Yesterday in the People's Assembly The signatories of the memorandum affirm Nano's guilt The chairman of the PD parliamentary group, Mr. Ali Spahia, asks the Constitutional Court to interpret the law on the immunity of the Chairman of the Court of Cassation The next session will begin with consideration and adoption of the Penal Code NDREKE GJINI Yesterday the People's Assembly held a plenary session. At the opening of the session, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, proposed that the deputies discuss adding to the agenda for consideration and adoption the decree of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, “On taking measures to cope with the severe energy situation in the country,” as well as the request of the Prosecutor General to lift The latter proposal prompted reactions from many deputies, some of whom—Abdiu, Dokle, Baleta, Bregu, Strato[?] and Hajdari—said that lifting was not within Parliament's competence. Whereas “place”. This decree was placed on the agenda, after which discussion and its adoption proceeded. The deputies who spoke about the decree stressed the need to take immediate measures to improve the situation in the energy sector. In discussing the decree, Deputy Dokle spoke against bringing the issue of the Head of SHIK under consideration, while Deputies Baleta and Kalakula said they opposed the decree because, in their view, these matters belonged to the government and there was no need to establish headquarters. Deputy Dashamir Shehi, in his remarks, said that the decree was necessary in the difficult energy conditions the country was experiencing. The decree is necessary, he said, because senior officials from outside the government cabinet are also included in the headquarters established ... to improve the situation; in other words, the commitment to this issue is comprehensive. After discussion and debate, the decree was put to a vote and adopted both in principle, article by article, and as a whole, together with the actions of the Committee on Industry, Construction and Transport. At the end of yesterday morning's session, Deputy Gramoz Pashko made a statement in which he declared that, in the memorandum signed by Socialist deputies and some other deputies and addressed to the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, they had not requested Fatos Nano's release but his pardon. Thus, in this statement Mr. Pashko (Continued on page 2) ... regarding the lifting of There were reactions from many deputies on this matter; some of them, including Abdiu, Dokle, Baleta, Bregu, Stratoberdha and Hajdari, stated that lifting was not within Parliament’s competence. Deputy Kopliku, meanwhile, said in connection with this matter that it would be better to put it on the agenda first and discuss it afterward. stated that placing the matter on the agenda and lifting immunity would make it possible to conduct investigations to establish his guilt or innocence; therefore, he thought the matter should be put on the agenda. After extensive debate about placing the lifting of the President of the Court of Cassation’s immunity on the agenda, it was decided that the mandates committee would discuss the matter once more. The Assembly then proceeded to vote on placing on the agenda, for consideration, approval of the President’s decree in Albania.” ... stated that they were against this decree because, according to them, all that work falls to the government and there is no reason to set up headquarters. There is also an almost discussions in parliamentary groups. They are so heated, so principled, In one day, perhaps, or in one year, but history has proved that resilience them for the reception the Albanian state had given to resolution was another important step toward internationalizing our cause, he said, and Albania played a leading role in this. The meeting was also attended by People’s Assembly deputy, Mr. Ismet Ferizaj.

— Closing speech by the Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori — Closing speech by Pjeter Arbnori Honourable deputies. The day has come to conclude the year 1994, while also bringing to a close the sixth session of the XIII Legislature of the People's Assembly. I thank you for the great deal of work you have done during this session, for the important laws we have adopted during this period, for the lively discussions we have held, for the principled disagreements that have not been lacking, and for the interpellations and questions we have addressed to the Government. I also thank you for another aspect of your work: the assistance you have provided to ensure the proper functioning of the committees of the People's Assembly. Their work has become much more active, though it has not yet reached the point it should in carrying out the duty of overseeing whether the laws adopted and undertaken by the government and other specialized bodies are being implemented. returned to the government, because this too is a serious part of your activity. It would be a misfortune if everything presented to this Assembly were adopted automatically, because then it would become a merely formal body. There is also a nearly invisible, but no less important, aspect of the Assembly's work: discussions within parliamentary groups. They are so lively, so principled, so open that anyone listening would think they were in a real parliament with genuine opposition. I am speaking of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party, but I think the same is true of the other parliamentary groups. Democracy has opened “Pandora's box,” and there is no way to gather up all the good and bad things and put them away as before. Nothing bad comes of this: better to have the air out in the open than stale, motionless air. Failure to implement laws is the main shortcoming of the period we are going through. There are several reasons for this. Lack of awareness of the laws is the first. Their promotion by the press and radio and television is inadequate. The laws' provisions ... illegality, such as ... lawlessness, and anarchy. In a democracy, the law must be sacred, and anyone who does not regard it as sacred must fear it. Even in other countries with traditions, it is not only culture and education that make people respect the laws, but also fear of strict sanctions. In addition to the government and the justice authorities, the People's Assembly must also contribute to resolving this problem. For example, there are some villages where the land has still not been divided because the chairmen of the commissions or village elders, after taking for themselves and their relatives the land they wanted, are now delaying or opposing the division of the land, thereby leaving their fellow villagers without land. There are other village elders who, unwilling to upset their fellow villagers, endlessly delay the division of the land. Would it not be better for the agriculture committee of the People's Assembly, after consulting the Ministry and specialists, to submit an amendment to the land law stipulating that in remote villages where the local commission has not functioned or has obstructed implementation of the law, an external committee of specialists should be formed to divide the land? Or take another problem: the failure of local authorities to implement court decisions. The legal affairs committee should take this seriously, cooperate with and oversee the Ministry of Justice regarding fulfilment of its duty, which must be effective, and matters involving property registries. There are many other problems on which the committees should act and work to ensure the law is implemented or improved wherever necessary. The issue of the Constitution remains on the agenda. It is true that we have fundamental provisions that meet most of the needs of constitutional law, but this cannot be resolved merely by creating structures, but this does not ... (Continued on page 2) ... the symbiotic relations ... something that is presented here to the Assembly, because otherwise it would become a formal body. For example, there are several the commission chairmen or village elders, after receiving the Assembly’s decision on the work:

I will build on the experience gained, but will also introduce new elements, especially in administration Bovilla will be completed at the end of '95 Tirana should draw ever closer to Dajti; the surrounding hills are a wonder Interview with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction and Tourism, Mr. Dashmir Shehi, by RD journalist Mentor Shehu QUESTION: Having become closely acquainted with the problems and specific features of the construction and tourism ministries, do you think this merger will be effective? If so, in what main areas? ANSWER: I think this merger will certainly be effective. To be frank, I have not only just now become familiar with the problems and specific features of these two ministries. Based on my closer involvement and the knowledge I have, I believe the merger will prove more effective than when they were separate; it will be especially effective for tourism, which represented a smaller structure than the Ministry of Construction. In this regard, Tourism has a number of advantages, as follows: there will be less bureaucracy in approving sites for tourism developments, because even previously this fell within the remit of the Ministry of Construction. Second, as regards master plans and general plans, these have largely fallen within the remit of the Ministry of Construction and other directorates, which ... QUESTION: New structures, new directorates and new titles will certainly be created within these ministries. This is necessary to establish a good working climate and more effective instruments needed to meet the challenges of this year. This is also because the volume of works and investments planned in this sector is much, much greater than in '94; I would say at least twice as much. QUESTION: At his most recent press conference, the President pointed to shortcomings observed in achieving the objectives in the construction sector. Can you tell us what areas these shortcomings concern and what the prospects are for achieving the objectives in the future? ANSWER: It is true that during this year there have been some ... in the construction investment sector. ... approval of sites for tourist construction, since previously this too fell within the competence of the Ministry of Construction. Second, as regards the measures, plans and master plans, which for the most part fell within the competence of the Ministry of Construction, and other matters; what is even more important is that a large part of the infrastructure is administered by the Ministry of Construction and Tourism. It is understood that infrastructure will also be directed more effectively toward tourist areas. This will give tourism development in Albania greater importance than when these two departments were separate. Nevertheless, I would say that the structure of the former Ministry of Tourism has not been affected at all. This is in order to preserve the function for which it was established. This structure will become even more functional, because it will gain further advantages by joining a more powerful structure with much broader powers. QUESTION: You found work experience in these two ministries. Will you remain faithful to that experience, or do you have a new vision that will change it completely? ANSWER: The work experience I found in the two ministries naturally has its own value, because the experience accumulated over these three years is valuable. In a way, I will continue this experience; I cannot overturn everything. Of course, I will try to introduce new elements into this experience in administering these two major sectors of the Albanian economy, which will now be united as one. This is an experience that I have ... (the top of this page has been cut off) The President emphasized shortcomings in achieving objectives in the construction sector. Could the outlook is for addressing them year there have been some shortcomings and delays in the construction investment sector. These have occurred for two reasons, which I would classify as general in nature. First, the state budget for 1994 was approved late, which meant that investment projects for the first half of the year got under way late. The remaining delays were due to various projects and tenders. It should be said that the tender procedure is a complicated one. It was introduced in 1994, and no one can claim that in 1994 there was any experience in conducting tender procedures. As for 1995, tender procedures will be faster, with more completed documentation. Thus, for 1995 we will have a faster approval of the budget, which we intend to approve at the very beginning of 1995, specifically to make room for investment in the economy. These investments will be substantial. QUESTION: What priorities will 1995 have in the field of construction? ANSWER: The main priorities for 1995 will, of course, be those included in the program of the democratic government and the PDSh program. However, for 1995 these will be defined more specifically. The areas are housing, water supply systems and roads. (Continued on page 2)

Arbnori meets Mr. Iljaz Ramajli, former Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, today received Mr. Iliaz Ramajli, former Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, who was arrested by the Macedonian police and then deported to Albania. Pjeter Arbnori, today received Mr. Iliaz Ramajli, former Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, who was arrested by the Macedonian police and then deported to Albania. At the warm and fraternal meeting held on this occasion, Mr. Arbnori expressed his regret over the incident involving Mr. Ramajli and other Albanians personally, who were arrested without any reason by the Macedonian police and handed over to the Serbian police. In general, we should pursue a measured policy towards the former Republic of Yugoslavia of Macedonia, in accordance with all international norms, Mr. Arbnori pointed out, and an act of this kind does not serve normal relations between our two states. Speaking about the efforts of the Albanian people of Kosovo for freedom and independence, he stressed that Albanians do not lose faith in the achievement of their ideals, and therefore they will prevail. The aspirations of a people are not achieved in a day or a year, but history has proved that perseverance is an essential characteristic of the Albanian. Mr. Ramajli thanked the Albanian state for its welcome and support for the just cause of the people of Kosovo. The UN resolution was another important step towards internationalizing our cause, he said, and Albania played a primary role in this. The People's Assembly deputy, Mr. Ismet Ferizaj, also attended the meeting.

The General Prosecutor’s Office announces: Criminal proceedings have begun against former Minister of Transport and Communications Fatos Bitincka and the Prime Minister’s adviser Albert Gajo The Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office has begun criminal proceedings concerning the abusive legal violations committed by others, who ordered them. The former Minister of Transport and Communications Fatos Bitincka, on 22.09.1994, ordered a change to the decision of the Albanian Telecom Commission concerning the supply of wires from the “SIETE” company to “ALCATEL TELECOM,” which operates in the telecommunications field and, according to the Telecom Commission, had come in second place. This order is unlawful and contrary to the fulfillment of the contractual obligations, since Decision No. 467 of the Council of Ministers, No. 467 dated 13.07.1992, issued by ... 17.08.1993, the Minister had the right to approve the content, not to change the winning company. In addition, Fatos Bitincka, in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s adviser Albert Gajo, falsified the content of Council of Ministers Decision No. 545 dated 31.10.1994, which annulled the unlawful order previously issued by the Minister of Transport. For these circumstances, Fatos Bitincka and Albert Gajo have been held criminally responsible for abuse of office and falsification of official documents, crimes provided for under Articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code, and Articles 28, 121, 1994. A security measure prohibiting them from leaving has been imposed on these two defendants. A request is made to the People’s Assembly to lift the parliamentary immunity of deputies Rexhep Uka and Genc Ruli On 29.12.1994, the former Minister of Forests was arrested in Tirana, for ... The General Prosecutor’s Office of Forests in Tirana, for the period June 1992–January 1993, carried out investigative actions ... contrary to the proper fulfillment of his duties, by facilitating the export of 409 m³ of walnut logs, which had been illegally cut in several districts of the country. Of this quantity, 176 m³ had been confiscated by the state. These logs were exported to Italy by the company “ITALALBA” in July 1992, causing significant economic damage to the state. This consequence was established as resulting from unlawful Order No. 68 dated 13.07.1992, issued by former ministers Rexhep Uka, Genc Ruli and Artan Hoxha. Since the elements of the criminal offense of abuse of office, provided for under Articles 106 and 13 of the Criminal Code, appear to have been committed by them, on 28.12.1994 the General Prosecutor’s Office asked the People’s Assembly to lift the immunity of deputies Rexhep Uka and Genc Ruli, so that the matter could be fully clarified through criminal proceedings. The Presidium of the People’s Assembly is asked to lift the immunity of the President of the Court of Cassation, Mr. Zef Brozi On 29.11.1994, the Tirana Military Prosecutor’s Office began criminal proceedings against Esat Bruci, an officer of Unit 313 in Tirana, who was charged on 2.12.1994 with abuse of office resulting in the release of the arrested person Kosandinos Kallafatos, as provided for under Article 106 of the Criminal Code. The criminal investigation has established that on 22.11.1994 at 14:30, the defendant Esat Broci, while serving as duty officer at Unit 313, Ward 7-1 (the prison hospital), received from a lawyer document No. 585 dated 22.11.1994, signed by and addressed to Unit 313 (the prison hospital) in Tirana, with the following content: “By Decision No. 202 dated 22.11.1994, the Court of Cassation has ordered the annulment of Decision No. 678 dated 5.09.1994 of the Tirana District Court and Decision No. 467 dated 28.09.1994 of the Court of Appeal, and the return of the case to the prosecution for retrial, in order to issue ... and the security measure (detention) imposed on the defendant Kosandinos Kallafatos. The defendant Esat Bruci, after verifying the authenticity of the document by speaking by telephone with ... (Continued on page 2)

The trial of the “Arsidi” case began yesterday at the Tirana District Court. The five defendants, Ilir Hoti, Agron Saliu, Agim Tartari, Vilson Ahmeti and Ardian Xhyheri, sat in the dock charged with large-scale misappropriation of state property, in cooperation with one another and with other persons. The presiding judge, Andi Çeliku, gave the floor to lawyer P. Sanxhaku, counsel for defendant A. Saliu, who submitted a request on behalf of his client. He reminded the trial panel that a request had been made to the Court of Cassation to transfer the trial to another district and asked that the trial not begin until a response was received from that court. According to him, the reasons that had prompted them to make this request were set out in writing, so he did not think it appropriate to present them before the trial panel. The other defendants and their defense lawyers also submitted various claims and requests. Defendants V. Ahmeti and I. Hoti requested that the security measure against them be changed from detention to house arrest. The court ruled that original copies of the decisions, agreements, etc. should be entered into the record, and that the defendants’ consent should be obtained for the necessary expertise concerning various materials, such as those conducted in ... (Continued on page 3)

State Audit material concerning the inspection of the enterprise undertaking the reconstruction of Hotel Tirana and the establishment of the joint-stock company DVALBA Page 3

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The Press and Information Office attached to the President informs Albanian and foreign press and information organizations that, in order to ensure their participation in press conferences held by the President of the Republic, they should submit the names of journalists for accreditation to the Presidency. The reinvestigation has begun According to a source at the General Prosecutor’s Office, investigative and prosecutorial bodies in the districts are collecting and processing material concerning the terror, killings and beatings of 1991–92. Following the material presented to the People’s Assembly by deputy Sadik Balla, based on facts and testimony collected by the parliamentary commission investigating the events of 1990 and 1991, the investigative and prosecutorial bodies have begun their work, and it is expected that all remaining materials will be at the disposal of the General Prosecutor’s Office by January 1995. “RD” CORRESPONDENT