Controversy: minority leaders urgently call an extraordinary conference “Omonia” expels the five Qiriazati: “They will decide next Saturday” GJIROKASTER - First arrested, then convicted and finally released, the five members of the minority now face the only risk they had not anticipated: being excluded from political life by their own organization. Controversy erupts within “Omonia”. The five no longer risk Albanian-Greek relations, but the very unity within the association. It was a meeting of the General Council of “Omonia”—from which, for mysterious reasons, the five were absent—that provoked reactions within the minority association and was subsequently accompanied by sensational headlines and statements: “The five in Omonia’s dock”, written yesterday in the newspaper “Laiko Vima”—printed in Ioannina and sold in southern Albania—and: “The Greek government has sold the interests of the Greek minority in Albania”, quoting PBDNJ deputy in the Albanian Parliament, Thoma Miço. The controversy has prompted the current leaders of “Omonia” to immediately announce that an extraordinary conference will be convened next Saturday, where a final decision will be made on expelling the five from “Omonia” and excluding them from the association’s political life. News of the heated controversy that erupted at the meeting of “Omonia”’s General Council had become known even before the minority newspaper came out. Immediately after the meeting—which had kept them occupied from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.—members of “Omonia” confirmed that a heated debate had taken place there about whether the five were present or not. The only person there to witness it was Vangjel [?]; it was confirmed that, under an agreement, the five were on vacation and away from politics. This statement is precisely what inflamed the confrontation between Qiriazati on one side and the five on the other. “Under these circumstances, the vice-chairman of “Omonia” read a statement, which also called for an extraordinary conference of the General Council, and the proposal was approved in principle. Qiriazati does not want to fuel the controversy: “The General Council meeting was not specifically about the five—it was the latest response to the Albanian Gazette—their issue was discussed recently by the leadership as well, while on Saturday we will discuss matters generally.” But he adds: “Of course, we will also deal with that issue.” According to the leader of “Omonia”, Qiriazati, still de- e- decisions will be binding on everyone.” It is understood that the fate of the five will also be finally decided next Saturday. Meanwhile, “Laiko Vima” has openly identified 13 May as the day of the decision on the five. The five’s reappearance on the scene has also revealed their current relationship with the “Omonia” organization. According to Qiriazati, two of them—Sirmo and Qirjako—have withdrawn from political activity of their own accord, while Bezhani’s meetings in the USA were private and not on behalf of Omonia”. “In this climate—when PBDNJ leaders have also made sensational statements—only 13 May remains to learn the future of “Omonia”. Although several members of this organization consider the five’s return to politics almost impossible, since they are still—even though released on parole—guilty. And the Social Insurance Institute has calculated that a fund of 83.7 million lek per month will be needed from the state budget to make the payments. Ar.Ça. ... “Italy has the right to protect its territory. It has now been established that drug trafficking is taking place with a complete lack of responsibility on the part of the Albanian state, which has no reason to be a hub for this international trafficking. But we think this is also the view of the Republican Party— ... socialists: in the cities alone the number is 5,858, and by the end of 1995 it will increase by another 14,700. To implement this proposal, state budget to make the payments. ... percent. The measure is expected to come into force next month. ... during these difficult times. In addition, regular migration would be an important factor in developing relations between the two countries. Also, for traders and family visits—to avoid any unfortunate incidents—the Italian visa system should be more liberal.” Fatos Baxhaku The Omonia defendants in court

“We are still with him, but his name should be removed” TIRANA - Now, among the young people of the self-styled PS there is also ... Marx. The Eurosocialist leaders do not want this “shadow of the past” to remain in the party’s main documents as well. Sources close to the latter have once again confirmed to the Albanian Gazette what was discussed at a small meeting held some time ago: “Marx’s name should be removed from the program”. Meanwhile, the bust of the philosopher of the dictatorship of the proletariat continues to occupy a prominent place in the PS offices. At the head of the party program’s text, which in an interview some time ago had clarified the PS’s orientation toward the best humanist values in Marx’s work. The Eurosocialists are asking for “the gospel of the millennium, ‘poured’ onto the fires”... “It was more a speculation by the press,” Monika Krye- told the Albanian Gazette yesterday, madh, Secretary-General of E FRESH - y proposes that it was only an idea raised at a meeting of our leadership and that afterwards no concrete steps were taken to decide on this point, and it was not the opposition that had to pass through several organizational levels before reaching the party’s highest bodies.” So the Eurosocialists are abandoning Marx’s doctrine? “No, only the humanist aspects of his philosophy remain a valuable legacy.” Then why propose that his name be removed? “This is not simply about Marx, because we believe that the ideological foundation of the program should not be linked to specific names.”

INTERVIEW On page 3

TIRANA - A new increase will apply to Albanian pensions. A draft decision prepared by the Social Insurance Institute, which is expected to be submitted to the Government soon, provides for a general increase of 10 percent.

PR chairman on undocumented migrants TIRANA - “The Italian army against Albanian refugees? I myself am surprised; this measure could have been avoided by taking other steps.” Chairman of the PR on undocumented migrants Godo criticizes: “Italy should ease visa restrictions” TIRANA - “The Italian army against Albanian refugees? I myself am surprised; this measure could have been avoided by taking other steps. That would have spared Albania needless exposure in the eyes of Europe and avoided the concern created in public opinion.” Sabro Godo, leader of the Republicans, disagrees with the Italian government’s latest measure to block the ever-increasing flow of undocumented migration coming from Albania, although he adds that the Albanian phenomenon must be made dangerous on both sides of the Adriatic. Then—despite his now proverbial moderation, and this time especially because of his criticisms—he goes on the offensive against government officials. “Contacts between the two governments on this issue must be increased. Albania must strengthen its controls, while Italy must give priority to illegal migration coming from Albania; only then will the problem move toward a solution.” Italy has deployed the army against refugees arriving from Albania. What is your comment? “I am surprised by this. It is something that does not leave one very at ease. Such an explanation exposes Albania unnecessarily before Europe and also creates a distorted image of Albania among the Italian people themselves.” Was Italy’s step really necessary? now been established that drug and prostitution trafficking also pass through the trafficking of undocumented migrants. This is a complete failure of effort reason to be a center for this international trafficking. We believe the Albanian people had, and still have, other means that should have been used.” What means do you have in mind? “First, intensive consultation between the two governments. We believe relations with Italy are good, but not at the level they should be. Steps toward reciprocal consultations in Vlora and Bari have now become essential. Furthermore, the fact that Albanians found work in Italy until yesterday, even through illegal channels, shows that more could have been done for Albanian migration to Italy through legal channels. The Italians should give priority to this point, because Albania’s eyes are turned that way, toward Italy. We have always helped one another in traders and for family situations—for example, in the event of a tragedy—the Italian visa system should be easier.” Sabri Godo

The Omonia defendants in court

Sabri Godo

200 cars seized over loans KUKËS—More than 200 means of transport and passenger cars have been seized by the enforcement office in the Kukës district and will be sold at auction on behalf of the branches of the savings banks in that area, because the borrowers have not repaid their loans by the deadline. For the same reason, more than 20 businesses have been seized, and another 100 are on the verge of seizure. At present, more than 200 million lekë in loans from 1990 onward remain unpaid by the deadline at the bank branches. Nearly half of the borrowers have no bank collateral, which means it will be extremely difficult for the bank to recover this money.

Third Conference of Former Political Persecutees begins Today the vote for Kola “Be quiet!”—the ministry representative TIRANA - Only one person will be elected to lead the Association of Former Political Persecutees. The Third National Conference began in Tirana yesterday and, among other things, will elect the new leadership. Kurt Kola’s departure, previously demanded by several chairpersons and others around them—but repeated yesterday by various speakers—apparently will be decided only after the vote, which is expected to be announced today. Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of heated debates, and the biggest surprise in the conference’s opening hours was the interruption of the representative of the Ministry of Labour, Social Assistance and Former Political Persecutees as he was speaking about the achievements of the PD. Indirect criticism also came from the representative of the Diaspora, who asked the Association’s current leaders not to rush into politics. On the other hand, there was also praise for the forum chaired by leader Kola. Representatives of the PBDNJ and Balli Kombëtar Legaliteti supported his work, while the Association’s own secretary, Kokoshi, denounced the fact that the Association had held only three official meetings in two years. Among the strongest candidates, besides Kola, are Engjëll Kokoshi, Niko Kirka and Luan Myftiu, who will also stand today.

A corpse in the waters of the Shkumbin ELBASAN - A woman in her forties fell victim to the turbulent waters of the Shkumbin. The sad fact was discovered by the police on Friday. Her body was found entirely by chance in the river’s current, but the Elbasan police have still not established her identity. All that is known is that the unfortunate woman’s body was found near the Metallurgical Combine, while the medical examination has provided no details about the cause of her death. The body is now in the morgue of the city hospital in Elbasan.

FOOTBALL Almost the same standings after week 27 Bish(ti) has come out on top Partizani beaten in Laç TIRANA—Bishtin comes out on top. But in the language of this season’s final stretch, it sounds different: everyone has lost and everyone has won. Alpetrol, in second place, has been beaten on its own ground, but Shkumbini’s pursuers, Partizani and Flamurtari, have also lost. Vllaznia, too, is now within reach of a UEFA place, with as many points as the teams at the top. Nothing has changed at the bottom of the table either. Only Besa has won, but its fellow “strugglers” at the bottom have done the same: Laçi, Apolonia, Elbasani, and Teuta with Dinamo. But now Tomori and Besa are alongside them too... ... a battle likely to reveal its winners and losers in the final moments. Exceptions are champions Tirana and Iliria, already in the second division. Perhaps also Gjirokastriti Shehu, now almost impossible to catch with 20 goals. In a championship drawing to a close with plenty of goals—27 were scored yesterday—and teaching fans in the capital how to get into the stadium with a good-value ticket. Yesterday at Selman Stërmasi only 50 tickets were sold, but more than 200 spectators were in the stands. Football also means paying. Everyone must pay, gje.pl. Dalipi, scorer of three goals

The proposal before the Government More money for pensioners: an increase now

TIRANA - A new increase will apply to Albanian pensions. A draft decision prepared by the Social Insurance Institute, which is expected to be submitted to the Government soon, provides for a general increase of 10 percent. This measure is expected to take effect next month. This time, the pension increase appears likely to affect lower levels more substantially, while the highest levels will remain untouched. Thus, under the draft decision, the urban pension will remain at 4,400 lek per month. Average pensions—currently at 2,684 lek—will reach 2,954 lek after the 10 percent increase. Currently, more than 300,000 pensioners will benefit from this increase: in the cities alone, the exact number of recipients is 315,868, and by the end of 1995 it will grow by another 14,700. To implement this proposal, the Social Insurance Institute has calculated that each month a fund payments

Young people in the Socialist Party criticize On page 7 Unemployed? Go to the Municipality On page 7 Strike deadline expires On page 7