The New York Times warns of an "official note from the Clinton administration" Is the US protesting to Tirana? "Embargo breached: fuel bound for Serbia" The American daily denounces the reappearance of smuggling from Albania to the former Yugoslavia. SAM representative: "Yes, the phenomenon exists, but the Albanian authorities are fighting it" TIRANA - “The Bill Clinton administration is considering the possibility of an official note, because Albania has turned into a major fuel supplier to its neighbour, which is subject to an embargo.” The fuel-smuggling scandal between Albania and Montenegro has crossed the country's borders and landed like a bomb on the pages of the New York Times—which was republished the day before yesterday by the International Herald Tribune. Two days ago, the authoritative US daily published a report from Albania denouncing the illegal trafficking of gasoline and diesel fuel to the former Yugoslavia, claiming that the fuel was being used to supply the Serbian war machine. The journalist, Raymond Bonner, adds that the US State Department may decide to protest to the Tirana government over the violation of the embargo imposed by the United Nations. This latter claim, however, has not yet received any official confirmation. Interviewed by the journalist, the ambassador in Albania is unable to confirm it: “I know nothing about this official note,” he says, “and, besides, these are initiatives belonging to the governments of individual countries, not to us.” But does the phenomenon of fuel smuggling still exist? “Albania respects the sanctions, having decided to close the Hani i Hotit border crossing. At that point the smuggling problem began; it comes via Shkodër and the Po River. It is true, the phenomenon exists, but the Albanian authorities are trying to stop it in cooperation with our office...” How? “First of all, by checking the destination of imported fuel. An Albanian finance minister recently ratified a decree imposing strict controls on all fuel entering Albania, a check carried out by the Albanian police authorities together with us. The various seizure operations, meanwhile, are the exclusive responsibility of the Albanian side.” Is it possible to learn the quantities of fuel exported to Montenegro—which had arrived in Albania two weeks earlier—claims in his article that, according to official documents, Albania imported 3.5 million gallons of fuel (one gallon is 4.5 litres) in the first two weeks of February, and that in the last ten days of the same month at least 100,000 gallons of fuel... Recently. In Shkodër it is said that Montenegrin traders had halted the imports and that only at the end of February had a larger request arrived. Montenegrins pay the Albanians 1 mark more per litre of fuel than its market value. Recently—through the huts and distribution outlets that link Shkodër—large quantities of fuel have been smuggled to Montenegro: there, using a sophisticated chemical process, the gasoline is super-refined and then used for military aviation. Yesterday the Financial Police carried out inspections at the numerous fuel depots in the Shko... protest to the Tirana government over the breach circumstance has not yet received any official confirmation. In an interview given to Gazeta Shqiptare, Franco Le­trari—the head of SAM, the Mission for Sanctions Assistance, which monitors compliance with the em- strict checks on all the fuel entering Albania, checks that the Albanian police authorities carry out together with us. Meanwhile, the various operations to enforce the competence of the Albanian side” “Is it possible to find out the quantities of fuel illegally exported to Montenegro?” “A statistic is quite difficult to compile.” The New York Times journalist —who had come to Albania to see [text unclear]—states in the newspaper Shqiptare that “Albania imports an amount of fuel equal to twice its domestic needs.” The smuggling phenomenon appeared to have dwindled considerably in recent months, and even now, according to well-informed sources, exports of limestone are lower than in the past. Smuggling seems to have resumed only in recent weeks—via boats carrying liquids from Shkodër—which had gone on to Malta. A great deal of petrol goes to Montenegro: there, using a sophisticated chemical process, the petrol is super-refined and then used for military aircraft. Yesterday the Financial Police carried out checks at the many fuel outlets in the Shkodër area, but their checks of the books revealed no irregularities. p.re Ambassador Antonio Napoli­tano had told Gazeta twice its domestic needs.” According to well-informed sources, this [text unclear], p.re TIRANA - Aspirin and other medicines have been given to fight the flu. This is what doctors advise for everyone suffering most from a high fever. There is no specific therapy against the flu virus, they explain. It is enough for everyone to protect themselves from cold drafts and stay in warm, well-ventilated places. Drink as many fluids as possible. “It is important,” doctors stress, “not to let the illness progress, as it may subsequently be accompanied by complications.” In such cases—tonsillitis, bronchitis or bronchopneumonia—patients should undergo appropriate treatment as advised by specialists. Nevertheless, care must be taken to avoid the serious consequences that a severe form of flu can bring. The headline on the front page of the Herald Tribune, which republishes the New York Times article. Above: smuggling on Lake Shkodër (photo: F. Gustincich)

Hygiene: “Three types of viruses are circulating” The flu wave in Albania: children and adults bedridden Hundreds of cases appear every day TIRANA - The flu wave that has spread across all of Albania does not seem ready to go away yet. For almost three months, clinics and health centres have continued to be crowded with people gripped by its symptoms. In Tirana alone, the number of people diagnosed reaches 300 to 350 a day. According to specialists, the flu has affected people of various ages, but seems to be causing greater concern among young people. Its symptoms include high temperatures, reaching over 40 degrees and lasting for almost three days in a row. More dangerous, however, is the fact that the illness may also be accompanied by various serious consequences or complications, such as bronchitis, angina (tonsillitis), or bronchopneumonia. Children are most exposed to this threat. According to specialists, high temperatures can cause various consequences, including, in rare cases, complications such as encephalopathy (damage to the nervous system). So far, laboratory tests carried out at the Institute of Hygiene have identified three types of viruses currently circulating in Albania. The most widespread, accounting for 74 per cent of cases, is the one at 54 per cent that is associated with it; it is type B—which causes localized epidemics—and has mainly affected young people. But while this type has been declining, the opposite has happened with the A/Shangdong subtype virus, which has been spreading increasingly; it is also widespread in neighbouring countries. According to preliminary information from the Institute of Hygiene, this type of virus has affected adults. Tests on the latter are continuing, but nothing definite can yet be said about the course of the flu, although some specialists say it is declining. Amand Mero

TIRANA - “Aspirin and paracetamol are the best medicines for fighting the flu.” This is what doctors advise everyone suffering from a high fever. Against the flu virus, they explain, there is no special treatment. It is enough to take [unclear] and protect oneself from cold drafts; adults should stay in ... surroundings, and eat fruit to make up for what the body loses through fever. The important thing, doctors stress, is not to let the illness progress, as it may then be accompanied by complications. In such cases—angina, bronchitis or bronchopneumonia—specific treatments should be administered, taking care not to overuse antibiotics. Those most at risk, according to doctors, are people suffering from other illnesses and the elderly. It would be advisable to notify the health services promptly so they can vaccinate them, in order to avoid serious consequences ...

TIRANA - The shadows of suspicion have once again fallen over the five “Omonia” members, recently released from prison. This time the accusations come from Greece. It was former Greek Transport Minister Teodoros Pangalos who recently made a sensational statement. “There is a strong possibility that they were linked to the Greek ultranationalist commando group that was also detained recently,” Pangalos declared, before going on to attack his country's government, calling it chiefly responsible for the violent incident. “This statement is based not only on facts but on a mistaken political judgment that brings contempt upon Greece,” said a spokesperson for the Greek Foreign Ministry. Leali, “the responsibility of all the Greek governments in this case is almost the greatest. It is the first time that an important Greek politician has considered [them] guilty of the frightening incident involving diplomatic relations and the social circles of his country. ‘The Greek government blocked Greek-Albanian relations for eleven months,’ Pangalos thundered at a political rally in Crete, ‘and this because Albania was entirely ... the official Greek side ... that had ... links with the Greek commando.’ Is Pangalos’s sensational statement itself a political move in his struggle to gain power? In fact, the Greek opposition politician has been vindicated by recent developments in the investigation into seven Greek ultranationalist terrorists. In recent days, a person well known to the leadership of the five “Omonia” members in Tirana had appeared: Greek mobilization officer Andreas Zarbakullas. p.re.

Defence College also in Albania Mission: Security policy TIRANA - Albania too [is developing] its security and defence. On the occasion of NATO’s 46th anniversary, the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, signed the decision to establish the highest institution in the field of security policy. The inauguration of the Defence College also coincided with the arrival in Albania of NATO’s First Deputy Secretary General, Entoni Kreg, who, together with the Albanian authorities, is drawing up a draft plan, an agreement which, along with the documents of 13 other NATO partner countries, will be discussed at the end of May in the Netherlands with the foreign ministers of the 16 allied countries. Yesterday President Berisha also stated publicly that the Defence Council “has examined and approved the fundamental document on Albania’s security and defence policy”, the first of its kind in Albania’s history. (e.l)

Unions demand a pay rise TIRANA - The state does not have the money to satisfy the unions. The disagreement between the Government and the unions over a new pay rise has still not been resolved. The latest request from BSPSH Chairman Valer Xheka, for inflation indexation and pay rises of up to 35 per cent for public-sector employees, received no support either from Deputy Prime Minister Dashamir Shehi or from the three ministers attending yesterday’s meeting. “Given the state’s current financial capacity,” Shehi said, “I consider it practically impossible to meet this request.” But although the Government and the unions ended yesterday’s meeting still entrenched in their respective “trenches,” and with the 35 per cent increase still on the table, only BSPSH’s response remains undisclosed. The position on the Government’s readiness to meet the unions’ demands, according to what was said at yesterday’s meeting, remains to be determined after the unions’ activities. It seems this would also be confirmed by the firm stance of the final regime. In particular, senior members of the Government—who did not rule out the possibility of a further pay rise after the 10 per cent increase—ended up [unclear] on this issue. (p.re)

Vlora, mysterious incident VLORA - A gang at sea targets Albanian clandestine speedboats. The new “season” of clandestine crossings for travellers between Albania and Italy has begun with an unusual incident. According to Vlora boatmen who returned in recent days, an armed gang of masked people—three speedboats—seriously threatened Albanian migrants’ speedboats. According to them, this gang, apparently entirely Italian, had not only entered Albania’s territorial waters but had even pursued them as far as near the island of Sazan. This incident, which has caused panic among Albanian speedboat owners, had happened once before, three months ago. Although, fortunately, no tragic incident has yet been confirmed, the mission of this gang remains a mystery to the people of the sea in Vlora. (s.m)

Fier, police detain 3 others FIER - The brawl between two groups of 17-year-old youths in Fier ended badly. Two of them are now in hospital, while three others have been detained by police. Beginning as a play on words, the quarrel between the boys from Fier escalated until knives were drawn and a real fight broke out. Two boys were seriously injured and immediately taken to intensive care, while police arrived at the scene. Police have kept three others implicated in the mass brawl at the police station. En. My.

“The Koçi case”: Prosecutor’s Office protests against the Court The decision of the Tirana Court to release Fatmir Koçi early on probation was immediately appealed. This decision was initially requested by the Prison Prosecutor’s Office—where Koçi was supposed to remain for another six months—while the representative of the Prosecutor’s Office had argued the opposite. In any case, the Prosecutor’s Office has now appealed the Court’s decision. Fier. Child falls into boiling water A 2-year-old child fell into a cauldron of boiling water. The incident—almost a tragedy—occurred in the village of Shupan in the Fier district, while his mother, E. Allaj, had put clothes on to boil. The small child is now admitted to the Surgery ward, still in serious condition, while doctors continue to provide the utmost care. Krujë. Man found shot dead beside his car A 33-year-old man from Fushë-Kruja has been found shot dead. The circumstances of the tragic killing are still unknown, while law-enforcement authorities confirm only that the lifeless body of S.N. was found right beside his personal car. The victim was an employee at the Cement Factory.

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