The charge against the ten defendants: “Violation of citizens’ equality” Trial of the bloc leaders set EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — For the first time in Albania — three years after the overthrow of communism — the regime’s highest officials will appear in court. On December 3, ten former members of the Political Bureau, the men most trusted by Hoxha and Alia, will face charges in the Tirana Court. Thus begin — nearly after the arrest of the entire old guard — the first trials against them. “Violation of citizens’ equality” is the charge in December, which the Trial Panel — already selected — will attempt to prove against the ten former members of the Political Bureau. Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Ramiz Alia, Adil Çarçani, Hekuran Isai, Simon Stefani and Manush Myftiu — all five in Tirana Prison — on even more serious charges. For Besnik Bekteshi, Foto Çami, Hajredin Çel iku, Lenka Çuko, Llambi Gegprifti, Muho Asllani, Pali Miska, Prokop Murra, Qirjako Mihali and Vangjel Çërrava, the criminal case was opened in June 1991 for “theft and abuse of office” in complicity. Two years of investigation by a special team of investigators ultimately led to Article 107 of the Penal Code: “The creation of privileges, national inequality, as well as any other act violating the rights of national minorities, when the act does not constitute a crime against the state.” Although this article appears to refer specifically to national minorities and the creation of inequality against them, the prosecutors used it to charge the ten former Albanian bloc leaders. According to them: “This Article has three objectives, including the creation of privileges, to which the charge refers.” The December 3 trial is the first to judge abuses committed under the old communist system. The Hoxha widow — the dictator’s wife — had merely opened the series of sentences handed down to well-known figures of the Hoxha regime. Her sentence — ultimately 11 years’ imprisonment — was given on the charge of “theft and abuse of office,” even though the Hoxha widow had not directly directed Albania’s dark political course. The charge against the ten former members of the Central Committee of the PPSH Political Bureau, on the other hand, refers precisely to the decisions and instructions that this bureau had adopted for its own special treatment. For the first time, too, the former high-ranking officials of the old regime will not be tried for extra coffee or the carpets in their luxurious homes, but on a more dignified charge: creating benefits for a small group of people, in contrast to the multitude of thousands upon thousands of Albanians. If, during the December 3 trial, the Court seeks only proof of “violation of citizens’ equality,” the sole charge against the ten former members of the Political Bureau, it is clear that many witnesses will not be needed. The cooks, waiters or villa servants cannot testify about the decisions and instructions of the Political Bureau. The signatures and the defendants’ own explanations could bring this trial — unusual in terms of attendance — to a conclusion much faster than one might expect, given the very voluminous case files of the accused. Under the current Penal Code, the charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The Hoxha widow during the trial and beside her, the Tirana Court “misappropriation” in collaboration. Two years of investigations — by a special group of investigators — act that undermines the old communist power.” The widow Hoxha — the dictator’s wife — had only just opened the list of sentences among the well-known names of the Hoxha regime. Her sentence was ultimately 11 years’ imprisonment. AN AGREEMENT TO FIGHT TERRORISM SIGNED IN TIRANA — An agreement was signed in Tirana between the Government of Albania and the Government of Slovenia. The agreement concerned establishing cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime. This important act was signed by Agron Musaraj, Minister of Public Order, and his Slovenian counterpart, Ivan Bizjak. PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC BANK AWARDED THE “NAIM FRASHËRI” ORDER — The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, awarded the First Class “Naim Frashëri” Order to Ahmed Muhamet Ali, President of the Islamic Bank. The order was bestowed “for his humanitarian and financial contribution in helping the Albanian people cope with the severe socioeconomic consequences of communism.” He, in turn, emphasized that this was an honor bestowed on all of Albania’s friends. THE COMMANDER OF THE SECOND ASSAULT BRIGADE OF THE NATIONAL LIBERATION WAR COMMEMORATED — Former partisans and family members of fallen heroes gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Second Assault Brigade. Safet Zhulali, Minister of Defense, also attended the meeting. Zhulali emphasized that the victory of democracy would recognize the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War. During the war, the Second Assault Brigade operated in various parts of the country, including Tirana, Korçë and Përmet. “ALBANICA” MAGAZINE “CLOSES” FOR FINANCIAL REASONS — “Albanica” magazine will no longer be published,” its editor, Arshet Pipa, announced. The reason is a lack of funding to cover its publication. The magazine — which began publication in the United States in 1990 — was multilingual. So far, it has published only four issues.

TIRANA — (p.re.) — Optimism embracing both yesterday and tomorrow radiated from Prime Minister Meksi as he presented to Parliament the medium-term program that the Albanian Government will pursue during 1993–1996. Everything accomplished during 1992–1993 — stabilizing production, reducing the monthly inflation growth rate to 0.5 percent, cutting the budget deficit from 45 to 20 percent, advancing privatization, along with other indicators — was presented in support of the optimistic conclusion about the Government’s past performance: “most of this program has been implemented.” Meksi then presented in detail the medium-term macroeconomic policy, the objectives for restructuring national production, public investments and the strategy for their allocation. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that investments could increase by 15 percent, inflation could fall to 20 percent annually, and the payments deficit could be reduced to 20 percent, compared with 66 percent in 1992. It appears that tight fiscal policy will remain one of the Government’s main levers in the future as well. By 1996, tax revenues will account for 30 percent of the budget, up from today’s 17 percent. Comprehensive but necessary measures will include closing loss-making enterprises. The program also envisages extensive decentralization in the restructuring of agriculture and transport, the progress of privatization, and the composition of the legal framework.

New facilities for Albania too Transit visas will no longer be used from February New facilities for Albania too Just one visa will be enough to travel around Europe Transit visas will no longer be used from February TIRANA — (p.re.) — Albanians may soon find it easier to enter the West: a visa for just one country will be enough to visit all of Europe, including Italy and Germany. The day before yesterday, the European Commission drew up a list of 129 countries that will benefit from the “Schengen Treaty,” and Albania is included. But what is the Schengen Treaty? It is an agreement providing for a series of measures to ensure the free movement of people and goods in a united Europe. Among the many measures envisaged, starting on 1 February 1994, citizens of the 129 countries on the new list (including Albanians) will be able to visit all the states that have signed the agreement with a visa from just one of them. For example, if they have a visa for Germany, they can use the same visa to enter Italy, France, Greece and so on. The only European Community states that have not joined the “Treaty” are Denmark, England and Ireland. The list of 129 countries must now also be approved by the nine states party to the “Treaty,” but, at least as far as Albania is concerned, there do not appear to be any obstacles. In a second stage, the European Commission will also propose a single visa format and establish rules for determining the countries for which a visa will no longer be required. But is it really clear? “Certainly, today each of the countries that are members of ‘Schengen’ has its own rules for issuing visas. France and Germany have the strictest rules, while Italy and Greece, by contrast, have fairly lenient regulations. The Treaty provides for visa-issuing rules to be made uniform for everyone, but they must be aligned with the stricter ones, not the lenient ones. This will reduce one of the theoretical [unclear], because the European Commission’s directives must be awaited. Certainly, a state — Italy, for example — can still issue a visa quickly; but in that case it is valid only for the country that issued it. In that case, the Schengen Treaty does not apply.” So will the anxiety over entry visas come to an end? “We should not be too optimistic. The Schengen Treaty is not an agreement — and it changes immigration laws. Indeed, in some respects it restricts them.” Could you explain further (Photo)

TIRANA — Shimon Peres, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, will arrive in Tirana on November 28. It is the first time an Israeli official of this rank has visited Albania. Peres — who will stay for only two days — will be received and hold talks with his Albanian counterpart, Sereqfi. He is also expected to meet Albania’s highest-ranking figures. Shimon Peres is one of the leading figures in Israeli politics. During his career, he has held many senior government positions.

Fines for 16 legal advocates TIRANA — (An.St.) Even lawyers — defenders of the law — evade their legal obligations. “They have concealed the income they earned and have not paid their fiscal obligations to the state.” This is an accusation — made against quite a few lawyers — worded in almost identical terms in numerous reports sent by the financial police in various cities and districts. So this time, instead of a manufacturing or trading business, lawyers have been targeted by the law. In a period of almost one month, a total fine of 178,054 lekë was imposed on 16 lawyers. Inspections carried out by financial police officers found that these people, who know the law well, had in some cases failed to observe it. In Korçë, five cases were found in which various lawyers had falsified documents, understating the income earned through their profession, and had also failed to settle their obligations to the state. For this violation of the law, they were fined 37,000 lekë by the city’s Financial Police. In Tepelenë, 7,054 lekë in income concealed as illicit profit was confiscated from two lawyers. Of the five lawyers practicing in the district of Krujë, four were found to have violated regulations concerning professional licenses and the keeping of financial records. Fines and confiscations totaling 116,794 lekë were imposed on them. Three of the five lawyers fined in Berat did not have the employment records for their staff in order. The fine imposed by the Financial Police for this violation amounted to 11,000 lekë. Their two colleagues — who received this penalty — had also tried to evade their obligations by failing to register their personal income; this time, they were fined 7,000 lekë. Meanwhile, Financial Police inspections into this matter are continuing in other cities across the country.

Revelations by an English newspaper ON PAGE 2

Vlorë, an engineer’s menu VLORË — (e.l.) A resilient Albanian who is quite accustomed to eating snakes has been discovered in Vlorë. He is neither a cleaner nor hungry; indeed, R. K., 92 years old, has eaten them with the greatest pleasure at night. R. K., 92 years old, has apparently replaced this “appetizer” — he also told the AT. SH correspondent about this hobby of his. “It was 1986 when I ate a live snake for the first time,” recounts the Vlorë native, an anti-intellectual — “now I have no problem, even if I chew badly, with buying an appetizer.” But the engineer, accustomed to these things, is secretive about his usual diet, saying he is happy with what he consumes. “It seems that R. K. has somehow created a form of ‘normalization’ of a new way of eating snakes. Otherwise, the man from Vlorë would prefer to feed on fish more than on them.”

The problem of religious belief among young people ON PAGE 3

Everyone interacts when they speak. This is an entirely normal fact, except that sometimes these interactions are so beautiful or so bad that they leave you astonished and bewildered when you wake up. But dreams can also be “warnings,” that is, they may contain a warning about what might happen in the future. Every week, “Gazeta Shqiptare” offers its readers explanations and the meanings of the objects and situations most often dreamed about. WELL Psychological interpretation: Deep and mysterious like the unconscious and the woman’s, in our dreams it can take on one meaning or another. Often its image is accompanied by a feeling of anxiety: fear of the unknown and of the great darkness, like the mountains. But fear of the well and its resemblance to the female genital organ may also be connected to some sexual trauma. Predictions: The image of the well is associated with marriage: if the water is clear, the marriage will be happy, but if the water is muddy, it will not. An empty well is a warning of death. Drawing water from the well is a sign of abundance. PRISON Psychological interpretation: In general, this dream conceals a strong desire for solitude and withdrawal from society. If we see ourselves locked in prison, we reveal a feeling of guilt, whereas if we see someone else there, it expresses hope and determination to help someone else. Predictions: Being in prison: joy and good health; getting out of prison: danger. OAK Psychological interpretation: Its symbolism corresponds perfectly to that of the tree mentioned above; indeed, it is used to represent grandeur, strength and protection. The oak also represents a very strong and confident personality. In many other cases, the outline of the oak’s image… Predictions: The oak foretells a long and peaceful life. But if it is … healthy and without leaves, it means declining health and material prosperity. An oak struck down by lightning indicates danger of death. BALCONY Psychological interpretation: Going out onto a balcony is a metaphor for entering life. The path of falling from a balcony is synonymous with failures and insecurities, while a balcony with a pleasant view implies an optimistic outlook on life. Are you … on the balcony? This indicates very good relations with those close to you. Predictions: The omens are not good and are associated with professional difficulties.