On Thursday, the 8th day of the PDSH delegation's visit led by Secretary General Mr. Eduard Selami in the U.S. capital, Washington, also continued. Packed with high-level government meetings, but also with an intense public and media schedule, Thursday marked an important success in achieving the objectives of this visit. During the day, the delegation held a meeting with Mr. Dennis de Concini, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe in the U.S. Senate. In the meeting with Senator de Concini, the discussions focused on the need to continue U.S. support for Albania and on strengthening its role in the country's democratic and reform processes. The delegation was then received by Mr. Martin Sabo, a member of the House of Representatives, with whom extensive discussions were held on political and economic developments in Albania, the difficulties of the transition, and the support our country should receive from international partners. This was followed by a meeting with Mr. Hamilton, where issues related to economic reform, the role of yesterday's and today's opposition in the democratic process, and the importance of support for the new Albanian institutions were addressed. The delegation also had a meeting with Senator Bob Dole. The conversation focused on Albanian-American bilateral relations, strengthening political and economic cooperation, and the need to support Albania in international organizations. In the meetings held, the American representatives praised Albania's achievements to date and expressed readiness to continue American aid and support. During the visit, Mr. Selami gave interviews for the VOA television program and for Voice of America radio, where he set out the PDSH's positions on the reform processes, on the political situation in the country, and on Albania's role in the region. He also met with representatives of the Albanian-American community, who expressed interest in developments in the homeland and in the path of democratic reforms. The PDSH delegation returned home after the visit concluded, describing it as successful and with positive results for strengthening relations with the United States.

THE ITALIAN TANGENTOPOLI in defence THE ALBANIAN TANGENTOPOLI

Justice in crooked hands

The European Community grants Albania 16 million dollars in hope for these days The European Community grants Albania 16 million dollars in hope for these days This was the decision and support that the Council of Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the European Community gave yesterday in Brussels. This new aid comes at a time when our country is facing major economic and social difficulties, while the need for investment and financial support is becoming increasingly essential. According to the cited sources, the 16 million dollar fund will be used for priority projects, especially in the areas of infrastructure, energy, and the supply of basic goods. This aid is regarded as a clear sign of trust from the European Community in Albania's reform efforts. The Brussels decision was welcomed in Tirana. Government officials stressed that the allocation of this sum is not only a relief for the economy, but also a political encouragement to continue democratic and market reforms. European Community aid comes as part of its programs for transition countries and for regional stabilization. For Albania, this represents valuable support at a moment when domestic resources are limited and the needs of the population remain great. Representatives of European missions in Tirana have underlined that cooperation with Albanian institutions will continue and that the proper implementation of projects will be a condition for the aid's effectiveness. (ATSH)

Experts testify in favor of the defendants (the "Arsidi" case) On the fourth day of the trial against 16 Guçiç communists, the defense attorney insisted that the expertise presented by the prosecution does not prove the elements of the criminal offense. According to him, many of the experts' conclusions are unsupported and unsubstantiated. At the hearing, several experts in accounting and economics were also presented, and they gave opinions that, according to the defense, favored the defendants. They pointed out discrepancies in the documentation and in the interpretation of the financial data. The prosecution, for its part, insisted that the violations found are serious and that the individual responsibilities are clearly set out in the case files. The hearing was marked by numerous exchanges between the parties. The court decided to continue the examination in the following sessions. 75 communists and people politically close to the PDSH continue with speculations about the privatization of the cement factory in Fushë-Krujë. As for their statements, by manipulating public opinion with low slander, the target has been the Democratic Party of Albania and private enterprises linked to it. This version was put forward and defended by some former senior officials of the nomenklatura and by their media representatives, who are trying to present the economic process as criminalized. In this context, the Italian company ECU has also been mentioned, about which it is said that it has links to certain interests in Albania. According to the article, this company seeks to buy cement factories for its own commercial purposes. Meanwhile, various voices continue to throw mud at the government and its reforms, presenting them as captured by corruption. The article ends with general accusations and political undertones against the PDSH, without bringing concrete evidence. (ATSH)

TIRANA A labor front until the end of the year 75 municipalities and districts of the 53 coalition actors with the majority voted in general. Changes in labor contracts are being made in such a way as to secure temporary and long-term jobs for a large number of jobseekers. According to local sources, in the coming months an expansion of public works programs is expected in road infrastructure, cleaning, urban maintenance, and interventions in water supply systems. This will create employment opportunities for many unemployed citizens in urban and rural areas. Representatives of the municipalities have stated that the funds made available will be used for projects with a rapid social and economic impact. (ATSH)

55 firms compete for the pro- ject to rehabilitate 65 km of Tirana's main roads On 20 August 1993, at the Ministry of Public Works and Tourism, the bids were opened for the firms that had submitted the documentation for the project to rehabilitate 65 kilometers of Tirana's important roads. It is learned that 55 firms from various countries took part in this competition, expressing interest in carrying out the project. The opening of the bids was followed by ministry representatives and field specialists. The project aims to improve the road infrastructure of the capital, at a time when traffic and urban needs have increased significantly. The rehabilitation of these routes is expected to ease circulation and have a positive impact on the city's economic life. The selection process for the winning firm will continue after the technical and financial review of the bids. (ATSH) Z. IL

On 5 October 1991, before being registered as a federation on 8 February 1992, 12 independent trade unions of Albania founded the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania with a National Committee composed of 37 people. At the First Congress of the BSPSH on 15-16 October 1992, 728 delegates and 664 guests took part. At the congress, 1,400 people approved the BSPSH statute and program, elected the 50 members of the Steering Council and the 7 members of the control commission. Today this Union is the largest trade union organization in Albania. The BSPSH includes 12 trade union federations with around 96,000 members organized in 1,083 trade union organizations. It has been a full member of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions since 30 October 1992, as well as of the International Public Services Union based in Brussels since 13 January 1993. On 22 June 1993, in an Italian daily newspaper, in an article by the Italian trade unionist Bruno Trentin, insinuations were made that the BSPSH is an organization created by the PDSH and allegedly has improper ties with it. These allegations are false and offensive. The BSPSH declares that it is an independent organization, founded on the principles of trade-union pluralism, the protection of workers' interests, and organizational autonomy. It is not the creation of any political party and does not accept interference in its internal affairs. BSPSH representatives stress that such attacks damage the image of the Albanian trade-union movement in the international arena and distort the truth about democratic developments in the country. (ATSH) (Continues on page 2)

means a deep concern for the entire Albanian society. At a time when the country is trying to build the institutions of a state based on the rule of law and a market economy, various voices continue to cast doubt and accusations on the democratic process. According to the article, opponents of the reforms try to present democracy as the cause of all difficulties, forgetting the heavy legacy of the previous system. The author notes that some of the criticism does not stem from civic concern, but from political interests and nostalgia for the past. The article says that accusations against democracy are in fact attempts to discredit the changes, weaken people's trust, and hinder the consolidation of new institutions. It also emphasizes that Albanian society must distinguish between honest criticism and deliberate propaganda. (Continues on page 4)