The two Presidents highly valued Mr. Rugova’s reception and talks with the French Foreign Minister, Alen Zhypp, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms. Lalumiere, and Mrs. Mitero. These talks, as well as Mr. Rugova’s earlier talks with the Italian Foreign Minister, Mr. Andreata, the Foreign Minister of the Assembly, Mr. Mock, the State Secretary at Germany’s Foreign Ministry, Mr. Kastrup, and Mr. Hog, Minister at England’s Foreign Ministry, clearly demonstrate the high degree of concern the European Union has for the problems of Kosovo. They expressed their appreciation for the great European countries’ assessment of Kosovo’s legitimate leadership and its prudent policy, based on peaceful means and methods. The two Presidents considered constructive dialogue with the member states of the European Union and the USA essential for a legitimate resolution of the Kosovo problem. They also valued the European Community’s recognition of Macedonia as an important act for the stability of this republic, which will contribute to stability and peace in the southern Balkans, as well as to the respect and guarantee of the human and national rights of Albanians in these republics. ATC

- For unknown interests, he acted according to Levante Co.’s “orders” in the first batch of aid, and later... - Despite the concerns that were raised, to which he said “Agreed,” he insisted again on Levante Co. - It has now become clear how the first consignment of Italian aid goods was handled. The Albanian government, headed by F. Nano, brought to Albania the goods proposed by Levante Co., not those people needed. But that was only the first step; the real scandal would come later. The goods were not only surplus (as is logically evident), but also carried fantastic prices. Under these circumstances, the people dealing with these matters (the specialists) presented their concerns to the former prime minister. “Based on the documents sent by the Italian embassy concerning the supply of goods under the free aid package worth 10 billion lire, it emerges that the invoiced prices of the goods in the first two shipments are high, at retail-price levels and even above those of competitors.” The list of goods follows MINISTER OF INTERNAL TRADE Alim Vili Tirana, 3.4.1991 For his part, the director of branch unit 101/K, assigned to administer the aid, would accuse [the authorities] over this issue: “These actions seem incomprehensible, bureaucratic and deliberate to us, intended to cover up the deficiencies that have arisen.” Branch of Unit 101/K Director (Paok|Filari) Durrës, 6.4.1992 And that is not all; here once again is a facsimile of the letter Gavrosh Pogaces sent to “Comrade Fatos.” The main concern was the very high price of the goods delivered. The invoices brought in later show that they were sold at retail prices, with other expenses added on top. In general, the goods delivered did not meet our most urgent needs—the emergency needs for which this aid had been requested. Goods were also delivered that were not even second-tier necessities, such as peas in liquid, tuna fish and perhaps fruit juices [?]. In addition to the high price, although these goods cost less on the Italian market itself, the small packaging portions also contributed to the high price, such as fish in 80 g tins. So how can the concerns raised in these letters be explained, when the truth about this aid is evident from our requests? Can “Agreed” be believed (the facsimile of which bears the handwritten word several times)? Nano wrote “Agreed,” while at the same time “following its implementation.” On this occasion, U. Vili told us that this is identical to our understanding of the implementation of this aid, where it is believed that Levant. Co. [text unclear] carried it out. (Continued on page 6)

A group of PAD envoys came to Kolonjë on the eve of Christmas, on the day of the longest night, 21 December. Mr. Imami, Peshkëpia and Pashko came. They arrived with PAD’s slogan of the day: “Not one step back”! An interesting slogan on the surface, but utterly meaningless in substance. They spoke only of steps backwards, and their own words showed that they have fallen far behind the times. We were not surprised that Mr. Imami would deny every achievement of the Democratic Government during its 18 months in office. He is still playing the same old record he played in parliament. Imami talked about privatization, but was honest when he said he did not know how things were going in Kolonjë... And he was speaking in Kolonjë and about Kolonjë!!! Mr. Imami also spoke of the “policization” of the country. What kind of country do you want, sir? One with police and EHD? With the same phenomenon as back when the socialists left Albania in 1990, after using the policy of “scorched earth”?! His lordship also spoke of the “totalitarian character” of today’s power, calling it eastern... Do you know, Mr. Imami, where the East lies? The East is no longer what it once was. But you are right, because you have seen Serbia under Milošević... You were sincere when you asked the people of Kolonjë for political support. How can you have the nerve to ask them for support when you chose to run for deputy in the 22 March 1992 elections? Does anyone still believe you, and especially the people of Kolonjë?!! Milošević may believe you and will surely thank you for the help you gave him. But you did not say a word about the just and energetic response of Kosovo’s Albanian political parties concerning the visit of Milošević’s delegation to Kosovo. You accused the Democratic Government of being incapable and the DP of being a party whose objective is revenge. Meanwhile, you called the PS a European-style party!! What a discovery of yours... The PPS of Enver, of Ramiz, of Fatos—the PS that you yourselves said had left your country in opposition, without political direction, because Nano was not imprisoned, etc... You even said it is still the same party, which has not broken away from the former committee. So how can that party be European? You said everything imaginable about the Meksi government. But, well, has this government done nothing good during this year and a half? Was the Government of Stability really the best one so far? Well, it could not have been, since you were at its head, Mr. Pashko—you who made a mistake with your privatization, you and your comrades who gave the communists a free hand to seize economic power. In short, you remain in the PS’s waters when you adopt its nihilistic position toward the work done so far by the Democratic Government... read “ZP.” And you will meet the same fate in your elections. You still suffer from the old fear of the State Security, equating it with today’s SHIK. You suffer from persecution mania. Sleep easy: if you do not betray Albania’s interests, ... (Continued on page 2)

At 20:30 on Thursday, 23 December 1993, the first night of the ’93 song festival on RTV opened in the hall of the Palace of Congresses. The audience’s first encounter was with the beautiful stage design, conceived and tastefully and professionally selected by the Kosovar architects Ibrahim Syylaj and Ramadan Aliu, who had come from Zyrhë and Gostivari. A backdrop curtain was designed using the latest achievements of modern technology. Computerized lighting, as the basic element of the visual design, made it possible to create 2,000 different configurations in keeping with the content of each song. All this created in the audience a feeling of aesthetic wonder and was itself the number-one element of the song show. Does it contain these 17 songs and directorial assessments? We recall that the RTV festival team consisted of Mr. Ciklos, artistic director; Mr. Gjeta, editor-in-chief; A. Kalimari, coordinator and literary editor; the scriptwriter M. Koju; and director A. Kalamata. The orchestra conductors were F. Deda and S. Saraci. According to the order announced by the singers themselves, the first of the 17 songs on the first night was sung by N. Koka: “They Killed You, My Love,” composed by F. Shahu. After the 17 songs performed that evening, the jury members, having taken their places, began their evaluation ... Song, A. Hoda...

Left far from his comrades, Haxhi Lleshi seems to be in a state of crisis. Apparently, at his age he cannot cope with being separated from his party comrades. Thus, in a despairing article, he makes an attempt not to part from those with whom he led the country from “victory” to victory, and publicly calls President Sali Berisha (elected by an absolute majority of Albanian voters) “the country’s greatest traitor.” Had someone else made this statement, the wish would surely have been carried out and his comrades would have listened; but as for Haxhiu, the people have an old saying: “Make way.” P. P.

On 24.12.1993, under the agreement between the Ministry of Health and the World Bank, the first consignment of ambulances arrived; there are 48 in total. These ambulances are equipped with resuscitation equipment and will serve to restructure the mobile emergency ambulance service in several regions. As a first stage, this emergency service will be established in 12 main centers, and will then be extended throughout the country. Radiology assistance centers will soon be established in these cities to ease the work of hospital services. This program runs in parallel with the opening in Tirana of the Neurology and Traumatology Health Center and will necessarily make a marked improvement in emergency assistance possible. In addition, the Ministry of Health has planned the reopening of the clinic and the restructuring of the organization of the emergency ambulance service in all regions.

With regard to the articles published in “ZP” on 17, 19 and 24 December 1993, concerning ballot papers from the 22 March 1992 elections that were found in Kavajë, the spokesperson of the Council of Ministers announces the following: Under Law No. 7556 of 4.2.1992, “On Elections to the People’s Assembly,” Article 92 assigns the Council of Ministers responsibility for securing the material and financial resources and taking the organizational measures required to implement this law. It should be noted that the ballot papers had special secret markings and were colored. Therefore, to verify whether the papers held by “ZP” are genuine, it is sufficient to compare them with other original ballot papers. These papers also bear the signatures of the members of the Polling Station Commission, whose authenticity can be verified. We have only been informed that ballot papers were taken from the Municipality of Kavajë, either through carelessness or with specific intentions. Their appropriation and misuse in any form is punishable. The ballot papers were produced only in the country under the direction of the government of the time and the Central Election Commission appointed by the president of the time. Therefore, any insinuation that they were brought in from abroad is defamatory and intended to confuse public opinion with a false “accusation,” fabricated even today by a shameless hack, [text unclear]... To preside over the Supreme Court of the extreme left in their newspaper “ZP.” After the elections, the minutes bearing the signatures of the commission and the party representatives (including those of the PS) were archived, together with the questionnaires examined by the representatives of the People’s Assembly when they verified the mandates. Any objection raised is malicious and shameful for those who write and publish such slanders. The government will refer the matter to the judicial authorities so as not to allow such ongoing slanders with malicious intent. Spokesperson of the Council of Ministers Tirana, 24 December 1993