- The President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sali Berisha, also took part - At the «Skënderbej» Land Forces Academy in Tirana, the ceremony inaugurating the 8th Infantry Division in Tirana was held. The President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sali Berisha, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Safet Zhulali, was also present at the ceremony. Addressing the personnel taking part in the ceremony, President Berisha stressed that «this day marks the successful completion of the second stage of the restructuring of the Albanian army. This notable event marks the return of the Albanian army to the newspapers, its adaptation to the new conditions and to the new democratic system in Albania». Continuing, the President and Commander-in-Chief stressed that «institutional changes in the Albanian army were carried out more quickly than in other institutions. They responded, and continue to respond dynamically, to the needs of the country and to the situation required in the Balkans». Mr. Berisha then pointed out that the second phase opens the way for carrying out the third phase of army reform. According to him, this phase aims to modernize it and create optimal conditions for the life, training and defense of Albanian military personnel. It also aims to improve all defense systems, which are essential for protection against any aggression and for safeguarding integrity and sovereignty— (Continued on page 6)

Our opponents criticize us for many things. In my view, they are right about some things and wrong about others. They set aside or minimize the objective factors that influence our inaction or mistakes. What matters to us is to correct what is right and not pay heed to the faultfinders. On the other hand, after 18 months of governing, it is the responsibility of the DP and officeholders at every level to assess the work of each person, whether a manager or an ordinary employee. It seems to me that there has been more than enough time to remove the incapable, the negligent and the guilty. Without hesitation and without sentimentality! Only in this way will state power remain constantly alive, active and at the forefront of situations that are becoming increasingly complicated. So let us continually strive to find the right job for the right person! What concerns me is that our opponents insist on proclaiming that the DP has no capable forces to lead Albania along the democratic path. This is also implied, indirectly, by their supposedly disparaging label for the DP: «populist»! In theory and in reality, among DP members and supporters there are many cadres fully capable of leading the state along the path of the people’s aspirations and on the basis of our program. Despite the great deal of work that has been done, we cannot disagree that there have also been hasty actions, abuses of power, confusions and manifestations of concepts that have already been surpassed, such as tribal chieftainism and criminalization. There are many possible ways forward that can be suggested. Allow me to propose some of them. I think the influence of certain people who hold more than one position should be restricted as much as possible. It seems to me that acting this way would avoid the fetishization and underestimation of the creative potential of many other people, and would broaden the path to making more mistakes. I am in favor of achieving a fairer combination of older and younger people in our administrations, a combination that is continually tested in practice. I also think it is right that the first criterion for a state employee should be rigorous respect for the laws and regulations of the state—not only those in their specific field. There is no other way! How can it be tolerated that, as was said, state employees demonstrate illegally against the state, as happened when those people took to «Skënderbej» Square in July ’93? And are we allowed to stand by and watch, creating dangerous precedents, or merely to take note? A person convicted under the law of ordinary crimes who belongs to the immediate family circle of any of us is a misfortune and a painful thing for the other members of the family. The psychology of our people, despite the distortions it has undergone, is very sensitive to honor. I have noticed that some political parties, for example the PR and PSD, some associations and, in particular, the democratic Government, successfully practice the organized collection of information from their qualified members and supporters, or from specialists. On current issues, draft laws and ethics, they seek opinions and options in order to find the best possible alternatives. Why has the DP been sluggish in this area? Its organizational sector surely knows very well that within the DP there are specialists in every field, educated people accustomed to responsibility who can and want to contribute. It is moving to see that many ordinary DP members, too, offer themselves to help the democratic state run well! What can be said about the idea of consulting specialists? But their involvement should not be limited to individual meetings and spontaneity. The main thing, I think, is active participation in the affairs of the state. This is how democracy and human responsibility are strengthened, helping advance the economy, defense, governance, health care, education, culture, etc.

Albania is admitted as a full member of the World Tourism Organization. - Albania has been admitted as a full member of the World Tourism Organization. The decision was made by the General Assembly of this organization at its tenth session, held in recent days in Bali, Indonesia. A delegation from our Ministry of Tourism, led by Minister Edmond Spaho, also took part in the proceedings of this session. More than 120 countries belong to the World Tourism Organization, the largest intergovernmental organization worldwide. (ATSH)

At the People’s Assembly - The People’s Assembly approved the draft law «On documenting and keeping accounts for taxes». For the first time, this draft law establishes the obligation to install cash registers in commercial establishments that sell goods or carry out work and provide services to the public, and to issue tax receipts. This obligation, which will be introduced gradually within a specified period, represents a fundamental measure to ensure oversight of the reporting of taxable income by retailers. The draft law was prepared on the basis of the tax legislation of Italy and France. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has begun negotiations to obtain cash registers. The People’s Assembly also examined and approved the decree of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, making an amendment to the law «On the appointment of customs supervisors for imported goods». Under it, all goods imported into the Republic of Albania are subject to mandatory customs supervision amounting to 5 percent of their customs value. This supervision is applied separately from the normal import duties. Exempt from payment for customs supervision are all cases that are also exempt from the ordinary customs duties stipulated in the existing law. (ATSH)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Alfred Serreqi, received Zhan Fransua Denjo, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the French Parliament. (ATSH)

a tender is expected to be held soon for the seven participating firms. As officials at the Municipality’s Public Services Directorate explained to us, the competition is being delayed because the Ministry of Construction is hesitating to transfer to the Municipality of Tirana the funds allocated by the Italian government. The privatization process of small and medium-sized enterprises continues. As part of the privatization of 500 small and medium-sized enterprises, the Municipality of Tirana continues to privatize these enterprises through auctions. So far, 32 properties out of the 35 submitted to the privatization board have been privatized. These properties were generally used for commercial activities, such as depots, warehouses, bakeries, small industrial production units, etc. The owners of these properties are now the former owners of the land, employees, or other beginning of November, the privatization of another 50–80 be approved. Water supply on the right track The sharp increase in consumers of drinking water—commercial units, various offices, and private homes—has greatly reduced water pressure and, consequently, problems with normal supply have become apparent, especially on the upper floors. With the investments made this year, when the government allocated 87 million new lekë, 12 km of pipes with a diameter of 200 to 500 millimeters were laid, benefiting specific areas such as the center of the capital and «A. Demi» Street, among others. But the pace of construction keeps increasing. In just these two years, of 43,000 privately built units, 20,000 have been supplied with water. Faced with urgent demands for water, the local authorities are carrying out a preliminary study, for which the relevant funds have been allocated. Alongside construction of the Bovilla reservoir, made possible by a loan of 13 billion lire from the Italian government, days. With the construction of the reservoir, the main pipeline, the treatment plant, and the internal network—which are expected to be completed by the end of 1995—an ample water supply for the capital will be made possible. Is liquefied gas harmful? The arrival in February this year of 11,000 radiant heaters and 22,000 liquefied-gas cylinders, provided as aid by the Italian government, has sparked public debate. Is using this gas for heating harmful? According to information obtained from the relevant directorate of the Ministry of Construction, tests carried out by a special commission of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, established by the Ministry of Health, found environmental pollution to be many times higher than the permitted level. Specifically, carbon monoxide (CO) pollution, which is permitted at 4–6 milligrams been held with the Italian party, which accepted the test results. However, for two months it has not stated how it intends to resolve the problem. Specialists believe that this gas poses no health risk when used in ovens for cooking. The restitution of property is delaying investment The foundations have still not been laid for the 500 apartments announced here a year ago, which were to be built within a year by the company Al-Mak! The reason? The former landowners are obstructing the project. They do not accept having their land occupied by residential buildings. Thus, not only in this area but throughout Tirana, large-scale construction has been halted for the simple reason that the Municipality of Tirana still does not know where its properties are. Seven Italian firms will compete to clean the capital. It seems that the problem of cleaning the city of Tirana is moving toward a solution. Several implementing firms have come forward for the funds provided by the Italian government. Thus, a tender is expected to be held soon to select one or more private entities, as decided by the privatization board. At the beginning of November, the privatization of another 50 properties announced for auction in the press is expected to be approved. Water supply on the right track Italian firms; the city’s internal network will be completely reconstructed, with 40 km of pipes, 200 to 900 millimeters in diameter, to be laid. For this purpose, a tender among four Italian construction firms is expected to be held in the coming days. With the construction of the reservoir, the permitted amount per cubic meter was found to be 20–30 milligrams. For this reason, the undistributed stock of radiant heaters and liquefied-gas cylinders has been impounded, and the company concerned, «Comerint», has been notified. It is understood that a meeting has also been held with the other party

At the warm and friendly reception he held for Sheikh Khalid Alireza, the Speaker of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, expressed warm feelings and gratitude toward that country and its people, who are sincerely helping Albania during these difficult periods of transition from dictatorship to democracy. Regarding Albania’s relations with the Arab countries and Saudi Arabia, Mr. Arbnori expressed his confidence that their traditional friendship would grow stronger in the future. In his speech, Mr. Ariza said: “Amid these praises for your country and your people, now that we have seen with our own eyes how communism has destroyed it, we believe them completely, just as we believe that Albania will prosper on the path of democracy, peace, and stability. We have come here,” he stressed, “with the aim of helping Albania and its friendly people, rather than in the interests of our own society. Your country can become an example for Europe and the Middle East. The first step,” he said, “is the one that opens the way, and we will take this step in Albania.” Mr. Pjetër Arbnori received Mr. Zhan Fransua Denjo (Jean François Denian), Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of France. The meeting discussed strengthening relations between our two parliaments. “We are ready,” Mr. Denjo said, “to provide our assistance in the field of parliamentary procedure.” Regarding Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe, Mr. Denjo said that he supports Albania’s immediate admission to this important organization. Mr. Arbnori thanked them for the assistance that the European Community and France have given the people over the past two years, and said that Albania now needs more investment-related assistance. Press and Information Office of the People’s Assembly