— WE CAN COMPARE, AS CITIZENS, CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS, WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THESE MATTERS, AND HOW THE CENTRAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES FULFIL THE LAWS THAT OPEN THE WAY TO ACTION BY THE WHOLE PEOPLE — Ironically, much is said about reforms, but few understand the actual substance of the undertaking. Reform means changing, repealing bad laws; that is, quickly finding and removing, from among the multitude of existing laws, those that hinder the economic and social progress of the individual, the state and society. The transition to reform must prevent anarchy. The general trend today is to develop initiative with two aims at once: to carry out economic reform and to achieve social objectives, regardless of the country’s level of development at a given stage. The difficulties of economic reform today are encountered in both industrialized and less industrialized countries. To a large extent, they are connected with the economic structure, which can foster problems or slow reform; nevertheless, the general conviction today is that reform will take place and will succeed. The strategy of reform consists in eliminating taxes and local restrictions, and reducing regulations so that they are easier to understand and apply. This includes favorable permits and other customs and tax concessions. Governments have embarked boldly on reforms, without being concerned about any evidence, advice or tutelage. But under reform, the state, although it makes changes to its structure, is not weakened. Any direct state body empowered to make decisions in support of reform can readily be assessed against these indicators, not only in terms of whether it adopts decisive laws, but also whether these are made known to individuals and economic entities interested in implementing the reform, so that they can engage with all concerned. For example, the public should be told which goods are exempt from customs duties and which are not; what the tax system is; and what the price levels are. Statistics are not published; very little information is publicized, and there are many other unknowns for the public, since there is no government publishing body. It is unacceptable for any government not to inform the public regularly about price and wage levels through its official statistics. All the points and options below need as much publicity and discussion as possible, so that people know how to proceed and what to demand. In response to the demands of economic reform, the Center for International Private Enterprises (CIPE) orga-... In the service of economic reform (Economic Reform Survey, ERS). To this end, last summer the magazine «Economic Reform Today» was published in Washington. From its first issue, we have selected and adapted some information that helps explain, as practically as possible, the strategy, scope, depth and structure of this reform. In outline, it can be represented by 23 policy indicators/options. 1. Uniformity in non-tariff barriers (customs): The existence of quotas, reference prices, import licenses, strict rules for foreign exchange, and the control and prevention of discrimination in quality standards. 2. Uniformity in tariff barriers: The tariff rate, price ceilings, the number and categories of tariffs, and the precise implementation of agreements. 3. Adequate local (domestic) rules: The state authorities’ mandate in the market, and the ability to make changes that favor domestic local production. 4. Market management: The number of exchange rates, state control, the existence of parallel exchanges, the gap between free and parallel exchange rates, and the real effect of exchange rates. 5. The real interest rate in the market: bet- local levies, reducing regulations to make them easier to understand and apply. These include preferential or oversight. for International Private Enterprises (CIPE) collects and processes data on public opinion and comparison, Center for International Private Enterprises (CIPE) collects and processes data. 4. Market orientation: The exchange rate, state control, the existence of parallel exchange rates, real effect of exchange rates. 5. Real interest in the market: Betw— OSMAN ALLKAJA (Continued on page 3)

Finally, it has become clear to everyone that early elections will be held, although the exact date has not yet been set. But what legal code will govern the elections? There are two legal acts that will regulate the conduct of such important consultations. First: The new electoral law, which, for reasons that are well known, cannot be the one applied on March 31, 1991—not only as regards the voting procedure, but also many other aspects that make up an electoral system. Second: A law or some subordinate legal act setting out certain rules for disciplining the election campaign and conducting it on equal terms for all forces BESNIK BACKA (Continued on page 4)

A few days ago, military serviceman Xhemal Elezi of unit 71 66 in Elbasan brought the following concern to the editorial office of the newspaper «Republika»: «At the time of the depoliticization of the army, the PP, along with the party membership cards, collected the files of communist military personnel at the PP district committees. At the time, this action seemed responsible, since departyization was expected (party life outside the unit), but in reality the army was depoliticized. Now, when they say that the PP no longer exists, these files, like all its property, have been transferred to the PS archives». (!). When one hears Major Xhemal Elezi’s concern, the question naturally arises: «Why does the PS need the files of former communist military personnel?» The measures taken for the army recently have had a positive effect and have been welcomed by military personnel. The law on service has been reduced, as have the length of service, the way resources are prepared, etc. Nevertheless, the army has not been fully depoliticized, since the files of former communist military personnel are in the PS archives. It is well known that the PS is the heir to all the PP’s property, but the truth is that these files have «mistakenly» been counted as property. Their preservation in the archives shows that the PS continues to be a worthy daughter of the PP.

On Friday afternoon at 5 p.m., in the meeting hall of the Palace of Culture in the capital, at the initiative of the Tirana PR branch, a press conference was held with Mr. Nafiz Bezhani, lawyer for the families of Shkodra’s martyrs of democracy. Members and supporters of the PR, members of the families of the martyrs of democracy, intellectuals from Tirana and the districts, students, journalists, etc., took part in the meeting. At the beginning, the lawyer gave an overview of the entire progress of the Shkodra case, focusing in particular on the shortcomings and various delays in the investigation and other bodies, as well as on [unclear: “and in marrte pjesë si palë në tërë procesin e hetimi”]. Mr. Bezhani then presented the audience with the facts he had provided to the investigation. The lawyer answered the many questions from those present and noted suggestions and new facts offered by the participants. On 13/12/1991, a meeting was held in the city of Kukës, at the Palace of Culture, with members and supporters of the Republican Party branch in this district, to clarify the recent events relating to the government crisis, the major economic problems and difficulties, the upcoming early elections, and the Party’s organizational problems. They fully expressed solidarity with the departure of the min[...] isters from the government and strongly criticized the communists and the President for the course pursued so far. At this meeting, it was also noted that the Party branch in this district is growing rapidly and in quality, and is thus now becoming a genuine political force. The meeting was also addressed by the chairman of the PR branch, Mr. Hamit N[...]ga, as well as by Messrs. Aleksandër G...[?]ina and Dr. Genc Mingomataj, delegates from the steering committee. The meeting was held at this ... of the Republic, where the members and supporters. Kru[...] is a stronghold of the Republican Party... (Continued on page 4)

The Albanian Republican Party warmly welcomes Your initiative to recognize Croatia and Slovenia as independent states. This policy embodies the principles of freedom and democracy supported by all humanity. Every people has the right to secede from a union when one of its components, because of its own inclinations and by using its numerical superiority, exercises arbitrariness, violence and terror over other peoples, as is happening today in Yugoslavia. Three million Albanians live there, and they have been denied their most elementary rights. Their right to self-determination is just as sacred as that of every other people. In the policy You have announced, we see the only wise solution to the Yugoslav problem, which also poses a danger to neighboring countries and the entire continent. Dear Sir, The greeting we extend to you as a friend of the Albanian nation is based on our Party’s petition last August for the rights of our brothers in Yugoslavia, which was signed by half a million citizens. We hope that Your wise policy will be adopted by the entire European Community as soon as possible. For the PRSH Steering Committee Chairman SABRI GODO

BY THE PR, PD, PSD AND THE LUSHNJË ASSOCIATION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS, ADDRESSED TO: The President of the Republic of Albania The Council of Ministers The People’s Assembly The Ministry of Public Order, e. Bread ovens and flour mills should immediately be established in villages where they have been closed, and subsidized by the state.

At the request of PR members and supporters from several districts of the country, these days the former Minister of State Control, Mr. Alfred Karamuço, held meetings and talks in the towns of Librazhd, Pogradec, Korçë and Bilisht. In the town of Korçë, Mr. Karamuço also held a press conference in the presence of local journalists, correspondents of the central and local newspapers, ATSH, Radio-Korçë, etc. Representatives of the district branches of political parties were also present, invited by various political and socio-cultural associations and organizations in the district, as well as intellectuals from various fields of science and production, etc. Mr. Alfred Karamuço was accompanied by PR presidium member Mr. Marenglen Gjonaj. After expressing their appreciation for the good purpose of this meeting, those present discussed the position currently held by the PRSH in recent political developments, and emphasized its concrete contribution to finding the left-wing political formula in June of this year, as well as its contribution across the entire pluralist political spectrum into which the country has entered. They then addressed the tasks and commitment involved in the efforts of the government for the country’s stability, as well as the reasons that led the Republican ministers to resign at the end of last month. In response to the many questions asked by those present at the conference—about the statements by Messrs. Bufi, Pashko and Ceka; the implementation of the land law; the possibility of corruption and abuses in government; the PD’s position on the memorandum of the Republican ministers; and so on—the Republican representatives at the press conference explained the PR’s position and shed light on several facts that aroused the audience’s interest. Mr. Karamuço, as former Minister of the State Commission, also responded to the journalists’ questions about several events connected with the work of the department he headed, such as the issue of tobacco smuggling and the judicial police of the «Iliria Holding» company, etc. Korçë, December 1

The President of the Republic of Albania The Council of Ministers The People’s Assembly The Ministry of Public Order. The pluralist Executive Committee of the Lushnjë district The opposition political forces PD, PR, PSD, BSP and the Association of Political Prisoners and Persecutees of the Lushnjë district, assembled on December 12, 1991, after a fruitful discussion in which unity in coordinating among ourselves stood out, decided to insistently demand the swiftest possible resolution of the following problems: 1. In the economic sphere Bearing in mind the marked decline in the economic standard of workers, especially state employees and intellectuals, we demand an immediate increase in their wages, in line with the catastrophic rise in prices. We likewise demand that savings deposits be revalued in relation to the increase in wages. The privatization of shops that sell state-owned goods and the role of the financial police should be reviewed, since major speculation to the detriment of workers’ interests has been observed. — Because of the complete lack of fuel in the homes, electricity service charges should be lowered immediately and the network reviewed. 2. Regarding agricultural reform We observe that the incomplete law on land distribution has been continually delayed by certain forces that have an interest in the deterioration of the village law [?] in order to accuse the opposition of causing chaos. We demand that the farmer’s urgent needs be addressed as soon as possible. a. The SMTs should be reorganized and rigorously controlled by the state, with an accurate assessment of the vehicles and fuel. b. Immediately establish and [unreadable] the SMT tariffs to meet economic needs. c. Cooperation with the appropriate enterprises should be responsibly reorganized. d. The law on long-term loans for the countryside should be implemented. the state. f. The «donors» of land belonging to the NB farms should be prosecuted, since they have violated the law at the NB farms in Dushk, Rrapëz, Gjazë and elsewhere. 3. Regarding the press: Bearing in mind that the press, especially the local press, is not functioning regularly, we demand that local newspapers not be excluded from the planning of the paper supply. The opposite would amount to deliberate sabotage of the election campaign at the opposition’s expense. For this reason, we demand that a letter be sent urgently to the newspaper «Ora e Fjalës», which has not been published for a month because of a lack of paper. 4. For political prisoners and persecutees, we demand: a. All political prisoners who have not yet been placed in jobs should be employed according to their abilities, or included in the maximum social assistance scheme. b. Housing should be provided to all those who are still without a home or live in unbearable conditions. c. They should be given priority access to credit, since they have spent months being sent from one committee office to another in vain. 5. Regarding public order We observe that the forces responsible for maintaining order are completely out of control. There is widespread looting in the city, Bubullimë, etc.; beatings and threats with firearms in broad daylight, such as those at the «Myzeqeja» café or the private market, have occurred right under the police’s nose, without any response and with inexplicable indifference. Nor has the disarmament of those who held licensed weapons been carried out, including cooperative chairmen, former bureau secretaries, etc. We demand that the disarmament of civilians be completed without fail within the month of December. 6. Regarding the election campaign, We demand that within the month of December, PR, PD and PSD be supplied with the means to carry out the campaign in the fields (BÇ, Aro). If our demands are not met, we will fight for all these issues using every democratic means.