Information on how members and volunteers of Caritas Albania were treated by the state and by society from January 1993 to July 1997, and how volunteers with Caritas Albania were treated by the state and by society since the Socialist Party's ascension to power in July 1997, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a 19 March 1997 Corriere della Sera article reports that a Caritas center in Vlore was destroyed by rebels [during the March rebellion in southern Albania].

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Corriere della Sera [Milan, in Italian]. 19 March 1997. "Italy, Albania: Aid Director Assesses Albanian Criminal Risk." (FBIS-WEU-97-054 19 Mar. 1997/WNC)

Amnesty International Report. 1994-1998.

Country Reports on Human Rights. 1993 - 1997.

CSCE Digest [Washington]. January 1993 - December 1996.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, NEXIS/LEXIS, REFWORLD, World News Connection.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1995 - 1998.

News from Helsinki Watch [New York]. June 1996.

RFE/RL Research Reports [Munich]. January 1993 - August 1994.

Transition [Prague]. March 1995 - March 1998.

Uncaptive Minds [Washington]. Winter 1993 - Summer 1997.

Three oral sources contacted did not provide information on the requested topic.

Unsuccessful attempts to contact other oral sources.

The Europa World Year Book 1996 states that in February 1996, the Albanian Minister of Education was Zhezair Teliti (Independent) and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport was Teodor Laco (USD) (326). The July 1996 issue of People in Power 1996 states on page 2, under the title Council of Ministers, Xhezair Teliti (ind.) - Education and Teodor Laco (PSDS) - Culture, Youth and Sport. The latter source adds "as of early July 1996, a new government had yet to be formed following the general election [of May-June 1996]."

According to a 12 July 1996 Rilindja Demokratike article, Edmond Lulja was the new Albanian Minister of Education and Sports in the new government. A 14 July 1996 Gazeta Shqiptare article and a 4 December 1996 ATA article also refer to Edmond Lulja as the Albanian Minister of Education and Sport.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

ATA [Tirana, in English]. 4 December 1996. "Albania: Minister Discusses Greek Minority Isues at Vienna Rally." (FBIS-EEU-96-236 4 Dec. 1996/WNC)

The Europa World Year Book 1996. 1996. 37th ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications.

Gazeta Shqiptare [Tirana, in Albanian]. 14 July 1996. "Albania: Cabinet Ministers' Profiles Published." (FBIS-EEU-96-137 14 July 1996/WNC)

People in Power. July 1996. Release No. 55. Cambridge: CIRCA Research and Reference Information.

Rilindja Demokratike [Tirana, in Albanian]. 12 July 1996. "New Government; List of Ministers in Premier Meksi's New Government." (NEXIS)