A new day is coming

For laughter: I invite you, dear readers of this newspaper, to read and understand what is published on page 2 of this issue of RD under the title «In the Union of Vlorë, clarification of the spread slanders». For laughter and for tears. In the USA, during an election campaign, it sometimes happens that on the platform or through the press one candidate throws mud at another by inventing nonsense and using vulgar language. Such is the case of the article «In the Union of Vlorë, clarification of the spread slanders», published in the newspaper «Zëri i Popullit» of 11 March 1991, and reprinted in RD. Its aim is to exalt the Party of Labour and comrade Ramiz Alia, and to denigrate the Democratic Party. Let us come concretely to the issue. The phrase taken from the declaration of the PDSH at the podium of the “Flamuri” Square in Vlorë, which says that with the help of a devilish plan PPSH is working to plunge the country into chaos, seems to have deeply angered the chairman of the Professional Unions, comrade Sinan Shehu. He asks us to tell him who those people have been (the criminals)[?], saboteurs, former Security officers dismissed for violating the law, and former members of fascist gangs[?] that he apparently defends with such zeal. Let us be clear. In the declaration of the PDSH as well as in my speech at this rally it was and is clearly stated that in Vlorë it was not the opposition[?] that frightened people, but certain individuals, incited and paid by the forces that want to preserve the communist monopoly. We will prove this with facts. The very existence of rumors spread deliberately to create panic, the very organized way they were spread, the very fact that they were disseminated especially in the neighborhoods where poor people live, show that they could not have been accidental. They were part of a scenario. For tears: It would be miserable were it not tragicomic for an organization called a Professional Union to serve as a propaganda tool of PPSH. When the union defends the ruling party and not the worker, that is something to cry about.

Korçë, 11-3-91 (Continued on page 6) On the evening of 11.3.1991, around 8:30 p.m., a very large number of residents of the city had gathered in front of the district branch of internal affairs in Korçë. They had come out to protest against the beatings and terror that the secret police exert against innocent people. Suddenly, bursts of automatic gunfire were heard and smoke grenades and explosive devices were thrown. As a result of the shooting, innocent citizens were killed and wounded. A young man, just as he had come out of the house, fell dead. A girl was seriously wounded. The crowd dispersed in panic. The perpetrators of this massacre are the forces of the internal affairs branch and armed civilians brought in specifically to provoke bloodshed. We strongly condemn this crime and demand an immediate investigation and punishment of those responsible. The people of Korçë will not be frightened. (Continued on page 6)

(Continued on page 5) It has become increasingly evident that a planned and long-prepared action to obstruct the independent organization of the working class is underway. All complaints about economic shortages, abuses, and the irresponsibility of the leaders are carefully channeled so as to avoid the political demands of workers. As soon as an independent initiative arises, it is labeled a provocation. Workers are invited to wait, to believe, and to remain silent. But the proletariat is no longer what it once was. It is demanding its own voice. It wants free unions, real representation, and the right not to be deceived anymore. That is what frightens the bureaucracy. (Continued on page 5)

Organizations of the Party of Labour, enterprises, cooperatives, military units and individual citizens from the districts of Berat, Bulqizë, Dibër, Durrës, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokastër, Korçë, Krujë, Kukës, Lezhë, Librazhd, Lushnjë, Mat, Mirditë, Peshkopi, Pogradec, Përmet, Sarandë, Shkodër, Skrapar, Tepelenë, Tirana, Tropojë, Vlorë, etc., have addressed the Democratic Party with protests against its statement on the events of 2 April[?]. The Democratic Party declares that this organized campaign aims to distort the truth and frighten public opinion. At the press conference it was emphasized that responsibility for the worsening of the situation in the country lies with those who seek to hold on to power by force. (Continued on page 2)

(Continued on page 2)