ALBANIAN POLITICS MUST BE CLEANED OF DIRTY MONEY It was ten Socialist MPs who managed to hold the entire parliamentary group of the Democratic Party hostage on Thursday during the debate on the motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Meksi. The accusations of corruption and the explanations demanded about them by the Socialist opposition, against a backdrop of the sound of handcuffs, succeeded in silencing the DP MPs and making them more attentive; they held their breath, praying to God that their names would not come up. The session was to be broadcast on TV. It seemed that the terror this time was even greater. This was also because there may be many involved in corruption, and consequently the shock would be greater. But everything remained general and no specific names were mentioned. It seemed the Socialists had carefully planned their attack. First came extraordinary psychological pressure, with their cards kept close to their chests. This was the moral irritant, and then came the rest. The DP MPs themselves knew this well; even their manager had psychologically prepared them to withstand the game of nerves. But they could not resist the far from pleasant temptation of the handcuffs. Not a word against the accusations, not an explanation about smuggling, about the banal form of corruption represented by kiosks, about the scandal of loans, nuts, cigarettes, or state crime. Stalin, Hitler, Goebbels, the Comintern, cows, chickens, collectivization, the destruction of churches and headscarves, Greek-Serbian chauvinism were invoked only to insult the Socialists. Meanwhile, silently, each of them instinctively took the accusations and hung them around his own neck. These accusations concern money obtained through extortion: where are Arsid’s 1.6 million dollars, where are the Ministry of Defense’s 360 thousand dollars; how many rifles did the prime minister find the Albanian army with, and how many does it have today; which of our prominent figures goes to Koplik to inspect the boats; which MP has obtained a house in Tirana and also privatized another house in his district; who is smuggling cigarettes; who controls kiosks, the most banal form of corruption; who controls the granting of loans and what percentage of the loan do they demand as a bribe; and finally, who was a collaborator of the State Security service? A few months ago, a similar situation arose in the Albanian parliament. It was PAD MP Perikli Teta who presented parliament with a list of more than 20 MPs rumored to be involved in corruption, while also calling for the establishment of a special investigative commission. But everything remained silent, while the judiciary did not stop; it also brought to light scandals rooted in corruption, until the situation deteriorated to this point. Mr. Teta’s initiative, calling for special investigations into the economic crimes of MPs and state officials, would have cleaned Albanian politics of dishonesty and dirty money. Perhaps it would also have saved the DP from the anxiety that has seized it at present. Even now, that demand should be repeated, although—as a result of the justice system taking action—it would bring back the clinking of handcuffs and the banalities of those in power. The heavy clatter of handcuffs has taken over party and state structures. This action appeared plainly to be an attempt to escape anxiety. It was not an attempt to fight corruption at all, simply a propaganda game to conceal it. From the positions taken in parliament, it seems that there are many corrupt people. And if what we have described above happens, the DP will be shaken. The slogan “corruption is both red and blue,” together with the arrest of Mr. Lika, will be the cover for what will shake Albanian politics and stain it as “anxhehtopoli shqiptar.” And this is not far off. Official Tirana is taking swift measures to strengthen this cover even further. Prime Minister Meksi announced that the government would soon submit to parliament a law on corruption requiring government members, MPs and state officials to declare their assets. But everything is questionable. How honest will the people subject to this law be, given that they themselves will declare their assets? It seems this law will serve as a pair of gloves—that is, as an obstacle to the “clean hands” that opposition leaders have promised upon coming to power. “No political trials! The prosecution of economic crime—this must be the mission that cleans Albanian politics of dirty money.” Before long—and not that far off—in official politics the bluffing game seen on Thursday in the parliamentary chamber will continue, along with very strange elements: Meksi’s call to vote against his removal; his continued wish that the same course of reforms be pursued; the frightened applause of DP MPs; the complete support the Meksi government enjoys from President Berisha; and, finally, the loud-mouthed appeal to the people: expose the scandals in the mass media. ERION BRAÇE ...earthquakes with the scandal of loans, weapons, cigarettes, and state crime. They only called Stalin, Hitler, Gebelski, headscarves, Greek-Serbian chauvinism to insult the socialists. Meanwhile, in silence, each of them took the accusations and instinctively hung them around his own neck. This selection was seen quite clearly on the screens, where everyone lowered their head. Meksi tried to save himself by managing to say only this: «It is not true that the Government is doing the smuggling. This matter you are presenting was very large in scale and immeasurable in duration». The DP deputies were overstuffed with the antipasto served by the socia- ...Albanian politicians from dishonesty and dirty money. Perhaps it would have pulled the DP out of the anxiety that has seized it—at the moment. Since now that demand must be repeated, although it will result—in the event of action by the justice system—in the clanking of handcuffs and the banal seizure of power. The heavy sound of handcuffs has overwhelmed party and state structures. The number one figure of the state, President Berisha, feels this too. He is trying to save what is called his party, what is called his administration, from this impasse. But the efforts are strained. Only a naive person would believe that Arben Lika was sent to prison because he had gone too far—as they say—with financial violations ...Albanian politics

A few days ago, “Voice of America” broadcast two interviews concerning the arrest of DP MP Arben Lika, one with DP chairman Eduard Selami and the other with PS deputy chairman Namik Dokle. That same day, Radio-Tirana rebroadcast Mr. Selami’s interview, and that was all. In other words, it censored the “Voice of America” program, cutting it down to just one opinion instead of presenting the opinions face to face. It is clear. Given the way our Radio-Television is going, it is conceivable that one day it may censor President Clinton himself. THE OBSERVER

The night before last, at around 20:30, the 23-year-old Arjan Hoxha was shot and killed with a pistol in the “Xhabiaj” neighborhood. The police station has not yet provided information about the circumstances of the murder or the apprehension of the perpetrator. In town yesterday, however, people were saying that Arjan was out with his fiancée at that time. A car without license plates pulled up beside them. Someone shot him from the car, which then sped away. Many tragic events of this kind show that crime has now sunk its claws deep into this district. Further details are awaited from the spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Order. A. LENA Lirinë as well as Agron Vodo. They have thus been held for more than 20 days. On 23 August, the trial was held, presided over by Mira Papa, with Bardhi Shpahiu as prosecutor. Jani Topanksha, the victim’s husband, says that it is a happy—

PARALLELS: - Two Albanians, both party leaders and both in prison. - The chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania has been imprisoned by Berisha’s democratic regime. - The chairman of the National Unity Party of Kosovo has been imprisoned by the regime of Millosheviç. PARALLELS: FATOS NANO and UKSHIN HOTI - Two Albanians, both party leaders and both in prison. - The chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania has been imprisoned by Berisha’s democratic regime. - The chairman of the National Unity Party of Kosovo has been imprisoned by the regime of Millosheviç. Albania and Kosovo. Two separated parts of one nation, connected to each other through embassies? They also have presidents, governments and parliaments of their own. They also have many parties and associations. But, as in no other country in civilized Europe, in these two parts of the same nation there are also two party chairmen in prison—a disgrace. Fatos Nano and Ukshin Hoti. Coincidence? Or a pattern? Albania is governed by Sali Berisha. He is an Albanian from Tropoja, from northern Albania. He is educated, and he is Muslim. He was also a communist, but that does not matter. For a full 14 months he has kept Fatos Nano, chairman of the largest opposition party and a people’s deputy, in prison, even though he too is Albanian—just not from Tropoja, but from Gjirokastra. Europe and the world are astonished. What is happening in Albania? And they send message after message. They tell the Albanian Berisha to release the Albanian Fatos Nano from prison. Because it is a great disgrace in the eyes of the world. But Berisha does not care. He has his own line, rising up against the world and whatever may happen to Fatos Nano. Because “the Socialists are our enemies,” Berisha and Meksi have said. Vote even for Sllobodani, but not for the Socialists. And Aliu keeps these instructions well in mind. Meanwhile, in Kosovo, where the Serbs hold power and their president is Sllobodan Millosheviç, another party chairman, Ukshin Hoti, is in prison. But it is not Albanians who have imprisoned him; it is the Serbs. Therefore, among the many things they have in common (both are Albanian, both are political prisoners, both are party chairmen), there is also one difference: Fatos Nano is being held in prison by Albanians, while Ukshin Hoti is being held in prison by Serbs. Today, his trial begins in Kosovo. LUAN M. RAMA

Lushnjë: The state “lawyer” sets the criminals free - A painful account of the suffering of many others - Late in the evening of 28 July this year, an unusual incident took place in Divjakë. A minor disagreement between members of the Topanxha family escalated into a family brawl involving one side, leaving the lady of the house, Sava Topanxha, dead. According to the victim’s husband, Jani Topanxha, the incident was as insulting as it was humiliating. A quarrel over trivial motives. Leonard Topanxha, together with his parents and his friend Agron Vodo, took things further, attempting to beat all the members of Jani’s family in a moment of surprise. And the fight, as we said above, ended with the taking of a life, one and a half hours before the hearing was held. To this absurdity (because the trial took place without witnesses for the injured party) there followed another: the two principal figures in the killing, Leonard Topanxha and Agron Vodo, were released in the courtroom. The court “convicted” only Liri Topanxha, who stated at trial that she had killed her cousin Sava “by accident.” And to take the “game” to its conclusion, another court hearing was held on 8 September and Liri was given a laughable sentence: two years’ imprisonment, suspended. That is how this grave incident in Divjakë ended, an incident that allows one to expose blatant corruption—even when people’s lives are at stake. Jani Topanksha and his sons are now seeking justice. He has been left without his wife, while the children are without their mother, and the most tragic thing is that the criminals emerged almost entirely unpunished. DRITAN PRISHTA

The delegation that took part in the activities commemorating the liberation of the city of Rimini has returned from Italy. The delegation was headed by Nezhmi Menzelbash, a member of the Presidium of the National Committee of LANÇ Veterans. It also included young people, children of martyrs and veterans, as well as other FRESSH guests, represented by the forum’s co-chairman Ilir Zela. Also invited was Comrade Enver Reçi, Secretary of the KD of the PS for Tirana. The local authorities gave our delegation a warm welcome and took good care of it, and they received with pleasure the delegation’s letter of greetings from Comrade Piro Dodiba to them and to the leaders of ANPIL. The main and very important event, besides the concerts and seminars, was the first day’s gathering of the national youth, “La Liberta Dela Pace.” The meeting was held under the patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, O. L. Scalfaro; the President of the European Parliament, Klaus H.; and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Daniel T. Representatives from more than 30 countries of Western and Eastern Europe and Africa took part, as well as representatives from Italy, mainly youth groups and organizations, along with various anti-fascist and anti-racist associations for freedom, democracy and human rights, against chauvinism and war, and in support of humanitarian aid for war victims, etc. Passionate speeches and enthusiasm in defense of the great values and ideals of freedom, peace, democracy, anti-fascism, equality and solidarity among peoples ran throughout the gathering. Important speeches were delivered, in addition to those by local authorities such as dot, Chicchi Prot. Casteucci, by the chairman of the Constitutional Court, F. Casarola, and the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy, G. Migone. Interesting contributions included those by the German anti-fascist delegation and the Union of Bulgarian Anti-Fascist Youth. (Continued on page 3) of Western and Eastern Europe and Africa, as well as from Italy, took part, mainly youth groups and organizations, as well as aid for victims of war, solidarity among peoples ran throughout the meeting. Important speeches were delivered, besides those of the country’s authorities, such as dot, Chicchi Prot. Casteucci, by the President of the Constitutional League, Foreign Policy, G. Migone. Interesting discussions of the Bulgarian Anti-Fascist Youth (Continued on page 3)

From Milot, now to the Bajzë railway station. The operation to remove the pesticides has been concentrated there. Yesterday at this station, German experts, together with a group of special troops, began work on packaging and loading 460 tons of pesticides that had arrived from a German company in March 1992 as aid. Since then, 17 railcars carrying these pesticides have remained at this station, despite the fact that they have expired. Throughout this time, concern about them has been voiced in the press, the media, and among the wider public. The residents of Bajzë complained several times. Environmentalists also protested because the pesticides were located very close to Lake Shkodër. We recall that our side has been obliged to pay the German side 17 dollars per railcar per day for the time the railcars have remained unused at the station. A rough calculation shows that the amount to be paid to the German side for these two and a half years is at least 251,430 dollars. So far, it has not been made known how this will be resolved. The operation to remove the pesticides from this station is expected to be completed within a week. The pesticides will be transported to the port of Durrës, from where they will be returned to Germany on a German ship. Meanwhile, we learned that several tons of pesticides of this kind are also in the warehouse of the agricultural supply base in the city of Shkodër. They are part of the consignment taken from the pesticides at Bajzë. Yesterday, people near this warehouse told us that they are waiting for the German experts to remove them. MUSA KURTULAJ

Yesterday morning, the exhibition “China Today” opened in one of the halls of the National History Museum. This photo exhibition was organized by the Albania-China Friendship Association and the Chinese Embassy in Tirana on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The opening was attended by the Chinese ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Tao Miaofa; representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana; members of the Albania-China Association; representatives of the press, and others. Through 90 beautiful color photographs, the exhibition conveyed a wealth of information and synthesized China’s current development, where tradition and modernity coexist in harmony. From beginning to end, the eye lingers sometimes on the beautiful mountain landscape and sometimes on the modern areas of Shanghai; on mountain slopes where every inch of land is put to use, with simple and modern greenhouses on the outskirts of cities; on the capital and the south of the country with plantations of traditional Chinese tea palms; on a nuclear facility protecting territorial waters; on the green market, the industrial market, or the fish market; on world-famous studios and ateliers, as well as young children in kindergartens or young artists. The varied colors of the clothing and folk traditions of the approximately 56 nationalities living in the territory of the People’s Republic of China are also represented. What stays with you throughout the exhibition is the absence of pointless politicization. Every photograph makes it clear that the great Chinese people, whether East or West, have set to work for a better life for themselves. Today, China is one of the countries with the highest rates of development in the world. Last year, the growth rate of gross national product was 10.2 percent higher than a year earlier, while for 1973–1992 the average growth rate was 8.9 percent. LU[L?]ZIM ÇOTA

- In Krujë: More than just a curiosity: The so-called Skënderbeu has fallen from the fortress and been badly damaged. It refers to a sculpture...

- Sëlla e shenjë «buroi» 10 thousand dollars to the city of Ulqin for road repairs in Ulqin, from the repair...

- In Shkodër: Alongside construction work and humanitarian efforts, work was done on the schools. For the city’s pedagogical school and art school, and for the schools in the municipality of Pult and in Velipojë, contributions came from Austria’s Ministry of Education and Caritas, the Italian trade unions CGIL of the city of Cuneo, and the Soros Foundation. - In Vlorë: A tragic decision by the massacre to erase the crime that occurred in ...

Give birth, and quickly. You have to sell another... that may be in the darkness of others, the parent declares in utter despair. - In Shkodër: The Soros Foundation office, the Board of I advisers of ... in the place of ... did ... decided ...

- On the death of composer Prenk Jakova, the first activities under the program. - Shkodër: The association of political persecuted people of this district, in a petition addressed to the state authorities, requests the immediate and unconditional release of Kurt Kolis. - Tirana: This year at the Academy of Arts, in the music department, 20 people, compared with 30–100 three years ago; in visual arts, out of 100 ...

... the candidates won 15, while ... - The leaders of Omonia have returned to Albania after a visit lasting several days in Greece. The refugee situation and the recognition of visas issued before September 9 were their requests to the Greek government. - In Tirana: a theatre festival in Ku-

...on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of liberation, with the participation of troops from Montenegro, Macedonia and the diaspora. - The fourth week of the national football championship. Results: Vllaznia - Dinamo 1:0, Partizani - Shkumbini 0:0; Besëlidhja - Tirana 0:1; Flamurtari - Iliria 5:0; Albpetrol - Apollonia 0:1; Fushë-Kruja - Tomorri 1:0; Laci - Shkëndija 2:1; Elbasani - Teuta 0:0; Krye...on Tirana