Editorial The day before yesterday, the Constitutional Court finally concluded the Brozi case[?]. In one of its rulings, it justifies all the antidemocratic actions taken to dismiss the former chairman of the Court of Cassation, once again and definitively demonstrating its subordination to political power. This event provided an occasion to return to a topic that is currently on the agenda—the position of Albania in relation to Europe, the USA and international organizations, a topic that was reactivated not by an ordinary person but by the distinguished politician Akile Oketo, who recently prophesied the possibility of Albania being isolated again. May Mr. Oketo’s words never come true! But the positions taken by our government officials in the country’s political life, and in the efforts we are making to establish democracy, are so voluntarist and often so openly antidemocratic that we must take Mr. Oketo’s words with the utmost seriousness. The contours of Albania’s re-isolation began to emerge not today, but a long time ago. It was on October 6, 1995, after Mr. Brozi’s antidemocratic dismissal, that the US Department of State, in its statement No. 3 on Albania, stressed: “The United States is very concerned (understand: about the Brozi case) ... our requests ... the Albanian authorities have not responded satisfactorily ... the latest developments in Albania call into question compliance with the Helsinki Final Act.” If we recall that this stern statement from America came just a few weeks after Mr. Sali Berisha’s visit to Washington, rightly described as historic, then we can conclude that the Clinton administration and all of American policy have taken a serious view of the policies pursued by the Democratic Party in Albania and of Mr. Berisha’s own conduct. The fact that this visit to the USA has now almost been forgotten by the propaganda of the party in power does not mean that Americans are satisfied with the election campaign and (Continued on page 2)

Further price increases expected The Albanian currency is losing value not by the day, but by the hour. Over the past month, the lek has lost 11% of its value. The depreciation of the lek, a reduction in imports and rising prices—a picture of governance. Government upheavals cause currency upheavals. In Albania, the reverse can also happen. Page 7

Interpellation requested by Socialist MPs Dies in Parliament Pages 4–5

Hysen Gishti, owner of greenhouses in Ottlak, Berat, which were completely destroyed during the transition period (with the aim of having Hysen, the local head of the DP, buy them), completed five weeks of specialist training in Israel. Berisha: What is missing here from what you saw in Israel? Hyseni: Only the paint sprayer ... Berisha: The paint sprayer ... Hyseni: I’ll get one, but again in Israel ... President Berisha said that irrigation would be the last rural priority. Investments of 40, 50 million dollars have been earmarked for this alone in the country. In this area, Berat will also be included in some World Bank pilot projects. Farmers and representatives of the agricultural directorate in Berat have their own suggestions. Hyseni: If Lushnja were to produce plastic sheeting and ..., and be put back to work, the World Bank could help too. And Durrës could ... could produce pipes ... Berisha: If the owners of the plastic-sheeting factory or the rubber factory in Durrës find a market for the pipes, we can help them with credit. A specialist: If possible, for this period, for example, customs duties could be completely removed, especially on seeds, as Hyseni is asking for high-quality seeds for greenhouses, and so on. Berisha: I will guarantee this ... as soon as we get back, I will ask the government to remove them. Remove them. As for seedlings, I will consult with the experts ... President Berisha congratulates these businesspeople as a positive example of making use of the potential opportunities offered by the market economy in Albania. From the TV report

Message of thanks from Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzki, addressed to PSSH Deputy Chairman Servet Pëllumbi Dear friend, Thank you very much for your congratulations on our success in the general elections in December. As we know, the conditions in which these elections took place were not easy for us, but their result expresses greater support for our social-democratic policies, aims and priorities. It shows the clear desire of the Austrian people for the Social Democrats to continue to take responsibility for leading the government. In this spirit, we are now trying to form the new government, with the aim of continuing our work for Austria in the future and deepening international cooperation with our friends throughout the world. Once again, thank you for your letter. With best wishes, Franz Vranitzki

Under the scrutiny of politicians Page 3

Read tomorrow The bombing against the “red front” began