GAMBLING WITH THE PEOPLE’S SWEAT - The former director and former deputy director of the Commercial Bank remain under arrest - What is the accusation? - 1,200,000 dollars have disappeared. - Who was implicated in this mysterious operation?! - What roles did Governor Ilir Hoti and Minister Genc Ruli play in this new scandal? - Is there a connection between this enigma and the «Fake Decoration» that President Berisha received from «A French Institution»?! The representatives of the French embassy were absent from the ceremony. - Should the specialized parliamentary committees and Parliament itself summon Governor Ilir Hoti for an explanation?! - Are the Government of Stability and the Technical Government aware of this problem?! We will try to inform you from time to time about this mystery, a new one following the «currency-exchange enigma» unfolding in our banks. To begin with, we are publishing a copy of the payment order that Bank Governor Ilir Hoti gave to the French citizen NICOLAS ARSIDI, who is also the person who cashed the 1,200,000-dollar cheque, the person who brought the President the «Fake Decoration», and the person who attempted to «collaborate with» the 15-storey Hotel Tirana.

Yesterday morning, PSSH Chairman Fatos Nano received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Albania, Mr Ola Ullsten. During the meeting, the Swedish Ambassador expressed interest in learning about the PSSH platform and political views as an opposition party regarding current developments in Albania. Regarding the PSSH platform, Fatos Nano emphasized that, as a party of the European democratic left, it has three fundamental objectives in its political and parliamentary struggle: First, the building of a genuine state governed by the rule of law, with separate legislative, executive and judicial powers, so as to prevent any recurrence of totalitarian practices that concentrate power in one person’s hands and violate human rights on the basis of political affiliation. Second, the building of a market economy with a social dimension, in which the state undertakes the legal and social protection of all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs, and gives them equal opportunities to exercise free initiative and secure their livelihoods. Third, the conception and implementation of a foreign policy based on partnership, in keeping with the principles of European integration, while protecting independence and the national cause through reciprocal ties based on mutual interest. In keeping with this platform, Fatos Nano presented the Swedish Ambassador with an overview, including explanations and concrete examples of the constructive objectives that the PSSH has put forward in Parliament and in public opinion regarding political and socioeconomic developments in Albania since the 22 March elections. In particular, he emphasized the dangers of the policy of settling scores and designing reforms in a spirit of revenge, which the party in power is implementing in the name of «anti-communism» and under pressure from right-wing extremists. Continuing down this path, which has already failed in most Eastern countries, instead of seeking political and economic solutions that protect the interests of the majority of Albanians, will further deepen social conflicts, paralyse the economy and impoverish genuine integration with the civilized world. The absence of a developed and public anti-crisis programme and market reforms that would put the economy and Albania’s assets into operation, the mechanical implementation of schemes for harsh price liberalization and spontaneous privatization, and casting hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets without social protection are signs that the present Government is incapable of ensuring a normal, accelerated transition towards the future. Fatos Nano also expressed the PSSH’s objections, presented in Parliament as well, concerning the lack of a guiding axis in the present Government’s foreign policy. By neglecting the realities of Albania’s European belonging and the priorities of good-neighbourly initiatives in the region, the Government has placed Albania at the centre of current Balkan contradictions, and beyond. In conclusion, Fatos Nano expressed his full confidence that Albania has the necessary political, intellectual and economic potential to emerge from the crisis and carry out genuine democratic reforms, along the path of tolerance, understanding and fair political competition on a constitutional basis, and through the dispersal of political power. The Swedish Ambassador praised the fruitful exchange of views and the realistic information he received at the meeting, and expressed his wish for continued contacts in the future. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Poliçan. Calm, sacrifice, or anxiety? It seems to me that the latter two dominate the town. One need only mention a fact cited by the mayor, Arshin Tusha: Around 2,000 families are in difficult circumstances. Poliçan has lost its voice. The seven convicted people, who did nothing more than their companions did in stealing bread, are demanding justice, but no one has paid them any heed. Silence, runaround, bureaucracy. It seems as if the government has put Poliçan out to auction. Those in power grow tired and cannot meet the demands they promised to fulfil, so they board planes with their wives and travel the world, while the people of Poliçan wait in agony, gripped by anxiety. What is special about Poliçan? Only its isolation and poverty. On 28 January, a bread loaf was displayed in the shop window, available to buy in slices... The problems of Poliçan would be easier to bear otherwise... [illegible] ... calling them back as before: Get back to work! Has their voice been coloured over, or have their mouths been shut? And where is the promised emigration? Some people from Poliçan have left with their mothers and children. No one knows where they are. The leaflets urging people to take up arms have remained in the drawers of the printing presses. Once there were even fines for those who would not take up arms. Some do not know where their parents are, nor does the Government; their youth cannot be stopped by bullets, let alone heavy fines. Fines do not increase love for the homeland; improved prosperity and the Government’s care do. Poverty forced them to leave their parents’ love behind and go wherever they could, accepting whatever awaited them. They accept fines, handcuffs and even death. This is the help the Government has given the poor people of Poliçan! Poliçan had never before had to buy bread in a shop under the police baton. Only livestock are herded with a stick where they graze, but now the Government has reduced the people of Poliçan to the same status! Worker Naim Ago told us, and... (Continued on page 3)

The Socialist Party of Albania is following with particular concern the deterioration in relations between Albania and Greece, especially the apparent mass return of Albanian economic migrants from this neighbouring country and the incidents connected with it. It notes that this deterioration, which runs counter to the natural development of good-neighbourly relations, has occurred immediately after the visits to Greece by the Foreign Minister, Mr Serreqi, and the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Arbnori. Recognizing the complexity of the situation in the region and the great concern these events are causing among the Albanian public, the Socialist Party of Albania is taking the necessary initiatives to influence the normalization of the situation through high-level party and parliamentary contacts with the Greek side. Tirana, 6.2.1993

Residents of several neighbourhoods in the capital held a meeting a few days ago with Maqo Lakrori, the PS deputy in the People’s Assembly. The meeting was a constructive discussion between the people’s representative in the highest organ of power and voters interested in problems in various political, economic and social fields. In his remarks, the deputy discussed Parliament’s work in reviewing and approving draft laws, whose procedures and contents are now familiar to the public. In most cases, the Government itself or the parliamentary group of the majority obstructs their introduction or consideration. Particularly notable delays have been observed over the past two weeks, as the productivity of the People’s Assembly has fallen considerably. In no few cases, the majority is trying to rewrite history with the green voting card. According to that card, Albania apparently had no liberation day, and likewise the fascist and Nazi occupiers apparently had no collaborators— (Continued on page 4)

The Opera and Ballet Theatre is holding a competition for a clarinetist. Candidates must register with the secretariat of this Institution. Candidates must have completed higher education with a grade of 10 in their specialties and present a program of their choice. The council/commission itself will assign a compulsory program from the performance repertoire, as well as sight-reading. The competition will take place on Friday, 12 February 1993, at 10:30. The Management of the Opera and Ballet Theatre

IN FAVOUR OF MR NICOLA ARSIDI OR MR NICOLA ARSIDI Organizer, Adviser on International Trade 276 Boulevard Saint Germain 75007 PARIS - FRANCE I, the undersigned Director General (Governor) of the State Bank of Albania, Tirana, Albania— NATIONAL LIBRARY TIRANA [text of stamp and document partly illegible] We, the undersigned, Director General (Governor) of the Bank of the State of Albania, Tirana, Albania, appoint and authorize Mr. Nicola Arsidi as our representative, granting him the exclusive right to negotiate, country by country, the progressive settlement of Albania’s foreign debt and to undertake all related commitments in the name of the Albanian State Bank, which is also the Central Bank of Albania. If he considers it useful, Mr. Nicolas Arsidi is hereby authorized, in accordance with these mandates, to transfer this responsibility to a third party, whether a natural or legal person, with first-class credentials. Done in Tirana, in duplicate, on 1 November 1991 THE DIRECTOR GENERAL (GOVERNOR) OF THE ALBANIAN STATE BANK ILIR HOTI Organizer, Consultant in International Trade 276 Boulevard Saint Germain 75007 PARIS - FRANCE I, the undersigned Director General (Governor) of the Albanian State Bank, assume he considers it useful, Mr. Nicola Arsidi is authorized, in accordance with this mandate, to transfer and assign legal person, enjoying first-rate standing. Done in Tirana in two copies, BANK ILIR HOTI

The Socialist Party of Albania is... Serreqi and the Speaker of Parlia-