TIRANA — The tragedy of the war… Tusha’s ultimatum: “Hand in your weapons by October 20, or go to prison” How three children were torn apart Witnesses recount Tirana’s tragedy The grieving parents: “It is the authorities’ fault. They should have collected the weapons” TIRANA — The tragedy of the war reappears across the square. Three children are massacred. The explosion of the shell cruelly tore apart, at midday on Saturday, the bodies of two brothers aged 7 and 9, as well as their 8-year-old cousin. The tragic event occurred in the village of Kashar 1, in an ordinary meadow, where the children were grazing the cows. It is still unknown how the fatal shell came into their hands, but experts suggest that the children were standing on top of it, perhaps drawn to the strange metal. “I’ve seen it since the summer,” the father of one of the dead children tells Gazeta. While the grief does not abate, Tirana police chief Pashk Tusha appeals for weapons to be handed in, so that tragedies like Saturday’s will not happen again. In Tirana alone, 13 children have been killed in recent months by explosives, bombs and grenades, while another 30 have been maimed. The chilling figures speak of a tragedy destroying dozens of young lives. The innocent blood of children must never become a sacrifice to politics. This was also the accusation made by the family members struck by tragedy. The three young victims of the shell On page 4 Valias is holding its breath after the terrible incident. The explosion occurred very close to the victims’ homes The three victims were very young, under nine years old. The circumstances of the explosion have not yet been fully clarified

After controversy within the PS “The discussion the professor has opened seems very worthwhile to me” After controversy within the PS Majko: “Pellumbi’s criticisms? They’re normal” “The discussion the professor has opened seems very worthwhile to me” Pëllumbi Majko TIRANA—Pandeli Majko supports Pëllumbi’s criticisms. “They are normal and worthwhile at this time.” This is what the PS number two said a day later, seeing in his Socialist colleague’s reservations a new spirit that will openly embrace the PS in the future. A day earlier, the man behind last year’s motion of no confidence had set out his reservations about the party’s shift toward the center and its move away from the left wing of the political spectrum. But his criticisms have not been opposed by the PS Secretary-General either. “The discussion Pëllumbi opened is very important,” Majko said, seeing in the former PS number two’s positions the normality of options put forward by a party member. Majko does not hide his regret that the article was not published in the Socialist Party newspaper. Pëllumbi, too, has preferred not to comment on what he set out the previous day as his latest theses concerning the upheaval in the PS ahead of its Conference. But Majko does not seem to be alone in his view when he says there is no upheaval. On page 2

The three young victims of the explosion [?] “The appointment of administrators is unconstitutional” Vefa sues the Government in the Constitutional Court as well The important hearing will take place on October 16 TIRANA — VEFA is asking the Constitutional Court to protect it from the administrators. Its victory in the Court of Appeal, which exempted the company from the obligation to accept administrators, is “threatened” by the Court of Cassation. The Prosecutor of Appeal himself, Skënder Demiraj, has filed an appeal with the Court of Cassation to overturn the Appeal Court’s ruling. But before the Court of Cassation rules on whether to accept the lawsuit against VEFA, the company has also challenged the Government’s decision in the Constitutional Court. “The provision of the decision granting state-appointed administrators the powers of an owner is unconstitutional,” the lawsuit states. The question of whether the decision appointing administrators to companies that have borrowed money from the general public is unconstitutional will be decided on October 16. On page 3 Vehbi Alimucaj

“Others think as I do”

“Others think as I do” Factions in the DP Shehu: “I’m in favor” TIRANA — Tritan Shehu “rebels” against Berisha once again. The former leader of the DP has restated his political position on the fate of factions in a party he once led. Just days before the Democrats’ Assembly, Shehu believes that things should be discussed openly in the highest forums, and that a mechanism should be found and institutionalized to allow those who can no longer live together in the DP to part ways. But Shehu goes further in his position. On page 3

DEPUTY HASANI ASKS TO MEET HIS COLLEAGUE IN PRISON Roast chicken for the would-be assassin “I want to send him a package; I’m doing it out of humanity” TIRANA — Communist deputy Maksim Hasani wants to give Gafurr Mazreku a roast chicken. Yesterday Hasani asked the justice authorities for permission to meet his colleague in prison. “I’ve prepared a roast chicken and something else for him,” said the deputy from Berat when asked yesterday. Yesterday at noon Hasani climbed the steps of the district Prosecutor’s Office. “I want to meet the prosecutor handling the ‘Mazreku’ case,” he said. After he was identified as a deputy, the police officer allowed him to go upstairs. Hasani asked for the district deputy prosecutor, Begir Kokoshi, but did not find him. After that, he went into the office of the chief, Bujar Sheshi. The chief prosecutor left a meeting and explained the matter to the deputy. “I want permission to visit Gafurr Mazreku, because I’m going to take him some things I’ve got ready,” Hasani asked. Sheshi explained to him that the case file had been closed and sent to the Court of First Instance for trial. “Apply there for permission.” Hasani went downstairs, and on the steps he explained to reporters why he wanted to meet the deputy from Has. “I’m doing it out of humanity,” Hasani said. He added that he wanted to tell the truth. “I’ve prepared a roast chicken for him, which I’ll take to him,” he said. Hasani also spoke briefly about the incident, which, in his view, had nothing political about it. Indeed, he said the opposite of what had been alleged. “Berisha is to blame for being so aggressive and for creating such a climate,” Hasani said, then went on to present further arguments in support of his opinion. Meanwhile, according to sources at Tirana prison, Mazreku is being supplied with food, including from a car with the license plate “RSH 020”. The Socialist deputy’s case is expected to be heard soon at the Court of First Instance. Mazreku is charged with attempted murder on account of the victim’s particular status. This charge carries severe penalties for the Socialist deputy. Hajdari and Mazreku, one day before the serious incident

TIRANA — Our national team in the German spotlight. Overall, opinions about Saturday’s match were positive. Moeller: “We won because we were very lucky. In fact, luck helped us more than our skill.” Kohler: “Whenever the Albanians got the ball, they threatened to score; I should forget this match as soon as possible.” Vogst: “Congratulations to the Albanian team.” On page 7 From the match against Germany

UNIVERSITY

ELBASAN

UNIVERSITY The “battle” begins in the lecture halls: Over 20,000 at the desks On page 5

TIRANA Bad weather swells the stream The outskirts are flooded On page 5