First contract signed Sejdia’s pit TIRANA - Hajdin Sejdia is just one step away from settling the debts he owes Albanians. Yesterday, the first document was signed and notarized, after which there is no longer any obstacle to beginning the banking operation to transfer the money from Sejdia’s bank account to that of the intermediaries. After this, the intermediaries, who had collected the citizens’ money, will withdraw it and transfer it to his account so that he can distribute it to the clients. On page 11

Major operation yesterday at midday: anti-tank weapons, automatic weapons and explosives seized Illegal weapons depot uncovered A whole arsenal in the center of Tirana The apartment belongs to a well-known singer, who rented it out. She herself is abroad TIRANA - A whole arsenal of weapons and ammunition fell into police hands following a major operation in the center of Tirana. Mortars, grenade launchers, light machine guns, automatic weapons, pistols of every make, and various types of explosives were found yesterday afternoon in a private apartment. The residence had been rented out several months earlier, and its new occupants had turned it into a veritable weapons depot. “It is undoubtedly the largest quantity of ammunition ever seized in Albania.” Police sources commented this way on the latest successful operation by law-enforcement forces in the center of Tirana. There is no information about any possible detainees, and the initial investigations are... [?]

IT CAME FROM ALBANIA DURRES - One and a half kilograms of heroin worth nearly half a billion lire and three Albanians arrested are the result of an operation by the Italian police. Investigations show once again that the drugs are shipped from Albania. On page 9

YESTERDAY: RULING ON POLI’S LAWSUIT Court of Cassation: half a green light for the observers “Not people with experience, but people of age” TIRANA - The Court of Cassation gives the observers “half a green light.” At the hearing held yesterday in this court, there was... [?] Lakorri and Sherifi with Dickenson

SPORT SPORT

. TIRANA - The capital is increasingly hungry. A study by the Municipality of Tirana has shown that residents of the Albanian metropolis will consume more and more food, among which meat remains the favorite. On page 11

“Not experienced people, but people of a certain age” TIRANA - The Cassation Court gives the observers a “half-green light.” A case heard yesterday at this court accepted part of the appeal filed by Poli against the Central Commission. “Experience is not required of the observers who will take part in the local elections,” the Cassation judges ruled, while rejecting point two of Poli’s appeal. “The requirement that observers seeking to monitor the elections be over 25 is fair,” the Court of Cassation ruled, finally outlining the boundaries that the “watchful eyes” from Europe or locally will have to cross. The court hearing took place in the absence of Çeka and Gjinushi, as the leaders of the Poli të Qendrës were “busy” with their election campaign. On page 3 Çeka leaves the Cassation Court (photo: P. Ilo)

Lakrori with Sherifi and Dickenson TIRANA - Specialists from the American Republican Institute advise the Socialist Party. “Document the legal violations after you have received confirmation from your members, especially those on the Electoral Commissions.” At a meeting with members of the Socialist Party’s leadership, Maqo Lakrori and Elmaz Sherifi, Dickenson, head of IRI’s representatives in Tirana, expressed his concern about the Local Government Elections to be held in Albania. After Dickenson, representatives of the largest opposition party put forward their suggestions to IRI, recommending “improving the way members of the Commissions and observers vote, bringing forward the time the process closes, and having the District Commissions, rather than the Prefectures, administer the ballot papers, so as to establish whether there have been irregularities—if any—in the voting.” All the suggestions made by the Socialist Party’s senior representatives should be implemented by the Central Commission. On page 3

TIRANA - A golden three points for Kavaja in Tirana in the sixth week of the National Championship. A penalty decided the match. Olimpiku launched powerful attacks afterward, but without result. The other matches are being played today. The greatest attention is on Tirana and Vlorë, where the leaders are playing. Fieri is optimistic about its match against the champions. “We’re coming to Tirana as equals; we’ll fight for a positive result. We’ll give Tirana what it deserves,” coach Feraki declared. Sacchi is among the accused. There is considerable controversy about his future. People are calling for Zoff. But the current national team coach is defending himself. “I will not resign. Against England will be the hour of truth.” After Van Gaal’s departure, a big name is being tipped for Ajax. Johan Cruijff is thought to be the successor to Ajax’s current coach. Alex Zulle has won the cycling race counting toward the World Championship. Bayern amid injuries and rumors of players leaving. Ziege has major offers from Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Tottenham. On page 10

“The new parents” die within a few months TIRANA - Perhaps God had decreed that a child should be an orphan forever. The parents who gave birth to her abandoned her, in circumstances the account does not explain; but her second parents, who adopted her, also died within a few months of one another. And the girl was left an orphan once again, returning to the children’s home just one year after leaving it happily. This is the story of a 12-year-old who now lives in the children’s home in Tirana, for whom the court also began a hearing yesterday to declare that she had been abandoned by her parents. She was born in 1984 and, immediately after birth, was abandoned by her parents. After a neglected life in the orphanage, it seemed that in her early years fate had reserved some brighter days for her too. A couple from Durrës had adopted her. But not much time had passed before the girl returned to the children’s home to live as an orphan once again. The judges, it was said, would declare her abandoned so that the child could once again be entered on the adoption lists. Along with her, the judges yesterday began reviewing the cases of two other siblings. One of them had been abandoned by his parents, who left him alone at home when he was only two years old. A group of Italians had expressed an interest in him and had arranged for him to be taken to the children’s home. Now the court will declare him abandoned too, after which, perhaps, he will have a fragile future.

ENTERTAINMENT. The story of the boy called “Tirana.” In a club in Puglia, the Italian adventure of the Albanian clandestine migrant. On page 4

FROM THE WORLD. Rugova: “The refugees will come gradually.” A weekly press conference by Kosovo President Rugova. On page 2

On pages 5–8

Tirana: 2,000, enormous appetite