Kosovo in focus PAGE 2

In response to citizens’ interest PAGE 4

PAGE 3

Tomorrow in RD BY URAN BUTKA “We are all nothing but disciples of Faik Konica” Fan S. Noli But Enver’s disciples, having buried Faik Konica, now want to make him the property of the PS

PS parliamentary group against the decree on privatization vouchers The democratic government seeks to make Albanians active participants in the market economy by offering them financial instruments free of charge; PS leadership says “NO” EDI PALOKA The facts prove every day the anti-reform stance of the PS leadership. Pellumbi and other leaders of his party, as professional demagogues, try to reject the claim (which they call a “vile accusation”) that all their actions aim to block the reform or at least slow it down. But demagogic statements are not enough to refute an “accusation”; facts and arguments are needed, and the facts prove every day that anti-reform is the sole aim of the PS leadership. The latest indication of this stance is the decision taken at the latest meeting of the PS parliamentary group: “No to privatization vouchers.” PS sources themselves have reported this fact to the press. This is no delusion; at least, the facts do not allow us to think favorably of their position. There is only one reason: the fight against reform. It is clear that the PS cadres, many of whom come from the institutes of the M-1 or the presidiums of socialist agricultural cooperatives, cannot even formally accept the idea of an economy with a high degree of privatization. They are not interested in Albanians becoming owners and possessing financial assets, because they do not want Albanians to be independent in their lives. They want to see Albanians once again as slaves working on the “property” of the socialist state, dependent on meager wages. PS cadres have expressed this before, in one form or another. “We will bring it back…” The local elections were particularly important politically and electorally for the PD and PS. For both parties, the elections in the communes were a real political test of the Albanian electorate. Their strategies and tactics differed: the PD called on the electorate to vote for reform and asked for the votes of all those who had benefited from it. By contrast, the PS mobilized the old guard and conducted an unscrupulous campaign based on an anti-reform strategy, denigrating the reformist government and engaging in character assassination, slander and deception. The results are well known. The PD won four communes and the PS one. Ngraçan voted for the Democrats. The newspaper of the time, “RD,” commented: “The politics of tolerance won, along with the choice to address infrastructure problems and the lack of alternatives.” The PD kept its promises, kept its word to the electorate. Meanwhile, the period after July showed that the PS leadership had no real reason for its defeat. The strategy used in the communes, although ineffective, was the one preferred by the socialist leadership. The lack of serious alternatives compels this leadership to make the choice described above. On the other hand, its only important goal is coming to power—from cleaning and lighting the city to sewerage, and even the loss of ties and contact with the people at meetings organized to discuss the problems of the city and its residents. In 1993 and last year, we carried out inspections at the district council, the Memaliaj municipality and several communes. We found shortcomings and weaknesses, for which we took the appropriate measures—not only disciplinary ones, but, first and foremost, measures to implement economic reform and especially privatization, land distribution, securing funds for housing and water supply, restructuring the Memaliaj mine, providing buses for remote areas, completing and maintaining… Facts is the sole aim of the SP leadership. The latest sign of this position SP parliamentary group: “No to privatization vouchers.” SP sources themselves have stated this fact to the press, but, to cover up this highly discreditable action by the SP leadership, they offer the usual absurd excuses, with no logical basis. Dokle, the “fighter” against corruption who holds 400 thousand dollars, has declared that SP MPs oppose the decree on privatization vouchers, even though every presidential decree is submitted to Parliament and has full legal force in its implementation. In any case, the SP leaders have offered such stale excuses for every anti-reform decision they have implemented. Let us not forget that, under similar pretexts, SP MPs did not vote for the law on Fundamental Human Rights; under such pretexts they walked out of Parliament when the draft constitution was placed on their desks (and later made a fuss about why the constitution had not been presented to Parliament); under such pretexts they voted against all the basic reform laws, against all the laws essential to the fundamental changes Albania, emerging from communist dictatorship, needed to make, while today they are “outraged” at being called anti-reform. The latest sign is the mafia-like, obvious and discreditable act on their part. To oppose a decree that gives more than one million Albanians the opportunity to participate in the market economy by receiving a share of the work they performed but were not paid for under the communist regime is scandalous. The democratic government wants to offer Albanians financial means free of charge so they can enter the market economy, while the SP leadership says: “No.” The positive interpretation one might give in such a case is that the Socialist leadership is not … [?]

The PS councillor in the Ngraçan commune distances himself from the PS Because the PS program is based on Marxism The PS councillor in the Ngraçan commune distances himself from the PS “I see no alternative or prospect for the country’s development in the PS program” Because the PS program is based on Marxism It is the PS councillor in the Ngraçan commune, Mr. Shaban Kaziaj, who, recently disappointed by the PS program, its practices and its activities, has publicly distanced himself from the Socialist Party through a statement to the press. Mr. Kaziaj is neither the first nor the last to take such an action. But this distancing by a PS councillor has significance beyond the personal: it comes precisely from Ngraçan, the commune which, together with four others—Greshica, Reçi, Libofsha and Zall-Bastari—held early elections last May. Meanwhile, in the early elections, people who are committed to politics… [text unclear] …were organized into the PD and PS electorates. real political test of the Albanian electorate. Because to choose, one must have (understand: know). Albanians have not been known for their love (or nostalgia today) for Marxism; on the contrary, they have lasting reasons and tragic experiences of Marxism. To set the successes and failures of the reforms against their interruption means, at the very least, not feeling responsible for the fate of this country. In the context of development, such responsibilities are historical. The PS leadership has been blinded; even its career ambitions have thrown its breathing out of balance, and fear of its sins, crimes and corruption has made it resort to covering them up. Time is not always the best medicine for forgetting. Taken together, all this has isolated it. Let Pellumbi and Meta talk about unity; let Dokle and Majko give assurances on behalf of the PS. They are fooling nobody. The PS’s failure is built into its leadership. Public departures from the party and from power predominate over the possibility of drawing up a serious platform—something that would require not only vision, ability and civic conscience, but also time for advocacy and, above all, changes in the leadership. Even to this day, the PS leadership has not been able to… The full text of the box appears below, as shown 66% for wh… [?] propaganda carried out in the snap municipal elections. The hurried drafting and publication of the program pushed the PS further down the road to failure. Marxism, as a platform and in its implementation, has proved to be a complete failure. This truth is not changed by the doctoral degrees earned in it, by keeping Marx’s works in libraries, or by studying them in school textbooks. The history of philosophical, political and economic thought is one thing; the effectiveness of applying different ideas is another. Pellumbi, Ruçi, Dokle, Nano, etc. can offer Albanians nothing other than Marxism. …went beyond the offer Albanians nothing other than Marxism.

Statement Having observed the political and economic developments of the last three years in Democratic Albania, as conceived, approved and implemented by the Democratic Party and Democratic Government (starting from 22 March 1992), I declare that: 1. I will express my support for the Democratic Party and the reforms of the Democratic Government. 2. I will distance myself (leave) as a councillor for the SP in the municipality of Ngraçan, because in this political force I see, through its destabilizing propaganda, an attempt to take the Albanian people and nation back to where they were three years ago (the people working for 12 months and having enough to eat for 2–3 months). I am distancing myself from the SP because: - This political force speaks at “ZP” excessively to the people, while in reality “ZP” does not belong to the people. - The PP, now the SP, for 50 years deceived, robbed and impoverished the people, leaving them destitute and leading the nation into a dead end. -The PP (SP) had at the foundation of its practice even the abolition… 3. I base my declaration in favor of the Democratic Party on these arguments: - The Democratic Party rid us once and for all of the communist fear that the PP had planted and cultivated for 50 years. - It brought us into the Market Economy, where everyone works for themselves. - It gave us the land that the totalitarian regime had taken from us. - Within 4–5 months, the Democratic Party and Government built and paved 12 km of road in the village of Ngracan, improved the electricity network, built the school in Rriban, etc.—things that Enver Hoxha’s regime had not done in 50 years. - I call on the honest members of the PS to distance themselves from this political force. Shaban Kaziaj Ngracan Mallakaster

Dossier “Alia, Dokle, Ruçi, Benc” Who will buy him? Hajdaraga has also sold out Namik Dokle The prophecy has come true: the “distinguished son” of the SP, the “great loser” Dokle, is being betrayed little by little, but continuously, by all his Marxist “comrades-in-arms.” In yesterday’s issue of “ZP,” Hajdaraga almost says: “Let this son of the Party be sacrificed in the name of the great cause … of organized corruption.” Specifically, when the journalist asked, “Is there any connection between the State Audit’s attack on the SP and the corruption that has engulfed the top of the DP pyramid?”, Hajdaraga replied: “From our analyses of political developments in Albania today, it is not difficult to discern the obstruction of the so-called ‘fight against corruption at the highest levels of the state.’ None of the state’s most sensational corruption scandals is coming to light.” Both the journalist’s question and Hajdaraga’s answer bring several points into focus that are worth highlighting: First, the State Audit is not attacking the SP, as the “ZP” scribbler claims, regarding the corrupt part of this party (and not only this party), and in this particular case Namik Dokle, who, according to documents now published, appears to have been involved in a financial-political scandal when he was editor-in-chief of “ZP.” Second, Hajdaraga’s answer is a general, largely propagandistic response that seeks to create effects which turn into their opposite, because of the bad timing; Third, Hajdaraga says nothing at all about Namik Dokle; in the style of the SP’s neocommunist leadership, this means abandoning him—a situation Dokle has experienced on his own back more than once, ever since he “challenged” Ramiz Alia as a presidential candidate. How pitiful Dokle seems when you think that Hajdaraga and his companions fanatically defend all the corrupt Socialist officials in local government across the districts, while for him, this truly “great” loser, they cannot find even one encouraging word. He appears abandoned and sold out by everyone. Nevertheless, it is G. Ruçi who would not abandon Dokle in this matter. The great loser, then, has a “comrade-in-arms.” Why Ruçi does not abandon Dokle like the others is a question with a compelling reason: time will bring it to light.

“From the block, a splinter sometimes comes off and dirties our feet, so we wash them; our nails grow, but we cut them…” Readers are asked not to take the words above as a delusion of “RD.” They are quoted exactly from the words of an ordinary hooligan. They were written down from a speech by the SP’s deputy chairman and its newest parliamentary leader, Namik Dokle, at a party meeting in Manze, Durres. (“Koha Jone,” 11 April 1995, page 3). All together, they have isolated themselves. Let Pellumbi and Meta declare their commitment to unity, let them offer assurances about the SP—Dokle and Majko. They are not deceiving anyone. The SP’s failure is built into its leadership. The public, silent departure of a number of its honest members is a form of protest by the broader membership against its leadership. The fierce debates at meetings of this party’s activists, although skillfully covered up by the conservative communist newspaper “ZP,” clearly and responsibly convey the leadership’s expected and inevitable demise. The aforementioned statement also appears to have another aim. Considering the setting in which it was made—a village, the centre of the commune of Manze, in Durres—it is not difficult to see that Dokle’s words are aimed simply at psychologically terrorizing the other Socialists in the village. The comparison with fingernails creates the possibility of an inverse meaning in the action that follows: “we cut them.” When a party’s leadership chooses the language of threats and psychological terror toward party members, it demonstrates the crisis the party is experiencing. Nothing remains after the language of terror. For Dokle personally, such language is very suitable at the present moment. Dokle, awaiting his day in court, abandoned by his colleagues and ZP (fortunately for Dokle, they saw him as responsible in order to save themselves), must also deal with questions and explanations demanded by the Socialist membership, which has no intention of paying for his political dealings involving corruption dossiers, nor will it agree to pay for villas, tourist trips, land, shady deals, etc. Dokle, Ruçi, and the others must pay for those. A.DARA

Venizellos: “Mr. Berisha’s statements are particularly positive” Journalists asked Mr. Venizellos to comment on the interview given by Albanian President Sali Berisha to the Athens News Agency. Journalists asked Mr. Venizellos to comment on the interview given by Albanian President Sali Berisha to the Athens News Agency and whether, on the same issue, he agreed about achieving peace and stability in the Balkans, expressing the view that he sought a feeling of “understanding” but also a part in the issue of achieving … [?] “The tone of Mr. Berisha’s statements,” Mr. Venizellos emphasized, “is truly particularly positive. And I believe that this tone generally reflects the climate of Greek-Albanian relations in this new phase, in which we have once again changed. A good foundation is valuable for us to shape the climate of relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Karolos Papulias, in the spirit of peace of Foreign Minister Karolos Papulias, truly in the spirit of peace of the Minister… [part of the text is illegible]. Its fundamental objective is to make the issue an international one, concerning the future of stability, peace and security in the broader region, and particularly in the southern Balkans.”

BLERIM ÇELA In a statement published a few days ago in the newspaper “ZP,” the PS Steering Committee justifies the actions and conduct of the mayor of Tepelene, Mr. Skender Hasa. As a Member of Parliament and Chairman of the State Audit, I have received complaints from the people of the city of Tepelene about the mayor’s unlawful activities, ranging from the procurement of funds, failure to pay compensation to those expropriated by the communist regime, irregularities in the selection of winning companies and the quality of the work, failure to collect market taxes, and problems with cleaning and lighting the city and its sewer system, to meetings organized to discuss the problems of the city’s at the district council, the municipality of Memaliaj and several communes. We found shortcomings and weaknesses, and took the corresponding measures—not only disciplinary measures, but, first and foremost, measures to implement economic reform, especially privatization and land distribution; to secure funds for housing and water supplies; to address the restructuring of the Memaliaj mine; to provide buses for remote areas; to complete and maintain the roads of Kurvelesh and Lops; to provide an ambulance for the city of Tepelene and the Kurvelesh area; to obtain the funds for the repertoire; to ensure the continuation of secondary education in Kurvelesh, Lopes and Buz even though the classes were below the required size; to secure funds for building apartment blocks to house former political prisoners; to pave some roads and construct sewers in the towns of Memaliaj and Tepelene; to provide X-ray fluoroscopy equipment for Memaljan and additional funds for social and cultural facilities in the villages throughout the district, as well as to put telephone exchanges in the communes into operation. (Continued on page 2)

Will the PSD chairman be satisfied with the reward given for his valuable services? After the PAD declared an open alliance with the SP through its leaders, it seems that Gjinushi, too, will openly proclaim this alliance. As has also been reported in the press, the SP leadership, as part of defining its pre-election alliances, has decided to reward Mr. Skender Gjinushi and what remains of the party he leads for the valuable services he has rendered in defending the SP. Specifically, according to the press, a source within the SP has revealed that “...the party of Gjinushi is being given socialist [candidates] have promised ... and five electoral constituencies are being left open, meaning that in those five constituencies the Social Democrat candidates will not have Socialist ‘opponents’!” This confirms the open role and mission played by Gjinushi in all these democratic processes as Ramiz Alia’s special envoy. His flirtations with the highest-ranking people in the former communist pyramid, the secret and public “agreements” that Gjinushi has signed with the Albanian communist leadership, are definitively sealed by this open pre-election alliance with the SP and the reward they have decided to give him. But one thing remains unclear in this whole story. Will Gjinushi ultimately be satisfied with this reward, or will he grumble and go on to complain, as is his long-standing habit? In any case, we must wait for the elections, although those constituencies will also have candidates from other political parties, and after all this political circus, there is every chance that Gjinushi will remain outside Parliament. NDREKE GJINI

The latest sign is … [?]

66% for wh… [?]