The draft law “On certain amendments to Law No. 7514, dated 30.9.1991, ‘On the exoneration and amnesty of former political prisoners or persecuted persons’” was approved. - Former political prisoners are entitled to compensation for the time spent in prison and labor camps. The well-known humane maxim, “Better seven guilty people outside than one innocent person inside,” formed the credo of the draft law in question, which benefits all those convicted of political crimes during the era of dictatorship and beyond. Proposed by a group of deputies, on Thursday it was the sole item of business on the final day of this week’s proceedings in the People’s Assembly. The need for this draft law arose from the curtailment and denial of rights by the existing law, based on the laws of the dictatorship, which had been denied to a large number of politically persecuted people. Thus, among other things, Fullci’s work was considered espionage, and his students and acquaintances were sentenced as spies. Similarly, those who had not been convicted in a regular judicial proceeding could hardly be called guilty: this included people who died during interrogation, those executed without trial, and those killed while fleeing or at the border, as well as those who surrendered to Yugoslav courts and were sentenced by them. The approved draft law grants former political prisoners the right to compensation for the days spent in prison or labor camps. For pension purposes, time served in prison is counted as twice its actual duration. If the former convict is deceased, the compensation goes to their family members or legal heirs. Excluded from the benefit of exoneration are former convicts who held senior state and Party positions and whose convictions resulted from a struggle for power, rather than from their refusal to accept the dictatorship. They nevertheless have the right to prove, through a trial, their activities against the communist dictatorship. Furthermore, any political or state force, state body, group of people, or individual may request a retrial in order to exclude a political convict from benefiting under this law. Thus, with the approval of this law, the legal dimension of the exoneration of former political convicts becomes complete. Those who suffered under the dictatorship thereby gain recognition for their past contributions and the blood they shed in the communist gulag. Prepared by: R. SULÇE

At the Tirana court, the trial of the defendant Nexhmije Hoxha and the defendant Kino Buxheli lasted six consecutive days. During the judicial investigation, questioning more than 45 witnesses and examining evidence and documents shed light on the activities of the defendant Nexhmije Hoxha in appropriating state property from 1985 through 1991. So, as you can see, she was tried over six days for the embezzlement and misappropriation committed by the block elite over only six years. She must also answer for another 41 years of her rule as a member of the block, since, according to a witness, her political leadership was established as early as 1945, on the day the Palace of Brigades opened. Above all, Nexhmija must also answer for the thefts of gold. In addition, she must be charged with genocide committed against the people for 47 years. She must answer for all of this, because she was the most dangerous mafia in the red dome. The scenarios were devised by Nexhija and Ramua and approved by the dictator Enver Hoxha. All the witnesses questioned replied that orders for abuses came from the red dome and no one had the right not only to oppose them but even to discuss them. The director of the Directorate was green. Now that the lid has been removed, it has released the filth committed over 47 years by the red mafia. Three witnesses were consistent in their dirty activities as defendants. They were Ramiz Alia, head of the red dome, who, when questioned as a witness about the Hoxha family’s appropriation of property, replied that everything had been done on his orders to provide for this family during the last six years. Apparently the many charges weighing on Ramiz do not trouble him, and he wants to take responsibility for Nexhmije’s thefts too. That is what one calls the devotion of a communist militant. But let us see what our comrade Ramiz will say about the mafia members he tried to cover up by calling these expenses justified. It is well known that Shane Korbeci was an actor in the red mafia, and he cannot do otherwise, because if he exposes it, the mafia law—which is more merciless than the laws of the Penal Code—awaits him. For Shane’s own good, he should be charged for his deeds. As for Dashnor Andoni, he should have been charged for the order he gave to burn the documentation of the block’s post-blocks on February 21, 1991. As emerged during the judicial investigation, Dashnor Andoni was one of the red mafia’s loyal and trusted guards. Article 62 of the Penal Code under which Nexhmije Hoxha is charged provides for seven years or more. Thus, the sentence is no less than seven years. As stated above, Nexhmija is being sentenced under this article only for the appropriation she committed over six years. She will pay for the other crimes when the entire red dome, headed by Tano Karidi—as the people have called Ramiz Alia—sits in the dock. The day when the members of the Political Bureau are tried is very near, and the charges against them are serious. Their unprecedented crimes are not covered by any penal code. The prosecutor was given until Thursday, 21.1.1993, to deliver the closing argument against the defendants: Nexhmije Hoxha and Kino Buxheli. The presiding judge, Mr. M. Kushi, ordered that the proceedings be broadcast on radio and television; the press was likewise permitted to report any information concerning the trial. The court session resumes on 20.1.1993. How long will Nexhmija be sentenced for? During her rule, anyone who caused even a 500,000 old lekë deficit was unquestionably put before a firing squad. Nexhmija is charged with theft of 764,152 new lekë, that is, eleven times the amount that [the text breaks off] ...Ramiz Alia, chairman of the red clique, embezzlement, provide for this family during the past six years. Apparently, the many accusations weighing on Ramiz have not gone in one ear and out the other, and he wants to take responsibility for Nexhmije’s thefts as well. That is what you call the loyalty of a communist militant. But we shall see what Comrade Ramiz has to say on the day he himself sits in the dock to answer for his actions. And he knows very well what charges he faces. The witness Shanen Korbeci, former Minister of Foreign Trade, also [spoke about] the misuse of foreign currency by Nexhmije’s wayward children. ...were Ramiz Alia, chairman of the red clique, embezzlement, wayward children.

PRESIDENT BERISHA ATTENDS The day before yesterday, public order officers experienced a memorable day. They celebrated the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the police. Yesterday, the anniversary was commemorated with a full program of activities. At 10:00, the celebratory meeting organized for the occasion began at the National Theatre. Public order officers had come from all districts of the country, along with intellectuals, deputies, ministers, party leaders, and representatives of the Association of the Politically Persecuted. The [text unclear] accredited in Albania had also come to the ceremony, among others. The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, was also present. After the opening speech by the Minister ... emphasized the humanitarian dimension of the Albanian police in today’s democratic system. Sali Berisha then took the floor, congratulated the public order forces, and sent them warm greetings on the occasion of the holiday. Public order officers, he emphasized, embody honest people, people who make great sacrifices, and defenders of the laws of the democratic state. In recognition of exceptional service to public order during the democratic government, Sali Berisha presented the Minister of Public Order, Mr. Bashkim Kopliku, with the “Order of Freedom, First Class,” and promoted Astrit Mehja to the rank of “Major General.” ...lik, Mr. Hajri Mezini, speaking on behalf of the public order forces, thanked those present and assured the President and the Government that the public order forces were committed to reform and the restoration of public peace. After the meeting, those present visited the exhibition specially opened for the occasion at the Ministry of Public Order’s Palace of Culture. After that, all the guests watched with interest a display of the physical training of public order officers in the Republic Garden, where demonstrations of karate, wrestling, boxing, parallel bars, basic sambo acrobatics, and, in particular, a successful reenactment by the officers of the capture of a terrorist gang stood out. In the afternoon, a reception was held for those present at the Military Cultural Center. RD correspondent ...the country’s [unclear] ruins, ministers, deputies, senior officials of the representative authorities, representatives of the association, and political representatives from foreign embassies accredited in Albania, etc. President of the Republic Mr. Sali Berisha had also come to attend this ceremony. After the opening speech by the Minister of Public Order, Mr. Bashkim Kopliku, Mr. Astrit Mehja, Deputy Minister of Public Order, recalled the activities of the law-enforcement forces over these 80 years and

- Mr. Arbnori’s meeting with Mr. Mesiç - The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Stipe Mesiç, arrived in our country. He was welcomed and held talks with the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori. The discussions focused on the need to develop relations between our two countries and parliaments. Mr. Arbnori briefed his counterpart on the main directions of our state policy, while (Continued on page 4)

Eduard Selami, Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee of the People’s Assembly, received the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Stipe Mesiç, and the delegation he headed. Mr. Selami described this visit as a sign of cooperation between the two countries. “We are interested in strengthening relations with Croatia; as fellow Balkan countries, we can coordinate our efforts to consolidate democracy, peace, and security in (Continued on page 4)

- 10 years’ imprisonment for bribe-takers. Criminal liability also for bribe-givers. Amnesty for those who report the offense before criminal proceedings begin. “The character and nature of the rule-of-law state, the kind of state we aspire to build, are reflected in its stance and in the fight it wages against corruption, a phenomenon that must be combated today.” This was said in the People’s Assembly at the start of Tuesday’s proceedings. The amendments approved to Article 109 of the Penal Code also serve this purpose, namely strengthening the fight against corruption. Until now, this struggle has not been waged sufficiently or properly, particularly against people who give bribes. As before, people who take bribes are punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The act of people who offer bribes—those who try to corrupt others entrusted with state duties, referred to as bribe-takers—was also deemed criminally punishable. However, in the latter case, in view of certain situations observed in everyday practice, a restriction was introduced that is considered justified under our circumstances. Consequently, offering a bribe is exempt from criminal liability if, before criminal proceedings are initiated or the criminal case begins, the person reports to the relevant state authorities the offenses they have committed and that have taken place. - To regulate the settlement of the value of aid: a fine of 10,000 lekë. Confiscation of the goods up to

According to an approximate calculation by the relevant specialists, an additional investment of 600 million lek is needed to complete the apartments left half-finished through voluntary contributions. The enterprises that have begun the work now say they are unable to cover such sums. For this reason, it is thought that these apartment blocks will soon be transferred to other entities with the capacity to invest. WHEN THE BARBER EARNS MORE THAN THE DEPUTY The employees have sold the «Rrojtore» barbershop, located near the «Skënderbeu» photo studio, to another entity. Now these employees are rubbing their hands with delight, because the bank interest alone on the sum for which they sold the shop gives them, even while staying at home, an income higher than a deputy’s salary! MR. LLESHI

On January 14, at the invitation of the chairman of the European Democratic Union (EDU), the chairman of PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, left for Estonia. He will participate in a meeting of the EDU Governing Council on the topic: «The Structure of Europe and European Politics». Press and Information Office of the Democratic Party

Yesterday morning, on January 14, 1993, a group of miners from the Valias mine protested in front of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, because this ministry has not provided them with working conditions. Specifically, yesterday around 1,500 miners did not report to work because of a lack of transportation. The director of the bus depot explained the shortage of buses by saying that the contracting party had not made the payment of 600,000 lek.

— 10 years’ imprisonment for bribe-takers. Criminal liability also for bribe-givers. Immunity for those who report the offence before criminal proceedings begin. The character and nature of the rule-of-law state, the state we aspire to build anew, are reflected in the position it takes and in the fight it wages against corruption. This was stated in the People’s Assembly at the opening the Criminal corruption. The article had not, until now, been enforced sufficiently or as it should have been, particularly against people who offer bribes. As before, people who accept actions of people who offer bribes were likewise deemed criminally punishable, including attempts to corrupt other people entrusted with state duties, referred to as bribe-takers. However, in the latter case, in view of certain practices observed in everyday life, a limitation was introduced that is considered justified under our conditions. Consequently, a person who offers proceedings or the opening of a criminal case, they personally report to the relevant state authorities the offences they have committed and that have been carried out. To regulate lek. Confiscation of goods up to ... The unpaid amount. This regulation is to be served by the draft presidential decree initially submitted under the title «On regulating payment of the value of food aid», but, following a proposal by deputies, its scope was expanded to include all types of aid, hence: «On regulating payment of the value of aid». This is another absolutely necessary step at a time when aid is being subjected to so much speculation. It was decided that the provisions of this decree would apply to all state aid that has arrived in Albania to date. In the event of a breach of these deadlines, first-time offenders are to be fined 10,000 lek. In the event of a repeat offence, the goods are confiscated up to the value of the unpaid amount. The draft law «On Seeds and Seedlings» is approved. At the afternoon session, after approving the President’s draft decree on regulating payment of the value of aid, the Assembly continued its proceedings with discussion of the draft law «On Seeds and Seedlings», which is important for the current state of agriculture. Discussion and approval of this draft law in its entirety brought Tuesday’s proceedings to a close. On Wednesday, the Assembly continued its work in parliamentary groups. «RD» correspondent

STATE INSPECTION SERVICE IN ACTION Pursuant to the President’s decree, the State Inspection Service has deployed inspection teams in Tirana and in other districts as well. They are verifying whether private businesses are operating regularly, the sources of their income for construction projects without permits, etc. THE «HOXHEJ» COMPANY IS NOT BEING GIVEN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE Although the «HOXHEJ» company is ready to invest an initial sum of 64 million dollars in building the Commercial, Administrative and Residential Center in the heart of the capital, it has not yet begun work. As the company’s representative explains, the reason for this is the Chamber of Commerce, which refuses to vacate the construction site. IDAJET BEQIRI WILL NOT LEAVE HIS BARRICADE Although Tirana Municipality has decided that PUK should vacate its offices and move into some premises in the ZERI TE POPULLIT building, Mr. IDAJET BEQIRI will not leave his barricade. Apparently, he is waiting for the police to remove him instead. NEW STEPS TOWARD PRIVATIZATION Enterprises in the trade system are preparing the necessary documents and will soon undergo the privatization process. 10,000 TONS OF COAL FROM RUSSIA — BELOW STANDARD It has been reported that, as part of measures to heat the population, the Ministry of Construction... contracted a Russian company for a considerable quantity of coal. Thus, the first shipment of 10,000 tons arrived. But when the coal «sacks» were opened, it turned out to be in powder form, and therefore unusable by the population. It has still not been made clear whether the trick was perpetrated here or whether it was imported.

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