PD chairman after the meetings TIRANA - “The impression is clear: most of the Democratic Party rank and file agree with me and do not want me removed from the role I hold. President Sali Berisha is unhappy about this...” Eduard Selami has just completed his tour of participation in conferences at five of the Democratic Party’s main peripheral centers: he was in Korçë, Fier, Shkodër, Elbasan and Tirana, and tells Gazeta Shqiptare his first impressions: “Almost everyone agrees with my proposal to vote on the Constitution in Parliament,” Selami says. “Of course, there are opposing positions, but nobody wants to be with ...” Would your position within the party change if you were no longer PD chairman? “I will never leave the PD,” he replies. “Besides, I am a member of Parliament and I have people who place their trust in me. That would mean creating internal political turmoil. In fact, although our statute does not allow it, currents do exist: a large party, and within us there are the left, the center and the right.” Which wing does Selami identify with? “I have considered myself a representative of the party’s right wing,” he replies. “Today I am a representative of the center, but I look toward the right. On the opposing side are ...” … of the Democratic Party: he was in Korçë, Fier, Shkodër, Elbasan and Tiranë, says Selami. “Of course, there are opposing positions too, but no one has called for my removal from the Party Presidency.” The decision will be made on March 5, during the extraordinary meeting of the DP. Selami makes no predictions, but has an idea of his own: “I would be surprised if the line of those who have called for my removal were to win. And if they succeed, they would be going against the will of the party’s grassroots.” Today Selami seems to feel stronger after this tour around the districts. But if, as of March 5, a large party is divided internally, political area right. On the opposite side are my new opponents: President Berisha? He has always been close to the party’s left wing.” Is the Democratic Party divided? “I will do everything possible to prevent it from splitting,” Selami concludes. “That is also why I did not want the Extraordinary Conference: because a sense of occasion of this kind risks a split that can only harm us.” Today Selami will hold a press conference in Tiranë. c.bo The Albanian Democratic Party building and Selami’s portrait.

Papulias’s visit to Tirana will be awaited Greeks: “it depends on the outcome of the talks” Papulias’s visit to Tirana will be awaited Law on Albanian emigrants ready in Greece Greeks: “it depends on the outcome of the talks” TIRANA - Greece has already prepared the draft law on foreign emigrants, but its passage through Parliament will depend on how Papulias’s visit to Tirana goes. The law that will regulate the situation of foreign workers—according to Greek sources, Albanians already make up more than half of the emigrants in Greece—was supposed to go before the Athens Parliament these days, but it seems Greek diplomacy has decided it would be better to wait for the consultations between the two foreign ministers and then decide. “The old issue between the two countries returns to the table through dialogue” This was confirmed by one of the drafters of the bill, Greek Labor Minister Janis Skuluraqis, during a meeting the latter held with local and foreign journalists in Athens. Skuluraqis welcomed the important diplomatic meeting that will soon take place in Tirana. “I consider Papulias’s visit to Tirana entirely appropriate,” he said, “but since Albanians make up a considerable proportion of the foreign workers currently in Greece, we thought it appropriate to wait first for the outcome of the talks in Tirana.” “The law, long awaited by Albanian emigrants, has long been a point of discussion between the two countries’ diplomatic services, but the crisis between them, which began almost a year ago, consigned it to oblivion. It has perhaps resurfaced recently, as reassuring messages between Tirana and Athens have diminished considerably, and also thanks to the insistence of the General Confederation of Greek Workers. In any case, it will still take some time to approve it, as long as is needed to complete the formal procedure of discussion and approval. They were in a TIR Greek police catch and send back 94 Albanians TIRANA - Yesterday morning, Greek police arrested 94 undocumented emigrants from Albania. They were near the locality of Vulgariadhi in the Arta region, intending to travel to Athens. The undocumented migrants were immediately sent back toward the Albanian border—they had been found inside a TIR truck coming from the city of Janina. Each of them had paid the TIR driver 40,000 drachmas. The driver was also immediately arrested by police. Over the last 24 hours, in the Epirus region alone, according to figures provided by the Greek authorities, the number of Albanians sent back has reached around 235. All had entered Greece as undocumented migrants. p.re.

For Bajram , Berisha: “A law supporting religious faiths soon” TIRANA - “Parliament will soon pass a law that provides for support for religious institutions.” In greeting Albanian Islamic clerics on the occasion of the Bajram holiday, President Berisha also assured all the other religious communities in Albania of the “renewal of the spiritual infrastructure,” which, he said, is extremely important. Yesterday’s visit by the President of Albania to the headquarters of the Muslim Community was also accompanied by superlatives, specifically about “religious tolerance in Albania and non-confessionalism.” Yesterday was an exceptionally special day in Albania. Bajram 1995—as never before—was also marked by the mass closure of all shops and cafés in the Albanian capital, as well as in many other cities across the country. Also, unusually, the two characteristic wholesale markets of Tirana did not operate for the first time yesterday, and worshippers preferred to enjoy the special holiday in peace and with their families. Shortly after midnight, the Et’hem Beu Mosque in the capital, as well as other mosques in Albania, filled with devout worshippers, whose “song” accompanied the sunrise of 2 March 1995. Nevertheless, the biggest celebration was held in Tirana. Namazgja Square was filled with thousands of Muslim worshippers, including people who had come from distant villages. The celebration began with several customary rites, after which the Chairman of the Muslim Community spoke. “Thanks to democracy,” said Haxhi Hafiz Sabri Koçi, “we too have been able to turn freely to God, to show Him our love; although the previous regime tried to prevent us, our hearts were with God and we lived with Him.” Pointing to the humane spirit that Muslim worshippers had acquired during the month of Ramadan, His Eminence described 1995 as “a true year for everyone, for all Albanians, regardless of faith, because we are all creatures of one God.” Like President Berisha, Haxhi Hafiz Sabri Koçi also wished worshippers of all faiths in Albania well, once again inviting them to unity and coexistence. The Bajram celebration, observed throughout Albania, ended with President Berisha’s visit to Shkodër, the most emblematic city of the coexistence of different faiths in Albania. (e.l)

The child dies CËRRIK - He was driving his car out through the gate of his house when suddenly he caused something he would never have done intentionally...

Tonight TV serves up the famous film The return of “Kapedani” ... The director talks about its absence TIRANA - The famous ‘Kapedani’ is back on screen once again. After nearly five years, today Albanian Television will serve up for viewers—at 20.50—the film’s long-unseen scenes, from what may be the most frequently screened film in Albania.

Parliament TIRANA - Fines without the right to appeal are coming for shopkeepers and various traders who violate hygiene and sanitation standards. Until now, the inspectors

CËRRIK — his house when, suddenly, he caused the kind of damage he would never have wanted: he accidentally ran over and killed his three-year-old son. The tragedy occurred on Wednesday morning in the village of Thanë, near Cërrik, at the home of S. Bardhi. The latter had started his car and was maneuvering to get out of the narrow courtyard of the house. The curious child had stood behind the car and was watching his father’s actions. One fatal movement of the car in reverse was all it took, and the three-year-old child ended up dead beneath its wheels. m.k.

The director speaks about its absence TIRANA — The famous “Kapadani” is returning to the screen once again. After almost five years, today Albanian Television will present viewers—at 20:50—with the forgotten sequences of the film, perhaps the most widely screened in Albania. Blocked for some time, like many other films of “socialist realism,” the film by director Muharrem Fejzo will once again seek to captivate viewers, many of whom have still not managed to remove from their everyday slang the expressions “borrowed” precisely from this film. As confirmed by the Programming Department of Albanian Television, “Kapadani”’s return to the screen will also be accompanied by the “return” of its director, who will appear on the programme and, through a studio conversation, tell viewers about the reasons that led to the film’s “disappearance” from the screen, as well as its reappearance today. Nevertheless, today—after a long time—both Fejzo and “Kapadani” will “speak.” At 20:50... (e.l) Director Muharrem Fejzo

Elbasan: Three police chiefs suspended ELBASAN — High-profile suspensions at the police station in Elbasan. Three officials were informed a few days ago that they were being dismissed. Meanwhile, the heads of this police station have still not confirmed the reasons for the decision. Kristaq Ferra, head of public-order police; Aleksander Sinani, road-traffic commander; and Nazmi Dervishi, head of criminal police, suspended from their duties a few days ago, are now waiting only for the decision of the Minister of the Interior. The suspension decision was communicated to the three heads of this police station at a meeting, in the presence of another of Minister Musaraj’s appointees. So far, they have offered no confirmation of the reasons that led them to take such extreme measures against the three police officials of this district. Meanwhile, the day after the decision, one of the suspended officials immediately responded. Nazmi Dervishi, the former head of criminal police, stated that the reason for his suspension was that he had identified the real perpetrator of an injury. In fact, this statement was connected to the disclosure of a robbery plot involving an employee of the police station; the plot had been foiled about a month earlier, while the incident in question in the city of Elbasan was being investigated. In any case, all three suspended officials are still waiting for Minister Musaraj’s decision. Me.Ki.

TIRANA — Fines with no right of appeal are being introduced for vendors and various traders who violate hygiene and sanitation standards. TIRANA — Fines with no right of appeal are being introduced for vendors now, sanitary inspectors have had the option of imposing fines, but these were never paid because those fined appealed them. A draft law proposing amendments to the law on the Sanitary Inspectorate is ready to be reviewed by Parliament. The powers of this inspectorate’s specialized personnel will also extend to doctors and nurses in villages, who are currently not permitted to do this, leaving almost the entire rural sector without sanitary requirements for the various services. Meanwhile, under the new powers envisaged, sanitary inspectors will be entitled to stop counterfeiting or technological fraud in production when these directly affect human health. Until now, these powers have belonged only to specialists in inspection and standardization. For all these matters, the draft law in question also calls for the issuance of specific regulations for sectors such as hotels, nurseries and laundries, which have been lacking until now. p.re.

Interested in bricks SHKODËR — A very unusual delegation was in Shkodër the other day. Tatars have appeared in the ancient city. Fortunately, these are not the ones we have heard about in history, but a proper delegation interested in establishing economic relations with a city that is many kilometers away. The news was reported by an official agency interested… SHKODËR — A very unusual delegation was in Shkodër the other day. Tatars have appeared in the ancient city. Fortunately, these are not the ones we have heard about in history, but a proper delegation interested in establishing economic relations with a city that is many kilometers away. The news was reported by an official agency interested in cooperation in the building-materials industry, particularly in brick production. The people of Shkodër, interested in reviving their city’s economy and, as the microphone operators say, having shown their willingness to welcome them warmly… appreciate it. Now all they can do is hope that what has been discussed can truly become reality. Meanwhile, the connection would appear to be evidence of such visits… [final text unclear] y.p.

A Distorted Reality CËRRIK — He is named, but is also one year older. He bites his peers with his teeth. Literally, the ten-year-old from the city of Cërrik has become a dangerous person to his peers. A few weeks ago, he bit one of his peers, V.Xh., leaving him with his lower lip torn—the child who had been the first to bite him. This made it necessary to take him to hospital for treatment of the bite. But even after the bite had healed, he could not conceal his original lip. After plastic surgery, doctors replaced the severed part with an artificial one. Although the child who bites was known as an unusual case, the children had welcomed him into their company and had not left him abandoned in his misfortune. But when the first victim fell among them, they were terrified. To them he was no longer a friend but a dangerous “vampire.” Since that fateful day, none of the children has dared approach this little “vampire.” The ten-year-old’s strange behavior, which, as he himself says, he had tried to [text unclear] once, has caused considerable concern in the city of Cërrik. There is now a message for children there. mo.ki.

Sejfulla Malëshova, the first dissident, remembered The life and work of the distinguished intellectual and democrat Sejfulla Malëshova were commemorated in Tirana on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of his birth. And yesterday afternoon, at the Army Cultural Center, speakers talked about the man who was the first to oppose Enver Hoxha, the first to call for ties with the West, and the first to seek the protection of figures such as Noli and Fishta. Dr. Ymer Dishnica and other participants recalled the time when Malëshova also held a high-ranking post. President Berisha decorated him with the Order of the “National Flag, First Class.” Agnelli Foundation present in Gjirokastër A foundation bearing a well-known name — Agnelli — has been present in the city of Gjirokastër in recent days. Its aim is to establish an Agnelli Office at the Chamber of Commerce in the city, which will subsidize the training of Albanians in construction and technology by providing study scholarships in Italy. The bilateral agreement signed between the local authorities and the foundation also provides for the opening in Gjirokastër of a branch of Banca di Roma, a highly successful bank in Italy. All of this is to be accomplished within the first 15 days of April. The Agnelli Foundation bears the name of the owner of Fiat, Giovanni Agnelli.