The measures taken by the Government to raise the prices of heating products include: a) electricity from 0.8 to 4.2 lekë per kWh regardless of consumption. b) crude fuel oil from the basin; at 40 lekë/1 liter. c) The price of 40 lekë for 1 m3 of heating material. ENERGY AND THE LIBERALIZATION OF OTHER HEATING PRICES, AN INCENTIVE FOR INCREASING PRODUCTION AND INVESTMENT IN THIS FIELD Interpellation in the People’s Assembly The measures taken by the Government to raise the prices of heating products include: a) electricity from 0.8 to 4.2 lekë per kWh regardless of consumption. - with liquefied gas (cylinders) 40 lekë/kg. - with l[?] gas 40 lekë (in balloon) - Pri[i?]-October 950 (lekë/month) - November-March 1,600 (lekë/month) d. Prices of firewood and g[?]myrgurit/librazh[?]ohen Families of 4 members in which 1 person works in the budget sector 700 lekë Families of 4 members in which 1 person works in the budget sector 650 lekë Non-budgetary 650 lekë Families of 4 members in which 1 person has a pension, are or is on unemployment benefit 700 lekë Families of 4 members in which a pensioner is either employed or on unemployment benefit 700 lekë Families with partial economic assistance 350 lekë For other cases Decision No. 138 of 3.3.1994 clarified the entitlement. The Government, in implementing this decision and case by case, will provide the necessary assistance to those groups of the population whose lives are made more difficult by this transition. By Government decision, the impact of these increases will be reflected in the price increases for fuels related to heating, and for firewood in limited and qualified quantities for families. The volume of wood will be measured not in tons but in cubic meters. The amount of firewood according to vouchers has been set at 2 m3 for family households, 3 m3 for veterans, 3 m3 for families of martyrs, 3 m3 for invalids. This quantity of wood will be given at the price according to the categories: - 700 lekë per m3 for firewood and heating materials for family households. - 600 lekë per m3 for veterans and families of martyrs. - 350 lekë per m3 for invalids. The Government has also taken these measures as compensation for these groups: - 75 lekë per person for unemployed persons, invalids and single pensioners - 50 lekë per person for the other members of the family. The amount of compensation for 10 days is calculated at 700 lekë. For persons with partial pension or unemployment benefit 650 lekë. For families with full economic assistance 700 lekë For families with partial economic assistance 350 lekë For other cases, Decision No. 138, dated 3.3.1994, clarified the relevant provisions. The Government, in implementing this decision and case by case, will carry out the necessary review and assistance for these groups whose lives are made more difficult by this transition. The Government, in order to soften as much as possible the inflationary effect that the setting of this price for diesel will have, has decided to fully subsidize urban transport, as well as partly rail transport on the Tirana-Durrës-Elbasan line and in other cities. It was also announced that the [state?] subsidy for transport enterprises amounts to 600 million lekë. By decision of the Council of Ministers No. 138, dated 3.3.1994, vulnerable groups were compensated for the increase in the price of electricity, fuels and gas. The beneficiary categories, the amount of the benefit, and the method of use have been [explained?] in detail. Beneficiaries are pensioners, invalids, families receiving economic assistance, the unemployed, veterans and families of martyrs. The purpose of these measures is to cushion the initial shock of price liberalization and to encourage energy savings and the development of production in this sector. ( continued on page 3 )

-Bulgaria and Albania do not share a common border, but they are united at every moment by the same and very similar destinies- PRESIDENT BERISHA ON THE SECOND DAY OF HIS VISIT TO BULGARIA -Bulgaria and Albania do not share a common border, but they are united at every moment by the same and very similar destinies- On the second day of his official visit to Bulgaria, the President of the Republic, Dr. Sali Berisha, held a meeting yesterday in the city of Plovdiv with the mayor of that city, V. Krenov. During the meeting, it was noted that the development of relations between our two countries in many fields of mutual interest is fully in line with their national interests. President Berisha also pointed out that the destinies of the Albanian and Bulgarian peoples have been linked in many historical circumstances and that, despite the absence of a common border, closeness and shared interests unite the two peoples in their European aspirations. The President of the Republic, Dr. Sali Berisha, also visited the large metallurgical combine of Kremikovtsi, where he took an interest in Bulgarian experience in the field of metal processing, the technologies used, and the possibilities for economic cooperation between the two countries. He was accompanied by representatives of the Albanian delegation and local authorities. Later President Berisha was received by the mayor of Plovdiv, who hosted a special reception in his honor. In his speech on this occasion, President Berisha stressed that Albania and Bulgaria are sharing a difficult period of transition, but also a clear prospect of European integration. He praised the role of cities as concrete bridges of cooperation in the economy, culture, and human exchanges. President Berisha's visit to Bulgaria is being followed with interest by the local press and by political circles in both countries. The first comments underline the importance of this visit for strengthening bilateral relations and for expanding contacts in the economic, political, and cultural fields. This meeting and the visits carried out during the second day were assessed as another step in building a stable climate of trust and understanding between Albania and Bulgaria.

Apparently the editor of the Bulgarian newspaper “ZP”, through a lengthy article published in the 27 April issue, “Where does anti-Albanianism end and ‘sali’ begin?”, has [launched?] a host of [accusations?] and [inaccuracies?] against the President of the Republic of Albania, Dr. Sali Berisha, and the Albanian democratic forces. The article in question tries to create the impression that the democratic processes in our country are the product of manipulation and not of the free will of citizens. Through harsh polemical language, it attacks the political developments of these years and ignores the deep changes Albania has undergone. The reaction to this publication emphasizes that the use of offensive labels and biased comparisons does not serve the truth or good relations between the two countries. Albania and Bulgaria have entered a new stage of communication and mutual respect, so the spread of such insinuations is harmful. According to the response, the “ZP” article deliberately distorts facts and events, taking them out of context. It also mixes up names, dates, and developments, which lowers the credibility of the article and turns it into a political pamphlet. In conclusion, this position calls on the press to maintain professional responsibility and not become an instrument of prejudiced campaigns against other peoples and countries.

S. Pulumbi: “If this meeting did take place, it would constitute a political moment” P. Majko: “I do not know of any enthusiasm from this meeting” S. Pulumbi: “If this meeting did take place, it would constitute a political mo- ment” P. Majko: “I do not know of any enthusiasm from this meeting” In response to the circulation of reports in the newspaper “Flaka” that the former Secretary of the Central Committee of the PPSH, Ramiz Alia, met secretly with the leader of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, a journalist yesterday asked the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Servet Pëllumbi and the Socialist Party MP Pandeli Majko. Servet Pëllumbi replied: “I have heard rumors of this [kind?] only from the press. Personally I have no knowledge of such a meeting. If it did happen, it would constitute a political moment that requires a fuller assessment. However, I cannot comment on something I do not know for certain.” Pandeli Majko, when asked about the same issue, said he had no concrete information: “I do not know of any enthusiasm from this meeting and I have no direct knowledge of it. If someone has proof, let them make it public. Otherwise we remain within the framework of rumors.” The news published by “Flaka” has prompted comments in political circles, but so far no official confirmation has been given by the Socialist Party or by the persons involved. The matter remains unclear and subject to debate. This development comes at a time when the Albanian political scene continues to be dominated by polemics between the main political forces and by efforts at repositioning after the latest changes.

MP IVAN KOSTOV IS INFORMED TO TAKE PART IN THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SESSION FROM 28 APRIL TO 12 MAY 1994 At the plenary session of the People’s Assembly on 28.4.1994, MP Ivan Kostov did not take part in the proceedings of this session. On 29 April 1994 he sent the Presidium of the People’s Assembly a letter requesting permission to be absent from the sessions of 28.4 to 12.5.1994 for personal reasons. According to the rules of procedure of the People’s Assembly, a deputy who is absent without reason from more than a certain number of sessions is notified and asked for an explanation. In the present case, MP Kostov’s request has been examined by the competent bodies of the Assembly. The notice states that the absence was made with the knowledge of the Presidium and that the procedure will be concluded in accordance with the rules and the norms governing the functioning of the Assembly. The matter has also been covered in the press, where the importance of MPs’ participation in parliamentary sessions has been highlighted, especially during periods when particularly important decisions are being considered on the agenda. ( continued on page 7 )

PS 25?! ARENA (Continues on page 8)