ASKED BY THE «VOICE OF THE PEOPLE» CORRESPONDENT TO COMMENT ON PRESIDENT BERISHA’S DECREE GRANTING TWO YEARS OFF THE SENTENCE OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY CHAIRMAN FATOS NANO, THE SOCIALIST PARTY SPOKESPERSON STATED: The Socialist Party has already made it clear that its chairman, Fatos Nano, is innocent. His trial was conducted under Berisha’s direct orders, and the verdict delivered was an imposed one, unsupported by law or evidence. It was a politically motivated sentence. This is why the Socialist Party has sought, and continues to seek, a political solution to the Nano case—as a key issue for Albanian democracy—through dialogue between the government and the opposition. Now, not only Albanian public opinion but also European opinion, through bodies such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, convinced that Fatos Nano’s sentence was imposed for openly political reasons, have also called for his release. By reducing Fatos Nano’s sentence by two years instead of releasing him, Berisha is seeking, now on the eve of the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to be held in Madrid, where the Nano case will be discussed, to create the impression that he is «exercising his powers» to resolve this issue. Neither Europe, nor Albanian public opinion and Albanian democracy, nor the Socialist Party, and above all neither Fatos Nano, have any need for «solutions of this kind», which aim to create the impression that the chairman of the Socialist Party is guilty and that Berisha is magnanimous. Fatos Nano’s innocence has by now been fully and conclusively established. He continues to be held in prison as chairman of the Socialist Party, in an effort to stifle an alternative on the path to democracy. His immediate release is the first step toward correcting a long series of violations, abuses and affronts.

Interview with Mr. Lassen Butz, chairman of foreign affairs of the Danish SDP, by our journalist Ardian Myslimi Mr. Butz, first of all, thank you for agreeing to give this interview. As chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Denmark’s Social Democratic Party, could you tell our readers something about the place the Danish Social Democratic Party occupies in the country’s political life? Yes, this is a key issue. Since 1920, it has been the largest party in the country and has led many governments, which we have run both in coalition and as a minority. The current government also includes two small parties, represented as centre-left parties. In today’s cabinet, they hold the post of foreign minister. Today we are organized throughout the country and play a leading role in its political life. Our cooperation, both at home and abroad, is extensive. We have fruitful cooperation among the Scandinavian countries, cooperate with the social democratic parties of Europe, and likewise with Europe’s socialist parties. On the other hand, we also have relations and cooperation with the parties of the Socialist International, which is expanding. Today Denmark has a high standard of living, and the Social Democratic Party is responsible for it, but also deserves credit for this state of affairs because it created the welfare state. Thanks to this policy, we have a developed mixed economy whose foundation is concern for ensuring the best possible standard of living for the country’s population. We have built an efficient economy which, thanks to this policy, will develop even further in the future. Do you think Albania has now met the conditions for joining the Council of Europe, or does it need to meet other standards as well? I would not say that I am a great expert on this issue, but I would like to say that the bodies of the Council of Europe have a duty to monitor respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms in all countries, especially those that have applied for admission and are awaiting such membership. Regarding this issue, I know that some time ago a high-level Council of Europe commission came here, and on the basis of its activities it prepared the findings of some reports in which such requirements are examined. Undoubtedly, the same procedure has been, and will be, followed with Albania. The bodies of the Council of Europe were established to protect democracy and human rights. (Continued on page 3)

During their stay in our country, the delegation of the Social Democratic Party and Youth of Denmark held a special meeting with the deputy chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi. After welcoming the Danish guests, Socialist Party deputy chairman Servet Pëllumbi expressed his gratitude and thanks for the valuable support and assistance that the Danish Social Democratic Party and its youth have given to the Socialist Party and FRESSH, as well as for raising international public awareness of the Nano case. He outlined the general political, economic and social situation in the country, also emphasizing the options and alternatives of the Socialist Party, which are finding ever greater support among the Albanian electorate. The Danish guests, and in particular the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Danish Social Democratic Party, Mr. Lassen Butz, who was part of the delegation together with this party’s International Secretary, Erik Boel, praised the qualitative development and alternatives of the Socialist Party, as well as the position of the Albanian socialists on the key issues of Albanian democracy, such as the Constitution, privatization, European integration and the Nano case. They emphasized that not only does the Socialist Party need to broaden cooperation with Europe’s left-wing political spectrum, but the latter itself cannot be considered complete without the participation of Albanian socialists and those of other Eastern countries. He offered the unreserved support of the Danish social democrats for Albania’s integration into Europe and for further strengthening the Socialist Party’s ties with European socialist organizations. Both sides stressed the irreplaceable role of the respective youth forums in carrying out concrete, large-scale activities with a democratic culture—something that both FRESSHI and the Danish Social Democratic Youth are doing at an appropriate level. The meeting was very warm and constructive, and took place in a spirit of full understanding. The meeting was also attended by Socialist Party Deputy Chairman Ilir Meta and its Secretary-General, Mr. Gramoz Ruçi. Press and Information Office

The Bulgarian Arbitration Court has now become the arena for the scandal involving 360,000 dollars. Today in Sofia, the trial is taking place to return to the budget of the Albanian Ministry of Defence this foreign currency, handed over two years ago to purchase «IFA»-type vehicles for the needs of the Albanian army. The scandal broke in the press. The sham nature of this agreement, which on the Albanian side was signed by the company «Mejko», was evident from the very first steps, as it had been made in violation of the rules. A Bulgarian who was initially described as «unknown» took the sum of money away in his bag and for a very long time was not identified. The unprecedented financial scandal in the Albanian administration caused a real earthquake in the Ministry of Defence. Dismissals and firings began, even though the entire course of events was known to the minister himself, Zhulali; without his permission no one could take such a sum in cash from the ministry’s treasury. And, as always, in this case too, the spokespeople and representatives of the Ministry of Defence denied responsibility, calling the reports untrue. The scandal could not be covered up. The former director of the company, Mr. Kuçi, was arrested; after lengthy court hearings, he was sentenced to a term that has left him outside the prison gates. And despite these measures, the money still remains unreturned to Albania (!) The Bulgarian side began selling a vehicle which Albanian experts had deemed unsuitable on technical grounds; the vehicles were sold to another car dealership. It is said that they met the same fate as the money. At the end of this whole story, the Albanian side is seeking to annul the contract ... (Continued on page 7)

15 families protest There are 15 families in the «Nazmi Rushiti» neighborhood in the city of Peshkopia who, in a letter addressed to the prefect of Dibër, are calling for an urgent and speedy solution to ensure normal living conditions in their homes. In the face of the law recognizing citizens’ ownership of land, as a result of the repression they have suffered, they have been left without an access road to and from their homes, and the city’s sewage has flooded the streets and houses. They have sought a solution to their problem from the chairman and secretary of the district council, Mentor Bunguri and Lavdrim Shehu, and from the chairman and secretary of the municipality, Kadri Rrapi and Sheptim Tëshan... but so far no solution has been provided.

Recently, operations at the telecommunications office of the Kurbin district, headed by engineer Lekë Tusha, have improved considerably. Whereas only ... 200 telephone numbers were available in the town of Laç a year ago, today more than a thousand lines have been installed. In terms of revenue, this branch stands out nationwide. In recent days, the PT office in Fushë-Milot has also been reconnected. In the town of Mamurras, too, where there was a manual telephone exchange, an automatic exchange with 200 lines has been installed. The qualified service provided by this branch’s staff is also noteworthy, and clients have expressed their appreciation. Nevertheless, the technical service employees have been concerned by the fact that telephone lines on the Laç-Lezhë, Laç-Rrëshen and Laç-Tiranë routes are stolen from time to time in the late hours of the night. This problem requires a greater commitment from the law-enforcement authorities to prevent this phenomenon.

The historic museum of the city of Shijak has been destroyed once and for all. The floor tiles have been taken through widespread theft. Work has begun in this building, which has rightly lost its intended purpose, by the claimant owner of the land, who, while also enjoying the support of the Shijak municipality, is trampling on the traditions of the city of Shijak.

HIGHLIGHTS: An Irresponsible Statement, or ... - THE PD DISGUISES ITSELF OVER THE FALSEHOOD IT PROPAGATES ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE COURTS - At the PD meeting in Durrës, the MP and member of the PD leadership Bashkim Kopliku said in a statement: “We are strong because we have many ...” (the text continues outside the frame of the photograph) Meanwhile, “a self-proclaimed ...” in power propagates the ... great ... that there is democracy in Albania and that the judiciary is ... independent from the influence of the parties. A. N.

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BERISHA: I know that many Albanians will get angry when they hear me on TV Berisha calls the basic promises that won him the vote of confidence on March 22, 1992, «unrealistic» - Yesterday the Albanian President Sali Berisha emerged from his «Castle» and appeared before journalists in a different setting, the «Press Center» at the «Palace of Congresses», in something between a press conference and a commemorative meeting with journalists. Thus yesterday ended the long series of press conferences by Mr. Meksi’s latest ministers and, naturally, the «Parade of Successes» held in honor of the day the government seats were handed to them, March 22, 1992. What was distinctive about the Albanian President’s conference was its timing—the last act, or the lid on the pot opened during the weekend and early in the week—and the effect it produced. Thus, while Mr. Meksi’s expected resignation was awaited, the man with the authority to do so appeared, and the government meeting was detailed—Mr. Berisha, who advertised the Democratic Party’s successes over three years, while leaving the Socialist Party’s record modest; Meksi is not modest at all; Meksi is nothing! I did all this! In any case, the setting brought some more realistic tones to Mr. Berisha’s triumphalist «song», though it remained somewhat … Three years are like 300 years! The DP has kept its word! …three years are like 300 years because they are three years of the rapid development of Albanian democracy—this is how the Albanian President characterized the Democratic Party’s three years in government, hyperbolizing history. «There have been great difficulties, inherent in laying new foundations, but the choices, which will consolidate the rule of law and the market economy, have been such that there is no democracy…», said Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha. «We took Albania out of its isolation…». In a final passage, more… Leaving the seventh, more… entirely European and cultivating policies of optimism—«yes, this is what the people and all Albanians want…». «Without the truth…» A little earlier… Isl… in the final passage, more… (Continued on page 7)

pan-Albanian, but also European, through orga- ...anizations, acts of violence and insults