President Berisha received the ambassador of the United States of America in Tirana, Mr. Raton-Klinton, to congratulate him on the humanitarian aid for the Bosniak population. At this meeting, President Berisha welcomed President Klinton’s decision to provide humanitarian aid to the Bosniak population besieged by the Serbian armed forces. This is an important humanitarian act that will save innocent citizens from death. It is also a serious warning to the aggressor, who uses hunger as a means to exterminate people. (Continued on page 2)

THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT WILL CLEAR UP EVERY CLOUD — THE FIRST DISCOVERY OF THE SUMS STOLEN BY THE COMMUNIST MAFIA OF THE PS R.D. 26.2.1993 The 1.6 million dollars THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT WILL CLEAR UP EVERY CLOUD The financial scandal involving 1.6 million dollars brought to light the first millions stolen by the red communist mafia of the PS during its 50-year rule; especially during the 1990–1992 transition period, when the red nomenklatura, then in power, realizing that its end was inevitable, did everything possible to secure economic power. This was expressed in the creation of dozens of powerful companies that immediately began operating with substantial financial capital; something unjustifiable for the normal development of a newly established enterprise, and highly suspicious as to the origin of this money. During this period, when the financial scandal involving 1.6 million dollars came to light, one thing is particularly striking: socialist-communist propaganda is doing everything possible, without any logically substantiated basis, to single out the Democratic Government, and even the democratic state, thereby creating the idea that the new government officials are corrupt; this would greatly tarnish the clean image of our government and state in the eyes of the Albanian people. But, in reality, what lies behind this PS propaganda concerning the announced scandal? Is the PS really interested in shedding light on this financial “phenomenon”? The PS has neither been nor is interested in shedding light on the scandal, because behind it lies a trail leading to millions of other dollars stolen by the communist Mafia. This is precisely why PS deputies are overzealous in trying to appear innocent in the eyes of the Albanian people. The PS is not genuinely interested in reaching any conclusion about the scandal mentioned above, because shedding light on it will open a new chapter in the old and new corruption of the PS. Because someone among these left-wing parliamentarians will have to leave the chamber. This is precisely why PS deputies show such admirable zeal in trying to establish their spotless record and create an image of financial sanctity. The 1.6 million dollars are only the tip of an iceberg of communist corruption. MUEJ BUCAPAJ (Continued on page 3)

– The former socialist prime minister, Ahmeti, and his personal adviser, Arsidi, are the protagonists of the scandal. – They continue to plunder even in the final throes of social-communist rule. The Bulgarian communist leader Dimitrov defended himself with the principle, “The accused must become the accuser in order to defend himself.” This maxim of defending oneself by attacking is being applied faithfully by Albanian social-communist conservatives inside and outside parliament, ever since our judicial authorities uncovered the scandal of Albania’s foreign debt several weeks ago. The PS and “ZP” have loudly taken the side of the accused. This is not only because the former socialist prime minister, Vilson Ahmeti, who for months was also a member of the Nano and Bufi cabinets, is in the crosshairs of this scandal. Albania’s catastrophic foreign debt figure was deliberately concealed by the PS and “ZP” for a long time. In breach even of the constitution, the government officials of R. Alia buried the Albanian reality, preparing the conditions for sabotaging the work of the first democratic government after March 1992. But why do PS deputies and the PS press defend those accused in the scandal? There are many reasons. First, according to their principle, the many dollars were used to preserve the communists’ economic power. There is no other explanation for the fact that communist businessmen and millionaires emerged in the governments of 1991, enjoying untouchable immunity and freedom of action under communist rule. Albania was swamped by numerous fraudulent and speculative firms? that [unreadable] Sejdi, which opened large private companies, luxurious establishments, modern entertainment halls, etc. Since part of the truth about the Albanian foreign-debt scandal lies here, the socialists and their press are forcefully defending the accused. No one has forgotten the “kickback” scandal in the Italian PS, where the investigation began precisely with the manipulation of European aid allocated to Albania. There was a great outcry about the 80 million dollars in aid; nevertheless, it was never clarified where those millions of dollars went. “ZP” knows this very well when it defends Vilson Ahmeti and his personal adviser, Nikolla Arsidi. Precisely on the basis of this truth, “ZP” [unclear] V. Ahmeti’s mandate for N. Arsidi, justifying its impotence with the note: “Official translation”! It is precisely the fear that has gripped the socialist conservative camp that lies behind the noisy propaganda of “ZP” about the government’s [unclear], although the Executive Committee...? Socialist deputies, through the corruption of the previous government, have [unclear] the economy. The unearthing of the Albanian foreign-debt scandal represents the first severe blow against corruption in communist governments. Imagine how corrupt the social-communist leadership clan is, when the state’s own [unclear] is caught openly [unclear] millions of dollars handed over illegally. The socialist leaders tried in vain to pin the biggest financial scandal uncovered so far in Albania—after the theft of the gold—on the PD and its election campaign. The people are right when they say that mice tremble when an earthquake is forecast. So too the conservative socialists and the red economic Mafia tremble when [this?] AFRIM KRASNIQI (Continued on page 2)

– The socialists present themselves as more “transparent” than the monicists – – Panic is troubling the “united front” – Prime Minister Hoxhi came to the question session in the People’s Assembly the day before yesterday bearing the proud attribute of “manager No. 1” of the Albanian state’s money, under the “protection” of the social-democratic government. But, in his person, he also carried the image of that same “No. 1” left behind together with the damage caused by the two previous governments, many of whose officials were sitting opposite him in the hall, now with only the authority of an MP. He now appeared before the joint—monicist and socialist—questioning group with the attributes of both reformer and witness. He served as a point of reference precisely for those who did not leave their term in government with “clean hands,” but with hands washed, as it were, in the not-so-poor liquid of corruption and abuse. And so, with “Hoxhi as the point of reference,” they want simultaneously to gauge his pulse, as well as that of the other deputies and public opinion, to determine the degree to which the deeds of their dark days in government remain “stored away.” It was inevitable that they would become obsessed with this, given that they had an unusual quantity of data and documents for a mere MP. Truly, a whole archival mafia. Naturally, “hidden”—if Mr. Pashko knows something, why doesn’t he show his cards?!... They tried to come out of this with themselves “cleared,” casting suspicion on others, especially today’s democratic officeholders. But while Mr. Bufi, after trying to present himself as “in the clear,” made no insinuations about any of the officials, we cannot fail to point out Mr. Imami’s “political allergy.” Perhaps the monicists are not entirely without imagination when it comes to him. Where does one not look for an outlet for political mania! It makes you seek alternatives from the past, even along roads that lead nowhere. Such is the level of their selfish blindness. As for Pashko, he is among those who perhaps have the “fly” most firmly under their cap. He fires off “academic” questions as though he wants to topple [unclear] and roll it along the ground. More than [unclear] gossip, nothing else interests the anti-motionists... If the aim is a return to the head of government, the democratic government, and the decision? ... RAKIP SULCE (Continued on page 2)

– Meeting of the PD branch, Durrës – Reform will advance when privatization is opened up on a day-to-day basis, – Corruption is not forgiven, even when I have doubts, On Monday, February 22, a meeting of the PD branch in Durrës was held. The issues of privatization and administrative reform were at the center of its proceedings. Section members and representatives of local enterprises gave reports. The PD secretary, Tonor Dosti, was also present. It was noted that the fair distribution of resources nationwide had been carried out on the basis of... The former treatment...; but the process of distributing the title deeds that people expected has not been carried out... . At the meeting, mistakes made in the previous reform were expressed. The agricultural farms have remained almost untouched, despite some “spitting” [unclear] or an influx of livestock from the north, a phenomenon that, thanks to the work of local authorities in cooperation with law-enforcement bodies, was resolved without incident. Agreements have been reached on joint ventures with Italian firms, specifically for four agricultural enterprises (NB), and there is concern about NB Suk. Albanian activists are taking a social position; the humane PD program requires agreements to include a clause guaranteeing full employment for the workers. The aim is their continued operation, since their continued existence has been ensured with support for production and energy. In 1992, [unclear] 44 [unclear] workers were employed, but according to the criterion of one per family, [unclear] 1,000. The alternative of creating private associations was put forward to enable investment in the private economy while seeking to eliminate fragmentation. The experience of the Bor­sht & Krimunes firms in Manzë? is [unclear]. Other agricultural machinery will arrive. The notes of the [unclear] action would be distributed as a leaflet... in the municipalities run by the socialists, specifically in the note, 2 Papaj [unreadable] “Party,” etc., which makes no distinction. The meeting gave priority to “Join Venture” with a [unclear] 10-year [unclear]. If this does not succeed, privatization should be carried out and then joint agreements concluded. The state budget is thus insufficient to cover expenses. In the first two months of the year, it covers only employees’ salaries and provides a benefit of 5 percent of tax revenues. Undoubtedly, the Democratic Government will provide an opportunity to bring the administrative reform within the municipal framework and to increase the construction sector; funds and means are lacking to address the problems... Greater liberalization of wages and privatization of the entire sector. Without this liberalization, Mr. Dado said, we will have specialized management in the industrial sector; 24 enterprises are operating, while 11 others are spending their way toward bankruptcy. Priority was given to privatization, the documentation for privatization, and the possibilities for restructuring. (Continued on page 3)