INTERVIEW WITH MR. E. SELAMI, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DP, GIVEN TO «RD» AFTER RETURNING FROM A ONE-DAY VISIT TO ITALY - Albania and Italy agree to institutionalize relations between them. A parliamentary group for Albania will be established in the Italian Parliament. - Italy expressed its full readiness to help Albania integrate into European structures. - In relations with Albania, Italy will occupy a special place of cooperation and friendship. - The Italian government will intensify investment in Albania, in support of democracy and economic progress. - Italy and Albania are interested in peace and stability in the region. Mr. Eduard, during the period of 13 and 14 July you made a one-day visit to Italy. Could you tell our readers about the meetings you held there? E. Selami: As you said, it was a short and very intensive visit. I held a meeting with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Parliament, my counterpart Mr. KARILIO; I had contacts with the Chairman of the Defence Committee, as well as with many other Italian senators and members of parliament. Also, at the request of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Andreotti, I had an unscheduled working meeting in his office. So this was a mixed visit at party, parliamentary and government levels. 2. As you noted, Mr. Eduard, you also met with the chairman of the PDL. What was discussed at this meeting? E. Selami: At the meeting I had with the gentlemen from the PDI, with whom we have very good relations, the discussions focused on recent developments and the political and economic situation in Italy. As is known, Italy is undergoing a profound process of change. Mr. Martinacoli was optimistic about the future, especially about the position of the P. Demokratiane, which would find its place as a serious political force in Italy. After thanking Mr. Martinacoli for his detailed account of political life in Italy, and particularly for the discussions concerning the electoral law, I expressed my view that these are moments that will soon pass and that the P. Demokratiane will soon recover from the profound restructuring it is carrying out. We asked the PDI to support our membership in the European and world Democratic Union, for which we have submitted an application. This is an organization outside the EPU (European Democratic Union), where, as is known, we are expected to be admitted as full members in September. The meeting was attended by Vice-Chairman Zampolini, Kasponjeti, and other representatives of the P. Demokratiane, with whom we had an open and friendly conversation. 3. You had a more extended meeting with Mr. Karilio. What concrete results were achieved in these discussions? E. Selami: I had an important meeting with Mr. Antonio Karilio, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I was accompanied by the Italian ambassador to Albania, Mr. Paolo Foresti, whom I would describe as very well-disposed towards Albania, a person with extraordinary influence in Italian political life—and this is a good fortune for Albania. Everyone expressed the view to me that Mr. Foresti is a prominent figure in Italian diplomacy, and his being ambassador in Albania represents Italy’s priority for Albania. In the meeting with Mr. Karilio, we spoke openly and achieved many concrete things. I told him that the Italian delegations going to and from the European Parliament, the European Community, NATO and the North Atlantic Assembly maintain close relations. I specifically asked him to institutionalize these links so that our contacts would be more regular. Mr. Karilio expressed great willingness to meet our request. He said it would be very good for us to establish a parliamentary group for Albania to deal with Albanian affairs, as the Germans have done by establishing a parliamentary group for Albania that focuses on the problems facing Albania, in order to support our country and integrate Albania into these institutions. Mr. Karilio expressed particular readiness to establish special relations with the Foreign Affairs Committee of our People’s Assembly. He stressed that they would help us with all the problems Albania faces, and that we should focus on these main problems and concerns. We are seeking assistance with membership in the Council of Europe, NATO, the North Atlantic Assembly, etc. He expressed the readiness of the Italian delegations, and the Italian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, to help and support Albania in its fastest possible integration into European structures. I think this is extraordinarily important political assistance, and Italy will fulfill this mission, since it has all the means to do so. It carries particular weight in the international community; in other words, it has an obligation towards Albania because of historical ties and, at the same time, the community of interests that exists between Italy and our country. 4. Do you think this strong political support Italy is giving Albania will affect our domestic situation and, particularly, the region? E. Selami: Yes, this was one of my arguments. I told them that, within the framework of a united Europe, Italy, as a member of the EC, should be closer to Albania in order to help and exert influence towards resolving the crisis in the region. Italy has a special place in our region, not only as a neighbouring country, but also as one of the world’s seven most industrialized and powerful countries. I think this cooperation will be very positive. The idea is to create a solid democratic bloc among the countries of the European Community, such as Italy, and the new democracy in Albania and other countries, which will be pillars supporting democracy in the region and the only means of achieving lasting peace in our region. 5. We must hope that Italy’s strong political support for our country will also be reflected in full economic support? E. Selami: Certainly. In all the discussions I held—with Mr. Karilio, with the Chairman of the Defence Committee, and with Mr. Andreata—the fundamental problem discussed was Albania’s economy. There can be neither a solid democracy nor its development without a healthy economy. In relations between Albania and Italy, I think the latter has advantages. Albania has resources; Italy is nearby and has experience, opportunities and capital, and things have begun to move forward. We want to accelerate these relations. We believe Italy has its own problems, but they are not as dramatic as the situation Albania is facing. We hope every investment will be made as soon as possible, since this is also in our interest, and that our contacts with Italy will expand. Tirana, 14.7.1993 Interview by: M. BUÇPAPAJ

From 19 to 21 July, at the invitation of the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Egon Klepsh, will arrive in Tirana.

German construction delegation At a meeting with a group of German construction specialists led by Mr. Joachim Gunther, Parliamentary State Secretary, the delegation members informed the President about specific areas in which they were committed to providing assistance, such as water management, the necessary related legislation, and participation in the relevant international bodies and projects, etc. In acknowledging their commitment, the President of the Republic stressed that the assistance Germany provides to democracy in Albania is also a contribution to peace and stability in the Balkans, which both our countries are interested in. (ATSH)

Asked by ATSH about the report carried by AFP and BBC, according to which the Director General of the State Archives, Luan Malltezi, and the director of the Central State Archive, Nevila Nika, had been detained along with a quantity of archival documents, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Order clarified that «no detention measure has been taken against these two people». Also questioned by ATSH, Vehbi Agolli, director of the Department of Control and Management at the Central State Archive, clarified that «Mr. Malltezi and Ms. Nika went to Koblenz, Germany, in response to an invitation from that country’s archives for a five-day working visit». Mr. Agolli said that «the two archive employees from Germany will go to France. They had also taken with them a quantity of photocopied documents for the French Archives, in response to the archival exchange program between the two countries. The two employees will stay in Paris for archival research for a period of one month. Some time ago, Mr. Agolli said, valuable archival materials concerning Albania, in photocopied form, arrived from France; accordingly, the materials taken by Mr. Malltezi and Ms. Nika will be handed over to the French Archives in accordance with the reciprocity between these two institutions, and not for other purposes, as some news agencies have tried to suggest.» (ATSH)

The communist charlatan Idajet Beqiri was sentenced again to imprisonment. The mourners of «ZP» are wailing over his «heroic» deeds. What can you do? Their mercenary has learned the ways of prison with his eyes shut. They say prison is for men, but what about the little man of the «Beqir» murikë, who once again displayed the qualities of the Socialist Party (Unity) gramophone, proclaiming that «you are a rusty Enverist». O God, how can the babbling of his tongue be called free speech?! How can a gathering of people assembled around a courtroom, drugged with ultracommunist ideas, be called a people? Is there anything more tolerant than justice in a democracy, when these puppets directed by the mother Socialist Party spew and stink as they shout «Workers’ Party», «Long live communism». Nevertheless, the communist hero of the day, «little Enver», Beqir «lands» in a cell for the second time, like a stone in its place. It is futile to call the immoral moral; Beqirli’s people are trying in vain to hide his tail. But the world’s wonder does not begin here. After Beqiri’s «sublime act», the party’s ranks are tightening and swelling with new members. This is the great truth. As many as seven or eight former officers who were discharged or retired have also rushed to join this party. The poor souls are waiting for Chairman Idajeti—or, at his behest, the leaders of the mother Socialist Party—to restore their posts and the ranks they once held. ALBION HALLILI

On the occasion of the International Monetary Fund Executive Board’s approval of the second agreement between the IMF and Albania for the three-year ESAF program, IMF Director Mr. Camdessus sends this letter to the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha: Dear Mr. President, It is a great pleasure for me to inform you that this morning the IMF Executive Board approved your Government’s request for the agreement

A three-year agreement under the ESAF program. This represents an important event on the path of progress Albania is pursuing towards sustainable growth and reform. three-year under the ESAF program. This represents an important event on the path of progress Albania is pursuing towards sustainable growth and reform. Despite the difficult tasks that lie ahead, the successful achievement of stability has begun. I would emphasize that at this morning’s meeting of the Board of Directors, a strong sense of admiration and support was evident for Albania’s efforts and determination towards stability and reform. Despite the difficult tasks ahead, we have full confidence that your Government will overcome them and continue resolutely implementing the program to achieve the desired results. I have made your program known to Albania’s major donors and have personally encouraged them to continue supporting the reform. I would conclude by emphasizing the excellent cooperation between the Government and our institutions. In this context, I greatly appreciate your personal efforts, which made it possible to successfully complete Albania’s first program with the Fund. We wish to continue our cooperation with Albania in the same spirit of mutual cooperation and trust, in order to achieve our shared goal: a better economic future for your country. Sincerely, MICHEL CAMDESSUS 15.7.93

Quite a few days have passed since the PS and PSD deputies left parliament. The reason (or, rather, the excuse) for this act is already well known. It seems that financial problems do not exist for the «elected representatives of the people». So if their constituents want them to solve a problem, they need only refrain from looking for them in parliament and instead wander around the many bars and cafés that have opened in Tirana. It is true that some of these deputies who have «taken leave» are spending it at the seaside (one of them is abroad on party business), but most of them continue to «worry» and discuss the country’s problems in the capital’s luxurious cafés and restaurants. That is why it is not surprising that some cafés are now also called little parliaments. Conscience can even tell you by name the bars where the social democrats drink coffee or the restaurants where the socialists have lunch or dinner. In particular, mouths blocked by steaks do not stop the deputies from talking and discussing «the people’s hardships». They say that one day one of these deputies, dead drunk, mistook the bar table for the parliament podium and began loudly discussing social problems and the parliament that was not working to solve them. In fact, parliament continues to work, pass laws and discuss problems that also require immediate solutions. As for the PS and PSD electorate, the only thing left for them to do, if they meet their deputies, is to pay for their coffees and beers in the clubs. EDI PALOKA