THE PEOPLE’S VOICE, ORGAN OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA Wednesday, July 20, 1994 128 (16 261). Price: 5 lekë 150 DPX PUBLIC OPINION WANTS TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ILLEGAL FUEL TRADE - The Presidency, the Council of Ministers, Minister Abdy Xhaja, MP Ali Spahia, and the chairman of the Shkodër district council, Ali Kazazi, must make a statement - Yesterday’s newspaper «Koha e Jonë» devotes two and a half pages to the long-discussed scandal of breaking the embargo on Montenegro and Serbia, specifically through the illegal fuel trade. The newspaper brings its readers a full article from Croatia’s largest newspaper, «Globus», which goes so far as to state that Albanian President Berisha and Montenegrin President Bulatovi-ja agreed on the gigantic oil smuggling operation for Yugoslavia. We quote the following from the Croatian newspaper’s article: «All day long, tankers gather at a place called Koplik, near the border, while after 9 p.m., with the permission of Albanian and Montenegrin officials, the fuel is transported to Montenegro.» The article also contains many other details and confirmation from Montenegrin politician Gjorgje Perishic that “... the oil is paid for through the national banks of Albania and Montenegro.” After numerous reports about oil smuggling appeared in the Albanian press, part of what [...?] this activity [...] is now being revealed. After a six-hour trial over fuel smuggling, the case is sent back to the investigation authorities... - One of the defendants accuses the police of stealing the fuel - Fuel smuggling in Shkodër has been talked about and discussed extensively over the past two years. Now the time has come for the judicial authorities to have their say on the matter. The day before yesterday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., a trial was held at the district court against five people who had been arrested and accused of collaborating in fuel smuggling at Pulaj in Velipojë. In the dock were Osman Kurti, Nikolin Prenga, Adem Preçi, Dedë Simon, and Viktor Nikolla. First, the prosecutor in the case, Mr. Hajdar Çkoli, read the indictment against the five defendants. The defendants then spoke; they had been held in pretrial detention for two and a half months. None of them admitted the charges, presenting arguments in their defence. Their accounts differed almost entirely from what had been written in the police and investigation reports. When the presiding judge, Mr. Gjovalin Përnoca, asked why they had signed those reports if they were now denying them, some defendants replied that they had signed them in good faith; nobody had read them to us. Nevertheless, the matter of the police team’s report was strongly contested: where did the fuel seized by the police go? In this case, I accuse the police of theft, because the tanker containing fuel that they impounded was found open the next day. The head of the investigation provided no answer to this question. Viktor Nikolla said that we were arrested and denounced on orders, as scapegoats. He described the charges as manipulations and fabrications by the police and the prosecution. Among other things, Osman Kurti, the fuel’s owner, pointed out that he had carried out every operation from Durrës to Velipojë in accordance with the rules. He called the change made by the fuel-unloading unit a change of destination, not smuggling. The failure of most of the witnesses to appear greatly complicated the effort to shed light on the case. Only one police officer who had taken part in the operation appeared as a witness for the prosecution. He said that he too had signed the report without reading it, and denied that the defendants in question had been caught unloading fuel. Under these circumstances, the panel decided to return the case to the investigative body for further investigation, cancel the seizure order for the tanker, and change the security measure for the driver Adem Preçi from pretrial detention to an obligation not to leave. Mr. Përnoçaj said that, with the case requiring further investigation and additional evidence, they could issue neither a guilty nor a not-guilty verdict. The defendants and their family members reacted indignantly, demanding acquittal and immediate release. They said that all citizens are judging the actions being carried out today in broad daylight. MUSA KURTULAJ Montenegrin politician Gjorgje Perishiq said that “... Albania and Montenegro. Regarding oil smuggling, following the publication of numerous reports in the Albanian press, part of the iceberg of this illegal activity is now being uncovered. What is the truth? Our government officials, up to the highest ranks, must clarify it. The public’s right to information is a constitutional civil right, in accordance with the legislation in force and the universal human rights. Previously, all of them denied the accusation and presented their arguments in support of this. Their statements were almost entirely different from what had been written in the police and investigative records. When the presiding judge, Mr. Gjovalin Përnoçaj, asked why they had signed these records if they were now denying them, some of the nobody had read them to us. Particular insistence was placed on this point regarding the record of the police group that claims to have made the arrest in flagrante delicto. The defendants stated that at that time they had not signed the record attesting that it had found the tanker truck in the mud, and that was what we did. Whereas today it turns out that this record says we supposedly signed to confirm that we had unloaded oil into the tanker that was taken by boat to Montenegro. “It is not true,” they emphasized, “that oil was unloaded from the tanker truck for which we were arrested. It was sealed.” The defendant Dede Simoni even asked

Yesterday, the deputy chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, and the PS secretary for foreign relations, Bashkim Zeneli, a member of the People’s Assembly, received at the Party headquarters, at his request, Mr. Peter Dickinson, a representative of the American International Republican Institute. After praising the work of the American International Republican Institute in helping to institutionalize democracy in every aspect of political and parliamentary life in Albania, and its fruitful assistance, particularly in developing a democratic culture, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi stressed that we are pleased that official US interest in the Socialist Party has generally increased recently. We are open to cooperation and appreciate the support the United States has given and continues to give Albania during this difficult period of transition. Speaking about the situation in Albania, Servet Pëllumbi stressed that we are by no means nihilists, as we are accused of being. There have been positive changes in Albania in many areas, and the situation is incomparably different from the past. A number of laws containing democratic principles have been adopted, such as the law on fundamental human rights and freedoms, etc. Naturally, we welcome every positive achievement in consolidating democracy and want everything to be done in accordance with recognized international standards. But we cannot agree at all with the euphoria that has taken hold of those in power. They seem to talk only about successes, always in superlatives, even making comparisons with developed countries. Euphoria does not serve democracy. In Albania, production is still at a standstill; unemployment is very high. There is scope for restructuring and putting some industries back into operation, especially the mines, etc. Investments are, contrary to the propaganda, negligible. The Socialist Party, S. Pëllumbi went on to say, has called for and continues to call for a dialogue table with the country’s political forces, in the interest of the national cause. We are open to cooperation with all political forces for the good of the country. Albanians today must first reach an understanding with one another, and then let others hear us. We are not in favour of conflict among Albanians; we support national reconciliation. On national issues, we have stressed that we need a common voice, so that Europe, too, knows what we are asking for. And when we raise objections, we are immediately labelled anti-national. No single party has, or should have, a monopoly on the national question in Albania. Albania needs a common national programme and strategy. The Socialist Party has absolutely no interest in heightening tensions. We have not accepted, and will not accept, the fabricated political process against Fatos Nano. The release of Fatos Nano would serve democracy in Albania. This message is also coming from Europe every day. S. Pëllumbi then spoke about the need for a policy of good neighbourliness and for resolving problems through dialogue rather than escalating measures that worsen relations, as is happening with Greece. There are problems, but they should be resolved using contemporary, democratic principles and goodwill. In this regard, we have criticized signs of amateurism and spontaneity in official policy. Responding to Mr. Dickinson’s interest in the issue of the Constitution, Servet Pëllumbi said that we want to trust the President to bring the Constitution to Parliament as soon as possible. We have been calling for it for a long time. It is unforgivable that Albania has no constitution. Mr. Dickinson asked about the recent development of Party conferences in the districts. They, Servet Pëllumbi said, have been genuinely useful, successful, and democratic; they have been entirely competitive and have strengthened the Party. Many young people have been elected to the Party’s district leadership bodies. In no district were former Party of Labour cadres elected, despite what some Democratic Party leaders are saying here and there. Young people have predominated everywhere. During this conversation, Mr. Dickinson requested a meeting with the Socialist Party parliamentary group, a request that was accepted without reservation. Press and Information Office of the Socialist Party

EUROPEAN UNION – ALBANIA The Council of Ministers of the European Union decided to grant Albania 1 million ECU. The Council of Ministers of the European Union decided to grant Albania the first tranche of 15 million ECU from the 35 million ECU in aid promised months ago and blocked several times by the Greek veto. This was reported yesterday by BBC Albanian radio through its correspondent in Athens. The Greek government has deemed the conditions appropriate for taking such a step in providing aid to Albania. However, the first tranche of aid will be accompanied by a letter from the German Presidency of the European Union to the Albanian government, setting out the Greek government’s demands concerning respect for the rights of the Greek minority in Albania. Meanwhile, the fate of the remaining 20 million ECU of this aid is unknown. According to the BBC, this aid will be granted to Albania after the German Presidency submits a report to the Council of Ministers of the European Union on the state and progress of democratic processes in Albania. On this occasion, Albanian President Sali Berisha sent a protest to the German Presidency concerning this way of handling aid to Albania, the BBC reported. While Papandreou’s government is trying to convince Greek public opinion that the conditions for providing aid to Albania were the very reason for its decision, the nationalist right-wing opposition parties, such as New Democracy and Political Spring, are fiercely attacking the PASOK government for the step it took regarding aid to Albania.

Police forces belonging to the People’s Army of Macedonia have been concentrated in the western part of this former Yugoslav republic. The largest concentration of these forces is in Tetovo; their presence is also felt in other towns where Albanians live. The police forces were brought from Eastern Macedonia during the population census, but they have still not withdrawn even though the census has ended. Some people link the increase in police forces in Western Macedonia to the Albanians. Others believe the government is concerned with the Serbs, that is, with the Macedonian government’s concern to maintain full control over the Serbs living in this republic. So far, neither the Macedonian government nor the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to which these forces belong, has provided any explanation either for their number or their purpose, although it is thought that their number exceeds 600. Whether their numbers are few or many, the population of these areas, inhabited mainly by Albanians, feels their presence at every turn. «Zëri i Popullit» correspondent in Skopje.

31 UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS CAUGHT IN PATOK - 24 Albanians and 7 Chinese among them - After the Laç police station received information that 31 undocumented people were sheltering in the Patok area, waiting to travel to Italy by motorboat, a team from the station immediately set out after them and managed to catch and detain 31 undocumented migrants in the Patok area shortly after 10 p.m. The first interception took place as they were trying to approach a motorboat that had come specially from Italy to pick them up. Of the 31 undocumented migrants detained, 24 are Albanians—22 men and two women—while seven are Chinese, three women and four men. The Albanian migrants are from the districts of Laç, Mirditë, Mat, and ...; the Chinese, who had arrived in Tirana using passports from 1977, wanted to cross illegally into Italy. This operation by the Laç police station was led by its officers, including the station chief, Arben Dashi. While the undocumented migrants were detained, the Italian motorboat waiting for them sped away, as it could not be caught because the Laç police station did not have the necessary equipment. The border police should have dealt with this matter. The 31 undocumented migrants were held in isolation for 12 hours at the Laç police station, from where they were sent to Tirana.

Before taking up the post of Secretary of Defense, Mr. Perri served as Under Secretary of Defense in 1993–1994; as co-director of the Center for International Security and Arms Control at Stanford University from 1984 to 1993, where he was also a professor of engineering. From 1985 to 1993 he also served as chairman for technology strategy and alliances; while from 1981 to 1985 he was managing director of Hambrendt and Kuist. From 1977 to 1981 he served as Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. From 1951 to 1977, Mr. Perri carried out Before taking up the post of Secretary of Defense, Mr. Perri served as Under Secretary of Defense in 1993–1994; as co-director of the Center for International Security and Arms Control at Stanford University from 1984 to 1993, where he was also a professor of engineering. From 1985 to 1993 he also served as chairman for technology strategy and alliances; while from 1981 to 1985 he was managing director of Hambrendt and Kuist. He served as Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering from 1977 to 1981. From 1951 through 1977, Mr. Perri carried out (Continued on page 4)

We wish to inform all residents on the upper floors who were expecting their water to arrive on July 15, according to the statement made by our minister on TV, that the water on every pasit [sic] will be available. Mr. Ilir Manushi was not in Albania but on an official assignment abroad in Austria. We assure and guarantee you that you may perhaps have water in August, before the minister leaves for his summer holiday; perhaps in September, perhaps. We guarantee and assure you of this: you will have water, although having a pump in the meantime wouldn’t be a bad idea. The Optimistic Spokesperson of the Transition

Yesterday at around 6 o’clock in Pulaj, Velipoja, at a place called Vaji i Shegës, Montenegrin soldiers opened fire and wounded two young men, brothers from the village of Luvarz, whose names are Genc and Arben Gjekaj. According to information we received from Velipoja, it appears that the young men in question were fishing in the waters of the Buna. Upon making inquiries at Shkodër hospital, we learned that one was hit by a bullet in the leg, while the other was hit in the abdomen and is still in more serious condition. No official information sources have yet reported on this incident. M. B. [partly illegible]

In the center of the city of Peshkopi, a notice in large letters invites citizens to make their trip to Tirana on the new bus of the Albanian Telecom. With the exception of Monday, every day the bus brings the daily press and periodicals to Peshkopi and the towns connected by this route. It brings them at around 11:00, the time at which the interurban service for citizens wishing to travel on this route is also scheduled to operate [sic]. Generally, the bus is not full either on the way there or on the return trip. Private buses and minibuses have managed to satisfy the familiar “hunger” for travel on this remote route of the country. One thing about these facts makes an impression: the state, through Telecom, has entered into a service for the people. It delivers the press and takes passengers. The routes run from Tirana to the centers of distant districts; the newspaper reaches as far as Peshkopi. But Dibra is neither Bulqiza nor Peshkopia. Dibra includes Klenja, Ostreni, Sllova, Kalaja e Dodës, Reçi, Dardha, Selishta, Lura, Cidhna Kastrjoti, etc. For years, service to these areas has been completely interrupted: telephone and telegraph service, and the delivery of letters and telegrams. It would be worthwhile for the large bus that comes from Tirana to deliver the mail to be replaced with a smaller one, and, as part of this service, for other minibuses to leave Peshkopia (for example) at 11 o’clock every day for the remote areas, delivering the mail and the daily press and satisfying the “hunger” these areas currently have for transport. No bus goes to Selishtë, and people continue to travel on foot or on the timber trucks, as in the old days. The same must be said of Lura and other areas. In its promises for 22 March, the Democratic Party had placed “a telephone in every household” in all the villages of Albania at the top of its agenda. The people complain less. They want a telephone in every village, a signal, telegraph and postal service where they live, and the daily press where they reside. This is not a luxury but one of the minimum requirements of human rights. A. ASIMKO