Investigative police detain the well-known journalist and humorist writer Filip Çakuli for 12 consecutive hours. – Director of the magazine HOSTENI 2000 and Secretary General of the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania. On June 20 at 01:30 Albanian time, Filip Çakuli was summoned by Skënder Kalemi in connection with the latest issue of the magazine Hosteni, which is being prepared for publication at the EUROFILINDJA printing house. The investigator informed the journalist that publication of this issue was prohibited. – the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania. After midnight, a police officer and several civilians who introduced themselves as employees of the Investigative Police took Filip Çakuli, Director of the satirical-political Professional Journalists of Albania, that publication of this issue was prohibited. In one of the rooms on the third floor of this Police Station, journalist Çakuli was questioned by a police officer, who told him he was being detained and threatened that his magazine would be shut down. (Continued on page 2)

SALI BERISHA – chiefly responsible for every delay in Albania’s journey toward Europe Europe wants no words, but concrete and constructive steps SALI BERISHA – chiefly responsible for every delay in Albania’s journey toward Europe. Europe wants no words, but concrete and constructive steps. Albania in Europe. But, indeed, it is Europe’s. Always late, waiting outside the door. Pleading, waiting... When today we could well have had a different place and a different image among the continent’s civilized countries. President Berisha was among the first heads of state from the former communist East to submit an application for Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. Yet he has also been one of the few—if not the only one—to have done little to make the application he himself submitted as head of state a reality. In essence, it is not merely a political objective of the President of the Republic, but a nationwide aspiration, expressed with such passion in December 1990 and afterward. Of course, when discussing this issue, we should not judge by endless declarations or fine words spoken throughout this period. Europe does not want words. It demands concrete and constructive steps that demonstrate Albania’s genuine commitment to European integration. During the referendum on the approval of the Constitution on November 6, [text unclear] and the fundamental rights of citizens, although [he/they] signed the approval of the Law on the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Person—a law that is genuinely democratic and meets international standards. After its approval, there have been flagrant cases of violations of individual liberty; citizens have been killed in police cells; innocent people have been imprisoned simply because they disagree with Berisha; people have been fired because their political beliefs differ from those of the President; and there have been the most scandalous cases of journalists being imprisoned, convicted and persecuted, attacks against representatives of the judiciary, and the imprisonment of Socialist Party chairman Fatos Nano. But Europe does not make a fuss. It knows Albania’s situation very well and knows what Sali Berisha’s responsibility is in all this. That is why it has not admitted Albania so far. Yet Europe should not judge Albania by Sali Berisha and his entourage. Therefore, the Socialist Party and its chairman Fatos Nano have put party interests aside by asking Europe to admit Albania to the Council of Europe. June 29 is approaching. Will the anxiety of waiting finally end?... And what will happen afterward?... Berisha continues not to meet the demands presented long ago. It is shameful that the authorities withdrew their demand to dismiss the judges of the Court of Cassation. Better late than never. But, alongside the independence of the judiciary, the release of Fatos Nano from prison and the restoration of his right to engage in political activity have also been demanded. Promises have been made, but... — Albania’s road to Strasbourg passes through Bënça. Fatos Nano has opened the gate, but Sali Berisha does not know how to walk... LUAN M. RAMA ...unbounded declarations or the fine words that have been spoken throughout this period. Because steps through which it can be shown that Albania is genuinely committed to integration into Europe. During the referendum to approve the Constitution on November 6, one of the slogans with which Berisha campaigned was that the Constitution had to be approved because the Council of Europe had made it a condition. Later, when Berisha’s draft was rejected by the popular vote, Berisha changed his tune, saying that the Constitution was not a condition. But Berisha does not understand one thing. Albania needs the Constitution because it is a state that has endured many upheavals, and only democracy can help ensure the country’s future; the Constitution is the foundation of the entire legal pyramid of the rule-of-law state. Europe wants a democratic Albania; it wants Albania to be a state governed by the rule of law. Unfortunately, so far it is not. Besides playing games with the Constitution, Berisha has moved—if not directed—the systematic violation of freedoms...

After a parade of promises, destruction “reigns” in Ksamil Interpellation of the Minister of Agriculture Mr. Speaker, Honorable colleagues, Today’s interpellation with the Minister of Agriculture and Food concerns a very specific problem, but one that is also major in our view. The issue we want clarified is this: How will the economic and social problems created in Ksamil and in the coastal area of Sarandë, from Lukova to Borsh, be resolved following the dissolution of the former agricultural enterprises in this district? Let us begin with Ksamil. It seems to us that Ksamil has seen an extraordinary parade of promises and decisions, and a wasteland of non-implementation. The residents of Ksamil have not forgotten the Meksi government’s promises to establish tourist villages and improve the economic situation of the population in this area. To this day, they still remember the staggering figure of 3.5 billion dollars, which was publicly said would be invested, starting from Butrint, continuing through Ksamil, and ending at Borsh. And they hoped. They hoped during 1992, when rumors circulated that an Italian company represented by Franco Marzotti would begin building tourist villages. This hope, too, evaporated and brought disappointment. They hoped in a decision by the Meksi government at the beginning of 1993, according to which the Ksamil agricultural enterprise would be transferred from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to that of the Albanian National Bank, which, in cooperation with an Arab bank, would invest in Ksamil. This arrangement lasted only a few months. They hoped even more because of another decision by the Meksi government, No. 60, dated 21.02.1994, which provided for the distribution of 490 hectares of agricultural land to 426 families residing in the village of Ksamil, generally a solution accepted by the residents. But, strangely, not even 45 days later, another decision of the Council of Ministers, No. 185, dated 4.05.1994, made a fundamental change to its previous decision. It stipulated that Ksamil’s land would also be distributed to 577 other families who had arrived after 1.08.1991 from other districts of the country as a result of uncontrolled migration. The chicken was becoming a turkey. Disappointment begins; the [text breaks off]— NAMIK DOKLE (Continued on page 3) - Whereas Ksamil once had a protective belt of eucalyptus trees, today it no longer exists. It has been cut down for heating or to build shacks. - Whereas Ksamil once had several production and cultural facilities, such as a stable or a cinema-theatre, today they have been appropriated (not privatized) according to the principle “might makes right.” You may know, Minister, how the Ksamil farm was established. For many years, beginning in 1968, hundreds of families created

Mr. Minister, We listened carefully to your explanations regarding the issues we raised. We note that your explanations show an understandable tendency to make excuses, but also to offer new promises. The condition of Ksamil, built with—After the 1989 inventory—250,000 citrus trees; today only around 50,000 remain, and they continue to be damaged by livestock and by the construction of [unclear]. – If Ksamil once had [text unclear]— If Ksamil once had several groves of citrus trees and olives, maintained using four tools: pickaxes, shovels, bars and sledgehammers, and requiring great sacrifice, it is paradoxical to allow this wealth to be destroyed, which was, after all, a national asset. Ksamil once had [text unclear]. Ksamil, that is, three or four years ago, had an extensive irrigation network; today it has been completely destroyed. I ask you to carry out an inspection or seek the assistance of the State Inspection Service to find out how billions of lekë in investments were buried in such a short time. Conduct an inspection and you will learn that… IBRAHIM BAÇI (Continued on page 2) ...governing of the DP

Amnesty International report on Albania Amnesty International has published a 28-page report on unlawful executions carried out in Albania, titled “Failure to Stop Ill-Treatment and Deaths in Police Custody.” This report was published in January of this year; part of it consists of testimony from 11 victims of deaths reported in newspapers, but there are facts in our newspaper’s newsroom. A summary of it follows below. In October 1993, Amnesty International published its first report containing accounts of reports of the use of torture and ill-treatment by the police in Albania, in which considerable attention was given to the finding of demonstrations by the main democratic police force of the Socialist Party. The organization had also reported in January 1994 ... ...

Today at the Constitutional Court — Which of them was an informer? And what will the court say? — Today at the Constitutional Court Gjinushi and Berisha face each other with the dossiers between them — Which of them was an informer? And what will the court say? — The conflict over the files of former State Security collaborators between Mr. Gjinushi and Sali Berisha has flared up again. This time, however, not in the pages of the press, but before the Constitutional Court, to which the Social Democrat chairman has submitted a petition seeking: “An order requiring the President of the Republic to fulfil and respect the obligations arising from Article 28.1 of Law No. 7491, dated 29.04.1991, ‘On the Main Constitutional Provisions.’ A declaration that the manipulations and blackmail carried out by the newspaper ‘RD,’ concerning the files of former State Security, and by the head of SHIK and the President of the Republic through their inaction and silence, constitute activity contrary to Article 5 of Law No. 7692, dated 31.03.1993.” Certainly, nothing new is expected from the Constitutional Court. Gjinushi’s wish to learn the secret behind the organization of the attacks against him will not be fulfilled. Nor will the files be opened for as long as Berisha is in power. A. A.

Tirana: — Eight more were released on Wednesday at 15:00 — Five of those detained during the strike remained in prison. The hostage-taking of two people who had gone to speak with the hunger strikers cost them dearly. The strikers dispersed, and 13 of them were detained by the police at 8 a.m. on Monday. It is a paradox that while the peasants of Lakanas went on hunger strike for 20 consecutive days with clear demands, mainly concerning the security of their daily bread, the government seized on the strikers’ “agreement” to hold hostages and the movement ... Now it is exploiting this fact. It should be said that after the police detained 13 people, the leading figures (mainly women) sent a telegram to President Berisha, reminding him that they had not gone on strike for pleasure, but only for their children’s bread. This telegram (or perhaps something else) appears to have had an effect: on Wednesday, at around 15:00, eight of those detained were released and allowed to return to their families, while the other five, it is said, will be held for another 24 hours. DRITAN PRISHTA

- Draft law “On the allocation of investments to local government” approved - Minister Halili “justifies himself...” Yesterday, the proceedings of the People’s Assembly continued with discussion and approval of the draft law “On the allocation of investments to local government” and of the “Ratification of the Agreement on the Chinese Military Assistance Loan to Albania between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Albania.” Yesterday, the proceedings of the People’s Assembly continued with discussion and approval of the and of the “Ratification of the Agreement on the Chinese Military Assistance Loan to Albania between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Albania.” Speaking on the draft law on investments in local government, MP Ermela Meksi said that the Socialist parliamentary group agreed with the draft law in principle, but, she added, the amount of investment being allocated was very small—around 900 thousand dollars—at a time when, only a few days earlier, the leadership of QPEKUT had released 6 million dollars in investment for the rehabilitation of the irrigation network in the district of Kurbin. Without wishing to prejudge the matter, she said, we want to believe that this fund will not be misused and that it will be properly administered by local government itself. MP Ylli Bufi called such an allocation a form of centralization unprecedented even in the past. The session then continued with an interpellation with the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mr. Halili, requested by Socialist MPs Dokle, Angjeli and Baci, concerning the measures the government has taken and will take to solve the economic and social problems in the Ksamil area and, generally, in the district of Sarandë. After the minister’s response, there were only a few answers, full of excuses and given merely to get through the turn; they did not provide... Insisting on answers to these questions, Dokle said, was necessary because of the measures that had been taken and were planned to solve the socioeconomic problems that had arisen in Ksamil and, generally, in the district of Sarandë. People want to know what will happen to those who are unemployed, he continued; whether the practices of restructuring the state agricultural enterprises will be implemented, how the land will be distributed and who will benefit, etc. Such problems exist not only in Ksamil, but also in Lukovë and other areas, and, he concluded, it should be a matter of concern that there are rural areas in Albania that have been left in complete abandonment. “We note that your explanations show an inclination to acknowledge the concerns, but also to make promises,” MP Baçi said as he took the floor. “The situation is difficult and leaves no room for excuses,” he continued. “These answers contained no information, and it is your duty to exercise oversight and, on this issue, request the intervention of the State Audit Service.” At yesterday’s session, MPs also voted to add to the agenda the draft law on higher military education, the partial privatization of the energy system, and the sale and purchase of land. These draft laws were also approved for inclusion on the agenda at a later sitting. A. M. ...solutions and concrete measures, as the discussion and approval of the of Albania” continued. turn; they did not provide ... Dokle said that the insistence on answers to these questions stemmed from the need to know what measures on the agenda at a later sitting. A. M.