WE DO NOT PREJUDGE ANYONE, BUT WE WILL NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE PREJUDGED EITHER (About the Eurosocialist Youth Forum) More and more, curiosity and the desire to learn about the Forum of Albanian Eurosocialist Youth are growing in various circles. During this short period of the Eurosocialist movement, which has been quite intensive, its promotion has been insufficient for objective reasons, although «Zëri i popullit» has enabled us to publish several articles. Through this piece, we undertake to explain a little more about this forum. The fundamental reason for creating this forum is to affirm the European socialist convictions held by a large part of our youth, which accord with the very nature of young people in general, who are in reality a great progressive force. This is a fact whose objective basis is that young people are an underprivileged social stratum. Being so, they seek economic and social protection—that is, a guarantee for their future. They find the realization of these aspirations in the alternative of democratic socialism. This is an undeniable historical fact. Thus, the powerful youth movements of the late 1960s throughout Western Europe, inspired by the ideals of democratic socialism, regenerated capitalism, giving it a more social character that substantially softened the contradictions arising from the very nature of the system. The left-of-centre alternative asserted itself as a way of reconciling economic development with social protection, through state intervention in the economy in favor of the underprivileged strata. From this perspective, the emergence of this forum is a national historical necessity. It is also the greatest support we can potentially give Kosovo. Therefore, the tendency to artificially intensify the political struggle within the country endangers and distances the resolution of the national question. The victory of the majority of Albanians lies in their capacity to seize a historic opportunity, and this is true. But this must not be abused. Time is working for us Albanians, but we are not responding to it. In this regard, when we judge politics, we cannot agree with it or stand aside; moreover, because of the uncontrolled, rapid political changes, this historic advantage being given to us today will tomorrow turn into its opposite. Our alternative is open to resolving the national question and will work for it in practice. This has also brought closer to it Kosovar students and political persecuted people under the Milošević system, who believe in the sincere commitment of Albanian socialists to the national question. We believe that political convictions need not undermine national unity. Our faith in the ideals of democratic socialism does not prevent us from being committed to the need for other alternatives. We do not see the socialist alternative as an end in itself, but as a means for the country’s development. We do not present it as absolute, but as a possible competitor alongside other alternatives; it is for the people to choose, free from psychological barriers. We believe the country needs a serious right wing, not an extreme one. This forum is entirely distanced from communism. In this regard, we believe that democracy is not attained by insulting communism, but ... [text continues outside the frame]

A few comments - Obstructing the distribution of land is holding back the entire economic reform. - The Government Land Commission once again appeals to all the country’s political forces to support the land law fully, as agreed. The land law is the biggest step taken not only for the countryside but for the whole country. It is the beginning of economic reform. More than 310,000 hectares of land, or over 60 percent of it, have now been distributed to peasants. This fact shows that the land law is just and that it protects the interests of the overwhelming majority of working peasants. This is why everyone must support it with all their strength, until it is fully implemented in all districts and villages. Practice shows that the very low land-distribution figures in some districts, such as Shkodër, Dibër, Krujë and Tropojë, are the result of negligence by the district executive committees, as well as the poor work of the land-distribution commissions. Instead of supporting and striving to ensure the broad implementation of this law, some opposition political forces, in their statements to the masses ... There are PD deputies in Krujë, Shkodër, Dibër and Durrës who have declared that the land law will be reversed, that the old boundaries will be restored, etc. But what would it mean to restore the old boundaries? Such a «law» would require ... of the land-distribution commissions. Instead of supporting and striving for in their statements, at meetings with the public or through local executives, have obstructed land distribution. In some villages, deputies have sown confusion and caused concern among the peasants. This means deliberately obstructing economic reform. «law» would require a decision. [text continues outside the frame] by its very nature only 3.1 percent of peasant families, whereas the law now being implemented satisfies over 90 percent of the population. It ensures justice and social equality; it gives the land to the peasants, not the landlords. Therefore, rightly, the Government Land Commission appeals to the peasantry not to give in to unlawful pressure and threats from individuals or particular groups. They must not give in to those seeking a pretext for confrontations and sabotage of the reform. As provided for in this law, it is essential that the peasant [unclear in source: “menaxherë”] of the land-distribution process also receive the title deed; for this there is no reason for obstacles or delays, either from the executive committees or from the Ministry of Agriculture, which directs and supervises this reform. Through its articles, our newspaper will follow almost daily the progress of implementation of this law, the problems that arise and the obstacles encountered. We invite agricultural specialists, peasants and employees of scientific institutions to contribute articles and give their opinions on how to resolve the difficulties facing peasants today. The Socialist Party, as it has done until now, will support the implementation of this law so that peasants become masters of the land, work it, sow it and enjoy its fruits for their own good, for the good of the countryside and of the entire country. SELIM HOXHA ...to remove the old borders, etc. Does this mean that the old borders should be broken? Such a «dam» would ... but as possible competitors, ... against other alternatives, and the old borders should be broken, broken? Such a «dam» would ... SELIM HOXHA

Although the spectrum of party pluralism today has been completed with all possible colors, the social base of many parties still remains mobile and unstable, because their share of voters is small or very small, while their numbers at the level of sympathizers are much greater. For better or for worse, among a few people we seek to find ourselves amid the alternatives changing places with one another before the public. Generally, in Eastern countries—and consequently here too—paradoxes occur. Other social groups, particularly workers and student circles, which placed it in the struggle to uproot the totalitarian socialist system, have become, to a considerable degree, a dominated electoral mass. ... the left-wing [parties] still have not found how to take up their positions. But the process of perception has begun. People are moving away from euphoria to come into closer contact with reality. Opposition rallies are becoming increasingly unsuccessful. Populism is a short-lived current. The Student City is no longer a mass of people that a former faculty member can bring out; students from all the universities are not rally-goers, nor are they subjects to be manipulated at the parties’ whim. Knowing the student’s spirit at close hand and seeing all the intellectuals, their higher intellectual schooling—no education would tell them ... ... in the course of this political, economic and spiritual transition, everyone needs time to reflect; everyone wants to distinguish the good from the slightly better, the wise from the mediocre, the honest from the fraudster. The PS has never imposed itself on students. From the outset, it was certain that the main body of students could not see themselves on the right. People must choose their parties for themselves, without manipulation and, even less, without psychological terror. And so, a not insignificant number of students quite naturally found themselves in the socialist alternative; indeed, some of them are among the main organizers of the December demonstrations. They became initiators, helping many young people overcome their hesitation and bringing them together around the Eurosocialist ideal. Once an avalanche forms, no one can stop it. It will move confidently along its path, and that path runs through all the universities, all the schools, all the cities, all the roads of Albania. Many roads will bring it to the First National Meeting of Albanian Eurosocialist Youth, which is the Beginning of the Paradox. It is a new spirit, a new smile, the tomorrow of the socialist alternative. And let us not forget that tomorrow in Albania, at least in the political sphere, very quickly becomes today. become, to a considerable degree, a dominated electoral mass. And the future of our country is involved. From this point of view as well... ... if the political positioning is complete, the social base of most political parties cannot lead to any conclusion. their higher intellectual schooling—no education would tell them ... ... quickly becomes today. ...the social position that softened the fact of contradictions arising from general problems of a political party; no non-partisan political force, whatever it may be, has the right to prejudge without consulting the other Albanian parties. Therefore, as a youth force not indoctrinated by punizmi, unlike today’s seasoned politicians, this forum will contribute to establishing a real democracy in Albania. The Eurosocialists adhere to the principle that, as a small country, we must have great unity. Therefore, our position in relation to all other political, social, religious, etc. entities is clear. With all parties and associations, we are united by: 1. The advancement of democracy 2. The resolution of the national question. We are connected to the PS by the socialist alternative. With the other youth forums and associations, we also share the interests of our age group. This forum recognizes and will cooperate particularly with the Albanian Youth Federation. In this context, it also supports the proposal made by the Republican Youth Forum to the Youth Federation for joint action among the various forums in the interests of young people. Thus, as can be seen, in our relations with every legally recognized entity, whatever its character, we give precedence to points of unity, not division. This spirit stems from the very values of socialist ideals, such as solidarity, understanding, justice and unity. Particularly today, when the issue of national unity is more evident than ever, we will contribute as much as possible to real unity within the country, so as to be ready for ... ... in the various countries ...

Members and sympathizers of the PSSH! Read and distribute «THE PEOPLE’S VOICE»

Truly a noteworthy event for the Socialist Party! The creation of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum is an act that helps, first and foremost, young people themselves to find the right direction in the country’s present development and democratic future, putting their energy, dynamism and culture as effectively as possible at the service of Albania and the entire Albanian nation. The young people who are joining the ranks of this Forum day by day have embraced, and are embracing, the alternative of democratic socialism. It is this ideal that binds them closely to the Socialist Party. Let this Eurosocialist Youth Forum conduct its activities independently! Let it have its own independent organization and everything else! The PSSH and this organization uniting socialist youth are linked by their shared ideal—the alternative for the country’s development. It is this commitment of Albanian Eurosocialist youth that gives us the joy and pleasure to say to all members and sympathizers of the PS: Let us support the young people—students, secondary-school pupils, young workers and peasants throughout the country! Let us support them in every way so that they may successfully hold their first founding congress, which will convene on 15 January. Everyone has a commitment, but first and foremost it is the responsibility of the PS members who are young, of the Steering Committees and their presidiums in the districts, especially in Tirana. Only a few days separate us from this noteworthy event for all Albanian socialists. There is much work to do and many tasks to resolve. Let us all work with the same determination and passion as all the wonderful comrades of the Forum who are organizing this congress. As we work, we will feel what support the new socialist youth offers the PS itself: making its working style more dynamic, further refreshing its central and district offices, invigorating the life of its grassroots organizations and their leadership, significantly increasing everywhere the admission of new members into the Party, etc. Let us all understand that the Eurosocialist Business Forum is the future of the Socialist Party. So let us all work with all our strength to build this truly democratic future day by day, as passionate members, committed socialists, and Albanians who love sacred Albania and the future of the people more than anything else.

• On Sunday at midday, work began— [text cut off] Yesterday at midday, the People’s Assembly began its work in a plenary session. The Chairman of the Presidium, dr. Kastriot Islami, said that the Presidium of the Assembly, together with the chairmen of the parliamentary groups, had drafted the following proposed decision concerning the forthcoming elections to the People’s Assembly: 1. Elections in the Republic of Albania shall be held under an electoral law using a mixed system (proportional representation based on party lists). 2. The number of electoral districts with a single-member ballot is 100. The number of deputies in the People’s Assembly shall be no fewer than 140. 3. Seats in the People’s Assembly shall be allocated proportionally (according to the votes won by each entity nationwide in the first round of elections), in such a way that the number of deputies is as small as possible. This allocation shall include only entities that have won no less than 4 percent of the vote nationwide. 4. The law shall be consulted on with specialists from the CSCE Office for Free Elections. The chairmen of the three parliamentary groups who spoke supported this decision with arguments. The People’s Museum of the city of Shkodër organized a commemorative event in one of its premises on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the birth of Fan Noli. Prof. dr. Jup Kastrati spoke about Noli’s relations with Faik Konica in the historical, cultural, literary, artistic and linguistic fields during 1909–1925, and especially 1937–1942. As the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education reports, requests continue to arrive at the Ministry for admission to our higher education institutions, the establishment of departments, transfers, etc., from students inside and outside the country. The Ministry of Education announces that these procedures have definitively closed and will no longer be carried out, because it is the end of the first semester and the start of examinations. Under the regulations, students should have fulfilled the relevant requirements by this time. Yesterday in Paris, during the continuation of his visit, the Minister of Economic Relations with Foreign Countries, Mr. Ylli Çabiri, was received by the Secretary of State for Humanitarian Aid, doctor Bernard Kouchner. Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed his particular concern about the critical situation in Albania, as well as the French government’s commitment to helping our country.

Fransua Miteran: «TIME ALWAYS NEEDS A WORTHY TIME» TOMORROW YOU WILL READ: AFTER THE VACATIONS IN GREECE, THE GREAT RETURN DEMANDS AN INTERPELLATION IN THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY TO PLOT AGAINST THE PS