The American administration, up to the level of the State Department, takes a serious view of the political, economic and social situation, as well as violations of human rights in Kosovo, advancing the positive stances toward Kosovo taken by Presidents Bush and Clinton. The President of Kosovo, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, who has concluded his visit to the USA, where he met senior State Department officials and President Clinton, described yesterday in an interview with Albanian Radio and Television the positive atmosphere and the American administration’s favorable disposition toward the Kosovo issue. President Rugova particularly praised the special attention with which the U.S. State Department (State Department) followed the situation in Kosovo. “We can say that the USA and the State Department follow the situation in Kosovo very closely,” Rugova said, mentioning in this connection the State Department’s annual report on human rights, which, in a separate chapter, condemned Serbian violence and repression in Kosovo. Rugova stressed that “the positive stance of the USA is expressed in its favorable disposition to help Kosovo.” He cited as concrete material assistance the aid that the American Congress allocated “in millions of dollars” to Kosovo two years ago and last year. Rugova went on to praise “the political assistance that will be given to Kosovo in the future” by the USA, expressing optimism because of “the positive disposition on the part of the American administration.” Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said that he had observed a political seriousness in the American administration regarding the positions President Clinton and Secretary Christopher had declared on Kosovo, and expressed confidence that they would be advanced in the future. Reprinted from “Rilindja”

-Journalistic culture is the consolidation of democratic thought. -The image of a democrat begins to shine when the nation is his motto- -The time is ripe for freedom of thought, not through lies- “People may be born thirsty for pluralism,” says Cester Fini i Ri, “but they are not born knowing the social and political measures that must be taken to make freedom possible for themselves and their children... These are acquired. They must be learned.” A healthy democracy depends just as much on the intensity of the concerted work of the country’s economy, devastated by communism, as it does on the level of development of a civic democratic culture. Democratic culture legitimizes mutual understanding, intensive activity, questioning, and non-submission. Citizens of a free society must pursue their interests and exercise their rights. They must decide for themselves where they will live, what they prefer to read, or what work they will do. All these form what are called democratic norms and practices, which ultimately determine a people’s ability to govern itself. Break with what the totalitarian regime forged: the obedient citizen, where even a brigadier, with communist immorality, decided the lives of a family, or several generations—even those of renowned Albanian intellectuals, the Frashëris, Germenjlis, Ivanajs, Ypses, Kokoshes, and other democratic Albanian families. Thus, culture in general, and journalistic culture in particular, must not rely solely on the will to avoid communist indoctrination; rather, if all journalists do not work to consolidate this way of thinking, journalism will become the property of charlatans seeking to reclaim their chairs. Through the free, printed word, thought must attain immortality. In modern times, prehistoric fire must become a conqueror of the realm of thought. We believe journalism, like art, literature and film, should become an artistic expression of a society’s culture. Humanity in general, and the Albanian people in particular, have suffered from the politicization of the communist state. Intellectual thought in particular has been attacked like a bull by a picador. It is not to journalism’s credit for sensationalism to begin with personal insults or with people’s physical shortcomings, which God gave them. We often read biographies in newspapers written with cynicism. A journalist would do better to write biographies of patriots who sacrificed for the nation—which would also honor their publishers—rather than write about the family relationships of just anyone. A journalist’s pen must not be replaced by a picador’s lance; it should be a laurel for the citizen. In this way, journalistic culture will create the image of a genuine civic culture. Democracy gives journalism the right to creative freedom, the right to expose injustices, corruption, and the suppression of intellectual thought, in order to make the economy and the human spirit function effectively. In this context, many journalists work with dedication. But not without of several generations, including well-known Albanian intellectuals, Frashëri families, Germenjini, Ivanaj, Ype, Kokoshi, and other Albanian democratic should not merely set its own mark on the avoidance of communist indoctrination, but should become, as Kandiski says, a vocabulary of colors with an accurate score. The symbolic serpent, which in Adam’s time personified reason, today gives way to free democratic thought. of uneducated journalists, as he puts it. Is it honorable for a journalist or newspaper director to publish an article about fratricidal violence when the nation needs unity more than anything? If Avni Rustemi killed a traitor, that does not mean that the descendants of the nation’s traitors (the communists), the destructive indoctrinators, should kill democracy or a nation. Who are these people? Kaftheksyet? Where is justice, the rule-of-law state? Who is killing the nation? Only the heirs of the red Judas can do anything. There are paradoxes in democratic society, but these phenomena occurring here have not been seen in any such society. Social communist revanchism is the greatest paradox of the times; it is the destruction of the nation. (Continued on page 4)

Just for a laugh “...Our party currently has a presence throughout the country and numbers, genuinely and not fictitiously, more than 100,000 members...” “...In fact, another 600,000 people have also met the conditions for joining the SP; together with those 100,000, they signed the petition for the release of Fatos Nano. We do not understand why the SP does not issue party cards to all 700,000 people.” “...At this Conference too, we demand the immediate release of Fatos Nano. This is a legitimate democratic demand and not a sign of any passion...” Apparently, the law for the SP also consists of petitions and rallies. According to it, they decide who is arrested and released from prison, not the prosecution or the court, which are the legally competent bodies. It is democratic to demand that Fatos Nano be tried for the things he is accused of, in accordance with the rule of law, which the SP also talks about. Release or imprisonment decided not by the competent bodies, but by conferences and rallies, is undemocratic and illegal. That is precisely what the delegates of the Second Conference of the Socialist Party demanded... “...The Socialist Party takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the European states and countries, to the USA, China and the countries of the Islamic Community, for the assistance they have given our country during this transition period. We will recognize the active and ongoing positions of the TPE, BEP and, more broadly, the KSB, for the role they play not only in the process of integration into Europe, but also in political integration and in supporting a solution to our national question...” “...I am in excellent condition, I am strong... I am clear-headed and unbowed...” “I cannot help but break through the intervention of the police state once again, to be with you...” This is Fatos Nano’s greeting to the Conference. All that remains for us is to thank the prison administration for the good conditions it has created for the prisoner to enjoy full health, while also advising them to keep in mind his last words about “breaking through the police-state cordon” (we do not understand how a prison could be otherwise, without being surrounded and without police) and the prisoner’s “breaking through” that cordon. One can imagine what a strong police cordon it must be, if it can be broken through so easily... Philip Çakuli Parliamentary commentary and chronicle A PACKAGE OF FISCAL AMENDMENT DECREES ON THE AGENDA The People’s Assembly held its first plenary session of the week on Wednesday afternoon. Three draft presidential decrees and one draft law were approved. They concerned several amendments and additions to our fiscal system, as follows: Annual vehicle registration tax The tax in question was established by the approval of draft law No. 7654, dated 24.12.1992, “on an amendment to Law No. 7609, dated 22.09.1992, ‘On Customs Tariffs.’” Goods under concessional-loan arrangements—duty-free All goods imported under concessional-loan projects from foreign international and national organizations are exempt from customs duties. This was

Reports continue to arrive from various branches of the Democratic Party in the districts about new admissions to the Party. The DP branch in the Pogradec district reports that, following its National Congress of the Democratic Party, another 315 new members have joined at the Pogradec Congress.

the draft law “On an addition to Law No. 7777, dated 22.12.1993, ‘On the Tax System in the Republic of Albania.’” This will be an annual tax, differentiated according to vehicle type, as follows: 1. For motorcycles: 500 lekë 2. For passenger cars: 2,000 lekë 3. For trucks up to 3 tons: 3,000 lekë For trucks up to 8 tons: 4,000 lekë For trucks from 8 to 13 tons: 5,000 lekë For trucks over 13 tons: 6,000 lekë 4. For minibuses: 4,000 lekë 5. For buses with up to 30 seats: 5,000 lekë For buses with 30 to 50 seats: 6,000 lekë For buses with more than 50 seats: 7,000 lekë The law in question stipulates that the proceeds from this tax are to be used mainly to improve the road-signaling system. New customs value = price of the goods + transportation and insurance costs. Its floor value is established. Until now, the customs value of imported goods has been calculated solely on the basis of their price. The new definition of customs value adds two other elements: transportation costs and insurance costs. This definition is also in accordance with the definition set out in Article 1 of the “Agreement on the Implementation of Article VII of GATT.” Furthermore, to eliminate significant fiscal losses resulting from the tendency to artificially lower customs values, it was deemed reasonable to establish minimum, or floor, values for calculating customs value. At the proposal of the Ministry of Finance, the Council of Ministers determines these values, making the necessary changes in accordance with international trends in the elements of customs value. All the above constitutes the substance of the amendments approved in Presidential Decree No. 75, Customs Tariffs,’” as amended by No. 7609, dated 22.09.1992, ‘On Customs Tariffs.’”

duties. This was the addition to Article 3 of Law No. 7675, dated 2.3.1993, “On certain amendments and additions to Law No. 7609, dated 22.09.1992, ‘On Customs Tariffs,’” introduced by the approval of Presidential Decree No. 753, “On exempting from customs duties goods imported under concessional-loan projects.” The preparation and approval of this decree was prompted by the need to resolve the situation caused by difficulties in clearing goods through customs—for example, goods arriving under the Critical Imports Project financed by the World Bank. These difficulties were also obstructing the signing of another agreement with the World Bank for the project to rehabilitate Albania’s water-supply system. The customs tariff on chemical fertilizers is reduced from 30% to 5% For two years, the Fier Nitrogen Plant, owing to a lack of gas, has been almost paralyzed in its production of nitrogen fertilizers, which has meant that agriculture has received only minimal supplies, mainly through American aid and other imports of this type. As a result, agricultural crop yields have been low. The application to date of the 30+5 percent customs tariff has meant that the selling price of fertilizer has been difficult for our farmers, whose economic position is still less consolidated, to afford. Also, a high customs duty as a protective measure for our industry is pointless when that industry is not operating. It was therefore deemed reasonable to reduce the customs tariff on chemical fertilizers from 30 percent to 5 percent. To this end, at yesterday morning’s session, Presidential Decree No. 752 was approved: “On an amendment to Law No. 7733, dated 20.7.1993, 22.9.1992, On Customs Tariffs,’ as amended by Law No. 7675, dated 2.3.1993.” Although this measure may appear to affect budget revenue, in fact it will not significantly affect national revenues, given the increase in agricultural production. It is worth noting that the SP parliamentary group, not being entirely “clear” on the matter, stated its position in principle and generally voted to abstain on the decree in question. The People’s Assembly resumed its work on Monday afternoon. “RD” correspondent

The criminal case concerning defendants Qirjako Mihali, Pali Miskalla, Llambi Berisha, Prokop Murra, Besnik Bekteshi, Haxhim Celku, Muhso Allushi, Vangjel Çerrava, Foto Çami and Lenka Çuko, former senior leaders of the PPSH, will be heard by the second-instance court on 15 February 1994, at 9:00, the spokesperson for the Tirana Court of Appeal announced. Regarding this criminal case, the spokesperson explained that, by the decision of 30 November 1993 of the Tirana District Court, the aforementioned individuals were found guilty and sentenced for the criminal offense of violating citizens’ equality through the creation of privileges and material benefits. The case is being heard in the second instance following an appeal by the defendants. The panel that will hear the case will be presided over by the president of the Tirana Court of Appeal, Prele Martini, while the prosecution at the trial will be represented by the Tirana appeals prosecutor, Teodor Mosko.

- “The Gllavanies Epitaph,” dated 1373, among the stolen objects - Following the report on the robbery at the “National History Museum,” we have learned that the stolen objects include the “Gllavanies Epitaph” from 1373, a relic of extraordinary importance to the history of the Albanian nation and Albanian culture. Four icons from the 14th and 17th centuries: one icon by Onufri, two icons by D.Selenica and one icon from Vlora. A quantity of pistols was also taken (around 50 pieces). Five people have been arrested in connection with this incident. Among them is Myslim Islami, director of the National History Museum, former secretary of the basic Party of Labour organization to which Enver Hoxha belonged, and director of the complex in the neighborhood where the PKSH was founded and of the house where the PKSH was founded. Pegator Mane, a guard of the civilian guards (ROGAT), a private security guard, and the deputy director of the Museum—one, from the second shift, who left work early, and the other, from the third shift, who did not report for work and did not notify the deputy director. You will learn about the progress of the investigation into this incident and our comments in forthcoming issues. “RD” CORRESPONDENT