— A BASIC MEETING OF COMRADES FATOS NANO AND GRAMOZ RUÇI WITH THE RESIDENTS OF PEZË — A meeting held the day before yesterday in Pezë, a conversation between comrades Fatos Nano and Gramoz Ruçi and the people who had filled the hall of the cultural center, was not simply an electoral gathering but a particular expression of interest in the socialist alternative. The villagers wanted to know the socialists’ views on all the concerns they have, on all the questions raised by the country’s current political and economic situation. And not merely their views, not merely an answer, but, if possible, the solutions offered by this party, which, judging by the answers given in the uninterrupted dialogue between PS representatives and the villagers, were entirely credible, sincere and fully acceptable. These conversations give rise to a single impression: in its answers to questions and in presenting the PS’s positions, the party is no longer seeking to settle things with others, but is putting forward a development alternative, projects for solving every problem along progressive lines while defending standards for a society without privileges. These are precisely the positions and approaches that emerged from this special meeting, as we will report to our readers. — The promise of land to the farmer. The entire meeting began and ended with the land issue. “The DP asked Parliament for the land to be returned to former owners who were dispossessed before the Agrarian Reform. Why did they withdraw? Why did they give up? Why did we join the Socialists? Manoeuvre? If the PS wins, will it fight to the end for the implementation of the land law? Why is land distribution moving so slowly here in Pezë?” The questions did not stop. The people in the countryside in this period of transition have many hardships and many problems to solve. These solutions are difficult, but they are also being made more difficult by those who have no interest in stability. The land law approved by Parliament is democratic because it takes into account the interests of all strata. The PS will fight to ensure that this law is fully implemented, and we will not allow the owners to return to old claims over land, leaving the great majority of the peasantry empty-handed. The issue is clear to anyone willing to understand the PS’s position, and it is the real reason that drives the opposition to manufacture baseless slanders against the PS. What follows is an account of the meeting held the day before yesterday in Pezë, a conversation between comrades Fatos Nano and Gramoz Ruçi and the people who had filled the hall of the cultural center. It was not simply an electoral gathering but a particular expression of interest in the socialist alternative. The villagers wanted to know the socialists’ views on all the concerns they have, on all the questions raised by the country’s current political and economic situation. And not merely their views, not merely an answer, but, if possible, the solutions offered by this party, which, judging by the answers given in the uninterrupted dialogue between PS representatives and the villagers, were entirely credible, sincere and fully acceptable. These conversations give rise to a single impression: in its answers to questions and in presenting the PS’s positions, the party is no longer seeking to settle things with others, but is putting forward a development alternative, projects for solving every problem along progressive lines while defending standards for a society without privileges. These are precisely the positions and approaches that emerged from this special meeting, as we will report to our readers.

In recent days, a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party was held to discuss the electoral candidates from all districts for the elections of 22 March. The meeting was also attended by the leading members of the steering committees of the country’s 27 districts. It was emphasized at the meeting that the Socialist Party will enter these elections with the principal aim of winning. Despite the intense attacks by the opposition parties against our party, and the recommendations or threats they make that it withdraw or not take part in these elections (including those made by people considered to have ties abroad, inside or outside the country), our party, remaining faithful to the interests of the strata it represents and placing national interests above narrow party interests, aims to win and has the confidence of the socialists in the elections. Its realistic program has found support and approval among broad masses of people, members and supporters of our party—whose numbers are increasing day by day. Moderate, proper and resolute positions, in accordance with the laws, with culture and ethics, and with the recognized customs and traditions of our people, have steadily increased confidence in our party and strengthened its freedom of action and influence among our people. All this, it was emphasized at the meeting, increases our responsibility and demands efforts from everyone, while the opposition’s propaganda din on television claims that they “want free elections,” that they support tolerance and the absence of [unclear], and calls on all honest people in our country not to fall prey to the opposition’s pressure and traps. A very large number of candidacies were reviewed at the meeting; they had been submitted after extensive testing and selection in the districts. All the candidates put forward were considered suitable, and most of them—more than 300—demonstrate the great intellectual and social potential available. It was repeatedly emphasized at the meeting that, from among the candidates, the party would select people well known to the public in their respective constituencies, who enjoy a good reputation and respect, are supported and accepted by the authorities, and are not only knowledgeable but also resolute and courageous. The Socialist Party will put forward its candidates in all constituencies prescribed by law. Many issues concerning compliance with the requirements of the electoral law were also reviewed at the meeting. The meeting concluded with the participants’ unwavering confidence in the Socialist Party’s victory in the elections of 22 March. The conclusions were presented by the Socialist Party chairman, comrade Fatos Nano. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

Gumcent: The PD and the other right-wing parties, like all those aligned with them in Europe, defend the interests of a group of large property owners, especially since these former owners are not impartial toward these parties. Here we are discussing positions and actions. — Who is stirring up the image of democracy? Democracy will not become a condition for oppressors, criminals and looters, and those who do not love Albania. [Unclear text.] You know… the tragic history of this nation. Even now it is being played out, within the country, in the Balkans and in Europe. It is being played out dangerously, but we are working so that the people of Pezë will be masters in Pezë, and Albanians will be masters in Albania. We will protect this country from emigrants and other enemies who are constantly trying to destroy it again. These were some of the statements made in the conversation that opened comrade Fatos Nano’s speech. It was an open denunciation by the PS of destruction and devastation, of those responsible for creating a chaotic situation, and of pseudo-politicians. Facts, questions and answers. How can it be explained that, in those villages where opposition representatives appeared, the destruction of stables, nurseries and kindergartens, and the looting of flocks and collective farms immediately followed? The answers required little comment, only that people take a position. The village saw who was stirring up the image of democracy. An electoral campaign and a game of rhetoric have begun, but behind all this action, the people must learn to distinguish the wheat from the chaff, those who work for true democracy from those who still do not know whom they are working for, Fatos Nano added. The PS offers the village a European perspective. The villagers’ interest in learning about the vision and projects the PS offers for the modern development of the village is entirely legitimate. Fatos Nano and Gramoz Ruçi’s answers to many questions on this subject revolved around the European concept of cooperation and united ownership, with villagers organized into European-style associations, as service providers and partners in the market economy. Otherwise, if left as they are, Albanian villages cannot enter Europe with their carts and livestock. In competition with this economy, which can ruin and impoverish anyone, only European-style cooperative associations can survive and also ensure a high standard of living. The experience is close at hand. In Italy these producer associations account for around 30 percent of the country’s agricultural production, and in Greece even more. “In the social sphere,” Fatos Nano said, “we support establishing a structure for various social services in the village, with bakeries, kindergartens and nurseries, hospitals and many other institutions, as well as the necessary interventions in the social fabric, care for general health, and preservation of the structure and value of the village by modernizing it. The solution includes the integration of property and farms in stages, without destruction or confiscation, [unclear], in forms that generally express this principle: entering Europe as Albanians and as citizens, not as servants or hired hands, and being able to prosper.” Dozens of questions about electoral manipulation Although answers have been given at meetings, in the press and in public to many of the opposition’s electoral tricks, the questions keep recurring. This is partly because the press does not come to the villages and TV censors the PS’s activities, as one villager said, but also because the villagers want to be convinced. “What is the right, and what is the left? Whom does each represent? The PS has powerful friends and allies in Italy, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Germany and many other countries. If the PS wins, how will it establish links with these countries? Could a figure such as Andreoti be manipulated for electoral purposes? Could he have been promised a visit to Albania in exchange for a telephone call, as Sali Berisha said, or is this part of the opposition’s actions, which regards not only the figures but also the rest of the electorate as ignorant and easily manipulated, people who can be persuaded of anything? What position is the Italian ambassador taking on this? Will Betino Kraksi be prime minister in Italy in two months? One of the ‘reforms’ of Greece’s ‘New Democracy’, as a right-wing party, was the abolition of pensions for veterans of the antifascist war. Has this ‘Democracy’ reversed many of the ‘reforms’ introduced by PASOK, and have these sparked revolts here across the border— (Continued on page 2)

The chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, received the Italian ambassador, Mr Tor-kuato Kardili, on 20 February at the headquarters of the Steering Committee. The ambassador delivered an invitation from Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Gianni De Michelis. The invitation is addressed to comrade Fatos Nano, asking him to attend the meeting to be held in Trieste on 22 and 23 February on the contribution of democratic and reformist forces to the transition process in Central Europe. The meeting is organized by the «Dohëtor Karl Renere» Institute of the Social Democratic Party of Austria and the Institute for International Political, Economic and Cultural Cooperation of the Italian Socialist Party. It aims to bring together men and women from all the reformist forces of Western and Central-Eastern Europe who currently hold prominent positions in the political debate in their respective countries, in order to focus on possible initiatives at a critical moment for the future of our continent. Recent, rapid and complex developments in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe call for a renewal of policies and theories, both by parties that are members of the Socialist International and by parties, associations, social groups and groups of intellectuals with which the Socialist International has established certain relations. The meeting will be co-chaired by Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giani De Mikelis, and the Austrian Minister of State, Peter Jankovic. Comrade Fatos Nano gladly accepted the invitation and conveyed his thanks to the organizers of the meeting.

— GJIROKASTËR — GOLEM — PICAR — FUSHË KRUJË — — GJIROKASTËR — On 28.12.1992, PS Steering Committee member Leventi Quci held a rally at the city’s Sports Palace in Gjirokastër to announce the electoral victory in this city. For some time the opposition has been trying to slander us and pin all kinds of labels on us, manipulating public opinion and even denying past events—events established through the efforts and testimony of others concerning comrade Leontiev Quci. But the members and supporters of the PS are children of this people; above all, they are Albanians. They represent the most honest, simple, sensitive, dedicated and cultured section of our people. They are also the least privileged and the most devoted to the country. Today, such people are the most rational and necessary representatives for a genuine democracy in Albania. As we declare ourselves democrats, we say that there should be no slander, even when winning; there must be something effective to do about this by striving and building, rather than destroying and adopting such contradictory positions. We will move forward to create a democratic society, not only to establish ownership in cooperatives, but also to ensure a good life for the country’s citizens. Reform of the country’s economy and the best use of its capacity in Albania. — GOLEM — On 17 February 1992, PS Steering Committee member Leontiev Quci met with members and supporters of the party in Golem, Gjirokastër. Asked about the PS electoral program during the election campaign, he replied: “In the economic sphere, the PS will fight for a market economy with pluralism of ownership and with a possible role for the state in regulating markets and economic development. Our motto is to encourage private enterprise and, at the same time, to ensure freedom and responsibility for initiative. Our motto is to secure and stabilize the economy through changes, to protect the activity of enterprises and the role of ownership and property differences, while achieving greater harmonization through fiscal policy, making the best use of the capacities of our workers and increasing the productive potential that will secure higher profits. “We will also work in the economic sphere to involve the people in decisions on reforming foreign economic relations. In rural economic life, reforms will make this possible; free economic relations with the outside world are unattainable without reform of the land in the countryside and the advancement of agricultural enterprises, which are needed to create high capacity in Albania.” — PICAR — Also on 18 February, Leontiev Quci met with PS members and supporters in the village of Picar in the district of Gjirokastër. In response to the first question, concerning whether and how the PS’s commitment to pluralism relates to social protection policy, Leontiev Quci said: “During the period of pluralism, both in government and in Parliament, the PS has adhered to its policy of supporting the poorest strata of our society through social protection measures. It was our party that played the leading role in drafting the social assistance law and in raising pensions and student grants, as well as the lowest incomes available to meet living costs. The party supports an Albanian family whose needs and living costs are more manageable, and supports pensions and a minimum wage that would make the burden on students more affordable by 13 percent.” The PS enters these elections on an equal footing with the other political forces, said comrade Spiro De. The opposition’s accusations that the PS has acted dishonestly in renominating its members and that the PP is continuing through the PS have become tiresome. The authors who attack the PS and its program—which has begun to be implemented along a consistent path—have all considered it; it is a program of contemporary standards and planning. Naturally, Spiro Dede continued, one cannot claim that old attitudes have disappeared entirely from the ranks of the PS, but such attitudes are encountered no less often in the ranks of the opposition parties. — FUSHË KRUJË — To the participants’ chants of “The PS will win,” a meeting organized by members and supporters of the Socialist Party opened on 13 February in Fushë-Krujë. Participants, [unclear] from across the district of Krujë, listened attentively to the speech by PS deputy chairman, comrade Spiro Dede, which focused mainly on the “elections” and [unclear], as well as the objectives of the PS electoral program. The PS enters these elections on an equal footing with the other political forces, said comrade Spiro Dede. The opposition’s accusations that the PS has acted dishonestly in renominating its members and that the PP is continuing through the PS have become tiresome. The authors who attack the PS and its program—which has begun to be implemented along a consistent path—have all considered it; it is a program of contemporary standards and planning. Naturally, Spiro Dede continued, one cannot claim that old attitudes have disappeared entirely from the ranks of the PS, but such attitudes are encountered no less often in the ranks of the opposition parties.

— Confusion and uncertainty — today’s delays — We have all heard it before. Years ago. Back when we rejected capitalist “theories” and practices and our plans echoed the “expansion” trends of global development. And somehow, when we were expecting the “zenith,” we found ourselves [unclear]. And somehow, when we reached out our hand, we understood that the world was not made up of “socialists” but of others: PRIVATIZATION. Confusion turned into the only alternative. Applause rang out in the stands of the political stadium. The market game began months ago. In a blank field for the market like ours, one finds shades of the most varied models and concepts. We draw on both East and West. The names of distinguished economists and their models have been proposed in newspaper pages, guidelines and departmental studies, at a time when the Albanian economy was repeating the refrain of “the old ways and the plans of the [unclear].” These are unfamiliar paths and ideas, and their names have been changed in the whirlpool of experimentation. But since the privatization of large enterprises has still not really begun, it is starting with the country’s small enterprises. The process continues. Under such conditions, closing and liquidating them would be the easier step, but not the most reasonable or best one; it would be a dangerous step. The idea that privatization alone is the best medicine should be reconsidered. But at the same time, a response must be found to the need for privatization. Experience in other countries has shown that the state has been able to manage this process. So what now? Foreign and domestic buyers and companies risk facing the difficult task of acquiring our giant, worn-out enterprises. The dilemma of “sale or giveaway” for these enterprises has still not been resolved. Especially knowledgeable analysts have observed that “the buyer of Albania’s old industry is the seller of its current condition.” Let us leave the comment on this expression to the facts: the «Shoqëri» transformation passed entirely into the hands of «Wolkswagen», while another electrical-equipment enterprise still has no wealthy buyer. On the other hand, [unclear] taxes have become a desperate measure to revive a hopeless problem. Apparently, for now, only one solution remains: breaking up enterprises into smaller units and privatizing them piece by piece. This approach has the support of most domestic and foreign experts, but the mechanism for putting it into effect is being obstructed. Often, bureaucratic barriers to valuation and objectives persist, although the evaluations are also [unclear], local and realistic. The eyes of many managers look beyond the elections, toward the transition, while traders are interested in whether the privatization signal will be allowed to stand. The signal is weak. Once again, politics instead of economics! How much longer must this people wait? Are these alternatives deliberate, or are they a frightening picture of the electoral sector? SOKOL GRUDA

Another new attack was launched by the leadership of the PD branch in Dibër, under the television cameras. It seems the gentlemen of the PD have thoroughly adopted the tactic of slander, counter-slander and [unclear], and have issued a statement in the style of that of 5 February, full of accusations, slanders and inexplicable fabrications against the district PS Steering Committee. In reply, we will present the reality and the facts of life. So, in response to your request, let us begin—not only for the people of Dibër, who know you for what you are, but also to lay the truth before the national public. You say in your statement that “the first of the recent acts of destruction in Dibër began in the offices of the PS Steering Committee.” We would welcome arguments to support this claim, but we know you do not have any. We have them; wait a moment while we get them from the office. The people responsible for the recent events in Dibër are indeed the enemies and tormentors of the brave, generous and honest Albanian people, and those who carried out these acts of destruction. But these events occurred immediately after you, gentlemen, destroyed the NB in Dhozhisht. How many times did you try to make the PS a co-author of this disgraceful act? But you could not. (Continued on page 4)