LA GAZZETTA DEL MEZZOGIORNO S.p.A. Editrice del Sud - EDlSUD Monument to Gjergj Kastrioti, Skënderbeu. GIUSEPPE GORJUX between the two countries. The people of southern Italy have not only always respected communities of Albanian origin that have long lived among them, but proudly emphasize that for decades they have welcomed Albanian citizens into their social fabric, people who have found friendship and prospects precisely in these regions. Many Apulian surnames are of Albanian origin. [Among] these Albanians: suffice it to recall all the large Kastriot[i?] families, present in Apulia and other parts of Italy. Not to mention the equestrian monument to Gjergj Kastrioti, Skënderbeu, which overlooks a street in Rome, a proud expression of the freedom and independence of the Albanian people. The most recent Albanian emigration, in March and August 1991, was also welcomed and sincerely supported by the people of Apulia—despite the inevitable turmoil caused by the unexpected arrival of an uncontrolled mass of exiles on the shores of Brindisi and Bari—and today many Albanians work with dignity in various productive sectors of our country. Naturally, it is worth mentioning that the need to integrate our Albanian friends into Italian society comes at a very difficult time, economically and politically, for Italy itself; and the fact is that this process is also negatively affected by the fact that thousands of Albanians often feel the support as well as the consequences of the obscurantist and irr[e?]alist regime that oppressed them for almost half a century. The same people, slowly, despite facing great difficulties and sacrifices, are seeing more clearly the prospects for Albania's progressive development. Gazeta Shqiptare hopes and intends to make a constructive contribution to better and more meaningful coexistence, in practical terms, between the two shores of the Adriatic; in this first issue it offers its heartfelt, friendly and respectful greetings to the Albanian people and its new leadership, in particular its president Berisha and his government.

Seven young men missing after setting out for Italy After 17 months of silence, a dramatic appeal from a village near Fier They set off on 13 November 1991 in a motorboat toward the Apulian coast: since then no one has seen them again. Their desperate relatives tell their story and ask for help EDMOND LAÇI FIER — Seven people from Povëlca, near Fier, have been missing since attempting to set out for Brindisi on 13 November 1991. Seventeen months after 17:45 on that day, their relatives are speaking out about their anguish and are waiting for help. Their appeal is clear: “Where have our relatives ended up? And are they still alive?” Because no one has received even a scrap of news, not even a rumor. Thus the salty sea, adored by their relatives, has now come as tears to the eyes of the children, parents and spouses who themselves saw them off in search of a better life. Povëlca, the coastal village 18 kilometers from Fier, is now in mourning. All the addresses the young men took with them before setting out for the other shore of the Adriatic confirm that they never arrived. “I can never believe that my son and the others drowned,” says Ferhat's father, Skënder Bushi, his lips trembling. “The motorboat would surely have come ashore somewhere on the coast, which we have searched every day.” His is not the only family in anguish, because alongside Ferhat Bushi, 35, were Bejamin Bushi, 29, Aleksandër Marku, 42, Dhimitraq Çuka, 33, Nazmi Avdurramani, 35, Kristaq Zarka, 37, and Zenel Mustafa, 29. They were all mechanics, electricians, laborers or drivers. With a sackful of dreams and two days' worth of bread, the seven missing men set out to sea on that calm day. “They were going toward Brindisi, via Otranto,” recalls Aguri, the brother of Nazmi Avdurramani, one of those who saw them off, “because they had tried Otranto three or four days earlier, during an unsuccessful departure.” Aguri remembers that day well: “They had taken flashlights, lanterns, kerosene, a compass and two containers, one with 30 liters of water and the other with 70 liters of gasoline.” “We'll be in Brindisi in five hours,” those who left that day had said. It is not known whether they took their new clothes, or their passports, school certificates and addresses in Torino, Rome, Milan and the USA. Perhaps the motorboat they had bought together with the money they collected in Greece. “It was just an old rubber army motorboat with patches, which my brother and his friends bought in Vlora,” Aguri recalls again. “The engine wasn't in good condition either.” But nobody else in Povëlca doubts the motorboat, remembering that people also reached Italy in barrels, during the famous exodus in barrels, and that thousands arrived safe and sound. “They also fitted two tractor inner tubes along the sides of the motorboat,” adds Floresha, one of the wives of the men who left. “We're afraid they may have ended up in Yugoslavia, or that some ship may have taken them,” whispers Lumturi Sula, Ferhat's sister and the first to take the initiative to tell the newspaper about the missing men. She and the other women can now only wait. “All that I have, I would give to anyone who brings me good news,” vows Bejamin's wife, Engjëllusha. Good news, no one knows who might bring it, is eagerly awaited, first and foremost from Italy and its authorities. And by all those who saw the missing men from Povëlca off 17 months ago. A motorboat used by emigrants.

Final preparations SHKODËR — “Albania is proud of its religious tolerance; this is one of the reasons it is and will remain a secular country. The Pope's arrival is a historic event for us.” Commenting to the Italian press on the Pope's visit, the first in 2,000 years, President of the Republic Sali Berisha expressed his great pleasure at this mission of Giovanni Paolo II, “the first to take place in the Balkans.” Preparations are in full swing throughout the country. Along with security, the organizers are also arranging the reception for the hundreds of foreigners who will begin arriving on Saturday morning. Press centers have been made available for journalists in both Tirana and Shkodër: in the capital, after meeting President Berisha, the Pope will deliver a speech in Skënderbej central square. In Shkodër, where he will stay for a few hours, in the short morning visit, Giovanni Paolo II will hold a solemn religious service in the large, recently rebuilt Cathedral, where he will ordain four new bishops. The people of Shkodër have festively decorated their city. In recent days, the municipality has appealed to residents to keep the streets clean and offer the warmest welcome to foreigners. Representatives of the Muslim Community and the Orthodox Church will also take part in the religious ceremonies; they have always lived in complete harmony with the Catholics. There is also anticipation of the unannounced arrival of Madre Tereza of Calcutta, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate of Albanian origin, whose group of nuns has been active in the country for some time. Kanina, the first stone here for building ... [text cut off and illegible] ... of the city ... almost ...

Apulians fishing illegally in national waters

Apulians fishing illegally in national waters DURRËSI — Seven Italian fishing boats have been detained near the coasts of Durrës and Vlorë by the Albanian authorities. The crews, all of Apulian origin, were detained while fishing illegally in Albania's national waters. The maritime authorities found 200 crates of valuable fish on board the motorboats. The names of the detained motorboats are: “Antonia Clemente”, “Giambattista padre”, “Santa Severia”, “Rocco Comes” (all from Monopoli), “Città di Mola”, “Aurora” and “Nuova Enza” (from the town of Mola di Bari). According to statements from the Durrës port authority, the seven boats have not yet been impounded, but have only been detained pending an investigation by the Financial Police. A decision will be made in the coming hours, and it may involve payment of a large sum. The incident is being followed by the Italian embassy authorities here in Albania and by the Italian Navy, which is based in Durrës. They were the ones who informed Bari of the detention of the seven motorboats. The issue of relations between Italy and Albania in the fishing sector is particularly important. Three weeks ago, Durrës fishermen were on the verge of striking. Italian fishermen often bought valuable fish from Albanians for 200 lek per kilogram, then sold it in the Apulian market for more than 20 dollars. During Italian Minister Tesini's visit to Tirana, a bilateral agreement in the fishing sector was also discussed, but no contract has been concluded so far. Meanwhile, in Bari, the relatives of the fishermen held here in Albania are enduring hours of great anxiety. They hope they can embrace their loved ones as soon as possible and that the situation can be resolved. A fishing boat in the port of Monopoli.

Perhaps the majority and opposition in parliament agree TIRANA — The Albanian parliament has begun examining the draft law “On compensation in value for former owners of agricultural land.” The draft contains 18 articles. It provides for the right to compensation in value for agricultural land owned up to August 1945. Under one provision of the draft law, owners or their heirs will receive full financial compensation for land areas of up to 15 hectares. For the remaining land, from 15 to 1,200 hectares, each hectare will be compensated according to certain coefficients. No additional compensation is provided for land areas exceeding 1,200 hectares. [It is expected?] that the law will be passed without difficulty. In fact, the largest parliamentary parties, including the Socialist opposition, have already expressed their support for it. The representatives of the landowners remain dissatisfied. Xhavit Turkeshi, deputy chairman of the association “Property with Justice,” declared: “It is an antidemocratic and communist law.” One of the Democratic Party's MPs, Jemin Gjana, told the newspaper: “In principle, the owners are right, but one must also consider the state's limited means and the risk of social conflicts arising.”

PERMET — Shemo Aluli, a poor 42-year-old resident of Përmet, drowned in the Vjosa River almost a month ago. “10,000 lek for the person who finds Shemo's body”—this is what two of his family members announced. In exchange for the means of a lifetime, these are what the poor relatives [word unclear?] offer, in their distress, after many days of fruitless searching on both banks of the Vjosa. At the moment of his death, Aluli had with him only a used military bag.

Here are this week’s practical tips: Never throw away tea leaves. When the tea is very strong, it can be used as a lotion. Applied to the face, neck and, why not, legs and hands, it gives a light tan to those who have not yet acquired one, and prolongs the tan of those who got tanned during their holidays. To make tanning easier, drink carrot juice and take a spoonful of olive oil after each exposure. And don’t forget that you tan better while moving than while staying in one place. Never forget to remove the [?] green germ found inside a clove of garlic; it is what makes garlic indigestible. To avoid bad breath, there are various remedies: eat fresh parsley, drink mint tea, or chew coffee beans. To soothe redness, beat an egg white, mix it with almond oil, and apply this liquid to the reddened areas. You can relieve the pain in the affected area with a balm made from millet, rice or flax. If we want bathing to be beneficial, there are a few rules to follow: never take baths that are too hot or too long, because they can overstrain the heart. Pour a little Vaseline oil into the bath water; let it sit and soften. To make the bodywork shine, clean it with a solution of one-tenth alcohol and nine-tenths Vaseline oil. The best fizzy drinks open more easily if they are put in the refrigerator upside down. To separate two glasses stuck together, steam one of them to heat the base of the second glass, then pour cold water into the upper glass.