The successful development of democratic reforms and processes has enraged the extreme left, mired in its deepest crisis of despair and identity, and in a crisis of thought and alternatives. Exposed and discredited by their nihilistic and anti-reform stance, the left-wing extremists have plunged the PS into an electoral crisis. In their efforts to find a way out and save themselves (they do not dare even to hold elections within the PS), the left-wing extremists have begun a new campaign of slander and insults, increasingly fabricated, and the black-ink battalions have been mobilized against the head of state, the President of the Republic. The lack of arguments to refute the PS’s failure has been replaced by attacks on the President. Even in yesterday’s editorial in “ZP”—the extreme left, in its wretched inability to produce arguments, says that “it is not undemocratic to attack the President for unjust positions.” But it cannot substantiate even a single unjust position. This is where the ZP’s great bluff lies. ZP reflects the deep crisis of the PS. Pëllumbi’s mute answers proved this, too. On the issue of idols, “ZP” has also become entangled in its own contradictions. It is “ZP” that cannot do without idols. Having kept the idols of Hoxha and Alia, of brigade leaders and bureaucratic cart drivers, “ZP” has for a long time been trying to create a cult of Fatos Nano, to elevate to cult status the common thief who filled his pockets while a people went hungry. The cult of Nano is the cult of crime. Democracy is not a temple of idols; it is the temple of values. Among these as a whole, individual values—the values of outstanding personalities—undoubtedly hold an important place. In this context, no matter how much you slander and insult, you cannot in the least obscure the values of President Berisha, the promoter of Albania’s democratic movement and processes. On the contrary, with your extremist attacks, you make them all the more evident.

Shehu discredits Pëllumbi Interview with Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu by editor Zef Lleshi Question: — Mr. Tritan, yesterday in “ZP” the PS deputy chairman Servet Pëllumbi claimed to have responded to the political analysis of the deep crisis the PS is experiencing. What is your opinion of Pëllumbi’s statement? Answer: — It is striking that Pëllumbi has not responded at all to what was said about this party’s absurd policies, its old remnants, its unwavering adherence to the ideals of Marxism, its nihilism toward Albania’s achievements during these years of implementing the DP program, its tendency to keep the country isolated and outside European structures, or the failures in the PS’s own internal life, including its dominant leadership and its removal of a conservative faction that cannot be separated from the past. Viewed against the various points we raised, Mr. Pëllumbi’s answers are superficial attempts that seem to offer arguments, but in fact he does not—and cannot—do so. The PS is experiencing its deepest crisis. This can no longer be denied by having its leaders repeat familiar expressions, which are nothing but a continuation of the strategy of failure. In trying to answer, Pëllumbi attacks President Berisha as if he were the cause of the PS’s failures. Mr. Berisha merely pointed out these failures, which are connected to the PS itself and its leaders. At the DP conference in Tirana, Mr. Berisha analyzed the political situation and developments in Albania. This analysis was bound to address the PS, because ultimately this party has been accompanied by failures for four years, and has also obstructed and censored, as well as stood in the way of democratic developments in Albania. Nevertheless, what stands out is that Mr. Pëllumbi seems to believe that it is all conjecture and, beyond that, some reformist theory. What is your comment? Answer: Mr. Pëllumbi may answer as he pleases, but it is a fact that the PS parliamentary group voted against 90% of the economic, legislative and other reforms. They did so because, in principle and at their core, they are against these reforms. They support a centralized economy, controlled by them and serving only one clan, just as they were accustomed to for 40 years. They are not accustomed to, and do not accept, a state that serves the individual; instead, the individual must be the state’s slave, with them at the top of the state. That is their psychology. They cannot answer what was said, because they cannot deny that seven of their own MPs voted for the law on the sale of land [text unclear]. The others were pressured to “vote against,” abstain, or not show up at all. They cannot answer because they have voted against the privatization of the economy, called several times for the government’s overthrow, obstructed the distribution of securities, and opposed the law on [unclear], the criminal codes and procedures, etc. All this shows that, unfortunately and to its detriment, the PS leadership is not reformist. As such, it obstructs and becomes an obstacle to the reformist and progressive wing within the PS, just as it obstructed and destroyed some of the Euro-socialist reformers by confronting them with Marxist ideas. Unless this leadership changes, it clearly cannot bring about reform in the PS. Question: It is striking that Pëllumbi has not responded at all to what was said about this party’s absurd policies, its old remnants, its unwavering adherence to the ideals of Marxism, its nihilism toward Albania’s achievements during these years of implementing the DP program, its tendency to keep the country isolated and outside European structures, or the failures in the PS’s own internal life, including its dominant leadership and its removal of a conservative faction that cannot be separated from the past. Question: Mr. Pëllumbi replies: “I want to say that it was PS leaders and some pseudo-democrats who, with their letters and messages, tried until the very last minute to keep Albania away from Europe and prevent Albania’s membership in the Council of Europe. To this end they came up with all sorts of flags and completely unrealistic excuses, such as the constitution or the Nano issue. Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe showed that everything was a piece of advice from ...” Question: Mr. Pëllumbi replies: “Pëllumbi, at congresses, shadow governments, etc. ...” Pëllumbi tried to justify himself as though he had been speaking about the demand from FRESH and FRESH’s June [initiative]. It seems, Mr. Pëllumbi, that you are taking it upon yourself to lead the Euro-socialist forum as well, and you should declare that at its congress. In fact, he was speaking about the PS congress, which has already taken place, and I do not believe there will be another one. The PS leadership is tied to the past by an unbreakable bond, and therefore it is hardly likely to renew itself, even by changing the membership dates of its members. As for the PS’s government in the sun or in the shade, I want to say that this party is capable only of creating dark puppet governments. It showed this in 1991, when three or four of its governments fell, demonstrating that it was incapable of governing and directing reforms. Only the DP did this: it formed a stable government and managed to change Albania.

Berisha thanks the Clinton administration “I am very pleased to welcome you, and I want to thank President Clinton’s administration for the assistance it has given and continues to give Albania in structuring its Armed Forces within the framework of bilateral cooperation and the Partnership for Peace,” President Berisha told the commander of the U.S. Army forces in Europe, General Ulliam Kraug, at a meeting yesterday. This assistance, cooperation, joint manoeuvres and other activities contribute to peace and stability in the region. The President also stressed that the situation in the Balkans remains extremely complicated. We are very concerned by the fact that, following the Croatian offensive, there is a tendency to show a certain understanding toward Belgrade because it did not respond with aggression again. The truth is that Krizënashje [name unclear] has never existed as a state entity in the former Yugoslavia, before or after the war, but only as an integral part of Croatian territory that was occupied by aggression and treated as a fait accompli by some international actors. So thanking Belgrade for not intervening is tantamount to declaring the aggressor innocent. Regarding the latest decisions of the Yugoslav Government to settle refugees (Continued on page 2)

Mass privatization begins Press conference by Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vriomi and AKP chairman Niko Glozbeni Enterprises will now be placed in the privatization showcase in exchange for privatization vouchers. Thus, holders of vouchers, who until now had turned to the market and exchanged them for 20–30% of their value, will now have another, more important option. This is the option for which these vouchers were issued: every citizen’s participation in the privatization process, ensuring equal security and involvement in that process. Twenty initial enterprises with guaranteed profitability have been selected to go to auction. It will not be a classical auction; rather, it will be organized to determine the market value of the enterprises to be privatized. Accordingly, 37 auction centres will operate and accept citizens’ deposits of privatization vouchers. The latter will have 60 days to learn about the enterprises and submit bids. Then, about 14 days after the end of (Continued on page 2)

Former owners should be compensated as soon as possible with plots of land in tourist areas: this was the issue President Berisha raised for resolution a week ago at a meeting with prefects, mayors and district council chairmen. The meeting called for local government to submit information to the government by 13 August on available plots and former owners’ requests for compensation. Yesterday, the announced government meeting took place. Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi told the press that local government representatives had submitted the information by the deadline; some had even completed studies of the available plots. “Today we are able to establish precisely what land is available for the compensation that must be provided,” Meksi stressed.

The chairpersons of the DP branches in the district are hereby informed that a working meeting will be held on Tuesday, 22 August 1995, at 11:00, at the DP of Albania headquarters in Tirana. The Executive Committee of the DP of Albania

OUR PARTY NEEDS A NEW, CONVINCING AND ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM! I THINK YOU SHOULD GET TO WORK, COMRADE LUF! THIS IS YOUR JOB, COMRADE LUF! EXPERIENCE AND... PËLLUMBI’S PARTY! WHY ARE YOU RUMMAGING (THROUGH THE RUBBISH), O PËLLUMB? THE PARTY? ... I’M LOOKING FOR THAT... ALTERNATIVE! I FOUND IT, I FOUND IT! HERE, AT LAST, THE ALTERNATIVE! Puna ’95