- Press conference by Mr. Marten Van Traa, Chairman of the Humanistic Committee for Human Rights in the Netherlands and a member of parliament. - On Monday, in one of the salons of the «Dajti» Hotel, the chairman of the Humanistic Committee for Human Rights in Holland, Mr. Marten Van Traa, held a press conference after a visit of several days to Albania. After expressing his pleasure and thanking the Albanians for their hospitality, Mr. Van Traa explained that during their several days in Albania the delegation had held a number of important meetings and visits, with the President, political parties, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice, and various organizations, such as those of former political prisoners, women, trade unions, etc. «We were here,» said Mr. Van Traa, «to see the human rights situation and get an idea of it, while part of the delegation will go to Kosovo to see the situation of different groups there as well.» Mr. Van Traa then said that democratization continues, but it is not always easy. He mentioned the intensification of debate in the Albanian press and described the TV as: «We have heard conflicting reports and it is too early to draw conclusions, but in the new Albania everyone should try to live in consensus.» Among other things, Mr. Van Traa said he would follow the issue of journalists, but as for the political situation, it is not our job to make specific comments. We are very clear and ... Speaking about former political prisoners, Mr. Van Traa stressed that «a special effort should be made for this category of Albanians to find solutions through non-governmental organizations, especially with regard to housing. We have discussed justice and trials at length, and we think the government should work for reparation.» Speaking about the issue of the files, Mr. Van Traa said: «I understand that this is a difficult issue which you must resolve yourselves. Continuing, he said that people should seek their rights, but that this is different from revenge.» Mr. Van Traa then spoke about the problems in Kosovo. «We are concerned about the destruction of rights in Kosovo,» he said, «and I think Europe does not understand why it is in this field. There should be a plan to deploy peacekeeping troops in Kosovo and Macedonia, a decision that could come from the EC meeting in December in Edinburgh.» Taking his cue from some issues raised by Albanian women journalists at a meeting with Mr. Van Traa, the «RD» journalist asked a series of questions. Asked whether state television exists in other countries around the world and whether it covers meetings of their presidents and prime ministers, Mr. Van Traa replied briefly: «Of course it does»... He then explained: «I cannot judge whether human rights have been violated on TV. Some people expressed their dissatisfaction to us about what is happening on TV, but this game of dissatisfaction exists in every country. Some people have been removed from TV, but I cannot say that this is ...» (Continued on page 4) In a country where there is no freedom of the press, we would not be sitting here like this for a press conference, and the quality of TV. «We have heard reports of conflicts Among other things, Mr. Van Traa said that the political situation, it is not our task to make specific comments. We are very clear and convinced that Albania is at a very difficult stage of transition, in which one can hope to achieve a situation of stability, and cooperation with Europe is necessary for this. Among other things, Mr. Van Traa said that he would work in the Dutch parliament to create programs to support Albanian agriculture.

President Berisha receives the delegation of the Municipality of Marseille The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the delegation of the Municipality of Marseille, headed by Mr. Vigoró. At the meeting, the goodwill of both sides and their shared desire to expand relations between the two countries were noted. The friends from France undertook to transfer their expertise for a model organization of the city of Tirana, as well as to increase efforts for comprehensive cooperation between the two cities. (ATSH)

- The II Conference of the DP in Kolonjë - On 30.10.1992, the II Conference of the DP branch in the Kolonjë district held its proceedings at the «Gramoz» Cinema in the town of Ersekë. Delegates from the sub-branches and sections throughout the district took part, along with guests from the party and the association of former political prisoners and persecuted persons. Also present were Mr. Tomor Dosti, Secretary General of the DP, and Mr. Uran Bukta, the district’s deputy. The conference was opened by Mr. Dhimitër Lala. The report on the branch’s activities over the past year was delivered by Mr. Donika Lula, secretary of the DP branch. The report assessed the DP’s achievements, taking into account Kolonjë’s particular characteristics in these processes. A critical position was taken toward shortcomings and weaknesses, and emphasis was placed on the tasks involved in further strengthening the party. Among other things, it was stressed that Kolonjë has the substance of democratic thought. People of spiritual ... created by the long dictatorship is connected with the difficult transition, but it must also be understood that Mr. Sali Berisha is driving a broken-down car that requires enormous work to transform it into a «Mercedes». The answers to questions and the discussions touched on important aspects of the DP’s organizational and managerial work at the center and in the field. The discussions were constructive in spirit and transparent. The work of the initiators was duly appreciated; the opening of the DP’s doors to young activists and intellectuals was called an imperative on which the DP’s future depends. At the conclusion of the discussions, Mr. Tomor Dosti gave a clear overview. Among other things, he stressed that we should not look back, but look ahead toward the sun of Democracy. Revenge, he said, among other things, is the shame and stain of the terrible dictatorship, whereas democracy is in eternal opposition to it, while also ensuring that justice is done. The speaker provided the most important approaches for continuing and deepening judicial reform, for the Council of Ministers’ latest decision on privatizing the NB enterprises, and for the DP’s determination to advance its program and reform without hesitation. Finally, the conference elected its governing bodies. Mr. Dhimitër Lula was elected DP chairman, while Mr. Kujtim Isaj was elected secretary. On 31.10.1992, Mr. Tomor Dosti and Uran Buka held an important meeting at the Leskovik sub-branch,

The chairman of the DP, Mr. Eduard Selami, has returned to his homeland. He took part in an intensive program in connection with the presidential elections in the USA, at the invitation of the United States Information Agency. DP PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

As part of the efforts to deepen relations between the People’s Assembly and the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, a parliamentary delegation headed by Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, has left for Germany. The delegation, made up of deputies from various parliamentary groups and members of several standing committees, will learn about the work of the German government and Bundestag. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation initiated this visit. Mr. Pjetër Arbnori will also meet with Albanians living and working in Germany. (ATSH)

- Tirana signs a cooperation agreement with Marseille - Following the agreement signed last year by Mr. Tomor Malasi with representatives of the Municipality of Marseille, the mayor of this municipality, Mr. Vigaró, accepted the invitation extended by Mr. Sali Kelmendi, who is the mayor of Tirana. For two rounds of humanitarian aid, but to visit the capital, I hope we will not help you with requests! After being received at separate meetings by senior Albanian dignitaries, at a meeting...» At the meeting with Mr. Vigaró, a year has passed, but it could also be repeated. Asked by a journalist whether Tirana would receive economic assistance, he replied: «Marseille has provided humanitarian aid, but I hope we will not help you with requests!» You have every opportunity to move forward by using your country’s resources. What impressed us, and what we wanted to draw attention to from the answers given by Mr. Vigoro, was the emphasis he placed on the independence and self-management of economic enterprises. I saw businesspeople here, he said, and French businesspeople carrying out activities with them, although on a limited scale. You don’t help me understand that an enterprise can suddenly be set up here for you, but that is not how it works. Every enterprise in the capital and elsewhere, if it wants its economic activity to be profitable, must itself connect with the outside world and link up with enterprises abroad for sales. Tirana has 70,000 unemployed people: in response to a question from a Radio Tirana journalist, Mr. Vigoro replied: «To put it plainly, I cannot answer you on this point. Marseille itself has 18 percent of its population unemployed. Besides, do not become disillusioned by unemployment. This wound is not confined to your country; it has global proportions. We will receive only students and will visit...» At the end, the mayor of Tirana, Mr. Sali Kelmendi, greeted those present, highly praised the fruitful cooperation with Marseille, and thanked the French ambassador for the support he gave to this special initiative, expressing the French government’s readiness to strengthen ties and cooperation with the Albanian government. Asked about the timetable for implementing the provisions of this agreement, he answered laconically: «I am not a specialist in a 100-metre race.» - By this he meant that cooperation agreements require a program, organization, and then detailed implementation. Pro- economic programs, exploitation Mr. Vigaro, is for one year to be pro- hundredth?

EVEN A WOLF DOESN’T ASK ONLY FOR FOG... A time of metamorphoses. More accurately, we would say: a time of trials. During the March 22 election campaign, a special issue of the newspaper «Ideja» special issue of the newspaper «Ideja» particularly [praised] the PD, [and] the national [team/section] of the PD branch in Berat, destined for Kuçovë, in defense of Mr. Perikli Teta’s candidacy, put forward by the PD against the communist-socialist candidacy—«The PK in Kuçovë has gone wild»—of top leader Nano. Naturally, opposite [it was] «Shqiptë for the former PD candidate. I don’t know whether Mr. Teta has found out, but today, as the occasion has arisen, I have a few things to tell him, one of which is ... There were many [factors in] his defeat in Kuçovë... his reputation had been diminished there, and even among ... ... often changed, with citizens claiming that «if the PD had put forward our candidate...» (I won’t ...) Months have passed since then. It was a time when we clothed ourselves in the «armor» of democracy and the PD. Now, perhaps, it is precisely the time to show how much, and what, we love and loved about it. ... «Policani accuses those in power»—is it the armchair you want? Or...? ... Mr. Teta, in his discussion of parliamentary immunity ... (I won’t ...) ... your political «taste» (or perhaps careerism) had previously gone unsatisfied, although, as this same gentleman goes on to say, «... at least they [the laws] are based on the laws of democratic states» (1) Well then, this paradox of our laws, which ... at least (or perhaps, at most?!) are based on the laws of democratic states, ... we make more or less democratic... ... in Mr. Teta’s conclusions in «...» [the text is unclear], that for him Albanian democracy has never ... ... ever had any value when set against their specific «democracy». The terminology is extremely contemptuous and cynical: ... ... Tushe and Guri:» or «...», this policeman Tushe ... Teta ... uses for two officials ... the political apparatus of the state. Nëntëkështësi ... ... Also, with his sophistry, he tries to present himself as an expert and erudite on the functioning and management of the branches of the state: «Among them we will mention the worthy ... the police behind». It seems ... original... (Continued from page 2)

The distribution of food aid from the European Community, Italy and the United States of America continues in our country. These days, 2,000 tons of rice from Italy arrived at the port of Durrës, while another consignment of 2,000 tons is due during November. Of the European Community’s 2,000 tons of rice aid, 1,000 tons have arrived. Meanwhile, these days a ship carrying 3,000 tons of sugar was unloaded. This is part of the Italian aid shipment of 7,000 tons; the remaining 4,000 tons will arrive around November 15. The unloading of 1,900 tons of meat has also been completed; this is part of the 9,000-ton aid shipment from the European Community. The remainder of this aid will be brought during January–December. This represents the population’s consumption through the end of the first quarter of 1993. The 4,200 tons of butter are aid from the United States of America. The first 470 tons will be transported by road, a process that will continue during November. It is expected that another consignment of 1,100 tons will be fully delivered within this month. (ATSH)

The Insurance Institute (INSIG) is seeking employees for the following positions: 1. Lawyers and economists with a grade-point average above 8, who have a good command of English and are over 35 years of age, 2. Marketing employees, with higher education, a grade-point average above 7.5 and under 35 years of age, 3. Linguists who have graduated in English, are 35 years of age, and know a second Western language, 4. Auditors specializing in finance, under 40 years of age, with more than 6 years of work experience. Due to the nature of the work, candidates for positions 1, 2 and 4 must be male. Interested applicants should submit documents verifying the above criteria, as well as a document from their workplace or faculty concerning their activities during this period. Documents must be submitted by November 10, 1992, to the Insurance Institute, at “Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit” No. 3, Tirana. INSURANCE INSTITUTE