— Verner declares at the press conference — In his speech, President Berisha described the visit by the Secretary General as very successful and important for Albania, for peace and stability in the region. He praised the role of the Alliance and Verner’s personal contribution to safeguarding democratic values, saying it was this role that made it possible for the changes in Eastern Europe to be more or less peaceful. “We,” President Berisha said, “appreciate the NATO Secretary General’s determination to take on a new role, with NATO’s new dimensions, which serve peace, stability and the development of democracy in the new Europe and in the world. For us, Mr. Verner’s visit is very important for cooperation ... [?] (Continued on page 4)

— It marked the first anniversary of its coming to power with 377,000 unemployed —

Then and now People nurtured the hope and belief that the DP would fulfill their wish for a job, but day after day and month after month this hope and belief is moving toward extinction. The DP and its government, changing course from what they had promised during the election campaign, sowed nothing but unemployment. It is their merit, and theirs alone, that hundreds of enterprises have been shut down—not to mention even a single department—and that the streets and squares are filled with unemployed people. Official figures show around 300,000 workers receiving assistance. In fact, there are many thousands more. And the DP continues to lie, deceive, and mock the suffering of the unemployed people. It did so, thoroughly confirming the name “Democratic Party”... We have in our hands an issue of RD from six months ago, dated 23 September 1992. “With the imminent arrival of large consignments of raw materials, the number of enterprises that have started work and of workers receiving social assistance will increase significantly.” That is what RD wrote six months ago. Now judge for yourselves, people, what period the DP means by the phrase “imminently.” This is the DP, which filled the squares at the 22 March rallies with unemployed people. BASHKIM KOÇI

For almost two months of a year: I hope that at least the following comparison will prevent me from being misunderstood by admirers of Cambodia’s Prince Sihanouk, or by admirers of Princess Monika. It is well known that for a long time he and she, for reasons that are known, governed their country while abroad, at times in Beijing, at times in Pyongyang, at times in Tirana and at times in Paris. Official invitations, trips with their spouses, and internal and external pressures led him and her to travel abroad and act freely in choosing the “Gordian” knot. Without going on any longer, I am referring to President Sali Berisha. A rough calculation shows that, during one year as head of state, he governed Albania by correspondence for nearly two months. His trips back and forth around the Western world and, in part, Asia and Muslim Africa [?] were frequent. The aircraft engaged in ... [?] PAVLLO GJIDEDE (Continued on page 4)

Protest by the Trade Workers’ Trade Union Federation. — The Independent Trade Union Federation of Trade Workers of Albania has received many concerns and protests from across Albania’s retail networks regarding the unexpected draft law on returning urban properties to dispossessed owners. The distribution, return and compensation of property is difficult; everyone understands this, especially since investments have been made in a good portion of the properties. All premises privatized under the laws in force have become the property of their new owners, and a fair and acceptable solution can be found. Work has been underway in this unit for over a year, and investments have been made. The circumstances in which they were distributed—legally or illegally ... [?]—can be verified, and injustices can be corrected. But canceling sales of premises that have already taken place is entirely unjust. Thousands of employees or salespeople have been made owners and employed in trade and service units. Failure to judge this fairly would mean putting thousands of workers out on the street and, consequently, creating social problems. In light of all we have said, we demand that Article 16, letter ç, be removed from the draft law submitted, and that a provision be made in its place to compensate former landowners satisfactorily. Our trade union federation is committed to a fair solution to this problem.

After its landslide victory on 22 March, the Democratic Party took stock and thanked the social classes, promising them a bright future. The workers would emerge as the biggest winners. This is what its publication RD wrote on 24 March, as soon as the results were announced: “The workers trusted the DP because under the SP they got the 80 percent and uncertainty about tomorrow. They know the DP will value their work in rebuilding Albania for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole. People! The bad dream is over. Bright days lie ahead...” Only one year has passed—a very short time for the greatest successes, which the DP has surpassed its promises to achieve. It replaced the 80 percent received by some workers with mass assistance, swelling this army of unemployed by more than 300,000 people. In recent days, through its government, it made an even more “humane” decision: assistance for the poor, which today’s unemployed and welfare recipients will qualify for. RD went on: “The people said what they thought; they voted for their future and for Albania, they voted for the DP. Why did they do this? Because in the DP’s deputies they recognized their own worth—people who had suffered as they had and who cared about Albania and its people. They trusted that, for these deputies, the work of parliament begins after the elections, not privileges, as was the case with the PP deputies. And so it will be.” (RD, 24 March 1992). That is precisely what happened...

- 28 March - General Assembly of the Eurosocialist Youth of Tirana - Two days ago, an expanded meeting of the Steering Committee of the Eurosocialist Youth of Tirana was held, at which it was decided that on 28 March a General Assembly for the Reorganization and Reorientation of FRESSH would be held. At this meeting, the circumstances that had arisen were considered; it was deemed essential to further revitalize and consolidate the growing activity of FRESSH and to better coordinate the circumstances that had arisen. This reorganization will aim to establish complete FRESSH structures, with priority given to this territory, while preserving and revitalizing the organization developed so far by faculties and schools. In this way, the existing organization will be better organized, and FRESSH will also be able to undertake a series of sympathetic, active initiatives, based on its work and reflecting the Eurosocialist platform. The work carried out so far has revealed not only the lack of complete structures at the territorial level, but also other factors that have made the work of the Eurosocialist Youth less effective organizationally, as has also been demonstrated by a decline in its activity. The positive recent trend in structuring the Forum by territory was also noted, in areas such as Kombinat, Laprakë, etc. This trend should be extended and put into practice in all areas of Tirana. It was emphasized at the General Assembly that this activity aims to revitalize FRESSH in Tirana, placing its trust in young people, with Eurosocialist students from other districts in the city of Tirana exerting the greatest influence. It was concluded that this General Assembly should be supported by the National Student Committees of the Eurosocialist Youth, which will also be invited by the faculty on the first day of this assembly. All members of the FRESSH General Steering Committee will be invited to attend the FRESSH General Assembly in Tirana, along with ...

Highlights from the activities of the Socialist Party - The Secretary General of the Socialist Party, MP Gramoz Ruçi, met with residents of the districts of Kukës and Has. Highlights from the activities of the Socialist Party The government’s resignation—a condition for improving the situation in Albania - The Secretary General of the Socialist Party, MP Gramoz Ruçi, met with residents of the districts of Kukës and Has. On 18 March 1993, a meeting with the Secretary General of the Socialist Party of Albania, MP Gramoz Ruçi, was held in the main hall of the “Hasan Prishtina” Palace of Culture in the city of Kukës. More than 600 people attended. The discussion, which lasted more than three and a half hours, turned into an open forum where those present voiced their dissatisfaction with the very difficult situation they were facing. Gramoz Ruçi spoke about the political, social and economic situation in the country and then answered the many questions raised by those present. Gramoz Ruçi held another worthwhile meeting on 19 March with residents who had gathered at the “Pjetër Bogdani” House of Culture in the city of Krumë. The meeting was made even more interesting by the many questions asked by representatives of the Democratic Party; the debate with them was constructive, reasoned and democratic in character. Below are some of the questions asked and the answers given by Gramoz Ruçi. In the city of Kukës: - Why is the Socialist Party calling for the government’s resignation when the majority of the people voted for the Democratic Party on 22 March 1992? - The reasons why the Socialist Party is calling for the government’s resignation have been made public. But, to sum them up for you, and considering and seeing firsthand the many hardships and difficulties you face and the lack of prospects that have been added to them all, once again ... LUAN M. RAMA (Continued on page 4)

. Per capita income in 1992, compared with 1990, fell by about 40 percent during the time the PD was in power. It was only 400 dollars per capita. The President is quite right to support this government without any reservations and absolutely.

DECISION No. 40, DATED 29 JANUARY 1993, ON FORMER POLITICAL PERSECUTEES WHO REMAINED UNEMPLOYED AFTER THE ONE-YEAR PERIOD OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE: THEY ARE GRANTED FINANCIAL AID FOR UP TO ONE YEAR, AMOUNTING TO 65 PERCENT OF THE MONTHLY MINIMUM WAGE.

Albania has nearly 180,000 unemployed people who receive assistance barely sufficient to keep them going. (The total number of unemployed is 377,000.) After the one-year assistance period ends, the economic situation of this reserve army will worsen to an unbearable point. On 25 January 1993, Mr. Meksi’s government made a painful decision: people whose assistance payments are discontinued may, if they are in severe economic circumstances, receive aid of only up to 270 lek per month per person. So that the government does not accuse us, this does not include the compensation for price increases. Please check all the calculations yourselves and beat yourselves over the head with your fists to let off steam.