Some time ago, the article “Not stagnation, but development through energy” by Lazar Papapjorghi was published in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit.” Mr. Llazar, whom I have known for a long time as a specialist in this field, will allow me to make a few observations, not only as a journalist but also as a citizen. The first thing I think is true is that this article was conceived and written as if in the time of the Labour Party. I have the impression that only the new democratic situation prevented the familiar clichés proclaiming the electrification of the entire country as a “magnificent victory” of the Labour Party and Hoxha. Naturally, a great deal of work was done to electrify the country at that time; hydroelectric and thermal power plants were built. But, for the sake of historical truth, we must point out that you forget rather easily that, without China’s substantial assistance, hydroelectric plants such as Fierza, Komani and Vau i Dejës could not have been built. Democracy must correct the mistakes of the Hoxha regime, which trumpeted that it had done everything by its own efforts! Furthermore, it seems to me that these “magnificent hydroelectric plants” were unable to meet the needs of industry and the population throughout the year! Let us not forget what happened in the summer: because of the lack of energy, households were supplied only at certain times during the day. This tragedy was repeated every year. Did this not show that the system had an “Achilles’ heel”? It is well known that an energy system based mainly on one source, water, could not guarantee a normal and uninterrupted supply of energy to industry and the population under all circumstances throughout the year. Bearing in mind this “Achilles’ heel” of the system, even during the monist period I rose against the taboo surrounding hydroelectric power plants and wrote an article stressing that dry summers made it essential to use other energy sources, independent of weather conditions. I expressed the view that, under these circumstances, the studies that had been conducted in this direction should be given the “green light.” I remember that it stung the leadership, because I questioned the efficiency of this “magnificent” system. The editor-in-chief at the time, acting like a persecutor, interrogated me about who had urged me to write it and where and from whom I had obtained the information. Thus my former boss, acting on instructions from above or from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was concerned not about the system’s obvious shortcomings but about who, in their view, had prompted me to write the article. At that time, the system was also the other side of the problem: households were supplied with electricity only during the day at certain times. All of this is clear: the system was designed for this system. Who would have imagined that the Labour Party and Enver would leave millions of stoves, radiators and other heaters to be sold just two years after the dictatorship fell, without their authorization?! They left the people destitute, with an axe in their hands to chop wood. Oh God, what a crime! It was democracy that most clearly exposed the other flaw in the “magnificent electrification system,” which had in fact been conceived and implemented in an entirely primitive manner. Just make sure you have a light! Democracy, which brought about an immediate improvement in living standards within a short time, and thus the natural need to secure more comfortable and more modern ways, means and methods of heating and cooking at home, is working to eliminate this problem. Paris, where Enver Hoxha had also been, had a system for draining wastewater as early as the fifteenth century, but the Party did not think to build a modern underground network for electricity, water and telephone services, not even in Tirana, let alone in other districts. It seems that the Anatolian Hoxha saw the West only from behind; otherwise he could not have failed to see that people there heated their homes and cooked with gas. But Enver would boast only of the “historic victories” of electrification?! Today people are suffering because of these “victories,” tormented by the shortcomings of the system we inherited. What a great deal of work has been done in just one year to rebuild the electricity network in Tirana and several other cities. For this purpose, a World Bank loan worth millions of dollars has been used, along with Italy’s grant assistance, which for the first phase amounts to more than 6 billion lire. However, within a single year, although new substations were built and [the network] was reconstructed... (Continued on page 2) Furthermore, it seems to me that these “magnificent hydroelectric power plants” could not possibly year! And of the lack of energy supply. How many articles and editorials have you yourself written, Mr. Llazar, at my request, calling for strict regulation of electricity use! Well, that was the tragicomedy of that system! On the one hand, electrification was extolled; on the other, during dry summers, when rainfall was scarce and the level of the hydroelectric reservoirs fell sharply, drastic measures were taken: factories and industrial plants were shut down, or work was switched to a single-shift system and the workers sent back to agriculture! I was interrogated about who had incited me So my former boss, acting on orders concerned not about the system’s obvious failings, but about those who, according to them, had prompted me to write this article. Another failing of this system was that, besides cutting off electricity for months at a time during dry summers, it had been designed solely to provide lighting for homes! Can you really rest content with the mere fact that you brought about electrification?! In other words, there was no thought of planning for the future, since no one considered that the time would come when this system would be paralyzed because it made no provision for meeting the population’s needs for heating and cooking. Well, isn’t this a backward system? That is why the word “demagoguery” was rightly used in such comparisons. Besides this, although they have taken an interest, the journalists of “ZP” sign only with their four articles signed KT, DK, AA and DK); they should have found out that there are also some policemen in Italy who are under arrest. By mentioning says: until proved guilty according to law,” the arrest was KT, detention should not exist, since everyone is innocent until their guilt is established according to law. But detention does exist, even in cases where crimes are evident, as in Nano’s case. Bearing this in mind—that Nano’s crime has been fully proven—“RD” has called Nano guilty. According to exist, even has called Nano guilty.

We consider the “Partnership for Peace” initiative very important; it should be an active process leading to Albania’s full membership in NATO structures, President Berisha told two Members of the European Parliament, Mr. von Alemann and Mr. Gavronski, at a meeting where reform in Albania and relations between Albania and the Parliament were also discussed. ATA

In several articles published consecutively in the newspapers “KJ,” “Alenca,” etc., during the first days of this year, the fixed idea has been insistently promoted that 1993 was a year of shrinking freedoms, a year of restricting freedom—in other words, a year of going backwards, a year in which the course was directed more toward restricting freedom than toward expanding it. In an article published in “KJ,” its editor-in-chief tries to substantiate this idea by citing restrictions on free speech through a restrictive press law; the “analyst” of Aleanca (apparently unsigned, along with his subordinate at “KJ”), deeply convinced that the truth is only what he himself says and writes, also lists facts which, according to him, prove that 1993 was a year of shrinking freedoms in certain areas and aspects of an individual’s life. And there are no shortage of these “facts”—quite the contrary! So, if we follow the reasoning of these “chief analysts,” who have the astonishing ability to insert themselves into social processes and produce such fine-grained analyses, then perhaps during this year we could lose even the few freedoms Ramiz Alia granted us at the PPSH Central Committee plenum in 1990, as well as the few freedoms gained after the first free elections of 31 March, when today’s socialists (the former communists) were still in power. Born to lead), but, damn it, he is still free and enjoys the sympathy of many people! (Oh, what people are like!) Moreover, is it freedom when you go to Belgrade with “extraordinary courage” and talk there about the welfare of the Albanian nation, while Belgrade television follows you with such attention and fanfare, but the television of your own country not only fails to send a crew after you to report on the good work you do for your people, but has the shamelessness to criticize you, making comments intended to wipe from the face of the earth your extraordinary contribution to the welfare, peace and prosperity of the peoples of the Balkans, particularly the Serbian people, who are now suffering terribly! Thirdly, is it freedom to imprison privatization and disregard the former cooperative chairmen, party secretaries... If they give me such detailed analyses, then woe betide us; during this year we may lose even the few freedoms that in 1990, as well as the few freedoms won after the first free elections of March 31, Naturally, these analysts, prophets of tomorrow, have proved—and keep proving—right every day; they warn us where we are heading. So either we turn back, or great suffering awaits us until the “Democratic Alliance” comes to power in the next elections. Because true freedom (open your ears, people, and listen), true freedom will come only when the Alliance Party comes to power, when the former ministers, those who managed affairs so well alongside the ministers of the PP, become ministers again. Because, God forbid, is it freedom to leave former ministers as former ministers for such a long time...? But let us look more closely at the facts, so that we can be convinced that 1993 was a year of “restriction” of freedoms: First, freedom of speech was restricted and the press was placed under censorship. What kind of freedom is it when the law prevents you from calling a traitor, murderer and immoral the person who stands in the way of your dream of becoming a minister, prime minister or president? Who could be more personal than the person who stands in the way of your blissful dream of becoming a big shot, rich and authoritarian, all for the good of the people and the homeland! My goodness, how freedom has been restricted! How can you not write, invent and slander whatever you want about someone who disagrees with you, someone who surely knows less than you (because you have How can it be forgotten that he moistened the stomachs of children, parched from lack of food, with fruit juice that rustled with freshness? No, freedom cannot be so ungrateful. Fifth, is it freedom to carry out privatization without taking into account former cooperative chairmen, party secretaries, and senior officials of the ministries and the Central Committee? After all, they would know how to make the property they were given efficient and profitable, because they have economic experience; they know how to manage, how to make money, how to get ahead. Yet matters have gone so far that even former prisoners are being favored, though they had nowhere to learn the work of management and administration. Go on, figure out what they call that! Sixth, is it freedom to remove from central institutions people with thirty years’ experience in running state affairs and replace them with younger people? In modern literature, that is called absurd. And absurdity, yes, restricts freedom! Seventh, is it freedom for a newspaper to be looked upon unfavorably and attacked by the other press because it exercises its rights? Matters have gone so far that people force their way into offices and teach them what they call that! LAZER STANI

PRISHTINA—I wish and hope that this year will be a year of agreements and peace in the Balkans. This is how the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, began yesterday’s press conference. He went on to speak about his visits to several important European countries during the final months of last year. NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO, DR. IBRAHIM RUGOVA PRISHTINA—I wish and hope that this year will be a year of agreements and peace in the Balkans. This is how began yesterday’s press conference. He went on to speak about his visits to several important European countries during the final months of last year. “This was a successful and important European tour, with high-level meetings at which the Kosovo issue was examined from various angles, and concern was expressed about the severe and miserable situation of persecution. We insist on a just, peaceful solution,” President Rugova stressed. He added that at all the visits and meetings it was stated that the Kosovo issue is an international issue and that the international community must work toward resolving the Kosovo problem. Unfortunately, President Rugova continued, during this period the Serbian regime’s repression of Albanians in Kosovo has continued with increased intensity. There have been police cordons, searches, arrests and mistreatment; even sporting events were brutally obstructed. The torture of Albanians in prisons continued, as did the impermissible extension of prison sentences. A new and very dangerous phenomenon is the attacks by groups of Serbian civilians or unidentified people against individuals and citizens. “This is a bad warning, because if something starts between people and neighbours, it will be very bad,” Rugova stressed. He also cited figures from the Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in Prishtina, according to which more than thirteen thousand cases of police violence were recorded in Kosovo last year. At the press conference, protests were also voiced against the taxes imposed by the Serbian authorities for crossing the border. “The international community must examine the issue of imposing these taxes, because they will hit the Albanians in Kosovo hard. They already face many difficulties and obstacles to movement and are separated by many borders,” President Rugova said. President Rugova then welcomed President Clinton’s visit to Europe and Russia, expressing the view that it would be an important visit for bringing the positions of the United States of America and Europe closer, as well as for bringing positions closer on resolving the crisis in the former Yugoslavia and in the Balkans. Further on, speaking about the current historical importance of resolving the Kosovo issue... (Continued on page 4)

“Everyone charged with an offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.” But that does not mean that the measure of arrest does not exist in Europe.— Drawing parallels between the trial of several Italian parliamentarians in connection with the bribes affair and the Nano case, the PS propaganda machine is trying to prove that the arrest of former Prime Minister Nano is illegal. But, as always, the PS propagandists have not got a few things straight. It is true that the Italian deputies and senators mentioned in the “ZP” editorial are being tried while at liberty, but that is because the Italian parliamentary commission decided so. As is known, in Craxi’s case the lifting of immunity and criminal prosecution (the arrest measure) were requested, but this was rejected by a decision of the parliamentary commission, which merely triggered a fierce reaction among some parties and among circles outside parliament. (That day RAI broadcast a programme featuring representatives of the parties that belonged to the commission, along with people outside parliament, and, surprisingly, almost all of them said in one way or another that they had voted against Craxi.) As for Nano, everyone knows that the Albanian parliament voted in favour of the Prosecution’s request, that is, against Nano (with the exception of the PS), so there is no reason to draw such parallels. Besides, although they have made inquiries, the “ZP” journalists—who do not sign only with initials (on the front page of “ZP” alone there are four articles signed KT, DK, AA and DK)—should have found out that there are also several politicians in Italy who are in custody. By citing Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states: “Everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law,” KT of “ZP” once again tries to prove that Nano’s arrest is illegal and accuses “RD” of calling Nano guilty. According to KT, the measure of arrest should not exist because everyone is innocent until their guilt is legally established. Yet the measure of arrest does exist in the Europe he reminds us of, and is used in cases where the crimes are evident, as in Nano’s case. “RD,” bearing this fact in mind—that Nano’s crime has been fully proven—has therefore labelled Nano guilty.

Regarding the ATA report dated 29 December 1993, sourced from Kukës, Bujar Çyqja, head of the Tirana District Council, clarifies that the information transmitted is incorrect, since the citizen Abdulla Dushku is not the chairman of the Kamza municipality, as may have been reported in Kukës, but only a member of the council. For his part, the chairman of the Kamza municipality, Pellumb Lepi, said that the actions of council member Abdulla Dushku are punishable and have angered many of the other council members. These actions violate the law and create major problems for our municipality. We have neither authorized Abdulla Dushku to take such actions nor do we plan to accept residents from the Kukës areas. On this matter, he concluded, I have filed a criminal complaint against citizen Abdulla Dushku with the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office. (ATA)

The historical importance of the decisions of the Bujan Conference, as well as their continuing relevance and inspiration to this day for the aspirations of the people of Kosovo and the Albanian people’s movement toward national unification, was the subject of a scholarly session organized this morning by the Institute of History in Prishtina and the Institute of History in Tirana to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this major event in our history. Participants also included the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Pjeter Arbnori, the Secretary General of the Presidency, Kolec Topalli, members of parliament, government members, etc. In place of the director of the Institute of History in Prishtina, Dr. Sabi Lipa, who was prevented by the Serbian authorities from coming to Albania, his counterpart in Tirana, Kasem Biçoku, declared the session open. He described the Bujan Conference as an assembly at which national aspirations were expressed for realizing the ideals of national unification. In his opening remarks, he spoke of Kosovo and the other Albanian regions in the former Yugoslavia at the scholarly session. The conference took place under difficult circumstances, given the massacres and genocide perpetrated against the Albanian people during the war against the German occupiers. After the Second World War, Kosovo’s borders were determined at the Second World War [conference/settlement], all rights to self-determination were denied, and instead, in February 1945, it was placed under military rule. In April 1945, Serbia’s highest body arbitrarily decided, without putting the matter to the KANC of Kosovo or discussing it with them, that Kosovo should be considered annexed to Serbia. But when this legitimate desire of the people of Kosovo is openly violated and denied, not through silence but... [text incomplete] The KANC of Kosovo that this should be considered annexation but—or through silence, but—or... The Yugoslav authorities treated Kosovo and the other Albanian regions of the former Yugoslavia... And Enver Hoxha considered all these things reasonable concessions made to the PKP of Yugoslavia; consequently, he and his associates never sought the realization of the legitimate aspiration of the Albanian people, annexed at the Bujan Conference, nor did they... [text incomplete]