New wave of arrests. Another military serviceman ends up in jail Yesterday the court issued its decision on three more people for collaborating with the major criminal organization Yesterday’s arrests brought to 18 the number of people arrested in connection with the organization “Albanian Justice Revenge” Doctor Peza was accused of harboring weapons. He is suspected of having helped the gang with medicines and medical supplies TIRANA - New arrests in Tirana in connection with the terrorist organization. Yesterday the court ordered the arrest of a doctor at Tirana Hospital No. 1, Genc Peza, the serviceman from the Linza unit, Alban Zajmi, and I. Spahiu, the uncle of the young man Kreshnik Spahiu, who was arrested several days ago. All three were accused of having knowledge of and links to the gang. Doctor Peza was accused of having hidden weapons belonging to the terror gang. Meanwhile, according to preliminary evidence, there are suspicions that he helped gang members with medicines and medical treatment. The low-ranking serviceman Zajmi was accused of knowing about the theft of the weapons depot in 1992 at the Linza unit, where he worked, and of failing to notify the police. Spahiu was also sent to jail. He was accused of having kept his nephew’s car in his parking lot and of knowing about his activities, which he denied before the judges. [On page 5] The VEFA explosion

YESTERDAY: A HARSH DECISION TIRANA - The OSCE Assembly declares that it will not take part in the upcoming elections. The news, reported in the political section, has reached the offices of Albania’s main political parties. “We decided to withdraw from participation in the election-observation mission in Albania, since the Albanian government decided to reject the ODIHR observers’ list,” said Olivier, Secretary of the OSCE Assembly. Albanian politicians were harsh in their assessments. “Berisha’s policies are leading Albania toward isolation from Europe,” they say. On page 3

The Inspectorate seeks to halt production The major dispute has reached the Court of Cassation TOMORROW TIRANA - The Food Control and Quality Inspectorate submits to the Court of Cassation a request of protest. [The article continues in the following item.]

Accused of plotting a coup FROM THE WORLD / The West’s reserved reaction

FIER . On page 5. KRUJË Toxins in cement: factory shut down. On page 7. DURRËS Fishing trawler seized; it had drugs. On page 5.

. Accused of plotting a coup. MOSCOW - Russian President Boris Yeltsin announced yesterday the dismissal of his Security Chief, Aleksandr Lebed. In a brief television announcement, the Kremlin’s number one described the dismissal of the former general as a necessary step, made imperative by the conduct of his subordinate. For his part, Lebed declared that all the accusations against him, especially the latest one—that he organized a coup with the help of the army—are nothing but pretexts. “For the time being, I will take a period of rest, and after that I will continue my political career, starting again from where I left off after the first round of the presidential elections.” On page 2 Lebed counts the seconds. Yeltsin

SPECTACLE . A revolution in cinema: now the “Crash”-style film. Oppression, destruction, quite a lot—here is the new type being experimented with. On page 4

TIRANA . On the Day Against Poverty, Albania comes last. Nearly 80 percent of the population lives below the European minimum. On page 7

SPORTS: DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL . Florentina struggles to beat Slavia. TIRANA — Locals follow the most important matches of the football championship. Among those who gathered... [unclear text] ... the staging of the Olimpik-Fiorentina match. T... the final decision of the Cup ... [unclear text] ... On page 6 From the Fiorentina-Slavia match, 2–1

SPECIAL CLINIC. The circumcision trend in Tirana. In two years, more than 930 men have gone under the knife. TIRANA — “I’ve come to be circumcised; I heard they do a good job here.” Near the Faculty of Sciences, in the little street known as Brakë, this ancient rite of the Muslim faith is performed every day. The Circumcision Clinic—with large German-made signs displayed prominently on the boulevard—seems to be the most frequented in Albania. For two years running, the need and also the desire to be circumcised at Doctor Maksudi’s clinic has brought 930 men from many regions of Albania. This is so far the number of people who, according to the clinic’s information officer, have undergone the well-known Muslim rite. “But there are also Catholic or Orthodox believers, Greeks, Poles, Albanian-Americans, all residents in Albania. Most people come because of various infections; few come for religious reasons,” explains the woman who, besides serving as the information officer, is also the owner of the small house where this service is performed. Meanwhile, 76-year-old surgeon Maksud Drasa has experienced the “past” in this way as the culmination of his profession. Behind the large gate are the courtyard and rooms of the private house; to the right is the room where patients and “clients” submit to the scalpel. “Many come by car; the nurse makes sure it is a serious infection—and after they are circumcised, they come back once more to thank us.” The clinic was established at the initiative of an Islamic association, which thus provides the medicines needed for circumcision, the doctor’s salary and... [text cut off/unclear] ... new. Arian Çani

. TOMORROW. ALBANIAN GAZETTE [?] Gazeta Shqiptare and “Gazeta Sport” for just 30 lekë. ORIGINAL. Gina. NATURAL. KREMTËR? [text on label] Recommended use: In case of illness involving stones in the kidneys, urinary bladder and liver. It is also recommended for infections of the urinary bladder and kidneys, intestinal and stomach infections, digestive disorders and metabolic disorders. TIRANA - The Food Control and Quality Inspectorate submits a protest request to the Court of Cassation. “The company ‘HB Fruto-Drink’ of Gjirokastër does not produce water in Glina. It has only taken the name. And consumers are misled by the name given to the water.” This is the third time the Food Control Inspectorate has turned to the courts over this issue. Months ago, the Food Control Office of Gjirokastër demanded that this company pay a fine of 50,000 lekë and stop producing water under the name “Glina.” A decision that was overturned by the Gjirokastër Court and later on appeal. “This is a completely unjust action,” the document submitted to the Court of Cassation states, “because, first of all, the food law does not support its designation.” On page 7