Gary BANNERMAN * open lines AS THE so-called Iron Curtain turns to digestible democracy and commerce, and even the noble Balkan States precociously rattle for independence, Albania stands alone as a bulwark of anachronistic determination. Where’s King Zog I when I need him? Dead, you say? Surely that bumptious buffoon Mussolini wasn’t the answer? Glorious while it lasted, the era of Italian Imperial Fantasy soon was replaced by the one true faith: Joe Stalin. Avoiding any possibility of entering the 20th century — let Mao Ze-dong. During the 1960s, Hoxha became hostile toward Khruschev, declaring that the Soviet leader had deserted social- ism. Two decades later, China became the villain when the post Vietnam era fostered talks with the evil United States. “Wh hen he abolished religion in a decree known as ‘The Death of God’ in 1960, the better mosques and churches became museums, Most, however, were converted to warehouse duties.” alone the 21st — Albania society was forged by Enver Hoxha’s communist party. He outlawed religion and any precept of in- dependent Albanian thought. Until he died in 1985, Hoxha was a model of consistency in a fickle would, Nestled at the base of Yugoslavia, across the water from italy, Albania has been considered aiodern ‘*no man’s land.”* Until Hoxha’s death, all but a trickle of tourists were diverted into Greece or Yugoslavia. When he abolished religion in a decree known as ‘The Death of God” in 1960, the better mosques and churches became museums. Most, however, were converted for warehouse duties. During the early stages of his reign, Hoxha had formal but amicable relations with the neighboring Yugoslavia of Josip Tito. When the pragmatic vi- sionary Tito turned away from Stalinist thought, Albania declared it an unfriendly nation, choosing instead to pursue the China of Z ‘In 4 weeks, t lost B 15 pounds and | 34 inches.” unrefouched m™ Polaroid B photographs electronic muscle stimulation. 986-9127 Lose inches and tone muscles fast and effortlessly, using the ‘Syiph Method of Slimming’ which combines an all natural eating program with Hips, thighs, stomach, bustline, arms and chins can ail be toned and tightened. Used by professional and Olympic athletes, this method is proven to be a safe and effective form of muscle toning. Free introductory visits are available. GUARANTEED RESULTS FIGURE DYNAMICS 1585 MacGowan Avenue North Van Finally sensing the possibility of mortality by 1980, Enver Hoxha began grooming a successor, Mehmet Shebu, who had been an ally and prime minis«:t since 1954. Although totally sheltered from foreign influences, force fed backwards propaganda all of their lives, the three million people of Albania bzgan hearing from Prime Minister Shehu some promising ideas. At the height of his power, Shehu was reported in 1981 to have committed suicide. Later, it was learned that he had been ex- ecuted by Hoxha. When the despot died in 1985, Ranmiz Alia assumed power. In- stituting what we would describe as tentative, cautious measures, but that Albanians see as revolu- tionary, Alia has opened links with Greece, Yugoslavia and China. There is now limited tourism, and various import-export arrange- ments involving agriculture and mining. By the standards of Eastern Europe — the Soviet Bloc — let alone our liberal west, Albania remains a bastion of deliberate, oppressive communism. tee A Happy New Year to Mike Wilson. After thunderous debate and monumental exploratory expense, along with intellectual and political soul searching, the finance minister rose before a hushed parliament and announced that it would be seven instead of nine. As he surveyed his options, Wilson seemed to forget that most respected of all quiz answers: “none of the above.’’ The gov- ernment has ingeniously, with this tax, found a way to aggravate everyone in the country. There is nothing wrong with the tax and it is likely long overdue. The folly is trying to squeeze this new approach through the jagged complexities of Canada’s tax structure. We already pay tax on labor when we buy goods: the price not only reflects all costs of production, packaging, transpor- tation and so on, it also includes manufacturing, corporate and property taxes. Therefore, it is fair to tax ser- vices such as invoices from lawyers and other professionals. What makes this a typical Ca- nadian quagmire is that Ottawa has decided to have a series of ex- emptions. This necessitates endless bickering over value judgments. No other country has our pro- vincial sales tax system. Instead of merging this with the existing pro- vincial structure, Ottawa will hire 4,000 civil servants. The political circus over this thing is just warming up. There’s an apocryphal American tale about the chap who was asked by Internal Revenue how much money he made. When the tax- payer answered, the bureaucrat ordered: “Send it in.”’@ 9 - Sunday, January 7, 1990 - North Shore News Upgrade office skills THEY CAME a Jong way. Many of the = students who enrolled in the North Shore Conti- nuing Education's (NSCE) Office Upgrading Program in October were apprehensive and lacking in self-confidence. Some had been out of the work force for some time; others had worked as waitresses, nurses or in retail sales. Most had neve: touched a com- puter. But in eight short weeks of in- tensive study, they all mastered enough office skills to go out into the business world with every ex- pectation of success. Program coordinator Joan Fleischer credits their rapid pro- gress to high student motivation and supportive instruction. NSCE’s offers a comprehensive CANADIAN CLOSET SHOPS — 986-4263 Free home estimates package for those who want to re-enter the work force or change careers. The diploma course has been tailored to cover the require- ments of the modern office: elec- tronic typewriters, computers, of- fice procedures, reception skills, business math and English, as weil as assistance in creating resumes and job hunting. The Office Upgrading Program will be offered again starting Jan. 22. 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