First in Europe for infant deaths Out of 1,000 newborns, 37 die within the first month New measures "No abandonment for AIDS patients" TIRANA — A special working group from the Ministry of Health is studying the possibility of taking secure steps to protect everyone affected by AIDS. According to Dr. Memo Boçi of the National Committee for the Fight against AIDS, there will also be a special decision on their special treatment. The measures the Ministry intends to take involve expanding outpatient services, increasing doctors' pay, training them for employment, hourly work, and other aspects that in other countries — where the disease has reached alarming proportions — have been discussed repeatedly. The Ministry's move is undoubtedly a practical step, but the experience of countries that have a long history of efforts against the "school wall" really shows us something. Administrative decisions — however perfect — are not enough in a humane and social sense if illnesses do not exist within an aware social environment. Only then will the consciousness of the whole society in which we live be awakened. (J.B.) TIRANA — Doctors are trying to sensitize public opinion to one of the most worrying problems of Albanian healthcare. For the first time, the exact figure for infant mortality has been made public: 37 out of 1,000 children born in Albania during the first half of this year died within the first month of life. The data were announced at a special seminar organized in Tirana. According to the official news agency, one of the participating doctors presented the alarming figures, which give Albania a painful record, the country with the highest infant mortality in Europe. Now doctors are deciding to speak to the media masses. Information is one of the weapons they plan to use to slow the high rate of infant deaths. There is a history of its own behind the determination of the infant mortality rate. In 1990, according to official sources, it was 23.83 per 1,000. A year later it seems to have been 26 per 1,000, but the latter figure is taken from a report on the state of children in the world published last year. For 1992, the Institute of Statistics gives a trend of 32-33 per 1,000. However, studies carried out by independent doctors, mainly foreigners, paint an even darker picture. According to Dr. Van Der Pol, there is every possibility that the real infant mortality rate is even higher than that reported by official sources. In his view, infant mortality has remained unchanged since 1985 at 40-45 per 1,000. However, this latest estimate is not accepted by Albanian specialists — based on a series of factors analyzed over the last five years — which contradict figures of around 35 per 1,000. Doctors have also presented observations about this high mortality rate. They list a long series of illnesses that relentlessly attack the fragile bodies of infants, causing death in many cases: respiratory diseases, diarrhea, infectious diseases such as salmonella and viral hepatitis, and many others. But the problem seems more than merely medical; it is first and foremost linked to cultural level. Doctors have urged parents to take sick children to specialists and not to rely on folk remedies. According to them, it is simple, quite simple, for a large share of infant deaths to be avoided if mothers and fathers brought their children to the doctor and did not stay drunk all the time. If they felt calmer, doctors would be able to focus on treating babies rather than wasting time trying to convince careless parents. At least that was one of the opinions expressed at the seminar organized yesterday in Tirana. (J.B.)

Out of 45 patients who died in 1993, the number has now fallen to three Psychiatry under reconstruction ELBASAN — Another name disappears from Albania's territory. The psychiatry unit in Elbasan — where in 1993 alone, in miserable conditions, 45 patients lost their lives — now seems to have changed destination and may truly escape the nickname. Two humanitarian associations from England were the first to turn their attention to the hell of Elbasan, followed later by another association, and then by another one. And recently, approval of a sum by the Parliament of Denmark to reconstruct and ultimately improve the institution's conditions. According to the directors of this institution, not long ago even the most basic conditions for the living and treatment of patients were lacking. The first humane gesture from the English associations made it possible for patients — many of whom were in serious condition — to be provided with new beds, blankets, and various items of clothing. Now the situation has improved, and over $3,000 in a year — donated by an American association — will be enough to install electric showers and also to reconstruct the kitchen, dining area, and other spaces. Now another ambitious project is in its final stages. The complete reconstruction of the three-story hospital — property for Ouzeca, Shqipëtare Lavdie Shqipëri, the Directorate of special institutions, or the family of Dr. [?] — with significant support from the Parliament of Denmark. In any case, today the psychiatry unit in Elbasan can no longer be called a hell. The number of deaths for 1994 has fallen to 3 from 45 the year before. (Me.Kl.)

VENICE — Albania continues to be a protagonist at the Venice International Film Festival. After the film by Gjimni Armelos (a candidate for the festival's top prize), and that of director Milo [?] Manchesteri (which deals with ethnic disputes between Albanians and Macedonians), the film of an Italian director, Michele Sordillo, was presented in competition. The film is called «Në qullapë për të gjetur» (In some corner of the city), and the leading role is played by the Albanian actor Fotos Haxhiraj, who went to Italy in 1991 together with his wife Drita. The film tells the story of an Italian couple, bored by the monotony of everyday life, whose life is suddenly joined by Agimi, an unemployed Albanian with no home. In the end, one day is sacrificed in order to escape on a ship. Yesterday Fotos Haxhiraj (who of course gives the best performance of his career) was in Venice with his wife to follow his film, which was received with interest by the public. How did you arrive in Italy? In 1991 the Albanian government gave me a scholarship in the field of ballet. So I came here and stayed. Have you asked for any help to live? — We have no support at all. Unfortunately, my wife... her first aim is secured in the field of aid in Tirana for the family in Albania. Our daughter, Bendis, who this year finishes her studies in Foreign Languages, is also following this path and wants to become an actress. No. It is a very difficult profession; it requires many sacrifices. Are films still being shot in Albania? I don't really want to talk about this. I believe that Albanian cinema no longer exists. Only theatre remains, it never dies. The new government is trying to revive the arts, but they cannot develop if there is no economy to support them. In these three years you have spent in Italy, have you done other work to earn a living? My wife has not, because her life is only recitation. As for me, yes, I have also worked as a laborer. Fotos Haxhiraj could not have been an actor without some love... I've done everything. Now I work in a company that deals with the restoration of an ancient aqueduct in Rome. I must thank my architect, who has given me a good life and when I was in Venice. I hope that someone else will take me on to play a role in the future. If others see that they like me, they will take me... We also hope for the other Albanian actors who would be happy to work in Italy. Young Albanian actors are mostly very good. Are there other Albanian actors in Italy? There were some others, but they went to Germany. Others have returned to Tirana.

LEZHE — The cultural and historical heritage of the Lezhe Ethnographic Museum ends up in a storage depot. Its building — which can no longer really be called a house — is located in the neighborhood — just like the church solution for arranging the objects. The large bathroom created especially for this purpose has not been able to save it from the destruction and degradation of a large part of the Ethnographic Museum. Once again, the news is given by the museum director, Mirash Ndoka, who still cannot offer a sufficiently clear solution for the sad fate of this old institution. It was 1979 when, in a characteristic Lezhë house in the center, the culture of the ancient city of Lezhe was given a home. Besides the museum objects that Lezhe possessed, objects from the regions throughout the district were also placed there. The main place was occupied by ethnographic objects as well as archaeological ones discovered in the ancient city of Lissus. The specific clothing of the various areas of Lezhe, household furnishings, and the improvised reception or dining rooms, artistic works and even weapons, had placed Lezhe in 1978 among the leading places in Albania in terms of the variety and quality of folk art creation. All this now belongs to the past, because the museum has been "sheltered" in a depot, falling victim not only to degradation but also to oblivion. (Tr.A.)

Protective strategy is lacking Sarandë, ship holds a new risk SARANDE — The spread of rats in the jewel city of the Albanian coast has reached alarming proportions. Now not only in the streets of the neighborhoods and near homes, but also at the doors of the administrations — which could intervene to change the situation — more and more are being found attacked by "anyway" in Sarandë, a misfortune, with favorable factors contributing to the increase of this phenomenon, making this confrontation even more difficult. Perhaps, despite some vigilance, the non-use of preparations against them, and perhaps also the lack of measures, may have given the rats a chance to "occupy" the city. According to the specialists' observations, another factor may be the arrival of ships with large holds, holds that are full of rats. In fact, this risk is known to all coastal cities in other countries, which have not hesitated to include specific measures to fight the rat invasion. (Ra.Ko.)

TIRANA — The Banjë hydroelectric plant is relieved of the anxiety of not being flooded. With only 40 percent of the works completed, a memorandum of understanding has been signed in Albania between the Albanian government and the Austrian company "Verbund Plan", which has taken on the completion of this project of special importance for Albanian energy. The success is confirmed at its conclusion. The Banjë hydroelectric plant will produce 250 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and its water reservoir will irrigate 30,000 hectares of land for the first time, making it possible for irrigation to be improved on another 70,000 hectares. (ze.)

SARANDE, HEAVY FINES FOR MISUSE OF ELECTRICITY — The number of electricity abusers in the Sarandë district has increased and as a result the electricity police has also uncovered many cases. Thus, in just one month, fines totaling more than 60,000 lekë were imposed in the district. This happens because many subscribers have not met their obligations, due to missing seals and malfunctioning meters. Meanwhile, various shopkeepers operate their commercial units using electricity through technical authorization. LEZHE, DRINKING WATER REMAINS A PROBLEM — In the hot days of summer, the lack of water and especially the quality of drinking water has become another major and worrying problem for the residents of the Lezhe district. Meanwhile, the investments office in this district has announced tenders during this period for the construction of the Torovica, Rrile, Zadrima, and other water-supply systems. As for the Shëngjin beach area, where water flows only in the early hours of the morning, a tender is being organized for the repair and systematization of the pipelines. TITLES MUST BE REGISTERED BY 30 SEPTEMBER IN THE LAÇ DISTRICT — September 30 has been set as the final deadline for submitting land documentation and registering titles at the Laç cadastre office. The district council adopted this decision in accordance with the law on transfers of land with legal force. Of the 4,463 families registered, only 3,520 titles have been completed, of which 1,348 have been registered at the district cadastre office.

Cursory reality LIBRAZHD — They may be the only ones among those displaced who, even in the middle of March, with property stolen by the communist regime, cannot be made to pay. Except for the dispossessed of Panja, who are in charge of several palaces and colleagues of theirs, from whom the regime had taken fields, shops, and land. This time the issue concerns the livestock breeders of this area, recalling that 49 years ago government delegates, police officers, and State Security employees had confiscated — among sheep, cows, horses, and mules — also 12 dogs. Under these conditions, seven different families from the villages of Polis, Sopat, Berzheshtë, Rrajcë and Fushë-Trojë are asking the country's highest authorities that, since their successors in the village still hold as expropriated the property of its owners even after 49 years, because it was looted in violation of the laws of that time. The property owners therefore represent, for the dispossessed breeders, Bil Xhafa recalls, also the original document of this report. (b.g.)

Sarajevo, the Pope's visit is "postponed" Security conditions were lacking ON PAGE 2 Employment dynamics 1,022,000 employed The weight of the non-productive sphere increases ON PAGE 3

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY? This space is free for your economic advertisements. Send it accurately in 15 words to one of the addresses: In Tirana: Rruga Bajram Curri, 370, or in Bari: Viale Scipione l'Africano, 264. Indicate the item you are requesting and offering, your name and address SELL — at very low prices a new piece of all types, as well as various leather garments. For information contact Giovanni Lombardo, Bari. Telephone 0039/80/5046607, fax 0039/80/5214687 hours 27. SELL — a shop of a few meters of car... Price around 1,500,000 lekë on "Nisaj Meka" street, Building no. 1. Interested parties should contact: Kostandin Marku, Rruga "Kostandin Kristoforidhi", Building 1/2, Staircase 1, Apartment 4, Tirana. SELL — a one-room apartment with one kitchen, annex and balcony. Address: Rruga "Hodo Beg", Building 156/1, second floor, apartment 6 in Tirana. Phone 3271. SELL — a set of industrial-sewing, sports, and other machines. The machines are used but in excellent condition. We also offer an electric installation. Interested parties should contact in Italy: Francesco Sel. Kavaja, Via G. Mazzini, c/o, Celia 1. FOR RENT — a one-room house with one kitchen located in Laprakë near the Police Guard. Interested parties should call 26587. SELL — a house in Sarandë, 2 rooms, 1 kitchen and a large annex with sea view, third floor. Address: Lagjia 4, Building 53, Kodra — Sarandë, phone 2296. SELL — a two-story house, 5 livable rooms and a yard with land included, totaling 200 square meters. Interested parties should present themselves at the address: Ismail Muzhika, Koder — Kamëz. SELL — a plot of land on the Tirana road ("Qyteti in Tiranë") for the Biological Institute, 350-380 square meters. Interested parties should contact 052/23675. SELL — two apartments, one room and one kitchen, first floor, near "Petro Nini Luarasi" School. For clarifications contact Rruga "Luigj Gurakuqi", no. 6. Phone 42515. SELL — a new two-story villa built with modern design and materials. The villa has 5 rooms, 2 bathrooms, balcony, veranda, garage and yard. It is located in the new construction area, near the "Vasil Shanto" block. For clarifications: Rruga "Luigj Gurakuqi" no. 6. Phone 42515. SELL — an apartment with 3 rooms and 1 kitchen, on the fifth floor near the "Soldier's Ensemble". The price is reasonable. For clarifications Rruga "Luigj Gurakuqi" no. 6. Phone 42513. SELL — a "Benz" truck (over 16 tons, covered with tarpaulin). Address: Myslym Kullolli, Rruga Zenel Baboci, no. 8 in Tirana.