The “ARSIDI Scandal” is the exclusive property of the DP At last BERISHA admits it (!) For many people it was unclear why, at one stage of the trial of the “Arsidi Case,” it was deemed necessary to bring Fatos Nano to Tirana from Tepelena, with the ruling party’s press giving this fact great publicity. In this way, an attempt was made, through a “show,” to implicate him in the Arsidi case at all costs; according to the scenario, Nikola Arsisi had been known in Albania since the years when he had gone to conclude several contracts, and his name had circulated in various circles; attention was also drawn to Nano’s remarks in his position as prime minister and to what this person supposedly represented, and so on. In short, the aim of the frontal attack by those who brought Nano to court was to make it appear that he, namely Fatos Nano, had brought Arsidi to Albania. No, gentlemen; such scenarios have long since stopped holding water. They reveal what was there from the outset. It is none other than Mr. Sali Berisha himself who, speaking to the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party, is compelled to reveal… Yesterday’s Gazeta Shqiptare, in its report on this meeting, states: “According to Berisha, the official government negotiators were initially Amato and later Andrea. Arsidi appeared as a negotiator for the Albanian government only in October 1992, when the discounting of the bills for 1 million 600 thousand dollars, transferred to the French citizen Arsidi, took place. The money was returned to Albania to finance the Democratic Party’s election campaign. And everyone knows who was at the head of this party until 22 March 1992. ‘Not one of this money was used to finance the election campaign,’ President Berisha said the day before yesterday at the meeting of the DP parliamentary group.” This is a statement that raises no issue other than an attempt to exonerate its author. Berisha takes this position just one day after an interview with Genc Ruli was published in the newspaper “Albanaca,” in which it is stated: “We will not have the honor of uncovering the Arsidi case; the socialists will clarify it.” This statement says a great deal. It shows that a senior member of the Democratic Party leadership sees the end of his party’s time in power as near and unavoidable. At the same time, it expresses this Democratic Party official’s lack of confidence in his party’s parliamentary group and all its officials, including President Berisha, that they are serious about fighting corruption, at the center of which stands the Arsidi scandal. The statement also sounds like a warning by Mr. Ruli to the highest-ranking officials under scrutiny, Mr. Meksi and Mr. … [text unclear]. The decisions were made at the time when the “octopus” Arsidi was operating. This puts to rest, without any discussion, all the insinuations about Fatos Nano. Why is Berisha doing this? Naturally, he is not concerned about Nano; rather, he is trying to find a way to tighten the noose, according to which a part of Berisha… Any measure against him, as requested in the court’s interim decision concerning the Arsidi case, could implicate them in this scandal too; therefore, we must stop implicating him in this proceeding. Thus, the feuds between the clans within this party are leading it toward its end. P. Z.

DESTROYED SO THEY CAN BE PRIVATIZED AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE The light-bulb factory in Vlora, unique in Albania, has completely ceased to exist. Now it remains in people’s memory as a facility that once produced electric light bulbs. The DP government has completely liquidated this factory, the only one of its kind in the country; now that everything has been destroyed, it has thrown it on the scrap heap. Instead of Albanian light bulbs, whose quality, specialists say, met world standards and was comparable even with that of Tungsram, Albanian citizens now buy low-quality Bulgarian and Russian bulbs at prices six to seven times higher. A market economy has no logic in destroying things. All the more so because this factory, established in 1970, had technology used in both the East and the West. The factory’s engineers say that its technology is currently used by 70 percent of light-bulb factories in Europe. A factory equivalent to it can even be found in Italy. It produced 5 million bulbs a year and met 100 percent of the country’s needs; in some years its surplus production was also exported. It employed 750 workers. Today, all of them are unemployed. They have no assistance either. They stand outside the factory gates hoping to get a few lekë from its sale. The economists, engineers, technologists and workers believe this is an irresponsible, absurd and unjustifiable position, because the light-bulb factory could be reactivated and meet the needs of a market economy. The government’s destructive mindset, its zero alternative and simplistic judgments have prevented this factory from surviving and competing by producing both higher-quality and cheaper goods. A market economy would naturally reduce the workforce, but it would not lead to the factory’s closure; alongside electric bulbs, it also produced other items essential to the national economy. The range of goods was expanded, and production was increased with other items such as ballasts, starters, teaching aids and medical ampoules. Ten million ampoules a year alone were produced for the needs of the health service. One million vehicle bulbs were also produced. Today these come from Greece at extremely high prices. Meanwhile, conditions had been created for some of the glass-melting factories to be used to produce crystal glassware. But all of this came to nothing. The factory is silent. The government sleeps peacefully because it has put the factory up for auction, while it has thrown the workers out onto the street. The policy of privatizing everything is the government’s main slogan; it does not care about the fate of the national economy or its workers. Lucky is whoever has been earmarked to buy the destroyed factory for next to nothing. GEZIM TUSHE Librazhd … Serbia has been made clearly aware that an expansion of the conflict in the south, in Kosovo and in Macedonia, will not be tolerated. That is why around 550 American soldiers… (Continued on page 3)

The Balkans continue to be one of Europe’s hot spots, containing two flashpoints: one in the North and one in the South; the first at war, and the South marked by tensions and unsettling, unprecedented developments at the end of this century. In this Balkan maelstrom, a vigorous reactivation of American policy has stood out recently. Regarding the conflict in the north, in Bosnia, thanks to the intervention of American diplomacy, fighting between the two Bosnian sides—the Muslim and the Croat—was halted, and an agreement was reached on a Croat-Muslim federation, with the possibility left open of the Bosnian Serbs joining it or of a confederation with Croatia. A Carter mission also secured a degree of easing in the Contact Group’s talks with the Bosnian Serbs. Meanwhile, American policy has been clear and firm regarding Kosovo and Macedonia in relation to Serbia: Belgrade has been made clear Kosovo and Macedonia, will not be tolerated. This is why around 550 American soldiers are in the country as an integral part of the UN peacekeeping forces, on a mission to prevent the conflict from spreading south. Meanwhile, the new military ties between the United States and NATO and Albania, as well as repeated statements by American officials, including Secretary of Defense William Perry in Tirana, that the United States is interested in stability in Albania, confirm that Washington will not tolerate the spread of Serbian aggression southward toward Albania. A concrete argument in this regard is the joint Albanian-American maneuvers “SAREX 95” in the Adriatic, in which Great Britain, Italy and Germany are participating. Meanwhile, Washington has undertaken a special mission to break the deadlock in relations between Tirana and Athens, Skopje and Athens, and Ankara and Athens. An American official, Nimitz, has been specifically tasked with seeking ways to break the deadlock in relations among these four Balkan centers of the south… (Continued on page 3)

A transition record The transition has many ways of making people rich. The “story” of Berisha, who bought a premises for 20 thousand lekë (old currency) and sold it for 20 million (old currency), is not unique. Another record has been set in Librazhd: a grocery shop in the town center was bought for 800 thousand lekë and, after being used for two or three years, was sold for no more and no less than 22 million lekë. Thus, some people are becoming rich quite by chance and without breaking a sweat, just as many others are “by chance” sliding into extreme poverty. The Observer

Albania became on Wednesday the 10th country to sign an individual cooperation agreement with NATO under the “Partnership for Peace” (PFP) program, designed to strengthen security in the post-Communist world. NATO Secretary General Vili Klaes welcomed the Individual Partnership Program (IPP) between NATO and Albania as an important step toward establishing stability in the turbulent Balkan region. “The Alliance will support democratic and economic reforms in the region,” Klaes told reporters. Albanian Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova said the IPP agreement was “an important step in Albania’s process of integration into Europe’s modern structures.” He said Albania’s ultimate goal was full integration into the modern European world and full membership in NATO. “Albania considers the PFP a waiting room,” he said, emphasizing the importance of measures to enhance security in a region with potential powder kegs such as Kosovo and Macedonia, shaken by minority problems and secessionist claims. REUTER

From the press conference of the Polish ambassador in Tirana, we learn that President Berisha intends to attend the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the mass extermination camp at Auschwitz, Poland. With unprecedented brutality in history, the Nazi fascists filled Europe with extermination camps. Their rage reflected the powerful hatred they felt toward the peoples they sought to oppress, who rose up to win their freedom. Among these peoples was the Albanian people, who rose in a national liberation war that was crowned with success on November 29, 1944. The invitation extended by the organizers of this commemorative event to the President of Albania is an honor for the Albanian people and a clear confirmation that Europe recognizes the national liberation war, the blood shed and the countless sacrifices made by the Albanian people to win their freedom. Berisha is going to Auschwitz as Albania’s representative, and we wish him success in his mission. May Albania’s voice be heard loudly, just as the crack of its rifles was heard 50 years ago in the struggle for freedom. For Berisha, it is also ... (Continued on page 3)

Mine at the municipal head’s residence The night before last, at around 9 p.m., loud blasts were heard in the town of Milot, alarming its residents. They were explosions from mines planted by criminals at the residence of the municipal head, Mr. Gjok Gjoka. The mines had been placed on the roof of his home; the explosion severely damaged the roof, household appliances, and part of the walls. Fortunately, no one was injured. The perpetrators of this despicable act have not yet been identified. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

As reported yesterday, the representative of the «Italalba» firm, Mr. Dosen Xhuvani, which exported 409 cubic meters of walnut wood to Italy in July 1992, had been missing since Monday ... and yesterday morning ... between ... and ... Meanwhile ... despite everything ... has been ... arrested or has disappeared ... Durrës. ... with the investigation under way into possible corruption in the export of walnut wood. As has been reported, several consecutive meetings of the PD Parliamentary Group have been held on this matter, since senior figures in the party are also implicated. Yesterday, upon arrival, we learned from sources close to Mr. Xhuvani that he was being held in Durrës, at the Durrës Police Station, and was being questioned in connection with the walnut-wood case.

According to the prosecution, the three ministers Ruli, Uka and Hoxha have committed the criminal offense of abuse of office. The investigation also concerns theft in favor of the «Italalba» firm. Following the request for supplementary material concerning the walnut-wood case, which the chair of the Commission on Mandates and Immunities, Mr. Femi Avdiu, addressed to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the material was presented yesterday to members of the Commission on Mandates and Immunities at a meeting held at Parliament headquarters. According to our sources in the prosecution, the material presented is comprehensive and contains more than ten instances of violations of decisions and instructions in force, committed by the three ministers in Mr. Mekal’s cabinet: Finance Minister Ruli, Agriculture Minister Uka, and Trade Minister Hoxha. According to the same source, the evidence collected against the three aforementioned ministers is complete and confirms that they committed the crime of abuse of office in cooperation with one another. The chair of the Commission on Mandates, «Femi Avdiu», contacted by the correspondent of «Zëri i popullit», declined to comment on this material, saying that the Commission would discuss the matter today at 10 a.m. in a special meeting. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Law-enforcement forces searching for a seal It is difficult to find a village where local power is in the hands of the ... and elections for village elders have not caused confrontations and unrest. The village elder’s seal has become a bone of contention. But what happened in recent days in the village of Orman - Pojan goes beyond the bounds of tragicomedy. It began almost as a joke and continues with violence. It started between two PD members, both candidates for village elder: one named Bujar Shashli, nephew of the village PD secretary, and the other, Irfan Liçi, nephew of the municipal head, Agim Lmllari. The former was in the stronger position, and so the Party, at its meeting, decided to hand him the village elder’s seal. But this is where the story began to ... and eventually reached ... ... complained to his uncle, the municipal head. The latter did not hesitate, but sent the two municipal police officers to take the seal from Bujar by force or otherwise and give it to his nephew. On hearing this, Mr. Agim, with a pistol and a whip in his hands, in the presence of Bujar’s wife and sister-in-law, demanded the seal from him. But he refused, replying that it was the Party, not the police, that had elected the village elder. The argument escalated and grew more heated. One of the police officers hit Bujar; his sister-in-law intervened and received the same treatment. And so the circle of the dispute widened. Someone stepped in to separate them. They then left, but the seal remained in its owner’s hands. The incident did not end there. At around 10 p.m. that same night, the door of Bujar’s house was smashed open by force. A crowd of police officers, carrying automatic weapons, rushed inside and turned everything upside down. (Continued on page 3)

Economists, engineers, technologists and workers think that this is an irresponsible, absurd and unfounded position, because the factory...

The Greek loan — the Meksi government’s biggest financial scandal FIGURES, FACTS, COMMENTS (Read tomorrow in “VOICE OF THE PEOPLE”)