An investigation into the case of 400,000 dollars and a finance officer “ZP affair”: first arrest Former editor-in-chief under house arrest TIRANA - The first arrest in the case of the 400,000 dollars intended for the purchase of a printing press in Canada. Criminal proceedings and an official investigation into the Xhixha activities have begun, and an employee of “Progres”, the economic firm working on behalf of the PS, has also been caught up in the case. Përparim Xhixha, former editor-in-chief of “ZP”, and Drita Sheshi, chief financial officer of “Progres”, are the first to be placed at the disposal of investigators in connection with the story of the 400,000 dollars. The mystery returned to the scene only a few days ago, sparking heated debate, especially after the accusations made by the Chairman of the State Control Commission against one of the main leaders of the PS, Namik Dokle. The amount, mentioned ever more frequently, has thus changed, as has the price of the file that “Dokle” has been clarifying for days. At 11:50, former “ZP” editor-in-chief Përparim Xhixha—who held the post from August ’91 to the end of 1993—entered the offices of the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. According to Xhixha himself, he had been summoned by the Tirana Prosecutor. It took only 60 minutes for Xhixha to learn that criminal proceedings had been opened against him, while house arrest had been chosen as a security measure, with guards posted at his home. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the initial charge against Xhixha is “abuse of office” and relates precisely to the sum of 400,000 dollars. As was stated after his first questioning by investigators, everything ended with the charge being presented and the security measure imposed, because Xhixha himself refused to give an explanation without his lawyer present. Yet just seconds after this episode, he told the Albanian Gazette: “I had never even imagined that... Përparim Xhixha after his arrest The Prosecutor’s Office ...that the former “ZP” editor-in-chief, who was placed under house arrest yesterday at noon, would need a lawyer. As for Drita Sheshi, the prosecution has also imposed a security measure. Since Sheshi is the chief financial officer of the PS firm “Progres”, a measure has been imposed—[text unclear]. The reservations, however, do not confirm that this story can be resolved with only the two people charged. Although it is still too early to determine the names of others whom the Prosecutor’s Office may call in for its investigation, another fact is clear: the opening of criminal proceedings and the charging of two people show that, for the Prosecutor’s Office, there is still no legal obstacle to continuing the investigation. This is especially so with reference to the public accusations against Dokle, who is a member of parliament; an investigation into him would necessarily require the Prosecutor’s Office to seek the lifting of his immunity and Parliament to debate the request. Nevertheless, although the charges have been brought against Xhixha and Sheshi, they still appear unsubstantiated. From the PS camp, mention was made of another speaker who could be connected with precisely the story that has now begun to come to light. This concerns the name of a [half—text unclear] from earlier, when the PS Presidency had drawn up an audit report requesting that its firm “Progres”—then run by Xhixha—provide documentation for an amount equivalent to 90,000 dollars, which may relate precisely to the 400,000 dollars now under investigation. According to the PS, this sum had not disappeared; rather, it was undocumented, while all the firm’s other payments were documented. Although this episode has not yet been investigated by the prosecution, another fact remains: after the state audit, Xhixha was removed from the management of “Progres”, and almost at the same time they also parted ways with “ZP”, which until then had been its official publishing house for nine years. Fatos Bakhaku Interview after the arrest Xhixha: “Dokle signed for the payment” After leaving the investigators, Xhixha spoke to the Albanian Gazette and described his position regarding the accusation. To the question, however, he said: “I am not PS.” On page 3

TIRANA - Starting today and on the Thursdays to come, the Albanian Gazette is launching a new initiative: together with the newspaper, you will receive free a panorama of Albania’s main cities as they looked 60 or 70 years ago. These are postcards depicting an Albania that will be new to younger people, who have seen it in history books, while for older people they will surely be a return to the past and to memories. Today we begin with Tirana in the 1930s, an image of Skënderbej Square that has changed greatly. Our readers can get the panorama free when they buy the Albanian Gazette, whose price remains 15 lekë.

Agreement signed Collective contract in the energy sector TIRANA - The first collective contract has been signed between the Independent Electric Power Trade Union and the Electric Power Corporation. It took a full two years to draft this contract, during which 40 similar contracts were studied. The two signatures on the long-awaited document—which sets out the respective interests of the employer and the employee—were those of Sulo Shehu, chairman of the Independent Trade Union, and, for the Corporation, director Engjell Cuci. The important meeting was also attended by Energy Minister Abdyl Xhaja. At long last, the green light has been given to protecting workers’ interests.

Tough line on illegal construction TIRANA - The Government is taking a tough line against construction without permits. At a meeting held yesterday in the People’s Assembly—the Albanian Parliament, whose representatives are also members of the government—[the text is badly corrupted; it appears to refer to a rapid and uncompromising response to illegal construction]. During the parliamentary interventions, including one by the government, and in place of the Police, the Minister of Construction and Tourism Mire Shehi spoke; he also proposed amendments to the laws, along with other measures [text unclear]. Across Albania, construction without permits has become a highly troubling phenomenon, affecting both land ownership and the city development plans. In Tirana alone, according to figures cited by Shehi, the number of structures ordered demolished has reached 80.

Kosovo: another Albanian arrested SHKODËR - Relations between Belgrade and Tirana are becoming more tense. While a wave of violence by the Serbian authorities against activists of the Democratic League of Kosovo continues in Kosovo, the latest person arrested was an activist of the local LDK organization in the Municipality of Dragash, yesterday. Meanwhile, in Tirana, the official Belgrade authorities yesterday lodged a strong protest over what they described as the “forced expropriation” of the Montenegrin minority in Albania. According to an official protest by the Yugoslav Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported by Tanjug, “on 10 and 11 April the Albanian authorities allegedly seized the property of Serbian and Montenegrin residents of the village of Boriç i Vogël, in the Vraka area near the border.” In addition to the expropriations, “on this occasion the Albanian police detained 15 people who protested, and they were physically and psychologically mistreated.” Tanjug reported that “Belgrade has not accepted Tirana’s response, according to which the matter concerns only people involved in administrative organization.” Petrela: “We have other copies of the documents”

Starova: “Legalization of emigrants now within reach” FROM ATHENS The issue of Albanian emigrants in Greece was again at the center of discussions yesterday at the Joint Commission meeting being held in Athens. The question of legalizing their status and regularizing their documents was discussed in particular detail by all the members. Nevertheless, according to the first statements by the representative of the Albanian side, Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova, a positive outcome is almost certain. “I am convinced that the legalization of Albanians working in Greece will be achieved,” he said, noting that Greeks and Albanians had met and discussed common issues. According to a draft treaty prepared by the authorities in Athens and sent to the Albanian side, the proposal concerns the legalization of 80,000–100,000 Albanian emigrants living in Greece. Yesterday it was also decided to establish five joint subcommittees to coordinate work in various sectors: economy, legal affairs, economic affairs, employment and migration—the latter to examine specifically the issue of Albanian refugees—and culture. More details will be provided at the next meeting.

Petrela: “We have other copies of the documents” DURRËS - Three customs officers and an auditor have been detained by police following the attack at the Durrës customs house. DURRËS - Three customs officers and an auditor have been detained by police following the attack at the Durrës customs house, where a major fire engulfed the customs building the day before yesterday, threatening the entire archive management of the institution. According to the initial investigations, the fire was deliberately set with the aim of destroying customs documents containing important information. Nevertheless, it appears that the attackers’ objective was thwarted: the papers destroyed by the flames also existed in other copies. “There is no cause for concern about the documents burned at the Durrës customs house,” Arben Petrela, Director General of Albanian Customs, told the Albanian Gazette yesterday. “The systems allow us to replace them.” In fact, customs-clearance procedures are carried out in several original copies, of which it appears that only one was lost in the flames that engulfed the building last night. The others, as Petrela indicated, are still available to the customs service. “That is precisely the fact,” the Director General added, “that reassures us after what happened.” The fire at the Durrës customs offices broke out at 4:00 in the early morning yesterday, accompanied by a powerful explosion. The blast occurred in one of the main offices, where thousands of document sheets had been stored. People nearby said the fire had engulfed the office the previous evening; another incident followed, and law-enforcement officers arrived, saying, “We are still investigating.” Nevertheless, while four customs employees are being held, they are certain of one thing: “Everything was done to destroy the documentation.”

They won 1-0 yesterday at Qemal Stafa against the team from Durrës The new blue-and-whites are Super Champions Tirana snatches the first trophy of the season TIRANA - Albania’s new Super Champions are the blue-and-whites. A double victory yesterday, Wednesday, in this season, after what had seemed to be a formality was turned around by the team that scored the league’s goal [text unclear]. Tirana won its first Super Cup yesterday at Qemal Stafa against defending champions Teuta. The match’s only goal was scored from the penalty spot by Sokol Prenga in the 14th minute. It was a match without much [text unclear], but with duels and the first yellow cards. Referee Kollari had to show six cards, among the first for the team [text unclear]. Tirana thus becomes the third team to win a Super Cup final, after Dinamo in 1990, Flamurtari in 1991 and 1992, and Elbasani in 1993. This competition was not held last year because Partizani had won both the championship and the Albanian Cup the previous season. Tirana may face the same situation if it manages to beat Teuta again in the upcoming Cup final. Prenga, scorer of the goal gjo.pi.

■ The Tropoja issue in Parliament On page 3 ■ Fier: murder suspect extradited On page 3 ■ Pogradec: surprise inspection at schools On page 3 ■ Computer against theft On page 3 ■ Corruption at the University? On page 3