EDI PALOKA Once again, unrestrained demagogues are presenting their phantom policy to the political public. Once again it is the Constitution being discussed that has been placed at the center of deceptive and opportunistic demagoguery; this time their demands also cross the boundaries of the law. Albanians have already seen some of the most extreme positions taken by this opposition regarding the Constitution. First came the outcry that the Constitution was being delayed, then the alarm that the draft Constitution had been rushed through. First came the propaganda that the DP did not want Albania to have a Constitution, then a whole propagandistic hysteria to prevent its adoption. And the demagoguery does not stop: a group of opposition members present themselves as the initiators of a round table at which consensus was supposed to be reached on setting up the commission that would draft the Constitution, but... Perhaps taken aback by the DP’s participation in this round table, those very people who proposed it do not even get into a discussion of the Constitution or of setting up the commission that would draft it, but instead embark on endless discussions about how the Constitution—which had not yet been drafted—should be adopted. It is clear to everyone that all this bears just one name: demagoguery, intended to show Albanians that they are indeed interested in the Constitution, but that the DP disagrees. The facts above show how empty such a demagogic policy is. Nevertheless, the opposition does not stop. Finally, they turn their backs completely on their round table and take their demagoguery to other dimensions, with a policy based on Article 44 of the Main Constitutional Provisions: the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Albania may be drafted only by a special commission appointed by the People’s Assembly, and the composition of this commission is also determined by a decision of the People’s Assembly. Thus, the fact that the PS or another party declares that it is drafting its own constitution is pure demagoguery and, if true, is unlawful. The opposition wants to come out tomorrow with a phantom draft, trying to convince Albanians that they are interested in the Constitution, while knowing from the outset that their work, being unlawful, cannot be approved, even on legal grounds. Tomorrow they will again say, “Look, we drafted the Constitution, but the DP doesn’t want it,” without worrying about the law at all—which is certainly not the first time they have done so. Their demagoguery is also exposed by the fact that, after attacking as a party the draft Constitution prepared by a commission established on a legitimate basis, with members from all parliamentary parties, they now want to present Albanians with constitutions drafted separately by their own parties—constitutions that will be neither democratic nor, in any way, based on Marxist principles, while the last part is unclear in its context? not? [unclear text] Always in the service of their demagogic purpose, they declare that they are drafting their own constitution. Without even getting into the question of what kind of constitution the authors of the ’76 Constitution might present, or the fact that such a constitution would be entirely partisan and, why not, based on Marxist principles, it must be said that the act they claim to be carrying out is against the law. Under the law, or more precisely under Article 44 of the Main Constitutional Provisions, the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Albania may be drafted only by a special commission appointed by the People’s Assembly, and the composition of this commission is also determined by a decision of the People’s Assembly. Thus, the fact that the PS or another party declares that it is drafting its own constitution is pure demagoguery and, if true, is unlawful. The opposition wants to come out tomorrow with a phantom draft, trying to convince Albanians that they are interested in the Constitution, while knowing from the outset that their work, being unlawful, cannot be approved, even on legal grounds. Tomorrow they will again say, “Look, we drafted the Constitution, but the DP doesn’t want it,” without worrying about the law at all—which is certainly not the first time they have done so.

At the Holy Metropolis of Korça, the Chairman of the PDSH and Korça MP Eduard Selami congratulated Orthodox believers and was received by His Eminence, At Kristo Raqi Korça was undoubtedly one of those cities where religious holidays did not die out, even under the brutal terror of the communist dictatorship—even though sacred books were burned, even though famous churches such as that of Saint George and the Metropolitan Cathedral, renowned throughout Europe, were destroyed, and even though respected clergy, priests and hodjas, were imprisoned and massacred. Even though one of the Balkan’s gems among mosques, in the heart of Korça, was brutally desecrated, the torch of love for Almighty God, Jesus Christ, remained lit in the conscience of the people of Korça. Many literary books were indeed burned; the city truly experienced the Inquisition many times more barbaric than that of the Middle Ages. Yet this city, cradle of ancient culture, carefully preserved in its characteristic chests, decorated by renowned craftsmen, the Bible and the Koran. Even today, in the homes of Orthodox people from Korça, one can find icons of rare beauty, which the best-known cathedrals of Europe would envy. Today, in democracy, when religious belief is protected by everyone, these holidays have a special resonance; they are no different from the religious celebrations held in the most populous centers of devotion to the Holy Spirit and to Almighty God, Jesus Christ... So it was with Christmas this year as well. The festive atmosphere in Korça could be felt from the beginning of December. Dozens of postcards began arriving from far away. It is the month when airports are busier than in any other season. It is difficult to book a plane or ferry ticket. It is the month that carries a message of peace and love, unity and human brotherhood. Although in recent years the families of believers have been scattered across four or five countries in search of a better life, December, the end of the year, is what makes people forget their foreign addresses for a few days and feel drawn toward 25 December. The Christmas holiday invites millions of people to brotherhood... Korça’s shops were decorated as never before with all kinds of toys for children. Honest merchants lowered their prices. In the name of the Christmas holiday, one of the reputable companies in Korça, bearing the name “Jeta Moderne” and owned by a Turk from Istanbul, lowered its prices until after the New Year holiday. Likewise, the “Konstruksion - 93” enterprise invites people of Korça on this festive day to book the construction of their homes at a lower-than-usual price. This is how the whole world acts. On the eve of Christmas, gifts are given to the poor and prices are significantly reduced... It is true that Albania ...

On Christmas morning, Sunday, President of the Republic Sali Berisha went to the Archdiocese of Tirana and Durrës. President Berisha wished those present a happy Christmas, emphasizing that this year Albanian believers were celebrating this notable day with their Cardinal, which was a special honor for the entire Albanian nation. The Albanian Church celebrated such an occasion in full, he said, having endured its martyrdom through sacrifice. For his part, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, Archbishop of Tirana and Durrës, thanked President Berisha for his contribution and his continued care at every church event, and for taking part in its holidays and celebrations. On this occasion, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita presented President Berisha with the first edition of the Bible in the Albanian language. Thanking him for this gift, President Berisha said that Albanians, among the oldest peoples of Europe, although they had not been materially wealthy, had possessed a very rich spiritual life. This had enabled them to survive throughout the ages. President Berisha then went to the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation to offer Christmas greetings. Wishing a happy Christmas to the many believers who had gathered there for the occasion, President Berisha said this was a notable day, a great holiday, a celebration of hope, tolerance, harmony and understanding. On this festive day, Berisha said, people find appreciation, unity and the prospect of a better future. Archbishop Anastas, for his part, stated that the central message of Christmas always remains the overcoming of difficulties through faith and hope. He wished President Berisha and all the Albanian people that God would always give them the strength of love, the vision of hope and courage, while also expressing a wish for President Berisha to have the strength to lead the Albanian people through this period of democratic change. “I am convinced that the power of faith is the force that turns ideas into reality,” President Berisha said, “and the greater the faith, the greater people’s ability to achieve what they desire.”

-46 MPs sought “Nano’s pardon,” not his acquittal- -All Socialist MPs accept that Nano is guilty- As is known, at the insistence of MP G. Pashko, the signatures of several other MPs were collected for a petition seeking the pardon and release of former communist prime minister F. Nano, who was convicted of corruption by three levels of the courts. Without entering into the discussions or comments circulating in some media outlets about the reasons that prompted Pashko to take this initiative, which they link to accusations of corruption directed at him, or engaging with the comments regarding the basis of this petition: “ZP,” overly enthusiastic about the development, declares that major names have come out in support of Nano’s innocence. The entire leading article in “ZP” of 25 December, commenting on the petition, presents it as an argument for Nano’s innocence. Meanwhile, on the same day, clearly without “ZP” knowing, G. Pashko rejects “ZP”’s reasoning. On 25 December, in “KJ,” the initiator of the petition, commenting on the DP parliamentary group’s statement that Nano’s release would amount to... [unclear text] Words and facts are different. An initiative by other MPs to seek justice, while they are asking for Nano’s pardon.” Therefore, the initiator of the petition states clearly: “Nano’s pardon,” not his acquittal. It is not known whether the Socialist MPs who signed the petition accept this, since in doing so they have fully acknowledged that Nano is guilty, and now they have no choice but to ask for mercy to release the guilty man. We see this again in Pashko’s statement. To seek the release of a man convicted of corruption by all three levels of the courts is nothing other than defending corruption and seeking not to uphold justice. To seek the release of a genuine criminal because he may be a party member or an MP means creating dangerous precedents for democracy and the existence of the state. What would happen in a country if MPs and politicians in general were above the law, untouchable by it? E. P.

MP Genc Ruli speaks to “RD” Following the statement by former Tourism Minister Osman Shehu Question: Mr. Ruli, in the latest issue of “Dita Informacione,” former Tourism Minister Osman Shehu made a statement in which your name is also mentioned. What is your immediate response to this statement? Answer: - The statement really seems strange and immoral to me. Not that I deny Mr. Shehu the right to make statements. No one can be deprived of that right, and neither can Mr. Shehu. But statements concerning people such as these have a special dimension. If this statement truly expressed all the moral protest and opinion of Mr. Shehu concerning speculation, intrigue or government corruption, it would undoubtedly be more useful, for the sake of truth, God and Albania, than a statement of this kind. As soon as this is being raised—whether by a former minister or immediately after leaving or being removed from office—shouldn’t it have been raised earlier or brought as a matter of concern to various bodies, such as the DP leadership or the DP parliamentary group? What is your response to this accusation? Answer: - The Arsidi issue, concerning the problematic demands related to Hotel Tirana, was known to me from the autumn of ’92, when Arsidi had in fact filed the relevant complaints with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Presidency. He also addressed a complaint to me, at a time when he was in conflict with the new Tourism Minister, Mr. Osman Shehu. The issue raised earlier also concerned a contract concluded with the technical government, on which the parties held differing positions. The concern was brought to the President and Prime Minister so that a proper solution could be found to this conflict, which was reflected in two or three... at a final face-to-face meeting between the parties. Arsidi and the Swiss company he represented were on one side, and the Ministry of Tourism on the other. By following the disagreement between both parties directly, I became convinced that the position of Tourism Minister Mr. Shehu was right, and I conveyed this message.

With regard to the publication of Mr. Osman Shehu’s statement in the newspaper “Dita Informacion,” which concerns an interview given to “Voice of America,” it should be clarified that: As regards the Hotel Tirana contract, the Prime Minister’s assessment was within the bounds required by his duties as Prime Minister: to reassess contracts made by previous governments, since rejecting them without grounds has consequences for the country. The fact that the contract was not renewed is the clearest evidence of the Prime Minister’s correct and impartial position, as well as that of the ministers on this issue. As regards the work to restructure Hotel Tirana, in order to clarify the claims raised by Mr. Shehu, which have been taken very seriously, the State Control Service has been assigned to investigate, and it will be asked to inform the public about the results of its inspection. As for the proposal to establish a tourist free zone, Mr. Shehu knows very well that no such arrangement was granted to the interested party because legislation governing such an activity was lacking. Finally, we express our regret at the unjustified tendentiousness with which Mr. Shehu writes. THE PRIME MINISTER’S SPOKESPERSON

Shkodër,—The rains of recent days and the snow that fell in the highlands of Gjakova, Tropoja and Puka have resulted in an inflow of 60 cubic meters of water per second at the Fierza hydroelectric plant and 112 cubic meters per second at the Koman plant, and have raised the water level at Vau i Dejës. At present, the water levels in the lakes of Vau i Dejës, Fierza and Koman are respectively 72.80 meters, 242.85 meters and 165.98 meters above sea level. These figures show that the hydroelectric plants are operating below full capacity, but also that Lake Fierza is 4 meters above the critical level, Lake Vau i Dejës 16 meters above it, and Lake Koman 6 meters above it. The approximate daily output of the Vau i Dejës hydroelectric plant, which is operating at half capacity, is 2 million 350 thousand kWh. Of Fierza’s four turbines, only one is operating, producing 881 thousand kWh, while Koman produces 3 million kWh of energy per day, which does not bring the total to 6 million 428 thousand kWh. According to sources at the Vau i Dejës hydroelectric plant, in Albania’s hydroelectric power system every hour... [unclear text] In 1989, Shkodër alone consumed 400 thousand kWh of electricity a day, whereas this figure has tripled, at a time when the needs of the population in this area amount to 1.5 million kWh of electricity per day. Talp Shoshi, an engineer at the Vau i Dejës hydroelectric plant, said that if there is not abundant rainfall and electricity imports, the three hydroelectric plants on the Drin River can operate for only a short time. ZEF PERGEGA

The local authorities in Durrës have taken good measures to receive residents from Kukës whose land and homes have been flooded by the waters of Lake Koman. Vasillaq Papaj of the district council said that some of the families would be settled in the village of Rinia. This village is only 5–6 km from Durrës and is connected to it by road. Recently, 5.2 million lekë were invested in the village’s new water-supply system, which has been completed. In general, the land here is also suitable. Some of the other families will receive land closer to the city, in the area between the villages of Rinia and Spille. The district authorities have also decided that other families who arrive here will be settled at the entrance to the city, where, according to the urban development plan, a large neighborhood for 16,000 residents will be built, with all the necessary facilities. Thus, families arriving from Kukës will find good living and housing conditions in this district.

LAZER STANI When the Writer Speaks Like a Culture Commissar -Notes on the interview given by the writer and poet Dritëro Agolli to the newspaper “Koha Jonë” Page 6

ARTICLE 44 The provisions of this law shall remain in force until the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, the draft of which shall be prepared by the special commission appointed by the People’s Assembly. The composition of the commission and the deadline for submitting the draft Constitution shall be determined by a separate decision of the People’s Assembly.