- Interview with Attorney Agim Tirana, editor of ours, Ardian Myrtilli Last Saturday, at the meeting with activists of the socialist organizations in the city of Fier, the chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, declared that there is no guilt whatsoever in the accusation of abuse of Italian aid. Fatos Nano, who has been in prison for more than a year, is awaiting the decision of the Court of Cassation. Regarding this and other issues related to politics and justice, our editor Ardian Myrtilli held a conversation with lawyer Agim Tirana. Question: Can you tell us what the decision of the Court of Appeal is, which is being challenged by the defense? Answer: The Court of Appeal issued a ruling declaring Fatos Nano guilty in connection with the charge of misuse of Italian aid and sentenced him to prison. We have filed our objections to this decision and asked that it be overturned by the Court of Cassation. Question: What is your defense based on? Answer: Our defense is based on the fact that none of the elements of the criminal offense attributed to Mr. Nano is proven. No embezzlement is proven, no economic damage caused by him is proven, and no direct link with the administration of the aid is proven either. We are dealing with a process of a clearly political nature. Question: Do you think he could be acquitted? Answer: I do not see the day far off when Fatos Nano will be declared innocent. Question: Why? Answer: Because the law is on his side and because the legal arguments we have presented are strong. The Court of Cassation should assess only the law and the actual evidence. Question: Were there procedural violations? Answer: Yes, there were quite a few inaccuracies and departures from the normal procedure, which we pointed out in our appeal. Question: Do you think the Nano case has had political consequences as well? Answer: Of course. It has been used for political attacks against the opposition and against the Socialist Party. Question: What do you expect from the final decision? Answer: I expect justice to be done.

ENERGY CRISIS - CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE Albania extends a hand - Greece helps first. - The first crack appears in the shell of bilateral relations As if the two countries could not put an end to the conflict over Vorio-Epir and the temporary needs of a people left with its fingers in the dark and without heating. Albania urgently needs electricity, and the country most inclined to help for the moment is Greece. At last these two countries are beginning to understand that the time has come to put an end to an old and worthless policy. The policy of exchanging cold positions and extreme statements is gradually being replaced by a more pragmatic language. Despite the many problems, signs of a necessary rapprochement are appearing. Albania is facing a serious energy crisis, while Greece is showing willingness to provide concrete help. This assistance, however limited it may be, is a political signal of weight. In the long term, the solutions cannot remain at the level of energy charity, but must come through investment, regional cooperation and the full normalization of relations.

KORÇË Where are the rulers who beat their chests... As if the sanatorium serves only the sick. As if a healthy person lives there, but it is being cooked how. For how long will citizens keep these tears under their neck? For days unable to have a stove, light, or water. For how long will people be left to the mercy of fate? ... [text partly unreadable] ... In the appearance of the city and its tired people, a restrained anger is clearly visible. Promises have become routine and solutions are lacking. Instead of responsibility, the rulers beat their chests with propaganda.

DURRËS The Shijak municipality building was burned down A large fire broke out on Monday, 22 December 1994, in the building of the Shijak municipality. The flames damaged a considerable part of the premises and caused panic. According to initial information, the fire is suspected to have started from a fault in the electrical installation. The relevant authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

SHKODËR Paid a working visit to the American ambassador The U.S. ambassador to Albania made a working visit to Shkodër, where he held meetings with local authorities and representatives of local institutions. The talks focused on the social and economic problems of the area, as well as possibilities for cooperation. The visit was regarded as part of regular diplomatic contacts.

JBER Abandonment of local small hydroelectric plants The situation could be changed by returning these works to the inventory, but it seems the decision-making structure is hesitant. They are proving to be more of a burden for local communities than an investment. Instead of being reconstructed and put into use, they are left to oblivion. ... [?]

In the public official report of the deputy and the independent, on one occasion before the People's Assembly, regarding family members, deputies and judges, and their incomes and sources and financial obligations, that is, everything ... [?]

Many citizens were seen gathered in front of the bread factory, waiting for supplies. The worsened economic situation and energy shortages have created major difficulties for the population. In some cases, the queue has been accompanied by tension and open dissatisfaction.

- The PD continues to remain silent - Concrete proposals from other parties In a provision on the public declaration of assets by parliamentary political officials with immunity, proposed by the PS parliamentary group, it has been specified that “the prime minister, members of the government cabinet, deputies of the People's Assembly and judges of the Constitutional Court shall file with the assets control office a written declaration of movable and immovable property belonging to themselves and family members under the age of 18, as well as lawful income, its sources and financial obligations.” What prompted the reaction of the PDS, which presented this as a violation of judicial independence, is the part stating that the asset declaration of judges is submitted to the People's Assembly. In its comment, the PDS rightly acknowledges that the judges of the constitutional court, despite being elected by the Assembly, are independent in administering justice and the legislative body should have no possibility of undermining that independence. But if we look carefully at the proposal made by the legal experts of the PS, they adhere to Article 125 of the constitutional draft prepared by foreign experts, according to which, through the law, “it may be determined before whom assets are declared...”. Consequently, according to the socialist jurists, since the draft grants judges a kind of independence conditioned by the Assembly, the same should also be preserved for the declaration of assets. However, this is a more technical issue, one that can be overcome through mutual understanding. What remains insurmountable is the fact that many parties have presented their views on this very important chapter, but the democrats, as always, have an unclear position. In another meeting, the socialist jurists proposed that “in this case, the appeal should be made to a special constitutional court, but it may be resolved by a direct decision of parliament.”