The forced repatriation of refugees from Greece resumes A diplomat: “It is artificial tension” But politics is not conducted through retaliation The “sweep” operation has begun again. After months, they have resumed the latest disgraceful reprisals. A new government took office in Greece; the new prime minister smiled at Europe, promising to behave well, but then changed course. Starting with the operation's name, the police launched for the second time an operation against Albanian emigrants called “sweep”, provocatively alluding to sweeping away dirt and cleaning up. Almost an ethnic cleansing. The language of politics thus becomes blackmail—serious anywhere, but even more serious for a country like Greece, which in less than two months will lead the European Committee. The latest injustice remains the use of blackmail specifically against emigrants, the weakest part of the population, in Greece as well as in Albania. It is true that the problem of emigration exists, but there is reason to suspect that those least willing to solve it are precisely the leaders who keep it in reserve to use at just the right moment. Preferring retaliation to political dialogue. EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — The first “sweep” against Albanian refugees by Papandreou's new government. On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, thousands of Albanians—expelled by Greek police—were brought to Albania's southern border crossings. Thus the violent scenes have been repeated once again, provoked by Albanian-Greek policies concerning Greek claims about minority rights in Albania. “The artificial tension supposedly created over minority rights,” the Secretary of the Albanian Embassy in Athens told the Gazette, “has led to mass expulsions of Albanians from Greek territory over these two days.” On Tuesday alone, 2,150 refugees were returned at the Kakavija border crossing, 48 of them with valid documents, while another five said their valid one-year visas had been torn up. The following day at the same crossing—up to 17:45—323 refugees had been forcibly returned; among them, according to footage broadcast on TV, were other Albanians who had been physically assaulted by Greek police. Albanian-Greek relations began to become strained again just days after Papandreou's government was elected. Three Albanians who had tried to enter Greek territory died in a ravine after Greek border guards opened fire. After this incident, for which the Greek authorities denied responsibility, controversy and accusations erupted once again. This time, the issue was the Greek minority in Albania. The cause was the incident on the 22nd in the village of Kranes, Delvinë, where clashes had occurred during a land dispute. According to a statement by the Ministry of Public Order, five police officers who had gone to help were injured. The Greek side, meanwhile, gave a completely different account of the same incident. A second incident followed in this village. According to Greek media, a 76-year-old woman died after being mistreated by Albanian police. The Greek accusation was immediately rejected by the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which clarified that Stamatο Thanasi[t] had died of asphyxiation in a fire, and, moreover, that her death occurred a day after the land dispute incident. Although the new “sweep” began after these mutual accusations, it seems it will not last as long as on previous occasions. Late on Wednesday, Albanian media reported that the large influx of returned refugees had fallen and that their numbers were approaching normal levels. Another positive sign was announced that same day, when officials from the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the possible visit to Albania of Papulias, the new Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs. This senior Greek official's visit, around November 10 and 12, will be his first to other Balkan countries. It is precisely those leaders who keep it in reserve to use it to demand... at the right moment. Preferring revenge to political dialogue. Greek relations risked becoming strained again just days after the election of the Pashkët government. Last week, three Albanians who had attempted ... The Ministry of Public Order, among the police officers who had gone to help, five of them had been injured. Meanwhile, regarding the same ... Although the new “Broom” began after these linked accusations, it seems that it did not ... one day after the land incident. November 12—it is his first trip to other Balkan countries. to have been functioning at a high level in Greece—around November 10 and 12—is his first trip to other Balkan countries. 20, 1990. It concerns another group that was boat via the Buna. They were spotted and ... “His actions, contrary to the law, stated. Meanwhile, his defense lawyer Ali Orizi said: “Toma’s position ...” During the question-and-answer session, judge Faimeri? Laska, who presided over the hearing, together with the judicial years’ imprisonment. Albanian refugees being repatriated

SHKODER / The massacre took place in 1990 Ten years in prison for the serviceman who prevented people from fleeing Albania in its north SHKODER — The first page has been opened in the story of the many killings at the border carried out under the old regime. The Shkodër Court, which heard the case against Engjëll Toma, former commander at the Rrushkull border post in the Dajç area, handed down the first sentence for this crime: 10 years' imprisonment. The defendant Toma, 30, was arrested 20 days after his wedding; he spent the 13 months of his detention, up to the trial on October 27, at the Durrës Police Station. The indictment: “Violation of the duties of the border guard, responsible for the deaths of 6 people and the wounding of 3 others during the period April 21–December 20, 1990.” According to witness Nazmi Kurti, then a non-commissioned officer at this border post, on April 21, 1990, at around 1 a.m., the unit—commanded by Toma—and Kurti himself opened fire on an engaged couple who wanted to cross the border. The young man's name was Elez Kraja and the girl's was Menjerë, while his fiancée, Dhurata Sokoli, was seriously wounded and, despite the assistance she received, could not be saved. The second case of the same kind dates to December 20, 1990. It involved another group who were to cross to the other side of the border by boat via the Buna. They were spotted and fired upon with automatic weapons by the same unit. As a result, 4 people died: three, according to local people, wanted to be buried in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, while another drowned in the waters of the Buna. Three years later, the victims' family members gathered in the courtroom to hear the final verdict against the accused. Prosecutor Prodan Rrokaj declared Engjëll Toma fully guilty. “His actions, in violation of the laws, caused the deaths of 6 people, including an 18-year-old,” he said. His defense lawyer, Ali Orizi, said: “Toma's conduct is justified, since the communist regime of the time itself called border crossers ‘traitors to the homeland’.” In his final statement, the accused himself requested acquittal because, according to him, he had never fired an automatic weapon except into the air. But during the hearing this claim was supported by only one witness, while four others rejected it. After five hours of questions and answers, Judge Fatmira Laska, who presided over the hearing, and the court panel decided that Engjëll Toma should be sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. Former headquarters of the Central Committee in Shkodër

428 million lekë in 6 months TIRANA — (p.re.) Discussion has resumed on the potential that exists in Albania for the development of tourism. This time it took place at a five-day seminar with Albanian tourism specialists, organized by the Commission of the European Community. The seminar addressed many issues related to assessing tourism potential, the material conditions needed for the tourism network to operate, as well as related factors: physical security, public order, transport networks and infrastructure. Tourism has been identified as one of Albania's economic development priorities. Some foreign specialists believe that the country's future should be based on tourism, because Albania has considerable potential for developing various forms of tourism. Alongside this potential, there are many difficulties, including the lack of roads, telecommunications and infrastructure in general. Nevertheless, during this year's tourist season, some revival in tourism activity was observed compared with the previous year. During the first six months alone, 92,584 tourists were registered, of whom 17,732 were foreign. Revenue from this activity amounted to 428 million and 221 thousand lekë.

Surgical procedures aboard an airplane TIRANA — (Ar.Me.) A modern hospital for eye care in Rinas. It is not a multi-storey building, but an airplane. This flying hospital landed in Albania three weeks ago. Since then, its “crew”—27 ophthalmology specialists—has performed around 150 successful surgical procedures. “They are doctors from America and other countries,” Tritan Shehu, Minister of Health, told the Gazette, “who have come to Albania to help and share their expertise in ophthalmology.” And their hospital is an airplane. There is an operating theatre on board; there they have conducted examinations and even dozens of surgical procedures. Everything these doctors have done has been free of charge. Their patients have been people of different ages suffering from eye diseases. But the work of the 27 doctors was not limited to examinations and operations. They met with Albanian doctors who had come from several districts across the country. “A school has been established,” Shehu explains. “We invited ophthalmologists from all over the Republic. They held lectures and discussed matters together.” This activity was made possible thanks to the humanitarian association “Orbis”. The association operates in many countries around the world and raises the funds for its activities from governments, individuals and various organizations. For the project in Albania, a large part of the funding was provided by the US Government. A visit by Sali Berisha, President of the Republic, and Tritan Shehu, Minister of Health, had also been scheduled for yesterday to meet this medical staff. Tomorrow, the bird-hospital will take off again. Because other people, like the Albanians, are waiting to be healed by it.

A GROUP OF CROATIAN TRADERS IN TIRANA — Under the auspices of the Albanian Chamber of Commerce in Tirana, a meeting was organized between Albanian traders and specialists and a group of 45 traders from Croatia. The latter presented their readiness and opportunities to develop commercial and production activities in Albania. The Albanian side highlighted the many opportunities Albania offers for business, such as a readily available workforce and favorable ecological conditions. Concrete offers and requests were also made by both sides at the meeting. A DROWNED MAN'S BODY FOUND IN TEPELENE — The body of a young man aged 20–25 has been found in the Vjosa River. He has not yet been identified, but it is hoped that the items found on his body will help resolve this difficulty. Information about the body has also been sent to district police stations to help identify the person as quickly as possible. AID FROM CARITAS ITALIANA FOR THE RESIDENTS OF TEPELENE — 220 families in the town of Tepelenë have benefited from humanitarian aid sent by Caritas Italiana and the association “God Loves Albania”. This aid contribution, secured through the mediation of the town municipality, consists mainly of clothing and footwear. It was distributed to residents by a municipal committee set up specifically for this purpose. A SEMINAR ON BUSINESS TECHNIQUES IN SHKODER — In cooperation with the American organization for rehabilitation through training (ORT), the association of traders in chemical fish products and agricultural inputs (AFADA) organized a two-day seminar on mastering business techniques. American specialists gave presentations at the seminar. The association has planned to hold three more seminars in Vlorë and other cities.

TIRANË — At the top of the ladder, on the roof of a bus, to install the traffic light in the city center. Such an extraordinary moment of balance, photographed by a reader of “Gazeta” on “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard. The clever art of preserving this moment in the darkness, when equipment was lacking. A compliment to the worker’s ingenuity and courage. Meanwhile, the operation to install traffic lights in the capital is continuing at a rapid pace, and some are already working, in contrast to the solution to the traffic problem. The only thing left to do is to leave them on during the night.

An event coincides oddly with the dictator’s birthday anniversary GJIROKASTER — (p. re.) An attempt by Enver Hoxha fanatics to commemorate his birthday? On October 16—the 85th anniversary of the dictator’s birth—a polyphonic group from Gjirokastra gave an impromptu concert, whose repertoire consisted mainly of songs dedicated to Hoxha. Thus, two years after his bust was toppled, dictator Hoxha is remembered by those nostalgic for him. This time folklore comes to his aid, something he himself had filled with his “heroics.” On the eve of October 16, a festival of folk polyphonic groups was held in Gjirokastër. It brought to mind the grand festivals that used to be held every five years in Gjirokastër Castle. The event—held in one of Gjirokastër’s largest halls—proceeded as the groups had promised, with no songs dedicated to the dictator’s birth in their repertoire. But after the concert, the pledge was broken: a polyphonic group gave a second concert—this time outside the hall, at the monument to Çerçiz Topulli—singing songs about dictator Hoxha as well. The base of Enver Hoxha’s monument in Tiranë before it was removed

Initiative by the humanitarian association “Orbis” INSIDE (Inside Albania)

National theatre festival November 21–28 in Tirana Concern over the absence of Kosovo's theatre company ON PAGE 3 Germany: renewed hatred against foreigners Two attacks against Turks ON PAGE 2