Eurobarometer results, an assessment and encouragement for the PR and the LDSH The results of the survey conducted by Eurobarometer and published yesterday showed a marked superiority of right-wing forces over left-wing ones. This shows that the Albanian electorate feels the need to stay, indeed to move even further to the right. In short, right-wing politics in Albania, despite non-fundamental changes, finds support among the Albanian electorate. An important influence in this respect has also been the fact that the Albanian electorate is increasingly feeling the negative consequences of the insufficient representation of the Right in the Albanian Parliament, which is dominated by the communist and neo-communist worldview. In the Eurobarometer survey, the fact that the Republican Party rose to third place in the whole spectrum of Albanian political forces was quite significant. This is not something unexpected. Over these last few years, the PR has already forged its own identity as a political force completely positioned on the right wing of Albanian politics. This has led the electorate of this camp to see ever more serious support in the Republican Party. In this way, the prestige of the PR has been steadily rising, something reflected both in the local elections held in several provinces in May 1994 and in the tests carried out by various institutions during this period. Although in coalition with the PD, the Republican Party has not failed to openly criticize those positions of the PD that it considered wrong, especially when it came to actions that “smelled” of leftism. Its support for the lawful owners in their search for the fulfillment of their rights and its condemnation of the PD’s policy in this respect, as well as its support for former political persecuted persons, whose legitimate demands were brushed aside by the Democratic Party government despite fine words, are two important factors not only in the affirmation of the PR as a consistent right-wing alternative, but, more importantly, they have led to its affirmation alongside the other right-wing forces in the country, thus creating the conditions for the amalgamation of a true Albanian Right disposed to play an ever larger role in Albanian political life. Yes, a major role in this respect has also been played by the deeply national political line of the PR in defense of the rights of the Albanian nation, first and foremost of the part that is located in the former Yugoslavia, openly denouncing the concessions made by today’s official policy. The PR’s departure from the governing coalition, after the November 1994 referendum, made the ground for its cooperation with the rest of the right-wing political spectrum even more suitable. This was to be expected, not only because of the fact that the PR’s fight against the mistakes of the PD, which the socialists and other forces Continued on p. 3

The deputy chairman warns his subordinates, but who listens Pëllumbi: Comrade Musa, not euphoric! “Optimistic, not euphoric!” That is how Socialist deputy chairman Pëllumbi advised his party subordinates, but who listened? At the PS Tirana conference, where the left-wing leader gave his advice, the first person not to follow it was Musa Ulqini himself, the local PS leader. But perhaps he was right, since he spoke before Pëllumbi. Ulqini cheered together with the “comrades” for the future victory, and even “in the streets” there was talk of massive gatherings of people, as the current president of the republic used to do. Berisha has now changed tactics because the referendum left a bitter taste. The head of state himself has said that the socialists will win less than in '92. The Pëllumbi-Ulqini conflict of statements occurred at the beginning of the week. During these seven days, the number one figures in PS Tirana have been imitated by the other leaders too, who spread out across district conferences to gather candidates for the upcoming elections. In these conferences, also called active meetings, the socialist deputy chairmen have expressed not optimism, but euphoria. Certain victory in Shkodër (while PD is conducting polls and is ahead in the largest district in the North), in Pukë, Përmet and in many other districts. The conferences seem to have ended and, as the many candidates were lined up, euphoria also arrived in Tirana. With the selection of candidacies, the leadership of the PS, with Pëllumbi at the top, perhaps euphoria will turn into optimism, just as Pëllumbi himself asked. Even though another serious poll, such as Gallup “Eurobarometer”, gave the leftists only 29%. And here there is no room for euphoria, nor even for optimism. A. S.

Vefa-Aldes after the second day of activity: The adventure of the Vefa-Aldes Supermarket seems successful. And not only as an initiative. On the second day of activity, its managers are enthusiastic. “The fact that the shelves were emptied several times shows that the prices are reasonable and the goods are good,” says Ms. Natasha Lulo, director of Vefa-Aldes, for “Republika”. It is not hard to understand that the initiators of this activity now know the Albanian market very well. It is no coincidence that in these supermarkets you can find everything, although the focus is on the food market. More than fifteen kinds of Italian wines, many of them with famous names, sheep and cow cheese, ham, biscuits, kitchen and cosmetic items, soft drinks and small household appliances, underwear and jeans, mostly “Made in Italy”. “There are goods here of high quality and low prices,” continues Ms. Lulo, “but there are also everyday consumer goods that you can often find at a lower price than at the supermarket.” The Vefa-Aldes initiative is also appreciated by buyers: “There are lots of things, and cheap ones too,” say shoppers who stroll around Continued on p. 2

The Minister of Justice, Hektor Frashëri, gathered the 39 chairmen of the country’s courts to present the conclusions of the meeting of the High Council of Justice. He formally communicated all the decisions and disciplinary measures and, in particular, the new appointments and their reception in the courts to begin work. The measures were taken by the High Council of Justice to remove around 15 judges and assistant judges for violating the law (issuing rulings below the minimum required by law, even in criminal cases related to drugs). At the meeting, delays in cases and the slow pace of trial procedures in several district courts were also discussed. Thus, it was said Continued on p. 2

A few months ago, a fund of 30 million lek was allocated by the Durrës district council for the water supply system Katundi i Ri - Fshati Rinia. But after a private company won the tender, work began one month late, on 22 December of last year. After that, only 500 meters of welded pipes were laid and the work Continued on p. 2

Due to the relocation of the Central Headquarters of the Republican Party, all interested parties are informed that, temporarily, contact can be made at the telephone numbers 231-84, 292-03, 420-86 and You can also contact the editorial office of the newspaper “Republika” at telephone number 324-12, address, “Herit Xhajko” Street, 63/2, near Medrese, Tiranë.