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Albania flirts with anarchy
March 4, 1997
Web posted at: 9:00 p.m. EST (0200 GMT)Latest developments:
- Air force pilots defect
- Still violent in Vlora
- European groups urge dialogue
- Censorship takes toll
- Related stories and sites
TIRANA, Albania (CNN) -- Government tanks and troops rolled Tuesday into the turbulent south, where crowds looted state grain reserves and fired guns in the streets.
Across the country, Albanians stocked up on staple foods as black uniformed-troops manned road blocks on the second full day of the government's state of emergency declaration.
The road blocks were set up along the national highway and at the entrances to cities. Cars were searched, travelers were frisked and their identity papers checked.
In the capital Tirana, 48 people were arrested for breaking the 8 p.m.-7 a.m. curfew.
President Sali Berisha's ruling Democratic Party blames former Communists for inciting recent fatal violence, which erupted six weeks ago as thousands of people protested crooked investment schemes that erased their life savings.
But the opposition's Socialist Party said responsibility lies with the government.
"The only solution that I see from the Democratic Party ... [is] the army solution," said Pandeli Majko of the Socialist Party.
Many Albanians are less concerned about who is to blame than with how it will all end.
"I am very worried. I'm not sure what's happening, but we pray people won't be killed," said one 66-year-old woman.
Air force pilots defect
A pair of air force pilots defected to Italy in their MiG-15, rather than shoot on civilians, they said.
The pilots, a major and a captain, said they were on an observation mission when they were ordered to open fire on civilians. Troops were given shoot-to-kill orders under the state of emergency.
"We fled because they gave us the order to fire on a column of civilian vehicles near Gjirokastra," Capt. Agrae Dasci told reporters in Lecce, southern Italy. Their request for political asylum was being considered.
State television reported Tuesday that tanks had arrived in Gjirokastra, 120 miles south of Tirana. It said there had been no shooting in the area since the tanks arrived.
Still violent in Vlora
Convoys of military hardware also headed towards Albania's southern seaside resort town of Vlora, -- a center for angry protests. But the town, 60 miles south of Tirana, appeared outside state control.
A resident said looters broke into state grain reserves in Pusi i Mezinit, just outside the resort town, and that trucks waited in line for loading. State news media later said 3,000 tons of grain were carted away.
And Vefa, the biggest investment scheme still officially intact, said all of its business property in Vlora, including a hotel complex, industrial park and about six factories, were destroyed.
European groups urge dialogue
In Vienna, former Chancellor Franz Vranitzky said he would lead a delegation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to help facilitate dialogue between all political groups.
The European Union also said it would soon send ministers to the country, and NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana on Tuesday ruled out military intervention.
But talk of compromise seemed far away. President Sali Berisha ruled out a coalition between his Democratic Party and the opposition Socialists, accusing them of having ruined "the constitutional order and Albanian democracy through armed rebellion."
Censorship takes toll
The government has imposed censorship, forbidding reporters to travel to the area and restricting what Albanian news media can say. Because of that, it was impossible to gather a complete picture of the situation.
In the capital, a coffee shop popular with journalists and political opposition members was firebombed.
Of Albania's independent newspapers, only one published Tuesday. The rest refused to submit their stories to the government for approval, as now required.
Correspondent Siobhan Darrow and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Albania re-elects president amid state of emergency - March 3, 1997
- Albanian government threatens firepower against rioters - March 3, 1997
- Albania's government resigns after clashes become deadly - March 1, 1997
Related sites:
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- Don't Get Burned By Pyramid Schemes - tips from the Federal Trade Commission
- Federal Trade Commission
- Albania - Land of the Eagles
- Albanian Daily News
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