Shkodër a policeman is killed while walking home According to the police, crime has dropped significantly in these cities. Nevertheless, another murder has occurred in the major northern city. According to the Telex agency, around 10 p.m., in the peripheral neighborhood of "Skënderbeg" in Shkodër, police officer Zyhdi Smajlaj, of the local police station, was shot dead while on his way home to spend the night. The police say the killers were two unknown individuals. A swift police investigation managed to establish that the perpetrator was a 17-year-old with the initials Z. H., who is also accused of injuring a person near the bus stop and, according to the police, has ties to prostitution. Just two days ago, another police officer in the northern city lost his life in the line of duty. And what about the sunny lowlands? New details continue to emerge about the events at the Visokëz oil mine and the brick factory near Kuçovë, where the workers' strike is underway. According to the chairman of the independent trade union committee at the Kuçovë brick factory, representatives of 200 workers have gone on hunger strike. Apparently, their motive is the decision taken in recent weeks to dismiss 6 people for theft. However, the workers claim that these people are being made scapegoats for the dirty work of their superiors. As reported yesterday, the brick workers were demanding the annulment of the factory director's decision, which took effect on 1 June. On the part of the Independent Trade Union Committee of the Visokë oil mine, a statement says that the hunger strike of 9 miners, which began on 6 June, is continuing. They call on the president of the republic and the government to take urgent measures to meet their demands. The miners' representatives say these concerns relate to job security and wages. According to them, work at this mine continues despite frequent power cuts. The union says that more than 5,000 workers are employed there and around 60 tons of oil are being produced per day.

For quite some time now, the people of Berat have been complaining about the lack of drinking water, since the supply remains unusable. SH.P.U.KA has stated that drinking water is arriving with frequent interruptions. This has irritated part of the water consumers, who are loudly demanding a solution to this situation. It has been reported that for several days there has been no water in the city of Berat. Some other sources claim that the distribution system is not in good condition. In some neighborhoods, there has been no water at all for days. But strangely enough, in its latest statements SH.P.U.KA has denied that there are problems with the water supply system, stressing that the cause has been power shortages and technical faults in the pumps. Meanwhile, citizens say that prices have gone up and service has worsened. They are calling for immediate measures to improve the water supply and to clarify the situation publicly. On the other hand, some specialists say that the network is worn out and needs urgent intervention. According to them, without serious investment, the city will continue to suffer from water shortages, especially during the summer season.

On 29 June, in the city of Vlorë, at the initiative of the District Council and its chairman, a special symposium on this issue was held. It was attended by leaders and specialists from all over Albania, representatives of oil exploration and extraction enterprises. Discussions focused on ways to revive exploration and exploitation, on modernizing equipment, and on bringing private capital into this field. There was also talk of the need for a new management concept for the oil industry under market economy conditions. Participants pointed out that the existing deposits are showing signs of depletion and that without new investments production will fall further. Several concrete proposals were presented to increase efficiency and stop losses. In the end, it was emphasized that the sector needs state support and clear development policies.

WE ARE THE HARASSED ONES (Continues on page 7) A guide to reform? Among former landowners and peasants there is deep distrust toward the way the reform is being implemented. They complain that local commissions have acted in a biased manner, that the land distribution has not respected old documents, and that conflicts over ownership are increasing day by day. In many areas, decisions on land distribution have been taken without transparency, while the affected families say they have found no support either in the courts or in the administration. Meanwhile, local government representatives say that the law has had shortcomings and that the situation has been made worse by the lack of accurate documentation. A review of the procedures and a fairer solution are being demanded to avoid tensions in the countryside.

In the north, 8 families are confined indoors. These families, with their children, cannot leave their homes because of blood feuds. According to local sources, in some northern areas old tribal conflicts continue and there is a lack of effective state intervention for reconciliation. Representatives of local government and the police say efforts have been made to mediate, but without full success. Residents are calling for more security and justice, while the families in confinement face fear, poverty, and isolation every day. The children's schooling is often interrupted and the families' economic life has been paralyzed. Many consider this situation one of the most serious social wounds of the time.

A BLOCKED REFORM We continue with the opinion of those affected by the land reform, who say they feel neglected and treated unfairly by the institutions. According to them, promises about the return of property or compensation have remained on paper. Some of them say they have knocked on many doors without receiving a clear answer. They are calling for a fairer law and equal enforcement for everyone. It is also demanded that the state take responsibility for the mistakes made in the process and guarantee social peace. Without this, they say, the land conflict will continue and the consequences will be felt for years to come. (To be continued on page 7) VLASA OSMAN LEÇI