“Ringjallja” protests against the Financial Police 2,700 tons waiting in Vlora “Ringjallja” protests against the Financial Police New oil seizure 2,700 tons waiting in Vlora EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — The mystery of the cargo of 2,700 tons of oil — imported by the Economic and Trade Company (of former political prisoners) “Ringjallja” — seized by the Financial Police Branch in Vlora on 4 May this year — remains unsolved. Immediately after the authorities issued their final decision and the news was reported through the agencies, an equally harsh reaction came from the Board of Directors of “Ringjallja”. A four-page statement, in which the leaders of the Vlora Financial Police as well as another official in the General Directorate of the Financial Police are accused, was circulated together with a protest addressed to President Berisha and the highest Albanian state authorities. “Our fate and that of our children has been put at stake,” the protest from “Ringjallja” says, among other things, also demanding compensation for the seizure of their goods. Meanwhile, information from the General Office of the Financial Police has made known that “Ringjallja” — according to statements to Gazeta Shqiptare by senior officials of this institution — “is being examined — without prejudice — and a response will be given within the legal deadlines both for their complaint and for the review of the administrative violation”. The story of the seizure of the 2,700-ton oil cargo — according to “Ringjallja”’s statement — began on 23 April, when the ship “Friendship I” arrived at the Port of Vlora. The only inaccuracy — “Ringjallja”’s leaders tell Gazeta Shqiptare — was the lack of a wet stamp on the certificate of origin, for which we were fined 10,000 lek”. Three days later the 2,700-ton oil cargo was blocked and on 4 May the Financial Police Branch in Vlora imposed the seizure measure. Avoiding any suspicion of embargo-breaking by the company “Ringjallja”, its Board of Directors’ statement stresses that perhaps the seizure of their cargo is being made so that other oil importers in Albania may benefit. Meanwhile — according to some sources from the General Directorate of the Financial Police, this case is being given priority, and contact has even been made with the highest officials of the forces responsible for enforcing the embargo, in Naples. “It is a fact — these sources stress — that inaccurate documents have been found. We are talking about a stamp from Russian customs, while the fuel has come from Cyprus.” The leaders of “Ringjallja” themselves confirm that the 2,700-ton oil cargo came from the firm “Voiper” in Nicosia. A mystery that can only be solved after a full verification by the General Directorate of the Financial Police. The Economic and Trade Company (of former political prisoners) “Ringjallja” first became the center of controversy last year, when the Financial Police Branch in Vlora also launched a serious case over a cargo of 550 tons of gasoline. At that time it was “Matelmyx” of Ljubljana — which according to the leaders of “Ringjallja” — had donated the fuel. Initially the cargo — with government approval — was sent by sea to Yugoslavia, but later it arrived blocked, seized and — according to “Ringjallja” — sold, despite the fact that the case was in court. To avoid another cargo, of greater value, suffering the same fate. “We are awaiting an urgent response — writes “Ringjallja” — from the highest Albanian state authorities — because the debt of 432,000 dollars — taken with 20 percent interest in 30 days from the firm “Vefa” and amounting to 510,000 dollars — must be paid by 23 May 1994.” A view of Vlora

After the show TIRANA — It turned out badly for the well-known Albanian humorist and radio commentator Veli Rada at “Spektakli ’94”. Invited by the organizers of the show — held on Sunday evening at “Qemal Stafa” stadium — Rada, after one of his comic acts, was taken to the Police Commissariat. Veli Rada’s unpleasant adventure lasted from 9 p.m. on Sunday — while the other song and humor acts were still continuing in “Qemal Stafa” stadium — until Monday morning. The preliminary charge against Rada was refusal “to obey orders for reasons of duty”, while the Prosecutor’s Office initially dismissed the criminal case. According to the many spectators of this very special show — organized by the Tirana Municipality on the occasion of drawing attention — Rada had also joked about the profession of police officers in his acts. Although the reasons for Rada’s temporary detention have not yet been made public, the preliminary charge of “insulting on account of duty” may have referred precisely to the moments when Rada mentioned police officers. In any case, the incident lasted only a short time and ended with him going home in the late hours. Unofficial sources, however, say that Veli Rada was released after a phone call from his family — only the special memory of a humorous night at the Police Commissariat remains. (Ed. La.)

Computerization center for museum objects It will process the data received from all over the country Computerization center for museum objects Cultural inventory on monitor screens It will process the data received from all over the country TIRANA — Perhaps the most “fortunate” computers in Albania will soon be the ones installed at the National Center for the Inventory of Cultural Heritage in Tirana. They will process material containing around 16,000 movable objects and 200 immovable objects — with all the data for each of them, such as name, historical affiliation, date, location, physical condition, and so on. For the time being, the data are presented on computer monitors and will later be enriched with additional information. According to an official from the Ministry of Culture, “the opening of the new center will make it possible not only to preserve and manage such information, but also to speed up scientific work in the field of cultural heritage.” He added that the center will also cooperate with the country’s museums, which will continuously supply the electronic database with data. In a second phase, the electronic filing system will also use — in the first phase — the existing museum inventories. It also seems that the issue of premises for the new center has been settled: it will be housed in the building of the National Historical Museum. The museum will be one of the closest collaborators of the new center, which will be located on the first floor of the museum. The center will also be linked with the Center for Albanological Studies and the Institute of Folk Culture. Ministry of Culture Fatos Baxhaku

EXPLOSIVE AT THE HOME OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE NEWSPAPER “SARANDA” — A 35-year-old person, dressed in black and with his face covered, placed explosives on the journalist’s door as he was returning home. There are no injuries, but there is material damage. POGRADEC, THE TOURIST VILLAGE OF LIN STILL WITHOUT A WATER SUPPLY — The tourist village of Lin in Pogradec still has no water supply. Meanwhile, day by day new houses and businesses are increasing along the line of the forest of rare beauty, a problem that remains unresolved for this village, which with its beauty could become a very attractive point for tourism. THE CULTURAL PALACE ON THE BOULEVARD TURNED INTO A SHOPPING CENTER — Many facilities of the Cultural Palace in Durrës, which previously served cultural and artistic activities, have been transformed into a trading center. Several small business stalls have been opened. Meanwhile, some of the other vacant halls — not under the administration of the trade unions — have not been used for the sake of cultural activity. FOR THE CITY FAMILIES — 14 million lek have been obtained from the “14 Maj” lottery, with which, over the course of several quarters, poor families in the city of Tirana will be helped. These aid payments have been distributed to more than 7,000 families, at 3,000 to 4,000 lek each. Meanwhile, the measures for distributing aid are being tightened, and many families in some other specific communes are also included.

The Kukës strike TIRANA — Many of the demands of the strikers in Kukës have been considered justified and the first measures to be taken for their implementation have been defined. The Government Commission for eliminating the economic consequences created by the flooding of the Fierza hydroelectric plant has also decided to speed up measures to improve the economic situation in this area, starting mainly with the employment of all able-bodied men. The commission chaired by the Minister of Defense has also approved a series of other promises for the payment of damages caused by the flooding and for supplementary pay for flooded houses.

The Academy lacks financial resources TIRANA — Perhaps now the international book fair — opened on 4 May in Zurich, Switzerland — has ended, but it is certain that even this year, at the end of the year, the publications of the Albanian Academy of Sciences were missing. It is almost unbelievable that “payment in cash” difficulties — which the right of the writer may accept in developed countries — lead in Albania to publications being stored in warehouses. Sinani, Vice President of the Academy of Sciences — apart from those of salaries.” In fact, there are many difficulties beyond the printing of scientific books. Of the 18 journals published, this year only 7 journals and 2 editions are expected to be published. Moreover, the Academy also lacks the necessary payments for mailing the publications it sends to institutions of similar value as well as to libraries around the world, in exchange for copies of its publications. This is how important channels of access to other scientific cultures are being cut off. In addition, it can be added that the promotion of national culture in the world is being threatened; today it amounts to far more than 2,000 dollars. “We do not have funds,” Petrit told Gazeta Shqiptare

— The escape of a sleepy man cost a sleepless night for the public order officers in Elbasan. The three arrested policemen were found in a state of arrest, while the brothers, known for their drowsiness, had also tried to escape. To make a remembrance of a prisoner, they had left the prison, the lawyer had clearly noted that “they left and slept”, claiming they were in a severe condition. The case is under investigation. After the escape of the convicted man from Fier prison — it did not last long. A swift operation by the public order forces did not leave the escapee much freedom, and he was captured and returned to prison. But this time in a much more secure cell. Me. Ki.

CROSSWORD REALITY TIRANA — A new fraud — and perhaps the most spectacular one to date — is being recorded in the trade of cigarettes that are supposed to be withdrawn from circulation at customs. Some traders have opened them as if they were packaged with the “Kastela” stamp — giving buyers in them a little extra quantity. Tirana — in one of the city’s streets — is apparently selling tobacco in bulk, without any doubt and without any fear, in large boxes and packets. These sold items are, in large part, not filled with cigarettes but with paper, cardboard, stones and ash. But their shock did not last long and was followed by a denunciation to the police. The police on the other hand reacted with great caution. Its officers stopped the public sale of these bogus packets. It was clear that no one could understand whose hands the buyer and seller of such packets ended up in, but it was enough to seize a certain quantity and then open them at the source, where they found everything empty. A cigarette seller But the fraud does not end here. It seems that other sellers have also fallen into its net, along with the buyers and the seller caught red-handed. All claim to be victims of this disgraceful transaction. Thus, by following the chain of buying and selling of these packets — a common thing for a few hands and a few cents — the financial fault has already spread. Meanwhile, the unusual search, that of the armed... the questions about the causes of this trade in deceptive “tobacco” continue. Some are convinced that at its core lies the desire for unjust profit. But there are also opinions that present this commercial trend as a form of struggle against tobacco, discouraging its users. Citizens in one of the safe sections. After this, whoever is designated by the law to see such nonsense will have to check the contents of the cardboard packet bought so that only one cigarette can protect itself from expensive frauds in the cell. Ant. Sp.

Athens objects to Berisha’s statements TIRANA — The war of statements between Athens and Tirana continues. This time it is Evan Golev Venizelos, spokesman for the Greek government, who has also raised an objection to the latest steps in bilateral relations. His statement came two days after a press conference by Albanian President Berisha, during which the sensitive issue of Albanian-Greek relations was also discussed. For Venizelos, “the rights of the Greek minority living in Albania are not something that can be bargained over.” His statement was intended “to express an official contempt for Berisha’s position at the latest press conference two days before his departure for Bucharest. In it, the Athens spokesman once again expressed “the Greek government’s regret over the behavior of the Albanian authorities against the Orthodox Archbishop Janullatos”, whom he described as “the spiritual leader of the Greek minority”. Venizelos also criticized the recent arrests of some of the local leaders of the “Omonia” organization, a move which Tirana had not handled with ethnic correctness and had arrested. Meanwhile, one of the best-known figures on the Greek political scene, the Chairman of the Greek Conservative Party, Militiadh Evert, recently visited the region of Dropull, refusing meetings with Albanian politicians. On Saturday the Albanian President had once again stressed that his country was interested in normalizing relations with neighboring Greece, but that this would depend to a large extent on Athens’ willingness to sign the “protocol of friendship”, the document in which the Albanian-Greek border is marked out. For Berisha, ratification of this act by Greece would be a positive signal in future relations between the two states. p. no.

INSIDE Hungary, former communists return Victory of the socialists in the elections ON PAGE 2 The body’s “alarms” should not be underestimated Concerns and ways of treatment ON PAGE 3

TIRANA — The Ministry of Culture is looking for a computer specialist who will direct the laboratories of the National Center for Inventory of Heritage. Within the month it is awaiting applications from candidates, accompanied by a curriculum vitae. In addition, they must meet the following requirements: up to 30 years of age, profession: computer specialist, good command of English, preferably knowledge in the field of art and culture. The Ministry of Culture will then issue the decision it has taken on the basis of the collected documentation.