RD attacks, we respond TIRANA - On Thursday, “Gazeta Shqiptare” published a series of reports on the discussions in Strasbourg about Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. Among other things, regarding the “Nano affair,” we wrote that the Albanian delegates had referred to the adoption of the new Code of Criminal Procedure, which could allow—for Nano, as well as for other prisoners—a new trial. The latter was a statement made last month in Madrid by Ali Spahia and also published at the time by “Gazeta Shqiptare”—but it has not been answered. We wrote about this again yesterday, following the good news that the Council of Europe has finally opened its doors to Albania. But this information, presented objectively and impartially, was not to the liking this time either of the party newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike,” which, in an article published yesterday, criticized our article, even questioning the objectivity and seriousness of “Gazeta Shqiptare.” For some time, “RD” has been conducting a campaign against our newspaper as well. Its independence certainly cannot be called into question by a party newspaper, which by its statute is not independent. Our autonomy, one would think, is already beyond question for everyone; nevertheless, for those who insist on the matter, the evidence is there in the two-year collection of our newspaper. It is enough to read it to verify our daily effort to tell the truth. We have been, are, and will continue to be a newspaper open to everyone, which complies with and is open to everyone. [text at the bottom of the photograph is cut off] “Others in Europe.” It is telling an untruth, because all one would need to do is read the large headline in our column, published on Friday: “Europe opens its doors to Albania: the Council of Europe,” to understand that we are not referring to any conditions, since Nano is in prison and, as far as we are concerned, he should remain there until Justice decides. “RD” seems to have forgotten that the first person to speak of a possible link between the Nano affair and admission to the Council of Europe was Eduard Selami—that is, the person who, also on behalf of the Democratic Party, chairs Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and who went to Strasbourg to defend Albania’s interests. We are, of course, not concerned with whether “ZP”—or any other newspaper—writes about the Nano affair or not. We believe that providing objective and independent information means presenting every aspect of an event, regardless of party interests. After all, this is not the first time “RD” has written untruths, at least as far as we are concerned: it did so some time ago, when it placed “Gazeta Shqiptare” on the list of “Zëri i Popullit.” But it forgot to point out that we were the first newspaper to write that of the 400,000 dollars allocated to “ZP” to buy the printing press, only 36,000 remained; no small accusation—in fact, “RD” copied it with great enthusiasm the very next day, pressing on with its political campaign, which does not concern us. That is the whole difference: we—as every independent newspaper does—provide truthful information in accordance with the law, just like anyone else accused.” At the end of this chapter, before the paragraph dealing with the “presidential pardon,” Columberg wrote: “I am still concerned about the Nano affair, particularly by the fact that, even after Albania’s ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights, Mr Nano cannot appeal to Strasbourg unless Albania accepts the retroactive application of this ratification.” Columberg’s entire report is divided into chapters dealing with the main problems facing Albania today, especially in the legislative sphere. Positive in principle, and nevertheless recommending Albania’s participation in the Council of Europe—“Albania has made notable progress and is fully determined to [text cut off].” [Text cut off at the top] ... by everyone, and yet it presents its own satisfaction. The proof is written in the two-year collection of our newspaper. One need only read it to verify the and will continue to be a newspaper open to all voices, and therefore open also to the voice of Mr. Columberg, legal rapporteur on Albania, who in a confidential document dated April 24, 1995 (also published by us) speaks again about the Nano case and hypothesizes a “presidential no-guilt solution.” A solution to what? This alone should have been enough to justify the interest that a newspaper—a reasonably independent newspaper—has a duty to devote to the implications the Nano case has for the normal international debate on freedom of the press in Albania, at the Council of Europe: “RD” says, in effect, that it is investigating the free press; but it has never been published that “the Nano case is a condition for Albania’s admission to the Council...” [the rest of the column at the top is cut off] The difference is entirely here: we—as every independent newspaper does—provide information only to inform; “RD,” like all the other party-aligned newspapers, provides information in order to do politics. Criticism is part of democracy, and we gladly accept it because it helps us grow. But we strongly reject public slander, from whichever side it comes, because it belongs to a political (indeed, partisan) mentality tied to an old system, bygone and—as everyone would wish—closed. We conclude by doing our best to uphold the elementary—but universal—principle of tolerance, mentioned recently, in connection with a very similar event, by the Helsinki Committee as well. A principle that advises against considering as an enemy someone who says something different from you. [Text cut off at the top] ... for “ZP” for the purchase of the printing press, only 36 thousand remained: a small accusation which, in fact, “RD” copied the very next day with great enthusiasm, persisting in its political campaign, which does not interest us. someone who says something different from you.

Confidential report Here is what will be discussed at the Legal Affairs Committee meeting in May Council of Europe document on Albania The “Nano affair” will be discussed in Paris TIRANA - The “Nano affair” is on the desks of the politicians of the Council of Europe. This will happen in a month, on 29 May, in Paris, the venue for the next meeting of the Council of Europe’s Legal Affairs Committee. At that time, among many other matters, a connection with Albania will be discussed here—as will the case of the imprisoned socialist leader. His case occupies a page in the still-confidential report by the Council of Europe’s legal rapporteur on Albania, the Swiss Christian Democrat Columberg. Almost a page—the space the Swiss politician has devoted to Nano—is section d of the third chapter of his report, which deals with the rule of law and the judicial system. The report was drafted on 29 March and was indeed on the committee members’ desks at the Strasbourg meeting. It was Columberg—and not Keltchermans, as we had mistakenly written earlier—who put forward the now familiar formula: “One solution to the problem could be a presidential pardon, with steps taken to ensure that Mr Nano is not subsequently prevented from participating in the country’s political life.” Before reaching this conclusion, Columberg briefly described all the stages of the “Nano affair.” “According to Nano,” the confidential report states, “the charges against him do not carry a prison sentence; he was arrested without Parliament’s authorization. In his view, Parliament should have voted twice: once to lift his parliamentary immunity and a second time for his imprisonment... According to Mr [text cut off] The Swiss rapporteur does not overlook the problems with the Constitution in his report. A paragraph, more or less like the one on Nano, is devoted to this point.” At the end of the section: to [text cut off].” The photographed document contains text in English and the title: “COUNCIL OF EUROPE”, “Parliamentary Assembly”, “ALBANIA’S APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE”, “INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL OVERVIEW”. [Text cut off at the top] ... him are not punishable by imprisonment; and the other time to imprison him...” According to Mr. Nano, he is a political prisoner, considered a danger to society. According to the Albanian authorities, Mr. Nano is a representative of a group seeking to overthrow the government. He is accused of abuse of office and corruption. ... [text cut off/overprinted] ... “Albania has made visible progress and is fully determined to join the Council of Europe. The urgent problems that remain are more legal and political in nature,” it says ... [Text cut off at the top] ... The “No” vote in the November 6 referendum had more to do with the situation in the country than with the content of the draft Constitution. “The reason for rejecting the draft was apparently not the draft itself (the public did not even discuss it in detail), but a rejection of the general situation at the time.” This was the opinion of the deputy ... at the Council of Europe. Fatos Baxhaku

Strict checks begin along the borders TIRANA - Albania is closing its borders to Kurdish refugees. Just last night—one day after the Italian Government’s decision to deploy the army to stop the large influx of undocumented migrants arriving from the Albanian coast—the Ministry of the Interior announced the closure of the borders to Kurdish refugees. Meanwhile, the latest decision by Albania’s Ministry of the Interior has also been accompanied by the reinforcement of land border crossings and Albanian ports, long used as launching points by local and foreign undocumented migrants. “Many Turkish (Kurdish) citizens, taking advantage of the regulations in force allowing them to cross the state border without visas, have entered the Republic of Albania,” the Albanian Ministry of the Interior said last night. It also acknowledged that the migrants’ purpose was to travel west, primarily to Italy. However, the finding—described by the Albanian authorities as “organized crime”—along with social problems and many other serious concerns, has also been accompanied by the announcement of that organization; according to the Interior Ministry statement, its main aim is to assist undocumented migrants, who have been accused by the Albanian authorities. As reported by Albanian official sources, the Border Police “has been instructed and has taken all necessary measures to turn back, as soon as they arrive, all foreign citizens who do not provide legitimate reasons for entering and staying in the Republic of Albania.” In any case, the closure of Albania’s borders, as well as the harsh measures adopted by the Italian authorities, have greatly narrowed the route used by undocumented migrants. Helicopter patrols continue, while two frigates [text cut off] lawful stay of Albania’s borders, as well as the strict measures to monitor Italian territory, have greatly narrowed the route used by undocumented migrants. At sea, helicopter patrols continue, while two frigates keep watch without interruption, in an operation funded with billions of lire. (p.re) Kurds detained in Vlora

Reportage On page 2 Kurds detained in Vlora

TIRANA.- “A picnic, but with caution.” This is the remaining alternative for the leaders of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania, who on the first day of this year... [part of the text is illegible/cut off] “A picnic, but with caution” ... A response from the law-enforcement authorities—the day before yesterday—was read as a ban on a street demonstration, but if the halls had persuaded members of the Confederation to do this, not to continue the May 1 celebration as a picnic in the hills of the Great Park in the Albanian capital. And it was precisely this decision that prompted another meeting between the Confederation’s leaders and the law-enforcement authorities. As stated at the KSSH Governing Council, the announced rally will take place on Monday in the square of the former “Ali Kelmendi” Palace of Culture; however, the march to the Great Park “must not be organized in groups, and slogans must not be shouted along the way.” The same source confirms that street rallies on May 1 have not been allowed in Vlora or other cities either, apart from Shkodra. It is now said that the parties—especially the law-enforcement authorities and the trade union—have agreed not to allow any unlawful gathering, while the other side is to respect this rule.

TIRANA—Four more rounds remain, but now, as champions of Albania, Muça’s boys have mathematically secured the most important football trophy. Meanwhile, the championship battle will shift to the bottom of the table. Which will be the other two teams to accompany Iliria to the second division? The teams from Gjirokastër, Berat and Lezhë must get away from the relegation zone. Besa, second from bottom with 22 points, is joined nearby by Laçi, Elbasani and Apolonia, each with only two more points. Behind them are the dethroned Durrës side and Dinamo, with 25 points apiece. Even the teams’ positions seem likely to remain unsettled for a while. As for Partizani, they are showing that they truly have not deserved it. For the umpteenth time, the Reds have lost in front of their own fans. Flamurtari and Shkumbini are also in an equally precarious position. But one point above all three is Albpetroli, with one more chance to avoid ending up in second place. A very interesting race among the goalscorers as well. Shehu seems to deserve to be first, having scored against Musta. For the Gjirokastër team, this is a medal.

ATHENS - “He will visit Albania soon”... [visible text, partly illegible] It will be a visit by the Greek president to Tirana, where he will meet with ... The head of the Greek government ... a visit to ... Albania. ... The President ... will meet ... and a group ... in Tirana. ... This ... [text cut off at the bottom] Um.Bu. The Balkan countries

Tirana, the Ministry of Health draws up the plan TIRANA—The problem of drugs and their use in Albania has now also concerned the highest health authorities. For the first time, there will be a special center for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. The idea, which is expected to be implemented soon, was put forward by Minister Cikuli himself, and the first steps have already begun to prepare specialized staff. As for the location where this center will be established, it is still too early to say; the idea is still at an initial stage. The new health center that is planned to be established will deal exclusively with the treatment of people who have become dependent through frequent use of drugs at home. Its purpose is also the rehabilitation of drug addicts who are in an absolute physical and psychological state [of dependence], and in such a social situation that they require special treatment. The first step toward implementing this project appears to be preparing the staff. There will be four nurses—later there will also be sociologists, psychologists, and people from various fields—who will take a special course. According to the initial plans, this staff will train at the National Toxicology Center in the capital’s Central Hospital. At present, this is the only specialized facility for treating all people with substance dependencies, not only those addicted to drugs but also those addicted to alcohol. Drug use in Albania has been a present-day phenomenon for years. There was already great alarm over this, and some time ago, at a conference held in Tirana on the issue, a high figure for the number of users was announced: according to specialists, about 700 people in Albania use various kinds of drugs. However, this figure has not received full support among doctors. While not denying the phenomenon of drug addiction, they have said that the number is exaggerated. Nevertheless, beyond the disputes over figures, one fact remains indisputable: there are regular drug users in Albania. Ar.Me.

On Tuesday, Gazeta Shqiptare will not ... [small text, partly illegible] ... May 1 ...

Land is also sold to foreigners On page 7 TV Gazette: Here’s what we’ll see this week On pages 3–6 The latest news from around the world On page 2