The Albanian Eurosocialist Forum FRESSH was born of students’ free will and independent thought. It operates as an independent, free and democratic organization, relying on a program and statute drawn up within the framework of human legal rights. As such, this Forum is in no way a product of the Socialist Party, but an inexhaustible source and a supporting force for that party. I do not want to go into too much detail about the program and statute of this forum, since we will soon become acquainted with them in its press organ, but I want to clarify something concerning an article published in the newspaper «Tribuna Demokratike» a few days ago. There, contemptuous and insulting words had been used about the Eurosocialist Forum, while the author, who in my opinion has shown himself to be not at all serious, asks why the Eurosocialist Forum does not dare to hold a rally with students, because the students would supposedly mock it with their sarcastic humor, make fun of it, etc., etc. The Eurosocialist Forum has been approved by law and is protected by law. Insulting it, or any organization, association or party of this kind, is an offense against the law. If the author of the article or anyone else considers the creation of this forum unjust, let them appeal to the Ministry of Justice. As long as the means of the press, information and mass communication exist, the Eurosocialist Forum does not consider it necessary to hold euphoric rallies in streets, squares or boulevards. We are not in the Middle Ages or in the time of revolutions. The author’s lines are hardly democratic. When a student who represents the new intelligentsia insults his fellow student for holding a particular political belief, while people speak so loudly about democracy, freedom of thought, unity and brotherhood, etc., what can happen to other social strata with a low level of education, especially when the article is published in a newspaper that claims to reflect the true democratic reality?! In my opinion, the editors of «Tribuna Demokratike» should be more serious in their work. Until yesterday they loudly vilified «ZP», while today they sing the praises of its victory, even as people are waiting to see new democratic paths that will help them escape the deep economic crisis. Congratulations and counter-replies in newspapers, insults and attacks on opponents, are prompted only by personal quarrels, while nothing is built for the future. In short: Read the people’s lever—see where our road leads? How long will this continue?! The Socialist Party’s defeat in the elections can in no way be called its death, as the opposition claims. On the contrary, I would call it the birth of the Socialist Party. This left-wing political force, which today plays the role of the opposition, will very soon become a more active political force. Soon its turn will come, and its more active role will come to the fore. Furthermore, the social fields and strata, and the ideal for which it struggles, are the only path to Albania’s integration into Europe; it is an ideal for which the majority of the Albanian nation and of the European nations are fighting. ...“one of this forum” and means of the press, information and mass advertising hold euphoric rallies in the Ages or in times of revolutions, when people were treated as a blind crowd. The Eurosocialist Forum holds meetings only with its sympathizers and supporters. If we look at the article from the student perspective, I would not call them— ...Schär? Radthët or how do they seem to me? ... young activists from all fields and social strata, and the ideal for which it fights is the only one for the majority of the Albanian nation and the European nations are fighting. The former Albanian opposition, from the moment of its birth until today, has not gone a single day without vilifying the past and vilifying the Socialist Party, (Continued on page 3) ...a nation cannot be sustained. In his view, rare in the world are the three factors Albania possesses: mineral resources factors and such a small population, Colonel Merlino expressed his conviction that Albania would request for a broader picture of «Pelican’s» activities in support of the effort, we met with the First Secretary of the Italian Embassy, Dr. Paolo de Nicol[o], who was willing to help. Paolo de Nicolo: Operation «Pelican» began on 25 September 1991 and will continue within the framework of the aid that has been planned to be pro-[...] And as for the future, it will be carried out through the TPE. Question: Will Italy again help distribute aid with «Pelican»? 9,305 tons.

On the eve of De Mikelis’s visit to Albania Over a six-month period, «Pelican» covered a distance of 3,472,276 kilometres in Albania to distribute 151,479 tons of aid— For a six-month period, «Pelican» covered a distance of 3,472,276 kilometres in Albania to distribute 151,479 tons of aid— For several months now we have been accustomed to seeing green convoys on the roads of Albania, travelling throughout our country. They are part of Operation «Pelican», which has distributed aid to our people, exhausted by the crisis. Anyone who has had the opportunity to meet the «pelicans» will have felt their kindness and warmth toward Albania and its people. Their aid in these difficult days is an act of humanitarianism on the part of the Italian people and government. Their goodwill is evident in the cultured conduct of the soldiers, captains and Italian personnel in Durrës, who try to help journalists obtain information about the operation’s activities. Colonel Merlino is just as courteous; he speaks passionately about Albania, even though it is going through difficult days. He expresses optimism about the future and about people returning to work, because a nation cannot be sustained by aid alone. In his view, Albania has three factors that are rare in the world: mineral wealth and fertile land, water resources and sunshine. With these three assets and such a small population, Colonel Merlino is convinced that Albania will overcome the difficult period of transition. In response to our request for a broader picture of the activities of «Pelican», we interviewed Dr de Nicolos and received detailed information about the operation’s activities. Question: How long has Operation «Pelican» been running? Answer: Most of the Italian commitment has been fulfilled for the European Common Market. Question: How will the work continue now that Operation «Pelican» has ended? Answer: Most of the Italian commitment has been fulfilled. Question: How would you describe the social aspect of Operation «Pelican»? Answer: All the humanitarian work carried out by our forces has been welcomed by the Albanian people. Our people have felt this affection and gratitude when they have gone, particularly to the most remote areas of Albania, to distribute aid. Question: What is the total volume of aid distributed by Pelican? Answer: The Operation Pelican troops in Albania have distributed a total of 151,479 tons of aid. You can also consult the corresponding table. On 31 March, «Pelican’s» period for distributing aid comes to an end. However, «Pelican» began distributing aid from the European Community itself on 15 February. Operation «Pelican’s» commitment within the framework of the TPE will continue until 30 September. Question: What was used chiefly to distribute this entire volume of aid? Distribution of aid in Albania by Operation «Pelican» ITALIAN AID, 25 SEPTEMBER 1991–30 MARCH 1992. Sugar 25,219 tons; soap and detergents 8,000 tons; flour 13,566 tons; rice 7,966 tons; wheat 33,001 tons; oil 15,077 tons; beans 3,219 tons; butter 2,398 tons; meat 12,991 tons; powdered milk 3,771 tons; eggs 2,934 tons. The total Italian food aid for Albania amounts to 129,142 tons, or almost 130,000 tons. TPE AID Flour 726 tons, semolina 1,144 tons, wheat 11,011 tons, butter 141 tons, for a total of 30,032 tons. AID FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Germany—wheat 2,263 tons; USA—beans 227 tons, butter 838 tons, wheat 1,409 tons. Council of Europe—school equipment 231 tons; Switzerland—oil 60 tons; Italy—medicines 289 tons; school materials 882 tons; books 1,400 tons; other aid 1,804 tons; 222 tons of office supplies, plastic materials 380 tons. Aid from non-governmental organizations amounts to 9,305 tons.

Shefqet Osmani reports from Skopje: To this day, it is still unclear whether Macedonia is a national state, that is, a state only of the Macedonians, or of others as well. All the politics being pursued in Macedonia consist of duplicity. In other words, there can be no question of a democratic state. Therefore, today, in Skopje’s main square, in the presence of more than 100,000 Albanians, a large, organized and self-disciplined rally was held under the slogan: «For equality and democracy». The rally was organized by the Party for Democratic Prosperity. After the march, Albanian flags flew in the city of Skopje. The rally was opened by Mr. Nevzat Halili, who from the outset rejected the claim that Macedonia had been independent. The officials of Macedonian politics, he said, try to present this as an abstract painting, because they cannot manage to conceal its dominant colors, which are tinged with communist nationalism. Among the slogans prominent at this magnificent rally were: «We are for a Europe without borders», «An independent Macedonia, yes, but not only for the Macedonians», «The Macedonians are not the majority population in Macedonia», «Free the political prisoners», «No exit visas for Albania», «Change the constitution», «Let the political asylum seekers return» and «Let the political and territorial autonomy of the Albanians be established». It was also said at this rally that there can be no peace and stability in this republic without equality for the Albanians. Yesterday was the final day for registering Albanians in the diaspora. The chairman of the Central Commission, Dr. Muhamet Shatri, reports: According to the reports received so far by the Central Commission, the registration of our compatriots is nearing completion with complete success. In most European countries, participation ranges from 80 to 97 percent. The best results were achieved in the Scandinavian countries, where participation has been most satisfactory. Participation is also above 80 percent in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg. It is somewhat lower in Belgium, France, Italy, etc. Participation in Croatia and Slovenia has also been at an enviable level. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the work has stalled because of the miserable circumstances. It is worth noting that our compatriots in Libya registered on their own initiative. In Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada, the large-scale registration campaign has entered its decisive phase. Dr. I. Rugova told Zagreb’s magazine «Danas» that the only path for the Albanians is to have their own state and unite with Albania. However, since the international community’s decisions against changing borders are still in force, for the time being we consider the most realistic option to be for Kosovo to become a state and for Albanians in Macedonia to have the autonomy for which they declared their support in the referendum.

The Bulgarian Government warns the striking miners that it will take legal measures ... Within the statements ... legal measures ... public ... for granting entry ... Some of the 25,000 miners, who have been on strike for six days and are members of the «Poukern» union, have demanded that they bring their wives and children down into the mines so they can stay with them. The government stated that it could meet the workers’ demands for better pay and better working conditions, but that it would not agree ... to discuss their demand for the removal of the Minister of Industry, Ivan Pasharov. Meanwhile, it is reported that five miners began a hunger strike at the Burieva mine, 300 km south of Sofia, and that two women miners also began a hunger strike at the Radomer mine, 240 km south of the capital. They are also putting forward the demands of their 25,000 colleagues, who make up half of the miners in the country. (ATSH)

A MOMENT OF PASSION PASSED ... (Photo: Niko Xhufka)

The socialist alternative is closer to the interests and demands of ordinary people who work and create. For everything we did not manage to do well, for the things that the majority of the electorate did not manage to understand or be convinced of today, they will surely understand and be convinced tomorrow.