Yesterday, a statement by deputies of the People’s Assembly from the Democratic Party was published in the press. They call on the Presidential Council and the Council of Ministers to publish “immediately the results of the investigation and the punishment of all those responsible for the events that took place in Shkodër on 2 April. Otherwise,” the statement emphasizes, “we, the deputies of the Democratic Party, declare that we cannot take part in the meeting of the People’s Assembly,” which, as is known, has been scheduled for 15 April. This statement, issued two days before the meeting of the first session of the People’s Assembly elected in the free and pluralist elections of 31 March, cannot fail to shock every honest and patriotic citizen who has followed with concern and a strong sense of civic responsibility the course of the deepening democratization processes undertaken over the past months in our country, under the leadership of the Party of Labour and personally of Comrade Ramiz Alia. It further complicates the country’s already unstable political situation and encourages the creation of a genuine crisis in the normal functioning of the highest body of our state power—the People’s Assembly. While recognizing that the deputies’ demand to uncover and punish those responsible is justified, one cannot be convinced that this is a reason to boycott the first meeting of the pluralist parliament. This is simply a pretext, a ploy to fulfill certain party ambitions. Through this action, the Democratic Party’s deputies take on a heavy responsibility, one that cannot be without consequences for all future developments: establishing genuine pluralist democracy on the basis of the constitution to be approved by the People’s Assembly, creating a state governed by law, and stabilizing the country’s political and economic situation as quickly as possible. The Democratic Party’s existence, which spans only a few months, is filled with facts that fully confirm the conclusions above. It was the Democratic Party and its supporters who, at endless rallies full of accusations and hysterical calls directed at the Party of Labour, helped destabilize the country’s political situation, foster a climate of confrontation and instill psychological terror among people, thereby weakening and disrupting public order, creating a climate of terror among PPSH members, and depriving citizens of peace and security in Shkodër, Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Kavajë, and elsewhere. It was the Democratic Party and its supporters who, exploiting some legitimate economic demands of our student youth, helped bring to the fore political demands that seriously threatened public security and offended the people’s feelings. It was the Democratic Party that supported those forces which, in the form of an ultimatum, demanded the demolition of the monuments and busts of Enver Hoxha, founder of the Party of Labour, leader of the national liberation war and creator of the Albanian state. It was the Democratic Party which, exploiting the support of anti-state forces and open opponents of the people’s power established in our country 46 years ago, did everything on the eve of the 31 March elections to create the impression that the Party of Labour’s days were numbered and that the Democratic Party’s victory in the election was beyond doubt, supposedly the only way to establish democracy in Albania and bring it into Europe. The free elections of 31 March were the highest expression of the people’s will to join the family of European countries and its organizations. Only the Democratic Party continues to insist on turning the results of the 31 March elections upside down. It was in these circumstances that the events of 2 April in Shkodër occurred, and we will address them as far as our time allows. From the outset, we wish to emphasize that the Democratic Party deputies’ ultimatum is incompatible with the democratic spirit. It runs counter to the elementary and common conditions and requirements necessary to make a full assessment of these events on a scientifically sound legal basis, with professional competence and without party bias. The course of events in Shkodër during and after 2 April has objectively hindered the uncovering of all the circumstances that led to events such as the killing of people and what followed. Meanwhile, we reiterate that it is the duty of the competent authorities, especially the Prosecutor’s Office, the Investigation Department and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to do everything within their legal powers to fully and finally clarify the events and establish responsibility. But we are convinced of one thing: the leaders of the Democratic Party, even if the deeply shocking and condemnable events in Shkodër had not taken place, would have created for days an abnormal or tense situation intended to further undermine order and stability in the country, create an atmosphere of terror and confrontation, and destabilize the country’s situation and economy. They would have found something else—a similar or comparable situation. This is an integral part of the so-called strategy of violence and tension, a creation of the hotheads leading the Democratic Party, with which the Party of Labour has no connection, despite the propaganda being spread. Destabilizing the situation in the country and keeping a climate of tension alive is at the heart of the Democratic Party’s position in the days before and after the elections. It will not accept the results of the 31 March vote or the people’s will. Sadly, the statement published yesterday in the name of this party’s deputies is part of this approach. On 31 March, the people voted for what they wanted and gave their representatives a mandate in the highest body of state power. Our people, as well as Albanian public opinion abroad, Albania’s friends and well-wishers, and the governments and parliaments of countries with which Albania has relations—especially those of Europe—expected, and continue to expect, much from this assembly. It has much work ahead, and it will take many important decisions for Albania’s future, serving its rapid development and progress. This is why we believe that the Democratic Party deputies’ statement does not serve these lofty aims. By taking this action, the Democratic Party assumes a heavy responsibility on the basis of the constitution to be adopted by the People’s Assembly, a genuine pluralist democracy; creating a state governed by the rule of law; possible; and preserving the calm and security so necessary for our people. While expressing regret for everything that happened in the city of Shkodër on 2 April and bowing in grief before the victims of this event, we cannot fail to say that the statement in question contributes to keeping political tension in the country alive and preventing it from subsiding. In this way, it echoes the manipulations surrounding the so-called strategy of violence and tension, an invention of the leaders of the Democratic Party, who seek at all costs to make the Party of Labour and the state authorities responsible for every undesirable situation and event that has accompanied the entire process of establishing political pluralism and deepening democracy in our country. This statement seeks to influence public opinion so that all the arguments put forward by the Democratic Party concerning various political events of recent months—including some that have been painful and involved fatalities—are accepted without question, while denying the Party of Labour and the competent state authorities the right to have their say about these events. In this context, the statement in question serves the manipulations aimed at casting doubt on the results of the 31 of March, in order to create such a state of mind that the Party of Labour’s days are numbered and the Democratic Party’s victory in the elections is beyond question, supposedly the only path to establishing democracy in Albania and bringing it into Europe. The free elections of 31 March, as the highest expression of the people’s will, were another demonstration of the faith that the majority of our people have in the programme of the Party of Labour. At the same time, they showed the whole world the “path” our people wish to follow in the future, the path by which they seek to secure their homeland’s freedom and independence, and to whom they entrust the country’s political and economic leadership in order to accelerate Albania’s development. At the same time, these elections exposed the pipe dreams of the so-called traditional democrats of the Democratic Party, who have repeated endlessly their claim that they alone express and embody the people’s will. An impassioned propaganda campaign full of attacks and slander against the PPSH followed in the days after the elections, an attempt to portray the elections as manipulated and held in conditions of terror, fear and profound insecurity, supposedly at the hands of the Party of Labour. Observers from parliaments around the world and the many foreign journalists who attended these elections, speaking unequivocally, expressed their sincere conviction that with this step Albania had attained a high level of democracy and enjoyed all the rights to participate as an equal in equal in

Along the road, at the ferronickel collection points in Xhyrë and Bushtricë, but especially in Përrenjas, large heaps—indeed, one might say “mountains”—of ore have been appearing for the past two months. And there is a lot of it: 80,000 tons of ferronickel. These quantities are being added to the other ore mined daily from the galleries, so much so that the storage areas are overflowing. The reason for these stockpiles is well known: the 12th plant and the nickel plant in Elbasan have had work stoppages, and the quantities of ore (about 50,000 tons a month) have not been collected from Përrenjas. The miners are rightly concerned about the fate of this high-quality production. Until the ore is taken to its destination, it cannot be considered sold goods. Consequently, with only 80 percent of the quantity sold being realized, the mine’s financial indicators and wage fund inevitably deteriorate. If this situation continues and the stockpiles keep growing, work may have to stop in some galleries or sectors, and workers may be paid reduced wages—something that is entirely unacceptable. Because of irregular transport, much the same situation exists at the chrome collection yard in Përrenjas, where more than 10,000 tons of ore are stockpiled. There is not only no more room to store production, but its sorting is also being hampered, as rich ore is being mixed with ore with a lower chromium content. What should be done? “Despite frequent appeals to the ministry and elsewhere,” says Ilmi Mysliu, head of the Industry Section at the Executive Committee of the People’s Council of the Librazhd district, “no solution is being offered.” Meanwhile, the section head explains that the export plan for ferronickel has already been fulfilled at twice the target for the period to date. The foreign-trade agencies, for their part, say they will not send the stockpiled quantities into foreign trade. When such situations arise in the economy, as in our case, should entrepreneurial initiative not be used to find new opportunities and markets for selling the ore? SEJDIN CEKANI …who [used] a firearm and an explosive device, as well as 13 others who were injured. The investigative group continues working intensively to fully uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic events of 2 April and to establish the guilt of specific individuals for the killings, injuries, destruction, and other unlawful acts. To shed full light on these matters as quickly as possible, the investigative group is facing objective difficulties and numerous obstacles, such as the inability to inspect the scene and conduct autopsies on the victims in a timely manner; the failure of direct eyewitnesses to come forward; some injured people not seeking medical assistance at health institutions; and the reluctance of various witnesses to give full testimony. Thus, no witness has identified specific members of the security forces who fired weapons at the demonstrators, just as no witness has identified anyone using petrol bottles or explosives to destroy the aforementioned facilities. To establish the truth about these painful events, which have shaken our entire public opinion, fully and promptly, the investigative authorities welcome the cooperation of the citizens of Shkodër and of the various political and social forces, as was also requested at the meeting held with their representatives on 12 April 1991 district, a meeting organized on the initiative of the Council of Ministers. 13.4.1991 of a situation destabilized not only in Shkodër, but throughout the country as well. There seems to be something bureaucratic about this effort by those involved in foreign trade. When such conditions arise in the economy, as in our case, shouldn’t business initiative be encouraged to find new opportunities and markets for selling the mineral? Exports, since contracts with foreign partners have been drawn up as fixed agreements... In this country, efforts to boost exports have failed without result, and agreements. There seems to be something bureaucratic...

As implementation continues of the credit agreement between Albania and Turkey, we received the following information at the Ministry of Food Industry: In recent days, two new contracts have also been finalized for two flour mills, each with a capacity of 150 tons of grain a day. These mills are planned for Durrës and Vlorë. The contracts were concluded with the firm ORKIMSEN-ANKARA. We also learned that construction work has begun on the first two flour mills, in Fier and Elbasan, contracted with the same firm under this agreement. During this month, the first bakeries contracted under the credit agreement are expected to arrive from Turkey. The necessary premises have been prepared for their installation in Fier, Pogradec, Durrës, and elsewhere. In Tirana, installation of the first bakery has just been completed, and trial production will begin soon. During April and May, assembly will be completed and two new plants in the food industry will be put into operation. The tomato-paste production plant in Shkodër, established with the Italian firm Manzini-Camaco, and the medicinal and aromatic plants processing plant in Durrës, with the French firm Ducros. The first will be paid for with finished products, namely tomato paste, while the second will be paid for within the framework of the joint venture between the firm Dorcos and the Durrës medicinal-plants processing enterprise. ARIANITA RHEDHI

Implementing a decision — DURRËS — Private activity in the district of Durrës is expanding continually. Since the first steps taken after the decisions were adopted, this service network has already grown considerably and is continuing to expand. A total of 134 commercial units have been established, including shops selling roast foods, fruit and vegetables, restaurants, butcher shops, kebab shops, and so on. Likewise, 67 craft-service units are operating, including shoemakers, photographers, tailors, sheet-metal workers, watch repairers, jewelers, and others. Recently, two craft cooperatives were established: one, named “Epidamnus,” offers 15 service activities such as photography and furniture-making, while the other, named “Besa,” produces carpets, artistic articles, and so on. According to information we obtained from the financial inspectorate, we believe that all private operators have obtained the relevant permits; regular inspections are conducted to determine turnover, and the prescribed taxes have been imposed. The first round of taxes has been collected from the overwhelming majority of these private operators. There are further applications, but to date there are no premises ready for them to begin operating. Thus, in addition to implementing the Council of Ministers’ decision on privatizing the economy’s designated sectors, which is also being worked on in the Durrës district, and transferring them as such from the relevant enterprises, more work is needed by the state authorities to ensure that those who have applied to open different service units, alone or in partnership, are provided with the necessary premises as soon as possible. SOTIRAQ GJORDENI

To date in the Korçë district, in commercial services such as bars and cafés, restaurants and confectioneries, 86 people have been issued permits to practice as private operators and have begun working. In the crafts sector, 139 people have been issued permits to practice professions such as shoe repair, barbering, carpentry, sheet-metal work, watch repair, and so on. 21 people. The figures are still… Requirements have been met by those issued permits to practice shoe repair… as well as by the actual applications submitted by various people wishing to work as private operators. Thus, 139 applications have so far been submitted for commercial services, while 51 applications have been submitted for craft services. The figures are still low, not only compared with the needs. In the Korçë district, 86 people have been licensed to practise privately in the trade and service sector, including bars and cafés, restaurants, and confectioneries, and have begun operating. Fifty percent of them are from the countryside. The investigations carried out so far show group of people who had gathered in the centre of the city of Shkodër the Labour Party Committee. Other groups joined them, along with pupils from the city’s secondary schools, bringing the number gathered to thousands, as they chanted various slogans.

Last night, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, received the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and held a warm and friendly conversation with it. “We regard your visit to our country,” he told the European parliamentarians, “as support for the democratization processes, as well as [taking on?] a new development, especially following the first pluralist elections. We will make continuous efforts to advance along the new path of pluralist developments,” while the parliamentarian, considering this a [illegible word] for the further and comprehensive development of Albania. In this context, he went on to say, we believe that parliamentary cooperation between the various political forces is essential, and that it could go as far as a government coalition between them. Our government is fully committed to making Albania a full member of the Council of Europe as soon as possible, seeing this as a further affirmation of our country’s international standing. Comrade Fatos Nano also briefed the European parliamentarians on the Nano also briefed the European parliamentarians on (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday the second meeting between representatives of the Party of Labour and the Democratic Party was held. Agreement was reached at the meeting on the seating of the deputies in the respective hall; common ground was also found on matters concerning the deputies who will propose the mandates commission, deal with the proposal for the Assembly Presidium, and address other important issues related to the first stage of the start of the People’s Assembly’s proceedings. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

In implementation of the important and responsible task set by the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, the Presidential Council, and the Council of Ministers to conduct a full, prompt and objective investigation into the circumstances of the tragic events that took place in the city of Shkodër on 2 April 1991, the General Investigation Office established a special investigative group to uncover the causes and identify those responsible, and to bring them to criminal account. The investigations are being conducted under the direct supervision of the General Prosecutor’s Office. The special investigative group has undertaken its assigned task with a sense of responsibility, despite the many difficulties encountered. By the latest days, statements had been taken from 184 people, 43 different examinations had been carried out, and 20 other special investigative actions had been undertaken; examination of the wounded and of the firearms used is continuing. The investigations so far indicate that on the morning of 2 April 1991, a large group of people gathered in the centre of the city of Shkodër, then set off and assembled in the square in front of the Party of Labour Committee. Other groups and pupils from the city’s secondary schools joined them, bringing the number of those gathered to thousands, who chanted various slogans. The gathering and the slogans were contrary to the requirements of Decree No. 7408, dated 31.7.1990, «On meetings, gatherings and demonstrations by citizens in public places». For this reason, the public-order authorities in the city of Shkodër repeatedly requested that the demonstrators disperse in order to preserve public order, calm and stability in the city. Despite these efforts, they did not disperse. In these circumstances and in accordance with the law, the public-order forces intervened by force, using rubber batons to disperse those gathered. But they gathered again near the Party of Labour Committee, and some of them threw stones and other objects at the public-order forces. As the situation became tense, members of the public-order forces fired warning shots into the air in accordance with the rules. Nevertheless, in violation of the requirements of Decree No. 7408, dated 5.1.1991, «On the use of firearms», some of them also fired at the people gathered, exceeding their authority. As a result, the young man Arben Broci was killed and Nazmi Kryeziu was seriously wounded; he died later in hospital. Subsequently, the young men Bujar Beshanaku and Besnik Ceka were also found to have been killed, and a number of people were wounded. So far, forensic medical reports have identified 14 civilians as wounded in the course of the investigation, 10 of them with injuries caused by firearms. When news of Arben Broci’s killing spread, the situation deteriorated and became even more tense. In these circumstances, various people used bottles of petrol and explosives to burn two armoured vehicles and 7 cars, set fire to the building of the district Party of Labour Committee, surrounded it and wounded the secretary of that committee. The investigative group has also identified 7 people wounded by members of the public-order forces, one by a firearm and another by an explosive, as well as 13 other injured people. The investigative group is continuing its work intensively to fully uncover the circumstances of other unlawful acts. In its efforts failure of direct eyewitnesses to come forward, as well as the fact that some people who were not wounded have not sought witnesses to give full statements. Thus, no witness has identified specific members of the public-order witness has identified anyone who used bottles of petrol or explosives to destroy the aforementioned property. shaken public opinion throughout our country, fully and in a timely manner, on 12 April 1991 at the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council, a meeting organized at the initiative of the Council of Ministers. 13.4.1991