THE VILLAGE’S DRAMA ...WHATEVER IS LEFT OVER SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PEASANTS — Where did the promises go, gentlemen? — The economic crisis that has engulfed the village, at a time when we have gone 9 months without our names appearing on any list or payroll to receive even one lek for bread. It was necessary because the former cooperative’s property was divided according to the law, «the most agile, the fastest, the strongest». The biggest question is that they are forced to sell even their cows to get the money to buy bread. We applied for assistance: they said there is no law for the village. Prices are stratospheric. So tell us, gentlemen parliamentarians, what did the village gain this year: unemployment, the loss of the right to work its own land, lack of social support, rising prices, lack of supplies? Oh yes, we forgot, we have the right to scream about the great trouble that has befallen us; that is the only thing you will not be able to stop us from doing. Finally, we wanted to say that this petition has been supported by the whole village, which has been disappointed by the promises made to it in the village of Vrakë by the very Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, who came to the village. The villagers’ first question was what would happen to the land, and he replied: the land will be divided according to the law. Where did those promises go, gentlemen? That is our question. How long do you intend to test the peasant’s patience, gentlemen? With this petition we warn you that if you do not implement the land law in force within 4–5 days in our village, we will organize a general strike throughout the entire highlands of the Shkodër region. We demand a quick response and its implementation within the deadline. What gave us hope was the meeting we held in May at an office of Mr. Sali Berisha, with the President himself, where we told him about the great hardship facing the peasant because the land law is not being implemented. On behalf of a large number of villages in the district of Shkodër, we asked him to influence the government to implement this law immediately. Promises were made, and a decision was even announced on television, saying that land would be divided according to the law and that the causes—and those responsible—who were obstructing this law would be identified, and that an inquiry would be conducted into this matter. We were happy and said that this time the law would be implemented in everything, but we were mistaken, because we reported these people. We submitted their names to the Committee and to the court in accordance with the rules, but nobody paid us any attention. Thus, 20–30 people have blocked all the land… …sir, do not implement the land law currently organize a general strike throughout the Upper Shkodër Highlands. We demand a prompt response and its implementation within the deadline. Therefore, gentlemen parliamentarians, as a parliament elected by the people through their free vote, take this matter seriously; consider it a matter affecting the fate of our people. Petition drawn up by the villagers of Vrakë village in the district of Shkodër. Vrakë, 22.6.1992

Today at 12:00 in the hall of the Palace of Congresses, the chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Comrade Fatos Nano, will hold a press conference. Journalists and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana are invited to attend.

Exhibition by the Bulgarian company «Evrotur» Yesterday morning, in one of the halls of the «Albania Today» exhibition center, the Bulgarian trading company «Evrotur» opened its exhibition, featuring mainly Bulgarian-made goods and products created through cooperation between Bulgarian firms and foreign companies. The exhibition presented several displays arranged attractively, including household electrical appliances, faience, various clothing materials and children’s toys, some items needed for construction, workshops and tools, agriculture, as well as complex equipment and the latest-technology sewing machines, etc. In connection with this exhibition, we conducted a short interview with the president of the trading company «Evrotur», Mr. Todor Dachinov. What does the company «Evrotur» represent, when was it established, and is it a private or state-owned company? The company «Evrotur» was established about a year and a half ago as a grouping of eight private firms, a kind of «holding». Each of the eight firms that make up «Evrotur» operates in a different field, but since they cooperate because of the violence [?] city streets, control the entrances to these cities of every [?] vehicle, check citizens in the streets, the building of the Assembly of Kosovo was also surrounded. (Continued on page 4) united in «Evrotur», they have been given the opportunity to be more flexible in the domestic and foreign markets and to respond more effectively to the constantly changing demands of the market. The company (Continued on page 4)

Belgrade always against the tide Yesterday, the first pluralist Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, elected on May 24, was due to begin its work in Kosovo. Every Albanian, wherever they live, would have offered it their heartfelt wish for «good work», toward a peaceful solution to the serious problems that have accumulated there because of the Serbs. But once again, Milošević’s Belgrade, which cannot in any way accept the right of Albanians to self-determination, had filled Prishtina, Gjakova and Peja with Serbian police and soldiers, who patrolled the city streets, checked every vehicle entering these cities, checked citizens in the streets, and had also surrounded the building of the Assembly of Kosovo. (Continued on page 4)

Greetings addressed to the First Congress of the SPA Our First Congress has received messages and greetings from several political parties in the country, from some trade-union organizations, associations and individuals, etc. Below we present a summary of them: The greeting from the Albanian National Unity Party conveys sincere greetings and best wishes for the honorable fulfilment of the mission set for itself by the First Congress of the SPA; Every political force has its own program, strategy and tactics. They put forward their most advanced alternatives, which are permissible in every sphere of life. But when it comes to determining the nation’s future, finding a just solution to the Albanian question, deciding where Albania will stand and who its natural allies should be, this requires a comprehensive program which must, at all costs, place the value of the Albanian people at its heart. Nobody owns Albania, whether they belong to a political party in opposition or in government, or even whether they are Head of State. Albania belongs to the Albanians, and its future will be determined and realized by the Albanians themselves. The historic moment demands that every Albanian who calls themselves a true patriot think about this nation. «This is the historic moment,» the greeting says, «to put everything else aside, to leave behind needless quarrels, unprincipled conflict and divisive epithets, and to think and act as Albanians.» History will not forgive us if we do otherwise. The Albanian Ecological Party has also sent a greeting to our congress. On its behalf, the chairman of the Albanian Ecological Party, Doctor of Science Nasi Bozheku, wishes the First Congress of the SPA success. — On the occasion of its First Congress, the greeting from the Albanian People’s Party says, we wish the Socialist Party of Albania further success on the road to democracy and socialism and ovations [?] and hope for a greeting from the Albanian people. The message from the Albanian Socialist Workers’ Party says: «The Socialist Workers’ Party sincerely greets the Socialist Party of Albania and its First Congress for its ever-greater achievements in carrying out its noble duty of defending underprivileged groups, especially in inaugurating the transition, and it has been left at a crossroads. We wish you,» the greeting continues, «continued success in strengthening democracy in Albania, a pure and fragile democracy, not a hypocritical one as is in fact happening. Once again, we wish you,» concludes the message from the Socialist Workers’ Party, «success for the good of our nation as a progressive left.» The greeting from the Construction Trade Union Federation says that Albanian workers regard the SP and its program as a powerful ally in defending underprivileged groups. The lack of [cut off] Our First Congress has also received greetings from many individuals from different districts of the country. They wish the Congress success for the good of the country and of democratic developments in Albania. Our party and its congress have received congratulatory messages from socialist and social-democratic parties in various countries. The message from the Turkish Social Democratic Party wishes the Socialist Party of Albania success in the difficult tasks it faces. Meanwhile, the chairman of Turkey’s Social Democratic Populist Party and Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Erdal Inonu, sent this message to the chairman of the SPA, Fatos Nano. Dear friend, On behalf of all members of the Social Democratic Populist Party and in my own name, I would like to express our best wishes for the successful conduct of your Congress and its decisions. We wish you further success in your important tasks for democratic developments and the independence of your country. The message from the Social Democratic Party of Austria, signed by Karl Shramaek, that party’s Secretary for Foreign Relations, states, among other things: On behalf of the Austrian social democrats, I send my best wishes to all the delegates participating in this successful congress. I hope that the congress proceedings will be guided by the experience of the parties’ ideas [?] Round-table meetings, petitions, memoranda, protests and joint appeals for a just resolution of the Albanian question and for the earliest possible convening of the Pan-National Assembly must be our initial activities for the good of Albania. Now or never, we must achieve National Unity. It is up to all Albanian political and social forces, both within the unjust political borders and beyond them, to come closer to one another. Above all, Albania; above all, the national question and its future. This is what unites us. This historic moment requires every Albanian to be a patriotic voter, engaged in this forthcoming vote. They are called upon to think about this nation. It is the historic moment, the appeal states, to put everything else aside, to leave behind unnecessary disputes, incessant Albanians. The message of greeting from the Construction Trade Union Federation states that Albanian workers find in the PS and its program a powerful ally in defending the underprivileged. The lack of raw materials and the destruction of enterprises have forced workers to wander the streets unemployed, and some of them to emigrate, while government officials and bureaucrats continue changing managers for political reasons. Although this practice is opposed by many work collectives, these purges continue unabated. For the force it represents, from clarity. The Socialist Party today emerges as the forgotten and most powerful defender of workers and is at the forefront of the forces aspiring to democracy, progress and… …in fact. In this way, the message of the Socialist Workers’ Party is being sent, for the good of our nation, as a progressive left-wing party. best wishes to all the delegates attending the congress and wish them a successful congress. May the greetings and proceedings of the congress help advance the principles and ideals of democratic socialism, a Albania, and the further consolidation of the fundamental values of freedom, justice and democracy, for the good of the Albanian people. Best wishes for a successful Congress are also sent by the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party. The Socialist Party of Albania has also received a telegram from the Party for Democratic Prosperity in Macedonia, which greets the First Congress of the PSSH and wishes it successful work.

Gramoz Pashko speaks in the People’s Assembly — 17:50, JUNE 23, 1992 — «We are here to discuss an important issue, namely the meeting of the Assembly of Kosovo today… But I would like to speak about something else. I want no one to interrupt me, and I will not allow anyone to interrupt me. Today Azem Hajdari left Albania. I went to see him off at the airport, and it is not known when he will return to Albania. Azem Hajdari is the hero of democracy in Albania; he is the president who gave a lesson in democracy to all the [unclear] and forces who were unable to do so. Without Azem Hajdari, the 92 DP deputies would not be in this hall. His departure is like Ismail Kadare’s departure in 1990. I invite all the deputies to applaud together as a sign of respect for him… (In the hall, Gramoz Pashko, Gaqo Apostoli and two other deputies are applauded)… After this statement, many deputies took the floor, all of them supporting the request to take decisive action over the situation in Kosovo, using every legal and parliamentary avenue. At the same time, the speakers engaged in a series of exchanges about what we may call the «Hajdari affair». In our next issue, we will try to publish more detailed information about this exchange.

Our newspaper’s editorial office has received information stating that 400 war veterans from the district of Tropojë… Our newspaper’s editorial office has received information stating that 400 war veterans from the district of Tropojë have protested to the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, and the Minister of Internal Order, Rustafa? They say they are doing this only because he does not protect it, but seeks it for the homeland, security and peace. So, 400 years old, 400 honored veterans are facing a law. Let us uncover… [lower part cut off/illegible]

— Statement by Azem Hajdari — On Monday, at 5 p.m., as soon as the plenary session opened, MP Azem Hajdari, deputy chairman of the Democratic Party, asked to speak. He asked the session chair, Mr. Tomor Malasi, to let him make a statement about the moments of information, those present in Parliament, as well as the MPs. “I want to protest against the television executives,” Hajdari began, emphasizing that for days they had been blocking and refusing to broadcast an interview I gave about several important issues that are currently concerning the military. I do not know why this interview is not allowed to be broadcast. I do not understand who gave the order to block this interview. Nevertheless, I insist that this interview be broadcast by the television station, just as I will always insist on telling the truth.” Mr. Tomor Malasi, who was chairing the session, offered no explanation for Mr. Hajdari’s statement. It was noted that the television’s enemies did not understand him.

— Continuation of the article “Why the ‘Meksi’ government should be supported” — At present, everything in Albania has become politicized and partisan. Apparently, for some time yet we cannot live without them. This is also demonstrated by Mr. Sërreqi’s show about sophisticated equipment. Someone needs such a tense climate, and it is those who have the power to create it who keep creating it. Nevertheless, the economic difficulties will not ease even if dozens more shows of the “Meghou” type, or like this latest one, are found. But people today are growing tired of these kinds of spectacles, especially when they are left without answers, since they are invited to them only to applaud. This tense climate, with its artillery of stones, leads nowhere worthwhile. The government thus forgets that it has before it a ruined economy and is looking for traces. It is the government’s right to make changes to its apparatus, all the more so since the president also signed these changes. No one should look at this through partisan glasses when it is only logical. Everyone wants a trusted team around them, if only to feel sure that they will not be spied on and that their administration will not resemble Christ’s Last Supper. The fact that we Socialists or others are put on the sidelines should surprise no one. Some deserved to leave long ago, because a party card does not make you capable or intelligent, and many of them are leaving because of the new government officials’ mentality of trust. One of them, Mr. Vërlaci, an important scion of the Institute “...”, would, under the circumstances of that party, have difficulty finding a competent specialist in the department he heads. These moves were therefore expected. Anyone who did not expect them, anyone who thought the right-wing opposition was only targeting the “bloc,” the former leadership of the PP, should now be reassured that they were wrong. The vanguard of the opposition, and perhaps even more so the opposition’s right-wing front, wants more than this. A revolution, whether democratic or not, is a revolution and has its own laws. Under these conditions, it is a support for the government when the opposition warns its own people and others about the danger of establishing a tota-ri… (Continued on page 3) …more tha- PS as of the and the go- positive fact- sons of the not when- that sto- re to cry side and of the antavë vni. individuality itself to shayr- to aderm- S sic majft 3) [unreadable fragment]

For two years, manufacturers’ warehouses have only been emptied. The enterprises’ coffers are emptied every 15 days to pay people who do not work. How is Albania managing to stay afloat? It has now become clear that the country’s economic survival is due to aid from abroad and the contributions of emigrants… New terms have entered Albanians’ everyday vocabulary and are commonly used. Set up at a roadside spot and, after selling something for two weeks—soap or socks, for example—your neighbors will call you not only by your name but also “safarist” or “businessman.” This label is also used to distinguish the kebab sellers, hustlers and speculators. There are thousands of people like that. But are there any genuine businesspeople among us today? Privatization certainly stirs the desire for profit, but not everyone reaches the expected finish line. Thus, even in conditions of fragile domestic competition, losses and “bankruptcy” have become evident. But what about later? This question weighs especially heavily if we consider that, following the opening up to foreign capital, one day it will enter the country: it will find an economy in need (and therefore make huge profits) and a completely spontaneous, unprotected market (which it could ruin completely). At present, in the face of the needs of growth, Albanian business is confronted… (Continued from page 2)