Today the court will review the detention measure against Sabit Broka Accused of being the initiator and instigator of the events in Vlora and of involvement in the “Albanian Revenge for Justice” group According to well-informed sources in the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, Sabit Brokaj has been detained as a suspect and instigator of the armed shifts in Vlora. A report submitted by SHIK to the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office indicates that the opposition leader was implicated in the notorious “Albanian Revenge for Justice” group, and was also the initiator of the crime behind the recent unrest in the city of Vlora. A few days ago, the National Intelligence Service requested permission from the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, in accordance with all the legal rules provided for by Albanian legislation, to intercept Brokaj’s telephone calls. After the phone was tapped, it emerged that the detainee, in the role of assistant and instigator, had contributed to the creation of armed shifts to oppose public order through violent acts against people’s lives, health and personal freedom, and against property, with the aim of spreading fear and insecurity among the population. Page 2

The expanded National Council of the Democratic Party met No coalition with the red terrorists, with those who, through macabre scenarios, shamelessly and criminally exploited the misfortune of people who lost their money, their savings, in fraudulent pyramid schemes; who incited terror, set fire to municipalities and state institutions, and tried, using Stalinist methods, to overthrow the legitimate government elected by the free vote of Albanians, thereby creating a dangerous precedent for the country’s future, for the future of democracy and the prosperity of Albanians. This was stressed yesterday at the expanded meeting of the National Council of the Democratic Party. , with those who, through macabre scenarios, shamelessly and criminally exploited the misfortune of people who lost their money, their savings, in fraudulent pyramid schemes; who incited terror, set fire to municipalities and state institutions, and tried, using Stalinist methods, to overthrow the legitimate government elected by the free vote of Albanians, thereby creating a dangerous precedent for the country’s future, for the future of democracy and the prosperity of Albanians. This was stressed yesterday at the expanded meeting of the National Council of the Democratic Party. At yesterday’s meeting, the grave situation that had arisen following the collapse of fraudulent pyramid schemes—which had seriously harmed hundreds of thousands of families in the way they manage their money—was discussed with a strong sense of responsibility. Of course, we will be completely open, completely transparent, and sincere with the people, and we will do everything so that Albania can successfully continue its discussion of… PDSH Chairman Tritan Shehu speaks after the National Council meeting The fastest possible solutions to minimize the damage the terrorist groups, those who have nothing in common with Albanians’ aspirations to live better. In general, therefore, the necessity of a total mobilization of the PD’s structures was emphasized, so that it could contribute not only to restoring order and calm, but also to gathering the views of people at the grassroots level on how they believe their economic losses can best be addressed and minimized. It was decided that another meeting of the National Council would be held soon, after the views of the PD’s grassroots had been gathered; the situation and responsibilities would then be analyzed in greater depth. There, the government would undoubtedly present a more detailed program for minimizing the damage caused. — Was the government criticized, and were its responsibilities discussed?

Announcement of the Ministry of the Interior He was shot dead with an automatic firearm in front of his home Announcement of the Ministry of the Interior A police officer killed in Vlora He was shot dead with an automatic firearm in front of his home Yesterday, 12 February, at around 18:00, in a neighborhood of the city of Vlora, police officer Shezai Zani his home, announced Ndreke Gjini, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior. An investigative team went to the scene and is investigating the cause, circumstances and perpetrator of the incident.

The State Department on the situation in Albania The images of attacks on police officers and clashes between police and protesters in Vlora were very troubling to us. Nothing is gained through this kind of violence.

fraudulent pyramid schemes—which had seriously affected the circumstances of thousands of Albanian families—was discussed with a strong sense of responsibility. The meeting discussed the possible options for getting through the situation with as few consequences as possible and expressed deep solidarity with the affected families. The Democratic Party will do everything; the Albanian government will do everything possible to ease the consequences of the losses incurred and to restore normal life for Albanian families as soon as possible, since the Democratic Party is the only serious political force proven capable of overcoming the situation and guaranteeing the future of democracy and progress in Albania. For it was the Democratic Party that overthrew the harshest dictatorship in barbaric Europe; it was the party that set the country on the path of democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration, carried out a profound economic reform, and under its government Albania achieved notable successes, acknowledged and welcomed by the most important European and international institutions. Albania, the country that the Stalinist dictatorship had reduced to the poorest in Europe, was ranked among the leaders in economic growth among post-communist countries. Naturally, the Democratic Party does not evade its responsibility for the situation created by the collapse of fraudulent pyramid schemes. The government and state institutions, as well as the mass media, should have warned citizens about the warnings and the risk posed by the companies themselves. But in a free-market economy, individuals are also responsible for how they manage their money. Of course, we will be completely open, completely transparent, frank and sincere in our dialogue Albania can successfully continue its democratic and market-economy development. But we will never reconcile ourselves with those who provoke violence, those who set fires and cause destruction, those who, over lost seats, are ready to set Albania ablaze and bring catastrophe upon it. The Democratic Party was formed as a democratic party and will always remain one. It will not allow democracy and Albania to remain hostages in the hands of the red mafiosi and certain anti-Albanian circles seeking to shackle and hold this country’s future hostage. We will resolutely continue the path we have begun, deeply convinced that we will find understanding and support among the Albanian electorate. We are a party of freedom, a party of civic and human values, a profoundly democratic party. We are not a party of violence, but we are determined not to allow terrorist violence to hold the values of freedom and democracy hostage. At the same time, we are aware of our mistakes and difficulties. Most importantly, we are determined to correct them and improve and strengthen ourselves, never abandoning our mission and fundamental principles. At yesterday’s meeting, it was decided that all PD structures should meet and engage in open and sincere dialogue with the people, explaining the situation that has arisen to them with complete transparency and the necessity of overcoming it. What was discussed today at the National Council? Today, at the meeting of the National Council together with the group of deputies, the situation in the country following the collapse of several pyramid foundations or the suspension of the activities of the “Gjallica” company was discussed extensively. The discussion took place in a spirit of responsibility and with the desire to minimize the harm suffered by citizens as a result of what happened. It was also held with the desire to convey messages of peace and messages urging people to respect the rules, laws and public order as the only paths that not only minimize the damage but also ensure Albania’s development along the road of democracy, a market economy and integration. Terrorism, vandalism and acts of violence carried out by certain segments of the extreme left were strongly condemned; these clearly had no other purpose than to obstruct Albania’s development and destabilize the country. They are connected to their Marxist-Leninist mentality of struggling to seize power. On the other hand, the Democratic Party also clearly demonstrated its readiness for dialogue with various political forces, to hear and take in their views and work together to find ways of addressing the economic damage inflicted on Albania. I believe we offered some concrete things, particularly transparency: full transparency regarding the financial situation of the foundations or the Gjallica company, both within state structures and before the special parliamentary commission. The discussion also addressed how to minimize the economic damage in general by encouraging and supporting those facing the greatest difficulties—such as with their housing and employment problems, support for small businesses, or assistance to the particular areas most affected, such as the Vlora area by Gjallica, to develop its private sector and specific activities. Responsibilities were assigned and ideas were put forward for a broader long- and medium-term program, which the government will undoubtedly implement soon to minimize the damage caused by the collapse of these foundations. But I stressed once again that there had been an extensive and clear discussion of the role the Democratic Party’s structures should play, and of the full mobilization of its sections to raise people’s awareness and explain clearly what we will do, and the necessity of distinguishing and immediately separating populism from

necessity of distinguishing and immediately separating populism from in order to minimize their economic damage as much as possible. grassroots had been gathered, and that it would analyze the situation and responsibilities in greater depth. There, the government would also present a revised, more detailed program for minimizing the damage caused. — Was the government criticized, and were its responsibilities discussed? — Naturally, there were also criticisms of the government. This is normal, and we have always said that although the government was not involved in this matter and cannot be accused of causing or creating this situation, it does bear some responsibility for the transparency issues for which it has been criticized. In other words, it should have made the danger of this phenomenon more transparent to the population. But ultimately, the Albanian government was the one that froze the money held in the deposits of these foundations, making it possible to return some of the money which, in another scenario, would have disappeared and would not have been returned to the pockets of those who had put their money into these foundations. I believe this was the Albanian government’s action that initially helped minimize the damage. — If these events had not taken place in Vlora, would you have expressed the same views at the National Council? — Certainly. The situation throughout Albania was addressed, since this situation affects all of Albania. Of course, attention was also focused on Vlora, since Vlora has naturally been more affected by this problem, particularly as a result of the collapse of the Gjallica company. — Will there be elections for Vlora? — The government will make every effort to minimize the economic damage caused and to create every opportunity for the citizens of Vlora, so that Vlora can develop economically. This will be done first by ensuring that Gjallica can resume its activities, through a clearer government program, and by securing special opportunities and tax relief for Vlora so that the damage can be recovered. There will also be other programs addressing the problem of the homeless, those who lost their homes as a result of this activity, and those who were affected most severely. — Do you repeat your call for talks with the opposition? — Certainly, I repeat it, and I consider the views of the other parties and the opposition parties very important for resolving the problem. If anyone else has more concrete solutions or clearer ideas, let them tell us. We are open and welcome them. But as far as I can see, up to now no one has offered more concrete ideas or more accurate proposals for minimizing the economic damage. The opposition has only speculated and politically manipulated this event in order to destabilize Albania, create anarchy, and carry out its fixed idea, dating from 23 March ’92, of coming to power by undemocratic means. — You have invited the opposition to dialogue before, but it did not respond. Do you think it will respond this time? — I hope and believe that this time the opposition will act more reasonably. — And if they refuse? — Then the responsibility will be theirs. We will continue on our path to solve the problem and minimize the damage caused by the collapse of the pyramid companies. What was discussed today at the National Council?

Nothing is gained through this kind of violence. In an interview given to the radio station “Voice of America,” Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Timothi Wirth said that Washington was very concerned about the situation in Albania. In the interview, he said that nothing is achieved through violence except the obstruction of political and economic reforms. Mr. Wirth said that the United States had called for a roundtable to resolve Albania’s economic and political problems, but so far, he added, little had been done in this regard. Mr. Wirth urged all sides to sit down at the table with constructive and conciliatory positions. Regarding the issue of assistance, Wirth said that the International Monetary Fund had offered Albania help with the current economic crisis caused by fraudulent schemes, and called on the Albanian authorities to heed the advice of experienced IMF officials. Wirth said that the United States was becoming increasingly concerned about outbreaks of violence in Albania and, in the strongest terms, was calling on the Albanian government and all Albanian political leaders to jointly appeal for restraint. Nothing is gained through this kind of violence. The political problems caused by the collapse of the pyramid schemes are creating anxiety and hardship throughout the country. It is understandable that tempers have flared. But there is no doubt that violence is not the way to solve problems. The United States,” he said, “has repeatedly called for roundtable discussions to resolve the problems and has put forward various proposals for such a table. So far, in this regard, we have seen only very, very small steps.” In this regard, we believe that such initiatives as roundtables can succeed only if all parties come to the table with a constructive and conciliatory attitude. We are pleased that all the main political parties called on their supporters to remain peaceful, and we hope that the developments over the past weekend will not mark a departure from this commitment. Mr. Wirth said that recently the IMF had offered assistance to the Albanian government. The IMF and the World Bank, he added, have experience worldwide in dealing with every kind of economic problem; therefore, he would like the Albanian government to heed the advice offered by these important international institutions. Any request by the Albanian government for technical assistance from the United States, Mr. Wirth emphasized, would be assessed according to its importance and when it was made. In general, however, he added, we believe that the IMF and the World Bank are the appropriate organizations to provide assistance to the Albanian government and financial institutions, and to help it resolve the economic problems caused by the pyramid schemes. Mr. Wirth said that the United States was concerned about the obstacles that unrest and tension were creating for Albania’s political and economic reform process. “It is clear,” he said, “that this creates problems, so we hope that things will calm down and that all of this will be overcome through a peaceful and vigorous program of political roundtables. All parties,” Mr. Wirth stressed, “must enter into talks with one another and find solutions at this time of economic crisis. The Albanian government,” he added, “understands this, and our hopes are for a peaceful process that will continue to advance political and economic reform.”

In tomorrow’s issue of the “RD” newspaper, we will publish President Berisha’s speech delivered at yesterday’s meeting of the enlarged National Council of the Democratic Party. Because last night’s meeting ended late, we were unable to prepare it for today’s issue.