-More than 60,000 teachers and doctors protest against low wages Today a general strike of teachers and healthcare workers will be organized throughout the country. This, union leaders say, is the result of the miserable pay received by both teachers and doctors. “For those who are teachers, compared with those who work in the administration, the difference is very great.” To illustrate with figures, a statement by the Independent Education Union says that out of a salary of 8,000 lekë, teachers must pay the rent, the bus pass, the children’s bread, as well as many other things, so that to make it through the month they have to find a second job. The same concern exists among healthcare workers, who are asking for a substantial pay rise, so that they pay as little as possible out of their own pockets. page 4

The trial against Arben Lika ended PD Deputy Is Tried in the Courtroom Declared guilty; released on probation by the court. Arben Lika speaks to “KJ” after his release page 2

Yesterday at the Tirana Court The sensational escape dossier has been closed Less than 9 years in prison for 13 policemen - 4 of them released Fatmira Laska was absent from the hearing, along with Mrs. Ferida Gjykës Shtudiran, a former police officer, Gjergj Nurçallari. Engjëll Haxhillari was released on probation, while the other sentences were handed down with leniency. They were not convicted together; an old man denounces. The damage was again 2 and a half years, while the obligation was that afterwards they were forced to pay 4 thousand lekë. The highest sentence, one of the three, was 15 years in prison in the Tirana Court under the articles on escaping from the country, probation and abuses. The accused were acquitted of the release. There were altogether 20 defendants, who were sentenced to 4 years each and then had their sentence reduced by one third. Of the 13 escapees, one was also from the Tirana prison center, given 4 years. The case of Engjëll Haxhillari, released from the courtroom, was also almost a plea bargain. The latter was placed under house arrest. The reason is still unknown for two years and a bit. This sentence divides him into two 2 years and six months, and the other 7 years for escape. This sentence was divided by the authorities and they were given freedom of movement. The closing of the dossier for the 13 escapees today may have finally opened without yet bringing to an end the 20 other cases with justifications.

Yesterday: National PD Activity Berisha in Pili, in defense of the December leaders At yesterday’s meeting of the PD activity and the PD activity of Berat, held within the framework of the December campaign in Dibër, the chairman of the PD defended the “young people” as if they were a burden on his neck, a gathering at the neck of a protest organized by the opposition. Regarding the attack on the rally held by the opposition, Berisha stated that “people, mobilized by the Hillorri connections, individuals with a certain activity and who have at times been employed by politics.”

Rugova: I understood Berisha’s request for Athens’ mediation as a recommendation from the UN page 3