From the visit to Austria of the Albanian parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Selami At the invitation of the chairman of the Austrian People’s Party, Vice-Chancellor of Austria and Minister of Science and Culture Dr. Erhard Busek, an Albanian parliamentary delegation led by the chairman of the PDSH and chairman of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Eduard Selami, paid a visit to Austria. At the center of the visit was the exchange of views and experience between parliamentarians of the two countries, as well as the expansion and deepening of cooperation between them. Among the many meetings held, we highlight those with Dr. Erhard Busek, Minister of Science and Culture; with Dr. Alois Mock, Austria’s Foreign Minister and chairman of the European Democratic Union; with Dr. Andreas Khol, secretary-general of the People’s Party and secretary-general of the EDU; as well as with members of the parliamentary group for Albania, etc. At these meetings, Mr. Selami gave a general overview of the political and economic situation in Albania, the progress of economic reform, and the foreign policy pursued by Albania. Speaking highly of relations between the two countries, he emphasized that Austria is considered one of Albania’s friendliest countries, on the basis of both traditional and current ties. His Austrian colleagues noted the interest with which Austria follows the progress of democratic processes in Albania, congratulated it on its progress in various sectors, political stability, lower inflation and increased production, and especially on its successful efforts to create modern, up-to-date legislation. Both Mr. Busek and the well-known figures Mock and Khol told Mr. Selami that Albania is a priority in Austrian foreign policy. Dr. Busek assured him that the Austrian side was ready to support projects in Albania, especially those related to energy. Dr. Andreas Khol underlined that Austria does not want Hoxha’s and Alia’s people to return to power, and would therefore support the democratic forces and the reforms under way. Foreign Minister Mr. Mock praised the new image of democratic Albania in European circles and in international institutions and structures. He assured Mr. Selami of Austria’s continued support and assistance. The issue of the Balkans occupied a special place in the meetings. Mr. Selami confirmed Albania’s role as a factor for stability and peace in the Balkans, a role also reflected in President Berisha’s plan. Shared opinions and assessments on this issue were noted. The discussions on possibilities for expanding contacts between the two parties were of particular interest. Mr. Selami thanked the Austrian People’s Party for the support it has given the PDSH, both in their mutual relations and within the framework of the European Democratic Union. The chairman of the EDU praised the PDSH’s tremendous work to lift the country out of the catastrophic state into which the communist governments had plunged it, and its policy of respecting human rights, etc. He expressed his conviction that the PDSH would soon become a member of the EDU. At the meeting with members of the Austrian parliamentary group for Albania, Mr. Selami expressed his party’s gratitude for their particular interest in Albania. Dr. Khol and Mr. Selami also held a press conference for representatives of the Austrian press and radio and television. In response to the newspaper’s question, “What made the greatest impression?” “First, the fact that Austria has made Albania a priority in its foreign policy and economic investments. This is undoubtedly, in my view, the result of Albania’s successes, its political stability, mutual economic interests, and traditional and new ties, as well as the warm relations between the PDSH and the Austrian People’s Party. The results reported by the World Bank and the IMF have also influenced this assessment. “Second, another important aspect of the visit was strengthening relations between the two parties and between the PDSH and the EDU. We discussed the possibilities for expanding and deepening contacts between the two parties, as well as the PDSH’s full membership in the EDU. The only concern in this regard remains relations with the Greek party ‘New Democracy.’ It was also a particular pleasure to have confirmation that Dr. Andreas Khol would come to Albania, invited by the PDSH to its second convention in December. “Third, my Austrian colleagues kindly raised their concern about improving the efficiency of the state administration in drawing up concrete economic cooperation projects, as well as avoiding the slowness observed in procedures involving foreign investors.”

— Dokleviçi’s party defends Milosheviçi’s guests — The open defense that ZP makes on behalf of the PS of the three PAD envoys who went as guests or friends of Milosheviçi to make him more accommodating—or more intellectual, moderate, tolerant and humane toward Albanians and Bosniaks—is entirely understandable and significant. The quixotic adventure of PAD leaders Çeka, Imami and Ngjela becomes clearer if we bear in mind that Milosheviçi has turned a deaf ear to the advice and threats of the most authoritative international bodies and personalities, before whom the PAD ambassadors are Lilliputians. Naturally, as expected, Belgrade’s propaganda knew how to exploit this “historic” visit for its own aims and interests: the moment at which it took place gave Milosheviçi an opportunity to drive new knives into the back of the Albanian national cause. ZP says it was very sorry that in “RD” and in the statement by the PD parliamentary group, the three envoys were portrayed as traitors to the Albanian cause. But the innovative and supposedly unfailing creator in the art of demagoguery and manipulation, “ZP,” offers no way to interpret and assess the visit of Messrs. Çeka, Imami and Ngjela to Belgrade, when by any reckoning it is quite clear and easy to see that Milosheviçi gained a great deal from it, while the Albanian cause gained nothing. I do not believe there is a true Albanian who has failed to understand the visit by the PAD leaders to Belgrade in this light, or who has not been outraged and concerned by its absurdity and its consequences for the detriment of the Albanian national cause. THE OBSERVER

Is it worth or not worth engaging with people of this sort? Of course not, because it is a waste of time, but when you think that Is it worth or not worth engaging with people of this sort? Of course not, because it is a waste of time; but when you think that he…

Is it worth or not worth engaging with people of this sort? Of course not, because it is a waste of time, but when you think there are other monsters cut from the same cloth as Major Barka, who go about with evil thoughts and actions, not only must a few words be said to show them what their hide is worth today, but also where they come from. of time; but when you think there are other monsters cut from the same cloth as Major Barka, who go about with evil thoughts and actions, not only must a few words be said to show them what their hide is worth today, but also where they come from. Let us begin our reply at the end, with the labels on the signature. Barka is pleased to end his letter to the President with “former MP,” “former journalist,” and stop. We ask Mr. Barka: why not go on with other “former” titles? How quickly you have forgotten these “formers,” you poor wretch, you who are so deeply concerned about the minority! You should continue with: “former major,” “former collaborator with Jorgo Suljo and Athens,” “former iron hand in the face of the minority,” and the many other attributes of your past and present. Major Barka, know this well: you, who speak about human rights, have crawled around and persecuted people of your own ethnicity, the minority, making their lives miserable, together with Jorgo Suljo and Athens. You complained to the President that you were left without a salary. You are right! You were used to receiving rewards with four hands. Now you have only two hands left to receive with: one from Sebastian and the other from those who made you a former MP. Do not concern yourself with the minority, which you… If you want to forget, others do not forget the procession of victims; they do not forget your sadism. How many have been killed, imprisoned and tortured simply because they turned their heads toward the Greek border, wishing to let their gaze linger there for a moment, to see and exchange a few words with their people, whom the “capitalists” had forbidden them to see; how many were summoned and killed over a word or an opinion. And today this monster, this murderer of human rights, speaks of the human rights that the democratic state is supposedly trampling so badly? Comrade Major Barka says that, judging by how events have unfolded, he has apparently become 50 percent disappointed and 50 percent pessimistic. I must tell Comrade Barka that his conclusion is entirely correct, and that it could not have been otherwise for captains, majors and colonels of his ilk. Because all those who used to classify people as follows have ended up with such misgivings: “only the upper echelon of the communist dictatorship and its lackeys and bootlickers were people,” while “the people” were “slaves, beasts of burden.” In this context, when Barka and others complain about violations of human rights, they mean that ... (Continued on page 6)

Yesterday, in the hall of the “Ali Kelmendi” House of Culture, the PAD delegation making the visit to Belgrade held a press conference. A. Imami, S. Ngjela and P. Zogaj answered the questions. The head of the delegation, N. Çeka, was in the room. In the account S. Ngjela gave of the visit, he stated: Regarding this visit, “there are things that are said and things that are not said.” We were struck by the fact that all political forces in Serbia share a common strategy on the national question. We observed that the opposition was sharper than the government. We did not mention Millosheviçi because we were not of presidential rank. We did not raise the issues of Kosovo. At the meeting with Drashkoviçi, it was stated (according to S. Ngjela) that we had come to get to know the opposition, since with the government there was nothing to discuss about what it had done. We were obliged to hold the other meetings as concessions in order to meet with Drashkoviçi. The press communiqué distributed to journalists lists among the meetings one “with the vice-chairman of the PS, Mr. Perceviç” (editor’s note). Among the questions put were: Question: What connection do you see between Bullatoviçi’s visit and your visit to Serbia? Answer: Bullatoviçi represents the state structure. His visit is a precedent in Albanian-Serbian policy; we view our visit in this respect as well. Question: Did you consult the two Albanian Presidents before going to Serbia? Answer: We do not travel with a state mandate. Question: Did you take into account that those with whom you spoke had crushed Kosovo’s autonomy with tanks? Answer: The high military command consists of three people, none of whom we mentioned. Question: Although you declared that you would speak only with the opposition, is there any resistance in policy toward Kosovo between the government and the opposition? Answer: There are differences. There are some right-wing parties that are more liberal on the national question. Question: Do you see the national question in Belgrade? To what extent? Where and how? Answer: We have no mandate to hold [discussions]. Question: Do you consider the regime of Kosovo’s parties negative? Answer: Yes, it is a policy, and we should not treat this negative regime as something shared by all. Question: Where is the representative from? Question: What do you make of the fact that Belgrade TV gave this visit extensive publicity, despite the outcome of your visit, especially regarding the national question? (Continued on page 6)

It was fatal—even that chance camera focus on former Prime Minister Nano’s pocket, from which he pulled out a Marlboro pack with two fingers like a seasoned pickpocket that night in Parliament, when his immunity was being discussed. And now, those who sent thousands upon thousands of Albanians to hell—or at least for up to 10 years—for a mere word, are roaring in defense of the man who bears responsibility for millions taken from the food of children left hungry after a dictatorship that had worn them down. Those who, with their dark code of agitation and propaganda, politicized even marital relations now accuse the justice system (meaning the PD) of having “political overtones” toward those accused of theft and corruption in the performance of their duties. Those who, throughout their lives, accused people even in the streets and, without a scrap of evidence, sentenced and exterminated thousands of the finest Albanians on this land of ours, which they themselves had cursed, are once again carrying on and making accusations. Today, once again, they continue to politicize everything, right up to death. This instinct, born with them, is destined to die only when they do. It is understandable: instincts are born and die with their masters. So today nobody should be surprised when cries are heard from their hoarse throats—cries that do nothing to distance them from the midst into which they were born. Did you read the letter that prisoner Nano sent to President Berisha? Besides Christian mercy, my compassion was also stirred by the con-

On the establishment and dissolution of certain ministries PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY TIRANA Pursuant to Article 16, point 13, of Law No. 7491, dated 29.04.1991, “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” at the request of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, I PROPOSE: I. To be dissolved: 1. The Ministry of Trade and Foreign Cooperation. 2. The Ministry of Finance and Economy 3. The Ministry of Industry, Mineral Resources and Energy. II. To be established: 1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade. 2. The Ministry of Finance 3. The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy. Tirana, 19. 10. 1993 President of the Republic SALI BERISHA