Ulqini: “Nothing to correct the inaccuracies”
Socialists report 22 names of deceased people on Tirana’s lists
“Also included on the lists are 449 people who are outside Albania. 81 names have been registered twice on the lists published so far in the capital by the Municipality”
TIRANA - The Socialist Party warns: “So far, 22 deceased people, many people listed twice, and 449 people who have left Albania have been registered on the lists.” For the first time, the Socialist Party’s offices in the capital have sounded a grave alarm over their concern about “the major manipulation taking place with the election lists.” The chairman of the Socialist Party of Tirana, Musa Ulqini, told the Gazette that “yesterday’s figures have sharply raised the curve of the major manipulation that has been going on for nearly [?]”. The Socialists have lodged protests with the Central Election Commission and the Municipality’s Electoral Commission. But according to Ulqini’s observations, “nothing has changed.” “What will all the Socialists do if they encounter the same facts, which they describe as ‘a violation of a free and democratic voting process’?” Ulqini responds from his home: “Meetings and protests with the international representatives currently in Albania, and with those who will come to observe the Local Government Elections.”
On page 3
The seal of the SP
Ceka at the Constitutional Court: Sentencing proceedings postponed
The German politician also escapes trial
“Striking teachers must not be paid”
Minister Lulja’s directive
Unions: “The letter has reached the districts”
TIRANA - A directive from the Ministry of Education has been sent to all districts of Albania, strictly stopping daily pay for all teachers participating in the strike across the territory [?]. This has been confirmed by the district education directorates. Meanwhile, the Independent Trade Unions are preparing another strike, to be announced after the elections and to last two days. “A proposal has been made at the central level for the next protest to last two days. Naturally, this concerns the period after October 20, when the strike will not be considered illegal.” This is the unions’ response. The Vlora Education Directorate says that “the letter from the Minister of Education is an ultimatum, describing the strike as harmful to the teaching process.” On the other hand, the district education union has responded by immediately sending a covering letter to the Ministry and the Union, requesting that this order—which has caused no small amount of concern among teachers, whose pay is among the lowest of the population categories—be withdrawn.
UNION OF INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS OF ALBANIA
The seal of BSPSH
Berisha introduces Brojka to the youth
Sentencing proceedings postponed
Neritan Ceka
TIRANA - A [T[rans?]is] of court proceedings postponed for Ceka. The PAD leader was handed yet another postponed case yesterday by the Constitutional Court. “A sentence of one to three years is unconstitutional,” Ceka had written in his lawsuits addressed to this court. “We need time to consider such a matter,” was the Constitutional Court judges’ “quick” response. The Constitutional Court chose not to set a date for another hearing to deliver its ruling.
On page 3
Deadline for proceedings: inspection at the court
TIRANA - An inspection is under way at the Tirana court to check compliance with trial deadlines. In recent days, the Ministry of Justice has begun an inspection of all the judges’ offices; the preliminary findings have not yet been made public. Among other things, the Code of Procedure sets out the legal deadlines within which court proceedings must be concluded. On numerous occasions, dozens of citizens have complained about lengthy delays at the courthouse in the consideration of their lawsuits concerning various issues. Meanwhile, the judges themselves have said that the delays are caused by witnesses, plaintiffs and defendants failing to appear. In any case, the latest inspection at the court has been launched to see how far the trial deadlines prescribed by law have been respected or breached.
On page 4
Rock and politics in the Student City
Berisha introduces Brojka to the youth
TIRANA - Rock and political speeches in the city of students. President Berisha, accompanied by senior officials and Democratic Party leaders, came down yesterday afternoon to “Democracy” Square to introduce Albert Brojka, the candidate for Mayor of Tirana. In a very brief sentence, Berisha described Brojka as “one of the PD’s most capable leaders, an intellectual of the highest calibre.” Presidential criticism of the socialist alternative and its political strategy was also heard. “In May, we were democracy, while they were boycott,” Berisha stressed, explaining to the students the essence of the socialist strategy of abandoning the vote count. “My priorities as mayor would begin with a new vision for your city,” Brojka assured the students attending the “Vision 2000” concert.
On page 3
Observers for the local elections will come from Italy
TIRANA - Observers from Italy will “make the trip” for the Local Elections in Albania. 153 specialists in election observation will arrive on Albanian soil in the first days of next week. News of the participation of the Italian “eagle eyes” was given by the two [most senior?] officials, the special envoy of Dini in Albania, Ferraris. He took advantage of a reception with senior representatives of Albanian political parties at their country’s embassy in Tirana.
On page 3
VLORË Won’t repay the loan? Hand over the factory
VLORË
Won’t repay the loan? Hand over the factory
On page 5
FIER Disabled man tricks pharmacist with a fake cheque
FIER
Disabled man tricks pharmacist with a fake cheque
On page 5
POGRADEC An abandoned corpse found in the forest
POGRADEC
An abandoned corpse found in the forest
On page 5
BERAT Soldier wounds his comrade and deserts
BERAT
Soldier wounds his comrade and deserts
On page 5
KORÇË Three bloody accidents in four hours
KORÇË
Three bloody accidents in four hours
On page 5
Kurti, the dancer of the grand prize
ENTERTAINMENT
He is the only Albanian dancer to have won first prize in an international competition
On page 4
Sokol Kurti
Bonn: “Bosnian refugees back home”
FROM THE WORLD
Bonn:
“Bosnian refugees back home”
A repatriation agreement is signed between Serbia and Germany
On page 2
“The boss punishes me if I don’t earn money”
Tirana, along with 30 other little children, has been sold by his parents
“The boss punishes me if I don’t earn money”
A nine-year-old beggar tells his sad story
TIRANA — “I beg until evening and everything I earn I have to hand over to my boss.” A poorly dressed nine-year-old boy agrees, in exchange for 20 lekë, to tell his sad story of life on the streets. He is very afraid to give his name because his “boss” could take revenge. He beats him even if he does not meet the quota set for the day or if he spends the money himself. The punishments vary; the parents of these street children, who have never gone to school and whose only skill is begging, are also involved.
“During the summer I worked in Durrës, at the beach. I begged there and did all right. I earned a lot, but the boss collected everything I brought in three times a day. Then the chief ordered me to come to Tirana because my family is here too. He gives them a reward for my work, but I don’t know how much money they receive.” The child understands that he has been sold and has no hope that this way of life, which he does not like, will change.
Every evening he has to hand over all the money, and if he does not, he may be punished. He is afraid of punishment, but says that if he “makes a mistake,” nothing can change the “boss’s” mind and make him forgive him. “I bought a packet of biscuits, and when he saw me eating, he ordered me to spend two nights out on the street and [all outside?],” says the little beggar. “I promised him I would take him to Italy, where money is earned very easily because Italians are kind-hearted.” “With that money I’ll buy a car”—at least this hope makes the little boy smile.
Ali Ukaj
The national team inquest. Specialists put national team coach Neptun Bajko in the “dock”
On pages 6–7
Shehu, Kaçi, Harxhiu, Ndini and Agustin Kola analyze the catastrophic defeat against Portugal
The national team inquest. Specialists put national team coach Neptun Bajko in the “dock.” Shehu, Kaçi, Harxhiu, Ndini and Agustin Kola analyze the catastrophic defeat against Portugal.
