President of the Republic Sali Berisha in the Shkodër district MENTOR SHEHU Welcome to democratic Shkodër, Mr. President! We will win ’96 as well. Long live Sali Berisha. Anti-communist Shkodër is with democracy, with you, Mr. President. Long live democracy, long live Albania... These were the words that accompanied the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, during his visit to the city of Shkodër—words of congratulations and promises from the citizens of this city, a beacon of democracy. Yesterday morning, the President of the Republic made several visits to joint ventures in the city of Shkodër. During his visit, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, was accompanied by the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori; Shkodër MP Tonin Alimhillaj; the prefect, Mr. Iliaz Vrioni; the chairman of the district council, Mr. Ali Kastrati; the mayor, Mr. Filip Guraziu; and other local government officials. [The text begins mid-sentence] the opportunities created by its free-market economic conditions, to become a leather consumer in the future. For his part, the president of the “Adelfin” company expressed his high regard for the assistance provided by the government and Shkodër’s local authorities, which had greatly facilitated the work. He also announced that construction had begun on a new factory “right nearby, which will complete the shoe-production cycle at this factory,” and is expected to be finished in September. Another 300 workers will be employed, he continued, inviting Mr. Berisha to cut the ribbon marking the start of the works. After cutting the ribbon, President of the Republic Berisha said to those present: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you wholeheartedly on this extremely important initiative for the city of Shkodër, but also for Albania. I would like to congratulate all Albanian and foreign citizens who find the courage to invest their energy, their wealth, and their labor. It is extremely important that we contribute to their success. They share these successes with others. The truth is that their success brings prosperity; their success brings a faster pace of development; their success creates many jobs. These investors’ successes have become a factor in Albania’s integration into Europe. This success is therefore among the most valuable things today, for us as citizens and for the country. Thus, it is the duty of the state administration and of society as a whole to contribute to their success, because the truth is that these free farmers, investors, managers, and traders have become the soul, the heart of the country’s development. As is known, we had a late start, but we also have a fast start, and our fast start is clear evidence of what we will be able to accomplish. There is no time for discouragement. I think the situation is quite optimistic; we need only look around to be convinced of this. [The text is corrupt here: “Tre gushtin...”] The indicators are increasingly dynamic, so we must not be discouraged by the unrestrained propaganda which, by every means, seeks to damage Albania’s democratic present. The people engaging in this malicious propaganda are a group of narrow-minded people who, unfortunately, have focused their energies on a backward and utterly hopeless cause: restoration. But the cause of restoration is finished and can no longer be realized in democratic Albania. Albania’s democracy is moving toward continuous consolidation. Today, some put forward the view that nothing is being built in Albania, or...” (Continued on page 2) wholeheartedly on this exceptionally important initiative for the city of Shkodër and for Albania as well. and their effort in Albania. The truth is that these investments, though they have a short history, have in a remarkably short time become a pole of the country’s development, one of the most important factors in Albania’s development and progress. Investors are people who deserve respect, both Albanian and foreign. They are people who believe in their own values and their own ideas, and whenever they consider and decide to invest, they take a considerable risk. If they fail, they experience it as a personal tragedy, but their success benefits not only them but many others: the city benefits, the village benefits, the whole country benefits. That is why I considered the request for release, which was not based on the law, to be … The panel of judges, having reviewed and admitted all the evidence and claims presented, withdrew in the sentence, deeming that the two criminal offenses for which Fatos Nano was prosecuted did not qualify for a reduction upon the district court’s decision, lawyer Sanxhaku said through abuse of office, to benefit other persons, and for falsifying official documents. He continues serving his sentence in Bënçë prison in the district of Tepelenë. ATSH In these two days we have had a delayed start, but we have also had that we will be able to accomplish what we want. is quite optimistic; we need only look around us to be convinced of this. discouraged by that frenzied on a backward cause, a thoroughly hopeless cause: restoration. But the cause of restoration is over democracy is moving toward continual consolidation. Today we hear views page 2)

Inside: The role of the equivocal one Solidarity in condemning Enverian genocide The future cannot be built without erasing the shadows of the past PS leaders oppose the initiative to condemn Enverian genocide —“Fear and hatred on the pages of ‘ZP’. They call those seeking to condemn the genocide ‘political mercenaries’ For 50 years, Albania experienced one of the most barbaric, bestial, and absurd dictatorships known to human history. Its demonic creators, in their monstrous melding of dictatorial spectres such as Nero, Genghis Khan, and even Stalin, stood over our shoulders as well as over human souls. Although every one of us lived through the infernal period of communism, only today are we beginning to see the dimensions to which the crimes had grown. Even Dante’s imagination would be poor beside the macabre reality of communism, a regime built entirely on crime and the blood of the innocent. The overthrow of that regime would be the first step toward freedom, justice, and democratization. At last, after so many years, [text unclear] were able to seek the lost remains of their executed parents, and the victims of the dictatorship to restore their human dignity. But this is not enough to establish justice. Hundreds of thousands of victims of genocide are demanding justice today. They are not seeking revenge, as some like to say, but justice; and for justice to be done, those who established that criminal regime, those who stained their hands with blood, must be legally punished for their crimes. Only in this way will we be able to build the future, after clearing from the road the shadows of the past, which even today continue to obstruct Albania’s new democracy. It is truly paradoxical to see today those who ought to have been on their knees and...” (Continued on page 2) Even Dante’s imagination would pale justice, and democratization. Who are they? Read Sunday’s “ZP” and you will understand. Those who run “ZP” seem to have been badly shaken by the initiative to punish Enverist genocide. The “renewed” ones who have “distanced themselves” from the dictatorship leapt up as soon as punishment for the genocide was demanded. Why? Such a question is not difficult to answer. “You break with the past by building the future,” writes “ZP” in an article in the section “Our Comments.” In that article, the PS’s cadres have come out fully and openly in defense of Enverist genocide. They express, without any hesitation, their concern about the “frontal attack on the past” and the “PD’s anti-communist campaign.” The bringing forward of (Continued on page 2)

From the meetings of the PDSH delegation in Greece — PAPULIAS: “Good relations between the two countries are the result of efforts made by both governments” — EVERT: “Our desire is to see Albania and the Democratic Party in Europe, fully integrated into all its structures” — SHEHU: “PDSH is open to broad cooperation with all Greek political forces in order to advance relations between the two countries” From the meetings of the PDSH delegation in Greece A shared desire to further develop relations between the two countries — PAPULIAS: “Good relations between the two countries are the result of efforts made by both governments” — EVERT: “Our desire is to see Albania and the Democratic Party in Europe, fully integrated into all its structures” — SHEHU: “PDSH is open to broad cooperation with all Greek political forces in order to advance relations between the two countries” At the invitation of the chairman of the New Democracy Party, Mr. Miltiadhis Evert, a delegation of the Albanian Democratic Party, led by Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, Secretary General, is in Athens for a two-day visit. The delegation also includes Mr. Ali Spahia, deputy chairman of PDSH and chairman of the PDSH parliamentary group; Mr. Dhimiter Anagnosti, MP; and Ms. Mira Haxhiu, head of PDSH’s foreign relations department. Yesterday morning, the delegation was received by Mr. Miltiadhis Evert. In his address, Mr. Shehu gave an overview of the general political, economic, and social situation in Albania. He emphasized the important changes that had taken place in Albania during the three years of Democratic Party government. Mr. Shehu stressed that the process of economic reform in Albania was certainly long and difficult, but that after three years of government the outcome of the reforms was very encouraging. Mr. Shehu outlined the processes through which reform in Albania had passed, as well as the fact that it was progressing along the right path, with a number of positive macroeconomic indicators. After thanking Mr. Evert for the invitation, Mr. Tritan Shehu stressed the need to build closer relations between the two parties. For his part, Mr. Evert welcomed the delegation and [the source text is incomplete] all its structures, as well as other international organizations such as NATO, etc. Mr. Evert stressed that Albania should be one of the first former communist countries to join NATO as a full member, since Albania and the other countries of the region would contribute to regional stability. Yesterday, the delegation also met and held a very constructive discussion with Mr. Papulias, Minister of Foreign Affairs and one of PASOK’s senior officials, the party in government. After offering a general assessment of the issues, Mr. Papulias expressed his satisfaction with the good relations between the two countries, which were the result of efforts made by both governments. Mr. Papulias stressed that broad new horizons had now opened up in relations between the two countries. His message was that Albania and Greece, two of the oldest peoples of the Balkans, should have understanding, friendship, and cooperation. After conveying President Berisha’s greetings, Mr. Shehu stressed that relations between PDSH and PASOK, as the governing party, were very important for strengthening relations between the two countries. Mr. Shehu expressed optimism about good Albanian-Greek relations and the need for dialogue, so that, together with all Greek and Albanian political forces, we could advance relations between the two countries. They do not deserve such injustices. For this reason, the initiative by several intellectuals and former political prisoners to seek the legal condemnation of the genocide is welcomed by us and by every Albanian who experienced that regime. Of course, such an initiative cannot please the accused; the perpetrators of the genocide cannot please those who raised hymns to the dictatorship, those who served it to the very end and continue the same mission today. a question is not difficult to answer. Mr. Tritan Shehu, after thanking Mr. Evert for the invitation, emphasized For his part, Mr. Evert welcomed the delegation and emphasized that the New Democratic Party is ready to contribute to promoting democratic processes in Albania. At the end of his speech, the chairman of the “New Democracy” Party, Mr. Evert, emphasized: Our wish fully integrated into (continued on page 2) Mr. Shehu, after conveying greetings from President Berisha, emphasized that relations between the PDSH and PASOK, as parties in government, are Shehu expressed optimism about Albanian-Greek relations and underlined that these relations would serve as an example in the region and beyond. Mr. Shehu emphasized that the Mr. Ali Spahia, for his part, emphasized the goodwill and (Continued on page 2)

Shkodër MP Tonin Alimhilli; other local government officials. Attempts at restoration are doomed to fail The President of the Republic’s first visit began at the joint shoe enterprise with the Italian company “Adelfi”. Today, this highly regarded enterprise produces shoe components and has a workforce of 800, while around 2,800 people are employed outside it. During the visit to the factory departments, the managers of this joint enterprise briefed the President on its achievements and prospects. The President praised Shkodër’s tradition in leather processing, and therefore this enterprise continued, bearing in mind its prospects and...

The panel of judges of the Tepelenë District Court yesterday rejected the request by the defense lawyers of the convicted Fatos Nano for his release from prison. Yesterday at 10:00, the panel of judges of this district court, chaired by Baftjar Shehu, with prosecutor Alfred Progonati and lawyers Sanxhaku and Tirana present, considered at a public hearing the request for release from serving the remainder of the sentence. The request was based on Article 8 of Law 7941 dated 31 May 1995 and on Law 7941 dated 31 May 1995, concerning the entry into force of the new Penal Code. After the request had been read by the presiding judge, lawyer Sanxhaku presented the defense’s arguments in connection with it. He requested that the criminal offense charged against Fatos Nano be reclassified under Article 134 of the new Penal Code as abuse of office, which, he argued, would result in the convicted man’s immediate release. Prosecutor Progonati, referring to Article 2 of the new Penal Code, argued that the request for release had no basis in law. After examining and admitting all the evidence and arguments presented, the panel of judges retired to reach its final decision. At 14:45, the presiding judge, Baftjar Shehu, ruled to reject the request for a reduction in the sentence, considering that the two criminal offenses for which Fatos Nano had been prosecuted did not qualify for a reduction upon the district court’s ruling, lawyer Sanxhaku said that he would appeal to the Court of Appeal. Fatos Nano was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for misappropriating state property through abuse of office for the benefit of other persons, and for falsifying official documents. He continues to serve his prison sentence at Bënça Prison in the Tepelenë district. … evidence and claims presented, withdrew reduction upon the district court’s decision, lawyer Sanxhaku said prison in the district of Tepelenë.

Without wishing to get into the question of what mission Socialist MPs Angjelie Bej went to the USA on, or which conferences they attended, we wanted to ask just one question about what these two Socialist MPs said during their meetings at the White House. According to the press office of the PSSH, MPs Angjelie and Bej were received and held a working meeting at the White House with President Clinton’s aide, Richard Schifter. They, the PSSH spokesperson informs us, reportedly spoke about “the constructive role of the Socialist Party in opposition, especially after the referendum on the draft constitution.” In this regard, I would ask these gentlemen to explain exactly where this constructive role of the SP lies. Or by “constructive role” do they mean the calls by the SP’s communist leadership to change the laws, hold early elections, avoid integration into Europe, and block reforms? Could all these and many other things have been the SP’s “constructive role”? 23 MARCH 1992 EARLY ELECTIONS, EARLY ELECTIONS, EARLY ELECTIONS 1993 1994 1995 …ELECTIONS, EARLY ELECTIONS… “The SP’s only four-year alternative”

Tomorrow in Tirana Josef Zieleniec Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic At the invitation of Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alfred Serreqi, the Czech Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Josef Zieleniec, arrives in Tirana tomorrow for a two-day visit. His program in Tirana includes meetings with the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha; the Chairman of the Presidium of the KP, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori; Prime Minister Meksi; his Albanian counterpart Serreqi; and others. The two respective ministers are also expected to sign a joint agreement. CURRICULUM VITAE OF MR. ZIELENIEC Josef Zieleniec, born in 1946, was formerly a student at the Secondary School for Nuclear Technicians (1966); he graduated in 1974 from the Prague School of Higher Economics (industrial economics). In 1973 he began working at the Institute for Research in Mechanical Technology and Economics, specializing in the application of mechanical methods in economics. In 1986 he defended a thesis on microeconomics and received the title “Candidate of Sciences.” At the Institute of Economic Sciences of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, he led seminars on the transition from a centralized economy to a market economy, which had a considerable influence on the outlook of Czech economists and on the market economy. The study “Czechoslovakia at the Crossroads” emerged from this seminar; it was published under Mr. Zieleniec’s direction and, after November 1989, influenced discussions of economic reforms in Czechoslovakia. In January 1990, Mr. Zieleniec founded the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE) at Charles University, the first modern Western-style institution in Czechoslovakia for university graduates. In 1991 he was appointed a member of the Scientific Council of Charles University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, and a docent in economics. Until 1990, Mr. Josef Zieleniec was the first. On 5 July 1992, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Relations of the Czech Republic and charged with establishing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, a task he carried out successfully. Since January 1993, he has been Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Mr. Josef Zieleniec is a co-founder of the Civic Democratic Party (O.D.S) and a member of its executive committee. In November 1991, Mr. Zieleniec was elected Vice-Chairman of the Party, and the Party Congress in 1992 elected him to this position. He is counted among the principal authors of the Civic Democratic Party’s electoral program, making a valuable contribution especially to the drafting of the chapters on the constitution, the economy, and foreign policy.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you wholeheartedly on this exceptionally important initiative for the city of Shkodër and for Albania as well.”

The truth is that these investments, though they have a short history, have in a remarkably short time become a pole of the country’s development.

In these two days we have had a delayed start, but we have also had a fast start, and our fast start is clear evidence that we will be able to accomplish what we want.

Even Dante’s imagination would pale beside the macabre reality of communism.

They do not deserve such injustices.

In the late hours of Sunday, unidentified individuals attempted to break into the newsroom of Rilindja Demokratike. To enter the newsroom, the individuals forced open the office doors and then tried to break open the newsroom safe. The investigative team has begun investigating the matter.