The house-museum had been robbed once before The painter Vangjush Mio’s daughter speaks The house-museum had been robbed once before “Announced theft” The painter Vangjush Mio’s daughter speaks How can we protect it? The danger of imprisoning art CARLO BOLLINO TIRANE — Albanian art appeals to thieves too. After the wondrous episode of Gllavenica, this time they have chosen the unique works of Vangjush Mio. Unfortunately, even the notorious earlier theft from the National Museum of Tirana was not enough to teach a lesson to the authors of this incident, which took place in the city of Korçë. If these episodes do not serve as an alarm to seriously protect our precious national heritage, then the risk is not only the loss of objects, but also their being locked away in a security prison. ARMAND MERO KORÇE — The House-Museum where my father’s works are was unsafe. This theft was foreseeable. Only a few days after the terrible theft of the painted documents from the famous collection of Vangjush Mio in Korçë, it is Rozeta Mio, the painter’s daughter, who is now making a serious complaint. Mio, deeply shaken by this painful event — 20 paintings were taken from one of the museum’s three rooms — expresses her doubts and reservations mainly about the security and preservation of one of the institutions. She learned of this sensational theft as early as the first hour of the morning. “At 6:00 they came and informed me at home, the guard and the museum director,” Rozeta Mio tells Gazeta Shqiptare. What did you feel when you heard the news? “To tell the truth, I nearly lost my mind. Everything was left empty and stripped bare — only 2 paintings remained, a still life and a “Progradeci” from 1928 — it was truly a catastrophe. I don’t know what to say, I am truly beyond devastated. My father’s works lived through all this time and were stolen precisely after so many years? For me this is a tragedy.” Which works do you regret the most? The mystery of that night KORÇE — The two security employees of the “Vangjush 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 the first confirmations, the alarm about the theft was given only at 6 in the morning, while the guard on the third shift had seen the door open as early as 2 at night. Until noon that day, the museum’s manager had also remained in the museum, and had left only after the arrival of the guard on the second shift. However — and although the investigations continue and all border crossing points have been notified — the theft, or even the current location of Mio’s works, remains a mystery. Only a few days earlier, the protective measures for the Korçë Master Museum had been strengthened. Instead, the thieves had preferred Mio’s Museum. (Ed. La) “All of them were beautiful, especially ‘Autumn’ from 1936, which was among the finest works. But the portraits were stolen, and they are rare. Because in the collection, my greatest sorrow is that I trust they will one day be returned.” Had you feared before that someone might steal them? “The risk of theft had been foreseen two years earlier, when in the House-Museum, with no surveillance and our property — the thief entered for the first time. But they wanted nothing more than to keep watch. Their aim may have been to test things. Since then we informed various institutions, but no one did anything. We even asked for it to be sealed with alarms, but there was no response. So this theft was announced in advance.” And now what should happen to the works that remain? “I do not know how to answer. This event is very shocking and also casts doubt on the fate of the remaining works located in the other two rooms. I would not want it to be closed afterward; they no longer belong only to me, but to everyone. Perhaps it would be better if it were closed for only a while until a secure preservation system is found.”

A decision full of meaning Press freedom: The President pardons four journalists President Sali Berisha in a file photo TIRANE — After several months in prison and controversy, the case of the journalists of the newspaper “Koha Jonë”, accused of defamation, was finally resolved with a touching act, the decision of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, who pardoned the four convicted persons. Immediately afterward, in a public statement he described the decision as a “sign of understanding” and linked it to the protection of press freedom. President Berisha’s decision, decreed “80 journalists e të vërtetës”, was described in various political and media circles as a significant step for the democratic climate. Among those pardoned — besides several names linked to the newspaper “Koha Jonë” — are also members of the Albanian Journalists Association and press-freedom activists. Leka, do[?] President Sali Berisha in a file photo

ICE Service From Sofia commercial consulting for Tirana TIRANË — The ICE office (Foreign Trade Institute) for commercial consulting, at the Italian embassy, has been closed. Since May 1, its sole officer, Giorgio Ruta, is in Sofia and will provide a kind of telephone service; only an Albanian secretary answers and some information may be given by voice, and copies of Albanian legislation can be provided to interested entrepreneurs. For consultation one must be issued? Perhaps at the next embassy, it will open again. From the Italian embassy, in a circular sheet, to get rid of the consulting offices: “Perhaps the commercial consulting office will no longer be closed” it had been said. But bureaucracy is great, and the official assigned to this is actually in Albania. For entrepreneurs who intend to invest here — and need advice from the Italian authorities — there is nothing left to do but wait. Or take a short trip to Sofia. While waiting for a better solution, the ICE office assures that requests will receive written answers from the Bulgarian capital. A paradox that is hard to swallow (at least from afar). (c.b.)

“BSPSH demands are fair” TIRANE — “The issue of electricity prices in the northern areas of the country will speak volumes.” This is the latest statement by the Prime Minister, Meksi, at the meeting he had with representatives of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania, at their request. During this meeting — the ministers and the Minister of State and Xhala deny — the representatives of BSPSH asked for the enforcement of the law on inflation indexation as well as the creation of a partnership with the government. On the demands presented by the trade unionists, Meksi and the other ministers expressed themselves as in agreement in principle.

They are taken to hospital injured TIRANE — An armed robbery shook central Tirana again on Monday evening. This time the thieves targeted “Argjendari Luzha”, located a few meters from the National Historical Museum. In order to achieve their final aim, the thieves first used blunt objects and then firearms. One of the shots seriously injured the jewelry shop employee, who, after a long surgical intervention at Tirana Civil Hospital, is now — according to the medical team — believed to be out of danger. Meanwhile, the owner — after first aid — has left the hospital. The robbers — still unidentified — had ambushed the jewelry store employees, perhaps knowing in advance that their bag contained the shop’s daily takings, which he naturally carried with him. After the incident, which took place at 20:20, very close to the former “Flora” pastry shop, intensive investigations by the law-enforcement authorities immediately began to identify and capture the perpetrators. (e. b.)

ALBANIA IS REPRESENTED IN A SEMINAR OF EUROPEAN ESPERANTO SPEAKERS — Albania is not absent from the Esperanto associations either. For the first time it will be represented. Klartio Agall, an Esperanto speaker from Durrës. She is a member of the Esperanto association and this center — will take part in a Strasbourg seminar organized by the Esperanto section of the European Committee. A CORÇA WOMAN PROVIDES FOOD AID FOR MORE THAN 2,000 FAMILIES — Nearly 2,000 families from Korçë have benefited from the food aid distributed these days. This time it is the World Islamic Association based in Kuwait that brought the aid package to Albania, worth 1,000 lek per package. This association plans to bring another 25 tons of food soon, which it will distribute to needy families in Korçë. GJIROKASTER, A 77-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL IS AT RISK FROM DAMAGE — The 77-year-old school “Drita” in the city of Gjirokastra is in serious danger. Its perimeter walls have been completely destroyed, while its first floor has been turned into a dwelling by several people who forcibly occupied it. Meanwhile the school had requested permission? to other risks; a decision by the City Territorial Regulation Council has granted permission for the construction of a building for goods trade. IN ALBANIA THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF AUSTRIA — The Secretary-General of the Constitutional Court of Austria has arrived in Albania. During her stay she met with several high-ranking personalities of Albanian justice, where discussions were held on the organization and administration of work in the Albanian Constitutional Court.

CURSIVE REALITY May 5, a day of remembrance and a message of unity TIRANE — Memorial ceremonies will be held today throughout the country on the occasion of May 5, the day of the fall in the Anti-Fascist War, 22 years ago, on May 9, the son of Leo known to have been killed by fascist bullets. Qemal Stafa, one of the best-known figures of Albanian antifascism. His murder — over three hundred and as still works in a mystery — has long been taken as the day of remembrance for all martyrs. Now somewhat distant from those slogans and official ceremonies and bankrupt and pushing at doors and the first and second play the ideal of the fallen. Now — like many other events connected to our recent history and the day in the country in something short. Concrete proposals have not been lacking with the idea of establishing a “Corner” — to remember on that day, although Qemal Stafa was a communist and this communist ko[?] — according to them — they would drown and wage war against the occupier. But it is often forgotten that the date of commemoration also has a symbolic meaning. And the meaning of this date is to show the respect of today’s society for the sacrifice made by the martyrs. Whether they were communists — surely many of them had a different vision of the future Albania from the troubled reality created by the dictatorship — whether they were nationalists and were nationalists, the end of democracy. Only thus, by considering it the day of all those fallen without distinction of ideology in war, and by preserving the undying heritage of May 5, it will remain today a message linked not only to the message for the unity of all Albanians today. (a. lax.)

Agreement between the PLO and Israel The long stages of the negotiations ON PAGE 2 The phenomenon “Superlek” reappears on stage Opposing opinions on the causes ON PAGE 3

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