The chairman of the DPA, Mr. Eduard Selami, also takes part Yesterday, in a festive setting, the democrats of Tepelenë celebrated the 4th anniversary of the founding of the DP branch. Together, the initiators, members and leaders celebrated the joy of such a day, which marked the establishment of the democratic alternative in this district. “Those were difficult days,” recalled the chairman of the Tepelenë DP branch, Mr. Tomor Xhani. It was precisely on that day, here in Tepelenë, where Alia’s former minister, Gramoz Ruçi, had declared that there would be no DP in Tepelenë except over our dead bodies (this refers to the communist regime’s thugs and State Security agents — editor’s note), that the DP branch was founded. Far from imposing official ceremonies, the democrats of Tepelenë recalled those historic days and expressed their confidence in the DP’s victory in the upcoming 1996 elections. The attendees were also honoured by the presence and greetings of the DPA chairman, Mr. Eduard Selami. Also present were the chairmen of the DP branches of Mallakastër, Gjirokastër and Përmet, officials of the DP central press group, etc. “RD” correspondent

A large number of property owners will be expropriated Through the chairman of its Economic Commission, Mr. Shkelqim Cani, the Socialist Party undertook to promise the annulment of the historic privatization process, naturally if it returns to power. Mr. Cani is explicit: “That part of the privatization carried out so far which was illegal will not stand.” And although he speaks of a part, it is clear that ... being in power would mean a considerable number of people being dispossessed and an effective interruption of free enterprise, as a result of restarting the privatization process from the beginning. Some time ago Dokle had declared that the PS would annul all the laws passed by this parliament. A statement by a person of no little importance to the PS, such as Shkelqim Cani, shows that the PS, if ... Silkequini Cani, the Socialist Party, undertook to reverse Mr. Cani states clearly: a part, it is understood that he means the entire process. Because the “parts” stigmatized by the PS are many. It has called the privatization process a great robbery. Its newspaper has published almost all articles on this process under that heading. It is therefore clear that the PS’s return ... ...so “sophisticated,” although everything written above, which also constitutes the question addressed to the PS leaders, is the words of FRESSH chairman Pandeli Majko. Meta’s reply was undoubtedly strange and wholly unconvincing. He admitted that two members of the Socialist Youth had taken part in an event in Thessaloniki without authorization from either the FRESSH leadership or the PS leadership. “FRESSH took action against these individuals,” Meta replied. So two PS members went to Thessaloniki, took part in an event, signed a resolution, and subsequently had the news published in “ZP”—and apparently did all this without authorization. As Meta stated, their heads were cut off to save the PS from the scandal they had caused. FRESSH was the first to save it. But this still is not enough to put an end to the scandal. You would have to be extremely naïve to believe such a story. Let us suppose that the two severed heads had gone to Thessaloniki as tourists and, while there, happened to add their signatures to a pro-Serbian resolution. But who published the pro-Serbian resolution in “ZP” when they had not been authorized to take part in that event? “ZP” is controlled, by God, by the PS deputy chairmen: formerly by L. Hajdari and now by S. Pellumbi. Besides this, S. Pellumbi’s accusations are clear; Majko’s accusations are clear: he says they knew what was being “discussed” at that event, so “ZP” could not have been “taken by surprise.” Majko’s accusation that the PS leadership had “manufactured” that delegation is also clear—an accusation Meta sought to dismiss when he said that the PS leadership knew nothing?! When did FRESSH take action against the two “unauthorized” members? Only after Majko publicized it in the press—and the accusations came a long time after the FRESSH leadership had asked the PS leadership for explanations, explanations that had not arrived by the time of the interview? So the resolution and the “scapegoats’ heads” must have flown after the scandal was published in the press, to save the PS leadership. But this does not absolve the former communist leaders either. The heads of two young people were cut off, but the PS has taken no position on Nano’s statement to PASK, which in essence is not very different from the resolution signed in Thessaloniki; the PS has taken no position on the strange “state visits” its MP M. Zego makes by boat to Montenegro; the PS has taken no position on the stance of its delegates in Bulgaria toward representatives of Milosevic, etc. In reality, the PS leadership has taken a position: in their defense. The PS leadership cut off the heads of two people whom it considered unimportant, but, as the facts bearing names also show, this does not change the PS’s political line at all.

The state will subsidize 170 types of medicines most commonly used in everyday practice The general privatization of the pharmaceutical service in the open network has been completed in Albania. Health Minister Maksim Cikuli informed representatives of the mass media of this yesterday. Cikuli, who has headed this ministry for several months, described the decision as “a necessity and a logical consequence of implementing the healthcare reform launched two years ago”. According to him, “this will bring its own advantages, related to the supply, quality and ease of access to medicines”. The privatization law, approved at the beginning of 1993, led to the gradual growth of the first private pharmacies, but also to the operation of the first wholesalers dealing in the trade of pharmaceutical preparations. “During 1994 the private system numbered 120 suppliers and pharmacies, compared with 360 that were state-owned,” it was announced at this press conference. To guarantee supplies to state institutions as well, central hospitals were also allowed to be supplied by private entities; in 1994 this was extended to all state institutions in the country, thus giving the green light to the private pharmaceutical service system in Albania. They “carried out more activity”, while accusing the state system and FUFARMA (the sole state monopoly responsible for distributing medicines) of a certain “incompetence”, even as the state subsidy for medicines increased every year (in 1992 the budget subsidized 200 million, in 1993, 308 million, and in 1994, 400 million lekë). According to Minister Cikuli, the state subsidy now goes to private pharmacies, eliminating the former link between state pharmacies and the buyer. Thus, the privatization of pharmacies provides for medicines to be supplied free of charge to children aged 0–12 months, people with disabilities, and former persecuted persons; these funds will come not only from the state subsidy but also from the entry into force of the health insurance law, which is scheduled to take effect in March this year. Meanwhile, the state will subsidize 170 medicines comprising the principal and most commonly used medicines in everyday practice ... concerning the operation of the units, whose staff includes economists, doctors and pharmacists who will oversee and monitor the operation of private units and any violations that may be observed in this regard. Cases in which the landowner has emerged were considered a concern, as this phenomenon could lead to a change in the use of these units. As for personnel who may be laid off, it was announced that ... measures have been taken to ensure they find work within the healthcare system; otherwise, they will receive unemployment assistance.” To ensure supplies to state institutions as well as to central hospitals by private entities, in 1994 it was extended to all state institutions in the country, thereby in Albania. The relevant specialists, who were present at this press conference, also justified the transition to pharmaceutical privatization by the fact that “private pharmacies, compared with state ones, ...” [the source text continues with unrelated material: “...could be caught by surprise.” It also repeats passages about Majko’s accusation that the PS leadership “manufactured” the delegation, Meta’s defense of the PS leadership, when FRESSH took action against the two “unauthorized” members, the resolution and “scapegoats’ heads” flying after the scandal appeared in the press to save the PS leadership.] ... providers, funds that will be secured not only through state subsidies, but also through is scheduled to take effect in March of the most essential and most commonly used drugs in everyday practice. “Alongside this, it was said at the press conference, standard prescriptions have also been prepared for all relevant population groups.” Currently, it has begun in every ... Toto: G. Xhengo

Yesterday in the People’s Assembly Comments submitted by several departments and the independent trade union, the failure to specify precisely the control bodies and their powers, as well as the absence of representatives of the Council of Ministers, were the reasons that led the standing committees to decide yesterday morning that the draft law “On Food” be returned to the government for reconsideration and redrafting. The draft law “On Food” was the subject of a meeting between this committee and the committee on education, science and social affairs. However, after hearing the comments made by the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the concerns of other departments, the committee members asked questions and sought full explanations regarding the draft presented. Since representatives of the Ministry of Health and Environmental Protection, as well as other representatives, also raised various objections, it was decided that the draft law should be discussed again by the government after the comments had been taken into consideration, redrafted and examined at another meeting of the two committees. Meanwhile, the standing Committee on Laws discussed the draft law on several amendments to the law dated 12.10.1993, “On the documentation and maintenance of accounts for taxes”. During the discussion, it was requested that the Ministry of Justice show greater commitment to enforcing the laws and various bylaws approved by the People’s Assembly. It was also decided to propose to parliament that this draft law provide for suspension of the enforcement of the decision to collect the fine until the court rules on it within 5 days. The members of this committee also dated 15.4.1993, “On the return and compensation of property to former owners”. P. SHUTERIQI (ATSH)

From yesterday’s government meeting Based on the law “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” with the proposal of the International Association ... Based on the law “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” with the proposal of the International Development Association (IDA), for the rural development project and for the project of ...

From the PS press conference For the first time, the deputy chairman of the PS appeared at a press conference yesterday, as a newcomer, Ilir Meta, who had accompanied the PS delegation to Brussels as well. The two deputy chairmen appeared before the press yesterday to talk about the “success” of their visit, but forgot that, before the Albanian press, the masks of their renewal—but they renewal—but they renewal? they renewal—but they renewal?

From yesterday’s government meeting Based on the law “On the Main Constitutional Provisions,” the Council of Ministers’ experience to date, and observations of the activities of several Western governments, yesterday’s government meeting approved the draft decision “On the functioning of the Council of Ministers,” which aims to improve and regulate the activities of the Council of Ministers. The draft decision establishes the process of decision-making and interministerial cooperation, support for the work of ministers and the prime minister, the qualitative improvement of legal and sublegal acts, the functioning of the various structures of the state administration, and even communication with the mass media. The Council of Ministers then approved the draft laws ratifying the development credit agreement between Albania and and the project to reduce electricity losses, as well as the agreements between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on international road transport and maritime transport. The draft decisions “On resolving problems related to the implementation of the tourism master plan in the ‘Ksamil’ area” and “On the provisional safeguarding of structures built at the Banja hydroelectric power plant” were also approved, as was an addition to the law “On Turnover Taxes” concerning chemical fertilizer used in agriculture, along with the draft decision “On rewarding and recognizing the highest achievements in international activities in the cultural system, youth, and the special training of high-level athletes.”

These days, the annual meeting of senior executives of the Balkan railways was held in Bucharest. During this three-day meeting, the work of the Balkan railway groups on freight and passenger transport, as well as infrastructure development, was analyzed. The director general of the Albanian Railways, Ferdinand Xhaferi, said that the most important moment of the meeting was the unanimous adoption of a declaration addressed to the respective Balkan governments, emphasizing the demand that the latter should not delay investing in the development and modernization of the railways. This is connected to the experience of the countries of Western Europe, and especially of the European Community, which have clearly established the positive future of railways, beginning with the priorities they offer: ecological protection of the environment, traffic safety, use of land compared with roads for motor vehicles, and low transport costs. To increase the sense of solidarity among these enterprises, which have large numbers of employees, it was decided to establish a working group to organize sporting activities among them.

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