The Bulgarian company “Bolid 1990 EOOD LTD”, was diverted to the Ministry for the lost profit Bulgarian Arbitration Court: On 23.1.1995, by decision no. 30,000 of the Bulgarian Arbitration Court, it was decided that the Bulgarian companies “Arms-Sport” LTD and “Bolid 1990 EOOD LTD”, together with Jordanian citizen Mohamed Al-Hin’i, must jointly pay the Albanian beneficiary “Ministry of Defence” the sum of 300,000 USA dollars as lost damage, 17,250 USA dollars as damage caused on the basis of the sale of weapons and ammunition outside the contract, as well as 7,915 USA dollars as damage caused on the basis of the sale of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. The three citizens are also obliged to pay 200 cameramen as moral damages [?]. These three persons are obliged to pay the Albanian Ministry a total of 625,165 USA dollars. This decision has so far been unenforceable because of the request for withdrawal of capital and the closure of the commercial activities of the company “Bolid 1990 EOOD LTD” in Bulgaria. Regarding these criminal actions of the former Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali, the MP Spartak Ngjela, in his capacity as legal representative of the Ministry, through a request dated 13.3.1995 addressed to the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance, has requested the blocking of the assets of the company “Bolid 1990 EOOD LTD”, specifically the prohibition on the Bulgarian citizen Mikhail Voisov leaving the country, the prohibition on disposing of the share obtained by the Bulgarian company from the sale of military equipment, as well as the withdrawal of part of this company’s capital from the company “Arms-Sport”. In his two requests, Mr. Ngjela describes the former minister Zhulali as the initiator and executor of this arbitrary and unlawful action that caused the Albanian state enormous material and moral damage. According to lawyer Ngjela’s request, the defendant Zhulali carried out direct actions to favor the Bulgarian company “Bolid 1990 EOOD LTD”, harming the financial interests of the Ministry of Defence. The requests also include the imposition of a precautionary seizure on the movable and immovable property of this company on Albanian territory, the blocking of bank accounts and the prohibition of any further transactions until the arbitration decision is enforced. (To be continued on page 2)

DURGAN HATA Pëllumbi seems to have taken the wise courage from the “moralists” of the opposition, who, according to their own political contribution, should come out openly and declare what they are and whom they represent. And he himself presents himself as a “Marxist”, doing so not as a theoretical definition, but as a kind of political identity card. He makes considerable efforts to create the image of the “moderate intellectual”, but what he actually displays is the desire to hide a clear ideological line behind cautious phrases. His Marxism is not merely a tendency of thought, but a political choice with clear consequences for society. If today these declarations seem to be part of a theoretical debate, tomorrow they may serve as the basis for the return of old practices. In this sense, the “political cards” that Pëllumbi reveals are not a personal matter, but a warning sign for all those who believe in freedom and pluralism. The author raises the question of whether behind this “soft” language lies a broader political project of the left to return with a new face, but with the same ideological content. This makes Pëllumbi’s statement more than an opinion: a political act. (To be continued on page 2)

They prepared the fax and forged documents The return of 400 thousand dollars, “ZP” considers this a slander by “RD” They prepared the fax and forged documents The return of 400 thousand dollars, “ZP” considers this a slander by “RD” EDI PALOKA There has been no official response from the PS leaders, but, prompted by the public suspicion that they have not only been separated from an enormous sum of 400 thousand dollars, but have also taken control of the fate of “ZP”, high-level political figures are not only silent, but continue shamelessly to speculate. This time the accuser is the “ZP” organ, which, while managing to evade the fact of the disappearance of the union’s own money, hastens to blame the newspaper “RD” for today’s scandal. They consider this scandal a deliberate fabrication and a “loss without an address” of the independent union’s money. When you begin to explain these strange financial movements, they have to admit the payment of 250 dollars for “ZP” and accept that 400 thousand dollars were paid for “ZP”, which continues to come out three times a week. So, it is money that is not difficult to calculate. Added to this is the “protection” given to these funds through dark channels. “ZP” comes out once a week and with four pages, not 16, as “RD” claims, while its price is only 20 lek, not 50 as this newspaper writes. “ZP” began appearing in 1990, not in 1991, as stated in “RD”, and its circulation has been 20,000 copies, not 12,500 as “RD” says. If we add to this the printing-house rent, it turns out that “ZP” cannot cost as much as is mentioned. But that is not the essential issue. The issue is the 400 thousand dollars, not the price of the newspaper issue. The documents that “ZP” presents as evidence show more an effort to save someone than to clarify matters for public opinion. The fax presented as a bank order does not prove the return of the sum, while the other documents are not directly connected to the issue of the 400 thousand dollars. Moreover, all these maneuvers seem to be organized in haste, in order to create the impression of a formal justification. There is no convincing explanation of where the money went, who managed it, and who is responsible for it. The public has the right to know what happened to the union’s funds. Otherwise, any attempt to call this a “slander” is nothing more than an evasion of the essence of the matter. (To be continued on page 2)

Yesterday afternoon, at the headquarters of PDSH, the regular meeting of the Party Presidium was held. The meeting discussed the progress of reforms and the latest political events in the country. The need to strengthen democratic institutions and to firmly confront the destabilizing efforts of the opposition was emphasized. The Presidium also addressed issues of the party’s internal organization and preparations for future political activities. Part of the discussion was also the review of relations with the PDSH parliamentary group and the coordination of positions on important issues of the day. (To be continued on page 10)

The ’95 draft budget is discussed At the meeting of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party, issues related to the 1995 draft budget were discussed. The deputies presented assessments of economic and financial priorities, as well as suggestions for a more efficient allocation of funds. It was emphasized that the budget should support the continuation of economic reforms, the encouragement of investment and the preservation of macroeconomic stability. The discussion also touched on social problems and the need to increase the efficiency of public administration. The leadership of the parliamentary group stressed the importance of timely approval of the draft budget. SOKOL VALLA

After a successful visit to Tirana, the President of Romania Ion Iliesku concluded his official stay in Albania. During meetings with the Albanian authorities, bilateral relations, economic cooperation and regional security issues were addressed. The importance of further developing relations between the two countries and expanding contacts in various fields was highlighted. “RD” CORRESP.

The State Control sector has filed a criminal complaint against local administration officials in Mat, after the discovery of a series of financial and administrative violations. According to the inspection material, discrepancies in the use of funds, inaccurate documentation and actions carried out contrary to financial rules have been found. These violations have caused economic damage and have affected the normal functioning of the institution. The report requests that the competent authorities initiate criminal proceedings and verify the specific persons responsible. The case is presented as an example of the need to strengthen financial control and administrative accountability. (To be continued on page 2)

Between the agitated people and former ministry, local officials as well as the director of “La gazzetta del Mezzogiorno” de l dysh a Illyria [?] ... regarding a cooperation of various persons from the private and state sectors in sensitive matters affecting the local administration in Bari. At the centre of attention are allegations of corruption, the mixing of mafia interests and influence in the health sector. According to reports, the investigations have also included former ministers, local officials and media executives. The case has aroused great interest because of the names mentioned and possible links with public contracts and health services. The Italian authorities are following developments closely, while the media report on the political and judicial consequences that this investigation may have. (To be continued on page 2)

The “Socialist” Party has a strategy of creating a tense political situation The PS in open and hidden defense of the state security A Mafian visa to educate with 7 of the 9 Schengen states Interview with Mr. Besa Ali Rizai, chairman of the Albania–America association in New York Bank of Albania on time deposits, savings interest rates