The economist Pal Lera, an intellectual of vast integrity

Every day is precious to him. The preciousness is measured by what he gives to community, to the institution he works. The importance is definite, constant, in order to always increase the positive impact in his environment.
These two describing phrases can easily make many people in Shkodra think about the economist Pal Lera. It is easy to speak about him as much as it is hard to deal with the multidimensional values he bore or renewed day after day and year after year. In the almost reversed hierarchy of values, you can hardly find and give the readers today an intellectual model, but besides being a complete and genuine intellectual, Pal Lera is also an individual of wide integrity.
He achieved everything by hard work, sacrifices, commitment and integrity, unlike some politicians who joined political parties’ seats and paid for universities to have a graduation, so that if anyone has something to say, they might show that piece of paper signed and sealed by the university. Pal Lera is a genuine model of the multidimensional man. After achieving the highest results in 1976 began the Agricultural University, at the Finance branch of the Economic Faculty. Pal faced with dignity and success this new unknown environment. It can all be assumed with a number: 9.5 – this was the average result of 4 years of work and commitment during his studies – getting the graduation as “High Financial Economist”. During the years at the university he was one of the mostly distinguished and perseverant students, as well as one who was mostly close to his professors. His name was always followed by the maximal results.
Due to his high results at the university, as well as to his professional profile he was about to build, in August 1980, Pal was hired by one of the agricultural economies of the time, in Pult of Dukagjin, firstly as an accountant and then as Finance Chief. Pal begun to practice his professional knowledge achieved during the studies, which are of huge difference compared to the today’s universities, while it’s easy to find even ambulant sellers with paid graduation. Besides that, the young guy of a marvelous tradition inherited by his family would very soon gain the respect of the coworkers all the inhabitants of the area. For more than 6 years, Pal Lera was contributing to the agricultural economy, giving wide proves of his professional and relationship skills.
Pal continued his work in another agricultural economy in Shosh, where he was assigned in 1987, with the same commitment. He begun as Finance Chief, then he was trusted the whole direction. With a remarkable experience, every intellectual wishes to have, it was easier for Pal to achieve the results he wanted. Everyone who knows Pal considers him as right and honest, qualities noticed during his work in the area of Shosh.
In 1991, Pal Lera was Finance Chief of the Agricultural Enterprise of Oblike, where he worked until 1992. After 11 years of experience and success in financial management and organization, Pal had already shaped the profile of a director, showing high values. For this he was assigned at the Regional Direction of Shkodra for the State’s High Inspection. As an inspector, he was trusted the most important section of this institution as it was the supervision of the law execution in all the local offices. As a high level economist, as well as an expert of economic-financial questions, Pal was a strong pillar for the functioning of this institution in Shkoder, this is better shown by the fact he covered this for 7 years, until 2000. During this period of time, Pal Lera was characterized by seriousness, commitment and integrity in his work as well as in his relationship with people, severity in applying the law and high sense of responsibility at work. It might be unique that there was found no fault in him during the 7 years, even for the littlest thing, while in my experience as a journalist in Shkoder there was not even one person of this institution that was not accused of corruption or incompetence by media or political opposition.
In September 2000, Pal Lera was assigned at the Regional Prefecture of Shkodra, to bring his experience as well as an example of success. It was trusted him the Directory of Financial Inspection, which is surely the most important section of this institution. For 6 years and more, Pal was managing the regional inspection activity with very high responsibility, dealing with it very successfully. All mayors of various municipallities, with whom he was cooperating during those years, tell about the outstanding professionality of him, about his ability of communication and building work relationships. During his work he was always led by the law and its execution.
Since 2006 Pal was working in the institution of the Regional Prefect, but at the Inner Section. His work’s object is the valuation of the inner inspection system and the activity in respect of the law within the local government. Although the institution of the Regional Prefect is under direct dependency of the central Government, though many governments have changed, Pal Lera was always at the same position. This is another sign of his high professional profile, integrity at work and of his skillful relationship with those in charge and other people he works with. In his profession, since he started in 1980, until now, Pal Lera was always building with patience, perseverance as well as sacrifices the profile of a respected intellectual, appreciated by everyone who knows or met him. More than that, he built the profile of an intellectual with integrity, what is rare in the reality of our country.
This is just one side of Pal Lera. His relatives and friends give their own appreciation for him. He is a man of dialogue, debate and of particular spirit. He is very human and always willing to help those who ask him, in various circumstances. He meets everyone, talks to everyone. The community where he lives, knows him very well for these qualities. He surely has inherited many of these qualities by his family, so well-known for its traditions all over the North area. During these years, this tradition was enriched and worn with other values, which make him distinguish at the first line of the intellectuals of Shkodra, this town suffering of the rappresentation of these intellectuals, though full of high professional and intellectual capacities. Though Pal served Shkodra, its community and the integration of the country in the Euro-Atlantic structures as a true professionist, he always kept away from journalists and media.
As it random happens with professional intellectuals all over the occidental world, where they develop their professionality away from the spotlights, this also happened in the Shkodra of culture, with Pal Lera. Covering important positions for more than 30 years, Pal Lera showed particular leading and organizing qualities within little and large collaborational groups. This was one of his main targets, what he realized successfully.
His strongest point is the family. Just like Antheus gets power any time he touches the ground, so does Pal Lera get strength, inspiration and pride within his family. A good husband and a marvelous parent, and now a very loving father in law for his sons’ wives. He always aimed instruction, culture and values in his family. This way he chose his wife, obviously graduated as a teacher. It was his purpose and his wife’s to make their sons follow the same direction. It was with great sacrifice and commitment that Pal made his two sons graduate. His family is larger now and his two daughters in law are graduated, what makes Pal Lera and his family very proud.
Pal Lera is a realized professional and intellectual and gave to the society and community probably more than anyone else. He is appreciated by many important factors. He also achieved a professional and intellectual maturity and is loved and honored all around the North are, that’s why we’re paying so much attention, also to show that Shkodra has wise and honest people in its community.
Sokol Pepushaj

Why shouldn’t Nano be President!

He is determined to be the President of Albania! At any cost, even if it takes an agreement with the Devil! From leader of the greatest Party in the country, to the jail, as well as Prime Minister of the country, he experienced all. He is the kind of person without any complex yet disregardin, and any time the “President” issue comes up, he appears from nowhere, ready to assault the head of the State. It probably has become a phobia to him now, or an official end of a political career, or even a place he thinks he deserves, or they owe him!
In 2007 he tried to realize this while member of the Parliament, with the vote of his sustainers within the Party he created after the conversion from the Albanian communists. Chances were many. At the beginning of 2007, he came out as a partner with his former enemy, in order to unlock the local elections. Earlier, in 2005, there was rumour that he didn’t lose elections, but resigned after advices from his Americna former allies. In 2007 he was burned up, letterally. Nevertheless, he had an agreement with the one who took his chair, to at least hire some of his people in the Presidency and other State’s institutions. After declaring open war to his successor leading the Party, he returnet to the political shadow, coming out time after time fightint the one blaming him for losing the presidency. Though not officially, he went in opposition to the opposition, mostly in opposition to the leader of the opposition! In the shadow he kept on with his life with all the privileges, maybe undeserved.
He was patient to wait, avoiding direct political commitment, as a certain deputy of his Party. He was probably reintroduced by the head of the embassy of the world’s strongest country. This is how it can be interpreted the 3-4 hours dinner with the short Ambassador with glasses.
It is the beginning of 2012, the first days of his third month. He shows up with the same ambitions, perhaps more thirsty and with less real chances to get into the run. He is out of the Parliament, though by his own choice. He has less direct influence on them, whose OK! is needed to run for President. He’s also 5 years older or mature, as you wish, but there are many years now he crossed the barrier of the 40 years to be President! His return, this time, in the eternal run came after a public invitation for political engagement in the Party he created in 1991. The invitation came from the former Mayor of Tirana, sponsored by him in 2000 for the first run, yet his greatest enemy within the kind. It is early to talk, but he has no official position within his political family, for a simple reason: the run isn’t official yet. There isn’t a name even from the other side.
It probably has already started the numbers-game in the Parliament. Though it isn’t necessary to have 84 votes, like in 2002, even the limit of 71 votes seems hard to reach, if there’ll be a true political battle between the two camps. The socialist actually have 41 votes in the Parliament. The sustain of 4 votes of the SMI will probably be in his favor, if he’ll ask them. One vote of the DIUP in the Parliament is certain for him, because the elected leader after the union of the “Çamët”, previously was the deputy chosen by him in his party. The other vote of this party will probably go in the same direction. We’re at 70 votes in his favor, always if he’ll have the initial sustain of his party. If we also count the former Energy Minister of the SMI, now in opposition, he has the theoretical 71 votes to be elected President. This, however, is part of the count if his own in the Parliament will officially and politically sustain his run. The majority has also declared to elect a President from them. If this is true, we should remove the 4 votes of the SMI and the 2 of the DIUP; thus the “hypothetical” majority will be reduced in 65 deputies, signing the second consecutive fail.
There’s another predictable alternative connected to the secret votation for the President; a possible agreement of peaceful convivence between a left-winged Presidency and a right-winged Government, even after 2013, which might bring out surprises, after the former leader of the socialist will be officially consecrated as the left-winged candidate. That would be a game of maximal profit for the Presidency seat, yet a condemnation of a third mandate in opposition for the left-winged. It also would cause the sacrifice of a rappresentative of the majority, which would be registered in the history of the run for President as “Dokle 2”. It certainly should be considered the other alternative, that he might not be officially a candidate of the left-winged opposition. Things, then, would complicate since the moment of the official candidate – the necessary sustain of the deputies. None of them would risk their future of another legislature after 2013, just ti realize the dream of a former leader or former Prime Minister retired of active politics. Thus, the President would surely come from the majority in Government.
It is also another alternative, but it needs the approvement and the guarantee from the international actors, especially the short ambassador of the powerful country, with glasses. The fluid alliance isn’t just an unknown or unused term in the Albanian policy of these last 20 years.
Speaking boldly now, does Albania need an individual like Fatos Nano leading the country? Although my opinion isn’t important for the decision, I say “No!”. There are many motives, but I’m going to bring some of them. A former member of the former communist Presidential Council, a Prime Minister with much shadow and less light in his public activity, an ex-prisoner condemned for stealth, though he got 70 millions of Lek as a compensation for his innocency, after 4 years in prison, a skilled politician who easily climbs over the “rainbow” just for personal interests and for personal political selfishness, addicted to casinos, gambling and alcohol, a former Prime Minister who resigned as a symbol of corruption and head of the most dangerous mafia in Balcan, I don’t think is suitable as the leader of the Albanian State in its 100th anniversary. His election is of no profit to anyone, even less for the record in the Albanian History, among Ismail Qemali or other giants of our politics during the years.
In democracy, none can hinder anyone to aim or at least change the position, even that of the President. But, in every democratic system there are and should be some filters for the eternal delirious, who consider every position as a chance of personal profit or to please their personal shelfishness, but never as a position for the interests of the country and its citizens.
In 2005, the leader of the opposition, Sali Berisha, declared that he would make the Prime Minister Fatos Nano retire. He did this, what it means that since that time, Nano is in retirement, but living a life that Albanians can only dream of. The return even after retiring is known in the run for the Presidency, such was the case of Alfred Moisiu. But, after 7 years of political retirement, Nano can hardly “rise again” or deserve the position of the leader of the State!

Blerti Delija

The family Bibaj in blood feud conflict, in serious risk for the life

The ownership problems in Albania, have become a source of inherited and new hostilities. The Commune of Postribe, is one of the most affected from these problems, that nowadays, not only have taken human lives, but are still threatening with their lives a lot of innocent. The Bibaj family is one of the most noted families of the zone of the village Boks of the commune Postribe, with very good traditions and very regular family.
Currently, this family is seriously menaced. One of the sons of the family , Admir Caf Bibaj, born in February 16.1983, may be considered an innocent victim of the application of the Canon of Leke Dukagjini, where the phenomena of blood feud is based. The conflict story between the family Bibaj from the village Boks and the family Hysaj from the village Myselim of the same commune is originated in the spring of 2006. Admir’s father, named Caf Bibaj, has injured for ownership motives, the citizen Idriz Hysaj. This event was enough to turn the life of the family Bibaj, and in particular Admir’s life , into a real hell. The target of the vengeance is Admir , being he , the elder son of the family Bibaj. Even Sherif, Admir’s brother is seriously threaded from the blood feud vengeance. This event, caused a large interest in the commune of Postribe. The Chair of the commune Faz Shabaj, himself, is aware of this event, and have tried for the reconciliation of these families through the Reconciliation Missions, but, till now, the situation is the same, and the conflict between the families Bibaj and Hysaj, has not be solved. For these reason, Admir and his family are isolated in an unknown address. Their residence, which is currently empty, have been shoot several time by gun fires. The family Hysaj, are waiting for one of the members to return, so they can revenge. Few days ago, in March 1.2012, in the yard of the residence of the family Bibaj, a grenade have been launched, and it have caused partial damages of it.
The blood feud phenomena, is a malady for the Albanians. It is not saving neither the men’s of God. Dritan Prroi, the pastor of the Church “The Word of Jesus Christ” in Shkoder, have been shoot to death in the middle of the Pedants Boulevard in Shkoder as was holding in his hands The Holy Bible. Meanwhile, in the name of the Canon, have been executed even women and young girls, and also children. The life of Admir Bibaj, and his family, may be interrupted in any time. He is now in the target of the blood feud. The Editorial Office

Are Married but create vengeance to murder

Mindsets of many people, especially in northern Albania,also the human miracle of love they see as a shame, as a black picture that follows seed generation after generation, until they got the blood according to the Kanun, when the girl ran away from home without consent parents, siblings, and even beyond. So that still continues in Albania during the post-communist transition, absurdity of life associated with the freedom of women is a challenge full of fever. In many cases, young marriage without the consent of families, has turned into enmity and to murder.

Ridvan Kapllanaj

Ridvan Kapllanaj

This happened with two sisters from the village of Municipality Berdice Trush, a rural area in the northern city of Shkodra. Two sisters, without the consent of the family, both brothers know the love of Mjede Village, about 20 miles away fshatittë girls. So brothers Sylo Kapllanaj and Teoland Kapllanaj, forced to stea sisters, Jesmina Mehaj and Miranda Mehaj some six years ago. Mehaj family, according to Canon troughs and seeks to kill, to make the loss of honor. Sylo Kapllanaj with live Kapllanaj Jesmina reach isolated and have two children. Likewise, we learn that two children have also Teoland Kapllanaj with Miranda. But the family could not swallow Mehaj betrayal of girls. Thus, two brothers Kapllanaj are innocent victims of revenge and vendetta, this monster that comes up to these days as one of the phenomena of medieval customary codes left among the Albanians as a form of power. Canon of Lek Dukagjin, has been, is and will be a mountain law. Would kill the victim to form as long as there functioning rule of law, the rule of law. In such circumstances, although certain of the murder of a family already and also have two children, brothers Kapllanaj, from forced confinement, find opportunity and take the streets with no route to the West, together with women and children, just to not killed, as many others.
But let show scene of this tragedy to see and analyze the dynamics of development and to ending the absurd to elevate his arms and takes innocent lives. Removal Sylo brothers and anger Teoland Kapllanaj added the possibility of missing right now for vengeance and two days ago has become a serious threat to the family’s younger brother Kapllanaj. Angry people are busy and have beaten to a place called Buna Bridge at the entrance to Scutari, exactly 19 o’clock and 20 minutes of 2 March, called Ridvan Kapllanaj. We went and met the injured being treated in the underground and speaks with much fear, showing that he did not fight, but have asked the address of his brothers. However, the dynamics of revenge is hot, having given the last warning, otherwise ... will meet again.
Of what? Obviously, this guy apparently was added to the list of the sheepfolds.
Ndue Bacaj

Denis Isufi is closer to death than life

The first three days, exactly on March 1st in the evening, a passerby in the neighborhood of Perash Shkoder it called me.
-I’m Speaking with the director of the newspaper “Albania Etnike”?
-Yes.
-Here in Perash is taking place a horrible event. In a food supermarket are introduced three people who are wearing masks and shouting from inside and are heard screams. Something terrible is happening.
I left immediately. It was the supermarket of the citizen E.I. that was put under attack by three men armed with masks, who had robbed all the money of throughput that day, beating and maltreating the 26-year-old Denis Isufi and according to eyewitnesses who spoke to terrified, people with masks were removed with a car of type Golf without plates. The incident had occurred about 21 o’clock and 30 minutes. We are informed that the Injured Denis Isufi, had received injuries by strong means, he was so injured that witnesses thought he was deceased. He was taken by his familiars to offer him an illegal medical aid, being immobilized at home, because this 26 years-old boy had enmities conflicts and had lived for years being immobilized. That night, he had gone illegally to the supermarket of his cousin and had become the objective of that vandal attack. Such cases, where the victims are treated in home and not in the hospital because they do not believe in hospital, or the police themselves conspiracy. There have been many cases where the blessed are attacked in the hospital, as is likely the case where has been shoot the doctor. So is the case of the doctor Shazi Zamir, who was shot on the job, while saving the life of a patient. Denis Isufi, an innocent victim, was very close to become an individual of this list , the list of blood feud victims. In the circle of the individuals to be killed he entered on August 30th 2007, the date when his cousin from the mother, of name A.R. killed the citizen Z.K. and injured /wounded an another. From that day according to the laws of the Canon of Lek Dukagjini that is an “Old code of customary right” that is more potent that the Law in force, and Denis Isufi being his relatives immobilized to. . An escape from confinement at night, his taken away his life.  In fact from in that way was killed even the priest, the parson of Kishe Ungjillore “Word of Jesus”, the 28 years old boy of name Dritan prroni in the middle of road in the center of the town Shkoder, he was killed by the citizen M.N an afternoon 1 and half year ago. The priest was innocent, and even he was a preacher of God’s word as well, but one of his relatives had killed and M.N killed him as well according to this Canon rules.
Are so many innocent lives that have become victims of the feud, the phenomenon with which some of organizations have peculated which along with some subscriptions, where in spite some reconciliation they have more confused the people.
Sokol Pepushaj