Yesterday, the Albanian Committee’s statement: “This restricts the right to appeal” “The law bypasses the Court of Cassation” Helsinki against the amendment to the Code TIRANA - The amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure has also drawn the Albanian Helsinki Committee into the maelstrom of controversy. In a statement circulated yesterday, this human-rights institution protests against the move, describing it as “an addition that constitutes a restriction of the rights of the accused and sidelines the Court of Cassation as the highest judicial instance”. On page 3 Ministry of Justice

POLITICS TIRANA - “The right-wing parties will not form a coalition with the Democratic Party.” This is what Republican leader Sabri Godo told the Albanian Gazette. Just a few hours after President Berisha signed the decree on the law governing the sale and purchase of land, Godo ruled out the possibility of a post-election coalition with the DP. The right-wing parties had sent a telegram to the head of state himself, asking him not to sign the decree. On page 3

TIRANA - The hopes of the Albanian champions and Partizani of getting through the pre-qualifying round have faded. Muça’s team lost its opening match by the narrow score of 0-1 against the Israelis “Hapoel” Beer Sheva in the UEFA Cup competition. The opening seconds of the match proved decisive, when Guosev scored the only goal against Partizani, who held Ferenbahçe at bay for seventy minutes. A similar fate in the final minutes: two goals were conceded, while the “Hapoel” Beer She- Musta had also managed to save a penalty earlier. The Turks are favorites for the match in Tirana. Tomorrow evening, Teuta, the third Albanian team entered in the continental Cup Winners’ Cup, will face the Finns of “Turgu”. On page 3 Moments from yesterday’s match in Tirana (Photo: H. Pustina)

HISTORY ELBASAN - “If you don’t bring me money tonight, I’ll kill you,” is the complaint of a little girl, one of those we often see near hotels or bus departure points. We ask him what he uses the money he hands over at night for. “For drinking, what else? He does nothing but hold his glass out in front of him,” the boy replies. How much do you have to hand over every night? “He beats me badly if I don’t give him at least 1.00 new lekë.” The poor little one—the need for help is evident in the way he looks around—begs us not to mention his name, or even the area where we met. “He knows where I usually beg,” he adds fearfully. “It would be terrible if he suspected anything.” The underage beggar leads a life like an adult’s every day. Just a few hours’ sleep at night, then back to “work,” to earn something to eat for himself and money for his alcoholic father. He is willing to do any job, even without being asked: he shines shoes, washes car windows, and offers his services to the city’s many businesses. But more often he pleads, kisses people’s feet, and resorts to all kinds of other tricks. The days pass one after another like this, and the beggar empties his pockets in front of the father waiting for him. This is just one part of a reality that weighs ever more heavily upon us. Fortunately, the number of people who live better is growing. But it is those who support them who must pay more attention to the neglected, those who have to lose their dignity in order to survive, even to the point of forcing their own child to beg. We often pass by people in this situation without paying much attention, but forget that—just like us—they too are part of our lives.

More than 25,000 veterans will benefit TIRANA - Benefits are beginning for veterans of the war against the Nazi-Fascist occupation of Albania. As of yesterday, they have bid farewell to the almost negligible sum of 100 lekë with which their efforts to liberate the country had been valued. Following a ceremony at the army’s cultural center in Tirana, distribution of the veterans’ belts began, and many veterans headed to the savings bank, where they received the new benefit amounts established by a special government decision. On page 5

GJIROKASTËR - Two anti-drug experts have been stationed at the Gjirokastër police station. - Two anti-drug experts have been stationed at the Gjirokastër police station. Three anti-drug operations—just during July—had seized around 15 kilograms of hashish. Now two new narcotics specialists have been appointed to the city police. They will help monitor drug trafficking and cultivation. Because of its geographical position, Gjirokastër is a sensitive point in the trafficking of narcotic substances. On page 5

The famous actor goes to Korçë today TIRANA - James Belushi spent his second day yesterday in the homeland of his ancestors. During the day, he continued his pilgrimage to the Albafilm studios, through the streets of Tirana and as far as “Qemal Stafa” Stadium, where he watched his Albanian team “Tirana” play against their new Israeli friends from “Hapoel”, whom he had met at the “Tirana” hotel. But the elder Belushi still had one small worry: his luggage, left somewhere at the SWISSAIR airport. S. Balla on page 3

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BERAT - Yesterday morning, fire swept through the pine-covered crown of Berat Castle. The flames engulfed and burned an area of grass and shrubs covering approximately 400 square meters, thereby endangering the Castle’s tourist site as well as a residence just 10 meters from the blaze. The immediate intervention of the firefighters, assisted by residents of the Kala neighborhood, made it possible to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes. On page 5

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ELBASAN - “He mistreated his son’s wife, forcing her to attempt suicide; he should be sentenced to one and a half years.” The Elbasan court did not hesitate: 60-year-old H.S. must serve his sentence in prison for an incident that had taken place almost five months earlier. At the time, B.S. had tried to kill herself and her three young children with kerosene. She had even taken the first step: after dousing herself and two of the children, she had lit a match... The lives of all three had been put at risk... On page ...

Albanian soldiers on US soil: maneuvers begin TIRANA - A group of 50 Albanian military personnel is taking part, for the first time, in massive maneuvers in Louisiana, USA. Yesterday, the Albanians took part—together with their American colleagues and those from all of Eastern Europe, with the exception of Russia—in a vast exercise scenario focused on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. The historic Albanian group consists of an infantry platoon, officers, logistics experts, observers, and a chaplain. More than 4,000 soldiers are taking part in the maneuvers, which will continue until August 26. Alongside American and Eastern European military personnel, military personnel from Canada and Great Britain will also participate. More than for its practical aspects, the major military event has been given considerable importance by the local press for its political significance. Just a few years ago, the Americans and the Albanians stood on opposite sides in the Cold War; now they are allies in preserving peace... On page 3 Ambassador Lake seeing off the Albanian peacekeepers