“If garbage in the cities is not dealt with” TIRANA - The Ministry of Health has once again issued an alarm over a cholera outbreak. The epidemic, which killed nearly 30 people, appears likely to re-emerge unless urgent measures are taken to eliminate the factors that promote the spread of the deadly vibrio, first and foremost by removing the dilapidated sewer systems and piles of garbage in squares and at the centers of residential areas, and replacing worn-out water supply systems. Those responsible who fail to take measures to remove the garbage will face a difficult time. From now on, even criminal prosecution will not be ruled out. This was the main message of an appeal by the Ministry of Health, intended to alert public opinion and the population throughout the country to the grave conditions, so that the dramatic situations of a few months ago are not allowed to recur, when the country was hit by an emergency situation. Fortunately, and this is confirmed by the document circulated by the Ministry itself, no reported cases of cholera have been confirmed since November last year, the month in which images of death and solidarity against the vibrio—which had reached alarming levels in several districts—were the only ones to prevail. “Clinicians did very well in treating the patients admitted to hospital, while hygienists and epidemiologists tried to limit the spread and prevent the outbreak from recurring,” the Ministry of Health responded through its press office. The Ministry of Health first calls on the state authorities, particularly regarding the quality of the services within their remit: “The fight against this disease cannot be solely a legal problem,” and then appeals to all levels of local government. “Water chlorination and garbage collection, two measures The Ministry of Health and (above) Minister Cikuli

essential in the fight against many infectious diseases, are carried out by enterprises under the authority of local government. There is no point in treating cholera without also implementing these necessary measures to combat it,” the Ministry appeals. “With the outdated sewer system, worn-out water supply networks and inadequate garbage collection, we once again risk cholera outbreaks, dysentery, etc.” The Ministry then recalls the role played in such cases by the Sanitary Inspectorate, its status and powers, and how it has often urgently called for improvements to hygiene and sanitary conditions in the city and the districts. A point will be made of establishing and improving local hygiene, and of assessing the effectiveness of the enterprises’ hygiene measures now, as the hot season approaches and the fear of deadly epidemics draws near. [p.r.e]

TIRANA - The works to rebuild Tirana’s water supply system will be inaugurated this morning by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. The ceremony—which will take place near the old refrigerator plant, where excavation for the installation of the pipes will begin—will also be attended by the Prime Minister, Italian ambassador Foresti and others. This project is one of the investments awarded through a tender. The works, which will cost a further 8 million dollars, are financed by an Italian cooperation loan and will last three years. Tirana’s water supply system had not been rebuilt since 1939. Tender procedures began in 1993.

MARCH 91 - 95 Four years after the mass exoduses of Albanians to the West Here is who drove people to flee illegally Politicians explain the causes TIRANA - Four years after the great exoduses, when hundreds of thousands of Albanians headed west, the idea of leaving the country has not been driven from the minds of many Albanians. The exoduses have continued almost without interruption, at a formally legal rate but mostly illegally, with little fanfare or sensational coverage, like a frightening undercurrent of events. And in this fourth March since the major political upheaval, Albanian politicians have attempted to explain who has encouraged this unprecedented flight, which they themselves count among the nation’s most dangerous wounds. There is a common thread in the statements politicians from different political forces have made to Gazeta Shqiptare about the causes that continue to fuel emigration. Unlike March 1991—when the explanation put forward by politicians was different—they now say that economic factors are overwhelmingly responsible for sustaining the flow of emigration. Alongside acknowledging the objective causes, they also criticize the Government. “Only the full institutionalization of democracy and comprehensive economic development,” says PD MP and Chairman of the Order and Defence Commission Azem Hajdari, “will firmly bind people to their country.” Sabri Godo, Chairman of PR, also points to the [unclear] and the emigrants’ business connections. For Godo, two problems concerning emigrants need to be solved: “providing employment opportunities at home and ensuring a legal status for the residence of emigrants who continue to feel abandoned around the world.” In addition to the economic crisis, it is the crisis of confidence that, according to PSD Chairman Skënder Gjinushi, continues to drive Albanians to emigrate. The departure of intellectuals is particularly alarming to Gjinushi. “A different, special policy must be pursued in this regard,” he adds: “a mature exodus would take us away from Europe.” On illegal migration, Hajdari speaks of the Government’s shortcomings, which, in his view, has failed to develop a clear platform for attracting foreign investment. Eduard Hoxha, PS MP: Luani Naxhagara ‘comes’ to do what? Naxhagara ‘comes’ to do what? Meanwhile, in front of the Government, Government, are we laughing? The “majority” advises: it may be possible, but it must consider the dangers it brings before the people.

The writer recalls the tragic days TIRANA - “I have felt deeply, even from far away, every reduction of Albania, every emptying of it, as a profound sorrow.” Ismail Kadare, too, from Paris, recalls those tragic days of March with sadness, when the first images that shook the world came through television and the press in Paris. Kadare remains troubled by the thousands and thousands of lives that continue to abandon Albania. “If this continues, it will be the end of Albania,” he says, and continues: “the wave of refugees must be stopped; Albania must begin to be put in order.” How did you experience those days? “I felt that event and its aspects very deeply. First, because it is very painful to me and I feel its consequences. Each one of them will affect the country. Second, the consequences came at a time when communism was at its end, and this was exploited by anti-Albanian propaganda to smear the new Albanian democracy. The tragedy was exploited greatly; some companies even went so far as to use it to advertise their products. This shows that instead of there being understanding—‘Let us help this country’—there was confusion. An image was created as if Albania were a country incapable of building democracy. This image continues to harm Albania today. In Europe they knew something about Albania, they knew something about its culture; the third thing was that this was taken up in ways that were different and more unfavorable to our country. I myself had many debates with foreign journalists in those days. ‘Where are the perpetrators, the instigators?’ some of them asked and wrote. These debates and many other statements in the press caused irritation in the squares.” How do you explain the Albanians’ mass exodus? “It was the long trauma that was still continuing. People may have understood after a few months that the inertia of communist terror was continuing. This then turned into a psychosis which, unfortunately, also affected the homeland; concepts of the homeland had been overturned by the regime. Seen from a general perspective, in Albania and Kosovo, this is the most tragic current event for Albania. It affects the very being of the Albanian nation; it is extremely [unclear]. It has far greater destructive power than a real war. The disintegration of Albania, its diminishment, the physical and moral loss taking place through this exodus, is much greater than what would happen if a war broke out today. “There are certain European and global circles which, unfortunately, for reasons of interest, misunderstanding, or strategic mistakes, are not interested in Albania being a strong, independent country. They are interested in Albania being diminished, in the partition of Albania, which happened at the beginning of this century, becoming permanent; and if that cannot be achieved, they have found another way, precisely this reduction, the ‘great exodus.’ In this concern for the Albanian nation, people have seen a vision of ‘emptiness’; they have [unclear], simply look with hope toward Albanians and reconciliation, but do not [unclear]. For years the press has failed to report the real tragedy unfolding among Albanians around the world: the roads and routes they take, how they are thrown into rivers; thousands are injured, many others are degraded, driven into crime, drugs, prostitution, pederasty, etc. All these are signs, and so the picture being shown is entirely misleading. “Albanians today in Kosovo, [unclear] parts in Albania, are people almost like the slaves of Africa when they were transported by ship. I see no great difference between them and the young Albanians who set out without even knowing where they are going. I am a writer, a man of culture, and I am against violence, but I think the agencies that send Albanians abroad, especially from Kosovo, deserve violence too. I regret that there are [unclear] and the true migrants of Berlin and [unclear], who do not have a road song, a work, but truly [unclear] violence that would be inflicted on our country.” The exodus continues today. “What should be done to curb it?” “The Albanian political class—whether in power or in opposition—will be held to account by history if, blinded by various passions, it forgets this national reality. All Albanian society, its culture and press, must understand that if this exodus continues, it will mean the end of Albania, the halving of the Albanian nation. Politicians must put aside some of the passions that have become so fiercely misguided and deal with other matters; they must understand that the ship is sinking. Thus, the whole Albanian political class, all Albanian society, not to mention the entire Albanian population, will be condemned by history for this hegemony; this is unjustifiable. “I think the Albanian state has every opportunity to put this matter in order. Not by using violence, but by putting Albania in order. I know Albania cannot be put in order easily, but at least it must begin to show that it is trying. It is a material matter for the Albanian nation. We must know that, whether we like it or not, in this world the strong are respected; the strong overthrow the morally weak.”

Controversy in the PD’s top leadership Selami: “The grassroots are with me” Shehu: “The majority is against him” TIRANA - Is the base of the Democratic Party with Selami or against him? So far, the question has received two different answers within the party’s own top leadership. In general, Selami has repeated the account he gave of being supported by leaders of branches in the country’s five largest districts: “The grassroots will support me; they do not want my position as party chairman to be decided in this contest.” This indicates that there are two lines within the party on this issue as well. But yesterday PD Secretary-General Tritan Shehu, who has supported from the outset the National Council’s decision on the procedure for appointing the chairman, said on RTSH: “The base has supported the National Council’s decision. In all the districts where branch meetings have been held, the relevant documentation is available; all the minutes exist and show that the overwhelming majority of activists’ comments oppose the position expressed by Selami.” In his replies, Selami maintained a different view: “I do not conflate the issue,” he said, “of the procedure for approving the Constitution with that of the selection model,” implying that he also has reservations about the draft that will be put to the referendum on 6 November.

Durrës accessible again from both directions TIRANA - It is once again possible to reach Durrës from the capital by either of the two routes. This is the latest confirmation from the Road Police authorities, who have specified that traffic on the Sukth road is permitted only for supply vehicles, and absolutely not for heavy vehicles. One of the two routes on the Tirana-Durrës journey had been blocked a few days ago, when the dilapidated Sukth bridge had ceased to function. After minor repairs, Road Police specialists allowed traffic to pass over it, but only for light vehicles and one at a time. (p.re)

In Tirana TIRANA - The third robbery in a row within a few days at the shops? [unclear] Within? employees? Have? been left? only? of the fuel-supply enterprise, located right in the center of Tirana, in front of the apartment buildings that residents call “the under-cathedral.” In the early hours of the morning, thieves managed to steal nearly four million lekë from the cash register of this enterprise—where applications and promotions for the supply of liquefied gas are also handled.

GJIROKASTËR - Hopes have begun to emerge for saving Gjirokastër Castle. - Hopes have begun to emerge for saving Gjirokastër Castle. A list of measures has been drawn up and submitted in recent days to the city municipality by the Institute of Cultural Monuments. The detailed plan envisages the formation of structures with qualified researchers, teams of scholars, “salvami” squares and [unclear] of this [unclear]. Saving this fortress is one of its best-known [features?]—it is one of the cities where efforts to save monuments are now concentrated.

On illegal migration, Hajdari speaks of the Government’s shortcomings, which, in his view, has failed to develop a clear platform for attracting foreign investment. Eduard Hoxha, PS MP: Luani Naxhagara “comes” to do what? Naxhagara “comes” to do what? Meanwhile, in front of the Government, Government, are we laughing? The “majority” advises: it may be possible, but it must consider the dangers it brings before the people.

The League of Lezhë commemorated A commemoration was held in the city of Lezhë in memory of the historic assembly united earlier under the leadership of the National Hero Skënderbeu. Scholars, historians, poets and others took part in the event and recalled the historical importance of this assembly for the survival of the Albanian nation and for laying the groundwork for its unification in a common state. At Kukës, a market in work record books The privatization of state enterprises has forced many workers to seek work record books to document their years of service for pension purposes. Unable to obtain work record books legally, they have turned to the black market. There, various “businessmen” sell work record books for 800 lekë each. Ministry: “Not five months, but years” The Ministry of Health clarifies an error in the article “High mortality among Albanian infants.” The phrase “the first five months of life” should be corrected to “the fifth year of life.”

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Announcement It is opening a School of Public Administration, which will train and qualify employees of the State Administration. It is therefore seeking staff to teach at this school. Applicants who meet the requirements should have: 1. A university degree (preferably) in economics, law, social sciences or engineering. Other degrees may also be accepted. 2. Teaching experience. 3. A good command of English and another language. 4. Work experience, if possible. 5. Computer skills. Applicants should submit a CV and a letter of recommendation to the Institute of Management and the “Hanns Seidel” Foundation at the following address: Suzana Pani Institute of Management and Public Administration Tirana Trade Centre (former Party School) 1st Floor, Offices No. 5, 6, 7, Tirana Applications must be submitted in English and must be received by 21 March 1995. The salary will be at the level of international institutions operating in Albania.

Fatos Bahaku