“We are enforcing the embargo” Petrela speaks, the Director of Customs TIRANA—“An average of 13–14 thousand tonnes of fuel have entered Albania each month this year.” This is the figure presented yesterday by Arben Petrela, Director General of Albanian Customs, to dispute an article published a few days ago in the American daily New York Times. Referring to statistics provided by the department he heads, Petrela gave a detailed account of fuel imports during the past year. Thus, in 1994, 182,406 tonnes of gasoil, 32,500 tonnes of kerosene, 49,900 tonnes of gasoline, 466 tonnes of benzol and 20,000 tonnes of diesel fuel entered Albania: a total of more than 285,000 tonnes of fuel. But how is all this quantity used? According to the Director of Customs, most of the consumption is accounted for by cars—around 150,000 vehicles in circulation, according to him—as well as the population’s various needs and other sectors in which fuel is used. Nevertheless, it remains difficult to make an accurate calculation of Albania’s actual consumption needs. Returning once again to the New York Times article, the Director of Customs also wanted to clarify the issue of “Kerosene Jet A 1,” mentioned in the article as a substance used for military aircraft. “This substance is kerosene normally used by Albanian households,” he expl... ...ained he—but at customs it is always classified under this designation. Besides, for it to be used in aircraft it must contain other components as well. However, kerosene is imported into Albania only by state entities and distributed by them according to the population’s needs,” Petrela explained. The main part of the customs chief’s statement concerned the measures taken by the Albanian Government to stop illegal fuel trafficking and rigorously observe the embargo and other sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on the former Yugoslavia. Although he did not speak directly about the extent of fuel smuggling with Montenegro, Petrela nevertheless did not deny that it was occurring. He limited himself to saying that “measures have been taken and the Albanian state authorities are trying to minimize and stop what is happening—smuggling.” Yesterday, Tirana’s diplomacy also denied being aware of a note that, according to the New York Times report, the administration of US President Clinton was sending to protest to the Albanian Government over the violation of the embargo. The Foreign Ministry’s statement once again emphasized Albania’s commitment to observing all sanctions against the former Yugoslavia. Ar.Me. The day before yesterday in Koplik: in the refrigerated truck, the oil cistern

Threat by 44,000 teachers from across Albania Warning strike on Tuesday The unions: “We demand a pay increase of up to 35 percent” Threat by 44,000 teachers from across Albania “We will close all the schools” Warning strike on Tuesday The unions: “We demand a pay increase of up to 35 percent” ARLINDA ÇAUSHOLLI TIRANA—A threat from Albanian trade unionists. Exactly three days after the meeting of senior state officials, it is teachers who are sending the first signals—unfounded?—against the Government’s conditions, in favor of a nationwide general strike. “On Tuesday, lessons will be entirely boycotted in a strike throughout Albania,” was the decision reached yesterday afternoon by the National Council of Education Trade Unions. But if school bells this Monday warned of school closures, after the second lesson more than 44,000 Albanian teachers went further, saying: “If the Government gives no response after our warning strike, then April 22 will be the first day of the major strike, which will continue until the demand for higher wages is met.” The teachers’ strike also risks being joined by those of other powerful unions—Health, Telecommunications and Higher Education—which are expected to finalize the procedures for their protests next week. The decision to strike on Tuesday was reached after debates lasting around four hours among representatives of education unions from 29 districts of Albania. Yesterday the Central Strike Committee was also formed, appointed to consist of the seven presidents of the education unions in the country’s seven largest districts. “More than 44,000 teachers will boycott one lesson on Tuesday,” Bajram Kruja, General Chairman of the Union of Education Trade Unions, told Gazeta Shqiptare. “They are not instruments of a political strike. Their warning protest is motivated solely by economic concerns. Accepting our demand for a 35-percent pay increase is not only essential for us; we also believe it is achievable by the Government.” In any case, next week will determine the “battle” over wages between BSPSH and the Government. “The other BSPSH union branches also support a nationwide strike,” Fatmir Muzaku, General Secretary of BSPSH, told Gazeta Shqiptare, “because so far the unions’ meetings with government representatives have remained merely discussions, without any satisfactory result for either side.” The threat of a general strike thus becomes the first union initiative to go beyond dialogue, which until now had been accepted by BSPSH itself and by the Government, which insisted a few days ago that, outside investment spending, there was financial scope for a pay increase of more than 10 percent.

Plant malfunction. The hydrotreating unit was ablaze for two hours straight Ballsh: a tragedy averted BALLSH—A fire broke out at the Deep Oil Processing Plant in Ballsh. Late the night before last, flames engulfed one of the plant’s units—because of a malfunction—putting workers’ lives at risk and threatening to spread further throughout the building. Only the swift intervention of the workers, followed by firefighters who arrived urgently, prevented what could have become a catastrophe. The exact damage is not yet known, but initial assessments suggest it is extensive. The incident occurred at around 10:30 p.m. In the hydrotreating unit, also known as “sector number 3,” while work was proceeding normally, a tremendous noise was heard, followed by flames. Fire engines arrived without delay and intervened to put out the blaze. Everything was finally brought under control at 12:30 a.m.: the fire was extinguished. The danger posed by last night’s incident was extremely serious. If the flames had been able to spread further, they would also have engulfed the unit’s collectors. Had that happened, specialists explain, the damage would have been incalculable and there would have been serious consequences for the plant’s operations. According to specialists, the fire in the hydrotreating unit was caused by a malfunction in one of the installations. The cause of the malfunction is still unknown, although work continued intensively throughout the day to repair the installation and eliminate the faults. “Almost everything has now been repaired,” one of the unit’s dispatchers told Gazeta Shqiptare, “and the situation has returned to how it was before.” Meanwhile, the previous night’s fault did not affect the work of the plant’s other units. Their operations continued throughout yesterday without any hindrance. p.re ...the damages caused, but from the initial inspections it is thought that they are extensive. The incident occurred at around 22:30. while work was proceeding normally, a loud noise was heard, followed by a powerful fire. The flames spread rapidly and began to extend throughout the unit. Fortunately, none of the workers—around 20 people—who were there was injured. But they all immediately sprang into action to fight the fire and prevent it from spreading further. For several minutes they battled it with the fire extinguishers that were there. Meanwhile, the ... was alerted

Fier, child in hospital FIER—Burned inside a car while playing with his friends. This was the fate of a 10-year-old child. The flames that engulfed

When the defendant’s defense is expected TIRANA—Not tomorrow, but next week, the trial of MP Arben Lika will continue. His health condition was precisely what forced the presiding officials to postpone Lika’s appearance in the courtroom once again for a few days. The trial, which began on September 22 of last year and was interrupted after prosecutor Ribaj’s closing submissions—he had sought a 10-year prison sentence—will resume with Lika’s defense. Throughout the hearings, he had categorically denied any involvement in cigarette smuggling. In any case, next week Lika’s statement, as well as the court’s final decision, will bring his trial to a definitive end. (p.re.)

engulfed the car after it had been parked briefly between two trees also covered the child’s body. He is now in hospital, in the intensive care unit, in an extremely serious condition. It all began as a children’s game. Grami, together with two of his friends, got into his uncle’s Fiat, which had stopped in front of the courtyard of the house. Apparently, the children’s usual curiosity led them to touch two bare wires. That is where the tragedy began. A few moments later, flames burst out inside the car and the children found themselves trapped. While the others escaped, little Grami found himself engulfed in flames. En. My.

Parliament approves TIRANA – At long last, Albania has decided to accept the terms of the United States of America in exchange for a share it will receive in reparations for the Second World War. During the morning session, Parliament ratified the agreement signed by the two governments on March 10 of this year. Under the agreement, TIRANA is to recognize a sum of 2 million dollars owed to the US for claims by American citizens against Albania, seeking compensation for property confiscated by the communist regime. The agreement reached passed through Parliament without discussion. The chairman of the PS parliamentary group requested more detailed explanations from representatives of the American states whose citizens Albania must compensate. For this reason, he requested that Vroni and Serreqi appear before Parliament. The representative of the Social Democrats, Rrakaj, also called for ratification to be postponed. Nevertheless, their requests did not change anything: the agreement was approved by 57 votes in favor, 9 against and 13 abstentions. The agreement between the US and Albania is not the final step toward bringing the gold to Albanian banks. The same procedure must also be completed with England and France: the two other great allies that emerged victorious in the Second World War. Both states agree that compensation is due, and only the bureaucratic side remains to be dealt with. France, moreover, has not yet submitted a claim and has for some time been asking to withdraw its conditions and demands. ... Albania’s gold ... 13 million dollars had been blocked ... 1946. The reason for this was ... in Corfu[z].

“End psychological discrimination against us” FIER – “End the psychological discrimination against Roma by local officials.” This was one of the main demands made by Roma in Fier in their latest protest, submitted to the district’s highest authorities. In recent days, other groups have also signed the same protest, to demonstrate in front of the Fier Municipality and Prefecture. “There are around 22,000 Roma in this district,” Latif Kazanxhi, chairman of the “Bashkimi Demokratik i Romëve” Association in Fier, told Gazeta Shqiptare, “and we live in extremely poor conditions.” According to the local Roma leader, persecution against them is felt especially when it comes to employment. In any case, among the Roma’s most essential demands—made by those living on the outskirts of the city or in nearby villages—is the provision of the minimum conditions for living, such as clean water. Living in makeshift homes built close together, many Roma are asking the local authorities to improve the infrastructure near their residential areas, including laying water pipes and installing electricity. “It is truly impossible to live here in conditions like these,” concludes Kazanxhi, chairman of the Roma in Fier, who nevertheless hopes that dialogue can achieve a great deal for their living conditions. (En.My.)

POGRADEC – Two employees of the Pogradec Financial Police were involved in an accident. – Two employees of the Pogradec Financial Police were involved in an accident. On Wednesday, at around 1:00 p.m., as the two inspectors were riding their motorcycle along the road to Memelisht, an unidentified car hit them from behind. Both inspectors were found beside the road in a coma and were then taken to hospital with serious injuries. The law-enforcement authorities, which immediately began investigating this unusual incident, focused their search for several hours on the Financial Police motorcycle as well; it had still not been found by late evening. (Ed.Fe.)

In 1995 TIRANA – The capital of Albania will [?] host the Balkan Conference of the Red Cross. This is an important event of the year for the association, which has 20,000 members and whose operations now cover all the districts of the country. “An additional [?] boost”—as this activity has been called—will nevertheless take place alongside the other projects of the Albanian Red Cross, whose assistance has so far benefited more than 37,000 Albanians. This activity has naturally also received support from approximately 70 donor associations from many countries around the world. (dm)

Durrës: Accident victim Major buried Major Lulzim Thartori was buried in Durrës with full honors. Thartori—who was head of the technical section in the Shijak division—had died tragically two days earlier following a serious car accident. Senior military figures attended the major’s funeral, including the Chief of the General Staff, General Sheme Kosova. Elbasan: Landslide puts families at risk The homes of 18 families in the village of Benë, in the Labinot Commune, are at risk. They have been forced to leave their homes after recent ground movements caused five hectares of farmland, cultivated by these residents through hard work, to collapse. This is not the first landslide in the area, but the consequences of this one have added another danger: the destruction of their homes.

28-year-old missing for two months A heartbreaking story from a village in Elbasan ELBASAN – A heartbreaking plea from three little children in a village in Elbasan. “We want our mother,” they keep repeating in a lisp, ever since Flutura Meta, 28, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Bebina, 6, Liza, 2, and Bekimi, 1, are innocent children who are increasingly losing hope of finding their young mother. Meta’s family reported her disappearance and the circumstances surrounding it to the law-enforcement authorities. But searches throughout Albania, and photographs of her circulated to Interpol, have still not succeeded in bringing their mother back to the little ones in the village of Mengel. Although there is still no official confirmation of what happened, relatives of 28-year-old Meta claim that she ended up in Italy. Someone even says they spoke with her, apparently while she was on the other side of the Adriatic. A mysterious story that began at some point—leaving three little children abandoned. They are still too young to understand or remember much. Their desperate plea: “We want our mother!” (Kme.Ki.) One of the abandoned children

Stop those who abuse the tender process On page 3