Mr. Arbnori’s speech at the European Parliament Honorable Mr. President, Dear gentlemen, Having come after a consultative examination at a meeting of the Albanian people in Kosovo on behalf of our Assembly, where it was received with interest and followed with respect, I would like to thank you for the opportunity given to me to present some thoughts. Albania is emerging from a long period of isolation and from a totalitarian regime that destroyed our economy, culture, and the very morals of our society. Our people have made their choice in favor of freedom, pluralism, and the building of the rule of law. Today we are determined to move forward on the path of democratic reforms and the market economy. This is a difficult road, with many sacrifices, but it is the only road that can bring Albania out of the inherited crisis. The democratic government has taken important steps in economic stabilization, in privatization, in creating new institutions, and in opening the country to Europe. However, the difficulties remain great and we need the understanding and help of our European partners. We wish to be part of the European family not only geographically, but also politically and spiritually. Albania belongs to Europe through its history, culture, and aspirations. In this framework, cooperation with the European Parliament and with the institutions of the European Community takes on special importance. We hope that this cooperation will expand and be made concrete in aid projects, exchanges of experience, and political support. A sensitive issue for our nation also remains the situation of Albanians in Kosovo, who face oppression and the denial of their rights. A peaceful and democratic solution to this issue is in the interest of regional stability and of Europe itself. The Albanian people have shown maturity and patience. They believe in the new system, in democracy, and in the government that has emerged from the free vote. This trust is a political and moral capital that we must preserve and strengthen. Thank you for your attention and for the support you have given and continue to give to Albania. (Strasbourg, 27.5.1993) (continued on page 4)

On 26 May, the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Vencel, hosted a reception for the President of the Albanian Parliament. As is known, Mr. Arbnori’s visit to Brussels is taking place within the framework of the cooperation agreement with the European Parliament and aims to establish direct interparliamentary contacts with the political bodies of united Europe. At Mr. Vencel’s reception were present the vice-chairman of the subcommittee for Albania and Kosovo, Messrs. Hiller [?], Van den Brande [?], the Italian deputy Mr. Klem [?], the MEPs Messrs. Schori [?], Costa [?], de Combe [?], as well as Albania’s ambassador to the EEC, Mr. Luan Omari. The discussion focused on the European Community’s economic aid to Albania, the possibilities for more effective assistance for the country’s democratization process, and Albania’s integration into Europe. Mr. Arbnori gave an open account of the progress achieved in Albania in the fields of economic reform, democratization, and the functioning of pluralist institutions. He pointed out the inherited difficulties, but also the determination of the democratic forces to push forward the transformation processes. For his part, Mr. Klepsh expressed the European Parliament’s appreciation for the positive developments in Albania and its interest in further helping our country within the framework of relations with European institutions.

Slander, the factory of fabrications and bluff have been, as is known, the favorite weapon of the communist left and its press against the reforming and transforming policy of the democratic government. The article published yesterday by the newspaper "Zëri i Popullit" under the sensational headline "The Last Suljot of Ramiz Alia" is another example of this practice. In it, taking as a pretext an ordinary administrative procedure, an attempt was made to raise a political accusation against the leaders of the democratic state. In its article, "ZP" tries to confuse public opinion with insinuations and slander concerning a decision regarding the vehicle of the Speaker of Parliament. But all this is nothing more than an attempt to cover up the real problems of yesterday’s and today’s opposition. The legal subculture shown in the handling of the matter reveals the political panic of those who still have not freed themselves from the old mindset. Serving low-level propaganda, "ZP" and Fatos Nano try to create scandals where there is only the implementation of state procedures. The public now knows well the style of this newspaper and of those who inspire it. That style rests not on fact, but on insinuation; not on truth, but on slander. PANDELI KOÇI

Those who follow it add new links to the long chain of their sins It was enough for a procedure to be misinterpreted for a storm of accusations to be raised. But the truth is much simpler than the political opponents want to present it. It concerns the vehicle used by the Speaker of Parliament, a matter that was treated in sensational tones by the left-wing press. Let us recall previous cases when the mechanism of slander was set in motion to distort the facts and create a climate of mistrust toward the new institutions. In this case, as in the others, there is no element of scandal. On the contrary, we are dealing with an ordinary administrative act, to which a political meaning was attached for the purpose of denigrating the figures of the state’s main institutions. Instead of dealing with the real problems of citizens, the opposition chooses to follow the path of slander. This is a known form of political struggle, but not a contribution to the democratization of public life. Those who encourage this bad spirit and those who follow it add new links to the long chain of their political and moral sins. (continued on page 2)

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The Guarantee Agreement concluded with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the credit of Albanian telecom (ATSH) At the press conference, the PD spokesperson Mr. Tritan Shehu stated, among other things, that: "The vice-president of the EBRD, Mr. Jean de [ ? ], accompanied by the president of the Albanian Development Fund, Mr. Elizan Hajdaraga, were received in Tirana. The meetings will be held with the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, as well as with the Ministers of Economy, Finance and Transport." At a press conference, the spokesperson of the Democratic Party declared that the recent demonstrations constitute a new risk of destabilization. We demand that Zëri i Popullit apologize or present proof for its slander. WASHING MACHINE! ARISTON and SPLENDIT with sympathy from the only international importer Trade is the commercial terminal Accompanied by special offers for entrepreneurs who according to the agreements that respond to you in AV lace 527 DAMARATI that in with no. SISTERA as CALVODOROK 38+ [ ? ] phone 4 [?] Assembly is included. From your [ ? ] place, it is with INTERIKE are the parts e? as if of the perfect phone. Client [ ? ] of a brave one from [ ? ] and [ ? ] and nundi te fudhem. MISSION And not the serial timob, legality. GUARANTEE and VERIFIED of for [ ? ] ARISION