Filling the work shelves, not aid! What is clear so far is that the paths of Albanian ownership will begin with a distribution that is, to a greater or lesser extent, not conceived according to economic needs and possibilities, and not consulted with the interests of workers and owners. The market mechanism will operate through privatization. Under these conditions, the likely owners will be especially those who have put up some monetary capital, while wage earners, who are now the majority, will once again remain without property. As such, this process risks bringing not only a class of new rich people, but also a further impoverishment of the majority. That is why people are waiting for economic democracy, not sporadic aid, charity, or assistance. Along with enterprise reform, thought must also be given to creating a new system of labor relations, to ensuring employment, and to creating conditions so that those who work do not come out as losers. Private ownership alone does not solve the problems. If economic and legal mechanisms are not built to protect working people, then economic freedom will remain only for those who have capital. In these days, when so much is being said about reform and the market economy, ordinary people are asking for something more concrete: work, wages, security. Democracy cannot be reduced only to multiple parties and elections; it must also have economic, social, and human content. Without this, disappointment will be great and the consequences will be felt for a long time.

Dr. Malaj, Chairman of the initiative committee for the creation of SAVT (Independent Unified Teachers' Union) On [?[ ]?] we were more than 80 independent education delegates, who gathered to discuss the creation of SAVT (Independent Unified Teachers' Union). At that meeting, the union's main principles were approved and it was requested that our right to independent organization be legally recognized. But, beyond this issue, we felt that an institutional respect for such initiatives is lacking. For this reason we address the President of the Republic with the request that he listen to the voice of teachers and not allow them to be bypassed in decision-making processes. Education needs real support, not just words. We want dialogue, recognition, and respect. Nothing more than that, but nothing less.

In Durrës – strike by 9,000 railway workers Neither the People's Assembly nor the government is concerned by this grave situation. The Italian news agency considers this development a sign of the worsening economic crisis. On Saturday, at the locomotive depot in Durrës, the general strike of railway workers began. Should the government subsidize the railway or sell it? Not that the railway unions want subsidies at any price. They link this issue to a deeper analysis of the role of the railway in national transport and to the need to protect an important public asset. Many workers stress that with unpaid wages, a shortage of spare parts, and an unclear future, it can no longer continue like this. The strike is an outburst of dissatisfaction that has been building for months. Delaying decisions and the lack of transparency make the situation even worse. If quick solutions are not found, the consequences will affect not only railway workers, but also transport and the economy as a whole.

Letter to the editor “The disabled person in assistance” I am deeply hurt morally, as our government calls it, by the assistance for us work-invalids. With this small “compensation” we cannot cover even the most basic needs. I must say that many decisions are made without asking those who are directly affected. To live on assistance means to face shortages every day and to feel undervalued. We ask that these measures be reviewed and that it not be forgotten that behind every number there is a human being with dignity.

THE PRESIDENT IN SHKODËR As is said, on 17 May President Berisha was in our city to take part in the burial of those executed by the dictatorship. Naturally, the burial of those persecuted by the former communist dictatorship was a serious event for all the people of Shkodër and for the whole country. But even in those moments, when calm and respect should have prevailed, questions and concerns were not lacking. Why was no opportunity found for the president to meet other representatives of civil society as well? Was this only a ceremonial visit? This question becomes even sharper when we remember that Shkodër has always had a special role in the political and cultural life of the country. From a president, broader and more direct communication with citizens is expected. Mr. Berisha can offer a simple explanation for this concern. Until then, the question remains open.

On the eve of the first PSSH Congress As part of the activities for organizing the first PSSH Congress, meetings and active sessions were held in the district of Pukë. At these meetings, the economic situation was analyzed, the role of the party structures was discussed, and the need for the party to move closer to the citizens was emphasized. Participants underlined the necessity of openness to different views and of strengthening the party's social-democratic profile. The discussions also highlighted the difficulties of the northern areas, the lack of investment, and the need for greater attention from the center. There was also talk about preparing the delegates and the documents that will be presented at the congress. Similar meetings were also held in Tropojë, where it was stressed that the party must be closer to the people and their daily problems.

The people of [PPSH?] without [?[?]] politics and [?[?]] and culture of [?[?]] [?[?]] — [?[?]] in [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] of [?[?]] [?[?]], [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] and [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] In the city of Pukë [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] This article seems to be devoted to figures who remained faithful to their convictions and did not submit to political pressure. The text mentions moral steadfastness, persecution, and resistance in difficult conditions. (To be continued on page 2)

Conference sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development Ago Agaj [?[?]] prefect of the Center [?[?]] of [?[?]], [?[?]] and [?[?]] that [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] On the second day of the conference “The Road [?[?]] of [?[?]]” for [?[?]] [?[?]], [?[?]] [?[?]] in [?[?]] [?[?]] of [?[?]]. For [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] [?[?]] At the round table on privatization, participants expressed different views on the pace and manner of reforms. Some emphasized the importance of foreign aid and international expertise, while others judged that decisions should be more firmly based on Albanian reality. One of the most debated issues was the role of the state in the transitional phase and the relationship between privatization, the market, and social protection. It was pointed out that it is not enough to announce general goals; workable mechanisms are needed. (To be continued on page 2)