Tomorrow the protests will begin in Tirana, then move to the districts Decision of the National Council of Trade Unions. Rally to be held in front of the television station Trade unionists led by Hajdari demand Sakajeva’s dismissal Kalaja: “I do not recognize Hajdari. His actions are illegal” TIRANA - Azem Hajdari warns: “The Union of Independent Trade Unions will protest in the streets.” The National Council of the BSPSH, led by Hajdari, unanimously decided yesterday to hold mass protests by trade unionists throughout Albania, starting in the capital with a peaceful demonstration in front of the television station. “We will demand the dismissal of the director of this institution, Qemal Sakajev[a?],” Hajdari said, then explaining the reason for the protests in other cities: “Protecting the interests of trade unionists.” In front of the heads of most of the country’s trade unions, Hajdari also declared that he had full support from the USA and other Western countries. He confirmed that two advisers from the US trade unions and several from Germany would visit Albania. At the same time as Hajdari was holding a meeting of the BSPSH under his leadership, the Independent Miners’ Union declared its firm support for the BSPSH, but “without recognizing Hajdari.” At an expanded meeting at the Ministry of Energy, the leading miners’ union official, Gezëm Kalaja, said, “We legally recognize only the BSPSH, and Hajdari is not acting in accordance with the articles.” On page 11

Prosecutor’s Office: “In connection with the Berat gang” Buza’s sentencing recommendation Two judges in Tirana ordered the detention of a teacher, a former police officer, and another person, accused of trafficking women and violent robbery. The case began with a report received by the General Prosecutor’s Office after an appeal made on television by a young woman whom the arrested man had abducted—according to her—four years earlier and handed over to his boss, who had taken her to Greece and then to Italy. On page 9

“A position taken at the right time” Following the latest statement by the US State Department Human Right Suach Tirana, rights TIRANA - The Albanian opposition welcomes the position of the State Department. “It is a clear message to the Albanian government and to Albania.” This was the position...

FIER - He won the municipal tender, but has been unable to collect his money. A merchant from Fier has taken the local authorities to court and is asking them to honor the contract for...

Buza’s sentencing recommendation: 15 years sought TIRANA - “Ilir Buza should be sentenced to 15 years in prison”—this was the proposal by the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office for the young man from a village in Kruja, accused of terrorism. Prosecutor Beda recounted yesterday the entire chronology of events involving the “unfortunate” man, who, driven by poverty and misfortune while abroad, had sought a loan to revive his household’s finances. Faced with this situation, he would put himself in front of the Presidency. Nevertheless, the prosecution has requested a 15-year sentence. On page 9

TIRANA - The Albanian opposition welcomes the position of the State Department. TIRANA - to Albania.” This was the shared position of opposition politicians, who saw Washington’s warning as a source of hope for a change in Albania’s political climate. Described as a step taken at the right time, the State Department’s position is seen “as a concrete contribution to resolving the Albanian crisis and normalizing democratic processes.” According to them, the Meksi government must finally resolve its dilemma: “to act according to democratic standards or to isolate Albania.” Selfo of the right is not so skeptical when he says that “relations with the USA will not face a crisis, since their foundation is the friendship between the two peoples.” On page 3

Human Right Suach In Tirana, human rights remain at risk Another warning from the USA: “Pay attention to respect for human rights in Albania” TIRANA—Another grim message from the USA. “Pay attention to human rights. 1996 is considered a bad year for the Albanian government’s respect for human rights in the country.” This is the conclusion of Human Right Suach, an organization well known in the USA for protecting human rights around the world. On page 3

FIER - He wins the municipal tender, but has been unable to collect his money. FIER - He wins money. A merchant from Fier has sued the local authorities and is asking them to honor the signed contract and repay 750 dollars, along with interest for the damage caused over a year. B. V., a merchant, won the tender last December to supply the Fier municipality with ten kilograms of insecticide. He has been asking for some time for the goods he requested to be stored in the municipality’s warehouse. But when he asked to be paid for the service provided, the mayor refused to do so. He claimed that the insecticide was no longer needed. The Fier court ruled in his favor after a hearing, but the persistent merchant has once again appealed, with a pile of documents that he claims prove his right.

RARE A super-birth in Tropojë: 3 babies at once Mother and triplets in Tirana, all in good health TIRANA - A rare birth at the maternity hospital. A woman from Tropojë has given birth to three children at once, all in normal condition and with no danger to their lives. The babies, two boys and a girl, were born a few days ago and have now arrived in Tirana, where they remain under doctors’ supervision. Rare, but not extraordinary. A woman, already the mother of two children, has unexpectedly enlarged her family with three babies born at once. Until then, no one suspected the birth would be like this. The doctors in Tropojë made every effort to save the woman’s life, which could have been at risk, and fortunately the unexpected danger was averted. Pediatricians say that such births have occurred before, but what is unusual this time is that, apart from the babies, the mother was also in normal condition, making it possible to avoid any potential complications. After the birth, the woman and the children were taken to the maternity hospital in Tirana, where they were kept under continuous medical supervision. One of the doctors said that twins account for one to two percent of all births. Triplets, however, are a much rarer phenomenon. Nevertheless, the Albanian case is still far from the world records for births: years ago, an American woman gave birth to nine children at once, but not all of them had the chance to survive. Jonuz Hallaçi

From the World Paris, fear of bombs returns The government will not back down. Chirac determined to fight terrorism. A plan drawn up in ’95 emerges from the files. PARIS. Fear and terror return to France. After Tuesday evening’s horrific attack, two people were killed and 67 others were injured. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Maximum security checks at all Paris train stations and metro stations. Meanwhile, protests have spread throughout the country. On page 2

Mother and triplets in Tirana, all in good health

Soft penalties at the Football Federation / European Cup: results and commentary TOTOFUTBOLL Match of the week Besa - VLLAZNIA ALBANIAN GAZETTE Sport Milan’s refereeing TELE - BINGO A millionaire every Sunday Soft penalties at the Football Federation Only one month for Koxhaku European Cup: results and commentary Milan out of the quarter-finals On pages 5–8