MEETING OF PDSH CHAIRMAN EDUARD SELAMI WITH INTELLECTUALS IN THE CAPITAL “We have been and are open to intellectual opinion within the DP” —Necessity: Finding new ways to increase and hear the voice of intellectuals” “The DP that toppled communism and institutionalized democracy must ensure that the rule of law prevails in Albania” DUKA GJIN HATA Yesterday afternoon, DP leader Eduard Selami held a discussion-style meeting with well-known Tirana intellectuals who had supported the Democratic Party, economic reform, and all the efforts of democratic forces to give the country a Constitution as soon as possible from the very beginning. More than 360 people present in the hall signed a petition for the adoption of the draft Constitution. Selami addressed them: “I would like to discuss our problems on the path to democracy with you, who have supported the DP and democracy in Albania. We must meet more often with intellectuals, and not only during election campaigns. You are an appeal to the Albanian people to support the Constitution which, although it was not perfect and had weak points, still expressed many things left to chance and spontaneity, since the comfortable luxury of its application has led many responsible intellectuals simply to do their jobs, focus on their professionalism, and not participate in the country’s political life. Mr. Selami stated the reasons for the changes in the Government; two main reasons were efficiency and the phenomenon of corruption, against which, he said, we must be firm and combat it not merely with rhetoric, but where it exists. If the local administration is being talked about more, responsibility also lies with the head who leads that department. The DP’s openness to intellectuals and young people, Mr. Selami continued in response to participants’ questions, is a guarantee of the quality of its ranks and of democratic governance, for which it is necessary to have capable and incorruptible people in leadership. … the desire to discuss our problems on the road to democracy. We should meet with intellectuals more often, and not only on the eve of election campaigns. I appeal to the Albanian people to unite. The Constitution, although it did not mention it, also had weak points; it expressed the goodwill to give the country the fundamental law of the Albanian state and society in a democracy.” He invited the participants to ask questions and discuss those things they thought should be amended and corrected, so that the people could find in the PD the embodiment of the great self-confidence of 22 March, the expression of their democratic ideals. “I want,” he said, “to hear your views on the most important problems Albania is going through today. We have been and remain open to your opinions, suggestions and contributions. But we must do a better job of engaging the distinguished intellectuals who are not lacking in Albania in various fields, so they can contribute today to its democracy. Mr Selami criticized certain narrow-minded attitudes within the PD’s structures and the government toward a particular age group, toward intellectuals of that age, and the failure to absorb their qualified views properly. Selami urged intellectuals to continue supporting democracy and the PD, because despite the difficulties and shortcomings, what is being discussed is a successful alternative for the country’s progress. He called for the establishment of separate sections within the PD on a professional basis, but said this work needed to be taken further. Answering questions related to the organization of sections, sub-sections and PD branches, Mr Selami said that this organization left much to be desired, and that opening the PD to intellectuals and young people, Mr Selami continued at a meeting soon with international representatives. It is very important for Italian-Albanian relations and for multiplying Italian investment in Albania. relations. In the joint press statement, Secretary General Tritan Shehu, for the Democratic Party, and Organizational Secretary Mario Valducci, for “Forca Italian,” said that they considered relations between the two countries peace and stability in the region. As both parties are in government and at the same time hold a majority in their respective countries, the PD and “Forza Italia” agreed to work to strengthen relations between the two countries and contribute to strengthening Albanian-Italian countries contribute to strengthening Albanian-Italian countries contribute to strengthening Albanian-Italian countries peace and stability in the region. to be desired, that

The delegation of Italy’s governing party, “Forza Italia,” which arrived in Tirana yesterday, held a meeting yesterday at the PDSH headquarters with DP Chairman Eduard Selami. The delegation of Italy’s governing party, “Forza Italia,” which arrived in Tirana yesterday, also held a meeting yesterday at the PDSH headquarters with DP Chairman Eduard Selami. The delegation is headed by “Forza Italia” political secretary On. Mario Valducci. Welcoming them, PDSH Chairman Mr. Selami stressed that the fact that meetings between representatives of the two parties have been frequent in such a short time demonstrates closeness not only between the two parties but also between our two countries. Selami assured the Italian politicians that they would always have a true ally in the Democratic Party, just as Albanians see a friendly country in Italy. Mr. Selami then focused on making relations between the two parties and the two countries increasingly concrete in the political field, but especially in the economic field. In this regard, Mr. Selami requested assistance, especially in sectors where many problems are evident, such as the electricity and water networks. It should be noted that the delegation is also accompanied by a group of powerful industrialists. On. Valducci, taking the floor, thanked them for the warm welcome and noted the recent changes in Italy, which brought about a government of the Forces of Freedom. Relations between the two parties and the two countries—friendly countries. Valducci considered them to be of a high level and assured that they would be taken further. He spoke of the initiatives they would undertake as soon as they returned to Italy to make relations concrete in both the political and economic fields. Foreign policy issues were also discussed, on which, according to Mr. Selami, the voice of a powerful country such as Italy should be heard more strongly. Finally, Mr. Selami also praised the contribution made by Italy’s ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Paolo Foresti, to establishing these good relations between the two countries. RD CORRESPONDENT

Joint press conference of the Democratic Party and Forza Italia Italian-Albanian relations are very important, not only bilaterally but also as a factor for peace and stability in the region. They are expected to gain new momentum when Italian leader Berlusconi and President Berisha meet in Budapest during an upcoming international meeting. Italian-Albanian relations are very important, as is the multiplication of Italian investment in Albania. The Democratic Party [supports] cooperation and concrete collaboration between the two countries in all fields. JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE PDSH AND FORZA ITALIA Today, on 02.12.1994, a bilateral visit to Albania by a Forza Italia delegation, composed of its leaders Dep. Alessandro Meluzzi, Dep. Mario Valducci, and Dott. Alessio Gorla, was held at the Albanian Democratic Party. The purpose of this visit was to deepen understanding and cooperation between our two parties. The Forza Italia delegation held meetings at the PDSH headquarters with Chairman Eduard Selami, Tritan Shehu, and Tomorr Dosti. During this visit, the delegation was received at the Presidency by President Berisha. The delegation also held meetings with ministers. Tritan Shehu said that during the talks, Berlusconi’s party, “Forza Italia,” had pledged support in Italian domestic political circles and in international institutions, both for the Democratic Party and for the Albanian State.

The group of Forza Italia leaders, together with a group of Italian businesspeople, was received by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha. “We were among the first to congratulate you on your victory,” President Berisha told those present. The new force that has gained power under the leadership of Forza Italia will know how to define Italy’s role in Europe and the world. Albania, like the other countries of the Balkan region, sees great opportunities in Italy for integration into European structures. President Berisha went on to thank the Italian people, government, and institutions for the valuable assistance given to Albania during this period of transition, and stressed that Albania, for its part, can offer Italy many opportunities, such as its great energy potential, etc. “I am certain that Italian investment and technology are, and will continue to be, important and welcome here.” After thanking President Berisha for the reception, Mr. Meluci stressed that Albania is undoubtedly at the top of Italy’s foreign-policy interests. He described the cooperation as dignified and stressed that it benefits not only our two countries but also the region. Press and Information Office of the President

Zagreb: Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentić and Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, accompanied by the government delegations of the two countries, met and held official talks in Zagreb. The talks focused on ways to achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, as well as prospects for developing “tera” cooperation if the talks were to fail. Regarding the extension of UNPROFOR’s mandate, Valentić said Croatia would consult with its allies and then decide what course to take. Prime Minister Meksi condemned Serbian aggression in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. “If the conflict … would contribute to strengthening Albanian-Italian relations. In the joint press communiqué, Secretary General Tritan Shehu, on behalf of the Democratic Party, and Organizational Secretary Mario Valducci, on behalf of “Forza Italian,” stated that they consider relations between the two countries peace and stability in the region. The Albanian Democratic Party and “Forza Italia” pledged yesterday at a joint press conference held at Tirana’s Palace of Congresses to deepen cooperation between them and contribute to strengthening Albanian-Italian relations. meetings at the PDSH headquarters with Messrs. Eduard Selami, Tritan Shehu, and Tomorr Dosti. During the Berisha. The delegation also held meetings with ministers and senior officials of the Albanian State. During these talks, a shared desire was expressed to deepen cooperation between the two political forces, cooperation based on similar programs across the political spectrum, a shared desire for more concrete implementation, and a shared desire to contribute to strengthening Italian-Albanian relations, which our two political forces consider extremely important. We consider them peace and stability in the area. Our two parties undertake to maintain an ongoing, constructive dialogue and to support one another. Also, through the state institutions linked to the two political forces, they will work to strengthen cooperation and concrete collaboration between our two countries in all fields. The PDSH requests Forza Italia’s Forza Italia expressed its readiness to make this contribution. Both sides stated that this is only the beginning and undertook to draw up a concrete cooperation program, which both sides will work on very soon. For the Democratic Party Secretary General Tritan Shehu Deputy Chairman Tomorr Dosti For Forza Italia Organizational Secretary Mario Valducci Foreign Coordinator Alessandro Meluzzi … UNPROFOR, Valentíc said that Croatia would consult its allies and then decide what course to follow. “If the conflict spreads to Kosovo, that will mean war for Albania too,” Meksi said. The two prime ministers agreed that Croatia and Albania still had untapped opportunities for economic cooperation, particularly in industry, oil, agriculture and tourism. Yesterday, the two prime ministers signed three bilateral agreements on transport, road traffic and the elimination of double taxation. The Albanian delegation, headed by Prime Minister Meksi, returned to its homeland yesterday. ATSH

THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION DURING THE DEBATE IN THE THIRD COMMITTEE. Tirana. The issue of human rights was debated in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs) of the UN General Assembly. The Albanian delegation announced that Albania is committed to respecting, protecting, and advancing human rights, and that international and humanitarian leaders in the former Yugoslavia support the work of the International Government in condemning crimes committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The Albanian representative in the delegation noted that … (Continued on page 2)

—UNDER THE AMENDMENT TO THE LAW “ON THE RETURN AND COMPENSATION OF PROPERTY TO FORMER OWNERS”— NDREKE GJINI With the amendment to Law No. 7698 dated 15.4.1993, “On the Return and Compensation of Property to Former Owners,” which the Albanian Parliament approved a few days ago, former owners and their heirs have the right of ownership over property taken, expropriated, or confiscated under legal and sublegal acts and court decisions issued after 29 November 1944, or unlawfully taken by the communist state in any other way—not only for registered land plots located within the boundaries of populated areas at the time of expropriation, but also for pastures, gravel beds, and forests. Thus, with the approval of this law by the Albanian Parliament, a legal basis is created for the return and compensation of property to a larger group of people whose property was confiscated and who were persecuted by the communist dictatorial system. Regarding this amendment to the law, which makes it possible to return or compensate these former owners for property they have lost, including pastures, gravel beds, or forests, the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Rezarta Gaba, said: “This amendment to the law makes it possible to extend the scope of application of the existing law. Thus, in addition to building plots and agricultural land, areas of pastures, gravel beds, and forests that were registered and have been alienated will also be compensated or returned. This change to the law Ms. Gaba continued, resolves a number of major social, legal, and economic problems concerning the return or compensation of property, because the matter now concerns not only agricultural land and building plots but also gravel beds, pastures, and forests. In other words, the scope of application of this law is greatly expanded, creating the possibility of reintegrating former owners by returning or compensating them for everything that was unjustly taken from them. The Director of Lands at the Ministry of Agriculture and… alienated. This change to the law (Continued on page 2)

-The Committee responds positively to the reaction of the head of the Albanian delegation, Ylliet Aliçka- Tirana. The regular meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee on Culture was held in Strasbourg, with representatives of the 42 states that have signed the European Cultural Convention taking part. Raymond Weber, Director General of the Committee for Culture, Education, Sport and Youth, discussed, among other issues, the request by the Yugoslav Federation (Serbia and Montenegro) to the Committee of Ministers to lift the cultural and sports embargo and admit it to the Council of Europe’s Committee on Culture. This request was opposed by the head of the Albanian delegation, Ylliet Aliçka, Director of External Relations at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The Albanian representative asked the Council of Europe’s Committee on Culture to take a position with the Committee of Ministers rejecting this request, making the lifting of the cultural embargo conditional on ending violations of the cultural and educational rights of Kosovo’s Albanian population, as well as the affront to the identity and national consciousness of these regions. At the conclusion, the Committee on Culture of the Council of Europe expressed its support for the Albanian representative’s response and undertook to communicate this conclusion to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. ATSH

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