We underline At last, the Albanian Parliament gave a major demonstration of seriousness in the use of its vote: the “Brozi Affair,” an invention of the head of the political power that had dominated our propaganda for several consecutive weeks, ultimately took a direction different from the wishes of those in power, after several hours of tension. In its secret ballot, Parliament did not strip the President of the Court of Cassation of his immunity, as requested by the Prosecutor General and recommended by the Constitutional Court. This event represents a victory for democratic institutions in the face of the political violence exercised by the party in power. The “Brozi Affair” was concocted by the so-called “great democrats,” who suffer from “pure integrity,” and who supposedly do not hesitate to wield the sword of justice against anyone in their role as defenders of the law. According to a scenario whose objectives went beyond the citizen Brozi, the party order instrumentalized a key segment of the Albanian justice system, the Prosecutor General, who blindly, without legal arguments and driven only by a servant’s zeal, tried to lead the Albanian Parliament into a dead end with the accusations he made against Brozi. The Constitutional Court, too, with the vision it displayed and its haste to have Brozi’s immunity removed by Parliament, has shown—having provided ample evidence of disqualification and servility—that it continues to play its unconstitutional role. With the “Brozi Affair,” Albanian justice was on the brink. As planned, after Brozi’s immunity was removed, it would use

From Parliament: POLITICAL POWER SUFFERED ITS SECOND DEFEAT SINCE 6 NOVEMBER THE PARLIAMENT’S ELECTRONIC DISPLAY BOARD WAS AN AUTOPSY OF THE REAL STATE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S PARLIAMENTARY GROUP As had been anticipated, it would take until midnight on 1 February to bring the long marathon to an end over the request to lift the immunity of the President of the Court of Cassation, Mr. Zef Brozi. The afternoon’s debate was opened by MP Rakaj, who said: “I believe Mr. Brozi is not corrupt, but even if he is, let the competent body tell us so...” After him, MP Majko reminded the members that Zef Brozi had been elected President of the Court of Cassation not because he was more capable and honest, but because he was a Democratic Party MP. MP Zego called the matter part of the general crisis, describing Brozi as a victim of political conflict and the prosecutor’s request as an instrumentalization of Parliament. “The ‘Brozi’ matter is as simple as it is complicated,” Mr. Gjinushi said in his speech, calling for the process as a whole to be reconsidered. Expressing his concern about procedural matters, he stressed that the issue was taking on a political character and was being used in an attempt to place these bodies under political control. He concluded that lifting Brozi’s immunity would mark the end of justice and the bankruptcy of Parliament. The MP (Continued on page 3)

— Speech by MP Moikom Zeqo — I have before me the agenda approved by vote, in which the Brozi matter is scheduled for next Monday. With suspicious haste, with a directed acceleration, we are being presented with a fait accompli that is abnormal and forced. We are being compelled to discuss a matter in the absence of a decision by the Mandates Committee; in other words, an indispensable procedural link is not functioning. I do not believe at all in a Parliament of puppets, whether they are Democrats or Socialists, or in a Parliament hybridized with a politically removed plenary. This concept leads to the mechanism of the medieval Inquisition, to the depersonalization of Parliament. For me, the Brozi matter is not a personal issue, even though it has a specific identity. I am interested in it as an institutional matter of justice, necessarily apart from the specific individual involved. Mr. Brozi has demonstrated, for mon-

Doris Pack, chair of the delegation for relations with South-Eastern Europe in the European Parliament, received the SPA delegation led by its deputy chairman, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi . At the meeting with Ms. Doris Pack, views were exchanged on the domestic economic and political situation in Albania, the problem of resolving the constitutional crisis concerning relations between the government and the opposition, the systematic violation of human rights and freedoms, and their institutional and practical protection, as well as the situation in the Balkan region. Special attention was given to the procedures and possibilities for drafting and adopting the draft constitution, the new political situation created after the referendum of 6 November, the national question, and the grave situation in Kosovo. The Albanian side requested that EU commissions visit to observe the situation in our country firsthand, that assistance continue (including the second tranche), and that the state of human rights and freedoms be closely monitored, particularly the Nano case, etc. After thanking the EU for its contribution to Albania, the SPA delegation expressed its readiness and assurances to continue and further intensify cooperation with the European community, and reaffirmed our party’s position in favor of Albania’s integration into Europe and the continuation of market-economy reform. Rruth Albuquerque, director of the Directorate-General for financial relations between the EU and Albania, held talks with the SPA delegation. At this meeting, the Albanian SPA delegation exchanged views on Albania’s economic situation, the progress of the reform, the progress to date of the EU’s financial and technical assistance programs for Albania, and ways to further intensify them. The discussion emphasized support for the most urgent issues related to energy, drinking water, telecommunications, and the Albanian road network. An important part of the discussion concerned the conditions and standards required to make an association agreement between the EU and Albania possible. Aleksandër Langer, chair of the Green Group in the European Parliament and rapporteur for Albania, received the SPA delegation. As the meetings continued, the SPA delegation was received by the rapporteur on Albania in the committee. Views were exchanged on the development of relations between Albania and the EU and on continuing and intensifying the procedures for the gradual integration of our country into Europe. The SPA delegation thanked Mr. Langer for his assistance to Albania and for his efforts to make the actual situation in our country known in the European Parliament.

Rruth Albuquerque, director of the Directorate-General for financial relations between the EU and Albania, held talks with the SPA delegation

Aleksandër Langer, chair of the Green Group in the European Parliament and rapporteur for Albania, received the SPA delegation

At this important meeting, the PSSH delegation outlined the role of the PSSH in the progress of democratic processes, as well as the country’s domestic economic and political situation. In particular, views were exchanged on the foreign policy pursued so far by the Albanian state, regional relations in the Balkans and with neighboring countries, the dire situation of Albanians in Kosovo, the Albanian national question, and priorities for intensifying Albania’s relations with the European Union. The PSSH delegation expressed its commitment and determination to continue the reforms, consolidate the rule-of-law institutions, and protect freedoms and human rights, etc. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on better targeting the use of EU aid, continuing step-by-step efforts to integrate Albania into the European Community, and continuing our meetings with this important European institution.

The PSSH delegation, headed by Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, was received and held a fruitful meeting with Mr. P.B. SALAS, Director-General for Relations with South-Eastern Europe (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania). The talks with this directorate focused on issues concerning the political situation in Albania and the Balkan region. The delegation requested that EU commissions come to observe the situation in our country firsthand, to monitor the provision of aid (this second installment in particular), and to follow more closely the state of freedoms and human rights, especially contribution to Albania, the PSSH delegation expressed its readiness-

Brozi’s stand in parliament, and even the Constitutional Court, which has provided full evidence of its disqualification and servility, shows that Case,” Albanian justice was on the brink. After was lifted, it was said that his arrest had been justified, and even that a replacement had been found for him. This would have been a grave trampling of justice, pushing it further into the mire of the power-brokers’ intrigues, and fixing it on the arduous path toward independence from the rulers currently governing Albania. Brozi’s immunity was not lifted, primarily because even within the DP parliamentary group, it is being strongly felt that [vi[kon?] (Continued on page 2)

Dear journalists, friends of justice, truth and democracy, I thank you for attending this meeting. Over the past two months, we have met fairly often. We have met as fellow advocates in the struggle for the independence of the judiciary, and today I wanted us to meet as fellow signatories so I could thank you for the contribution and strong support you have given to justice, convinced that in doing so you have served the triumph of true democracy in Albania. Through you, I would also like to thank Parliament and all the deputies who, on the morning of December 29, (Continued on page 2)

Continuing its meetings at the European Parliament, the PSSH delegation was received and also held a meeting with Mr. Poeltering - Hans - Gert, Deputy Chairman of the PPE parliamentary group. They exchanged views on the political situation in Albania, the role of the various political forces in the democratic processes, the evolution of the political and economic situation, the state of freedoms and human rights, etc? Continuing its meetings at the European Parliament, the PSSH delegation was received and also held a meeting with Mr. Poeltering - Hans - Gert, Deputy Chairman of the PPE parliamentary group. They exchanged views on the political situation in Albania, the role of the various political forces in the democratic processes, the evolution of the political and economic situation, the state of freedoms and human rights, etc. The delegation thanked the PPE group for its contribution to the European Parliament’s assistance to Albania and assured it of its commitment to intensifying Albania’s integration with Europe.

Interpellation of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense — The Arsidi case, the “Shqiponja” company, the scandals involving cement, heaters, stoves, tractors, Albetrol, the “Sotirios” ship, English biscuits, Zhulali’s 300 thousand dollars, etc., are raised once again. — Aleksandër Meksi responds to the accusations, citing the fines imposed by the financial police. The attack by PAD deputies Perikli Teta and Arben Imami at the outset, followed by Prime Minister Meksi, concerning corruption and the campaign against it, was harsh and merciless. The accusations, as well as the other responses, were direct, describing the government’s anti-corruption activity as anemic and not in the public interest, and saying that its arrogant attitude and silence were chiefly responsible for the scale of the plundering of the people’s property over these three years of DP rule. “Never,” deputy Teta said in his speech, “has the Albanian state been more corrupt than it is today.” As is known, he described as corrupt the officials of the executive branch who had been caught by the State Control Service. According to deputy Teta, the corruption allegations had previously been present, particularly in illegal privatizations, where before (Continued on page 3)

— “Vela Luka,” “Sotirios,” “Bulgaria 2,” “360 thousand dollars – Meiko,” arms trafficking, oil smuggling, weapons for the Serbs of Bosnia, cover-up of cigarette smuggling—all implicate Defense Minister SAJET ZHULALI. The interpellation requested with Minister Zhulali amounts, in its own way, to the raising of a scandal of gigantic proportions. The illustrious “Saketa” Teta had been chosen as the minister’s [word unclear], but the replacement was someone smeared with mud, whom the audit [unclear: “secretary of the representative”] of the PAD, Mr. Arben Imami, [audited?]. Deputy Imami seeks explanations for a mountain of accusations implicating the Minister of Defense Under intense pressure, created by a constant dispute with the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Arbnori, deputy Imami spent 15 minutes presenting points which, according to him, call for explanations from Defense Minister Zhulali. Describing the army reform as a “sham reform,” he demanded (Continued on page 3)

The PSSH delegation was received for a working meeting by Mr. Abel Mateus, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defense. The PSSH delegation was received for a working meeting by Foreign Affairs, Security and Defense. The discussions at this meeting focused on the foreign policy pursued to date by the Albanian state, as well as the assistance that should be provided to achieve the country’s ever-greater integration into the economic, political and military structures of the European community, as indispensable factors for peace and stability in the country and the Balkan region.

The PSSH delegation presented Mr. M. Lenz with the actual state of human rights and freedoms in Albania. At the meeting, both the achievements to date and the violations committed during the Democratic Party’s rule were highlighted. The discussion highlighted the present state’s authoritarian tendencies to reduce the opposition’s room for action, to purge the central administration of people with views different from those of the party in power, to use violence against PSSH activists and opposition activities [?], to mistreat many of its members and supporters, etc. The meeting also highlighted the one-sidedness of Albanian Radio and Television in expressing opposition views, as well as the violence perpetrated against numerous Albanian journalists. The Nano issue took center stage; it has blocked all political life in Albania and led to conflictual relations between the government and the opposition. The delegation provided information about European engagement, and in particular that of the Parliamentary Union, in resolving the Nano issue, as well as about the present government’s lack of willingness to release Mr. Nano, whom it is holding as a political hostage. At the meeting, the PSSH group thanked all the individuals they had met for the interest they had shown in resolving the Nano issue and asked them to commit to giving weight to all initiatives concerning this important problem in Albanian political life. The discussion also gave particular attention to the issues of the independence of the judicial bodies and the genuine separation of powers. * * * At the end of the meetings, in one of the European Parliament’s halls, the PSSH delegation, headed by Vice-Chairman Dr. Servet Pëllumbi and comprising Vice-Chairman for Foreign Relations Ilir Meta, MPs Prof. Dr. Ethem Ruka and Dr. Prof. Anastas Angjeli, and PSSH Presidium member Arta Duhalla, held a press conference for journalists, answering questions about the continuation of the visit and the PSSH’s views on developments in Albania’s political, economic, and institutional situation.