NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, SALI BERISHA, RECEIVED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PEASANT PARTY OF KOSOVO On the morning of 21 July in Korçë, at the office of the chairman of the Peasant Party of Kosovo, H. Vjollca Ismaili, President of the Republic Sali Berisha spoke about Albania’s efforts to prevent the war being waged there in the former Yugoslavia from spreading south, and to achieve a political solution to the problem. President Berisha stressed the need for harmony and coordination among the Albanian parties in Kosovo, with the aim of strengthening their political weight. An extremely important element was also the pan-Albanian coordination of activity, especially in the diplomatic sphere. In this regard, clarity and realism should prevail in the diplomacy of all Albanian forces. Mr Hivzi Islam said that the situation in Kosovo remained grave and that the Serbian side was showing no sign of willingness to cooperate seriously. (ATSH)

On 21 July 1993, the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco, Zine Abidine Sebti, who presented his credentials. The ceremony for the presentation of credentials was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi, directors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc. (ATSH)

Communist scions, the disoriented of the Albanian world, anonymous MPs from party committee lists, favourites of the dictatorship and lovers of democratization, it is said, appeared in the Albanian Parliament yesterday after interrupting their beach sessions. The social-communists did not come to Parliament to do what might have been expected—to take part in the ordinary sessions of parliamentary work—but did what was not expected... they tumbled, or rather dragged themselves behind the parliamentary cash desk and, to the astonishment of many, collected their hefty salaries without working a single day. This is another matter, to be settled by the Assembly’s accounts office, but what is worth commenting on in this note is the phenomenon of social-communist MPs dragging themselves along. While the Albanian Parliament works with the utmost seriousness, passing many important laws and following the tense developments in the Balkans attentively, the social-communist MPs, as they have throughout their political lives, chose the path of dragging themselves along, hiding, duplicity, and a lack of responsibility towards their country. For the social-communists, this dragging themselves along has become a craft, a way of life, a kind of political slogan directing them down the shameful path of crawling, falling behind and desertion, which is above all a great sin against the nation. The social-communist gentlemen MPs have dragged themselves along through every stage of political and social development. The only service they have rendered Albania has been, and remains, signing the payrolls in office registers, while in a way these gentlemen have become [unclear] during these days of great tension in the Balkans. But those who sign unbelievable declarations with Greek chauvinists cannot rise to the level of their national obligations. Those who, instead of taking the honourable path of legitimacy and working in the Albanian Parliament and the democratic Albanian state, have chosen the dark path of dragging themselves around beaches will only be remembered as a species of reptiles. They will only be remembered as those worn-out creatures who dragged themselves across Albania’s path when it needed more than ever to move quickly towards consolidating democracy. M. BUÇPAPAJ

On Tuesday, at the headquarters of the Albanian Democratic Party, the party chairman, Mr Eduard Selami, received Mr Abdulhamid F. Farhat, secretary of the Libyan Arab People’s Bureau in the Republic of Albania. On this occasion, Mr Selami gave an overview of the situation in the country and expressed support for further development of relations between Albania and Libya. Mr Abdulhamid F. Farhat presented the situation in Libya and also expressed the desire to further develop relations between our two countries. Mr Selami and Mr Abdulhamid F. Farhat also discussed the situation in the region. The meeting was also attended by the chairman of the newspaper «Rilindja Demokratike», Mr Bashkim Trenova.

Yesterday morning, the Foreign Minister, Mr Alfred Serreqi, received his Montenegrin counterpart, Mr Miodrag Lekic, for a brief working meeting. The Albanian minister expressed his positive appreciation of the visit to Albania by his Montenegrin counterpart, stressing that such meetings are in the interests of our two countries, and in the interests of peace and cooperation in the region. In his remarks, Mr Serreqi underlined the priority Albania gives to Montenegro, which differs from Serbia in three respects. First, Montenegro has accepted the continuation of the C.S.B. observers’ mission in Stuttgart and Vojvodina. Second, Montenegro has accepted the monitoring of the borders of the Yugoslav Federation by international observers; and third, Montenegro has accepted the Vance-Owen peace plan for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Bosnia. Finally, Albanian diplomacy stressed that Montenegro upheld the agreements confirmed in the region. It has expressed no territorial claims. Mr Serreqi received thanks from his Montenegrin counterpart, Mr Miodrag Lekic, in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, for Albania’s role in helping bring peace to the region. For his part, the Foreign Minister of Montenegro praised Albania’s peaceful foreign policy and stressed the need for dialogue between the parties in the Balkans: «The future of the Balkans,» he said. After four wars in the Balkans, another one would be catastrophic. He stressed that Montenegro promotes dialogue as the only means of resolving conflicts. He emphasized Montenegro’s readiness for further cooperation with Albania. Mr Lekic also delivered a message from the Montenegrin president, Mr Bulatoviq, to President Berisha and presented an invitation for Mr Serreqi to make a working visit to Montenegro, an invitation which the Albanian side gladly accepted. It should be noted that the meeting took place at the request of the Montenegrin minister, who was passing through Albania in transit. The deputy foreign ministers of both countries, Mr Starova and Mr Perovic, the chargé d’affaires of the Yugoslav Embassy in Tirana, Mr Zahoviç, and the directors of the Balkan, Diaspora and Press directorates at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Messrs E. Meta, E. Myftari and R. Hysa, were present at the meeting. RD Correspondent

The President of the European Parliament, Dr Egon Klepsh, accompanied by the chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, visited the Cathedral Church in the city of Shkodër. At its entrance he was received by the Archbishop, Monsignor Frano Illia, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Ivan Dias, the Bishop of Shkodër, other clergy, the chairman of the Shkodër District Council, Ali Kazazi, and the Mayor, Filip Guraziu. The Archbishop of Shkodër acquainted the guest with the history of the Cathedral Church, the largest in Albania and the Balkans. The 135-year history of this church is filled with important events that form part of the history and culture of the Albanian nation. The 50 years of dictatorship transformed the cathedral, but with God’s help and with the support and efforts of all the people, the church was rebuilt to welcome His Holiness Pope John Paul II on 25 April of this year, an event that became one of the most important historical occasions for the Albanian nation. Expressing his interest in the artistic and architectural values of the Cathedral, Mr Klepsh praised the distinguished history of the Archbishopric of Shkodër, as well as the local authorities’ representatives for their work in rebuilding the church. “I know,” he said, “that you have gone through many difficulties, and I have been greatly impressed by the way you have overcome such difficult times.” (ATSH)

— MR KLEPSH’S MEETING WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF SHKODËR — After visiting the Cathedral Church in the city of Shkodër, the President of the European Parliament, Dr Egon Klepsh, together with the dignitaries accompanying him, met with the Archbishopric of Shkodër. Present were the Archbishop of Shkodër, Monsignor Frano Illia, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Ivan Dias, Bishop Zef Simoni, and representatives of the local authorities. Addressing those present, he said, among other things, that Europe was aware that the past had been a difficult and terrible time for all Albanians, and therefore he thanked them for the way they had managed to endure it, as well as for the determination they had shown in achieving progress over the past two years. “I wish to express my congratulations on the fact that, together with the other religious communities, you have managed to overcome the difficulties.” Speaking about the responsibilities involved in the development of democracy, he stressed that Albania was an example for two reasons: first, because people of different faiths live together in this country; and second, because your country has no territorial claims against other countries, and the Albanian nation is committed to preserving peace in the region. He said that in Albania the population works in consensus with people of other communities. In this way, Mr Klepsh emphasized, your country can become a symbol for the whole Balkans. Speaking about the past, he said that the 50 years of dictatorship and martyrdom were a bitter experience from which future generations must learn, so that such a terrible past is never repeated. The President of the EP also gave particular attention in his speech to close ties with the European Community... “Albania,” he said, “is making an effort to join Europe, and we feel an obligation to bring these achievements together into a better future. We will continue to help Albania with infrastructure, so that you can attract investment and create new jobs.” At the end of the meeting, Mr Klepsh gave the Catholic clergy and local authority representatives a medallion bearing the symbol of the European Community. The President of the European Parliament departed from Shkodër. (ATSH)

After visiting Shkodër, the President of the European Parliament, Egon Klepsh, went to Lezhë, honoured for the history of ancient Albania and especially that of Skënderbeu. On this occasion, he was received by the city’s clergy at the Church of Shënkoll. On this occasion, Klepsh said that Albania had made a contribution to the history of Europe, and perhaps that is why Albanians are so proud. Dr Egon Klepsh left our country. At Rinas Airport he was seen off by the Chairman of the Council of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, and other MPs. (ATSH)

Work to repair and modernize Tirana’s water reservoir began several months ago, but apparently it will be held up and will not be completed by the government even by the end of this [unclear]. The 36 million lekë to be allocated for this water reservoir in Tirana will also help with the implementation of the Bovilla reservoir project, which is under way. Of the 36 million lekë, 4 million will be used to put two of Tirana’s water [systems/lines] back into service; they have been out of use for a long time, have dried up and have suffered damage. (ATSH)

FROM THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY On Thursday, the People’s Assembly approved draft laws intended to support the country’s economic development. On Thursday, the People’s Assembly approved draft laws intended to support the country’s economic development, as well as the ratification of an agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Korea, under which the two countries will develop relations and cooperation in many fields, in the interests of their economic development and in accordance with and respect for international law. In the afternoon, the Assembly considered the draft law «On an amendment to the law “On health services and the provision of free medical assistance by the state”». This law has made a qualitative improvement to services in healthcare institutions. For this reason, it is proposed that free services be withdrawn from certain special categories of the population. The People’s Assembly then ratified the «Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Croatia», under which the two countries will review and develop their relations. The People’s Assembly then ratified the draft law «On the accession of the Republic of Albania to the Islamic Development Bank», which will create an opportunity to finance various projects in our country. At the end of the day, the draft law «On the punishment of Shkodër» [?] was also approved, as was the draft law «On Albanian emigrants». (ATSH)

YEAR III OF PUBLICATION No. 419 Friday 23 July 1993 Price: 5 lekë

REGARDING THE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER «ALTERNATIVA SD» ABOUT THE VALUATION OF THE «DAJTI» AND «TIRANA» HOTELS, WE CLARIFY: For the valuation of a hotel’s assets, including the building, methods are used internationally that differ entirely from those we use, which are very modest valuations. Hotel «Dajti» was not valued by the existing Ministry of Tourism, but by its predecessor, the Ministry of Tourism of Albaturizmi. Nevertheless, we have no objection to the accuracy of the valuation. For the valuation of Hotel «Tirana» in September 1992, the Ministry of Tourism asked the English firm «Horwath & Horwath», the best-known in Europe in this field, to carry out its valuation so that it could serve as the basis for a joint venture. A team from this firm’s Vienna branch worked in Albania, and the auditor spent two months on this assignment. The valuation was completed in December 1992, and in January 1993 the study was submitted in two volumes, around 200 pages long. In essence, the study presented three options: The first was that Albania is the most optimal location for investment; the second, that Albania is a favourable location for investment; and the third was an intermediate option between the first two. In the negotiations with the Italian firm, a comprehensive study was prepared, with instructions that Albania was indeed not the most optimal case for investment, but was not the worst case either. Regarding the article in the newspaper «Albanica» dated 20.7.93, entitled «Albania owes I.C.P.I. Airlines», we clarify that the figures mentioned in the article by Mr Robert Barth, managing director of Albanian Airlines, are not accurately substantiated and are therefore being recalculated. I.C.P.I. Airlines will often clarify matters for the public concerning issues raised in articles. We emphasize that none of the newspapers contacted representatives of our company, which would have helped provide more accurate and truthful information. I.C.P.I. AIRLINES TIRANA