The fourth case in Albania The infected migrant contracted the virus while staying in Italy Victim of cultural racism CARLO BOLLINO TIRANE — Italy, which should treat all migrants equally, continues to behave differently toward Albanians. A young girl has entered Albania already ill with the AIDS virus. If she had been stopped in Italy in time, she most likely would not have been infected. But the Italians had left her without checks. Thus cultural racism, contempt for migrants, especially Albanians, also becomes the cause of a human tragedy. AMANTI MERO TIRANE — AIDS strikes again in Albania. This time it has found a female victim. A young girl has become the fourth Albanian victim of the disease of the century. “Yes, it is true — M. Boçi, head of the AIDS Office at the Ministry of Health, confirms to Gazeta Shqiptare — another seropositive case has been verified.” Laboratory results have now confirmed everything. In this analysis, unfortunately, it is written again: infected with the AIDS virus. This time the virus was discovered by chance. The woman — who had not been feeling well for some time — had gone to the doctors in her town. There she had blood tests done, and the initial results had raised a worrying alarm. From that point — inexplicably — the local doctors had not dared to tell her anything. It had taken the intervention of Hygiene specialists to responsibly establish the necessary examination. And so the victim of the AIDS virus reached the final tests. Now there is no more doubt. In the offices of the specialist doctors, another file was opened these days. According to it, many years ago the girl had worked in Italy. The doctors suspect that she was infected then. It cannot be said with certainty whether this came from sexual intercourse or from the use of infected blood. But one thing is clear: in Albania, the cases discovered so far affected by this deadly disease have in common that the infection came from abroad. It is not like that in Italy. AIDS is a widespread, known disease and everyone knows the risk. But here, especially in migrant circles, the latest episodes place Italy and the Italians before a moral responsibility: by not treating Albanians the same as other migrants, by leaving them outside information and screening, they increased the risk for them. If the Italians had shown the same care as for other migrants, perhaps this girl would not today be the fourth victim of AIDS in Albania. No AIDS

“The faxes came to my home because there were no other machines” The aid scandal, former president testifies at the trial TIRANE — Even keeping their distance and avoiding each other with only glances, in the courtroom on Friday, before the three judges, the two protagonists of the sensational事件 found themselves face to face for the first time: former prime minister Fatos Nano and former president Ramiz Alia. Nano, seated in the dock, Alia standing before the bench as a witness. An unusual scene for Albanian politics in these years. Former president Alia’s testimony was needed by the defendant Fatos Nano to prove that faxes had arrived at the offices of the presidency linking the institution of the head of state to the activities of the company “Levant Co”. Nano had claimed that the presidency knew about this activity and that certain documents had been forwarded to the president’s office. For this reason the defense lawyer had requested that Alia be called as a witness. Former president Alia stated that during the period when he had been head of state, there was no fax machine at the presidency and that, for this reason, some messages had arrived at his private home. “The faxes came to my house because there was no other fax machine at the presidency,” Alia declared. He added that this did not mean the presidency had any link to the activity of the private company mentioned in the trial. Alia explained that the documents brought to him were not treated as personal materials, but were registered and followed the official channel. According to him, relations between the company and state institutions could not automatically prove the president’s personal involvement. In the courtroom, during the confrontation, only a brief handshake was observed between Alia and Nano. Former president Alia as he arrives at court (Photo Hektor Pustina) THE FAULT OF SOKRAT PLAKËS The faxes of the joint-stock company that managed the Italian aid in Albania. Also according to Alia, the best argument for not believing any of the suspicions about “Levant Co.” was the fact that the Italian government had entrusted it with 30 billion lire. THE PERNIOLA FAXES Asked by the presiding judge about the arrival of Perniola’s faxes at his home, Alia replied: “At that time, as far as I know, neither the Presidium of the People’s Assembly nor many other state institutions had a fax machine.” Although he admitted that the faxes had arrived, Alia did not acknowledge their number or their contents, except for the fact that he had ordered them to be given to “Arben Alia — so that he could immediately send them to the Prime Minister’s Office.” Alia gave no explanation of the content: he spoke at length and in detail only about the fact that the faxes existed, not about what they said. Edmond Laci

Tirana, the new decision of the Municipality TIRANE — No more kiosks in Tirana. This is the message issued by the Municipality of Tirana, which has decided to build a new policy regarding the use of land. In a statement, the Municipality announces that the construction of new kiosks in the capital is now prohibited. The decision was taken to stop the occupation of sidewalks, green areas and public squares by temporary structures, which, according to the municipality, have caused urban disorder and obstacles to traffic. It is also announced that a review process will begin for existing kiosks, with the aim of relocating or organizing those that affect public spaces. The Municipality has warned that the responsible structures will intervene with administrative measures to enforce the decision. As a result, citizens and private entities are asked no longer to take initiatives to place kiosks without permission, while penalties have been announced for violations. The decision is seen as part of the effort to give Tirana a more orderly urban face.

Infrastructure TIRANE — “We are determined not only to continue aid to Albania but also to increase it,” said Alan Mayhew, director of the PHARE programme, at the meeting he held with President Berisha. Mayhew presented Berisha with the study “Eurobarometer” compiled by the “Gallup” Institute, on the basis of which Albanians rank at the top among the countries of Eastern Europe in terms of citizens’ confidence in the country’s democratization process and future economic development. Berisha, for his part, expressed gratitude for the assistance that the European Union is giving to Albania.

The attack remains mysterious TIRANE — The fierce reaction of the Democratic Alliance Party, immediately after the attack carried out — by three unknown people — against a member of its Presidency, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Aleanca” and a deputy of the People’s Assembly, Teodor Keko. The serious incident had occurred on Thursday evening, while Keko, together with his wife, was at home. Very close to their home and to the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, unknown persons attacked him, and one of them struck him with an iron knuckle above the eye area, causing a serious wound. A day after the attack against him, Keko was out of danger, although because of the severe hematoma, doctors advised rest and bed. A few days earlier — in Shkodër — unidentified persons had also attacked in the street the deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Aleanca”, Gjergj Zefi, who is also a member of the Democratic Alliance. In the statement of the Democratic Alliance Party, strong protest was expressed against the repeated attacks, and after the latest incident involving Keko, the murder of Gjovalin Çinki, one of the leaders of this party in the Shkodër district, was also mentioned. (p.r.)

Bosnia, war breaks out again in Maglaj Repatriation of refugees interrupted ON PAGE 2 About 5,000 dollars in goods blocked in warehouse Stocks waiting for buyers ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU WANT TO BUY SOMETHING? This space is free for your economic notices. Send your message, no longer than 15 words, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Bajram Curri street, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. SELL a two-story house with four rooms, a yard with many trees, and also two dynym of land. This house is located 15 kilometers from Durrës, on the Durrës-Tirana road. DURRES: I am looking for a buyer for 4.5 dynym of land near the city. RENT a one-story villa, with four rooms and a kitchen, with annex, two pot and parking. Address: “Ferit Xhako” street, no. 38, Tiranë. RENT a two-story house in the center of Shkodër, both bathrooms and 3 rooms and a kitchen, with yard. Interested persons should call 42621, from 9.00-14.00. I WIN a two-story house with yard, with 10 rooms and 2 kitchens, with 1500 square meters of land, on “Budi” street, Kamzë hill, near Tirana. BUY land with an area of 650 square meters. Address: Tefta Tashko street, building 663, staircase 1, apartment 1, Tiranë. I PUT on the water an area of 650 square meters. Address: Tefta Tashko street, building 663, staircase 1, apartment 1, Tiranë. RENT an apartment near the Durrës restaurant, first floor, with one room and a kitchen with annex and balcony. Address: Neighborhood 4, “Ferit Xhako” street, building 69, staircase 1, apartment 4, Tiranë.

THE TELEKOM BRANCH IN KUKES BLOCKS THE DISTRICT COUNCIL PHONES — It has been more than a month now that the phones of the District Council of Kukës have not been working. This council has not paid its dues to Telekom. This is also why the branch of the latter has decided to cut off all telephone connections. If payment continues not to be made to the District Council, Telekom will take further sanctions against the institution. NEW APARTMENTS IN KAVAJË — Construction has begun on the new apartments in Kavajë, with shops on the ground floor. These apartments will house 80 families. Meanwhile, work is under way to complete the relevant infrastructure. AFADA SEMINAR IN SHKODER ON BUSINESS TECHNIQUES — A seminar organized in Shkodër by AFADA. The aim of the seminar is to introduce new methods of management and business. Representatives of various business and administration sectors took part in the seminar. IN MIRDITË THE POLICE ARREST A CRIMINAL WANTED FOR 1 YEAR — The law-enforcement authorities had been looking for him for a year for theft and other crimes. Finally the Mirditë police managed to arrest the wanted person.

Zattere 1411 - Tel. 0039/41/781611 - Fax 781805 - Tlx 410045 Ferries for passengers, cars, trucks DURRES - BARI - ANCONA TRIESTE - DURRES From DURRES to BARI every Tuesday departs at 22.00 every Thursday departs at 12.00 From DURRES to ANCONA: every Sunday departs at 12.00 From DURRES to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departs at 19.00 every Saturday departs at 20.00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRES: DETARE SHTETERORE Tel. 052/22233 - Fax 22911 - Tlx 4148 Agency in ITALY BARI: AGESITEA Sri - via Lilisdia, 4 Tel. 0039/80/331555 - Fax 330628 - Tlx 810043 ANKONA: MARITIME AGENCY Sri - Via XXIX Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204915 - Fax 253023 - Tlx 530090 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Sri - Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460059