JUSTICE Controversy erupts again over the appointment of constitutional judges New clash in the name of Brozi Constitutional Court: "His independence is against the law" TIRANA - The pinnacle of the Albanian justice system is caught up in accusations and controversy. Following the sensational statements by the head of the Brozili Council, who had spoken out against the Constitutional Court in Gazeta Shqiptare, even calling its function unlawful, the accused court has now responded: in a statement distributed to the press, the Constitutional Court spokesperson sharply rebuked Brozi's position, describing his interpretations as deliberate and “denigrating, and as inciting doubts about the legitimacy of the Constitutional Court. On page 3 Zef Brozi

TIRANA - A full 10 million ECU have been granted to Albania by the Trade and Investment Bank. An agreement was signed by the Bank of Albania, represented by its Governor Lunik, and the vice president of the European Bank, Khenimatos, who signed to approve this long-term loan. Two main areas will benefit from these 10 million ECU: the investment project at the port of Durrës and support for the private sector. Naturally, investments from this credit facility will also bring an increase in exports and, consequently, the country's economic development, which is being discussed and hoped for so much. The private sector will also develop further, along with industry, tourism and infrastructure. To overcome the country's difficult economic situation, the Government will make use of grants to be provided to Albania by Switzerland, the Netherlands and other Nordic countries. (p.re)

From Albania to return to the war... Photo: H. Pustina

VIRGJIL MUCI There are 733 people, all aboard buses that will take them from Qafë Thana to Durrës. Across the Adriatic, their homes, which they left long ago, are now close. This is the unusual journey through Albania of a group of Bosnian refugees. Yesterday they crossed almost in one breath the Albanian territory from East to West. It is 6:30, and a dense, unusual fog has enveloped the hills and customs buildings on both sides of the border. The Bosnians have just arrived from Skopje and are waiting to continue their journey through Albania. Most are elderly people, women and children, but there are also young men and women among them. The youngest traveler in the convoy of 16 buses is a two-year-old child, whom his mother named Sabedin in gratitude to the Albanian family in Macedonia where they stayed after fleeing Bosnia. "Here, this is Bosnia," little Sabedin's grandmother, 58-year-old Shida Krinçeviç, tells us, pointing to the bags and sacks left on the ground. "Everything is in them—our home, our land, our livestock

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The Ministry proposes the draft decision to the Government On page 5

Serious situation On page 2 At the Tirana Court Proceedings against Ilir Hoxha today On page 3

Tartari claims TIRANA — “The sums deposited in my account at ‘General Bank’ in Luxembourg are not

Elbasan, a witness to the horror speaks ELBASAN — “It was a truly horrifying day for us. When we came out of the sea, which had begun to grow rough, we saw that two of our friends were missing.” Just one day after Thursday’s terrible incident, when two graduating students from the secondary school in the village of Gostimë, Elbasan, lost their lives in Divjakë, their friends are recounting, still terrified, every detail of that dreadful day. So far, the sea has brought ashore only the body of 18-year-old Miranda Baku. On page 3 the name Sabedin, in gratitude to the Albanian family in Macedonia with whom they had stayed when they left Bosnia. “This is Bosnia,” says the grandmother of little Sabedin, 58-year-old Shida Krinçeviç, “Everything is in them: our home, our land, our livestock, everything that is left.” Shida has lost two children in the three-year war in Bosnia: a son, killed in January this year in fighting on Mount Igman, and a daughter. It is difficult to find a family that has not lost at least one person, and, ironically, the luckiest seems to be a lonely old woman whom we help lift her bags and who, with eyes full of tears, tells us she has received no news for ten months from her two sons held in a concentration camp somewhere in Bosnia. Asked whether he knows about the worsening situation in Bosnia and the further escalation of fighting throughout the territory, 65-year-old Cerna Meho replies: “So what? I am in such a state of mind that I want only one thing: to return to Sarajevo and see my children, never mind the work, even if I am killed by some shell.” But 23-year-old Nexhat Bakalli is not at all fatalistic. He has fought against the Serbs before, in Croatian combat units. “There is no other choice for us but to take up arms and fight to defend our country.” “They will return to the liberated territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina to reunite with their families,” says Mr Muharrem Zejnulahi, Bosnia’s chargé d’affaires in Tirana. “It was our duty to help them return voluntarily to martyred Bosnia.” The final stop will be Durrës, from where they will sail by Jadroagent ferry to Split, finally reaching the “promised land” called Bosnia.

TIRANA — “The sums ‘deposited’ by my [unclear] at ‘General Bank’ in Luxembourg were not provided by Arsidi.” Neither the explanations nor the questions put to him have persuaded the former director of the National Commercial Bank, Agim Tartari, to say anything more about account number 929233, from which—according to the Prosecutor’s Office—he had received nearly 20,000 dollars. Tartari continues to call this matter “purely personal.” On page 3

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“12 in Hollywood” will last 7 hours TIRANA — A television marathon beginning at 18:50 for the show “12 in Hollywood”: after Tuesday’s ugly attack, Adrian Krasta will return to host this edition, which will be the longest in the history of Albanian television. Seven hours live, featuring 78 songs performed by 26 folk-music singers, including famous names such as Bujar Qamili, Liri Rasha, Kleopatra Dokle and Fitore Mamaqi. The show, during which a foreign singer will also make her debut as an honored guest, will include phone-ins and games, and an original test after midnight will use the telephone to check how many Albanian viewers are still awake to watch the program. Today’s marathon was chosen to make room for the many requests from singers who want to take part in this competition. The director will, of course, be Vera Grabocka, while the script—as always—is by Pandi Laço.

TIRANA — “No easing in the implementation of sanctions against the former Yugoslavia without discussing Kosovo first as well.” This was the message Albanian President Sali Berisha conveyed to Europe through a conversation held yesterday at midday with Doris Pack, a Member of the European Parliament and Chair of its Committee on South-Eastern Europe. The news was announced yesterday by the Press and Information Office of the President. “The President said he was concerned,” the official statement reads, “by certain efforts to lift the sanctions imposed on Serbia by the United Nations Security Council in exchange for Belgrade’s recognition of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Such a possible concession could have serious consequences for peace and stability in the region.” Albanian diplomacy has consistently insisted on the position that any possible easing of sanctions against Serbia must be linked solely to changes in Serbian policy concerning Kosovo; the President reaffirmed this position yesterday. The statement also mentioned the other topics discussed by Berisha and MEP Pack. President Berisha also gave a relatively lengthy interview to the European satellite channel “Euronews.” “Albania is following Taiwan’s pace of development” was one of the questions put to the President, who said he was satisfied with the progress of reforms in the country so far.

SHKODËR — According to reliable sources, we have learned that it is not true that Oreta Marku took her own life because of gossip, as was written in the newspaper. — According to reliable sources, we have learned that it is not true that Oreta Marku took her own life because of gossip, as was written in the newspaper. Nobody spoke ill of the girl; she was an example to everyone who knew her and was respected by her relatives. We apologize to the girl’s parents and relatives for the hurt we have caused them. The inaccuracy arose not from malicious intent, but from an imitation of the journalistic profession. X.P.

TIRANA—A “yes” from the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Spain, Belgium and China has arrived at the Presidency. The first group of new Albanian ambassadors, who will represent our country in the capitals of these states, is ready to depart. On page 3