The Council of Ministers first discussed, assessed and approved in principle the medium-term economic development programme for 1993–1996, prepared by the working group of all ministries and central institutions. The programme sets out the basic economic policy for this period and also analyses the general economic indicators for 1990–1993. It then approved the draft law “On Civil Protection in the Republic of Albania”, which supplements our previous legislation in this field, as well as the draft laws “On the Accession of the Republic of Albania to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women”, “On the Accession of the Republic of Albania to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination”, and “On the Ratification of the Agreement with the World Bank for the Development of the Programme in the Agricultural Sector (ASAC)”. In view of the fact that manufacturing enterprises are required to pay for both raw materials and machinery imported with aid funds and loans, and recognising their very difficult financial situation, the Council of Ministers adopted a measure in favour of these enterprises. It concerns changes to the domestic selling prices of certain raw materials, materials, spare parts and machinery supplied under aid programmes and loans on favourable terms from international institutions and individual states, as well as the terms of payment for them. The Council of Ministers also adopted the following decisions: “On approval of the action plan for the real-estate registration system and the programmes related to the future real-estate market”; “On the use of electrical energy”; and “On approval in principle of the agreement on the establishment of a joint commission between (Continued on page 4).”

Turning towards the organisation of the DP—or, in other words, joining its ranks—first of all shows the trust Albanians place in this giant political force, which remains one of the powerful moral forces for a better future. This growth in its membership also reflects the growing presence of people and social groups from the sphere of intellectual creativity; it confirms beyond doubt the breadth of the DP’s programme, its powerful impetus for creative effort, construction and, ultimately, renewed confidence. Another feature of this election campaign is the arrival in the DP of a large number of young men and women. This is particularly significant: the DP will remain what it has been since December 1990, a party with a student spirit, founded by the idealistic student generation and the Albanian youth as a whole, who are undoubtedly the DP’s creative force. This clearly shows that the DP has become, above all, an open gateway to the future, a party of national independence, progress and prosperity, and of construction and consistent alignment with the world. The fact that many workers and people engaged in production continue to join the DP clearly shows that Albanians have seen in the DP’s economic programme a sure path out of the transition and the economic difficulties accompanying it. Ensuring the uninterrupted continuity of reform is one of the greatest achievements of this vibrant party, which confronts and directs the democratisation of people as a whole, while also responding to their persistent demands concerning the substance of reform and the improvement of the privatisation process. One lasting feature of these elections in the DP is that they are among the elections conducted at its grassroots level. This shows that the Democratic Party will remain an open organisation, without prejudice against people and without biographical checklists for anyone, standing at the level of a modern party. This means that the accusations made against it over the idea of “political distancing”, etc., are a fantasy from the Communist night and a relic of the negative experience left behind by the Communist remnants, known as left-wing extremists. Finally, one can single out the DP’s self-critical and self-correcting stance in the review of its activities. This has enhanced its standing in the eyes of the Albanian people, introducing a new experience in the field of political and governmental leadership. This has represented a strong vote of confidence in the DP’s future, and above all offers support and assurance of a better future for our people.

“ZP” expresses satisfaction, cynicism about this case, now also involving theft. The Nano case returns, this time also involving theft. The traces left by the former Communist prime minister during the difficult days of Italian aid will be brought to light by the same witnesses, including collaborators and partners of the former prime minister, in an independent court. In this way, the case will be investigated further. All parties taking part in the court hearing of 26.10.1993 concerning the defendant F. Nano accepted this decision as just. Indeed, the lawyer Tirana himself stressed that with this decision, “An important turning point has been reached in the continuation of the investigation of the case.” Apart from “ZP” and comrade Ilir Kadia, who want to misinform their readers and listeners, foreign news agencies and radio stations such as AFP, “Voice of America” and “Deutsche Welle” emphasise two key points: 1) the decision by the chairman of the Tirana Court, Mr Argin Bendo, that the investigation should continue to determine whether this was a matter of abuse of office or also embezzlement of funds, something that changes the possible sentence from 12 to 25 years; and 2) the expansion of “the list of people who must testify in this case, including Arben Alin, the son of Ramiz Alisë, Adil Çarçani, Pajtim Ajazi, Torkuara Kardili, etc., etc.” The greatest surprise was the central newspaper’s treatment of Nano: was it a deception of its readers? — As for the PS (which continues to have Mr Nano as its chairman), regarding its comment on the decision to extend the investigation, it wrote, surprisingly: “The return of the Nano case to complete the investigation is a proper official act...” After this, given that it was placed as the lead article in “ZP”, one might wonder whether “ZP” is thereby expressing satisfaction that the case is continuing, conspicuous cynicism towards Nano, or deception of its readers. This is not the first time the P(PS) has played such games with the public over its people, whoever they may be. Perhaps someone in the PS also has an interest in the suspicions concerning Nano being clarified, as the presiding judge said: “Whether we are dealing simply with abuse of office or with a more serious crime.” The more credible explanation may be that, by playing games with the “Nano” case, the PS continues to mock its readers cynically and, by extension, its activists, whom it has lined up to sign petitions. All these hypotheses will be clarified after the “Nano” case is tried—thus, as the presiding judge implied, a trial for theft on his part as well. MUJE BUCAPAJ

— Milan prosecutors have once again requested that the parliamentary immunity of Betino Kraksi, former secretary of the Italian Socialist Party, who was forced to resign over corruption, be lifted. This procedure, the AFP news agency notes on this occasion, is a preliminary stage; only after it has been completed will the judges investigating the current corruption scandal known as “Clean Hands” be able to question Kraksi. The former head of government is accused of corruption, violating the law on the financing of political parties, and accepting bribes from a company, including companies belonging to the major industrial group IRI and the Sasino company of the Olivetti group. Around 20 court documents also accuse Kraksi of concealing stolen property, misappropriation and complicity in the bankruptcy of several enterprises. (ATSH)

The flow of Albanian emigrants legally going to work in Italy has not stopped. This so-called “slow emigration” has involved around 1,000 such cases in just the past month, with Albanians finding jobs in Italy following a named request from an Italian employer. Although these requests, which are mainly for domestic workers, are generally made through private channels, the Ministry of Labour and Emigration guarantees, on behalf of the Albanian state, the regularity of the procedures and protection throughout their duration, undertaking all dealings with the Italian Embassy. An important part of the work of the emigration department at this ministry is also the promotion of the labour market, that is, the search for job vacancies through the publication of our job offers for workers in specialised Italian newspapers. By this means, around 20 people have found employment in Italy, and efforts continue. Our representatives are in talks with the Italian side regarding the employment in Italy of a considerable number of seasonal workers from Albania. ATSH

— The threatened strike is averted — At the initiative of the Democratic Party Youth Forum, a meeting was organised with representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Albanian Youth Federation and the Student Union concerning the students’ objections to the restrictive measures in the new regulations approved by the Ministry of Education. After open debate, representatives of all the student organisations withdrew their claim to authorship of the calls for a threatened strike, a source at the Albanian Youth Federation and a representative of the Democratic Youth Forum told ATSH. Meanwhile, it was agreed to begin dialogue on revising these regulations and to provide greater scope for students to be admitted to university. (ATSH)

From the visit of Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi to South Africa TIRANA: During his stay in Pretoria, the Albanian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi, was received yesterday by Mr Rudolf Frederik Botha, Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Africa. Their talks focused on the progress of the democratic processes under way in Albania and South Africa. Mr Botha said that he had been following democratic developments in Albania closely. On this occasion, Mr Serreqi gave a detailed overview of Albanian foreign policy as an important factor in bringing Albania out of half a century of isolation. The two ministers also discussed the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and their consequences for other Balkan countries, particularly Albania, during which they expressed many views in common. In the course of the talks, both sides noted that although their countries are geographically far apart, they offer opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Mr Botha said that his country favoured relations with Albania in particular fields, stressing that his government would begin to give concrete form to bilateral relations. In this context, an exchange of visits at all levels was considered appropriate. Mr Serreqi invited Mr Botha to visit Albania, and the latter received the invitation with pleasure. At the end of the meeting, the Albanian Foreign Minister handed his South African counterpart a message from President Berisha addressed to President Frederik de Klerk. (ATSH)

— The Austrian government announced that it would provide a loan of 4 million dollars earmarked for projects in Albania’s energy and chrome sectors. The loan will be provided through the Austrian bank Voith, which has established contacts with the competent Albanian authorities.

The space given to criticism of the President of the Republic in our “left-wing” press is considerable. Apparently the opposition and its satellites have everything in order, except for the President’s activities. Their “concerns” did not spare even the proposal to dissolve and establish ministries, made a few days ago. But is there anything wrong with that? No, not at all, since they are expressing their opinion. Yet, in view of the opposition’s continuing attention to the Head of State, this criticism takes on the same tone as the others: the opposition dislikes everything about the state today. It is forgotten that in Albania people rose up against bureaucracy and its injustices; they rose up against incompetence and the rigidity of socialist taboos; they rose up to demolish that way of thinking and acting which had tightened the noose around the country’s administration so much that it could no longer be endured. This popular act placed before those who would govern Albania the complete reform of society, the economy, politics, and so on. In other words, the democratic revolution of recent years was not made for cosmetic or partial changes, or merely to pretend that something was changing, but to change everything from its foundations. Today’s opposition is trying to convince those “unconvinced” that it knows how to govern better, with greater skill and patriotism. But is that so? No. Its inability and hesitation in the face of change caused it to lose power and allowed the “renewed” power of the old clans to take over. And, naturally, the changes taking place today do not please the former rulers. The opposition understands clearly that the President of the Republic is the person whom the majority chose to lead the state, and that he has no reason to listen either to those who have defined his limits or to those who surround him when their opinion is not needed. But they criticise only in order to obstruct the work. The opposition understands, as does the government, that deep reform is essential—and therefore so are changes to the structure and composition of the government. It is normal that the prime minister and the whole government should uphold the oath they took before the President of the Republic and, at the same time, be ready for the changes he calls for. They are called “enemies”, as they are in the press, because further reform is seen to require these changes. It would therefore be reactionary to reject change whenever it becomes necessary, and to return to the one-party mentality of “unity”, in which someone would always remain a minister or a member of the Political Bureau—or be declared an enemy. Dismissal from a ministerial post is now becoming commonplace. It is best to make changes without hesitation, both in the government and at every other level of power. The demand for capable and highly capable people is part of the proper effort to accelerate reform. People are waiting for the economy to be set in motion, for housing construction and productive facilities to begin, and for the building-materials industry to be put to work. They also expect loans to be secured, especially for less developed areas. For these purposes, changes are needed both in the structure of the government and among the people working in state institutions, so that those who accelerate reform, rather than those who slow it down or hinder it, are put in charge. It is very positive if the opposition, too, helps eliminate incompetence and untrustworthy conduct among those in power. Capable people and reformers welcome developments. This acceleration is needed and welcomed so that people can get to work, living standards can continue to improve, those entitled to support can be assured of receiving it, and progress can move faster. But does the opposition welcome change? The reactions that follow each change show that the “leap” towards calm is still not very great. But the deeper and faster the reforms, the less we will hear the voice of opposition. HALLI BUCAPAJ

YEAR III No. 495 Thursday 28 October 1993 Price: 5 lekë

In yesterday’s issue of “RD”, in the article “New Admissions in Support of the DP Programme”, the final paragraph should read: “The new elections in Përmet began with new admissions to the ranks of the DP. So far, 32 members have joined, mainly young men and women.”