What should we be asking for today? It has now become clear that the only way to save Albania is reform. Speculation and various doubts about whether it had begun or not have given way to a clear program that the government has finally put forward. So there is no longer any «blackout» about it. All that remains is for us to become familiar with it. Curiosity about this does not trouble journalists alone. To date, many governments have sought reform, but none has achieved it. Shock therapy, for example, dissolved like sugar in water in the face of pressure from the trade unions. Meanwhile, the democratic government of Mr. Meksi does not appear likely to tread untrodden paths. Parliament, despite the criticism it sometimes receives in the press, has signed off on the adoption of more than 70 laws in 7 months, which is no small matter. If this is to be called a start, it must be said that, technically, there has been no false start. The race itself is long and difficult. Sometimes (perhaps out of habit) it even goes nowhere. This should be understood as a lack of experience and, why not, as a «catching one’s breath» before continuing on the road already begun. The parliamentary «pause» becomes «pleasant», like a juggling act, with interpellations here and there, sensations of the «Pobrat» kind, and clenched fists and the vocabulary of adolescent children. In any case, Parliament needs these things too (doesn’t it also happen in other countries that MPs come to blows?) (?!) But prejudices turn our attention back to the laws. It seems that the burden of the unique 80 percent has passed from the Albanians, and now, more than anything, they want work. And work will begin as soon as the framework of laws regulating relations between employees and employers is complete. The government is doing this, and so is Parliament. What remains undone? The «iceberg» of economic reform is still 3–4 parts underwater. What will bring the Albanian economy above water is the main engine of reform. The «Meksi» government holds the key, especially after the latest endorsements from the IMF as well. The issue of full privatization need not become a boomerang for all Albanians. The outlook for effective privatization is an equation with many unknowns; the difference would only become clear in daylight. It may seem that we are rushing when we write and speak this way, since things do not happen at the wave of a wand. Agreed! But is there another way? Many would not openly accept the removal of the rationed 80 percent; others demanded an equal start on the road of reform already begun; later, the social-communists beat the drums all the way to Europe for an additional 24-1 in the law on labor relations; arguments and counterarguments for and against the existence of agricultural enterprises «clashed», and now, finally, they are to be privatized; there were disagreements over social assistance. Of course, along the path of restructuring the entire economy there will be natural obstacles arising from mentality, but also from ignorance, complexity, or even ill will. Among other things, these also provide experience. It seems to us that the new government now has the experience to get to the heart of reform by immediately and unconditionally beginning privatization. If the world has helped us and is helping us even now, let us begin helping ourselves, too. After that, we will have less time to spend on politics, more competition, and we will bring forward capable people who know how to lead and are willing to take risks in order to achieve the restructuring the economy needs. All that remains is to do it.

GJIROKASTËR Freedom is a quality of the people themselves. On 17 November, the conference of the Gjirokastër branch of the PD was held. The Secretary-General of the PDSH, Mr. Tomorr Dosti, also took part. The report on behalf of the branch was delivered by Mr. Sotiraq Hroni, who stressed that it is thanks to the PD’s activity that the local government bodies have begun moving in the right direction for reform. This commitment to reform has led many enterprises in Gjirokastër to resume economic activity, workers who had been on assistance until yesterday to be re-employed, and land division in the district to be completed at a rate of over 90 percent. Over the course of a year, the influx of Gjirokastër’s intellectuals into the ranks of the PD has been steady and highly fruitful. In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Tomorr Dosti said that restructuring the PD is an internal demand arising from its own growth, a matter of assessing what we have done and of responsibility for the future. As regards the minority, Mr. Tomorr Dosti emphasized that the PD upholds this human right, and that the Greek minority in Gjirokastër and wherever it lives has old historical ties with the Albanian people. They have always stood by one another in times of trouble and joy. We must honor these fine traditions with new elements. At the conclusion, Mr. Sadik Dejko was elected chair of the Gjirokastër PD branch by secret ballot. DELVINË Sick radicalism is equivalent to regression. In the second week of November, the second conference of the PD branch for this district was held in the town of Delvinë. Mr. Tomorr Dosti and Mr. Leka Toto, a member of the PD leadership and the area’s MP, took part. The conference analyzed the work carried out by the PD branch during the year. In his speech, Mr. Leka Toto said that we are here today to identify our shortcomings and correct them for the future. I believe, he said, that Delvinë, with its democratic traditions, will support democracy and the PD. Mr. Tomorr Dosti, taking the floor, said: The Democratic Party seeks to have in its ranks honest and upright people, committed anti-communists and democrats, especially educated intellectuals who were not implicated in the totalitarian system. The conference elected the governing council and its chair, Mr. Agur Jupili, by secret ballot. On Sunday, 22 November 1992, the second conference of the PD branch for the district was held in the town of Krujë. The conference made a detailed assessment of the work carried out over the year. In the report presented by Mr. Sadedin Balla, chair of the PD for the district of Krujë, many ideas of considerable value were highlighted concerning the party’s work in the present and future, in Krujë and beyond. The fact that the PD sets the tone of political life in the district, since it controls the most densely populated areas, clearly demonstrates the good work done by the branch leadership. Speaking about the Party’s organization, Mr. Balla stressed that it must be clearly understood that keeping proper records is not bureaucracy, but a sign of seriousness in the Party’s work. In the process of carrying out reform, abuse, misuse of office, and negligence must be condemned forcefully and without hesitation. Local government officials must place the democratic ideal of strengthening and consolidating the rule-of-law state above narrow personal, friendly, family, and local interests. Compared with 1990, the incomes of farming families have increased by 40 percent, while income per hectare is 11 percent higher. Mr. Tomorr Dosti also spoke at this conference, addressing, among other things, the role Albanian intellectuals should play today in advancing democratic processes. At the end, the conference unanimously elected Mr. Sadedin Balla chair of the Krujë PD branch. The delegates proposed electing him by open ballot, since all the votes were for him, but Tomorr Dosti insisted that the approved regulations and statute be followed. And so it was. A secret ballot was held, with three other candidates also put forward, and Mr. Sadedin Balla won by an absolute majority. Prepared by: DYLEJMAN KARAJ

According to the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office, after the investigation was completed, the criminal case against former General Prosecutor Maksim Haxhija was referred to the Tirana District Court for review and trial on 19 November 1992. According to the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office, after the investigation was completed, the criminal case against former General Prosecutor Maksim Haxhija «He is accused of falsifying documents in violation of the law “On the Organization of the Justice Bodies,” under which the appointment, transfer, and dismissal of judges, investigators, and prosecutors fall within the competence of the High Council of Justice as a collegial body. falsification of official documents,

From the People’s Assembly On Monday afternoon, during the plenary session, the People’s Assembly began its work for the week of … , 23:26 November. As usual, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, presented the draft work program at the beginning of the session, which provides for: 1. The draft law «On several amendments to Law No. 7516, dated 7.10.1991, “On Trade Unions in the Republic of Albania”.» 2. The law «On Prefectures». 3. The President’s decree «On compulsory insurance of motor-vehicle owners against liability to third parties». 4. The draft law «On an amendment to the law on pensions for members of former agricultural cooperatives». 5. The draft law «On the State Sanitary Inspectorate». 7. Motions concerning the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Education and Science, addressed to the Prime Minister. After this presentation, MP Gjika raised concerns about the difficult situation in the district of Mirditë. The areas of Kacinari and Fani, he said, are completely isolated. There is no flour or bread, and there are no functioning vehicles. The Government has classified this district as one with minor damage. The truth is that around 250 families have no beds or blankets and are taking shelter wherever they can. Neither the telephone connection nor road transport is functioning. MP Dokle, meanwhile, repeated his criticism of the Prime Minister’s failure to respond to the question session requested by the PS parliamentary group. He then proposed that MPs donate 15 days’ pay to assist areas recently damaged by flooding. MP Dakli, who spoke next, discussed the humanitarian aid sent by the district of Elbasan to flood-damaged areas and supported his colleague’s proposal to donate 15 days’ pay as a modest contribution to help these areas. The proposal in question received the support of all MPs. The poor work program for this week, MP Laço said, shows the government’s disregard for the time required to send draft laws to Parliament. He then made several suggestions for a more dynamic working method for the Assembly. He also raised the need for a parliamentary debate on the functioning of local government. The agenda was approved at the end. Since some of the draft laws had not yet been prepared for the plenary session, it was decided that on Tuesday work would proceed with discussion of them in the parliamentary groups. … It seems that the accusation concerning the unique 80 percent has now been shifted to the Albanians, and now, for the most part, Parliament. What remains to be done? What will bring the Albanian economy above water is rapid and comprehensive privatization. So neither the telephone connection nor the road connection is working, even when the lights are on. Meanwhile, deputy Dokle to the question session requested of him by the PS parliamentary group. He then proposed that, to help the areas damaged by the recent floods, the deputies donate 15 days’ pay.

Under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the Government held a meeting at which it considered and approved several draft decisions. Draft decisions on prices and tariffs were initially approved and will be submitted to Parliament for final approval. This draft decision is intended to finally regulate the food-market mechanism, «where goods are being sold at prices higher than the basket set by the government», Finance and Economy Minister Genc Ruli said in the debate on this point. Continuing his argument, he also said that «price policy in a now-empty market has no justifiable economic logic, because food is in fact being sold at high prices and the state has little ability to control them». The government will set the ceiling price for independent traders each month. To ease conditions for and favor food traders, so that they will bring in as many such goods as possible, it was decided to abolish turnover taxes and double taxation, which will also help goods to be sold at more reasonable prices. Next, another draft decision was approved, concerning cuts to certain state-budget appropriations for the second half of 1992. The amount cut will be used by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications for repairing railway cars, expanding the capacity of the port of Durrës, installing and building bread ovens, for drainage pumps, the Banja hydroelectric power plant, repairing Tirana’s water-supply network, state housing currently under construction, and so on. The Council of Ministers considered it appropriate to establish a group of experts on retail coal, which will benefit from the removal of turnover tax. Calorific value will be the basis for setting the price. Another draft decision, on awarding scholarships to students at vocational and general secondary schools who live in dormitories, was fully approved. At the same meeting, it was decided that the import, export, and transit of animals and livestock products would always require prior authorization from the Veterinary Service Directorate. At the same time, this decision makes it possible for all goods of animal origin entering the Albanian market to be subject to strict inspection. Children’s Homes and Homes for the Elderly will be transferred under the authority of the Ministry of Labour, Emigration and Politically Persecuted Persons, under a decision approved by the Council of Ministers. A similar decision, which was also approved, concerned transferring the buildings of the lower construction schools in the cities of Elbasan, Korçë, and Shkodër to the inventories of the municipalities of these districts, rather than placing them under the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Territorial Regulation, as had been required under its own decision. The approval of the draft decision submitted by the Ministry of Health on issuing licenses for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, etc. to enter private practice was also of interest. In order to create the most favorable conditions for the European Community to carry out inspections on the Albanian-Yugoslav border, the Council of Ministers decided to approve a draft decision for this purpose. (Continued on page 4) Under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, initially approved, decision aims to finally regulate the food market the basket set by the government», said Genc Ruli, Minister of Finance and Economy, during the debate on this item. Continuing his argument on the matter, has no justifiable economic logic, because in fact food is price for free-market traders each month. To ease the burden on and favor food traders, so that they decided to abolish turnover taxes and the double tax, which will also help goods was approved to cut some state-budget funds be allocated to the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications for the repair of railway wagons, the expansion of the capacity of the port of Durrës, the installation and construction of bread ovens, drainage-pumping stations, the Banja hydroelectric power plant, repairs to Tirana’s water-supply network, state housing currently under construction, etc. the abolition setting the price. Another draft decision, on granting scholarships to students in the import, export and transit of livestock Directorate of Veterinary Services. At the same time, this decision provides for the rigorous inspection of all goods of animal origin entering the Albanian market. A decision approved by the Council of Ministers transferred Children’s Homes and Homes for the Elderly to the authority of the Ministry of Labor, Emigration and Political Persecutees. Another similar decision, also approved, transferred municipalities of those for the European Community to exercise control at a draft decision to this effect. (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday afternoon, the destroyer «Gloucester» of the Royal Navy entered the port of Durrës on a friendly visit. As it entered the port, the destroyer was escorted by ships of the Albanian Naval Combat Fleet. Salutes were fired by both sides. On this occasion, a ceremony was held at the quay where the destroyer docked, attended by a group of sailors and officers from our fleet. Albanian and English flags had been placed there. The destroyer’s commander, Duncan Ferguson, was welcomed by the commander of the Naval Combat Fleet, Captain First Class Fitim Halili, and the mayor of Durrës, Tomorr Golemi. The British ambassador in Rome, Patrik Freuderher, had also arrived for the occasion. The guests then toured the ship’s facilities. Yesterday, the destroyer’s commander was received in the city hall by its mayor, Tomor Golemi, and others, and at the Durrës naval base by its commander, Pirro Kuçi. In honor of the British military personnel, Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali hosted a dinner at the reception villa in Durrës.

- These Italian projects fall under the «Ordinario dono» (Gift) category - At the meeting of the Albanian-Italian Joint Commission in Rome on November 17–18, Italy was also found to be providing substantial assistance for Agriculture and Food. The following projects were allocated funding from the Italian loan: support for agro-zootechnical production, 2 billion lire; milk collection, processing and transportation, 13 billion lire; artificial insemination of cows, 6 billion lire; technical assistance for veterinary services, 2 billion lire; a phytosanitary analysis project, 1.5 billion lire; support in the agri-food sector, 1.8 billion lire; forest exploitation, 12 billion lire; an agro-zootechnical project, 20 billion lire; and a loan request for the mechanization of agriculture, 10 billion lire. With the exception of the «Agrotec» company project, which falls under the «Straordinario dono» category, all the other projects fall under the «Ordinario don(o)» (Gift) category. Italian specialists will come to Albania during November 1992 to present the projects submitted by the Albanian side.

A Turkish citizen will be hired at our embassy as a secretary. Candidates must be Turkish citizens, resident in Tirana, and take part in the competition at the Embassy on Monday, 7 December 1992, at 10:00. Candidates must report to the Embassy by 5 December 1992 and bring a photograph, passport, identity card, and a copy of their secondary-school or university diploma. Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Tirana. General Prosecutor Maksim Haxhiu, after the investigation was completed, was referred to the Tirana District Court for review and trial on 19 November 1992. The charge against him is: «He is accused of falsifying official documents for the appointment of personnel at the institution under his authority, in three cases. This criminal offense falls…» The criminal offense committed by the former General Prosecutor constitutes falsification of official documents, as provided for by Article 110 of the Criminal Code. (ATSH)