By Erion BRAÇE Four innocent citizens, including policemen and three criminals, were at the Berat morgue yesterday evening as corpses. In Natyshë, separated—as good citizens, as state employees, and as murderers. In Tirana, in the intensive care unit of the Military Hospital, a 7-month-old infant—one of the bandits had shot him in the waist—was still unable to say “goodbye” to his parents, and to death, late yesterday evening. This is the terrible toll of a few hours yesterday in Berat, the oldest city in the country. Crime struck very hard yesterday, taking from the state three policemen and a civilian café driver, all at a young age. Natyshë, which had not been a scene of mourning beside graves before, was not seeing this for the first time in Berat, but the village unit did not hesitate, killing the three butchers of midday within a few hours. Yesterday at around 5 p.m., when police bullets had been put into the bodies of the three bandits at a house in Pobrati, leaving them lifeless, what became clear to everyone was that the death penalty had found its most direct and shortest route to implementation. Naturally, without dragging it out through the marketplaces of justice and before the thieving judges of Tirana. It happened yesterday, and this was the police’s responsibility. Today, good families in Berat and the villages will escort their loved ones to the grave. But if there truly are 2,000 years of civilization and the courage to strangle crime, all of Berat should escort them with bowed heads in honor. It is not only a city, but a call for unity—to stand together against a handful of murderers, drug traffickers, nighttime assailants of girls, and ordinary thieves who dominate the city. For the citizens, a wish at the graves and being present today at a march of courage are enough to shame them, show respect for the law, and give the police a steady shoulder. Jonada Dervishi, the infant shot yesterday in Berat (REUTERS)

Yesterday afternoon, bullets hit three murderers in Berat and one in Vlorë A bloodbath in Berat Three policemen and four citizens killed POLICE ARREST THE “LËRKA” GANG VLORË—Vlorë police strike a gang. Yesterday at around 3 p.m., Renato Sadiku, who went by the nickname “Lërka,” was killed. The “Lërka” gang was hiding on the first floor of building No. 1228 in the “Çole” neighborhood. Vlorë criminal police managed to arrive completely by surprise at the home where part of the gang was sheltering. Seeing that escape from the cordon was impossible, the wanted man “Lërka” found only one solution: suicide. Meanwhile, two members of the gang and another member of Renato’s gang were taken into police custody without a shot being fired. Police sources said yesterday that the girl was likely his fiancée. According to police, Renato is one of the four prisoners who escaped from Kruja prison six months ago. His name is also linked to the murder of Elbasan driver Oltion Sullorali, on 27 October last year at the Mifol Bridge. In connection with that incident, Vlorë police also arrested Renato’s accomplices, Altin Hyseni and Arian Hoxhallari, both from Zervbeshi in the capital. A dead bandit pictured

Parliament: Yes to Rambouillet In the declaration on Kosovo approved yesterday, the presence of NATO in Kosovo is seen as an essential element in guaranteeing the agreement. PAGE 3 In the declaration on Kosovo approved yesterday, the presence of NATO in Kosovo is seen as an essential element in guaranteeing the agreement. PAGE 3

TIRANA—Over the two months of January–February 1999, the customs system collected 4,812,069,000 lekë for the state budget. Of this amount, 600,463,000 lekë came from customs duties, 2,734,261,000 lekë from VAT, 452,161,000 lekë from excise duties, and 23,184,000 lekë from other revenues. PAGE 5

Three weeks ago, a one-month-old child was sold for 60,000 new lekë. PAGE 8 Three weeks ago, a one-month-old child was sold for 60,000 new lekë. PAGE 8

DURRËS—Seven government departments… that must come to the eastern fortress to assess the legitimacy of a foreign cement-packaging company, which has “occupied” 200 linear meters of the port’s quay and 4,000 square meters of open space at the Port of Durrës. The company “SEA-MENT” requested a permit for an area of 4,000 square meters, where instead of a temporary warehouse it has built a permanent concrete structure. PAGE 16

Members of the PSSH KPD are hereby informed that a meeting of this committee will be held on Saturday, 6 March 1999, at 10:00, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses. Everyone is requested to make arrangements to attend. THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PSSH