The national “Fan S. Noli” Association, through a statement, fully supports the initiative of Albania’s intellectuals, who are calling for the denunciation of the Enverist dictatorship and the genocide it committed over nearly 50 years, massacring and terrorizing an entire people. Knowing that it has now become clear that the official documentation held by the state is sufficient to denounce the horrific genocide before the judicial authorities, as well as the responsible and guilty individuals who today are freely allowed to spew venom against the democratic order and the fundamental human rights and freedoms. Likewise, the communist-Enverist propaganda that is prohibited in our country must no longer be tolerated; the law banning it must be enforced, the statement says.

Yesterday, the People’s Assembly continued its work with meetings of its standing committees. The Finance and Budget Committee considered the draft law on the sale and purchase of land plots and on the waiver, in the state budget, of turnover-tax liabilities inherited unpaid through 1994 by the Memaliaj coal mine and the Selenicë bitumen mine. Meanwhile, it completed its examination of the draft law on electricity. While members of the Committee on Defence, Public Order and SHIK continued discussions on the articles of the draft law on the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania, their counterparts on the Laws Committee completed their consideration of the draft laws on privatization of the electric-power sector and on concessions and participation in public services and infrastructure. ATSH

Emphasis: renewing the leadership level The 4th Conference of the Berat branch of the DP held its proceedings The DP conference for Berat was held a few days ago, with Ms. Kozeta Menkulasi elected as chairwoman of the DP for this district. RD: Ms. Kozeta, is your appointment to this position the result of the DP Presidium’s decision to increase women’s participation in political life and state activity to 25 percent, or are there other reasons as well? —The decision of the DP Presidium to increase women’s leadership role is based on the view that women’s integration into the life of the country is a natural process. That decision, which has been welcomed, may be one factor. But I think the most important point is that, since 1991, alongside many others, fellow citizens and intellectuals from various fields, I have actively participated in democratic processes, including as a leader of the LDGSH, a member of the DP, and so on. At the same time, the vote tally against the other candidate shows that my appointment to this position was quite natural. Setting aside any modesty, I must say that I was entrusted with this duty because people were confident in my abilities. I thank everyone warmly. RD: What does your new position represent? —My new position, besides being an honor, means a great deal of responsibility. A responsibility that I accepted as On 4 July, held its proceedings at the “Margarita Tutulani” Palace of Culture. The conference was attended by Democratic Party Presidium members Mr. Dylber Vrioni and Flutura Hasko; Berat MPs Mr. Agron Musaraj and Afërdita Zere; Mr. Kudret Cela; the Prefect of Berat, Mr. Agron Milaj; and the mayor, Mr. Ylli Ruli. The report delivered by Mr. Eduard Dollani, branch chairman, described the work carried out by the DP branch and addressed the issues on which it had focused throughout the period. Contact with DP structures established in the villages, and identifying and resolving the problems preoccupying them, were considered important factors in strengthening their work, and especially in increasing the number of intellectuals among their ranks and in their leadership. The report highlighted the good work undertaken and carried out by assessing the results of the Referendum, improving the activity of local government, structuring this government and organizing the DP branch itself. These achievements were also reflected in an increase to 140 sections, 12 more than at the third conference, and a rise of 860 members compared with the same period, as well as the election of 100 new section chairpersons (40 with higher education) at the end of the DP election campaign. The report stressed the good work done to bring women into the ranks and structures of the DP and, at the same time, assigned the task of keeping this issue on the agenda in the villages. The careful work carried out to recognize and recruit into the ranks and structures of the DP the student contingent that had supported the democratic movement and had now completed its studies was also praised. The report also focused on the DP branch’s concern with implementing the reform undertaken by the Democratic Party in all its aspects, to transform the socialist economy into a market economy. The results achieved were presented to the conference. Privatization of small and medium-sized enterprises has almost been completed in Berat, and the conditions are being prepared for the start of mass privatization. Land privatization has been completed, with title deeds distributed in 80% of the villages. The report also devoted considerable attention to issues concerning reform in the social sphere. The DP branch’s work to support and recognize the former political persecuted, and to help integrate them by meeting their needs for housing, employment, and other matters, was discussed and assessed by the DP. The Berat branch has valued, as has the Party (Continued on page 2) … built in the village, I knew … also what was needed to solve the problems … raised in the village. The careful work that had been done to recognize and bring into the ranks and structures of the PD the intellectual contingent that had guided also praised. … the task that this problem remain … in … and meeting their needs for housing, employment, and so on were also subjects of discussion and assessment by the PD. The Berat branch valued it, as did the Party … (Continued on page 2) Conversation with Ms. Kozeta Menkulasi, Chairwoman of the DP in Berat

Protocol on Albanian-Greek economic cooperation for 1995 The 5th session of the Albanian-Greek Intergovernmental Commission, which concluded in Athens, approved the protocol on economic cooperation between the two countries for 1995. Both sides showed complete understanding and confirmed their conviction that economic cooperation is in the interests not only of Albania but also of Greece, said the head of the Albanian delegation, Selim Belortaja, State Secretary for Foreign Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Mr. Belortaja, the protocol specifies priority areas and the most effective ways of economic cooperation. He singled out agriculture, infrastructure, telecommunications, tourism, the banking sector, energy, etc. ATSH

The 4th conference of the PD in Tepelene The prominent intellectual Sotir Ceka is given the vote of confidence Another year of democratic governance has passed and, naturally, the PD’s program has also been put to the test of time; through its achievements to date, it has shown that the verdict of March 22 was the best choice and the one best suited to Albania’s new democracy. In any case, the PD’s policy at all its links, institutions and levels has had a positive impact on the success of what has been achieved. The PD has perfectly justified the position bestowed on it by the responsibility of governing. It would be a unique occurrence if, after a short time (only two years of government), Albania took its rightful place in prestigious European geography. It was precisely with the weight of responsibility for this analysis and the setting of new tasks that delegates to the 4th conference entered the hall, having come from all areas of the Tepelene district, on Friday, August 30. Ordinary meetings, assemblies and conferences have become the platforms where human decency, democratic culture, tolerance and the reason of people devoted to no ideals other than progressive ones, with very broad humanitarian dimensions—as is the ideal of democracy—should prevail. There, the year’s work is analyzed, tasks are set and decisions are made on the PD’s political platform, said delegate Sotir Ceka. This is how he views the government of Tepelene and beyond. The PD’s principle is that it is a party open to everyone, naturally. It has … … increasing them and improving the quality of its indicators, the deputy Blerim Çela said in his speech. The sections of PD Progonat, Gusmar, Izvor, Buz, Sinanaj, Tepelene, Veliqot, Memaliaj Hormove, Dragot, Selcke and Gllave stood out in particular. Through the activities of their members, these sections have secured PD’s prestige and reputation at admirable levels. Their ranks are growing every day. At every level, PD must have the wisest, most reputable and most honest people. Priority has also been given to bringing in and recruiting intellectuals. It was the conference’s duty to bring intellectuals into PD’s ranks, but the previous leaders did not fully justify the trust placed in them. These people (the intelligentsia) have not been silent either, saying, “we have not found suitable ground, since there are still undesirable people in the sections”—as there are plenty of them in every era, including this one. These are the people who, by using the authority that their duties and responsibilities give them, manipulate matters for their own benefit while compromising the dignity of the section or leadership. Nevertheless, although we have not been able to bring a large number of such people into our ranks, for the most part we have worked to make them unwavering supporters and agitators for our just policy, thereby greatly limiting the terrain available to the destructive, extra-communist opposition, delegate Dine Dervishi said. That opposition is extremely savage and vengeful in Tepelene, too. It is the duty of the intelligentsia and the most honest members of PD to courageously and forcefully tell them to stop, and to send away, without association, the filth-mongers who promote the ideas of evil and wickedness. While seeking to fulfil their egotistical and careerist demands and desires, they devise ordeals and suffering, while ensuring that paranoia operates perfectly alongside them, Albert Skrapalli said. PD itself urgently needs “catharsis,” as a subject capable of being repaired and progressively perfected, and of being relieved of these wretched mediocrities and mannequin charlatans, who bring nothing but respiratory illnesses to PD with the little corrupt ground they have occupied. This was another message conveyed through the voices of the conference delegates. Another aspect was the continuous improvement of PD’s work in its relations with people, and with their concerns and problems. Relations between PD and local government were also identified as a particularly important link. It is in the remit of the conference, as a high-level and selective forum, to assess the effectiveness of its members and supporters who seek to advance the ideals of December 1990 qualitatively. Finally, elections were held, with the understanding that at every level of PD leadership, the wisest and most honest people should be elected—those with a strong reputation and the respect of the electorate. The conference placed its confidence in the distinguished intellectual and protagonist of December 1990, Sotir Ceka.

Mr. Ceka still continues to label things with the Marxist postulates “inside” and “outside,” a style he has apparently perfected through continuous military service in the structures of the dictatorial system. But this politician presents even these postulates upside down, in a contradictory and surreal manner, just as he presents himself in Albanian politics. In the day-before-yesterday issue of “KJ,” the nameless “missionary” Ceka undertakes to analyze Albania’s entry into the Council of Europe and the PD’s membership in the EUCD according to his own lame parameters, which, in any case, do not overcome his complex of deficiencies. Specifically, he says, among other things, that membership in the EUCD are points for the PD outside Albania, whereas inside the country, according to him, “the PD would gain more points if it created jobs for Albanian youth who hang around in the streets and are leaving; secured the independence of the judiciary; built a serious civil administration in Albania; resolved property issues; established order, etc.” Naturally, Mr. Ceka thinks there is room to fix and improve all these things, but, in all fairness, they are now issues of a defined scope that together complete the political, social and economic reform of Albanian society, in which the PD has a primary role. And the points earned by Albania and the PD abroad, which Ceka also … about, have been achieved only thanks to the democratic developments that have taken place within the country, among which are listed as advances precisely those aspects he describes as shortcomings.

Meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs A delegation from Hanwha, one of the seven most powerful financial groups in the Republic of Korea, has arrived in Tirana. Its president, Seung Youn Kim, and those accompanying him were received yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Selim Belortaja, State Secretary for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries. ATSH

Yesterday, on July 6, 1995, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Albania to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. Bashkim Trenova, presented his credentials to the King of Belgium, His Majesty Albert II. ATSH … that, in various … and by setting aside task because they were confident in my ability. represent? — deal of responsibility. I accepted this responsibility as an intellectual duty to contribute to my country, and family tradition undoubtedly also played a part. RD: What alternatives have you chosen for the further progress of the PD’s activities in your district? — Since this is the final year of the electoral term and the election campaign lies ahead, I think our first duty is to explain to people and openly present everything accomplished under the PD’s contract with the people—not through lifeless, formulaic methods, but creatively and wisely, without euphoria. Completing what remains of the contract is another focus of our work, one that people are demanding and that requires a great deal of intellectual energy. This potential will be amplified by bringing intellectuals into the ranks of the PD, so that they are not spectators and critics, but active citizens who deliver on the PD’s contract with the electorate. This is a crucial moment that calls for accomplished intellectuals and respected citizens, because in this way the alternative we have chosen will be implemented as it should be, and intellectuals will not regret their inactivity tomorrow. Their involvement and fruitful cooperation among all will lead to the triumph of the democratic alternative and all progress for the country. RD: What will relations with the other political forces in your district be like going forward? — As part of the PD’s policy, we will cooperate with all genuinely democratic forces, such as the PR, PBSD and the association of former political prisoners. The latter also forms the base of the PD in Berat. It should be emphasized that Berat is distinguished by its traditions, democratic culture and tolerance. RD: Finally, Mrs. Kozeta, can you single out what will be distinctive about your work? — I cannot single out one element absolutely, but I can say that the support of the women of Berat, whose number is considerable, including in the district PD leadership, will, I believe, be an element of success and emancipation. An emancipated society means the emancipation of women. Interview by: ILIRIANA A.BAJO

KUDLAI EBIRI, head of the World Bank Mission in Tirana: “In the overall situation of transition, Albania is far ahead. Hundreds of private enterprises are now moving quickly. The period of anxiety is over.”

A statuesque, large-built woman was walking leisurely along the city sidewalk. She left behind the intoxicating scent of expensive Parisian perfume and her admirable shadow. With her head held high, she challenged passersby. Suddenly, her sandal-style shoe stepped on a banana peel that some careless child had thrown from the balcony of the apartment building beside the sidewalk. The elegant woman immediately slipped and sprawled full-length across the sidewalk tiles like a tree felled by an axe. She drew up her knees and clothes and began slowly to pick herself up, panting and cursing, her face now aflame with embarrassment at the failure of the challenge she had meant to issue to people. “Wretched government, degenerate officials, damn you, Democratic Party... Down with the President!” she shouted after getting to her feet. A young man passing by, carrying two bags full of apples and other goods in his hands, came face to face with her and said: “But why, madam? What have the government and the President done to you that you curse them with such fury?” “Can’t you see what those wretches did to me? They made me fall in the middle of the sidewalk on a banana peel.” “And what are they to blame for, when you don’t watch where you’re putting your feet?” “They are to blame, and very much so, indeed. Why did they allow bananas to be brought into Albania? Does that seem like a small fault to you???” the statuesque woman replied, adjusting her disheveled hair … By KABIL BUSHATI A statuesque, large-built woman was saying to people: “Wretched government, degenerate rulers, damn you, Democratic Party... Down with the President, the oath after...”

Two days ago, at the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, an Albanian delegation consisting of Mr. Maksim Konomi, Chairman of the Committee for Science and Technology, and Albert Kushti, Director of the Patent Office at this committee, deposited the instruments of accession to the Paris Convention for the “Protection of Industrial Property,” the “Patent Cooperation Treaty,” and the “Madrid Agreement” “Concerning the International Registration of Trademarks.” “Accession to these treaties is another step in Albania’s integration into the European family.” “RD” correspondent