To clarify Albanian public opinion regarding the malicious and coordinated disinformation by the newspapers Alternativa SD and ZP on 29 September 1993 concerning the policy pursued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Ministers and the Presidency in appointing members of the diplomatic corps of the Republic of Albania to foreign countries, we announce that Mr. Ferid Hoti, ambassador of CLARIFICATION from the Personnel Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs To clarify Albanian public opinion regarding the malicious and coordinated disinformation by the newspapers Alternativa SD and ZP on 29 September 1993 concerning the policy pursued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Ministers and the Presidency in appointing members of the diplomatic corps of the Republic of Albania to foreign countries, we announce that Mr. Ferid Hoti, Albania’s ambassador to Malaysia, is among the intellectuals who meet the requirements to carry out this duty in a manner worthy of the state. A respected specialist with 25 years of professional experience, knowledgeable in three foreign languages (French, Italian, Russian), with a broad education and a distinguished contribution to the establishment of democracy in Albania, he provides every guarantee that he will know how to represent the new Albanian state with dignity in Malaysia or wherever else he may have been appointed. In preparation for this assignment, Mr. Ferid Hoti also completed a sufficient period of professional training at the relevant directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with procedures. (Continued on page 4)

Today marks two years since the arrest of the chairman of the PS, Fatos Nano—this was the headline of yesterday’s «ZP», a lead article whose meaning was quite clear. Only in the penultimate of its six columns does «ZP» try to offer its own explanation, that is, of Nano’s role in democracy. But in this account Fatos Nano was prime minister and a senior PPSH official; today he is chairman of the PS. He was a PPSH deputy; today he is a PSSH deputy. A former expert and scientific collaborator (and not a junior one, as «ZP» says) at the Institute of Marxist-Leninist Studies. Nano fought for the separation from modern revisionism, imperialism and capitalism. «ZP» of 13 April 1991 mentions this great contribution by Nano. Even then, Nano stood out for his pessimism and fine speeches. First in his class, course, faculty, youth—a first even in the Party, though his party was the foremost in Albania. From childhood Nano sought political pluralism; along his path he sought pluralist solutions and a market economy. But in adulthood Nano sought his father. In the early days he denounced the wrong policy of the PPSH and declared that Enver was his father and was in the heart of every Albanian of his kind. So Enver was good, but the PPSH was bad! When the student demonstrations broke out, Nano was first in the square, but with a difference: the students were there to bring pluralism, Nano to coordinate the police against the students. As «ZP» says, his skills were so great that they made him deputy prime minister and then prime minister. Nano was like this in the democratic developments, too. His soul was lost, and the democrat killed only four martyrs on Shkodra’s 2 April, and one more. For if he had not been a democrat, imagine how many he would have killed. After 2 April he formed a government that the people loved and trusted so much that they brought it down after 30 days! This modern economist made it so that, while Nano was directing the reforms, more than 85 percent of the population able to work ended up on the famous 80-percent assistance, Albania was set on fire and destroyed, the country’s debt exceeded 500 million dollars, inflation rose to 900 percent, the only national university was closed, schools were destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of people tragically abandoned their homeland by land, sea and air. But Nano was not satisfied with that. He loved his people and Albania so much that instead of bread and rice he brought them lemon juice and marmalade; instead of foreign investment capital, swindlers like H. Sejdia or Levante Co... Never mind that 9 million dollars were lost through Nano’s excessive «wisdom». What mattered was that Nano enjoyed good health, since he put the distinguished students of democracy, the minority, the persecuted and the trade unionists on hunger strike. Nano supported free enterprise even when the country he led was like a neighborhood of gangs in an adventure film. Dozens of innocent people were killed, others disappeared, famine broke out, people were engulfed by misery; nobody worked, everyone suffered and begged for alms. And Nano, after deciding that everyone had become an unprivileged class, formed the Socialist Party, alias the communist party, which took from the PP and PK only R. Alia and Xh. Gjoni. Later Nano became king of the communists. He fought so hard for human rights and devoted himself so completely to them that he voted against their law in parliament. He loved Albania so much that he called for a massacre at the Council of Europe. He loved Kosovo so much that he opposed the plans of the UN, the USA, NATO and the EC for intervention there. He loved Çamëria so much that he gave it to Pasok in exchange for thirty visas to Greece. And he loved the people so much that some called him a «thief», while others greeted him with tomatoes, sauce and rotten eggs. And he was so proud when they arrested him that he said he was proud to have gone to prison, because every political adventurer, every person accused of stealing 9 million dollars, should be proud to be arrested and to come to the prisons he himself built for millions of Albanians. In view of this brief—very brief—biography of leader Nano, I agree with «ZP»’s conclusion that «true democrats must be supported and defended, because those who fight to establish justice in the country really do deserve support and protection.»

Invited by Turkey’s Prime Minister, Ms. Tansu Çiller, Albania’s Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi will make a three-day visit to Turkey from 4 to 7 October. According to Prime Minister Meksi’s spokesperson, «during the talks to be held, the two counterparts will discuss possibilities for strengthening bilateral relations, which are currently at a satisfactory level». The two prime ministers are also expected to discuss regional and international issues. Other sources report that an economic agreement may also be signed during the visit.

– An event in honor of the world-famous painter Masur (mani and presentation of Vitore Leka’s book «La liberta». In the Writers’ Union hall, on Tuesday, under the auspices of the Republican Youth Forum, a reception was held in honor of the renowned painter of Persian origin Masrur Imani, along with the presentation of Vitore Leka’s book «La liberta»... «libertà» by Vitore Leka. Those invited to the event included the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr. Tomorr Malasi, members of parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps, artists and journalists. Masrur Imani, who graduated in mechanical engineering in London, would go on to shine through his talent for painting. Mr. Imani has received several awards for his painting: - The Golden Lion at the 1986 Venice International Jubilee. - Decoration for Fine Arts, 1987. - Nobel Prize in Italian Arts, 1987. - The Calvary of Art Award of the Order of Malta, etc. Mr. Imani, who spoke at the beginning of the event, expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and his high regard for developments in Albania, and outlined some of the plans and ideas he wished to put into practice. Pjetër Arbnori, who spoke next, said: «In recent years many politicians have been coming to us, and that is positive, but it is very good when artists come. A—»

... that before writing about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they should at least meet and talk with the Deputy Minister of the department. - If the reader had access to all the information about the issues raised in «Alternativa» on 29.09.1993 in the articles «How long will Albanians continue to amaze the world?» and «I am very happy to come to your country, about which my father has spoken to me since my childhood...», perhaps even the idea of writing them would have seemed inappropriate. Still more so their publication on the front page. Nevertheless, I can confidently make two observations about these articles: 1. When it comes to the foreign policy of the Albanian state, information used in writing about it should be as accurate as possible. Any irresponsible writing would constitute an anti-Albanian dimension in propaganda. The experience of many countries around the world has continually shown that political pluralism does not prevent a nation from standing up for its own interests vis-à-vis other nations. What is the value of publishing snippets of hearsay in a newspaper about a newly appointed Albanian ambassador to a foreign country? None. In fact, it unacceptably undermines the authority of the state represented by the ambassador and of all Albanians. An Albanian against an Albanian... 2. The newspaper’s staff must not forget that it represents a party that is part of the current government, which it may of course criticize, but not «gouge its eyes out» with a piece of journalism that expresses satisfaction and resembles only that of ZP.

Tirana: As we approach the winter season, people naturally become concerned about what this season will be like. What has troubled the citizens of Tirana most in recent winters has been the abnormality of the electricity network and the lack of heating equipment. But what do the conditions forecast for this winter? Although work has been done to ensure a solution and the reconstruction of part of the electricity network can be secured, the authorities and local government have not done enough for the facilities during the winter. Thus, while television reports a year ago spoke of the wood depot being emptied, this year this fuel, which is the main source of heating, has been secured in abundance. Citizens can go and place an order with N. K. Lëndë Djegëse or directly at the wood depot in Allias for up to two allocations of firewood, which are delivered by a relatively quick service (3–7 days from the date of ordering). This abundant supply of firewood became possible after private businesses were “drawn into this sector.” Around 70 percent of the wood was supplied by these businesses and only 30 percent by state enterprises. The involvement of 1 rre private firms has meant that contracts are being fulfilled normally and, in fact, only first-quality wood is being delivered. As the director of N.K. Lëndë Djegëse, Hysni Gjoni, explains, there are currently around 15 thousand mat of firewood at the depot, and it is expected that 51 thousand m³ will be stockpiled by the end of the year. What stands out on this autumn day is the commitment of the workers to process and deliver the entire quantity of wood to its destination. To this end, 15 existing vehicles have been put into operation, 6 new “IFA” vehicles have been purchased, and 16 electric saws are operating normally. So much for wood as a fuel. But will the use of wood for heating continue for long? What are the prospects? It is known that wood, once again, will provide heating at a cost of-

— To compare Abdi Baleta with Gramoz Ruçi, the “shirt-front” of crime, is nothing but the blind rancor of an extremist. On the front page of “Alternativa SD” dated 29.9.1993, the article “We wish the Ruçi-Baleta couple a happy life” is published in large headlines. The opinions expressed there reminded me of an event from almost a year ago. Those were days of political tension. By chance, I met one of the PS extremists. And instead of greeting me, he said: “The most dangerous person in the PD is Abdi Baleta. Beware of him! If the PD is going to be destroyed, it will have Abdi Baleta alone to thank for it!...” I was not at all surprised by his “concern” for the PD. Before worrying about the PD, above all he was concerned about his own PS, which that day was in a state of “knockdown” against the PD and its deputies, among whom was Abdi Baleta. The man warning me to “beware of Abdi Baleta” belonged precisely to the category of those who, a year later, would threaten to drag us along the ground, crack our skulls, and commit other monstrous acts of communist cannibalism. To compare Abdi Baleta with Gramoz Ruçi, to compare the “shirt-front” of crime with Abdi Baleta, is nothing but the blind hatred of an extremist. The equal sign can be placed unequivocally between these two displays of hatred. As for Abdi Baleta, he has had and has no connection whatsoever with criminal communist extremism. He has always maintained his positions openly and honestly. He has openly put “rabbits” of the Ceka, Çupi, Ruçi, Dokle, Islami, etc. type in their place when necessary. The comparison made by the PSD newspaper, instead of condemning the Ruçi-Baleta “couple,” actually does the opposite: it exposes the increased burden carried by the “rabbits” Ruçi and company. There was no reason for “Alternativa SD” to lose its composure like that, to the point of declaring, “Extremists do not want the Constitution,” or “Those who voted against it also voted against Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe (!!!).” Indeed, it was so “dazed” that it even managed to say: “Be that as it may, this has... it must be said that it achieved the objective of this party (the PSD, R. S.) of showing the people who is and who is not in favor of preparing and adopting the Constitution.” So, according to “Alternativa,” that was apparently the PSD’s aim: to justify itself before the people, rather than concern itself with the Constitution!?... Are we not entitled to think that those most interested in the Constitution are in fact the PD and its deputies, including Baleta? The more democratic person is the one who is nobler and more tolerant. Therefore, in conclusion, I would regard this response by “Alternativa SD” as nothing more than a weakness on its part...

expresses regret

Yesterday, our renowned writer Ismail Kadare arrived in Albania from France. “I have come to await the announcement of the ‘Nobel’ Prize at home,” he declared. According to the most prominent French magazines and newspapers, this year the Nobel Prize in Literature should return to Europe, and the leading contender to win it is the writer Ismail Kadare. As is known, in recent years Kadare has been among the three or four leading contenders for this prize, but others have won, perhaps simply because of certain circumstances that have little to do with literature. Be that as it may, this year it seems that our best-known writer is closer than ever to the Nobel Prize. Since a French Television crew has come to film Kadare in Albania, I do not believe it would be difficult for a filming crew from Albanian TV also to inform viewers about his arrival in Albania.