The fourth case in Albania The emigrant infected while staying in Italy A victim of cultural racism CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — Italy, which should have offered her a new life, instead gives her a life as terrible as can be. The dramatic story of the young Albanian woman, who contracted the AIDS virus while abroad, may seem like nothing more than the merciless play of fate shared by many emigrants. In fact, it is not. This young woman was not the victim of a road accident or some random assault. She was the victim of ignorance, for which she is blameless, since others are at fault. When she left Albania, AIDS was a disease unknown in this country, and no one could inform her of the dangers facing her. It is not so in Italy: AIDS is a widespread, well-known disease, and everyone knows how to protect themselves. Everyone except emigrants. Recent incidents in Italy have demonstrated racism. But the worst violence that can be inflicted on a non-EU citizen is cultural discrimination. The young Albanian woman did not know how to protect herself from AIDS because no one—in Italy—explained it to her. ARMAND MISRO TIRANA — AIDS has struck Albania again. This time it has hit a woman. A young woman has thus become the fourth Albanian victim of the disease of the century. “Yes, it is true,” Mimo Boci, head of the AIDS Office at the Ministry of Health, confirms to Gazeta Shqiptare, “another seropositive case has been confirmed.” The laboratory results have now confirmed everything. Indeed, the test report once again states: infected with the AIDS virus. This time the virus was discovered by chance. The woman—who had been feeling unwell for some time—had gone to the doctors in her town. There she had also had blood tests. The first results had already sounded the disturbing alarm. From there—in order for everything to be fully confirmed—they were sent to Tirana, to the special laboratory at the Institute of Hygiene, for further tests. But even the results from there could not rule out the presence of the virus: AIDS again. There is no longer any doubt. These days, another file has been opened in the offices of the specialist doctors. Once again, it is “AIDS 4.” However, so far the routes by which this woman—who herself still does not know that she is seropositive—contracted the virus are unknown. Only one fact is known: some time ago, she stayed in Italy. The only reason to suspect that the virus was transmitted there is that it may have been contracted through sexual relations. AIDS officially received its first visa for Albania in June last year. The first victim—a seropositive person—was a married man and blood donor. Just one month later, another blood donor tested positive. The painful series continued in January 1994 with a young man. He had lived in Greece for a long time and had presented himself for testing, which confirmed his suspicions. For all three, it is now almost certain that the route by which they contracted the virus was sexual. “Sexual relations,” the specialists emphasize, “are the most likely route by which AIDS is spreading in Albania. This is because many people still lack the right information to protect themselves, even though connections with the outside world have now grown considerably.” The events that took place in Italy have been dominated by no one—in Italy—had explained it to her. It is no mystery: in Italy there is no initiative (street posters, press messages, television programs) to inform Albanians—foreigners in their own [country?]—about how to protect themselves from the hidden danger. And AIDS is the most hidden and most insidious danger of all. This, too, is racism. Cultural racism. While we wait for scientists to discover a vaccine, the only solution that can be attempted to fight AIDS is information. So there is nothing else to do but speak, write, explain: this must be done in Albania, for the Albanians who live here. But it must also be done abroad, in every country, in every language.

“The faxes came to my home because there were no other fax machines” Aid scandal: former president testifies at trial TIRANA — Though they remained at a distance and exchanged only fleeting glances, on Friday afternoon, before three judges, two prosecutors and more than 100 people present, Fatos Nano and Ramiz Alia shook hands, even though no one noticed. But it was a handshake made only through words of praise: “Nano worked with energy, competence and culture to secure food for the population.” Just minutes after this testimony by former President Alia, defendant Fatos Nano replied to Gazeta Shqiptare: “Ramiz Alia’s testimony was on the same level as the one on which he governed the State, a judgment I formed in my dealings with him as prime minister.” Thus ended, with only a very brief comment about Fatos Nano, Ramiz Alia’s first public testimony concerning the aid scandal. This time the former President Alia had reserved his longer comments for the company “Levante Co”—accused in Albania and still under investigation on the other side of the Adriatic—the defendant Sokrat Plaka, the fax machine at his home, and also the governments of Italy, Turkey and Greece. WHO BROUGHT “LEVANTE CO” TO ALBANIA? Although former President Alia stated in his testimony that this company had been selected during the Çarçani Government, the real mystery, concerning the names of individuals, remained obscure. “The question now arises: who brought ‘Levante Co’ here? Whereas I say, why shouldn’t this company have come?” Alia testified at the trial. “As for the order I am alleged to have given Sokrat Plaka—even though I do not know of any written document about it—what matters is to assess whether or not that order served or not that order served Albania.” (Photo Hektor Pustina) The Bari-based company that siphoned off Italian aid in Albania. According to Alia, too, the best argument for not suspecting anything dubious about “Levante Co” is the fact that the Italian Government had entrusted the company with 30 billion lire. SOKRAT PLAKA’S GUILT “Plaka is innocent because he carried out a proper order.” According to former President Alia, “Plaka was a typical bureaucrat—in the good sense of the word—and as a diplomat he could not take any action that ran counter to Albania’s interests.” PERNIOLA’S FAXES Asked by the presiding judge why Perniola’s faxes came to his home, Alia replied: “At that time, as far as I know, neither the Presidium of the People’s Assembly nor any other state institutions had fax machines.” Although Alia acknowledged receiving the faxes, he did not specify their number or contents, except to say that he had instructed his son—Arben Alia—to send them immediately to the Prime Minister’s Office. THE ROLE OF “LEVANTE CO.” “Do you have any document showing that someone ever said ‘Levante Co’ was a ‘crooked’ company?” Alia asked rhetorically, while explaining Plaka’s role—even served Albania.” Alia did not disappoint expectations: he spoke at length, managing to say nothing. Or almost nothing. Edmond Laçi

Tirana, new municipal decision

The attack remains mysterious TIRANA — The Democratic Alliance Party reacted strongly immediately after an attack by three unidentified people on its Presidency member, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Aleanca” and People’s Assembly deputy, Teodor Keko. The serious incident took place on Thursday evening as Keko was returning home with his wife. Very close to their home and the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, three unidentified people attacked him, and one of them struck him above the eye with an iron knuckle-duster, causing a serious wound. A day after the assault, Keko was out of danger, although doctors recommended bed rest because of the severe hematoma. A few days earlier—this time in the city of Shkodër—unidentified people had attacked the deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Aleanca”, Gjergj Zefi, in the street; he, too, is now out of danger. The Democratic Alliance Party’s statement expressed strong protest against the repeated attacks and, following the latest incident involving Keko, also mentioned the murder of Gjovalin Çekini, one of the party’s leaders in the Shkodër district. (p.re.)

Tirana, new municipal decision TIRANA — Enough with kiosks in Tirana. This is now the message issued by the Tirana Municipality. No more new kiosks will be built in the capital. Started three years ago, the “kiosk” process gained considerable momentum last year. They sprang up almost every day on every corner of Tirana. The most popular locations became green spaces and gardens, which little by little began to be covered in concrete instead of grass. But now this phenomenon, too, has come to an end. A decision by the Municipality and the Tirana Territorial Planning Council—taken last month—will no longer permit further construction. Meanwhile, kiosks whose permits are provisional, and which are barely standing, must improve their appearance. As for those erected illegally, the Municipality will intervene, in accordance with the law, to demolish them. In addition to this decision, the Urban Planning Directorate has also drawn up a special plan to create sites for the construction of supermarkets and large, modern shops in the capital.

Infrastructure TIRANA — “We are determined not only to continue our assistance to Albania but also to increase it,” said Alen Mayhev, Director of the PHARE Program, at a meeting with President Berisha. Mayhev handed Berisha the “Eurobarometer” study prepared by the “Gallup” Institute, according to which Albania ranks first among the countries of Eastern Europe for citizens’ confidence in the country’s democratization process and the development of the market economy. Berisha, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the assistance that the European Union is providing to Albania.

THE TELEKOM BRANCH IN KUKËS DISCONNECTS THE DISTRICT COUNCIL’S PHONES — The phones of the Kukës District Council have not been working for more than a month now. The council has not paid its dues to Telekom for some time. This is why the local branch of the latter decided on its own to disconnect all telephone lines. If payment continues not to be made, Telekom will also impose other sanctions on the District Council in accordance with the law. NEW APARTMENTS IN KAVAJË — Apartment construction is under way in Kavajë. Work is now proceeding to complete the buildings—around 140 of them—that had been left unfinished. Meanwhile, the remaining ones are expected to be completed by March 20; these include the construction of another 80 apartments, where families whose homes have been reclaimed by their owners are expected to be housed. In addition, citizens have submitted a large number of requests to build private homes. AFADA SEMINAR IN SHKODËR ON BUSINESS TECHNIQUES — Learning business techniques is the main topic of the seminar organized in Shkodër by AFADA. The seminar aims to help the association’s members keep accounting records so that, through bookkeeping, they can monitor their businesses and make the right decisions. IN MIRDITË, POLICE ARREST A CRIMINAL WHO HAD BEEN WANTED FOR 3 YEARS — The Police had been searching for Mark Ndoun for a year; he had committed the ordered crime [wording unclear in the original]. Mark had previously killed a young man on the platform by stabbing him. Throughout this period, the man wanted by the Police had stayed at his own home, near his relatives in Burrel.

Infrastructure

Bosnia: fighting breaks out again in Maglaj Repatriation of refugees halted ON PAGE 2 Goods worth around 5,000 dollars held up in a warehouse Stocks waiting for buyers ON PAGE 3