, abuse of office, appropriation of state property, but especially public insults and slander through the press. These were the most frequent charges brought last year against people in positions of power, holding senior party or state offices. It was Prosecutor General Alush Dragoshi himself who outlined to MPs the work of the agencies under his direction against serious mixed criminal offenses. Dragoshi had earlier been questioned by Azem Hajdari, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Order and Defense. Another part of Dragoshi’s response was that the State Audit Office would investigate the latest scandals reported by the press, and that the Prosecution would intervene only if it verified elements of a criminal offense. According to the Prosecutor General, last year there were 9 complaints concerning 11 important people. One MP—Arben Lika—was accused of smuggling; two people, former Minister Fatos Bitinç? [?] and the Chairman of the PSD branch in Bulqizë, Afrim Çanga, faced charges of abuse of office. Another “big shot” is accused of appropriating state property, but his name has not been disclosed. All five complaints of slander have been closed. The Prosecution found no elements of a criminal offense in these complaints. The latest person reported for abuse of office appears to be the Chief of Police of Durrës. The charge is abuse of office, but the Prosecution has not yet decided whether to take action against him. Dragoshi added that he had asked the Audit Commission to investigate several cases reported in the press. If the Audit Office verifies violations of the law, there will certainly be investigations, Dragoshi assured. The reconstruction of Hotel “Tirana,” the cement factory, the Greek loan for tractors, and gas-fired shower heaters are some of the scandals the Audit Office will investigate. What has the investigation established in the case of the burned-down Shijak Municipality? This was another question from Hajdari. “The fire was deliberately started by people,” Dragoshi replied. “The investigation is continuing, although the perpetrators have not yet been identified. In connection with this incident, the Prefect of Durrës has reported the Chief of the Police Station for abuse of office.” f.b.

The university is shut down again Albanians in Macedonia respond: “We will defend it, even with weapons” TIRANA—It has been snuffed out almost before it began. TIRANA—It has been snuffed out almost before it began—the development that Tirana hailed as “a change of course by the Macedonian government and President Gligorov.” For only a few hours after the Albanian universities experienced another opening among them—the new one in Tetovo—it was shut down again by the Macedonian police. And while the news reached the Albanian capital late, in the other capital—Skopje, home to 400,000 Albanians—the closure of Tetovo University is being experienced differently. “The university will continue—whatever it takes,” Rector Fadil Sulejmani immediately threatened, according to a foreign news agency, adding that Albanians might even defend the university with weapons. Thus the situation has suddenly become inflamed in the poorest former Yugoslav republic. And once again, instead of speaking out against the statements of Macedonian nationalists, the authorities in Albania are trampling on the rights of the Albanian population. Begun on 17 December last year, the university venture of Macedonia’s Albanians has once again ended in the hands of the Macedonian police. This time, however, the Albanians’ threat is no longer what it was before: “Around 200,000 Albanians could be called to arms,” Sulejmani said, seriously shaking a country where more than a thousand blue helmets are still stationed, in addition to another 600 from the US. (e.l)

History RROGOZHINË—A bet yesterday: the story is told of a 16-year-old, Zeqir Xhafa, from Rrogozhina, who lost his life in the waters of the Shkumbin River simply because of a game with his friends. Swept away by the fast, cold waters, his body disappeared without a trace. For five days, the police and various river-search craft have been looking for him, but have still been unable to find him. Meanwhile, mourning and grief have descended on his home. “At least let us give him a grave like everyone else,” is the plea the boy’s parents have now made. Last Saturday was a black day for 16-year-old Xhafa. In the morning, he joined his cows with the other village livestock and set off to graze them along the banks of the Shkumbin. Here, among the children and his friends—two or three boys a little younger than him—Xhafa bet that he could cross the river and was not afraid, even though it was cold. It was 9:00 when the 16-year-old plunged into the waters of the Shkumbin. He swam several meters and soon found himself in the middle of the river. There his struggle with the current began. The cold water and its powerful current seized his young body, submerging him and bringing him to the surface several times. The other boys, terrified, could only watch helplessly as their friend disappeared among the waves and the water swallowed him. …His body remains lost in the depths of the river, which in some places reaches 4 to 5 meters. News of Xhafa’s drowning spread quickly, and many forces were immediately mobilized. Local authorities also made every effort to search for him and arrange boats. “The Directorate of Fisheries in Lushnje was very helpful,” Tormor Runa, secretary of the Municipality, told Gazeta Shqiptare. “They immediately sent us a motorboat and two divers.” The search has continued since that day, but Xhafa’s body has still not been found. The motorboat traveled the entire length of the river as far as its mouth at the sea, but without any result. Meanwhile, everyone at Xhafa’s home is waiting. “Our eyes are fixed on the road,” says the 16-year-old’s father sadly. “Will he come now or later? We want him to have at least a grave. I believe his body will be found. Even if the river has carried him to the sea, the waves will surely bring him ashore one day.” Qemal Cara

TIRANA—Was Çekini’s death a political crime or an ordinary one? This question returned once again to the Albanian Parliament yesterday morning, raised by the Commission that investigated the case. The answers were remarkably contradictory. The members of the same Commission were also protagonists in a heated dispute. While Hamit Shamata, an MP from the DP and Chairman of the Special Parliamentary Commission, described the events of 14 January ’94 in his report as an ordinary crime, MPs from the PS and PAD strongly objected. “The murder was committed for political reasons,” said MPs Paloka and Tea, members of the Commission. The only point on which they agreed was “the apprehension of the perpetrators,” and they also called for the competent authorities to be held responsible for failing to catch them in time. (p.re)

Those released from “Omonia”: “Let dialogue begin” A shift in Greek diplomacy begins TIRANA—The release of the five “Omonia” members appears to have had a truly positive effect on the stalled Albanian-Greek relations. And Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papulias has finally agreed: “If things go well, I will be in Tirana in the first two weeks of March.” Papulias made his decision public immediately after a lengthy meeting with Prime Minister Papandreu. Papulias publicly thanked the United States of America and President Clinton for the position taken by American diplomacy in “the case of the five.” Just two days earlier, clear positive signals in favor of dialogue had arrived in Athens. The Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi himself had said after a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy that he also hoped for a swift normalization of relations with the Albanians’ southern neighbors. The recently released “Omonia” activists had also spoken in favor of normalizing relations. “The long-awaited moment has now arrived for the two friendly peoples, Albanians and Greeks, to overcome this deadlock in relations between the governments of our two countries,” said Behzani, Sirmo, Qirako, Papakristo and Marto, supported by PBDNJ MPs Makariadhi and Mico. The “Omonia” activists appealed to diplomats on both sides of the border to work toward normalizing relations as soon as possible. “Concrete, achievable and long-term proposals need to be made,” the members of the minority said. “We would also like to suggest to our Foreign Minister Serreqi that he invite his counterpart Papulias to make a visit to Tirana as soon as possible.” Papulias, it seems, has decided to take the first step himself. p.re

TIRANA—The adventure of the man who had long deceived villages across Albania by posing as a Kosovar trader has ended with a 15-year prison sentence. Yesterday at noon, the capital’s judges found Ilir Dibra guilty—not only of fraud, but also of “kidnapping for profit” and “having sexual relations by force”. Nevertheless, the accused Dibra received five years less in prison, because only a few hours earlier prosecutor Mimoza Arbi had sought a 20-year prison sentence for him in her closing argument. Thus, the protagonist Dibra will have to return once more to prison cells, which he had first encountered at the age of 19 and where he had remained for 20 years in a row. This time, however, the serious crimes weigh heavily on a man who spent most of his life in prison: a 13-year-old girl from Elbasan had been a victim of his violence. (p.re)

Vlora: privatization of the premises is also being sought VLORA—Vlora’s pharmacists are protesting. In a letter sent to the Ministry of Finance, they complain about the Government’s decision to privatize the pharmaceutical service and threaten to go on hunger strike. The crux of their complaint and demands is that the privatization process in their sector should not be limited only to [kontz[a?]] the service, since they also have [and?] premises at their disposal. “Why shouldn’t we be treated like the others, who have been given private ownership of the premises where they previously worked?” reads the protest letter, which was also sent to the Ministry of Health. Here, although they say they support the pharmacists’ request, they explain that this aspect is not within their remit. “We agree and have even tried to support them,” Andrens Mat[o?] told Gazeta Shqiptare, “but, as a ministry, we do not deal directly with premises. Besides, this is not a problem only for Vlora, but for many districts of the country.” a.m

Indirect polemic between the PD and PS leaders over the possibility of cooperation PËLLUMBI: “It was a message addressed to the healthy part of the Democratic Party. The idea behind my article was to show DP politicians that in politics—and this is my personal opinion—you should never say ‘never’. As a party, we are open to forming a coalition with right-wing forces, or with forces of any other orientation, if the country’s general good calls for it.” PËLLUMBI: “It was a message addressed to the healthy part of the Democratic Party. The idea behind my article was to show DP politicians that in politics—and this is my personal opinion—you should never say ‘never’. As a party, we are open to forming a coalition with right-wing forces, or with forces of any other orientation, if the country’s general good calls for it.” This was just one day after his article sparked reactions. SHEHU: What does the Democratic Party think about the proposal put forward by the Socialists? After Selami’s ‘No’ to a possible coalition with the Socialists, expressed the day before yesterday, yesterday the party’s Secretary, Shehu, also responded: “From the beginning, the DP has been based on unity, freedom, democracy and a market economy. From the beginning, we have fought against dictatorship and for openness to the whole. openness to the whole; in the future too, the DP can never form an alliance with political forces based on the principles of Marxism-Leninism. The Socialist Party and its current program refer to Marxist ideals. We consider the SP to be the same in mentality, party organization and psychology as the old communist parties. This will be demonstrated by the history of its members, who bear registration dates from ten years ago. We believe that in the future too the DP will continue to remain in opposition to the SP; indeed, this will define our role as a factor for democracy and stability in the country.” But is your entire party in agreement with rejecting the SP? “The Socialist proposal will have no effect whatsoever within our party. It is only a failed attempt to demonstrate...” What is the state of the party after the recent debates? “There is no crisis within the party. It is just a completely normal debate, within our internal rules, and a solution to an important problem is being sought within our ranks.”

Imports exceed exports On page 3 KESH escapes the EBRD loan On page 3

Arbnori and Sereqi in Italy TIRANA—Arbnori-Serreqi will visit Italy soon. The current and future Foreign Minister will meet his Italian counterpart Angelo M. for the first time. The meeting will take place in connection with the presentation of the magazine “Politica Internazionale”, which is entirely devoted to Albania. Arbnori has been officially invited by the Speaker of the Italian Parliament, Irene Pivetti, who is currently at the center of controversy over her close relations with Lega Bossi. The invitation—presented by the Italian ambassador in Tirana—has been accepted by Arbnori. p.re

“Earthquake” at the Ministry of Construction “It has caused a real upheaval at the Ministry of Construction, the inspection carried out by the State Commission. Following its investigations, the Commission has requested the dismissal of four directorate directors and administrative measures against seven others. Failure to monitor the activities of its enterprises, inaccuracies in preparing documentation, and shortcomings in work organization were the reasons for the State Audit Commission’s harsh decision. Berat: 17-year-old raped A 17-year-old girl from Poliqan was abducted and raped by three young men, who were apprehended by the Police. They were stopped at the entrance to Ura Vajgurore, where the car—an Audi with a concealed Skrapar license plate—was intercepted. The three assailants inside were Gj. Meta, 25, from Berat; G. Memitaj, 21, from Poliqan; and A. Fisho, 25, from Poliqan.