VEFA wins the court case. Kamberi sells the company Vlora in the anxiety of waiting. Rinasi is taken out of mourning Pages 2-3 Flowers and tears for the drowned victims of Otranto Photo: A. Rama

An Albania for Albanians! Today the funeral ceremony is expected for the tragedy with eighteen Albanians from the Rrjeti shkulli. The victims of Otranto will finally rest in the “land of the sons,” which they left behind when they set off on the road to emigration. At this ceremony, grief is very much present. Along with the people of Vlora, it would not be surprising if even those across from them were to groan. Albanian post-totalitarianism began in tears and seems destined to end in tears. Tragedy has become an element of Albanian coexistence. Tragedy everywhere, even in the way the state is organized, in the methods of governance, in the treatment of individual rights. The advantages of the new system became the property of the political class of the Renaissance and not of free citizens. The rule-of-law state that should have removed obstacles for people, setting equality as the starting point, was not created. Governance was turned into a monopoly of a caste to plunder national wealth and concentrate it in mafia hands. The phrase “legal work” replaced the words “smuggling,” “theft,” “fraud.” The poverty of honest people gradually clouded the sense of serving the country. But the feeling of homeland did not sink. It was renewed even in emigration. The government changed, but the totalitarian concepts did not. None of the senior officials has a clear vision of what should be done with thousands of unemployed Albanians. How will families be fed? Will the exodus continue? In short, the Albanian tragedy continues to threaten. The appeal by politicians in Vlora and in Brindisi is a “catharsis” that offers us an urgent solution. Albanians continue to live threatened by everything, but above all by the lack of will to change the political picture in order to make room for the revival of national values. Those in power must be convinced to serve the high purpose that inspires construction and not destruction. Responsibility in governance means avoiding new catastrophes. Otherwise, we cannot become an Albania for Albanians.

Today, on 13 November 1997, publishers and editors of newspapers and magazines gathered at 20:00 at the headquarters of the newspaper “Gazeta Shqiptare” to discuss the strike announced for 15 November. It was decided that a joint statement would be published: “Given the postponement of the funeral ceremony in Vlora for the victims of the Otranto tragedy, as a result of bad weather, the publishers and editors of daily newspapers and magazines decided that the open-ended strike will begin on 15 November, but on 16 November, because of uncertainty regarding the funeral ceremony in Vlora. Therefore, on Sunday and thereafter, none of the newspapers and magazines listed below will be published. The other newspapers and magazines are to show solidarity with our strike until our demands are fully met. 1- Koha Jonë Armand Shkulaku 2- Republika Dalip Greca 3- Albania Ylli Rakipi 4- RD Astrit Patozi 5- Gazeta Shqiptare Fatos Baxhaku 6- Bulevard Bejdo Malo 7- shekulli Artan Apostoli 8- Dita Informacion Shpëtim Nazarko 9- Klan Aleksandër Frangaj 10- Hosteni Filip Çakulli Tirana 13.11.1997

□ Vlora: a family dies. Tributes and candles for Otranto in Gjirokastër. Mourning in Shkodër Page 2 □ Egyptians reach out their hands over Albanian loan sharks Page 8 □ Balli face to face with the quarrel Berisha comes to Tirana, Pjetri heads to Vlora Page 4 □ The experience of Lasgush Love songs with crows Page 13 □ Shkodra nevertheless resists Corridor 8, the financing — the century to come Page 10

On 15 November 1997, at 10:00 in the hall of the Palace of Culture, near “Skënderbej” Square on the third floor, the First Meeting of the National Assembly of the Republican Party will be held, with the following agenda: 1- Election of the presidency of the PR National Assembly. 2- Approval of the resolution of the Congress of [?] 3- Election of the Party Presidency. 4- Approval of the Program for the second phase of the PR branch conferences in the districts. All Assembly members are informed to respect the specified date and time. Chairman Fatmir Mediu

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