A historic and highly successful visit President Bush and Mr. Ghali will visit Albania ■ A historic and highly successful visit ■ President Bush and Mr. Ghali will visit Albania On Saturday afternoon, our delegation, headed by the President of the Republic of Albania, Dr. Prof. Sali Berisha, returned from its visit to the USA and Switzerland. At Rinas Airport, those who had come to welcome them included the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori; the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi; Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Public Order Bashkim Kopliku; Democratic Party Secretary Mr. Tomor Dosti; members of the government and of the DP Steering Commission; the Secretary General of the President’s Cabinet, Mr. Kolec Topalli; heads of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana, etc. After a brief stay in one of the airport’s reception halls, Mr. Berisha met journalists from RTSH, ATSH, our press organizations, those from Kosovo, etc., and answered their questions. He described his visit to the USA as historic and highly successful, not only politically, but also economically and nationally. This visit, President Berisha stressed, fulfilled all our aims and objectives. I held a very warm meeting lasting a full 45 minutes with President Bush. That day, he had signed the decision granting our country most-favored-nation trading status. The signing of this act is of great and far-reaching importance for Albania, because it opens up broad avenues and prospects for expanding trade and economic relations between the two countries, and creates opportunities for the cre-[continues beyond the visible section] The text continues in the center of the page: democracy? Therefore, we should not be criticized for seizing-[the columns’ text continues] With President Bush, Mr. Xhejms Bejker, Mr. Butros Ghali and other figures in American politics, such as senators, congressmen, etc., we discussed many issues concerning the political and economic situation in our country, ways for us to emerge from the crisis and rapidly revive our economy. We also spoke at length about the crisis engulfing the former Yugoslav federation, the great danger that Milosheviç’s unrestrained chauvinist aggression poses to our region and beyond, and the extinguishing of the flames of war in Kosovo. Great attention was devoted to a just resolution of the Kosovo issue. On this issue, too, American leaders generally expressed concern and a willingness and determination to use all their influence to bring the civil war in the former Yugoslav republic to an end as soon as possible. Mr. Berisha then spoke to the journalists about his many meetings with leaders of American and international economic and financial organizations, businesspeople, financiers, etc. In my discussions with them, Mr. Berisha stressed, I insisted that foreign investors should feel secure about investing in Albania, because our country is not a wasteland but a country rich in underground resources, with nature and a climate highly favorable to tourism, and with people who love work and want to work. Naturally, I assured them that we would prepare modern legislation to protect their investments and property. I have many vivid and unforgettable memories, Mr. Sali Berisha continued, from my meetings with our brothers and sisters in the diaspora living in the USA. I was greatly enthused to see that they were united as never before. They welcomed the victory with indescribable joy, and we will give it to them. This is an obligation of ours, a national duty toward them, but it will also place an obligation on them to do much to help the homeland. The President then spoke about his two-day stay and the meetings he held in Switzerland. On Friday morning, among others, he was a guest at a dinner organized by the Swiss organization Forum Foundation, attended by heads of state, heads of government, and political leaders and parliamentarians from many countries. The first session of this event was devoted to Albania. In his discussions with Mr. De La Myrez, Mr. Zhan Pol Kantero, etc., with official dignitaries—Mr. Berisha said—I asked the Swiss government to allow Albanian citizens to take part in seasonal migration as well, particularly in agriculture, construction, etc. At the end, Mr. Sali Berisha informed the journalists that he had invited President Bush and Mr. Butros Ghali to visit Albania. Both had gladly accepted and promised to come to our country when it was most convenient for them. XHEVAT MUSTAFA …our dual deprivation: economic and social. But… True democracy cannot accept this humiliation inflicted on our brothers of the same blood. I have no more right to live here than my brother, who was driven away from his family home by economic and political repression. And no one has any right to prevent him from coming here to build something with the dollars he earned through the sweat of his brow. But the laws of communism were categorical and strict. Albania was meant to be enjoyed only by the people of the Bloc …they were “criminal enemies” of the war; they had been sentenced, in part, never to return to Albania. How many sons and daughters died without seeing their relatives—parents or children? Not today: today democracy creates real legal conditions for our brothers and sisters everywhere in the world. Let them come here too, make investments, take part in political and scientific life; indeed, as our President said, the most distinguished people should even be candidates for president. Why does this statement sound so advanced to me? Because monism left us behind in our Albanian education The area of doubts about Albania, as I have heard, could be a solution for trade and economic relations between the two countries, creating opportunities for the cre-

Mr. President, Thank you for your letter dated 17 May 1992. I would also very much like to express my satisfaction at the results of my recent visit to Tirana. Our two countries should be a factor of stability in the region and an example of harmonious and peaceful cooperation. The necessary guarantees for this exist. I believe that relations between our two countries will always continue to grow dynamically, both at the bilateral level and internationally. The delegations that met in Athens on 22–23 May held constructive meetings and reviewed the agreement on the basis of consultations. The signing and implementation of what has been agreed should not be delayed. As regards the provision of credits, we will grant every possible facility as needed. I suggest that the Minister of Finance, Mr. Bull, make a visit to Athens soon, so that the terms of the credits can be finalized and put into effect as quickly as possible. I have already assured you that Greece will accept a number of Albanians for seasonal work in order to help your country, which is in a difficult economic situation. An initial exchange of views has already taken place between the competent authorities of the two sides, and I very much hope that we will soon reach an agreement. Our cooperation can also include other fields. We are ready to cooperate with you, as I have already affirmed in Tirana, in all areas of mutual interest, and we will welcome your representatives and study your proposals on this matter. The way has already been opened in the fields of the Trade Agreement and Agriculture. I am certain that cooperation in these fields will create the basis for the further development of relations between our two peoples. I am also convinced that the Greek minority in Albania will contribute decisively toward this aim. — Letter from Mr. Konst<PRIVATE_PERSON>in Mico-taqis to Mr. Berisha — I am glad that we agree that these Albanian citizens [are] connected by bonds of friendship between our countries and peoples. I am pleased with your warmth during our last meeting, and especially with the decision to guarantee them all the rights of Albanian citizens, as provided for under the CSCE framework. I am likewise convinced that it is necessary to develop and institutionalize our consultations on the key problems facing the Balkans. Sincere cooperation between our two countries can be an important factor of stability and contribute to establishing peace and security throughout the region. We are ready to consider a consultation mechanism between our two foreign ministries in order to achieve this aim. I hope that soon we will have the honor of welcoming you to Athens, following an invitation from the President of the Republic, so that we may take further steps toward expanding our bilateral relations. With my highest esteem, KONSTANTIN MICOAQI …ential for Albania, because it opens the way to broad countries. For Albania, in the words of President Berisha, this will fulfill its wish. All these are milestones for a secure future. Our misfortune lies in the fact that we are so poor and so exhausted by the hardship that has befallen us that we do not have the strength to wait long, at a time when we must necessarily wait. I believe the changes will come every day and in every direction. PETRO DHIMITRI should have friendly relations within the friendship between our countries and our peoples. I am pleased by your warm reception during our last meeting, and especially by citizens, as provided for within the framework of the CSCE. Likewise, I am convinced that we need to develop and institutionalize our consultations regarding two countries can be an important factor for our two foreign ministries in order to achieve this goal. welcoming you to Athens, in response to With my highest regards, KONSTANTIN MICOAQI

The counter-newspaper ZP replies to an article of mine. That “Chik Kadenë” (young lady—in Albanian) argues against the tail and not the head, which is: “Are you for national issues and stability?” Why am I spying on the army? How national-minded and inclined toward arms-bearing you are is shown six days a week, across three newspaper pages, where you pour rivers of venom against the two-month-old government, make insinuations, and stir up conflicts over the “veins” of the nation, such as North–South, league–veteran, military–intellectual. Reinforced by Security officers, you reopen the Ballist–Partisan wound and continue the war of biographies, which has cost the nation dearly. With all your heart and soul, you defend the corrupt Albanian bureaucracy that has done this people in. The thieves and criminals we see on TV, whom you rejoice over, are the seed you sowed, and the police are now reaping it—though you do nothing but blacken them. I am not at all offended by the street language used by the anonymous writer (the surname is from Berat—the name and verse from Kurve-leshi) in the anonymous newspaper (a Socialist Party newspaper—the name and language of the PK–PP); in fact, what surprises me most is that, in order to regain power, you do not even blink as you defile your own character by hiding behind pseudonyms. It has never been the Albanian custom to speak from a mouse hole. Gentlemen of ZP, and you who gave the order “attack—slogan,” Albania is in a coma. It needs a transfusion. Its fate is worth more than a thousand or two thousand of your bureaucratic chairs. The Serbian-Slavic, nationalist boot of Millosheviq is falling (Continued on page 2)

A few days ago, the former head of the Korçë DRP, Lieutenant Colonel Sotiraq Çeta, was arrested for abuse of office and because on 3.6.1992 he had crossed the border without permission. Sotiraq Çeta worked for many years at the Korçë Department of Internal Affairs as the Party secretary of the PPSH. It is well known how much weight this post carried at the time in the DPPB. Only a year and a half or two years ago, when the law on crossing the border was changed from “attempted escape” to “crossing the border without permission,” many young men in Albania, left without prospects and without work, tried to cross the border into Greece. The law on crossing the border without permission was not applied to them; instead, they were met with bullets and killed. There is information about cases in which young men were caught and, instead of being handed over to the investigating and judicial authorities, were shot in the middle of the forest. Mr. Sotiraq Çeta must also know about this. After the PPSH’s victory in the elections of 31 March 1991 and its efforts at “renewal,” the darling of this party, Mr. Sotiraq Çeta, was appointed head of the Korçë DRP. The Socialist Party swore every day that it had itself been “renewed” and had “renewed” the DRP and Sotiraq Çeta too. But how was Sotiraq Çeta renewed? As soon as he took the post of head of the Korçë DRP, he made sure to seize three rooms and a kitchen, despite having a private home, at a time when many others were—and still are—without shelter. Then he used “the stick and the carrot.” He was a master at exploiting situations. In parallel, he had made the PPSH slogan “Let us keep up with the circumstances” his own, in order to profit as much as possible. As a privileged member of the communist regime, he had grabbed everything. So why shouldn’t he grab things during this transitional period too? He extended a hand of friendship to anarchy and, as head of the DRP, paved the way for it. And what about corruption? Rumors of major corruption at the Kapështicë customs post continue to circulate. The customs commander has also been arrested, along with several customs officers. But, as for the truth and the actual facts, it is better to leave the floor to the investigators and the court. BEHAR FEJZULLAI

The Government of the Republic of Albania, wishing to contribute to the strengthening of comprehensive relations with the countries of the Black Sea region, welcomes the high-level meeting of the Black Sea countries on the Declaration on Black Sea Economic Cooperation, to be held in Istanbul on 25 June 1992, and declares its readiness to participate in the meeting as a full member state. Considering cooperation in this region and its surrounding areas to be highly valuable, the Government of Albania expresses its approval of all the provisions of this initiative. The Government of the Republic of Albania is convinced that this initiative will serve to expand relations among the member countries and further strengthen peace, stability and cooperation in the region.