Punishable crimes or SS crimes against the civilian population will be prosecuted regardless, even if they have been amnestied, as was the case in Croatia, which after independence withdrew a thousand criminal charges against communists. This has been implemented in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Here, however, the opposite is happening. Instead of acting in accordance with the law on communist crimes, adopted last year by Parliament, there is talk of pardoning the guilty and settling things with soft loans. Last autumn, an amendment to the constitution was approved, giving the government and the justice authorities the right to prosecute crimes of communism. Under this amendment, the prosecutor’s office decided to seek the arrest of the top leaders of the dictatorship. At the end of 1993, the General Prosecutor’s Office opened investigations into some of the former leaders of the PPSH and its apparatus. This led to the arrest of Ramiz Alia and several other officials. This move drew strong reactions from various circles. There were also voices calling for the files to be closed and for the former leaders to be amnestied. Recently, reports have spread that a compromise is being prepared, according to which people accused of financial misuse and abuse of state funds will be released in exchange for returning part of the property or through credit to repay the damage. If this is true, it would be a serious moral blow to Albanian society. The regime’s economic crimes were not merely individual acts, but part of an entire oppressive and predatory system. An amnesty or forgiveness through credit would be an insult to the victims of the dictatorship and to the citizens impoverished by it. Likewise, any preferential treatment of former officials would create the belief that there are still two standards in Albania: one for the ordinary citizen and one for the old caste. This would damage trust in reform and in the new democratic justice. Parliament and the government must be clear. Those who have abused public property and participated in the oppression of citizens must be held accountable under the law. If compensation is needed, it must be done without undermining criminal prosecution and without selling moral and political credits. (To be continued on page 2)

For about 10 days, a delegation of the People's Assembly of Albania, headed by Mr. Ylli Bufi, at the invitation of the President of the People's Republic of China, Li Pen, and the Chairman of the People's Assembly, Zou Aihon, paid a visit to China. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced that the delegation held talks with Chinese counterparts, during which bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the situation in the region were discussed. The delegation visited Beijing and other cities, and was received by the highest Chinese authorities. According to the communiqué, the Albanian side expressed interest in increasing trade exchanges and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. (ATSH)

In ovttt Halle der Hansen for nfantin e cat! Promises aplenty for the unused industry Dhik se sa ndihmë qeneis fqfja (To be continued on page 2)

The journalist of “Zëri i Popullit” chooses the weapon of lawsuits against journalists Today, on the back page of our newspaper, we publish the reactions of three journalists and a caricaturist to an article by Namik Dokle, published on Sunday in the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit”, an article mainly devoted to the independent media. In his reaction, the editor of the newspaper “Koha Jonë”, Nikollë Lesi, describes this as a banal and denigrating text that insults the ethics of debate. Likewise, writer and publicist Fahri Balliu considers it an attempt to intimidate the independent press. There is also a reaction from caricaturist Bujar Kapexhiu, who mocks the tendency to sue critics. According to his opponents, Namik Dokle’s article tries to portray any criticism of left-wing press organs as slander and to create an atmosphere of pressure against journalists. The debate has become especially sharp following the political clashes of recent months. (ATSH)

On Thursday, 20 April 1994, at 11:00 a.m., in the hall of the “Qëndresa” foundation building in the center of Tirana, at a press conference, Mr. Eduard Selami will present the program of the Conservative Party and the leaders of the Diplomatic Corps.

The Chinese company “MACAGRICULTUREM” successfully exports over 2,000 mini-tractors a year to Italy, as well as other machinery and equipment. From 26 to 28 April, it is organizing in Albania an exhibition of the universal company for medical treatment using ultrasound and laser action and of the company “Nandern” with tools and spare parts. On 26 April, at a place to be announced, a press conference will be held where exporting companies such as “MAGAGRICULTUREM”, “Nandern”, “Mayson” and “Bujqësia” will provide information. The official opening of the exhibition and the festive evening of the company “MACAGRICULTUREM” will be organized on 27 April, at Hotel Tirana, at 18.00. The company “MACAGRICULTUREM” welcomes you. Company address Walong (branch of the CAMC Group Beijing company): Rr. Ismail Qemali no. 65 Tel/Fax 424-90

THE HUMOR COLUMN Jal-ani... on “Mollori” Street Durrës construction fair