- Another step toward the West: - For the first time, Albanian workers will work only 5 days a week. - The DP keeps another promise - Unlike in many countries of the world, this law is not the result of trade-union struggle, but of the social policy of the democratic government - The defenders of the underprivileged were not in parliament The parliament’s approval of the law regulating working and rest time is, first and foremost, an expression of the humanism and social policy implemented by the democratic government. Setting a five-day working week for a country like Albania, with its many economic problems, is not easy for the DP. And the democratic government has once again shown that it keeps, and will keep, its promises. For the first time, Albanian workers are being given the right to rest two days a week, a right that until now was enjoyed only by workers in the West. A very important fact should be emphasized here: in the West, too, this right was achieved only through a long trade-union struggle, whereas in Albania it comes from the democratic government’s willingness and conviction to implement a policy that will soon place Albania alongside other European countries. All workers benefit from this law, both those in the state sector and those employed in the private sector. The time has come for the word “weekend” to enter the Albanian vocabulary as well. Even now, many Albanians are taking their cars outside the cities to spend the weekend, and surely the day is not far off when, on days off, people will no longer be out on the streets of the major cities. The Albanian parliament’s approval of this law is also a response to the attacks and slander that one reads every day in the pages of the left-wing press concerning the DP’s promises. The DP kept the promises that could be kept in the short term, and now it is showing that it will also keep promises with a more distant horizon. The “supporters” of the underprivileged were not in parliament to discuss this law. Perhaps it is better for them that things turned out this way, because it would not be surprising if, accustomed as they are to sending people to the fields for campaigns and voluntary work, they called this law a “micro-debt blade” of the democratic government. (“Anything can be expected from those who did not approve the law ‘On the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Human Being’”) and made some other political blunder. But perhaps, while the socialists continue their “parliamentary strike,” discussing the problems of the “underprivileged” in private restaurants, the democratic government is making clear through its work who is truly concerned about this country and these people, who are going through a very difficult situation. Let Fatos Nano go on gathering his followers; let him go on provoking artificial crises in order to seek the government’s overthrow and the dissolution of parliament. The socialists will surely find some doubts about these laws, too, so they can keep claiming that everything the democratic government does is bad. But they cannot answer even their own electorate when their representatives in parliament do nothing else. Why have they, who even have capable lawyers in their group, not yet drafted a law to protect the rights of the social groups they “defend”? Or do they perhaps think people will follow them solely out of a desire to sweat in “Fatos’s days and weeks”? E.P.

- President Berisha against Serbian diktat in Kosovo and Bosnia - In the broadcast of the final session of the meetings of the Crans-Montana Forum, as everyone now knows, President Berisha sharply rebutted the Serbian representative in Belgrade, calling precisely Milošević’s dream of a Greater Serbia the source of wars in the Balkans. All the European news agencies commented on this debate, explaining that Kosovo, which was being discussed, is 90% Albanian and has had its parliament, government, university, and press banned. This is not the first time President Berisha has sounded the alarm about Kosovo, opposing Serbian diktat. He is the first Albanian politician in the second half of this century to call from Tirana for the restoration of all of Kosovo’s rights. From December ’90, when Berisha made this statement, until now, whether as leader of the DP, as an intellectual and MP, and later as President of the Republic, at every international forum, official meeting, or press conference, he has focused above all on his views about resolving the Kosovo question. Like every dictatorship, the Serbian dictatorship resorts to brutality instead of dialogue; it threatens and violates freedom and sovereignty. The rule of the communist monarch, S. Milosheviç, violently took away Kosovo’s autonomy; with tanks it shut down the University, and the American press brought the Kosovo question to the attention of the highest bodies of the UN. At every gathering where the Balkans were mentioned, Kosovo was also discussed. This led to statements by US President B. Clinton, NATO chief Manfred Werner, German Chancellor H. Kohl, and others, in which the danger of war in Kosovo was warned of as the end of a policy of dialogue and the beginning of an international coalition against Serbian diktat. In this broad diplomatic arena, the greatest and irreplaceable role was played by President Berisha, who brought Albania’s accession to Europe’s most respected organizations closer than ever. In particular, compared with the solemn speeches, the meeting featuring heated debate in Crans-Montana has special significance. Berisha’s interventions against the statements of Yugoslav foreign minister Jovanovic were so convincing that they won the applause of the Balkan-policy audience. At that moment, every Albanian politician feels the national pride denied by the dictatorships of Slavic Bolshevism, and human and national respect for President Berisha, whose diplomatic skill is so pronounced that Belgrade responds nervously with slander and lies that provoke bursts of laughter in the audience. President Berisha stressed ... the Serbian dictatorship, like every dictatorship, resorts to brutality instead of dialogue, communist monarch, S.Milosevic, forcibly took away Kosovo’s autonomy; with tanks, he closed the University and suppressed the students’ demonstrations; by decree, he dismissed most Albanians from their jobs, closed the Albanian-language press and information media, arrested and mistreated hundreds and thousands of innocent citizens, occupied Kosovo with tanks, forcibly expelled hundreds of Albanian families, and barbarically violated the cultural, ethnographic, historical, and political traditions of the Albanians... and, emboldened after Vukovar and Sarajevo, is preparing to carry out a human massacre in Prishtina. The people of Kosovo, by free vote, elected their own government, parliament, and president, while Millosheviçi declared them illegal and declared the Albanians of Kosovo refugees in their own homes. After March 22, ’92, Albanian diplomacy, with its honored allies and partners in the European democracies, ...

- Mr. Pjeter Arbnori takes part - On 20 June, a memorial ceremony for the fighters for freedom and democracy of this area was held in the Municipality of Shosh of Dukagjin. Participants included the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjeter Arbnori, representatives of the Presidency, MPs, representatives of the Shkodra district authorities, and others. The guests were warmly welcomed by residents and municipal officials. Mr. Arbnori unveiled the monument erected in memory of those who fell in the wars for freedom against foreign occupiers and against the communist dictatorship. Wreaths were then laid on behalf of the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, the People’s Assembly, the Shkodra District Council, the Municipality of Shosh, and the parties and associations of the Shkodra district. At the rally, the head of the Municipality of Shosh, Mr. Ndoc Deda, spoke. Then the Secretary-General of the Presidency, Mr. Kolec Topalli, read the greeting that President Sali Berisha sent to the residents of this area on this occasion. On the occasion of the area’s fifth anniversary. Amid applause, Mr. Arbnori also took the floor. Then the head of the Shkodra Council, Mr. Ali Kazazi, MP Ali Spahia, representatives of the association of the politically persecuted, and officials of the neighboring municipalities of Shala and Nikaj-Merturi spoke. The decorations awarded by the President to the martyrs of the area were then presented. Mr. Pjeter Arbnori and MP Ali Spahia visited Breg-Lumi, where they toured the hospital and learned about its condition and needs. From there they went to the areas of Theth and Boga. OFFICE OF THE PRESS AND INFORMATION OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY. PRESS AND INFORMATION OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY

From the People’s Assembly ANOTHER PROMISE KEPT BY THE DP The day before yesterday afternoon, the People’s Assembly began its plenary sessions for the week ahead. At the start of the session, MPs approved the government’s request to consider the draft law on working and rest time under an accelerated procedure. Various proposals and suggestions were then made concerning the agenda. MPs Th. Miço and M. Çeliku, on behalf of the parties they represent, requested that work on discussing the draft constitution be expedited. After this, MP Miço left the chamber, expressing the position of the PBDNJ group that it would come to the Assembly only when the Constitution came as well. Speaking about this issue, Mr. E. Selami said that the Democratic Party was interested in approving the constitution, while certain political forces were interested in turning this issue into a bone of contention. We have a sufficient mandate to govern the country and will implement our program. Anyone interested in democracy should come here to the Assembly. The Assembly then considered and approved the draft law on an addition to the law: “On the sanctioning and protection of property and food products.” “This draft law regulates normal working time, setting its duration at no more than 8 hours a day and no fewer than 40 hours a week. The law establishes an 8-hour maximum, while allowing other arrangements of working time to be made, as appropriate to each specific case, through collective and individual contracts and, for workers in the agricultural sector, by decision of the Council of Ministers.” This was stated in the Council of Ministers’ explanatory memorandum accompanying the draft law “On the Regulation of Working and Rest Time,” to which yesterday morning’s plenary session of the People’s Assembly was devoted under an accelerated procedure. At the end of the session, after the draft law had also been approved in its entirety, Prime Minister Meksi, who was present, described it as an achievement and a credit to the democratic government. The Assembly recognized that the DP had made this a goal and promise in its program and fulfilled it by approving this draft law; the approval was accompanied by applause from all the MPs present in the chamber. MP Hasan Halla also made a statement, through which the entire Assembly leadership was informed that the law would enter into force on 1 July 1993 and that, in order for it ... turn this problem amendment to the law “On the sanctioning and protection of private property, free enterprise, independent private activity and privatization,” which aims to prevent certain tragic occurrences that have been observed, such as the poisoning of people, sometimes with fatal consequences, and damage caused by consuming food products, by establishing mandatory rules for entities engaged in production, transport, or commercial activities of ... The Assembly’s ... that the PD had made this objective a promise in its program, which it summed up applause from all the deputies and those present in the hall. Deputy Hasan Haxhi also made a statement asking the Assembly presidium that, regardless of the law’s entry into force on 1.7.1993, and in order for it to be effectively implemented from that date, it was necessary for the law to be published immediately, in full, by the press and mass-media organizations. The Assembly then concluded its morning session to continue in the parliamentary committees in the afternoon. The next session opens this morning at 10 o’clock. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

...and national respect for the president. The head of the Municipality of Shosh, Mr. Ndoc Deca, read the greeting that President Sali Berisha sent INFORMATION OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY

— The political crisis and the destabilization of Albania serve only Fatos Nano in Tirana and Milošević in Belgrade — As early as March 23, 1992, PS began its battle or electoral campaign from this position, to challenge the will of the people and the legal verdict, and to regain power as soon as possible by any means, route, method, and at any price. Although it knew very well that it did not deserve it, that it was no longer the party holding power, still stabilization/crisis? ... of the country through the destabilization of the country by means of early elections, the division of Fatos Nano and the blocs ... ... this new position, they should have used wisely and effectively to create at home and abroad the image of a genuine, European socialist party, committing themselves conscientiously and devotedly to the country’s recovery, and to the rapid and complete success of the reforms transitioning to a market economy, which are decisive factors in the final resolution of our national question as well. If they had acted in this way, after 4 years, at the next elections, they would also have been able to capitalize on PD’s mistakes or failures; they would have had not only the legal right, but also the moral and logical right, to ask the people for a vote of confidence and to find their place in politics again. But strangely, even within PS and among the people, Fatos Nano could not ... ... a new, positive image for himself, overturning the negative one from his periods as prime minister ... (Continued on page 3) ... having established a new position, they should have used it would also have faced the garrison, benefiting as well from to find their place in politics again.

Nano’s pathologies . Intoxication from Italian aid. Ruke 93

During his official visit to the USA, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Albania held several important meetings with the highest authorities of the Department of Defense. He presented the progress of the reform in the Albanian army, as well as the support and assistance provided by the Department of Defense to the Albanian army in implementing reform in all areas: military doctrine, military training of troops and officers, education, etc. He emphasized areas of mutual interest, especially material support during the transition period. The Minister emphasized the desire to increase and improve cooperation to a higher level within the framework of the NATO alliance and in bilateral relations. Support from the United States of America was also requested for Albania’s admission as a member of NATO, as well as the US commitment to this cooperation. Minister Zhulali expressed his views on the situation in the region, as well as developments and the danger of the conflict spreading in Kosovo and Macedonia. He supported the initiative to send US troops to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and also requested that such troops be sent to Kosovo as peacekeepers. He asked the USA, together with NATO, to provide guarantees for Albania’s security and to deter any Serbian initiative that could spread the conflict in the region. The political and military leaders he met expressed their appreciation for the progress of Albanian democracy. They expressed their willingness to support reform in the Albanian army and contribute to its strengthening. They shared the same view of the situation in the region and valued Albania’s positive role as a factor of stability. They emphasized that the United States of America would not tolerate any force threatening Albania’s sovereignty. Any Serbian attempt to spread the conflict in Kosovo would receive a serious response from the USA. The United States of America, together with its allies, will do everything possible to ensure peace and stability in the region. (ATA)