Attack on a senior official of the Police Directorate The explosion occurred at 5:00. Arben Ujka’s car was blown up The explosive “package” had been placed beneath the parked car Mystery surrounds the incident. The investigation has not yet established the reasons or the perpetrators of the attack on Ujka’s car The windows of many apartments in the building opposite the former “Flora” were shattered by the explosion The force of the explosion sent parts of the car flying hundreds of metres away Circled: the spot where the explosive was placed (Photo: P. Ilo)

INTERVIEW PD Motionists: “We will create a new party” Dissidents expelled from the PD prepare for the elections TIRANA - A new party is expected to join Albania’s political spectrum. The 20 senior politicians of the Democratic Party—who have now declared a complete break with it—have decided to create the “Movement for Democracy”. Ruli, Serreqi, Malasi, Vrioni, Shehu and others, formerly prominent figures in the PD, have decided to remain in politics under a new political banner and emblem. They are now continuing to collect signatures, after which they will submit the necessary documentation to the Ministry of Justice to seek the legal “baptism” of the new party. On page 2

The mystery surrounding the powers has been cleared up: the decision rested with the Presidency “We didn’t know about the decree. Now, a request to Berisha” TIRANA - The mystery surrounding the authority to dismiss Agim Shehu has finally been cleared up. Prime Minister Fino, in an interview published by the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit”, acknowledged that he had not known the deputy minister’s appointment had been made by presidential decree. However, Fino has not withdrawn his request for the dismissal and clarified that “we will address the President regarding the release of General Shehu and may also propose a new post for him”. Thus, all that war of statements, which had continued for three days, now seems to be over. It will be Berisha who decides Agim Shehu’s fate. Shehu had continued working and carrying out his duties, despite an order from the Prime Minister. It is not known what position the President will take; his spokesperson had strongly opposed the Council of Ministers’ decision from the outset.

GJIROKASTER A terrifying journey from Kakavija. The bus carrying emigrants from Greece was attacked by a gang of robbers, who left one of its passengers dead and took everything valuable they found on the others. The victim’s body—a young man from a village in Vlora—was later taken to the Gjirokastër morgue, where it awaits collection by his relatives. Meanwhile, there is still no trace of the armed bandits. The bus, full of passengers, was stopped in an ambush near the village of Jergucat by several armed men. They demanded that the passengers’ pockets be completely “confiscated,” but encountered resistance from the young man from Vlora, who refused to hand over his money. And it cost him his life. A burst of automatic gunfire killed the man from Vlora instantly, while the killers continued to rob the other passengers brutally. The bus was then allowed to continue its journey and delivered the body to the Gjirokastër morgue.

Assembly dissolved: France goes to the polls President Shirak has declared that he will call elections for May 25. On page 7

Hours of manoeuvres to free the largest ship in the Italian Navy On page 5

TIRANE - After the meeting of FSHF representatives at the Ministry of Sport, the Government will also determine the budget for sport at its meeting today. According to the estimates, football alone needs 111 thousand dollars. The fate of the 240 thousand dollars, a special fund of the Albanian Football Federation, remains a mystery. Today, the Champions Cup: Dortmund take the field without Sammer. Tërpatoni heading for Rome and Capello heading for Milan. On page 6

After four years, we return to writing about suffering Armand Mero Here we are together again. For four years, Gazeta Shqiptare has been by its readers’ side every day, trying to bring them everything, both good and difficult, that has accompanied life in the country. We would have wished this anniversary did not fall at such a difficult moment for all of us, and that these days we were not forced to write about murders, robberies, or the various tragedies that shake every Albanian. Instead, we would have preferred to write that Albania was changing its face, that Albanians were enjoying life, that Europe saw us as partners and no longer as a country of madness, suffering and poverty. None of us had imagined that now, after four years, we would return to writing about humanitarian missions, dynamite explosions and another “Përmbar”. In April 1992 (it pains me deeply. In a way, newspapers are a reflection of a country’s development. The stronger a state is, the stronger its press, because we live on sales and advertising. Today, however, we face a reader who will think carefully before buying a newspaper, because we are aware that the current price is a burden on Albanians’ pockets. But, on the other hand, the press itself cannot do anything else. On one side, taxes and the price of paper have risen; on the other, advertising opportunities have dwindled. This has forced all of us in the press to find another way to reduce the number of pages; this is also due to the state of emergency, since we are unable to gather information until late. So today we are all in difficulties, but we will try to carry on with our work by— …of suffering and poverty. None of us had ever imagined that now, after so many years, we would return to writing about the humanitarian hub, aid distribution and another “Pelican.” In April 1992 (the first issue came out on the 22nd), we witnessed an important event at a turning point for the country; now once again we are reporting as a vital event the arrival of thousands of foreign troops in the country. It feels as if everything has started all over again and that we are presenting the same things we covered back then, only against a different backdrop. Today we begin another year of our existence, amid many difficulties. It is true that, compared with previous years, the press is much better prepared professionally. But today it is threatened by another danger: the dire economic situation, which unfortunately is forcing us gather information late into the day. So today we are all facing difficulties, but we will continue our work, trusting that things will change for the better and believing that the press, in any situation, serves the good of a country and its people. We will continue, as we always have, guided by just one criterion: the Truth. Even though the truth is often unwelcome to one person or another, journalists then become targets of threats. Nevertheless, this is our profession, and we have taken these risks into account; we have no intention of abandoning the Truth.

Ritfolk: “Encore” by the group in Turin Praise and applause for the Albanian singers On page 4