Bad weather postpones the national mourning. The graves remain open The first 17 coffins arrive in Rinas. The plane carrying the other 35 is forced to return to Brindisi A somber atmosphere in Vlora and Fier. Thousands wait with bated breath TIRANA - The ceremonies are postponed for a day. But it is still not known whether Friday will be suitable for everything. The storm that began on Wednesday evening in the Adriatic continues to hamper both witnesses and the transport of relatives. Yesterday morning, the plane carrying 35 coffins, initially departing, announced that it would land in Tirana and then continue to Fier and Vlora. In the latter, people had gathered early in the morning, and the crowd could no longer bear the passing minutes. The rumors spread the day before, about the danger posed by the worsening weather, greatly increased the anxiety. For Tare Haxhi, the prefect of Vlora, these were perhaps some of the most difficult moments of his life. Hundreds of people were asking for answers, and he was obliged to give one to each of them. Meanwhile, 20 buses had set out from Fier to take their share in the Otranto tragedy. (Photo: Plator Ilio) The unloading of the coffins yesterday in Rinas On page 3 The unloading of the coffins yesterday in Rinas (Photo: Plator Ilio)

ONLY BY CHANCE? Anël Tela We are forced, even when we wish to deny it, to acknowledge [?]. We do not know where this spirit is taking us. The great aim is to judge the danger and perhaps save an entire month; it chose Thursday to unleash itself. Nature’s whim was so ferocious that it did not even allow the air to be calm. The unprecedented storm halted all movement at sea. The tragedy had left the way clear for planes to travel to the place of rescue, but they met the same fate. The arduous journey was interrupted several times, leading to a bloody end, as we could never have imagined. Terror was felt in Vlora too. It was not very strong, but it shook the city and the seashore before dawn, as if to warn of what was to come. Everything happened on Thursday, and the official ceremonies were postponed for a day. It is a time of mourning. On March 28, the day the “Katër i Radës” sank at sea, the calendar showed Friday. A thousand and one dreams, and Friday the 13th, traditionally associated with the day of Christ’s Passion. Today is also Friday, and perhaps someone thought that the two Fridays would resemble one another, but there are many other fates that, with their stubbornness, seem intent on sinking nature’s curse. Albanians have the habit of following the news day by day, without having [?], their homes [?]. The farewell ceremony was supposed to bring all the citizens together and be completed within a few hours. Perhaps the explanation in this case also comes from the experience of doctors, hackers, people like [?], who want to offer the version of the “dead.” The sea cannot take away what belongs to it, so people are expected to see the crowd and the general picture above all. The weather really was terrible and covered the whole country. The unprecedented storm also damaged some of the small houses [?], but today we hope that things have decided to change course, perhaps to remind us of the awakening of the Albanian custom, perhaps to make Friday reflect on itself; but the greatness for Tu [?] is not the end of the family’s chance, shrouded in [?], to write a bad dream that fails [?]. In any case, no one can give a definitive conclusion as to whether yesterday was nature’s curse or a tribute to the customs of the Albanian people.

KONDI: THE DECISION WAS MADNESS TIRANA - The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of VEFA. “The transparency law, which establishes the powers of administrators, is unconstitutional.” This is how the country’s highest court described the VEFA case yesterday. Immediately after the ruling was announced, Justice Minister Kondi said in a brief statement: “This is the height of madness.” But the Constitutional Court is not the Political Bureau. On page 2 Alimucaj

THE LAWYER On page 6

IN THE NORTH On page 5

LAÇ On page 5

BERAT / “War on corruption” BERAT - Commissioner Mitat Havari speaks. Yesterday, the head of the Berat police station broke the silence of the 26 commissioners senior to him for the first time in the history of the law-enforcement department. At a press conference, the chief of Berat’s blue uniforms spoke about the replacement of fugitives in his district, murders, robberies, and what he intends to do to ensure order and peace for his fellow citizens. On page 5

THE PROTEST IS POSTPONED BY ONE DAY Today, November 13, 1997, the newspaper and magazine publishers’ association “Gazeta Shqiptare” is publishing this notice to inform readers that “Gazeta Shqiptare” will join the one-day strike announced for November 15. It was decided that the publishers would issue a joint statement: “Out of concern for the funeral ceremony in Vlora for the victims of the Otranto tragedy, and because of the bad weather, the publishers and editors of daily newspapers and magazines have decided that the strike, for which no date had been set, will begin not on November 15 but on November 16, in order to cover the funeral ceremony in Vlora. Therefore, on Sunday, no newspaper or magazine will be published, with no exceptions. Other newspapers and magazines are asked to show solidarity with our strike until our demands are fully met.”

TIRANA - Hundreds of citizens are at risk of a catastrophe. Illegal constructions over electric cables and along overhead lines have put the Tirana Electricity Company on alert. As the situation is serious, Mayor Albert Brokaj is urging all the competent authorities to minimize the danger. Many of these structures have been there since December last year. Employees of the Electricity Company have now asked the Municipality to take immediate measures to prevent these illegal constructions. On page 6

FROM THE WORLD American specialists expelled FROM THE WORLD Saddam threatens war again American specialists expelled On page 7

THE CHILDREN WERE RELEASED ON WEDNESDAY ELBASAN - The trial of the pedophile from Cerrik will not take place for the time being. The Elbasan Court confirms that, in relation to the children [?], only the arrest measure has been taken. “It is true that the Prosecution has requested a direct trial, but this is not an exceptional case.” On the other hand, in addition to the arrest measure against Rama, measures have also been taken to secure the evidence, which guarantee that the proceedings can take place at any time and do not put them at risk. The Prosecution had requested that the pedophile’s case be classified as exceptional and, under Albanian law, that he be tried directly. In fact, the prosecution authority had set yesterday (Thursday) as the date for opening the proceedings. But the Court did not agree to proceed so quickly. According to the Court, the trial will follow the normal steps. In fact, the pedophile’s file has not yet reached the Court. On Wednesday, the arrest measure was taken. The young children were also released on Wednesday. The child from Patos was returned to his family, who had no idea where he was, since, according to his parents, their child had been missing from home for a week. The two children from Elbasan were returned to their families. The child monster is one of the latest cases in which adults abuse and exploit vulnerable children in various ways. There are certainly other “children” elsewhere, but their cases are not discovered. In Tirana alone, there are dozens of beggars, some of whom are exploited. Bledar Starova

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR HAJDARI TIRANA - Hajdari did not appear again at the trial against Mazreku. “I’m not coming, I’m a member of parliament. Give my regards to the court,” the injured MP told the escort detail. Hajdari broke faith with the police officers who were waiting outside the DP headquarters. According to the newspaper Lasaj, the law provides no exceptions for MPs. At yesterday’s hearing, the two witness MPs from Shkodra did not appear either. The trial panel once again had to intervene forcefully with Hajdari. Mazreku during the trial On page 6

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