Hope from Rome Scalfaro in Tirana today TIRANA - An Albania that is firmly looking toward integration into European structures and seeking an optimal solution for emigrants and the refugee problem: this is the picture that Italian President Scalfaro will find in Tirana. Invited by Berisha, with whom he will also hold his principal meeting, the number one of the country with which Albania has now set out on the path toward association with the EU arrives in Tirana just two days before the elections to be held in Italy. Albania’s aspirations will be reiterated today to President Scalfaro by the country’s highest authorities. His arrival—one month ago, Foreign Minister Susanna Agnelli had been in Tirana—returns Berisha’s visit to Rome in October. At that time, an agreement of friendship and other cooperation agreements in various sectors were signed. Among them was an agreement on controlling migration flows and the possibility of organizing seasonal employment. From October until now, numerous meetings have been held between the two sides at various levels to fully implement these agreements. Tirana hopes for Italy’s support within the European Union as well, so that ties can be strengthened up to the signing of the association agreement. And the neighbors, who currently hold the EU presidency, seem ready to provide their assistance and reach the conclusion of the agreement by June. In Albania’s favor, the Italian presidency has exerted its influence so that, alongside the traditional sectors of economic and trade cooperation, political cooperation will also be included in the EU treaty. TIRANA - An Albanian looking firmly toward integration into European structures...

$340,000 taken from the vault Armed bandits attack at midday and injure two people: a police officer and a female employee The robbers fled in a van with foreign plates, leaving behind a burst of automatic-gun fire. The vehicle was found a few kilometers away, abandoned and burned to a shell VLORA - A Hollywood movie scenario in Vlora. Yesterday at midday, an armed “commando” attacked and robbed the National Bank branch. A burst of automatic-gun fire, two injured—a police officer and a female employee—and hundreds of millions of lekë and foreign currency stolen. This is the tragic tally of the robbery—also the most spectacular theft—while police have begun pursuing the criminals. The extraordinary incident took place yesterday at midday in the city of Vlora. Five masked men armed with automatic weapons arrived at the bank doors in a “Renault”-type van. They got out and managed to enter the bank’s room without encountering resistance. The surprise and speed of their actions were followed by the panic and terror of the first moments: the criminals fired a burst from their automatic weapons at the cash counter. On page 5

A sip of water leads to the altar ELBASAN - He had not yet decided to get married, even though he was 30, and thought he should turn to a man of God. A citizen from Elbasan, advised by his mother as well, went to the mosque. The hoxha agreed to help him. But at the last moment, the 30-year-old did not “follow” his advice. And the “elixir of love” the hoxha gave him, he gave to his younger beloved. And the miracle happened. After staying in Greece for two months, he announced that he had found the woman of his life: he had married a beautiful granddaughter of Odysseus. The unusual incident happened some time ago in Elbasan. A mother, worried about her 30-year-old son’s decision to marry, advised him to seek help from the hoxha. The two went to the mosque and, after explaining their problem, learned that they could have hope. The hoxha gave them a bottle of water, after reciting some verses. He took the water of hope home with him, but right there the 30-year-old “fatefully” changed his mind and attitude toward the sacred magic. Generously, he gave it to the younger girl—he was only 24—and told her to drink the water “because it will do you good.” The younger one did not hesitate and drank it eagerly, perhaps without really knowing what she was doing. The next day, they said goodbye to the people at home and he set off for Greece without again thinking about the great surprise fate had in store for him. Just two months after he had set foot on Greek soil, he was struck by the great wound of love’s arrow. Not only that, but the same “wound” had also disturbed the sleep of a beautiful Greek woman. And then a phone call, perhaps even more unexpected given the circumstances in which it happened, made his relatives in Albania happy. “Mother, I’m going to marry a Greek woman.” The love elixir blessed by the hoxha had not been slow to “show” that life is full of unexpected “traps.” It is also not known what his brother thought after that phone call. Perhaps he should go back to the mosque and secure a Greek visa. Fate or coincidence? Anyone can believe whatever they want. Bledar Starova

Prosecutor’s Office: “We’ll provide you with a telephone and fax in your cell” The court will decide today on the three traders accused in the $2.5 million pyramid scheme Thousands of people are anxiously waiting for their money to be returned

Fier, head of “Kadiu” fled to Turkey Company seized

Local appointments become the bone of contention Election Commission On page 3

13 politicians in the Court of Cassation TIRANA - The list of defendants to be tried has been sent to the Court of Cassation. On Monday, the highest-ranking judges will begin examining their disqualification from the right to stand for election. This is thus the last hope for the “listeners” of the next parliament. On page 3

TIRANA - Telekom bids farewell to its founder, who died two days ago at the age of 68. All the employees of the postal and telecommunications services extend their deepest respect and fondest memories to Ibrahim Gila. At the head of the General Directorate of PT in 1973, he accompanied the history and development of Albania’s communications system. In 1991–92 he was the central figure in the organization set up at that time by the Post Office and the Office of the special work system.

SPORT From the “Rapid” - “Feyenoord” match, 3–0 (REUTERS) Cup Winners’ Cup finalists determined “Paris” SG - “Rapid” Wien On page 7

Fier, head of “Kadiu” fled to Turkey They had collected nearly 400,000 dollars and then disappeared without a trace Thousands of dollars’ worth of goods seized after the money had not been returned to people. Nevertheless, for the “Kadiu” company in Fier, many names from the enforcement office do not amount to even a record of what it had collected to repay with interest: 400,000 dollars are owed. On page 5

A tour of Tirana’s hotels On page 7

“Order of the Nation” for Sabato, Kodra, Kadarene TIRANA - Saturday brought the distinguished guests together in Tirana. The “Kadare” Prize will bring its winner, the writer Ernesto Sabato, and, for the first time, the painter Ibrahim Kodra. Meanwhile, another European dignitary, Raymond Weber, Director of Culture and Sport at the Council of Europe, has sent his greetings, praising Kadare as the figure who made Albania—an isolated country—known to the world, and the writing that he is presenting to Sabato. A surprise awaits them on Saturday. President Berisha will award the Order of the “Nderi i Kombit” (“Honor of the Nation”), being awarded for the first time in our country, to Sabato, the famous Argentine writer whose origins lie in the Land of the Eagles. He receives the “Kadare” Prize for 1995, although its forthcoming presentation was postponed precisely until the spring of ’96. Ibrahim Kodra, in addition to attending the “Kadare” Prize ceremony, will also celebrate his birthday in the capital of his homeland. A packed program of receptions and visits has also been planned for the dignitaries, to acquaint them with the country they have been unable to set foot in for many years. al.ma. Weber and Kadare

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