Albanians ask their officials: - Albanian diplomacy must take the seasonal-employment draft law out of Italian MPs’ drawers. - Racism against Albanians? Albanians saved Europe’s Christianity. - Albanian diplomacy must take the seasonal-employment draft law out of Italian MPs’ drawers. - Racism against Albanians? Albanians saved Europe’s Christianity. The vacuum created between the shores of the Adriatic continues to fill with information, commentary and proposals. Tirana has put forward representatives of the political parties, who are making proposals to overcome the situation. Meanwhile, Rome is making the same efforts, with open opposition to the «Dini Government’s» decree now also in the background. Thus, two days ago—when the decree deployed soldiers in Apulia—the Italian Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Affairs opposed it, calling it «unjust». The Committee said that «the decree to send the army to Apulia is neither necessary nor urgent, two basic conditions for deploying troops in any kind of operation». In this way, the Italian Parliament’s first positions have been made public; in the eyes of Albanians, it has become the last barrier to the decree that brings in soldiers. How will the vote go, «yes» or «no»? This time the matter is of sacred importance to Albanians. But whatever vote the Italians choose, the «undocumented migrant» phenomenon will not receive the quick, optimal solution that has long been on the diplomatic tables of the two countries. ...in Italy and nearly 100,000 Albanian emigrants in Albania, altogether, over the past 500 years, to defend themselves. It was precisely at the borders of those five centuries that the Albanian Gjergj Kastrioti saved Europe’s Christianity in the face of the «onslaught of the crescent-turbaned hordes». And so Albanians were killed then. Perhaps that is why they ask more of Italy, of Europe. That Europe which, with great courtesy and gratitude, dubbed Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu «the rampart defending European Christianity». In any case, times have changed, and when you see «non-EU Albanians» heading to Italy, France, Germany and the European Community, outside all rules and laws, you have the right to ask: Who betrayed Kastrioti? Naturally, those who threw his bust out of the official premises of Albanian administrations to please someone. But today Albanians ask only for tolerance, especially those living in Italy. There is an example. In March 1991, Nano, Kosiga and Andreoti had between them not only the sea but also thousands of Albanians heading toward Italy with their dreams. The situation really was an emergency for Italy. But the army did not come out into Apulia as it has today. In fact, what stood out most was the care shown. The Italian Carabinieri took the Albanians under their protection. Andreoti appeared on «Domenica In» to say just this: Albanians should know that Italy is not all rosy, as it is here on «Domenica In». That was all. But development programs, loans for raw materials, and aid were allocated to Albanians, seeking to strike at the foundations of «clandestine migration»: unemployment, lack of investment and a low standard of living. Everything seemed to be going well, but only until the moment when the preferences in the political minds of the officials in Tirana, changed along with the officials themselves. And today, three years later, Albanians are left wondering: Who betrayed us? This is also because Albanian diplomacy has been working through campaigns of «Come on, let’s ruin relations with Greece; come on, let’s fix relations with Greece; come on, let’s ruin relations with Italy; come on, let’s fix relations with Italy!» This is what happens because the interests of those in power were put above the interests of Albanians. Just remember Berisha’s statements: «The Italian Embassy has turned into a den of former Albanian communists.» But the surprises keep coming every day. Thus, an argument that reached the newspaper’s editorial office—«don’t write against undocumented migrants because 1,000 families in Vlora depend on them»—is seeking space. Meanwhile, someone might once again ask: «undocumented migrants and conflict with Italy, or seasonal employment and stability in relations with Italy?» Last September, former Italian Foreign Minister Martino accompanied the condition of «control over undocumented migrants» with the idea of seasonal employment. A draft law on seasonal employment has long been sitting on the desks of Italian MPs. It has now become a necessity and seems to be many... times more valuable than 1,000 soldiers in Apulia, in every sense. But dialogue is needed. Tirana officials Berisha, Meksi, Seregi and Abnori must, before saying «I shook the Italian’s hand», show Albanians the results of their trips to Europe. Before the Albanian administration busies itself escorting military delegations, it must immediately establish intensive dialogue with officials in Rome and Italian parliamentarians, so that this law, which Albanians urgently need, does not gather dust in the drawers. …as the last barrier to the decree that carries time, the importance is clear to Albanians. But whatever the Italian vote may be, the “clandestine” phenomenon will not find a quick and optimal solution—the kind that has long been on the diplomatic tables of both countries. Meanwhile, Italy is also facing some thoroughly unpleasant incidents stemming from what is known as the “phenomenon of racism.” What was presented as an effect of the deployment of the army in Puglia—opposite Albania—and the exposure of the “Albanian enemy” to Italians seems to have materialized. Informants say that “on the walls of a village near the city of Rieti, chilling slogans appeared: ‘Reopen the crematoria.’ ‘Fewer Albanians—more work.’ ‘Albanians out.’ ‘Stop Albanians’!” Meanwhile, this is happening as 100,000 Albanians…

- Protest - The General Council of the Autonomous Union, meeting on 4.5.1995, decided to address the above-mentioned entities and the Albanian public at large with this protest, in which we denounce the actions against the Autonomous Oil Union and its representatives, who are facing unprecedented censorship and violence directed by oil-branch directors such as Myny r Sinani (director of the NNP Ballsh Branch), Ylli Shanaj (Director of Shqipërim Kërkimi), Lulëzim Murati (director of KPTHN Ballsh), encouraged also by some Albpetrol Administration officials, who brutally bring in irresponsible individuals to perpetrate violence and terror against representatives of the Autonomous Union. The Union is standing firm against them with calm and courage, demonstrating a democratic culture within the system we are building. Democracy does not mean censorship of free speech, violation of human rights, violence and terror. The democracy to which the Autonomous Oil Union and our entire people aspire means culture, tolerance, peace and new alternatives within a legal framework and a truly democratic system. The violence and terror that have begun to be inflicted on the Autonomous Oil Union and its representatives started at the meeting held on 26.4.1995 by the Autonomous Union with representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Emigration, Mr. Bujar Cani; the Ministry of Energy, Mr. Ilir Shimili and Anesti Moçe; and the Executive Director of Albpetrol, Mr. Sokol Beljeri. They had also brought in several pseudo-unionists, one of whom, in the middle of the meeting, struck ... the deputy chairman of the Autonomous Oil Union with a fist and drew blood. This person, named Bujar Velçani, had the support of the state side, along with the other representatives of the Autonomous Union at that meeting. Later, director Ylli Shanaj brought two people inside the territory of the Ship m Kërkimi Branch, and they beat the representative of the Autonomous Union at this branch, Mr. Syti Brahimari, causing a fracture to his head. Their actions have continued, with threats to dismiss representatives of the Autonomous Union and its members. These short-sighted directors go so far as to organize groups of compromised individuals and pressure oil workers to sign personal declarations of membership in the Independent Union, which is nothing but an obedient tool whose representatives are completely corrupt and serve a certain clan currently in power. Therefore, the Autonomous Oil Union appeals to the institutions to take note of this protest and to the Albanian public at large to put a stop to the adventurist and gangster-like actions of these directors by exercising their powers and taking measures, including dismissing them from their positions. Otherwise, the Autonomous Oil Union will respond by democratic means, preparing and carrying out a general oil-sector strike. General Council of the Autonomous Oil Union CHAIRMAN MYRTEZA GOXHAJ …[fragment] of Labour and Emigration, Mr. Bujar Cani; the Ministry of Energy—[unclear], Mr. Ilir Shmili; Anesti Moçe; and the Executive Director of Albpetrol, Mr. Sokol Bejleri, who had also brought along some so-called “disco enthusiasts,” one of whom, in the middle of the meeting, strikes … General Council of the Autonomous Oil Workers’ Union CHAIRMAN MYRTEZA GOXHAJ

Mr. Paolo Foresti, Ambassador of the Italian Republic in Tirana, speaks - Mr. Ambassador, how would you describe relations between Italy and Albania at this moment, when the army has been deployed in Apulia and officials in Tirana are silent? - I would not say that there is silence in Tirana. It seems to me that people in Tirana have said a great deal. They have sometimes made proposals, perhaps even provocative ones, to open a debate. Likewise, I would not want to dramatize the deployment of the army in Apulia. The army was deployed there in an emergency, and at such times we must respond with emergency measures. Of course, using the army is not an ordinary measure, but, on the other hand, one must also understand the experience of using the army in Sicily against the phenomenon of the Mafia, corruption and organized crime. So I would not dramatize this action, but would emphasize the emergency aspect. I would ask that we observe, from a distance, the constructive elements of relations, which should be relations of cooperation. This is what we have sought to do and what we are currently doing. - The Albanian press has been full of headlines these days such as: «Italy throws Albanians into the sea», «Since 9 May, two armies against undocumented migrants», «What is Italy trying to show the Albanians?» and so on. How would you regard these? - Most of the press articles have been more or less balanced, and have managed to reflect the complexity of the emigration problem and, above all, that of undocumented migrants. It seems to me that this has been done constructively and realistically, although, I repeat, in some cases there have been serious provocations and exaggerations. I would call these exaggerations, in particular, a somewhat irrelevant approach, a means of exploitation that also provoked my reaction—the first since I have been in Albania. In other words, I responded to a provocation. I expressed my position in the newspaper where the article was published, but apart from that particular case, I think the issue has been handled intelligently. The impediment was that all Albanian political forces, as well as their Italian counterparts, were observing this undocumented-migrant phenomenon, and I think that the use of the army was also plainly visible. What I want to stress is this: when emergency situations arise, they must be dealt with urgently. Nevertheless, these situations make you think that, as our relations develop, there will be opportunities to regulate this flow, above all when it comes to regulating flows that have been cultivated for Albanians. Another fact is that this situation can be addressed by increasing Albania’s productive capacity—that is, by creating new jobs—and naturally by eliminating some bureaucratic administrative decisions that foreign investors face. Having said this, I think we should not expect everything to happen immediately. - The decision by official Rome is very strong, and was unexpected. Were you aware of this wave of undocumented migrants, and had the Italian government previously made protests about this problem? - Of course, we know about the phenomenon of undocumented migrants; it is not something we discovered today. Rather, it is the scale it has reached in recent months and weeks that is dramatic, and it is dramatic that Albania should become a transit country for every kind of migration. As for protests, I would say there have been none. I think one protests when there are people who do not cooperate. Albanians do cooperate. So we will not protest; we will work to improve our relations. expect everything to happen immediately.

The director of the Education Directorate in Krujë, Mr. Qerim Isaku, submits his resignation. Many school leaders are removed from their posts. By now, the fact that DP deputy Sadedin Balla makes the rules for everything in the Krujë district is known not only to its residents. His hand is felt everywhere: in the district council, the municipality, the communes, the privatization board, healthcare and everywhere else. After the spectacular removals of his closest former associates, Enver Kaloshi and Selman Ferhati, respectively chairman of the DP Branch and chairman of SHIK in the district, he has finally turned his attention to education. It was precisely the employees in this sector who had first supported Sadedin as he climbed to the throne. Later, they tried to «stand in the way» of Mr. Balla’s antidemocratic actions, but were unable to do so. Indeed, they have suffered quite a bit. After Messrs. B- shkim Elbasani and Xhemal Teta, respected figures in the education sector, against whom S. Balla emerged «victorious», several others later backed down, but did not withdraw completely. Against all those who have raised their heads, Sadedin, through his brother Irfan Balla, all-powerful in the Krujë Education Directorate, continues to pursue his aims by making transfers and dismissals purely out of spite. Three school principals—Luan Kuçi, Simon Bushi and Vlash Doda—have been removed from their posts. Many others sent them to the district, to the Ministry of Education and even to the President. These are school leaders, some of them former political prisoners; indeed, as we have learned, they were decorated by President Berisha himself. Despite this, they are being removed from their posts for the sole reason that they have not written to the «beu» of Krujë, Sadedin Balla. Mo- (Continued on page 3)

In the early hours of yesterday morning, the library of the city of Vlora was surrounded by investigative and criminal police forces. This cultural institution was broken into by people who have not yet been identified, who stole items by ripping out the outer and inner doors. According to the library employees, it is not known who the perpetrators are, nor the extent of the damage suffered by the collection of material and library assets. Police forces began their investigation. So far, nothing concrete.

Police have demolished 60 shacks in Tale, on the coast of the Matë River. Another 180 are planned to be demolished in the coming days. They had served as shelters for residents who had come from remote mountain areas, whom the district council complained had obstructed the taking of the land. They were given five days to return to where they had come from a year earlier, but they did not meet this deadline, and now they are being forcibly driven out.

Although the deadline for electing village elders expired some time ago, this is still the case in the municipality of Bica(j)t, in the district of Kukës. Although the deadline for electing village elders expired some time ago, this is still the case in the municipality of Bicaj, in the district of Kukës. This is happening particularly in the municipality where the PD holds local power. Elsewhere, they are trying to neutralize this election and, by every means, prevent PD village elders from taking office.