TIRANA — (Ar. Me.) The day marking Albania’s Liberation will once again return to the calendar of holidays. Now the only thing left to determine is the date. The Albanian Parliament thus faces a historic debate. President Berisha’s party sent Parliament a message calling for the exact date of the country’s Liberation to be established; in the past it was defined as 29 November, and a year ago it was not celebrated. A commission from the Institute of History in Tirana presented the President with documents and facts that shed light on the truth about this historic event. On the basis of these, Berisha proposed to Parliament that 28 November mark the end of the war in Albania. The President’s message also raises the possibility that 17 November could be considered National Liberation Day, precisely because Tirana is the capital and was liberated on that date. This practice, President Berisha wrote in his message, is also known in other countries. The second possibility was proposed in order to avoid a clash between the date of liberation and that of the proclamation of National Independence, on 28 November 1912. Meanwhile, it is still unclear what position the members of parliament will take on this proposal. A year ago, the failure to celebrate 29 November was accompanied by very heated polemics, which continued for a long time. At the time, the opposition called this version an attempt to forget and set aside the historic war against the fascists. Many documents and facts that contradict one another continue to circulate even now. War veterans insist on proving that the fighting in Shkodër—the last city liberated by partisan forces—continued on 29 November as well. On the other hand, this date is considered a devilish ploy and fabrication by Hoxha, intended to carry out the platform of unification with Yugoslavia. Thus, these days the Albanian Parliament is facing this historic debate, which will finally clarify by law the doubts surrounding one of the most important events in the nation’s history.

The bases will be mobilized within the first week of December Why is it leaving ahead of schedule? DURRES — (c. bo.). “Pellicano” is leaving. After two years of commitment, after thousands of kilometres travelled, after thousands of tonnes of food delivered, and after the applause, embraces and gratitude of the entire population, the Italian military mission is leaving Albania. Dismantling work at the Durrës camp has already begun. The sailors of the XXI Naval Group are also in the process of returning home. Within the first week of December, the two bases could be handed back to the local authorities, even ahead of the scheduled date of 31 December. Why? No one is providing information, either in Tirana or in Rome. There is a mysterious and sad silence, in sharp contrast with the clamour and enthusiasm that accompanied the arrival of the 1,200 “Pellicano” troops in Albania on 18 September 1991, when the country was ravaged by hunger and poverty, threatened by a lack of political stability and by thousands of social tensions that those unarmed soldiers helped calm. To retrace the history of “Pellicano” is like reconstructing the odyssey of a country where the wind of democracy, coming from far away, blew so strongly that it brought down statues and regimes and turned minds and the economy upside down, but ultimately proved capable of gradually restoring freedom and prosperity, leading to the birth of democracy. And when democracy was born—as happened in Albania—the soldiers who had come to help and deal with the emergency were no longer needed. Today, the work of “Pellicano” is being carried out by a network and resources belonging to the Albanian state and private sector, which have thus begun what is known as “Operation Eagle.” But then why, when all this has become so clear, is the departure of the Italian soldiers accompanied by so much silence? A few days ago, several Italian newspapers published reports that the Albanian Government had ordered the “Pellicano” contingent to withdraw by 30 November. The report—which has in fact received no official confirmation in Tirana—was answered by Defence Minister Fabbri, speaking to journalists: “The operation is now nearing completion; the gradual withdrawal is under way, and the contingent has been reduced from 800 to 200 people. The objectives have been achieved.” In recent months, the first negotiations had begun between the Italian and Albanian Governments on a bilateral agreement in the field of Defence. Since then, nothing more has been heard. Agreements serving the same purpose have already been signed in Albania with Greece, the United States, Bulgaria, Turkey, England and—with Austria just a few days ago. One possible explanation for the early return of “Pellicano” may be connected to budgetary concerns: the mission costs the Italian Government approximately 20 billion lire a month, and it is entirely possible that the severe economic crisis Italy is going through has prompted Rome to decide to end a presence abroad that is no longer necessary. [The article begins mid-word] ...to understand. To trace a country in which the winds of democracy, arriving from afar, through which the PD responds to the accusations Alessì has repeatedly made lately about the Arsidì the PD did not use a single penny from questionable the PD’s response to suspicions raised against it by Alessi as well, that around 400,000 dollars were given to it before the election to help secure victory. But while the PD—in its statement—responds Arsidì him as someone who may have pocketed some an Albania trampled underfoot by Alessi and his friends.” To trace [sic] the history ... it came ... democracy was born—as in Albania—the soldiers arrived to help and deal with the Balkan emergency, with good intentions, as far as the line of democracy. And then, when it is all so clear, why is the presence of the Italian soldiers accompanied by so much silence? Some Italian newspapers have reported [on] Operation “Shqiponja” (“Eagle”). Then why, if everything is so clear, much silence? In some Italian newspapers there is ... [text missing] interrupted while abroad, no longer necessary. Base of the “Pellicano” contingent

VLORA — This is the first image from Sarah Ferguson’s family visit to Albania, and the most dramatic of all. The Duchess of York came to Tirana in the first days of October: a humanitarian mission carried out in absolute secrecy, at the Duchess’s own insistence, as she did not want to inform the Queen of England. Accompanied by two trucks full of aid, the Duchess travelled around the entire country for four days, distributing toys and medicines to poor and sick children. It was a particularly moving journey, known only through the accounts of a few witnesses: the newspaper managed to uncover it only several days after she had left. Now, at last, her images have arrived. In the photograph, the Duchess of York is standing beside a patient at the psychiatric hospital in Vlora: a wretched man lying on a bed without even a mattress. A scene that speaks for itself.

The Democratic Party accuses Alessi TIRANA — (p. re.) “Nikola Arsidi entered Albania—with the help of former Prime Minister Fatos Nano, according to documents held by the Government of Albania.” This is the latest accusation—contained in a statement by the Democratic Party (PD)—which draws socialist leader Nano into the Arsidi scandal as well; until now he had been accused in connection with the Italian aid scandal. The PD statement, published on Thursday, is a harsh rebuttal to Italian parliamentarian Alessi, who, together with others, has been involved—according to the PD spokesperson—in a campaign of vile slander against the PD and its government. There are four main points through which the PD responds to the accusations Alessi has repeatedly made in recent weeks, specifically about the Arsidi scandal: 1) the French financier’s entry into Albania through Nano; 2) his appointment as negotiator by the other former Prime Minister, Ahmeti; 3) the democratic government has tactically denounced all those responsible for this scandal; 4) during the election campaign, the PD did not use a single cent from dubious or illegal financial sources. “The PD’s accounts have always been, and remain, open to any Albanian or foreign audit,” is the PD’s response to the suspicions raised about it by Alessi as well, who claimed that around 400,000 dollars had been donated to the party before the elections to ensure its victory. But while the PD, through its statement, responds point by point to all the suspicions raised by Alessi, it now accuses him. “He is an accomplice in the Arsidi scandal and crime,” the statement says, even casting suspicion on him as someone who may have pocketed part of the 9 million dollars in Italian aid. “Other countries,” the statement concludes, “will have a worthy partner, and not an Albania trampled underfoot by Alessi and his friends.” Eduard Selami

TIRANA — (p. re.) Today, Evgenij Sidorov, Minister of Culture of the Russian Republic, arrives in Albania for a three-day visit. The news was confirmed by the Directorate of Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Culture. The purpose of the visit is to sign an agreement between the culture ministries of Russia and Albania, which will serve to expand bilateral relations in this field. During his stay in Albania, Sidorov will hold talks with his Albanian counterpart, Anagnosti. He will also be received by Prime Minister Meksi and Foreign Minister Serreqi.

A panorama of Matera The initiative by Gazeta Shqiptare to give its readers vintage panoramas of several Italian cities has been a great success. Indeed, many people have been able to find them [unclear] to look for their paintings. Today’s painting is an old panorama of the Italian city of Matera. This old panorama [illegible section]

The case concerns two works of inestimable value TIRANA — (An. St.) News began to circulate concerning the case of two very valuable iconostases, which have been in Italy since March 1992. A decision by the Tirana Court has annulled the contract signed between the Albanian Institute of Cultural Monuments and the Italian private collector Angelo Casa. But the original decision could turn everything around and bring the iconostases back to Albania. “We are on the verge of retrieving them,” Valter Shtylla, Director of the Institute of Cultural Monuments, told Gazeta. There is great hope that the iconostases will be repatriated, bringing an end to a long period of polemics, agreements, and fears about their permanent loss, which had been raised some time ago by the press and mass media. As is known, a contract had previously been signed between the Italian collector Casa and the Institute of Cultural Monuments. It gave the Italian citizen the right to take two iconostases of great artistic value to Italy for exhibition and restoration purposes. Specifically, these were the iconostasis of the Church of Vithkuq and that of the Church of Saint Vladimir. The contract also stipulated the Italian collector’s obligations. He was to provide the Institute with two vehicles and some equipment, and finance the deployment of two Albanian specialists who would work on conserving the iconostases. The contract was to cover a period from 1992 through March 1994, that is, two years. The transfer of the two works of art to Italy was not accompanied by Casa’s fulfillment of his obligations. This became one of the reasons why the Albanian authorities took the matter to court and sought to terminate the contract just a few months before it was due to expire. Another factor was a number of accusations or suspicions—perhaps also prompted by the bitter experience of the disappearance of many cultural treasures in recent times—about the possibility that they might be stolen or lost. Fortunately, time seems to be proving unfounded most of the concerns raised about this issue. The Palermo police have verified that the iconostases are in Casa’s private salon. Casa himself has accepted the decision of the Tirana Court in a telephone conversation. “We are waiting for a fax,” says Shtylla, “which will reconfirm the Italian party’s acceptance of the contract’s termination. Meanwhile, we are making efforts to retrieve the iconostases.” Nevertheless, the question remains unresolved as to whether there was any uncertainty. Specialists believe that the procedures recorded by the Italian authorities may not have been carried out correctly, and that this could prevent the iconostases from being sent back from Italy.

INSIDE

Two former Italian ministers under investigation over secret funds Are they hiding money from the secret services? ON PAGE 3 The top three teams play their tenth match away from home New measures by the Disciplinary Commission ON PAGE 2

PARLIAMENT REJECTS THE DRAFT LAWS ON PROPERTY SUBMITTED BY THE “PROPERTY WITH JUSTICE” ASSOCIATION — Parliament rejected the bill submitted by the “Property with Justice” association for recognition of ownership of land and the return of nationalized buildings and plots to their former owners. It was the first time that a bill submitted to Parliament by an association, “Property and Justice,” had made this request on the basis of 20,000 signatures collected in various elections. A COOPERATION AGREEMENT IS SIGNED BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SHKODRA — A cooperation agreement was signed in Shkodra “This agreement will strengthen our faith in the future,” said Oljovard Kolombi, Rector of the University of Shkodra, at the end of the signing, while also expressing his appreciation to the Italian professor and proposing that this cooperation, which began as [unclear], be extended to include equipment and [unclear]. TRIBUTES AT THE CEMETERY OF FRENCH SOLDIERS IN KORÇË — French soldiers who fell during the First World War were commemorated. The French ambassador to Albania paid tribute and laid a wreath at the soldiers’ cemetery in Korçë. A LIBRARY OF GERMAN BOOKS OPENS AT THE FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN TIRANA — A new library of German books opened at the Faculty of Foreign Languages in Tirana. The library contains around 3,000 titles. The German Government allocated 16,000 marks for its establishment.