Socialists will come to power with the people’s vote, and the people do not care about the cries of yesterday’s collaborators of the State Security service, or today’s SHIK officers — These people are for “Prosecuting” It is no surprise that an SHIK officer gives an interview to the party newspaper RD. Nor is his blackmail, fabricated God knows where, a surprise. Because the DP and RD, SHIK and the Prosecutor’s Office are one and the same. And the flagrant violations of the law have their source there. How else can one explain the authorization to publish, and then the publication in the pages of RD, of a statement supposedly uttered and signed by the SHIK officer proclaimed a Torchbearer by Berisha, according to which he and some others after him will fight by every means used to fight an occupier, if the Socialists come to power?... Hoxha did not call for taking up arms or fighting against the DP as one fights against an occupier, yet he ended up in prison. Meanwhile, the DP, Berisha and the unrepresentative government of Sazani have reached the height of their excesses, and a statement by an important person that if the Socialists come to power he will take up arms appears even in the small-town press; an SHIK informer is published as saying that he will fight the Socialists as he would an occupier... Well done, and may your mother’s milk be blessed. As for prosecutors Qeleshin and Gjokuta, there is no reason for them to concern themselves with “such civilized and peaceful statements that call for militancy and payment.” But meanwhile, I want to remind them that not only is the SHIK officer’s statement about “war” a criminal offense, but so is their failure to act... SAZAN SHEKEMBI

The Albanian Helsinki Committee comments on the additional amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure The Albanian Helsinki Committee expresses its reservations concerning the law adopted by the People’s Assembly on 26 July 1995 on amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, which has just entered into force. The first objection concerns the irregular and problematic procedure used to submit and consider it, which is not an appropriate way to adopt important legal provisions. Nevertheless, the change made to its substance gives rise to a serious objection. Article 525 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was amended by the law adopted on the above date. A second paragraph has now been added to the article, stating: “For criminal cases which, on the date this Code enters into force, are at the investigation stage or are being heard at first instance or on appeal, the provisions of the previous Code of Criminal Procedure shall apply, but no later than 15 November 1995.” This amendment is interpreted as entirely excluding from judicial review cases already in progress that should be heard by the Court of Cassation (by its Criminal Chambers and Plenum), the highest judicial instance. It is inconceivable that the legislature intends to remove the jurisdiction of the highest judicial body in cases that may have been brought before it. As worded above, this addition restricts the rights of those being tried, contrary to the Law of 31.03.1993 “On Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms,” Article 13 of which states: “Everyone has the right to appeal a judicial decision to the higher courts, the highest court of justice, in all matters arising from the law...?” The Constitution of the United States is, accordingly, the apex of the judicial structure. And the Court of Cassation is the apex of this structure. In view of the above, the Albanian Helsinki Committee considers it necessary to use appropriate means to overcome this situation of restriction under these laws. Albanian Helsinki Committee 8.03.1995

We received notice from NBC of an open letter from Pulaç’s spokesperson addressed to the Socialist Party. The letter is an assessment that the spokesperson, Pulaç, will become the Party’s spokesperson before the convention, accompanied by efforts at distortion and minimization. We have a comment to make about this, in order to establish the truth. Thus, it would be unfortunate to allow a statement on behalf of the PS concerning relations with other party leaders. Note that no PS party delegation has travelled to represent the party of Millosheviç, either in Sofia or in Belgrade. So this has not involved anything else. In fact, the objection to this letter has been a matter of concern. The PS Party accepts no responsibility and cannot allow its rights to be infringed, nor its program—the one for which it was voted in the elections—to be undermined. Spokesperson of the Socialist Party

Yesterday, 700 military personnel from 14 former communist countries, including Albanian soldiers, and 3,000 troops from the USA, Britain and Canada began the joint “Koperativa get 95” exercises in the United States of America. The exercises that began yesterday are the first of their kind to be held in these countries! Peacekeeping operations have been planned as part of these exercises, including humanitarian assistance, security details and medical aid. In addition to the other non-NATO countries—Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan—Albanian soldiers are also taking part. Although this is the first time Albanian military personnel have participated in military exercises in these countries, preparations have been under way since 10 April, over the past months and whenever possible, so that they would be ready if the need arose. The exchange of expertise with EU countries has helped address the problem of these countries participating in such military training exercises. The exercises are being held at Fort Polk and will continue for 18 consecutive days in the southern state of Louisiana. At yesterday’s ceremony, the forces were also greeted by US Secretary of Defense William Perry. «ZP» correspondent

The Croatian military campaign against the Serbs of Krajina, and the outcome of that campaign on this front, have made the situation difficult; in some respects it now seems that “the war has moved away from Kosovo.” This forecast of the situation this year is prompted more by wishful thinking than by any real possibility. Perhaps the opposite would be more accurate. It is true that the Serbs—not only those in Krajina and Bosnia, but also in Belgrade—received a severe and deserved blow at the right time. They suffered a defeat in Krajina, but were also forced to halt the momentum they had gained recently by capturing Muslim enclaves in the region. Nevertheless, there are many reasons to believe that the hotheads among the Serbs will not learn the necessary lessons from what happened. They will now try to make up for the pressure and territory they have lost. Millosheviçi came to power by fanning nationalism and chauvinism for “Greater Serbia.” He made peace amid the furious rallies on the Field of Kosovo. Now, will Kosovo be the target of pressure, or will he try to strengthen his authority in the offices of the hardliners? It is very likely that this will happen in the final phase ... The Serbian elite (whether in power or in opposition), its intellectuals and all the structures of this state have “Greater Serbia” as a fixed idea. Millosheviçi is, and remains, the great embodiment of this megalomania, which has been so confused throughout the last decade. Therefore, he must answer for what will happen next. Since Slobo’s rise to power, he has not been the same person he once was. He has “betrayed” the Serbian cause; he did not stand up for Greater Serbia when it was in danger, even though he was responsible for inciting and supporting the Serbian militarists in Bosnia and Kosovo. You may look like Cassandra when you predict the worst. But Slobo will try to put new proof before his Serbian brothers. In Croatia he could not intervene on behalf of the Serbs; such a course had no prospects, either militarily or politically. The situation is different in Kosovo and Bosnia. There he has freer hands, because it has already been shown that the UN and some great powers view Serbian aggression in these areas with an indifference that amounts to encouragement, like the fox in the Russian fable, which gets away with it through the mechanisms and medieval actions of the DP government. This fact was also needed by domestic and foreign opinion to confirm or test the failure of Albanian democracy across all its institutions—the parliament, executive and judiciary. The absurdities and paradoxes of the—...

Vlora’s geographical position and emigration have created conditions in which a large number of vehicles circulate in the city and countryside. Tightening traffic regulations, an essential condition for preventing road accidents—which have been far from rare in Vlora—requires honesty and professionalism from the road traffic police. According to sources at the police station, 90 percent of the road traffic police have been dismissed for failure to perform their duties and lack of professionalism. And although only six months have passed, 9,227 administrative penalties have been imposed. In the last two months alone, 137 cars and 35 motorcycles have been impounded. During these two months the police issued 2,870 fines worth 5 million 697 thousand lekë. Problems and disruptions in road traffic services continue. Violations of traffic regulations, vehicles without proper identification documents, speeding, etc., are phenomena that continue to seriously affect road traffic. G. TUSHI

— Hollywood actor of Albanian origin Xhim Belushi visits his father’s birthplace — Many years ago, in our arts magazines, we learned the famous name of the Belushi brothers, about the brilliance of the American stars and their Albanian origins on American stages and screens. Their films, as we like to call them, are: “The films ...” Last year they were said to be of Albanian origin; unfortunately, until recently we could watch them only on the television channels of neighboring countries. In recent years, films starring the Belushis have begun appearing on Albanian television screens too, but not in the way that befits two people from Korça who have made their mark in faraway, great America. Perhaps Xhejms Belushi’s own arrival will make us feel a little closer to publicizing more of the qualities of Albanians who are most like us in America, before some foreign actor who has occupied our screens with the subject of super-minis. Xhejms Belushi, brother of the famous Xhon Belushi, has just set foot on Albanian soil, which is a wonder to him; as the land where his father was born, he said with great respect that Albania is his father’s home. For Xhim Belushi and his family, this visit is simply a nostalgic trip, a family obligation, but for us who welcome this personality, the interest is much greater: as someone of Albanian origin, as an artist whose full range of artistic work is still unknown here, as Xhon Belushi’s brother, as a distinguished figure in the arts who can establish ties with Albanian art and Albania, and so on—and perhaps draw other Albanian-American “personalities” to this finest of lands. “I know nothing at all about politics,” Xhim Belushi said with a laugh, answering our TV station’s question about whether he was involved in politics. He gave us a small lesson, quite unlike that of politicians—especially those who are eager to do politics here—while he came to see with his own eyes the former regime and the “Democratic Government brothers” who have taken its place. He will meet many other personalities, unlike those he remembers from the old days of isolation. FRANO CAKA

An initiative (?) by the head of the Kastriot commune It is described as an “initiative” of great value for collecting money, undertaken by the head of the Kastriot commune, Faik Kaloshi: withholding income tax from the salaries of all employees under the commune’s finance department. On the last payroll, teachers, health workers, the commune administration, and even commune councillors found a column showing a deduction for payment of income tax for the previous year. This is happening at a time when the land has not been measured and the villages still do not have the relevant title deeds in hand. Money is being withheld from the payroll, intolerably, without their understanding any kind of document or deed by which it could be confirmed that they have paid the relevant installment of their obligation for the imaginary land, for 1994. Today, this is being proven to be ...

Statement by the Presidency of PS Krujë The Presidency of the PS in the district of Krujë [addresses] the state authorities and the powers, including the power of the judiciary. It is also clear and plain: Fatos Nano’s imprisonment has no basis in justice; Fatos Nano has been sentenced to imprisonment with ... But today it is clear to everyone that Fatos Nano has been put in prison for political reasons; his innocence is clear. (Continued on page 2)

(Statement by the Steering Committee of PS Dibër) The socialist electorate of Dibër, which undoubtedly constitutes the majority, experienced with indignation and revolt the majority’s action, since the parliamentarians on 28 July, through the wording of two articles, formulated them expressly and specifically to keep Fatos Nano in prison. It is regrettable that Albanian democrats should venture into the murky waters of revenge, anti-... (Continued on page 3)

On Friday, 11.8.1995, at 18:00, the Socialist Party of Korçë is organizing a protest rally at the “Tamara Nikolla” sports palace. Members and supporters of the PS from the city of Korçë and the surrounding areas are invited to attend. Steering Committee of PS Korçë.

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We are former persecuted people. Although it has been some time since we left the dictatorship’s prisons, we continue to be unemployed and homeless. We can barely live and feed ourselves. We have raised our voices in our association and in the government offices, but to this day we have received no solution. That is why we are turning to you. Not only to make our great concern public once again, but also to demand an end to the abuses by the state and by the PS deputies, and by anyone else who is willing to support us. We who are writing to you do not want to concern ourselves with politics. We are simply members of the association of former ... (Continued on page 3)