TIRANA — (c. bo.) “No revenge”: we said it, and we are repeating it. We are against revenge. The President of the Republic speaks before 3,000 intellectuals who have come from many districts of the country and reiterates the principles on which Albanian democracy is based. TIRANA — (c. bo.) “No revenge”: we said it, and we are repeating it. We are against revenge.” The President of the Republic speaks before 3,000 intellectuals who have come from many districts of the country and reiterates the principles on which Albanian democracy is based. Two years ago, in his first interview after taking the country’s highest office, Sali Berisha had told the Gazette: “I am in favor of national forgiveness.” Many things have happened in this country, battered by its past and the transition, since then, but today the President reiterates the same principle. It is an appeal for social peace. Meeting intellectuals on Friday afternoon, Berisha said other things as well: “Democracy,” he recalled, “is based on truth, and the stronger the truth, the stronger democracy will be.” A fundamental statement that commits everyone, both the majority and the opposition. The President then spoke about tolerance, justice and mercy: “Perhaps we have little mercy, because it was killed by the dictatorship, but today it is up to us to bring it back: without mercy there will never be true justice.” And the intellectuals? They, the principal guests at this great gathering, what role should they play? Berisha replies: “Everything we have done up to now is to their credit. An intellectual cannot be a spectator, but must be an active protagonist, because it is precisely in the role of the intellectual that dictatorship differs from democracy. For the intellectual, freedom is fundamental.” Finally, an appeal: the human being, respect for whom must remain the fundamental element of every civilization and every era. In times of political disputes, it is good for everyone to keep this in mind.

The son of King Zog speaks, returning to Albania for the first time in 54 years. The landing at Rinas, the guards, his proposals “There should be a referendum: my father, too, wanted the people to freely choose the form of government” LEKA I PARE The son of King Zog speaks, returning to Albania for the first time in 54 years. The landing at Rinas, the guards, his proposals “I came for the Monarchy” “There should be a referendum: my father, too, wanted the people to freely choose the form of government” TIRANA - (Al. Ba.) — Leka Zogu arrives in Albania. On Friday afternoon, for the first time, the successor of the only Albanian king, Leka I Pare, lands at Rinas airport. The landing of his private jet coincided with the arrival at Rinas of Prime Minister Meksi, creating a somewhat unusual situation: for a moment, on the concrete runway, the symbols of the Republic and the Monarchy crossed paths. Having come to take part in the 50th anniversary of the Legality Party and the great National Festival, Leka I Pare holds his first direct working meetings with his entourage at Hotel “Dajti”. A strict bodyguard detail shields him from visitors and the eyes of curious passers-by. His unexpected arrival took place in complete silence. He had been expected for seven months: a large group of journalists waited for hours, but only his closest associates knew when he would arrive. They had come specifically to prepare this visit. A welcome prepared with great care. The meeting with the Gazette, the first since his arrival in Tirana, took place in room 214, on the hotel’s second floor. A deep emotion comes over “His Majesty’s” face: “You should know that I, too, am very moved, and it is not difficult to understand my feelings. I believe that my arrival will be for the good of the Nation, that we will be able to cooperate fraternally, without listening to ideological and party disputes, to work together to rebuild our Nation and our Homeland, and give it the place it deserves in today’s world.” You believe in a better future. What do you see as the first steps toward changing this situation? “My position depends on the Albanian people. This people has every right, as I have often said and as my father also said, to decide in the future which form of government it wants, whether a Kingdom or a Republic. Whichever it may be, I am a soldier of the Homeland, a soldier like any other, and I will serve in every way to help revive the Nation’s economy, its family traditions and ethnic Albania.” Do you believe that establishing a Monarchy in Albania would help attract more investment from the diaspora? “I believe that Albania will know how to choose its own future. The Albanian Nation—it is better to use this term, because more of it is outside than inside the borders, which should not be the case—is greatly oppressed. This is due both to ideological reasons and to the borders that lie between them: our brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Çamëri. They present a different picture from the Albanians who live in Albania within its current borders. The Kingdom does one thing: it provides stability and gives every Albanian the opportunity to come closer, to speak and to express himself freely when the need arises. The Kingdom is like the father of a family; it is not a party and does not belong to any organization with political tendencies.” Do you assume that the establishment of a Constitutional Monarchy would lead to a solution to a national problem...? “I believe it would help, but we must not make mistakes. Even doing things too quickly sometimes causes problems. We have—we, meaning all Albanians—a tremendous task ahead of us in reaching the level of the European world and the developed world. This will not happen quickly; it will take time. In terms of forming the ethnic Nation and ethnic Albania, the Kingdom will accelerate this process. I am very sure that Albanians will support our platform.” But how do you intend to bring about the restoration of the Constitutional Monarchy? “Naturally, by legal means. I am referring, then, to the idea of a popular referendum. This was my father’s dying wish; he was King of the Albanians. One of the purposes of my arrival is also to prepare favorable ground for this.”

The first trial in Fushë-Arrëz EDMOND LAÇI FUSHE-ARREZ — The trial has concluded over what was called the “Fushë-Arrëz tragedy” two years ago, when 39 people died during the burning of the town’s warehouses. But the trial proceedings—which were followed in an unusual manner and concluded on Thursday—once again failed to punish the true perpetrators of this tragedy. The District Court also handed down sentences to the five defendants charged in this case, while the question of the true causes was separated out and even suspended until some unspecified future date. The first trial concerning the “Fushë-Arrëz tragedy” put the defendants Fran Gjergji, Head of the Trade Section; Rustem Brahja, Head of the Planning Department; and Pashk Doda, Director of the NTAN Enterprise, in the dock on the joint charge of “abuse of office” that had resulted in the serious consequences of the warehouses burning down and 39 people dying.” Rasim Meçi, meanwhile, had been charged with “embezzlement of state property, abuse of office and falsification of official documents.” The last defendant, Preng Rezja—who worked in a village shop—was charged only with “abuse of office.” But at the very start of the trial, prosecutor Sali Kornej Sal K. hajno requested that the charges against Gjergji, Brahja and Doda be changed, since, according to him, “they had nothing to do with the serious consequences of the warehouses burning down and the deaths of 39 people.” At the end of the trial, Fran Gjergji—whose charge was changed from abuse of office to negligence in the performance of his duties—was sentenced to the period he had spent under house arrest, namely eight months. Pashk Doda was sentenced only to the time spent in pre-trial detention “for abuse of office,” while Rustem Brahja received 12 months of house arrest, with only three months remaining to complete his sentence. The heaviest sentence—five years’ imprisonment—was given by the Court to Rasim Meçi on the charge of “abuse of office and falsification of official documents,” even though the charge of embezzlement against him was not proven. Preng Rezja was sentenced only to the time he had spent in pre-trial detention. Thus the memories return once again of that cold night—minus 17 degrees—when 39 people died as they tried to fight hunger by breaking into the warehouses in their town. No one can forget that terrible night, when even the water froze inside the fire hoses. [sic] Nor the following day, when children searched for their toys among the charred bodies. Today, two years after this tragedy, people are being sentenced, though not one of them has been found guilty of causing it.

Previously, the Emergency Center had been funded by TIRANA — The Albanian Catholic Church has become the owner of the “Ferra” hospital. The entire plot of land and the existing building have now passed into its ownership. Along with its owner, the hospital has also changed its purpose. It will no longer serve as an Emergency Center, but as a general hospital. Pathology, surgery, obstetrics and many other services will be provided here, and it will also serve as a university center. The hospital will have about 100 beds. Although entirely private, it will operate solely in accordance with state regulations. The Catholic Church has also proposed state participation. The hospital began construction several years ago with funds donated by the Albanian philanthropist Xhemal Ferra. But, remarkably, these funds, which were calculated to be enough to finish and equip the hospital, were not even enough for the building. Perhaps this mystery will be solved in the court case that Ferra’s relatives have brought concerning the expenditure of the donated funds.

A new problem for emigrants TIRANA (p.r.e.) — “Germany grants temporary residence permits to citizens of countries where political or religious persecution exists. Albania is not such a country.” Huhet, Secretary General of the Social Democratic Union Party of the Land of Bavaria, restated the German view on this highly sensitive issue once again in Tirana. Huber was invited to a press conference in Tirana together with Eduart Selami, Chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party. Recently, it has become almost impossible for Albanian citizens to be granted temporary residence permits in Germany. Previously, this right had been available only to those people who had left Albania in the first wave of departures. But Albanians’ desire to find work and obtain a residence permit in Germany remains very strong today. German authorities—especially recently—have intervened to review the cases of many Albanians who crossed the German border illegally. Many Western countries, such as Italy, Switzerland and France, are doing the same.

THE ALBANIAN STATION OF THE CSCE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK BEGAN OPERATING IN TIRANA — The Albanian terminal station of the CSCE communications network has just begun operating. The network—installed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—is a closed information network that will connect the foreign ministries of the 52 CSCE member states. So far, this connection has been established in around 37 countries, while the central station is in The Hague, Holland. The Tirana station is the first to communicate through satellite data-transmission channels. THE FIRST PRIVATE PHARMACIES OPEN IN BERAT — Following “Farma-Ekspres,” which opened a few days ago, another private pharmacy is beginning operations in the city of Berat. The new pharmacy, which is now operating in the city center, is called “Magro-Bari.” Residents have also found at this establishment medicines that they have often been unable to find in state-run pharmacies. FRANCO-ALBANIAN “PEDIATRICS DAYS” SEMINAR CONCLUDES IN TIRANA — For three consecutive days, a Franco-Albanian seminar on pediatric issues was held at the University Hospital Center of Tirana. Albanian and French doctors delivered theoretical and practical presentations on a range of hereditary and infant diseases, including those affecting the lungs and heart, as well as resuscitation and tuberculosis. Mr. F., the French Ambassador in Tirana, also attended the event’s speech. ALBANIAN TELECOM OPENS TENDER FOR URBAN TELEPHONE NETWORKS — The opening of the tender for Albanian urban telephone networks has just been announced. Under an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as with the European Bank for Reconstruction, funds amounting to 84 million dollars will be provided. The plan envisages the construction, by 1995, of five large telephone exchanges in the cities of Durrës, Fier, Elbasan, Shkodër, and Gjirokastër. Fourteen remote exchanges are also planned, in areas where telephone traffic is very heavy. Seven foreign companies have so far submitted bids; the winner will be announced in mid-January.

TIRANA — A historic visit to Albania. Leka Zogu, son of the former Albanian King, Ahmet Zogu, returns to his birthplace for the first time in 54 years. He had left it just 48 hours after his birth. Leka I returns today, even though the decisions of the 1944 Congress of Përmet—which had declared the royal family illegal—and the 1946 Communist Constitution—which changed the form of government from Monarchy to Republic—have yet to be repealed. The newborn Leka Zogu left Albania on April 7, 1939, when Mussolini’s first divisions had just arrived in Albania. His family first went to Greece, then Turkey, the Baltic States, France and Great Britain, where they stayed until 1946. For another eight years they lived in Egypt, then returned to France until 1962. From then on, Leka Zogu lived in Spain for 17 years, and after 1979 moved to Rhodesia. From there he moved to his current home, South Africa. In addition to his mother tongue, Leka I speaks English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic and Portuguese. The Queen—his wife—is Susan Cullen Ward. Leka I took the oath as King in France on April 9, 1961, after his father’s death.

Today, distributed with the newspaper A panorama is being distributed with today’s newspaper

Dispute among members of “Cosa Nostra” ON PAGE 2 Unemployment, concern is growing Project for 17 vocational training centers ON PAGE 3