In recent days, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a statement in which it seeks to dictate to the Albanian Parliament how it should draft the law on relations between the state and the church in Albania. This irresponsible statement is also accompanied by certain diplomatic actions by the Greek Government, which are in open contradiction with international norms. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania considers it appropriate to reject the statement and these actions as interference in Albania’s internal affairs. The drafting of laws in general, and of the law on relations between the state and the churches in particular, is the exclusive sovereign right of the Albanian Parliament, and no one has the right to interfere or dictate in this regard. Even before this law has been discussed in Parliament, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs declares that the Greek side allows itself to presume what this law will be like—an act unacceptable for a democratic state. The Government of the Republic of Albania has complied, and continues to comply, with all the requirements and norms of international legal instruments in drafting the laws of the new democratic Albanian state, and for this it enjoys a broad reputation in the civilized world. But respect for democracy does not mean that it will tolerate an infringement of the sovereignty of Parliament or the Albanian people. Minorities in Albania enjoy all the rights to which they are entitled under the Helsinki Act and other international documents. The law on religion has nothing to do with minority rights, nor with any particular religion, but concerns all denominations in Albania, which live in complete harmony in our country. The statements of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs express old mentalities and nostalgia, which we would hope had been overcome in Athens. At the same time, we wish to emphasize that good and peaceful relations between our two countries, which we hope will progress, are in the interests of both sides and both our peoples. Tirana, January 27, 1993

, one of the main pillars of democracy — 110 laws approved in 8 months — All communist laws must be rewritten. — Speeding up the work is key to solving many problems. — A paradox: Socialist deputies vote “in favor” of reform laws while the “P” launches a furious campaign against them. — Politics is not conducted with resentment but with cool judgment. — Today there are no first-class and second-class deputies — PJETER ARBNORI, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly During the past year, Parliament, the highest body of the Republic of Albania, has proved itself to be one of the main pillars of democracy. Our dream was freedom of thought, which had never flourished in Albania. Our desire was pluralism. Today we have achieved it. Our demand is diversity of opinion within the parliamentary group, and we have this diversity in full without going outside the program of the Democratic Party. We must always fight for this principle and never consider ourselves perfect. The past nine months have been highly productive. Find a parliament anywhere in the world that has approved more than 110 laws and amendments in all its working months; find a parliamentary body anywhere in the world that has met in plenary session four days every week for eleven months of the year. All communist laws must be rewritten. There have been and will continue to be two main directions for legislation. For fundamental laws such as the Constitution, the codes, and reform laws, there is a kind of long-term plan, and teams of jurists work step by step… …change, you must obey the majority and implement its decision. If you cannot convince the majority with arguments, consider whether you are perhaps standing on your head, or whether you do not know how to persuade others that your position is right. Stubbornly imposing yourself on others is a bad sign. Our people say, “A cool heart pleases the eyes.” We have suffered from a lack of coordination with the Prime Minister’s Office, something that must be corrected as soon as possible. Another major shortcoming is that key draft laws should first be reviewed by the Presidium, which should then give its opinion on them. Third, we must invigorate the committees of the People’s Assembly and give them their proper role in reviewing draft laws, as well as in overseeing the Government’s implementation of them. Material shortages and a lack of competent personnel have hindered our work. We have reorganized the administration throughout the foreign affairs sector, among the legal advisers, and in the secretariat. The lack of offices is a problem. Even though we moved to the new building, we still lack offices for the committees, typewriters, and equipment for rapid printing of the official gazette. The Constitutional Court occupies the heart of the Assembly Presidium and needs a building of its own. The problem of transporting deputies has not been solved, despite the 26 cars provided to us. Despite the considerable workload, parliamentary discipline is unsatisfactory. Schedules are not observed in committees; there are many absences, and so on. Approval of the budget of the People’s Assembly, which falls within its competence, must also be resolved. We are not satisfied with the coverage of Parliament’s work in the newspaper “RD.” This is the fault of both sides: deputies do not submit written statements, but “RD” correspondents also do not press their requests. With the arrival of democracy, the roads to Europe and the world opened up to our Parliament as if by magic. Relations with the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe are excellent. President Martinez himself and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Katerinë Lalymier, have visited us; they have continually received and supported us. With their help, we have organized meetings, seminars, and training programs. We have good relations with the European Parliament and its President, Egon Kle[?]ch, whom I met in Brussels; he has officially invited me again this spring. Visits by delegations to France, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, England, Russia, China, Hungary, Romania, Egypt, the USA, and many other countries from which we have invitations have helped and will continue to help with the exchange of experience and knowledge. We have taken care to ensure that all delegations are pluralistic and composed of deputies who have not previously been abroad, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn about the world, parliamentary institutions, and legislation. It would be good to coordinate the work of the People’s Assembly, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Presidency in order to avoid unnecessary repetition of trips by the same people and prevent the impression that there are elected deputies and second-class deputies. The Democratic Party’s deputies have proved themselves in difficult situations; they have spoken brilliantly, are combative and politically energetic, and have risen to the occasion. The best proof was the session requested by several independent, Social Democratic, and a few Socialist deputies, who sought the dismissal of the governing council of RTSH. That motion turned against those who proposed it, according to the principle, “A shepherd’s crook drives the sheep and [??] the ears.” All deputies of this legislature, and those who come after them, should understand clearly that a deputy is everything. ...assistance. A parliament of just 86 deputies, which passed more than 110 laws and amendments to laws in eight effective months, was a parliament unlike any other in the world, convening of the year. All the communist laws have to be redrafted. There have been and will as the Constitution, the codes, and reform laws that set out a certain long-term plan, teams of jurists are working step by step to prepare the relevant drafts. The chapter on Human Rights and Freedoms, which is the foundation of the future Constitution, has been drafted. The final discussion has begun, and as soon as it is approved by the Commission, it will be submitted to the People’s Assembly. This will also pave the way for our admission to the Council of Europe. Important laws have been passed, such as those on Independence and Compensation for Former Political Prisoners, Housing Privatization, Investments, etc. But the Assembly has another task as well: passing minor laws or amendments needed to give the government room to address day-to-day problems. This is unavoidable when we find ourselves constrained by outdated laws in every sphere of life. The main complaints, from both outside and inside Parliament, concern the delay in amending the land law, under which former owners are to be compensated; the stalling of the draft law on opening the files on politicians; delays in the draft law on the return of property, etc. If the work were speeded up, many urgent problems would be resolved. Above all, this would put a stop to taking the law into one’s own hands and the arbitrary occupation of houses and land, the main scourge of this period. The People’s Assembly often works under conditions of tension and heavy pressure, and this is connected to the campaign of destabilization programmed by conservative-communist forces, which unfortunately sometimes dominate within a parliamentary group. For how can it be explained that a parliamentary group, depending on the case, votes in favor of laws, while in most cases the opposition votes for all those reforms, and the opposition’s press calls all the measures adopted under these laws unconstitutional and campaigns against their implementation?! How can it be explained that everyone raised the green voting card for price liberalization, and then an anti-capitalist campaign was launched to turn public opinion against that decision?! Or how can it be explained that the president brings motions of no confidence against the minister, interpellations, and motions of no confidence against the Foreign Affairs ministers, even though the reform in this ministry has been quite successful? Albanian ministers who were well known in the country are now forging ties, for the first time, with most of the democratic countries in the world. Could the old communists around the world be offended? Could prominent figures be offended that we are no longer isolated, and that various dignitaries are coming to our country? Who used to come here before—world figures and Marxist-Leninists? Why did Mitroq[a?]i come—only Marxist-Leninists? Why did the minister himself come, or is it that Scalfaro wants Minister Demireli removed, or why is Pope John Paul II coming for a visit in April! We have a lively group of deputies from the majority, which is stronger now that it has been reduced to 86 deputies. The six deputies behind the motion, if they act by democratic means, would always have had a place among us. We never exclude anyone, except over a fundamental cause: this is how politics should be conducted, whether one is in the minority because of an opinion or a position.

“Since the majority of deputies… is not present… we will continue in the parliamentary groups.” “Since the majority of deputies is not present, for the time being we will adjourn. We’ll wait another half hour, and if a few more arrive, we’ll begin the plenary session; otherwise, we’ll continue our work in the parliamentary groups…” That is what Mr. Tomorr Malasi said to the few deputies present at the start of Wednesday afternoon’s plenary session. In fact, after dozens of minutes, the deputies returned to the plenary hall. “Since the majority of deputies is present, we begin the proceedings…” was the sentence, delivered with the same monotony, with which the session’s chair, Mr. Malasi, addressed those present this time. The draft law “On the commercial register…” lay on their desks, urgently awaiting approval so it could be added to the other “bones” approved at the end of last year… But it was not to be… Continuing with the articles approved the day before, they did not get very far… not even as far as article 10… it proved impossible to continue voting on the articles… The session was suspended and “the work continued in the parliamentary groups…” I think this brief account of Wednesday’s proceedings in the Assembly speaks for itself. Apart from that, we would like to highlight the indignation of the deputies who were present and who are thus forced to bear on their shoulders, and upon their dignity, the unpleasant image created by those deputies who have made absenteeism a fully accepted phenomenon. Nevertheless, ultimately it is they themselves—the People’s Assembly—that must find the right “tampon” to stop its own hemorrhage, this “hemorrhage” that leaves such a bitter “taste” in public opinion and beyond… ...the shops... The project? The merchant’s business extends far and wide...” Their tables were piled with the urgent need to make up for the merchant’s losses from be... Continuing the sessions approved before the break, they did not get much further... they barely reached Article 10 out of the approximately 65 articles in the draft law. The deputies once again “won,” and it was not possible to continue voting on the articles... The session was adjourned and “work continued in the parliamentary groups...” ... he answered the questions put to him. He saw fit the others, was tired! REXHEP POLISI Prrenjas

Yesterday, a meeting of journalists from the press, television, ATSH, as well as correspondents and other established journalists, was held in one of the halls of the International Cultural Center. The meeting was organized with the aim of reorganizing an Albanian mass-media organization. At the outset, it was agreed by consensus that the two former existing organizations, the “Journalists’ Association” and the “Journalists’ Union,” would be integrated into this new organization. On the basis of the discussions and proposed ideas, several criteria were established for electing members of the new presidium. Following proposals from the floor and a secret ballot, 13 members of the Presidium were chosen. The Presidium elected Mr. Mero Baze as Chairman of the Albanian Journalists’ Association and Mr. Qemal Sakajeva as Deputy Chairman. “RD” correspondent

nostalgia for the PP As part of his efforts to recruit members for his party, Neritan Ceka also held a meeting in Prrenjas. From the beginning of his speech, Mr. Neritan attacked the PD, the Meksi government, and the President of Albania, and at the end of every sentence he hinted that he himself should be President of Albania. “I am the more experienced politician,” he said, “and as such I should be at the head of this country.” What made the greatest impression on those present was that Mr. Neritan felt nostalgic for the PP. Among other things, he said: “The PP had its shortcomings, but we must not forget that it left us the mines, factories, and schools. This is not reform—to replace directors. Why should the directors of the NFP and Trade in Prrenjas have been dismissed?” Mr. Neritan felt uncomfortable when answering the questions put to him. He thought it best to answer only those questions that interested him. As for the rest, President Ceka declared that he could not answer because he was tired! REXHEP POLISI Prrenjas

These days, the European Community Regional Bank was established in the city of Krujë for the northern zone, which includes the areas of Krujë, Laç, Lezhë, Peshkopi, Burrel, and Rrëshen. The founding meeting was attended by the mayors of these districts, the representative of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Riza Hyka, and the representative of the district’s Association of Private Businesses, Mr. Besnik Kadia. Representatives of the SME support team, based in Tirana, and of the European Community Bank under the “PHARE” program also attended. This Bank assists all residents of the region who wish to engage in small businesses in any field. One of the first activities of this regional bank is to provide loans shortly for three bakeries, as well as for brick-production machinery in the district of Lezhë. Like the European Community Bank (BKE), this regional branch also provides loans to any interested person wishing to invest in various sectors, at an interest rate three times lower than that of the country’s other banks.

These days, behind the national «Qemal Stafa» stadium, on an area of around 3 ha, work began on the construction of a large, multi-star hotel by the «AL-KHARAF» company. Initially, work is being carried out to build a large canal that will drain surface water, as well as a drinking-water pipeline system, outside the construction area. Unauthorized construction obstructs investment The Canned Food Factory for children, planned to be built alongside the road to the food-processing district, has not yet begun operations because the site is occupied by 5 private houses recently built without permits, Former owners make the law Construction of the school complex by a humanitarian association (salajeni) has been halted because the former landowners do not agree to construction being carried out on their land.

These days, several homeless families forcibly entered the premises of the lower construction school, even throwing some of the school’s inventory outside. 9,000 tonnes of powdered milk expire at the beginning of May (!) At the Municipality’s trade department, we learn that the quantity of 900 tonnes of powdered milk stored in the NTU warehouses is at risk of expiring without being consumed by citizens. The Ministry of Finance has set such a price for this milk, donated by the European Community, that consumers cannot afford it. Can it be believed that there are people who think the milk (donated) will go bad because it has been left sitting, and reach the consumer[?]! The paradoxes of the «socialists continue...» In a face-to-face meeting with trade unionists, the director of the Mëzes coal mine stated that the enterprise incurs losses of 800 thousand new lekë every month!