Question — Without wishing to interfere with the investigative procedures, since as far as we know the case is under investigation, can you tell us how the $1.6 million financial scandal recently written about by «ZP» and «KJ» was uncovered, and who uncovered it? Answer — I emphasized in the statement I gave on TV some time ago that we uncovered it. It came to light when one of the former managers of the Commercial Bank handed over documents that he had kept hidden at home for more than nine months. They were handed over while I was in the USA with my colleagues for the IMF’s annual meeting. Question — What action did you take when you learned of this practice? Answer — I immediately notified the Prime Minister and the President, who asked me to inform the State Audit and refer the matter to the judicial authorities at home and abroad. The relevant judicial authorities abroad were immediately contacted about this practice. An order was also issued to investigate the Bank’s activities, both in this specific case and more broadly. Then the Prosecutor’s Office was also contacted. Question — The charge is abuse of office and document forgery. Again, without wishing to enter into the investigation, what can you tell us? Answer — I emphasize that all documents issued by us are in the name of the State Bank only. First, none of them contains a payment order; second, there is no authorization—in this case, for the Commercial Bank to make a payment on behalf of the State Bank, or to present it otherwise in order to pay for his treatment. So, to conclude, no payment was made by the State Bank or under my signature. In banking practice, whether domestic or international, one bank must have a legal basis and authorization from the relevant institution to make a payment for another bank. Therefore, everything was done illegally. No matter how hard those who are obliged to pay for his treatment may try. another bank. Therefore, everything was done illegally. «ZP» has published, and may publish, that in no case was there authorization from the State Bank for the Commercial Bank to make a payment. This could not have happened, because the State Bank is the only institution for the transfer of debt and, consequently, the only institution that—[text unclear: “bankë totalisht të bllokuar”]. (Let us not forget, too, that the state—the State Bank of Albania of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania—has speculated, not to say that there have been unlawful revelations, also about 300 million dollars, which the gentlemen concerned are trying to erase easily from memory.) The reality is not what they claim; they can follow the principle: increase the circulation, lie, lie, and something will stick. I could say more; I also have the relevant documents, but I do not want to create or foster any prejudice among others, since I consider it best to remain silent now and let justice speak tomorrow. In particular, I would like to add that I have been summoned as a witness by the Prosecutor’s Office. Question — They say Ahmeti issued two mandates for the same negotiator, but with a change in the second one, which took him beyond his authority. Can you tell us anything more? Answer — That is true. Nevertheless, let the judicial authorities judge. Question — What is your opinion of the newspapers? Answer — I would like them not to sacrifice the Bank and the banking system that is being established for their political interests. Let us not forget that among the Eastern countries, according to the assessments of foreign specialists as well as the IMF, the World Bank, etc., it is regarded as having achieved very positive results. Albania is the only country where an interest rate of 40–45 percent continues, which means curbing the inflation process and control by the Ministry of Finance of the banks that— [Text cut off at the top] the documents issued by us are only in the name of the State Bank and that, firstly, none of them contains a payment order and, secondly, there is no authorization; in this specific behalf of the State Bank. What kind of document [text cut off] are you referring to? Answer – I emphasize that all in this specific behalf of the State Bank. No payment has been made on the basis of any kind of document [text cut off] bearing our name. In banking practice, whether domestic or international, for one bank to make a payment for another bank, it institution. So, everything was carried out illegally. No matter how hard those who left us 500 million dollars in debt and a [text cut off] try, the money to you, Arsid? Answer – From the documentation you showed me, he had several authorizations dating back to 1990 and 1991. Most recently, he also showed me an authorization from the Prime Minister of the Government of Stability, who had appointed him his adviser on economic and trade development issues with [text cut off]. [Continued on page 4]

INTERVIEW WITH MR ILIR HOTI, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE BANK INTERVIEW WITH MR ILIR HOTI, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE BANK — When the last communist prime minister turned out to be so corrupt, imagine how corrupt the other communist leaders must have been — — Their arrest and the exposure of this scandal are undoubtedly the merit of the judicial authorities, who should be congratulated. — — We will uncover other scandals involving the red communist mafiosi, too. This financial scandal is only the tip of the iceberg of communist-socialist corruption. —

Who should answer before the law Following the destructive articles published by ZP about the work being carried out with great sacrifice by the security forces during this difficult period, ZP accuses the Durrës police of having allowed the municipal thieves to get away. To the public, already tired of the newspaper articles, the Durrës Public Order Department explains: 1 — Ordinary items, and not large sums of money as ZP has now reported, were stolen from the municipality. The Durrës public order authorities have taken and continue to take measures to identify the actual perpetrators. 2 — No one was caught in the act and then allowed to go, as ZP claims through a supposedly inside source. 3 — Regarding the Minister of Public Order and his being informed by the head of the Durrës Public Order Department, we emphasize that the Minister is officially informed of every incident nationwide through the reports sent to him every day. In one of the reports on this matter, he noted that a reward should be offered to whoever identifies the perpetrators. 4 — So far, the Public Order Department has received no request for the return of property or any notification from municipal employees who supposedly know about it. 5 — Regarding the opinion of the employees of the Durrës Public Order Department, we emphasize that this department is working, and will continue to work, honestly and solely to enforce the law. It has great respect for Mr. Kopliku as a respected citizen of Durrës, a member of parliament and Minister of Public Order, who has demanded and continues to demand that the law be applied equally to everyone. 6 — As for holding people accountable before the courts, ZP would be doing the right thing if it raised its voice to bring to justice those who concealed the murders of innocent people and then buried them in chains. Durrës Public Order Department

On February 19, His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, arrived in Albania for a visit. He was welcomed at the airport by the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party [text cut off]. (Continued on page 4)