Everything comes from abroad, even faulty equipment ANDREA STEFANI TIRANA — Albania’s healthcare system, despite the improvements observed, is still in crisis. Today, its picture could be painted in more optimistic colors if the medical aid arriving from abroad were being fully put to use. Unfortunately, a considerable quantity of medical equipment brought by humanitarian organizations from various countries has long been left lying in warehouses, far from fulfilling the humanitarian purpose for which it was sent. Thus, in addition to tons of expired medicines, this also concerns equipment costing thousands of dollars. At the Radiology Center, where there used to be a huge crowd at the entrance, there is now quiet. The reason is the lack of the equipment needed for normal operations. At the end of the corridor there is a room where, covered up alongside other equipment, are two universal radiology machines, each valued at up to 1,000 dollars. “These are very necessary machines for us,” specialists at the Center told the Gazette, “but they were delivered to us with parts missing. In some cases, the manuals needed to learn how to assemble and operate them are missing.” A year ago, the existing machine in the radiology department of Hospital 1 in Tirana was dismantled. The reason: the English humanitarian organization “Feed the Children” had brought a new machine. To this day, although the mechanical installations have been completed, this machine does not work. The manual for the electrical installations is missing. “The organization’s representatives promised us they would come back to complete the installations,” says the deputy director of the General Directorate of Hospitals, “but although we have been sending them faxes for six months, nobody has shown up again.” At this directorate, they tell you that, in addition to three X-ray machines, two “Eko” machines, each worth up to 15,000 dollars, three autoclaves, and other equipment are also out of operation. This has compelled the directorate to set up a biomedical working group, which will explore the possibility of putting this equipment into service. But apparently, what you can see in the wards is only the visible part of the iceberg. A large quantity of dialysis machines, X-ray machines, and computer systems are far from the patients, in the Central Health Supply Depot or in Lunder. “Ninety-eight percent of the equipment is technology that is already outdated,” says an engineer at the Directorate of Hospitals, “with little hope of being put back into operation.” Apparently, this equipment was brought to Albania to breathe its last, not to save patients. The depots are its morgue and its grave.

A brief visit TIRANA — Former presidents continue to visit Albania. After the visit by the American Jimmy Carter, it is the turn of Francesco Cossiga, former Italian president and now a senator. This time he finds an Albania that has changed, less troubled, as he himself put it. His first visit took place in a political and economic situation entirely different from the one he found now. “I,” Cossiga emphasized in his speech at the Palace of Congresses, “came at a dramatic moment and during a delicate period. Nevertheless, I was warmly received.” Cossiga, initiator of Operation “Pelikan,” comes this time as the founder of a foundation for Albania. The “Scanderbeg” Foundation, inaugurated the day before yesterday, was established in cooperation with the Sant’Egidio religious community in Italy. This foundation will help promote development in the socio-cultural fields and Albania’s growth domestically as well as in a broader international context. During his brief stay, Cossiga was received by President Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi, and Foreign Minister Serreqi. BERAT — (p. re.) — It is a beautiful sight that compelled the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson—during her unpublicized trip to Albania—to come close to this place, now empty. But she has also made the effort to travel to other cities to offer a symbolic gift to young people with disabilities. Caring for this category of people is a very widespread “fashion” around the world and almost unknown in Albania. Let us not forget: Berat’s hell was closed only a few days ago and existed right before our eyes. It was precisely these painful images that compelled the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson—during her unpublicized trip to Albania—to approach this place, now empty.

Berat, mbyllet ferri BERAT — (p. re.) — Është një pamje e bshme që e kanë detyruar Dukeshën e Jorkut Sarah Ferguson — përmes udhëtimit të saj të papublikuar në Shqipëri — që të afrojë pranë këtij mjedisi, tashmë të zbrazur. Por ajo nuk ka përtuar që të udhëtojë edhe në qytete të tjera për t’u falur nga një dhuratë simbolike handikapëve të vegjël. Kujdesi për këtë kategori njerëzish, është një “modë” mjaft e përhapur në botë dhe thuajse e panjohur në Shqipëri. Të mos harrojmë: ferri i Beratit është mbyllur vetëm para disa ditësh dhe ka ekzistuar para syve tanë. Ishin pikërisht këto imazhe të dhimbshme që e kanë detyruar Dukeshën e Jorkut Sarah Ferguson — përmes udhëtimit të saj të papublikuar në Shqipëri — që të afrohej pranë këtij mjedisi, tashmë të zbrazur.

A police officer is also accused of forgery

TIRANA — Another journalist has been charged by the Prosecution. Ndrekë Gjini, a journalist with the official Albanian news agency, has been accused of the criminal offense of defamation against a prosecutor at the Tirana Prosecution Office. The case file has now been transferred to the Tirana Court, and the investigative proceedings are expected to begin soon. In the meantime, the Prosecution has imposed a measure requiring journalist Gjini not to leave. The proceedings were initiated by the injured party’s complaint, following a report that Gjini made for ATSH, but which was later also published in RD, on radio and TV. A few days after this news item, Gjini himself—through ATSH—clarified that the words attributed to him about the prosecutor had not been spoken by him.

ELBASAN — (p.re.) A new trade has begun to flourish. But this is also the second case in just a few days in which the Police have uncovered the racketeers involved in this trade. It concerns the forgery and sale of school certificates. What is more, once again police officers have turned out to be entangled in this story. Just as in Shkodra — where 74 cases of forged school certificates had been confirmed — two people have also been arrested in Elbasan. But this time Ismail Sula, principal of the Agricultural High School, and Sali Bajo, a police officer, are accused of selling these certificates as well, after first forging them. According to official sources, Ismail Sula was prosecuted in 1991 for a similar act. At the time, Sula was accused of forging 42 school certificates. An investigative case has now been opened against the two arrested men, but the materials have not yet been submitted to the Elbasan District Court. This had already been done in Shkodra, where, among 70 cases, it had been established that 14 police officers had forged high-school certificates. This act — according to initial hypotheses — was carried out to enable entry into the ranks of the Police, while the requirement for this had also specified completion of secondary school. In the Elbasan case, the involvement of the police officer in this story has not yet been clarified, owing to the ongoing investigation.

Clinton threatens to close the sea routes ON PAGE 2

Half of the process will be completed in December ON PAGE 3

Today, a beautiful old view as a gift Readers will receive today, free of charge, the third panorama in the series distributed every Sunday together with Gazeta Shqiptare. Today’s panorama is a reproduction of an old painting of Taranto. A panorama of Taranto

SEMINAR IN TIRANA ON TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE — A seminar on technical assistance and professional training was held in Tirana. The seminar was organized by Eurotec, the first consulting and technical-assistance company, in cooperation with IPOA, an institution affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce of the Italian Regions in Italy. The seminar’s main objective was to emphasize the importance of management in professional training at this time. In this context, Eurotec will operate in Albania as a partner of IPOA in the fields of consulting and technical and logistical assistance in various sectors. PROFESSOR REXHEP QOSJA ARRIVES IN TIRANA — Professor Rexhep Qosja arrived in Tirana the day before yesterday, accompanied by his wife. He came at the invitation of several Albanian intellectuals. During this stay, Qosja will meet with various political and social institutions, as well as with prominent figures in literature and politics. THE INTRODUCTION OF TAXES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IS DENIED — The Minister of Agriculture, Halluli, has denied the rumors that have recently circulated about the introduction of taxes in the countryside. Halluli emphasized that the introduction of taxes and duties falls within the remit of the People’s Assembly, which has not yet considered this issue. He also pointed out that neither the Ministry of Agriculture and Food nor the Ministry of Economy and Finance has yet addressed this problem. It will first be submitted to the Government for consideration and then to the People’s Assembly. Parliament is the only body with legislative power. NEW SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE MANAGERS OF THE “KOCI” COMPANY — The detention order issued for tax evader Koki, of the company known as the Koci brothers, has been changed. He has now been transferred to prison. Proceedings were initiated and house arrest was ordered for Vice President Rrapush Meta as well, against whom no security measure had previously been imposed. They are also accused of having defrauded people of hundreds of millions by withdrawing large sums of dollars to carry out joint ventures involving liability.