Our newspaper turns one CARLO BOLLINO TIRANA — Gazeta Shqiptare turns one year old today, although in truth it would be desirable to mark the precise day of its birth. This newspaper was born once before, on July 10, 1927, when the country was living through a different history. Every day, in the libraries of Tirana and the most important Albanian cities, people waited for the little steamer that carried it from Bari to Durrës to arrive. Its founder, Raffaele Gorjux, by then already the father of Gazzeta della Puglia (later Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno), had wanted this newspaper to create a continuous flow of information between the two shores of the two countries, linked by deep-rooted trade. Then Albania was invaded by the Fascists and Gazeta Shqiptare was shut down for reasons of censorship. When the Fascists were driven out and the country passed into the hands of the communist regime, Gazeta Shqiptare—once again struck by censorship—could not reopen. And so its rebirth was postponed until April 22, 1993. Exactly one year ago. It is precisely to remember those days that we are here today, and that is why we like to call our newspaper a daughter of democracy. Democracy means many things, but for a newspaper, for a sheet [text continues outside the frame]. Ultimately, this is difficult: to witness a reality and tell it, even when at times one cannot. Thus, all of it—all those who want to—will have the opportunity to know it. That is why our social imperative has been, from the very first day and will continue to be, to tell only the truth: because none of us (no newspaper!) has the right to deceive history. We feel another legitimate obligation toward our readers. Often, while writing an article, we feel drawn toward attempts to tell something that someone might like to read. But in truth we must not give in, because censoring ourselves is worse than being censored by others. There is no alternative. Fortunately, dear readers, you have understood this, and through the trust you give us every day, you encourage us to continue along this path. And above all, it is to you that we wish to offer our warmest greetings. Many of us join in signing this ideal birthday greeting, which marks our future: the director, the Albanian editorial staff with its journalists, translators, distribution managers and drivers; and then the Italian editorial staff of Gazeta Shqiptare, together with the administrators and officials of the EDISUD company in Bari. From everyone, as one [text continues outside the frame]. [Text cut off at the top] ... as it was launched on 22 March 1993. Exactly one year ago. It is precisely because of this debt of freedom means many things, but for a newspaper it must above all mean freedom and autonomy. Freedom to publish (because not all countries have this) and autonomy from every kind of power. Discussing freedom of the press (whether it exists or not) is beneficial because it raises civic awareness, but the primary goal—for every journalist—is for the publishing company to put out its own newspaper without begging for handouts. That is already no small thing. During a year of work, the pages of Gazeta Shqiptare have carried, one after another, everyday events, both small and large, which after many years will help reconstruct the history of this country. What makes a newspaper distinctive is often not what is published, but the way it is published and distributed. In this regard, we acknowledge the importance of the Italian company Gazeta Shqiptare, together with the administrators and executives of the EDISUD company in Bari. A sincere thank-you from all of us. Thank you for your trust, thank you for the welcome you have given us, thank you for the advice you send us, thank you for the generosity you show. Working together at the newspaper is not easy, and sometimes we have made mistakes: we thank both those who have understood us and those who have forgiven us. A thank-you, and a solemn promise: Gazeta Shqiptare will continue to be always and only yours. One final wish—if you will allow us—reserved for all of us: that we may be together again after a year, to celebrate another year of freedom.

PROPAGANDA «Omonia», a shadow of suspicion Detentions over unconstitutional acts Several local leaders of the organization in prison. Documents, maps and books about «Greater Greece» seized TIRANA — Suspicions of involvement in unconstitutional activities have been raised against activists of ”Omonia” in the southern district of Albania. The news was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon through a statement by the Ministry of Public Order, which reported that following several surprise searches in a number of districts in Albania, “a large quantity of unconstitutional documentation has been found and seized, proving Greek expansionist aims toward Albania and Albanian territories, as well as blatant Greek efforts to Hellenize the lands of southern Albania.” Among the documents seized are publications such as “Northern Epirus of Greece,” a book by the Metropolitan of Dropol, Sebastianos; numerous maps on which more than 4/5 of Albania’s current territory is shown as “Northern Epirus”; and many other lists of villages. Meanwhile, the leading figures of ”Omonia”—while making absolutely no comment on the reasons and motives for the detention of several of their leading activists—on Wednesday asked President Berisha in a letter for “the immediate release of all those detained,” who, according to them, belong to the Greek ethnic minority in Albania. The surprise searches organized by the Ministry of Public Order, according to its statement, had been carried out following information about illegal possession of weapons as well as unconstitutional criminal activity. Among the 11 detainees confirmed by the Ministry of Public Order are several people from other districts of Albania too, including Vlora, Bulqiza, Pogradec, Shkodra, Tirana and Hasi. Among them, names such as Theodhor Bezahani—chairman of the ”Omonia” branch for Gjirokastra—and other activists of the association have been identified. On Tuesday alone, five other people were detained in Delvinë, all of them, according to preliminary investigations, accused of carrying out unconstitutional acts. They are Kostaq Miculi, Pirro Kondi, Panajot Mato, Pandeli Gazeli and Kostaq Cavo; one of them was also found to possess an unlicensed weapon. “As far as we know,” Thoma Sharra, Deputy General Chairman of ”Omonia,” told Gazeta Shqiptare, “only four people have been detained in Sarandë, including a female activist. Among those detained is also Vangelj Papakristo, chairman of the ”Omonia” branch for Sarandë.” According to the same source, three other people—”Omonia” activists—were also detained in Gjirokastër, while in Korçë, as of Wednesday, two other people remained in detention: one, Ermioni Andrea, chairwoman of this Organization for Korçë, and the other, the chairman of the Albanian-Greek Teachers’ Association. According to Sharra, the deputy chairman of the ”Omonia” branch for Tirana was detained in the capital for 18 hours. “In recent days, a wave of psychological repression against us has begun, involving detentions, press intimidation and raids on ”Omonia” offices by SHIK and the public order authorities,” read the letter signed by Sotir Giriazdi—Chairman of ”Omonia”—addressed to President Berisha. One day before this letter was delivered—which seeks to link the criminal incident at the Peshkëpi barracks with the recent detentions—the Ministry of Public Order’s statement had clarified: “All Albanian citizens, regardless of their nationality, must and are obliged to submit to the law of the Albanian State.” Edmond Laci The cover of one of the books seized

First meeting in Ioannina Border attack: experts meet Albanians and Greeks confront their conflicting claims TIRANA — A joint commission of Albanian and Greek police experts has begun preliminary discussions to determine responsibility for the recent incidents that have occurred on the border between the two countries. After Sunday’s terrorist attack against the Albanian military barracks near the village of Peshkëpi, close to the border, tensions between the two neighboring countries had risen sharply. The joint commission of experts began its work on Wednesday morning in the city of Ioannina. The Albanian side was represented by the Director General of Police, Agim Shehu, and the Director of Criminal Investigation, Vexhmati Maçullari. According to Albanian diplomatic sources, only a preliminary meeting was held on Wednesday. “It was agreed to hold another meeting at which the physical evidence collected at the scene will be presented,” the Second Secretary of the Albanian Embassy in Athens, who is currently acting as head of the diplomatic mission, told Gazeta Shqiptare. The meeting apparently did not significantly change the positions of either side. According to the Albanian diplomat, the Greek side insisted on evading responsibility, declaring that “the military uniforms worn by the terrorist commando are not sufficient proof to establish who carried out the attack. Such clothing can be freely bought in many shops in Greece.” The proposal to set up such a commission had come from Athens following news of the innocent victims at Peshkëpi. Albania initially rejected the proposal, instead suggesting the creation of a European investigative commission. Tirana had reacted sharply toward the Greek government, describing it as the main party responsible for the attack. “The Greeks have been very harsh in the mutual reduction of diplomats in Tirana and Athens to the lowest level since diplomatic relations were established in 1971.” On Wednesday, the Greek Foreign Ministry responded to an earlier proposal from Tirana for a reciprocal reduction of diplomatic staff to six people. “No, only four people should work in our embassies,” was the response from Athens. (fa. bax. ar. me.)

Government approves funding The old ones were easily forged Government approves funding New passports for travel abroad The old ones were easily forged TIRANA — Soon Albanians will have new passports for traveling abroad. A government decision at its most recent meeting, held on April 17, has now allocated the amount to be used for their production or purchase. 100 million lekë will be taken from the state’s reserve fund for 1994 and made available for 700,000 new passports. This sum will be given to the company that wins the specially organized tender. In the coming years, the Government will allocate additional funds to produce 2 million new passports for Albanian citizens. The adoption of such a measure—the requests had been submitted as early as 1992 but postponed for financial reasons—had become necessary for many reasons. The low technical standard of current passport production has often made it easy to forge them. Indeed, a number of cases have been reported by public order authorities in various districts of the country. Specialists also say that the appearance of these passports is itself of poor quality. Indeed, they stress, it damages the image of Albanian citizenship abroad. (p. re)

In a bar TIRANA — Only the remarkable intervention of an employee of Police Station 2 in the capital managed to save a child’s life and prevent the brazen robbery of a bar in Tirana. According to the owners of the bar, the incident happened on Monday evening, when an armed man held a TT-type pistol to the head of a small child in exchange for the bar’s and its customers’ money. Immediately afterward, the public order authorities were notified about two people, one of whom did possess a permit for the weapon with which he had threatened [the child]. Nevertheless—even though the investigation has only just begun—details about those now accused have not yet been confirmed. (e. l.)

INSIDE

KRUJË — The road accident that occurred on Tuesday near the village of Borizanë in Krujë sent seven people to hospital. — The road accident that occurred on Tuesday near the village of Borizanë in Krujë sent seven people to hospital. A bus from Durrës—which, according to the road experts’ preliminary findings, had moved into the opposite lane—collided with a minibus carrying seven people, who were immediately transported in serious condition to Tirana’s Military Hospital. Immediately afterward, the public order authorities detained the bus driver pending a full investigation into the incident. (e. p.)

After the ground collapsed, they left Kukës Under tents for 300 days The displaced want help TIRANA — “Help us escape this tragedy.” This is the plea that 17 homeless families from Kukës, with 50 children, are making to the Council of Ministers. It was a terrifying natural disaster—the ground collapsed on a massive scale, destroying houses too—which took place in May last year and forced these people to abandon Domaj, their first village in the district of Kukës. They left to escape the tragedy, but their daily need for shelter and the necessities of life still keeps them in tents, without any alternative. By verbal order, they were settled in Çekëzë and in the Zall-Herr area in the district of Tirana. Thanks to the help of the Red Cross, they were able to find some tents in which to shelter and sleep. At that moment, after their hardships and feelings of loneliness, they felt somewhat relieved, but time has changed things. That’s how it is. The aid funds ... [illegible/cut off] ... then these families living in tents were forced to experience “the earthquake: the loss of identity.” Now there are 80–99 families; “they are listed neither as residents of Kukës nor of Tirana.” And they complain: “Nobody takes an interest in us, as if we had come from another planet.” Aware of the budgetary difficulties, they have asked to be granted a loan by a bank so that they can build a house. But no bank grants a loan without the necessary financial and mortgage guarantees. These unfortunate people have nothing to mortgage as security for the banks except the tents donated by the Red Cross. Once again left in misery and at the mercy of the forces of nature—having spent the winter in tents—they are asking to be granted a loan from the Council of Ministers’ reserve fund so that they can ...? [illegible section] The government — were spent on their relocation to Çekëzë and to the area in Ujër pas deti ... [illegible section]. An. St. The government — were spent on their relocation to Çekëzë ...

PRESS CONFERENCE BY SELAMI, CHAIRMAN OF THE DP — “We will get the same results as on March 22 even if elections are held again,” Selami, Chairman of the Democratic Party, said optimistically at a press conference held with journalists. During the conference he spoke about the achievements of the Government during its two years in office. Regarding relations with Italy, Selami said that now, following the victory of the right wing, relations between the two countries and governments would be strengthened even further. HUNDREDS OF METRES OF TELEPHONE WIRE STOLEN IN GJIROKASTËR — Hundreds of metres of wire have been stolen and cut from the telephone line connecting Gjirokastër with many nearby villages. This damage was caused by various people and individuals who used the line for their own needs. Meanwhile, the first measures to protect and monitor these lines have been taken in several communes. BERAT: OCCUPATION OF STATE ENTERPRISES AND AGRICULTURAL LAND IS ILLEGAL — The occupation of agricultural land by private individuals in Berat has been strongly denounced and declared illegal. These positions, expressed by the Agricultural Trade Unions in the district, were also supported at a meeting by MP Musaraj and Minister of Agriculture Hallili. At present, two enterprises in this district have been occupied by a family from Berat claiming ownership of them. Meanwhile, for the same reason—ownership—some market gardeners have occupied several agricultural plots in Zunovë. PARLIAMENT APPROVES THE “MEDICINES” BILL — Albanians, too, will have a special law on medicinal drugs. Parliament has now approved all the articles of this law, which regulates the sale of medicines to the public. It also regulates purchases and addresses several anomalies concerning people’s health, the preservation and protection of animals, and the environment in the district.

How much do young Albanians read, and what do they read? Historical texts are preferred ON PAGE 3 Italy’s Hope defeats Portugal’s team Wins the European Championship ON PAGE 2