Deputy Minister Shehu states: "The attack has a clear political motive." Investigations along an Italian trail denied The identikit turns the plane back to Rinas "Albanian Airlines" flight interrupted. A suspect on board The identikit halts the flight of the "Albanian Airlines" plane. The plane, which took off yesterday at around ten o’clock, flying from Tirana to Italy, made a circle in the air and landed again on the runway at Rinas. From the airport control tower, the police had radioed a warning that a suspicious person had boarded the plane. On page 5 Identikit

On page 5

TIRANA—After having “touched” the sky, cigarette prices are lowering their heads again. New consignments of tobacco heading toward the Albanian borders Cigarettes lower their "heads" Prices begin to fall TIRANA—After having "touched" the sky, cigarette prices are lowering their heads again. As of yesterday, packs of various brands have returned to their previous prices. After a month or so—they had risen in price by as much as 40 percent—the arrival of supplies from Greece appears set to stabilize the cigarette market. The return to the previous level was noticed yesterday. At sales outlets, most cigarette packs have undergone a significant "devaluation." Thus, the currently most popular pack, L&M, was sold wholesale for 53 lekë and retail for 60 lekë. On page 3

TIRANA—France promises

Socialist leader responds to the accusations PS: “Serbian funding? Let them inspect us” TIRANA - PS has once again rejected the harsh accusations directed at it concerning Serbian funding. Through its deputy chairman, Servet Pëllumbi, the Albanian socialists have chosen to respond to the accusations with counter-accusations, even appealing that “they are open to having their finances inspected.” Two months ago, the socialists were denounced as beneficiaries of funding from Serbia, a claim they vigorously rejected. On page 3 PS headquarters

SARANDË

TIRANA - France promises to continue helping Albania. This was the message brought to Tirana by yesterday’s visit of the president of the French Senate, Rene Monori. Mr. Monori also addressed the Albanian People’s Assembly in the afternoon, while President Berisha had also arrived in its chamber. Parliamentary Speaker Arbnori stressed that it was the democratic transition that transformed the country and brought about the development and expansion of political, parliamentary, economic and cultural relations between Albania and France. Arbnori described French support for our country in the Council of Europe as extremely important, and especially its contribution to achieving peace in Bosnia and preventing its spread in the region. The Albanian parliamentary speaker expressed optimism about France’s role in resolving the Kosovo issue. The president of the French Senate, Rene Monori, delivered to the Albanian parliament a message from President Zhak Shirak, conveying his profound interest in the quality of Franco-Albanian relations. Shirak expressed France’s support for efforts to build a market economy and a state governed by the rule of law. Nearly 3,000 tons of wheat in humanitarian aid, the agreement concerning Albanian gold bullion, and support for the start of negotiations on a European agreement with Albania are among the initiatives France is offering Albania. The president of the French Senate was also accompanied on his visit to Tirana by the friendship group with Albania in the Senate.

From around the world Air tragedy in Peru On page 3 All 117 passengers die. The second such incident in the Latin American country

But exports are growing faster than imports TIRANA - Albania continues to spend far more foreign currency buying goods in world markets than it earns from exporting its products. Official statistics report a trade deficit of around 30 billion lek from transactions carried out during 1995, although exports increased at a faster rate than imports. On page 3

On page 5

Illegal photographs of Hoxha at school On page 5

The village merchant’s thief is sentenced On page 5

SPECTACLE Today, the key to closing the pentagrams The weekend expects a considerable number of audiocassettes On page 7 Gjoka and Shehu (photo: H. Pustina)

TIRANA — The “Gabi” company’s “warehouses” are robbed. Not even the shacks where the old clothes had been stored have escaped the thefts. The police, as in every theft, after being informed by the owners of these shacks, began looking for the thieves. Just a few days later, the sacks filled with old clothes were recovered, while the thieves were arrested. The three suspects—A. Xhafa, G. Mega, and G. Abxhiu, who had attacked the place where the clothes were kept—were arrested the day before yesterday and are being held accountable for this theft. Also targeted by the thieves were the shacks where the old clothes were kept The “Gabi” company’s “warehouse” is robbed Police have arrested the three thieves TIRANA — The “warehouses” of the “Gabi” company have been robbed. Not even the shacks where the old clothes had been stored escaped the thefts. And the police, as in every theft, after being informed by the owners of these shacks, began looking for the thieves. Just a few days later, the sacks filled with old clothes were recovered, while the thieves were arrested. There are three suspects: A. Xhafa, G. Mega, and G. Abxhiu, who had attacked the place where the clothes were kept, were arrested the day before yesterday and are being held accountable for this theft. Every day, dozens of people, perhaps those who are often called Roma, load carts pulled by horses and head for the many markets in Tirana and other cities. These are old, second-hand clothes, which they receive free of charge from neighboring countries. At first people were hesitant, but now it is quite normal, since hundreds of citizens go to choose from their stock, at very low prices, so no one would think of stealing them. But that was not entirely the case. Someone, thinking they might make at least a little profit, attacked one of the many shack-warehouses, from which everyone has bought something, some more and some less. (me.ki)

On page 6 Exports grow faster than imports

On page 6

On page 3