4 months after the referendum: (From the results of a poll, March 1995) 4 months after the referendum: How will the Albanian electorate behave in the parliamentary elections? (From the results of a poll, March 1995) I. The result of the referendum of 6 November 1994 was a clear test of support for the various political forces among the Albanian electorate. Without a doubt, it was also a test of President Berisha’s popularity. It is a fact that 16 parliamentary and non-parliamentary political parties took part in the great “NO” that the Albanian people gave to that draft. For the first time in its three years of existence, PDSH was left isolated, without allies, in a major political action. The purpose of this poll, four months after the referendum, was to clarify three fundamental issues: 1. What are the current political sympathies of the Albanian electorate—that is, which parties will have its support in the upcoming parliamentary elections? 2. How will the Albanian electorate behave at the ballot box: will it tend to vote for party platforms, for the symbol of the party it sympathizes with, or will it vote for the candidate—that is, will it prefer a candidate with the highest professional, political and moral abilities and qualities? 3. What is the most suitable time to organize early parliamentary elections, in the opinion of the majority of the Albanian electorate, regardless of party affiliation or sympathies and political beliefs? During March, the following people were surveyed: In Tirana — 235 people In Shkodër — 148 “ ” In Kukës — 92 “ ” II. Albanians’ political sympathies today: political sympathies or support for the parties are as follows: PSSH 60.2% (60.3%) men +39.7% women of these (58.1%) men +41.9% women PDSH 15.8% (66.7%) men PAD 4.5% PSD 3.7% (50%) men +50% women LDSH (PR - BK - LEG) 2.9% 78.7% men +24.3% women PUK 1.2% (33.3%) men +66.7% women PDD 0.5% (100%) men PE 1% (23%) men +77% women PA 0.7% (100%) men — women Other parties: (PDNJ, PDK) -0.6% (87.5%) men +12.5% women I will not vote for any party 9% (54%) men +46% women If we do not count the number of voters who will abstain (9%)—a low figure compared with the abstention observed during the referendum of 6 November 1994—then the political support for each of the above-mentioned entities rises by several percentage points. Based on a comparison of results in three districts in the North, center and South—Shkodër, Tirana and Gjirokastër—if elections were held tomorrow, people would vote for the following entities: Shkodër 1. PDSH 15.5% 2. PSSH 41.8% 3. PAD 9.1% 4. PSD 10.6% 5. LDSH 7.4% Tirana 1. PDSH 20.3% 2. PSSH 48.3% 3. PAD 8.3% 4. PSD 6% 5. LDSH 3.4% Gjirokastër 1. PDSH 3.3% 2. PSSH 79.3% 3. PAD 2% 4. PSD 4% 5. LDSH 0.7% A closer look at the age structure of the voters who support each political force shows that their electorates are as follows: — PSSH consists of 50.8% in the 18–35 age group 39.2% in the 36–60 age group 10% in the over-60 age group — PDSH: respectively 71.6%, 24.3%, 4.1% — PAD: respectively 82.2%, 15.5%, 2.2% — PSD: respectively 67.6%, 26.5%, 5.9%

While Musaraj declares that oil smuggling has been curbed— —40 percent of the oil in Serbia comes from Albania, says the European Union official responsible for monitoring the embargo against Yugoslavia in the EU, Ricardo York— The French news agency AFP, referring to the magazine “Reporter,” says that Albania systematically violates the economic embargo imposed in 1992 against the FR of Yugoslavia. While Musaraj declares that oil smuggling has been curbed— Albania systematically violates the embargo —40 percent of the oil in Serbia comes from Albania, says the European Union official responsible for monitoring the embargo against Yugoslavia in the EU, Ricardo York— The French news agency AFP, referring to the magazine “Reporter,” says that Albania systematically violates the economic embargo imposed in 1992 against the FR of Yugoslavia and has become that country’s leading supplier of fuel, according to the magazine “Reporter,” cited by German television’s first channel, ARD. Around 500,000 liters of fuel cross the border every day, according to the magazine, which cites European Union sources. “We estimate that 40 percent of the fuel smuggled into Serbia and Montenegro comes from Albania,” Ricardo Yorke, the European Union official responsible for monitoring the embargo, told ARD, AFP reports. The magazine “Reporter” cites information from the State Department, according to which Albania imported more oil in March and April than 50 percent of its own needs. According to the magazine, the oil comes from Greece and is unloaded at the port of Durrës, as well as from Italy. The Italian company API supplies oil by tanker from the Italian port of Falconara to the Albanian port of Vlorë. From there, the oil is transported in tanker trucks to Shkodër, near the border with Montenegro. Professional smugglers then take the oil across the border via the Buna River or Lake Shkodër. This traffic operates seven days a week. ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ Tirana!! PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR The Interior Minister Musaraj and his ministry have remembered very late to begin the fight against illegal migrants and violations of the embargo against Serbia and Montenegro. For more than two years, the above problems have occupied the front pages of local and foreign newspapers, but the official responses to them have been no more than pleas, including those from the Ministry of the Interior. And regardless of the wishes of Albanian officials, these problems will require a solution through international diplomacy. Only a few days ago, the embargo violated by Albania became an issue at the UN, while the Italian government was forced to deploy army troops in response to the large wave of illegal migrants setting out from the Albanian coast. In this way, the problem could no longer be hidden and the intervention of the country’s authorities became unavoidable. —such as the one Minister Musaraj gave yesterday morning. By way of introduction, giving a brief overview of the work of his ministry, he stressed that during the period 1 January–30 April 1995, compared with the same period of the previous year, there had been a decrease of about 504 criminal offenses. Nevertheless, he was obliged to admit that cases of drug and arms trafficking and hostage-taking had increased. The discussion then focused on the illegal passage of migrants and efforts to stop them. This phenomenon is well known here, he said, and the groups organizing such trafficking found partners in Albania as well. Minister Musaraj spoke only about the last few days and did not say a word about the fact that this kind of trafficking had been going on for a long time, during which his agencies had shown themselves to be—

During March, the following people were surveyed: In Tirana — 235 people In Shkodër — 148 “ ” In Kukës — 92 “ ” In Mirditë — 100 “ ” In Laç — 100 “ ” In Përmet — 100 “ ” In Lushnjë — 91 “ ” In Vlorë — 124 “ ” In Gjirokastër — 150 “ ” In Korçë — 138 “ ” Total: 1278 — group — PDSH: respectively 71.6%, 24.3%, 4.1% — PAD: respectively 82.2%, 15.5%, 2.2% — PSD: respectively 67.6%, 26.5%, 5.9% — LDSH: respectively 48.6%, 43.2%, 8.1% — PUK: respectively 55.6%, 22.2%, 22.2% — PPDD: respectively 48%, 33.3%, 66.7% — PE: respectively 92.6%, 7.7%, 7.7% — PA: respectively 50%, 50% — — Other parties: respectively 37.5%, 37.5%, 25% — I will not vote for any party: 68.7%, 27.8%, 3.5% TOTAL: 55.2%, 35.8%, 9%. The long queues of more than 4,000 pensioners who are receiving the first installments of the bonds and privatization payments are causing both stress and disappointment. Among other things, this situation is also caused by offers being made to them to sell the 20,000-lekë paper for 25–30 percent of its value. While some thought that the devaluation of the securities would normally reach no more than 10 percent, their immediate fall to 70 percent nevertheless proves that their distribution is a purely political act. At least in Elbasan, [?] the objects or enterprises considered productive had been sold long ago. The privatization board undoubtedly deserves undisputed “credit” for this selection. No one dares approach the assets that remain unsold to buy them. This, it seems to me, is also the real reason for the immediate devaluation of the bonds, at the moment this first [?] distribution took place, even among a small number of people. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, at the Palace of Congresses, the German public foundation “Friedrich Ebert,” in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the University of Tirana, organized the symposium “Opportunities for Economic Development in Albania.” This is the fourth symposium on this issue organized by the “Friedrich Ebert” Foundation, in which an important role has been played by the German lecturer Carla Stull, who has been teaching at this faculty for several years. After the symposium was opened by the dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Dr. Shqyqyri Llaci, and an address by the government representative, the Secretary of State for Foreign Economic Relations, Mr. Helmut Belortaja, Mr. Sagovej spoke on behalf of the German Embassy in Tirana and then presented the paper “Some Thoughts on the Transition from State Capitalism to Private Capitalism.” At yesterday’s symposium, papers were presented on “Opportunities and Directions for Capital Accumulation in Albania” by Dr. Ahmet Ceni; “The Role of Entrepreneurship in Stimulating the Development of the Albanian Economy” by Dr. Sherif Bundo; “Workforce Training—a Decisive Factor in Development and Economic Growth” by Dr. Zana Kolli; “Economic Space and Integration with the World—an Important Factor in Development” by Dr. Luljeta Minxhozi; and “Regional Development and the Administrative-Territorial Structure in Albania” by Dr. Ilia Kristo. The research topics presented at this symposium were of considerable interest, reflecting the high standard of the presenters and their co-authors. The lecturers from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration who had worked on these research topics answered many questions from guests and participants in the auditorium. The proceedings of this symposium were attended by government representatives, lecturers, members of parliament, specialists in this field, and representatives of the press and media. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

The vice-chairman of PS, Luan Hajdaraga, a member of the People’s Assembly, his son and a visit to offer congratulations in Shkodër to the cardinal of the Albanian Catholic Church, His Eminence Mikel Koliqi. On this occasion, Mr. Hajdaraga conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to His Eminence Mikel Koliqi on his appointment as the first cardinal of the Albanian Catholic Church by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Mr. Hajdaraga described the appointment of His Eminence Mikel Koliqi as Cardinal of the Albanian Catholic Church as a major recognition by the Holy See of the contribution and role played, and continuing to be played, by the Albanian Catholic Church and clergy in the spiritual and cultural emancipation of our people. The vice-chairman of the Socialist Party, Luan Hajdaraga, was accompanied on this congratulatory visit by PS member of parliament Alfred Paloka. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

For days, a group of Dutch people, [?] [?], construction recently [?], have been working intensively to build a hospital for the Arrës and Cidh[n]ë areas in the Municipality of Arras, in the district of Dibër. To establish this institution[al] serving this remote mountainous area, a two-storey hangar has been put to use; it is a recent construction [?] from the late 1980s that survived the destruction of this period. The Dutch have brought all the necessary hospital equipment in three large trucks. Its inauguration is expected to take place in the coming days.

— Statement by the Albanian Helsinki Committee — A report recently became known through the press; it had been delivered a few days earlier at the Second National Conference of former political prisoners by Mr. Kurt Kola, chairman of the Association. The report contains several analyses and demands that have a real basis. No democratic government can ignore them, especially when it has solemnly undertaken to show due care and full readiness to resolve the vital problems that still concern this long-suffering segment of the population. A broad public awareness of their problems now exists among us, and there is a general desire for the competent bodies at all levels to take the serious steps needed to meet reasonable and legitimate demands. The acuteness of the problems and the difficulties encountered in resolving them have apparently also influenced the general tone of the report—a tone that gives greater scope to resentment and passions and less to moderation and constructive communication between the parties. In any case, let us take this observation as a recommendation to create a climate of goodwill that would prevent confrontation and make it easier to find common ground for resolving the problems. However, serious concern is caused by the statement with which Mr. Kurt Kola concludes his report. Speaking about the Socialist Party, he expresses himself on this issue in the following words: “... If it (PS) were in power, we, as its eternal opponents, would not ask for our rights with pleas and petitions, but would seize them with rifles...” This is a statement that conflicts with the law, which recognizes every political party that is duly registered and represented in Parliament. Different standards cannot be applied when assessing such cases. K.H. refers exclusively to legal acts and constitutional principles that underpin the rule of law and pluralist society, without any prejudice or discrimination against any political party or group operating on a legal basis. Judged in this way, a statement of this content provides grounds for prosecuting its author for positions and even calls that conflict with the constitutional provisions currently governing political life. In a democratic regime, such as our country, problems are resolved only by democratic means and methods; there is no place for ultimatums, threats and violence, for the use of force and weapons. The impression is created that Mr. Kurt Kola is unaware of the extremely dangerous consequences of statements of this kind. Mr. Kola is now also one of the leaders of what has recently appeared on the political scene as the Albanian Right-Wing Union. This increases his responsibility when he makes public statements. This coalition of parties has no other way to operate in political life than to reject violence and distance itself from unconstitutional positions, responsibility [?] and calls. K.SH. reaffirms its commitment to raising awareness among the public at home and abroad, and to the full integration of former political prisoners into the normal life of pluralist society; a lasting solution can be achieved only within the framework of democratic principles. national. Just a few days ago, the embargo imposed on Albania became a subject at the UN, while, faced with the large wave of undocumented migrants setting off from the Albanian coast, this way, the problem could not be concealed and urgently required the intervention of the country’s authorities, in order to create the lasting impression of a fight against them. Alongside TV news coverage, a press conference was also planned, (Continued on page 3)