To all those who write and speak against “The People’s Voice” — It has become something of a fashion for politicians and officials of ministries and institutions, and for journalists—especially those who have not yet earned the right to be called “democrats from the earliest days,” because in December 1990 they were quite comfortably following the dictatorship—to make frequent statements in newspapers and on RTV against “The People’s Voice.” On every occasion and for no reason, to demonstrate their devotion to the new holders of power, they attack “The Voice” as if this newspaper and its staff were the source and bearers of all our misfortunes. Of course, people cannot believe these attacks. “The People’s Voice” may have made a mistake on some occasion, and its journalists may have been embarrassed by it, but when they raised issues and made criticisms even during the years of dictatorship, the authors of today’s attacks on this newspaper were cowering in fear or seeking every possible benefit of the moment. Recently, the attacks on “The Voice” have increased. We would say that they are an integral part of the blows being inflicted by those in power on the main force of the opposition—the Socialist Party. Perhaps things are different, as was said in the [?] drunken revelries a few months ago, when it was suggested that “The People’s Voice” might even be shut down. We believe that they have sobered up by now, and that the time for these prophecies has passed. “The Voice” has spoken of a new monism being planned. May that not come true; but exposing unjust actions and the spirit of revenge permeating the activities of some of today’s power-holders is the duty of a democratic press. “The Voice” has called for the restoration of order, calm and citizens’ security, as the officials who came to power also promised. When there are no concrete steps in sight on the horizon—in fact, insecurity has engulfed our towns and villages—it is the duty of the democratic press to tell the truth. “The Voice” has called for poverty not to reach an extreme [?] and for the crisis, which day after day bears down on our people, to be addressed with the most effective means possible. If this newspaper were to remain silent about this, it would commit an unforgivable mistake. Some current government officials cast anathemas at “The Voice,” claiming that it is trying to incite workers to go on strike (!). No, gentlemen. The first and daily call of “The Voice” is for work. We believe this is an extremely democratic call. It made this call when Fatos Nano’s government came to power, the government of stability, the technical government of V. Ahmeti, and most recently the monist government of Mr. Meksi. We do this not to help political parties, but the people, democracy and Albania. Could we possibly be wrong about this too?! If we report reality by saying, for example, that railway workers are on strike, and underline that in today’s grave economic and social circumstances this is a destabilizing factor for the country, we believe we are doing the right thing. Any mass-media outlet that conceals reality is making a mistake. We believe that no true democrat should agree with this position. “The Voice” keeps its pages open to all those who, during this transitional period, find no support in dealing with their troubles. It will always act this way, as the voice of the interests of the underprivileged classes. So what is its sin, that it is attacked so fiercely? Is it because this newspaper does not know how to sing the praises of government officials today; because it brings to light the extremely grave social and economic situation; because it cannot say that, after March 22, a different sun shines over Albania, and that since that date even the birds sing more freely and beautifully? Such things were said in the days of monism, but today they would be nonsense and hot air. That is why we tell the authors of the attacks against “The Voice” that, with the extremist positions you take toward the newspaper, you do us a favor. The number of readers of “The Voice” grows every day. After making criticisms of “The Voice” merely for fashion’s sake, one government official declared that, in the ministry he heads, he has so far done not even a thousandth of his duty. We reply: being in opposition, we have the right to say that we have done one thousandth of the things we have in store for you, and we are convinced that only in this way—with a constructive opposition—can we serve the country’s recovery, the establishment of order and calm, Albania’s progress and the people’s well-being.

MEETING with the Prime Minister Yesterday, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, met with representatives of the Trade Union Federation of Education and Science. The Federation’s chairman, Xhafer Dobrushi, presented the Prime Minister with the difficult economic situation of teachers, lecturers and other education employees, as well as their firm demand for wage increases. Prime Minister Meksi considered the demands presented to be justified and assured the Federation’s representatives that the Government would soon submit the wage bill to Parliament, through which wages in the budget-funded sectors would be harmonized more effectively and gradually.

- How tall will the police be? - “Yugoslav self-management” or “centralized economy”? - A new purge campaign against the socialists - At the parliamentary session the day before yesterday, the morning proceedings dealt with the “amendment” of two laws. One was the law on the public-order police, the other on state enterprises. Amending and supplementing laws when necessary is a natural part of Parliament’s work. But when these matters are seen to take up the main place in its sessions so often, MPs are right to say that these are makeshift amendments, made willy-nilly, when complete and precise laws ought to be examined and passed. At the beginning of the morning session the day before yesterday, an amendment to Law No. 7504 on the Public Order Police was examined and approved. The amendment sets out the criteria that citizens wishing to work in the police must meet. A brief debate was held on one paragraph of the proposed amendment, which gave the Minister of Public Order unlimited authority to recruit people over the age of 30 into the police. This, several MPs said, leaves room for subjectivity, turning the public-order police into a corner for sheltering incapable people. The proposed bill was approved without many problems, apart from an objection by MP Keko, who said it was not serious for Parliament to concern itself with the height of police officers (something specified in the bill). Long debates took place over the second issue presented to Parliament by the Government, concerning the law on state enterprises. It should be noted that this bill was not part of Parliament’s 15-day work schedule. It was submitted as an urgent matter in the afternoon of May 19. This prompted criticism that the rules and normal procedures of Parliament had been violated. Socialist MP Anastas Angjeli protested that the bill had not been examined by the parliamentary committee on the economy, finance and social support. Mr. Abrnori considered it sufficient that the bill had been discussed by the Committee on Laws and the Committee on Industry, and therefore used the majority’s voting power to place it on the agenda for consideration. The socialist MPs abstained. (Continued on page 3)

Don’t be surprised, dear readers. The law on agitation and propaganda is in force, in force with the very same strength and ferocity. It has only changed direction, moving ever further to the right. It is at work persecuting and suppressing the freedom of speech we have won over these past two years. It seems that today’s power-holders, who are excessively politicized, cannot do without this law, which ensured the longevity of the monist system, forgetting that it cannot ensure the eternity of their power. On 19.5.1992, a trial was held at the court in the city of Korçë. The accused was 33-year-old Tomor Rozani, a resident of the city of Maliq, married, with three children. The chairman of the Democratic Party branch in the Maliq area accused him of having distributed the slogan [?] Sali Berisha; of insulting him personally, and even attempting to [?] The complaint was filed on May 1. The following day Tomor Rozani found himself in the hands of the police, as if his social dangerousness were impossible to contain, while, unfortunately, it was known that murderers and criminals had been left at large by the courts, so much so that they had even had time to flee abroad. It was an arrest warrant of

● Judicial disputes over the distribution of property are increasing. ● According to the number of people or according to each person’s contribution? ● Those who left—with nothing to show for it (?!). Judicial disputes over the distribution of property are increasing. According to the number of people or according to each person’s contribution? Those who left—with nothing to show for it (?!). During the past few months, one really has to feel sorry for court employees, who cannot normally handle the enormous workload that has grown as a result of laws not being implemented. Court disputes are numerous and varied in nature. In the district of Vlorë, for example, as well as in other districts, the most numerous and highest-percentage disputes concern the implementation of the land law and the distribution of property in the former agricultural cooperatives. While in the implementation of the land law most violations have been committed by the defendants or even by the plaintiffs, in many cases the village and district committees themselves have caused disputes over the distribution of property. They have acted contrary to decisions and instructions, either for the benefit of committee members themselves, or because they were unfamiliar with the legal acts and through negligence. Some of these disputes have been resolved in accordance with the laws and acts in force. (Continued on page 2)

It is currently estimated that around 250,000 Albanians are employed abroad, from the earliest ones, those working in the consular sections of embassies, to the most recent, who obtain a visa, leave, and never return. That means that, on average, one out of every 15 residents helps their poor families here in Albania. But very little of this dollar can be seen in our banks. It does not circulate through them: so where does it go? One of its routes is through foreign hoarders. Through various foreign trading companies, strangely little known even in their own countries but now very well known in our market (we’ve got them well established; although we are poor, we are enriching the world), they are actively and “boldly” entering the dollar game. Various middlemen, representatives of these companies, are openly speculating. Since nobody stops them—and some even pat them on the back, with each pat earning them their cut—let them run wild: Another route is taken by our own traders, who have plenty of problems. After engaging in “stock-exchange” transactions, they secure as many dollars as they can and head for Bulgaria to buy goods and then sell them here. I can say without the slightest hesitation—and I may be wrong—that the lion’s share of the dollars our boys bring back ends up in Bulgaria. Of course, we will trade with the world; we will buy and sell, and the Bulgarian government has created the necessary facilities for this trade. But almost all our traders have taken, or are taking, the road to Bulgaria, carrying plenty of dollars and hoping to do a little business. Seeing this influx of Albanian traders, and the dollars along with them, Bulgarian traders are raising their prices. The dollar keeps piling up. So why are we concerned? After all, that is what the dollar comes for: to be spent. But is it being spent in the most suitable market? Is this the only market available to Albanians? Is that really the only place where profitable trade can be done? It is not so! Western markets are more favorable, but our traders have fewer opportunities to gain access to those countries. Far fewer. And when you can’t get the chicken, you have to make do with the crow. You might even think it’s a fish from the sea! For traders who have achieved good results, who trade honestly, and who are capable of doing so, the state should, through its trade agencies, recommend the most suitable markets and make it easier for them to enter those markets. It could also establish various joint-stock companies, take on the role of intermediary, and encourage the import of certain goods, even through partial and temporary subsidies, so that our hard-earned dollars do not go to waste. BEDRI ISLAMI

— MARGARET TUTULER DECLARES — The US State Department’s spokeswoman, Ms. Margaret Tutuler, at yesterday’s regular press briefing, was asked by journalists whether the USA would send observers for the first multiparty elections, to be held in Kosovo on May 24. She replied: in the May 24 elections, the parliament and president of the Republic of Kosovo will be elected. We will send officials from our embassy in Belgrade to observe events in Kosovo. As in such cases, we also expect non-governmental organizations to report on the elections in Kosovo.

The Socialist Party deputies voted against this point of Article 7 of the law “On the Use of Weapons.” The PD deputies, gentlemen B. Mustafaj, A. Hajdari and Ll. Lëngu, also voted against it, as did PSD deputy T. Laço. Regarding point “Ç” weapons, which addressed who may carry firearms, deputies from the parliamentary groups held a discussion and took sharply opposing positions when the subject turned to veterans of the National Liberation War. The issue was heavily politicized, and several PD deputies took an insulting stance. The matter went so far that deputy Butka (?) questioned the designation “Veterans of the National Liberation War.” In our opinion, the impassioned positions taken by PD deputies were not about whether the law should allow veterans of the National Liberation War to carry weapons of that kind, but about denying this honorable designation. In the end, after the votes were counted normally, the decision was that the veterans would be disarmed. The Socialist Party deputies unanimously voted against this proposal. By passing such a law, nothing was achieved except to insult once again the veterans who fought in the National Liberation War and the people who love and respect them. Nevertheless, the deputies who voted to pass this law did nothing other than behead a number of innocent people, as the deputy (?) from the Tropoja district, Bashkim Mustafa, put it. BASHKIM KOÇI

The Socialist Party’s Forum As part of the preparations for the district party conference, the steering committee of the Socialist Party of Gjirokastër organized a meeting between its members, supporters and friends and the intellectuals Adem Këzezi, Luan Shahollari and Agron Dani. The meeting was entitled “Let us discuss the alternative of democratic socialism.” Participants asked questions about the alternative of democratic socialism, its reality in Europe, the SP’s concepts and practices for bringing it closer to Albanian conditions, the relationship between the PSSh and other socialist parties, and so on. The answers, interventions and lively discussions among those present showed both their familiarity with the subject and the need for mutual debate and consultation about the proposed alternative. The forum showed particular interest in current issues in the country and their interpretation according to the logic of Albanian socialists, as well as European experience and vision. The speakers clarified and debated the issues, citing examples from history, the history of political thought, politics and economics. During the discussion, opinions were also expressed about a contemporary, coordinated effort to communicate the alternative and the SP to the public. The event was followed with interest and concluded with those present praising competence, transparency and dialogue in general. THANAS DINO

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