The annexation of the Republic of Albania at the London Conference, known as London 1913, caused half of Albania to be torn away from its own body. Thus, on its own ethnic lands, the only ones in the Balkans, Albanians were left divided among five states. The Second World War once again brought to the fore the aspirations of the Albanians, and these aspirations gained a place on the international stage. The Bujan Assembly clearly set out the aspiration of the Albanian nation, while the 1946 Paris Peace Conference upheld the need and the right of the Albanians of Kosovo to self-determination. However, this right was denied to them, violated through arbitrary and anti-Albanian decisions. The Republic of Kosovo, proclaimed on 2 July 1990, is an expression of the free will and inalienable right of the Albanian people to freedom and national independence, with which the democratic world is also now aligning itself. Therefore, the Republic of Kosovo strongly supports the just struggle of the people of Albania to build a democratic and lawful state. Convinced that the Albanian nation holds its own destiny in its hands, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo demands: - the end of police-military repression and systematic violence against Albanians in Kosovo; - recognition of the political will of the people of Kosovo and of their right to self-determination; - equal treatment for the Albanian people in all of their ethnic lands. (Continued on page 4)

“You the vote, we the world” “You the vote, we the world” The disagreement with the orientation of Albanian politics and institutions toward Kosovo, up to 24 May, has been the main reason for the renewal of the independent movement of the Republic of Kosovo. At the meeting of 31 May, with representatives of the opposition, in Pristina, it was clearly stated that such an orientation must be brought to an end. Otherwise, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo will continue to meet, as it is its highest legitimate body. On the basis of this position, the Albanian government and institutions must take a firmer stance on the Kosovo issue. It is unacceptable that national interests be neglected for narrow day-to-day interests. K. KORRILI

Reply in “Social-Democrat” style For the “SD Alternative” contest Perhaps we are writing for the first time about the newspaper contest “Alternativa SD”. Perhaps not because of its importance, but because of the way the organizers presented it and turned it into publicity. In its latest issue, the newspaper “Alternativa SD” published a “reply” to a reaction from our newspaper, presenting it as an attack on the free press. In reality, our intention was completely different. We have nothing against literary or journalistic contests, much less against encouraging creative thinking. But when a contest is accompanied by excessive noise, by name-dropping, and by self-congratulatory tones, it loses seriousness. That is exactly what happened with this contest. Instead of a simple and correct notice, the reader was met with exaggerated self-advertising. And when this is pointed out, the response comes with nervousness and labels. If we want a free press, we must also accept free criticism. Freedom of speech is not anyone’s privilege, but everyone’s duty. FEDERIK RRESHPJA

Invitation to the State Control Commission After the letter about the “luxury” car, a series of listeners/readers have raised other suspicions of abuse of public property, of tenders, of purchases without criteria, and of unmerited appointments in various enterprises. If these suspicions are well founded, then we are dealing not only with administrative misuse, but with a phenomenon that is seriously damaging the country’s economy. Many enterprises are going bankrupt, while employees are left without wages and without security. The State Control Commission must urgently verify the reported cases and make the results of the inspection public. No one should be above the law, whether director, minister, or department head. Otherwise, the word “reform” will remain just a slogan. THE CHRONICLER

So far, it is hard to say exactly what remains of the PPSH. Recent documents and statements have left room for uncertainty. But one thing is clear: a party does not disappear just because it changes its name. If the PSSH sees itself as the heir to a major political force, then it must clarify its relationship with the past, with the structures, with the membership, and with the responsibilities. Only then can there be an honest political debate. The question remains open, not out of nostalgia, but in order to understand how the Albanian left is being rebuilt in the new conditions. ASEL HAXHIA

- A state for itself? Are they thinking of returning to the old armchair? Or are they becoming a tool of their own irresponsibility? If someone were to attribute the entire present crisis to “laziness,” they would be gravely mistaken. A poor, tired, unpaid, and insecure person is not necessarily lazy. That person may simply have been stripped of hope. A society that has gone through major upheavals, that has lost the old rules without yet building new ones, cannot be judged by simplistic moral schemes. Often, instead of asking “are Albanians lazy?”, we should ask another question: are Albanians given the opportunity to work with dignity? Is work rewarded? Is the honest person protected? Is the speculator punished? There are plenty of people who work from morning till night and still cannot escape poverty. There are others who, through connections and tricks, get rich quickly. In this moral inequality, society’s exhaustion is unfairly called “laziness.” Therefore, before accusing the people, we must look at the system. (Continued on page 4)

Wandering through the city, one comes across the signs of transition every day: half-empty shops, long queues, overcrowded buses, and people who speak only about prices and unemployment. At the market you see imported goods next to local products, but not always buyers. In the neighborhood you hear stories of families waiting for money from abroad or hoping for a temporary job. Even so, in this tiring everyday life there is also persistence. People continue to keep their homes, raise their children, and preserve their sense of humor. That is society’s true strength. STEFANO QENDROZI

NEKROLOGJI EKONOMIKE

Masthead: Zëri i Popullit; Organ of the Socialist Party of Albania; No. 107 (15,739); Wednesday, 3 June 1992; page 2. Parliament spectacle: a political report on a tense parliamentary session, with clashes over the “technical” government, the majority, and the opposition. Is there corruption in enterprises?: a call to the State Control Commission to investigate abuses in public property and management. Where did the Party of Labour go—did it disappear?: commentary on the transformation from PPSH to PSSH and the continuity of the Albanian left. Are Albanians lazy?: a social reflection arguing that poverty, insecurity, and unfair systems should not be confused with laziness. Impressions from daily life: reflections on daily hardship during transition. About the “Alternativa SD” contest: a polemical reply criticizing self-promotion in the press. Comment of the day: ‘You the vote, we the world’—commentary on Kosovo and Albanian political attitudes. Impressions from everyday life; Also announced: ‘The former real opposition seeks full power.’ Kosovo Assembly: a political-historical text on Kosovo, self-determination, and the demands of the Republic of Kosovo.

Testata: Zëri i Popullit; Organo del Partito Socialista d’Albania; n. 107 (15.739); mercoledì 3 giugno 1992; pagina 2. Spettacolo in parlamento: resoconto politico di una seduta parlamentare tesa, con scontri sul governo “tecnico”, sulla maggioranza e sull’opposizione. C’è corruzione nelle imprese?: invito alla Commissione di Controllo dello Stato a verificare abusi nella proprietà pubblica e nella gestione. Dove è andato il Partito del Lavoro, è scomparso?: commento sulla trasformazione da PPSH a PSSH e sulla continuità della sinistra albanese. Gli albanesi sono pigri?: riflessione sociale secondo cui povertà, insicurezza e sistemi ingiusti non vanno confusi con la pigrizia. Impressioni della vita quotidiana: riflessioni sulle difficoltà quotidiane del periodo di transizione. Sul concorso di “Alternativa SD”: replica polemica che critica l’autopromozione nella stampa. Commento del giorno: ‘Voi il voto, noi il mondo’—commento sul Kosovo e sugli atteggiamenti politici albanesi. Annuncio: ‘L’ex opposizione reale chiede completamente il potere.’ Assemblea del Kosovo: testo politico-storico sul Kosovo, sull’autodeterminazione e sulle richieste della Repubblica del Kosovo.

The former real opposition seeks full power The former real opposition seeks full power