June 29, ’95: hour by hour on the historic day. A long night full of fear and talks. Columberg also says “YES” Strasbourg applauds: Albania in Europe Arbnori signs 9 amendments: death penalty blocked At 11:30 yesterday morning, the Assembly unanimously accepted Albania into the Council of Europe. The Nano case is discussed, but the chamber does not approve the amendment. Spahia and Dokle shake hands. Serreqi’s first act: the agreement on minorities From Strasbourg, Armand Mero On page 3 Strasbourg ARB Nori’s SIGNED COMMITMENTS 1. Abolition of the death penalty “Signing, ratifying and implementing Protocol No. 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights, concerning the abolition of the death penalty in peacetime, within three years of membership, and establishing a moratorium on executions until the death penalty is fully abolished.” 2. The Prosecutor’s Office “To change the role and functions of the Prosecutor’s Office, transforming this institution into an independent body fully consistent with the Rule of Law and the standards of the Council of Europe.” 3. Drafting the Constitution “To find, within a reasonable period of time, a solution to the problem of the Constitution, in accordance with the standards of the Council of Europe.” 4. The Nano case “To find a satisfactory solution to the Nano case, in accordance with the new Criminal Code, as for every other Albanian citizen.” 5. Independence of the judiciary “To ensure the independence of the judiciary, particularly by protecting judges from any political or arbitrary pressure, and by protecting and using the courts’ operating budgets under their own control, after their approval by parliament.” Above, the document signed yesterday by Arbnori. Right: the main points of the amendments requested by the Council of Europe. The Assembly did not accept the one concerning the Nano case

Comment How the EBRD will help Albania OLIVER DESCAMPS* Overview for “Gazeta Shqiptare” Judging simply by the number of projects received at the Conference, it appears that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is not the only one that believes in the timeframes for growth in opportunities in Albania. Indeed, this was about three years ago, when the Bank made its decision. Since then it has invested money, people and time, and has played an active role in the progress achieved during Albania’s meeting with the market economy. Let me draw your attention to “who” the Bank is and clarify some of the misunderstandings that still exist. The EBRD is an international financial institution founded by the G24 countries and 25 countries of Eastern and Central Europe (including Albania). It is dedicated to strengthening economic reform and developing the private sector by setting clear financial terms. It is also a unique IFI, based on major projects and programmes. The Bank is highly flexible in its funding and products. These include long-term financing, invested capital and technical assistance to prepare and support projects. The total financing from the Bank’s funds amounts to 47 million ECU allocated to ongoing projects. In total, 5.8 billion ECU (as of January 1995). The Bank invests in various projects across all time horizons. In fact, we do not say yes to many projects, and we do not say “YES” to every project merely because of the increase in benefits. Nevertheless, we try to move forward, mainly with a pragmatic and selective approach, supporting only enterprise projects that bring new capital into our country. The funds supported by the Bank must be repaid. We want to support successful projects that can ensure employment and income stability. The EBRD has identified several different new projects: a) Privatization of Albanian Telecom; b) The second energy project, with transmission lines; c) The decision to establish an equity fund, f) USD 10 million; d) Establishment of an industrial park. These last two projects should address the needs of local and foreign investors and require legal amendments, thereby also increasing the country’s export earnings. As for natural resources, there is much to be done regarding chromium, oil and tourism. It will take a great deal of time, money and effort, but our Bank is not alone; it is working …is involved in major projects within its programs. The Bank is highly flexible in its income and products. This includes long-term financing, investment capital, and technical assistance to prepare and support projects. To date, the Bank has committed a total of 47 million ECU across the projects. These projects include modernizing the telecommunications sector, rehabilitating the water system, participating in the Italo-Albanian Bank, financing the Coca-Cola factory, and completing the work on the two hotels, Tirana and Rogner. [The source text is unclear here.] The projects are nearing completion, and some of them have been completed. [Unclear] Hotel Tirana has signed the image and the business-development facility. The Bank’s involvement in these projects guarantees transparency in everything: for the government, financial investors, and the public. We are neutral partners. The Bank cannot choose specific interests; it must protect its interests and reputation. Across the whole Central European region, we have a range of services [and] 250 projects— [The text is unclear here.] It must meet the needs of local and foreign investors, as well as the prime minister and others who follow, while much remains to be done with chromium, oil, and fusion. effort, but our Bank is not working alone; it is cooperating closely with other international institutions and Western governments. I am personally [optimistic] about the future. This is a dialogue of conferences, grounded in the country’s hopes, and in facilitating contacts among investors, government officials, and financial institutions; but each of us must also be strengthened to carry out our projects. The time has come. The government can play a major role in removing the remaining obstacles. Investors must do the rest, and Albania will benefit immensely. * Director for the group of countries Bulgaria, Albania, Macedonia and Slovenia at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development CONFERENCE REPORT ON PAGE 3

Elbasan Killed for honor: trial today On page 5 Gjirokastër

Hypothesis about the judges The “Arsidi” trial: the mystery of the closing arguments Çeliku postpones it indefinitely TIRANA - The chief prosecutors Lleshi and Gjuku’s closing arguments in the “Arsidi” case will have to be delivered another day. The judge has been...

Interview with Columberg On page 3

Reaction after the incident involving journalist Çakuli “SHIK exceeds its powers” Strong protest by Helsinki TIRANA - “SHIK has exceeded the powers granted to it by the law approved by the government and parliament...”

Helsinki’s strong protest TIRANA — law amended once again by the People’s Assembly on July 2, 1991.” This is the protest made by the Albanian Helsinki Committee in a statement issued yesterday calling for “civilian oversight of the activities of the National Intelligence Service.” It was specifically the case of journalist Filip Çakuli—who was held for several hours during the night on SHIK premises—that prompted Albanian representatives of the Helsinki Committee to draft the statement, in which the “excessive powers” of SHIK employees are said to be “undermining citizens’ freedom.” On page 5 Parliament

Shkodër Police officers accused of robbery SHKODËR — “They beat me and took 20,000 German marks from me”—this is the accusation against the police patrol in Malësia e Madhe. On page 5

A student’s poisonous consolation An unfortunate exam suddenly ends at the hospital doors TIRANA — She did not like her grade and tried to kill herself. On Wednesday evening, a student at the Faculty of Foreign Languages was found poisoned by an overdose of medication, perhaps the only thing she could find to console herself after Wednesday’s unfortunate exam. An alarm at Dormitory 25 brought law-enforcement officers to her room immediately—in the “Student City” area of the capital—and they managed to save the student from the grade’s peculiar “revenge.” According to investigators from Tirana Police Station I, the student at the Faculty of Foreign Languages had suffered a severe emotional shock that evening. The exam session, along with the disputes connected to Wednesday’s exam, had left the student from Elbasan with a very bitter feeling. Shut away in her dormitory room, 21-year-old Bler-ru Muzhaqi tried to console herself over her disappointment: an abnormal dose of medication—perhaps accidentally left on her table—suddenly made the student’s condition much worse. However, the events of Wednesday now seem to be behind her, and doctors have said that the student should be able to recover from the incident of a few hours earlier without any consequences. This adds yet another episode to the “revenge” of grades. One exam session earlier, another student—this time from the capital—had tried to die, precisely because of disappointment over an exam. Meanwhile, the story of [unclear in source] in Albania had also become known the previous year, when extremely tragic episodes had shaken public opinion, and not only among students.

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On page 5 Gjirokastër 25 tons of meat from Greece seized On page 5 European Union Italy & Austria block Slovenia’s entry On page 2

Çeliku postpones it indefinitely TIRANA — The closing arguments by chief prosecutors leshit and Gjokutaj in the “Arsidi” case will have to wait for another day. This was the announcement made at the Tirana Court by the presiding judge, Andi Çeliku. According to him, today’s hearing was canceled because one of the assistant judges on the judicial panel hearing this high-profile case was in poor health. In addition to the closing arguments, procedural changes were also expected at today’s hearing, naturally because the Judicial Panel, which has now begun proceedings at first instance, is made up of three judges. On page 5 New assistance for drug users On page 5

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