With yesterday’s pardon, President Berisha also takes two years off the sentences PS: “It is a partial repair of a mistake” Besnik Bekteshi and Llambi Gegprifti are also released. The others get a total of 67 years less in prison EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA—Fewer years behind prison bars for Socialist leader Fatos Nano, but also for the “fiery” Hoxha. In the decree signed by President Berisha the day before yesterday, but distributed only yesterday at 14:30, he reduced the sentences for Nano and Hoxha once again, along with those of 39 other convicts. As for two former regime officials—Bekteshi and Gegprifti—the decree granted 3 releases, and late last night they left Tepelena Prison to return to their families. Among the others are three foreign nationals—a Lebanese man and two Greeks—all accused of smuggling. The decree also reduced the prison terms of 31 others—including Fatos Nano and Nexhmije Hoxha—by a total of 76 years. But the measure releasing one of the 39 people, apart from the positive reactions it immediately prompted, also sparked the opposite response. The Socialists call President Berisha’s March 20, ’95 decree a political maneuver; they would accept only the final solution: Nano’s release. “I think Berisha, with the measures he is taking, shows that he sees he was wrong in the Nano case,” PS Deputy Chair Servet Pëllumbi told Gazeta Shqiptare, “but since he doesn’t have the courage to admit it, he is making only partial repairs.” According to Pëllumbi, Nano’s release is also a message to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which is expected to meet soon. “With this reduction in Nano’s sentence,” Pëllumbi added, “Berisha wants to show Europe that he is working to find a solution to this problem.” Meanwhile, relatives of the convicted former regime elite, waiting outside the Ministry of Justice, protested their disapproval of what “they called” an “unjustified differentiation in the selection.” Particularly in view of what President Berisha’s decree left in its wake: the leader of the Socialists—sentenced on March 3, ’94 to 12 years in prison—still has 9 years to serve. 58 months. Meanwhile, Hoxha’s widow—initially sentenced to 11 years in prison—has 40 months left. This is without counting the portion of the sentence reduction that had already reduced their terms, and the assistance of the translator in interpreting the large part of the decree? In ’94, which had pardoned them the same portion of their remaining sentences. Among those released were also three foreign nationals. After being held in Tirana’s prisons were Nabil Sbilin t—the Lebanese trader—and the two Greek nationals Kristos Katapodis and Jani Vagenos. The first was accused of cigarette smuggling, while the two Greek citizens were accused of fuel smuggling. Katapodis and Vagenos, as citizens of the European Union, had even appealed their harsh sentence from the Durrës Court—March 11, ’94—to the Council of Europe Court. Late last night, the two former regime officials Bekteshi and Gegprifti also arrived in Tirana from Tepelena Prison; they were the only members of the former regime elite group to benefit from Berisha’s decree. Last night Selami Baculi, Ylli Kandili and Rasim Kadriu also “changed” their places of detention; from the prisons of Kavaja, Tirana and Lezhë, they set off to join their families in Shkodër, Korçë and Dibër. Nexhmije Hoxha Fatos Nano

Suspicions surrounding the Embassy’s cipher officer TIRANA—Greek ultranationalist terrorists from MAVI were preparing to carry out an attack similar to the one in Peshkëpi. They had even planned to enter an Albanian military unit, where the same horrific scenario as in Peshkëpi would have been repeated the previous week. It is located in Lezhë, near the Greek-Albanian border. Criminal proceedings have been opened by the Ioannina Prosecutor’s Office against the Greeks Jugos-anastasis (former Greek army officer), Apostolis Korvelas (former police officer), Jorgos Papas, and the members of the minority Mario Kutulla, Jorgo Kristo, Harallam Papadhe and Fotis Bejleri. All are now accused of “unlicensed possession of weapons and anti-national activity.” While news of the prevention of a serious bloodbath on the border between the two countries has brought relief, another report has circulated through news agencies, sourced from Athens. MAVI is suspected of having extended its network into the Greek Embassy in Tirana. The Embassy’s cipher officer is due to appear before his superiors today to explain himself. According to sources in Athens, just days before Papulias’s visit to Tirana, some MAVI leaflets were found in his possession, calling for the creation of Greater Greece. The same sources say that the cipher officer’s suspension has caused an uproar among his colleagues at the embassy, and that the investigation has not yet been fully completed. The report about the Embassy’s cipher officer was also confirmed by Greek Government Spokesman Evangelos Venizelos, who nevertheless gave no reason for this to the Athens Foreign Ministry. Is it true, or an exaggerated press report? The outcome of the questioning of the accused cipher officer by his superiors will clarify the truth behind the suspicions surrounding him. Greeks without visas? TIRANA—The Albanian Parliament will soon discuss abolishing visas for Greek citizens. This was decided at yesterday’s meeting of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, following Ali Spahiu’s report on his return from London, concerning the issue of Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. The proposal was made by the Committee’s Deputy Chair, MP Bashkim Zeneli, and representatives of the other parties also agreed with it. The committee members—who are preparing for an official visit to Athens—have decided unanimously to ask the Greek side to regularize the conditions for Albanian businesspeople.

TIRANA—There are 39 people covered by President Berisha’s latest decree, which yesterday released eight convicts from Albanian prison cells, while reducing the sentences of 31 others by a total of 76 years. Those who have now returned to their families are: Selami Baculi, Ylli Kandili, Rasim Kadriu, Besnik Bekteshi, Llambi Gegprifti, Nabil Sbilimi, Kristo Katapodis and Jani Vagenos. The following benefited from reductions of between one and seven years in prison: Jaho Geci (1), Tomor Uruçi (1), Dhimitraq Vinçani (1), Dilaver Melani (1), Arben Xhiveshi (1), Preng Gjoka (3), Muhamet Troplini (1), Brahim Dosti (2), Arsim Hoxha (6), Fatos Zeneli (6), Syl Asllani (1), Figiri Çemenja (1), Ndue Prenga (1), Mersin Shehu (2), Themi Rush (3), Hazis Gjika (4), Albert Gjura (3), Sajmir Gjuraj (3), Hysen Plaku (2), Sami Plaku (2), Nikoll Jaku (1), Hamit Salaj (6), Engjëll Velaj (5), Lufi Marku (7), Lir Velimishi (1), Idajet Gjukutaj (2), Ferdinard Nnaj (2), Hysen Muça (1), Remzi Binaj (2), Nexhmije Hoxha (2) and Fatos Nano (2). (e.l)

The relic is being transferred to the Museum KORÇË—Specialists have now determined the age of the sarcophagus found several days ago in the village of Barç, near the city of Korçë. The archaeological find dates from the second or third century BCE and is considered a very important relic. “This discovery is unique in the Korçë region,” explains Petrika Lera, head of the city’s archaeological center. The Barç sarcophagus was carved from a single mass of limestone. It is 210 centimeters long, 110 centimeters wide and 90 centimeters high. Numerous decorations can easily be discerned on its surfaces, which are in good condition. Particularly striking are the sculpted heads and a long garland of flowers. In removing this relic, the archaeological specialists were assisted by army and police forces. The sarcophagus has now been transferred to the premises of the Korçë Archaeological Museum, which, by a recent order of the Minister of Culture, has been designated a National Museum with regional importance for the values of southeastern Albania. So.Ma.

In Berat BERAT—With pierced cheeks, sacrificial animals, people swallowing pieces of metal or walking over glowing embers without getting burned, with real tongs in their mouths and slippery snakes they dare not poison themselves with—a scene like something out of a horror story unfolded yesterday in front of the Berat Teqe. A Malaysian spectator was seeing for the first time the “zjers” ceremony, a special religious ritual that had been suppressed in 1967, but the organizers had been unable to obtain the necessary permit from the Berat Police. Two members of Berat’s “Council of Rrufas” protested against the ban on their ceremony, confronting the police organizers as well as the Mufti of Berat, with whom they had also apparently been in dispute over ownership of the sacred site. h.t.

Elbasan: fines and confiscated goods await trial ELBASAN—Confiscated goods worth around $700,000 and fines imposed on private companies by the Financial Police in Elbasan have been considered “dead” for two years. They have been contested by 12 different companies, and the cases have remained in the district court, with no indication of when they will be concluded. The delays in trying these cases have concerned both the Financial Police—which cannot deposit the confiscated goods’ proceeds into the state treasury—and the owners themselves, who hope to benefit from the trial that has been postponed. “Only the court’s decision,” Flamur Gega, head of the Financial Police branch, told Gazeta Shqiptare, “can unblock the goods and the fines imposed.” The Court considers the Financial Police’s claim justified, but says it is extremely busy: “We are overloaded,” explains its president, Adem Klari, “but we will identify the unfinished case files and take them up as soon as possible.” Me.Ki.

Minister Musaraj’s assessment TIRANA—Every 24 hours, the lives of five Albanian citizens are threatened, while ten others risk their property and reputation. This is the crime tally against people and property for just the first two months of ’95; the figures confirm the lowest crime rate in Albania since 1991. “The first quarter of this year has been among the most successful,” Interior Minister Musaraj said at a press conference, also recalling that the arrest of more than 250 people—including criminals who had committed several murders—took place during the same period. Once again acknowledging the ratio between the civilian population and Albanian police forces—approximately 1 to 315—Minister Musaraj also made an appeal to the Albanian mass media, attributing to it the role of “a powerful force in crime prevention.” According to figures released by the Interior Ministry, there has been not only a decline in crime, but also an improvement in the investigative capacity of the Albanian police. Thus, from 615 percent in 1991, the rate of crime detection rose to 85 percent three years later. Although, according to Musaraj, cooperation among the prosecution, courts and police has yet to be achieved “to the necessary extent and in the proper manner,” as has the provision of technical equipment and supplies to the institutions under his responsibility, which he has sought to improve. Speaking about the most striking recent incidents, Musaraj said that Interpol-Tirana is now cooperating with its Greek counterparts on the case of four members of the Greek minority recently reported as “members of a terrorist group,” members of the Front for the Liberation of Northern Epirus. Also, regarding the clan that has spread through Albania, Musaraj said: “More than 2,000 bloody massacres may have been committed here alone.” (Ed.La) STATISTICS ON CRIMINAL OFFENCES BY YEAR CRIMINAL OFFENCES YEAR 1993 YEAR 1994 CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY TOTAL CRIMES YEAR 1994 (2-MONTH PERIOD) YEAR 1995 (2-MONTH PERIOD) CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY TOTAL CRIMES Year 1993: against persons 2072, against property 1904, total 98 [?] Year 1994: against persons 1967, against property 1804, total 96 [?] Year 1994 (2-month period): against persons 308, against property 302, total 98 [?] Year 1995 (2-month period): against persons 298, against property 271, total 94 [?] $700,000 held up in court

TIRANA—The famous air-raid shelters, built near almost every settlement, are now to be rented out. They will even be sold at auction. A government decision adopted on Monday allows all these shelters, along with various supply depots used for years for military purposes, to be administered by local government. The restructuring of the army has taken many such facilities out of their former use. They may now be used for various profitable purposes, or otherwise put up for auction. Where shelters are located beneath homes, their residents will have priority in renting them, as will residents when the shelters are no more than 15 meters from the entrance to their home. 8i-pi

Bektashis: “They are occupying our teqes” “They are occupying our teqes.” This is the protest of the World Bektashi Headquarters, addressed in a petition sent in recent days to the highest authorities of the Albanian state. “Housing is being built in some of our religious centers, thereby confiscating them from the faithful,” the Bektashi petition says, also calling for swift intervention so that “the evil may be stopped before there can be undesirable consequences.” Vlorë: Italian fishing boat runs aground An Italian fishing boat, “Acalion I,” which was fishing illegally in Albanian territorial waters, ran aground yesterday on the sandy coast near the mouth of the Vjosë River. All five crew members, all from Puglia, sent out a distress call over the radio. But last night, weather and sea conditions made rescue operations by the Albanian navy impossible.

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