Another 100 Americans arrive at the Albanian military airport TIRANA - American military personnel are arriving in Albania. One hundred people will be stationed at the military airport in Gjadër—just a few kilometers from Lezhë—to operate a system of unmanned reconnaissance vehicles that will fly over Bosnia. The military vehicles will conduct reconnaissance flights over the war-torn territories of Bosnia and transmit the data collected in real time to the headquarters of UNPROFOR and NATO. The news has been confirmed by official sources at the Albanian Ministry of Defense, although there had been talk of this deployment for some time. On page 3 Ministry of Defense “Predator” aircraft will begin flying next week. They will transmit data to NATO and UNPROFOR

Critical report in Strasbourg, but admission appears certain STRASBOURG - Reservations and some criticism of Tirana preceded the meeting of the Council of Europe Assembly, which will consider Albania’s admission tomorrow. Columberg returned to questions about Albania during yesterday’s discussions in the Legal Affairs Committee, even suggesting “that it would have been better for Tirana’s admission to take place in September.” The Council of Europe rapporteur referred to information he had received: impairment of the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of people and of the press. Nevertheless, yesterday it seemed that nothing would change the Assembly’s decision. At least, our representatives told the Albanian Gazette last night that they were confident: Selami and Dokle have been in Strasbourg for several days. “This situation leaves the issue open, but I don’t think anything unpleasant will happen,” Selami said last night. Dokle expressed the same view: “There is no doubt that Albania will be admitted. But I think Kolumberg’s recommendations are very necessary for the democratization of Albania.” Albania’s case was discussed yesterday at meetings of two Council of Europe committees: the Committee on non-member countries and the Legal Affairs Committee. At the first meeting, attended by Selami, there were few problems; indeed, everyone voted in favor of Albania’s admission, with only one abstention. The most serious problems arose in the Legal Affairs Committee, where rapporteur Kolumberg took center stage. “I would be inclined to have Albania’s case considered in September, because I need time to obtain answers regarding some information that has reached me,” he said, raising several concerns about disagreements with the Albanian authorities and his correspondence with Arbnori. Problems with the justice system in Albania were the points that gave the rapporteur cause for doubt. He mentioned the request to remove two Court of Cassation judges, the failure to provide a budget for the courts, the removal of local judges by decision of the High Council of Justice, and the functioning of the Prosecution Service, which, in his view, does not meet Council of Europe standards. He also added a report on the state of human rights prepared by Amnesty International. Kolumberg again mentioned Nano and the case of Ilir Hoxha, and, moving on to the spy, said “there have been cases of preventive censorship by the secret services.” Nevertheless, this “test” was also passed, with 14 votes in favor, 11 against and 1 abstention. “The recommendations of this Committee,” Dokle explained last night, “will be added to those that the Assembly will make to the Committee of Ministers.” Armand Mero

TIRANA—The question of whether or not to organize the Albanian folk festivals has been settled. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has ended all doubts and, in an order submitted to the government, has decided that the next festival will be held in Berat in September this year. There had been talk for some time about reorganizing these kinds of events, which in the past, besides the inevitable politicization, had nevertheless managed to preserve and develop the values of our folk culture. The festival will be held in the city of Berat from September 20 to 25, 1995. The event will be funded mainly by the Ministry itself, which will spend 35 million lek on per diems, travel, décor, etc. Support will also come from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and the Academy of Sciences of Albania. The distinctive feature of this new organization is the rotation system for the festival venue. In one [?] of this rotation, Berat would be included. Meanwhile, [?] definitively as a monologue [?] the people of Gjirokastra, although their ancient city is ranked as a center for the most frequent organization of the event. The festival will be held once every four years in Albania’s most traditional cities, not only in the field of music, such as Shkodra, Kruja, Lezha, Gjirokastra, Saranda, and Berat (Tirana is missing from this list). Artistic groups from Albania, Kosovo, Albanian-inhabited regions, and the diaspora may be represented according to the merit of the repertoire they present, with between one and three groups of ten people each. The festival will bring around 1 million new lek into Berat’s municipal fund; the Ministry’s decision, bearing Laçi’s signature, designates this amount as assistance for organizing the event. So.Bal.

ELBASAN - The case files on the most sensational and most dubious privatization in Elbasan are to be reopened in court: that of the giant poultry-farming complex. Accusation against the Privatization Agency ELBASAN - The case files concerning the most sensational and most dubious privatization in Elbasan are to be reopened in court: that of the giant poultry-farming complex. Hundreds of documents have been presented to the judges by the NB Privatization Agency in Elbasan, which accuses the Central Privatization Agency at the Ministry, which 15 months earlier had sold this enterprise... of Finance to take part had postponed this to the enterprise’s managers. “All the documents speak clearly.” On page 3 ... in Abdiu, who belonged to today in 1990.00 will be identified as a witness[?] in the 2 April 1991 massacre, the investigation into which had been opened by the Republic’s Prosecution Office immediately after the arrest of a former police officer on 22 March this year. But besides Abdiu—as is claimed[?]—the Republic’s Prosecution Office has also immediately[?] ... concerning the two[?] police officers Republic’s Prosecution Office has also[?] for the Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Shaqir Vukaj. On page 3

The Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Vukaj has also been summoned 2 April investigation: Abdiu at the Prosecutor’s Office TIRANA - “Yes. It is true that I have been summoned to the Republic’s Prosecution Office to testify in connection with the events of 2 April ’91.” This was confirmed last night by PS MP Fehmi Abdiu himself, who is to be questioned today at 9.00 as a witness regarding the 2 April ’91 massacre. The investigation had been reopened besides Abdiu—as PS claims—the Republic’s Prosecution Office’s summons has also been issued for the Deputy Chairman of the...

BERAT - The first detention in connection with the theft of 34 crates of detonators in Poliçan. Police, who have been investigating the case for some time, questioned warehouseman Astrit Manushaqe; since his depot contained extremely large quantities of detonators, they charged him and sought a security measure against him on the charge of “abuse of office.” Three people, aged 15, have appeared at the doors... of the investigative office. On page 3 ...the Committee of Ministers.” Armand Mero

The 25 percent tax comes into force on July 1 CUSTOMS On page 5

Kosovo On page 8

Shkodër On page 5

The government approves the draft law for tax stamps” TIRANA—Anyone who pays the tax will also have proof of payment on the document: a special stamp showing the amount paid. Although the use of tax stamps began in July 1992—for documents issued by civil registry offices—and from April 1994 they were used by the judicial administration, notaries, and mortgage registries, government officials have approved a draft law whose articles clearly set out the rules for administering these stamps. Under this draft, tax stamps are securities, their value being equal to the amount paid. Their dimensions will be no more than 2.5 centimeters by 3.5 centimeters, but they will differ in color, designs, and security features concealed in the design. The stamps to be produced will have values ranging from 5 to 100 lekë. This law was drafted on the basis of Albanian legislation from the 1930s–1950s, as well as Italian and Greek legislation. The draft will soon be put to a vote by the members of parliament for approval. Ar. Ça.

The young man from Pogradec sues RTV A few days after the Court of Cassation awarded the Grand Prize to the woman from Kuçova EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA—Controversy has erupted again over the “Mercedes” in the lottery of the television show “Around Luck in 12 Weeks.” Just a few days after the General Directorate of Albanian RTV K[?] in the Court of Cassation against Alma Rapo from Kuçova—who is now[?] finally waiting for the “Mercedes”—RTV has been sued in court for a second time. This time Dr[?]—in the “Mercedes” case—is 23-year-old Spartak Kodra from Pogradec. “The boy and the prize he won[?],” Kodra writes in his statement, believing that RTV, led by its director Skënder Buq[?], must give him either the prize he won or compensation for it. The advisers thought that the “Mercedes” case had been definitively closed, but unexpectedly it has reopened, even provoking heated controversy. “There is no legal basis for me to pay for the mistakes made by the committee that announced the winning ticket,” Kodra writes, referring[?] to the midnight of March 19, 1994, when his ticket was declared invalid live on television. But although 19 million Albanians had dreamed of the “Mercedes,” the young man from Pogradec had triumphed; computer errors[?] had kept him stunned for several hours. Then, on April 21, 1994, the Central Lottery Commission had decided[?] to award him[?] the “Mercedes.” But[?] the matter[?] could not[?] proceed toward Pogradec, because the woman from Kuçova—announced as the winner live on television—was insisting[?] that the “Mercedes” follow a different route. Her efforts eventually succeeded after a 15-month marathon through three Albanian courts; now the challenger from Pogradec is following her example, placing his hopes in Justice. Even though the “Mercedes” is no longer there. The challenger Spartak Kodra

Chemical pollution and filth have increased skin diseases On page 5

Berat

“Here are the rules for

THE TIRANA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (TIS) IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Two students will be admitted to fill two vacant places in the group of five-year-olds starting on September 8. The child must have reached the age of five by October 4, 1995. No applicant over the age of 5 will be considered. Documents proving age are not required. Both candidates will be selected through a simple testing procedure and a lottery draw among those applicants who qualify. Because resources are limited, no more than 75 candidates will be tested. If there are more than 75 applications, an additional preliminary lottery will identify a group of candidates to be tested. The parents of successful applicants will pay a reduced fee of 300 US dollars per year and must provide transportation so the children can arrive at school regularly and on time. The school’s curriculum is international and does not follow the standard Albanian school curriculum. Instruction is in English, the teaching methods are used, and the course of study is American in nature. Parents must also accept the educational philosophy of this institution, which differs in some respects from that of Albanian institutions. Students will be expected to make normal progress, as determined by the school principal. A student who progresses normally will complete this school in the eighth grade. A physical examination will be offered to those students selected by the advisory board as the most qualified. Passing this examination without finding any significant medical problem is mandatory to take part in the final lottery selection. For an information packet and application forms, please go directly to the Library of the American Cultural Center (USIA) at the Pyramid on July 3 and 5–7. The library will be closed on July 4. The library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 09:00 to 13:00, and Tuesday from 13:00 to 17:00. The written material in the information packet is very explanatory, and no other information will be provided. A non-refundable deposit of 2,500 lekë must be paid when submitting the applications. Completed applications and payment must be submitted to the Library of the American Cultural Center between 10:00 and 12:00 on July 10. Any funds remaining after the costs of this selection process have been covered will be given to a reputable Albanian institution.