Agricultural production is showing signs of revival The IMF representative and Minister Ruli speak Key indicators Some data on the trends in the main indicators of the Albanian economy, according to official sources: Data 1992 1993 trend Inflation 686.2% + Unemployment 312,000 + External debt 624.6 million USD – Budget deficit 8 billion lekë – Gross production 400 USD per capita + Exports 5.7 billion lekë + Imports 13.1 billion lekë + ANDREA STEFANI TIRANA — The International Monetary Fund’s estimates of production growth were not made for industry alone, but for the economy as a whole. Growth has indeed been confirmed mainly in the agricultural sector, not the industrial one. This was one of the points made by Jacques R. Artus, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Department I for Europe, regarding the forecast made by the institution he represents for production growth in Albania in 1994. Artus thus once again highlights the fact that the industrial production sector remains the most problematic within the framework of economic reform. Albanian industry remains stagnant, and the difficulties in getting it out of that state are considerable. Its paralysis erodes the revival observed in agricultural production and makes the successes achieved in the fiscal and monetary fields seem very fragile. Perhaps this is why Finance and Economy Minister Ruli — present at a press conference alongside the IMF representative — described the achievements more as ordinary victories. By adhering to the programs drawn up by the IMF more faithfully than any other country, Albania has achieved some successes in stabilizing several macroeconomic indicators. The most notable is the fall in the average rate of inflation growth. Growth has also been observed in agriculture, trade and construction. The substantial food aid, financial assistance and loans that the Government has managed to secure from abroad have also been important factors. Income from emigration has also helped considerably to ease the population’s economic difficulties. And yet the economy has not managed to break free from the grip of the economic crisis, and nobody is sure what surprises tomorrow may bring. “The difficulties are enormous,” says Artus, “because you started from an extremely difficult situation.” The economy is thus also showing the negative side of the coin. The number of unemployed has continued to rise, while the private sector, still engaged in a multitude of small businesses, is unable to absorb them. Unfortunately, the process of attracting foreign investment, which would help revive large-scale production, is moving very slowly. The lack of a comprehensive framework guaranteeing investments, the existence of uncertainties over land ownership, bureaucratic delays, as well as the volatile situation in the Balkans, continue to keep foreign investors away. Meanwhile, the moment is fast approaching when the Albanian economy will have to break away from emergency aid and prove that it can survive in an environment of cooperation and competition with other international partners.

Tomorrow in Tirana TIRANA — The trial of Vasil Plaku, former Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic, accused of abuse of office and falsification of documents in connection with what has come to be called the adoption case, will open tomorrow at the Tirana Court. Myzejen Belshaku, former Director of the Infant Home in Durrës, will also sit in the dock alongside him. The investigation into this case has continued for a long time. Investigators have carried out a great deal of work. Hundreds of case files have been examined since the investigation began in July of last year. At that time, the Adoption Commission also noticed the first irregularities. In more than 300 cases involving the adoption of minors that were heard by Albanian courts between June 1991 and March 1992, the investigation verified serious procedural violations. Vasil Plaku and Myzejen Belshaku are the first two people to be tried in connection with this affair. Plaku himself, in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of the Tirana Court, heard 96 adoption cases. The Prosecutor’s Office has brought criminal proceedings against seven former judges and lawyers, most of whom managed to leave the country in time. [The following text appears to be an unrelated, truncated article:] …displayed in several American galleries. But these are only fragments from two of the largest monuments, now dismantled, which were erected after the dictator’s death. Someone had the original idea of creating works of art from the marble of two of Hoxha’s monumental sculptures — the one once located in the lobby of the former Museum that bore his name and the one that stood in Gjirokastër. The expensive, highest-quality marble, brought from Greece and Italy, would have been a pity to waste. Only a sculptor understands what it means to carve such marble. And so the first figures began to take shape beneath the chisel of the now well-known sculptor Perikli Guli. In a few days these works — eight pieces weighing 150 kilograms — will fly toward the Statue of Liberty aboard a “Seissair” aircraft. From 26 October until the end of November, they will be exhibited in several American galleries in New York, Washington and Connecticut. The interesting initiative also includes works by several other well-known visual artists. This group also includes Edi Rama, Ilia Xhokaxhi, Edi Hila, Ilir Pojani and several other artists. … the way the event is organized has changed this time. The experts of the American agency organizing the event themselves selected the artists and their works during a visit to Tirana and Shkodër a month earlier. The artistic initiative is supported by the “Soros” Foundation, which has undertaken to pay the Albanian artists’ travel and accommodation expenses. No more than two years ago, when the statues were still in their places, one of the workers involved in dismantling them had shown the Gazette a study he had made on how to cut up the white statue in the lobby of the Pyramid neatly. He was a very old man who had not yet lost his fear of the dying regime. “You never know who they’ll invite,” he had said, hesitantly. “If we cut it up neatly, it will be easier to reassemble if we invite the communists.” But time proved the old man’s fear unfounded. Now the carved pieces of marble, shaped like a tiger, are being packed to be sent thousands of kilometres away. Something that nobody had ever imagined.

They will take part in an exhibition The monument to Enver Hoxha in Gjirokastër before it was toppled FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANA — Sculptures dedicated to Enver Hoxha will once again return to art galleries. This time, they will even cross the Atlantic to be exhibited after the dictator’s death. From two of Hoxha’s monumental sculptures — from the one that was once located in the lobby of the former Museum [text cut off] [artists and] other well-known artists. It is one of the most important artistic events at the close of this year. It is the first exhibition of Albanian artists to be organized in the USA in more than 50 years. The way it is organized has also a visit to Tirana and Shkodër in May. The artistic initiative is [text cut off]

SHKODËR — The Albanian Police detained four Yugoslav citizens who attempted to cross the border illegally. The incident took place last Sunday at the Murqan border crossing, near Shkodër. After inspection, all were found to be without travel documents. The detainees — residents of Sukovina, a municipality of Ulcinj — were Azir Kollakaj, 36, Shefet Lukovic, 28, and cousins Fenad Kurti, 13, and Cezim Kurti, 14. They told the border authorities that they simply wanted to visit their friend Idriz Kocaj, who lives in Oblik in the district of Shkodër.

TIRANA — “The participation of Italian anti-fascists in the Albanian people’s Anti-Fascist National Liberation War and its place in history.” Under this title, a conference was held in Tirana, in the hall of the National Historical Museum, marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Italian partisan battalion “Antonio Gramsi”. During the conference, the participation in the Second World War of Italian soldiers alongside the Albanian liberation forces, after Fascist Italy’s capitulation, was recalled once again.

TIRANA — (fa, baz.) — For most people in Albania, living in the West is still a dream. A dream for which they are prepared to make sacrifices, often with consequences. Newspapers and television news almost constantly report on some of the most spectacular cases. But there is another route that someone is trying these days: political asylum. The protagonist of this new adventure is not unknown to the public. His story made headlines in the press last year. He is former journalist Xhemal Lamçellari. Having tried every possible way to find work, Lamçellari has decided to appeal to a number of prominent figures in the West. The list of people who have received a letter from him now includes King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofja, Cmistin von Kohl and the King of Spain, Huan Carlos. Lamçellari assures His Majesty that “even in beautiful Spain, he will earn his living through work.” The letter to Juan Carlos is also accompanied by another interesting letter addressed to President Berisha. Lamçellari begs the Albanian president—though it is not known why, since he has not yet secured political asylum—not to prevent him from writing from the country where he intends to live, and assures him that “even in Spain he will remain Albanian.” But Lamçellari has also become the protagonist of another recent story. He submitted an application to the local authorities in Durrës to open a kiosk for polishing shoes. Someone in the authorities replied: “We categorically refuse your request; it is a democratic …” Although it is clear that the official was joking, the person concerned, Lamçellari, still has not received a permit to polish shoes.

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: use it, they will read it. If you are in Italy, you can write to this address: GAZETA SHQIPTARE, viale Scipione l’Africa-no 264, 70100 Bari. If you live in Albania, you can write to this address: GAZETA SHQIPTARE, Rruga Ba-jram Curri 370, Tiranë. Staf Likcani, who is employed in Greece, informs his family in Burrel that he is working in Greece and is in very good health. He sends greetings to his family and asks them to call him at this telephone number in Greece: 0030 68428987. Staf Likcani — Greece Nikollë Frrok Prelal from Albania is looking for the address of Mr. Gal Marini, who supervised the Italian-Albanian works at the Qafë Mali worksite in 1942–1943, preparing the Shkodër-Kukës motor road. We ask all the relatives, friends and well-wishers of the two Italian workers who worked at this site, under the supervision of Gal Marini, to help us find the address. We will be grateful to everyone who makes an effort to find it and can help us by letter or with a telephone number. During that period I worked with Mr. Marini, and together with everyone who worked at that site, I have great respect for him. We wish health, a long life and happiness to all our Italian friends. My address is: Nikoll Frrok Prelal, Lagjia 5, Sanxhak-Kamp, rrethi i Laçit. Nikolla Frrok Prelal from Albania is asking for the address of Mr. Gal Marini, who directed the Italian-Albanian construction works at the Qaf Mali site in 1942–1943, on the Shkoder-Kukës motor road. We ask all relatives, friends and Italian workers who worked at this site with foreman Mr. Gal Marini at that time to help us find the address. We would be grateful to everyone who is trying and together with everyone who worked at that site, we have great respect for him. We wish health, is: Nikoll Frrok Prelal, Lagjia nr.5, Sanxhak-Kamp, rrethi i Laç.

10 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM — This is one of the fastest initiatives by the “Saudi Kembell” company in Albania. This was announced following a meeting between the company’s President, Sheikh Khalib Alireza, and the Albanian Prime Minister, Meksi, and other senior figures such as Kopliku, Ruli and Xhaja in Tirana. The company’s main fields of interest are the oil industry, copper, tourism and telecommunications. In this connection, the company — through the Islamic Bank — will extend credit to Albanian Telecom. IN SARANDË, OLIVE TREES ARE BEING CUT DOWN TO OPEN UP BUILDING SITES. Olive trees continue to be cut down in the villages of Metoq and Gjashtë in Sarandë to provide land for building sites. The phenomenon — widespread in these two villages — is also the result of a backlog accumulated over several years of unfulfilled requests for new construction. This issue was also raised at a meeting of the Sarandë Municipal Council, where the village head of Metoq submitted 100 applications for building plots. Meanwhile, the urban planning department is working on the topographical and urban planning study for the village — a study expected to be completed within this year — while the olive trees continue to be cut down. ALBANIAN AND MACEDONIAN RAILWAY OFFICIALS MEET IN DURRËS. The connection between the two railway lines will be alongside Lake Pogradec, at an elevation of 729.1 metres, and the shared station will be Linj, on Albanian territory. This was agreed in Durrës after a meeting between the two directors — Albanian and Macedonian — of the General Railway Directorate. According to them, bilateral cooperation will cover traffic, infrastructure, signalling and information technology. The meeting took place even though Albania and Macedonia do not yet have diplomatic relations. It concluded with the shared view that reciprocal visits and the exchange of experience are important for both sides.

Greece, foreign policy will change The unprofitable effects of Papandreou ON PAGE 2 Strict rules come into force on November 1 Smoking and pornographic photos banned on transport ON PAGE 3