Yesterday afternoon, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received in a special meeting a delegation of the Independent Trade Union of Kosovo, headed by Prof. Hajrulla Gorani, with deputies Aziz Abrashi and Burahan Kavaja. At the meeting, they discussed the extremely difficult situation of workers and the Albanian people in Kosovo, the struggle and efforts of the trade union and Kosovo’s political forces to secure their human and national rights, and the expansion of comprehensive cooperation between Albania and the trade union and political forces of Albania and Kosovo. President Berisha stressed that the peaceful efforts and determination of Kosovo’s political and trade union forces to secure their human and national rights have gained, and continue to gain, ever broader support, while their stance and policy of conflict and the creation of a democratic space are increasingly appreciated. The Kosovo Trade Union delegation expressed its commitment to continue the struggle to internationalize the Kosovo issue and to increase cooperation with analogous Albanian and European structures. Also yesterday afternoon, the President of the Republic received a group of veterans with disabilities of the National Liberation War, who expressed to him the full support of all those who fought and kept the ideals of freedom intact. They asked the President that those who fought after 24 May 1944 also be recognized as war veterans and veterans with disabilities. There are quite a few comrades who were killed and gave their lives in the fight against the occupiers after that date, or were wounded and are now disabled. President Berisha told them that today, more than ever, their work and that of their comrades who fell for freedom is appreciated and honored. He assured them that he would ask the Meksi government to discuss the issue of provisions for war veterans with disabilities and other veterans, and to provide them with all the benefits due for the great sacrifices they made during the years of fascist occupation. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE Tirana, 18 May 1993

THE COUNTRY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK The current political situation in Albania is characterized by the continued progress of democratic processes and the consolidation of democracy in the difficult transition process. Despite the difficult conditions in which the Democratic Party took over the leadership of the country a year ago, any objective person analyzing this period will recognize a clear direction in which the Democrats govern in coalition with the Social Democrats and Republicans and see fundamental, positive changes. This year of our governing has been a year of consolidating democracy, improving the political, social and even economic situation, taking concrete steps toward opening up and integration into today’s European and global international currents, stabilizing public order, establishing legislation under the rule of law, and making significant progress toward privatization, especially in the countryside, which clearly demonstrates the superiority of the agrarian policy pursued by the Democrats. The reduction of inflation to 0.9% per month is another important positive indicator on the road to stabilization of the Republic of Macedonia as an independent state. But, bearing in mind the interests of around 1 million Albanians living in this republic, we will not allow its admission to the CSCE (Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe) without the rights of the Albanians, who make up 40% of its population, being fulfilled. Regarding the war in the former Yugoslavia, we still adhere to our previous position that, without coercive measures, including NATO military measures, the Serbs, now led by war criminals, will not stop, and this will make the situation in the region increasingly complicated. The fundamental condition for preventing the conflict from spreading south—which would mean a Balkan war with extremely serious consequences for the region—is the swift deployment of peacekeeping troops in Kosovo and the Republic of Macedonia. Europe and the international community should adhere more firmly to the principles they themselves have established and not ... be guided in making decisions by historical or religious factors, because this could cause harmful and unforeseeable consequences. The domestic situation, alongside the progress of the reform and nationwide support for it, is accompanied by a revival of conservative Enverist and communist forces which, gathered around the Socialist Party and its allies, want at all costs to destabilize the country and create disorder. Their aggressiveness increases whenever there are concrete results in consolidating democracy and whenever their coalitions in Russia launch an offensive. Most recently, this offensive has been linked to the defense they offer to the head of the former communist mafia, Fatos Nano, who was put in that position by the hand of Nexhmije and Ramiz Alia. Fatos Nano has been confronted with clear evidence of corruption, and the defense being mounted for him here and there is not only pitiful but immoral. The fact that a large part of the Socialist Party has mobilized to defend a thief is extremely troubling for the healthy part of the SP. But the democratic government will not stop short of exposing and punishing corruption, whoever may be involved. This is the promise we made to the people; this is the wish of honest people, regardless of party affiliation. The Democratic Party and the democratic government enjoy the support and backing of progressive and democratic forces, both at home and abroad, for the policies pursued and the results achieved. Thank you! Speech by Mr. EDUARD SELAMI, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, at the press conference, dated 17 May 1993

— Statement by Mr. Meksi to ATSH — The visit of the Albanian government delegation, which has just concluded, had a number of objectives concerning Albanian-Greek relations in general and their political and economic aspects; the signing of a number of agreements; preparations for signing a number of further agreements in the future; the issue of Greek investment in Albania; the Greek loan, which has been disbursed for some time; and the well-known issue of Albanians working in Greece. I would say that, in many respects ... the rules. Our request is to regulate the status of Albanians who are in Greece and, at the same time, to secure a number of visas for seasonal employment for Albanians who need jobs. This commission will meet as soon as possible to strengthen all the rules that must be followed for the seasonal employment of Albanians in Greece. At the same time, the Greek side requested that illegal, clandestine border crossings be reduced by strengthening border protection on the ... Albanian side. I believe this will be beneficial to both sides. In general, I believe that the meetings and discussions we held there, the agreements we signed, the relevant clarifications concerning the signing of other agreements as soon as possible, as well as the treaty of friendship, and the discussions and meetings with Greek investors wishing to invest in Albania, were useful and represent a step forward in Albanian-Greek relations. We will certainly feel the benefits of this work in the future. (ATSH) …the stabilization of public order, the establishment of legislation under the rule of law, and important steps positive indicator pointing toward the stabilization of the situation. But, on the other hand, it must be understood that this transition period is a difficult one, and the still-high level of unemployment and assistance, which affects around 220,000 people—15% of the working-age population—is a social problem that we must address. Likewise, the pace of privatization and foreign investment must be accelerated. There is no doubt that foreign investment is vital to the Albanian economy. In this context, it should be said that one significant obstacle is the presence of war in the former Yugoslavia. Thus, the natural difficulties of transition are compounded by the complex situation in the region, which constitutes the gravest crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Albania, rightly assessed as the most difficult country and the last to embark on the path to democracy, is today considered one of the most stable countries; 77% of respondents, according to some surveys by international institutions, believe that the country is on the right path. This is the highest percentage of support for a democratic policy in the former communist countries. The foreign policy of the democratic government has been entirely directed toward the national question, Albania’s integration into the new currents, and resolving the question of the Albanians living in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. Despite the tense situation in the region, Albania is maintaining a clear pro-peace position on resolving regional problems. Our position is in the interests of the Albanians and is pro-European. In this context, we also recognize… …a Balkan war with extremely grave consequences for the region, is to be put in place as soon as possible, along with other matters to be signed the Greek loan that many respects, the visit was successful in making clear to the Greek side the Albanian government’s position on Albanian-Greek relations, our desire to move forward with them, and to resolve the problems that arise more quickly. We also made clear our concern and position regarding the crisis in the former Yugoslavia and the issues of Kosovo, Macedonia, and the Albanians there. The issue of regulating the status of Albanians and their employment in Greece was also discussed. We think that, soon, a joint Albanian-Greek commission of the relevant ministries of labor will meet to determine…

The People’s Assembly approved several bills. During the morning session, two bills were considered and approved: one on the establishment of the “Order of Physicians” and the agreement “On military relations and exchanges between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Hungary.” In the afternoon, the People’s Assembly considered the bill “On Social Protection,” one of the important bills through which a social state is being established for the first time under market-economy conditions. The bill presented aims to assist families and individuals who bear the consequences of the transition to a market economy. We are now in a period when a considerable number of people will leave the unemployment-benefit scheme, while there are other categories that do not qualify under this law and have no financial means to support themselves and their families. Under these circumstances, the bill concerns families that have no income at all or whose income is insufficient to live on. The state will determine the minimum poverty level, and on this basis families without sufficient income will receive assistance. Representatives of the parliamentary groups, Th.Bej of the SP, L.Skuqi of the DP, and R.Pulaha of the SDP, emphasized the necessity of this law under the conditions our country is experiencing. The bill was approved in principle, article by article, and then as a whole. (ATSH)

The political transition brought a complete sorting out of individuals and political groups. The honest Albanians’ hatred of the former State Security remained hatred and moral, rather than legal, protest. Taking advantage of this, the former Sigurimsas went on the offensive, thinking they would face no legal consequences for their brutality, and described their long activity in the PPSH’s black weapon as a great honor. After Pobrat and Tozaj, hundreds of other Sigurimsas joined the parties and factions that had failed on 22 March. Especially after the challenges that justice posed to the corruption of former communist prime ministers A.Çarçani, V.Ahmeti and F.Nano, the former Sigurimsas, lined up at attention under the orders of the Labour Party, now the Socialist Party, openly came out in defense of the last leader (Continued on page 4)

The circuit of Socialist rallies also swept through Berat. The desire to see where the departure from reality lay meant that, on making contact with the news at 16:00, the news about a “Rand Rover” [sic] transporting their “honorary” rally, which they were holding in the city of Berat, changed us into “liberals” and S[?] socialists. Tirana [sic] ... [text partly illegible] ... All 2,000 ... work organization ... that the PS leaders had done to organize this rally. But if we take part, no more than 2,000 people were there; perhaps this is explained by the change this time in the rallygoers’ makeup, where the absence of Nano was noticeable. The presence of the “distinguished orator” of our parliament, Namik Dokle, did not make up for him, nor did the presence of a likable “blond-haired fellow.” But did “ZP” claim a turnout of 15 thousand people? As always, exaggeration—its professional deformation. “Party-Enver, we are always ready” All that was missing was Dokle raising his fist in salute to bring out the Enver nostalgics’ longing for him. Smiling and full of cheer, he could not get enough of the “wretched” and poor people of Berat. The balm of his smile and his words were supposed to heal that day the wounds of these unfortunate people. But while he spoke about democracy and the paradise guaranteed by the PS, from one side of the rally came the cries, “Party-Enver, we are always ready.” And while Dokle, with his balm, tried to soothe the open wounds of the people of Berat, the latter, “ungrateful” as they were, wounded Dokle in the very wound he was trying to heal. “Nano the thief, Nano the thief” Mr. Dokle was jolted out of his left-wing attire, so his hearing focused on his other ear when some of those around him the very wound he was trying to heal. (Continued on page 4)

He turns Nano’s meeting in a hall with 300 seats into one with 1,700 seats! How did F. Nano come to Fushe-Kruje? He came in a pompous manner, like a puffed-up peacock, with dollars stolen to campaign against the government and the democratic state. Does the people of the PP’s Nano want him? How does he arrive at his rallies? Eight old-guard security men, with other security men around him. Who is Mr. Nano being protected from—from the people, from the privileged class? What a great mystery! After all, he is their “protector.” Another mystery is “ZP,” which turns a hall with 300 seats, where he held his rally meeting, into one with 1,700 seats. How can “ZP” not be ashamed to lie in broad daylight? (Continued on page 4)

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