Protective measures in Brussels, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, has signed NATO's Partnership for Peace. At the meeting held between the two delegations in Brussels, President Berisha described the Partnership for Peace as the challenge of aid and cooperation for all the countries of Europe. For this reason, the president emphasized that it is in line with Albania's goal of institutionalizing ties with the West and creating a higher level of security and democracy. The agreement signed today lays the foundations for a new phase in international relations and at the same time opens clear prospects for our country in strengthening its democratic and economic development. Mr. Berisha said at the meeting that Albania is committed to creating a climate of peace and stability in the region and is ready to contribute in this direction. He said that our country considers the Partnership for Peace a very important step on the road toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration. At the meeting, the President of the North Atlantic Council, Ambassador Klaus Kinkel, praised Albania's signing of the agreement and said that this step will help increase regional stability and cooperation with Western structures. President Berisha was accompanied by Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi and other ministers of the Albanian government.

THE DICTATES OF THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a campaign yesterday against the opposition with the absurd argument that an article in the newspaper "Rilindja Demokratike", supposedly intending to harm the Albanian government, had insulted a foreign statesman. Thus, the MFA claims that this has compromised Albania's diplomatic relations with the country of the statesman in question. In reality, the contradiction is quite the opposite. In our view, it is not the article of "RD" that has damaged Albania's relations with a friendly country, but the statement of the MFA spokesperson. Our newspaper's article, "Will the American embassy in Tirana be the cry for democracy in Albania?", addressed a foreign-policy issue and relations with the United States in the Albanian domestic context. We did not attack the American state, nor President Clinton, nor Ambassador Ryerson, but we criticized a specific diplomatic action, which we considered mistaken and harmful to democratic developments in the country. This is the right of the free press and public debate in a pluralist society. For the MFA spokesperson to present this as an insult to America is simply untrue. On the contrary, a genuine democracy accepts criticism and values transparency. It is not the press's job to apologize for every action of foreign diplomacy, but to defend national interests and democratic standards. We believe that democratic Albania must be open to its Western friends, but not subordinate to anyone. Relations with the United States are strategic, but they cannot be understood as blind obedience. Respect for partners is built on dignity, reciprocity, and freedom of thought. Therefore, the MFA's reaction is unacceptable. It shows an old mentality, a kind of diplomatic conformism that runs counter to the spirit of democratic change. Albania does not become more serious by remaining silent before every mistake; it becomes more serious by having institutions that know how to defend the public interest and the country's sovereignty. (Continued on page 4)

As announced by the Tirana Court, last night until midnight the second court hearing against former Prime Minister Fatos Nano and 8 other defendants was held. The trial panel decided to hear the testimony of several people called to the hearing, including former heads of financial institutions. During the proceedings, various documents related to the charges of abuse of office and misuse of public funds were read. There were tensions and occasional interruptions in the courtroom, while the defense lawyers objected to some of the prosecution's questions. According to them, the proceedings were being influenced by the political climate and media pressure. Meanwhile, representatives of the prosecution stated that the evidence is complete and that the case is clear. The hearing is expected to continue today.

But only after she closes the issue of aid for Albania. In an official statement published yesterday, Ms. Evelina Canale requested to step down from her current post, clarifying that she will remain in office until the procedures related to aid programs for Albania are completed. She emphasized that her decision should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of support for our country, but as a personal and institutional step. According to diplomatic sources, the request for resignation has been submitted to the competent bodies and is expected to be examined in the coming days. Meanwhile, various political circles in Tirana have commented extensively on this development.

Yesterday in the People's Assembly Domestic cigarettes and related products are favored with 50 percent excise duty, wines made with 40 percent, and taxes are not applied to domestic alcohol, various by-products and other agricultural and popular products. In yesterday's session, MP Ali Spahia stated that the government is protecting inefficient industry and creating inequality in the market. According to him, the proposed fiscal policy goes against the interests of domestic producers and consumers. The Minister of Finance argued that the measures are temporary and aim to protect national production during the transition phase. The debate was accompanied by numerous interventions from opposition and majority deputies. (Continued on page 4)

Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office has imposed a seizure on a house worth 300,000 dollars in Tirana belonging to the company's owner The Tirana Court has announced its verdict for the president of the company “Koci”, sentencing him to 3 years in prison and confiscation of 41 million lek. According to the prosecution, the company had committed serious financial violations and fraud in its commercial activity. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office has placed a seizure on a house worth 300,000 dollars in Tirana, owned by the company's head. Investigations are continuing into other transactions and into possible responsibility of persons connected to the case. In the courtroom, the defendant denied the charges and stated that the case has a political background. The prosecution insisted that the documentary evidence is indisputable. (Continued on page 4)

A joint police and prosecutor operation led to the arrest of several people involved in a network of smuggling and abuses. According to the preliminary announcement, documents, vehicles, and various goods have been seized. Investigations are ongoing and official sources say that two senior officers are also included in the file. The authorities have not yet released all the names. RD correspondent AISH Caricature with the caption “DEVIZA” and speech bubble: “SHIKOJME? APO FIRMOSIM?”[?]

OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR DUE E FURNIZUAN TIRANËN ME PARAKOTIT NOTE FROM PRACTICE: "ZP" does not refer to the official act presented here, but alludes to an alarming situation created in the capital. The document presented shows a supply list for several units, which, according to the newspaper's commentary, points to an unusual distribution network. Reg. No. 264 Tirana, 18.2.1994 Mr. NAMIK DOKLE CHAIRMAN OF THE PS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP In response to your request, to be presented before the People's District Prosecutor's Office of Tirana on 20.2.1994 at 8:30 a.m. in a chaired session. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE XHAFERRI M. XHAFERI ANËKONI (Continued on page 4) Reproduced document on the page

NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA