Gunfire on the Albanian border: two Kurdish migrants wounded

Peshkopi, they came from Iraq and wanted to go to Germany Albania is determined to curb illegal trafficking from its territory toward Western Europe. On Tuesday, the first bloody interception was recorded of Asian migrants attempting to cross the Albanian-Macedonian border illegally. Two Kurds from Iraq were wounded by shots fired by Albanian border guards near the village of Mirexh in the district of Peshkopi. Both were wounded by firearms and are currently being treated at Peshkopi hospital. On page 3 Asians in Vlorë some time ago

Refugees return, but only for new passports

Vlorë On page 3

Albania loses in Malta

FOOTBALL / The national team lost 2-1 last night Miloti levels the match, but only for a few minutes. A superb goal from 25 metres beats Bajko’s Red and Blacks FOOTBALL / The national team lost 2-1 last night Albania loses in Malta Miloti levels the match, but only for a few minutes. A superb goal from 25 metres beats Bajko’s Red and Blacks TIRANA - A superb goal—scored from 25 metres away—snatches from Albania the 1-1 draw it had held for many minutes in Malta. Late last night, Bajko’s national team returned defeated, but also applauded, to one of the most luxurious hotels in the capital, La Valletta, whose residents had been entertained for 90 minutes straight in a friendly match with the Balkan Red and Blacks. Meanwhile, Aurel Miloti—at the start of the second half—with a free kick had given the Albanians the prospect of a deserved draw. E. Laçi on page 3

Sulejman Mema is the new coach of SK “Tirana”

‘Earthquake’ on the White-and-Blue bench On page 3

The Round II adventure begins today in Laç

Albanian Cup On page 3

Teenagers escaped rape

Berat On page 5

Ceremony in honour of the martyrs

Shkodër On page 5

Former police chief on trial

GJIROKASTER - Before the judges, the former commander of the Kakavijë police. “Abuse of office” is the charge brought by the judges of the Military College.

Textile workers stage a one-hour warning strike

Berat, protest over the closure of two departments BERAT - The textile workers’ protest is escalating. As they had previously announced, the workers have launched a...

The first woman in the Meksi cabinet

Panariti replaces Brojka TIRANË - For the first time, the Meksi government will have a woman minister. Zana Panariti will head the sensitive portfolio of Industry, Trade and Transport. Pa-

The “Shqiponia” club is sued

Gjirokastër On page 3 Gjirokastër The “Shqiponia” club is sued On page 3

Qyteti “Studenti” seeks official status

Young people Qyteti “Studenti” seeks official status University residents propose a coordinating center for all the enterprises On page 5

The “Shqiponia” Club is sued

GJIROKASTER — Before the judges, the former police commander of Kakavijë: “He abused his office”—this is the charge formulated by the judges of the Military Court of Appeal against IK from Vlora, who was assigned to the post in October ’94. “Failure to take measures to block two Greek-plated tanker trucks that had crossed beyond the Albanian border”: the lawsuit was filed by the office of the court’s [unclear]. The lawyer’s intervention and his request that the charge be reclassified under the new Criminal Code, as well as the defendant’s rejection of the indictment, have led to the trial being postponed. On Wednesday, IK from Vlora appeared before the Military Court of Appeal, accused of abuse of office. In October ’94, he had been assigned as commander of Kakavijë. Meanwhile, the military prosecutor’s indictment was submitted, but the defendant did not accept it, raising his own objections: “The record of the seizure drawn up by the bailiffs and the police does not state that the vehicles were not to be allowed to leave the country. I don’t know when they left,” he said. The record states that “the police and customs shirk responsibility for guarding the vehicles.” Witnesses were called—the two bailiff’s office employees who had seized the vehicles on 26 October 94 and, two days later, transferred them to Vrisera to be kept there. Ra.Ko

One-hour warning strike

BERAT — The textile workers’ protest is continuing. As they had announced earlier, the workers have launched a one-hour strike to draw the attention of the local and central authorities to their demands. A few days ago, representatives of the Independent Union of the city’s well-known combine had handed a protest petition to the Prefect of Berat. On page 5

the Meksi cabinet

TIRANA — The Meksi government will have a female minister for the first time. Zana Panariti will head the sensitive Ministry of Industry, Trade and Transport. Panariti was appointed yesterday by President Sali Berisha himself to the important post, replacing Albert Brojka, who served as minister only briefly, until his election as head of the Democratic Party organization in the capital. The news was confirmed yesterday by official information channels. Panariti, 39, has thus become the protagonist of a “feminist” turning point in the country’s government.

In Moscow, they respond to Serreqi: “Do not interfere in Serbia’s affairs”

Following the Albanian reaction to the settlement of Krajina Serbs in Kosovo TIRANA — Russia comes to Serbia’s defense and attacks Albania. “The transfer of Serbian refugees from Krajina to Kosovo? This is a matter that concerns Serbia alone.” This was the substance of a statement reported yesterday by international news agencies, which a senior Russian official reportedly repeated yesterday after the meeting of Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi with the foreign ministers of the Security Council. That is not all. The anonymous statement—whose original source is the Russian agency Interfax, which does not name the senior Russian diplomat—says that Serreqi’s letter is “an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.” Harsh words, clearly at odds with the requests made by the head of Albanian diplomacy, as transmitted by the Russian agency. “Kosovo is an inseparable part of the Yugoslav Republic, and this attempt to call this principle into question is unacceptable and must be rejected,” the senior Russian diplomat is quoted as saying. Serbia’s “big brother” once again shows itself standing by Serbia, which is under attack from all sides. According to the same source, the Russian diplomat said that “Tirana’s position would be justified only if the authorities in Belgrade were implementing repressive measures against the Albanian population in Kosovo.” Moscow

Celebration

Tiranë

Albania... conclusion

On page 5

The great celebration of the Albanian language

Tirana On page 3 Tirana The great celebration of the Albanian language On page 3

Greek law will also protect Albanians in Greece

JUSTICE Greek law will also protect Albanians in Greece Convention signed in Tirana On page 3