On Monday in the building of the People’s Assembly, as part of the meetings of the President of the Republic with representatives of local government from various districts, a meeting was held with leaders of the local government bodies and deputies from the Vlora district. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, gave a thorough and objective analysis of the problems faced by this district. Vlora, he said, has an important role in the development of tourism, industry, fishing, etc. The President said that despite the efforts and assistance of the government, the development of Vlora has been slower than in some other districts of the country. Despite the great difficulties we encountered in the reconstruction of its port and airport, they are now taking shape and moving forward. For Vlora, the use of tourism remains very important; it must reach the level and reputation it had 40–50 years ago. In Vlora, said President Berisha, we have worked and are working to bridge the gap as well as to make larger investments in order to lift it out of the severe economic situation. Trade with Italy led to the creation of many enterprises in Vlora through loans, as well as to the further expansion of markets with the state in order to make Vlora a metropolis with great potential, was the President’s point. He gave a thorough analysis of the property issues, speaking about the changes in them as well as their transformation into private property. This is very important, he said, because every family is making efforts to have a lawful property. He said that credit assistance has also played an important role here. But the development of private property is being hindered by road infrastructure, by water and electricity problems, as well as by the lack of an efficient administration. He stated that, despite the achievements, local government workers must aim to further improve public order, strengthen the rule of law, and fight speculation, smuggling, and corruption. In his analysis, President Berisha also addressed the problems of agriculture, livestock farming, olives, and citrus fruits, noting that Vlora has very good conditions for faster development. If investments in irrigation, trade, and credit are secured, this area has the potential to become one of the strongest centers of agricultural and livestock production. The President said that this requires better management of resources and greater discipline in the organs of government. Free your mind to act. More? [illegible word] Below, Mr. Berisha held a meeting with the leaders of the local government of the Vlora district and received from them documentation explaining a number of issues. The discussion was conducted in an open and constructive spirit.

(ATH?) In a separate letter sent to the Prosecutor General and the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office, President Berisha notes that ... ... [text continues damaged and partly illegible] Mr. Nano refused last week to meet with the prosecutor and the two investigators authorized to document the violation of the law. By post, Mr. Fatos Nano sent a letter to the chairman of the Socialist Party in which he informs him that the prosecutor’s summons and the other documents have been forged. ... [other illegible passages] By post, Mr. Nano sent a letter to the chairman of the Socialist Party in which he informs him that the prosecutor’s summons and the other documents have been forged.

MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT BERISHA AND VAN DER STOEL Sali Berisha, President of the Republic, received yesterday Mr. Max van der Stoel, the CSCE commissioner for minorities, who is carrying out an official visit to our country. Mr. Van der Stoel said that Albania is among the first countries to have incorporated the Copenhagen Charter on minority rights into its legislation. He praised the attitude of the Albanian authorities toward minorities as exemplary and stressed that European standards on this issue are respected in Albania. President Berisha stated that the Albanian state will fully respect the Copenhagen Charter and all international documents guaranteeing the rights of minorities. He emphasized that Albania considers minorities a national asset and that coexistence among communities has been, and remains, an important value of Albanian society. The meeting also discussed relations with neighboring countries, the situation in the region, and the need to preserve stability. Mr. Van der Stoel stated that Albania’s progress in this direction is encouraging.

(ATSH) Mr. Askar Akaiev, President of Kyrgyzstan, has sent a greeting message to the Conference of the organizations of the people’s, Christian-democratic, and center-right parties of Europe, which is holding its proceedings in Tirana. The chairman of the Christian Democratic Party of Albania, Mr. Zef Bushati, informed ATSH yesterday of this message, in which it says: “I wish to congratulate you on the gathering in Tirana of the leaders of Europe’s center-right political organizations. Your decision to meet in Albania is an important demonstration of support for your country, which has made significant progress in the direction of democracy.” President Akaiev writes that “I am convinced that your conference will contribute to the further strengthening of democratic processes, and of political and economic cooperation among the countries of Europe.” In the message he expresses his conviction that Kyrgyzstan and Albania will expand their friendly relations. More than a procession Who is sending the suli-demi into a strike? The domestic and foreign media are paying special attention to the hunger strike by former students in the “Studenti” city, who are demanding the government’s resignation. Regarding the fact that 7 of the strikers are activists of the Democratic Party, the socialist newspaper “Zëri i Popullit” has published an article titled “Who is sending the suli-demi into a strike?”. The article says that these students are being used politically and that the aim is to create tension. The newspaper levels accusations against the leadership structures of the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, PD leaders have stated that the protest is an expression of free civic dissatisfaction. CONDOLENCE TELEGRAM Yesterday a condolence telegram was sent to the Presidency of the Republic by the President of Zaire, Sali? [illegible name], on the passing of Mother Teresa? [?] / or another event [unclear text]. The telegram expresses deep sorrow and solidarity.

Long article/interview with legal and political comments on the issue of the parliamentary mandate and criminal procedure. (ATSH) Not a single word in the world can say that the Assembly may not reject the removal of the opposition deputy’s mandate because it is not an aid to justice. ... [long column with partly illegible text] At the end: “... every person is equal before the law and no one can evade investigation or trial when there are indications of criminal acts”.

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