120 relay transmitters stolen or damaged The television signal does not reach many areas EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — Watching TVSH is difficult or impossible in many areas of Albania. A problem already evident before, it has become extremely worrying over the past two years as a result of the theft or destruction of many relay transmitters (television repeaters). During this period alone, around 120 transmitters have been stolen, while more than 150 others remain operational. “The theft of relay transmitters is the main reason many areas in Albania cannot receive Albanian Television’s programme, specialists say; the other reason is the increased strength of Italian stations, against which our repeaters are powerless.” For this reason, the European Community is expected to intervene by donating several relay transmitters. The geography of areas where TVSH cannot be watched is extensive. Interestingly, it begins right in the capital: one neighbourhood in Kombinat has been unable to receive TVSH’s programme for a long time because it lacks a relay transmitter. Thousands of other viewers face the same problem in Tirana’s villages, particularly in Kashar, Baldushk, Pezë and Pajon. The greatest difficulties are observed around Kukës, Pejë, Shkopi, Rrëshen and Vlorë. In the districts of Kukës and Peshkopi alone, 20 television repeaters have been stolen, making it almost impossible to watch the television programme on the only Albanian station. The same story in Mirditë: the town of Rrëshen itself cannot receive Tirana’s television station under normal viewing conditions, while Fani i Vogël has been left without coverage—again because a relay transmitter was stolen—and its 20,000 residents cannot receive Tirana at all. The tourist area of Lurë, too, following theft and repeated damage to its transmitter, can no longer receive TVSH’s television programme. The same is true in the district of Librazhd, where a large part of the town and many surrounding villages have not been able to watch TVSH for some time. Clearly, relay transmitters are stolen for profit. But while smuggling them across the border and selling them remains the preferred trade, repeater dealers have also begun to destroy this trade within Albania. The case of Prognat shows that relay transmitters are now in high demand. There, the same person who stole one transmitter managed to sell another repeater, which had in fact previously been stolen in Përkorra’i, in the district of Sarandë. Criminal proceedings have now been initiated against the person behind this new trade. The problem is not only theft, but also the destruction of relay transmitters. Thus Kurrë-bnesh and nearby villages have no TVSH because the antennas and cables have been stolen—or, this time, the transmitter has been destroyed. Telephone lines have not escaped the destruction, nor, most importantly, has the relay station building itself. This has created considerable difficulties for the Technical Directorate of Radio Television, which are increasing. Following the destruction of many transmitters—made in France, Italy and Austria—replacing them appears very difficult. Even a used, serviceable repeater costs between $5,000 and $10,000, not counting the additional costs of antennas, power lines, buildings and transport. The funds previously made available by RTV now seem impossible to obtain. The headquarters of Radio Television in Tirana

AGESCI members are repairing the water and electricity networks in villages in Lushnje. Work continues at the Vlorë orphanage Caritas is also cooperating FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANA — This is a humanitarian initiative taking place this summer. Italian Scouts, members of AGESCI, the Italian national organisation that brings together young Scouts, have undertaken a series of humanitarian activities in two districts in southern Albania: Lushnje and Vlorë. “Caritas” has also contributed to the initiative. The project initially began as an initiative by the Scouts of Apulia, in cooperation with Caritas of Otranto. It was subsequently supported by national AGESCI and national Caritas. Many Scout parents accompanied their children to Albania. Some of them, including a doctor, also made a practical contribution. The AGESCI solidarity mission in Albania initially involved 167 participants, all young people, who worked in several shifts at the Vlorë orphanage site. Another group of 52 people undertook repairs to the sanitation network in four villages in the district of Lushnje: Bubullimë, Gorë, Kamasica and Kolonjë. In the villages of Lushnje, the Italian Scouts installed plastic material on the doors and windows of the village buildings. Water tanks with a capacity of 1,000 litres were delivered and installed for the village schools. Some minor repairs were made to the drinking-water network in these villages, which was in poor condition: taps and other technical equipment were installed. For 12 consecutive days, the Italian Scouts also helped improve the electricity network. Many new electrical sockets and lamp holders were installed, in addition to other repairs to the village networks. The humanitarian mission in the district of Lushnje was coordinated by Enzo de Carlo, AGESCI’s area representative for Lecce, and don Cosimo Calozzo. At the Vlorë orphanage, work was carried out on the interior renovation, including completely rebuilding the electrical and drinking-water systems and the sewage pipes. The showers and canteen were then repaired, all the walls were painted, and all the panes of glass were replaced. Work at the site will continue in four shifts and will last about a week. On Sunday, the Vlorë orphanage site was also visited by the Italian ambassador, Paolo Forestini, who was on a working visit to the city. The AGESCI-Puglia initiative was planned one year after the great exodus of Albanians. At that time, Scout groups and other voluntary associations were at the forefront of providing assistance to Albanians.

Yesterday in Albania Forest damage continues in Berat — So far, the damage caused in the district of Berat amounts to 441,000 lekë. — Forest damage continues. So far, the damage caused in the district of Berat amounts to 441,000 lekë. This damage has been caused by various individuals who unlawfully harm national property for personal gain. During 1992 alone, around 700 administrative offences and 42 criminal offences were recorded, extremely high figures. As a result, entire national forests such as Vidhit i Syzejt and the Dërësimit forest have disappeared; various groups of individuals have profited from the lack of equipment available to the forest police to detect them. NEW MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD APPOINTED — A new Minister of Agriculture and Food has been appointed. Under Decree No. 635, signed by President Berisha, Petrit Kalakula is relieved of his duties as minister at his own request, and Hasan Halli is appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food. Kalakula had requested his resignation after harsh criticism from his own parties. PROBLEMS WITH NOTARISING DOCUMENTS FOR PRIVATISED HOMES — Notarisation of documents for privatised homes is a problem for citizens. Although the privatisation of homes has been completed, one task remains to be carried out quickly: the notarisation of these documents, which leaves much to be desired. It has often been requested that notaries be notified of cases by the municipal housing enterprises carrying out the privatisation. This would allow the documents to be transferred to the notary immediately. As things stand, citizens accuse the directorates, which charge 300 to 500 lekë for a notarial deed instead of 200 lekë.

It crashed into the sea off the Kavajë area KAVAJA - (br.ca.) — Searches to find the body of Major Idriz Hoxha and the aircraft had yielded no positive results by Sunday afternoon. After several days, hopes of finding the pilot alive are beginning to fade. The serious air accident occurred when Hoxha was flying his military aircraft, a “MIG 19”—a Soviet-made model from the 1950s—over the sea on Friday, at around 10:30. Immediately after a telephone call received that same day at noon by the Italian Navy’s maritime command centre from the Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Army, a search began in the sea area near Kavajë, where the accident was believed to have occurred. It was a joint effort involving the Albanian Navy, Italian patrol boats and NATO ships in the Adriatic to enforce the embargo. Idriz Hoxha, a pilot with the Rinas Aviation Regiment, had the accident while carrying out a scheduled training flight. The military aviation flight-control centre raised the alarm and also identified the coastal area off Kavajë as the search zone. Despite the mobilisation and cooperation of specialised forces, the results so far have unfortunately been negative.

The capital under threat from rubbish ANDREA STEFANI TIRANA — A competition has been opened to award a contract for cleaning the capital and removing its rubbish. The competition—organised by Tirana Municipality in cooperation with the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Territorial Regulation—will take place in early September. Many local companies, joint ventures, and even foreign companies from Italy and Slovenia have so far expressed interest in participating. The news was confirmed by Niko Muka, Director of Municipal Services at the Municipality. At last, there is some hope that an end will soon be put to the almost scandalous filth—so troubling to local residents and foreign visitors alike—that fills the capital’s streets. Regarding the causes of this abnormal situation, the Municipality explains that for some time now cleaning the city has not simply been a matter of organisation, but above all of investment. No investment has been made in this sector for two years, while the volume of pollution has increased more than tenfold. According to Municipality figures, around 70 per cent of the country’s private-sector goods are now stored in Tirana. Every month, 2,000 cubic metres of waste and intermediate refuse are generated, while 25,000 transport vehicles circulate. The cleaning and removal of 100–120 tonnes of rubbish is carried out to the extent of 90 per cent using primitive equipment. The competition aims to fill these gaps and also increase the degree of industrialisation of the process, carrying it out through a complete system for waste disposal. “In any case,” Municipality specialists stress, “along with investment, improvements are needed in other areas, such as the collection of taxes and local budget revenues, from which the funds to finance this activity come. Greater commitment is required from the Police to prevent pollution of public spaces, as well as greater civic awareness. Only in this way can the problem be solved.”

Albanian champions play poorly in the first match Qualification becomes much more difficult Sport Albanian champions play poorly in the first match Partizani-Akранes 0-0 Qualification becomes much more difficult TIRANA - (ed.la.) — In these matches, Albanian teams are making their way towards the European Cups. On their journey towards the European Cups, “Akranes”, who played a week ago at “Allobrotelli” in Lithuania, and Tirana’s “Partizani”, playing at home against Iceland’s “Akranes”, could manage no more than a draw: 0-0. Not only that, Partizani played poorly, as the specialists at the club also acknowledged. Qualification for the first round will therefore be very difficult, even though the Albanian team’s opponents in the preliminary round are not professional teams in European football. The results of the first matches have made the task very difficult for both “Akranes” and “Partizani”. The Albanian champions’ performance in Sunday’s match was poor. They also played badly tactically against the Icelandic opponents. Facing a very tall centre-back from “Akranes”, “Partizani” made its attacks from the wings with high balls. This was a very difficult task for the two short forwards, Hoxha and Dosti. The “Partizani” fans, who had filled the stadium stands, were almost left disappointed when, following a quick counterattack at the end of the match, the Icelanders came close to scoring. But “Partizani” could not take advantage even in the first 20 minutes of the match: at 1:43, the “Akranes” players, unused to high temperatures, repeatedly sought help from their bench. For Iceland, a draw was the best result they were hoping for in the first match. Although they did not show themselves to be a team superior to “Partizani”, “Akranes” managed the situation and secured the much-sought 0-0 draw. “Partizani” faces a difficult return match: it must be capable of scoring against the Icelanders on their home ground. “Akranes”, meanwhile—with several possibilities in the lineup after the suspension of the shorter players—needs to win 2-0 to have a chance of going through against the Russian team. As for tactics, the observer for “Partizani” had gone to Iceland. Yesterday, this referee held a meeting with Albanian football referees. A representative of the “Federation” had also come to Tirana; his team will face “Finland” in the first round, represented by “Akranes”. Wim Jensen, the well-known former Dutch footballer, told the newspaper after the match: “Partizani has not lost its chances of qualifying.”

TIRANA (fa.ba.) — Last Saturday turned into a tragic day for the passengers of a “Volkswagen” car registered in Tirana. Three of the vehicle’s nine occupants suffered serious injuries in the car accident that occurred on Saturday morning near the village of Roramat, beside the Tirana-Kavajë national road. The four adult passengers in the car were taken to hospital in extremely serious condition. The young child escaped miraculously. According to road police sources, the accident was caused by the high speed at which the “Volkswagen” was travelling. This caused the driver to lose control and leave the road.

She is suffering from malaria DELHI — Apart from some difficulty breathing, Mother Teresa’s health remains unchanged. Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Science hospital, who diagnosed malaria on Sunday, are keeping the patient under constant observation and believe she will recover in a few days. For the time being, the religious nun, who will turn 83 on Friday, is in the intensive care unit. Doctors have explained that the breathing difficulties are caused by the condition of Mother Teresa’s heart, which in 1989, after a second heart attack that nearly killed her, was placed under the control of a pacemaker, a device that helps the heart function better. On Wednesday, the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, winner of the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize, was admitted to hospital with a high fever and pulmonary swelling. Recent photograph of Mother Teresa

Emigration issues discussed by the Arbëreshë On building safer nuclear power plants Fear of Islamic fundamentalism is growing