The first Albanian ambassador to the Vatican has been appointed TIRANA — The giant C130 of the Italian military aviation landed at ... Rinas airport... The rear door came down and from the aircraft's belly emerged the “mobile Pope.” That is what the white Land Rover is called; Giovanni Paolo II will travel in it on Sunday amid the crowds of thousands of Albanians already ready to welcome him. The “mobile Pope” is equipped with a special bulletproof glass cabin, inside which the Pope is protected throughout his pilgrimage trips abroad. Now it can truly be said that everything is ready. The Albanian organization is working very well. The arrival of 550 foreign journalists, who will follow every step of the Pope—from the Mass in Shkodër, during which he will consecrate four new bishops, to the eagerly awaited speech he will deliver in Skënderbej Square in Tirana—has been scheduled hour by hour. Meanwhile, in Rome, Giovanni Paolo II spoke at length about Albania, in his first official speech on the eve of his arrival in Tirana. The occasion was a meeting with the first Albanian ambassador to the Holy See, Willy Gjon Kasmi, who presented his credentials. “The new Albanian democracy, which must consolidate its new political and civic structures through arduous economic and employment efforts,” the Pope said, “also needs ‘generous attention from the international community,’ which must not abandon the country ‘at this time of historic change, characterized by many difficulties.’” Relations between Albania and the Church, Giovanni Paolo II himself said, have known “moments of constructive cooperation” throughout history, but also “painful tension,” particularly because of “the grave political circumstances in which the nation became a victim in the second half of this century, as a result of a regime fearful of a totalitarian and anti-religious ideology.” Nevertheless, he said, “the golden thread of faith was never broken”—not only among Catholics, but also among the Orthodox and Islamic communities, which “have established a valuable and respectful ecumenical relationship with the Church.” “Albania,” Giovanni Paolo II said, “is today going through a difficult moment precisely because of the heavy legacy left by the old regime. Only the ambition and pride of democratic youth can overcome the destabilization of the present, which is called upon to solve difficult and worrying economic problems and to consolidate the new political structure, inspired by the principles of the rule of law, through the adoption of standards upheld in international agreements.” “The success of the new democratic state,” he added, “does not, among other things”—the Pope continued—“consist only in the functioning of its institutions and rules, but in the great values that must give them life. Albania, in this context, has suffered the burden of a suffocating dictatorship and is called upon to build its future by drawing on treasures and experiences that have not been exalted by the world, but are marked by freedom and democracy.” “In this perspective, the Catholic Church ‘is committed to making its contribution to building the new Albania.’” The car used by the Pope

Brindizi responds to Fier’s appeal BRINDIZI — No, those seven young men have never come to Italy... From our newsroom BRINDIZI — “No, those seven young men have never come to Italy.” Following the tragic appeal from Ishur of Fier about the disappearance of a group of friends who set out 17 months ago in a small boat for Brindizi and have sent no word since, the Italian authorities have responded. “We checked our electronic archives,” Dr. Caldarazzo, head of the Foreigners’ Office in Brindizi, explained to the “Albanian Newspaper,” “and in fact there are no records of them among the 40,000 Albanians currently emigrated to Italy.” This is the only clarification that can be offered today to the relatives of the missing men. Dr Giuseppe Zingaro, head of the Administrative Police of the same police headquarters, promises: “We will carry out further checks, but in the current circumstances it is impossible that those seven young men arrived in Brindizi or on any other Italian coast and were identified by our authorities. Of course, it is possible that they are living in hiding, or that they took refuge in another European country.” This dramatic story, one of many to follow the tragic exoduses of past years, concerns seven friends: Ferhat Bushi, 35; Bejamin Bushi, 29; Aleksandër Marku, 42; Dhimitraq Çuka, 33; Nazmi Avdurmani, 33; Kristaq Zara, 37; and Ze...nel Mustafari, 29, all from the village of Polovec, near Fier. On the morning of November 13, 1991, they boarded a small boat, stocked it with water and food, and began the difficult voyage toward the shores of Brindizi. Since that day, their relatives have had no news of them. After 17 months of silence and anguish, they decided to make an appeal through the “Albanian Newspaper”: “Help us find our sons!” they pleaded, tears in their eyes. Today the first response has arrived, unfortunately not yet the one they had hoped for: “You must not despair,” officials at the Brindizi police headquarters add. “If those seven friends had died at sea, their bodies would certainly have washed ashore on our coast. In fact, at least in our territory, no others have been identified. Another possibility must not be ruled out: they may have reached Italy using false documents and therefore been entered in our electronic archives under different names. That is precisely why we will continue investigating.”

TIRANE — Industrialized countries are increasing aid for Albania’s healthcare reform. The aid for healthcare offered by Group 24 will amount to around 145 million dollars, the same amount requested by the Albanian government. This sum is expected to be confirmed by representatives of the world’s 24 most industrialized countries, gathered in Tirana at the initiative of Albanian Health Minister Tritan Shehu. Shehu has for some time been presenting international organizations with his requests for implementing the first phase of healthcare system reform in Albania—the first reform aimed at placing this system on a modern footing. This first phase was drawn up by Albanian experts in cooperation with international bodies. Strengthening the primary healthcare system, restructuring the hospital sector, and pharmaceutical policy are just some of the areas set out in this first phase. “We are optimistic about the progress of the reform. The aid that Group 24 and other international organizations are providing to Albania is a guarantee of this,” the minister told the newspaper. According to Albanian experts, around 145 million dollars will be needed for Albania to carry out this phase of the reform, which is expected to last until 1997. This is a difficult task for the Albanian state. The current budget of the Ministry of Health covers, by the estimates, only salaries and transport costs. Since 1991, Albania has received financial and humanitarian aid from the international community, some of which has been donated to healthcare. An accurate calculation of this aid is almost impossible because much of it has been administered by humanitarian organizations. In any case, according to official sources, the total amounts to around 30 million dollars, of which only 5 million was received last year.

He was accused of murder TIRANE — Fourteen years’ imprisonment for police officer Bashkim Basha... TIRANE — Fourteen years’ imprisonment for police officer Bashkim Basha, 27, was the sentence handed down by the Tirana Court. The verdict followed an incident that took place on July 11 last year, at around 11 o’clock, at the Agricultural University of Tirana, where corporal Arben Gjoka was killed by the officer’s gun. “I and Bashkim Basha,” says police officer Bashkim Basha while awaiting the verdict, “although at that moment I was pinned down, he was in the line of fire; could he have ...?” During the sentencing, the presiding judge, Kreshnik Spahiu, stated that the defendant Basha, while accompanying his fiancée to the dormitory, got into a conflict with three intoxicated people, one of whom also lightly injured him. The court found the officer from District No. 3 guilty, because he struck the other person and the latter was injured. “Neither the petition from police employees nor the 600 signatures from students were taken into account by the Court,” the defendant Basha says in despair. Continuing in his despair, he says: “In a country where there is no Constitution and not even a Prosecutor General, you cannot expect justice.” Prosecutor Gjokutaj, meanwhile, said: “How fair the prosecution’s charge is will be shown by the second-instance trial. I was merely defending an accusation based on the law.”

The telephone exchange is also coming soon LAÇ — Two Italian teachers from Altamura (Bari) have begun teaching in the town of Laç... LAÇ — Two Italian teachers from Altamura (Bari) have begun teaching in the town of Laç, 50 kilometers from Tirana. Maria Rosaria Sikuro and Giovanna Fustadera were introduced to representatives of the Municipality of Laç by their fellow countrywoman, Sister Maria Bambina, director of the technical institute for tourism in Italy. These two teachers from Italy, who have come voluntarily to this northern Albanian town, will teach Italian at Laç’s general secondary school. However, this is not the first act of assistance, since the Diocese of Altamura and the Municipality of Laç have been cooperating for some time within the framework of their twinning arrangement. Assistance to schools and hospitals is among the results of this cooperation. An automatic telephone exchange with around 1,200 numbers is also expected to arrive from Altamura soon. This is no small gift for this town, as it will enable almost one third of its families to communicate with relatives in general, as well as with people elsewhere in the country. The arrival of these two teachers was the first voluntary assistance that the friendly Italian people have given this town, following material aid.

The seven boats remain detained in the ports of Durrës and Vlorë DURRËS — Seven Italian fishing boats from Monopoli and Mola di Bari remain detained in Durrës and Vlorë. The fine was 3,500 dollars for each vessel, explains Vasili Rëmbreci, Captain of the Port of Durrës, while the Financial Police have confiscated all the fish. I do not know whether they can also seize the boats themselves—although Albanian-Italian relations are at stake. “This is not the first time these boats have fished without a permit in our territorial waters,” Captain Rëmbreci continues. “Their names have been recorded several times; a government protest was also made to the Italian Embassy in Tirana and through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is because the Italian fishing boats have often refused to obey the Albanian army vessels and be escorted, as required by international regulations. Here, finally, ‘our military ... manages to escort one to port; those that were ... took ... three days ...’” In Durrës and Vlorë, where all seven Italian fishing boats are detained, almost everything has been clarified. It is even known what kind of fish they caught and at what depth, without being equipped with Italian permits. “The type of fish confiscated clearly shows that these fishing boats were fishing at depths where even Albanian boats are prohibited from fishing,” explains Vasili, Captain of the Port of Durrës, speaking with the expertise of a specialist. Thus, the boats from Monopoli detained in Durrës—“Antonia Clemente,” captained by Damasco; “Gian Battista padre,” commanded by Severia; “Santa Severina,” by Leonardo; and “Rocco Cognes,” by Delizio—together with the others detained in the Port of Vlorë, “Citta di Mola,” “Aurora,” and “Nuova Enza,” are awaiting the sentences of the Albanian authorities’ court. According to the Financial Police expert, their confiscation has been recommended. That will also be the final penalty for the other fishing boats. “After paying the fines, later they may also return ...”

SARANDË — Albanian television signals do not reach Sarandë... SARANDË — Albanian television signals do not reach Sarandë, in the Gulf of Albania. Since the beginning of February, the residents of the districts of Delvinë and Sarandë, with very rare exceptions, have had no clear information about what is happening in Albania except through newspapers. Meanwhile, the only clear source of information about events in the world is Greek television, which benefits from the proximity of these towns to the border ... Until recently, Albanian television signals reached the towns of Sarandë and Delvinë, reflected by the repeater installed several years ago on Mount Sopot, as well as with the help of a number of small amplifiers placed near the towns. It was precisely the lack of electricity supply that halted the normal broadcasts of this equipment. Meanwhile, it is reported that the efforts of Sarandë’s electrical specialists to get the amplifiers installed in Gjanicë working have been considerable, but successful.

with the family and her daughter and worship ... Majlët and stayed at the whole state in Kancat e Maljetes and all at my agent. Vasil Prenga from Lezha sends greetings to his family in Lezha, all my relatives and all my friends wherever they may be. With this letter, his greetings go to Emirtri and the people wherever they are. With respect and love for brothers and sisters. (Shpresim Rama, Flamur Rexha, Perparim Mustalla, Vasil Prenga — Sicily) I send greetings to my loved ones, to the loved ones in my family who live on the island of Ritali e Vlores, to my father Cumanin, my dear mother, Luftarim, my sisters Silvana and Ermirat, and all the others Drejtuan who are in Italy and Greece for work. My greetings go to all my relatives wherever they may be. I will not forget to send greetings to my school friend Mimosa Muçaj from Kota e Vlores. And I also send greetings from Italy to my workmates with these wishes: Piccana na f..., And they are: Marika, Klarisa, Natasha, Krenari, Fitiim, Yevangjina, Shperida, Venera and Feruzaja. And in particular I send greetings to … Greetings to my dear ones, who are in Buvlona, greetings to them ... Prayers and wishes for ... on the telephone: the telephone number is: 0398... GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE.” Greetings to you all. (Valentina Zani) Do you have a relative, a friend or a loved one far away, across the sea? Would you like to reach them with a greeting, a message or simply a wish? This space is yours to use... to read. If you are on the coast, you can write to this address: GAZETA SHQIPTARE c/o Edizioni ... Viale ... 70100 Bari — If you live in Albania, you can write to this address: GAZETA SHQIPTARE Rruga Bajram Curri ...