- THE DP CONTINUES TO REMAIN SILENT. - CONCRETE PROPOSALS FROM THE OTHER PARTIES. Yesterday another meeting on the Constitution was held. Yesterday another meeting on the Constitution was held, a meeting of the parties for the Constitution, attended by representatives of the SP, PAD, PSD and PBNDJ. The meeting was consultative in nature, regarding further concrete steps. At the proposal of the PAD representatives, with additions from the other participants at the meeting, it was agreed to follow this course of ac- [text cut off/unclear] - The parties aligned for «No» in the November 6 referendum are beginning work on drafting a new Constitution, which will respect the will of the people expressed in the referendum. - On the basis of Article 16/2 and any possible legal amendments to the Constitutional Law, this draft will be ma- [text cut off] made available for discussion to a commission, which will then submit it to Parliament for approval. The parties are open to discussing all these matters with the other parties as well. Consultations will continue next week. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

- Interview with lawyer Agim Tirana, given to our editor Ardian Myslimi In recent days, a delegation of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union has arrived in our country, headed by the chairwoman of the Committee on the Rights and Freedoms of Members of Parliament, Mrs. Josi Meier. Their mission concerns the “Nano” case. How do you comment on their insistence? Yes. It is true! The purpose of the visit to our country by this high-level delegation, headed by Mrs. Meier, Members of Parliament, is the “Nano” case. They came to find out what the Albanian authorities have done to date to implement the points of the Resolution concerning MP and Socialist Party chairman Fatos Nano, who is in prison. International democratic institutions have long expressed their concern about this matter. The “Nano” case has been discussed in the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the Council of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union. It is important to reiterate that, in a Resolution, they expressed doubts about the logical basis and fairness of the court’s decision; they expressed concern about the Court’s biased approach to the handling of evidence, the removal of important documents, the use of incomplete evidence without translation, etc. They also sought information about Mr. Nano’s ability to meet his colleagues and lawyers and, most importantly, to learn about the prospects for his release. But their decisions and Resolutions have deadlines that they require to be respected. During the meetings we had with them, together with my colleague Sanxhaku, as Fatos Nano’s lawyers, we saw that they were very well informed about this case, down to the details. They had with them a complete, accurate and detailed file on the case in question. But that is not all. They are also interested in whether the Albanian authorities recognize and implement international instruments for the protection of human rights in prisons. Their arrival here shows that they are interested in, and concerned about, respect for human rights in Albania and, in this particular case, the rights of an MP and chairman of the country’s largest opposition party. It is no coincidence that their Resolution drew attention to the fact that Albania is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, reminding the Albanian authorities that on this basis they are obliged to respect and guarantee the right to a fair trial. But while you have mentioned all these institutions, their Resolutions and requests, the fact is that no measures have been taken so far to respect these points. How do you assess the position of the country’s authorities on this issue? The position of the country’s authorities on this issue is well known, and further comment is unnecessary. But let us refer only to this visit. As a high-level delegation, their program included meetings with the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General, the Chairman of the State Audit Service, political forces, parliamentary groups, etc. Had this delegation come to address an issue that suited the government, everyone would probably have gone out to meet it at Rinas, perhaps even the President himself, as they have done for various delegations. But, strangely enough (Continued on page 2)

ENERGY CRISIS — A CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE - Greece is the first to help. - The first crack appears in the [?] of bilateral relations ENERGY CRISIS — A CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE Albania Holds Out Its Hand - Greece is the first to help. - The first crack appears in the [?] of bilateral relations As another member, the energy situation [?] at the expense of domestic resources. [Part of the text is unclear] Albania is on the brink of catastrophe. Darkness has descended everywhere. And undoubtedly, direct responsibility falls first and foremost on the government, which has mismanaged this great asset of the people. But not only this one. Unregulated distribution and the arrogance of mediocre officials, who boast that they are capable of governing, led to Albania having to hold out its hand and beg its neighbors for help even with electricity—a thing that, for a time, was regarded as scandalous. There is no shame in asking for help. But it is unforgivable—indeed, punishable—to squander the people’s wealth, mock their sweat and toil, and squander people’s trust and patience. Reason accepts that temporary difficulties may arise as a result of disrupted rainfall patterns, but no one can justify exporting electricity needed for domestic requirements! Then the same thing happens as under monism, when we exported meat, fruit and vegetables of various kinds, leaving the domestic market empty and forcing people to suffer in queues, just as they are suffering these days in the bread queues. It is only right and dignified to thank the Greek government for its readiness and assistance during these difficult days for our people, by supplying us with electricity and once again reminding us of the generosity of the Greek people during the difficult days of the exoduses, when they offered shelter to thousands upon thousands of Albanian refugees. The night before last, our state television announced that, starting yesterday, the Greek government would provide a further 50 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to cope with the emergency situation. This makes the generosity of the Greek people even more tangible for Albanian households; they must in no way be confused with the chauvinist circles that operate in that country. [Right-hand column] ...The ice of hostility in relations between the two countries has apparently begun to crack. Those who created this ice, and those who experience this freeze between Albanians and pro-Greek agents and Athenean [?]—those who led and prepared the shameful August 1994 documentaries in which the names of Namik Dokle, Neritan Ceka, Luan Hajdaraga, Bashkim Zeneli, etc., were publicized, and which were broadcast and rebroadcast so zealously by the television [?] that also reported the news of Greek electricity aid—should feel ashamed. And be silent. Meanwhile, those who asked for Greek aid, those who sent the news to television and did not ask for a visa for its entry into Albania, should free the young people [?], since they will not be freed by any of Athens’s agents or [?]. The crack in the ice opened by electrical supplies needs other bridges of friendship to melt it completely; it needs genuine reciprocity, political maturity and foresight, and a charge of friendship that will illuminate the future of friendship and understanding between our two peoples. LUAN M. RAMA

During Mr. Meksi’s interpellation on the Kukës strike, since the Prime Minister did not wish to respond to the criticisms and remarks of several MPs, two MPs, Lulashes and Marashës, spoke in his place. What a wretched government this is! But what people we have ended up with in every government! One of them, known as Puka’s wisest MP, at one point, when I was not in the parliamentary chamber, said: “Dokle did not go to Kukës to meet the strikers, but to have lunch at the ‘Gjallica’ hotel with the Yugoslav ambassador.” O tempora, o mores! Where does all this resentment come from in this slanderous man?! On such an occasion, one might say: “On March 22, 1992, people hoped for and loved the DP so much that even if a donkey had stood as a parliamentary candidate, it would have won. Let alone a [?] donkey, which can graze only in the meadow of RD.” But I, who am not from Dibër and do not want to involve myself in such expressions, hope that we have made a great deal of progress toward Europe, with a majority that has such wise people in its ranks. On the other hand, I am comforted by the fact that the people have now learned how to vote.

Police station sources in Shijak report that late at night a fire broke out in the building housing the offices of the Shijak Municipality, as a result of which the building was completely destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire is not yet known with certainty. An electrical fire has been ruled out, since at that time the city of Shijak, like the rest of the Durrës district, was without electricity. We tried to obtain an explanation from the mayor, Mr. Skënder Dika, but, as we were told, he has not been coming to the office for some time, and for this reason we did not learn the exact cause of the building’s destruction by fire. The investigative authorities continue their work in the hope of discovering the cause.

EXIT: REMOVAL OF THE ADVENTURERS FROM POWER The district task force monitoring the special electricity restriction measures, in accordance with the government’s decision to declare a state of emer- [text cut off at the edge of the image]

Where are the officials who beat their chests... The officials of Korçë have handed over only their armchairs and thrones, because everything [text cut off at the edge of the image] Hospitals. At the sanatorium you see doors torn off, broken windows, beds [text cut off at the edge of the image]

REFLECTIONS The government of Silvio Berlusconi, formed three years and seven months ago, did not withstand the Italian tradition of government crises. Considering the fall of governments, the fall of the Berlusconi government is perhaps not the worst in Italian political life. Indeed, it can be said that the Berlusconi government was the first to succeed in forming its composition. The cabinet crisis, which began with minor problems, grew until it became an irreparable rift that led to Berlusconi’s resignation. One factor behind this new government crisis was one of Berlusconi’s clashes with the electoral “army”: Umberto Bossi, the leader of Lega Nord. He is now no longer with Lega Nord. The party of Berlusconi has ordinary ministers, as does the party of Gianfranko Fini, a supporter from the left, as well as support for the formation of the government and agreements over portfolios. One reason for the persistent disagreements between Berlusconi and Bossi was the breakdown of this coalition, amid Bossi’s distrust of the Berlusconi government. Bossi apparently did not win over Northern Italy, and so they also ran separately in the local elections. As is known, three motions of no confidence were presented against Berlusconi, one of them by the Lega Nord party, which meant that Berlusconi would automatically fail to win a vote of confidence in his government. As a result, that afternoon he submitted his resignation to the President of the Republic, Oskar Luigj Skalfaro. After this, Berlusconi declared that he felt “relieved”. He cannot tolerate Bossi or compromise with him. “I will make no more compromises.” Meanwhile, in parliament his words were quite clear, and the only alternative was early elections. Skalfaro, for his part, charged Berlusconi with forming a caretaker government until the elections, and with consulting the political forces to make it possible to form a new government. As mentioned above, the Berlusconi government (continued on page 4)

The US Ambassador to Albania, Mr. Leik, visited the city of Shkodër the day before yesterday in the morning. He was received at the local government headquarters by the prefect for the area encompassing Shkodër, Malësi e Madhe and Pukë, Mr. Iljaz Virioni, the mayor, Mr. Hil-lig Guraziu, and other representatives of this government. Information about the visit indicates that Mr. Leik was interested in learning about the problems Shkodër and the prefecture in general are facing during this period of transition. In response to this interest, Messrs. Virioni and Guraziu, along with others present, spoke to him. They informed him about the difficult economic situation in the area and its potential, particularly for developing industry and tourism. Mr. Leik also wanted to know whether American businesses were present in the region. The American ambassador was told that “there are still no concrete results in this regard.” However, American investment in the region is awaited with interest. In response, they praised the leaders of Shkodër’s «Luigj Gurakuqi» University for their links with several other American universities, whose lecturers have come here from America, creating opportunities for some lecturers to receive specialist training and for others to go to America now.

The district task force monitoring the special measures to restrict electricity use, in accordance with the government’s decision to declare a state of emergency, concludes that Shkodër has continued to exceed its allotted electricity-consumption quota in recent days. The district task force monitoring the special measures to restrict electricity use, of emergency, concludes that Shkodër has continued to exceed its allotted electricity-consumption quota in recent days. However, while the task force concludes that more electricity is being consumed than the planned supply quota, the city’s residents describe a different picture. They find it strange that the quota is being exceeded when, on average, they have electricity in their homes for only three hours. How, then, has the quota been exceeded? The emergency task force also reported that some bakeries had received electricity for no more than one hour, although the plan calls for them to be supplied for six hours. At the electricity company, they say: “We are working persistently to maintain order in the distribution network. That is our job, while the supply of electricity is in the hands of the Vau i Dejës hydroelectric plant.”

The riflemen of Korçë surrender nothing but their armchairs and property; they abandoned everything else connected with the people’s hardships and lives long ago. For three nights now, Korçë has been going to bed and waking up in complete darkness. The exceptional cold of these days comes as if the Korçë hearths were aflame, reminding people that there is no end to misery. As if all these hardships were not enough, the lack of water has become an additional scourge. For 3–4 days it has been absent from most of the city. You see people with containers in their hands, lined up, searching for a tap somewhere on the outskirts. Many other men set off by car for the surrounding villages. The government is silent. It does not show itself. The municipality is silent, and the district is silent too. The prefect seems to be looking after… On the buildings of «Fan Noli» University, slogans have been written: «Down with the PD», «We want water», «We want electricity». In some of the eight-year schools, the school day has been reduced to just one hour. Everything has been imposed by the authorities’ inability to prepare for the long winter. The situation in hospitals is especially alarming. At the sanatorium, you see battered doors, broken windows and empty beds. All this gives the impression that there is not a living soul there, but it is believed that the patients are huddled together in groups, close to one another, against the cold, with blankets over their heads. We learn from them that the patients have almost abandoned the hospital and gone back to their homes. An employee whom we managed to speak to tells us that the situation is the result of work being carried out there with investment from an American firm. She tells us that a new boiler, with sufficient capacity for the hospital, was installed during the summer, but has not been put into operation because of a lack of diesel fuel. There is a complete lack of water here too, although it should never be absent here, more than anywhere else, even for a moment. Thus, we are faced with the suffocation of officials who beat their chests so loudly about their governing abilities. Worse still, they are not even showing any sign that they can take control of the situation.

A few years ago, Dibër’s small local hydroelectric plants in the villages produced enough electricity to meet the needs of the town and the countryside. The only exception was the large consumer, the Bulqizë mine. A few years ago, Dibër specialists in hydroelectric power carried out a study which, if implemented, would have provided Dibër with enough electricity for its population, in both town and village, to meet all its needs, including heating. The proposal was to build small local hydroelectric plants on waterworks—facilities that would generate electricity in summer and winter. An «additional calculation» in the study stressed that if a number of small local hydroelectric plants were built on the rivers and mountain streams, Dibër could supply electricity to other parts of the country as well. The studies remained on the shelves, and the municipality buried them. The new government that emerged from 22 March ’92 was interested neither in the studies nor in the talented researchers. But the PD government was also not interested in the small local hydroelectric plants that continue to produce electricity.

Meeting electricity needs is a key factor in the normal operation of bread production in the city. Power cuts in the city. The continual electricity outages have meant that this factory, despite having a limited number of workers, operates only at night. There is little chance of getting out of this tense situation. Regarding this problem, the factory director says: «If this factory currently operates with 200 people, then it is absolutely necessary to increase the number of workers further. Beyond this situation, we have asked the municipality to take measures to ensure a regular electricity supply, not only for our factory but also for the other three bread-distribution units, as well as for the other units supplying bread to our city and the three private bread outlets. The continual outages prevent us from meeting the set target of 23,000 loaves a day, which would meet consumer needs.»