He seeks acquittal through a legality-protection appeal The PS leader unexpectedly changes his mind and writes to Brozi’s institution TIRANA - The imprisoned Socialist leader, sentenced by the court, turns to the Court of Cassation. Precisely in the hours when Albania was living through the anxiety between an explosion and accession to the Council of Europe, a silent envelope ended up among dozens of others, right in the office of the Legality Protection Department of the Court of Cassation. After insisting that the Nano case be taken to the Court of Appeal—to discuss the days spent in prison—the Socialist leader has unexpectedly returned to his old request: acquittal. A request that is, nevertheless, highly secret, and has not even been confirmed in the highest circles of the party he leads. On page 9 Court of Cassation

Rome closes investigation into aid The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has closed its investigation into the scandal involving aid sent to Albania between 1990 and 1991, ending the investigation into 12 people. Among the former suspects considered innocent are the names of former Foreign Minister Claudio Vitalone and Nicola Giuseppe Perniola, administrator of the Bari-based company “Levant Co”. On page 9

CONGRATULATIONS, ALBANIA! 29 JUNE ’95 ALBANIA IN EUROPE Shehi at Skanderbeg after admission to the Council of Europe (photo: H. Pustina)

Shkodër - Three private security guards have been arrested. The charge against them is theft from premises they were supposed to protect from being robbed by others. The special criminal police unit was involved in the operation; during the night of June 30, it detained three people suspected of working for the private security firm. N.GJ., 26, was the first detained by the Commissariat forces, accused of having stolen on June 28 an old woman’s object of artistic value, worth an estimated 32 thousand new lekë. On page 3

New proposal in Parliament Draft bill for those who graduate by September 1, 2000 TIRANA - 10, 12, but only 3 months of military service for students attending university. Although he is not a student, PS deputy Pandeli Majko has just prepared and submitted the sensational proposal to the office of the Albanian Parliament. Under this proposal, all students who complete higher education while working, by September 1, 2000, would have to perform only three months of military service. On page 3

Drinks, merriment and political humor went on for a long time Strasbourg, on the eve of the Assembly of the Council of Europe’s celebration marking Albania’s admission. After handshakes and embraces, the members of the Albanian delegation in Strasbourg set off to celebrate in the restaurants and bars located in the Assembly building, clinking their glasses. Everything was left to individual initiative. No one thought of organizing a special celebration for the occasion: the plan to bring in some children to sing and dance in front of the Assembly hall was canceled. The delegation had planned nothing to celebrate Albania’s admission; once again, the Council of Europe took care of it. ARMAND MERO on page 3

Dokle After returning from Strasbourg, doubts arise in the PS offices On page 3

TIRANA - Five years ago today, Albanian deputies gathered in Kaçanik and decided to proclaim Kosovo’s independence. Five years have passed since that declaration, and no one has forgotten those images, when the independence of a martyred people was tragically proclaimed. The declaration of Kosovo’s independence, after which most of its signatories went underground while many others were arrested, marked the beginning of a long journey around the world by the leaders of the Republic of Kosovo, aimed at securing diplomatic international recognition. After the failure of the London Conference on the former Yugoslavia in 1992, Rugova’s peaceful path became even more difficult, until the spring of 1995, when the United Nations, at Albania’s insistence, as explained, adopted in the Assembly a resolution defending the Albanian population of Kosovo and its human rights, while also placing on the agenda the possible spread of armed conflict there. Kosovo’s declaration of independence was carried out as a legal act only a few months after the rights of Kosovo’s then-autonomous status had been approved by Milosheviq’s government.

Defense and Public Order make accusations The issue of civil-protection facilities GJIROKASTËR - The enterprises involved in building the bunkers and the KRT committee have accused [unclear wording] the District Council and the Ministry of Public Order, and have brought the matter before the municipal court in the spring. The document made public at a meeting of the Territorial Planning Commission accused this body, putting it at odds with the legal residents. “Legality and irresponsibility are the bunkers and shelters.” The ministry’s document concerns facilities built with permits, which are [unclear] becoming private property; it also notes that [unclear], and that the bunkers, which could be used in such cases, must not be destroyed. The document addressed to the municipality also calls for those responsible to be held accountable, according to information from the Municipality and the Territorial Planning Commission. The report mentions demolitions carried out [unclear], including local bars and the park… which have damaged or altered the layout of civil-protection facilities, also known as bunkers. This has happened where the Urban Planning Department drew up a reconstruction project passing over such a facility. According to the report, not only the decisions but also the projects drawn up fall outside the jurisdiction…? [partly illegible] According to the chairman of the Council of Ministers, “it is often forgotten that for these four categories, penalties can range from 1 to 2 years in prison.” This has brought to light an issue that many may have misunderstood: the bunkers are still state property. Damaging them or impairing their function is illegal. While they do not protect the damaged facilities, they will go to 7.5? But still control… (the last sentence is partly illegible) ba/ro

The price of the newspaper increases Starting today, the Albanian Gazette will also cost 20 lekë. The price increase, which for the month of June we had limited to Sundays only, we are now obliged to extend to the other days of the week as well. Unfortunately, European paper costs are continuously rising, and the same trend is being followed in Albania. We are sure our readers will understand the reasons for this price increase and, in return, will increase the number as much as possible. For our part, in return for the daily sacrifice resulting from the price increase, we promise a constant effort to provide serious, accurate and independent information every day—the qualities that our readers recognize and show they appreciate, day after day. On page 3

and fun games On page 10

“Be careful with milk in plastic containers” On page 3

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Yesterday the “Albanian Gazette” was not published because of a serious technical fault in the central electronic system. Publication will resume regularly starting today. We apologize to our readers for yesterday’s absence.