Press conference of the President of the Republic Yesterday at 11:00, at the Presidential residence, Mr. Sali Berisha, President of the Republic, held a press conference for journalists from the press, RTSH and ATSH. He spent an hour and a half with the journalists discussing the problems concerning Albanian society, economic reform, the dramatic situation in the region, and Albania’s integration into the European environment. Asked for his assessment of the meeting in Crac-Montana between the Republic and [unclear], he replied that it was a meeting where all Balkan issues were discussed and the participants at the conference expressed their views on the causes of the crisis. The minister of the so-called Federal Yugoslavia presented a document in which he blamed the entire international community for the crisis, thereby justifying, in one way or another, all the actions carried out by the Serbs in [unclear]. He tried to present Kosovo as a people enjoying full rights and freedoms. As for my own assessment, I expressed my opinion to the press and RTSH. I emphasized that your discussion was an indictment of the international community. You are attached to structures which, on the whole, say that we are right and that everything concerning us is wrong. I emphasized that the cause of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia is the decision to create Greater Serbia. The war in the former Yugoslavia did not begin as either a religious war or a Serbian war; it began as aggression and an attempt by Serbia to violate the rights of other peoples. In his remarks, Mr. Sali Berisha said: “The truth is that, at least publicly, they take a different position from the one taken by the leadership in Belgrade. This issue will be discussed in connection with the embargo, because in practice we are the country that observes the embargo more than all the others. The embargo, together with the shadow of war, are two factors that have harmed Albania more than any other country in the region, apart from Bosnia. “Besides causing great economic damage, this embargo also has a moral dimension, because we are observing the embargo in the northeast, where the Albanians in Kosovo live, and in the north, where the Montenegrins live. In practice, these peoples are suffering—two peoples who may not deserve this, since they are not the ones determining the aggressive policy of Greater Serbia. “Minister Jovanoviç also raised another issue, concerning the Montenegrins who left Albania two or three years ago. I emphasized that they left just as many Albanians did, and that they are welcome to return to their homes, since they left for economic reasons.” Asked whether he approved of the Social Democratic group’s departure from Parliament, President Berisha replied: “I consider it a hasty decision. “I have valued, and continue to value, the work of the Social Democratic group as a positive contribution to the work of the Albanian Parliament, to improving legislation and creating appropriate legislation. It seems to me that leaving Parliament, on the grounds that the working group sent its draft to the Constitutional Commission with … “Democracy does not give you what you need to overcome hardship, but it guarantees you freedom, and freedom lets you choose what you will eat—but that requires work. It is impossible to achieve in one year what other countries have accomplished over centuries,” said Mr. Pinl, chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Social Affairs, the Family and Public Health, at a meeting between members of this European Parliament committee and President Berisha. The President briefed the parliamentarians on the situation in the country, economic and legislative reform, the difficulties encountered, and the obstruction of its advancement. “This group of people does not represent the opposition. I say this openly. These people are not seeking to achieve a constitution, but to block Parliament and leave the country without a constitution. “As for the obstruction of Parliament, I say that Parliament will not be blocked. It is continuing its work and passing very important laws, such as the law on the five-day workweek. I was sorry that Albanian social democracy, which was also the originator of a social program, was absent from Parliament yesterday. Parliament will continue its work with the majority. This majority, not only in the Albanian Parliament but also in the other parliaments of Europe, is fully representative and will continue working until the next term prescribed by the constitutional law. “Abandoning Parliament is an act of self-punishment. Self-punishment is not accepted in a democratic state, because deserters are not supported in practice. I prefer to state the view of the international community: it is the one that fights and [unclear], not the one that deviates, the one that leaves. Why—when you leave Parliament, was it other people who gave you your vote? Suppose this action is approved by the electorate of a given party, but it must not be forgotten that members of parliament elected from a constituency represent the entire electorate. I call on those who have left to return to Parliament, just as I call on the majority to continue its work, moving forward with the positions that emerge from the decisions made.” …which, taken together, say that the just struggles are right and all the others are wrong. I stressed that the cause of the entire crisis in the former Yugoslavia is the undertaking to create a begin as either a religious war or an ethnic war; it began as an act of aggression, a war to create a Greater Serbia. It is now known throughout the world that, in this process, the Serbs are tragically carrying out the displacement of other, non-Serb communities. This gave the war an international, interethnic character, etc. In order to defend the rights of Albanians in Kosovo, I pointed out that their constitution was abolished with tanks, the schools have been closed, the enterprises have been shut down; the fact is that Kosovo is living under complete occupation. If Albania strives to keep alive the spirit of Albanians wherever they are, this is not because it seeks to impose conditions by force, but because of its right under the agreements and international acts that exist on this issue. The only undeniable thing is proven by the fact that, if there is a nation which, in all the countries where it lives, is resisting and striving for a democratic society, for a democratic community, it is the Albanian nation. It is the only one in this troubled period that is playing an important role in stabilizing and preserving the Balkans. I think this is a wise policy of the parties. I also think that policy must adhere to this, because avoiding conflict and avoiding aggression in the Balkans must be among the priorities of all the democratic forces of the Balkan Peninsula. Minister Jovanoviç accused the Albanians of having a tendency to be an incursion by Montenegro, which is absurd. For our part, we will distinguish … stated, and also that Montenegro deserves its own rights; this very embargo… Montenegro has maintained … differentiated, such as Kosovo; regarding the platform of …, it voted for the plan …, accepted the deployment of … in Bosnia, voted for NATO’s …, in a … manner. For… …I have considered and continue to consider it and to improving legislation, because the working group sent the draft to the Constitutional Commission on June 14, when it could have sent it on June 8 or June 1, was a hasty act. Indeed, I think and am convinced that the Social Democratic group will reconsider its decision, because it is absolutely unacceptable to abandon the Albanian Parliament because the Constitution arrived on the 14th rather than the 16th from the commission. I want to clarify something: this is a matter of procedure. The Constitutional Commission tasked a working group with drafting the constitution. This working group consisted of our most distinguished experts, jurists. Yes, the same group that prepared the Charter of Human Rights, which is in fact one of the most advanced in current European legislation. That working group worked on the Constitution, finalized the draft constitution, and finished it, I believe, around June 13. On the 14th, Prime Minister Meksi, as chair of the Constitutional Commission, sent it by envelope and letter to all the commission members. He sent me a copy, and sent a copy to Mr. Arbnori. To respect the members of parliament, Mr. Arbnori photocopied it and gave each of them a copy. So, in practice, the discussion in the Constitutional Commission had not yet concluded. It is true that the members of parliament did not receive it from the commission for discussion. They could have made comments and studied the draft. It was not sent on that date to be discussed in Parliament. All political forces are represented on the Constitutional Commission. Each of them has the right to comment on the draft submitted, but also has another, greater right: to submit its own draft if it so wishes. Whoever wants to can … and …; the point is for the country to have the best and most suitable constitution. So instead of everyone working toward this, they chose to leave Parliament. I think there could not have been a more artificial or insignificant pretext. The Social Democratic parliamentary group, … this group should not be confused with certain other figures who, from the outset, for reasons of career …, have set themselves the goal of blocking themselves… …the vote? Let us suppose that this action … is approved by the electorate and the leadership, but it should not be forgotten that the members of parliament have left and can which continues its work, to be aware of the great responsibility it bears during this period and to ensure that the laws are as comprehensive as possible and correspond as closely as possible to the interests of the Albanian electorate. The President went on to argue, referring also to comparable examples in other countries, that the existence of constitutional law covers 90–95 percent of the material in the Constitution. Discussing how the Constitution would be adopted, President Berisha explained that, among the possible methods of adoption—by Parliament, by referendum, or by a constituent assembly—the working group chose adoption by a constituent assembly because our current constitutional laws are such that some were enacted by a parliament of 250 members, while others were enacted by a 140-member parliament, and it seems unreasonable to me for 140 people to decide on the Constitution. Because this people has other elected representatives, who have the votes of four members of parliament, such as a mayor. Is it logical for this person to be mandated and come to vote on the Constitution? I think it was logical. This is an experience adopted by some of the most democratic countries in Europe. The aim of choosing this form of adoption was to broaden the base of elected representatives approving this important document, and to broaden the base of approval for this important document. I think that establishing dialogue with the political forces and holding future meetings of the Constitutional Commission, at which each will have the opportunity to present comments and suggestions, are steps that would help the process of adopting the Constitution. Asked another question about the rise in the price of bread, President Berisha replied that, in the process of Albania’s integration into Europe, price increases in the economic sphere are a fundamental condition. This would be a fundamental condition. This would be a fundamental condition … This would mean using the incentives used throughout the world. The most typical case here is the price of bread. The price of bread is being raised in order to increase wheat production. For this, the state will provide the largest compensation ever made, spending more than 3 billion lekë on bread alone. We are doing this in order to increase (Continued on page 4)

the positions that emerge from the decisions made.”

Tirana. The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, met with a delegation from the Kuwait Fund, led by the Fund’s director, Mr. Badet Mishari Al-Humaiwi. Mr. Berisha thanked them for their assistance, and especially for the Fund’s rapid cooperation program and its contribution to Albania. Mr. Al-Humaiwi informed the President that an agreement was signed today granting a loan of 8.2 million dollars for the rehabilitation of the port of Durres. Meanwhile, possibilities are being explored for assistance with projects, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture and oil refining. During the meeting, the Fund’s director also emphasized the possibility of a program to support industrial privatization through lines of credit. ATSH

Tirana. At the invitation of the President of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ms. Rita Süssmuth, a delegation of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania, headed by the Chairman of the Presidium of this Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, left for the Federal Republic of Germany.

Tirana. “I have followed with pleasure the great reputation you have made,” President Berisha told the distinguished violinist Tedi Papavrami and the well-known dancer Anxhelin Perlocaj at their meeting. “To make a name for yourself in France, in Paris, is truly a great thing, because Paris is the city of culture. What we Albanians can and should show others, above all, is our culture, our cultural values. The conversation then focused on reviving and enlivening artistic life in recent months, on the contribution our distinguished artists living abroad should make by using their breaks for concerts or lectures in the homeland, and on the necessary facilities that our cultural institutions should provide for these artists, etc. The artists thanked the President for making the meeting possible. ATSH

The PS decided to suspend its rallies. It did so after a special commission of its Presidium, headed by Ndre Legisi and Alfred Paloka, reported following a thorough inspection that tomatoes and eggs were still available for sale in the Albanian market. This fact obliges the “underprivileged” socialists to get covered in tomatoes and eggs thrown at them, as nearly happened to the PS leader, M.Rama. The PS will send a protest to all international organizations, calling for the arrest of the 80,000 residents of Shkodër as hooligans and anti-socialists, and for the marking of an international day against tomatoes and eggs. KJ SPEAKS GREEK According to the headline of the newspaper “KJ,” this unscrupulous, anti-national publication will also be sold in Greece for 150 drachmas. We do not know exactly who, besides our colleagues at “Eletferotipios” and Sebastianos, will read it.

“ZP” declares the PS’s opposition to Albanians working only 5 days a week— As was to be expected (and as far as this matter of work goes, it hardly takes any great merit to predict what a revolution will bring), the PS’s ZP has exposed its “tricks” and its opposition to the law that legalizes the five-day workweek in Albania. It calls it “an amorphous heap of contradictory articles” or “an empty set” (by trying to use figures of speech that are clever rather than apt, the author of the article in “ZP” unwittingly shows that he has insufficient knowledge of both legal science and mathematics, though I do not intend to reply on that point). First, in the article “Demagoguery and Voluntarism” in “ZP,” an attempt is made to explain technically that the law is mere demagoguery. But, partly because the law is an “amorphous heap of articles” and partly because the author has no idea about laws, all he does is list and announce some of the articles in question. Especially in the first part, the author tries to “clarify” things for the people and show them that, in reality, the law does not guarantee a five-day workweek; in other words, the DP is lying for demagogic purposes. But the article soon moves on to its second part, “voluntarism,” and the author asks a series of “devastating” questions: On what basis have Albanians been granted this reduction in working days? What technological revolution has the DP carried out, etc.? Thus, while the first part of the article denies the essence of the law (the five-day workweek) and accuses the DP of demagoguery, the second part accepts that this reduction has been made, and then, to add insult to injury, declares that such a thing should not be done “because it has no scientific basis.” Of course, the DP has also acknowledged that, under present conditions, such a thing is not easy, but the possibilities have been studied and the DP kept its promise. This is precisely what you gentlemen of the PS do not like. As I mentioned above, your opposition even to such a positive law was to be expected, because you have shown that you would oppose everything the DP does; but I thought that at least you would have learned from your previous blunders. In any case, I thank you for the propagandistic help you are giving us, and I call on all Albanian workers to read in “ZP” the socialists’ desire to deny Albanians the right to work only five days a week. EDI PALOKA … the second part of it, under “volunta rizmi,” and the author poses a series of “accountability” questions: On what scientific basis was this examination of the days conducted… EDI PALOKA

The illustration shows the signs “PUN,” “PS,” “DEMOKRACIA,” “KJ” and “RAD.” Below the caricature: “The abuse of democracy.” Signature: R. Rukë ’93. Handwritten note: RA 2/06/93

Below the newspaper’s title, “KJ” announces that this unscrupulous, anti-national publication will also be available who, apart from the colleagues at “Elefterotipios” and Sebastianos, will read this newspaper, which speaks Serbian, Greek, Russian, Iraqi, Lexian, Çapian... etc. It is only presumed that the newspaper’s profits will be so great as to lift it out of the small circulation and the unfortunate position into which it has fallen. As for the newspaper mentioned earlier, we again recall Dokle’s description of its quality: “There, beautiful and sweet Albanian words become ugly and repulsive.” It is precisely this kind of Albanian in “KJ” that will now be available in Greece, for 150 drachmas.