Transparency—the first step toward nationwide understanding of the reform We have received a great deal of information in the newsroom indicating that the fees announced by the government for some services are inaccurate. The actual fees for telephone services, transport, etc. are much higher than those announced, which are being manipulated with the language of sinners. What is the truth? In upcoming issues, we will report on this matter.

- So far, land allocation across the district has been completed to the extent of 92 percent. Land has been granted in accordance with the law, and is generally being worked, in 33 villages representing 7,000 hectares and 4,300 families. - In the villages of Borsh, Kulluricë, Dhivër, land allocation has been carried out, but there have been violations of the law and disputes. There are also problems with the agricultural cooperatives (NB) on the coast, in Xarë and Vurg. - Land title deeds have been issued for 15 percent of the villages, representing 1,550 hectares and around 900 families. - Three of the district’s 11 agricultural cooperatives (NB) have embarked on the path to privatization. So far, 60 hectares of land have been transferred into ownership and a further 10 hectares into use. Livestock has been sold off completely in 6 NB. In these latter cooperatives alone, more than 14,000 small livestock and over 600 head of cattle have been sold—animals that would otherwise have been at risk of dying in the winter. The sale of state-owned facilities is continuing; more than 28 million lekë have been allocated so far, and work continues to inventory the orchards in those NB that are to be privatized. - Documentation has been completed in 15 villages (minutes drawn up), but title deeds have not yet been issued; in another 13 villages, the minutes are nearing completion. - The information broadcast on television about the delay in land allocation in the district of Sarandë is inaccurate, tendentious and maliciously intended. THOMA THANO member of the land allocation commission in the district of Sarandë.

Yesterday at midday, the new printing press named “Demokracia” was inaugurated in Tirana. It was a gift from the International Media Fund in the USA to the Albanian democratic press. Journalists and press workers, the printing press’s funders and builders, members of the People’s Assembly, etc. attended the ceremony held on this occasion. Also present were President of the Republic Sali Berisha, director of the foundation The International Media Fund Marvin Stoun, US Ambassador to Tirana Ulliam Raierson, etc. After the speeches, those present toured the new printing press’s facilities and witnessed it being put into operation for the first time. The printing press is owned by seven Albanian newspapers: “Rilindja demokratike”, “Republika”, “Alternativa SD”, “Sindikalisti”, “Bashkimi”, “Drita” and “Zëri i rinisë”. Other materials will also be printed there. The printing press is computerized and uses offset printing. Its capacity is 25,000 copies per hour. Initially, it will print in black and white, and later in other colors as well. The printing press cost more than one million dollars to build.

Yesterday morning, an international seminar on the press and radio and television began in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, organized by the Soros Foundation. Journalists from the ATSH and RTV organizations, as well as from various Albanian press outlets, and many journalists from different European countries and the USA are taking part. Members of the parliamentary committee for the press and information were also present, among others. At yesterday morning’s session, foreign journalists Janosh Ho- Horvart from Hungary, Ned Kold from the USA, Julie Flint from Great Britain and Konstanti Gebert from Poland gave presentations to the journalists. Their presentations were followed by discussions among those present. In the afternoon, the seminar continued with further presentations and discussions. The seminar will continue until 6 February. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

Socialist MPs talk with the electorate Recently, meetings between Socialist MPs and the electorate have become more frequent. Priority is given especially to the electoral districts where they ran in the elections of 22 March. These meetings are often organized at the request of residents of those districts. In recent days, MP Musa Ulqini organized a meeting with residents of the electoral district in Tirana where he had been a candidate for parliament in the elections of 22 March. During this discussion, which lasted nearly two hours, those present asked many questions and made suggestions concerning the work of the People’s Assembly and the Socialist parliamentary group. One of the issues that concerned those present most was the revival and strengthening of right-wing revanchist forces in Albanian political life. This revanchism is manifested particularly in the stance taken toward the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War of the Albanian people. [The source text is unclear here: “Luftës Antifashiste Nacional-Çlirimtare të popullit shqiptar nga mazhoranca demokratike në parlament...”] This stance by the democratic majority in parliament is fully embodied in some of the laws passed so far by the Assembly. Speaking about this negative phenomenon, MP Ulqini cited several significant facts. The DP deputies, he stressed, refused to vote in favor of a day commemorating Albania’s liberation. It is not true that the debate in parliament was about the date of liberation, namely 29 November 1944. No. The debate was about whether or not Albania should have an official holiday on the day of liberation, regardless of whether that date was 29 November or another date. When the draft law on veterans disabled in the Anti-Fascist War was put to a vote, the DP deputies voted against including in the list a draft law concerning the armed collaborators who joined forces with the Nazi-Fascists and committed many crimes against the civilian population and supporters of the National Liberation War, as on 4 February, etc. Likewise, at the insistence of the democratic majority, all collaborators with the occupiers were granted full amnesty. Meanwhile, those who were imprisoned for crimes committed during the war and who did not manage to flee with the Nazis will receive multiplied pensions and compensation. Those present stressed that such positions toward the Anti-Fascist War of the Albanian people, recognized also by the three great powers—the USA, England and the USSR—not only devalue those who fought the liberation war, but also greatly intensify political life in the country. This position toward the Anti-Fascist War has nothing in common with democracy. [The source text reads: “vendet e mërfíllta demokratike”] democratic countries honor anti-Fascist fighters and condemn collaborators with the Nazi-Fascists everywhere. (Continued on page 4)

Whether they support reform, understand reform, or obstruct reform, these are used very effectively by those in power to make party corrections and additions in the state apparatus and enterprises, even in institutions and workplaces, by the hand of (Continued on page 2)

As part of the aid program that the Turkish government is providing to Albania, on February 1, 1993, aboard the ship «Gjrokastra», 1,900 tons of flour worth 830,000 dollars arrived at the port of Durrës. The arrival of aid that the Turkish government is sending to the friendly and brotherly Albanian people will continue in the coming months as well.

Two new MPs take the oath. Yesterday, the substitutes Ismet Ferizi and Galip Ramalli took the oath and took their seats in parliament as MPs. They were appointed by the PD parliamentary group on the basis of the multi-name list to replace Natasha Lako and Napo-lor Roshi, who have resigned. There are reports that Ms. Lako is going to join her husband, who has been appointed to a diplomatic post somewhere in Europe, while Mr. Napolon himself has been appointed to such a post. Both newly arrived MPs come from Kavaja. Mr. Ferizi also served in the previous parliament. Law on the salaries of judges, prosecutors and investigators approved For about two and a half hours, parliament discussed and approved the above-mentioned law, which has three articles. The constitutional provisions had already stated that the salaries of judges, prosecutors and investigators were to be set by law. This is justified by the great importance of the judicial power. In his speech, MP Fehmi Abdiu stressed that these salaries must be such as to prevent any corruption. «The state,» he said figuratively, «must pay justice officials dearly, and when they do not deserve— (Continued on page 4)

According to the report of the Council of Ministers and the explanations given by specialists during the review of this draft law, «On the development of areas with tourism priority», in the finance and economy committee, the government aims to create the possibility of a comprehensive legal regulation of economic relations in the tourism sector; to implement a policy of incentives for investors, especially foreign investors, in developed areas; and to regulate institutional legal relations by establishing the Tourism Development Committee, in order to eliminate bureaucratic delays, speculation and corruption in the exploitation of this sector. While hoping that, with the approval of this draft, with which I agree in principle, the government’s aims will become reality, I would also like to express some views on the draft and on the development of tourism in our country, in order to help educate the Albanian people, which is what we are discussing. First, tourism develops through a clear state policy and strategy, supported by comprehensive legislation. If we start from what we have all accepted—that tourism, alongside agriculture, is a primary sector for bringing the economy out of the crisis and deep stagnation in which it has been gripped for years—then we are right to draw the government’s attention to the delay in presenting this draft law, just as there has also been a delay in approving the tourism development policy and strategy. Laws regulating economic and legal relations in the field of tourism should have been among the first laws approved by this pluralist assembly. I emphasize this because the months are passing, indeed a year is nearly gone, and the improvements in tourism services are very small compared with the existing potential. Nevertheless, as the first legislative act, when compared with tourism policy and strategy—which, as we know, is being prepared by the Ministry of Tourism—we learn that this draft has been drawn up on the basis of new concepts within the framework of economic reform and restructuring. However, under no circumstances should we accept the conclusion stated in the report that it fully resolves, in legal terms, economic relations in the diverse field of tourism activity. The draft law under review resolves only part of these relations: those concerning the construction, reconstruction and improvement of tourist hotels and their annexes in designated areas. This draft law does not regulate the economic and legal relations arising from productive and commercial activity, which are also the most important aspects of the tourism business. It is true that, from the monist regime, the country inherited neither a tourism industry nor any legislation for it, but we are not starting from nothing either. What is being done with the tourist hotels we have, with those tourist villages bought with foreign currency in recent years, and with the many tourist sites at our disposal? Before thinking about the future—and rightly so—the Ministry of Tourism, established specifically for this purpose, has a duty to bring the tourism facilities currently at the country’s disposal into full operation. The country’s dire financial and foreign-currency situation demands this. The high prices for both accommodation and food in tourist hotels are not justified by the relatively low standard of service and cleanliness, or by the lack of basic supplies, water, electricity and heating. These are reasons why foreigners prefer the private sector, even though it is only in its early stages. It is the duty of this ministry to consider and prepare, alongside the other legislation, legislation that places private tourism services, which are flourishing— (Continued on page 3)

And will foreign tourists come to Albania this year? For two years now, along with the song “Will you come to the beach this year?”, we have also lost our summer holidays. The reason is well known: high prices! This year they are even more prohibitive. What about foreigners? They are not so foolish as to throw their money away either, because the prices set by the Ministry of Tourism are far too high for them as well. To see this for themselves, let them compare the prices of our hotels with those in Greece, Italy and Macedonia. For example, the prices at the hotels “Metropol”, “Desaret” and “Granit”, among the best in Ohrid, do not exceed 30 dollars for one night. That includes not only accommodation but also breakfast, lunch and dinner, and service too. There is nothing broken or damaged anywhere in the premises, while the radio, television, telephone and hot-water shower work “Non stop”. We repeat: the price is 30 dollars per person. At our hotels, although everything is missing, the price is still very high: 30 to 90 dollars just to sleep. The same again for food, so that is 60 to 180 dollars a day. The telephone, television and shower do not work even at Hotel Dajti, let alone at the other hotels. Can tourists come under these conditions? And if they do not come, who is to blame? We have opened our doors and have even appointed an entire minister—with a minister at its head—because that is what they call it: a Ministry of Tourism with no tourists. BASHKIM DETI