Distribution of privatization bonds begins The first to approach the counters are pensioners. First tranche: 20,000 lekë More than one million Albanians are “in line” to benefit. Distribution also begins today in Kavajë. Tomorrow in Elbasan and Korçë Age REPUBLIC PAPER PRIVATIZATION BOND Values of the bonds to be distributed in the first tranche 18–35 years — 10,000 36–55 years — 15,000 55 years and over — 20,000 Ages are calculated as of January 1, 1995 TIRANA - The money from privatization is beginning to leave the state’s drawers and head for the pockets of around one million Albanians. Pensioners are the first to have the good fortune to experience this. Yesterday at midday, the first privatization bonds began to be distributed at two of the Savings Bank’s counters near the Albanian Telegraphic Agency. This will be the first tranche of the distribution, in which all 300,000 Albanian pensioners—everyone who turned 55 after January 1 of this year—will each receive privatization bonds worth 20,000 lekë. Each pensioner in the capital will go to the counter where they receive their pension and, based on the number of their pension book, will learn the day on which to come and collect the 20,000 lekë they are entitled to in the form of bonds. This is expected to be completed within two months, after which the first bonds will also be distributed to the other two age groups: bonds worth 10,000 lekë for those aged 18 to 35, and bonds worth 15,000 lekë for those aged 36 to 55. The second tranche will follow; the amounts to be distributed have not yet been determined, but it is envisaged that, after the third tranche, pensioners will have received bonds worth around 10,000 lekë. The distribution of privatization bonds is being divided into three time stages for the sole purpose of studying the market, after the first stage is completed, to assess how effective the process is and determine to what extent the bonds put on the market will be negotiable. The government itself has planned for the bonds to be valued at their face value at the end of June next year. By then, the market will have determined their real value based on supply and demand. This will also be taken into account when determining the value of the bonds distributed in the other two stages. Meanwhile, after the capital, the country’s other districts will have their turn to experience the fruits of the mass privatization process. In Kavajë, distribution to Kavajë’s pensioners will begin at the four counters of the Savings Bank branch. Tomorrow it will continue in Elbasan and Korçë, and so on. According to Savings Bank officials, all the counters of this bank serving pensioners will operate as usual every day of the week, including Sundays. This is a commitment intended to ensure an orderly start. After that, the market will decide everything. Gjergj Pilika The unions do not say “Yes”: “The members will decide” One of the first pensioners to receive the bond (photo: H Pustina)

The District Chairman is attacked LEZHË—The conflict in Lezhë between newcomers and local government representatives, some of whom had issued them an ultimatum—“Leave the land belonging to the Lezhë villagers”—has escalated into threats. Tensions peaked when dozens of families who had come down from the North and settled in the village of Rrile attacked the car of Gjini, the District Chairman. As soon as Gjini got out to talk to them, he was surrounded by hundreds of people, who then tried to overturn his car. The police intervened to calm the situation; several people who had provoked the incident ended up detained at the police station. The protests by the families who had settled in Lezhë have not changed the local government’s decision. Today the villagers will take action, attempting to demolish all the houses built without permits. The ultimatum has expired and no one has vacated the land occupied illegally. Although new plots have now been allocated to 267 families—two dynym each—no one has moved. Indeed, according to information from the District Council, in the Lezhë–Bregu i Matës area the families have been fictitiously registered: there are 600 on the register, instead of the actual 391. Meanwhile, those on Ishull Shengjin-Balllënruk agree to leave. Nevertheless, it seems their protest will not bring any solution. Ir.Ra.

The lake incident SHKODËR - Terror continues to haunt Lake Shkodër. One tragic episode has added to it: while the bodies of the innocent victims were being pulled from the water, a completely accidental mix-up in identifying the body of Dritan Halilmati as that of Bledar Sykaj caused anguish for two families who had been waiting impatiently to see their children one last time. It was Bledar Sykaj’s own relatives who, seeing the newly recovered body of 9-year-old Dritan, physically developed like a 14-year-old, believed it was the body of Bledar, their nephew. On Wednesday, when all seven bodies were found, their names were also announced, including that of Bledar Sykaj. For several hours the Sykaj family mourned in grief, believing him dead, while Dritan’s parents looked at the body lying there without knowing it was their little boy. “There could not have been a more painful moment,” one of his relatives says. It was midnight when, stricken with grief, the parents took Dritan to their home, while Bledar was found drowned in the lake’s waters on Thursday. p.re

Ministry appeal TIRANA - Anxiety about a possible cholera epidemic continues to spread in Albania. In recent days, the Ministry of Health has issued another appeal to all self-governing institutions in the districts, urging them to remain alert and careful even in the event of a single case of infection with the vibrio. In a letter sent to all hospitals, it ordered that all cases of vomiting and diarrhea be treated specially: “carry out tests as if it were cholera.” In health centers where these laboratory tests cannot be performed, they must be sent to the Institute of Hygiene in Tirana. This is not the Ministry’s first appeal. Following an order sent in December—when the last case of cholera in Albania occurred—and several other directives to the population, this latest appeal comes as the hot summer weather approaches. The drought in the coming months, usually followed by a shortage of running water, is one of the factors that could trigger a new cholera epidemic. Meanwhile, in addition to its own measures, the Ministry is also seeking the cooperation of the public. “Cholera,” Azmi Dibra, a specialist at the Institute of Hygiene, explained to the Albanian Gazette, “is mainly caused by the hygienic care people take of themselves.” am.

Berat, stories of teenagers BERAT - Five teenagers from the eight-year school in the village of Dushnik—1 kilometer northwest of Berat—attack the school principal. The incident, which caused a great stir in the area, immediately prompted a reaction from a group of the school’s students. Shortly after attacking their principal, the students—who had failed and were in the eighth grade—headed back to the school, this time only to find it empty. As if they were trying to lie low, the teenagers—including a friend of theirs who had dropped out of school—waited until their principal was setting off for home. In a group with [d?] schoolmates? the principal found himself under attack by his students, who did not leave even when he was helped; the school guard also immediately came to his aid. The episode—also seen previously at other schools, such as in Llapardhë—is explained in Dushnik as a reaction by teenagers to school discipline, which they may have been unable to cope with. Nevertheless, everything has now been settled and the “confronted” have returned to school: the principal with a few minor wounds to his forehead, and the students having received zero. (Ha.Ta.)

Wages: education 26 percent, health care 30–50 TIRANA - The government seems determined to avert at all costs the general strike announced by the Independent Trade Unions. It has now proposed a new offer to raise wages: up to 26 percent for teachers, and 30 to 50 percent in health care, depending on the specific sectors. But not everything has been definitively resolved. The unions have not yet said “Yes” to the government’s offers. First, they will seek the views of their members in all the districts, and only after these discussions with members will they decide on their next position. “If, based on the results of the discussions and the individual statements by union members regarding the proposal,” says a statement distributed by BSPSH, “agreement is not reached with the government, an indefinite strike will begin on May 15.” May 12 appears to be the deadline for resolving the wage-increase issue—the main demand put forward by BSPSH at the beginning of April. By that date, all union branches must at least clarify their position on the 26 percent offer made by the government: this is the second proposal, after the 20 percent offer made last week. The same situation applies to health care. The latest meeting on this issue was held with Minister Cikuli and representatives of the agreement, according to chairman Gina, who [unclear]. “We have agreed on many aspects of our demands,” Gina explained yesterday to the Albanian Gazette. “For doctors in rural areas, where health services have many shortcomings, the wage increase could reach 50 percent. It is also substantial for specialized sectors. An average has not yet been decided. It could also be implemented in two stages,” Gina says. Nevertheless, the national assembly will decide for health care as well. Thus, only a few days remain before the government-unions dispute over wage increases is finally resolved. If signals from the districts tomorrow are negative toward the offers made so far, then May 15 will mark the announcement of the country’s first strike. The situation could deteriorate. A situation that risks bringing almost half of Albania to a standstill. Armand Mero

Tirana and Durrës DURRËS — “Skënderbeu” brandy continues to be the subject of an unusual dispute. Two institutions are vying for the right to the patent for this drink: the Tirana Food Combine and the Wine Cellar in the city of Durrës. Meanwhile, the cellar’s management is seeking the right to produce it, stating that the drink has become very popular solely thanks to the exemplary work done by the employees at this factory. Therefore, “Skënderbeu” should continue to be produced — according to the Durrës distillery’s management. They also said that the Government should grant the appropriate licensing authority in recognition of all the significant work carried out by the employees and representatives of this brandy over many years. Who are all the rightful Albanians of this area? [unreadable text]

The traffickers had reached Greece 4 kilos of hashish at the border Five Albanians arrested TIRANA — Another drug seizure at the Albanian-Greek border. This time, Greek authorities were able to discover five Albanian citizens who were illegally transporting 4.2 kilograms of hashish. Meanwhile, while the Albanian citizens were immediately arrested, proceedings have also begun against another person—in Tirana—for the same charge, brought by Albanian investigators following his arrest a few days ago on the Gjirokastër-Kakavijë road. The Tirana Prosecutor’s Office has also completed its investigations into three citizens from Durrës, who are accused of having been caught with a quantity of drugs nearly a year ago. The news of the arrest of the five Albanian citizens—immediately circulated by the Greek border authorities—was also accompanied by details of the capture of a group of eight Albanian traffickers, three of whom had managed to escape the Greek border patrols and return to their country. Meanwhile, the trial that has just begun in the Albanian capital against 35-year-old N. Sërgjani concerns a hashish shipment of nearly 6 kilograms which, according to the prosecution, was being transported by a group from Durrës toward the border with Greece. And while the hearing for Sërxhani is scheduled for May 24, another drug case has been referred to the Tirana Court. It concerns three citizens of Durrës, who have been under investigation for nearly 11 months. (p.re.)

Laç, fire breaks out LAÇ — Flames and a death on the Patok coast. The shocking incident took place two days ago, late at night, when the sky, heavy with clouds, was lit up by the flames of a sudden fire. One of the area’s most beautiful restaurants became fuel for the fire. The fire [unclear text] had ultimately engulfed the restaurant and, tragically, claimed the life of the guard, Pashk Ndue Keçi, aged 42. His lifeless, charred body was found in the ruins of the former restaurant. The owner of the restaurant is L.Ahm[e]ti, a Kosovar who came to the area and settled there some time ago. The actual causes of the fire may also have been motivated by jealousy and old grudges. ir.ra.

Rinas, Kurds detained On page 3 Gjirokastër, a new time On page 3 Football, Week XXVII On page 3

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