THE WORLD DOES NOT PREJUDGE ANYONE: ALBANIA, AN OPEN GATE The most closed and isolated country in the Balkans has achieved so many such leaps during one year of pluralism that they must be taken into consideration. Its admission to the largest international financial forums, such as the IMF, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is the greatest investment on which hopes for the revival of its economy and its integration into the European economy are based. And, yes, the SOCIALISTS are in power. Albania, until yesterday a closed door, is today an open gate. Everything is for the good of the country, of our economy, of prosperity. At the negotiating table with foreigners, in a position of partnership. An American professor is teaching lectures at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana. A representative of the European Community has his office in Tirana. The Italian, Antonio Marchini, a representative of this community, has been specially tasked with aid and investment in Albania. These things are not without significance. Albania has definitively broken with the utopian Marxist-Leninist ideology and oppressive totalitarianism. And, yes, the SOCIALISTS are in power. At the beginning of the democratization process, Turkey was among the first states to express sincerely and materially its willingness to help this country. The Italian Government allocated millions of dollars in aid. Europe likewise confirmed aid through 1993. The Albanian market consumes food goods arriving free of charge from abroad. Meat products, milk, bulgur, rice, oil, butter, sugar, and even eggs bear no «Made in Albania» mark. Dozens of humanitarian organizations distribute food, industrial, and medical aid in the country’s most remote areas. These examples are the most meaningful indicators proving that the states of Europe are helping Albania along the road it has set out on toward them. And, yes, the SOCIALISTS are in power. Someone, without fear of prejudice and in a spirit of goodwill, declares that this is nothing remarkable, that it is food aid. I do not understand what importance it makes that this is aid—indeed, free aid. After all, what did we ask for? Aid? Yes. Well then. You are asking for other kinds of aid that would set the economy in motion and get people back to work—that is, productive investment. Fair enough. But, however, we must not forget that the fact that governments have been toppled one after another for a year has had a very negative effect. And that is no small thing! It seems that, whether intentionally or not, the fall of governments has driven away foreign investors and has simultaneously provided an argument for theoreticians supporting the illogical idea that «the world does not help Albania as long as the Socialists are in power». The facts, whether it helps or does not help, show the opposite. Nevertheless, foreign capital has managed to enter Albania. Facts are facts, and this cannot be denied. Seventy-six joint ventures with foreign capital have been established. Twenty-two joint ventures have been established with Italian firms, 4 with Swiss firms, 3 with French firms, 4 with American firms, 3 with German firms, and others with English, Austrian, Greek, etc. firms. These are foreign companies whose doors have been opened in the Albanian economy. The initial capital made available by these joint ventures amounts to nearly 113 million dollars, of which the foreign companies’ contribution in the form of machinery, equipment, and raw materials reaches 63 million dollars. This does not include the agreements concluded with powerful firms for oil exploration in the Adriatic Sea, or for the extraction, industrialization, and processing of minerals such as copper, etc. We are obliged to repeat once again that the Socialists are in power. This is a fact that cannot be denied. DEDE KOLA

The level of [?] continues to rise Wishing to create an objective atmosphere now, on the eve of the 22 March elections, we contacted several enterprises and learned that work there is proceeding normally, putting an end to the 80 percent [wage arrangement]. And, as you can see, the tireless workers at the seaport are engaged in loading and unloading ships, especially now that more food goods are arriving as aid from various states and international organizations. Thus, the workers are unloading the ship «Vlora» Blazë- [?], which was carrying 15 thousand tons of wheat from the European Common Market. Aid that arrived recently from Italy and Turkey was also unloaded: 2,400 tons of cooking oil, 4,400 tons of flour, 150 tons of sugar, 944 tons of soap, etc. Likewise, the tobacco and cigarette factory has been operating for several days; thanks to the efforts of its managers, aluminium foil was secured from abroad, and its 800 workers no longer rely on the 80 percent [wage arrangement], but receive higher wages according to their work. All departments are working at the bread factory, and in special cases production exceeds the daily quota. At the garment-production enterprise, 100 workers work two shifts for a German company making blouses. The knitting factory is also working, although on a reduced schedule [?]. Workers are also employed in the ship «Vlora» maintenance department and in the workshops [?]. This enterprise also, as the enterprise indicates, is engaged in supplying the population with food products, etc. However, in this context it is regrettable that some enterprises, although fully provided with the means of production [?], are not working. Apparently, they have become accustomed to the 80 percent [wage arrangement]. Such enterprises cannot be excused, unlike other enterprises in the country that have all the means for productive activity. Some enterprises and individuals, too, are charging far more than they should. And here we are not talking about the latest increases in the prices of food and industrial products, VANGJEL DUSHI

Note of the day A short while ago, a black leaflet called «Tribuna Demokratike» began appearing in Tirana. At its head is Ylli Vejsiu, chairman of the DP in Tirana. It is he and his entourage who, while scrutinizing «Zëri i Popullit», use the pens of a few journalists to attack the Socialists and true democracy. But can the newspapers of «Zëri» be called defenders of the truth? When? Shame on them, they write while alive [?], and, as is clear, in their shame and desperation they may even bite off their own ears. What can you expect from them? A short while ago, what newspaper appeared in Tirana with the people’s finger [?]? The journalists of «Zëri i Popullit» were not afraid even when the red bureaucrats had them in their sights, let alone today. Democrats will never be democrats if they continue to write in the fascist spirit of «Bulerit», «Kujerit», «Balërit», the anonymous DP’s shameless, Demo-Nazi tribune. Their strategy is as Serbian as it is fascist, as pseudo-American as it is pseudo-European. THE OBSERVER

How is it possible?! An entire nation near the truth An entire nation near the lie Oh God, what kind of world is this What is going to happen to this people Why do mothers mourn Why do children cry Why do fathers throw [themselves?] Where are the men of Albania?! Be careful, Mr. Politician In your hands—life In your hands—death The others, hungry, wait for you Do not play with the feelings of a people Stop—terrorism Stop—destruction Stop—killing Stop—division Stop—lying Be careful, Mr. Politician An entire nation near the truth An entire nation near death. V. BABA student

— Only the truth makes everything beautiful — A few days ago, the Lezhë DP leaflet «Shprea» published an article about my political «career». The message contained in this article was slander, nothing but slander and the degradation desired by people who know and do it in order to prevent my candidacy for PS deputy in electoral district no. 46 of the Krujë district. I am not trying to convince an adventurer and town crier; my candidacy was accepted by the Socialist Party, even though I have never been a party member, because of my convictions. In the leaflet’s [?] it says that I supposedly built 4 par- I. The town crier with the shrill voice. Mr Kaloshi, something frightens you into taking on such a filthy mission, starting with the simple fact that I do not even know what you look like, nor did I know you had such a «talent» in Lac. Apparently, what frightens you most is the public opinion supporting my candidacy. I have never in my nearly 40-year life been a member of any party, whether left-wing or otherwise. First, the «arguments» the author presents, the PS-D association cannot make me sympathize with it? Let alone make me a member or secretary, as the disinformer Kaloshi says. In Albania, the portals [sic] of who has been elected and to the leadership of the PS in Lac. According to you, only one lesson can be drawn: those whose convictions are different should not dare to cooperate; they are the enemy, apparently? This reminds me of the practices of the PPSH of old. With this path of slander you have started, S. Kaloshi, you are of no use even to your own party. It is people like you who slander and degrade, who spread village gossip and unleash psychological terror. Such facts as this, or others I am experiencing during meetings with the people, cannot be interpreted as the leaders of the DP do, shouting to pin the blame on the PS, according to the theory «Attack in order to defend». Put your mind at ease, Mr Dashnor: I have never been a member of the PPS, the PS, the DP, or any other party; luckily, you did not also make me a member of the British Labour Party. Why are you so low that you did not have the courage at least to meet me, or did you write this for someone else? Go on, bang your tin cans—keep banging them to serve up all the lies! I take this opportunity to assure my colleagues at the newspaper «Shprea»: do not start down this path; write the truth. It is the truth that makes every face beautiful, even the ugly face of your new newspaper. SUZANA DHIMULI

— They declare one thing and another — «Kosovo and Macedonia, as two parts of the former Yugoslavia, will seek their identities while pursuing the processes of European integration. Under the new conditions, the borders of Kosovo and Macedonia will remain open.» Contacts between Ibrahim Rugova and the president of Macedonia, Kiro Gligorov, the speaker of the Macedonian parliament, Stojan Andov, and the minister of Internal Affairs and [?] Vërkovski emerged through business and delegations of the Democratic League of Kosovo. The Ministry of the Democratic League of Kosovo is publishing the party newspaper «Shkëndija» today. «The LDK movement,» led by Ibrahim Rugova, declares one thing: «If Kosovo Albanians do not find common ground with Macedonian Albanians, then the way to the future will be opened». According to the report, Gligorov said in this connection that «Kosovo is indelible, but everyone has the opportunity to learn from the policy pursued by the Albanians—that is, that everything should be connected through talks». According to this, the Democratic League, «Shkëndija» declares: «Shkëndija», which has been Kosovo’s, will now be everyone’s... — Kosovo has not been forgotten at the peace conference in Brussels. Part of the talks was devoted to the position and agreements for overcoming future problems in Macedonia, «Shkëndija» says. In Gjorgjova, in a [?] meeting with the chairman of the LDK, Ibrahim Rugova.

Why indeed? This 35-year veteran is still viewed with surprise by some intellectuals who, in our city, are seeking personal gain from their opposition zeal. Hektor Cane, by contrast, did the opposite of what those opposing the «government» do: he accepted the nomination as a deputy for the Socialist Party. And he did so without being a member of this party, while preparing to complete a scholarly study together with his professor, Zhak Kleremonte, in the city of Nancy, France. Hektori is a lecturer at the University of Tirana; he completed postgraduate studies in Europe and is certainly no boy who would be rocked by empty dreams or hopeless ideals. Then why did socialist deputy candidate Hektor Cane accept the nomination? He accepted in order to defend the ideal of democratic socialism for his people, now paralyzed in the villages. Fezto Cane was an antifascist and a partisan. Hektor Cane accepted the nomination as a deputy for the Socialist Party so that Albania would not be a monopoly, and so we could have more freedom, equality, and brotherhood. In that [?] he was put at the edge of [?] and in that [?] he was easily supported. In that [?] they were allowed to drink water, and the frogs that came arrived, but remained submerged in their paradise. But that did not quench their thirst; it intensified it. The years of transition that will lead us toward true democracy will be full of threats to the social freedom of the majority, so they will more often than not be troubled years. Hektor finds this subject «alive», he says sincerely, and says that emigrants will return, the Socialists will come back. In France, he adds, they have a saying: «The French have their heart on the left» [?]. Whereas their head is on the right. This is a surprise in conversation; today, here in Albania, many things are different: their heart is on the right and their head on the left. The Socialist candidate in electoral district number 2 is not one of those who has appeared before the people at this moment to profit and then turn his back on them. Personal calculations would make Hektor Cane a loser. But he has an ideal, and ideals do not do arithmetic. He says, deeply moved, in a conversation with his voters in the village of Lapardha, that he hears that former deputies of his party see him more as a «former corporative» [?] than as anything else. (Continued on page 2) DEMOCRACY NEEDS TRUE DEMOCRATS Can Mr Afrim Jupi be a deputy? The Democratic Party has proposed Mr Afrim Jupi as a deputy in district 98 in Vlorë. He is a senior drilling engineer and, in the early years after graduating from university, worked well and on some occasions showed great dedication. But later, especially during the last 10–15 years, when he worked as head of the drilling and exploration enterprise in Vlorë, perhaps also as a consequence of the relationships formed there, he became a typical representative of the bureaucrat, causing very great harm. There are numerous indisputable facts showing that, as a result of his organizational and managerial activity, and that of the staff he established and leads, economic crimes were committed, for which he is responsible. Here are a few examples. — Work and processes were carried out without technical justification, through orders and work programs, even in violation of technical discipline and inspection and study reports, as at wells K-34, K-1, and Go-250. As a result, the work continued for over 2–3 years without any results, although, if the rules had been followed, it could have been completed in 2–3 months. Several million lekë were thus wasted. The drilling brigade was blamed for delays, and workers were forced to repeat work processes many times, which was extremely exhausting; the workers themselves knew the processes were wrong, but no one listened to them. The facts concerning the delays and damage at well K-34 and its drilling implicate A. Jupi and his superiors, but he denied responsibility; he even changed the drilling brigade and, with his own hand, wrote engineer N. V.’s character reference in order to have him arrested, and after the facts came to light he was arrested. A bureaucrat was also responsible for the accident at P-1, and Afrim Jupi caused the imprisonment of the chief [?] H.? — Mr Afrim was one of the members and representatives of the euphoria [?]... (Continued on page 2)

The Socialist Party promises nothing! It promises to fulfil the ardent desire of the youth and all the people for the triumph of democracy. With our forces freed from the monist dictatorship, united with our opposition brothers, we will fulfil the aspiration to make Albania like Europe. Voters, men and women, vote for the Socialist Party!

To Mr Pierre Mauroy President of the Socialist International Dear Mr Pierre Mauroy, On behalf of the Socialist Party of Albania, I am pleased to send You my best wishes on your election as President of the Socialist International. The Socialist Party of Albania, which is engaged in the process of democratic transformations for development in our country, has pursued the path of European democratic socialism and achieved [this] only with the parties of the European left and its accession to the Socialist International. As the largest political force in the country, our party feels its responsibility for Albania’s development according to the democratic-socialist alternative it represents. In this context, the contacts you have had and the exchange of experience with parties of the Socialist International have been a great joy in making the ideas of democratic socialism as widely present as possible among the broad masses of the people, who, after the collapse of the communist dictatorship, aspire to a free society, humanism, and social democracy. We express our confidence that fruitful cooperation with these parties will continue in the future, and especially with the Socialist International, to help our new party [corrupt text: «ka përbër një vend më shpejt në solidaritetin për ende një kombëtarisht për konsolidimin e një të majtë të përparuar në Shqipëri, si dhe për një car përpara procesin e shndërrimeve demokratike»]. We wish you success in the high and honorable office of President of the Socialist International. Respectfully, FATOS NANO Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania