The trial of five Greek minority members continues — Vangjel Papakristo denies everything he had admitted during the investigation. “After my arrest I became a robot because of the violence and threats inflicted on me while I was in poor health and in a difficult family situation,” he said. — Prosecutor Gjokutaj states that freedoms and human rights were respected, including those of Mr. Papakristo during the investigation and in Tirana prison. — The five defendants arrive in the courtroom from prison without having eaten. Panajot Marko is taken to hospital after suffering heart problems. The trial of the five Greek minority members—Th. Bezhani, V. Papakristo, P. Marko, I. Sirmo and K. Qirjako—resumed yesterday at the Tirana Court of First Instance. The prosecution has withdrawn the charge of “high treason against the Fatherland”; the defendants face charges of espionage, illegal financing and illegal possession of weapons. The strange events of the previous day were repeated during the same time period yesterday. Outside the court, the police [text unclear]... as they had several months earlier during the Nano trial, when they tried to occupy and clear nearly five hectares of land that had been blocked while a case was being heard in a mass [unclear]. This quick action [text unclear] and helped ensure that they did not repeat the serious provocation of [text unclear]. Mr. Serregi had given them only [unclear] deputies (there were six including the interpreter) [unclear]. In any case, two deputies remained outside the courtroom; [there were also] Greek lawyers, one of whom is the president of the Greek Bar Association. Inside the courtroom, [text unclear] the defendants had been [unclear]. From outside the courtroom came the news that the hearing would be postponed for an hour. [Text unclear] Albania does not currently have [unclear]. Later we learned that the start of the hearing had been delayed because the defendants, the five Greek minority members, had arrived from prison without having eaten, after spending several hours [unclear]. In any case, they ate something in the courtroom. THE DIFFICULT PROCESS OF PROVING THE CHARGE BEGAN. [Text unclear] appointed by Martin Deda appeared in the courtroom. The proceedings continued with the setting of the order in which the judicial investigation would begin. Genc Gjokutaj, the first prosecutor to appear in the trial not from a position of power but from the bench [text unclear] (yesterday he acted as the opposition [unclear]), requested that it begin by questioning the defendants, in the following order: Papakristo, Bezhani, Marko, Qirjako, Sirmo. Bezhani asked only to be allowed to speak. Mr. Papakristo’s lawyer said that his client was innocent and did not accept the charge, and that it was for the prosecutor to prove his guilt by presenting evidence and witnesses. Mr. P. Marko’s lawyer made the same request. Qirjako’s lawyer said the court should select the witnesses relevant to the charge of treason. Therefore, [text unclear] the defendants’ explanations. Judge Deda again did what Gjokutaj had proposed and requested: he decided that the judicial investigation would begin by questioning the defendants, not in the order of the indictment but in the order proposed by Gjokutaj. PAPAKRISTO DENIED WHAT HE HAD ADMITTED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. PRESSURE HAD BEEN EXERTED. “I do not accept even this remaining part of the charge,” said Vangjel Papakristo, secretary-general of the “Omonia” organization, at the beginning of his statement. Our meetings in Kakavijë, Tani [unclear], Thessaloniki and Athens were human and purely social. The secret services—for which [we are accused]... Around 10 o’clock, the panel of judges presided over by [text continues on page 3]. [The article then continues with a separate report:] Members of the 18th Assault Brigade took part. Former partisans, women partisans and families of the brigade’s fallen, friends and guests from various political and social parties and associations, etc., attended. Also present was comrade Arif Hasko, deputy chairman of the National Committee of LANÇ Veterans. Comrade Emin Agolli opened the meeting and gave the floor to Sal Hoxha, a former cadre of the brigade, who spoke about the most important moments in the brigade’s struggle against the German Nazis and their mercenary collaborators from Balli and Legaliteti, and recalled the glorious fighting history of the brigade, which emerged from the patriotic people of Dibra and was formed by partisans from experienced battalions such as those of Dibra, Mat and Cermenika, as well as young people from Dibra and Peshkopia. He also spoke of [text unclear] and Kosovo. Finally, on behalf of the National Committee, its secretary-general, comrade Qamil Poda, gave greetings; on behalf of the democratic LANÇ veterans’ associations, Pandeli Përmeti spoke, and Napolon Pollo spoke for the Union of Veterans of the War of the Albanian People. In their greetings, among other things, they denounced the efforts of the Zhulalist partisan initiators to divide the veterans. Then Hajri Hoxha conveyed the greetings of the “Hero of the People” Haxhi Leshi and his best wishes to the former partisans and their relatives, and to all veterans. The meeting ended with beloved partisan songs. NEXHMI METZELXHIU Mr. Papakristu’s lawyer stated that his client is innocent, does not accept the charge, and that it is for the prosecution to prove guilt, beginning with the presentation of evidence and testimony. Mr. P. Marko’s lawyer requested the same. Qirako’s lawyer stated that the court should select witnesses belonging to the prosecution and the defense. Therefore, it would be more reasonable to begin with

Everyone in Albania knows that the hunger strike by former political prisoners did not turn into a new 2 April. Someone might be surprised and ask what connection there is between 2 April and the former prisoners’ hunger strike. It had not occurred to us either to make such a connection. It was Azem Hajdari who reminded us. Hajdari is quoted as saying: “...that his role in the hunger strike was to prevent certain groups from plotting a new 2 April.” (K. J. 16.8.94) 2 April was not repeated in Albania. Azemi knows how such a thing could be repeated, because he speaks about it. You have to understand the mechanism of 2 April 1991 well before you can talk about preventing another 2 April. So, 2 April was averted in Albania, and reason tells us that Azemi achieved the goal he had set himself. This Azemi really is something! Nevertheless, one thing remains unclear to us. A person with such powers can prevent a copycat 2 April, but could not prevent the original 2 April? Even then, it was said that the day before 2 April Azem had been seen in Shkodër, but his name was left out of the trials held over that event. M. VARFO

— Written by a former prisoner — “As soon as democracy wins, I will return to my profession.” That is what the man who is now head of state declared three years ago. And his expression became a refrain for all those who stood at the forefront of the movement for democracy. Because everyone said: as soon as democracy wins, we will return to our professions. But it all belongs to the past. The words, the cheers, the rallies, the dreams, the hopes are gone. Disillusionment overwhelms everything. The thirst for an easy chair made them forget what they had said. I, the person writing these lines, have been in prison several times. But I do not boast of being a political prisoner, because I was not one. I broke the laws of the state, and those laws punished me just as every lawbreaker is punished in America, Germany, France, Switzerland and everywhere else. Our country is going through very difficult times. Great upheavals also bring disorder, but a day comes when looking toward the future clears your mind and restores your sense of reason. Yet the Albanian turmoil continues to drag on. And, what is worse, nobody knows when it will end. After what I am writing, especially in Zëri i Popullit, I too may tomorrow be labelled on the front pages of newspapers as an outright communist. But that does not bother me at all, since people (Continued on page 2)

On 16 August, as part of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Homeland, the Tirana District Committee of LANÇ Veterans and the relevant commission organized a commemorative gathering in the premises of the “Ali Kelmendi” Palace to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the 18th Assault Brigade. Agolli, opening the meeting, said [text unclear], of the brigade—text truncated]. [Text missing/garbled in source:] ... children for the heroism of the fallen and of the heroine Ibe Palikuqi, who fell in the battles for the liberation of Peshkopi, Dibra e Madhe, Prizren and Kukës, in which this brigade also took part in cooperation with other forces of the Albanian National Liberation Army and the Kosovo forces. veterans’ associations, Pandeli Përmeti spoke, and Napolon Pillo the Albanian People.

The Italian ambassador’s entrance while the hearing was in progress stirred a reaction among those in the courtroom and among the photojournalists. But only a few minutes after he arrived, the presiding judge suspended the hearing for a 30-minute break. The Italian ambassador stayed for just as long; after making several statements to the press, he left together with the embassy’s first secretary, Mr. Trombolo, and did not return to the court premises. Paul Foresti said: “I cannot turn myself into a witch and predict the future. What I can say and expect is that the course of justice should take its course—that is, the course of justice. If there are violations and breaches of the law, when the law is acceptable and just, these cases must be dealt with and punished; when no violations exist, people should not be punished. Moreover, I am convinced that a state governed by the rule of law, seeking to take root in Albania, will have its own communities in relations with the democratic peoples of Europe. Besides this, we should not look at things from a static point of view; they must be viewed in their dynamics. In the process, we should know where their point lies. and where they are heading.” The editor-in-chief of the newspaper Republika, Ylli Rakipi, whose newspaper has covered this matter extensively and even published documents, according to it, whose authenticity has been [unclear] until now as to whether they are in the file, said: “From the defendants’ denunciations in the file, and from the changes made by the prosecution, that is, the prosecutors, the fact of Albanian political espionage is established. It appears that names such as the Research Institute and the Aid Institute are designations commonly used by foreign espionage services. They are institutions that indirectly carry out their espionage missions, and the Research Institute is nothing other than a weapon of the Greek security service serving this espionage.” As for the developments in the court sessions, Anoi Fushë, a deputy of the New Democratic Party and at the same time a [vocalist/commentator—unclear], commented as follows: “Naturally, as the Greek people and the Greek government, we want good relations with Albania, and it is in our interest that these relations improve further. We consider this essential for both countries, and particularly for Albania, which represents a new democracy and must be strengthened. That is why Greece also accepts around 300,000–400,000 Albanians to work, and we know that the Albanian economy finds strong support and great assistance in them. But the rights of the Greek minority living in Albania must also be protected and upheld. The trial taking place today shows once again that the rights of the Greek minority are being violated. The defendants say that they are fighting for the protection of...” ... would have accompanied [them] during the same time interval yesterday as well. Outside the court, the police also found an opportunity to seize and clear almost five hectares of blocked land belonging to Naze, as they had several months earlier in the Nano trial. This swift action by the Greek newspaper also helped them avoid repeating the serious provocation of the previous day, which had been made public by the vigorous protest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the example of the declara- their rights, and they are asserting these within the framework of the Albanian Constitution, the CSCE, and all international organizations that prescribe the protection of the human rights of minorities. Regarding yesterday’s and today’s court sessions, since I am a lawyer and since I deal with criminal cases, I was struck by the fact that the trial began with the questioning of the defendants. In Greece and all other democratic countries, witnesses are first heard, the facts are presented, and the defendants speak last. I was also struck by the fact that communication between lawyers and defendants, as well as their communication with relatives, is not free. During the recess, the lawyer for defendant Theodori Bezhani, Mr. Xhulim Pu, told “Zëri i popullit”: “In my opinion, the court hearing is proceeding in accordance with the criminal procedure code in force. It began with questions to the defendants, who are giving explanations regarding the charges brought against them, questions from the lawyers, and the prosecution’s questioning of the defendants, etc. But I will point out that there have also been violations, for example when the court panel does not allow or restricts the lawyers’—that is, the defense’s—replies to the prosecutor. As for the accusation, so far I think nothing has emerged to prove it. Prepared by: A. DALIPI.

The village of Stushaj in the district of Bulqizë has a reservoir that irrigates around 50 hectares of land planted with corn, vegetables, alfalfa, etc. The village head, Cen Koleci, on the pretext that the reservoir has inundated three dynym of land, has taken control of it and turned it into private property. Taking advantage of the fact that the villagers have no other source for irrigating the little land they have, as well as the intense summer heat, he has given his fellow villagers the following choice: either 2,000 old lekë to irrigate one dynym of land, or no water. Faced with this choice, the villagers have been forced to take money away from their children’s bread in order to water the corn and vegetables—their only hope for food the next day. From this “business,” the village head, according to a simple calculation, earns around one million lekë for each watering. The case of Stushaj is not the only one in Bulqizë or beyond. While the state stands by and watches as property problems are resolved [text unclear]. Laws approved in Parliament, when it comes to implementing them, are increasingly held back by indifference and [unclear]. Z. STUSHAJ

— Since 15 June, the police secretariat of the Sarandë district has apprehended 47 people wanted in connection with criminal offences. This represents 65 percent of the total number of those being sought. ★ ★ ★ — Adrian Flaku, a 23-year-old citizen from Pajova in the district of Peqin, was killed on the last day, and two others were injured. The cause of this tragic incident has not been made known. ★ ★ ★ — The municipal council of the city of Krujë has halted unauthorized construction in Krujë, Zahari and Kraste, within this city’s [administrative unit—text incomplete]... ★ ★ ★ — 40 apartments will soon be built in Divjakë by the firm “A-”

…randan and “Edela” of Tepelenë. Six companies took part in the tender organized for this purpose. ★ ★ ★ - The district court of Berat sentenced former police officer Hekuran Hatia to 10 years in prison, accused of accidentally killing his colleague Zego Hoxha. ★ ★ ★ - The Italian company “Nuova ecologan” has undertaken the cleaning of Tirana. Its work will begin in December. ★ ★ ★ - A group of lecturers from the “Luigj Gurakuqi” University of Shkodër set off on a visit to a museum in the USA, where they were invited by the University of Illinois. ★ ★ ★ - Berat on the night of Pukë ...

... stopped 13 heavy-duty trucks carrying timber cut without a permit. ★ ★ ★ - The investment for paving Dibra Street in the capital is worth 2.8 million lekë. ★ ★ ★ - A German loan of 2.5 million marks will be used to improve the infrastructure in Kavajë. The work will be carried out by the German company “Hidroplan”. ★ ★ ★ - According to the privatization board of this district, 15 industrial facilities in Berat will be bought by their former owners, who, under the law, will make ... within two months.

- It is estimated that the construction of three water reservoirs in the villages of Pukë and Peshkë in the district of Pukë has improved the land of 120 families. By a decision of the Council of Ministers, these families will be relocated to the district of Lezhë. ★ ★ ★ - The Laç polyclinic, inaugurated recently, has no patient records, among other things for child vaccinations. ★ ★ ★ - The Rural Development Fund has invested 3.5 million lekë in the mountainous commune of Gurres in the district of Mat. This investment for the construction of 6 km of road has so far been 40 percent completed. ★ ★ ★ - 20 companies, of which only 4 are state-owned, have been declared winners of the auction organized for the posting of

of 50,000 hectares of forest in the district of Librazhd. ★ ★ ★ - The Has district’s agriculture department is still based in Kukës, although Has is a district in its own right. The obstacle is the lack of funds for a building. ★ ★ ★ - Around July 18–19, 35 people were dismissed from the railway enterprise in Durrës because they had reported for duty late. ★ ★ ★ - After the decree on the suspension of adoptions was issued, according to the competent authorities, 6 more such adoptions have taken place recently. These cases have been reported to the Kavajë Court. ★ ★ ★ - The Association for Democratic Culture recently organized in the capital the meeting “Women’s participation in the country’s political life stimulated the processes of

democratic.” ★ ★ ★ - 6 families from the village of Vreshtas in Korçë, who have been provided with shelter, are asking for assistance in the form of a loan to secure the housing so essential for a normal life. ★ ★ ★ - The building of Lezhë’s new library, still unfinished, has begun to be dismantled. Although 600 thousand lekë in funding has been approved, the construction company is not continuing the work because these funds are insufficient. ★ ★ ★ - Neptun Bajko will be the coach of the Albanian national football team. He is being appointed to this position in place of Biriç, who, despite his efforts, was unable to keep the post; he has been assigned another ...