IN THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION REGION The “Istanbul Declaration,” a historic document that transcends regional boundaries — The “Istanbul Declaration,” a historic document that transcends regional boundaries The leaders of 11 countries—Turkey, Albania, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova—signed a document in Istanbul in recent days to establish an important regional economic and trade bloc. The eleven heads of state or government met in Cigragan, the historic capital of this city, officially inaugurating the Black Sea Cooperation Region. The architect of the Black Sea cooperation project is Turkey’s president, Turgut Ozal, who first put it forward in 1989. At that time, the project envisaged the participation of four countries: Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and the former Soviet Union. Now, following the collapse of the Soviet empire, membership is divided among 11 states. The idea behind the Black Sea project is gradually to remove trade barriers in order to develop greater trade among the member states. It also seeks to encourage cooperation across a wide range of fields, such as transport and communications, information technology and the exchange of economic and commercial information (including statistics), the standardization and classification of products, energy, mining and the processing of raw materials, tourism, agriculture and industry in the region. The importance of the Istanbul agreement for our country becomes clearer when we consider that it was the most isolated country in Europe and that isolation under dictatorship made our situation very particular. It is clear that the world is not flinging its doors open to Albania and the Albanians, but it is opening them nonetheless, just as our country and our state are not pursuing a policy of “closed doors” but one of open doors to true friends, based on fundamental shared interests. The Istanbul agreement is a powerful and, at the same time, courageous and wise step, among others, toward putting an end once and for all to the tragic and suffocating isolation bequeathed to us by the dictatorship. It represents a concrete act that also refutes the malicious fabrications of pseudo-patriots who, from the rostrums of congresses and with deafening propaganda, seek to keep the policy of isolation in their pockets, portraying the democratic government’s policy as illusory and one-sided, with limited geographical parameters that supposedly exclude friendly regions and states, especially in the East. The agreement reached, also known as the “Istanbul Declaration,” further stresses that the member states wish to turn the Black Sea into a region of peace and stability. This is the element that gives the Istanbul meeting even greater significance, marking the day the agreement was signed as a historic day for the entire region. As Turkey’s Prime Minister, Mr Demirel, noted, the aim is the free movement of people, goods and services, in order to stimulate private-sector activity and create a Black Sea area that will complement the European Community. The heads of state or government represented at the Istanbul meeting acknowledged that economic cooperation would remain one of the areas [text incomplete] if the member states were unable to resolve their ethnic conflicts, which have already sown death and destruction. In this regard, Albania’s president, Sali Berisha, called on the European Community and the rest of the world to adopt a stronger policy toward Serbian leader Slobodan Milosheviç, whom he accused of shedding innocent blood as much as Iraqi president Sadam Hysein. Bulgarian president Zhelju Zhelev, echoing Mr Berisha’s call, also advocated further international action over the Yugoslav conflict. Taken as a whole, the “Istanbul Declaration” is significant in ways that go beyond purely economic, commercial, financial or scientific fields, and others of that kind. Alongside the commitments and responsibilities associated with prosperity and the flourishing development of multilateral and bilateral relations in the region, its significance extends beyond their boundaries and beyond the region itself. The will and goodwill to put it into practice are indisputably connected with humanity’s most sacred interests: peace and security, and friendship among peoples in the new era opening before them following the burial of communism. By signing the “Istanbul Declaration,” the new Albanian democracy and the Albanian people are making their modest contribution to building this era to which they belong, placing all the human and natural resources of the Homeland at its service, without reservation. gradually the trade barriers, with the aim of developing a large common market among the member states. It also calls for the promotion of cooperation in and the processing of raw materials, tourism, agriculture and the agro-industry, veterinary services and sanitary protection, and health care. It also extends to pharmaceuticals, science and technology. The “Istanbul Declaration,” signed by the 11 heads of state and government who took part in the meeting, also provides for the creation of a joint bank to finance multilateral and bilateral projects and assist small and medium-sized enterprises; and, in the longer term, to encourage cooperation in the free movement of labor and capital. It can certainly be said that this is a gigantic market encompassing a population of 400 million: new needs and opportunities, and more business. For our country, its acceptance as a founding member of the Black Sea Cooperation Region is, of course, another victory for democracy, opening up new opportunities to steadily strengthen its position both economically and commercially and politically. The agreement, with its broad scope encompassing every sphere of a society’s life, will have a powerful impact on the country’s current plans and its future development, on meeting urgent and long-term needs more quickly and with greater quality, and on opening new doors for Albania to integrate as a worthy member of the world community. In opening these auspicious opportunities for Albania, our country, for its part, as the Albanian head of state, Mr. Berisha, declared, “will do everything possible to pursue integration and to be a factor for peace and stability in the region.”

These days, Austria’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alois Mok, arrived in our country on an official visit. He held cordial working meetings with Messrs Serreqi and Meksi. Austria’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alois Mok, was received at the Presidency by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. Federal Minister Alois Mok stressed that he and the Austrian government would do everything possible to support Albania during this difficult period it is going through. Your victory in the 22 March elections and your efforts are also a victory for all democratic forces, because when you were fighting for and defending democracy, you were also defending our democracy in the West. President Berisha thanked his guest for all the considerable assistance that he personally and the Austrian government had given to Albania’s democratic forces as a whole. It is an undeniable fact, he said, that you have supported the Albanian cause and the Albanians in the former Yugoslavia in all international forums, and for this we are grateful to you. But we would also like Austria to help us in practical terms by unblocking the debt and guaranteeing us financial loans for investment in raw materials. Austria’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Aleis Mok, stressed: “We greatly value your efforts, and as soon as I return I will discuss with Austria’s finance minister how this problem from the past can be resolved so that it does not become an obstacle to bilateral relations. I will also try to secure financial assistance. Austria will likewise provide technical assistance and establish cooperation in agriculture, tourism and other fields. We are sympathetic to Albania and the Albanians and will help you.” President Berisha expressed concern about events in the former Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav crisis cannot be considered resolved without resolving the problem of Kosovo, and for this purpose we believe it is essential that Ibrahim Rugova be invited to take part in the talks as the legitimate representative elected in the free elections of the people of Kosovo. We are not seeking a change of borders, but a just resolution of the Albanian question. Regarding Macedonia, President Berisha expressed the well-known views of the Albanian government and also condemned the killing of Albanian citizens at the border by border-guard forces. Mr Alois Mok insisted that his main concern was the escalation of the conflict in Kosovo, and that he and the Austrian government would make sustained efforts to encourage measures to prevent conflict in Kosovo. President Sali Berisha conveyed, through Federal Minister Alois Mok, his greetings to the President of Austria, expressing the wish that he visit the Republic of Albania soon. Mr Alois Mok left Albania.

Discussion in the parliamentary group We are all aware of the statement made in Parliament by Mr Pashko. In my opinion and that of the group, Mr Pashko’s action was malicious and destructive to all democratic processes in general. I say this because it was not only raised at an inappropriate moment, in connection with the national question, but also because the statement was given a particular emotional and political coloring. These were intended to discredit the PD parliamentary group and the democratic processes taking place in Albania. Despite Mr Pashko’s brief speech, his statement was intended to make everyone understand that Mr Hajdari had la— [text unclear]. [The newspaper] published Mr Pashko’s statement and that of Mr Hajdari immediately. This is because, as the mouthpiece of a destructive “opposition,” it dwells on these facts and openly seeks to destabilize the country. “The wolf needs fog.” And some “democrat” is serving this motto with such statements too. This statement, made in these troubled times, when people expect unity, cohesion and commitment from us to deepen the democratic processes, plays the role of a panic-inducing act; it aims to confuse undecided elements and create uncertainty about the future. On the other hand, it is clear that statements like these openly call for a split or the dissolution of the PD, just as Mr N. Çeka called for when he left the government. When he saw the determination of the parliamentary group to leave the government, he [text unclear: “then the parliamentary … or with the leadership of the PD”]. This statement caused a huge commotion; it exploded like a bomb, catching the parliamentary group unprepared, though perhaps not a good part of public opinion and some members of the group. Mr Hajdari’s contribution to the democratic processes is unquestionable, as is that of Messrs Berisha, Pashko, Selami, Imami and others, who had the honor and mission of being among the founders of the PD. This is a great contribution, which history has recorded and will assign its due value to each person. But we must abandon megalomania and excessive self-importance. No one, whoever they may be, has the right to a monopoly over this Party, which very quickly became a national Party, the initiator and implementer of democratic processes. How and by what means this was achieved, we all know. The democratic movement was the historical outcome dictated by numerous internal and external conditions, and at the most delicate moment it was led by the PD. Many people from different social strata and categories took part in this movement; these have been analyzed somewhere in an article by Mr Eleta, with whom I agree. If grouped, these people could be divided into the following categories: The first category includes people with pure democratic ideals who even today, wherever they are— [text cuts off]. the parliamentary group of the DP Pashko’s brief remarks, Hajdari was leaving disappointed and under duress, because the ground on which he works is impossible, because democracy is being seriously damaged in Albania and is taking on the hues of a new totalitarianism, or a neocommunism, etc. These accusations were made in “ZP” before and after the March 22 elections, and are being made again. This context is clearly apparent in the comparison between Mr. Hajdari’s departure and Kadare’s. The analogy between the individuals leads us to compare the two periods—when Kadare left and when Mr. Hajdari left—in order to bring out Mr. Pashko’s point that times have not changed, but the PPSH has swapped roles with the DP, or one monism has been replaced by another neomonism. Although “ZP,” dated 24.6.1992, had made no comment on this issue, it had

It was the communists who, after 1945, moved other families into the homes of various property owners by order. The reasons? They had “excess” living space. Thus private space was also taken into account, because they made the law about everything. This was a kind of theft perpetrated against the people, because forcibly and artificially putting two unknown families in one entrance, with one corridor and one bathroom, is more than vile. History repeats itself in a spiral. The year 1992 also recorded the end of communist violence in Albania. But those who, in 1945, had moved other families into the homes of property owners—? The “surplus” occupants have indeed now secured themselves apartments owned by the state, with more rooms than they are entitled to. What is more, they demanded that these homes either be sold cheaply or handed over free of charge to the exhausted people. Thus, once again, they—the former holders of power—will have spacious homes, even in Tirana, very close to the former Block, in the apartment buildings of aviation-sector abusers or former Italian officers. Some have homes elsewhere too. Should this be allowed? It would not deserve to be called a democratic government if it let these heirs, or direct culprits of the socialist regime (socialist destruction), exploit our poverty. That is why the government of Mr “Meksi” was entirely right to draft the bill to take back their “surplus” residential properties [text cuts off]. all the citizens of the country who are housed in state apartments. We must offer them the alternative of moving into the homes they are entitled to, but if they refuse, other residents will be moved into the surplus living space. Otherwise, they will not budge. Let us give just one example. The Murra family (Mr. Prokop and his son) live in Tirana’s Neighborhood No. 26. Citizen Ferit Dushnica, a disabled former 18-year-old, has for some time been going around with authorization to move into the surplus space in the Murra family’s home, but has still been unable to find shelter there, even though that building is shelter there, even though that building is (Continued from page 3)

We want them always to feel that they are members of the army — — Working meeting of the Minister of Defence, Mr Safet Zhulali, with senior military officers on implementing the Government’s Decision — On Monday afternoon, in one of the halls of the Ministry of Defence, a working meeting was held on the implementation of the Council of Ministers’ Decision “On the financial treatment of military personnel discharged as a result of the reform in the Armed Forces’ structures.” With this decision, the reform begins today, opening the way for its further advancement and implementation as a process of continuous deepening and development. This decision is very important, Mr Safet Zhulali emphasized, because it opens a new stage in the reform of the army and in the qualitative changes that will be achieved in its life. This particularly important decision is the first step of the reform, the minister went on to stress. Unfortunately, however, there are also mistaken ideas among certain officers, who view the implementation of these changes narrowly rather than as an analysis of the actual state of affairs and the objective situations in which [text cuts off].

The meeting of the Governing Council of the Democratic Party will be held on Monday at 10:00. THE PD GOVERNING COMMITTEE. Starting on 30 June 1992, the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” will be published four times a week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE

The announcement by the Spokesperson of the pluralist Executive Committee of the Kavajë district states: “By decision of the pluralist Executive Committee of the Kavajë district, dated 24.6.1992, the martyr of democracy Josif Kiqo Budo, killed on 9.7.1990 by the communist dictatorship, is declared the ‘First Martyr of Democracy.’ On the night of 9 July 1990, in a clash with the notorious forces of Unit 326, the 21-year-old Josif Kiqo Budo consecrated his blood and his life to the road toward Democracy.” (ATSH)