. Nothing against Fatos Nano even in the depositions of senior Italian officials such as Xhani de Mikelis, Enriko de Maja, Torkuato Kardili, Alta Mura, and the executive director of the company “Levante Co,” Xhuzepe Pernjola. — Prosecutors Qeleshi and Gjokutaj occasionally lose their voices while reading the written documents, despite the repeated requests of presiding judge Bendo to raise their speaking volume. — Everything was decided by the Italian side, under Law 49. After a two-day recess, the “Nano trial” resumed its proceedings under the direction of presiding judge Agim Bendo, who appeared tired. As had been foretold, the presentation of written documents continued; their reading by the two exhausted prosecutors made yesterday’s hearing monotonous and boring. This was also because none of the pages read said anywhere that Fatos Nano had stolen, or that through his acts or omissions he had helped others to steal; or, more precisely, the Italians who were bringing us aid. Indeed, from what the prosecutors themselves read aloud from the investigative files, which they had gathered with so much effort and sacrifice during November 1993, when they were in Italy, one gets the impression that it is the Italian state that is being “put on trial”—the state that was to help Albania during that difficult period. LUAN M. RAMA (Continued on page 3) … the traditional coexistence of different religions in Albania. We have seen, and continue to see, this as a unifying factor and a source of national understanding. The Socialist Party, Luan Hajdaraga went on to say, wants the new education law now being prepared for submission to parliament to recognize appropriately the role of private religious schools; moreover, our longstanding interest in this is particularly evident in the case of the Catholic and Franciscan schools in Shkodër. Speaking about the political situation in the country, he said that today, more than ever, Albania and the Albanians need… The Holy See will continue to help foster the Catholic faith in Albania and establish and expand Catholic education. But we will also continue to help Albania with technical and humanitarian assistance. We help Albanians without distinction of religion; we help in Shkodër as well as in Gramsh. This will be a permanent duty of ours. You are welcome at any future meeting, and we will always be open and sincere. Press and Information Office of the SP

Yesterday the Ambassador of the Holy See, well known in Tirana, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Ivan Diaz, received at his residence the Vice-Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Luan Hajdaraga, and the SP Secretary for Foreign Relations, Bashkim Zeneli, members of the People’s Assembly. Thanking him for the open and sincere reception, Luan Hajdaraga expressed to Monsignor Ivan Diaz his appreciation for his special and fruitful commitment to reviving Catholicism in Albania and organizing its structures throughout the country. “We have condemned, and continue to condemn,” said Luan Hajdaraga, “the communist regime’s repression of religion, the Catholic Church, and its distinguished prelates. We have valued the role of Catholicism as an longstanding factor of culture and national identity, and as an ancient bridge connecting Albania with Europe, where the contribution of our national Hero Skënderbeu is now also historically recognized. Such distinguished figures as Buzuku, Bogdani, Budi, Prenushi, Gjergjovi Shilaku, Mjeda, Fishta, Frano Ilia, Mother Teresa, etc., personify culture and patriotism for us Albanians. Under democracy, their work has received, and will increasingly receive, the place it deserves. “The Socialist Party of Albania has regarded the role of the Holy See in Albania’s democratic processes, and the visit to our country by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II, as highly constructive. The messages of peace, understanding, brotherhood, and humanism with which he blessed the Albanians are not only inspiring but also very important spiritual forces for advancing along the path of democracy and prosperity. They also brought joy to the Albanians. As a political force, we will work to further advance the highly admirable and and continue to see, this as a factor of national unity and understanding. “The Socialist Party,” Luan Hajdaraga continued, “wants [the new education law] …” [text cut off] For his part, the Ambassador of the Holy See, Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Ivan Diaz, thanked Mr. Hajdaraga for the tolerant and clear spirit of the conversation and its messages of understanding. “We sincerely thank you for the appreciation you expressed for the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, and for his contribution to Albania. “After the overthrow of communism, Albania needs tolerance, understanding, and cooperation. Albania’s prospects are open: I value political pluralism and would appreciate the need for a spirit of tolerance among political forces. No one has a monopoly on democracy. Albania now has support in the religious and spiritual sphere as well; the time has come for brotherhood. The mission undertaken by the political forces in Albania to lead Albania toward Europe is sacred, but this is achieved not through conflict between political forces, but through understanding and harmony. In every action we must be fair. Italy and the Holy See will continue to play an important role in Albania’s integration into Europe. “The Holy See,” said Monsignor Diaz, “will continue to help revive the Catholic faith in Albania and promote the development of Gramsh. This will be a permanent duty of ours…” [continues beyond the frame]

Mr. Chairman, Consistent with the position I established from the outset of this trial, I express astonishment, outrage, and regret at the criminal incident brought to light by prosecutor Qeleshi in his written statement—an incident previously unknown to me. I have regarded, and continue to regard, threats against individuals and their personal freedom as sacred matters, including during the time when I headed the honest and responsible Government that ensured not only the general balance in the country, but also the prerequisites for individuals of the Qeleshi type (others are not excluded)—a type characterized, as Fatos Nano underlines—so that they could reach their present career heights. I hold these principles sacred also in my capacity as Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, which, while in opposition to any tendency… [column text continues] … crime, whether clothed in power or not, is and will remain a constitutional guarantee, at the outset and thereafter, in the new democratic society, for establishing and defending the rule of law. On the other hand, I cannot help but observe that the authors and interpreters of Mr. Qeleshi’s written statement, apparently unable at last to convince public opinion of the accusations now brought against me, have finally taken off the dirty gloves of abusing judicial power to strike at a legitimate political opponent, and have decided to… … regarding the antidemocratic and unconstitutional protection created to sustain political crime by the entourage of the President of the Republic or other leaders of the party in power, who appoint and dismiss people of the Qeleshi type whenever they wish. This was made public in connection with the political attack on members of parliament, among them the Socialist Deputy Speaker of the People’s Assembly, on 18 June 1993, in the Shkodër incident. Rejecting with contempt Mr. Qeleshi’s vile and impotent insinuations, I invite him, as I have until now, to measure himself against his former professor on juridical and professional ground, despite the disadvantages that Mr. Qeleshi’s state has created for me in this trial—a state that, after every defeat in a legal battle, adds more bars and barbaric chains to violate my human rights as a political prisoner. I feel a moral and political obligation, Mr. Chairman, also in this protest—which does not merely undertake to condemn the criminals responsible for yesterday’s incident, but seeks to establish a link between interests of a feminine nature—to counterprotest by reminding the public prosecutor’s office of the Republic of Albania and the nomenklatura that appoints and funds it of the recent, clear message, because we Albanians want to learn a great lesson in civilization from the citadels of democracy, from President Bill Clinton, who, when addressing the political leadership connected with the fate of the Irish people, always addressed the peoples with the words: “Those who use violence for political purposes must lay down their arms.” I am convinced that Mr. Qeleshi and those behind him have time to learn these things, from which true democracy begins, including within the organs of the state governed by law.

During a hearing in the [unclear] proceedings, at the very moment when presiding judge Bendo was about to announce the conclusion of the proceedings and that at the trial hearing… Prosecutor Qeleshi described it as a… in… … declared in a conversation … your wife will go to trial, things will happen … went The actions of these people, … against prosecutor Qeleshi… … unidentified, who, according to him, are interested in the acquittal of the defendant Nano; … intend to instill a feeling of insecurity and fear… In his text, Qeleshi read several more lines that had more or less the same content.

THE MEKSI GOVERNMENT’S BUDGET FOR 1994 — A BUDGET THAT SEEKS TO SUPPORT THE MEDIUM-TERM PROGRAM, WHICH PARLIAMENT HAS NOT APPROVED! 1994 BUDGET Revenue: 46.165 billion lekë Expenditure: 74.140 billion lekë — Deficit: 27.975 billion lekë THE PEOPLE IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES WILL PAY 30% MORE TAXES IN 1994 THAN IN 1993, WHILE ALBANIAN BUSINESSES WILL PAY AS MUCH AS 50% MORE IN 1994. AROUND 800 MILLION LEKË LESS IN BUDGET INVESTMENT THAN IN 1993. WHICH SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DOES THIS BUDGET SUPPORT? HOW MANY NEW JOBS WILL BE CREATED DURING 1994? PRICES SOAR; THE WAGES AND PENSIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THE BUDGET ARE NOT ENOUGH. Read on page 3.

It is said, and it is true, that the discussion of the state budget in parliament is the most important discussion. The entire policy of a state is… in the most … way through the state budget. It is for … that, for the first time, parliament will continue its work on Friday and Saturday… (Continued on page 4)

“… I reiterate that this is a sign of weakness on the part of those who—I do not know what information Mr. Qeleshi has about the source of the funding—I suggest should look at the same payroll as the attackers of Mrs. Shkreli, the attackers of Gjovalin Cekini, the attackers of Mojkom Zego, the attackers of Maqo Lakrori and Alfred Paloka, the attackers of Gjergj Zefi and Teodor Keko, and the antidemocratic and unconstitutional shield in power…”