OFFICIAL TALKS BETWEEN THE PRESIDENTS OF ALBANIA AND SLOVENIA Yesterday in Tirana, official talks were held between the President of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, and the President of Slovenia, Mr. Milan Kuçan. The Slovenian President was accompanied at the talks by the State Secretary, Mr. Peter Vençel, the Secretary-General of the President’s Office, Mr. Marjan Shiftar, etc., while the Albanian side was represented by the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr. B. Kolpliku, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. A. Sereqi, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. S. Belortaja, the Minister of Culture, Mr. Dh. Anagnosti, etc. The two presidents assessed the progress made so far in relations between Albania and Slovenia, expressed satisfaction with the high level of political understanding, and committed themselves to cooperation in other fields advancing to the same level. Political understanding between our two countries, President Berisha said, is the basis for advancing relations in all fields: industry, agriculture, culture, tourism, etc. Accelerating work to establish the necessary legal framework through agreements between the two respective governments will also serve this goal. He focused in particular on the problem[?] of Albanians living and working in Slovenia and the need to help them during this difficult phase for them. Most of them, the President said, are respected citizens who have contributed through their work to the Slovenian state. A small number are there to escape persecution and harassment by the Serbs in their own country. Discussing the situation in the region, President Berisha stressed that the cause of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia is the aggressive policy of creating a Greater Serbia. We support respect for the CSCE principles and oppose changing borders by force, he declared once again. At the meeting, President Kuçan said that when the Kosovo issue was discussed in the former Yugoslav Federation, the Slovenes wanted the Kosovars to be treated as a people, and this was one of our disagreements with Belgrade. As long as Belgrade does not understand this, the danger of conflict is inevitable. We welcome the Kosovars’ right and will contribute to preventing conflict. He also expressed the same view as the Albanian President that finding a peaceful solution to the Bosnian conflict does not solve the problems in the Balkans. It is unfortunate that Europe still does not understand that it is the policy of Greater Serbia that set Bosnia ablaze, and that if the principles of Helsinki and the Charter of Paris are not respected, the conflicts will continue. Slovenia, he said, believes that a peace accepted by all three sides in Bosnia and supported by the international community is better than war. President Kuçan supported further promotion of bilateral relations at the meeting. He suggested that contacts between the two governments resume, that the Albanian Minister of Industry and Trade meet his Slovenian counterpart, that a Slovenian embassy open in Tirana next year, etc. The problem of Albanians in Slovenia exists; he and I are convinced that our two Ministers of the Interior will find an appropriate solution. Both Presidents committed themselves to moving forward on all the issues discussed. Press and Information Office of the President

In Tirana, proceedings are beginning against the defendants Pali Miska, Çuko, Muho Asllani, Qirjako Mihali, Bajram Celiku, Vangjel Besnik Bekteshi, Prokop Murra, Foto Çami and Llambi Gegprifti, charged with violating the equality of citizens by creating privileges, as provided for under Article 107 of the Criminal Code. This is the trial of a small group of people who, for a period of time, inflicted suffering and harm on the people. The trial has begun of these fanatics, these “brilliant” idealists who knew how to advance class warfare by means of prisons such as those at Burrel and Qafë-Bari. The trial has begun of those who planned to confine the rest of the people in the «happy village of socialism» through an action called internment. The trial has begun of the former ignorant deities, cult figures, exemplary idols. The trial has begun of the authors of killings in the name of isolation and the elimination of intellectuals, of people who would even issue orders concerning the cubic capacity of the oppression of those who were at criminal levels. The trial has begun of people renowned for jewels of wisdom such as, for example: this palace was built by the Party; the Party built the railway, the Vija line and connections with Tirana, etc. In Tirana, the trial has begun of the bearers of an extraordinary crime, the trial of Stalin’s and Ceaușescu’s colleagues or Siamese brothers, the trial of those who committed genocide against the Albanian people for 45 years. Will this trial bring relief to the victimized people? SHPETIM LUKU

In Hardhishtë, Shijak, where Mr. Rauf Ram Lili is chairman of the DP section, 110 people became members in a single day, following the 2nd National Assembly.

«Extremes always converge» In Shte... Kakaluka’s political ... [the visible portion of the text is cut off at the bottom edge of the image] ... Baleta’s departure from the DP ended with a ... desperate and ... to their camp. The theory of ... distinguished, of a career ... hasty ... with words, accompanied by ... torn-up ... of immov... property ... was discredited, as ... ... in stirring up fear and insecurity among people, their return to endless disappointment and lost hopes, the division of the DP. The new motion supporters of the Kalakula-Baleta type repeated the familiar lament that they could not remain in the DP parliamentary group because «By their concrete actions they ...» ... Baleta’s [position?] became very clear after his meeting with Leka Zogu. – The careerist extremists Kalakula-Baleta accuse the DP of a lack of transparency, while they perform a noisy act in the darkness of private resentments, in boundless cynicism, in rotten desertion while still wearing the uniform of ... A A [?] 10.12.93 The DP leadership has positioned itself as a centre-left political force; this thesis has the same aim as that of the first motion supporters: dividing the DP, shaping public opinion against it, reviving social conflicts, and fomenting discontent with the DP and the democratic government. The two extremes differ in their means, but share their aims; they divide the wings, but share the trunk; they divide the slogans, but share their patrons; they divide the uniforms, but share the coalition. In this way… Zogu. – of transparency, while they perform a noisy act amid the darkness of private grudges, in boundless cynicism, in rotten desertion under the uniform of immoral conduct, as the retention of the mandate given by the DP was called. Here the far right put into practice the technique of the far left, but with one difference: while the former thought that half of Albania would follow them, the latter imagined that half of Parliament would follow them. The fact is that both extremists were followed by despair and loneliness, oblivion and a general boycott. Albanians have paid for the tragedy of their fate, determined by the politics of endless extremes, so they cannot fall victim to the dark prejudices of those who see the loss of their careers as the loss of Albania. In this sense, the DP will not be moved by the shrieks of the showy anti-communists, let loose by fascist careerists, nor by the calls of the antifascists, all bones, issuing from café lounges. The DP will continue to defend the interests of the majority of Albanians through its program. MUJË BËÇPAPAJ …AKULAT… [the text at the far left is cut off and partly illegible] …in Albania and this is a reality. The extremist is also the extreme right, although now, amid the turmoil of tro… and despite the label attached to them, they have concentrated their forces in parliament and on the platforms. Is it not well known at the platforms, their name and abundant benefits, the first communists raised … that the DP cannot be overthrown, … according to them, it has positioned itself on the right; this is what constitutes dictatorship in Albania, fascism and human revenge. This was the primary aim… …the extremists… KALAKULA-BALETA… the Conference of … in Tirana, with deep despair. The first observation about … is that the DP’s program is wrong… this will bring the coalition to power… …the extremists enter… a reality. The extreme right… Baleta’s departure from the DP ended in a … of the disillusioned and the … in their camp. The theory of … is distinctive, of the career… the hasty … in question, accompanied by … torn property … sara, took place … while … were demanding the maximum… in parliament to make a decl… of their law by the DP, while … the extremists point by point… there a year earlier. …KALAKULA-BA… at the Conference of … in Tirana, with deep despair… The first observation about … is that the DP’s program is wrong… …the new … at that time… The new motionists could not remain in the DP parliamentary group because «Through its concrete actions, force». This thesis has the same purpose as that of the first motionists: to divide the DP, shape public opinion against it, revive social conflicts, and inspire dissatisfaction the coalition. In this way, equally… as international leaders Baleta and the agricultural experts Kalakula and the agricultural expert Kalakula and the expert… Baleta, by not… ever accepting denazification… its ranks, had left a path open so that after any commotion that might take place within its parliamentary group, it would be easier to run off in an unknown direction, as is often said in crime reports about kiosk thieves, just as the left-wing extremists had acted with their theory of refusing to take responsibility for the country’s future. Nevertheless, the direction of…

FROM PRIME MINISTER MEKSI’S MEETING WITH MR. MILAN KUÇAN. Yesterday morning, at the Palace of Brigades, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi met with the President of Slovenia, Mr. Milan Kuçan. Mr. Meksi told Mr. Kuçan that the time had come for Albania and Slovenia to increase contacts at all levels and extend relations to all fields. «We have common interests in the fields of the economy and agriculture, in construction, tourism, etc.,» Prime Minister Meksi went on to stress, «and we consider it possible to institutionalize all agreements. For concrete bilateral relations to become a reality, it is essential that the Joint Albanian-Slovenian Commission begin operating as soon as possible». President Kuçan, describing the talks in Albania as necessary and very important, pointed out that economic relations between the two countries should reach the level of their political relations. «For this,» Mr. Kuçan added, «favourable conditions must be created to increase contacts between Albanian and Slovenian enterprises, companies and businesspeople. He stressed that the successful completion of the privatization process in both countries would contribute to the further development of bilateral economic relations.» Mr. Meksi and Mr. Kuçan also exchanged views on the problems of Albania’s and Slovenia’s integration into Europe, as well as on the situation in the region. Tirana, 9. 12. 1993 Press and Information Office of the Prime Minister

Yesterday, the Tirana Court considered the request submitted by attorneys Piro Totozani and Maksim Haxhia concerning a change in the detention measure imposed on Marsel Skendo, President of the «ADA AIR» company. The panel of judges, presided over by Uke Çerraj, heard the attorneys and the prosecutor and decided to reject Skendo’s request, thus upholding the existing detention measure. As is known, Marsel Skendo is accused under Article 110 of the Criminal Code of document forgery. «RD» correspondent.

From 29 November 1993 to 3 December 1993, a delegation from the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Territorial Regulation signed an agreement in Washington with the World Bank to finance the first emergency phase of the Durrës water supply system. These negotiations were the successful conclusion of cooperation that had begun some time earlier. The World Bank will provide a loan of 15.6 million for the rehabilitation of the Durrës water supply system and sewer network. The loan is being granted on favorable terms and at a low interest rate. The Albanian government will add 200 million lek to this loan, which will be used for the first phase of emergency intervention, and will co-finance the project. This is the first intervention on the regional Durrës water supply system to improve the existing network; it will be followed by further projects to increase the water supply. EDI JOXHE Press spokesperson for the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Territorial Regulation

FROM THE INDEPENDENT POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC VETERANS AND INVALIDS OF THE NATIONAL LIBERATION WAR – The congress mentioned above belongs to the Democratic Party, a symbol… of prestige and cohesion… as well as to the entire Albanian people and … nation. Our organization, in order to be … become a great force … for determination, mor… and show… For the organization’s board Chairman PANDELI PËRKAMENI

Enver Hoxha and the PPSH must be legally condemned – Today, proceedings are being obstructed in court Even today Enver Hoxha continues to be a Hero of the Albanian People. However absurd and unbelievable it may seem, this is the truth. Albanians drag him along, spit on him and curse him, and yet, in documents and legally, he continues to be a Hero of the Albanian People. He is not the only one: other criminal figures also received the title of Hero by washing their hands in the blood of Albanians. These days, at one of the round tables, Sheqet Peçi was not only designated a Hero of the People in «ZP»; he was also described as a Hero of the People while still alive, and his «merits» were greatly extolled, even though there are people alive who can testify to his crimes in the North. Yes, how can he be such a hero? Yet they accuse us of defending criminals and collaborators of fascism, at a time when it has publicly made its position toward them clear. But apparently this attack, too, follows the principle: «The best defense is an attack». While attacking the DP over the above in their communist newspaper, they continue at the same time to glorify the red criminals. Did they not come to their defense and obstruct the trial of N. Hoxha? Did they not call him «Bablë E. Hoxha»? What about Fatos Nano? And what are we doing? What is the justice system doing? We have declared that those who committed specific crimes will be put in the dock. This is the fairest solution to the situation. But that does not mean that E. Hoxha and the PPSH should attack and obstruct proceedings. To legally condemn E. Hoxha and the PPSH means to legally condemn their anti-national policy, to condemn the class struggle and the crimes that resulted from it. Fifty years of dictatorship, crimes, destruction and enslavement must have those responsible. Everyone knows who is responsible, and everyone knows who the victims are. How can the persecuted be acquitted without the guilty being condemned at the same time? If we accept that they were unjustly persecuted and were not guilty, then it follows that those who persecuted them are guilty. Since former political prisoners were put in prison after being legally convicted, their exoneration must also be granted legally. (Continued on page 4)

THE 4TH EXTRAORDINARY CENTRAL CONGRESS OF THE PPD IS A HISTORIC EVENT FOR THE PARTY OF PROSPERITY AND THE ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA. Recent developments in Macedonia, and especially the 4th Extraordinary Central Congress of the PPD, held on 8 December 1993 in Gostivar, show that Albanian forces are and will be a powerful factor for stability in Macedonia. This is a … that cannot be believed… …innocent in Macedonia. They have now launched attacks and accuse the new Albanian leadership in Macedonia of being radical and supposedly seeking to destabilize Macedonia. This is a … block and … Macedonia today is increasingly demanding Belgrade, its collaborators and its quisling tools. Meanwhile, the genuinely democratic elements who are renewing the Party of Prosperity of the Albanians—which the sellouts want to portray as radical—not only are not radical and do not seek to destabilize Macedonia, but, with the great credibility they enjoy among PPD members and Albanians in Macedonia, will work through their constructive stance to consolidate the Macedonian state. This is their sacred interest, that of the Macedonian people, the Albanian nation and Albania.