Parliamentary Observer After enormous pressure from the general strike and the hunger strike, the government of Mr. Fatos Nano requested its resignation at 2:30 a.m. on 4 June. The parliamentary groups of the PP, PD, and Omonia, after several days of talks in parliament and through their presidencies, announced that they would arrive at a political solution, which would be announced at 17:00 on 3 June. But the parliamentarians gathered in the People’s Assembly hall were forced to wait for the conclusions of their presidencies until 2:30 the following day. The chairman of the Assembly’s presidium, Mr. Kas-triot Islami, opened the session at this late hour, when the deputies were tired, and read the communiqué drawn up by them and representatives of other parties that are not in parliament. The communiqué called for the government’s resignation and the formation of a national-security government with a prime minister from the Party of Labour. It also called for members of the government to come from all parties and, as soon as they were appointed, to sever their ties with them; thereafter, this government would not have the right to be an electoral subject. According to the communiqué, this government would remain in office until new elections, which were proposed for May–June 1992, and strikes were to be suspended for this period. Following this announcement, Mr. Fatos Nano, charged with speaking on behalf of his government, read the resignation statement. He said that he had not been supported by the political forces and had been compelled to act in this way in order to clear the way for a political solution. In his speech, he defended himself, stressing that this government, which had worked in difficult circumstances and without prejudice toward the past, could not last long because it had not received the support of Parliament and had been blocked by the strikes. At the same time, he… (Continued on page 2) ... their counterparts in Elbasan by 7 ... continue until the moment when the gov- [text cut off and illegible]

- By consensus among the parties, parliamentary groups, and BSPSH, acceptance of the government’s resignation, formation of a government of stability, holding of early elections, and a social wage -

The general strike of Albania’s workers marked a great historic victory. It pushed Albania a great step forward toward establishing a genuine democracy. The consensus reached yesterday by the political parties is the truest victory for Albania and the entire Albanian people. No one should be apprehensive about it. In this consensus, if we refer to an ancient Japanese saying, “everyone wins by losing one rió (one grosh).” Albania, on the other hand, won and lost nothing. This was precisely what led the PD to this consensus. The PD agreed to the consensus deliberately. First, in these historic times for the fate of the entire Albanian nation, Albania is building its own system. It is breaking away from totalitarian dictatorship and moving toward the establishment of democracy. At this moment, consensus avoids internal confrontation, which reactionary forces are interested in, and allows us to restart the economy, that is, to fight the severe economic crisis we are experiencing today. This Party believes that the next government, which will not have the attributes of an electoral subject and will be completely depoliticized, composed of members of the government who have no right to form parties Through the consensus, the PD aims and strives to ease, if only somewhat, the deep crisis of confidence and the severe despair that has engulfed all of Albania today. For the… this crisis constitutes one of the major factors underlying the exodus that is destroying the integrity of our people. Fourth, the PD considers the stability of Albania’s political situation a measure of vital importance for stabilizing the situation in the Balkans. At a time when in Yugoslavia the dictator Millosheviç, in the name of creating a Greater Serbia, is trying to lead the peoples of Yugoslavia as a whole, and Albanians first and foremost, toward a veritable massacre, the stability of the Albanian mother state is undoubtedly a powerful restraining factor against the sinister criminal plans of the Stalinist Saddam of the Balkans. The PD, for its part, undertakes to respect meticulously and without wavering all the points of the inter-party agreement. It Gentlemen Deputies The opposition in Parliament understands and takes note of all the criticisms and objections raised by the majority’s deputies, but emphasizes that it remains determined to implement every point of the consensus, not in the name of the party but in the name of the interests of the Albanian nation. The agreement reached between the parties that this Assembly has tasked with negotiating represents an appropriate solution. Thank you Ko-sist... [fragment cut off] ... Albanian, Albania is changing its toward the establishment of democracy. Consensus at this moment prevents internal confrontation, which reactionary and conservative forces are interested in and which would mortally wound Albania and its new democracy. Second, the PD aims to create every opportunity and condition for an effective fight against hunger ... Third, with the decision of the con- ... by parties or conduct electoral activities while serving in this government, there will be opportunities and conditions to res[?]ure the country’s economic recovery. ... reached between the parties whom this assembly charges with negotiating, represents an appropriate solution. Thank you. ... first of all, the stability of the state, ... the Albanian homeland plans of the Stalinist Sada[?]m of the Balkans. For its part, the PD pledges to respect every point of the interparty agreement precisely and without wavering. It will devote all its strength and energy to establishing a genuine democracy in Albania and to the comprehensive economic, political and social stabilization of the country. Prof. Dr. SALI BERISHA

- THE VALIAS MINERS END THEIR HUNGER STRIKE - Monday, 3 June Parliament seems to be competing with the hunger strikes. Political talk—political talk—has never before been so closely intertwined with life. Several hundred deputies’ heads stand opposite several hundred workers. The Valias strike is entering its 11th day. Around 100 miners are waiting for the BSP’s demands to be met; these are also their demands. So far, four have been admitted to hospital. On the ninth day, the strike by workers at the Tirana glass factory also began. Eight have been admitted to hospital, one of them a worker. The railway engine drivers and employees confined at the train station have completed seven days; their counterparts in Elbasan have also completed seven. Free agricultural and livestock products. BSPSH has also received telegrams of solidarity from many villages. Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. At BSPSH we meet Reshat Ibrahim[in]. He informs us that, following the decision of the presidencies of the parliamentary groups, in cooperation with the opposition parties and the trade unions, to form a national-stability government and hold elections in the middle of next year, the General Strike Committee has decided that, upon the president’s announcement of the resignation of F. Nano’s government and the appointment of a new prime minister, the hunger strike will be halted. The general strike will continue until the other governments and the strikers consider the strike’s mission partially fulfilled and, as a sign of understanding and cooperation with the new government, decide that the hunger strikes should be ended. Thousands of miners, citizens, and relatives of the strikers have gathered in front of the main entrance to the Valias mine shaft. Everyone’s joy is clouded by anxiety. The elevator seems to rise from the depths underground amid the panting of those waiting. It reaches the surface, and the first group of strike participants steps out. At this moment, a rousing cry is expected from those who have just emerged, but their empty stomachs have silenced them, while dri

On Monday, a BSPSH rally was held at the «Dinamo» stadium in the capital. Speakers from all over Albania, representing the Independent Trade Unions, insisted on the strikers’ 17 demands. They once again expressed their full solidarity with and support for the workers on hunger strike. Representatives of political parties also spoke at the rally: PR, PD, the mother of the martyr of democracy Arben Broci, the People’s Artist Tinka Kurti, etc. On behalf of the PD Steering Committee, Mr. Azem Hajdari spoke. RD correspondent … for the first time, perhaps, in their lives, they were compelled to cover their eyes with their hands. Everywhere there were embraces, tears, laughter, and joy. Their cause, «Let us live like Europe», received its collective… today. We remembered once again the cold galleries, and those 15 people admitted to hospital, who, as soon as they felt themselves coming back to life, returned once again to the company of their comrades. In their eyes, tired from the light, one could now see hope. The picture was made even more complete by the aid brought by the Albanian Charity Association. In the packages distributed to each miner were oil, sugar, coffee, pasta, and chocolate. Their children, too, will have something to eat tonight. EMIN BARÇI

- Groups of vandals attack village shops in Lezhë - On June 1, in the Bregu i Matës area, Lezhë, cars, tractors and carts loaded with people were seen. They were running around like madmen. These people shouted loudly, pulled a revolver from their chests and fired into the air. Having already broken into the shops in Tale and Shënkoll, they headed for the shop in Planë and then, one after another, the same fate befell the shops in the villages of Spiten and Trebesh, as well as the warehouse of Ishat Zejmen. Something interesting: that day the shops along the road had been supplied with goods. This crowd of vandals and looters stopped in front of the shop in the village of Manati, but here they met their match. The people of Manati had lined up to defend their shop. They fought the vandals, but did not allow their village to be violated. Then witnesses in Manati saw the monstrous caravan of vandals head toward the villages of Kolç, Ishull-Lezhë and Grykë mbi shkul të Ishës, which they occupied. They came down to steal ... [part illegible/cut off] ... the village riflemen, who carry the state’s guns on their shoulders, quick to show themselves off, were nowhere to be seen this time. Meanwhile, the people and the women of Manati had only their chests and democratic conscience as weapons—that conscience which will not accept any act of hooliganism or vandalism. The comments being made about this ugly expedition in the district of Lezhë put the police’s indifferent role under the blade of criticism, while it is thought that the expeditions may have been incited to discredit the areas where the Democratic Party won, because it is clear—and known—that the areas of Zadrimë and Kanj did not suffer this evil storm. The people and democracy are one. Now in Bregu i Matës and in the other villages around the city, despite the many problems that have accumulated, a firm stance against thefts is becoming apparent day by day. A firm resolve to catch thieves and punish those responsible for the incident. ... DOBA GEGA

A few days ago, after nearly a quarter of a century, the leadership of the Alevian Sect (Tariakati Halveti) resumed its activities. On this occasion, a religious ceremony was held with the participation of hundreds of well-wishers and supporters of all faiths. The address for the occasion was delivered by the chairman of the council, Sheh Muhamer Pazari. The celebration was also addressed by the chairman of the Islamic Community, Hafiz Sabri Koçi; the representative of the Orthodox Church, Mr. Spiro Findiku; the member of the Council of the Bektashian Sect, Mr. Ibrahim Hasnai; and the chairman of the Democratic Party’s Inter-Religious Relations Commission, Mr. Galip Kallajxhi. Among the distinguished guests present were the representative of the U.S. Embassy in our country, Mr. William Raiersonon, and the ambassador of the Republic of Egypt, Mr. Men-zour El Daly. «RD» Correspondent

- IN THE ROLE OF THE GRAVEDIGGER: THE PRINCIPLE OF RELYING ON ONE’S OWN FORCES - No other period in this half-century has encompassed events as shocking as those of the past few weeks. On Albanian soil, the final act of the economic tragedy was played out: “Relying on our own forces.” In a few days, the deep economic crisis plunged the country to the bottom of the abyss. The “drama” began with a strike announced months earlier. The president and the prime minister consider the strikers’ demands fair. Yet, just as a resolution of the demands was expected, the government’s decision to launch an investigation into the strike’s organizers took effect, along with the president’s insinuation that the Independent Trade Unions were backed by Jete-kërkush. Then events unfolded with unprecedented intensity: the hunger strike by the miners of Valias, the spread of the hunger strike to several cities in the country. The paralysis of economic life in the background was equally alarming. And while the popular tragedy was reaching its climax, the deputies of the People’s Assembly went on a 10-day Ulk-End. These were the elements of comedy within the national tragedy. On Tuesday, the curtain came down: the government of Prime Minister Fatos Nano resigned. The political solution that had troubled every Albanian’s mind for days finally became reality. But why was this government’s life so short that its duration can be counted in hours? Let us judge without metaphors. Pluralism brought democracy to Albania. But one cannot live on democracy alone. Democracy requires economic support. If democracy and the economy do not move on the same track, then the way is opened for democracy’s gravediggers: anarchy, exodus, vagrancy, political tensions. Here ... is the picture of the economy. First, economic and financial relations with abroad. We inherited debts of around 350 million dollars from last year. By June, we must repay around 70 million dollars to the countries that trade with the regime, because there are no export goods to balance imports. We have taken out around 100–120 million dollars in bank loans. Since these loans have not been put to use by the econo- ... (Continued on page 6)

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On the instructions of the Council of Ministers, strike days will not be paid. The Bank is to check the cheque, requesting the relevant documents from the enterprises. It bears responsibility for the payments mentioned above. Director General of the State Bank (NIKO GJYZARI) Editor’s note: Enterprise directors and administrators are exempt from this rule!