TIRANA — Albania’s economic reform would not have succeeded without the strong support of the Albanian people. Aleksandër Meksi, Prime Minister of the Government of Albania, on the second anniversary of his cabinet, thanks the people who contributed to all the achievements that he and his colleagues had secured during this period. Alongside his gratitude to the Albanian people — who, according to Meksi, “must be thanked for their courage” — the Albanian Government once again expresses its gratitude and thanks to all citizens, Albanians and individuals who stood by society during the most difficult days of its post-communist existence. Meanwhile, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Meksi Government, deep gratitude was also extended to those who “work abroad willingly for themselves and their families and help Albania.” In his address of thanks, delivered before the Government, Prime Minister Meksi spoke about the main achievements and shortcomings of his cabinet’s work during these two years in office. As the Government’s main objectives for the next two years, Meksi emphasized increasing the efforts and capacity of governing structures, better enforcement of laws and other legislative acts, and a transparent policy for the work and future plans of this Government. (p. rz)

A monument for those killed in World War II Agreement between the foreign ministries of the two countries FATOS BAXHAKU TIRANA — A special monument will be added to the cemeteries of the fallen in Albania. A common cemetery will gather the German soldiers killed during the Second World War: at least 3,600 people. The agreement between Albania and Germany was signed by the two foreign ministers, Serreqi and Kinkel. Fatmiria Cela, a department director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tirana, told Gazeta Shqiptare about the agreement’s contents. “Germany has signed such agreements with a number of Eastern European countries in recent years. Albania was one of the few countries that had still not signed this agreement, which is extremely important for further developing relations.” German servicemen killed in clashes with Albanian partisans will rest here together. Most of them still lie in makeshift graves near the places where they were killed, as commonly happens in every war. Victims of a deranged ideology that forced them to fight and kill thousands of kilometres from their homeland will now have at least one privilege — perhaps the first they can claim in all this: they will be together beneath a monument that will remind people that war is madness, bringing loss not just to one side. The exact number of German soldiers killed in Albania remains to be established. According to Kinkel’s statement in Tirana, about 3,600 have so far been identified. This figure is disputed by much higher numbers that have been cited — although in wartime such numbers often lose their meaning in the face of the humane significance of an act. With this latest gesture, Albanians — who were very harsh toward the enemy during the last war — are showing symbolically and meaningfully an effort toward final reconciliation between the two sides and toward putting behind them the pain of those dark days, now long past. Similar experiences have occurred before. From time to time, people have come to Albania with lists and maps, collecting the remnants of war. Often, members of their group were known by the name “the general and the soldier as an educator,” from Kadare’s famous book. In this way, they may have reached the burial place of Italian soldiers killed in Albania. This time the Germans have had another idea. Soldiers left behind in the country where they fell while trying to end “the war of the Reich” will rest on the same soil as their opponents, those with whom they fought for life or death. But while their relatives can sometimes learn the reason for their sacrifice — perhaps through accounts handed down — they died on foreign soil without knowing why. In the end, when the war is over, the dead remain, united in the same fate. Only the ideal in whose name they were killed differs. And that is no small thing.

The new service will be paid for Healthcare reform advances. Deputy Minister Nuri speaks TIRANA — The family doctor is arriving in Albania as well. A project by the Ministry of Health envisages training and introducing this new specialty into the healthcare system. Thus, every Albanian family will have the opportunity to choose — after paying a specified contribution — a single doctor who will care for it and monitor the health of all its members step by step. “Today, many countries give priority to primary care,” Besim Nuri, Deputy Minister of Health, told Gazeta Shqiptare, “and this service produces better results at lower cost.” At what stage is your project? “This project is in its initial stages. As a first step, the opening of a Chair of Family Medicine at the faculty has been decided. It will provide two years of specialization for students who have completed their medical studies. In parallel, there will be a four-month training course for general practitioners, who will learn the principles of family medicine.” What will this doctor’s duties be? “Every Albanian family will be able to choose its own doctor. This doctor will look after the health of every member of the family: children, women and the elderly, while also providing health education to the population. In practice, this doctor will know every family in their care. Naturally, we will also set a limit on the number of families each doctor can have.” Will this doctor continue to be paid by the state? “A new system will be introduced for this as well. The state will not pay the doctor; the service will be funded through health insurance, of course. It is envisaged that the population will contribute an amount equivalent to approximately 2–3 percent of monthly wages. For those receiving assistance, as well as children, students and others, the state will pay this contribution. The revenues generated will be collected in an independent fund with its own administration and will cover the expenses of urban and rural general practitioners. These doctors will have freely negotiated contracts, and their salaries will be determined according to the number of patients.” What else will this fund cover? “It will also cover some essential medicines. Everyone who pays health insurance contributions will receive a card enabling them to obtain these medicines at lower prices. Private pharmacies will also be included in this scheme.” What problems do you think this project will solve? “First of all, it will address problems with medical services for residents. It will improve the healthcare system in rural areas. For rural doctors and ordinary residents, the services will provide a higher salary [unclear]. In general, this project will lead to an expansion of primary care.” Armand Mero The table shows the numbers of patients admitted to hospitals in Albania, broken down by ward Hospital admissions by selected specialties 1992 1993 1992 1993 Pathology 26,768 33,729; Neurology 3,818 3,840 Pediatrics 35,598 43,619; Psychiatry 2,935 3,104 Surgery 30,459 36,641; Pneumophthisiology 3,038 3,525 Infectious diseases 13,463 15,608; Cardiology 1,969 2,130 Ophthalmology 4,301 3,876; Orthopedics 1,686 1,525 ENT 6,253 6,362; Oncology 1,755 1,763

INSIDE Serbs lose Russia’s support UN seeks to intervene in Gorazhdë ON PAGE 2 Compensation for agricultural land according to fertility The bill is being considered in Parliament ON PAGE 3

ELBASAN — A considerable quantity of calcium nitrate has disappeared from Mjekës in the Elbasan district. Confidential investigations have so far failed to establish whether the calculated quantity of nitrate was stolen from the military plant located in this very village. The only confirmed fact is the arrest of a serviceman from Mjekës, who is now accused of conspiring to steal more than 10 quintals of calcium nitrate from a depot they jointly guarded. — A considerable quantity of calcium nitrate has disappeared from Mjekës in the Elbasan district. Confidential investigations have so far failed to establish whether the calculated quantity of nitrate was stolen from the military plant located in this very village. The only confirmed fact is the arrest of a serviceman from Mjekës, who is now accused of conspiring to steal more than 10 quintals of calcium nitrate from a depot they jointly guarded. Calcium nitrate, also known as a substance essential for preparing explosives, disappeared from this depot in the first days of April ’94. (Ed. La)

Black market bound for Italy TIRANA — The toll is truly alarming: protected animals and birds from Albania have ended up in various European markets. The phenomenon has now also been reported by the police authorities of those countries, and many people are being prosecuted. In Italy alone, between December 1992 and December 1993, more than 3,000 animals and birds brought from Albania were seized. Turtle doves have been among the greatest victims of commercial hunting. According to figures from the Italian Forest Police and customs, more than 5,300 of these birds were sent to the shores of Puglia. After them, the red duck appears to have been the most sought-after; nearly 400 specimens were seized in Puglia. Birds have not been the only victims. Albania has also sent many other animals into the hands of the police. Of 400 inspected by customs authorities, more than 20 people were reported. Italian customs officers are beginning to carry out checks on seized goods, which are inspected and then packaged. But Albanians have often abandoned their cargo on ferries to evade inspections. Such was the case of 1,150 ducks found on one of the ferries connecting Albania with southern Italy. But the list of animals and birds that have been smuggled across Italy’s borders includes not only game. Tortoises have also been discovered being transported illegally. An Albanian had attempted to cross with several sacks containing dozens of tortoises, which were seized. The ports of southern Italy have now recorded numerous warnings about animal trafficking — including from Albania — indicating just how much of this traffic has been stopped. The law-enforcement bodies recording all this are perhaps also seeking ways to protect these animals. How they are to be protected, and who will protect the victims of the trafficking of various animals, remains a question. Despite this, in many cases people continue to hunt illegally. Some of them — mainly those involved in this illicit trade — sell the animals in Albania as well, and even in Greece... (Ar. Me) Protected animals and birds are trafficked toward Italy.

The Democratic Party’s seal is stolen Disturbing incidents at local offices DURRËS — A theft has taken place involving a “seal” of great importance to the Democratic Party in Albania. Just days after a local office of the PS in Korçë was burgled, the offices of the PD branch in Durrës were broken into. But as with the earlier theft, it has not been possible to establish who was responsible — the offices of the PD in Durrës were burgled. Nor has the party’s seal been recovered, as was also the case with the theft of the PS’s seal in Korçë. During Monday’s incident at the branch, an item brought from the PD’s city office was reported, and an attempt was made to notify the RENEA authorities. No signs of forced entry were found in the Democratic Party offices; the party’s main seal had disappeared. According to the initial investigations in Durrës, it has been confirmed that the old seal had disappeared from the PD office, but there were also some clues. Meanwhile, telephone equipment, materials and parts from Korçë, and library items were thrown about, and some documents were [unclear]. The article continues on the page: Unlike the various “valuables” or even a tape recorder taken from the PD offices in Durrës, they had been more careful and methodical. Although the PD seal did not resist the attempt to obtain it illegally. In particular — even though the two cases are mentioned together and investigations have only just begun, no precise version can be given. The police minister may be able to uncover everything only later, through the authorities. The order of the other circumstances/responsibilities remains unclear — the theft was carried out arbitrarily. Those concerned were notified that something had gone missing. Edmond Laci

NEW ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL BODIES IN SEVERAL MUNICIPALITIES — Local elections will be held again in several Albanian municipalities. At the proposal of the Council of Ministers, President Berisha has set the date for the new elections by special decree: 18 April. New elections and new mayors will be held in the municipalities of Gracani and Greshicë in Mallakastër; in Libofshë in Fier, Reç in Dibër, and Zall-Herr in Tirana, new mayors will be elected. The new local elections were called after various changes had taken place in the municipalities’ leadership. Someone had resigned, someone had died, and someone else had been penalized. SENIOR AMERICAN MILITARY OFFICERS IN ALBANIA — Another delegation of American military officers arrived in Tirana yesterday. The latest delegation is led by the Commander-in-Chief of the US Air Forces in Europe, General Robert Oaks. The American military officers will visit Albanian military units and discuss the situation in the Balkan region with Albanian officials. AID FROM AUSTRIA ARRIVES IN BURREL — “Caritas” of the Austrian state of Vorarlberg has provided aid to the city of Burrel. Much of the assistance is for the city’s hospital. The total value of the equipment and other supplies from Austria amounts to 110,000 US dollars. Eighty fully equipped patient beds have already been installed, along with a room containing complete medical examination equipment, an outpatient clinic and other facilities. The Austrian representatives spent three weeks at the hospital preparing it to contemporary standards.

FOR RENT — A house at 90 “Tefta Tashko” Street, near “Zhan D’Ark” Boulevard and “Ismail Qemali” School in Tirana. The house has three rooms and a kitchen, a veranda, a yard and a garage. Contact telephone number 24126. FOR RENT — An apartment with one room, a kitchen and a kitchenette. The house is available furnished or unfurnished. It is located on “Ali Demi” Street, near “Kushtrimet e Lirisë” School. Interested parties should call 24126. FOR RENT — A house on the first floor. An apartment with one room, four rooms [as printed], a kitchen and four kitchenettes [as printed], a veranda and a telephone. The house is on “Elbasanit” Street. Contact telephone number 24777 or 23375. FOR RENT — An apartment with two rooms and a kitchen (the house is on the second floor), equipped with two balconies, a kitchenette and “tenet” (fully furnished) [unclear]. Address: “Myslym Shyri” Street, Building 23, Staircase 1, Apartment 3 (behind the Court of Cassation). Interested parties should contact this telephone number. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SELL? WANT TO BUY SOMETHING? This space is free for your classified advertisements. Send your message, no longer than 15 words, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l’Africano, 264. State in your message what you are looking for and what you are offering, your name and address.

Building 23, Staircase 1, Apartment 3 (behind the Court of Cassation). Interested parties should contact this telephone number. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SELL? WANT TO BUY SOMETHING? This space is free for your classified advertisements. Send your message, no longer than 15 words, to one of our addresses: In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370. Or in Bari: Viale Scipione l’Africano, 264. State in your message what you are looking for and what you are offering, your name and address.