Strong statement by the President Berisha defends the Croats: Serbia is to blame for the new war Criticism also of the UN President Berisha is defending Croatia over its counterattack against Serbian aggression in Bihać, while at the same time describing the actions of the International Community as indecisive. It was precisely this community that had called on Tuđman’s Croats to halt their victorious offensive against the Serbs of Krajina. On page 3

Fenerbahçe “spies” watch Partizani FSHF blocks the transfer market Mema and Baholli stay at Tirana

In two days, tragedies at sea and on the roads. In addition to the fatalities, 10 injured A bloody summer: 4 dead Serious accidents in Fier and Vlorë TIRANA—Tears and blood on Albanian roads and beaches were reported yesterday, perhaps more than on any other day this holiday season. Four dead and ten injured: this is the tragic toll of this “black Friday.” The most serious incident—in terms of the number of people involved—occurred in Fier, where two people lost their lives and ten others were seriously injured in a car accident. Even more absurdly, yesterday two children, one 4 and the other 8 years old, drowned before their parents’ eyes. Instead of a joyful holiday, an absurd tragedy. The sea also claimed the life of a 36-year-old speedboat operator from Vlorë, G. H., as he was returning to Vlorë, his hometown, in his inflatable boat. On page 5 Last year’s accident in Tërpan

DHËRMI On page 5

VLORË On page 5

Yesterday, a protest rally was held to demand the annulment of the law on the sale and purchase of land “The Coast belongs to the former owners” The Right-Wing League opposes Berisha TIRANA – “The Coast cannot be sold; it has its own owners.” A previously announced rally by the Albanian Right-Wing League called for the annulment of the sale and purchase of land and opposed the sale of coastal plots, an initiative on which the head of state had commented at a meeting with the prefects. The rally was held yesterday at the Palace of Culture in Tirana, where around 1,000 right-wing members and supporters backed the start of rallies across Albania.

Emigrants from Greece return to their homeland for the holidays On page 2

TIRANA – “Mema and Baholli will play for Tirana only in the Champions Cup, while Malko and Tole are transferring permanently to Partizani” — this was the announcement made by the Football Federation yesterday morning, the condition announced by the Football Federation yesterday morning, as it made its choice amid the football transfer market that has gripped the two giants of Albanian football. Partizani is not fielding the players in Ballsh. Meanwhile, the capital’s champion club is at risk of an unprecedented collapse following the mass departure of its regular starters. On page 3

Police raids Another anti-drug operation in Berat began two days ago. This time, the checks were carried out covertly in car garages. The forces have again arrived from Tirana to punish every police officer in Berat. And meanwhile, they discovered the Cannabis crop. This time the areas are the villages of Malas-Breg and Goriçan, near the border with Ura e Kuçit, which connects them with the Lushnjë area. Anti-Drug forces have also moved into the Roshnik area. Dozens of plants have been discovered and destroyed, and the people who had evaded the police have been identified. On page 3

Tirana The cause was an argument. Two members of Unit 88 have been separated On page 3

The trial of the editor-in-chief concludes TIRANA — A fine of one hundred thousand lekë for the editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper “Populli Po”. Yesterday the Tirana court handed down its verdict for 22-year-old Arban Hasani, accused of defamation by the Chief of the National Information Service. In this way, the panel of judges, presided over by Artan Zeneli, cut in half the request made by the prosecutor in the case, Pjetër Hamzai, who had called in his closing arguments for a sentence of 200 thousand lekë. The case that pitted the editor-in-chief of “Populli Po” against the Directorate concerned an article published in the newspaper he runs on March 26. It discussed the murder of Xhovalin Çekini, for which a police officer named Pël was accused. Immediately after its publication, SHIK issued a denial of the report and reported the daily newspaper to the Prosecutor’s Office. Throughout the trial, Hasani maintained that he was innocent and attacked the accusation, saying that the prosecutor’s closing arguments did not even mention defamation. On the final day, a number of international organizations defending journalists’ rights also came out in support of the editor-in-chief of “Populli Po”.

Athens On page 2

Lushnje On page 3

— A 24-year-old man was wounded yesterday with a firearm by a police officer. Ilir Hoxha, from the village of Shëpanjë, was admitted to Elbasan hospital because a bullet had passed right through his abdomen. Meanwhile, the investigative authorities have placed police officer Besnik Myzyqari under arrest. The incident took place a few days ago in the village of Banje. “We were going to stop by the café,” Hoxha recounts, “together with some of my friends, when the policeman, dressed in his service uniform, tried to arrest me and fired twice in my direction. The first bullet hit me in the back, while the second struck me in the stomach. On page 3

— A justice official has been brutally beaten. The victim is Ilir Rustemi, who works as an investigator at the Shkodër District Prosecutor’s Office. On Wednesday evening, as Rustemi was making his way home late at night, several unknown people suddenly confronted him. Caught unprepared, he was beaten brutally. After the assault, the official was taken to hospital with serious injuries; he is still there in critical condition. On page 5

Summer show broadcast live on television at 20:30 VLORË — The team is making its final efforts to set up the stage at the presidential-level venue at Uji i Ftohtë for the “Beauty of the Beach” show. In addition to the judges, the beauties will be under the watchful eyes of President Berisha and his wife, who have made their holiday “home” available to them. For two weeks now, it has seemed that everything is ready. A few days ago, the television crew arrived; its broadcast will be directed to Vlorë on Saturday evening. In the early hours of the day, the production team got to work, starting with organizer Arben Tafili, followed by director Bozo, coordinator Zijajin, the set-design masters and scenographer Joni Kraja, assistant director Gazi, and on to the actors and Vlorë comedians, choreographers and singers, and finally the particularly exciting participation of a group of boys and girls from Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër, Vlorë, and elsewhere. There will be surprises for the audience: Fatjona, the elegant dancer who has come from Milan; Ndoci, a well-known comedian; the tireless Gjea; and other guests, Krasta and Kola, among the country’s selected Miss contestants, well-known figures in art and culture, sport and politics, each taking part. The final secret has been kept for television alone. The grounds of the “Uji i ftohtë” hotel are occupied by a whole crew of 50 people working night and day, accompanied by police officers and two police [units]. Cars with TR and VL plates fill the grounds, along with a bus for the Miss contestants. Everything has been left as a surprise for Saturday evening, when more than 500 people are invited, starting with Berisha, followed by government officials, MPs, journalists and the diplomatic corps. They will be seated against an appropriate backdrop, where they can enjoy a concert created to blend with the natural venue, from which the Miss contestants and male competitors will appear. Meanwhile, the tunnel road will be closed and another road will be in operation. It is thought that the tunnel’s [management/closure] will restore the road beyond the tunnel. The police will also provide assistance throughout the day. The road surface has been repaired; it had been a problem before. Three companies have signed on as sponsors, which will guarantee greater appeal and 40,000 dollars for the show on television, with prizes for the winners. The chief judge on the panel is Alfred Zgjari. Deputies Spahia, Imami, Keko and Gjata are also bathing at the beach alongside the Miss contestants, as are senior judges; ministers Zhulali and Brojtashikë nusen are also expected to arrive. No later than tonight, the show will be on television. Stavri Marko

On page 2

The Story They were going abroad as migrants, but one of them died. They did not abandon him and returned home with the body On page 5

Police raids

On page 7