A new storm over the Property Law: Here are the protagonists’ positions Danushi: “We’ll go on hunger strike” FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANA — The hunger strike by members of the “Property with Justice” association, which began several days ago in Shkodër, is spreading to Tirana as well. In solidarity with the strikers in Shkodër, representatives of former owners from all the country’s districts gathered yesterday in one of the halls at the Republican Party headquarters. They have decided to declare a hunger strike if the government does not consider their demands. The decision to take this extreme position was made two days ago at the general assembly of the “Association.” Before the strike began, a statement was handed to the “Gazette” reiterating the familiar demands of the former owners: “The unconditional return of property to its lawful owners and their heirs, without subdivision and not as co-ownership; informing the international public and the Albanian public about the reality of property in Albania; repealing the laws on property recently passed by parliament and discussing them again on the basis of a draft law that the ‘Association’ has been preparing for some time.” This time, the former owners’ demands have also been joined by the “Association of Former Political and Economic Persecutees,” which is calling for its status to be approved by parliament as soon as possible and for former kulaks to be granted the status of political persecutees as well. Rrapo Hajrredin Danushi, chairman of the “Property with Justice” Association, explains to the “Gazette” the reasons that prompted them to make this extreme decision: “We have tried every possible means, and neither the government nor parliament has listened to us. Now that our colleagues in Shkodër have decided to take this route, we cannot remain indifferent.” Which political parties do you have the greatest hopes in? “We cooperate with all political parties,” Danushi replies. “We know, from the position they have taken in parliament, that the Democratic Alliance and the Social Democratic Party do not agree with our demands. We expect help from certain parties, such as the Republican, Legality and Christian Democratic parties.” Once again, a problem that is among the most difficult ones faced by the Meksi government in its efforts to implement economic and institutional reform is becoming more acute. The property laws recently passed on the basis of proposals by this government have met resistance from two social groups. The law on the return of urban property provoked a reaction from the “New Owners” organization. They responded, at times harshly, because the new law required them to return to the former owners the shops and other premises they had bought from the state during the period of the stability government. Their protests are still continuing, and these appear likely to add to the already considerable procedural difficulties. Meanwhile, the law “On compensation in value for former owners of agricultural land” left former owners and their heirs dissatisfied. Under it, the right to compensation in value was recognized only for “natural and legal persons who owned it up to the implementation of the 1946 agrarian reform.” The government is caught between these positions and must play the role of mediator between the interests of these two groups on the one hand and those of society as a whole on the other. It is a difficult role, but one that must be played. What the politicians think AZEM HAJDARI (PD): I do not think the time has come in Albania for people to resolve their problems by shutting themselves away on hunger strikes. Since dialogue and legal consideration have not yet been exhausted, there are other ways to pursue their interests. KASTRIOT ISLAMI (PS): Every group has the right to express its protest, but that does not mean that this protest should betray the consensus reached by all political forces or cause tension for the majority of the population. SABRI GODO (PR): The fact that this strike is being held at our headquarters does not mean that the hunger strike was organized by us. But we have supported, and continue to support, the lawful demands of the former owners, because they are in keeping with our party’s program. GAQO APOSTOLI (PSD): We are not talking about perfect solutions, but acceptable ones. Imagine if the new owners also went on a hunger strike. A government or parliamentary commission, working with both associations, should find this solution. That is the way forward, not a hunger strike. ARBEN IMAMI (PAD): The absence of political and social consensus would inevitably lead to steps like these. The way former owners are compensated is a fraud. As for holding the strike on the premises of the Republican Party, that is a political blunder.

SHKODËR / Four hunger strikers in hospital

ARLINDA CAUSHOLLI SHKODËR — The hunger strike by former kulaks who were dispossessed and politically persecuted, protesting the Property Law, has entered its sixth day. The condition of the strikers is getting worse. Signs of their condition, such as sleeplessness, headaches and joint pain, have now become constant in the rooms where they are lying. So far, three people have been admitted to hospital: Valentin Veshti, Kol Zefi and the youngest of the strikers, 17-year-old Edis Muja. The reasons for their hospitalization: gastritis, that is, lack of food. Martin Dushaj was also taken to hospital with them, but after being given an IV drip he returned to his companions. Although they do not feel well physically, everyone is determined to continue the strike to the end, and they reject the claim that the Shkodër strikers will leave to hold their protest there. “We’re not leaving here. In fact, today is the birthday of our strike leader: we’ll celebrate it with water and sugar!” they reply, laughing bitterly. “One thing puzzles us,” says Adil Tepelia. “The television hasn’t shown up at all. Fortunately, many cameras are...” “The strike committee has also issued a statement to Uran Butka, the deputy in charge of propaganda,” writes Bujar Ulqinaku, “who is celebrating an unusual birthday today—and still, nothing.” The strikers’ health is monitored day and night by the “strike doctor” Xhavit Grezda and nurse Muhamet Halili. Meanwhile, the citizens of Shkodër are following their situation with a glimmer of hope that it will come to an end as soon as possible.

Bureaucracy TIRANA — Bureaucratic problems for the renowned “SORROS” foundation, which has now been in Albania for two years. Soon, in fact, it may be forced to leave the premises it currently occupies inside the International Cultural Center and may have to change its headquarters. The dispute is between the people responsible for Sorros on one side and the administrators of the Cultural Center on the other. The Center is now known in many parts of the world as the “Pyramid.” The problem concerns rent payments: until now Sorros, as provided for by its charter, has occupied three halls in the “Pyramid” free of charge, made available by the Albanian government. But in the meantime, the Cultural Center has begun covering its own expenses independently, and this has created budget problems for it. It is now asking Sorros to pay rent: 70 dollars a year for every square meter occupied, which the Foundation does not consider reasonable to pay. The Minister of Culture himself is intervening directly to try to resolve the dispute and prevent Sorros from relocating.

Serreqi: “We also have duties toward our brothers in Italy”

The computer craze breaks out in the country TIRANA — Albania and the Albanians have discovered information technology. In less than two years, computer use has become widespread, even though it is still limited to businesses. So it is not a mass phenomenon, but it could become one very soon. To illustrate what information technology has to offer, a conference organized by “Hewlett-Packard,” one of the most important companies in this sector worldwide, has been taking place in Tirana since yesterday. Peter Loschl and Owen Kemp have come directly from Vienna to Albania, accompanied by “HP”’s local representative, Jordan Çaci. They spoke at length about the importance Albania is now gaining in the information technology market and about the latest professional offerings from Hewlett-Packard. “We must not fall into prejudice,” they said, among other things, “that our company should be the aristocracy of information technology: we are instead in favor of opening it up, not of high prices.” When “HP” opened one of its offices in Tirana two years ago, the only ones buying its computers were the World Bank and large foreign companies. Today, many Albanians are among its customers. Another sign that times are changing.

Krujë, volunteers prepare a museum dedicated to the Arbëreshë KRUJË — An exchange of solidarity between Italy and Albania. While in Krujë a group of Italian volunteers is preparing to clean the ancient castle and ready the premises for the possible opening of a museum dedicated to the history of the Arbëreshë of Italy, a delegation of Arbëreshë themselves is received in Tirana by Foreign Minister Serreqi. The meeting took place the day before yesterday: representing the Albanians who left for Italy 500 years ago were the Mayor of San Demetrio Corona, the President of the “Arbëria” association and representatives of other Arbëreshë organizations. They spoke to Minister Serreqi about the problems they still face in Italy today, particularly in the south of the country, where areas more than others are feeling the national economic crisis. Serreqi responded by emphasizing the obligations the Tirana government feels it has toward all Albanians abroad, and thus also toward the Arbëreshë, even though they are the descendants of a diaspora that began five centuries ago. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture is beginning to plan a museum devoted specifically to the history of the Arbëreshë diaspora, which could open in the city of Krujë, beside the castle of Gjergj Kastriot Skënderbeu. In the coming weeks, a group of ten Italian volunteers will come to Krujë. They have offered to clean the ancient castle and prepare the premises that will house the Arbëreshë Museum. The volunteers, funded by the European Community, have been organized by the Italian Christian Movement for Peace and the “Greens” Party, and are working in agreement with the Albanian Ministry of Culture and the student organization of Albania.

Nostalgics around the world protest (c. bo.) — They have been written from Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, and even Albania. Letters of protest, reminiscences and complaints: some intelligent, others somewhat ridiculous. All dedicated to the same man: Vladimir Iliç Lenin, who was resurrected in thousands of statues, ready to be toppled — alas —. And it is precisely this that Leninist nostalgics seem to suffer over. Today, their protests seem like an eternal vanity: “Lenin Bulletin,” the first issue, is at home and across almost every part of the European state, published in three languages (Italian, English and Russian), naturally — also Russian), and directed by the Italian publisher Roberto Napoleone. “We hear the crackling of fingers (Roberto) on the front page of his publication — we might believe that by knocking down monuments, ideas can be knocked down too.” The first issue of the bulletin published two letters received from different parts of the world and several sent from Albania. They all speak of an initiative to reopen museums and monuments dedicated to the founder of the Soviet Union, and express opposition and hatred for “the flood unleashed by traitors after the events of 1989.” In Albania too, all the statues of Lenin were removed by order of the government of the time and placed in state warehouses. From Tirana, someone calls this gesture still “tasteless” and accepts the comment by Mr. Napoleone (Roberto), who urges people not to identify symbols with ideology. Quite right, very right, also because it is precisely for reasons tied to the symbolism that the magazine and its contributors complain, fearing that, along with the statues, the ideas themselves will disappear. But that does not matter: everyone must be guaranteed the right to write and express an opinion — and protest. But when it comes to symbols, Albanians have something more to show: because instead of Lenin’s statue, on a pedestal on Tirana’s central boulevard, there again stands a colorful “THE WALL” sculpture. Even if it is the title of a famous long-playing record by the rock group Pink Floyd, that does not matter to Leninists. It bothers them all the same, because they have no intention of joking about “WALLS” (after their own have fallen). A giant bust of Lenin toppled in East Berlin

Hewlett-Packard meeting in Tirana

Inside

GROUPS OF THIEVES ARRESTED IN TEPELENA — The Head of the Public Order Department of the Tepelena district announced that a group of pickpockets had been discovered in Malësi. The group is considered by the police authorities responsible for a large number of thefts verified recently in this town. The name of the group’s leader has also been made public: Përparim Meta. Almost at the same time, another group of criminals was discovered, carrying out its activities at night on the road linking Tepelena with other towns, robbing a large number of cars. HOMES PRIVATIZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY — So far, 10,356 homes have been privatized out of approximately 200,000 across the country. Of all the sales that have taken place, 1,482 have been notarized. By the end of the year, according to the Government’s target, 80–90 percent of all existing homes should be privatized. PAPER FACTORY IN LUSHNJE HEADING FOR BANKRUPTCY — Numerous thefts during the transition period, financial shortfalls and other irregularities are leading the Paper Factory in Lushnje toward bankruptcy. During an inspection, the Financial Police discovered that warehouse manager Dervish Korreshi had materials worth 1.1 million lek in his home, as well as undocumented surplus goods worth 34,588 lek. In addition, the factory is owed 451,000 lek by buyers for taxes, for the first quarter alone. It was also supposed to collect 3.4 million lek for goods sold. These figures are compounded by the 2.2 million that had to be paid on the loan received from the state.

A “bluff” of a treasure that belonged to Mussolini Milan tonight in the Cup Winners’ Cup Cinema: the winners of the Cannes festival