Reorganization of the banking system in support of the rapid development of the economy On January 1 of this year, the operation of the branches, agencies and banking offices of the National Commercial Bank (BKT) and the Agricultural Commercial Bank (BTA) was transferred under the authority of the Savings Bank (BK). Under this reorganization, the National Commercial Bank will have 8 branches out of the 31 currently in operation and 8 agencies out of the 14 currently in operation. The Agricultural Commercial Bank, meanwhile, will have 7 branches out of the 33 currently in operation and 2 agencies out of the 31 currently in operation. “There are 22 BKT branches, 23 BTA branches, as well as 53 agencies and 120 banking offices, which are being transferred to the BK, with the aim of increasing the market value of these banks; meanwhile, in the country’s 8 main districts, BKT and BTA will retain their branches,” says the Director General of the Savings Bank, Vebi Bakalli. According to him, “the restructuring of these banks is being carried out within a defined legal framework, with the primary aim of accelerating the privatization of the state banking network, making the banks more attractive to potential strategic investors.” The Director General of the BK also stressed that the restructuring is not intended to reduce banking services, but “to expand them and improve their quality.” Page 2

Parashqevi Simaku returns from America after five years “to repay her debts” to the country that made her a singer How did America receive Simaku? America is a “friendly country.” You can make friends there immediately. If you are persistent and entirely focused on a particular goal, doors open for you. I want to emphasize that every beginning is very difficult. Just think of going to a country you have never seen before. I had to start everything from scratch, but since what I have taken away from America is a positive outlook on things, I want to share the positive side and not dwell too much on the negative. Never, never look back; always hope and pursue your ideal. I want to add one fact that cannot be overlooked: my difficulties were terrible, but when you have a wonderful community close by, such as the Albanian-American community, you find the strength to overcome them. Page 5 SIMAKU Page 5

The President of Bulgaria, Zhelju Zhelev, said today that early elections are the only way out of the major crisis currently weighing on his country. “An exit from the very serious situation we face can be achieved only through the organization of early elections,” Zhelev told the Paris newspaper “Le Monde.” “Our country needs reforms that must be far broader than those proposed by the current political forces,” he said. The interview was published as opposition protesters, determined to oust the power of the ex-communist Party, clashed with police in Sofia after security forces managed to break through the parliament’s 10-hour blockade. An opposition leader there said that emergency talks between Zhelev and the security chiefs, including opposition leaders, had ended without agreement. In his interview, Zhelev said that “the first thing we must do is amend the constitution, because if the economic transition fails, that is partly because the system of government is no longer appropriate.” “Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic, like those that existed in Europe between the two world wars. What we need is a semi-presidential system, like the one in France.” “In Bulgaria, people are hungry and without hope. Anything is possible, and the actions of the population are impossible to predict,” Zhelev stressed. ATSH

An absurd fabrication by the newspaper “Koha Jonë” Under the bombastic headline “The ‘VOA’ base steals the ‘RD’ painting,” the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” now specialized in covert slander, added yet another shameful act to its record, this time slandering a colleague who has worked at the newspaper for a long time. The author of the text, a pervert who has lost his parents’ socialist inheritance, and who vainly tries to have have be, invents banal stories about the disappearance of paintings of great value and tries to implicate someone’s name in his own hallucinations. We clarify for the benefit of “KJ” that the painting in question is in the “RD” storerooms and was taken off the wall because we are carrying out some repairs to the building. Herë dhe së është hequr nga muri pasi po bëjmë disa riparime në godinë. Herë dhe se jemi të kujtojmë lexuesit se nuk kemi ndërmend të merremi me banalitetet e tij, që s’janë të denja as për mehanet e jo më për një gazetë serioze.

Xhaferri in Rome During his visit to Rome, the Democratic Party’s Secretary for Public Relations, Ferdinand Xhaferri, was received by Ambassador Umberto Vatani, Chief of Staff to Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Albania’s ambassador to Italy, Mr. Pandeli Pasko, also attended the meeting. Xhaferri gave a brief overview of the main democratic changes in Albania and expressed his gratitude for the comprehensive and continued assistance provided to Albania by the Italian Government and this country’s political forces. He stressed that one of the main priorities of the Democratic Party’s work in Albania is to consolidate institutions and continue reforms in all fields. The DP Secretary explained that the previous Albanian parliament had adopted more than 400 laws and that, with the existing package of constitutional laws, there is currently no vacuum in this area. However, he stressed the importance being placed on preparing the constitution and presented the DP’s view that the new constitution should be drafted in parliament and then approved by referendum. At this point, Ambassador Vatani noted the similarity between this procedure and those followed in Italy in such cases. Ambassador Vatani confirmed the great importance Italy attaches to relations with Albania and, while praising Albania’s achievements in various fields, said that at this pace Albania is rapidly drawing closer to the family of the European Union. He also spoke about the economic assistance that should be provided to Albania so that it can make use of both its favourable geographical position and its natural resources. Regarding the situation in Kosovo, Ambassador Vatani stressed the pressure that international diplomacy should bring to bear on the Serbs. Among other things, Ambassador Vatani also spoke about the preparations under way for Prime Minister Meksi’s forthcoming visit to Rome. both its favourable geographical position and its natural resources. Ambassador Vatani confirmed the great importance Italy attaches to relations with Albania and praised Albania’s achievements in various fields.

Brojka in Brussels - At its meeting in Brussels, the EUCD described the DP’s two victories in the central and local elections as victories for Albanian and European democracy - The EUCD President will visit Albania soon The EUCD meeting in Brussels the day before yesterday concluded its proceedings. The meeting was attended by the PDSH Secretary for Foreign Relations, Mr. Albert Brojka. At this meeting of European right-wing parties, participants discussed the report by President Vin Van Velzen, which focused mainly on his visits to Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. They also discussed the report by Secretary General Klaus Vele and the results of the EUCD’s 25th Congress, held in Ljubljana in October last year. One of the main topics addressed at the meeting was the development of democracy in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. On this occasion, the Democratic Party’s victory in the central and local elections was described as a great victory for Albanian democracy and beyond. All participants welcomed this victory; they also called for greater support for democratic forces in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in Bulgaria and Poland, where the left is in power. Greater support for right-wing forces in Romania was called for following Konstandinesku’s victory. In his remarks, the PDSH Secretary for Foreign Relations, Mr. Albert Brojka, gave an overview of the political situation in Albania. He said the DP’s election victory was a victory for democracy and all Albanians, a victory for the reforms carried out so far and for the DP’s programmes for the year 2000. The meeting confirmed the achievements of the European political groups EPP, EUCD, EDU and CDI during the past year. In this context, the DP’s election victory was commended. The meeting scheduled a gathering of the leaders of the parties of Central and Eastern Europe in Luxembourg in July this year. During his stay in Brussels, Mr. Brojka met with the mayor of Brussels, Mr. Fransua de Donnea. They discussed local government issues, such as the financial and legal decentralisation of local government and its relationship with other levels of government. At Mr. Brojka’s invitation, the mayor of Brussels will visit Tirana.

1996, a year of important transformations in the reform of the Albanian army Page 3

Xhaferrt in Rome

Brajka in Brussels