INVESTIGATIONS The prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal case against Myslym Islami for “abuse of office.” The guards who were supposed to protect the works of art and two witnesses are also under this charge Five arrests after the theft The director of the National Museum is also in jail EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — The case of the “National Historical Museum” has sent 5 people to prison. Thus the extraordinary theft — which occurred last Wednesday — at the largest museum center in Albania continues to be at the center of investigations. Meanwhile the criminal case has been opened and intensive searches continue to identify the perpetrators of the theft. The famous epitaph, icons and historical pistols. The prosecutors have ordered the arrest of five people accused of failing to take the measures needed to safeguard the museum. Two days earlier the investigating authorities had detained ten people, among them five employees of the National Historical Museum, who had been responsible for the missing works of art. Although strict checks continue, especially after the border crossings, there is still no announcement of the capture of the perpetrators, or at least of their names, who allegedly signed seven days earlier. On Sunday the Tirana prison received Myslym Islami, Director of the National Historical Museum. The preliminary charge against him is “abuse of office,” while the other four detainees are also initially being held on this charge. Among the five arrested is Beqtar Mane, President of the civil guard company “Roga,” a firm that only a short time earlier had taken over the protection of the National Historical Museum located in the center of the capital. A civil guard from the same company has also been arrested, and he was on duty at the moment when the extraordinary robbery was discovered. The other two detainees belong to the museum staff: they are the witness from the second shift — who had left before the end of working hours — and the one from the third shift, who did not show up for work at all on the night of the robbery. Apart from the names and arrests, they are also part of a measure — based on their respective functions — for the protection of the museum. The valuable work of art that existed in Albania, the Epitaph of Gllavenica, was stolen together with four 16th- and 17th-century icons. Specialists find it difficult to give an exact figure for the true value of the Epitaph, since in addition the work is also a highly valuable historical testimony documenting the existence of the Albanian principalities in the time of the Despotate of Epirus. Meanwhile, the thieves’ “collection” now also includes around 50 pistols from the time of the Second World War, among them the one belonging to dictator Hoxha. National Historical Museum A protective law soon Cultural heritage stolen: Albania is missing more than 500 works of art TIRANA — This is not the first time Albanian cultural works have fallen victim to theft. The scandalous theft of the Epitaph of Gllavenica — only three such examples exist in the entire world — is merely the latest in this long chain. In just these three years, the great historical and national treasures that have disappeared number in the hundreds. However, in Albania there is still no law for them — in fact, none has been inherited — a law that clearly defines what cultural values are and what status they enjoy. There are nearly 500 — mainly icons — cultural works that have disappeared without a trace from Albania. Around 180 of them were stolen from churches alone — such as those in Berat and Myzeqe — or from various museums. These are works that mostly belong to the 17th century, among them pieces by Onufri. To avoid any cultural loss, a decision made in 1992 also covers the protection in Gjirokastra Castle of about 2,000 icons. Even there, however, after breaking through the wall — half a meter thick — thieves managed to enter. Fortunately they were not professionals and were satisfied with only a few works of art that, fortunately, had no special value. “The lack of a complete legal framework for cultural values,” says Dashnor Kokonozi, Director in the Directorate of Culture, speaking to Gazeta Shqiptare, “has complicated the issue regarding private collections.” Thus nearly 300 works kept by people in their private collections have been taken out of Albania and sold for insignificant sums compared with their real value. Precisely to prevent this “exodus,” a law will soon be presented to Parliament that will clearly define the relations between the State and private individuals regarding cultural works. After that, the State will protect all those works that have national value. Ar. Me.

Three mini-complexes, the new solution against abandonment New projects for the Metallurgical Complex ELBASAN — Signs of hope for the Elbasan Metallurgical Complex. To avoid a complete shutdown, the engineers have found a special solution: the Metallurgical Complex has now been broken up into three mini-complexes, Hydro-Metallurgical, Energy, and Steelmaking. It is this solution that has now brought the largest Albanian heavy-industry enterprise back among Albanian producers. “In general the technology is outdated and we do not expect it to withstand time,” the director of the Steelmaking Complex tells Gazeta Shqiptare, “but at least for now the separate lines are working.” According to him, however, these products are now able to meet the needs of specific consumers. The steel production line of the Steelmaking Complex began production in October ’92 and now employs more than 2,500 people. In fact, the main mainstays of Albanian steel production are the various construction furnaces. Taking into account that the investments will create further opportunities for expanding construction activity, the managers of this Complex are at the forefront of the government decision to increase demand for Albanian steel. “We are hoping for a significant increase in production,” said the director of the Steelmaking Complex. At present Albanian steel is entering electric furnaces, where scrap metal, known as scrap, is used as raw material. Ore is not used because, according to specialists, this is not possible at a higher cost. “The fact is that Albania has plenty of it and the price of electricity is lower than in the countries of the region,” explains the Complex, “which has encouraged the idea of foreign investments.” Thus 13 million dollars came from an Italian company, while other studies and possibilities of this kind are continuing. Meanwhile, specialists also believe in other measures that could ensure the survival of the Steelmaking Complex. The government decision, they explain, to set a floor price for imported steel, mainly from Macedonia, has made it possible for Albanian competition to enter on a fairer footing. Nevertheless, even in this optimistic climate, dissatisfaction still appears: “The 15 percent tax burden,” say the managers of the Complex, “damages us considerably. We absolutely have to resist, because the enterprise is unique and above all it is the city of Elbasan’s main employer.” Metallurgical Complex in Elbasan Mentor Kikia

PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS MALTESE PRESIDENT TABONE — A shared will to expand friendly relations and deepen economic cooperation. That was the main message of the meeting between the two presidents, the Albanian Berisha and the Maltese Tabone. “Now that the government has moved beyond the short-term assistance phase, we would like Maltese business to become involved in Albania as well,” Berisha said, among other things, once again asking for value in Maltese projects in the tourist area of Ksamil or in construction-industry services. IN GIROKASTRA ACTIVITY OF THE ALBANIA-HUNGARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION — On the eve of the long-standing traditional ties between Albania and Hungary, an event organized in the hall of the Gjirokastra Municipality by the branch of the Albanian-Hungarian Friendship Association was inaugurated. Along with members of this association, journalists and other guests, Ferenc Poka, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary to Albania, also took part. Those present watched a Hungarian film and discussions were held about further Hungarian plans. IN TIRANA A MASKED ROBBER DISGUISED AS A POLICEMAN IS ARRESTED — He was disguised as a policeman when he tried to rob the 55-year-old T. Ruçi. The author of this uniformed piracy is the 24-year-old citizen Q. Çela. After being identified, he was detained and the investigative material was sent to the Prosecutor’s Office. During the “piracy,” the pedestrian also stole from criminal police officers.

Now toward the Institute of Public Health TIRANA — A study by a group of World Bank experts — carried out in cooperation with specialists from the Ministry of Health — aims to transform the Research Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology into an Institute of Public Health. It is not simply a name change, Tatjana Harito, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, explains to Gazeta Shqiptare, but a multi-phase project that must be carried out by a basic health structure. The Institute of Public Health — the first of its kind in Albania — in addition to research activity in the fields of epidemiology and hygiene, will also serve for the specialization of university graduates and postgraduates in the various fields of public health. Through it, the creation of new fields of study such as biostatistics, management and the promotion of public health will be made possible. At the same time, the good tradition of vaccine production will be preserved and quality control of vaccines will be strengthened, both when produced locally and when imported. “In general, the aim is to achieve maximum results with the existing machinery and laboratory equipment,” says Harito. This project has now also attracted the attention of international organizations linked to the World Health Organization (WHO). Some of its specialists have carried out a study on the possibility of resuming vaccine production in Albania after it was interrupted. There is only one problem that the study must solve: will this production be economically worthwhile? The project has also attracted the attention of other countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy. The Italian government has provided 1.5 billion lire for the realization of cooperation in the epidemiological field. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Public Health at the Ministry of Health has begun preparations to organize a consultative meeting with foreign guests and possible invitees. (An.St.)

TIRANA — “Women’s participation in politics” will be the theme of the conference that begins today in Romania. For this event, activists from the Association for Democratic Culture, as well as representatives from the PD and PS, have also been invited from Albania. The conference, which will be held from 9 to 12 February, will bring together women from all over the world who have made their mark through debate and politics. The organizers are the American National Democratic Institute and the Romanian “Pro Democracy” Association. Between them and the Association for Democratic Culture in Albania there is an enduring cooperation. (M. Ga.)

She kept a shotgun and dynamite at home Detained by the police after a search of her home TIRANA — Everything happened like in the movies. The police carry out a surprise search in an apartment and the owners are caught with weapons in hand. After questioning, the danger was clear and she was immediately detained. All of this scene — now no longer just film scenes — took place a few days ago in one of the homes in Tirana. The protagonist was, surprisingly, a woman. The police found in the house not only a weapon — a Turkish shotgun — but also 6 of its cartridges, as well as 2 Belgian-American ones. The real reasons that pushed the 43-year-old D.J. to keep weapons at home are still unknown. But what is most surprising is that, according to an ATSH report, a block of dynamite was also found there. All of this will probably be clarified by the police, which immediately ordered her detention. The file has now been handed over to the Prosecutor’s Office to continue the investigation.

An expansion of nearly five hundred hectares is planned. New areas for industrial development and the construction of a transport network The zoning plan is approved by the Territorial Council TIRANA — Korça heading toward the year 2000. A decision by the National Council for Territorial Regulation — taken last week — has foreseen a further expansion of its boundary line. This decision was reached on the basis of a study that took into account urban development over a period of 15-20 years and the demographic growth pattern in the city. Around 500 hectares will be added to the city of Korçë as new territory. This area will be used to provide greater space for the city’s industrial, economic, and tourist development. A very important place in this zoning plan is also occupied by the housing issue. Precisely taking into account the city’s demographic growth as well as housing needs for the next 20 years, around 400 hectares of the expanded area have been allocated to the construction of various dwellings. However, according to specialists, since Korça is a city that shows stability in population movements, this plan could have an even longer lifespan. The current economic development in this city and its future pace will be matched by an area that will expand by 50 to 100 hectares. Meanwhile, the leisure zone intended for tourism will extend to the outskirts of the city, toward the tourist villages of Moravë, Bobovë and Cangonj, as well as near the Gjançi reservoir. It is also planned that the structure of the existing road network and its engineering in the new residential, industrial and tourist areas will be improved. Soon Korça will also have other roads at its disposal, especially the national road to Libovik. Ar. Me.

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