Proceedings of the Economic Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Mr. Pjeter Arbnori had been invited to serve as honorary chair. Draft resolution on the programme of economic assistance for Albania approved On 3 June 1993, the Economic Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe met in Helsiniki. On 3 June 1993, of Europe met in Helsiniki. Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, who heads the delegation of the People’s Assembly, comprising Messrs Rudolf Marku and Shkelqim Cani, had been invited to chair this meeting in an honorary capacity. From Mr. Arbnori’s speech “Ladies and gentlemen, This is the first time that an Albanian has chaired a working session of this conference. I regard this as an honour bestowed on Albania and a good sign that Europe looks upon our country with goodwill and wishes to gradually integrate it into all its political, economic and social structures. Albania now has a clear vision of the path it has chosen: in its outlook, it is with the West; in its political system, it is a pluralist democracy; and in its economy, we are carrying out reform and moving towards a market economy. It goes without saying that we cannot do all this (Continued on page 4)

-This is the inevitable end of the secret offspring of the former Enverist security service -Pity those who follow and echo Neritan Ceka and his associates Ever since PAD emerged from the incubator of the Enverist and Ramizian Security Service onto the Albanian political scene, it was known that its leadership had been entrusted to Neritan Ceka and a few other burnt-out political figures, and it was clear that it would be a failed and rotten offspring. Blinded by a great desire to become President, like his revered mentor Ramiz Alia, Neritan Ceka decided that he would not settle for the ordinary title used by the leaders of other parties, “chairman,” but would be “President”!! And why shouldn’t he be called that? Was Ramiz Alia any more of a [shk]Krishe than he was? But he wanted to resemble Ramiz and even to be like him, especially in his quirks, habits, cunning, and ability to manoeuvre and adapt to every situation. As an old archaeologist, he had studied the traces of Ramizian monuments in these fields thoroughly. Thus, armed with ten tried-and-tested weapons from the Enverist class and clan battles, he threw all his mental and physical energies into the struggle to become all-powerful in PAD first, and then in government. But around him were strong rivals, no less intelligent and no less ambitious than he was. They, too, had joined PAD with the same dream, desire and objective. So he absolutely had to push them aside or remove them altogether from PAD’s leadership. As it appears, this was the firm decision in his mind: national darkness, dirty dealings with the country’s and nation’s vital interests, covert and overt support for the frontal assault by the PS and Milosheviç in Belgrade to halt and cancel democratic reforms in Albania, the trials and deserved punishment of Ramiz Alia and his fellow block leaders, Albania’s integration into European and international structures, and its recovery, strengthening and modernization. According to inside sources from PAD, these days close friends Ceka and Kadare nearly took each other’s heads off in a “duel” that was anything but intellectual. Let us hope this will serve as a clear message to Mr. Kadare and others to come to their senses and fully recognize the demon Neritan Ceka. On the anti-PD front, or in the coalition openly or behind the scenes led by the PS, Neritan Ceka, Preç Zogaj, R. Peshkepia and others have formed—or exposed—PAD as a worthy replacement for the illegal PK of Hysni Milos. Not even an anarchist former political prisoner such as Spartak Ngjela, whom they used without success as political makeup to manipulate some naive or idealistic followers, can remove this bad image. But we believe that Mr. Ngjela himself, and those who use his intelligent and learned persona and mind as a business commodity, understand well that neither his suffering nor his words can conceal the deep-red colour that the past and present activities of Preç Zogaj, Neritan Ceka, R. Peshkëpia or the very distinguished Perikli Teta will give—and continue to give—this party, whom his beloved weapon of the Security Service, or his godfather, carefully trained in the field of painting. Day by day, PAD is getting what it deserves: popular contempt, hatred and open revolt. The freshest evidence is the complete fiasco at the staged meeting in Durres, as well as President Neritan being forcibly expelled amid whistles from the 12th Congress of Legalitet a few days ago. As long as Neritan Alia and the other state-security puppets remain at its head, this party will rapidly and inexorably move towards total collapse and discredit. ... in a strong wave, no less shrewd, united in PAD with the same conscience and objective. So he absolutely had to push the beryllia aside or remove them altogether from the Olympus of PAD. As can be understood, this was also the firm decision of the mind and hand directing them on the chessboard. Neritan Ceka must remain Zeus of PAD, even though he has been indelibly branded and completely exposed as an amoral informer, as a puppet in the hands of Ramiz Alia, as someone who, to satisfy his careerist ambition, is ready to trample on any corpse and sell himself and his homeland to anyone who supports him politically and financially. We are sincerely sorry that some intellectuals, such as Shahin Kadria, etc., have followed him or echoed his views. As an educated man with life experience, Mr. Shahin had plenty of time and facts at his disposal to get to know the real Neritan Ceka well, to understand that beneath the hard skin was a beast that thinks and does nothing but evil, and that nothing connects him with a group of hopeless and unscrupulous careerists. The morality of this gang of pseudonymous informers

From the Austrian Vice-Chancellor’s visit to Albania “ALBANIA IS THE MOST POSITIVE EXAMPLE IN EASTERN EUROPE” -Prime Minister Meksi receives Austrian Vice-Chancellor Erhard Busek- Describing the relations between the two countries to date as satisfactory, Prime Minister Meksi, at his meeting with Austria’s Vice-Chancellor Busek, called for further expansion of these relations in all fields through more frequent contacts. He pledged support for Austrian investors and thanked the Austrian government for the support it had given Albania during the transition period. Austria’s Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Busek, said: “Albania is the most positive example in Eastern Europe.” He then asked about the specific difficulties facing economic reform in Albania, as well as military expenditure. Mr. Meksi briefed him on the five-year programme between Albania and the World Bank for economic reform and emphasized the progress achieved so far, which has also been assessed by the IMF, which monitors implementation of the programme every three months. As the main achievement, Mr. Meksi mentioned the substantial reduction in inflation, which, he said, had been accompanied by financial difficulties for employees, “although they are convinced that this is the right road forward.” Regarding the near future, Meksi briefed him on an Austrian proposal for a price reform favouring landowners in rural areas. Mr. Meksi then told Mr. Busek about the difficulties in industry and assured him that the Albanian government would support foreign investors. Regarding military expenditure, he said, “we have cut it considerably, and we never think of attacking any country.” Mr. Busek assured Mr. Meksi of greater support and broader cooperation between Austria and Albania. (ATSH)

1. The Assembly views very favourably the great efforts made by the Albanian government and parliament to establish a democratic government and to undertake economic reform based on the principles of a market economy. 2. At the same time, the Assembly ... make Albania’s “fall during the period of transformation” easier; III. Increase foreign trade with Albania by opening their markets and offering it favourable trading conditions, in order to ensure the successful progress of the restructuring of the Albanian economy; IV. Help establish a modern transport and telecommunications infrastructure; V. Help establish a capable administration at national and local levels, based on clear laws and a functioning judicial system; VI. Help close gaps in the laws governing various economic and social regulations and provide technical assistance for this purpose; VII. Stimulate contacts at all levels—including exchanges of students and teachers—and raise professional qualifications to a new level, primarily in sectors such as industry, banking, business administration and management. 5. Finally, the Assembly wishes that the government and parliament of ... crucial to any sustainable economic development; III. Continue the privatisation of agriculture, attaching no less importance to identifying and spreading new forms of collective initiative in financing, production and marketing; IV. Develop the country’s long-term tourism potential wisely and responsibly, paying attention to investment and the creation of facilities for tourism and recreation, while also remembering the need to preserve the cultural heritage and protect the environment; V. Take measures to advance and develop the mining sector, mainly through investment from various sources which, in the long term, could complement agriculture as a key element in an export-oriented growth strategy; VI. Protect and strengthen a pluralist and democratic society and ensure the protection of minorities, in accordance with Council of Europe standards and other international standards. 4. Consequently, the Assembly calls on the governments of the member states of the Council of Europe to ... ... economic, which are closely interconnected in the former communist countries. The destabilization of Albania would further disrupt the Balkans, already ravaged by war and conflict. member states of the Council of Europe, as well as the European Community: 1. To provide qualified assistance and material aid to Albania so that the country does not become a destabilizing factor in the Balkan region, and to mobilize its new human resources; II. To make every effort to ensure that international assistance, both bilateral and multilateral, continues over the coming years with the aim of ... the students and teachers and to raise professional qualifications to a new level, mainly 5. Finally, the Assembly wishes the government and parliament of Albania to: 1. Achieve social and economic development and create the institutional and legislative framework for this purpose; II. Pay particular attention to the need to draft clear laws for business, including foreign investment, a fair and authoritative judicial system, as well as a functional banking and financial system and infrastructure, which are ... key to an export-oriented growth strategy; VI. Protect and strengthen in accordance with the standards of the Council of Europe and other international standards. 6. The Assembly calls on the Albanian government, donor governments and multilateral institutions to administer foreign aid to Albania responsibly and competently. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY Tirana, 4.6.1993

5,000 million lekë in investment from the budget and 6,800 million in foreign loans for investment. In the centralized economy, the all-powerful state. Being free, its investment policy was also concentrated within it. Yet even in this case, the state created the impression of a state that was humane and sentimental, but ... With the fruits of the labour of ... linked to life ... In general, with the gross state budget, state enterprises were all obliged to pay their revenues into the budget and all ... expenditure and facts ... ... Indeed. The small budget meant that its responsibilities were limited to financing branches of the superstructure such as education, health care, defence, public order, or social assistance, etc. This budget felt constrained by these limited duties. But it was also constrained by the fact that it could give only what it had. Improving the financial position of the budget was also a priority for those responsible in government. Naturally, the aim and the means of achieving it were completely different from the malicious criticisms claiming that the state sought to enrich itself at the expense of individuals. The state had to emerge from the shell into which it had been forced. It does not shirk its current duties. For information concerning the implementation of investments is also its responsibility. The application of a strict fiscal system (it is enough to mention that revenue from taxes and duties amounted to 4.6 billion lekë, against a first-quarter target of 4.2 billion), sound management of funds ... and properly directed to the state budget, so that, alongside the aid and loans secured, it can contribute to carrying out investments—perhaps modest ones—in 1993. Thus, the state’s contribution for this year is estimated at 5,000 million lekë, while the contribution to investment resulting from secured loans and aid is estimated at 6,800 million lekë. The allocation of these sums for investment covers areas such as agriculture, drinking-water supply, transport and telecommunications, the construction of housing projects already begun, the energy industry, etc. The aim of making good use of these funds has led to the investment work being entrusted to the firm that wins the tender organised in such cases. The state, therefore, began to expand the scope of its activity. This is an indicator of the positive effects of the economic reform. It is an indicator of the responsible work carried out so far. And, further still, it is an indicator of the positive prospects awaiting the Albanian economy as a result of the course pursued to date.

Mr. Busek shared Mr. Malasi’s concern about the tense situation in the region, stressing that Europe had shown little interest and had been slow to respond. In conclusion, Mr. Busek said that Austria was interested in investing in Albania and that clear laws were needed for this. Albania has great opportunities for development and is a safe country. (ATSH)

... AND THEY WANT TO SAY THAT WE DO NOT HELP THE UNDERPRIVILEGED...!!! Cartoon: ... AND THEY WANT TO SAY THAT WE DO NOT HELP THE UNDERPRIVILEGE[D]...!!!

time so ... is being ... productive ... makes ... like a ... tertehot ... PAPAJ ... IA ... 946,000 ... Turkish ... 500 ...