EDITORIAL CONCERN AND A JUSTIFIED CALL FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE “NANO QUESTION” - The Inter-Parliamentary Council resolution wants to know... about the prospects for FATOS NANO’s release - The Inter-Parliamentary Council resolution, which once again focuses on the “Naso Question,” is a legitimate, humane and civilised expression of concern by this prestigious forum about the fate of democracy and the freedom of human rights in Albania. The highly responsible discussion by the Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union of everything related to the “Nano Question,” and its specific recommendation, demonstrate the internationalisation of the “Nano Question,” while putting aside the Democratic Party’s slanders and its efforts to disinform and denigrate. This Resolution is evidence of the great importance that resolving the “Nano Question” has in the life of Albanian society. There would be no resolution from this high-level worldwide forum if the trials under Berisha’s regime had been fair; if the courts of this regime had demonstrated independence from political power; if these judicial bodies had proved Fatos Nano’s guilt. It is those same documents in the Nano case file, on the basis of which the regime’s political lackeys signed the verdict finding Fatos Nano guilty, that the Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union examined. In civilised language, the Resolution denounces the decision to sentence Fatos Nano, noting that “Mr Nano is being held accountable for criminal acts that he did not commit.” A concrete examination of the Nano case file convinced this international body that “there is no evidence whatsoever that he personally benefited from these transactions in any way, directly or indirectly.” The Resolution clearly and unequivocally expresses “doubts” about the logical basis and justice of the court’s decision to sentence Fatos Nano. Thus, with persuasive arguments, fairness and civility, the Resolution recommends full recognition, acceptance and respect for the court decision that sentenced Fatos Nano. From this, it is clear that his sentence is a political decision and punishment, a settling of scores intended to eliminate the opposition. Based on a thorough and logical analysis of the matter, for Fatos Nano’s release. As the Resolution puts it, it speaks of Fatos Nano’s release. It speaks of Fatos Nano’s release because those who unanimously welcomed him are convinced of his innocence and convinced that Fatos Nano is a political prisoner. Otherwise, there would be no resolution and no talk of release. The democratic culture of communication demonstrated by this international body in its dealings with the leaders of the Albanian Parliament and state is striking. Perhaps, given the marked lack of democratic culture in Albania, this is not the only reason why the value of this concern and recommendation by a high-level international organisation might be exploited. To understand the value of this position, several points should be borne in mind. First, the Resolution reminds the Albanian government and parliament that Albania is a Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It reminds the leaders of Albania of their obligations under these conventions; indeed, it even reminds them of the relevant requirements, as if the Albanians in government did not know how to read!... Second, the Resolution states that the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians should monitor the implementation of this Resolution and report to the Council of the Union at its next session. Third, one should bear in mind the democratic and civilised manner in which international bodies express their positions and recommendations, as well as the resolve this body has demonstrated to see the Nano case through to the end and resolve it justly. Thus, the prestigious forum specialising in the rights of parliamentarians has spoken openly and directly on the Nano case. What is now awaited is the response of the principal leaders of the Albanian state to this objective. The Resolution should be understood as an opportunity for Albania. It is an opportunity that must never be lost.

A few days ago in Fier, a working meeting was held with the heads of communes, mayors, chairpersons of district councils and party leaders from the districts of Lushnjë, Berat, Kuçovë, Skrapar, Fier, Vlorë, Mallakastër, Tepelenë, Përmet, Gjirokastër, Delvinë and Sarandë. At this meeting, which was conceived as a round table, numerous participants from all the districts shared the experience they had gained in managing local government, set out the difficulties created by the lack of powers—powers that the DP and its government have given to vertical departments and institutions, centralising their management—and presented ideas and interests on how, within the framework of the existing legal framework, everything possible could be done to help the people with all public services. One thought and one concern prevailed among all the speakers: in the 26 July elections, the people gave a great deal of power. In the districts of Kuçovë, Skrapar, Përmet, Mallakastër, Tepelenë and Përmet, nearly all levels of government are headed by socialists. Also in the districts of Berat, Lushnjë, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, Delvinë and Sarandë, the PS and the DP have a much greater [unclear]; overall, the Socialists have far more councillors than the DP at every level of government, as well as in communes, municipalities and the chairmanships of district councils. Under these circumstances, the people have the right to demand that local government leaders provide all public services, without knowing who is obstructing them; whether the government they entrusted with their vote has powers or not; whether the Mejskaj government has centralised or decentralised those powers; and whether this government has a budget and real financial means to resolve all citizens’ concerns. “We trusted you as representatives of the PS. Not because you were more honest than the DP candidates, but also because your party’s platform was more credible to us,” people tell us at meetings with residents and villagers. Almost all the socialist local-government leaders who spoke say this. That is why, say comrade Dasham, Rr. Kamberi, Axhem Zotaj, Eduard Alushi, Miltiadhi Mati and Resul Llogo, in all our work we have attached great importance to joint meetings of party leaders and

A reply to Pjetër in three languages, too:

ELBASAN The Shkumbin threatened by pollution Several quintals of chicken meat dumped in the bed of the Shkumbin caused alarm in recent days amid the spread of the cholera epidemic. In places from Labinot to Papër, all kinds of rubbish can be found along the riverbank and even in the water, from decaying waste to the skeletons of dead animals. Whereas two or three years ago the Shkumbin River was seriously threatened by the pipes of the Metallurgical Plant, which discharged various chemical solutions into it, the river is once again under threat. Not only that, but it could also become a means of spreading an epidemic. Illegally, especially at night, trucks or vans, according to observations made so far, dump expired cans, rotten fruit, various food waste and even decomposed meat. The worst thing is that everything is dumped without hesitation. Packs of dogs, rats and flies roam around, as if they were to become “protagonists” in bringing cholera or plague. The private traders involved have shown so little humanity that they have not even paid to bury the spoiled food. On the other hand, the facts show that they also sell expired food. According to a report in the local newspaper “Fjal e lirë,” the chicken meat dumped in the Shkumbin River had passed its use-by date as far back as May[?] last year. Thus, the meat may have been sold to citizens even though it should have been buried 7–8 months earlier! Korrop., 1 “Zëri i popullit”

Belgian Socialist Vili Klaes to become NATO Secretary General

A reply to Pjetër in three languages, too: you are who you are and you cannot become someone else ... [text at top, cut off] the text in the Nano case file convinced this body [text cut off on the right] ...literally that “In the Resolution adopted on the Nano Question, in addition to the arguments of ‘Burimi’ and the ‘official side’, etc., Pjetër should have emerged to put his brother Ali and the DP in their place. But the poor fellow poked Ali in the eyes; the DP and himself. And after that, go on and trust these people, who have no qualms about lying in broad daylight, who are not ashamed to lie to Albanians and to the whole world. Mr Pje- No one could have imagined that the DP’s deception and forgery would go so far as to lie to the Inter-Parliamentary Union about the composition of the Albanian delegation. But this too came to pass. The lie is not accidentally built around the name of Pjetër Pepa, who, in an article entitled “The opposition’s political speculation seeks to obscure the truth,” vainly tries to conceal precisely the truth that accuses not only him, but his entire party and Mr Pjetër himself as Speaker of Parliament. Let us carefully examine the published fact. Spahia Ali is he, Ali. Ali Spahia, and not Ali Sraçi, as some ill-wisher might try to expose or confuse things. He is the head of the Albanian parliamentary delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which (DP) indicates is a deputy of the Democratic Party; the head of the delegation at the bottom of the relevant page of the publication confirms the truth about the delegations represented in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (DP stands for Democratic Party). [text within the reproduced document] I. NATIONAL GROUPS - GROUPES NATIONAUX ALBANIA · ALBANIE SPAHIA, Ali (Mr./M.) Leader of the delegation Chef de la délégation Member of the National Assembly Membre de l'Assemblée nationale (DP) PEPA, Pjetër (Mr./M.) Member of the National Assembly Membre de l'Assemblée nationale SHPESHTANI, Leon (Mr./M.) Secretary of the Group and of the delegation Secrétaire du Groupe et de la délégation Chief of Protocol and of Public Relations Chef du Protocole et des relations publiques [text that follows, partly illegible] ...to conceal the truth by finding Pjetër P., while forgetting that a day comes when a lie is exposed. The lie exposed Ali when he said that the decision on the resolution concerning the “Nano Question” had not been voted on; it was also exposed even more clearly ... ...do not hide; you are who you are and cannot become someone else. One more thing: you, Pjetër, say, “I declare with certainty ... is lying,” “Zëri i popullit”... Readers! Let them judge for themselves, and let shame and shamelessness remain with the liar. KRESHNIK MARTINI [Inter-Parliamentary Union document: NATIONAL GROUPS - GROUPES NATIONAUX, ALBANIA · ALBANIE]

(Continued on page 3) Belgian Socialist Vili Klaes to become NATO Secretary General Former Belgian Foreign Minister, Socialist Vili Klaes, will be NATO’s Secretary General. He had the support of all NATO ambassadors; beginning Monday morning, Klaes is taking up this important post in the North Atlantic Alliance after a ... (Continued on page 4)

REFLECTIONS ON CHOLERA (OR CHOLERA OPENED OUR EYES) The children’s milk that is sold [?] has sewage pipes running through it. Besides, we condemned it and seemed to accept it. But now something else: the competent health authorities have granted permission to produce bread even in a place like Hodo Hamzai’s, where [?] the sewage pipes are. Milk and bread like this. What an extraordinary cholera-time breakfast. A resident of Tepelenë, resident of apartment building 27, in the “Selam Musai” neighborhood

At this time of general conversion, our former public toilets have also been built over and transformed: one has become a service establishment, the other a dwelling. Scenes of Çerçiz Square are commonplace, as citizens run around with jeans in their hands. But now that cholera has struck, let us hope we get toilets. I think the municipality will speed things up, and cholera will be driven away and won’t come near here. The Gjirokastrite

* * * - Peshkopi: Vuha has been sent [?] ... has been done. That is how a world [?] ... so that ... may happen ... [illegible text]

* * * - Elbasan: Tragic murder. I was informed that I was to hear that, following an argument between two young men, a 21-year-old, Artur Pisha, had been stabbed. * * * - Shkodër: ...

... disappointed, the American ophthalmologists who had come to help in Albania have left Shkodër without completing their million [?]. * * * - Bulqizë: At the chrome mine in Bulqizë, for several days now the inspection ...

... work to uncover corruption and the corrupt. In Bulqizë, they say the inspection is working on the surface, while corruption is working underground. * * * - Tiranë: 72-year-old Mendu Adem[?], in an accident ... [illegible text]

... in Albania, after having traveled alone from Pishkashtri to Tiranë, finally, exhausted, in front of his rented home on Myslym Shyri Street, he finds himself robbed. Barefoot, as he was leaving, he also badly injured the old man’s hand. * * * - Vlorë: Jonufra is being destroyed. It is an asset left to its fate without any care. One thousand one hundred hectares of land, with 300,000 citrus trees, 100 hectares of vineyards, 60,000 olive trees, and 80,000 fruit trees, are being completely degraded. The authorities ... [text cut off]

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