1. What was said by the residents of the flooded area and by what means and forms should the government and parliament act? 2. How do you see the problem of solving this issue? 3. What is your opinion as deputies of those residents on resolving their requests? "RD" correspondent 1. What was said by the residents of the flooded area and by what means and forms should the government and parliament act? Do you see the problem of solving this issue? 2. How do you see the situation in this area, what can you tell us about the nature of these strikes, are they a lawful protest or not? 3. What is your opinion as deputies of those residents on resolving their requests? SHEFQET HOXHA: 1.-For several days now, the group of residents from the flooded area in C.H. C/1 E/4 have gone on hunger strike. The reasons are known. The farm couple A[?]j[?] has not received the water promised by the government. At least in September and November of 1994, each should have received 205 thousand lek. They have received 45 thousand lek each. Let us say that the payment of land rent so far has been an obstacle. So no feed for livestock has arrived and the other payments are only partial. 2. I am more than convinced that this hunger strike is being carried out in the name of this category of residents of the flooded area. So, the problem is extremely worrying. It is by no means a politically oriented protest. The strike has no political background whatsoever. It represents a real concern of the residents. It cannot be compared with other strikes that were held before. No political slogans have been raised, only what was promised has been demanded. Of course, we will stand by them and will strongly demand the quickest possible solution. 3. My view is that the government must act as quickly as possible. The residents have a right to their demands. The issue of land payments, aid for livestock and housing must be resolved. This problem must not be allowed to drag on. MUSTAFA MUSTAFA: 1.-I am quite clear. What has happened to the residents of the flooded area was, in a way, foreseen. The problem has been that the institutions have not moved at the right pace. The residents have grown tired of waiting. Promises were made to them and were not kept within the proper deadlines. The hunger strike came as a result of the failure to respect deadlines. 2. The nature of this strike is clear. It is a social and economic protest. It is not a political protest. The residents want concrete solutions, not statements. What is being demanded is entirely legitimate. 3. I think the state must intervene immediately. A clear compensation program should be created, feed for livestock should be provided, overdue payments should be made, and the housing situation should be improved. Only in this way will this dissatisfaction be extinguished. SKENDER JAKU: 1. As deputies, we have followed this situation with great concern. Contact with the residents has been continuous. They have clearly expressed their dissatisfaction with the failure to resolve their requests. Their forms of action have been peaceful and direct. 2. This is a strike born of need and despair. I have not seen any political element in it. It is an expression of the serious social condition of people who have been waiting for months for a solution. 3. As a deputy, I think an immediate institutional response is needed. Concrete measures for compensation and housing must be taken. These people cannot be left in uncertainty. (Continued on page 2)

Sejini's declaration - Mr. Ahmet takes the next turn at the helm of this Assembly The Albanian Parliament won the respect of the parliamentary deputies of the member countries of this important European forum. Last night, at the closing session of the 4th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the President of this interparliamentary forum, Albanian MP Mr. Ylli Vejsiu, declared that it had been the most successful session in its history and stated that, through this organization, Albania would strengthen its role in the region and beyond. He expressed his thanks to the Albanian Parliament and its deputies for their valuable and important contribution to the smooth running and success of the session. The head of the parliamentary delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, when asked at the end of the proceedings about his impressions of this session, stressed that the work of the 4th session had been successful because it took place in an atmosphere of full understanding. He stated that the Black Sea Economic Cooperation serves peace in the Balkans and beyond. He also expressed his conviction that by cooperating along the path of this organization, the countries of Southeastern Europe will speed up their path toward integration into Europe. Aleksandër Xhujan, a deputy from Romania, concluded the proceedings of this session as chairman of the delegation of the member countries of this interparliamentary forum. In a brief statement, he said that, alongside the work of the forum as a whole, the Albanian delegation in particular, and especially the deputies of the Democratic Party, had been very active in the many discussions. According to him, this activity of the Albanian delegation has strengthened Albania's relations with the other Black Sea countries. (Continued on page 7)

Closing speech at the 4th annual plenary session of APBEZDZ Your Excellency Mr. Myroz de Juntje, esteemed colleagues, At the moment of closing the 4th annual plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation, allow me to express to you an indescribable feeling of satisfaction at the successful conclusion of this session. Esteemed colleagues, Allow me first to address the Council of Ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, through its representative at the session, Mr. M. Ali, whose presence honors not only our session, but also gives a clear expression of the Council of Ministers' determination regarding the decisions taken at the Bosphorus Summit. The presence of 12 parliamentary delegations from countries of the Black Sea area, 4 parliamentary delegations from Mediterranean countries, as well as delegations and representatives from the International Cooperation Organization and from the Baltic Assembly, makes our session not only the most represented, but also the most important of the four sessions held to date. I am very pleased that for the first time Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Georgia took part in the work of this session of ours as active participants. Within the framework of our parliamentary activity, the committee meetings were held very successfully, and in the Municipality of Tirana a meeting was held of more than 30 mayors from the Black Sea region and beyond. (Continued on page 7)

On the problems of the strike in Kukës The full compensation of the residents of the flooded areas will be made The President of the Republic with the deputies of the flooded area The President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, held a meeting today with the deputies of the flooded area of the Kukës district. During the conversation, the development of official activities on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Liberation, the problems of compensation for the damage caused by the flood, as well as the issue of the internally displaced people from Dukagjin were discussed. His Excellency Mr. Sali Berisha, aware of the concern of the residents of the flooded area, promised them that the problem of compensating the damage caused through the quantity of feed for livestock and the payment of land rent will be resolved as quickly as possible. He also assured the deputies that new houses would be built for the residents of the flooded area in the new settlements. He stressed that the government will pay special attention to the problems of the flooded area in the Kukës district. The President of the Republic also considered unacceptable any kind of demagoguery carried out through this issue.

- Mr. Ahmeti takes the next chairmanship of this Assembly Cooperation in the Balkans means strength and stability of peace and security throughout Europe. In these days, as some of the parliamentarians from the countries belonging to the Black Sea area were passing through Albania, the audio-visual media made every effort to inform the public as quickly as possible about the fourth session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation, together with the happy, but also surprising, news that this important organization with influence in the region and beyond has decided to entrust its next chairmanship for 1995 to Albania! Paradoxically, such an assessment addressed to our state and parliamentary structures had never before been voiced by the highest European institutions. In truth, at the first session of these proceedings, the Romanian parliamentarian, Professor Murat, said from the podium on behalf of all participants: "We are convinced that the 4th session of PABSEK in Albania will be remembered in the history of this organization." And if it is remembered, that is first of all because yesterday in Tirana there were 4 parliamentary speakers, the deputy speaker of the Russian Duma, chairmen of parliamentary committees from 16 countries and international organizations. In any case, the successful development of such an event is valuable in itself, not to say that we are in the European family, but to demonstrate determination on the path already taken. It cannot be a coincidence that not only Tirana, but also Albanian institutions are being given positive marks. The President of the Assembly, Mr. Ylli Vejsiu, at the opening of the proceedings called it "the most important cooperation organization in the Balkans," and later, the speaker of the Albanian parliament, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, in his speech described it as "an example of understanding at a time when the winds of democracy and freedom are blowing." Indeed, it has not often happened that such forums of extraordinarily great importance have been held in Tirana with such success. It seems that foreign politicians and analysts alike share this view, albeit in somewhat different ways. In an interview given to TVSH, the deputy speaker of the Russian Duma, Sergei Baburin, said that although he had visited Tirana for the first time in 1991, he had found a capital changed for the better. According to him, the victory of the democrats in the 6 November referendum is the clearest indicator of our country's Western orientation. As for the chairman of the parliamentary delegation of Greece to PABSEK, Mr. Vasilis Magginas, he said yesterday that "Albania is winning the respect of political circles in the Balkans and beyond". (Continued on page 7)

Photo: A. Babani From Prime Minister Meksi's visit to France Meksi meets Lamassyrin French parliamentarians will contribute to our admission to the Council of Europe PARIS, 13 DECEMBER ATA - The head of government, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alfred Serreqi, and the Albanian ambassador in Paris, Mr. Qemal Minxhozi, was received yesterday at the National Assembly by the president of the Foreign Affairs Committee and also rapporteur for Albania in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr. Jacques Baumel. During the conversation, the head of the Albanian government gave an overview of the political and economic development in the country and its stabilizing role in the region. In this context, he dwelt on the recent act of the Albanian left opposition of burning parliament, describing it as an unnecessary act detrimental to cooperation and understanding between political forces. The president of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, Mr. Baumel, after expressing satisfaction with the conversation with the Albanian delegation, then stressed that the National Assembly is working on the formation of a friendship group between France and Albania. During the meeting, the prospect of our country's admission to the Council of Europe was assessed. Both interlocutors considered it important that the French parliament should also make its contribution in this direction. They also agreed to intensify cooperation in the fields of education, culture and technology. (Continued on page 2) Meeting at the French National Assembly

Excuse me, do I have “injornati?” EDITORIAL - S.P.[?]alluni, it is good to clarify one important thing, we are dealing with 1/2[?] E. Pllumbi apparently, with a note to 1/2[?], “raises his voice” in an interview with my colleague “fari” to the question: “Why doesn't the government speak, why does no one give account?” That question was not addressed to PDSH, the Democratic Party, it was not addressed to the government in the institutional sense, but to the political positions and propaganda of those who repeatedly try to play with people's fate through difficult situations. So what is happening? The answer is clear: instead of seeking a solution to the real problem of the people, some politicians are trying to instrumentalize the situation. This is unacceptable. Today is not the day for empty rhetoric, but for concrete responsibility. P.D.KA

Set an impressive example While this morning at the PDSH headquarters the weekly meeting of the women's association was held, despite their invitation, the representatives were told that the American Congress is making another mistake in foreign policy. The chairwoman of the PDSH Albania[?] described it as an unfair decision and stressed that Albanians cannot accept such an attitude toward Kosovo. She said that we have also made it known to the Serbs in Belgrade that Albanians will take certain actions in the event that the United States cuts aid to Kosovo. According to her, Albanians in Kosovo and in other Albanian areas should feel supported and cannot be left at the mercy of wrong international policies. At the meeting, a more active stance was requested from the Albanian factor and from international organizations in order to protect the rights of Albanians in Kosovo. MEETING AT THE PDSH HEADQUARTERS

Biography of dictatorship Biography of dictatorship Uran Kostreci opposes Muhamet Prodani: Your red star has set, o general The December storm of Shkodër 13 December 1990 through the lens of some protagonists F5 F7

The anti-magnate[?] anti-Albanian Bishop Sebastianos Tearing apart APP, for 1,751 years the bishop has supposedly been the age of Christ. Kuyre with national requests called not only the Orthodox Albanians, southern but also [d]orenj? and our national [ch]eest?[?]. Not only because Albania had such a Bishop at its head, but because, for example, etc. and how much the government had promised in them as in [c]ezerane? by openly displaying exploitation and excesses. Ask the Orthodox in Albania, us Albanians in the south in constant conflict with the Greek state.[?] View of the church of [Sh]k[?]are, 50 years old[?].