Special troops against illegal migrants The frozen EC aid will be discussed again in Brussels TIRANE — From now on it will be the Greek special forces that will guard the borders with Albania. The news was confirmed on Wednesday by the Greek Minister of Defense, Gerasimos Arsenis. The special units — which, according to the senior Greek official, will soon carry out “the protection and duty of the borders of the Greek population against flows of migrants” — are being deployed, as stated in a declaration by diplomatic officials, in place of the “older debate over the problem of Albanian refugees.” The moment chosen by Athens to announce the protection of the population by special troops — despite Papoulias’s reassuring statements about the indirect mention and their mission — seems to turn once again the thousands of Albanian migrants working in Greece into a kind of hostage of Athens, against whom it may react to any sign of “discontent” from Tirana. This is a very clear pressure on Tirana, which cannot fail to be concerned by a military presence in the troubled area of its southern borders. On the diplomatic front, Greece’s position is now awaited at the EC Political Committee in Brussels. In Brussels the problem of the 35 million ECU of European aid will be reconsidered — now by the foreign ministers of the European Community member states — aid over which Greece had placed a veto some time ago as retaliation for what it called a “violation of minority rights” by the Tirana government. The substantial economic aid is intended by the EC to cover Albania’s balance of payments. Greek official Moros had then declared that everything would be decided after the meeting of foreign ministers, a meeting which was rejected by the Greek side. Now Greece’s position is awaited at the new Brussels meeting. It is thought that the stance of the other EC states will be decisive; until now they have tried to persuade the diplomatic authorities between Tirana and Athens with a gentler approach. Various diplomatic observers have predicted that European representatives will pressure Greece to unblock the aid intended for Albania. There have also been explanations from Greek circles regarding “our country’s position” for the EC countries’ press to block the grant. The defense philosophy will be that on 5 June. A few days ago the Greek Foreign Minister, Karolos Papoulias, had stated that Greece is ready to lift its veto on European aid for Albania, but had made this conditional on “respect for the Greek minority in Albania.” Fatos Baxhaku Albanian-Greek border crossing at Kakavijë Incident at sea? TIRANE — Now Greece too has begun to complain about border incidents. According to diplomatic sources in Athens, the Greek Embassy in Tirane handed the Albanian Foreign Ministry a protest note on Tuesday concerning a border incident that — according to it — occurred in Greek territorial waters. According to the Greek diplomatic protest note, an Albanian vessel entered Greek waters near Corfu. A Greek military patrol boat was sent in pursuit, but when the Albanian vessel left its waters it opened fire toward the Greek sailors. Fortunately, the incident caused no human casualties, but it immediately triggered a reaction from Greek diplomacy. By Wednesday lunchtime, the Albanian side’s position on the Greek claim was still unknown. A few days earlier — after the serious event at the Albanian military barracks in the village of Peshkëpi — the Albanian government council had denounced several serious border incidents. [?]od.

TIRANE — From the polling stations, electoral tension has gripped Parliament. It still remains unstable on voting day in five municipalities claimed and demonstrated by the PS — and after the appeals made by Prime Minister Meksi regarding a session to condemn the noise and tension. The battle of bewildering information at the outset has established one thing: despite political pressure and in the public eye, there will be full investigations. Meksi stressed that those responsible for the violence against commissioners and the incident in Libofsha and at a polling station in Greshicë, and categorically rejected the accusation made by the PS about the existence of fascist gangs exerting pressure in towns and villages, encouraged by the PD and the government. In essence, according to Meksi, the causes of the incidents must be sought in the failure to observe electoral rules, which — in some cases, again according to him — had also been done by PS representatives themselves. He clearly presented the development of anti-PD propaganda, with the intimidation of PS MP Dokle and Legisi, as the sole cause of the confrontation between a group of socialist MPs and a group of citizens. In any case, the Prime Minister announced the initiatives launched by the Government to punish “unidentified persons” who have used violence against MPs or exerted pressure on some polling members. Unhappy with the Prime Minister’s team, the PS parliamentary group repeated its accusations of crime, organized terrorism, beating, destruction, wounding and kidnapping of PS observers, leaders and MPs, as well as commission members and local government officials. In any case — through its chairman Dokle — it presented the government with 8 demands for the measures initiated, and fiercely called for the dismissal of the Minister of Public Order, the head of SHIK, the Director-General, the Director of RTV, and the organization of new elections in Libofsha. Parliament saw an endless session of protests and loud shouting. Before leaving, they also issued an ultimatum to the Government that, by the deadline — and specifically immediately — it must take responsibility in relation to the demands regarding infrastructure. (An. Ste.)

The number of donors is falling sharply while demand is rising Doctors call for more volunteers TIRANE — Albanian medicine is sustained by “anemia.” Hospitals across the country are increasingly asking for blood for their patients, but the amount obtained is not sufficient: it covers only 20 percent of needs. Meanwhile, the number of people coming forward to donate blood voluntarily is decreasing day by day. According to specialists, the current payment system for this purpose is showing that, apart from many negative effects, it is no longer efficient either. At present in Albania only a number of people donate blood that does not even make up 1 percent of the population, whereas needs could be met if this figure were close to 3 percent. Everything collected from donors is mainly used for two categories of patients: chronic patients and acute cases such as accidents, murders and injuries. “But while demand for this last category is constantly increasing — and is being met — those suffering today from a lack of blood are chronic patients. For them, blood is the only source of life,” Agim Koçiri, director of the Blood Donation Center in Tirana, told Gazeta Shqiptare. Nevertheless, today blood is not guaranteed — from children to the most fragile ages — they are the ones feeling this shortage more and more. For weeks, hospitals still struggle to find enough blood to live or survive — the specialist says. Many times the same thing happens to every donor who gives blood. The only solution now is considered to be voluntary donation. “Only in this way could it be tripled, as in many Western countries, among healthy people — Koçiri appeals — but first the concept must be changed that blood is given only by people from the lower classes. No, everyone must understand that it is an act that serves to give a chance to a person who risks losing it.” Armand Mero

51,000 liters of fuel disappear TIRANE — A river of 51,000 liters of diesel, imported on behalf of the enterprise “Tiranës.” The incident — still not considered to pose any danger — was noticed around 4 a.m. on 29 May at the Fuel Enterprise in Tirana. After the loss of this quantity of diesel — approximately equal to 10,000 dollars — the Tirana Prosecution Office immediately opened a criminal case, while the Police Directorate of the Fuel Enterprise made the initial decision on the defendants; it was only reported that the quantity of 51,000 liters of diesel had “disappeared” after the tap on one of the large tanks was left open. However, this hypothesis remains doubtful, given the very fact that such a movement of such a quantity would have required the intervention of an insider. As the investigation continues, responsibility for the duty violations is being determined. This has led to criminal proceedings for “abuse of office” against the persons responsible for guarding the facility. (Ed. La.)

— The person found lifeless on the railway tracks on 30 May remains unidentified. His body was found on the line where a train was passing through the Fier district. Doctors at Fier Hospital, brought in by a person, stated that the victim had died. According to preliminary data, the victim is male and around 30–35 years old, and is now in the city morgue. Investigations began immediately, but as yet the true causes of this episode, as well as the final version from the competent authorities, have not been confirmed. (En.My.)

A CURSIVE REALITY EDMOND LACI TIRANË — Now even well-known Albanian homosexuals have taken a big step forward; perhaps at last their own community is being set up. A notice by a so-called “founding group” has announced the creation of their first association, called “GAY Albania” (SOA). In the message that was made, the only country in Europe without a homosexual association “Maj” [?], the Founding Group on 29 March in Tiranë paid for its “press.” There are three main problems that concern Albanian homosexuals of both sexes: defending the interests of homosexuals (men and women) as well as the struggle for equality and their integration into Albanian society. Opening positive and objective information about the homosexual minority, as well as fighting prejudice, fanaticism, ignorance and hatred. Supporting the fight against the spread of AIDS. From what seems to be their many-sided nature, it appears that now, finally, we have the first association that has not only spoken and written as such, but which gives rights to its own category. Meanwhile, it is still unknown how the authorities and others will receive this news, those who consider it a traditional theme in sex scandals. The current Penal Code classifies homosexual activity as a “crime against social morality.” A formulation that, for such sexual conduct, in the Penal Code has amendments. It is precisely Article 137 of this Code that provides severe penalties — up to 10 years in prison — for those who practice sexual relations within their own sex. The last trial against homosexuals in Albania was held a year ago at the Tirana Court.

TIRANE — Two people were discovered driving their vehicles through the streets of the capital with fake licenses. A large-scale operation — organized in the last days of May — by the forces of the Tirana Police Commissariat made it possible to uncover and arrest the young men E.M. and A.O., who were taken to Tirana Prison. The preliminary charge against them, “forgery of documents,” was accompanied by the opening of a criminal case by the Prosecution Office, which continues to investigate intensively. Two months earlier in Elbasan, another person from Tirana had been detained after testimony from many citizens about the sale of fake licenses. (e.n)

KORÇE — Serious traffic accident in Korçë. As a result of the collision between 2 cars, 4 people — 2 women and 2 children — members of the same family, lost their lives. The serious घटना occurred at dawn on Wednesday about 5 kilometers beyond the entrance to the city, at the moment when the two vehicles — an Opel Omega with Korçë plates and a Range Rover from Bajram Curri — were passing one another. According to the evidence of high speed — close to 140 kilometers per hour — the impact caused by the collision was fatal for the 4 passengers of the Opel, with the exception of the driver. The passengers of the other car escaped with minor injuries. So. Ma.

From Albania Tiranë. An NGO arriving from Hamburg with a group of doctors and artists, the evening was held in the premises of the Palace of Congresses. With the participation of several well-known figures from public life, the evening aimed to collect aid for orphans and disabled children. Various representatives took part in this activity, including personalities who had come from abroad. The proceeds will go to the relevant institutions. [?]

Vau i Dejës, strike announced SHKODËR — In uproar they reappear once again on the scene with a request addressed to the Government and Parliament for compensation. For three years our families have had absolutely no income, no work and no perspective for themselves and their descendants.” This is an excerpt taken from the request that 136 peasant families with 419 members have addressed to the Council of Ministers. In 1967 these families were forced to move from their village of Qyrsa in the Shkodër district, in order to leave the place for the machinery hall and the dam of the Vau i Dejës Hydropower Plant. Settled in the village of Laç, they complain that for 14 years in property “nothing” has been provided. Meanwhile, only a few square meters around the family houses. Meanwhile, of these families, 4 people are employed in the private sector. And, in general, no budgetary support from the Government: the annual rent for the registered land was not paid. This has forced the residents to undertake protest actions, up to and including a strike. They demand that their work be recognized and that they be granted the right to property or full compensation. An. Ste.

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