The scandal returns. Mercury is dispersed in the soil and in the sea The liquid metal in the bodies of residents in the area Environmental pollution is the highest in Europe. Fear on the Soda coast European environmentalists sound the alarm to the Albanian government: “Urgent intervention is needed to eliminate the consequences. Mercury has penetrated to a depth of up to 50 centimetres in the sea.” The alarm over the poisonous metal was raised four years ago, but the official authorities of the time did not intervene. For Vlora’s doctors, the test results were catastrophic for health. The mercury content in the body was four times above the permitted limit. The coast of Iora TIRANA—Liquid mercury continues to poison Vlora. The scandal that first emerged in the early ’90s has returned to the alarms raised by European environmentalists. The poisonous metal continues to be present in the sea and on land, putting human lives and [?] around them at risk. “The problems that … cannot continue to be ignored” [?] “Green” for ‘Gazeta Shqiptare’: directly damaging not only the fauna and flora, but also people’s lives. And in fact, the Soda and PVC factory, these [?] monstrous units of our industry, despite the serious consequences it has left on the health of its workers, continues to strike people with hazardous waste—people who continue to work and live amid this pollution. Without knowing where the “blow” is coming from, they suffer serious consequences to their health. Mercury, carried by water and [?] dangerous, being found in considerable quantities in nature, continues to penetrate day by day into the bodies of Vlora residents who live in that area.

Conflict flares up again Nano-Meidani: Advisers quarrel over salaries Pashko: What do the President’s advisers have that we don’t? TIRANA—Another clash between the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s office. Again at adviser level, but this time salaries were the subject of the dispute. Under the new salary reform for civil servants, the salaries of advisers to the President, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Parliament will be equalised. Meanwhile, the salary hierarchy among heads of institutions has been maintained. Under the old salary structure, the salary of the President’s advisers was around 70% higher than that of the Prime Minister’s advisers. Prime Minister’s adviser Gramoz Pashko has expressed support for this reform. According to him, advisers should be treated equally, regardless of whom they advise. “The President’s advisers have nothing more that would entitle them to be paid more,” Pashko said. Meanwhile, President’s adviser Preç Zogaj remained indifferent. Minister Sheriftha [?] said that salaries were still being studied. On page 2

TIRANA Three stabbings in the centre within 10 hours On page 9

FIER Police officer wounds high-school student at school On page 6

TIRANA—He has warned Nano. “Be careful with statements about dismissals.” Following the Prime Minister’s remarks, the PAD leader responds: You did not hire them Çeka: Nano, don’t speak prematurely The coalition decides on ministers’ dismissals TIRANA—He has warned Nano. “Be careful with statements about dismissals. Possible changes are decided by the coalition parties’ roundtable.” The President of the Democratic Alliance Party, who is also Interior Minister, has voiced his concern about the Prime Minister’s remarks directed at ministers at the last government meeting. “They are premature statements,” Çeka said at a press conference. According to him, this government was formed by the coalition parties’ roundtable, and only it can discuss and decide on possible changes. In any case, for Çeka and his party, the ministers’ departure is not an employment decision. “We weren’t hired by Nano.” Çeka’s strong statement continues with the argument that serving in government is a civic, political, patriotic, etc. responsibility and commitment. The cabinet of ministers On page 3

A lightning visit to Tirana. Meets Nano, Milo, Berisha... Kinkel: We will send the emigrants back German minister calls for a final deadline TIRANA—A “lightning” visit and a packed work schedule for the German Foreign Minister in Tirana. The much-announced visit by the head of German diplomacy, Klaus Kinkel, was completed in just six hours. The head of German diplomacy did not hesitate to include in his schedule, one after another, several short meetings with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, his counterpart Paskal Milo, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, representatives of the MAP mission in Albania, etc. Kinkel also found sufficient time for the press, while, as a friend of Albania, he chose to have lunch with Albanian politicians at Villa 31, the former home of Enver Hoxha. Afterwards, the head of German diplomacy was seen off in a festive atmosphere on his way to Rinas Airport by Milo, senior Albanian officials and Albania’s ambassador in Bonn, Bashkim Zeneli, who also represented Kinkel’s meetings. The arrival in Albania for the second time of Germany’s Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, was awaited with great interest. Kinkel and Nano at yesterday’s meeting (Photo: Plator Ilo) On page 7

Police investigate: Political motives suspected GJIROKASTËR—An explosion involving TNT in Lazarat. A considerable quantity of TNT, 5 kilograms, exploded, causing damage to the house of PS activist Myrtez Mëgj. His wife was slightly injured, while some household furnishings were also damaged. The police have carried out preliminary actions and believe the incident had political motives. However, it has not been attributed to blood feud motives. This is the third explosion targeting activists—[?]... PS headquarters in Gjirokastër. Patentati GJIROKASTËR—An explosion involving TNT in Lazarat. A considerable quantity of TNT, 5 kilograms, exploded, causing damage to the house of PS activist Myrtez Mëgj. His wife was slightly injured, while some [?] ... On page 9

ON BERISHA Braho against Çeka TIRANA—Braho against Çeka. “Berisha is guilty and can be convicted.” Shortly after the statements by the head of public order about the lack of evidence of Berisha’s guilt, the socialist jurist responded bluntly. “Çeka would do well to look at the facts contained in his official files,” Braho said, according to whom there is plenty of evidence against former President Berisha indicating that he gave orders for killings during the unrest. On page 2

Two Greeks caught with 40 anti-aircraft shells Arms trafficking with Greece: Police arrest suspects at the border ATHENS—Two Greek citizens were caught by Kozani police with a large consignment of weapons. ATSH sources, citing reports from the neighbouring country’s police, stress that the quantity of weapons seized was extremely large. The director of the Kozani police reported yesterday that the two men had been caught in an ambush organised by his subordinates. During the search, the two Greeks were found with 40 Kalashnikov assault rifles, 19 crates of ammunition, 10,450 cartridges, 44 anti-aircraft shells, as well as several automatic rifle magazines. The long line of border guards deployed in Greece since the unrest made it possible to track down the two traffickers and then detain them. It is stressed that only a few minutes earlier they had received the weapons from their Albanian accomplices across the border. Arms trafficking between the two countries has increased considerably since the events of March. Links between gangs in the two countries have enabled them to make large sums of money from trafficking. Official Albanian state sources stated some time ago that at least dozens of consignments of weapons taken from depots had crossed the border. Yesterday’s case is one of many that have occurred in recent months. Although patrols along the two borders have increased, various people find ways to transport weapons. In addition to the territory near the border, they have also been found in the homes of local residents [?], as well as in Thessaloniki and Athens. It is not yet known what measure of detention the Greek police will impose on the two detainees. The assistance of the Albanian side may also be sought to investigate on the other side and identify those involved in arms trafficking. Yesterday’s quantity is believed to be among the largest seized by the police.

MALTA TOURNAMENT Albania-Malta 1:1 Hafizi: We should have won; we hit two posts The national team played an enjoyable match. The coach draws a distinction: Murati excelled in his first match with the national team; the others were not at their best On page 12