Success in relations with China President Berisha’s visit to China is fully successful. During the stay of the Albanian President there, two cooperation agreements were concluded, one on scientific and technological cooperation, and one on cooperation between the radio-television districts of Albania and China. Likewise, the joint declaration of the Presidents expressed marked optimism for advancing economic relations between Albania and China. During the talks with his Chinese counterpart, the Albanian President showed that Albania’s doors are open to China, as an economic partner, to China, as a member of the Security Council, as a participant in international institutions. The sites that were set up in 1978 by the communist leadership for reasons of reforming this country according to market-economy practices. The then Albanian communist leadership had long targeted reformer Ten Hsiao Pin and China’s opening to other countries in order to bring about a complete severing of Albanian-Chinese cooperation. The Chairman of the Chinese People’s Assembly, Qiao Shi, in the meeting with President Berisha said that Enver Hoxha broke off relations with China precisely when it began its reforms and opening. And now, as never before, good cooperation is served best by the Albanian stance toward all political or economic factors that play a role in reforming this country in the meantime. Albania has acknowledged the debt created by the communist government to China, committing itself fully to finding as acceptable a solution as possible for its repayment. Likewise, Albanian diplomacy has consistently worked for the recognition of one China, considering the return of Taiwan within China’s former borders to be reasonable. This has been a real diplomatic step that has helped put Tirana and Beijing on the right track. China’s status as a permanent member of the Security Council, in the conditions of the existence of the Albanian national question, reinforces dialogue and the resolution of the Kosovo issue and makes dialogue with this state even more necessary, since it holds one of the five votes of the permanent members of the Council. China has also been a supplier of technology for Albanian industry and has carried out major programs in Albania, which make partnership essential for the reconstruction of this technology. Meanwhile, Albania has never shown any ideological complexes in relations with this state, having accepted it as a factor in relations with the West and not with others. The talks between the two Presidents produced results in all areas of cooperation. On the issue of external debt, agreement was reached to begin negotiations on this problem in order to find a favorable solution. Meanwhile, the President of China, Zenmin, praised Albania’s role as a factor for peace in the Balkans and also welcomed Albania’s official position regarding the Kosovo problem. Readiness was not lacking on either side for Chinese investments in Albania, in two-way financing, but also more broadly, understood as flexible cooperation between the two countries, which implies greater room both in the system and for trade cooperation. President Berisha’s visit to China thus breaks the myth of the “forbidden road” for Albanian successes, creating a solid basis for restored relations. This visit was extraordinary because it also addressed the ideological reasons for the complete interruption of communication between these two countries for the past eighteen years.

Gjimushi builds a cult of personality on deception He is also preparing an attack on the American Republican Institute On the polling data of the International Republican Institute Socialists are not wanted by either the world or the Albanians p.3

The Government’s decision on asset verification implements Parliament’s law p.3

“KJ” is refuted The editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike”, who is following President Sali Berisha’s visit to China, learned from the President of the Republic’s spokesman that what was written on 17 January in the newspaper “Koha Jonë” under the title “China does not forgive Albania’s debt” is an irresponsible fabrication. The President’s spokesman confirmed to editor-in-chief Stan[i?] that Albania has recognized the debts created by the communist governments in their agony. It has not asked any state or international institution to forgive those debts, nor the People’s Republic of China. In the last two to three years of the communist dictatorship, within the framework of Albania’s external debt, debt with China was also created. Part of this debt, besides the trade balance in clearing, is the 5 billion dollar loan that the Chinese Government granted Albania in 1990, as well as [debts?] that foreign trade enterprises owed to Chinese private firms. The debt issue was not raised by the friendly [Chinese?] side, but it was discussed by President Berisha, who asked President Zemin to begin negotiations for restructuring and finding a technical solution for the debt. This request was fully supported by the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Minister of Economy and senior officials of the People’s Republic of China, who emphasized that this debt poses no obstacle whatsoever to the development and intensification of relations between our two countries. The President’s spokesman stressed that such news the newspaper afo [tone?] has as if ordered by those political forces that dictate this newspaper, with blind jealousy assess and interpret the real success of President Berisha’s visit to China.

From the visit of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, to China Economic cooperation between Albania and China was at the center of the conversation between President Berisha and Chinese President Jiang Zemin, during the dinner that the latter hosted in the evening at the Great Hall of the People, in honor of President Berisha and the delegation he leads. Both sides expressed the possibility of expanding Chinese investments in Albania as well as of further deepening cooperation in the field of trade. Yesterday morning, President Berisha and the delegation he leads visited the Great Wall of China, which is a symbol of the antiquity, center and virtue of this people. Later, in honor of President Berisha, lunch was held at the very well-known restaurant, “Peking Duck”, built in 1864 with a capacity of 1,000 seats. Continuing the visit in Beijing, President Berisha and the delegation he leads were received at the Great Hall of the People by the Chairman of the National People’s Assembly of China, Ciao Shi. After thanking him for the hospitality, President Berisha stressed that Albanians and Albania nurture friendly feelings for China and the Chinese people and that we are pleased that China has made great progress along the path of market-economy ideas. Albanians, Berisha blessed, greatly value the help that China and the Chinese people have given them through this visit. For his part, Mr. Ciao Shi noted that we hope your visit will open a new page in the history of the development of relations between the two countries; we will continue to support and help Albania as much as we can. During the meeting, they also discussed the development of cooperation in areas of mutual interest. At the end, a meeting was also held between the Albanian deputy prime minister, Dashamir Shehi, the state secretary for economic relations with foreign countries, Selim Belortaja, and the deputy minister of finance, Robert Ceku, with the corresponding Chinese deputy prime minister and the economic relations side. During the meeting, the possibility of Chinese investments in infrastructure, construction and energy in our country was discussed. Continuing the visit to the People’s Republic of China, President Berisha and the delegation he leads are today in Shanghai, an important industrial center of China. Albanians have placed this visit at the center, valuing the importance of reviving the good relations that existed between Albania and China.

Pëllumbi attacks Zeneli again Pëllumbi: “China puts the lid on everything” EDI PALOKA I think that Pëllumbi and Zënel’s enemies have sat down, hence the PS deputy chairman is turning attention back to this now public conflict. In the presence of a Republic journalist, precisely for this occasion the PS leadership rose up and declared that Zeneli does not have the PS mandate. Zeneli responded harshly to Pëllumbi while at the same time stressing that he received the mandate for this visit from Nano Dokle. Dokle had meanwhile declared to Deutsche Welle radio that a newspaper [e?] without favor Server Pëllumbi, speaking about Bashkim Zeneli, had said this: “China puts the lid on everything.” The debate that opened in the press between Pëllumbi and Zeneli regarding the meeting in which the latter was to take part in President Berisha’s delegation that would officially visit Beijing is known. Although Zeneli was not the first socialist deputy to take part in official visits as a member of the President’s delegation, something that Pëllumbi had also declared, Zeneli could not, in any case, represent the Albanian part in a period in China, Zeneli was expected to receive the official mandate of the PS leadership as well. Whether Pëllumbi received the mandate is not known, but nevertheless he set off for China together with the official delegation. For days this discussion was not felt in the PS leadership, but suddenly Pëllumbi launches into attack again, this time not publicly but in the presence of a public person, which is the journalist to whom he asked many words about Zëneli not to bring him up. “China puts the lid on everything,” Pëllumbi said, recalling that such an expression is easy. So far Zeneli has been removed as chairman of the PS foreign commission, has been dropped from the leadership and placed on the list of undesirable persons, so what does “puts the lid on” mean? Could it be that, with China’s help, Zeneli will also be expelled from the Party? That is unlikely to happen, since the PS would not then have the opportunity to continue the fairy tale of democracy and unity in the PS. As far as is known, Pëllumbi can no longer contain himself when it comes to the “enemies” in the PS.

Billions of dollars will be a blank cheque if Dokle are in power Dokle against the West Billions of dollars will be a blank cheque if Dokle are in power Dokle has expressed his distrust of the word of Westerners. Three days ago, in an interview for his independent newspaper Koha Jonë, he said that 1.5 billion dollars are the blank cheque of the Democratic Party. This is not very far from Dokle’s nature or the ideology of his party. They have always mistrusted the West and have always used the expression about the aid it has given Albania. Their conflict with the West is long and will continue as long as the Dokle type is politically represented in Albanian politics. The 1.5 billion dollars declared by President Berisha are not a promise but a reality because of Albania’s intensive cooperation with Europe. They are neither fantasy nor illusion, but agreements already signed with various Western countries. They are a blank cheque if Dokle comes to power. Declaring this wealth, which is now in the hands of Albanians, is not a bad sign for the future of reform but the opposite. It is better to show what one possesses than to have that money pass into the hands of merchant types like P[r]enola, as Dokle’s leaders have done. Naturally Dokle will not like that Albania can now be both wealthy and without socialists in power. The money declared is secured for itself after ’96, while for other years or even within these years this amount will be greater. Thus Dokle’s deception of his fellow citizens will also be greater. And the loss of Albanians if Dokle comes to power will be in the measure of his deception. S.N.

The 5th anniversary of the Republican Party is celebrated Godo - Albania toward the West On 10 January 1991, eleven days after the birth of pluralism and the formation of the Democratic Party, the second opposition party in Albania was also formed, the Republican Party, which was the promoter of the democratic wing and made its contribution to the fight against communism. Yesterday, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the founding of this party, a cocktail reception was held at the Palace of Congresses, attended by politicians, deputies, government officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps. Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi was also present. In his speech before those present, the chairman of the PR, Mr. Sabri Godo, after mentioning the role of the PR in Albanian political life, stressed that for the future everyone must fight so that Albania continues to go toward the West and not return to socialist regimes. RD correspondent

Within the framework of the European Union’s PHARE LIEN Program, the European Commission has allocated a fund for Albania this year to finance the “LIEN Microprojects” program. This program aims to support the activities and efforts of Albanian Non-Governmental Organizations that aim to provide assistance to disadvantaged groups in society, such as women who have limited access to health services, social assistance and employment or who are victims of illness or abuse, to contribute to the social reintegration of the unemployed and marginalized groups, to encourage social and health support for specific groups such as the elderly, the homeless, street children, drug users, etc. The Delegation of the European Commission in Tirana, entrusted with implementing this program, invites all non-governmental organizations and bodies operating in this field to submit their projects to this Delegation by 25/02/1996, which must not exceed the amount of 10,000 ECU.

From the legacy holdings of the PS Minutes of the Political Bureau meeting of the Central Committee of the PPSH, dated 25 and 26 July 1974 p.7