A CONCERN AND SOME EXPERIENCES FROM PËRMET The resolution of the 10th Congress of the Socialist Party on the village has been familiar to and accepted by the overwhelming majority of the peasantry in the district of Përmet. From the meeting of the governing committee of the district’s Socialist Party, and from meetings and discussions held in the villages with committee members and delegates, numerous problems requiring solutions have emerged. The resolution stated that the cooperative and state production structure should be preserved. This is now a duty for the district’s cooperatives, and this structure is being maintained. But the division of cooperatives along village lines has given rise to problems in the distribution of production. Initially, driven by the desire to own property—from livestock and garden plots of up to 4 dynym to economic facilities—there was a rush to take whatever one could. This is what happened in Sukë, Zhepovë, Çarshovë, and elsewhere. To stabilize the situation, and in implementation of the stability government’s program, which has also been supported by the political parties, immediate measures were taken to ensure that these actions would not be spontaneous, but organized and aligned with individual and collective interests, while encouraging cooperative members to work in small groups, down to the family level. It is a fact that more work is now being done in the village, but the balance between work on personal plots and work for the cooperative has changed. Now that the harvest and threshing campaign has begun, which concerns the bread supply of the whole village, it has been discussed and agreed in some villages that the workforce be assigned on the basis of the former enlarged cooperative. The Sukë cooperative, now divided into six cooperatives, decided that wheat should be harvested, threshed, and distributed among all the villages at actual cost, because some villages, according to the previous structure, did not sow wheat and would otherwise be left without bread. With the new organizational arrangements and the introduction of elements of a market economy, many problems causing concern in the village have been put forward for resolution. The issue of the cooperatives’ status has become an urgent demand. Everywhere people are asking: when will it be issued?—because the delay has caused confusion. Produce in the villages is being damaged, especially in the cooperatives of Dangëllia and Deshnica, because of a lack of transport. Even though the time has passed when—

— ELBASAN — Before the start of the wheat harvest, the executive committee of the district People’s Council in Elbasan organized a meeting with the heads of agricultural enterprises, SMTs, and economic enterprises connected with agricultural issues. Representatives of various parties took part in the meeting. Ismail Çerri, a deputy in the People’s Assembly, informed us that this campaign is progressing well and that the political forces in the district have committed themselves to helping ensure that the wheat harvest is completed within a short time. During the week, 7,000 hectares of wheat were harvested, out of a total of 13,200 hectares. The daily harvesting target is being exceeded. Against a planned 650 hectares, 870 hectares are harvested per day. In the Dumre area, the harvest has reached 65 percent. The agricultural enterprises of Shalës, Grekan, Kajan, and Belesh stand out in particular. This year, the mechanics and managers of the SMT have also been mobilized more extensively to eliminate faults in agricultural machinery. Cooperation among all the political forces during this campaign has meant that there have been no excesses in the district of Elbasan, and that every attempt to damage or steal the produce has been promptly dealt with. Alongside harvesting and threshing, delivery of the new crop to state warehouses has also begun, especially by agricultural enterprises. So far, nearly 20,000 quintals of wheat have been delivered. MEFAIL PUPULEKU of the People’s Council of Elbasan district organized a meeting with agricultural issues. Representatives of the parties and political associations in the district took part in the meeting. The concern is shared by all. Everyone should contribute to gathering in the new harvest as quickly as possible. Sulejman Pepa, representative of the Socialist Party; Daniel Karanxha, representative of the Democratic Party; Niko Kresta, representative of the Republican Party; Avdi Sina of the Agrarian Party; and Daman Sinani, chairman of the district branch of the «Çamëria» association, pledged to work with the members and supporters of their parties and associations to harvest the wheat as quickly as possible. They also made useful observations and proposals for organizing the work as effectively as possible. Words were followed by deeds. In Elbasan, work is progressing well to complete this task as soon as possible. Head of the Agriculture Section

REFLECTIONS AFTER THE CONGRESS — Interview with comrade Erm linda Meksi, candidate of sciences and member of the Presidium of the Socialist Party, by journalist Luan M. Rama — Question: The 10th Congress, considering the historical mission of the PPSH to have been accomplished, announced the creation of the Socialist Party. What is new about this Party? Question: The 10th Congress, considering the historical mission of the Party of Labour of Albania to have been accomplished, announced the creation of the Socialist Party. What is new about this Party? Answer: Every party creates its own profile and is distinguished from other parties first and foremost on the basis of the program and Statute it accepts. The creation of the PPSH was not the product of the thinking of a few particular individuals at the Congress, but rather followed logically from all the changes that have taken place, as everywhere in the life of the country, including within the ranks of the Party. It displayed the features of an organization of the future during the election campaign, when, as is well known, an entirely new and openly presented program was put before its party membership, its many supporters, and public opinion as a whole. This program was enriched and even further advanced on the basis of observations, suggestions, and views coming from the Party’s grassroots and from its supporters, who had for some time also been calling for a change of name. At the Congress, through a broad analysis of problems and prospects, this profile was further defined and took complete shape, with the aspiration for the national and socialist ideal standing out clearly. The present-day content of the PPSH—which supports pluralism, not monism; democracy, not class struggle; a market economy, not centralized control; the opening up, not the isolation, of the country; and integration and mutual cooperation, not total reliance on its own forces—proves that this is a new Party, one that no longer needs to retain an old name. At the Congress, almost the entire body of delegates held this view. To a careful and objective observer who has followed the entire path of our Party over these past decades, or who has examined the proceedings of the 10th Congress with sound reasoning and without partisan blinkers, the emergence on the political scene of this new, liberating Party in substance, and now also with a new name, cannot seem unexpected. Question: One of the very important, indeed vital, tasks set by the Congress is to distance itself from the mistakes of the past. What do we mean by distancing ourselves, and what is being done in practice? Answer: That is true. Distancing ourselves from the mistakes of the past also means distancing ourselves from Enver Hoxha’s mistakes, and from his cult. Since he was the leading figure at the head of the Party and the state for almost half a century, he can in no way be excluded from historical responsibility. I think the general crisis we are experiencing, which has caused so much pain and disillusionment, is the product of the political system chosen and adopted by Enver Hoxha. Many accusations are being made against him today. How justified are they? I cannot answer that so easily in a glib phrase. A critical reassessment of the social experience of the past by the science of history is essential. Enver Hoxha’s role, too, must be judged on the basis of historical truth, and that requires the necessary time. Question: After all that you have said, are we not entitled to say that the Socialist Party is “in opposition” to the former Party of Labour? Answer: You may call it opposition, or whatever you like. We oppose everything that was wrong in the political line and practice of the— (Continued on page 2) by the Congress is breaking with the mistakes of the past. What should we understand by distancing ourselves, and what is being done concretely? Answer: The Congress acknowledged that many mistakes were made along the path followed and implemented throughout the half-century; there were shortcomings, and some matters were not expressed, while errors of judgment were also observed. This makes distancing necessary, and it cannot be achieved without looking the truth in the eye. There is no reason for us to be ashamed; indeed, it is to our credit to state and emphatically reaffirm that something must be done immediately for those innocent people who, in the name of principles, fought for justice and honesty; for those who, out of ignorance, experimented at the expense of the peasant; and for those who, with a war psychosis that never actually arose, justified the construction of bun- Anyone who examines the proceedings of the 10th Congress with sound judgment and without partisan blinders cannot find it surprising that this Party has emerged on the political scene as a qualitatively new Party in substance, and now with a new name as well. There is one more thing I want to emphasize. The integration of our state into pan-European processes presupposes the integration of Albanian political forces into these currents, by seeking and finding their partners. On this basis, we aim to establish ties with left-wing and socialist parties, which are political forces with considerable authority in Europe. I think everything is perfectly clear, so there is no room for any kind of doubt. Question: There are voices, especially in the opposition press, that want to say that in this case we have nothing but a change of signboard?!... Answer: I think what I said above is enough to show how far that is from what it can be. It is far from what it desires. This is due both to shortcomings in the system we adopted and implemented, and to subjective desires. and placement of cadres. We say, of monism, because for a long time 2)

From June 24 to 26, 1991, the 11th Congress of the International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR), of which the Organization of Veterans of the Albanian People’s War is also a member, held its proceedings in Moscow. The representatives of the National Committee of Veterans of the Albanian People’s War, comrades Myqerem Fuga and Kiço Kasapi, also took part as members of the FIR General Council. Sixty-one organizations from 27 countries participated in the Congress. The Congress reviewed the activities of the (Continued on page 4)

These days, some of the works of the distinguished Albanian painter Ibrahim Kodra, renowned throughout Europe and living in Milan, Italy, were presented at a gallery in Paris near Place de la Bastille. At the presentation of his works, which the painter himself also attended, Kodra, Albanian cultural figures and people active in European life were present, along with journalists from «Le Monde Diplomatik», French television, and other press outlets. Italian journalists, art critics, researchers, Albanologists, etc. also took part, as did the— (Continued on page 4)

The President of the Republic of Albania, comrade Ramiz Alia, sent a congratulatory telegram to the Governor General of Canada, Mrs. Ramon John Unaayshem. «On the occasion of Canada’s national holiday, Canada’s national holiday, on behalf of the Albanian people and the people of the Governor ... [unclear in the source] ... our warmest regards and sincere wishes for happiness and progress. Taking this opportunity, I express our readiness to further develop the existing relations between Albania and Canada, in the interests of our two peoples, peace, and international cooperation.» (ATA)

Four engineers run foreign trade That the city of Shkodër was once a hub for a dense network of trade exchanges with the world is something you can learn from any annal that records events from years and years ago. Shkodër’s merchants, well known as they were, traveled throughout the Balkans and beyond, carrying with them the reputation of people devoted to their work and capable at the same time. Shkodër still trades with the world today. But, admittedly, it falls far short of its potential and of its aspirations. This is due partly to shortcomings in the system we adopted and implemented, but also to subjective wishes. The paradoxes of monism still persist, specifically in the appointment and placement of personnel. We say “of monism” because they were often appointed by the district Party Committee, where for a long time they were also part of the nomenklatura— (Continued on page 2)

At the goods depot in Përmet, mechanics Kujtim Shpata and Florian Doko repair a vehicle. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

As readers are aware, the subscription campaign for the press ended on June 24. But for objective and subjective reasons that are already well known, this campaign was difficult and limited. Many people interested in the press were unable to subscribe to the publications they wanted. Under these circumstances, the Tirana District Postal Directorate, on its own initiative, is continuing to take subscriptions at all post offices in Tirana for press publications until July 10, for the five-month period (August 1–December 31, 1991). This new experience in the Tirana district, as the Director General of the Republic’s postal service, Fadil Smailli, told us, may also be adopted by other districts. In other words, subscriptions are continuing for the coming five-month period, August–December 1991. Subscribe to the newspaper «Zëri i popullit». Its price is 50 qindarka. For 5 months, 65.5 lekë. If bureaucratic or dumele employees create any obstacles, please notify the PTT Directorate or the newspaper’s editorial office. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE OF «ZËRI I POPULLIT»

We want concrete help, not words We read the investigation published in «Zëri i popullit» on June 28, entitled «Customs» of thieves on the Elbasan road, and were glad that the newspaper’s colleagues took up our concern by bringing this problem before public opinion as a whole. Thank you! We are writing this letter to bring you some additional facts, which are not the only ones, since it has become fashionable lately for the bodies specialized in preventing such phenomena to remain silent and turn a blind eye. On 21.6.1991, at around 14:00, a group of «brave men» attacked two students near the dormitories of the Faculty of Medicine and beat them mercilessly, taking their clothes and other belongings. On 26.6.1991, two «customs officers» stopped a student on the road leading to the «Studenti» city and pressured him to hand over his watch, glasses, and bag. He ran away to escape the search, but was wounded by several bricks and stones. Having failed to achieve their aim with this student, these same «customs officers» then attacked a group of 5–6 girls, seized two of them, and began tearing off their clothes. There are many such cases one could recount. Readers will forgive us for not being able to give the names of the students mentioned above; the indifference of the law-enforcement bodies in applying the law favors hooligans and vandals and forces us not to have confidence in them. There is much talk about the rule of law—so much that even this expression seems thoroughly worn out. Laws condemning these actions and their perpetrators have existed and continue to exist in our state. Why are they not enforced? Who is hesitating? We are addressing this letter to the People’s Assembly, the Government, the Ministry of Public Order, and the Human Rights Protection Forum, asking them not to treat this matter as a joke. We are asking for concrete help and for the situation to be calmed, not words. We do not want to take the law into our own hands, nor do we want mass protests. A group of students from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tirana