TIRANA: The approach of 22 March is also accompanied by an increase in requests to join the ranks of the SP. In February, new members were accepted, including [?] more students than in January. Nine students and lecturers from the Agricultural University of Kamza were accepted in recent weeks. At the Polytechnic University, too, membership is coming from among students and young lecturers. A particularly active response is being observed in the villages around Tirana. Over two months, 11 new members were accepted in Paskuqan, 8 in the Vaqarr area and 4 in the Çerkezë area. At NB Laknas alone, in the organization led by Bajram Burrelli, 6 people were accepted. The other nearby villages also share one characteristic: an influx of young people into the party. The Bregu i Lumit organization doubled in size over the past two weeks. In Paskuqan, 5 new members formed the Socialist Party organization that had been missing. Within two days, this new organization doubled in size with further admissions. All this is happening now, on the eve of the elections. During January and February alone, more than 30 new members joined the SP ranks from the Tirana district; mainly young people, as well as students and intellectuals, have come to fill its ranks.

Dear teachers, pupils, students and lecturers! 7 March is a historic date for Albanian education. This year is a year of transformation towards democracy. But, it seems, in this history the transition of education away from the old and the conservative, away from the darkness [?], has been expected to pay its own tribute. The consequence of this tribute [?] is that this 7 March does not come as it usually does. It arrives to find Albanian education in a difficult state in every respect, lamentable and miserable. Some schools have been left as such in name only. Dark forces, strange people, more savage than merely barbaric, have damaged schools, stolen from and crippled them. Some of this we have all lived through or felt. Our children are spending the winter in classrooms without windows and heating. Students continue to study in conditions that barely meet their everyday needs on the road [?]. This is part of the dark picture that may breed pessimism; but, on the other hand, there is the optimism and thirst for knowledge of pupils and students, the passion, patriotism and dedication to work of our teachers and lecturers, and the school’s mission to be a strong support for democratic processes. On the occasion of 7 March, while congratulating you on the work you are doing, I express my conviction that your efforts will grow day by day. Albanian schools are experiencing a complete transformation brought about by the fall of the socialist system. The politicization [?] of curricula and textbooks has by now nearly been completed. Patriotism, love for the country and for the nation lie at the foundation of educational work. In academic work, effective subject matter aimed at increasing productivity in the teaching and educational process is predominant, so that the school may better align itself with the demands of democratic processes and the market economy. Therefore, the drafting of the law on the education system aims to reform our schools according to the models of schools in advanced Western countries. In this period of duties and problems, the Council of Europe and other international organizations are providing, and will continue to provide, valuable assistance. Looking squarely at the painful reality, I express my conviction that the outlook will be promising, with results to come from our work and dedication. In this way, we will manage to secure the social position we deserve and a measured place in Albanian democratic society. On this 7 March, I wish you success in your noble mission! I wish you from the heart many more achievements! I wish that in the future you will have the place you deserve in the long-awaited democracy! Auditori i Partisë Socialiste

— Working meetings of the SP in the Mat district — At a meeting held in recent days in the town of Ulëz, Drane Sefgjini, a member of the SP City Committee, explained the SP’s electoral program for the countryside during the election campaign. Among other things, the meeting stressed the serious economic, political and psychological situation in which this campaign is taking place; but this must not create a wall preventing us from seeing the near- or long-term prospects offered by the development of democratic processes in our country, to which the SP is totally and honestly committed. The Socialist Party, it was said at the meeting, values support and the fruits of the toil and sweat expended over the years. Older people remember 1953, when work began on building the Ulëz hydroelectric power station. It was precisely there, on land covered with brush and brambles, that the town of Ulëz was built. The little bit of urban development in the district began [?] with the successive construction of two power plants on the Mat River. The opportunities created by the development of the market economy open up prospects for the reconstruction and revival of Ulëz, as well as the possibility of establishing tourist facilities where locals and foreigners can отдых [?] and young people can find employment. In this way, the income and the well-being of the population of this area will increase. Those present made comments to the district’s pluralist executive committee regarding improvements in Ulëz. It was precisely there, on land covered with brush and brambles, that the town of Ulëz was built. The little bit of urban development in the district began [?] with the successive construction of two power plants on the Mat River. The opportunities created by the development of the market economy open up prospects for the reconstruction and revival of Ulëz, as well as the possibility of establishing tourist facilities where locals and foreigners can отдыха [?] and young people can find employment. In this way, the income and the well-being of the population of this area will increase. Those present made comments to the district’s pluralist executive committee regarding improvements in... (Continued on page 4) TOMORROW YOU WILL READ: Poetry by Ditëro Agolli

Apparently, some politicians are also making use of the venue and following the example of the nation’s leaders, who speak to the people through interpreters during this election campaign, surrounded by many foreign friends. They too seek electoral gains, and they too like propaganda backed by foreigners. And when they cannot bring the people themselves, they bring their photographs. Photographs of the chairman of the Greek party “New Democracy,” Micotakis, have begun appearing in private cars and also on the main streets of Gjirokastër in recent days. From the [?] side, it is easy to guess which political forces this serves. Nevertheless, it would not be surprising to hear some political commentator say that this is the work of crypto-socialist fascists. Anything can happen; tongues are wagging on every side. One tongue in particular needs an interpreter.

At last the candidacies for deputies were announced by the electoral subjects, having [?] also raised the curtain. People learned, first of all, whom they would vote for and who might represent them in the next parliament, which they hope will last longer and be more productive than the first. People became acquainted with the candidates and need to know how they differ from one another. Whereas before people looked more at the party represented by the candidate, now they also looked at the candidates themselves. And in this regard, a first phenomenon: Azem Hajdari is no longer a candidate for deputy for the city of Shkodër. We remember how, a year ago, Azem was nominated in this ancient city with its traditions, and quite a few others were surprised in our cities, too. They were surprised that Shkodër thought it had something to give others and did not have to wait for things from others. But the people voted for the Party, and, like it or not, Azem won. Last May, he [?] ... [?] (they say he will emerge completely impoverished). In Shkodër — Azem Hajdari is no longer a candidate for deputy in Shkodër — Some may be surprised, but it is as though I can hear the people asking: What is this? From the well-known city of Shkodër, where there may be another defeat? Perhaps there will be other defeats, too.

A WIDE-EYED DREAM OF ZOTI GJINUSHI — Immediately... immediately... Every Albanian, says the SD Party — — Ah, if only we could speak, ah, if only it could happen that we could speak, we would know what to do for the village! Why shouldn’t we win the election?! I, Enver’s pioneer, Liseni, and the other gentlemen of my party know the practitioners of power very well, because for a whole lifetime we praised that system more than anyone else. It served our interests; otherwise, you lost quite a few privileges. Ah, if only this people would mistake soap for cheese! We will make Albania a “garden of flowers” again, just as the Party of Labour did. But fate did not want me to win as its candidate in the previous elections. Poor Skënder, still dreaming as he once did, when he used to call on students and now calls on Albanians, calls on the people. “Do not forget that Enver and the Party of Labour are alive...” says the daily newspaper “Alternativa SD.” It is true—don’t be surprised, comrades, especially you farmers—that at the head of the PSD are monists of Labour [?], zealous and privileged, not “the socialist comrades, men and women, whom people desire,” as Krenas’s leaflet puts it. It is true because at the head of that party stands Skënder Gjinushi himself, alive and well. Can we trust this demagogue when he tells the farmers what the PSD will do if it wins? Will this “democrat” deceive the farmers? “The construction of bakeries, mainly electric ones, will immediately be ensured along all the familiar routes,” and the farmer will immediately receive supplies of chemical fertilizers, machinery, herbicides, pesticides and selected seeds to carry out spring sowing. “It will immediately ensure...” Rest easy, farmers, because on 23 March, or at the very latest by the end of March, the PSD will meet all your needs! How lucky you would be, if only Mr Skënder Gjinushi won! Read it, read it at once, what he promises you. “Immediately... immediately... immediately...” He did not speak idly before, and he is not speaking idly now. There... He has “certainly” locked away the electric ovens, fertilizers, machinery, seeds, and so on in warehouses and is waiting only for election day, only for election day. Could it really be true?! No, no, he is not as unscrupulous as I think. He is sure his party will not win, and even with Mr Skënder at its head, it will never come to power. But one thing must be said: he is doing something he has never done before—he has started learning the roads to the villages. Ah, if only he won: he would turn the sea into yogurt and make flour rain from the sky for the farmers!

There is an opinion that now, just over two weeks before the elections, people—that is, voters—have made up their minds about whom they will vote for. I believe many really have made up their minds. But there are quite a few people who are, so to speak, undecided. It seems to me that these undecided voters are also the target of the election campaign, the “newspaper war” that has flared up fiercely, the tone of statements, and everything the party leaders are currently doing in order to win this election. A wrong move in this situation by any political force costs it hundreds, if not thousands, of votes. We have experience of this from last year’s election campaign. Was it not said among the people that two particularly spectacular actions—S. Berisha’s appearance on television perched above the wire on the night before the elections, with excessive confidence, and the way he spoke and illustrated his point—caused some voters, those undecided ones, not to give their vote to the PD? As far as we remember, Mr Sali himself behaved somewhat autocratically over this. Did Mr Berisha’s statement at that moment—that G. Pashko, as soon as the PD won, would carry out general vaccination of the population—not also have a negative effect on the people? This statement made quite a lot of people laugh, but it also irritated many, and many called it by its true name—a lie. One might say in this connection: what is past is past. But we have the impression that the opposition has not properly learned from its mistakes. For example, recently Mr Xhefri Pati visited Albania. As vice-chairman of the Anglo-American Conservative Party, wherever he went and with whomever he met, it was clear that he seemed to be placing himself on the left of the whole political spectrum [?]. How true is that? Let us analyze his statements, quoted by the PD in its latest issue, to show how unsubstantiated the open propaganda he made in favour of the PD on the eve of the 22 March elections was. In an interview he gave to the newspaper RD, he says: “The right choice for the Albanian electorate is to vote for the Democratic Party, and as soon as that happens, investment will pour into Albania.” Should we believe this English politician, who, as far as I know, represents neither the World Bank, nor the IMF, nor the European Community, nor the USA, nor the Islamic world, nor...? Anyone may believe him. We do not, because his statements are not bringing in any commitments to cooperate; indeed, they give us the impression that he himself does not believe a single word he says. Asked, “What can you say about diplomatic relations between the two countries?”, Mr Xhefri Pati replied: “I would recommend to the British foreign secretary that he normalize relations with Albania...” The next question followed: “Do you see difficulties in this regard?” And he answered: “I am not sure, for reasons... But we have fully recognized Albania. I hope the remaining outstanding difficulties will be resolved after the elections.” Dear readers, please look at these two statements. When this politician speaks about the British state’s position towards our country, he offers assessments and hopes; but when it comes to the arrival of capital in Albania from him and the rest of the world, provided the opposition wins, the question is treated as though it were 100 percent certain (!). This brings Livingstone to mind: the famous, well-known English explorer of Africa, centuries ago, when the sailors on his expeditions encountered the locals with trinkets and baubles. Xhefri Pati behaved in Albania as if he were facing the naïve Africans of the eighteenth century. Of course, anyone may believe this gentleman, but we Albanians, who have often learned to “blow on the yogurt,” believe we are not so naïve as to fail to understand this language of gentlemen. VEZHGUESI

TAN PROGRAM OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Do not find it strange that the organ of the Socialist Party, “Zëri i Popullit,” should expect a thank-you from the organ of the Democratic Party, “RD.” In fact, we readers of “Zëri...” have been expecting this thank-you for a long time, but since they seem to have forgotten, we are obliged to tell them not to be so careless... Why should “RD” give thanks? For the simple reason that if it were not for the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit,” which this month has been carrying [?] the Socialist Party, RD would be [?] ... and would not come out at all, because it would have no material. At most, it could have appeared with blank pages, without articles, editorials, warnings and the settling of accounts with the “voters” of the State Security in its ranks, to whom we are showing their place one after another. They have now been named, from Froku, Preçi, Gramoz and Neritan, and it is said that soon they may also uncover some revolutionary Teodor who will no longer be a deputy. And their warnings are very “friendly.” For example, you can read how, before her first [?] ... had even happened, Firok Çupi’s first [?] was followed by his attack, calling her communist, crypto-democrat and rolling her into the “together?” [?], in memory of the lies. If it were RD’s turn, could it roll out some other [?]? With this, “RD” showed its neighbours [?] ... in recent times? Vosiu, and not [?] ... Let us say that it is to be... (Continued on page 4) It is less burdened with the usual outbursts against ZP, and yet you can see how “friendly,” tolerant and reasonable they are. On the front page there are six articles. Five of them speak exclusively about “ZP” or the Socialist Party and, alongside them, about the program. All of them concern its work. Thus, the work of “ZP” serves as raw material for their work. We thank you for that! We would say that you are not waiting for guidance and instructions, but you are filling other people’s heads with ideas; the whole world is asking you for leaders to direct it, so accept some advice! Read page two of that same newspaper. Again, more than half the page is covered with attacks, above all on ZP. Again, you should be grateful that they are preparing the phase [?] for you, to hand it over ready-made like... (Continued on page 4)