It has been more than a year of much ado... For more than a year, amid a great deal of fuss, they have been saying that, with the attitude “the sea has become soup,” some firms have hurried to sign agreements to secure construction sites without worrying much about deadlines or giving thought to the fact that the people would rather have “an egg today than a hen tomorrow.” Investors, however, are taking it easy. “Let’s take a look, and then we’ll see,” they seem to think; we can start later. Otherwise, how can all these excessively drawn-out preliminary procedures be understood, when construction still has not begun? After a long interruption in work, as in every sector, public opinion is eager to see at least “one brick on top of another” being laid in construction. Yet, strangely, to this day everything has remained at the level of projects and contracts! Let us look at the documents: the construction site was approved on 9 April 1992, while the BSP approved the projects on 22 October 1992! That is a full seven months later! How many projects has the BSP had on its hands that it should drag out an offer for residential apartments for seven months? Do these gentlemen understand how urgently Tirana needs construction? As far as one can tell, the sluggishness seen in the field of investment… ...of the Manjes line, “Rhone,” etc., etc., and yet no one gets to work! “What are we waiting for?” The lesson has now been made clear: good! These, too, are being provided. “What else do you want, gentlemen?” Without undertaking a detailed analysis of those companies that have offered their readiness to carry out construction, we say that some of them are not entirely aboveboard. I have the impression—

— Investors who delay the start of work should have their contracts cancelled! — Everything has remained at the stage of projects and contracts! While the most visible example in central Tirana is the hole dug by a certain Hajdin Sejdja, how many other “holes” have been opened, and why are no buildings appearing? A hotel was supposed to be built behind the University; 500 apartments were to be built by “Albmaku”; the “Hoxhaj” firm was to begin construction in central Tirana, and so on and so forth—and yet nobody is getting to work! What are they waiting for? Until now, they have said that political stability, law and order, and calm are needed. Very well! Now we have those too. What else do you want, dear gentlemen? Without going into a detailed analysis of those firms that have offered to undertake construction, it is clear that the “start and never finish” practices must end. A firm that wants to invest should respect the deadlines for starting work; otherwise, its contract should be cancelled. In quite a few cases, investors who themselves are not ready to begin work excuse themselves by exploiting the sluggishness and bureaucratic obstacles of state bodies. In this way, the latter too become involved in the blame. A few days ago I spoke with a local businessman who presented me with an ambitious plan to address the housing needs of Tirana’s population. He planned to build around 400 apartments that would house about 1,640 residents. The figures are certainly impressive, but will he start work? The investor-businessman, as well as the government bodies responsible for approving investment procedures, must act. Now that an urban-planning directorate staffed with competent specialists has been established in Tirana Municipality, no reason justifies delays in starting construction. Where delays are unjustified and caused by the investor, let the contract be cancelled, since there are plenty of other offers; where there are deliberate delays and obstruction, those responsible should be dismissed without hesitation. The people should not be fed on hopes alone. Today there are many capable people ready to devote themselves to work with great passion.

At the invitation of the President of the Presidency of Slovenia, Milan Kucan, the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, left for Slovenia yesterday At the meeting of the Council of Ministers ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE 1993 BUDGET, THE MINISTRIES’ MEDIUM-TERM PROGRAM WITH THE IMF AND THE WORLD BANK, ETC. At its meeting on 7 November, the Council of Ministers first discussed preparations for the 1993 budget. Reporting on the matter, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Genc Ruli, said, among other things, that in drafting this budget they would take into account the need to meet targets for the most important indicators, such as gross domestic product, inflation, and the budget deficit. This requires a tight budget policy on expenditure, while the process of adjusting wages will remain an ongoing government task. A priority, he stressed, would be to encourage private-sector productive investment through relatively liberal legislation to promote it. Investments, which are expected to increase by 20 percent compared with 1992, will be directed in 1993 primarily to infrastructure, health, and education, and then to oil, geology, land improvement, and forests, etc. The meeting then discussed the ministries’ preparations for a medium-term program with the IMF and the World Bank. This preparation concerns an agreement that these international institutions will conclude with the government to support it over a medium-term period. For this purpose, it was stressed at the meeting, the ministries must prepare so that the government has clearly defined strategies, with concrete ideas and figures, that will ensure balanced positions in the coming discussions, when the agreement in question is to be approved, and ensure that it serves Albania’s interests. Unlike the first agreement with the IMF and the World Bank, which involved several ministries, the second agreement must include all ministries. After discussing the use of the Council of Ministers’ reserve funds for the second half of this year, as well as the ministries’ requests for additional funds, the meeting proceeded to consider several draft decisions, including one “On the establishment, recording, and administration of revenues earned by budgetary institutions from services they provide to third parties”; a draft decision concerning certain changes to the foreign-exchange market system; and the approval in principle of several draft cooperation agreements between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the governments of several other countries. (ATSH)

Talks were held in Athens between the delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania... Talks were held in Athens between the delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania, headed by Minister Safet Zhulali, and the delegation of the Ministry of National Defence of Greece, headed by Minister Janis Varviciotis. The two ministers exchanged views and discussed issues relating to broader cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. The Albanian minister informed his Greek counterpart about the reform of the Albanian army and the problems arising in this regard. Greek Minister Varviciotis undertook to ensure that the Ministry of National Defence of Greece would provide assistance in this area, including technical and material assistance, etc. During the talks, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the region, and especially in the former Yugoslavia, on the situation in Kosovo, the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, etc. They stressed the need to prevent the conflict from spreading and to resolve the crisis in Yugoslavia by peaceful means. The two ministers signed the cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Greece.

Concern about the 17 rail cars carrying expired pesticides, which arrived from Germany in March of this year... . Concern about the 17 rail cars carrying expired pesticides, which arrived from Germany in March of this year, is felt as far as the centre of the city of Shkodër, at its private market. Attempts to bring pesticides into Albania are continuing. In September, another 25 rail cars arrived here; they stayed one night and returned the following day because their names did not appear on the list of pesticides permitted to enter our country. It is striking that 15 rail cars arrived addressed to a private individual named Neyton Kodra. Following a telegram dated 1 October, sent by the head of the State Audit, ordering the rail cars carrying pesticides to be impounded and guarded, armed police have been stationed beside them day and night. This seems to provide security against any further misuse, but the station director says that until an inventory of the current state of these pesticides is made, there can be no full guarantee. (ATSH)

At the meeting with Ballsh intellectuals, Mr Maksim Begaj, chairman of the Mallakastër district Democratic Party, drew attention to two facts. At a meeting with Ballsh intellectuals, Mr Maksim Begaj, chairman of the Mallakastër district Democratic Party, drew attention to two facts. First: Kastriot Muca, at a rally in Ballsh, called out: “We sent the signal in Tirana and in Polican... Now it’s your turn, people of Mallakastër, here in Ballsh!” Second: Later, the Socialist leader Kastriot Islami declared at a meeting with residents of the village of Fratar: “You people of Mallakastër are brave and hardworking, intelligent and patient, but you also know how to rise up and explode...!!” Against whom, Mr Islami? These two statements, made by “renewed” communists, are difficult for the people of Mallakastër to hear. They are indeed brave and hardworking, but the present and the future call on them to support the reform and the democratic government, not to listen to—much less approve—destabilising and anarchic statements that are far removed from the everyday foundations of the Vlora demonstrations and the hopes for reconciliation!

LUTFI DAUTLLARI, «WAREHOUSE MANAGER» for... PËRPARIM XHIXHA On the Durrës–Vlorë highway, near the city of Lushnjë, a car loaded with sofas and armchairs is stopped while conducting business. It was coming from Macedonia, with Vlorë as its final stop. To be fair, we should point out that the goods were accompanied by Lutf(i) Dautllari, in the role of warehouse manager. Mr. Dautllari tells those who stopped him: “You have nothing to do with me, but with the president of the company Progresi, Mr. Përparim Xhixha, currently director of the socialist daily «Zëri i popullit».” If asked where Mr. Xhixha got his capital, let the Financial Police or state inspectors answer. In any case, let him also give an answer to us other intellectuals.

In the last days of October, 2 tru— at the Ministry of Public Order, are loa—ded with chemical fertilizer at the fact— In the last days of October, 2 trucks—[text unclear] at the Ministry of Public Order—are loaded with chemical fertilizer at the factory in Fier and quietly set off for Ohrid, beyond our border. This is the trail; let the Financial Police catch the wolf!

The dairy-processing enterprise in Lushnjë, until now a retail outlet, is to increase its own production and that of others in the sub-region. But before sending white cheese and kackavall, gjizë and butter to the private company «AMO» in Shkodër, those who are skilled at their craft should supply the city’s residents with such pleasant and very necessary products, preferably at reasonable prices.

Many of our enterprise workers are on welfare. Many of the workers at our enterprises are on welfare. The same thing happened at the major [enterprise?]: the raw material has [unclear]—somewhere, who knows where, there is none because of poor organization, and some others [are responsible] in the interests of the corrupt. How could it be otherwise, when «Grunula», the raw material for plastic, is sent to Macedonia every day in a car from Ohrid, while the enterprise’s workers “form the welfare queue”? The managers declare, “There is no raw material, there is no raw material...!”—so, off you go to social assistance.

The Turkish Educational Company «Gjylystan», based in Izmir, awarded one-year scholarships to 10 outstanding students from all the country’s universities. On this occasion, a ceremony was held at the Ministry of Education, attended by the Minister of Education, Ylli Vejsiu, and representatives of the «Gjylystan» Company.

A few days ago, the Democratic Women’s League of the Vlorë district held its activists’ meeting. The meeting decided to convene the First Congress of the Democratic Women’s League of Vlorë on November 25 at ten o’clock. The Vlorë Democratic Women’s activists called on the women of the district to support without reservation the Democratic Party, which became the first driving force in the struggle against communism, the government of Mr. Mek-si, our first pluralist Parliament, and the president elected by that Parliament, Mr. Sali Berisha. All activists of the Democratic Women’s League from every district who distinguished themselves in the struggle against communism, as well as those from the diaspora, are invited to this Congress, which will be held on November 25 at 10:00. The Vlorë Democratic Women’s League, which was formed more than a year ago, has a wide range of activities. Dozens and hundreds of women are active members; among others, the distinguished women include Meliha Doda, Blerina Hoxha, Enirjeta Bejkosala, Zaide Papavangjeli, Ema Llupa, Milda Seferi, and Lidja Shara! Our organization has taken all the necessary steps and is working to ensure that the first congress to be convened is organized as well as possible.