At the morning session of the People’s Assembly, the Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Aleksandër Meksi, informed the Assembly that the PP parliamentary group had requested consultations on an important matter, and therefore he suspended the proceedings. After the People’s Assembly was expected to resume its proceedings at 17:00, but 18:00 was approaching and the deputies had still not begun the session. Meanwhile, several thousand people, mainly workers, miners and students, had gathered in Skënderbej Square more than an hour earlier. They headed toward the building of the People’s Assembly and stopped there, chanting slogans calling for the Government’s resignation, the fulfillment of the Valias miners’ demands, and shouting “Freedom, Democracy,” etc. At the request of the public-order forces to calm the crowd of demonstrators, and at the demonstrators’ own wish, deputies Sali Berisha, Gramoz Pashko, Azem Hajdari, Panajot Barka and others called for calm and order. They advised the demonstrators to leave so that the Assembly’s proceedings could continue normally. The demonstrators then went to Skënderbej Square, where they continued to demand that their stated demands be met. After this interruption, the Assembly resumed its proceedings. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Kastriot Islami, suggested to the deputies that, bearing in mind the very grave situation we are going through, they read two of the many telegrams, letters and petitions sent to the Assembly. Meanwhile, deputy Sali Berisha expressed the view that these innumerable letters should be circulated among the deputies so that they could acquaint themselves with them, rather than being read out in the Assembly. It is in the people’s interest that the parliament, as it has done until now, work intensively and with dedication to find solutions to the problems concerning us all. President of the Republic Ramiz Alia came to take part in the Assembly’s second afternoon session. During the two afternoon sessions, many deputies spoke, expressing their concern about the events unfolding, which pose a danger to the nation’s fate. Deputies held differing views on whether the Assembly’s proceedings should continue or be suspended. In general, all PD deputies believed that the Assembly should continue its work, expressing concern about resolving this situation quickly and proposing that parliament respond as soon as possible to the communiqué adopted the previous evening concerning a new political solution. Among PP deputies, some thought the Assembly should continue its work, while others called for it to be suspended so they could consult the electorate they represent. Many insisted that letters and telegrams received from various districts, from students, etc., be read before the Assembly. They expressed indignation at the illegal rallies taking place in Tirana, particularly at the mass demonstration in front of parliament. Debating these and other issues, all the deputies who took the floor expressed themselves in these circumstances, hoping that the people’s unity would be strengthened as the only way to overcome the situation that has arisen and advance the democratic processes. At the session that began at 00:35 today, May 31, Islami, announced the suspension of proceedings, although it was already late. Proceedings will resume today at 10:00. (ATSH)

One night, someone goes to bed without eating, and the family worries. For the miners who have been on hunger strike for several days, the worry and anxiety keep multiplying. First the family, then relatives, workmates, neighbors, acquaintances, and finally an entire people. Whenever the news broadcasts begin, people wherever they are wait to hear about the miners’ fate. For three days now, the concern has grown even greater. In Elbasan, Shkodër, Korçë, Pogradec and elsewhere, others have also shut themselves in and gone on hunger strike. How many hearts are anxious? How many children, mothers and wives are waiting for good news? We are all sensitive to human life, because humanity is a quality that does not fade. But what happens when two people quarrel in the street? What happens when people are set against one another? It is truly a tragedy experienced with a certain intensity by everyone. Nobody wants such tragedies, yet they are happening. The people’s capacity for compassion is deeply shaken. “Can’t we find a way to talk to one another?” This is a question asked everywhere. Pluralism, this victory achieved only a few months ago, created every opportunity and every possibility not only to “find a way to talk,” but also, more broadly, to bring our country honorably into Europe and make it like other European countries, with prosperity and social stability. “Things turn out well when they are begun with good intentions,” as the people say. For their own well-being and peace, and for the peace of their children, the people surely begin things with good intentions. They have even elected the deputies who make up parliament to represent them in state power and communicate with them. Therefore, parliament has no reason to hesitate, let alone delay, when the people appeal to it. There is no reason for just demands to be dragged out before being resolved, when they arise at a basic production unit or an enterprise. Every delayed response seems to prolong poverty and unemployment. Shouldn’t this moment, this threshold of sensitivity, be given greater consideration? But how should it be considered, and how should we act, when we know that we are in crisis?—people ask. We believe that by speaking openly and realistically, and by finding an appropriate formula for understanding, people will calm down too. Yet this is not being done well. One person retreats into a shell, another remains indifferent. Even political forces are often silent. When we speak of political forces, we mean especially members of the Party of Labour. In the face of a concrete situation, what efforts can one expect? Each person should sincerely come closer and share in the problems. Anyone who avoids frank discussions cannot achieve understanding. Otherwise, they will create the conditions for hotheads to act—people with whom no political force, no honest citizen, and not even the hunger strikers can agree. The conversations between members of parliament and the Valias strikers, and the meetings of parliamentary groups with the President of the Republic, offer hope of overcoming the situation we are in. We all hope and wish for a swift solution that will satisfy everyone’s wishes. And people believe this can be achieved, because we now have not one but several political forces, which will be put to the test of their authority.

- SHKODËR - Yesterday, on the 15th day of the strike, at 12:00, a rally attended by hundreds of people was held in the square in front of the building of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania, Shkodër branch, where several trade unionists are also confined on hunger strike. They were addressed by the chairman of the Trade Unions of Albania, Gëzim Shima, who conveyed greetings to the strikers and the strong solidarity of the country’s trade union movement, as well as that of various trade unions around the world. A participant in the hunger strike also sent greetings from inside the building. Yesterday, the Executive Committee of the District KP also met and considered the proposals to declare those killed in the events in Shkodër on April 2, 1991, Martyrs of Democracy. It decided: 1. To declare those killed in the events of April 2, 1991, Arben Broci, Nazmi Kryeziu, Bujar Blshahnaku and Besnik Ceka, Martyrs of Democracy. 2. The Executive Committee of the District KP also reiterated its request that the investigation into the events of April 2, 1991, be completed and those responsible identified. This decision was read to the participants at the rally in question. Meanwhile, work continues normally in vital sectors. to exceed the fulfillment of the demands the country should continue its proceedings, expressing concern about the solution

- BERAT - Since May 28, a group of 12 workers have been inside one of the halls of the «Tekstilisti» club, having declared a hunger strike in solidarity with the hunger strike by the Valias miners. We learned from the Executive Committee of the District KP that a group of doctors had been sent to help these strikers, but they refused such assistance.

At the last session the night before last, after 22:00, the People’s Assembly decided that a group of deputies from all three parliamentary groups should go immediately that night from the session to the Valias mine and meet with the striking miners confined in the galleries of the mine on hunger strike. Thus, at 23:00, deputies Azem Hajdari, Napolon Roshi, Dritan Shehu, Franko Kroqi, Petrit Llatifu and Ridvan Peshkëpia of the PD, deputies Halim Elezi, Mehmet Loci and Thoma Angjellari of the PP, and Thoma Mico of OMONIA went to the Valias mine. After a brief meeting with the mine director, Agim Hyseni, and the chairman of the Independent Miners’ Union, Shyqyri Xibri, at around midnight they went down into the gallery to meet the striking miners. “We made our demands clear to the government as far back as April 9. We are determined about this. Otherwise, this government does not enjoy—” (Continued on page 2)

The night before last, Chairman of the Council of Ministers Fatos Nano and Minister of Public Order Hajredin Shyti visited the public-order forces who were injured by stones, knives and other blunt objects on May 29, 1991, in Skënderbej Square, in the surgical wards of the military hospital. They enquired personally about their health and the care being provided to help them recover. In conversation with them, Prime Minister Fatos Nano told them: “At this moment our country is going through, democracy must be without pain, without quarreling with one another, because we are children of one people and we are Albanian children. Along our further path to democracy, all together we will put the state in order with laws and justice.” He then made enquiries in turn in all three wards of the hospital where the injured were admitted, wished them a speedy recovery, and said that such events should not happen again, but that together we should strive to achieve democracy through understanding and move toward the process of Albania’s integration into Europe. (ATSH)

The people, as a party catastrophe, have been divided into many parts. These may multiply if the political struggle for democracy keeps heating up. For months now, and into the future, these large, medium-sized and small parts are united by only one alternative. The Albanian nation, Albanian statehood. Everyone may do as they wish in pursuit of their party interests, provided they respect the law, democracy and culture. Only in this way are people bound to one another by nationality, the same language, the same blood. Say, the same way of economic devastation that comes from the whirlwind of business, more from within, but also from outside. For years, the plans for numerous decisions «in consultation» for the community, for the historical legends produced in these years and by party and state organizations! Not only in this, but also in the minds and hearts of the overwhelming majority of the people. We came from darkness, and a little light seemed like the sun to us. I, similar on the stage of the Albanian theatre, and we never made a shadow, but forgot to open the curtain and see how Europe played its game. And our light, growing slowly, seemed like the sun to us. That is all our eyes could see, and because we have it «written» in our blood, in our bones, in our words, in our songs, in our tears, we are one «Albanian nation» and have faith. We hope these two words will bind us tightly to one another, distancing us from catastrophe. Enough, then, with the grandmothers’ hosannas, the applause, the false cheers! Let us value ourselves; let us trust in bread, water and light, «grow» forward, so that together we may make carnations, magic of the screens, and all kinds of polish. When you believe in life, in truth, however different, you move away from the «open sight» of devils and are in a state to quickly find democratic means (even the freest ones!) to fight them against everything that betrays you. But do not forget that the first, harshest task is to make a Europe. And also to confidently play the European game. And in other contexts, in which «Albanian nationality» is carried not only in passports, but in the shape of the heart, in the pupil of the eye, in the marrow of culture and education, we carry it in our marrow and in our leaves. Enough with the hosannas of closed curtains! The will of the people, untainted by lies and threats, is the most beautiful road to democracy. PËRPArIM XHIHZA

- VLORË - This situation has continued since the beginning of the month. The Selenicë mine is not being supplied at all with timber, with support posts. And work has stopped. Thousands of workers are being paid 80 percent of their wages. But that is not the worst of it. The worst is that, in this way, the mine is at risk of closing. Specialists explain that, technically, it has reached the final limit, beyond which the «waiting» poses a real danger to the mine. If it is not supplied with support posts within 3–4 days, they say, the mine is at risk of major collapses and closure. And everything after that will have to be started from «A». At the energy session of the district executive committee of the Party of Labour, it is acknowledged that this is the situation. The Timber Agency is not supplying the mine with support posts because its contracts are not being fulfilled by the wood-processing enterprises in Shëngjin and Librazhd. There is a stock of such posts in Llogora, but there are no means to bring them here. The drivers of the freight transport fleet are on strike. Other mine workers, along with workers at many of the city’s enterprises, are also on strike. This includes the workers at the soda plant, numbering in the thousands, and at the collection enterprise, as well as others. But at some workplaces, in particular sectors and departments, work has stopped due to a lack of raw materials. In such a situation, workers are paid 80 percent. This situation is largely being created by the enterprise administrations’ lack of effort to solve the problems. VANGJEL STEFA

- From the notebook - The sweeping changes in Albanian life cannot but make a person think about the mistakes and shortcomings that have occurred over these 40 years. What matters is that they be recognized and corrected so they are not repeated. Today Narta, a village in the district of Vlorë, is experiencing one of the greatest dramas of its existence. Great numbers of people are leaving for other countries by every means available: legal and illegal; alone or with their entire families. In the squares, in front of the shops, the elderly women weep silently. Who knows, will they ever come back? By the time I put these notes down, the number of those who have left exceeds 16,000, while hundreds more are waiting for a visa. What is happening to these people, who until now had never agreed to abandon this blessed land, not even during the darkest years of foreign occupations? What is happening in this village, one of the largest in the country, among the richest and most blessed? In 1938 Narta had a population of 1,800 and produced 25,000 quintals of grapes and 30,000 quintals of olives. Famous and known throughout the country, and perhaps beyond, Narta’s wine was a marvel that the people here, despite their poverty, had on their tables. But it was not only the wine. Narta had situated the village between the sea and the lagoon, and also beside the country’s oldest cypress grove. The truth was that not everyone lived alike. There were entire wealthy families who traded with Italy and Greece, just as there were poor labourers and servants, impoverished by the rich and by the Italians of Vlorë. That is what the war was about. Unlike many villages in Vlorë where the contradictions between Communists and Ballists were extremely fierce, with powerful figures on both sides, Narta lined up entirely with the Communist Party. Not a single Ballist, not a single Legalist, not a single Zogist. Only one servant of the Italians. He was killed in 1942. When I say there was no one against the Communist Party, I mean that even the wealthy in the village, despite their awareness and fear for their considerable and immeasurable property, saved the village from the Germans by handing over part of their possessions to the occupier. Because it was like that, Narta was a base for the Vlorë Legalists, who came and gathered there, were fed there and spread propaganda. Narta gave the war more than 100 partisans and 6 martyrs. With the liberation of the country, agrarian reform was an important step towards narrowing social inequalities. Nevertheless, the corrections could not be made immediately. The end of the ’40s brought tragic points in the years of hunger. We have not forgotten the UNRA powdered milk that they gave us in the nursery schools, as the children’s centres were called, the boiled beans instead of bread, and so on. Despite this miserable situation, nobody thought of leaving; there was faith in the future. It was precisely at that time that part of the village’s property passed to the so-called state enterprise «Ullishtet». And when the village began to recover, the collectivization campaign began. It was not successful. Just remember. Not only among the wealthy, but also among some poor people. The new psychology seemed too illusory. And although it began badly, life was being renewed; Narta quickly became one of the best cooperatives in Vlorë, and perhaps in the country. Nevertheless, the decisions that would keep the village at a barbaric economic level continued. The cypress grove and the marshes were used less and less for the benefit of the people who had managed them for centuries for their own livelihood. State-owned or leased, they had been so even before liberation, but people were free to fish as they wished with their own boats and nets, subject to the fiscal policy on income. And if production... And the village that was full of trade... (CONTINUED on page 2)