— The PS ranks in Tirana grow with 25 new recruits, including 15 eurosocialists — Membership is not a matter of two or three days: what makes a person a socialist or a democrat is not that. This must… a young doctor, one…? Fifteen students from the faculties of Tirana, a young doctor, one…? from the «Hasan Tahsimi» school, two workers receiving assistance, one person from the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and two employees of the «Mihal Duri» printing house—received their membership cards. Thus, in a simple ceremony, they—having submitted their applications and received their cards—made their presence in the PS and their commitment to the socialist alternative clear. As we said, they had made that commitment beforehand, through their earlier engagement and their acceptance of this alternative when it was announced. A simple ceremony, far removed from monist practices. Their action needed to be made visible. Eurosocialists who had previously been accepted into the PS handed membership cards to their younger comrades. There also had to be an evening of entertainment. That, too, was not lacking. Let this be an answer to all those who see political parties only as something for an election campaign. Let the action of these 25 young people also be an answer to those who turn their backs and spread intrigues about this forum, this alternative grouping, calling it nonexistent, adolescent, and so on and so forth. Let their commitment—and their formation—be an answer for the future of the Socialist Party and for the alternatives they themselves have chosen. Their membership is only the beginning of a mission. Congratulations! They were not disappointed, although, as young people and among the most committed, they had more reason than anyone to be. This happened because they had, and still have, a very clear and much more modern concept—an entirely sound one—of their participation in the alternative and in the country’s political life. The argument is very convincing: 25 of those young people, bringing one another into the ranks of the PS, submitted applications to join the Socialist Party immediately after the elections ended. For the future of the Socialist Party and the beginning of a mission. Congratulations! FRANO ÇAKA SH. M.

ON THE CONCLUSION OF THE 22 MARCH 1992 ELECTIONS FOR DEPUTIES TO THE 13TH LEGISLATURE OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY On 22 and 29 March 1992, elections were held for deputies to the 13th legislature of the People’s Assembly. A total of 2,021,169 voters were registered in these elections, of whom 1,826,142 voted, or 90.35%. The elections for deputies to the People’s Assembly were held in accordance with Law No. 7556, dated 4.2.1992, «On the Elections to the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania», without incidents and in a calm atmosphere. Foreign observers from the parliaments of other countries and international organizations, as well as observers from electoral entities and associations specializing in elections, attended these elections. The final results for the PS in the first and second rounds of voting are as follows: total votes 433,602; percentage of votes 25.7325%; candidates elected: 38; percentage of seats in the Assembly: 27.14%. 1. Fatos Thanas Nano 2. Tefik Elmaz Ajazi 3. Kastriot Eclman Islami 4. Bashkim Beqir Koçi 5. Bashkim Dilaver Caka 6. Ilir Rexhep Metaj 7. Dritëro Riza Agolli 8. Servet Ismail Pëllumbi 9. Gramoz Kaso Ruci 10. Erm elinda Ahmet Meksi 11. Mago Lefter Lakrori 12. Namik Hamza Dokle 13. Anastas Mihal Angjeli 14. Moikom Zihni Zeqo 15. Fekmi Haziz Abdiu 16. Sabit Laze Brokaj 17. Shaqir Bejto Vukaj 18. Luan Reshat Hajdaraga 19. Miri Ahmet Hoti 20. Xhkevat Reshat Lioshi 21. Theodhor Apostol Bej. 22. Leontiev Skënder Çuci, 23. Bashkim Lilo Zeneli 24. Mehmet Hasan Loci 25. Lush Martin Përpali 26. Bardhyl Hasan Agasi 27. Ndre Zef Legisi 28. Shkëlqim Islam Cani 29. Pandeli Sotir Majko 30. Ethem Novruz Raka 31. Medin Halil Zhega 32. Musa Reshep Ulqini 33. Ibrahim Sali Baçi 34. Ylli Sokrat Bufi 35. Halil Ahmet Lala 36. Adem Sadik Zyberi 37. Vladimir Perikli Metani 38. Alfred Gjon Paloka Detailed data on election results by electoral zone have been compiled in a special bulletin 1 cil, which may be requested from the information technology group of the Central Election Commission. The Central Election Commission wishes the new People’s Assembly successful and fruitful work, for the benefit of the development of democracy and the strengthening of the rule of law for the advancement of Albania. CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION CHAIRMAN NIKOLLA HOSI

— Governments rush — reform stays put — After lengthy discussions in search of the most suitable economic model, supporters of the various theories preferred silence. The economy fell silent too. Before even looking at the papers, governments were making their exits… handing over. In this sense, governments move faster than reforms (!). Four governments in one year. A year of inflation. The changes came so rapidly, like a pyramid, that there was no time to take stock of their work. Strange, but true. Governments are shortened like skirts, and it never occurs to those demanding it to use a measuring scale. Only here and there, in some newspaper, do you see traces of corruption, incompetence, signs of monism or inexperience—and silence. Silence about the most fundamental problems a government must solve. How can this be?! We are talking about four programmes, four prime ministers’ oaths. It would take a long time to examine the factors that brought about this «silence» in the Albanian economy, and their analysis requires an author’s responsibility. But let us narrowly focus on the grey picture before our eyes. This year we have grown accustomed to looking beyond the isolating curtain of the dictatorship that has passed. We saw what was happening beyond us, and the world saw us from there. The paper economy began to move. The state—centralized economy—«new economic mechanism» (self-financing)—«market economy» was placed on the fateful track of change. Whoever entered the contest to win, won. And we changed our economic policy from «eating grass» (by working) to the policy of «eating bananas» (without working). Perhaps this is the most flagrant abuse of this period of transition. The successive governments within the year must surely have understood the scale of the great transformation entrusted to them. Otherwise, there is no explanation for the fact that attracting foreign investment also featured at the head of their programmes. People without passion know how to weigh the obstacles and difficulties involved in realizing this aspiration. But, on the other hand, everyone has the right to comment on the facts, especially when we feel poverty more and more every day. There was a great deal of noise about attracting foreign capital; a firm called «Rukert» appeared to us like a dream, many oil companies made offers, hosannas were sung to «Iliria Holding», trumpets sounded for Europe and America… Only the petty-minded and jealous could deny everything that was done this year. Still, «facto are facts». The assistance of those firms and joint ventures that began economic activity is not merely much ado about nothing; according to them alone, they have opened the stage for investment. Many other firms cannot manage to put their signatures anywhere. «Rukert» vanished like the morning dew, taking with it hundreds of kilograms of newspaper pages full of extreme commentary. For months we have been opening cans of European and American brands, but we are seeing few worthwhile investments. And finally, the «Rukert» sign was displayed for «Iliria Holding SA» as well! What is going on? Are the articles prohibiting foreign capital so deeply ingrained in people’s minds? Are the parties’ eyes perhaps waiting for help from abroad? And are we prepared for such a challenge? Every Albanian should go to bed troubled by questions like these. Specialists with communist degrees lay out facts and studies and provide explanations. Criticism, justifications, judgments, debates—and, most often, political evasion. Silence in some places, while elsewhere voices rise to the heavens. Let us set aside our doubts and guesses for a moment and come down to earth (even though we have been made to carry around the condensates of politics). We want to put that part of industry which can operate to effective use. Apart from the investment needed for technological renewal, the need for raw materials is obvious in this case. We have to import those too. But up until last year, the year before, and earlier, we had our own. The reason? Agriculture is not being worked—concentrated farms and cooperatives were dismantled, land is being distributed, and agricultural reorganization is under way. What else? The mines are not operating; contracts have fallen apart, and the «neud-ludists» are wrecking the machinery. Anything else? You, dear readers, who naturally know much more than I do, can draw out the facts at the end, and let us offer our assessment. Of 32 countries around the world observed in the course of economic reform, 25 have presented a programme, a model and a path for it. We are not even asking for a programme, a model and a path for the technical aspects of the problem; yet it turns out that Albania is once again trying either to proceed through appeals for European alms or to draw up these familiar models. Even if these are actions by particular individuals, I do not believe they are heroes with a guardian above them who governs. And what is it about the things mentioned above that makes us seem incompetent? All governments have been obliged to adopt a market economy and, consequently, to support privatization as its driving force. The pace of privatization and its purchase are separate matters in this case, but something else brings hope. A programme has also been written to support and encourage private initiatives, but we are seeing… (Continued on page 2)

— A brief observation — Many had expected that, with the appointment of new pluralist managers in enterprises, many things would change. At the very least, work would get new solutions, something would be set in motion, and something that had been interrupted would continue. This should have happened not only, for example, in the provision of [unreadable passage], where there is currently widespread speculation, but also in the benefits from the materials these managers receive as a sign of the [unreadable passage] of the enterprise, with which they are [unreadable passage] and of the economic strength of the workplace. If they themselves are at 80 per cent and are gradually opening the way for the enterprise, even though they work properly and as they should, these things will be learned again, even though conditions are getting harder every day and they have no other source of income than work at their enterprise, to improve their well-being. Some would say that the main reason for buying new cars is destructive jealousy. Directors are people too. The enterprise directors are taken to task for using a new car, but surely no one would want the director to get one in red or in black! The same goes for the car, which he has acquired as a sign of [unreadable passage]—where and how, nobody knows. Who knows, perhaps their enterprises are being dissolved and the director is buying the new car at a discount. The director of the «Perlat Rexhepi» agricultural enterprise buys a white car, and immediately the forestry enterprise responds with a black one. If the state bank buys, or is going to buy, a comfortable car, just wait and see the savings-bank branch buy one too. These cars have not come cheap. Let us speak plainly about the cars so that we understand one another. The price ranges from 700 thousand to over a million. Paid to private individuals, cash in hand. Imagine that! Meanwhile, someone with time on their hands thinks that with that money the enterprise could also start a new activity. But these are minor matters. The excerpt was left short in the newspaper «Ora».

IN A MOMENT OF PEACE... (Photo: Niko Xhufka)

No member of the Socialist Party should hang their head because of the percentage we achieved in the elections. Let us understand this result for what it is: both a verdict on the current phase and a reprimand from the people for our shortcomings, which must necessarily be identified and overcome.

It was the first Monday after the voting. As I was walking my son to kindergarten, the raised voices of the teachers at the nearby nursery caught my attention. One seemed to be declaiming on stage: — May you become an auntie! Tomorrow auntie will give you four portions. I smiled faintly, with a feeling of pleasure and sadness. She had cast a vote against my convictions. The party of my convictions had lost badly. So what?! At that moment of passion and hope, I could not be angry with her. I merely recalled the verses of the great Pushkin: «Let him live as he feels, while the world moves towards perfection». Why shatter a dream when we have nothing else to give? I thought of the thousands who defended their vote with the «white cheque». The grand promises. At least I am prepared for what we have ahead of us. Someone will learn as they climb. You will meet there, resting, and surely we will understand one another. Everything will get done, I tell my acquaintances. And why not? We will have time to mature. Besides, it seems we Socialists don’t like happiness. SH. M.

The Albanian Air Company Ada-Air announces that, starting on 5 April 1992, it will operate its air services on the Tirana–Bari–Tirana route according to the schedule below.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, Departure from Tirana at 12:45. Arrival in Bari at 17:45. Reservations and ticket collection are available at Hotel DAJTI every day from 09:00 to 20:00. TEL: 38214 - 24801 - 27306 FAX 38027 - TELEX 2231

MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY Departure from Bari at 14:45. Arrival in Tirana at 10:45. NOTE: 1. Passengers must report to Tirana Airport at least 24 hours before departure, in case of delay. 2. Passengers must be at the airport 30 minutes before departure. 3. Permitted baggage ... 4. Services are provided ... departure from Hotel Dajti ... after arrival ...