THE SHKODËR TRIAL — a trial between dictatorship and democracy We have informed our readers that some of the participants in the anti-communist revolt in Shkodër have been released. TV is increasingly sinking into the mud of nonsense, in the attempt to deny this historical event of great dramatic proportions. These days TV is playing a dirty role in shaping public opinion, not only by denying the anti-communist revolt, but also by raising question marks over the punishment of the criminals of that time. It seems that this idea has been put forward deliberately, in order to save from responsibility those who ordered the shooting and the massacre. There is no doubt that in Shkodër we are dealing with a process that goes beyond the boundaries of an ordinary criminal case. This is a process with a strong moral, political and historical charge. On the dock should not be only the direct executor, but the entire repressive mechanism that made the crime possible. Shkodër rose up against the dictatorship. People took to the streets for freedom, dignity and pluralism. Opposite them stood the blind violence of the totalitarian state. This clash cannot be relativized. It must be called by its proper name: a confrontation between dictatorship and democracy. Today the Shkodër trial is a test for Albanian justice, for its ability to break away from the terrifying legacy of the past and to hold the real perpetrators of the crime to account. In this sense, this trial belongs not only to Shkodër, but to all of Albania. (Continues on page 4)

Brussels, the EC officially decided to extend until mid-1993 the expiration date of the fund allocated to Albania for imports, and also decided to allocate a further 90 million dollars. The European Commission's decision was taken after the visit to Brussels of the Albanian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Genc Ruli. There is absolutely no question of drawing up a new aid program or of transplanting the market economy and the essential food and industrial imports, the office of Commissioner Van den Bruk said. The measure is temporary in nature and is linked to the need to determine new needs arising from the background of changes that took place during 1991-1992. As is known, the previously unused fund of 250 million dollars, allocated to our country in September 1991, will expire in mid-next year. The European Commission also approved yesterday aid of 90 million dollars for Albania to finance important imports for the ongoing reform of the country's economy. This new aid will finance goods and services from all supplier countries, with the exception of food, pharmaceutical products, construction materials and fuels. This special aid, which will be added to the aid of 300 million ECU previously approved for Albania, will be financed from the budget line for aid to Central and Eastern Europe. On 10.12.1992, under the chairmanship of the PDSH leader Dr. Sali Berisha, a meeting of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party was held. This was a regular group meeting at which various issues related to the activity of the People's Assembly were discussed responsibly. The discussion focused mainly on economic issues, especially the draft land law and the draft budget for 1993, as well as other current issues of importance for the country.

Working meeting of the PD delegation from Tirana

Where are the SNIPERS? In both court cases a troubling question accompanies us: where are those who fired from a distance, who gave the order, who hid the weapons, who erased the traces? (Continues on page 4)

Prime Minister Meksi answers questions concerning the functioning of local government Yesterday the session of questions addressed to the government continued in the People's Assembly. Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi answered the deputies' questions regarding the functioning of local government, the administration and the implementation of reforms. In his response, the Prime Minister emphasized that the building of local government is part of the country's overall democratic and economic reform. He underlined the need to clarify the powers between the center and the local bodies, as well as the necessity of increasing the responsibility of the local administration. There was discussion of the financial difficulties of municipalities and communes, the lack of administrative experience and the need to train personnel. It was also stressed that the government aims to improve the legal framework and the working practice of local government bodies. During the debate, deputies also raised issues of public services, public order, supply and the relations between prefectures and local councils. (Continues on page 4)

During these days, at a time when efforts are being made to establish law and order, the need for a full clarification of responsibility for the crimes of the past is being felt even more strongly. Public opinion demands that the authors and organizers of violence, internments, executions and human-rights violations be brought before justice. There can be no reconciliation with the past without the truth being told. There can be no rule of law without establishing individual and institutional responsibilities. It is precisely in this context that the question arises: who are the criminals? Those who ordered it, those who carried it out zealously, those who devised the mechanisms of terror, those who remained silent in the face of the crime, and those who benefited from it. Albanian society needs justice, not revenge; transparency, not obscurity; a reappraisal of historical memory, not amnesia. (Continues on page 4)

the final goal of the uninterrupted On this issue, the Shkodër perspective is discussed at length, which is published on page 4

In the premises where exhibitions and other cultural activities had been presented, a joint Franco-Albanian event took place. There was discussion of cultural relations, exchanges and possibilities for future cooperation. The participants emphasized the importance of cultural rapprochement and mutual knowledge between the two countries, as well as the role of intellectuals and artists in building bridges of understanding. The event was received with interest by the public. (Continues on page 6)