FROM THE VISIT OF BULGARIAN PRESIDENT ZHELU ZHELEV TO OUR COUNTRY On Friday afternoon, Mr. Berisha received President Zhelev at the Presidential Office for a special meeting. Afterwards, talks were held between the two delegations, focusing on opportunities for practical cooperation between the two countries. This cooperation covers transport, the construction of the Sofia-Skopje-Durrës highway and railway lines, telecommunications—which was described as very important, with the optical cable that will cross the Balkan Peninsula transversely—the exchange of students between the two countries, the liberalization of visas and [unclear] for our traders, since free enterprise requires freedom of movement. President Berisha also asked President Zhelev to mediate with representatives of democratic Russia over the extension of the gas pipeline from Ohrid to Durrës. President Zhelev stressed that this matter depended on the Russians, but undertook to discuss it with President Yeltsin and expressed confidence that he would show understanding of the issue. RD correspondent The President of Bulgaria, Zhelju Zhelev, addressed the Albanian Parliament On Friday afternoon, the President of Bulgaria, Zhelju Zhelev, accompanied by the President of Albania, ... and the cessation of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, and in particular the latest initiative of the administration

IN THE MINISTRIES At the Ministry of Health Activities and cooperation During the first half of 1992, the work of the Preventive Medicine sector, headed by Mr. Klement Dymi, focused on: ... Building the relevant new structures, as a basis for beginning the reform in this sector; ... Dealing with special situations, such as cases of intoxication, epidemics, needs for assistance and rapid intervention, and the fulfillment of events, etc.; ... cooperation with international, governmental and non-governmental organizations and foreign representatives who are assisting our country in the relevant field, or who are involved in various aid programs; For the “cold chain” Close cooperation with representatives of UNICEF and MSF has ensured a necessary supply of vaccines and equipment required for the “cold chain,” successfully covering this very delicate service which, under the new conditions of halted production and the difficulties faced by IHE, requires special attention. DTP, Polio, DT and BCG vaccines have so far been secured in necessary quantities. The rabies vaccine remains a problem, as stocks at IHE are running low. Infectious morbidity As a result of serious work, data on infectious morbidity from 1950 to 1991 have been compiled; supplies of DDD and other materials have been provided according to a set plan; (Continued on page 2)

FROM THE DEEDS OF THE FORMER BLOCK LEADERS Only the tip of the iceberg — A BENZ LEFT TO ROT IN THE GARAGES OF THE FORMER SECOND DIRECTORATE — We were astonished by a letter that Mr. Ahmet Sulstaro-va, director of the Delegations Park, sent on 15.1.1993 (a few days after the trial of N. Hoxha and K. Buxheli had begun) to Mr. Blerim Çela, chairman of the State Audit. The letter stated: “Following a report from the director of Government Services, a ‘Benz Mercedez’ 3000 SEL (Special Elektronik Luks), manufactured in 1965, is located in this directorate’s garage. According to the odometer, it has travelled 36,000 km (relatively unused). The above vehicle has no documents whatsoever and was taken into our custody under the attached handover report. The garage keys were held by Mr. Dashamir Andoni, who also signed the report. Spare parts were also found; they are listed in the report and likewise have no documentation. I believe you remember Dashamir Andoni, that lackey of Nexhmije who testified at her trial? But who he is matters far less than how such a super-luxury vehicle, costing at least 50 thousand dollars, appears without any documents or address. There are three possible alibis: First, the purchase documents may have been lost—which is impossible, since we are not talking about a toy rubber Benz, but a Benz 300 SEL worth at least 50 thousand dollars... Second, the person who bought it had such power over the state that he did not ‘give a damn’ about documents, which to him may have been mere ‘trifles.’ This alibi is not very convincing. And third, the money (dollars) used to buy this Benz for its owner was in his private account, so there was no need to prepare official documents for the purchase... This recent fact helps us understand that what has been documented is only the tip of the iceberg of the orgies and colossal thefts of the former block leaders. RAKIP SULÇE P.S. Naturally, the justice authorities cannot leave out of consideration lackeys like Dashamir Andoni, not to mention the Gradec family and their associates. They have plenty to recount about the monstrosities and ruin they inflicted on Albanians during the years of dictatorship.

TIRANA, - As part of the implementation of joint agreements between Albania and Turkey in the military field, a large number of Albanian military students set off for military studies in Turkey on Saturday morning. This number is almost twice as large as the total number of Albanian students currently studying in Italy, Germany, the USA, France, etc. Addressing the students, Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali said this was happening because of Turkey’s friendly stance toward Albania. Z- (Continued on page 4)

On Friday afternoon, the President of Bulgaria, Zhelju Zhelev, accompanied by the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, went to the People’s Assembly. by the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, went to the People’s Assembly. There he was received by Tomorr Malasi, Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Assembly, and the chairmen of the parliamentary groups. Welcoming President Zhelev and the dignitaries accompanying him to Parliament, Mr. Tomorr Malasi said, among other things, that your visit to our country is a notable event in the development of relations between our two countries, which have left communism behind in order to firmly embark on the path of democracy and a market economy. Then the President of Bulgaria, Zhelju Zhelev, took the floor. “Among other things, the new realities in Bulgaria and Albania have greatly shaped the principles of our common position, which we embraced on the path toward democracy, a civilized society and a market economy—ideals and values that unite all European peoples. For centuries our peoples have communicated with one another as neighbors and friends. The dark years of totalitarianism did not manage to overshadow the notable moments of our shared past. I am convinced that our ties have a promising future. My first visit to the Republic of Albania—and, if memory does not fail me, the first visit by a Bulgarian head of state in the last 30 years—is taking place against the backdrop of troubling events in the Balkans. In the immediate vicinity of our borders, a barbaric and senseless war continues, a provocation to the conscience of Europe and of the civilized world. Unfortunately, this international community has so far proved unable to stop the bloodshed in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia in a timely and effective manner. It now faces a dilemma offering very complicated paths to a solution. The crisis in the former Yugoslavia goes beyond regional proportions, not only because of its historically connected experience, and not only because of Balkan problems. The causes that sparked the Balkan conflicts, the whole scale of communist socialism became a prelude to the birth of a modern contemporary world, but the birth of a modern contemporary world, but the birth of a modern contemporary world, but a ...» [?] [The lower part of the column is unclear and partly illegible.] ... and especially the latest initiative of the democratic administration of the United States of America. Many of its components are in harmony with the concerns of Yugoslavia’s neighboring states, for which the crisis is a direct danger and a major test. We are convinced of the fundamental inadmissibility of internationally recognized borders being changed by force through the criminal policy of ethnic cleansing, and its instigators must be held accountable. The experience of the American special envoy, Mr. Reinhokd Bartolomeu, in Lebanon will surely be useful in his new mission. The situation in the former Yugoslavia is in fact approaching that of Lebanon, and [it is necessary] to return it to such a situation. The suffering, destruction and refugee tragedy from Bosnia-Herzegovina may be repeated on a much greater scale if Kosovo and Macedonia are engulfed. Guided by its own national interests and its aspiration for peace and security in the Balkans, Bulgaria has maintained its principled position from the very beginning of the conflicts in Yugoslavia. We unconditionally support the recognition of every nation’s right to self-determination, up to and including the establishment of its own independent state. This was also the reason why the Republic of Bulgaria recognized four Yugoslav republics simultaneously on 15 January 1992: Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia [the source says four but names three]. We refused to exploit the situation inside Yugoslavia in any way or to provoke it. We believe that in this way we contribute greatly to peace and stability in the Balkans. I would also like to clarify another important element concerning our position on the crisis. If military operations or peacekeeping operations under a United Nations mandate are undertaken, the Republic of Bulgaria will take part neither with troops nor with weapons, because as a neighboring country it has no interest or desire to settle old scores. We believe this should also apply to the other Balkan countries neighboring the former Yugoslavia. We unconditionally respect the international economic sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, but at the same time we are convinced that the countries suffering most from the embargo should also receive compensation for their losses in due course. Ladies and gentlemen. I would like to reiterate that, by developing friendly ties between them, Bulgaria and Albania not only gain mutual benefits, but also help their own development. Good and friendly relations between two Balkan states are at the same time an additional contribution to the stability of the region, an inseparable part of the European continent. By shortening the distances between us, we are not only restoring a centuries-old tradition, but also making progress toward the future.” In honor of the Bulgarian President, Zhelju Zhelev, the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, hosted a reception last night at the Palace of Brigades.

They are many, because numerous, countless, are those who besiege their own dreams. Under our circumstances, after only 10 months of experience with the democratic system, people of every kind still tend to struggle against themselves. Albanians became the last citizens of European democracy, but at this price they also won the prize of reason, desires, dreams, ambitions and jealousies. The idea of comparing ourselves with the world is still very remote after 10 months of democracy. The years and the pyramid cults have grown old, but the chapter of myths has not been definitively closed. Albanians still have not understood what they have been, what they are, what they can be and what they should be. Their entry, almost illiterate, from the dictatorial system into the pluralist one led people of every rank to seek their own dictators, their enemies from 50 years of history. When they could not find many names, they turned on one another. Their encounter was very harsh. Then a politician put forward the idea of shared guilt, with which he wanted to make all Albanians here feel welcome in democracy. Later, this same politician approved dual citizenship, so that Albanians anywhere in the world could feel welcome in the democracy of their homeland. Then this politician removed the 80 percent [tax] that made Albanians lazy, opened Albania and ensured favorable conditions for generous hospitality in Albanian democracy. But all these things were and remained desired precisely by the café intellectual elites..., by the government of stability and the IMF. They accused the president: why does he meet European counterparts, why does he invite his counterparts to Tirana, why does he find allies for Albania, why isn’t Alia arrested, and then why are those accused of April 2 or the block leaders arrested and convicted? They accused Parliament: why did it vote against the fake prosecutors, why do PD deputies vote in favor of their own proposals and against those of their opponents? They accused the ministers: why do they travel in cars, why do they drink beverages with [unclear] at embassies, why did they dismiss the 45-year-old communist administration,... On the sidewalks of the boulevards, advertisements for private companies dominate the view. Most citizens—traders, central, eastern and southern—have enjoyed good relations with their neighbors and emigration, expanding their standard of living to a satisfactory level. Nevertheless, today dozens of private individuals with cars behind them and a belt of foreign currency around their waists accuse the government, Parliament and the president. They want airplanes, they want hotels, they want discotheques, they want no customs duties or taxes, they want complete freedom from the financial police and the laws of the democratic state. But if you grant them this last thing, what will people do—petition against the whole state? The ministers, tired but only somewhat concerned about the plan, the budget deficit and foreign-currency revenues, want equal pay with the German minority, which works under favorable conditions, [unclear] with an extremely high starting result. Otherwise they are against the government, the president and Parliament; otherwise they remind you of the 1989 Statute. Likewise, oil workers, private individuals, drivers, military personnel and soldiers, teachers, villagers, pensioners—all against the government, against Parliament, perhaps not “against” in the classical sense, but in the publicly declared sense, (Continued on page 2)