— STATEMENT BY THE PD PARLIAMENTARY GROUP REGARDING THE VISIT OF PAD REPRESENTATIVES TO BELGRADE — At a time when the Milosevic regime, together with Sheshel and Ço, has killed and continues to kill Albanians in Yugoslavia, and has begun a new wave of arrests and its campaign to spread conflict in Kosovo, three leaders of the Democratic Alliance party, including a member of parliament, are going to Belgrade for meetings and talks with the anti-Albanian police clique. Who Milosevic and his associates are is clear to everyone. World opinion has already called for them to stand trial for serious crimes against humanity, while their interlocutors in Albania represent nothing. They are Albania’s Halit Tërnovcats, and their mission is to offer the isolated Milosevic a path and an argument with which to claim that he is holding talks with Albanians, at a time when only the language of bullets and the whip, imprisonment and ethnic assimilation has been reserved for Albanians.

The first thing that came to mind when seeing the blank pages that several newspapers published in the square a few days ago in protest was that the journalists of «ZP», «KJ» and «A» were now publishing a blank page after having continuously published several black pages in succession. Later, the little sheets «Populli», «Shqip», «Alternativa» and some others sang the refrain of their dreadful “sisters,” staging a private strike. It was all being done in protest against the Press Law passed by Parliament. But now, although this is a fact, the concern is directed at the President, with pressure being applied to make him refuse to sign it. It is natural to oppose something new—in this case, the Press Law—but I think that before opposing it, it should be studied in its entirety, in light of the conditions of the Albanian press in general. The question arises quite naturally: What has Parliament approved that these newspapers have not opposed? So it is in the nature of these newspapers to oppose everything, provided that the object of their opposition is connected with the PD, the government or the President. And this is part of their strategy and tactics. Let us return to the law in question. It is said to be a harsh law, but people forget to mention that every law is strict and harsh in its entirety. Otherwise, it would not be called a law. They forget to say that the law in question is among the most democratic. They forget to say that the press in Albania itself is harsh and sometimes uncontrolled—and all this when one considers that Albania ranks among the first countries in the world, with the record figure of one newspaper for every 4,000 inhabitants, and that journalism in Albania is generally not professional. Something strange is happening with Albanian “journalists.” A law has been passed to protect them, but they do not want to accept it. “A journalist would have to work for 15 years to pay a fine,” one newspaper wrote a few days ago. Don’t lie, don’t insult and don’t slander, and you will not have to pay a single lek—that is the answer. It is just like thieves complaining about why they are put in prison, when it is well known that a thief’s trade is to rob, just as it is well known that a journalist’s trade is not to curse, insult or slander. But since newspapers have somewhat forgotten their trade, or since people with no connection to journalism have flooded into the profession, they are frightened and are effectively accusing themselves. Honest journalists would never be frightened by a press law—not in any circumstances, and certainly not in our case, when we have a law of this kind. I do not believe that journalists such as Maja Elezi, Rudolf Marku, Skënder Bucpapa, Khevalir Shpahiu, Preç Zogaj, etc., would write a single line with the concern that the law might influence them. That is professionalism. Nonprofessionals, who are used to writing whatever they please, naturally find it difficult to accept the law’s restraint. In conclusion, it is necessary for us not to read street journalism and the like. The Press Law will make this possible; it was absent for a long time, repeatedly opening the way not to the press, but to journalistic anti-journalism. H. 20/03 MARASH MIRASHI

For nine days now, the Chairman of the National Unity Party, the imprisoned Idajet Beqiri, has asked the Tirana Court, through the prison administration, for early release on parole. As is known, Idajet Beqiri was sentenced under the Penal Code to six months’ imprisonment for an offense against the President of the Republic, whom he described as “the one who tramples all Albanians.” Not only Mr. Beqiri, but also the newspaper «Kombi» and some other left-wing newspapers have not acknowledged or denounced his offense. On the contrary, they protested all the way to Antarctica that his imprisonment was a “violation of human rights.” Naturally, their complaint was a voice in the wilderness, and it seems Mr. Beqiri himself is now convinced of that. Early release on parole is granted when a person has served half of the sentence and, through their conduct, shows that they have repented—in other words, have been rehabilitated. Bearing in mind that Mr. Beqiri is also a lawyer and knows the laws well, the reasons for which he is seeking parole are clear. Therefore, I believe the Tirana Court should bear in mind, and keep in its office, the words of Jesus Christ: “Forgive them, O Lord, for they know not what they do.” ZEF LLESHI

THE DRAFT LAW “ON THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES” WAS APPROVED Yesterday morning, the People’s Assembly held the first parliamentary session of this parliamentary week. The session was devoted to discussing and approving the draft law “On the prevention and control of infectious diseases.” The explanatory report accompanying it stated that this draft law, with its 33 articles, is specifically designed to establish in law a matter of particular importance, to replace the 1954 legislation, which is now an obstacle to the organization of health services; it also contains many new concepts in line with the laws of advanced countries and of primary importance to Albania’s reform. After discussion and a number of comments, mostly editorial in nature, the law was approved in principle, article by article and as a whole, by all the deputies. At the end of the session, deputy Hilit Shamata read a statement by the PD parliamentary group, which condemned and distanced itself from the visit to Belgrade by representatives of the “Democratic Alliance” party. «RD» correspondent

This time, the anti-national political spectacle of the Democratic Alliance appeared on the tragic stage of Belgrade, where the schemes and theories for the disappearance and massacre of Albanians have been devised, and where throughout this century Serbian medals have been awarded to Albanians willing to serve the exterminationist policy of “honest Albanians” of the Halit Tërnovçev kind, who have stained their careers with the blood of their Albanian compatriots. This time, these Serbian medals were pinned by the criminals of Bosnia and the Balkan Mountains on the chests of Belgrade’s special guests, or the new Halit Tërnovçevs: Neritan Alia, Spartak Ngjela and Arben Imami. The Balkans indeed need dialogue and peace, but the Serbian chauvinists have given no indication that should be considered serious in the direction of the desired peace. It would certainly be a humane act to seek peace between the Serbian aggressors and the defenseless Albanians, but the Serbian chauvinists have shown no sign of respecting human and national rights. On the contrary, Milosevic’s dictatorial regime has denied every right essential to the existence of Albanians. The mobilization of Kosovo with tanks, aircraft, soldiers and reservists, the military reinforcements on the border with Albania, and the killing of dozens of Albanians in Kosovo and on the Albanian-Serbian border make Tërnovçev’s special visit to Belgrade utterly absurd. This kind of visit to Serbia, in the context of Kosovo, is alarming and shows that Belgrade, at different times and under different circumstances, has always sought and found weak Albanians of the Tërnovçev kind to suppress the Kosovars and carry out, point by point, the plan to exterminate and expel them. They have placed themselves in the service of Serbian policy, guided personally by their own old masters. This may represent one of the greatest tragedies of the Albanians, since, in addition to everyone else, they are being targeted by people of the same blood, of their own blood. This became clear as soon as the media reported the arrival in Belgrade of Neritan Alia, Spartak Ngjela and Arben Imami. And indeed, when not a single Albanian could be found willing to sit at the table with Milosevic’s interlocutors, an “ally” was bought in Tirana. God save us from what may happen after this visit, since we are accustomed to the Tërnovçevs of 2 July 1990, of 1948, and of 8 November 1941. The final analysis of the visit by Çekeç, Ngjela and Imami shows that they went as victims of the cunning Milosevic, who assured his allies—according to the Serbian media—that the Albanian autonomy of 1974 is outdated and out of fashion, and that the Albanians have been declared and can be dealt with within the framework of minorities. This is the success of Halit Tërnovçev and the Alliance, who trampled on the centuries-old blood of the Albanians of Kosovo, since their “allies” had neither any possibility nor any means of carrying out their tragic undertaking. The second point emerging from the visit by Çekeç, Ngjela and Imami is that the Serbs are trying to gain time by bringing the Albanian element into play—in this case, certain Halit Tërnovçevs of the Democratic Alliance—to tell the world that the Serbs are in the right and are speaking with the Albanians. After Bosnia, the turn to resolve the issue is always coming to the Albanians. As always, the Serbs have a ready-made plan to present on the European political stage. A plan whose implementation is being helped by the “allies” Çekeç, Ngjela and Imami, or Albania’s Halit Tërnovçevs. 20/10 MUJE BUCAPAJ

PRISHTINË, 17 October. Recently, Macedonian authorities have been expelling Albanians from Kosovo who live and work in this former Yugoslav Republic, or who have temporarily left Kosovo because they are at risk from Serbian violence. This has been reported to Amnesty International. This international human-rights organization, it is reported, has launched an urgent action against the expulsion of Kosovo Albanians from Macedonia and has called on the Macedonian authorities to stop these practices. The Macedonian government has been reminded of its obligations under international law not to forcibly return people to countries where they risk having their human rights violated. (ATSH)

Following their continuous protests, they should continue the strike for another 10 years, because that would benefit Albanian public opinion as a whole. Has Nano met Papandreu? In the letters Nano sends to the chairman of PASOK, Papandreu, he expresses considerable warmth and calls him “dear friend” from time to time. There is nothing wrong with that in itself, but there is something puzzling. To call someone a “dear friend,” you must at least have had some contact with them, met them in person, talked as people do, among other things. Who knows where Nano was answering the questions: “Has he ever met the chairman of PASOK? Has he ever received him at an official meeting, or even a private one?” Kosiga for the Albanian diplomatic representatives of the communist regime. PSSH “protests” against Skalfaro Some time ago, the Italian Parliament rejected the request to lift the immunity (permission to proceed legally) of De Lorenci, former Minister of Health of the Italian Republic, who was accused by the investigating judge in the “Clean Hands” operation. President Skalfaro, respecting the opinion of the Italian judiciary, reacted to Parliament’s action and in turn revoked Parliament’s immunity. What can the Albanian left-wing extremists say about this, when they call the Albanian Parliament’s decision to lift F. Nano’s immunity and allow the justice system to proceed “revolutionary and political revenge”? Surely they will accuse Skalfaro too of totalitarianism and right-wing dictatorship. De Lorenci is an honest socialist and a journalist who informs the Albanian people about his judiciary.

Yesterday, the Executive Board of the Albanian Journalists’ Association met to review several issues raised earlier and concerning the Association’s functioning. The Executive Board criticized delays in completing the registration of its members, finalizing its statute, establishing external links, and verifying and taking possession of the inventory of the former Journalists’ Union. The board members emphasized that member inactivity had contributed to these issues not being resolved on time. However, progress by the Executive Board of the Albanian Journalists’ Association was more advanced—Mero Baze has no objection, even to the board’s deepest concerns, and members should be informed only. Among the very rare cases being considered is this latest one, and from its very first minutes they declared in writing dog-regullin e thënies e kërkohet e të tjera largia më mbyrë e kulturor. In this context, the Executive Board of the Albanian Journalists’ Association again assessed e modhue pa-përur nga dorëheqja e Mero

Mr. Dylber Vrioni Governor of the Bank of Albania By a special decree today, the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, having acted on the basis of proposal No. 1240, dated 19.10.1993, from the Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania, appointed Mr. Dylber Vrioni Governor of the Bank of Albania, replacing Mr. Ilir Hoti, who resigned from this position. Press and Information Office of the President Tirana, 19.10.1993

As is known, these days 11 of the more than 200 Albanian newspapers “led” by «ZP» held a two-day strike in protest against Parliament’s approval of the Press Law. They are called “led” by «ZP» because this protest was in violation of the law—which is understandable (one need only read their pages to understand why they fear a law that punishes slander and insults)—and they support newspapers that make the existence of this law known. In any case, everything exists for them, provided that it is va-… ever met the chairman of PASOK? Has he ever received him at an official meeting, or even a private one? Kosiga for the Albanian diplomatic representatives of the communist regime PSSH “protests” against Skalfaro Some time ago, the Italian Parliament rejected the request to lift the immunity (permission to proceed legally) of De Lorenci, former Minister of Health of the Italian Republic, who was accused by the investigating judge in the “Clean Hands” operation. President Skalfaro, respecting the opinion of the Italian judiciary, reacted to Parliament’s action and in turn revoked Parliament’s immunity. What can the Albanian left-wing extremists say about this, when they call the Albanian Parliament’s decision to lift F. Nano’s immunity and allow the justice system to proceed “revolutionary and political revenge”? Surely they will accuse Skalfaro too of totalitarianism and right-wing dictatorship. De Lorenci is an honest socialist and a journalist who informs the Albanian people about his judiciary, seeing that these newspapers understand it; all that is needed is for it to va-