Shkodër, investigations into the 1991 massacre resume Recently returned after fleeing abroad Yesterday he was found hiding in his home. Transferred to Tirana Prison Shkodër, investigations into the 1991 massacre resume The police officer of April 2 is arrested Recently returned after fleeing abroad Yesterday he was found hiding in his home. Transferred to Tirana Prison EDMOND LAÇI SHKODER - The tragedy of April 2, ’91 has once again returned to the forefront. This time, however, with greater fanfare, and even accompanied by the arrest of a person. At midday, Pal Vuksan Mika, a 28-year-old former police officer who left for Greece immediately after the events of April 2, ended up in Tirana Prison. As with two other employees of the former Unit 326, the Albanian police had long been searching for Mika, and so had Interpol. Recently returned to Albania, Mika was discovered at his home in the village of Bogë in Malësia e Madhe, while the investigation is now focusing on his responsibility in the April 2 massacre, in which, in addition to the four martyrs of democracy, 50 Shkodër citizens were wounded. The Malësia e Madhe Criminal Police operation took place in the early hours of yesterday. Recently returned from Greece, Mika was found right at his home in the village of Bogë, where he may have been hiding for only a few hours. A former officer generally serving at the Shkodër Police Commissariat, the former Unit 326 police officer was transferred again just hours later, and at midday the iron gates of Tirana Prison opened for him. Because the investigation has only just begun and is confidential, details about Pal Mika’s responsibility for the firing of weapons or the wounding of Shkodër citizens have not yet been confirmed. The only fact is that Mika had been declared wanted as one of those who… …only to… “This was an unexpected moment for the well-known lawyer Nafiz Bezhan, who had represented the families of the martyrs of democracy in the trial concerning April 2. Bezhan, who is currently preparing a book about April 2, ’91—he has written around 400 pages—said after the conclusion of the second trial in ’93: ‘The case remains open.’ But although the April 2 case is indeed being reopened today, fulfilling one of his great wishes, lawyer Bezhani says this moment was unexpected. Because the Shkodër incident does not depend on one perpetrator—whoever he may be—and must not be pinned on him alone. Bezhani, who still believes that the trial concerning the events of April 2 failed to bring the truth to light, recalls that, among other things, sentences totaling over 80 years in prison were imposed on Bajram Bajraktarin, Shytin, Canajev, Tacin, Ditën Paparen, Xhemal Dymylën and Gjek Çelën—as those responsible for the April 2 massacre—yet they still have not… …”, says Bezhani, “is preparing a book about April 2,” was opened on the basis of proposals made by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Defense. It is to enter into force on April 1 of this year, reducing the period of compulsory service in the Armed Forces from 15 to 12 months. The minimum age for young people to be recruited into the army is 18. Almost a year ago, another change had been made to the period of compulsory military service, reducing it from 2 years to 15 months. These changes continue the many reforms carried out in the Albanian Army in recent years—which has been declared depoliticized—including the reinstatement of ranks and the modernization of its barracks. Now, unlike in previous years, young people who graduate from higher-education institutions are also included in the compulsory military service system. The amendment to the law on compulsory military service, just promulgated by Berisha, will benefit all those who are recruited into the army after April 1, 1995. Meanwhile, it seems that contingents of soldiers who began this service before that date will continue to… The iron gates of Tirana Prison have been opened for him. Because of the secrecy surrounding the investigations, which have only just begun, details about Pal Mika’s responsibility for the killing or wounding of Albanian citizens in Shkodër have not yet been confirmed. The only established fact is that Mika was declared wanted as one of the three people who had fired at citizens on that day, April 2, ’91. “April 2 must be investigated, not ...of the police. Bezhan[i], has written around 400 pages—said immediately case remains open.” But although today the April 2 file is indeed being reopened, fulfilling one of his greatest wishes, lawyer Bezhani says: “This date marks a terrible tragedy, a great massacre that took place in Shkodër. I think this event [He] is preparing a book about April 2. The truth about April 2 has not been brought to light. He recalls that more than 80 years of imprisonment currently weigh on Hajdin Shyti, Çapajev Taci, Dilaver Papa, Xhemal Dymlye and Gjek Çela—as those responsible for the April 2 massacre—and have still not dispelled the mystery. “For me, the perpetrators are on the second rung; only the organizers are at the top,” Bezhani concludes. Bezhani, who continues to believe in the idea of a trial concerning the events of April 2, says the truth all four of them, may now reopen once again the most tragic chapter in the overthrow of communism in Albania. Broci, Nazmi Kryeziu, Besnik Çeka and Sokol Bisha-naku. This case, which had involved 16 prosecutors, 21 investigators, three court proceedings, the drafting of charges, boycotts by lawyer Bezhani, major protests, but also [in the place of?] its final conclusion, the overthrow of communism in Albania. The former PPSH Committee building, burned by demonstrators April 2, 4 years later...

The President’s decree enters into force on April 1, 1995 Soldiers: 3 months less in the green uniform The period of compulsory military service for young Albanians is being shortened TIRANA - The period of compulsory military service for Albanian citizens has been shortened by 3 months. A decree just issued by President Berisha has reduced the duration of this service to 12 months. According to a statement issued by the presidential press office, the decree—which makes an amendment to the law “On Compulsory Military Service”—was prepared this service before that date will continue to…

Payment for the return of the blocked Albanian gold TIRANA - Albania has agreed in principle to pay the United States a certain sum as compensation for the property of Americans confiscated by the regime after the war. A draft law to be ratified soon by the Albanian Parliament will set the amount and the terms of repayment. An initial version of this draft is already ready. This would apparently be the price for the United States to lift its veto on the return of Albanian gold blocked by the great Allies immediately after the Corfu Incident in 1946. Although everything has been set out only in the initial version, the amount the Albanian state must pay on behalf of America is thought to be 2 million dollars. Talks are continuing on whether this compensation for the property of their citizens confiscated by the communist regime is connected to the blockage of the gold, which has been dragging on… Bank of Albania

From Shkodër TIRANA - The famous bell from the era of Skanderbeg, one of the few objects preserved from the time of the National Hero, is to be returned from the Shkodër Police offices to the Museum of Krujë. The relic, which dates back to 1457, was transferred from the Shkodër Museum to Bogë in June 1991 by order of the Minister of Culture at the time, although documents prove that it does not belong to this village but to Pugët in Pult. The Ministry of Culture and the Parliamentary Committee on Culture have recently dealt with the matter and decided that the bell will be returned to the Skanderbeg Museum in Krujë; the villagers of Pog can be proud of their relic. The Parliamentary Committee will address the authorities of the… The bell was placed in Krujë in 1982. In June 1991, it was transported from the Museum to the bell tower of the church in the village of Bogë. It remained there until thieves managed to take it down from the church, first “mutilating” its supporting fittings, which are said to have been sent abroad to analyze the gold they contained. After some time, the bell was found and the thieves were caught in a successful police operation. After this, the third and perhaps most interesting phase of the bell’s history began. An elderly witness from the village of Pog in the Pult region presented documents that fully established that, during the destructive campaign against religion in 1967, a bell made in 1457 was taken from Pog’s church and deposited in the Shkodër Museum. The testimony of the elderly witnesses was also confirmed by Shkodër historians, who issued the relevant certificate. Thus began the story of the bell’s return to Krujë and the recognition of its true birthplace. k.d.

TIRANA - The excavations in the villages ... carried out as quarries of ... hills for ... stone ...

Durrës, after a quarrel DURRËS - A quarrel at a venue in Durrës has ended with the Prefect of Durrës’s driver, Sh.D., detained alongside the owner of the “Shqiponja” discotheque in the holding cells of the Durrës Police Commissariat. It all began as a simple quarrel between the two. Police sources have reconstructed the sequence of events, which for a few moments became extremely dramatic. The driver approached the owner and began saying something, prompting an immediate reaction from the latter. The driver then pulled out a gun and threatened his opponent. Fortunately, yesterday’s incident ended without any casualties, because the owner deftly moved aside and grappled with the armed driver; he even managed to take the pistol from his hand. The matter was then resolved through police intervention. ge.to.

Mat: reported by the Audit Service MAT - The State Audit Service has called for the deputy chair of the district council, Ilir Gurabardhi, to be removed from office and prosecuted. According to the auditors, the reason is the misuse of government funds allocated to remedy the damage caused by the landslides of 17–18 November 1992. During the inspection, it emerged that 966,588 lekë from the 2,850,000 lekë fund allocated for homes had been used for a different purpose: the venue belonging to Gjo Kandoi. Conversely, according to the auditors, in the report submitted by Gurabardhi to the Council of Ministers, it is claimed that 2,400,000 lekë were spent on homes and 450,000 lekë on flooded land.

SARANDË - A concert in prison. This time the protagonists are inmates of the Re-education Facility in Sarandë, who, despite being behind bars, have found a highly original way to celebrate the third anniversary of March 22. Around 15 inmates, taking on the role of performers, entertained about 150 fellow prisoners for two hours with music, parodies and sketches. The clarinet, accordion, tambourine and jazz, rarely heard there, filled the enclosed area, while their melodies flew beyond the prison bars. Afterwards, together with the variety-show performers and the inmates. “Anniversary March 22: Berisha also talks about pardons On page 3 ‘We had no reason not to support this initiative,’ says Petrit Ballilli, Director of the Re-education Facility in Sarandë, to Gazeta Shqiptare. He also notes that the concert celebrating March 22 was not the first for the prisoners under his direction. One is also surprised to learn that foreign-language courses are available to inmates, including English, French and Greek. In fact, inside the prison bars one can also take part in volleyball and chess championships, and the first champions have already been “medal-winners.” The painting experience seems even more interesting, with one of the Albanian painters being an inmate from Berat. But the “residents” of Sarandë Prison are also always at the forefront of initiatives of this kind. A few days ago, artists from the Sarandë Variety Theatre came into the prison, accompanied by the inmates, who did not hesitate to pay 30 lekë each for the unusual performance. (Ed.La.)

Bektashis TIRANË - The Sultan Nevruz festival brought all Bektashi believers together yesterday. Numerous ceremonies and religious rites were held at various tekkes in memory of the saints of this faith associated with the occasion. A special ceremony was held at the headquarters of the World Bektashi Headquarters. President Berisha also came here to offer his congratulations and was received by the World Leader, baba Reshat Bardhi.

Elbasan, classes boycotted ELBASAN - A driver has become the reason for a school boycott in the mountainous area of Elbasan. The teachers who travel with him every day—from the city to the villages—have decided to complain about him because he often drives while drunk, risking a plunge into the ravines that line the road from time to time. As a result, teachers in the mountainous areas of Elbasan, in the villages of Labinot and Shmil, have submitted a request to protest at the Prefecture offices. The reason, more than the type of vehicle used to transport them, is a “Skoda” that previously carried wood and has been serving as a bus for two years; it has become the cause of this boycott. “Lately he comes to pick us up in the village drunk,” the teachers told the Education office at the Prefecture, “and so on many occasions they have been unable to ...” Regarding the matter, the Education office of Prrenjas ... Me.Ki.

version, the amount the Albanian state is thought to have to pay on behalf of America is close to 2 million dollars. Direct talks between the two countries had begun as early as August 1994, when a delegation of American experts visited Albania. Not only the United States but also England had made communist regime a condition for the release of the gold, a matter that has been dragging on for years. As early as the 1980s, the idea of resolving the problem through the “Czech formula” had been raised in the English Parliament. Czechoslovakia at the time had settled a similar problem by paying compensation for confiscated property. The agreement reached in principle between the Albanian and American governments must be followed by two others, with England and France. The latter has long since abandoned its conditions for unblocking the Albanian gold. p.re.

An escapee from Tirana found dead in Greece Official identification of the body expected On page 3 The first 15 million ECUs in EC aid arrive Financing of the balance of payments begins On page 3