— WILL THIS BE A DREAM OR A REALITY? — We entered 1992 carrying a burden of troubles, but also a burden of hopes. Among the latter, one that we are making the subject of this article is this: will the long-awaited assembly for national reconciliation and unity be held this year? We have assessed 1992 as the year for consolidating pluralist democracy in Albania, because ahead of us are new elections for all the structures of power in our state, and the adoption of the constitution; but ahead of us is also a memorable week, the 80th anniversary of independence. Our nation is divided, forcibly divided since 1913 by European diplomacy, but also divided and deeply split by the class struggle implemented during the last half-century by the totalitarian regime. We believe these are the reasons why this is the historic moment to take the matter of organizing this assembly, by every means, seriously in hand. So this is not a whim of a group of people; rather, it is an organic need of Albanian society: by organizing this assembly, we should affirm through it the nationwide aspiration that, united, we are ready and determined to proceed along the road of democracy and progress. Only in this way will we be able to tell Europe and the world that Albania and the Albanians, who have lived for millennia in these lands, are an emancipated people, eager to enter the civilized family of nations. A few months ago, for just a few days, like an illusion, we Albanians wherever we were—in the mother country, in the ancestral Albanian lands in Yugoslavia, or in the diaspora—thought that the great and long-desired moment of national reconciliation and unity had arrived. But, as is known, that assembly was announced [unclear] this popular wish, without everything being agreed upon by those involved. Indeed, we can say they acted hastily. But this was not so much a lack of civic responsibility as a conviction that this assembly was indispensable. And indeed, never has our society, Albanians on both sides of the border and throughout the diaspora, been so imbued with the idea that only national reconciliation and unity can bring about the leap forward in time that we must make as a nation now, as we prepare to enter the 21st century. Instead of being appreciated, this group of intellectuals was also insulted and labeled: [unclear]; yet they were not at fault at all. Naturally, in defending them, we do not rule out the possibility that the initiative to hold this assembly could have come from any other group, including specific political forces—certainly including opposition forces—as well as the politically persecuted, former prisoners of conscience or those who were forced to move because [text unclear], and the leaders of religious communities, etc. But the very idea of holding this nationwide assembly organically includes these groups and forces; otherwise it cannot be called pan-Albanian and cannot achieve the aims it has set itself. A second date has been set for holding this assembly—January 20. It is essential that it be held. The idea of holding it this year, bearing in mind that this is the jubilee year of the 80th anniversary of the declaration of independence, makes organizing it an imperative task that should not be “sabotaged” on some pretext; we do not undertake to judge anyone as having done so. The circumstances also make holding this assembly indispensable... Albanians wherever we happened to be—on a journey home, in our ancient ancestral long-awaited is known, the initiative of that group of intellectuals to bring this assembly about became clouded, was politicized, and the assembly itself was postponed, not to say forgotten. A profound crisis is knocking at our door in many forms, but especially a crisis of confidence, appearing before us like the wolf in the tale of the little goats, with Albania, our mother, like a defenseless kid facing the challenges of the times. And all this is happening as we are shaping democracy. We have known that democracy has its challenges at every step, not as someone’s whim, but because it entails major, radical changes in all the mechanisms that govern the life of a society and the state. It has to do with the troubled conscience of every individual, with laws, with the political parties’ game and their plans for power, with our attitude toward the past and, above all, with building the present and a clear future. Which politician would admit that the steps he takes today run counter to these pan-national democratic aspirations? None. But words are words; deeds are everything. Now that the idea of holding a pan-national assembly has taken concrete shape, alongside the enthusiasm one feels for this event of great importance in our history, which evokes the great assemblies of 1444, 1912 and 1919 (say: who should [?] have taken the initiative to convene it?), the question arises: who should have taken the initiative to call it? One asks this because there have been different assessments of this issue, and it has also been politicized, although there has been no convincing argument. A group of intellectuals took this initiative. We think they deserve this responsibility, because it is not only in this respect that they have been recognized as the brains of the so that it may be held. The idea of holding it within this year, bearing in mind that we are in the jubilee year of the 80th anniversary of the proclamation of independence, makes its organization an imperative task that should no longer be “sabotaged,” although we do not presume to judge anyone as having done so. The rapid democratic processes in Albania, the tragic situation of our brothers in Kosovo and the other regions of Yugoslavia, the need to find a solution to the Cham issue, and the international climate itself make holding this assembly essential. While its guiding principle is the dismantling of barriers and divisions between the countries and peoples of our continent, and the expansion of fruitful cooperation and understanding, this climate has also brought the most extreme forms of nationalism—and even weapons—onto the scene. What are we Albanians to do in the face of this situation? Are we to sit with our arms folded, waiting for others to solve our problems, or are we to speak to Europe in the language of a civilized nation and say that the aspiration for reconciliation and unity among us Albanians has never been stronger than it is today? This is a legitimate aspiration under all international norms. It makes no demands on anyone, but neither do we accept anyone dictating to us, much less forcing us into that fold. Countless politicized oppositions prevail in our society today, unfortunately including opposition to this assembly. This means the baby is being thrown down to drown in its cradle. Nevertheless, since none of the political parties in Albania or Kosovo places anything above the interests of the homeland in its program, we are convinced that this responsibility will engage each of them to make its maximum contribution to the successful conduct of this assembly. This, so to speak, is the touchstone proving that none of them separates words from deeds when it comes to the national cause. from deeds when it comes to the national cause. The issues brought together by the assembly for national unity and reconciliation are today’s Albania, full of troubles, and especially its future. What must we do to put it on the path of progress as soon as possible? Such an assembly would be the only way for the world to hear us for the first time in our own voice, as an undivided nation. Today, when people speak of a united Europe, for us Albanians this means that we can move toward it only united. In this way, this assembly would be a great encouragement to all our brothers, especially those living under Serbian occupation, so that their cause may prevail. A pan-national assembly requires us at all costs to leave behind what divides us and hold fast to what unites us. The pan-national assembly, regardless of when it is held and regardless of the range of issues it must address, will one day certainly convene, as a beacon and a hope in the service of the unity and reconciliation of all Albanians. And may that day come as soon as possible: it will be a landmark event for democratic Albania. ALBERT SHIALA have inflicted on the nation and all Albanians.

— The subscription campaign continues — Yesterday, January 3, the first issue of the newspaper “Zëri i popullit” for 1992 came out. There was no newspaper on January 1 and 2. As has been announced, this year subscriptions were handled by the governing committees of the PS in the districts. In the city of Tirana, subscriptions were also taken at the newspaper “Zëri i popullit” and by the private press-distribution agency. The newspaper will also be distributed differently this year from previous years. It will not be distributed by postal-telegraph employees, but by those who took the subscriptions. Was the newspaper distributed yesterday, its first day of publication this year? Did it reach the subscriber? What problems and shortcomings were noticed yesterday in this regard? From the information we were able to obtain yesterday, the situation is as follows. 1. Most of the governing committees of the PS in the districts submitted to the newspaper offices the subscription figures and requests for the free sale of newspapers. Distribution to the districts was carried out through the press-distribution directorate. There were delays in the districts of Vlorë, Shkodër, Kukës, Elbasan, Tirana, etc. In these places, we were informed, the newspaper did not arrive on time at the governing committees of the PS. On this issue, the editorial office will contact our colleagues at the press-distribution directorate to establish the causes and those responsible. If such irregularities exist in other districts, please inform us as soon as possible. 2. Did the newspaper reach the subscriber? We have no information about the districts. As for the city of Tirana, we know very well that the newspaper did not reach subscribers. This happened because distribution had not been organized from the very first day. We want to stress that the Governing Committee of the PS of the city of Tirana is not responsible for this problem, considering it a task that “does not belong to it.” We assure subscribers that, starting today, the editorial office of “Zëri i popullit” will take measures to ensure regular distribution of the press. If there is any irregularity today because the new distributors do not know the addresses, subscribers should contact the editorial office to collect the newspaper. The editorial office welcomes comments and criticism from subscribers, wherever they are, so that deficiencies and weaknesses in newspaper distribution can be remedied. 3. In those districts where the governing committees of the PS have treated the newspaper issue with due seriousness, demand for the newspaper is higher. Examples include the district of Fier, where comrade Petro Koçi is chairman of the Governing Committee of the PS and has requested 3,000 copies; the district of Pogradec, 1,300 copies; the district of Shkodër, 1,500 copies; the Kuçovë region, 1,200 copies; etc. But there are also districts requesting very small quantities of the newspaper, such as Gjirokastra, Dibra, Mirdita, etc. The indifference toward the newspaper and the work done to obtain subscriptions is clear. 4. Although the subscription campaign was very short, it will continue until January 15 and conclude on January 16, 1992. Subscriptions will continue to be taken at the editorial office of “Zëri i popullit.” We repeat that the price of one newspaper is 1 lek. The price of 50 qindarka published in yesterday’s newspaper was printed in error. 5. The governing committees should urgently organize delivery to subscribers according to the arrangements established. They should also organize sales to the general public, drawing on experience already gained. What is this experience? Sales by non-permanent staff of the apparatus; sales by employees of bookshops or private shops, paid according to the number of newspapers sold; sales door to door, after making a prior verbal agreement with families interested in buying the newspaper. There are many possibilities; what is needed is due recognition of the role the newspaper plays in informing public opinion. EDITORIAL OFFICE OF “ZËRI I POPULLIT”

The Red Cross Society in the district of Mat has been expanding its activities, which have been particularly effective of late. This society has faced many demands, including identifying families in need of social support, strengthening measures to protect public health, and establishing links between families at home and abroad, etc. In recent months it has been particularly engaged in distributing humanitarian aid allocated by the Albanian Red Cross and other charitable organizations, such as clothing, food, medicine, etc. Care has been taken to give these to people with disabilities or to low-income families. Work is also continuing to distribute aid... from the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent, from which around 5,400 residents will benefit, with a daily ration for up to six months. Residents in Klos, Olec, Kraste, and the villages of Urovë, Rrembull, Rukaj, etc., have received this aid. But in some cases there have been abuses, with aid not given to the designated recipients, as in the villages of Gjoçaj, Zall-Gjoçaj, etc. To ensure timely distribution of aid, the society should receive better support from the pluralist executive committees at the local level, which sometimes delay drawing up the lists or revise them several times. times. the old [systems?] and without abandoning another form of the infamous class struggle, but [they] think that democracy cannot be achieved without asking for forgiveness and without the act of pardon, as has been done for centuries in Albanian assemblies. Of course, the past is not something to leave behind. It must be analyzed deeply, so that everything that has hindered and divided us can be cast aside. In this way, everyone is encouraged to free themselves from nostalgia and realistically assess the great harm that the divisive policies of a totalitarian regime like the one we have left behind have inflicted on the nation and all Albanians. These forms of assistance have been supplied from Klos, Olec and Kraste to the villages of Urovë, Rrembull, Rukaj, etc. of Gjoçaj, Zall-Gjoçaj, etc. To ensure the timely distribution of aid, the association or revise them several times. all-round, but they also encountered obstacles and difficulties. Speaking with Mr. Mehmeti, [about] the population in this sub-prefecture, he stressed that in Përmet, Janul Kreci, kçepar [?] in Përmet, etc., they raise as problems the lack of goods and raw materials, whose sources have still not been secured according to needs; prices that are [?] and change rapidly; and a lack of funds to buy goods wholesale with cash, because the bank grants credit only against [collateral?], etc. Nevertheless, many of them are finding ways to carry on active business. These include Skënder Lianaj, Luan Keko, Albina Çekollari, etc.

A year of difficulties and obstacles has passed, some of which are still continuing in the first days of this year. A look around enterprises and private sales outlets reveals two scenes: private municipal-service and retail businesses have begun competing to attract more customers and buyers. And there are many of them in the district of Përmet: 251 units carrying out service and sales activities, with around 400 people. Their efforts are wide-ranging, but they also encounter obstacles and difficulties. Speaking with Hasim Memeti, a shopkeeper in Këlcyrë, Zhuljana Çuedari, a shopkeeper in Përmet, Janul Kreçi, a shoemaker in Përmet, etc., we identify the following problems: goods and raw materials are lacking, and sources of supply have still not been secured according to need; prices are unstable and change rapidly; they lack skilled workers whom the temporary pluralist executive committee approved for the food enterprise and the collection enterprise. This is already evident in the first days. The enterprises’ administrations have made efforts to find new work fronts so that workers are not paid at 80 percent. Thus, NPD acted to repair crates, work that had been suspended for lack of premises, by securing raw sugar-beet material, and the workers have not stopped working. The same was done with basket-repair work in Këlcyrë by the management of the enterprise for miscellaneous products. Meanwhile, in the tailoring workshop of this enterprise, work has been secured for 60 workers in cooperation with a Greek firm, and efforts are being made to increase the number of workers employed. But there is... Several enterprises also made a good start to the year. The bread production and sales factory, the plant-collection and processing enterprise, the grain-collection and milling enterprise, the wood-processing enterprise, and others began their production activities normally and without obstacles, and are continuing them. The latter has focused in particular on other charitable organizations, such as clothing, food, medicines, etc. Care has been taken to ensure that it is given to people with disabilities or to families with low incomes. residents will benefit, receiving etc., have received this aid. In some cases, however, there have been abuses, with aid not being given to certain people, the timely distribution of aid, the association needs them several times. PËRPJARIT MUSTAFAI

Toward the privatization of the economy As part of the economic reform, the privatization process in the district of Vlorë is also taking on suitable proportions, particularly in the services sector. More than 300 private sales outlets have been licensed this year under the laws governing the exercise of private professions. In addition to these, an important place is being taken by the privatization of premises and service units in the state sector, such as those in trade, municipal services, and transport. At the Privatization Agency attached to the pluralist Executive Committee, the ATSH correspondent learned that, during December alone, more than 71 commercial premises were sold, mainly social catering establishments and fruit-and-vegetable shops. Meanwhile, around 160 other premises in this sector have also been made available, and the relevant sale documentation is being prepared. The premises in this sector have been taken into private use only by their own employees, either individually or jointly. Many of these premises have been leased, and their financial relations with the enterprise were terminated as of December 1. In such cases, for these private premises, the enterprise acts as a supply outlet. Around 27 premises have also been transferred to the citizens of Vlorë by the municipal repair-services enterprise, mainly photography studios, barbershops, shoe-repair shops, upholstery shops, etc. The municipal sector has also made 02 other units available for sale, with a broad range of services for the population. Good efforts are also being made in this district to privatize transport services: 18 vehicles have been sold, and the process is continuing for another 20 vehicles. Transport services in these districts have also been greatly eased by the considerable number of private vehicles purchased by citizens themselves. Despite the results achieved so far in this field, and the preparatory work under way to privatize major service facilities such as hotels, restaurants, studios, etc., it must be said that there are also signs of sluggishness, indifference, procrastination, and subjectivity. (ATSH) of its finan-mic. In the visit’s reflection, European-... Absence-... structure-... they have perspe-... quick because went-... of the game for-... constitu-... lic die movements otherwise taci-rre-rea-reserve-... means do means-...

In the district of Mirditë, work continues on the division of land under the law approved by the People’s Assembly. The district commission for implementing this law is giving priority to monitoring the activities of the village commissions, taking care that everything is carried out by mutual agreement, explaining the legality of the land division in every village, and addressing the problems that have arisen between villages or groups of villagers. So far, the division of the fields has been completed. There have also been delays in other villages, followed by a low level of preparation of the land and autumn sowing. This, together with the high fees set for the work, ploughing and seed, the lack of equipment, etc., has meant that in this district, in both the state and private sectors, only about 600 hectares out of the 1,600 hectares planted on average each year have been sown and harvested [?].

All members of the People’s Assembly are hereby notified that they will continue their work in plenary session on Monday, January 6, 1992, at 17:00. PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY

According to the observation of the team of electrocardiographic doctors, the case has passed through this phase and has been assessed as serious. The tests carried out and some of the latest results show that the President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia, has recovered. The examination today confirmed an evolution... An examination was conducted under the direction of the medical team, which consisted of Dr. Kristo Pano, Minister of Health, Prof. Ylli Popa, Prof. Anastas Kondi, Prof. Anesti Kondi, Dr. Dina Abazi, Dr. Arben Fino, Dr. Ferit Saraqati, Dr. Idriz Balli. Tirana, 3.1.1992. with an electrocardiographic device. The examination by this team, with extraordinary things that are essential in order to be on the right path and achieve what the initiative was undertaken for. But, as with building the present and a clear future.