Yesterday at the Constitutional Court the opposition’s lawsuit over “Antigenocide” and the files was heard The decision on the constitutionality of the two laws will be announced on 31 January The opposition group during yesterday’s proceedings photo A. BABANI The constitutional judges have decided to reject Socialist Fehmi Abdiu’s request to suspend the law on “Genocide” until a ruling is issued by the bench. Meanwhile, the last day of this month was set as the date for announcing the final decision on the two laws denounced. The request by the Socialist deputy has been dismissed and, at no point, nor up to now, have the prosecutor’s office and the others faced any obstacles to act on the complaints arising from the law in question. The Constitutional Court is doing the President’s bidding - Gjinushi and Abdiu speak to “KJ” pages 2, 9 The opposition group during yesterday’s proceedings photo A. BABANI

American proposal for the electoral law The government extends the deadline for drafting the new electoral law Today: Greece’s new Prime Minister Hope and anxiety for relations with Tirana Papandreou remains PASOK chairman page 4

The second assassination attempt in a month page 6

After the attack at Qazim Gjonaj’s home page 2

Five years of adventure for villagers from Fier “This is how we escaped from Saddam’s prisons” The adventure of the two Albanians, who for nearly five years experienced hellish prisons in Saddam Hussein’s country, comes to an end. They are Vllson Cela and Vilson Zako, the two protagonists from Frashëri in Fier, who now—just returned from Baghdad—tell their unusual story: “For four years in a row we sent telegrams to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Albanian Embassies in Egypt and Turkey, with the text: ‘Help us, we are hostages in Baghdad.’” However, their ordeal ended only a short while ago, while the truth was finally confirmed two days ago—they have returned to their village. page 7

Customs barriers for flour and grain are raised page 2

Yesterday at the Miners’ Unions assembly Controversy erupts from other trade union leaders page 5

The trial against the former Italian prime minister has begun He is accused of corruption and bribery Berlusconi yesterday in the dock during the court proceedings held at the Palace of Justice in Milan. Nine of his associates were also accused along with him photo Reuters Yesterday the trial against the former Italian prime minister and leader of “Forza Italia”, Silvio Berlusconi, began. Berlusconi responded to the charges of corruption and bribery by suggesting that he had paid the financial police inspection not to make public the irregularities found in his “empire”. “Fininvest” - close to the media - was highly restricted. The judges for the prosecution were Piercamilo Davigo and Gerardo Colombo, former close associates of Antonio Di Pietro. The Milan prosecutor’s office has submitted to the court a new set of documents containing information on banking irregularities in his company. During a press conference given yesterday, Berlusconi said the process is political in nature. Page 13 Berlusconi yesterday in the dock during the court proceedings held at the Palace of Justice in Milan. Nine of his associates were also accused along with him photo Reuters

The sudden cold freezes Greece The Acropolis is covered in snow, while an unexpected cold snap has created unusual scenes for the Greek capital and other parts of the country. Thirty centimeters of snow have fallen in the northern suburbs of Athens, and cold winds have blown across the whole country. Seven flights to the Aegean islands have been cancelled. On many roads, traffic is possible only for vehicles fitted with chains. At Greece’s main port, Piraeus, bad weather yesterday blocked some 5,000 passengers and 300 trucks.

The “missing” millionaires Trials, threats, hostages and divorces...

The national survey publishes figures on persecution One in two Albanian women is beaten Page 6