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Albanians are not in the habit of turning guests out of their homes By Dalip GRECA

of their homes By Dalip GRECA Among the Albanians’ treasured customs, hospitality is undoubtedly one of them; it embodies the synthesis of the most distinctive moral code among the peoples of the Balkans. And such a code comes as a noble message only from a people that inherits a rich spiritual world. Who came to Albania and was not welcomed with an open door? Chance travelers, famous painters, passionate scholars of the Albanian language, poets and lords have been amazed and delighted by this Albanian virtue. Byron would weave verses celebrating the nobility of Albanian hospitality and generosity. Edith Durham searched for carefully chosen words to capture the ancient tradition of generous hearts; the Englishman Lear was ready to sacrifice everything to repay the hospitality and faithful companionship of generous Albanians. But what is happening to Albanians now? You can hardly believe your ears when you hear the call in the street: Everts, get out of Albania! Any individual, party or group of citizens may freely express its protest against injustices within the program of the party it supports, but insulting someone in a way that suggests the disintegration of the inherited moral code of hospitality is not in keeping with Albanian morality. The call, “... Everts, get out of Albania!” is an insult not only to the organizers of the rally, but to all Albanians. If a group of people have been offended in their pride, if they feel themselves to be

... at the Democratic Party rally

Mediu: Parliament, a new political configuration. Godo: It is our duty to call for early elections

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Nano’s trial, after Christmas; Charges against prefect Çeço, “PD has not denounced [it]”; Albania, the green death; Three ships on the smuggling list; Pages 2–6; Prostitution kingpin arrested; Rare: dies on the day of the 100th anniversary; Page 7; Mediu meets the leaders of the “December ’90” grouping; Tension and bickering at the polling station commission. Here are the Referendum results; Godo: PD’s proposal to reject the draft is wrong; Dalema summons Majko to Bari, five hours on refugees; Pages 3–5