Yesterday, after an interruption of several days, our Parliament resumed its work. The new Prime Minister, Aleksandër Meksi, presented the work program on behalf of the government. There were many questions from the members of parliament, so many that it was deemed necessary for the second session to begin not at 12:00, but at 15:00. The afternoon passed with much discussion. We hope that concrete work to rebuild Albania will begin as soon as possible, and that we will put endless academic discussions aside.

On April 16, the Extraordinary National Conference of the Democratic Party, following the election of the former chairman of the DP, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, as President of the Republic of Albania, voted for the new leader of the party. With 411 votes in favor out of 485 ballot papers, Mr. Eduard Selami was elected Chairman of the Presidium of the Democratic Party. He was born in Elbasan in 1961. In 1985 he completed his higher studies with distinction at the Faculty of Political and Legal Sciences and began working as a lecturer at the University. Eduard Selami joined the student movement from its very first steps. He has been secretary of the Steering Commission and secretary of the DP since the September 1991 Congress. Correspondent of «Republika»

For some time now, the beautiful flower garden in front of the State Bank has lost its peaceful serenity. That once-quiet garden has now become the most crowded place in Tirana, after the Refugee Bazaar. All kinds of people swarm there: serious businesspeople, currency exchangers, passport and visa traffickers, all kinds of forgers, and even pickpockets. There you find all strata concentrated together, a miniature population. Honest and dishonest people meet at one point: foreign currency. Perhaps it is the place with the greatest monetary weight in Tirana, and perhaps in the whole country. In the pockets, wallets or bags of 20, 30 or 50 people there is surely more money than in the pockets and passbooks of all the other residents of our capital. It is a field or portable bank, as we might call it, without ledgers, computers, checks or deposit slips, yet the accounts are calculated precisely. Two banks facing each other: one hierarchical, monumental, imposing; the other mobile, lively to the point of feverishness. They compete with one another. The first is rigid, like its very appearance, with fixed, immovable rules. The second is nimble, perceptive, maneuvering to the very second, until it discovers the truth and the place to go. For the fisherman, all that is needed is to cast the net. But WHO will cast it?! —What is the dollar exchange rate against the drachma? people asked. —205 drachmas for one US dollar, the teller replied dryly and indifferently, as if the matter did not concern her at all. People looked on with disappointed eyes. Then they glanced at the «Flatres», where the real currency exchange rates were listed: 1 US dollar = 185 Greek drachmas. They hesitated for a moment. They did not know what to do. And it is precisely at this moment of indecision that the other «Bank» steps in, the one among the pines, the one without computers but which knows how to settle its accounts so well. A short man enters the Bank’s lobby, wearing white-rimmed glasses and a small republican-style cap. His gaze is sharp and confident. The embodiment of business. His name is Milto, well known in currency-exchange circles. He enters the crowd for a moment, like an experienced fisherman watching where to cast his net, and says in a confident, almost persuasive voice: —Anyone who wants to exchange drachmas, come over. One dollar = 204.5 drachmas. It seems like a small difference at first. But people know enough arithmetic: that 0.5, that half-drachma for every dollar, turns into tens of dollars in profit, depending on the amounts. He collects millions more in drachmas. All this happens right under the nose of the Albanian State Bank, which heroically clings to its PRINCIPLES. And when the matter becomes impossible to ignore, it finally makes a concession with great reluctance, as if it had been deflowered: it lowers the rate to 204, convinced that now it is competing with, indeed wiping out, the lively bank there under the pines. The latter sticks out its tongue, wags its fingers in front of the State Bank’s nose and ears. It mocks and ridicules it and, in an instant, without a single document, lowers its rate by another half-drachma: 203.5. And again it snatches the clients (in plain language: the millions) from the stiff State Bank of Albania. It will take a long time, many discussions, documents and approvals before the lady State Bank of Albania agrees to a second, third and fourth «deflowering». Always playing the slow one, always playing the fool. And every time it manages to stammer with difficulty, «That’s enough», the outfit over there by the pines has already made a killing. IN CONCLUSION For a moment, recall the hemorrhage of Albanian gold that was smuggled abroad through all sorts of secret and illegal means for years and years. Our «honorable» Bank bought the coins for 3–8 thousand old lek. The same thing will happen again with gold, the drachma or other currencies as long as this Bank remains static. THANAS JORGJI …fragile; the other, mobile, invigorating to the point of fever. Rivals of one another. The first second agile, perceptive, maneuvering down to the second, down to a tenth of a penny. The tide of refugees in Greece brought a reflux of drachmas. And not a small one. Millions and tens of millions. It was like a giant shoal of fish, swimming in a daze, unable to… Two banks facing one another: one massive, monumental, grand—come what may. One dollar = 204.5 drachmas. A small difference at first glance. But people know this much tens of dollars in profit, depending on the amount. Mr. Milto stands at the front without looking back, certain that behind him the crowd is following, drawn by that tiny 0.5-drachma bait, yet so tempting. He opens [his] mouth confidently, almost suggestively... “Whoever has anything to convert [...]. So, to get through: our principles, as if we knew...” Meanwhile, the makeshift bank, which has no difficulty departing from its “principles,” gets on with business: millions and millions of drachmas which, in a fast car the next day (or that very day), travel to Greece, where they are exchanged at the rate there: 1 US dollar = 185 drachmas, and return to this square in the form of dollars, in order to

Former President Ramiz Alia, elected by the communists, closed the chapter of the communist era with a statement in the presence of only 4 people: Someone said, thank goodness he was removed; someone felt sorry; someone perhaps thought that even the last straw he had clung to had disappeared. In any case, everyone accepted as true his words that he was doing this for the sake of the nation. Amen! So be it! But he has to convince us of this. It is not possible for someone to swim in the sea and come out of it dry. The former president’s name is exposed: at least during this last year, in every possible way; indeed, he himself presented this as an indicator of Albania’s growing democracy. By one measure, he made an interesting contribution by not trying to resist criticism, even open accusations. Alia also kept telling us all along that he would not give up politics. Many people may wonder what «politics» he will engage in now, when his political movement is of no use to anyone. Or will he create a new party? But here too, the positions are completely occupied, from the left to the right. Perhaps he will advise the new politicians or open a research institute? Naturally, to do any such thing he must have the time and the opportunity. Perhaps he will have time. But will he have the opportunity? That will depend on where he is and, specifically, where he ought to be. A person’s place in society is alongside his collaborators. And Alia’s collaborators are in prison. Will Alia go and share the blame with them, or will everyone try to evade his own blame? Today there is much talk of tolerance and national reconciliation, but these must first of all be servants of the law. If someone is convicted of a crime, there is no reason why another person should not be convicted of the same crime. The fact that the killings of the former apparatchiks are so plainly deliberate—or is it expected that after some time even their multimillion-dollar thefts will come to seem like something that has passed into history, once everyone has grown accustomed to their words? Gorbachev was [unclear], once everyone had grown accustomed to his words. In our former communist countries, proceedings against senior officials continue. Others have committed abuses. Here, this matter has been left unresolved. [The source text is damaged and repetitive here.] The assumption of power by democratic forces must put an end to this clearly stated demand for popular justice. There must be no «no» or «no» that could allow a person, at this moment, to claim any kind of protection from the injustices committed during his time in office. Whenever it becomes possible, wrongdoing must be brought to light, even the greatest wrongdoing. Everyone must be judged for what they have done; each must bear his own guilt. Those who feared neither God nor the law must receive the punishment they deserve, although it should be understood that this concerns political crimes, not theft. The alpha of democracy is the establishment of justice for political crimes, not simply what Alia’s former collaborators admit. The [unclear] of justice for those who saw it [unclear] when this is in the people’s interest.

- HUNDREDS OF FIRMS POURED TOWARD ALBANIA A YEAR AGO—HOW MUCH CAPITAL DID THEY «INSTALL» IN RSIPE? - WHAT IS NEEDED TO ATTRACT THE FOREIGN INVESTOR? - «FREE ZONES» AND THE FUTURE OF ALBANIAN FIRMS. - IS THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY COMPETITIVE? Now that political passions have subsided somewhat, and the full verdict on the fate of this nation has been delivered, it is clearly apparent that intellectual minds will be «plowed» in a more fertile field than politics. From now on, economic logic will be called upon to bring the exhausted Albanian economy out of its stupor and, around the common goal of its revival, concrete alternatives, appropriate solutions and logical deductions will begin to clash—not experiments. With the latter, doors that have been closed are opened. The new Prime Minister, appointed by the President, outlined the «contours» of the country’s future developments in his first interview, given to Radio-Television, and made it understood that although the ministerial portfolios have not yet been assigned, the new government’s different structure has been determined, as has the new platform it will implement. Meanwhile, economists, at least, have understood that after complete economic collapse, a financial «weakness» has emerged—a breakdown in balancing revenues against expenditure—which necessarily requires and must be covered by external resources. As for what is needed to set the existing economy in motion, this is linked to privatization, although consultations have been opened on this, and the amount is neither more nor less than around 850–700 million dollars. This absorption must be secured, even though the first response already reveals undeclared blockages of around 6 million dollars. This has made it clear that... [text continues, cut off] If for an entire year we waited to face dozens and hundreds of state and private firms in Rimas, they were given exclusive appearances on television and ... [lower part of text damaged/cut off] ... with the possibilities and prospects of the Albanian economy. [Column continues] A year ago, many firms [entered] into bilateral agreements. These, then, are two powerful pillars, like two legs on the same foundation, from which one can move toward implementing the full reform. There is no doubt that powerful international organizations such as FIN, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, etc., will direct their policies toward Albania more effectively than they have so far. What is important is that Albanians sit down together to facilitate the procedure for attracting these resources and to ease the entry of foreign capital. Compared with other countries, our country offers two additional advantages: low wages per working day and a favorable geographical location. All that remains is to establish full legal oversight quickly so that these advantages can be felt immediately. And this must be done as soon as possible by the new government and the newly elected parliament. Only this will complete what is called the «investment climate». There is no time to wait! In seeking parity in relations with foreigners, we forgot the risk we will have to take. But it is known that in this «game» we must offer advantages, even «give» them to foreigners, without fearing the price they will offer us. We will lose as much as others gain from us. The logic is simple: in addition to that shared profitable framework, which offers us the legal, technical and organizational aspects, etc. To attract foreign investors, today more than ever, we need low prices, a developed private sector, a capital market, a unified national exchange rate, a two-tier banking system, and legislation; the laws that «lie» on the tables of the former Presidium of the People’s Assembly from before March 22 of this year must also be approved quickly. Let us do these things quickly and not complain that investments are not being made in Albania. Alongside the «prisoner’s dilemma», the question of developing free economic and trade zones is now also being raised, as is the question of opening up the economy within a free economic zone. Although these issues are debated and opinions clash, there is nothing wrong with that! It is up to the new government, which must be closely aligned with the country’s economic policy, to promote free zones, open the way for Albanian investment, and provide the truth... [continues]

Turkish security forces killed 11 Marxist militants in Istanbul and 35 Kurdish rebels in the southeast over the past two days, officials noted. Four soldiers were killed in clashes with Kurdish guerrillas and a kidnapped officer was found dead, they stressed. ♦ ♦ ♦ A Ukrainian official announced that Kyiv has resumed the transfer to Russia of tactical nuclear weapons for destruction, putting an end to an uproar that has caused deep concern in the West, Reuters reports. ♦ ♦ ♦ Snow and wind swept over fog-covered Mount Etna for the second day, delaying plans for a spectacular American military operation to halt the flow of lava from the volcano. Officials stressed that the situation is stable, and also declared Zantana out of danger for the time being. ♦ ♦ ♦ Battles engulfed the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, during the night, just hours after the UN special envoy from Russia, Safruka Vëns, met with local leaders in an effort to put an end to the fighting. Military officials and

HAPPY EASTER OF THE RESURRECTION; ON THIS OCCASION, WE WISH ALL CATHOLIC BELIEVERS A BLESSED FEAST OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. THE EDITORIAL STAFF

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