Respecting SO requests have been made, our fellow MPs, members of the government of the PD camp, are exempt from the control of their assets. Meanwhile, the high ranks of the PSH as well as members of the constitutional commission are calling for the denunciation of the nominal list of senior officials of the state administration against corruption, let everything be decided without compromise! - The PSH is warned that it is against the control of assets. Rilindja, 22.12.1994 against corruption, let everything be decided without compromise! - The PSH is warned that it is against the control of assets. On 22.12.1994 “Rilindja Demokratike” published the statement of the leadership of the PDSH parliamentary group regarding the control of the assets of senior state officials, in which it said: “Conforming to the special nature of the functions and the high level of the monthly salary, the inclusion of senior state officials in this law is not necessary”. Today it is clear that this statement concerns senior officials and not MPs. For this reason, it feels obliged to clarify to public opinion that members of the government who are MPs of the Democratic Party parliamentary group must submit their asset declarations. Based on article 10/1 of the constitutional provisions and article 121 of the law on the MP’s salary, as well as in implementation of the decision of the People’s Assembly, the MP has the right to receive a salary under this status. MPs who are members of the government have chosen the status of government official, thereby receiving only the minister’s salary and not that of an MP, so they cannot escape declaring their assets. Conforming to the special nature of the functions and responsibilities, senior state officials are the president, the speaker of parliament, the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and the ministers, who have at their disposal an entire state apparatus and are in such positions that the government can control them, since their assets are documented. This is a matter that has nothing to do with MPs. Therefore, MPs who are also ministers should not be exempt from asset control. Meanwhile, the high ranks of the PSH and the members of the constitutional commission are demanding the denunciation of the nominal list of senior officials of the state administration, with the aim of using this law politically. Contrary to the spirit of the law, which is the control of assets and not public denunciation without facts, the aim is to create an atmosphere of political blackmail. PD leader Sali Berisha, in the government analysis held on 17 December, as well as in the meeting of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party, stated that the fight against corruption, to be carried out without any compromise, will proceed according to the law and will affect everyone. This applies to every official, regardless of party. The People’s Assembly and the justice authorities must prove themselves equal to the task, and the perpetrators will be in the dock.

Albania was the first country affected by the Security Council embargo for which such a decision has been taken. This decision by the special committee, which in the framework of the sanctions is supervising their implementation against Serbia and Montenegro, was welcomed in a statement by the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that, with this decision, Albania can buy up to 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from the Romanian company, through the Yugoslav network. The Albanian request for this transit had been submitted since September of this year, and the Albanian authorities justified its necessity by the country’s severe energy situation. The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the special committee, also known as “Committee 724,” simultaneously approved Bosnia’s request for electricity transit through Yugoslav territory, but for Bosnia this is authorized only from January of next year. Albania is authorized to begin the transit immediately.

TIRANA PD leader Sali Berisha meets with members of section 46 TIRANA The PD should solve the problems promised to the people PD leader Sali Berisha meets with members of section 46 The reform process is continuing at the same pace and the path of building the state and the market economy must continue without obstacles, President Berisha declared on Friday during a meeting with members of section 46 of the Democratic Party in Tirana. According to the press office attached to the president, Mr. Berisha said that the work of the party sections should have as its main objective the holding and consolidation of central and local power, the political education of its members, and the attraction of new elements. “To preserve and consolidate power, every section must be closely linked to the mass of the people and must solve its problems,” President Berisha said. In this way he praised the work of section 46, which stood out for its commitment in the autumn 1992 election campaign. Speaking about the problems of the reforms being carried out in Albania, President Berisha stressed that the building of the market economy and the democratic state is a difficult process, but one that is necessary for the country’s future. In his view, the forces seeking to obstruct the reforms represent the past and cannot stop the country’s progress.

The Albanian electricity corporation is importing 450,000 ECU for Albania (ATSH) The Albanian electricity corporation is importing up to 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity through the Yugoslav system. This was confirmed yesterday to ATSH by the head of the foreign exchange department at KESH, who added that the energy is being imported from the Romanian system. KESH officials say that the electricity import agreement for Albania was reached on 17 December. Meanwhile, according to them, the amount of energy currently being imported into Albania reaches 2.2 million kilowatt-hours per day, which is being used for the country’s most essential needs. According to KESH specialists, this is one of the measures helping improve the energy situation in the country. They explained that more import quantities are also expected, as well as improvements in the country’s energy supply, especially in the larger urban centers. The severe energy situation during the winter has caused numerous power cuts for the population and enterprises, but according to the specialists the situation is expected to stabilize gradually.

As part of the intensification of contacts with university structures, representatives of the Student Youth Union held a meeting with university rectors and deans. At this meeting, the most pressing problems faced by students, the learning conditions, material resources, housing, and other issues related to improving student life were discussed. The union representatives stressed the need for closer cooperation with the university authorities in order to solve the many problems that arise in students’ daily lives. For their part, the rectors and deans expressed their readiness to cooperate and support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education and student conditions.

JOVANKA HUTA The social-democratic movement, despite some internal and external setbacks, is entering a new phase of organization. In a meeting held recently, its representatives stressed the need to strengthen the structures and clarify the political profile of this party. According to the discussions, Albanian social democrats aim to present themselves as a moderate alternative in the country’s political life, defending the interests of vulnerable groups and supporting democratic reforms. Social issues, employment, and the rule of law remain at the center of their attention. Representatives of this force have stated that, after the great split that affected their organization, the time has now come for regrouping and for presenting themselves to the electorate with a clearer and more convincing program.

Tirana - Current Affairs Mayor Sali Kelmendi: The program ... Tirana - Current Affairs Public services in the municipality’s focus The program ... A series of measures to improve citizens’ living conditions have recently been undertaken by the Tirana Municipality under the leadership of its mayor, Sali Kelmendi. At the center of these measures are public services, water supply, city cleanliness, urban transport, and road reconstruction. The Mayor stressed that one of the most important objectives is the normalization of water supply and the improvement of sewage systems. Measures are also being taken to improve the quality of cleaning services and to increase green areas. Within the municipality’s program, investments are planned in road infrastructure and public lighting, while closer cooperation with the community is also expected to identify the main problems of the neighborhoods. Sali Kelmendi stated that the municipality will work with transparency and responsibility toward citizens. (To be continued on page 7)

SADEDIN BALLA, MP

DR. ESHREF YMERI ON THE OCCASION OF THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF PUBLICATION When “The Old Curiosity Shop” was published