One year ago, on June 13, 1991, the delegates to the 10th Congress of the PPSH declared that the Party had completed its historic mission and was no longer capable of directing the processes unfolding in the country. By declaring this, the reformist forces within the Party turned the congress into an open critique of Stalinist dogmatism, thus also making a definitive break with the Leninist theory of communism and totalitarian socialism. They also held a model political trial there of the privileged ruling caste of the Party of Labour, denouncing and mercilessly condemning its corruption and degeneration. On that day they also openly proclaimed their new ideas: embracing the ideal of European democratic socialism. They openly declared that, from that day on, they belonged to a new party, the Socialist Party. It was on June 13 that this new Party set out on its course—the Party of human and social ideals. This was a historic event, since this party took shape as a necessity arising from the needs of, and the demand to protect, those strata who owned no property but earned their living and supported themselves on their wages. A year has passed since that day. A year filled with comprehensive efforts to consolidate democracy finally in Albania. During this year of struggle and effort, the Socialist Party of Albania has shown, and continues fully to show, that it is a party of pluralist democracy, with a sound and clear vision for the development of Albanian society. Its alternative is a free-market economy. For the Socialist Party, establishing this system is the only way out of the crisis, toward the progress and modernization of Albanian society and an increase in the people’s well-being. The Socialist Party is committed to this path, which is also the path of genuine democracy. It is determined to protect and guarantee private property, freedom of initiative, freedom of conscience and belief, and political freedom. It is determined to protect human rights in accordance with internationally recognized principles. These principles are part of the Socialist Party’s program. It defends them in practice, not with demagoguery and words. The elections of March 22 this year placed the Socialist Party in opposition, but with a dignified parliamentary group determined to defend the interests of the people and democracy. The society we are entering—the harsh and brutal capitalism designed and being implemented by the right-wing political forces in power—seriously harms the interests of those who have no means of livelihood other than their wages and work. Job cuts, mass unemployment, soaring prices, a decline in living standards, and uncertainty about the future of [emtimeve?] are the worrying signs. Faced with this, job cuts, mass unemployment, soaring prices, declining living standards, and uncertainty about the future are the picture of Albanian society today. Faced with this picture, the Socialist Party puts forward its own development alternative, one that guarantees social protection for people severely affected by current developments. The Socialist Party has great potential. It has great human and intellectual potential. It is a party of thoughtful and knowledgeable people, but above all it is a party of patriots who place the national cause above everything else. For Albanian socialists, nothing is dearer than the freedom and independence of the homeland; nothing is greater than resolving the national question and strengthening national unity. In this regard, it has neither ceased nor will it ever cease its efforts. The formation of the Socialist Party of Albania is an important event for Albanian life as a whole. It is a guarantee for the importance and consolidation of democracy. As a full year now passes since the Party’s formation, Albanian socialists are facing a major event: in just a few days they will gather at their First Congress. This Congress will surely present more fully and clearly the character of this new Party. THOMA GJELLCI

The Socialist Party has no reason to feel solely responsible for anything. On the contrary, realistic analyses, logical and cool-headed, but also expressed clearly and forcefully, should lead to the conclusion that its seriousness and responsibility as a political force are plainly evident in the initiatives and ongoing efforts, carried out without clashes, by organizations, associations, and even separate parties seeking to give these classes and their interests and demands an institutional form. Faced with these actions and a bloc of right-wing forces with extremist tendencies, Fatos Nano stressed, [the Party] has made it possible to undertake profound social [changes?] without civil war or bloodshed among Albanians—an achievement owed to the people of this party. Continuing his speech, Comrade Fatos Nano dwelt at length on an analysis of the grave situation our country is going through, a situation that is worsening as a result of the reckless launch of reform as a whole. In this context he also spoke about the overturned classes seeking to regain their lost paradise and privileges. The others who have become [voice-continuations?] of his speech, Comrade Fatos, which are acting without hesitation against the overwhelming majority of the population, because it is not only the socialists who are being hit but Albanians as a whole, it is necessary to create a grouping of left-wing or centrist forces to restore balance Korça is the cradle of democratic tradition and culture, and the people of Korçë can achieve civic understanding among intellectuals, workers, and peasants. Young people and older people, who know and understand exactly what is happening. It is necessary, and the Party is working toward this, to stand up to this grouping or bloc of right-wing extremists, which is not all that cohesive. We are also talking with other parties and associations, but above all the Party itself, now that it is much better organized and consolidated, needs to reach into society and go to the people. To do this, the Party needs to open up more, and better, and create its own social network. It this message stems from the Party’s program: protecting the interests of vulnerable people. The Party needs to establish contact with trade unions, associations, and various federations, and teach people to organize themselves in as many such structures as possible, on the basis of the interests they need to defend, their age, economic circumstances, etc., because this way (Continued on page 4)

On Thursday, June 11, 1992, the First Conference of the Socialist Party of the Korçë district held its proceedings in the hall of the «A. Z, Çajupi» theatre. On Thursday, June 11, 1992, district held its proceedings in the hall of the «A. Z, Çajupi» theatre. In the report he delivered on behalf of the PSSH Steering Committee for the district, Comrade Kosta Duka, as well as in the many delegates’ contributions, the work carried out over the past year was analyzed, with particular attention to shortcomings in the work and deficiencies that had been observed, which also led to a poor result in the March 22 elections. Comrade Fatos Nano also spoke at the Conference. At the conclusion, the Party’s leading bodies in the district were elected, as were the delegates to the First Congress of the PSSH. By secret and direct ballot, from the three candidacies presented, Kostaq Duka was re-elected Chair of the Steering Committee. This year’s elections placed the Socialist Party in opposition. The Party of Labour [was removed] from the scene and [its] historic minority [failed?]. This may have been done in one way or another by representatives of other parties, but this burden, this mission so necessary for the development of society and democracy in Albania, was undertaken by the 10th Congress, which at the same time declared necessary and indispensable the creation of the Socialist Party as a necessary democratic left-wing alternative for the balanced development of democratic processes in the future of Albanian society. because it was the only official, legal and public forum that announced the departure and [conducted] through, a situation privileges. -- The others who have become seriously and temporarily [unclear] in their politics, Comrade Fatos stressed, are puppets. The restoration of positions and the thirst to regain the interests lost by the former overturned classes are plainly evident both in the proceedings of the current parliament and in the public claims of THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF THE KORÇË DISTRICT HELD ITS PROCEEDINGS

Korça is the cradle of democratic tradition and culture, and the people of Korçë can achieve civic understanding among intellectuals, workers, and peasants.

It is a natural question to raise in this comparison of alternative approaches to developing the Albanian economy. The question is of a development that will get us out of the severe crisis and poverty as soon as possible, a development that will lead us to civilized Europe. The suffering and exhausted people, tormented by the failed system of communist dictatorship and by the promises and programs of the parties, think, judge and believe. Against the backdrop of the development alternatives presented to them during this relatively brief period of pluralism and democracy, a large number of people embrace and choose democratic socialism as the path to the future. Everyone now awaits and promises the same democracy, the same path and the same justice. Bë ka [?]. This is democracy, but who does it come from, and who exercises it? From socialism, yes: for around half a century, classical socialism and its abolition of private ownership isolated the country and kept it under a harsh dictatorship. But which socialism does the SP aspire to? The Socialist Party aspires and fights not for this kind of socialism, but for democratic socialism. It fights and works for the socialism that is both an aspiration and a reality for most of the peoples of Europe. Not for a monist, centralized system, nor for one that deprives people of ownership and stifles their initiative. On the contrary, it fights for a system in which the market economy, freedom of ownership, work and creativity, and the freedom to open up and cooperate with the world and its capital will flourish. -The measure of the pace and progress of reform toward free capital, for the socialist alternative, will be its social aspect; the socialist alternative will be its social aspect. (Continued on page 2)

These days, the First Conference of the Socialist Party of the Lushnjë district held its proceedings. Both the report delivered on behalf of the Steering Committee and the discussions by many delegates clearly showed a concern with embracing the alternative of European democratic socialism by reforming the Party and bringing as many young people as possible from the ranks of the Eurosocialists into its fold. Positive experiences were shared on this subject, and some criticism was voiced about the sluggishness and lackluster life of many organizations. “The Eurosocialist Youth must be consolidated as the present, and not only as the future of this time and of others,” said Zhaneta Këmbana, chairwoman of the district’s Eurosocialist Forum. To achieve this, it is essential to work every day, rather than in campaigns, to attract young people into the Party’s ranks. The need to define a clear identity for the Party as a party of the European left was also addressed in his remarks by the intellectual Ylli (Continued on page 4)

KORÇE - During the period from June to December 1991, 39 new members were admitted to the Socialist Party. - In only the first three months of 1992, the Socialist Party’s ranks grew by more than 100 additional members, while from 22 March until the day the First Conference of the Socialist Party of Albania was held, a further 152 members were admitted. - Following mass admissions in the villages of Pojan, Shkozaj and Kapshticë, new organizations were established. The Party organizations in the villages of the Moglicë area—Dushar, Nikollarë, Gurshqipe and Vrepëskë—as well as in the villages of the Pirg area, the Prespë area, including Gorricë e Malë and Kallmas, the Devoll area and the town of Maliq, and at the agricultural enterprises of Rrëbec and Bregas, have also worked well in this regard.

In the final week before the first conference of the SP in the Elbasan district, 70 new members were admitted. Another 270 admissions made since 22 March are added to these. The newly admitted members are mainly young people from the Dumre area (40 members), the village of Kajan (14 members), Mollas, Zavalinë and Gjinar, as well as 6 university students. Requests for new admissions to the Socialist Party will continue to come in. ILIR ROBJA

The meeting of the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of Albania will be held in Tirana on Monday, 15 June, at 9:00. - In addition to the members of the SP of Albania Steering Committee, the chairpersons of the district Steering Committees are also invited to attend.

The Party needs to establish human contact, not merely political contact, because this message stems from its program: protecting the interests of vulnerable people.

These days, in the cinema hall, [the conference was attended by] local cadres and other guests. These days, in the cinema hall, the first conference of the Socialist Party of the Devoll area held its proceedings. In addition to the delegates elected by all the party organizations in the town and the villages of the area, the meeting was also attended by organization chairpersons, committee members, Koço Broka. After the speech by the chairman of the SP for (Continued on page 2)

PROBLEMS THAT COULD BE SOLVED Forty employees of the textile factory in Tirana have been on hunger strike since the day before yesterday, 9 June 1992. The hunger strikers represent the factory’s 1,500 workers; because of the strike, work has been suspended at the complex, which employs 4,500 workers. They have the support and solidarity of all the employees mentioned above. The notice posted at the entrance to the complex, listing all their demands, informs everyone who passes by. These are also demands that have been submitted to the management of the complex, the ministry responsible for it, the government and even directly to the Prime Minister himself. They are not political demands, but demands concerning their economic position and the fate that awaits them during this economic transition. Everything could have been prevented if the state authorities, from the local level to the center, had shown readiness, transparency and goodwill. The strikers, driven to it, have resorted to the last measure in the range of democratic rights in an effort to achieve their goal. They demand that wages be paid according to production units, that the price of inputs be stabilized, that the factory become an independent enterprise, and that the workers in their group and those who work in textiles be protected by law. At the same time, they demand that the government protect our products by imposing customs duties on textiles arriving from abroad in (Continued on page 2)