Who checks up on our government officials? - Is there a special status governing the treatment of the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, etc.? - What budget was allocated for ministers and their escorts travelling abroad, and how much of it was spent? - Who pays for the millions spent by Messrs. Meksi, Arbnori, Uka, Kopliku, Zhulali on their residences (which will soon be privatized)? Transparency, honesty and openness are among the main characteristics of democratic governance. Many lessons have been given and continue to be given. Claiming that we have generally passed through the phase of learning about pluralism and democracy, let us see how some fundamental requirements are put into practice. Let us first consider the status governing the treatment of the country’s principal leaders. The director of the Government Services Directorate, Fatos Fortuzi, tells us that there is a Government BufI decision concerning the three principal figures (the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament), but that it has remained a formality because nobody has asked for it to be implemented. He supports this with the example of the President, who continues to live in I cilëjë. Should the President of a state be treated in the same way as a foreign businessman? What should the relationship be between guests and local escorts, etc.? “We receive the request,” says the director, “we provide the service, while we pass the expenses on to the relevant ministries.” But how much are these expenses? Who checks them? No answer is given to any of these questions. Our ministers travel back and forth abroad. Almost none has failed to go to the USA, not to mention around Europe. The tickets alone cost millions. What budget did the ministries have for travel services and overseas per diems? How much was spent? What is the total amount nationwide? Knock on doors as much as you like; wait outside offices for hours and days. Ask the “brave men” and— It is a fact that the former special clinic, previously converted into residential apartments, is now occupied, or is being prepared for occupation, by Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Pjetër Arbnori, Deputy Prime Minister Rexhep Uka, Minister of Public Order Koçi, Minister of Defence Zhulali, etc. Under the pretext of erasing the “communist smell,” the walls, partitions, floors, parquet flooring and doors have been ripped out and replaced with contemporary work, from flooring and plastering to the bathroom, which alone—with its bathtubs, boilers, bidets, showers and other fittings—costs 1 million. Call on friends and acquaintances, engineers and technicians, electricians and plumbers, economists and accountants, security personnel, and see if you can find out how much the work cost; if you can, you will truly be democrats of the transition. We warn you: the Government Services Directorate’s warehouse and its specialists will stand in your way, even though the director pretends not to know and the accounts have not withdrawn hundreds— (Continued on page 4) ... governmental [official] Fatos Fortuzi tells us that for the three top officials there is a decision by the Bufi Government, but that it has remained a mere formality because no one in a modest apartment on the outskirts of Tirana. He also says that, under the decision, these three public figures were entitled to service staff such as a cook, waiter, cleaner, etc., which they have neither requested nor claim to be entitled to. However, we ask the director whether there is a special status for officeholders regarding how much they may spend on receptions and for... ... left unwritten in the US, let alone in Europe. The tickets alone cost millions; what funds did the ministries have for travel services and allowances abroad? How much was spent? What was the total amount nationwide? You can them for hours and days on end. Ask the “brave” and the “cowards”—you will encounter only smiles and shrugged shoulders... It seemed that behind them stood the Second Directorate, now “reform,” “assistance,” the “SHIK.” Later, an accusation of destructive activities could also follow. To conduct a test, we address citizens quite sincerely, and especially the residents of Tirana.

Who is the Boss of the Dome? GENC RULI SIGNS A MANDATE IN PARIS FOR ARSIDI AS MINISTER OF FINANCE, BEFORE HE HAS EVEN BECOME A MINISTER The fact that it was presented to Parliament In favour of Mr Nicolas Arsidi Organizer-adviser in international trade Germain, Paris 75007. 276, Boulevard Saint - Further to our various discussions, and bearing in mind the preliminary talks and the meetings you will have in your capacity as intermediary in different countries, as we have reached a preliminary mutual agreement, we hereby grant you our approval under the following conditions: - Mr Nicolas Arsidi will provide assistance in support of the economic and commercial development of our bank by seeking investors and other financial organizations. - With regard to the above assistance, we reserve the reciprocal right to accept or reject certain proposals. - This mandate is valid for 12 months. This period may be renewed, unless either party gives notice of termination. Done in Paris in June 1991 in two copies. GENC RULI Minister of the Ministry of Finance. Agim I. Tartari Director of the Legal Department of the Albanian Commercial Bank. Agron Saliu Director General of the Albanian Trade Bank

A few days ago, around midday, writes the newspaper, at the appeal court for the area based in Shkodër. The judicial panel, consisting of Maliq Mëngaj as presiding judge and members Mëring Dragusha and Tatjana Laçaj, had just completed the hearing of the case that had begun that same day against those tried by the court of first instance: Hajrredin Shyti, Çapajev Taçi, Xhemal Dymylja, Dilaver Papare and Gjoke Cela. From the information we received here, we learned that the parties had requested the decision of the court of first instance and the appeals. The defence lawyers presented their submissions, insisting that the defendants in question be acquitted. Meanwhile, prosecutor Mimoza Kajo, in her submission, requested that the decision issued by the court of first instance remain in force, but with the second-instance court individualizing the sentences. A letter from the “Camera” association was also read, calling for the acquittal of former police chief Dilaver Papare, as was a letter signed by Ismet Kryeziu, brother of the martyr Nazmi Kryeziu, which, among other things, requested that Xhemal Dymylja not be deemed guilty and that the real killers be found. The day’s hearing ended there, and the judicial panel announced that the decision would be delivered the following day. And at 8 p.m. the judicial panel announced its decision. The presiding judge, Mr Maliq Mëngaj, explained that Xhemal Dymylja’s family had sent a request (petition), bearing the signatures of many Shkodër citizens, to the President of the Republic and the Court of Cassation, seeking Xhemal Dymylja’s acquittal. “We have formally received this request and taken it into consideration, but, as is known, we do not hear evidence a second time.” (We later learned that this petition had been signed by more than 1000 thousand Shkodër citizens.) While announcing the decision, Mr Mëngaj once again presented the claims of the accused and their defence lawyers, explaining why they disagreed with the decision handed down by the court of first instance. But, he went on to stress, during the examination of this case the judicial panel considered the decision made by the court of first instance in this matter to be legally founded. He then gave a chronology of the events of April 2, linking them also to the actions carried out on April 1. Turning to the circumstances of this tragic event, he stressed that Çapajev Taçi was the main organizer. Hajrredin Shyti was an instigator, while Dilaver Papare and Gjoke Cela were their assistants. Likewise, Xhemal Dymylja, in his capacity as chairman of the district defence staff, had requested, among other things, that day that the division commander be dismissed— (Continued on page 4)

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC MR SALI BERISHA TO THE SPEAKER OF THE PRESIDING BODY OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY MR PJETER ARBNORI TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MR ALEKSANDER MEKSI TO ALL THE TRADE UNIONS OF THE COUNTRY TO ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION ORGANIZATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC MR SALI BERISHA TO THE SPEAKER OF THE PRESIDING BODY OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY MR PJETER ARBNORI TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MR ALEKSANDER MEKSI TO ALL THE TRADE UNIONS OF THE COUNTRY TO ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION ORGANIZATIONS The scandalous incident in the Fier district, which follows the events involving the police, in Bulqizë, in Ballsh, with the women of Tirana, etc., compels the Steering Committee of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania to address you with this protest. We express the indignation, outrage and legitimate concern of trade unionists and workers affiliated with this union at the brutality and terror being used by the Government through the law-enforcement bodies to silence the voice of workers’ legitimate demands. They are asking for the most basic things: to live, to have work and bread. In the incident, young and strong [men] were lined up and placed against the wall with their hands raised, as in countries ruled by fascist juntas; trade union leaders and ordinary people were arrested, insulted, fined, terrorized and unjustly held in isolation for hours. This act may be anything else, but it is certainly not democracy. We know that a democratic government cannot use violent means against the lawful, peaceful actions of workers. Experience has shown that where violence begins, democracy has ended. How can it be explained that in “Victory” Square, named to celebrate the victory of democracy, a hunt was launched against respected veterans of the War and of Labour, who were mingled among the huge crowd of 15,000–20,000 people? The Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania has repeatedly protested against the terror being used and has repeatedly called for dialogue to resolve workers’ socioeconomic demands. Two months ago, a request was made to meet with the Government about workers’ socioeconomic demands; letters and telegrams were sent, and even fax communication was used regarding the events in Bulqizë. But the Government continues its game of deception and boycotting the Confederation, while staging scenarios to make it appear to public opinion that it is deeply concerned about workers’ problems, by kissing up to the BSP. Everyone (Continued on page 2)

“We take into consideration all the decisions still in force for the full establishment of democracy in Albania, without being influenced by any party affiliation. But we do not enforce those laws that still smell of communism, because communism is dead. Head of the Public Order Department Ali Shenepremte Shouldn’t this police officer, who can tell laws by their smell, be given a different job?”