TIRANA—Today, “Gazeta Shqiptare” turns two. On 23 April 1993 we published our first issue. TIRANA—Today, “Gazeta Shqiptare” turns two. On 23 April 1993 we published our first issue, with five pages in Albanian and ten in Italian. We were a small newspaper conceived as “a paper bridge between Albania and Italy.” Two years later, many things have changed. Today we publish five pages in Albanian and three in Italian; soon the Albanian pages will increase to the point of definitively replacing those in Italian. In two years, “Gazeta Shqiptare” has surpassed every optimistic forecast, becoming one of Albania’s most respected and widely read newspapers. But today we do not want to celebrate only our own growth, but the growth of the whole country that has taken place before our eyes. A growth that we have chronicled day after day. Albania is wonderfully different from the Albania that existed when we were born, and it will not be the Albania of next year, when we celebrate the third year of our life. The rapid, profound, radical transformation that the country and its people are experiencing has been supported by an extraordinary initiative by all the journalists who have helped us witness it. The transition a country experiences is an unrepeatable historical phase, a transition that belongs to all of us together. The development of independent newspapers over the past two years, the growing number of publications, and readers’ ever-increasing demands are very positive signs, because they point to growth and to the formation of public opinion, as well as a significant improvement in relations between the press and the government. Of course, there will be clashes, and rightly so, but it seems to us that the level of confrontation is more measured—and is becoming more measured. Today we celebrate our birthday at a time of deep crisis for the Albanian press: the cost of paper and the existence of heavy taxes seriously threaten the survival of many Albanian newspapers. So, if we may make one wish on this day of celebration, it is that all Albanian newspapers enjoy a dialogue with the government, that an initiative be undertaken to find a solution to the problems in our sector, and that, together with pluralism of information, they offer a contribution to improving democracy. Finally, a greeting to our readers. Today, as in the past, we reaffirm our sole, simple but inviolable commitment: to continue providing free, independent, objective and serious information. Which, in Albania, as in the rest of the world, is no small thing. The Editorial Staff

Talks with the Government within 5 days Clashes among unionists Within 5 days, talks with the Government Protest widens: a general strike? Clashes among unionists TIRANA—The Independent Trade Unions’ protest over equal pay risks growing ever larger. Alongside the four sectors—Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, Health and Telecommunications—that took part in the 24-hour national strike, other sister unions may also join in. “If the Government does not meet the demands presented,” one of the leading figures of the Independent Trade Union told Gazeta Shqiptare yesterday, “the protest by the four sectors will also be supported by the others. According to many messages received in the capital, unions in various branches are ready to go on strike as well.” Meanwhile, a heated dispute has arisen with the Confederation, which had also called a strike yesterday. The two most powerful trade-union organizations in the country have accused each other of manipulation. The Government has a maximum of five days to reach an agreement with the Independent Trade Unions on the demands they have submitted. During this period, representatives of each of the four branches involved in the protest will speak with the heads of the institutions they depend on. The first request for a meeting arrived yesterday at noon from the minister responsible for the Education Trade Union. He summoned them for Tuesday at 12:00. The Independents: “If the demands are not met, other sectors will join Education, Health and Telecommunications.” The reply they received was not entirely positive. “It would be better for you to come to us on Thursday,” the education unionists insisted. If no positive result is achieved during these five days—another meeting at the Council of Ministers has also been proposed—the unions will be activated to decide how to proceed in the future. “We will not back down from our demands, but we believe dialogue is the most straightforward way to solve the problems,” the unionists declared yesterday. The Confederation’s joining yesterday’s strike was criticized by the Independent Trade Union: “They want to use our strike as an instrument,” they told Gazeta Shqiptare yesterday. “It is not honest of them to protest on the same day as us. In fact, we do not know whether or not they gave notice in accordance with the law. Their strike has political aims.” The Confederation responded sharply: “The Trade Unions’ protest is manipulation. They are trying to regain their lost reputation.” Armand Mero

Alarm and uncertainty grow This time, no fewer than eight footballers playing in Europe will not come Alarm and uncertainty grow Bajko: “This has been a bitter experience” This time, no fewer than eight footballers playing in Europe will not come TIRANA—Hope betrayed. That is what seems to have happened to the coaching staff of the Albanian national team, just hours before their departure for Georgia. So much so that Bajko called the experience of this feeling the bitterest of his career as head coach—at a time when the Albanian football team is navigating the winding road of the “Euro ’96” qualifying campaign. As many as nine footballers playing in other countries’ leagues—with the exception only of Shulkune of “Partizani,” who is suspended—will not be available to Bajko’s side this time. They are precisely Zmijani, Shehu, Abazi, Millo, Lekbello, Kola B, Pano and Bellai, who have remained in their hometown of Gjirokastër. “It has happened to us this time that, instead of bringing these players back to their official teams, the arrangements for them to join the national team have not been settled, leaving the lineup that will take the field at the Tbilisi stadium incomplete.” Alarm in the Albanian camp was raised on Friday evening, when, in addition to official confirmation that Kola B. would not come, Demetrini’s availability was also called seriously into question. As sources in the national team’s senior staff know, the Albanian midfield talent—though this is not certain—is expected to arrive only on Monday. Meanwhile, by yesterday afternoon only veteran Kolega, Kacaj and Kushta had arrived, while Strakosha, Vata, Raklli and Dosti were expected to arrive later. Until Monday, Bajko’s lineup exists only in his dreams. (e.I) Coach Bajko

Journalist of “Modestë” speaks TIRANA—This is the story of an ordinary young man who continues to pursue his dream of becoming a journalist, but who, in trying to do so, one day ended up getting arrested the son of the man who had held the whole country in his grip for 45 years. And that morning, when Kujtim Drizari had planned to publish another issue of the newspaper—which, even by its title, hardly suggested any particular ambition—he could not have believed that a scandal would erupt, one so serious as to attract the attention of “Amnesty International.” Today Drizari—astonished and frightened at the same time by the unforeseen consequences of his article—has left Tirana to feel safer among his family in his hometown. From there, as he waits to be questioned by the investigators who ordered the arrest of his unusual interviewee, Liri Hoxha, the newspaper “Modeste”’s editor, journalist and typesetter, he recounts: “It’s unbelievable.” The first question is inevitable: You have the second part of the interview with Liri Hoxha ready. Will you continue it? “I really had planned for the interview to continue in the next issue. I had given the questions to Liri Hoxha and was just waiting for his answers. But then everything suddenly stopped, also because I indirectly learned that the interviewee had been arrested by the state, so for the time being he cannot send me his answers. Everything has been put off for a few days. We’ll see...” How did the idea for this interview come about? “Simply. A journalist always wants to publish interesting things, something beyond what will be old news the next day. And that is exactly what happened.” When you read the answers, did you think that the day after the newspaper came out your interviewee would become a victim? “To tell the truth, I never thought of it that way. From the standpoint of a publisher, but also of a reader, I foresaw none of what would happen to him afterward. I’m sure any other journalist would have done the same thing. What I did was just an idea, perhaps one other newspapers had too, but which I—fortunately or unfortunately—put into practice.” What remains today of that interview, including Liri Hoxha’s arrest? “I would not wish for anyone’s interviewee to become a victim simply because he answered the questions...” to wait, also because I have not learned that the interviewee—who else, the Albanian escapee—can give me answers right now. Everything will be decided in a few days. We shall “Quite simply. A journalist always wants to publish something interesting, beyond the everyday. I cannot deny that the impetus was the tenth anniversary of Enver Hoxha’s death, a highly controversial figure in Albania. But also simply to see how his family had reacted five years after Hoxha’s [unclear] story.” Do you confirm everything in that interview, including the parts for which investigators have accused Ilir Hoxha? “It was different. Because at first I wanted it to be recorded. That way, there would be the possibility of a more concrete conversation, to include it in the interview for further research? However, it was Ilir’s wish that I give him the questions in advance and that he return his answers in writing. What remains today of that interview, including Ilir Hoxha’s arrest? “No one would want an interviewee to become a victim precisely because he answered your questions, or because he published an article in your newspaper. I would not want any trouble for anyone who helped me in my profession as a journalist.” Someone may have thought you were a nostalgic communist... “I am only 28 years old. And I have no nostalgia for Enver Hoxha or the time of his rule. I have no connection to communism, Enver Hoxha, or his son. Everything refers to the normal relationship between a journalist and an interviewee. Although I have been involved in publishing ‘Modeste’ for nearly three years, I have tried only to give readers something new, or rather to create a journalistic profile for it.” Edmond Laçi

Soon in court TIRANA—Trial in the middle of the month. This is the fate awaiting some of the protagonists of 15 January—

Çeliku revokes summons for the Frenchman TIRANA—All hope has been lost that Arsidi—the main negotiator in the 1.6-million-dollar case—will come to Albania to testify. Yesterday, Andi Çeliku, the presiding judge in the trial taking place in Tirana, revoked his decision to summon Arsidi and his associates Simon and Piazuoli. “We have made every effort,” Çeliku stated, “but none of them has replied.” Even the lawyers’ insistence on trying again to have Arsidi called as a witness changed nothing. Ultimately, the trial, which has now come to be known as the “Arsidi” case, will continue without testimony from the French negotiator himself. The trial, which has placed a former prime minister and four senior officials of Albanian banks in the dock, will now resume with a new phase. After extensive discussion, it was decided yesterday that the evidence would first be admitted, followed by a financial-accounting examination, which will be redone: the existing one dates from 1993. Çeliku also requested submissions from the defendants and their lawyers concerning the people to be appointed as accounting experts. In addition to the three experts appointed by decision of the Prosecutor’s Office, three other specialists have also been proposed. However, the final list will be determined on Tuesday, when the hearing resumes. a.m.

TIRANA - Trial midway through the sentence. This is the fate of some of the protagonists of January 15, ’95: specifically, seven of the 20 prisoners at Tirana Prison had managed to escape. Investigations have been completed, and the case file on Ylli Zavalani, Artur Xhemali, Gëzim Kelmendi, Tomor Haxhia, Ismet Daja and Kujtim Murra is expected to be sent to the Tirana Court very soon. But in addition to the six escapees—returned to their cells only a few days later—employee of Unit 88, Ferdinand Toshi, will also stand trial in the same proceedings; he is accused of helping the prisoners leave the place where they were serving their sentences. The investigation that has just concluded appears to have finally uncovered the story of the great escape, although, because 13 other wanted escapees have denied involvement—including the organizers of this plan—the case has had to be separated and suspended. Thus, only a few days after the incident, 13 members of the Tirana Prison staff—some of whom were also convicted of aiding the escapees—were joined in the dock by the protagonists themselves. Of the five others, two are [unclear], as are three more.

Italic Reality ELBASAN - From Dallas, America, to Librazhd to save the miraculous mule: a few months ago, contrary to the predictions of genetic science, it had given birth to a foal. Thirteen Americans, evangelical preachers representing the Church of the Resurrection, have arrived in Albania in recent days specifically to help prevent the poor animal from dying: the villagers had taken the extraordinary mule and want to put it down because it is considered a bad omen. The Americans have been in Elbasan for several days. The first group of six had come to the area. With an American newspaper in hand—which reported on the rare phenomenon that had occurred—they had set off for Librazhd. But heavy snow stopped them, forcing them to turn back. Meanwhile, the second group has also arrived in Elbasan. Now all 13 Americans are present at the mule’s “home” and are intervening in every possible way on behalf of the innocent animal. They have to persuade all the villagers, who, frightened by the unusual birth, have been insisting for some time that the mule be killed because if it is allowed to live, misfortune will spread over their village. “But was the mule on its feet? [unclear]”, a.m. The Librazhd mule

A week on TV On pages 3–6 Easter, a night of celebration On page 8 The latest news from around the world On page 2