CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE IN THESE DIFFICULT DAYS The First Conference of the Socialist Party of the city of Tirana held its proceedings. In the report delivered on behalf of the Steering Committee by Baul Lalaj, as well as in the many discussions, emphasis was placed on the work carried out over the past year, which has been characterized by numerous social tensions and unrestrained attacks against the Socialist Party and its leadership. Despite this, the Conference underscored, the party’s work in the city of Tirana not only did not diminish, but, on the contrary, grew day by day. However, all this does not mean that there were no shortcomings or that things could not have been done better. The Chairman of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum said that it was vital to the Party’s future, bearing in mind the difficult period the PSSH was going through between the two parliamentary elections. In this regard, the Conference [?] stressed the need to establish close ties between the Socialist Party and various sections of today’s Albanian society, so that they may genuinely feel the Socialist Party’s support. Many speakers, such as Docent Luter Kreshpa, surgeon; surgeon; Muharrem Abazi, delegate of the PSSH organization of the doctors of Valiast; Reshit Shtêpani, veterinarian; Candidate of Sciences Besnik Bare, lecturer at UT; «Merited Artist» Dhimitër Pecani, director at the National Theatre; Peti Shambliu, veteran, and many others brought experience from their work in the organizations to which they belong, emphasizing that people are becoming increasingly aware of the alternative of democratic socialism. In one year, around 1,200 people have left the Socialist Party, mainly pensioners, but at the same time hundreds of young people, workers and intellectuals, university students and school pupils have streamed into its ranks, giving the Socialist Party a secure future. A welcome piece of news for the Conference was the establishment, a few days ago, of the Socialist Party’s new Forum, which will further boost the party’s work in the future. The Conference was also addressed by the Chair- (Continued on page 2)

Reforming society can be done with as little pain as possible (From the first PS conference for the Elbasan district, which comrade Fatos Nano also attended.) We are precisely at a time when constructive force, rather than destruction, must prevail in Albania’s political and trade-union movement, when balance is needed, not revenge. This was essentially the message conveyed by the proceedings of the first PS conference of the Elbasan district. This idea was also emphasized in the report presented on behalf of the Steering Committee, in the discussions, and in the greetings from representatives of the branch of the National Unity Party, the independent trade unions, the district trade-union council, the patriotic association «Çamëria» and the association of orphans. The various strata of society are utterly exhausted by the economic crisis and the fierce political struggle. The Elbasan district, with its numerous social and economic problems, is no exception to this chaos. The lack of prospects and the uncertainty over whether the metallurgical complex will be put into operation, a matter addressed in his speech by delegate Bardhyl Kondida, are dealing a severe financial blow to many city families, while the prices of the goods most essential to their daily lives continue to rise, climbing every day at an unchecked gallop. This economic and social situation is shaking people out of their general indifference, making them more realistic about the circumstances they find themselves in and their position in society. They are understanding better every day that in order to emerge from this difficult situation accompanying the transition period, the ... (Continued on page 2)

. Expectations for the PS conference of the Sarandë district are mounting and finding an answer, especially when it is confronted with the district’s imbalanced situation and accumulated problems. Suffice it to say that its governance crisis continues, the climate remains harsh and social divisions persist in the district, and economic progress is slow. The greeting to the conference by the chairman of the independent trade unions, Sërcan Serjani, made an impression. Here are some of the ideas he emphasized: No, we are not the levers of any party; regarding the movement of personnel, the PD has only consulted us tangentially; I was in Denmark, it is a socialist country, as you want to make this place too; they wanted to know about you, we spoke to them too, we tried; we will support whoever is closest to us—if you do this, you will no longer be the chosen ones. A representative of PASOK from Corfu also took part in the conference of this district. Such places seem to have a greater duty to educate, bring together and foster cooperation among peoples and political forces with a shared orientation. The speakers themselves raised this idea as one of the tasks and dimensions of ... the chosen ones. The concerns of the PS in the Sarandë district are growing and becoming more justified, particularly when one considers the unstable situation and the accumulated problems in this district. Suffice it to say that its governance crisis continues, tensions persist in the district’s climate and social divisions, economic progress is slow, and there is no clearly defined action plan for making use of the considerable resources and opportunities for development with which it is endowed. The observer can also note shortcomings in the conference’s proceedings, its limited critical spirit, the election procedures, and the renewal of its leadership. We do not wish to prejudge matters or become critics, but the difficult situation calls for more focused and serious work by the PS and its activists, particularly given the considerable support this political force enjoys there. the district conference. Places such as this seem to have an even greater responsibility to foster understanding, rapprochement, and tasks and dimensions of ... (Continued on page 2)

The first conference of the Socialist Party of the Region was held at the cultural palace in the city of Pato[s]. Delegates elected in 55 grassroots organizations took part in the conference, along with guests and supporters of the Socialist Party. The chairman of the PSSH, Fatos Nano, also attended. The report of the Region’s Steering Committee and the discussions particularly emphasized the need to strengthen the Socialist Party and extend its presence to all economic enterprises and every village. This is entirely possible because the number of the party’s supporters is growing rapidly. The speakers expressed their concern that, as the only opposition political force, the Socialist Party must explain to the entire public in the country the real state of the national economy, which continues to deteriorate rapidly because of the Government’s and the President’s ineffective and politicized measures. Above all, the conference stressed, the people demand transparency on these issues, but it is increasingly lacking. Comrade Fatos Nano also addressed the conference. Responding to the many questions raised from the floor, he clarified the political and economic situation the country is going through, the Socialist Party’s position on these problems, and

- A working day like any other - 23 chief shepherds, former employees of the Pastures Enterprise, have been confined for five days in a hunger strike. - The public-order police brutalize those confined. - From the promised paradise toward the loss of the bare minimum for survival. - A last democratic recourse, to open up a hope for life. June 4, 1992. The offices of the PS Steering Committee in Dibër are bustling with people. They come from all corners of the district, carrying a burden of troubles and suffering on their shoulders. Everything is laid bare: their demands, worries, despair, suffering, bread, unemployment, confinement. Managers and specialists, clerks and workers, victims of the revanchism of the PD-ist power-holders, the result of the party convictions of part of the former establishment. The Migjenian era has returned, with grain sacks in their hands: villagers are streaming in from Kalaja, Reçi, Lura, etc., and after wearing themselves out going from door to door among those in power, they come to express their resentment toward them, with the emotions of exhaustion and uncertainty about the future, clutching the empty sacks stuck in their hands. Most are among those overcome by the psychology of judgment and action on March 22: let’s give it a try and change one lot for another. The misery caused by this experiment has now settled in for good. The disappointment is total and understandable. What is there left to learn or hear first? Among them, the villager is at once the saddest and most disillusioned. The law on land remains in the dead records of the commissions, and under the threat of the power-holders’ teeth—either land per capita or prison—are those who until yesterday used to flatter the people and get down on their knees before them, giving them land within the old boundaries, but today, from the seat of power, demand that the PS program be implemented. But now nobody believes them. In Dibër, in some places the land is within the old boundaries; elsewhere, thistles and weeds have taken over the land, and the villagers come and go, shrugging their shoulders and clutching their ... . The crimes of the elite, the thefts and robberies, an emotional ... and everything. The troubles and suffering of these steadfast and clear-minded highlanders come crashing against our doors ... . The consequences are being seen and felt. (Continued on page 3)

During the month of May, more than 90 young people were admitted to the PS organization in Dibër. In the Gjoricë organization, headed by Xhemil Grana, more than 15 young people, mainly Euro-socialists, were admitted. Likewise, the Party organization in Radoçesh has 9 new admissions, which means the organization is being built up again from scratch. The organizations in Veçisht, Ostern, Okshtun, Muhurr and Shupenzë have also done good work in recruiting new members, with 2–3 new admissions each. This initiative is now becoming part of all the other organizations.

These days, on their own initiative, the Socialist Party organization from the private sector was formed, with 13 private-sector members engaged in various commercial activities. It is the first party organization in the private sector. Among them are economists, engineers, navigators, production workers, etc. Ilir Bido was elected secretary of the organization. Members of this organization, such as Agim Koçi, Përparim Zimi, Bedri Dedja, Dashuri Deliallisi, Sanije Bejhani, Pashe Hoxha, Gani Buka, Shefqet Pepeshi, etc., stressed that they would fight to defend and implement the PS program, as well as their own interests in accordance with the law, and would work to further increase the ranks of their organization.

What is the social logic of the reform? - 22 thousand workers could be placed on social assistance! - Yesterday at 10 o’clock, in front of the sports palace in Elbasan, the Chemical-Metallurgical Trade Union Federation and the district trade union council organized a peaceful rally to protest the current socio-economic situation and the bleak prospects for the future. Representatives of the trade union councils of the metallurgical complex at plants 12 and the adjoining plant, who spoke at the rally, stressed that the first step to be taken in Elbasan is to restart the plants of the metallurgical complex and, in parallel, carry out the necessary reconstructions there. council cannot accept the closure of Plant 12 or the reduction of production capacity at the cast-iron, steel, coke and other plants. This would mean putting around 7,000 employees of this combine on social assistance, and would also affect hundreds of enterprises connected to its output (in other branches of the economy, such as construction, mechanical industry, iron and coal mining, and branches of the chemical industry, etc.). It was said at the rally that discussions on these issues had been held with the relevant ministries, the government and the President of the Republic; apart from promises with no deadline, no solution had been offered. The participants in the rally also once again expressed their view that the reform must be guided by economic logic and accurate calculations. According to calculations made so far, around 22,000 employees in Elbasan could be placed on social assistance, including 7,000 people from the metallurgical complex. This figure represents 43 percent of the ... (Continued on page 2)

- About yesterday? About today? About tomorrow? About the market economy? About the economy’s market? About extreme centralism or extremism in a liberalized economy?

As is known, the Minister of Public Order of the armed forces closed the newspaper “Albanpol,” citing the need to reduce expenses. On the other hand, as we heard on television, the Ministry of Defence launched the first issue of a periodical military magazine that day. So this ministry now has two publications, taking the newspaper “Luftëtari” into account as well. Although Minister Zhullali has declared, among other things, that he will reduce military expenditure, we think he acted correctly in having such a publication, which will help raise the level of technical and professional training. The Minister of Public Order, with the armed forces, [garbled text] and in response technical and professional training.

Did you know that dancing doesn’t happen only at balls? Of course you do. But perhaps you don’t know that so-called balls, with and without masks, are being held more and more often in Qyteti Studenti. For example, you can dye some clothes and dress up as if you were going to the beach... Because at such balls, masked activities take place, since there are tickets in the room’s inventory for such things (a room with alterations, even with some democratic means, etc.), and we dance until the lights go out, skop, etc. You jump out of the window, leaving you without ... A sorry state of affairs. This happened most recently ... in building No. 13, 5–6 days ago, but in fact it did not attract much attention from the enthusiasts on this floor. In the girls’ buildings (but more often the boys’), under cover of masks (or the darkness of corridors without lights, as in the monist era), people leave behind, exhausted, “dancing-washing,” doors, windows, equipment, hydro-balancers, and sometimes even tape recorders, clothes and money, damaged. An Italian discotheque has now begun operating in Qyteti Studenti, but you can see that some people still like the masked “ball.” Perhaps this will continue until students understand that they should dress as simply as possible and that they have no need for drinks and other things such as radios, books, bananas, etc. In Qyteti Studenti, the hall [garbled text] cars with weight inside and outside them. We’ll report on the next ball... A final-year student,

Protest rally in the city of Polican The Independent Trade Union Federation of Civilian Employees of the Polican Mechanical Combine in the Skrapar district organized a protest rally on 6. 6. 1992 concerning the failure to sit down at the negotiating table and fulfill the demands submitted to the President. This was addressed to the People’s Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the Ministry of Defense on 27. 5. 1992. More than 1,500 employees took part in the rally. They held banners reading, “We want work, we want work so that we can live.” In his speech, Alfred Lulaj, chairman of the Federation’s trade union council, (Continued on page 3)

The people will support precisely the political force that carries out economic reform while ensuring social support.

YESTERDAY ON THE STREET – TODAY IN POWER What is this about? - Who sends prices soaring - About yesterday? About today? About tomorrow? About the market economy? About the economy’s market? About extreme centralism or extremism in a liberalized economy? “There is no completely pure economy,” writes Kissinger. A person, however, measures the road in steps. How far away is the moon? Mad eyes, perhaps. “Even a bird won’t sing without money,” one of our distinguished MPs has said. An economics academic says: Without a word. I don’t know whether I’m in the combine or in the silent wildernesses of Africa. I need someone to talk to. It’s hard to find anyone today. They told me that steam here has turned the world upside down. How much does a ton of steam cost? When? Yesterday? Today? Tomorrow? In ’89—65 thousand lek, ’91—4.0 thousand lek, ’92—1450 thousand lek. Steam is for technological needs, then. But we are in transition. Don’t be surprised: the Age of Wonders is over; now reality speaks. Steam balloons for technological steam rise into the air and send prices soaring. Who benefits? The absurdity of the times. Not the one who produces it. No, not, for example, the one who produces thousands of meters of cotton fabric at the combine. In the private market, yes, the seller earns more than the producer. Are these words, or what? But the state does not listen. Whose state is it? The state belongs to the state itself, I say. Ah, now we’re even worse off. The Bank follows three—I follow the private exchange rate of the currency, and even its rate is recognized as its own. But they have it. Workers are sinking. With this new exchange rate, they end up with losses of 70–80 million lek. At Elinim, cotton, at the bank rate, the dollar was 500 lek; now one dollar is 1,200 old lek. That means the cotton textile combine should be shut down. An economist tells me this. An economist, there where the cost of production is measured. Not a “specialist” in the national banking authorities. That is why 1,300 workers at the combine have gone on strike over all this, along with another 300,000 people whose roads are connected to theirs at the outset. As I said. Who are you talking about? What is this about? Oh, please don’t mention strikes to me. I don’t want to hear about them anymore. Last year, yes. But who is instigating these strikes, they ask me?!

“WE ASK ONLY FOR WHAT WAS PROMISED TO US”