The defenders of the accused threaten to boycott all court proceedings. The reason: “No to testing!” Lawsuit to the Constitutional Court TIRANA - Revolt in the house of Albanian lawyers. A decision by the Ministry of Justice to professionally test all Albanian lawyers—through 350 questions—has provoked an extremely harsh reaction. As meetings of the Bar Associations have concluded in almost all Albanian prefectures, the initiatives opposing the decision have produced the same response: a submission to the Ministry of Justice, specifically addressed to the Constitutional Court. Though different in name—memorandum or resolution—the reactions converge on the threat now being openly made by Albanian lawyers: “Boycott all judicial proceedings in Albania.” The strongest initiative has been taken by 35 lawyers from Korçë, who last Saturday decided to file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court. According to them, the recent entry into force of the new Penal Code makes the test based on the current Code invalid. The 22 lawyers of Elbasan Prefecture also decided, at a meeting on Monday, to oppose the test, which is scheduled for them in May. According to the Chairman of the Elbasan Bar Association, in addition to the other previously stated conditions for the test, this is impossible because Albania still lacks specialized literature for this profession. While the lawyers of Fier have already prepared their opposing resolution, a general strike by all lawyers is planned in Vlorë. The only ones who have accepted—but with conditions—the test legally ordered by the Ministry of Justice are the members of the Tirana Bar Association. Even they, however, say the compulsory test program must first be revised. Otherwise, the capital’s lawyers too will make the threat. Among the arguments raised by the Korçë lawyers is also the fact of the entry of ... Albanian lawyers are threatening the most extreme measure: a boycott. This time, however, in addition to the “testing” issue, opposition has once again surfaced to the “Law on the Legal Profession” itself, which, according to the lawyers, still does not give them equal standing as a party in proceedings. (p.r.e.) ... an examination of ap...; the difficulty test, which was taken by 35 lawyers from Korça, who ...; ... the lawyers, according to ...; ... the judiciary in Albania. ... (p.r.e.)

Prosecutor’s Office: “The agent was helped by a member of the Guard” Investigation concluded into the Montenegrin and the Albanian accused of military espionage SHKODËR. “A Yugoslav spy was spying on President Berisha. During his movements within the country, and especially during his meetings with the Chairman of the Albanians of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, and regarding the content of their confidential discussions.” The sensational news comes from Shkodër, where the Prosecutor’s Office has just submitted to the court a voluminous file containing all the facts gathered by the investigating body, after the court ordered further investigations. In his activities, Beqir Leshovic—this is the name of the Yugoslav citizen accused of the serious act—was also allegedly assisted by an Albanian serviceman, a non-commissioned officer in the Republican Guard, who, following the new facts gathered by the Prosecutor’s Office, has ended up in handcuffs. So, another espionage case in the country. After the case of the five recently released prisoners, another espionage trial will soon take place. The Yugoslav citizen Beqir Leshovic, from a municipality near Montenegro, and the non-commissioned officer of the Republican Guard are now accused of “passing military information of a secret nature to Yugoslavia.” The charge is also accompanied by those of “smuggling and illegal border crossing.” The story of the two men, now under suspicion of being agents, began in July two years ago. In 1993, both were arrested by the Albanian police. Investigations then began, until in October 1994 the file concerning the Montenegrin and the Albanian was sent for further investigation. Was this a stroke of luck for the two accused? On the contrary: according to the Shkodër court—which requested that the investigation be completed—there was every likelihood that one of the accused, the Albanian, would face an even more serious charge: “treason against the Fatherland by placing himself at the service of foreign intelligence agencies.” Now the new file is ready, and once again the Prosecutor’s Office has set out the facts accusing both men of espionage and of the other charges that remain in force. In particular, following the renewed investigations, the Prosecutor’s Office decided to arrest the Republican Guard non-commissioned officer, who had been in contact with the Montenegrin suspect. The city of Shkodër

TIRANA - A high-level Albanian delegation is arriving in the Greek capital after a long period of frozen and tense relations. Seven Albanian MPs, members of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, are leaving for Greece today at the invitation of their Greek parliamentary counterparts. The Albanian delegation in Athens will be led by Eduard Selami, chairman of the committee. Travelling with him to the Greek capital will be the committee’s deputy chairman, the Socialist Bashkim Zeneli, and other MPs. How will the newly begun cooperation between the two neighbouring countries continue? What will become of the Albanian refugees in Greece, and what will be the focus of regional cooperation between the two countries, which are very close to Europe’s hot spots—war-torn Bosnia and Kosovo, which could be drawn into the bloody conflict at any moment? These are expected to be the most important topics of discussion between the Albanian and Greek MPs. The important visit comes during the diplomatic mission of Papulias to Tirana, just a few days ago. ... in the city court of Kuçovë, traces of the robbery remain everywhere. Another similar incident occurred at the Kuçovë high school about a month ago. Meanwhile, although teenager has been identified as the perpetrator in the lessons, thus raising suspicions of a possible link between this incident and others that have occurred in the area. The important Vita sign ...

Yesterday 70,000 people stopped work TIRANA - The unions reaffirm their insistence that their demands be met. Following yesterday’s one-hour strike—which they described as “successful in terms of participation and solidarity”—the Education, Health and Telecommunications unions are again threatening another coordinated protest. In a notice distributed on the premises, they state that “if the government continues to offer only these measures—a wage increase of just 10 percent instead of the 35 percent demanded—the unions participating in today’s strike express their determination to escalate it into a one-day strike on 22 April,” the members of the strike committee confirmed yesterday during a meeting. According to the notice, the results of the first test—more than 70,000 employees took part—were satisfactory, and the circumstances support the claim that everyone is determined to further escalate the union struggle. It is also added that although the first [round?] did not lead to a solution, “opportunities for dialogue still exist and remain open.” The conditions and date for a third meeting with government representatives have yet to be set. “We are waiting and are ready to sit down and talk,” one of the senior leaders of the Independent Trade Union declared yesterday to Gazeta Shqiptare. ... 1993. Sign ...; Telekom threaten a series ...; with another, even more massive protest; to halt operations for 24 hours. On Saturday, in order to sit down at the negotiating table with the Government, union representatives stated ... ... renewing their determination to have their demands met. After yesterday’s one-day strike—which they considered “successful in terms of participation and solidarity”—Education, Health, and Telekom are once again threatening another, even more massive protest, with a 24-hour shutdown of their activities. table with the Government, union representatives stated ... The decision to continue the protest with a 24-hour strike in Education, Health, and Telekom—taken at the expanded meeting on 6 April—is ... “If the government continues to stand by this offer alone—a wage increase of only 10 percent, against the 35 percent demanded—all the unions taking part in today’s strike are determined to escalate it into a one-day strike on April 22.” in Education, Healthcare and Telecommunications—taken at the expanded meeting on April 6—is ... ... met with the members of the strike committee. The results of the first trial—according to the announcement, more than 70,000 workers took part—were satisfactory, and from around 10,000 ...; the announcement added that everyone “is determined to further escalate the trade-union struggle until the demands presented are met.” Negotiations with the government nevertheless still seemed possible. The trade unionists themselves remained hopeful—although at the two meetings ...

TIRANA - He was accused of and wanted by law-enforcement agents for the robbery of the Rrëshen bank van. But it was only on Monday evening that Nikolin Ndue Gji...—who lives in Mirditë—was arrested. In connection with ...; precisely because of this incident, which took place last month in Fushë-Krujë, near the village of Skurraj, the Director of the Rrëshen Bank and two police officers had also been arrested; they are now under the supervision of military investigators. Gjin—the latest person arrested—is accused of having taken part in the robbery, which involved approximately 10,000 dollars. (e.l)

TIRANA - It was only the medical examination that saved Tanush Paloka, the 55-year-old from Bërdicea Madhe, Shkodër, accused of murdering his two nephews, from life imprisonment. Having been found to have psychological disorders, Paloka’s sentence issued by the Shkodër Court and the Court of Appeal has been reviewed by the Court of Cassation, which has left him with a final sentence of just 25 years. Paloka will now be released from prison before reaching the age of 80. The incident began in November 1993. The day after a celebration held with his brother, he shot the brother’s daughter and son—his two nephews—with a firearm he possessed without a permit. (e.l)

A dialogue accompanies her toward Vlorë. Investigation KUCOVE - The mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl from the Kuçovë high school. Last Friday, a worried parent went to the law-enforcement authorities, reporting anxiously that his 15-year-old daughter had gone missing from school. A statement that prompted investigations—almost routine in this area—and led police officers to think that this might once again be another organized abduction. The initial hypotheses were nevertheless supported by a “goodbye” letter, which the girl who had left had given to a fourth-year high-school student. “Don’t wait for me anymore,” wrote the girl who had left, who—according to the initial investigations—was accompanied by someone as far as Ura Vajgurore and then travelled on an intercity route towards Vlorë. But although the people responsible and the person who took the teenager out of the Kuçovë town high school have now been identified, the “traces” of the abduction have still led nowhere. Another similar episode took place at the Kuçovë high school about a month ago. While the motive has remained unknown, it is certain that another teenage girl has been identified as the perpetrator among the students, thereby raising suspicions of a possible connection between this incident and the other events that have occurred in the area. (Ha.Ta.)

KURBIN - A gang of professional robbers has been uncovered in the North. The men are Zef Fran Lleshi, 30, from Mirdita; Kujtim Remzi Braho, 26; Leonard Zef Bardhoku, 16; Zef Bardhok Bardhoku, 61; and Fatmir Fejzi Braho. They are now accused of carrying out armed robberies targeting drivers and vehicles, as well as rural homes in the Mamurras area. In addition to these accusations, a whole arsenal of weapons was discovered in the home of one of the gang members. According to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior, the perpetrator of the crime near the Cement Factory in Fushë-Krujë has also been identified. (p.r.e.)

A commemorative photo for Enver’s Pioneers TIRANA - The “pilgrimage” around Enver Hoxha’s grave. On the day marking the 10th anniversary of his death, around 300 people from different districts of the country arrived at the southern cemetery of Tirana to pay tribute to their “commander.” Numerous sheets of paper bearing the words “comrades, do this because ‘we will remain your pioneers until death’” could be seen at the grave, surrounded by a mass of flowers and wreaths. In the city, near the photographs, a red sailor with a star wanders about with pictures bearing the red flag, like the country...; The influx of “faithful” began in the early hours of yesterday morning. At around 6:30, a boy also arrived at Hoxha’s grave, somewhere with a friend, identified as “pioneers” of ...; they had come from different cities: Korça, Mirdita, and Vlora. Most were elderly, but there were also people in their thirties and forties. They place flowers on the grave and pray, then take a step back, raise their fists and say: “Ladi ...”. “Qeni ...”. Their fear, thus expressed toward the former ...” While people continue to come to Hoxha’s remains—a simple grave, entirely enclosed—two photographers have found the best opportunity of the day to attract customers. They take two photos of anyone who comes; they cost 100 lek, while photos taken on the spot cost more. This business continued until evening darkness fell over the graves of the others. Hoxha knows no politics. (a.m.) Yesterday in front of Hoxha’s grave. (photo: H. Pustina)

An appeal from Greece in Fier TIRANA - “Anyone who has seen this person, please come forward.” This time, the appeal comes from Greece. The person you see in the photograph is Ilia Matka from Fier, who has become known to humanitarian organizations in Greece because of the mistreatment he suffered at the hands of certain members of the Greek Police. The case has drawn the attention of Greek organizations that defend human rights, concerning mistreatment by members of the Greek state apparatus. Matka has told human-rights activists that he was mistreated in circumstances similar to those experienced by many other Albanians. These organizations are now seeking to get in touch with the Albanian citizen himself as soon as possible. Matka—shown in the adjacent photograph as he points to the marks of mistreatment—should immediately contact Panajote Elias Dimitras, Greek Helsinki Monitor, P.O. Box 31393, GR - 14510 Kifisia, Greece, tel. 30/1 6200120 and fax: 30/1 8073767. Ilia Matka, mistreated by Greek police officers

Gjirokastër: New lighting for the city A new system of lamps will illuminate the streets of Gjirokastër. The very modern system—with sodium and mercury lamps—will cover 2 kilometers of national road, the main streets, and 18 Shtatori Square. Installation is being carried out in cooperation with the Tirana Electricity Enterprise and using funds secured by the Municipality of Gjirokastër. Shkodër: Assistance for the highlanders The municipality of Shllak is the “privileged” recipient of the humanitarian organization “OXFAM,” which has undertaken to improve conditions in the highlands. Infrastructure will therefore be built for the municipality’s 1,500 families, including water supply systems, school repairs, reservoirs, and electrical networks. Kukës: Electricity stabilized after the rains The electricity situation in Kukës has stabilized. At last, after the continuous rains at the beginning of April had damaged the entire electrical network, the people of Kukës can breathe easily in their homes. According to the official news agency, everything is returning to normal in the city, while repairs in the villages are still continuing. Sarandë: Telephone lines stolen Telephone lines have become the target of theft. In the first months of the year, dozens of kilometers of telephone wires connecting the people of Sarandë with one another and Sarandë with other areas have been stolen. The greatest damage to the telephone network is along the coast and in Varigon, in the district of Delvinë. The wires are stolen by people who want to fence in their vineyards, as well as by those who use mobile phones. In any case, the police are seeking to identify the thieves.