After five Albanian defeats, the men from Durrës discover success TIRANA - The Durrës side’s major European qualification at Tirana’s “Qemal Stafa”. ”Teuta” takes on Finland’s “TPS Turku” in the second-round match of the Cup Winners’ Cup. Vila, Koça and Bushi are the heroes of the huge victory, the first after five consecutive defeats by Albanian teams in European competition. On page 3 From yesterday’s match (photo: H. Pustina) From yesterday’s match (photo: H. Pustina)

Defense

REPORT The town one day after the tragedy Kuçovë, firefighters triumph over the flames KUÇOVË - Calm returns to Kuçovë. After two nights spent living under the threat of flames, the oil pipeline station struck by lightning appears to have been brought under control. The fear and terror of the fire, which had gripped workers and residents of the surrounding area since Tuesday afternoon, had dissipated by yesterday. By dawn on Thursday, firefighters brought in from many towns across the country had extinguished and put out the last flames rising above the oil reservoir. Now, the anxiety has given way to satisfaction at the gray wasteland created all around, and to the grim reminder of the death of the 44-year-old firefighter who was consumed by the flames. H. Tafa on page 5 The fire site on the second day

History KORÇË - The mysterious death of a Greek citizen residing in the city of Korçë. He fell from the terrace of the two-storey house where he lived with his wife and three children. The doctors at Korçë Hospital gave him immediate assistance, but the injury he had sustained to his aorta could not bring him out of danger. The police immediately began an investigation, but the most widely discussed version in recent days has been that he mysteriously slipped from the terrace of his house while feeding his dog. An accidental death: that is how it would be described not only by his relatives but also according to the diagnosis and the police investigation. One evening, the Greek citizen, who was still at the premises of the company where he carried out his business, went out onto the terrace to feed the dog. The Greek citizen had lived in Korçë for three years, initially as an employee of the Greek company “Gordon SA” and, for the past few months, conducting business as the owner of a new company he had founded himself. The accidental death of Korçë’s friend was followed by deep sorrow, not only among his family and relatives but also among many citizens of Korçë, as well as all the workers at his company, who paid their respects at the hospital and accompanied his body with great honor all the way to Kapshticë. He will also remain in the minds of Korçë’s citizens as one of the benefactors of this city. Elsa Koçiu

TIRANA—[?] in Albania, U.S. Secretary [of Defense?] Togo West paid a visit. He is the second senior American military official to come to Tirana to observe at close quarters the joint “Crystal Water” exercise taking place near the Albanian capital. His visit to Albania included a meeting with President Berisha and Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali, as well as talks with senior state officials. On page 3

TIRANA—They arrived in Tirana yesterday morning and immediately began meetings with the Albanian authorities. The delegation of Italian industrialists from the Bari area has thus begun a series of meetings that will culminate in the signing of a bilateral agreement. The document, which sets out the details of cooperation in various sectors of the economy, will be signed on Saturday at Rinas Airport: it had been scheduled for today but was postponed because of the unexpected absence of Labour Minister Dakli, who will return to Albania on Saturday. On page 3

Kursiv Reality GJIROKASTER - Songs, revelry and a desire to attract the attention of those inside. Three Roma seeking to charm the Greek Consulate’s diplomats in their city of Gjirokastër, who have become “prey” to their talent. More than just a desire, the singing and dancing of the Roma, now well known to the city’s residents, is a way of asking for something, perhaps a visa to travel to the neighboring country. And to achieve this, they are capable of doing anything: a real orchestra made up of a thoroughly Hellenic repertoire, the three tireless Roma continue their revelry until the late afternoon hours in front of the consulate. Hopes are high, from behind its curtains, a curtain that opens and closes again. The others, waiting to hear their names on the visa lists, enjoy listening to the Roma singing so beautifully, surrounded by a large crowd. And the refrain goes on and on; the next day everything starts all over again, and perhaps a new song can be heard. In any case, the refrain is the same for the Greek Consul. He is never left alone. Every morning the three Roma accompany him with the dances and songs of his country. “Who’s getting married?” is often what people say at this time, asking in surprise. But it is not a wedding; the Roma continue their work passionately, escorting the Greek diplomat to the airport and his office. Their exclamations and shouts—the music pauses for a moment—seem not to disturb at all the place from which visas are issued to the people waiting outside. They often tell someone that the talented Roma never fail to get a visa. And yet they are always there, in front of the consulate square, singing with their eyes fixed on the curtain that opens and closes again. Rajmond Kola

Teachers Tirana’s teachers are to start getting paid The reasons for the delay are unclear On page 5

EC project, funding close to 300 thousand dollars Telephones for prisoners too TIRANA—A telephone for prisoners. For the first time in Albania, at least one convicted person may “meet”—as we might say—their relatives, even if only through their voices. This rare initiative is, in fact, part of another revolution for Albanian prisons, involving the improvement of a model centre for attention reduction. An Italian company—which won the EC tender in Brussels—will soon launch a rare engineering project in Albania, supported by funding of nearly 300 thousand dollars. On page 3 Prison administration

ECONOMY

Kurds among the fans of