Facts confirm that the former State Security, acting on the orders of Alia, Çarçani, Nano, Bufi and Ruçi, was responsible for the terror, destruction and killings of 1991–1992 NDREKE GJINI

Yesterday’s plenary session of the People’s Assembly began with the review and approval of the draft law “On Science and Technological Development.” Before consideration of this draft law began, many members of parliament asked various questions concerning the fields of activity covered by the law, science policy, basic methodological principles, national research programs, etc. The relevant specialists answered other questions for about half an hour. During consideration of this draft law, questions for about half an hour. Yesterday’s morning plenary session then continued with the report of the Temporary of Laç, Pogradec, Lushnje, Pukë and Peqin during the transition period, presented by the commission’s chairman, MP Sadedin Balla. This report presented in detail, with concrete figures and facts, the full criminal dimensions of the authors of the scenario and those who carried it out: the riots, destruction, injuries and deaths—the events that befell innocent citizens. The figures and facts presented in the report exposed and denounced the face and criminal actions of the former state. They revealed and denounced the criminal actions of the former communist officials of that time, who, with the sole aim of prolonging the life of the dictatorial Satan, devised and carried out that shameful, painful and ominous scenario, which caused Albania, in addition to material losses amounting to 7 billion lekë, more than 50 deaths. The psychology of terror, riots, distortions and killings, planned by former President Alia and by Çarçani, Nano, Bufi, Ruçi and company, and carried out by the former State Security and former employees of the infamous Ministry of Internal Affairs at the expense of the Albanian people, were presented in Mr. Balla’s report. This prompted Dokle, Ruçi and many other Socialist MPs to insist that the report not be broadcast on TVSH. This fact needs no comment. After many discussions and debates about how to proceed with the issues raised in the report, it was left to the presidium of the People’s Assembly to decide. Before consideration of this draft law began, many MPs asked various questions concerning the areas of activity covered by the law, scientific policies, basic methodological principles, national research programs, etc. Other questions were put to the relevant specialists law, MPs took the floor promptly and in an orderly manner, with the aim of regulating the fundamental principles governing activity in the fields of science and scientific research, its direction at different levels, the principal state documents, the organization of state scientific institutions, methods of financing, and the status of employees of these scientific institutions. This law addresses state scientific institutions, while also leaving the way open for private or joint scientific institutions. At the end, following the discussions, the draft law was put to a vote and approved both in principle and article by article, as a whole. After this law was approved, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, asked the chairs of the law and finance committees, the ladies Mimoza Ruli, to announce their amendment concerning the inclusion on the agenda of the Draft Law on the declaration and verification of NDREKE GJINI

Address by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi Honourable Speaker, Honourable members of parliament, The problem of relocating residents from areas flooded by hydroelectric power plants, as everyone is aware, is an old one. Its solution was provided in accordance with the laws of the Albanian state in the Decree of the President of the Republic No. 886, dated 30.6.1994, and in a series of acts, through which it was definitively decided at the session of 30.6.1994 of the Government, drawn up after extensive discussions with the hunger strikers in April–May 1994. The Government, and in particular the departments charged with implementing these legal and regulatory acts, have worked throughout this time to carry out this enormously difficult task. The main duties of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and of Local Government were to make available land areas for the districts receiving the relocated people, record and verify the lists, and prepare the implementing regulations. Accordingly, instructions were prepared for implementing the above decision and, in cooperation with B.T.A. specialists, instructions were prepared for implementing the President’s Decree on compensating residents of the flooded areas for their loans. Carrying out this decision is a difficult and complex undertaking; approximately 100 hectares are envisaged, although it is also claimed that this area has been occupied by people from the northern region. The relevant documentation has been prepared for the land made available, but objections have been raised by the Tropoje district regarding its quality; the district is expected to be settled in Kretë. The urban plan for the district has been completed. This district, too, is ready to receive the first contingent. The Kukes district is to be settled in the Durrës district. The area has almost been provided, but there are some objections concerning the quality of the land. It should be emphasized here, however, that the value of land is determined not only by its agronomic qualities, but primarily by its location in relation to infrastructure. From this point of view, we believe the objection is unfounded. The regulatory plans have been completed; work on approximately 350 plots is nearing completion, with another approximately 550 still in progress. It was agreed to modify this plan to provide one plot of land for each house. According to the district chairman’s report, The Has and Kukes districts are to be settled in the Lushnje district. Objections concerning land quality are to some extent valid for Remas, although both local residents and newcomers live there; for the areas of Stravec, Grabian and Gradishtë, however, the objection concerning land quality is entirely unfounded. Following the construction of hydroelectric power plants in the districts of Kukes, Has, Tropoje and Puke, and the Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 306, dated 30.6.1994, a working group was established under the leadership of Mr. Dylber Vrioni. It has been operating since 1 December. On 16 December 1994, the working group met with the prefect of Kukes and the chairmen of the district councils of Kukes, Has, Tropoje and Puke. The meeting reviewed the work carried out so far to implement the President’s Decree and the Council of Ministers’ decision. After much debate, the only possible solution was agreed upon: the relocation of families flooded by the Fierza hydroelectric plant would begin immediately, in stages. At the same time, it was reaffirmed that the submerged land would be assessed and value papers issued in accordance with the relevant law; these could be used as shares in the privatization of the hydroelectric plants or other state property being privatized. It was thus decided that 650 families from the four districts mentioned above would move first, and would be provided with a building plot, a loan from the National Housing Agency, and land given as compensation for the land that had been flooded. Of this contingent of families to be relocated, 400 [?] families would be from the Kukes district, with 320 families settling in the Durrës district and 80 families in Stravec in the Lushnje district; 100 families from the Has district would settle in the Lushnje district; 90 families from the Puke district would settle in the Lezhe district; and 60 families from the Tropoje district would settle in the Kurbin district, in the former Mamurras vineyards. It was agreed that a meeting would be held in the receiving districts, and that the councils of these districts would submit, by 23 December, the names of the 650 families in the most urgent need. On 19 December, at the Council of Ministers, under the leadership of Mr. Dylber Vrioni and with the participation of the working group and the working group of the Ministry of Agriculture, an agreement was reached with the four chairmen of the district councils of Lushnje, Durrës, Lezhe, Kurbin and Tirane concerning the 650 families who would move immediately. The chairmen of these districts reported that everything was ready to issue these families building permits immediately and to begin construction of their houses. These conclusions were made known to representatives of the hunger strikers, and Mr. Ali Spahia travelled to the Kukes district on 17 December 1994 to meet with the hunger strikers. (Continued on page 2) They then provided more detailed facts and figures, presenting the full, terrible scale of the situation; the President’s Decree on granting loans to residents of the flooded areas. Implementing this decision is a difficult and complex undertaking: around 25,000 residents are expected to be relocated, the equivalent of a city; around 2,000 hectares of land are to be made available, and at least around 40 million dollars are required for housing alone, not counting the infrastructure for these fully-fledged urban centers. Briefly, this is how implementation of the decision is planned, starting with the receiving districts: In the district of Lezhë, the district of Puke has been designated for resettlement. The territory has been identified and cadastral documentation prepared for 240 hectares at the former state agricultural enterprise (NB), Rile, in Torovice, and at the former NB Grumbullim Zadrime enterprise. The main problem is that some of this land is occupied by residents from the northeastern areas who arrived spontaneously; this Ministry is working to clear the area. Those being relocated from the district of Puke have raised no claims concerning the quality of the land. Urban studies for two centers have been completed, while specialists have refused to prepare the regulatory plan for Torovice because of the terrain. The district is ready to receive the first group planned by the Government, which constitutes the emergency contingent. In the district of Lezhë, the district has not completed the specified land area with detailed facts and figures. They presented the full, terrible scale of the situation and, in cooperation with B.T.A specialists, prepared instructions for implementing for these fully-fledged urban centers. [...] (Continued on page 2) In the district of Lushnjë, a district for Has and Kukës will be established. Claims about the quality of the land are valid to some extent for Remas, although both local and incoming residents live there, whereas for the areas of Stravec, Grabian and Gradishtë, the claim about the quality of the land is completely unfounded and even speculative. The development plans have been completed for the three centres we mentioned. This district, too, is awaiting the first groups from both districts of origin. Although there have also been delays in the receiving districts, we must acknowledge that the districts of origin have not shown the required willingness either. This also applies to the lists that were compiled, about which there is considerable uncertainty among the residents of those areas. In light of this and in order to obtain the most accurate information possible, the working group has returned all the lists for verification, with the aim of putting an end to any speculation. These lists are expected to be submitted to the working group on 23 December. As for the district of Tirana, it is known that a large number of families have settled spontaneously and without respecting the development plans. As far as we know, the area of Cerkezë has been surveyed, and we believe that in this area the opportunity to settle should be given only to residents who arrived spontaneously and belong to the flooded area. Meanwhile, regarding the implementation of Presidential Decree no. 886, dated 12.7.1994, “On granting loans to residents of areas flooded by hydroelectric power stations, or on initially, 650 families would move from the four districts mentioned above, with the district where they will build, the solution provided by the National Housing Entity, and the land to be granted as compensation for the flooded land being selected. Of this group of 4,000 families who will move, 400 families will be from the district of Kukës, with 320 families settling in the district of Durrës and 80 families in Stravec, in the district of Lushnjë; 100 families from the district of Has will settle in the district of Lushnjë; 90 families from the district of Pukë will settle in the district of Lezhë; and 60 families from the district of Tropojë will settle in the district of Kurbin, in the former vineyards of Mamurras. the receiving districts on this matter, and that by 23 December the councils of these districts would submit the direction the district councils of Lushnjë, Durrës, Lezhë, Kurbin and Tirana on these districts reported that everything was ready for these families to be issued building permits immediately and to begin construction of their homes. These conclusions were made known to representatives of the strikers, and, to meet with the strikers, Mr Ali Spahia went to the district of Kukës on 17 December 1994. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday morning, the new members of the Constitutional Court, Zija Vuci, Alfred Karamuço and Metush Saraçi, took the oath before the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha. President Berisha, after congratulating them on their new duties, emphasized in his conversation with the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Mr. Rustem Gjata, the necessity of strengthening the functions of the Constitutional Court as one of the most important institutions of democracy. Press and Information Office of the President

Meeting of the branch leadership; PDSH deputy chairman Mr. Tomorr Dosti participates These days, the leadership of the PD Puke branch held its meeting in implementation of the tasks assigned by the branch’s expanded assembly, held on November 30, 1994, in Fushë-Arrez. There were two issues at this meeting: reorganizing those sections that performed poorly in the Referendum and that throughout this year have had shortcomings and a lack of effectiveness in their work, as well as few new members and a lack of active, close engagement with people; and further deepening the reform. The branch’s specialists presented a work program that sets out and analyzes all the sections in the villages and the town that need assistance and reorganization, as well as the steps to be taken to improve their work. Incompetence, irrelevance and bureaucratic routine in resolving problems on the one hand, and failure to enforce the laws, exploiting official positions and duties for personal gain, and creating unlawful privileges on the other, make administrative reform necessary; however, it must be carried out carefully and prudently. The chairman of the district council, Mr. Ndue Çuni, addressed the difficulties encountered with the central government, which, by centralizing powers and actions, especially in the fields of privatization, education and healthcare, has often reduced local government to a powerless observer. The meeting also discussed new members and a lack of active, hands-on work with people, as well as the further deepening of the reform. The branch specialists presented a work programme that included and analysed all the sections in the countryside and in the city that needed support and reorganisation, as well as the ways to be followed to improve the situation. All the members of the leadership, together with the deputies engaged in this major undertaking, aimed to strengthen the role of the section, expand its activities and fill its ranks with honest people committed to democracy. During 1994, membership increased by 500 new members, or more than 50% of the total, but the leadership believed that the selection and quality of members should be the primary objective. The chairman of the PD branch in the district, Gjergj Sokoli, described deepening the reform as a fundamental condition for improving the situation in Ndue Çuni. He addressed the problems faced by local authorities in their dealings with the central government, which, by centralizing executive powers—especially in the fields of privatization, education and healthcare—has often reduced local government to a mere, powerless observer. Other matters were discussed at the meeting, such as increasing the role of leadership members, their conduct, discipline and commitment to enforcing the law. Mr Dosti thanked the leadership for its strong sense of responsibility in addressing the problems and for its determination to analyse shortcomings first, rather than achievements. He praised the coordination between the party and the deputies, and instructed them to make the effective functioning and improvement of the sections’ work—the sections that the leadership had reviewed—the branch’s main objective. PD Secretary, Pukë HALIT FURRIKU

Continuing our daily observations of the bread supply situation in the capital, yesterday at the bread factory we learned that not only did the bread shops have bread in stock, unsold (as also confirmed by our observations in the shops), but the factory warehouses were also full of bread that had not yet been distributed. Confirming this to RD, the director of this factory, Mr. Xhevdet Rexhepi, told us that the situation was the same in the city of Durres. Referring to the report by the factory director, Mr. Koço Kureta, Mr. Rexhepi informed us that bread production in Durres had reached its highest point, leaving stock at the retail outlets as well. RD correspondent

-Yesterday’s figures- In the mountainous areas of Puke, Kukes and Peshkopi, and farther on in the mountains where the sources of the White Drin originate, in Kosovo and on the Dukagjin plain, several centimeters of snow have fallen, while at lower elevations there has been rain, says Mr. Resul Sulejmani, dispatcher of the country’s general energy system, when asked about the latest energy situation in the country. These precipitations, he continued, have not helped increase the flow of the Drin River. Thus, on December 22, the Fierzaj HPP remained shut down; perhaps during the night it could operate for only 2–3 hours to help increase energy production. The Koman and Vau i Dejes plants are also continuing to operate with only two turbines each. Meanwhile, over the past 24 hours the Fier TPP produced 2 million 500 thousand kWh of energy. Around 1,000 tons of fuel oil were used for this. The Ballsh TPP produced 250 thousand kWh, while the Korge TPP produced a small amount. In addition to domestic production, 2 million 400 thousand kWh of electricity were imported from Greece yesterday. Given the intensified government negotiations, there is hope of securing reliable supplies from neighboring countries, which have been asked for this assistance. RD CORRESPONDENT

Continuing to follow up on the fulfillment of the demands of students at Student City No. 2—demands concerning the improvement of students’ living conditions, especially the unjustified lack of electricity and water, poor hygiene in sanitary facilities, and other problems—we inquired yesterday at the Ministry of Education to see how far things had progressed and what was being done for the students of this student city. On this issue, we spoke with the director of higher education at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Ilia Prifti, who informed us that: On 20.12.1994, while a meeting of the Student Youth Union was being held, the Minister of Education, Mr. Xhezair Teliti, called an urgent meeting with the ministries and institutions responsible for meeting the students’ urgent demands, primarily those of Student City No. 2. Mr. Prifti told us that the meeting was attended by the Minister of Trade, the Mayor of Tirana, the director of the Electricity Enterprise, the directors of Student Cities One and Two, and the rectors and deans of higher education institutions in Tirana. At this meeting, the Student Youth Union’s urgent demands were discussed and accepted, including the provision of electricity and water, improving food quality, addressing irregularities in bread supplies, and other issues relating to improving students’ living conditions. It was stated at the meeting by the students and the Minister of Education that these anomalies and shortages were also hindering the normal progress of the educational process. Likewise, the rectors and deans said that the lack of electricity and water in university facilities was a drawback to (Continued on page 2)

YEAR IV OF PUBLICATION No. 838 Friday 23 December 1994 Number of pages: 8 PRICE: 5 LEKË

DUKAGJIN HATA Another successful achievement of Albanian diplomacy Page 2

The full speech by the Chairman of the Temporary Parliamentary Commission for investigating the riots and destruction in the districts of Laç, Pogradec, Lushnje, Pukë and Peqin in 1991–1992, Mr. Sadedin Balla, delivered at the parliamentary session of 22 December 1994. “If the justice authorities make an effort and prove equal to their duty, the destroyers will be in the dock” — excerpt from Mr. Balla’s speech

-Prime Minister Meksi answers questions on the issue -Interpellation with Education Minister Xhezair Teliti- In the afternoon, the new Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi answered questions put by MP Nanik Dokle, on behalf of the PS parliamentary group, as well as by PD MPs Hoxha, Mustafa and Pajo, on the issue Dokle asked for the question session with the Prime Minister, speculating about the real difficulties faced by these families, from whom the former communist regime took everything and whom it left without any support, because they were not supported. He opened this session with typically Bolshevik slogans, claiming that now all support had been taken away, while the democratic government had given and was continuing to give support to these families. [...] Mustafa and Pajo, on the issue left without any support, give support to these families. [...] The commander of Vau i Dejës had been fabricated in the most unscrupulous manner. The paradox of this farce of water and ... stones ... was that he claimed he had gone to Kukës to support the strikers and promised to take them under his protection. Mr. Meksi was to go there, but Dokle had apparently, to his misfortune, not counted on the retort by MP Marash Ibri, who revealed that Dokle had been in Kukës not to accompany the strikers, but to attend a special reception at Hotel “Gjallëza” for the Yugoslav ambassador. MP Marash Ibri stated this, among other things, in his speech. Meanwhile, Dokle was unable to defend this claim against Marash Ibri. MPs Mustafa, Haxhiçaj, Memia and Luli also spoke later in this question session with the Prime Minister, who then discussed the work (Continued on page 2)