THE ARSIDI CASE Arrested by the Prosecutor’s Office on the charge of “aiding after the commission of a crime.” The father of the former Bank Governor is held in the cells in Berat Hoti’s father in prison He was keeping his son’s documents EDMOND LAÇI TIRANA — Arrests continue in the “Arsidi Scandal.” However, the surname of the latest defendant in the investigation of this scandal is not different from that of the person who was arrested most recently in connection with the same case, and once again belongs to the Hoti family. This time—after his son’s arrest—it is Burhan Hoti, the father of the former Governor of the Bank of Albania, who has been sent to prison. The charge, “aiding after the commission of a crime,” is connected to some documents which—according to his lawyer and family members—showed his son’s innocence in the tangled affair involving 1.6 million dollars. Immediately after being charged with a criminal offence, Burhan Hoti was taken to the detention cells at the Berat Police Commissariat. Burhan Hoti was arrested at around 3 p.m. on Monday. “My father had been summoned by the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office for further investigations, at 9 a.m. on February 7,” Vegim Hoti, Burhan’s son and Ilir Hoti’s brother, told Gazeta Shqiptare. “The following day, our family learned that he had been arrested under Article 111 and taken to the cells in Berat.” According to the lawyer, who met with defendant Burhan Hoti on Tuesday, everything is connected to some documents his client had kept for a long time in order to show the innocence of his son, the former Bank Governor, who has also now been arrested. “After his arrest, Burhani explained to me,” says Artan Gjylbegaj, now Burhan Hoti’s lawyer, “that he had no reason to hide those documents, but when he asked about them at the Prosecutor’s Office, he did not have them with him.” No one is giving details about the mysterious documents—perhaps because of the secrecy of the investigation. “I don’t know what documents my father had,” his son explained to Gazeta Shqiptare, “but I think they are some ordinary documents, in fact some of them were also published in the press.” Although Burhan Hoti’s son considered these documents ordinary, the lawyer explained that Burhani kept them at his sister’s house. “In any case, he did not obtain these documents unlawfully,” lawyer Gjylbegaj said. “Indeed, no one had previously asked him for these documents, and even today we do not know whether the Prosecutor’s Office had them available or whether they were missing.” After meeting defendant Burhan Hoti in the detention cells in Berat—just one day after his arrest—lawyer Gjylbegaj also brought out a statement written by the defendant himself. In this statement, too, Burhan Hoti gives no further details about the contents of the documents requested by the investigative authorities. According to the statement, only a few days earlier Ilir Hoti’s father had sent a letter saying that, on the basis of these documents, he had formed his personal conviction that Ilir Hoti was innocent in the “Arsidi Scandal.” The Prosecutor’s Office is continuing its investigation of Ilir Hoti and has now also charged his 65-year-old father. Burhan Hoti thus becomes the seventh person arrested—after Salihu, Tartari, Ahmeti, Samsuri, Xhynheri, and his son—to be investigated in what has been called the biggest financial scandal in Albania in recent times. On Tuesday he met with the defendant Burhan Hoti—everything is connected to some documents that his client had kept for a long time to prove his son’s innocence; his son, the former Governor of the Bank, has now also been arrested. “Burhani explained to me after the arrest—but I think they are some ordinary documents; in fact, lawyer Gjylebaj has extracted from them of the documents that Burhan Hoti wants—except for one day after the arrest—arrested—after Salihu, Tarari, Ahmeti, Samsuri, Xhyheri and others—who are being in Albania in recent times. “Lajto to inspect the findings of simply a mission that falls under cooperation in providing assistance and support to NATO’s recognized missions in Bosnia.’ — is simply a mission to provide assistance and support ... three days. During its proceedings, as ‘The Role of Parliament in Forming experts from different countries. ... thought that the law—some of them stated during their meetings with Brozi—required not for Albanians.” The involvement of judges in this scandal, too—some time ago it was Vasil Plaku; the parent who carried out the adoption exists only in name, and regarding this matter, which will also be brought to Prime Minister Meksi. — directly exercised by the National Adoption Committee — other irregularities have also been found. Thus, despite the fact that name, this matter will also be brought to Prime Minister Meksi. ... the courts. Precisely for this reason, Hilmie Mara, Chair of the committee, has also approached the Court of Cassation. At the same time, she is preparing detailed material concerning the whole matter, which will be sent to Prime Minister Meksi as well. Armand Mero The former Governor of the Albanian Bank and, on the right, the Prosecutor’s Office headquarters

Berisha “The criminals of Sarajevo must be punished” TIRANA — “Following the latest barbaric act by the Serbs in Sarajevo, it is essential that the perpetrators of this terrible crime be punished”: speaking to journalists and bidding farewell to the President of the Republic of Malta, Censo Tabone, who was leaving Albania after a very intensive five-day visit, President Berisha took the opportunity of the official occasion to raise the issue of Bosnia and Kosovo. “If the Kosovo issue is not resolved,” he added, “the crisis in the Balkans will never be resolved.” Emphasizing the significant results achieved during Tabone’s visit, Berisha reiterated the possibility of an agreement between Albania and Malta on restructuring the oil platform. “Cooperation between the two countries,” he continued, “could extend to many other fields, including tourism and agriculture.” And, still on the subject of security in the region, President Berisha, answering a journalist’s question, discussed—for the first time officially—the subject of CIA spy planes which, using a base in Albania, would monitor the skies over Bosnia: “What many newspapers are talking about,” he said, “is simply a mission that falls within cooperation to assist and support NATO’s well-known missions in Bosnia.” p.re

Brozi: “Yes, there have been violations” Many decisions were made even though the law prohibits them The President of the Court of Cassation confirms irregularities TIRANA — “All court decisions on child adoptions made after 1992 will be annulled.” Zef Brozi, President of the Court of Cassation, thus states the position of the court he heads regarding one of the most tragic events of recent years in Albania. A review of these cases may shed new light on this mystery. “The decisions made by the courts are unlawful because the proper procedure was not followed,” Brozi told Gazeta Shqiptare. “That is why we have requested the files.” So far, many cases of illegality have been verified. The matter now concerns not only those uncovered by the National Adoption Committee, but also others identified by inspectors from the Ministry of Justice. They speak of court proceedings held in several districts—after March 1992, when the law prohibiting adoptions was passed—under which various adoptions were carried out. Nevertheless, the cases verified so far concern adoptions made only within Albania. This is also the point on which the judges in this case have focused. “We thought the law,” some of them told Brozi at meetings, “required this procedure only for adoptions of children by foreigners, and not for Albanians.” The judges’ involvement in this scandal—some time ago Vasil Plaku, former President of the Tirana Court, was accused of serious abuses and convicted—currently appears only in the form of a legal misunderstanding. “This also happens because published laws reach judges’ hands very late,” Brozi explains, “but I cannot say whether they are involved for financial gain.” However, the checks carried out directly by the National Adoption Committee have also uncovered other irregularities. Thus, for the parent who adopted a child, only a first and last name is recorded—[?] says where they live, without any further details. The expansion of the issue of Ad- Armand Mero former President of the Tirana Court, who However, checks carried out directly by the details. The expansion of the issue of Ad-

TIRANA — The investigation into the “Koha Jonë” case has concluded. Very soon, just ten days after their arrest, journalists Frangaj and Leka, as well as military officers Liçaj and Feta, will appear before the panel of judges. The announcement was made on TV, according to a statement from the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, which also outlined the final charges. All four defendants are charged with “disseminating state secrets,” while journalist Leka must also defend himself against the additional charge of “defamation.” Even after this announcement, the date of the trial has not been made known.

The 1994 State budget is under consideration TIRANA — Two important draft laws will soon be submitted to the Albanian Parliament for approval. A special place this time will be given to the State budget for 1994. This draft law—prepared by the Ministry of Finance—had previously been sent to all ministries for discussion. Most recently, the Government considered it—with some amendments—at its latest meeting. “Valuation of agricultural land for compensation purposes” is another very important draft law to be approved by Parliament. Its adoption would resolve the issue of compensation for agricultural land for former owners, as it establishes a clear value for this land. In addition to these two draft laws, at its latest meeting the Government also approved in principle an agreement—between Albania and other countries—in various fields. One worth mentioning is the agreement on the “Promotion and reciprocal protection of investments” with the Kingdom of Sweden. Under a draft decision submitted by the Ministry of Defence, from now on the Military Academy will be called the People’s Defence Academy.

TIRANA — “Parliamentary communication” will be the subject of a conference whose proceedings begin today in Tirana. The conference—which has been organized by the US National Democratic Institute for International Affairs—will last three days. During the conference, several plenary sessions will be held on various topics, such as “The Role of Parliament in Shaping Public Opinion” and “Working with the Press.” On Saturday—the final day of proceedings—there will be two working sessions addressing “Communication with the electorate.” The conference will be led by four experts from different countries.

Can accommodate 334 luxury boats SARANDE — Saranda is soon heading toward increasingly modern tourism. Dozens of yachts will be able to moor in its port waters in the future. The project for its development—approved a few days ago by the National Council for Territorial Adjustment—envisages the creation of new, contemporary facilities. There will be more than 800 berths—intended exclusively for yachts and luxury boats—as envisaged in the new port project. These berths will cover an area of 6.2 hectares of land—... Its tourist character will be suitable for all ... The landscape values of Saranda Bay. Special attention will also be given to development, which will be carefully planned in relation to the other structures, among which conspicuous buildings will stand out. Meanwhile, the existing port complex—for ferries and commercial vessels—will not initially be altered. According to specialists, it will be integrated into its entrance. Giving the port of Saranda a modern tourist direction will create opportunities to increase the flow of foreign tourists to the area. Its geographical position, close to the Greek coast and especially Corfu, is a strong basis for this development. Ar. Me.

75 MILLION ECU FOR ALBANIA FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY — The European Community will give Albania 75 million ECU for 1994. Elio Germano, EC ambassador, confirmed once again the support that will be provided for cooperation on reform. The amount allocated for this year is 10 million ECU higher than last year. Of this, 35 million will be used for the Balance of Payments, 20 million for the Phare Programme, and the remainder as part of a regional programme. So far, aid allocated to Albania by the European Community amounts to 380 million dollars. EXHIBITION OF FRENCH PERIODICALS OPENS IN BERAT — A new exhibition has been inaugurated in Berat. This time it features newspapers, magazines, and various periodical publications from the French press. The exhibition—which opened in the city library—has attracted considerable interest from many Berat residents. IN FIER, THE FINNS HELP WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOL...”

Here is what we buy from the world We import raw materials Neighboring countries are more attractive markets ON PAGE 3 Bosnia, “now or never” The White House is ready Clinton agrees with the ultimatum ON PAGE 2