In March 1991 the Albanian exodus to Italy involved over 20,000 refugees, who arrived in precarious and rotten boats. They waited in the rain and wind in the bay of Brindisi to be allowed to stay, but the Italian government was cynically indifferent to them. In August 1991 desperate Albanians jumpedinto the sea from a crowded ship, the Valona, as it came into Bari harbour. But this time, the Italian government's reaction, which may have been condoned by other European states, went far beyond indifference. These people were all sent back. Since then the Adriatic Sea, which divides Albania from Italy, is guarded day and night. As Ruotolo (1992) said, "the sea as a place of freedom or transit towards freedom has become inaccessible for Albanians." Italian patrol vessels, military ships and coastguards try to prevent any flight. Albanian harbours are watched by soldiers. Still, illegal immigrants manage to reach Italy, as on July 7 when a boat with 109 men, women and children on board tried to force its way into Italian waters. All of them were sent back. It seems paradoxical that when the Albanian government wants to join the Western democratic world, the latter requests that Albanian citizens be restricted inside the country and even shot if they attempt to get out. Albanians have obtained the right to vote, but they have not obtained the right to leave their country or to travel. Albania is still a huge jail, as it was at the time of Enver Hodja.