Let us protect democracy from speculation For years, we, the peoples of the former communist countries, have suffered under the dictates of an absurd policy, in which everything too was dressed in the garb of the economy. But the privatization of the economy in these countries revealed to the world that one of the main causes of their backwardness has been the lack of democratic political institutions. For this reason, for more than 40 years, not only did the communist parties think about economic life, but they also decided it. If anyone claimed that this would shorten the road to socialism, events showed the opposite. In Albania, the departure of the communist system was not accompanied even by the collapse of the private economy, because it did not exist. Everything had to be created from scratch: democratic institutions, the market, private property, and even the laws that would protect them. Precisely for this reason, the process of economic reforms cannot be separated from the building of the rule of law and political democracy. To defend democracy today means not allowing economic difficulties, shortages, inflation, or inherited injustices to be exploited by old forces in order to strike at reforms. Political speculation with people’s hardships has become one of the main weapons of those who do not accept change. They try to spread confusion, create insecurity, and encourage distrust toward the new institutions. Democracy is not defended with words, but with law, institutions, and governance that is accountable. Equally important is transparency toward citizens, explaining reforms, and punishing abuses. Only in this way will the citizen understand that today’s sacrifices are linked to building a better future. If we allow temporary shortages to become a pretext for attacking freedom, then we risk losing not only the market economy, but the very historical chance to emerge from the legacy of dictatorship. (To be continued on page 4)

- To build a fiscal policy that will block inflationary speculation and create precedents for guiding market prices - The Democratic Party comes to defend former owners, but it is not for the total return of property to the former owners Interview with Albania’s Prime Minister, Aleksandër Meksi, for the Italian newspaper “Il Giornale” (From page 3) Question: What role has privatization played and does it play in the government’s economic policy? A. Meksi: Starting with the privatization of the land distributed to peasants, and continuing with the privatization of transport, retail trade, and communal service facilities, we have moved and are moving at a fast pace. The whole process will be completed very soon. And not only that, but by privatizing a large number of facilities we are placing the private sector of the economy in the dominant position. If the private sector accounted for 16.5 percent of total output in June of this year, today it accounts for 23.5 percent and by the end of the year it will reach around 30 percent. Therefore I can say that privatization is precisely the key to economic reform. Question: There are voices saying that the privatization of agricultural land is facing difficulties and that this has led to a drop in production? A. Meksi: That is not true. In many districts privatization has been carried out well and measures are being taken to complete it. Thanks to this, the land is now being worked and this year, for the first time, results are appearing. Of course there are still problems, but they are surmountable. The main obstacles have been the lack of agricultural tools, fuel, chemical fertilizers, and market organization. But the direction is clear. Question: What about industry? A. Meksi: In light and food industry, privatization has advanced quickly. Many small and medium-sized enterprises have been privatized or are in the process of being privatized. For large enterprises the problem is more complicated, since it requires capital, technology, and a market. But even there we have entered a new phase with foreign partners and with different forms of sale or leasing. Question: What role does fiscal policy play? A. Meksi: Its role is decisive. Building a fiscal policy that will block inflationary speculation and create precedents for guiding market prices is one of the main tasks. Without this the economy cannot be stabilized and trust in the national currency cannot be created. Question: And the issue of former owners? A. Meksi: The Democratic Party comes to defend former owners, but it is not for the total return of property to the former owners. A fair solution must be found that respects the law, the social interest, and the country’s real possibilities. (To be continued on page 4)

Building a democratic society, the greatest task before us - From the 3-year conference of the SP of Durrës - From the speech of Mr. Eduard Selami (From page 4) One could hear a burst of applause when the chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Sali Berisha, presented at the forum the candidacy of Mr. Eduard Selami for party chairman. Delegates welcomed Mr. Berisha’s proposal with prolonged applause. Representatives of various districts who took part in the discussion expressed their conviction that Mr. Selami would be a capable and determined leader of the Democratic Party. In his speech, Mr. Selami said that Albania is in a difficult but hopeful period. According to him, the greatest task before us is the building of a democratic society, with stable institutions, a market economy, and law for all. He stressed that this requires work, patience, and unity around democratic ideals. Mr. Selami also dwelt on the importance of strengthening the party’s grassroots structures and increasing communication with citizens. The party, he said, must always be close to people’s concerns, without falling into populism, but by offering real and responsible solutions. He also mentioned the need to support economic reforms, fight corruption, and strengthen the authority of the state. Without these, he stressed, democracy remains fragile. At the end of his speech, Mr. Selami thanked the delegates for their trust and promised that he would work with dedication for the unity of the party and for the democratic future of the country. (To be continued on page 4)

Judicial order and the directors of the newspaper “Koha jonë” (To be continued on page 4) Yesterday at 8:00, with the newspaper’s program as the pretext, the deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Koha jonë” was arrested again over an article related to the events of 21 September. Around 12:00, the president of the Court of First Instance ordered their release. In the evening, at 20:00, the police arrested him for the second time. This led to protests from colleagues and reactions from journalism associations, which demanded respect for the law and press freedom. (To be continued on page 4)

TIRANËT NE OTYPNIT NE PESHQEN E DEMBILISE[?] TIRAZAT NE QTUNYNIT NE PESHQON E DEMBILISË[?] The head of the advisory group of Korçë, Mr. Qazim Peca, spoke about the murder of 6 August 1991, about the killing of a 30-year-old young man who had come by motorcycle from Erseka. Homeland: “This is a serious event. It shows that at that time insecurity had reached its peak and that the perpetrators must be found.” Speaking about the dossiers and responsibilities of the past, it was said that the democratic process cannot move forward without confronting the truth. In this context, other cases of violence and legal violations were also mentioned, which require a serious investigation. Another speaker dwelt on the need to consolidate public order and strengthen local institutions. It was stressed that citizens expect justice and not declarations. (To be continued on page 4)

High work rates from operation “Pelikan” 1. In the period from 19 October to 7 November 1992, the following were inspected: IN FIGURES: STATE: 101 tons in state fish warehouses; Agriculture: 552 tons in warehouses; PRIVATE BUSINESS: 180 tons in various warehouses; Others: 130 tons in various warehouses. Total: about 963 tons in warehouses. Drivers: 330 vehicles and their drivers were inspected. Beneficiaries: 1730 tons in the fish-food sector warehouses; 950 tons in transport warehouses; 611 tons at sales points; 240 tons in private warehouses; 547 tons in various sales outlets.[?] The investigation into the killing of 6 August 1991 has been completed and work is under way to fully clarify the event. Thirteen people have been arrested for smuggling and abuse of office. Lieutenant Colonel MUKA. In cooperation with the structures of the police and the prosecutor’s office, inspections have been carried out in several districts of the country with the aim of restoring order and combating abuses. Thirteen people have been arrested and criminal proceedings are continuing against them. OPERATION CENTER Tirana

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ENGLISH Masthead: Democratic Rebirth. Newspaper of the Democratic Party. Thursday, 19 November 1992. Issue 243. Price 3 lek. “Privatization—the key to reform”: interview with Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi for the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, stressing rapid privatization, fiscal policy against inflationary speculation, and a balanced solution for former owners rather than total restitution. “Let us protect democracy from speculation”: editorial arguing that economic hardship must not be exploited politically against democratic reforms. “Building a democratic society, the greatest task before us”: report from the 3-year conference in Durrës and remarks by Eduard Selami on institutions, market economy, anti-corruption, and party unity. “Continuation and end of a long process”: partial report mentioning Qazim Peca, the 6 August 1991 killing, accountability for the past, and public order. “Judicial order and the newspaper Koha jonë”: report on arrests connected to an article about 21 September and protests over press freedom. “High work rates from operation Pelikan”: operational statistics and arrests reported by Lieutenant Colonel Muka. Advertisement: Ariston appliances, kitchen equipment, spare parts, and address on Luigj Gurakuqi Street No. 12. ITALIANO Header: Rinascita Democratica. Newspaper of the Democratic Party. Thursday, 19 November 1992. No. 243. Price 3 lek. “Privatization—the key to reform”: interview with Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi for the Italian newspaper Il Giornale; highlights rapid privatization, fiscal policy against inflationary speculation, and a balanced solution for former owners rather than total restitution. “Let us protect democracy from speculation”: editorial arguing that economic hardship must not be politically exploited against democratic reforms. “Building a democratic society, the greatest task before us”: report from the three-year conference in Durrës and the speech by Eduard Selami on institutions, market economy, anti-corruption, and party unity. “Continuation and end of a long process”: partial report mentioning Qazim Peca, the 6 August 1991 killing, accountability for the past, and public order. “Judicial order and the newspaper Koha jonë”: report on arrests linked to an article about 21 September and protests over press freedom. “High work rates from operation Pelikan”: operational statistics and arrests reported by Lieutenant Colonel Muka. Advertisement: Ariston appliances, kitchen equipment, spare parts, and address on Luigj Gurakuqi Street No. 12.