In the centre of Tirana, very close to the block of foreign embassies in our country, a shocking event for public opinion occurred during the night just passed. A shell of large caliber coming from an as yet unknown direction fell near the Tirana mosque, creating a hole 6 m wide and 1.2 m deep. Fortunately, its explosion did not cause any injuries, since the incident took place at around 3:15 a.m. However, during the day that followed, according to the latest information, the competent authorities stated that the shell that came from afar had been intended to land in the mosque, but apparently it struck one of the minarets and as a result its trajectory changed, falling further away and causing no casualties. Officials from the police, military and diplomatic services state that the shell was a 120 mm mortar grenade. It created a very large crater and damaged the mosque windows in several places. From a careful inspection of the place where the shell landed, we note that the direction from which it came was from the northeast of Tirana, reinforcing the police suspicions that it came from Mount Dajti. Since this mountain is controlled by the army, the Ministry of Interior and SHIK, the police are verifying where the perpetrators came from and are working to identify them. Yesterday too, the director of Police Station No. 3, Qemal Qazimi, told our newspaper that work is being done intensively to find out from which place the grenade was fired and that all directions from which it may have been launched are being carefully investigated. Last night’s serious event has caused anger and great indignation throughout the country. It has disturbed not only the citizens of Tirana but also all the political and social forces of the country. As has been made known, this incident comes on the eve of the electoral campaign in the country and at a time when Albania is making visible steps toward Euro-Atlantic integration. It is seen as a serious provocative act against stability and the democratic order in the country. High state officials and representatives of religious institutions have strongly condemned this act and have called for the immediate identification of those responsible. According to various sources, this act may be part of a destabilizing scenario with a political background. [?] DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT 1976 / 1995

Washington, the American news agency United Press reports that Vice President Al Gore signed the partnership and defense agreement with Albania on behalf of the USA after the Albanian parliament approved it. According to presidential spokesman Mike McCurry, President Bill Clinton viewed the signing as a very important step in relations between the USA and Albania and called it strong evidence of American support for democratic and economic reforms in Albania. He said the agreement would help strengthen peace and stability in the region. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

Asked by the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica” why, in the indictment file presented to parliament, he had not included the unconstitutional action of the wife of the head of the opposition, Italy’s chief prosecutor Antonio Di Pietro stated: “...Since the accusations against [?] are based on evidence and testimony, I am ready to investigate anyone else too, including Mr. Berisha’s wife, if it is proven that she has committed unlawful acts”. On 3 January, in the afternoon edition of TV France 2, the journalist of “Le Monde”, Pierrick Bonno, declared that “after the dossier scandal, the Albanian opposition is trying to exploit the Italian issue to strike at the figure of the Albanian president”. These reactions show that fabricated news and unfounded accusations published by some foreign newspapers cannot stain Albanian reality and its political figures. (Continues on page 2)

Speech by Mr. Ali Spahia at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna, 12-13 January 1995 [the text of the article is partly illegible in the given image] (Continues on page 2)

The organizers of the “Miss Globe 95” festival, after the decision of the international jury, have decided that the final of this event will be held in the city of Shkodra. This event is expected to bring to Albania a large number of guests and participants from different countries around the world. (Continues on page 2)

Our economic note By SHEFQET LUKU In a statement given a few days ago to the BBC, the chairman of Albanian industry, Mr. Gjergj Buxhuku, said that if domestic producers are not protected through a policy favorable to Albanian industry, it is implied that Albania risks becoming a market of abundance for foreign products. Describing this as a real concern for the Albanian economy, Mr. Buxhuku asked the Albanian government to take protective measures for domestic production, including through higher customs tariffs. Such a concern should certainly not be underestimated. The experience of many developed countries shows that certain branches of domestic production need temporary protection in the early stages of their development. But it is equally true that such protection must not turn into a discriminatory policy against consumers and free competition. On the other hand, Albania is in a difficult process of economic transformation and needs an open economy, foreign investment, and a competitive climate. Any protective measure must be well justified, limited in time, and harmonized with the country’s international commitments. If domestic industry is protected without criteria, the risk is that monopolies will be created and the quality of goods will suffer. Economic policy must aim both to strengthen Albanian production and to protect the interests of consumers. (Continues on page 2)

Yesterday the A[?]sidi trial took place in Tirana For the first time, in his explanations before the court, Asidini, former trade adviser at the Albanian embassy in Paris, Mr. Shanë Koberi, former trade minister, Mr. Shkëlqim Cani, and former shegjerët Fatos Nano have implicated and accused Asidini of falsifying Albania’s foreign trade. Ylli Çabiri confirmed the diabetes syndrome. Ilir Hoxh said that former prime minister Vangjush [?-] together with Veli [?-], are [?-]… (Continues on page 2)

At the Congress Palace, from the Inspector General at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. S[?]r [?]or of the Albanian army, [?-] Shabani, [?-] Director General of SHIK, [?-] Simoni, [?-] and [?-] (Continues on page 2)