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Tirana, February 8 2011 NOA – Prime Minister Sali Berisha chaired today the meeting of the Parliamentary group of the Democratic Party. The prime minister spoke in the beginning about the sustainable economic development of the country owing to which we are going to have not only salary and pension increase, but even kick off works for implementation of the major infrastructure projects.
Further on, the prime minister spoke about preparations for the electoral campaign for the local elections of May 8 and demanded that the working groups should immediately start working.
The prime minister also spoke about investigation into the January 21 event and emphasized that “the comrades of the boulevard event” are making their utmost to hamper a vital and decisive process for this country: the independent, reliable and all-embracing probe of what they called under the coded name ‘the boulevard event’ and which we appreciated in a crystal clear way as an actual attempted coup d'état. In regard to this, PM Berisha said that the government is for an independent, reliable and all-embracing investigation and following the prosecutor coming from the USA it has established full cooperation with the prosecution office of that country.
PM Berisha said:
In January happened the ugliest act of our history, an attempted coup d'état that Edvin Kristaq Rama and his comrades of the boulevard masterminded so that to get a term in office to the detriment of the Albanians. But, on the other hand the Albanian democracy and the rule of law happened to be as strong as the Albanian economy proved to be vibrant.
In January the Albanian customs realized 12% more revenues as compared to January last year. Albania Tax Office also recorded a 6% increase. Albanian exports experienced 64% increase as compared to January last year. In total the Albania exports were 14.6 billion lekë as compared to 9.4 billion lekë they used to be last year. The exports had a quite positive specific structure as “Made in Albania” exports for the first time clearly surpassed exports based on imported raw material and often named as re-exporting.
As production increases, the employment also increases rapidly. The production increase is the generator of prosperity. Thus, the production increase along with the increase of exports and other revenues practically enables implementation of the program of this government. It enables the kick off works on major infrastructure projects, and fist of all on Tiranë – Elbasan highway. You have already been informed of 26 companies, among the most major in Europe and the world, which have already forwarded the relevant documents. 12 of them have been qualified in a transparent process as they fulfilled all conditions. The winner will be announced in short time and the winning company will have an 18 month deadline for building the highway. Tiranë – Elbasan highway is among the most important in Albania as it also carries a tunnel.
The budget also ensures the salary and pension increase. And it’s the biggest increase as compared to every other country in Europe. 800 thousand Albanian families will benefit an increase of the personal incomes. Also the budget supports reforms in education and health, the high-tech and all the fields. It’s a good beginning as our reforms are to be success stories.
Meanwhile, yesterday we discussed at the meeting of the National Council on the electoral campaign for the local elections. I am looking for your total commitment so that to give Albania free and fair elections that the Albanian democracy is also in need. Let work begin right away and the working groups start functioning.
The coup plotters had just one goal: the takeover of power from this ruling majority; they were not going to hold elections, but were going just to give mandates without any election at all. We are the people who trust in the free vote. Our force stems from the free elections; it’s a universal value which has made the free societies worthy and prosperous and we shall abide by it.
The comrades of the “boulevard event” are also making their utmost to hamper a vital and decisive process for the country: the independent, reliable and all-embracing investigation of what they named under the coded name of “the boulevard event” while for us it was a crystal clear coups d'état with all its elements.
Following the arrival of the prosecutor from the USA the government has decided to establish full cooperation with the prosecution office of that country. Naturally, the government is committed to independent, reliable and all-embracing investigation which is indispensable and in the best interest of every Albanian citizen. We have constantly expressed our trust in the institutions of this country and we do not confound them with certain persons, but I emphasize that in order to sabotage the process the comrades of the boulevard publish on the media secret documents and files of investigation. Everyday they put on their media fabricated charges like e.g. the National Guard is hiding the server while it has been all the time willing to cooperate with the prosecution office.
It is everything transparent with the National Guard and it has hidden nothing. The state has a real treasure in the National Guard staff. There are people working for 25 years on end in the liaison unit. Their morale does not carry any hide of documents, let alone the servers. Before they make accusations like this, the militants among the “boulevard comrades’ should consider things well as the matter can be solved only through independent, reliable and all-embracing investigation. Investigation cannot be carried out through sabotage or fabrications.
This government has responded to every forwarded request for six days. Naturally, it is known even to the team that came to contribute for the investigation. But, there are constantly noticed heavy violations of the procedures and agreements reached. The government is deeply interested in thorough investigation more than anyone else. It is interested in casting a light into the circumstances under which 4 citizens lost their lives.
One of them was hit by a ricochet, as it has come out even on the media. What about the others? Who killed them? It should be clarified. Or is it part of the scenario of passing over corpses? However, investigation should be complete. I promise to the families of the victims that the government will make its utmost to clarify the truths. However, it is already clear to them who committed such a grave constitutional act on their beloved people. It is crystal clear to them who brought the late Ziver from emigration to fight against Sali Berisha.
I believe there will be full investigation into all these things. But, on the other hand I have to warn that obstacle to investigation will not be tolerated. No one can hamper or prevent such a vital process.
I invite all the citizens to contribute for investigation of this event. I express gratitude for hundreds of documents and other important evidence presented. But, it is in the best interest of everyone to cast a light on the event which was implied to leave democracy highway and overthrow from power a legitimate ruling majority emerged from the free vote.”
