- Support for the government is the basic condition for emerging from the crisis. - The effective way for all political forces to confront the government is to explain the policy concerning the inevitability of the consequences of reform, not to appeal to their regret. The economic crisis we are going through and the forecast of a several-year transition period, the implementation of economic reform and social restructuring seem to have immediately divided people into groups with different socio-economic interests. Bearing in mind that we seek to move towards a capitalist society, this division would be quite natural; but, like many phenomena of the transition, this division too is fictitious. Many people, looking only at the present moment, are unable to determine their socio-economic position accurately. Although socio-economic interests are reflected in politics, the phenomenon described above causes a degree of confusion in the country’s political and economic life, which is discouraging and makes the country feel paralysed. The fact is that this situation is being shamelessly exploited by the PS, which is quick to proclaim itself the party of the underprivileged and, in defiance of every rule and logic, opposes the government by presenting it as «the capitalist state that exploits the working masses». It is clear whose interests the PS champions among these «underprivileged»: all those who have lost their posts and armchairs; in other words, those who really were former privileged people and have become underprivileged, and who have nothing to do with the so-called working masses. In practice, today in Albania the interests of all groups converge on one main, common interest: emerging from the crisis as soon as possible. In this respect, other, smaller interests must be subsumed under the common interest and come to the fore only once the common goal has been achieved. The basic factor in achieving the common goal is support for the government. Today, the socialist does this in words, for demagogy and propaganda. The consequences that would follow from the overthrow and lack of support for the democratic government have by now become clear to everyone. Nevertheless, someone might say: is this the only reason the government should not be overthrown? Certainly not. No government can govern unless it shows that it is capable of doing so. But can the Meksi government be accused of having done no work? Economic reform, the resolution of issues concerning public order, the fight against corruption and the preparation of new draft laws are the most difficult tasks of this transition period. The government’s work has focused on these issues, and it cannot be said that little has been done. Economic reform, which has begun despite objective difficulties, and especially subjective ones, can be considered one of this government’s great achievements. Carrying out a reform that enjoys full support from all international economic institutions demonstrates the great work competently undertaken by the government, especially by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It must also be borne in mind that such a reform has to be carried out in conditions of a complete lack of experience and financial resources; technical and financial assistance from international organisations such as the IMF or the World Bank has therefore been essential. Such cooperation also determines certain aspects of how the reform is carried out. Banking practice, too, differs in the handling of various forms of credit, whether social or state. First, they must be convinced that the credit will be used to implement a successful programme, because if the programme were to fail, that would be clear to everyone. In this respect, the implementation of certain obligations and conditions set by the IMF in connection with the reform also becomes problematic—for example, maintaining wage levels after the liberalisation of prices. Such a measure creates social problems, but it is a temporary condition of the reform agreement. This reality and many other things make up what is called the harsh practice... (Continued on page 2)

Starting from a partisan objective: someone from the forces of the social-communist regime is acting subtly and cunningly, in various ways. According to their far-from-sincere claim: «Meksi’s government has demonstrated its incompetence within these four months». They know perfectly well that, in such a short time, no government in the world could perform miracles, even under Sazani’s leadership. Give them a shovel and let them spend a fortune in gold! Every true patriot, for whom the good of the Homeland and its people is the principal aim, understands that Mr. Meksi’s Government must be left in peace to do its work properly; it must also be supported if we do not want the whole world to be disappointed by the alternative of democracy, which we chose by the will of all the people. Alongside some inevitable mistakes, Mr. Meksi’s Government has, in the short period of only four months, also recorded many successes that promise a better future for our people: most enterprises and factories throughout the country have been set in motion and put to work; visible improvements have been achieved in stabilising public order; executive power has been strengthened, and the force of law is asserted more firmly every day. Progress has been made in establishing a system of taxes and duties (without which a democratic state based on initiative and property cannot be sustained), in reforming the currency and banking system, etc. Our country’s first democratic government has undertaken, at great risk and with great determination, the reform through which a socialised economic system is to be improved and its decline halted; in its place, a system of private initiative is to develop, empowering all people of work and action to become the true masters of their own destinies. It is a great merit of Mr. Meksi’s Government that, through an active and determined policy, it has managed to attract interest and assistance from many European countries, from the USA, etc. The economic and financial support that 24 countries are granting, or will grant, is a substantial sum for our people, enabling them to get through the difficulties brought by the implementation of the new reform with as little hardship as possible. If the socialists’ opposition were in power instead of the Meksi Government, what «miracles» could they accomplish in four months? They demonstrated their leadership abilities after the elections of 31 March, when, after seeing the State Security service’s numbers for the second time, they inherited many distortions. If such an alternative of socialist «rule» were to be created, who could deny that, besides losing the international community’s confidence in the government and having assistance reduced—or even suspended—our country would lose the reputation it has earned under the democrats? That would be a catastrophe for Albania. Domestically, it is clear to everyone that the socialist opposition resisted to the very end and on every issue the deserved full pardon for political prisoners and the persecuted. If the socialist opposition were to undertake the implementation of reform, could it perhaps come up with some «invention» that it could carry out without any assistance, without raising and liberalising prices, without restructuring institutions, without army reform, etc.? If Mr. Nano, as an economist working in our country, were asked, he would surely answer honestly and admit that such «inventions» are no longer known; nevertheless, «Zëri i popullit» conjures up ultra-fantastical ideas—such «Deus ex machina» solutions that might entice people. On the other hand, let me say that, for the good conduct of affairs in our martyred homeland, one positive circumstance is that there is a parliament in which a number of socialist intellectuals sit. Whenever they emerge from the mill of power’s temptations, they exert an important influence in correcting the mistakes of the PD in government. The restructuring of the apparatus and of all levels of administration must be carried out primarily on the basis of people’s own abilities. Cases of excess in restructuring measures must be avoided, because, after all, the socialists constitute a legal opposition in parliament, with a mandate from the people! Likewise, not every change or reorganisation of an administrative body should be maliciously interpreted as an act motivated by politicised criteria. No Albanian patriot, for example, can underestimate the role of the army in defending independence; but the time has come for the army to be modern, with young officers who can learn the art of warfare at appropriate schools in the West. Thus, army reform, in addition to removing unsuitable officers, must also modernise it professionally, with the aim of creating a nimble and capable army for the country—an institution worthy of defending the country. That is why opposition to army reform by some former military men sounds strange, especially when they are people receiving extraordinary salaries of over 2,000 lekë a month, twice as much as the maximum salary of five civilian workers! DOC. QEVQEP KAMBO

Virginia Polytechnic University, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Agricultural University of Tirana, the Agricultural and Development Bank and the Democratic Party, will hold an intensive course on problems relating to agricultural reform. The first part of the course will be held in Tirana in November. The second part will take place in the USA at the beginning of 1993. Of the people who enrol in the first part of the course, [??] will be selected to continue with the second part. Agricultural economists and other agricultural specialists, as well as private businesspeople involved in trading agricultural materials and food products (agribusiness), are invited to take part in this course. The American university has proposed that Albanian specialists or businesspeople prepare a paper on current problems in Albanian agriculture as a prerequisite for the course. Prizes will be awarded to the 20 best participants. Registration materials and the list of required written topics are available from the institutions mentioned above. The deadline for submitting the papers is 7 October 1992. All papers must be sent to the address: MERITA ZALOSHNJA, Chair of the Financial Section of the PD, PD Central Headquarters, Tirana Tel: 238-28

- Democracy is dear to all who are sincere about it - The Deputy Minister responsible for oil goes to Patos, meets the directors and the trade-union leaders there, and in response to the unions’ demands and actions calls for the law to be enforced! Why invoke the Law? «The unions’ demands are generally fair; both the government and the President have been informed of them. They have put forward legitimate demands, although not all can be met immediately. Talks with them are not easy: there is pressure, and there are also attempts to manipulate them and use them to destabilise the country at this difficult time. There are also demands that the poor budget can afford. You can’t work with ultimatums...» Before demands become ultimatums... Workers—oil workers—are first and foremost people, with basic needs and families to support. That applies to every worker. In a market economy, it is natural for them to exert constant pressure through their unions, mobilising for progress or for a change. There is nothing surprising about that. Efforts should be made to prevent demands from becoming ultimatums; time should be found, for example, to get away from the oil workers and persuade them to be moderate. Where an enterprise is private, the state’s responsibilities diminish, but not where the enterprise is state-owned. First and foremost, we are all responsible as citizens. From the ordinary worker struggling with hardship to the journalist who conveys the concern to public opinion and readers; from the trade unionist to the minister and beyond. In these matters, ultimatums must be avoided at all costs. If these issues are not resolved, what should be said to anyone who obstructs them: that everyone must be protected in expressing their legitimate concerns? Why not discuss assistance even where the enterprise and the union claim they can resolve matters themselves? Why not set out the relevant measures clearly? Are taxes on wages being demanded before the other wages themselves have been put into effect? Are such situations being provoked with social responsibility? Before demanding that the law be enforced—the law that stands above everyone—the Law becomes democratic not only through its wording, but also by guaranteeing itself...

...For the construction of a church in Berat - DEAR MEMBERS OF THE AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ALBANIA: It is a great pleasure for me to inform you of the gift of a fund for the construction of a new church for the people of Berat, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the historic proclamation that established our Autocephalous Church in this ancient stronghold of the sacred faith of the Albanians. The donation, made in the name of the family—THE ANTHONY ATHANAS FAMILY—is a gesture that fills me with joy and pride. The building will be a beautiful, sacred church, impressive in both its size and its exterior appearance, yet harmonious in design; it will be a national contribution, as well as an act by a true patriot of modern Albania. His joy at leading this vision for the revival of an Autocephalous Church in the ancient city of Berat—which had been neglected for a long time—is profound. Although it took many years for our Church to become independent, for Albanians it remained a story of religious freedom throughout the world for thousands of Albanians, and part of our country’s national heritage. We are proud to dedicate ourselves to the ecumenical spirit that Fan Noli championed long before it became commonplace. This dimension of faith is of great importance to us. Berat has many churches; as I observed during my visit there, I am sure this building will serve as a noble symbol of the historical significance of the proclamation of Christianity and of our independent Church, as well as of the faith and will to spread the message so that it may save all those who know it. We hope to begin making progress on the full implementation of this project soon. Brotherly greetings to all. Yours, ANTHONY ATHANAS 30 August 1992

At the invitation of the Democratic Party of Italy, a delegation consisting of Messrs Eduard Selami, Tomor Dosti, Rexhep Uka and Artan Hoxha left for Italy. They will take part in a meeting to be held in Pesaro with leading figures from the Democratic Party and the Italian government. During their visit to Italy, working meetings have been planned with Messrs Forlani, De Mita, Kolombo, Vitalone and other prominent figures.

On Thursday, 3 September 1992, an agreement was signed by the Albanian Minister of Trade and Foreign Relations, Artan Hoxha, and the United States Ambassador to our country, William Ryerson. Under this agreement, the «Food for Progress» programme of the United States Department of Agriculture will send Albania cotton worth 10 million dollars. The total quantity of cotton to be donated is approximately 5,000 metric tons, which is expected to keep Albania’s textile factories in Berat, Tirana and Korçë operating. The first shipment of cotton is scheduled to arrive in October this year.