MIGRATION A major operation by the Italian Anti-Mafia authorities: 14 arrests for trafficking refugees from Albania to Italy. A base in Vlorë... People smugglers in jail The Chinese mafia behind the clandestine migrants VLORE — Behind the big business of smuggling Albanian emigrants, the shadow of the Chinese mafia emerges. The alarm comes from the Anti-Mafia Prosecutor’s Office of Lecce, which for several months has been conducting secret investigations into this phenomenon and on Tuesday uncovered it by ordering the arrest of 14 people. The only ones who escaped arrest are two Chinese citizens, considered representatives in Italy of the organized crime run from Beijing, but now also wanted by Interpol. This time, too, the operation involved a group of Albanians who had been running clandestine migration to Italy by bringing over people of Chinese, Pakistani and Russian origin and, of course, Albanians as well. The operating base of the organization was in Vlorë, where the Italian authorities reported cooperation with port officials. The landing places for the clandestine migrants are the beaches of Apulia near Otranto and Lecce. The Italian police seized five motorboats with powerful engines that were used to transport the clandestine migrants, while six others are also being sought: they call it the “black ship” and it is a large motorboat painted black, used by the suspects at night and therefore able to blend into the darkness. Leaving from Vlorë, where there was a meeting place and a waiting point before departure, hundreds and hundreds of Albanians and people from the Middle East have reached Italy, to be transferred onwards to France and Spain, at a price paid by each person ranging from 800 to 1,200 dollars. According to the anti-mafia investigators in Lecce, in fact, there are strong links, suspicious pacts and other Italian-Albanian organizations dealing with the same “business”. The fourteen people arrested on Tuesday in Italy — and often also present in Albania — are ultimately considered members of a hidden Apulian gang. They are Silvano De Michel, 42, Uldo [?] called the boss, Valverzi Mario, Alberto and Alfredo De Miri, 47, 45 and 43, Antonio Monaco, 50, together with his sons Fabio, 25, and Andrea, 19, Santo Caldararo, 47, together with his son Antonio, 20, Giuseppe Petrachi, 44, Marco Antonio My, 25, Damiano Aurello De Pascalis, 32, and Alessandro Cafaro, 19, all residents of the province of Lecce. Also jailed is a public official: Antonio Michele Sciol[?], 48, commander of the water police station of the port of San Foca, in whose offices the clandestine migrants arriving from Albania were hidden. Just two months earlier, the Italian police had arrested in Otranto seven Albanian citizens linked to the same organization. They are Robert Shena, 31, from Tirana, Elton Taushani, 22, Viron Dema, 28, Ylasi Dardha, 40, Alfredo Zili, 27, Adrian Dedo, 20, and Cim Deda, 20, all from Vlorë and now returned to Albania. The most important development now is the involvement of the Chinese mafia in this activity. Along with the Russian and Japanese mafia, the Chinese mafia is considered one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. Its presence in Italy has been reported for many years, but this is the first time that its involvement in Albania and other Eastern countries has come to light. Carlo Bollino A group of clandestine migrants

The Tirana lawyer disputes Prosecutor Duka’s request Today is the final hearing for Fatos Nano EDMOND LAÇI TIRANE — “I have no doubt at all, and I think the Court of Appeal will also not take the initiative to grant Fatos Nano an acquittal, as we are requesting.” Agim Tirana, one of the lawyers of the PS leader, after hearing Prosecutor Petrit Duka’s request to uphold the decision of the Tirana Court, gives Gazeta Shqiptare his opinion on the final ruling to be announced today at 8:30. But even though, for the first time, the Court of Appeal had requested the possibility of a full study of the Nano file, also promising to examine all the documents held by the former chairman’s defense, the lawyers have remained dissatisfied: “We are at the very least raising the indispensable need to send the case back for retrial,” says Tirana, “if only because Nano has still not been acquainted with the material in the file.” According to lawyer Tirana, Nano’s defense would be much stronger and better argued if he were familiar with his own file. The proceedings at the Court of Appeal — which again “prosecuted” Nano, just like the Tirana Court — in the first two hearings once more set the positions of the defendants against those of Justice. On one hand, Prosecutor Duka requested the reduction of the sentence from 3 to 2 years and for Halitn Goga from 12 to 10 months, while for Nano everything remained in the original position. “The decision of the Tirana Court is based on law and evidence,” emphasized the prosecutor’s representative among other things, while lawyer Tirana called his request merely a repetition of the Tirana Court’s decision. “Absolutely no reference was made by the prosecutor to any of the 101 documentary pieces of evidence that we submitted for the first time,” says lawyer Tirana, “because these documents were extremely important in determining the innocence of our client.” Nevertheless, the final decision of the Court of Appeal, which will decide on Nano, Gjinin and Halkon, remains enigmatic — and for a few more hours. Because Plaka — who had not filed an appeal — has now submitted to the Tirana Court’s decision, which had found him guilty but left him at liberty. For the other defendants, after the request of the Court of Appeal prosecutor, the burden of another lawsuit still hangs over them, namely the civil one, even though for Nano it is 300 thousand lekë lighter. “If acquittal is not granted,” Tirana concludes, “whatever the other decision, it matters little. We will appeal, as the law provides, to the Court of Appeal.” Fatos Nano

“We have evidence to state that the involved Chinese mafia has found in Albanian ports a route to send people from Chinese, Asian and Southeast Asian countries to Europe.” This is the statement given to Gazeta Shqiptare by the anti-mafia prosecutor of Lecce, Cataldo Motta. The same prosecutor adds: “At the same time we also have sufficient grounds to say that this clandestine trafficking, carried out by this branch of the Apulian organization, may have expanded with the cooperation of some elements from Albanian public organizations operating inside the ports, especially that of Vlorë.”

TIRANE — It has happened like this too. A group of Chinese people who had been waiting for a long time to be transported illegally to Italy ended up liking the wall in Shëngjin. Swept up by the “dream” of the consumer paradise, the Chinese had made contact with the owners of speedboats that transport clandestine migrants. After paying the agreed sum, the Chinese realized they were setting off, like many others, for Italy. That was not all! The boat that was to transport them had left, as usual, at night, and for many hours the Chinese believed they were truly heading west, but in fact the course was north. At a point near Shëngjin, the speedboat brought them to shore with its engine and they were told to sit down and get off. They only did so in vain, because they had been deceived, and the little Italian they managed to mutter did not help them at all. Facing the area and heading toward the police — which they may have anticipated — but alive they did not manage to reach the clear, fast sea [?]

Tirana-Athens TIRANE — Once again there is tension between Albanian diplomacy and Greek diplomacy. Following the latest accusations and complaints made by the Athens government — in relation to the arrest of 6 members of Omonia — to numerous international organizations, including the CSCE, Tirana immediately responded with a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “Albania is ready to provide any international institution with all the documents proving the link between the 6 arrested persons and Greek secret service bodies and the unconstitutional activities that the latter have carried out in Albania.”

A NEW CHURCH IN DELVINE — A new church has been completed in Delvinë. It is called the Church of St. Eukalizmon. Its construction required a very large amount of work over several months. The new church was built on the site where, many years ago, the main church of the town of Delvinë stood. Until the destructive campaign against religious beliefs in 1967, the Church of St. Mary was located here. Now in its place stands a completely new church built from donations by local residents and various Orthodox believers. A NEW POULTRY FARM IN DURRES — A joint Albanian-Italian enterprise has put into operation a facility with more than 25,000 chickens that today produce nearly 20,000 eggs a day. At the same time, production has started at a plant for the concentrate used as chicken feed, which will produce 8,000 quintals per month. The managers of this company have planned that by the month of June a new battery system will be fully operational, increasing production to 55,000 eggs per day. The enterprise has also produced good results in terms of employment. 65 people work there.

— Another victim of road accidents. This time in Fier, a collision between two cars caused the death of one person and injuries to four others. The accident happened on the road near Kumani during Tuesday. The two cars — according to the initial investigations, the fault lay with the driver of one of the vehicles, who has been detained by law enforcement — struck each other hard. As a result, 23-year-old Skënder Xhavit Çeliku died on the spot and 4 people traveling in those vehicles suffered various injuries. All four — in serious condition — were immediately taken to the intensive care unit of Fier hospital. En.M.

The Environment Committee intervenes TIRANE — The clashes between the country’s economic development and environmental protection have begun to appear sharply in Albania too. In this case, the first comes this time from the Environment Committee, which speaks in defense of an environment of the pearl of Albanian nature, the Blue Eye, near Sarandë. According to some projects by the Albturizm enterprise and the local authorities of Delvinë, tourist buildings are planned for this area. Several hotels and other commercial-tourist facilities are proposed to be built near the spring of the Blue Eye. According to the prepared projects, this rare natural beauty should no longer remain only for nature, but should also be used for people and foreign visitors. It is precisely here that the protest of Albanian environmentalists arises, who intend to address Prime Minister Meksi himself on this matter, also asking for his intervention. “Such a thing would damage this beauty and lead to the destruction of the ecological balance in this area,” explain the specialists of the Committee for the Protection of the Environment. But while, on the one hand, the specialists’ concern is the primary one — and is truly justified — on the other hand another issue arises. Should the future of tourism in Albania be considered, or rather, should this tourism not be developed precisely in the most beautiful places? After all, tourism is an industry and not a small one in terms of returns. Therefore, let a solution be found so that it can develop, but the environment is not destroyed. Armand Mero

CURSIVE REALITY ELBASAN — 54-year-old Bashkim Arabi has not been able to survive the injuries he sustained in the fire. Now the burns, first inflicted by the fierce flames on Bashkim and the three children he tried to save. From the burning house, he managed to pull out three girls, but one of the 18-year-olds from the station is no longer alive before the flames, and the fire had them in the nearby house. Bashkim’s wife, the mother and later the mother again left and are in serious condition. The family is left without a home and together with Bashkim’s relatives funds are being collected, as the society has contributed little. The municipality administration is taking care of the Arabi family. The old man was injured outside[?] and neighbors came to help him. The serious impact from the fire. The authorities have been mobilized at the scene and are verifying the causes of this damage. Only a few days earlier, Bashkim Arabi and his three children had been left without a roof over their heads. To help this family, an action was launched in the city to find temporary accommodation. Unfortunately, the 54-year-old could not withstand the consequences of the burns. Fatos Baxhaku

“Partnership for Peace” Russia debates in Brussels High-level NATO meeting ON PAGE 2 Survey by the Association “Albanian Consumer” “More active laws for our rights” ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? Readers of the editorial office may publish economic notices free of charge. Send your message, no more than 30 words, from 9:00 to 13:00 to Gazeta Shqiptare, Rruga Bajram Curri, 370, or in Bari: Viale Scipione l’Africano, 264 Indicate in your message what you are looking for and offering, your name and address FOR RENT — one room and one kitchen with a balcony. Interested parties should contact phone number 26076 or the address: Rruga “Korça”, Building 79, Staircase 1, Apartment 11 in Tirana (opposite the Yugoslav Embassy). FOR SALE — a house with two rooms and one kitchen with a yard, area 150 square meters. Address: Rruga “Ibrahim Abdullai” number 3 in Tirana. WANTED — worker to provide employment contract as two new trucks are needed. Offering for which a capacity of 22 tons is required. Tel/fax 2777. FOR SALE — a house in Sarandë, two rooms and one kitchen with sea view. Address: Neighborhood no. 9, Building 41. (interested parties should contact) FOR RENT — an apartment with 4 rooms and 1 kitchen. Interested parties should contact phone number 3904. Address: Rruga “4 Dëshmorët” number 9 in Tirana. Fredi Abazi near Porta Sarandë from 8:00 to 15:00, tel. 301 240 WE ARE LOOKING FOR — a worker for the agency of the company “Drita”. Interested parties should contact for the necessary information at phone number 49254. FOR RENT — a private house with a yard, 2 rooms and 1 kitchen. Interested parties should contact phone number 3904. Address: Rruga “4 Dëshmorët” number 9 in Tirana.

ELBASAN 2000 - Permanent Fair The first major fair of the Italian Product and Shopping Center 1,600 sq. m. of exhibition space, 30 specialized stands. All services for the entrepreneur. Opening from 30 May Guarded outdoor parking Internal and external security For information tel. 0545/2325-2482 - Rruga Shkumbini 25 Road to Cerrik/Elbasan Bologna - tel./fax 0039/5155245