According to the Austrian press Albania will sell coastal land to repay part of its foreign debt!? The current government must understand that it is only a temporary administrator, not the owner of Albanian territories We are publishing in today’s issue a report by the Austrian News Agency APA, whose source of information was material taken from press outlets published in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, concerning repayment of the foreign debt that the Albanian state owes to the Czech state. In addition, the Vienna newspaper «DIE PRESSE» wrote about this issue on 24.06.95, three days ago—a date that coincided with the end of the visit to Albania by the Czech Foreign Minister, Mr. Zieleniec. Following talks with President of the Republic Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi, Speaker of Parliament Arbnori and Foreign Minister Serreqi, his official visit was described by Albanian official information media as highly successful. Since the report concerning the sale of Albania’s natural resources in compensation for its debt to the Czech Republic is shocking if true, yesterday we sought official confirmation from the Chairman of the Foreign Debt Commission and Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Dylber Vlora, but were unable to obtain it. On the other hand, the highest representatives of the Albanian National Bank told us by telephone: “We are responsible only for administering the debt; the State Debt Commission deals with repayment policy and discussions concerning it.” Believing, and at the same time being convinced, that only public reporting makes senior officials comment quickly, we are bringing to the attention of the wider public this new and, at the same time, disgraceful method concerning repayment of the foreign debt—in this particular case, the debt to the Czech Republic (we do not know about the others)—a method which, until now, senior state officials have not considered necessary to make public, but have kept secret. To help readers, we are publishing in Albanian the item published in a foreign language. Here is what we translated... «PRAGUE (APA). Albania does not rule out the possibility that part of its debt to the Czech Republic could be repaid by selling natural assets in attractive and still little-developed tourist locations on the Adriatic coast. Albania owes the Czech Republic a debt amounting to around 15 million dollars. According to press outlets, the Albanian Parliament will soon consider a law allowing foreigners to own natural assets in Albania. Prague aims to establish a Czech tourist resort on the Albanian Adriatic coast. A year ago Albania considered this possibility for debt repayment. But the idea was rejected so as not to set an example for others. To let the evidence speak for itself, as set out above, while also expressing our hope that it is not true, we are quoting passages from the conclusions of the Czech Foreign Minister’s visit to Tirana, conclusions that have now been published in the Albanian official press. Specifically: “Mr. Meksi and Mr. Zieleniec exchanged views and reached an understanding on the issue of the foreign debt our country owes to the Czech Republic, and on the issue of the granting of a loan by the Czech government...” «Rilindja Demokratike» newspaper, page 2, dated 23.6.1995. So there has been “an understanding on the issue of the foreign debt our country owes to the Czech Republic.” What follows from this and some other cases—which have never been made public by state representatives, but have been brought to light by the press? We are faced with the fact that our country is currently in debt to several foreign states, and this debt is growing day by day. But if, to repay this debt, alongside other actions that may well be considered positive, someone is thinking of cutting Albania into pieces and handing them over to foreigners as compensation, then one fine day this country will become a marketable commodity—not merely an economic vassal, but also a territory without dignity, an unnamed, anonymous protectorate. Other Eastern and Western countries also owe money to one another, but we believe they have not chosen this method of debt repayment by secretly handing over pieces of territory rich in natural resources. Repayment of foreign debt requires the country’s economic development and the collection of its natural revenues; it requires increasing foreign-currency income from exports and other known sources. If our present state has failed to achieve the necessary economic efficiency because its theorists, after leveling everything and reducing it to «Zero», have been unable to bring the country to attainable levels, then at least it should not sell what remains: Albanian soil! If this is an original «a-la» PD method of repaying foreign debt and, at best, the conclusions concern only a small portion of that debt, then what will happen with the rest of the debt? It seems that to repay more than 1 billion in debt, everything will be sold—not only the country’s mountains, fields and lakes, but everything, large and small. The state should seek to repay its foreign debt from the revenues it collects in its budget, not by relinquishing territories. Let us not forget that, in the absence of cash capital to establish the Islamic-Albanian Bank, the Albanian state contributed its share of the capital in land. In exactly the same way, land was given to the Joint Italian-Albanian Bank. So these are not just one or two cases—perhaps there are at least three?

From 21 to 23 June 1995, a delegation of the SP of Albania was on an official visit to Romania. It consisted of Luan Hajdaraga, deputy chairman of the SP of Albania and member of parliament, and Shaqir Vukaj, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the People’s Assembly and member of the KPD of the SP of Albania. The delegation was received in separate meetings by Mr. Adrian Nastas, Chairman of the Romanian Parliament and executive chairman of the Social Democracy Party of Romania (PDSR). The delegation also held separate meetings with Mr. Dan Marcian, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Chairman of the PDSR and Chairman of that party’s parliamentary group; and Mr. Nikolae Veleanu, Chairman of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the PDSR central leadership. The SP of Albania delegation also held working meetings with Mr. Miron Mifra, Deputy Chairman of the PDSR, and Mr. Mirçea Pavlu, Deputy Chairman of the PDSR and chairman of the party in the Bucharest Region. During their stay in Bucharest, the delegation was received for an official meeting at the Council of Ministers by Mr. George Piseckaru, State Secretary for European Integration and Secretary for Foreign Relations of the PDSR. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation met with Mr. Sabin Pop, Director General for Europe and North America. The meetings addressed relations between the two countries and their respective parties. They highlighted the need to strengthen and expand relations between the SP of Albania and the PDSR, which, as left-wing parties, seek to implement their socioeconomic programmes in keeping with the characteristics of each country and European democratic standards. The Social Democracy Party of Romania is the country’s leading political party and holds the majority of seats in the Romanian Parliament. Since 1992, it has governed Romania together with four other parties. The meetings took place in a friendly atmosphere and were described as highly productive. Press Spokesperson of the SP of Albania

During his stay in Washington, Anastas Angjeli, member of the KPD of the SP of Albania and a member of parliament, was received for a separate meeting by Krist Hill, director of the Center for European Affairs. They exchanged views on the political and economic situation in Albania, the ongoing democratic reforms of the market economy aimed at expanding small businesses, and the creation of guarantees for foreign investors in Albania. They also discussed the situation in the Balkans, Albania–Greece relations, and Albania’s relations with European countries and the United States. MP Anastas Angjeli also met with the chairman of the group appointed by the American Congressional Institute for assisting the countries of south-eastern Europe, former Senator Lucien N. Neidz. Their discussion focused on parliamentary life in Albania, the role of parliamentary groups in adopting laws and overseeing their implementation, and other matters. He thanked Mr. Neidz for the assistance the institute had provided to the Albanian Parliament and asked that this cooperation continue in the future. Later, MP Anastas Angjeli spent some time working in the chambers of the US Congress and Senate, where he also met officials and analysts of foreign policy and of the American Congress’s research center. Press Spokesperson of the SP of Albania

Albania was granted a further 35 million ECU by the European Community for investment in infrastructure. These investments cover sectors such as infrastructure and will be used mainly in transport. The largest share in this area will go to investment in the Tirana–Durrës highway; part of the funds will be used for education, culture and technical assistance. Of this amount, 1.3 million will be used for the Kakavija customs post and its infrastructure. The agreement on behalf of the Albanian side was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Vrioni and the head of the EC delegation in Albania, Elo Germano. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

As has been noted, confrontations with the state—or, more directly, with the government—have been frequent of late. Let us recall the most recent ones: Bathore and then Lakani? Dozens of petitions have themselves been sent to the highest bodies of power, protesting the preferential treatment being given and calling for the support of the government... After two petitions The face of the state today... Neither lawful, nor just, nor social As has been noted, confrontations with the state—or, more directly, with the government—have been frequent of late. Let us recall the most recent ones: Bathore and then Lakani? Dozens of petitions have themselves been sent to the highest bodies of power, protesting the preferential treatment being given and calling for the support of the government and the opposition, changes, ... Among them, two collective ... and two ... at the «Drita» hotel, «Hotel Dri...», «Hotel - Hotel - ...» have also attracted considerable attention. The outbreak? ... The protest by 100 employees of the «Rozafa» hotel was addressed to three ... ministers... (Continued on page 2)

To the Presidency of the Republic of Albania, the Council of Ministers, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Radio Television, all daily newspapers The Confederation of Albanian Employers (KONBIS) is deeply concerned about the violent and criminal acts committed to the detriment of its members. The murders and robberies of merchants, businesspeople and money changers are increasing with each passing day. Everyone, everywhere, feels fear and insecurity for their lives and property. The state’s number-one duty is to act quickly and to restore calm and social peace among Albanians, who have been deeply terrorized by the brutal communist dictatorship. The presidium of this Confederation, while extending its most sincere condolences to the Jusufi family, promises that it will... (Continued on page 3)

To the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha; the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori; the Prime Minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi; the Minister of Construction and Tourism, Mr. Dashamir Shehu; the Constitutional Court; the Court of Cassation; the General Prosecutor’s Office; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Finance; the National Privatization Agency; the Albturist enterprise The Independent Union of Food Workers of Albania, headquartered in Tirana, has also taken note of the request and protest sent by its branch in Shkodër, the Independent Union of Food and Hotel-Tourism Workers, «Rozafa», protesting against the unjust decision of the Council of Ministers, which on 05.06.1995 decided: «On the form of privatization of certain state-owned facilities—including the Rozafa Hotel-Tourism complex». Council of Ministers Decision No. 275 conflicts with the approved form of privatization, as well as with Council of Ministers Decision No. 51 dated 30.01.1995, which suspends the privatization of facilities that have not been announced and which are to... (Continued on page 3)

ELBASAN State enterprises in a chain of insolvency Failure to settle obligations has brought Elbasan’s state enterprises into conflict. The parties facing one another are major enterprises that meet citizens’ basic needs—electricity and water supply. Since 1993, dozens of state enterprises have accumulated a debt to the water utility amounting to nearly 48 million new lekë. Meanwhile, because these debts have not been paid, the utility itself owes another enterprise—the electricity utility—27 million lekë. The water utility appears to be caught between two fires: on one side, its debt to the electricity utility, and on the other, state clients that owe it money, with whom it has accumulated several court cases. Even today the problem remains unresolved. Debts continue to grow and the enterprises’ balance sheets are becoming more burdened. The government has found a solution for the electricity utility: anyone who does not pay their obligations to it has their electricity cut off. But the water utility cannot do this because, as its managers explain, cutting off water to debtor enterprises would also interrupt the water supply to citizens, since the utility’s network serves both citizens and enterprises. The government, on the other hand, has dealt with the electricity utility’s debtor problem in another way: banks, under a government directive, do not... (Continued on page 2)