On the occasion of March 22, the victory of democracy in Albania, yesterday the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, exercising his constitutional powers and acting on proposals from local government bodies, associations and various institutions, decreed pardons of between one and seven years for 40 convicted persons. , the victory of democracy in Albania, yesterday the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, exercising his constitutional powers and acting on proposals from local government bodies, associations and various institutions, decreed pardons of between one and seven years for 40 convicted persons. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE PRESIDENCY

The Albanian economy has been completely transformed The support of international institutions has been secured (Expanded meeting of the DP branch in Fier, attended by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, the Secretary General of the DPA, Mr. Tritan Shehu, Interior Minister Agron Musaraj and Fier deputy Rexhep Uka). Among the many interested attendees, the meeting was opened by the secretary of the DP branch for Fier, Petrit Çarçani, who gave a brief overview of the democratic course in Albania following the victory of March 22. Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi then spoke, giving a detailed review of the government’s work since the DP came to power. He stressed that the credit for overthrowing communism belongs to the DP, and that it did not allow communism to return during these three years of its governance. The victory of March 22, he emphasized, opened Albania’s path toward Europe. He said that the government belongs to the DP, and therefore everyone should help it. Analyzing the government’s work, Mr. Meksi said that, at the beginning of its work, its main tasks were a gerazh [sic] where the legacy of the past was empty or compromised. These tasks included all of [unclear] fully aware of the difficulties in this transitional phase, years which, he said, “will be remembered.” He spoke at length about the privatization process as an important element in creating a market economy. He addressed privatization in all sectors, particularly housing and construction. The Prime Minister stated that “2 billion USD from the privatization of housing has been distributed to Albanians.” Regarding Albania’s relations with international bodies such as the IMF, etc., which are helping and supporting the Reform in the country, the Prime Minister, after praising this assistance, explained that these relations result from compliance with agreements with these institutions and organizations—relations that other countries cooperating with them also have. Mr. Meksi then described the work to reduce inflation and the budget deficit, and PD, Mr. Meksi said that its main tasks at the outset were bringing [unclear: ejerashkiu krahasgimna] with the past was empty or compromised. These tasks included transforming the structures of the state, establishing order, creating opportunities for a free-market economy, etc. The Prime Minister pointed out that we must be aware that this is a long-term undertaking and district is run reasons which, as he explained, were mostly connected with his now-advanced age. Next, the vice-chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Tomor Dosti, took the floor. He began by giving a good, patriotic and national-minded overview of Kolonja, of its struggle for democracy and progress. (Continued on page 2)

On the trail of the Alia - Dokle - Benc scandal Head of the SHKSH Blerim Çela: we have requested criminal prosecution A fund of 11 million 600 thousand dollars to finance terrorists At a time when Albanians were struggling to put bread on the table ... Interview with the head of the State Audit Service, Mr. Blerim Çela, by deputy editor-in-chief Edi Paloka [Text visible in the article columns:] and [unclear] with sweat and blood by the Albanian people. — How was this foreign-currency fund you mentioned set up? Do you have documents proving who its source was? Several people have been summoned to testify about this. People whose names appear on the deposit and withdrawal orders for foreign currency from this fund have been summoned, but one of them says he does not know where the dollars came from, while the others have not even agreed to appear before us, and we have no legal authority to compel them. Haki Toska, as a former secretary of the Central Committee, was also questioned about this matter, but he gave no explanations. R. Alia was also questioned and refused to provide explanations. I repeat that we have no power to force them to speak. Nevertheless, in supplementary materials concerning this and other matters connected with the Fund in question, we have also requested that the 400 thousand dollars be returned to the state budget. The denunciation material was sent as early as September ’93, and additional material was sent in December ’93, but nothing has been done so far. — Do you know who the editor-in-chief of “ZP” was at that time? Yes, I read it, and finally in “RD”: Namik Dokle. — Dokle is one of those who accuse the DP of corruption... The corruption that the PS accuses the DP of is merely a political-credibility ploy by the opposition. They thought they had found the “Achilles’ heel” in corruption, at a time when they themselves are tainted and neck-deep in corruption. Starting with their 50-year period of rule ... [The article continues outside the photograph’s frame] — Mr. Çela, for two consecutive issues in “RD” we have published facts obtained from our sources about the issue of the 400 million dollars that Ramiz Alia, by order, transferred to the account of “ZP”. As is known, the agency you head has also conducted an audit into this matter. — What more can you tell us about this issue? Yes, it is true. The State Audit Service has carried out several audits, both of the activities of the former Central Committee of the PPSH and the former Central Committee's foreign-currency fund for the years 1968–1991, and of the financial activity of political parties since 1991. Among other things, these audits also uncovered the issue of the 400,000 dollars which, by a decision of the Central Committee Secretariat signed by R. Alia, were made available to the newspaper “ZP” to buy a printing press. We have raised this issue before as well. — During what period were the 400,000 dollars transferred in favor of “ZP”? The 400,000 dollars were transferred on December 20, 1990, in two installments: the first, of 150,000 dollars, on December 20, 1990, and the second, of 250,000 dollars, on March 5, 1991. So, one month before the elections? Yes, at a time when Albanians were suffering even for their daily bread, hundreds of thousands of dollars were being disbursed to keep in power the criminals, those who destroyed the country and shed the blood of an entire people. — Where were these 400,000 dollars, transferred to “ZP”, taken from? The 400,000 dollars were taken from the foreign-currency fund of the PPSH Central Committee. According to our audits, this fund appears to have held around 11.6 million dollars in deposits, which were used for various purposes, but especially to finance the so-called [text corrupted] political Marxist-Leninist vagabonds—the money was disbursed. Reform in the country? Prime Minister Pali praised this assistance, [unclear: percalet se keta ndihme vijne] from compliance with agreements with these institutions and organizations, relations then reviewed efforts to reduce inflation and the budget deficit, and to achieve currency convertibility. For the overall development of (Continued on page 2) — So, as for the 400,000 dollars, are we dealing with money taken from the state budget and transferred to a party newspaper? Yes. Since the dollars in the Fund came from the state budget and were transferred from this fund to “ZP”, it is clear that we are dealing with a transfer from the state budget to “ZP”. — Was such a transfer legal under conditions of political pluralism? This transfer and the creation of that Fund were irregular not only under conditions of political pluralism but even before political pluralism was legalized. — Let us stay with the 400,000 dollars for “ZP”. You said the sum was transferred to “ZP” in two installments. Do you know what happened to those dollars afterward? According to the information we have, on April 19, 1991, 150,000 dollars were transferred to the Canadian firm “New Concept Printing and Publishing Service L.t.d” for a printing press, but that firm delivered nothing. Another 250,000 dollars must have been used for other purposes. We have received no explanation about those either, despite having requested one. — So, of the 400,000 dollars provided for the “printing press,” 150,000 were sent to Canada and have not been returned, while 250,000 were not used at all for the purpose for which they were transferred. Does this not constitute another serious violation? Yes, these are serious violations committed by the leaders of the PPSH and “ZP”. — Then why has no criminal prosecution been sought against them? The truth is that we have sought criminal prosecution; we sent the denunciatory material to the district prosecutor's office and are also taking action regarding our money with a force to compel them. — What measures have been taken in connection with this matter? It has also been questioned by the body that conducted the audit. Reviewing the long chronology of how this issue came to light, Mr. Çela said that from 1995 until today, the next meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of the Council of Europe [text appears garbled] and reflected the changes that have taken place in Albania during this year, as well as the situation and developments in the PD. The transformation of Albania (Continued on page 2) Mr. Çela, for two consecutive issues of “RD” we have published facts drawn from our sources [about] the support for 400 million dollars...

Meeting of the CoE Political Committee in London Kelchtermans considers Albania’s progress after March 22 spectacular Interview with Mr. Ali Spahia, member of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the Council of Europe QUESTION: Mr. Ali, you have just returned from a working visit to London. What was the purpose of your presence at the London meeting? ANSWER: On March 14, 1995, the Council of Europe’s Political Committee held its regular meeting in London, and I took part in this meeting as a member of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the CoE. Albania’s full membership in the CoE. On this matter, the Chairman of the Political Committee, Mr. Kelchtermans, who was also the CoE’s chief rapporteur on Albania, highlighted the spectacular progress made in Albania after the victory of March 22 in deepening and consolidating democracy, establishing the rule of law, creating a market economy, developing legislation, and ensuring fundamental human rights and freedoms. He pointed to the essential changes that have recently taken place in Albanian legislation with the adoption of the Civil Code, the Criminal Code and the Labour Code, and the submission of the Code of Criminal Procedure to Parliament. Then I was given the floor. In my speech, I tried to reflect the changes that have taken place in Albania during these three years of democratic developments under the DP government. (Continued on page 2)

Conference of the DP branch in Kolonjë The Deputy Chairman of the DPA, Mr. Tomor Dosti, attends On Friday, the conference of the DP branch in this district was held in the town of Ersekë. The conference was very well attended, and the Deputy Chairman of the DPA, Mr. Tomor Dosti, also took part. Also present were the State Secretary for the Economy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Selim Beloraj, the area’s deputy, Mr. Uran Butka, leaders and representatives of the DP branch in the district of Kolonjë, and others. The conference was opened by the chairman of the DP branch, Mr. Dhimitraq Lulo, who, among other things, highlighted the importance of this gathering of Kolonjë Democrats, as well as the shortcomings and failures observed in this branch during this period. Next, Mr. Lulo spoke about the importance of changes under conditions of decentralization of local government, which in this district is led by the socialists. Mr. Lulo then tendered his resignation, for reasons which, as he explained, are largely related to his now advanced age. The Deputy Chairman of the DPA, Mr. Tomor Dosti, then took the floor. He began by giving a good summary of the patriotic and national spirit of Kolonjë, its struggle, and democracy and progress. (Continued on page 2)

Mr. Eduard! I felt deep regret when I read your interview, which ended up in “Koha Jonë.” I never believed that you could write such opinions. You, Selami, are now filling the pages of the flexible newspaper with your borrowed levers. The themes you raise in this newspaper in your interview are long visions, marked by a lack of character on your part and by the simple fact that, just as you were Enver’s slave under the dictatorship, in democracy you have apparently been President Berisha’s slave. A unique case. While you devoted the summer to the party, and two [unclear] halos for [unclear]. The fact that you concern yourself with other people’s biographies shows that, as the last Enverist you are, nobody else behaves [unclear] on your side. You only forget that when you, like a tree that produced only red fruit, were defending your 1990 thesis, “The Aesthetic Thought of Comrade Enver,” the distinguished doctor had long been writing articles and openly declaring himself against dictatorship and in favor of political pluralism in Albania. The defense you offer to the proponents of the motion, on the grounds that their fault was speaking out openly too early, best proves your old ties to them. Meanwhile, what you say about Albanian foreign policy and fundamentalism in the DP brings to mind a statement about a “travel cheque,” like the statements of the white [unclear]? It seems this is the consequence of assimilating the servility that you have learned in Nikoll Lesi’s lessons. D. HATA

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, speaks QUESTION: Mr. Chairman, the newspaper “ZP” has written that the PS parliamentary group has submitted a draft law on opening the files to the Presidium of the People's Assembly. What can you tell us about this matter? ANSWER: Yes, two draft laws on opening the files have arrived at the Presidium of the People's Assembly, one from the PD parliamentary group and the other from the PS parliamentary group. But the fact is that neither of them is complete. Under these circumstances, we decided to task the Council of Ministers with preparing a comprehensive draft law on this matter, and as far as I have been informed, the government has been working on drafting it. It should be added, however, that drafting this law is a delicate matter, and therefore it must be considered calmly and prudently. “RD” Correspondent

Press conference of Defense Minister Zhulali Zhulali: Located in a troubled region, our country has been regarded, and continues to be regarded, as a factor for peace and stability, and the steadily growing authority of the Albanian army has served this cause very well. DUKAGJIN HATA For the twelfth time since being appointed Minister of Defense, Mr. Zhulali appeared before journalists yesterday to explain to them the progress of the army reform and the strategies for implementing it. These strategies, according to Mr. Zhulali, have included and coordinated all the political, economic, strategic, psychological, technical, etc. elements that make up the national potential in the interests of the country's defense; secondly, the military strategy, which has been considered and established as part of part of part of the national defense strategy. The short-, medium- and long-term objectives have been defined in line with these fundamental directions. Minister Zhulali would confirm that in determining the (Continued on page 2)

— Mr. Çela, for two consecutive issues in “RD” we have published facts obtained from our sources about the issue of the 400,000 dollars that Ramiz Alia, by order, transferred to the account of “ZP”. As is known, the agency you head has also conducted an audit into this matter.

Neritan Ceka sells Perikli Tетen Skender Gjinushi and the hen of Trebinje “Koha jone” apologizes to Milosevic