By Prof. Dr. Kolec Topalli PAGE 5

Inquisition and crime: the old and new features of “ZP” Abuses by Socialist officials When “ZP” engages in diversion ...

Clandestine trafficking blocked Preç Zogaj in defense of corruption

On the “Alia-Nano-Dokle-Ruçi-Benc” scandal 400 thousand dollars for the printing press were state property. The PS and “ZP” leaders who appropriated them must answer to justice The Tirana District Prosecutor, Mr. Arben Qeleshi, speaks to RD Yesterday, the newspaper “ZP” published a facsimile of Government Decision No. 183, dated 14.5.1992, on transferring the Solidarity Fund account to the state budget, accompanied by an article claiming that the 400 thousand dollars taken from this fund to buy a printing press belonged to “ZP.” What is the truth about this matter? Yesterday morning, Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi received, at a special meeting, a delegation from the Italian Ministry of the Interior, headed by Deputy Minister of the Interior Luixhi Rosi. Mr. Meksi, emphasizing the Albanian government's determination to strengthen measures to prevent and block the movement of clandestine migrants toward Italy, stressed that the Italian Government should ease the visa regime, open new consulates, work toward legalizing Albanian emigrants in Italy, and facilitate organized seasonal migration. Mr. Meksi also highlighted the importance of greater cooperation between the two countries' interior ministries, increased exchange of information between them, and assistance in this field from the Italian government. “We consider relations with Italy extremely important and seek even greater cooperation in politics, trade, science and culture, and human relations,” said Prime Minister Meksi. Mr. Rosi, thanking the Albanian government on behalf of the Italian government for its commitment to fighting clandestine trafficking and, more generally, crime, drug trafficking, etc., considered cooperation between the two governments important in finding ways to increase human contact, legalize emigrants, and facilitate the movement of Albanian citizens. “I confirm to you, Mr. Prime Minister, the Italian government's willingness to resolve the emigration problem and to improve quickly the situation that has arisen recently. We are ready to cooperate with the Albanian government, offer our assistance, and further strengthen bilateral relations with friendly Albania,” noted Italian Deputy Minister of the Interior Rosi. Interior Minister Agron Musaraj and the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Paolo Foresti, also attended the meeting. The press office has changed its wording several times. At first, the newspaper's pages claimed that these dollars had not been in the State Bank and had not been used. Later, when the investigation began and experts verified with documentary evidence that these 400 thousand dollars had been transferred to this newspaper in two installments, the first two being 150 thousand dollars, which were sent to Canada (according to Namik), and the remaining 250 thousand dollars being used to buy tractors, oil, paper, flour, etc., “ZP” changed its position. They began advancing another theory, allegedly that this sum of dollars was the property of the newspaper “ZP.” None of these contradictory positions caused them any concern; on the contrary, they again tried to deceive people badly. But this time, in their disinformation campaign, they discredited themselves by publishing a facsimile of the Meksi government's decision on this matter, which clearly states that this sum of 400 thousand dollars does not belong to “ZP.” This is explained by the fact that the sum was drawn from the account balance of the former Central Committee of the PPSH, specifically from the Solidarity Fund, to buy a printing press, thereby confirming that this newspaper was the property of the PPSH. This is best demonstrated by the decision itself, executive provision, point 2, which states: “The use of funds in foreign currency and in lek, pursuant to point 1 of this decision, which states that they are taken from the Solidarity Fund earmarked for the purchase of a printing press ...” From 1964 through 1991, this was to be subject to a financial audit by the State Audit Commission. Thus, point 3 of this decision makes clear that this asset of 400 thousand dollars is state-owned—that is, it is state property. This is the sum which, as is known, came from the account of the former Central Committee of the PPSH and, in 1991, was included under point 3 and subjected to inspection, being treated as state property. The relationship between the PPSH and “ZP” lasted 50 years, and everything was treated as state property, regardless of the fact that, when the transactions involving this sum of 400 thousand dollars took place, the PPSH changed its name to PS, while neither the newspaper nor its relationship with the newspaper “Zeri i Popullit” changed. Therefore, this decision clearly shows that these 400 thousand dollars were not the property of “ZP,” nor could one imagine that, at that time, a newspaper would be “fed” by a foreign-currency account of this size. This is because 400 thousand dollars was a very large amount of capital at the time. “ZP” was not the only one to benefit from money from the Solidarity Fund; other newspapers did too. “RD” will inform you in forthcoming issues. The fact is that we, as the prosecution, assess the actions of the specific individuals whom we accuse for the period in which these actions took place, taking into account, among other things, the law on the financing of political parties. Abuse of office by the editor-in-chief of an independent political newspaper financed by the state is punishable by law. Therefore, Zef Brozi's statement is wrong, because no one may comment positively or negatively on any specific situation involving charges or cases that are still under investigation. This is because the case is at an early stage and is not being examined in context by the judge. A judge is not permitted to speak in a way that prejudges a specific case, since that case may come before that judge for trial; this would amount to a prejudgment, which is unlawful. Prepared by: NDREKE GJINI Communist delusions

On the “Alia-Nano-Dokle-Ruçi-Benc” scandal The Tirana District Prosecutor, Mr. Arben Qeleshi, speaks to RD On the “Alia-Nano-Dokle-Ruçi-Benc” scandal The 400 thousand dollars for the printing press were state property. The PS and “ZP” leaders who appropriated them must answer to justice The Tirana District Prosecutor, Mr. Arben Qeleshi, speaks to RD Question: Yesterday, the newspaper “ZP” published a facsimile of Government Decision No. 183, dated 14.5.1992, on transferring the Solidarity Fund account to the state budget, accompanied by an article claiming that the 400 thousand dollars taken from this fund to buy a printing press belonged to “ZP.” What is the truth about this matter? Answer: The positions taken by the newspaper “ZP” regarding the financial scandal involving the 400 thousand dollars taken from the Solidarity Fund and earmarked for the purchase of a printing press have changed several times. At first, this the investigation began and the experts established ... The decision was made with authorization from the Ministry of Finance and Economy.” They never received such authorization to use these funds; indeed, no such matter was even discussed. This is because it was known that the state could not authorize us to conduct private trade with the people's money by buying oil and flour. Likewise, the decision in question, specifically point 3, states once again, quite clearly: “The economic and financial documentation reflecting the creation and use of the foreign-currency fund of the former Central Committee of the Party of Labour from 1964 through 1991 shall Commission.” Thus, point 3 of this decision makes it clear that this asset of 400 thousand dollars is state-owned, that is, part of the public property. As can be seen, this was state money allocated for the purchase of a printing press, and certain individuals, in a centralized manner, changed its intended use and used it for trade. These and other actions clearly point to major abuses and appropriations by these former officials and leaders of the PS and “ZP.” Question: How do you comment on the statement by the Chairman of the Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi, regarding the charge brought by the Prosecutor's Office against “ZP” editor-in-chief Thoma Gellci? Answer: You did very well to ask me this question, because since the opportunity has arisen, I consider it essential to clarify something about this statement made by the Chairman of the Court of Cassation ...

“I was deeply impressed by the great efforts made by You, your government and Parliament to advance the process of democratic and economic reforms” In the letter that Federal President of Austria Tomas Klestil sent to President Berisha after his official visit to Albania, he wrote, among other things, that he had been deeply impressed by the great efforts made by You, your Government and Parliament to advance the process of democratic and economic reforms in Albania, and ... In the letter that Federal President of Austria Tomas Klestil sent to President Berisha after his official visit to Albania, he wrote, among other things, that he had been economic reforms in Albania, and by Your determination to lead Your country toward the European institutions. President Klestil went on to speak of strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, his commitment to this, and confirmed the invitation extended to President Berisha to make an official visit to Austria.

- The issues concerning Cham properties in Greece will also be discussed The Albanian-Greek Subcommission on Legal and Consular Affairs meets today in Tirana. The head of the Albanian side, Qirjako Qirko, told ATSH that the subcommission will address the issue of the assets of Albanian citizens in Greece and Greek citizens in Albania. In this context, the issue of Cham properties will also be discussed. Consular matters, such as easing procedures for issuing visas to citizens of both countries, will also feature prominently in the subcommission’s daily meeting; a meeting addresses the issue of assets in particular, seeking a solution to ... in Greece. According to the head of the Albanian side, this is the first time that in the use of the foreign-currency fund of the Central Committee of the Party of “ZP” Thoma Gellci—how does he comment on it? because, since the opportunity has arisen, I consider it necessary of the Court of Cassation concerning the charge we have brought against “ZP” editor-in-chief Thoma Gellci; actions of the specific persons we accuse, in relation to the period in which these actions took place. At the time when these actions were committed (also taking into account the law on the financing of political parties), the Zef Brozi’s statement is mistaken, because no one can comment positively or negatively on any situation involving specific because the case is at the investigation stage and is not being examined by a judge. A judge is not permitted to express an opinion prejudging a specific case, because that case could later come before that judge for trial, in which case we would be faced with a previously expressed opinion, which is unlawful. Prepared by: NDREKE GJINI

Let us briefly enter the labyrinths of the “secret” documents of the PPSH, which, thanks to the bloc and its efforts in every corner of the country, down to the poorest cooperatives, were not destroyed in time and, having surfaced, are no longer much of a secret today. In the files of personnel offices, whose administrators (the personnel chiefs) conducted inquiries into former political prisoners and their families, former kulaks, “bourgeois,” etc., traps and intrigues were devised that deprived nearly one million Albanians of the right to work where they felt most capable. They deprived them, in other words, of the right to be capable! Only the logic of class warfare, invented by the philosopher Karl Marx, could accept such absurdities. With such great nostalgia and such concealed resentment, the professor of Marxism, Zija Xholi, has been spinning us tales about it in the last two issues of “ZP.” Their “excuses”—that Marxism was invented by the dictatorships established in the countries of the East after the Second World War (because Zija Xholi cannot bring himself to say the bad thing about the October Revolution, which raised him and “philosophized” him all the way to the rank of professor!)—were, the professor’s learned doves, old-fashioned (if they can manage it), of the past, but they did not experience firsthand those “abuses” that cost us human lives and endless years in prison! Whereas the “old woman” “ZP,” dressed up as a “bride,” instead of “denouncing” today “some mistakes” of the so-called philosophers who had the courage to mention even such well-known names as Marx, would do better to keep quiet, so that “the sins of unity” do not come to light ... [?] But ... that is a separate matter, connected with Professor Xholi’s old tales. The years 1975–1976 stand out as one of the periods when the class struggle intensified most severely. Many intellectuals, researchers, artists and athletes were targeted; they were driven from their professions or sent “on rotation” to the most remote corners of the country, far from studios, libraries and stadiums—in other words, far from contact with the intellectual world. Party committees, grassroots organizations and personnel offices, using bootlickers and informers, cowards and ordinary spies, even within families and clans, became the nests where webs were spun. The “philosopher professors” and “shabby little poets” (“I don’t know why that expression of the late Mark Gurakuqi came to mind!”) “studied” and propagated the “reason of unreason,” in whose name people were supposed to silently accept every kind of injustice! On 30.1.1976, the Party Committee of the Ministry of People’s Defense asked the Party Committee of Fier to verify information “about the political standing of the family of Sabri Iljazit Bejleri.” The athlete Sabri Bejleri was not to be allowed to exercise his sporting talent because of his biography! The reply from Fier, in the “secret” letter No. 1391/1, dated 24.2.1976, confirmed Sabri’s father’s “faults”: “- Sabri’s father (Iljaz) was a bej (!) ... - he had been sentenced to 10 years in prison; - Sabri’s entire clan and family were against the Party during the National Liberation War, with the exception of ... (names follow), an exception that was apparently also against the Party during the war, although he was an anti-fascist and, for this, the fascists burned his house!). The Party Committee of Fier signed and stamped it on the basis of the “discussion” in the Cakran grassroots party organization, where, as the letter says, Dano Fecorri, Adem Sadiku, Fejzo Lloshci, Nure Sadushi, Hysni Mehmetaj, etc. were also present; apparently, these were among the Party’s most trusted and devoted people. And they, the most devoted, were always at the forefront: “They must be crushed!” the directive from above “bellowed.” “They must be hanged!” echoed from below, “Zeri i mases,” which was the voice

Communist delusions Socialist leaders attack Europe and the United States -Pellumbi: “With our own strength. Let us not hold out our hand to the bourgeoisie and the metropolises of America and capitalist Europe” BLEDI KASMI The “renewed” communists of the PS have openly attacked one of the major objectives of Albanian diplomacy—the integration of Albania into the European family—with their anti-European policy. After the political commission of the K-EC gave its approval for Albania’s rapid admission to this organization, the PS acknowledged the failure of its anti-European policy. The memorandum prepared by the Council of Europe’s rapporteurs on Albania’s admission as a full member of the Council of Europe was assessed by the rapporteurs as highly positive regarding democratic, economic and political developments in post-dictatorship Albania. Thus, the PS had been claiming that Albania did not meet the criteria for membership. Meanwhile, Lord Finsberg declared that he had the highest regard for President Berisha and his government, urging his colleagues in the Council of Europe to expedite the report so that Albania could be admitted to the Council of Europe as soon as possible. Dokle was exposed as an international slanderer before the Council of Europe, claiming that Lord Finsberg was an obstacle to Albania’s membership in the Council of Europe and that Lord Finsberg had criticized the Albanians. Meanwhile, the European Commission’s Commissioner for relations with Central and Eastern Europe, Mr Hans Van Den Broeck, during his visit to Albania, thanked Albania and the Albanians for the highly positive recommendation made by the Council of Europe’s political commission. Having grown tired of his failed policy, Dokle inadvertently makes a joke when he declares before the Council of Europe: “Nano, too, has given the green light for Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe.” (And the next day, a newspaper ran this statement on its front page as a joke.) (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday morning, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Albania, Safet Zhülali, held a special meeting with Doctor of Science Çarls Denison Lane on the occasion of his beginning work at the Ministry as personal adviser to the Minister of Defense. Mr Zhülali wished him success in carrying out this very important duty for our country. The meeting then introduced his extensive civilian and military, scientific and research activities. He has attended several universities and colleges. He is a senior officer in the reserve. He has had a distinguished military career. He has been involved in national-level military-political matters, prepares analyses and has an interest in the Balkans. He has completed dozens of studies, received several decorations, including one for distinguished service to the Defense and combat service, and is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Doctor of Science and American adviser Çarls Denison Lane said that he was committed to working to assist ... Ministry of Defense Spokesperson

The standing parliamentary Committee on Finance and Economy examined the draft decree of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, on dissolving the financial police and establishing the tax police and customs police. The ratification of the agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Croatia on the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital was also discussed. The draft law on food continued to be examined by the standing parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Food. Deputies addressed several important issues and a number of other articles in the draft law, for which it was decided that they should also be examined by the Committee on Laws, as they are more legislative in nature. Meanwhile, the Committee on Laws debated the draft law on the entry into force of Law No. 7895, dated 27.1.1995, on the Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania, which, as has been announced, enters into force on 1 June of this year. Discussions were also held on the draft law introducing certain changes to the state budget for 1995, through which expenditure allocations are made for the judiciary, for the Court of Appeal and the courts of fact in each of the country’s districts. P. SHUTERIQ (ATSH)