Italians, Greeks and Turks on land and along the coast Alba’s covert operation 500 foreign soldiers operating in Albania Weaponry ranging from pistols to armored vehicles and other modern equipment TIRANA – The Alba mission is back in Albania. More than 500 European soldiers are moving along the country’s roads, sometimes armed and sometimes carrying only a pistol, sometimes in armored vehicles and sometimes aboard ships. Italians and Greeks make up the largest contingents, with 200m soldiers each. The others are from Turkey, as well as from other countries. Sources at the Ministry of Defence say that their mission is entirely logistical and that they are in our country under bilateral agreements between Albania and the respective countries. A few months ago, the large-scale Alba mission landed in our country with more than 4,000 troops to protect Albania from a war with itself, but also to distribute “the large aid shipments.” A BELATED ALARM Alba soldiers in Albania Photos Baxhaku And what are the Greeks doing so far inside the country? They’d be better off staying where they were... Yesterday, the Albanian Parliament saw the return of further accusations against foreigners. Azem Hajdari, one of the most prominent opposition figures, strongly objected to the presence of Greek soldiers on Albanian territory. Who knows how the 200 Greek soldiers felt as they spent their days rebuilding some of Albania’s dilapidated military facilities. Surely one of them asked himself: What am I doing in this country? Am I doing something wrong by the people among whom I have been living lately? What the Greek soldiers in Albania think should be discussed by the Albanian authorities themselves, not only those in office at this time; reading about it may not make much impression on any politician in Albania. Because another aspect must be considered, one that is primarily important to Albanians themselves. When the Greek soldiers, just like the others, arrived in Albania along with their armored vehicles, many people breathed a sigh of relief. Now, with fewer armed men around, people could perhaps feel a little safer, go about their business more freely, and children could play in the courtyards of their apartment buildings without genuine fear. A year earlier, nobody—not even the most hostile critic of the Greek military—could help but be pleased after the “Alba” soldiers landed. At the time, it did not even occur to anyone to criticize Europe for coming to sort out a mess that... [?] If we look at what the Greeks, even as military personnel, have done over these months, we will see that they are present in Albania just as much as the others. Just as much as the Americans, Italians and others whom Hajdari did not want to mention. Those American military officers in Tirana inspected Albanian troops at the border and units alongside ministers Brokaj, Çeka and Legisi, while the Greek military should not be expected to help rebuild a few dilapidated military buildings. The difference between the US and Greece is something everyone knows, but in politics a foreign serviceman is a foreign serviceman, whether from a neighboring country or not. In short, he should enjoy the same status. Albanian politics has long displayed false nationalism. If we truly feel what is called “patriotism,” let it serve us all better by helping create a calm situation inside the country, rather than sending away the Greeks, mention. The US military attaché

Zogaj speaks from the Presidency TIRANA – The Democratic Alliance has issued a stern warning to the Socialists: “We are not afraid of you ... [?]”, but stresses that what the country needs now, more than anything, is a functioning government. Preç Zogaj, PAD’s secretary-general, responded in this way to statements by an SP politician that the Socialists could govern alone. Zogaj also called for all the polemics to be kept out of the press. Preç Zogaj On page 3

“I can’t keep quiet about the shortcomings of the SP. If I were in another party, I would act the same way” “I have other evidence concerning the ministers. They are afraid I’ll tell the truth again” Dritëro Agolli On page 2

GOVERNMENT CHANGES / The party leader backs the Prime Minister Ruçi gives Fatos Nano a free hand Let him make the changes; he has taken responsibility for them

Tirana Gazette Brojka once again at the top of the list On page 5 Durrës Gazette A trip to the forgotten beach On page 8 Vlora Gazette Electricity bills paid with securities On page 7 Shkodra Gazette The city remembers April 2 On page 6

Let him make the changes; he has taken responsibility for them GOVERNMENT CHANGES / has taken responsibility for them TIRANA – Gramoz Ruçi has given Nano a free hand to make changes. “The executive is run by the Prime Minister, and he has the right to call the parties in for consultations,” the Socialist secretary told Gazeta Shqiptare. Ruçi’s statements yesterday and today have, naturally, sparked further controversy among the government’s allies. “We do not accept changes that have not been justified,” Zogaj replied, later warning the Socialists: “We are not afraid to go into opposition, but I stress that the country now needs a government.” The controversy among the coalition parties began after Ruçi said that the changes would be made at the government table. Regarding working hours Inspection at Çeka’s Ministry TIRANA – A “surprise” inspection at the Ministry of the Interior. An order issued by its senior offices led to the closure of two or three main police station offices for about two hours. Meanwhile, inside, a special task force was checking all the offices to see who was at work. The result was not particularly positive: 30 employees of the Ministry of the Interior, including officers with ranks, lost a day’s pay because they were not found in their offices. The unexpected order was issued early yesterday morning by the Director General of Police, Sokol Bare. A few minutes after 8:00, the small green door was closed and nobody could enter or leave—not even those who had appointments or messages for the absent staff, or an explanation [?]—if there was one—for such an absence. No office was left out of this inspection. According to sources, around 30 employees were found absent from work without cause, and their pay for the day was therefore withheld. “For this to succeed, discipline and compliance with the regulations must begin with formal matters, such as observing official working hours,” Police Director General Sokol Bare told the newspaper yesterday. He says the inspection was carried out because it had long been noticed that various employees were abusing working hours. This significant measure is only the first step; if it happens again, they will be dismissed immediately. Roland Zili

The plane holds up the faithful TIRANA - Albanian pilgrims are left stranded along the way. Perhaps for the first time, 150 Albanians setting off on a pilgrimage to Mecca expressed yesterday the hope that, among Allah’s heavenly signs, there might also be a plane belonging to Olimpik Airlines. It was in the early afternoon yesterday that the faithful learned the unbelievable news: for them, everything would end at the only airport connecting Albania with the world. At Rinas, it was difficult and impossible for anyone to make sense of their prayers and the endless checks and representatives of the Muslim Community. Poor organization, or perhaps deliberately leaving things until the last hours, seems to have been the reason why the 150 pilgrims could not accomplish their sacred mission. On page 12

BERAT - A hail of automatic gunfire is unleashed on a passenger minibus. Three passengers are seriously wounded, while the attackers manage to flee quickly and evade the police. The incident has shaken local residents, while two families are anxiously awaiting news about the lives of the wounded, who are now out of danger. According to sources at the District Police Directorate, the incident occurred yesterday morning, at around 11:00. A minibus with Berat license plates, carrying several passengers, was climbing a steep slope near the village of Drobonik when unidentified individuals blocked its way. On page 7

TIRANA - An incident between VEFA creditors and the chief supervisor of the transparency process, Farudin Arapi. A quarrel and angry reactions from those whose money remains tied up in the Company, directed at those who have now come to work in its offices. Only police intervention prevented the situation from worsening. Three people from the small group gathered at the doors of VEFA’s headquarters, in “Avni Rustemi” Square, were detained and taken to the police station on charges of disturbing public order and peace. On page 9

FIER - A battle between the gang and the police. One of the police officers has been wounded, while the gang’s vehicle is all that has been left in their hands. Two suspects have been detained, but the numerous police forces are protesting against the Ministry of Public Order, which has left them helpless. “You can’t catch a hare with a cart,” they say, pointing to the lack of vehicles. “Even the one minibus we had was wrecked in yesterday’s battle.” The prelude to the clash between the two sides began at 4:30 p.m., when four officers from the criminal police, in a bar on the outskirts of the city, spotted a wanted person. On page 6

Official list of winning prizes in draw No. 53, dated 31/03/1998, of the Albanian Red Cross lottery. Tickets ending in 133 win a prize of 3,000 lekë Tickets ending in 4397 win a prize of 10,000 lekë Tickets ending in 08316 win a prize of 50,000 lekë Ticket number 001083 wins a prize of 200,000 lekë Sold in the district of Tirana. Ticket number 060696 wins a prize of 400,000 lekë Sold in the district of Elbasan. Ticket number 036932 wins a prize of 1,000,000 lekë Sold in the district of Elbasan.