SPEECH BY MR EDUARD SELAMI AT THE MEETING OF THE PD NATIONAL COUNCIL These two months have shown that what we asked for and decided to accomplish at our last meeting during the plenary discussion was entirely right and necessary in order to advance political and liberal economic reform in Albania. Today, at this meeting reviewing the first decisions, I want to say that, in general, these decisions have been chosen or have entered the path toward resolution. Thus, the point about determining work priorities at all levels, setting the time, deadlines, methods and means for carrying them out should be judged as the most correct and fruitful. And this practice that we established must be maintained. It must continue as a very important condition for making it possible to coordinate and harmonize efforts, work and results, as well as to see concretely where the work is going wrong and why. The decisions and priorities we set during these two months have been followed continuously at the weekly meetings of the PD presidium at the central and district levels, at meetings of the parliamentary group together with the government, and at meetings of branch councils with MPs and representatives of local government. Today we have come together to take a final stock and set new priorities. During these 10 months of our democratic government, intensive work has been done to implement the PD program, and there have been significant achievements in the progress of the Reform. It is a fact that one of the key points of our election campaign, “We guarantee law and order and peace,” has now almost been fulfilled. Likewise, intensive efforts have been made to establish ties with Europe, America and the world, and a foreign policy has been pursued in keeping with our national interests and adapted to the new circumstances of the time. The launch of economic and political reform, which expresses the essence of our program, must be viewed positively in light of the number of problems that have accumulated. In this context, the current political situation and the economy of the poorest and most conservative communist country should, overall, be considered positive, 10 months after the establishment of the first democratic government in Albania in 50 years of dictatorship. It must be said that the real and natural difficulties of the transition have been compounded by concerns arising from the destructive policy of extreme nihilism and savage attacks against the PD, parliament and democratic government by Albanian communist conservatives aligned under the name of the Socialist Party. This destructive, denying spirit, which at times takes on the dimensions of an anti-national campaign, given the extremely difficult situation in the region where we live, aims to overthrow democracy at any cost and destabilize the country in order to make it easier to convert political power into economic power, according to the principle “the wolf seeks fog.” While assessing what has been done during these 10 months, it is also essential to examine what has not been done and what could be done better at every level: in the work of the PD itself, parliament, local government and central government. And if we wanted a concrete analysis to see practically how things have been imple- (Continued on page 4)

The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, stopped in Tirana yesterday for a brief visit. He met and held talks with the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha. Their discussion covered the latest developments in Kosovo, positions and future efforts to resolve our national question, and the results achieved so far by the UN in resolving the protracted and highly dangerous crisis in the former Yugoslav federation, etc. During this discussion, the two sides once again expressed the alignment of their views and positions on the issues discussed. RD correspondent

From the visit of our delegation to the Arab Republic of Egypt TIRANA, 22 January — The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Arjan Starova, has concluded an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. During his stay in Cairo, Mr. Starova and the delegation he led were received by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Ismail Mubarak. The talks between the two delegations focused on bilateral relations, opportunities for cooperation and concrete draft agreements that will pave the way for further cooperation. The further development of relations between our two countries, Deputy Minister Starova emphasized, is encouraged by Albania’s new political outlook, open and free of prejudice, and at the same time reflects the goodwill of both sides. Albania offers its natural and spiritual potential for this cooperation. Speaking about the progress of the processes, he emphasized the serious commitment of the Go- (Continued on page 2)

To conduct an interview concerning the many concerns evident in the industrial sector, and especially in the mines of our country, we approached the head of this ministry, Mr. Abdyl Xhaja. That day, the minister in question was very busy receiving and seeing off the managers of various enterprises, and even MPs from the Socialist Party. For that reason, after sipping coffee with them, he left his office and “courteously” asked me to come back the day after tomorrow. I accepted all this, thinking that the minister was not joking and that he truly had a lot of work ahead, regardless of how much he had resolved so far. But Mr. Xhaja apparently has no intention of commenting to the press and, not wanting to offend anyone, thinks he can put it off with “come today, come tomorrow,” as if journalists had nothing else to do but trail after him. This was confirmed the following day, when at last he “commented” by leaving word with his secretary that he had no intention of giving an interview and would assign someone else, so I should come back another day (!). Mr. Minister, your lack of willingness to be transparent places a greater burden of responsibility on you than the large accumulation of problems in your sector. Mr. LL. Priorities and deadlines for their implementation. Among these priorities, the National Council notes that, above all, attention must be given to privatizing the economy and introducing foreign investment; completing several fundamental laws stemming from the PD’s electoral program, such as the constitutional chapter on human rights and freedoms, laws on property, the press law, etc.; deepening administrative reform with the aim of establishing a new concept of the state administration and bringing the rule of law up to standard; and intensifying the fight against corruption. Taking into account the progress of work to date, it is believed to be in the interest of increasing the government’s effectiveness to deepen institutional reform. Achieving the progress set out by this National Council will strengthen and advance economic, political and social reform in Albania, as the only solution for overcoming the transition. The PD National Council. These points, taken separately, ... [The text then continues with fragmented and apparently jumbled newspaper text:] ... over the political arrogance of President Berisha, who “doesn’t care not only about parliament, but also about the president of the ‘Alliance’ and the independent newspaper ‘Koha jonë.’” Mr. Ceka confirmed that his “respected” party does not favor a parliamentary crisis, but said that it would use the transitional period of the Democratic officeholders, which coincides with the compulsory four-year term of Messrs. Pashko and Çupi as former officeholders—thus immediately outside the “Alliance” lobby—for electoral diversity. (Alsni) TRIM ... [fragmentary text as printed:] ... or m e cion tik? 7) të mu- «pava- shkodrane tikullin e «Skandal cion se nencationi istri i Fi- iëse, zoti tare kalon mbargon e avistë në ndërimit ths hme e lidhur dritë muri ur- 1.1993 kon- totit e ndh- ufitare, ajo i i Shtetit nd kontrollit he Malësi en 4)

Recently, the “Democratic Alliance” organized an introductory meeting in the bust-less town of Rrëshen with socialists, laborists and pensioners. Democrats and independent intellectuals also attended. The first to speak in the honorary presidium was the respected president of this party, Mr. Neritan Ceka. Having persuasively explained the historical urgency of this party, he clearly and simply proclaimed—without using either chisel or hammer—the short-term tactics and strategy of this Alternative. As became clear from Mr. Ceka’s panoramic overview, the political platform of this party was based on the fatal mistakes of the PD, its economic crime, the political myopia of its leaders with bad biographies and, in particular, that his party, which he called “res- The “president’s” calculations were interrupted from time to time by applause and socialist ovations, especially at those moments when he touched, with a certain degree of excitement, on “President Berisha’s fatal and irreparable mistakes.” After Ceka, Mr. Arben Imami spoke, touching in his address on issues of the party’s internal organization, the government’s foreign policy, etc. It was noticeable that the organization, ...

The National Council of the DP notes that during these 10 months of democratic governance, fundamental achievements have been made in accordance with the DP’s electoral platform. Establishing public order and security, overcoming prolonged isolation, beginning economic reform, gradually establishing the rule of law, and reforming the administration are among the first achievements of these months. Democratic members of parliament and government officials at all central and local levels have pursued a policy of protecting Albania’s national interests, establishing the rule of law, and finding the fastest means and safest ways to establish a market economy. After 10 months since the beginning of reform, the political situation in Albania has stabilized. Compared with the problems and difficulties it inherited, Albania is among the former communist countries absorbing the transition of society and the establishment of a market economy more calmly. Despite this, there is no doubt that our objectives, and those of all democratic forces, must continue to advance. The meeting expressed the view that, at the current stage of reform, we are also confronted with weaknesses and shortcomings related to a lack of experience and the difficulties and unemployment of the transition. We note that the natural difficulties brought by this period of transition are compounded by concerns arising from the destructive and nihilistic M-L-style politics of Albania’s conservative communists. Given the importance of this historic moment and the extremely delicate situation of the region in which we live, this destructive and denialist spirit increasingly takes on the dimensions of an anti-national act. While recognizing the progress and results of the reform, as well as the government’s work to date, we also stress the need to accelerate the pace and increase the government’s effectiveness. The work done so far shows that setting priorities and deadlines for their achievement is decisive for the successful implementation of the reform. attention must be given to privatizing the economy and bringing in foreign investment; completing several fundamental laws arising from the DP’s and freedoms, laws on ownership, the law on the press, etc.; deepening administrative reform with the aim of developing a new concept of state administration and bringing it more in line with the standards of the rule of law; and intensifying the fight against corruption. Considering the progress of the work to date, we believe that deepening institutional reform is in the interest of increasing the government’s effectiveness. Achieving the advances identified by this National Council will strengthen and further only way to overcome the transition. National Council of the DP

FROM THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE DP Yesterday, on January 23, 1993, the latest meeting of the National Council of the DP began its proceedings. The meeting of the National Council primarily analyzed all activities and the implementation of the priorities set at its first meeting for deepening democratic reform, while also setting further priorities for the period ahead. Attending the meeting were the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha; the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori; and the Prime Minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, all members of the DP’s governing council. Mr. Eduart Selami, Chairman of the DP, opening the meeting, pointed out that the information presented at the first meeting of the Governing Council had been seriously considered by the DP and its government. Human freedoms and rights, a high dimension of democracy The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, speaking at the meeting of the National Council, stressed that the coming year is decisive for the reasonable victory of democracy. From the victory of March 22 until now, democracy in Albania has experienced its longest parliamentary life, but there have also been many destabilizing, conservative efforts, which have been evident. During this period, the Meksi Government achieved positive successes, particularly in its foreign policy and in laying the necessary foundations for deepening reform. The President Berisha particularly emphasized that progress had been made in respecting human freedoms and rights. As a center-right party, the DP is especially committed to respecting these principles u- (Continued on page 4)

For what you wrote in «ZP» on 20. I. 1993, I would give two marks of 10: one for composition and one for imagination (what the people call lies), also 10. You, Mrs. Fatbardha Dega, as you yourself say, while serving as director of the state bank in B. Curri, carried out your duties in a classic way by taking 750 million lek from its cash reserves; in record time, on a date without any repayment guarantee or banking procedure, 430 million of which will never be returned to the state treasury. Even in court, your clients(?) who had received loans of 10–12, up to 22 million lek, admitted that they would never return this money to the state treasury. Giving a 22-million-lolek loan to someone without any guarantee—not a mortgage, not even a written request—is unacceptable to any economist. But only your questionable conscience allowed everything. 1. I accuse your conscience because it drove you to put all those untruths (lies) on paper. I’ll start with the first: You claim that when you were arrested you were pregnant, whereas I say that my very first question when I detained you was, «Are you pregnant?» 2. You claim that while in isolation you fainted and that we called for a doctor. This is also untrue. You asked for a doctor after suffering kidney attacks, which, according to your husband, were chronic and treated with antibiotics. I asked your husband: Do you want to take her to Tirana, where medical care is more acceptable? But your husband replied that I should get your consent. This also refutes your claim that I had it in for you. By nature, I am not in the habit of rejoicing at another person’s misfortune, whereas one thing you say is true: I never came alone to the isolation rooms, but was always accompanied, and if the service employee confirms what you say, I will accept all your statements as true. My only question was this: Do you need to go to the hospital? — Yes. — Where would you like us to take you, here in B. Curri or to Tirana? You answered: Here in B. Curri, because I am near my children. That is all, and nothing else. One more thing, Mrs. Fatbardha. Without examining the doctor SH. M.’s incomplete report in depth, I never once raised the suspicion that the report contained a questionable diagnosis, since it has only one genuine signature. The second was added without examining you at all, because its author was in Shkodër. Periodic cleansing, which a woman may undergo, is always accompanied by the loss of the infant whom you so lovingly defend and raise your voice for, for which I commend you. You took advantage of democracy and its new, humane people. You took advantage of the transition and corruption and swam in the money of the poor people of Tropojë, taking 750 million lek out of their mouths (understand: the value of the lek at that time), and made a name for yourself as a powerful creditor at Hajdin Sejdisë’s bank. I had only two questions for you: 1. How many poor people received loans from your bank to build houses or buy livestock? 2. If this had been a private bank and you had not been a bank-thief, what would you have done when 1992 came to a close (Continued on page 4)