Elections: Europe holds back the bread

The sacks of wheat promised by the EU will arrive after June 29 State warehouses are being emptied rapidly. Only private traders are overcoming the hunger crisis

Cërrik turns into a bomb-filled city

The Çekrez military base is looted Controversy in Elbasan: Who is to blame? Tension and heated discussions about the events in Cërrik. The officers respond: “It wasn’t us” From the tunnel explosion in Qafë-Shtamë CËRRIK - For the third time, the Çekrez depot has been looted and turned into a “depot” for the city of Cërrik. Two military vehicles have unloaded thousands of grenades and anti-tank shells in the city cinema, where nearly 500 tons of TNT have also been stored. The Ministry of Defence has called for this arsenal to be handed over because it is creating unforeseen problems.

First incident involving OSCE observers. Yesterday, a group of armed people stopped them in Memaliaj On page 3

The grain aid promised by the EU will be delayed until after the elections and is beginning to cause problems On page 4

TIRANA - Europe is holding wheat hostage over the elections in Albania. The quantity promised for emergency needs will not arrive before June 29. Thus, after practically proving in its political negotiations that it could quell the uprising of politicians and those in power, Europe seems intent on playing the bread card. This is happening at a time when there is not a single kilogram of wheat in Albania’s state reserves, and the bread situation is not at all normal; it would be no surprise if one day, perhaps not far off, we were faced with very serious problems. According to the managers of the Tirana Bread Factory, nobody remembers to deal with this problem, while the only ones keeping the population supplied with bread are the traders who cross dozens of roadblocks and pay large sums to armed gangs to bring flour into Albania from Greece.

A bullet for Silva

On page 2 The general director of the “Silva” company

Ridle as he lifts the Cup (Photo: REUTERS) MUNICH - At long last, the miracle has happened: after 14 years, the European Cup has returned to Germany. A long wait and, ironically, just as 14 years ago in Athens, once again facing the European champions. On Wednesday, too, Juventus and the German [??] faced off against the champions of Italy. On Wednesday, too, Juventus spoiled the final-[??] day, scored just one goal, but this time it went in[??] at its own goal, more than in all four previous finals combined. For a long time they had thought that Juventus and U[??] had no rivals in ten matches of such wins and draws. All the more so because Dortmund had previously won a [??] against this German [??].

PS gives constituencies to its smaller allies

The main leaders of PAD and PSD face no rivals TIRANA - The small parties reach an agreement with the PS. “How many constituencies will you leave open for us in the elections?” This was the essence of the talks between PAD and PSD at yesterday’s meeting with the leaders of the largest opposition party. Nevertheless, the smaller parties did not spare their criticism of what they themselves called “a large party, which should be more responsible ahead of the June 29 elections”. The parties expressed themselves on this matter...

Banks go on the offensive, the dollar falls but uncertainty remains in the market

On page 2 Fatos Nano Neritan Ceka

FIËR

Nurses on strike: They are keeping us alive On page 5

TIRANA

The Guard seeks those responsible for Cërrik On page 5

TIRANA

TNT explosion at a shop On page 2

FIER

A hailstorm of darkness: 50-year-old man loses his life On page 5

A joke about death: Fake news

GJIROKASTER - To see your own photograph in a death notice while you are still alive. Naturally, something like this can happen only in a film scene or when you become the victim of a joke or revenge stirred up by “enemies”. Yet cruel fate had chosen a senior local-government official in Gjirokastër, who was informed of his funeral while he was going about his business in his office. The black notices [??] were to be posted at all the usual places around town, and after the [??], which lasted several hours, it was judged that he was “more dead” and everyone was announcing the death of our beloved one. The funeral will be held on Thursday at 14:00. The family.” This text, printed on the black notices, announced the death of a senior local-government official in Gjirokastër. Death has become commonplace in these ordinary times, but what made this case extraordinary was that the official was in his office and in perfect health. A phone call with [??] what, the concern of well-wishers initially received a response that [??], and only later was it understood that it was all a prank. The notices mentioned were torn down after several hours.

Macedonians fire bullets across the border

They fire without warning; several villagers are wounded DIBËR - A hail of bullets from the Macedonian border. Hundreds of special troops from the neighboring southeast [??] advanced as far as the Albanian border line and fired without warning for 7 hours. The residents of the village of Bilate [?], where the incident occurred, fled their homes in terror and did not return fire. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but several residents were wounded. They sustained various injuries. If [??] no causes and considerable material damage. Dozens of villagers caught up in the border events were [??] by the endless hail of bullets and [??] in their homes, forced to seek work as well. None of them returned fire. Three days after the incident, a meeting was held between the Albanian and Macedonian sides, but [??] and others who had [??], as well as the territorial authorities of the country. On the morning of May 25, at around 07:00, [??] selected Macedonian army troops deployed in combat formation and fired volleys for nearly two hours at locations along the Albanian border, from a trench some distance from the homes of the village of Bilate. Caught by surprise by the burst of gunfire, several villagers were wounded, while others abandoned their homes and took shelter behind a hill, the only place where they found protection. None of them returned fire. Three days after the incident, a bilateral Albanian-Macedonian meeting was held, but the border [??] received no response regarding the resolution of the country’s territorial relations. The Albanian-Macedonian border

A short time ago, Vranicki himself had warned: “Agree, or the aid will not come”

“JUVE” FALLS The parties: “We are satisfied if the socialists keep this agreement” GJIROKASTER

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SOROS FOUNDATION MEDIA CENTER

Following the approval of the law on electronic media, the Soros Foundation Media Center has included in its program the provision of assistance to private radio and television stations. All interested parties are invited to contact this center by June 5, 1997, to discuss the most urgent issues and the most effective forms of assistance. Address: 5/1 Xhorxh W. Martin Street, Tirana Tel/Fax: 00 355 42 27295 Thank you