Dramatic account from the anthropologist investigating the victims of communism Witnesses recount: “The Gega and Ndreu spouses were killed here after terrible torture.” New excavations in search of 7 bodies FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANA — Excavations will continue on the “shore of death” near the village of Mnik, close to Tirana. After the discovery of 22 innocent victims of the “bomb incident at the Soviet embassy,” this time searches will be conducted at two other points in the same area to recover and identify a group of seven people whose names have not yet been established. Also being sought are two of Enver Hoxha’s famous victims: the spouses Liri Gega and Dali Ndreu. The news was confirmed to the newspaper by the renowned anthropologist Aleksandër Dhima, who has for some time been voluntarily involved in identifying and restoring the skeletons of victims of communism. As in the other cases, the burial site was discovered following accounts from several eyewitnesses, all Albanians who lived in Mnik. The list of martyrs massacred by executioners on the steep slopes of Mnik is growing. In fact, it has long been known that this place was used for executions for a long time, up until the famous “new land reclamation” campaign. In an area of about two square kilometres, discoveries have been made from time to time. Before the excavations begin, however, there is still no precise information. It is only known that the group of seven — according to the villagers, “all young” — were shot between 1955 and 1960. The names of two others, on the other hand, are almost certain. They are well known: Liri Gega and Dali Ndreu. Legendary former partisans — Ndreu was commander of a corps, while Gega held a position until the Soviet Union... Victims of a dictatorship to which they themselves had contributed, both met a terrible end. Dr Dhima says: “According to the accounts we have managed to collect, Gega and Ndreu were shot in the same place. Liri Gega was pregnant at the time and was expecting a child. Witnesses say that before the execution the woman was tied to a kind of wooden scaffold, and they tried to provoke her... the macabre scene. First they killed the woman and then her husband. An unprecedented act of cruelty.” According to the anthropological expert, the process of uncovering and identifying the remains will be difficult because the whole area is sloping and, after deforestation, the terrain was barren and prone to landslides northwards towards the river. Meanwhile, Dr Dhima describes the latest findings from the examination of the victims: people tied to one another with chains and wires; someone tries to escape and is struck by the guards with rifle butts. A skull was found in the pit with a deep fracture in the forehead, which caused instant death, followed by the firing squad being placed in front of the condemned. “It must have been more like a gang of men with different weapons than a regular firing squad,” explains Dr Dhima, “because in the pit we found cartridge cases belonging to many types of weapons.” According to the anthropologist, so far only about 10 victims have been identified with some degree of certainty: Manush Peshkëpia, Myftar Jegen, Niko Lezo, Jonuz Kaceli and the Slovenian Lluka Rashkovic are among the names he mentions. “Now comes the most delicate phase,” he continues. “All the skeletons we have must be reconstructed, and then we will try to make the final identification by comparing them with photographs held by the families. It will be difficult because many skulls have been damaged by blows and crushing.” Meanwhile, official sources have revealed the name of the person who planted the bomb at the Soviet embassy in Tirana, for which 81 innocent victims were accused in what happened in Albania. [The source text here is garbled.] The provocateur was a State Security officer, Qazim Lecaj, later executed as a traitor by his own colleagues. Dictatorships always devour their own offspring. According to the testimonies we have managed to gather, Gega and Ndreu were executed by firing squad time and was expecting to give birth. induce labor by forcing her legs apart. All of this took place before her husband’s eyes. When they failed to achieve their aim—Dhima adds—and apparently, annoyed by Gega’s screams, the executioners decided to put an end to it Meanwhile, Dr. Dhima then describes the latest results of the identification process for the 22 victims of 1951, although the final investigative report has not yet been completed. From this information, we can reconstruct the scene of that terrible night: the long line of victims who had come out The first mass grave discovered in Mnik contains the remains of several intellectuals

After the detention DURRËS — Another 30 million lire for the Polish fishing boats, detained for days in the Albanian ports of Durrës and Vlorë. “After the 25 thousand dollars paid as a fine to the Durrës Port Authority and the confiscation of the fish by this city’s Financial Police, the 7 Italian fishing boats must pay another sum in order to leave,” Financial Police representative Osman Stafa said on Saturday. “The crew members of the clandestine fishing boats from Monopoli and Mola,” says Palush Kumaraku of the Port Authority, “have been allowed to come ashore to make purchases or call their relatives.” Nevertheless, they are still required to remain in port because their documents have been impounded. “If they pay the final amount demanded by the Financial Police, we will allow them to leave immediately, in accordance with the usual port regulations,” Kumaraku of the Port Authority confirms once again. It therefore seems that their return is much closer. The illegal excursion by the Italian fishermen from Puglia into Albanian territorial waters ended badly this time.

For the first time in Albania A schoolgirl files a complaint For the first time in Albania “I want to separate from my parents” A schoolgirl files a complaint EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — A 13-year-old girl is also asking, for the first time in Albania, to divorce her parents. “I would prefer to be adopted or live in an orphanage,” she had said. E. Ç., an eighth-grade student at the capital’s “Bajram Curri” eight-year school, had sent this written request to the Prosecutor of the Republic. But after a few days of reflection she changed her mind and committed an even more courageous act: “No, I agree to stay in the hell of this house until Mother and Father stop arguing with each other and love each other again.” “All I have known throughout my life is sorrow and sadness,” E. Ç. wrote in her letter to Prosecutor Avni Doçi. “I have been beaten with axes since I was five years old, not only by my witch of a mother, but also by my older brother.” Many days passed in silence, however. Perhaps because the letter mistakenly arrived late at the Court, which might have considered the message from this little, desperate girl. “She doesn’t let me help her,” her class teacher tells us. “She often sits withdrawn and distracted, although she is an intelligent girl.” The rebellious girl no longer knows what to believe. “I’m in my second year of secondary school,” E. Ç. carefully explains in her school corridor. “My parents are separated and get along badly. Perhaps their arguments have made my life more unbearable than the beatings for no reason.” As she sits huddled up, she is able to tell you everything: “My 55-year-old father, a forestry engineer who has been persecuted by the regime and by married life, is kinder to me. I have long understood who is to blame in our family...” Today the 13-year-old eighth-grade student is the same girl, only suddenly more mature. “For several days now Mother hasn’t been beating me anymore,” she continues, “nor has my brother. My parents have also started talking to each other. Perhaps the new property law in Parliament is a hope for my family, which apparently will get back some of what was taken from it.” The change in the family, even though it has lasted only a few days, is enough for a child who has been longing for a moment of peace. And so she decides: “I’ll stay at home for now. The important thing is that Mum and Dad stop fighting. Perhaps Father has found out about my letter, but that doesn’t matter much to me. I’m happy that my parents may be able to reconcile with each other.” She is now writing another letter to the Prosecutor, asking forgiveness for the first one.

SARANDË — The 32-year-old citizen Hamit Xhemalli died in the hospital in the city of Sarandë after being mistreated by two police officers and a third man in civilian clothes. “The motives for the mistreatment are personal,” the head of the Sarandë Criminal Police immediately stated. Hamit Xhemali, who lived in the village of Çukë in Sarandë, had apparently been struck hard on the head by police officers Roland and Alfred Merko, who served in Sarandë and Delvinë. “The blow caused damage to the brain tissue and fatal bleeding,” the hospital’s autopsy report explained. The two Merko brothers, who were not on duty at the time of the crime, are suspected of being responsible, as is a citizen from Delvinë. The incident may have occurred because the victim wanted to take a 16-year-old girl from Lushnja to Greece in exchange for some drachmas. The girl, who is now outside the country, was related to the accused policemen. The findings of the investigation were also confirmed by the Director of Public Order in Sarandë, who had relied mainly on the statements of the 16-year-old from Lushnja. Investigations are nevertheless continuing to shed light on the motives and other circumstances.

A store opens in the city centre TIRANA — Benetton has arrived in Albania too. A store belonging to the major clothing company has been inaugurated in the centre of Tirana. The Benetton store, also present in other Eastern countries, is the first of its kind to open in the capital in terms of the quality of its clothing. The public’s reaction is now awaited, and the company’s representatives expect it to be positive. Among young Albanians, too, aesthetic expectations and demand for quality are growing: the need to could only be achieved today, thanks to the economic situation, which is gradually improving. Benetton is famous throughout the world, not only for its products, but also for the debates sparked by each of its advertisements. Using the slogan “United of Colors,” the Italian company has often circulated striking images that seek not only to draw attention to its products, but also to highlight the contradictions of Western society.

The Italian Navy repatriates six Albanians DURRËS — Attempts to leave Albania for Italy continue. Six Albanians sailing on a raft built from wooden planks and empty cans were intercepted by Italian Navy units as they tried to make their way towards the coast of Brindisi. This happened about 18 miles southwest of the port of Durrës. The six people — whose details have not yet been obtained by the Italian authorities — were spotted in the early morning hours by a patrol boat of the 20th Naval Group, based in Durrës. The alarm, broadcast by radio, was picked up by the support ship “San Marco,” which was sailing towards Albania to unload some equipment needed for the Pope’s visit. After the raft was intercepted, the six Albanians were taken aboard and given food, while their vessel sank after being hit by machine-gun fire. Recovering it was difficult, and it risked causing problems for other vessels. The Albanian citizens were immediately returned to their homeland and handed over to the Durrës police authorities. Recently, incidents of this kind have been occurring frequently: some people, taking advantage of the good weather and sea conditions, continue trying to facilitate the clandestine landing of Albanians on the coasts of Puglia. Three days ago, another Italian patrol boat on surveillance duty intercepted, in the area between Durrës and Vlorë, a small boat with five people aboard, who had set off from the mouth of the Shkumbin. “If we had encountered bad weather and rough seas,” explains an officer of the Italian 20th Naval Group, “they would certainly have drowned.” Another raft carrying six Albanians was stopped the day before off the coast of Vlorë.

A story of hope from Italy This is the happy story of an Albanian family who arrived in Puglia two years ago on a boat packed with desperate refugees, and today have found peace again. It is the story of Vilson Rexhepaj, his wife Susana Jaopl(l)ari, and her children, Pauro and Kassandra, aged 11 and 8. We are telling it because, among the many sad odysseys of migration, this is a short fairy tale with a happy ending. The Rexhepaj family arrived in Brindisi on the morning of March 10, 1991, on a small, shabby boat together with 40 other Albanians. Fortunately, the days of mass departures for Italy had ended a week earlier. The husband, wife, and children met two people from Callimera (a small town in the province of Lecce) a few hours later; they had come to the port of Brindisi to meet relatives who had arrived from far away. Vilson Rexhepal and his family members were taken to the home of their new friends, where they stayed for some time. But the Albanian family did not like living at other people’s expense, so they began to make their own way. Callimera police chief Luigi Corliano helped Vilson find a house: a modest but clean home on Via Sicilia, where they still live today. In May, Luigi Renna offered him a job, and so he became manager of the Ferrante venue, a place of entertainment for the young people of Callimera. Mrs. Suzana was also fortunate and managed to find work as a caregiver for the elderly. They were certainly not wealthy, but they began earning enough to keep little Pauro and Kassandra in school, and even to bring Suzana’s mother to Italy. Today everyone in town knows and loves them. A few days ago, the whole town organized a celebration in their honor; in Callimera’s main church, the priest, Don Salvatore Florentino, gave a blessing. They thanked everyone, deeply moved. Like all beautiful fairy tales, this simple story also ends with the certainty that Vilson, Suzana, Pauro, and Kassandra will live happily and contentedly, with their only anxiety being the hope that they may one day return to Albania. (c.b.)

My name is Merita Shaqja. I am from the city of Shijak. I want to send greetings to my sister Adriana, her husband Tomorr Xhaferi, and their son Hekuran, who are in Trento, Italy, and also to their employer Ferrucio, for the pleasure he gave us by coming here to Albania. And finally, to all my loved ones, since they are all my friends, both men and women, and especially my friends Mimooza Shahinin, Beglie Duden, and Lindita Dokun from Tirana, and Deshira Shehun. In my mind, I will always have you / in my memory, in my heart, I will feel tenderness for you / before my eyes, you will appear like a light full of life / because you are my only dream, (Merita Shaqja—Shijak) * * * I would like to send greetings to my brother Markun in Milan, Italy; greetings to my son Pjeter, my cousins Arturin and Limin, all three in Milan; to my family in Nenshate; and special greetings to my sister Veren and her fiancé Jakun in the village of Fishtë, near Lezha. (Marjana Simoni) Letters from across the sea

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