The anti-American passport, which they seek to leave in the hands of the Albanian opposition, and especially the Socialist Party, cannot serve those in power as a pass for their fixed idea that they are God’s chosen ones to govern this country. Even if it had a presidential visa stamped on it, they would be falsifying it as their own. Identity is not built on false analyses. Foreigners, friends of democratic Albania, cannot judge our political developments solely on the basis of what those in power say. That would be a one-sided analysis and, consequently, a lame one. No one—not even in the United States, the country with the greatest democratic potential and a leader in global integration developments—has built governance or continued in power by blaming the opposition party. President Clinton, like all his predecessors, has not done so. The opposition, yes, formulates criticism of the government, and this is its great historical and democratic role. Many things in Albanian politics are incomprehensible. In particular, it is impossible to understand how an opposition party that, according to the leaders in power, is breathing its last can be dangerous, or even a factor in a return to communism and dictatorship. No one can explain this except the authors of such statements. The Socialist Party has been and remains open to transparent dialogue and a contest of alternatives, as befits a serious party. It has acknowledged every achievement of the current government, but has sharply criticized every aspect of bad governance, even though these criticisms spoil someone’s mood.

Following reports in the press. The Ministry of Defence admits it has sold weapons Socialist MP Bashkim Caka speaks about the sales: “A strong legal basis and particular care to ensure that the weapons do not serve international terrorism. Otherwise ?! I would resign!” Socialist MP Bashkim Caka speaks about the sales: “A strong legal basis and particular care to ensure that the weapons do not serve international terrorism. Otherwise ?! I would resign!” Page 3 Minister of Defence Zhulali

I am ready to appear before anyone, or to take part in a televised debate with the prosecutors and judges who tried the case, to prove my innocence and all the unlawful acts in the Nano case Page 3

—Servet Pëllumbi: The time has come to address Berisha, the PD, all true democrats, and all political forces, asking them to heed the protest of the Socialist electorate calling for the release of Fatos Nano —Servet Pëllumbi: The time has come to address Berisha, the PD, all true democrats, and all political forces, asking them to heed the protest of the Socialist electorate calling for the release of Fatos Nano Page 3

The Subcommission of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva yesterday afternoon adopted the special Resolution on Kosovo, “The situation of human rights in Kosovo,” by 17 votes in favour, 3 against and 4 abstentions. The Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities, relying on the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and a number of other conventions and resolutions on human rights, and bearing in mind the report of the Commission on Human Rights’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, in which he draws attention to various discriminatory measures taken in the legislative, administrative and judicial fields, acts of violence and arbitrary arrests, as well as the further deterioration of the human rights situation, notes: police brutality against ethnic Albanians; the killing of ethnic Albanians as a result of this brutality; searches, detentions and arbitrary arrests; the mass expulsion of ethnic Albanians; the confiscation and appropriation of their property; the persecution and harassment of ethnic Albanian political parties and associations and their leaders; and the practical elimination of the Albanian language, particularly in public services and administrations; the application of serious discriminatory and repressive practices and measures against Kosovo Albanians in general, resulting in extensive involuntary migration and, it appears, constituting a form of silent ethnic cleansing. Deeply concerned that the School Law, which is expected to be adopted by the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), may further worsen the human rights situation and is intended to change Kosovo’s demographic composition through schemes for bringing in new refugees; and considering that restoring an international presence in Kosovo to observe and investigate the human rights situation is very important.

During the first 15 days of this month, 10,000 tons less were recorded at Tirana’s 42 kerosene retail outlets: 50,000 litres of kerosene, compared with the 571,330 litres sold during July. This is a result of greater use of electricity and natural gas.

According to information from the Commission for the Restitution and Compensation of Property at the Fier municipality, this is the amount of land needed to compensate former owners. Since March of this year, the commission has reviewed 250 files and issued 90 decisions concerning property.

The figure of Zef Ukaj, a distinguished artist and set designer, was commemorated in the hall of the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Theatre in Durrës.

From 150 applications per week to obtain new passports, this

32.6 million lekë have been made available by the World Bank and the government for the restructuring of six schools in this district.

week there were about 250. This increase is a result of refugees from Greece and Italy seeking to spend their holidays here. So far, 2,700 passports have been issued in this district.

The “Doctors Without Borders” association, which has been operating so far in the Berat district, has carried out a pilot project in the fields of training and healthcare assistance. According to the information available, so far, for the implementation of this project, they have

Inside: Sunday mini-newspaper A powerful book CULTURE, THE NATION, DEMOCRACY A good artist is one who lives in their own time Literary language and cultural awareness Pages 7, 8, 9, 10

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