Founded as the first opposition party on the principles of European democracy, from its very beginnings the PD became the nightmare of the PPSH, a destroyer of the institutions of the communist dictatorship in Albania and a builder of democracy and the rule of law. The PPSH sensed that the PD, the “Machiavelli” of communism, would very soon threaten its positions and interests, overthrow the red nomenklatura and end its rule. For this reason, it concentrated its power in two main directions: first, it deployed all its criminal propaganda, secret police and every means at its disposal to remove the PD from the political scene; it organized a strategy of violence, terror and crime, which it put into practice by murdering the party’s founders, ordinary members and supporters. The party of crime could not refrain from wielding the cleaver against democracy. On the other hand, it used a fifth column, infiltrating the PD’s ranks with informers, criminals and people with secret connections, whose clear mission was to divide the PD, weaken it and usurp its leadership. Such failed attempts were evident not only at the first active-members’ meeting but also at the First Democratic Congress, which recognized them as synonymous with the Hoxha-Alia pair. They organized televised public trials—actions that discredited not only the organizers and authors, but also their actors. Ramiz Alia and his associates, the organizers of political crime, were discredited, as were the phalanxes of the fifth column infiltrated into the PD. The PD was not divided; on the contrary, it showed that it was the country’s most consolidated and democratic political force. Accustomed to “beheading” their “enemies,” the red leaders rushed to draw parallels and spread propaganda about the PD’s division, but only ended up archiving their own failure. The rejection of the constitution rekindled the lost careerist hopes of the red staff at the head of the PS. Terrified by the determination of the PD, the government and today’s institutions to accelerate the pace of reform and distribute securities, and finally focused on results, the unscrupulous primitives, through disinformation, sought to “reveal” to the public an imaginary split within the PD parliamentary group, its leadership or its National Council. They have launched an unprecedented campaign; the prime minister hopes to nominate shadows from the world we left behind, such as Kendezi, Delfini, and even Skifteri himself. In this way they remind people that your pseudonyms and disinformation offices are merely shadows from the night you wander through, a night from which Albanian society has separated itself once and for all. The PD has been and remains the party of great opportunities, of democratic ideals and of building a free society in Albania. You failed when you established yourselves as the powerful ones in Albania, while today, with your games, you show that you are trying to deepen your failure and despair. It is true that in parties such as the PS—where people with criminal pasts and presents are clamouring to line up all party members like soldiers, and members are expelled from the party and psychologically and physically terrorized for holding an opinion different from that of the leaders—the expression of free opinions cannot be conceived. The PD is not a party of people lined up in ranks, but of free people, free thought and diversity of opinion. Diversity of opinion has been and remains the PD’s spirit and the basis of its strength, just as implementing its programme and major objectives is. The division of the PD has now become a pathological obsession for the Albanian socialist leadership, and therefore another failure will be fatal for them. Let them prepare for it. The meeting of the PD National Council, which is being awaited as the moment of triumph for the red staff, will bring only deep disappointment to the “forecasters” and dividers, who will once again open the archives to add yet another failure. the fifth column, infiltrate the ranks of the PD with informers, criminals, attempts occurred not only at the first party assembly but also at the First Congress of the PD. In their offensive, enlisting Pashko, Ceket and their entourage of informers and spies, they sought to seize control of the party, but they came in as they went out. All their manoeuvres came to nothing, ending in a handful of sham votes. The strategy to eliminate the PD reached its peak in December ’91, when this discredited and disgraced group, ordered by the Byzantine red palaces, launched a frontal attack against democracy and the PD. From that point, traps were laid and the Ceka-Pashko statements were trumpeted, which public opinion... having distributed securities, now wholly oriented toward achievements, the unscrupulous primitives sought, through disinformation, to “reveal” to the public the imaginary division Council. They have launched an unprecedented campaign of slander, deceit and fabrication to bring about the division they dream of. To this end, they have enlisted their principal leaders, represented by Dokle, Ruçi, etc., in a campaign of rumours and vulgar slander about imaginary motions of no confidence in Prime Minister Meksi. Not content with that, two days later they dreamed of seeing their own ears without mirrors, declaring in their organ of laundering, “ZP,” that President Berisha was seeking a socialist prime minister. Finally, they are talking about an imaginary technical government in which, for the post of prime minister, it is said that of the Criminal Code continues today. M.SH.

At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Valensa, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, departed yesterday to attend the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Among those invited by Mr. Valensa to commemorate this event are heads of state, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and high-level delegations from many countries around the world. Press and Information Office of the President

TIRANA, Albanian President Sali Berisha will take part in the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Hitlerite mass-extermination camp of Aushwitz . [The text begins mid-sentence here:] Peace, at the meeting of Nobel Peace Prize laureates and heads of official delegations. On 27 January, events will continue at the Aushwitz I and Aushwitz II camps, respectively in Oswiecim and Brzezhinka, where the commemoration ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Aushwitz concentration camp will also be held. “The celebrations commemorating this event,” the ambassador emphasized, “will serve to ensure that hatred among peoples and the feeling of ethnic cleansing—which is currently a reality in Europe—do not exist.” [The following unrelated text appears in the source:] received a positive assessment from them. -All of Arsdi’s mandates and contracts belonged to the former governments of the PPSH and PS, from Fatos Nano to Vilson Ahmeti. Perhaps, by bringing the medal, he thought he might benefit, but the facts prove that he cannot benefit. All the contracts negotiated for the debt. It has long been made clear through official documents that this task was entrusted to him on 15 December under an official mandate by Mr. V. Ahmeti, prime minister under R. Alia and F. Nano, for which he is also a defendant held in custody. Photo: F. Bilani Birkenau, invited by means of a letter signed by President Valesa, — the Polish ambassador in Tirana, Miroslaw Palasz, announced at a press conference held on Tuesday morning at the embassy. Many of the 23 presidents and dignitaries from various countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Macedonia, Germany, Italy, etc., have also confirmed that they will attend these celebrations. According to Mr. Palasz, dignitaries from 17 countries, including President Berisha, will be in Krakow on 26 January, where the celebrations will begin and an appeal to the world will be drafted for... of ethnic cleansing, now current in Europe” During the conference, a short history of this camp was presented through a film sequence and remarks by the Polish ambassador. Since 1947, the State Museum has been located on the site of the former camp, by decision of the Legislative Assembly of Poland, to honor the martyrs of the Polish nation and of other countries. The site, together with the buildings of the former camp, covers an area of 200 hectares and is under the care of the State Museum of Oshviençim. ATSH

In yesterday’s issue, “Gazeta Shqiptare” undertakes to inform its readers about what the President of the Republic said at the meeting of the PD parliamentary group. Since Mr. Baxhaku, whether deliberately or not, through ignorance or for some other reason, has taken it upon himself to give only half the truth, we clarify that at this meeting the President said the following: -The French Courtoisie Medal is an award that has been bestowed on distinguished figures such as presidents and prime ministers, Sandro Pertini, Zhak Shirak, etc. -The medal is awarded by its board, which includes former prime ministers and other distinguished French and European figures. -Arsidi was the person authorized by its board to present this medal to the President of Italy, Sandro Pertini. -Before accepting the medal, President Berisha sought information from the official authorities of both countries and received a positive assessment from them. -All of Arsidi’s PSH facts prove that he could not. All his contracts with the former governments were annulled by the Meksi Government because they were irregular. -The President had no knowledge whatsoever that Arsidi had been a debt negotiator. He had officially reconfirmed this task on behalf of the Albanian Government to Mr. Amato in May 1992; later, as you may recall, Benjamin Andreata was assigned to this task because Mr. Amato was appointed Prime Minister of Italy. As for following up on the private debt, to his knowledge the State Bank was responsible, while the Ministry of Finance was responsible for the public debt. In any case, there are documents concerning these matters. At the meeting, President Berisha said that, in order to verify Arsidi’s contracts for Hotel Tirana, signed with the former governments, he had instructed Mr. G. Ruli and Mr. O. Shehu to review them and ensure that nothing contrary to our laws was allowed. Finally, one cannot help expressing surprise at the claim by the minister alleged by “Gazeta Shqiptare” concerning who appointed Arsidi as debt negotiator. It has long been made known which he is also a defendant in the custody trials.

At the insistence of the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, a consultation was held at the Palace of Congresses on the problems of RTV and the Albanian Telegraphic Agency. The focus was the idea of a public radio and television service. Intellectuals from the fields of art and culture, journalists, representatives of visual media, etc., took part in the consultation. In his opening remarks, President Berisha stressed the need for an independent media, focusing mainly on the idea of a public RTV and an ATSH with independent status. President Berisha’s idea was supported by all the participants, whose contributions made the consultation very effective. “I will work and insist,” President Berisha said at the end of the consultation, “to ensure that this idea is put into practice.” Albania should soon have public radio and television. The idea of private radio and television was also emphasized at the consultation. This meeting was a valuable experience that generated ideas for institutionalizing and ensuring the independence of Albanian radio and television.

A further 76 articles of the Criminal Code were approved Yesterday, during the two sessions of the People’s Assembly, article-by-article approval continued of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania and of other provisions. Yesterday, during the two sessions of the People’s Assembly, article-by-article approval continued of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania and of the section entitled “Criminal offences committed in commercial companies” (articles 160–167). Articles were also approved from Section 5, entitled “Crimes in the field of customs” (articles 168–177); Section 6, “Criminal offences relating to taxation” (articles 178–180); Section 7, “Counterfeiting currency and securities” (articles 181–185); Section 8, “Forgery of documents” (articles 186–192); Section 9, “Criminal offences in the field of bankruptcy”; and Section 10, “Illegal organization of games of chance” (articles 197–198). Most of the articles were approved almost without debate. Some individual articles were adjusted because of their importance, such as Article 139, on robbery with violence through to theft, and Article 168, concerning the confiscation of property. Following discussions by the deputies and comments by the chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, Hali Shamata, and the chair of the Economic and Finance Committee, Genc Ruli, amendments and stylistic edits were made. At the close of the afternoon session, a further 76 articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania had been approved article by article. Approval of the following articles of the Criminal Code continues today. Albania. The sessions were chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Teodor Malushi. At the morning session, 28 articles were approved, from Article 172 through to Article 150.

BRUSSELS, Albania on Wednesday became the 10th country to sign an individual cooperation agreement with NATO under the “Partnership for Peace” (PFP) programme, designed to strengthen security in the post-communist world. NATO Secretary General Vili Klaas welcomed the Individual Partnership Programme (IPP) between NATO and Albania as an important step towards creating stability in the troubled Balkan region. “The Alliance will support democratic and economic reforms in the region,” Klaas told reporters. Albanian Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova said the IPP agreement was “an important step in Albania’s process of integration into Europe’s modern structures.” He said Albania’s ultimate goal was full integration into the modern European world and full membership in NATO. “Albania regards the PFP as a paradigm,” he said, emphasizing the importance of measures to increase security in the region, particularly in potential flashpoints such as Kosovo and Macedonia, shaken by problems involving minorities and secessionist claims.

On 23 January 1995, the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of Ireland agreed to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level.

Interview with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. DYlBER VRIONI, given to journalist Shpetim Luku QUESTION: Mr. Vrioni! You have only recently been appointed Minister of Finance. What objectives will characterize your tenure in this position? ANSWER: Naturally, it is much too soon for me to say what my objectives at the Ministry of Finance are, since I have held this position for only a month and a half. Nevertheless, in my capacity as Governor of the Bank, I was able to formulate some ideas concerning the Ministry of Finance and its role in directing second-tier banks. These banks have not felt the presence of the owner, which has been the Government, through the Ministry of Finance. On the basis of analyses of these banks’ operations, two weeks ago the Government adopted a decision to increase the Ministry of Finance’s role in relation to second-tier banks. The decision contains the following points: state-owned banks must submit their business plans by the end of February; in other words, they must understand and feel that they cannot operate in this financial and economic environment without direction, but must respond to the country’s economic trends. The Government itself must set priorities without undermining the banks’ independence. The Government’s decision provides for the establishment of a directorate within the Ministry of Finance to supervise and direct these banks so that the state can manage its property (the banks) more effectively from an economic standpoint. Another point concerns changing the banks’ boards in order to improve their work. The Government’s decision provides for the banks to undergo an independent international audit in accordance with international practices. QUESTION: What specific shortcomings have you noticed in the second-tier banks, and what cooperation is taking place with international institutions to improve their work? ANSWER: In my previous position, I had the opportunity to examine the state and prospects of Albania’s financial system. In a country seeking to change its economic model, the banking system is undoubtedly very important. The reform process, the transition, was under way... (Continued on page 2)

Photo: F. Bilani

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