As part of the cooperative relations between the two parties, at the invitation of PASOK, a delegation of the SPA headed by its deputy chairman, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, departed for Athens. Press and Information Office of the SPA. TIRANA BULLETIN

SP PRESS CONFERENCE SPECIFICALLY ON THE NANO CASE The Socialist Party does not prejudge the court’s judgment of the case, but demands that Fatos Nano go to the courtroom a free man. PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE SP SPECIFICALLY ON THE NANO CASE “THE NANO CASE” HAS BEEN WON MORALLY The Socialist Party does not prejudge the court’s judgment of the case, but demands that Fatos Nano go to the courtroom a free man. NAMIK DOKLE: “I told E. Selami: the DP will lose the Nano case as long as it follows Blerim Çela’s calculations.” LUAN HAJDARAGA: Fatos Nano is the leader of the main opposition party, which has a strong following in Albania and growing international prestige. Yesterday morning, the Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania held a press conference on the latest developments concerning the “Nano Case.” At the start of the press conference, the SP deputy chairman and head of its parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, informed journalists about the new developments in the case and the SP’s position on it. A few days after President Berisha’s statement that Europe had given no signal whatsoever regarding the Nano case, said Namik Dokle, Europe gave three very powerful signals. The first was the motion for a resolution in the Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, submitted by 26 members of parliament from 9 political parties in 12 different European countries. The second was the consideration of the Nano case by the Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which, in its decision, among other things, states that the Committee decided to request explanations from the Albanian government and to continue examining the case at its March meeting in Paris, in the hope of positive developments, so that it would not be compelled to produce a second report on this matter. The third came from the European Parliament, which, after discussing the report by Mr. Aleksandër Langer, chairman of the European Parliament’s committee for Albania, Bulgaria and Romania, also approved a resolution on Albania’s relations with the Council of Europe. In the report and resolution, alongside assessments of developments in Albania and recommendations that these developments follow the path and standards of European democracy, and that this cooperation be further expanded, five amendments were approved, three of which relate directly to the Nano case. The conclusion of all this is that the Nano case has been won morally in Albanian public opinion and internationally. All this has come, as I stressed, after Mr. Berisha’s statement that Europe had given no signal of any kind. I want to stress here, Namik Dokle continued, that in addition to Europe’s signals concerning the Nano case—as an issue connected with respect for human rights and freedoms, the independence of judicial bodies, and democratic developments in Albania—there have also been signals from outside Europe. You should be familiar with the report of the U.S. Department of State, which, alongside its assessments of Albania, has 10 points criticizing the positions of the Albanian government, mainly regarding violations of human rights and freedoms. These are precisely the points that we, as the opposition—not only the SP, but also the free press—have highlighted several times, and have received answers that are by no means encouraging from the Berisha regime (to use a term defined in the European Parliament’s resolution). So, what is prompting this regime’s harsh reaction? What is the reaction? With these statements, we can see two positions. One is the position of the extremist wing within segments of the authorities, which wants the Nano case to be pushed toward the measures they have planned, as was the case when Blerim Çela’s report was presented in Parliament. The other is a more moderate position, which seeks to save the DP from the quagmire it has entered. We in the SP express our opposition to these developments: the immediate closure of the investigation, the concealment of the investigation in an unconstitutional manner, and the concealment of the files without making them available to the accused and his lawyer, so that it may be determined whether the procedures comply with the Criminal Code and the Constitution of the court. ... ... which we will explain to you in greater detail tomorrow. From yesterday’s press conference. ... As for the resolution addressed to it as well, Foreign Minister Serreqi, as the newspaper “RD” reported yesterday, said that Greek MPs had condemned the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. Someone else says that “the socialists manipulated the European Parliament.” It is unclear whether this refers to Albanian socialists or European socialists. If it refers to Albanian socialists, we say that we cannot manipulate the Albanian Parliament, let alone the European Parliament. If it refers to European socialists, I would say that Europe does not function like the Albanian Parliament, and that there is no parliament that can be manipulated by Greek, British, French or Luxembourgish MPs. The European Parliament consists of 518 members, 180 of whom are socialists. On the Nano case, 268 members voted in favor, an absolute majority of those present and a majority in relation to the total number of members of the European Parliament. Those who have ears to hear, hear; those who do not, do not. The government’s threatening attitude, or that of its extremist factions, is felt even inside the prison, in its dealings with Fatos Nano’s lawyer and with Fatos Nano himself. So far, it has been merely a gesture of courtesy that a DP member of parliament has visited MP Nano in prison. Everything else, including a prosecutor’s statement that “we will hold on to power even with tanks,” shows that there are people who want to destabilize the country. For this reason, we ask President Berisha, the Meksi government and Parliament to assume their respective responsibilities, so that Albania follows the path indicated by Europe and does not heed the irresponsible statements of one of its ministers, which insult not only the European Parliament and European democracy, but also the peoples and countries that elected that Parliament, as well as the 268 members who voted in favor of the Nano case and the 37 who voted against it. Afterwards, SP deputy chairman Namik Dokle and Luan Hajdaraga answered journalists’ questions. If the authorities currently in power act hysterically in resolving the Nano case, what measures might Socialist MPs take? Can they continue their stance during such a parliamentary session?

At the meeting in Durrës, the chairman of the SP parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, stated: “We have denounced and will continue to denounce the antidemocratic and unlawful actions against Fatos Nano because: - We know how many times and when Arben Qeleshí and Alush Dragoshi have been at the Presidency regarding the Nano case, especially the most recent time. - We know how those holding office in the judicial and state bodies and in the Tirana district entered and left the Presidency and meetings with the President concerning the Nano case. - We know the contribution of Mr. Çela’s expert to the ongoing investigation of the case and to the preparation of the expert report, in which the experts requested by Nano and his lawyers were not accepted by the investigative team. We know that the accounting experts were summoned to meetings with Mr. Çela. - We also know the views of Selami, Meksi and others on the Nano case, and about Buta’s socializing with senior officials of these bodies. We know, and Europe knows too. Prepare well for the court battle, because they will face not only Mr. Nano and the hundreds of thousands of his supporters in Albania, and not only capable and honest lawyers, but also representatives of that Europe which has adopted the resolutions that are being ignored.” On Thursday afternoon, the SP in the city of Durrës organized a meeting between its members and supporters (though not only its own; members of other parties were also in the hall) and the socialist leadership at Durrës Municipality, as well as Dokle. MPs Anastasi Angjeli, Ibrahim Baci, Moikom Zeqo, Miri Hoti and Bardhyl Agasi were also present. The hall was packed; it seemed to represent the people outside in the streets and squares of Durrës, and to represent 15,000 people seeking genuine democracy. First of all, we demand the establishment of a state governed by the rule of law, which guarantees human freedoms: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of movement and the right to employment. Our position does not mean that we reject everything; on the contrary, we welcome everything good that has been achieved in these two years. Our duty—the opposition’s duty—is to criticize and correct the mistakes of the government. The authorities accuse us of extinguishing hope with our criticism. It is not we who have extinguished hope, but fear, which is terrorizing Albanians. Fear and hope cannot coexist. Fear has revived among people in Albania: the same fear among journalists, opposition or independent journalists, the fear of standing below one’s apartment building and someone coming to take one’s life. We want a democracy in which no one in Albania is afraid. Turning to the Nano case, Namik Dokle said that Fatos Nano’s imprisonment is the imprisonment of the opposition; as Mr. Langer put it, it is an attempt to eliminate the political opposition. Later, Doctor of Sciences Anastas Angjeli, in response and in a ... (Continued on page 3)

From yesterday’s press conference. ... their stance during such a parliamentary session? ... by 23 the reaction? From and the Constitution of the court. ...

SHKODËR: The British Ambassador to Albania meets with SPA leaders Yesterday at midday, the British Ambassador to Albania, Mr. Patric Fairwather, during a visit to Shkodër, met with leaders of the Socialist Party in this district. “It is my first time in Shkodër,” said the ambassador, “so I would like you to inform me about the political, social and economic life of this city.” Sadedin Stankaj and the other members of the Presidium thanked Mr. Fairwather and gave him a brief overview of Shkodër, its antiquity, traditions and culture, its stages of development, and Shkodër’s place in the democratic movement, etc. They then spoke about the Socialist Party’s political commitment, emphasizing the principles of tolerance and cooperation for the healthy development of democracy. They also presented their views on the progress of reform, its positive steps, and the concerns raised by the SP in this field, so that developments could be described, especially regarding privatization, the opening up of workers’ occupations, the creation of new jobs, and steps toward elections... His meetings [text unclear]. The city has been hit hard by unemployment. It should also not be forgotten that this city, more than others, has borne and continues to bear the burden of the embargo against the former Yugoslavia. Afterwards, Mr. Patric Fairwather asked about the trade union movement, the scope the authorities had given it, the role of political parties, and the opposition’s positions regarding the Albanian national question. Those present also shared their views on these matters, which were considered useful. The ambassador also asked about the latest reactions to the Nano case, regarding which the leaders of the Shkodër SP explained the Socialist Party’s well-known position, describing it as a fabricated and prejudged political case. Taking the floor, the British Ambassador to Albania, Mr. Patric Fairwather, said: “I am pleased with the meeting and the information you have given me. I thank you and commend you for your commitment to friendly development.” Correspondent of “Zëri popullit”