Poçi: “Here’s why there was chaos” The SP headquarters On page 5

Vejsiu sounds the alarm. Fierce debate in Parliament over the special Commission Kopliku: “There is no need to rush; we are following the rules” Vejsiu sounds the alarm. Fierce debate in Parliament over the special Commission “Set up the Pyramid Scheme Commission urgently” Kopliku: “There is no need to rush; we are following the rules” TIRANA - “Hurry up and set up the commission on pyramid schemes.” The alarm was sounded in Parliament yesterday by MP Vejsiu. According to the PD’s organizational secretary, the time has come for it to be established as soon as possible. But from those same parliamentary benches, his alarm was dismissed by MP Kopliku. “There is no need for us to rush; everything will be done according to the rules for approving the law.” Kopliku reminded the PD official of the procedure for a law to take effect: it does so 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. While Vejsiu defended his idea that the state body which would deal with pyramid schemes needed to become operational as soon as possible, his colleague Kopliku remained in the same camp from which he had opposed this bill 15 days earlier. Calling “such a commission and the role it will play ridiculous,” Kopliku believes that “its authority will be a drop of water compared with the army of resources at the government’s disposal.” Two weeks ago, he voted against the bill in question, defending his vote against it to the end. Vejsiu: “Let the names be announced as soon as possible and let the work begin” Kopliku: “This Commission is nothing compared with the government’s resources” On page 5 Waiting for a “miracle” (photo: P. Ilо)

On page 5

On page 5

Napolitano in Tirana over illegal migrants TIRANA - The issue of illegal migrants will be reopened in Tirana. After numerous controversies in Italy, Interior Minister Napolitano has decided to come to Albania himself next week. Meetings with senior Albanian officials and discussions on ways to curb illegal migration will occupy Napolitano’s one day in Albania. On page 3 Paolo Foresti

ECONOMY Higher pensions at the beginning of 1997 Government officials: “We are planning a 15 percent increase” TIRANA - Pensions will rise at the beginning of next year. This has been planned by the Council of Ministers. “During the first three months, pensions could increase by 15 percent. This is our objective; however, the state budget will first be examined,” senior officials have confirmed. Given high market prices and the pressures of daily life, pensioners—whose total number in the country is estimated at 500,000—consider themselves “the most disadvantaged part of society.” Recently, they have held a series of protests demanding higher pensions. Only a few months ago, during a meeting, they said: “We are old; we need more medicines, which are expensive, and we also smoke. But with the money we receive, we can’t make ends meet.” On page 7

Workers: “Raise our wages” Fourteen union representatives who submitted the strikers’ list of demands have been dismissed PIER - Around 150 women have stopped work and gone on an open-ended strike. They are employees of an Italo-Albanian footwear manufacturing company and are demanding higher wages and a review of their employment contracts. The strikers also insist that they will secure the support and backing of union representatives from Tirana. On page 5

The national team National team coach Hafizi The Reds’ transfer market: Koça could return to Teuta. The first Brazilian for Vlora arrives in the coming days The European Cup final will be played on May 28 at Munich’s “Olympia Stadion” On page 6

BERAT Heart attack: dies in kiosk Owner falls asleep but never wakes up KUÇOVË - He lay down to sleep, as he did every night, in his kiosk, but he was unable to wake up again. A sudden heart attack—at least that is what is believed—caused R. H., 48, from Berat, to die in his sleep. His regular customers, who found him collapsed and lying heavily, suspected that something had happened; when they went inside, they noticed a sign and saw him unconscious. R. H., the father of three children and divorced three times, had lived a solitary life for years. Some time ago he had sold his house and was living in a kiosk standing there in the town center. On Wednesday, he was found dead in bed by his customers. At first, it was suspected that his death might have been a crime—that he had fallen victim to an assault—but forensic doctors confirmed otherwise. According to them, R. H. had died in his sleep from a sudden heart attack. The lonely man was accompanied to the cemetery with respect by many of his people.

The winners are from Patos TIRANA - Tears of joy for the TeleBingo winners. The 1.5-million winner: “My mother urged me to buy two more tickets. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and that same day I called Tirana to verify it. It was the first time I had tried my luck” TIRANA - Tears of joy for TeleBingo winners. Both recipients of the 1.5 million lekë prize are from Patos. One of them had happened to win one million, but had met [unclear] for an hour. Arlina Myrtaj, a worker who grew up in a large family, whose father has [unclear] only in a small, cramped house. Haderi, [unclear], are the two lucky winners of the first TeleBingo draw, held on Sunday.

ENTERTAINMENT The Kosovar singer on the Song Festival stage On page 4 Adelina Ismaili

FROM THE WORLD Western countries have the means to preserve its economic independence On page 2