“The Governing Council should be dismissed” Firm proposal from the parliamentary committee for mass media The meetings had been packed with criticism from the three representatives of the three parliamentary parties on the parliamentary committee that also oversees television. Finally, at the fourth meeting, held on Tuesday from 10:00 to 18:00, all discussion came to an end: in the committee members’ view, the RTSH governing council had more “sins” than successes, and therefore its dismissal was decided almost unanimously. Under the existing law, in fact, the council should have been re-elected on time, back in June of this year—as the law provides for once every two years—but perhaps this had not been possible earlier. Now, after the November referendum, following which criticism intensified, even from the majority, it appears that the council—together with the three top executives who are also its members—can no longer remain in their posts. They must leave to make way for a new body, which Parliament will elect urgently. TIRANA — The much-discussed television issue will be put to rest, at least for a while, until the results of the new management team, to be elected urgently, become clear. On Tuesday, a decision by the Parliamentary Committee responsible also for Albania’s only television station concluded discussions that had continued intermittently for several days: the current governing council, elected in June 1992, should be dismissed. The final word belongs to Parliament, but it appears that all political forces already agree with the committee’s view. The three top executives will also automatically leave their posts until new elections: Director General Skënder Buçpapaj—until now also chairman of the council—Television Director Qemal Sakajeva and Radio Director Bardhyl Pollo, the latter two being members. None of the three attended the meeting at which it was decided whether or not they should remain in their posts. The committee unanimously proposed for approval in a plenary session that the procedure for their selection by Parliament also be changed. According to the proposal, the new governing council will have a chairman chosen from among its members. Musa Ulgini, one of the Socialist deputies’ representatives on the committee, told Gazeta Shqiptare about what was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting. “There was sharp criticism from all the political forces present,” Ulqini said. “I’ll list the observations as they come to mind, without putting them in the order in which they were made: lack of professionalism, excessive politicization, the national question should have been handled better, bias and gaps in information, its old and unchanged structures. There was even discussion,” Ulqini added, “of regionalism in this institution; it was mentioned that some of the top executives are from Tropoja.” The chairman of the committee, Butka, who politically belongs to the ruling majority, also made serious criticisms of RTSH’s management staff. A week earlier, he had said that the executives’ departure was only a matter of days. Butka even spoke of “violations of the law” by the staff, and it seems these were also mentioned in the committee. One particular idea is that... [text continues outside frame] the executives’ departure was only a matter of days—he politically belongs to the ruling majority. Butka even spoke of “violations of the law,” but refrained from elaborating further on his accusations, since the three... ...the newly dismissed [woman] was not present. Butka also mentioned as a negative phenomenon the scrutiny applied to some notorious figures in history. The matter will now be examined urgently by Parliament. The parties will propose new candidates, while the deputies will have to vote for one name, whose identity, until Tuesday, was known only through speculation. (fa.bax.) RTV Director S. Buçpapaj

TIRANA — The new director of RTSH will be elected directly by Parliament. An old idea, put forward before but, for reasons unknown, left unaccepted, has resurfaced. The second unanimous step taken by the parliamentary committee on culture and mass media was precisely this: to propose that Parliament amend Article 7 of the Law on Radio and Television. Parliament will once again appoint the Governing Council, but it will have a separate chairman elected by its members, rather than a director-chairman as before. The Council will thus act as a kind of counterweight to the Directorate on the cardinal issues concerning the broader information sector in Albania. council — Television two members. None of the three took part in the meeting where it was decided whether or not they would remain in the positions they held. The commission has also proposed for approval in a plenary session a change to the procedure for electing the next director. The head of RTSH will be elected directly by the members of Parliament. — Television The Television headquarters in Tirana

VLORË — Explosives are once again the target of robberies. A very large quantity of detonators has been taken from the explosives depot at Kaskë të Gurit—near a quarry that supplies raw materials to the cement factory—in the district of Vlorë. There are 150,000 dynamite detonators, worth close to 100,000 dollars, which the thieves loaded into a vehicle. According to the Vlorë police station spokesperson, the explosive cargo is suspected of being destined for markets outside Albania. The incident took place at midnight on Sunday. A vehicle carrying a group of people dressed in police uniforms approached the warehouses and stopped in their yard. After first making contact with the guard, they left him and entered one of the depots, from which they took the entire stock of dynamite detonators, then quickly drove away. The high-profile robbery immediately put the police on alert. The possibility that the cargo was intended for foreign markets, particularly political ones—as a few years ago shipments of explosives had been seized while being transported west toward the Italian coast—has led to checks on all vehicles entering and leaving the district. [text continues outside frame] Meanwhile, a notice about the thieves—who have now been identified—has also been sent to the other police stations. Stavri Marko

The President reviews 1994 TIRANA — “Radio and Television must acquire a new status: that of public service.” “Radio and Television must acquire a new status: that of public service.” Just one day after the cyclone of dismissals descended upon the RTSH Governing Council, President Berisha himself put forward the idea of television no longer being state-run. The Albanian head of state appeared before journalists at a press conference where he spoke about the most important issues facing his country during the year now coming to a close. Berisha developed his initial idea further, calling for RTSH’s independence from Parliament and even accepting the concept of private stations. “The privatization initiative that has swept through every field has no reason not to include these institutions as well,” he said. The major changes made recently in the Council of Ministers and the dismissals that led to the transformation of Meksi’s cabinet also resurfaced at yesterday’s press conference. As for whether or not the ministers were corrupt, Berisha said that this was a matter for the Prosecutor’s Office; the dismissals of Manush and Kopliku, he explained, were motivated by failures to achieve aspects of their work. “The Minister of Construction was removed because the investment projects in his department were not carried out to the required extent,” the President explained, “while Kopliku, one of the promoters of the Reform, lacked a developed sense of teamwork and had disagreements with the head of government.” “1994 marked growth and a consolidation of Albania’s role, particularly in the political sphere, where activity has strengthened within the framework of... [text continues outside frame] unprecedented.” Changes and results in the economy this year were also discussed. But besides the optimistic figures for exports, GDP and customs revenues, Berisha did not hesitate to mention the deplorable state of Albania’s infrastructure—the telecommunications, water-supply and energy networks—whose improvement and replacement were deemed essential. Berisha even proposed a possible solution for the energy sector, including privatization of the kilovolt energy sector, while emphasizing that the government must choose among heating alternatives such as gas and kerosene. Berisha also proposed strict control measures to curb the widespread trafficking of clandestine migrants. In addition to strengthening the protection of the coastline by the Albanian police, broader cooperation with the Italian coast guard is envisaged. Nevertheless, according to the head of state, the real solution to this problem will be the country’s economic development: “Albania will be considered developed when Albanians no longer leave it.” Mass privatization will be one of the main objectives for next year. To Macedonia Berisha’s Albanian parliamentary ... gave the peasants and the land of the agricultural farms currently in ... [text continues outside frame] — the President was spared — head of government. “1994 marked an increase and consolidation of Albania’s role, particularly in the political field, where the Government’s activity has been more intensive than ever” — Berisha said — “only cooperation with the European powers and the United States of America has reached a level of...” ...of willingness, in Albania there are “some problems”; there is no time to fight the fascists of the occupying agricultural farms — currently in the process of state [ownership] — because this “will tie them more closely to the land.” Meanwhile, expanding free enterprise, implementing the laws and the Constitution have been considered other important objectives for ’95, while foreign policy will aim for Albania’s integration into Europe and further cooperation in the region. (ar.me.)

Shijak: Municipality to operate from an enterprise Some time after its building was burned down, it has been decided that the Municipality of Shijak will reconvene and resume work. This was the decision taken at a joint meeting involving Viktor Margjinal, Mayor Skënder Dika and local MP Azem Haxhdari. Its employees will now be housed in the former NTA offices and will immediately begin distributing aid and social assistance. Meanwhile, construction of the new Municipality building will begin on the ruins of the burned building. A new market for Kavaja Kavaja’s traders will now have their own market, in the most suitable location. The Municipality has determined the final site. Complaints about the deplorable condition of the existing market area had been very frequent, so work has immediately begun to build it and provide the traders with the best possible conditions. In addition to fruit and vegetables, dairy products and meat will also be sold there. Mass at ancient Rozafa A special mass has been celebrated after 500 years at the Church of Saint Stephen. Located inside Rozafa Castle in Shkodër, the church bears the history of conflicts on its walls. This special day will be commemorated with a special mass on the 29th of every month throughout the year.

Elbasan, they killed a woman ELBASAN — They are suspected of having horribly massacred a 30-year-old woman in order to gain entry to her home. The Elbasan Court will now hear the serious charges against them. The case file for I. Balla and R. Braja has recently been sent to the court after months of intensive investigations. The disfigured corpse of the woman—with her arms, legs and head severed—was found several days after the murder on the bank of the Shkumbin. Parts of the victim’s body were found over an area about one and a half kilometres wide, making the investigators’ efforts to identify her even more difficult. After that, suspicions gradually focused until the two people now under arrest were caught in the investigators’ net. (m.k.)

“The evidence for the conviction is not convincing” TIRANA — Just a few days after its meeting with representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Albanian Helsinki Committee has also called for the release of PS leader Fatos Nano, who has been in Bënçë prison in Tepelenë for several months. “The long period that has passed since Mr. Nano’s sentencing,” says a statement distributed by KSHH activists on Tuesday, “has brought to light not only several irregularities established during the proceedings, but, above all, the lack of sufficient evidence to determine beyond any doubt his direct involvement in the crime; viewed in retrospect, the verdict is not convincing.” According to KSHH, it is up to President Berisha to take the first step. “The first step would be Nano’s release, without any prejudice. This falls within the President’s powers, at least at this stage,” the same statement says.

The Gjanica of Fier FIER — The old bed of the Gjanica is now at risk of changing course. The many works begun on its banks have generated walls and rubble, which have been dumped into the riverbed that runs through the city. The river, without water despite the rains still being considered average, could become a danger to the surrounding houses during floods. (e.m.)

VLORË — The first private radio station is born. Passion for this activity—which is illegal but has been much discussed lately in Albania—has led a young man from Vlora to challenge the many debates among specialists and break the mandatory rule of the relevant legislation: for the past two Sundays, he has been transmitting his radio signal over the coastal city. Its waves have spread far and wide and now, at the station “You’re listening to Radio Vlora,” anyone within a radius of more than 10 kilometers from the city can hear its voice for 24 hours without interruption on FM frequency 101. The program of this radio station is almost strictly musical and has little expense, which it makes up for with short conversations between songs, presumably at home, in high quality and stereo. And the other cars. Melodic singers who ... [?] ... plan, where, nevertheless, Italian melodies take up the greatest share. From time to time, music also gives way to news and short bulletins. The voices of the two announcers—a young man and a young woman—alternate with various reports from the world of the arts. But although the program immediately won over listeners, making “Radio Vlora” very well known, its editor has remained an enigma: nobody knows him. They say only that he is a young man who has just returned from Greece. Here he bought, for the sum of 20 thousand dollars, the radio broadcasting equipment, which he installed in his home—another secret. But all the mystery surrounding “Radio Vlora” seems to have truly boosted its popularity, leading Vlora residents to tune their radios straight to FM 101. St. Ma.

A “flying bomb” over the French capital Disturbing terrorists’ plans uncovered ON PAGE 2 Foreign investors: more leave than stay Only 20 out of 500 are operating ON PAGE 3