Dokle to the Court of Cassation: This way, otherwise... New clash between Parliament and the Court. Avni Shehu in the crosshairs Closed-door meeting and sharp polemics between the two sides Thunderbolt over the Judiciary Dokle to the Court of Cassation: This way, otherwise... New clash between Parliament and the Court. Avni Shehu in the crosshairs TIRANA - After Rustem Gjata, it seems Avni Shehu is next. The chairman of the Court of Cassation has made his moves, including at a meeting with the presidium of the People’s Assembly, attended by Speaker Gjini, Deputy Speakers Dokle and Pali, as well as the head of the Socialist parliamentary group, Pandeli Majko. Throughout the meeting, there was a clash between Shehu and the Speaker of Parliament concerning the Court of Cassation’s appeals against decrees and the Interior Minister’s harsh statements directed at the Court of Cassation. The Assembly chamber; below the photograph: On page 3

POLEMICS WITHIN THE OPPOSITION The opposition gathers again in “Skënderbej” Square. On Sunday at 12:00, the Union for Democracy held a rally in central Tirana to mark 22 March, the opposition’s victory in 1992. Following the calm in Kosovo, the opposition has once again called for a technical government, although there appear to be differing views within it. On page 4

The old pattern returns in Kosovo. In Tirana, political opponents once again bare their teeth at one another, and the accusations that have long been heard grow even stronger. When Kosovo is engulfed in violence and bloodshed, both sides remember that they have a common interest and close ranks to confront it, taking even the optimists by surprise. But this lasted only a short time. Once again, “the external enemy,” Serbia, is the target; the elections in Kosovo have set things in motion, and the sides are therefore preparing to resume their attacks on one another as before, within the country. A historical pattern, rooted for many years, is returning to the Albanian political scene. “If we have an external enemy, then we unite; if we don’t, then we have no business with one another”—this appears to be the real formula being applied, replacing Albanian politics. A broad alliance brings together the [text unclear]—all of them, all young—a formal [text unclear] that sounds like something Albanians need, but still retains its “external enemy” substance. Rather than quarrel politically and merely demonstrate, they had once again [text unclear]... (text partly illegible) ...Kosovo, Serbia, and the elections... (column text partly illegible in the photograph) “The external enemy” appeared on the horizon. Zogu, caught in the Italian-Yugoslav vise, was forced to leave, thus beginning his final royal adventure. Enver Hoxha knew that ordinary Albanians had every reason to complain about the neighbors directly surrounding them, as well as about the great powers of the world, which had dealt unfairly with their fate. Taking advantage of the thousand and one complex diplomatic relationships that had developed in the chancelleries, “the external enemy” coexisted, of course, alongside “the internal enemy.” The existence of “imperialist hordes threatening Albania’s independence at every turn” became a story that was true in the eyes of the people for only a very short time. And whenever that happened, the people were made to pay. Now this has changed. Everyone curses and stigmatizes the dictator who elevated “the external enemy” to a pedestal, but many of them, perhaps without even realizing it, continue to live within that framework. The fear of external events is real, but sometimes it has become detached from the [text unclear] of Albanian politics, which are unfortunately forced to live in poverty as well; because Albanian politicians, whether [text unclear], or [text unclear], present it as [text unclear] and [text unclear], “the threat” [text unclear] whenever “the external enemy” calls them onto the stage. When it becomes real, they truly fall in behind it. Wouldn’t it be better if we made our decisions without this fear of the outside? Politicians must once again provide the answer. Let’s wait and see. Perhaps the old tradition will leave us in peace.

Chief Prosecutor “Check politicians’ assets” TIRANA - The state is asking its own people to “empty” their pockets. Dozens of institutions have distributed forms in recent days on which civil servants must declare the assets they own. It is a routine task that nobody is afraid of, precisely because of the eerie calm surrounding the monotonous outcome it has come to produce. But someone is aiming to change that. The Republic’s Chief Prosecutor, Arben Rakipi, recently asked the People’s Assembly to amend the law on assets... On page 9

Kuçova hub uncovered. Albanian police to Interpol: Arrest the group’s seven bosses Kuçova hub uncovered Prostitution ring broken up Albanian police to Interpol: Arrest the group’s seven bosses TIRANA - Police have managed to uncover the largest prostitution network. A girl who was abducted two weeks ago set the investigation in motion, leading to the discovery of the group’s entire structure, which organizes the movement of women from Albania to neighboring countries. Interpol has been asked to return the group’s ringleader; seven other people are under investigation and are believed to form the backbone of the network. On page 6

TIRANA PLAYERS RECOUNT TIRANA - Two hours of hell in Shkodër. Horrified by what they experienced after the match, with signs of anxiety still on their faces, which had not yet faded when they spoke 48 hours later, the white-and-blues recounted what happened: “It was something real... it was a drama.” Nevertheless, they all, together with the management staff, remembered to mention that they owe their rescue to the Vllaznia footballers. Mirëjani and Lici, as well as their families, and the other fact that they never believed they had been abandoned by Vllaznia. On page 11

Rugova President again. Milošević’s people bow their heads TIRANA - Belgrade and Pristina reach an education agreement. The document that was to grant concessions to the Kosovars was signed yesterday in Pristina after [text unclear] and its signing by Belgrade. After the agreement was signed, the head of the Kosovo delegation, Fehmi Agani, expressed hope that this school year’s calendar in the facilities would not suffer the fate of the previous agreement, since Serbia is unable to postpone the deadline any further. On Sunday, Kosovo held its elections. On page 2

THE COMMENT Sinemari on page 2

With the people of Sultan Nevruz On page 12

Strict search for weapons, but they find only a stolen BMW TIRANA - A [text unclear] police operation at all the capital’s nightclubs. In [text unclear], law enforcement officers searched all the venues frequented by young people at night. After several hours of searching for weapons or narcotics, it is reported that no one was detained. Nevertheless, the blue uniforms’ operation did not come away empty-handed. One of their teams found a BMW with Durrës plates, which turned out to be stolen. On page 5

A new page Tirana begins to rise skyward The skyscraper trend TIRANA - The capital is beginning to grow vertically. On its long road to becoming a metropolis, it has to confront everything. Morality, education and culture are not enough. Tonnes more concrete rise in ever-higher curves, driven by the desire to reach for the sky. And so the city is facing skyscrapers in Tirana. On page 5

VLORË Here’s how mercury entered the bloodstream On page 7 DURRËS Assailant at the police station killed On page 7 ECONOMY Smuggling breaches the state’s defenses On page 9

LIST OF PRIZES WON IN THE DRAW OF 22.03.1998 ON NATIONAL TELEBINGO MINI-BINGO PRIZE Tickets No. 665 and No. 2250 win the Mini-Bingo prize worth 4,000 lekë. Each of the above tickets wins 2,000 lekë. WINNERS OF THE THIRD DRAW AND COMPETITION FOR THE GRAND PRIZES Ticket No. 665 and 2250, Series 391; Ticket No. 665 and 2250, Series 312; Ticket No. 665 and 2250, Series 344; Ticket No. 665 and 2250, Series 369; Ticket No. 665 and 2250, Series 359; The 10 winners listed above will compete against one another next Sunday, 29 March 1998, to share the monetary value of: TWO APARTMENTS: 11,000,000 LEKË ONE CAR: 1,500,000 LEKË TWO TOURIST TRIPS: 300,000 LEKË SUPPLEMENTARY PRIZES: All tickets in Series 330 win the third supplementary prize worth 60 lekë (regardless of ticket number). All tickets in Series 326 win the second supplementary prize worth 180 lekë (regardless of ticket number). All tickets in Series 315 win the first supplementary prize worth 300 lekë (regardless of ticket number). Winners of the supplementary and Mini-Bingo prizes may collect them at any Tel-Bingo or Toto-Futboll sales outlet. Winners of the grand prizes must contact National Telebingo immediately at telephone number: 414 - 29. For the next draw, 100 series numbered 401–500 have been put on sale.