I dedicate the goal to all Albanians, wherever they are, as a greeting for Christmas and the New Year I have a special respect for the newspaper “RD” PAGE 8 Kr aklli exclusively for “RD” I dedicate the goal to all Albanians, wherever they are, as a greeting for Christmas and the New Year. I have a special respect for the newspaper “RD”.

—Deputy Prime Minister Dashamir Shehi speaks— Based on the information and checks we carried out yesterday and on Monday, disruptions were found in several areas of Tirana, including shortages of bread in some of its retail outlets. This has naturally caused concern among citizens. Some owners of bread-producing bakeries have also voiced their concerns, justifying the bread shortages by the electricity-supply schedule, in the context of the nationwide emergency in electricity production. Because of this troubling situation and the excuse of a lack of electricity, we contacted Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Dashamir Shehi to obtain some explanations. He told us: I would like to emphasize from the outset that the electricity-distribution schedule and the reduction of the consumption quota to 50% in no way justify disruptions in bread production in the capital. There are explanations for this, and they are very convincing. First, as you know, the government decision did not reduce the electricity-consumption quota for the institutions included in the plan; they receive their full supply of electricity, and it is up to them how they organize their work. Question: Could an exception be made for their electricity supply? Answer: Even if we wanted to make an exception, it would not be possible. These bakeries are connected to the electrical grid in the areas where they are located. So they will necessarily receive electricity when it is supplied to their area, according to the schedule. As we said, these bakeries should produce while they have electricity and sell throughout the day. Question: Will the electricity-distribution schedule by area be published? Answer: The Tirana Prefecture Commission will publish a distribution schedule on television tomorrow, showing the hours for each area. In this way, private bakeries can also organize their work better. Again: Private bakeries are not exempt from the reduction of the quota to 50%. This restriction should not be an alarming concern, as their owners are presenting it. They should produce bread; there should not be a drop in production by private bakeries. The large bread factories should increase their production, and the Municipality should not remain indifferent but should follow the issue seriously. A 50% reduction in consumption in no way justifies the disruptions in bread production in the capital. There is, in fact, a very convincing explanation for this. First, as you know, the government’s decision did not reduce the energy-consumption quota for the institutions covered by it, including the large bread factories. It is their duty to make up that part of the deficit which may

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania expresses its concern over the tense situation and the violence used to prevent the opening of the Albanian-language University of Tetovo. expresses its concern over the tense situation and the violence used to prevent the opening of the Albanian-language University of Tetovo. Recognition of the fundamental human rights of all the peoples of our region serves to expand the space of freedom and long-term relations among them. Albania, being deeply interested in stability and cooperation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, considers that granting the Albanians of Macedonia the right to education, in accordance with international instruments and the country’s legislation, serves to stabilize Macedonia, not destabilize it. The Albanians’ request has been made through legal channels. It is based on Article 45 of the Constitution of Macedonia, which recognizes the right of citizens of that state to establish private schools at all levels, with the exception of primary schools, as well as Articles 222 and 228 of the Macedonian Law on Education. It has been approved by the Assemblies of the Municipalities of Tetovo, Gostivar and Dibra and is supported by all political forces and the Albanian population of Macedonia. As for higher education institutions in Macedonia, Albanian students at the universities of Skopje and Manastir make up only 1.5–2 percent of the total number of students, while Albanians account for just 3 percent of the state administration, at a time when the official figure for the number of Albanians in Macedonia is 23 percent. The University of Tetovo will help fill the inherited gap and fulfill the commitment made by the Macedonian government and President Gligorov to integrate Albanians into the Macedonian state. Educated Albanians not only do not seek to destabilize Macedonia, but will increase their participation and role as equal citizens in the stability of this republic. On the contrary, discrimination against Albanians serves the nostalgics of the old regime and forces seeking to reintroduce ethnic conflicts into the new Macedonia. The use of violence to suppress the desire for education is unacceptable not only to all Albanians wherever they may be, but also to Macedonian democratic forces and the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania expresses its conviction that such cooperation will serve the harmony and long-term interests of our countries and peoples, as well as of the region as a whole. It insists that it is not violence against Albanians, but dialogue and mutual understanding, that are prerequisites for interethnic harmony in the Republic of Macedonia and will meet the great and serious prospects that both governments and our countries have pursued and continue to pursue for the development of understanding, cooperation and international integration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania supports and firmly promotes the rule of law and standards of

Tirana: Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi completed his official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt and returned to his homeland on Sunday. At the conclusion of his visit to Cairo, Prime Minister Meksi and Egyptian Prime Minister Sedki met again and exchanged views on the results of the visit, which, according to both sides, were promising for expanding cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest such as the economy, culture, science, etc. At the meeting, Mr. Meksi once again stressed that the relations between our two peoples and countries would deepen in the future. He based this on the historical ties and traditional friendship that have existed and continue to exist between the two countries, as well as on the major role played by Muhammad Ali, of Albanian origin, in the creation of modern Egypt. Later, Prime Minister Meksi and the delegation accompanying him met with Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Jusuf Vali and with representatives of Albanians living in Cairo. The Albanian delegation’s visit to Cairo’s industrial zone and to one of the major companies in the light and food industries was also of interest.

Observation Disruptions in bread supplies in Tirana as a result of electricity shortages “The situation will improve in the next 24 hours.” During the past 24 hours, there were disruptions in bread supplies in several districts of Tirana. To find out the reason, we went to the Trade Section of Tirana Municipality. “The main cause and responsibility for these irregularities in bread supplies lies first and foremost with the electricity and municipal sectors,” Mr. Ylli Sejdini, head of the Trade Section, tells us. Yesterday, our investigation began at Electric Factory No. 7, near the main market. “Since Sunday at 4:45 p.m., we have been left with one feeder for the day, and no more have come,” Agron Likaj, shift supervisor at this factory, tells us. “I called the electrical substation of the NISH kinikes from which our factory gets its electricity. They told us there was a fault!? And that this fault would not be repaired until Monday morning?” Factory No. 7 is a branch of the large state factory. “We produce 18,000 loaves in 24 hours, which is our capacity. “Within our capacity, we are ready to meet any demand that comes our way,” Mr. Likaj continues. Many bread shops had closed early. The people gathered at the outlet near Shtraus Square told us that only 100 loaves had arrived at this location today. Further along Hoxhe Tasim Street, outlet 204 was closed. The private Morina bakery was closed as well. The reason, we were told, was the lack of electricity. We made our final observation yesterday at the largest bread factory in Tirana. (Continued on page 2)

As expected, following the Government’s decision to declare an energy emergency in the country, PS propaganda immediately sprang into action and began attacking the government, accusing it of not having made suitable provision in its program for atmospheric conditions affecting the development of the country’s economy and energy sector. PS, too , is now promising Albanians that its new program will add another chapter, offering a new alternative not presented by the current government. The PS program will include a chapter on weather conditions. Thus, if PS comes to power and implements its program, Albanians will be able to (Continued on page 2)

Durrës Accelerating privatization, deepening reform, completing the program’s objectives, and obtaining and respecting the views of grassroots sections: the work ahead —Meeting of the branch leadership, attended by PD leader Selami— Yesterday, the leadership of the PD Durrës branch held a meeting in the presence of PD Chairman Eduard Selami. In his speech, branch chairman Edmir Kapedani stressed that the meeting aimed to improve the work. Grassroots activists have been organized and meetings held by area and section. Over the course of a year, 1,027 new members were admitted, representing 30% of the total membership. Nevertheless, this is a decline compared with last year, for objective reasons and because greater care has been taken in selecting members and ensuring their quality. Selami asked the leadership to consider two areas: 1. The work of the branch down to the sections, and 2. How work has progressed on the points PD promised the people. Branch representatives on the various committees reported a relatively good situation with electricity, while employment had fallen from 20,000 in August 1992 to around 9,000 in 1994. The chairman of the district council, Vasilika Papaj, said that privatization in Durrës had been successful and had taken place on a large scale, as in the cases of NISH Tulla, the pasta factory, etc. At the same time, however, she expressed concern that on many privatization issues, the central AKP was obstructing the work of the district AKP. Mr. Papaj raised the issue of the obstruction of joint-venture enterprises, most of which had failed and fallen victim to corruption. He mentioned the case of establishing such an enterprise in the maritime fleet, despite the district council’s insistence. It not only failed to bring the enterprise a profit, but its director, facing accusations from the State Control Commission, has now left the country for Sweden. The Ministry of Tourism, he added, should not monopolize the master plans for the Durrës coast. Another issue, also supported by Mayor Tomor Golemi, was the definition of powers, since the Municipality and (Continued on page 2)

-Did the FRESSH leaders get an answer to the accusations they directed at the PS leadership?- EDI PALOKA “Get in line” seems to have been the PS leadership’s response to the FRESSH leaders who had asked for explanations regarding the delegation sent to Thessaloniki by the PS leadership. As is known, the delegation in question signed a resolution in support of Serbia in the name of the FRESSH leadership. The FRESSH leadership, which had not been informed, requested explanations from the PS leadership, which, according to the FRESSH chairman, was the “creator” of this delegation. With his accusations against the PS leadership in the press, Majko went further, declaring that there were pro-Serbian elements in the PS leadership. The FRESSH leadership met on January 15, but, as it emerged, the only response from the PS leadership—represented at the meeting by its deputy chairman, who is also FRESSH’s chairman, Meta—was: “Get in line.” Indeed, it is said that Meta, who now feels he is the PS deputy chairman and in no way the FRESSH deputy chairman, asked the FRESSH leadership to decide to expel those members or district leaders who had spoken out in favor of the constitution, covering the decision with the words “they have acted contrary to FRESSH’s program and statute,” as if FRESSH’s statute stipulated in advance how Albanians should vote on the constitution, which has no connection whatsoever with the parties. So it seems that the PS chairman, who in their press publications takes credit for FRESSH’s successes in the international arena, does not hesitate, when it comes to it, to show FRESSH’s leaders that they are merely soldiers of the communists who actually run the PS.

-From the meetings of the standing parliamentary committees- The fundamental activities of science and technological development are now also being placed under the oversight of the law. For this purpose, deputies who are members of the standing Committee on Laws debated, asked questions, and sought detailed clarifications at their meeting yesterday. The committee’s chairman, Mr. Halit Shamata, asked specialists from the State Committee for Science and Technology and the relevant legal experts to ensure, in drafting this bill, that it was consistent with existing legislation, especially the main constitutional provisions and, in particular, the law “On Higher Education in the Republic of Albania,” etc. After hearing the necessary explanations, the other committee members also agreed that this bill should be forwarded promptly for discussion at a plenary session of the People’s Assembly. Another draft law, “On Sponsorships,” is also expected to be discussed soon in a plenary session. Yesterday, members of the standing Finance and Economy Committee discussed it with specialists from the Ministries of Finance and of Culture, Youth and Sports. During their discussions, they emphasized the importance of the bill for sports activities and other undertakings, such as humanitarian, cultural and artistic, educational, scientific, ecological, and radio and television activities in Albania. P.SHUTERIQI

According to the BBC Last year, the then Greek prime minister, Konstantin Micotaqis, as is known, came forward with the idea of forming a Greek-Serbian confederation. The issue was then raised in Bucharest with the aim of having Romania join it as well, while recently the Belgrade authorities reactivated the idea during the visit there of Nikos Konstandillopullos, leader of the Greek parliamentary left-wing coalition. Now the Belgrade authorities are adding Macedonia to this scenario as well. It is therefore likely that this issue will be at the center of the talks between Millosheviq and Papandreu. Meanwhile, ahead of the Tirana–Skopje–Sofia visit, Millosheviq’s idea seems to have had a chance of being put into practice. Bulgarian President Zhelev is expected to visit Washington soon, while the presence of American forces in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been described as decisive for peace in the Balkans by both number one figure Gligorov and Albanian President Sali Berisha. President Gligorov is against the creation of alliances of (Continued on page 2)