A high-level American military delegation led by Dr. Xhozef Kruzel, Deputy Secretary of Defense of the United States for European and NATO policy, has arrived in our country. At Rinas Airport, the senior Pentagon official was received by the Minister of Defense, Safet Zhulali. Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova was also present. The high-level American military delegation was received by Lazarus, director of the Department for Albania at the Pentagon. The U.S. ambassador, Mr. Uiljam Rajerson, was also present. Dr. Kruzel was also received by senior officials of the Ministry of Defense. At a separate meeting between Mr. Zhulali and Dr. Kruzel, the Minister of Defense noted that Albania attaches particular importance to comprehensive cooperation with the United States, and that we believe in the success of our talks. He highlighted the importance of putting the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Albania into concrete effect and emphasized the great interest in further strengthening relations between the Albanian and American armies. Dr. Kruzel conveyed to the Minister of Defense, Safet Zhulali, the greetings of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Mr. Les Aspin.

The murder of a citizen, a compatriot, especially a young person, cannot but cause sorrow. Its perpetrators must answer for the crime and be punished as they deserve by the institutions of democratic justice. But who organized the latest murder in Shkoder? Albanian justice must—and surely will—give the proper answer to this. In any case, we believe some circumstances cannot be disregarded, especially since they are perfectly clear. The crime in Shkoder took place after the Belgrade toady, apparently following instructions or Miloshevic’s wishes, declared: “The fact is that Serbs and Albanians have killed one another and have not annihilated one another, so it is normal to engage in dialogue.” In this way, Imami ignores centuries of history and historical realities, and ignores and tramples on the blood shed by Albanians on their own lands and in their own homes to defend them against the invasions and barbarities of Serbian rulers and chauvinism, and to defend their honor and identity. The truth is that Albanians have not wrested a single meter of land from the Serbs, nor have Serbs been killed, raped, or annihilated by Albanians. The opposite has happened continually, in the most tragic way, to a people and a nation. This also makes it understandable why the audience reacted after Imami’s statement and why it became tense. The latest crime in Shkoder took place a short time after Mr. Imami became the spokesperson for Namik Hoti and, according to his wishes, the interpreter of the latter’s visit to Belgrade. This further heightened the tension in the hall. The crime also occurred a short time after the author of the “blank check” began reciting his deceptive “blank check”-type statements, which have long since been discredited and can only provoke revulsion. It is for the justice system to determine responsibility honestly and objectively, but also to establish what role former Sigurimi agents in the hall, outside the hall, and elsewhere played in carrying out this crime. It is not as though there are no clues. There are numerous indications pointing in this direction. The fact is that individuals, former State Security collaborators and criminals, left the hall and went out into the streets shouting slogans against the constitutional order and democracy. It is known who they are; Shkoder knows them and their past associations. The manipulation of the crime, as is now being done by the openly or covertly left-wing extremism in its declared alliance, also testifies against those who practice it. Manipulation is a criminal act. At the press conference RD held in Tirana on Monday, the Belgrade toady, Mr. Imami, declared that he knew things he was not saying at that conference. Under international justice, anyone who knows about a murder and does not testify or speak about it bears responsibility that in no way can be separated from the crime. The aim of the organizers and manipulators of the crime was to create a tense situation in the hall and move it from there into the streets of Shkoder and then throughout Albania. This is clear from the way the crime committed in Shkoder is being treated by their press and allied press. The aim is to create a tense climate in the country to prevent R. Alia, F. Nano, and their collaborators in the dictatorship and afterward from answering before the courts, which will surely deliver the proper verdict based on the law. The aim is to use this climate of crime and destabilization to strike at Albanian democracy itself and the law, and, if possible, settle accounts with it. Perhaps they have received the necessary assurances from Miloshevic or other chauvinist circles in the Balkans and beyond that are connected with them. Such enterprises, however, can be no more than soap bubbles, just like their perpetrators in Albanian politics. It is a tragedy that Albanian blood is being shed for their shared aims; it is a tragedy that they continue to take Albanian lives.

Yesterday at noon, the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Mr. Eduart Selami, met and spoke with a delegation of the Interim Governing Council of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of the Albanians of Macedonia. Yesterday at noon, the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Mr. Eduart Selami, met and spoke with a delegation of the Interim Governing Council of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of the Albanians of Macedonia, comprising Messrs. Mendu Thaci, Aliriza Lloga, Shezo Zenku, and Zeqirja Rexhepi. The PPD delegation praised the contribution of the Albanian Democratic Party and Albania toward overcoming the crisis in the PPD, and at the same time expressed the readiness of this party’s Interim Governing Council to cooperate with any group wishing to contribute to overcoming the difficult situation in the PPD, created by the poor work of the former old leadership, which consequently paralyzed the political life of the largest party of the Albanians in Macedonia. Messrs. Dylber Vioni, Shaban Memia, and Ferdinand Petrela were also present at the meeting on behalf of the Albanian Democratic Party. Press and Information Department of the ADP

TIRANA: At its latest meeting, the Council of Ministers discussed and approved amendments to several laws and decisions, intended to improve work in important sectors of our economy. Thus, an addition to the law “On Urban Planning” was approved. It aims to regulate problems concerning the allocation of construction sites while at the same time preventing illegal speculation over plots of land and construction sites granted since 1 January 1990. Meanwhile, the draft law introducing several amendments to the law “On Forests and the Forest Service Police” made several changes to the chapter on violations, strengthening administrative sanctions. Considering improvement of the water supply throughout the Republic one of its most urgent duties, and seeking to give practical implementation of this work a boost, the Council of Ministers approved a decision establishing a central water-supply commission and water-supply commissions in districts and municipalities. The government also approved a decision amending the Council of Ministers’ decision “On the Issuance of State Bonds to Compensate Former Owners and Former Political Persecutees,” intended to speed up the distribution of securities, as well as a decision on the organization and structure of the Construction Police and on the compensation of non-permanent assistant judges of district or area courts, in light of changes in prices and the evaluation of work. At today’s meeting, the situation of telephone services was also discussed, particularly in the majority of villages, as well as abuses occurring in this sector. The Ministry of Transport requested that oversight be increased and administrative measures be implemented for improvements

A Greek government delegation led by Greece’s Alternate Minister of National Economy, Mr. Yianos Papantoniu, has arrived in our country for an official visit. During the visit, the Greek delegation will be received and will hold talks with the Albanian delegation, led by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Selim Belortaja, on promoting economic and technical cooperation between the two countries. The Greek Alternate Minister of National Economy will also hold a series of meetings with other senior Albanian officials. At the same time, במסגרת this visit, a meeting of the Albanian-Greek Joint Commission will also be held for

- The front pages of “ZP,” “KJ,” and “Aleanca” write about a “political crime.” - It is wrong to exploit the victim’s blood. raped by Albanians, nor annihilated by Albanians. The opposite has continually happened, after Imami’s statement and why it became tense. The declared statement also testifies against those who practice this. declared that he knew things he was not saying. is a tragedy that, for their domestic aims, Albanian blood is being shed; lives. A horrible crime took place, like all crimes, and all the more so because the victim was a 26-year-old, Gjovalin Çekini. But what is happening? For some newspapers and political parties, the victim was not a young person, a mother’s son, but merely a party member. The front pages of “ZP,” “KJ,” and “Aleanca” are filled with large letters accusing the DP, the government, and even the President of this crime. Such a thing is no more tolerable than the crime itself. Why do these newspapers not first call on the competent authorities to do their job and establish the truth, rather than politicizing a crime? Justice must determine responsibility for this crime honestly and objectively. The truth is missing: the reason for the quarrel may have been political, but accusing the DP of this as though it had organized such an act is shameful. Such irresponsible statements are as absurd as they are malicious. After all, was this not a crime that occurred during a quarrel between civilians? It is well known that Shkoder has always been a rebellious city and that the people of Shkoder are free-spirited. At this difficult time, when the embargo has had an extraordinarily harmful effect on the economy of Shkoder families, social tensions are also rising—tensions that may erupt at particular times and in particular ways if provoked. It is therefore clear that certain parties have used political tactics to exploit such moments and score points. Gjovalin Çekini was a young man known as an anticommunist, and therefore someone Albania needed, despite being a member of the AD. So why should this crime have happened, or why should the communist newspaper “ZP” have the opportunity to use it in propaganda against the DP? I do not believe Gjovalin Çekini would have agreed to have his name appear in E. Hoxha’s newspaper. Someone is trying to draw a parallel between 2 April and 14 January. A comparison is being made between 2 April and 14 January, but there is nothing in common between these events except the killing. On 2 April, the victims were shot in the back during an anti-communist demonstration that ended with the storming of the PP Committee, by police officers who received orders from the branch chief and those above him. Gjovalin, by contrast, fell victim to a quarrel, even if the reasons for the quarrel may have been political. 14 January is the day of the first anti-communist demonstration in Shkoder, and as such it will be remembered with respect by all Albanians. 14 January and all the anticommunists of Shkoder will be remembered with respect. For the sake of 14 January and the entire struggle against communism, all anticommunists must continue to fight together, because communism has not died, as Pashko says. Those who brought it in and kept it alive have gathered again in their party, even though they have changed its name to the PS, and they want to erect new gallows for us. Therefore, anyone who remains an anticommunist, regardless of party, must not be pleased when, in their conference halls, a line is applauded by PS deputies, journalists, and guards (indeed, some information indicates that former Sigurimi agents were also present in the hall in Shkoder). All those who despise communism must not allow fabricated “scandals” to help the communists return to power.

From the DP meeting At the latest DP meeting, it was emphatically stressed that information and a real understanding of Albania’s situation are extremely important. For this reason, the chairpersons and secretaries of DP branches gave detailed reports, focusing particularly on the work done to expand the DP through new memberships. The fact that 1,300 new members have joined since the DP’s Second Congress clearly speaks to the broad support the Albanian people give to the DP’s program—its economic and social program—as well as to the democratic government and President Berisha. The chairman of the DP in Bulqizë noted that 100 new members had joined just during the recent period; likewise, the chairman of the Elbasan DP branch stressed that 137 new members had joined. According to its chairman’s remarks, 140 new members have also joined the Devoll DP branch during this period. At the meeting, all the chairpersons of the PDSH branches spoke and firmly called for the continued implementation of the DP program, holding accountable everyone who violates the laws of the democratic state, both within and outside the DP. The speakers described the Democratic Government’s social policy as extremely important; it is securing very strong support from the Albanian people. The very fact that new members continue to join the DP, especially intellectuals, speaks to the people’s confidence in the DP’s democratic vision. As was said at the meeting, this is the best response Albanians can give to the calls for new parliamentary elections made by the ex-executioners, former State Security spies, and extremist socialists. Albanians want order, stability, and a secure future, and they increasingly see these being achieved every day through the DP program and the democratic state.

—It deserves to appear on the front page of the newspaper “Borba” —Imami denies that the Serbs have dismembered and destroyed Albania. —Failing to distinguish the murderers from the victims is a flagrant and shameful distortion of historical truth Arben Imami—spokesperson for Namik Hoti. “The fact is that Serbs and Albanians have killed and been killed by one another, and they have not destroyed society; therefore, it is normal to engage in dialogue” (A. Imami—Shkoder, 14 January 1994) At the PAD press conference on 17 January, Arben Imami protested that his statement at the 14 January meeting in Shkoder had been distorted. The correct version is the one we have placed in the box. After making this “clarification,” actor Imami made a gesture of great anguish and torture, and felt delighted. In truth, even in the version he gives, his statement is extremely inaccurate, criminal, anti-Albanian, and in unison with the official propaganda of Belgrade, historically and currently extremely hysterical toward our nation. Without hesitation and with great pleasure, the newspaper “Borba” could publish it in a prominent place on its front page. By declaring that “Albanians have killed and been killed by one another,” the great intellectual Imami shows that he knows the history of his own nation no better than an elementary-school pupil. He has the shamelessness to put an equal sign between the murderers (the Serbs) and the victims (the Albanians). In approximately 1,000 years of neighboring relations and history, not a single instance is known of the indigenous Albanians in their own lands attacking Slavic peoples. On the contrary, it is the Serbs who have invaded Albanian lands and slaughtered Albanians with their characteristic barbarity. According to Imami’s way of thinking, even today Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo are killing one another. This is an intolerable insult to the tens of thousands of Kosovars murdered by Serbian criminals and to the 3 million Albanians in Kosovo who have long suffered in body and soul from unprecedented genocide. The killers and slaughterers are the Serbs, Mr. Imami, not the Albanians. In this same statement Imami says that “the Serbs and Albanians have not destroyed society.” With this “discovery” too, Imami becomes a poor parrot of the [unclear] taken from Belgrade when he himself was there, or brought by Namik Hoti. Regardless of any heckling directed at this archaic and ridiculous mannequin, Imami gives the impression that he is also playing the role of Namik Hoti’s spokesperson. As can be understood, besides the intimate ties they may have, or are said to have, the carnival-like politicians Hoti and Imami have also established political ties. They are moving like chess pieces on a chessboard, acting according to one platform and speaking the same language. Mr. Imami is providing a great service to anti-Albanian propaganda—and the greater the service, the greater the honorarium must be—when he shamelessly asserts that the Serbs have not destroyed the Albanians. Thus, the Belgrade bootlicker Arben Imami forgets or conceals the long-term, detailed program of Čubrillović, Ranković, and Tivar: the mass criminal operations to sterilize and poison Albanians. We ask Mr. Imami: should the partition of Albania, the violent seizure of nearly half of our territory by the Serbian kingdom, and its retention by force of arms by today’s Serbian state not be called destruction? Of course, neither Tsar Dušan and the later kings, nor Čubrillović and Ranković, could achieve the complete destruction or assimilation of the Albanians; today’s Milošević could never achieve it, nor could those who come after him. Albania has made itself, and will continue to make itself, Albania, while Serbia will remain Serbia. Mr. Imami, regardless of whether this pleases Belgrade’s politicians and their bootlickers in Tirana—Imami, Ceka, Hoti, etc.

The Press and Information Department of the PDSH announces that the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, filed with the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office a complaint seeking the prosecution of Mr. Perikli Teta. The Press and Information Department of the PDSH announces that the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, filed with the Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office a complaint seeking the prosecution of Mr. Perikli Teta for public defamation directed against him in the newspaper “Koha Jone” dated 14.01.1994, in the interview “Corruption by today’s officials must be dealt with as a first priority.” Tirana, 18.01.1994

These days at the port of Durres, alongside the unloading of the ship “Ranger,” carrying grain aid from the United States of America, the ship “Fortuna” arrived and began unloading its 7,536 tons of wheat, aid for the Albanian people and government from the European Community. ATSH