At his latest press conference, President Berisha, among other things, taking stock of Albania’s economic development since the Democratic Party came to power, also referred to some economic figures which, without further comment, proved the success of the reform to date. It is only natural that if anyone has objections to these figures, they should substantiate the opposite with figures of their own. And these “someones” would undoubtedly be from the political opposition. But reality proved otherwise: the party press of F. Nano attacked Berisha’s statement repeatedly and in declarative terms, without presenting a single fact as a counterargument. Nothing but demagoguery and shamelessness. With this act, as they have with many others recently, the left-wing extremists showed that they do not accept progress or the truth, and that within the Socialist Party they hold a monopoly on decision-making and the press. “ZP” may be anything, but it is socialist, democratic, honest press, or a civic and civilizing contribution. Let us recall the words of ZP on 22 March, the day it removed from the political register the party founded by Enver Hoxha together with Dushan Mugosha and the Miladins. At the press conference, Berisha compared the economic record of the reform and the government with the situation in 1992, the year he and his party came to power. Suddenly, in the most immoral manner, the left-wing extremists—who bear responsibility for crime and corruption—declared their opposition in “ZP.” They are inclined to see only terror, just as for 47 years they themselves spread nothing but demagoguery, as Enver taught them. On the contrary, a group of politically normal and clear-minded people would have had the right to object if the Meksi government’s record had been measured against their year 1938, when half the ministers of the Meksi government had not yet been born. In this particular case, their conduct shows that they are just as they have always been: incorrigible, parasites of terror, demagoguery and diktat; liars. And from this realistic perspective, we are convinced that they attack the year 1992 and the 1993 elections because 1992 was the final year of their dictatorial, anti-national and anti-human rule; it was the year when Albania, placing its faith in the Democratic Party of Albania, made its pledge: “Bury communism.” And indeed, democracy and the reform that the Democratic Party of Albania has successfully begun are irreversible. others recently, that they do not agree with progress, do not agree with the truth, and that they hold a monopoly on decisions and the press within the PS. «ZP» can be anything, but it is not socialist, not democratic, not an honest press, and not a civic and civilizing contribution. If we bear in mind that «ZP» makes its own face grotesque at the orders of those above, from the PS’s left-wing extremist clan, all responsibility takes on a political dimension. That is what happened this time too. Bill Klintoni continues these days to announce to his people the results of his policy, with the date and day on which he won the presidential mandate. The PDSH, too, bears responsibility for the state only after

Comrade Dokle, after an active holiday at the beach, finally remembered to return to parliament, repentant, together with his entourage. In his speech on behalf of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, he said, among other things, that “the political arrest of Fatos Nano is a flagrant violation of the opposition’s rights and freedom of thought”: Given that Fatos Nano has been arrested to account for 9 million dollars that disappeared without a trace, it is not difficult to understand the “return” of “democratic socialist” N. Dokle, who, just as he once acted in the corrupt high leadership by weaving hymns to it in ZP, is now trying to defend Nano’s corruption. Comrade Dokle says, “You have chosen the past as your ally,” and forgets that his imprisoned boss continues to invoke the “glorious” past of the Party of Labour and to regard Dulla as his father. Comrade Dokle says, “Turn on the television screens so the people can hear who is right.” Yes, comrade Namik, let the television screens be turned on so the people can see how parliament debates, while he, in ZP, continues to pass over Nano’s corruption. They are welcome to broadcast the debates in parliament; however, the gentlemen at the television station are requested, whenever Socialist MPs speak, to show, in their absence and as a mark of respect, Comrade Fatos’s speech delivered in Switzerland, where he explains how European democratic socialism can be transformed into Enver’s socialism and vice versa, as Fatos of “Baba” sees fit.

After a three-day visit to Albania, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter left Rinas Airport on Thursday, accompanied by President Berisha and other senior Albanian political figures. Before leaving, Mr. Carter said he would return to Albania. During his visit to Albania, the former American president met with senior Albanian state officials and other social leaders, expressing interest in the reform process and in the possibility of his foundation becoming involved in specific areas in Albania. In addition to Tirana, Mr. Carter and his wife visited Krujë and Durrës.

— From Mr. Pjetër Arbnori’s meeting with the delegation of Albanians from Croatia — TIRANA — We need Albanians, wherever they may be, to come and see Albania with their own eyes and judge for themselves, without the spectacles of propaganda, said Pjetër Arbnori, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, at the warm and brotherly meeting he held with members of the delegation of Albanians from Croatia. What we have achieved by overthrowing the dictatorship and establishing democracy is a secure foundation for moving forward alongside Europe, on the path of freedom, prosperity and human dignity. Therefore, our people will not allow any destructive force, whatever mask it may wear, to bring back the specter of dictatorship. The renowned hirullog and chairman of the Croatian-Albanian Association, Prof. Aleksandër Stipçevic, from the Arbëresh community of Dalmatia, spoke about the association’s activities and the role it plays in strengthening friendship between the Croatian and Albanian peoples. The organization of a concert, he said, in which well-known artists from Albania will also take part, and the opening of an archaeological exhibition in [ranës?], Prishtina and Zagreb should be an effective means of fostering relations between our two countries. Mr. Simon Kuzhnini, chairman of the “Mother Teresa” humanitarian association in Croatia, expressed concern about the brutal wave of repression and genocide being carried out by Serbian chauvinists in Kosovo, and stressed that even though we are far away, we think and speak about Kosovo and Albania. Our assistance will not be lacking; we will contribute as much as we can to the development of the Albanian economy. Wishing his compatriots success in their patriotic and humanitarian work, Mr. Arbnori praised the figure of Mother Teresa and said that the whole world knew there was a Mother Teresa, while we in Albania did not know that a Mother Teresa of Albanian blood was one of our own. The crimes and shameful acts of the Enverist dictatorship are beyond measure. The meeting was attended by Mr. Skënder Berisha, deputy chairman of the “Mother Teresa” humanitarian association; Mr. Pashk Kahashi Kabashi, chairman of the Association of Albanians in Zagreb; and Mr. Mikel Kuzhnini, chairman of the Albanian Christian Democratic Party branch in Croatia. The Croatian-Albanian Association, Prof. Aleksandër Stipčeviç, from Arben— shi i Dalmacisë, spoke about the activities of this association Croatian and Albanian peoples. The organization of the also participate, and the opening of an Albanian archaeological exhibition in Zagreb, will be cultural events that will help people learn about Albanian history, traditions and art. Scientific ties between Ti-

Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, who received Croatia’s Minister of the Interior, Mr. Ivan Jarnjak, on Thursday, expressed his satisfaction with this promising start to cooperation between our police forces. He also thanked the Croatian Government for its friendly attitude toward the small Albanian community living as a minority in Croatia. At the same time, he expressed the hope that Albanians who might temporarily leave Kosovo would be treated like all other Croatian citizens. Minister Jarnjak received this request positively, adding that the Croatian police had provided all favorable conditions for all Kosovars passing through or staying temporarily in Croatia, both to remain there and to travel to Europe if they wished. Croatia’s newly appointed ambassador to Albania, Miladen Gjurgjiç, endorsed this view, adding that cooperation between Croatia and Albania would grow rapidly as soon as the respective embassies of the two countries began their work in earnest. Many traders and businesspeople, he said, had expressed a desire to invest their capital in Albania. The Croatian delegation also met with the Minister of Public Order, Mr. Murasaj.

On August 27, 1993, on two occasions, a person who has been identified and his friends physically assaulted the journalists Ramiz Lushaj (Dardania), Agron Tufa, Mark Marku and Ilir Yzeiri (Zëri i Rinisë). The last three were openly threatened with the unmistakable accusation: «You have written against…» Ramiz, Ardian Kiosit, Bujar Xhaferrit and Neshat Tozajt. The poets who wanted, in the most vulgar way, to dictate «Quo vadis Albania» apparently have prepared street gangs to eliminate their opponents. And now that Ilir Yzeiri, editor of «ZR», has published several issues with replies to Klosi, Tozajt and Rama, while Klosi, the talented Yzeiri, Tufa and Marku have in many cases been the public authors of these writings. As we are informed by the PD parliamentary group, this problem is very much present and troubling. MPs Rudolf Marku and Uran Butka have been informed directly, while violence against journalists is being ignored. The police are searching for the perpetrators of the crime, and the victims have taken legal action with the judicial authorities.

A cooperation protocol is signed between Tirana and Ljubljana The Tirana Municipality is continually establishing ties and cooperation with counterpart capitals and local authorities in other countries. As part of this cooperation, a delegation from the Ljubljana Municipality, headed by its mayor, Joti Joze Strgar, recently made an official visit to Tirana. He was accompanied by representatives of prominent Slovenian companies such as SMELT, SKT, MIKRODATA, SIGMA, etc. During their stay in Tirana, the Slovenian delegation was received by and held talks with the mayor of Tirana, Mr. Kelmedi. The Chairman of the Municipal Council, Mr. Petrela, the Deputy Mayor, Mr. Driza, and the Municipal Secretary, Mr. Luga, also took part in the talks. After confirming the good relations between our countries, the two mayors discussed opportunities for cooperation between the two cities, Tirana and Ljubljana. Subsequently, the group of representatives of Slovenian companies held talks with the relevant specialists from the departments and offices of the Tirana Municipality. The two mayors signed the protocol of friendship and cooperation between Tirana and Ljubljana. The Ljubljana delegation was also received by the Minister for Local Government, Mr. Rexhep Uka.

As part of the meetings being held in Tirana with prominent figures in Albanian politics, the group of Albanians from Croatia Tirana, Mr. Sali Kelmendi. They expressed the interest of people in science, culture, the arts and business in making contact with Tirana. At the same time, views were discussed and expressed on establishing broader ties and cooperation between Tirana and Zagreb.

Agreement signed on broad cooperation in rail transport between the General Directorate of Albanian Railways and its Austrian counterpart Agreement signed between the Albanian and Austrian civil aviation directorates in the field of air transport At the invitation of Austria’s Minister of Transport and Nationalized Industry, Viktor Klima, the Albanian Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Mr. Fatos Bitincka, headed a delegation on a visit from August 25 to 28. The Austrian minister, Viktor Klima, emphasized that the stable political situation in Albania, the satisfactory pace of economic reform, and the promises of attracting foreign investors are regarded by the Austrian government as a suitable foundation for furthering cooperation between Albania and Austria in all sectors. The preparations for cooperation in such important sectors as rail, road and passenger transport, telecommunications, etc., are also evidence of this. The Albanian minister, Fatos Bitincka, who was also accompanied on this visit by the Albanian ambassador to Austria, Albert Alikaj, secured the Austrian minister’s willingness to create a broader range of cooperation in all fields. Minister Bitincka asked the Austrian side for comprehensive support in the transport sector, including technical assistance, training, the supply of Austrian railway cars for Albanian routes, etc. Mr. Bitincka emphasized that the swiftest possible realization of this cooperation would create a new outlook for Albanian railways. The Albanian minister went on to propose that an agreement on road and passenger transport be prepared for signature as soon as possible, and that possibilities for cooperation in civil air transport within Albania’s territory also be explored. The Austrian minister, Viktor Klima, emphasized that all projects concerning the transport and telecommunications sectors would have his full support. Groups of Austrian specialists in rail, air and passenger transport, as well as communications, will come to Albania as soon as possible to assess on site the available opportunities for getting to work immediately. In response to Mr. Bitincka’s request, the Austrian minister also pledged to assist the powerful Austrian companies that have undertaken the construction of Rinas Airport, as well as other companies interested in investing. The Austrian minister gladly accepted the Albanian minister’s invitation to visit Albania and, on that occasion, sign ministerial-level agreements on railways and passenger transport. Both sides undertook to closely follow the joint projects through to their completion in the air, road and rail transport and telecommunications sectors. The Albanian minister, Fatos Bitincka, stated that Albania would be ready to do everything possible to create opportunities for Austrian companies seeking to invest in Albania.

On Saturday, 4 September 1993, at 11:00, the Chairman of the Democratic Party,

On Saturday, September 4, 1993, at 11:00 a.m., the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, will hold a press conference at the Palace of Congresses.