The President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, offered his condolences at the embassy of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic on the death of Aleksandër Dubček, the famous leader of the 1968 “Prague Spring,” who played a prominent role in the popular democratic movement of 1989. President Berisha, who was received at the embassy by the ambassador of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Indrih Mandjak, wrote in the book opened for the occasion: “Mr Aleksandër Dubček, with his courage and wisdom, inspired entire generations to strive for a free and democratic Eastern Europe.” The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori; the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Aleksandër Meksi; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi; members of parliament; representatives of various institutions, etc., also offered their Republic. Heads and officials of diplomatic missions accredited in Tirana also offered their condolences. (ATSH)

Yesterday Mr MIGUEL MARTINEZ, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, arrived in our country — Seminar on “Issues of parliamentary procedure” with Albanian parliamentarians, organized by the Council of Europe delegation — As part of the visits by high-ranking figures in European and world politics, the Mr Miguel Angel Martinez, arrived in Albania yesterday. Martinez, born in Madrid in 1940, was one of Franco’s opponents as a young man and was imprisoned for this. Later he was active in Spain’s socialist and social-democratic circles. He held several important positions in international labour organizations and was the first elected president of the European Coordinating Bureau of the International Youth Organization. From 1972 to 1974 he was vice-president of the Governing Council of the European Youth Centre and the European Youth Foundation. After Franco’s death, Mr Martinez returned to Spain and became active in the Spanish Socialist Party, from which he was elected to parliament in 1977, 1979, 1982, 1986 and 1989. A member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since 1983, he was also elected vice-president of the Assembly. From that time, Mr … from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which has had the privilege of receiving special guest status. “Mr Berisha’s speech to the Parliamentary Assembly,” Mr Haller continued, “is unforgettable and made a great impression on the parliamentarians. That speech accompanied the request for membership of the Council of Europe submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Haller also stressed that the Council of Europe understands all the political, economic and social problems of our country and wants to make clear to the government, parliamentarians and Albanian people that those problems can be solved only through work. ‘We,’ he said, ‘will help you as much as we can.’ Regarding admission to the Council of Europe, Mr Haller explained that the Assembly is very careful on this point, and that admission takes place after extensive observation and investigation, and in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights, which is the Council of Europe’s key instrument. Nevertheless, as Mr Haller further explained below, Albania’s current status is another step toward joining the Council of Europe. A holder of special guest status takes part in the Assembly and has the right to speak; “this is very important,” he stressed. Based on population, Albania is entitled to four seats in the parliament once it becomes a full member (and thus has the right to vote). With the status Albania currently enjoys, it has three seats. “I want to say that you are not late; indeed, the arrival of the President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Strasbourg means that you are now present in the Assembly.” The other members of the delegation then delivered their presentations. Mr Jaakko Hissa, an adviser in the office of the Clerk of the PACE, spoke about the conditions for membership: parliamentary democracy, human rights and the rule of law. After lunch, Mr Miguel Martinez delivered a greeting to the Albanian parliament. “The seminar will continue with presentations by Mr Hano Hartig, Principal Administrator and Secretary of the Steering Committee for Human Rights, concerning the main conventions of the Council of Europe. Mr Gian Paolo Castenet[t]o, a PACE staff member, then spoke about the role and structure of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.” In the afternoon, the President of the Council of Europe Assembly, Mr Martinez, held meetings with President Berisha. EDI PALOKA National Youth. From 1972 to 1974, he was Vice-Chairman from which he was elected as a Member of then on, Mr. Martinez held several posts on various Assembly committees, until he was unanimously elected in May 1992. On the occasion of Mr. Martinez’s visit, a seminar on “parliamentary procedure” was held yesterday in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses, with Albanian parliamentarians. The seminar was led by members of the Council of Europe delegation. At the opening of the seminar, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Arbnori, delivered a welcoming address in which he stressed, among other things, that Mr. Martinez’s visit and the seminar organized on this occasion would serve to further cooperation between the Albanian Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Mr. Bruno Haller, Deputy Clerk of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), then took the floor. After expressing his pleasure at their presence in Albania and at the seminar—which, as he noted, “is the first to be held in Albania, but not the last”—he gave an introduction on the history, structures and activities of the Council of Europe. After mentioning the Albanian people’s desire to move towards Europe, a desire which, Mr. Haller said, became apparent during the first confrontations of the democratic movement in Albania, it was stressed that this seminar was another sign of emerging from isolation after the fall of the communist dictatorship. Among other things, Mr. Haller clarified that several countries had applied for membership in the Assembly. Some of them had been accepted with observer status, and Albania is the first country and the on…

— Second conference of the Shkodër DP branch THE DP CHAIRMAN, MR EDUARD SELAMI, TAKES PART — On 11 November, the second conference of the DP, Shkodër branch, was held. The second conference of the Shkodër branch of the DP — THE DP CHAIRMAN, MR EDUARD SELAMI, TAKES PART — The second conference of the DP, Shkodër branch, was held on 11 November. Also attending were the chairman of the DPA, Mr Eduard Selami, and the deputy chairmen Arbnori, Spahia and Hysenbegasi from the DP Presidium. The conference was enriched by the participation and greetings of representatives of political parties in the district, associations of the politically persecuted and other associations, independent trade unions, etc. I would single out, for its emotional intensity, the greeting by Mrs Ana Fa- na, representative of the association of blood-feud victims: “…it is the members of this organization who would rush to the hospital, who would hear the wounded of 2 April getting back on their feet.” The main report on behalf of the district DP branch was delivered by the branch secretary, Mr Uruçi, who reviewed the party’s work in the district over the past year. Questions and discussion followed, and after suggestions were heard, voting took place. Mr Spahia’s withdrawal of his nomination to the Governing Council in favour of Mrs Lili No- ci was also welcomed. At the conference, the DP chairman, Mr Eduard Selami, gave a greeting and said, among other things: “I have described my meetings in Shkodër as positive because I have felt a realistic breeze blowing from the right, which I believe Albania needs. Someone here asked whether the DP had shifted away from the right after 22 March…? The DP has not shifted away from the right, and my view is that it should position itself on the right … (Continued on page 4)

— Interview with Mr Marenglen Rrapi, head of the investigative team — Question — Why did this investigation take so long? Answer — Among the tasks assigned by the Court for further investigation, it has been concluded that the investigation concerning the defendant Nexhmije Hoxha is complete. As for the accused Kino Buxheli, it was considered necessary to carry out supplementary investigative actions regarding his illegal activities. Question — When was the investigation file against the two defendants ready? Answer — The investigation was completed on 12 October, and in accordance with the law, it was sent to the Prosecutor’s Office for approval. From 31 October to 10 November, the file was held at the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office. Question — Our public, as well as the international public, is eagerly awaiting the out- (Continued on page 2)

— The criminal case concerning the Hajdin Sejdia affair must be brought to light — Through a very murky program, Albanian Television made us well acquainted with the Hajdin Sejdia case, on which “Rilindja Demokratike” has for a long time insisted on a firm position. But at the same time, why do the primitive … allow the PPSH to do so through the government of stability? The end of this swindler was signed off by the former head of the technical government, Mr Vilson Ahmeti. That is why he agreed to give a television interview, explaining clearly and logically the decision made against the notorious “Iliria Holl-ding” and Mr Sejdia. But in the same program it was reported that former prime ministers of the PPSH and PS, the former Adil Çarçani, Fatos Nano and Ylli Bu-f[i?], refused to be interviewed. How is that possible? Do they perhaps think that the Sejdia affair will pass into “history,” when the wounds opened by that swindler are so deep and so fresh? But who brought Hajdin Sejdia in as a great “millionaire” and beneficiary of Albania’s catastrophic economic situation? The PPSH, during the time of former Prime Minister Çarçani. Was it done directly on his initiative and through his personal acquaintance, or on the recommendation of … (Continued on page 2)