Massive fraud involving bottles of oil: 120 tons seized

Produced locally, sold as Bulgarian A large-scale fraud has been uncovered by inspectors from the Food Directorate. A full 120 tons of oil arriving from Bulgaria have been caught up in the seizure operation. The bottles were filled with 100 milliliters less than the quantity stated on the label. But the most important fact is that, although it had been prepared to be put on the market as salad oil, it turned out that the entire quantity was vegetable oil, which had to undergo several heat-treatment processes to reach a level suitable for consumption. The matter of its seizure has also entered the diplomatic sphere. The Inspection Directorate has held a meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian Embassy, which was also accompanied by a verbal note. “A barrier must be put in the way of food products that are not transported and sold in accordance with the rules.” On page 7

USA: “Those elections are not enough”

As the parties are invited to Strasbourg Berisha decrees: the new Parliament will begin work on 1 July New developments in Albania’s post-election climate. A statement received yesterday from the USA says that the 16 June elections are considered insufficient. Official Washington has called for “finding a solution in the circumstances that have arisen.” European chancelleries are also seeking such a solution. Yesterday, an official invitation arrived from the Council of Europe for the leaders of Albanian politics to meet at its headquarters to begin a dialogue that should continue in Tirana. Amid these developments, Albanians also learned yesterday the starting date for the new Parliament. A presidential decree sets 1 July as its first day. The parties are still waiting to learn the respective proportional representation results. Interesting developments are also expected on this front, which appears likely to become clear after the official figures are released by the Central Commission. On page 3

Will the leadership change?

SP prepares its congress: the second phase begins The SP is expected to hold its Second Congress in September, which is also thought to be a congress of major changes within the largest opposition party. On page 3

Tension again in Kosovo

AROUND PODUJEVO . A campaign of arrests and mistreatment of Albanians following the killing of a Serbian police officer. The situation is also worsening in the area around Mitrovica. The LDK calls for calm.

“The internments were the Security Service’s fault”

ANTI-GENOCIDE “The internments were the Security Service’s fault” Today, the six accused will have the final word The six accused of crimes against humanity defended themselves before the judges yesterday. “The one responsible for the internments is [?]

Italy crash out, the Czechs rejoice

EURO ’96

Crackdown on cannabis sativa

BERAT On page 5

Today, the final word from the six accused

The six people yesterday. “Communism is to blame for the internments, but we did not bring communism to Albania”—that is what they said yesterday. The final hearing reignited once again the mutual accusations among former senior officials. The former first secretaries of the party in the districts accused the State Security yesterday of drawing up the lists and proposing people for internment. Just a few weeks ago, during his defense, it had been the former head of State Security, Ramizi, who had declared that proposals for internees were made by the first secretaries of the districts, while State Security merely checked those lists for its collaborators. Today will be the final word and perhaps the judges’ decision. On page 5 From the Anti-Genocide trial

Hysi: “I signed without knowing”

Case files Vladimir Hysi, the former Minister of the Interior, will remain in prison despite his request to the judges to change the remand measure. He is accused of destroying the ministry’s secret documents and, according to what he has stated, he told the judges that he himself had signed an order on the basis of which the prosecution claims secret materials were eliminated, but that he signed it without being fully aware of the situation, since he had been minister for only five days. On page 5

The Czechs rejoice

Germany–Croatia and Portugal–Czech Republic were the final pairings decided by last night’s matches. The Italians have mostly packed their bags, while the former champions Denmark have been knocked out early. Although Germany did not win, it dealt Italy a severe blow. An elimination that was the equivalent of a final for Berti Vogts’s men in white. Portugal finished top of the group with its win against Croatia. The Croatian coach, Blazeviç, also got his wish; he had said he would like to play Germany in the quarter-finals. The wish was twofold. For his part, Portuguese coach Oliveira was also pleased that fate had not paired him with Germany. Mr. Sachi under fire. He will leave. “Everything is going through my mind at this moment, but leaving the national team is the one thing that isn’t.” The blame for the elimination. Of course, everyone has bad days in life. Last night certainly wasn’t one of them. “The players played well and do not deserve to be disqualified.” But that is not how it stands. On page 6 The Czechs celebrate their qualification (REUTERS)

Krabë–Elbasan on three bearings

Up the mountain by car and back by cart ELBASAN — On a bearing-powered cart from Qafa e Kërrabës to Elbasan. It is not some new means of transport invented for emergencies, but the classic children’s toy that has reappeared in recent days on the Tirana–Elbasan highway. From the city of Elbasan, the little ones ride by car as far as the end of the climb. Here their adventure begins. Riding their “car,” they travel the entire downhill stretch through the olive groves to the Metallurgical Complex. A plank and three bearings—that is the vehicle they climb onto and use to experience the thrill of speeding down such a mountain. For their children, as well as the city’s adults, this road has become the “fuel” that gets these little ones’ cars moving; they race down from above. The children of Elbasan have found a completely original way to experience the pleasure of travelling in cars made of planks. To get to the place where this game begins, the little ones travel in groups with their carts, on buses and trucks. In the morning, after meeting their friends, they take their own cars and set off on an adventure that from time to time turns into a race. They climb onto the planks, brace their feet against the cart and, once they have gained momentum on the “slope,” let themselves go downhill, gripping their carts as if they were mountain-skiing champions. (me.k)

Ammunition on the market: one arrested

12,000 rounds seized Even ammunition was being sold at Tirana’s largest market. The police discovered it three days ago, while another trader had it among his other goods. They seized 2,410 rounds for hunting guns. The police then detained the supplier, who was bringing them from Turkey for sale, and seized another 11,000 rounds. The young man was arrested by the judges. On page 5

Against cannabis sativa

TIRANA Meksi: “Discipline is needed” On page 3 KOPLIK Arms trafficker sentenced On page 5 BERAT A wave of thefts hits the gardens On page 5