The Control Commission examines foreign hunters’ permits A market in rare animals The Financial Police issues 238 fines. Fourteen Italians are caught killing animals without permits. Directorate of Forests: But hunters are not the only ones causing damage. Greens: “Hunting must be avoided” FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANA — Albanian wildlife is in danger. The factors that have raised concern among environmental associations and government bodies alike are the unstudied opening up of new hunting grounds and local and foreign hunters who hunt animals protected by law without permits. The State Control Commission is investigating the activities of several forestry enterprises in connection with contracts they concluded with Italian hunters and firms to exploit Albanian wildlife during the last hunting season, August 1992 — March 1993. The final results of the inspection have not yet been made public. Two Commission inspectors explain that “these contracts have been carried out at the expense of our wildlife”. According to them, “around 40 Italian hunters hunted widely, using decoys and lures, killing and transporting to Italy many rare specimens for a symbolic price”. Over the past two years, the risk of harm to wild animals and birds protected by the Albanian state under the law has increased considerably. Foreign hunters showed interest from the outset. Divjaka, Rrushkull — genuine hunting grounds. During the last season alone, around 1,000 foreign hunters, mainly Italians, came to Albania. “We received requests for more, but tried to limit them,” says Nuhi Dragoti, hunting inspector at the Directorate of Forests. The specialist also describes the procedure followed in granting hunting permits to foreigners. According to him, during the past season permits were issued to only two groups of hunters each month. Each group had a maximum of 10 people, and each hunter paid 70–150 dollars a day. But is it true that Italian hunters have caused considerable destruction to Albanian wildlife? Dragoti replies: “Our wildlife has suffered more damage from other factors, such as abuse and indiscriminate hunting by Albanians, than from Italians. Although we have also confirmed cases of illegal hunting by them.” In fact, according to data from the Directorate of Forests, the fines paid by Italian citizens were higher: of the 387,000 lekë paid to the Financial Police for illegal hunting, 356,000 were paid by Italians, even though they make up only a small proportion of those fined: 14 out of 230 cases. Have the forestry enterprises allowed the use of [decoys and lures]? Dragoti replies: “Only in one special case; in the other cases they were not authorised by us, and when this was confirmed, they were fined.” Despite the reassuring stance of forestry specialists, the problem does not seem so simple. Recently, street vendors have been seen at several locations in Tirana, near tourist hotels, selling foreign visitors the skins of wild animals, some of them protected by law. “So far, all we can do is notify the Financial Police,” they say at the Directorate of Forests. “When the forest police begin operating, many things will be put right.” The current laws—

TIRANA — (Fa.Ba.) — “We agree to Macedonia’s admission to the CSCE, but we will not give up defending the rights of the Albanians who live there.” This was Albania’s position at the latest CSCE meeting, held in Prague. Macedonia was admitted at the meeting only as an “observer without the right to speak”. The Albanian position was supported by several foreign delegations: the United States, Canada and Austria. The conference decided that an international commission would go to Macedonia to study the situation in the country. Referring to the presence of Albanians in Macedonia, for the first time in the conference’s diplomatic documents the term “people” was used instead of the technical term “minority”. Once again, the old problem between the two countries has surfaced: respect for the national rights of the large Albanian community in Macedonia. Albania is dissatisfied with the progress of the talks so far. The obstacle is not so easy to overcome: a paragraph in the Macedonian constitution declares the country a “state of the Macedonians”. Albanians on both sides of the border do not accept this. For a long time they have been demanding equal rights with Macedonians in every aspect of life. In particular, despite the problems that exist, the course of Albanian-Macedonian relations resolve

Valbona Selimllari, Miss Albania ’91 CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — She is only 20, and already an ex-princess. For fourteen months she lived in an enchanted castle, built with [unclear]. She travelled everywhere, and for a year and a half Albania, Europe and the world applauded and admired her. But now the dream is over and she, like the heroine of a modern fairy tale, has returned to her modest home in Tirana, to her father the driver and her mother the seamstress, together with her two sisters and younger brother, beginning to imagine her future. And so Valbona Selimllari, with black hair and a deep gaze, is destined to go down in history. She was the first girl in Albania to be crowned National Miss: now she has handed the crown to Sidorela Kola, who became the new princess of beauty, but her own first place remains hers. “And that is enough for me,” she assures us. “I would never want to take part in such a contest again.” Out of fear? “Yes, out of fear of losing.” Don’t you feel beautiful enough? “No, that’s not it, but in life you sometimes win through luck and not only merit. The girl who won this year is very beautiful; I wanted her to win. By handing over the crown and leaving, I feel I haven’t lost anything. I like knowing that people remember me as the first Miss in Albanian history.” Your fantastic adventure lasted fourteen months. What were the best moments? “After winning in Tirana on the night of 31 December 1992, the most exciting moments were certainly when I was chosen among the 12 most beautiful girls in Europe, and when I came third in Vienna, in the world beauty contest.” But is beauty really worth so much to you? “Yes, at first beauty is everything, let’s say at the first encounter. Then it loses its importance. That’s why now I would like us to be able to choose Miss Intelligence.” Are you afraid you might not be considered intelligent? “No, on the contrary: people often call me good, besides saying I’m beautiful.” Do you think contests such as the Miss competition are useful? “I think so. We bring beauty, wealth, elegance. For countries like Albania, where changing people’s mentality is very important, I think that in the end I too have contributed to this renewal. It wasn’t easy, starting with my parents, who could not accept the fact that I would parade half-naked on a stage. My mother helped me a lot. I also had to persuade myself to overcome my embarrassment, but in the end I considered it a duty, and I did it.” Did you experience moments of disappointment during your reign? “Never.” Have you ever lost in your life? “Yes, and I have cried too, but only for personal reasons. I prefer not to talk about it.” Are you afraid of people’s judgment? “I can’t answer precisely. Envy, jealousy and deceit exist. What matters is knowing how not to let them get you down.” What impression have these months of fame left on you? “It was a beautiful adventure and a great experience. I travelled a lot; I went to Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, Turkey and the former Yugoslavia, whereas before I had never left Tirana. I think I have grown inwardly, strengthened my character and improved my professionalism. Above all, I emphasise that I have discovered the value of my country and my people. Yes, after getting to know the world a little better, I am convinced that I love Albania a little more.” What are your plans for the future? “To study at the Academy of Arts and become an artist.” What would you say to the girls who want to become the new Miss? “I’d tell them to give it a try and persevere. What matters is having the will to face difficulties, but if you think you can’t [unclear] and become a beauty queen.”

Italian assistance for the railways ROME — The Italian and Albanian Railways signed an agreement on staff exchanges and set out a programme to provide professional training for Albanian personnel at the workshops in Rimini and Vicenza. The agreements were reached during a visit to Italy by the Director General of the Albanian Railways, Ferdinand Xhaferi, who met the president of the State Railways, Benedetto De Cesaris. Among other things, the Italian Railways donated to Albania 50,000 railway sleepers that are still usable, and agreements were made to launch a technical assistance programme with the participation of Italferr-Sistav spa.

$25,000 from the European Community for 40 little children in poverty TIRANA — Even street children and beggars now have a home of their own in Tirana: it is called “Sheft”. It is a small centre funded by the European Community and run by the British organisation “Childhope”, which is to be inaugurated this morning. “Twenty-five thousand dollars have been allocated to this nine-year pilot project,” explains Martina Kaut, vice-president of the Sheft Steering Committee; “two large rooms and almost 10 staff members.” The beggars seen outside the “Dajti” and “Tirana” hotels, or at other street corners in Tirana, have been trying out their new home for days. QW’ is short for [unclear], behind the “Arbëria” hotel, inside the grounds of Kindergarten 23. Around 30–40 children stay there from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. They eat breakfast, lunch and a snack in the afternoon; meanwhile, they play, nap, wash with anti-parasite shampoo, draw and even make their beds. They are visited by a doctor once a week and, at the end of each day, are accompanied home to their parents. And all this for that group of 3- to 10-year-olds who, until just a few days ago, stood on the pavement with pleading eyes and hands. The first person to think of this project was the wife of Antonio Marchini Camia, the representative of the European Community Commission in Tirana, a year ago. Since then, preliminary studies and surveys have been carried out among the beggars to establish their economic and social circumstances. After that, securing the necessary funds made it possible to open today. “I can’t guarantee that the street children who come to us stop frequenting the city’s pavements after 5 p.m.,” Martina Kaut continues, “but I’m sure that most of them do.” The “Sheft” centre has, however, been full for days. A centre with an apt name, since to some it means “Hope”. It is also an example of how children of this kind can be integrated into society.

The crisis sets a new record It is an absolute Italian record. The 52nd Italian government in Rome, led by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, lasted just 24 hours. Three ministers belonging to the Democratic Party of the Left left the government in the morning to protest against the manoeuvre that—in Parliament—did not authorise the coalition to continue the investigations into Socialist leader Bettino Craxi. The Italian political crisis, therefore, shows no sign of a solution, and the record-short life of the latest government (which seemed it might have been born under a good sign) is the clearest indication. If the situation inside the country is considered dramatic by some, abroad the image of this Italy, out of breath as it tries to solve its domestic problems, risks looking comic. A government announced with great enthusiasm, hailed with extraordinary optimism, and then collapsing just 24 hours later has never been seen before. But the country is well known: it is experiencing the instability of a transitional phase. And at least in this respect Italy does not seem content, because everyone hopes that tomorrow’s Italy will be more solid. And perhaps more beautiful too.

: Cheese for Albania sold in Puglia; Sport, today’s Italy–Switzerland match; a full page of economic notices. hunters showed interest from the outset. Divjaka, Rrushkulli, Kuna were paradise for them — [unclear]. Fines were higher for Italian citizens: account for 230 cases. [Unclear text] Have Albanian enterprises allowed the use of decoys and lures, [unclear] hunting; fines were higher for Italian citizens: account for of decoys and lures, exploitation of the be put right.” Current Albanian hunting laws [unclear]. “The Greens” [unclear] Albanian. He says that his party intends to intensify its activity to protect Albanian wildlife and flora. The latest aspirations, here as in other European countries, are to put an end to hunting once and for all. Street vendors sell be put right.” [Unclear text] The path, despite the many problems that exist, is characterised by dialogue. A good example of how to solve the many problems in today’s Balkans, beset by national conflicts—

An opened packet of coffee at the back of the refrigerator. This is how it gradually changes. * * * To heat coffee, always use a bain-marie. It should not be allowed to boil, but if it does, you can restore the taste of fresh coffee by adding a few drops of cold water. * * * To whiten two pairs of socks, put them in a clean container with air and water. They will become a uniform white; fold the socks and wash them separately. When using this method, the air will make the socks last through many uses. * * * If the chimney smokes, hang a bottle like a champagne bottle, neck down, in the mouth of the chimney, immediately after the flue. Because of its shape, the bottle creates a flow of air that periodically travels up the chimney and draws the smoke out of the room, thanks to the air it sucks in. This airflow increases the suction power and will reduce the amount of smoke that fills the room. When blow-drying your hair, bear a few rules in mind: brush it, preferably with a boar-bristle brush; give the hair volume by drying it with your head down; rinse it with water mixed with lemon juice or vinegar to make it shine. * * * Candles burn more slowly and drip less if they are left in the refrigerator for a few hours before use. * * * To keep biscuits from going stale, put a few grains of rice in the metal tin where they are stored. * * * A dirty kettle can be cleaned by putting pieces of potato or potato peelings in the bottom and leaving them there for a few hours before rinsing it. If it has a build-up of limescale, fill it with water and vinegar and leave the mixture for a few hours. The deposits will come off by themselves. * * * To prevent tooth decay, rinse your mouth with green tea after meals. * * * To keep sliced meat (steak, scallops, etc.) fresh for longer, coat it with oil before putting it in the refrigerator. * * * The skin determines the entire radiance of the face. So it is very important to take care of it, because even if you are tired, there are ways to make your skin glow; first and foremost, masks. Here are two that will be very effective: mix two tablespoons of cornflour with one beaten egg white. Apply the mixture to the face and remove it once it has dried completely; mix equal parts of strained milk and lemon juice and carefully apply it to the face and neck from time to time. Leave it on the face and neck for about fifteen minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Here are this week’s practical tips: