Opening speech of Session VIII XIII Legislature of the People's Assembly delivered by the Chairman of the Presidium, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori Honorable members of the Council of Ministers, Honorable representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, Honorable deputies, Ladies and gentlemen, Today the 7th session of the 13th legislature of the People's Assembly begins. This is the first plenary meeting for the year 1995. As is known, with the end of 31 December 1994 the constitutional term of the state of emergency, imposed by decree no. 774, dated 22.4.1992 as a result of the actions of anti-state forces in 1992, came to an end. During the period in which this state was in force, the People's Assembly held 6 sessions and approved 77 laws. This first plenary meeting of the year coincides with the validation granted to it by the Constitutional Court, as well as with the decree of the President of the Republic suspending the state of emergency. Meanwhile, during this period, thanks to determined work by law enforcement and the support of the people, order was restored and the climate of insecurity eliminated. Criminal gangs have been disarmed and neutralized. Public order has been stabilized. Many of those who committed crimes against property and persons were arrested and brought before the organs of justice. There were also successes in the implementation of the economic program, in macroeconomic stabilization, in privatization and in the consolidation of the institutions of the democratic state. Very important are the successes in foreign policy, in rapprochement with European and Euro-Atlantic structures, as well as in strengthening traditional friendships with friendly countries. Nevertheless, parliamentary life needs greater effectiveness, greater respect for the rules and parliamentary ethics, deeper commitment from the committees, as well as higher-quality debates and laws. In the session we are opening today, the Assembly will examine a number of bills of great economic, social and institutional importance. Let us work with high responsibility so that this session is fruitful and beneficial to the country. (Continues on page 7)

The 13th Legislature of the People's Assembly for the period 16 January - 1 July 1995 Yesterday, in the premises of the People's Assembly, the work of the 7th session of the 13th legislature of the People's Assembly opened with discussion of the agenda. Eight points on the agenda were discussed and approved: - The bill on property is discussed and approved. - The bill amending the law “On the status of the serviceman” is discussed and approved. - The bill amending the Penal Code is discussed and approved. - The bill ratifying the loan agreement between Albania and the Saudi Fund for Development for financing the project to build the Kukës road is discussed and approved. - The bill ratifying the loan agreement between Albania and the Saudi Fund for Development for financing the project to rehabilitate the Bahçallëku bridge is discussed and approved. - The bill ratifying the agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments between the government of the Republic of Albania and the government of the Republic of Turkey is discussed and approved. - The bill ratifying the financing agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Commission of the European Community for a non-repayable aid of 20 million ECU in favor of the PHARE program is discussed and approved. Then, in the morning session, the deputies were acquainted with the report of the Committee on Economy and Finance on the bill “On property”, which in one form or another includes the property of the entire society. “This code, - said deputy Spartak Ngjela, - is a basis for building other laws. This code is connected with bringing land into civil circulation. It enables the regulation of the free trade of land, especially agricultural land, and includes a series of legal norms that regulate private property. As such, it is one of the most important acts among those examined by the People's Assembly. Overall, the draft is a complete, clear law, built on the basis of European models. The remarks that I had, and those of the committee, concern some procedural aspects. Meanwhile, since part of the property will be dealt with by a special law, I think this code should be limited to enshrining the right of ownership, as well as the manner of its acquisition and exercise.” On the other hand, the chairman of the laws committee, Ylli Vejsiu, would emphasize that: “This draft presented to the Assembly is a document of great value. I would dwell on two aspects that are important, both politically and economically. First, the property draft recognizes and protects all forms of private property, creating a basis for securing the pluralist system. Second, in the economic field the property draft raises issues in the market economy and in that sense it is directly linked to economic reform and especially to privatization.” (Continues on page 2)

several prisoners detained 1995[?] Immediately, a few days after the incident, the persons suspected of having organized and participated in this criminal act were arrested. In order to clarify the event, procedural actions are continuing in cooperation with the prosecution and police authorities. The arrested citizens will answer before the law for the escape and for the other criminal acts they committed. (Continues on page 5)

NO FACE! At the first session of the seventh session of the People's Assembly, the Socialist deputies again abandoned the chamber to demonstrate their shamelessness. In their speech, PS deputy Servet Pëllumbi spoke about the great “concern” of reform and privatization, demagogically calling for the presentation of a program before parliament. But the model of reform that Albania is following is precisely the one strongly demanded by our European and American partners. The facts overturn Socialist propaganda. On the eve of the session, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi presented on television the balance sheet of 1994 and the economic program for 1995. This was welcomed by all those who want the country's development. Meanwhile, PS, with the same destructive stance, tried to present success as failure. Throughout 1994 inflation fell significantly, the currency stabilized, production increased, privatization revenues rose and firmer foundations were laid for the market economy. All these are achievements of the democratic government and of the Albanian people. PS tries to deny even the most obvious truths. It speaks of “unemployment” but forgets that the centralized economy it inherited left the country in collapse. It speaks of “poverty” but forgets that it was precisely its system that ruined Albania and isolated it from the world. The Socialist Party has once again shown that it has no alternative program and no courage for parliamentary debate. Leaving the chamber was a purely propagandistic act and an attempt to avoid confronting reality. Notice I am pleased from 18 January 1995 with no. 2070 of the DSHA office in Tirana, according to which the removal of a postal package with documents and other materials has been ordered. Please the citizen ...[?] to present himself at the office for collection. Head of the DSHA branch Haxhi Spahiu. Clarification: Interested parties are asked to see notices no. 2040 and 2050, published in “RD”, dated 14 and 16 January 95. THE PDSH PRESIDIUM

Eurodeputetët e jetun i mozuar[?]atur per plakën ne hyrjen e 9-së pallate. The crime behind is not in your hands! Mako! Eurodeputetët e jetun i mozuar[?]atur per plakën ne hyrjen e 9-së pallate. On the first day of the seventh session of the People's Assembly, the Socialist deputies split into two camps. Some supported the boycott of the session, while others opposed it as inappropriate for a parliamentary opposition. In discussions outside the chamber, there was also talk of the reactions of public opinion, which considered the walkout from the session a sign of political incapacity. According to many deputies, the opposition must confront arguments and not empty demonstrations. The article harshly comments on the stance of several PS figures and links it to their failure to influence parliamentary life. (Continues on page 2)

Deputy Prime Minister Viron after the meeting with President Clinton BY HTA In meetings with senior American officials during his visit to Washington, Albania's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Alfred Serreqi, stressed that “peace and stability in the region are essential for Albania and for its long-term interests.” The spokesman for the U.S. State Department said that in his meetings the Albanian minister emphasized support for American policy in Bosnia and for efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. Serreqi met with senior officials of the American administration and discussed issues of economic, political and security cooperation. (Continues on page 2)

(Continues on page 2) ATHENS, AFP/ Prime Minister Papandreou once again pressed the Albanian authorities for the release of four activists of the Greek minority, convicted on charges of espionage and illegal possession of weapons. Stating that there is “no full agreement” in bilateral relations, he underlined that Athens sees this issue as an important condition for improving relations with Tirana. Diplomatic sources said this position is expected to affect the pace of dialogue between the two countries.

prof.dr. Sali Berisha, attacker of the sciences page 5

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