• In the district of [—?], 218 new members have joined the DP so far. Of these, 68 are intellectuals. • New elections have been held in 7 sections in the district of Laç, where 105 new members have been accepted, 41 of whom are intellectuals. • The DP in Gramsh is gaining support as it expands through new memberships from the intellectual sphere. At the very beginning of the elections alone, 32 new intellectuals joined the DP. • The new elections in Gramsh began with new members joining the ranks of the DP. So far, 82 members have joined, mainly young men and women.

From the DP election campaign — MEETING OF THE 13TH SECTION OF DP REGION NO. 1, TIRANA — ATTENDED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DPA, MR EDUARD SELAMI, DP PRESIDENCY MEMBER MR TITAN SHEHU, AND DP NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER AND «RD» EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MR BASHKIM TRENOVA. On 25 October, a meeting was held with members of DP Section No. 13 of Tirana Region No. 1 as part of the party’s new elections. Also present were Mr Eduard Selami, chairman of the DPA; Mr Titan Shehu, member of the DP Presidency; and Mr Bashkim Trenova, member of the DP National Council and editor-in-chief of «RD». In his speech, Mr Selami emphasized, among other things, the need to reorganize and structure the DP starting at the section level. “We want to shape the profile of a political force,” Mr Selami emphasized. Numbers do not matter in themselves, but out of 1.8 million voters, 1.2 million voted for the DP. Thus, we cannot confine ourselves to the number of members. Mr Selami went on to speak about the need to foster a section culture and give the section room to act. He warned that, on several occasions, sectarian political conduct had been pursued in sections. “We also face a moral danger, against those who … other people.” We must especially reach out to intellectuals and young people and help them. The work cannot be done by setting boundaries such as, “You came yesterday, and you came today.” “We,” Mr Selami continued, “are a party of the centre, a popular party. We are not here to remind honest people of their biographies; we are not here to shrink the party and lose voters.” In his speech, Mr Selami opposed extremists and advocated reorganizing the section with everyone who wishes to contribute to democracy. The DPA chairman expressed support for diversity of opinion, but stressed that the DP has a platform, a program and certain structures, and that one cannot act outside them. These are matters of the order and seriousness expected of a political force. There are, of course, other alternatives for those who wish to act outside them. Speaking about the DP’s difficulties, Mr Selami noted … [it is necessary to] have a core that raises issues. We can establish sections on a professional basis, perhaps with dual membership, that is, both territorial and professional. In this way, the specialist’s opinion will also be heard better. Mr Selami congratulated the section on its work expanding its ranks and on electing honest, reputable and energetic people to lead it. In the report presented by the section chairman, Mr Qemal Tafuraci, figures were given on the section’s growth through new members, and a number of problems were raised, such as the occasional failure of DP Presidency members for Tirana to attend section meetings. The same criticism was made about the MPs. The report also raised the issue of former communists being appointed to managerial positions in the reform in general, as well as the failure so far to implement the President’s decree concerning the wealth of red businessmen. Corruption, Mr Tafuraci stressed, is the source of all the evils in the branch, the justice system, the administration, etc. The report went on to express concerns about traffic and those accompanying people whose assistance is running out, the weaknesses of local government, the sanitation of the city, and so on. Discussion followed, with [the point made] that if someone takes control of economic power today, tomorrow they may also be able to dominate political power. It was stressed that the disorganization of local government alienates supporters. A more flexible personnel policy was also discussed, so that people are not cemented into positions, because the party is blamed for the shortcomings of the authorities. The meeting also called for stronger party propaganda to highlight all the major achievements made during this short period, and for speeding up the issue of the status of political prisoners, because there is much speculation about it. Discussions also called for stronger relations with the police, because every weakness of theirs is exploited by Enver’s nostalgists. Criteria for administrative reform were also discussed, as this is also the basis for economic reform. The various obstacles created in implementing the law, speakers at the section emphasized, are the essence of corruption. This made a stronger demand for accountability necessary. After the discussions, DPA chairman Mr Selami offered examples addressing the issues raised. Elections were held at the end. Mr Qemal Tafuraci was re-elected chairman of DP Section No. 13 for Region No. 1. [The newspaper] had sent him “with his whole family” to America, and not only that: the article’s author tried to predict whether I. Hoti would be eliminated by the CIA or by some other secret operation. Meanwhile, the newspaper «Kombi» sent I. Hoti to Switzerland “after a meal at one of Albania’s most luxurious restaurants.” The newspaper «KJ» was first on the list of newspapers that went on strike against the press law, and that was understandable… What will happen to this newspaper … they refer to highly reliable informants, but, unfortunately for them, it turns out that even if the informants may be reliable, their information was not all that reliable. Thus, these two newspapers may suffer from excessive press freedom. E. P. …the number of members. Mr Selami then spoke about the need to establish the section’s culture and to create room for the section to operate. He drew attention to the fact that political action in the section had sometimes been conducted in a certain way. “We,” Mr Selami added, “are against moral revisionism, against those who collaborated with the Sigurimi and committed crimes, but not where…” Speaking about the PD’s difficulties, Mr Selami pointed here to the lack of structures. The section, Mr Selami said, must establish the order and seriousness for those who wish to operate outside them. … some structures, and that it is not possible to act outside them. These concern the order and seriousness for those who wish to operate outside them. … concerns were expressed in the report regarding the provision of milk and that example… the social [sector/group] the city’s sanitation, etc. Discussions then continued. Various speakers expressed concerns about corruption… … as well as the administration, etc. Further, there was a stronger demand for accountability. After the discussions, the chairman of the PDSH, Mr Selami, provided explanations concerning Qemal Tafaruçi was elected chairman of PD Section 13 for Region No. 1. “RD” Correspondent

Should there be a press law? Ilir Hoti, sent to the USA by «KJ» and to Switzerland by «Kombi», is at his home in Durrës. A telephone call lasting a few seconds to the number 052/227... was enough to confirm that I. Hoti, former governor of the Albanian Bank, is at his home in Durrës. The front page of «KJ» Hoti to Switzerland “after a meal at one of the most expensive restaurants,” while after the latest slander, his whereabouts are unknown. The press law has not yet been signed by the President, but the Criminal Code contains articles that punish defamation and its publication. Meanwhile, I. Eqirri, recently released, protests in the same issue in which the slander in question is published against the “prejudice” he says he suffered when he was convicted of defamation. In their reports, both newspapers «KJ» and «Kombi» cite highly reliable informants, but, unfortunately for them …

On 25 October, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi received Austria’s Minister of Defence, Doctor Verner Fasslabend, who expressed to Mr Meksi his appreciation for Albania’s achievements in establishing a new military system and modernizing it. “I have followed with continuing interest the political, economic and social developments in Albania, and I extend my greetings to you and the Democratic Government,” said the Austrian Minister of Defence. “Albania has many friends, old and new,” said Mr Meksi, “but it is a pleasure for us to cooperate with Austria, with which we are bound by a traditional friendship.” Prime Minister Meksi and Mr Fasslabend then discussed the level of training of our army, the steps taken to review its structure, and the need for ongoing contacts, exchanges and specialist training for our personnel, etc. Mr Fasslabend then expressed concern, both on behalf of the Austrian government and personally, about the war in the former Yugoslavia and its negative consequences. “Sustained efforts and goodwill are needed to find a peaceful and just solution,” said the Austrian Minister of Defence. For his part, Mr Meksi said: “Goodwill is lacking; weapons are being used. Issues resolved by force will require a solution in the future.” Let us hope that reason will prevail. Prime Minister Meksi also emphasized that Greece’s apparent involvement in the conflict makes greater engagement by international institutions essential, particularly the UN and the USA, in order to prevent it and find a peaceful political solution. Announcement from the Press and Information Office of the Prime Minister.

— THE FIGURES SAY SO, THE WORLD SAYS SO, BUT LUAN SHAHOLLARI AND HIS COMRADES DENY IT MALICIOUSLY. — NEXHMIJE HOXHA’S STUDENT CONTINUES TO SEE ALBANIA THROUGH HER SOUL AND HER DARK EYES. — ALBANIA’S PROGRESS CAUSES TERROR, PANIC AND BITTERNESS AMONG SOME ALBANIAN SOCIALISTS AND EXTREMISTS. For some time, Luan Shahollari has set himself the goal of becoming a lion of socialist economic theory and practice. And there is nothing surprising about that to us. He was one of Nexhmije Hoxha’s most diligent and best students, and a student of Enverian economic “science”; he was a commissar, propagandist and dogmatic enforcer of its principles or prescriptions. Naturally, these abilities or merits caught the eye and won the favour of his superiors at the Institute of Marxist-Leninist Studies, or higher up, and he was rewarded with party and state positions, up to the post of deputy chairman of the State Planning Committee. These things convinced him that he could become a giant in the field of socialist economic theory and practice; they magnified his careerist ambition and made his delusions of grandeur incurable. (Continued on page 3)

THE PRESIDENT’S PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH AND ESTABLISH SEVERAL MINISTRIES, AS WELL AS THE DRAFT LAW ON SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE “LAND” LAW, ARE APPROVED - Deputy Imami responds to the PD group’s statement concerning the visit of the PAD representative to Belgrade. - At Monday evening’s plenary session, the People’s Assembly opened the working season of the new parliamentary week. At the beginning of the session, the Assembly approved adding to the agenda a session for electing two more members of the Constitutional Court, thus bringing the number of members of that court to the stipulated total of eight. Before proceeding further with the agenda items, Deputy Dokle raised several objections concerning the Prosecutor General’s failure to attend the session for questions requested by the PS group, comments regarding the status of veterans, and a proposal to designate November 29 as a National Holiday. Meanwhile, Deputy Et’hem Ruka raised the concerns of residents of several areas of Kukës, which were damaged by last year’s floods. “Our group,” he went on to say… (Continued on page 3)

- A. Alia, Xh. Perniola and T. Kardilli are possible witnesses in the proceedings. - - “These investigations may also provide answers to other hypotheses: abuse of office or a more serious crime.” - - “These investigations may also provide answers to other hypotheses: abuse of office or a more serious crime.” Will Fatos Nano be convicted of abuse of office or of corruption? The next investigations to be conducted into the Nano case may provide an answer to this question. They are being undertaken by a panel of judges that has taken on the task of examining the matter raised by the defense lawyers of those accused in the Italian passport scandal, in connection with an investigative development… In the ruling of court president Agim Be… it was also decided that Shoja be appointed, and that the prosecution should… … the investigations, with the prosecution making every effort to summon as witnesses the son of former President Alia, Arben Alia, former ambassador to Levan…Com, Xhuzepë Perniola, and the former Italian ambassador to Tirana, Torku Kardilli. With regard to the latter, the Prosecution must request the assistance of the Italian state. The ruling also called for the questioning of other witnesses mentioned by name, such as R. Alia, N. Çarçani and Sh. Çani, regarding matters that need to be clarified about the passports, especially those belonging to the wife of the head of the… gang. In this way, these investigations may also provide answers to other hypotheses: whether this is simply a case of abuse of office, or a more serious crime involving misappropriation. In fact, the request by lawyers Përparim Sanxhaku and Agim Tirana (lawyers for F. Nano), Fatmir Braja and Koco Dilo is also in line with the request of the majority of Albanian public opinion. The press has accused Nano of corruption, whereas the charge brought by the justice authorities is only abuse of office and forgery. Will the accusations made by the press be proven? That remains to be seen in the further investigations. EDI PALOKA

According to the gentlemen of the Democratic Alliance, the AD delegation in Belgrade should have received the same visit as the one Bulatoviçi made to Tirana. So, according to this logic, since Bulatoviçi came to Tirana, there is nothing wrong with an AD delegation going to Belgrade. But is this analogy fair? At first glance, it seems to be an inapt analogy. Why is that? First, because Mr Berisha is President of the Albanian state; he is therefore a statesman, and it is entirely normal for him, with the powers he holds, to invite foreign dignitaries to Albania. It is his right to invite them whenever he deems it appropriate, just as it is his right to accept or decline invitations extended to him by foreign individuals. Naturally, when he invites a foreign dignitary to visit—especially one from a neighboring country, as Bulatoviçi was—he must surely have thought that there was something to say… In this particular case, the invitation was judged by the results of the talks, which were reported in the press, and… …it had been clearly established in advance what he would say to his interlocutor, including during those parts of the talks when each could maintain his own point of view, as happened. A somewhat more realistic stance by Montenegro would have enabled Berisha to press for something more, with the aim of bringing Bulatoviçi as close as possible to the official Albanian positions on developments in the region. Although, as it turned out, this was not fully achieved, it can still be said that the Berisha–Bulatoviçi talks had value. They were a good opportunity for Albanian policy to reaffirm once again its positions regarding the crisis in the former Yugoslavia and the resolution of the Kosovo issue, where the Albanian people, whose national and human rights are denied, continue to endure the drama of violence by the Serbian authorities. This is why the meeting was welcomed by public opinion and by intellectuals at home and across the state border. It was not so with the brother of the delegation… (Continued on page 4)

It is not the practice of the President’s press spokesperson to respond to irresponsible statements or insinuations, whatever their source. However, he emphasizes that the insinuations made by the PAD delegation at the press conference after returning from Belgrade, with which the delegation subsequently tried to imply that there might also have been some official mission during its visit abroad, are as baseless as they are irresponsible. The Chairman of the PSD, Mr Gjinushi, based his comment on these insinuations entirely on their absurdity. I think Mr Gjinushi could have asked for an explanation before indulging in unfounded speculation. Press and Information Office of the President Tirana, 26 October 1993