Both in the report and discussions at the Second National Conference of the PS, and at the press conference afterward, Mr. Servet Pellumbi made statements, under strong pressure from genuinely democratic opinion at home and abroad—which calls for and expects renewal or real restructuring of the PS, and complete distancing from the dictatorship and dictator E.Hoxha—claiming that the PS had already accomplished these things. According to Servet Pellumbi and ZP, the PS has distanced itself from its 50-year past, from the Enver era and its theoretical and practical legacy. But several arguments or facts reinforce the belief that these statements are simply for public consumption or propaganda purposes, and that the conservative leaders of the PS are incurably afflicted by Enverist demagoguery; for as long as they are at its helm, the PS will remain as far from genuine, sincere distancing and renewal as the two poles are from each other. Servet Pellumbi advertises the PS’s distancing from the Enverist past, from the deceased Enver, but we cannot forget that most of its members have changed only the color of their membership cards; they are old and new Enverists, still alive. The current leading figures of the PS are made of precisely this same stock or “steel”: Comrade Servet himself, Fatos Nano, Namik Dokle, Gramoz Ruçi... Can the PS’s distancing from the past be believed when it is clear that its most aggressive, most active, most nostalgic and most hostile contingent consists of people whose words and crimes are unforgettable and, at the same time, have yet to be repented for? Further strengthening the belief that the PS is the direct heir of the PPSH, or the old PP itself wearing a new mask, are its inheritance and use of the structures, premises and physical resources built up over 53 years, among which “ZP” stands out. Let us not be deceived by declarations that the PS leadership should begin the genuine renewal of the party precisely with the true offspring of Enver Hoxha, “ZP.” Its founder gave it not only its name, but also his own spirit. Some PS leaders advertise their party’s distancing from the past for propaganda purposes, but in their actual conduct they openly make use of the old alliances initiated and strengthened by E.Hoxha. While talking about distancing themselves from the past, from E.Hoxha, the extremist left-wing leaders of the PS seek political and financial support from Enverists in the diaspora. It was precisely among such a group of people in Switzerland that PS chairman Fatos Nano made a statement that was deeply damning for him personally and for the entire party, calling Enver Hoxha his “father.” So can it be believed and accepted that the PS has distanced itself from the dictator Enver Hoxha when its chairman himself openly declares that he is his son? And since Fatos Nano remained chairman of the PS even after the Second National Conference, it is clear that de jure and de facto the word of ... They are old and new living enviziane. It is precisely from this same stock, or “steel,” that the current leading figures of the PS also come: the PS’s distancing itself its most combative, most active, most nostalgic and most aggressive contingent in the campaign to regain power at any cost is made up of old and new informers, overt and covert, burdened with serious crimes? He calls Enver Hoxha, when its chairman openly declares, in his own words, it is clear that de jure and de facto his word carries more weight than that of deputy chairman Servet Pellumbi. The PS leaders want to convince the country and the world that they have distanced themselves from the Enverian era, that now the PS other arguments, but these that have been given are also sufficient to prove that the PS is far from renewal and from a complete and sincere break with the past—a break desired not only by the mass of ordinary, honest PS members, but also by the country and the nation, which need a strong, constructive and sincere opposition that puts national interests above narrow party interests and personal career ambitions. XHEVAT MUSTAFA

-The representative of the Commission of the European Community, Benavides, also took part- On 14 February, official talks between Albania and the Presidency of the European Union were held in Athens at foreign minister level. In addition to the delegations of both sides, also took part in the meeting. “We welcome you to Athens with sincere friendship,” said Mr. Papulias as he opened the meeting, which lasted two hours. He briefly mentioned the main points of the European Union Presidency’s programme for the first six months of the year, emphasizing the particular importance attached to strengthening the EU’s political and economic ties with the countries of Eastern and Central Europe in transition, safeguarding peace and security in the region, and advancing political solutions to the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. Taking the floor, Mr. Benavides emphasized that the fact that 74 percent of the aid given to Albania so far comes from the EU and its member countries demonstrates the level of our relations. “I want to emphasize in particular that, in Albania’s case, the EU has shown considerable determination and has also used unusual aid arrangements, such as the one for the balance of payments, as well as various others. We will commit ourselves to supporting investment, but we will also need to continue food aid, which has been requested by the Albanian side. We have taken the Albanian side’s request into consideration.” (Continued on page 4)

The Court of Appeal in Tirana today heard the criminal case against 10 former senior PPSH officials, Q.Mihali, P.Miska, V.Çerrava, B.Bekteshi, P.Murra, U.Gegprifti, M.Asl[l]ani, H.Çeliku, L.Çuko, F.Cami, who had been tried and convicted by the Tirana District Court for the criminal offense of violating citizens’ equality by creating privileges for themselves and their families, committed in complicity, as provided for by Articles 107 and 13 of the Penal Code. The case was heard at second instance following the defendants’ appeal concerning the legal classification of the offense and the sentence. The panel hearing the case, chaired by the president of the Court of Appeal, Prel Martini, after hearing the claims of the defendants and their lawyers, and the closing statement of the Court of Appeal prosecutor, Teodor Mosko, decided to change the legal classification of the offense from violating citizens’ equality by creating privileges to abuse of office committed in complicity, as provided for by Articles 106 and 13 of the Penal Code. The court also decided to separate the civil claim concerning the sums obtained unlawfully, which the defendants are required to repay to the state, and to refer that claim to the Tirana District Court for examination and trial. The court also ruled that the honorary titles and decorations they held be revoked; however, unlike the district court’s ruling, it decided to revoke them by specifying each title separately for each person. In conclusion, the court found them guilty of the criminal offense of abuse of office and sentenced them to imprisonment as follows: defendant Q.Mihali, 8 years; P.Miska, 6 years; B.Bekteshi, 5 years; V.Çerrava, 5 years; P.Murra, 5 years; U.Gegprifti, 7 years; M.Asl[l]ani, 5 years; H.Çeliku, 5 years; F.Cami, 6 years; L.Çuko, 7 years. Under the legal provisions in force, the defendants have the right to appeal this ruling to the Court of Cassation within one month.

On Tuesday, the first issue of the newspaper “Lajmi i dites,” published by the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH), was released. With an initial print run of 5,000 copies, the newspaper will draw on its pages upon the very rich store of information that ATSH receives from several powerful news agencies around the world and abroad. It has around 130 employees and 11 correspondents in several districts of Albania. In its first leading article, the newspaper “Lajmi i dites” undertakes to report quickly and realistically what is happening in Albania and the world, and what is happening among Albanians and in the lands where they live. The newspaper will be published three times a week and will later become a daily. Only professional debate will be allowed in it. ALBANIAN DEMOCRACY

Can a decision be reconsidered? We are right when we say that foreign investors have good reasons to come to Albania. We are right when we focus these reasons on the flexibility of the legislation, natural resources, cheap labor, etc., etc. These are the factors that make it theoretically and practically possible to achieve what constitutes the credo of anyone starting a job or undertaking: profit. Yet, what we are convinced Albania has hidden within its bosom, and that all one need do is work to seize the profit, has not attracted many foreign investors. Why? Entrepreneurial risk? I have the impression this is more an excuse on our part for their absence than an indication of a lack of courage to invest. Bureaucracy in procedures? We must admit that it has been greatly reduced as a result of the liberalization of procedures. High taxes and duties? This, too, has no negative effect. The issue of property rights? Certainly it has an impact, but not enough to be a very powerful argument justifying their absence. So what? What else remains to be done to attract foreign investors and bring them to Albania? As the inviting party, you have to act like a gentleman. An invitation whose motivation is profit, resulting from the things we mentioned above, should not set aside the psychology of foreigners, who do not want to take any risk whatsoever, not even once. This is a word with a broader meaning than the risk created by the tense situation in the region. There is a decision of the Council of Ministers that must be observed by anyone wishing to invest in Albania. Under this decision, depositing 15% of the value of the capital to be allocated to an investment in the Bank of the Albanian State is mandatory. This amount must remain there until the investment is completed. Let us allow ourselves to do the foreigners’ calculations. If someone intends to undertake a project worth around 70 million dollars, they must add another 10 million, representing 15% of the total value, in order to comply with the aforementioned decision. But a one-year delay in implementing the project also entails a not insignificant sum, representing the loss resulting from foregoing the profit that could have been secured if this money had not spent a year idle in the vaults of Albanian banks. The foreigner has experience of life in a system that encourages the pursuit of profit in every direction. Therefore, it is up to us to build our partnership with them according to their psychology, leaving them room to satisfy their “greed.” This means that decisions such as the one requiring the advance deposit of 15% of the investment’s value are not attractive to foreigners. But nobody wants pragmatists, either. That is why a self-critical step such as repealing this decision is necessary, so that we do not have to say: there aren’t many foreign investors coming. Or, to reassure ourselves: I did something to encourage more foreign investors to come. -“Order”: deposit 15% of the investment’s value in the bank!!!-

CURRENT AFFAIRS OF ANTIQUITY [inscriptions in the cartoon: “KOMBI”; “AD”; “KJ”; “GESH TINA KOMBETARE” [?]]

The Albanian soprano Inva Mula has enjoyed extraordinary success in Oslo, Norway. An outstanding partner to the famous Placido Domingo, Inva Mula seems by now to have established herself as a fully-fledged classical music singer on the world stage. The concert, held in one of Oslo’s best-known halls, “Spekter,” before an audience of 9,000, received an extraordinary response in the Norwegian press. The Norwegian royal couple, many well-known local and foreign personalities, and the large Norwegian choir were also present at the concert. The Albanian soprano is currently in Paris. She is soon expected to give concerts with Domingo in Milan and Los Angeles, concluding with an Asian tour in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

PESHKOPI. Among the five factories of the food enterprise in the district of Dibra that are trying to survive under the conditions of a market economy, the canning factory stands out for its high economic profitability. This is reflected in the increase in profits, as well as in the income of its employees. More than 3,000 quintals of vegetables and various kinds of syrup produced by this factory have been supplied to the market at prices reduced by 15 to 20 percent. The factory’s employees are now working intensively to complete the overhaul of the machinery and equipment on time, and to secure contracts in good time with private producers of fruit, vegetables and water.

The editorial board of the newspaper “RD” announces Mr. Lame Kalakula as the winner for the caption that best captures the figurative content of the photograph: “THE SNAKE WITH GLASSES STEALING POISON” The newspaper’s editorial board thanks everyone who took part in this contest and sent in their very apt captions. We did not publish some of them because they did not meet the newspaper’s standards of ethics. THE EDITORIAL BOARD