The government’s “transparency” If state information media—if one can still call today’s RT and the party newspaper “RD” of 17 January 1993 that—are to be believed, they are informing the people that “the Albanian government continues along the path of deepening economic reform.” And this “deepening” is quite profound: prices are being liberalized for oil, margarine, sugar, rice and laundry soap. Translated into plain Albanian, this means that there will no longer be any “ceiling.” The prices of these goods can rise as much as sellers want, without any restraint, and in fact they have already doubled within the city. The price of 1 cubic metre of drinking water is becoming 5 lekë; electricity within the permitted “monthly household consumption” allowance costs 0.5 lekë per kWh. Medicine prices are rising by an average of 30 per cent compared with existing prices. Housing rents are rising threefold, as are the prices of schoolbooks and notebooks. Passenger transport fares are rising by an average of two times, telecommunications service charges by an average of 2.5 times, and postal rates by 4.5 times. The price of ordinary petrol is 34 lekë per litre and gasoil 25 lekë per litre. So, all these prices have risen more than the rate of inflation. These increases, multiplied several times over, will be “covered” by a “raise” of 25 per cent in wages in the non-budgetary sector. Let us leave the “debate” over whether this really was the only and most appropriate course for the government to pursue with such “courage” for later, and dwell on one fundamental question: where is its transparency? A truly democratic government is distinguished from a dictatorial one precisely by the degree of transparency surrounding the decisions it makes, especially when they affect the interests of broad sections of the people. Nothing has been made known to the people, from all… Under Article 9 of Law No. 7581, dated 7.7.1992, “On Prices and Tariffs,” “The state mass information media shall periodically make public the consumer price index issued by the Directorate of Statistics in the Ministry of Finance and Economy.” But how is it explained that, although six months have passed since this law was passed by a parliament dominated by the Democrats, these media have not shown a single item? Why this silence? Could it be that the people are not interested in knowing what… LANÇI the economic reforms as a whole, as well as price policy in particular, etc. The relevant section states the commitment that “price stabilization can be achieved within no more than one year”! The utopian nature of this commitment is clear when, as the maximum period for stabilizing a country’s prices, only a few months are supposedly needed. If the term “stabilization” has been used to mean a continuous and indiscriminate “rise” in prices, then the government will come out “in the clear” before the people, because it warned them in good time. In that case, we would not be dealing with utopianism, but with genuine science. In that same section, the people were also clearly told the following: “We think that for at least one year we should keep a limited group of goods under control, such as bread, oil, sugar, electricity, kerosene and some other goods, for which we believe that the price increases should be compensated for workers through wages. But we think that all prices should be liberalized within a year, so as to encourage increased production.” Note that this liberalization does not even exclude bread, despite the government’s accusation, at the start of the New Year, that the “destructive Socialists” were responsible—“forgetting” that the PD itself wrote this in black and white. Even the claim that this liberalization must be carried out in order to “encourage increased production” is utopian, given the condition to which the Albanian economy has been reduced, and consequently difficult… …a major … for donation, stopping … on a fundamental issue: interests of broad sections of the people. There is nothing surprising about it, but the announcement came unexpectedly and presented the Albanian people with an expensive fait accompli; with the cost of living rising at once. The announcements made by the highest bodies do not provide what may be considered a deadline; the number and date of the decision. Meanwhile, it has emerged that the decision was made on 11 January, announced publicly on 15 January, and implemented 24 hours later. In other words, they shut things down without opening their eyes. The question naturally arises: Why this haste? What is the hurry about? Who is the government afraid of? Why this darkness in the field of prices? …in parliament, dominated by the Democrats, have these means not shown a single sequence? Why this silence? Could it be that this people is not interested in knowing what goods it consumes, what it eats, and at what price? It would benefit both the people and the government if the price-index data were published. The former would become «aware» and tighten their belts further, while the latter would avoid making unfounded decisions. Given the importance of this decision, it would be good for the president to comment too, since on one occasion he was «heard» to say that he would protect the «basket»; he even received applause at a rally in Kavajë when, on his «initiative», he had added laundry soap as well. But… …statistician at the Ministry of Finance and Economy». But how can one explain that the person entrusted with setting prices and tariffs «for a limited range of goods and services that are fundamental to the standard of living and to particular branches of the economy»…? Some people may be temporarily confused by all these questions and problems arising from the lack of transparency, but not the specialists. The utopian nature of the Democratic Party’s program on prices If one takes today’s reality and compares it with the electoral platform with which the DP won the parliamentary elections of 22 March 1992, one can very easily see entire «distances» between what was said and what was «done». Indeed, even on such cardinal issues as the national question and foreign policy… …has given up applying section 2 of the aforementioned law, according to the specific… These measures depend on… a real void, in a vicious … cycle of ever-increasing prices, with a system in which prices are always higher than wages, resulting in a decline in the standard of living of broad sections of the people, the enrichment of a minority and the impoverishment of the majority. Specialists know that price liberalization alone is not the magic key that solves everything. On the contrary, it remains an ineffective measure (or one with the negative effect mentioned above) unless it is accompanied by modern legislation. It is like a mill from which you expect to get flour when you have put no grain in to be ground. The problem lies not only in what has passed… According to Article 9 of Law No. 7581, dated 7.7.1992, “On Prices and Tariffs.”

Yesterday in the People’s Assembly THE PD GROUP’S VOTING CARDS ONCE AGAIN DENY THE ANTI-FASCIST NATIONAL LIBERATION WAR - The Assembly makes and changes laws, but not history - Yesterday, the People’s Assembly discussed and approved the law “On the status of invalids of the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War.” The parliamentary group of the Socialist Party supported the bill’s approval in principle and requested that the relevant law specify that it refers to the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War against the occupiers and their collaborators. The PD deputies voted against this proposal, thereby denying the war that brought Albania onto the side of the great anti-fascist coalition. According to the PD’s “Balli,” there were no collaborators of the fascists and Nazis in Albania. This is another distortion of the war and of history by the PD. Nevertheless, approving the status of invalid corrects an injustice. We apologize to our readers that, for technical reasons, we were unable to publish the complete materials and report on this session. We will provide fuller coverage in tomorrow’s issue.

Two days ago, the television magazine broadcast an announcement that a meeting of the steering committee of the Democratic Party Youth Forum was being held. On that occasion, the committee members were urged not to be absent... This is not the first time Albanian Radio and Television has turned into an ordinary mouthpiece for the PD and Blerimi to issue their announcements. But this time the television’s position was even more advanced: it was put at the service of the PD’s lever, in other words, it became a lever among the PD’s levers. This is certainly to the credit of today’s TV managers, Shkëndër Bugapaj and Qemal Sakaçeva. Their names will be remembered and mentioned whenever political servility, arrogance, lack of ethics and professional dignity are discussed.

— RTVSH wishes this, the newspaper “Rilindja,” published in Geneva, observes — In one of its most recent issues, the Albanian-language newspaper “Rilindja,” published in Geneva, discusses the nature of RTVSH’s propaganda, particularly the programme “Greetings from the Screen,” which, as is known, is broadcast as part of the daily programme produced (blatantly stolen) by journalist Robert Papa under the title “Satelit.” While greeting his nephew, he wishes him, in the exact words, “we wish you to grow up as quickly as possible and leave for Italy.” This wish is addressed to an infant who, judging by his appearance on screen, seems no more than two or three years old! The person expressing this wish—that the child should abandon his homeland as soon as possible—is the voice of the state, RTVSH. We do not know for what propaganda… what propaganda, unless simply for petty commercial purposes, such things happen. RTVSH may be the only television station in the world that puts its programmes together in this way, “Rilindja” observes. These gloomy wishes have become intolerable. They do credit neither to RTVSH, nor to its viewers, nor to the person giving or receiving the wishes, and least of all to the nation. The author of the article considers that overcoming the information blockade should not be a reason to tolerate excesses in other areas. …concerns the character of RTVSH’s programs, especially the program as part of the program conceived and produced (openly plagiarized) by journalist Robert Papa, titled “Satellite, Good Afternoon.” From the outset, “Rilindja” raises the question of what vacuum this program fills and for what purposes it is broadcast. Under the headline “Gloomy Greetings from the Screen,” it draws attention to the fact that Albania’s state television—in fact, its own channel—becomes a mouthpiece for unacceptable wishes and preachings in this program. To illustrate this painful observation, the observer for “Rilindja” cites the fact that a family, while…

On the occasion of the inauguration of American President William Klinton, the American Cultural Center, in cooperation with the National History Museum, organized the opening yesterday at 5:30 p.m. of a photo exhibition on the elections in the USA, in one of the museum’s halls. Attending were workers from the capital, employees of government departments, representatives of political parties, journalists, etc. Before the exhibition opened, the director of the National History Museum, Myyliam Islami, and the US ambassador in Tirana, William Raerson, spoke. In his remarks, the American ambassador said, among other things, that with the arrival of the new president, Klinton, in the White House, new developments in US policy were expected. He believed that this would help strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries and contribute to resolving problems in the Balkans justly. The attendees then visited the exhibition. M. JUPE

To justify the creation of directorates, those in power are heard saying ever more often, “That’s how the world works.” Following the example of this world, not a single member or supporter of the SP is part of the education directorate for the Gjirokastër district. Even people who until recently had been “given the boot” (in Gjirokastër this means “shown the door”). And, still following the example of this world, a member of the PD was appointed director of the district education directorate. Indeed, in recognition of the services he has rendered to this world (this cartel), just before New Year he received from above, as a reward, the title “Merited Teacher.” This merited PD teacher appointed another worthy PD member as head of the directorate’s inspection, support and training section. A PD member is also head of the directorate’s general section. His deputy is also from the PD. And, in keeping with “that’s how the world works,” a teacher of physical education was recently appointed director of the education economic centre, since he had failed to become the district PD chairman in the last elections. And let us not forget that of the district’s 25 councillors, only 4 are from the PD. That’s how the PD’s world works! DURO ÇFAKA

«Let us build a government for the future, not for the past» — From the ceremony — Yesterday, in the garden of the White House in Washington, the traditional ceremony marking the transfer of power from former President Bush to Bill Clinton, the newly elected president taking over at the White House, took place. The ceremony, held at around 16:59 GMT, reached its climax when, under the direction of the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Bill Clinton, the choice of the American people, took the oath of office in the presence of tens of thousands of people and millions of television viewers around the world. The celebrations in Washington will continue late into the night at various venues. (Continued on page 4)

The Opera and Ballet Theatre is performing «Giselle» tonight at 19:00, by the French composer Adolf Adam, choreographed by Agron Aliaj. In the leading roles: Relda Dobi, Altin Kafira, Arben Kuçaj, Alma Mushani, Artur Otshemi, Olta Bitri, Dionis Romano.

…jesi a-? …aid… thimi i …ën ko- …e UN. ◈ …000 do- …100 … 30,000 …000 do- ◈ … Tek… …is …the …of…

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of the Independent Trade Union Federation of Civilian Defence Employees The Defence Federation has consistently expressed its support for the Government’s reforms, both in the economic sphere and in other areas, hoping that these reflect the necessity of development and an improvement in employees’ living standards. The sudden announcement of the liberalization of prices for certain essential goods and services, conveyed through Radio and Television, was received with great concern for the following reasons: 1. During the process of drawing up further reform measures, the unions’ views were not sought in order to find solutions that would be less harmful to the living standards of broad sections of the population. 2. The announcement does not specify the size of the wage increase in relation to the increases in prices and service tariffs. Under these circumstances, we protest against the announced decisions and demand: 1. The declaration of a subsistence minimum and its provision. 2. An increase in the wages of civilian Defence employees in line with price indexation, as well as implementation of Article 10 of the law “On the Status of Military Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania,” which provides for these employees’ priority in pay. 3. Implementation of Article 19 of the amendments to the law “On Trade Unions in the Republic of Albania,” concerning the unions’ right to enter into negotiations with the Council of Ministers on issues related to labour relations, living conditions, pensions and social support. 4. An immediate solution to the problem of providing the means of subsistence for people whose social assistance period has ended. 5. Approval as soon as possible of the draft collective labour agreement. For the Governing Council of the Defence Federation Chairman FILIMON LUMANI

We are interested in buying a private house with a yard and an ordinary shop, preferably near the center of Tirana. I believe we can agree on the purchase prices. Anyone who has such premises should call at any time at telephone number 220.39 in Tirana.