Some private taxi drivers in Korçë are concerned. Some characters whom the customs officers at Kapështicë know well. They cross the Albanian border whenever they like, far more easily than tourists. And what is a diplomatic passport compared with their «blank checks»? Is there money? Dhrami? Very good. Within a few hours, with a «forged» visa they can swagger into the best taverns in Athens, drinking «Coca-Cola». There is nothing to wonder at. But it seems that things have now changed. The uncovering of the copper-smuggling operation and the seizure of the Greek withdrawal (?) have shaken corruption considerably. The State Inspectorate sounds the alarm. The Investigation Department acts urgently. Two inspectors at the crossing point are arrested for abuse of office; the point has been changed. And yet Korçë’s financial police and the Public Order Department continue their operation. A model operation. Corruption is plain to see. Suspicious people, impoverished in appearance, with little income, suddenly become millionaires! Nevertheless, although the Investigation Department is making arrests, the Mafia seems to laugh ironically. And it continues along the «road to Janina». Yes, «the operation road?…» On 5.6.1992, a «Zetor» loaded with 12 sacks of copper waste was travelling from Bilisht toward the border area of Vërnik. The financial police caught it, but were not surprised. The paradoxes of our times are now becoming familiar: not only a person, but even cars are being «arrested»… And where did it begin? «That one from Bisht? It seems it has been left behind. They saw the 12 sacks of copper today and seized them, and Gëzim did not object to the fine. Only far from the investigators…» About a week after this incident, Korçë’s financial police moved their operation to the Vithkuq area. A police officer from Kamenicë was with them. A surprise inspection in the yard of Apostol Bello’s house revealed a shop selling industrial goods in the village. «Four tons of copper discovered! Just as if you were in a warehouse! The copper was found covered with scrap and was visible to the naked eye.» The villagers say this copper was stolen from the Gjanç hydroelectric plant and the mines— A new chapter in the story: «The Albanian Mafia in Greece» - KORÇË FINANCIAL POLICE, HEADED BY NIKO RRAPI, DEAL A HEAVY BLOW TO CORRUPTION. - THE INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT MAKES ARRESTS - MAFIOSI CONTINUE «THE ROAD TO JANINA». - THE WOLF AND THE TRACKS... - IN WHAT «OCTOPUS» TENTACLES DOES THE CRIME’S ENIGMA LIE?!... —mine, as well as the former head of Korçë’s Public Order Department. The investigations continue. Do you think the copper mystery ends here? It has only just begun to shed light on this ugly crime. The accusation is grave. It has been signed by thousands of unemployed workers. Korçë has signed it. Therefore, the day is not far off when, in the name of the law, the tentacles of the smuggling «Octopus» will be called to account. They say that now not even a fly can pass through the Kapshticë customs point without permission. Checks are strict, even though the border police… This is what Gëzim Galo says in his statement. A statement … …from the Rehovë mine. The police have thus picked up the trail of the «hunters» who seek to extinguish the light on the «market» and the «wolf». Apostol Bello knows the tracks! He is a master of these dubious Mafia games. By now he has gained experience. This is not his first encounter with the financial police. A few months ago, he was convicted of concealing income in order to pay as little tax as possible. Now he plays the role of a ridiculous innocent. He only knows that the copper was brought by a Greek woman, accompanied by two Greek citizens and one Albanian. On the other side, they… (Continued on page 2)

The Albanian Republican Party expresses its firm protest against the violence and mass killings of our compatriots in Gjakovë by Millosheviç’s Serbian army. The barbaric act by the Serbian army, which left its barracks and took up arms against the innocent civilian population, marks an escalation of violence and another act directed against brotherly sentiment, particularly in our fraternal regions. The departure of the Serbian army from its barracks and the use of weapons in a city only 3 kilometres (as the crow flies) from the border with Albania caused justified concern among all Albanians and suggested that its expansion had not been accidental. The ARP warns that this was a serious attack and provocation by Serbian chauvinists against the Albanian people as a whole, peace and stability in the Balkans and beyond, and the peace efforts of international organizations. The Albanian Republican Party [the following passage repeats the preceding paragraph in the source:] A city only 3 kilometres (as the crow flies) from the border with Albania caused justified concern among all Albanians and suggested that its expansion had not been accidental. The ARP warns that this was a serious attack and provocation by Serbian chauvinists against the Albanian people as a whole, peace and stability in the Balkans and beyond, and the peace efforts of international organizations. The Albanian Republican Party calls on the Albanian government, the EC and other international organizations not to let such barbaric-provocative acts pass lightly and without forceful measures to guarantee human life in Kosovo, peace and stability in the region.

THEY DECLARE: SALI BERISHA: A Yugoslav intervention against ethnic Albanians in their region of Kosovo could cause a war in the Balkans. Berisha stressed at his first meeting with Bush that he supports a tougher US stance against Serbia and Montenegro, the two republics remaining from Yugoslavia. KONSTANTIN MICOTAQIS: «It has repeatedly been said that Greece is not directly threatened,» says the Greek prime minister in an interview given to «Der Spiegel». Greece will remain «outside a Balkan conflict, and if it spreads southwards». TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER: «Turkey is ready to take part in international military intervention in Yugoslavia». IN THE NEXT ISSUE YOU WILL READ: 1) Kadri Hazbiu enters Mehmet Shehu’s house at 24:00. 2) PP (S) in search of untrodden paths…

The Crans-Montana Forum in Switzerland invited a delegation of the Republican Party, headed by Mr Sabri Godo, for a working visit. Delegations of high rank from many countries around the world will also take part in this meeting, including Algeria, Germany, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, as well as senior figures from the European Bank, headed by Mr Zhak Atali, and the World Bank, headed by its director, Mr Kemal Dervish, etc. The meeting will be held from 18 to 21 June 1992. ANNOUNCEMENT The Belgian World [organization/name unclear] leadership announces that on 21 June 1992 at 9:00 a.m., a conference will be held in the leadership hall of the … Bek… (announcement received) The Chairman of the World … BABA RESHAT …

The First Congress of the Albanian Republican Party held its proceedings in Tirana on 8 and 9 June 1992. The Congress was characterized by serious concern and commitment to further deepening the democratic processes; to finding the most rational ways of overcoming the political, economic, social, psychological and moral difficulties that hinder the construction of the new society. The Congress delegates, freely elected beginning with the grassroots sections, represented the thinking and strength of the RP following its restructuring and rapid renewal. The Congress elected the Party’s leading bodies, its National Council of 81 members, the Steering Committee of 11 members, as well as the party leadership, and approved the necessary amendments to its Statute. The Congress regarded as a historic victory the agreements and the People’s vote on 22 March 1992 for democracy against the communist-socialist regime. The Congress recognized the indisputable role and merits of the Republican Party in shaping, preparing, supporting and guiding this victory. It objectively assessed the alliance with the DP and PSD, as well as the DP’s primary contribution to this historic victory. After hearing and responsibly discussing the report of the Steering Committee, the Republican Congress delegates approved the Party’s activities during the 18-month period, its political strategy and tactics, and the economic line it had formulated. The Congress conducted a detailed analysis of the shortcomings and mistakes observed in the leading bodies, both at the center and at the grassroots, based on a broad and thoroughly democratic debate. The Congress addressed the mistakes and shortcomings by restructuring the leading bodies and RP centers. The debates and discussions laid the groundwork. Debate and diversity of opinion remain continuously open within the RP. This process, which began with the party elections before the congress, must continue. In its reconstruction and expansion, the RP will accept members primarily from the grassroots and establish the strong discipline required of a modern political party. Members who are present merely for the sake of numbers or appearances, or who joined the party purely for personal motives, are an excessive burden and should be asked to reconsider their position. Simplifying the leadership apparatus and respecting the Statute—that is, uniting through a shared will—will make the party increasingly capable of fulfilling its duties to the country and of continually strengthening its standing. The Congress noted that many ideas and projects in the RP program have already been implemented or are in the process of being implemented. In light of the historic changes that have taken place and contemporary national and international developments, new ideas, projects and approaches were examined and approved; these define the party’s originality and confirm its constant concern for preserving and deepening democracy in Albania. The Congress declared the RP’s commitment to establishing the standards for building a prosperous, humane and democratic society, with economic, material and spiritual progress, national independence, integration among civilized peoples, and openness to contemporary European values. The Congress declared the RP’s commitment to establishing modern legal foundations, maintaining order and eliminating anarchy, fighting corruption, bribery and nepotism, and upholding high ethical standards throughout the state apparatus. The Congress confirmed as the main and only way out of the crisis the development of an economy with a contemporary orientation, founded on complete freedom of individual initiative and private property. The Congress called for the recognition of private property as one of the most fundamental and inalienable human rights, enshrined in all major international documents. The uncompensated and violent expropriation carried out by the communist regime is the most flagrant act, a phenomenon unseen not only in the legislation but also in the practice of the countries of the civilized world. Therefore, repealing the laws under which property was plundered is a necessity for fulfilling the promise made by the 1st Congress of the RP, not only to property owners but also to Albanian society. The Congress affirmed the need to strengthen and develop the social movement concerning the rights of the entire people, in a way consistent with the best international experience and our current circumstances. On this basis, the Congress also considered unlawful state and political-party interference with the peasant’s right to freely dispose of land and property, in order to «Continued on page 4»

On page 3 you will read: Interview with the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha

TO MR SABRI GODO, Chairman of the Albanian Republican Party TO MR SABRI GODO, Chairman of the Albanian Republican Party TIRANA Dear Mr Sabri! On the occasion of your election as head of the leadership of the Albanian Republican Party, I extend my very best wishes and my confidence that your role in the country’s path to democratization, the democratization of the Congress, and the advancement of the principles and program of the Albanian Republican Party will be significant. I extend my congratulations to the Albanian Republican Party, to you and to all its members. With highest regard, Dr. FERENC POKA Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary Tirana, 16 June 1992 * * * Dear Mr GODO, These lines are a greeting… ANVAR AKHAA Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of … « …» …