Italians catch a man from Durrës with a terrifying cargo Dozens of weapons and a large quantity of ammunition seized in Bari from a van with a false bottom The trafficker’s astonishing claim: “I was part of the Albanian secret police. I was taking the weapons to Naples”

AT “QEMAL STAFA” Zalla and Boshjaku during the match Fatos Baxhaku On Sunday evening they shone with their sporting form... You must forgive us; this is the first time we have had the difficult—let us not say impossible—task of singing the praises of sport. Beyond the limitations, beyond what was possible, once again this evening the event, in its setting, whenever it was recounted, stirred nostalgia for a “Rethamë” and an “LM”? After this, one will remember the criticisms of the words we have just spoken. Criticism would certainly exist, because on Sunday evening, on the magical day of “Qemal Stafa’s” return, one of the happiest events of these joyless times took place: the teams cheered together in the arena for an ideal that is always far removed from ideology, wholly and completely radiant, in the name of inter-Balkan peace. Albanian sporting traditions have taken the lead in bringing peace, rather than politicians; now, perhaps, an honest caste, together with an artistic enthusiasm, and sports journalists, artists and journalists from the capital, have brought together what had long been missing: the possibility of a smile and affection. There is no question that Sunday’s celebration could escape the sadness that has covered the capital. A minute’s silence for all those killed in recent times received an unusually enthusiastic response. Everyone—the journalists, artists and spectators—shared a sense of fear. Everyone, overcome by emotion, remembered the goodness of those killed recently. The whole thing can be summed up in a word, perhaps for the first time, as if to show how easy it still is in Albania to unite despite a difficult situation, but this has not happened for a long time... The line-ups of the two teams, aware of the drama, tried to provide a spectacle that, in their view, would match the occasion at the stadium. The young people—who had started coming back to enjoy the spectacle—responded to the message coming from two professional groups that have long been committed to opposing violence. The artists and journalists showed their appreciation by trying, as far as their physical condition allowed, of course, to put on a dignified match. The players, Smajta, Janku, Reshja, Mula, Boshjaku and the others successfully rose to the demands of the game. The match ended with a score of zero for the journalists, but that had only symbolic meaning; the purpose was something else. Its organizers, first and foremost the sports officials at Tirana Municipality, should be proud that they brought a smile back—a big smile—to the country’s most important city. The journalists, contemporary signatories, and artists were there, to remember and, above all, to be together in this gathering, where everyone came first and the rest followed. Perhaps this opportunity was limited in their society, perhaps it had dwindled considerably over the years, but it was...

AFTER FIERCE CONTROVERSY TIRANA - Parliament meets tomorrow. Berisha finally agreed to sign the decree that will bring the members to Parliament on Wednesday. There is a greater sense of relief in the corridors of the [unclear], and perhaps the whole society’s concern over a disappointment and refusal on the part of the current President has also been felt. Sali Berisha On page 2

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TIRANA - After Sunday morning’s tremor, another 207 earthquakes were felt in Albania by yesterday morning. According to Albanian seismologists monitoring the tremors, seven of them were in fact of high intensity. One of them was a much stronger earthquake. But they are concerned because even minor tremors can cause tragedy, since in recent construction the seismic parameters of the territory have not been taken into account. On page 3

Gang warfare returns to the city of protests VLORA - Vlora is mourning once again. Six people in the city and surrounding areas have lost their lives to gunfire, while ten others have been wounded. There are no details about the circumstances of the various violent incidents in which serious injuries occurred, but all the victims were taken to the city hospital. “Prevent these Saturday tragedies that are happening here every day,” a doctor at the hospital appeals to the political leadership in Tirana to pay greater attention to Vlora, the doctor says. From the recent protests in the city of Vlora On page 5

Athens raises the alarm KAKAVIJE - Greek police have significantly reinforced the border near the Kakavija customs post and temporarily halted all crossings in both directions. The barrier at the border crossing was lowered on Sunday evening, and a considerable number of special police forces arrived urgently from deep inside Greek territory. There is no official confirmation of such an operation, but the Greek media reported that the neighboring country’s police had received urgent word that an armed Albanian gang was about to cross the border. Kakavija On page 5

Erdhe - “Kani” is set to appear before Justice again over his daring photographs? After Miss Albania, Sidorela Kola, it seems another well-known figure of recent times, artist and Prime Minister Bashkim Fino, is unhappy with the usual way of leaving others out. Fino has made an effort like everyone else, and his term “The joys of the past are now gone” makes him the first Albanian prime minister to have his own minister. It seems the others, now in power, have also shown courage, and all the rest. It seems he also tried to make a public stand for change, but at a time when he was pleased with the tensions he has with “Klan” forces. According to several sources at the Prime Minister’s Office, yesterday Fino summoned a lawyer, just a few days after the latest issue of the magazine went on sale, to find out what legal procedures he could pursue against the artists who had, in an unusual way, portrayed him, and against those responsible for choosing to publish those photographs in another “Gazeta Shqiptare”. I myself had joked about it, but the others should have dealt with it... This is a tangled story that has recently been added to the Albanian court cases. Several trials involving well-known figures are currently under way at the Tirana Court. Some of them, Xhaferri and others, were initially joined by Sidorela Kola, Miss Albania 95, who sued after a “Klan” cover photo showed her half-naked in a scene from the film “Gjeneral Bunkeri”. Some time ago Kola had also protested: “They didn’t ask my permission...” The trial is awaiting the experts’ report requested by both sides. Nobody knows how this “battle” will end, which is also seen in the small-scale relations of an Albania engulfed in lawsuits; “Klan” has become a game for those public figures. While everyone awaits the conclusion of this trial, another debate, just as heated as the first, is taking shape. Here we are no longer dealing with Kola’s [unclear] body; we are dealing with Bashkim Fino, who agreed to pose for photographs in ordinary circumstances... Perhaps somewhere else, posing for photographs at night, going... his newspaper is selling, and what is more, from the text it seems to have been pasted into the newspaper... The latest cover of “Klan” The issue of “Klan” that caused a “storm” Fino has long forgotten all the politicians, ministers, artists or well-known writers we have written about elsewhere; everyone should first and foremost be grounded. Fino has no reason to complain about a photograph that “Klan” published—at least, that is what he says—without asking permission. Now, thanks also to his sensitivities, politicians have discovered that they should keep their feet on the ground. It is a shame that the whole debate leaves the two sides divided. Those who posed and those who published. Perhaps Justice will take this fact into account. Only then will the accusers and the accused continue smiling at one another. Perhaps as before... I. b. - a. s

Klan Eros & freedom Sidorela Kola The issue of “Klan” that caused a “storm”