The First Conference of the SP Shkodër was held Let us first give you some important messages conveyed by the First Conference of the Socialist Party in the Shkodër area: - The socialist organization in Shkodër lives with people’s concerns, not to make noise and quarrel, but with seriousness and responsibility toward the country and the people. - The socialist organization in Shkodër is in contact with people and is welcomed by them; evidently, these contacts have increased significantly lately. It has intellectual potential, and puts all of this at people’s service, to solve their problems, since in these troubled times they have many problems to resolve, problems that are increasing more and more every day. - The socialist organization in Shkodër draws certain conclusions for the future work of the party, in order to undertake initiatives that are worthwhile for people, so that they understand that we are capable and can protect them with the means at our disposal, and that our socialist alternative can be implemented. - The socialist organization in Shkodër has faced numerous problems in the political struggle with other parties. It had to learn to deal with the new reality created after the March 31 elections, when it acted realistically as part of the governing majority. Under these circumstances, it was to the credit of this organization’s representatives and members that, even in complex social and political situations, they managed to avoid conflicts and contributed with conviction to the continuation and deepening of democratic processes. From January until the day the conference was held, the ranks of the Socialist Party organization in Shkodër grew by a further 362 new members, and after March 22 alone, 154 new members were accepted. Most of those newly accepted are young women and men who had not previously belonged to any political force and who have the necessary faith in the socialist alternative for the country’s development. Someone else will also be born from where one has ended, and will set from where one is born, promised the opposition— - We ordinary socialists bear no responsibility for the mistakes of the past, said Perlat Ramçej, chairman of the SP in the Koplik area. Those who left us were mostly people who lost privileges; and this does not strengthen us as a party. During this campaign, the oppositionists received titles and glory?

These days the SP of the Përmet district held its first conference. In the main report and in the discussions, the work of the district SP was assessed. It was also emphasized that the SP has established itself as the leading political force and is increasingly gaining broad support among different categories of people. The SP organization worked to further strengthen its cohesion and consolidate itself, as reflected in stable organizational structures, in the establishment and functioning of five area steering councils in the towns of Përmet and Këlcyrë, Sukë, Ballaban, Koshinë, Petran, etc., as well as in consolidating and improving the leadership level of many SP organizations, including those in Petran, Koshinë, Ballaban, Potgoran, Frashër, etc. At district level, 114 party organizations are functioning. It was positive that party organizations had been established and were functioning in every village, neighborhood, and economic enterprise. The number of members has not declined; on the contrary, the leadership has improved considerably, since 82 people joined during the period from January to June 10. In May–June alone, 44 high-quality recruits joined from among the Euro-socialist youth and the intelligentsia. In several party organizations, such as those in Koshinë, Rodenë, Potgoran, Badëlonjë, Kosovë, etc., after March 22 there were mass admissions of 5–10 members, which helped improve the SP’s work in these villages and areas. The conference was also addressed by the delegate of the KD of the PSSH, comrade Elmaz Sherifi. At the end, the conference elected the district SP’s governing bodies and the delegates to the congress. Comrade Arkin Kristulla was re-elected chairman of the district SP KD. VASIL PANO

President Berisha held a conversation with President George Bush on Monday at the White House. Bush stressed that the United States supports the democratic processes in Albania. He added ... further assistance during this period of transition to the free market, Berisha said. The two presidents also discussed the situation of Albanians in the former Yugoslavia. After the meeting with President Bush ...

To the Land Distribution Commission, SHËNKOLL, the pluralist Executive Committee of the district, LEZHË, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Council of Ministers We, the residents of the village of Shënkoll in the district of Lezhë (living in the center of this village), most of us for over 40 years, request that land be allocated to us fairly, in accordance with the approved law and close to our permanent place of residence. If the land law is applied to us incorrectly, as has apparently been intended so far—that we are to receive land bordering the villages of Talë and Rrilë, while people from the village of Pllanë, who have no land, are to come to our lands where we have lived for so many years (when there has been discussion of how they should be given land in the center of our village, or how they should be given land bordering the villages of Talë and Rrilë)—we will be obliged to use every form of protest permitted by law. Alternatively, we will demand to be provided with employment, housing, etc. in the cities like all the other citizens of the republic, and will refuse to take any land at all. Do not play with our rights. Let the land law be applied as approved by parliament. That is all we ask. And we will also pray to God that the police do not get involved in this matter. Is the police for the law, or against it? Below we submit our names, surnames, and signatures: (The petition was signed by 57 residents of the village of Shënkoll.) 1. Pal F. Marku, 2. Dod F. Marku, 3. Fran Llesh Marku. 4. Preng L. Marku, 5. Shkurt Zef Micuku. 6. Mark Shkurt Micuku, 7. Zef Sh. Zefi, 8. Gjergj Shkurt Zefi, 9. Ndue Kol Bardhoku, 10. Sandër N. Kola. Date: 11.6.1992

President Berisha held a conversation with President Bush on Monday at the White House. President Berisha held a conversation with President the United States supports democratic processes in Albania. He added that he had signed an agreement on economic assistance for Albania, which had been sent to Congress for approval. Bush also stressed that he had signed an American-Albanian trade agreement. The agreement will give Albania favorable trading conditions, granting it lower tariffs on its goods imported into the United States. Albania needs immediate assistance during this period of transition to a situation of Albanians in the former Yugoslavia. After meeting with President Bush and other senior American officials, President Berisha said: “We discussed at length the economic and political situation in Albania and the situation in the region. I can say that we have found understanding on all the issues we discussed. The United States is fully committed to helping Albania and to resolving the problems in the region.”

Nobody knows exactly when it began; a party official here can testify as to the day it “died” in Lezhë. He had told me at the start of the journey, while talking to the travelers, about the route we were supposed to take first: Shkodër–Tiranë. They say the Tiranë–Lushnjë line isn’t operating either; perhaps these are the kinds of arrangements and circumstances that make it better for them not to operate. Apart from the experts, nobody else has the information about the unique state of disrepair in Albania, but even from a voice like this, what can one say about trains? The telephone lines ... The other stations; the bulletin: Livestock ... A station for trains? ... The text continues with the history and condition of the railway lines, stations, carriages, and transport; the lower part is unclear in the image and some words cannot be read with certainty. On the right-hand side, Lezhë, Shkodër, Tiranë, Lushnjë, the railway station, and travelers are mentioned.

The socialist leaders of the European Community criticized the British Conservative government on Tuesday for its opposition to the EC’s plan on workers’ working hours and social conditions. The Confederation of Socialist Parties of the EC member states, meeting in Lisbon, condemned the Conservatives “for denying the people of Great Britain the alternatives and protection guaranteed by the EC’s chapter on social issues.” The leader of the British Labour Party said that Denmark’s opposition to the Maastricht Treaty had greatly weakened Major’s position in Parliament and that he would fight for the British Parliament to approve this chapter. ★ ★ ★ France and Italy are trying to prevent the formal approval of the EC’s agricultural reforms, which were agreed in principle in May, according to EC agriculture officials and diplomats. The special Committee on Agriculture, composed of representatives of all member states, is ...

Reform: THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT The complex crisis that the Albanian economy continues to experience has spread its metastases to all its pores. And while people await rescue from it, even though for more than a year political forces have generally found a way forward for reforming the economy and transforming it into a market economy, the process has still not got underway. There are many reasons for this, but it is essential to remember that the condition and process from which the Albanian economy starts its transition to a market economy are not only extremely difficult, but also have their own particular features, problems, and character, even though the fundamental objectives of this process may be the same as those of other Eastern and Central European countries that have embarked on this path. Within the framework of economic reform, price reform through liberalization is the “Achilles’ heel”; it is therefore vital for preserving social balance, developing a market economy, reducing the budget deficit, and achieving economic efficiency in general. The process of this reform is undoubtedly not easy. This is because, in general, a market economy views prices as a signaling system, a rational mechanism, an incentive system, and an important informational tool. Indeed ... the text is cut off at the bottom of the page. ... which determine the activities of economic entities and the generation of revenue for the budget, as well as its assessment; and what is more important and directly felt is that they determine the population’s standard of living. In short, the economic and social impacts of this reform are not insignificant. Seen from this perspective, and bearing in mind that there can be no market economy without liberalized prices, it is clear that reforming Albania’s price system through their liberalization is an undeniable necessity. At the same time, however, it is a necessary condition that this reform be considered in all its complexity, taking into account the particular features and characteristics of political, economic, social, and cultural developments and, indeed, the psychology of our people, especially during this period of transition. With such an approach, to achieve the success[...] of the reform ... First: Price-system reform must be comprehensive, that is, it must include wholesale and retail prices. Second: This reform must be conceived as an integral part of economic reform, and especially as an important element of the macroeconomic mechanisms, now almost entirely disorganized in our economy. Consequently, this reform cannot be considered separately from the reform of macroeconomic mechanisms such as the banking system; monetary, credit, and interest-rate policies; exchange rates; currency convertibility; the state budget; the establishment of an efficient system of taxes and duties; the liberalization of imports and exports and the abolition of licenses, etc., supported by a package of necessary laws relating to them. Any substantial delay between the practical implementation of reforms to the macroeconomic mechanisms will increase macroeconomic imbalances and disequilibria, which would make it even harder for the economy to emerge from the crisis. Third: The most sensitive and tangible aspect of this reform, and the one that has caused public reactions and concern, is the liberalization of retail prices for the goods in the basket. There have been, and continue to be, opposing debates and views on this matter among economists, politicians, government officials and trade unions, the state, and international financial and monetary institutions, etc. In general, everyone has now agreed on liberalizing retail prices, on the path this process should follow, on the size (number) of items to be included in the basket of goods most essential for living, their prices, the method and amount of compensation for them, and the population’s income; discussions and debates on these matters continue. Given the catastrophic situation ... (Continued on page 2)

Let us pursue the truth to the very end... Yesterday, in parliament, deputy Namik Dokle took the floor and said: «For several days in a row, our mass media have been dealing with “Gate-Serreqi,” or with the eavesdropping equipment that Minister Serreqi discovered in his office. I think this matter cannot be passed over in silence by our parliament, because the confirmation or disproof of such political sensations always ends with presidents or ministers being brought down. Of course, we have no dealings with presidents. The one who was there wants to resign, as is known... But as parliamentarians, we must be clear and calm about one thing: What exactly is this matter that we have all been trying to give a name to? - If this is secret surveillance installed some time ago, we want to know who installed it, especially since two socialist ministers have been surveilled and, most recently, the minister from the DP, Mr. Serreqi. - If it was installed only for Mr. Serreqi, then all the more reason to demand an explanation, even though in a democracy there is so much transparency that there is no need for surveillance equipment. God forbid that Mr. Gensher was bugged in our Foreign Minister’s office, precisely on the eve of his resignation! Therefore, I propose that a temporary parliamentary commission be set up, or that parliament’s Foreign Affairs Commission be tasked with obtaining information on this matter, and: - If this “Albanian Watergate” is true, all legal measures should be taken, indeed the strictest ones. - If this is merely a sensation intended to enhance diplomatic prestige, or to dismiss some people from their jobs, then a request should be made for confirmation from the foreign minister... After deputy Namik Dokle’s speech, deputy Baleta took the floor and supported the idea of setting up a parliamentary commission to examine this matter. Thanking Mr. Baleta for supporting his proposal, deputy Namik Dokle said that it is important to pursue the truth to the very end, all the more since Mr. Baleta rightly noted in a radio interview that foreign intelligence services may also have a hand in this matter. By uncovering the truth, we defend the dignity of the nation and the interests of the people.»

Will Albanian cinema survive? And how? With the sense of responsibility of a distinguished creator who cares deeply about the art of cinema, I hope to present his alternative to the Albanian film community, which is seeking alternatives from filmmakers. The People’s Artist; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports: Dhimitër Anagnosti: To the filmmaker creators, now concerned for the fate of their art and themselves, I offer the disturbing impression left by this distinguished director’s pledge: «This is where I belong, among you, and tomorrow I too will be here as a director; therefore I will defend the national interests of this art; but I have only one government vote; you should also help raise public awareness: If the government gives nothing to cinema, I will make a public statement and resign». BLACK AND WHITE