European Commission survey in the countries of Eastern Europe “In ’94 we will be even better off” TIRANA — Albania is the only country, among the 16 interviewed in Eastern Europe, in which family income has increased compared with 1992. Likewise, as noted here too, a large share of the population shows a greater economic improvement. These are some of the results of the “Eurobarometer” survey, published yesterday in Brussels by the European Community. But not all the results are positive: two out of three people (the result for Albania is the same as that of other countries taking part in the Phare program) believe that the democratic process in their country is better, and Albanians are among the few, together with Estonians, who think that human rights are respected. The survey, which will certainly not be without debate, was carried out from 1 to 5 December 1993 by the British company “Gallup” on behalf of the European Community, in its 16 aid-receiving countries in Eastern Europe. Besides Albania — Romania, Slovenia, the former Soviet Union countries, European Russia and Macedonia (called Fyerom by the EC). In all, 17,000 people aged over 15 were interviewed, and were asked questions about the economy and relations with the European Community. This report was also expected to be interesting. A large part of the countries of the East believe their destiny is linked to that of the European Union and only to a lesser extent to that of the United States of America. Albania leads this belief: here 60 per cent of the population said it wants the future of its country linked to the European Union, Albania 50 21 10 Romania 45 17 38 Slovenia 42 37 21 Czech Republic 32 37 31 Estonia 45 30 25 Slovakia 31 26 43 European program 38 30 32 Poland 40 37 23 Lithuania 43 35 22 Hungary 17 28 46 Bulgaria 17 25 45 Lithuania 14 42 34 Macedonia 36 39 25 European Russia 47 25 28 Euro-CIS 40 23 37 Armenia 16 17 47 Belarus 27 27 46 Ukraine 23 23 54 Improving Unchanged Worsening Source: EUROBAROMETER/GALLUP in the Czech Republic this was said by 46% of the population, in Slovenia by 41%, in Poland by 36% and in Romania by 32%. In Russia and in the former Yugoslav republics and Macedonia, the preferred partner for the future is the USA. As said, this is the response of Albanians regarding the performance of household finances. Albania is the only one among the sixteen countries surveyed where private economic conditions have not improved compared with the previous year. In the other 15 countries, on the contrary, one in ten families sees its purchasing power worsen, and only one family in six says its financial situation has improved. Still on the economic front, the great optimism expressed by the Albanian population also shows up in this sense, regarding income. Asked how they foresee the performance of the household economy over the next twelve months, 59% of Albanians answered that they expect an improvement, 21% think nothing will change, and only 10% were pessimistic, predicting a worsening. It is interesting to compare the answers collected by Gallup in the other countries (see the table beside): in Romania, for example, pessimists are 38% and optimists 35%; in Macedonia 25% predict worsening and only 21% improvement, compared with 39% who say they are convinced things will not change. In European Russia the situation is very unclear: 28% predict worsening, 21% improvement, 25% predict that things will not change. c. bo.

Three convictions TIRANA — “I believe in Albanian justice”: Bashkim Hoxha appeared thus, free, even though the judge was called guilty. “The court’s decision was unjust. Aleksandër Frangaj, too, the newspaper man, is free, but only half-acquitted; completely innocent he cannot be called as far as this case is concerned. Here are the two opposite sides of a well-known trial: that of the two journalists of “Koha Jonë”, arrested after publishing a document considered a state secret and which also led to the imprisonment of two senior military officers. The court’s decision had been handed down: journalist Martin Leka will remain in prison for 18 months, while in relation to the news for 4 years, Frangaj and Feta are free. Frangaj, the editor-in-chief, was arrested on charges of spreading state secrets, while Martin Leka — the author of the article — on charges of defamation. Two crimes for which the court has found them innocent. A few days before the arrest, Leka had also been accused of spreading state secrets and the judge was accused of the same. As for the charge contained in Luka’s written statement: “I sent this declaration ad oluntari, it is the statement of a team. Respecting Justice, being bored with information, we must continue to suffer, is it necessary to throw the journalist who had done his work into prison?”

The project will soon go to the Territorial Council “Tirana will be four times larger.” This is the forecast for the next 15–20 years TIRANA — Less industry and more apartments. This will be the future of the capital of Albania. With a greatly expanded area and a developed infrastructure, Tirana is expected to fully take on the features of a modern capital. The project — drawn up on a dedicated initiative by the Institute of Urbanism — will soon be submitted for approval to the National Council for Territorial Planning. “Usually in developed countries,” says Gjergji Kotmilo, Director of the Institute of Urbanism, to Gazeta Shqiptare, “it is the capitals that undergo the greatest changes, because investors mostly come here.” Precisely to cope with this expansion in perspective, it is thought that Tirana, over the next 15–20 years, will become about 3 to 4 times larger. Its boundary line is expected to expand by an area of 20 square kilometers. The direction of expansion will be mainly toward the north — the Babrru and Paskuqan areas. It will also be based on the current structures, determining which values will be preserved, where buildings will be erected and in what manner, while respecting as much as possible and safeguarding the environment. All these changes will also be accompanied — according to the project — by a developed infrastructure. A view of Tirana In this entire expansion, the main core area is expected to be given prominence. Here 70 percent of the surface will be devoted to apartment construction, thus addressing one of the community’s most troubling problems. “However, we cannot make exact forecasts,” explains Kotmilo, “because too much data is lacking, mainly of a demographic nature. So we still do not know exactly what the demographic growth of the population will be, or what its mechanical growth will be. Small spaces are envisaged instead for the development of industry. This development is thought to be reduced so that Tirana acquires the features of an administrative city where services will have priority. Industry should support and supply only Tirana, not produce for others. “Therefore,” continues Kotmilo, “there should not be such a large liberalization. It would be appropriate for the food-processing industry to be developed primarily.” Armand Mero

IN RINAS THE FIRST FUEL SUPPLY POINT FOR AIRPLANES — It will be the well-known company “British Petroleum” that will provide the first aircraft fueling point. The start of this activity became possible on the basis of an agreement signed between the Port Command of Albania and the company. According to the official announcement, work has already begun and it is expected to start operating from mid-March. IN SHKODRA THE PURCHASES OF STATE ENTERPRISES DO NOT PAY OFF THE VALUE — Several state enterprises in Shkodra, privatized some time ago, risk being put up for sale again. This could happen because of a 10 percent loss in the value of the deed by the latest buyers. The reason for this is that the buyers have not paid within the specified deadline. According to this deadline, recently there has been a delay in Likovardor in collecting the remaining requested credit. CLEANING OF IRRIGATION CANALS BEGINS IN FIER — Work has already begun in Fier to clean the irrigation canals. According to the Water Enterprise, the undertaking will be able, after this year, for drainage systems and the first work to bring a measure of production into agriculture. Work is currently under way to effectively prepare the Libofshë area within the framework. THE RETURN OF PROPERTY IN HAS HAS STALLED — It is now the court that will have to account for the process of returning property in the district of Has. This is because, out of 32 submitted requests, only 2 have proper documents. All the other cases lack mortgage or cadastral documentation. There is also not even a map of the pre-war region.

New decision TIRANA — Another university in Albania. It was just announced by the Council of Ministers — at yesterday’s meeting — through a draft decision to establish the University of Vlora. The initiative of the Ministry of Education — which was also the proposer of this university — was taken within the framework of the development of higher education and the need for professionals also in new fields. Thus — in addition to the universities and other higher education institutions in the capital — Vlora joins the group — like Shkodra, Elbasan, Gjirokastra and Korça, which now have their own universities. p. ne.

Complaint against Valer Xheka TIRANA — Valer Xheka, chairman of BSPSH, has been reported to the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. Seeking legal accountability — Vangjel Goleci, Chairman of the Food Workers’ Union of Albania — has accused Xheka of abuse of office and falsification of documents, sent concerning relations between the U.S. Embassy and BSPSH, as well as misuse of this union’s funds for personal purposes. According to the submitted complaint, this concerns a resident from Labirad[?], unknown and with no trade-union position — to whom in September 1993 a visa for the USA was granted, with the trip also paid for by BSPSH. Meanwhile, Valer Xheka’s general reaction: “the person in question,” Xheka explains to Gazeta Shqiptare, “went to the USA at the request of the American union itself.” Along with the complaint against Xheka, Godroli had also submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office an original document from the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, in which Xheka and BSPSH had guaranteed the return of the trade unionist from the USA, something that has still not been achieved. “As far as I know this trade unionist has returned from the USA,” says Xheka, who also responds to the claim in the complaint that a visa with the market price of 21 tickets up to 6,000 dollars: “All this is such an agreement. Everything was done in accordance with the rules and this still keeps it informed?” In any case, the Prosecutor’s Office has still not given its ruling. c. l.

TIRANA — One of the six people arrested after the robbery at the National Historical Museum leaves the cell of Tirana Prison. On Monday the Tirana Court accepted the request to change the security measure for Begator Mane. President of the Civil Guards “Rogat” — after his arrest he waited a month ago and the others were returned and expropriated[?]. Now the criminal case against Mane continues while he is free, although to get to this point he also had to sign the act of resignation, which means that his property[?] was to be blocked by the investigating body — for the reason of not leaving — until Mane goes to trial. c. l.

The mystery of ownership over the “Marubi” Photographic Archive On 11 March the Shkodra Court will rule on the famous collection SHKODER — Court assistance is sought to determine the ownership of what, during the days of the communist regime, had been gifted to dictator Enver Hoxha. This is the unusual story of the “Marubi” Photographic Archive in Shkodra, one of the few Albanian treasures, but also a disputed one, which, currently without offices, is gradually being lost for Mediterranean Albania. The photo archive has extended to its heirs to seek ownership. This concerns the valuable fund that Gegë Marubi — the last artist of this distinguished patriotic family, well known in photographic art — had “given” to the Hoxha dynasty during the days of the “Albanian Cultural Revolution”. But now Gegë Marubi’s daughter, Terezina Marubi — former Chairwoman of the Executive Committee of Shkodra, deputy, and former member of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly during the time of Ramiz Alia — has turned to the Court, even accusing in the court hearing the Heritage Office of the “Marubi” Photographic Archive of having been “for the Hoxha state without any procedural act” and asking to be definitively determined whether it should be possessed, and delivered to the address before 11 March of this year. Thus Marubi had made extensive use of the dictatorship to carry out the family struggle of the class against many historical and patriotic figures, at the national and local level. can be returned once again to its heirs. Perhaps it had been only its owner, Gegë Marubi, who had aroused the interest of communist propaganda to bring his property under control; the “magical” gift to Hoxha had been the 1936 photograph in Shkodra, during the taking over of the government by Baj[o?] Topulli and Muço Qulli and this future dictator had spoken from the town hall balcony. The “Marubi” note says that the precious funds had also been gifted by well-known Shkodra photographers such as Pici, Jakova and Rraboshta, whose descendants may now also be preparing to turn to the Court. Na. Me. A view of Shkodra

An American oceanographic vessel will do it The American oceanographic vessel “Littlehales” will arrive in Albania in the coming days. Its objective is to measure the depths of the waters along the Albanian coasts and in the ports. With these data it will be possible to update the nautical charts, which have not been improved for the past forty years. Yesterday in the place from, but it will be possible to verify whether submarines can easily reach Albanian ports. This is not only about inspection; it will serve the mine fleet or other floating vessels. In the photo, the American ship anchored in the port of Bari for supplies.

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