— Current Lessons from a Message — Albanian politics often lacks new, bold, contemporary and worthwhile ideas; it lacks the necessary political steps to unblock the tense situations that arise during this difficult period of transition. This must also be one of the reasons why, amid the stagnation of pushing the government’s cart forward until the next solutions, and the euphoria over Europe’s logical steps in moving closer to Albania, the ideas in the Message that socialist leader Fatos Nano sent to the Eurosocialists gathered in their Congress in recent days have resonated and are being discussed and commented on. On their basis, the Socialist Party is also building new positions for the legal and democratic political struggle it wages as the largest opposition force. This Message has been advanced with an enlightened outlook. Its most sensitive point is Nano’s new stance toward Berisha, the dominant politician in the current government. It hardly needs saying that such favorable assessments as Nano makes of President Berisha, aside from conveying the code of good manners and education that should always characterize a politician, are neither a momentary sign nor passionate formulations; they are “lessons” commonly encountered in the democratic world. The last Congress of the Italian PDS is still recent; at its Congress a few days ago, it invited all the leaders of the “opposing” parties, who even presented their views from the platform of that party’s Congress. In this European spirit of understanding one’s political opponent, Nano, just as he has sharply criticized Berisha when the occasion called for it, now finds the political moment to greet him. It is a credible greeting because it is natural. But in this Message Nano greets Berisha alongside Martini, calling them the highest official representatives of Albania’s “agreement” with Europe. An agreement is a contract with obligations for both parties. In the language of Albanian politics, this means: Albania has been admitted to the Council of Europe; it is now up to it to fulfill the other guarantees required by European institutions. These guarantees include democratic elections, which the Council of Europe has demanded unequivocally. Only those who have gone astray fail to understand that Nano’s political move in aligning himself with Berisha in this act of contrition is both clever and necessary, and profoundly democratic. Today it is truly a sin not to find a single fault with a regime that condemned itself to death. The Socialist Party, although it took the major step of breaking with the bitter past of the PPSH party-state, was unjustly branded as the bearer of all evils, as the continuer of communist theories and practices. Wasn’t the PS called unreformed and social-communist, and wasn’t it called criminal and pro-communist? In fact, the Socialist Party, a little over four years after its founding, alongside the PD and other forces that entered the Albanian political scene with the overthrow of the dictatorship, made a major contribution to the entire democratic process in Albania through its act of June 1991. Imagine if the PS, the largest opposition force (this is a purely journalistic thought), had remained in the old positions of the Party of Labor and had refused to yield anything from its instincts. At the very least, by taking that stance it would have assumed responsibility for the grave faults and mistakes of the past 50 years, thereby becoming a destabilizing factor. Albanian socialists, more than 60 percent of whom are members of this party without having previously belonged to any other party—not even the Party of Labor—bear no responsibility and no moral obligation to carry on their shoulders (as efforts have been made to make them do) the crimes of the dictatorship, including the genocidal killings that are much discussed in the press and media today. The people know how to judge everyone fairly and, precisely because they measure true democrats by the same standard, whatever political force they belong to, whether the PD or the PS, etc., they have long since distinguished the PS from the Party of Labor. Only some mediocre politician, seeking to hold on to his chair by artificially keeping the country’s political situation inflamed, continues to see the PS as a political force of the past. That past—which it is honest and right for the entire new Albanian political class, Berisha and Nano included, and everyone else, to condemn—has also been left behind. (Continued on page 4) should feel contrition; no one says it should forget. Those are our roots, all of ours, whether some of us like it or not. Nano rises to this political height not only when he formulates this stance toward Berisha, but also when he calls this contrition a political and institutional obligation for every political force. Realizing that truth and falsehood have often run in parallel in Albanian politics, and that demagoguery has even clouded our eyes, he calls for this apology not to degenerate into demagoguery and, moreover, to serve—as he says—to “eradicate all concepts and practices of discrimination, extending to the political apartheid imposed on opponents by today’s government.” Contrition for the crimes of the dictatorship will also set an example for contrition over the actual mistakes made during these years of Democratic Party rule. In this way, analysis of the past and criticism of it can better serve the present. This means that someone, before it is too late, must also repent for the whole mountain of unjust accusations made against Nano, and for all the civilizing efforts made to politically annihilate the PS and the opposition as a whole. Those responsible for anti-democratic positions are known; they are among us and are driven by a monist mentality. The sooner these mentalities are charged out, the better it will be for democracy in Albania. Nano has set an example on this occasion. The others, especially those in power, should follow him. … the monumental person in front… [the upper part of the text is cut off]… Message Nano greets Berisha alongside Martini, reminding him that they are the highest official representatives of «Albania’s marriage to Europe». A marriage language of Albanian politics, this means: Albania was admitted to the Council of Europe; now it must fulfil the guarantees it has given. Among these guarantees are several that shape the country’s entire democratic development, such as having a Constitution, the genuine independence of the judiciary, and even Nano’s release. There is nothing petty in Nano’s greeting to Berisha, in which only the malicious seek to find a concession, a weakness, as compensation for an alleged release from the shackles of Bënça. This Message is understood only by those who have not freed themselves from the «rudiments of the 60-year-old anachronistic confrontation», as they remain entrenched in Albanian politics even when they are outside it. Justice demands Nano’s release; healthy Albanian public opinion demands it, as do powerful international organizations. It will become a reality, and soon. With this Message, Nano, although unjustly deprived of his freedom, once again demonstrates his European outlook, the emancipatory spirit that characterizes him, and the breadth of the pure feelings of a humane politician who sees in the opposition not only hostility and guns, only shackles and resentment, but an example of how Berisha’s call, «Opponents, but brothers», can become a reality in post-dictatorial Albania. The greeting in Nano’s Message also draws attention to his endorsement of President Berisha’s political act of formulating an expression of remorse for the victims and crimes of communism in Albania. It is no exaggeration to say that some expected this as a concession by Nano, and even framed it as a matter of principle being compromised. Only people suffering from nostalgia for the past, in the formalist view of the transformation of the Socialist Party, and in their… sing the praises of everything belonging to the past…

TODAY IN TIRANA Turkish President Suleyman Demirel At the invitation of Albanian President Sali Berisha, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel arrives today for a two-day official visit. This is the second visit by a Turkish president to Albania, symbolizing the high level of relations between our two Balkan countries. Albanians remem- ber that during the difficult days of transition, the Turkish people and government were among the first to offer their generous assistance to the Albanian people, helping ease the hardships and burdens of that period somewhat. The Turkish President Suleyman Demirel’s itinerary is very full. At the head of the Turkish delegation, he will hold talks with President Berisha. Afterwards, Mr. Demirel will address the Albanian parliament and meet with Prime Minister Aleksan- (Continued on page 4)

Tirana: Another Albanian-American joint exercise, codenamed “Uji Kristal ’95,” began yesterday in Tirana. It is scheduled to take place in four phases, through September 16. The exercise is of an engineering and medical nature and is being conducted within the framework of the Partnership for Peace, with the participation of active-duty U.S. forces, the National Guard and reservists from South Carolina. The Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vrioni, Defense Minister Zhulali, the chairman of the parliamentary committee for Defense, Public Order and SHIK, Azem Hajdari, the ministers of the Interior and Health, and senior Albanian civilian and military officials also came to attend the opening of the exercise at one of the sites prepared for this purpose near the city of Tirana. The U.S. ambassador to our country, Joseph Lake, also attended the ceremony. Foreign military attachés based in our country were also present. Opening the meeting before the military personnel participating in the exercise, who were lined up, Defense Minister Zhulali said that this exercise, following several others, was a concrete expression of cooperation and of the excellent level of relations between Albania and the United States in the military field. (Continued on page 4)

A delegation of the Polish Senate is visiting Albania. It was received by Albanian members of parliament, and during the day on Tuesday it was received at a special meeting by President Sali Berisha. At the meeting with the delegation, the Albanian president told the chairman of the Polish Senate, Adam Struzik, that Albania and Poland should expand relations between the two countries in all fields, including the economic, political, cultural and military spheres, as well as other areas of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed reform in both countries, the crisis in the Balkan region and the situation in Kosovo. The Polish Senate delegation visited the joint Albanian-Polish construction site at the port of Durrës.

Yesterday in Parliament: Immediately following our country’s admission to the Council of Europe, the Albanian parliament, acting under an accelerated procedure, decided to approve the Statute of the Council of Europe yesterday in a plenary session. Speaking on behalf of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, the group’s chairman, MP Namik Dokle, called our country’s entry into the Council of Europe a major and special event, to which the opposition too… [the rest of the column is unclear/cut off] … calling for its approval by consensus, a position also supported by representatives of the other parties. The parliament then continued its work by approving the “Agreement between the Republic of Albania and the International Fund for Agricultural Development on the Irrigation Works Rehabilitation Project.” Speaking on behalf of the PS parliamentary group, MP Bashkim Koçi expressed support for it and made several suggestions.

The Socialist Party parliamentary group reviewed the “Agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development” concerning the rehabilitation of irrigation works and agrees with it. 1. These investments contribute to overcoming backwardness and developing rural areas, particularly the northeastern region, and to steadily transforming them under the conditions of a market economy. 2. Many irrigation works, on which large sums have been spent, are being damaged because they have not been put into readiness and operation, and it will be necessary to... (Continued on page 2)

The «French Courtesy» decoration calls for proof of no criminal record for its function. — Why is Qeleshil backing away from the direct accusation: Holi received two packages of 650 thousand dollars each from Arsidi! After the preference: doubts and the return of the «Arsidi scandal» Qeleshil! Where is the money?! - The «French Courtesy» decoration calls for proof of no criminal record for its function. - Why is Qeleshil backing away from the direct accusation: Holi received two packages of 650 thousand dollars each from Arsidi! It has provoked strong reactions but also great doubts—the scope of the decision on 1.6 million dollars, with 71 people imprisoned by the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office. The six-month response was awaited on Monday from the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office, which once again brought the «Arsidi scandal» to the fore. Everything had been played out for more than a week «behind the scenes»—as the meeting of the High Council of Justice approached—and yesterday it became clear what had happened. The ferocity displayed over more than 30 pages sought, on Monday, to bury once and for all the four former highest-ranking officials of Albanian finance and, for the first time since January 1993, the former Albanian prime minister Abreti. But at the same time, this burial also undermined the scandal’s support—with a direct impact on Albanian politics—pointing fingers at former figures: former prime minister Ahmeti, former governor Hoti, and former directors and deputy directors of the Commercial Bank, Xhyheri, Saliu, Tartarli. But the process, now more than two years old, also points the finger at others, «VIPs», that is, persons of particular importance. Sali Berisha, former chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania and President of the Republic, unfortunately wears a decoration on his chest, the «French Courtesy», given by Nikolla Arsidi. What was its function? Mere courtesy, or…? In his public statements, the Albanian president has said that he accepted a decoration that other prominent figures had also accepted, and from a man who had been an adviser to French President Zhi… (Continued on page 2)

Malësi e Madhe The branch chief and the head of the inspectorate are detained — Meanwhile, other people have also been summoned — They were summoned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for questioning and ended up in a cell. This was how people in Malësi e Madhe yesterday explained the three-day absence of the head of the district’s internal affairs branch, Mr. Bujar Lutaj, and the head of the inspectorate, Mr. Hasan Muça. Three nights ago, Mr. Lutaj was brought from Tirana and escorted to the ministry by the senior officials of the General Directorate of Police. Muça, following consultations, accompanied Mr. Muça, who ended up… [unclear text] Sources report that both of them, after being summoned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, ended up in a cell; moreover, a detention measure has also been imposed on them. We learned at the prosecutor’s office… [the lower part is cut off] … in this district, as well as at the area military prosecutor’s office, they also told us that the officials know nothing about this case. We have only heard about it, just like you. These statements suggest that the matter may be of particular importance, which is why the higher authorities… [cut off] (Continued on page 5)

ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VETERAN STATUS To the Presidium of the People’s Assembly TIRANA Pursuant to Article 89 of the Rules of Procedure of the People’s Assembly, we request that the Prime Minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, be summoned for an interpellation to provide explanations regarding the implementation of Law No. 7874 dated 17.11.1994, “On the Status of War Veterans...” and Council of Ministers Decision No. 199 dated 13.5.1995, issued on its basis and for its implementation, concerning the following issues: 1. How do you explain the major and unjustified delay in implementing the People’s Assembly law on the Status of War Veterans? It took six months from its approval for benefits under the Status to be provided, such as free medicines and urban transport, and interurban transport at half price, etc.—matters that could have been resolved through special instructions even without issuing the “booklet.” 3. Why have the Ministry of Defense and the government not been at all transparent regarding either the drafting of the bill or the draft decision and instructions that the Ministry of Defense is preparing to issue? Has the Presidium of the Organization of Veterans of the National Anti-Fascist Liberation War been willing to cooperate... 6. Regarding the division of veterans into categories and groups, which the law neither establishes nor authorizes the government to do? 7. Why has a distinction been made between the camps of Nazi-fascist occupation, when the law makes no such distinction? 8. Why are declarations accepted only for honored persons, prisoners and the politically persecuted, and not for everyone who has been unable to obtain the required documents? 9. Does the compensation set by the Council of Ministers correspond to the contribution and recognition accorded to veterans by the law and by the country’s highest officials, at a time when the entire pension they receive, together with the war compensation, does not amount to even half the ordinary pension for most veterans? For the PSSH Parliamentary Group Chairman NAMIK DOKLE Tirana, July 10, 1995 … dated 17.11.1994, «On the status of war veterans…», and the Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 199 dated 13.5.1995, based on an instruction for its implementation, regarding and unjustified delay in implementing the law of the People’s Assembly on the Status of War Veterans? Six months passed from the approval of the law until the Council of Ministers issued its decision, and two months have passed since the decision was issued, yet the «instruction» from the Ministry of Defence on implementing the decision has still not been issued. If this delay continues any longer… 2. How do you view the fact that, although the law entered into force on 1 December 1994, veterans have received none of the benefits to which they are entitled… … transparency with regard both to the drafting of the bill and to the draft decision and instructions that the Ministry of Defence is preparing to issue? Given that the Presidium of the Organization of Veterans of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War has shown itself willing both to meet and to engage in concrete cooperation, with the staff of the Ministry of Defence as well as with the government, what position have you taken? 4. How do you view the establishment of a department for veterans and retired officers? 5. Why have you allowed and signed a decision whose several points do not comply with the law of the People’s Assembly? … the government have not been transparent at all, either regarding the drafting of the bill or regarding comply with the law of the People’s Assembly?