In all the “trials” being held against corruption—in newspapers, parliament, closed party meetings, and sometimes even where they should be, in courtrooms—the spirit of anti-corruption is professed. How concrete this anti-corruption spirit is can be seen from the total lack of interest in the fate of the millions discussed in these scandals. The most concrete part of every corruption case, the money, always remains secondary in the unraveling of Albanian scandals. Even when there are accusa- Employees sue over irregularities in contracts

tions against corruption, millions discussed in these scandals is evident. when there are accusations about money, they usually concern money that some official has taken from foreigners. Whereas, when it comes to money that foreigners take from the state and the Albanian citizen, as in the case of Arsidi[t], nobody—not even the court—is interested in where the money is or whether it can be returned to its owner. To speak concretely about corruption is to speak about the millions and their fate. How do we get those millions back? That is the question. How do we protect the others we still have? That is the other, even more important question. Corruption is not stopped by handing down a few years in prison, with reasoning such as “he signed here,” “he caused the state this much damage.” Many Albanians (and officials) will not be deterred from dipping into state (and citizens’) money by a few years in prison. Not getting to enjoy the millions gained through corruption will stop others from joining in! Therefore, corruption is not the signatures and meetings in Paris and elsewhere. Corruption is millions of dollars. Bring them back! We’ve nipped corruption in the bud too!

Brozi fears politics — How did you receive the decision made by the PD parliamentary group? — I respect every decision of parliament and of the PD parliamentary group, insofar as that decision upholds the truth before the law, as well as compliance with the laws by everyone. But I regret that the President also took part in the parliamentary group meeting, and as a jurist I believe he should not have attended such meetings. I also very much regret that they did not summon me to be heard by the parliamentary group and in parliament, when I had requested this. — You have just parted ways with Mr. Spahia. What is his position on this issue? — Mr. Spahia is determined that I should not appear before the PD parliamentary group, and is just as convinced that the accusation against me is justified, despite my explaining to him that it is fabricated. — How do you see yourself before the court? — First of all, I must tell you that the accusation has no legal basis, but politics can work wonders. That is why I feel, and will continue to feel, calm, and I am convinced that the court will not carry out the orders it is given, but will administer justice in the name of the law—and that will mean my acquittal. I. Alia

In an interview given to the Albanian-language service of “Deutsche Welle” radio, the chairman of the Parliamentary Party and elected member of Kosovo’s Parliament, Bajram Kosumi, called for Kosovo’s Parliament to convene as soon as possible. Bajram Kosumi told the radio that there are no clear ideas for getting out of this impasse. He called for a new government to be elected at this meeting, because the current one is unable to put the parallel institutions that have been established into operation.

Arens’s talks Ambassador Gert Arens, appointed by the Geneva Conference on the former Yugoslavia, met yesterday in Skopje with the Macedonian ministers of Internal Affairs and of Education and Jurisprudence, the Pristina newspaper “Bujku” reports. According to reports, the talks focused on the position of Albanians in Macedonia. Arens also visited Skopje television, where he discussed broadcasting programs in the Albanian language on this state television station. Albanian. Last night he met representatives of the Albanian University of Tetovo as well as representatives of the Albanian political parties regarding the functioning of this university. It is also reported that Ambassador Arens arrived in Macedonia to find a solution acceptable to both sides.

Employees sue over irregularities in the contract The dispute between the employees of Pharmacy No. 2 in Tirana and the joint-stock company Ital-Farmacët has been sent back for a retrial at first instance in the Tirana Court over irregularities in the procedure followed. The pharmacy employees had sued the Italian company for irregularities in one clause of the contract, as well as for forging employees’ signatures on the contract signed back in 1991. According to the pharmacy employees, from the outset they had sought co-ownership with the Italian party, and this is where the irregularities lie. Correspondent, “Republika”

Although he has been away from Albania for more than two years, together with his family, former Albturizmi director Ruhi Sheqi wanted to keep the house in which he had lived, even though a decision by the Property Restitution Commission had transferred the house to its legitimate owner. But apparently reason prevailed. At the trial opened over this issue, the Sheqi family did not appear, despite having stated that the house did not belong to the owner because many properties had already been returned to him.

Every year, the United States organizes a lottery for people who wish to emigrate to the United States. A limited number of people are selected at random by computer to receive these visas. To have a chance of being selected, people must register for the program. Those selected must either have completed secondary school or have two years of experience in a job that requires two years of training. Lottery documents must be obtained between January 31, 1995 and March 1, 1995. Documents obtained before or after these dates will be disqualified. Each person may submit only one set of documents. There is no fee to enter the lottery. People who receive visas under this program will pay the normal visa fees when their visas are issued. Detailed instructions on entering the lottery and submitting documents are posted outside the United States Embassy. USA, January 20, 1995

To support the president during a political crisis… —According to Izvestia— President Boris Jelcin is preparing a decree concerning the creation of a National Guard, a “combat instrument for political power” during a crisis, and one that is directly answerable to the head of state, Izvestia revealed today, publishing excerpts from the document being prepared. “During a period of [text cut off] the National Guard is an armed support for the head of state,” the document states. According to several reliable sources cited by Izvestia, it is in President Jelcin’s office. This new armed formation, “with a small number of personnel,” is to be tasked with resolving internal conflicts, and its creation constitutes another interesting attempt by the country’s leaders to prevent the different interests of Sherbl… (continues on page 6)

The events that have taken place in Italy following the overthrow of the old political class there, which dominated the Italian political scene during the last half-century of the Second World War, have been marked by surprises and even paradoxes at important moments. Thus, although the departure from politics of the leading figures of that time, caught up in the “tangentopoli” scandal, was expected, the way they were replaced was not: while the parties [text unclear], the eventual arrival in power of Achile Oketo[s]’s moderate communists, who had been the main force in the Italian opposition—a fact also confirmed by their victory in the local elections held toward the end of 1993—was suddenly overtaken by the “Berluskoni” phenomenon. “Forza Nazionale” (formerly MSI) and Xhanfranko Fini came to power, defeating the so-called left-wing “progressives.” It is precisely in this coalition that we encounter a paradox: Bosi and Fini have joined forces, the former with views that are somewhat left-wing, and the latter a right-winger (some also call him a neo-fascist) and opposed to any weakening of Italy’s unity. Just when it seemed that the “Berluskoni” government had passed its difficult tests successfully, after several confrontations over changes at RAI and workers’ strikes against the government’s economic policy, the Lega members led by Bosi suddenly left the coalition. The paradox here is that, whereas normally a government should fall as a result of opposition activity, the blow comes from within, from a coalition partner. It is understandable that Bosi, through this action, aimed to create a climate of political instability in Italy so that the federalist ideas of “Lega Nord” could be implemented more easily. But more than harming Italy at the national level, Bosi’s latest move, which led to the government’s fall, caused greater damage to his own group, leading to a deep fracture: on one side are he and his supporters; on the other, one of the Lega’s most prominent figures, Professor Negri, and the Interior Minister in the Berlusconi government, Roberto Marroni. In the post-Berluskoni period, while efforts were being made to find the country a government, the most important aspect was the confrontation between Skalfaro and Berluskoni: while Skalfaro opposed a “Berluskoni bis” government, the former prime minister, strongly supported… (continues on page 3)

It seems that change is in the air in Greece’s political winds. On the one hand, Greece is trying to improve its foreign-policy performance and, on the other, it is entering a new era of domestic politics, with the inevitable departure of the two greatest figures in post-junta Greek politics: President Kostandin Karamanlis and Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu. A new president will be elected in April and, if the [unclear text] happens fully and unexpectedly, this will automatically mean new elections in June. Europeans think of this country as simultaneously Balkan, Mediterranean and Western European, whether when planning a [unclear] holiday or when viewing it skeptically… [continues on page 3] But it is not enough to understand that Greece politics. In particular, one development will not change the main issue facing its parties: namely, their need to… (last visible text cut off)

The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, received yesterday in Prishtina a delegation from one faction of the Party of Democratic Prosperity, led by its chairman, Abdurrahman Haliti. The delegation briefed President Rugova on current political developments in Macedonia and on the party’s efforts to resolve the problems of Albanians in Macedonia. They also discussed joint Albanian political cooperation in Macedonia, as well as joint actions and mutual understanding among political parties and institutions in the Albanian world. The need to better activate the Coordinating Council of Albanian political parties in the former Yugoslavia was emphasized.

In the village of Dushanovë, in the municipality of Prizren, the Serbian administration has planned the construction of a Serbian colony, whose residents will each be given between one and three hectares of land. It has also been planned that the Serbian settlers will be given 40 apartments in the city of Prizren.

She left the meeting in tears, with her hair disheveled and her dress nearly torn. “They took away my immunity too. Me, who had immunity even in the time of Zog. They are going to hold me accountable. They are going to put my mind before the courts. They say: you have two trials, or legal responsibility and political responsibility. I chose the trial. I’d rather go to prison than be declared a raging extremist of the centre.” “I am only a small fish. Why don’t they catch the big fish, instead of going after me, a fish…” “According to statistics, no [unclear text] person convicted of corruption has escaped from Albanian prison in the last 12 centuries. According to analysts, this is explained by the fact that everyone was amnestied two days before leaving, while observers have a different opinion.” “In the latest polls, conducted by a respected institute that did not wish to be identified, the greatest chances of winning the elections belong to the Labour Party, which will take the entire electorate of the Socialist Party and that of some party that is neither right nor left. I don’t mean the centre. I mean somewhere else. You’re smart enough to understand.” “Democratic governance. Former owners will not benefit from this, since they have already been owners once. The Communists will receive double the property allocated per capita. This is a re-education measure for them. Let them get to like property too!” Meanwhile, former owners will pay compensation for the years their lands were used. Securities will not be accepted. Cash only!” Former prisoners will pay for their time in prison, at the rate of one night in a hotel for each day. “At liberalized prices.” “In the latest polls, conducted by an institute [illegible text] adds: ‘But if you look at me, I don’t look like a fish at all. I’m like an eel.’” The Chronicler

The number of pensioners is twice the number of employed people p. 2 The Pantheon—a joke? p. 3 The people and freedom p. 3 Diplomatic efforts continue in Bosnia p. 4 Gali’s strange position p. 4 The latest from around the world p. 4 Tirana and Partizani heading toward