Interview with the Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, given to our editor On the eve of the appeal hearing in the "Nano case" A CHANCE TO CORRECT THE FATAL MISTAKE Interview with the Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi given to our editor -- What is your assessment of the Nano movement? -- I cannot give judgments or opinions without being fully aware of the objective and subjective problems that accompanied this movement. Nevertheless, from the very beginning I thought that this movement did not correspond to our party's political line and orientation. Since this movement was not born at the grassroots level and through the will of the organizations, but before its existence as an extra-institutional structure was presented, it has been such and remains such. For me this movement, from the very days when it was created, in its political character, also contains elements of pressure and blackmail. I say this not to prejudge the Prosecutor's accusations against Mr. Nano, because on this issue the court of first instance did not pronounce itself, but to emphasize that the means chosen to present and support it as a minority with reforms in the party were wrong and unjustified. This movement damaged and compromised not only the image of the party and of the leader, but also damaged its integrity, its institution, and in a sense the dignity of each one of us. In this very general view it can be said that, even indirectly, this movement damaged the general interests of the SP, of Albanians, and of the PDS itself. Since this is its result, what can be said about the scale and weight of Mr. Nano's responsibility as the main protagonist? That is a matter for further assessment and action. -- How do you now assess the fact that the leaders of the pro-Nano group, instead of considering themselves as such, steered and channeled their movement into more confusing alternatives, starting from the denial of any kind of democratic normality, against the Socialist Party, against the organization, against its political action, and even to slogans such as "SP or Nano", "Nano's freedom, regardless of" We believe that even during the proceedings against Mr. Nano, not even in the name of his freedom, should the path of denying the organization, of placing political action above oneself, of encouraging lines of confrontation and calls for division within Albania, have been followed. In his public writings, Mr. Nano, especially in the interview published for Albanian television, has repeatedly treated the SP as a kind of Stalinist organization, something that is completely contrary to the reality of its life, to our efforts for reform, and to everything that the new democracy in Albania represents. To say that the SP is an organization in which arbitrariness prevails and democracy is absent in its leadership means denying our many years of effort to turn it into a modern force of the left. Nothing is more harmful than using the issue of an individual's freedom to distort the political profile of an entire party. It is true that Mr. Nano was the chairman of this party and that his name has a certain weight among its electorate, but this does not give anyone the right, because of that former position, to impose conditions on the party, to pressure it, or to use it as a tool for his personal battles. We would like the appeal hearing to be dominated by law, professionalism and impartiality. Neither the SP nor I have any interest in using this issue in the service of today's political clashes. On the contrary, it is in everyone's interest for this issue to receive a fair and final solution. And although the court of first instance has issued a ruling, we believe that the appeal is a serious opportunity to reassess some of the elements of the case and not let remain in force an error that has produced political and moral consequences. For us, the most important thing is that justice not be turned into a tool of political revenge. Only in this way can one hope that the climate in the country will normalize and that citizens will regain confidence in the institutions. (Continues on page 9)

The lawyer of Ramiz Alia Mr. Kleanthi Koçi denounces violations of the law At that time, lawyer Mr. Kleanthi Koçi, in a letter sent to several press organs, made public the serious procedural violations that occurred during the investigation and trial of Mr. Ramiz Alia. In this document, he states that the most elementary principles of defense and due legal process have been violated. Under Article 31 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the defense has the right to take part in all investigative actions and to become acquainted with the case materials. But, according to the lawyer, the investigative bodies and the court have unjustifiably restricted the exercise of this right. He emphasizes that he was not allowed to review the file in time, that contacts with the accused were obstructed, and that part of the evidence was handled without the presence of the defense. According to him, these actions compromise the validity of the process. Lawyer Koçi also notes that in the first-instance decision there is a mismatch between the reasoning and the dispositive part, which makes reassessment by the appeal court even more necessary. He calls on the relevant bodies to take measures to ensure strict respect for the law and for the public opinion to be informed properly about what happened in this process. (Continues on page 7)

Lawyer Përparim Sakuaku [?] denounced procedural violations Do not become accomplices of those who break the law Lawyer Përparim Sakuaku [?] denounced procedural violations Do not become accomplices of those who break the law AVOS NANO WAS ACCUSED IN DETAIL IMAKUZEN At the pre-trial hearing on the charge under Article 220, Mr. Nano declared that the trial against him was being conducted in abnormal conditions and that a political process was being prepared. He objected to the way the charge had been brought and called for respect for all procedural safeguards. According to his lawyer, part of the acts were drawn up without the defense being present, broad interpretations of the law were made, and in some cases the very right to become acquainted with the materials was bypassed. These remarks were presented as an appeal not to become accomplices of those who break the law and not to allow the process to turn into a display of political force. (Continues on page 3)

Published by the Journalists' NUJOTIM SHYPI The Professional Journalists Association of Albania admits members of the World Federation of Journalists NUJOTIM SHTYPI -Director ARSHI PIPA, president; Mr. Romanocon- саро [?]; Eriñda [?]; Erlanda [?]; Doveñka [?]; Zeri i Popullit; Vlora; Eriñda [?] A press conference of the World Federation of Journalists and a statement by the Professional Journalists Association of Albania make known that the latter has been admitted as a member of the World Federation. This act constitutes an important recognition of the efforts of Albanian journalists on the path of professionalism and independent union and professional organization. The statement underlines that this admission opens the way for closer cooperation with sister organizations and for support in training, professional standards, and the protection of the socio-professional rights of journalists. (Continues on page 9)

Political maneuvers, political aims, political accusations under the guise of corruption ÇKYÇI DECENIONON NE NJE PROCES FINAL TË PAVARUR [?] - Please single out the word of the presentation of the hearing? [?] In yesterday's trial, with different arguments, the defense side tried to reject the criminal nature of the accusations and to prove that the process had a clear political background. According to it, the problem did not lie merely in some administrative decisions taken years earlier, but in the attempt to politically burden former senior leaders and to create in public opinion the idea of a general corruption of the previous system. The defense pointed out that the way public debate was conducted, the choice of the time and the subject of the process, as well as the use of strong terms in the media, made it clear that this was not only a legal matter. (Continues on page 4)

Do not become accomplices of those who break the law Political maneuvers, political aims, political accusations under the guise of corruption (Continues on page 3)

The trial began against former President of the Republic Ramiz Alia and Adil Çarçani, Manush Myftiu, Hekuran Isai, Rita Marko, Simon Stefani, Aranit Çela, Kapo Milo, Zylyftar Ramizi and Veiz Hodoëri [?]