The power’s crutch is breaking under the weight of corruption ARBNORI: “Even if MPs Ruli and Uka have their immunity lifted, they will not be arrested. If they are arrested, I will resign.” Was Arbnori in favor of lifting the immunity of Ruli and Uka? For now, it is difficult to answer this question with certainty. But, judging by Mr. Arbnori’s statement in parliament, it is not difficult to conclude that the investigative and judicial mechanisms will not allow them to act independently against these men. In other words, Arbnori’s statement implied that even if the outcome were different, measures had nonetheless been taken to ensure that every action by the justice system would be controlled by its masters. The claims that MPs Ruli and Uka might be arrested if their immunity were lifted are disproved by Arbnori’s statement. His statement expressed the truth about just how independent the justice system is in Albania. But first and foremost, it shows that someone else is also directing the Democratic Party’s votes against lifting immunity. The one who always directs them. THE OBSERVER. The Democratic Party politician most widely rumored to be involved in the corruption scandal, the former minister and member of this party’s leadership, Ruli’s deputy, together with the “star that faded quickly,” deputy Uka, escaped being caught red-handed once and for all thanks to Parliament’s secret decision not to lift their immunity. Since the parliamentary majority is made up of the PD group, although the secret ballot leaves it a mystery how one or another member voted, this means that the PD once again protected corruption. Are we rushing to these conclusions? Let us explain. Given the wave after wave of noise made about corruption in general, and the much-discussed “walnut tree” affair in particular, the question arises: Is the PD truly serious about fighting corruption? Could this be a mask to conceal its scandalous abuse of power? The facts show that the PD’s campaign against corruption is merely a smokescreen, wholly unrelated to honest aspirations for democracy and the rule of law that we want to build. The Democratic Party brought corruption with it when it came to power, because throughout the structures of the state administration it introduced the mindset that the law does not exist and, even when it does, it is like a sheet of plastic that cannot hurt anyone. After the slogan “Let us overcome fear”—a proper slogan for overthrowing dictatorship—it also overcame its fear of the law. This is the path that opened the way to rampant corruption in every sphere. And it is well known that those who generate corruption cannot fight it themselves, because that would be like saying, “the feet rise up and strike the head.” Curiously, corruption began in Albania only as a campaign, and precisely at the moment of the PD and the President’s great defeat in the November 6 referendum. The other “battles” against corruption before that date were stage-managed spectacles put on for naïve spectators. Such are the court cases that begin, are buried, are brought back again and again, retried, and so on. But the facts speak clearly: to this day, no official of any rank appointed with the PD’s blessing has been punished for corruption. (!) So, can one say that corruption is being fought? And even if someone is sacrificed, it will surely be a small fish... The 8,000 dollars for the walnut tree were a trifle compared with the activities of the economic mafia currently operating in Albania. In this context, we would say that, symbolically, the Arsidi medal on the chest of the head of state is a barometer of how seriously the PD takes its fight against corruption. By calling for the removal of this me- (Continued on page 2) slogan—a with the PD’s blessing has been punished for corruption. (!) removal of this me- (Continued on page 2)

It took only a few hours after the conclusion of the debate and vote in parliament on the immunity of MPs Ruli and Uka, in which the secret ballots of the majority of MPs protected their immunity, for the General Prosecutor’s Office to respond to this action with an announcement concerning

Well-informed sources inside the Korçë police station report that on Wednesday afternoon, the head of public order in Korçë, Pellumb Korfuz(i), committed a very despicable act against the deputy chief of criminal investigations for the Devoll district, Florenc Shpuza. The source of the conflict was the arrest of two people for illegal possession of firearms and robbery in the city of Bilisht by Korçë public order forces. Florenc asked that they be returned to the Bilisht public order department, where they had also committed the criminal offense. But Mr. Korfuz(i) refused under any circumstances. The altercation escalated to the point that the latter struck Florenc in the face with a radio, causing him a fracture as well. Meanwhile, Korfuz’s escorts also intervened, throwing their colleague to the ground and beating him barbarically. It is also reported that the head of criminal investigations in Korçë, Ramadan Hxajdini, who was present at the incident, threw down his equipment and left demonstratively in protest against this despicable act by his chief. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

MALËSIA E MADHE He lost his life sailing across the lake He sailed across Lake Shkodër to sell goods in Montenegro, but never returned alive to his family. This was the tragic fate of Lulëzim Miri, aged 22, from the village of Dobre in Koplik. He managed to cross the border by boat and reach the other shore of the lake. But on the return journey, a storm caught him, forcing him to take shelter beneath some willows to survive. After staying there for several hours amid the storm and the cold of recent days in this area, he was found frozen, one hand gripping the branch of a willow. ... more. He was traveling together with a relative, and their car was ... with a transport vehicle, causing his premature death and consequently leaving in deep grief, especially his daughters and relatives. Xhelali had also been chairman of the PD section for Grizha.

It was Xhelal Ujka, from the village of Gri in Malësia e Madhe, who was killed in a car accident that occurred around midnight the night before last in Mamimas. He was traveling with a relative when their car collided with a transport vehicle, causing his untimely death and leaving his five daughters and relatives in deep grief. Grizha.

— 16 families, led by the father of the SHIK chief, Bashkim Gazided[e], forcibly occupy the lands of 41 other families — In a letter addressed to the prefect of Lib[r]ës, Afrim Harxhi, concerning the incident and the normal functioning of the Tomorricë commune in the district of Dib[r]ës, the chairman of the commune council, Seferdin Xharri, states among other things: “The commune council decided in 1993 that agricultural land should be distributed proportionally to the villagers, with property shares allocated, since [they] would not remain residents of the village. Pursuant to Law No. 7501, agricultural lands were divided and distributed among 16 families. In their neighborhoods, nobody granted them any right; they were considered land occupiers. Meetings were held with these families at the commune, whose council rejected their claims with its Decision No. 5, dated 18 November 1994. Meetings were also held with these families before the district land commission, with the chairman of the district council, Mr. Mentor Bunguri, with the head of the district commission, Mr. Mendu Oumani, with the area’s MP, Mrs. Manta Shehu, etc. The brutality ... the conditions set by the land commission and the appropriation of all the 1994 harvest, the 41 families whose land has been occupied have complained to the village land commission, the district commission, the commission ... (Continued on page 2)”

PS LIFE IS REVITALIZED At a meeting held recently in Kastriot, the district’s leading committee of the Socialist Party, after examining the Socialist Party’s program, focused on several areas of work for the present and the future. Particular emphasis was placed on expanding the Party’s ranks with young people who are mature and committed to the socialist alternative, revitalizing the life of PS organizations in all the villages, and setting up working commissions under the district’s PS leading committee. The district’s PS leading committee denounced violations of the law in the election of village elders and head elders. In the village of Bresi i Poshtëm, it appears that 68 families have spoken out against the illegal procedures that were applied. BLEDAR DRINI

After the prominent role of the “dissident cooperative member” in the televised debate on the draft constitution, the night before last Tritan Shehu appeared in a new guise. He amazed everyone in the studio and the television viewers by saying that optimism in Bulgaria had fallen after the socialists’ victory. Not even N. Dokle’s objection had any effect; he tried to explain that the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria had been held on December 18, that is, a month after the Eurobarometer survey had ended. “A misfortune, in fact,” the old philosopher said when shown the fact that contradicted his theory. A misfortune for the Bulgarians, if it is not the socialists’ fault, Tritan would understand a century later. All day yesterday, people with a sense of humor—unlike the studio participants, for whom the atmosphere was one of stress from the camera and the responsibility of representing others—were commenting on how the PD increasingly often orders its faithful to “beat their heads against the wall.” In the end, everyone knows how to appreciate the “hardness” of their own head. SH. M.

Privatization at speed The privatization of state property in Vlorë, in keeping with the concept and platform of the Meksi government, is continuing at a rapid pace. In 1994, 1,792 properties were privatized. The rapid pace of privatization is evident from the fact that, during 1994, 100 percent of small and medium-sized enterprises were privatized.

Intellectuals continue to be subjected to strict party scrutiny. To this end, the group of socialist councillors protested at the latest meeting of the Elbasan municipal council. For example, former students and teachers of the Normal School were not invited to the celebration of its 85th anniversary, solely because they held left-wing views. The municipal councillors on the education commission were also not invited. The protest also stressed that, for the decorations awarded on March 7, political views had likewise been used as the main criterion. The socialist councillors’ protest was also supported by some councillors from the majority.

It has been two years since the former owner took possession of the Shijak library building. Meanwhile, it remains closed and serves no purpose whatsoever, while the large collection of books it once held has been moved to a basement in the cultural centre. So far, the Shijak municipality has taken no action to put this cultural asset back into use.

In the secondary schools of the city of Peshkopi, organized psychological violence by teaching groups can be observed, carried out through grades and direct threats. This is led by the PD current within the schools and its affiliated forums, for which there is no shortage of measures, sponsorship from state enterprises, or buses for excursions.

The Democratic Party politician most widely rumored to be involved in the corruption scandal, the former minister and member of this party’s leadership, Ruli’s deputy, together with the “star that faded quickly,” deputy Uka, escaped being caught red-handed once and for all thanks to Parliament’s secret decision not to lift their immunity.

On Monday, 20 March 1995, at 10:00, a meeting of the General Steering Committee of the Socialist Party will be held. Agenda: Resolving the current political crisis in the country requires even more active positions from all structures of the Socialist Party. Members of the General Steering Committee and Socialist Party MPs are hereby notified to attend the meeting. The Presidium of the PSSH. Tirana, 17 March 1995.