So far, around 45,000 Albanian workers have been returned from Greece. Forty-five thousand families have been affected; an entire people has been distressed. The DP has also been distressed. That is why it is howling. It howls, and here is what it says: “This intervention is a planned and premeditated action in the Nano-PASOK agreement; the political agreement between these two parties is bringing about the expulsion of Albanian refugees from Greece today,” and so on. Meanwhile, the “broom” keeps sweeping. Every night television shows those who have been returned. This is the third “sweep” of Albanian workers in recent years. A cool, logical look at things shows that even this fact indicates that something is not going well between our two countries and our two governments. This is the government whose PS-PASOK declaration, so widely denounced by the DP, says: “New ways must be found for the peoples of the Balkans to live together and fulfil their aspirations for peace and democracy, progress and prosperity.” For the Socialist Party, this is a measured and realistic position. But the DP does not like it, and its preferences are supposed to be the law?! The fact is that, so far, these new ways have not been found. During this time, as is well known, it was not the Socialist Party but Berisha’s party that was in power... How the return of refugees could be the consequence of a call to welcome one another as friends is something only Berisha and his clan know. If they say “that’s how it is,” then that must be how it is. They have a monopoly on the truth about everything! The PS-PASOK declaration affirms that borders will remain unchanged. The return of the refugees, says Berisha’s newspaper, was planned in advance in the shameful NANO-PASOK declaration. These people really are jokers. They have no qualms about disgracing themselves and putting one over on others. Today’s DP state sheds crocodile tears, supposedly feeling sorry that refugees are being returned from Greece. This government supposedly feels sorry, even though it does not know the number of refugees in Greece or in other countries; the same government that has done NOTHING... GOD FORBID! Suppose a PS declaration, or one by one of its leaders, said something like: “Trust should be restored between Albanians and Serbs,” or “All I ask for is a democratic space for the Albanians wherever they are...” (a democratic space in Serbia, of course)... Suppose, then, that the PS made such a declaration... How many “special reports” would TV broadcast? How many statements would the DP issue? How many “agents” would SHIK uncover? How much “solidarity” would be echoed on TV? How many traitors, anti-national and anti-Albanian people would be counted? Suppose... God forbid! But the PS has not made this statement. Who did? Can you guess? If you cannot, we will tell you in tomorrow’s issue. The Observer—rather than call itself democratic, it has its mind on sex, on seeking political refugee status for itself and its relatives. Italy has imposed a naval blockade on Albanian refugees. Germany returns refugees every day. Austria accepts no refugees. Turkey does not either; Albanian girls were sent back from Cyprus because the owner wanted them for other work. In the North, Milošević’s bullets are whistling. Is this not Albania’s isolation? Who is isolating Albania? The Socialist Party, or the “big shots” of the nation who are in power today? The answer lies in what they are doing to the Socialist Party today. The PS-PASOK declaration expresses the shared position “in favour of the European orientation of the Balkan countries and pan-European cooperation.” So, what kind of “secret plan” has the Socialist Party supposedly made? It wants a European orientation. Surely, if the aim were to turn towards Jeddah, as Berisha does, emigrants would not be returning from Greece. The Socialist Party has never agreed with the return of refugees. To the extent that it has had a voice, it has made and will make every effort to resolve this problem with cool logic. All Albanians know this well, as do the Democratic Party officials. But by blaming the Socialist Party for the return of refugees from Greece, the Democratic Party seeks to achieve several objectives. First, to divert people’s attention from its many failures in every field—economic, political and social. Second, after killing patriotism under the banner of the fight against communism, it now seeks to obtain, at others’ expense, a certificate of being a “true patriot.” Third, to justify itself to Albanians for its abandonment—amounting to treason—of the Albanian issue in Kosovo and other Albanian regions in Yugoslavia. Fourth, to divert Albanians’ attention from the constitutional coup it is preparing to carry out by appointing a Constituent Assembly with a “set agenda.” Fifth, to sabotage the idea of national reconciliation among Albanians. Sixth, to unload onto the Socialist Party the deep, seemingly incurable crisis gripping the DP and the entire right wing in Albania. And yet the refugees are being returned. Everyone knows that Berisha’s party is in power today. This turns all the DP’s historical accusations against the Socialist Party to dust and ashes. Responsibility for the return of the refugees lies with the party-state and today’s president. The people put them in charge to solve their problems, to protect Albania, and to preserve and build friendships. Here is the arena, here is the field of action. Otherwise,... BEQIR SKRELI sh… had already been envisaged in the shameful NANO-PAKOK? statement [unclear]. These people really are great jokers. They have no qualms about trying to shift their own shame onto others. Today’s PD state sheds crocodile tears, claiming to feel sorry that refugees are returning from Greece. This government supposedly feels sorry, despite not even knowing the number of refugees in Greece and other countries; a government that has done nothing to enable Albanians to come and go like human beings. Does this government know how many refugees are in Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, etc., how these people live and what they have? It knows nothing. Aren’t these disgraceful things?! What has this president, this so-called Democratic Party, this government done to protect emigrants abroad? Nothing. How many Albanians have “returned as corpses”? How much has the state concerned itself with them? Not at all. Albanian refugees, alive and dead, are left to the misery of their fate. Their bodies are kept in refrigerators until they grow dark and black, while the representatives of this state—what do they do? Only make a momentary agreement. The painful incident happened be forgotten, especially by the relatives of … … and every day refugees; Austria does not accept refugees. Turkey does not either. Albanian girls were returned in northern Albania, Milošević’s bullets. Isn’t this the isolation of Albania? Who is isolating Albania? The Socialist Party or the “bigwigs of the nation” who are in power today? For today’s “Fathers” of the nation, apparently ending isolation means sending fuel to Montenegro, which powers the Serbian war machine used to crush Albanians in Yugoslavia. These are the “great patriots” we have at the helm. They claim to care deeply about the refugees who have returned. But what are they doing for them? They want work; they are young and strong, and they are a great asset to the nation. Instead of blaming others, Berisha’s party should first think about what it will do with these people. Once again, in the middle of the four …

The trial of five Greek minority members concluded in Tirana — The request to arm the minority by “Omonia” militants was made to former Greek Prime Minister Konstantin Mitsotaqis, former Foreign Minister Cudero, and former Foreign Minister and leader of “Democratic Spring,” Antonis Samaras, the judge confirmed in the courtroom. — A very small number of questionable testimonies for the five “Omonia” militants. Judge Deda brought to an end yesterday the judicial proceedings, opened in the middle of last month, against five members of the Greek minority, leaders of “Omonia,” the organization of the Greek minority in Albania. Yesterday’s hearing made it possible to place the “black label” on the claims made several days earlier by prosecutors Qelehsi and Gjoaut. Everything was as expected, with no surprise regarding the “finding of all five guilty.” This was reported in the TV news bulletin at 16:00, where, during a meeting with Greek MPs, the speaker of the Albanian parliament confronted them with the accusation of “arming the minority with shotguns.” “Although it gave a somewhat heated impression of an attempt to lower tensions, TVSH presented the contradictions between the two sides. Arbnori was quoted as having quite naturally said: ‘We need aid, not weapons, because we have those.’ Arbnori’s words were followed by a note from journalist Çiço about the return of refugees, who, by covering this drama, wanted to explain what Arbnori had implied: the condemnation of “the five.” At 17:00, journalists from Albanian and foreign media, Greek MPs and Albanian minority MPs, and representatives of the diplomatic corps—including the diplomatic representative heading the European Twelve’s delegation in Germany, Mr Klaus Fëlers—entered the premises of the Tirana court. The corridors and area in front of the courtroom entrance were lined with uniformed and plainclothes police. The arrangements were said to have been prompted by a mysterious threat made to TV journalist Armit Shkurti and the head of TVSH’s information department, Mr Artjan Tepelena, threatening beheading and hanging. At around 17:10, Judge Deda, accompanied by his two assistants, entered the packed courtroom and began his ruling with the words “in the name of the law.” The usual ritual followed: the names of the accused, nationality, citizenship, education, family status, immunity, whether previously convicted, military service completed, and family status. Deda then began explaining his ruling. The three defendants who had been collaborators of the State Security—Pëzani, Qirjakko and Marto, respectively—were linked by their having placed themselves at the service of Asfalia, the Greek secret service. As expected, the most serious charge against all five was arming the minority with shotguns. Judge Deda also revealed that there was a fund of 30 million drachmas from the Greek government, and the provision of funds to the Research Institute v»

After many delays and schedule changes, the court hearing on the beer production case reopened yesterday at the Tirana court. The central figure in this hearing was Gjergji Shkodrani, former director of the Korçë brewery, accused of and charged with abuse of office. The experts were not in the courtroom this time, but Judge Toska allowed a counter-expert examination of the Korçë beer. Former director Shkodrani turned the spoiled beer into alcohol, and the calculations show that he made a profit rather than a loss. Nevertheless, prosecutor Hamzai insisted that what mattered to him was the spoiled beer, not other reasons. The hearing then continued with the questioning of witnesses, who were employees of the Korçë brewery, and the head of the food-industry section—who had appealed to the district prosecutor’s office—also stressed that everything had been caused by objective factors beyond his control, such as the lack of electricity and water, as a result of the transition period. The hearing lasted no more than two hours and will resume for the ninth time today at 9:00. A. BISHA

Another tragic incident in Arrëz të Kaçinarit In the village of Arrëz të Kaçinarit, in the district of Mirditë, a small plot of land in the cemetery of this remote village became fatal for 45-year-old Preng Gjeçaj, a resident of the village, who suddenly met his death from knife blows dealt by the criminal hand of 22-year-old Pëtrit Dushi. And for what? Just a momentary disagreement. The painful incident occurred on Sunday, while the funeral ceremony in Arrëz on Monday would be its prologue. But a prologue that will not be forgotten, especially by the relatives of … (Continued on page 3)

SHKODER Yesterday, the request submitted to the court of this district by Mr Nik Pavac, former chairman of the hunger-strike committee of the Political Hunger Strike Association, Shkodër branch, to change the security measure under which he was arrested on 14 August and has been held in … … the cells of Tirana Prison until four days ago, when he was brought to a cell at the Shkodër police station. He is accused of preventing the implementation of the decision to end the hunger strike of political persecutees. (Continued on page 2)

LUSHNJE The people of the village of Gungas, in the Gradishtë-Lushnjë commune, are now troubled by serious problems that have arisen during this period of democratic developments. They did indeed become owners of land and livestock thanks to these developments, but, as they write in their petition sent to the president and all levels of government, they face major hardships. The most important are: — Agricultural production on the stony land yielded 20–25 quintals per hectare, and around 40 percent of families cannot even secure bread. In the spring crops—maize, beans, alfalfa, etc.—not a single quintal per hectare was harvested because of the lack of water. The produce … Because of the lack of water, they had great difficulty finding a market for their produce, or had to sell it at very low prices. The prices of agricultural and livestock products, compared with costs, result in losses. The village’s municipal services are also in a dire state. Under these conditions, the residents of this village ask that the per-capita tax for 1994 not be levied. They ask that certain plots be assessed for the purpose of determining their bonitation rating during 1994. The irrigation system serving 100 hectares of land should be repaired. The drinking-water problem should be resolved as soon as possible, and the electrical system repaired, as promised during the election campaign. The signatures of 98 families follow

MALLAKASTËR By means of a petition signed by 87 people, the residents of Kremenar village ask the President of the Republic to defer their tax payments for at least one year. “These taxes,” they write, among other things, “are beyond our means. Our incomes are very small; most of us cannot even provide bread for our families. The land is of fifth- and sixth-grade quality (rock and flint). We have no tools to work it. No family has any. We have worked the land we have with a donkey or by hand. There is no water for irrigation because the irrigation canal is not functioning. No family has received a loan from the state to buy any tools. We cannot afford to buy fertilizer at the high prices it costs… The ratio of our expenses to our income leaves us with a loss. “This government has made no investment of any kind in the village.” The signatures of 87 people follow

- To inaugurate the Albanian Center for Fashion and Textile Design in Tirana, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme in cooperation with the Albanian Government, a … [unclear] … is being held. - Durrës Customs seized 60 “Samsung” televisions today, brought from Italy by ferry, after 200 of them had not been declared. - The … Bank was inaugurated under the Agreement … [text cut off/unclear]

- 5 people—the number of people killed in traffic accidents in Durrës during August. - A Kuwaiti fund of 5.4 million dollars will be used in Albania for emergency work to increase the processing capacity of the port of Durrës. - The Krraba Forest, this asset and … [unclear] … is at risk from fires. … [text cut off]

- The competition for university places has begun and is continuing, using an admissions system based on a possible total of 100 points: 70 for entrance exams and 30 for school results … - A champion from Gjirokastra recently became the victim of a robbery at his home by three still-unidentified criminals. - In Pograd[e]c, the implementation of the Land Law has been completed. Its implementation remains in progress and faces problems … [text cut off]

… the project for the registration of real estate. - It was reported that in Turin, Italy, the killers of 31-year-old Harrilla Shima, murdered on August 3 of this year in Italy, were arrested. - Ten tons of smuggled, and therefore undeclared, “Coca” drinks were seized in Vlorë from a vehicle that passed through customs without difficulty, but not the Financial Police. - The secondary school of Komu- … is closed [text cut off]

… leaks in the city’s water supply system, which have also been accompanied by cases of poisoning. - Sixteen is the number of schools closed in Përmet during the year, according to the Education Director of this district. - A decision is expected from the Tirana Municipality to prevent excesses and abuses in the naming of businesses belonging to various companies in the capital. … [text cut off]

- In Shkodër there is … according to the Education Director of this district. … [unclear] - various companies in the capital. … [text cut off]