The factors of rapprochement, not confrontation, must be activated

- Interview given to the radio station «Voice of America» by Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party - I believe that the five Albanian citizens of Greek ethnicity who were sentenced by the Albanian justice system are also victims of the deterioration in relations between Albania and Greece. The Socialist Party condemns the actions of citizens of Greek ethnicity, or of any ethnicity, that lead to national discord in Albania. We regret that trials of this kind should serve to further worsen relations between the two countries. Because, ultimately, we are two peoples who have been and remain neighbors, who have lived side by side for centuries, and our only desire is to live in peace. Therefore, these tensions seem to me to be, to some extent, artificial as well, perhaps imposed by the interests of a particular policy, perhaps also by other interests that are unknown to us so far. In any case, it is important for us to find ways and opportunities for dialogue, and ways and opportunities for cooperation and for activating those factors that ease tensions, strengthening these factors and meaning those factors that cause tension and drive us apart. I think Athens’ decision to expel Albanian refugees from Greece is an extreme measure of pressure against Albania. There are contacts linking this to the PS-PASOK declaration. It is surprising that efforts are being made to present all of this as the result of that declaration, which was published a year and a half ago. If this declaration did not lead to the refugees’ expulsion during the past year and a half, why is it having that effect now? It seems to me that the cause should not be sought in the joint PS-PASOK declaration, but in other factors.

The refugees’ drama continues

KAKAVIJË CROSSING INTO GREECE NOT PERMITTED Kakavija, the place where the first gusts of every storm in Albanian-Greek relations break. The first day after the trial of the convicted men, which, as expected, was to mark a new stage, and the only [group] of refugees to have arrived at the [place]. Nobody knows what will happen next. Is passage for citizens not permitted today? we ask the Greek police in front of the bars of the large closed gate. Call ...

INTENSIVE RETURNS

KAP SHTICË Since the process of returning refugees began, Kapshticë has been at the center of discussions among everyone concerned and interested in their return. Refugees continue to arrive continuously. How many have arrived? How many will come? TVSH says 47 thousand. Throughout last night, into Friday morning, they did not stop arriving. “They will all return,” my neighbor Nesi Zoga, just back from Greece, tells me. “Grandpa, what is happening, dear? I’m being reported ... It’s a shame, what is happening, dear? An ex-... informed on me,” he explains. But anyway, the Greek will send them all back, he adds. And in Greece people say that soon the Greek government will put into effect a harsh law that will be imposed on all Greek citizens who dare to shelter Albanians.

Rumors are circulating...

SIGNALS HAS Rumors are circulating that several local government offices in Has, such as the financial police, tax office, bank, post office, telecom, fuel service, electricity company, regular police, etc., will once again be moved to the district of Kukës. In other words, the district of Has will once again become part of the district. These days, such rumors are also being heard from some officials. It could happen. This could happen when the area’s MP is trying to change his residence from Has to Durrës, the district secretary to Lushnje, and many other leaders [are moving] to carry out their duties. The people of Has will object. G. MAZREKU

PERMET POGRADEC

THE CROSSING INTO GREECE

Kakavija, the place where the first lightning bolts of every storm in Albanian-Greek relations strike. The first day after the trial—you might ask, was it not also expected?—will mark a new stage in their deterioration. On the one hand, the gate is practically closed. Vehicles, large and small, and people can enter, but they cannot get out. Around midday, the first large vehicles begin to pass, those that carry out trade, but people and passenger cars cannot get through. Their line keeps growing. At the only crossing point still open to refugees this morning. No one knows what will happen next. “Isn’t the passage of citizens free today?” asks a Greek customs officer behind the bars of the large, closed gate. “Call the embassy and have them explain it to you,” comes the reply. It is noon and the heat is pouring down. Albanian-Greek relations have sweated a great deal this summer. And the diplomats of both countries, although Mediterranean, cannot find a way to cool off. THANAS DINO

AS IF... GOD FORBID!

REPLY: “All I ask for is a democratic space for the Albanians where they are (that is, in Serbia).” We published this statement in yesterday’s issue of our newspaper, posing the question: Can you guess who said it? The replies immediately flooded into the newsroom: all correct, all naming one person: SALI BERISHA, PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA. On September 3, 1994, six days earlier, he had declared to the newspaper «Le Nouveau Quotidien»: Albanians where they are.” It is said that the independent state television station is preparing some kind of special program, whose central theme is anti-Albanianism, anti-patriotism, betrayal of national interests, etc., etc., and threats to the socialists. As if... God forbid!

Drastic disregard for the farmer’s sweat

Peshkopi Drastic disregard for the farmer’s sweat A specialist from the state cold-storage facility in Tirana has been travelling these days through the plum-growing areas of Dibër. He went down to Kastriot, climbed up to Stush and Shumbat, saw Kuben, and cast his gaze over Ravna and Qenok. The plums had ripened, and their high quality was all the more appealing. The specialist offered the growers 7 lek per kilogram. Seven lek at the field, but at the doors of the Tirana cold-storage facility. Packaging and transport were to be paid by the grower. The plums had to be selected, uniform in size and shape, and suitable for export. The farmers shook their heads thoughtfully... They did the math. A few years ago, the state bought a kilogram of plums for export for 3.2 lek. Packaging, labels, export specialists and refrigerated transport directly to the orchard were included. Back then, one kilogram of plums would buy 6 kilograms of black wheat bread, or 1.3 kg of wheat. Today the state offers one kilogram of bread for 3.3 kilograms of plums. If you also add packaging, loading and unloading, transport, and the effort involved in delivering the goods to the destination, then a 1-to-10 ratio is the fairest estimate of the value of his goods. In effect, he would be selling a kilogram of plums for 2 lek, an unheard-of price—drastic disregard for the farmer’s work and sweat.

Some get a sackful, others just crumbs

PERMET Some get a sackful, others just crumbs According to the statistics of the employment, social assistance and emigration office, employment is zero, organized emigration is zero, while social assistance—let’s be fair—is in the hundreds. Most of them rely on it as their only source of income for living; there are also others for whom the person in charge shows charity, giving them government handouts, even though they have been emigrating for months and continue to receive this handout. I won’t mention their names. But why do the person in charge, Todi, and his deputy, Peci, break the law and continue to let these people be treated this way, with one getting a sackful and another just crumbs?

Will the prefect intervene again?

POGRADEC Will the prefect intervene again? For more than two weeks, the Pogradec club was blocked and closed for no reason by the public order police. It took the intervention of the Prefect of Korçë, Mr. Pjerin Kiri, to unblock the situation, which is to be welcomed. Such actions increase the reputation and respect of the public. Meanwhile, however, the conduct of the law-enforcement bodies is inexplicable. Will Mr. Kiri have to intervene again to correct the police’s arbitrary conduct?

The camp—or the sea too?

HIMARE The camp—or the sea too? Even though autumn has arrived and the beach season is drawing to a close, we ask the democratic forces to intercede with the Italian owner who owns the new camp at Dhërmi, so that we, the residents of Dhërmi and the Coast, may also be allowed to enjoy the beach and bathe in the sea. We make this request because throughout this past summer we have repeatedly faced obstacles and distress. The Italian has bought the workers’ camp for 49 years—or the sea too???

“A time bomb.” Who will be left holding it?!

POLIÇAN “A time bomb.” Who will be left holding it?! We are returning to Poliçan and the corruption at the Mechanical Plant. It is said that silence continues to surround it. That is not true. The volcano is simmering. The corruption there is a “time bomb” and no one knows who will be left holding it. It has already been set. Where is the volcano’s epicenter?! At the state audit office, whose commander is Bled-rim?! At the Ministry of Defense, which is following the scandals erupting there with “care”; in the Administration, which has been without a director for two months? With the unions, which feel the heat of this volcano, or with the “standard-bearer of reforms,” the PD? What is going on inside? What is happening within the labyrinths where the cadre is being worn down? Who will be appointed director? The PD wants a servile, zealous soldier (like the one who left), so that no one gets on its nerves or causes it trouble.

IN BRIEF ..

- The Republic of Albania and the Republic of Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations, enabling the exchange of ambassadors at ambassadorial level. - Adeto Demaci—a poet nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. - The judges are to remain in the interim in the Piemar assembly in April. It is part of a plan drawn up under the Kane government; the current government has shortened the term for this task.

TELEGRAFISHT...

- Another Albanian protagonist at the Venice International Film Festival, «Pafo» Xhixhaj, who has been living in Italy with his wife for two years, performs in an Italian film competing at the festival. - An Albanian high school [unclear] is in first place in Europe for non-violent child mortality, it is said to be seeking the lost project. - Statistics, and more specifically specialists, report [unclear] 1,000 newborns in one month, ranking the country 38th.

TELEGRAFISHT...

- Four years since Kosovo was proclaimed a Republic under the Constitution of Ka- nanik. Commemorative gatherings and solemn activities in Albania and Kosovo. - Uk Zenel Bucpapa presents readers with his new book «Dritë të përhimta», a collection of poetic works as well as translations, in his own version, of poetry by Octavio Paz, the distinguished Mexican Nobel laureate poet.

TELEGRAFISHT...

- According to statistical data, the prices of food products in Tirana are 20 percent to [unclear] times higher than those in Sofia. - After a three- or four-year shutdown, the glass factory in Kavajë has resumed production. But its 350 workers are still unable to enjoy the satisfaction and fruits of their labor because of the high selling price of the glass. - Durrës–GDANSKI maritime line.

TELEGRAFISHT...

- Manfred Shuler, deputy minister of the German Bank for Development, in Albania. This bank’s projects for our country amount to 146 million German marks, for the completion of goods and loans on preferential terms. - Italian information sources report that by the end of August the number had reached 5,006 Albanian workers working legally, who had crossed from Albania toward Bari and Puglia by motorcycle.

TELEGRAFISHT...

- The Ethnographic Museum of Lezhë has ended up in a warehouse, along with the cultural wealth of this ancient city, after the return of the former building to its lawful owner. - The people of Delvinë are still waiting; not a single shovel has yet been put to work on paving the 16-kilometer Delvinë–Muradë road, planned to be completed this year.

NEITHER WITH COMMUNISM NOR WITH ANTI-COMMUNISM

Under this title, the magazine «KOHA», published in Kosovo, printed on August 24, 1994, an interview with the Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania and member of the People’s Assembly, Fatos Nano, accompanied by the note: - Fatos Nano, the best-known prisoner in Albania and chairman of the Socialist Party, speaks in an interview from prison about his relations with President Berisha, the national question, the political clientelism into which Albania has fallen, and the difficulties of building democracy in Albania... (Read on page 3)