Who are the perpetrators and victims, and what causes them to commit rape Violence over sex Rape, society’s open wound today The state mobilizes, but... “Most victims are afraid to speak” TIRANA - Rape, this wound that hurts terribly, is difficult to resolve, both in terms of finding a solution and under the law. There were 25 rape cases reported to the Women and Girls’ Counseling Center during its first year of operation. This is sufficient evidence to show that violence against women in Albania exists in frightening proportions, notwithstanding the many cases hidden behind a thousand and one reasons: tradition, shame, fear... The women or girls who have had the courage to approach the reception desk testify to the shocking reality of sexual violence. They have often drawn their own conclusions, which are not free of subjectivity. Thus, some believe that “most rapes happen in the victim’s home,” or that “every woman can prevent rape if she wants to; no woman can become a victim against her will.” But the facts as a whole show the opposite. The aggressor does not choose only those who meet some minimum standard, nor does he spare a “good” girl. Everything connected with this problem has its origins in antiquity, when women were considered property; remnants of this concept are still clearly visible today in the north of the country. While violence remains devastating, girls say they are afraid to report it. Even when they do, after making a report they may withdraw it. The law itself allows this: according to it, the injured party may withdraw her complaint at any point during the proceedings. Thus, the lustful aggressor escapes justice. Dozens of cases this year. Accurate figures from the state are lacking, but non-governmental organizations have recorded 25 cases of assault during 1997 On page 9

The three leaders, Tirana, Vllaznia and Partizani, each win with a goal in the final minutes. Shkumbini and Ballshi remain unbeaten on their home grounds On pages 10-11

Nano and the IMF set the key targets for the 1998 reform But the salaries of those who remain will increase TIRANA - February will be the best month for the 267,000 budget-sector employees. Their salaries will rise by 20 percent, but by September ’98, 15,000 people will lose their jobs. At the final meeting that Prime Minister Nano held with the IMF team, the 1998 budget was determined. The basic financial law, which is intended to pass through Parliament within this year, provides for increased state budget revenues, a lower deficit, and optimistic figures for both inflation and gross national product. By the end of September ’97, the number of people employed in the state sector, according to INSTAT, was 267,000. Of these, 150,000 are state administration employees. On page 2 Fatos Nano

Another person wanted

POLICAN On page 4

Shkodër

Another person wanted TIRANA - The former commander of the Guard and one of the highest-ranking officials of the Secret Services, Xhahit Xhaferi, has been arrested in absentia. An arrest warrant has also been issued for another Guard employee, who is now wanted. The decision to arrest him was made after the Prosecution established Xhaferi’s guilt in connection with the Military Hospital incident and for arming dozens of people without identification documents. On page 12

TIRANA On page 3 TIRANA Leka Zogu’s guard detained On page 3

SHKODER On page 4 SHKODER Will Hani i Hotit open? On page 4

SHKODER - Berisha celebrates December 13 in Shkodër. On the anniversary of the toppling of Stalin’s bust, the Democratic leader experienced the enthusiasm of the crowd gathered in the square. Yesterday, too, Berisha called on the people of Shkodër to take to the streets in peaceful demonstrations to awaken the days of Nana’s regime. The presence of the Mayor, Bahri Boriç, was also conspicuous at the Democrats’ celebrations. After yesterday’s meetings in packed halls, the Democratic leaders sought the crowd’s enthusiasm in the square in front of the Prefecture. On page 3

THE ITALIAN EMBASSY AND ALBANIAN SHREWD OPERATORS The scams go on THE ITALIAN EMBASSY AND ALBANIAN SHREWD OPERATORS Visa queue for sale The scams go on TIRANA - “Come on, queue for sale.” The science-fictional imagination of Albanians is recording “phenomenal achievements” in the business field. We are talking about people who sell their place in the queue. There is no longer any need to stand and wait in line, since someone else can easily take your place, in exchange for a certain payment. The phenomenon has also appeared at the railings of the Italian Embassy, where, after the elimination of fraud and corruption involved in getting one’s name onto the list, law-enforcement authorities have faced a “new crime.” So far, one person has also been taken in for questioning. Albanians’ imagination for “making money” reaches its heights. Now even places in queues are being sold. Should they perhaps be called “working dogs,” or what the devil has taken over their minds, so that they think only of mischief? In any case, it all comes down to profiteering. And this narrow-mindedness has taken root within the walls of the Italian Embassy. After many forms of corruption, fraud and profiteering, the walls of this Embassy have encountered this new phenomenon too. It was noticed by law-enforcement officers, who were watching over the lists of those who would receive visas. A person who had no business at all at the embassy had taken one of the first places in the queue, and when it came time to write the names in the register, he gave up his place to a woman in exchange for payment. (This was the same payment required to put a name on the list, around 30 thousand lek.) After initial suspicions, law-enforcement officers detained him, but he said he had given up his place to his aunt. The woman, who had taken the place in the queue, was also detained; they were taken first to Police Station 1 and then to the Police Directorate to verify their family relationship and, if they were not related, to investigate this profiteering scheme. The person in question had previously been taken in by the police, also for fraudulent activities. The Italian Embassy, by manipulating the name lists. Apparently, the understandings between Colonel Tusha and Consul Monti, who changed the visa-issuing procedure specifically to prevent corruption and fraud, have also failed. [the final part of the page is cut off]

Today: 12 pages, 30 lekë TV Gazette: Day by day, all the week’s programs TV GAZETTE FROM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, THROUGH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1997 Weekly horoscope Stories about VIPs from around the world and from home. Well-known artists who have made a splash this week On pages 5-8