Belul Çelo gave weapons to Socialist candidates too Reported to the Prosecutor’s Office: They took them for last year’s election campaign Belul Çelo also gave weapons to Socialist candidates 60 politicians reported to the Prosecutor’s Office. At the request of opposition candidates and the opposition in the June 29 elections, Minister Belul Çelo ordered the police to issue weapons to deal with election meetings in the country’s dangerous areas. But even after a year, around 60 of these politicians have not handed back the arsenal they received. Yesterday, Minister Teta issued a final ultimatum to those refusing to comply. Otherwise, the charge of illegal possession of weapons will also be brought against members of parliament, for whom the lifting of immunity will be requested. The list of those refusing to comply, sent for criminal prosecution, also includes the names of many politicians armed by the police who left Albania in the first months of last year. Return of the arsenal received On page 2

Left-wing voters abstained because they do not trust Nano Ceka to the Government: The Alliance for the State has lost the election The renowned writer: The activists who were insulted and offended by the leaders saved the Socialists TIRANA - “These politicians are insincere. Those from the SP also ‘lie’ when they say they will employ 70,000 people.” Director Agolli criticized Albanian politicians from both sides, Socialists and Democrats. But, as he says, like a good “father,” he takes the left to task and “calls out” his own people. Agolli did not spare Nano and the others for the way they ignore SP activists, although he says they were the ones who saved the SP in the election, even though Socialist leaders insulted them. Neritan Ceka did not hesitate to criticize the governing coalition. Harsh and uncompromising toward any sign of euphoria, the former Interior Minister did not consider the latest partial local elections a victory for the Alliance for the State at all. Although the coalition won in most of the country’s municipalities and communes, what is essential for Ceka is the fact that the majority of citizens rejected the ballot boxes, which means that trust in Politics and in Government in general has been lost. On pages 2–3

NATO to Rugova: No independence US NOW IN TALKS WITH THE “TERRORISTS” (Photo: ANSA) PRISHTINA - Holbrooke meets UÇK people. For the first time since Washington, he has agreed to meet and has spoken for two hours with representatives of the Albanian “terrorists.” Yesterday in Brussels, Rugova received a firm “No” from Solana regarding the idea of independence for the Albanians from Yugoslavia. Solana, meanwhile, reiterated that the only solution would be expanded autonomy. And while fighting continues in Kosovo, a shipment from Germany bound for Albania was seized yesterday in Brindisi, Italy; it was carrying undeclared war matériel, according to the truck drivers.

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FRANCE ’98 WORLD CUP SPECIAL

BASHKIM FINO Having watched with dismay the criminal incidents covered by some daily newspapers in connection with the accidental death of my bodyguard Robert Hoxha, I cannot remain silent or, as on other occasions, avoid giving a deserved response to all those who have long been trying to denigrate my character by serving the public opinion the basest slanders and insinuations. I have just returned from the funeral of a 23-year-old young man, one of the outstanding members of the bodyguard team who stood by me with devotion and civic dignity. The unbearable grief I saw in Robert’s parents’ eyes and those of his other family members, to which are added my own profound sorrow and that of all the members of my team, obliges me to morally condemn those journalists who, beyond all moral limits, have dragged the death of this unfortunate young man into the framework of their savage and unscrupulous campaign against me. First of all, I want to clarify for public opinion that, as all of us who worked with Rober- with Robert know, and as all his relatives know, he never displayed even the slightest prejudice at work, nor the slightest sign of depression. The truth is that a moment of carelessness with a weapon led to a tragedy, about which no journalist or anyone else has the slightest moral right to make propagandistic speculations. Secondly, at this difficult moment for me emotionally, I wish to address all the aforementioned journalists and remind them that my political activity is based on a sense of duty toward my country. Continued on page 2

By the former Director of Land Studies LEFTER VESHI Land ownership is one of the issues that preoccup(ies) politicians across the political spectrum, while the media glorifies the issue in line with political affiliations and journalists’ own points of view. There have been many assertions: “The law on land distribution is communist,” “properties, owners,” “compensation for the legality of properties.” Continued on page 9

Children play with a mortar in Tropojë (Photo: ANSA)

Gazeta e Vlorës Neki Dredha: Here is how I will serve the city VLORE - Just one day after being elected mayor, Neki Dredha spoke to Gazeta Shqiptare about his plans, now with only a few days remaining before he officially takes his seat in the city’s highest office. What will the new mayor do? On page 7

Gazeta e Durrësit The depots: 9 thousand weapons collected since March DURRËS - Durrës’s depots are filling up with weapons. Most of the weapons that “went on the run” during the month of March have been recovered. Thus, around 9,000 automatic rifles, rifles and other weapons have filled the raided depots. Thousands of tonnes of artillery and engineering munitions have also been secured by the Durrës brigades. On page 8

Gazeta e Shkodrës Assault on PD leaders: an apology is demanded SHKODËR - The incident that took place three days ago in the village of Mesi was the focus of the press conference held by Shkodër’s Democrats. Chairman Bushati called the incident a political assassination attempt. “This is also confirmed by the silence of the Shkodër PS headquarters, which has issued no statement about the incident, [nor identified] those responsible for the incident in question, making them accomplices to this event.” On page 6