How can we protect it? CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — Albanian art appeals even to thieves. After the astonishing theft in Glavencë, this time they have chosen works by the distinguished painter Van-giush Mio. Unfortunately, even the famous earlier theft from Tirana’s National Museum was not enough to save them. Or rather, the measures taken by the Ministry of Culture have not been able to ensure that security at 8 important museums and 20 heritage museums currently open throughout the country has been doubled. Ten million lekë a year are spent just on the salaries of guards employed to protect works of art, making up a large part of the internal budget allocated to this ministry. The depletion of these resources, which should have been destined for cultural investment, means that the damage caused by thefts is compounded by the lack of development in this sector. “Anti-theft equipment is needed,” people say. But the museum in Korçë had an anti-theft system. Just two days ago, a senseless theft took place at the house-museum of the painter Vanjiush Mio in Korçë. The painter’s works have now prompted a grave denunciation. Mio, deeply shaken by this painful event — 20 paintings were taken from one of the museum’s three rooms — had placed her hopes and reservations chiefly in the security and protection provided for the site. She learned of the notorious theft in the early hours of Friday. “At 6:00, the guard and the museum director came and informed me at home,” Rozeta Mio tells Gazeta Shqiptare. What did you feel when you heard the news? “To tell the truth, I nearly lost my mind. Seeing the whole room emptied out — only two paintings were left, a still life and a ‘Pogradeci’ from 1928 — was truly horrifying. I don’t know what to say; I am really, overwhelmingly distressed. My father’s works survived all this time, only to be stolen after so many years? For me, this is a tragedy.” Which works do you regret losing the most? “They were all beautiful, especially ‘Vjështe’ from 1936, which was one of his best works. But the portraits that were stolen are rare works in the collection. My greatest regret is that I do not believe they will ever be returned.” were intended for cultural investment, so the earthquake damage “Anti-theft equipment is needed,” it is said. But the museum in Korçë did have anti-theft equipment. Just two days earlier it had been checked and was working: a measure that proved useless. “Keep the works in bank vaults,” Ministry of Culture experts had suggested when museum directors asked what they should do to protect themselves from the threat of theft. Here is the gravest threat: submission and helplessness. Faced with the shocking incidents of recent days, between anger and fear, a dramatic question arises: is it right that the only way to protect art should be to lock works behind bars, as in an absurd and inconceivable prison?

The daughter of the painter Vanjiush Mio speaks The house-museum had been robbed once before ARMAND MERO KORÇË — “The house-museum where my father’s works are kept was unsafe. This theft was foreseeable.” Just a few days after many works and paintings from Vanjiush Mio’s famous collection in Korçë were stolen, it is Rozeta Mio, the painter’s daughter, who is now making — rooms — out — ‘Pogradeci’ from 1928 — will ever be returned.” “The risk of theft had been foreseen as far back as two years ago, when thieves first broke into the House Museum — which is also our property. But apparently they were not professionals, because they had been content with some old weapons that my father had kept. Throughout this period, until quite recently, I went there regularly to see for myself whether the museum was being guarded. And there were quite a few occasions when I found no guard.” What will happen now to the works that remain? What will you do? “I don’t know what to do. This incident is very upsetting and also calls into question the fate of the remaining works in the other two rooms. Nevertheless, I would not want it to be closed, because those works are the most precious thing there is. Besides, they no longer belong only to me, but to everyone. Perhaps it would be best to close it for a while, until a secure protection system is found.”

KORÇË — Two employees serving as guards at the “Vanjiush Mio” House Museum in Korçë, where 20 works by the great painter were stolen on Friday, were immediately detained by the law-enforcement authorities. According to initial confirmations, the alarm about the robbery was raised only at 6 in the morning, even though the employee on the third shift had seen the door open as early as 10 p.m. on Thursday. The door facing the museum; inside the museum, the person in charge had still been there and had left only after the second-shift guard arrived. Nevertheless — although investigations are continuing and all border crossing points have been notified — the logic behind the robbery, as well as the current whereabouts of Mio’s works, remains a mystery. Just a few days earlier, security measures had been reinforced at Korçë’s Medieval Museum. But the thieves had instead chosen the Mio Museum. (Ed. La.)

“The risk of theft had been foreseen as far back as two years ago, when thieves first broke into the House Museum — which is also our property. But apparently they were not professionals, because they had been content with some old weapons that my father had kept. Throughout this period, until quite recently, I went there regularly to see for myself whether the museum was being guarded. And there were quite a few occasions when I found no guard.”

A decision full of significance TIRANA — After several months of imprisonment and controversy, the case of the journalists from the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” accused of disclosing state secrets, was closed with an act of clemency. The decision was made directly by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, who on Tuesday signed a decree pardoning Martin Leka and Aleksandër Frangaj (along with the journalists Ilirian Zhupa and Shyqyri Meka, involved in other criminal cases) and granting them their freedom. This was an important decision, made precisely on 3 May, designated by the United Nations as “World Press Freedom Day.” Leka, sentenced to one year and two months, walked out of Tirana prison yesterday morning. Frangaj, sentenced to six months, is still abroad, where he had gone some time ago. President Berisha’s decision, dedicated to “the 80 journalists killed last year in the name of freedom of the press and of thought,” was welcomed by the entire Albanian journalistic community. “With this gesture,” Nikollë Lesi, director and publisher of the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” commented to Gazeta Shqiptare, “the President of the Republic sent a signal about the serious deterioration in relations between the press and the government.”

ICE service TIRANA — The office of the ICE (Institute for Foreign Trade) trade consultant at the Italian Embassy has closed. Since 1 May, its sole official, Giorgio Ruta, has been at his office in Sofia. Today, only a substitute secretary answers the phone, while a solution to the problem is awaited. The only service she can provide is this: if an entrepreneur needs it, she can send a copy of Albanian legislation, but nothing more. For consultancy, one has to wait. How long? Perhaps until next June, perhaps longer. “At the Italian Embassy, encouraging rumors had been circulating in recent weeks: ‘Perhaps the trade consultancy office will not close after all,’ people had said. But bureaucracy is unstoppable, and the official assigned to this post really has left Albania. Entrepreneurs intending to invest here — and needing advice from the Italian authorities — have no choice but to wait. Or make a short trip to Sofia: pending a better solution, the ICE office assures us that it will deal with Albania directly from the Bulgarian capital. A willingness that takes no account of the 600 kilometers of distance. (c. bo.)

TIRANA — “Electricity prices in the northern areas of the country will be reviewed.” This is the latest statement by Prime Minister Meksi at the meeting he held with representatives of Albania’s Independent Trade Unions, at their request. At the meeting — which was also attended by ministers Shehi and Xhaja — BSPSH representatives called for the preparation of a law on inflation indexation, as well as the establishment of a partnership with the Government. Meksi and the other ministers expressed agreement in principle with the demands put forward by the trade unionists.

Taken to hospital with injuries TIRANA — An armed robbery once again shook the center of Tirana on Monday evening. This time, the targets of three masked robbers were the owners and an employee of “Argjendari Luzha,” located a few meters behind the National Historical Museum. To achieve their ultimate goal — stealing the bag containing jewelry and money — the three men first used blunt objects and then fired a gun. One of the shots seriously wounded the jewelry shop employee, who, after a lengthy operation at Tirana Civil Hospital, is now — according to the medical team — believed to be out of danger. The owner, meanwhile, left the hospital after receiving first aid. The robbers — still unidentified — had lain in wait for the people from the jewelry shop, perhaps knowing beforehand that their bag contained the shop’s entire jewelry inventory, which was taken home every night. Following the incident, which occurred at 20:20 very close to the former “Flora” pastry shop, law-enforcement agencies immediately began an intensive investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. (e. l)

ALBANIA REPRESENTED AT A SEMINAR OF EUROPEAN ESPERANTISTS — Albania is now also represented in the Esperanto association. For the first time, it will be represented by Klartia Agasi, an Esperantist from Durrës. Agasi — a member of this city’s Esperanto association — will take part in a seminar in Strasbourg organized by the Esperanto section of the European Community. FOOD AID FOR MORE THAN 2,000 FAMILIES IN KORÇË — Nearly 2,000 families in Korçë have benefited from food aid distributed in the city. This time it was the World Islamic Association from Kuwait that brought and distributed various aid packages, each worth 1,000 lekë. The association plans to soon bring another 25 tons of food, which will be distributed to Korçë’s poorest families. GJIROKASTER, 77-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL AT RISK OF DAMAGE — The 77-year-old “Drita” school in the city of Gjirokastër is in serious danger. Its surrounding walls have become completely detached, while its first floor has been turned into a dwelling by several people who forcibly occupied it. Meanwhile, the school faces another threat: a decision by the city’s Territorial Adjustment Council has granted permission to build a commercial building. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF AUSTRIA IN ALBANIA — The Secretary-General of the Constitutional Court of Austria has arrived in Albania. During her stay, she met with several senior figures in the Albanian justice system, and they discussed the organization and administration of work at the Albanian Constitutional Court.

REALITY, IN ITALICS TIRANA — Memorial ceremonies will be held today throughout the country to mark May 5, the day of those who fell in the Anti-Fascist War. Fifty-two years ago, on May 5, 1942, Qemal Stafa, one of the best-known figures of Albanian anti-fascism, was killed by fascist bullets. His killing — the circumstances of which are still shrouded in mystery — has long been designated as the day commemorating all the martyrs. By now, the narrow atmosphere of official ceremonies and the false speeches of those who betrayed the ideals of the fallen for money has remained until summer. Now — like many other events connected with our history — this too has become a sculpture. There have been concrete calls for remembrance — one such call was made recently in Kavajë — to designate another date, even though Qemal Stafa was a communist and this... [unclear passage] ...the key issue for many people in Albania has been associated with questions concerning the communist war. A good number of people remember this date as one that has been set aside for commemoration or for damage. It is said that the nationalists and the communists — according to them — were the only ones who fought against the occupier. But it is often forgotten that dates commemorating events have symbolic meaning. And the meaning of this date is to show today’s society’s respect for the sacrifice made by the martyrs. Whether they held communist beliefs — many of them surely had an idea of Albania’s future different from today’s reality. Much of the dictatorship was something they suffered greatly under. Another part of the memory associated with this date includes Qemal Stafa: he was a communist, and the communists — according to them — were the only ones who fought against the occupier. (fa. bax.)

The long stages of negotiations ON PAGE 2 The “Superlek” phenomenon back on the scene Opposing opinions on the causes ON PAGE 3