Police mega-operation. Six detained in an international gang Italy: spectacular blow against crime. More than 80 people end up in handcuffs, including Albanians ASTI - Albanian mafiosi fall into the Italian police net. A mega-operation by the Carabinieri of the neighboring country in the northern city of Asti, a district plagued by drug trafficking and violence between Albanian gangs. Nearly a thousand police officers, 350 vehicles, 8 sniffer dogs and a helicopter made up the “fist of the law” against organized crime. During the four days of “Shkoti” operation—the name combining the initials of the cities Shkodër and Tirana—82 people were detained, six of whom were arrested for committing various crimes. The police had 500 search warrants for residences suspected of serving as gang bases. The Carabinieri also seized 4 kilograms of drugs as well as various weapons. The operation focused on the “Praia” neighborhood, a peripheral area frequented by non-EU nationals. Investigations to uncover the activities of these gangs had begun a year earlier, but only yesterday was the final blow dealt against them. The mafia bosses from Shkodër and Tirana had organized the criminal network’s activities in several of the city’s main areas. Albanians first set foot in Asti at the beginning of 1991. On page 4 Drugs and weapons: links connecting criminals on both sides of the Adriatic uncovered

On page 2 Yesterday’s signing ceremony. Photo REUTERS

THOUSANDS WERE DEPORTED IN 1994 Islami TIRANA - Tirana said “no” to the Greek Orthodox clerics and, at the same time, to the Patriarchate of Istanbul. The Albanian government has thus officially rejected the appointment of three bishops from Greece. Neither Meidani nor Nano agreed to receive the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul. But the Prime Minister—as protocol requires in such cases—assigned Karost Islami, the Minister of State, to respond to the representatives sent from Istanbul. And Islami did so. “We do not accept you,” a traditional response from Tirana for a long time. This is the second time Albanian bishops have faced one of the most delicate issues in relations between Tirana and Athens. Just five years ago, the Albanian government—when Sali Berisha was President—did not grant entry visas to Albania to three Greek clerics, declaring that the appointments were not the responsibility of the Albanian Orthodox Church. The same is happening with the current cabinet. Rexhep Meidani is now President. So far, at least until yesterday evening, everything seems to have been accepted calmly by both sides. Even Janullatos said a few days ago that this is a matter for the Albanian state, implying that they could not intervene in these relations. And yet, many have not forgotten that after a Greek priest was expelled in 1994 came the mass expulsion of thousands of Albanian emigrants from Greece. Only a short time later, Archbishop Janullatos became the target of many harsh attacks by Albanian nationalists, who persistently demanded his departure. At that time, Janullatos himself had intervened with the Patriarchate of Istanbul to smooth over the disagreements, which could undoubtedly have caused a further deterioration in relations between the two countries. And now, after all this time, the complicated and extremely delicate issue of the three bishops whom Istanbul wants to send to Albania has suddenly resurfaced. Islami recently stated categorically that the Holy Synod will consist solely of Albanian clerics. This is undoubtedly the official position of the Albanian government, expressed a few hours ago through Islami. But while the Albanian side’s position is being made public, the delegation’s specific requests from the Patriarchate have in fact not been disclosed. Minister Islami, meanwhile, preferred to keep them to himself. Arian Çani Janullatos could the Patriarchate of Istanbul to smooth over the dispu-

ARMY A “mountain” of silver disappears 24 kilograms went missing during the events of March On page 3

The Durrës shipyard DURRËS - Strike by the workers at the Durrës Gdensk shipyard. Wages and a change in the shareholding percentage appear to be the reason for the one-day work stoppage. The workers demand that there not be major differences between the Poles and themselves when the work being done is the same. After work was halted during the months of unrest, the Polish side is seeking to increase its share of the stock from 51 to 60 percent. This is unacceptable to the Albanian workers, who say they will continue the protest if the Ministry of Transport does not resolve their problem. On page 5

Ministry: Keep order yourselves SHKODËR - “We will bring the special forces to Shkodër, but they will fight smuggling and guard only the main roads.” This was the response given by Ceka’s convicts to the Shkodër authorities at an extraordinary meeting yesterday. As for restoring order in the city, only the people of Shkodër will take care of that, since further political conflicts cannot be opened up by interventions from Tirana. Yesterday’s meeting also dismissed and [sic] the police chief, Biblb Dervishi. On page 5

She had reported the deception months earlier TIRANA - The mother manages to have the woman who deceived her daughter arrested, but is unable to find her daughter herself. F.Daja, a 27-year-old from the capital, was arrested a few days ago, when the [corrupted text: “kon-gjigjenti”] of the Albanian girls rumored to be prostitutes arrived in Durrës. “This girl kidnapped my 16-year-old daughter, deceiving her and sending her to Italy for prostitution.” This was the substance of the mother’s complaint to the district Prosecutor’s Office at the beginning of this year. The photograph remained in the hands of the justice authorities until the announcement that the girls were returning from across the sea was issued. The “Wanted” photograph was immediately transferred to the Durrës police, who made the arrest after identifying her. The 27-year-old was taken to Tirana, where she was questioned by the case investigators the day before yesterday and yesterday. Efforts are now being made to find the young girl, who is still in Italy. Today, according to sources from the Prosecutor’s Office, the woman who deceived her is expected to appear before the court for assessment of the security measure. One of her relatives is also wanted for this offense. p.re

The truck passes:

The truck passes: Cyclone at the customs offices On page 6

Queues at the banks: We want our money On page 6

Kalashnikovs against travelers On page 5

Hafizi, hope even amid illnesses On page 4