The lek is starting to raise its head again: foreign currencies are wobbling before it. Yesterday the money market opened with the dollar’s surprising devaluation. Yesterday the domestic currency was significantly revalued. What will happen in the coming months? Drastic devaluation of the dollar Luniku: “Even in ’96 the lek will be stable” TIRANA - Another shock in the free currency market; this time the losers have been the US dollar and other foreign currencies. Yesterday for sale[u]se 60 points less than in previous days. The Governor of the Bank of Albania expressed to Gazeta Shqiptare his optimism about the stability of the Albanian currency in the months ahead. Yesterday morning the money market opened with a drastic and unexpected devaluation of the dollar that surprised the exchange dealers. They say demand for foreign currency suddenly rose and the atmosphere began to be dominated by the now well-known saying: 112.50 lekë the price of the USD was reduced to 111.00 lekë, then rose slightly at midday to 113.00 lekë. Meanwhile, it is learned that in exchange markets in the districts the devaluation of the dollar has been even deeper. On page 3 The lek is starting to raise its head again: foreign currencies are wobbling before it. Yesterday the money market opened with the surprising devaluation of the dollar.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE / Italy celebrates Juve, queen of European football Ajax’s greatness is broken From our correspondent in Rome Dritan Lundra Penalties give the trophy to Lippi’s team. Tears of joy for the Italians. Disappointment for the 21,000 Dutch fans. Their team, sitting in the penalty shootout, is forced to accept defeat Rome was the center of the world last night. More than 120 countries broadcast the match. Everything surrounding the game before and after it. Interviews, figures and curiosities about the great final On page 6

KRUJE Milk poisoning: a family in hospital On page 5

BERAT Con artist tricks trader with counterfeit drachmas On page 5

TIRANA Illegal communists remain in prison On page 5

FIER Burst of automatic gunfire at businessman On page 5

Rally without sound system and lights at the Sports Palace. PS protests Durrës, blockade against the Socialists The blocked road and clashes with supporters DURRES- The incident with the Socialists. The Škodra scenario was repeated in almost the same way, but this time in Durrës, and it escalated into clashes. Around 100 people with cars and pressure blocked the entrance to the Socialist movement in the city of Durrës in the afternoon. The encirclement of the rallies made it impossible for this political formation to pass, forcing the police to turn back. The city committee officials from the chief of police station went through the port to reach the Sports Palace where the Socialist meeting had been scheduled. On page 3 More than 100 people attacked the Durrës Socialists at the rally

Pogradec, driver dies, 10 others in hospital Tragedy on a bus Car crashes into 25 people POGRADEC- Road tragedy, one dead and many others seriously injured, including two children aged 9 and 10. After a technical fault, a makeshift bus crashed into a high-voltage power line pole, and then it tipped over, crushing the bus full of passengers underneath. The bus driver died on the spot, while two of the seriously injured were urgently taken to hospitals in the capital; the others continue to receive treatment at the hospital in Pogradec. On page 5

SPECIAL / “Këngët e Stinës '96” Final preparations at “Rogner” (photo: H. Pustina) Today the most beautiful song of spring is crowned On page 7 Final preparations at “Rogner” (photo: H. Pustina)

The government approves the creation of the National Committee. The Deputy Prime Minister will head it. All information on drugs will pass through this center TIRANA - The state is now mobilizing against drugs. Soon in Albania a legal institution will be established to oversee the sectors that will deal with the study of the drug problem. On page 5

GSM begins operating in the capital and will later cover Albania The mobile phone will ring in Tirana Now the inauguration of the new telephone network TIRANA - The mobile phone will ring in Tirana these days. Work to complete the GSM network is approaching its second phase, with the operational network in Tirana now being finished. Soon the mobile phone will be heard from Koplik to Himara and beyond. With funding from the Albanian government, the project began in December ’95 and this May day the operational network in the capital is being inaugurated. Currently the number of subscribers is 8,000 and will rise to 50,000. This project is expected to cover the needs of half the population. In December 1996 work will be carried out on the Elbasan-Librazhd-Prrenjas-Pogradec-Korçë-Kapshticë lines and at the same time on the Ballsh-Tepelenë-Gjirokastër-Kakavijë-Sarandë expansion. Also on the list are public telephones with magnetic cards in private premises, chips [?]. For those who aim higher, the mobile phone also promises INTER-NET. The devices will have a secure power supply, lines from two different directions, batteries with a duration of 14 hours, as well as a 250 kVA generator set with automatic start and stop.

From the World Karachay issue: a new embargo? On page 2

A new SLOT-machine hall has opened on the first floor of the Palace of Culture in Tirana. 21 new-type slot machines are waiting for you to make it very easy to win. (Magic Cards, Crazy Seven, 5x5) The prizes that can be won are maximum. THIS HALL OFFERS YOU THE POSSIBILITY TO PLAY ON TWO MACHINES FREE OF CHARGE !!! Hours: 09.00 to 04.00.