During his stay in Saudi Arabia, where the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, took part in and delivered an important speech at the meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah, he met with the King of Saudi Arabia, Fahd. A very warm and important meeting for President Berisha was also the one he held with the Royal Crown Prince, Abdullah Bin Abdyl Aziz. During his stay in Saudi Arabia, where the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, took part in and delivered an important speech at the meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah, he met with the King of Saudi Arabia, Fahd. A very warm and important meeting for President Berisha was also the one he held with the Royal Crown Prince, Abdullah Bin Abdyl Aziz, during which they discussed issues concerning cooperation between Albania and Saudi Arabia and the problems of the crisis in the region. President Berisha also met with the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Dr. Hamid Al-Gabid, with whom he held a discussion about Albania’s participation in the organization and other matters. The President of Albania also met with the minister of the Republic of Egypt, Amer Musi; the Foreign Minister of Iran, Ali Abar Velajati; the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Muhamed Sadik Kanzhu; the Croatian Foreign Minister, Zdenko Skrabelja; etc. The Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of Saudi Arabia agreed to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level as of 2 December 1992, confirming their commitment to implementing the principles of equality, mutual respect and strengthening. The protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed at the Grand Conference Palace in Jeddah at 14:30. On the Albanian side, the protocol was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi; and on the Saudi side, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Salil Al-Fajsal. The ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Ismet Kazim, who is of Albanian origin. President Berisha is making an official visit to the Republic of Egypt, at the invitation of that country’s President, Hosni Mubarak.

The Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation between our country and the EC has entered into force. The Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation between Albania and the European Community, signed in Brussels on 11 May 1992, entered into force on 1 December. It opens the way to trade and economic cooperation in various fields, in which the parties grant each other most-favoured-nation treatment. The EC will help our country join international organizations and conventions. It will now stand alongside the reform we are carrying out. Diplomatic relations between Albania and the EC were established in mid-1991. In September of that year Albania opened its office (mission) to the EC in Brussels, and the EC, for its part, has had a representative in Albania since January 1992, who is also an economic adviser at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Our country has developed relations with the EC in many important areas. As a European country, Albania hopes for a rapid economic recovery, with assistance from the countries and the «FAARE» programme, which provides aid to Eastern and Central European countries in agricultural restructuring, small and medium-sized enterprises, and privatization. A programme of assistance for education and culture is also being developed. Albania is also part of and benefits from the «TEMPUS» programme for postgraduate specialization. In less than four months, the G-24 has come to Tirana twice. But up to now, the framework of our relations can be described as assistance from the Community and its member countries to meet the country’s urgent food needs. The total value of this assistance amounts to 136 million ECU (about 177 million dollars). But this is only part of the Community’s assistance. The rest, tens of millions of ECU, consists of health assistance, aid for agriculture, imports of raw materials and construction parts, support for the balance of payments, and assistance in various fields. The EC’s assistance to Albania now exceeds 280 million ECU (about 365 million dollars). In the agreement that has just entered into force— [Article fragment cut off at the beginning] and Economy. Our country has built very important relations with the EC. Being a European country, Albania, which hopes for a rapid economic recovery with the help of other developed countries and especially the EC, wishes to take its rightful place on the European geopolitical map. In the autumn of last year, it was included among the beneficiaries of the EC’s economic scheme, joining the group of countries granted the Generalized System of Preferences for exports. At the same time, our country was also included in the scheme of [unclear: baptisms], for the import of raw materials and construction parts, for the balance of payments, as well as for assistance in various fields. The EC’s aid to Albania now exceeds 280 million ECU (approximately 365 million dollars). The agreement that has just entered into force is considered to provide a substantial framework for cooperation between Albania and the EC and opens the way to signing an association agreement. From today, the Community and its member states will de jure begin fulfilling their commitments to bring Albania closer into their fold. This is the shared objective of both parties to the agreement.

Albania and the Council of Europe have agreed on a special initiative for European support for constitutional and legislative reform and human rights. To implement this initiative, a Council of Europe mission composed of its senior officials is in Tirana. Mr. Tubah, on behalf of the mission, told Minister Kopliku that they had come at the President’s specific request. The mission presented the joint project it has with the European Community to train judges, lawyers, prosecutors, legal officers and public order personnel, with Switzerland and Italy as the main contributors. Minister Kopliku described the mission’s assistance as very valuable, particularly in organizing and training the police, the investigative structures and reforming the prisons.

have arrived in recent days, as part of the credit granted by that country for the mechanization of Albanian agriculture. By the end of the year, the entire consignment of 180 vehicles will have arrived. These tractors are of the “John Deere” make, with 65 horsepower and fitted with a mounted two-furrow plough. They will be sold for cash or on credit to associations of machine operators or agricultural producers, as well as to private farmers.

- Përmet - On November 29, as part of the launch of the campaign for intra-party elections, the second conference of the DP branch in Përmet held its proceedings. The DP chairman, Mr. Eduard Selami, was also present at the conference. The analytical report, prepared by a working group, was presented to the conference by Mr. Eduard Theodhori. The report analyzed the factors that led to the increase on July 26; it also analyzed the work of the temporary regional committee of the kings, led by the democrat. Other speakers supplemented the report on specific issues and raised observations about it, describing it as a report first presented by the individual himself. It was emphasized that after July 25, the organization of structures in the district began, composed entirely of socialists. The conference was also greeted by the DP chairman, Mr. Vullnet Selami. After hearing the assessments of Përmet’s democratic traditions of strikes. [illegible text] In this section of the report it was emphasized that the DP’s work should be based precisely on them. Mr. Selami emphasized that it was commendable that 64 percent of those elected in the sections were new members and that intellectuals made up 60 percent of the DP membership in the city. But the results of the local elections in your area clearly showed that the DP branch in Përmet must be restructured and reorganized—and this at a time when the district council and municipality are dominated by socialists. In addition to the territorial expansion you have achieved, you must also pay attention to quality. Mr. Selami also addressed other issues: Justice is like that precious vessel from which the crystallized achievement won on March 22 is spilling out. To reform the justice bodies, all levels must be compelled to act. Our view is that their personnel should be completely changed, or that there should be a step before the legalization of the corrupt and the establishment of justice in the system. In response to a question about relations with DP MPs, Mr. Selami replied that the DP adheres to its consistent position, namely: to cooperate with the government on reform and privatization. Mr. Theodhori Vanigjel was elected chairman of the DP branch in Përmet. - Korçë - The second conference of the DP in Korçë was held on November 30. DP chairman Mr. Eduard Selami also attended. The report delivered by Petrika Minga stressed that propaganda must be improved to explain to people that the reform will not happen without pain. On the 26th, in Korçë, we tried to coordinate with the government, but it proved apathetic in implementing the reform and supplying food products. In the district of Korçë, Mr. Minga continued, 87 percent of the land has been distributed, which is proof of the good work of the DP sections in the countryside. In total, 3,750 people joined between the two conferences. The links between the Korçë DP branch and parties abroad were also noted, including those in Ohrid, Struga, Tetovo and Kostur. The DP chairman, Mr. Eduard Selami, pointed out that the DP has one of its best branches in Korçë. It is possible, everywhere but particularly in Korçë, to show that it will bring about the long-awaited turning point. Things have begun to change, and no one can deny the progress. In the countryside, we have areas where the land has been distributed, which has brought a complete and positive change. In the city, meanwhile, the reform is facing difficulties. I noticed that there was discussion about officials appointed at this stage of the reform. You should therefore make clear that you can only make recommendations; appointments are the responsibility of government officials. The priorities should, naturally, be professionalism and commitment to the reform. Regarding foreign investment, Mr. Minga’s view was that insecurity in the Balkan region is an obstacle; I would add another factor that I consider the main one. Foreign investors cannot get through in practice: bureaucracy and administrative inefficiency. They also encounter corruption and abuses that prevent investment for interests that continue to… Mr. Selami then had to—[Continued on page 2]

Progress of draft laws is hindered by... the absence of MPs (?!)... 63 MPs IN THE CHAMBER... At the actual session on Tuesday, in the morning sitting, the People’s Assembly, after approving Mr. Nafiz Bezhani’s resignation from the post of member of the Court of Cassation, completed its approval of the draft law on trade unions; it also approved the President’s Decree “On compulsory insurance of motor vehicle owners and liability toward third parties,” as well as the draft law “On an amendment to the law ‘On pensions for members of agricultural cooperatives.’” After presenting the agenda, the session’s presiding officer, Shaqir Vukaj, deputy chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, opened Tuesday morning’s proceedings. The draft laws “On the State Sanitary Inspectorate” and “On prefectures” were to be discussed, along with the appointment of the Prosecutor General and approval of a penalty for [cut-off text] Mr. Vukaj found himself in a difficult position when it came time for the vote in principle on the draft law “On the State Sanitary Inspectorate.” No more than 63 MPs were in the chamber(?!)—a number that did not meet the required minimum of 71 MPs for a vote. For some time, MPs’ attendance at sessions has been a matter of concern. The MPs present said that the Assembly should address this issue, beginning with a review of its rules of procedure, or by holding a special session on discipline in the Assembly, and even imposing financial penalties on MPs. It was also said that some MPs had not been seen in the Assembly for several months. It seems the sanction against their salaries as MPs is dismissal from the benefits they receive through proximity or some other activity outside parliament. Perhaps, in such cases, legal sanctions should be pursued in connection with the purpose. On behalf of the Presidium, Mr. Vukaj [unclear: agj] for the cases of four cases o [Continued on page 6]

of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania on the situation in the Balkan region and measures to prevent the spread of the conflict to KOSOVO . Albania, as a European Balkan country, will not take anyone’s side in an ethnic genocide and bloody conflicts to create old or new zones of influence in the Balkans, but only the side of negotiators, peace and initiatives to stop the bloodshed. The Parliament of Albania charges the government and the entire diplomatic apparatus with implementing scrupulously this political line of peace, stability and national dignity, established by the unanimous will of the People’s Assembly. Through this Resolution, adopted that day by deputies of all parties and united parliamentary political forces, the People’s Assembly of Albania expresses its deep concern about the extremely dangerous course of events in the territories of the former Yugoslavia, due to the thirst of Serbian national chauvinism and chauvinism to create a Greater Serbia by force. Other factors inside and outside the region have also contributed to today’s Balkan crisis through their inaction or counteraction, especially those based on ethnic and religious grounds, which risk giving the conflict a global character. Albania’s direct proximity to the current and potential hotspots of conflict heightens its concern. Albania needs peace so that it can repair the all-encompassing devastation caused by totalitarianism and half a century of isolation, and avert the real danger threatening its people as well. Albania is concerned about the fate of the Albanians who live in their own lands in the former Yugoslavia, as well as about the chain reaction that the extension of the conflict to Kosovo would cause […] Under these circumstances, the reactivation of Balkan cooperation and multilateral cooperation to find peaceful initiatives that would ensure good-neighbourly relations and peace in the region is necessary and essential. Albania reaffirms unequivocally that it does not seek to change borders by force. Albania will unconditionally abide by all commitments arising from the charters of the United Nations or the Security […] […] …the start of a war in the Balkans. We call on the CSCE, the Security Council and the European Community to send observers and peacekeeping forces to Kosovo as soon as possible, as a necessary step to prevent the war from spreading to Kosovo as well. In the same spirit, the People’s Assembly proposes that Kosovo be declared a demilitarized zone under international control, which would allow life and normal activities to resume in schools and universities, the Albanian press and radio and television to resume operation, etc. The People’s Assembly of Albania also believes that a condition for stopping the war, preventing the further spread of the conflict, and a necessary step towards ensuring lasting peace in the region, is finding ways to place Serbia’s aggressive military potential, which is the basis for fuelling the war, under international control. The time limits within which the spread of the conflict can still be forestalled are extremely narrow; therefore, we Albanian parliamentarians broadly invite our colleagues in the Council of Europe and the European Parliament to give priority to developments in the former Yugoslavia, to ways of stopping the massacre in Bosnia and preventing it in Kosovo. We invite members of the parliaments of all Balkan and European countries and other countries, and call on public opinion to become seriously engaged in preventing the conflict from spreading the unanimous will of the People’s Assembly. People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania—[continues beyond the visible area] [Article fragment cut off at the beginning] their own territories in the former Yugoslavia, as well as the chain reaction that an extension into Kosovo and Macedonia would cause. Albania notes with regret that, despite its peaceful commitment, despite the embargo imposed by the Security Council and all the measures taken by the international community, the chauvinist hand martyrizing the Bosnian people has not stopped. Only thanks to the calm and restraint of Kosovo’s Albanian population has the Bosnian method not spread there as well. But however admirable this restraint may be, can it continue in occupied Kosovo, when violence and ethnic cleansing are becoming increasingly tangible and intolerable for every Albanian? Faced with this situation, to be main- [continues beyond the visible portion] [Article fragment cut off at the beginning] Albania publicly reaffirms Albania will unconditionally uphold all commitments arising from the Charter of the United Nations or the European Security framework and demands that they be implemented through dialogue and without discrimination for the peoples of the Balkans as well. Albania declares that it seeks by every means to prevent the spread of conflicts into Kosovo, which would make the situation uncontrollable. At the same time, it demands respect for the rights of Albanians living in Macedonia, who make up 40 percent of the population, to be a state-forming community in the Macedonian state. The People’s Assembly of Albania proposes an urgent high-level meeting of the CSCE and the Security Council, to analyze the problems arising from the difficult situation in the region and, in particular, measures to prevent the conflict and massacre from spreading to Kosovo as well, which would constitute—[continues] [Article fragment cut off at the beginning] would be the continuation of the peaceful measures that would ensure good neighborly relations and peace in the region; Albania publicly reaffirms beyond the visible portion]

Through this Resolution, adopted that day by deputies of all parties and united parliamentary political forces, the People’s Assembly of Albania expresses its deep concern about the extremely dangerous course of events in the territories of the former Yugoslavia, due to the thirst of Serbian national chauvinism and chauvinism to create a Greater Serbia by force.

On Saturday, 29.11.1992, the first consignment of aid for those affected in the flood-hit areas arrived at Rinas Airport. It consisted of 7,000 blankets, 50 plastic roof coverings, 170 portable beds, as well as 500 kitchen sets. The remainder of the aid to Albania will be brought by truck.