“They unloaded the goods in transit”
Forgery, a storm at the customs offices
14 people dismissed
TIRANË - A storm is raging in Albanian Customs. The General Directorate has dismissed 14 employees at the Durrës and Safiana checkpoints, while five administrative officials have been transferred from their posts, with another expected to follow. The reason for this newly launched reform has not yet been confirmed, but the dismissal of the 14 customs officers is attributed to the falsification of international transit documents. Four months ago, six trucks carrying coffee and four carrying household electrical appliances were due to enter Albania. According to the documents, the goods were in transit, coming from Italy and destined to pass through to Macedonia. In fact, however, the trucks were unloaded in the country, while only the paperwork reached the border.
On page 5
The new Parliament, 18 opposition members
The proportional system gives seats to Godo and Melo
Yesterday’s final results: PD 122 seats, PS 10, PBDNJ and PR 3, Balli 2
TIRANË - Albania now knows the composition of its Parliament. All 140 seats for members of parliament from the four political parties have thus been filled. An additional 25 candidates will enter through the proportional system, from the offices of the Central Commission. 17 seats for PD, 5 for PS, and one each for PR, PBK and PBDNJ. This is the prize the parties secured at the end of an electoral battle that had winners and losers. For the first time, Balli Kombëtar will have its own members of parliament. The Republicans and Melo of PBDNJ have also secured their ticket to Parliament. Meanwhile, the 17 Democratic candidates who will enter through the proportional system are not yet known. PD is the only party that did not apply a ranking system, but will bring in its most reputable people from the multi-member list. PS will have ten empty seats. The major opposition party remains faithful to its political stance following the afternoon of 26 May: boycotting and not participating in Parliament. No candidate manages to secure a seat for PD, PSD, PDK, PBDNJ, etc. Meanwhile, initial preparations have begun in the Parliament’s main chamber. New names on the chamber’s central display, new ballot papers, as well as the latest checks on the chamber’s lighting and computer system.
On page 3
EUROPEAN RESOLUTION
Opposing reactions from the political parties
A “battle” between Albanian political parties following the arrival in Tiranë of the European Parliament’s Resolution. The opposition is pleased with the resolution and expresses optimism about the future of its objectives, while PD appears calm and confident in what it has achieved.
On page 3
KLA: “We killed the Serbian policeman”
THE SIEGE IN KOSOVO
TIRANË - Those responsible for the attack on the policeman in Mitrovica have come forward. According to the much-discussed BBC, the attack has been claimed by a now-familiar name: the Kosovo Liberation Army, a militant organization that relies heavily on guerrilla warfare to achieve the objectives of the majority of Kosovars.
On page 2
Closed-door meeting of the CoE on Monday
The issue of the elections of 26 May in the Assembly
OSCE clarifies: “Only one delegation called for full elections”
TIRANË - A closed-door meeting of the Political Committee of the Council of Europe on the issue of the elections. On Monday, in the presence of…
Cannabis field: police in action
VLORA
On page 5
Victim
KAVAJA
Election issue at the Assembly on Wednesday
TIRANA - A closed-door meeting of the Political Commission elections. On Monday, with the participation of the Albanian political parties, the situation that has arisen and the political crisis following May 26 will be discussed, after the opposition boycotted the vote and allegations of manipulation were made. Then, on Wednesday, the election issue will be brought before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which will also issue a special resolution to be adopted after all the deputies have voted. The OSCE has also clarified that “the statement made a few days ago that the possibility of holding full elections was under consideration was merely a request by one country’s delegation, since other delegations requested assistance in opening political dialogue between the Albanian government and the opposition.”
On page 3
Berisha: “The PS is the cause of the incidents”
TIRANA - During his stay in Crans-Montana, President Berisha met with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Flavio Cotti. Berisha gave an overview of the situation that arose after the night of May 26, when the left-wing opposition abandoned the polling stations. The President implied that the socialists, who decided to boycott not only the elections but also the institutions of the rule of law, were responsible for the incidents.
On page 3
must be paid for”
TIRANA - “Park, Naturally, the introduction of this “tax” is temporary and is designated as a responsibility of the municipal council. It involves paying a certain sum in lek if you park your car on the capital’s streets, in the parking spaces designated by the Municipality. Thus, according to the newly approved decision, a set amount will be charged per hour for cars, buses, trucks, vans, motorcycles, minibuses and every other vehicle. Municipal officials have not yet disclosed all the parking rates, but—based on the initial information—taxi drivers will have to pay 20 lek per hour, cars with yellow plates 10 lek, and private cars 30 lek. Nevertheless, this decision is still at an early stage. It will begin to be implemented once the Municipality draws up a list of parking spaces throughout Tirana, which is expected to be published soon. It is also envisaged that a special police force will operate to collect these taxes and monitor the situation. It seems that what has existed for a long time in Western countries will also be introduced in the capital. Although not automated...
(ar. ç.a.)
police in action
On page 5
KAVAJA
Victim of the heat: pensioner drowns
On page 5
TIRANA
“Fake detergent is being sold”
On page 5
ENTERTAINMENT Gigi Sabani under house arrest
ENTERTAINMENT
Gigi Sabani under house arrest
The well-known Italian presenter is accused of inciting prostitution.
On page 4
FEATURE “Help us to live”
FEATURE
“Help us to live”
The Lusha family from Kukës is asking for help with rebuilding the sheds and the family car.
On page 3
Heart attack after the Italians’ defeat
EURO ’96
Heart attack after the Italians’ defeat
Gjirokastër, a fan victim of passion
GJIROKASTËR — The German footballers nearly killed a citizen in Gjirokastër. “If anything happens to me, goalkeeper Koepke will be to blame,” the “victim” of this [unclear] had said before the 90 fatal minutes for the Azzurri. He had even been almost prophetic when he simultaneously predicted that if Italy won on penalties, it would lose the game. And, unfortunately, that is what happened, and the Italians fell into a paranoid crisis.
The [unclear] match against Italy and its elimination from the European Championship nearly cost the life of 33-year-old K. Ç., from Gjirokastër, a businessman and married, after three [unclear] years; he suffered a heart crisis, a drop in blood pressure and physical [distress]... According to the doctors at a [unclear] facility, K. Ç. had lost... K. Ç. was lying... “Sacchi, you’ll answer for everything,” the fan said, seeing another culprit in the Italian coach for the “disaster.”
He, however, had not agreed to bet on the match, but that did not console him. After several days without leaving his home, he found another person to blame for Italy’s failure, and he too is a football coach. This is the former manager of “Shqiponja,” who, speaking metaphorically, commented for Antena television from Gjirokastër: “Only that one on screen is supposedly...”
Allin Petro
The next showdown: England are favorites
France now has its sights set on Wembley
On page 7
Super Crossword
On page 6
Berisha:
“The PS is
Municipal decision
“Parking on the streets must now be paid for”
TIRANA—“Park, but you’ll have to pay.”
This is the latest tax imposed by the Municipality of Tirana on all vehicle drivers. Naturally, this “tariff” is temporary and falls under the authority of the municipal council. It concerns paying a sum of lek…
General Tax Department
announces that
on July 1, 1996, the value added tax (VAT) will come into effect. All entities with an annual turnover of 2 million lekë or more must register at the Tax Offices (VAT Section) by June 30, 1996.
All importers and exporters must register regardless of their annual turnover. No customs transaction can be carried out without the new registration certificate.
General Tax Department
July 1, 1996: VAT will be introduced in Albania.
All diplomatic missions, international organizations, and organizations recognized as charities by the government must register for VAT exemption purposes at the Tirana Tax Offices.
You should not pay VAT on your imports, but after July 1, you should present your “VAT Registration Certificate” to the customs offices.
