Pyramid schemes are once again free. Meets workers in the South Much sought after in Libohovë: The old properties are mine. I will not give them up While wanted by the Justice authorities, Shemsia Kadriu meets officials GJIROKASTER - Shemsie Kadaria is ignoring the arrest warrant awaiting her as soon as she crosses into Albania. Just a few days ago, she visited Libohovë completely untroubled. Surrounded by people, the boss of Gjalliçe met with the 10 guards at the milk factory, who asked her for the wages they have not been paid since March ’97. “I don’t have any money now, but I’ll pay you later,” Kadria replied, asking them to continue guarding the factory, which is in good condition. During her brief visit to Libohovë—it is said that she came from Athens—she also met with one of the local government employees. The only people she did not run into during her visit must have been the police, who should have arrested her immediately. This seems to matter little to Shemsia Kadriu, who has promised that “Adi Petrofilli,” who has completely disengaged, will soon return to work as well. Vlorë From the latest anti-pyramid scheme protests in Vlorë

HIS BROTHER IS WANTED TIRANA - One of the Avdillari brothers arrested yesterday in the early hours outside the Tirana district, in one of the villages of Durrës, has admitted to killing the Italian. The operation led by the Tirana Police Directorate to arrest the suspects in the murder of Stefano Rossi, 24, owner of the shoe factory in Kombinat, has ended successfully. Although at first he did not surrender and fired at the police, he was ultimately apprehended. On page 9 The man arrested yesterday

But the names remain a mystery TIRANA - Bezhan(i) is stirring up a storm in the Albanian justice system. “There are spies at its highest levels,” the head of the commission for vetting public figures declared yesterday. Shortly after concluding the first meeting of the commission he chairs, Bezhan(i) made the sensational accusation. But he also cast suspicion on the executive branch, where, according to him, there are spies among the elite. However, the jurist chose not to provide details about specific names or positions, preferring to cast mystery and fog over the cyclone expected to hit the Albanian justice system. In his statement, he said that his responsibilities lie in the justice system; around him has gathered a circle of people who do not perform the functions of protecting the individuals in question. The Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation, the Prosecutor’s Office and perhaps its leaders are good people against whom these serious accusations of espionage are being made. On page 3 Lawyer Bezhani among the Commission’s files (photo: Klan)

FOOTBALL On page 11

Sherif’s invitation TIRANA - No general strike is expected in Albania; instead, a social pact with the unions is expected to be signed. The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Women asks Albania’s strongest unions to sign an agreement under which, for a four-year period, agreement will be reached on

About the latest unrest TIRANA - Democratic Party MPs from Shkodër will give explanations over the next three days about the recent events in this city.

Today, hundreds of delights after the long fast TIRANA - Today the long month of fasting comes to an end for Albanians, among the few peoples on the European continent whose population is predominantly Muslim. Yesterday the month ended, when a crescent was sighted, according to wha-

TIRANA - No strike for life? It is expected that an agreement will be reached on signing a social pact with the trade unions. The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Women is asking Albania’s strongest trade unions to sign an agreement under which, for a specified period, they will agree to suspend all strikes, demonstrations and work stoppages organized as part of the trade union movement. Representatives of some workers’ unions have meanwhile begun arriving at the ministry, but so far nothing is known about the discussions held with the staff assigned to make the initial contacts. It is thought that an agreement on a social “truce” will ultimately be signed for a period of time. On page 6

TIRANA - The Democratic Party’s MPs from Shkodër will give explanations over the next three days regarding the recent events in this city. TIRANA - The Democratic Party’s days regarding the recent events in this city. “The MPs who know how events unfolded will first be questioned as witnesses,” the Prosecutor General, Arben Rakipi, told Gazeta Shqiptare yesterday. The case is still under investigation, while a review of the materials has shown that questioning the MPs is necessary. “Berisha should also be questioned as part of their questioning,” says the head of the prosecution. On page 5 Topalli

TIRANA - Does the month of vitality come to an end today? A month of observance whose population is majority Muslim. Yesterday ended the month during which, hundreds of years ago, according to the exact Islamic calendars, the inspiration for the holy book, the Quran, descended to earth. As has happened for centuries, everything was commemorated also in Albania, far away geographically from the Holy Land, but spiritually close to it. On page 8 “Gazeta Shqiptare” wishes all the faithful a happy Eid

HASANI AT THE CHINESE EMBASSY TIRANA - “We want help from our Chinese brothers.” Not yet legalized, the Albanian communists are seeking to re-establish official relations with the Chinese communists. With this aim, the communist MP from Berat, Maksim Hasani, and the chief trade unionist of that city’s Textile Combine went yesterday to the Chinese embassy in Tirana. But, according to Hasani, the New Year greetings, according to the Chinese calendar, did not prevent him from also seeking political support from his counterparts in Beijing. “Our Chinese brothers have publicly declared that they would not stand by if Albanians had even a hair harmed. Therefore, given that after these riots Albania has not a single hair left on its head, we asked the Chinese ambassador to mediate in securing aid and investment in Albania,” Hasani said, expressing hope for the revival of this city’s Textile Combine. But the economic aid and New Year greetings appear to have been only a pretext for Hasani the communist. Thus, his first contact as a communist with the head of the Chinese embassy in Tirana was also used by the communist from Berat for party purposes. “We ask you to mediate in establishing relations with our sister party in China,” Hasani insisted. According to him, relations with the Communist Party of China are crucial at this time. Meanwhile, Hasani also presented the Chinese diplomats in Tirana with the program of Albania’s new Communist Party. “The basis of our program will be Marxist-Leninist ideas and doctrine, peaceful coexistence and international solidarity,” Hasani explained to the Chinese ambassador. According to Hasani, the ambassador was also impressed by Hasani’s statements and promised to convey them immediately to the Communist Party of China and to Chinese investors. “We also thanked you for the triumph of the brotherly Chinese people in all fields against American imperialism,” Hasani said, optimistic about quickly establishing relations with the communists of China. Hasani’s appeal to the Communist Party of China comes 20 years after diplomatic relations between Albania and China were severed for ideological reasons, resulting in Albania’s politics and its sole party, the PPSH, becoming completely isolated. Enver Hoxha with a Chinese ensemble in 1970 b.v

Durrës On page 7

To help complete this amount. Contributions can be handed in every day at Gazeta Shqiptare, Rruga e Dibrës 370, tel. 62646, every day from 14:00 to 18:00. Contributed yesterday 1- GAZETA REPUBLIKA 2- ELSA BALLAURI 3- AGIM GJOLEKA 4- ALFRED KOSTA 5- FONDACIONI DONALD KOLA 6- LOLA BABA 7- TONIN ÇOBANI 8- DURIM TAQI 9- FATOS BAXHAKU 10- VERA ISAKU 11- SOTIRAC HITA 12- NERITAN ALIBALI 13- ARBENI TATJA 14- ZINË DOLLI GJINALI 15- XHILDA PAPAJANI 16- BÇE ÇERA 17- QENDRA E EDUKIMIT të GJAKUT 18- ENEDA JUKNIU 19- PERLIMB HITO 20- BEN BLUSHI 21- EDI RAMA 22- HEKTOR RUSTANI 23- XHINJO I Radio “Klan” 24- DRAGOMIR BEZHA Amount collected: close to 3.5 million lire Jukniu TIRANA - Danish Jukniu, the renowned painter, a man who, through his talent and kindness, has shaped generations of young Albanian painters. No longer as before in Albania, but in a new, foreign life in Italy, where he is forced to wait alone, confined to his bed, for a difficult and costly operation. To save the life of such a man, only 10 million lire are needed. We, a group of Danish’s friends and well-wishers, appeal to all Albanian public opinion, state institutions, foundations, and everyone who is able to help, to make a contribution.

Aquarius: Everything about the sign during 1998 in all areas On page 8