“Albanians, thank you and good luck” CARLO BOLLINO DURRËS — The camp has returned to the very same field of muddy pools it was on the day the first Italian soldier landed in Durrës. The only new things are the buildings, rebuilt by the soldiers, and the tricolour flag unfurled in the middle of an empty parade ground. “In a few minutes we will lower the flag,” explains General Carlucci, commander of the Mission. A farewell ceremony, intimate by design, on a day laden with clouds and sadness. “Pellicano” is taking off after 25 months of activity, but several weeks before the scheduled date, December 31. “It was only necessary to make the ceremonies coincide with the commitments of the two Ministers of Defence,” explains General Carlucci. “A day earlier or later makes no difference.” General, it is time to take stock. “I would say the balance is positive. We carried our mission through to the end responsibly. It has been a great human and professional experience. And I want to thank in particular my people, who day after day have been conscious of the value of their work and of the gratitude of the Albanian people, even the poorest...” A military agreement was supposed to be signed between Italy and Albania in the field of military cooperation, but then nothing more was heard about it... “These are decisions for the political authorities; I am only someone who carries out orders.” But here, at the Pellicano base, military lessons for Albanian military personnel had even begun. Why did you stop them? “Yes, it’s true. The last courses were held, as I recall, in July. At first we taught the military personnel how to use the radiocommunications equipment we had donated; three government exchanges are currently in operation. Perhaps an agreement will be reached, perhaps not... I repeat, it is not for me to talk about this.” What will remain in Albania from “Pellicano”? “That is something we must ask the Albanian people. I believe those feelings of affection befitting a friend will remain. But I can say with certainty what has remained with us: a wealth of indelible memories and many friends, images of great suffering, but also of great humanity. Each of us leaves Albania touched, especially in our soul. Professionally, on the other hand, what remains is the experience of a humanitarian mission with a high level of ... I believe this is the first case in the world of a humanitarian operation carried out by an unarmed army.” Have your soldiers ever been in danger? “No, never. The population was never hostile and, on the other hand, the Albanian Police provided our security.” As you leave, do you have the impression that all the Albanian authorities...? Would you now like to offer a greeting to the people, too? “With great pleasure, and my greeting is just one: thank you for understanding us, and good luck.” It was a great experience, both humane and professional. day after day have been conscious of their usefulness and of the gratitude of the Albanian people, among the poorest and most desperate, where they found a great opportunity to expand their work. We came here as friends, and a friend does something without expecting anyone’s thanks.” This mission initially came for just six months, but in fact stayed for two years. Why? “After the first six months, it was the Albanian Government that asked us to stay; the emergency continued and there was still a need for our help. Then, gradually, Operation Eagle joined us, organised by Albanians, and now our role has finally been exhausted.” Months ago, there was talk of an agreement— Albanians. So, Edi interrupts? “Yes, it’s true, the last courses were held last summer, in July. At first we taught the military radio stations are currently in operation, used by the Albanian Navy to coordinate with the ships of the WEU fleet, which is monitoring the embargo. We would have continued with lectures of a military nature, theoretically covering the general organisation of an Army, but we stopped pending an agreement. As far as I know, meetings are still taking place between the representatives—

THE SCANDAL At last, here is the full list of people questioned by the Italian investigators in Tirana. There are ten, including Sokrat Plaka. Then the complaint arrives from Rome... “Alia helped Levant Co.” Evelina Canale’s investigation in Albania EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — “There were irregularities in the dispatch of aid from Italy to Albania in 1990. In the selection of the company Levant Co. — for the supply of food products — the then president of Albania, Ramiz Alia, was involved; he is said to have had an interest in favouring that firm over other firms for personal reasons.” This is the latest accusation to come from the Palace of Justice in Rome, immediately after investigator Evelina Canale’s return. The mystery surrounding the outcome of Canale’s secret mission to Tirana is thus revealed. Previous investigations into what is called the “aid scandal” in both countries had already accused other former senior Albanian and Italian officials. Meanwhile, although the investigations are still continuing, Canale arrives in Tirana to address an important part of the scandal only a few hours after her Albanian colleagues returned home. They had worked in Italy to find new evidence. Because the missions in Rome and Tirana were kept under surveillance, owing to the secrecy of the investigation, reports of new facts had been absent. But the allegations emerged only a few days later: “The president’s son, Alia, maintained links with Iliria Holding, a company connected to Levant Co. itself. The latter, however, was a trading company that could supply only certain types of products.” But official sources from Italy are now going further: “Precisely for this reason, with Ramiz Alia’s help, requests for urgently needed products such as meat and grain were transformed into requests for canned peas, frozen chickens and fruit juices. In other words, precisely those products that Levant Co. could supply.” It is strange that in Tirana Canale did not ask to question former President Ramiz Alia himself as a witness; he is now being held in Tirana Prison on other charges. “The people were heard as witnesses through the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, in the presence of the Letter Rogatory Commission that came from Rome,” Fatos Dervishi and Arben Qeleshi, who had investigated the scandal in Italy in the days before, told Gazeta Shqiptare. “All the testimony gathered was handed over to Canale, along with copies of the records of the depositions and a number of official documents held in the Albanian file on this scandal.” During her seven days in Tirana, Canale questioned 10 witnesses, only one of whom was in custody: Sokrat Plaka, former deputy minister of Foreign Affairs. The other witnesses were Reiz Malile, former minister of Foreign Affairs; Ylli Çabiri, former minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations; and Fisnik Tartari, director of Department 101. They are: Ridvan Qarri, inspector at the State Control Service; Roland Xaxo, former deputy director of Albkontroll in Durrës; Bujar Frangu, head of the Albkontroll branch in Tirana; Bujar Shehu, former deputy director of the Port of Durrës; Shane Korbeci, former minister of Foreign Trade; and Fatmir Kondi, former head of the Merchant Fleet Planning Branch in Durrës. The Albanian witnesses’ statements must have been considered by investigator Canale, since many facts are now being confirmed for the first time. “Levant Co.’s prices were higher than those paid by Italy to another company that had also supplied Albania.” But the Palace of Justice in Rome now has a clear picture of the scale of the scandal, including as regards medicines. “Italy sent tonics to Albania,” ANSA confirms, “instead of urgently needed medicines, such as insulin.” Judge Evelina Canale Former president Ramiz Alia

Tourism plan TIRANA — (Ar. Me.) — The state can no longer keep the Tourism Hotels. “Our financial resources, the services these hotels currently offer, as well as many other limitations,” Lazër Marzreku, Deputy Minister of Tourism, told Gazeta Shqiptare, “make it impossible for us to retain them and preserve the purpose for which the Tourism Hotels were created.” Since the beginning of this year, more than 20 tourist facilities have been assessed and put forward for privatization. The first phase of hotel privatization also began in July. The two large hotels at Durrës Beach, Kruja and Butrinti, may be put up for auction. Their starting auction price will be no less than 500 thousand dollars. The second phase of privatization has now begun, providing for many other tourist facilities to be put up for auction. All this is being done in stages so that current requirements can be met until privatization is complete. “The policy we are pursuing is to attract foreign investment,” says Marzreku. “An auction is the best method. But the procedure needs to be faster on the part of the privatization boards in the relevant districts.”

Gazeta Shqiptare’s initiative of giving readers old panoramas of several Italian cities has been a great success. Indeed, many people who were unable to find them on the market have asked us to repeat this initiative. For this reason, GSH-ja has made this request; Gazeta Shqiptare will continue today as well to distribute a panorama together with the newspaper, as a gift for readers.

IP.1.2 A DELEGATION OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY TAKES PART IN THE PABSEC PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY — The Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation met for its autumn session. A delegation of the People’s Assembly, headed by deputy Abdi Baleta, is also taking part in the session’s proceedings. Baleta delivered a report on behalf of the Assembly’s Committee on Political and Legal Affairs. BSEC — founded in 1992 — serves as a coordinator among the parliaments of member countries. IN SARANDË, POLICE CATCH SUSPECTS INVOLVED WITH CARS COMING FROM ABROAD — “A large number of cars coming from abroad have been stolen in Greece and Italy,” declared the head of Road Traffic for the Sarandë Branch. These facts were confirmed only in the last five days, based on information received from Interpol. Recently, police departments have also been checking vehicle registration documents and ownership papers more carefully to determine which cars are entering. During this year alone, customs offices have seized 900 cars; more than 900 additional cars have come to these districts compared with last year. 127 MILLION LEK FROM THE PROPERTY OF SHKODËR’S DOGS? STILL REMAINS UNPAID — More than 127 million lek remain unpaid from the property of 1 Nëntori? ... (text partly illegible) ... IN KUKËS, DISPUTES BETWEEN ENTERPRISES HINDER THE COLLECTION OF MI- ... (the lower part of the text is partly illegible)

The athlete now spreads the Bible; Gjirokastër signs an American woman GJIROKASTËR — (Fl. Al.) — Any Albanian basketball player who aspired to play alongside an American colleague could be called crazy. But, quite unexpectedly, at the beginning of 1993 this became reality. With one small difference: none of the Albanians joined the NBA, other American professional teams, or university teams over there; instead, an American woman came to Albania. Her name is Star Gary Blake, and she now plays for Gjirokastër’s women’s basketball team. At 1.82 metres tall and 20 years old, she may make history in Albanian basketball, since she has finally received FIBA’s approval to play for an Albanian team. In the United States Blake had a tract promoting her sport as well as the Bible. Blake was born in Washington and, after high school, also studied sociology. Her wish to play for Gjirokastër’s basketball team was held up by a requirement she had to submit ... (part illegible). Star Gary Blake came to Albania with her parents, two brothers and a sister. Gjirokastër is now also her home, as her family works in this city to spread to submit ... ... earlier to the International Basketball Federation. This approval arrived in January, during the First Phase of the Albanian Basketball Championship. And it was precisely in these weeks that Gjirokastër’s team achieved and won its first championship game. Blake will remain in Albania ... (the final part is cut off/illegible).

On page 2

High price index Inflation threatens January–October, 36% increase ON PAGE 3 Germany: Nazi’s manual sent by mail And a letter bomb in Vienna ON PAGE 2