A new menu in hospital and prison At 24:00, someone looks after those who are rejoicing TIRANE — It is impossible not to feel the special atmosphere of New Year’s Eve even in places where not everyone is able to celebrate. For many people this evening passes in silence, at work, within hospital walls or in prisons, but someone is trying to make sure that even there a small sign of joy arrives. For this reason, in the hospitals and prisons of the capital special measures have been taken so that the New Year’s Eve dinner will be different from ordinary days. In hospital wards, for patients and staff, a richer-than-usual menu has been prepared, while in institutions of punishment the authorities have announced that there will be extra food and a more humane treatment of prisoners during the holiday night. At the military hospital [?], according to the kitchen staff, additional supplies and a better meal have been secured for the sick. Also in the other wards, where doctors and nurses will be on shift, instructions have been given so that the turn of the year does not pass without special attention. This is a way to ease, at least a little, the loneliness of those who cannot be near their families. A better dinner than usual has also been planned for prisoners. The administration of the institutions has announced that there will be meat, sweets and cigarettes, while meetings will also be allowed according to certain rules. In prisons, where the joy of the holiday arrives muted, even a small gesture is seen as an important sign. Although these measures cannot change the essence of their situation, they give the feeling that New Year’s Eve does not completely forget even these people. Thus the year-end celebration also has its backstage: workers on duty, doctors, nurses, cooks, guards and administrators preparing in silence so that others may rejoice. (continued on page 11)

The coming New Year Greetings amid hopes and fears TIRANE — Let us leave the old year behind, that is the message the Albanian government gives its citizens. But not all of Albania sees it that way. This is perhaps the clear conclusion that emerges from the New Year greetings addressed to the Albanian people by politicians, who are truly little affected by the concerns of ordinary people. Avoiding the usual, almost ritual formula that characterized the official greeting before the fall of the regime, President of the Republic Sali Berisha has decided this time to take his cue from the country’s real situation. For this reason he states that «The year that is ending was a year of suffering and great efforts, but also the beginning of great hope». In his message he takes into account the delicate situation in which Albania still finds itself, but he is convinced that «on the path of reforms and European integration, Albania will have a different future». To give a clear idea of what lies ahead for Albanian citizens, the Head of State explained that in the future «even greater sacrifices will be required, even harsher prices will have to be paid», but that all this is «a necessary cost in order to break away from the past». Strong words for a country where four million inhabitants constantly fear rising prices. Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi was also realistic and asked Albanians whether difficult times might be coming, though not without repeating the need for reforms. For him, in the end, the positive aspects must also be seen, because «if today we were to compare it with the situation two years ago, then we were heading into the abyss, now we can say that we will look ahead with optimism». The chairman of the Socialist Party, Servet Pëllumbi, one of the protagonists of the Albanian political scene, appeared calm but somewhat darker, although in opposition after his party’s defeat in the March 22 elections. According to him, 1994 will not be a good year, but a year «of difficulties and great risks», in which Albanians «will try to survive». Pëllumbi appealed to Berisha’s executive to rely more on internal forces than on foreign aid. For his part, the head of the Republican Party, Sabri Godo, greeted the people on behalf of the moderate wing of the opposition. Avoiding polemical tones with the government, he called for «the joining of energies of all Albanians without distinction of political convictions» in order to achieve the «social peace» needed by the country. At least at this moment, neither seriousness nor the presence of the opposition is lacking. In a country where a year earlier no one would have imagined pluralism as a stable reality, the end-of-year greetings also serve as a mirror of a still fragile politics.

TIRANE — Last night in the theatre of the orchestra of the Opera Theatre [?] and Ballet, singer Shaqir [?], soloist of the Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances, gave his solo concert with songs from the northern repertoire. With this concert the singer opened his own future activities, but at the same time those of the ensemble as well, which, as could be felt, was going through a difficult phase. It remains to be seen whether it will be only a moral gift to help get through a financial crisis. The concert was followed with great interest and had a clear success.

TIRANE — Noc [?] will be a special day for the residents of the capital’s home for the elderly. After a long time, for the first time they will have a slightly fuller table and a different evening. The management has announced that for the New Year’s celebration the food will be increased, while some charitable associations have promised symbolic gifts. Although the joy is restrained, for the elderly it is often enough simply to feel that they have not been forgotten. In the halls of the home, where silence usually prevails, there is expected to be music and a small gathering among residents and staff. Many of them will spend the night remembering their families or the years gone by, but with the hope that the coming year will be gentler.

SICILY/OPULL [?] In Sicily, in Piana degli Albanesi, the town of the Arbëresh settlements of Southern Italy, the New Year greeting still preserves the traditional ritual. According to custom, the inhabitants knock on one another’s doors with New Year wishes and exchange bread, wine and sweets prepared at home. In the evening, families gather around the table, where old Arbëresh dishes are not missing. The young people take part in the midnight mass and then continue the celebrations in the square. For the Arbëresh, the year-end celebration is a way to preserve the link with Albanian tradition and with the language of their ancestors.

Here are the service telephone numbers Here are the service telephone numbers in case of possible fires: — Tirana city center fire brigade 222 — Kombinat fire brigade 321 For any emergency — 129 For any water need — 379 Possible city center access [?] — 26 Pharmaceutical service — 1256 Surgical emergency service — 12209 Resuscitation service — 2516 Radiological emergency service — 3920 Police service — 42-302 Traffic police service (Shallvare area) — 2519

Devole offers a story of Sillo after the commander Another war, comedy Revenge in the USA with letter bombs Five dead [?], lives lost [?] ON PAGE 2

For this holiday, “Gazeta shqiptare” will appear twice before the celebration, according to the usual schedule, and once after the holiday. The issue you have in your hands is the penultimate one of 1993. The newspaper will appear again on 4 January. The newspaper wishes all of you and your families a happy New Year and further successes in 1994. C.I.