In the talks he held with the Italian side, Prime Minister Meksi agreed that, in the next phase, Italy would approve a memorandum extending the term of the «Pelikan» operation. The Italian government also expressed its commitment to a concrete plan to address concerns about lighting and heating in Albania as the approaching winter sets in. As part of the strategic plan for long-term relations, it was agreed to establish a joint commission and subcommittees for various fields. It was also agreed in principle, regarding migration issues and Albanians working in Italy, to explore the possibility of further developments. Both heads of government emphasized the particular importance of the meeting for the future of economic and political relations between the two countries. Mr. Amato described it as an important concern of his government and as its principal support for the Albanian democratic government’s transition to a market economy. Among other things, he noted that Albania now has a new government which has been able to ensure stability and a favorable climate, giving Italy confidence in the further development of ties between the two neighboring countries. He praised the Albanian prime minister’s view that Italy is one of Albania’s main partners, a relationship favored by historical, geographical and economic circumstances. After meeting the head of the Italian government, Giuliano Amato, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi and the other members of the delegation met and talked on Thursday evening with representatives of Italian firms and companies, as well as investors wishing to cooperate with Albania. The meetings with them gave concrete form to the talks held with Prime Minister Amato. The «ENEL» company undertook to improve the distribution of electricity and to work on restoring and restructuring the electrical grid. In this connection, an «ENEL» technical delegation will arrive in Tirana on Monday to help meet the capital’s immediate needs; work will then continue in the cities of Durrës and Shkodër, in line with the discussions held with the Italian prime minister. It was agreed with «AGIP-PETROLIO» to define a framework for cooperation in gas extraction in various forms. The «UNIONE INDUSTRIALE MARKETE» firm has a reputation for organizing activities for small businesses. It will provide assistance in establishing small enterprises in Albania. The well-known firm «IRL» will work on improving the supply of drinking water, finding solutions, and creating a water-control system. Representatives of «IRL» discussed working more closely with the Italian side on investments that will, among other things, create new jobs in Albania. The production of submarine cable pipes and the improvement of transport infrastructure were also discussed. Representatives of the «ASTARDI» firm expressed their willingness to contribute by presenting the Albanian side with relevant projects to improve the railway transport system. On Friday, the prime minister continued meetings with representatives of other Italian firms and, at midday, paid a visit to the VATICAN.

We say this not out of propaganda fever against a party in opposition to the Democratic Party. An honest opposition would be a positive factor in advancing the processes of democratic reform here. We say this because the cover shows «SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA». Beneath it there is a flower; below this image, in the center, is written: «10th Congress of the PPSH», and farther down, in black, «Collection of Materials». We turn the pages, SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA TIRANA, 10 JUNE 1991 10th CONGRESS of the PPSH COLLECTION OF MATERIALS ALISTE turn the pages, OPENING SPEECH: «The first words at the 10th Congress of the PPSH are a great honor, but above all, a great obligation... 160 thousand me- [lower part of text cut off] But with the form, it is different... If the PPSH once pre-ferred only the red color (that the opposite meant doing enemy work), today the PS(1) accepts all the colors of the rainbow in its propaganda materials. [cut-off text]

OPENING SPEECH: «The first words at the 10th Congress of the PPSH are a great honor, but above all, a great obligation...

- From Mr. Pjetër Arbnori’s visit to Brussels - During his visit to Brussels, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, held a series of meetings with senior officials of the European Community, with whom he discussed Albania’s economic problems. He also met with officials working on privatization under the FARS project, as well as on food aid and technical assistance for Albania during this transitional phase. The EC office assured the Albanian delegation that the Community would supply Albania with food aid to help it get through the difficult winter ahead, until next year’s harvest. For this purpose, the Community has planned aid amounting to 70 million ECU. The talks also stressed that Europe would continue to support the further development of democracy in Albania. The day before yesterday afternoon, the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Egon Klepsh, received Mr. Arbnori at the Parliament’s headquarters. Mr. Klepsh promised the European Parliament’s support for democracy in Albania and said he understood the problems Albania was facing after its full 50-year period of hardship. He informed Mr. Arbnori that the previous week the European Parliament had ratified the «Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Albania» on trade and commercial and economic cooperation, and that talks could soon begin on signing an agreement to make Albania an associate member of the EC. Mr. Arbnori thanked Mr. Klepsh and invited him to visit Albania, which he gladly accepted. The day before yesterday evening, Mr. Arbnori held a fraternal conversation with Albanians living in Brussels. In his address, he outlined the struggle for democracy in Albania and the prospects of the first democratic government for resolving problems inherited from the communist past. He noted that the Assembly had passed laws making Albania the homeland of all Albanians, wherever they may be and regardless of their political convictions. They also hosted a dinner in honor of Mr. Arbnori and the delegation he leads. Also the day before yesterday, the Albanian delegation, led by Arbnori, left Brussels for home. The Press and Information Office of the People’s Assembly. The Press and Information Office of the People’s Assembly

Yesterday, a meeting of the Municipal Council was held in the meeting hall of Tirana Municipality. After the draft regulations of the council and the relevant committees were approved, discussion turned to the consideration and approval of the structure of the Municipality’s administration and the administrative neighborhoods, as well as of the two deputy editors-in-chief. CORRESPONDENT of «RD»

Last weekend, the MPs turned up to collect their next salary, but most of them left dissatisfied. The reason is simple: based on the number of absences from parliamentary sessions, portions of the MPs’ 15-day salaries were withheld. The biggest losers are the former communists of the SP, who have many absences and, consequently, smaller salaries. The biggest loser of all, however, was the SP leader, Fatos Nano, who does not appear on the list at all. Buried under his absences, the socialist Nano set off for Europe to seek support for the inter-coalition arrangements for governing with the Democrats and for his replacement. Nano came back from Europe empty-handed; his deputy, Pjetër Koka, has ordered that Nano be paid from the funds of the PPSH. Socialists talk about verifying the people’s vote, while they themselves—MPs on salaries, who are absent, call on Europe and attack democracy—ultimately have their fees paid by the party, which does not take the people’s wishes into account! The former general chairman, M. Haxhiu, confronted with a fait accompli, declared the opposite, whereas earlier, at the High Council of Justice, he had appeared irresponsibly before the (illegible) judges. In the end, in Eastern Europe, and only after four months, he resigned in a measured manner; many were left dissatisfied. His socialist newspaper talks about verifying public opinion, Former senior state security officers released as part of the reform of the SHIK have begun an intense anti-democratic campaign this month in the press organs, both dependent and independent, of the communists. The regular visitors to the SP club, the «Çupi» club, are the same people from «24 orë», «ZP» and «ZR», grouped under the pseudonym Alban Kosova. Specialists in fabrication and psychological warfare, involved in cancerous collusion, disgraced and intellectually compromised, they sip coffee calmly while waiting for the newspapers «KJ», «ZR» and «ZP» to arrive so they can give interviews. Are the former secret police really on standby? On the contrary, they have never been more accepted or more active in their work and professions than now, on the eve of 16 October, the birthday of E. Hoxha, founder of the Albanian communist dictatorship, ready to rally around the leader just as they did then, in armed groups. The waiters and other employees of the «Çupi» club, in an anonymous interview, voice a sharp protest against the newspapers and contributors to the newspaper «Koha Jonë». Their judgment, driven by economic interests, coincides with the blocking of sales turnover, with half the tables being occupied for hours, and with the inconvenience and mischief caused by others. The long lists of names on duty now include, alongside familiar names, K. Islami, T. Keko, and others, and identify N. Tozaj as editor-in-chief of «KJ». They say that A. Frangaj brings in every issue of the newspaper and that it is corrected; the final approval is given by N. Tozaj. It may seem strange, but it is a fact: the newspaper «Koha Jonë» is printed and put together at the QNK, in the heart of Tirana! The political group «New Democratic Alliance», led by the group of pseudo-Democrats from the PD, has held several consecutive meetings to establish a party. They are devoting attention to the main difficulties, which they say will have to be overcome for the party to be strong and active. Some have joined, but they are still dissatisfied. These intellectuals—some of whom, out of nostalgia, signed the founding document of the PK, then signed the formation of the PD, some the PS and the founding of the 14 PK, today will sign for yet another party at the same gathering of the Minister of Justice—will thereby gain the right to become de facto leaders and create a personal party. Following news that some staunch supporters of neo-communism, such as comrade Zef ati, have emigrated to the West or Greece, M. Haxhisë’s disappointment at Rinas, and the unveiling of the new platform of the «independents», we believe 16 October will find them with their objectives achieved, as standard-bearers of «Enver Week». The newspaper «24 orë» has savagely taken up the baton of R. Alia’s last wishes before his arrest. In a militarized lecture, it launches an unprovoked attack on MP Baleta. It reaches its peak when it demands of him what R. Alia demanded two weeks earlier as well: that he keep quiet or be sentenced to death. So, then, whose is «24 orë»? The editorial office betrayed itself inadvertently: R. Alia turned out to be its real owner! R. Alia is a home-grown democrat, while «24 orë», as an act of revenge, calls for democratic arrest! Doesn’t it reek of dictatorship? Because the sons of Ballists and Zogists have become targets of attack, the moderates of «KJ» and especially their patron, R. Alia, are being attacked through the issue of fees. In its latest piece—«So, you’re asking for my arrest?»—Alia’s «24 orë» writes in a fiery tone against the «Ballist and Zogist threat», just like his moderate protégés, former pampered members of the PD. Just like Çeka, Imami, Demeti, Trako, Keko and Karriqi; just like «KJ», «ZP» and «24 orë»; just like Enver. It is up to the reader to comment on whether Enver copied them, or whether they continued along Enver’s and Ramiz’s «bright path». A. KRASNIQI

Is it right for the law to privilege one person and trample on other people? After fighting for almost a year by every possible means and avenue, Mr Syrja Vrapi achieved his aim: by a decision bearing the signatures of Mr Meksi and Mr Vullnet Ademi, he became the sole owner of the ship «Saranda», buying it without an auction and without the wishes of its crew being taken into account, for 7,284,600 lekë. This sale has been incorporated into the privatization process of our maritime fleet. But from the time Mr Syrja expressed his wish to buy this ship until the present, when the sale has gone through, he has faced the strong and justified opposition of the crew, the independent fleet union and its directorate. Naturally, they too support the privatization of their enterprises and are discussing the matter and putting forward proposals and options in order to make it a reality. The most general and rational option seems to be the creation of joint-stock companies, in which individuals are co-owners on the basis of shares, with the state holding the largest overall share, for example 51 percent. This form is the most suitable for the merchant fleets of countries that are more powerful and have greater traditions in this field. But the Minister of Transport, Mr Fatos Bitincka, by dismissing, justifying and defending Mr Syrja Vrapi’s persistent demand, is knowingly wronging an entire workforce. Of course, we are not asking him to apply the formal Enverist practice of the mass line, but we want to remind him that he should first ask the crew whether they agree to the ship being sold and whether they would buy it themselves. In other words, the first candidate to buy this ship is its crew. If they do not wish to buy it or cannot afford to, then the way is open to other candidates. In this case, it would be in the state’s interest to hold an auction. The justification offered—that Mr Syrja Vrapi will use it to transport political prisoners abroad and bring them aid—does not sound convincing. This task could also be carried out with the state or the crew as the owner. Given the almost unanimous opposition of the crew, the independent union and the fleet directorate, as well as the unconvincing reasons and the way this ship was privatized, this decision seems arbitrary and it would be in everyone’s interest to review it as soon as possible, interpreting and applying the law rigorously, without privileging one person and trampling on other people. Xh. MUSTAFA

why this party (which I would call the PPSH), judging by what it is doing, is proving that it has not distanced itself from the theory and practice of the PPSH, even though with words and declarations it seeks to convince us otherwise. When the Socialist Party publishes its materials for internal use, it suggests to us that truth is not declared through demagoguery and sophistry but through argument. Argument is like Archimedes’ lever. Just one is enough to overturn a mountain of untruths defended by opinions. The PS itself provides us with such an argument. They sent us a book in which, on page 2, we read: «Published by the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of Albania». great obligation... The 160,000 members of the Party who have believed in and followed it for 50 years are waiting... There is no need for comment on continuity. Its companions, we read on page 140: “DECISION OF THE 10TH CONGRESS OF THE PPSH.” Point 1 states, among other things: “The 10th Congress, the congress of continuity....” Then, in line 3, it explicitly says: “We approve changing the name of the PPSH to ‘Pa-” [Text is damaged/cut off] Arguments from the Democrats expose it, and the PS appears as what it is: the PPSH. once preferred only the color red Instead of the star and the hammer and sickle, it has chosen a flower, although it is declared to be pink. All these things are permanent. But whatever an old woman may call herself, powdering and painting cannot change her face or the ugliness of her soul. «RETUSHER CRITIZER! M. SH.