-The President of the Republic deemed the Government’s decision to end the former owners’ hunger strike to be right- The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, deemed the Government’s decision to end the former owners’ hunger strike to be right. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, strike to be right. The President stressed that the right to life is the first and most fundamental human right. This right, based on the Charter of Human Rights, is inviolable, except in cases decided by a court. Therefore, the Government is and will be obliged to protect this fundamental right at all costs, even against desperate decisions that certain individuals may make, including decisions concerning themselves. In Albania, after half a century of dictatorship, countless people lost their lives, their loved ones, their youth, their education, their property, and many other things precious to human beings. Naturally, all of these are grave traumas that can never be undone; they have opened wounds which we must all trust can be addressed only through democracy and the freedom it creates, and through compensation provided within the bounds of what is realistically possible. This is the best political and social solution. The Democratic Party would not be a party of democratic values and ideals if it did not fully abide by its programme. This is true of every serious political party in the world, and all the more so in Albania, where, for Albanians who were deceived for more than half a century, restoring faith in one’s word, in a declared programme, and in a promise made is a factor of great importance for the country’s present and future. In addition to this, the President once again emphasizes that he has great respect for the suffering, sacrifices and privations endured by the hunger strikers in the past, but under no circumstances, in a democracy and a state governed by the rule of law, will changing laws through children, hunger strikes or other forms of pressure be accepted. the laws, and that is the free vote. (ATSH)

Interview with Mr. Edmond Sheshi, Director of the Balance Department at the Ministry of Industry, Mineral Resources and Energy Question: Could you tell us something about the European Community’s aid to industry? Answer: Under the Phare programme for Albania, during May–July 1992 the European Community provided Albania with two grants, worth 10 and 20 million ECU respectively. Several branches of industry also benefited from this aid, which was to be used in various sectors of the economy. The purpose of the aid was: 1. To support the most critical needs of the beneficiary sectors. 2. For these sectors to create a counterpart fund (repayable) to be paid into the state budget. Question: What did the ministry do to determine the areas in which this aid would be used? Answer: First, I want to emphasize that these grants arrived when the entire Albanian economy was almost completely paralyzed. Only 1–3 months had passed since this people had decided on a radical change in the system of society. The need for foreign-currency funding was very great in all branches of industry, and assessing the effectiveness of its use at that time was extremely difficult. Nevertheless, the assessment for some branches was based on the following considerations: - To support enterprises that ... ...a particular proposal may have been considered effective, but time may prove it ineffective. In such cases, the enterprise always determines the assessment and effectiveness of the offers received. Specifically, under the first free grant, two sets of offers for different types of fabric were received by the NPV enterprises. After the enterprises assessed them, they were found to be ineffective for garment production. As a result, these requests were cancelled and the funds were redirected. It was decided that sewing machines and knitwear would be purchased for various products, still for this branch of the economy. Likewise, under the second free grant, since the company was unable to supply iron ore for the steelworks, the requirements of this industrial complex were changed accordingly. The funds thus freed were used to support the Chrome and Copper cooperatives, as well as geology. Question: Cooperation with the European Community is also important. How is this carried out in practice? Could you tell us something about Italtrend, the procurement agency for this aid, appointed by the European Community itself? Answer: In this regard, I would say that the Community’s aid has value and is not simply aid provided in the form of goods: it also includes assistance with preparing tenders (competitive bids), evaluating offers (the effectiveness of using these goods), and so on. This has also had a positive influence on the outlook of the people involved in administering this aid. This is because they become familiar with new methods suited to the market economy, as applied in Western countries, for handling various imports. Technically, relations with the Community are conducted through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the main interlocutor for this aid and for the various forms of assistance and credit received by our country. We raise any questions and submit any requests concerning this aid from our ministry through this ministry. This is normal; when work is under way, there are also problems of various kinds. It is understood that any change in the intended use of this aid must be reported to the Community and approved, in accordance with the procedures. Italtrend is the procurement (administration) agency for this aid. This company was appointed by the European Community through a procedure. For this purpose, the two parties also have a legal obligation (a contract). The technical operating procedure that Italtrend is required to follow under Community rules is as follows: First stage: Italtrend established a representative office in Albania called the “Technical Assistance Office.” Its main purpose is to provide any technical or economic information that may be requested by different consumers and ministries concerning the progress of the aid programmes. At the same time, through the ministries, Italtrend collected the technical requirements from the consumers designated to receive this aid. Some of these requirements initially did not conform to Western standards, but rather to Eastern ones; they were clarified in due course through cooperation between the consumer and Italtrend, as well as the ongoing assistance of of the company system. The need for support with foreign-currency funds was very great across all branches of industry, and assessing the effectiveness of their use at that moment was extraordinarily difficult. Nevertheless, an assessment was made for some branches on the following grounds: -To support enterprises that had an important connection with the former system and the whole economy. -To create opportunities to employ as many workers as possible, because at that time assistance, as well as the prevailing mentality, was morally crushing people. -To support enterprises capable of repaying this commodity credit under favorable terms. -To support enterprises that had no other possibility of receiving support through foreign-currency funds. -To support enterprises thought capable of withstanding competition for their products, which had only just begun. Specifically, for the first aid package, the Ballsh deep oil-processing combine was selected as a beneficiary, being considered one of the most essential enterprises, with effective operations, a large workforce, and links to the whole economy through its products, etc.; along with it, three mechanical plants, the Autotractor Combine in Tirana, the agricultural machinery plant in Durres, and the metalworks in Tirana, with the main aim of supporting the machinery that remained for agriculture and transport. The countryside and our entire economy, which was moving toward privatization, would need support in the form of machinery and transport. At the same time, these plants employed a considerable number of workers. We thought that a considerable number of sewing enterprises should also benefit from this aid; their output was intended mainly for export, and some of it was effective, while, at the same time, some of the workers who had long been left without work because of a lack of raw materials could also be employed. Finally, a number of NPV would purchase ready-made textiles for the various garment industries, since some enterprises operating in fason had stopped their activities. Question: Has the thinking evolved? Answer: Certainly. With all the methods of economic development centralized, we cannot have that in today’s market economy. What we thought before, during a period of (Continued on page 2)

At a meeting with the leaders of the Humanitarian Association of Work Disabled People, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, acknowledged the sweat and blood shed by work disabled people under the dictatorship, as well as the work of this association. At a meeting People, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, acknowledged the sweat and blood shed by work disabled people under the dictatorship, as well as the work of this association. He listened attentively to the issues raised by the association’s chairman, Mr. Abdulla Omari, concerning the treatment of work disabled people. “We,” Mr. Omari stressed, “have supported and continue to support democracy with all our strength, and we seek the status of work-disabled people, through which our legitimate rights can be fully expressed, as in all governed and democratic states.” Mr. Arbnori assured them that the Assembly would give priority consideration to the status of work disabled people as soon as it arrived from the Government. (ATSH)

The spokesperson for the Council of Ministers reports that, for more than three weeks, a hunger strike involving former owners from various districts was held in several cities across the country to protest the law on the restitution and compensation of property to former owners. Representatives of the Presidency, the People’s Assembly and the Government told them several times that the law expresses the will of the majority of the Albanian people, that it was drafted for the benefit of everyone, and that it could be changed only by the legislative authorities. The prolonged strike, regardless of the merits of the demands, was increasingly threatening the lives of its participants, while they refused to honour even the promises they had made to end it. Faced with the prospect of the strikers sacrificing themselves, or of having to intervene to end the strike by force, the Government decided to protect these citizens’ lives. On the other hand, the lives of citizens. The Government wishes to draw the attention of Albanian public opinion to the fact that the infiltration of the strikers by individuals from neighbouring countries, the constant changing of their demands, the ultimatum-like pressure on the state, and the endangerment of people’s health are acts unacceptable in any democratic state. For this reason, the security forces intervened and sent the strikers back to their homes. Those whose health was poor were taken to hospital for treatment and care. (ATSH)

Following F.Nano’s declaration in Parliament, in which he was named the head of corruption by the State Audit Service in connection with the Italian government’s emergency aid given to the Albanian people, the PS is experiencing its most difficult days. The resistance to exposing this corruption, put up by the conservative, social-communist group, clearly shows the chaos within this party and its fear that the chain reaction of events will expose the true face of the communist mafia, whose roots are undoubtedly deep. To camouflage and put a screen over this reality, and, moreover, to save his own skin rather than the prestige of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano and the clique of (Continued on page 3)

In the district of Korçë, 530 properties have so far been privatized, with a value of 28,200,000 lekë. 350 of these properties and services enterprise. At the agricultural mechanization enterprise, 314 tractors and other machinery have been privatized, with a value of 7,300,000 lekë. The sale of combine harvesters and other properties such as workshops, repair points, warehouses, etc. is also continuing. In the construction sector, NN-1 and NN-2 have been privatized, as well as several properties from industry, the cider factory, the chocolate-cream department, the lokum department, etc. 50 trade units in the city of Korçë remain to be privatized; they are property of former owners. Another 90 units in villages remain, for which there have been no applications. (ATSH)

a process that must be completed within the year The latest data obtained from the Municipality of Tirana show that the number of privatized apartments has reached 1,225, from which around 15 million new lekë have been collected. The privatization commissions have been established on the basis of the housing enterprises. Among them, Housing Enterprise No. 1 stands out, having privatized 848 apartments; next comes Housing Enterprise No. 2 with 202 apartments, while Housing Enterprise No. 3 has privatized only 175 apartments. Given the relatively large number of apartments privatized in former District No. 1, it seems unjustifiable that the other two districts remain at such low figures. The Municipality of Tirana has organized repeated meetings with the commissions established, as well as with local government bodies. At these meetings, problems were also raised involving the Ministry of Construction and the Territory Planning Department, concerning the criteria to be followed in cases where residential apartments are not privatized. Nevertheless, nothing justifies the low pace of privatization at Housing Enterprise No. 2 and Housing Enterprise No. 3. Z.LL

Korçe 530 different properties have been privatized In the Korçe district, 530 properties have been privatized so far, with a value of 28,200,000 lekë. Of these, 350 belong to the trade system and 150 to the Repair and Services Enterprise. Tirana The privatization of homes is a process that must be completed within the year 1,225 APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN PRIVATIZED The latest figures received in

“The umbrella can’t cover you with the new missionaries, but... old birds”

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA, MR. SALI BERISHA TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE TO THE EDITORIAL OFFICE OF THE NEWSPAPER “RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE” I am writing this letter with tears in my eyes. I am a farmer from the village of Manez, in the district of Durres, and the father of four children. I planted ten dylym of wheat on the land that the reform gave me under the law. The wheat has ripened, and I have nothing with which to harvest and thresh it. Yesterday I walked through the wheat and the ears were crumbling; the grains were falling to the ground. Tears came to my eyes of their own accord. My children’s bread is going to waste, along with the effort and sweat I have poured into it. The village’s combine harvester is not working because a part has broken. On television, it was promised that combine harvesters from the mountainous area would come to help us. I was very pleased to hear this, but where are they? I am ready to pay more than the price ceiling that was announced, just so I can get the wheat brought in. I appeal to you, Mr. President, and to the Minister of Agriculture to intervene and have the combine harvesters come urgently, because in two or three days all the wheat will fall to the ground and my children will be left without their daily bread. All the fields in Manes planted with wheat are in this condition, and perhaps the same is happening in other districts too, while the bread of the whole people is being lost. Respectfully, SHEFQET GJYZELLI Manes, 10.6.1993