Meeting at the DP. Will two first ministers go? “Local government is changing” The referendum hurricane continues TIRANA — The wind of renewal will sweep not only through the government, but also through local government. The Democratic Party — whose leadership met on Friday evening — is planning a series of changes both among representatives of local administrative government and within the DP itself. It is not yet known when this post-referendum hurricane will arrive. The news that several ministers will be replaced is indeed making the public curious about who the newcomers will be and which of the old guard will be sent home. According to unofficial sources, the most urgent changes will be made in several ministries. “The party is going through a period of profound reflection,” Tritan Shehu, DP secretary-general, explained to Gazeta Shqiptare after the leadership meeting. “This reflection began before the referendum, but is certainly also connected with the result of the vote. We want to give the party’s activity greater momentum and energy; we want to find more capable, more dynamic people; we want to fight corruption, strengthen our presence and correct the mistakes we have made during three years of reform.” Shehu acknowledges that the DP is already laying the groundwork for decisive participation in the 1996 elections. “It is a renewal process that will take place over the coming months,” he adds. “I don’t think the changes will happen in just a few days.” New ministers? “Prime Minister Meksi will put forward the names.” Will the party’s political line change? “No, the general line will not change, although we have decided to broaden our relations with all the other parties, both those represented in Parliament and those outside Parliament.” Any examples? “For example, Balli Kombëtar, Legaliteti...” And the Socialist Party? “We will seek dialogue with them too, and again, because we want to find common ground on the Constitution. We are open to the Socialists, although we are categorically opposed to the idea of a coalition.” DP headquarters

Ministry: “She had been negligent” ELBASAN — The first measures have been taken to punish those whom the authorities have identified as responsible for the cholera-ridden madhouse scandal. The large number of deaths among psychiatric patients within a few days had made it essential to establish responsibility and identify the specific people behind it. The Ministry of Health has dismissed the director of the psychiatric hospital. Health authorities consider former director Engjëllushe Shaqiri responsible for “negligence and irregularities in the documentation,” and therefore she can no longer run this important institution. According to the Ministry, the alarm at Qarr[it?] was raised much too late: only after the first five deaths had been recorded. Much the same had been confirmed to Gazeta Shqiptare by another hospital doctor. Another doctor has now been appointed in her place. On Thursday, the vibron struck mercilessly once again. Another psychiatric patient was unable to withstand the advanced state of the disease. He died on Thursday evening, surrounded by the suffering of the other patients. The latest case makes the list of victims in the cholera-stricken psychiatric hospital even longer. The latest news has once again stirred international solidarity. Further medical aid intended for the most persistent cholera hotspots is arriving in Albania today. The humanitarian aid has been organized by the Municipality of Bari. It consists of 1,450 containers of hypochlorite, used for disinfection, and 160 tests that will help identify the vibron in suspected locations. The useful cargo will be accompanied to Albania by Luciano Alberghi, a municipal councillor in Bari, who is also a member of the non-governmental organization “Italian-Albanian Association for Cooperation.” But hopes are still pinned on the release of the remaining 450 million lire from the aid allocated by the Italian Government on 15 September, as soon as the cholera alarm was raised. While 50 million have so far been disbursed, the remaining 450 million will have to wait until the World Health Organization decides how this sum should be spent. The international health authorities have not yet taken this step, which could be of particular importance for cholera-stricken Albania. Mentor Kikia

The writer speaks about politics “I think it is in the country’s best interest for the former president of Albania, R. Alia, as well as the Socialist leader, F. Nano, to be released from prison, regardless of what they have been accused and convicted of. I make this request publicly to President Berisha. In making this request, I emphasize what is in Albania’s best interest, and do not take the publicity surrounding it as an assessment or reassessment of these two figures. Perhaps the illusion has been created that because they are in prison, they may have hindered some important matters and actions in today’s Albania, and that they are therefore extremely important. I think that people can hinder and damage a cause or a country even if they are insignificant. I do not think R. Alia or F. Nano are ordinary, but neither do I think they have cost anything at all seven, and that one can speak of certain national interests in their regard... I repeat, with all sincerity, that I want both of them released immediately. It is up to them to understand and want this release. That does not matter much to me...” Interview on page 3 Photograph of Ismail Kadare

: “The mission ensured protection for the minority” TIRANA — Van der Stoel’s latest account of the situation of the Greek minority in Albania. It was at the 29th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials, held as part of the CSCE Review Conference, that Stoel stated: “The Albanian Government’s decisions on the education of the minority comply with all international norms and conditions.” In his statement, Stoel referred mainly to his latest visit to Albania, from 17–23 October this year. According to the report presented by Stoel, the port has room for some improvements — there are no signs of inter-ethnic tensions in Albania, and the Greek minority is not discriminated against. (p.re)

Shkodër, trafficking damages the Buna embankment SHKODER — Fuel-smuggling activity is putting several areas along the Buna bank at risk of flooding. It is the villagers themselves — especially those in the village of Samrish — who, involved in the illegal trade, have damaged the embankment. The Water Directorate’s Sub-Shkodër Water Sector sent heavy machinery to close the breaches and avert a possible disaster. Despite the resistance they encountered from many villagers, the embankment was repaired with the help of the village headmen as well. But not much time passed before many villagers reopened the breaches — apparently driven by profitable interests that are vital to them — on the pretext that the Buna River embankment runs through their gardens. These are very wide openings cut through the embankment — apparently serving as “ports” for the smuggling boats — through which the Buna, swollen by the rains, could surge. In the past, this embankment belonged to the “Heroi-në” agricultural cooperative, while it is now administered by the Water Directorate. The Water Sector for the Sub-Shkodër area sent heavy machinery to close the tracks and prevent many villagers reopened them — — on the pretext that the embankment lies in their gardens. Thus, while fighting to secure their livelihoods, many villagers are putting them at risk. Fortunately, there are laws both against smuggling and for the protection of water and drainage works. Na. Me. with the help of the village headmen as well, the embankment was repaired. But not much time passed before many villagers reopened them — — on the pretext that they are

The Jewish trader gives away 20 of them

TIRANA — Minister Alfred Serreqi will be absent for some time from the helm of Albanian foreign policy. While there is talk of changes among department heads, Minister Serreqi’s latest problems are of a different kind: health problems. Struck by an illness — there has also been considerable talk of anemia and partial memory loss as a result of various kinds of trauma — Serreqi has been forced to make the long journey to the US, where he is currently being treated at one of its clinics. No precise medical confirmation has yet been announced regarding Serreqi’s physical condition. Official reports, still unclear, have stated that in recent days he has undergone a delicate operation. The surgical intervention had not been anticipated by the Albanian doctors who had carried out the initial diagnoses.

TIRANA — Albanian homosexuals have addressed the public with an open letter. In it, they once again explain their situation in Albania and the demands that they believe are entirely justified. But rather than setting out ultimatum-like demands, the arguments presented by Gay Albania (SGA) — the name of their still semi-illegal association — are an attempt to show others there, whom they call “normal,” the situation they are in. To take this step, Gay Albania has used the occasion of December 1, the international day of the fight against AIDS.

TIRANA — A dream come true: a man from Israel left the Hotel “Dajti” building in the Albanian capital very happy. His valuable bag — containing $120,000, as well as several thousand pounds sterling and other banknotes — was returned to him just minutes after he had lost it, and it cost him only... $20. The incredible story began in the corridors of the Hotel “Dajti,” where an employee, F.A., found an “orphaned” and mysterious bag. “When I opened it, I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he told Gazeta Shqiptare. “Nevertheless, without a moment’s hesitation, I handed it over to the director.” For several hours, the businessman from Israel had to try living without his precious fortune, until the hotel managers finally managed to identify the rightful owner of the bag of dollars. This was an especially welcome gesture for the Jewish businessman, who, as a token of gratitude, gave $20 to the employee who had found and returned his $120,000 fortune... (FLA)

Protest

4 houses burn down on the border with Montenegro Four houses in the village of Vilë-Lgar, in the Koplik municipality, Shkodër district, on the border with Montenegro, have burned down completely. The incident occurred in the early morning hours as a result of an electrical short circuit. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The local authorities immediately took care to collect materials. In Gladë këlli vut, in Shkodër district, 16 other houses have burned down; the families living in them will soon be accommodated in completed houses. Killed accidentally because of speeding Ardian Bizhë, 26, has died in a car accident caused by excessive speed. He was married and crashed his car in the morning while travelling in his Mazda on the Gjirokastër–Tepelenë road. A little earlier, two passengers in the car had refused to continue the journey because of the excessive speed. Appeals have been made because of the high speed in this district, recently recorded on this road. Lezhë: Catholic church helps education The church has provided assistance to more than 4,000 people at five schools in the municipality of Kallmet and the Lezhë district, which will be furnished with libraries and the necessary equipment. Peter Mëhilli, a furniture maker in Switzerland, together with his family and the families of this municipality, and Don Marjlan, have offered a donation of 10 dollars to replace 150 chairs and provide registration books for two windows for the schools. The Catholic church provided 8,900 desks and chairs to the area and the surrounding villages.