The Association of Former Political Prisoners is heading toward a hunger strike. The Republican Party has clarified its position on this issue. We called on the government to sit down for serious and open talks with the Association, whose ranks are made up of a section of society that suffered to the core for democracy and was its strongest and most reliable support. It is simply inconceivable that this section of society should go on hunger strike under a government to which it belongs. We do not presume to say that the Association’s demands, set out in 10 points, are entirely justified and achievable within the requested deadlines. To do so, we would also need to know what the Government has to say, as well as its means and accounts. But we are convinced that many former political prisoners, who were persecuted, endured decades of imprisonment and internment, and were completely dispossessed by the communist regime, have not only yet received any compensation, but have also had none of their property returned. This fact alone is enough to oblige the government to sit down for talks. Yet the Government, through one of its representatives, makes a blanket statement that 20 percent of privatization has gone to members of the Association, and uses this to wash its hands of the matter. Even if this figure were accepted, can the Government claim that there was no manipulation or corruption in the distribution to former prisoners? Above all, there is the issue of guaranteeing the securities by law. At present, in Hungary their value has fallen by 70 percent and could fall further, until the situation reaches the point where some people collect them by force, turning the whole thing into a tragic game. At least on this point, the Association cannot be accused of bad faith. The major issue of compensating former prisoners has lately been discussed even among people who do not want to listen (and if a strike is allowed to begin, no one can foresee what will happen next). The Socialists and the press close to them are “weeping over” the former prisoners’ plight. The water is turning their mill from an unexpected direction. Democracy must look at what it is doing to itself; it cannot enter into open conflict with its finest part. Anyone who thinks the issue can be resolved while events are unfolding, and by other means, is taking on a grave responsibility. All Albanian patriots and democrats would welcome a fair and clear agreement and the avoidance of a strike. But if the Government pursues this matter to the end along the course it has followed, it should know that, whatever the outcome, we will face one of those moral crises that are not easily put aside. The strike is clearly economic in nature.

- What does the company “Albanian Airlines” represent, and what are its results? - The joint venture for international air transport “Albania Airlines” was established by Council of Ministers Decision No. 74, dated 02.03.1992, for a term of 10 years as a joint enterprise between “Albtransport” Tirana and the Austrian airline “Tyrolian Airways”. It was registered with the Ministry of Finance under registration number 49, dated 04.04.1992, in accordance with the laws in force. At the time it was established, the enterprise’s initial capital was divided 50%–50%. Despite the efforts made to improve the company’s economic and financial situation, its financial results deteriorated and, by the end of the six-month period, the loss had consumed almost all of its initial capital. According to the financial results for the period from May–December 1992 to April 1994, the total loss represents 65% of the initial capital invested by both parties. Under these circumstances, in accordance with Albanian legislation and the company’s articles of association, the parties must decide either to increase the capital to cover the loss or to liquidate (dissolve) the company. This company has transported 35,000 passengers, employed 63 Albanian workers, and gained experience in this sector. - What were the reasons for the negative results? - It should be emphasized that several factors contributed to the negative results, and were generally shared. First, the overall crisis in the air transport industry, where companies such as “Alitalia, Lufthansa, etc.” have not posted positive results this year, and competition from powerful companies such as Swissair and Austrian Airlines, etc., was very strong. Furthermore, “Albania Airlines”’s core passenger market was based on Albanian passengers; the ticket fare was ver[y] ... - Is “Albania Airlines” a national company? - The joint venture “Albania Airlines” was not a national company, since Council of Ministers Decision No. 74, dated 2.03.1992, grants it no exclusivity over other Albanian airlines. - What will happen with this company’s obligations to passengers who have bought tickets, and its obligations to others? - Despite the suspension of the route, the two partners have undertaken to settle all obligations and ensure the travel of passengers, both to and from Albania, who hold tickets, on aircraft operated by other airlines. - What do you think about the prospects? - The best option in this situation is to offer it to a third partner, although for the time being we have no commitment. These alternatives, in accordance with the powers granted by law and the Council of Ministers’ Decision, will be submitted to the Government for a decision. - I should point out that at its latest meeting, the Government approved the draft law on civil aviation, which will be submitted for approval at the next session of the People’s Assembly. This opens up opportunities for developing activities in the field of civil aviation. ... from “Tyrolean Airways” on domestic and regional routes has recently been of interest to it, as it abandons activities that are currently proving unprofitable. ... obligations to others? - passengers by other airlines. - What do you think about the prospects? - be submitted to the Government for a decision. - People’s Assembly.

- False statements by Greek officials about the support Greece enjoys for its veto of EU aid to Albania - Protest statement by the Greek government over the trial of Greek spies who are Albanian citizens - Accusatory statement by the Serbian Foreign Ministry A veto is not called a “veto” if it has the support of others Greece has again blocked the aid that the European Union allocated to Albania. But this time it “enjoys the understanding of many EU partners.” This is the Greek claim, expressed by Deputy Finance Minister Thimitris Georgakopoulos after the latest ECOFIN meeting, where Greece repeated its veto of financial aid for Albania. Various sources in the EU in Brussels have refuted this statement, declaring it contrary to the truth, untrue or a lie. Moreover, common sense tells us that this statement must be a close relative of a lie, since it is known that Greece cannot persuade its other European partners to vote as it wishes. If Greece had persuaded its European partners that aid should not be granted to Albania, the aid would have been rejected by the others, or by a majority vote. The fact that Greece was forced to use its veto shows that it was alone in its claims. To make the EU’s “support” seem as credible as possible, Greek officials are trying to present their version of the truth through numerous sources. Thus, according to the BBC, another deputy minister (this time the Foreign Minister), Janos Kariziotis, declared that Greece’s position on the veto “was also agreed with by Germany’s Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, during a meeting with the Greek side in Bangkok...” However, according to the BBC, regarding this “German agreement,” the German Foreign Ministry says that it “cannot confirm the statement by the senior Greek official that Germany supports the conditions set by Greece for granting the aid that the European Union has allocated to Albania.” One day we may hear Greek officials say that they called for new aid to be allocated to Albania, but that other EU members were opposed. Greece alone again... Accusatory statement... The imprisonment of 5 Albanian citizens of Greek origin on espionage charges—another pretext for a statement, this time directly from Greece. Through its spokesperson, Evangelos Venizelos, the Greek Government accuses the Albanian government of “seeking to implicate the Greek government in provocative and malicious positions in the incident against Albania.” Venizelos then sheds crocodile tears in his statement for the 6 compatriots arrested for espionage, but his real concern is “Greek involvement.” Usually, in the practice of recruiting spies, spies are tried for espionage or treason if they are citizens of the state in which they operated. In most cases, it cannot be established who carried out the recruitment: officials or private individuals. In most cases, neither can the state for which the spy worked be identified, or at least there is no evidence to support specific charges. But in this particular case, it seems the Greeks felt very comfortable undermining the foundations of the Albanian state. They did not take the usual secrecy measures, and the trial of the accused will undoubtedly bring official Greek involvement to light. If this is proven, it will be a genuine disgrace for the Greek state! The “accusatory” statements will be answered in the coming days with the start of the trial. By politicizing the case and even provoking incidents and scandals, they will try to overshadow the trial and the presentation of evidence to the public. The response from the Albanian Foreign Ministry is quite mild and conciliatory, but it clearly points to its confidence that the trial will be open and that there is ample evidence to present in court. All the more so because the facts clearly show that those involved nearby, according to the Albanian side’s statement, include “Greek officials and state and religious institutions...”

For Albanian expansionism, interference in internal affairs... The Serbs cite as an example of this policy President Berisha’s greeting sent to President Rugova on the occasion of the LDK Assembly. “The greeting was sent to the self-proclaimed President Rugova,” says the accusatory statement. Berisha also found an opportunity to promote the “nonexistent Republic of Kosovo,” the statement continues. The existence of the Republic of Kosovo has been acknowledged by Serbia itself before everyone else—when it imposed its occupying power over it. If the Republic of Kosovo were as “nonexistent” to Serbia as the accusatory statement claims, it would not have stationed tens of thousands of soldiers and police there. Serbia was the first to recognize Kosovo’s statehood. Following Serbia’s “example,” Rugova was received as a statesman in many countries around the world, before a government that would do so came to power in Albania, before a government came to power that Rugova would agree to visit as a democratically elected president. In its great concern—Serbian concern for peace, for which it has even received international “recognition”—it gives Albania lessons about peace, as in Croatia, Bosnia... After making accusations, Serbia also invites the Albanian side to talks for the “normalization of relations.” Have the Serbs ever wanted normal relations with the Albanians?!

Through its AKS supplement, the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” under the headline “Against the terror directed at Albanian writers, artists and scientists,” is sounding the alarm about the state of terror being exerted through the press (the newspaper “Republika”) against Albania’s writers, artists and scientists. In fact, the newspaper “Republika” has declared the national ideal sacred because, politically, it has understood that this is now the time for Albania’s struggle. “Republika” has declared the values of culture and art sacred because it believes there is no national ideal, no nation without these values; the newspaper has believed and continues to believe that these are precisely the values that have brought our nation to life and revived it. Guided by these principles, “Republika” has returned to the people’s cultural and artistic heritage. It is for precisely this reason that Fishta and the other luminaries of Albania have reappeared in the pages of Republika. We mentioned Fishta, and “Republika” has shaped him without diminishing the great Naim. We mentioned Fishta, and “Republika” has sifted ... to help. ... (part of the text is illegible) Fishta and Mitrush Kuteli, in order to elevate their writings and their rank. “Republika” does not have this morality. Such a morality is un- A year ago, “Republika” courageously opposed the tendency that had emerged (continued on page 4) Earlier, ... (part cut off/text illegible)

Clarification I hereby inform the supporters of democracy that the article “Overturning the Lezhë electorate,” dated 24.07.1994 and published in the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” directed by Nikollë Lesi, a special organ of the continuing Labour Party Committee, now operating covertly, has absolutely nothing to do with the author being alluded to. As a democrat and nationalist who puts Albania above all else, I have not written, nor do I have any reason to write, in newspapers of the Serbo-communist current. It is not my principle to respond to the articles of [unclear] that have invaded part of our press, but since there have been so many articles under pseudonyms, and it is easy to understand whom they refer to, claiming that I have written in this newspaper—and especially by THEIR MOTHER—I wanted to clarif[y?] to the reader that all the articles are drafted in the Labour Party Committees in the districts in order to attack the great democrats, and to ... (text illegible) I will not go into who inspires and directs this kind of press, since, with little directing courage, it is an arrest warrant ... the newspaper “Republika,” dated 10.07.1994. But I should also stress that, although in a democracy you are free to write whatever you want, it is neither moral nor manly to reply to others and allude to them using pseudonyms. We want, invited. Let their time continue its usual course, in accordance with the instructions of its MOTHER. MUHAMET LIKA Lezhë

A new accord among the Powers Page 3 They are demanding their land, but others are demanding it too Page 2 America is drawing closer to Germany while moving away from Europe Page 4 Albania - Recovery Page 4

Since the strike committee of the

Since the journalists’ strike committee has not made any contact with the editorial office of the newspaper “Republika”, we kindly ask that, as a courtesy, we at least be informed whether or not we are to take part in the strike. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE

For the past two days, a madwoman in Tirana has been seen in the streets of the capital, dressed in the twentieth uniform of justice. “This is a favorable season to be a judge, but also a lawyer,” said the madwoman. “Why don’t you become a judge, a lawyer? I have decided to enter the justice system now,” she shouted in front of the Tirana court. Then she stopped a man who introduced himself as a judge. “I know you,” said the madwoman. “You are K.P. Ato. If you have stolen a memory of the twentieth ...” “If I do, I’ll notify the people working for human rights. You’re hot,” said the madwoman. “We’re boasting with speeches about human rights. Why are there so many speeches, man of God? A few years ago ...” “Watch out,” said the madwoman, and she would threaten again. “Make me a place in the justice system.” Earlier in the afternoon, the madwoman returned once again to the street by the court. “Watch out,” she shouted. “They have ... the Omoniasites on the street by the court, these Omoniasites ...” ... (partial and illegible text) The chronicler