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Gazeta Shqiptare

Viti III - Nr. 97 - E hënë, 15 maj 1995

"This is how parents sell them off as beggars in Italy"

28 children from Fieri, Berat and Lushnja, found on the streets of Milan, returned yesterday to Durrës A 14-year-old: "From the drug boats I saw my mother crying" DURRËS - Yesterday at 11:30, on the Kyenija [?] scheduled line ship, which every day carries passengers on the Vlorë-Brindisi route, 28 children returned from Italy to Durrës after being sent back from Milan. The little ones were taken to Bari under police escort. On the Albanian ship they were met by 7 police officers from Vlorë, Durrës and Fieri. Since only a few mothers boarded the ship, we decided to accompany them in order to learn where they live and what they do. On their small emigrant faces one could read an unprecedented nightmare. Most of them were no older than 12 or 13. The policemen escorting them told us they had been found separated from the care center and stranded for 7–8 days in the Milan area. When questioned by us, the children replied that they had been sent by family members to beg. An 11-year-old girl told us she had been in Milan for 3 months with her 10-year-old sister. She said they had begged for days on end, slept at train stations at night, and eaten only bread. Another child, a 14-year-old boy, said he had come by inflatable boat from Vlorë to Brindisi. In the middle of the sea he had seen his mother crying. According to him, in Italy they had forced him to go out into the street to ask for money. The other children said that in Milan they had been kept by unknown people and that in many cases their money was taken away. The mother of one of the children said she had sent her son away out of necessity and poverty. Moving scenes of reunion between family members and the returned children were observed at the port. Police authorities stated that checks would begin to identify the people responsible for sending the children to Italy. (continued on page 6) The 28 children, yesterday after 4 hours of begging as they return from Italy
Durrës Fier Berat Lushnjë Milano

Clandestines, the army and racism

A demonstration against racism stops Albanians DURRËS - Albanian clandestine migrants continue to fall victim to an endless odyssey on their return by ship. Last Saturday, at 11:45, 76 refugees arrived in our country on the Brindisi-Vlorë line ship. They were taken to the ship’s deck by Brindisi police and escorted by them to Durrës. When questioned by us, the returnees said that the Italian police had kept them for several days in reception centers and then forcibly put them on the ship. One of them said he had been caught without documents at a train station. Others said they had set off on speedboats and, after reaching the Italian coast, had walked for days to find work. Most of them said they had not worked a single day and had lived in very difficult conditions. Some spoke of racist insults and mistreatment. A young man from Vlorë said that a group of Italians had called him a "dirty Albanian" and beaten him. According to the returnees, a demonstration against racism had also been held in Brindisi, attended by trade unionists and Italian citizens. They claimed that the arrest and return of Albanians was becoming increasingly harsh. At the port of Durrës, their arrival was accompanied by confusion and long waits. Many relatives were waiting, knowing nothing about their loved ones. (read: p. 6)
Durrës Brindisi Vlorë Itali

Cholera raises fears of a return

- An alarmingly serious case of cholera has led to the isolation of 10-year-old M. K. from the village of Polis in Librazhdit. The child, who was admitted to the infectious diseases hospital in Elbasan, showed strong signs of dehydration and vomiting. Doctors suspected cholera and immediately began laboratory tests. According to them, the girl had consumed contaminated water and unwashed fruit. A hygiene team has gone to the village to check the water sources. Residents have been advised to boil water and take sanitary measures. Fear has increased because of cases in past years and the lack of sewage systems. Doctors said the girl’s condition had stabilized, but she would remain under strict observation. (read: p. 5)
M. K. Elbasan Polis Librazhd

Albania opens its doors to Africa’s migrants

From bujti to savarë TIRANE - (continued) At one of the country’s border checkpoints, a group of 17 African nationals was stopped while attempting to pass through in transit to Italy. Police sources said the individuals did not have proper documents and are suspected of having entered Albania through illegal routes. Some of them came from North African countries. They were questioned and temporarily housed until their status is clarified. According to experts, Albania is turning into a transit corridor for illegal migration. (read: p. 4)
Shqipëri Afrikë Itali Tiranë

The visa judges the parents’ Albania as well

Question: It is offrite Question is offrite The visa judges the parents’ Albania as well TIRANE - A visa request has caused controversy after the embassy of a Western country rejected the application of an entire family, arguing that the children might not return. Official sources say such practices are becoming more frequent for Albanians. Citizens complain that they are treated as suspicious merely because of their origin. According to them, in many cases embassies demand impossible documents and drag out the procedures. A young couple said they had sold household items to pay the fees and translations, but were rejected without explanation. Lawyers say these actions violate the right to movement and the dignity of families. (read: p. 4)
Shqipëri Tiranë

Again, the "thieves" are frightened

Korçabana TIRANE - On Monday, several new cases of theft were recorded in outlying areas, where the perpetrators entered homes at night and took money and valuables. Residents say the police arrive late and have not managed to identify the robbers. In one case, family members woke up to noises and saw shadows moving away. Fear has grown especially among the elderly who live alone. (read: p. 4)
Tiranë

ALIMEKS Enterprise Tirana

Has brought the following types to Durrës: French merchandise, 1500 tons of very high quality; maximum humidity 14.2% with maximum sub-humidity 9%; gluten minimum 30%; classification (maza) - maximum 72% and maximization for unadulterated flour to the standard pakso. To ensure the special quality of this flour and not mix it into the flour imported by the mafia, each host’s maximization is stamped according to the figure below. FRENCH WHEAT FLOUR
Tiranë Durrës

CARS WANTED

Institutions to reduce Shadetolte [?] local or personal turboti kinal vë ç'm te dyqanit and to kera ne te TVI. kare ta shteta nje e vjeç. Shëndeces 1 Tirane, near the Ministry of Health or by phone no. 723 Of Health, Tiranë, near the Ministry of Health or by phone no. 723 Health, Tiranë, near the Ministry of Health or by phone no. 723
Tiranë