On 3 February, Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali received the German military delegation, led by the commandant of the Hanover Army Forces Academy, Brigadier General Freidich Von Senden. After expressing the public’s interest in this visit, Mr Zhulali briefed the delegation on aspects of the work to integrate the Albanian army into democratic society, and on some of the results achieved in transforming military education and academies. He emphasised that, within the framework of bilateral cooperation and the Partnership for Peace, opportunities existed to further develop ties and relations between Albania and Germany in the military sphere, and particularly between their military academies, so that Albania could benefit from German experience. Mr Zhulali stressed the need for assistance to our military academies, in the interests of the training and education of Albanian officers. The head of the German delegation, General Von Senden, expressed his pleasure at this visit to Albania and welcomed the country’s democratic development, as well as its desire and readiness to further develop and give concrete form to bilateral relations in military education and training. He spoke in favour of exchanges of teams for the study of Albanian cadets at the military academy in Hanover. Mr Senden also conveyed the requests that had been made and expressed Germany’s readiness to assist. The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

PD, PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS BEFORE THE CITIZENS AND INTELLECTUALS OF SHKODRA Selami: The rampaging of extremist forces goes hand in hand with Albania’s progress. Arbnori: The Constitution belongs neither to the PD nor to the PS, but to Albania, for Albania. Kopliku: Shkodra has priority in the preparation of the budget. Shehu: Let us eliminate the lack of harmony between the central and local administration levels. Spahia: There is no doubt that there is a connection between killings in the street and the hooliganism in the hall of Beograd’s bootlickers. It has by now become a tradition. Leaders of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Government and Parliament have for some time been showing, through frequent meetings with the people, their respect for the vote of confidence they received from them. They have always regarded dialogue with the people as an opportunity to learn at first hand about their objective or subjective troubles and concerns, so that their own work, too, can serve to resolve them. A packed hall, with many others unable to get in for lack of space—this was the audience and situation in which Messrs Eduard Selami, Pjetër Arbnori, Bashkim Kopliku, Ali Spahia and Tritan Shehu met with citizens and intellectuals in Shkodra. The opening remarks by Bujar Hoti were followed by a greeting from Mr Selami, who said, among other things: 1994 will be an important year in the course of [the text is unclear] towards Shkodra, precisely because of the democratic and deeply anti-communist spirit of the people of Shkodra. Selami assured those present that this preference would be permanent and expressed his conviction that the attempts by extremists and Beograd’s bootlickers to manipulate the democratic and anti-communist spirit of the people of Shkodra would continue to fail, since no one knows better than you what anti-communism and democracy mean. Legislative reform and efforts to draft the proposed constitution were, in general, the subject of the speech by the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr Pjetër Arbnori. “The Constitution,” he said, “belongs neither to the PD, nor to the PS, nor to Parliament; it is the Constitution of Albania, for Albania. So, whether some people like it or not, Albania will have its democratic Constitution.” Deputy Prime Minister Kopliku, after explaining the progress of the reform and his assessment of Shkodra, continued: “Shkodra continues to make sacrifices.” It has become a settled and widely held view that Shkodra is bearing the heaviest burden and facing the greatest difficulties; in addition to those that are unavoidable because of the reform, it has also been burdened with those imposed by the embargo. These difficulties were brought to light in the question-and-answer dialogue. In response to the concern summed up in the question of what the Government was doing to help Shkodra overcome the consequences of the embargo, Kopliku assured those present that Shkodra would receive special consideration in this year’s budget; that compensation Albania would receive for the consequences of the embargo would be allocated to the city; and that investments would be made in the water supply, sewerage and roads, with a stronger presence by the Urban Fund. Obstacles to the law on local government and cases of violations of the law “On the Return and Compensation of Property to Former Owners,” raised with specific examples from the audience, were met with the determination expressed to implement the law, and by Mr Ali Spahia, as Shkodra’s deputy, to fight cases of self-rule and uphold the law alone. In response to interest in learning more about the American aircraft that would be stationed in Albania, Mr Selami said they would be stationed within the framework of cooperation with NATO and the UN. The left-wing press portrays this as a trampling of Albania’s dignity and damage to its interests. We have called for NATO and the USA to commit themselves to resolving the Balkan crisis. Thus, we are honouring our commitment to peace. Those who oppose this commitment are opposing Albania. SHPETIM LUKU KABIL BUSHATI and the situation in which, in Shkodër, Tritan Shehu held a meeting with citizens and intellectuals from Shkodër. The opening remarks by Bujar Hoti were followed by greetings be a major year in the progress of economic and political reform in Albania. Difficulties will be felt by that part of the population exposed to the consequences of reform, but at the same time it will also be a year in which Albanian farmers and businesspeople grow stronger. Turning to the political situation, he said: The fury Those who gave rise to and carried the destructiveness and destruction of the country for 50 years are now becoming frustrated and lose ground with every success and every step forward Albania makes. The successes of economic reform to date, the policy of expanding democratic freedoms, and Albania’s integration with the world have made the extremists impatient and aggressive. Mr. Selami then stressed that the factor behind this success had been the unwavering and unconditional support you have given us. Selami explained the political and economic preferences of the PD, the government and the President. the Chairman nor is it a Parliament-for-Parliament constitution; it is Albania’s Constitution for Albania. Therefore, progress of the reform and the assessments of international economic and financial organizations regarding it, also informed those present about the start of the process of oppressing political persecutees, former owners and other sections of the population. “The PD continues to maintain good relations with former political persecutees and regards this group as its strong support,” said Tritan Shehu, Secretary General of the PDSH. He then stressed the need to administrative levels, give intellectuals the place they deserve, and combat subjectivism, favoritism toward family, and cliquishness. Mr. Ali Spahia expressed his opinion on the events of January 14 in Shkodër, saying that there is undoubtedly a connection between the murder in the street and the hooliganism in the hall displayed by Belgrade’s thugs. It is for the justice system to have its say on the matter.

It has become a settled and widely held view that Shkodra is bearing the heaviest burden and facing the greatest difficulties; in addition to those that are unavoidable because of the reform, it has also been burdened with those imposed by the embargo. receive special consideration in this year’s budget; that the a stronger presence by the Urban Fund.

— Is “KJ” financially dependent on the PS? — — What is the connection between “KJ” and “ZP”, and between “Aleanca” and “Lajmetari”? — “KJ” is an independent newspaper: this is the biggest abuse of the truth committed by this newspaper, because “KJ”, regardless of what it prints at the top of the page, is not only dependent, but today is dependent on two hooks. “‘KJ’ is an independent newspaper”: this is the biggest abuse of the truth committed by this newspaper, because “KJ”, regardless of what it prints at the top of the page, is not only dependent, but today is dependent on two hooks. Those who do not know the facts and have never read “KJ” may hear people calling it “independent” and think that an independent newspaper exists. But those who have read even one issue of “KJ” can see just how independent it is. Anyone, however ignorant, understands that an independent newspaper is based on reporting facts without one-sided commentary. Is “KJ” such a newspaper? Can a newspaper be independent if every issue viciously attacks the PD, the government and the President, while at the same time defending discredited figures from the PS and PAD? Is this “KJ” independence not rather dependent? Regular readers have surely noticed the resonance among four newspapers: “ZP” — “KJ” — “Aleanca” — “Lajmetari” (not to mention little papers such as “24 ore”). Someone might say that “ZP” and “Aleanca” are opposition newspapers and that it is understandable for them to attack the opposition. Let us assume that this is entirely acceptable; what about the other two supposedly “independent” newspapers? Let us look at some facts. The PS’s party statements are published simultaneously in “KJ” and “ZP”. The same happens with statements or interviews by PAD figures. Fatos Nano begins an interview in “KJ”, occupying the front page for several issues in a row, and then that same interview continues in “ZP”. The same thing happens with other PS leaders, whose material is published simultaneously in these two newspapers. Day after day, Nano and Berisha appear in the pages of “KJ” and “ZP”, naturally in opposing roles. Berisha is attacked shamelessly, while Nano is turned into a hero. A problem arises between Albania and Greece. Immediately “ZP”, “KJ” and the aforementioned newspapers take the non-Albanian side. The PS? Simply to oppose the PD? It is difficult to believe that, and the editors of these newspapers know very well why they do such a thing. Another coincidence: the editor-in-chief of “KJ” is a member of PAD, the editor-in-chief of “Lajmetari” is a PAD figure, while “Aleanca” is a PAD newspaper. Where, then, does the connection with “ZP” lie—in a shared struggle against the governing party as opposition parties? We said this might be acceptable, given the power-seeking aims and ambitions of the leaders of the two parties, PS and PAD. But the position of these parties is unacceptable. PAD claims to have emerged in the position of the PD, that is, as centre-right; so how can it form an alliance with its opposite? The fact is that, apart from its leaders, there are others in PAD who cannot imagine that tomorrow they may have to join forces with those they have until yesterday considered practically enemies—the communist leaders of the PS. So how is the PS — “ZP” — “KJ” — PAD connection to be explained? Simply by the fact that in 1991 the director of “KJ” applied to be admitted to the PP, or by the fact that “ardent sympathisers” of the PS are employed in PAD? These things would be enough, but in any case it seems there is something more. Journalists’ conversations mention a “pact” between the PS and “KJ”. How true is it...? And what about the claim that N. Lesi borrowed 8,000 dollars from the PS, a debt that was later forgiven—is it true? If it were true (as people say), would that not make the label “independent newspaper” look rather ridiculous? In any case, a conflict does exist between these newspapers. Until yesterday, “ZP” was the beloved paper of ardent communists; today competition from the newspapers in question has caused the number of “ZP” readers to fall in favour of “KJ”. It even seems that PAD figures prefer to publish in “KJ” rather than in their own newspaper, “Aleanca”. Let us see how far this kind of coalition, apparently built on interests that are not very pure, will go. EDI PALOKA

From the parliamentary week THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN ALBANIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND IS RATIFIED, AND CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE CONSTITUTION-DRAFTING COMMISSION — The PS group votes “against” replacing Idajet Beqiri on the Constitution-Drafting Commission — On Monday and Tuesday, the work of the People’s Assembly took place in parliamentary committees and groups. At Wednesday afternoon’s plenary session, several additions were first approved to the standing parliamentary committees, made necessary by the absence of some deputies assigned to state duties that are incompatible with the status of a deputy. The draft law “On the Ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” was also approved. At the same session, discussion began on the draft law “On Certain Amendments to the Law ‘On Weapons’”. After some comments and proposals were made, it was to be approved by the relevant committee and then brought forward in completed form at subsequent plenary sessions. The Thursday morning session … was devoted to the draft decision of the People’s Assembly on several changes to the Commission for Drafting the Draft Constitution of the new Republic of Albania. The draft decision envisaged replacing the following members of the commission: Messrs. Idajet Beqiri (as someone convicted by the judicial authorities for ordinary offenses), Namik Hoti (as unable to contribute to the Commission), Petri Kallaku, Abdi Baleta (because they were no longer representatives of the PD parliamentary group, the group that had proposed them as its representatives on this commission), Arben Imami (for the reason of a predecessor deputy), Leon Kosta (for health reasons) and Perkili Polloshi (having left the staff of the People’s Assembly). The following were proposed as new members of the Commission: Messrs. Ali Spahia, Liri Deliu, Halit Shamata, Vladimir Kristo, Karmen Qineti and Filip Lako. By a majority vote, the removal of deputy Baleta from the Commission was not approved. But the deputy in question refused to remain a member of the Commission for Drafting the Draft Constitution. “Let this refusal of mine,” he said, “be regarded as a resignation.” The PS group, after requesting and receiving explanations about the reasons for replacing Idajet Beqiri and Namik Hoti, voted individually and came out “against” replacing Idajet Beqiri. In conclusion, pursuant to Article 20 of Law No. 7491, dated 29.4.91, “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” the draft decision in question was approved. Also approved was the inclusion on the agenda, on an expedited basis, of the draft law “On Some Amendments to the Law ‘On Local Government.’” With that, this week’s proceedings concluded; the plenary session will resume on Wednesday with discussion of several laws concerning the fiscal system. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

The criminal case against former Prime Minister Fatos Nano, who has been under arrest since July 30, 1993, on charges of abuse of office and forgery of official documents, is still being investigated, officials from the Directorate of Investigation and the General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed. The report published by the newspaper “Dita Informacion” on January 30, 1994, stating that the investigation in this case had ended and the investigative file had been sent to the court, is not true, these official offices told ATSH. Regarding this case, they said, a group of experts is now working on it. They have been called in to investigate the matter on the basis of the tasks assigned by the Tirana District Court. Asked whether there would be new elements in the charges against Nano, they replied that the investigation would clarify this through documented evidence. Regarding this issue, Agim Trana, one of Nano’s lawyers, stated that the investigation of this case would require at least another two months, because the volume of documents the experts have to review is large.

It is true that the period of historic upheavals in Albania’s political and economic reality over the past three years would be accompanied by clashes of mentalities and conflicts between human consciences and worldviews on the road to civilisation. Naturally, freedom was now extending its boundaries towards new dimensions. It was also true in this context that most former employees of the State Security, feeling in one way or another their responsibility and the pangs of conscience, etc., over the past, had begun to live as peaceful citizens, orderly and withdrawn lives, uninvolved in the new political adventures. But there is still a special “escort” from this contingent. They are those for whom crime has become a vice, and who have entered the present-day Albania steeped in it to the hilt. The logic of crime can produce nothing but crime. This “escort” protects its past crimes and its responsibility for them by choosing the fog of present-day crime as a means of defence, and aims to destabilise the country’s political life. That hand is visible in all attempts at destabilisation, including the attempts to destabilise Shkodra: in this city’s theatre, in its darkness, in the tragic demonstration that culminated in the death of the young Gjovalin Cekini on 14 January this year. It is visible, too, in the immoral publications in some newspapers, presented through the hand of a group that reaches high levels of criminal “professionalism”. These are a group of criminals who once zealously denounced professional criminals, but now provoke from behind the newspapers “ZP” and “KJ”. The people… [the text is corrupt and unclear] “Dita Informacion” and others that are now seen as anti-communist. Their professionalism has been put to work and enables them to present and disguise themselves in more sophisticated mafia-like ways than this ordinary pretence of theirs. Let us also not forget that among them are people who yesterday, for the sake of destabilisation, as well as in attempts to [text unclear] sent innocent people with music and clarinets straight to the gallows... These recidivist elements must be shown their place. The criminals of the Sigurimi must have their hands cut off. The phrase “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do” might justify anyone, now that God and justice in Albania feel “freed from their chains”, but never those whom yesterday’s crimes tempt into committing today’s crimes. Can their files be kept closed? While they are operating in the darkness of crime, should not the old files be opened and the burden of their new crimes added to them? They say there were 875 of them; others say 1,000, and someone else says more than that—“savages” highly skilled in the former State Security. Did they act to criminalise people in their time? Now that they are far fewer, can we allow their criminal activity to continue to trouble this society, which is striving towards its full stature?... RAKIP SULÇE

—500 lek (new) for the best caption— We ask our readers to send captions for this photo to our editorial office. The captions will be published from time to time together with the photograph. 500 lek (new) for the best caption. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE OF “RD”