ALBANIA-GREECE A few hours before the match, the Secret Service sounds the alarm SHIK: Be careful today Klosi: We have indications of unrest More politics than sport SHIK warns of incidents at today’s match. Information from secret agents has warned of certain individuals who will try to provoke or even attack the Greek fans who will be in the Stadium, in order to create resentment and fear among the southern neighbors. “There are plenty of extremists in Albania,” Klosi declared yesterday, having brought this alert to the attention of the Ministry of Public Order. On pages 5-6-7
More politics than sport
Dritan LUNDRA
How much is sport connected to politics? It has always been said that it is separate from politics, but at least today it is more closely connected to it than ever. In fact, it is an ordinary EURO 2000 qualifying match, but for Albanians it has become a nightmare. A nightmare which, we hope, will end after today’s 90 minutes. Why all this pressure? The situation in the country itself gives rise to it. The Albanian prime minister declares that we will win 2-0, and the Greek one does the same. The coaches are no less vocal. They too, even though they themselves do not believe what they say, guarantee nothing but victory. The players on the field are more fired up than ever. But if it were only these people, it would
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Mehmet Shehu’s brother returns for the Referendum
Mehmet Shehu’s brother returns to Albania.
As he calmly descended the two or three low steps separating the interior of the Sofia-Tirana line bus from the sidewalk curb, Duro Shehu was quite sure that the Russian passport in his jacket’s inside pocket would not prevent him from voting on 22 October on Albania’s new constitution. Shehu, a former Albanian aviation officer in the 1970s and 1980s, had long been found on the streets of Moscow as the first days of winter approached.
On page 22
Mehmet Shehu’s brother returns for the Referendum
THERE IS NO LAND
THE DEAD OF FIER ARE LEFT WITHOUT CEMETERIES
On page 19
HEALTH
HERE IS HOW TO GET TREATMENT ABROAD
On pages 12-13
NEWSPAPER SPECTRUM
VISA APPOINTMENT DATES AT THE ITALIAN EMBASSY
On page 23