It is to Parliament’s credit to grant an Amnesty ... When dialogue between political forces replaces polemics, solutions are more credible It is to Parliament’s credit to grant an Amnesty ... When dialogue between political forces replaces polemics, solutions are more credible Interview with PD Presidium member Mr. Ylli Vejsiu and editor-in-chief Lorenc Ligori [Photograph] Mr. Ylli, are you in favor of major changes in the government, and in what aspects of governance do you think change is necessary? Answer: I believe that the changes in government should be profound, even if only because ... [The article continues in the column:] ... often, down to the lowest levels, they have been targets of accusations of incompetence, corruption and sluggishness. Here I mean, in particular, local government and certain links in the justice system and law-enforcement agencies. On the other hand, time itself has made it necessary to restructure some ministries, create a new institution or eliminate another, in keeping with the phase through which reform in our country is passing. Is Deputy Vejsiu’s name among the 25 PD deputies who have asked that the issue of an amnesty be examined soon in Parliament? Answer: It is, and in fact it is among the first names on the list. Because it is to Parliament’s credit, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Albania’s liberation from the Nazi-Fascist occupiers, to give certain categories of political prisoners the opportunity to reunite with their families as free people. For most of them, this act of clemency should constitute an obligation to repent and a guarantee that they can regain their dignity by reintegrating into society and undertaking important activities. ... those who have committed serious crimes and offer no guarantees of reform could become a boomerang in the future. Perhaps they could be granted the privilege of having their sentences reduced by a certain amount. In any case, I believe that the scope of the amnesty should certainly be the fruit of dialogue between parliamentary groups and the outcome of constructive debate in the relevant sessions of the People’s Assembly. The terms “consensus” and “round table” are being used more and more. Are you optimistic about their functioning and results? Answer: I have always been not only optimistic, but also inclined toward consensus and dialogue. First, because I want to believe that, for the good of the country and to solve the major and complex problems facing reborn Albania, progressive, wise and patriotic people can and must sit down and reach agreement. The experience of the transition in Eastern European countries also shows that where political forces have more points of convergence, reform proceeds better and its hardships are fewer. Second, when dialogue between political forces replaces Mr. Ylli, are you in favor of profound changes in the government, and in which if only because during this difficult period the government officials bore the heavy burden of reform on their shoulders, and have therefore become somewhat politically spent, even though the arrows of protest may not be aimed directly at them. Changes in governance cannot be limited to replacing a few ministers without also reforming their respective teams, to whom … … to enable certain categories of prisoners, after Albania’s liberation from the fascist occupiers, of them, this act of pardon should constitute a moral obligation reintegrating into society and everyday life. But naturally, an amnesty cannot be general. It cannot include those who received almost symbolic sentences in relation to the actual harm they caused this country and who did not even make the most elementary gesture of remorse for their crimes. On the other hand, when public opinion today is calling for more action and results in the fight against crime, the undeserved release of some people who have committed crimes could leave us feeling disappointed. As for the transition in the countries of the East, I would point out proceeds better and its hardships are less severe. Secondly, when dialogue between political forces replaces polemics, and reason rises above passions, solutions are always more credible and, in practice, more acceptable to ordinary people. It is rather like a physical system made up of several parts, which moves more easily and quickly when some of its energy is not wasted raising temperatures through internal friction.

Yesterday Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi received the Vice-President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Mr. Ron Friman, at a special meeting. They held a discussion about the cooperation to date between the Government and the European Bank, this important institution, which has supported and will continue to support economic reform and the development of our country. Yesterday Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Mr. Ron Friman, at a special meeting. They held a discussion about the cooperation to date between the Government and the European Bank, this important institution, which has supported and will continue to support economic reform and the development of our country. Mr. Meksi stressed the need for support from the European Bank for various infrastructure-development projects, giving priority to projects in tourism, transport, telecommunications and the energy sector, as well as in banking. The Government is ready to cooperate in carrying out these projects, for which we need the European Bank’s assistance to accelerate the development of our economy. Mr. Meksi also identified mining as an important area of cooperation, particularly the production and processing of chrome. The coming years, Mr. Meksi said, are very important for the development of our cooperation, and I am optimistic that this cooperation will produce results quickly. Mr. Friman, while praising the cooperation to date, stressed that in tourism, telecommunications and infrastructure in general, the European Bank would commit itself to carrying out projects and was even ready to help implement other projects. Afterwards, Mr. Meksi and Mr. Friman held a working meeting attended also by Ministers Xhaja, Shehi, Diniçka and Spaho, as well as members of the European Bank delegation. Specific projects and ways of implementing them as quickly as possible were discussed. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE TO THE PRIME MINISTER (Continued on page 2)

-PRESIDENT BERISHA RECEIVED BUSINESSPEOPLE FROM PROMINENT SWEDISH COMPANIES- -President Berisha received businesspeople from prominent Swedish companies such as EjBiBi, Atlas Kopko, Erikson, Scania, etc., accompanied by the Swedish Ambassador to Albania. “We are grateful to the Swedish Government and people for the assistance they gave Albania in a difficult moment,” President Berisha told the Swedish businesspeople, “and I would like to thank you for the interest you are showing in Albania and assure you at the same time that cooperation with Albania, especially in the field of investment, offers mutual benefit.” For their part, the Swedish investors said that they had observed major changes in Albania and that, through their contacts with Albanian ministers and businesspeople, they saw many opportunities for cooperation in various fields such as telecommunications, public services, transport, etc.

-Report on Albania presented by rapporteur Kees Zijstra- From 14 to 18 November 1994, the 40th session of the North Atlantic Assembly was held in Washington, DC. An Albanian parliamentary delegation also took part in the session, consisting of Messrs. Petrika Minga, a PD parliamentarian, and Mr. Ruzhdi Pulaha, a parliamentarian of the Social Democratic Party. The main themes of the debates held throughout the sessions ... The Partnership for Peace and enlargement of the Alliance, especially to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. An entire session was devoted to Albania, with a summary of the report by the Dutchman Kees Zijstra, who presented the report “Albania, Between Major Challenges”. Through a detailed and analytical study, the rapporteur (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday in Tirana: The agreement signed yesterday at the Council of Ministers headquarters between KESH (Albanian Electroenergetic Corporation) and the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) was described by experts as being of particular importance for the present and future development of our country’s energy system. The agreement was signed on the Albanian side by Mr. Fatjon Tugu, Director of KESH, and on behalf of the EBRD by Deputy Director Mr. Ron Freeman. Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, Ministers Abdyl Xhaja, Piro Dishnica, Edmond Shpaho and Dashamir Shehi, as well as experts from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development accredited in Albania, were present at the signing ceremony. Yesterday’s agreement will put into effect a loan of 12.5 million ECU from the EBRD for the rehabilitation of the hydroelectric power plants built on the Drin River and those built on the Mat River, as well as the Selita plant near the capital. Regarding this important agreement for the rehabilitation of the energy system and the EBRD’s other projects in Albania, PRIME MINISTER MEKSI CONFIRMED TO JOURNALISTS THAT: This is an agreement for the rehabilitation of the Drin Cascade rehabilitation project; it is co-financed and, on the other hand, is guaranteed by the Albanian Government. We consider it an important project because it brings back to life all these hydroelectric facilities built 20 years ago, which account for 100% of our country’s energy production. (Continued on page 2)

Physical and psychological terror against PS members who declared themselves “FOR” the Constitution -Once again, I will say Yes to the Constitution, and I believe that all the Albanian people will say YES -Perhaps they turned the Yes into a No (Manipulations, because the voting was free and democratic, as the people say—give someone a finger and they take your arm). -Why were slogans spread far and wide: “The wheat harvest has failed for us,” military service will last three years, taxes will be high, there will be violence at the polls, etc. Those who said no—I was there, and I did not see any pressure from law-enforcement personnel; on the contrary, I saw calm and protection. I managed, with great difficulty, to find a copy of the draft constitution, but most of the people did not even learn its contents (there are observations about its contents [note on one article]). Why did they sabotage it, and ...? [text unclear] -I firmly express my support for the principle that every Albanian from the diaspora who wishes to do so should be allowed to return to their homeland. -The people, who preserve the finest ancient and modern traditions of hospitality, love, the besa, etc. I do not think that they committed amorality [?] against the President (as some people say [?]); I did not see them answer twice, but in various mountainous places, for a good constitution, with genuinely democratic views, it must be thoroughly cleared of the rubbish. -Every voter has their right (in the secret booth, without being pressured), but what made some people speak in the streets and cafés in favor of a Yes to the Constitution, while then voting No themselves? I think the Democratic Party should also bear this in mind. I no longer belong to any political party or association, but I think that an Albanian’s besa is Albanian identity, and ...? [text unclear] -Once again, I will say Yes to the Constitution, and I believe that all the Albanian people will say YES. -But I made a mistake that day and will not make one again: I will gather a bouquet of the freshest flowers from the high mountains of Mat and present it to Mr. President, the Constitution—Albania. The Socialist Party expelled me from its ranks because I, as Deputy Chair of the Eurosocialist Youth of the Mat district, said Yes to the non-partisan Constitution. In truth, it has many good elements and genuinely democratic views, but it must be thoroughly cleared of the rubbish. -When the dead join the living, is it or is it not the parallel? [text unclear] -Without any kind of pressure, but with conscience and desire, I declared myself in favor of the Constitution before Mr. President when he came to Mat. But I did not happen to have a bag with me in which to put the “millions” they gave me (as they claimed) so that I would be [unclear] or someone else. But we remind you that we preserve our traditions, are a persecuted family, and have been declared “Martyrs of the Homeland.” must be thoroughly cleared of the rubbish.

—Will “ZP” answer for the deceptions it is perpetrating on public opinion? Through the press (“Dita Informacion” and later “RD”), the public learned of one of those political scandals which, because of the consequences they entail and the interests they affect, cannot simply be passed over in two newspaper articles. The fact denounced by Euro-socialist MP P. Majko is this: Without the knowledge of the FRESSH leadership, the PS leadership sent a “fabricated” delegation to its counterpart’s Balkan conference. Majko states that the FRESSH leadership, knowing that these “conferences” aimed to “defend Serbian interests and discriminate against others,” had decided not to take part in them. It seems that the PS leaders, aware of these facts, secretly set up a FRESH delegation. This delegation went to Thessaloniki and signed a resolution calling for the lifting of the embargo against Serbia. Meanwhile “ZP,” the mouthpiece of the PS leaders, not only failed to publish this fact (it is obvious why), but also deceived the public by writing that the resolution had called for Nano’s release. The PS leaders owe an explanation for this not only to the FRESSH leadership and the PS membership, but to all Albanians. No Albanian can allow certain politicians to play with national interests for their own particular purposes. Some PS leaders must also explain to Albanians the other secret meetings of which they have been repeatedly accused. There has been no answer from them. Will the PS leaders and “ZP” now answer publicly, given these facts? The PS leaders owe an explanation for this not only to the FRESSH leadership and the PS membership, but to all Albanians. No Albanian can allow certain politicians to play with national interests for their own particular purposes. Some PS leaders must also explain to Albanians the other secret meetings of which they have been repeatedly accused.

—The Shkodër branch of the Democratic Party held its meeting— —Attending were the Secretary General of the DP of Albania, Shkelqim Berisha, and its deputy chairman, Spahija— On Saturday, November 19, the Shkodër branch of the Democratic Party held its meeting. The meeting was attended by the DP Secretary General, Tritan Shehu, and its deputy chairman, Ali Spahija. This meeting was held after the draft constitution was put to a referendum, in which it received over 60% of the vote in the district of Shkodër. In his report, the chairman of this branch, Ludovik Dega, gave a detailed analysis of the voting process in the district, pointing out a series of shortcomings observed during the voting. Although people had gone from house to house, municipality to municipality, and village to village, broader and higher-quality work should nevertheless have been done by everyone, from ordinary members to those elected to party and state leadership bodies. In some cases, section chairmen, in their dealings with the district branch of the Democratic Party, stood out by creating practical difficulties. Where the sections had worked well and with full effectiveness, the results had also been good. Positive examples are the DP sections in the villages of Stajke and Sheldi, where the voting results were around 100%. (Continued on page 2)

-EITHER PUBLISH A RETRACTION IN ZP OR WE’LL KIDNAP YOUR CHILDREN!- On 5 November, a statement was published in “RD” which also included my name, Shkelqim Muhameti, chairman of PS organization No. 2, Breg i Lumit. In that statement I made public my withdrawal from the PS and declared myself “in favor” of the draft Constitution. What I wrote about the PS was confirmed when members of this party’s lumpen element threatened me. Thus, unknown as well as known individuals came to my home and threatened me, saying that I would pay with my head, that they would kidnap my children, etc. Afterwards, they demanded that I publish a retraction in ZP. Since these methods did not work either, they showed their true colors. The night before last, they came at me with clubs and beat me, leaving me bleeding. These criminal acts reveal the true face and the real activity of the PS, whose leaders speak of tolerance while organizing gangs to terrorize everyone who agrees with them. I call on Tirana Police Station No. 3 to act to apprehend these criminals who belong to the PS’s ranks. SHKELQIM MUHAMETI Tirana