The former President wanted to board Scalfaro’s plane Held up at Rome airport. “Alitalia” refuses to issue him a ticket: “You are an ordinary citizen” An unusual “adventure” for the former head of state while traveling to Calcutta, India

Sotiraq Hroni TIRANA - The cause of national reconciliation, debated, sabotaged and forgotten several times, seems to be becoming a rallying cry that will engage the political class, intellectuals and all Albanians wherever they are. If we were to be truthful on March 9, 1997, the terminology of the issue could move toward the concepts of rapprochement, reconciliation and national reconciliation, something that for Albanians may be felt more strongly in the component of national pride and as a process of education that is essential for Albania and our society at this moment. In any case, this cannot be avoided: it is part of the programs of this process, and the process itself must be raised on the basis of recognition and respect for the historical blessing of these times. So that we do not make mistakes, we must educate ourselves for reconciliation and peace among all sides, for Albanian public opinion as a whole, and for the country, with the rights and duties of all citizens. The cause of national reconciliation is an all-inclusive movement, linked above all to the work of building a civil society and fostering positive elites within a society of solidarity and reconciliation, eliminating vigilante justice, revenge, the spirit of action, etc. Beyond education in general, enriching life through broader participation in various non-generative organizations is a direct contribution to bringing people closer together—for example, turning an ordinary issue such as “cleaning the environment” into a matter that unites public opinion. In this context, the standardization of the identity of particular social groups is also important, especially as expressed in associations, trade unions, etc.; their natural struggles have been accompanied by imposed divisions and fragmentation, until a unified cause is cultivated above all, and the intellectual and political elite of the nation are inevitably involved in leading and carrying out every aspect of the national reconciliation process. But this process can be guided through the creation of [Text is cut off at the beginning.] to such an extent that people organized in educated groups may have relations of social trust, may they also build relationships? In any case, the process of national reconciliation is linked to the facts of the country being held accountable. This is not only because, after the family crisis of these years, the international community has viewed it as a beginning of leadership with Albania, but also as a much more direct and natural process concerning the country’s return and integration into the European family. The experience of the countries of Stability and that of National Reconciliation have fully demonstrated that they have exhausted the decision of the international community, have been fully supported by it, and have shown that internal relations for the lives of the country are the right path forward. Albania is both the PD and today’s PS. Today’s politics, at the same time, serves narrow political interests, the weakening of the state and corruption, which, in one way or another, occur in every normal rotation of the free vote. Violent failures of the kind involving seizure of power by force are the most glaring evidence of a corrupt direction, of authoritarianism with [unclear phrase] like those at the beginning, which will have to be forgotten by the television? of Euro-Europe. National reconciliation, for foreigners, is a process of joint efforts toward constructive relations with the opposition, but it is also the most essential part of the process in terms of the full future. Crime as a premise for [unclear] trade, and as a basis for coexistence and other social [relations], is becoming a concern for [unclear] and transition, as well as for society, political parties, etc. But all this has been supported by the view that it is being controlled in order to bring violent acts to light, and politics may hold the whole process hostage. The determination so far, with the selection of 29 (ten?)? [unclear], generally shows that the opposition’s objectives have managed to align with a paragraph of the platform for the parliamentary parties. The institution of this paradigm itself, once built, will be the entire transition toward the possible process of institutionalization. In general, it is both an individual matter. The “Armom” issue does not contain a critical assessment; there is no reason that has been overcome, with a disagreement over the process of constitutional development. The PD, having again been invited, [unclear] political and parliamentary leaders, now [is in] the same country reaching consensus toward a common goal. Order, and other institutions and citizens, [unclear] the grand process. [The last part of the column is illegible.] to such an extent that relations will be a peaceful and democratic process. [Text cut off.]

On page 3 At the anti-pyramid-scheme protests in Lushnje

Berisha arrived in Italy on Wednesday. Yesterday he was due to leave for the funeral ceremony of Mother Teresa On page 2 Pollo: “I don’t know any details about the incident. I only know that Berisha took another route to Bucharest” On page 2

THE “DURRSAKU” ALSO BEHIND BARS Zani Çavushi VLORE - Another of Zani’s associates is behind bars. This time it is his right-hand man, Leonard Ismet Idrizi, also known as “the guy from Durrës.” Although only 10 years old, he has been one of the people most wanted by the local police and, at the same time, one of the most dangerous criminals in Zani’s gang. A blitz operation by the Vlore police led to the highly wanted Leonard Idrizi, also known in Vlore as “the guy from Durrës,” ending up ... Residents in the surrounding area immediately alerted the police, who arrived at the scene together with the special forces. What made it more intriguing was that two citizens of Vlore were injured in the explosion. They were two poor men, the Memajdini brothers, who were immediately taken to hospital for treatment. They had been working in a house in the Çole neighborhood when they were hit by shrapnel from the projectile, but fortunately their injuries were minor and they are now completely out of danger. Nevertheless [Text is cut off at the beginning.] Zani’s gang. A blitz operation by the Vlora police led to the arrest of the highly wanted Leonard Idrizosi, also known in Vlora by the name “durrsaku.” Wanted by the police for a month, he became the “victim” of a banal incident. At 5:00 p.m. yesterday, Leonard Idrizaj, together with Idrizaj, both completely drugged, threw a grenade in the Çole neighborhood. According to reports and information held by the local police, they were found to be in a completely abnormal state. According to the initial analyses, at the moment the grenade was thrown, the two criminals were in a state of loss of consciousness and did not know the direction in which they were throwing it. It was this same abnormal state that caused them to [unclear]. Terrified by the explosion, two [unclear] men, the Memajdini brothers, were injured and immediately taken to hospital, where they received Çole neighborhood when they were struck by shrapnel, but fortunately their wounds Nevertheless, the incident did not escape the attention of the police, who immediately sprang into action. They cordoned off the site where the weapon was thrown and [unclear], and took measures to arrest those responsible. After the operation, Idrizi and Ruzaj ended up in their hands; it later emerged that they were among the most wanted members of Zani’s gang. Sources inside the Vlora police station say that the local police have all the necessary material concerning the charges against “durrsaku.” The highly wanted man known by the nickname durrsaku is also being sought in connection with a particularly intriguing case. He is also the perpetrator of a murder within his own family.

The EU unblocks 110 million ECU

GRAMSH / Special forces operation

The EU unfreezes 110 million ECU Nano from Brussels: I brought you the money TIRANA - Fatos Nano secures money from Europe. The 110 million ECU have been allocated to Albania for the next two years. Meanwhile, more than 70 million dollars will soon be provided for Albanian infrastructure. The first reports arrived from Brussels yesterday about a successful mission by Prime Minister Nano. First Jacques Santer, then Van der Broek and Gianni Matas. These were the interlocutors of the head of the Albanian executive, who secured for him greater support from political and economic Europe for Albania in the years to come. Santer was pleased with the Nano government’s program, but disappointed by the “aid that went to waste in Albania.” This is what the president of the European Commission said in Brussels as he recalled the millions of euros poured into Albania by Europe. In any case, the European official assured that the aims and objectives for aid and cooperation with Albania for the coming years have been set.

GRAMSH / Special forces operation ELBASAN - The perpetrators of the massacre of the guardsmen in Cerrik have been arrested. Luan Meta, 33, and Luan Buzani, 22, were taken into custody yesterday by special forces, which have been continuing operations in Gramsh for three days. The two wanted suspects were reportedly caught shortly after being held responsible for causing [damage] in the city of Elbasan. They were the perpetrators of the massacre of the guardsmen who had come to the city of Cerrik as Berisha’s vanguard. A criminal case has been opened against them, and they were immediately transferred to the [prison?], under the circumstances.

THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY AT “MAGIC BINGO ALBANIA” TIRANA - It happened: dreams come true when you least expect it. His main wish was simply to have a modern WC. He was waiting to save up money and then continue the work on it, but luck knocked unexpectedly. He entered the game with just 600 lek and never imagined he would win the extra bingo. “Party 33, the number...” — here the game host’s words were interrupted by an unexpected cry, which momentarily shook the whole hall. The scene took place three days ago in the “Magic Bingo Albania” hall at the Palace of Culture. Maliq Shehu, the winner of this event, won the extra bingo prize of 10 million lek, having entered the game with only a few hundred-lek notes. Surprised, people applauded his triumph, while Lleshi was astonished, now convinced he had enough money to build a modern bathroom. The 40-year-old, unemployed and father of three daughters, is a regular who plays this game of chance every day. Just days earlier, at the “Palace of Dreams” and at the quiz games, Lleshi had won the same amount, and he had never imagined that such luck could smile on him. “I played as usual, instinctively called bingo, and only when I saw the people around me and heard bursts of singing did I realize that it was all really happening,” the new winner concludes his story. Maliq Shehu, winner of the Extra Bingo