- The General Steering Committee of the Socialist Party met - Yesterday in Tirana, the general steering committee of the SP met and, considering the current situation in the country, discussed at length the areas of work for supporting the trade union movement. The main discussion on this issue was delivered by members of the steering committee, Fatli Sinani. The situation into which the DP is steering the fate of the overwhelming majority of the population has increasingly become a prospect for them every day. At present, only a few leaders of the BSP remain as supporters of the government. The overwhelming majority of employees, organized in federations, are opposing it, considering the reform being carried out a real threat. Unemployment, mass welfare assistance, and the drastic rise in prices are compelling these thousands of people to feel the need to unite. The speaker observed that before and after the 22 March elections, the trade union movement organized in the confederation had been spontaneous, without clear objectives, and here and there even betrayed by some of its sellout leaders. Later, especially as the escalation of the reform began to strike them down, it became an absolute necessity to create a broad, united front against this unrestrained revanchism. In this sense, this powerful movement cannot remain without political support. Recently, it was said at the meeting, the Socialist Party, recognizing this need, has established frequent contacts with the leaders of the Confederation, with the aim of supporting them in their demands of the current authorities, while also pointing out shortcomings to date. In particular, the somewhat dismissive attitude toward the strikers in the Police, Bulqiza, Ballsh, etc. was noted, whereas the DP, by contrast, engaged in the most dishonest manipulations. Those who took the floor raised concerns not only about the party’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the trade unions, but also about the need for people who lack support and have been hit hard by the reform to organize against it and create the conditions to oppose the government. Our discussion is somewhat late, Hamdi Jupe stressed, and, what is worse, the practice of delays is becoming a method in the party’s work. In a way, we are trailing behind people’s concerns. The paralysis of local government, the paralysis of the reform, and the purge campaign are some of the indicators that reveal the shortcomings in our work. Vlladimir Malo from the district of Fier shared his experience of working with trade unions. The independent oil workers’ union, he said, consists of oil workers with left-wing experience, and from day to day ... (Continued on page 4)

The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Zhelju Zhelev, arrived in Tirana yesterday. The Bulgarian President was accompanied on this visit by his wife and senior Bulgarian officials. A group of journalists is also accompanying the visit. At Rinas Airport, the Bulgarian President was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, and other senior Albanian dignitaries. The diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana had also turned out in honor of the Bulgarian President. Talks between the two presidents took place yesterday afternoon, while at 17:30 President Zhelev attended a session of the People’s Assembly, where he also delivered a speech. among other things, it is stated that chemical products are prohibited from being transported through Serbia and Montenegro; the financial police requested that chemical fertilizer be transported to Slovenia only through the port of Durrës. The buyer of the chemical fertilizer or

Through the labyrinths of the banking scandal: Under the mandate signed by Mr. Ilir Hoti, a large portion of the 1 million 600 thousand dollars should have been received by Nicolas Arsidi. Did he really receive it?!... In the newspaper «Koha jonë» dated 6 February, in the article about this scandal, it says, among other things: «Normally, according to Western practice, any intermediary who takes on a case to recover a debt or an amount of lost money—even an inheritance—is entitled to claim 10 percent of the sum he is fighting to recover». Our debt amounts to more than 500 million dollars If the entire amount of this debt has been recovered (?!), the intermediary is entitled to receive more than 50 million dollars. What percentage of the debt has actually been recovered? What is the amount of the fee that intermediary Arsidi is entitled to receive based on the debt that may have been recovered, if it really has been recovered? Normally, there should be an agreement specifying the fee and the method of its payment. Is anyone aware of this agreement between our bank and the intermediary, and where is it? Is Mr. Ilir Hoti, Governor General of the Albanian State Bank, aware of this agreement? But what does the sum of 1 million 600 thousand dollars represent? Is this sum based on an agreement with our bank? If so, who signed it on behalf of the bank?! As can be seen, then, the issue is not so simple. We are talking about 1 million 600 thousand dollars. Into whose hands have they fallen?!... A mystery? Until when? «Zëri i Popullit» will continue to follow this issue, with the aim of telling only the truth. And the truth is found in documents. They exist ...

On Thursday, 11 February, the Greek general council in Gjirokastër, Mr. Hristo Jakovu, spoke at a friendly lunch with workers ...

Reflections Because of his age and his late entry into the political arena, through no fault of his own, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, will cherish as a keepsake the meeting he had with America’s new president, Bill Klinton. Recognizing Mr. Arbnori’s broad vision in understanding international and Albanian interpretations and problems, and perhaps also out of respect for his age, President B. Klinton said to the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament;

. Small-scale and differing opinions have raised objections and made claims about certain conduct and positions of the Socialist Party, which have seemed to them withdrawn, mild, and more conformist than they should be. The logic of the Party’s strategy and tactics provides its arguments, but these are merely phenomena localized in ... We will talk about the Gjirokastër district, where the Socialist Party’s work has indeed declined recently. At the last meeting of the presidium, its member Adem Haxhredini was the first to raise precisely this problem: “We are not in a very good situation; the situation we have to face is one the Socialist Party cannot cope with.” We have no strength, or somehow ... particular times and situations turn unexpectedly and broaden their presence and influence. At present, we too believe that the Socialist Party’s tones of withdrawal and self-preservation are excessive, out of step with the moment, and negatively affect its ties with the electorate. How is the country progressing; what kind of government do we have today, and of what quality; how much account is taken of social dimensions in reform and the economy; is the transition making the necessary progress or accumulating new problems; is legislation being stabilized quickly; who supports those harmed by party affiliations and to what extent; do they truly stand by underprivileged people; is the present preparing a genuinely capable, secure, and civilized tomorrow? These and other matters are genuine issues of the day. But we believe the Socialist Party is not standing up to them as it should, nor confronting them head-on. To move on to specific ground of Gjirokastër, where the work of the SP presidium, one of its members, Adem Hajdini, was the first to raise precisely this problem: our situation is not very good; the challenge we have to face is beyond the SP’s capacity. The SP cannot cope.” Do we lack strength, or is it that everyone today looks after their own affairs and thinks little about the party’s affairs? We often remain focused on tests, on how many supporters we have and how to increase their number. These are, of course, necessary. But one thing is known and clear. In the exceptionally unusual and difficult conditions of the transition in our country, with government mistakes and the ruling party’s extreme political struggle, the left wing is growing, moving, and coming toward us in ever larger waves. Openly or discreetly, declaratively or implicitly. We must know how to welcome it, how to deal with it, how to stand up for it. If it is disappointed here and now, we will have neither the voice nor the moral right to make claims and demands of it. The ruling party, exploiting this political reality, has become more dangerous in its struggle and attacks against us. For example, in Gjirokastër it says that the SP (Continued on page 2)

On Thursday, February 11, the Greek Consul General in Gjirokastër, Mr. Kristo Jakovu, invited members of the press, newspapers, radio, and TV from the districts of Gjirokastër, Sarandë, and Tepelenë to a friendly lunch. They discussed topics of mutual interest and exchanged views and opinions on issues concerning the districts where the newspapers are published and where the consulate also operates. The consul spoke about the history and functions of the consulate, as well as its activities during its first months. The journalists asked questions about visa procedures, the opening of other crossing points, Greek investments in Albania, the refugee problem, the composition of the Greek ethnic minority living in Albania, assessments of the progress of democratic processes in our country, etc. A special place in the discussion was given to the professional and technical issues facing the press, and the specific needs and requirements of newspapers and radio. The consul expressed his readiness to help meet editorial offices’ requests with answers, to facilitate cooperation with well-known newspapers in his country, and to supply editorial offices with regular weekly information from the Greek news agency ANA. Both sides expressed their thanks for the invitation and their appreciation of it

Because of his age and his late entry into politics, which was in no way his fault, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, will treasure as a keepsake the meeting he had with America’s new president, Bill Klinton. ARBËNORI IN politics, which was in no way his fault, treasure president, Bill Klinton. Mr. Arbnori concisely set out the major problems of the Eastern era and of Albanians, without forgetting our past, present, and future, doing so through three monumental statements. - I prayed to God for 25 years for the overthrow of communism. - I prayed to God for Albania to be saved from communism. - I pray to God for America to help Albania. Understanding Mr. Arbnori’s broad vision in grasping and interpreting international and Albanian issues, but Klinton said to the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament: - I, too, pray to God for international cooperation and understanding. Since it is not possible for us to refer to international news agencies, the material we are publishing was taken down in shorthand from the Albanian Radio and Television news bulletin, which cites “The Voice of America,” which in turn cites Mr. Arbnori’s interview, given—as mentioned above—in that radio station’s studios. D. KOLA

I happened to find myself in front of the gate of the presidential palace. A conversation at a louder-than-usual volume made me slow my pace. An employee of the palace service was talking with an old woman who insisted on going inside. The old woman complained that she had no bread, that she lived by begging, but that even begging, she continued, had become more difficult. Some young women have something to give, some do not; some give, some do not, and the number of beggars has also grown. “People are dying for bread,” the old woman repeated. At that moment the service employee, who until then had been looking at the old woman with contempt, replied: “Come on, old woman, people aren’t dying for bread; people are getting rich and living with every comfort.” He had not even finished speaking when two young women who were standing nearby immediately jumped in: The first: “You can talk like that because you secured your job and speak to us so arrogantly. No, people are dying for bread, yes they are—I’ll show my teeth too...” The second: “The people are dying because”

- Interview with jurist Nijazi Jaho, independent intellectual and participant in the Tetovo meetings - Can you tell us how the process leading to the Tetovo Round Tables 1 and 2 came about? These meetings were not something accidental. Preparatory work had to be done first. So there is also a brief history behind this. It is known that in 1991 a group of intellectuals gathered in Tirana and read a declaration calling for reconciliation and a General National Assembly, which, based on the National Assembly and on their own special political program, rested on the fact that the idea of social peace and national unity had already been put forward by all the country’s political parties and had also been expressed in their programs. The truth is that this initiative resonated both inside and outside the country. In February 1992, with the participation of intellectuals from Kosovo as well, an organizing council was established, with professors Teki Tashko and ... as co-chairs (Continued on page 3)

The Opera and Ballet Theatre is presenting the ballet “Don Quixote” by composer L. Minkus tonight at 6 p.m. Ballet master Agron Aliaj; set designer Shkodrani. Young and talented artists Altin Kaftra, Orjada Islami, and Kleidi Kadiu will perform for the first time in the roles of Basilio, Kitri, and the Toreador; in the other roles: Jeralim Popi, Skënder Jazenxhiu, Ilirum Agalliu, etc. Conductor Ermin Krantja.

of Gjirokastër, where the work of the SP has indeed declined recently. At the last meeting of the presidium, one of its members, Adem Hajdini, was the first to raise precisely this problem: our situation is not very good; the challenge we have to face is beyond the SP’s capacity.

The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, ZHELJU ZHELEV, was born on 3 March 1935 in Cesselnovo, in the region of Varna. In 1957 he graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy and History at the University of Sofia. For many months he voluntarily performed the duties of a social assistant in his birthplace. In 1961 he continued his third-cycle studies in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Sofia «Saint Clement d’Ochridé». In 1972, he was forced, because of ... (Continued on page 4)

On the morning of 10 February, in one of Elbasan’s parking lots ... On the morning of 10 February, in one of Elbasan’s parking lots, 10 twenty-ton trucks stood lined up, all of the same type and all the same color. One of the parking-lot workers said that the people who drive them, and whoever directs the drivers themselves, are all together doing honest work. He had heard something ... from conversations the drivers had with one another. The parking-lot worker made an open accusation. He said that the trucks were transporting chemical fertilizer, specifically urea, to Serbia. Meanwhile, the Elbasan police had earlier notified the financial police. The convoy of loaded trucks was checked, and the documentation was perfectly in order. Their crossing point was to be the Qafë Thanë customs post. Their destination was to be Slovenia. It seemed that this action was in conflict with Resolution No. 787, dated 16.11.92, of the People’s Assembly, which states, among other things, and Montenegro. The financial police requested that the of Durrës. The buyer of the chemical fertilizer or (Continued on page 2)

For the best article about the draft law on the press and information media. As announced at the Journalism Seminar held by the Soros Foundation in Tirana last week, a competition was also announced for the best articles about the draft law on the press and information media. As announced at the Journalism Seminar held by the Soros Foundation in Tirana last week, a competition was also announced for the best articles This draft law was published in the newspaper “RD” on February 10 of this year. We hereby announce the following conditions for all journalists wishing to take part in the competition: - The article about the draft law must be no longer than two typewritten pages. - It must be translated into English. The deadline for submitting the article to the Soros Foundation is March 5. - The articles will be reviewed by a jury of foreign journalists consisting of Bernar Pule (France), Xhoshuar Fridman (USA), and Konstanti Gebert (Poland). - There will be three prizes for the winners: First prize, USD 250; second prize, USD 150; third prize, USD 100. For any questions, contact Remzi Lani, telephone 34621; Soros Foundation, International Cultural Center, Tirana. Soros Foundation Center TIRANA