- Meeting of the Steering Committee and the PS parliamentary group - Yesterday, under the leadership of Comrade Fatos Nano, a meeting of the Steering Committee and the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party was held. At the center of the proceedings were three main issues concerning the party’s work and the current situation: 1. Preparations underway to conclude the campaign for new party elections and for its First Congress. 2. The current state of local government and the Socialist Party’s positions regarding it. 3. Preparations for the election campaign for new local government elections. Many chairmen of the Party’s Steering Committees in the districts, members of the central Steering Committee and Presidium, and deputies from the Socialist parliamentary group discussed these issues. The campaign for new elections to the Party’s governing bodies was discussed in this way and discussions are being held successfully. Meetings of the party organizations are nearing completion, and its governing councils are being organized by zones and towns. Most of the Party’s district conferences are expected to take place during the first ten days of June. This period is being accompanied by the overall organization of the party. The Party is now more consolidated than ever before. New admissions are another positive development accompanying this election campaign, while ever wider sections of the population are drawing closer to it. At the meeting, it was decided that this positive spirit should continue through to the PS First Congress, which will be held on 20 June this year. The district party chairmen reported on the current state of local government. It was emphasized that, in general, local government has been paralyzed by the unlawful and anti-democratic actions of representatives of the Democratic Party. Today, this party holds most local government seats in almost all districts. Its arbitrariness is directed not only against the PS, but also against other parties. The Socialist Party, which is concerned to contribute its views to local government, is currently in the minority in only 13 district Executive Committees. In 7 districts it has boycotted this government entirely, because of the DP’s dismissive attitudes. In another 7 districts, final efforts are being made to reach a consensus on participation in local government. By unlawful means, the DP is usurping power even in villages and areas where most of the electorate supported the PS. Under these circumstances, it was stressed at the meeting that, in the interests of the country, the Socialist Party will continue its plans for participation in and the proper functioning of local government. It will be tolerant, but also persistent in this regard. In districts where no possibility of dialogue and consensus exists because of the DP, PS representatives have no reason to remain in the governing bodies. They cannot agree to become accomplices in the DP representatives’ adventures with local government. Judging the state of this government to be unlawful and abnormal, the Socialist Party maintains that regular local government elections should be held as soon as possible. However, the necessary legal framework must first be completed. It is also essential to raise public awareness of the content of the organization and functioning of local government. This cannot be done in haste. A democratic election campaign in accordance with international standards would also require an adequate period for the electoral campaign. Any haste and disregard for these three factors would be political immaturity, if not an attempt (Continued on page 4) and not an attempt... (Continued on page 4) the secretary of P... as first... ente and Dho... requested by... which and wh... The opinion of... secretary of the Fon... and the president... that some... this report... The comment... tino Kras... of the societ... management.

Almost every evening, television brings a minister’s “milk” into our homes. Now that democracy has made this “meeting” with the people the norm, we are reminded of the compulsory television appearances of former members of the Political Bureau, one of the welcome steps taken by former president Alia. The appearances may seem similar, while each occasion has its own essence and motives. Government officials promote the work of their respective sectors. But it seems to me that neither a flood of words nor rosy colors serve this useful purpose. While the enthusiasts get caught in a trap of words, many follow the facts and measure the steps. They struggle to extract a gram of “hard facts.” People have noticed the haste and strain in those excessively long conversations. It is not difficult to understand the lack of professional skill and experience. The conversations resemble, as the poet says, “a vast temple with no angels inside.” People are troubled by questions that go unanswered. They are numerous, urgent and harsh. The people, with their vote, assigned this historic opportunity to the government of the Democratic Party. A difficult opportunity, certainly. What do people want? No more than the assurance of everyday life. Security, work, food, shelter. They know that dictatorship brought these things, along with the provocation of the “zero situation.” They do not know when these problems will be resolved, or why the government officials avoid them as well. You do not know how much the Prime Minister’s ... but what is he supposed to sow for “Zëri i popullit” among the public? Transparency is not an attack, Mr. Mekuli, nor is the government’s silence a balm for wounds. Transparency is a more viable “craft” in exchange with this people, who believe so much in democracy. Disappointment lies at the bottom of calm. ... the people’s concerns, which make the people allies of demonstrable reform. You actually erase the Power and the IMF, for the study it has, and you approved it. You shine above a government, you try to break the ridge. As citizens, is this to be the life of a ...? Does power have its own ...? This is felt openly, but in the ... of the day after the conversation. You felt this too in a ... that you gave. It is little to think that on your part you took the conversation to “play with foreigners.” And burn the other one, so that the attacks by your ministers on “Zëri” may be called coincidences—you put a head on it. Now this is called a life. I am sincerely sorry. I am also sorry that most of the government’s difficulties were anticipated by the election campaign. SHKELQIM DEVO

- When you have nothing in the granary, you make a fuss in the marketplace... - It is a very valid opinion among people, also expressed in the pro-government press, that the government is rushing on some secondary issues while, at the same time, on first-order problems it is either standing still or moving extremely slowly. ... has been done so far. Meanwhile, people expect a great deal from the government, because on the one hand they have been promised a lot and on the other they are tired. The problem is that they were promised things in the style of fairy tales, with magic words: “March 22 will come, we will win, and once upon a time...” But you cannot cross a river in one leap; you have not even taken off your shoes. March came and went, along with April and May. In truth, it is not a time for ...; it is far too soon to turn a wrecked ship around, with water coming in from every side, as is the case with our economy, but people are very tired. What should be done? The government is a government; it must do something. And although it cannot do any of the things mentioned above, because it is too soon and it would be unfair to demand them so soon, the government thinks that it must justify itself to the people by saying that it is doing what it can and that it has the majority’s “pro” in parliament. And these are the actions that aim not simply at shifting... (Continued on page 2) It is a very valuable opinion of the people, also expressed in the opposition while, at the same time, on the primary issues it is either standing still or moving far too slowly. I wanted to dwell on people’s concern: why is it in a hurry? Why is the government rushing so much along paths that can and should be trodden later as well, more calmly and worthily, so to speak, on brighter and more fortunate days. Does the «Meksi» government not know this, or can it not do otherwise? Are these isolated actions, or do they, when brought together, form links in the same continuum—or are they disconnected actions that happen to be related? The government is in a hurry because it is looking for a field in which to act. At present it cannot accelerate the services of the economy (because this takes years, not just a few months). It cannot speed up the start of work (because this takes weeks and months after the «zero» threshold was finally reached). It cannot speed up the distribution of land (because representatives of its party advocated otherwise during the election campaign). It cannot speed up economic emigration (because not everything depends on it, and in any case this also takes time). It cannot speed up the stocking of shops (because it knows as well that ships were not waiting for signals to set sail for our shores). It cannot do more than it has managed to do to restore order (despite the 24-hour promise); and, in the end, it cannot speed up the arrival of foreign capital—despite everything...

- Fatos Nano at the Socialist Party meeting in the city of Durrës - Yesterday afternoon, the meeting of the Socialist Party of the city was held in the hall of the Committee of the Socialist Party of Durrës. The chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, also attended. At the beginning, Bardhyl Agasi, chairman of the Steering Committee, spoke about the work of the Socialist Party in the district. The meeting then proceeded in a spirit of open cooperation with Fatos Nano. Here too, in this district, the Socialists are greatly interested in the many complex problems the country is experiencing. Their concerns about what is happening were therefore openly expressed. Ordinary people view with suspicion the successive decisions and acts of Parliament and the Government. There is much talk, but nothing is moving. What is to be done about the economy, law and order, insecurity, dismissals and employment? The DP’s election promises were extremely grand. When will they begin to be fulfilled? These are legitimate concerns of ordinary people, of the many people in hardship; they are everyday worries about bread, essential services, the enforcement of the law, insecurity and work, and about children who go to school and have ... alongside them. Speaking at the meeting, Fatos Nano said, among other things, that today, more than ever, people are knocking on the doors of the Socialist Party, and it will keep those doors open to ordinary, honest people. The Socialist Party is made up of ... and is increasingly strengthening its identity; confidence in it has grown. It has supported and continues to support reform, the process of a market economy, privatization, etc., but with a social dimension and measured steps. People have serious problems; they are being thrown out onto the streets. The principles of the market economy are sacred, but they cannot be implemented in a single fine day, without certain conditions, especially when they are also implemented in other phases. The wave of right-wing revanchism that is emerging in Albania too must be confronted. People are at the end of their tether. What is happening needs no lengthy comment; people see and feel it for themselves. Is the Socialist Party trying to incite people to strike and make unreasonable, impossible demands? No! On the contrary, we have supported and continue to support the government in implementing reform. But can we also remain silent in the face of facts that are increasing every day? Naturally, the government needs time to work, but has it given us any evidence so far? What promises is it making to the people? Someone may say that major, good things cannot be accomplished in a single day! Agreed! But the electorate voted because it was told that after 22 March a miracle would happen, that every farmer would have a telephone at home, that someone from every family would go abroad for work, and that law and order would be restored immediately. Were these electoral demagoguery? Fine, that is how it was, but now take responsibility. Before making a fuss about taking weapons away from veterans in the district, the duty of speaking out must first be carried out and safeguarded.

Yesterday, US Deputy Secretary of State Lorenc Igelberger paid an official visit to Albania, accompanied by a delegation consisting of Deputy Secretary of State for Theasarin Knon Ribson, adviser on international affairs at the State Department for Eastern Europe Robert Barry, adviser at the US Information Agency Mkinj Rasell, etc. At a meeting with Prime Minister Meksi, Igelberger expressed the US desire to help Albania wherever it could and said that a new chapter had opened... (Continued on page 4)

KËNDËZI GËR VËZËMË 23 MARCH 23 MARCH; 23 MARCH; 23 MARCH; 23 MARCH; 23 MARCH; 23 MARCH

Starting on 1 June 1992, the price of the newspaper “Zëri i popullit” will be 3 lekë. This change is due to the increased cost of paper and printing. The PS district steering committees and the private agencies that have contracts with the editorial office should make efforts to ensure that subscribers receive the newspaper. THE EDITORIAL OFFICE

PROTEST To the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania: To the President of the Republic To the Chairman of the Council of Ministers TIRANA Today, 20.5.1992, the Minister of Health, by means of a letter, addressed the Chairman of the Albanian Red Cross, informing him of his order to dismiss the governing bodies of the Presidium of the Central Council of the Albanian Red Cross, on the grounds that the Albanian Red Cross had acted against the interests of the country. He based this order on Article 17 of Law 2362, dated 16.11.1956. Under this law, the minister has the right to declare the governing bodies of the Red Cross invalid when the organization acts contrary to the purpose set out in its statute and contrary to the interests of the country. However, throughout the years of its activity, the Albanian Red Cross has never acted contrary to its statute. This is best demonstrated by the international Red Cross organizations, which have approved the statute of the Albanian Red Cross and its concrete activities under that statute. Nor do we consider the activity of the Red Cross to be contrary to the interests of the country. Recently, through ever-improving cooperation with organizations from various countries around the world, the Red Cross has been able to secure food, clothing and medicines for thousands upon thousands of citizens of the Republic, who have been in such great need during the difficult circumstances our country is going through. In its activities, the Albanian Red Cross has always pursued the fundamental humanitarian principles of the International Red Cross Movement, proclaimed at the International Red Cross Conference in Geneva in 1938. These are: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, Universality. We emphasize that the ... of the Albanian Red Cross was invited, for more than ..., and has not been funded by ... For the reasons stated above, we consider the Ministry of Health’s ... to be regrettable. If the Ministry of Health insists on this course of action, we will not ... without first having ... the organs of justice, its judicial ... At the same time, we ... and the ... bodies. The Presidium

Crisis... and achievement... 1988–1989 ... bloc... conclusion... socialdemo... effort... made... of the...