The European Community has never officially stated that 12.5 percent of the total amount of 100 million dollars (aid granted to our country for the stabilization of the economy) were to be given to the Socialist Party. This fabrication was made up by Mr. Gramoz Pashko, who is running again in the failed party of 22 March. Although this slanderous invention has been rejected by EC officials, Mr. Gramoz Pashko continues to use it in his election campaign. According to information from the Albanian News Agency, on 10 April in Brussels, the spokesman for the European Community Commission, answering journalists' questions, stated that the decision to cancel the 100 million ECU aid for Albania had been taken on 26 March 1992, mainly as a result of the unclear political situation in our country. Despite the fact that the Italian Foreign Minister, Mr. De Michelis, during his visit to Tirana yesterday, repeated the decision to include Albania in the aid to be provided by the EC, his office says that the previously announced procedures have been temporarily frozen. Meanwhile, on the Albanian government's side, no official statement has been issued. Nevertheless, according to reports in the foreign press, the EC decision has been linked to political uncertainty and suspicions of misuse of funds. In this context, the slanders against the Socialist Party and the attempts to compromise the opposition, besides being ridiculous, demonstrate political incompetence. Albanian citizens must know the truth and not become victims of election-time deception.

On 10 April, at around 8:00 p.m., in the premises of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania, completely unexpectedly and without any prior notice, police forces (mainly special brigades) tried to take by force from KSSH a “Peugeot 405” car, property of this organization. The representatives of KSSH opposed these arbitrary actions, describing them as unlawful. The police then withdrew. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania invites all trade union members to subscribe to the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit”.

THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH SAYS: In the 7 villages of the Gosë commune in Kavaja, people are suffering from a lack of drinking water. The shortage of water has created major difficulties in daily life, as well as in agriculture and livestock farming. Residents complain that for years a solution has been promised, but nothing has been done. According to them, the existing wells are not enough and the water-supply network is out of order. In many cases, women and children are forced to walk miles to obtain water. Livestock also goes without water for days at a time. Residents call on local and central authorities to take immediate measures. Water is vital, and its absence is making life in the village unbearable.

Conversation with former MP BARDHYL FASKO I have known the architect and have been his friend for 30 years. In these elections, the winners received 45.12 percent of the vote, and to think that the 23rd district is entirely overturned and that Hasan Halili, the socialist, lost? That is not true. It shows that there were manipulations. I think that in these elections the opposition's propaganda had a very strong influence. This was done in an organized way, with numerous promises, which I do not believe will be fulfilled. If even 20-25 percent are fulfilled, that would be a lot. Will you continue to be involved in politics? Yes, of course I will continue to be engaged in political and social life. Albania needs people who contribute with their experience. (To be continued on page 3)

SEJDIN ÇEKANI