Yesterday in the People’s Assembly — FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS — Yesterday at 11:00 a.m., the deputies began discussing the main constitutional provisions. At the outset, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Kastriot Islami, proposed approving the provisions in principle. The deputies approved this and then began discussing the individual articles. During yesterday’s working sessions, deputies from the various parliamentary groups made an effort to be as rational as possible. It must be said that a sense of trust and understanding permeated all the discussions and suggestions made by the deputies of the parliamentary groups. In this sense, it was not difficult to conclude that the debates, somewhat “hasty” exchanges, and “breaches” of certain procedural rules were dictated by the deputies’ sense of responsibility to draft and approve a serious, contemporary document that would stand the test of time. From the discussion of Article 1 of the Constitutional Provisions, a willingness emerged to offer opinions, each accompanied by the relevant argument. Around 10 proposals were made, each aiming, to a greater or lesser extent, at precise and complete wording. The deputies of the parliamentary groups supported the most precise and pertinent proposals. Taking the draft submitted as a starting point, further additions were made, in keeping with the new conditions our country has entered and the experience of advanced states. In general, no party divisions were apparent, with the opinion of the PPSH deputies on one side and that of the PD deputies on the other. For Article 2, for example, several proposals were made by different deputies. PPSH deputy Shkëlqim Cani fully supported the remarks of his PD colleague N. Karigqi. Then another PPSH deputy, Fatos Nano, in the interest of being as rational as possible, proposed putting it to a vote; the wording proposed for this article by PD deputy N. Çeka won more than two-thirds of the votes. Articles 3, 4 and 5 were then discussed at length. For Article 3, PD deputy Gramoz Pashko made valuable suggestions. PPSH deputy Hysen Godole and others also spoke on this article. It, too, was approved by more than two-thirds of the votes. In his remarks, PD deputy Genc Ruli made direct observations about the content and wording of Article 4, which concerned bodies elected by the people and responsible to them. PPSH deputy Ismail Lleshi did the same. Despite the other opinions put forward, accompanied by their respective arguments, deputies from the different parties supported the most pertinent versions. Taking the floor, deputy Gramoz Pashko called for the proposals of PPSH deputy Ismail Lleshi and PD deputy Genc Ruli to be put together in writing. These valuable proposals were then joined by that of PD deputy Sali Berisha. PPSH deputy Themie Thomai insisted that all three be put to a vote together, and they were approved by a majority. Regarding the first paragraph of Article 5, which deals with state activity, PD deputy Sali Berisha proposed additions. He was supported by PPSH deputies Shane Korbeci and Xhelil Gjoni, who in turn suggested several additions to the other paragraphs. On this article, several PD deputies, including P. Arbnori and N. Roshik, insistently called for the independence of RTV to be specified, as an impartial institution. In response, arguments were put forward that this matter should not be discussed. RTV, like ATSH and Kinostudio, is a state institution. The second morning session began with a vote on Article 5, which was approved after the relevant additions had been made. The draft of Article 6 was then read out. Many deputies discussed it, including H. Elezi, A. Alushani, I. Dushku, S. Balla, A. Imami and B. Kopliku of the PD. The version submitted in the draft won by a majority of votes—more than two-thirds. In his remarks, deputy Namik Dokle suggested improvements to the first paragraph of Article 7. Deputy Ylli Vejsiu also made a proposal. Other deputies then spoke, including G. Shameti, F. Avdiu, G. Ruli and others. PD deputy A. Imami agreed with the view of PPSH deputy Namik Dokle, suggesting a necessary addition. The debate then continued with opinions from other deputies, including S. Berisha, I. Lleshi, C. Jonuzi and F. Nano. This article, too, was approved, with a majority of the votes cast by all the parliamentary groups. Trust and understanding were especially evident during the discussion of Article 8, which concerns political parties and other organizations. The first observations were made by deputies A. Diba and P. Arbnori. They were supported by PPSH deputy N. Dokle. Deputy A. Kamberi then put forward an idea for making the time as effective as possible. He was supported by PD deputy A. Spahia. After being put to a vote, this article was approved unanimously. It should be emphasized that during the afternoon session, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., when we followed the Assembly’s proceedings closely, there was complete understanding regarding the seven laws discussed and approved. By this we mean that although there were almost no observations or discussions, they were free of political passion, mostly well-argued, and in the end the vote on the articles was almost unanimous. Thus, for example, Article 11, which concerns the economic rights of foreigners in our country, prompted 22 speeches. But in the end there was complete understanding, and the vote was almost a formality. We wish to say that all the deputies agreed and cons... ensus reached. Eleven speeches were also made on Article 12, which concerns the obligations of foreigners when they carry out investment activities in our country. Nevertheless, consensus was again reached, and this article was approved by more than two-thirds of the votes. Article 13, which concerns fundamental human freedoms and rights, sparked extensive debate. In the end, all the deputies agreed to the additions and clarifications made to this law, and the vote was almost 100 percent. This brought to a close the first part of the group of articles contained in the document in question, also known as the “Main Constitutional Provisions.” At this point, deputy Natasha Lako proposed adding an article that was not in the submitted document. This article concerned the removal of party affiliation and political influence from state bodies. The proposal gave rise to extensive discussion. In the end, the following conclusion was reached: the issue raised by deputy Natasha Lako was valid, but the deputies felt unprepared to discuss such an important matter with the seriousness it required. It was therefore agreed that this issue would be discussed later. After a break, the Assembly resumed its work by beginning discussion of the second group of articles, concerning the highest bodies of state power. Article 14, for example, which concerns the People’s Assembly and its duties and powers, had 12 points—or, better said, 12 separate articles. We emphasize that with regard to these 12 points, understanding among deputies from all political forces reached its highest level since the new pluralist Assembly began its work. All the points were approved with the maximum percentage of votes, nearly 99 percent. This is why PPSH deputy Shkëlqim Cani made a suggestion during the session, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., that the vote be recorded as having been carried with nearly 100 percent of the votes. Such a thing is important for the media, especially for radio listeners and television viewers, who should be accurately informed that consensus is complete and that almost all the deputies vote in favor on every important point of this article. Nevertheless, there was also an instance when, on an issue where consensus could have been reached, the voting mechanism was used as many as five times on one article, as happened late last night, around 11:10 p.m., with Article 18. The Assembly will continue its work today at 10 o’clock. BASHKIM KOÇI MUSA ULQINI insisted that it be put to a vote by de-

(Photo: ATSH)

Bureaucracy has been around since the birth of the state. Anyone who has spent time in a directorate carries within them the embryonic life of a bureaucrat. This saying has described eras dating back to ancient Greece and Illyria. Bureaucracy—in our midst: squatting across the entire pyramid of the state. What is it called? Minister, director, chairman, an ordinary clerk who runs you around using the authority they wield. Times become pluralist, and it changes into the fashionable outfit. Bureaucracy reproduces itself regardless of party affiliation, even though some may see themselves as innocent, rosy-cheeked infants of three or four months. Whenever we think of bureaucracy, we get a headache. What did we achieve with the rotation of cadres? We changed the goalkeepers on the same playing field without managing to form a civil servant with professional pride. The rest of the world, by contrast, refreshes its cabinets while civil servants ensure continuity of work. We have witnessed how workers’ control was not infrequently used by managers as tongs to pull roasted chestnuts out of the fire. We flattened salary differentials in management and cultivated a lack of responsibility and initiative. Frequent campaigns taught the bureaucrat to be wily and chameleon-like, turned them into an eel. Where, then, does the magic of their vitality lie? In the old inheritance, or in outside influence? In psychology? We looked everywhere! Yet they had put down their taproot in our excessively centralized system. A villa. An armchair. A car. A visa to travel abroad. Anyone who attacked them from this corner was like a child pelting with stones a tree laden with fruit. They shook it so they could gather the fruit themselves. People would do anything for this profitable economic passport. This made bureaucracy all-powerful. We are designing a new reform, and the first step is to part ways with bureaucracy. Otherwise, it will become a thornbush and the programs will remain on paper. It watches your steps, takes your pulse, blocks the paths and lays traps. These are not conjectures but realities woven into dozens of everyday facts. Democracy has taught us to choose and renew the highest levels of government. Pluralism has made things transparent to the people. The public at large can observe how the will of the majority is implemented. The offices have light and are filled with fresh air. This climate creates an environment that breaks down the great bureaucracy. Meanwhile, an extremely difficult area remains: the middle-ranking bureaucracy in committees, institutions and departments. It watches how times change and how situations unfold. Highly calculating, it adopts the political convictions of the side that wins. Were there not plenty of people like that who appeared as opposition figures on 31 March and, suddenly, a few hours later, kissed up to the victors? This includes that conservative director who thinks he has got away with it this time. It includes that official who worked at the Central Committee and handed in his party card after retiring at age 65, the day I lost my 400 lek from my salary. (No doubt he is looking for them in some other party.) It includes anyone who did not get the promised armchair, which they felt was so close. This is the stratum that quickly reorients itself under any magnetic field of power. It scrambles to preserve its few privileges and its incompetence. Like a thick cork, it does everything it can to block the free movement of ideas, laws and practices up and down. I would call it the true sclerosis of democracy. Here we should mention—limit the visas on the economic passport. It would be appropriate for every administrative unit to be strictly controlled through a wage-fund ceiling, rather than, as until now, adding water and flour. If the crisis we are going through is characterized by administrative spending beyond the economy’s capacity, there is no reason to hesitate to take deflationary measures. The economic barricade shakes bureaucracy like a ripe tree. Wherever possible, the size of administrations should be linked to the achievements of the relevant sector. There is another way, broad-based and reliable: privatization. A bureaucrat who is also a private entrepreneur is a rare exception. In private enterprise, a person is both minister and worker. The bureaucrat flees this path as the devil flees the light. The alarm bells are ringing for them. SHYQYRI MEKA

A look at Shkodra’s farmers’ market It is true that in the city of Shkodra there are no particularly acute shortages in the population’s supply of some basic products such as sugar, oil, rice, flour, pasta, etc. The supply quotas for meat and some other items have more or less returned to the same levels, despite the well-known difficulties. But the situation in the fruit and vegetable outlets is different, and this is not due to negligence on the part of trade workers. The enterprises or agricultural cooperatives responsible for supplying the city with seasonal vegetables are far from being able to meet their potential, and this would have a considerable effect on service to the public. But another factor mitigates this failure to meet targets. What the agricultural enterprises or cooperatives could not provide is being supplied by the farmers’ market. For several days in a row, we observed some parts of this market at close quarters, such as the far end of the city market. We saw seasonal vegetables and herbs there: variety, high quality and freshness. Young onions and garlic, spinach, Swiss chard, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, eggs, kobër, leaves for japrak, fresh cheese, butter, etc. are sold in bulk. More than 15 different items, including salads. And all of these make up, to some extent, for the gap left by the agricultural economies. People often rightly ask: how is it possible that the farmer, with fewer resources than the economy where they work, and fewer tools, etc., gets to market sooner than the economy itself? One thing is clear. The farmer makes plans for spring in the autumn, and is already beginning to think about the next autumn. They do not philosophize on an empty stomach about what should or should not be done; they act practically, clearly calculating today’s and tomorrow’s profit. No one has anything to lose from this. On the contrary. We all feel and enjoy the fruits of the farmer’s practical thinking throughout our state. Therefore, let us thank the farmer and wish them success in expanding their private plot, because next time they will have more, and they will also bring more to the city. But thanking the private farmer does not mean that no criticism should be directed at agricultural economies that fail to meet their obligations to supply the population. This criticism should be felt all the more when even those circles can see that the private farmer’s prices are higher than the state’s, and the shortage of goods in the retail outlets makes it possible to raise prices even further. This, willingly or not, affects everyone’s well-being. BEDRI ISLAMI

Year I (48th year of publication) Saturday, 27 April 1991 No. 100 (13 356) Price: 30 qindarka

On the work carried out by the Special Parliamentary Commission appointed by the People’s Assembly to follow the progress of the investigations into the events in Shkodra on 1 and 2 April 1991 Late the night before last, the deputies heard a report prepared on the events in Shkodra and presented by the Chairman of the Commission—the chairman of the parliamentary commission established specifically for this issue, its deputy Ali Alushani. We publish this report below. The Special Parliamentary Commission, composed of deputies Ajll Alushani, Fatmir Myftiu, Vice-Chairman Vasil Kalo, Secretary Pashk Kola, Islam Gjoka, Ilir Dushi and Vasi... Davi, Petraq Galla, Hyrri Dalipaj, etc., as members, in the ab... ...sence of deputy Thoma Migo, who was unable to attend the Commission meeting for valid reasons, began its work on 20 April 1991. Aware of its great responsibility, and of the need to inform the People’s Assembly as soon as possible, as well as the public of Shkodra and the whole country, the Special Parliamentary Commission conducted its work in a spirit of understanding and complete unity among its members. After preparing its work program, the Special Parliamentary Commission held a series of important meetings. On 21 April 1991, it heard reports from the Chairman of the General Council, Qemal Lame, and the Prosecutor General, Rapit Mino. It was given a broad account of the work carried out by these bodies to investigate and clarify the events in the city of Shkodra. After that, on 22 and 23 April 1991, the Commission held several meetings in the city of Shkodra to learn at first hand about the events of 1 and 2 April and what followed, the investigations conducted, and the general situation in the city after these events. It met with the Executive Committee of the district KP, including the vice-chairman and secretary of this committee, comrades Lutfi Troshani and Esma Ulqinaku. The heads of the district’s internal affairs bodies also took part in this meeting. In addition, the Commission held a separate meeting with the Special Investigative Group and the General Prosecutor’s Office, heard their reports, asked them for explanations regarding the work carried out, and insisted on the need to resolve the case as quickly as possible and hold those responsible accountable. The Commission then met with representatives of the various political forces, the district’s social organizations, and representatives of civil society. (Continued on page 2)

These days, the Albanian government delegation, which is in Italy to discuss the recent Albanian emigration, made several working visits to the cities of Bari and Brindisi, as well as to the provinces of Monopoli, Greqia and Kalkar Korvino, where it spoke with the local Italian authorities and became familiar at first hand with the lives of our fellow citizens who have been in Italy for some time. In Bari and Brindisi, the Albanian delegation was received by the prefects of these cities, Dr. Nikola Marisi and Dr. Antonio Barrel, as well as by other senior authorities of these cities. At these meetings, which were also attended by mayors from the surrounding areas of Bari and Brindisi where some of the Albanian citizens have been settled, the delegation learned about the concrete problems concerning the present and the future, and discussed ways to resolve them. During the discussions, particular importance was given to problems related to the swiftest possible integration of our compatriots into Italian life, finding them employment, and family reunification— (Continued on page 4)