The Vlora man’s stronghold falls. A mountain of weapons seized Commissioner Kordha: “He must answer to Justice.” Zall Herr’s commandos guard the port Renat Cole’s noose tightens. Mystery surrounds the fate of the high-profile fugitive

TIRANA - “There is no confirmation that Zani Çaushi has arrived in Italy.” The Italian Ministry of the Interior categorically denies a possible arrival by him across the Adriatic. According to a report by ATSH, which cites the Italian Ministry of the Interior, Zani Caushi has not entered Italy. This announcement was also confirmed by the Italian Embassy in Tirana, which requested further information from the Italian Ministry of the Interior and received a negative response. Specialized sources likewise confirm that Zani is inside Vlora. The news that one of the most dangerous gang leaders operating in the Vlora area had escaped has been circulating locally for some time. Nevertheless, this news has never been confirmed either by Albanian or Italian sources. Only yesterday was it made public by the Albanian press. The situation in the city on page 4. The opposition demands: “Only an Assembly can approve it” On page 2

Order from the Guard TIRANA - The armed personnel of the attacked Presidency and the Democratic Party must hand over the weapons they received during the turbulent months of the state of emergency. A large number of people who worked at the Presidency, including Pollo himself, Secretary General of the DP, and Shkëlzen Berisha, son of former President Berisha, have agreed to hand over the weapons within a short period. The order is also addressed to Pollo by the Commander of the Guard. “Under the law on weapons, which is administered by the Minister of the Interior and sets out the criteria for issuing, withdrawing and managing weapons, the Republican Guard operates with the following weapons: those of the presidium of the People’s Assembly, the party leaders, and other people assigned to them as drivers and household staff. During the state of emergency, by order of the Commander of the Republican Guard, the Presidency’s personnel were armed. With the lifting of the state of emergency, the persons listed below must hand over the weapons received from the Republican Guard by 12.8.97. Genc Pollo, Theodhosi Salaku, Ilirjan Rusmajli, Kolec Topalli, Orhan Sakiqi, Fatos Harizaj, Agim Bakali, Diana Ngjethi, Lidra Glozheni, Josif Kadi, Odesla Zhegu, Lirim Nuredini, Fida Sejko, Gëzim Jordani, Shefi Kaloshi, Asllan Allamani, Tomorr Aliko, Valdet Vorpsi, Moisi Miraka, Tanush Prashnjeti, Fathodh Abazi, Shkëlzen Berisha and Urim Mujo.” p.r.

ELBASAN / BREAKING NEWS ELBASAN - The outskirts of Elbasan have been drenched in blood. Four dead and 12 wounded was the tragic toll of the fighting that began late in the afternoon at a place called Fusha e Loparit, on the outskirts of the city. The circumstances that led to the tragic toll have not yet been fully clarified, but phone calls with the city’s police station made clear the anxiety of everyone involved in the operation. The fighting continued until late last night, although apparently the fiercest part of the battle between people—whose identities remain unknown—and the police forces lasted about an hour. It has not yet been fully confirmed, but it appears that it was precisely during this “fiery” hour that the highest number of casualties occurred. The information provided by police-station sources was also contradictory. “There are 12 wounded,” was the bare statement of the police officer, who told the Albanian Newspaper no more than that. Another voice, on another number, added with the same anxiety: “There are also four dead, in addition to the 12 wounded, but we still don’t know who they are.” All efforts to contact the Chief of the Police Station had been unsuccessful by late evening. He was surely at the scene. Until around 23:00, gunfire from the site of the tragedy continued to echo loudly. Elbasan is one of the cities where crime has spread alarmingly in recent months. p.re.

The opposition demands: “Only an Assembly can approve it” TIRANA - The Constitution comes before Parliament, but the DP walks out of the chamber. “We cannot approve a constitution of Kalashnikovs.” With this reasoning, the DP group walked out of the session, leaving behind a large shadow once again cast over the fundamental document of the Albanian state. “Let us begin with the platform for signing the draft constitution.” Gjithë muajshi presented the work agenda at the plenary session, setting the goal of approving for Albania a constitution like that of all other countries. But the Democratic MPs put forward their counterarguments. “We agree with the platform, but first there should be a parliamentary assembly, and then a referendum.” “This was the Democrats’ option, which apparently was not accepted by the majority.” After the discussion of the principles, Pollo and others left the chamber. “A Parliament of Kalashnikovs cannot approve such a document,” he told the press as he left Parliament. It seems the Constitution’s fate will once again pass through a long ordeal of boycotts, objections and politicized debate, as has often happened in recent years with something the rest of the world approved centuries ago. Berisha

INTERVIEW Minister Sherifi:

Fier, the new Commissioner accuses...

TIRANA - Work will save Albanians from poverty. This is the unforgettable message of the Marshall Plan for Albania. According to Labour Minister Sherifi, nearly 40 percent of the population is currently unemployed. The solution? Encouraging the private sector and small businesses. “Employment offices should be transformed into intermediaries and registrars of the unemployed,” says Sherifi. The World Bank is targeting microcredit for small businesses and rural areas. Recipients of unemployment benefits will no longer stay idle. “If they want assistance, they must perform public works,” says Sherifi. How much money does a person need today to cover the minimum cost of living? “The living minimum will also be studied. We have no reason to be afraid of the truth,” he adds. Access will be provided to emigrants in Greece so that they can be legalized. “Contracts must not remain just on paper,” says the Minister. INTERVIEW On page 3

Fier, the new Commissioner accuses... On page 5 Caricature by Mehdi Belortaja

TIRANA - Albania will play its match against Northern Ireland in Switzerland. Scheduled to be played in Tirana, it has changed venue. Just one day after FIFE’s decision that the match would not be played in Albania, its top officials chose Switzerland as the place where our National Team will arrive. The match will be played at the ground where Grasshoppers play their matches, a small stadium with a capacity of 25,000 spectators. Although we had high hopes of playing at least one match at “Qemal Stafa”, everything collapsed in just five minutes. Just five minutes of leaving the pitch, just five minutes of protests, four or five broken panes of glass, and goodbye, Europe. We have said it hundreds of times: no cataclysm took place in Tirana on Sunday, but given the situation, we all predicted this shameful ending for us. From Granada to Zurich. The odyssey is the same; only the actors change. In Spain we found the Germans and Ukrainians, while on Swiss soil we will meet the Irish. So, farewell to international matches in Tirana; let us hope that next season something changes for the better. “Qemal Stafa” empty once again

A message of peace and brotherhood. No more blood and tears TIRANA - The “blacklist” of blood feuds must be cast aside. “Blood that has been shed must be forgiven; it is time to love one another, it is time to build.” This was the message of the men of the Bajrak and Nikaj clans and many representatives of families most deeply affected by the pain of the great vendetta. All of them, together, from Malësia e Madhe, Dukagjin and Mertur, came peacefully down to the field of Shkurtit, this time without weapons, without hatred, to extend a hand of reconciliation to one another. The great, friendly act of forgiveness has taken the place of grieving for the sons who are gone. Tears of emotion have here and there washed away the tears of sorrow. Yesterday’s ceremony turned into a celebration full of emotion, thanks to the wise and heartfelt people: a land of love, shed tears, warm embraces, as a sign of reconciliation. “This forgiveness is not only peace, especially for the men of the clan. It is the revival of the finest virtues of our ancestors,” said Pjetër Coli, moved, one of the men who brought hundreds of thousands to the field of Sukth. This man’s wisdom was carried from house to house to sow peace, to bring it to life, which is what we need now more than ever. Among those present were Father Zef Pëllumbi, a missionary of the French-Scots faith, 75-year-old Lulash Pëllumbi, a wise man who seeks peace and reconciliation, Kol Gjoka, the father of six sons killed over the years under the customs and traditions of the Mountains, and many, many others. All together, to tell one another sincerely and peacefully, “no more blood, no more fear for our children, no more tears.” Unintentionally, history repeats itself. Dormant for years, the vendetta returns frighteningly. For years Albanians have waged a fierce struggle against the rekindling of blood feuds, against the terrible law of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini. But only one reversal was needed for blood feuds to once again loom frighteningly in the hottest part of the country, in northern Albania. It happened at a time when we most needed to turn the rifle and weapon toward Albanians.” But only four years later, the vendetta threatens again, this time more fiercely, more brutally, with everyone armed, and the pain and psychological terror reappearing. Far from settling scores and from revenge, there is also the fear that it may return. Weapons spill blood and add to the pain. This has been understood by these wise men, who are carrying on the important mission of their ancestors. They are people who have celebrated peace and the quiet life of their descendants. Rezarta Nika