PARLIAMENT THE DP GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENERGY CRISIS Statement by the PS parliamentary group The extraordinary situation caused by the shortage of electricity—or, to put it plainly, the situation into which the Democratic Party government has driven Albania—compels us, as a group, to make this statement in order to shed at least some light on how the situation can be improved. Whichever way you analyze this deplorable situation, all of it is the result of the government’s poor work. Specifically: - What has the government done for the energy sector during these three years in office? Nothing. Indeed, it has made things much worse than they were. If many things in Albania were destroyed in 1991–1992 (by the socialists, says the DP; by negligence, says the Socialist Party—and not only it; and by the circumstances, as many people know well, although apparently the specialized agencies still have not learned this), when the DP came to power many facilities were still intact. But the strategy of destruction, called “zeroing” after March 1992, became standard practice. Under the most absurd pretexts, mines and the geological service, the hydro-pump factory, plants and state farms, even olive groves and vineyards, were put out of operation or destroyed. The energy system was indeed preserved, but its destruction has been—and continues to be—gradual. First, they began with the people: the specialists who had built, maintained and advanced this vital branch of the economy. Under absurd pretexts, with the Democratic Party’s politics placed above all else, scientists and capable people in this field were dismissed and removed from their jobs—engineers, skilled workers, and even village electricians. All kinds of people were put in their place, not to mention some hooligans and thieves who even made it into management positions. As part of the destruction of the state administration, the energy administration was hit no less hard. Over these three years, the government not only did nothing to draw up a strategy for Albania’s energy development, but did not [unclear] a new one, linking it to the supply network for the population. Does the government know about these things, and why is it taking no measures? What happened to all the money and aid that, according to RTVSH, was given to this sector? Was the people deceived, or did it end up in some people’s pockets?.. What is being done about major investment in this sector? They say the state has no money. Fine. But why, then, are loans being taken out and investments made in certain dubious areas? Or is it because this serves the interests of some officials?.. Why, for example, is around 22 million dollars being spent on the reconstruction of the “Tirana” hotel, when that money could have done something much bigger for the energy sector? Or is it because, as malicious tongues say, the kickback for this project amounts to 2–3 million dollars, not to mention some foreigner mixed up in this filth? What didn’t we hear in the interview the deputy prime minister gave on RTV about the crisis of these past few days? I don’t know, but let him answer before all Albanians for lying solely to please others, when he goes so far as to say that a year with such low precipitation occurs only once every hundred years. We tell him and the government with conviction that, according to the accurate information we have, this is an average year, even compared with the last 10 years. If the deputy prime minister and the other government officials do not know this, we tell them: At least read your own newspaper, “RD,” which has written several times about the good energy situation this year, about the optimal levels of the hydroelectric lakes on the Drin River, and so on. We ask: Why has electricity been sold abroad during this year, right up until recently? Why, unlike the good practice of previous years, was electricity exported throughout the summer this year and water not conserved? What lies behind this? At what prices was it sold? Who is responsible? Why has the good practice of exchanging electricity not only with our neighbors but also with Austria and Switzerland been abandoned? The removal and dismissal of the people of that time—engineers and skilled workers, right down to the electricians—was carried out. They were replaced by all sorts of engineers, not to mention some street thugs and thieves who even reached managerial the energy sector was hit no less severely. During draw up a strategy for Albania’s energy development, but made no effort and no investment to maintain what had been inherited. The electricity network has been reduced to the worst possible state, and the destruction continues. Anyone tampers with the power lines; anyone connects to them—a kiosk or shop, a bakery or a home. Officials are content merely to take bribes in exchange for granting illegal permits for these kinds of constructions. Otherwise, there is no explaining the fact that the construction of 13 electric bakeries is allowed within an area of one square kilometre in a Tirana neighbourhood. And, most importantly, without carrying out any wor— ...the year, and until recently, electricity has been sold abroad? Why, unlike the good practice followed throughout the summer, was electricity exported neighbouring countries, but also with Austria and Switzerland, been abandoned? Could it be that here, too, the ignorance of certain politicians has prevailed—politicians who want to take charge of these matters despite knowing nothing about them? Looking realistically at the situation, we are extremely concerned by the state into which the Democratic Party has plunged Albania in the energy sector, and at the same time we are concerned about what is concealed here. Is it merely the government’s indifference? Are we dealing only with irresponsible actions born of ignorance? Suspicions have been raised for some time by— They accuse us of destabilization; but the people lack electricity, water, and even bread, we call for wisdom, restraint and stability. We are asking for something else. We are asking for a different way of governing, where democratic law rules over the law of the jungle; where honesty leaves no room for corruption; where ability and culture prevail over ignorance; where order and peace are no longer threatened by crime and violence; where harmony prevails over division. These and other things like them are what we Socialists ask for; the genuinely democratic forces ask for them; the people ask for them. In conclusion, as a group we call for the establishment of a parliamentary commission on the situation in the energy sector. Secondly, we call for an interpellation with the Prime Minister responsible for this issue. For the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party SHAQIR VUKAJ

Statement by the PS parliamentary group Politicians and the mass media. These are made even worse by the way measures are being taken to get out of the situation. What are SHIK, the Police and the Prosecutor’s Office doing in the task force that has been set up, when they already have major problems defending the country and fighting crime, corruption, etc., etc.? It is hard to understand such a task force, with people who hold the keys to the state in their hands but know nothing about the energy sector. Just one specialist is far too few for a problem of such extraordinary importance. Or could it be connected to the stoves brought in from abroad under suspicious circumstances, about which people have long been saying that we are facing a major scandal involving our government officials? Or perhaps there is information about some illegal privatization (as in many other branches of the economy) in the energy sector too, something that has surfaced in an interview or a conversation with the executive? Or could it be connected to the fuel tankers that cross the border unchecked, over which officials are now accusing one another? Or has the cement issue surfaced—the details of which we will hear about later? Who knows. We do not want situations like these, and that is why we raise these issues openly, without mincing words, for the benefit of the people, but also of any official who may be taking the first steps toward mafia activity. They accuse us socialists of many things. No one has yet thought to blame us for the darkness that has fallen and for children going hungry because of the shortage of bread in recent days. They accuse us of destabilization; yet even in the extremely grave situation that has arisen, when the people lack light, water, and even bread, we call for prudence, moderation and stability. We are calling for something else. We are calling for a different way of governing: one in which democratic law prevails over the law of the jungle; honesty leaves no room for corruption; ability and culture prevail over ignorance; and order and calm…

- NOTES - On 18 December, the Bulgarian people brought the socialists to power. Securing a total of 125 of the 240 seats in the Bulgarian Parliament (around twice as many as the Democrats), the BSP once again confirmed a phenomenon that has now swept across all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe: the victory of the left over the right, which had come to power amid great fanfare after the overthrow of the communist regime in these countries. We were there during the election days and tried to understand the causes, consequences and messages of 18 December in Bulgaria, as far as these can be understood during a three-day stay in that country.

We arrived in Sofia at 4 a.m. on Friday, two days before the elections. Our first encounter with the campaign was the parties’ posters, put up on walls, billboards and electric poles. The blue banners of the Union of Democratic Forces caught the eye more than anything else; they said that their victory was “Bulgaria’s victory.” And there was the large photograph of the footballer Stoickov. He had not stood as a candidate for parliament. But a new party called “Solution for Bulgaria” was using his name and popularity. We saw the use of famous sportspeople, artists, scientists, etc., for election-campaign purposes all over Bulgaria. There were also the newspaper stands with the day’s papers. One carried “The most extensive televised gathering” of the leaders of the main parties taking part in the campaign. Throughout the campaign, state television (Bulgaria still has no private television) had covered the campaign fairly, but... I liked the initiative itself of putting on this program, in which the party candidates [appeared] under the electoral law and the special campaign regulations. Several televised debates had been held on specific issues in the parties’ programs, and Thursday’s debate was the final televised debate. The newspaper “Demokracia,” the organ of the Union of Democratic Forces, announced in large letters on its front page: “Dimitrov brought Vidanov and Dogan to their knees.” It referred to the previous evening’s televised debate. To make its claim more credible, the paper printed photographs of the three leaders mentioned above on the front page, with Vidanov and Dogan each holding a glass of water. The caption read: Dimitrov (the UDF leader) left Vidanov (the socialist leader) and Dogan (the Turkish leader) “asking for a glass of cold water.” This, along with a diversionary article predicting the socialists’ supposedly impending major defeat in the elections, revealed the Democrats’ naïve and diversionary propaganda. We would encounter more of this later in newspapers, press conferences, statements, etc. Friday’s [unclear] was more packed, as it was the last day of the election campaign. (Continued on page 4)

Following the decision of the National Council- ... This event also has an important significance

Following Tuesday’s decision by the PSD National Council to sever ties definitively with Mr. Teodor Laço, the party’s former deputy chairman and head of its parliamentary group, he read a statement in parliament in which he positioned himself as an independent MP. At first glance, the kind of independence Mr. Laço has secured for himself seems entirely normal, since on major issues of political development he is not necessarily expected to be in unison with the party to which he belongs. Indeed, a wide diversity of opinions, whether within a party or across the entire political spectrum, would be considered a victory for pluralist democracy. But what is striking is that Mr. Laço, a supporter of the draft constitution that failed in the 6 November referendum, left his party in order to take a place in the government. Although events unfolded somewhat differently—he first took a place in the new Meksi cabinet and was then expelled from the PSD—the course of events shows that he had broken with his party even before 6 November. It was precisely this break that served as the reward for giving him a ministerial post. There is another circumstance surrounding this event that cannot be underestimated: the PSD “dissident,” Mr. Laço, joins the cabinet just as the PSD leaves the government. We do not believe that the architects of this cabinet valued Laço’s personal qualities more highly than a party with which they had been in coalition for nearly three years. The logic, then, is that his appointment as minister was an act of subversion against the PSD. Mr. Laço’s group, or so-called group, failed on 6 November along with the architects of the draft constitution, and it failed again on Tuesday at the meeting of the PSD National Council. There is a curious connection between Anagnosti and Laço, the successive ministers of Albanian culture, a connection that cannot be underestimated. Both are prominent figures in their fields, one as a director, the other as a writer. More precisely, both come from Kinostudio, where one was a director and the other a screenwriter. As a paradox (as things are done in Mr. Meksi’s government), Mr. Anagnosti first directed “Albanian culture,” and now its script is being written by

Namik Dokle invites the prime minister to go to the hunger strikers “I’m not happy to take Meksi’s place,” said the chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group before Parliament as he took the chair’s place, “because it seems I too will find the Kukës hunger strikers.” These words alone are enough to understand the essence of yesterday’s parliamentary session, where uncle Meksi found himself once again before the MPs, at the request of the PS parliamentary group, to explain what the government had done to resolve the problem of the strikers and of all the residents of Kukës. In his presentation, the prime minister called the hunger strike unnecessary; according to him, the problems had been resolved, particularly those concerning the emergency relocation of 650 families. He said that the housing authority had opened the loan facility and that land had been secured for homes in the designated resettlement areas. As for the demand for cash compensation for flooded land, Mr. Meksi said that compensation should be provided in the form of securities to be used for the privatization of enterprises and other properties. Against the backdrop of the Democratic Party’s loud din of empty promises, Meksi’s speech in Parliament yesterday sounded like a pitiful stammer. Namik Dokle, taking the floor after him, proposed that the prime minister go to the hunger strikers in Kukës and talk with them about finding ways to resolve the issue. Mr. Meksi and his government, Namik Dokle emphasized, issued a decision—Decision 306, in June—which has still not been implemented to this day, just as President Berisha’s Decree 886 has not been implemented. Parliament has also discussed this problem, yet once again there has been no solution. The strikers and all the residents of the areas flooded by the hydroelectric lakes do not need promises: they want solutions. But that is precisely what neither Meksi, nor the government, nor Berisha is giving them. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

The opposition asks: Who are the criminals? Debate in Parliament in January The painful mystery of 6 December ’91 – 23 March ’92 After 22 months of work—that is, since February 1993, when it was set up by the very ones under investigation—the committee appointed to investigate the Albanian Parliament’s «destruction» at the end of 1991 and beginning of 1992 in Pukë, Peqin, Lushnje, Pogradec, Shkodër and especially the capital, presented its final report to the MPs yesterday. In their exchange with the MPs and Parliament, the investigative committee also based its report on the testimonies of the chairmen ... for— To help the DP in this difficult political and economic situation, asking others for at least a little, even bringing out just one; from the circle of bread, from the nightmare of darkness, from the demand for heating, for the removal of the DP from the seat of government. In any case, what deputy Balla called a chronology was the account of the painful names of those caught up in the emergency, and of TVSH at the end of ’91 and beginning of ’92, before the war. After the date— - The opposition asks: Who are the criminals? Debate in Parliament in January - 5 billion lekë in economic damage caused by destruction: arson, theft, and what is even more shocking; more than 50 dead, 40 of them in Pukë, Arrëz and Shllak—these need no comment. But Balla ... ... 7 December in Laç; Mamurras; Milot; 7; 9 December 1991 Pukë; Fushë Arrëz; 24; 26 February; ’92 in Lushnjë; February ’92 in Peqin; 25; 26; 27 February ’92 Pogradec ... a monstrous toll, together the most tragic for Albanians. Moreover, only in connection with what we said above; the painful accusation directed at stressed-out Albanians. Meanwhile, everyone was asking for someone more, and more fairly: Who are the criminals? But although it was described as «instinctive collapse»; the guilt of the Law Enforcement bodies; SHIK; the Investigative Police and Prosecution Service; no one from any of these bodies has yet been held responsible, even though they were not only the driving force behind the whole demand for self-... and the opposition’s ensuing debate. But, strangely, P. Minga was the first to refuse, followed by the other MPs in his group, who had requested Minga’s ... for yesterday’s session. (Continued on page 3)

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berluskoni resigned after a meeting lasting about 40 minutes with President Oskar Luigi Skalfaro. The Italian President accepted the resignation, but asked Berluskoni to remain at the head of the government, since he had announced the Christmas holidays. After the holidays, talks will begin to resolve the political crisis. Before meeting Skalfaro, Berluskoni held a brief government meeting, where he pointed out that he had «drawn the necessary conclusions» from Wednesday’s debate. As has been reported, four Northern League ministers resigned on Wednesday. In the debate held in the Italian Parliament, Northern League leader Umberto Bossi stressed that «his party will withdraw its confidence in Berluskoni’s government, because it has the responsibility of putting an end to the First Republic today». The First Republic is an expression used in Italy to define the regime dominated by the Christian Democracy, which governed for 45 years and has been discredited by corruption. «Mr Berluskoni, Mr Fini, this chamber will no longer be a chamber of assemblies and corporations,» Bossi said at the end of his speech.