Gëzim Kalaja asks for a joint bank with Hajdin Sejdia We previously published the letter from the general director of the Albanian fishing enterprise, Mr. Lutfi Alibej, in which certain corrupt and abusive actions by the managers of this enterprise were denounced. In the interview published on 5 April with the businessman who had come from the USA, Aleksandër Hajdin Sejdia, whose topic was the privatization of the fishing fleet, he stated that he had been interested in buying it, in order to create an Albanian-American bank. According to him, Mr. Gëzim Kalaja, in cooperation with Mr. Adyl Hoxha, president of the association "Mbrojtja e Atdheut", instead of helping him, had on the contrary placed obstacles in his way. In yesterday's issue of the newspaper "Rilindja Demokratike" dated 19 May 1993, Mr. Gëzim Kalaja, together with another bank, although not with the same name, but with facsimiles almost identical to the one that, according to Mr. Hajdin Sejdia, he and Mr. Adyl Hoxha had conceived, appeared. It is not worth dwelling at length on the content of that article. It is enough to recall that there, in the same language as in the article published in our newspaper, it speaks of the creation of an Albanian-American bank. Precisely of an American bank bearing the name of the millionaire émigré from the USA, Aleksandër Hajdin Sejdia. Moreover, the article stresses that its creation will be in the interest of the Albanian nation. Meanwhile, the question arises: by what right does Mr. Gëzim Kalaja ask for a joint bank with Hajdin Sejdia? Who authorizes him to use the name of the latter? Does this have anything to do with the efforts to privatize the fishing fleet? (Continues on page 2)

democratic logic begins over anti-democracy Invited by the democratic stance? Should the PS seize it and politicize it? Will any government ever take justice by the hand and ear? I believe not. At a time when citizens are asking about and commenting on the work of parliament, we also have such scenes, when pluralism is attacked in the name of constitutional order. With MP Namik Dokle's remarks we took it with laughter, but the matter is serious. Malicious proposals, driven by pressure, are also made by means outside the law. For this reason the question arises: who is benefiting from this climate? If we speak of strengthening the rule of law, first the lawful opposition must be respected. On the contrary, there is an attempt to delegitimize it. We have always opposed violence and arbitrariness. Therefore we say that today's politics cannot be built on anti-democracy. (Continues on page 2)

Speech by MP Namik Dokle on behalf of the Socialist parliamentary group The President's decision submitted for consideration is unfounded, malicious and contrary to the interests of the Albanian people. Furthermore, it has come as an instrument to cover up actions that serve only political bias. The malicious proposals not only smear the opposition, but aim to remove it from the game. This is precisely contrary to the democratic spirit. Socialist MPs cannot accept such a thing. On the contrary, we demand clear, transparent decisions in accordance with the constitution. Only in this way are the rule of law and citizens' trust strengthened. (Continues on page 5)

Request for remission of sentence. We do not know whether the Albanian press has published this letter, as rare as it is significant, from the chairman of the American Republican Party, Mr. Aleksandër P. Sejdia, addressed to the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ramiz Alia. It is printed here in full and in its original language. (Continues on page 8) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR GENERAL CITIZENSHIP MR. WILLIAM AMERI MR. RAMIZ ALIA Mr. ADVY HAXHA HEAD OF STATE OF ALBANIA Government of the State Tirana, 02. 1. 1992 Dear Sir. 9 December 1988. I HAVE HAD THE ACQUAINTANCE OF THE ALBANIAN Aleksandër P. Sejdia for so many years that I have had the opportunity to judge 40. 42. 1992. I request that by your decree his sentence be remitted. Signed WILLIAM AMERI OFFICIAL SECRETARY ESK?LITOJ Mr. 6697 Alma

The State Control Service, the General Prosecutor's Office and the justice authorities must enforce the law. Otherwise, in the near future everyone will answer to the people. It was understood that they passed the intermediate school of logic a long time ago if this constitutes a violation? In response to the many questions from citizens, we affirm that yes. The Democratic Party used public funds for party activities, thereby harming political competition and equality before the law. Clear accusations have been raised, which require an impartial investigation. The justice authorities cannot remain silent. If the law is applied only to opponents, then we do not have a rule-of-law state. Therefore the General Prosecutor's Office and the State Control Service must act. Otherwise, political and legal responsibility will weigh on them. (Continues on page 3)

Reply to Mr. Eduard Selami: Are you sure, or are you being lied to? It is not 220 thousand, which makes up nearly 6 percent of the labor force. The official data of the Ministry of Labor have been different and the real figure is much higher. Let us not forget that there are thousands dismissed from work in the countryside and in the cities who do not appear anywhere. Likewise, many young people who have not been able to start work are counted outside the statistics. As a result, when speaking about unemployment in Albania, the real number of unemployed people must be kept in mind. This is also why Mr. Selami's optimistic statements do not match reality. According to our calculations, Albania has around 500,000 unemployed people. This requires new employment policies and not propaganda. (Continues on page 5)

The meeting of deputies from Albania from Kosovo and Macedonia, of various Albanian organizations and associations, as well as activists from the Albanian ethnic lands in the former Yugoslavia, held in Tirana on 18 May 1993, taking as its starting point the dramatic development of the situation of Albanians in Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro, strongly condemns Belgrade's genocidal policy and calls for the involvement of the international factor in the protection of Albanian rights. The resolution emphasizes the need for national unity, support for peaceful resistance and the sensitization of world public opinion. It also calls for Albanian institutions to pursue the national question as a priority. (Continues on page 8)

Tokëmi | Fotos Nunos with European conclusions

On Saturday, 22 May, at 4:30 p.m., the 50th anniversary of the Pezë Anti-Fascist Youth Group will take place. All the young people of Pezë are invited. The old anti-fascist elders, relatives of the people's hero Myslym Peza, veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War, volunteers of the movement. The meeting point will be the 8-year school of Pezë. Specially invited are the old associates of Myslym Peza and all the people who fought for freedom.