- Economic and professional leadership and thinking, a modern structure, attraction of foreign partners - the tradition where the success of the Albanian oil corporation, ALBPETROL, is “hidden” - Perhaps we should return to our reader, who, since so few branches of our industry such as oil had been left for so long in “neglect” on the pages of «RD». And yet, just as that day seemed to arrive “under a good star,” we found ourselves in the city of Patos, precisely at the Executive Council Directorate of Albpetrol, at such a coveted moment for us Albanians: approval talks for... - A contract - 20 oil workers at 250 dollars a month with «Chevron» - Afternoon, 16.9.1993. In the office of the executive director we find the executive council gathered. After a long workday, they were discussing, right down to the collective wage contract, the employment of 20 oil workers and specialists under the contract signed with the American group «Chevron» in Block No. 4 offshore, in partnership also with the firm «Agip». Questions and discussions about the conditions and the interests of the employees, the state and Albpetrol. - Is the approval of the contract urgent? asks the director of the finance directorate, Mr. Xhevat Avrushi. - It must be completed no later than 23 September - replies Nesti Mocka, a specialist engineer with long experience in negotiating contracts. It is then clarified and defined what obligations each side has regarding working conditions, meals, accommodation, travel to Brindisi, clothing and health care for the workers. The salary, the obligations toward the state and the enterprise are discussed. According to calculations, these workers would have a monthly salary of about 250 dollars. The workers will work in 12-hour shifts, with the right to one month off after one month of work. - It is good that during that month off these employees, whoever feels able or whoever is in need, should be given the right to work also on their front, here at ALBPETROL, with support from the enterprises of the Council. - This well is scheduled to be drilled in 55 days - interrupts engineer Nesti. After that the contract is broken off, and we wish that the well comes in successfully, so that further employment of our workers in this sector may be intensified. In conclusion, the executive council approved this contract, taking the unanimous view that there should be as many such contracts as possible and our wishes for more... - As for ALBPETROL, with heartfelt regards - The corporation was created by Council of Ministers Decision No. 92, dated 12 March 1992. The new management organization, as well as the resolution of all other problems, would now be based on economic-financial logic, abandoning once and for all the old administrative logic based on the implementation of outdated central orders and rules. ALBPETROL, as an economic entity, operates on the basis of a statute approved by the Government and its field of activity is the exploration, development, processing and sale of oil and gas, the processing of labor and their by-products, while fully serving national interests and increasing production and profit according to free-market principles. So, as it should be, ALBPETROL functions in itself as an “open” economic mechanism within a closed cycle. In relation to the state it fulfills a full basic duty imposed on it by its economic-financial programs, as well as by the general programs of economic development. It is obliged to cover all obligations arising from the tax system from the budget. As a physical corporation, “ALBPETROL” includes all the administration and institutions that carry out activity in the oil industry, as well as service enterprises that operate interconnected with the main activity. At present this “consortium” (union) is spread out and consists of 46 enterprises (subsidiaries) and a Research Institute. The corporation statute sets out all rights and obligations between the corporation itself and the economic units that are part of it, as well as the subsidiaries and service enterprises. In the solution and implementation of the dynamics and development programs, the Executive Council functions, headed by its executive director. Meanwhile, the main activity is carried out by the relevant directorates. ALBPETROL is at the height of its work, as can also be seen from this workforce. It has around 20,000 employees, of whom around 1,500 are senior specialists. - What has moved over the whole year? - It must be said from the outset that, unlike other sectors, production in the oil industry was never interrupted during these two difficult years of transition. This can be regarded as a modest contribution by this sector to somewhat easing the enormous burden of reforms in the Albanian economy. The new ALBPETROL team began work in May 1992. We could say, relatively, a start from zero. Its objectives were aimed at reversing the fall in production, changing the management style and introducing an innovative structure in order to stimulate foreign investment. The transition led to a focus on rapid measures in those areas that had the highest effectiveness, such as the rehabilitation and putting back into operation of isolated wells, but with good output (15.2 tons/day). Thus the main sector, oil and gas extraction, shows an achievement of 97.2 percent. For the January-September 1993 period, production is increasing and, if the “weak points” in the material-technical base as well as the financial ones are resolved, there will be even greater growth. It is forecast that for 1993 production will be realized at 15 thousand tons more than in 1992. Meanwhile, in addition to activity in the existing oil fields, work is also being done on new exploration, including the drilling of two wells in Duhne and one in Velçë. During this period work has been and continues to be done on the ALBPETROL statute, on the laws on hydrocarbons, on the structuring of the oil and gas drilling-exploration enterprises, as well as on negotiations with foreign companies for exploration on land and in existing fields. - Restructuring - Achilles’ heel... - While talking with Mr. Fatmir Mëzini, Director of the Extraction Directorate, I could not help thinking about AP-PO and restructuring, as if it were just work?[?] - Ah, let it be a re-chronicle, as they say, of our relations? - Meanwhile the executive director, Mr. Bahri Shana, would tell us that, after the approval of the hydrocarbons law, restructuring has begun, while work is under way in the final stage of studying how to adapt ALBPETROL according to modern models with companies for exploration-extraction, processing-marketing and service companies. Each company will have its own departments. Work is now under way on their details and statute, also abandoning the mania of economic “gigantism”; the publishing sector has been restructured by reducing it from 6 enterprises to 4. All the reorganization so far at ALBPETROL has resulted in around 4,600 people being on assistance. Meanwhile, as for the people in the information collection and processing system, we note that they are also in difficulties, with 32 computers? Work remains to be done to adapt computerization and further informatization of the corporation’s activity, while studies and new projects are not lacking. At present ALBPETROL is working intensively on preparing the development strategy for 1994, as well as for the 1994-1996 period. Specialists from the corporation’s institutes and directorates have been mobilized in this serious enterprise, and in the development strategy for the coming years they foresee an annual production increase of 10-15 percent. It is also forecast that in the pricing sector, due to the limitation of unproductive wells, around 1,500 workers will be on assistance for this period. But what still concerns us is the urgent need to put the new structures into practice as soon as possible, because it is a paradox for the logic of the market to still operate with the structure of a centralized economy. - A clear strategy for attracting foreign investment - Questions of the kind where, in these times, “the language draws near” (To be continued on page 6)

The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received Kosovo leader Bujar Bukoshi yesterday, with whom he discussed coordination of activities to prevent conflict and resolve the Kosovo issue. Both expressed deep concern over the recent increase in the level of Serbian provocations and repression in Kosovo.

The memorandum signed by the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, during his visit to Croatia has long begun to be put into practice through many cooperation agreements in various fields of the economy, education and culture, following the air transport agreement. Within this framework, the Zagreb-Tirana air route was inaugurated on Tuesday, and it will operate twice a week. For the inauguration of this route, as well as for the signing of several other trade and cultural agreements, a delegation of the Croatian government also arrived, including several ministers and deputy ministers. The delegation, which took part in the inauguration of this air route, where many Albanian deputies and government officials were also present, was received at the “Dajti” hotel by the Minister of Transport, Fatos Bitincka, and the Minister of Education, Xhezair Teliti. In their honor, the airline “Croatia Airlains” gave a cocktail reception. In the evening, members of the Croatian and Albanian delegations held a press conference. The Croatian officials also expressed their readiness to train Albanian students studying in Zagreb and to address the visa regime for citizens’ movement, which, as the Croatian deputy foreign minister stated, will soon be lifted by the Croatian and Yugoslav governments. (ATSH)

Asked about the current crisis in Russia, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, said that he believes the latest political developments in Russia and the decisions taken by President Yeltsin are necessary to overcome the difficulties created by conservative anti-reform forces and to advance reforms in Russia. The President’s spokesperson, when asked about the current crisis in Russia, said that the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, believes the latest political developments in Russia and the decisions taken by President Yeltsin are necessary to overcome the difficulties created by conservative anti-reform forces and to advance reforms in Russia, which are aimed not only at the Russian people but at all the peoples of Europe and the International Community.

On 23.09.1993, in one of the premises of the Writers’ League, representatives of the newspapers “Rilindja Demokratike, Zëri i Popullit, Republika, Alternativa SD, Koha Jonë, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, ATSH, Populli Po, Drita, Balli i Kombit, Dita Informacion, Bashkimi, Tirana, 24 Orë and other newspapers”, at the initiative of the Association of Journalists of Albania, after examining the draft press law submitted to the People’s Assembly by a group of deputies, called for the blocking of the draft law submitted to the Assembly. The incorrect procedure used to present this draft law, and its fundamental shortcomings, made it necessary to consult with representatives of the Albanian press and to obtain a serious opinion on every link of press legislation in Albania. These objections were sent to the Speaker of the Assembly and the Chairman of the Association of Journalists of Albania at this meeting, which was approved by an absolute majority of the journalists present.

WASHINGTON. - President Clinton said on 21 September that since the beginning of his administration he has been and continues to be in full support of the historic issue of the political and economic reform currently taking place in Russia. He is convinced that democratic reform and the transition to a market economy hold the best hope for the future of the Russian people. The actions announced today by President Yeltsin addressed to the Russian people underscore the complexity of the reform process he is leading. There is no doubt that President Yeltsin acted in response to the constitutional crisis that had brought the political process to a standstill. As the leadership of Russia is resolved democratically, President Yeltsin has decided to let the Russian people themselves resolve this impasse. I believe the path toward solutions for a capable legislature is definitively in keeping with the democratic course and the reforms he has drawn up. I phoned President Yeltsin today to make sure that the continued options of the parties are resolved in a way that will ensure security, stability and an open and fair voting process. He told me he has decided to have the elections he has called held competitively and organized in accordance with democratic laws. In democracy, it is the people who must ultimately decide on the issues at the heart of political and social debate. President Yeltsin has chosen the path of a common country. I am confident that, by making the right decision for its own future, the Russian people will be guided by the way of character.

According to the spokesperson of the Tirana district prosecutor’s office, the prosecutor handling the case, at Nano’s request and, above all, because of the chairman of the SP, Fatos Nano, asked for the investigative team to be changed. This is because his request has no legal basis. Thus, the investigative team in charge of F. Nano’s criminal case will remain the same as before, consisting of Fatos Devri, investigator, and Arben Qeleshi, prosecutor. «RD» correspondent

On 12 September 1993, the ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Russian Federation, Arben Cici, took part in the annual celebration of the Albanian village of Zhovimjevoje (formerly Kakut) in the Odessa region of Ukraine. He was received by the head of the village council, the chairman of the kolkhoz, the director of the house of culture, and other residents of Albanian origin. At the concert organized for the occasion, with Albanian dances, they welcomed the friends from Albania with bread and salt.

Regarding the news published in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit” dated 21 September 1993 about the meeting of Dutch deputies with Fatos Nano, the Ministry of Public Order, in a notice sent to ATSH, emphasizes that in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit”, dated 21 September 1993, on one of its front pages, in large letters, an announcement was made that a very important report, which was being prepared on an inside page, stated that a judge of the Socialist Party, Nyk Jeta, said the court decision to revoke the security measure for Nano had been annulled on the grounds that it had been made against the complainant and part of it. Regarding the news published in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit” dated 21 September 1993 about the meeting of Dutch deputies with Fatos Nano The Ministry of Public Order, in a notice sent to ATSH, emphasizes that in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit”, dated 21 September 1993, on one of its front pages, in large letters, an announcement was made that a very important report, which was being prepared on an inside page, referred to the complainants in relation to the imprisonment of the chairman of the Socialist Party. At the same time, it is emphasized there that the decision to alter the tone was made against the complainants and that it was made against the complainant. Regarding what is written in this news item from “Zëri i Popullit”, we inform you that the Dutch deputies themselves met with Fatos Nano in Tirana prison and held a very correct and orderly attitude. Throughout the meeting, which lasted about 15-20 minutes, only Fatos Nano spoke, while the Dutch deputies did not comment on any of the problems he raised and expressed no consideration for him, concludes the notice of the Ministry of Public Order.

After a torrential rain, the streams burst forth violently and swept away whatever they found in their path. Usually trees, brush and stones are carried away. But no, the debris carried off by the stream, together with trunks and, in the end, usually rotten trunks, decayed trunks, because they have become completely unstable, remain on the edges of the ravines and there turn into firewood, without bothering anyone, except for the poisonous mushrooms that find good shelter. After a torrential rain, the streams burst forth violently and swept away whatever they found in their path. Usually whatever they find in their path. Usually trees, brush and stones are carried away. But no, the debris carried off by the stream, together with trunks and, in the end, usually rotten trunks, decayed trunks, because they have become completely unstable, remain on the edges of the ravines and there turn into firewood, without bothering anyone, except for the poisonous mushrooms that find good shelter. The democratic revolution and the movements of the 1990s have also thrown out of their flow certain types of pseudo-intellectuals, similar to these rotten and decayed trunks, unfulfilled, but who make room for themselves even through noise. Even insignificant ones. One of these is Frrok Çupi, who for two years now has done nothing in his writings but pour out poison and bile. “THE ALBANIANS OF THE WORLD — is[?] our line”, which fully reveals his face and character as an emissary of R. Alia and of the anti-Albanian forces in the diaspora. For some of his writings it is truly both sad and laughable at the same time. Because, by denying his race, nation and language, he remains without a name, without a homeland, without a mother and without a family. For when these types deny and despise their own race, what other race accepts them? But let us cite a few passages from a text full of scribbles: “One million reasons why the Albanians of the world make a fuss with their eyes and among the civilized world are at the same time also one million reasons.” The reason for this statement, the author reveals to us, lies in that supposedly common “racial” element with the coarse Albanians (the Albanian nationality, M. SH.) and, according to him, this race is cursed, because it has some peculiar feature and this peculiarity turns out to be our Albanian language itself, which luckily is not known by the citizens of the world[?] And he continues: “However, luckily (and unfortunately at the same time) it is not understood what it is about. I do not want to make comments on these “crazy” discoveries; I only want to say to this pastoral part: at least respect those few Albanian words that, when you managed to hear them from your mother’s mouth, brought you to her bosom and fed you with her milk, precisely the one that taught you those words. With your mother’s language you insult, curse and despise her. If you wrote as you speak in another language, for example Serbian or Greek, that would justify what you spew out. Further on, this “intellectual,” who wrote about the badges of Haki Lleshi, the world has been filled with the idea that comes for me values after 201t Rexhep Qosja, he too mentioned this intellectual. (To be continued on page 6)