— It is not the radars that are to blame … but the conscience of those in power — The Athens–Tirana barometer is registering further points of freezing. As the curve of Greek-Albanian diplomatic tension has reached its highest point, with the start of the trial against five members of the Greek minority, further incidents have heightened tensions even more, causing government relations to show a worsening trend. Following the incident that took place months ago at the Peshkëpië military unit, the border between the two countries has once again become the scene of another serious incident, which would lead to further escalation between Tirana and Athens. “Berisha and Meksi will leave as soon as thunder rumbles” — This is the text of the leaflets dropped on the morning of 21 August 1994 by a plane that took off from Corfu airport toward Sarandë and Vlorë. Penetrating around 40 minutes into the country and distributing leaflets openly calling for the overthrow of the regime, this latest act marks a grave and unprecedented provocation. Such an incident carries even greater significance in the tense situation that has existed between the two governments for some time. An act of this kind, carried out with premeditation, is a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and independence and, as such, must be strongly denounced and condemned by both sides. But the entry of a foreign aircraft deep into the country and the completion of its mission without being challenged, occurring only a short time after what happened at the Peshkëpië military unit, where two Albanian servicemen were caught sleeping and killed, takes on a different dimension, seriously damaging even the national pride and dignity of the Albanian army. It is no secret that the Republic of Albania has an Air Border Defence unit within its Armed Forces, whose duty is to protect and keep the country’s air borders inviolate. And the security of these borders cannot be achieved solely through statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from Serreqi, or through the telegrams that Defence Minister Mr Zhulali sends to the ministers of NATO member countries. Protecting the country’s borders, as the most sacred duty, demands the commitment and readiness of everyone—from the last soldier to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. In the face of these actions, the time has come for all of us to reflect more than ever before; the time has come to summon patriotism, appeal to the national conscience, and put it into practice through our work. Being a patriot does not mean merely repeating Berisha’s or Selami’s quotations; it does not mean being a member of the Democratic Party or supporting the decisions made by the Meksi government with statements. It means doing the duty entrusted to you toward your homeland. Showing oneself to be a patriot and a nationalist does not mean threatening Greece to keep the refugees; it means securing work and a life for them in their own country. Being a nationalist does not mean reminding Greece that borders are inviolable, but making them truly so. The “Gruman” plane came and went, having carried out its mission. This time it was a reconnaissance aircraft, but it could also have been a bomber. It reached Vlorë, but it could have gone farther; it could have flown over the Ministry of Defence or the Presidency; it could have dropped leaflets over the government villa where Berisha was staying in Vlorë, or in Durrës, where Defence Minister Zhulali continues his plans, having previously worked as a doctor. Perhaps President Berisha has heard about a sport aircraft landing in Moscow’s Red Square. Although the Russian defence minister had been with Gorbachev, accompanying him on his travels, he was not spared automatic dismissal along with the others responsible for that incident. The new European climate and the new relations emerging between states, especially between neighbours, have discarded the methods of bloc warfare. Political disputes must be addressed only around conference tables, far from the smell of gunpowder, cannons and the noise of aircraft—and never by falling asleep. Gentlemen in government! Stop giving the people the valium you have been administering to them. In this people’s genes lives a great history, far greater than your armchairs—a history that has been the foundation of national pride and has always held its head high before others. Even if it may have been embellished by the difficulties of the moment, it is still powerful, far more powerful than your desire to cling to office. A person who, through his own shortcomings and those of the people he leads, harms the national cause and the homeland’s higher interests, an official unable to perform the duty assigned to him, has an open path to resign. This is the norm and duty of a democratic state. Pilot Vraka was not the only one at fault… More than ever, we must understand that the radars were not at fault, but our national conscience. ARDIAN MYSLIMI

It seems that Fatos Nano, although isolated in prison, remains the most preferred and popular politician in Albania. According to a poll conducted since June by the newspaper «Intervista», in response to the question “Which politician do you trust most?”, among a number of politicians Fatos Nano consistently comes out on top and has no rival in this survey. For several months he has been at the top with 75 points. Sali Berisha, the President of the Republic, holds second place. A. B.

As has been reported, at the initiative of the Democratic Alliance Party and with the support of the other parliamentary parties—the Socialist, Social Democratic and Republican parties—the Presidium of Parliament was asked to convene Parliament in an extraordinary session on 22 August 1994 at 18:00 to discuss the violence used by law-enforcement forces against the former persecuted people on hunger strike. This request is based on the law and, normally, in a democratic state governed by the rule of law, it should have been acted upon in time. To find out more, we turned to MPs Dokle and Imami. IMAMI As the initiators of the call for an extraordinary assembly session, we have received no response, either positive or negative. It seems the presidium, which is on holiday, does not consider it reasonable to disturb its comfort. This constitutes a flagrant violation of the law by the Parliamentary Presidium through its failure to act. B. S. DOKLE There is nothing new regarding the requ-

No witnesses! Only their statements in the investigation!! The Gjirokastër prosecutor describes the defence as “dishonest.” The defence retorts that you do not have to be a prosecutor to be honest. The trial in Tirana of the five Greek minority members, leaders of the Greek minority political organization in Albania, «Omonia», Mr Th. Bezhani, V. Papa- (Continued on page 4)

Greek pilot imprisoned The incident involving the Greek pilot Thoma Vraka has been regarded as very serious by the Greek authorities. The pilot was immediately arrested and placed in the military prison. In addition, Greece’s Defence Minister took many other measures against the senior personnel of the Air Force. Meanwhile, investigations into the pilot have begun to discover the actual reasons behind the incident. On this matter, government spokesman Venizelos said today: Greece is not at fault. This is (Continued on page 3)

The opinion expressed by judge Martin Deda regarding the case of the five minority members on trial is unusual, given that judges refuse to offer even a simple opinion on any kind of trial, as a practice that preserves their impartiality and independence until the proceedings have concluded. His profession does not prevent Mr Deda from making comments in which he expresses the opinion that the five defendants are guilty, even though the trial has not yet ended. It seems he cannot escape the fixed idea instilled in him from the very beginning of this process—that they are guilty. We do not believe this prediction of his is a prophecy; thus, in an interview he gave to the newspaper «RD» on 19. 8 94, he says: «…This was not a matter of secrets: of information given to a foreign agency. It is precisely this fact that constitutes a criminal offence under the Penal Code, and for this the defendants are accused. Then why were precisely the discharged officers chosen? It is known that although they have been discharged, they are treated as having a special status, and no one other than the competent authorities has the right to draw up and distribute lists?»»

The government’s latest announcement that the price of electricity would be raised was received with unprecedented enthusiasm by our entire people. The day after the announcement on television, every home was full of animated faces, joyful people who «couldn’t contain themselves and shouted with all their hearts: «Long live the people’s government, which thinks day and night about the well-being of its people». They marched out of our doors… - We asked for Europe, and Europe they gave us, - said someone receiving assistance to our correspondent. Didn’t the energy ministers clearly say on television that this is how prices attain European dignity, that this is how prices attain European dignity, that this is how prices attain European dignity? Now we too have the right to boast to the world about our high prices. - They weren’t selling it; they’ve gone up, - an elderly man told us, indicating that he could never dance. Later, now I’m clutching my fist or waiting for the… [?] and the enamel… [?] money from my pension and her salary. So, what I couldn’t do and medicine couldn’t do, our government does: may your day become a thousand, may it prosper. - It was no coincidence that the relevant calculations saw lamps burning late into the night in the ministers’ halls and in the government building. Our officials have made day into night to delight our wonderful people with this happy news of a price increase. And our brave, freedom-loving people fully understand the sacrifices and… [?] of their rulers. Two ministers said plainly in a television interview that the government had no interest whatsoever in this price increase. They were doing it simply to help the people, so they could get through the long transition period as gently as possible. This is a period that calls for heroism, and heroes have always emerged from the people. And the government has responded to this proposal by declaring heroes of the transition period, especially of the era of price increases, which people call the party’s era. Only, heroes are needed after death, and the government will try to keep raising prices so there will be as many heroes as possible. (Taken from the magazine «Hosteni» No. 2, 1994)

There are 258 families (in the town of Këlcyrë alone) who do not even receive 670 lekë a month. They receive none of the compensation for water, electricity, or children’s food either. They have appealed to the presidium of the people’s council. It has apparently received a letter, and Gëzim Jarani has forwarded this letter to the Government (!). They have also written to the president. He has apparently received the letter, and Frrrok Gjoka has forwarded it to the Ministry of Labour, Emigration and Social Support, concerning these 258 families. Meanwhile, they are on the brink of starvation.

Malësi e madhe Although only a few days remain before the start of the new school year, the condition of schools in this district leaves much to be desired. There are altogether [?] eight-year schools and 9 secondary schools. The vast majority lack desks and teaching aids, and some even lack doors and windows. The school in the village of Mushqera has been completely destroyed, while the school built in the village of Brigjë four years ago has been taken over for residential use. Nearby, lessons can be held under normal conditions at the newly built school in Vajush and at the school in the municipality of Dedaj, built last year. Meanwhile, construction of the third floor continues at the Koplik secondary school. The same situation prevails in kindergartens. It is said that there are 36, with 56 employees, but their operation has been neglected, just like that of the schools. The lack of funds is cited as the reason for this situation. In truth, the education directorate at the ministry is evading the local authorities’ accountability demands (this view has also been expressed in several other districts). Concerns have also arisen about student attendance. Around 500 pupils from primary and secondary schools stopped attending classes during the previous school year. Now, in September, this number is expected to be higher. Yet the leaders are still hesitating to take measures to enforce the law against parents who withdraw their children from school. Given this picture of the district’s education network, including attendance, and the responsibility of the state authorities, what can we say about the competence of the education staff in leadership positions?!

- In our country, - says an Englishman, - plastic surgery has made great progress. They take a piece of moldable flesh and use it to make a nose, eyes, and anything else they might need. - That’s nothing, a… [?] Albanian replies. Here they take a piece of meat and make it a minister…

- An earthquake report says that Karachali was struck once again by an earthquake in … [?] several…, causing… [?]… *** - In December, it begins with the cinema… [?] … in America and Xhan Amer… [?]… Albanians of… [?]

- Also, in an air disaster involving an aircraft belonging to an English company, 40 people and engineers were killed in … [?], including 8 Italians. * * - ATSH reports that today, at the age of 115, Bojdo Menhard, one of Britain’s oldest living people, died. * * * - It ended in Korea of China…

The Arbëresh song festival. Its winners, the brothers Scaravaglione, will compete in Tirana in December among Albanians. * * * - In Veliçaj, Tropojë, the members of five [?] from four families were left homeless after their houses burned down. * * - Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova’s request to open diplomatic offices in Belgrade and …, in the two cities, in the press…

… foreign mass media and nervousness in the Serbian press. * * - German State Minister Schmidt-Huber continues to stay in Moscow in an effort to halt the smuggling of quantities of radioactive materials. * * - More than 100 private motorcycles from the sawmill… [?] of the Water… [?] brigades of Shkodër in Londrondë [?], at this lake for fishing, were transported… * * * - In an attempt to escape the poli- [?]

- There are reports that searches and arrests of «participants in the hunger strike» are still continuing. It is said that some of those sought have fled to escape the law-enforcement authorities. * * - One person killed and two wounded is the toll of an assassination attempt carried out last week in one of the cafés in the city of Korçë. * * * - The same to escape the poli-

[ç]lës Greek two from Dibër in [?] drowned in the river, leaving behind their wives and eight orphans. * * - Reports say that a large number of fires are ravaging the forests of Dibër. Lura is at risk of being turned by them into a desert. * * * - A loan of 10 million lekë offers hope that the superphosphate plant in Laç will be on the path to econom…