The hunger strike of the Bulqiza miners has been continuing since the 17th of this month. They have undertaken this action to raise public awareness and alert the highest government authorities so that their demands will be resolved. In a conversation we had yesterday with the deputy chairman of the miners' union, Mr. Sherif Kallaku, we learned that the strike is continuing peacefully and that, apart from raising awareness among institutions, its aim is also to make itself heard by the government's deaf ears, which so far has shown itself to be highly insensitive to their demands. According to him, there has been maximum understanding from public opinion and just as much moral support for the miners, which encourages the union to continue pursuing the demands submitted. Their protest has also drawn the attention of foreign and domestic news media, such as the ATA and Reuters agencies, Radio-Korça, TVSH, etc. Even so, the government, which from the very outset rushed to downplay and label the miners' protest a political act, is giving no sign of taking their demands into consideration, although the final day of the ultimatum issued yesterday has already passed. It is not excluded that the miners' being disregarded is a tactic by the government authorities to prolong the strike for a few more days, in order later to portray it as a failure of the miners and their union. Nevertheless, the miners remain determined in their demands, especially regarding the preservation of miner status, which they consider the greatest achievement won along their long road full of hardships and suffering. [Translation EN] THE MINERS ARE DETERMINED TO FULFILL THEIR DEMANDS - The hunger strike of the Bulqiza miners continues - The hunger strike of the Bulqiza miners, which began on the 17th of this month, continues. They have undertaken this action to sensitize public opinion and the highest government authorities to address their demands. In a conversation yesterday with the deputy chairman of the miners' union, Mr. Sherif Kallaku, we learned that the strike is continuing calmly and that, besides raising awareness among institutions, its aim is also to influence the deaf ears of the government, which until now has shown great indifference to their demands. According to him, there has been maximum understanding from public opinion and equal moral support for the miners, which encourages the union to persist in its demands. Their protest has also attracted the attention of domestic and foreign media such as ATA and Reuters, Radio Korça, TVSH, etc. Despite this, the government, which from the very beginning hurried to neutralize and label the miners' protest a political act, is showing no sign of taking their demands into account, although the final day of the ultimatum issued yesterday has passed. It is not excluded that ignoring the miners may be a tactic by the government authorities to prolong the strike for a few more days and later present it as a failure of the miners and their union. Nevertheless, the miners remain determined in their demands, especially in preserving the miner's status, considering this the greatest achievement won through their long road full of hardships and suffering. [Traduzione IT] I MINATORI SONO DECISI A REALIZZARE LE LORO RICHIESTE - Continua lo sciopero della fame dei minatori di Bulqizë - Continua lo sciopero della fame dei minatori di Bulqizë, iniziato il 17 di questo mese. Essi hanno intrapreso questa azione per sensibilizzare l'opinione pubblica e le più alte autorità governative alla soluzione delle loro richieste. In una conversazione avuta ieri con il vicepresidente del sindacato dei minatori, sig. Sherif Kallaku, abbiamo appreso che lo sciopero continua con calma e che, oltre a sensibilizzare le istituzioni, esso mira anche a farsi sentire dalle orecchie sorde del governo, che finora si è mostrato assai insensibile alle loro richieste. Secondo lui, da parte dell'opinione pubblica vi è stata una comprensione massima e altrettanto sostegno morale per i minatori, fatto che incoraggia il sindacato a proseguire nelle richieste presentate. La loro protesta ha richiamato anche l'attenzione dei mezzi di informazione nazionali e stranieri, come le agenzie ATA e Reuters, Radio-Korça, TVSH ecc. Nonostante ciò, il governo, che fin dall'inizio si è affrettato a sminuire e a definire atto politico la protesta dei minatori, non dà alcun segno di voler prendere in considerazione le loro richieste, sebbene sia già trascorso l'ultimo giorno dell'ultimatum lanciato ieri. Non si esclude che l'indifferenza verso i minatori sia una tattica delle autorità governative per trascinare ancora per qualche giorno lo sciopero, per poi presentarlo come un fallimento dei minatori e del loro sindacato. Ciononostante, i minatori restano fermi nelle loro richieste, in particolare nella difesa dello status del minatore, considerandolo il più grande risultato conquistato nel loro lungo cammino pieno di difficoltà e sofferenze.

After the hesitation in Brataj, the “boom” in fruit trees has, as a result, raised cherry prices in Peshkopi. A completely different phenomenon is taking place in the Peshkopi market, where, despite the price of cherries having fallen to 800 lek per kilogram, there are no buyers. The situation is even more difficult for traders, who say that at this pace the price will fall further, causing additional losses. According to them, this development is linked to the lack of consumer interest and the low level of purchasing power. [Translation EN] “Brazil's frosts,” in… Peshkopi After the setbacks in Brataj, the “boom” in fruit trees has led, as a consequence, to rising cherry prices in Peshkopi. A completely different phenomenon is taking place in the Peshkopi market, where despite the fact that the price of cherries has fallen to 800 lek per kilogram, buyers are lacking. The situation appears even more difficult for traders, who say that at this rate the price will fall even further, bringing more losses. According to them, this development is linked to consumers' lack of interest and the low level of purchasing power. [Traduzione IT] “Le gelate del Brasile”, a… Peshkopi Dopo le esitazioni di Brataj, il “boom” degli alberi da frutto ha portato, di conseguenza, all'aumento dei prezzi delle ciliegie a Peshkopi. Un fenomeno del tutto diverso si verifica nel mercato di Peshkopi, dove, nonostante il prezzo delle ciliegie sia sceso fino a 800 lek al chilogrammo, mancano gli acquirenti. La situazione appare ancora più difficile per i commercianti, i quali affermano che con questo ritmo il prezzo scenderà ancora, causando ulteriori perdite. Secondo loro, questo andamento è legato alla mancanza di interesse dei consumatori e al basso livello del potere d'acquisto.

1. To the President of the Republic, Mr. SALI BERISHA 2. To the Prime Minister, Mr. ALEKSANDËR MEKSI 3. To the Speaker of the People's Assembly, Mr. PJETËR ARBNORI 4. To the Minister of the Interior, Mr. BASHKIM KOPLIKU The demands of the striking miners in Bulqizë are a clear manifestation of the revolt of all Albanian miners against the government's discriminatory policy toward this layer of society that has made great sacrifices and contributed much to the national economy. The government, with concrete actions and not empty statements, must respond as quickly as possible and fully to the miners' demands. It must not add to the ranks of unemployment, must not deprive them of miner status, and must not violently crush their revolt. We demand that the government immediately revoke Order No. 4, dated 8.6.1994, of KESH, on which its wrongful actions against the striking miners are based. The Presidium of PPSSH

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