With the German MPs... ...with Mr. Galloni With the German MPs... The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the group of German MPs who formed the Germany-Albania friendship parliamentary group. President Berisha thanked them for this initiative, which will further strengthen the traditional and very warm relations between the two countries. He spoke about the assistance that the German Government and institutions have given to Albanian democracy, and expressed the wish for cooperation to be strengthened further. The German MPs expressed their desire and commitment to contribute in this direction. (ATSH) ...with Mr. Galloni - At the meeting with the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, he thanked the Vice-President of Italy’s High Council of the Judiciary, Xhovani Galloni, for the assistance Italy has given Albania, especially in the field of justice. Mr. Galloni, after speaking about the positive impressions he had gained here from meetings and conversations with Albanian jurists and young judges, expressed the commitment of the Italian judiciary to assist their Albanian colleagues. (ATSH)

Meeting of the PDSH chairman with lecturers from the Polytechnic University’s Faculties of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. On Wednesday, at the PDSH headquarters, PDSH chairman Mr. Eduard Selami and lecturers from the Faculties of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering talked for over an hour about the development of democratic processes in Albania, economic reform, the role and historic mission of the PDSH, education reform, etc. What stood out in this discussion was a spirit of mutual understanding about the importance of intellectuals’ participation in Albanian political life, in carrying out economic reform and, generally, in all spheres of state and social activity. “Joining the PDSH is in the best interest of this country,” Mr. Selami emphasized. “Its mission is, without a doubt, to change the historical course of this country. The obligation to do so is shared. Given that students and lecturers were the first initiators of the democratic movement and of its creation as a political force, the PDSH has always regarded your participation as especially important. On the other hand, the Albanian intelligentsia has not tolerated the past system’s deliberate practice of flattening and leveling opinions, ideas and individuals, and disregarding qualified thought. The PDSH is open to all uncompromised and honest individuals who want to contribute by taking part in democratic processes—especially intellectuals. There is a large influx of people from this group joining the PDSH. This coincides with the particular importance of the party’s reorganization and renewal. But it also matters for the future. We are aware of the world, but also understand and seek to correct shortcomings. The economic situation of intellectuals, particularly those in education, will improve. In a society taking root, businessmen and traders are undoubtedly given priority from the standpoint of economic gain. But the democratic state must and will care for intellectuals. At a glance, it may seem that our commitment to education has been forgotten. In reality, this is not so. It has been somewhat put aside, because attention has also been focused mainly on resolving major and everyday problems. The President, the government, the PD and its parliamentary group all agree that attention must be paid to education reform. Investment in this sector will yield important results. Albania needs an educated and qualified younger generation. It will be the preferred pool for the state administration.” Further on, the participants supported the PDSH’s political line, its role, and the necessity and importance of reform, and raised specific objections, mainly concerning education. They criticized the dual arrangement of the Ministry of Education and the Committee of Sciences, suggested separating academic matters from economic ones, requested a meeting with the PD MPs who belong to the parliamentary education group, etc. The views exchanged on the financial treatment of students and the relevant regulations for these faculties were of interest. The work being done to reorganize the PD branch in Qyteti Studenti was considered especially important; this branch will help with the struk- Fatos ... [text cut off at the top edge] ... PDSH is ... There is a large influx of people from this social of the moment of reorganization and renewal of this party. But it also has significance for the future. We are aware that intellectuals experience the reform most painfully, but at the same time they value more than anyone the achievements in respecting individual rights and freedoms, respect the major changes achieved, and the opening of Albania to ...

MALESI E MADHE The election campaign has begun and is being accompanied by new memberships. So far, 96 new members have joined, 23 of whom have higher education. KUKËS 76 new members have joined the PDSH, 41 of them with higher education. The election campaign continues.

From the People’s Assembly - The independent MPs’ request for Mr. Bashkim Gazidede to be removed from his post as head of SHIK is deemed unfounded. - Mr. Teta cannot help “appointing” “generals and sergeants,” even during an ordinary parliamentary session - Yesterday morning Prime Minister Meksi came to the People’s Assembly for an interpellation session requested by a group of independent MPs, namely G. Pashko, A. Jupës, R. Peshkopisë, A. Mamiti, T. Kekos and P. Tetes. The request concerned these MPs’ claims against the head of the National Information Service (SHIK), Mr. Bashkim Gazidede. MP Perikli Teta, presenting their request for an interpellation, first set out the arguments of this group (continued on page 4)

There is much talk about corruption at various levels and in different sectors of the country’s life, about the past and the present, about red corruption and blue corruption. In reality, corruption, at any time, in any sector, place, or person, etc., has only one color: black. This is the Democratic Party’s position; this is how it views this corrosive negative phenomenon, which, in addition to its devastating economic consequences, also affects the morals of the individual, society, the system and its mechanisms, and therefore has extremely serious political consequences as well. Given this reality, the Democratic Party has made the uncompromising fight against corruption, wherever it appears and whoever its bearer and perpetrator may be, one of its fundamental objectives. It has not accepted, and can never accept, corrupt people, corruption as an open or disguised phenomenon, or the paths and means that lead to it or consciously and unconsciously favor it. In various press outlets, as well as in public opinion more broadly, there is talk of corruption, for example, in customs, in the mechanisms of the Financial Police, etc. Certainly, it is not easy to reach a conclusion ... Nevertheless, there are numerous facts ... At the General Directorate of Customs, flagrant violations have been observed ... 70 percent below the floor price. As a result of irregularities at the Tirana and Qafë-Thanë customs offices during the periods 6–12 February and 5–9 March 1993, the state suffered a loss of 1,871,100 lekë. Various reports indicate that the Directorate of Customs does not check how many vehicles carrying goods enter the Border Crossing Point and how many of them are unloaded. According to some reports, the Tirana Customs Office has around 1,200 missing case files, about 390 of which date from 1993. The state has lost around 5 million lekë in a single year simply because tobacco was not registered at border customs points. Facts can also be cited concerning the Financial Police. Many decisions made at the local level have been unjustly overturned by the Directorate of the Financial Police. This phenomenon has been observed in Elbasan, Tirana, Sarandë, Korçë, etc. Decisions of the Financial Police have been overturned by the Directorate of the Financial Police even when the individuals prosecuted had no license, even when agreements and documents had been seized, and even when the items for sale were also accompanied by the practice of a profession. Decisions have also been overturned on the basis of nothing more than a verbal complaint—that is, without any written complaint at all—and even when millions were at stake. Invoices have been drawn up in which, instead of the customs clearance amount of 88830 dollars for the goods, the complainant recorded 8830 dollars on the invoice. We could go on. “Implantet...” was seized along with goods worth 230,000 dollars. The Directorate of the Financial Police annulled the relevant decision and settled for a fine of only 5000 lekë. “Igol...sone” was seized with goods worth 89,000 dollars, and they were left ... The Directorate of the Financial Police seized only 8,000 dollars. “Swisair” was seized with goods worth 87,000 dollars, while the Directorate of the Financial Police settled for a fine of only 5000 lekë. There has not been a single case in which the Directorate of the Financial Police found decisions made by the local Financial Police to be unjustified and corrected them by lifting the penalty or obligation. How can the leaders of the Financial Police and the Ministry of Finance justify themselves when all this has happened? There has also been much talk about the halt in the production of Albanian beer and the “Kru-na” beer. The Prosecutor’s Office acted correctly, although it should investigate the issue more thoroughly. How can the brewery’s managers and the relevant ministry justify themselves in this case? Finally, concern has been raised several times about implementing President Berisha’s decree on the acquisition of wealth through corruption and speculative practices. Who does not want this decree to confront reality fully? The rule of law must resolutely show all corrupt people, and those who in one way or another obstruct their path, where they belong. Ultimately, it must be understood that corruption is one of the most powerful weapons against democracy, and the struggle to defend democracy is a struggle to defend democracy. BASHKIM THENOVA

... Al from Yve with ...

ELECTION CAMPAIGN COORDINATION CENTER AT PDSH.

11,600 Mirditë families have received economic assistance Over a period of 3 months, the state has spent a fund of 20 million lekë on them

Yesterday, the former governor of the National Bank, Ilir Hoti, was charged with a criminal offense. He is accused of misappropriating state property on a large scale, in collaboration with other persons, a criminal offense provided for under Articles 62 and 13 of the Criminal Code. (ATSH)

From today, in newspapers, the truth and nothing but the truth The Press Law was born. After weeks of discussions, proposals, debates, and even a strike, the President of the Republic signed the Law approved by Parliament on October 11. For it to enter into force, only 15 days must pass after its publication in the Official Gazette.

After exhausting meetings held over many consecutive days between student representatives and government representatives, the issue of student scholarships remained unresolved. On the evening of November 3, 1993, Afrim Krasniqi, a member of the FRPD Presidency, held a working meeting with Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi. At the meeting, agreement was reached on resolving the issue of student scholarships, a decision confirmed the following day by the Ministry of Education. At the conclusion of the discussions, the President of the PD Youth Forum and the Student Branch announced that: - The deadline for submitting scholarship documents for years II, III, IV and V is extended to December 11, ’93. - Within the coming week, students in years II, III, IV and V will submit to their faculties the scholarship quotas, according to last year’s schedule. - After December 1, ’93, the scholarship documents of each student will be verified according to the criteria announced at the faculties. - The right to attend two faculties is recognized: one in person and one by correspondence. - The penalty of financial punishment for students’ absences from lectures and seminars is eliminated. - Attendance at lectures will come under the authority of the rectorates and, after discussions with deans’ offices, departments and students, will be settled by November 20, 1993. - Until November 20, ’93, absences from lectures will not be taken into account. - The University Statute will be approved within 3–4 months. In the next university term, students will also be allowed to take the semester exam ... - Scholarships for first-year students will be provided by local government. Under these circumstances, there is no need for the students’ protests to continue any further. Through this statement, we invite students to continue their university studies and to be more careful about the implications of failed communist policies in cases of misunderstanding. The PD has been, continues to be, and will remain a political force of intellectuals and students; its program bears the seal of “Democracy” in Albanian. This is also demonstrated by the fact that these days it is accompanied by dozens of students at our universities, but adherence ... PD Student Branch

1. It eliminates the procedures for obtaining authorization from the Council of Ministers or other ministries and bodies to make an investment. 2. The foreign investor is guaranteed the transfer of capital and profits out of Albania, also eliminating the verification procedure by the Bank. 3. Procedures are provided for resolving disputes between foreign investors and the Albanian party. Decisions of the international court will be recognized.