The government “washes its hands” by ordering the people to wash their hands. ALARMING STATE OF THE DRINKING WATER SYSTEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - The government “washes its hands” by ordering the people to wash their hands. KORÇË Time doesn’t wait SHKODËR - MATI IS A BIG AREA Pollution from waste disposal is present, but it is also putting the drinking water at risk Will it come? cholera if it is not? Rhetorical question Severe conditions in the countryside Even two television channels for the townspeople Telegram?! TELEGRAPHICALLY...

A quarter of the residents are homeless Left entirely to the mercy of fate, despite the fact that since 10 January the destruction caused by the earthquake is clearly evident. Of the about 3,000 fami- lies in Bulqizë, 850 of them have been very seriously damaged. While 750 houses remain completely uninhabitable, all this requires immediate intervention for repairs and reconstruction. In addition, after the inspection carried out, it was judged necessary to relocate 20 families as well. In some villages the situation continues to be severe. So far funds and aid have been promised, but the situation on the ground remains unchanged. (To be concluded on page 2)

SHKODER - MATI IS A BIG AREA Pollution from waste disposal is present, but it is also putting the drinking water at risk By holding the municipality mainly responsible, we have raised the problem many times and have also addressed the other authorities to take measures, but there has always been silence and indifference. Instead of the situation improving, it is getting worse. In various neighborhoods and areas of the city, above all in the industrial zone, along the road to the old hospital, in the city hills, near the water supply reservoir, etc., garbage dumps have been created. Especially at this time of high temperatures, a very strong and unbearable smell comes from them. This situ- ation is made even worse by the lack of drinking water in many parts of the city, including its center. The laying of new water-supply networks and the installation of reservoirs is essential for solving acute problems and of course for preventing epidemics. Perhaps in other places and other cities, more attention is paid to cleaning, whereas in Shkodër this task is being neglected. MUSA NUKTALLA

Will it come? cholera if it is not? It is just as strange as it is unacceptable that we continue to hear every day from senior health officials that cho- lera is far from us, that it cannot come to Albania. But is our country farther from Italy, yet so close to England, Germany, Holland and other European countries? It is equally strange to hear from senior state officials statements like: “Cholera has been among us, but we have taken measures!” What was the people supposed to understand from this? If cholera has been among us, was it treated as a very serious disease? And what measures are those? To this day we have seen nothing but public alarm, a few tips for washing hands, a few inspections or a total lack of drinking water. This situation requires seriousness, not contradictory statements. (To be continued on page 2)

“Does anyone else know what is happening?!” Exclusive (?) only among ourselves. TV- Italians are giving us images where the danger is clearly visible. The government and its structures are silent or issuing denials. Instead of public awareness, we have only the stoking of panic and the hiding of the truth. Is it perhaps more convenient to say that “there is nothing,” while the citizen sees with his own eyes that the waters are dirty, that the canals are blocked, that chlorine is lacking, that the hospitals do not have the necessary equipment? This question remains rhetorical, but also an accusation of irresponsibility.

Peshkopi Even two television channels for free loading A muted Tirana, even with two ST- transmitters? They, week after week, are making arrangements with “luxuries,” but in villages and many centers people still do not have water, electricity, or basic conditions. Channels are being opened, signals are being promised, but wires break and antennas remain without service. What value does propaganda have before the need for bread and water? That is the question often raised by residents. (To be continued on page 2)

The newspaper RD launched yesterday a furious attack against those dwindling on the political scene, where at present they are still very much alive! Zëri i Popullit took from them yesterday in the eye funds from the people’s pocket. Its satellites from the state’s money. For these old purposes it began yesterday a campaign of fabrications and inventions. We Albanians also “throw it to a colleague” and put him under pre- sure, even before he has come to his senses. May it not be so

Luxury living room [?] and kitchen with bathroom in the hotel “Turizmi”, Korçë. Vreshta 10,000 lekë for 1 day, 20,000 for 2 days. Agreement by phone [?]. They are joking about tourism! Citizens complain about high prices in hotels and lack of service. They write to us from the village [?] that pollution and lack of water are increasing the risk every day. Village roads are cut off by rain. Transport becomes difficult. In some parts of the country there is no chlorine. Residents are calling for urgent intervention.