A year has nearly passed since the first pluralist elections, and Albania has entered the irreversible path of democracy. The fate of the country, of every family and of every citizen depends on consolidating democratic achievements, protecting them and deepening them. Over the past year, the Socialist Party has established itself as the leading political force in our society. Its significant and serious contribution is evident everywhere: in the peaceful transition to democracy; in the package of key constitutional provisions, which defines the system of democratic institutions and enshrines individual freedoms and rights as the highest values; and in the work of the government of stability, the most appropriate form at this transitional stage. The crisis and the dictatorship of chaos, the unrestrained actions of street forces and criminality will be avoided through the functioning of the rule-of-law state and a democracy founded on law and public order, through the general revival of the economy, greater national responsibility among political forces and the growth of the political culture of the masses. The past year, a major test for the Socialist Party, became living proof of its finest essential characteristics: - as a party that places national interests above narrow party interests; - that works to establish the rule-of-law state and a market economy with a social dimension; - that commits itself with a strong sense of responsibility to establishing order and restoring public safety and calm; - that preserves the true moral, cultural, democratic and progressive values of our people and society; - that assesses the distant and recent past of our country and people objectively and realistically; that defends and values the National Liberation War, and the labor, sweat and sacrifices of the honest people of our nation in building the country and carrying out the progressive socioeconomic transformations and reforms since liberation; - that engages in constructive and fair dialogue with the country’s democratic political forces; - that maintains ties on the international stage with political, progressive, democratic forces that are friendly toward Albania. Dear sisters and brothers, Over the past year, we became freer, but also poorer. The economy has come to a standstill, and unemployment is becoming alarming. Speculation, crime, inflation and prices are rising. The situation we are going through has brought food, housing, work and the security of life—both today and in the future—to the forefront. The new elections will open the way to overcoming the grave difficulties and will revive hopes for a better tomorrow. The PSSH’s victory in these elections will bring the victory of order and law over anarchy and unlawful conduct; a way out of the current crisis through economic growth and fruitful, intensive cooperation with foreign partners; the flourishing of trade and private and collective business, and the victory of work over today’s stagnation and ruin; and the laying of the foundations for achieving European standards in food, employment, housing and the protection of the people’s health. The victory of the PSSH in the elections of 22 March will guarantee the victory of democracy and lay the foundations for achieving European standards in food, employment and the protection of the people’s health.

Democracy is achieved through the functioning and strengthening of the rule-of-law state. Justice requires equality of all parties before the law, so that the law governs the regulation of social relations in our country. We understand democracy as having two inseparable sides: freedom and legal responsibility with regard to the rights and obligations of others. On this basis, the PSSH will work to educate its members and supporters in the spirit of respect for pluralist democracy and the strengthening of the rule of law. To put a stop to abuses, privileges, bureaucracy and misuse, the status of civil servants at every level of the state apparatus, and their legal and administrative rights and responsibilities, must be defined accurately and comprehensively by law. THE ARMY IS THE KEY FACTOR IN ENSURING NATIONAL SECURITY State bodies must take effective measures to modernize the army and strengthen the defense of the homeland, in keeping with the new strategic concepts of today’s world. The PSSH supports completing the reform of the army as soon as possible and further improving the status of military personnel. PUBLIC PEACE AND CONSTITUTIONAL LEGAL ORDER The PSSH supports restoring public peace as soon as possible and ensuring people’s lives and normal work—

cause tensions and unrest for nefarious and anti-national purposes. The state’s authority must be strengthened by preventing any kind of unlawful interference with the law-enforcement bodies, the police, the courts and the prosecution service, as well as any interference by these bodies in citizens’ lives, freeing these bodies from any influence in applying the laws. POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND FAIR POLITICAL CONTEST The Socialist Party will support fair dialogue, transparency and effective cooperation with the other parties, especially on issues of national unity, the country’s development and progress, strengthening the homeland’s independence and freedom, and taking root of democracy. SOCIAL PEACE — A GREAT NATIONAL DUTY The PSSH supports the full civic rehabilitation of all former political prisoners and persecuted people, and will call for all their essential needs to be met and for the measures stipulated in the laws and decisions adopted to be implemented. Albania is the homeland of all Albanians, wherever they may be, who wish for its flourishing and prosperity. The People’s Assembly and the Government should speed up the adoption of laws and decisions giving priority to investments in our country’s economy by Albanians from the diaspora or other emigrants, as well as to close cultural, educational, scientific and spiritual ties with the homeland. GUARANTEE AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS The Socialist Party will make its contribution, through its qualified intellectual forces, to further completing the legal system that affirms, protects and effectively guarantees individual freedoms and rights, humanism, social justice, solidarity and social protection for disadvantaged groups, in accordance with the norms and official commitments of our country in international forums and organi-

GREAT DECEPTIONS BY QEMAL BREZFTOTI The DP drew up its program for the election campaign. Everyone has the right to express opinions about this program. Studying it and comparing it with this party’s practical activities naturally raises several questions: does the leadership of this party have the Albanian people in its sights? Is its leadership so relentless, so wretched and short-lived? Let us analyze some of the main directions of its program. The first deception: The Democratic Party consistently adheres to a policy of national reconciliation. (R. D., p. 2, dated 22 February 1992). From beginning to end, an electoral deception. The reality: The revanchist leadership of the DP does not want national reconciliation. The first fact: 1. “A council for organizing the assembly for national reconciliation is convened in Tirana.” The DP leadership called it manipulation. 2. This commission, with distinguished intellectuals from Kosovo, took part; its platform was presented, while the DP leadership continues to insist that communists and socialists should not take part in the assembly. 3. Rexhep Qosja and other Kosovo intellectuals come to Tirana. The assembly meeting is held, and not a single official representative of the DP attends. The pretext: There is manipulation; Kosha has not come. Has everyone been manipulated? Mr. Rexhep Qosja, Ismail Kadareja, Idriz Ajeti, the political parties taking part—all of them; only the DP leadership has not been manipulated. The real reason: The revanchist wing that now calls the shots in the DP, led by S. Berisha, does not want national reconciliation, but national division. National reconciliation means an end to every seed of dictatorship, an end to every legal pretext for settling scores, an end to any new class war. But the DP’s extremist wing dreams of settling scores and is building a dictatorship, a second fascism. Fact 2: The DP leadership is the most zealous advocate of political prisoners. Why, indeed? For propaganda purposes, to attract their votes and turn them into soldiers of its own power, to draw new breath for its revanchist cause. Here are two clear facts for the reader: Through no fault of their own, you cannot find a single person ... — reconciliation. — It will raise the fallen from their graves only to kill them again; it will raise criminals from their graves and rehabilitate them. They will kill and slaughter, burn and sabotage, because they were partisans: Rexha, Rexheli, Bariu, Bardhok Biba, Babë Hasani were killed by diversionists. How will the DP act? A political prisoner, party chairman, deputy chairman or secretary is imprisoned. Europe is astonished: what kind of opposition is this? Not one of yesterday’s political prisoners is among these leaders, only communists and others. In the four newspaper pages laying out the DP’s electoral program, it talks about everything, even the kinds of seeds or trees Albania has, but there is not one emphatic word—not one word—about political prisoners. The reason: It seems most of the former political prisoners refused to become tools of Sali Berisha’s plan, and Zeus wants revenge on them. Only those former political prisoners who support Sali Berisha are democrats; the others, such as F. Rëshpja, F. Lubonja, M. Rombo, A. Haske, Pal Marku, Deda, etc., are not. ‘L’État, c’est moi (I am the State).’ This is Sali Berisha’s motto. The second deception: ‘The Martyrs of the Nation are the ...’ (D. D., p. 2, 22 February 1992). The first fact: ... in 1991, together with the demo... ... those arrested by the blackmailer? ... among them ... In Albania, the destruction of memorial plaques commemorating the National Liberation War and the war to defend the homeland after liberation began; monuments and museums of the National Liberation War were destroyed. Honest public opinion reacted, and continues to react, to these desecrations. Who did it? Those who shout for the Democratic Party and Sali Berisha, because its leaders alone never distanced themselves from them. Organizations of the National Democratic Union party were formed in Gjirokastër, Libohovë and Lushnjë. The Ballists declared those they had killed in the war to be martyrs. Representatives of the Democratic Party also took part in this ceremony... Far-right forces ceremonially re-proclaimed several war criminals in Vlorë, and representatives of the DP, PSD and PR did not fail to attend the inauguration ceremony. The Battle of Qafa e Kolshit, declares the so-called “democrat” Lisien Bashkurti, is the first objection. (Continued on page 3)

To further develop and guarantee the continuity of democratic achievements, the Socialist Party has the following political objectives: FREE DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS The PSSH will do everything to ensure that elections are held freely and in accordance with recognized democratic standards, and will accept the results of such elections. It strives to win a majority in the highest legislative body. Its main aim is for the People’s Assembly to continue establishing and completing the legal foundations of democracy. In accordance with the will of the people expressed in the elections, it will participate actively and constructively in legislative power. Given the difficult circumstances the country is experiencing during this transition, the Socialist Party supports forming a coalition government as a factor for stability and continuity in executive power. A NEW DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION The PSSH will pursue a policy of strengthening the constitutional order, pluralist parliamentarism and democratic institutions. As one of the country’s main political forces, it is determined to establish and further strengthen the economic, political, legal and social guarantees of Albanian democracy. To this end, a new constitution is to be drafted—the legal foundation of democracy—and, following scientific and public discussion, adopted during the first six months of this year. The Constitution must enshrine the democratic principles recognized in international acts and those of the CSCE, a market economy with a social dimension, pluralism of ownership, the system of democratic institutions, and the affirmation and protection of human freedoms and rights. All necessary codes governing relations among people, between the state and individuals, and in the economic, social, political and other fields are to be developed and drafted on the basis of the Constitution. SEPARATION AND STRENGTHENING OF LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL POWER; BROAD LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT The consolidation of the process of separating legislative, executive and judicial powers must be carried through to

and normal work, and the rigorous enforcement of the law. Law-enforcement bodies need broad social support and backing from all honest and patriotic people. Attempts and actions that lead to

HUMAN in various international forums and organizations. - The PS guarantees full respect for freedom of religious belief and the activities of religious institutions, as well as the creation of the best possible conditions for them.

LET US GET THE COUNTRY OUT OF THE CRISIS AND HALT THE ECONOMIC DECLINE. 1. THE MARKET MUST BE SUPPLIED WITH THE MOST ESSENTIAL FOOD PRODUCTS — Ensure the stability of prices and the market for the basket of goods: bread, oil, sugar, flour, rice, meat, milk, butter, rents, transport fares, etc. Any increase in these costs should be compensated by a pay supplement; the burden of speculative practices should be reduced, and strict measures taken against profiteers and economic corruption. — Incentives for the most essential agricultural and livestock products through a fair policy on prices, taxes, customs duties, etc. (Continued on page 2)

On 25 February 1992, the President of the Republic, Ramiz Alia, summoned the Prosecutor General, Petrit Serjani, regarding an interview with a foreign citizen broadcast by RT-SH on 24 February 1992, in which it was said that 10 tons had been transported from Albania to Switzerland at the end of 1990 and the beginning of 1991. According to the interview, part of this gold constituted the basic capital of an Albanian-Swiss bank said to exist in Tirana. President Ramiz Alia asked the Prosecutor General: 1. To verify the accuracy of the above facts. 2. If the above facts are true and constitute grounds for initiating criminal proceedings, to bring all state officials implicated in this matter before the law without hesitation. In this connection, if it emerges that this gold was used as the basic capital of an Albanian-Swiss bank, as stated in the television news report, or that the gold went to the account of an individual or group of individuals in banks outside Albania, it is to be frozen, requesting for this purpose also the assistance of specialized international organizations. 3. If the report proves to be false, to initiate criminal proceedings against its author and those who organized the dissemination of this report. THE PRESIDENT’S CABINET Tirana, 25 February 1992

By HAMDI JUPE SEDAT BRAJA