Today the 14 parties again discuss the electoral law The opposition’s project in danger Will the electoral law be ready by January? “Electoral draft law within January.” That was the promise made by Kryonari at the last meeting of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. At that time, the discussion was about the opposition’s project. Later, the same thing was said for the New Year; according to the deputy speaker of parliament, Vukaj, the majority’s entry, Spaçi, will also continue. The warning concerned the opposition’s project, which was being considered in the PD and the Assembly, and is being drafted in the government, specifically the election draft law in the office of Kosovari, the secretary-general, to secure local coercion. Which draft law is the urgency for introducing this draft issue being discussed in Parliament? Today, in plenary session, Speaker Arbnori will decide this law, of Kulturës. The other opposition will be struck if he wishes, the deputies themselves. Today he will have to decide, before the opinion of the PD’s absolute majority, the pro-PD “pro-real” faction represented by Shehu. This opposition is really about a draft law that leaves only 15 at risk of being examined, while for the proportional deputies its approval remains far away. Another reason for this is the different situation between the two projects. According to the government’s latest statement, all the more so because the Government of the PD Secretary-General is democratic. For this reason, Shehu, the dominant view in the PD, seems far from the opposition-opposition agreement, which could also be extended to other, so-called technical plans. The Secretary-General of the PD is democratic. For this reason, Shehu, the dominant view in the PD, seems far from the opposition-opposition agreement, which could also be extended to other, so-called technical plans. A. Simoni

The alarm against “right-wing extremism”: an expression of the struggle against the Right In a meeting held a few days ago with local PD leaders, after speaking about the successes of these four years in governing the country and the PD’s ambitions for the future, President Berisha, while speaking about the PD’s alliances with other political forces, stated among other things that “these alliances exclude those with left-wing and right-wing extremists.” To speak about alliances or about a fight against right-wing or left-wing extremism, one must first acknowledge that such currents exist. As for left-wing extremism, it would be a fatal mistake not only to deny it, but even to minimize it. The 50-year Stalinist dictatorship that ruled in Albania has left very deep marks on all aspects of our life, and this is true not only within left-wing political forces, but also among various individuals who deliver endless lectures about the danger of the restoration of communism and swear lightning-fast that they are first-hour anti-communists. It is an undeniable, but also logical, fact that the Socialist Party is dominated by left-wing extremist elements, both because of the makeup of this party and because of the legacy of the mindset inherited from the predecessor of today’s socialists, the PPSH, which influences the functioning of its life. Indeed, faced with such a fact, the journalistic fuss made by the PD’s propaganda regarding some elements within this party, called “malëshovists,” seems misplaced, and even more so the role they might have in reforming the PS. But the calls and alarms about the so-called “right-wing extremism” are completely unfounded. Bearing in mind what has been mentioned above regarding the dictatorship of truth from 50 years ago, to become alarmed about the “danger” coming from “right-wing extremism,” the PD leaders should instead be concerned about the efforts the right-wing forces in Albania have had to go through in order to create their identity and then consolidate it, if their calls to fight communism are sincere. Surely, the PD leadership considers the legitimate demands of lawful owners, who are asking for the return of their properties, in the most general case, of “agricultural land,” to be “right-wing extremism.” But if we cast our eyes for just a moment beyond our window to see how things are done in the world, then we would (continued on p. 6)

Inside: 1000 lives lost in emigration P. 3 National interests are one and indivisible P. 5

The USA will open an office in Prishtina U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, in an interview with Voice of America, said that Washington has held extensive talks with Belgrade and hopes that the situation of the Kosovo Albanians will improve soon. Holbrooke said he is optimistic about easing tensions in Kosovo. He said that they will open an office in Prishtina. The USA will also take other steps and hope to ease tensions in Kosovo. Holbrooke condemned the repressive policy Serbia has pursued in Kosovo and described the treatment of Albanians as very poor. The USA, Holbrooke said, want Albanians to enjoy full rights.

5th anniversary of PRSH On 17 January 1996, at 9:00, there will be a meeting with the chairpersons of the PR branches from all districts. After this meeting, at 18:00, the 5th anniversary of the founding of PRSH will be celebrated at the Palace of Congresses.

The town crier I am against the genocide law, because it has never been heard of in any country with developed democracy to throw spies into the street with a scrap of paper from the bakalli. This is against human norms and rights and very dangerous for Albanian society. Have you thought for a moment what an unemployed spy can do? You know that this profession has attracted, and will again attract, a swarm of people both with and without money. Now the roads will be privatized. The owners who cannot get their properties back will now have the opportunity to get roads. The government has given the roads to the owners. Securities will now be used to privatize sweet rivers.