- Halit Shamata, PD: Clarifications were sought; it was not done for political reasons. - Alfred Paloka, PS: The physical elimination of two of Kubazi and S. Hoti shows that someone had taken an interest. - Perikli Teta: PAD: Regarding the person suspected of being a police officer in the criminal police, Arben Mirio. To the shame of the Albanian parliament, the “Çekini Case” finally came up for full discussion after 14 months, and indeed only after continuous pressure from the opposition. But although the special parliamentary committee headed by PD deputy Halit Shamata submitted a report on efforts to shed light on the truth, the crime remains unsolved, providing new proof that the “Çekini case” is a bloodstain on PD’s suit. According to Mr. Shamata, although the Committee worked under conditions in which the incident had been politicized, it demanded accountability for apprehending the perpetrators of the murder (telling parliament that the conclusion of the investigative authorities was that the main perpetrator of the crime was Selami Çela). He then gave the chronology of events and concluded with the point that hurts PD: “clarifications were sought, and the general opinion is that the murder was not committed for political motives.” Deputy Shamata, tasked with speaking on behalf of the parliamentary group, brought nothing new. Things remain where they were a year and more ago: a man murdered after political activity; murderers identified by public opinion in Shkodër and by the competent authorities, who let them go free; officials at the top of organized crime. In this debate, too, the opposition called for the truth about the “Çekini case” to come out as soon as possible. In the work of the parliamentary committee, PS deputy Alfred Paloka said, in addition to insisting that the perpetrators and accomplices in the murder be apprehended and held legally accountable, “we have sought to establish the motives that led to this incident and the involvement in carrying it out. This involvement shows that the murder was politically supported and that other bodies and institutions, as well as organized individuals, were involved.” His arguments, taking on the tasks of the competent political authorities, concern objective circumstances: the situation was created, the situation was declared … He also mentioned the efforts of the Ministry of Public Order, through its announcements, to manipulate the truth. Referring to other similar incidents that have taken place involving the Socialist Party, Alfred Paloka said that in the city of Shkodër there is an organized group that disrupts opposition meetings and springs into action according to the interests of a political clan. According to him, this group is encouraged, supported (Continued) (The column notes are partly obscured or illegible.)

The general opinion is that the murder was not committed for political motives. The eyewitnesses to this incident, M. ... so that the truth would not come out. for political motives. The eyewitnesses to this incident, M. ... so that the truth would not come out. To carry out the crime, Selami Çela brought him there ...

DURRËS The mayor is accused of misusing public funds The endless story of the construction of the cemetery road is now well known in the city. The reconstruction of this road began with great fanfare and was advertised by radio and television as one of the most important and largest investments by the municipality of Durrës. Although a very long period of time has passed, the Durrës–Hospital road was left unfinished, becoming a serious obstacle to the free flow of the many cars. The winner of the tender to build this road was the company “Diltal,” which began work a year ago. At the start of the works, the municipality provided part of the funds, amounting to around 10 million lekë. But after a certain section of the road had been repaired, the works were stopped. A year later, the municipality provided another part of the funding, 16 million lekë, but by then prices had risen, and the section of road that had been half completed had begun to deteriorate; completing it had become entirely impracticable. The Durrës–Hospital road problem has often been the subject of debate ... ... and are materially rewarded by representatives of PD’s authorities, in the district and higher up; As evidence of the political character of the incident, the PS deputy cited what was stated in the hasty declarations made by the Public Order spokespeople and the so-called investigative group. The haste to implicate deputy Imami in the incident and to punish the playing of the gun are facts that need no comment. In this incident, the criminal state revealed its true face through many facts and pieces of evidence. The actions taken in the letter of former PD deputy Shyqyri Cela—the state did its job and heard nothing. But, for deputy Paloka, the physical elimination of two eyewitnesses to this incident, M. Kubazi and S. Hoti, shows that someone is interested... MIRELA NDINI

Observation PD deputies want different village elders (!) By 28 December 1994, in accordance with the government’s decision, the elections for village elders had been fully completed in all 5 villages that make up the commune of Sukth. These meetings, chaired by the commune council chairman, Mr. Ymer Vrioni, and PD representatives, were conducted normally, in accordance with the established procedures. After the concerns and complaints of the residents of these villages had been addressed, such as social support, financial assistance, the numerous violations in the way land was distributed, etc., the election of village elders took place. At the end of these meetings, the commune council chairman declared that they had been conducted normally and ... in accordance with the free will of the people. Although a long time has passed since these elections were completed normally, some PD deputies from the district have taken a stand and cannot under any circumstances accept the results. For precisely this reason, they organized “flash” meetings in the Kulla sector, where they called for the immediate annulment of the elections that had been held and for them to be reviewed. The aim is this: in these areas the population has entrusted its vote to PS members, and their replacement is being demanded at all costs. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

Parliament:

Shkodër – From the meeting of the PS District Steering Committee. –

- The complaint against Defense Minister Safet Zhulali over corruption involving weapons, the ship «Sotirios», dollars, etc., etc., is deliberately being ignored. - Azem Hajdari and Alush Dragoshi congratulate each other It was Deputy Hajdari’s questions that brought Prosecutor General Alush Dragoshi before Parliament to present the work of this institution in uncovering and reporting corruption, which, as is known, has become the main topic of Albanian politics. The first statement the Prosecutor General made before the deputies was that he and the institution he heads had made efforts to guarantee the separation of powers and human freedom and rights. As for how true this statement by the Prosecutor General is, I believe readers would not need explanations or arguments, since, as everyone knows, both at home and abroad, Albanian justice is absolutely under the command of the party in power. … and people the weapon pointed downward, but the last bullet caused him to injure one of his own legs. Those present at the gathering ended the family celebration there and, after the initial commotion, carried the deputy from the remote village to the hospital in the town of Gramsh. Thanks to the care of the doctors in this town, Deputy Tonaj is in good health; he is even waiting for the mësalla. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit» As for the unlawful financing of political parties during election campaigns, Mr. Dragoshi “knew nothing,” while regarding the accusations against Minister Shehu, reported also in the press, where theft and corruption are alleged, he said that “complete information is not provided for criminal prosecution.” It is necessary, Mr. Dragoshi said, for specialists to carry out inspections of the works; in a separate letter I have requested this of the State Audit. It is truly astonishing that the Prosecutor General does not deign to address, or deliberately sidesteps, the scandal that has recently been discussed in the press and concerns the allegations made against Defense Minister Safet Zhulali regarding weapons corruption, the «Sotirios» ship, dollars, etc., etc. Later in his speech, Mr. Dragoshi explained that “politics and political parties are separate things,” and focused his report on allegations involving deputies, government officials, and leading party figures. In this context, according to him, during 1994 only 9 reports were filed, involving 11 political figures. According to the Prosecutor General, they are Deputy Arben Lika, accused of smuggling and document forgery; former Transport Minister Fatos Bitincka, for abuse of office in selecting a company as the winner of a tender; Afrim Çenga, director of the Municipal Enterprise and also a PSD leader; and Arben Barbunga, chairman of the Republican Party in Elbasan. That is all. (Continued on page 3)

CONCRETE SOLUTIONS AS A PRIORITY — From the meeting of the District SP Steering Committee. — Ways to make more effective use of opportunities to continually strengthen the party’s structures were discussed in recent days at a meeting of the district SP Steering Committee, in line also with the tasks set out at the zonal meeting held a few days ago with the SP chairpersons of the northern districts. Coordination of work among the steering committee, zonal councils and grassroots organizations on all issues remains one of the most fundamental organizational priorities, serving to strengthen cohesion. It goes without saying that the greatest responsibility here falls to those elected to lead the party structures. The SP’s presence through organizations throughout the district and its ranks, with more than 400 new members admitted last year, was described at this meeting as an achievement in consolidating the party in this district, and as a basis for further growth during… (Continued on page 2)

The excessive merrymaking of Gjin Progrit, director of the student city in Tirana, ended with Deputy Kolë Tonaj being wounded by a revolver. Tonaj had set out together with se… young people … in the Program for Leni… of Gramsh to celebrate the … 16th birthday of a girl from this village. At the height of the celebration, after …, Deputy Kolë Tonaj took out his … revolver and fired several times. After thinking that the bullets had … been loaded, Tonaj pulled the trigger and … … and, with the weapon pointed downward,

While in 1993 the revenue collected from taxes in Shkodër amounted to 730 million lekë (new lekë), in 1994 this figure reached 2 billion lekë. That is, an increase of 1.2 billion. This increase resulted from the extensive trading of fuel in this district, which, as is known, has been discussed by the left because of its flow into Montenegro. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

Today’s political situation in Albania is burdened by serious accumulations and depletion, and pregnant with the possibility of uncontrolled and perhaps undesirable explosions. Particular aspects of this situation have been exposed for the purposes and interests of political struggle. The possibilities within these old concepts; the inability to implement; the efforts of various ill-intentioned hands or of people consumed by resentment and hostility; all significantly affect narrow economic and party interests, or those of various social groupings. The main point is that the Albanian crossroads has become acute, and efforts are being made to rescue it in one’s own interest not only by the political subjects taking part in the political struggle within the country, but also by dark hands that have changed and worked ceaselessly to see Albania destabilized, weakened, divided and bloodied. This is not sufficiently understood; or even if some political force has understood it, nothing concrete is being done to manage a proper resolution of this situation in the interests of the nation and Albania. Time is accumulating rapidly and… 1. Early elections are already overdue. The constitutional and political crises have reached a point where those who caused them are unable, or have no interest, in resolving them, while the others are proving too submissive or unclear or incapable; or sluggish or opportunistic. In relation to the need to resolve these crises, both positions carry great responsibility. The scale and depth of this responsibility are understandable, but the main point is that these crises, when not resolved in time, create fertile ground for an atmosphere in which Albanian democracy falls apart. This will be accompanied by lawlessness and crime. They create fertile ground for violence and illegal and criminal activity. They create fertile ground for people inclined toward strong, dictatorial rule. No one can deny that Albania is in a political crisis: that the government… By Dr. Vasillaq Kureta (Continued on page 8)

After an adjournment… … the commune council has … the way the properties were divided … their … according to their development wishes. Later, the people’s free will was … Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit” Yesterday in the “Lika” trial (OK) …IS ACQUITTED OF THE CHARGES BY …ING THE OPPOSITION After an adjournment … due to a state of … the main witness, … the “Lika” trial resumed, with … witnesses. The first witness … who, apart from the fact that … the charge, did not present … for the trial. … deputy Arben … his … Mr. Lika … before God and … “Lavi”: God. … Bre… religious, through a … he compared the accusation … the taste of prison soup … finding a piece of meat … beneath the “bhe” … with real trials … which even a light cloud can overturn. According to Lika: “the absurdity of the accusation can … everyone, and only the English priest …” Through his defense, A. Lika stressed that he is completely innocent and that he did everything in accordance with the laws. According to him … and his lawyer, smuggling cannot be carried out through actions as open as those in the present case. At the end of his defense, Mr. Lika stated his political position. According to him, the accusation is the product of certain forces interested in discrediting the new figures of anti-communist democracy and in making the people lose faith in the new democratic leaders. According to Lika, he is … nonsense … in April ’91, to take revenge on those whom he described as “inferior and impotent,” who with their shadows deceived him … in the corridors of democracy. The hearings continue: B. J.