STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PSSh Regarding the decision of the trial panel in the «Arsidi Case» to summon Mr. FATOS NANO as a witness in the proceedings, his spokesperson is authorized to make known the following position of the Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania: — The real perpetrators of this scandal are in Tirana. Mr. NANO recommends that the trial panel seek testimony and facts about this from the Chairman of the Tirana Court all the way up to the Head of State. — The «Arsidi» scandal is one of the peak manifestations of the political-financial corruption of Berisha’s regime. Its discovery and exposure cannot be carried out by people known as presidential prosecutors and judges. — A genuine fight against corruption cannot be waged by a prosecution service instrumentalized to attack political opponents, nor by a court kept under the regime’s tutelage. The Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, FATOS NANO, will continue to denounce Berisha’s schemes to turn the State Control Service’s inspectors and the prosecutors and judges of the «court» against him and the opposition.

. Yesterday, as was reported on television, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, held a meeting with representatives of political parties, whom he consulted about securities. Representatives of the Socialist Party did not take part in this consultation. The reasons for their non-participation have been made known to readers and public opinion through the statement by the PSSh spokesperson, published in Zëri i Popullit on January 8, 1995. Having heard, even if only as much as was made known on television, the President’s comments and interpretations regarding the non-participation of PS representatives in the meeting, we cannot help observing that behind his «accusatory» lament lie formalism, demagoguery, and disregard for the PS and the opposition as a whole—an attitude repeatedly displayed on major issues of democracy in Albania. The present invitation to a «consultation» on securities is also part of this pattern in its substance. Privatization is the most important, most essential, and most sensitive act of economic reform: the transformation of the dispossessed into lawful owners. For this reason, from its earliest days the PS clearly and unequivocally set out in its program an alternative calling for broad and rapid, but transparent, privatization, based on laws and free of corruption. In keeping with this alternative, the PS has consistently and persistently, as a constructive opposition, followed the progress of the privatization process and the rampant corruption and lack of a clear privatization strategy that have accompanied it. The facts on this are countless. People’s dissatisfaction and anger are widespread. They can in no way be concealed by the euphoric, rounded figures reported at conferences and meetings. There is much more to say about the progress of privatization during these years of PD rule. The question that follows is: Who are the new Albanian owners? Are they truly those who should have received and lawfully enjoyed the properties, or are they PD officials and government members, the more «capable» ones, the bribe-takers and the corrupt? It took all these years of reform, and corruption and injustices in privatization had to become a snake, gnawing destructively at the economy, before the President remembered to convene a round table with the political parties on «securities». Why, one wonders, was this done—to make them accomplices now in the unforgivable swindles harming workers’ interests? Why did they remember so late, or with such haste, to respond to the Socialist Party’s willingness, expressed and demonstrated, to be consulted on all major issues, including privatization? Or is this an attempt to play oracle in the face of the destruction that has been and may yet be inflicted on the national wealth amid the anarchy and failed governance of the PD? By refusing this «round table» «laid out» this time, it does not mean in the least that the PS will not fight from its position, by all democratic means and methods, for its publicly known, profoundly democratic program on privatization, including broad-ranging securities, because this is the program that best serves the interests of our workers. announced, from its very first days, clearly and unequivocally in its program, the alternative of a free from and with concern, whether in government or in opposition, pursued constructive solutions and monitored the progress of the privatization process within the framework of developments in economic reform. It has forcefully raised its voice against the serious distortions and deformations that have emerged in this process, so fundamental and vital, which is connected with the aspirations, the present, and the future of our people in the market economy. The issue is not merely the slow pace and major delays, but, more than that, the injustices, abu-

Transport fares increase The effect of the rise in the price of petroleum products: This year, travelling by transport costs more than before. This beginning of January has made people take more money out of their pockets to get a ticket at the ticket counters. This has happened because of the increase in the price of petroleum products, without which no means of transport can move. Here is how the fares appear in the table below: No. Description Price in lekë Increase in percent Was Now 1. Urban tickets 5 lekë 7 lekë 40 percent 2. Passes 120 160 33 3. Student passes 60 80 33 4. Railway transport 20 5. Interurban transport 15 6. Train passenger tickets: - Tirana - Pogradec 123 lekë 147 lekë - Tirana - Shkodër 79 97 - Tirana - Vlorë 108 129 - Tirana - Ballsh 108 129 - Tirana - Durrës 36 43 - Tirana - Elbasan 86 104 - Tirana - Fier 93 113 - Tirana - Lezhë 62 74 - Etc., etc. These are the increases in transport fares, or, more clearly, the new ticket prices introduced into circulation on January 1, 1995. At the Ministry of Transport, Trade and Cooperation with Foreign Countries, they tell you that there is nothing they can do because the price of fuel has increased. Indeed, they go on to say, we only did the calculations; the percentage increase came directly from the Government. Why doesn’t the Government explain to people why these measures are being taken, or does it assume that people no longer need government explanations?! The question being asked today is: is this the final limit to increases in prices that are under the Government’s control? The answer is: further price increases are expected. This is because these activities are subsidized (to a certain percentage) by the state and, according to the economic program of the democratic government, the state budget will move toward reducing these subsidies to a minimum. State subsidies must fall to zero. That is the ultimate goal. D. KOLA

PANIC IN SHKODER: Money changers have been targeted by robbers. The latest case occurred in the evening hours of Saturday, when the chairman, Fatmir Drishti, aged 44, was killed. The tragic incident happened at around 18:00 in a small street behind the «Vojo Kushi» stadium. As witnesses recount, Fatmir was going home with his wife. At that moment they were surrounded by three masked men, who demanded their money. After taking their bag, the robbers opened fire with a pistol, leaving the late Fatmir, father of 3 children, dead. The killers fled in an unknown direction. Fatmir worked for several months as a refugee in Greece. With the little money he managed to earn there, he and some of his relatives built a kiosk in the city centre, where he practised currency exchange. This is the third case in Shko- (Continued on page 4)

These events occurred the day after Minister Musaraj’s press conference - The first murder took place on January 4 at around 6:00 p.m. The victim is 27-year-old Fredi Golemi. Fletë- shi was killed for revenge motives by unidentified persons, as the local channel reported on national television. Ten bullets hit the victim and two bystanders. The second murder took place on January 5, just over 24 hours after the first murder on Saturday. Those killed were 18 and 19 years old. The murderer and his friend were taken in for preliminary questioning. Although the crime was committed in the youth square, a young woman is suspected of the murder. The murderer was detained by the police authorities. The murderer fled in an unknown direction. The police arrived at the scene about one hour after the crime was committed. These crimes occurred precisely one day after Mr. Musaraj’s press conference, at which a significant decrease in crime was declared. It should be said that the citizens of Fleri took these events in their stride as something ordinary, since they have been commonplace for a long time, and hardly anyone has been caught and punished. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

SHKODER The new price of bus tickets began to be applied on Friday. The ticket for travel from Shkodër to Tirana, which used to cost 100 (new lekë), went up to 150 lekë. The same, of course, applies to the return trip. In Shkodër, more than 30 bus drivers joined together a year ago and formed an association, which during this period has handled travel mainly on interurban routes. Yesterday we spoke with several drivers from this association. According to them, based on the tariffs set by the state, the costs for repairs, insurance, traffic lights, road tax, fuel prices, etc., meant that a year ago the calculated price of a ticket for a trip, for example from Shkodër to Tirana, came to 150 lekë. But the local authorities did not set that price, taking into account the specific economic difficulties of the residents of this district as well as competition from the train. This meant that profits were also symbolic. Now, with the new increase in prices and tariffs, a travel ticket from Shkodër to Tirana is calculated to cost 185 (new) lekë. The drivers say that by keeping the ticket at 150 lekë through their association, they are in fact continuing to lose 35 lekë on each one. Citizens may not be well informed about the expenses they incur and the fares they pay, which is why they often—and again in recent days—come and clash (Continued on page 2)

KORÇE Last year, the prices of electricity, firewood, water, kerosene, and generally all the essential items in people’s lives increased, while the necessities provided by the government, despite its slogans, remained at a minimal and wholly negligible level. This year, the curtain has risen on price increases with a highly symbolic item: fuel. On the surface, it gives the impression that only those involved in selling it—drivers or bus owners—are affected, but in reality it will be reflected in increases in the prices of many other food and non-food goods, which today are closely linked to transport. “The entire burden will fall on the backs of the people,” says a gas-station owner in Korçë. “I,” he continues, “will protect my profits by raising prices, since the state is raising taxes. As I understand it, this price increase is intended to fill the government’s leaky sack, but apparently the country’s fuel bosses will also be pleased.” At the bus station in Korçë, the situation seems somewhat calmer. Their association has immediately raised ticket prices by 15–20 percent on all routes originating in Korçë. For example, a ticket to Tirana, which had cost 2,500 lekë (old lekë) before the fuel-price increase was announced, will now cost 3,000. Taxi owners are the ones causing the greatest shock. “This price increase,” says driver Guri Andoni, “is meant to put taxis out of reach. I worked for two years in Greece to be able to have one as a means of earning a living, but the price of fuel here is ruinous. Who would dare travel by taxi now?” So, the government, which has continually beaten its chest about increasing the (Continued on page 2)

VLORË Bakeries that use fuel for baking are closing The Meksi government’s measure to raise the price of diesel and gasoline is bearing its “fruits,” driving down the people’s standard of living. In the first days of the year, confusion has arisen, especially in passenger transport. Fares on all urban and interurban routes have risen considerably. In fact, as we discussed with several route drivers, they are expected to rise even further because the current ticket price does not cover the vehicles’ fuel costs as well as private drivers’ profits. The increase in transport prices is neither the result of the drivers’ wishes nor a game of the market economy, which (Continued on page 3)

JUMA RAJT UOC, headquartered in New York, London, and Brussels: The nongovernmental human rights organization JUMA RAJT UOC, headquartered in New York, London, and Brussels, issued its report on respect for human rights during 1994 in all countries of the world. Albania is among the countries where human rights are not respected to an adequate degree. Its 382-page report describes even the most flagrant human rights violations in Albania during the past year. Among other things, the report emphasizes that, despite the profound changes that have taken place in this field, especially after 1990, 1994 in Albania was characterized by serious violations of human rights, mainly in the areas of the independence of the judicial system, freedom of the press, police abuses, and attacks against the regime’s political opponents. Providing concrete examples of violations of these freedoms, the report focuses in particular on the judicial case against the former Albanian prime minister and chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano. It states that the procedures before and after the trial contained many legal irregularities, and that the judges did not think they were dealing with a case based on a false pretext. As regards freedom of the press and (Continued on page 3)

DIFFICULTIES DEEPEN

Is this the only alternative?! Last year the price of ... increased The price-increase pyramid is reaching unforeseeable heights. It is deepening the poverty of thousands of people, who had been given hope by the Meksi government’s first gift for this new year. Here is what some of them tell us: Pensioner V. Lako: “The belt is being tightened more and more for us pensioners. Along with empty promises and the laughable pay the government gives us, we have also been presented with new price increases. Every price increase is nothing but a new form of exploitation of the suffering people.” Student A. Shllaku: “This new price increase weighs more heavily psychologically than materially, because our people are the ones who will bear this new burden on their shoulders. The government’s problems cannot be solved with inhumane measures that make people’s lives more difficult. An exception could have been made for us. (Continued in the next article) chologically Driver V. Canaj: “The many passengers are indignant about this new burden being placed on their backs. The increase in the price of fuel was reflected in an increase in ticket prices, and that is not our fault. We are aware that in this way the economic standing of citizens is being hit. MIRELA NDINI