“The time has come for this Albania to change” Tirana, the controversial BSPSH leader at a rally: “We must fight the mafia, corruption...” TIRANA - Azem Hajdari is convinced that the time for change has come. Taking advantage of the makeshift podium at a rally with trade unionists from Tirana, Hajdari—one of the leaders of the BSPSH—tried to rekindle the feeling of nationwide protest. “The people will become aware, and very soon the trade union movement will be extremely strong,” he said before 300 trade unionists holding banners against TV director Qemal Sakajeva. “Sakaja is a criminal. He and TV tell the people that you must not rise up, because we are doing very well,” he declared. Hajdari also called on the US and the EC to “understand that the BSPSH is a matter of democracy in Albania.” He also sent out a message calling on the parties to show solidarity with his movement. “I call on the political parties to take part in the rallies we will organize soon,” he declared. After his expulsion from the National Council of the PD, Hajdari appeared confident that other Democratic MPs would support him if the issue of his expulsion from the party came up. “They have told me that they will not vote against me,” Hajdari said. Azem Hajdari at the rally yesterday (photo: Pilo)

Billions of lek for the state from customs Customs Directorate TIRANA—Billions of lek in the state coffers. The collection of customs duties has been the government budget’s main source of revenue. In just 11 months, the figure exceeded 7.1 billion lek. Meanwhile, inspections at customs posts are continuing intensively and measures are being taken against irregularities: 11 customs officers have been dismissed in the past two days. On page 9

Controversy in the justice system TIRANA - Once again, sharp controversy between the court and the justice authority. Following an analysis by the General Prosecutor’s Office, which claimed that the courts had softened the fight against crime, the Chief Judge of Tirana has revived the accusations: “The Prosecution has turned itself into a supreme court, and this is harmful and dangerous for citizens.” On page 9 Qazim Gjonaj, President of the Tirana Court

Tirana

Ceka: “The socialists’ position is absurd” PAD calls for the President to step down. Harsh criticism of the PS Godo changes his mind

TODAY AT 16:00 TIRANA - Indifference in Ireland toward our national team’s match. Of the ten people asked, th-

Police Station No. 3 TIRANA - A 32-year-old Kosovar woman living in Berat may have added up to two years behind bars to her life by posing as a fake police officer. She presented herself as a lieutenant colonel in the Ministry of the Interior to several road-patrol officers, but they immediately became suspicious and stopped her. After verification showed that the woman had been lying, the officers accused her of misappropriating an official seal. The 32-year-old appeared before the Tirana court to determine the security measure, and police-station chief Luan Dari decided that she must report once a week to the Tirana prosecutor’s office pending the conclusion of the circumstances surrounding the unusual incident. A serious car accident occurred on Wednesday near the Kombinat neighborhood in Tirana, and Teuta Elezi immediately presented herself at the relevant police station. She said that she had acted this way to get a relative out of trouble, but the trail led straight to her. The police doubted the unfamiliar statements and found the relevant document. The lack of a return to the police station at the scene raises these? [unclear text]

Godo changes his mind TIRANA - The Republicans are changing their position. “A constituent assembly would complicate things.” Ledi Godo yesterday expressed his latest position regarding the proposal that came from his own office in May. “This is not a retreat,” he hastened to explain about his new political position. Giving more space to the idea of drafting the Constitution through a parliamentary commission, the Republican leader added that “this formula would greatly simplify the path to the Constitution’s approval.” Optimistic that the founding document will be approved by the end of ’97, Godo supports President Berisha and his idea of one of the 13 alternatives held in the Assembly’s offices. Calling it “attractive and less likely to be opposed,” Godo believes there is no need to delay any longer, since it is impossible that none of the 13 European constitutions lying in the state’s drawers will be accepted. On page 3

Ceka: “The Socialists’ position is absurd” TIRANA - The United Right’s demand for Berisha’s removal has divided the opposition. The liberal democrats have strongly opposed the Socialists’ position on this stance. “The PS position on Berisha is absurd,” Neritan Ceka told Gazeta yesterday. “The PS wants to bring a few young ladies into politics to cover up wrinkles inherited from the time of the PPSH,” he said. The previous day, the PS had spoken out against Berisha’s removal from the leadership of the state. On page 3

TIRANA - Indifference in Ireland toward our national team’s match. Of ten people asked, according to the BBC reporter, eight did not know that a football match was to be played. Meanwhile, our national team has arrived and held a training session in Belfast. Hafizi has selected the lineup that will take the field today. The national team’s charter flight changed Rinasi’s schedule. Prepared for flights only between 12:00 and 18:00, the airport made adjustments by opening its doors at 9:00, thus also giving the players the opportunity to train at the time of the match. Germany and Portugal are missing many players in today’s match. Portugal’s goalkeeper Victor Baia is unexpectedly a major absence. On page 10 From the Albania–Armenia match, 1–1

RARE When TVSH also plays matchmaker How to find a bride over the airwaves and on screen TIRANA - It happens that TV broadcasts can also serve as marriage agencies or arrange a match. The unusual event took place on Thursday, prompted by the “What’s bothering you?” segment of the morning show, hosted by journalist Arjana Qatipi. Arbena, a 26-year-old from Fier, sent a letter expressing his wish to marry a girl. Sealed inside the postal envelope were not only the young man’s desire to marry, but also the qualities he was looking for—ten in all—in a potential bride. She should be physically attractive, aged 16 to 24, and from the cities of Durrës or Tirana; moreover, she should have lived in Tirana for at least 20 years and have no children. The requirements also included physical measurements, for example 55 kilograms and a height of 1 metre 10 centimetres, because, as the groom-to-be also says in the letter, he himself is not notable for his height or large build. The envelope contained not only an uncompromising list of requirements, but also some guidance on which conditions could be relaxed. Thus, the girl could still be accepted as a bride even if she had previously been betrayed and was in love. It was also learned that religious faith was not important for a candidate and that, if she was not from Durrës or Tirana, she could also be accepted from other cities, including the South, provided she had the other qualities. But the most important quality was fertility—even if television broadcasts had already shown their influence on other kinds of matchmaking communications—which drew the response to the request. That same day, during a break between segments of the programme, a woman knocked on the door of TVSH. Her sister, who possessed the advertised qualities, had sent her. And she got Arbena’s address. (a.s.) Arjana Qatipi during a programme

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