The Socialist Party yesterday demanded that the state of emergency be lifted, in order to create easier conditions for its armed bands to terrorize the country. A few days earlier Gjinushi called in Vlorë for democrats to be dragged through the streets

Albania's ex-communists had and achieved their goal. First, weapons depots were looted, arms were distributed, police were killed and wounded. Senior prison officials were killed, wounded and kidnapped. Pistols and machine guns were collected from police and army depots. Blockades were set up. Police officers were killed and wounded. Public order police forces lost heart and morale. They withdrew and all socialists watched as police forces, especially special units, were crushed and maimed. Terror, anarchy and robbery began to triumph in their actions. The humus was created and remained until the end of March. This was not and cannot be considered merely a spontaneous protest. It was and remains an organized political rebellion. After the spark thrown over the country by the collapse of pyramid schemes, revolt against state authority began. They took up arms and declared the local power of salvation committees. To fragment social revolt and push it toward civil war is the indisputable merit of the political organizers. The decisive blame for this work was led by the new Marxists. It is certainly a macabre conclusion, but it is still necessary to make such moral judgments called responsibility. At least let us call it by its proper name. It is no coincidence that all actions from the court decision on Berisha, the port of Durrës and up to the looting of army depots were politically and propagandistically exploited by the Socialist Party. In trying to seize the leadership of the spontaneous revolt and put it at its service, the Socialist Party did not observe even the minimum norms of conduct of a political force, democracy and ethical norms of political action. It considered every weapon against Sali Berisha and the DP as valid. The uprising, the destruction of the state, the disarming of the army, all were seen as useful means to achieve its political aims. In no case was there a clear distancing from acts of terror; on the contrary, the public language of its leaders justified and nourished them. After this Albania slid into chaos. It is not excessive to say that the rebellion was driven not only by despair, but also by a deliberate strategy to seize power by any means.

SP presents new conditions for the elections ON PAGE 3

The elections, the responsibility remains with the socialists

President Berisha talks with thousands of residents of the district of Lezhë ON PAGE 2

Fino asks for greater support from the multinational force ON PAGE 5

International observers cannot fill the shortcomings of the socialists ON PAGE 3

We react to the Finance Minister's targets ON PAGE 5

Ananati: the still unresolved problem of the Socialist Peace ON PAGE 3

armed gangs terrorize defenseless travelers ON PAGE 2