Interview given by Chairman Rugova to the French newspaper “Figaro” I do not like the expression “minority”; because of it, we have suffered greatly in Yugoslavia. We were the third-largest nation, but we had minority status. In a neutral and independent Kosovo, all the guarantees, historical and economic, would be given to the Serbs and their interests. Page 4

Governor of the Bank of Albania, Kristaq Luniku, on the new issue of the national currency A spokeswoman for hope for Albanians Page 2 The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Kristaq Luniku, told RD yesterday that putting a new issue of the national currency into circulation aims to bring fundamental improvements to the structure of money in circulation, creating a complete, harmonized and effective structure. According to Luniku, the new issue of coins, consisting of denominations of 50 lekë, 10 lekë, 5 lekë and 1 lekë, is the first step in carrying out a project studied by the Bank of Albania since the beginning of 1995. Meanwhile, Governor Luniku does not consider it logical to deny that these changes to the structure of money are related to changes in the budget deficit figures or inflation. The liberalization of prices overturned the fictitious prices, which were divorced from the real value of goods and services and had been part of the centralized economy, and created prices based on cost and the real value of the free market. This led to a several-fold increase in the demand for and supply of money in circulation. This, Luniku explains, is what created the new concept of money’s purchasing power. At this point, there is no longer any consideration of the exchange value of a minimum unit of goods or services using the existing 5, 10, 20 and 50 qindarka coins, since these no longer represent components of prices. This fully demonstrates why these denominations are no longer useful in the structure of the new issue. It is precisely the new exchange value of goods and services that has created the conditions for moving from banknotes to coins in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 lekë. Given their high circulation speed and large quantities, these needs can be met practically and economically only with coin denominations. The privatization of the state economy, a key element of reform, the creation of private businesses, and the large volume and rapid movement of material assets between them have overturned ideas about small denominations and the quantities and value of money, the Governor says. The creation of the free market and the foreign-exchange market has stimulated and accelerated the circulation of our currency to an unprecedented degree, necessitating immediate changes to the denomination structure and quantity of currency. Governor Luniku says that many countries have inherited their denomination structures, and that proposals and changes are not based on any specific formula but are simply empirical adjustments made to respond to and meet the needs of the times. Referring to a questionnaire conducted among all bank branches at the daily level, seeking a preferred and most functional structure of denominations, he says changes are also called for. Of 84 bank branches, Luniku comments, only three requested the 1- and 2-lekë denominations. The Bank of Albania is This issue of coins consists of denominations of 50 lekë, 20 lekë, 10 lekë, 5 lekë ... 1996 national coin issue Characteristics of the metal coins 50 LEKE (1996) Material: copper-nickel (Cu Ni 25), diameter: 24.25 mm, weight: 5.5 g, edge device. Obverse: nominal value and artistic inscription; reverse: inscribed “Republic of Albania”, year of production, and a connected emblem. (Text continues beyond the frame.) 20 LEKË (1996) Material: copper-aluminium-nickel (Cu Al 6 Ni 2)

Six years ago, the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” became a powerful voice of hope for Albanians, a strong support for the democratic movement in Albania, for the Democratic Party, and for all those Albanians who, firmly united around the ideal of freedom, lined up against the dictatorship, which in its agony displayed extraordinary savagery. Dozens of distinguished intellectuals, writers, artists and journalists joined and worked with the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike”, because they saw in RD a platform for freedom, a platform for hope for their future, for the future of Albania and of the Albanians. Six years in the history of a newspaper are not many, but given the circumstances in which the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” appeared, the mission it undertook, and the contribution it has made to denouncing the communist dictatorship—one of the most savage and monstrous dictatorships in postwar European history—and the contribution it has made to overthrowing this dictatorship and securing the victory of democracy in Albania, to institutionalizing free speech, democracy and the rule of law, to economic reform, and to defending the Albanian cause and civic and human values, this short period since the first issue of the newspaper “RD” appeared takes on extraordinary importance and has become a true part of our newspaper’s history. This is because the history of Albania and that of the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike” over these six years of profound change and major developments are closely intertwined. Today, six years after the publication of the newspaper’s first issue, we cannot help but see how the newspaper itself has grown and matured, become more civilized, acquired the characteristics of a genuine newspaper, and secured a very important place in Albania’s media landscape. Through its continual professional growth, its accuracy and commitment to defending free speech and the right to be informed, and its accurate coverage and interpretation of the events that shape our lives from day to day, it has played—and continues to play—a very important role in the emancipation of the free Albanian press. Its sixth year witnessed important moments in Albania’s political life. For the newspaper and for all those who contributed to the victory of democracy in the elections of 26 May and 20 October, 1996 will remain unforgettable. Today, on the sixth anniversary of our newspaper, the newspaper of democracy, free speech and progressive thought, the balance sheet is very positive. The democratic mission of our newspaper has been highly productive, on a scale matching democracy and reconstruction in Albania.

BANK OF ALBANIA

Congratulations on the election of Adem Demaçi as Chairman of the Parliamentary Party of Kosovo We congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the Parliamentary Party of Kosovo and express our confidence that your political commitment will contribute to strengthening the active peaceful movement of Albanians in Kosovo, to achieve the right to self-determination expressed in the referendum, to develop national education, and to invigorate and consolidate the activity of democratic institutions in Kosovo. The Association is a democratic political affiliate Strengthening the movement

democracy in Kosovo and the Association of Former Political Persecutees Democrats On the occasion of your involvement in the activities of Kosovo’s political parties and your election as Chairman of the Parliamentary Party, we wish you well. May your work, together with that of Kosovo’s other distinguished intellectuals, help strengthen the national movement in Kosovo, led by the esteemed President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova. Independent Forum of Intellectuals for the Denunciation of the Crimes of the Communist Dictatorship

With cartoonist Medi Belortaja Gold Prize at the 15th Yomiuri International Cartoon Contest, Tokyo, Japan - 1994 Gold Prize at the 5th Seoul International Cartoon Exhibition, South Korea - 1995 Second Prize at the 2nd Kyoto International Cartoon Exhibition, Japan - 1996 Honorary Prize at the 17th Yomiuri International Cartoon Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan - 1996 Achievement Prize at the 13th Hyrriet International Cartoon Contest, Ankara, Turkey - 1996 “Nastradin Hoxha” Prize at the 1st International Cartoon Exhibition in Antalya, Turkey. Page 5

Interview with Mr. Ridvan Bode, Minister of Finance It is entirely true that our fiscal policy is a very moderate one, and we will continue to pursue this policy in order to encourage domestic investment, to enable a greater share of the population’s savings to go toward investment rather than being transferred to the state budget in the form of taxes and duties, which the state would use for investment, etc., etc. In our country, it has been established that economic strategy is in the hands of the private sector. And we will do everything possible to ensure that they have all the economic and legal means to develop their private economic activity in Albania. Page 3

is This issue of metal lekë, 5 lekë and 1 lekë. These denominations will be put into circulation and will have legal-tender status starting on 1 January 1997. At the same time, coins issued previously will remain in circulation and will remain legal tender until further notice from the Bank of Albania. The 50 lekë, 20 lekë and 10 lekë coins in this new issue are being issued by the Bank of Albania for the first time. This issue of metal coins is being put into circulation at an appropriate time for our economy. The new coins will help improve the structure of money in circulation, both among denominations and in relation to banknotes. Their characteristics make these coins very suitable for use by the public. (Cu Ni 25), diameter 24.25 mm, weight 5.5 g, white colour. Obverse: nominal value and artistic design; reverse: inscribed “Republic of Albania”, the year of production, and engraved with the Illyrian king Gent. 20 LEKE (1996) Material: copper-aluminium-nickel (Cu Al 6 Ni 2), diameter 22.5 mm, weight 5 g, yellow colour. Obverse: nominal value and an artistic crown-shaped and engraved with a Liburnian ship. 10 21.25 mm, weight 3.6 design; the reverse depicts the Castle of Berat[it?], and is inscribed “Republic of Albania” and the year of production. 5 LEKE (1995) Material: iron-nickel, steel core electroplated (Fe Ni 6), diameter 20 mm, weight 3.12 g, white colour. Obverse: nominal value and an olive branch; the reverse is with the Eagle of the Flag. 1 LEKE (1996) Material: copper-zinc (Cu Zn 5), diameter: 18 mm, weight: 3 g, reddish colour. Obverse: nominal value and an artistic crown-shaped design; the reverse and engraved with a pelican.