Remarks by Mr. GODO at the PR anniversary ceremony Thank you for being present at this elegant celebration. I consider it a moment of rest and joy to raise a glass with the friends and well-wishers of the Republican Party, at the beginning of another year in its life, on the day commemorating the Party’s founding, which is January 10, 1991. In the struggle to overthrow communist rule and then to consolidate democracy, the Republican Party made a contribution that cannot be denied even by our political opponents. But while we can hold our heads high for what we have done, we now see that what remains to be done is neither easier nor less important. The Republican Party does not change its course toward democracy and economic development based on individual initiative and private property. But along this path, the elements conditioned by political developments do change. We are convinced that in the year now beginning, the Right Wing in Albanian politics will take shape, as in every other democratic country, taking upon itself the largest share of the Republic’s political responsibility in its four-year perspective. I wish all political forces constructive cooperation in the interests of the country. We can work together to defend the interests of the nation, for the Constitution, and to pass peacefully through the coming elections. We do not want socialism in Albania in any form in which they may seek to present it, because our people’s need to oppose communism is stronger than in any other country that suffered this plague. I hope that this year Kosovo will open the way to independence, that Albanians in Macedonia will achieve shared government, and that our brothers on both sides of the border will be freed from force. I hope our country will be even more peaceful. I hope that this year Kosovo will open the way to independence, that Albanians in Macedonia will achieve shared government, and that our brothers on both sides of the border will be freed from force.

Clinton: sanctions against Belgrade will not be lifted without resolving the Kosovo problem as well U.S. President Bill Clinton, as reported by the “Bujku” newspaper’s correspondent in New York, in a letter he sent to members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressmen Eliot Engel and Suzan Milonari, once again affirmed the importance of the U.S. position that sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro will not be lifted without a peaceful solution for Kosovo and the Balkans. “There are a number of issues, including Kosovo, which I believe must be considered before Belgrade is released from United Nations sanctions and readmitted to the international community.” In his letter, sent from the White House to the American congressmen, Clinton expressed his thanks for their interest in U.S. policy and in the possible future decision on sanctions against Serbia and Yugoslavia, adding that further decisions would be made in cooperation and after further consultations, in close cooperation and consultation with Congress. ATSH “Tell us, O Lord, what we should do before the world forgets us and makes fun of us too” Page 3

In the announcement also broadcast on television, a version presented as the Socialist Party’s account of the group working on the Constitution was shown; among other things, the Republican Party was mentioned. In this regard, we clarify as follows: representatives of the Republican Party have taken part in three meetings on the Constitution, attended by the Democratic Party, the Socialist Party, the Republican Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, and the Social Democratic Party. The initiative for these talks was taken by the last two parties. On January 9, a meeting of this group was convened to form a group that would draft a constitutional proposal as supporting material for the commission to be established by Parliament. At this fourth meeting, the PR was represented by its deputy chairman, Fatmir Mediu, who put forward the request that every constitutional draft to be discussed should include a preamble on the aspiration of the Albanian people for national unification, clearly define the recognition of property as inviolable, and provide for the full equality of powers according to the new standards of a parliamentary republic. In addition, the PR representative requested (a request previously made by the PR) that several extra-parliamentary parties that took part in the local elections also be invited to these meetings, such as Balli Kombëtar and the Legality Movement Party, as well as associations representing broad sections of Albanian public opinion, such as the Association of the Persecuted and the Association for Property with Justice. Seeing the Socialist Party’s purpose, and that of some other party, to instrumentalize the Constitution issue politically, the PR will not take part in such meetings in the future, because it is clear that they will not genuinely serve the purpose of resolving this important issue for the country. To the Director General of RTVSH The broadcast of the reception held on January 12 on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the founding of PRSH once again demonstrated television’s tendency to censor this party’s public activities and the choices of citizens through bias and insult. As a reminder, in addition to representatives of political parties, associations, and members of the Government, almost the entire Diplomatic Corps accredited in Tirana attended this reception. By ignoring the presence of the Diplomatic Corps, your television broadcast, apparently intended to diminish PRSH’s prestige, also demonstrated a lack of ethics and respect toward this Corps. The greater part of the brief report was devoted to the appearance of Prime Minister Meksi, who had been invited to this event in accordance with protocol. We also consider it unjustified and unserious that Television interviewed Chairman Sabi Godo during the reception but did not include this interview in its television report. If this was not a “joke” by Television at PRSH’s expense on the occasion of its celebration, those personally responsible should be careful to give better instructions to the television teams covering the Republican Party’s events and ensure they are supplied with the relevant material necessary to prepare a television report. PRSH Spokesperson Members of the National Council are hereby notified that the PRSH National Council meeting will be held on January 20 at 10:00 at the National Museum

The media battle between the “separated powers” continues Albanians are untrustworthy; December 29 was the most immoral day of the Albanian nation. I do not trust the Constitutional Court, because they are Berisha’s people. “I declare that the campaign against me began before the referendum on the Constitution, when I refused to compromise justice,” Z. Brozi said, among other things, in his opening remarks at yesterday’s press conference. Thus, he sees the conflict between the “two powers” as political in nature, or even more acutely as class-based, rejecting claims about irregularities in the trial of the Greek citizen. Calling judge M. Saraci a falsifier, he described his own decision as correct and said this was a practice followed before as well. To prove this, he showed reporters a copy of a similar decision signed by Aranit Cela. He went on to say that he had previously had conflicts with judges, for example with A. Saraci. He also stated that although the prosecutor had indeed signed the request to lift immunity, other people mentioned above had influenced this. He added that someone in the Prosecutor’s Office, and someone more handsome and better than me at this, hold secret meetings in their villas, underneath there. Asked whether you had also attended meetings at villas on the outskirts, Z. Brozi said, “yes, until 6–7 months ago.” “It could not influence relations with Greece, since it would weigh on the enterprise or the government’s departure, or…” Generally, and with our ambassador in Germany, but nevertheless I believe in Z. Shehu’s honesty, he added. Asked whether you too had been at meetings in villas on the outskirts, Z. Brozi said, “yes, until 6–7 months ago.” “It could not influence relations with Greece, since it would weigh on the enterprise or the government’s departure, or…” At yesterday’s press conference, in front of reporters, he said that he had had conflicts with other judges, naming A. Saraci. He also stated that although the prosecutor had indeed signed the request to lift immunity, other people mentioned above had influenced this. He added that someone in the Prosecutor’s Office, and someone more handsome and better than me at this, hold secret meetings in their villas, underneath there. Asked whether you had also attended meetings at villas on the outskirts, Z. Brozi said, “yes, until 6–7 months ago.” “It could not influence relations with Greece, since it would weigh on the enterprise or the government’s departure, or…” ILIR ALIA Brozi at yesterday’s press conference in front of reporters

Continuing the “Arsidi” trial Yesterday, former Prime Minister Nano appeared before the court, and apart from trying to shed light on his own involvement in preventing Arsidi from entering Albania, he said nothing new. The day before, it was precisely the three former ministers, Ruli, Pashko, Shehu, and Deputy Minister Popa who tried to explain the mystery of the 1.6 million dollars. According to the testimony, Nikola (Arsidi) seems to have won the trust of several ministers more through his extravagance than through the genuine goodwill he inspired, in order to perform the services for which he had been engaged by Albanian government officials. In any case, the forthcoming hearings must make clear the degree of responsibility of the accused and their dismay over this scandal. The trial continues with the questioning of witnesses. “Republika” correspondent

(The following press release was read on January 13 by the White House Press Secretary’s Office, in cooperation with the White House Press Conference on Trade and Investment in Central and Eastern Europe.) The United States signed two new Bilateral Investment Treaties in cooperation with the White House Press Conference on Trade and Investment in Central and Eastern Europe. The United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Majkl Kantor, and the Albanian ambassador Lublim Dibia signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between the United States and Albania on January 11, 1995, in Washington. Ambassador Kantor and the Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs, Valdis Birkawe, signed a BIT between the United States and Latvia on January 13, 1995, during the foreign minister’s visit to Washington. President Clinton welcomed the signing of the BITs. “These Bilateral Investment Treaties lay a strong foundation for expanded trade and investment with emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe. They are another step toward integrating Europe’s new democracies into an expanding transatlantic community. Americans and Eastern Europeans will benefit equally from increased business,” he said. “These treaties form a key element of an open investment climate and will serve to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Latvia and Albania,” Ambassador Kantor said. The BITs guarantee the right to invest under conditions no less favorable than those accorded to domestic or third-country investments. They also guarantee the free transfer of capital, profits, and royalties for the use of licenses; exemption from obligations of any kind regardless of profitability; adherence to international standards on arbitration; and other protective standards for expropriation and expropriation with compensation. The two BITs above are the 11th and 12th signed by the Clinton administration and bring the total number of United States BITs to 34. The BITs with the Czech, Slovak, Polish, Romanian, and Bulgarian republics are already in force. The United States has signed a BIT with Latvia and will hold talks to sign one with Lithuania as well. USIA, January 14, 1995

Traces of local government After a 50-year interruption, the tradition of village governance through a headman was revived in the district of Elbasan, as throughout the country. It has deep roots in the history of our people and deserves to be studied and better understood. One fact that clearly attests to the existence of this tradition is the headman’s seal, which has been preserved for many years by the family of Banu[n] Toromant in the village of Shevarajti. These old documents date from 1916, when Albania had only just established its state, agi-lëkman from the village shoven. Nënmarrët forme with which its governance. Everyone says that these village headmen in 1916, when Albania had only just established its state, agi-lëkman from the village shoven. Nënmarrët forme with which its governance was truly democratic; the Albanian people, and much less all, were there to protect, organize, and direct their lives. Such relics, too, with their indisputable value, serve not only to enrich our museums but can also be used to understand and appreciate our traditions of governance. ATSH

“They have summoned me as a witness in the Arsidi trial. I have to explain the true identity of this mysterious person. I don’t know whether I should crumble or not. Does he know how to betray or not? He is not ready, that foreigner (he’s from the north, according to the chronicle.?) in the trial. I don’t understand how he fooled these ministerial brats. He knows a couple of words in French and had a suit of clothes his uncle brought him from America. From the witnesses’ answers to its questions, the court will learn many things—or, more accurately, it will learn everything except where the money is. It will never find their address. And even if it is found one day, you all know how the postal system works. Early elections in France. Sources report that the presidential candidate who will win is the French peasant who finds 1.6 million dollars. Digging to find the fortune has begun in Albania too. Don’t tire yourselves out, my children! “Don’t tire yourselves out!” “But why are we wasting our time?” asked one of the curious onlookers. “They immediately went away, shaking their heads first in denial and then in agreement, and whispering: ‘Don’t tire yourselves out, my children. Don’t tire yourselves out.’ Suddenly her words turned into a shout: ‘Albanians are untrustworthy; even the pinnacle of Albanian justice confirmed it. After Luan Omari presents the draft constitution, the Americans will change their 200-year-old Constitution. Fragile American democracy needs the experience of Albanian jurists’ [unclear]. A group of Albanian jurists, because they are running out of space, will become outlaws in the mountains of Mokres. Akie with local government sing the folk song, “Oh my cottage, where you sheltered us, how many years had passed since I knew you.” THE CHRONICLER