Deliberate actions aimed at leaving Albania outside Europe’s doors Well-known jurists of the country speak out against the prosecutor’s accusations against “Zëri i popullit”, and in defense of the independence of the judiciary. Read on page 3, OPINIONS

A badly clarified issue Together with this release to the press of 400 thousand dollars, we had foreign... Thus it happened in June 1990 with the newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike”, “2 Korriku”, “Koha Jonë”, “Shqip”, “Republika”, “Albania”, “Dardania”, “A.D.”, leaving the newspapers of the political parties in a state of complete incapacity. In this way, the situation with the newspaper “Z.P.” became utterly unmanageable. Its workers went without wages, they were paid late, and the paper was produced with great difficulty. At the beginning of September, in the conditions of a complete non-payment of the “Mihal Duri” printing house, it risked being shut down altogether. Recognizing this situation, taking into account the political significance of the newspaper, at a time when many important developments were taking place, we managed, together, to save it. On 21 December 1990, by a special government decision, the solidarity fund of “Z.P.” was set at 2 million dollars. This amount was deposited in Vienna and its administration was entrusted to PSH. After the re-election of the PSH leadership in 1992, which sought to respond seriously to these obligations, a small portion of this amount was taken over. Since in the last 104 days of 1990 and from the beginning of 1991, due to the proximity of the solidarity fund, a considerable part of the aid had been used without regard for the needs of “Z.P.”, the findings of that period cannot be used as an argument to prove inconsistency. On the contrary, the facts speak to the destination of the funds. Why, for two years without a seal and without a signature, was no one asked for an inspection? Why today? Why is the decision concerning “Z.P.” not viewed in its entirety? Since May 1992, with clear decisions from the governing bodies of PSH and with the authorization of the persons in charge of foreign relations, other necessary expenses for the party and the newspaper have also been carried out, and obligations linked to the continuity of publication have been fulfilled. (Continued on page 2)

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Peshkopi Various kinds of financial operations have been carried out and, as a result, there are shortages and, in places, suspicions. In the place where this money has arrived, instead of being used for its intended purpose, it has been used in other ways. Complaints have been made about this situation and clarification is being sought. Preliminary checks show that an amount of 10,623 dollars is missing. This sum had been collected through contributions and donations. The responsibilities for its use are unclear and a full investigation is being demanded. A. ASHKU

Kukës Two bridges “cost” 21.5 million lek (! ) Does Kukës “give this road the name” of the Lorinë tunnel? One of the most current facts is the process of works for the new road being built on the Qafë e Mali–Qafë e Krumës road axis. As construction on this road continues, a series of bridges will be built, but what is striking is the high cost of the bridge with a span of about 15 m. This bridge, built in 1993 under the supervision of the previous government at the mouth of the Krumë river with funds from the Fierzë municipality, amounts to 4 million 800 thousand lek. Since two bridges with the same characteristics, the same design and the same subcontracted company are being built on the same axis, do they cost the state 16.5 million? Why did such a huge difference occur with a bridge on the same river, built on the basis of the same design idea? What is hidden beneath this staggering figure? According to specialists' calculations, the total cost of both bridges comes to 11.7 million. Just for the use of machinery and equipment on them, 4 million 388 thousand lek have been calculated. This difference compared with the works on a previous bridge of the enterprise at the mouth of the Krumë river, valued at 6.5 million (a difference of 10 million lek), requires at least an explanation. If such a thing does not happen, then we think that not only the road specialists, but also the work of state bodies will deal with this problem. (Continued on page 2)

Italian Deputy Interior Minister Ernesto Masduci met yesterday in Tirana with the head of the associations of helpers “Lulez” Another step in the fight against clandestine trafficking was taken with the meeting held in Tirana by the Italian Deputy Interior Minister Ernesto Masduci with leaders of Albanian institutions. At the center of the talks was the strengthening of cooperation for border control and the crackdown on trafficking networks. It is reported that the Italian side expressed its readiness to help with means and technical expertise. (Continued on page 2)

The International Conference of Social Democracy on “Democracy and Economic Reform” has concluded. (Continued on page 2)

President Berisha on irrigation... President Berisha on irrigation — With the passion of the great preacher, the president, as he listened to himself, liked it and imposed it on himself, regardless of the outcome in failure. In 36 villages, irrigation of the land is talked about, because the essential problem does not lie in the lack of water, but in the inability to organize. In his statements he let it be understood that irrigation will be the field where the miracle of the new government will appear. RD, 2 May 1995.