Fino’s draft “disappears.” A vote on the monarchy is included Spahia’s surprise: “115 seats by majority vote, only 40 by proportional representation.” Parties threaten: “We won’t take part in the elections” The Prime Minister in the USA. Albright issues an ultimatum: “We will not allow the vote to be exploited” Battle over the version of the electoral law. Arbnori: “Vote, we have no time. We can’t find Fino’s law” On page 3 TIRANA — A crisis in the Albanian Parliament? A request to fast-track the PD version of the electoral law sparked a heated political atmosphere in Parliament yesterday. “We have no more time; we must vote today,” Arbnori said at the beginning of the session. “We do not accept such a draft; we demand that only Fino’s version be discussed,” replied Namik Dokle, head of the Socialists’ parliamentary group, a few minutes later. A vote on the draft then secured 54 votes in favor, 21 against, and 10 abstentions. “You are asking for only Fino’s version to abstentions. On pages 3, 5

Two young men wounded by Kalashnikovs VLORA — As Vlora continues to live through violent events, Milto Kordha, the Chief of the Police Station, the man who had taken responsibility for Albania’s most troubled police station, has resigned. The news has been confirmed by sources in the Vlora police. It is not yet known how the Commissioner explained his resignation; it is only known that it happened just after a trip to Tirana, following the tragic events in Vlora. Two people were wounded in a battle between two armed cars. One person managed to escape the deadly bullets only by taking shelter in an “Albes” car. General Giglio has once again called for caution and respect for the laws. Vlora The Italian Deputy Minister “You need a trustworthy police force” On page 5

Berisha

Berisha

TIRANA - Berisha decrees the Referendum. Late yesterday afternoon, the President sent Parliament his proposal for Albanians to vote on the same day as the elections in a referendum on the form of the state: Monarchy or Republic. Yesterday, this issue was the first item discussed in the afternoon session, following the tension created a few hours earlier by the DP’s proposal on the electoral law, which differed from the Fino draft. The issue of the Referendum had been discussed at the first meeting of the parties on March 9. Although it had not been among the points of the agreement, all the parties had agreed in principle. The arrival of Leka Zogu had been the first official step toward the Referendum, and Berisha had promised this as well during his personal meeting with the heir to the throne. Although just three years earlier Leka had been expelled from Tirana on the pretext that his royal passport was invalid, at his press conference Berisha praised the role of King Zog: “He worked for Albania even after the fighting,” the President declared, once again confirming his position on the Referendum, which last night, at around 19:00, passed in the Albanian Parliament by a majority of votes. “We know of such a proposal, and we will ask for discussion to be limited to Fino’s version,” the leader of the Socialists’ parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, retorted a few minutes later. A vote on the proposal abstentions. “You are trying to show off your strength, so enjoy the elections,” Socialist MP Etem Ruka said at the end. Meanwhile, yesterday, the diplomatic message from Albright arrived from the USA: “We would not tolerate any political force thinking that the June elections could be postponed.” On pages 3, 5

VLORA - The ship searching the site of the “Black Friday” tragedy has finally brought up the tragic cargo from the depths of the sea. A body and a skeleton were the first objects to emerge above the water’s surface. The news was confirmed by the team of experts who have been searching the area since Friday. Following the first reports about the ship’s exact location, the underwater robots of the most specialized Italian search vessel were immediately put into operation. Yesterday, from around noon, the specialists announced that they had brought to the surface a nearly undamaged body and a skeleton. It is the body of a woman. The body was immediately taken to the morgue in Brindisi, where other experts, with the help of the victims’ family members, are trying to carry out a positive identification. It is expected that the first body recovered from the sea will soon have a name. The second find is a skeleton, about which the experts have not yet said anything definite. Nevertheless, identification work has begun in this case too, by comparing it with other data. Yesterday’s discovery was the first concrete response from the Italian authorities to the persistent requests of the victims’ families, who had long been asking for just one thing: the chance to bury their loved ones in a dignified grave. Underwater searches are continuing, thanks also to the vessel’s special capabilities, including not only the most modern equipment in this field but also the ability to continue searching in rough seas.

LEZHË - Drunk students armed with “Kalashnikovs” and pistols have begun invading school classrooms, frightening teachers and undermining the norms of pedagogy. The “Gjergj Fishta” eight-year school in the Lezhë district experienced an unusual incident. Three students entered a classroom drunk and faced the teacher’s understandable criticism as he tried to remove them from the lesson. After arguing bitterly with the teacher, the teenagers left, but only briefly, returning armed with pistols. It was only the intervention of another teacher, who calmed the “rebellious” youths, that prevented bloodshed. The three boys left, only to return again 30 minutes later with the same intention of killing the teacher. Once again, another teacher’s intervention saved the day. Meanwhile, an armed police officer who happened to be nearby did not intervene. A similar incident took place a few days earlier in a village in Librazhd. Three students had entered a classroom armed, frightening their peers and alarming the teachers. The school principal was forced to remove them from the lesson. “Revenge” was not long in coming. Taking up positions around the building that spreads knowledge, the future “doves” terrorized the teaching staff and the other students, firing bursts of shots onto the school roof.

On page 6

The Greeks lower the barrier. The Consulate closes . The Greeks lower the barrier. Consulate closes. On page 5 Kakavijë

. Jillmaz against the Islamists. On page 6

. The ferry hinders the youth orchestra. On page 4

Criminal complaint against “Klan.” Up to 2 years in prison at risk TIRANA – Sidorela Kola, the Albanian girl crowned Miss Albania, was at the Tirana Court yesterday to sue Klan magazine, “Iovora, but among the students-bur” – this is the purpose of her lawsuit, Beauty of Albania, at the doors of justice. But while the lawsuit was submitted yesterday to the judge who will examine it, this fact has aroused the curiosity of prosecutors and lawyers, who will go up and down the courthouse stairs. Nearly all the prosecutors who were at the courthouse yesterday were occupied with the “Kola” case, while many lawyers have agreed to defend her without asking for even a lek in compensation. But, in general, no prosecutor has yet been appointed, and no defense lawyer has yet been appointed. She will not have a lawyer, but the judge will be selected, while Hakluci has been appointed as the defense lawyer. The date on which the proceedings will begin. “A Miss in court”—almost like the title of a book or film. Kola’s arrival at the Court yesterday aroused the curiosity of people in the legal profession more than that of ordinary people. “Insult, defamation and violation of dignity”—this is the criminal complaint she has filed against Klan magazine and, if the judges consider it justified, its publisher could face up to two years in prison. Wearing light clothing, Kola at times looked like the photo published in the magazine, over which she and the magazine’s publisher faced off in court. Kola went to court without yet needing to undergo the checks for weapons that others are subjected to. Accompanied by her mother, she consulted with Judge Haluci, who will examine the criminal case against Klan magazine. She accused Klan of defamation, saying she had not given the interview that was published and that a photo showing parts of her body had been published without her permission. “No comment,” she said as she left the judge’s office. When a trial comes, you will know. Meanwhile, she is not seeking compensation or fees for her nude photo being published, but only punishment of the publishers for violating her dignity. The proceedings have been scheduled for May 26; almost all the prosecutors who had set out for the case on Tuesday have left. Kola in Albania, they were all at this month’s proceedings. “Beyond the fact that it is her right to defend herself against the powerlessness of the press, in the end it is also a lesson,” says a jurist. Meanwhile, competition seems fiercer in the lawyers’ camp. Those who are making a show of their concern and say they are ready to defend her interests without asking for a single lek. Mentor Kikia Sidorela Kola in court: “She did not ask for money, but for her injured dignity”

The would-be assassin is killed: He shot at the car . On page 5

Gang war: policeman commits suicide . On page 5

Armed gang robs money changer . On page 5

City under the grip of crime: 79 victims . On page 5

The Italian Deputy Minister On page 5 reliable” On page 5

The gangs continue to control the road to the border