- Cardinal Tomko meets with President Berisha and Prime Minister Meksi. TIRANA, February 23 = The visit of Pope John Paul II to Albania in April was preceded by the visit of Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, who, after several visits to Shkodër and Elbasan, met on Tuesday with Albanian Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi and the President of Albania, Sali Berisha. At a meeting with Prime Minister Meksi, Mr. Jozef Tomko expressed his gratitude to the Albanian government for the measures it has taken to assist the clergy in Albania. Mr. Tomko said he was pleased with the reports he had received from the clergy, who are carrying out their noble mission for the benefit of the people. In conversation with Mr.— (Continued on page 4)

PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE EC REPRESENTATIVES IN ALBANIA 1. The European Committee recently conducted a survey in 18 countries of Central and Eastern Europe to ascertain public opinion regarding both the European Community and the political and economic reforms undertaken, through the English institute GALLUP. The number of people questioned was slightly more than 18,000, selected so as to represent, in each of these countries, the structure and geographical distribution of the entire population aged over 15. On the right path (77 percent), as regards widespread confidence in the market economy, chosen of their own free will (72 percent), and in the current political system (84 percent), as well as strong optimism about the future (71 percent think— - 77 percent of Albanians express their conviction that Albania is moving in the right direction. - 84 percent of Albanians have widespread confidence in the chosen political system. - 72 percent of Albanians have widespread confidence in the market economy. - 71 percent of Albanians believe the economic situation will improve in the next 12 months. - 84 percent of Albanians think the current regime is better than the previous one. - 91 percent of Albanians say they are in favor of Albania joining the EC, with which they also associate their future. - Albania ranks first among the 18 countries of Central and Eastern Europe in terms of confidence in the path of democracy and positive assessments of the chosen course. - 56 percent of Albanians favor accelerating economic reforms. - The EC survey renders completely worthless the accusations by conservative communists that the reform has stalled, that the country’s economic and political situation has worsened, that independence in elections has been extinguished, etc. - The survey conducted by the EC showed the Albanian people’s will to move toward Europe: toward their future. - This survey also obliges the EC to provide assistance to Albania and the Albanians in the future. - Likewise, this survey gives our democratic state and our democratic government encouragement to work with even greater determination in the future. these countries. The results of this survey are being made known today in all the countries at the same time. The survey was organized by In Albania, a group of 1,049 people were questioned. This is the most comprehensive survey conducted to date in Central and Eastern Europe. 2. Albania ranks first among the 18 countries in terms of its conviction that the country is moving in the right direction (77 percent) and of confidence in the market economy, chosen freely as well as great optimism about the future (71 percent think Albania also shows great readiness to accelerate economic reform (56 percent) and privatization (56 percent), regardless.

On the FINANCAR scandal In «ZP» dated 23.2.1993, the mandate that former Prime Minister Vilson Ahmeti issued to Nikola Arsidi is published, translated from French with the note «Unofficial free translation». The truth is that «ZP» translated not according to a French-Albanian dictionary but from French into «voice-pist». To see how «ZP» distorted the translation, here is— As written and published in «ZP»: ... «In any event, all fees or amounts in excess of the fees paid shall remain for the benefit of Nikola Arsidi, but so that his liability be effective for the success of every action, whatever the result, and so that these barrier reductions be the result of direct interventions or of an appointed person»... How it should read in a true translation: ...«In any event, all fees or advances on fees paid shall remain definitively for the benefit of Mr. Nikola Arsidi, but in such a way that his liability is not declared, as well as the success of every transaction whatever its result, and so that the reductions of the borach be the result of direct or indirect intervention or of an intermediary.» ...they are approaching in the direction of the square. Not a single member of the DP or the Independent Union. We— (Continued on page 4)

CHRONICLE OF AN ILLEGAL RALLY The Confederation’s Trade Union Councils — loyal support for the SP CHRONICLE OF AN ILLEGAL RALLY Toward «VICTORY» Square! — the Party had said... The Confederation’s Trade Union Councils — loyal support for the SP When «Zëri i Popullit» of February 20, 1993, carried a notice on its front page announcing the organization of a peaceful rally by the Fier Confederation trade union council in this city’s «Fitorja» Square, many people rubbed their eyes, wondering whether it was simply a typesetters’ mistake, perhaps mixing up some material between the newspaper «ZP» and «Pasqyra». But as the time for the rally for Fier’s mutual resistance drew closer, we understood clearly who the scriptwriters were and who was really hiding behind the «Fier Confederation Trade Union Council». For nearly a week, Enver’s rally masters and the instigators of the Bashllisht strike had made arrangements so that, as one body, they would appear in «Fitorja» Square on the appointed day and at the appointed time to take part in the «peaceful rally». Before the hour had even properly arrived, groups of people—around 300–400 Enverist-communists—approached the Independent Union. At first glance, what stands out is the absence of young people and the «influx» of pensioners. Members of the Socialist Party’s governing council are present; they will be the heralds of this «peaceful demonstration», which, although the public-order authorities had permitted it to take place in one of the squares of «Loni Papuçiu» stadium, is being insisted upon for the central square(?). Everyone thinks it must be some misunderstanding—or something else? In fact, no misunderstanding has occurred. The only misunderstanding is that the communist-socialists do not know the law. The invitation issued by the leadership of «Zëri i përgjithshëm» the previous day expressly called them to «Fitorja» Square. That is what the Party had said, and that is what would be done. Breaking the law mattered little to them. Their rally had to be organized at all costs, because Lushnja would be next. The measures taken by the public-order branch to ensure the rally took place at the designated location had— (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, at the Tirana Court, under the direction of Mr. Agim Bendo, the trial concerning the conflict between Mr. Azem Hajdari and Mr. Sotor Qirjazi lasted five consecutive hours. In the lawsuit brought by the district Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Azem Hajdari was charged with the crimes covered by Articles 119 and 120 of the Penal Code, which make him liable for public insult and assaulting a person in the performance of his duties. Mr. Azem Hajdari did not admit the charge and described the trial against him as a politically staged trial. After the witnesses had been questioned, the prosecutor at the hearing sought the charges provided for in the aforementioned articles and asked the parties to reach an agreement to bring the court proceedings to an end. However, the [?]buahar, Mr. Sotor Qirjazi did not agree with the prosecutor’s opinion. After the defense presented by the lawyer, Mr. S. Ngjela, had also been heard, the panel of judges retired to reach a decision. At 3:30 p.m., the presiding judge announced the decision, declaring Mr. Azem Hajdari guilty of the criminal offense of assault and simple insult, for which he sentenced him to a social reprimand. In imposing this sentence, the presiding judge explained the mitigating circumstances that worked in Mr. Hajdari’s favor, such as his political reputation, his age, and his reputation. He also explained that Mr. Sotor Qirjazi was not present when the conflict occurred and that the insult was therefore not public.

The day before yesterday at 2:30 p.m., a group of Enverist thugs barbarically attacked a female journalist from «RD», openly expressing their political hatred toward her with the words: «You are a journalist for «Rilindja Demokratike».» This attack on free thought, this open threat against representatives of public opinion, this vandalism against representatives of the free democratic press, particularly against «RD» newspapers, demonstrates the ferocity and shamelessness of Albanian Enverism. Not even during the days of the Democratic Revolution was there such ferocity toward «RD» journalists; nor, in the most difficult periods of the democratic movement, were there such threats against the «RD» leadership team—on the road, at home, in residences and against families—and [?] amid the wave of vicious attacks launched by the PS and Albanian conservatism against the PD and democracy as a whole. The «RD» editorial office calls on democratic public opinion, the democratic state and, in particular, the Ministry of Public Order, to guarantee the lives of our journalists in accordance with internationally recognized standards and to provide them with the normal conditions needed to practice their sacred profession in the service of objective and honest information. This will serve to consolidate democracy in Albania. The «RD» editorial office, viewing this latest incident as part of dozens of other similar cases that have occurred recently, and protesting vigorously, poses this question to the national democratic public: Who will protect our lives from the savage Enverist vandals?

Second anniversary of the establishment of the PD branch; Devoll. Attending are the PD secretary, Mr. Dosti, and the PD deputy head of organization, Mr. Dosti February ’91 – February ’93. Two years since the establishment of the PD branch in Devoll. Two years with new ways of thinking. Two years of effort, hope and dedication. Devoll, always small in population, without industry or a developed working class, and with a small intellectual community, welcomed the democratic processes just like the big cities. On March 31, just 37 days after the establishment of the PD sub-branch, Devoll voted 44–46 percent for the Democrats; on March 22, ’92, it voted 74 percent in its favor. Again in July, the Democratic candidates won at every level. The chairman and members of my [branch?], Gëzim Begolli. At the side of the page [?] ... [It] raised democratic sons and daughters. The ima[?]ge of a woman who joins the LDG—said Mrs. Spaho in her speech—stands far from that of the old BGSSH woman who sang: «I got married on Sunday and went to work on Monday.» The people of Devoll honored the Democrats with greetings from representatives of the PSD, PS and PR; the association of former political prisoners; and representatives of religious communities. Mr. Strabota conveyed greetings on behalf of the PD in Korçë. The deputy [secretaries?] Tomor Dosti and Afrim Hac[?] attended from the central office. In his speech, Mr. Dosti said, among other things: «... Devoll said No to the past. I am convinced that it will know how to value and preserve the values of freedom and democracy, placed on a pedestal, placed in the soul of Devoll. We are living through a period of transition, the establishment of a new order in which legal thought undoubtedly has priority. It is [v?]... (Continued on page 2)

— Who is next in line to be arrested? The public is already familiar with the scandals involving European socialists. Among them is the scandal involving former PP and PS MP Barrhyl Fasko, in the province of Pistoia in Italy. According to the false claims and lies of the «ZP» anti-American and communist socialist B. Fasko, he was arrested on January 23, 1993, for stealing an expensive wristwatch from a Moroccan immigrant and then threatening him with violence, which led the Italian police to detain him. According to informed sources, on the day «ZP» published B. Fasko’s fake phone call, he was under arrest. A recent, unconfirmed source says that Mr. Fasko has been released from prison but remains under house arrest, at liberty. So, were «RD» and the Democrats right when they said that many socialists are thieves? When socialist bigwigs steal abroad too, imagine how much they have plundered in Albania, where the police, investigators and prosecutors themselves were in charge—not only for 45 years, but also during the 1990–92 transition?

Our compatriots write to us March 22, 1992, marks the most brilliant victory in the Albanian people’s struggle against communist tyranny. A victory that will be written in golden letters in the history of the Albanian people, because after 48 years of tyranny it broke the chains of captivity. It thus moved from the era of communist darkness to that of democracy. The resounding victory of democracy in these elections forced these dark forces to accept defeat. They temporarily withdrew (Continued on page 3)

As previously reported, Mr. Eduart Selami took part in the two-day meeting of Committee No. 3 of the European Union in Austria. Following this event, he returned to his homeland. Press and Information Office of the PD