Pursuant to the decree of the President of the Republic “On the issuance and distribution of privatization bonds” and on the proposal of the Ministry of Finance, the Council of Ministers DECIDED: For more details, see page 2

It is said that N. Dokle has fled to Canada with a large sum of money, apparently to collect the old invoices he was supposed to have brought to Albania. It is thought that he appropriated a large sum of money because the printing press he bought in Canada failed to arrive. This is why people say that thieves protect thieves.

After three years of government by the Democratic Party Commitments and their fulfillment —FOREIGN POLICY The communist dictatorship had relegated Albania to the deepest isolation and loneliness and had severed all its traditional friendly ties with other countries and peoples. In the DP’s electoral program, opening up the country, establishing friendly relations, its European orientation, securing support for reform, and internationalizing the Albanian issue were set out as the major objectives of Albania’s foreign policy. During these three years, Albania—which, no more than three years ago, made its last communist prime minister wait for hours at airports for a visa—has received and farewelled heads of state and government, ministers, and leaders of international organizations in greater numbers than in its entire centuries-long history combined. It was visited by European and world figures such as Pope John Paul II, President Herzog, President Skalfaro, NATO Secretary General Verner, and the President of the European Parliament. Cooperation with the USA has always been considered of primary importance. Friendly relations between our two countries have been encouraged by meetings at the highest level—Berisha - Bush—as well as meetings of the foreign ministers and visits by Presidents Bush and Carter, and by government officials and parliamentarians of both countries. Albanian-American relations have reached, and continue to reach, ever higher levels. Key developments include: — the granting of most-favored-nation status; — the substantial technical and humanitarian aid given to Albania during its extremely difficult times; — successful bilateral cooperation in security and defense; — the USA’s strong support for all of Albania’s efforts to integrate into Europe; — President Bush’s, and later President Clinton’s, position on the Kosovo issue; — President Clinton’s position on Albanian-Greek dialogue; — the US Government’s establishment of the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund. Agreements in this important field are an important part of the friendly relations between our two countries. GREAT BRITAIN Our friendly relations have reached levels never seen before. The visits to Albania by Foreign Secretary Hurd and Ministers Hogg, Choker and Cranborne, President Berisha’s visit to England, his meetings with Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Major, the agreements on investment, transport, tourism and culture signed on that occasion, as well as the exchange of military delegations and the agreement signed, have given real impetus to our friendly relations. Immediately after the elections, the British government unblocked Albanian gold. Britain has given us valuable technical and economic assistance. AUSTRIA Our relations with Austria, our old friend, are developing rapidly and on a sure footing. Friendly relations and cooperation have been established and consolidated in economic relations important to Albania. The Albanian government has raised the Çam issue and will insist on its resolution. The recent visit by Foreign Minister Papulias demonstrated a shared determination to develop friendly relations and resolve through dialogue the problems hindering the intensification of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as close cooperation and a treaty of friendship and cooperation between our two countries. SWITZERLAND Helvetia. Switzerland’s technical, economic and humanitarian assistance to Albania is second in value only to the aid this country gives to Poland. Switzerland has assisted Albania with economic aid worth 30 million dollars, as well as through all the international financial institutions. President Berisha’s meetings with Presidents Ogi and Shtih, Mr. Arbnori’s visits, Prime Minister Meksi’s visit, and reciprocal visits by other senior officials of the two countries have served this cooperation. the government, ministers, and heads of International Organizations, in more than six languages, the entirety of its centuries-old history, taken together. General Verner, the President of the European Parliament, and many heads of state and parliament, prime ministers, and ministers from EU countries, the USA, other European countries, the region, and the world. The DP program emphasizes that in bilateral relations, the DP will rely on the country’s traditional historical allies: In all fields, integration into Europe; - President Bush’s and President Clinton’s positions on the issue of Kosovo; - President Clinton’s position on Albanian-Greek dialogue; - the establishment by the U.S. Government of the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund. The agreements in the fields of defense, security, economic and trade cooperation, and the protection and promotion of investments are other very important acts in the friendly economic and political cooperation between our two countries.

Yesterday at the PDSH headquarters, the PDSH Secretary General, Mr. Tritan Shehu, and Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vrioni met with Mr. Bossen, the “Konrad Adenauer” Foundation representative responsible for programs in the Balkans. The meeting discussed topics related to political education through the experience of German politics, including the non-technical and ideological aspects of party organization, campaigning, etc., as well as relations with the media. Both the German and Albanian sides expressed their goodwill and sincere willingness to cooperate as soon as possible. The first seminars will be held during May 1995. PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AT THE DP

Yesterday at midday, President Berisha met with the Council of Europe’s Political Director, Mr. Hans-Peter Furer, and they discussed further cooperation between our country and the Council of Europe. President Berisha expressed his gratitude for the Council of Europe’s assistance and emphasized that Albania is interested in this cooperation.

Yesterday afternoon, President of the Republic Sali Berisha received the Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Wilfried Talwitz, and the director of the Bank’s Department for Central Europe, Mr. Kemal Dervish. President Berisha discussed with them cooperation with the World Bank and the issue of privatizing medium-sized and large enterprises. Messrs. Talwitz and Dervish praised the rapid changes and achievements of the reform and expressed the World Bank’s commitment to new projects in various fields. PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE AT THE PRESIDENCY

Press conference by Romania’s Ambassador in Tirana, George Miku In connection with the visit that the President of the Republic of Romania, Ion Iliesku, will make to Albania from March 26–28, Romania’s Ambassador to Albania, George Miku... In connection with the visit that the President of the Republic of Romania, Ion Iliesku, will make to Albania from March 26–28, Romania’s Ambassador to Albania, George Miku, said Mr. Miku. On the occasion of Mr. Berisha’s visit to Romania, Miku emphasized, four important documents were signed which pave the way, and he spoke about developments in Romania in recent years in the fields of trade and agriculture and regarding the deepening of reform. In response to the questions that he

It is identified as the principal partner and as a natural and great friend of the Albanian nation. Albania, which three years ago was struggling amid tragic dilemmas, today has close relations with this friendly country. Germany was the first to welcome Mr. Gensher’s visit and the victory of democracy in Albania. President Berisha’s meetings with President Vajceker and Chancellor Kohl; reciprocal visits by the Speaker of Parliament and Messrs. Gensher, Kinkel, Shpanger, Serregj, Kopliku and other German dignitaries; agreements on Economic and Trade Cooperation, the Protection and Promotion of Investments, as well as in the field of Transport; the successful visit of President Herzog and the Joint Declaration, carrying the significance of a true treaty of friendship and cooperation; and President Berisha’s most recent meeting with Chancellor Helmut Kohl in Cologne are major achievements in the friendship and cooperation between Albania and Germany. During this period, Germany has provided our country with the principal assistance and one of the highest levels of aid per capita in the world, which has been used for infrastructure, agriculture, technical assistance, etc. A large number of Albanian emigrants work in Germany, providing significant and regular economic support to Albania.

It occupies a special place in Albania’s relations with the world. This great country has provided significant assistance in the field of democracy in our country. For Albania, friendship and

It is considered a partner of particular importance to Albania in the DP’s program. has provided Albania with very substantial and valuable assistance from the very first steps toward opening up, and continues to do so today. Italy’s humanitarian assistance in 1990–92 was greater than that of any other country. Some problems created by the Craxi-Nano duo were overcome, without in any way diminishing the friendship and strong ties with the Albanians, both because of the great and generous assistance that the Italian government, institutions and citizens have given and continue to give Albania, and because of the contribution of Operation “Pelican” in distributing it. The visit of President Skalfaro to Albania, Prime Minister Meksi’s visit to Italy, reciprocal visits by the Foreign Ministers and other ministers, and President Berisha’s meeting with Prime Minister Berluskoni, as well as Italy’s continuation and expansion of its aid to Albania in infrastructure and other fields, attest to the prospects and current level of very good friendly cooperation with this country. Italy hosts a large number of Albanian emigrants, thereby providing valuable additional support to the Albanian economy.

The DP’s electoral program sets out the strengthening of comprehensive ties with France. The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with France and the other agreements with this country, President Berisha’s meetings with President Miteran, Mr. Arbon’s visits to Prime Minister Meksi and Foreign Minister Serreqi’s visit to Paris, Minister Lamasur’s visit to Albania, and the exchange of high-level military delegations are historic developments in

Our relations with Austria, our old friend, are developing rapidly and along sure lines. and along sure lines. President Berisha’s meetings with President Klestile and Chancellor Vranicki, Mr. Arbnori’s visit and the reciprocal visits of the Foreign Ministers, Defense Ministers and other Albanian and Austrian government officials, as well as the many agreements signed in the fields of Economy and Trade, Investment, Transport, the military and consular affairs, have helped strengthen understanding, cooperation and friendship between our two countries.

In the program, particular importance is to be attached to relations with Turkey. Friendly political, economic, military and educational cooperation with this friendly country is very good. It is of particular importance to us. This cooperation has been served by: -visits to Albania by Presidents Ozal and Demirel and Speaker of Parliament Cindruk; -visits to Turkey by President Berisha, Mr. Arbnori and Prime Minister Meksi; -the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and a series of other agreements on investments, the avoidance of double taxation, justice, military affairs and tourism, on easing the visa system, and more than ten cooperation protocols covering the fields of the economy, health, public order, education, culture, mass media, etc. During 1992–1993 alone, Turkey provided Albania with $31 million in free humanitarian and food aid, in addition to substantial technical and economic assistance and aid in other fields.

The DP has, from the very beginning, attached and continues to attach special importance to friendly relations with our southern neighbor. Albania has not allowed any provocation against it. It has expressed its gratitude for the great assistance that the Greek Government, institutions, and citizens gave Albania at a very difficult time for it. A large number of Albanian emigrants work in Greece, and this is an assistance

Successful efforts have been made with the Kingdom of Belgium to strengthen friendship and expand cooperation. Meetings at all levels have been held with this country. President Berisha met and spoke with King Bodu(en) e Albert as well as Prime Minister Dehane. The Belgian Foreign Minister visited Albania. A cooperation declaration between our two countries has been signed. The Belgian Government has included Albania among the countries receiving economic aid and supports its integration into Europe.

Successful efforts have been made with the Kingdom of the Netherlands to renew the old friendly ties that have existed between our two countries. President Berisha’s meetings with Prime Minister Lubers and the recent meeting with Prime Minister Kok provide further impetus for friendship and cooperation between our two countries. The Netherlands has assisted Albania with technical aid and in various fields such as justice, agriculture, etc., as well as with humanitarian aid.

Positive results have been recorded in our country’s cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark. President Berisha’s meetings with Prime Minister Rasmusen, the visits to Albania by the Danish Foreign Minister, as well as reciprocal visits by other government officials, have served this cooperation. Denmark has granted Albania aid amounting to 8 million dollars.

These countries have included (Continued on page 2)

As part of the visit to Albania that the President of the Republic of Romania, Ion Iliesku, will make from March 26 to 28, the Romanian Ambassador in Tirana, George Miku, gave a press conference yesterday. As part of the visit to Albania will make from March 26 to 28, the Romanian Ambassador in Tirana, George Miku, gave a press conference yesterday. The Romanian Ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Miku, began by outlining Albanian-Romanian relations, which he described as fruitful and friendly. Regarding the visit to Albania by the President of Romania, Ion Iliesku, which will take place from March 26 to 28 of this year, Mr. Miku said that it would make an extraordinary contribution, since it is the first visit to Albania by a Romanian head of state. The visit of the President of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, to Romania last year and Mr. Iliesku’s visit to Tirana now will give further impetus to the traditional friendship between our countries, as well as to cooperation in the cultural, economic, and trade fields, Mr. Miku said. emphasized, four important documents were signed and ratified by both our countries. During President Iliesku’s visit, Miku said, we are certain that new cooperation agreements will be signed in education and in the economy and trade, making it possible for our relations to deepen and expand alongside those already existing in other areas of mutual cooperation. President Iliesku will be accompanied during this visit by the Minister of Education, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the State Development Agency, as well as a large number of Romanian businesspeople, who will meet with Albanian businesspeople. Mr. Miku then presented two books by the President of Romania, Iliesku, and spoke about Romania’s developments in recent years in trade, agriculture, and the assistance provided for the development of reform. In response to questions from journalists on this occasion, Mr. Miku, in addition to discussing areas of cooperation between our countries, also addressed particular aspects of President Iliesku’s life, work, and political activity. In response to a question about Romania’s position and contribution regarding Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe, Mr. Miku emphasized that both President Iliesku and the Romanian Government have demonstrated, and will continue to demonstrate, willingness and readiness to help in every possible way so that Albania may become a member of the Council of Europe. At the end, a cocktail reception was held for the guests. NDREKE GJINI

Yesterday in the People’s Assembly The state budget for 1995 was at the center of discussions held yesterday in the standing parliamentary committees. A discussion of this kind also took place in the standing committee on defense, public order, and SHIK, attended by Defense Minister Safet Zhulali, State Secretary for Local Government at the Ministry of the Interior, Njazi Kosovrasti, and specialists from the economic directorates of these departments. After hearing the views and proposals presented by the working groups, the members of this committee decided to recommend to the People’s Assembly that payment to military personnel affected by the reform should not be made by the respective departments, but that the allocated funds should be used for this purpose by the Social Insurance Institute. It was also proposed that turnover tax be removed from consumer goods used by these departments, and that the funds allocated for operational work and investment be increased for the current year. Minister Zhulali reported on the strengthening of the cooperation established between our army and the armies of other countries. He also stressed the importance of the decree by the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, reducing the period of military service from 15 to 12 months, describing it as in keeping with advanced European standards. Meanwhile, Minister Abdy Xhaja appeared before the members of the committee on industry, construction, trade, etc., and reported on the draft budget. In the review by the committee on culture and mass media, attention focused particularly on the investments needed for the technical renewal of Radio and Television, which, as the deputies also stated, is completely worn out, as well as on the archive of this institution. For his part, Mr. Uran Butka, stated as an objective [text repeats and is corrupted in the source] from be increased for the current year. The draft law on value-added tax was also discussed in the finance and economy committee. Its members expressed the view that the comments made should be submitted to the government for review as soon as possible, so that they can be discussed and the version of this draft law examined.

About the Alia - Dokle - Benc scandal How the fund from which the 400 thousand dollars of “ZP” were withdrawn was created, where it was kept and what it was used for. Documents