The American ambassador, on the eve of his departure, takes stock of his work. Successes, disappointments and a forecast about the military presence... Rayerson. “I’m going to retire” INTERVIEW The American ambassador, on the eve of his departure, takes stock of his work. Successes, disappointments and a forecast about the military presence... “There will be no USA bases” Rayerson. “I’m going to retire” ARMAND MERO TIRANA — “There will be American military bases in Albania,” declares William Rayerson, the U.S. Ambassador in Tirana, on the eve of leaving this post. He first came here in April 1991; a career diplomat who has served in several countries around the world and knows the Albanian language, after more than three years he is now preparing to leave Albania. The exact departure date has been set, but it is expected to be toward the end of this year. Meanwhile, another diplomat has been proposed to take his place. He will be Joseph Edward Lake, a career diplomat, who, upon his appointment from the American post, has begun learning the Albanian language. For Rayerson, Albania also marks the end of his diplomatic career. “I am going to retire,” he says to Gazeta Shqiptare, “after dessert, nothing else is eaten.” What is the Albania you are leaving, and what would you like to find when you return in a few years? “I am surprised by the progress that has been made so far. And I hope that when I come back — I hope to return as a tourist — it will have advanced just as quickly.” In your opinion, how long will Albania need to recover fully? “That cannot be predicted. If we take the U.S. as an example, the development of democracy is endless, in itself, and now we are trying to push it even further. As for the economy — the Albanian economy depended on investments. I hope that the law ‘On foreign investments’, which is not yet well known to foreigners, will help a great deal.” How do you see Albania’s role in military and strategic terms in the region? “We think that Albania has been a point of stability in the region and has played that role even in difficult situations. We hope that in the future it will continue to pursue such a policy. And cooperation with NATO remains very good. The appointment of the Ambassador in Serbia and Montenegro is a pain for Albania and its economy. Therefore, the correct stance it is taking in the proper assessment of the war is stabilizing.” And what do you think about the sinking incident in Greece and the Peshkëpi massacre? “That was a tragedy, and I hope the people who committed that crime will be brought before justice.” What is the truth about the U.S. military presence and its bases in Albania? “I do not believe there is any need for such a thing. We are currently developing our presence in other places such as Germany and the Philippines, so we do not need to open new ones. In fact, years ago this was a basic Serbian policy, when they talked about us setting up a military base here in Albania.” What will change in U.S. policy toward Albania with your departure? “I do not believe America’s policy depends on one or two people. Only the style of leadership by others can change. In short, the interests of the U.S. are not changed: democracy, the free market and peace in the region. These will not change.” What has been your role in relation to the friendship between our two countries? “I hope I have not caused disappointment among my government friends.” What have been your success and your disappointment during your activity in Albania? “The success lies in the good start we made in relations with the Albanians and with Albania. My disappointment is that I have not brought in the investors I would have liked to see in Albania.” The American ambassador in Tirana, William Rayerson

TIRANA — “We seek to give a boost to the private sector in the production and trade of energy materials, to increase the profitability of this branch and, by bringing in foreign investment, to avoid blockages and theft in the electricity network.” This is how ... at the Council of Ministers — Prime Minister Meksi expressed the objective behind the drastic increase in prices of electric energy and other energy materials carried out by the Government some time ago. Called to a special parliamentary session, Meksi insisted on the need to establish real prices for electricity and heating materials. “Otherwise,” he stressed, “the power sector will head toward destruction and we will return to blockage.” He went on to say that the compensation set by the Government for consumers was considered sufficient and stated that by the end of this year, a new compensation is expected to be implemented. Alongside positive assessments, deputies also made remarks and suggestions. The remarks concerned unemployment and the countryside, and the non-payment of some sectors. He described the compensation measure as insufficient and expressed concern about the lack of compensation for the countryside and the risk — as a result — of increased energy theft from the grid.

Increasingly sought after by the foreign market Cultural exports take off Increasingly sought after by the foreign market Artworks exported: 7,000 pieces sold in 3 months Cultural exports take off TIRANA — Albanian works of art are increasingly sought after on the foreign market. The figures coming from the Institute of Statistics are the best proof of this. According to this source, in the first quarter of this year more than 7,300 works of art were exported abroad, with a total value of 691,000 lekë. In the official list of Albanian exports, the item is recorded as: “Works of art collected by collectors.” These are works of art that have crossed Albania’s borders legally, that is, by respecting the procedures in force in this field. If it were possible to count also those that leave illegally, the picture would be clearer. In any case, the figures presented by the Directorate of Statistics show that Albanians increasingly prefer to sell their artistic products abroad rather than market them at home. Apparently the reason for this phenomenon is the higher prices that foreigners offer for the purchase of these special goods. In just one year, according to workers at the Art Gallery, a special way of handling paintings by Albanian artists has emerged. Every artist or person interested in works of art is free to sell them abroad. Only a very simple procedure must be completed at the National Gallery of Arts. If the art gallery finds in what is called the 'passport' the composition of the work, qualified as sculpture or painting, then after a few months the data must be verified. After that, any person can take it freely through Albanian customs. An art gallery Therefore, the export will be successful. Verification is also necessary to prevent the export of more special objects abroad. It is learned that for many of these works the verification was also done at the end of last year. Over the past year and in the following period, prices for sculpture and painting by Albanian authors have risen. According to reports from the Art Gallery, the number of works that have been granted a “passport” has so far reached 400. A special procedure also exists for exporting other antique objects. To take them out of the country, a special approval is required from state bodies, which verify the value of each object. If it has special value, then the export will inevitably not be successful. If the work of art is sold legally, it brings income to Albania. fa. bax

SHKODER — It is a story that may serve as an example of human solidarity in other cases of misfortune. It happened in Shkodër, a city known for such acts. Some time ago, four houses burned down. The fire broke out completely unexpectedly and the family members managed to save only a few things. Everyone was left in great difficulty after the shared disaster. It was precisely here that their well-wishers stepped in. Just one day later, a group of volunteers began collecting aid wherever they could. To date — according to official press sources, says the head of the volunteer group Hyqen Ganxjolla — aid has come from many directions. A total of 562 entities have contributed: individuals, private companies, traders, banks — all of whom enthusiastically took part in the aid campaign for the four families affected by the disaster. Aid continues to pour in from the large Albanian city, always known even in the past for generosity. Many of the donors have asked to remain anonymous. Some of them have appeared at the damaged homes. The aid of charity. The campaign continues more widely and with great generosity. This story is one of a well-known city and of rare, collective humanity, courage. (r. k.)

“Unauthorised” TIRANA — “Shorts Day” cannot be celebrated in Albania. It is apparently a misunderstanding with the public order authorities — the organizers were not warned about the celebration — that turned the shorts parade into a boulevard event in the capital. The day before yesterday at 5:00 p.m., when it had also been announced by the organizers themselves — with notices posted without authorization — various groups in shorts were seen who were forced to leave, with no square left emptied.

The body was found in his home SHKODER — Mysterious death of Broz Lorçi, head of the Berdicë Municipality in the Shkodër district. Lorçi, 35 years old, was found shot dead inside his home at midnight on Wednesday, while the bullet that caused his death came from his own pistol, which he legally owned. The head of the Berdicë Municipality — married and father of two children — was lying on his bed, while the weapon nearby was still the pistol, fired into his mouth. According to the initial investigations by the public order authorities — although not definitive — it had emerged that Lorçi had killed himself. This hypothesis is reinforced by the testimony of neighbors and relatives, who stated that he had suffered for a long time and had a depressive temperament. In any case, all final versions remain in the hands of the investigation. In the end, the justice authorities are definitively verifying the causes of this suicide, which has shaken not only his family members but the entire municipality area he led. (p. re)

CURSIVE REALITY FATOS BAXHAKU After 'Pitkin the Soldier' and 'Pitkin in the Hospital', Albanians will now have the chance to meet Pitkin the wise, Pitkin the hero Norman Wisdom — whom they know well, the famous English comedian — in the daily repertory in the cinema circuit, thanks to the English Embassy in Tirana and its Albanian hosts. “I am pleased and ready to meet everyone, actors, students and anyone who wishes,” he wrote in his reply. The Ministry of Culture is now taking care of organizing the tour. It will be only one job. The organizers have been told that it requires a somewhat simpler climate, because it is a different climate from that of Albania. Surrounded by a flock of English traditionalists, Pitkin, now 65 years old, is ready to perform in Albania right away, but the organizers think that late spring or autumn would be more suitable. The exact date of Pitkin’s tour is expected to be announced soon, but the important thing is that it is being carried out in Britain. Preparations to bring Pitkin to Albania had also been made several years ago. In 1989 he had already won the admiration of Albanians for the role of Cap in a different way, though difficulties had prevented the meeting. At the time he was applauded after the success of the foreign theatre festival. He was shut out of the stages of Tirana or of his artistic humor. Now, apparently, the obstacles that prevented it no longer exist and the meeting with his admirers is closer than ever. Pitkin has become almost a legendary figure for generations of Albanians. Everyone remembers the period when Pitkin appeared very often, at almost fixed intervals, on television screens. Everything around people from the audience, his humor, understandable to older people, not only brought laughter but individualized ordinary people. For this very reason he has been, for the Albanian public, a beloved, simple and therefore unforgettable figure. In the end he himself will not remain only a myth. In fact Pitkin was different at the maximum, but the sympathy comes from within.

KORCE — The residents of the village of 'Fitorja' in the Korçë district are concerned because of the long-standing lack of drinking water. Despite repeated requests addressed to the local authorities about the problem, nothing has changed as it should. The village community lives without drinking water, and this becomes especially difficult during warm days. The village elders emphasize that the main cause of the drop in water levels is the drying up of reservoirs and the lack of maintenance investment. Residents are calling for urgent intervention to avoid a worsening of the situation. The problem has begun to take on alarming proportions on the eve of the summer season.

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AGREEMENT FOR JOINT ALBANIAN-AMERICAN EXERCISES FOR THE MILITARY HEALTH SERVICE — An agreement has been signed to carry out joint Albanian-American exercises in the field of medical service. This was achieved during talks held by Defence Minister Safet Zhulali with the Commander of the Medical Service of the American army in Europe, Werner Chang. “It is symbolic that the first exercises of this kind, joint ones, will be held in the field of medical service,” Zhulali said during the meeting. PROMINENT FIGURES OF THE ALBANIAN STAGE ARE COMMEMORATED — Three prominent figures of the Albanian stage: the actors Sandër Prosi and Prokop Mima as well as the composer Nikolla Zoraqi were commemorated in an event organized by the Association of Aromanians at the Opera and Ballet Theatre. In the evening it was proposed that Fan Noli, Migjeni, Aristotelis Vala and Ismail Qemali be honored. THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR OF KUÇOVA INCREASES — The number of people employed in the private sector of the town of Kuçovë has reached 1,800. These figures were made known to the press by official sources by the Director of the Labour and Emigration Directorate for this district, Spas Xhepi, according to whom the most developed sector in this direction is services, where more than 300 workers are currently employed. The number of people receiving assistance is 1,800.

The company NDERTIM VILA, Tirana, is starting the construction of a block of residential apartments. The apartments will be of a contemporary standard, of the European type. They are located in the best area of Tirana, west of the Dinamo stadium. The apartments will have water 24 hours a day without interruption. The first clients will have the right to choose the floor and position. For further information: Rruga 'Konferenca e Pezës', building 3, staircase 6, apartment 56 (building behind the State Bank) telephone 429-63 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.) and telex 333-04 (after 4 p.m.)