At the entrance to the Palace of Europe in Strasbourg, the flags of the 33 member countries are flying. Other countries are waiting. Albania is waiting too. The wait lasts as long as it takes the Council of Europe to be convinced that the country seeking membership meets European democratic standards—not perfectly, but at least convincingly. How long does the wait last, and how long has it lasted? Look at the table... STATE | DATE OF APPLICATION | ADMISSION | WAITING TIME 1. Hungary | November 1989 | October 1990 | 11 months 2. Bulgaria | January 1991 | May 1992 | 17 months 3. Estonia | September 1991 | May 1993 | 20 months 4. Lithuania | September 1991 | May 1993 | 20 months 5. Latvia | September 1991 | January 1995 | 39 months 6. Romania | December 1991 | October 1993 | 22 months 7. Slovenia | January 1992 | May 1993 | 17 months 8. Albania | May 1992 | — | 35 months 9. Russia | May 1992 | — | — 10. Ukraine | July 1992 | — | — 11. Croatia | September 1992 | — | — 12. Belarus | March 1993 | — | — 13. Moldova | April 1993 | — | — 14. Macedonia | June 1993 | — | — It seems Albania is among the countries that have waited the longest so far. Berisha was in Strasbourg in May 1992. When will he go again to hear the National Anthem and raise our flag at the entrance to the Palace of Europe? The three representatives of the People’s Assembly in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have made various statements. Eduard Selami: He declared several times that we would be admitted in 1993; several other times, for 1994, and now, disappointed that his prediction never came true, he has given up making predictions... At the Assembly’s Political Commission session (London, March 14, 1995), where the opposition was not represented, he declared (according to sources at the People’s Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Commission) that «Albania could be ready for membership in September 1995». So... when will we become members of the Council of Europe? No date, according to Selami; in June 1995, according to Dokle; or in September 1995, according to Spahia? More optimistic than all three is President Berisha’s characteristic smile, which suggested at the press conference that admission would be even sooner. Mr. M. A. Martinez, declared that «Albania could be admitted in April or June 1995». Ali Spahia: After the meeting of the European Commission? Then we can frame the question of timing even more specifically: In April, June, or September? After these three deadlines, the year 1996 remains.

The Court of Cassation acquits Kosovo Albanian Ismet Kryeziu and denounces police officers and employees of other agencies for flagrant violations of human rights «The decision no. 940, dated 9.11.1994, of the Court of First Instance and decision no. 606, dated 21.12.1994, of the Court of Appeal are quashed. Pursuant to Articles 185-3, 172-2 and 71-7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court declares the criminal case against the defendants Ismet Kryeziu and Lin Meshi, charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, closed. Their immediate release is ordered.» This was announced yesterday at midday, on behalf of the judicial panel of the Court of Cassation, by the president of that court, Mr. Zef Brozi. After announcing the decision restoring the immediate liberty of Ismet Kryeziu and Lin Meshi, the head of Albanian justice, Mr. Zef Brozi, told the journalists present: «As a member of the judicial panel, I will file a denunciation against those responsible, police officers and employees of other agencies, for abuse of office and flagrant violations of citizens’ rights.» Thus the nearly two-year «mystery» of the arrest, investigation and sentencing of Kosovo Albanian Ismet Kryeziu comes to an end. Kosovo Albanian Ismet Kryeziu was arrested on the evening of June 26, 1993, just one hour after leaving the International Cultural Center, where he had attended the first week of Kosovar Culture and where the opening speeches at this cultural event had been delivered by the two presidents, Berisha and Rugova. The flimsy «unlawful possession of a firearm» charge used as the reason for his arrest could not stand, since, according to several testimonies, the weapons for which Mr. Kryeziu was accused had been planted there by members of the Police and SHIK. As if to prove this, the police employee at the time, Mr. Lin Meshi, admitted that he had put the weapon in Ismet Kryeziu’s home; after the latter’s arrest, he himself also ended up in prison. Strangely, this man too was charged with «unlawful possession of a firearm»! It seems the circle has been broken for those whom Kryeziu calls the «instigators» who instructed the prosecutor to draw up the charge. A complete mystery. The arrest and investigation proceeded as if through a labyrinth. Nearly 18 months of investigation and trial. A host of court sessions that began and were postponed. Everything behind closed doors. An iron curtain of silence for the press. Finally, in the familiar secrecy, behind closed doors, the Tirana Court of First Instance sentenced Kosovo Albanian Ismet Kryeziu to 8 years’ imprisonment on November 9, 1994, and former police employee Lin Meshi to 2 years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal did not have the courage to make any change to the above decision, but upheld it in its decision dated December 21, 1994, once again demonstrating incomprehensible signs that only they themselves understood. It seems that, up to this point, the «instigators» had got their way. What happened in the «Kryeziu Case» is no less than a police thriller. And this is happening within our police, prosecutor’s office and justice system, all of which call themselves democratic. It is interesting to mention several points where, as Kryeziu stated, «the staging of this famous “weapons possession” case was accompanied by the prolongation of the investigation»—a famous charge as absurd as it was ridiculous, concerning an event that never happened. According to Kryeziu, the indictment was drawn up a month before the investigation was completed, while other procedural actions continued to be carried out. Ismet Kryeziu requested that Kosovar lawyer Bajram Kelendi act as his defense attorney, but our authorities did not allow this. The other lawyer assigned to him left for undisclosed reasons after attending another case; while adhering to the charge of «unlawful possession of a firearm», Kryeziu was subjected to more than 18 months of investigation and trial. Each court hearing was postponed for more than 21 days. Naturally, under these and other circumstances that Mr. Kryeziu has denounced in the press, several questions arise: Who were the people with an intere- (Continued on page 5)

Nine KALLASHNIKOV assault rifles, magazines loaded with cartridges, knives, long-range mobile phones, wire cutters for barbed wire, as well as cameras, were found in the two cars used by the seven arrested members of the MAVI terrorist group. According to the Greek television channel MEGA (the largest and most serious in Greece), the police in Janina established that three of the weapons that had been... The newspaper «Ethnos» (The Nation) published an article titled «A blow for Papu- ...the arrested men refuse to speak and refuse to explain how the automatic weapons stolen in Peshkëpi ended up in their hands. It was also reported yesterday that about 20 documents concerning the activities of the MAVI group were found at the home of the teacher at the modeling school that we reported on in previous issues. MAVI also calls all Greek owners who have invested in Albania anti-Greek. According to the newspaper «Ethnos», many of the people targeted by MAVI have complained to state agencies about the attacks carried out against them. In response to the police’s question about where her son went when he was away for days at a time, the mother of Harallambros Papas replied: «I don’t know what... MEGA (the largest and most serious [TV station] in Greece) reported that the Janina police had established that three of the weapons seized from the defendants were Chinese-made automatic rifles and had been stolen the previous year from the Albanian border post at Peshkëpi. According to the same station, all seven of the arrested men had the automatic rifles stolen in Peshkëpi in their possession. It was also reported yesterday that around school, which we reported on in previous issues. blow to Papulias and Konstandinopul», chairman of the Democratic Left Alliance Party. The article reports the accusations made by the MAVI organization against these public figures, describing them as Albanian sympathizers because of their visit The automatic rifles stolen in Peshkëpi were found school, which we reported on in previous issues. sympathizers because of their visit to Albania. by MAVI have complained about the attacks to state authorities. When asked by the police don’t know what my son was doing. He told me he was going for a walk.» «Public opinion in Greece is very interested in the new information about MAVI’s activities.» KIÇO LONDO, Athens

Yesterday, at the PSSH KPD headquarters, the Deputy Chairman of the PSSH, Dr. Servet Pellumbi, received, at his request, the Ambassador of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Tirana, Mr. Nikolla Todorçe vski. They exchanged views on recent political developments in each country and in the Balkan region. Both sides emphasized the need for dialogue and for implementing a policy of good neighborly relations among the countries of the Balkan Peninsula. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Vasiliaq Kureta, a member of the PSSH KPD. Press and Information Office of the PSSH Tirana, March 23, 1995

The second tranche, 20 million ECU, has been made conditional on human rights in Albania, the European Commission’s communiqué says. The European Commission announced that it has decided to disburse the first tranche of 15 million ECU ($19.3 million) from the 35-million-ECU package approved some time ago to support Albania’s balance of payments. The decision to disburse the first tranche, which will be a grant, follows Albania’s launch of the economic and political reforms required by the IMF. The first grant tranche will be disbursed as soon as Tirana signs the protocol, sources in Brussels say. The same sources emphasize that the remaining 20 million ECU ($25.7 million) will depend on human rights in the country and economic results, as stated in the European Commission’s official communiqué.

Respect for Durrës’ master athletes A meeting was held in Durrës with master athletes who for many years contributed to the development of sporting activities and outstanding results, not only nationwide but also on the international stage, representing the Albanian flag with dignity. The focus of this event was on the master athletes Dh. Goga, S. Malgati, F. Muça, N. Llalla, and others. Activities of this kind, which are taking place during this transitional period of the year, are essential for restoring tradition and taking Albanian sport further forward. Better conditions are needed for trading Every day, 400–500 people come out to sell at Vlora’s informal market. Although this activity takes place in extremely difficult and unhygienic conditions, in 1994 the local authorities collected 3.1 million new lekë from the free market. This figure should not only prompt local officials to put some of this revenue back into investments to improve trading conditions. Protest by van owners A group of owners of vans serving the Korçë, Devoll and Kolonjë routes protested yesterday against a decision by the Korçë municipal council. The repeated decisions by this municipality to change their stations have prompted this protest. They emphasize that by taking such measures the municipality aims to favor bus owners. Dynamite explosion caused tragedy Ten meters of fuse had been enough to set off the dynamite placed in a worker in a small car and to leave them on the trail of a tanker truck and a canister of ...? in the village of Homesh, Dibër. Mehmet Jovani, after hosting some friends from Tirana, had put a certain length of fuse in the car to reassure them that they could sleep peacefully and nobody would damage their car. This economy in the mirror...

The Socialists have always presented the people with the alternative of work The chairman of the Mirditë District Council of the Socialist Party refutes the slanders directed at him Following the decision by the Al-bakri corporation to close the copper plant in Rubik, the Socialist Party’s zonal council and the Rubik commune council met in a separate hall to analyze the situation created by the ... In these circumstances, at the initiative of the commune council chairman, Bardhok Pre-na, a meeting was organized with the district’s political forces, the PSSH leadership at the plant and the mine, and specialists. At this meeting, all the Socialist participants, without exception, called for public opinion to be alerted and categorically demanded that the plant not be closed, without imposing any conditions or arguments. ... (Continued on page 2)

Press conference by the Romanian ambassador in Tirana, Mr. George Miku — The visit will give fresh impetus to our traditional relations, Ambassador Miku says Yesterday morning, the Romanian ambassador in Tirana, Mr. George Miku, held a press conference on the eve of the visit to Tirana by Romanian President Mr. Iliesku. Speaking about the visit, the ambassador described it as being of great importance for relations between the two countries, also noting that President Iliesku’s visit to Tirana is the first official visit by a Romanian president to Albania since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. He stressed that this The Romanian president will be accompanied to Tirana by Foreign Minister Teodor Meleshkanu, the Minister of Education, the head of the Romanian Development Agency, at ministerial rank, and 26 Romanian businesspeople, among others. The latter will discuss with their Albanian counterparts ways and opportunities to increase ... Mr. Miku stated that trade exchanges between the two countries increased by 35 percent during 1994, reaching 4.2 million dollars, but that most of the goods ... The ambassador stated that