—Defending Nano means defending corruption—the axis of PS policy— For a considerable time, the “Nano issue” became the topic of the day for the main Albanian newspapers and political circles. As the day approaches when Albanian justice will deliver its verdict on the corruption involving Italian aid, which cost Albanians around 8 million dollars, the propaganda of the far left, or the PFN within the PS, has also intensified. Nevertheless, it is clear that soon the “Nano issue” will be just one “N issue”—that is, one of the many cases selected by the judiciary. The European Parliament resolution and Nano’s trial It must be said that the two amendments concerning Nano added by the European Parliament to the resolution drawn up on Albania gave a boost to Nanoist propaganda, and by now everyone knows how “ZP” conducts its propaganda. There was a great uproar, with claims that Albania could take no steps toward Europe unless it released Nano, and the European Parliament amendments were used as the argument. As always, “ZP” has exposed its own blunders. Everyone who has read the resolution has noticed that, despite the amendments in question, it is a very positive document for the Albanian democratic government; most importantly, that very resolution recommends to the Council of Europe that Albania be admitted to that organization as soon as possible. After this came Mr. Andriesen’s idea of integrating Albania into the Council of Europe as an associate member. As for the two amendments, it is clear that they resulted from European Parliament members being given one-sided information by forces interested in portraying Albania as an undemocratic country. The disinformation campaign by PS leaders over the Nano issue is now well known. It is also known who raised this issue in the European Parliament. It was raised by those who have long spoken of violations of the rights of the Greek minority in Albania—a claim whose truth is well known to all Albanians. Someone may ask why the DP did not respond to these amendments concerning Nano, added by the European Parliament to its resolution on Albania, which gave a boost to Nanoist propaganda; by now everyone knows how “ZP” conducts its propaganda. Albania with barbed-wire fences and filled it with bunkers. When people were being shot at the border, Nano was in the government. The DP was the one that broke through the wall of isolation and is now integrating Albania into Europe. Regarding the lies “ZP” writes about “prejudice in the EP” on the part of the Albanian state, it is enough to put the words “the lies have continued since the first issue of ‘ZP’” above them. To say that the Socialists and Greek MPs misinformed the European Parliament does not mean opposing that Parliament, as “ZP” writes, but opposing those who lie. As for the words of the president of the Court of Cassation, I must repeat, for those who find such concepts difficult to understand, that Mr. Brozi is the head of a body independent of the government. Finally, there is no need to remind those who “condemned” every form of capitalism and revisionism in the world to show respect for Europe. Who is defending Nano, and why? It is clear that there is a group at the top of the PS that has come to Nano’s defense. They are the ones who organized the last PS conference and gathered people, selecting them one by one. Defending Nano today, when he is accused of corruption, and prejudging the justice system means defending corruption itself. Those defending him are surely afraid that one day they, too, will find themselves before the justice system. A well-known figure in the PS, who was not enamored of Nano, said that we made Nano a “hero” by giving him more fame than he deserved. That may be true, but Nano has become a “hero” of evil, and if people in the PS continue to cheer for evil as they once did, that is their misfortune, not our fault. Fist—in defense of Nano. From the PS press conference about Nano, a conference that lasted only 20 minutes, although it had been scheduled for an hour. 1991

FROM THE GOVERNMENT MEETING At its meeting on Monday, the Council of Ministers considered and approved the draft law “On the legal profession in the Republic of Albania.” Drawing on Albanian tradition and the experience of various countries in the field of justice, this draft law serves to complete Albanian legislation in line with the needs of democracy. Introducing many changes to the existing law, it establishes the legal profession as a free and independent profession, enhances the authority of this institution, more fully and precisely defines the conditions for practicing as a lawyer, the rights and organization of the legal profession’s professional representation, and provides for cases in which legal assistance will be granted. The draft law on the fiscal system in the hydrocarbon sector, adapted to international legislation, was then approved. To meet our country’s urgent need to develop a national and urban strategy, after discussing the draft decision submitted by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Territorial Regulation, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the National Water Council, a decision-making body that will coordinate the needs of various activities relating to water supply. Also approved were a draft decision granting per diem allowances to employees working far from their place of residence, and a decision regulating the import of precious metals resulting from the processing of minerals supplied on behalf of foreign clients. People with no income who attend vocational training courses will receive a fixed monthly payment equal to 70 percent of the unemployment benefit. This is the change proposed by the Ministry of Labour, Emigration and Social Support to the decision “On the organization of the vocational training system in the Republic of Albania,” and approved by the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers also approved the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark on the international road transport of passengers and goods,” the agreement between the Governments of Albania and Croatia on cooperation in tourism, and the scientific and technological cooperation agreements between the Government of Albania and the Governments of Romania and Poland. According to the report for the 13-month period presented by the Director General of Customs at the end of the meeting, shortcomings had been observed in the work of the customs service during the previous year, as reflected in the deficit that had arisen in its operations. A different situation was observed during this year, with better results. Problems identified for improving operations in the future included changing the customs structure, securing equipment, staff training, better coordination with the financial and border police, and improving legislation. Prime Minister Meksi and other members of the government sought explanations and made specific observations and suggestions for improving the work of the customs service, emphasizing regular reporting to the government, increased oversight, and bringing customs operations up to modern standards.

—Accused in the aid scandal involving Albania— Well-informed sources report that criminal proceedings have been initiated against the former Italian ambassador to Albania, Mr. Torkuato Kardili. The charge against him concerns the Italian-Albanian intergovernmental corruption case linked to the humanitarian aid allocated to Albania by the Italian government and people. As is known, the former Italian ambassador was criticized in the report delivered by the chairman of the State Audit in the Albanian Parliament for cooperating with former Prime Minister Nano in the scandal. This was not the first accusation Kardili had faced during his stay in Albania, before being transferred. The press had previously mentioned him in connection with scandals involving child adoptions and the sale of Italian visas. Torkuato Kardili was widely known as a close friend of the former Albanian communists and, in particular, of F. Nano. His “correspondence” with Nano and the ministers in Nano’s government concerning the aid issue forms part of the investigation files in this case. The scandal involving Italian humanitarian aid in Albania was treated with “indifference,” almost as if it were an innocent matter. In any case, according to the source in question, Torkuato Kardili is now facing criminal proceedings in Italy precisely over the scandal linking him to the “Nano issue.” NOTE: We hope this fact will not spur left-wing propaganda to protest that the Albanian government is making unfounded accusations and violating the rights of Nano’s friends in Italy. E.P. humanitarian aid allocated by the government and people of Italy to Albania. the report presented Parliament for his cooperation with former Prime Minister Nano in the matter of aid corruption. This Torquato former Albanian communists, and particularly of investigative files in this case. During the working visit they made to Italy specifically over the scandal linking him to the “Nano affair.” NOTE: We hope this fact will not prompt Italy. E.P.

…as a result of the immediate triumph of European Parliament members from the Greek minority in Albania, a may ask why the DP did not respond to this disinformation in order to avoid misunderstandings with Europe. The DP is the political force that currently governs the Albanian state, but it is also the very force that called for democracy to be established in Albania; one of its components was the independence of the judicial bodies. Therefore, the DP could not intervene in European institutions on an issue that belongs to a body independent of it. Nevertheless, since the European parliaments were addressing the Albanian state, Mr. Arbnori’s letter clarifies this point very well. “Albania against Europe” Another billof in Nanoist propaganda is the claim that Albania and the democratic government are against Europe because of the resolution. First, I want to recall that it was not the DP that surrounded

On Saturday, a ceremony was held in the city of Ballsh to rebury 80 martyrs executed by the dictatorial regime of E. Hoxha during his rule over nearly five decades of this century. They were young, in the prime of their lives, and came from throughout the Mallakastër region, from Corrush, Ngracan, Metoh, Cakran, Lapules, and elsewhere. Among the hundreds of residents who came from all over Mallakastër and guests from neighboring districts attending this deeply moving memorial ceremony was Pjeter Arbnori, chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. Qamil Mane, secretary of the district branch of the Association of Former Political Prisoners and Persecutees, said on the occasion, among other things: “The communist terror in the Mallakastër region from the outset, after the abrogation of the Mukje agreement, focused on attacking patriotic families who had distinguished themselves in the struggle for independence and national liberation. This inhuman terror reached its peak in Ngracan, where even the victim’s head was cut off.” Mr. Pjeter Arbnori also spoke at this somber ceremony. The decorations “Martyr of Democracy” were presented to the 12 families of those persecuted. The remains of the 80 victims of the fratricidal war of communism were reburied at Qafa e Kashit, accompanied by bursts of automatic gunfire.

Briefly from the People’s Assembly THE 1994 STATE BUDGET BILL ALSO ON THE AGENDA —The decree “On the protection of military personnel,” as well as the bills “On judges’ salaries” and “On personal property,” were also placed on the agenda— It was the draft law “On certain amendments to Law No. 2768, dated 3.3.1993, ‘On excise duties in the Republic of Albania’” that compelled the DP parliamentary group to withdraw for a consultation session on Monday afternoon, during the first plenary session of this parliamentary week. The bill provides for a 30% increase in excise duties on revenues of 140 million lekë. At the beginning of this session, the inclusion on the agenda of the President’s decree “On the protection of military personnel,” and of the bills “On the 1994 state budget,” “On judges’ salaries,” and “On personal property” was also approved. After the DP group withdrew, the plenary session did not continue. Yesterday, the Assembly held meetings of its committees and parliamentary groups. The plenary session resumes this afternoon.

Durres. The Durres branch of the Insurance Institute has 11 employees, who work in motor-vehicle insurance, agriculture and livestock insurance, property insurance, and life insurance. The branch director, Hysein Tepelena, told ATSH that Durres now has 12,000 registered vehicles, and 50–100 cars are insured; on average, five accident assessments are carried out each day. Although the scope of our work is still limited because citizens lack the relevant awareness, the Durres branch’s net profit for last year was 160 million lekë, while 17 million were spent, out of 26 million lekë in revenue. Our institute is seeking, with these available funds, to develop these insurance services, which could be sold following an auction, as well as service centers for insured vehicles.

-The value of their capital reaches 7 million USD- Elbasan—Several joint ventures with foreign companies have been established in the district of Elbasan. These include 4 combined wood-processing factories, the tobacco plant, the oil-and-soap enterprise, NPA no. 2, the clothing enterprise, and the carpet and general materials enterprise. Likewise, there are 15 foreigners who have started their activities in this district, mainly from Italy, as Xhelil Kaci, head of the economic section for foreign relations at the District Council, informed ATSH. 70 percent of them have invested in the productive sector. Up to now, the value of foreign capital invested amounts to 7 million USD. Of this, around 3.5 million (USD) is for the reconstruction of the wood-processing combine by an Italian company; 1.8 million for the tobacco plant by a Greek company; and 700 thousand for equipping a fuel station by an Italian company.

-President Clinton again warns Serbia over the Kosovo issue- TIRANA: President Clinton again warned Belgrade in recent days about the spread of the war in the southern Balkans. In his address to the nation on the occasion of the expiration of NATO’s ultimatum to the Serbs, the American president placed particular emphasis on the Kosovo issue. “We warn Serbia once again not to escalate the violence against the Albanians of Kosovo,” Clinton declared, as quoted by “Voice of America.” The American president went on to emphasize the direction taken by the U.S. government regarding the war in Bosnia, declaring that for this aggression.”

Fist—in defense of Nano. From the PS press conference about Nano, a conference that lasted only 20 minutes, although it had been scheduled for an hour.

READ ON PAGE 3 THE DICTATORSHIP CHANGES FACES, BUT HAS ONLY ONE NAME (Light and shadow over the Koçi Xoxe trial) ©1994 (SIGNS ON THE TREE: small, illegible writings)