Smuggling of artworks under the control of gangs DASHNOR KOKONOZI TIRANA – The traffic in icons has now become a real business. To date, at least 500 pieces have been clandestinely exported. Six smuggling gangs operate in an organized manner. A part of Albania’s artistic heritage. The chronicle of the theft and exodus of icons in Albania begins in the summer of 1987. But at that time it was only tourists who managed to buy icons from frightened young people for 50 dollars. Then, in 1988 and 1989, the small-scale trade was transformed into genuine trafficking. And instead of buying the icons, the smugglers began stealing them, raiding museums. The chronicle begins with the theft of 4 icons from the Church of the Annunciation in Kozare, Berat. The thieves were caught later but, strangely, were released in a general amnesty at the time. In the same district, 6 icons from the Baldachin were stolen from the Church of St. Nicholas in Perondi. Later, 21 such icons disappeared from the Helveti Tekke and one from the “Onufri” Museum. The geographic area expanded to include the principal monuments and museums of Lushnja, where 6 eighteenth-century icons were stolen from the Ardenica Monastery (the story will also be described in an issue at the beginning of ’93), 5 more were stolen from the Upper Krutje Church and just as many from St. Nicholas in Toshkëz. At the beginning of 1990, the Baldachin of Zvernec Monastery was badly hit: 18 icons of immeasurable value disappeared from it, and an equally large number were stolen from the Cultural Monuments Atelier of the district. To remain in this area, we should mention the Church of St. Nicholas in Vanaj, where on March 13, 1989, 6 icons of unique value disappeared. The Albanian iconographic collection also suffered an irreparable blow from the theft at Mesopotam Monastery in Saranda, where 19 icons were stolen twice during August 1989, on the 3rd and 14th. A dangerous attempt was made at the Church of St. Peter in Vithkuq, Korçë, where the thieves managed to take 9 icons, but their adventure lasted only a few days because law-enforcement officers managed to find them in time. The 43 icons stolen between December 1990 and February 26, 1991, from the Cathedral and Ethnographic Museum of Elbasan were not so fortunate. To create better conditions for their safekeeping, precisely during the period when the relentless hunt for works of art began, a large number of icons were collected from many churches in the Gjirokastër district and stored in the city’s Cathedral. But even there they found no peace: inventories revealed that 41 pieces had been stolen. Under these circumstances, at the end of 1992 the Ministry of Culture ordered that they be moved to a guarded and fortified storeroom. At midnight on November 16, 1992, it was discovered that three museums had been broken into through walls about a meter thick and that a small number—1 icon—had been stolen, fortunately with no particular value. They had to experience the bitter taste of this again at the beginning of this year at Ardenica Monastery. With the monastery under the authority of the prefecture and the religious community, the monastery’s caretaker gave the key to representatives of the Church for some services. Just a few days later, three magnificent icons by Shpataraku, worth three million dollars, disappeared from the monastery church. The theft had been carried out without a break-in; that is, three doors were found unlocked. According to witnesses, a Greek citizen had been seen walking around with one of the people who had been given a key during those days. According to investigations, at least 6 organized smuggling groups operate in Albania: one in Myzeqe, one in Saranda, one in Shkodër and three in Korçë. Transportation is handled mainly by a group based in Drenovë. They then take them into Greece, where each sells for at least 300,000 drachmas. The route then continues via Mount Morava, Qafë e Bigas and Mali i Kuq, and later the border is crossed at Nikolicë and Arrëz. At present, state museums have been left in peace, pending a new strategy for attacking them. Family collections have now been targeted; these are resold in Greece and then distributed around Europe and America. Setting aside the 190 icons stolen from museums, at least 300 others belong to these very collections and have long since crossed Albania’s borders. (2 — end. Part one was published on April 28) on April 28) When did you last meet Gjon Fetahu? “I met him a few days ago at the ‘San Francesco’ prison in Lecce. He is well; he seems calm to me. He is a very strong person. Here in Galatina, he had arrived clandestinely with his brother. He had become accustomed to the terrible conditions. And we Italians should be ashamed of this: people cannot be treated like animals. ... he returns with bitterness and contempt, supporters and repentant people ... [text is garbled] ... which began the relentless hunt for works of art; But even there they found no peace: the inventories showed 41 pieces Ministry of Culture ordered their relocation. … who are asking for help. In the film, fortunately for him, he was helped by some passers-by who were willing to assist and also called the police, who arrived a few minutes later and took him to hospital, where he immediately received medical treatment. this: people cannot be treated like animals. To recover the money they spent emigrating to America ... [?] the newspaper points out that only a small number of cases resulted from ... . It is more true that ... benefit ... from another Gjon. But I know the case, also from a human point of view. Gjon is a foreigner, he does not speak Italian well and he is very lonely. I will do everything possible to help him and to demonstrate his brother’s innocence. I believe this is my duty, not only professionally: this too shows solidarity between the two countries.” An ancient icon of Saint Nicholas

By four Serbs An Albanian citizen was attacked during the night just passed by four unknown people, believed to be of former Yugoslav origin, who, after dousing his body with a large quantity of flammable liquid, set him on fire. The young man, Luan Topallaj, 19, was admitted to the burns unit of the Severe Burns Centre at Niguarda Hospital in Milan. An immediate examination by the medical staff found that the young Albanian had second-degree burns on his face and third-degree burns on his arms. According to the doctors, the young man can recover in no more than twenty days. According to what Luan Topallaj reported to the Italian police, at around one o’clock last night, the four emigrants of Slavic origin, who are very likely to be Serbs, threatened him because he was Muslim. Topallaj’s unfortunate encounter with the four men took place near a mobile shop at the Palazzo di Loreto; after that, he was taken to Via Canzio, and it was here that they doused him with flammable liquid and set him on fire. After all four attackers left, the Albanian managed to ask for help. Fortunately for him, he was first also alerted the police. They where he immediately underwent treat-

A reassuring response from Lecce to the family in Vlora Both Fetahu brothers still in prison, accused of murder From our editorial office LECCE — “I will defend Gjon. His family can rest easy. I am a court-appointed lawyer, but I will handle his case just the same; I will take a great deal of interest in it. Although there is much to uncover about this murder, and some Italian ought to be ashamed of what happened.” Following the appeal made in the pages of Gazeta Shqiptare by the parents of the brothers from Vlora, Gjon and Alfred Fetahu, accused in Italy of murdering Antonio and Carmelo Esposito, their employers, the lawyer handling their case responds. “We would at least like to know the names of their lawyers,” said their anxious father, Ali Fetahu, who has been unable to get any news from his children since the day they were arrested. “My name is Francesco Galluccio Mezio,” the lawyer tells Gazeta, “and I am defending Gjon, appointed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Lecce. I am a court-appointed lawyer; the state is paying me for this trial, but I guarantee that my commitment will be total. In fact, I am also available to the family for any need, and if they are able to come to Italy, I am ready to meet them at any time.” The investigation by the Lecce police into the Fetahu brothers has been suspended for the time being: the results are awaited from experts carrying out the so-called “Stub” test, a chemical analysis that checks for traces of gunpowder on the accused men’s hands. One of the brothers, Alfred, continues to swear that he is innocent. “Gjon exculpates him,” explains lawyer Galluccio. “He says Alfred did not kill anyone. He confesses and accepts all the responsibility.” this: people cannot be treated like animals.” The father of the Fetahu brothers, arrested in Brindisi Prosecutor Maruccia has also confirmed this: Gjon and his brother slept on the Esposito family farm, in a room that was even worse than a stable.” But that is not enough to justify a murder... “Certainly not. But the young Albanian adds an explanation: ever since he had arrived in Puglia, having come secretly on a fishing boat, he had been living in hiding. Then he had managed to find this job as a shepherd, but he says that from the day he was hired, he was never paid. His employer pressures him, telling him that he will report him to the police if he protests.” When will the trial begin? “It is still much too early to say. But I want to use Gazeta to reassure Gjon’s relatives. I have taken on this case also on a human level. shows solidarity between the two countries.” The father of the Fetahu brothers arrested in Brindisi

Radio Sarajevo reports TIRANA — “Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina are developing significant diplomatic relations.” The news, not yet confirmed by the Albanian authorities, was broadcast yesterday by Radio Sarajevo. Meanwhile, following the incidents verified in recent days on the border between Albania and the former Yugoslavia, in which ten young Albanians lost their lives, the government in Belgrade rejected the protest note from the Tirana authorities concerning the massacres in Kukës and Tropojë. The Serbian justification for this act is that the document defending the victims was “too harsh.” At the same time, the deployment of large numbers of military forces in Kosovo, reported since Wednesday, continues. According to sources from the Democratic League of Kosovo, all the main cities are surrounded by Serbian soldiers. According to the same source, large troop concentrations are located around Prishtina, Prizren and Suharekë. It is also reported that Serbian reservists have begun to be armed in a number of barracks.

The families living in the children’s play spaces speak out For a year and a half, eight kindergartens have been turned into homes for the homeless SHKODËR (Ar.Ça.) — For a year and a half, homeless people have turned eight of the city’s kindergartens into homes. Four families have each occupied a room in a kindergarten in the “Daniel Matlia” neighborhood. Each has tried to turn the small space into a habitable place within its financial means. “I have been waiting for 12 years for them to give me a home,” says Drita Shekaj, a 40-year-old widow and mother of two. “I will not give up this room under any circumstances without getting another home, even if I have to fight with the police.” The kindergarten building served as an information office for the Sigurimi before these people moved in. The families say everything was destroyed: no doors, no windows, no electrical installations. To live in more or less humane conditions, they found another shelter in a practically ready-to-use ... [text unclear] ... this temporary home. In the same neighborhood, another kindergarten has been turned into a shared residence. Very little now suggests that children once played here. “I spent 2,000,000 lekë to make this home. I have no intention of leaving what I built through hard work and sweat,” says Gëzim Livanaj, one of the residents here. Besnik Bekteshi, Shkodër’s Head of Education, responds on behalf of the authorities: “Kindergartens are also part of the education system and, as such, must be protected. Moreover, these are state buildings and no one has the right to touch them.” Meanwhile, the occupation of the kindergartens has prompted a reaction from teachers and educators, who organized a warning strike a few days ago. A solution is taking a long time. Each side undoubtedly wants a single solution that benefits everyone. The home of Leila Kryeziu, located inside a nursery in Shkodër

A letter for the nun amid the war Solidarity travels in a sealed envelope. Hidden inside a package of aid, sent from Croatia, lost in the labyrinths of war and found by chance in Albania. A 40-line letter, signed by a woman living in Zagreb and sent to a nun who is caring for a wounded person from the Yugoslav war. There is no address on the envelope, only a first and last name typed on a typewriter: “Dear Sister Jeronima Juras.” It is signed Dangubac: no other indication, because when writing amid thousands, details are unnecessary. We are publishing this letter because it could not reach its recipient; we would not want its message to be lost as well! Dear Sister Jeronima, what can I write to you? So much pain and suffering. I was able to send only these few medicines for first aid: a lady gave them to me for 500 marks, but she gave some of them to Mrs. Jella. Jella is still without a home; everything has been left behind, and the home of life remains empty too, because many other sisters are about to leave. I feel sorry, because I was convinced that over there they are “rich,” but they only increase their own interests, while we cannot even protect the little we have! They no longer show their love through words, but through deeds. Heladija may undergo treatment, and Zora says she has written. The Communists displaced the intellectuals. I know it is not easy for you, but I am sure you will have the strength to present them all to God; they are all believers. If we can, we will try to deliver them to our own people. Write! Yours. Dangubac will ... very much, and the other children ... [text unclear].

A whole page of business announcements All the results of Wednesday’s matches 10 arrested in Brindisi for transporting clandestine migrants

Everyone, when they sleep, changes… This is an extraordinarily ordinary fact, except that sometimes dreams are so beautiful or so bad that they leave you astonished and bewildered when you wake up. But dreams can also be “warning signs”; that is, they may contain a depiction, a premonition of what may happen in the future. Every week, “Gazeta Shqiptare” offers its readers an explanation of and the meaning behind the objects and situations most often dreamed about. ABANDONMENT If you dream that someone abandons you, it means you will encounter difficulties with the plans you have made for the future. If you dream that you are the one abandoning others, it means that quite a few unfavorable circumstances will arise around you, which you will struggle to cope with. If you dream that you abandon your home, it means your attempts to make further progress are destined to fail. If you dream that you abandon your beloved, it means you will not manage to make up for your losses and your friends will leave you. If you dream that you abandon your love, it foretells a large and unexpected inheritance. If what you abandon is religion, it means you will come to a bad end after arguments and disagreements with important people. Abandoned children symbolize the loss of a good opportunity due to a lack of calm and loss of judgment. If you dream that you and a friend are abandoned together on a ship, it means misunderstandings will arise between you. MOUSTACHES If you dream that you have a moustache, it means that your arrogance and impertinence, qualities that set you apart from others, will bring you a small material inheritance. Through your betrayals, you cause many women to suffer. If a woman dreams that she is very fond of moustaches, it means her virtues are at risk and she should therefore be careful. And if a man dreams of shaving off his moustache, it means he will try to give up bad company and amusements in order to preserve his lost honor.

Financial Police bring in another 490 million lek TIRANA (Ed.La.) — Nearly 490 million lek in revenue for the state budget from the Financial Police, in just the first three months of ’93. This was the final balance presented at the meeting of the General Directorate of the Financial Police, attended by representatives from across the country. “The four fundamental duties assigned to the Financial Police by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance,” explains Artan Sevrani, Head of the Information Department, “were collecting obligations under the fiscal system, those of the Financial Police, social insurance contributions, as well as debts owed to Customs.” A total of 100 million lek has been added to the state budget from fines and seizures alone. This amount, collected by the Financial Police units in all districts, is nearly one-third of the sums collected in 1992. Meanwhile, 105 million lek has been handed over in taxes and duties. The state budget also received 19.5 million lek from social insurance, as well as a further 264 million from the competitive fund. “This total amount, achieved overall, is no small contribution to the budget of our poor state,” says Sevrani, “and all this in a country where people have still not become accustomed to taxes and other obligations to their state. Even though the market economy has made its start”