From the PDSH conference of the Lushnje district Keeping our word and implementing our 1992 electoral program gives us the moral right to ask the Albanian electorate for its vote again in 1996. This is what Mr. Tritan Shehu, Secretary General of the PDSH, said at the third conference of the DP in the Lushnje district, held on Tuesday in the hall of this city’s Palace of Culture. In addition to the Secretary General of the PDSH, Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, who is also a deputy for this city, the conference was attended by a member of the PDSH leadership and chairwoman of the LDGSH, Ms. Flutura Hasko; the Prefect of Fier, Lushnje and Mallakastër, Mr. Haki Mustafa; the city’s mayor, Mr. Kujtim Haxhiu; the district’s deputies, Messrs. K.Gjina, E.Çoku and I.Shehu; as well as many other guests. At the beginning of the conference, Mr. Bardhal Caco delivered a report on the work carried out by the Lushnje branch of the DP since the second conference. After speaking about the achievements of these two years in expanding the ranks of the DP with new members with higher education and people who enjoy the respect of the public, Mr. Caco [text unclear] the major investments made in this district in agriculture, roads, water supply systems, etc., as well as the distribution of land, the construction of 2,000 new homes, the increase in the number of livestock, etc. Myzeqeja, said Mr. Caco, has in these three years been transformed from a place of internment camps and former State Security officers into a place of free and equal people, where everyone works their own land and reaps its harvest. Speaking about the problems and concerns of local government and the justice system, Mr. Caco particularly criticized the work of the district judge, as well as that of the tax department. In conclusion, Mr. Caco said that winning the 1996 elections would require everyone’s dedication and hard work, as well as the full commitment of all the intellectual and spiritual potential of all honest patriots who have aspired to democracy. After the report, the conference was addressed by the chairman of the Association of Former Political Persecutees and Prisoners, Mr. Eqrem Çapa, as well as representatives of the PRSH branch and the National Front Party in the Lushnje district. The conference was also addressed by the OBLV representative, Mr. Arshi Hoxha. The delegates and guests at the conference observed a minute of silence in honor of the dissident teacher, Liri Kazazi, who died a few days ago. Only by putting the best and most dedicated people at the helm will we win in ’96. Then taking [the floor—source text breaks off] At the beginning of this conference, Mr. Bardhyl the Lushnje branch of the PD these two years in expanding the ranks of the PD with new members who have community, Mr. Caco also discussed the restructuring of sections and sub-sections, as well as the cooperation between the Lushnje branch of the PD and other parties on the right, together with the “Cameria” association, etc. From the second conference to the third, Mr. Caco said, we, as the PD branch in this district, have added 857 new members to our ranks; we have reorganized all existing sections while establishing dozens of new sections, etc. Highlighting the achievements of these two years of PD governance, Mr. Caco mentioned this

From the PS “rally” in Tirana In the hall: Only nostalgics, relatives of PS leaders and former State Security officers Of Tirana’s nearly half a million inhabitants, yesterday around two to three thousand nostalgic supporters, mostly aged 60–65 and carrying the walking sticks characteristic of their age, had abandoned the golden pastimes of old age, such as dominoes, etc., to be there for them as always. Although the PS leadership did not allow them to sit in the front rows, where the sons of former members of the Block sat, the old-timers once again “strongly” supported the Socialist Party, reformed so “painstakingly” (overnight) by those whom everyone now rightly regards as the future of the PS. Also in the hall were relatives of PS justice officials, as well as the loyal contingent of the former State Security service. The Euro-socialists were absent. Meta booed Although “ZP” was the only newspaper yesterday that believed the Euro-socialists would contribute to the rally, in reality it was difficult to spot any young people in the hall, since, as was clear, the Euro-socialists had abandoned it. Nevertheless, the rally was greeted by FRESSH chairman Meta, whose introduction was met with silence in the hall, followed by booing. Meta was booed by PS activists. Dutchman Juris Jurriec praises Albania’s three-year achievements at the PS rally — Socialists applaud — Blame the English language A particularly unusual feature of yesterday’s PS rally was the greeting by the representative of the Dutch socialist youth, who said in his speech that he was pleased to see happy faces at the rally, reflecting the profound changes that had taken place in Albania in recent years. The audience’s reaction was truly strange and “deserves appreciation.” During his speech in English, the hall erupted in extremely enthusiastic applause. BLENDI KASMI BLEDI KASMI

Almost all the wives of the PS leaders had come to the “rally,” and they shouted for Nano the whole time, but the most conspicuous were N. Dokle’s wife and daughter, who never stopped shouting, “We want Fatos Nano.” After this “rally,” surely Namik Dokle’s name will not appear among the names of the two PS deputy chairmen who will be removed from their posts. The alliance of the PS with its daughters, the PSD and PAD, is announced It was no coincidence that representatives of the PSD and PAD were also present at the PS rally; according to M. Ulqini’s introduction, they were there to honor the nostalgics and the dregs of the former State Security. The participation of the PSD and PAD in the PS rally, where people chanted only for Nano, is a declaration of the alliance that had until now been kept secret.

Paying no regard to any law when it comes to devoted socialists, “Nano” supporters were quick to shout, “Free Fatos Nano.” This constitutes a violation of the law and pressure on the justice authorities. The PS leaders consistently reject the rule of law as something “anachronistic” in Western society. M’Laughlin: “I don’t know the Nano case” Irish Euro-socialist Michael M’Laughlin, who was invited and addressed the rally, was asked after the rally what he knew about the “Nano case.” He replied: “I don’t know the Nano case; I have only heard about it. I heard about it from the PS.” ILIRIANA A. BAJO

Euro-socialists would contribute to the rally, in reality, as he put it, the most concrete work—the work that makes the difference—is done in sections and subsection groups, person to person, house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood. He then focused on the success achieved during this DP election campaign, in which women occupied around 25 percent of leadership positions in the branches. Bringing young people into the ranks was another achievement of this campaign, said Mr. Shehu. This was all the more significant given that 18% of voters in the 1996 elections would be young people. The broad social base of the DP, Mr. Shehu said, requires that people who attract voters be placed in its leadership structures, rather than holding elections based on friendships and cliques, because the helm can we ensure victory in ’96. He then spoke about the achievements of [text cuts off].

Asked by our editor to assess the Socialist Party’s rallies, the Democratic Party of Albania’s Secretary General, Mr. Tritan Shehu, said: The use of populism as a means of exerting pressure or influencing the judiciary speaks of nothing other than the application of a policy based on primitive concepts, at a time when Albania is entering the Europe of the 1990s. There is no doubt that this archaic policy runs counter to European ideas about justice and its independence.

Reception at the Presidency President Berisha held a meeting with members of the Board of the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund, headed by the Board’s Chairman, Domenick Scaglione. President Berisha praised the seriousness and commitment with which this fund is beginning its activities in Albania. He stressed that, at the present stage, Albania needs foreign investment and that, in this regard, the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund can play an important role in encouraging American investors. President Berisha assured them that every opportunity exists for profitable investment, not only for Albanians but also for foreign investors. He identified the banking system, which is undergoing a thorough reform process, as an important sector for investment. Mr. Scaglione thanked President Berisha and the Meksi Government for their support of the fund. He assured President Berisha that the board would act professionally and promptly to identify and set the fund’s priorities, in support of free enterprise among Albanian businesses, the promotion of American investment in Albania, and Albanian-American economic cooperation. The other members of the fund, having praised Albania’s visible achievements on the path of reform and emphasized the importance of legislation that creates a favorable climate for foreign investment, pledged to make a serious effort to attract American investors. Press and Information Office of the President

From the press conference Optimism among the members of the Board of the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund Domenick Scaglione and the other Board members presented the objectives of the Fund’s Board. The Fund, worth 30 million (USD), will be authorized to provide technical assistance to promote projects and new privatization ventures in Albania, focusing mainly on medium-sized and small enterprises, as well as joint ventures involving American and other foreign investors alongside Albanian partners. “We are optimistic about Albania’s economic future,” the Board members said. “We are here to help you help yourselves. We hope to succeed in our cooperation.” Mr. David Gentry, who has worked for three years as a specialist at the Ministry of Finance, was appointed Director of the Fund’s office in Tirana. The Fund is based in New York, and its office in Tirana will be the place where interested businesspeople can obtain the necessary information about investments and loans granted by the Fund. B.K. The Board members can be seen in the photo during the press conference.

It is said that, at a gathering of friends, Gjinushi was asked: “Why did you choose Gaqo Apostoli as the PSD’s secretary general? He’s a piece of meat with two eyes.” Gjinushi is said to have replied: “I can do the counting myself; I need characters like Gaqo around me.” This is how Mr. Apostoli began his career as leader of the PSD. Gjinushi can maneuver him as he pleases, whenever he wants, without the slightest concern that he might commit some political blunder and take the PSD off its tracks. As leader of the PSD, Mr. Apostoli is no more and no less than the equivalent of PPSH apparatchiks such as Lenka Çuko, Muhо Asllani, Hekri, Miska, or Comrade Pilo Peristeri, whose nephew Mr. Gaqo Apostoli himself is. That this “Social Democrat” is not entirely without substance and has a little sense, is shown by his talent as a “poet” when he wrote song lyrics for PPSH anniversaries. To put it less kindly, it seems to be a family trait. Mr. Gaqo also has “humorist” qualities. Proof of this is the time he worked at the “Autotractor Plant,” where, as a capable engineer, he became an object of amusement for the workers. He displays the same quality as a member of the People’s Assembly, where as soon as Mr. Gaqo asks to speak, the MPs burst out laughing. He’s a humorist, there’s no denying it. But, as Mr. Gaqo tells it, he was dying to become a PPSH member, but for moral reasons (what kind of morality is meant, we do not know) he was not accepted. The poor man, after making commitments and declaring that he would kill himself if they did not accept him as a party member, was finally admitted by the mother party, which opened its doors to Mr. Gaqo and made him a PPSH candidate. It was 1990, but as democratic processes opened up “new horizons” for him to display his “great” potential in high politics, he “abandoned” the mother party and became the leader of the PSD. As the saying goes, better to be first in the village than last in the city. That was also why Mr. Gaqo chose to become one of the “first” in the PSD village. And under the leadership of Mr. Gaqo, the PSD is going from victory to victory. GJINUSH NIKA

The United States Ambassador, Mr. Joseph E. Lake, and his wife hosted a reception at the American residence in the capital to introduce the invited dignitaries to the board of directors of the Albanian-American Fund. Those present included Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, members of the government, MPs, journalists, businesspeople, etc. For around two hours, those attending met and exchanged views with the directors of the Albanian-American Board. “RD” correspondent

Communist leaders against Albania’s accession to the CSCE SECRET Minutes taken at the Meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party on 23 August 1990 Published for the first time The humiliation of the Albanian language an uncivilized act by Bollino and his Albanian-speaking gang Tirana: Interview with the President of the Tirana District Court, Mr. Qazim Gjonaj “Has Sofokli Lazri still not had enough?”