In Tirana, an Italian professor. In the infectious diseases ward, a child is admitted to intensive care Poliomyelitis, Albanian girl dies Cikuli: “The spread of the virus is still unclear” TIRANA — Poliomyelitis has brought Albania serious shocks and challenges for the health system, and for the second time within a year it is appearing as fatal. Yesterday, a 13-year-old girl died at the children’s hospital; she had been affected by the disease. Hospital sources say the girl who lost her life had been hospitalized in the infectious diseases ward for about 11 days, but it was impossible to overcome the disease in its severe forms. Meanwhile, new cases with paralysis are appearing at the infectious diseases hospital, and the first suspicion is the presence of poliomyelitis. Doctors stress that the latest cases have not been accompanied by fever or other flu-like signs, but have come with an inability to move the limbs. Yesterday, an Italian professor sent by the WHO also arrived in the pediatrics facilities to help in the fight against this disease. According to Professor Cikuli, it is still unclear whether the virus has spread widely or whether the cases are isolated. Doctors have begun monitoring and isolating the suspected cases. Continued on page 5

Dialogue on local elections Tirana, “At the moment there is only interest. Concrete moves are expected after the arrival of the American envoy,” say diplomatic sources. If the formula of a “commission of the wise” is accepted, representatives of the government, the opposition and the mediators will meet this weekend in Tirana. Meanwhile, last Friday representatives of the left declared their disagreement with the creation of such a commission. According to them, the solution must come through political dialogue and not through intermediary structures. Continued on page 3 Jean Insulic

Mejdani, Islami, Ruka and Brokaj: Bençe’s candidacies Today the first meeting of the General Steering Committee is convened TIRANË — I will move it and the brocade scarf; but to claim that I am the one who will do this job without the others, I cannot. That was the response of Fatos Nano, given yesterday to the question of who will lead the socialist parliamentary group in the next parliament. According to the Socialist leader, all candidacies for the leadership posts will be discussed at the first meeting of the KPD, which is expected to be held today. In addition to well-known names such as Mejdani, Islami, Ruka and Brokaj, other figures are also mentioned. Arben Malaj is considered for the post of organizational secretary, while other names from the parliamentary group are also in the running. Continued on page 3

Meetings of officials with the EC TIRANË — The highest-ranking Albanian authority, in a calm voice, has expressed the need to continue political talks. According to him, the climate of inter-party relations must improve and the path of compromise remains essential. In this context, new consultations with European institutions are also expected. Continued on page 3 Lindberg of the EC

Shkodër Gramophones, a real war in the family From the world Oslo, plane explodes, 143 dead APORIOT [?] TIRANE — A few hours after the death of a 4-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, allegedly caused by poliomyelitis, yesterday in Tirana arrived a delegation of foreign doctors to verify the presence of this virus and to provide the necessary help for Albanian medicine. Heading the delegation is an Italian professor, who came at the invitation of the WHO. On board the “Aeroflot” airline plane, flying toward northern Norway, there were 141 people. The plane exploded moments after takeoff and only a few passengers managed to survive. According to the first reports, the number of victims is very high. Continued on page 5 The crashed airplane

EVENTS IN VOSKOPOJË Those responsible for the icon massacre are arrested Janullatos asks the government for ownership of the churches TIRANË — The perpetrators of the icon massacre in Voskopoje are arrested, five others in Muranë. Several other suspects have also been taken in. In parallel with this, Archbishop Janullatos is asking the government for ownership of the churches. According to him, the Orthodox faith should administer its own places of worship. The issue has sparked controversy and political reactions. Continued on page 4

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