Privatization bonds are “killing” privatization lekë. All it took was a notice—issued, it would seem, almost a month ago—about the imminent issuance of privatization bonds to accelerate the process of the privatization lekë tumbling into the abyss of devaluation. In recent days, the selling price of privatization lekë—given to political persecuted people—on the special market that spontaneously formed on the steps of the Savings Bank building has, in some cases, fallen to as little as 28 percent of their nominal value. The privatization lekë—or, more accurately, the accounts held at the Savings Bank—were distributed to former persecuted people… After that, the price continued to fall almost steadily, reaching 50 percent of its value in March. Now, it is the announced issuance of the bonds that has caused panic among the holders of privatization lekë over the risk of their value falling even faster. But it is precisely this fear that is causing an almost drastic devaluation of privatization lekë over the past month. The further the spiral of fear over the threat of the bonds rises, the lower the price of privatization lekë falls. In the Tirana market, bank accounts in privatization lekë have in recent days been sold for as little as 30, and even 28, percent of their nominal value. The possibility of converting these “lekë” into privatization bonds, or of using them later in the privatization process, cannot curb the desire of many of their holders—often arriving from remote rural areas—to sell them in the capital’s market. In the final analysis, it is the need these people have for real cash. This need, now multiplied by the anxiety apparently caused by the approaching wave of bonds, is driving the price of privatization lekë lower and lower. ANDREA STEFANI

Just as it is harmful, indeed dishonest, to deny the government’s efforts and achievements over these three years, it would be even more harmful to sing nothing but praises of the government’s and PD’s work, to turn everything into a myth and speak only of successes and achievements, leaving nothing to distinguish it from the dark period of monism. The country’s present condition, its unresolved problems, and those created by weaknesses in the government’s work—which have not infrequently been artificial—are themselves evidence. Among these, the contrasts between certain sections of the population and such ills as various forms of crime and corruption among government officials at certain levels, not to mention others, show that we are still far from what was promised before 22 March. Without disregarding the objective difficulties that not only the government but also all the democratic anti-communist forces had to face, a considerable part of the failures resulted from the subjective errors of those in power, and above all from the deep-rooted communist mindsets instilled during the dictatorship. It was precisely these, along with a certain continuation of the old patterns, that caused the processes already begun to stop halfway. The direct consequences included the implementation of the communist Land Law 7501, leaving former persecuted people in bunkers and shacks, failing to stop—and even encouraging—the relocation of entire families onto other people’s land, etc. These things could not help but lead to the government’s intolerant attitude toward the strikes by former owners and former persecuted people. Such attitudes stood out all the more when one observed an inexplicable tolerance toward the former red nomenklatura, cloaked in slogans such as “all fellow sufferers, all fellow culprits.” Above all, the government forgot who had brought it to power and what obligations it had toward them. This soon led it to be abandoned by right-wing groups, which could not accept such policies. Right-wingers could not be satisfied with café-and-curtain trials, or with the judicial system’s inability to argue— Continued on p. 4

The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, met yesterday with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Minister Alfred Serreqi. Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi gave an overview of recent Albanian diplomatic activities and its engagement in the national question. The discussion focused on the situation in the Balkans, especially the situation in the former Yugoslavia. Minister Serreqi emphasized the Albanian government’s position that the lifting of sanctions against… Continued on p. 4 The President of the Republic of Kosovo at yesterday’s meeting with Albania’s foreign minister, Serreqi

On the occasion of Mr. Sabri Godo’s arrival in Tepelenë, the students of the town’s secondary school organized a meeting with the author of the novel “Ali Pashe Tepelena” on 15.04.1995 at 18:00. After the customary greetings to the writer, various young people discussed the work’s merits and the place it holds in Albanian literature. Etleva Gjonca spoke about the emotional portrayal of Ali Pasha. Enkelejda Peci recited an excerpt from the novel. Then Erion Konomi spoke about the work’s composition, while Dritan Shehu discussed the characteristics of its style. Etleva Dervishi and Marsel Bega recited various excerpts from the novel. Other speakers, students and teachers, expressed their appreciation and regard for the work. At the end, the writer Sabri Godo thanked them for organizing the event and spoke about the arduous work he had put into the novel. He told the students that his political commitments had drawn him away from his work as a writer. Mr. Sabri Godo also answered participants’ questions about contemporary Albanian literature and its circumstances and difficulties.

Page 5 Genocide in the Balkans Page 5

The article that saddles the first democratic press with taxes imposed during the time of monism has been annulled. The penalty for those seeking a greater reduction will be the imposition of an additional tax on losses. Privatization bonds will be distributed to all Albanians over the age of 18. Those adopted by foreign families will not be eligible for the bonds, even if they have reached this age. The latest position is that the bonds should have no value at all, because if all Albanians become rich, what enjoyment is there in wealth when there are no poor people to envy it? Mrs. Çuderu has resigned because she was afraid she might meet her Albanian counterpart again, the one who had changed her mind two years ago. She had frozen relations, which tradition- T e u a u i …ally have been good since the time of Aristotle. We appeal to everyone to respect the law on state land and its sale and purchase, because we do not have enough forces to make you comply by force. Those who do not abide by this order-appeal will not benefit from the law on pastures. We will not give you even a blade of grass…The government holds the copyright to this article for 20 years, plus more, under the law that was passed. Any unauthorized use is punishable.