“Populli” comes to a halt: “The bank is sabotaging us”

“They won’t give me the money; I will file a lawsuit” INTERVIEW / President Driza speaks: “I am forced to suspend operations for 2 days” “They have imposed a limit on the amount of money I can withdraw. These sums are not enough for my counters” TIRANË - Shock at the “Populli” Foundation. Its director, Bashkim Driza, has announced that he will suspend its operations for at least two days. According to him, this is an absurd decision by the State Bank in Tiranë to block his accounts or limit the amounts withdrawn. “I have money,” Driza explained to Gazeta Shqiptare yesterday, “enough to continue operating, but the banks are sabotaging me.” According to Driza, his Foundation needs daily withdrawals of around 500 million lekë, while the bank makes only 30 million available to him. “This amount is not enough to cover operations,” Driza said yesterday. Calling the State Bank’s decision a political attack on his party, Driza warned that he might take the banks to court over this action. On page 3

The Cup turns up the heat

Albanian Cup: Vllaznia, Besa and Lushnja have taken the first step. Olimpik O.K. in Fier

Premier League: The league leaders draw. Transfer market: Milan set to rebuild the team

On pages 5–8

FEAR OF FLIGHT

Police guard the pyramid-scheme bosses TIRANË - The pyramid-scheme bosses are being placed under police surveillance. The epidemic of people who take money through pyramid schemes fleeing has forced the police to put all the directors of foundations and companies involved in this activity under observation. On page 3

Students at rallies tomorrow: concerts and many speeches

The Independent Union guarantees that the strike will continue TIRANË - Tomorrow, the students will hold rallies. The leaders of the Independent Student Union told Gazeta Shqiptare yesterday about parts of their plans for continuing the strike. The Union’s plans provide for mass gatherings of students at Tirana’s faculties; despite the crowds in front of the faculties, the students will “march” towards “Qyteti Studenti,” where the Union is also expected to organize a rally-concert. On page 3

On the small “Slavic” island

REPORTAGE SHKODËR - Along the road leading to Shkodër, past Hanin e Lotit, the usual winter weather continues. Once there, in the middle of the village linking the main road in the Albanian lowlands with the well-known border-crossing marsh, a cluster of houses stands out. A monument that once marked the turnoff to the village is now surrounded by clusters of shops and kiosks. This is Grilë, part of the three villages in the Vrakë region inhabited by the Montenegrin minority. On page 11

The Fier massacre in court

The two spouses and their son were killed Trial in the perpetrator’s absence; accomplices answer for the crime SERBIA “We will review the results” SPECTACLE Palagaccio arrives in Tiranë The horrific crime shocked the small village, and its motives remain a mystery FIER - On the eve of the trial concerning the massacre in the village of Vadhizë, Fier. The man who took up the automatic weapon and calmly killed the Kasemi spouses and their son will not appear before the judges; instead, two others who provided evidence in this monstrous crime will. The real witnesses were the victims’ little ten-year-old daughter, who hid under the bedcovers when the shots caused the terrible massacre. Nevertheless, the perpetrator now has a name in police files, while the two other defendants were arrested only a few days after the extraordinary event. The tragic story took place on the evening of 27 September, and its true motives—although there are several hypotheses—remain a mystery. On page 9

SERBIA

“We will review the results” On page 2

SPECTACLE

Palagaccio arrives in Tiranë On page 4

DYSENTERY EPIDEMIC

Tepelenë, fear of the disease persists Tepelenë TEPELENË - The dysentery outbreak is subsiding, but fear of it persists throughout the mining town. Only ten patients remain hospitalized, while the outbreak began at the end of December. Drinking water has been identified as the cause. On page 9

Kolaneci builds houses even in prison

The policemen are the architect’s only clients Hoxha’s son-in-law is in the prison hospital. He was arrested as a member of the organization “Hakmarrja Shqiptare e Drejtësisë” From his cell, the architect signs residential construction plans TIRANË - Architect Kle- ment Kolaneci, Enver Hoxha’s son-in-law, continues to design buildings despite being imprisoned. Since his tenders and companies cannot operate from behind prison bars, the only clients who make it possible for the architect to keep his pencil moving are the prison guards. It is reported that at least five house designs requested by prison guards have been completed by Kolaneci while under arrest, but he has earned this fee through the workshops for the service. Arrested on 16 October last year on charges of participation in and formation of a terrorist organization, Kolaneci was sent to Durrës prison. Kolaneci, an architect by profession, was associated with a design firm in Tiranë. He had signed numerous projects in Albania, Italy and Greece. (me.k)

GAZETA SPORT

The Cup turns up the heat Cup comeback? [text in the small photograph partly illegible] Albanian Cup Këmpes wins? [illegible]