Life imprisonment for Lleshi, Myftiu, Çela... Yesterday the prosecutor’s request. On Friday the court will make its final decision TIRANE - Life imprisonment for Aranit Çela, Zylyftar Ramizi, Haxhi Lleshi, Manush Myftiu and 25 years for Rrapi Mino, accused of crimes against humanity. This is what prosecutor Arjan Sulstarova requested yesterday. The prosecutor’s office has declared them guilty of the internments, of the expulsion of Albanian citizens for political reasons. Meanwhile, before presenting the indictment, prosecutor Sulstarova dropped the charge of genocide against Manush Myftiu, Aranit Çela and Rrapi Mino, leaving only the charge of crimes against humanity in force. The same had already been done during the judicial investigation with Zylyftar Ramizi. There were heated debates yesterday between the judges and the lawyers after the indictment was presented, as they tried at all costs to gain time, and this ended with the expulsion of Lleshi’s lawyer from the courtroom. On page 5 Cela, Ramizi and Mino listening to the indictment (photo: H. Pustina) Cela, Ramizi and Mino listening to the indictment (photo: H. Pustina)

A testimony in court TIRANE - "They asked me to work for the Sigurimi, to cross into Yugoslavia and kill there a man who was a commander called Akefin of Yugoslavia" - the man speaking is Rebuf Noka, a former political internee and prisoner, now director of the prison where those arrested for crimes against humanity are being held, and yesterday he testified in the trial against five former party leaders. Interned since a young age, he says that the State Security had tried to draw him into its network for an "important mission". On page 5

Brusca in handcuffs Italy, after a phone call POLIZIA On page 2

ELBASAN On page 5

TIRANE Maniac caught: abused child murder On page 5

DURRES Kulla: “Durrës Singapore of the Balkans” On page 3

But unrepaid loans have also increased sharply TIRANE - Albanian banks are swelling more and more with billions in deposits, while unrepaid loans continue to remain a highly worrying problem for them. Statistics from the Bank of Albania recorded in March of this year - compared with the end of 1995 - an increase in deposits of over 2 billion lek. But at almost the same pace, the amount of unrepaid loans has also increased at the counters of state banks by borrowers who are "ungrateful". BKT-ja On page 7

A few days before Sunday, the campaign’s balance sheet Confidence, speculation and optimism for the 26 May showdown TIRANE - Political parties have entered the fever of the electoral battle to exert influence, and just three days before the big test, the political subjects are lining up and scanning the coming day of 26 May. Movement and stratification, distribution and consolidation, safe areas and maps with a heterogeneous electorate. This is the picture developed in the offices of the political parties around the Albanian electorate that will determine Albania’s political fate for the years 2000. Parlamenti On page 3

History TIRANE - After almost 50 years, the books stolen from his library are returned. More than 50 encyclopedic volumes are now in the home of the son of the distinguished Albanian intellectual Ivanaj. It was a decision by the Tirana Municipality that forced the Albanian Telegraphic Agency to take valuable books off the old shelves and return them to their former owner. The world’s most renowned encyclopedias: Treccani, Larousse, the French one - dating from 1947 - had been seized during a Koça confiscation. There had been 20,000 volumes taken after his death and scattered according to ATSH assets across various institutions. Several dozen are still in the National Library, the Ministry of Agriculture or other ministries, while most appear to have vanished without leaving any trace. Koça had been a teacher of philosophy and the Italian language at the Gjirokastër lyceum, where he also taught Enver Hoxha. Perhaps that was also his misfortune, since after his death everything was confiscated from him and he was called an enemy of the people.

The exact number of voters is given Today the printing of the ballots ends TIRANE - The ballot-printing machine will "stop" working. For the elections in Albania, there are 2 million and 200 thousand voters, who will show which party will be crowned as the "ace" of Albanian politics. But 300 thousand extra ballots will also be sent to the Voting Centre Commissions. FLETEVOTIMI On page 3

Elbasan, the woman asks the authorities for help Angry with his mother: in a rage he burns down the house ELBASAN - He gets angry with his mother and burns down the house. It had been an argument between mother and son, which then caused the tragedy. He used gasoline as a weapon, which then led to the house being set on fire. The rare act of revenge happened a few days ago in Elbasan. L.K. had returned home and had asked to be sent urgently to Greece. But a completely ordinary delay had caused his anger. Now everything is gone. In what used to be called a house only the walls remain. No means and no way to feed themselves. Left in this condition, the poor mother has no choice but to turn to the state authorities and charity organizations for help. "Please help me, my son burned down our house and left us at the mercy of fate" - this is the plea of the woman named Liri, who, after being worn down and exhausted, hopes that this time someone will read it and put their hand on their heart to repair what her son destroyed.

On Thursday the winner will be chosen at Europark "The Songs of the Season" perform at "Rogner" TIRANE - The songs of the season descend on "Rogner". The Eurohotel built by the Austrian company in the heart of Tirana enters, for the first time, the history of Albanian light music. Shortly after the festival ends, Albania will decide with a setup in front of the pool, with a dazzling decor. On Wednesday? the remaining contestants from the selections and the finalists have signed off on their journey and, as the route extended beyond the state borders, it suddenly came close to Durrës as well Hotel "Rogner" On page 8

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Free for all readers. The price remains unchanged With "Gazeta" the supplement "Elections '96" Publication by journalism students ELECTIONS '96 Tirana decides the fate of all turning points Inside

that cooperates through joint venture with several foreign companies is interested in hiring a financial economist in the role of head of accounts. Requirements for the candidate: - Must have graduated from the Faculty of Economics. - Must have work experience in the field of finance. - Must know very well all procedures for keeping accounts according to Albanian law. - Must have experience in preparing balance sheets. - Must know the legal aspects related to financial procedures. - Must have organizational skills and initiative to act. Candidates who meet these conditions are welcome to submit their C.V. at the address: Albanian Observer Rr. "Perlat Rexhepi" Pall.9 Shk.1, Ap.4 Tirane. Tel. 274 19.