Threat from 44,000 teachers across Albania Threat from 44,000 teachers from all over Albania “We will close all the schools” Warning strike on Tuesday Independent trade unions in Albania are calling for wage increases of up to 35 percent. TIRANA - We are asking for a 35 percent pay increase and not 8 percent as the memorandum with the IMF предусматриes. This is what the Secretary General of the Education and Science Union (SPASH), Mr. Agron Shehaj, stated. According to him, this memorandum signed in government was not previously consulted with them. Shehaj said that if no solution is found with the government, starting Tuesday the teachers of Albania will go on a warning strike and this strike may after some time turn into a general strike as well. SPASH’s demands have been presented to the Economic Council as well as to the government. On the other hand, the director of the Federation of Education Trade Unions, Ms. Tefta Kulla, declared that teachers not only do not accept an 8 percent wage increase, but also demand full payment of overtime hours, payment for class responsibility, payment for years of service, payment for free periods, as well as pay leveling according to categories. According to them, teachers in border districts and difficult areas should be paid more because of the hardships. Teachers also oppose the increase in the retirement age. According to the union leaders, the government is obliged to examine their demands before Tuesday. Otherwise, in their view, the strike will be unavoidable. The cause of the dispute: teachers’ salaries

Petula, head of Customs, speaks TIRANA - According to the data given to us by the Director General of Customs, Mr. Kallfa, only during last year 285,000 tons of fuel were imported. Of this volume of traffic, 230,918 tons were cleared by private companies. The two main customs clearance points have been the ports of Durrës and Vlorë. Kallfa told us that these two ports account for about 90 percent of all the fuel imported. According to the head of customs, Mr. Kallfa, during ’94 the state imported only 54,082 tons of fuel in total. As for the embargo against the former Yugoslavia, as can be understood, the greater part of the fuel imported went to the markets of the republics of the former Federation.

Ballsh: a tragedy averted Fire outbreak at the Natëra plant A failure in pipe 1 put the hydrodesulfurization unit at risk for two hours of flames BALLSH - The outbreak of fire in the hydrodesulfurization unit risked turning the oil deep-processing plant into a tragedy. Firefighters, specialists and plant workers were on the scene. According to specialists, the failure occurred in pipe 1 of the unit. The flames spread rapidly and for about two hours work was carried out to bring them under control. Plant workers said that if the fire had reached the nearby tanks, the consequences would have been very serious. After the intervention of firefighters and specialists, the fire was brought under control. The causes of the failure are under investigation. A fault in the oil unit

Tirana. Child in hospital TIRANA - Three children were slightly injured and taken for treatment after a car caught fire in one of the capital’s neighborhoods. According to the police, the cause was an electrical fault. The children were near the vehicle at the moment the flames broke out. One of them was taken to hospital for more specialized treatment. The incident caused panic among local residents.

When the defendant’s defense is expected TIRANA - The court hearing against the defendant Lika has been postponed to next week. According to the court, the reason for the postponement was the absence of some procedural documents as well as the need to prepare the defense. The defendant’s relatives were present in the courtroom. The defense is expected to present its arguments at the next hearing. Arben Lika

NEWS FROM THE REGIONS Painful story from a village in Elbasan The little ones’ appeal: “They want their mother” 28-year-old woman missing for 5 months ELBASAN - The delay and indifference of the law-enforcement authorities make me turn to the pages of your newspaper. I am a resident of Labinot Fushë commune and I have three small children. Five months ago my 28-year-old wife left my home. I have run around the police and the prosecutor’s office, but I still have received no answer about her fate. The children’s mother left without taking any personal belongings with her. The children ask about their mother every day and ask for her return. I appeal to the competent authorities to help find her. If anyone has information about her whereabouts, they should notify the family or the relevant authorities. (N.K.)

The U.S. of Albania will receive 2 million dollars

“End psychological discrimination against us”

The General Directorate of Customs organizes a tender for : 1 - Customs procurement in consequence of 10 bags for customs explorers 2 - Lighting for the office at Rinas airport 3 - Purchase of computers, printers and photocopiers for customs offices 4 - Construction of the offices of the Qafë Thanë border crossing point 5 - Purchase of office materials and equipment for customs offices 6 - Various repairs [?] The deadline for submitting documents is 10 April 1995. For further information, please contact the General Directorate of Customs.