— Fatos Nano declares — Socialists do not shy away from today’s political struggle, nor from the responsibilities it entails — The meeting of the Socialist Party of Albania’s district active committee in Vlora was held. — Comrades Fatos Nano and Namik Dokle took part. Responsibility for the commitments made to the people makes it necessary and vital to reshape the party’s work at all its levels, wherever socialists and all honest people, people in need and the underprivileged, intellectuals, and small and medium-sized property owners work and live, regardless of their beliefs or party affiliation. To respond better to the demands of the times, to stand alongside people in this time of many hardships and difficulties—which have not diminished but have increased as a result of the Democratic Party authorities’ disastrous governance—and to offer them credible and realistic alternative solutions that satisfy the majority of the people and not merely a handful, it is essential that all socialists and their many supporters act together and in an organized manner, with courage, bravery and wisdom, to resist the revanchism, destruction, corruption and deception of those in power. It was with this concern that Vlora’s socialists gathered for the district party active committee, held in the city cinema-theater hall on 26 February 1993. Both in the report delivered by the chairman of the district Steering Committee and in the many discussions, alongside the work accomplished, numerous shortcomings and weaknesses were identified, chiefly in organizational matters, with a view to improving the work in the future. To bring about the necessary change, the many speakers proposed more frequent and more substantial changes to the presidiums of the organizations and to the leading bodies, because the pace of events necessarily calls for changes as well. For this reason, Agron Gjipali stressed, we should not turn the rules of the statute into taboos and insist on waiting for the completion of a two- or three-year term. Facing the problems with courage and boldness that have lin- (Continued on page 4)

— Interview with docent Anastas Angjeli, MP — Investors, wherever you are: do you want your investment to be profitable? Invest in Albania, too. Hurry. But first, get to know the country and its economy well. Find out what opportunities lie before you and, above all, what dangers and risks you are taking on, although the risk is not small. Be sure that day by day it will diminish. What is your view of the role and importance of foreign investment in our economy, especially during this period of transition we are going through? The dire, crisis-ridden state of our economy and the efforts being made to reform it and move to a market economy have required, and continue to require, the assistance and support of foreign capital as well. In this context, the arrival of foreign investment in various branches of the economy and in different forms, already familiar from international experience, would be a valuable contribution. This would undoubtedly help not only the development of one branch or another, and thereby the economy as a whole, but it should also be remembered that it would create opportunities for new jobs and, consequently, increase workers’ incomes, while also creating opportunities to boost production and supply the market and opening up prospects for embarking on the path of integration into the European economy. What conditions work in their favor, and why are foreign investors interested in coming to Albania? That is how we should look at it. For foreign investors to come to our country, we must not forget that they, too, must have an interest and make a profit. Indeed, if it is found that their interest is lacking, mechanisms must be found to encourage them until mutual interests are achieved. Nevertheless, although the necessary conditions have not been fully secured for foreign investors to “rush” to Albania, there are some elements that are “ready,” “attractive” and “favorable,” which I would like to mention. These include a favorable geographical position; a subsoil very rich in minerals, with whole oil-bearing areas, chromium, etc.; a “virgin coastline” that welcomes the development of tourism and maritime transport; opportunities and prospects for building airports and motorways as connecting points between the Balkans, Europe and the countries of the Black Sea, or for establishing bilateral and multilateral financial-service institutions with a Balkan and wider remit; and, most importantly, the fact that our country has an inexpensive, qualified workforce, ready to retrain and eager to work and earn. If we add to these the initial efforts that have been made, and still need to be made, to provide legal incentives and advantages, especially in procedural and fiscal terms, then we can say that a step forward has been taken—but only one, because many conditions and factors still hold back this process, and overcoming them will require a great deal of work. Perhaps this is also the most fundamental issue. Therefore, we would like to hear your opinion on the factors that currently obstruct and hold back the arrival of foreign investors in our country. In my view, there are several reasons or factors that condition and impede the arrival of foreign investors in Albania, and they can be grouped as follows: First. Factors or causes of a political nature. The arrival of foreign investors in Albania is linked to the country’s political situation and stability, to understanding among the political forces, and to the state being governed as steadily as possible. The sooner this is achieved, the sooner and more easily foreign investors will knock on our doors. This also includes the foreign policy pursued by the Albanian state and its choice of partners and preferences. I would like to stress that we must not forget that we are in Europe, that we should rely on it and on our neighbors Italy and Greece, as well as Germany, perhaps without neglecting relations with the USA. This means that, while remaining open to everyone else, in this sense, what is required is a (Continued on page 2)

A group of villagers from Dukagjin have in recent days come down onto the lands of Fusha e Shtojit, where until recently the “Perlat Rexhepi” state agricultural enterprise had been established. Their aim is to take land in the plots of this plain. To this end, they have come forward claiming that this land belongs to them. As an argument, they refer to the past. In 1931, they say, King Zog gave us land here. Some others go further back in history in their claims to this land, saying it belongs to Dukagjin. On this occasion, other residents from Dukagjin who settled years ago in villages in the plain area are also asking to receive a share of the “inheritance” of the land in Shtoj. Opposing these claims are the residents of the villages in this plain and the farmers of Postribë, who insist that they will not give up the land, saying, “We were born and raised here.” Each side says, “Fusha e Shtojit belongs to us.” But that is not enough for everyone, while the law that governs all has been para-ziuar! And so, where the law does not operate, anarchy prevails; the consequences are well known. The Observer

A few days ago, the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of the Korçë district organized a meeting in the committee hall with intellectuals who were members and supporters of the Socialist Party. A few days ago, the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of the Korçë district organized a meeting in the committee hall with intellectuals who were members and supporters of the Socialist Party, as well as other guests, together with MP Maqo Lakrori and the chairman of the committee for work with intellectuals of the Socialist Party’s General Committee. The meeting turned into a lively, constructive debate on the fundamental issues concerning intellectuals today, in this extremely difficult period of transition. Albania, Dr. M. Lakrori said, has a significant intellectual potential: 100,000 people have completed higher education; 50,000 of them are teachers. This great asset of our people is capable and irreplaceable before this potential, because the government will create the conditions for our integration into Europe; the celebrations will serve. Korçë has, for example, a polytechnic university. This is the university. Korçë has the potential to be a bastion of culture and tradition with a layer tajnë [sic] ... (Continued on page 2) [We must] value ourselves by engaging in dialogue with dignity with foreigners, since the latter, too, recognize and appreciate the intellectual potential of Albanians. Intellectual wealth cannot be understood apart from the processes taking place. Unfortunately, this great asset in itself has remained inactive; worse still, many intellectuals are being squandered, with their hope limited to ... for economic reasons, or because they have worked in professions far removed from their fields. There are exceptionally serious problems concerning the nation’s fate, such as economic reform, yet intellectual thought is not being gathered to put it to work. Is it normal that, although 10 months have passed, there is still no discussion of a detailed government program to which the entire intellectual community could contribute? Likewise, there is an unjustified slowness in drafting the constitution, which is the fundamental document of a truly democratic state. It is utterly contemptuous toward ... (Continued on page 2)

Under Article 48 (first paragraph) of the Law “On the Organization and Functioning of Local Government,” “the district council is convened for an ordinary meeting once every three months.” Nevertheless, the Shkodër District Council has not met since 22 October of last year—that is, for a period of more than four months. Despite the request on this issue from the district’s group of socialist councillors, the council chairman, Ali ... azazi, turns a deaf ear. This action is part of the ongoing violation of laws by the authorities in Shkodër in every sphere of state and social activity. This action by the council leaders demonstrates not the misuse and obstruction of power by the Democratic Party, but by certain factions within it, which are unlawfully usurping the powers of government. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

From 5 to 7 March 1993, the European Cultural Centre of Delphi, Greece, is organizing an international cultural meeting on the theme: “The Balkans: National Civilizations, a Shared Future.” At this meeting, prominent cultural figures from the Balkan countries will take part. The Delphi Cultural Centre has invited, from the Albanian side, the distinguished intellectual and writer Ismail Kadare, the director of the “Naim Frashëri” Publishing House, Mr. Visar Zhiti, the writer and translator of Homer, Mr. Gjon Shllaku, and the poet Preç Zogaj. This meeting on the Balkans is held under the auspices of UNESCO and aims at cultural cooperation, not political evaluations. “Bringing out the distinctive features of every people contributes to understanding its historical path,” declared in Athens the president of the Delphi Cultural Centre, Mr. Konstandinos Kaligas.

“Fusha e Shtojit Fact; The district council of Embassy notice BBC

A volume of poetry by Dritëro Agolli Now in circulation: “THE DELAYED PILGRIMAGE” A volume of poetry by DRITËRO AGOLLI Everyone interested in obtaining the required print run should contact QBE “Progresi,” next to the “Zëri i Popullit” building, on the first floor. For orders from the districts, call 245-89. The book can be collected with cash payment or by contract. QBE “PROGRESI”