Warning over smuggling from Albania In New York: “There is a will to curb it, but if it does not stop, we will consider our measures” The chairman of the Embargo Committee: “North of Albania” receives one and a half times more oil than the country needs TIRANA - The issue of oil smuggling from Albania to Montenegro has once again returned to the fore. At a UN meeting, the existence of this traffic was once again confirmed and the alarm was sounded once more: “If measures are not taken to stop it, then we will consider measures that we will undertake.” This time too—as in the case of the article published a few days ago by the Herald Tribune—the news comes from the UN’s Glass Palace in New York. It was here, in the American metropolis, that a closed-door meeting of the Committee on the embargo against the former Yugoslavia was held yesterday afternoon. Among other things, it examined reports from international inspectors monitoring the enforcement of the embargo along the borders between Albania and Montenegro. From what was specifically reported yesterday at the closed meeting, there is a monitoring filter, which nevertheless added that “in Albania there is a determination to force this flow to stop.” But what if the smuggling continues? “Then we will consider what measures to take,” came Cardenas’s immediate reply, which sounded like a kind of warning. The issue of oil smuggling had become a subject of debate in the press only a short time ago, when an American journalist from the “New York Times”—whose article was also republished by the “Herald Tribune”—presented sensational figures about “black gold,” which, according to him, flowed clandestinely every day from the Albanian shores of Lake Shkodër to the Montenegrin ones. Cardenas did not say how many liters had evaded the barriers imposed by the UN on Yugoslavia in the south. He did, however, say that “oil has been imported into Albania mostly from Greece and Italy, and has crossed through the lake.” According to him, it was purchased regularly on the world market and then passed through ferries to small and large traffickers who cross the border every day. “Around one to one and a half times more than Albania’s fuel needs may be going toward the north of the country,” an official said. However, despite this, the chairman of the committee, Argentine ambassador Emilio Cardenas, agreed to speak to the press immediately after the meeting. “We have become seriously concerned about the flow of oil between Albania and Montenegro,” the Argentinean began his statement, although he did not mention any precise figures. Cardenas said how many liters had evaded the barriers imposed by the UN on Yugoslavia in the south. Nevertheless, he added that “oil has been imported from Greece and Italy, has passed through Albania, mostly from Greece and Italy, and has crossed through the lake.” According to him, it was purchased regularly on the world market and then passed through traders to the small and large traffickers who cross the border every day. “Around one to one and a half times more than Albania’s fuel needs may be going toward the north of the country,” an official said. fa.bax. April ’95, Lake Shkodër, a boat transporting oil

Shkodër, a day of horror (photo: REUTERS)

SHKODËR - Shkodër, dressed in black, accompanied the victims of the Lumin tragedy to the cemetery yesterday. A long line of funeral cars and kilometers of tearful townspeople wanted to bid a final farewell to six children and Agim Meda, the victims of Monday’s terrible accident. Meanwhile, as the town recovers from this long and painful event, two more bodies, missing from the roll call, were found in his class at his school. The chilling picture of this event is now complete. Yesterday was the day in the history of this tragedy when the six children were laid to rest. Tearful eyes, drawn faces, and a fatal burden weighing on almost everyone. “Why, O Lord?” The ceremony was held jointly for all seven. It began from a small alley in the “Kiras” neighborhood, where the children had played until the tragic moment. In a procession, first came Agim Meda yesterday, followed by others, and then the other young victims set out toward the cemetery, accompanied by an entire town. On the coffin of Duarim, 10 years old, was a football. He dreamed of becoming a great athlete, like the one represented by that ball. At the “Kiras” cemetery was President Berisha, who offered his condolences to the families, in whose lives joy will be absent for a long time.

The defense presents evidence TIRANA - A war of documents, dates and phrases began yesterday during the hearing in the Arsidi trial. Hoti and Xhyheri, and their lawyers, presented documents that disprove some of what was said in the statements made by the French negotiator himself. “These documents show how this whole story was fabricated by Arsidi,” former governor Hoti said in the courtroom. Arsidi’s meetings in Tirana with Hoti and Xhyheri in mid-December 1991, as well as their signing of the fee agreement, were refuted by the documents presented in court yesterday. A certificate issued by a hotel in Rome showed that Hoti had been in Italy from December 12 to 14, 1991. Arsidi, meanwhile, was in Albania on the 16th. A meeting took place only on that date, “at Mysliu’s request,” the former governor explained. Likewise, during this period Xhyheri had been bedridden. December 12–22—he was suffering from viral hepatitis B. “As can be seen, Arsidi’s testimony is false when he says he met Hoti on December 12, 13, 14 and 15,” Hoti’s lawyer, Haxhia, declared. “Indeed, we have reservations about the true relationship between the French Viciencksy and Arsidi, since his statements were made before he had seen the entire investigative file.” Another piece of evidence was presented to clear Hoti. It was a letter dated October 5, 1992, which Arsidi and Simon sent to Hoti and Xhyheri, stating that the 1.6 million dollars “we used for part of our cabinet’s expenses to repay the debt.” Relying on this letter, Hoti and Xhyheri stated that nowhere does it say that the money was sent to them, but rather that it was used by the French side. According to the former governor, Arsidi’s accusations that he had handed the money to Hoti were made only after he had reported the negotiator to the French authorities. All the documents have now been submitted to the panel of judges, and it alone remains to decide on the truthfulness of the multitude of papers that have been presented.

“The ship was privatized in October” DURRËS - “Korabi” is paying for the consequences of the time when it worked for the state fleet. The Albanian ship has been impounded in Piraeus for more than two weeks amid suspicion that it transported radioactive materials. DURRËS - “Korabi” is paying for the consequences of the time when it worked for the state fleet. Now, the correspondent [text unclear] says that the Albanian ship has been impounded in Piraeus for more than two weeks because of Italy and is under suspicion of transporting radioactive materials. Aja, president of the company Agritrans, owner of “Korabi,” spoke at length with the reporter in Durrës? “Korabi,” the reporter spoke at length in Durrës? “Korabi” is an old ship, built in 1944 as an old vessel. They all have one thing in common. And on December 1 we began the voyage toward Otranto.” “But is the crew the same as before?” “No. Very few members of the old crew remain, also because many of them were laid off. The others are new.” “How many trips has “Korabi” made?” “This was its sixth trip. Everything had gone well up to now, and I don’t understand this situation. Our documentation is completely accurate. I don’t know what these people are trying to find. All the searches they have carried out so far have found nothing to prove their suspicions, yet they are keeping the ship impounded.” “How do you see this being resolved?” “We have already hired two lawyers who are following the matter closely. I myself am trying to set off for Italy. The damages being caused to us are incalculable. We are not powerful enough to bear these expenses. But I think the state should intervene in this case too, because the ship is being held hostage without reason.” “Did you expect this?” “We bought the ship in October 1994. For two months in a row we invested in repairing it because it was in a miserable condition. And on December 1 we began the voyage toward Otranto.” “Korabi” belonged to the state. In 1994 it made several trips carrying copper ore on behalf of the company Miner-ziompeks. On one of these trips, in February–March, a dispute arose with the commissioning firm from Palermo, and from then on suspicions arose that the company’s cargo contained radioactive materials. During June this was confirmed by the analyses carried out. In fact, the cargo was unloaded normally and then in the port of Rijeka.” “When was this ship transferred to you?” “We bought the ship in October 1994. For two months in a row…” Ar.Me.

“Vlora, a request emerges” Here is the new choice for intellectuals VLORË - “Not clandestine migration, drugs, prostitution and smuggling, but the opening of an Italian consulate in Vlora.” This is the message from independent intellectuals, [text unclear] the further civic voices of Vlora, which is going through a difficult moment. Vlora, a city of culture and sport, has become a city where clandestine migration, drugs, prostitution and smuggling are rife. “From this ancient seaside city, we understand that we are still in a difficult situation, and that a consulate should be opened in our city,” Ymer Zile, chairman of the Independent Trade Union, told the newspaper “Dielli Djemi” of Vlora. The large flow of clandestine migrants—and its effects—has recently also been opposed by the Prefecture of Vlora, which has called for urgent measures to stabilize the situation. “St. Ma.”

TIRANA - A major storm struck the Albanian capital, devastating fields on May 1. The unprecedented storm damaged crops. In the village of Kontraga, hail and rain severely damaged 154 hectares planted with wheat, corn and tobacco, as well as another 172 hectares of fruit trees, vineyards and olive groves. The official agency also reports that five other areas were insured; the possibility of providing compensation is now being examined. The Prefecture [text unclear] to assess the damage and then [text unclear]. (p.re.)

A young Kosovar is being sought TIRANA - The dream of reaching the West has claimed another missing person. This time it is the family of a citizen from Kosovo reporting the [unclear] disappearance during an attempt to leave for [Dobracia?]. The Ministry of the Interior has reported August 27 (94 - p’?), [text unclear] had announced [his] military service in Serbia—Dobraciqi’s parents in Kosovo had set out two days earlier; his friends and the whole community say he went out to sea in a clandestine speedboat. This was the last contact with the missing Dobrataqi and has also caused seven [unclear] among his relatives in Albanian [areas?]. As members of the Dobrataqi family told the Albanian Gazette, the fellow passenger [text unclear] is a citizen of Kosovo who is said to have reached the nearby shores alive and is now in Ulcinj. Meanwhile, in Durrës, [text unclear] “How could this happen?” a witness who made the request and was involved in a speedboat incident told the newspaper yesterday. A mystery that? ... (p.re.)

GJIROKASTËR - The trial has begun against a young man from Tirana accused of drug trafficking. - The trial has begun against a young man from Tirana accused of drug trafficking. G. Serjani, 35, faces the serious charge of trafficking hashish. He had been imprisoned and chose Greece for treatment. He was stopped on the way to Kakavijë by the Gjirokastër criminal police, and 6 kg of hashish in leaf form were found in his bag. At yesterday’s hearing, witnesses did not appear; the judge addressed the defendant with a series of questions. Serjani claimed that he had been deceived by someone. Others— is this the beginning? (ra.ko.)

Gramsh, while returning home ELBASAN - He was swept away by the swollen waters of the stream and died while collecting wood in the forest. It happened three days ago in the village of Flogi, near Banja. Although the 10-year-old boy [text unclear], he had been forced to go out to do his daily task of collecting firewood. But the swollen stream swept him away and “carried” him into the waters of the Devoll River. Little Asllan Pepa had gone to the forest and was returning with his donkey loaded with wood. To reach his village of Flogi, he had to cross the stream, swollen by heavy rains. This was where the tragedy began and ended. The donkey, along with the wood, made it across, while its owner was unable to share the fate of his load. The rushing waters swept him into the Devoll. The water also took his life, and his body was found on the riverbank. Everything began and ended within a few hours. ra.ko.

ELBASAN - They stole gunpowder from the Mjekësi plant and will now serve 8 years in prison. The two soldiers, F. Uruçi and A. Boshku, had been arrested and [text unclear]; Uruçi, who was serving at a plant in Mjekës, had stolen 50 kg of gunpowder and taken it to his soldier friend Koshur’s house in Elbasan. During the trial, neither of the two accused admitted knowing about the gunpowder. According to their testimony, it was a case of confusion with chemical fertilizer. But the military court found them guilty, sentencing both to the same prison term of four years each. mk.

Degraded citrus fruit On page 3 Miners to retire earlier On page 3 Tirana, ceremony for Konica On page 3 Hours of anguish: Bombs over Zagreb On page 2