ANOTHER VICTORY FOR THE NANO CAUSE IN MADRID The new resolution is a step forward: The “NANO Process” must be reviewed from the beginning The Albanian apparatus that convicted Fatos Nano is directly challenged Interview with Mr. Luan Hajdaraga, a member of the Albanian delegation and participant in the 93rd meeting of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union, given to journalist Erion Braçe — Mr. Hajdaraga, you returned on Sunday after a week of work at the “World Inter-Parliamentary Union” in Madrid. What can you tell us about your participation there? Mr. Hajdaraga — From 27 March to 1 April, the 93rd World Conference of the world’s parliaments, or what is known as the “World Inter-Parliamentary Union,” was held in Madrid. During the conference, many activities took place—in addition to the plenary sessions—at which important matters concerning the state policies of the participating countries were examined. The issue of people confronting the problems of today’s world was also discussed, including natural disasters as well as disasters caused by human actions and intervention. — As had been announced since September 1994 in Copenhagen, it was expected that the “Albanian issue of Nano” would once again be raised at this Conference... Mr. Hajdaraga — Yes. Among the important items at this major world meeting was the examination of documents drawn up by the Union’s Special Committees, including reports by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, the Committee on the economic situation and the environment, and others. The Committee’s report was submitted to the Union most recently in Madrid. — So what does Mrs. Meier’s report contain, and how was it received at the Union’s latest meeting? Mr. Hajdaraga — We had Mrs. Meier’s report at our disposal in February, but it was confidential; therefore, it could not be made public without the permission of the body that prepared it. This report will be made known to the public because the resolution adopted by the 93rd World Conference in Madrid called for it to be made public. One of the important points in this report is that Mr. Nano personally asked Mrs. Meier—at their meeting in Tepelenë prison—to have his case reviewed as an important element in establishing his innocence. And the Conference’s final resolution—which we will also make known to the Albanian public—calls on the Albanian authorities to review the judicial proceedings against Fatos Nano. Thus, there is complete consistency between the request made by Mr. Fatos Nano, the request made by our Party, and what the Union called for on Saturday: that the Nano case be reviewed. [The article continues outside the image frame.] - As had been announced—since September 1994 in Copenhagen—it was expected that the “Nano issue” would again be examined at this Conference. 2. Hajdaraga—Yes. Among the important items on the agenda of up by the Special Committees of this Union, including the reports of the Committee on Human Rights, Freedoms and the Rights of Members of Parliament. This Committee—one of the most important bodies of the World Union—has examined the “Nano issue” several times. The Committee’s latest document was adopted as a Resolution in Copenhagen, which called, among other things, for “the prospect of Mr. Fatos Nano’s release.” It also called for a “Mission” of this Committee to come to Albania and meet with the country’s highest political, governmental and party authorities. In implementation of this, in December the “Mission,” led by the Committee’s chairwoman, Mrs. Jozefina Josi Meier, came to Albania. On the basis of its contacts with Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, Minister Musaraj, the Minister of Justice, the chairman of the State Audit Office, and representatives of political parties, a report was drawn up and examined at a meeting of this important body of the Union. And in the Conference’s final Resolution—which we will once again make known to the Albanian public—it is requested that the Albanian authorities complete consistency between Mr. Fatos Nano’s request, our Party’s request, Nano proceedings be reviewed from the beginning, because, as they were conceived, conducted and concluded, they contain serious legal violations. - So the resolution calls for a review of the proceedings and makes this request of the official Albanian authorities. What does “review of the proceedings” mean, since three trials have been held in Albania so far and three judgments have been issued by the respective Albanian courts? Mr. Hajdaraga—The term and concept are very clear. Reviewing the judicial proceedings means that everything starts over, with proper legal procedures, based on the law and on respect for human rights and the rights of a member of parliament as well. And if the Albanian authorities cooperate in carrying out the request of this Resolution— (Continued on page 3) the request of this Resolution—

Statement of the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania FOR THE ATTENTION OF PRIME MINISTER ALEKSANDER MEKSI AND MINISTER OF FINANCE DYLBER VRIONI The European practice of treating a free press as a pillar of democracy has not yet been embraced by the Albanian government. The Albanian print media, economically poor like society itself, is forced to pay several kinds of taxes that even wealthy countries do not impose. Among the many taxes that have been strangling the independent, non-party opposition press for more than a year are: 1 — A 25 percent tax on imported paper, not to mention other customs duties on printing raw materials. 2 — A 15 percent turnover tax. 3 — A 15 percent tax on advertising. Last August, the Meksi government undertook to look promptly into the possibility of reducing, suspending or abolishing some of these taxes, which are as unaffordable as they are insulting to the role of the press in a democratic country. But no concrete step has been taken, while the press’s financial situation has continued to worsen because of the steady and uninterrupted increase in the cost of transporting and printing newspapers. In the first quarter of this year alone, transport agency fees rose by 30–40 percent. Then, on 1 April, because of the rise in paper prices on the European market, the “Demokracia” printing house immediately raised its newspaper-production fee by 35 percent. With the new situation created by this shocking fee, newspapers effectively have only two options: — Either accept bankruptcy because of competition—or because of economic censorship. — Or unsuccessfully raise the price of copies, a price that is already high for the income level of Albanian citizens. There is also a third alternative, one we as an Association do not advise but which the situation created also makes impossible to prevent. This is the alternative of breaking with the standards of ethics. Our Association has achieved some successes internationally, including full membership in the [text unclear: “Feqata”]. Domestically, it has been unable to overcome the government’s indifference—or, indeed, its apparent tendency to discriminate—regarding taxes and the general discrimination against the independent opposition press. In these circumstances, newspapers determined to survive are understandably inclined to “adjust” to the market. Sermons about journalism seem sterile and cynical so long as the rules of the democratic game do not function at every level. A hungry person does not care about the beauty of the plate. The Albanian print press is very hungry. Newspapers cannot afford to staff even 50 percent of their workforce, nor can they afford an essential communications link for gathering and circulating information. This hunger, this poverty, systematically strikes at press freedom itself. We urge the government to become aware that press freedom is not only the right to express what one thinks, but also the ability to report everything that happens. We want the government to understand that there is a direct link between financial and ethical aspects of the press. We ask the government to reassess the situation with the utmost seriousness. We propose that it: — Suspend customs duties on paper and other imported raw materials for the press. — Following the example of European countries, abolish the turnover tax on newspapers as well as the advertising tax. — Consider the possibility of temporarily subsidizing 30 percent of newspaper transport costs. — Respect the status of the “Demokracia” printing house, which was established as a foundation and therefore should not pay taxes or duties. The Associations, while appreciating the assistance provided so far by the International Federation of Journalists and the Balkan Press Centre, ask them to assess as soon as possible the condition of the independent opposition press in Albania and contribute to its rescue. This statement is being sent to them: [the text here is disordered in the original] provision of members with international cards. Domestically, [the Association works] to protect freedom of expression and continually professionalize the free press. But unfortunately, our Association, Federation of Journalists and the Balkan Press Centre, asks rescue. This statement is being sent to: International Federation of Journalists Balkan Press Centre Embassies of the European Community in Albania Chairman PREÇ ZOGAJ

Shkodër THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MASSACRE OF 2 APRIL 1991 IS COMMEMORATED The anti-communist association «2 Prilli», in cooperation with the organizing committee of the local authorities of Shkodër, held commemorative activities on Sunday for the fourth anniversary of the tragic events of 2 April 1991. First, wreaths were laid at (Continued on page 3)

The Mayor of Shkodër, Mr. Filip Guraziu, announced on Sunday over Radio-Shkodër and the BBC that the organizing committee had not deemed it appropriate to invite the PS to take part in the commemorative activities marking the fourth anniversary of 2 April 1991. In our opinion, the committee’s judgment does not seem fair. Above all, we are fellow citizens. Nevertheless, we are inclined to hope for a more realistic judgment in the future, without prejudging us on the basis of our political affiliation; we have conveyed messages of understanding and will continue to do so in the interests of democracy. Chairman of the PS of Shkodër district, Ladetin Stankaj

PD, three years after coming to power, has not distributed the land Another 91 families from the village of Kosmac, in the municipality of Bushati in the district of Shkodër, can rejoice in the distribution of land only on paper. Since 1991 they have been told several times, “May you enjoy your land,” but to this day they have not enjoyed its fruits. Instead, these villages have been enjoying the benefits of the so-called former owners from the villa- (Continued on page 2)

For about 600 families in the town of Bilisht, the Office of Aid and Social Assistance has for three months continued to reduce their social assistance by 7–4 thousand lekë per month. The municipality replied to their complaint that it was obliged to make this reduction in order to cover last year’s deficit. (I) in which the municipality has been involved. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

Interview with the chairman of the SP, FATOS NANO, given to Radio BBC from Bënça Prison, Tepelenë Question: Are you in favor of early parliamentary elections? Answer: I have been and remain in favor of this; it would also be in the interests of today’s government, because the issue of reforms cannot be resolved within a single legislature. But this does not mean that, during a normal legislature, every political force should not focus on the interests of everyone, which would be a general interest. So, early elections today would create the possibility of an institutionalized change in the electorate; they would therefore constitute a civic challenge, to do away once and for all with all the cartels, individual ones and especially the aristocratic part of their sheets, because this period would make it possible to identify the political forces and turn them toward the future, into individuals with these political experiences they have gained; the currents of transition have begun to earn a reputation in public opinion at home, in order to work and unite for the future. Question: It is now predicted that the Socialist Party will be the main rival for power in the next elections. Do you think this is only a consequence of the economic difficulties, the difficulties of reform, and the mistakes of the government and the Democratic Party, or is it also the merit of the Socialist opposition? And if so, what would be some of the SP’s main achievements during its three years in opposition? Answer: I think these things can be distinguished. It is often claimed that the opposition only reaps the fruits of the mistakes of the force in power, but that is a simplistic view. In fact, we have learned to be an opposition, certainly a decisive one, but also a professional one. The Socialists have earned their place as a rival. Everyone saw how badly Albanian society was treated by the government of the Democratic Party, but, despite the pressure of many tensions accumulated since the Second World War, they managed to organize and present the image of a powerful political opposition which, within a relatively short period, won popular support. On the other hand, during this legislature to date, the Socialists have managed constructively and professionally to point out the main shortcomings in the platform and in the concrete way this government is reforming Albanian society. And, of course, all these criticisms have also included alternatives, ranging from the political sphere—that is, instead of excluding partners, co-governance and tolerance based on compromise and parliamentary competition. In the same way, in the economic sphere, the issue is equal opportunities for all Albanians to participate in reforms by making them owners and using property as an attribute for working and creating. In the social sphere, the issue is overcoming that formal cycle of the past, in which one part of the population, with notions of revenge and class struggle or an extremely antagonistic, hostile approach, fought the other part, creating enmity. This continues to happen during these three or four years of the Democratic Party’s rule: a tense situation that directs the energies of Albanians toward attacking one another instead of building a social environment more suitable for everyone to carry out reforms. Question: Would the Socialist Party form an alliance for the elections and, if so, which parties would it prefer? Answer: This is a prejudice that will continue to distort political thinking, the situation, and the development of democracy in Albania, because speculation about the past continues. I would consider it entirely normal if, in the next elections, the political organization of Albanian society took the form of electoral coalitions and later we—

STATEMENT OF THE ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE The Albanian Helsinki Committee has been asked by various parties to express its opinion and position regarding the President of the Republic’s latest decree reducing the prison terms of a group of people. The Albanian Helsinki Committee appreciates the general spirit of the decree, which is motivated by humanitarian considerations, intended to ease the plight of those who, for one reason or another, are serving sentences in prison, and to lessen the difficulties and anxieties of their families. Nevertheless, the Albanian Helsinki Committee proposes that, in connection with the historic date of the 50th anniversary of victory over fascism—a victory to which the Albanian people made a valuable contribution—additional pardons be granted. In general, the Albanian Helsinki Committee, as a humanitarian organization, calls on the new Albanian democracy, now at an advanced stage of consolidation, to send signals of relaxation, magnanimity and tolerance by moderating its punitive policy and granting pardons. One such measure would be to review the cases of all convicted persons who are over 70 years of age, first and foremost women, with the aim of securing their release. This would also include members of the former high-ranking communist nomenklatura who meet these criteria, including Mrs. N. Hoxha. Exceptions could be made only in very special cases involving extremely serious crimes against a person’s life, such as murder and other criminal acts of this nature. The Albanian Helsinki Committee notes that revenge must have no place in the criminal sphere. [The article continues outside the image frame.] It recalls that it has previously called for the full release of Mr. F. Nano. On that occasion it was emphasized that any sterile debate about guilt or innocence should be avoided and that now is the time to let Mr. Nano remain at liberty, without any prejudice. The reasons for the Committee to repeat this appeal are the same. This would help ease the highly tense atmosphere currently characterizing the country’s political life and would create conditions for a more constructive debate. THE ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE TIRANA, 3 APRIL 1995