TIRANA - Another breath of hope for the much-discussed problem of Albanian refugees. While the Greek foreign minister’s meetings in Rome continue, along with promises and mutual criticisms, hopeful news comes from Athens: perhaps at last the fate of tens of thousands of Albanians currently living and working in Greece will be resolved for the better. Thanks to the turning point marked by Greek Foreign Minister Papulias’s visit to Tirana and the talks held with Foreign Minister Serreqi, the joint subcommittees that will genuinely examine the future of Albanian emigrants in Greece are now set to begin work. On 23 and 24 May, the joint legal and consular subcommittee will meet in Tirana. On the same days, Albanian and Greek experts from the labor and employment subcommittee will meet in the Greek capital. It is now known what will be discussed by the working groups officially called subcommittees. The Greeks themselves have presented a draft agreement providing for the legal employment of Albanians in several sectors of the Greek economy for periods of three to six months. But the issues to be discussed will be broader still. What will happen to Albanians who have long been uninsured but whose status remains illegal? The Albanian representative in the joint group that will hold discussions in Athens has ... stated to the official Albanian news agency that “they will be discussed too.” What decision will be taken is still unclear, but it is understandable that a reasonable solution for both sides will also depend on the position of the various Greek forces regarding this problem, which is considered one of the most delicate. This is a very important issue for Albania and its emigrants. At last, the same agency has published the first official figures on their estimated number. A dispatch citing sources at the Ministry of Labor and Emigration gives the figure of 330,000 Albanians working outside their country. (For more details, see page 2).

The President of the Court of Cassation opposes the request in Parliament. And accuses... The investigation into “ZP”: Dautllari questioned; Journalists’ Association protests TIRANA - “The independence of the judicial system in Albania is at risk.” This was stated yesterday by Zef Brozi, President of the Court of Cassation, commenting on Parliament’s decision to dismiss two of its judges. The number one figure in Albanian justice expressed concern about the future of the courts, accusing the High Council of Justice, the Ministry and the Government itself of continuous attacks on the judicial system. Brozi has now drafted a letter addressed to all MPs, calling on them to reject the proposal to remove the two judges. A sharp response from the staff of “ZP”, as well as from the Association of Professional Journalists, immediately followed the criminal prosecution of Thoma Gëllçi, editor-in-chief of the Socialists’ newspaper. But while yesterday—in connection with the “ZP” case—was felt more keenly in journalistic circles, the investigation continued as normal. The only new detail on Friday was that, for the first time, the arrested former PS MP Lutf(i) Daullari was questioned in prison. On page 3

A leader of the Albanian Helsinki Committee speaks Here are the problems facing democracy today INTERVIEW A leader of the Albanian Helsinki Committee speaks TIRANA - Violence used by the Police, hate speech reflected in the press, and frequent cases of pressure on the judicial system: according to the Albanian Helsinki Committee, these are the problems facing Albania’s fragile democracy. Are they deliberate causes, or problems stemming from Albanians’ recent past? Professor Arben Puto, one of the founders and current leaders of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, answered all these questions. In your view, what is the most troubling problem in the field of human rights? “We have received many complaints from various citizens denouncing the use of violence by Police forces. In most Police stations, various citizens have complained that violence was used against them, whether they were guilty or not. In such cases, we have reported this to the relevant authorities and to the press. Unfortunately, despite this, our protests have still not put a stop to this phenomenon. In my opinion, many people have been hired by the Police who perhaps do not have the training necessary to work in this very sensitive field. We have also raised concerns about the functioning of the judicial system: there are attempts to influence its work, which undermines the independence of Justice, one of the main pillars of the rule-of-law state.” What other phenomenon is troubling? “One of the phenomena that stands out most is the hate speech used in the pages of some newspapers, especially party newspapers. The Albanian Helsinki Committee has called for this phenomenon, which undoubtedly has a negative effect on the progress of democracy, to be curbed as much as possible. This phenomenon has also attracted the attention of the International Helsinki Committee. On the other hand, the existence of high taxes on the press undermines its independence to some extent, even though it is a medium that influences the development of democracy.” What do you think causes these phenomena? “An especially difficult transition. In Albania, the situation is made even more difficult by the circumstances of the dictatorship that ruled the country. [partial text in box] ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE / ALBANIAN HELSINKI COM… / International Cultural Center / Tirana - ALBANIA / Tel/fax: 355 42 33 36 71 / … judicial justice … / … human rights … FROM THE RIGHT: … / The profound isolation and fierce class struggle are now expressed in political confrontation. The problem is made even more difficult if we consider the general level of culture prevailing throughout the country and the fact that intellectuals remain withdrawn. People are actively withdrawn, the population is cultured, without doubt, but what they do [unclear] the progress of democracy in Albania.” F.b.

Young men Gentian Hodo and Bardhyl Agolli killed by bullets. One wounded Two murders in two days on the streets of the Albanian capital. On the evening of 17 May, the killers fired an automatic weapon at a car, inside which Gentian Hodo was killed, while a friend of his was very seriously wounded. A few hours later—in the evening—another 21-year-old, Bardhyl Agolli, was shot near Yzberisht, this time with a pistol, and also became a victim. The law-enforcement authorities immediately began searching for the perpetrators of the crimes. On page 3

SHKODËR - Emigration kills. It kills more than ever. It is only a hope beyond the sea, which for an Albanian means well-being for his family, his wife and his parents. A faltering hope casts its light, but up close it blinds you before you understand its effect. A life ends in Shkodër. We have grown used to seeing death alongside life, whether of people we know or strangers. But his death was extraordinary. He had just arrived in Albania, at his home, overwhelmed by longing for his brothers, eager to play with his two beloved little ones, when his heart stopped beating from emotion. For one day, that family felt joy at the return of the household’s mainstay and sorrow and grief for one of its members. He was only 38. His name was Gac Paloka. As in many close-knit towns, rumors in Shkodër also spread quickly and then fade away. And, historically, bad news spreads faster than good. “He had told his wife he was returning to Albania. He had asked her not to send the children to school, so he could go out with them.” So says a relative, cursing the wound of emigration—once forgotten, but spreading again in great numbers over the past four years. The case of the poor man from Shkodër thus joins the list of those who lost their lives while trying to improve things, even a little. Victims among the waters that swallow boats and people; parents who fall ill, spending hours by telephones to speak with their children; tears running down women’s cheeks when no voice comes from the other end of the line; letters from loved ones filled with pleas to return. And on the other side, a suffering Albania that is still unable to keep them. Envelopes bring more news than photographs, while the once-proud roads become deserted; pictures of happy occasions fade into mist, as families have no one to look at them. Are they sad, are they happy, are they having fun? “I miss you so much, that’s why I’ll come.” Arlinda Qausholl

- He killed his fellow villager over 5 quintals of onions and was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment. This is the verdict handed down by the Tirana Court for Naim Cali, 26, from Cëla - Berzeshta in the Tirana district. Nine months earlier, believing that 18-year-old Shpëtim Cali had stolen 5 quintals of onions from him, he decided that the onions would be paid for with the victim’s life. With a knife, he stabbed his fellow villager’s brother in the back and chest, causing his immediate death. The deadly weapon was later left in the street, while its user hid under the bed in his bedroom. Even this highly original scene, however, could not escape the notice of the justice authorities in the Tirana district. Two days after the crime, the murderer was caught carrying on his back a double-barrelled shotgun, for murder and illegal possession of a weapon.

“We will solve the problem with or without Albania” Sharp criticism from Kardenos, Chairman of the Sanctions Committee TIRANA - “We have warned Albania about the fuel smuggling taking place with Montenegro, but if you are determined to solve this problem, we will do so with or without Albania.” This time, the harsh statement comes from the highest levels of the UN. It was made by Kardenos, Chairman of its Committee on Sanctions against Montenegro and Serbia, and reflects an institutional concern he leads over the scale of smuggling taking place on Albania’s border with its Yugoslav neighbour. Without denying the Albanian authorities’ efforts to block fuel trafficking, Kardenos has called for a firm hand, up to and including putting an end to the smuggling. Thus, Albania has once again become the focus of the UN’s attention and is now being sharply criticised, and even warned, both by the Chairman of the Security Council and by Kardenos himself in meetings held with Albanian representatives. “The first step we have taken,” Kardenos said in an interview given yesterday afternoon to the radio station “Voice of America,” “is to express to Albania our deep concern about the quantity of oil sold to Montenegro through the Shkodër loophole, which constitutes a violation of UN sanctions. We have evidence that this quantity is very large.” Kardenos also said that work has now begun to assess the actual domestic fuel requirements of Albania and the quantity that ends up in Montenegro. The senior UN representative did not object to investigations into the efforts being made by the Albanian government to stop this phenomenon, but “the measures taken are not sufficient,” he explained, adding that “the smuggling is carried out almost openly.” The UN now appears determined to take a very tough line to curb fuel trafficking, with the aim of bringing the phenomenon to a complete halt. “The problem exists and concerns us all,” Kardenos said. “We are holding discussions and hope to make clear our determination to solve this problem, with or without Albania.” p.re.

The hero of Kastrioti speaks Perloshi has left Sofia and returned to Lezhë. The Slavia club, with which he signed a four-month contract for a salary of 16 thousand marks, has not paid him the second instalment, which was due last April 30. The Bulgarians replied to the man from Lezhë’s request that they did not have the money for the time being. Meanwhile, Perloshi received an advance of 150 dollars and returned directly to Albania by plane. On page 5

Lika case: prosecutor again seeks 10 years On page 3

On page 3

Young men Gentian Hodo and Bardhyl Agolli victims of gunfire. One injured The Municipal Council decides Cemetery for Germans killed in Albania: Vaqari, the final resting place On page 5 ♓ Education: trade unionists protest Now, after Elbasan, teachers from Lezha too: “No to the BSPSH agreement” On page 3

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Statistics TIRANA - Around 330 thousand Albanians, out of a total population of 3 million 555 thousand, have emigrated abroad. According to a study by the Directorate of Emigration at the Ministry of Labour, the study to determine the number of emigrants was based on the results of the 1989 general population census and the electoral lists for the popular referendum on approval of the draft constitution on November 6, 1994. On page 2