TIRANA: President of the Republic Sali Berisha departed yesterday on an official visit to Malaysia and Brunei, at the invitation of the Sultan of Malaysia, Yang DiPertuan Agong, and the Sultan of Brunei, Darusalam Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah. These visits are being made within the framework of deepening economic cooperation between Albania and Malaysia and Brunei. At Rinas Airport, President Berisha was seen off by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi and other members of the government. ATSH

At the invitation of Public Order Minister Agron Musaraj, Bulgaria’s Interior Minister, Viktor Mihajlov, arrived in our country yesterday. At Rinas Airport, he was welcomed by Public Order Minister Agron Musaraj and members of his cabinet. Bulgaria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Tirana, Stefan Naumov, was also present. ATSH

The large number of citizens joining the DP is brushing aside attacks on the opposition claiming that “the DP is supposedly alone,” that “its reputation has declined,” and so on. The expansion of the DP’s base clearly speaks to its thoroughly democratic vision, based on a sensible human movement that respects individual freedom and people’s ideas about material development, grounded in the expansion of free, productive enterprise, which lies at the foundation of the market economy. The ever-growing trend of new admissions to the ranks of the DP should not be understood simply as a numerical increase in the members of a party. First and foremost, it speaks to Albanians’ confidence in the DP’s serious program for bringing the country out of the economic crisis and directing it toward the desired national progress. This influx of people into the ranks of this party should also be seen as the support the Albanian people give to the DP’s program, its government and the democratic state. It should be understood as a hope for what lies ahead. Albanians as a whole had the opportunity to witness a difficult reform, unprecedented in Albania’s history; but history also brought it about that this generation of people would be its supporters. The fact that the DP and the democratic state showed the Albanian people the courage, boldness and maturity to build our society on new foundations, at a time when the Balkan crisis was intensifying, presenting a peace-loving and dignified Albania, meant that their authority in the eyes of the people grew every day. Likewise, new members joining the DP show that this party has pursued the right economic and social policies. The principle of building a social economy was the most suitable for the Albanian economy, devastated by 50 years of dictatorship. In this way, the DP shows that it recognizes its principle of being open. The December Revolution and, at the same time, the DP began their work of dismantling the dictatorship with a broad membership comprising students, honest former communists, persecuted people, intellectuals and workers, united by the feeling of human freedom, by the ideal of our National Revivalists to build a Western-style Albanian state, and by the sensible struggle to overthrow communism. This great principle and the structure from which the DP emerged would continually broaden its ranks with new people. Some opposition parties have always thought that their character would weaken the ranks of the DP. But time is showing otherwise. The success of the reform was a large DP, a testament to the DP’s program. The start of production, and especially the investment opportunities opening up in 1994, as well as the increased investment capacity of the Albanian democratic state in particular, are enhancing the DP’s credibility among the Albanian people. The continual growth of the DP’s ranks is the best test the Albanian people are making of its program, as a program delivering everyday success. In this way, the DP is not alone, as the opposition has tried to portray it. It has with it the greatest part of the Albanian people, the respected intellectuals of the entire nation; it has secured great friends in Europe and around the world, who are standing by our nation during these days when our great issues are at stake. As for the anti-DP coalition, Albanian democrats have been familiar with this motley coalition since its inception, ranging from spies and former collaborators of the State Security Service to Enverists and tragic careerists, whom history will send to the bottom of the heap. MUJE BUCPAPAJ

A mission of the European Union Commission, headed by Ms. Kris Hughes, a senior official of the institution, will arrive in Tirana on Monday, 24 January 1994, to discuss the “RHARE” program for 1995–1996 with the Albanian government, according to an announcement by the Commission of the European Community in Tirana. The mission will meet with senior officials from the sectors that the Albanian government has selected as priorities for benefiting from this program. To date, Albania has received total aid of 326 million ECU (391 million USD) from the European Union, of which 70 million ECU (84 million USD) came from the “PHARE” program. ATSH

—Prime Minister Bukoshi declares— “The International Conference on the former Yugoslavia once again made no progress in the latest round of talks in Geneva. Strangely, the aggressor strengthened its positions.” “The International Conference on the former Yugoslavia once again made no progress in the latest round of talks in Geneva. Strangely, the aggressor strengthened its positions. This Conference has a very broad agenda and will determine international decision-making. The situation in Kosovo is showing signs of deterioration, as Serbia is not only intensifying military repression against the Albanians, but is also attempting another attack on Kosovo’s economy, which is being looted every day. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is aware that such campaigns become increasingly difficult when Belgrade feels strong and ready for new phases toward realizing ‘Greater Serbia,’ and that rising tensions could be tragic. ATSH The people of Kosovo have so far patiently restrained themselves in the face of every provocation that could plunge the entire region into catastrophe, while Serbia continues to provoke as it pleases. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo reiterates, with deep concern, that the situation in Kosovo must be taken into account and that coordinated international action must be put into effect in time. We appeal to the international community; we appeal to the United Nations, NATO, the European Union and the CSCE to intervene against the aggressor. We ask the international mediators to address the complex issue of Kosovo before it is spoken of in the language of weapons,” the statement says, as transmitted by the Kosovo Information Center. ATSH

—The state won, democracy lost(!)— That is what Nano says in the interview he gave these days to the newspaper “Koha Jonë.” “And I, who have seen the cell with cement, with water, with a [?]—let me remind you: you did not stand up in Parliament to honor the martyrs of Shkodra. In Switzerland you declared Enver to be Father. Likewise, you entered... starting with Enver Hoxha and his successors. Then tell me what a disgrace you brought upon the Albanians when you were prime minister...”

-The state won, democracy lost(!)- K[?] eshtu panuris Nano in the interview given the other day to the newspaper “Koha jone”. But I, who have seen the cell with cement, with wat[e?], with a transparent banana in front of Nano, who sleeps on a mattress and sheets, with newspapers, books and meetings in the cell, reply: Citizenship, the state and legality will be lost if you do not receive the punishment you deserve under the laws of the state. Besides this, Mr. Nano, you have some other baggage on your back and, since the democratic state has fed you well and, as you yourself have said, you are in good shape, you can carry that too. If you have forgotten, declared Enver to be Father. Likewise, the orders and messages you sen[t?] from the cell for revolts and bloodshed will cost you your head in the time of your Father. But democracy does not hate, as you say. It only enforces the laws, which are sacred. In the interview Nano says: “I will denounce all those who fabricated this Albanian disgrace.” You are denouncing them late, Mr. Nano, but better late than never. The investigative authorities are right there; open up, starting with Enver Hoxha and his successors. Then tell [u?] what Albanian disgrace you committed when you were prime minister. Tell about the disgrace of the pots and bottles of juice. For there is no greater disgrace than playing games with the aid the world gives us. So, be a good boy, open your heart to the investigators, because you are being given leniency. After you have served your sentence, denounce democracy too, because there is no flawless state. ISMET SHESHORI former political prisoner

The PD’s expansion through new memberships is continuing with great momentum in all the district branches across the country. This clearly shows the support the Albanian people are giving to the PD’s program and its realistic policy, far from the extremes and resentments that have gripped the other opposition parties, which are losing ground every day in the eyes of the Albanian electorate. In the PD branch of the Malësi e Madhe district alone, 206 new members have joined since the Second PD Congress. New memberships are continuing. RD CORRESPONDENT MALËSI E MADHE

-An RTSH achievement- The inhabitants of the Albanian Alps, the people of Tropoje, were able for the first time in recent days to watch RAI programs on their television screens. This event in the cultural and information life of the highlanders of this area was well received, since they will be able to watch a powerful Western channel from their homes, namely RAI (its first and second channels), at a time when just 3–4 years ago they were surveilled and imprisoned by the communist regime even for watching RT of Prishtina, the channel of the Albanians of Kosovo. This project is an achievement of RTSH, which has made it possible for RAI UNO and RAI DUE to be watched in many areas of Albania where the channel cannot be received with a simple antenna. M.B.

SHKODER: The charitable association “Relief” has invested around 60 thousand dollars in the complete renovation of the children’s home in the city of Shkodra. Work on this began as early as February ’93 and will be completed in March of this year. The association’s investments have also covered the salaries of the staff of this children’s home, food for the children and youngsters, as well as monthly pensions of 20 dollars for around 2 thousand orphaned families.

RUBIK: Lately, foreign offers for our copper have exceeded the production capacity of this industry. At the administrations of the production plants in Lac and Rubik, we learned that the sale of 500 tons of copper to an Italian firm had been guaranteed. However, at present these two plants have only 250 tons of finished product. Production is continuing in order to secure the quantities of copper specified in the offer, despite obstacles caused by shortages of raw materials and the depreciation of machinery.

SARANDE: The pace of privatization of enterprises in the food system in the Sarandë district is slow and is characterized by delays on the part of the evaluation commission and the relevant departments. This is one of the conclusions of a meeting of the Council of this district, where progress in privatization was reviewed following the decision of the Council of Ministers. Whereas during ’93 the number of facilities submitted for privatization was 1369, after the aforementioned decision documentation was submitted for only 152 facilities. Although privatization of enterprises such as the juice factory in Çukë, the canning factory in Sarandë, etc., has been urged several times, it has not happened so far. These enterprises have remained blocked for more than two years, becoming targets of damage and theft.

KUKES: Last year, residents of the Ujmisht commune in the Kukës district received a total of 11,500,000 lek in assistance to cope with the difficulties of the transition period and the shortage of land per capita. Each family in this area was entitled to 2133 lek. Although the land has been given to the villagers and they are now its owners, its small amount has meant that they have been helped with a larger sum of money in the form of assistance, the head of this commune told ATSH.

By MEHDI BELORTA.