Shehu: “We will ask Italy to liberalize visas” Albania, too, is deploying armed forces along the coasts from which refugees set out “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing the request” TIRANA - “The Italian government must resolve the problem of liberalizing entry visas for Albanian citizens; this could create greater scope for economic, social and political relations between our two countries.” Tritan Shehu, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, puts forward his proposal, which aims to resolve one of the oldest problems in the contemporary history of relations between the two countries. “It is very difficult for Albanians to obtain an entry visa,” Shehu told the Albanian Gazette, “and this pushes most of them to travel through illegal channels. Even traders, who have money and want to travel for business, find it difficult to obtain a visa. This undoubtedly acts as an obstacle to the development of economic relations between the two countries.” Does this also apply to the development of political relations? “Politics is not separate from the economy. Today, political relations between the countries are very good, but if we want to improve them further, liberalization between the two countries is necessary. Not only should Italians be able to come to Albania without obstacles, but Albanians should also be able to travel more freely to Italy.” Has an official request been made to the Italian government? “Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing a request to Italy for the liberalization of visas for travel and stays for work purposes, because we believe that Italy also needs Albanian workers. Liberalizing visas is in the interests of both countries, and we must not forget that there are thousands of families separated by the sea who need to meet. Naturally, there is also the other aspect of the problem, because this could mean Albania becoming a transit point for Asian citizens seeking to enter European countries illegally. Our Ministry of the Interior is intervening to curb this phenomenon. But visa liberalization and border controls are two aspects of the same problem.” VLORA - Being an illegal migrant often means facing the same opposition. The first to deploy army forces against illegal migrants were the Albanian authorities themselves, who, starting on Sunday morning, launched a large-scale operation. For the first time, the structures of the Ministry of the Interior—the Border Police, Criminal Police and special forces—as well as a contingent from the Ministry of Defense and the Naval Fleet, took part in a joint “blitz” operation at sea, putting the army and police on a shared mission. “In Vlora alone,” Shehu told the Albanian Gazette, “since Saturday, speedboats have been seized and 8 Pakistanis detained.” Meanwhile, on the other side of the Adriatic, amid rising tensions, the Italian army, whose 700 soldiers are now responsible for landing in southern Italy, has deployed its first units to deal with the operation originating from Albania. The Albanian mission, called “Operation Control and Border,” has targeted the traffickers of illegal migrants in the city of Vlora, where—according to the Albanian authorities—around 90 percent of those who end up on the Italian coast are believed to pass through. “The aim of these extensive control measures,” said senior Ministry of the Interior official Agim Shehu immediately after the operation began, “is to prevent Albania from becoming a springboard to Italy and, within the country, to prevent the establishment of organized networks for trafficking illegal migrants.” In the first days of the Albanian mission alone—announced as a continuing operation—29 motorboats were seized, one of which was taken by the Italians and has now been handed over to the judicial authorities. A somewhat shorter procedure awaits the seven people detained, who were taken off the boats as they were attempting to make their way west. Finally, a similar brief stay on Albanian soil—just one week—has also cost nearly 60 other citizens, who were not allowed to cross the border at Rinas Airport. According to confidential sources among Ministry of the Interior officials, most of the foreign nationals stopped were Kurds or Egyptians, while in Shëngjin and other coastal towns in Albania’s two largest coastal areas, people from Pakistan, China and the Philippines were arrested. But while a series of strict measures has been planned against Albanian illegal migrants, the Albanian Border Police has decided that those caught will not be returned to their homeland but will be removed from their homes, in addition to facing other penalties. An operation has been prepared based on the requirements of the agreements, and measures have been put in place by the authorities. Majko had said that the party should give more space to voices within it that came from outside the narrow leadership and the force of its changes; this had also been commented on. In the course of events, the party should make way for radicalism, in a manner that might perhaps lead some to move toward the PD. How do you explain these criticisms coming from the Euro-socialists? “In principle, I agree that there should be internal debate in the party on all policies and on the question of leadership. A party without internal debate is not destined to stay alive. But that is simply the principled side of the problem. In practice, I state that all important decisions of our party have been taken by elected bodies according to the rules set out in its statute.” PS: Marx remains... TIRANA - The PS leadership responds to young people’s criticism of how decisions are made and of the presence of Marxism in the party program. Speaking to the Albanian Gazette, Gramoz Ruçi, Secretary-General of the Socialist Party and head of its parliamentary group, also discussed the party’s organization nationwide. Ruçi was stern in response to criticism from Majko and the Euro-socialists: “They would do well to speak within the party structures and then to the press,” Ruçi replied. “Marx has established the party’s position on all those who criticize only after the meetings where the decisions were made, and who did not object at the time.” In an interview published a few days ago by the Gazette, Majko had said that the party should give more space to voices within it that came from outside the narrow leadership and the force of its changes; this had also been commented on. In the course of events, the party should make way for radicalism, in a manner that might perhaps lead some to move toward the PD. How do you explain these criticisms coming from the Euro-socialists? “In principle, I agree that there should be internal debate in the party on all policies and on the question of leadership. A party without internal debate is not destined to stay alive. But that is simply the principled side of the problem. In practice, I state that all important decisions of our party have been taken by elected bodies according to the rules set out in its statute.” Are you proposing that Marx’s name be removed? “Look, no particular individual has decided this point; it was decided by the party’s highest bodies, elected democratically. We have also learned about this point from what we have read in your newspaper. When the FRESH bodies discuss it—they are holding their conference now—let them put forward a concrete proposal, and then the party can debate it. But so far nobody from the PS, and by that I also mean the Euro-socialists, has called for such a thing. All members have unanimously approved the line adopted in the party’s main documents.” Fatos Baxhaku

TIRANA - Agricultural land will soon begin to be sold. One of the main elements of the market economy will thus become a reality through a law that Parliament will soon have to debate. Yesterday the Government approved the draft law, which will enable Albanians who already own land to begin selling it. The draft—as stated by official information outlets—passed the Government’s review with several amendments, the content of which has not yet been clarified. The first version provided for a series of procedures before land could receive a final title. According to the first version, an owner had to offer the land first to their closest relatives and, if none of them agreed to buy it, the offer would then be “passed on” to the market of second cousins, then to more distant relatives, and so on, until the final buyer. If the land is state-owned before it is transferred to anyone, then everything will be considered in order; otherwise, it may be bought by someone from outside the village, but always through a “strict” procedure. The draft law also provided for publication of the offer and the price of the land, e.g.

Berat, police order “Pool halls must close late at night” BERAT - “After 10:00 p.m., shut down the billiard halls.” This was the firm order issued by the Berat district police station to the owners of the city’s establishments. The police immediately organized Blitz operations and detained more than 50 people. The reason? They had disobeyed the police order. Among the “rebels” were owners and unruly customers. In response to the numerous incidents that have occurred recently, with tragic consequences that have led to killings, the latest order by the Berat police was intended to restrict the scope for this troubling phenomenon. The police are questioning and investigating the people arrested with great care. One mistake by the police was that they acted first by issuing the order, as noted in their investigation, without [unclear]. It is understood that the order also applies to other villages in the area. Everyone

Vlora and Krujë “Blood on the roads: Two people lose their lives” VLORA - A bloody weekend on the roads of Vlora and Krujë. Two serious car accidents ended in the tragic deaths of two people. On Saturday, Spiro Cuni, a 49-year-old who lived in Kavajë and was on his way to Vlora and then to Italy, was involved in an accident around midday on Sunday. First, Cuni suffered a serious blow as a result of two cars colliding while speeding toward each other. Then, only a short time later, he passed away, and the body of the unfortunate man from Kavajë was returned home dead. The other victim was a 34-year-old from Dibra, Nafije Leshi. The car she was driving, according to eyewitnesses, skidded 40 metres off the road near the village of Derven, close to Krujë. Leshi was left lifeless immediately. S.M.V.M.

Government $1,000 for Shkodër drowning victims’ families TIRANA - The government will give one thousand dollars to the Shkodër families who lost their loved ones in the waters of Lake Shkodër. Although this sum of money is immeasurable compared with the nine deaths that took the lives of the parents of those children, the Shkodër authorities themselves wanted to help these people at least a little, giving them the opportunity to get their lives back on track. The proposal was approved yesterday at a Government meeting, only a few days after the grand funeral of the nine innocent victims of the lake. Ar. Ça.

He was from Elbasan Body found in the mountains brought home ELBASAN - A body has been discovered in the Greek mountains. It happened on 4 May, when the lifeless body of 35-year-old Iljaz Mezgaj from the village of Shalësi in Elbasan was found amid the melting snow. The person who discovered the body was a fellow villager, who was also an undocumented migrant. “We were crossing the mountain toward Greece,” said the villager, “when suddenly [we saw] a person lying there, as if he had frozen to death.” A. Salla, a Greek villager, recognized his body in the snow in the mountain village: “I told [them], ‘He is our fellow villager.’” The villager went to find out whether [he was] with the others. Mezgaj’s body was taken home. The father of [several] children, the victim had set out for Greece on 14 January, but the cold and snow brought his attempt to emigrate to a definitive end. Me. K.I.

In Lezhë They are dismissed for refusing to demolish the shacks LEZHË - They refused to demolish the newcomers’ shacks and have been dismissed from their jobs. This happened a few days ago in the Lezhë district to two drivers at the port of Shëngjin. In accordance with the ultimatum issued by the local authorities and the government, bulldozers were supposed to demolish the homes of newcomers from the East, built on land belonging to lawful owners in several villages in Lezhë. The drivers were summoned to the district council and ordered to carry out the decision. Two workers opposed it, LEPR and K.D.; they refused to obey the order, considering the consequences. The port management dismissed them, but the owners were [consulted/involved] in this operation. Ir.Ra.

Here is what you need to obtain privatization vouchers TIRANA - “Make sure you have the necessary documents to obtain the securities.” As the geographical coverage of the counters that have begun distributing securities to the first elderly recipients expands, the managers of the Savings Bank are urging people to provide the necessary documents, without which no one can receive them. Today distribution is also due to begin in Shkodër, Elbasan and Korçë, and later in Lushnjë. “We hope to have the entire structure for distributing privatization vouchers operational within this week,” Bedri Çollaku, Director of the Savings Bank, told the Albanian Gazette, “but this will depend on whether we receive all the lists prepared by Social Insurance.” The working group carrying out preparations throughout the country is continually travelling to many districts so that distribution can begin as soon as possible. It is hoped that this will soon be in operation at all 250 bank counters across the country. Çollaku wanted to remind all interested parties once again which documents are essential, so that they can be checked and there will be no problems. Here are the documents he listed: 1. Identity card (not passport); if it is unavailable, the original birth certificate must be presented; photocopied documents will not be accepted. 2. If someone else is collecting on behalf of the person, a duly authenticated authorization must be presented. 3. To collect securities for people who died after 1 January 1995, collection will be possible only if an inheritance certificate is presented. Anyone collecting on behalf of several heirs must have the corresponding power of attorney issued by them and notarized. 4. The pension book is also an essential document, on the basis of which the clerk carries out the necessary verification. Çollaku added that, wherever distribution has begun, lists have also been posted specifying the exact dates on which collection can be made at the relevant counters. “There is no reason for confusion,” Çollaku added. “We have taken all the measures to ensure that distribution is carried out properly according to the precise criteria established in advance.”

Tirana, film marathon begins tomorrow On page 2 Yeltsin decorates 36 Albanian partisans On page Partizani will boycott the Championship On page 3 Second Division: Skënderbeu and Kastrioti in the final On page 3 Sports results and news from around the world On pages 4-5