STATE HIGH-HANDEDNESS On Tuesday, June 16, the deputy chairman of the executive committee of the Korçë district, Mr. Kujtim Hoxha, went to the Rëmbec agricultural enterprise to introduce its new director, Mr. Vladimir Mara. Without hesitation and without asking for anyone’s opinion, in the presence of all the employees, the management staff and representatives of the enterprise’s free trade union, he announced: “As of today, a new director appointed by the Committee is being installed here.” The free trade union’s representative, Lisimak Demiri, retorted: “On behalf of the free trade union, we sent the executive committee a petition rejecting the decision to make this appointment and requesting that the manager must be one of the village’s own cadres. Reply to that petition, and then we can debate.” The cadres present also forcefully demanded the same. Mr. Kujtim, unable to respond, answered: “You are being overbearing,” threatening the enterprise’s cadres with unemployment. “If,” he said, “you continue your protest and refuse to accept this director, we will bring all the cadres here from Korçë. As for anyone who organizes a strike, we will take measures.” After this, all the participants left the hall, indignant. Sir, if the PD party has given you the post of deputy chairman of the executive committee, fine—you can import the agricultural enterprise’s cadres from Korçë or from Mars to replace the village’s senior cadres, who have contributed so much up to now. But will you be able to import the people—the people of Rëmbec, the hardworking, honorable and cultured farmers?! Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

There are eight of us—not just a few—who worked in the management of the Rëmbec enterprise and live in this village. We have gained experience through several years of work managing and organizing operations and applying the relevant technologies. Why not say it: on the basis of our work, others have earned academic degrees. For this reason, we cannot understand the arbitrary decision of the Executive Committee dated 10. 6. 92, by which, to our astonishment, a director was appointed who is an agronomist from Dithas and works in Rëmbec. We are not seeking privileges or armchairs, but are asking for a lawful right. How are we to understand your decision? You appoint as director someone with a general secondary-school education, solely because he is local—specifically, from the village of Rëmbec—while here in the village of Rovicë, where eight highly qualified specialists from the village work, you appoint someone else from outside. Are these things being done for party interests, while the interests of the people and production are forgotten? Does this decision serve to purge capable and proven cadres? Respect us and our sacrifices; we are sons and daughters of this village. Respectfully: Dhori Demiri — senior agronomist; Jolanda Kote — senior agronomist; Kostaq Pejo — senior agronomist; Prusina Malica — senior agronomist; T... O... — veterinarian; An... T... — finance officer; Z... M... — finance officer; Kujtim Tome — economist; V... G... — teacher; Stavri Mele — cultural school.

Outraged by the decision of the pluralist Executive Committee of the Korçë district dated 10.6.1992, concerning the rapid and unjustified changes in the management staff of enterprises, we, as representatives of the people of the village of Rëmbec, say to you, Mr. Chairman of the Executive Committee, and to the gentlemen: stop before it is too late. In saying this, we represent more than 60 percent of the people of this village. Our village has a considerable pool of highly educated cadres who completed their higher studies with very good results and have experience: four agronomists, one economist, three finance officers and one veterinarian. They have worked devotedly, without compromising themselves; they are honest and supporters of democratic processes. What compels you to appoint as director another cadre who has no merit at all compared with these comrades, to say the least, especially when he does not live in our village? We insistently ask you to re-examine the decision you have made and to keep the promise your leaders made before March 22: to make way for capable people. We want the director to be among us in our hardships, to walk our muddy roads and share our lot, so that he can fairly try to put these roads and our many other problems right. For the Trade Union Council of the Rëmbec Agricultural Enterprise, Korçë LISIMAK DEMIRI

These words, on behalf of FRES of Skrapar, will not be just greetings like those customary ones. No one controlled this greeting, just as no one controlled or ordered the feelings and wishes of our comrades and friends to support the alternative of democratic socialism. We do not want a remark to follow our sincerity: “Oh, you’ve brought your youth with you, and now we’ve rejuvenated too; let them grow a little more and there’ll be someone to take over the Party in the district.” Indeed, we appreciate the warmth. But we strive for sincerity and honesty, yours and ours. We are now in opposition, and tomorrow, after victory. But we would like victory to be led by the best people, people respected by the people and who do not care about party affiliation. It matters little if they are very young. We should all be guided by fresh thinking, and we believe the future is not only ours. But for it to be secure, something must be done within ourselves; you should make the transformation better and purer. If we bring things forward and understand, we see that not all our wishes can be realized. We see that the people have many problems, and we share many of them, but we certainly also hope that after many people with…[?] We wish success[?] to the organization[?] of our youth. We believe in everyone and have hope. From the European Forum? of ... of Skrapar

Letter to the editorial office I am writing this letter as an underground miner, a job I have done for 18 years. Today I have an 80 percent disability rating, and if it is possible for me to go on assistance, that would mean my family and I would be out on the street. I have three children and to this day I have received no help from anyone. I am writing this letter astonished and outraged by a decision bearing number 1, dated April 30, 1992, according to which disability pensions are being taken away from deaf-mute, blind and other children. One of my children is such a child. He is now 9 years old. For several years I have been taking him to the school for deaf-mute children here in Tirana. Those 300 lekë in disability benefits have been modest assistance to our family in coping with the tragedy we face with one of our children. It is true that we are a poor state, but [the text is unclear]. If this decision remains in force, it will mean adding more beggars to the many beggars we see every day on the streets of Tirana. MAHMUT KARAJ Miner at the N.N. Tirana mines

About a month ago, Faik Toska arrived in the city of Cërrik, assigned there from Tirana. Relying on Bajram Ibrahimi, he met with the veterans. They arranged the meetings one by one and promised us that veterans of the National Liberation War had received no benefits under the one-party system, whereas under the Democratic Party they would be given a reward of 400 lekë, instead of the 100 lekë they had received until then. All veterans of the National Liberation War would travel abroad free of charge to see the world, as well as receive many other benefits that we have not received to date. With these promises, he told us to give him our signatures and passport numbers, and introduced Bajram Ibrahimi to us as the chairman of the veterans of the city of Cërrik, saying that this was also the view of comrade Kadri Musai from Elbasan, who has a great deal of influence in Cërrik as a veteran. Using these methods, he took our identities and left. Later, we consulted the leadership of the veterans of the city of Cërrik, who explained to us that this organization does not represent the National Committee of Veterans of the National Liberation War, but is a so-called association of veterans and invalids—specifically, veterans of the National Liberation War of the Democratic Party—whereas the National Committee of Veterans and Invalids of the National Liberation War is not answerable to any political party, but defends the values and ideals of the National Liberation War and the Albanian people. We, whose signatures were put on this deceiver’s list, unanimously withdraw them; together with our fellow veterans of Cërrik, we join the National Committee of the National Liberation War. We advise the gentlemen of this association not to deceive people with these methods worthy of clowns. We denounce this action with disgust and completely dissociate ourselves from this unworthy association. Gjithçka Sulaj, Ilmi Shima, Zyfer Baku, Hajri Hima, Hysen Çezari, Lame Miraka, Ali Bega, Zyko Rakimi Shefit Beqiri, Muhamet Sako, Nabi Ymeri, Riza Tërvolli, Perdi Isufi

Of the leadership, we could not find 18 of them. They had disappeared (or been made to disappear?). To be clear, we are not talking about those “enemies” whom Mr. Gado and his associates got rid of some time ago, such as the gentlemen Cobani, Zeka, Kareco, etc., etc. We are talking about Bushati, Dishnica, Dhimitri (these journalists g... freeloaders from “Bashkim” to “Republika” to “RD” and later—God save us, wherever they go, wherever they may end up). Some supporters, Gjollmi, Hasani, ... others. [Damaged passage] Count them yourselves: of 21, only 3 remain. A full 18 turned out to be “enemies.” Does this Steering Committee not remind you of the old forms of the party-state that “would be purged,” according to instructions from above? Could the PRSH and Mr. Sabri really have had so many “enemies” in their ranks, whom he purged before even a year had passed? God help us—what purges will take place in the future! Operation “Broom” is fully under way in the PRSH. Everyone leaves; only Mr. Sabri will not give up his chair! He has a right to it. Whom could he leave the party in the hands of?! GURI I BESIMIT

Reception at the Prime Minister’s Office Yesterday morning, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, received in a meeting the Secretary General of EFTA (the economic organization comprising Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Switzerland), Mr. Georg Raishin (Georg Reisch), who is in our country on a working visit. During the meeting, they discussed the possibilities of initiating economic, technical and financial cooperation between this organization and our country. Views were exchanged on the assistance EFTA could provide with our country’s economic restructuring, with legislation to bring it into line with European laws, and with technical assistance in drawing up standards for Albanian products in accordance with TPE and EFTA, etc. (ATSN)

For some time, but especially since the 22 March elections, groups of women at workplaces and in neighborhoods in the city of Maliq have been meeting to discuss together, expressing a desire to organize themselves in a forum where women who support and endorse the Socialist Party’s program can discuss freely and organize various activities to defend their interests. This desire was further encouraged after they learned about the formation of the socialist women’s organization in the city of Ersekë and, later, in the city of Tirana. Thus, on 12 June, at the initiative of a group of women comrades who are intellectuals and workers in industry and agriculture, around 100 women from the city gathered and laid the organizational foundations for the formation of the women’s organization. During the meeting, discussions raised the concerns of the women of the city of Maliq, and views were offered on how they might be resolved. The discussions put forward the idea of cooperating with all sister organizations in the district and the country, as well as with the city’s Democratic Women’s Organization. Doctor Eli Cina was elected chair of the council of the Socialist Women’s Organization, and saleswoman Violeta Dervishi was elected secretary. Spokesperson for the PS in Korçë BALLSH We are a group of women comrades united by our ideals and our vision for the development of society. For more than a year, we have felt the lack of organization as a force and as part of society. Our role was previously politicized to a great extent; out of necessity, it was used indiscriminately in many electoral programs of different parties. Now, in a pluralist system, what place will we occupy and what role will we play in democratic society as women comrades and mothers? What is our obligation to society, and what does society require of us? The answers to these questions find a realistic expression in the Socialist Party’s program, in the alternative of the European left represented by this party. This is why a group of women comrades among us took the initiative to establish the socialist women’s organization for the city of Ballsh. The founding committee of the socialist women’s organization includes: Resmije Çela lng, chemist; Liri Babani lng, chemist; Lela Hysi lng, chemist; EV-kjeni Hlla lng, M. Makanike; Kristina Hafil, chemist; Flora Hodaj, chemist; Lumturi Goxhaj, chemist; Xhulieta Plaku, chemist; and others. [ATSN]

Our information Yesterday, at the leadership committee of the Socialist Party, we received the following information about preparations for its First Congress: The Congress will begin its proceedings on June 20, Saturday, at 9:00 a.m. in the hall of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana. 630 delegates elected by the SP district conferences and more than 300 guests will take part in the Congress. The country’s political parties, associations and trade unions have been invited to take part in the Congress. Representatives of Albanians in their own lands in the former Yugoslavia have also been invited. The First Congress of the Socialist Party of Albania has also invited parties of the European left with which the Socialist Party of Albania has friendly ties and has established contacts. Some of these parties have confirmed that they will send delegations. Representatives of the diplomatic corps of foreign countries accredited in Tirana have also been invited. The report to be presented to the Congress was approved at the meeting of the SP Leadership Committee on June 15. The Congress will approve the party’s new draft statute. Two draft resolutions will also be presented to it: one on the national question and one on the Socialist Party of Albania’s affiliation to the Socialist International. The Congress will also elect the party’s central leadership bodies. The Congress is scheduled to last two days. Delegates arriving from the districts will be accommodated in the homes of Party members and supporters in the city of Tirana. The Congress will be extensively covered in the Socialist Party press, and Radio Television will broadcast parts of it. In addition to journalists from ATSH and Radio Television, representatives of several of our country’s main press organizations have also been invited to the Congress. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

At the retrospective exhibition of visual arts by young talents, which opened at the “Bajram Curri” Pioneers’ House in Vlorë, 41 works were presented, including paintings, watercolors, various drawings, portraits, pyrography, wood carvings, etc. The works depict the beautiful nature of this district, landscapes from different parts of the country, and so on. They testify to the good work being done in this district to discover, bring forward and develop young talents in the visual arts, further advancing Vlorë’s tradition as a school of painting. Some of them have attended or are attending this city’s secondary art school as well as the Academy of Fine Arts. Master Bajram Fejzo also contributed to the preparation of this exhibition.

Almost a year has passed from 30 June 1991 to 8 June 1992. On 20 June 1991, the first Conference of the PRSH was held, and on 14 June 1992, the first Congress of the PRSH, with the new republic’s trusted “enemies” of the com... , PPSH’s recruits, was studied, was... Assembly but Congress, corr... their PPSH. As far as... the... f... they cannot finally break away from the past. Nevertheless, challenges were overcome. At the first Conference, the PRSH Steering Committee had 21 members. At the Congress, the Council of... 45. These do not... any... At the congress... The Congress...