Kakavijë, Albanians returning from Greece CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — “Greek military reinforcements on the border with Albania must withdraw; the mistreatment and expulsions of Albanian emigrants from Greece must stop immediately; broadcasts from Greek territory aimed at inciting activities against Albania’s territorial interests must cease.” The Albanian government is calling for dialogue with Athens and has presented its official demands to resolve the tension, which has now been affecting and dividing the two countries for two weeks. The news was announced by the Albanian Embassy in Rome, which, in one of the most important points of the document sent to Tirana, calls for “the Greek government to distance itself from chauvinist circles and organizations.” At another point, the Albanian Embassy in Rome says that “promoting an improvement in relations between Greece and Albania is extremely important not only for Albania but also for others.” And so a second appeal is issued: this time to NATO, the European Parliament, the European Community and other international organizations. Tirana asks them all to intervene to “put an end to those actions that are causing high tension and increase efforts to prevent destabilization in the southern Balkans.” The picture taking shape day by day confirms the fear often expressed: the Balkans have become a center of international crisis in which… [Text cut off at the top] ... a policy that already has two outside, that already has two not included and is dividing the two countries. This was stated circles and organizations that seek to annex southern Albania,” and also calls for official recognition of all obligations arising from the Protocol of Florence for determining the border between the two countries. It is precisely this call to respect the borders, together with the denunciation of military mobilization on Greek territory, that prompted the Greek Foreign Minister, Mihai-los Papakostantinou, amid this troubling situation, to respond by denying that troops had been transferred to the border and guaranteeing recognition of the existing borders and their inviolability. “Our government,” he added, “is following the situation in Albania with attention and concern and intends to maintain good relations with Tirana: everyone knows that we have no expansionist aims.” Regarding the expulsions of Albanians (around 20,000 so far), the minister said that “Greece cannot allow illegal immigrants to violate its laws.” crisis involving not only the Balkan countries. This is precisely what the international community must understand, and this is the new idea that must be accepted. But who, besides the border with Kosovo, now a “hot zone” because of the Serbs, has an interest in “igniting” the Greek border as well? A hypothesis, although not a direct one, comes from President Sali Berisha. Meeting the Romanian Foreign Minister, Teodor Melescanu, Berisha emphasized his desire for good relations with the Greek government, but used harsh words about the Orthodox Church, accused of being responsible for damaging relations between the two countries. Later, Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi openly said that the Albanian government “expects clear signs from Athens showing that it is not the Orthodox Church that is poisoning relations between Albania and Greece.” This is another question that calls for an answer.

Six Moroccans also among the “tourists” on Pulaj’s deserted beach A group of 44 people was stopped by police. They came from Tirana, Lezhë and Shkodër; women and children were among them ARLINDA ÇAUSHOLLI SHKODËR — A group of 44 people was detained following an operation by the Shkodër police in cooperation with the Lezhë police. Reason for the detention: a possible exodus to Italy. They were all suspected by police of attempting to cross the state border illegally.” The incident took place on the coast of the village of Pulaj in Velipojë, near Shkodër—a virtually untouched area with a dense forest—which they had chosen to avoid being discovered by the police. The group consisted of people aged 29–30 from Shkodër, Tirana and Lezhë, accompanied by women and children. An unusual fact: among the group of Albanians were also six Moroccan citizens, who told the police authorities that they “had come for a simple tourist outing.” The vessel that was to transport them to Italy was a private Italian speedboat, which could not be identified because of the great speed at which it departed as soon as it was spotted by the Albanian authorities. To reach the speedboat, the people were to use the fishermen’s boats that were on the shore, and it was precisely at this point that they were detained. The police suspect that this may involve something more serious than a simple exodus. “The facts are missing,” said the head of the Rapid Intervention Forces, “but I am not convinced this was simply an attempt to emigrate. My personal opinion is that this action has something else, something deeper, behind it.” Everyone was immediately taken to the police authorities, but the investigative team that came from Tirana detained only 14 of them, suspected of organizing this irregular departure to the other side of the sea. The incident remains a mystery, while the 14 people initially detained were also released by the police. A group of Albanian clandestine migrants detained in Italy

The Albanians were aboard two Italian boats that were sinking From our editorial staff S. MARIA DI LEUCA — A sea rescue operation for 17 Albanians took place last night, five miles from the coast, carried out by personnel from the Port Captaincy of Gallipoli. On board two boats, each five metres long and equipped with two engines that had broken down, 17 clandestine migrants were found. They had set out two days earlier from a location near Vlora. The Albanians, all in reasonably good health, are now being held under supervision at a Port Captaincy facility in Leuca, awaiting repatriation, perhaps as early as this morning, aboard one of the ferries that runs directly from Otranto. They are Xhevat Doraci, 25; Arjan Musabelliu, 27; Skënder Murka, 26; Besnik Shala, 23; Bujar Idagarell, 27; Telha Et— Elm, 29; Kasem Adush Beqiri, 27; Shqyriy Skënder Balla, 20; Lavdi Begaraj, 30; Platini Kanz, 36; Qani Ahmeti, 34; Arben Kaci, 24; Mentor Cani, 22; and Hasan Dami, 32, all from Durrës; Ferdinad Ismaili, 39, and Flamur Këndezzi, 31, from Saranda; and Arian Piloelni, 26, from Tirana. The two Italian-built Rio-type boats they had used in an attempt to reach the coast of Leuca were also seized. They will be confiscated after the bureaucratic procedures.

A former officer reveals the secret EDMOND LAÇI ELBASAN — After 13 years, the unusual odyssey of former Albanian officer Jorgji Davidhi has become public. His account stems from a humanitarian desire to repatriate the remains of an Italian soldier, which Albanian engineers discovered by chance in 1980 while carrying out fortification work in a village in Elbasan. Now Jorgji—seeking help from the Gazette, perhaps his last attempt—to fulfill his humanitarian wish. His appeal is simple: “Giuseppe Capuano—the Italian soldier—should rest in his native land, because someone is surely still looking for him.” “In November 1980, while we were working in the Shmil area of Elbasan,” says Jorgji Davidhi, then chief engineer, “we came across some bones while digging a pit for a firing position. Along with them, we also found a medallion bearing the Italian soldier’s name and one of his other identifying details.” According to Jorgji, only his efforts made it possible to rebury the Italian soldier they had found in another place nearby, after some other servicemen had wanted to throw him into a stream because “he was a fascist soldier.” Then Jorgji secretly took the medallion found with Capuano, embarking on a long-held wish: “I sent a letter to the Foreign Minister, Reiz Malile,” Jorgji continues, “asking him to intervene with the Italian authorities to repatriate soldier Capuano, but in the reply he sent me, he wrote that ‘you should speak with the Lushnjë Municipal Enterprise,’ where I lived. Of course, they gave me no answer there either.” Officer Davidhi’s efforts also failed at the Italian Embassy in Tirana. “I waited three hours,” he says, “but in vain. Passports had just been issued to Albanians, and hundreds of them were waiting for visas to Italy.” Telling his story to the Gazette, Jorgji Davidhi says: “If publishing this story does not help me either, I will set off in a barrel for the Italian shores to give the Capuano family in Enna the remains of the man whose wish is waiting to be fulfilled soon.” It is a spiritual obligation of his, awaiting fulfillment.

Another person detained by police TIRANA — The case of Shkëndër Hanxhaku, Gjolek Zeneli and Muhamet Mema remains a mystery. After they were released from Irena Prison last Thursday by order of the General Prosecutor’s Office, the police were asked to detain them. Meanwhile, yesterday evening, in connection with the methyl alcohol case, citizen Sotiraq Spirollari was taken to Police Station No. 3. Muhamet Mema’s release order from the Prosecutor’s Office was upheld after his 48-hour detention—he had only just been released from prison. Gjolek Zeneli, meanwhile, was arrested again, and Shkëndër Hanxhaku—after leaving for an unknown destination—is being sought by the police authorities.

“We consider the Kosovo issue very important. We support the continuation of dialogue and contacts.” “We consider the Kosovo issue very important. We support the continuation of dialogue and contacts. On an appropriate occasion, we will invite Rugova to Romania.” This was stated by Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melescanu, who met with Albanian head of state Sali Berisha. The Romanian foreign minister’s visit was described by Albanian authorities as a further milestone in relations between the two countries. Albania and Romania are two countries with a serious interest in the course of events in the former Yugoslavia. These issues were also discussed at length in meetings between diplomatic officials.

The famous director will take part in a major cultural event TIRANA — (Fa.Ba.) Kosta Gavras, the famous French director of Greek origin, creator of 13 feature films, all warmly received by European audiences, has arrived in Tirana. Gavras will take part in a joint event that begins today in the capital, organized jointly by the French Embassy and the American Soros Foundation. The program for this important cultural event, which will continue until July 12, includes a retrospective of five of Gavras’s most successful films. This morning, the director will hold a press conference in the Conference Hall of the Palace of Congresses. Kosta Gavras was born in Greece in 1933. He graduated in cinematography in France and has worked in that country ever since, initially collaborating with famous directors such as René Clair and Jacques Demy. In 1969, he made the film “Z” with Yves Montand, which made him very well known. After that, he made many films starring Yves Montand, exposing the brutal methods and cruel oppression exercised by dictatorships in communist countries. His latest film, made two years ago, is titled “The Little Apocalypse.” It is planned that, alongside the screenings of the renowned director’s films, an exhibition of French periodicals will also open, introducing the capital’s public to around 3,000 titles from the daily press in France. The exhibition has been organized by the French Embassy in cooperation with the National Library of Tirana. Director Kosta Gavras

“SORROS” HELPS THE KORÇË LIBRARY — The “Sorros” Foundation recently donated 1,400 books to the “Thimi Mitko” library in the city of Korçë. The books—in English—cover various fields, from works of fiction to technical and scientific books, as well as children’s literature. While this library is enriching its collection with publications in foreign languages, it has difficulty obtaining Albanian publications, since, according to library staff, the distribution system has not yet been arranged. EC AID TO ALBANIA CONTINUES — The ships “Patria” and “Pallan” arrived at the Port of Durrës, together bringing more than 13,000 tons of wheat as aid from the European Community to Albania. The ships have begun unloading immediately, as a further 8,300 tons are expected soon aboard the ship “Fortune Bell.” AMATEUR CAMERAWOMEN IN SHKODËR — In recent months alone, 10 amateur video cameras have been brought into the city of Shkodër, some of them by Shkodër residents working abroad. The ever-growing interest in recording important family events has meant that videographers have had plenty of requests this season. Significantly, most of them have also begun building their own personal archives. A FAMILY CREATES AN EXHIBITION — A joint exhibition of paintings, sculptures and embroidery opened at the Korçë Gallery of Figurative Arts. Its distinctive feature is that the artists are members of one family: Antoneta, Dhimitraq and Vasilla Kolevica. Their works are dominated by various modern art techniques.

Kurds cause a massacre in Turkey Sarajevo hospital a real hell Ten female workers burned alive in Bangkok