INTERNATIONAL MISSION Ships in Durrës, mission in Vlorë, landing in Rinas The first foreign soldiers arrive: surveillance begins INTERNATIONAL MISSION Ships in Durrës, mission in Vlorë, landing in Rinas "Alba", the first step in Albania The first foreign soldiers arrive: surveillance begins VLORË - The foreign military mission took its first steps yesterday. Soldiers in uniforms, which are not those of the Albanians, were seen yesterday in large numbers, at least in three cities of the country. In Durrës, Vlorë and Rinas, the advance team arrived yesterday to prepare what Europe has decided, at the request of the government and the Albanian President, namely the deployment of European troops. Meanwhile, French forces have approached Albanian soil; their ship "Orange" is anchored in Brindisi, awaiting orders to set sail for Albania. In Vlorë - and also in Gjirokastër - a group of Italian soldiers led by a colonel has arrived. The military observers from the neighboring country have particularly examined the logistical structures of Vlorë, where the foreign soldiers of "Alba" are expected to be stationed starting next week. This Italian mission in Vlorë is thought to be difficult, because many Albanian military bases have been completely destroyed or damaged. At Rinas, the "air bridge" between Italy and Albania has begun to operate - protected also by Italian soldiers - while the first Italian vehicles have arrived in Durrës. Yesterday, the first soldiers of the "Alba" mission disembark in Durrës (Photo: REUTERS) On page 3 Yesterday, the first soldiers of the "Alba" mission disembark in Durrës (Photo: REUTERS)

Armand Mero After 5 weeks of absence, "Gazeta Shqiptare" returns to its readers. During this time, the turmoil that swept through the country could not leave political and economic relations untouched, so full of major upheaval; many lives were lost and now things are moving toward new solutions. What is more certain, with so much effort and struggle, is whether our situation will change or not. The answer we give is simple. Regardless of who is directing it and where "Gazeta Shqiptare" is being staged, it will never provide information or publish events as they happened, serving or judging them under political pressure or advance imposition from outside. These will continue to be the truth, and despite the material difficulties, readers of "Gazeta" will not be subjected to anything other than the truth. Those same entirely abnormal conditions in which we imagined ourselves to be journalists of the area, especially after years of politically colorless and trench-bound reporting, should be replaced by the rise of political opposing forces and barricades, in the hope that the "Alba" campaign as well as the newspaper will be swift in bringing the truth for as long as it takes, because the road we have is free press, despite being unburdened. Even today, with the shortage of journalists, there is much work to be done by our colleagues; the press must be built properly so that Albania can emerge from the chaos in which it finds itself. The disappointment is that being here has required that, very quickly, we fail to enrich the audience, quickly raise and support it, rejoicing in the fact that it leads to the truth. More than anything, we must do the impossible to seize every opportunity and to be as Albanian as possible. And will we return?! To our spine so as to truly have reality, the political, social and economic pillars of the country, understood and cultural, with the inclusion of states and clarity of mind. Meanwhile life will rise, so that the Albanian newspapers, in pluralist cooperation, are united, for Albania at this extremely difficult moment.

March 14% more expensive TIRANA - Galloping inflation is overturning the markets. During the month of March, the Consumer Price Index rose by 14 percent, while food items experienced an even greater increase. Such monthly rates of price increases were recorded in Albania only in the years '91-'92, when annual inflation reached 600 percent. Meanwhile, the US dollar and other currencies continue to trade at high exchange rates against the lek. On page 4

Universities, classes will begin TIRANA - "On 28 April all students will be in lecture halls. Perhaps classes will also be held on Saturday and Sunday, but teaching must continue." At last, after more than a month of interruption, a sign of hope for the universities. This was decided at a meeting held in Tirana between representatives of the Albanian tele-lectures and the Minister of Higher Education, Tafaj. Here is how university students will be able to make it... University building On page 2

Meeting tomorrow TIRANA - Tomorrow PD enters the arena of the National Council. A real clash, with positions, accusations and counter-accusations, is expected in the contest of the party’s top governing forum. Just a few days ago, the Council was addressed and asked to move quickly away from its poor management; sources inside PD say that a vote of no confidence in the party’s top leadership may also be expected. On page 2

The budget is coming soon TIRANA - Prime Minister Bashkim Fino has addressed all PS MPs, asking for "political" support for his government in the Socialist government crisis. According to Fino’s request, the PS deputies must speak with one voice. Soon a draft from the Minister of Economy, Malaj, will be presented in parliament. He will speak about the state budget and the current financial deficit. On page 2

Leka Zogu arrives today. High security measures. He will stay for a long time Meetings with Fino and the political parties Leka Zogu arrives today. High security measures. He will stay for a long time A special escort for Leka Zogu Meetings with Fino and the political parties Leka Zogu TIRANA - Leka Zogu lands today at midday in Rinas. After 58 years in exile, the Sovereign of the Albanians comes this time to remain for a long stay in his homeland. The head of the Albanian monarchists, C[?]uro[?]lari, provides all the information about Zogu’s arrival and stay in Albania. In an interview with the Tirana newspaper, a busy schedule of meetings will be among the first protocol elements that the PLL has reserved for its symbol. On page 2

FIER - Two children have been seriously injured by firearms and their lives are in danger. One of them - the eleven-year-old - had a grenade explode very close to his foot, badly injuring his limbs and face. The other, a sixteen-year-old, was hit by a "cold" bullet, while the bullet was in his home. Both children have been admitted to Fier hospital and doctors say they are no longer in life-threatening condition, although they are still in serious condition. The 11-year-old, a resident of the "1 Maji" neighborhood, says he was injured two days ago when he found a grenade together with a boy his age. A mistaken jump caused the terrible explosion that injured him in the limbs and face. He was then brought completely bloodied by a passerby and quickly taken to the hospital, where the child underwent medical treatment. He is now in intensive care. Even more absurd was the shooting that seriously endangered the life of a teenager, a resident of the "Tetë shkurti" neighborhood. On Friday evening he was in the house when a single bullet penetrated the window and hit him in the abdominal area. The teenager was taken to hospital and is still being treated by doctors. Since the beginning of the unrest in Fier, hospital records count 45 dead and around 100 injured.

FOOTBALL TIRANA - PSH[?] sets the dates for the championship and the Albanian Cup. On 29 April, the cup final will be decided at "Qemal Stafa", while the semifinals will also be played in Tirana. Meanwhile, the top six teams after the end of the first stage will play in the two stadiums of the capital. The other two groups, also with six teams each, will play in the same city blocks of Elbasan and Kavajë. On page 7 From the cup matches

ENTERTAINMENT A monument on the shore of Vlorë and one in the city of Brindisi. On page 6

GJIROKASTËR A message requesting help was sent to the local radio station GJIROKASTËR Human solidarity with the seven orphans A message requesting help was sent to the local radio station GJIROKASTËR - A phone call to the newsroom of Radio Gjirokastër has completely changed the life of the 22-year-old student. He could not bear the hardship of the university upheaval at the beginning of March and had been left in a desperate state in the dormitory with his companions. Without money or protection. After the first help that was generously offered to him by radio journalists, he appealed to the families of Gjirokastër, and the student himself also spoke out. Now he is almost breathing the spirit of the family he was missing and of human solidarity. Some acquaintances and more are expected to happen and the condition is not of his school’s pedagogical semester. And the n[?]. Even at the meeting they remained with d[?]er[?]ness, but now even hope has begun. In despair, several families from the village of the priest of Gjirokastër have come forward with material help. Gjirokastër Teftmi Skuqi, 22 years old, telephoned the newsroom of Radio Gjirokastër a few days ago, saying that his condition was extremely difficult and desperate. Without family and without money, his existence was put at risk. After the news was conveyed on local radio, the student appealed to the Kore family and Gjirokastër. In the same situation are the six pupils of the secondary school. The three girls have been sheltered by families in the villages of Lazarat and Buljo, waiting for the others, and the three boys from the city, which has once again shown civic spirit. N. B.

FROM THE WORLD The Italian Prime Minister managed to win confidence for his government On page 5

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