The strikers: “Only then will they listen to us” The directors of the Bulqizë Mine had gone there to talk with the villagers. TIRANË - The “kidnapping” by the Laknas strikers has been resolved. Confined for 24 hours in the offices of the Commune leadership, the General Director of Mines, Professor Fejzi Hima, and the deputy director of the Valias mine, Edmond Nushi, were released last night by the mine strikers. “We wanted the government to understand that things cannot go on like this anymore,” was the explanation given by the striking miners. The blocking of the two officials from the Ministry of Industry came after negotiations failed. The striking miners had said at midday that they would keep the two mine managers hostage until they received official notice on whether the government would accept their demands. Food had also been offered to those being held, but they refused it. Compared with the hunger strike in Valias, this new form of protest by the miners was met with a degree of understanding by government officials. At 6:15 p.m., after a two-hour meeting with the Minister of Industry and Transport Bashkim Kopliku, the president of the independent miners’ union of Albania, Gëzim Kalaja, entered the premises where the two mine managers were being held hostage. According to him, the government would meet all the miners’ demands. There are many indications that they have begun preparing the necessary documents to carry out wage changes more quickly, taking into account the unfinished index. Armand Mero on page 3 The directors held hostage among the strikers (photo: H. Pustina)

The President among women entrepreneurs from Shkodër SHKODËR - Yesterday President Berisha called on women entrepreneurs from Shkodër to employ and encourage women in business activities. Speaking before a group of women business owners, President of the Republic Berisha praised them for their work in improving the quality of life and of the family. “Opposing voices should not frighten you or stop you,” the head of state told the businesswomen. Berisha repeated that no government can achieve democracy without the presence of women in social and political activities. “The Democratic Party has been working for four consecutive years to increase women’s presence in power,” he said. Berisha called on women entrepreneurs to employ more women and try to expand their activities. The President held a series of meetings in Shkodër with businessmen and citizens. Alban Dyrmishi on page 3

The PS leader was supposed to serve 1 more month and 22 days, but the lawyer will appeal to the Court of Appeal LEZHË The PS leader Fatos Nano has lost hope of early release from prison. The ruling announced yesterday afternoon by the Lezhë District Court upholds the sentence of 7 years and 4 months in prison recently handed down by the Tirana Court. Nano will serve the sentence for “abuse of office” and “theft by abusing office.” According to the defense lawyer, the pre-trial detention period should also have been deducted when calculating the sentence. Thus, his sentence had already been completed. The ruling explains that the acquittal for the first offense and the reduction of the sentence from 12 years to 7 years and 4 months do not mean the sentence has ended. Nano has used all legal remedies available in the Albanian system. On 7 February of this year, the Court of Cassation upheld the decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Tirana Court. At yesterday’s hearing, prosecutor Ramiz Njala requested that the Tirana court decision remain unchanged. Judges Shpëtim Vogli and Leonard Bombaj accepted this position. Nano’s lawyer, Maks Haxhia, stated that he will appeal to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. Nano is being held in Bënçë prison, where he is serving his sentence. Ilir V. Blloshmi on page 7 The imprisoned PS leader

Police sweep: criminal hideout uncovered ELBASAN

Order of the Ministry of the Interior Public order officials have been ordered to ask citizens who own hunting weapons to hand them over to the police. The order was issued by the Ministry of the Interior after a series of recent incidents involving such weapons. According to the announcement, unregistered weapons and those considered dangerous must be collected immediately. On page 5

ELBASAN - The man [...] sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for the rape of a minor, by decision of the District Court [...] has been sentenced to only two years in prison. The serious event, which occurred last year, caused great outrage among the residents of the “Bregu i Qytetit” neighborhood. The defendant [...] was accused of raping a 3-year-old girl. The court’s lenient decision has sparked reactions and has been described as unjustifiable. The child’s mother stated that she will seek justice in the highest instances. On page 5

“I am a three-year school” TIRANË - The first winning girl in the state middle medical school has arrived from all over. The 17-year-old candidate named Naima? [?] appeared yesterday at the Ministry of Education offices to receive the registration form. All girls may appear to register until July 2. This is what the Ministry of Education announces. Armand Mero on page 3

Hostage crisis in Russia and Bosnia Lindon Karrieri and Xhese in Play, but not in Budapest On page 4

Remarque’s “Three Comrades” speaks Albanian again New translation by Robert Shvarc On page 2

Three high school students detained for killing a peer On page 3

Lushnja-Kruja: violence wins Result 3-0, but TSkarona [?] On page 5

R. Baggio will join Milan Player trading continues On page 4

RESTAURANT BAR Chez Laurent MONTVALENCE cafe STYLE FRENCH CUISINE WAWELS St. No. 17 Tirana