A moment from the daily work of a person in power... The trade in Albanian refugees continues But now someone is making them pay again Mentor KIKIA In Albania, alongside the trading in other things, traders in refugees have now emerged too, carrying out their activity mainly in Greece and Italy. In the ports of Vlora and Durrës, smugglers who own speedboats or fishing boats take Albanians illegally to the Italian coast almost every day, for a fee ranging from 90 thousand denë to 110 thousand lekë. But the problem is that, among this small number, there have been few who have managed to escape unharmed by sheer luck, while the others have been intercepted and sent back by the Italian border police. Such cases have sometimes been reported by television media; the latest case, in which a fishing boat carrying Albanian clandestine migrants aboard was intercepted—strangely quickly after the exchanges—by the Italian border guards, raised suspicions that someone had been tipped off about its arrival. And this only because the thwarted client will once again sacrifice 100 thousand lekë to flee Albania. The same smell, and this trade is also being carried on with those who want to go to Greece. About two weeks ago, at the Kakavijë crossing point, something happened that is not uncommon with the Greeks. After crossing customs, more than thirty passengers got off the Kakavijë–Athens bus and tore up their passports. As we were told some time ago, the Greek customs officer had checked the passport and stamped it with a visa, and the passenger had passed through; but after the bus had gone about 300 metres, it was stopped by the border guards, and more than 30 passengers tore up their passports without being held responsible. The person in question did not explain where he had got the visa, but said that someone had arranged it for him. And these “someones” are none other than the continued Greek traders, and such a visa costs no less than 100 thousand drachmas. (These traders do not deal in lekë.) In this case, the source is either the embassy or consulate, or the sophisticated forgery that is not lacking in Albania. Let us return to the above incident. There are two possibilities: the visa was forged, but the Greek customs official who takes responsibility for checking it and gives it his stamp has nobody to answer to, since they have been removed three hundred metres farther on; or, according to Greek logic, there is no accountability when the passport belongs to an Albanian, let alone when it belongs to a Greek. But the possibility that the visa was genuine cannot be ruled out. That is, issued by the Greek Embassy in Tirana or by the consulates in the Tirana and Gjirokastër districts. This would implicate Greek Embassy officials in Tirana in this scheme, through whom the traders obtain visas (while sharing the proceeds). Then, if such things happen in the Greek state, one wonders at this scale of absurdity. If a soldier with four years of schooling, without batting an eye, tears up and invalidates a passport that represents—through the way it was signed—the highest-ranking representative of Greek diplomacy in Albania. On a larger scale, this trade is supplied by the consulates in Korçë and especially Gjirokastër. So, for the right person (who may even be a priest), you hand over the photograph and 100 thousand drachmas and get a passport with a genuine visa bearing the name “Jani Vasilis.” This phenomenon, which has been widespread for some time and is becoming a tradition, must be stopped at all costs by the Albanian police, by cutting off the route for this vile business, or else the characters of Albanians in crisis will be further tarnished.

Changes in the Meksi government Pirro Dishnica, until now director of the Directorate of Statistics, will be Minister of Economy and Finance, while Selim Belortaja, until now director of the Center for the Promotion of Foreign Investment, will replace Artan Hoxha as Minister of Economic Relations with Foreign Countries—this ministry will now be the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Abdyll Hoxha remained where he was, but his ministry will now be the Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources. “We are ready to implement joint projects with you in health, education, culture” —Baroness Chalker declared at her meeting with Prime Minister Meksi— Baroness Chalker, Minister for Overseas Development and Minister of State at the British Foreign Office, expressed her pleasure at making her first visit to Albania. The visitor held bilateral talks and assured Prime Minister Meksi that Great Britain’s assistance to Albania would continue. Mrs Chalker took an interest in the current economic situation in our country and the progress of reform, and offered her suggestions for stimulating production and modernizing the banking system. “We are ready to implement bilateral joint projects with you in the fields of health, education, culture, etc.,” Mrs Chalker said, “and also to help encourage the European Community’s interest in Albania.” First decision on the return of property Lack of documentation evident A first decision has been made in Kukës to return a plot of land to its legitimate owner. The Commission for the Restitution and Compensation of Property and Assets is also processing three other claims. According to the commission’s deputy chair, Toplan Brahi, further progress is being hindered by delays in preparing complete technical documentation for the properties. The current claims submitted by former owners concern the return of agricultural land, land occupied by residential buildings and state and private facilities, as well as plots and state-owned areas belonging to others. The Commission is trying to decide in accordance with the law. However, the serious lack of old documentation in many cases has meant that many former owners of agricultural plots, which according to the cadastral records belong to them, cannot make their properties the subject of claims. This has caused delays; the land on which the city of Kukës was built 30 years ago has been parcelled out across a large part of the area, although it is known to have been forest, not agricultural land. Contraband cigarettes seized 25,000 packs of “Jugoslavia” brand cigarettes, smuggled in by Vllashi Mazniku for the company “Vela”, were seized in recent days by the Pogradec customs office. The cartons of cigarettes had been “hidden” among crates of beer. A physical inspection of the goods and documents also revealed 2,000 litres of beer that had not been declared. The smuggled goods are valued at 660,000 lekë. The case is being pursued criminally. The editor

Tomorrow in Tirana: The newly elected Greek government’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karolos Papulias, 64, arrives in Tirana tomorrow as part of the Balkan tour of talks that began on 7 November. A former Deputy Foreign Minister (1981–1984), former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1984–1985), and former Minister of Foreign Affairs (1985–1989), Karolos Papulias was appointed once again to the post of Foreign Minister after PASOK’s victory in the 10 October elections. It is hoped that this visit by the Greek Foreign Minister will mark the beginning of a new spirit and a new period in Greek-Albanian relations. Despite the many problems in the Balkans, Albania and Greece have been two countries and two peoples in their own right. Notice to the women of FRGSH that delegates from the districts to the Congress of Republican Women should be at the Workers’ Camp, Durrës, on 11 November at 12:00. The Tirana delegates will depart on 12 November at 7:00 from the PR headquarters.

Edmond Lufi, the Albanian “best player”, facing tempting offers: With his eyes turned slightly to the side, far too young to be able to withstand flattering offers, Edmond Lufi, only 24, handsome and almost self-assured, appears to be taking care of himself. At least, that is how he seems. And you say to yourself that this young man will not return to Albania for a hundred years. “No, no,” says my wife, “he won’t come back. Why would he? There isn’t even any water there.” According to Sammy Nicholl (a journalist and statistician with a knowledge of Maltese football), “Coach Lorenz Borg seems set to work wonders this year with the Albanian Edmond Lufi. This footballer is not only a great talent for ‘Valetas’, but is also physically tall and ideal for the role of a perfect sweeper.” In Albania, among other things, this was also reported in the press. After the first-round matches in the UEFA Cup, between the teams competing in the UEFA Cup, the Maltese side and Turkey’s “Trabzonspor”, the leading Maltese papers were full of it. The Times writes: “Coach Berg praised the contribution of the Croatian … and … the Albanian, Edmond Lufi, who scored the decisive goal in the 1–0 win on the pitch …” In a clear message, “Valeta” Zuriqet writes: “‘Valeta’ is full of surprises, but what stands out in particular is the marshalled performance by Lufi.” Again, according to The Times of 18 October, “The Albanian Lufi is in superb form and is not only faultless in defensive play, but has become the team’s driving force, organising and even finishing many attacking moves.” Meanwhile, “Lowenbrau” (for the week’s best player), Lufi won the “Player of the Week” trophy along with the awards presented by the sponsoring companies. It seems that the Albanian Lufi has become a fixture in Malta’s best team, “Valetas”, with a luxurious apartment, a personal car and a high salary. The club treats him like a star before the football trophies and never lets him put his hand in his pocket. If the Albanian Lufi has even a slight muscle problem, you will find Coach Berg by his side, urging him to rest, and then to take part in the next match; and afterwards, of course, The Times will write something about the … Shkodra Lufi lacks nothing. He is “The best.” He began playing football with first-division teams in Albania in 1987, playing for four consecutive years with Vllaznia. “In 1991–1992 he continued with ‘SK Tirana’ and with the relevant teams, then played in England, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, etc. Until one day … he left. Malta (with its wars and …) had a need to make the most of Edit’s success. Offers have not been slow to come in. But Edit? He knows how to choose. Edit is simple, modest, unspoiled by his hard-won success, very devoted to football; a footballer who at night listens to music and watches TV, and is pleasant company. He knows what he wants to do. “You ask why he’s finished? Here in Malta they call him ‘Marshall Lufi’. And the Marshal has started to rise, even abroad. Malta knows the blood...” ... marshalled by Lufi. Again, according to The Times of 18 October, “The Albanian Lufi is in superb form...” RAIMOND TIRABO Shouldn’t we return? Edmond Lufi has something special to say. He says it constantly, his face thoughtful. He has his mother, father and a sister, and five or… another one. Nevertheless, he will set off on his journey. He has set off. This is the fate of the Albanian. “No, no,” my wife continues, “why should he return? There isn’t even any water there.” Nevertheless, she (my wife), I, and all of us know that one day Edit will return. Something makes him always keep looking back, something that sometimes takes the form of his mother, sometimes of his father or sister. We do not know what it is, nor do we ourselves understand it. But Edit will return. All the rest of our people (and they are many), wherever they are, must one day return. We will all return, for the sake of what we simply love dearly, and because all of Albania weighs on us Albanians, wherever we are. It must prepare for their return. From the chronicles On Monday and Tuesday, whatever this madwoman N of the chairman was trying to say, she searched all the streets of Tirana for one of the BBC journalists. “I have something important to declare,” she shouted, “but I refuse to declare it to Albanian information agencies. I only want the BBC.” At midday on Wednesday, the madwoman went up the steps of the “Arbëria” Hotel, took out a letter that was revealed, and began reading a few phrases that had no connection to one another: “The Communists carried out the … under terror, with complete success. The president Jelesin himself took part in the final session of the ceremony. An important message was also sent to Moscow from Tirana Prison. The message asked the Russian communists to approve Comrade Fatos’s request for the separation of powers in Albania.” I inform you that this is the issue of the Albanians in this madwoman’s forum. There were voices, years old and … It is said that one of the groups with whom our dictator and others … “From the chronicles” … of the People will do/become these days in America, with a circulation of 500 thousand copies. These … all in the case …

“I Killed the Tsar” p. 4 But the Albanian diaspora… p. 3 former USSR In the next issue: REFLECTIONS ON THE PARTIES By Prof. Dr. VASILLAQ KEDHI