Honourable deputies! Today we are discussing the draft law “On the state budget for 1995” not only as one of the basic documents of the work of the People’s Assembly and the government, but also by assessing this draft law for the role it plays in consolidating economic reforms and further orienting development in the country. The state budget represents one of the most important parts of a country’s economic mechanism. A careful review of the planned revenues and expenditures and of their destination makes it possible to identify and assess the economic and social policies that will be followed in the country during this period. If we take a retrospective look at our country’s economic situation three or four years ago, one could get the impression of an almost catastrophic condition. Production was in free fall, inflation figures were extremely high, the exchange rate was falling sharply, unemployment was rising and the standard of living was very low. This economy, oriented entirely toward the needs of a market that no longer exists, and not integrated into the world market, inevitably bore the mark of bankruptcy. Only thanks to the economic and political reforms undertaken by the government and with the support of international financial organizations is it becoming possible to reverse the negative trends of this transition period. (See page 4)

Yesterday in the People’s Assembly UNDER GJINI As has been made known through the media, the People’s Assembly held its regular session yesterday, on 4 April 1995. After the initial discussions in the session held on 7 March 1995, yesterday’s session continued with the general discussion of the draft state budget for 1995. The report of the Ministry of Finance on the draft state budget for 1995 was delivered by Mr. Arben Malaj. Invited to yesterday’s session as government representatives, in this part of the Assembly meeting the deputies also heard the Minister of Finance, Mr. Arben Malaj, as well as the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mr. Zef Preci, who answered the many questions from the deputies. On the issues surrounding the 1995 state budget, as well as on behalf of the Democratic parliamentary group, the chairman of that group, Mr. Tritan Shehu, spoke. After the questions and answers and other discussions in the session, the People’s Assembly approved the draft state budget for 1995 in principle, article by article, and in full. The Assembly also discussed and approved in yesterday’s session the decree of the President of the Republic “On an amendment to Law No. 7746, dated 28.7.1993, on the state budget for 1994.” Also yesterday, in the same session, the People’s Assembly decided to examine under an expedited procedure the Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 90, dated 15.3.1995, “On some changes in land administration.” (See page 7)

The report of the Minister of Finance on the state budget for 1995 delivered in the People’s Assembly Mr. Speaker, Honourable deputies, In the 1995 draft budget of the People’s Assembly and in the proposed law for this year, compared with 1994, two main objectives have been taken into account. First, ensuring sustainable economic development through the encouragement of production and exports, as well as deepening structural reforms to increase the efficiency of the economy. Second, limiting the budget deficit, in order to avoid its negative effects on inflation and the balance of payments. These two objectives are in line with the government’s economic and financial program, presented to the People’s Assembly in December of last year. The draft budget submitted also reflects the changes that our economy underwent last year, especially: - higher levels of economic growth; - inflation reduced to 15.8 percent at the end of the year; - consolidation of the exchange rate and a more stable level of the state’s foreign exchange reserves; - faster growth of exports than imports and a reduction in the current deficit of the balance of payments; - a higher level of bank deposits; - increased revenues from privatization, etc. The higher economic growth than initially forecast, as well as some changes in fiscal policy reflected in the fiscal package approved by the People’s Assembly, have made it possible in 1995 to create the conditions for a faster increase in public investment than had previously been projected. This is reflected in a higher level of spending planned in this year’s draft budget, but especially in the change in its structure in favor of investment. (See page 7)

Yesterday with President Berisha Yesterday at midday President Berisha was present together with the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mr. Anton Krag. President Berisha said in his speech that our country needs trained and modern forces. He assessed that peacekeeping and national security require qualified personnel and cooperation with Western partners. The College of Defence was described as an important step for the modernization of the Albanian army and for the training of its structures according to contemporary standards. High military and civilian representatives took part in the ceremony. (See page 2)

“Le Monde” on Eurobarometer Is there anything that characterizes Albanians more than the peoples of Eastern Europe at the end of this century? That is the question raised in the article by the French newspaper “Le Monde”, referring to the report published in March by “Eurobarometer 1995”, as well as other accompanying documents. Two main phenomena are recently presented to PSDH in Macedonia and Serbia: protests and clashes sparked by opposition supporters, in contrast to a more peaceful picture in Albanian society. In Albania in particular, public opinion is shown to continue to maintain faith in improving living conditions. Compared with other countries of Eastern Europe, Albanians are presented as more inclined to look to the future with hope, even though the economic level remains low. The article also points out Albanian public skepticism toward state institutions, but without this turning into a broad climate of social distrust. (See page 2)

On the work carried out so far regarding the elections, and the upcoming ones in the country The Secretary General of the PDSH, Mr. Sabri Godo, the chairman of the parliamentary group “Republican”, Mr. Fatmir Mediu, as well as the chairman of the group “Bashkimi per te Drejtat e Njeriut”, Mr. Vasil Melo. The conversation, held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, focused on the need to continue political and economic reforms, as well as on coordinating actions for the upcoming electoral processes. The participants emphasized the importance of a climate of dialogue and cooperation among political forces in the interest of the country’s stability. (See page 2) Yesterday President Berisha received the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali

...Abedin something expensive in relation to the damage caused of 144,400 thousand dollars this loses the income from its sale. SOLIDARITY FUND Yesterday the Police of the District Commissariat in Vorë and the criminal police specialists of this district arrested the citizen Shaban Gjeveleku, 20 years old, residing in Vorë. An automatic rifle with 2 magazines, 30 rounds each, was found on him. During police actions carried out against him at 19:30 on 4 April, this citizen attempted to bribe the police by offering 900 thousand lek. In another case, the police initiated criminal proceedings against the citizen Koci Peca, 53 years old, who is accused of smuggling various goods. EDI PALOKA Abdulla from Gjakova: It’s not true that I couldn’t find an end! (Continues on page 3)

The black-haired soul in the depths of the Helsinki Committee The chairman of the “professional journalists” for political reasons censors his own journalists (See page 2) With that answer am I being burdened? Frank Korça (A look at the journalist Fulk Konxes’ book “Argjendi i ikur”) (See page 5) The last communist prime minister of the RDC on trial Complains about financial shortages PAGE 8