VLORE ALL OF ALBANIA
Tribute to the victims, or against hatred, for peace and understanding so that there will be no more Otranto sorrows in the lives of Albanians
Healed with such pains
Prime Minister Nano and Prodi among the tributes in Vlorë
PRODI
“7 months ago,” said to the family members of the Italian hostages in the difficult days of Kosovo, the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who was standing before the relatives of the victims, “here we want to share the weight of the hell that you carry in your soul.” These emotions seemed to unite people at the start of the ceremonies for the three victims who were being escorted to eternal rest.
NANO
“This funeral, steeped in the blood and tears of Albanians,” said the people of Vlorë and of all Albania, has taken shape in order to rediscover wounded love, to embrace silence and sorrow, to find a rest without hatred or prejudice.
Great pain unites and strengthens the living will of the people. We will go away, but it will remain with us in Albania, above the tears we have shed and above our kind and humane souls.
Bowing before Vlorë, left behind, stronger, but above all before the drama of the people who lost their lives, we must remember that right and freedom in this world never come without sacrifice. But the Albanian drama is, of course, endless pain. We must have hope in life and preserve dignity and civic ethics. It is our duty to be humane in our great tribute and concern.
Vlorë, 14 November 1997