ON THE 23RD AT THE COURT OF APPEAL - We invite those in power to be transparent, so that the people can judge for themselves - ON THE 23RD AT THE COURT OF APPEAL FATOS NANO WILL DENOUNCE IT AGAIN - We invite those in power to be transparent, so that the people can judge for themselves - Much was said in the press about the issue of whether Fatos Nano spoke or did not speak during the first-instance trial of the “Nano File.” There was also speculation by “journalists” from RD, as well as by some “politician,” who managed to write and loudly proclaim that Fatos Nano did not speak because he was guilty. Among the flagrant violations of the laws and criminal legal procedures that created and sustain the “Nano Case” was the failure to allow access to the file during the investigation phase. Nothing can cover up this flagrant legal violation, this fundamental right clearly provided for in the criminal procedure code in force. Those responsible for denying access to the file are not subject to the relevant article of the Criminal Procedure Code, which also provides for keeping the corresponding record, reading the file, etc. Fatos Nano and his defence lawyers publicly denounced this serious violation. But why was it done this way? Why choose this tactic? The reasons that led those responsible to commit this serious procedural violation are clear. They did not want to give him the opportunity to make a reasoned denunciation of the accusation. This is all the more understandable when one considers that the charges against the Chairman of the Socialist Party and MP Fatos Nano were changed several times. Indeed, the final wording of the charges was drawn up just days after the announcement that the investigation into the “Nano File” had been closed. But, knowing the stance taken by cultured people and sensible politicians in such circumstances, they sought to use the natural reaction to this act as an “argument” for Fatos Nano’s guilt. And, in fact, that is what happened. Fatos Nano’s political opponents rushed to speak of proven guilt, using as their main “argument” that “Nano did not speak because he was guilty.” It is understandable that political fever and blindness never let you see reality clearly. They prevent you from thinking lucidly. They replace reason with instinct and put resentment and personal and social enmities first. In fact, it was the Democratic Party’s newspaper, RD, that started Fatos Nano’s trial and conducted it. It presented that “argument” in a distorted way because it was “acquitted” of organizing and directing the process that led to his arrest; it relayed the pressure exerted on the judicial bodies; it made the labels, insults and various formulations of the charges; it issued the most vulgar and crude curses and abuse. It also determined his sentence. Naturally, its activity is “washed clean” by the work of the court of first instance. Both the serious violations of the law and of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the purposes behind them, were thoroughly exposed by the correct, composed and cultured conduct maintained by the Chairman of the Socialist Party during the trial sessions. He made a political denunciation of everything done to him, with convincing and highly revealing arguments. Thus, Fatos Nano spoke and exposed the content, character and political purposes of the trial conducted against him. Under the legal rules, the “Nano Case” will be examined by the Court of Appeal, and the file, charges and objectives have now been clearly laid out. Fatos Nano will denounce the legal violations and the lack of morality and evidence behind the charges, as well as the architects and perpetrators of the arbitrary arrest and sentencing of the Chairman of the Socialist Party and People’s Assembly deputy Fatos Nano.

Yesterday, through an article published in the newspaper «Koha e jonë», we learned about the serious incident provoked during the Macedonia–Albania football match. The author of the article, Adriatik Dosti, describes the event in such a style and with such information that you would think he had been present. Reading what happened, you become increasingly worried and outraged, until at the end of the article you learn of the despicable act by the Macedonian fans: nearly 2,000 people turned their backs, booed and whistled while our National Anthem was being played. Who incited them, who inspired them? What is happening in relations between the two countries: are they trying to make us look away? Considering other events, which we have written about, are we failing to recognize the principles of reciprocity in relations between the two countries? We, as tolerant as ever, while the highest official of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia declares, “Albanians will not be recognized as a state-forming element”! Remember also the absurdity of the Macedonian foreign minister at his press conference in Tirana, and once again the jibes he directed at journalists. During the protest by those from whom we have sought a response on behalf of the Albanians in Macedonia to date... Nothing! But how much have we done for relations with Macedonia? A great deal! We have wanted, and continue to want, good-neighbourly relations, but official Macedonia has not responded adequately. Does it seem that I am politicizing a sporting incident? Not at all! This is not about yellow cards or red cards. It is about respect for our National Flag. It is sacred to us Albanians, as it is to every people. It embodies our history, our honour, our pride! And nobody can toy with it—not 2,000 people, nor anyone else. Four years ago they wrote their anthem—For our sacred anthem, Albanians have fallen and will fall as martyrs, if need be. For that sacred flag! Was the insult an isolated incident, when throughout the match there were also chants for a Macedonia without Albanians? Was the insult that continued on the way back at the border post also an isolated incident? Did they go there to play football, in a friendly, social and sporting spirit, or to be met with and subjected to this insult? We are not the ones who should be ashamed; those in Macedonia should be ashamed! But that is only one side of it! Why did our TV not report or react to this event? Why is the Albanian TV station in Skopje not held responsible for reporting it? Does it report even the premiere of a play, a recital concert, or matches in the park? Why is the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports not responding? The minister is capable! But what about the deputy? Why is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs silent? (Continued on page 4)

THROUGH THE ALLEYS OF ENGLISH BISCUITS “I don’t know whether the State Audit Service has dealt with this problem. This month we have dealt with important problems.” “I don’t know whether the State Audit Service has dealt with this problem. This month we have dealt with important problems. If we deal with this problem, that will be decided next month...” These are the words of Mr Karamuca, deputy head of the State Audit Service, at the meeting about dollars, medals, cigarettes, fuel... He would not dare speak, and neither would he speak about the biscuits, because they are the work of his colleagues in the Meksi cabinet. After all, none of the names mentioned in this matter belong to the opposition. Karamuça was answering our question as to whether his agency had carried out an inspection concerning the English biscuits. “Biscuits again. But this time not in the prime minister’s office, but at the State Audit Service. We were convinced that Mr Çela, even if he knew nothing officially about this matter, would at least have tasted them at the Council of Ministers’ club, where Maks’s adviser wanted to persuade me that they were fit to eat. But Blerim is difficult to meet even in a peaceful situation for the DP, let alone now, when local government elections are to be held in several communes. Fortunately or unfortunately, the state’s Blerim was in Mallakastër! At any rate, one thing is true. Mr Çela and his audit service have never dared to speak without permission, especially when they are required to go against the party. Just as... and that the State Control Service did not dare speak about the dollars, medals, cigarettes, fuel ... it would not dare speak about the biscuits either, because they are the work of the government and the names mentioned in this matter belongs to the opposition; none is a member of the Socialist Party, so the matter is outside Mr. Çela’s jurisdiction. Simply, articles published in the national press, or even an anonymous letter, could put the State Control Service on alert. But in this case, nothing of the sort happens. Names and people are mentioned here who are above the SHKSH and Blerim himself. Perhaps it would be better to remind Mr. Çela that a single article in an Italian newspaper was enough for him to quickly begin drafting reports about the chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano. And what is important to emphasize is that the person called a journalist, who was denounced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was an Italian citizen. Nevertheless, the facts and documents exist even after Blerim leaves his post as head of the SHKSH.

Yesterday in Malësi e Madhe: A dispute between two officers, members of the RP forces, led to the use of a firearm, killing one of them. This happened yesterday during the lunch break in the town of Koplik. Road-police inspector Risim Rrapaj shot and killed with a pistol Isa Tahiri, commander of the Koplik town police post. So far, there has been no information about the nature of the dispute between them that led to this killing. There is also no information about what action was taken by the district police station or whether it managed to apprehend the perpetrator of this crime. Unconfirmed sources inform us that the perpetrator later went to his home, from where he communicated by radio with his superiors, saying, “I am innocent”; therefore, no one should come to my home without first calling the witnesses who were present at this incident and know everything.” What were the motives for this killing, and what happened next? Let us wait for the MRP’s announcement on this.

Besides Albanian television, for the past three days the residents of Durrës have also been watching eight other television stations, without needing satellite dishes. Five of these stations are Italian, along with one French channel, one Turkish channel and Euro News. “The entire investment made in Italy for the receiving and transmitting antennas amounts to 33 million lire,” Vasil Aleksi of the ATSh firm said, which carried out the project. “The coverage range of these waves is around 8 km, but once some additional work on these antennas has been completed, the city of Shijak will be just as privileged as Durrës for cultural, sporting or political events,” Mr Aleksi explained. With minimal preliminary work, these antennas can also be adapted for other European stations.

Ali Spahiu in the middle, to put Albanian justice in order On 11 May 1994, among the usual materials laid on the deputies’ desks, a new revelation was placed: a bill by deputy Ali Spahiu. Bi për ed. that for weeks beforehand had been attaching importance to this work with democratic ideas. Mr Aroni, in the work programme for the month of May, with much insistence and planning, and the work it represents, although the deputies had not read it. But there is nothing to worry about, since a little practice with the materials of this programme, including in parliament, has been of help in that revolutionary method of old practices with mo- ... [?]. As for what Spahiu’s bill proposes, we are publishing the original. Article 1 “No one may serve in the Court of Cassation, the General Prosecutor’s Office or the Constitutional Court as president, vice-president or member of the court, prosecutor, deputy general prosecutor, secretary-general or department director for a period of five years if they have worked in the central justice bodies or other central state bodies for at least two years during the last 20 years of the communist dictatorship. Article 2 This law enters into force immediately.” ALI SPAHIA It is against the constitutional law. What is this bill? Consistent and determined in pursuing laws with political content, this deputy, after the approval and implementation of the law, now Article No. 24-1, by which the so-called reform threw thousands of people out onto the streets for their political convictions, is still dissatisfied, because he believes that his opponents still hold positions in the central justice bodies. So, he still has some concern about some person or personal opponent of his. (Continued on page 2)

Greshica is one of the newest communes in Mallakastër, whose people will vote on May 29 to elect the councilors and the commune’s head. You have to be in Greshicë yourself, talk with these honest, patriotic villagers, ask them and listen to the troubles that the democratic government and its officials have brought upon them, and then you can draw a conclusion about which candidates they will vote for. The “shock” therapy has hit the villager harder than anyone else. The destruction of factories and industrial plants, and the total halt to industrial work and production, have made purchase prices for the countryside exorbitant. Along with the shock, government corruption and the other difficulties caused by the campaign to eradicate everything communist have made life almost unbearable. A quintal of chemical fertilizer costs no less than 30,000 old lekë; cultivating one dynym of land costs 8,000 lekë; a quintal of wheat costs 15,000 lekë—not to mention chemical products, taxes, and the increases in the price of kerosene and electricity. The DP government does not even ask about the villagers’ hardships. It is not even interested in doing the bare minimum about the problems that directly concern them. The DP is interested only in getting their vote. That will not happen in Greshicë in the coming days. Party officials and government representatives have gone there, using the most sophisticated practices of deception, which are both treacherous and insulting. The chairman of the State Control Service, Mr. Blerim Çela, the chairman of the DP, Mr. Hasan Tomor Dosti, and others have gone to Greshicë “with their pockets full.” As the people of Greshicë are saying, they are making the most intensive use of the night. And where they have come from, their character is just as dark. They are once again playing their little games with the villagers’ hardships, making extravagant promises that touch on their needs. They have promised to distribute packages as soon as people have given the DP their votes, pave the road, install some transformers, repair the burnt-out refrigerators, and so on. But how can the people of Greshicë “swallow” that ... (Continued on page 2) The DP’s eggs of promises

DURRËS Besides Albanian television, the residents—