From yesterday’s meeting of the DP parliamentary group— The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi, and other members of the government took part. Yesterday, a meeting of the Democratic Party parliamentary group was held, attended by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi, and members of the government, to discuss the return of property to former owners and their compensation. Yesterday, a meeting of the Democratic Party parliamentary group was held, attended by and members of the government, to discuss the return of property to former owners and their compensation. At this meeting, the deputies discussed the matter responsibly and stressed the need to accelerate the pace of returning property and compensating its former owners as favorably as possible and within the laws approved by Parliament. In general, criticism was directed at the executive over delays by property-return commissions and various administrative bodies in dealing with former owners. The need was also stressed to prioritize compensating former owners in kind, making use of tourist areas and other available areas, as well as finding other ways to ensure the actual return of property to former owners where agricultural land is not involved. In this way, concrete tasks were assigned to the government following the work of the DP National Council, tasks that the executive must resolve as soon as possible. At yesterday’s meeting of the parliamentary group, it was agreed that the allocation of land under the law should be compensated for and that the distribution of title deeds should be completed by May. The deputies who spoke underlined that the DP should correct some mistakes in its position toward former owners; specifically, the sluggishness shown in some cases in compensating for and restoring property was criticized. It was agreed that former owners of plots on which buildings have been erected should be assisted by being offered the right of first refusal on those buildings, where possible, and in other cases compensated with land in tourist areas. It was stated at the meeting that the National Housing Agency should sign agreements with the owners, offering them one floor of the building. As for court proceedings to establish ownership of property through testimony from former owners, it was said that the witnesses should be only the neighbors. The drafting and submission to Parliament for approval of a law on the sale and purchase of land, for both domestic and foreign buyers, was also identified at this meeting as a very urgent task. The deputies also spoke about the need to supplement the property-return and compensation commissions with additional specialists. Yesterday’s meeting of the parliamentary group assigned the government the task of analyzing, within three weeks, the issue of settlements and liquidators, and of introducing concrete measures against those who have delayed these settlements. In addition to agricultural land, which has been distributed in accordance with the law, it was agreed that all forests, pastures, meadows, etc., should be returned to former owners, while former owners of agricultural land would be compensated, in specified proportions, with land in tourist areas. To carry all this out as quickly as possible, a working group was formed, comprising Prime Minister Meksi as well as several deputies and ministers. It will meet today to set deadlines and specific tasks so that property and its owner may acquire a new dimension. President Berisha stressed the need to deepen this process, which is very important for strengthening democracy and developing the market economy in Albania. At the end, President Berisha said that if we work with dedication this year, we can achieve very great things in improving the economic, political, and social situation; therefore, we must certainly support the government and strengthen the ties between the government and the parties. We must continue working to implement our program.

We are very satisfied with bilateral military cooperation with the USA and within the framework of the Partnership for Peace. Through this cooperation, we once again express Albania’s determination and commitment to work intensively so that our country meets the criteria for NATO membership, President Berisha joined the US Assistant Secretary of Defense, Dr. Naj, at their meeting yesterday at the Presidency. At the meeting, Dr. Naj pointed out the special interest of the USA and the Pentagon in Albania. He continued that this stems from the fact that reform and the market economy in Albania have been successful, and that Albania’s contribution to stability in the region, its policy of preventing conflict, and its stance toward its neighbors have served and continue to serve peace and stability in the Balkans. The discussion then focused on the areas in which cooperation will be strengthened in the future. At the end of the meeting, President Berisha conveyed his warm greetings to Mr. Perry and President Clinton. Photo: G. Xhengo

Press conference by the leaders of the DP of Albania

Yesterday afternoon, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses, US Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Zhozel Nai, together with Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali, held a press conference. neighbors. Mr. Nai went on to say that Albania is a very important factor in maintaining stability in the Balkan region. Dr. Zhozel Nai stated that the United States...

The District Prosecutor’s Office’s appeal

PDSH leaders’ press conference Yesterday at 11:00, at the International Center of Culture, in the press conference hall, PDSH leaders—the Secretary General, Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, and Deputy Chairmen Tomor Dosti and Engjell Hysenbegasi—held a press conference concerning developments at the PDSH National Council, which met on Sunday, January 29, 1995. The press conference was opened by the PD’s press and information chief, Mr. Sokol Balla, who gave the floor to the Secretary General of PDSH, Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu. In the press statement, Mr. Shehu communicated the following: On Sunday, January 29, an expanded meeting of the PD National Council was held, attended also by the parliamentary group and members of the leadership belonging to the PD. In particular, aspects of coordinating work between the PD at all levels and the executive were defined. He noted a number of problems in this matter and stressed that closer cooperation between these two institutions was now essential. To this end, he proposed that the relationship between the PD Chairman and the Prime Minister be definitively established. To pave the way for this request to be put into practice, Mr. Selami proposed and declared: “I resign from the post of PD Chairman.” During the proceedings, President of the Republic Mr. Berisha then spoke, stressing the need to deepen democracy, accelerate the pace of reforms, and underline the role the PD and all democratic forces should play in this regard. He then analyzed some of the most pressing problems of this period in all the areas proposed, from the economic path to the overall situation, identifying as the primary danger state crime and new attempts to obstruct the return of communism to Albania. Regarding Selami’s proposal, he stressed that it was sound in principle, but that it had to be discussed properly and assessed. The schemes we are applying need to be made functional. Mr. Tritan Shehu presented an extensive document setting out the leadership’s views on the organization of the PD, the consolidation of its structures and their expansion across all administrative units. He also stressed the need to begin preparations for the 1996 election campaign and reported on the measures being taken for it. Regarding Mr. Selami’s proposal, he said: “The new schemes for governing after the 1996 elections should be determined later, following analyses; in principle, we agree with what has been proposed.” The National Council then discussed, with a strong sense of responsibility, the PD’s organizational issues: the need to expand its reach, increase new memberships, strengthen the role of its branches, and reinforce the leading role of advanced intellectual thought. They also discussed very objectively the alliances the PD should form and its open dialogue with other political forces whose place in the political spectrum is close to its own. It is essential to be more active in this regard, as an important measure to prevent the return of communism to Albania. Considerable importance was also attached to establishing effective coordination between PD structures at different levels and the executive connected with them; this was described as extremely important for deepening reform in every area. The National Council also discussed Mr. Selami’s proposal to change the system of governance and directors. The National Council considered that, in principle, the proposed system was modern and valuable, but expressed the view that the matter should be discussed later at the National Assembly and applied after the 1996 elections. Regarding the resignation, the National Council asked Mr. Selami to withdraw it, and he agreed. Finally, the National Council identified some of the main priorities for the party’s work and for state institutions in 1995. I believe you have read about these in today’s press (“RD”, January 31, 1995), confirming its confidence in the government of Mr. Meksi and in the PD Chairman, Mr. Selami. After the statement, journalists asked questions relating to its subject. Asked what the PD’s new alliances would be in the future, among other questions, a reporter from the newspaper “Populli Po” received this answer from Mr. Tritan Shehu: The Democratic Party has always regarded alliances and cooperation with other forces as important, giving them great importance, but has always believed in staying out of pre-election coalitions and forming coalitions after the ’96 elections. We are currently in dialogue with political forces close to the Democratic Party’s spectrum. We have held discussions and talks with them, and I am optimistic about cooperation because we have found common ground on many issues, such as strengthening and consolidating democracy in Albania and fighting communism so that it does not return. We have not currently broken our alliance with the Republican Party, even though it has left the government. We will strengthen and deepen this alliance with that party in the future. We also support recognition and cooperation with the Social Democratic Union Party; in other words, we are ready to cooperate with various parties, including right-wing ones. The Voice of America correspondent, Mr. Xh. Shehu, asked: “Regarding the PD’s alliance with Balli Kombëtar, what can you say, and is it not the case that this party is regarded by public opinion as extremist?” Mr. Tritan replied: “We do not think that the Balli Kombëtar Party is an extreme right-wing party. We certainly have reservations about some of its views and positions concerning the past and the present, but we consider it a right-wing political force. We have begun a dialogue with them, and if we find common ground, we will decide to continue the dialogue toward cooperation.” As for the second question, about corruption and the fact that RD mainly blames the PS for this corruption, the Voice of America correspondent received the following answer: “The fight against corruption has always been, and remains, one of the major problems for the PD and the Democratic Government. The Democratic Government has continually tried to take anti-corruption measures to minimize this phenomenon in Albania. I think—and I agree completely—that corruption is a phenomenon of democracy in Albania. (Continued on page 2) Photo: A. Dhimitri

Yesterday afternoon, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Zhozef Nai and Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali held a press conference for journalists. of Congresses, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Zhozef Nai and Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali held a press conference for journalists. At the beginning of his remarks, our Minister of Defense, Safet Zhulali, gave a brief overview of the army’s forces. He then focused on the very important cooperation between our army and the countries of the Western Alliance. He described the joint exercise “Sarex ’95” as very positive and important. “I want to assure you that we had a very successful political meeting,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Zhozef Nei at the beginning of his remarks. He stressed that the United States of America attached great importance, in post-communist countries, to strengthening democracy, developing a market economy, and relations between neighboring countries. Mr. Nai went on to say that Albania was region. Dr. Zhozef Nai said that the United States of America would help fully reform our army. Specifically, he mentioned the training of our students in the United States, the creation of a joint group that would help manage our army, and assistance with uniforms. “We have made a very good start, and we hope to continue in this way,” stressed U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Zhozef Nai at the end of his remarks. He pledged greater cooperation between our army and the American army in the future in order to achieve greater productivity. RD CORRESPONDENT

The Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office’s appeal against the non-final decision of January 22, 1995, by the Tirana District Court, concerning the return of the Arsidi case for further investigation, has still not arrived at the Court of Appeal. The Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office’s appeal against the non-final decision of January 22, 1995, by the Tirana District Court, concerning the return of the Arsidi case for further investigation, Tirana District Prosecutor’s Office’s appeal in this case will arrive at the Court of Appeal after it has been registered by the District Court and after the defendants themselves, A. Tartari, A. Saliu, V. Ahmeti, A. Xhhyheri and I. Hoti, and their lawyers have been informed of it, the President of the Court of Appeal, Prele Martini, informed us. Once this procedure has been completed, Mr. Martini said, the Tirana Court, in accordance with the applicable legal rules, attaches the appeal to the relevant case file and then sends it to the Court of Appeal, which in turn appoints the judicial panel and sets the date for consideration of the appeal. NDREKE GJINI

Yesterday in the People’s Assembly Yesterday morning, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly met together with the chairmen of the parliamentary groups. Among other things, they decided to implement the two-week calendar and to consider the request to annul the decision appointing Ms. Tefta Zaka, on the grounds that she does not meet the legal requirements for membership of the Court of Cassation. It was decided to include on the agenda consideration of the draft law on the declaration of assets by officials and judges, as well as the issue of the immunity of the President of the Court of Cassation. The meeting of the standing committee for industry, trade, posts and telecommunications was devoted to reviewing the draft law “On the Labour Code.” In the presence of Minister Abdyl Xhaja, it also debated the current situation in the country’s energy system and proposed several measures for further improvement. Meanwhile, the finance and economy committee considered several proposed amendments to the existing laws “On the Documentation and Keeping of Accounts for Taxes,” “On Prices and Tariffs,” and “On the Tax System in the Republic of Albania.” The standing parliamentary committee on culture and mass information held its meeting together with the governing council of radio and television. Those present agreed in principle to examine the draft budget in greater detail at the next meeting and to discuss at length the institution’s future status, taking into consideration the idea proposed by President of the Republic Sali Berisha to establish public and private radio and television. To this end, it was emphasized that a working group needed to be established, including members of this committee, as well as economists, lawyers, employees and managers of RTV, to draft the relevant bill, drawing also on the legislation of other, more democratically developed countries. Improving the organizational structure and operation of the Ministry of the Interior was the subject of the meeting of the standing committee on Defense, Public Order and SHIK. The working group’s report, as well as those of Messrs. Njazi Kovesrati and Agim Shehu, were presented. Emphasis was placed on the need to improve the quality of current legislation and to implement it rigorously, particularly with regard to the functioning of local government. As MPs Gezim luli, Nenyu Cela, Rexhep Uka and others also pointed out, this ministry must be organized and the relevant hierarchy implemented within the secretariat for local government and territory, along with the authority of the Prefect. In addition to calling for the relevant draft laws to be drawn up, the meeting requested the establishment and operation of the MOR directorate and the minorities office, as well as several other organizational units to improve the functioning of local government. According to the announcement issued by the standing committee on international relations and foreign policy, the committee discussed the working procedures of the consular office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ATSH

AZEM HAJDARI (Page 3)

JEMIN GJANA (Page 2)

On Friday, 3 February 1995, at 11:00, the National Council of the Albanian Democratic Women’s League will hold its meeting at the headquarters of the DP of Albania in Tirana. THE PRESIDIUM