Selami—a poisoned voice or a conduit for further developments? At the DP’s extraordinary conference on March 5, 1995, something unexpected happened, to put it briefly. Eduart Selami, the DP chairman, was dismissed. Sali Berisha emerged “invited” once again, in what many analysts consider his final victory. With Selami, he harnessed all the energies and put them at the service of “democracy.” Berisha is no longer, as his supporters have nicknamed him, “Father Berisha,” nor “Berisha the Storm,” nor “the Atatürk of Albania.” Selami was dismissed in order to rise as a politician; Berisha dismissed him in order to bring himself down. At the Extraordinary Conference, too, Eduart Selami presented himself as steadfast in his political alternative: approval of the constitution in parliament and revision of the DP’s course. He again came across as realistic about the prospects of Albania’s acceptance into European institutions. Once again, he challenged Berisha with greater determination, a sign that the struggle between factions within the DP will intensify. It is easy to understand how the “overwhelming majority” against Selami was secured at the Extraordinary Conference. Anyone can understand the underlying, closed-door meaning of the conference, of “Selami’s throat” on the eve of the Extraordinary Conference, and of his “peaceful” statements after it ended. These [views] stem from chieftain-like attitudes, totalitarian mentalities, and monarchist tendencies. Let us not become the “tail” of the “Balli” and “Legality” parties, which are as anarchic as they are anti-democratic. At present, intertwined with the “Nano affair,” the “Constitution issue,” the “corruption in high government circles issue,” the “Brozi issue,” and “other issues,” the “Selami issue” is becoming a new conduit for profound political change in the country, in favor of genuine democratic developments in Albania and the victory of the progressive front. But let us focus for a moment on the “Selami issue.” What path will it take after his dismissal? What will his response be? This is the first unknown, which for now is accompanied by two hypotheses. If Selami’s unwavering demand for approval of the Constitution in Parliament and for renewal of the Party—a demand that matured after Berisha’s referendum failed and after his return from Strasbourg—is a personal initiative, then his end as a politician is inevitable. Like a gentle lamb, or, more accurately, like a beaten dog, he will lower his head and sit quietly. His mandate as a deputy, if it is not taken away from him by inventing some “offence,” will serve only to occupy a seat in the parliamentary chamber and to collect, at the end of each month, the salary due to him. His voice will fade and be drowned out by the dismissive looks of his former colleagues and associates. No one will speak up for him, and the DP will either use him as an example against any attempt at “rebellion” against the “Berishian party line.” This is one hypothesis. But if Selami’s initiatives—and this is the second, more credible and more likely hypothesis—are being proposed, supported, and guaranteed not only by his supporters on the National Council... (Continued on page 2) ... against Selami at the Extraordinary Conference. It is not difficult for anyone to understand the hidden subtext of Selami’s press conference “peaceful” statements after the conference concluded. Their subtext was a forced call to arms to the activists and sympathizers of the PD, and beyond: Berisha is seriously endangering the PD, its values and its reputation at home and abroad. For it is this very man who is preparing the PD for defeat in the next parliamentary elections. From the podium of the PD Extraordinary Conference on March 5, perhaps for the first time Selami called on the activists of his party: Let us free ourselves from Berisha’s tutelage, from his rule, from his orders. Let us free ourselves from his party’s cultural legacy...

From the DP’s extraordinary conference BERISHA: 470,000 unemployed people have been employed. Question: does this include those who have emigrated abroad over the past 3 years? MEKSI: Investments in ’95 are 2 times greater than in 1994! SHEHU: Investments in ’95 are not 2, but 3 times greater than in 1994! Whom should we believe? At the DP’s Extraordinary Conference, President Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi, and others praised to the skies the results achieved by the government and the Democratic Party during these three years in power. The next day, in the same vein—and even going further than the current prime minister—was the DP secretary, the chosen candidate for the party chairman’s vacant post, Mr. Tritan Shehu. The state machinery has been set in motion as rarely before, day and night, making calculations and producing data. Reports have been laid on tables, and it is not unlikely that they have gone back over them from the beginning, amid stress, fatigue, tension, and a determination to convince with “proletarian discipline” and hit the target. Everything had to be rounded off and smoothed over so that no one could find anything to criticize. This is the façade presented by the state and the country’s number one for public consumption. But these hastily cooked-up concoctions produce figures that are hard to swallow. From 730,000 unemployed, their number has now fallen to 260,000; in other words, no fewer than 470,000 unemployed people have been employed. The question is: does this include those who have emigrated abroad over these 3 years? than in 1994! The three: organized emigration, the association agreement, and the linkage of the lek to the ECU. All this fanfare comes at a time when, throughout its time in power, our esteemed state has not once managed to approve its budget on time. While the president, the prime minister, and others who support them say the economic reforms have made progress, that only 20 percent or a quarter of the objectives remain unfinished, and that they will be achieved, not everything is rosy for everyone else. The most disappointed are ordinary people, who know how much the Albanian economy has advanced over these three years. It is not just the economic indicators, but simply the rubbish in the streets and the dirt that foreshadow a second cholera outbreak—an indication of how well things have gone for us. in other words, no fewer than 470,000 people have been employed. This was said at the DP’s extraordinary conference. Could it possibly be true? If so, where have these hundreds of thousands of Albanians found jobs? In fact, throughout his speech, Mr. Berisha did not touch on Albanian industry. He did not mention it, not because he did not know its condition, but because he was not interested. Yet industrial production has fallen drastically. The growth rate of national production has also fallen. The state should not boast if Albanians... (Continued on page 2) ... over and over again from the beginning, amid the discomfort, fatigue, tension and complications of making them conform to “proletarian discipline” and hit the mark. Everything had to be rounded off and polished number one for public consumption. But no one swallowed this concocted stew. Behind the façade, other games were being played, whose main features were abuse, misuse, corruption, economic, social and political despair. “We,” Berisha said in a pathetic tone at the Extraordinary Conference, “have a quarter of our term ahead of us; 80 percent of our promises have been kept, and we will fulfill the rest by the end of our term.” Further on, Berisha embarked on an exercise in arithmetic, saying that “the PD has achievements in the economic field: 62 of the objectives set have been achieved, 12 are in progress, while 3 have not been achieved,” mentioning among these... ... off and polished among these...

Former ministers Ruli and Uka face the threat of losing their immunity The “walnut wood” case, “processed” and headed for parliament’s desks Deputies face a dilemma: with or without RULI and UKA? 3 in favor, 2 against, and 2 abstentions. This was the result of the vote on the “Ruli-Uka” case yesterday in the parliamentary Committee on Mandates and Immunity. Thus, after numerous fruitless meetings, the much-discussed walnut-wood case will finally end up on the deputies’ desks. The request sent by the General Prosecutor’s Office to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly sought the lifting of immunity for deputies Gen Ruli and Rexhep Uka. In his letter dated 17.1.1995, the General Prosecutor explained to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly why it was necessary to bring the three former ministers, Hoxha, Ruli, and Uka, to criminal responsibility, stressing that this would enable the Prosecutor’s Office to pursue the case fully to its conclusion. After several consecutive meetings over two months, the committee failed to reach a final decision, again requesting further material from the prosecution authorities. The prosecution’s supplementary material states that the evidence gathered during the investigation proved that, through violations of laws and regulations, arrangements had been made to export 409 thousand walnut logs, unprocessed, with a value of 2,045,000 new lek, and that the company “Italalba” had unjustly benefited by 881,500 lek. According to the prosecution materials, deputy Abdiu says, violations of legal provisions have been proven, including the Law on Forests, the Council of Ministers’ decision “On the temporary export regime,” and the regulation of the Ministry of Trade and Cooperation with Foreign Countries. The request submitted to the Committee on Mandates, signed by General Prosecutor Alush Dragoshi, states that a full and comprehensive investigation requires that former ministers Genc Ruli and Rexhep Uka also be taken in and questioned as defendants, since, in cooperation with one another and with defendants Mahmut Xhelli and Artan Hoxha, they committed the criminal offence of abuse of office, as provided for under Article 106 13 of the Penal Code. The prosecution material states that through their unlawful actions, in flagrant violation of their duties as ministers, they authorized the export of 409 m3 of walnut logs, unjustly benefiting the private company “Italalba,” and causing the state significant economic damage. Only four days after former minister Hoxha signed a letter stating that the export of unprocessed wood was prohibited, he and the other two former ministers, Ruli and Uka, signed a letter authorizing the export of walnut logs to Italy for the benefit of the company “Italalba.” “My opinion is that the request of the Prosecutor’s Office should have been accepted,” says committee chairman Abdiu, “because the basic material shows that we are dealing with a criminal offence committed jointly and intentionally, with serious consequences; and these materials show that the two deputies and former minister Hoxha committed violations and acted contrary to the performance of their duties.” Thus, the walnut-wood case has finally passed the committee hurdle and will end up on the desks of parliament. However, the matter seems likely to drag on, since the deputies will need to familiarize themselves with the 40-page dossier before raising their hands for or against lifting the immunity of Ruli and Uka. ARDIAN MYSLIMI

To the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori To the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi To the Chairman of the Council of Trade Unions of Albania, Mr. Kastriot Muço To the newspapers RD, ZP, KJ, ASD, AD We, the former employees of the Çampat Factory of Vlora, are writing to you with this Petition. We say former employees because not only we, who worked there, but many others as well, are now without work, without assistance, and without economic support, after being unable to sign this Petition earlier. We have been compelled to send you this Petition for the reasons set out below: - The Council of Ministers’ decision states that only those employees who were receiving assistance at the time that the relevant matter was under consideration are entitled to compensation... This decision seems to us to be flawed and in need of correction. We are out of work not by choice, but because the reform that was carried out left us without jobs. - Most of the factory’s employees had at least 20–24 years of service. We emphasize that more than 40–50 employees were highly skilled professionals in their fields ... There is no reason why the sweat and effort of many years should benefit only the 15–20 people who have remained there, such as the guards, the cart driver, the cleaners, and the Board of Directors. In this Petition, we do not intend to describe the condition into which the only factory in Albania producing lamps of different wattages and high quality has fallen. Someone else can answer for that, but we want compensation for our work. Our factory had more than 600 workers, but only 135 people have managed to sign this Petition. Surely hundreds more will follow them. As we conclude this Petition, we trust that the Government and Parliament will consider our request and grant us what is rightfully ours. Respectfully, 135 employees of the Çampat Factory, Vlora.

The “mother” of all Albanian schools, the Normal School of Elbasan, opened on December 1, 1909, before Albania had achieved independence. Its opening became possible only after a decision by the Congress of Elbasan. This school will always be remembered with respect for its valuable contribution to the creation of our national education system and to the training of generations of teachers within and beyond Albania’s borders. As a mark of respect for the historic day on which the school was inaugurated, and for its first director, the great patriot Lulj Gurakuqi, its honored teachers and students, a commemorative ceremony was held on March 7. The anniversary was attended by educators and notable figures from all generations. A jubilee session was held in the “Skampa” theater hall, attended by President of the Republic Sali Berisha, ministers Tellu and Xhaja, President of the Court of Cassation Zef Brozi, members of the Albanian parliament, representatives of the diaspora, and local authorities and officials from neighboring districts. Taking the floor, President Berisha called the Normal School of Elbasan “the first Albanian university,” which continued its path in support of the national education cause...

Rally of the patriotic association “Kosova” The central leadership of this association in Shkodër organized a gathering on Monday at 5 p.m. at “Luigj Gurakuqi” University. Participants included members of the association, representatives of several political parties in the city and district, and students of the university. The purpose of the gathering was to express protest against the Serbian occupiers’ latest measures to colonize this Albanian region, and to support the Albanian population in Macedonia’s demand for the opening of the University of Tetovo. The gathering was opened by a member of the association’s leadership and editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Besa,” Mr. Nikolla Spathari, while the association’s chairman, Mr. Dasha-mir Uruçi, delivered the main address. He stressed that Kosovo is Albanian land and indignantly condemned every measure aimed at its colonization by the Serbian occupiers. In the face of such chauvinist measures, our revolt will never be extinguished. Likewise, the speaker continued, we protest against the violence inflicted on Albanians in Macedonia. Macedonian chauvinism responds to their legitimate demand to have a university with bullets. Representatives of the political forces present at the meeting then spoke, including those from the PSD, PAD, PS, PLL, the blood-feud reconciliation mission, student associations, and others. They emphasized the need for all political forces and associations in Albania to unite on such major issues of national interest. At the end, the gathering issued a protest addressed to international institutions as well. ... this, supported continued, we protest the violence being inflicted on Albanians in Macedonia. The Macedonian chauvinists respond Representatives of the political forces participating in this meeting of associations the blood-feud reconciliation mission, student associations, and others. They expressed to unite on such major issues of nationwide interest. At the end, the gathering also addressed a protest to international institutions. MUSA KURTULAJ

On the occasion of March 7, Teachers’ Day, the first issue of the newspaper “Miqësia” was inaugurated at the “Marle Kacullini” school in the city of Durrës. This newspaper, which will be published once a month, will be published not only in Durrës but also in Bari (Italy), as part of the twinning initiative, for translation, culture, and the wonderful world of children. Its pages will feature a variety of sections, such as school life, a literary page, correspondence and various quotations exchanged with children from schools in Bari, a science page with curiosities, and so on. The children of this school had also prepared a rich artistic program. The celebration passed in a joyful atmosphere amid the rich world of childhood.

The Bulqizë strikers in court ... an acquittal for Muni(r) Sllana and Hysni Dine, leaders of the miners’ union, the opposition and the plaintiffs, was sought yesterday in court over breach of duty... On January 22, 1994 ... At the court hearing ... This court ruling ... It is feared that 10 miners, participants in the most recent strike at the end of January and beginning of February 1995, will soon appear before the court in Bulqizë. They too will be tried under the same decree and the same article. A. ASHIKU (Continued on page 4)

In November of this year, the nationwide National Literary Prize “Vëllaja” will be awarded for literary works published during 1994. This literary prize, organized and awarded by the “Velija” Cultural Foundation for publications, is worth 500 US. All literary works of every genre written in Albanian may participate in the competition for the “Vëllaja” Prize. Each publishing house is entitled to submit only one literary work published in 1994 to the competition. The competition will have no deadline. Publishing houses are to send all works for “Vëllaja”. The work entered in the competition must be submitted in 8 copies by April 18, 1995. “Vëllaja” Foundation