- At the request of “Levante Co,” the list of aid goods is changed - - Instead of meat, cheese and butter, peas in liquid - COMRADE FATOS COMRADE REIS COMRADE BUJAR FACSIMILE OF THE LETTER FROM [?] KORBECI WITH THE LIST OF GOODS No. 1. This letter was sent to F. Nano by Shane Korbeci on 11 February 1991. As can be seen, the list sets out the immediate needs of the Albanians, that is, the essential food goods needed to ease the country's crisis somewhat. What happened next? On 6 March 1991, by fax, Femiola, general director of “Levante Co”, sent to Ramiz Alia’s home a list of the goods it had available. He asked that this list be approved by the Albanian government, since under the rules of the Italian government, Perniola could not send to Albania the goods he wanted, but only those Albania needed. 1. Rice — tons 10,000 2. Sugar — 20,000 3. Powdered milk — 1,000 4. Butter — 1,000 5. Meat and salami — 3,000 6. Cheese — 1,000 7. Unrefined sunflower oil, in bulk — 5,000 [We are enclosing the list of food goods that we intend to propose to the Italian side, with a value of around 30 billion lire.] “WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF STARTING NEXT WEEK (AROUND 12 OR 15 MARCH) ONE OR MORE SHIPS THAT COULD LOAD” …” LEVANT-CO. [partly illegible] GENERAL DIRECTOR DR. P. PERNIOLA LIST … TONS, SUNFLOWER OIL … TONS, CANNED CHICKEN IN 200/300 GR PACKS (OUR) … TONS, CANNED PEAS, POSSIBLY IN HALF-KILO PACKS … TONS, JAMS AND PRESERVES IN 300/400 GR JARS … TONS, RICE IN 50/100 KG SACKS … TONS, FRUIT JUICES IN 125/200/700 ML PACKS … TONS, POWDERED MILK. FURTHERMORE, WE ASK YOU TO SEND US THE ANTIBIOTIC PRODUCTS LISTED ON THE LIST HELD BY OUR TRUSTEE, LEVANT-CO. S.p.A. FACSIMILE OF PERNIOLA’S TELEGRAM + LIST OF GOODS No. 2. As can be seen, the list sent by Perniola of what he “has available” consists of the goods shown above. There is order and a rationale to it… [illegible section] … sugar, butter, cheese, me… and salami have disappeared from the list of … Why did this happen? The reason is … [illegible section] Perniola’s “available” goods are stock that needs to be got rid of and that, from loss-making items, can be turned into profit-making ones. The interest of “Levante Co” in this case is understandable. Anyone who knows the world of capital understands that every kind [of business] wants to clear its warehouses of stock, and not only that, but also to make a super-profit. The party that had no interest in things being done this way was the Albanian state, since it was interested in meeting the needs of the Albanians, not in clearing the warehouses of Italian firms of their stock. But how did the Albanian government officials act?… On 7 March, just one day after Perniola’s telegram arrived, the Ministry of Trade and Cooperation with Foreign Countries sent the following letter to the Italian Embassy in Tirana. (FACSIMILE OF LETTER No. 3) Dear Sirs, Through the Italian firm Levante Co. S.p.A.-Bari, we have been informed of the availability of a consignment of goods that we would provide, … but the availability that the Italian government offered our country, … and the aid that the Italian government offered our country, By means of this letter we confirm that we agree with … the proposed list. The list proposed by Perniola follows. Thus, the Albanian government officials, with a … (Continued on page 6)

On the occasion of the conclusion of negotiations with the IMF on the 1994 economic programme within the framework of the three-year programme, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, received Mr. Scott, who headed the Mission, and thanked him for the assistance the IMF has given and continues to give Albania for economic reform. Mr. Berisha stressed that, because of its great poverty, Albania is obliged to address the social component of the market economy as well. He said that institutional consolidation and large-scale privatisation were Albania’s two major objectives for the coming year. Mr. Scott thanked the President and the Albanian Government for their cooperation and expressed confidence that the programme would be implemented. ATA

The delegation of the People’s Assembly, made up of Democratic Party deputies Shaban Memia (head of delegation), Simon Puta, Nevruz Cela and Roland Tafili, Socialist Party deputy Ethem Ruka and Social Democratic Party deputy Skënder Gjinushi, concluded its three-day visit to Poland, at the invitation of the Sejm of that Republic. Our delegation held a series of working meetings with committees of the Polish Sejm, including the Foreign Affairs Committee, the committee for drafting and defending the Constitution, the Legal Affairs Committee and the Privatization Committee. ATA

The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, met with a group of trade unionists from the Independent Oil Trade Union, led by Mentor Xhemali. The meeting discussed issues affecting the oil sector. ATA

Mr. Wilfried Martens, President of the ECDU, and the delegation accompanying him on his visit to Albania at the invitation of Mr. Selami, made contact with Albanian political parties, the President and the Prime Minister. It is natural for meetings at this level to be covered by the country’s media. But it is not acceptable for this visit and Mr. Martens’s standing to be dragged into Albanian political games, especially when the protagonists are journalists who do not know what they are talking about, or do a poor job of it. At the meetings between the European Christian Democrats’ delegation and PDSH leaders, there was extensive discussion of the country’s political and economic situation, the DP’s options, and its organization and structure. Developments in the Balkans, and particularly in the former Yugoslavia, were discussed. The delegation members showed interest, offered views and suggestions, and shared their experience; it was noted that their views were broadly similar, which is entirely normal at meetings and in comments of this kind. This was stated by PDSH Secretary General Mr. Tritan Shehu at the joint press conference. It was also reported in RD’s 17 December ’93 news item. But what does the “ZP” journalist, acting as a diplomat and a member of the SP presidium, Mr. Jupe, say? For him […] Second, the Nano affair is a matter for the courts, Nano himself and some leaders of the SP and “ZP,” and has absolutely nothing to do with the DP. As far as the Democratic Party is concerned, there is little difference between him, Dokle, Ruçi, Islami, Brojkaj and some others. Third, since he was not present at the press conference, Mr. Jupe should learn that Mr. Martens commented only on the procedure, not on whether the accusation was true. He is enough of a politician not to comment on someone accused of embezzlement and theft—whether that person is Nano or anyone else—before the Albanian courts have ruled. He merely shared his experience, stating explicitly that he disagreed with the Constitutional Court, since, according to his personal response, one could be tried […] In his conversation with journalist Kristo, he says: “… I cannot say whether Fatos Nano is guilty or not. His case will be judged by the courts.” He continues with the idea that Italy often exports corruption too (understand: an allusion to the Nano affair), and with the fact that the Members of the European Parliament did not consider or vote for the proposal by Greek MP Kalavanos to exert pressure on Albania to release Fatos Nano from prison. So there is no reason for “alarm over the DP’s persecution,” as Mr. Jupe puts it. The alarm is an illusion, found only in his own thoughts and words. Another “discrepancy,” according to Jupe, concerns the purpose of the visit, which was “to determine one or more […]” …such. This was declared by the Secretary-General of PDSH, Mr Tritan Shehu, at the joint press conference. This was also reported in the «RD» news item dated 17 December ’93. But what does the «ZP» journalist say, in his role as diplomat and member of the PS presidium, Mr Jupe? To him, «independent» means disagreement, perhaps debate, opposing views, etc. He goes further in his «analysis», also listing the issues on which there is no unity of opinion. The Nano issue is the first, says Mr Jupe. He is mistaken in thinking that the so-called Nano issue was discussed at the meeting between the PD leaders and the ECDU delegation. Not only was it not discussed, it was not even mentioned. Mr Martens’s answer to the question about the Nano issue at the press conference is not an argument for addressing… …the substance of the accusation. He is enough of a politician not to express an opinion about someone accused of embezzlement and theft, even if that person is Nano, before the Albanian justice system has spoken. He merely cited his own experience, saying explicitly that he disagreed with the Constitutional Court, since, based on his personal experience, one could also be tried while at liberty, but… Moreover, at his press conference dated 17 December ’93. Thus, as can be seen, he once again left room for the procedure in the case in question to be judged. He did not express an opinion on whether the accusation against Nano was true. The same applies to the example of Mr Langer, head of the European Parliament delegation for Albania, Bulgaria and Romania. … as far as I have been informed, another court intervened. (Mr Martens, Nano was true. Kalavanos, to exert pressure on Albania to secure the release from prison of Fatos Nano. So there is no reason for «alarm in relations with the PD», as Mr Jupe puts it. The alarm is misplaced in the opinion he has expressed on the matter. Another «disagreement», was «to identify one or more partners». This apparently made the PD jealous, and «RD» supposedly got very angry at Dëkles’s statement that the AD would be third in the next elections. There are several inaccuracies here. First, the delegation was invited by the chairman of PDSH, Mr Eduard Selami, and the PD knew that the ECDU delegation would also hold meetings with other political parties; indeed, it asked its staff to help in this regard. If he were to ask at the PS headquarters, Mr Jupe would… (Continued on page 6)

On the afternoon of 17 December, the residents of Maliq were somewhat surprised to see the head of the Commune, Viktor Kostreci, walking arm in arm with Arben Imami and Teodor Keko. It was no ordinary courtesy stroll. No. For Mr. Kostreci, it was a “new love story.” Do you remember Nano’s visit to Maliq? The visit that ended with rotten eggs? Do you remember the love between the Kostreci couple and Comrade Fatos, and the tears that became proverbial? They could hardly bear to part from their embraces. They even tried to have Comrade Fatos address the residents of Maliq from the balcony of their house, like a strategist, but in vain. Only cats and two or three dogs quarrel beneath the balcony. They were hiding from Tosi’s escort. And Tosi left Maliq with his tail between his legs… Now the monokionists have arrived. The trio Keko-Imami-Peshkëpi… In the Maliq cinema club, as usual, the pensioners sat in the front rows, followed by the curious. That was the audience. Niko Kërkuqi, head of the AD branch, had come from Korça and delivered the customary speech, sidelining his colleague from Maliq, Feshtin Tomori—the poor Festim. He was thoroughly demoted. Then Arben Imami took the floor. The AD’s comic actor. He shed crocodile tears for Maliq. For the swamp. For the saboteurs who were hanged. We cannot sleep for worry about Maliq’s “aunt,” Llamami. And the hall spat with disgust. The AD’s bigwigs may have had time to visit Belgrade, but they have been forgotten in Maliq. Now they have apparently begun to “miss” it… It is clear why. Being “generals” without an army, Cekat, Imamet, Peshkëpitë, Zogajt, Kekot and the others have become pitiful wanderers who attack the provinces to create the image of a large electorate for the AD. They forget that “the village that can be seen needs no guide.” They forget that the people know these disappointed careerists well. They may make an alliance with the devil, but not with democracy. After spewing bile at the democratic government, and saying that Sali Berisha should not have been elected president, Arben Imami began singing Enver Hoxha’s praises. This miserable nostalgist wants the return of dictatorship. That is the alternative offered by the famous AD. An assault on democracy. And what did Keko say at this meeting? He had been absent for some time. The people of Maliq had not seen him since before 22 March. Only in parliament… He forgot the bread they shared during the election campaign. He forgot the sale… (Continued on page 6)

Why isn’t the Vrina plain being divided? - A fertile, bread-giving field lies fallow, for the third year running, like a barren woman - On my way back from Saranda, my heart sank when I saw the fields of Vrina, Karra and Mursia left uncultivated. And, by the irony of fate, as soon as I arrived in Konispol, I saw sitting alone at a club table one of the former owners of the Vrina plain. And he didn’t own just a little, but nearly 200 ha of land. He was robbed of it long ago by persecution and furkalakën. He smokes autumn tobacco all day through a pipe. Not that he doesn’t smoke another kind, but his pocket won’t allow it. The Communists smoke «Marlborox»; do you know what this gentleman did on 32 March ’92? People were putting on a show; he had them in front of him and openly declared before the ballot box: «We vote for Sali Berisha! We vote for ourselves! Let us breathe freely!» But, as if to spite him, the lands of Vrina, Karra, Mursia and Shkalla are not being divided. An «ambassador» from Fatos Nano’s people in Saranda tells the inhabitants of these villages to divide only the garden land, and the rest… [continues outside the frame] (Continued on page 8)