Qeleshi’s new “indictment” of Nano. Just a few hours after Brozi’s request for the release of the imprisoned socialist leader, Tirana Prosecutor Arben Qeleshi responds. He accuses Nano once again, questions the truthfulness of what Brozi says, and demands that “the decisions of the three Albanian courts concerning the Nano case remain in force.” INTERVIEW / The man who investigated the billion-lek scandal and defended the prosecution’s case speaks Qeleshi: “Brozi is wrong, Nano is guilty” The chief prosecutor responds to the request for release “Qeleshi’s new ‘indictment’ of Nano. Just a few hours after Brozi’s request for the release of the imprisoned socialist leader, Tirana Prosecutor Arben Qeleshi responds. He accuses Nano once again, questions the truthfulness of what Brozi says, and demands that ‘the decisions of the three Albanian courts concerning the Nano case remain in force.’” Nano On page 3

TIRANA - “Ilir Meta cannot remove Marxism from the Program.” Servet Pëllumbi, head of the PS delegation, told Gazeta Shqiptare this yesterday. The senior socialist opposition leader’s response came immediately after the FRESSH chairman declared that “we have removed Marxism from the program.” Pëllumbi spoke about the way and form in which the German philosopher, the ideologue of communism, was included in his party’s statute. On page 9

Public protest after the assault on the girl Fierce petition in Elbasan Public protest after the assault on the girl “The rapists should be hanged” Fierce petition in Elbasan ELBASAN - Two arrested and 10 detained within a week in connection with the incident that had shaken the entire city a week earlier: the brutal rape of a 19-year-old student. The horrific incident had sent shivers through all of Elbasan, which has now risen up, demanding forcefully: “Hang the perpetrators.” On page 3

HISTORY “I want my father dead...” Terrible words from a girl from Elbasan, who demands the death of the man pardoned by the President TIRANA - “I want my father dead. Release him and I’ll kill him myself.” These are the terrible words spoken by a 22-year-old woman from Elbasan about the man who brought her into the world. Her name is Luljeta Ballu and, in her first [??], she suffered a terrible tragedy: Her father killed her mother and grandfather, and stabbed her six times, bringing her to the brink of death. Her father, Nazmiu, was sentenced to death by the courts, but escaped execution after being pardoned by the President. So Luljeta, with tears in her eyes, has made a desperate plea in defense of what has become the purpose of her life: revenge. As she herself says, she cannot start a new life. “The fact that he is alive shows that the past is still alive. It prevents me from starting a new life.” Because he is a criminal. I think he was a lonely man; he neither wanted anyone nor was wanted by anyone. Besides, the psychiatric evaluation found him to be normal. It has been about two years since that terrible crime. And he, although [??] of execution, is still in prison. What made him [??]? The pardon and release. In the interview he gave your newspaper, he said that if he were free, he would never do such things again. But I cannot trust a man who killed my mother and stabbed me six times. When they brought him into the resuscitation room, where I was fighting for my life, he looked at me and said: “I did the right thing.” What could he do, at his advanced age of 60, if he were released? He would go out and kill me and my brothers. That’s the kind of man he is. sident. So Luljeta, with tears in her eyes, issued a desperate appeal life: Revenge. As she herself says, she cannot set out on this new life. “The fact that he is alive means that a rotten life life.” Do you still consider the person who killed your mother and the other members of your family to be your father? That is beyond the bounds of possibility. The truth is that I am ashamed to tell him whose daughter I am. Your father stated that he was drunk on that tragic night... That is impossible. All right, his own brother—but how could he then get up and kill his wife and his children? He did it not because he was drunk. Several times he tried to kill my mother, but I saved her from death. Then why did he commit those murders? ...the was fighting for my life, he saw he do, at the advanced age of 60, even if he were released? He would come out and kill me and my brothers. That is what he is like, and that is how he will remain. Only death can change him. Your testimony in the trial against him ended with a grave demand. Now that some time has passed, do you still stand by what you said? In the courtroom I had declared: either sentence him to death, or let him go free—I will kill him myself... I said it because I expect anything from that man. Which feeling is stronger in you, Fear or Revenge? Both. But I have no fear for myself. That feeling died for me on the day my father plunged six knives into my body. Nevertheless, revenge remains paramount. I want him dead... Sokol Balla

OPINIONS On page 3

Vlore, after the boulevard accident VLORE - The head of the Road Traffic Department in Vlore risks losing his post following the accident on Thursday that killed a 16-month-old infant while the child was in a stroller with its mother. Police Station Chief Mulosmani has warned him that he may be fired, while the police officer who was on duty on the boulevard at the time of the accident has been dismissed. “These measures have been taken,” Mulosmani explained to Gazeta Shqiptare, “because the motorcycle was seen travelling at speed and was not warned, even though traffic on the boulevard must not exceed 40 kilometers per hour.” The Police Station Chief did not stop there with the disciplinary action. Yesterday he called the entire road traffic section in for a thorough review. Meanwhile, all police forces have been notified and instructed to catch at all costs the motorcyclist who fled without leaving a trace after the fatal accident. St.Ma.

They took him for an Albanian GJIROKASTER—They took the Romanian caught up in the Greek “broom” for an Albanian. Along with Albanian emigrants, on the last Tuesday of June, a 25-year-old Romanian young man traveled in Greek police cars. Although he insisted that he was not Albanian and had not spoken Albanian, he was not believed. In halting Greek, he explained to our border authorities how he had fallen into the Greek authorities’ net.

Shkodër

Spectacle The major tour begins in August. Director Xoxe speaks On page 11

On page 3

Last night at the marble palace in Durrës DURRËS — Everyone united in the name of Europe. Last night, at the dinner in the marble hall of the Villa of Koder-Durrës, President Berisha asked to meet representatives of Albanian political parties and foreign diplomats to celebrate joining the Council of Europe. It was an official evening that, for a moment, sustained the symbolic atmosphere of what politics in a European country ought to be. And it happened precisely when President Berisha—standing before his guests and delivering his welcoming speech—was interrupted by someone clapping energetically, apparently to silence him. But only for a second, because then the whole hall burst into enthusiastic applause. It was naturally unusual for an official speech to be interrupted, but even more unusual was discovering that the first to start applauding had been former [Namik] Dokle. “Yes, it was me,” the PS politician later confirmed to Gazeta Shqiptare, explaining that he had applauded when the President said that joining the Council of Europe was a victory for the entire Albanian people. He added: “If the President had [unclear: ‘ribruar’] relations with the PDI, I certainly would not have applauded.” Dokle and Berisha had also shaken hands a few minutes earlier, as they entered the magnificent palace in Durrës. But that alone was not enough for a mere display of courtesy. The applause continued, presenting itself as a clear signal of peace and understanding. All the more so because this gesture took place in front of all the representatives and national figures—as if a small Europe had gathered in that palace in Durrës—before whom Albanian politicians demonstrated this time that, at least, they know how to be part of the great family of democracy.

On page 10

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