The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, returned to his homeland on Monday after the Davos conference in Switzerland, where he had e- his homeland on Monday after the Davos conference in Switzerland, where he had e- and held several important working meetings with the highest-ranking figures in European political and economic life. At Rinas Airport, he was welcomed by the country’s senior state and party officials, among others. RD Correspondent

«Rilindja Demokratike» has grown accustomed to the daily denigration directed at it, mainly by anonymous writers, but also by its offshoots such as «24 orë», «Koha jonë», etc. In general, attempts are made to exaggerate its line and individual articles along that line, and to disparage it as a submissive and servile «loudspeaker» for the PD, the government, the parliamentary majority, etc. The journalists of «RD» have faced, and continue to face to this day, the most extreme pressures and provocations, threats, and attempts to subject them to fascist physical terror by lumpen elements controlled or paid by the former red pashas and their successors. They have even «found themselves close to the wheels of cars and motorcycles. Their family members have been «visited» by hardened criminals, seasoned in the exercise of their profession. Perhaps no one else has faced such situations: warnings of physical extermination; gangs that have not spared their kicks; mafiosi who show their «manliness» by confronting children to force them to act according to their bestial instincts. Nevertheless, we have grown accustomed to all this. We have neither complained nor sought protection; we have neither despaired nor made ourselves out to be heroes. We know what democracy is. We know what commitment it requires in order to prevail. We know that, if we want it to be the road to victory, that road also requires offerings and sacrifices, hardship and deprivation, idealism and realism. We know that there are—and will be—those who hate us, namely those who sowed communist-style feudal fascism in Albania; that their agents, people with their mentality, ignorant people who know none of the laws of the press or journalism, careerists and highly suspect extremists, will use—and are using—everything to make us leave, become discouraged, bow down and adapt to the rusty clichés of the former communist press: black-and-white schemes and uniform thinking without debate. Such things happen among people who, at most, may be able to offer an opinion on growing tomatoes, on seeds, the leaves of peach trees, road-traffic exchanges or eternal forgiveness, but who, in any case, have no idea about the requirements, standards and ethics of journalism; who do not know how to write and properly shape even a modest article; who fail to understand that journalism, too, is a craft, a profession, a talent, a passion and, ultimately, a power. In any case, they cannot accept this. We must learn to accept that democracy also rests on the right to criticize, and on the way the press often refuses to be transparent with its readers about its content. If something of this kind is published in «RD», you can be sure the phenomenon was not isolated, but that its journalists have tried to do so time and again. Therefore, government officials should not let an «RD» article that simply reports such a phenomenon spoil their mood; instead, they should be concerned and act to change what needs correcting. In particular, Mr. Meksi should react with due seriousness to the statements of the government cabinet. Likewise within the party, let us say, for example, Mr. Dosti, and others. The newspaper «RD» and its journalists may make mistakes and, certainly, have made them on occasion; but they have also had the courage and honesty to acknowledge them publicly. But when the fact or situation presented in its pages cannot be denied or refuted, and serves the great ideal that we all proclaimed in December 1990, the truth must be accepted, and the newspaper and its journalists congratulated, rather than railed against. Everyone must begin democracy and democratization with themselves. If they cannot do that, at least they should not trumpet moral principles. Some «fanatic» must understand clearly that «RD», as the organ of the PDSh—that is, of a democratic party—is a democratic newspaper. A democratic newspaper ceases to be one if it does not tolerate, within certain limits, the expression of different opinions, observations and suggestions, even if they are merely personal and come from ordinary people or journalists, as well as from the country’s intellectuals and scientific authorities. Such a thing enriches a democratic newspaper and gives it life. But if the presence of such a still-unconsolidated practice is declared a «deviation» from the party’s line of control—as a spokesperson without support from the floor or podium attempted to do publicly on two occasions, even distorting the truths he cited as arguments—then we must ask: what does this spokesperson, and anyone else like him, really want?! In any case, such anonymity is unacceptable today. Nor can one remain silent about them if they are expressed, say, by a chairman of the PD in a district, city or even the capital—for example, by Mr. Kakalule, however honored he may be. «RD» has much work to do; it has a great deal to put right in order to reach the level of a modern, contemporary newspaper in every respect. One thing, however, is clear: it will never achieve this by paying heed to destructive attacks from currents, individuals and positions that are undemocratic or at least ill-disposed, from those who, for various reasons, still do not want to understand that the press must be respected. …feudal fascism and communist rule adapt ourselves to the rusty, ready-made clichés of the former communist press: black-and-white schemes, uniform thinking without debate or tolerance, and so on. The journalists of «RD» are aware of their publication’s position and its party affiliation. They harbor no illusions about “independence” and know what “independence” means for a party publication under the current conditions. «RD» is the organ of the PDSH. As such, it is entirely in the service of the PDSH’s line, orientation, strategy and tactics. We say this openly, without being held back by any “intellectual” complex. Indeed, we are honored to have taken our place on this front line, serving the present and the future. In this position, «RD» is a powerful supporter of the PD, the government, the presidency and the majority group in parliament, of all democratic institutions and mechanisms, and of all democratic processes and developments in Albania. But unfortunately, certain individuals seek to sabotage this obligation. They see it, as happened in the past, simply as a servile and glorifying stance by «RD» toward those in power and officeholders at every level, as a perfunctory whitewashing of reality, and as silence about things that are going wrong and need to be rectified by those responsible. Some elements try to restrain journalists’ constructive opinions by issuing warnings… even, in some cases, by summoning them to report or by labeling them. The problem is

VATICAN CITY - Pope Xhovani Pavli, who is due to visit Albania soon, met Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi on Monday and stressed that he has great love for his people, Vatican Radio reported. During his meeting with Meksi at the Vatican, the Pope stressed that Albanians had gone through many difficulties but were now in the midst of a spiritual rebirth, Vatican Radio reported. The Pope took the opportunity to express his great love for the Albanian people,» the radio said. Meksi told the Pope that he would «reassure the whole population, regardless of religious affiliation» if he came for a visit later this year, P stressed

At 1 p.m. yesterday, journalists from various Albanian mass-media organizations were invited to inaugurate the new «Demokracia» printing house, a gift from the American government and people. The inauguration was expected to be attended by the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, the American ambassador and the extraordinary and plenipotentiary representative of the USA in Tirana, Mr. Rayerson. The following gentlemen spoke at the ceremony: Marvin Stone, director of the International Media Fund; Bruce Anderson, the building engineer who supervised construction of this printing house; and William Rayerson, U.S. ambassador. Mr. Sali Berisha said: «I was especially pleased to receive the invitation to inaugurate the printing house, which, figuratively speaking, I would call a factory of the free press. I witnessed the great efforts and difficulties that were overcome. I am grateful to you,» he told the Americans present, «for this assistance, because every form of assistance that serves human freedoms is fundamental in nature.» The value of the «Demokracia» printing house project is 1 million dollars. A total of 2.5 million Americans contributed to securing this sum. The printing house has a capacity of more than 25,000 copies per hour. Seven newspapers—namely «Rilindja Demokratike», «Republika», «Alternativa SD», «Drita», «Zëri i Rinisë», «Bashkimi» and «Sindikalisti»—are co-owners of the printing house. These newspapers will pay only the actual cost of printing. Also noteworthy is the very short newspaper-preparation time, which is only 30 minutes. The printing house was inaugurated; however, it is not ready to operate because the Tirana electricity company has not yet completed the electrical installations. RD Correspondent

Albania is at the center of attention of NATO’s highest authorities The Minister of Defense, Safet Zhuli, received a NATO delegation, made up of a group of explorers and headed by Brigadier General Struchio, at a special meeting. After thanking the delegation for visiting our country, Mr. Zhuli said that the Albanian military are fully committed to making the necessary structural changes to the army. The minister went on to say that Albania is committed to resolving all problems and conflicts in the region solely through dialogue and peaceful means. He noted that Albania has declared it will not allow ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. «We,» he continued, «have established good relations with neighboring countries and other democratic countries, all of this without any intention directed against another country. The only alliance that Albania has declared it will join is NATO,» Mr. Zhuli concluded. For his part, Brigadier General Struchio noted that the purpose of the NATO delegation’s visit was to further expand and give concrete form to cooperation. «Albania,» he said, He declared that the chairman of NATO’s Executive Committee would visit Albania soon. «This,» he stressed, «is of particular importance, because

— Journalism seminar organized by the Soros Foundation — Yesterday, work began at one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses on a journalism seminar organized for journalists by the Soros Foundation. Guests from all Albanian mass-media organizations, as well as democratic journalists, took part in the seminar. The second paper, delivered by Konstanty Gebert, a journalist in Poland, discussed the difference between dependent and independent press. The pape-

- Journalism seminar organized by the Soros Foundation - Yesterday, work began at a seminar on journalism organized by the Soros Foundation in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses. The seminar was attended by guests from all Albanian mass-media organizations, as well as speakers from various countries in the West and the East. The morning session was opened by Mr. Fran Nazi, representative of the Soros Foundation in Albania. Mr. Janos Horvat (Hungary) then took the floor; he would also chair the morning session. The first presentation was delivered by Ned Kolt, a journalist from the USA. The topic of the presentation was “The need for impartial news and information in a democratic state.” In the second presentation, Ambassador Konstanty Gebert, a journalist in Poland, spoke about the difference between a dependent and an independent press. The final presentation of the morning session was delivered by Ms. Julie Flint from Great Britain, who spoke on the topic “The difference between fact and comment.” At the end of the session, journalists in the hall asked questions and discussions took place in debate form. This seminar, which will continue for four consecutive days, will include various presentations by foreign and Albanian journalism specialists. RD CORRESPONDENT The NATO delegation was also received by the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Ilia Vasho, together with members of the Army General Staff. The visit of the NATO delegation is aimed at further expanding and giving concrete form to cooperation with Albania, he said. Albania is at the center of attention at NATO’s highest levels. He announced that the Chairman of NATO’s Executive Committee would soon visit Albania. He emphasized that this was particularly important, because it would be his first visit outside NATO member countries. together with members of the Army General Staff. (ATSH)

- Bill “On the salaries of judges, prosecutors and investigators” approved - Parliamentary commission established to verify the causes of the destruction in the districts of Pogradec, Lushnjë, Krujë, Laç and Peqin - On Tuesday at 10 o’clock, the Assembly began its work in a plenary session. After the work program was approved, PD deputies Napolon Roshi and Natasha Lako, who were leaving on official state business abroad, were replaced by the next deputies on the PD list, Ismet Ferizi and Galip Ramadhi. The bill “On the salaries of judges, prosecutors and investigators” was then discussed. The bill provides for increasing the salary level of this category of employees by more than the salary level of employees in several budget-funded institutions, taking into account the highly responsible duties of justice-sector employees, the difficulties encountered in their work, and the need for continuous professional training. Base salaries for the entire range of justice-sector employees fall within the range of 4,000 to 9,500 lekë. Chief judges, deputy chief judges, prosecutors, assistant prosecutors in district and appeal courts and military courts, as well as investigators, receive an additional 1 percent of their base salary for each year of service, up to 25 percent. It was also decided that the above category would receive an additional 10 percent of their base salary for working conditions. Military judges, prosecutors and investigators, in addition to receiving the same base salary as civilians, will benefit from their military status only through the rank supplement. The cost of these salary supplements for this sector for the whole of 1993 is estimated at 14 million lekë. The session continued with the approval of the parliamentary commission for monitoring and verifying the causes of the destruction in the districts of Pogradec, Lushnjë, Laç, Peqin and Fushë Krujë.

Recently, we witnessed an exchange of two statements between the Albanian and Greek Ministries of Foreign Affairs. These were followed in the press of both countries by articles responding to one another which, among other things, also serve to inflame the issue officially raised by the Greek Government in its statement of January 20 this year. Our public is already familiar with the Greek Government’s claims that “no satisfactory progress has been made in the field of respect for the rights of the Greek minority.” This apparently constituted the Greek side’s concern, which it judged fit to make public and official, even though it considers the visits of the Foreign Minister, Mr. Serreqi, and subsequently of the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Arbnori, to have been successful. Not only during these visits, but also earlier, the Greek Government was given assurances that the rights of the Greek minority in Albania would be respected in accordance with the principles of the CSCE. Moreover, the minority, like all Albanians, enjoys many rights today—rights that the former communist regime did not recognize. The Albanian state is currently experiencing serious, well-known difficulties, and these affect Albanian citizens and members of minorities in various ways. The Greek Government knows this, just as it cannot deny the Albanian Government’s goodwill. Why, then, was the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement issued? A passage in it explains this, saying that “any provision that would impede the exercise of the religious duties of the Greek minority and the functioning of the church in Albania constitutes a serious violation of minority rights, contrary to the spirit and principles of the CSCE, and we oppose it.” As can be seen, the Greek side’s concern has to do with “impeding the exercise of the minority’s religious duties.” This was expressed even more clearly in another statement, issued a few days later by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which plainly implied that “Tirana was warned not to try to ‘deport’ Archbishop Anastasios by force from the head of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, because this would have consequences for relations between the two countries.” Let us try to analyze the Greek claim. First, if the concern was raised because of an issue related to the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church, there was no reason for the statement to complain about minority rights in general. Second, there was also no reason to place the issue of the hierarchy within a broader set of problems—that of religious freedoms and rights in general. The first aspect has been explained above. As for the second, the minority enjoys all the religious rights and freedoms to which it is entitled under the principles of the CSCE. The minority enjoys freedom of religious belief, religious practice, manifestation of religious belief, religious instruction, religious advocacy, and so on. The law that will soon be approved by parliament will strengthen (Continued on page 4)