Socialist Party Chairman Fatos Nano takes part in the meeting of the Governing Council of the Socialist Party of the Kuçovë district - A few days ago, a meeting of the Socialist Party Committee of the Kuçovë district was held. At the center of its attention were problems concerning the persons involved— Socialist Party auditorium THE POSITION TOWARD LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM THE PRESSING PROBLEMS OF THE DAY Socialist Party Chairman Fatos Nano takes part in the meeting of the Governing Council of the Socialist Party of the Kuçovë district - A few days ago, a meeting of the Socialist Party Committee of the Kuçovë district was held. At the center of its attention were problems concerning the relations between the party and local government, under the concrete conditions created by the elections of July 26 last year and the current developments in the political struggle taking place in our country, intertwined with the economic crisis and its social consequences, linked to the privatization process and the drastic rise in prices. Kuçovë’s distinctive feature is that the Socialist Party’s victory in the district council and municipality was more pronounced. This provides a better basis for establishing and maintaining harmonious and proper relations between the party and local government. The meeting noted the positive experience, albeit limited, that has been built up, but emphasized in particular the need to establish and develop party–local government relations based on pluralist concepts, democracy, the rule of law, and the defense of the ideals for which the Socialist Party fights. Through a lively and constructive discussion, conclusions were drawn and concrete tasks for the future were set, so that local government can function normally and deal with objective and subjective problems and difficulties, as well as the obstacles and difficulties that the current ruling authorities try to create in places where the Socialists have won, as is the case in Kuçovë. The meeting stressed that the strength of the party also serves to strengthen local government, just as strengthening local government serves to strengthen the party and expand its role. Recognizing the great responsibility involved in this issue, it was decided that a new analysis would be carried out soon in order to define more detailed and mobilizing tasks. Socialist Party Chairman Fatos Nano also attended the meeting. Taking an active part in the debate, he raised a series of issues relating both to concepts and to the adoption of concrete measures to establish and maintain proper relations between the party and local government. He drew attention to the political significance of this issue and to the interests of the situation facing the country, as well as the importance of a concrete assessment of the situation in Kuçovë. In this context, it is important to understand correctly the complexity of the situation arising from the deepening crisis, rising prices and inflation, and the accumulation and expansion of the country’s pressing social problems. This understanding will be more complete if consideration is given not only to the restrictions on the powers of local government bodies imposed by the government through centralization—which leads to bureaucratization and the detachment of many directorates, thereby expanding the power of the executive and administration and reducing the scope of governing bodies elected by the people—but also to the particular importance of deeply understanding the current features of the socio-political struggle nationwide and in each individual district, the aims and objectives of the party in power, and, in general, the aims of the left-wing forces in our country. Efforts are also being made to strengthen the right wing in Albania, as well as to organize a fierce struggle against… (Continued on page 4) 3

SIX-WEEK-OLD BABIES IN THEIR MOTHER’S WOMB, MR. PRESIDENT An unprecedented criminal act I, who am addressing you with this open letter, am called Fatbardha Dega, 31 years old. I was born in the city of Berat and live in Bajram Curri. I have been unemployed for eight months, since I was dismissed from my position as director of the State Bank branch for the Tropojë district. That was only the beginning. Following a wave of inspections, on September 9, 1992, I was arrested on the order of the Tropojë district prosecutor, charged with “abuse of office.” Despite my insistence that I be tried while at liberty, my request was not accepted, although I was pregnant. October 11, 1992. In the isolation cell, measuring two meters by one and a half, I lose consciousness. I do not know how much time passes before I come to. I ask the prison guards for a doctor’s help. They prove willing to treat me humanely. The next day the gynecologist, Sh. R., comes. After examining me, she determined that “I was pregnant and at risk of miscarriage.” She insisted strongly that, in my condition, I had to be taken to hospital urgently. According to the service personnel, an order from the district prosecutor, Ramë Muja, was required for this… The next day, October 13, the investigator in the case, Hysni Demiraj, comes to the isolation rooms. Instead of taking steps to have me sent to hospital, he began shouting like a madman: «What’s going on here? Without permission? And nobody informs us how you’re investigating? Me, the investigator in the case, too?» «We’ll dismiss the person in charge of the isolation rooms.» «I couldn’t believe my ears. Was that the language of an investigator or an SS man? Or perhaps I was a war criminal. All right, what about me—but what fault did a six-week-old baby have? His words were only the beginning. In spite of my extremely serious condition, which could deteriorate at any moment, I was left in isolation for another 48 hours. For 48 hours, the “democrat” Ramë Muja and investigator Hysni Demiraj did not give a damn, despite the doctor’s insistence and alarm. On October 14, Ramë Muja himself came to the isolation room and pretended not to know anything, then mockingly asked me, «Would you like us to take you to the hospital in Tirana or somewhere farther away?» Only on October 15—four days after the examination by the specialist doctor—was I taken to hospital. Despite the doctors’ great efforts and care, the life of a six-week-old baby could not be saved, while my health deteriorated extremely severely. I believe my child is the youngest and most innocent victim in Albania, at least in the last ten years. I do not accuse democracy, but the pseudo-democrats as the physical and moral perpetrators of this criminal act, without precedent in a democratic state. because of which infant and criminal disregard for his mother’s health, when mother and child are protected by specific constitutional articles, at least formally, even under communist or fascist dictatorships, whether left-wing or right-wing. The doctors’ and thousands’ requests to change the security measure in view of the serious health conditions were answered by the democratic prosecution and investigative authorities by sending her back to isolation on 12 November 1992. Mr. President. As a parent and head of state, and above all as a democratic doctor, you understand how inhumane, anti-human, and barbaric the loss of a child is for a mother. This tragedy becomes even worse because of the conditions of isolation and inhumane treatment at the hands of the so-called “defender of the law.” The tragedy is all the worse when it is knowingly caused by officials, first and foremost prosecutor Ram Muja, whom the democratic state has charged with implementing and ensuring the full protection of human rights and citizens’ rights, and especially those of the mother and child, whose— [The source text is incomplete and partly duplicated.]

On January 10, 1993, in the town of Roskovec, in the district of Fier, the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Jakodina partisan unit was commemorated. Rrapi Kuko, Mayor of the town, spoke about the glorious combat history of this partisan unit. In his speech, he highlighted the battles fought by the partisans against the fascist-Nazi forces and their collaborators, Balli Kombëtar and the criminal Jsa Toska. At this very warm gathering, the veteran Rako Kola shared memories of the life and activities of the unit. Finally, Halit Kapsrolli, chairman of the Committee of veterans of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War, also delivered greetings.

From the proceedings of the People’s Assembly Yesterday morning, the People’s Assembly discussed and approved the law “On Accounting.” As the deputies stated, this law constitutes the legal framework of the new accounting system. Discussions in the Assembly also took place at a technical level, with the participation of deputies from all three parliamentary groups (Rakaj, Cani, Shamata, Çuçi, Përpali, etc.). Socialist deputy and docent Anastasi Angjeli said that the law had been carefully drafted, was of a scientific standard, and complied with international accounting standards. He also stressed that the existing provisions in the field of accounting had fulfilled their mission by serving the planned and centralized economic system. The new law aims to transform accounting from a chiefly computational and recording technique into an instrument for directing and administering enterprises, companies, and other entities participating in our country’s economy. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

Given that the number of foreign firms operating in Albania is relatively limited—only around 200, with capital of no more than 20 million dollars—it would be difficult to speak of their effective impact on overall national improvement, the creation of new markets, technological development, employment, etc. Two years of monitoring data and analyses in the field of investment in Albania lead us to several conclusions that are necessary for today and tomorrow. First. Among entities, individuals, and state organizations, there are many aspirations, passions, declarations, and projects for foreign investment, but unfortunately very few are realized. This is primarily due to the need for preparation and theoretical study by the interested party, as well as the lack of experience; the latter is also compounded by the characteristics of the projects in which all the parties will be involved. In practice, as with any investment, there are advantages and disadvantages, etc. Second. In general, every investment involves a convergence of interests, primarily between two parties: the investing party and the country where the investment is made. On this basis, we would say that, from a theoretical point of view (this is not encountered in practice), investment has two extremes: a minimum limit, meaning benefit only for the foreign investor, and a maximum limit, presupposing benefit only for Albania. Abandoning the complexities of the past, showing tolerance (but not without limit), cooperating in a spirit of understanding, etc.—the outcome of these two contradictory tendencies—would lead to the practical realization of the investments we need. Third. In every country there is now an established framework, and certain rules of a universal nature concerning investment have been adopted and made binding, chiefly by bilateral specialists. In addition, it should be noted that each country’s adoption of general rules is accompanied by a founding law, while their application has specific characteristics of its own and is carried out in accordance with the concrete conditions of each country. To sum up, the following aspects of investment in Albania deserve attention (I will focus more on some shortcomings and obstacles in our activities in the context of investment). 1. Our country’s political and economic stability is still far from the desired level. The situation in the Balkans as a whole, and in the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo in particular, is so complicated and fraught with tension. According to the analysis, Milosheviç’s victory only complicates the situation, often causing Albania to be treated and classified, for the time being, as a not very suitable country in the region. Developments within the country leave much to be desired. Although the economy has entered the process of reform in its main areas, it is still caught in one of the reserve stages of the transition. The country’s political forces display intolerance-

This is the graver, more unpredictable side of the crime. The other side is the inhumane treatment of me as a mother against whom a double crime was committed: the killing of the six-week-old baby and the criminal disregard for the health of its mother, even though mother and child are protected by special constitutional provisions, at least formally, even under communist or fascist, left-wing or right-wing dictatorships. These are the evils committed by the doctors and the people who were in the isolation rooms, in violation of international laws and conventions, which have also been approved by the Albanian state. This is neither an invention nor fantasy, but a reality that happened to me, a young woman, a mother of two minor children, until yesterday a senior employee in an important state institution such as the State Bank. My child’s life was taken from my body and from my arms; I was deprived of the sublime human right to be a mother again, leaving… protected also by international laws and conventions, which have been approved by the Albanian state.

During this period of transition, when efforts are being made to consolidate democracy, many strange things are happening, both good and bad. Without denying the great contribution of various charitable associations such as «Karitasi», «Zoti e do Shqipërinë», etc., which have distributed considerable quantities of food and clothing throughout Albania, I regret to say that the employees and families making up the NB «17 Nëntori», such as Katundi i Ri, Yrshek, Mëzez Rrush, Zalët, etc., have received nothing apart from very modest food aid, despite being only 5–6 km from Tirana. These villages are among the poorest because 50–60 percent of their residents come from the northeastern mountainous regions of the country. We have been asked for lists several times, which we prepared for «Karitasin», also based on the number of people, as they requested. As for the association «Zoti e do Shqipërinë», according to the announcement also published in the press, we submitted them in the box placed by this association near the PT, signed by the chairman of the NB trade union council and the director of the NB and stamped. But, to our surprise, we know nothing about what became of these lists. XHAFER SHTEPANI Chairman of the agricultural trade union section and Chairman of the trade union council of NB «17 Nëntori» TIRANA

In response to the unsubstantiated attack by RND concerning the alleged ties between Professor Rexhep Qoses and “Zëri i Popullit”... In response to the unsubstantiated attack by RND concerning the alleged ties between Professor Rexhep Qoses and “Zëri i Popullit,” the article “Open Letter to the President of Albania, Sali Berisha” is being reviewed; it appears to have been sent by him for publication but was taken from the Prishtina newspaper “Zëri.” We emphasize that it is an honor for our newspaper to publish writings by distinguished intellectuals of the nation such as Rexhep Qose.