Since 1 November, “Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno” has had a new director. Doctor Giuseppe Gorgux—who has led it for almost six years—decided to leave this post in order to devote himself full-time to the company’s executive management, which today, because of the economic crisis affecting most Italian businesses, requires highly qualified commitment. The Board of Directors of EDISUD S.p.A. has therefore entrusted the position of Director of the newspaper to Doctor Antonio Spinosa, former correspondent for “Corriere della Sera” and a writer of international renown on history. As I take charge of this newspaper, with its ancient and glorious tradition, I extend my greetings to the Readers and immediately pledge that I will duly respect His Majesty, the News, and will not yield to general opinion; when necessary, I will act against it if it is not right. In Italy, as Albanian friends themselves know, we are experiencing a moment of profound crisis. Our newspaper is committed in its country of origin to representing foreign interests published in the local language. This foreign character guarantees its independence and thus guarantees accuracy and precision, which represent its essential strength. From the outset of its publication—which began on 22 April 1993—its aim has been to represent an ideal bridge between Albania and Italy, in the name of the historical, geographical, economic, cultural and, why not, ethnic ties that have always bound the two countries. It should also be said that the sea is not a division but a boundary. The large presence of Albanian immigrants in Italy (more than 40,000) and the ever-growing investments of Italian entrepreneurs have increased the need for a two-way flow of information between the two shores of the Adriatic. Our objective, which has always been rigorously observed, is “non-interference” in Albania’s internal affairs. This means providing information about everything without favouring any of the parties that from time to time appear on the political scene. Today Gazeta Shqiptare sees its role growing in a country which, despite its iron will to respect its traditions, is seeking development models, including in the field of information. Its ability to provide clear and accurate news, already well known, makes it open to everyone.

GJIROKASTER — (p. re.) A new incident on the Albanian-Greek border. The Greek police returned the body of a 19-year-old Albanian to the Kakavija border crossing the day before yesterday. He had fallen into a ravine while trying to escape bullets fired by Greek border guards. “This is the second case in a few days,” the Ministry of Public Order announced, “in which young Albanians, trying to escape Greek police bullets, end up in a ravine.” Immediately after the incident, the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, described the latest incident as “an ultranationalist stance by the Greek government that leaves no room for a policy of good neighbourly relations with Albania.” On Monday, the same Ministry handed a protest note to the representative of the Greek Embassy in Tirana. The latest victim, Shefit Durraj, from the village of Glavë in Tepelenë, joins three other young Albanians who died in almost identical circumstances on the night of 18 October. Just last week more than 5,000 Albanians were forcibly repatriated by Greek police, and only the decline in the flow of refugees in recent days raised hopes of a positive change. But even though the visit of Papulias, Greece’s Foreign Minister, has now been confirmed for before 12 November, Albanian-Greek relations are at risk...

The warning in a confidential report Natural radiation detected in several areas of Albania TIRANA — An alarm has come from the Geophysical Enterprise. It is a confidential report, the first warning about radioactivity issued so far in Albania. “In Albania’s geological areas there are surface and underground rocks and minerals with a high content of radioactive substances. If they are not managed carefully, they can become very harmful to human health.” It seems that the propaganda of past years, which portrayed Albania as a country free of ecological pollution, was unfortunately a fairy tale. After several warnings about environmental pollution caused by industry, even more disturbing information is now emerging about the danger of natural radioactivity. While it was thought that only people threatened the environment, it has suddenly become clear that this report also has an opposite side: the natural environment, too, can harm people. In response to this concern, specialists from the Geophysical Enterprise have prepared a project entitled “Study of the Natural and Artificial Radioactivity of Albania.” It is a confidential document submitted to the Committee for Science and Technology for approval and financial support. Cooperation has also been sought with the international project IGCP 259, “International Geochemical Mapping.” The study is quite extensive. It aims to trace natural-radioactivity anomalies in food products, building materials, land, buildings and homes, water sources, minerals, power plants, fertilizer plants and processing factories. To date, measurements in Albania have been made for artificial radioactivity, which results from nuclear tests or accidents of the Chernobyl type. Little is still known about natural radioactivity. “There is no complete radiometric map of Albania,” Asim Zajmi, Director of the Geophysical Enterprise, told the newspaper, “and without one it is difficult to monitor the situation. The data we have come from the Enterprise’s searches for radioactive minerals such as uranium, and not from specific studies of natural radioactivity that endangers people’s health. In the Muhurr area of Peshkopi and the Shishtavec area of Kukës, there are rock formations with natural gamma-radiation intensity of 30–70 microroentgens per hour, which the report assesses as high and beyond permitted limits.” These rocks have been used by villagers and [fertilizers?], contain uranium. A good part of these radioactive substances remains in the fertilizer spread on agricultural land. From there it passes to plants and then to people. Clay or sandy strata used to make bricks and cement also have a high radioactive content. Specialists provide numerous arguments for the existence of this hidden enemy. It appears where you least expect it: in ash left over from burning coal at power plants, which is often used as a raw material for bricks and reinforced concrete, or in the crystal-clear water of a spring, as was found in an area of Shkodër. It was an unexpected discovery for geophysics specialists that the football field of the former Palace of Pioneers in Tirana—behind Hotel “Dajti”—has a high radioactive content. The research that led to this accidental discovery was prompted by measurements carried out on behalf of a German company planning to build an extension to Hotel “Dajti” on this site. These and other indications of this kind have led specialists to call for monitoring of natural radioactivity, which, if left uncontrolled, becomes very dangerous, like a blind force of nature. Some technicians check for the presence of radioactivity with Geiger instruments

Parliament postpones two important interpellations TIRANA — (p.r.e.) — On Monday, the Albanian Parliament’s work programme for November was set. The report on the Ministry of Defence and its payments to Bulgarian companies, the interpellation concerning Gazidede, and the request to repeal a clause of the law establishing the status of former political prisoners and internees were left off the programme. The deadline was thus extended, since the necessary checks have not yet been completed, for the State Audit Service report on the activities carried out by the Ministry of Defence and a payment of 360,000 dollars to a Bulgarian company. The request for this report had been made by a group of 20 MPs and sent to Blerim Çela on 10 September. The Gazidede matter also remained undecided and could return to Parliament. Following Hajdari’s accusation and the many questions from MPs—which the Head of SHIK himself answered—this time Prime Minister Meksi had been asked by the group of independent MPs to hold an interpellation “to explain Bashkim Gazidede’s unlawful conduct.” By a majority vote, the request submitted on 16 September by MP Perikli Teta was also rejected. It concerned the draft law “Repealing point 6 of Article 5 of the law ‘On the status of former convicts and political persecuted persons under the communist system’.” The Committee on Education and Social Affairs has expressed the view that this matter should be resolved by preparing a draft law on opening the files. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meksi has responded to the request by the PSD parliamentary group for a motion concerning the medium-term Economic Reform programme for establishing a market economy. Meksi declared that it would be presented in the first week of November. During this month, the draft law “On foreign investments” will also be examined. Having been reviewed by the Committees on Industry, Laws, and Finance and the Economy, the draft law will be passed on to the parliamentary groups.

SHENGJIN — Once again, an attempt to flee Albania has nearly turned into a tragedy. Eight people—including a woman—all from the town of Shëngjin, were rescued at sea by an Italian naval unit after a Turkish ship raised the alarm. The eight had set out aboard a speedboat, hoping to reach the Italian coast, but an engine failure left them stranded in the middle of the sea. After the speedboat sank, the eight were found after two days amid a terrible storm by the Turkish vessel “Yavuz”, which immediately notified the Italian Navy base in Durrës.

TIRANA — Leon Brittan, Vice-President of the European Commission, arrived in Albania the day before yesterday. This was the first visit to our country by a senior representative of this important European body. During these two days of transition, the humanitarian aid and support that the EC has provided to Albania have been very important. Brittan met Sali Berisha, the President of the Republic, on Monday. At this meeting—as well as in his discussion with Prime Minister Meksi—Brittan stressed the EC’s readiness to continue its assistance to Albania.

ITALIAN BERSAGLIERI FANFARE BAND GIVES CONCERTS IN DURRËS AND TIRANA — Invited by the commander of the “Pellicano” contingent, the Military Band of the Bersaglieri Fanfare of Italy’s 7th Regiment of the Pinerolo Brigade gave concerts in Durrës and Tirana. In the capital, it performed various military pieces in the square in front of the Academy of Fine Arts. AJEN LE-MASUR, FRENCH MINISTER DELEGATED FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, ARRIVES IN TIRANA — At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sërreq, French minister Beladur arrived in Tirana. His program during his visit to Albania includes meetings with the country’s highest-ranking figures. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DECIDES TO INCREASE THE WAGES OF WORKERS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY — Recognizing the difficult working conditions of employees in the pharmaceutical industry, it was decided to raise their wages to the level of those in the chemical industry.

The U-21 national team loses but is much admired In Casarano, Italy–Albania 1–0 ON PAGE 3 The world bows before the great director Fellini The funeral ceremony is tomorrow in Rimini ON PAGE 2