Ulqini wins, Pëllumbi resigns Islami among the defeated Ulqini wins, Pëllumbi resigns Islami among the defeated The head of the Socialist Party in Tirana is Musa Ulqini. That is what the PS Tirana Conference decided yesterday, after heated discussions, electing Mr. Ulqini as its chairman. But Tirana will not be the PS’s only subject of discussion. Another seat will soon be left vacant in the socialist ranks. It is not yet known how Mr. Pëllumbi will be received by the Socialist Congress. It would not be surprising if this resignation were put on the table to create a theatrical effect, which could later secure Mr. Pëllumbi the position he desires. With a chairman isolated somewhere else in Bënçë and a number two who has left, the socialists will have a difficult time. The socialist conference of Albania’s largest city declared itself against the theses of Nano’s motion and chose not to heed the ideas of the chairman, who lives in Tirana. This Conference may be considered by many a barometer for the end of August, when a Congress will bring together... to contain nostalgia. Therefore, attention will no longer be focused on the Tirana branch and its Conference. It does not matter very much who won the leadership of the capital’s socialists. The end of August is now approaching, and the vacant seats on the main socialist leadership will require people and elbowing. The PS Conference in Tirana ended in defeat for the faction that who, after heated discussions, elected be left vacant in the socialist ranks. Servet Pëllumbi yesterday loudly confirmed the rumors that he would resign at the Congress. Health reasons have compelled Mr. Pëllumbi to make such a decision. At least, that is what Mr. Pëllumbi has stated. But this resignation has also been insistently called for by Mr. Islami, who seems to have settled accounts with the PS Tirana branch for several years. The resignation of Congress will bring together all the most select Albanian socialists. Just minutes before the voting procedure, Mr. Islami, Brokaj and several others left the hall without saying a word. Islami, who had learned that his candidacy in Vlorë had been rejected, hoped someone in the hall would nominate him for the leadership of Tirana, but that did not happen. It was

On the eve of Pangallos’s visit The imminent visit to Albania by the head of Greek diplomacy has been preceded by the creation of an intensive climate of relations and reciprocal initiatives. Among the first decisions of the Meksishin government were those to open the port of Himarë and three Greek-language schools in the cities of Gjirokastër, Sarandë and Delvinë—decisions that provide Athens and the Greek minority in Albania with a powerful diplomatic platform. Sotir Qiriazati, chairman of the Greek minority organization “Omonia,” said on this occasion that members of the minority should hold a magnificent demonstration in gratitude for the favorable atmosphere conducive to a successful visit. Meanwhile, Albanian citizens expect new and concrete statements from the head of Greek diplomacy concerning the legalization of emigrants and the broadening of the legalization criteria. It was Mr. Pangallos himself, during his first visit, who set September as the final deadline for legalizing Albanian emigrants—a measure seen not only as making work and life in Greece easier, but also as facilitating communication between citizens. According to sources at the Greek consulate, Gjirokastër will be the first stop on the Greek foreign minister’s itinerary. Mr. Pangallos will meet with Albanian and Greek journalists, another in gratitude to the Albanian government. But the Greek side, too, has put its actions into concrete form. The issuance of cards to Albanian emigrants, two pilot projects for the Kakavijë border crossing and the port of Sarandë, the expansion of tourism along Albania’s southern coast, the increase in economic activities of cross-border Chambers of Commerce, and other initiatives seem to be creating... Pangallos will meet with Albanian and Greek journalists, as well as with representatives of “Omonia” and local authorities. The Greek diplomat will then meet with his counterpart, Tritan Shehu, and with President Berisha. Although the proposals exchanged by the two sides have not been made public, political analysts predict new positive developments between Tirana and Athens. I.Z

Ramiz Alia before the court in September Nine former senior officials face 200 former internees Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the trial of nine former senior officials of the former dictatorship, accused of crimes against humanity in collaboration with one another, resumes at the Tirana Court. The proceedings, presided over by Judge Medi Bici, will have only four defendants in the courtroom, as five others have gone abroad to evade trial. The charges against the nine former senior officials of the former dictatorship are being prosecuted by Blerim Tomini and Shefqetim Gani. As on July 29, the defendants Lenkë Çuko, Sulejman Bushati, Agon Tafa and Idajet Beqiri will be present in court tomorrow. Warrants have been issued for the defendants Shkëlzen Bakrajktari, Llambi Gjeopërit, Irakli Veraj, Veiz Haderi and Nazmi Domi since March 12, 1996, when the Tirana Court ordered their arrest. Tomorrow, the court will continue the judicial inquiry by preparing expert examinations to verify the authenticity of the signatures of the four defendants present in the courtroom on approximately 200 reports recommending internment, signed by the defendants while they held senior state positions under the former dictatorship. At the hearing on July 29, 1996, the prosecutors requested that the defendants’ guilt be established before the court through the testimony of around 20 former internees from the districts where the defendants had served. Thus, tomorrow’s hearing will continue with testimony from these former internees about political persecution. All nine former senior officials of the former dictatorship were charged by the National Forum of Intellectuals on November 25, 1995, and constitute the fourth group of former senior officials currently on trial. Since the trials for crimes against humanity began in early May 1996, the sentences of 13 former senior officials of the former dictatorship have become final, and judicial proceedings against another 23 former officials are ongoing. The cycle of trials will conclude with Ramiz Alia, the last president of the dictatorship, who is expected to appear in court at the beginning of September 1996.

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