The 31-year-old seropositive man tested positive during the analyses Fifth Albanian case discovered The 31-year-old seropositive man tested positive during the analyses He donated blood, he had AIDS Fifth Albanian case discovered TIRANA — What was expected to happen has happened. AIDS has raised its head again and struck. And, surprisingly, it has reappeared after a full five years, registering its fifth presence in Albania — at the end of June 1993 it caused its first Albanian victim — and from the same area it knocked on four doors, and the person affected by the terrible virus is a blood donor. The first suspicions arose at the Blood Center itself in Tirana. From the analyses, carried out as always before blood is given, it turned out that the regular donor — a 31-year-old, married and with one child — is positive. Doctors are convinced that the virus has affected the organism. The final answer will be given by analyses carried out in laboratories abroad. In any case, even regarding this there is no room for doubt. In the previous tests only one word was recorded: Seropositive. This is how the person affected by this frightening disease in Albania is presented. For the latest case, the details and the source of the virus are not known. For now, the specialists can only suspect. According to them, the infection is through sexual relations. For the rest, it will be the 31-year-old from Tirana himself who will explain. He has now been informed that he is affected by AIDS. (Ar. Me.) ARMAND MERO TIRANA — Albanian healthcare is under the shadow of an alarm and AIDS. The confirmation of the fifth case, beyond drawing the most urgent attention, has now set off a health alert because the 31-year-old affected is a regular blood donor. Dozens of other people — who may have been exposed in Albania through his blood — are now at risk of being infected. The final word, however, has not yet been said. Specialists still have doubts. "There are two alternatives" — explains the doctor at the Blood Center in Tirana. First, that he may not have been infected. And second — though highly unlikely — that this person had the virus, but antibodies had not yet formed in him, and this did not allow it to be detected earlier." Meanwhile, specialists are now in motion. In all hospitals they are checking the list of people who received blood from the 31-year-old seropositive man — their number is still unknown — and then they will undergo analyses to verify whether they have been affected by the virus. "Be careful with sex" The fact that this is the third time that a seropositive person has turned out to be a donor increases the concern even more. "As long as we continue the system of payment for giving blood" — explains Kociraj — "we will always have the risk behind us." In fact, those who donate blood today come from the lower strata of the population and, as a result, are considered by specialists to be people potentially more exposed to infections. The rates at which AIDS is spreading in Albania are becoming increasingly alarming. In many cases, it is suspected that the person may not have been infected. And the second — though highly unlikely — is that this person had the virus, but antibodies had not yet formed in him, and this did not allow it to be detected earlier." Meanwhile, specialists are now in motion. In all hospitals they are checking the list of people who received blood from the 31-year-old seropositive man — their number is still unknown — and then they will undergo analyses to verify whether they have been affected by the virus. The fact that this is the third time that a seropositive person has turned out to be a donor adds even more concern. "As long as we continue the payment system for blood donation" — explains Kociraj — "we will always have the risk behind us." In reality, those who donate blood today come from the lower strata of the population and, as a result, are considered by specialists to be people potentially more exposed to infections. The rates at which AIDS is spreading in Albania are becoming increasingly alarming, and specialists even predict that they will increase even more in the future. Concerned are also those who in recent times... at our hospitals... show Besim Syri, Deputy Minister of Health — that people voluntarily go to undergo AIDS tests. But that alone is not enough. In fact, while on the one hand the state has opened centers throughout the districts, as well as specialized laboratories — one such facility is expected to begin work these days in Shkodër — on the other hand public awareness remains very low. People still continue to follow the same ideas and show with low-level expressions — internal contradictions. In doubt, they prefer to keep away, not understanding that with it comes the great risk of what is now called the disease of the century: AIDS. And this time Nur Iliho is not about unclear relationships: "The fact that out of five cases, four were contracted through sexual relations, is quite significant. People still do not understand the importance of preventive measures. And for this the strong support of the press and information itself is needed."

A new business center ELBASAN — The first permanent fair in Albania. And the third initiative by Italian investors, who through their 15 companies founded in Elbasan a very special business center. "This fair gives the signal of a modern Albania that has emerged from the emergency phase," says the Italian Ambassador Paolo Foresti while inaugurating the "Elbasan 2000" Fair. "And it has begun to apply development techniques, typical of the economies of Western countries." It was the company "Elbasan Servis" with president Gjangelo Vacei, protagonist of the opening of Elbasan 2000, which may soon become a real reference point for Italians seeking to present themselves in the Albanian market and for young local entrepreneurs themselves. There are a total of 32 separate micro-pavilions, where dozens of ceramic, hydraulic, sanitary, electrical products, glass of every kind, and various stationery items are displayed. This Fair also includes equipment essential for those who practice or wish to open driving schools, as well as literature, mainly on agriculture. But the most interesting aspect of "Elbasan 2000" is its operating method. Permanent firms have already been designated, which will continuously keep this commercial center open. In addition, every month special days and weeks will be organized with exhibitions of the sectors that are included in them. In this way, businessmen and honest traders will be able to conclude various contracts among themselves. Meanwhile, the Fair can also turn into a business "school", since the organizers have thought of providing different knowledge in this field through lectures and seminars. It will be "Calderini" — the largest Italian publishing house — which will bring rich literature on agriculture to Albania. To make this center as practical as possible, Albanian and foreign private individuals also proposed the opening of a counseling office, through cooperation with the Publishing House "Onufri". Everything will also be completed with the opening of a travel agency abroad as well as the presence of a senior economist and a lawyer — permanent employees of the Fair — who will serve Albanian entrepreneurs in their commercial activity. (r.e.)

TIRANA — "The government has made a mistake in economic policy..." Unemployed youth TIRANA — "The government has made a mistake in economic policy by choosing the path of taxes and not that of stimulating production". It is Kastriot Muço, chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania, who expressed — at a press conference organized immediately after the talks that this union had with the Government — reservations and harsh criticism of the position taken by the Meksi cabinet regarding the handling of a number of economic and social problems. Muço criticized the practice followed for the privatization of small and medium-sized enterprises, the drastic rise in prices and the low level of wages or mass unemployment. He called for greater transparency from the Government on these issues. "The vast majority of Albanians — Muço stressed — live at subsistence level, which is 6,800 lek per person per month. They are forced to spend over 85 percent of their wages on food alone, while — he continued — in developed countries food takes only 10-15 percent of income." The chairman of the Confederation expressed dissatisfaction with the Government's promise to raise wages on time and the failure to deliver them now, which it has justified by the achievement of economic indicators. "They have not specifically told us what these economic indicators are" — Muço explained. (An. St.)

TIRANA — "The United States of America will be increasingly present in Albania". With these words, William Rayerson, the American ambassador in Tirana, opened the ceremony organized on the occasion of July 4, the 217th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the USA. At the new residence, among the many guests — President of the Republic Sali Berisha and Prime Minister Meksi were present — Rayerson expressed optimism about further relations between the two countries. (A. M.)

Përmet, after the privatization of the agricultural enterprise PËRMET — The irregularities verified by the branch of the State Control in Gjirokastër... PËRMET — The irregularities verified by the branch of the State Control in Gjirokastër regarding the privatization of the facilities of the Qilarisht Agricultural Enterprise have been finalized with criminal charges against those responsible and the annulment of 5 land purchase contracts. Specialists from the State Control found an artificial increase in the depreciation responsibilities for 22 privatized facilities. As a result of this fraud, 945 thousand lek less were collected into the state budget. Of the 80 people who used the facilities, only 12 signed land purchase contracts, while for an area of 6,554 square meters there are no contracts at all. The control also confirmed other shortcomings such as non-payment for the land by the buyers, non-collection of the values for the listed facilities, and the cancellation of losses and accounting entries. Thus, the value of the sold property, amounting to 935 thousand lek, instead of being deposited in the Agricultural Bank, was used for salaries and pensions. Also uncollected are 760 thousand and 587 lek on the claim that the goods had been stolen or burned. (a. s.)

"A gift" from Gjirokastër GJIROKASTËR — A strange itinerary for two children's books... GJIROKASTËR — A strange itinerary for two children's books written by a writer from Gjirokastër. In the hands of Bosnian children — shaken by war and its horror — besides the bloodstained toys there will also be "Arushi Dudushi" and "Letraka flutakare", two books that almost a year ago had also crossed the Adriatic, serving Italian children. "Being close to my books even in Bosnia-Herzegovina," says author Bekim Harxhi to "Gazeta Shqiptare", "was truly a rare emotion for me; I always want to reflect as widely as possible the life of grown children". Thus, a passionate group from "Toba" — volunteer doctors and Malteser — after a chance meeting with the teacher of the poet Angelika, had taken from his "Arushi Dudushi" the children's books, even publishing them first in Italy. Now Harxhi's books are making their way toward Bosnia together with the humanitarian aid of this state, included in the "Pinokio" program. (r. k.)

Former President Ramiz Alia is said to be ill and to need a surgical intervention: first (of all this) political laughter — it is done by Italian Alexander Langer, MEP, with the Brussels newspaper, about the sentence (of Alia) of 9 years in prison. Langer, first with the president and the Italian parliamentary MEP (ga ipërse) has said other things: for two years Alia has been for an opposition outside, but this may be more denying. His sentence has no absurdity; the other way was done by the student journalist and not by the student revolutionary movement. Victims and heroes of the World Cup Argentina, the fall of a star Figures and curiosities from USA '94 On page 3

The arrest warrant for Craxi has been requested The judges are being advised on this matter ON PAGE 2 Martino: Albania should enter the Mediterranean club During the meeting in Egypt ON PAGE 2

Claudio Reyna, the United States midfielder hindered by the... Brazilian wind

SHKODËR, ACCUSATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN EDUCATION — A denunciation and a serious accusation against the Economic Center of Education in Shkodër. Speaking about the 1991-93 period, the current head of this Center, Eduart Perjaku, told journalists that corruption, violations and major abuses, carried out by people still so far beyond legal responsibility, were frequent. According to an inspection report — carried out by experts from the Control Sector, Shkodër — cases of misuse in the field of education and from outside were also found. TIRANA, SYMPOSIUM ON FAMILY PLANNING — Problems of population and the health of mother and child in today's Albania, and of family planning, were the main topics discussed at the Symposium held in Tirana "For the Qualification of District Health Services in Albania". Many foreign specialists from organizations related to family planning took part in this event. SARANDË, AID FROM CYPRUS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ARRIVES — The businessman from Sarandë Bakiu (?) has delivered to the sports enterprise, Klanra, two containers with supplies. A very fruitful and valuable contribution. They contain various materials for the population and for young people. Another piece of aid for the city's infrastructure from Cyprus is also expected soon.

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