Consequences for Washington–Tirana relations?
After the American chief diplomat’s harsh statement, politicians give their views
Careful in their political positioning, the leaders of Albania’s parties analyze the future of relations between Tirana and Washington. Spahia: “The Americans will be convinced that the elections were free.” Opposition: “We expected this stance.”
TIRANA - Albanian politics reacts to the latest position taken by official Washington. The leaders of all Albanian parties comment on the substance of Kristofer’s position, while also discussing the future of relations between Tirana and the US. While the Democrats say the Americans should wait because “they will soon be given proof of the DP’s political integrity,” opposition leaders go further. Setting aside peripheral influences within the American administration, Albanian politicians believe that the ordinary American’s awareness of freedom and free elections lies at the heart of the position taken by American officials and leaders as well. Although the tones from the two Albanian political camps are diametrically opposed, their leaders are nevertheless cautious in describing the future of relations between Tirana and Washington in the coming months. While the opposition expresses a kind of h[o?]roscope, the ruling side is more optimistic.
On page 3
Greek prison files in Tirana: court begins review
No obstacle to extradition
Albanian prisoners in Greece
TIRANA - The “conversion” of the statements of Albanian prisoners in Greece has begun. The measures and statements given by the Greeks will now be converted in accordance with Albanian law. Two Tirana courts have examined the first three files concerning people convicted in Greece. Three young men have been resentenced by our judges. All three had been accused of theft and illegal border crossing and had been sentenced to 5–6 years. Our two judges imposed more lenient sentences for these offenses, since, according to our judges, our legislation provides for [sentences] for these offenses. Now, as far as the judges are concerned, there are no longer any obstacles to extraditing the prisoners. The court files will soon be sent to the Greek Ministry of Justice, which will then grant permission for extradition. Around 20 other files received from Greece are also awaiting retrial at the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office.
On page 5
DYNAMITE SEIZED
It had been stolen from a military depot
VLORË - Police seized 139 kilograms of dynamite, previously stolen from a military depot. Three people who were selling the explosive dynamite have ended up in [g[a?]li].
On page 5
Atlanta ’96
Michael Johnson’s “heavenly” 200-meter record: 19.32
He covered the distance in 98 strides and reached a speed of 45 kilometers per hour—figures from another world
ATLANTA - A magical evening at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta. From 02:30 to 02:50, 85,000 spectators cheer the spectacle put on by Perec and their idol Michael Johnson.
On page 7
“Renew yourselves so we can help you”
META IN ROME
“Renew yourselves so we can help you”
The “D'Alema” message to Albanian socialists
Shehu’s “yes” on the minority
“More Greek in schools”
TIRANA - A little more Greek in the schools of the south. In some of them, in Delvinë, Sarandë and Gjirokastër, new classes will also be established where the language of the neighboring country will be taught. The information came from the head of PBDNJ, Melo, after his meeting with the chairman of the DP, Tritan Shehu. “I got assurances from Shehu,” says Melo, according to whom the classes will start next week.
On page 3
Ilir Meta
Berat: parties did not pay the rents
On page 3
BERAT
Farewell to arms: now the military face trial
On page 5
KAVAJË
Nuns’ car overturns; 4 injured
On page 5
ELBASAN
Drinks without tax stamps: traders fined
On page 5
SPECTACLE
Albanian Ajku, star of Italian ballet
After five years of a career across the Adriatic, he is beginning a tour of the Apennine peninsula
On page 4
Former SS Priepke from prison to handcuffs
FROM THE WORLD
The court’s [?] revocation returned them to an [unintelligible] thing
On page 2
They broke into the shop for a bottle of cognac
“I stole only because I had nothing to drink that night”
The “generous” thief had been content with a little alcohol, just enough to get through the night
TIRANA - Arrested after breaking down the door of a bar. A very unusual thief has fallen into the hands of the police. He had not wanted to get rich, but simply to get through the night with a bottle of cognac and a packet. That was all B.M., 40, needed. Three days earlier, alone on the street at night, his best companions had been alcohol and tobacco. Apparently he had no money to buy them, so he had decided to get them by robbing a shop. A small kiosk, the kind whose display windows are filled with bottles of drinks and packets of cigarettes, had been his refuge. After opening the door, he took only two bottles from it, one of cognac and one [with] packets of cigarettes. A thief without “schemes.” But even this can land you in police custody—which, to his misfortune, happened in front of the 7–8 kiosks he had robbed. And B.M. was in court to learn the measure of the [gi[g?] rimit] against him. “I stole only because I wanted to drink [?] something that night. I didn’t steal for anything else,” he said before the judges, who released him on the condition that he continue reporting to the police.
Super crossword
On page 6
OFFICIAL LIST OF WINNING PRIZES OF THE DRAW No. 35 DATED 30.07.1996 OF THE ALBANIAN RED CROSS LOTTERY
Tickets ending in 36 win a prize of 500 lekë.
Tickets ending in 866 win a prize of 2,000 lekë.
Tickets ending in 8813 win a prize of 5,000 lekë.
Ticket number 7/4125 wins a prize of 50,000 lekë.
Ticket number 7/2408 wins a prize of 100,000 lekë.
Ticket number 6/3356 wins a prize of 250,000 lekë.
