The Albanian government calls on the Italian authorities to return the desperate people as quickly as possible. Even children are on strike. At least six of them are taken to hospital. Martedì: a frightening regime rules in Albania Italy. 5,000 Albanian refugees on hunger strike against repatriation: “We’d rather die here” The Italian government has changed course. As of Monday, boats carrying refugees will no longer go to Puglia, but to the camp specially built in Brindisi. Nano’s government does not like this move. It wants the migrants to be returned to Albania as soon as possible. “We have no reason to keep paying for them,” is the signal coming from official Tirana. In the Italian camps, opposition is strong. The refugees have gone on hunger strike, and children have joined the protest as well. At least six of them have been hospitalized. The article describes despair, fear, and the refusal to return: “We’d rather die here than go back.” The text stresses that, according to some testimonies, Albania is not seen as a safe country. It also mentions the reaction of the Albanian government to the Italian authorities as well as the scale of the refugee crisis. SPECIAL Page 2

New law! The Bank of Albania and the liquidation of banks leave deposits unprotected and open the way for the transfer of dirty money Parliament approved, with 81 votes, the financial officials without the approval of the shareholders. Speaking about this law, the chairman of the PD parliamentary group, Tritan Shehu, declared that the devaluation of the people’s banks and the risk of losing deposits create a favorable climate for the penetration of the financial mafia into Albania. The law gives the appointed administrator the right to control and use all the bank’s assets, including its branches and subsidiaries. One of the most debated provisions is the one that allows the transfer and sale of assets without the owners’ consent. According to the opposition, this opens the way for the legalization of dirty money. In yesterday’s session it was said that with this initiative the government aims to cover up financial scandals and impose political control over the banking system. Representatives of the majority said the law aims to protect financial stability and the public interest. ON PAGE 3

BLONA In the camp of Movereto, a hunger-strike platform is ready to be set up PISA Volunteers from “Odienda Shqipëria 76” provide food ANFONA For their experience, suitcase carriers come to the fenced area for bankruptcy, but they also distribute drinking water MARGHERITA Relatives who come to see the arrivals are not allowed to enter; police stop them from walking into the port OSKA In the armored reception building there are three nurses, one doctor, one gynecologist, one psychologist, 4 teachers and 4 guards at the bridge LAMECIA TERME The refugees are placed in a center adapted so as not to come into contact with summer holidaymakers

Men, children and women join the refugees’ camp The relatives of the refugees blocked in “Alyso” blame Nano as the cause of everything Yesterday, hundreds of people gathered at the Italian center to oppose the forced return. The refugees’ families accuse the Albanian government of exerting pressure for immediate repatriations. In the “Alyso” camp the situation is described as severe, with a lack of hope and constant tension. The article mentions testimonies from women, men and children who say they do not want to return. It is emphasized that hundreds of families have gone on hunger strike as a last means of protest. PD - Italy: Do not send them back!

The Italian government should find a solution for Albanian emigrants “The collective return of refugees constitutes a blatant violation of international agreements” The Democratic Party, headquarters of the presidency, has announced that its president, Dr. Sali Berisha, has sent a letter to His Holiness Pope John Paul II, asking for the Holy See’s involvement in a humane solution to the crisis of Albanian refugees in Italy. In his letter Berisha expresses concern about the treatment of emigrants and the forced returns, describing them as violations of international conventions. He calls on the Italian authorities not to force the refugees back and to examine each case with human sensitivity. According to the statement, the letter also emphasizes the difficult situation in Albania and the lack of conditions for a safe return. ON PAGE 4

The Mask of Skopje accuses the government Relatives: “What’s happening?” run ON PAGE 4 Students before the hunger strike The Minister of Education is not for the dormitories ON PAGE 4 Bullets soak the streets of Shkodra in blood The situation in the northern city is becoming tense ON PAGE 4