Yesterday in Parliament Discussion of the motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Meksi, delivered by PS Deputy Chairman Servet Pëllumbi Yesterday in Parliament As announced in all the news bulletins of the official media in the preceding days, yesterday the debate on the motion of no confidence in the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, was to take place in the Albanian Parliament. Likewise, as the very serious news agencies had announced throughout the day, referring to official sources, the debate on the motion against Prime Minister Meksi would not take place yesterday. And, as if to further undermine the credibility of the information provided by the official media, yesterday there was no debate on the motion of no confidence, but only the presentation of the motion, which had already been made once before, on 29 June, even though the item on the agenda, approved by a majority vote and proposed by the Parliament’s Presidium, was the debate on the motion. It was the motion submitted on 29 June of this year by the group of Socialist deputies following the shocking events in Libofshë, and, moreover, the shocking positions taken by Prime Minister Meksi and his cabinet. It stated that: «Prime Minister Meksi does not wish to perform his constitutional duties; that Prime Minister Meksi is inclined to protect his compromised associates», thereby highlighting Mr. Meksi’s lack of willingness to prepare the Constitution, the commission for which he chairs; this also compelled Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi to appear before Parliament for the second time within a few days to explain himself, now in the position of one who has lost the confidence of ... Mr. Speaker, Honourable Deputies, The motion of no confidence that the PS parliamentary group submitted against Prime Minister Meksi on 14.6.1994 stems from our constitutional right, according to which deputies have the right «to submit at any time a motion of no confidence in the Council of Ministers or in individual members thereof» (Main Constitutional Provisions, Article 34). There are many reasons that have prompted us to do this. We believe that all other forms of parliamentary oversight of the government and most of its members individually have now been exhausted. During question sessions and interpellations held here in Parliament, it has been observed that members of the government, and Prime Minister Meksi in particular, have shown disregard, failing to recognize their legal obligation to provide the necessary explanations and information and, above all, to take measures arising from the constitutional powers of the Albanian Parliament. In our view, this is not merely a matter of chronic disrespect for the PS parliamentary group and, in general, for the opposition, but above all of disregard for parliamentary oversight, and of the fact that the institutionalization of the rule of law is turning into a demagogic slogan. Political revenge is taking the place of democratic methods in state governance; in its most typical and flagrant form, this was seen in the process of arresting and convicting, without basis in law or fact, the PS chairman and deputy F. Nano. Undemocratic, unlawful methods, with pronounced tendencies toward a police state, are taking its place. ...ksi, who had been informed while these events were still unfolding, by letters No. 22, dated 24.5.1994, No. 25, dated 28.5.1994, No. 28, dated 30.5.1994, as well as protests No. 1, 2, 3, 4, dated 29.5.1994 at 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, and 13:30. But we regret to observe that Mr. Meksi, reflecting his previous positions toward the opposition, his view of the opposition as nonexistent or simply as an enemy, or some other more powerful factor, placed himself and the cabinet he leads at the service of the «Libofshë Experiment»—whose purpose was to demonstrate how power can be maintained by force, how police coercion can replace freedom of voting, how fraud and manipulation can replace the true result of voting, and how the mafia gangs of Prefect Margjallaj can replace the lawful representatives appointed to organize the vote. A few days later, standing before the TV cameras beside Mr. Meksi, Margjallaj theorized that the events in Libofshë were ordinary, and that even the most developed countries experience such unrest! («Dita informacion»—7.7.1994). Regarding these «disturbances», which Margjallaj calls lawful, our parliamentary group presented you with substantial evidence during the 1 June interpellation of the state crime committed in Libofshë on 29 May. But you remained silent; you did not seek to hold the organizers and perpetrators of the state crime criminally accountable; indeed, you tried to blame the victims. And it is a fact that, as a result, everything has been blocked: both the deputies’ complaints and the report we filed with the prosecutor’s office as a political force. Let us be clear: let justice identify the specific culprits, but here we denounce the participation of the organs of power in the crime, as well as the unforgivable negligence of the Government ... and the President, who, although informed, did nothing to stop it; on the contrary, it was encouraged, protected, and called a «bouquet of spring flowers» for the PD! And not only that. You, Mr. Prime Minister, have gone so far as to refuse to accept even the responsibility that falls on you, so much so that you ordered, in direct violation of Article 21 of Law 7573 dated 16.6.1992, that a ... be established (Continued on page 2) Meksi to appear before the Albanian Parliament for the second time within a few days, still of the socialist opposition. This time, however, to seek a vote of confidence. Mr. Arbnori first gave the floor to Mr. Meksi to state his opinion on the motion of no confidence. This time, without pretending to become angry, and referring to the motion submitted on 29 June, the Albanian Prime Minister— (Continued on page 2) the institutionalization of parliamentary control. At the meeting, a demagogic slogan. The place of democratic methods in state governance is being taken by political revenge, which, in its most typical and flagrant form, is evident in the process of arresting and sentencing the chairman of the PS, MP F. Nano, without basis in law or facts; it is being taken by undemocratic, anti-popular methods, with pronounced tendencies toward a police state. The place of lawful governance, characteristic of the rule of law, is being taken by insecurity, systematic violations of human rights and freedoms, and mafia-style acts by armed gangs, like the one that operated in Libofshë on May 29, supported by the security forces and by statements and disinformation from RTV. The events in Libofshë, about which our parliamentary group presented numerous facts during the interpellation held on June 1, are flagrant and place a heavy responsibility on Prime Minister Me-

Albania is among the top priorities for US aid to Eastern Europe, but currently there is no program to modernize Albanian armaments — Perri stressed Yesterday morning, US Secretary of Defense William Perri concluded his visit to Tirana with a joint press conference with Albanian Minister Zhulali. Minister Zhulali spoke first, describing the visit as «historic» not only for the Albanian armed forces, but also for Albania in general. The talks between the two ministers concerned bilateral cooperation and the Partnership for Peace framework, and broadened the basis for cooperation and understanding between the two armies. «In military cooperation,» Zhulali stressed, «the USA is Albania’s best friend.» A special place in the talks was given to the situation in the Balkans and the danger of the conflict in Bosnia spreading south. Both sides, the Albanian minister said, «exchanged views on reaching a just solution to these problems. Views were also exchanged ... on the Kosovo issue and the situation there. According to Zhulali, Perri described Albania as a serious partner in the Partnership for Peace, and the Albanian side presented its views on the possibility of Albania joining the North Atlantic Alliance. Zhulali quoted Perri as saying that, for the American side, Albania is an important key factor for peace and stability in the region. It was then noted that, in addition to assistance for the education and training of Albanian military personnel, the American side had also provided a package of non-military assistance to be delivered in the future. However, neither side gave further details about what this non-military assistance consists of. (Continued on page 4).

— Statement by Academician Bedri Dedja — As one of the three initiators and one of its nine members, together with the one hundred and eighty-one signatories, in my capacity also as Chairman of the High Council of Justice of the Republic of Albania, [I call for] the release from prison and acquittal of Ramiz Alia, this distinguished and courageous figure of the National Liberation War; a consistent democrat and initiator of democratic processes, regardless of his ideological beliefs. His release would be a great humanitarian and political gesture in this year marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the homeland from the Nazi-fascist forces and the nation’s traitors. At the time, this Manifesto was not conceived, at least by me, as a party document, as someone has claimed. It was an appeal to vote for the political forces that directly served the definitive removal of the totalitarian regime and the transition through these elections to ... a genuinely democratic society. At the time I believed wholeheartedly, as I still do today, that the struggle in power or in opposition of every political party with truly Albanian ideals would be an honest struggle to move Albania forward on the road to democracy. The transition to date has been marked by much pain, which is natural, but some of it is entirely artificial, voluntaristic and avoidable. Nevertheless, I hope that this phase of class struggle will be thoroughly consigned to the museum, that the democratic Albanian state will know how to bring together all the best things we inherited from the last fifty years and will contemptuously cast aside every bitter legacy. Under these circumstances, if you are an honest Albanian, you cannot help but say that we have long been sitting anxiously through the opening and closing of the curtain on trials, when we thought we would spend more time watching the inaugurations of the economic, social and political fruits of democracy. Because they have been feared, today’s trials, willy-nilly, are a true expression of farsighted political democracy, legal politics, culture and humanism. As an intellectual, I appeal to President Berisha, since it is in his honor ... from prison and declare Ramiz Alia innocent, this distinguished figure and brave veteran 50th anniversary year and the nation’s traitors. I also appeal to him to release Fatos Nano from prison and declare him innocent—the chairman of the Socialist Party and an MP elected by the people. As is quite clear, even a Supreme Court of Cassation would not prove his guilt. This act would be in keeping with the European political organizations’ position on this issue, a testament to civic and legal respect for the opposition, as well as an expression of the reality of political pluralism in Albania. I do not support the view that another major trial should be held against the dictatorship. Enough of these calls for trials! My view is that the greatest trial of the dictatorship took place throughout these four years of transition, years which, by all convincing indications, will not allow Albania to return to where it once was. This great trial should also continue through the objective unfolding of Albanian history. I believe, as does every honest Albanian, that these acts will have significant positive effects: they will ease the artificial tensions on the Albanian political scene, put an end to a certain anxiety created among many people, and allow honesty, ideas and alternatives to flourish once more. We will breathe more freely in our democracy in the future.

— Mr. Kopliku is once again not telling the truth — Politically persecuted people on the verge of a hunger strike None of the political parties in Albania, nor several of its most prominent leaders, with the exception of the Democratic Party, has approved the way the economy and national assets have been privatized. It was decided that people would benefit under the law only by a government decision made behind closed doors. Meksi, is that it? This is the most blatant policy, brought into a political and legal decision for concrete implementation. The PD and its leaders are outside this framework. Mr. Kopliku spoke again on TV in recent days about privatization, safeguarding, the means and those who would benefit. From what could be understood from his remarks, only ordinary people would benefit; but what about specialists, civil servants and intellectuals, those who ran enterprises for 45 years and created the national wealth—will they not benefit? ... In all this, there is a misinterpretation of privatization; Mr. Kopliku mentioned ... ... Mr. Kopliku’s statement that «20 percent of the privatized properties have been acquired by the politically persecuted» is a demagogic bubble; once again, it is not true. «They took our votes and now they deceive us with lies ...». Of the 1,704 properties privatized in Durrës, the association has not identified a single case in which politically persecuted people acquired one. The politically persecuted also view the distribution of value vouchers with suspicion, calling them ironically «value papers». Faced with this demagoguery by the Meksi government and its overall treatment of the politically persecuted, support within their organizations has grown, and this has increased ...». They have even cooperated; there are also such organizations, and they have links with European organizations ... ... In general, it is evident that 225 illegal constructions have received ... (Continued on page 4) 225 illegal constructions were recorded in the first six months of this year alone — In addition, according to other information from the Elbasan district council, there may be further unauthorized constructions that have obtained permi... — In addition to the construction on the outskirts, particularly beside the city stadium, and the creation of a new [unclear] with two-storey buildings, unauthorized constructions have occupied dozens of...

TRITAN SHEHU, A RESUSCITATION SPECIALIST, REPLACES HIM!!! The Constitution in the «ranks of the Democratic Party» K. Loloçi, constitutional law expert, removed from the Constitution Commission!! TRITAN SHEHU, RESUSCITATION SPECIALIST, REPLACES HIM!!! — The PD could not tolerate the reminiscences and certain views on the draft constitution expressed by Mr. Loloçi. — Ridvan Peshkëpia is thrown out of the parliamentary chamber — for asking to speak. «You have turned Parliament into a café,» he said. The country’s only constitutional law expert, Mr. Krenar Loloçi, has been removed from the Constitution Commission. PD deputy Vasil Gjika demanded his removal yesterday after Mr. Arbnori had invited Ali Spahia to become a member (Continued on page 4)

12.7 billion lekë in revenue from taxes and duties entered the state budget in the first six months of this year. This is the figure presented attractively through comparative charts with the same period last year on the pages of the official press in recent days. Although this revenue target was not achieved at 100 percent, its fulfillment undoubtedly points to effective work by the tax authorities. But what is striking is that, while achievements in tax and duty revenue are displayed and future obligations are set out, not a single figure is provided for the other categories in the same column of the state budget. Why is the public not informed of the total revenue in the state budget? Everyone knows that it can breathe only through the tax bronchi. Government officials in Parliament have stated that if budget revenues increase, salaries will be raised for the first six months. In fact, tax and duty revenues have increased by 2.7 billion lekë compared with the same period last year. But the same has not happened with the other revenue indicators. It is said that the planned deficit of 26.8 billion lekë will deepen by several billion more. In this situation, it is not merely a matter of saying that salary increases are out of the question; the budget will be forced to put a cap on spending as well. Operating expenses are expected to be the first to suffer. The adjustment the IMF has made to the budget is essentially along these lines. The figure of 10,500 teachers who, according to the World Bank, will leave [their jobs] on the fourth [date] and join the ranks of the unemployed is also an expression of the budget’s dramatic condition. Further cuts in budget expenditure, which will logically and inevitably follow any measure that reduces its revenues, are an expression of the state’s inability to put the country’s economy to efficient use. The almost complete lack of domestic production is worsening the condition of the ailing budget, the ... of which is increasingly upsetting the balance of the country’s socio-economic life every day. S. GRUDA