Inside Dictator Enver Hoxha and Clovis, king of the Franks The destruction of the cell One year in prison for Ilir Hoxha

Conference of the DP branch, Elbasan

LORENC LIGORI There is no doubt that the DPA’s admission to the EUCD is a notable event. The admission of a party to organizations whose members belong to the same political spectrum is a notable event for that party. But the importance of the DPA’s admission to the EUCD goes beyond party boundaries. It takes on national significance for several reasons. First, Albania has suffered 50 years of self-isolation; it has suffered being hermetically sealed off from itself and the complete severing of contacts with the world. In this context, the DPA’s admission to the European Christian Democrats marks another step in Albania’s process of integration into Europe. Every governmental or non-governmental body, through its international ties, contributes to some extent to the integration of its country into the European family. European integration is all-encompassing in its dimensions and forms. Second, the admission goes beyond party boundaries because the DPA is the party in government. Consequently, its joining international organizations as an equal implies greater opportunities and scope for the assistance that international institutions and organizations provide to democratic reforms in Albania. Third, the DPA’s accession to the EUCD is a recognition by democratic Europe of the reforms and democratic processes. In this respect, it is particularly important because it confirms not only the successful, correct path Albania’s democracy has followed over the past three years, but also Europe’s assistance and support for the continuation of these reforms. Fourth, the EUCD is an organization of well-known European parties, some of which govern various European countries. Their representatives include presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and others in developed Western democracies. Fifth, joining such structures implies drawing on experience, discussions and exchanges of views on important issues, and rapid alignment with European standards. Thus, for Albanian politics; it is another notable event for Albania in its remarkably successful process of integration into the European family.

After returning from Bucharest, where the DPA was admitted as a full member of the EUCD, the Secretary General of the DPA, Mr Tritan Shehu, accompanied by the DPA press chief, Mr Pjeter Pepa, held a press conference on the occasion in one of the premises of the QNK. At the beginning, Mr Shehu read a short press statement of considerable importance not only for the DPA but also for Albania, which said: DPA Press Statement At the meeting of the EUCD Council in Bucharest, which brings together European democratic and popular parties, the National Council of the DPA saw the Democratic Party admitted as a full member of this Union. For the Democratic Party, its members, activists and supporters—and I am convinced, for all Albanians as well—the DP’s membership in the EUCD of European People’s Parties constitutes a true historic victory for the party and for the entire Albanian political life. This is an event with a great future ahead. Albania today has its own force all Albanian democratic forces as well—its membership as a full member of this Union...

“I am very pleased with the important steps taken in relations between our two countries, as well as with our shared determination to build a secure and friendly future between our two peoples,” President Berisha told the Minister of National Defence of Greece, Gerasimos Arsenis, at their meeting yesterday at the Presidency. After emphasizing the special importance of historical and military relations, the President expressed his desire and goodwill for good relations in other fields as well, such as the economy and culture, and so on, and for the creation of a new infrastructure of friendship and cooperation. President Berisha also expressed his gratitude to Mr Arsenis for the assistance provided by the Government and the Minister. For his part, Minister Arsenis conveyed to President Berisha the greetings of Prime Minister Papandreu, emphasizing, in the context of military cooperation, the cooperation in all fields that has begun between Albania and Greece. He expressed his government’s readiness to support Albania in international institutions, because we believe that in this way we will transform our region from an insecure region into one of peace and stability. “We will help,” he continued, “in those areas where you think we will be needed.” The conversation then focused on the work being done to bring forward the signing of the treaty of friendship between our two countries, the upcoming visit of President Stefanopoulos to Tirana, the crisis in the region, and so on. Their views on these issues were the same. At the conclusion of the meeting, President Berisha expressed his wish for Greek Prime Minister Papandreu to visit Albania. (Continued on page 2) financial assistance. In particular, the President of the military press expressed the desire and goodwill for good relations in other areas as well, such as the economy, culture, etc., and for creating by the Greek Government and Greek deputies for Albania’s membership in the CoE. “I have been confident of the support of the Greek Government, and I want to thank you for it, but I was very pleased when I observed a parliamentary consensus that was not easy for the parliamentarians to achieve.”

President Berisha took part in the Kras Montanes meeting in Switzerland The President of the Republic, Mr Sali Berisha, took part in the international meeting of Kras-Montanes in Switzerland, which for years has brought together high-level representatives of politics and business from various countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as representatives of international organizations such as the EU, the IMF, the World Bank, the Gulf Cooperation Council, etc. On the first day of the conference, after it was opened by Mr Kantero, President of the Kras-Montanes Forum Foundation, the President of the Canton and Republic of Valais and the President of Latvia delivered greetings. The conference discussed privatization, its progress and importance, and the banking system, after which views were exchanged on various economic and political issues. At the plenary session on privatization, President Berisha’s speech aroused great interest among those present. Heads of delegations from various countries, as well as other attendees, discussed and exchanged views on the experiences of the countries participating in the summit regarding this issue. Is privatization one of the main methods of transforming the economy in many countries, or are we exaggerating the conclusions drawn from this process? The discussions answered that the results of privatization are substantial, but cannot be expected immediately, since the process bears fruit over a longer period. The increase in production and efficiency at privatized enterprises was cited as an example; this increase is estimated to be around threefold. The conference also highlighted the various dimensions of the privatization process, such as its social dimension, production efficiency, and political dimension, among others. President Berisha shared Albania’s experience with those present. “In Albania, one of the countries that was most extensively collectivized during the dictatorship,” he said, “the main feature of privatization is speed. So far, around 75% of state property has been privatized. Despite the short time this process has been under way,” President Berisha emphasized, “65% of GDP comes from the private sector. Unlike other Eastern countries,” Berisha continued, “we are burdened by large, inefficient enterprises, without restructuring them and also...” (Continued on page 2)

From the press conference of the PS deputy chairman -The PS deputy chairman alone before the journalists -Was Dokle’s replacement in the Albanian delegation requested? Yesterday, PS deputy chairman Namik Dokle was alone before the journalists. Nobody was at his side, not even the PS spokesperson. The other deputy chairmen continue to look gloomy from the hall. Dokle looked as if he were before a court, where the prosecutors were not only the journalists but also his “friends” on the party leadership. The reason? This was it: Dokle was said to have failed in the mission assigned to him; Albania became a member of the CoE and the Nano issue disappeared from the pages of the Parliamentary Assembly’s documents. Nevertheless, Dokle held a press conference, as was also clear from his words, at the request of the PS leadership. Although at the beginning of his speech Dokle pretended to welcome Albania’s accession to the CoE, he immediately shifted to his real position, talking about delays and obstacles. He did not forget to utter the most absurd phrase the opposition has used lately: according to Dokle, Albania’s admission to the CoE is the opposition’s achievement, especially that of the PS, whose “vote” was “decisive.” As for the DP and the Albanian state, according to Dokle, they only wanted to obstruct this membership. The PS “was convinced” that admission to the CoE would pave the way for stability and respect for rights,” etc., etc. But Dokle did not explain how, despite being convinced of all these advantages of admission to the CoE, they tried to prevent this membership until the very last moment. Perhaps when Dokle declared that “the apple is still unripe,” he did not know about these advantages? And did “ZP,” which dripped its poison drop by drop until 29 June, not know about these advantages? At the conference Dokle did not forget to talk about the “Nano issue”; after all, that was why they had brought him before the journalists. It is clear clear journalists but also his “friends” on the party leadership.

Dokle and others are wasting their time trying to hide the truth about the Nano issue in the CoE proceedings by fragmenting it. The truth is clear and has been published. Neither the first amendment proposed by the rapporteur of the Legal Affairs Committee, Coluberg, nor the amendment proposed later—both submitted to the Assembly by President Martinez—was adopted. The Parliamentary Assembly did not consider it appropriate to adopt such an amendment, not because of any individual, but also because it judged this to be a legal matter on which the Albanian court had ruled. This is the only truth about the Nano issue. Everything else is simply speculative interpretation, put forward for propaganda purposes or to serve the individual or factional interests within the PSSH. The Socialist Group in the CoE Parliamentary Assembly is the largest group. If this group had supported Nano, it would undoubtedly have influenced the vote. Not only that, but not a single Socialist spoke in the Assembly on the Nano issue. No Socialist defended him; indeed, no one even spoke in his support. Not a single voice in support of Nano, not a single voice from any parliamentary group. The Assembly’s view was expressed through the vote, which showed that the CoE Assembly has no Nano issue. It is one thing how the lone Dokle from the press conference may fare within the PS, and quite another the complete failure of Nano and the PS leader at the CoE. Dokle struggles in vain and acts to cover up the complete failure of Nano and the PS at the CoE. Dokle struggles in vain and uses lies and speculation to convince someone that the Nano issue has not failed. Dokle’s calculations do not interest public opinion. The public needs only the truth, which in this case is the failure of Nano and of the PS’s destructive leader. In any event, Dokle was alone yesterday.

Yesterday at midday, Prime Minister Meksi received Greece’s Minister of National Defence, Gerasimos Arsenis, and the delegation accompanying him on his visit to Albania at a special meeting. Mr. Meksi described this visit as a new step in the development of Albanian-Greek relations. He emphasized that the Albanian government is ready to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest. “I am optimistic that opportunities will be found to implement the existing agreements in the military field,” Mr. Meksi noted. Prime Minister Meksi thanked the Greek government for the support it (Continued on page 3)

At the invitation of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Albania, a Greek military delegation headed by Minister of Defence Gerasimos Arsenis arrived yesterday for an official visit. The Minister of Defence, Safet Zhulali, as well as other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, went to Rinas to welcome the delegation. A welcoming ceremony for the Greek Minister of Defence was held at the Ministry of Defence. The national anthems of the two countries were played, and the ministers reviewed the troops drawn up in formation. And other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence. troops drawn up in formation. “I would consider the first visit to Albania by a Greek Minister of National Defence a historic event in bilateral relations,” Mr. Zhulali said at his meeting with his Greek counterpart, Gerasimos Arsenis, who Photo: A. Babani

A delegation of the People’s Assembly, headed by the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, left yesterday for Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to take part in the proceedings of the Fourth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The delegation also includes Mr. Ali Spahia and Mr. Xhevat Lloshi. Press and Information Office of the People’s Assembly

On 1 July 1995 in