DRUGS Dorian Dervishi, 18, is found at the port of Bari as he arrived by ferry from Durrës. The narcotic was worth 6,000 dollars Heroin bound for Italy The emigrant is arrested with 50 grams DURRES — Heroin from Albania to Italy. The seizure of the drug — the first time this has happened — was carried out two days ago at the port of Bari by the Guardia di Finanza, where a young man from Durrës, Dorian Dervishi, 18, was arrested. Dorian — just disembarked from the ferry coming from Albania — had 50 grams of pure heroin in his back pocket. On the Italian market, the drug is worth more than 6,000 dollars. The drug was packed using a special technique, normally used by international couriers: the heroin had actually been wrapped in gauze soaked in acetone (an acid substance) and then sealed with silicone, inside a special tire. The acetone, because of its very strong smell, serves to prevent anti-drug dogs from detecting the smell of heroin. The tire is used to prevent the drug from being ruined if it gets wet with seawater. Dorian was stopped for a routine check by a Guardia di Finanza officer on duty at the port of Bari: the young Albanian had just disembarked from the ferry that had left Durrës on a morning voyage. He had hidden the packet of heroin in an inside pocket of the jacket he was wearing slung over his shoulders. As for the fact that the drug came from Albania, the Italian police have no doubts: “He was coming directly from Durrës — several officials explained to journalists — so the heroin can only have come from there. Who gave it to him, naturally, is hard to say.” That is the most important question. Who sold the drugs to Dorian Dervishi? The young man emigrated to Italy long ago, lives in Pescara, and had returned to Durrës only for the Christmas holidays. Can a few days in Albania be enough to meet drug traffickers? And then: are there heroin traffickers in Albania? Months ago several areas of the country were found with hashish and marijuana, only light drugs destined for Greece, according to the Albanian police authorities. Nearly a year ago, right in Durrës, the police arrested an Albanian while he was trying to sell cocaine — and a bit of heroin — to the soldiers of Operation “Pellicano”. At that time it was believed that the drug came from Russia, because it was in an ambulance belonging to the army of penance? with a Cyrillic letter. In recent months international police have issued a new alert: with the closing of the Yugoslav border after the war, drug traffickers are trying to pass through Albania in order to reach the wealthy market of Central Europe. Dervishi’s arrest raises the suspicion that heroin dealers are beginning to use this country not only as a transit route but also as a market. Such trafficking certainly does not help exports, at least not the only drugs currently used in Albania, where addicts use pethidine, which is cheaper than heroin. One gram of heroin sells in Italy for 200,000 lire. r. pe. Checkpoint at the Port of Bari and, on the right, the young Albanian discovered with a quantity of drugs

Whose fault is it when the press writes lies? CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — The amount of liabilities and we were wrong. In the article published on Wednesday, we wrote in a way that suggested that Albania held first place among the Eastern countries for external debt, with (1992) at 624 million dollars. We published the news very prominently because we had been assured of it — it was astonishing news. Unfortunately, the source was inherited from a reliable source, and what is wrong is the claim that Albania is in first place, whereas in fact it is among the last. A sign of a solid economy. The information had been published by the Italian Press Agency, ANSA, which had incorrectly processed the ranking, confusing the points and the table response from the World Bank’s Albanian data. ANSA is one of the largest news agencies in the world, with 500 offices in 40 countries, so it is no surprise that it includes Albania as well; its news — usually checked with great care — is published in the most important Italian newspapers and is taken by major foreign press agencies such as Reuters in England, as well as ATS of Albania itself. In a word, the source was reliable and, until then, ANSA had to be considered a safe agency. However, to make the error certain — we at Gazeta Shqiptare take full responsibility and apologize to everyone — starting with our readers — for what happened. We apologize and publicly acknowledge the mistake, because that is what we will do whenever we may err by publishing inaccurate news. We will do the same as is written in theory, because accuracy cannot be placed in doubt by the trust we hope to have earned. It is an obligation of honesty to admit mistakes made. Of course, it was our precise commitment to avoid that unlawful episodes like these be repeated in the future. But how should we do that? At this point we feel it is our duty to open another topic. When we journalists work — and today or tomorrow we all make mistakes — first of all we give journalism. It is hypocrisy to say otherwise: journalists are not to be trusted and publish news carelessly (or else, if they are trustworthy, they err after failing to verify the accuracy of the news). We want to believe that there are no untrustworthy journalists: if such a person existed, they would lose every moral right to continue practicing this profession. But if the journalist is correct, then does the problem of the erroneous news really arise? And the institution? Do the institutions bear the greater share of the responsibility for preventing the press from making mistakes? We believe not. When the head of a public office (whether a ministry, court, police office, or even a hospital) flatly refuses to provide guarantees about a piece of news, that is above all a wrong attitude if the news turns out to be inaccurate. In Albania the press is suffering under a press law, which many journalists have criticized, but which we as a whole have supported. It is precisely this press law that today we want to reform. The law states clearly (Article 3) that “the press is obliged to verify all news before publication”. Correct, very correct. But Article 4 clarifies: “Public authorities are obliged to provide press representatives with the information needed to fulfill the public duty of informing.” In other words, if the journalist has the duty to verify, institutions are obliged to provide information. The law provides for a penalty of up to 5? days’ deprivation of liberty and a fine? for journalists, and this is exactly how it works in practice. In fact, since the Press Law came into force — in a curious paradox — everyone refuses to answer. For the most ordinary news, the press has to wait two days (but never gets an answer), or it is even met with silence (as if the recipients might be disturbed) for every article. It is very clear in an editorial office. But which one? Are these spokespeople? Their phones always ring into emptiness and when they finally answer, they say: “I know nothing.” Or, if things go well, they remain silent, saying: “first we have to speak with the minister.” The truth is different. Almost everyone is afraid to talk to journalists, because almost everyone thinks in terms of the journalist and not in terms of their own function. “The press carries out a public duty,” says Article 3 of the Law. So we call on the country’s public institutions. Up to the President of the Republic, who supported this law and honestly explained that it would serve precisely to ask Albanian public officials: “From you, honesty in administration is required, and the truth can be no other.” We ask for forgiveness when we err and will correct it when we publish false news, but institutions that — by wrongly refusing to provide information — have caused the Press Law together with us must also apologize and pay. Because silence, sometimes, is a greater fault than lying.

Tirana, fewer delays soon TIRANE — Taxis risk being left out of work. Albanians are discovering the bus. The use of these vehicles for moving around the city — according to specialists — is on the rise. While years ago it was the only urban public transport, even now — when the number of private cars has increased — the bus is still considered the preferred option. During 1993, the number of people traveling within Tirana by bus was almost twice that of 1992. Subscriptions therefore rose from 113,000 to 231,000. “This phenomenon is also linked to the improvement of the transport structure from one year to the next,” says Gazeta Shqiptare Hamit Kryeziu, Director of the Tirana Park — “it was announced already in 1992 that there were 13 lines in operation.” At present, 80,000–90,000 people move around Tirana by bus. Of these, 17,000–20,000 are subscribers who travel regularly and use it at least twice. To this figure must be added people who travel without paying a ticket. According to some estimates, their number reaches about 10 percent of the total number of passengers. “For unpaid tickets, the fault lies to a considerable extent with the passengers who travel,” Kryeziu states. “They themselves become part of a ‘silent agreement’ with the conductor.” Demand remains high and the current buses cannot meet it. In the Tirana Park there are 100 buses — only 70 are in use — while the needs are for 150–160. Added to this situation is the poor technical condition of the vehicles, all of which arrived used. Since 1990 alone, more than 60 buses have been taken out of circulation. It is expected that 25 buses will arrive from Italy within the first quarter of the year. This time they will be completely new. “It has been planned for the capital,” Kryeziu says, “to obtain 11 more only used vehicles.” The improvement of the urban service structure in the capital will also be helped by the opening within January of a new bus depot. Some 92 million lek are allocated for the construction in Tirana of one of the largest depots. Its area is 2 hectares and its capacity reaches up to 400 vehicles. It will be used only for urban transport vehicles. Ar. Me.

SHKODER — Growing interest from foreign specialists in the preservation and proper management of the “Marubi” photo archive located in the city of Shkodër. This time the spokesperson for the UNESCO specialists has donated 17 crates of materials and chemicals for the maintenance and restoration of its values. Because of the many unique values contained in this archive — with around 20,000 photographs — the Albanian Government has declared it a national treasure. Meanwhile, the ownership, restoration and protection structure, UNESCO, will also undertake the publication of an album of works from this photo archive.

TIRANE — The staff and students of the “Harri Fultz” school are now more confident in the continuity and success of its work. Out of 100 projects submitted to the American Government for financial support, this school is among the four selected. After 60 years of interruption in activity, this polytechnic educational institution was reopened on 15 September 1993. In total, from its past practice, one objective still remains unrealized. The diploma received by Albanian students is not yet considered equivalent to that of similar American schools, as it once was.

THEATRE The world of theatre mourns the death of the distinguished actor The final curtain for Gjon Karma An artistic life of 100 roles comes to an end. Everyone remembers his brilliant performances in the play «Hamlet», the films «Tanam» and «Our Land». He remains the founder of the theatre archive TIRANE — A life closes within the walls and courtyard of the National Theatre. The cult figure of the outstanding personalities of the Albanian stage — in tears — died yesterday in Tirana at the age of 80? a lifetime of the actor Karma, a life devoted to theatre. Karma, one of the most distinguished actors, left behind 100 unforgettable roles. A character actor, he gave life to performances full of individuality. The figures created by Karma stand out for details found with psychological precision. He appeared in the afternoon at the age of 80, a living part of the history of the Albanian stage, a whole life devoted to art. Karma began his activity in 1934, when he took part in the first amateur theatre societies. Later he joined the National Theatre in Tirana, where he performed alongside Mihal Popi and Naim Frashëri. His many roles include those in “Hamlet” and in the films “Tanam” and “Our Land”. At the age of 50, Karma “officially” left the Theatre, after being put on pension. But the Theatre would remain a memory of his art. For years he worked tirelessly collecting and organizing all the documents on the theatre, thus building its history. Ar. Me. Poster for the film «Our Land», in which Gjon Karma also played

Compared with one year earlier, crime fell by 22% The 81st anniversary of its founding is celebrated Compared with one year earlier, crime fell by 22% Albanian Police: “Happy Birthday” The 81st anniversary of its founding is celebrated TIRANE — Crime during 1993 fell by 21.4 percent compared with the previous year. Investigative effectiveness — especially for serious crimes — has increased significantly. About 75 percent of all registered crimes, 100 percent of sexual crimes committed with violence, 89 percent of the perpetrators of murders and, in other words, over 88.1 percent of robberies have been solved. This successful balance sheet for the Albanian Police was made known by the Minister of Public Order Agim Mustafai, in his speech delivered at the ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Albanian Police. At the same time, Musaraj? described 1993 as very successful in the reform and improvement of the Order Forces, as well as in restoring public calm after its escalation in the wake of the collapse of the communist dictatorship. At the ceremony for this anniversary — alongside ten representatives of the Albanian state, Aleksandër Meksi, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Albania. At the closing of this event, the relatives of members of this service — fallen in the line of duty in the fight against crime — were handed the decorations awarded by President Berisha.

PRESIDENT BERISHA GOES TO TROPOJË TO EXPRESS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER NUDE KAZA — It is to express my deepest condolences — and the Armed Forces of Albania for the great loss suffered by your family and all of Orosh and Mirdita from the criminal death of officer Nude Kaza,’ Berisha emphasized. — he had gone specifically to Tropojë — he expressed condolences to the family and bid farewell to officer of order Nude Kaza. Kaza had fallen in the line of duty a few days earlier. STUDENTS AND PUPILS FROM SHKODRA WILL TAKE PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST ON THE FAMILY — There will be 10 students and pupils from secondary schools in Shkodra who will take part in the international contest “Siluet e legjendë”, on “The rights of the family”. This contest — organized by institutions near the European Parliament — takes place in the international year of the family. Participants may compete with written works, daring or exploratory painting, as well as figurative artistic works. The deadline is Strasbourg, where the European Parliament will be held. IN TIRANA, ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS OBSTRUCT LAND DISTRIBUTION — In Tirana too, unauthorized construction has become an obstacle to the distribution of rural land. Hundreds of hectares of land from former agricultural enterprises, following the movement of people from other districts, have been occupied by unauthorized buildings and services. Only in the Kamza and Valias areas do these surfaces cover more than 200 hectares.

Italy, the Prime Minister resigns Decision on elections tomorrow ON PAGE 2 Today in the capital, an anxious “derby” Coaches of Dinamo and Tirana speak ON PAGE 3