FEATURE OF THE DAY At its Second National Conference, held a few days ago, the Socialist Party argued for the need to hold early elections as a democratic way of establishing new political balances in the country. After this, naturally, the reaction expected first and foremost is that of the Party in power. What stands out is that, the day after the conclusion of the Socialist Party Conference, neither the press nor the Democratic Party’s party leaders reacted to this political demand. Instead of responding to the demand made by the country’s largest opposition party, the Socialist Party, these actors have loudly sung the old refrain about the Socialist Party’s failure to renew itself and distance itself from the past and Enver Hoxha. Apparently, the Democratic Party has understood that the demand for new elections cannot be criticized, ignored, or dismissed. It has already taken its «measures» in response to this demand, which it expects the Socialist Party to put forward. It has started its electoral campaign. From the well-known head of the Democratic Party to the newest one from the health sector, accompanied by «old» ministers or newer ones who have only just received the minister’s key, they are giving speeches throughout Albania, which RTV broadcasts when appropriate. The fundamental characteristic of these «enthusiastic» meetings, as RTV has covered them, is that while party leaders proclaim Albania’s magnificent achievements and hurl insults at the Socialist Party, accompanied by the refrain that it has not renewed itself, the ministers take turns speaking, open their bags, and hand out jobs, emigration, bridges, investments, and… The Socialist Party is doing so, wants to do so, and will do so on a broad scale when the new election campaign is officially announced. But will the doors of the handsome television station also be opened to the SP? Its chairman, Fatos Nano, is being held in a cell on charges that change with the weather. The law-enforcement authorities do not approve the Socialist Party’s request to organize a peaceful rally. This activity of the Socialist Party has been blocked for a long time. The Socialist Party’s Steering Committee in Tirana has submitted 9 requests, and the law-enforcement authorities have not approved them; indeed, in one case they even held a rally with the police. So, quite apart from the rules, the supposedly depoliticized RTV has also placed itself on the side of the Democratic Party’s electoral campaign. One must also add the President of the Republic’s prolonged silence in response to the Socialist Party’s serious and reasoned demand, made at its Second Conference, for new elections. It can be said that the President of the Republic declared the 900 days. That is true, but times have changed, conditions change too, and civil conduct calls for giving an answer to the country’s largest opposition force. It is not serious to leave the Socialist Party’s demand for elections unanswered while at the same time allowing the party in power to campaign as much as it likes and to promote this activity on television whenever, however, and as much as it likes. True democracy calls for free competition among economic, political, and social alternatives. In this new competition, the people, who are now well able to understand the promises being made, will know how to distinguish the most suitable alternative—the most suitable, most beneficial, and best-argued alternative of a serious political force. Let the best alternative win in free competition. The time has come to clear the way for the free promotion of the alternatives of all the country’s political forces through a new electoral campaign, which would contribute to protecting and consolidating democracy and its institutions in Albania. Naturally, this will begin when the President of the Republic signs the decree for new elections. A and insult the Socialist Party, accompanied by the refrain about its failure to renew itself, activists emigration, bridges, investments, new roads, canals, and drinking water. Judging by the broad participation of ministers, the scope of these meetings, and their intensity, it is clear that the Democratic Party, acting alone and using RTV, has begun and is vigorously conducting its election campaign. If these were merely work meetings, there would obviously be no need to use RTV to broadcast, promote, and make political capital out of these meetings and the sound bites from the speeches. Should this situation be allowed, with the party in power beginning an election campaign at a time when early elections have not been announced by the president? Someone might say: you Socialists should hold meetings too, as the Democratic Party is doing. Quite right! The Socialist Pa-[?]

Dear Mr. Klepsch,

AT THE COURT OF CASSATION — The judiciary seeks the help of the press AT THE COURT OF CASSATION ZEF BROZI FACES THE JOURNALISTS — The judiciary seeks the help of the press — EXCERPTS FROM CHAIRMAN ZEF BROZI’S STATEMENTS — Once again, I want to repeat the government’s and parliament’s indifferent—perhaps not indifferent, but hostile—attitude toward the judiciary. — A judiciary unable to carry out its duties properly is wanted only by those who have no interest in the justice system doing its work without any tolerance, that is, only by those who want to keep judges under their thumb, only by those who want to leave corruption free rein. — The Albanian state needs time to become a state in the modern sense of the word. — The European Parliament’s Resolution is a flagrant interference in the internal affairs of the judiciary in Albania. In a calm and very friendly tone, the Chairman of the Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi, invited journalists to cooperate with the justice system in order to contribute as much as possible to reporting on justice, to expose the genuine abuses afflicting this body, and to carefully report all the issues involved. Judges work in wholly unsuitable conditions. They have no budget at their disposal, and, as for their offices, while on the other hand economic independence is demanded, it is political independence, says Chairman Brozi. The way he speaks attracts the attention of the journalists present at the press conference held on the premises of the former Supreme Court of the Republic of Albania, or, as it is now called, the Court of Cassation of the Republic of Albania. This deserves to be noted for another very significant reason as well: Zef Brozi is the second person in the Albanian establishment after President Berisha who does not hesitate to appear before journalists. The courts have no budget of their own. Yet, on the other hand, the independence of the judiciary is demanded. Economic independence is political independence, says Chairman Brozi, whose manner of speaking draws before journalists. It is a good thing that the judiciary is seeking the help of journalists in this difficult period of transition, when corruption is encountered almost everywhere. It is also a good sign that Mr. Brozi sits down before journalists, thereby breaking a taboo, but we cannot fail to point out that the law is served when it is applied and upheld by everyone. This is incumbent first and foremost on judges. Until now, journalists have gone to court only to appear as defendants or, in some cases, to attend court proceedings. Thus, as Chairman Brozi spoke, the question naturally arose: But how do the justice bodies help journalists?... A chapter in itself. A major problem, too. The post! In his summary he described in considerable detail what happens in connection with press conferences. The Chairman of the Court of Cassation gave an overview of the criminal cases tried during the past five years, which journalists were authorized to publish by Mr. Brozi himself, who personally called the Prosecutor to obtain confirmation that this was in accordance with the law. Specifically, in 1990 a total of 5529 criminal cases were completed by the judiciary; in 1990, 5224; 4111; in 1991, 4434; in 1992, 4044; and in 1993, 4763 criminal cases were tried [?] LUAN. M. RAMA (Continued on page 2)

«Etyde» Gjirokastra covered in snow and counterfeit money In the week that ended, Gjirokastra found itself under two blankets. One covered everything and could not be denied: it was snow. As for the second, the counterfeit-money affair, there are also doubts. At first, as was said, public opinion was abuzz with rumors. Winnings amounted to sums of up to 10 and 100 million lekë. Around the square table where the parties sat down on Saturday, the day the snow melted, local politicians brought what they had heard and asked questions, but no one knew anything for certain. Neither the chairman of the district council nor the mayor had anything definite to say about the meeting of the parti-[?] (Continued on page 4)

After five days, as we have already informed you in several articles, the hunger strikers in Velipojë called off their strike. Minister Rexhep Uka, together with Mr. Ali Kazazi, went to Velipojë on Friday at 2 p.m., where they met with the strikers. Their demands are known, and the talks held with representatives of various levels of government have also been reported, so there is no need to repeat them. What is important is that, at last, work began on meeting their demands. We were told that the two aforementioned senior representatives themselves took part in the start of the work to rebuild the land. This generosity on the part of the strikers to call off their stri (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, at around 10:45, dozens of police officers arrived with siren-blaring vehicles in the square in front of the State Bank, in front of the Socialist Party building, surrounding these squares and placing the many people there under surveillance. After this occupation, a checkpoint was set up at the State Bank’s central entrance. Meanwhile, people had little choice but to pass through these checkpoints to be searched, and they objected. The money changers’ bags were searched. (Continued on page 4)

Excerpt to His Excellency Mr. Egon Klepsch President of the European Parliament Brussels Dear Mr. Klepsch, In recognition of your highly valuable efforts and contribution at the head of the European Parliament, to the successful progress of democratic processes in Albania, we also welcome that Parliament’s recent Resolution on our country. The recognition given to the achievements to date, and particularly the commitments undertaken within the framework of the Resolution to continue economic assistance to Albania and provide comprehensive support in institutionalizing democracy and protecting fundamental human freedoms and rights, clearly express the civilized European spirit in ensuring continued support for Albania and its democratic processes. This support from Europe is welcomed by every Albanian. The Socialist Party, as the largest opposition force, with growing authority at home and abroad, will continue to fight constructively By democratic and legal means, the SP and its parliamentary group will continue to demand the establishment of a democratic, not police, state; respect for human freedoms and rights and for opposition journalists, who are being trampled upon in Albania. The guiding principle and central theme are politics. It is Europe, and we must deserve it. Mr. President, We greatly appreciated the European Parliament’s position, which clearly calls for the immediate release of the chairman of the Socialist Party and member of the People’s Assembly, Fatos Nano, until the courts deliver their judgment on the charges against him. We also appreciate the European Parliament’s demand that democratic principles and political freedoms be respected in Albania, which the distinguished Forum you lead regards as an essential prerequisite for any assistance or bilateral or multilateral cooperation. However, dear Mr. President, we note that during these days the Albanian state has made no response to the Resolution and the demands clearly put forward by the distinguished Parliament you lead. Not only is this voice of Europe going unheard, but senior officials are declaring that the Socialists manipulated the European Parliament. Immediately after the publication of the European Parliament’s Resolution, the investigation team—which during the 193 days of Fatos Nano’s imprisonment had conducted only two hours of questioning—announced the conclusion of the investigation and the referral of the file to court, in grave violation of the Criminal Procedure Code. Neither Fatos Nano nor his lawyers were allowed to examine the case file. After nearly 7 months in prison, at the last moment the charge was changed for the fourth time, accusing Fatos Nano of theft instead of abuse of office, the previous charge, without any new evidence. Mr. President, As parliamentarians, we are concerned by these actions of the Albanian state, which have intensified immediately after the European Parliament’s Resolution, as well as after the clear positions taken by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which have expressed themselves positively on the Nano case. The Albanian government and other segments of the ruling party, through numerous anti-democratic actions, are heightening the political tension in Albania. We trust, dear Mr. President, that, as you have done to date, you will know how to exercise the authority of the Parliament you lead to put an end to these actions, which are seriously undermining the Albanian people’s faith in true democracy. With the highest consideration, On behalf of the PS Parliamentary Group NAMIK DOKLE Chairman Tirana, 17.02.1994

PRESS STATEMENT BY PS CHAIRMAN FATOS NANO

for the judicial elimination of political opponents Regarding the announcement by the spokesperson of the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, dated 16,2,1994, that the investigation has been concluded and the criminal case brought against me has been referred for trial, I make the following facts and judgments known to the public: 1. On 7,1,1994, after a break of 3 months (since the referral of the case for trial on 9.10.1993), the team of investigators resumed investigative contacts with me at Tirana Prison. 2. From that date onward, following direct oral and written statements by the head of the investigative team, Fatos Dervishi, the prosecutorial authorities and the Directorate of Prisons at the Ministry of Public Order ordered, in violation of the regulations governing solitary confinement, that my visits with my family and the delivery of food and clothing be stopped, and limited my consultations with my lawyers to no more than one hour a day. 3. I cannot fail to note that these developments occurred after publication of the decision of the Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva (24–27 January 1994). 4. According to the investigators’ statements, up to this point the Prosecutor’s Office has continued to treat as evidence for the prosecution, in violation of criminal procedure law, the inspection report of the State Control Service and its complaint initiating the criminal case, dated 6.3.1993, without carrying out legal expert examinations or independent verification of the accusations made against me by this senior state executive body. 5. Following our persistent request, and in accordance also with the duties set out by the District Court in its decision of 26.10.1993, the investigative team decided to conduct an accounting expert examination only on 12,1,1994; the administrator submitted our claims regarding the examination on 17,1,1994, and, without stating any legal reason for disregarding them, unilaterally concluded this important procedure concerning the way the case was to be resolved on 14.2.1994, unlawfully collaborating with the inspectors of the State Control Service, the authors of the complaint that initiated the criminal case. 6. On 21.1.1994, three days before the Geneva Committee meeting, one of the investigators «accidentally» left exposed on the investigation table the decision to change the charge, signed by Fatos Dervishi, from abuse of office to misappropriation of state property; but Mr. Dervishi, as head of the investigative team, «did not come» to communicate it. On that date, the law-enforcement forces staged a massive show of force in the capital against a «rally» allegedly organized by the PS in Tirana. 7. On 1,2,1994, Prosecutor Qeleshi sought a criminal response against one of my lawyers, Mr. Agim Tirana, regarding an interview published two days earlier in «Zërin e Popullit». 8. On 10.2.1994, two days after the successful conclusion of the PSSh Second National Conference, after the vote on the «Nano amendment» in the European Parliament became known, Prosecutor Qeleshi and Deputy Prosecutor (newly appointed) Dervishi summoned [me] to the Presidency (according to them, for the umpteenth time) and ordered that the case be concluded by 15.2.1994. This (Continued on page 4)