The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro) has in recent days published a so-called memorandum on border incidents along the border with Albania, through which attempts are being made, for specific purposes, to formulate some of the most absurd accusations against Albania. According to a typically Serbian chauvinist logic, which is by no means unfamiliar and respects not even the most natural moral scruples, it is declared that Albania is consciously increasing the number of incidents on the Albanian-Yugoslav border, wishing to strain relations with Yugoslavia so that, at a certain moment, it can realize the idea of a Greater Albania by taking Kosovo. After setting out the Serbian accusations in detail, this memorandum offers dialogue, which is nothing but a farce for political consumption. It is characteristically incoherent, and, together with its cyclical repetition of ideas, this gives it the features of the speeches of dictators who sought to inspire people with blind faith in them rather than in the truth. The so-called “Incidents and provocations at the border by the Albanian side” are well known both at home and abroad. According to the competent Albanian authorities and the conclusions of the EC observer missions, the main cause of the casualties at the border has been the opening of fire by Yugoslav border guards against Albanian citizens, who were unarmed. The wounded and killed in incidents on Albania’s border with Serbia and Montenegro, numbering 21 since the beginning of 1993, have all been Albanians and not a single one a Serb. Naturally, such deliberately provoked acts are part of the strategy of tension and war pursued by Millosheviçi and lead to unforeseeable consequences. The Republic of Albania has declared more than once that it opposes the forcible alteration of borders, and its relevant authorities have made and continue to make efforts to preserve, respect and maintain (Continued on page 4)

After arriving in Brussels, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, was received yesterday by NATO Secretary General Manfred Verner. At this meeting, they expressed their shared concern about the situation in the Balkan region and the fact that international public opinion is focused on Bosnia at a time when it is now clear that the problem of Kosovo is a key problem, without whose resolution there can be no resolution of the crisis in the region. Concern was also expressed at the meeting about the partition of Bosnia; it was said that this partition favors the aggressor and creates the basis for the creation of new states through force. The meeting also discussed the expansion of relations between Albania and NATO, the concrete expression of which will also be the signing of the “Partnership for Peace” agreement. The Verner–Berisha meeting lasted about 30 minutes. Before the North Atlantic Council, prior to signing the “Partnership for Peace” agreement, President Berisha delivered a speech. Berisha stressed that the country concerned is fully committed to lasting peace in the region. He noted that developments on the military front over the past 22 months, together with the many failures of negotiations, clearly demonstrate that the option of partitioning Bosnia is a hopeless option for ending the war and establishing peace, and that perhaps the time has come for it to be replaced by another option that respects the principles of preserving Bosnia’s territorial integrity, people’s right to return to their homes, and not rewarding the aggressor. However difficult it may seem at first glance to uphold these principles, I believe it is the only way to establish peace and is far more productive than accepting and acting on principles contrary to them. President Berisha reminded those present that one of the major focal points of the current crisis is also the problem of Kosovo, without whose resolution there can be no resolution of this crisis. He therefore asked them to assess this issue with all due seriousness and in light of its full significance, as it could at any moment become the cause of a new Balkan war. “For this purpose, I consider a very important step,” President Berisha said, “to link the sanctions against Serbia to the situation it has created in Kosovo; to send OSCE monitors to this province; to exert pressure on Serbia to begin negotiations with the legitimate representatives of this province within the framework of the Geneva Conference; and to restore all the abolished institutions, while resolving its status in a manner that respects the human and national rights of the 2 million Albanians who live in their ancestral lands.” The President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, in the presence of the members of the North Atlantic Council, signed the “Partnership for Peace” agreement at 10:45 on 23 February 1994.

As reported by the Tirana Court, following the submission of the case file concerning the scandal over Italian aid to Albania, also known as the “Nano case,” yesterday the trial date was set for former Prime Minister Nano and the other defendants.

—But only after she closes the case concerning aid to Albania. A well-informed source, ...

As reported by the Tirana Court, following the submission of the case file concerning the scandal over Italian aid to Albania, also known as the “Nano case,” yesterday the trial date was set for former Prime Minister Nano and the other defendants. and the other defendants. The trial will be held on 5 March 1994, Saturday, at the Tirana Court. The presiding judge will be the Chairman of the Tirana Court, Mr. Agim Bendo. “RD” correspondent

-But only after she has closed the case concerning aid to Albania. According to well-informed sources, following the interest shown by our editorial team, we learned, among other things, from several offices of the Italian judicial authorities that the well-known investigating magistrate Evelina Canale, who is handling the case concerning the scandal over Italian aid to Albania, will “change offices.” She has requested this change. In her new position, after changing departments, Evelina Canale will handle corruption cases involving sums exceeding 5 million dollars. What should be emphasized is that, as one of the sources stated, Dr. Canale will continue to pursue the case concerning the aid scandal in Albania until the end. E.P.

-Domestic tobacco and its products are favored with a 50 percent excise tax, wine and beer with 40 percent; no excise tax is applied to domestically produced alcohol, petroleum products, or electricity for household use- In keeping with the aim of filling certain gaps in the existing law “On Excise Taxes in the Republic of Albania,” and in support of active measures to generate revenue for the 1994 State Budget, the Government yesterday submitted to the People’s Assembly the draft law “On Certain Amendments to Law No. 7678, dated 3.3.1993, ‘On Excise Taxes in the Republic of Albania.’” Meanwhile, the parliamentary economy committee, in order to favor the production of certain domestic products, proposed several amendments, which were approved during the vote. Thus, the excise tax on domestic tobacco and its products was set at 50 percent, rather than the 80 percent in the draft bill. Similarly, the rates on beer and wine, previously 50 and 60 percent respectively, were reduced to 40 percent; soft and refreshing drinks, as well as mineral water (glina) and carbonated water, previously taxed at 35 and 25 percent, were set at 30 and 20 percent respectively. Following the committee’s amendments, the final paragraph of Article 1 of the draft was approved in the following form: “For the goods specified in subparagraph ‘a’ (tobacco and tobacco products, ed.’s note), when imported, an additional excise tax of 35 percent is applied on top of the rate set above, except for cigarettes, for which it is 50 percent; and for those in subparagraph ‘b’ (alcoholic beverages, ed.’s note), an additional 25 percent.” The newly approved draft law exempts alcohol produced domestically and used in the production of alcoholic beverages from excise tax. As for coffee, despite objections from the PS group, it was decided to impose an excise tax of 30 percent. Excise taxes ranging from 25 to 80 percent were also established for petroleum products, with the exception of kerosene, electricity, and liquefied gas sold to the population. Excise tax will also not be applied to imported cigarette paper used for domestic production. In short, the draft law enters into force 15 days after its publication in the “Official Gazette.” Until now, the existing law “On Elections to Local Government Bodies” did not specify who carries out the duties (powers) of the Central Election Commission in the event of early partial elections. In such cases, it is neither practical nor normal to set up a Central Election Commission in Tirana to elect a municipal council head. This was the concern addressed by the Government’s other draft law, “On an Addition to Law 7573, dated 16.6.1992, ‘On Elections to Local Government Bodies.’” It therefore stipulated that the following be added to the existing law (Continued on page 4).

-Meanwhile, the prosecution has separated the case and issued a wanted notice for the other two partners- At the conclusion of the trial of the criminal case against the defendant Fatmir Koci, president of the “Koci” company, accused of the criminal offense of defrauding citizens, committed in collaboration with others and provided for under Article 104, points 2 and 13 of the Penal Code, the court ruled that he was guilty and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, as well as ordering the confiscation of 40 million lek. Regarding this case, the presiding judge, Martin Deda, told ATSH that the judicial investigation had lasted more than two weeks because the number of witnesses who had to be questioned in the trial exceeded 300. Each of them had to testify about the specific instances of fraud committed against them by the defendant. The court also found the defendant Pranvera Shala guilty of perjury in connection with this criminal case and sentenced her to five months’ imprisonment, suspended for one year. On the same grounds, the court found the defendant Faik Topulli guilty and sentenced him to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for one year. Mr. Deda also announced that the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office had issued a wanted notice for the company’s other two partners, who are brothers of its president. For this reason, the criminal case against them has been separated. The confiscated sum of lek will be returned to the people defrauded by the defendant Koci. ATSH

On the joint charge of “disseminating state secrets” and, separately, the charge of “defamation” against Martin Leka, the first hearing in the trial of the two “KJ” journalists Aleksander Frangaj and Martin Leka, as well as the two officers Romeo Lici and Bashkim Feta, will be held tomorrow, 25.2.1994, at 9 a.m. in the Tirana court, under the direction of a panel consisting of Mr. Arben Ristani as presiding judge and Anila Kristani and Maks Shupali as members. The prosecution is represented by prosecutor Ardian Leka. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

-Tomorrow, the Museum Director before the judges- As is known, several people have been arrested in connection with the theft at the History Museum, including the Museum’s director, Mr. Myslym Islami. At his request, a preparatory hearing concerning a change in the custodial measure will be held tomorrow. In fact, the Museum director had repeatedly requested, as documents also confirm, that stronger security measures be taken, considering the value of the items held by the museum, but these measures were not taken. EDITOR’S NOTE: In a report several months ago concerning the arrest of Mr. Myslym Islami, the “RD” editorial team, relying on unfounded rumors, had used epithets that did not befit him. The “RD” editorial team regrets this, among other things, because he is a colleague of ours and, as such, one of the first intellectuals to support democracy and show respect.

[Text in the cartoon bubble illegible] DEVERIA

The newspaper “Zeri i Popullit” of 22 February 1994 published a statement by the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group addressed to the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori. The substance of this statement contradicts the truth, which is confirmed by the facts. Regarding the request by the Presidium of the Socialist Parliamentary Group to discuss the issues raised in three important international documents, the statement says that Mr. Pjeter Arbnori did not have sufficient time to prepare for a free exchange of views and that the refusal of this meeting compels us ... etc. We emphasize that the request from the Presidium of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group was received on 16 February by the Chairman’s secretary. On 18 February, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori sent Mr. Namik Dokle the following reply: “In response to your request submitted to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, I will receive you for a meeting on Tuesday, 22 February 1994, at 8:30, at the seat of the Presidium.” On 18 February the letter was delivered to Mr. Dokle in person, but he told the messenger to give it to his secretaries, one of whom acknowledged receipt with a signature in the delivery book. On Tuesday, 22 February, no one from the Presidium of the Socialist Parliamentary Group appeared for talks at the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. As for the claim in this statement concerning the letter sent to the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Klepsh, which was signed by members and in the name of the Albanian parliament, etc., the fact is that the letter was sent in the name of the Chairman of the Assembly, not in the name of the Presidium or the People’s Assembly, and therefore there was no reason for it to be discussed in the Assembly. Socialist Party MPs travel all over the world and say whatever they please, but nobody has asked them to have their statements approved by the Assembly. These are the facts concerning the lies in the statement published in the newspaper “ZP.” We are sending you, for publication, a photocopy of the letter sent to Mr. Namik Dokle and a photocopy of the delivery book, which substantiate our information. The correction must be published in the same place and in the same typeface, in accordance with the law “On the Press.” PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY Tirana, 22 February 1994 EDITOR’S NOTE: “ZP” hastened to justify Dokle, saying that the letter in an envelope from Mr. Arbnori was lying unopened on Mr. Dokle’s desk. So N. Dokle cannot even see what is on his desk, and then, without the slightest sense of responsibility, makes false statements on behalf of the group. This fact alone is enough to show how well-founded the group’s and its presidium’s rash statements are. REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY No. 26/prot. Tirana, 18 February 1994 MR. NAMIK DOKLE Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group of the Presidium. Also dated 18 February, the letter ... CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM Pjeter ARBNORI [illegible handwritten notes]

In the PD in Memaliaj, 60 new members have joined in just the past 10 days. The new members are generally young men and women. PD Memaliaj Branch

ANNOUNCEMENT On Saturday at 12:00, the FRPD National Council will meet at the headquarters of the Democratic Party. The chairpersons and secretaries of the district branches must be present. FRPD PRESIDIUM