Yesterday in the People’s Assembly NDREKE GJINI The review and article-by-article approval of the Draft Criminal Code continued during the plenary session of the People’s Assembly. At the opening of yesterday’s session, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, asked the PD parliamentary group to make the relevant proposal concerning Article 68 of this Draft Code. On behalf of the PD parliamentary group, Mr. Ali Spahia proposed that, since experts from Albania and abroad would be consulted on this article, the Assembly move on to reviewing and approving the subsequent articles of the Draft Code. During the debate on the issue of postponing consideration and approval of this article until later, several PS deputies, such as Dokle and Abdiu, spoke against postponing it, attempting to hinder the progress of the work of reviewing and approving this very important legal act, namely…

In keeping with the PD’s policy of making everyone an owner: An incentive for farming families and the agricultural economy as a whole In keeping with the PD’s policy of making everyone an owner: Land ownership for residents of state farms An incentive for farming families and the agricultural economy as a whole Jealousy—and indeed, why not, protest—would be justified for any social group excluded from the benefits of such a historic process as privatization. This is justified by the fact that everyone, individuals and generations alike, contributed to creating the material values and national wealth that exist today. But the strategy and policy of privatization are based on social justice, which, put another way, means the participation of every social group in privatization. In this context, residents of the former agricultural enterprises will soon share the fate of former members of agricultural cooperatives. The land will be transferred to them as their property. Considering factors such as the relatively large amount of land available to a family in the former state farms (NB), the quality of the land, and the distance of the former state-farm centers from the main cities, these are precisely the factors that point to an optimistic outlook for the future. Transferring ownership of land to farmers from the former state farms is an act that, besides encouraging farming families, will also mark a step forward for the agricultural economy as a whole. Owning the land will encourage those who possess this invaluable asset to derive material benefits from it in ever-greater quantities. Thus, establishing the right of possession and the right of ownership is presented as a model that will achieve many things: granting land to this social group, creating opportunities to improve its well-being, and laying the groundwork for the advancement of the agricultural economy. President Berisha’s initiative, together with the support of the government and PD deputies, will resonate among those who benefit from this decision. SHPETIM LUKU

Interview with PDSH chairman Eduard Selami on securities In Albania, with just over a year remaining until the next political elections, the Democratic Party has put the distribution of securities to the entire population on its agenda. Also on the PD’s agenda are the return of property and compensation for former owners. The BBC correspondent asked Mr. Selami what the significance was of the PD’s position. EDUARD SELAMI: It is true that we are focusing on those points of the program that are very important, since this is the last year of the term we received in government; it is the year in which we have the opportunity to implement those points of the PD program that we have not yet implemented. In this context, securities are a very important point in the PD program, and I think we are very late in this regard, but there have been difficulties that we did not foresee when we drew up the program. From the standpoint of privatization and economic and social importance, this is a very important moment. Could you be more specific? What kind of differentiation by age groups is envisaged? It is said that not everyone will benefit from the securities. EDUARD SELAMI: These are technical issues that have not yet been definitively settled. We believe that they should have a legal basis. This was also the recommendation that emerged from the round table we, as a political force, held with the President of the Republic. In this respect, there are different experiences in different countries. We support the idea that citizens aged 18 and over should receive securities; after that, we believe there should perhaps be a second division, based on what each person contributed to creating the wealth that remains and is to be privatized. This is the experience that we think best suits Albania, for the specific reasons particular to Albania. As far as I know, it is an approach used by the Czechs, and we will make greater use of the Czech model in distributing the securities.

Aida Sakia-ATSH: It is

- Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali receives the team preparing the Albanian-American joint military exercise “SAREX ’95”. Albanian Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali received the team of military experts who prepared the plan for the joint exercise between Albania and the U.S. Sixth Fleet, “SAREX ’95”. After thanking the experts for their work, Mr. Zhulali stressed: “This is the first joint exercise in which, alongside the two parties, Albania and the U.S. Sixth Fleet, many other NATO members are participating with troops, warships, helicopters, aircraft, and observers.” Conveying the greetings of the Sixth Fleet Commander, American military officer Christopher Brose, he praised the contribution of the Albanian experts to planning the exercise, adding that both parties would benefit from it. The preparation team was also greeted by the Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Army, Major General Sheme Kosova, who emphasized the need for the most comprehensive planning possible and the best possible organization of the joint exercise. The experts from both sides have worked through the plan in detail for the elements to be carried out during the Albanian-American joint exercise “SAREX ’95”, which is expected to take place on the last day of the month.

On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Congress of Lushnje

Aida Sakja-ATA—The People’s Assembly is the competent body that decides on the removal of the immunity of the president and members of the Court of Cassation. This was the “final and definitive” decision reached yesterday by the Constitutional Court of Albania in an open court session. It was held at the request of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party, seeking an interpretation of constitutional provisions concerning the immunity of the president and members of the Constitutional Court. On December 29, Prosecutor General Alush Dragoshi asked Parliament to lift Zef Brozi, for exceeding his authority in the performance of his duties. After discussion in the Immunity, Mandates and Rules Committee of the People’s Assembly, the Prosecutor General’s request was considered unfounded in law. According to its chairman, Fehmi Abdiu, Parliament had authority only to appoint or dismiss the President of the Court of Cassation. Meeting as Part of the Campaign to Elect Village Elders In the village elders’ councils, elect people with a good reputation and who are true democrats, emphasized Bahri Shanaj, prefect of Vlora, Saranda and Delvina, at yesterday’s meeting held at the Saranda district council, as part of the ongoing campaign to elect village elders’ councils. At this meeting, held in the form of a seminar with the chairpersons and secretaries of the communes of Lukova, Konispol, Dhivër and Xara, and the municipality of Saranda, practical issues concerning the procedures for these elections were discussed. They will take place after the terms of those previously elected have ended. The need for greater coordination between the communes and the law-enforcement authorities, the prosecutor’s office and the court was also emphasized, in order to prevent crimes, the number of which has recently increased in several districts of this prefecture. Prefect Shanaj also held similar meetings in the districts of Delvina and in the municipality of Saranda. According to the law, elections for village elders’ councils and village elders must be completed by February 15 of this year. SHPETIM HAJNO

Snowfall has brought deep snow to the mountainous areas of Pukë district, accompanied by temperatures dropping to -15 degrees Celsius. Pukë Difficulties Caused by Heavy Snowfall Snowfall has brought deep snow to the mountainous areas of Pukë district, accompanied by temperatures dropping to -15 degrees Celsius and winds that cause ice, making road traffic difficult along 140 km in the communes of Qafe-Mali, Iballe, Mertur and Orel. Traffic for around 20 freight vehicles serving these communes, which are isolated by snow, is frequently interrupted; electricity is often cut off, and the telephone line has not been working since the beginning of the year. The four buses on the Pukë-Fushë Arrëz route have been stranded by snow in Fierzë. The main roads on the Pukë-Shkodër, Fushë Arrëz-Kukës and Fushë Arrëz-Rrëshen routes have been particularly badly blocked. ZEF PERGEGA

On the Eve of the 75th Anniversary of the Congress of Lushnjë of Lushnjë Various Scientific, Cultural, Artistic and Sporting Activities Not only Lushnjë, but the whole country will commemorate the great anniversary, the 75th anniversary of the “National Congress of Lushnjë.” In the city of Lushnjë, where this Congress was held and from which it took its name, various scientific, cultural and sporting activities will be organized in the days leading up to this 75th anniversary, alongside events on the commemorative day. A poetry gathering will be held, and an exhibition of visual arts featuring works by painters and sculptors from Lushnjë will open. The most important event will be the scholarly symposium, with papers and presentations by historians, who will present the truths about this congress, of historic importance to the Albanian state, accurately and objectively. Also, as part of the 75th anniversary of this congress, two commemorative plaques will be unveiled. Lushnjë’s main street will be named “Congress of Lushnjë,” and the square in front of the post office will be named “Democracy Square.” M. SH.

The Tirana Court did not begin the judicial examination today of the case against defendants Arben Lika, Dashnor Shano, Hajredin Halili and Edmond Meçe, accused of the criminal offenses of smuggling in cooperation and document forgery. According to the prosecutor handling the case, Dritan Ribaj, and the defense lawyers, the postponement was necessitated by the absence of several key witnesses, summoned from the Gjirokastër district. To give the court the necessary time once again to secure these witnesses, the start of the trial was postponed until January 24.

At the first plenary meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, convened by Albania’s representative, Zer Maz, he reported, among other things, on the contents of the statement by the People’s Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Policy, issued on December 28 in connection with recent developments in Macedonia. At the first plenary meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, which was convened by Albania’s representative, Zer Maz, he reported, among other things, on the contents of the statement by the People’s Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Policy, issued on December 28 in connection with recent developments in Macedonia. “Albania,” he said, “is very interested in stability in the region. We believe that an independent, truly democratic and stable Macedonian state serves security in the region. At the same time, we believe that this cannot be achieved without fulfilling and respecting the rights of the Albanians living in Macedonia.” Following the statement by the Albanian representative, the Macedonian representative did not intervene, although many delegations expressed their interest. A. MILO

ALBION ORHANASI The profound political transformations made it possible to abolish state ownership of urban housing and establish private ownership. Nearly 200,000 apartments, which make up 95% of the entire housing stock, are privately owned. Now every resident owns their apartment, creating the opportunity to make it as comfortable and suitable as possible. But what is to be done with the parts of residential buildings that are not individually owned, such as the exterior walls, rooftops, corridors, etc.? Who will take care of them? To address this issue, the Albanian Parliament has passed the law “On Condominium Ownership,” which legally requires condominium ownership to be established in privatized residential buildings. This law makes it possible to create a distinct legal form for an apartment building. It lays down the legal foundations and new concepts for relations among individual owners in each building, as well as their mutual obligations regarding the maintenance of the building. In condominium ownership, in addition to individually owned property such as residential apartments and commercial premises, there are other parts of the building that are considered common property belonging to all apartment owners. Since housing was poorly maintained in the past and even the few limited services provided by the Housing Enterprise have been discontinued, all owners have the right to determine how the building will be maintained. In other words, owners will have greater control over their living conditions than they had when they were tenants. Each individual owner’s share of the condominium ownership of the building is calculated according to the ratio of the total area of all individual apartments to the area of each apartment, excluding the parts outside it. Thus, each condominium owner, by holding two kinds of property—their private property and the common property—has a specified percentage directly proportional to the floor area of their apartment. The larger this area, the larger that owner’s share of the property and their obligation toward the common property. Petrit Como, a legal expert at the National Housing Entity, said that under the law “On Condominium Ownership,” individual owners, like all owners of real estate, have rights to this property established by law. They are free to use it in accordance with their interests, sell it, rent it out, mortgage it (as condominium property or individually), etc. This form of condominium ownership has been widely and successfully applied for many years in all democratic countries.

Yesterday, Tirana police forces captured the fifth of the 20 escapees from Tirana Prison. The person captured is Ismet Ramiz Dajai, sentenced to 5 years and 6 months for robbery committed in complicity. According to the information, the escapee Ismet Daja was captured in Koder-Kamez while heading to his home in the storm. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

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