Our Comment The “Nano case” saw new developments on Friday at the Court of Appeal, developments that herald its just resolution in the not-too-distant future. The new element in this latest trial was the prosecutor’s request for Nano’s immediate release from prison. More than a legal-arithmetic calculation, the prosecutor’s request was a sign that the Albanian justice system is trying to free itself from the chains of politics that have suffocated it until now. Until recently, a broad democratic public opinion, inside and outside Albania, had called for a just resolution of the “Nano case.” Important political and legal institutions in Albania and abroad had also spoken out. It had become a subject of discussion and dispute in important European and international organizations. Only the Albanian justice authorities continued to remain nailed to the political prejudice surrounding this case—a prejudice that had nailed these authorities themselves, in the eyes of public opinion, as bodies for the political execution of legal cases. The first to pull Albanian justice out of this two-year-long constant was the chairman of the Court of Cassation at the beginning of this month. I say “first” because, for the first time, the accusations against Nano were publicly called into question by a senior representative of Albanian justice, while in the professional consciousness of jurists this case had been suspect from its very inception. With the request for the protection of legality addressed to the Plenum of this Court, the chairman of the Court of Cassation called into question the entire political-legal edifice known as the “Nano case,” an edifice painstakingly and painfully erected by the political authorities and their instruments over these two years. Regardless of what the Plenum of the Court of Cassation decides, the edifice called the “Nano case” has thus suffered its first major breach. The second breach in this “edifice” was the prosecutor’s request for Nano’s release. The prosecutor asked as the state’s representative. It was at the prosecutor’s initiative that the Nano case was fabricated. Now the state’s representative is asking for his release. Under normal circumstances, faced with this request from the state’s representative, the court, as a neutral institution, should have ordered his release. That is why courts exist: to settle disputes between parties. When the parties resolve their disputes, the court’s work also comes to an end. At the latest appeal hearing, the “state party,” represented by the prosecutor, considered its dispute with Nano resolved and requested his release. But the state machine has many gears, and not all of them have been freed from the rust of politics. Especially when the state is “under the leadership of the Party,” it seeks to block the prosecutor’s request by means of its other gears. Then the police, state villas, judges’ last-minute appointments, delays in issuing the ruling, and so on are set in motion. That is what happened with the latest Court of Appeal ruling in the “Nano case.” The state’s political machine may once again obstruct a just resolution of the “Nano case,” succeeding in blocking Nano’s release from prison for some time longer. But it can no longer cover up the breaches created in the minds of the authorities and people of the justice system concerning the falsity of this case. The political authorities feel this, which is why they have savagely turned on the two “heretics” in the justice system who called for a just resolution of this case: the chairman of the Court of Cassation and the appeal prosecutor. The attacks against these representatives of justice in the ruling party’s newspaper in recent days show the terror that has gripped this party over the justice system’s “rebellion” concerning the “Nano case.” This rebellion of justice against politics will continue to grow in the future, because its independence is the principal tendency of democracy, which is gaining ground in our country every day. Within this framework of the emancipation of Albanian justice, the “Nano case” will necessarily see further positive developments.

SERVET PËLLUMBI: The Court of Appeal ruling, a writhing under the tutelage of Berisha’s power. ILIR META: There is no room in FRESSH for speculation, for “eliminating or persecuting” anyone. Just three hours after the Court of Appeal’s decision, which left opposition leader Fatos Nano once again in the cells of the authorities’ political prison, Albanian eurosocialists gathered for an expanded meeting, not only to protest the decision but also to once again express their full support for the Socialist Party and its chairman. The eurosocialists who had filled the large hall of the National History Museum greeted with applause PS deputy chairman Prof. Servet Pëllumbi, the newly elected chairman of FRESSH, Ilir Meta, Forum Secretary Monika Kryemadhi, Tirana PS chairman Musa Ulqini, and other fellow leaders. Amid those present chanting “We want Fatos Nano,” Prof. Pëllumbi explained to them the place and role of young eurosocialists in the life of the party, as one of its most active and vibrant components. Thanking them for the work they had done so far, he expressed confidence that their role and contribution to the party would continue to grow. He called the Court of Appeal’s decision to leave PS chairman Fatos Nano in prison a writhing under the tutelage of Berisha’s political power. “Today justice was not served,” he continued, “but rather a political decision without argument, which the judges did not dare to announce on time, but announced later.” “We had hoped,” said Prof. Pëllumbi, “but Berisha’s stubbornness does not care about the articles of the new Code either.” Stating his position openly, he said that he and PS chairman Fatos Nano would continue to seek not only an acquittal but, first and foremost, would work and fight to establish the rule of law in Albania and uproot the political vendetta that has taken hold in the life of today’s government. He called for profound democratic emancipation, but, as Pëllumbi put it, this would be difficult to achieve without first going through new elections, through a new political solution. “I congratulate you on the work you have done over these three years and, in particular, on your contribution to the successful proceedings of the Second Congress,” were the first words of newly elected chairman Meta to the eurosocialists at the meeting, accompanied by their cheers for the eurosocialists. Expressing confidence in the new FRESSH team, he said that they were coming to lea- (Continued on page 4)

ILIR META, chairman of FRESSH On behalf of the newly elected Presidency, I wish to greet you and, through you, all the eurosocialists of the capital for the work done over these three years, and especially for your contribution to the successful proceedings of the Second FRESSH Congress, which concluded its work successfully, recognizing the work carried out so far while also creating new opportunities and prospects for a significant improvement in the future. I wish to congratulate all the comrades who were elected to FRESSH’s leading bodies, and also to recognize the work of all the comrades who, because of their age or the vote, were not elected, while being certain that their contribution will not be absent in the future. I am confident that the new leadership team has the experience, commitment, energy and necessary intellectual capacity to bring about a qualitative improvement in FRESSH’s work in the future. In the coming peri- [text unclear] in FRESSH. Certainly there is no room for divisions between the young and the old, a thesis which, after being desired in the PS, is hoped to “flourish” in FRESSH. Eurosocialists are not troubled by such speculation and are determined to disprove and ignore it through the work they will do in the future. The political maturity and experience eurosocialists have now gained will help ensure that, in the future too, attempts to divert FRESSH and efforts to instrumentalize it by anti-PS and non-PS groups, or even by individuals within the PS for their own political or personal careerist purposes, will fail. The further development and shaping of FRESSH in the future as a clear political force seriously committed to affirming democratic socialism will be accompanied by organizational strengthening of FRESSH, which is essential in order to [text missing/unclear] very soon, I believe, there will also be personalities from the PS and Albanian politics. They have come to lead FRESSH through the vote of confidence given to them, with a free and democratic vote, for their contribution and abilities in growing and strengthening FRESSH over these three years. Therefore, there is no room here for speculation about “eliminating” or “persecuting” anyone. or personal careerist purposes, will fail. FRESSH’s further development and shaping of FRESSH, which is essential in order to expand eurosocialist space within the PS and develop an ever freer and stronger eurosocialist way of thinking. All the opportunities in the PS needed to achieve these aims are now available, and they will be expanded further by increasing the role and contribution of FRESSH. (Continued on page 2)

Everyone who deviates even slightly from the Party’s orders is subjected to attacks After hundreds of police officers and state pistols were pointed at the Court of Appeal judges—gathered on Friday in response to the order issued at 14:00 in the villas of political power—the “Albanian thought police” reacted viciously and shamefully. Berisha’s, Arbnori’s, Shehu’s, Spahiu’s, Hajdari’s and Kopliku’s newspaper attacked yesterday the state’s representative in the “Nano trial,” prosecutor Skënder Demiri, while shamelessly compromising the person who ordered the ruling read out by judge Qato. Presenting the prosecutor with the alternatives “Love for Nano” or “Nano-dollar madness,” the RD journalists, throwing accusations around without restraint, described him as “sold to Nano.” They claimed the prosecutor’s argument related to a particular matter (RD, 22 July), or invoked Sami Milloshi, “the small, unshakable communist from Mat” [?], saying that Demiri had “staked his professionalism on the customs and traditions of the region he comes from” (RD, 22 July). After insulting him, they labeled him a “sellout” on the basis of an anonymous [source/text unclear]. All this came in response to prosecutor Demiri’s statement in the trial the previous day. After presenting concise arguments and respecting legal relationships, Demiri requested the release of Mr. Fatos Nano, shaking for the first time the “Palace of Political Orders.” The previous day, several Court of Appeal judges had refused to hear the case because of pressure from this Palace, while in the morning, 30 minutes before the proceedings began, a different panel of judges was appointed. Yet while the Court of Appeal disproved the news coming from the office, Berisha’s newspaper spoke of “Nano dollars that bought prosecutor Demiri.” It seems that the practice of this current state, which has also been called the “Buy-and-Sell State,” is being imposed on the consciences of honest people. The Albanian prosecutor said yesterday after the hearing: “If I had sought a sentence contrary to the law, the wrath of all those aspiring to ‘Justice’ would have fallen upon me.” But perhaps he chose the opposite—respect for the law—and the wrath fell upon him all the same. This time, moreover, the wrath of those who for three years have been aspiring to and installing, in the name of the state, Injustice. Demiri also said after the hearing that “the medal has two sides”; this must not be forgotten. And that is precisely so. The medal really does have two sides. The side coated with fake gold, which [Continued on page 4]

There are 35,000 people across the country. Blood donors are that part of society that makes life-giving sacrifices. Those who donate blood today are both humanitarians and very poor people. And there are many of them. Throughout the country there are 35,000. In Vlora alone, 1,600 people are members of the blood donors’ association. They constitute the blood reserve used to treat hundreds of sick people who need blood in the several hospitals Vlora has today. The association’s leaders, Rexhai Vëzaj and Xhevit Dalip, have accurate records of the association’s members. They even know their problems and economic circumstances in detail. “There are no blood taps,” says association chairman Rexhai Vëzaj. The members of this association are the very “fountains of blood.” The humanism and sacrifice of blood donors should be honored and respected by society and the state. They should also receive more comprehensive care. But, as the association’s leaders say, state support has been and remains weak. In practice, the association’s requests have not been taken into account. The main consequence of state indifference is that many people have left the association. Minister Cikuli, says Xhevit Dalipi, set a personal example by donating blood free of charge. But the association’s 35,000 members do not have Minister Cikuli’s economic circumstances. They are unemployed and receiving assistance. The blood taken must be replaced. Therefore, Minister Cikuli would do well to consider resolving the economic problems of the blood donors’ association as well. It is not reasonable to pay 2,200 lek for 400 grams of blood. That money is not enough to make up for the loss suffered by the human body. The association’s leaders, after consulting specialists as well, have [Continued on page 3]

An official delegation of U.S. government officials, headed by Eric Neuson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, will visit Albania on 24–25 July to discuss political-military issues with their counterparts in the Albanian government. The visit is taking place in the context of the arms-control and regional-security dialogues proposed by Secretary of State Warren Christopher in July 1994. Topics include a review of the current state of affairs concerning European security architecture; discussions between Vice President Gore and Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin; the situation in Bosnia and Croatia; bilateral assistance; arms transfers in Central Europe; military reform; and controls on dual-use items and arms exports. Mr. Neuson previously served as staff director of the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Foreign Operations (1989–1994); legislative director and foreign-policy adviser to Senator Patrik J. Leahy of Vermont (1987–1989); minority staff director of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1985–1987); and professional staff member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and foreign-policy adviser to Senator Leahy (1982–1984). Earlier, he served in the United States Foreign Service in Montevideo, London and Washington, D.C. Neuson holds a postgraduate degree in modern European history from the University of California, Berkeley.

After a seminar in Shkodër With the privatization of electricity-distribution enterprises, will the price charged to households for consumption fall, remain at today’s level, or rise? No answers to these questions were provided even at the seminar held in Shkodër in recent days with the managers of such enterprises in the north-eastern region, chaired by Mr. Mërtiri, the corporation’s economic director. Mr. Mërtiri announced that, beginning on 31 August this year, electricity-distribution enterprises would come under a different authority. Privatization will strengthen these enterprises financially. To explain their difficult financial situation, he recalled on this occasion that the amount of money owed to the energy corporation ...

ABOVE TIRANA The shortage of drinking water is something people talk about; it has also meant that water is supplied to Tirana’s residents according to a schedule. A decision or order has also been issued regarding water distribution, under which distributors are also punished with fines. Yet in some areas, water is flowing from pipes along various streets of the capital. Who is responsible, and who should pay for this? There are leaks like these in many streets and neighbourhoods of Tirana. For instance, on «Sifti Çiço» Street, near the apartment blocks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the pipe has burst and water is flowing freely along the (Continued on page 4)