The chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, and the SP’s secretary for foreign relations, Bashkim Zeneli, at the invitation of the People’s Assembly, were received yesterday at the Austrian Parliament headquarters in Vienna by Peter Schieder, chairman of the Socialist Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and chairman of the Austrian Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee, and Karl Schramek, secretary of the Social Democratic Party of Austria. They held a constructive and very useful discussion and exchanged views in a friendly spirit on international situation issues, current developments in Albania, relations between Austria’s SDP and Albania’s SP, the need to make the work of the respective parliamentary groups known, and relations within the framework of Europe’s left-wing parties. The Socialist Party of Albania delegation, headed by Fatos Nano, returned home after successful visits to Italy, Belgium and Austria.

THE DP IN THE FEVER OF TOTAL POWER CO-GOVERNMENT UNDER ATTACK FROM MONISM The problem is perfectly clear. Although Mr. Meksi’s government has sent neither a delegate nor an official letter implementing the decision of 4.5.1992 that local government bodies be restructured, for days there has been pressure and action, at the orders of Democratic Party state representatives in Durrës, to dismantle and rebuild the local government bodies according to the DP’s plan. The “attack” began several days ago with an ultimatum in which the DP branch, through the chairman of the district’s pluralist executive committee, informed the other political forces of its decision that the committee leadership (chairman, deputy chairman, secretary) should pass into the hands of the DP, eliminating the representatives of the SP and PR, and that the SP secretary appointed to the executive committee should also be removed. The Socialist Party refused to discuss this ultimatum presented by the DP, not only because of its intolerant nature, but mainly because local government bodies are not restructured by order or at the whim of one party; they must be restructured according to the law, and specifically on the basis of the above-mentioned decision of Mr. Meksi’s government. Although no such order has arrived to date, following instructions from the DP leadership, its delegates rushed down to the people’s councils in the city’s neighbourhoods and villages and, without any legal decision from the executive committee, which has jurisdiction over them, dismantled and are continuing to dismantle these bodies. Doors to offices have been and are being violently broken down; seals have been seized by some self-appointed council chairmen and members representing the DP, to the point that a grave situation has arisen in these bodies. It has led to their paralysis and created tensions among the people. This entire conduct by the leaders of the DP branch in the district and by the chairman of the executive committee, Mr. Andrea Xhavara, which runs counter to the law, as well as the SP leadership’s own protest against these actions, has been made known to the public through the press and letters addressed to President Berisha and Prime Minister Meksi. Yet to date nothing has been done and no intervention has taken place to uphold the law and the century. Not only that, but today Mr. Andrea Xhavara, chairman of the district’s pluralist executive committee, relying on a “verbal” instruction from the head of local government, took the initiative to establish a pluralist executive committee with a new political formula. His formula for bringing the SP into the new government was to offer one thing at first and then the other as well. (Continued on page 2) To improve information in Albania about developments in Germany and to intensify mutual relations, Radio “Deutsche Welle” will broadcast an Albanian-language programme starting on 1 June 1992. It will be broadcast daily from 22:45 to 23:00, on 9615 kHz, 31-meter band, and 11960 kHz, 25-meter band. Radio “Deutsche Welle” plans to expand this programme further in the future.

— In the district of Sarandë, the Democratic Party, with 24.7 percent of the electorate, is demanding the lion’s share, to the detriment of the pluralist executive committee — It has been two weeks since the district of Sarandë has had no local government. It is astonishing to hear people at the executive committee say that Mr. Lutf i Bajrami, strangely enough at the party’s (Democratic Party’s) behest and on orders from above, has presented himself as chairman. Is Lutf i Bajrami the chairman or not? The answer to this question must come from the choice of a political formula and the consensus of the parties. There is a fact that gives one pause and ought to concern the government too. Several days ago, the chairmen of the people’s councils in the minority area, summoned to the executive committee to discuss problems with the land law, left the meeting in protest when they learned that the notices had been issued by the “new chairman.” And they are not few in number: they represent nearly 70 percent of the former agricultural cooperatives. What did Mr. Bajrami do after this incident? A struggle for power—and rumours about it have become intertwined. They say the SP sought an alliance; they say the SP formed an alliance with PBDNJ; they say the pluralist executive committee was settled according to who would be in it and that formula, and so on. There is one truth: he and the party he represents will not give up being at the head of local government. At the meeting on 4 May 1992 between the political forces and the government representative, Mr. Dashamir Shehi, the formation of a pluralist executive committee was discussed on the basis of government decision no. 7500, dated 6.7.1991, to arrive at a new political solution by consensus. Agreement was reached on the following composition: 7 seats on the committee for the Party of the Union for Human Rights, 4 for the DP, 3 for the SP and 1 for the SDP. When it came to distributing the executive posts, the district DP representatives insisted that the chairmanship be given to their party as the winner of the 22 March elections. In the absence of tolerance and understanding on the DP’s part, the representatives of the Party for Human Rights were forced to withdraw and boycott the meeting and the formation of the executive committee itself, withdrawing their representatives until their demand was met. After that date, Mr. Bajrami, on behalf of the DP and as offer first one thing and then the other. ... And so America too, the democrats, all know that Kosovo is occupied; that tanks and armoured vehicles rule the streets and squares; that rooftops are full of snipers; that provocateurs and architects of ordinary crime plot bloodshed and carnage; that an entire people is being terrorized in the most barbaric way—and still, no. Democratic Europe and America must stop Serbia’s murderous hand against a martyred, vital, oppressed but proud, fearless, democratic and humanitarian people who are unarmed. Our brothers do not provoke, do not abuse, and do not violate the freedoms and democratic rights of others. They seek only to attain humane, human rights recognized by humanity and to stand with a clear heart and for days, for minutes, to share the situations you are going through. We eagerly await the declaration of your free and democratic will; we hope you win and face with dignity and determination the provocations and devilish plans, the organizations concocted by frenzied anti-Albanian criminals. History has been painful for us Albanians, and yet we have won and survived. This is because we have been and are in the right; we have never harmed others, have always been humane and democratic, and have always rejoiced wholeheartedly at the democratic achievements of others. This is the source of our optimism and our determination. Therefore, we express our unwavering belief that you will overcome all intrigues and betrayals.

Tomorrow, free elections in Kosovo Tomorrow, free elections will be held in Kosovo. This is an event of particular importance for our brothers who live in their own lands in Yugoslavia, and for our entire nation. The will of the people of Kosovo was clearly expressed in the referendum that was held, in the formation of the government and in the proclamation of the Republic. The Socialist Party has welcomed these important achievements and supported them. The 24 May elections take on particular importance. They come after the breakup of the Yugoslav federation, after the “stitching together” that Serbs are trying to carry out through propaganda and Miloševićian chauvinist subjectivism, with the aim of Kosovo’s final plunder and constitutional subjugation. Serbian chauvinists and those who support them through diplomacy, silence, and overt or covert positions are serving anti-Albanian, anti-national and anti-democratic aims and objectives. Many remain silent. Democratic Europe had been in a position to recognize a Republic of Kosovo. So had democratic America. Everyone knows carnage; that an entire people is being terrorized on the eve of the elections—and they are terrorizing it. The conditions for the elections are difficult, as the reality of daily life there also shows. The Milošević regime announces elections and organizes terror. The Parliament, Government and President of the Republic of Albania have also worked hard to make international public opinion aware of what is happening in Kosovo and what may happen, and to publicly expose what blinded Serbian chauvinist politicians, military officers and scribblers call a separatist movement of the Albanians. No, you blind and frenzied chauvinists! The right to be free, to live, to have equal rights with others, the right to decide your own destiny, to enjoy all internationally recognized freedoms and rights, is not separatism and is not anti-democratic. With such labels you can convince only chauvinists, only the blind, only politicians and anti-Albanian political forces—but certainly not true democrats, nor honest and objective politicians. We Albanian Socialists stand entirely with you, our Kosovar brothers and sisters. With clear minds and hearts, we experience every day, every minute, the situations you go by frenzied anti-Albanian criminals. History has been painful

— After the head of the General Investigation Office and the Minister of Public Order, who will have his say analysing “Zërin e Popullit”? — Although the Minister of Public Order was unable to provide a single figure showing whether murders had increased or decreased over this entire period; although he did not know whether there were fewer or more thefts and rapes; although he could not say for certain whether people’s confidence in the police had risen or fallen, we should still be pleased that he was optimistic too. Well done, Mr. Minister, because optimism is needed as well. Ordinary people should be satisfied with even a little. Because when the home of a Democratic Party deputy is burgled in the middle of Tirana, that is a typical case for the minister and all the deputies who talk about typification should be put under pressure. Because when someone is killed in the middle of the street and the murderer disappears in an unknown direction, that too is an atypical case, since the murderer must disappear in “many directions.” Because a few days ago, leaders of the local authorities were also burgled in the middle of Tirana; we are told we should be pleased that one night the Minister of Public Order supposedly carried out a search that was even credible. We should also be pleased that the theory of circulation will continue, as will the theory of absorbing workers’ and party-minded thought. Even though there are numerous burglaries of citizens’ homes (since little is left to steal from enterprises), we should still be content: the state is taking courses. It also shut down the newspaper “Albapol”—apparently so there would be no outlet at all in which to write about murders. But Mr. Kopliku apparently reads only “ZP” and does not read some of the other publications, which also write about murders and rapes, thefts and destruction, and even the buying and selling of drugs. After the head of the General Investigation Office and the Minister of Public Order, we are now waiting to see which minister will have his turn to speak up and analyse our newspaper: we will be delighted to receive their suggestions and criticisms. Mr. Minister, our newspaper does not ... (Continued on page 2)

Starting at 12:00 on 22.5.1992, 30 people began a hunger strike in the old building of this association in Durrës. The strike was organized by the Durrës Association of Orphans’ Hunger Strikers; all were prompted by a decision of the district’s pluralist executive committee to demolish the orphanage houses. After repeated protests to annul this decision—an inhumane act that put them out on the street—they decided that the hunger strike was their last resort. The strike has attracted attention and has the support of broad public opinion in Durrës. The question is: should those in power have allowed the situation to escalate to such a degree, when it was possible to resolve the problem without harming the interests of orphaned children?

For several days in a row, people have been queuing for bread at Tirana’s bread shops from early in the morning, forming long lines. At many outlets, there is no bread at all during the day. They thought this problem would be temporary, but apparently the week is passing and there is no sign of improvement. Government officials’ reactions vary widely: «...», while the Minister of Agriculture ... There is no shortage of wheat, and the flour warehouses are completely full. Whenever this problem has arisen before, the situation has changed following intervention by the executive committees, ministers and even the government. Will this practice continue again? Let those responsible for management and organization «pay» for it—the people who are paid by the state, while the public bears the burden. The people want to be able to find bread at any hour; this is one of the highest duties. They are already fed up with the words of ... ... a team has been assigned and a director has been appointed.

A statement issued in Washington says that the United States has lifted trade restrictions on Albania, granting its products the lowest customs duties for sale in the United States. According to Radio “Voice of America,” President Bush announced this decision on May 20, saying that he had received assurances from the Albanian authorities that they would amend their emigration policy, a condition for lifting the restrictions. The President referred to the second part of the emigrants’ [text unclear], which makes trade concessions conditional on emigration.

With the diplomatic personalities accredited in Tirana Interview with the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana, Dr. Claus Collers. Question: How is the process of German reunification progressing? Answer: We are not abandoning it; the process of integrating the two levels would be very difficult otherwise. Many factors play a role here. One of them is the people; their education and qualifications are significant for Western Germany. This is closely connected with the free-market policy that we apply in the western part of Germany, whereas for many years this policy was unacceptable in its eastern part. This has created difficulties in the integration process. Another problem was that the vast majority of factories and industrial plants in that part needed to be brought out of a state of disrepair. But this in itself entailed a high cost for us. A third problem was the change ... Question: What is the situation in eastern Germany at present? Answer: It is very important that investment in the former East Germany continue. Developments there include rising wages, although prices have also gone up. But, as I said earlier, there are problems with the employment of different generations in the eastern part of our country, because suitable qualifications and new jobs are lacking. There are problems that are now being experienced in the former East Germany. Under the new criteria, a portion of the population in the middle-age groups lacks vocational qualifications. Nevertheless, I want to stress that the process of training is very difficult. However, unemployment in the eastern part of our country remains high. Today in the former East Germany ... (Continued on page 4)

● On 18 May 1992, the unexpected happened: Minister Bashkim Kopliku announced the closure of the newspaper “Albapol.” The reason? “The President ordered it.” ● Mr. Kopliku undertakes to justify the newspaper’s closure in the context of economic reform and reducing expenses. ● We clarify that “Albapol” is more profitable than all state-owned newspapers and magazines—in fact, it makes a profit! THEN WHY? Read tomorrow the protest by the editorial staff of “Albapol”!