These days, the KD of the PS of several dis… ?tricts, such as Leçë, Fier, etc., have submitted [their concerns] to the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and the Prime Minister. This concerns a series of unsuccessful [measures], especially regarding implementation of the Government’s decision on reassuming administrative-local responsibilities, which is also opposed by the PS, rightly, correctly and with supporting arguments. If it is approved according to the logic of the dictates of the party holding power, then the local government bodies will become entirely a neo-monarchy, regardless of whether democratic epithets are attached to it. In such a situation, the PS in society—as happened with one of the PS branches in Skrapar and Gramsh, which did not implement the law—would arbitrarily dis…?miss the chairmanships of the pluralist committees in those districts and replace them with its own people. Someone might say: the victors make the law! This is not a matter of political solutions offering the people a choice, but of technical solutions until the next local-government elections. Opposition is vital in every cell of the social organism. If we persist in working according to the mentality of «no debate», then the same mistakes of the party-state will be repeated and will «yield» the same fruits, perhaps even more bitter ones. The national interest requires that capable, honest specialists with a genuinely democratic spirit be placed in local-government bodies. This does not mean, therefore, that the heads of district KEPs should be chosen from among the district heads of the PD. We sincerely hope that opposition to this practice will remain an exceptional case. «Party loyalists» (PD) are evidence of a failed policy. Persistence in continuing it will have serious consequences for the country’s governance.

The President of the Republic of Albania, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the Republic of Poland, Les Valesa: «On the occasion of the anniversary of Poland’s national holiday, on behalf of the Albanian people and in my own name, I send to you and, through you, to the Polish people warm greetings and sincere wishes for its flourishing and for the continued progress and development of the country. I take advantage of this happy occasion to wish for the development and realization of friendly relations and cooperation between Albania and Poland, for the common good of our two peoples and for peace and cooperation in Europe and the world.» Yesterday, the President of the Republic of Albania, Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hellenic Republic to the Republic of Albania, Christodoulos Tsalkis, who presented his credentials. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfred Serreqi, and others attended the credential-presentation ceremony. The ambassador was accompanied by diplomats from the Greek Embassy in Tirana. (ATSH)

Chronicle. The party in the district of Vlora Just three days before the elections, a few of us young people got together. We decided to establish and announced the leadership of the FRESH group for the district of Vlora. We were not concerned about the election result. What mattered to us was the cause represented and defended by the PS, and the future of this party. The time that has passed, regardless of the place the elections assigned us, has convinced us that by persevering we have chosen a suitable path. Indeed, since the elections we have expanded the group’s membership and activities. We now have a eurosocialist nucleus in the secondary schools «Ali Demi», «Halim Xhelo», Treta, Mjekësore... In other words, in most of the city’s secondary schools. Soon groups will also be established in Llakatund, Vranjisht, Kërkova and elsewhere. We are paying special attention to the villages. They note that interest is also greater among young workers, especially at NPA, the greenhouse enterprise, NB «Rinia», etc. Arta, Engjellusja, Mërjemja, Sokoli and many other young people stand out in the activities of the eurosocialist group and its nuclei. During the first ten days of May, we will organize and hold our first conference in Vlora, regarding it as an event and an important occasion. We approach this event in greater numbers, better organized and with clearer objectives. The conference will teach us and guide us towards more organized and productive activity. We will spare no effort to make it a success. FESTIM DURAJ

Just one month after the elections, the PS in the district of Vlora has gained 36 new members. They include intellectuals, as well as many young people and workers. In the village of Kërkovë, an organization was established with 16 people recently admitted to the PS. Nine young people were admitted in Bestrovë. There have also been admissions in the city organizations. In general, the new members have a very positive influence. The activities of these organizations are becoming more dynamic. The KD of the PS in the district say that during this period there have been many applications to join the Party. For example, nearly 20 young people have applied for admission. Therefore, during the upcoming elections, the organization will also admit new members. The interest and commitment of socialists are evident in their choosing as heads of organizations new members who are very willing to work for the Party, people who are wise and resolute.

The worker will be told: HERE IS THE LAW APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT — Propaganda and reality surrounding the approval of the amendment to the law «On Labour Relations» — Mystheak Rama, worker: «I voted for the PD on 22 March. I always thought I was voting for true democracy. As for the law Parliament approved, I can say no more than what was said about it, no more than what I heard in the television news report. So this law does not affect our interests. I personally think it is undemocratic to act this way. It is…?truly a new class war.» Hydaçete Kundazhiu, lawyer: «This law cannot exclude the worker if it is applied on the basis of people’s political beliefs. It tells him, “not with me,” or he is an entrepreneur... Who is authorized to dismiss a worker? The director. Then how can it be said, “this law affects only civil servants and administrators”? No, no, it applies to workers too. The worst thing is that we lawyers will also have to put the law…?before the complainant and tell him: this is what the law approved by Parliament says. Even as it stands, this law should not remain.» Reported by: B. KOÇI

— A reportage written with sorrow — He had been astonished by these people’s character and behaviour. He could not understand how such shocking material poverty could coexist in them with such spiritual richness. This paragraph, which I read a few days ago in «Kristal», the youth newspaper of the eurosocialists, stayed in my mind throughout all the days I spent in Tropojë, Kukës and Pukë. The story Shaban S…?nani describes under the title «The Counsel of Virtue» centres on a well-known scholar deeply interested in the Albanian world. He has come several times from his own country to the land of the Albanians, among whom he found what was unlike anything else: The…?THE CASTLE OF VIRTUE. Më hipën, Nushi, the villager who had always accompanied the distant guest, becoming for him a symbol… (Continued on page 3)

[Speech by PSSH deputy Luan Hajdaraga] The discussion of the amendment to the law on labour relations confronts Parliament today with a new test of justice: legally guaranteeing one of the most fundamental human rights, the right to work. There is little need to theorize about the rights and guarantees enshrined in law by the constitution; instead, let us focus on the restrictions that this amendment imposes on the right to work and on labour relations. It is clear that the progress of a democratic society is determined by the professional abilities and moral character of its staff. This definition refers neither to the state apparatus as a whole nor to its foundations, neither to the prime minister’s personal staff nor to the cleaning staff. This is an undeniable truth, and I do not think it necessary to refer to various societies, states or individuals. But it is astonishing that the proposed law on the movement of staff specifies neither of these two universal criteria for evaluating the work of each and every one of us. Such shortcomings in laws governing relations between individuals and the state are not without precedent in the past. It is enough to recall—or make known—that in monocratic, dictatorial or semi-dictatorial regimes, among the human values that reflect a person’s true development, professional ability or professionalism ranks among the lowest. Not long ago here, professionalism ranked near the bottom in evaluating a staff member; above it were party membership, obedience to the party, etc., duties of obedience and so on. There is no need for me to elaborate on the consequences this practice and mentality had for the country’s governance, since black is not white. Nevertheless, it seems that in this transition, in this Parliament and under this Government, mistaken mentalities—and, worse still, failed monist practices—continue to persist and are even considered ways and means of resolving the difficult situations we are going through. Those holding power, it seems, find it easier to follow the well-worn paths of the past regime in evaluating staff than to calculate the negative effects and damage these practices bring to the country’s governance. Whenever the monist regime faced and proposed economic and political plans for growth, at certain intervals, in the name of the class struggle, it began purges of officials, rotations, renewals, which… Such shortcomings in laws governing relations between individuals and the state are not without precedent in the past. Nevertheless, it seems that in this transition, mistaken mentalities—and, worse still, failed monist practices—continue to persist and are even considered ways and means of resolving the difficult situations we are going through. Those holding power, it seems, find it easier to follow the well-worn paths of the past reg…?ime in evaluating staff than to calculate the negative effects and damage these practices bring to the country’s governance. Whenever the monist regime faced and proposed economic and political plans for growth, at certain periods, in the name of the class struggle, it began purges of officials, rotations, renewals, which… (Continued on page 3)

To the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha. To the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori. To the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi. For information: Steering Committee of the PS of Albania TIRANA The Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of the district of Fier hereby vigorously protests to you: 1. The decision of the Council of Ministers dated 25.4.1992 is ir…?regular and unjustified in its application to the district of Fier. 2. The actions and compulsory procedure followed by the Government’s envoy, Mr. Rexhep Uka, are undemocratic and contrary to Law No. 7500 dated 6.7.1991. 3. The Steering Committee of the PS of Fier received no official notice from the district Executive Committee about such a meeting. 4. On 28.4.1992 at 17:30, we were informed by unknown persons that a meeting of the political party leaders with Mr. Rexhep Uka would be held in Fier at 18:00. 5. The action was predetermined. At this meeting, Mr. Rexhep Uka said: «I and the Democratic Party in Fier have decided this matter…» The Executive Committee of the district of Fier presented the candidates proposed by the Democratic Party, and all that was requested of us was the nominal list of the Committee’s candidates. 6. This procedure, in both form and substance, contravenes Law No. 7500 dated 6.7.1991 itself and the spirit of pluralist developments in our country. It also seeks to impose a decision; there is no question of consensus, as required by Article 2 of the law cited in the Government’s decision. 7. The same procedure was also applied to the Executive Committee of the city of Patisot, even though it is not included as a region in the Council of Ministers’ telegram. 8. We insist that the meeting held on 28.4.1992 in Fier be denounced and that such cases not be repeated. Any action outside this reasoning will entail grave moral and social responsibility. PETRO KOÇI CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE PS OF THE DISTRICT

Government, think of the children’s hunger We continue to dream. We have to, because one day we will wake from our sleep and suddenly find our tables full of bread, tomatoes, cucumbers and cheese. The hungry usually dream of plenty. We had been promised that immediately after 22 March, as soon as democracy—or the Democratic Party—won, we would wake up and find abundance before our eyes. My little daughter reminded me of this. One month after the «victory of Democracy», she asked me for milk, which I don’t know where to find; she asked me for tea, but we haven’t had sugar in Fushë Krujë for months; she asked me for eggs and butter, but, alas, I could not…?fulfil my daughter’s wish. Why call it a wish? Tea isn’t chocolate. We cannot satisfy our children’s hunger, even though we were promised so much during the election campaign. When I was Prime Minister, VIII Budi declared that the fall of the government of stability had left the country with six days’ worth of bread in reserve. The opposition press of that time filled its pages with calls and threats to take the prime minister to court. We were not to blame. We were under orders to ensure that no secret reached the people. For anyone to see that we had not only no bread but no salt either was, of course, unacceptable; it would have meant violating Article 55 on agitation and propaganda. Although this article was removed de jure, de facto it remains in the fabric of the press and in the…?minds of many journalists. That is precisely why the former prime minister may go down in history for the phrase «We are forbidden». This may also explain the silence of the press and RTV about the many shortages. In the shops of Fushë-Krujë you can find anything—except food. Does television not dare speak about all these shortages? Nor about what is needed to liberalize the basic food basket, when tomorrow we may not even be able to get the few rationed foods that have kept us alive until now. Long live the transparency and democracy that have brought us to this point, with children going to school hungry, as in Migjeni’s stories.

The initiatory commission has submitted a request to the Ministry of Justice for approval of the formation of the Social Reformist Party of Albania. The request is accompanied by a programme, statutes and other documents. Having reviewed the contents of these documents, the Minister of Justice determined that they comply with the law «On the Main Constitutional Provisions» as well as the law «On Political Parties», and ordered their approval.

1. What measures will the Government take to stabilize supplies to the people and the economy of raw materials for sectors and essential goods? 2. For enterprises that will close or go bankrupt, are there fo…?recasts and calculations? How will this process proceed—that is, how many enterprises will close in each quarter of this year, how much will unemployment increase, and how will the Government and employers mitigate and manage this process through assistance, retraining, new jobs, etc.? 3. How will privatization proceed, and what share will it account for, given that countries that began reform earlier have not achieved a high level of privatization? 4. Can we be told how long the reform will take to implement? Is there any forecast of when our economy will begin to recover and what its level will be, for example, at the end of the year? 5. When will the distribution of land under the approved law be completed? 6. What financial resources will support the Government’s programme during the first six months, given that the debt is quite large—millions of dollars? 7. When will the issue of financial compensation (salaries, honoraria, etc.) for lecturers and employees of scientific institutes be resolved, given that a professor’s salary is two to three times lower than that of an army employee? What will happen to the academic degrees and titles earned under the sys…?tem? 8. How many times will the Government keep its promise? 9. How is heating to be organized for next winter? What will happen to the electricity system? And how and when will the drinking-water problem be resolved in towns and villages? 9. What is planned for women’s pensions? And what about their retirement age? 10. The lek is devaluing every day; what is planned for workers’ savings deposited in savings banks? 11. How and when will the housing problem be resolved? A law on the privatization of homes has…?been passed; what do you intend to do about it? Would you agree to forgive the payments for homes that had already been paid in advance a year ago, as was also promised in the PD programme? Has the PD changed its position on this issue? Note: The editorial office invites specialists from various fields and citizens, in towns and villages, to share their views on these problems and offer constructive solutions. We believe their reasoning will support the Government and help…?encourage the Government itself to respond continually to public opinion. Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, is very interested in information about these vital issues, as well as about the progress of democratic processes in Albania. The editorial office will periodically report on all the issues that arise.