Fini in front of journalists “A PS victory would push Albania away from Europe” “We deem it essential that Albania vote again, for the democratic forces it voted for in the last elections” Fini’s next official visit is to the USA. Gjinuishi? “Let him get on with his jokes” Fini is not the only politician who openly states, that is, with no diplomacy, what the possibility of a victory by the former communists in Albania means for the democratic world Photo: P. OMERI “EDI PALOKA” We consider a victory by the Socialists in Albania to be very negative. For us, PSSH is the continuation, in both politics and the other, of the old communist party... thus Gianfranco Fini reaffirmed yesterday before Albanian and Italian journalists the position he represents in Italy regarding Albanian politics. “We consider it essential that Albania vote once again, as in the previous elections, by choosing the democratic forces that led it in the last elections.” Fini also clarified once again what the consequences would be, not only for Albania, of a return of the communists to power. “A PS victory would push Albania away from Europe, and Albania must confirm through elections, as soon as possible, its desire to enter Europe. The opposite choice would be profoundly negative.” The secretary of the “National Alliance” seems to know very well the Albanian communist “path” up to the present day; he also stated another fact practically known to Albanian public opinion: “PSSH is by no means compatible with European social democracy. It is a party with Marxist-Leninist ideological inspiration.” Fini extended his views more broadly regarding the danger of a return of communism in Eastern Europe. Asked about this issue, he replied: “The West, the free democratic Europe, must help the new democracies born from the collapse of the communist regimes because otherwise there is a risk of a return which, in my opinion, has different echoes depending on what the world has known about communist regimes. The greatest danger in former Eastern countries comes from those who present themselves as socialist but in fact are yesterday’s communists.” Secretary Fini, who leads a party that has 18% in the Italian Parliament and in the last elections, within the framework of the Freedom Pole, ranked among the winners, also agreed to respond to Gjinuishi’s statement, who, regardless of what he represents, asked Fini to have his doors closed in Albania. “I am convinced by this statement,” said Fini, “and to this gentleman whom I cannot call a friend but whom I will call ‘comrade’ (compagno, in Italian, ed. note), I can say that my next two official visits will be one to the USA and the other to the People’s Republic of China; surely ‘comrade’ should know that it is a communist government. But I believe what ‘comrade’ said was only a joke. Let him get on with his jokes.” The truth is that later something was “reaccepted” by the Albanian Socialists, and Gjinuishi would sit at the same table with US President Bill Clinton, but this cannot be an argument for changing the convictions of the Albanian Socialists, who have often made it clear that they do not have any particular “sympathy” for the USA. Regarding the elections in Italy, Fini expressed the view that they would once again be won by the center-right, which, as is known, is based on the alliance among the forces that make up the Freedom Pole, but especially by Forza Italia of Berlusconi and the National Alliance led by Fini. Fini also wished for a victory of the center-right in Albania, stating that all the democratic liberal forces of the center-right in Albania must unite in order to overturn the chance of the former communists returning, the consequences of which the AN secretary pointed out to Fini several times. Fini is not the only politician who openly states, “without diplomacy,” what the possibility of a victory by the former communists in Albania would mean for the democratic world, but it is not known how much the PS leaders hear these words, as they have now decided to reopen war against world capitalism. “The current Albanian democratic reality, together with its surprising achievements, must be made known to the Italian public opinion truthfully and with goodwill” The President of the National Alliance Party, Gianfranco Fini, concluded his two-day visit to Albania Italy will continue to support Albania on the right path it has chosen, but without misjudging the outdated communists. This was declared by the President of the National Alliance Party, Gianfranco Fini, Senator Tattarella, the Italian ambassador to Albania. Accompanied by Albanian and Italian journalists, together with the General Secretary of PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu, the deputy chairman of PDSH, Mr. Tomor Dosti, the Head of the Press and Information Department Mr. Pjeter Pepa, the Chairman of PR, Mr. Sabri Godo, and the vice-chairman of PR, Mr. Fatmir Mediu, they traveled to Kruja. The welcome for these distinguished Italian guests was extended by Deputy Sadedin Balla. Then they visited the “Gjergj Kastrioti-Skenderbeu” Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. After that, over lunch, in which the Presidium member of PDSH, Mr. Dashamir Shehi, took part, Mr. Fini had a conversation with journalists. Initially, in his speech, Mr. Fini

Regarding the reaching of the agreement in New York between the parties in Bosnia-Herzegovina on the basic principles of the future state of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the President of the Republic declared that he welcomes this agreement as an important step toward the establishment of a just peace. President Berisha conveyed his best wishes to President Clinton for the great success of his administrative initiative and efforts to achieve peace and solve the problems in the former Yugoslavia. Press and Information Office at the President's Office Tirana, 27 September 1995

Interview with Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi given to journalist Ilir Yzeiri Question: Mr. Prime Minister, the Berat National Festival has ended. Some time ago another event also concluded—the International Seminar on the Albanian Language, Literature and Culture. In these events, naturally, the state and the government have played the leading role in support, both financial and logistical, if I may put it that way. So the state budget allocates funds for public sectors as well, that is, for culture, at a time when the structure of the budget is radically different from before. How has the government thought about this, and will these be followed by other activities? Answer: It is understood that the level of investment in cultural and scientific fields has been conditioned by the overall level of economic development, that is, by the financial resources that will be mobilized and used, alongside other sectors and in education or health, culture or art, which are just as necessary as the others. In the period of the “first steps,” at the beginning of the transition or the beginning of reform, it was very difficult to secure funds for financing in these fields. This period has now been overcome. We are no longer in emergency, but are experiencing the phase of development, which is being carried out at quite good rates compared with some other Eastern countries, and development, of course, has brought, and indeed did bring, attention to the public sectors, among which culture and art are the most fragile, alongside education, scientific research, etc. The two events you mentioned are precisely part of this process. Our goal, therefore, the goal of the government I lead, is for funds for these fields, and especially for scientific research, to be larger. Thus, next year Albania will be the host country for the Balkan Folklore Festival. The “Fan Noli” Foundation was created. Alongside it, the “Marin Barleti” Foundation for Albanological studies is also being created, which will be financially supported by the state. In the future these contributions will increase. But this year, ‘95, was a special year because it differs from previous years in that there had been no funds of this kind, and the government has been careful to manage the general funds in such a way as to favor the intellectual and loss-making sectors such as culture and art. Question: This year you notice greater interest among young people and their families in returning to the lecture halls. It seems that the period of depression is fading. In relation to education, especially higher education, what projects does the government have and what problems does it face today? Answer: Higher education, and education in general in Albania, is going through a phase of deep restructuring adapted to the conditions

On 25.09.1995, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, decreed an amendment to Law No. 7697 dated 7.4.1993, “On administrative offenses,” adding a paragraph with the following content: “An exception to the above rule is the enforcement of fixed fines imposed by police officers, the amount of which the offender pays at the cash desk of the police commissariat in whose territory the administrative offense was committed. For the implementation of this rule, the Minister of the Interior shall issue the relevant subordinate acts. Also, on this same day, the President of the Republic decreed the law “On customs tariffs” and also decreed the promulgation of the following laws approved by the People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania. (Continued on page 2)

Photo: G. XHENGO At the meeting he had with a group of researchers from the Folklore Festival, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, warmly congratulated the festival organizers, Mr. Ramadan Sokoli, the region, the city of Berat and all the participants, and stressed that this festival marks a true cultural achievement. “Folklore, as one of the greatest treasures of our national culture, has had and continues to have a special role in our entire national life. This festival,” President Berisha continued, “was characterized by a great richness and variety of songs, dances and rites from all the Albanian regions and areas, which came directly from their source, their origin. The variety of costumes was another very valuable element of it. The festival was clearly, as a whole, filled with a great level of support from the government to help culture even more, and I think that the four years of support for this festival were sufficient. The event should be organized in a shorter cycle and held in all cities of Albania. Those present thanked President Berisha for the special attention he gave from the very beginning to the organization and development of this festival and underlined that this is the first time that the whole trunk, together with all its branches, has been united. The participation of groups of Albanians who live outside the borders once again proves the richness of our folklore, its unity and the very high awareness of Albanians.

Some of the largest Italian newspapers published yesterday articles sent by their correspondents in Albania on the occasion of the visit of the secretary of the National Alliance. The daily “Corriere della Sera,” under the headline: “During the visit to Tirana, the AN delegation proposes a broad opening also for the migratory flow,” publishes an article by journalist Maria Latella with the title “Fini throws a bridge to the Albanians.” Latella, after chronicling Fini’s visit and defining the position of the Albanian opposition and especially the PS as communist, writes that Mr. Butiglione before Fini now no longer has meetings with them, causing dissatisfaction among PS figures. Below, “Corriere...” publishes Fini’s positive assessments of developments in Albania. The other major daily “Il Messaggero” also publishes an article by its correspondent Carlo Fusi with the title “Albanians? They may come.” The article focuses on the theme of immigration, prompted by Fini’s statement that Albania is an exception in AN’s position on immigration. Meanwhile, the daily “La Stampa” titles the article by its correspondent Fabio Martini: “Fini leads the great race from the Eden of Albania” (Eden is a pure head, ed. note). Martini describes Albania as a country for which investor interest has grown as a result of the opportunities Albania offers. Prepared by: E. PALOKA

The Foreign Minister confirmed their governments' desire for good relations Yesterday, within the framework of the meetings in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi, held a meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias. In this meeting, which was characterized by a constructive spirit, the two ministers expressed their governments’ desire for good relations. During the meeting, the Greek side raised the issue of opening Greek schools in the cities of Delvina, Gjirokaster, and Sarande. The Albanian side emphasized that, apart from the lack of the necessary number of students to open a public school, there is no other obstacle to opening Greek schools not only in these three cities, but anywhere in Albania. Albania, as confirmed by High Commissioner for Minorities Van Der Shtul, has fulfilled the criteria of the Copenhagen Charter for the education of ethnic minorities, and Albanian legislation requires the opening of public schools wherever the necessary number of students for a school is created. The teacher-to-student ratio for Greek minority children is 1 to 7, compared with a ratio of 1 to 18 for Albanian children. In addition, the law on private education allows the opening of private schools anywhere in Albania, regardless of the number of students. In the above-mentioned cities the number of students is 3-4 times smaller than claimed, and therefore, in accordance with the legislation, a class may be opened but not more, in the mother tongue; a private school may be opened; or children may use state buses to travel distances no greater than 4-5 kilometers to schools where 60% of the curriculum is taught in Greek. It was agreed in the meetings that the dialogue between the parties would continue. Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The European Left does not accept the Socialist Party The mystery of the failure of the scheduled D'Alema - Dokle meeting “ZP” on its traditional path of slander and deception PS deputy Ndre Legisi - illegitimate child PAGE 2