10 MAY: THE FIRST CONGRESS OF THE EUROSOCIALIST YOUTH OF ALBANIA Some time ago, a group of young people in Tirana, mainly students, amid the waves of democratic processes, actively taking part in them and reflecting on them, embraced the alternative of democratic socialism as a contemporary alternative for Europe’s future. Among the most active members of the December 1990 student movement, they continued participating in the movement with great passion and commitment, soon realizing that the struggle for democracy and for a new pluralist society could not be waged from only one position, by only one party, or through only one alternative. The opposite could lead to a new monism and totalitarianism. They embraced the concepts and visions of the contemporary democratic-socialist alternative, followed attentively the process of radical reform and consolidation of the Albanian Socialist Party, and drew closer to it, lending it weight and vitality and opening up new prospects for renewal and consolidation. Through their commitment and determination, during this period they organized the FRESSH National Activist Meeting, as well as assemblies and regional conferences of the Eurosocialist youth in most districts. Now, recognizing both the growing importance and role of their Forum within the structures of the Socialist Party and the need to take stock of the first phase of its activity, and to further structure and consolidate it in matters of organization and operation as well as strategy and tactics, they have decided to hold the First Congress of the Albanian Eurosocialist Youth on 10 May this year. The Socialist Party, its members and its supporters, welcome the Eurosocialist youth on this occasion and wish them every success in all the activities leading to a successful Congress. But work with young people in general, and with Eurosocialists in particular, calls for more than greetings and good wishes. Every party organization and every socialist must understand that Eurosocialist youth need kind words, but above all they need support, encouragement, and mutual and social cooperation. Their activity within the structures of the Socialist Party does not mean in any way that Eurosocialist youth should be placed under tutelage, nor that they should be turned into, or regarded as, a “mobile mass,” shapeless and without a profile, to be placed wherever a gap appears or is created in the life or organizational structures of the SP. One of their most urgent tasks now is organization. Within the SP structure, Eurosocialist youth must have their own structures, their own organization, their own life. It would be even worse if somewhere, or by someone, they were regarded and treated as “decoration,” as “greenery,” as a “youth ornament” for an old or aging Socialist Party organization. Recent practice, whereby in many villages, areas and enterprises Eurosocialist youth are creating SP organizations anew or rebuilding and revitalizing former ones, speaks clearly to the role and significance of this revitalizing and profoundly democratic force. While highly valuing the work already begun, conditions and opportunities for action should be created everywhere for Eurosocialist youth to join the Socialist Party. It would be worse still if somewhere someone were to treat or manipulate the Forum, its members or its sections, on the basis of personal sympathies, for their own reputation or that of a particular group, as support for objectives—even just and generally beneficial ones—that are not pursued through democratic and open methods and channels. SPIRO FEDI Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania (Continued on page 3)

Daily note: A purge project! - Comment on a draft law submitted to Parliament Our readers have learned about a draft law submitted for approval to Parliament in recent days. From the outset, we can say that, in our view, it is an antidemocratic draft law. Its adoption as it stands would, in our opinion, be nothing other than a green light for the political revenge of those in power against their political opponents; it would be a way of settling accounts with those who do not follow their tune and do not sing their praises at every turn. In short, the draft law submitted may be regarded as a purge project “with a legal basis.” In the process of building a new society, with new political, economic, legal and other structures, it is natural for people to move from existing institutions and enterprises to other institutions and enterprises. It is natural for jobs to be cut, for transformation and transfers to take place, for people to go onto social assistance, to be re-employed, and so on. Given that remnants and vestiges of the dictatorship still remain in our state and economic structures, they must also be cleared out. Nobody denies the need to renew the state apparatus and administration, but this must always be done on the basis of criteria clearly laid down by law. On the other hand, it is clear that the political and economic decentralization of society requires managers to have greater direct authority over their subordinates. There is no point in having managers who could not even move a factory doorman from his job, let alone anyone else. Any change in powers in this direction, if properly argued and justified, would be welcome. But the draft law put before the deputies for approval is far beyond any such reasonable conception of state organization. It is a law whose harmful consequences are extremely serious, without limits in space or time. It seems that the political megalomania of the new holders of power recognizes no kind of logical reason, and therefore produces such draft laws. A democratic society regulates its relations with its citizens through genuinely democratic laws. But is this draft law, which we are discussing, such a law? Not at all. In essence, this draft law grants unlimited powers to the executives who currently hold power. Under the draft law, any superior may dismiss or transfer a subordinate whenever and however they wish. The victims of such actions have no right to appeal, because the law (if adopted) grants supreme authority, with Parliament’s signature and seal, to those in power. The ordinary administrative employee is therefore left without any legal protection. No clause in this draft law gives employees the opportunity to defend their rights before—So what kind of rule-of-law state are we talking about? Another striking aspect of this draft law is that the reasons for dismissal or transfer are left entirely undefined, giving those who implement it the opportunity to exercise arbitrary power. Look at how vaguely the grounds are defined in this draft law, granting a superior unlimited authority to act against a subordinate: “There are special needs related to improving the functions and structures of the state apparatus in order to implement economic and political reform, move to a free-market economy and establish the rule-of-law state...” So everything is undefined; everything is left in the hands of the law’s enforcer. It is clear that the first to suffer under such a law would be the socialists and their supporters, who would be labeled “workers,” “communists,” and with other hackneyed slogans that have already been exposed for what they are. Thus the “witch hunt” would run riot, and this is nothing other than a new class war. But this law is a grave threat to all employees. In the conditions of economic privatization, the crises and bankruptcies that will occur, and the restructuring of enterprises and institutions, etc., the employee is left completely unprotected in the face of the employer. They are left out on the street, with no right to appeal or seek legal protection. The Democratic Party’s experience of “purging” the apparatus comes from the Government of Stability. Some of its ministers, together with their deputies and directors, dismissed dozens of existing employees and brought in their own comrades and friends, their “trusted people,” in their place. Those who were dismis- (Continued on page 2) Political and economic decentralization of society requires leaders to have more having leaders who were unable to move even the enterprise’s in authority in this regard, if it were argued... defending their right to ... in Athens, what kind of rule of law are we talking about? Another aspect of this draft law that makes an impression is the fact that the reasons for dismissal or transfer from a job are completely undefined, which gives those in power who enforce it the opportunity to twist the law however they wish. The Democratic Party has experience of «purging» the administration from the Government of Stability. Some of its ministers, in the departments they headed, dismissed dozens of existing employees and replaced them with their own comrades and friends, their trusted people. Those who were dismissed— (Continued on page 2)

- Coordinating Council of the Albanian Political Parties of Kosovo - The Coordinating Council of the Albanian Political Parties of Kosovo held... - Statement by the Coordinating Council of the Albanian Political Parties of Kosovo - On the occasion of the proclamation of the constitution of the so-called Yugoslavia, issued the following statement: The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as the state union of Serbia and Montenegro is intended to be called, whose constitution was proclaimed today by the Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia, is at most a matter concerning only these two republics, Serbia and Montenegro. This has nothing to do with Kosovo, and Albanians have in no way taken part in this proclamation, nor do they wish to take part or to be included in it. The political will of Kosovo and the Albanians was expressed in the referendum for an independent and sovereign Kosovo. The results of this referendum represent the fundamental political orientation of our parties, all Albanians, and the majority of Muslims, Turks and others in Kosovo. We consider any claim by the newly reconstituted state to political or any other succession to the former Yugoslavia to be unfounded and reject it, because all the former federal units, including the Republic of Kosovo, are its legitimate and equal successors. (ATS)

3,000 Albanian children have been sold in Italy - Some of them without their parents’ consent - At least 3,000 Albanian children have been sold to Italian families for prices ranging from 15 to 20 mil...

- Some of them without their parents’ consent - families for between 15 and 20 million lire, writes the Neapolitan political newspaper «Roma». The newspaper says that its journalist, Stefano Mensurati, gathered information during his stay in Albania. The Ministry of Justice in Tirana is now preparing a study on the fate of thousands of children, the newspaper writes. Official data state that only 260 Albanian children have been adopted in foreign countries during the past six months. But the newspaper stresses that «there have also been cases in which children were sold without their parents’ consent». The article points out that in Albania there is a group of «unscrupulous Greeks» who have organized a lucrative trade in human organs for «Cosa Nostra».

Yesterday in Parliament Real support for the revival of the countryside - Ministers! Law «On the banking system in Albania» - - The proposal by the Socialist Party parliamentary group that the Agricultural Bank have a special status is approved - At yesterday’s morning session, the People’s Assembly completed the approval of the Law «On the banking system in Albania». This law, together with the Law «On the Bank of Albania», marks the most important step in changing the banking system in our country, establishing a reformed banking, monetary and credit system as it begins operations, in support of the market economy. Another important point from yesterday’s proceedings of the People’s Assembly stands out, particularly for the countryside. Under Article 62 of the draft law «On the banking system in Albania», submitted by the Government of Mr. Meksi, the liquidation of Law No. 7520, dated 18.10.1991, «On the Agricultural and Development Bank», was requested, among other things. In connection with this, as the press has reported, a few days ago deputy Angjeli, speaking on behalf of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, requested that the existing Law «On the Agricultural and Development Bank» be reviewed, arguing that this law was of particular value to the countryside. This was because the economic condition of agriculture, both today and for some time to come, requires special financial support. The «Union of Agricultural Cooperatives» had also made such a request. Deputy Angjeli raised this concern again in Parliament yesterday. He was supported by Democratic Party deputy Mr. Rexhep Uka. Following the explanations given by the director of the Agricultural and Development Bank, Orfea Shuci, all parliamentary groups supported the proposal not to repeal the Law «On the Agricultural and Development Bank». Thus, Parliament approved by a majority vote the renewed proposal of the Socialist Party parliamentary group. On the basis of proposals from several deputies, Agriculture Minister Rexhep Uka, on behalf of the Government, pledged to submit to Parliament in the future a draft law that would precisely define the position and status of the Agricultural Bank under market-economy conditions. At the end of the session, the chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, said that the approval of our proposal stands shoulder to shoulder with the democrats of the countryside...

Yesterday at 12:00, the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, received Kosovo, Dr. Bujar Bukoshi, at his residence. The reception was warm and brotherly. Also yesterday morning, the Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Albania, Dr. Aleksandër Meksi, received Kosovo, Dr. Bujar Bukoshi, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

— Mr. Gensher, when you led the way to Tirana almost a year ago, Ramiz Alia was still in power, a former communist. Yesterday you spoke with Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party, but whether we like it or not, the forecasts for Albania’s future are determined by the economic situation, which is now catastrophic. Can the Democrats manage? — Answer: I believe it is possible. But they won’t make it on their own. (Excerpt from an interview with the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Hans Ditrih Gensher, given to the German radio station «Deutschlandfunk» on 23 April).

TOWARD NEW STANDARDS March 22 marked another high point in the transitional phase of moving from a monist system to a pluralist one. This moment, following the establishment of pluralism in Albania, the first pluralist elections and the formation of the government of stability, will be recorded in history as the first point at which the balance of forces between the two main parties in Albanian political life changed. Although this moment represents a new victory for Albanian democracy, it is burdened by the fact that the second pluralist parliament that emerges from it is once again almost dualist, with one component easily reaching two-thirds. Given the extremely difficult economic situation, the lack of democratic culture, and the absence of pluralism and parliamentary balance, the widespread use of consensus is essential to preserve the balance and social peace needed at this moment in our transition. On the other hand, the use of «the tyranny of the ballot», blind intolerance toward every proposal from the opposition, and the complete self-isolation of a single political force would create new social and political tensions that would prolong the economic agony and solve the problem of the results of democracy that the people await impatiently. The use of understanding is all the more necessary if we bear in mind that Albanian democracy faces tasks of historic importance: drafting and adopting the constitution of the democratic and pluralist Albanian state; creating local bodies based on the principles of relative independence and self-government for every area; and drafting the platform and comprehensive package of laws that will accomplish the transition from a centralized economy to a market economy. The experience of democratic countries shows that, for such cardinal issues, consensus is essential; indeed, as democracy is perfected, the tendency to use mutual understanding through coalition government or other institutional forms increases considerably. Given this overall approach and the desire to make a modest contribution, I believe that the government of the parties, with the confidence of the second pluralist parliament, must meet and consider the demands coming from different sections of the population, without any doubt retaining the right to set its own order of priorities for resolving problems, and awaiting the people’s response to its decisions and measures. 1. The current structure and severe condition of the economy would clearly lead any government to concentrate its efforts on agrarian reform, considering agriculture, at least for now, to be the engine of the economy. After the law on land privatization was adopted and its implementation began, for a variety of reasons, mostly subjective in nature, the process has been left in a state of suspension and waiting. This extremely difficult situation has affected remote rural areas most, such as Mallakastrën, the northeastern areas, etc. In most villages the land has still not been definitively divided. Even where it has been divided, farmers are financially unable to afford the high prices of agricultural machinery, fertilizers, seeds, etc. The financial economy of these areas, fragmented to the maximum and too small to meet each family’s minimum needs, together with a division of labor in which one family member tends the livestock, another goes to the forest for firewood, another bakes the bread, and so on, has turned it into a primitive economy which, at best, barely secures a minimal standard of living for the very poor rural family. Without wishing to politicize the issue, I think the decline in living standards this year can be explained by a simple reason: the uncontrolled dismantling or destruction of the cooperatives and their shared property left the farmer stripped of the minimum wage that he used to receive from the cooperative’s board. On the other hand, the liberalization of agricultural prices brought no improvement in the income of farmers in these remote areas, because the town’s rural market is very far away and, due to the lack of transport or collection centers, there is no way to sell the small amount of agricultural produce that a farmer might grow on his plot. All the shortages of industrial goods and of certain ma- ... (Continued on page 3)

In recent days there has been a noticeable activation of the highest state bodies, beginning with the President, concerning the problem of land distribution in accordance with the law. The concern shown by these bodies should be wholeheartedly welcomed, and we support with all our strength this change in the Democratic Party’s political course on the land issue. At the same time, the newspaper “Zëri i popullit” will insist that the law be implemented even in places where land has not been distributed according to the law, but according to the old boundaries. Fellow villagers! Take your land, enjoy it, and build your prosperity on honest work and sweat.