VRIONI: “I have received no remuneration from this bank...” (RD, 30 March 1995) DYLBËR VRIONI, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE, HAS BEEN PAID IN DOLLARS BY THE ITALO-ALBANIAN BANK - The Bank’s official reply exposes the No. 2 figure in today’s government - We ask Dylber Vrioni once again: has he transferred money from his account at the Italo-Albanian Bank to other accounts, e.g. in the USA?

“I have received no remuneration from this bank while I was a member of parliament or Minister of Finance.” This is the statement made on 13 March 1995 by Mr. Dylber Vrioni, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Albania—in the pro-government daily scandal sheet RD, a reply full of spite and insults addressed to the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit”. After this reply, we reaffirmed that Mr. Dylber Vrioni had held the post of President of the Italo-Albanian Bank—a fact he had denied—and also asked the Minister of Finance whether he “had received money from this bank or not”. But he continued his long series of refusals to meet with us or reply to the newspaper. So last week the newspaper put the above question to the Italo-Albanian Bank, and it replied that “Mr. Vrioni received 2,800 US dollars from this Bank for 1994.” The sum was divided into 2,000 dollars and 800 dollars, consisting of four payments of 200 dollars each for attending four meetings of the Bank’s Assembly. Thus, for 1994—the year in which Mr. Vrioni held, alongside his position as President of the Italo-Albanian Bank, the positions of Governor of the Bank of Albania and, subsequently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the “Meksi 3” Government—these earnings of Mr. Vrioni were unlawful. This all stems from the incompatibility of the governor’s office—as well as the office of Bank Governor—with other state and private positions in commercial economic bodies. This is stipulated in the “Principal Constitutional Provisions.” Thus, from November 1993, Mr. Vrioni was Governor of the Bank of Albania until 4 December 1994, the day he was appointed by decree of Mr. Berisha as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Albania. The sum was paid to Mr. Vrioni for the period during which he held these important posts, including the period in December 1994. During these months—according to Article 20 of the Statute of the Italo-Albanian Bank—the Bank closes its accounts for each year, accounts that include the transactions in bank accounts, including those for Mr. Vrioni. Also, after receiving the confirmation letter at our headquarters, we asked Mr. Vrioni whether he had withdrawn this money or whether it had been transferred to other bank accounts, for example abroad, for example in America. But we never got a reply. And what has compelled Mr. Berisha and Mr. Meksi to violate the Constitution by appointing in the Albanian Government Cabinet? ERION BRACE [text in reproduced document] BANCA ITALO ALBANESE BANKA ITALO-SHQIPTARE JOINT VENTURE UNIVERSAL BANK ASSOCIATED TO BANCA DI ROMA SPA Tirana, 19 April 1995 To the Editorial Office of the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit” Tirana Mr. Vrioni, in his capacity as President of the Administrative Council of our Bank, received the fixed annual amount and the reimbursements mentioned above for 1994 only, in the following amounts: - fixed annual amount: US$ 2,000.- - reimbursements for 4 meetings, US$ 200.- per meeting, a total of US$ 800.- for 1994. Thus, the sum of US$ 2,800.- represents everything that the Italo-Albanian Bank has paid to Mr. Vrioni as compensation (Italian: emolumenti) and reimbursements (Italian: gettoni di presenza) since the establishment of the Italo-Albanian Bank. We remain of the opinion that we have answered your request in detail. With regards, ADDRESS: RRUGA E BARRIKADAVE, TIRANA TEL: (+355 42) 32006; FAX: (+355 42) 33005; TELEX: (0604) 2157 IBANK ALB

French courtesy at the Tirana Court Gjirokutaj. I kept my eyes on the door; the proceedings are taking on comic proportions! Lawyer Haxhia: I cannot tell the state how to bring my killer to trial. Lawyer Gjylbegu: Arsidi has never been accused by the Albanian state. The Arsidi trial resumed yesterday at 9:15 a.m. at the Tirana Court. The French dilemma—which had held hostage the biggest financial scandal for more than 30 days—was finally resolved yesterday in a few minutes. “We exhausted every possibility, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our Embassy in Paris, etc. Today was the hearing for these witnesses to appear before the court. But they did not come. Under these circumstances, the panel revokes its earlier decision to question these witnesses”—these were the words, explanations and rulings pronounced by Tirana judge Andi Çelku. Finally, at this point, the Frenchman Nikola Arsidi will not come to Tirana! According to the Albanian panel, there had been sufficient time for the arrival of the man who took 1.6 million dollars, at least in part from Albanians, through a financial operation. Arsidi must be brought to Tirana at all costs. According to him, the charges against former Governor Hoti rely entirely on Arsidi’s testimony, and for it to be admissible as evidence it must be given before the court. Haxhia said he had documents proving that Arsidi speaks differently in different situations. According to Haxhia, Arsidi is lying about the 650-million-dollar packages, and for this he will file a criminal complaint. Lawyer Sanku said he opposed the panel’s decision and requested that the decision be reconsidered. He asked, “Has Arsidi been given assurances that he will not be prosecuted upon arriving in Albania?” S’ka shkaku, referring to the legislation, Article 137 of the Criminal Procedure Code, recommended that the panel question Arsidi by “letter rogatory.” Mr. Tartari supported his recommendation. According to him, in March 1998 the French Ministry of Justice had rejected the request for Arsidi to be questioned by letter rogatory. He asked why this had not been done in time. (Continued on page 3)

Dear Sirs! The terrible tragedy that Oklahoma City experienced these past few days, as a result of a barbaric terrorist act, has deeply affected us. We stand in spirit alongside the citizens of Oklahoma City and the victims’ families, in our unreserved support for the condemnation of this inhuman act by the President of the United States, Mr. Bill Clinton, as well as by international public opinion. This deeply painful event gives us the opportunity to join our voices in calling for urgent measures against terrorism, wherever it occurs and whoever commits these acts. Once again, our sincere condolences to you and to the victims’ families. For the Socialist Parliamentary Group in the Albanian Parliament NAMIK DOKLE

Dear Mr. Governor, I am deeply moved by the terrible tragedy experienced by the citizens of Oklahoma City as a result of an unprecedented terrorist and barbaric act. As an honorary citizen of the State of Oklahoma—Tulsa City—I feel close to you during these tragic days and offer my condolences to you and the victims’ families. This painful event calls on all of us to wage a determined fight against terrorism and every form of extremism. Being spiritually close to you and your wonderful people on this day of mourning, I once again offer my deepest condolences. Sincerely yours, SABIT BROJKA Member of the People’s Assembly

Since 18 March up to today, RD has not stopped publishing slander, fantasies, truths turned upside down about the printing house of “Zëri i Popullit”... Sangumatakasan’s binoculars. (May those at the Islamic Conference forgive us if we have not spelled their name correctly...) In this whole pack of articles there is only one thing missing: the decision of the Meksi Government. Have they forgotten it, do they not know about it, or are they stupid?! Here is the full decision. DECISION No. 183, dated 14.5.1992, ON TRANSFERRING TO THE REVENUES OF THE FOREIGN-CURRENCY BALANCE AND THE STATE BUDGET FOR 1992 THE FOREIGN-CURRENCY BALANCE OF THE FORMER CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE PARTY OF LABOUR. On the proposal of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Council of Ministers [ordered]: 1. Party of Labour, as of 31.12.1991, amounting to US$1,865,016.08, together with the corresponding amounts in lekë, is to be transferred budget for 1992. 2. The foreign-currency and lekë funds referred to in point 1 of this decision are to be used with the authorization of the Ministry of Finance and Economy. 3. The financial and economic documentation reflecting the creation and use of the foreign-currency fund from 1964 to 1991 is to be subjected to a financial audit by the State Control Commission. 4. This decision enters into force immediately. CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ALEKSANDËR MEKSI According to the decision of the Meksi Government (see points 1 and 3), the fund of 400 thousand dollars remained with “Zëri i Popullit” and with “Zëri i Popullit” alone. At least up to today. Their expenditure has been in accordance with Albanian legislation. We will see what the government does and how we will respond. It is easy to convince the unconvinced Çela, if they go to President Berisha’s in-law, Mr. Malltezi.