- The alibi of the NANO-ALIA meeting cannot save Berisha’s regime from its all-encompassing crisis. - Even if it is true, it is not equivalent to the Berisha-Markajoni meeting. For 10 days now, «Gazeta Shqiptare», RTV and, later, «RD-ja» have been «playing» in the marketplace of words with the so-called «secret meeting between Nano and Alia in the cells of Tirana prison». For 10 days, the wretched propaganda of Berisha’s regime has relied on a very crudely constructed alibi, which truly sprang from a brilliant mind seeking to concentrate attention on this issue. However, an alibi of this kind, being fabricated, cannot become the main subject of Albanian political life when the announced trial against former president Ramiz Alia and the appeal hearing in the «Nano Case» are imminent. These proceedings cannot be stripped of their political character, as is also proved by the lengthy fuss being made over the so-called meeting. Not only that, but Albanians, exhausted by the difficult and prolonged transition, whose end even the most optimistic, such as Tritan Shehu and Kurt Kola, cannot foresee, have no time to rack their brains over fairy tales when prices are rising day after day, unemployment is growing, tomorrow is uncertain, corruption has atrophied everything, and the defence minister of Malaysia was visiting Albania!!!... In short, the all-encompassing crisis of Berisha’s failed regime cannot be covered up with alibis of this kind. Meanwhile, taking the news of the Nano-Alia meeting as true for a moment, it is in no way equivalent to the meeting between Berisha, Markajoni and company. Nor are we using «this fact» to claim that the regime’s crisis has reached the ranks of the young prison guards at Shën-Pjetër prison, whose head, together with Musaraj and the person himself, should resign immediately for this alone. They are not capable of running a prison, let alone an entire dictatorship, let alone governing Albania. Albanians have understood this; therefore, they no longer need any further facts, which, however one looks at them, lead to one conclusion: THE WRETCHED ONES!... LUAN M. RAMA.

On International Press Day EXTREMIST ATTACK ON PRESS FREEDOM IN ALBANIA To His Excellency Sali Berisha President Tirana, Albania Your Excellency; The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about what appears to be a government campaign of threats, legal harassment and intimidation against independent and opposition journalists. Teodor Keko, editor-in-chief of the newspaper «Aleanca», was assaulted by an unidentified person near his home almost a month ago. Keko and other Albanian journalists told CPJ that they believe he was attacked because of articles published in «Aleanca». The police have been unable to identify the person who attacked him. Keko has been summoned to appear in court to identify the journalist who wrote an article about the killer of Gjovalin Çekini, a member of the Democratic Alliance. Keko said that he had been summoned in connection with this matter for a week and that the authorities are doing this to intimidate him without breaking the law. CPJ anxiously awaits the outcome of the appeal filed by the journalists of «Koha Jonë», Aleksandër Frangaj and Martin Leka, with the Court of Cassation. An uncertain verdict is expected at any moment. If this verdict is upheld, Leka, who is currently free, will spend 18 months in prison. Frangaj, just back from a trip to Greece, faces five months’ imprisonment. Shyqyrt’ka; the deputy editor-in-chief of the daily «Zëri i Popullit» was fined 1,000 dollars for a letter to the editor that criticized the government and was published in the newspaper. Considering the income of journalists in Albania, this sum is clearly exceptionally high. In another case, Ilirian Zhupa of «Popullit Po» was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, suspended on condition that he does not repeat the offense within one year. As a non-partisan organization of journalists dedicated to protecting the rights of our colleagues around the world, CPJ considers these actions an extremely serious attack on press freedom in Albania. We respectfully urge Your Excellency’s government to release Mr. Leka, drop the case against Messrs. Leka and Frangaj, and revoke the fine imposed on «Zëri i Popullit» and the sentence against Mr. Zhupa. Furthermore, we call on Your Excellency’s government to investigate thoroughly the assault on Mr. Keko and take all necessary steps to allow independent and opposition press organizations to operate without fear of threats. Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your comments. Sincerely; William A. Orme, journalist Executive Director NOTE: This letter was sent to the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha; other Albanian government authorities; the president of Albania’s Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi; the U.S. Department of State’s Albania desk; the American ambassador in Tirana; and all international journalists’ organizations and human-rights organizations around the world. Sent by fax May 2, 1994

THE «ARSIDI SCANDAL» AGAIN IN THE SPOTLIGHT: - Will Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic Fatos Dervishi «bury» or «unearth» the 1.6 million dollars? THE «ARSIDI SCANDAL» AGAIN IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The tongue under control! What does the Paris prosecutor’s office have in hand? - Will Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic Fatos Dervishi «bury» or «unearth» the 1.6 million dollars? The Arsidi scandal has once again been spectacularly reopened. This time not in the usual sense, the money that ended up in the suitcases of the Frenchman Arsidi, whose name after ...

again been spectacularly reopened. This time not in Albania, but in the country of the Frenchman whose name lends its name to the biggest scandal in Albanian finances. A group of Albanian prosecutors, headed by the newly proposed and newly appointed Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic, Mr. Fatos Dervishi, includes the experienced prosecutor of the Tirana prosecutor’s office, Mr. Arben Qeleshi, as well as the person who adds to the uncertainty about this group’s mission: prosecutor Gene Gjokutaj, until now presented as a trial prosecutor, not an investigating prosecutor, who has recently taken the initiative to «unearth» the 1.6 million dollars belonging to the National Bank of Albania. These are 1.6 million dollars that began their journey out of Albanian vaults on November 1, 1991, and even earlier, perhaps in July. Through a bill of exchange signed on March 20, 1992 (two days before the Democratic Party’s victory)—a document that legally sanctioned what had happened in December and then in March—they passed through the financial channels of banks in Vienna and Luxembourg and ended up in the suitcases of the Frenchman Arsidi. His name, after March 1992, first became known to all Albanians on July 6, 1992, when, at a «simple» ceremony, he presented Albanian President Berisha with the «French Order of Courtesy», which would later be dismissed and described as a «fake decoration». The scandal was first uncovered in autumn 1992 by the Albanian press, following inspections by SHKSH at the aforementioned bank. It would erupt more forcefully in the first days of ’93, when the 1.6 million put the bankers Saliu and Tartar in prison, and later the former governor Ilir Hoti and banker Adrian Xhiyeri, without leaving out former Albanian Prime Minister Vilson Ahmeti. And the appetite has grown even more. It seems the group of Albanian prosecutors has taken it upon itself to silence the rumble of an orchestra. But the demand is greater than the supply. It seems that the law and the offer, it seems ... over the matter, while the Albanian prosecutors are being considered «unsuitable». In short, the strongest will survive. Returning to the group of investigators: they will investigate in Paris for 10 days alongside Parisian prosecutors. As for whether this group will «unearth» the 1.6 million dollars, the question is becoming increasingly straightforward. And that is not the only question. Very soon another one will arise: Will this group also «bury» the 1.6 million dollars for another two years?—they ask in government offices. Before answering this, answers must be given to several other questions, specifically: Who violently attacked the newspaper «Populli Po», which was publishing documents relating to the financial transactions that changed ownership of the Albanian dollars? Why did Mr. Dervishi, deputy prosecutor of Tirana, question the head of «Popull Po» about the source of the published documents, which would normally have been held at the Bank currently headed by the chairman of the Tirana Democratic Party, Mr. Dylber Vrioni? And finally, what does Burhan Hoti know, what documents does he have, and why was he arrested? Judging by the answers, the situation can be summed up as: Tutto OK!!!

On the proposal of three bodies, the Council of Ministers has decided that people with disabilities are to receive medicines free of charge or at half price, in accordance with the provisions of the decision. The decision, numbered 247 and dated 27.5.1993, is quite proper and clear. It defines the groups, sets the amount of money and specifies the sources of funding. It also instructs the Ministry of Health to issue guidelines for its implementation. They are considered chronic cases. Up to this point, everything is quite in order. The people responsible for implementing it, however, are not doing things properly. Two months after implementation of the decision began, people with disabilities received their medicines. Then… The whole thing became a tangled mess. On a verbal order from the Ministry of Health, the provision of medicines was stopped, or rather, it was (Continued on page 4)

Three villagers have come from the village of Ravonik in Korçë to meet and talk with us, to share their troubles. Here is what concerns them: - We are not criticizing the system we have today, but we are concerned about the way it is run and the corruption that is choking this state. We hear that corruption has spread from the top all the way down. Now our own village headman, Mr. Gramoz Rrapo Faroshllari, has also become involved: after receiving considerable payments in kind, he gives preferential treatment to those who are not considered chronic cases. (Continued on page 4)

A BAG WITH GOLD JEWELRY IS ROBBED Another theft in the center of the capital. But this time, carried out with a «crowbar», it took place just 100 meters from the posts of Tirana Police Station No. 3. The night before last, at around 9:30, two men with their faces masked confronted citizen A. L. and his companion, who were returning from the shop with a bag full of gold jewelry. After striking them with a crowbar and firing several shots from a pistol at the two men, the robbers managed to take the bag and flee in an unknown direction. The two robbery victims were taken to hospital to receive the necessary medical treatment. One of them, who was also struck by a pistol, is out of danger. The value of the stolen goods is estimated at several million lek. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Papulias–Serreqi meeting: «Constructive talks» but no concrete result Throughout the day yesterday, all television channels around the world broadcast reports focused on Athens. In Athens, they discussed the planned meeting between Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Papulias, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Greece, Mr. Serreqi, and Greece’s Minister, Mr. Papulias. The meeting had been awaited with a degree of impatience, especially in Athens, where people were hoping «a great deal for a series of relations between Tirana and [text unclear]», which had become strained after a 10-hour terrorist incident, when a terrorist group attacked a military [post], and two Albanian soldiers were subsequently killed. According to numerous prominent Greek journalists, the meeting at the office lasted about three and a half hours, and at its conclusion the ministers made restrained statements, describing the talks as constructive and characterized by a goodwill to improve relations between the two countries. Nevertheless, the press also noted the absence of a concrete result. It appears that both sides once again returned to the familiar issues that have characterized relations between the two countries. Karolos Papulias, for his part, insisted on the previously stated position that the problems were being exacerbated on both sides. These issues would not be addressed at this meeting either. At the office, the meeting of a concrete result. It seems that both sides the problems that the other side described as unilateral. Minister Papulias, so as not to leave an impression about Minister Papulias’s priorities, [gave] more material about this visit. Perhaps Albanian refugees in Greece are without security, and the atmosphere has been one of violence, with a peaceful Orthodox climate nearby. KICO LONDO Athens

At the National Theatre: Starring: Viktor Gjoka, Kadar Roshi, «People’s Artist», Margarita Xhepa «People’s Artist», Roza Anagnosti «People’s Artist», Lazër Filipi «Merited Artist», Shkëlqim Basha, Pirro Malaveci, Fitim Makashi, Elda Janushi, etc. After 42 years, «The Inspector General» is back on the stage of the National Theatre. This is thanks to the fine work being done by this creative ensemble, the director and actor Viktor Gjoka, the company working together with the backstage crew, and the passionate director Neritan Alibali. Wednesday and Thursday at the National Theatre.

- Letter from the chairman of the Association of Professional Journalists, Mr. Zogaj, to Ad-nam Uojt, Secretary General of the World Federation of Journalists, headquartered in Brussels, on the occasion of World Journalists’ Day. - To Mr. Brussels Dear colleague, On World Journalists’ Day, I have the honor and special pleasure of conveying to you the solidarity of the members of the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania with the tireless efforts and sacrifices made by journalists throughout the world for free speech and information. On this day, we also once again express our deep gratitude for the role of the World Federation of Journalists in supporting and defending a free press in Albania, which has strengthened our courage not to accept restrictions on press freedom and arbitrary treatment of journalists in Albania. On this memorable day, we reaffirm our commitment to civic courage, perseverance and the realization of professionalism in the press. We hope, meanwhile, that the monolithic situation in Albania’s audiovisual media can be overcome, either by allowing independent radio and television channels to open or by establishing pluralism within the existing media, while avoiding a program of journalistic freedom tailored to the needs of political power. This worldwide day of press freedom renews our hope that the war waged through the language of force against the independent and opposition press in Albania will subside and cease, that the repressive Press Law will be abolished and, most importantly, that our colleagues sentenced to prison will be freed as soon as possible. This hope also stems from your continued solidarity with us, which we hold in the highest regard. Yours PREÇ ZOGAJ Tirana, 30.4.1994

On May 5, Thursday, at 11:00, the Socialist Party and the Forum of Albanian Eurosocialist Youth are organizing a memorial and festive meeting in the main hall of the Palace of Congresses to mark Martyrs’ Day. Families of martyrs, representatives of the organizations of veterans of the National Liberation War, and members of the PPSH and FRESH from all over Albania will take part. Organizing Committee