ALARMING SITUATION: Poisoning or cholera-like diarrhea?... - So far, 5 dead. Among them, 2 military personnel. 90 hospitalized. - Urgent measures are needed. The situation is extraordinary. Government officials, where are you?....

There are 28 people admitted to the infectious-diseases ward of the Military Hospital in Tirana. Thirteen of them are military personnel, jet pilots from one of Albania’s most important bases, Kuçova, and the diagnosis given as the reason for their admission is “cholera-like diarrhea.” This news was confirmed to us yesterday by official sources at Tirana’s Military Hospital. Since the late hours of Friday last week, admissions to the hospital from the Kuçova base—which is also the center of the outbreak—have continued, until by Sunday their number had reached 28 people. Information sources at the hospital also report that the condition of four of them is serious, including one woman. While various sources suspect cholera, sources at the hospital say that the final official test results are not yet available; meanwhile, the IKV is also dealing with the matter, according to the director of the Military Hospital. Samples have been sent abroad, and a French doctor has also arrived to conduct tests. Since Friday, when the situation became worrying, two people have died, both military personnel: one a 38-year-old pilot and the other a 22-year-old soldier. The cause of their deaths has not yet been made public. Meanwhile, other sources speak of five deaths, but this figure has not so far been confirmed by official sources. Around the building where the ward is located (Continued on page 4)

Question: It has become known that there are health problems in the cities of Berat and Kuçovë as a result of a disease, and there have also been deaths. What is the situation? Answer: As was also said in the Minister’s interview, we have a problem of this kind. We have an outbreak in Kuçovë involving an acute intestinal condition… We have had cases like this before, and outbreaks of this kind in various places, especially during the summer. But this time the cases seem more concerning. Patients have been admitted to the hospitals in Kuçovë and Berat and to the Military Hospital, although the military personnel were the first to present. Question: Two deaths have occurred; has it been concluded what caused them… while the University Hospital Center, whose doctors are the most qualified, [is involved]. Assistance is needed, at least in the outbreak areas, for anti-epidemic measures, because the population is not very well prepared. Our specialists are ready, and very soon they will provide an answer. Normally, in such cases we establish contact with various international bodies that help us with their assistance. The results of the tests will be made public. If [the diagnosis] becomes known, we will not be in a position to protect ourselves. Whatever it is, it will be stated, because in every case it is treatable; it can be cured. Question: But if, unfortunately, it should be… It is treatable, but the response should not be limited to medical assistance alone. Since it was thought that the first virus was transmitted through water, the water supply was shut off, and the population is now supplied by tanker trucks, alongside other measures being taken in hospitals. Everything will be made public, but the necessary checks are now beginning. So far no definitive conclusion has been reached, so we should be cautious about giving a final answer. Thank you. Question: Two deaths have occurred; has it been established what caused them? Answer: Specialists are working to establish this, because an answer based on an anatomo-pathological examination cannot be given from the macroscopic appearance alone; microscopy must also be verified, but that requires a longer period of time. Question: Have you been in contact with various European health organizations, and what have you concluded in this case? As far as I know, one of these representatives is coming to Tirana today to collect samples for analysis. Answer: We consider the situation unusual, and the Ministry of Health is fully mobilized. The doctors of Qen- have been engaged previously, we have had [cases] continuously and in various places, especially during the summer. But this is a series of cases. It seems to us something more worrying. The cases have been admitted to the hospitals of Kuçovë and Berat and to the Military Hospital, although they first appeared among military personnel. The doctors of Qen- have been engaged

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA MARTINO’S VISIT TO TIRANA LASTS SEVERAL HOURS - Albania is an irreplaceable factor for stability in the Balkan region - Yesterday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Martino made a brief visit to Tirana lasting several hours. He met and held talks with Foreign Minister S. Serreqi, Prime Minister Meksi, and President Berisha. His visit was received with great interest for two reasons. Italy’s major role and contribution during Albania’s difficult transition period are well known: Italian emergency aid and Operation Pelican made it possible to get through the period of severe food shortages. At the beginning of the talks, Minister Serreqi, in the presence of journalists, emphasized that Italy is a primary point of reference for Albania in achieving the transition as quickly as possible. (Continued on page 4)

- According to the BBC - Papulias said after returning from the meeting in Germany that Greece remained steadfast in its decision not to allow community aid to be given to Albania, even after the pressure exerted by his European counterparts. - Greece can count on the solidarity of the European Union, but, on the other hand, we are also interested in Albania’s economic recovery; Kinkel is said to have told Karlos Papulias at the meeting of the Community’s Council of Foreign Ministers, which concluded in Germany. The Foreign Minister… (Continued on page 4)

Kakavijë Deported Albanians want the dispute with Greece to end - According to Reuters - As Tirana and Athens trade accusations in their Balkan dispute, many ordinary Albanians want relations to be normalized so that they can prosper. Traditionally chilly relations between Greece and Albania were recently brought to a standstill after a Tirana court sentenced five ethnic Greeks from abroad to as many as eight years in prison, accused of spying for Athens and illegal possession of weapons. Greece retaliated, deporting more than 50,000 Albanian migrants across the border and vetoed… (Continued on page 4)

ON TELEVISION: On Sunday evening, specifically on 11 September 1994, Meksi declared: Prime Minister Meksi said on television that the Greek Government has always played the refugee card. …a clear and open statement in question; signed when PASOK was no longer in power, a few days before the Berisha regime put the chairman of the PSSH and member of the People’s Assembly, Fatos Na… in prison

The first 3 dead: a pilot, a soldier, a driver. Dozens more admitted to hospital. Infectious diseases are usually kept completely secret so as not to cause panic among people, but since the competent authorities are still speaking of a “possibility and suspicion,” it is worth highlighting what is happening in the district of Berat, specifically from Ura Vajgurore to Kuçovë. For two days now, this entire area and the surrounding villages have been filling the hospital in Kuçovë with people suffering from nausea, fluid loss, vomiting, and high temperatures. The town hospital is full to overflowing. There are so many cases that even the town’s maternity ward has been cleared to accommodate these patients. The first to die was a 38-year-old pilot, followed by a soldier whose life ended just as the helicopter took off to bring him to Tirana. The third was a driver from Ura Vajgurore. There are rumors that the number of dead is higher, but no one can give their exact number, since the hospital is surrounded by public-order forces. Cholera is suspected.

On Sunday evening, specifically on 11 September 1994, over a record of ?; Prime Minister Meksi declared on television that the Greek government has always used the refugee card. So, always—and now, following the joint declaration by the PSSH and PASOK of Greece, as we stress, the Democratic Party’s malicious and spiteful propaganda has referred to it as the Nano–PASOK declaration. Things are clear; just as clear and open as the declaration in the signed newspaper, when PASOK was not in power, a few days before Berisha’s the People’s Assembly Fatos Nano in prison. The entire activity of the Democratic Party and its leaders is equally clear. The people know. That is why Berisha and his PD are afraid of a democratic contest at the ballot box.

Throughout all these days that have followed at the Kapshticë customs point, Albanian refugees have not stopped asking for a moment. Exhausted by the unbearable heat and the long journey, large crowds with bags and bundles on their backs head toward our customs post, where numerous buses with license plates from all over Albania are waiting. This is a good opportunity for their owners, perhaps the only ones who feel the pleasure of this “hunt.” They already have work and accommodation arranged in Greece. They confirm that the Greek police have an easy job, and Albanians have now become convinced of Greece’s resolve and are learning the way back. Meanwhile, at Kapshticë, just as at Kakavijë, every possibility of crossing the Greek customs post has been suspended. Nevertheless, the crowd in front of it, seeking to do just that, continues to grow. They have different troubles, but no one wants to know. The Greek army tries to drive them away; someone manages for a moment to get as far as the Greek customs office. But soon he returns, head bowed and despairing. He is a young man named Ilirjan Memini. He was hospitalized in Greek hospitals for two weeks and speaks with great respect about the staff there and everything they said about him. But now he seems very worried. He should have been back there a week ago, because he has left his radiotherapy sessions unfinished, and everything may go to waste. The barrier at the Greek customs post is raised less and less often, only when a large vehicle appears in front of it. But a related change is taking shape in this respect too: cases of blocking others who import food products have begun to become more frequent. Perhaps this is a warning action, a new step in the Greek blockade against Albania. M. MEKO

CRYING CORRUPTION The artistic group’s 900 lekë. — per diem for the chairman of the district council. There is constant talk of corruption in Bulqizë, which is present not only in the tickets and among the directors singled out, left in the limelight as a result of unemployment that has engulfed and paralyzed this town, writes a correspondent. At meetings that were held to discuss the construction by an artistic group for the Albanian group in Macedonia of Kosovo, by the chairman of the council of the district (continued on page 2)

The season of beatings has begun in Skrapar too. These days we have had them in bulk. The series opened with Qazim Metani, director of the public health service. After him, they gave a light beating, but with parliamentary implications for later, to the gynecologist Flamur Dosti. The cause was the death of a child during childbirth, after a certain bargain had been struck between the doctor and the patient. Thus the bargain fell through and was replaced with punches. Later the “heat” spread to the road-and-bridge department. Ylli Omeri beat the rector, Kadri Leka, over lime. Health services—who knows what half a bottle. This time they went after the hematologist Agron Veizi. It seems there was some sort of quarrel, but he too got caught up in their wave and was sewn up on the spot without stitches. They say that, while the director is being dealt with (after being admitted to the maternity ward, he is being treated at home, since the work was done according to the relevant responsibilities), preparations are being made for new beatings. Some say surgery is next, where a slogan has been put up: “Free treatment, stop corruption.” But the latest beating was recorded in Gjerbës. The Musabelliu family quarreled with another family over a calf, and after the fiercest and most serious fighting, they ended up in the hospital in Çorovodë. Apparently, the value of a human being has fallen below that of property. They say complaints have been filed with the relevant authorities and the police concerning some of the couples involved. Beatings in bulk continue! TEME ALUSHI

20 Albanian enterprises engaged in their production at the ? international fair in Izmir, Turkey, in an exchange attended by the Turkish Prime-? *** - Three former ? of Tirana, Zallmener. Bukësh and the surrounding district planted an orchard with a Bovia seedling. Villages? are planted in Albania? In the Government’s decision on this? hina. *** - A new health center in Po-

represent the Kore for the diagnosis and treatment of the residents of T.? The Belgian humanitarian association «DORKASH» invested 3500 USD in it. *** - On 7 May, 1200 ?-covered ? in the district of Korçë. Indeed, in July the records show 150 cases, of which 118 civil and 32 criminal. *** - Information coming from Gjirokastra indicates. Many others too? have changed, the ayet has lost something precious, seriously and qe-

…their safety from unlawful acts that may befall them at any hour and in any place, up to criminal acts such as theft, robbery, and murder. *** - The lignite mines in Korçë continue to survive thanks to increased production and its quality. This year, 20 thousand tons more coal. *** - Under the direction of the three ? who came from Rome, 192 pupils of the Qjader? of Lezhë continue their Italian-language courses.

* - It is reported that a major dispute has broken out on Mount Dajti over who will own the pioneer camp there. Foreign companies, trade unions, or the workers? *** - The Albanian Bank announces a new auction for six-month Treasury bills. The stated amount is 200 million lekë. *** - In a brief notice, «Premien

is expected to begin work on mineral exploration and oil extraction in Dumre and Patos Marinëz. *** - Preparations have begun, and the privatization of the branches of the tarçareve in the district is expected to take place soon. *** - A delegation from the city of Shkodër visited the city of Këmel të Rrhurit in Germany, where they discussed projects and cooperation for that purpose and for a better future from

- Reports of strikes caused by infection and water are spreading and reaching worrying proportions in Tirana, Berat, and Kuçovë. *** - The National Assembly of the Albanian National Democratic Union Party held its proceedings in Tirana. Mr. Ali Neza was elected party chairman, while Mr. Sadik Malaj was elected secretary-general.