Why did Albania not pursue a restrictive customs policy from the outset? Is Parliament’s decision to impose customs tariffs a paradox?

Gjinushi in Shkoder: Milosheviçi receives and sends off more delegations than the Albanian state does DUKAGJIN HATA “More foreign delegations are received and sent off by Milosheviçi in Belgrade than by the Albanian state,” declared not some “tiger” on the Kosovo battlefield, nor some ordinary charlatan of the N. Hoti type, but the leader of the PSD himself, in Shkoder on Sunday, while criticizing Tirana’s foreign policy. This is reported by “Koha Jone” of 30 May. Since no denial or correction has been issued by the PSD offices concerning this statement, we are left to believe that it is authentic. We are left to believe that the filthiness of part of Albanian politics is so great that it can stain even certain values and principles that we should all uphold, as well as certain national interests that we are obliged to [?] [The text then refers to] making various concessions to Milosheviç, promising him some easing of sanctions, but also conveying threats and ultimatums to him. Among others, heads of state and government, as well as other senior officials, have visited Tirana. They come to express their support, friendship and assistance for Albania and the Albanian nation, for the progress of reform, and to emphasize their support for integration into Europe. And, apparently, while comparing their friendly, official visits to Albania with the comings and goings of visitors and diplomats in Belgrade, Gjinushi, the apologist for evil, also delivers an immense insult to the international community. How would the two distinguished visitors who recently came to Tirana, Presidents Herzog and Klestil, have reacted if he had addressed them as “bluebells” [“si belule”]—that is, had used against them the Stalinist language of Enver Hoxha in “The Anglo-American Danger” or in his other paranoid works? Such shameful statements are unacceptable to honest Albanian social democrats and should be publicly condemned by the entire Albanian political spectrum. These statements bear witness to the profound moral crisis of the former and current chairman of the PSD, who has understood that his past has not enabled him to establish himself in Albanian politics. A careerist and an immoral man, this monstrous descendant of Hoxhism, at the end of his career, seems to prefer the end of his country as well. With such a statement, one might think that Gjinushi intends to come to Milosheviçi’s aid by trying to present a different image of him. That possibility cannot perhaps be ruled out, but it is unlikely are left to believe that the malice of a besmirch even certain values and principles that everyone should uphold, and certain national interests that we all have a duty to defend. Such a statement cannot be regarded as a political comment by an opposition figure in the fever of a pre-election campaign. It goes beyond even the bounds within which a political contest typical of a democracy takes place. Such a comparison is primarily intended to insult the state. Not even a foreign politician with extreme Serbophilia would do that. Everyone knows that Serbia is treated as an international pariah, ostracized by the CSCE and the UN and placed under sanctions by the Security Council. Those visiting Belgrade are only diplomats and envoys. They aim, at most, to apply pressure and bargain. By demanding that Albania follow who recently came to Tirana, President Herzog Kiestil, have reacted if they had heard that an Albanian party leader equated their official visits and clear messages in Albania with negotiations in Belgrade? They would more likely have thought that Enver’s ghost was once again roaming the murky building. Only he could have made such a statement in a fit of rage. Gjinushi’s statement expresses a line that he has recently defined clearly in his newspaper. That newspaper, to its shame—or, rather, to the shame of its boss, who seems terrified by Albania’s important and historic achievements in foreign policy—speaks of heads of state from democratic Europe who have come to our country with full insults in this union. We have reported on the position could we learn a little more about its progress? By demanding that Albania follow reported on the position could we learn a little more about its progress?

At yesterday’s midday meeting with Ms. Doris Pack, Member of the European Parliament and chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on South-Eastern Europe, President Berisha said he was concerned by certain efforts to lift the sanctions imposed on Serbia by the United Nations Security Council in exchange for Belgrade’s recognition of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such a possible concession to Serbia fails to take into account the other aspects of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, where the problem with the most dangerous consequences is that of Kosovo. This concession could have serious consequences for peace and stability in the region. In addition to the situation in the region, the meeting also addressed reforms in the country and Albania’s relations with the European Union. Press and Information Office of the President

Yesterday, the President of the Republic received a delegation from the European Investment Bank, headed by its Vice-President, Mr. Gennimatas. “I sincerely consider the signing of the agreements marking the European Investment Bank’s commitment to building infrastructure in Albania to be very important,” President Berisha told Mr. Gennimatas. “This commitment is important not only financially but also politically, because it makes a direct contribution to consolidating the direction of Albanian policy and its efforts to integrate Albania into Europe. I would welcome,” President Berisha emphasized, “a reduction in the interest rates on your bank’s loans to Albania through gifts or grants from the EC or other member countries. This would be consistent both with the EC’s recognition of Albania as a special case and with our real financial capacity to repay loans and debts.” For his part, Mr. Gennimatas, after praising the achievements of the reforms in Albania, said that they would consider the request, since they were convinced that Albania deserved the support of their bank.

Ilir Meta ignores Pellumbi FATOS GJIROKASTER: NANO, “With the suggestions and requests we make, foreign policy should not turn the country into a hotbed of clashes, whether over the commitments it undertakes at the Islamic Conference or those it asks of NATO.” (“ZP,” Sunday, December 27, 1992, lead editorial) NAMIK DOKLE: “In foreign policy, ill-considered actions and steps have been noted in relations with various countries or international organizations, such as positions toward Macedonia, toward NATO, etc.” (This quotation is taken from point 3 of the request for a no-confidence motion against the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Serreqi, submitted by the chairman of the PS parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, and signed by 14 PS deputies; published in “ZP” on Friday, December 25, 1992.) (“ZP,” Sunday, December 27, 1992, lead editorial) ILIR META: After declaring himself in favor of Albania joining NATO, and responding ironically and dismissively toward his colleague Pellumbi, the PS’s first deputy chairman (its acting chairman) commented on the latter’s statement in Kukes: “What does it matter what a deputy chairman said in Kukes? I’m here [in the studio], and I’m saying it clearly.” (Yesterday’s televised debate) BASHKIM ZEJNELI: (At the same parliamentary session) describes the democratic government’s efforts to cooperate with NATO as “amateurism.” SERVET PELLUMBI, KUKES: “We should not rush to join NATO, since certain conditions have to be met.” of the PS parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, December 25, 1992). Printed portraits beside the text; the captions beneath the photographs are partly cut off.

Interview with the Secretary-General of the PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu, by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Edi Paloka Question: Mr. Shehu, you took part in the latest meeting of the EUCD Council, held in Slovenia. First, for our readers, what does EUCD represent? The European Union of Christian Democrats represents the union of European Christian Democratic parties, which are mainly centrist and centre-right. EUCD includes well-known European parties, such as Kohl’s German party, the British Conservative Party, and centre-right parties in Belgium, Spain, Italy and Austria—in other words, serious, powerful political forces that have been, or are, in power in their countries for a long time. These are forces that, whether willingly or not, have made an outstanding contribution in their countries and to the European movement, to the destruction of communism and the consolidation of democracy. Thus, it is an important union, an association of centrist and right-wing parties, which is also linked to various structures of the Council of Europe, the European Community, EDU, and the World Christian Democrats, whose President is Martens, who was Prime Minister of Belgium for 12 consecutive years. It is therefore a link and constituent part of the Christian Democratic International. Joining this union automatically also brings membership in the World Christian Democratic International. Question: As is known, the DP has applied for full membership in this union. We have reported on the position taken regarding this application at the latest meeting in Slovenia, but could you tell us a little more about how it is progressing? The DP has applied to be admitted as a full member of this union, and the application is now being considered with complete seriousness by the union. This is the second time I have personally attended a meeting of this union: in Brussels a few months ago, and now in Slovenia, where some of Europe’s most important political and economic issues were discussed, particularly the integration of other countries into the European Union, including Albania. This time, Albania’s application was approved by the special committee (Continued on page 2).

The bank’s Vice-President Genimatas and Deputy Prime Minister Vrioni at a press conference Genimatos: “We will support other projects in Albania in the future as well” Yesterday, the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Mr. Panajotis Genimatas, and Albania’s Deputy Minister of Finance, Dylber Vrioni, presented the results of the European Investment Bank delegation’s visit to journalists. First, Mr. Vrioni stressed the need for close communication with banking institutions such as the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank. According to Mr. Vrioni, this need is dictated by the financial difficulties inherited from the previous system as well as by the need to support the new economic system we are building. Cooperation with the European Investment Bank has begun in this context. The bank has a very broad lending activity; it was initially established solely to finance projects within the European Community, but its operations have since extended to 120 other countries. Ten percent of the bank’s financing is directed to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. With the signing of two financial projects—one to provide ECU 5 million for works to expand the port of Durres, and another project worth ECU 5 million to expand private-sector activity—concrete cooperation with this important international financial institution is now beginning. According to Mr. Vrioni, this cooperation will continue, with the possibility of financing the remaining section of the Tirana-Durres highway, starting the East-West Corridor construction project, etc. For Mr. Genimatas, the pleasure of being in Albania is heightened by the delegation’s concrete results. The European Investment Bank—founded in 1958—aims, through its presence in Albania, to contribute to Albania’s physical integration with the European Community. And if relations between Albania and these powerful financial institutions are characterized by two principles—trust and risk—then, for Mr. Genimatas, Albania’s macroeconomic achievements have served as the impetus for the EIB’s participation in financing projects in Albania. This bank will support other projects in the future as well. In response to journalists’ questions, the main issue that emerged was the foreign debt, whose resolution concerns Mr. Vrioni. Albania will now pay only 100 million of the more than 500 million dollars in inherited debt. SHPETIM LUKU

Support for the private sector Yesterday in Tirana, a financial cooperation agreement was signed by Mr. Panajotis Genimatas, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, and Mr. Kristaq Luniku, Governor-General of the Bank of Albania. Under this agreement, the European Investment Bank is granting the Bank of Albania a loan of 5 million ECU. The purpose of the loan is to support small and medium-sized companies in undertaking and implementing projects in agribusiness, tourism, etc. This loan will therefore provide a boost to the expansion of private-sector activity. It was granted on terms that are highly favorable to the country. The positive effects of this loan will, to begin with, lead to further similar participation in Albania, Mr. Genimatas confirmed. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

Portrait photographs of Ilir Meta, Bashkim Zejneli and Servet Pellumbi.

EDI PALOKA PAGE 2

The facts of corruption follow one another The hell of the dictatorship “Enver - Hitler” Milo’s hysterical attack on TVSH

LIBRARY No. 15 [?]