The prosecution will resume investigations into the mystery of the trafficking of strategic materials Albanian mercury for Saddam The radioactive material has arrived in Baghdad Large quantities of missile warheads disappeared from military units (Left) Dictator Saddam Hussein (Right) The Gulf War TIRANA - Albanian mercury for Saddam Hussein? The strategic material held by the Albanian army is believed to have been taken in large quantities eight years ago and transported through Turkey to Iraq. It was the time when the region was engulfed in the Persian Gulf War. The radioactive material used in nuclear missile warheads played a major role in the outcome of the conflict. And red mercury was also an essential element in their production. This strategic material, studied in rare quantities, is known to military organizations throughout the world. Secret information has reportedly reached the General Prosecutor’s Office, which is planning new investigations. “Large quantities of red mercury disappeared during 1990–1992.” Not only that, but other, more detailed information has also reached the offices of the top prosecutor, setting the investigative authorities in motion. Most of it was in the Elbasan-Gramsh area, but only about three Ustika [sic] had knowledge of its location and how it was secured. Previously, its price per gram ranged from 60,000 to 100,000 dollars. “Nothing had been confirmed at that time, but it was said that important individuals from Arab countries had offered as much as 5 million dollars to buy the largest possible quantities.” Red mercury was kept under tight secrecy at several hidden locations in Elbasan and Gramsh. During 1990–92 it disappeared without a trace. TIRANA - According to the investigations, during the dictatorship there had been strategic military plans to produce missiles or combat [unclear], and the strategic sites of Korkina had been planned for producing nuclear missiles, for which [it was] a basic element. “This is confirmed by a former senior officer of the Albanian Army. According to him, Enver Hoxha himself was interested in producing this type of missile.”

HISTORY Enver Hoxha in March 1970 TIRANA - During the dictatorship, Albania itself had strategic military plans to produce missiles or combat [unclear]; in connection with these, the strategic sites of Korkina had been planned for producing nuclear missiles, for which [it was] a basic element. “This is confirmed by a former senior officer of the Albanian Army. According to him, Enver Hoxha himself was interested in producing this type of missile.”

KORÇË - The Bajram festivities turned bloody in Korçë. The explosion of a bomb just a few metres from the police station caused four victims. Two people were seriously wounded and three others sustained minor injuries. The seriously wounded are expected to be taken to hospital. The police have identified the perpetrators and are working to apprehend them. On page 7

CHRONICLE On page 7

Today’s session. There have been discussions in the PS TIRANA - “More money for government officials, police officers, judges, pensioners and other state employees.” At today’s session, the Albanian government will seek approval for measures to take effect on 1 April 1998, providing salary increases of 20–100% for pensioners and other public sectors. The biggest beneficiaries of the salary increases are expected to be the highest-ranking officials of the Albanian state. A 100% increase in monthly salary income is planned for the President, the Prime Minister and the deputy secretary. For the other members of the Nano government, the increase will reach up to 70%. A substantial monthly salary increase of 50% is also planned for police officers. The increase for judges will be 30%, while pensioners will receive only 20%. On page 3 Prime Minister Nano

FIER On page 9

SHKODËR On page 7

POLITICS On page 2

“Christ Will Be Born Tomorrow” soon on stage TIRANA - With handcuffs on, he nevertheless continues to stage plays—or rather, a tragicomedy. He is Viktor Zhusti, who recently astonished Albanian public opinion with what is called “drug trafficking,” and now he continues to amaze. Still awaiting trial after being detained by the Greek police, he will stage “Christ Will Be Born Tomorrow,” the tragicomedy by the Greek playwright Babis Cilikropulos, translated by Zhusti himself. It seems everything is ready: the translated script, a cast of actors, and Viktor co-directing from Greece. He communicates with his colleague Kico Londo and the actors by telephone, and rehearsals are thus continuing at the National Theatre. Londo is successfully staging the comedy; Zhusti seems to have fully [unclear] the tragic part of the Greek comedy “Christ.” More than 12 of our stage artists are involved in “Christ Will Be Born Tomorrow,” including Agim Qirjaqi, Luiza Xhuvani, Merita Zoto, Medi Malkaj and Valbona Imami. But the surprise—and what adds even more “charm” to this collaboration—is the presence of the great Kadri Roshi. This tragicomedy is being staged for the first time in Albanian theatre and, according to sources close to the Zhusti family, it is his favourite play and one of the dreams he has wanted to realize in recent years. Zhusti, who had been living in Greece with his family for some time, was detained several weeks ago by Greek police, who found about 11 kilograms of heroin at his base. The proceedings against the well-known Albanian actor and director have not yet been officially announced, but it is reported that he is in a very difficult state after what happened. Nevertheless, he has appreciated the support his Albanian colleagues have given him. They have continued to stay in touch, and have even made the seemingly impossible a reality: making him their director from prison. Many of them have spoken to the press in open support of their colleague in misfortune, declaring that Zhusti will continue to be a talented colleague among them. And indeed, that is what is happening. The finest figures in the performing arts are now staging a difficult work with him under astonishing circumstances. The tragicomedy is expected to open at the National Theatre at the end of next February. From recent performances at the National Theatre

STAROVA: OTHERWISE YOU WILL NOT PLAY TIRANA - “The national team must have a national spirit.” Secretary-General Sulejman Starova has asked the players to learn the National Anthem. “With the money from the salaries paid from television rights, we will buy cassettes with the national anthem recorded on them and distribute them to the players, so that they know it and sing it on the pitch. Otherwise, none of them will play for the national team.” On page 11

to the Albanian public, state institutions, foundations and all individuals who are able to help, to contribute toward raising this amount. Donations can be delivered every day to the Albanian Newspaper, Dibra Street 370, tel. 62646, daily from 14:00 to 18:00. Contributors - yesterday 1-2. KADRI DUUKA 2- PETRIT DUKA 3- ARJAN ELMAZI 4- ZAMIR XHAFERI 5- FAXI që FIORI CINAJ 6- LEONIDHA KIKO 7- YASHTI AHMETAJ 8- STEFANOBOTESEKOR- 9- THE ALI MULETI FAMILY 10- JULIEN APOCHE 11- “PLANET” printing house Amount collected: nearly 5.6 million lire TIRANA - Danish Juknisi, the well-known Albanian painter, a man who has passed on his talent and kindness from one generation to the next, continues to suffer—not in Albania, but in a foreign hospital in Italy, where, exhausted, he lies alone in bed waiting for surgery on his kidneys and legs. Saving the life of such a man requires only 10 million lire. We, a group of Danish’s friends and well-wishers, appeal to everyone

1. The Council of Ministers, with a fund of 10 million lekë allocated from the state budget, intends to carry out procurement for “Purchase of fuel for the ministry’s cars: unleaded Super petrol, Super petrol and Gazoll.” 2. The Council of Ministers invites bidders to participate in the open tender for the procurement of fuel for the ministry’s cars: unleaded Super petrol, Super petrol and Gazoll. 3. Tender documents may be obtained from the Administration of the Council of Ministers, Tel. 29208, upon submission of a written request and payment of a non-refundable fee of 200 lekë. Further information about the tender can be obtained at the same address. 4. Bids must be submitted to the Administration of the Council of Ministers on 20.02.1998 at 10:00, when the tender will be opened; participants or their representatives are invited to be present. 5. A tender participant who withdraws their bid after the tender has been opened or refuses to sign the contract will have the award of the contract revoked and their bid security confiscated.