A packed stadium chants “Albania, Albania” With a 3–0 score, the first victory for the land of the eagles in three years. Bajko: “Now we can beat Wales too.” Kaçaj: “I dedicate my goal to all Albanians.” Moldova’s captain, Spiridon, in hospital TIRANA - The chants of a stadium full of people and joy briefly brought the whole country together around the pride they felt in their colours. Those 11 famous red-and-black boys on the pitch at “Qemal Stafa” yesterday performed a miracle which, through three years of reforms and development, they had been unable to achieve: the joy of hearing people cheer, “Albania, Albania”. “Albania, Albania...”: nearly 15,000 fans packed into the stadium stands and hundreds of thousands gathered in front of their televisions repeated the enchanting chant for 90 endless minutes of emotion, fear, joy and, finally, right up to the moment of triumph hidden within the whistles of that man dressed in black. With yesterday’s 3–0 against Moldova, it was not only Bajko’s team that won, but an entire nation. A TRLumf that restores Albania’s prestige and honour, and its image throughout the world. Suddenly, that green patch of “Qemal Stafa” expanded and grew immeasurably, enveloping the whole country like a green mantle—and bringing one more reason to hope. We, the amazed spectators, will carry in our hearts the unforgettable memory of having witnessed this victory. And to the 11 heroic protagonists of this match, we can only say, “Thank you, boys.” (c.bo / Ed.La)

The Albanian National Team’s first goal (photo: H. Pustina) The Albanian National Team’s first goal (photo: H. Pustina)

An embrace between goal scorers Kushta and Kaçaj (photo: H. Pustina)

Invitation from UPN TIRANA—Nano’s lawyer has also been invited to Madrid. An urgent request from the Inter-Parliamentary Union has summoned Përparim Sanxhaku to give explanations concerning the legal status of his client. Yesterday, Albanian representatives from both parliamentary sides, Ali Spahia and Luan Hajdaraga, also spoke before the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians. Sources from the Socialist Party, who are observers in contact with their deputy chairman in Madrid, reported yesterday that the two Albanian deputies were heard separately by the Committee. No details have emerged from their statements, but apparently both defended their initial versions concerning the imprisonment of the Socialist leader. Sanxhaku left yesterday at around 14:00 on a scheduled flight, which had previously taken him to Paris and then on to the Spanish capital. The specific points on which the lawyer will have to respond before the Committee’s members are not yet known, but the SP believes his statement will concern the obstacles the lawyer, and several of Nano’s fellow deputies and colleagues, have encountered in trying to meet their imprisoned leader. The SP continues to hope that the Madrid meeting will prove favorable to Nano. A resolution of the Union’s Council in September of last year, followed by a report prepared by a delegation led by Zhosi Mejer, Chairman of the special Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Parliamentarians, had made clear that no public appeal had been issued. They had placed their hopes in the international organization’s position being of help in their efforts to secure the release of the SP leader. In this case, the Union’s Council will once again consider the matter and reach a decision in a special resolution. Fatos Baxhaku

The court releases him on parole “Good behavior” TIRANA—Fatmir Koçi leaves Tirana Prison. With six months still left to serve behind bars, a proposal by the Directorate of Unit 313 for Koçi’s “early release on parole” has been accepted by the judges. This time, however, the court—which had sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment in 1993—was persuaded solely by Koçi’s good conduct in prison, the fact that he had not previously been convicted, and the problems surrounding the civil obligation of 400 thousand dollars, which, according to Chief Judge Bendo, could be resolved in a more effective way outside prison. Koçi’s victory was opposed at yesterday’s hearing only by prosecutor Gjokutaj, who requested that his application be rejected, again pointing out that he has still not settled his obligations to the injured parties, even though the Prosecution had previously accepted a request to seize Koçi’s assets. (e.i)

Bread queues return in Berat, Fier and Lushnje Power lines and ships destroyed Bread queues return in Berat, Fier and Lushnje Storm and damage across the country Power lines and ships destroyed TIRANA—The wave of storms that swept across Albania over the last two days has caused damage almost throughout the country. While the lowest temperatures were recorded in the north, five southern cities suffered most from winter’s sudden return. In Fier, Lushnje, Berat, Kuçovë and Skrapar, electricity supplies were cut for nearly 15 hours. A vast blanket of darkness prevailed from Tuesday night until Wednesday lunchtime, creating long bread queues in all five cities and difficulties for public facilities, including essential hospital services. The “culprit” was the strong wind, which brought down two high-voltage power-line pylons carrying 110 thousand kilovolts from the direction of Elbasan and supplying electricity to the five cities. The situation also alarmed KESH, which sent a specialized team to the area; thanks to its energetic intervention, the supply was restored after 15 hours. A strong wind—with its speed reaching the staggering level of 150 kilometers per hour—also struck the Albanian coast, causing panic and fear among ship crews. The “Adriatika” route ferry took 36 hours to cover the distance between the Italian and Albanian coasts, after being forced to change course to escape the fury of the storm. In Vlorë and Durrës, the fishing boats moored in port struggled to withstand the damage caused by the enormous waves. In Vlorë alone, damage to the fishing boats amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Several Albanian fishing boats and a large Greek tanker sustained significant damage in collisions with the pier. Power cuts were also recorded in Kukës, where the strong wind toppled pylons, cutting electricity supplies throughout the district. Snow cover, reaching 20 centimeters, temporarily blocked the roads. Halit Tafa Stavri Marko Embrace of goal scorers Kushta and Kacaj (photo: H. Pustina)

Cooperation between the opposition’s “big players” TIRANA—“The Democratic Alliance and the Socialist Party are not at war.” This was the substance of yesterday’s statements by two leaders of the two main parties of the Albanian opposition. According to Dokle, however, “there seems to be an effort by the Alliance to reassert its identity, but there is no kind of war between us and the Alliance; on the contrary, we have cooperated on many important issues in the country’s politics, such as efforts to establish the rule of law, the fight against corruption and intolerance, the protection of fundamental human rights, and especially efforts to unite the opposition against a government decision or a law passed by Parliament.” Perikli Teta, one of the Alliance’s leaders, also commented yesterday on relations between the two parties. “I don’t think we have made any statement, nor has any one of us declared war on the Socialists,” Teta told Gazeta Shqiptare. “There has been no change in our policy toward the SP; our position in relations with it is the same one announced some time ago.” But what is the state of relations between the two? “They are cooperative relations, without forming parallel alliances,” Dokle replied. “This has been stated by both sides for some time; my view is that cooperation between us has been fruitful.” Namık Dokle Perikli Teta (f.bak.) Namık Dokle; Perikli Teta

Five in prison TIRANA—Another attack on humanitarian aid. Once again, the London warehouses have become the “victims”; they have long been known as the largest and most important warehouses of this consignment in Albania. This time, however, only a few days were needed for the Interior Ministry authorities to get on the trail of the robbers. Five people—all employees of the London warehouses—have been detained and ended up in Tirana Prison; according to the Prosecutor’s Office, they will be investigated for their responsibility in this theft. Although the giant [??] is still only in its early stages, investigators have explained that this robbery, carried out after examining a door, is currently thought to have been organized from within, that is, by the employees themselves. Among the stolen items—but the quantity has not yet been determined—are clothing, blankets, and first-aid kits. (e.i)

An embrace between goal scorers Kushta and Kacaj (photo: H. Pustina)

A famous victory for the red-and-black National Team in the “Euro ’96” qualifiers: Goals by Kushta and Kacaj

On page 3

On page 3

TIRANA—Today too, come what may, we are giving away a crime novel together with the “Gazeta.” This time, it is the masterpiece by the Scottish author John Buchan, titled “The Thirty-Nine Steps.” A classic that Hitchcock also liked, and which he made into a famous film. This story by Buchan is a true spy story, full of mystery... We remind readers once again that today the Gazeta plus the book cost only 20 lek, and that it is absolutely forbidden for resellers to sell the newspaper separately from the book.

quna • (C.007 Ed.La) 40 thousand dollars On page 3 after the victory On page 3 News report and photo on page 3