Grief in Mirditë, dozens of injured people are transported to Tirana by helicopter. Driver arrested Tragedy on the day of Shna Ndout Pilgrims’ vehicle overturns: 2 dead, 46 injured TIRANA - Massacre on the roads of Mirditë. There are 48 people who set out for a celebration, that of Shna Ndout, but ended up in hospital. The overturning of a truck left 46 people covered in blood, while two others lost their lives. The tragedy took place yesterday morning along the Rrëshen-Reps road, where the passengers’ blood stained the asphalt. Children, elderly people, women and men were dragged along the road after the vehicle in which they were riding in the cargo bed tipped over. The driver has been held responsible for the tragic incident, and he was immediately placed under arrest. Armand Mero on page 3 Interview “It was a real nightmare” On page 3 The injured are transported by helicopter

After 5 years TIRANA - At last, Albanians have once again become protagonists of television’s tear-jerking moments. But their movements, their stories. But what is the scene of Albania, the one built before the eyes of the viewers? It is an entire Italy that, by the irony of fate, has thousands and thousands of boys and girls here bearing the name “refugee.” It was a young man from Durrës, Gentjan Troplini, and his Italian girlfriend Emanuela, the remarkable couple on the famous program “Stran-amore,” who broke the audience-rating record on Saturday and was hosted by the well-known Alberto Castagna. The Sunday that has just passed was the final installment of this program, a moment that perhaps some shrewd author wanted to give the Albanian element—let us call it that—the evening’s big moment. And the aim was achieved. Gentjan’s story began quite unexpectedly. His girlfriend had persuaded him to come on Castagna’s program because she was going to surprise him. A surprise that the young man from Durrës could only touch in photographs. Smiling mischievously—the young man was about 25—the presenter asked where his parents were. Gentjan replied that they were in Durrës and that he had not seen them for five years. The host, with a somewhat sly look, insisted, contradicting him and making the Albanian wonder. And the surprise was not long in coming. The Troplini parents came onto the stage, and hundreds of spectators burst into tears as they watched parents and son, overwhelmed with emotion, reunite. And it was Emanuela herself, Gentjan’s tender-hearted girlfriend, who had arranged for him the most beautiful and unattainable gift, while the same gold-colored, expertly crafted [text corrupted] made by Albanians came to him from his mother. Arlinda Causholli

Mystery surrounds the causes TIRANA - Mysterious vandalism at Faik Konica’s grave. As-yet unidentified people damaged the plaque on the monumental grave, which had been inaugurated with an official ceremony only a short time ago. The incident took place yesterday. The police have now decided to guard the grave, and measures have immediately been taken to repair it. Investigations are continuing to find those responsible for this vandalism against the collective memory of Albanians. The news only came to light two days later. Now, the poet’s grave is surrounded by its customary quiet. Only one policeman—the armed guard system was put in place immediately after the serious incident was verified—shelters from the midday sun beneath one of the many trees surrounding the grave. He is the one who agrees to tell the Albanian Gazette what happened to the writer’s grave on the night between Saturday and Sunday. “The first to report the news were the workers responsible for maintaining the memorial complex,” the policeman said, “when they approached, they were alarmed by the sight before their eyes.” A. Çani on page 3 Konica’s monument

They returned to Vlorë yesterday after their dangerous adventure A group of clandestine migrants are accidentally rescued

. Hunger strike in cells. ELBASAN — Hunger strike in the isolation cells of the Elbasan Police Station. The phenomenon, no longer new in Albanian prisons—just a few days ago the same situation had occurred for the second time in Korçë—has involved dozens of detainees, who have protested with their last resort: refusing their daily food ration. The detainees’ kitchen has not been operating since Sunday morning. On page 3

Against panic . Police protect calm in schools. LEZHË — The police are now protecting the schools in the city of Lezhë. The police station in this city has ordered inspections to be carried out in all schools to protect the students. The reason for this is the frequent attacks by criminal elements, which sometimes also become the subject of confusion on school premises. Checks for the possession of bladed weapons have also been carried out at the school in the village of Ishull-Lezhë. There has been an additional reason making it necessary to safeguard the peace and security of students at secondary and eight-year schools. On page 5

The Shkodër kidnapping . The children’s mother: “They are still terrified.” SHKODËR — “The kidnappers of my children must absolutely be caught.” The woman making this appeal is Hatije Osmani, the mother of the three kidnapped children, and she has been making it through the media over the past week. She is an employee at the train station, about 35 years old, who recalls with horror the events of March 18. Ardit and Almi- res, and still worried about the future fate of her family. Hatije Osmani insists that she and her husband are telling the truth. “I don’t know how to convince those who say this whole story is a fabrication. I would not take the children away from myself for any reason in the world.” Osmani also adds that the children described the events in minute detail: how they removed the nails from the boards of the hut with a spoon and fork, how they slept in a hole filled with grass because they felt extremely tired, and other details. On page 5

Boxing. Albania defeats Montenegro: 5–4. The first official sporting encounter between the two countries since the international community eased the cultural embargo. On page 8

Attends manoeuvres . President Berisha at the tank training exercise. TIRANË — President Berisha went yesterday to a tank unit, where he attended a military exercise. He visited the army hospital and learned about the modernization of equipment received from the USA. The President emphasized the renovation of the equipment with these modern devices and of the emergency aircraft. “Love of weapons is necessary,” Berisha said, and dheheurt njëjramë dhe të mirëmbarë? The President also saw ... [unclear text] ... of military aviation. The Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali also took part. President Berisha

The Bënça prison administration submits the request. Prison: “Nano in Court.” His hearing within 10 days. TEPELENË — “Fatos Nano’s request has been sent to the Tepelenë Court, as has been done for all the other prisoners eligible under the implementation of the new Penal Code.” Confirmation arrived late last night from the General Prison Administration, which, confirming this information to Gazeta Shqiptare, described the request as routine, including for the socialist leader. Also late last night, Fatos Nano’s lawyer told Gazeta Shqiptare that the request had been submitted to the Tepelenë Court, bearing in mind that only the Tepelenë Prison Command had the right to do so, and expressing hope that it would also soon notify them of its initiative. Thus, only the parties submitting the request to have Nano’s case reconsidered have changed. Just a few hours earlier, the socialist leader’s lawyers had thought that they themselves would be the ones to intervene, asking the Tepelenë Court to act under the new Penal Code and the Law on its entry into force, which would give them the initiative. According to Nano’s lawyer, Përparim Sanxhaku, on Saturday they had asked the Director of Tepelenë Prison to exercise the right under the Law to request a reconsideration of Nano’s case—a request that may have been made only yesterday, as for all the other prisoners at this prison. Nevertheless, regardless of who submits the request, it means that after many months Nano will once again appear before a court. Only this time—as his lawyer confidently asserts—to be released from his cell for good. Everything is now in the hands of the Tepelenë judges.

. Ferrari has achieved a great victory. The most prestigious Italian Formula 1 car managed to burst onto the Canadian circuit, “Gilles Villeneuve.” The football season has also ended in Italy. On Saturday and yesterday, the teams that triumphed and those that failed were finally determined. On page 2

The Government The bill is approved

Culture

. The bill is approved. On page 5

Culture. The history of the Albanian Pope. On page 7

Tepelenë . He killed to protect the child. On page 5. Italy. Berlusconi wins. On page 2

Football. The Federation decided yesterday. The new championship with 18 teams. On page 3