From the vice-chairman of the PS, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi’s visits to the northern district Last week, the vice-chairman of the Socialist Party, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, and MP Mehmet Loçi met with PS members and supporters in the town of Fushë Arrëz as well. Here too, the discussion focused on the tense political situation the country is experiencing and on the measures the Socialist Party is taking to unblock it, by putting forward and proposing messages of understanding and tolerance among political forces and the Albanian electorate. In his speech, Dr. Pëllumbi focused on particular aspects of this struggle, describing it as a dishonorable and unlawful course of action by the Democratic Party and President Berisha himself to discredit the Socialist Party. The attack on the opposition, and especially on the Socialist Party, he said, is a reflection of the crisis being experienced by the current authorities and the country’s governance. In such situations, he continued, it is our duty to seek new paths and call for cooperation and understanding, for the good of the country and democracy. He then also addressed specific issues concerning the country’s socioeconomic situation and its electorate, where these difficulties are evident and unemployment is widespread. But, Dr. Pëllumbi said, the Socialist Party is not working only to unblock the political situation; it is also engaged in long-term research work to provide answers to pressing socioeconomic problems. On the basis of these efforts, we will put our human and material resources to work, he said. Other participants who took the floor expressed their support for the Socialist program and alternative, calling it suitable and achievable. They expressed their firm conviction that Socialist specialists are capable of governing effectively and cited concrete examples. The vice-chairman Pëllumbi and MP Loçi then answered the many questions from those present in a cordial discussion. Correspondent of Zëri i Popullit

The draft Budget is being discussed in committees — The 1995 draft budget makes no provision whatsoever for compensation for war veterans — The draft law “On the 1995 Budget,” currently being discussed in committees and parliamentary groups, makes no provision whatsoever for compensation for war veterans. This is contrary to the law passed by Parliament only a few days before the 6 November referendum. It is not yet known whether this was a political ploy for the referendum, and we believe that parliamentarians will seek clarification regarding the implementation of the law they themselves passed, so that war veterans receive the compensation due to them. All the more so since the Meksi government has still not issued the relevant decision to implement the law. For now, the question may be asked: Is this government incompetence or deception?! THE OBSERVER.

$90,000 in telephone expenses at the embassy in Vienna—or $246 a day, or 4 hours of telephone calls a day! TIRANA = Consideration of the draft budget for 1995, submitted to the Albanian Parliament by Mr. Meksi’s cabinet, continued yesterday morning as well. For more than a week, the Parliament’s standing committees have been examining the financial statements prepared and included in this draft. Meanwhile, many of these committees have asked how the funds allocated for 1994 were used and what they were intended for. Last week, Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee requested explanations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about 1994 expenditures. Sources from this Committee, after the report was presented to it, describe these expenditures as “scandalous.” Referring to the figures, our source said that, since our embassies do not own their buildings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been obliged to pay large sums in rent for them. According to the reports presented to the Parliamentary Committee, these amounts range from $100,000 to $150,000 a year. Thus, our embassy in Vienna pays $12,000 in rent per month. The figure seems “reasonable” when one considers the building in the capital of European diplomacy. But is that much reasonable for a two-storey house in the centre of this city? The expenses of our other embassies in Europe and around the world cannot be described as reasonable either. Our source mentions, among those cited and reported to the Committee, ... (Continued on page 3)

— Political chieftainism is a major danger to democracy — NAMIK DOKLE IN HIMARË AND NOVOSELË In Himarë, a meeting was held to discuss the many concerns and problems of political and economic life faced by the people of Himarë. (A naturally beautiful place, with a hardworking and patriotic population, is going through difficulties; that is why the meeting was received with particular interest.) It lasted about three hours. Frank debate, constructive dialogue. Polo Buta, chairman of the PS in Himarë, set out the specific concerns of Himarë’s residents, highlighting the Socialist Party’s positive results on 26 July, the petition for the release of Fatos Nano, and the 67 percent vote. “We all want democracy to be established in Albania. And democracy is not for ministers and MPs, but for the people. It is not made at the president’s table. It is made at the people’s tables and then in the president’s writing.” In reality, we are far from the democracy the students of 1990 dreamed of. They called for the European model of democracy, but today’s model is in fact far from Europe. We do not deny certain positive elements of democracy that have been achieved, such as freedom of speech, the press, religious belief and movement of citizens. But these can be called achievements when we compare them with dictatorships. ... Albania’s place in Europe. Here is one fact: on 4 May 1992, Sali Berisha was invited to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. His speech was well received and applauded. “I applauded too,” said Dokle. A Spanish MP asked Berisha: “How will you create democracy?” The Albanian president said: “According to the Spanish model.” This answer from Berisha was also welcomed. Two years later, this MP came to Albania and said that he saw nothing of the Spanish model. Here, the leader of the opposition was imprisoned for purely political reasons. While Spain established democracy through nationwide political consensus, in Albania ... Polo Buta, chairman of the PS of Himara, set out in a concentrated way the general and specific concerns of the residents of Himara, emphasizing the positive results of the Socialist Party, with 26.7% of the vote, for the petition to release Fatos Nano, and the 67 percent “No” vote by the people of Himara on Berisha’s draft constitution. Namik Dokle, thanking those present in the hall, recalled the centuries-old military, patriotic and democratic traditions of the people of Himara. Although the hall included members and supporters of many political parties, the meeting proceeded in a civilized manner. “Because what is important to us,” Dokle said, “is to understand that one should be a citizen of European diplomacy. But why such a large building, and one that costs so much? Surely this cannot be considered reasonable alongside the other expenses of our embassies in Europe and around the world.” about three hours. An honest debate, constructive dialogue. The European model of democracy—but in reality, today’s model is far from Europe. We do not deny some freedom of speech, the press, religious belief and citizens’ movement. But these can be called achievements when compared with dictatorships. Compared with the dictatorship of the past, these achievements are a good thing. But compared with democracy, we are behind. In response to the approving calls of those present in the hall, who used the opportunity to ask questions about these problems, Dokle replied: those in power are obstructing democratic processes and integration nor- the students of ’90. They demanded democracy and dreamed of the European model of democracy, but not deny some processes and integration nor- (Continued on page 3)

Questions and discussions by the committees of the People’s Assembly on the 1995 Draft Budget are continuing. Ministers, deputy ministers and departmental specialists have given and are continuing to give explanations on various issues. It is notable that several ministers have asked parliamentary committees to increase the budgets for the sectors they oversee in order to address problems and difficulties. Socialist MPs have called for the budget to include, as a mandatory provision, implementation of the law on benefits for veterans of the National Liberation War, assistance for people with disabilities, and support for farmers with little land and insufficient income. The Minister of Education, Mr. Teliti, asked the parliamentary committee to increase funding for school equipment, a request considered justified by most MPs. In the Committee on Defence, Public Order and SHIK, all MPs supported the request by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Zhulali, to increase funding for military training and preparation of the population (exerci— It is strange how the PD newspaper and TV turn even this issue into an object of political speculation, distorting the public statements of Socialist MPs even when they support sound proposals concerning the defence of the country. Correspondent of Zëri i Popullit

Meetings with the committees attached to the PS district organization The Presidency of the PS of Malësia e Madhe organized a working meeting with members of the committees attached to the district KD. Maqo Lakrori, MP and member of the Presidency of the PSSH, also took part. They discussed the coalition’s main current task—designing in detail concrete solutions to the economic and social problems affecting every village, commune, municipality and the district as a whole. To carry out this task, it will be necessary not only to complete the committees with PS members and supporters, but also to gather the views of as many specialists and intellectuals in the district as possible, regardless of their political convictions, on concrete problems of common interest (the district has more than 600 people with higher education and several thousand mid-level specialists). In his opening remarks, the chairman of the district PS, Ruzhdi Duli, set out the district’s main economic and social problems and its natural and human potential. Malësia e Madhe, this important district of our country, has more than 52,000 inhabitants (the population’s average age is 25 6 years, and its people have experience in agriculture, livestock farming and woodworking); 15,220 ha of arable land, 10,500 ha of pasture, 45,000 ha of forest (about 5 million m3 of timber); about 110,000 small livestock and 13,000 large livestock; medicinal plants; 1,500 ha of essential-oil plants; and produces 35 percent of the republic’s tobacco. It also has great tourism potential thanks to Lake Shkodra. (Continued on page 3)

We report: Counterfeit Coka Cola discovered. By chance, in a café in the town of Koplik, in recent days a case posing a health concern was discovered involving Coca-Cola that looked different in the bottle from the bottles sold in Tirana. The inspectors of the Coca-Cola enterprise in Tirana were soon brought in to verify it. It turned out that this was a counterfeit variety. The bottles bearing Coca-Cola labels had been filled with water colored with reddish sugar, and in this case the bottles had been fitted with beer-bottle caps. It is thought that sales of counterfeit Coca-Cola began several months ago. A quantity of it was also found in Laç of Vau i Dejës. The financial police of Shkodra managed to identify the person who distributed this kind of counterfeit Coca-Cola; they even claim that he was fined(?), but have not yet made his name public. It is said to have originated in Korçë. However, the possibility that it was also prepared in Shkodër cannot be ruled out. M. K.

. The education directorate of Kurbin district is working to establish a museum. Parapakshisht(?) two—tours have been appointed for teachers of history and other subjects, and requests have also been submitted to the local authorities and the ministry to allocate premises and budget funds for this facility. “We will make every effort to carry out this initiative,” says Mr Pashk Syziu, director of the education directorate in this district. The museum in Kurbin will showcase the finest values of this well-known region.

Request for the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Agron Musaraj, to be questioned at a plenary session of the People’s Assembly Mr. Minister, Pursuant to Articles 82, 83 and 84 of the Rules of Procedure of the People’s Assembly, I request that you answer me at a plenary session of the People’s Assembly on the following matter: — On 24, 25 and 26 March 1995, while I, as an MP and chairman of the PS parliamentary group, was holding meetings with the people in Ksamil, Sarandë, Himarë, Novoselë and Akërni in Vlorë, the newspaper «RD» published the news item «Namik Dokle escapes, Interpol in pursuit», along with edited versions of it, making defamatory claims against the dignity of an MP. Before bringing a criminal complaint for the offense of defamation, as confirmed under Article 74 of the ... [unclear in source], I request an explanation and official confirmation from you concerning the matter involving Interpol. 1. Have you seen or not seen the item in the official Interpol newspaper, with such prominent headlines? 2. Have you made any official request to Interpol to pursue this matter? I ask you to comply with the Rules of Procedure of the People’s Assembly and reply to me within the two-month period from the date of this request. NAMIK DOKLE, MP. Tirana, 28.3.1995

Dylber Vrioni and the power of money

. Delayed funding for the football team. No sponsor for the Elbasan football team. Two footballers from the season’s squad have joined the Peqin team. The lack of nutritional support and the lack of funds—to the point that even the uniform for taking the field was a problem—have created difficulties for the football club. A decision by the municipal council allocates 200 thousand lek to the club, with the aim of enabling the assembled team, for at least a few days, to avoid relegation.