They are not protected by the law - No activist of the DP is being moved in the Ministry of Agriculture. - What is his fate? It is completely illogical to think that economic reform can be carried through to the end with old mindsets and practices, by bureaucrats, the incompetent and the corrupt. In this sense, it was truly necessary for the Ministry of Agriculture to be thoroughly shaken up as well. A few days ago, its directorates were reorganized and directors appointed. Not only my personal judgment, but also the opinion of many agricultural workers, is that these changes and new appointments were well received. Some of them—we cannot speak of sympathy—belong to that party. The appointment was welcomed, and no one speaks ill of the director of the livestock directorate, Ylli Biçoku, a specialist who completed his studies with distinction, or of Aleksandër Mari, who understands production theory, and then there is Lazar Kora, the deputy minister. These changes raised hopes that the same approach would be taken with the staff of the apparatus. The general restructuring of the 120 employees was also carried out, and 44 people were laid off. But this time, the cuts were made only from the left? Not that there weren’t people among them who deserved to be laid off and put on assistance. But you cannot ignore the fact that no member of the DP—and only DP members—was included on these lists. In truth, there are none of them who are corrupt, bureaucrats and corrupt—but the sycophants, the incompetent, the corrupt and the exploiters use their “ability” to sniff out which way the wind is blowing in order to single people out elsewhere. By what logic, with what justification, is the well-known tobacco specialist Syrja Kaso being laid off, “a troublemaker when it comes to implementing technologies”? It has not occurred to anyone to put the livestock specialist Myslim Minaj on assistance, even though he graduated with distinction, worked for 15 years in the district of Tepelenë, and devoted all his time to his profession and training. While others were singing the praises of the new managers who were handing their chairs to one another, this specialist was devoted to reorganizing the livestock service in line with economic reform in the countryside. Busy with his work, it never occurred to him to get involved with one party or another to find “shelter.” On what grounds are the economist Zaho Nelaj, agronomist Dhimitër Petromila, and Hamza Hyka dismissed? We mention these people so that no one will prejudge us as defending the Socialists. They are not protected by the law, only by God. Economic reform in agriculture cannot be carried out through purges like these and the sidelining of capable specialists. S. HOXHA

. For more than two weeks, employees of the tobacco-and-cigarette factory in Durrës have stopped work. Why? This factory has continually been put in difficulty by criminal elements, who have in some cases openly attempted to steal cigarette production. Things have reached the point where, by applying pressure and ... cigarettes. Things have reached ... allow it to ... by applying pressure and ... they have entered the factory departments and taken cigarette products, as well as threatened the lives of the employees. All these actions have been reported to the law-enforcement authorities, but to this day no measures have been taken to protect the employees’ lives or the production, even though the enterprise has no shortage of raw materials that would force it to stop. This is why the workers at this factory have suspended work and gone on strike, demanding that work begin only after order and security have been ensured. GENC BUALI

— We do not want destabilization or changes of government, but a resumption of work, public order and calm. — “No censorship.” The real depoliticization of Radio and Television and an impartial reflection of the new Albanian reality are demanded. — The tolerance and democratic conduct of teachers, doctors and other intellectuals must not be repaid with extreme poverty. Meetings in recent days with representatives of the democratic government, with Prime Minister Meksi and the President have been numerous. Very little has been said about them in the media, and very little has been said about the results of the talks. This was also the explanation given by the chairman of the Tirana trade union council, Irfan Dashi, for yesterday’s trade union rally held in front of the Radio and Television building. The request to hold the demonstration in front of the government cabinet, as the participating trade unionists explained, was intended as a mass dialogue with the government, to tell it once again that they fully support it, that they are not at all in favor of destabilization; on the contrary, trade unionists support an active policy by a cabinet that takes account of the serious problems facing unionized workers and sincerely undertakes to resolve them fairly, and a democratic government that rules out such anti-democratic measures as the labor law. This was the entire message of the demonstration, which brought together several hundred participants, representatives of the education, health, oil and metallurgy federations, and trade unionists from the villages? and various districts of the country. The slogans they brought to the rally were also entirely reasonable. “Gentlemen in government, the people are suffering; they expect something from you,” read one of them. “The Confederation demands: jobs, guaranteed wages and calm,” said another. Meanwhile, the trade union representatives took turns speaking. Particular attention was paid to the speech by Arben Dushku, representative of the education federation. “Teachers are the clearest example of patience and wisdom, but apparently that patience is running out. The lack of transparency and the government’s arrogant attitude are hastening this,” he said. He described the difficulties education had gone through in recent months. And yet workers in this sector remain on low wages, just as before, with ... privileged? Apparently, judging by the words of Arben Dushku and the other speakers, what is angering many unionists is not only the government’s unyielding stance on resolving their problems, but also the lack of transparency and the withholding of information. The speaker explains that, since 7 May, schools in Tepelenë and Gjirokastër, as well as some other schools, have gone on strike, about which the public has still not been informed. Often, the demonstrators burst into chants of “Freedom, democracy.” “Down with dictatorship”—alluding to the absence of the freedom that still prevents the media from presenting reality, and to new dictatorial actions. A trade unionist from agriculture also speaks. The NBP have been subjected to upheavals; no one is held accountable under the law for these upheavals carried out at the expense of agricultural workers. Silence, and nothing but silence, about the countryside and its 220,000 unemployed. No material resources are in sight. Will the country be thrown into turmoil by the tractors promised during the election campaign? Where have they gone, the speaker asked. Everyone has a great deal to say. Each speaker’s words show reason and tolerance, but also hardship—a reality that demands answers—and a demand for dialogue, a demand for transparency about this reality and about the voice of the trade unionists. Complete silence is no way to solve their problems. Nor are coercive methods. As was learned at the rally, regarding what happened to the participating trade unionists from Vora, ...

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Once again, wonders are being done “by order of the Party.” In its name and on its instructions, laws are being trampled underfoot. It is the same psychology, the same practice, the same disease: the Party in command. This time, right-wing monism is trampling on the newly established pluralist democracy. By order of the Democratic Party branch, a few days ago the chairman of the pluralist executive committee of the Durrës district summoned the district’s political forces and informed them of an ultimatum from the DP branch. The executive committee and its chairmanship, according to the interparty agreement? for the dissolution of the pluralist executive committee in Durrës and the current pluralist party? and their open and forcible transfer to the Democratic Party. Local executive authorities are openly and forcibly giving legal sanction to this demand as well. So, quite openly and without the slightest doubt, at the behest of the party organs, when legally the local executive power is subordinate to the government, the members of the executive committee undertook to become obedient instruments of the party. Meanwhile, the committee has received no such order from the government to make changes to its composition. It is the (Democratic) Party that gives orders and places itself above the government. The district Socialist Party leadership opposed not only this kind of illegality, but also the ultimative and arrogant nature of this procedure, but ... [illegible passage]. (Continued on page 2)

On the occasion of Police Day I write these few lines today for you, dear police officers; I write for you, who give everyone courage. Today is Police Day, your holiday, our holiday. Congratulations! The civic call is to establish the civility and security we want, so that schoolgirls can go to school, parents can go to work, and the Fatherland can rise again. Are beds perhaps being made ready for sleep tonight in your homes? Just be careful—your sleeplessness is the people’s security. Be careful: bandits are laying traps; they are preparing ambushes to confront their own people. As democracy’s open arms embrace us all, once again we must all be together at celebrations, keeping pace with freedom, courage, and the challenges of our time, doing everything for Albania. P. GJ.

In yesterday’s news, Albanian television reported a story that will constitute an unattainable record in the field of world journalism. The information provided said more or less the following: “According to a report by Radio Tirana, a demonstration took place in front of the television station...” As if Radio-Tirana and Television were not under the same roof! (Photo: NIKO XHUFA)

45 children are being evicted from their home They are evicting 45 children from their home. Don’t be surprised. That is how it is. They are 45 children from the Durrës orphanage [orphanage word unclear?] who are being evicted from their home. I say their home because that building was built especially for them, with all the necessary conditions for living normally. This building meets European standards and must not be allowed to be demolished. But the gentlemen of the District Pluralist Committee and its chairman, Mr. Andrea Xhavara, do not think so. They do not even want to hear about this problem. Representatives of the association of orphans, representatives of the Orthodox and Islamic religious communities, and representatives of the district went to Mr. Andrea’s office. We calmly asked for this problem to be reconsidered once more [word unclear?], also proposing possible alternatives that would be much more advantageous for constructing the surgery ward. Mr. Andrea’s response was this: “I know that we have committed an injustice, and a very great one at that, but we will not reconsider this problem. We have decided. We will not change the decision.” How is it possible to admit that a great injustice has been committed and not ... (Continued on page 2)

— Should we conceal reality or tell it as it is? — Who makes the law today: the democratic authorities or a group of criminals and evildoers?! — How will organized crime in Albania be confronted? — How long will this parallel power that seeks to challenge the power of the people last? Establishing public order and tranquility was designated as the primary task of Mr. Meksi’s government. During this period, if you judge by newspaper reports and especially television news reports, you might think that after 22 March public order has been calm. But every citizen’s perception of this is shattered by the robberies taking place in the neighborhoods, the assaults taking place before the eyes of ...[the bottom part is cut off]. Reality shows that even during one month of Mr. Meksi’s government, crimes have occurred; indeed, some have increased even further. Here are some approximate figures, given the lack of information. In the four days from 5 to 8 May, more than 100 incidents occurred in Albania, including 4 murders, 17 serious and minor assaults, 3 suicides, and 3 cases of weapons theft, not to mention the thefts and burglaries of homes that have become extremely commonplace. Meanwhile, very little—far too little—is reported in the press and on television. Why, one wonders? I do not want to prejudge anyone, but a question quite rightly arises. What should characterize democratic institutions: information and transparency in presenting reality as it is, or concealing it and minimizing it for propaganda purposes? Mistakes are made, but such methods are used only during an election campaign, not when you are in power, because they risk turning into a loss of standing for you yourself. And, someone might rightly say, order cannot be restored in a month. That is true; people know this. They know that the phrase “I will restore order in 24 hours” was an electoral trick. But people have the right to ask: why conceal the real situation, why this ...[cut off]. (Continued on page 2)

For true democracy, against censorship...

On the occasion of Police Day On 14 May at 10 o’clock, the new executive committee of Gjirokastër has scheduled its first meeting. But it risks failing, plunging the district into a real governance crisis? Why? The political parties have questioned and protested the government’s decision to appoint the executive committee. Specifically, the Party of the Union for Human Rights, because it is seeking the post of committee chairman on the basis of the 22 March election results, in which it had the largest electorate, and the Socialist Party, which was also deprived of the secretary’s post to which it was entitled as the third political force in the district. Both parties have protested to the President, the chairman of the People’s Assembly and the prime minister, and are demanding that the appointment be withdrawn and the government’s decision reversed. No response or reconsideration has come. What will happen now? Resul Llogo, chairman of the PS ...

OF THE BANK OF ALBANIA ON THE INTRODUCTION INTO CIRCULATION OF TWO NEW BANKNOTES On 16 May 1992, the Bank of Albania will put into circulation two new banknotes in denominations of 10 and 50 lekë valutë. Regardless of the name “lekë valutë,” these banknotes will circulate just like the existing banknotes, but will be valued at 1 lek valutë equal to 50 Albanian lekë. Thus, the 10 lekë valutë banknote is equal to 500 lekë, and the 50 lekë valutë denomination is equal to 2,500 lekë. These banknotes will be accepted by every enterprise, institution, private firm, individual seller, etc., in transactions among them, at the values stated above. Like the existing banknotes, these denominations are for use within the country and are not convertible into foreign currency, regardless of the name “lekë valutë.”