On December 9, a meeting was held at the Presidency with four of the parties represented in Parliament. An opinion was being sought on who would benefit from the division of national wealth through securities, and how. On the surface, this could be called a good thing. Consultation is the only way to resolve major problems. But there is something wrong hidden behind it. Not all the parties that today represent Albanian public opinion were invited to consult, nor was any kind of document invited for discussion that could serve as a starting point. Only a general opinion was sought, around a very small table, on a few rounded-off principles. Since the Television report on this matter contained several inaccuracies, I am obliged to clarify the submissions of the Republican Party at this consultation: - The division of national wealth concerns all Albanians; therefore, consultations should have been expanded beyond the other parties with MPs in Parliament to include non-parliamentary parties that took part in the local elections, such as Balli Kombëtar, the Legality Movement, etc., and associations representing the broad sections of society directly connected with the issue of the jobs earmarked for privatization in half the world. I do not understand why we have sought experience in Mexico, Argentina and Malaysia, countries that have never had a communist economy; nevertheless, let the Government present the conclusions it has reached. - It should be clarified whether the securities of associations such as the Association of Formerly Persecuted People and the Association Property with Justice will be considered valid. - The Government has worked for two years with special institutes on this issue and should present its own project as a basis for discussion. It is said that the Government has studied the experience of privatization of these ... These corrupt centers have been openly received under the heading “special facilities”; a general value will be presented. If these states are considered valid, what remains at the end of the un-

Interview with Kurt Kola, chairman of the Association of Formerly Persecuted and Former Political Prisoners The leadership was mandated to continue talks with the right-wing forces—Balli, Legaliteti, PR, Demokrastiania and others who may join this anti-communist front and which could come to power in the next elections. Read on page 3

The Albanian Republican Party on the fourth anniversary of its founding With Mr. Fatmir Mediu, deputy chairman of the PRSH - What place has the PRSH occupied, and what has its contribution been to the Albanian political spectrum during these years of existence? - To think that four years have passed quickly is to feel concerned about what the PR’s role has been during these years. The PR’s constant position in Albanian politics is undeniable. It began with an uncompromising struggle against the communist regime of the time and its hawkish communist mentality, while also seeking cooperation and coordination among democratic forces to achieve the victory of March 22. After the democratic forces came to power, the PR established itself as a constructive opposition to the Government, convinced that free initiative and private property are the foundations for this country’s economic development. Defending freedom and fundamental human rights, implementing the will of the majority and respecting the minority have been, for us, the basis for the normal development of democracy in Albania. Given the conditions in which Albania finds itself, the national question has been at the forefront, along with the constant demand for a common national policy. This would enable Albanian diplomacy to adopt a unified position on the question of Albanians, with a view to national unification. With this, and with their continued consideration, I want to emphasize the PRSH’s role in the country’s most pressing issues. Our ideas—as a conservative party—including a focus on property, the return of property to former owners, improving state-individual relations in favor of the individual, developing political thought based on the concept of freedom rather than equality, and the persistent and unwavering advocacy for former political prisoners and former property owners, especially during their hunger strikes, have made the Republican Party a party with a clear identity in the Albanian political spectrum. The Right is a force with clear ideas for the future, seeking unity and cooperation in order to build its electorate and move toward economic growth. This policy and the PR’s positions have ensured that, organizationally, we are established throughout all the districts of Albania and are prepared for the next election campaign, convinced that the PR will have a strong political mandate. - With the end of 1994, the PR finally closed the chapter on the governing coalition. What differences led to the breakup of this coalition? - At the Second Congress of the PRSH, the entire joint political activity of the PR and PD, which had reached its peak on March 22, 1992, was examined in depth. The further divergence of political views, the country’s economic development and democracy created divisions.

The PRSH spokesperson announces that on January 10, 1995, at the premises of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, the Round Table of Parliamentary Political Parties on the Draft Constitution was held. At this meeting, attended by representatives of PS, PSD, PR, PAD and PDNJ, it was agreed to establish a technical working group that would cooperate with the government drafters. They had been specified in the November Referendum and in the revised Draft of January 1993. The PR spokesperson announces that Mr. A. Bri Godo did not attend this meeting. Mr. Fatmir Mediu, who led the Republican delegation, requested that the political base of the Round Table be broadened through the participation of political parties such as Balli, Legaliteti and other parties represented in local government. It was agreed that each chapter of the draft prepared by the working group would also be presented to these parties for their comments, which would be taken into consideration. The Republican representatives also considered the participation of representatives of PD and PDNJ important. The PRSH spokesperson emphasizes that the Republican Party will strictly adhere to its long-standing position that all the main issues be accurately reflected in the Draft Constitution. 1. The aspiration of the Albanian people: resolving the national question. 2. The legitimate right to property. 3. The full separation and balancing of powers as a guarantee of a genuine Parliamentary Republic. The PRSH spokesperson

The first meeting of 1995 of the standing parliamentary Committee on Laws was devoted to discussions of the Draft Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania, which will soon begin to be considered in a plenary session of the People’s Assembly. As Mr. Halil Shamata, chairman of this Committee, told ATSH, the discussions focused on an analysis of the special part of this new Criminal Code. The structure of this part differs from that of the current Code. It begins with offenses concerning the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of people, followed by crimes against property in the economy, crimes against assets and the constitutional order, crimes against state authority, against justice, etc. The French Criminal Code was taken as the main model, with the necessary modifications, of course, to adapt the definitions of these criminal offenses more closely to the specific conditions of our country. ATSH

Frank Svalen disappointed by talks in Belgrade After talks with Serbian President Slobodan Millosheviç, the chairman of the OSCE Assembly, Frank Svalen, told journalists: “We discussed with the Serbian president and the Yugoslav foreign minister the possibilities for the return of OSCE missions to Kosovo.” Svanxh ak and Vojvodina. However, I regret that the leaders ... we are completely disappointed with these talks, because we have achieved nothing. “We believe that OSCE missions can help prevent possible conflicts from breaking out in these territories,” Svalen said, according to the Prishtina newspaper “Bujku”. Meanwhile, according to the same newspaper, Vili Vimer, vice-chairman of the OSCE Assembly, said that Kosovo should enjoy a high degree of autonomy, while respecting international borders and the territorial integrity of the country. ATSH

After the easing of sanctions on international transport against Serbia and Montenegro, the Tivar-Bar sea route linking Montenegro with Italy was reopened. On this route, there are several sailings each week, and the passengers who use it most are Kosovars, who leave from here to seek work and shelter in the countries of Western Europe and further afield. This is a real and painful exodus that continues without interruption. Here their odyssey to reach their intended destination begins. Hundreds and thousands of young people and entire families from different parts of Kosovo travel to Italy. An entry visa is still not required for this country. From there, along routes familiar and unfamiliar to them, they disperse to different countries in Europe or to America. It is an exhausting journey, full of obstacles and hardships, which continues relentlessly. If we refer to the statistics, we will see that from the end of October until now, more than 25,000 people have travelled in both directions, over 80% of them Kosovars. They are the most frequent passengers at the travel agencies and at the port of Tivar. The scenes are truly distressing. Each of their stories is a tragedy in itself, but everyone dreams of a better and happier future. But the question arises: Is this the most suitable way out? BBC

Greek government spokesperson Evangelos Venizelos said there was nothing new in the American president’s statement and defended his country’s position in its tense relations with Tirana. The spokesperson stressed that his government had taken steps to improve relations with Albania and added that Athens expected Tirana to respond in the same way. According to him, the Albanian government should first show respect for the human rights of the Greek minority in Albania and release from prison the brother of ... who was convicted. President Clinton made his appeal in an interview he gave on Sunday to the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini”. He also called on Athens not to be rigid. Meanwhile, the American president, Bill Clinton, Sali Berisha, welcomed the American president’s words. Albanian leaders are asking the Greek government to respond to the serious difficulties in cooperation with Greece. ATSH

After U.S. Undersecretary of State Holbrooke’s tour Mr. Holbrooke’s quick tour of the five countries most deeply involved in the conflict in Southeastern Europe seemed intended to brief the parties to the conflict and inform the U.S. State Department ahead of the following day’s Contact meeting, which was to be held in Paris. He also discussed bilateral U.S. initiatives, particularly with Macedonia and Albania. Tirana and Skopje were seeking agreements with America on investment relating to their privatization programs. Macedonia also wanted to strengthen its military ties with Washington further. The United States had provided personnel security for the summer’s border operations. He said it would be based at least at one NATO base in Greece or Turkey and announced it in the new country. Macedonia wants to draw America into the struggle over its army. America seems interested in supporting Macedonia in maintaining stability and order, etc. Mr. Holbrooke hoped to confirm the resumption of interstate talks between the sides in this region. These include issues involved in the conflict, such as Cyprus, and productive negotiations between Greece and its northern neighbors, Albania and Macedonia. Nevertheless, the message he received in many countries was that the parties were not prepared to make significant concessions. On Saturday, Albania’s president, Sali Berisha, told Mr. Holbrooke that the disagreement with Greece over the status of Greeks in Albania and the issue of Albanian emigrants in Greece should be resolved without a Greek agreement. Nevertheless, the Greek prime minister, Papandreu, emphatically confirmed the reports, reiterating his well-known position. Mr. Holbrooke’s tour coincided with the publication of an interview with President Clinton in the major Greek newspaper “Kathimerini”. In it, he urged Athens to be more flexible in its position toward Albania and Macedonia and to stop its efforts to worsen relations between these states and the OSCE and the European Union. He called on Greece and Turkey to open bilateral dialogue to ease tensions in the Aegean Sea and address the Cyprus issue. He said these would be early NATO ... Last week, the newspaper “Nova Makedonija” reported that secret talks with Athens had already begun. However, both countries favor holding such talks, since this would allow them to avoid backlash from militant nationalists. STEPHEN ASHLEY, BBC

All members of the National Council are hereby notified that: On January 20, at 10:00, the meeting of the National Council of the Albanian Republican Party will be held at the National Museum.

“...In the privatization process, one thing has been forgotten, something that got mixed up in the ... The Constitution!” Instead of ballots, distribute securities. Each security should be worth 5 lekë. And these will be the most valuable securities. They will not be sold at 65% of their value or 50%. They have it as a memento, where these 3,250.26% and perhaps even more. In a narrow area they may even reach many records. Perhaps even the value of an egg. Then let us see those who oppose securities. Those rich people who want the properties and these securities! I ask them: do you want conditions, or securities instead? Do you want a worthless piece of paper, or a piece of paper worth 13552.26% of its real value? Even high-ranking titles should be made with securities. Not professor or doctor, because these no longer have any value. But, for example, if you want to confer an honorable title. Securities should be distributed for these things too. Why should we have duties in innovation? They have money and would gladly invest in this business that makes children. Being good can become good business, to the benefit of both countries and, apparently, successful for corruption. You can even say you are temporary; it doesn’t matter if you have paid the money for the securities. Property is as sacred as your holiness. Privatization should proceed only under its own constitution, not downward. What do you mean, privatize securities, enterprises? Concrete and bricks! Who wants those! For example, high-ranking positions could be privatized, with securities, of course. The value of the securities for a position should not be set according to the ranking of how much corruption that ... can produce. The value should be set according to the average prison sentence received by those who held that position before. If someone paid for it with their head, then two terms should be added to the relevant post. If a position carries years in prison, then ... could also be taken into account ...