TIRANA — Saudi Arabia has decided to build a refugee camp in Albania to welcome Bosnian Muslims fleeing the war. The news has also arrived in the form of a brief statement from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mohammed Al Abkhari added that “a group of engineers from Riyadh has already visited Albania and chosen an area between the cities of Durrës and the reception [area].” The preparation of the camp, which will include prefabricated buildings, schools, hospitals and rooms, will be provided with between 15 and 20 million dollars. According to the official Saudi press agency “Spa”, the decision to build the refugee camp was made personally by King Fahd — monarch of the wealthy Gulf country — “because I am deeply distressed by the suffering of the Bosnian Muslims, forced to abandon their homes and their homeland.” Saudi television has also devoted special reports to this initiative. The same agency adds that the Minister of Finance, Mohammed Ali Abalkhail, has been in contact with Albanian and Bosnian representatives. It is clear, in fact, that a project of this kind requires, first and foremost, the approval of the Government in Tirana. This would be the first refugee camp built in Albania amid the recent tensions. A few months ago, as tension in Kosovo increased, medical plans were prepared in the north of the country for the possible arrival of Kosovar refugees.

A sharp turn after the dispute EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — The dispute between the seven Albanian newspapers and the director of the “Demokracia” printing press, Petro Dhimitri, has flared up once again. A letter from the “International Media Fund” (IMF), signed by its own chairman and president, Marvin L. Stone, informs Bashkim Trevona, chairman of the board of the seven newspapers, that “the contract granted in December is being terminated.” The decision was made only a few days after IMF — responding to the board’s request to dismiss director Dhimitri — had given the newspapers that had begun a strike 10 days to return to the printing press. Otherwise, according to the fax dated 23 June, the donation agreement would be considered terminated. After six newspapers belonging to the board boycotted the press in May, “RD” also boycotted the “Demokracia” printing press on 26 June. Now, according to Trevona, the board’s seven newspapers are seeking to sue director Dhimitri. The reasons: director Dhimitri’s forgery of Bashkim Trevona’s signature, his printing strike and the judge’s ruling concerning the legal entity, and finally the unlawful firing. At the same time, another issue remains unresolved: the land on which the “Demokracia” printing press was built belongs to the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike.” “If a decision is made in favor of the seven newspapers,” Trevona continues, “we can also demand rent for our land.” For his part, Petro Dhimitri explains that IMF paid for the land for “RD.” “It would not be serious,” says Dhimitri, “to demand rent as well for a generous donation.” The faxes to IMF, the strike started by the first six newspapers, the televised face-off between the seven editors-in-chief and director Dhimitri, and the “Rilindja Demokratike” boycott of the “Demokracia” printing press did not bring the desired peace. “Perhaps only one option is now left open for this printing press,” director Dhimitri continues, “for all the newspapers to be printed as customers and, after three years, for the newspapers with the largest circulation to become co-owners.” This is a proposal that the board of the seven newspapers would undoubtedly oppose, but it remains provisional.

After the mysterious incident in Rinas, the Director of the Archives speaks “I have been gravely offended and, if this matter is not clarified, I will leave my post” TIRANA — (c.b.) “I have been gravely offended, both as a person and in the capacity I represent. For this reason, I will not return to my post until my dignity has been restored.” Luan Maltezi, Director General of the Archives, is speaking from Bonn. He is a guest of the Albanian Embassy in Germany, waiting to set off for Paris on previously scheduled work. Last week, while under arrest and climbing the steps to the airplane, he was stopped by an officer of the Albanian Police, who seized several photocopies of archival documents from him. A mysterious story that has prompted talk of a scandal and of “the disclosure of documents constituting a secret.” “But what secret?” Maltezi explains to the newspaper. “These were copies of a book about Skënderbeu and photocopies of public documents. Anyone could have obtained them.” Can you tell us specifically what documents were involved? “Certainly. Besides some letters by Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu, taken from a book that circulates throughout the world, they had also photocopied some documents relating to relations between Enver Hoxha’s Party of Labour and the French Communist Party. I was taking them with me to Paris so I could study them at leisure and verify the case in order to publish them.” Could these have been documents constituting a secret? “Absolutely not. There is a government decision stipulating that all documents relating to the Party of Labour be transferred to the State Archives. This means they are subject to the same law in force for all other documents, which allows them to be made public.” Then why were the documents seized from you? “I don’t know. They had been informed of my departure, however. They told me I was free to leave and that they would only detain the papers. I said it: this matter has offended me; I have been insulted, and I understand what my options are. I have great respect for the law and also for the democratic movement.”

President Kokona in hospital TIRANA — (Ed La.) The High Council of Justice, chaired by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, elected Fatmir Fagu Deputy Prosecutor for the Tirana district. “The decision was made because the Tirana Prosecutor, Shkëlqim Kokona — elected a few months ago — is in poor health, and only the Deputy Prosecutor, Beqir Kokoshi, had remained at the head of the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office,” the newspaper said. “For the moment,” the High Council of Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal explained. This was the latest appointment in the field of justice, which has undergone a quiet revolution in the space of just one week. It began in Parliament with the dismissal of Vasil Plaku, Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic, and ended with the dismissal of four secretaries at the Tirana Court. At the same court, Arben Vani, a judge, and Musa Grecani, a military judge, were relieved of their duties at their own request. The dismissals of secretaries Valbona Qafaku, Mirela Mara, Blerina Cernai and Lumtur Banushi were communicated with various reasons given.

DURRËS / Two policemen killed; trial to be held in Bari DURRËS — (p. re.) Three years ago this case was called a scandal, both in Albania and in Italy, although for different reasons. It was 24 October 1990 when the tragedy took place in the waters off Durrës. Albania was still under dictatorship at the time, although it was already in its death throes, and the dramatic flight of eight Albanians toward Italy heightened tensions and alarmed the authorities. The story also made an impression in Italy, because people had never seen or heard of people killing in order to flee their country. Now the protagonists of this story, the eight Albanians who killed two policemen to take the motorboat and reach the shores of Bari, will be tried by an Italian court. The Bari judges have decided to begin proceedings against the refugees: they are Adhurim Sallamoni, 27, from Arapaj; Julian Sallmoni, 24, from Arapaj; Gjoka, 37, from Durrës; Dhimitër Leka, 26; Lindita Gjoka, 24; Edmond Meçani, 26; and Entela Kazazi, 23, all from Durrës. Here is the story. On the morning of 24 October 1990, Adhurim Sallamoni, who was operating the “R21” motorboat of the Albanian police force, made his plan to escape: he attacked his two colleagues — Captain Ilir Gjordeni and soldier Arben Legisi — struck them repeatedly with blunt objects, threw them into the water and killed them. Another soldier, Nirjan Vasllaj, nearly met the same fate: he fell into the water but managed to hold on and was quickly pulled along by a rope, eventually reaching the shore by swimming. In this way, out at sea and finally free, Adhurim Sallamoni reached a point on the coast and took aboard his seven sisters, who had been waiting for him for some time. Together they set off for Italy. There, instead of the freedom they had dreamed of, they found a trial that will put them on trial.

Partizani’s first match postponed to 21 August Sport European competitions: opponents do not intimidate the Albanians PINO MONTAGNA In the European cup competitions, a clear picture emerged of the technical level of the Albanian teams’ opponents. Aranës is currently back at the top of the championship after five weeks. Vllaznia has an advantage over Valur Reykjavik. Following a recent decision by Partizani Club, the first match will be played in Tirana on 21 August. The other possible opponent in the first round would be Feyenoord of Rotterdam. It is currently managed by a former player of the great Madrid side, a well-known former player: Van Hanegem, while its best-known players are Metgod, De Wolf, Taument and Kiprich. In the Cup Winners’ Cup, debutants Alpetrol of Fier will play Alpbret of Balzers, Liechtenstein, a match involving only seven teams and 1,200 spectators [as printed], and, moreover, the country has no league of its own and its teams play in Switzerland’s lower divisions. The possible opponent in the first round would be CSKA Sofia; secondly, Alpetrol wishes to play in Tirana because it does not have a stadium suitable for international competitions.

IMF SECURES ALBANIA FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund approved the Albanian Government’s request for a three-year agreement under the ESAF program. In a letter that Camdesy, the IMF Director, sent to President Berisha, he confirmed the latest decision of the organization he heads and also assured him of further assistance. NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ESTABLISHED IN TIRANA — A 15-member Provisional Council chaired by Zenel Hoxha will work toward the complete reorganization of the Albanian Chamber of Commerce. This was the outcome of a meeting of businesspeople, entrepreneurs and various trade associations, who reached a decision after a meeting held in Tirana. The Chamber of Commerce. The organizers officially estimate that the Chamber of Commerce will reach a figure of 10,000 members. IN KUKËS, 2,672 PUPILS HAVE LEFT EIGHT-YEAR SCHOOL — In Kukës, 2,000 pupils in the upper grades and 672 in the lower grades of the eight-year school have dropped out or collectively left compulsory education. These are the findings of the District Education Directorate for the school year that has just ended. Following this, many school principals appealed to the municipalities, which, under the law, are also required to take action against the parents of pupils who have left school; however, no concrete measures have yet been taken. The continued flow of pupils for the coming school year remains a problem for the local authorities.

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