Pope John Paul II, in a condolence telegram he sent to Albanian Archbishop Rrok Mirdita, said that Koliqi was a courageous bishop who proved himself a true witness of the Bible. The telegram also says that, imprisoned and prevented from carrying out his calling as a bishop, Koliqi never allowed himself to be afraid and gave a shining example of constant trust in divine providence, BBC radio reports.

President of the Republic Sali Berisha, amid great interest from foreign and domestic media, held a press conference yesterday at noon at the Palace of Congresses. Taking the floor at the conference, President Berisha said: “In recent days there have been protests in Albania by citizens because of the loss of their money in the pyramid schemes that collapsed. But I would characterize this as a free-market disease. There were abuses for its own interests, but, on the other hand, freedom in Albania openly demonstrated [text unclear] the counters of the Savings Bank and the Commercial Bank, in order to return the money to lenders at a pace that requires not only a very large volume of work but, naturally, responsible citizens, who should bear in mind that this process will be carried out in full; it requires [text unclear] the lenders, the interests of Albanian entrepreneurs, the interests of all Albanian families. Once again, I invite citizens to reflect and realize [text unclear] if the government were to have the mechanism for distribution full. - The date set by the government, 5 February, is the date on which their distribution will begin. The government is considering keeping open every afternoon, that this process will be carried out in full. - No one should think that by lending their money of their own free will, without any state encouragement, they can penalize or hold hostage public order, peace, property, or public assets. Losing money is truly painful. - The violent acts were carried out according to the old platform of the Albanian secret police, under which everything belonging to the enemy must be destroyed. On this principle, the young people who had lost their free vote chose to burn things down. The composition of these groups and their organizers is as follows: leaders and activists of the PS in these districts; everything is fully and completely documented. The groups consist overwhelmingly of former Albanian secret police officers, former criminal police officers of the communist regime, several individuals and representatives of fraudulent foundations, and some ordinary paid troublemakers. What is notable is that the vast majority of these individuals had no money invested in these foundations. Priority for families in great need And they will be able to withdraw it more gradually. I am not directing this appeal to families who are in great need. Let us identify them through all communication and discussion, and we will give them full priority to address the immediate problems they are experiencing. The amount of money is very large for Albania; this is a special opportunity for all those who wish to invest these deposits in fields they consider more interesting, where they can earn more. Very soon [text ends]. Money and the future are built by working, not by destroying I also urge Albanian citizens who have placed their money in the informal market not to let anyone manipulate their despair. destroying. assets. Losing money is truly painful. But under no circumstances is it compensated for by causing further pain. The midday protests in Albania by citizens who lost their money in the collapsed pyramid schemes. But I would characterize this as an illness of freedom. There were abuses of freedom and of its values, but, on the other hand, freedom in Albania showed that it is not sick. On this occasion, I would once again express my full solidarity with all citizens saddened by the loss of their money in the pyramid schemes. I urge them to have complete confidence and not to listen to the fraudsters’ deceptions, because the frozen money in the deposits of the foundations will be returned to the beneficiaries of these foundations on the basis of a law that will ensure the full transparency and integrity of this process. I want to assure Albanian citizens that not a single penny from these deposits will be used for any other purpose than to benefit them. Tellers at the Savings Bank and the Commercial Bank will distribute the money February 5, the date set by the government, is when distribution will begin. The government is considering keeping the teller windows of the Savings Bank and the Commercial Bank open every afternoon so as to return the money to the large volume of work, but also, naturally, responsible conduct, bearing in mind that this process will be completed in full, but without first harming the interests of the lenders themselves, the interests of all Albanian entrepreneurs, or citizens to consider what would happen if the government had a mechanism for distributing all this money within a very short, or shortened, period: through inflation, which would rise to levels that would overwhelm them, they would become victims of a major deception. Then, because of their impatience, the standard of living of all Albanian families would also be harmed, and the plans and projects of all Albanian entrepreneurs and businesspeople would be destroyed. There is no fiercer enemy of poor people than inflation. That is why we are determined to give them their money while guaranteeing and protecting the stability of the lek. There is, however, an option that serves the interests of society and citizens, completes this process quickly, and does not compromise the stability of the lek: this is the citizens’ savings book, which is legal proof of ownership of the money deposited. They will also receive our high bank interest on these deposits. And they will be able to withdraw the money gradually. I am not directing this appeal to families in great need. Let all communities and municipalities identify them, and we will give them full priority in resolving the immediate problems they are experiencing. The frozen amount is very large for Albania. It invest these deposits in whichever fields they consider most worthwhile and where they can earn the most. Very soon, we will introduce a system of free zones in Albania, where citizens will invest without paying taxes and duties. I invite citizens to become participants in the development of these zones and their cities, and I assure you that their money, which is in reality heading for the abyss, will offer them and their future a very high return. I also want to inform you that the government is holding serious negotiations with companies that have investments. It has fully conducted consultations with all the lenders of these companies, in order to study together with experts in various fields the ways and possibilities of easing their difficulties and overcoming them, if possible. I also urge Albanian citizens who have chosen to engage in the informal market not to allow anyone to manipulate or disband them. Money and the future are built through work, not destruction. their own free will, without any state requirement, they can be penalized or hold public order, peace, property, or public assets hostage. Losing money is truly painful. But under no circumstances can that loss be compensated for by causing further suffering. The informal market was not encouraged by the government In recent days, desperate citizens have expressed their anger at the government, although they make up only a small fraction of all those who invested their funds. But I want to assure them that I have felt great sadness at the loss of their money, and I want to be open and honest. The informal market was not encouraged by the government. My government did not encourage it through any mechanism. Continued on page 3

Italian political forces emphasize The two largest center-right parties, Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and Alleanza Nazionale, emphasize the exploitation by Albanian ex-communists of the crisis caused by the collapse of the pyramid schemes, BBC radio reports. Mr. Caputo, responsible for foreign relations at Forza Italia, said on behalf of his party that “the democratic government in Albania may not have shown the necessary vigilance, but the Albanian ex-communists are exploiting this issue far too much, even though it has no political content at all.” “We must try to ensure that the current crisis does not turn into a political crisis,” he continued, “because that could have dramatic consequences, since Albanian post-communists are post-communists in name only.” Mr. Contremale, too, former chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign policy, emphasized what he described as the exploitation of the protest by the Albanian ex-communists. “I think Berisha will succeed,” Mr. Tremalia said, confirming his support.

The CoE General Assembly adopts the report on Albania “The Constitution should be drafted by a committee of parliamentary parties” At its latest meeting, the General Assembly of the Council of Europe considered and adopted the report of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee on Albania. The report assessed Albania’s achievements in organizing its commitments. In the final report, adopted yesterday, the CoE expressed its full support for the Albanian parliament and democratic institutions, and its readiness to provide them with assistance, as before, in efforts concerning the legal framework. Regarding the socialist opposition’s boycott, the CoE reiterated the importance of the socialists’ participation in political life. The report calls on the socialist opposition to return to the Albanian parliament as soon as possible, because political debate takes place only there. For the drafting of a Western-style constitution, the CoE General Assembly called for it to be drafted by a parliamentary committee in which all political parties represented in parliament would take part.

Interview with Zef Preçi, Director of the Albanian Center for Economic Research This could eliminate the creation of an artificial supply that might lead to the devaluation of the lek and rising inflation Page 2

Those who wrecked the “peaceful” rallies in court. Organizers expected to arrive Seven more accused were brought before the court yesterday, and will answer for Sunday’s destruction Page 2