President Sali Berisha, who is on an official visit to Slovenia, stressed that the region of Kosovo, where the majority of the population is of Albanian origin, has been demilitarized to prevent a dangerous expansion of the conflict that has been soaked in blood for more than a year and a half in the former Yugoslavia. President Sali Berisha, who is on an official visit to Slovenia, stressed that the region of Kosovo, where the majority of the population is of Albanian origin, «has been demilitarized to prevent a dangerous expansion of the conflict that has been soaked in blood for more than a year and a half in the former Yugoslavia». Speaking at a press conference, Berisha spoke of international supervision over Kosovo and neighboring Macedonia. He stressed that the war in Bosnia, too, must end as soon as possible and that the international community must redouble its efforts (to restrain Serbian paramilitary formations). Slovenian President Milan Kuçan, for his part, stressed that one of the main reasons for the crisis in the former Yugoslavia is that «Belgrade is seeking to resolve the Serbian national question on the basis of the concept of Greater Serbia. Slovenia and Albania believe that there will be no peace and stability in the region until a democratic Serbia emerges, whose strength is not represented solely by a large army», Kuçan stressed. (ATSH)

Drawing on the experience of the history of the world economy, it becomes clear that protectionism is by no means the form Albania needs today. It is true that Albania has opened up considerably to the world and cannot even be compared with two years ago (not to mention several years ago), but can we say that we have done everything necessary? The Albanian economy, in the conditions of a deep crisis, may find salvation in its immediate privatization, a privatization which is necessarily linked to the introduction of foreign investment. Albania has many factors that would encourage investors to come (but little is done to publicize them around the world), especially the appeal of a rich country with considerable untapped potential. In this respect, Albania would be every capitalist’s dream, an Eldorado in the middle of Europe. So why are investors not «flocking» to Albania? Albania is certainly not the America of 200 years ago, and Albanians are not easy to persuade, but we are in a situation today where we need the country and money, foreign investment; therefore, we should offer it here and make «concessions» to encourage it to come. The issue of granting land has often been discussed, and there has been debate and abuse over whether land should be sold or not. History gives us examples of countries in Albania’s situation that gave away land and part of their enterprises for free, solely so that investment would take place there. The same approach was initially taken in those countries with taxes. The results today are fantastic. The state budget situation today may not allow us to act in the same way, but at least in these areas we should proceed in such a way that investors feel greater security as well. It is not easy for someone to invest on land that is not theirs, or to take on the financial responsibility of investing in our industrial enterprises (especially large enterprises). Many investors consider this an adventure. Nevertheless, this does not mean that nothing should be taken into account when creating such incentives. My view is that, for several reasons, priority should be given to foreign investors, especially for investment in creating high-quality tourism (and consequently creating modern infrastructure). The Albanian economy must begin to move faster; jobs are needed so that Albanians, too, can experience the rewards of their work and understand that the market economy is not just «assistance». For this, let us create as many incentives as possible for foreign investors on our part, without fearing that «they will take Albania away from us». These concepts are unacceptable in a market economy. ... Albanians ... but we are the ones who today need help and money, foreign investment, so we must offer them something, and cater to their wishes too, to encourage them land should be sold or leased. Ever since the DP’s programs were published, the Communists have been up in arms, shouting that the DP is selling Albania to foreigners. But what should be done today? Should we still cling to Enverist theories at a time when his-

On the agenda: assistance for Albanian agriculture. - «The strategy for developing agriculture in Albania and the search for donors to finance priority programs to be designated by the Albanian government will be at the center of the G-24 meeting in Tirana, which will take place from 18–20 November», Galim Kora, responsible for implementing and coordinating the PHARE program at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, told an ATSH journalist. Representatives of UNDP, FAO, the World Bank, the Council of Europe, etc., will also take part in this meeting, which will open up new prospects for the development and modernization of our agriculture. (ATSH)

The chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, Mr. Eduard Selami, met and held talks with the Member of the European Parliament and German MP, Mr. Sigmund Heller. The German parliamentarian emphasized his wish and aim to further intensify relations between the Democratic Party of Albania (PDSH) and the European People’s Party. He conveyed to the chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, the personal greetings of the secretary-general of the European People’s Party (the Parties of the Twelve of Europe), Mr. Tomas Jansen, and the wishes of the president of the European Parliament, Mr. Egon Klepetch. He also expressed a wish for closer contacts between the German Christian Democrats and the Albanian Democratic Party. After thanking his German guest, the chairman of the PDSH emphasized the importance the DP attaches to contacts and cooperation with the European People’s Party and the German Christian Democrats, and said that we are ready to respond positively to requests to intensify relations between the parties. The discussion then focused on exchanging views about making contacts concrete, as well as the situation in Albania and the region. The DP secretary, Mr. Tomor Dosti, and a member of the presidium, Mr. Leka Toto, also took part in the meeting. DP Press and Information Office Tirana, 9. 11, 1992

According to information received from Ms. Violeta Sino in the Trade Section of the Tirana Municipality, the following quantities of food-basket items are being distributed for the month of November: Butter, 2,300 quintals, 2 kg per family; rice, 172 tonnes, 500 grams per person; oil, 370 tonnes, 700 g per person. Some problems remain concerning irregularities in the distribution criteria; citizens should obtain all information from the administrative units (in the buildings of the former respective districts).

To improve the electricity supply to the city of Tirana, a study has been carried out according to which 95 substations will be built. Of these, 78 are under construction and 16 pole-mounted substations have been completed. In 6 cases, the landowner came forward, and for this reason work was halted. Likewise, of the 34 lines (6 to 10 kilovolts, cable-overhead), 12 lines have been completed; 4 are under way, while 18 have been blocked due to a lack of materials.

Although a Council of Ministers decision stipulates that workers are to receive compensation for food-basket items, the workers at NB Marikaj have still not received it. Qyprësin the managers of this enterprise(!?)

For a year now, 11 employees of a market— For a year now, 11 employees of a market at NFP-no. 1 have been suing the enterprise because, despite holding an 80 percent share, the management sold the market to some other employees. The district court ruled against them, while the Court of Appeal overturned the district court’s decision. Yesterday the case was heard by the Court of Cassation, which overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision and sent the case back to that court once again. As can be seen, for a year the courts have continued their «will it pass or won’t it» game at the workers’ expense. What does this marathon of trials show? The incompetence of these courts, or something else(!?)

The recent incident in Macedonia, involving Macedonian police violence against ethnic Albanians living and working in Skopje, under the pretext of the so-called «cigarette smuggling», has been met with great concern by Albanian public opinion as a whole. The Albanian population in Skopje, although demonstrating peacefully and properly against the violence used against a 14-year-old youth, their compatriot, found itself confronted with the use of firearms and gas by Macedonian police forces, resulting in the deaths of four citizens, two of them Albanians and one still unidentified; around thirty were wounded and more than four... were arrested. The Albanian Government protests this action in the strongest terms and considers it an anti-democratic act that runs counter to current democratic developments in Europe and beyond. At a time when the flames of war have engulfed Bosnia-Herzegovina and there is a risk that they will spread to Kosovo and further afield, this act further fans the flames in our region and serves the malicious aims of certain Macedonian chauvinist circles. At the same time, it emboldens Greater Serbian circles in their crimes in Bosnia-Herzegovina and against Albanians in Kosovo. Such acts also divert the attention of world public opinion from these crimes of Serbian chauvinism, and the Albanian Government hopes that the Macedonian Government will bring the perpetrators to justice and impose the punishment they deserve. Otherwise, this would damage relations between Albanians and Macedonians in Macedonia; it would not serve to improve relations between our two countries and would further aggravate the already tense situation in the Balkan region.

BY THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE In a statement to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense states: «Well-informed sources report that various Belgrade media outlets have broadcast the news that “the Albanian army is deploying tank troops and heavy artillery on the border with Yugoslavia.” In this regard, we wish to make it clear that public opinion inside and outside Albania is aware of the fact that the Albanian army is in the process of restructuring, on the basis of the democratic government’s program. Within this framework, some military forces and equipment are being relocated, with the aim of concentrating them in barracks. We also declare that, while (Continued on page 3)

FROM THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY On Monday morning, at the request of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, a group of deputies representing the parliamentary groups went to meet with the President of the Republic, Mr. Berisha, to express to him the Assembly’s concern about the fate of the Shkodër trial. The President told the deputies that work is being done with imp...», the People’s Assembly, a group of MPs, representatives of the Republic, Mr. Berisha, to express the Assembly’s concern to him about the fate of the Shkodër trial.

«...compulsory insurance for motor vehicle owners against liability to third parties». The interpellation with the Minister of Economy and Finance, requested by the PJS parliamentary group, will take place on Thursday afternoon, while the motion by the same group concerning the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be held on 19 November 1992. All of the above, together with the discussions concerning the report submitted by the temporary committee on symbols, the appointment of the Prosecutor General, and the establishment of a permanent committee for human rights, as proposed by the President, constitutes what the Chairman of the Presidium of the Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, presented as a pro- (Continued on page 3)

Social—... [cut part] ... by ... in Demo... entered ... respected ...

... at the plenary sessions of the coming week, that is, from November 9 to 12, the following draft laws are expected to be considered: 1. On the approval of the agreement on cooperation in the fields of military and technical training and science between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey. 2. “On the approval of the Protocol on the Albanian-Turkish joint action programme.” 3. “On an amendment to the law ...

... a group of deputies, representatives of the parliamentary groups ... (continued on page 3) 4. “On certain amendments to Decree No. 7458 dated 22. 1. 1991, ‘On the right to strike.’” 5. “On certain amendments to Law No. 4624, dated 24. 12. 1969, ‘On the new education system.’” 6. “On certain amendments to Law 7516 dated 7. 10. 1991,” “On associations in the Republic of Albania.” 7. “On prefectures.” 8. Presidential decree: “On the ...