From Mr. Eduard Selami’s speech at the Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg During the proceedings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in the plenary session discussion on the effects of the embargo on countries neighboring Serbia and Montenegro, the floor was also taken by the chairman of the Albanian parliamentary delegation, Mr. Eduard Selami. Among other things, Mr. Selami pointed out the losses suffered by the Albanian economy as a result of the sanctions against former Yugoslavia, estimated at around USD 400 million, of which USD 100 million were direct losses and the rest indirect. The effects of the embargo are felt most strongly in the border areas, Selami continued. The consequences include the closure of chromium and copper mines, the loss of markets and the blocking of electricity exports, as well as the only railway line linking Albania with Europe, creating great difficulties in the transportation of goods. Under these circumstances, Mr. Selami called on the International Community and the European Community to help Albania compensate for the losses caused by the embargo. Mr. Selami suggested that compensation include material assistance for the population most affected by the embargo’s negative effects, as well as the provision of facilities for customs services and transportation. Although Albania is suffering the economic consequences of the embargo, Mr. Selami continued, it is seriously committed to respecting it. We oppose lifting the embargo against Serbia and Montenegro as long as no peaceful solution is in sight in former Yugoslavia. Lifting the embargo, emphasized would ease the burden on the Serbian aggressor and provide yet another opportunity for the conflict in Bosnia to remain unresolved and spread to Kosovo and beyond. If the International Community, Selami continued, is to prevent this conflict from spreading further and learn from the mistakes made in Bosnia, it must make the lifting of the embargo conditional on a just resolution of the conflict.

—Statement of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania— Recently, the Albanian public, along with the international public, has learned about the new initiative of the US Government and personally of President Clinton, “Partnership for Peace.” Viewing this initiative in the context of the circumstances in the world today, the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania considers it an important step that contributes to current democratic developments, especially in the countries of the former communist bloc, and contributes to peace and stability in Europe and beyond; therefore, it welcomes it without reservation. While supporting this initiative, we also express our readiness to be active partners in it, convinced that our country has the necessary capacity and will duly meet the requirements of the partnership. With the establishment of democracy, Albania, through its government, has sought full membership in the NATO Pact, since we regard this not only as our wish and need, but also as a step in the interest of peace and stability in the troubled Balkan region. We believe that the consensus of “Partnership for Peace” does not distance us from NATO bodies, but brings us closer to them and prepares our membership in this Pact. Albania is not only ready, but will also pursue an active policy in the future with all NATO member countries, serving the modernization of its army and the strengthening of its defense, and, more broadly, the advancement of economic reforms and the consolidation of democracy. Recognizing its obligations under this partnership, Albania will always adhere to the principles of democracy, full respect for freedoms and human rights, and respect for the rule of law. Confident that joining this initiative will help our country in every way, we offer our active participation in “Partnership for Peace,” wishing it success and all the best. PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Tirana, 26 January 1994.

Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi received in a special meeting a delegation of the European Community Monitoring Commission, headed by the chairman of the commission, Mr. Kostandin Jercostopulos. Mr. Meksi emphasized the importance of the EC mission as a mission of peace and a factor of stability in the circumstances of the state of war prevailing in former Yugoslavia. He expressed the democratic government’s support for creating all the conditions necessary for the mission to function. Prime Minister Meksi once again expressed to the senior official of the European Commission the Albanian state’s readiness to serve peace and stability in our region. Speaking about the EC mission’s commitment to ensuring peace in the region, Mr. Jercostopulos emphasized the assistance provided by the Albanian authorities in carrying out the mission’s task successfully. “The full and effective cooperation between the members of our mission and the Albanian authorities is a unique case,” said Mr. Jercostopulos. “Maintaining borders and stability in the region are the objectives of our mission.” ATSH

The German delegation, headed by Mr. Ernst Hinsken, a member of the German Bundestag, was received by the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori. In the warm and cordial atmosphere of the meeting, the feelings of friendship existing between our two peoples and our two parliaments were expressed. The members of the German delegation, prominent figures in the fields of economics and trade, spoke about Germany’s willingness to help Albania move forward securely along the path of democracy and prosperity. The German-Albanian Economic Cooperation Association was also established for this purpose; its leaders are members of this delegation. ATSH

These days, a delegation from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army is on an official visit to our country. The Minister of Defense, Safet Zhulali, accorded a special welcome to the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Zaharin Atanasov Iliev, and the Head of the Economic-Military Department of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense, Major General Kiril Jordanov Mazner. ATSH

On January 25, 1994, in Copenhagen, the agreement on the International Transport of Passengers and Goods was signed between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Republic of Albania. For the Albanian side, the agreement was signed by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Fatos Bitincka, while for the Danish side it was signed by the Government’s Plenipotentiary and State Secretary for Transport, Ole Zaki. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Albania, accredited in Stockholm, Bardhyl Kokalari, also attended the signing ceremony.

New memberships in the PD continue New members continue to join the PD branch in the Shkodra district. In the period since the PD’s Second Congress, 150 people have been accepted into the ranks of the PDSH. This speaks, first, to the Albanian people’s support for the PD’s program and, second, to the growing trust people are placing in the PD every day, including during this period of carrying out difficult and complex reforms. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

Planned for 1994 The range of assets subject to the fiscal system will be expanded. Agricultural land, livestock, buildings and [?] properties are included in a draft law that has just been passed by the government, so that in 1994 they will become sources of revenue for the state budget. These are changes that have taken place in the area of ownership, or that require the fiscal contribution to be extended to two-thirds of the population. This coincides with the end of the period covered by the PD’s promise not to apply direct taxes to the peasantry during the first years—a policy that helped the rapid development of agriculture, but which has also resulted in the tax burden falling on urban groups. The need to balance the contributions of the urban and rural populations is precisely the reasoning behind the property-tax bill. The basic principle behind the tax is that land has varying degrees of fertility and, consequently, the income derived from it also varies. On this basis, lower-category land will be taxed at 0.6 lek per m2, and higher-category land at 0.6 lek per m2. Buildings or those in classes 9 and 10 will be taxed at 0.1 lek per m2. Tax on agricultural land is a measure that will affect the value of the land, since the tax is applied to cultivated land itself, not to the output produced. And that is not all: The tax rate on uncultivated land is set at ten times higher. To encourage farmers to pay voluntarily, a reduction of 5 percent of the tax is provided if it is paid within the specified deadline. It is worth emphasizing that the revenue collected through this measure is to be divided between the central-government budget and the local-government budget in proportions of 40% and 60%, respectively. For local government, this means resources and sufficient funds to finance its expenditure. 2.8 billion lek—this is the projected contribution from the agricultural tax. But agricultural land will not be the only thing subject to taxation. As mentioned above, livestock will also be taxed: 3.2 million sheep and goats, 170 thousand head of cattle, as well as poultry [?] raised for rapid growth, amounting to 900 million lek. A progressive tax will also be applied to buildings. The criterion determining the tax rate will be the type of apartment. Specifically, 50 lek per year will be paid for a studio apartment. For apartments with four rooms and a kitchen, the tax will be 1,100 lek. A higher amount will be paid for buildings used for commercial purposes—precisely 100 lek per m2 of the building’s external area. The draft law also provides for a nominal tax on owners of plots of land, whether domestic or foreign, at a rate of 2% of the value of the plots. The tax rates for this category are as follows: In the city of Tirana: 8 lek per m2; for residents [?], 4 lek per m2. In cities with populations of more than 30 thousand: 4 lek per m2. In cities with populations from 10 thousand to 30 thousand: 2 lek per m2. In cities with populations below 10 thousand: 1 lek per m2. For plots beside main roads with heavy traffic, the rates listed under points 1, 2, 3 and 4 are multiplied by 2. For plots located in tourist areas, according to their categories: 4 to 16 lek per m2. The property tax is expected to help reduce the state deficit, thereby improving the performance of the functions the state is responsible for carrying out. SHPETIM LUKU

—Statement in support of the “Partnership for Peace” initiative —Vitore Tusha—a new member of the Court of Cassation —Democratic Party list deputy Adem Sula in place of deputy Gezim Agastra —Maiko and Baleta respond to “RD” —Draft law on several amendments to the Decree “On Cheques” approved Yesterday morning, the People’s Assembly began its proceedings in plenary session. The Chairman of the Presidium, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, first presented to the deputies a proposal to add four decrees of the President of the Republic to the agenda, including the Decree “On powers for setting wages” and the Decree “On exemption from customs duties for goods imported under projects with concessional loans.” The proposal was approved. Then deputy Petrika Minga read the People’s Assembly’s statement supporting the “Partnership for Peace” initiative. The statement was unanimously approved by the deputies. Next, on the proposal of the President of the Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi, the deputies approved Ms. Vitore Tusha as a member of that court. Afterwards, the deputy chairman of the Mandates and Immunity Committee, deputy Bahri Bregu, submitted for approval, in accordance with the rules, the candidacy of Mr. Ali Adem Sula as a deputy in the Democratic Party parliamentary group, replacing deputy Gezim Agastra, who has been assigned another duty incompatible with that of a deputy. At the end of this session, as previously requested, deputies Pandeli Majko and Abdi Baleta took the floor and expressed their objections regarding two articles published some time ago in the newspaper “RD.” The afternoon plenary session continued its proceedings with discussion and approval of the draft law “On several amendments to Decree No. 3702, dated 8 July 1963, ‘On Cheques’,” concerning changes in the Albanian banking system. “RD” correspondent

THE PROGRAM OF THE DENMARK AGREEMENT IS SIGNED New memberships in the DP continue

The Journalists’ Union of Albania, which includes within its ranks the great majority of the country’s journalists, considers it its responsibility to address all newspapers, calling for greater realism, objectivity and fairness in their contribution to today’s news and journalism. Believing that Albania entered the path of pluralism after an unparalleled dictatorship against the individual and freedom of expression, we regard an excessive surge of freedom of expression as natural and inevitable. The Journalists’ Union of Albania, as a professional association, has always had, and continues to have, the aim of contributing as honestly as possible, through its entire community, to the progress that Albania has only just embarked upon. While seeking to remain politically independent, it does not claim to stand apart from the politics of the day or from the country’s current democratic and national moment. The opposite would be absurd. It brings together journalists from across the country’s political spectrum, and this does not prevent it, as a union, from functioning and becoming more responsible in carrying out its mission. Since pluralism by its nature entails respect for everyone, it makes it possible for the government and the opposition to coexist, as expressed through newspapers, governing boards and political parties where journalists, contributors and correspondents in the pluralist press are employed. But democratic pluralism, cultivated and expressed through the various organs of the press and mass media, would exhaust and discredit itself in the eyes of readers if it did not respect the fullest possible truth, the inherited reality and the reality being pursued—the people’s declared aspiration for an increasingly democratic society. Even when working for the political newspapers of parties, journalists must—and can—be more responsible for what they put into the daily marketplace of words and information. It must not be forgotten that readers are not only members of the respective parties; nor can the fact be neglected that democracy emerges and consolidates itself only through truthful information. To disinform, create an unreal public opinion, or, worse still, insult individuals and society in reporting a phenomenon or an event has nothing in common with being or acting as an opposition, or as an independent newspaper. The destructiveness of certain parties, or the aggression of a particular group of people immersed in blindness and consumed by a thirst for power and unlawful gains, should not, willingly or unwillingly, be conveyed to readers through journalists’ pages. It is not uncommon for individual journalists to become political puppets in the hands of politicians, whose fate seems not to be bound up with the concerns and fate of this people. This is all the more so when, in some cases, it is difficult to identify a newspaper’s national affiliation! It is not uncommon for journalists to become brokers and be accused of corruption, casting doubt and suspicion on the dignity of journalists themselves. People forget that the mission of journalists is to remain social and moral figures—indeed, perhaps even more upright than the politicians of the day—more trustworthy and more humane in the eyes of the broad reading public, as citizens of the country. Does a journalist make mistakes? Does the journalist have time to verify every piece of information? Should the journalist be held responsible for what they write and release for public consumption? This is precisely the lesson one must learn in order to remain a true, honest and respected journalist. Let us all strive to follow this path! THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE JOURNALISTS’ UNION OF ALBANIA