ECONOMY Albania ahead of the other Eastern countries. Meanwhile the Governor of the National Bank is traveling to Paris: another 40 million dollars, accumulated toward France “from ’88 to ’89,” still need to be negotiated “Foreign debt, Tirana first” World Bank: it amounts to 624 million dollars TIRANA — "Albania is the leading country among the Eastern countries in terms of foreign debt and, in 1992, it reached 624.7 million dollars." The news, which caused surprise because it came unexpectedly, was given by an authoritative source: the World Bank. And precisely as the world press agencies were circulating the table of countries with the greatest debt, the Governor of the Albanian Bank, Dylber Vrioni, was leaving for Paris, where this time he was to negotiate the debt accumulated toward the French Commercial Bank (around 40 million dollars). In the table — which we publish here alongside — Albania ranks first, followed by Malta and Ukraine. Last, among 15 countries, is Moldova with almost 37.5 million dollars. The World Bank explains that these data include only all debts that countries have toward other countries: therefore long-term debts are included (both state debts or state-guaranteed debts, as well as private ones), short-term debts and loans granted by the International Monetary Fund. The World Bank, however, does not specify how Albania’s 624.7 million dollars should be distributed. Headquarters of the National Bank The only figure provided is that in 1989, Albania’s foreign debt stood at 74.4 million dollars. When, on 20 May of last year, the then Governor of the Albanian Bank, Ilir Hoxhi, spoke in Parliament, he stated that "in 1991 Albania’s public state debt amounted to 450 million dollars, 270 million of which was caused by erroneous exchange operations." At the time, the amount borrowed because of the mismanagement of the last communist government was being tentatively negotiated internationally, from which the famous “Allsid scandal” emerged. In June of that same year, the principal credit was estimated at around 40 million dollars, “tied to the external debt,” although those 450 million of unaccounted debt could not fail even today to cause serious consequences. Here is the ranking of the 12 European countries with the highest liabilities, among those considered developing countries by the World Bank (figures are given in million dollars): Country | Foreign debt in '92 | Foreign debt in '89 Albania 624.7 74.4 Malta 603.3 409.5 Ukraine 415.3 - Belarus 181.2 - Georgia 84.8 - Russia 78.658 53.940 Latvia 60.6 - Turkey 54.772 41.364 Estonia 51.2 - Poland 48.521 43.125 Lithuania 37.7 - Moldova 37.5 - As stated, on Monday evening the Governor of the Albanian Bank arrived in Paris to negotiate part of the debt: “We are talking about 40 million dollars accumulated during the 1988-89 period — the Albanian ambassador in Paris, Maksi Afati, explained to Gazeta Shqiptare — intended for the Banja Hydroelectric Plant, the Sugar Complex, and for ordinary exchange operations carried out in the past.” In the previous days, the “Paris Club” had also granted Albania a seven-year extension for the repayment of another 32 million dollars: another small piece of its complicated foreign debt. c. bo.

An order blocks transport TIRANA — It seems that a solution will finally be found to unblock the general paralysis that interrupted urban transport on this day. In the second meeting of the Ministry of Transport with representatives of the private intercity lines — held the day before yesterday — the possibility of a further extension of the deadline for implementing the Council of Ministers’ Order regarding the reorganization of interurban public transport was discussed. During this period, a working group will be set up to examine the new changes and the changes that may be made. And on the following days — starting from 5 January — many interurban lines were almost completely blocked. The reason was the Order of the Council of Ministers, which provides for the immediate start of a reorganization of interurban public transport into companies and no longer under personal licenses. "The tax offices have not informed us of the licensing declaration procedures — and we have often been hit by the police. For this reason, today we will protest." Thus they have protested. "All this is more a refusal to implement the order than a real obstacle — Arjan Batku, project director of Private Transport, tells Gazeta Shqiptare. The dilemma of the Ministry of Social Work — however the Financial Police has notified everyone who still recognizes the old licenses, as well as the tax authorities." Meanwhile, according to Minister Bidinçka, the reorganization has been completed in 50-60 percent of the country, while many other private operators express uncertainty about the new method. What still remains to be discussed is what types of companies there should be and in what form they will be included. "This situation arises because of the lack of work by the district municipalities — the order protects not only the interests of passengers in transport, but also those of the private operators themselves. Today, divided into individuals, they are completely unprotected from any individual who, by selling a number of buses, would bring the market into smaller parts." Ar. Me.

Villages without water for three weeks SHKODER / The high-voltage line is stolen... SHKODER — A long thirst — even though it is the heart of winter — for the residents of the six villages in the Vig area in Lipovisë in Shkoder. There are more than 9,000-10,000 people who have been without drinking water for three weeks. The reason for this situation — according to the inhabitants of these areas themselves — is damage to part of the high-voltage line. As a result, the lack of electricity makes the main motor pump unable to function; it is located at the Gjolës bridge and is used to draw the water needed by the residents of these areas. The thieves — who have stolen more than two kilometers of high-voltage wire — for entirely private purposes have endangered the lives of 10,000 other people. The situation becomes even more difficult because even the family wells currently available can no longer provide enough, and above all, suitable water sources; the other sources of water are quite far away, forcing many families to transport drinking water by animals and other means. After the damage done last year to the irrigation station — threatening the fate of the vegetation — now private individuals are also playing with the fate of drinking water. Na. Me.

TROPOJE — A citizen of Albania who had put illegally obtained cattle up for sale was stopped by the Tropojë public order forces. The person L. C. — resident of the village of Shishtan — is also accused of having stolen four cows and of having moved across the two-meter border strip, and of having carried out the theft of four cows. From Kosovo. According to the investigation materials — already sent to the District Prosecutor’s Office — LÇ is suspected of having later sold the stolen cows in the village of Grabcnik, also in the Tropojë district. However, the investigation into this matter is still ongoing, although the accused is now being prosecuted at liberty. (el)

The left-wing parties are again calling for elections TIRANA — The left-wing parties are once again returning to the issue of early elections. After sharp demands addressed to the ruling party and the policy it has followed, expressed on Sunday during a press conference held on Monday. And as always, one of the socialists’ main concerns is Fatos Nano, the socialist leader who continues to be held in prison accused of corruption. In statements made following the leader’s speech, as well as in a response given to journalists during the conference, socialist leaders once again described Nano’s arrest as an act driven by political motives. In the five points they proposed in their statement, the release of the chairman of the SP is valued by them as a step that would mark a turning point for the spirit of tolerance and understanding. The socialists propose a new political solution through the holding of early elections, which should be held this year. They also declared that their policy priorities for 1994 will be the priority approval by Parliament of the Constitution of Albania, thereby also giving the people the opportunity to vote on it, the continuation of privatization only on the basis of laws approved by Parliament, the blocking of local government, and the start of a round table of talks among political forces.

BAD WEATHER Ten families are evacuated Swimming in Rrogozhinë The town under water after the storm ROGOZHINE — Bad weather struck Albania too after France, England, Germany and Belgium. However, here the flood — fortunately — did not cause damage as in many countries of Northern Europe. Last Wednesday around 7 p.m., as a result of heavy rains throughout the day, the town of Rrogozhina was flooded. The cause was the high flow of water from the streams, from which the low-lying neighborhood of the town was most flooded, right near the bread and cotton factory. The water level reached 1 m and 10 cm, making passage for people impossible as well. Since there were no other major material damages, the local authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of 6 members of the public order forces and 4 army vehicles as the water receded, and for several hours 14 houses were flooded and damaged. (RLDA) The town council — met at 11 p.m. — the town of Rrogozhina managed to shake off the burden and confusion of the local water — which brought the situation back to normal. Only after

The Atlantic alliance approved Clinton’s proposal The Eastern countries remain waiting ON PAGE 2 How can the habit of smoking be told “stop” Why is it hard to quit? ON PAGE 3

HAS IN SEARCH OF FUNDS TO INSTALL THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM WITH NUMBERS — Large funds are needed to implement the installation of a telephone system with numbers also in the district of Has. At present the telephone service in this area operates in 24 villages and has only one direct line with Tirana. Connections with other cities are made through Kukës. The growing demand for communication as well as the decline it has suffered and the wear and tear of the existing lines — which have made it necessary to replace them with numbered lines in this district as well — remain largely unrealized because of the lack of funds. DEDICATED IN TIRANA TO THE FALL OF HERO CAJO KARAFILI — The 50th anniversary of the fall of People’s Hero Kajo Karafili was commemorated at a special meeting in Tirana. Veterans of the National Liberation War, representatives of political parties and the martyr’s family took part in this meeting. OVER 500? TWO ALIAI CORDON 117 THOUSAND LEK IN MAT THE MUNICIPALITY FIXES SIDEWALKS — 117 thousand lekë for the repair of the sidewalks for the trade area of this Municipality has been allocated by the municipality of Burrel. This decision was taken as a result of the roads being in poor condition and the number of street vendors. With the measure in operation, it is shown that it no longer allows a kind of benefit from the payment office and traders will be forced to pay. The merchants come out. IN GJIROKASTER THE ITALIAN PUBLICATION OF A BOOK BY AN ALBANIAN AUTHOR IS PRESENTED — "Zag i libri i librat të reja AUTORI[?]" is the title of the chronicle by Coccolino of the Italian publishing house dedicated to a children’s book by the author Bekim[?] in the Balkans at the end of last month, organized by "Qyteti i Ujërave". Everyone calls the association "Tolka" and the newspaper writes: "The city of the lagoon hopes to welcome, also as a new guest during the decade, luminaries, poets and a good guest during the discussions of several key points regarding the collection and artistic values of the book. This literary work for children by the Albanian author is not the first to be translated and published in Italian."

Zattere 1411 - Tel. 0039/41/781611 - Fax 781805 - Tlx 410045 Passenger, car and truck ferries DURRES - BARI - ANCONA TRIESTE - DURRES From DURRES to BARI: every Tuesday departure at 22.00 every Thursday departure at 12.00 From DURRES to ANCONA: every Sunday departure at 12.00 From DURRES to TRIESTE: every Wednesday departure at 19.00 every Saturday departure at 20.00 Agency in ALBANIA DURRES: STATE MARITIME Tel. 052/22233 - Fax 22911 - Tlx 4148 Agencies in ITALY BARI: AGESTEA Srl - via Lsida, 4 Tel. 0039/80/331555 - Fax 330628 - Tlx 810043 ANCONA: MARITIME AGENCY Srl - Via XXIV Settembre, 20 Tel. 0039/71/204915 - Fax 202296 - Tlx 560022 TRIESTE: AGEMAR Srl - Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi, 2/a Tel. 0039/40/363222 - Fax 77723 - Tlx 460059