The loan agreement between Albania and the International Development Association IDA is ratified Amendments to three laws approved Interpellation with Prime Minister Meksi and Defence Minister Zhulali NDREKE GJINI Yesterday’s plenary session of the People’s Assembly began with the ratification of the development loan agreement between the Republic of Albania and the International Development Association IDA. This loan will support the project to rehabilitate health services in Albania. Specialists answered MPs’ questions about the criteria for distributing this loan; afterwards, the chairs of the standing parliamentary committees on laws and the economy, MPs H. Shamata and G. Ruli, as well as representatives of the PD and PS parliamentary groups, Minga and Cani, expressed their agreement with approving this agreement. The agreement was then approved by consensus, both in principle and article by article, in its entirety. The agenda of yesterday’s plenary session of the People’s Assembly then turned to amendments to three laws approved during 1992: “On Personal Income Tax,” “On Prices and Tariffs,” and “On the Tax System.” After a short recess, proceedings continued with an interpellation with Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, requested by MPs Abër Imami and Perikli Teta. These MPs sought clarification about the measures the government had taken to combat corruption, both through legislative activity and in practice. Prime Minister Meksi gave detailed explanations on this matter. Yesterday morning, an interpellation was also held with Defence Minister Safet Zhulali, requested by MPs Teta and Imami, concerning the state of national defence, the results of the reform, and the professional and moral condition of the army. Minister Zhulali provided the relevant explanations to Parliament on all these matters. At the end of his remarks, Mr Zhulali addressed MPs Imami and Teta, saying: “As for Mr Imami’s remarks, I want to repeat once again what Prime Minister Meksi also said earlier: when making requests, we should not rely on fabrications or café conversations, but speak responsibly. Some things have been clarified several times, and yet clarification continues to be demanded. I am ready to provide explanations anywhere, at any time, and before anyone. Seriousness is required in dealing with these problems, for example, the accusation of arms trafficking in Bulgaria. Mr Teta knows very well that we have initiated such an investigation and that there has been nothing of the sort—no such things have been bought in Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the documentation can be obtained and examined; it is open to MPs. I am glad of only one thing: Mr Teta, from the lessons I have learned, has also begun to speak with a logic of ‘causes’ that is very important for Parliament. When he was on our side, nobody ever heard his voice. Nobody even knew what good or worthwhile work he had done. But I can say this: in everything that is done, for the good of the country and the state, such things have never been lacking. Mr Teta, I am telling you that nobody who saw it in your time, when you were directing it, would recognize it today. (Continued on page 2)

Address by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi during the interpellation During these three or four years of democracy, Albania has undergone profound and comprehensive changes in property relations and the privatization of state property, in the circulation of goods, in the provision of credit to individuals and firms, and in other activities whose foundations are the interests of individuals or various groups. These inevitably create conflicts of interest and, objectively, new complexities that pose a problem for the state—a new one, I would add, for all former communist countries, but one not created by the Democratic Government. First, we wish to emphasize that, from the beginning of the reform it undertook, the Government has clearly set out and pursued a policy against corruption and the pursuit of unlawful gain, using every necessary means. This has been achieved through legal improvements and the introduction of changes in governance specifically intended to eliminate opportunities for corruption, unlawful gain, and so on. The Democratic State and Government have always been committed at every level and in every structure to fighting corruption and conflicts of interest, closing off avenues for unlawful conduct through structural changes, numerous legal acts, and a comprehensive body of state oversight legislation. The Financial Police, Customs, Tax Offices, and Audit and Inspection bodies have been fully mobilized to combat every economic and financial violation concerning the management and circulation of monetary assets, to improve accounting, and to impose discipline on financial operations involving services, investments, and public services—activities that create opportunities for state employees to secure illicit benefits and income. On the one hand, the Government has worked to draft legislation based on positive contemporary experience, which, as we have said, eliminates opportunities for corruption; on the other hand, it has stepped up efforts to implement these measures, alongside monitoring their enforcement and taking action against shortcomings that remain. More specifically, in response to your questions, Mr Imami and Mr Teta: Regarding our approach to measures against corruption, we have discussed this and, as the concrete facts and clear phenomena now show— (Continued on page 2) Continuously closing off avenues and opportunities for unlawful conduct through structural changes, numerous legal acts, and a comprehensive body of state oversight legislation, the Financial Police, Customs, Tax Offices, and Audit and Inspection bodies have been fully mobilized to combat every economic and financial violation concerning the management and circulation of monetary assets, to improve accounting, and to impose discipline on financial operations involving services, investments, and public services—activities that create opportunities for state employees to secure illicit benefits and income. On the one hand, the Government has worked to draft legislation based on positive contemporary experience, which, as we have said, eliminates opportunities for corruption; on the other hand, it has stepped up efforts to implement these measures, alongside monitoring their enforcement and taking action against shortcomings that remain. More specifically, in response to your questions, Mr Imami and Mr Teta Photograph of Aleksander Meksi

Address by Defence Minister Zhulali during the interpellation 1. On the first issue, relating to the incident in Peshkepí, Gjirokastër, let me clarify: Although it did not take place at an army unit, on our part we have taken measures to revise and strengthen certain acts concerning cooperation with border units and measures to ensure the security of our facilities and units. 2. Regarding the incident in which a Greek civilian aircraft violated our airspace in southwestern Albania on 21 August 1994, at 06:07 a sport aircraft coming from Greek territory (Corfu) violated our airspace. It flew at a very low altitude, around 200–300 m, using the contours of the terrain along the Sarandë–Borsh–Mesaplik Valley route, as far as above Vlora, and left in the direction of the sea, crossing beyond our border at 06:52 (it returned by the same route). The aircraft was detected by the optical observation posts at Ksamil and by the ready anti-aircraft battery of the Sarandë Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment of the Gjirokastër Division at 06:52, and the incident was reported to the central air-defence and aviation command post. Alongside these reports, another piece of information, different from the ones above, also reached the central command post. Clarifying this situation caused a loss of time. After that, only one alternative remained: to shoot down the aircraft, either on one’s own initiative or by order from above. Clearly, such an action would have been irresponsible and would have had serious consequences in the international arena. Opening fire on one’s own initiative, either by anti-aircraft artillery or by scrambling a pair of aircraft, is permitted under decision No. 14 of the Defence Council, dated 4 December 1984, only in the following cases: when aircraft are actually carrying out bombing and strafing, or actually dropping airborne troops. Regardless of the arrival of two different types of information at the central command post, under the instructions of the combat-readiness regulations, the command group at this post should have issued the order to move to Fire Readiness No. 1 for the ready anti-aircraft artillery units in the area of... On one’s own initiative or by order from above. Clearly, such an action would have been irresponsible and would have had serious consequences in the international arena. Opening fire on one’s own initiative, either by anti-aircraft artillery or by scrambling a pair of aircraft, is permitted under decision No. 14 of the Defence Council, dated 4 December 1984, only in the following cases: when aircraft are actually carrying out bombing and strafing, or actually dropping airborne troops. Regardless of the arrival of two different types of information at the central command post, under the instructions of the combat-readiness regulations, the command group at this post should have issued the order to move to Fire Readiness No. 1 for the ready anti-aircraft artillery units in the area of (Continued on page 2) Photos: G. Xhengo

Interview with the chairman of the PDSH, Mr Eduard Selami, given to Auron Dodi, the DEUTSCHE WELLE correspondent in Strasbourg The circumstances Albania is going through now are an additional reason to intensify the demand that the chairman of the governing party also be the country’s prime minister, Democratic Party of Albania chairman Eduard Selami told the Deutsche Welle correspondent, while participating in the Council of Europe’s Winter Session in Strasbourg. What our questions have sought to clarify is this: that it is a matter of principle, not a personal matter, and concerns the proper conduct of affairs. Asked how he explained the fact that the Nano issue continues to be discussed in many international circles, even though a long time has passed since his sentence was imposed, Mr Selami argued that Nano was not only prime minister of the former communist government, but also the executive head of the Socialist Party, the second-largest party in the opposition. In particular, regardless of the perspective from which this issue is viewed, I think it is best to consider it from the perspective of what the judiciary has decided, Selami said. It is in the country’s interest and in the interest of stability that political issues not be mixed with those of justice, because in the long term this would damage the country’s stability. Speaking about the steps to be taken to approve the new Constitution following the referendum result, Eduard Selami said that the PD’s position was for the Constitution to be approved as soon as possible. For the time being, no way out of this situation has been found, because the country’s various political forces do not agree and are trying to use the situation, each for its own political ends and to gain political credibility. We are referring to the opposition forces. Naturally, certain legal requirements cannot be bypassed: the Constitution must be drafted by a parliamentary commission representing all sides, elected by all the parties in Parliament. As for Europe, it is, in a word, not only Albania’s concern that we have a constitution. This is a condition for Albania’s admission to Europe, bearing in mind also the fact that Albania is not without conditions. We have constitutional laws that are almost complete and in line with the draft that was not approved in Parliament last year. I am unable to say when this problem will be resolved, but we will make every effort to resolve it before the 1996 parliamentary elections.

On Wednesday morning, the standing parliamentary Committee on Mandates, Immunity and Rules met again to examine the request by Prosecutor General Alush Dragoshi concerning the removal of immunity from MPs Genc Ruli and Rexhep Uka. To learn about the proceedings of this meeting, we spoke to the committee’s deputy chairman, MP Bahri Bregu, who confirmed that, at the committee’s request, Prosecutor General Alush Dragoshi had been summoned to clarify the alleged circumstances of the arrest for which the two MPs are accused. After the prosecutor’s explanations, MP Bregu said, we as a committee were clear on many matters relating to this case, but we decided to meet once more before making a concrete recommendation, in order to hear MPs Ruli and Uka as well. N. GJINI

They are from Kamza, Sauku, Priske, Dajt, Marikaj, Vore, Zall-Herr, etc. Yesterday the FRPD branch in Tirana organized a meeting and social gathering with young people from secondary schools in Tirana’s villages. The meeting was attended by 150 young people from secondary schools in the villages around Tirana, representing 250 young people from schools in the district who had expressed a wish to join the FRPD. Those present included Mr Engjell Hysenbegasi, deputy chairman of the PDSH; Mr Lulezim Shenaj, Secretary General of the FRPD; Mr Defrim Xhaferi, chairman of the Tirana FRPD; members of the Tirana PD leadership, Mr Flamur SHKOZA and Entela Komoni; and Mr Erind Maci, chairman of the Tirana Secondary School Association. After the opening remarks by Mr Agim Perllaku, secretary of the Tirana FR, Mr Defrim Xhaferi, chairman of the Tirana PD FR, spoke, mainly about the organizational structure of the Tirana FRPD and how it operates. Mr Hysenbegasi spoke about the relationship between the FRPD and the PD and the value the PD places on the youth forum. In his remarks, Mr Hysenbegasi praised the meeting and, while thanking those who attended, expressed his full support for their group. On behalf of the FRPD leadership, Mr Lulezim Shenaj offered greetings. Those present also received a symbolic gift along with their FR membership cards. The event was made very entertaining by the quiz organized at the end, whose winners received a package prepared especially for them. The conclusions of the meeting were that participation was extraordinary, the hall was packed, and the meeting demonstrated the enthusiasm, desire and determination of young people to extend the FRPD fully to every village and every home, as well as the drive to expand acquaintances and ties among young Democrats. “RD” correspondent

Yesterday Vesel Rizvanolli, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Albania, signed the following conventions at the Council of Europe, in the presence of its Secretary General, Daniel Tarschys: 1. The Anti-Doping Convention Opened for signature on 16 November 1989, this convention is the first binding international instrument on this issue. Its purpose is to harmonize anti-doping rules, including restrictions on the availability and use of drugs and anabolic steroids, assistance in financing doping tests, and the specific application of anti-doping rules as a criterion for providing incentives to athletes: regular doping controls, during and outside competitions, including in countries that are not party to the Convention. So far, the Convention in question has been signed by 20 member states of the Council of Europe. 2. The Council of Europe Convention on Spectator Violence and Misconduct at Sports Events The Convention includes a range of binding measures, such as close cooperation between police forces, the prosecution of offenders and the imposition of appropriate penalties, checks on... (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, a gathering was organized at a stadium in Piraeus, Greece, attended by all Epirote nationals, a group from Greece, as well as Greek Foreign Minister Karolis Papulias. At the gathering, a song about enslaved Vorio-Epir was also sung by the Epirote participants. In addition, the stadium’s electronic scoreboard displayed, alongside slogans about Vorio Epir, an account number where money could be deposited to help Vorio Epir. Thus, Greece, the country of “blockades” against its neighbours, continues to be guided by a policy of unhealthy nationalism, as illustrated by the political fact that even individuals are in the dock before the European Court of Justice because of the trade embargo Athens imposed against Macedonia on 16 February last year.

YLLI VEJSIU Let us gather as we did on 22 March, under the banner of the struggle against the return of communism in Albania MERITA ZALOSHNJA With the right-wing parties, in a united front against communism URAN BUTKA Page 2