The Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, FATOS NANO, meets with residents of the city of Sarandë - Sarandë has been and remains a model area where those who speak Albanian and those who speak Greek have known how to live and work together - The Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, FATOS NANO, meets with residents of the city of Sarandë - - Sarandë has been and remains a model area where those who speak Albanian and those who speak Greek have known how to live and work together The social upheavals and many difficulties people are facing in this difficult phase of transition, made even worse by the disastrous governance of the PD authorities; the lack of prospects for the future; mass dismissals based solely on party criteria; censorship and demagoguery in informing people; the insecurity of life for many Albanian emigrants working abroad—these were some of the most important problems discussed by the citizens of Sarandë, gathered in the main hall of the city’s Cinema-Theatre, at a meeting they held last Thursday with the Socialist Party’s Fatos Nano and MP Anastas Angjeli. - “We did not come to Sarandë by chance,” Fatos Nano told those present. “We came to meet and talk with you, to inform you about what happened in Tirana and in other districts of the country, to share our troubles with one another and to celebrate together a popular holiday such as 8 March. We have also held this, as well as the other celebrations that follow, which after a long time are once again becoming a source of fraternity and solidarity among people. Regardless of the affiliation of each district and the representatives of every nationality, people have the ideas, strength and necessary preparation to emerge as soon as possible from the difficulties of transition; for reform to give everyone the opportunity to work and live in a democratic state; and for an end, once and for all, to settling scores, violations of human rights and divisions among people based on party ideological positions—wounds that became even more inflamed after the elections of 22 March last year.” Addressing the many problems troubling public opinion across the country, which concern the governance of the country, Fatos Nano once again expressed the Socialist Party’s public position on the political and professional incapacity of the PD government, which has adopted an extremely dangerous course for governing the country. With this revanchist course, instead of solving problems, the crisis is deepening; instead of understanding and cooperation among people, economic, social, family, religious and other conflicts are being revived, which threaten national unity and hamper democratic reforms. We understand the difficulties of the transition realistically. This period cannot pass without pain, but it can pass while avoiding civil conflict among people. We came to meet with you in keeping with the tradition of meetings that we have never interrupted. We do not whistle at the people. We are ready for any democratic and civilised dialogue, to offer our solutions and alternatives. It is other leaders who are now hiding from the people. The government officials and leaders of the PD, who received the long-awaited mandate on 22 March 1992, did not celebrate the anniversary of this event, unfortunately for everyone, as they had the year before, but in a closed hall with 500–600 people, instead of allowing it to take the scale of a popular celebration. It was not such a celebration because those who govern the state today are proving incapable of governing, incapable of opening themselves up and talking with all Albanians, with all the inhabitants of this country, whether Muslim, Orthodox, Catholic, members of minorities, Çamë, etc. They continue to conceive of power as they did in the past—as an instrument of oppression and violence against people. You have not been fully informed about the very important debate that took place during the R-9 hours of parliamentary sessions… and which continues, concerning the law “On the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of Man” and the principled position of the Socialists and many other MPs in favour of their full constitutional protection. Albanian Television continues to provide inaccurate information to the public. Sarandë has even been cut off for months from information in Albanian, owing to official indifference toward the repeated failure of television service in the area. Blocking and censoring information is a practice of today’s government, which, unfortunately, demagoguery and curtailment

Planeci and human rights To get others to drink and get drunk, Planeci found a kind of game at a wedding... [?] those for whom it was hardest to begin with a toast, the Party of Labour and its leaders then had unquestionable authority. Most were forced to drink. Meanwhile, the drunkard said that he did not love the Party with brandy, but with his soul. Exactly like a drunkard, this is what is happening today to the PD deputies. In the name of human rights, which are discussed and fought for so much in today’s world, they are trying to make parliament an accomplice and co-perpetrator in the flagrant violation of human rights and in their unconstitutional actions. When the opposition refuses to drink the glass served to it, it is accused of being against human rights, just as the one who did not drink as the drunkard wanted was accused of not loving the Party. How can one drink a glass that poisons you! How can one accept even a good law if it is a trap designed to leave the country without a constitution?! The Socialists love human rights with all their hearts; that is why they oppose laws that prolong the life of revanchism and political, economic and spiritual repression. THE SOCIALISTS WANT THE CONSTITUTION. Do you want to see how the PD respects human rights? Look at its attitude toward the opposition. The many absurdities of today’s rulers were joined by their absurd attitude toward the opposition during the debate on human rights. Out of their love for human rights, PD deputies insist that the law be passed as soon as possible because, for “people, the rights set out in the law are like air.” The only concern with this issue, apparently, is how to ensure that the Socialists get these rights as soon as possible. Here are some of the methods. Noise, shouting and screaming from the majority when the Socialists discuss human rights. They went so far overboard in their concern to guarantee the Socialists’ freedom of speech that at one point MP Fatos Nano called on them not to tire themselves out so much by shouting, since they still had their own voices. Restricting the right to speak by stopping the clock. As always, Pjetër Arbnori himself has taken and continues to take care to secure this fundamental right. It is not remembered that he has ever told a PD deputy that they were exceeding their allotted time, much less cut them off. Such conduct and attitudes toward the Socialists are routine for Mr. Pjetër. Socialist MPs threatened with prison According to the esteemed MP Afërdita Ziri, “Most Socialist MPs belong in prison.” Take note! The law on human rights is being debated. Article 7 says: “No one may be considered guilty unless their guilt has been established by a final court judgment.” The point is not that Socialist MPs are afraid of Zëri. The problem is that Zëri, joining the PD chorus, is trying to convince people that it is committed to democracy and human rights. The opposition should be treated as if a state of emergency were in force. Mr. Rrota also made a notable contribution to the protection of human rights in particular and of the opposition in general in his speech. The President and the government, Rrota stressed, have shown extreme tolerance toward the opposition. They should treat the opposition as if a state of emergency were in force. Given the logic of Rrota’s speech, it would not have been surprising if he had demanded that the Socialists be placed in ... [?] The inferiority complex makes PD deputies aggressive In the absence of logic, PD deputies chose their tried-and-tested approach of insults and abuse against the Socialists. Here are some of them: bastard children (Continued on page 2)

Are you certain that MPs are not being bugged?!... A statement by the SHIK spokesperson was broadcast on television on 24 March, in which he attempted to dismiss MP Gramoz Ruçi’s claim that his telephone was being tapped and his movements monitored. Since the SHIK statement says that Gramoz Ruçi has not been bugged since Bashkim Gazidede’s appointment as chief, we ask why the claims of MPs Perikli Teta and Teodor Keko, who also allege that they are being bugged by SHIK, were not also denied? We would like to ask Mr. Gazidede publicly whether he is truly certain that MPs are not being bugged. We suggest that he not rush his answer, since the Quran teaches us not to lie and not to spy. For the guilty one is not the person who insults, but the one who reveals who is insulting. That is what Hafiz Sabri Koçi said on the day of the Great Bajram. And, as we close these lines, one more question, Mr. Gazidede! You are kindly asked to state which MP of the People’s Assembly is being monitored by you under the pseudonym BU-FI?! Because celebrations such as these, like the one coming this month? and others, of brotherhood and solidarity among people, regardless of religious or national affiliation. This is precisely the message of the Socialist Party to all the inhabitants of Sarandë, which is a good example of how people can live together and resolve their many troubles and difficulties through mutual understanding. All Albanian public opinion, and not only Albanian opinion, both in the country and abroad, has appreciated initiatives such as the rally of brotherhood and solidarity that you held here a short time ago. The Socialists, and not only they, Fatos Nano then said, share with you the concerns of the day, which are the concerns of the future. People are not incapable of understanding that the citizens of this country, the inhabitants, who are not without culture, and who live in a country with known resources that remain largely untapped, will pass through this difficult period more easily and quickly, moving toward the establishment of a modern civil system of market economy and the rule of law, where above all human rights are respected and protected not in words, but in practice, ... of Bashkim Gazidede has not been wiretapped, we raise the question: why was the claim made by MPs Periklit Teta and Teodor Keko not also denied, since they too claim that they are being wiretapped by SHIK? ... On this basis, we dare—? ... of SHIK, it is said, from the time this director was appointed until the day of the Great Bajram. And, as we conclude these lines, one more question, Mr. Gazidede! You are requested to state which member of the People’s Assembly is being surveilled by you under the pseudonym BU-FI?!... THE OPERATIVE

On 19 March, in the square in front of the city stadium in Pogradec, in the presence of about 5,000 participants, the district Confederation of Trade Unions organised a peaceful rally. Participants included workers from the city and countryside, young men and women, intellectuals, pensioners, people receiving assistance and the unemployed, as well as representatives of local government and political parties in the district, various associations, and the trade union confederations of the Librazhd and Korçë districts. Mr. Kastrijot Muçaj, chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania, was also present. “We have gathered today at this peaceful rally as members and supporters of the district confederation of trade unions,” said Mr. Sotiqaq Karanxha, a member of the district trade union council, in his opening remarks, “to express our concerns and opinions about the very difficult economic and social situation facing the majority of the population during this period of transition to a market economy, and also to spur the authorities at the central and local levels into action.” The keynote speech was delivered by the chairman of the district confederation’s trade union council, Mr. Dëfrim Mazelli, who, after presenting the confederation’s efforts in the district to resolve workers’ economic and social problems, emphasised the difficulties the unions encounter in addressing these concerns with the government and the feeble, unresponsive authorities. He also pointed to the progress of economic reform so far, which has put more than 9,500 workers from the city and countryside out on the street, ranking the Pogradec district among the highest in the republic for unemployment, destruction and

News from Devoll Every day, countless buses bring hundreds of refugees to Devoll from all corners of the country. Bilisht is the last stop, or the former “valley of tears,” where they gather and climb uphill toward the border as soon as dusk falls. You feel for those young men setting out into the world. With the young and restless are enthusiastic “experienced hands”; a shadow of weariness shows on their faces when they see the unfortunate ones returning again and again, marked, with shaved arms and heads. They leave out of desperation, driven away by the government “Meksi”’s exceedingly successful reform. In Devoll, women and pensioners work the fields. The young share the yield with their Greek hosts.

No sugar beet, the farmers say, because they do not trust the sugar refinery after they were burned last year. No potatoes, because the government that brought potatoes from Greece turned its back on them once. Nor two-row barley, since the brewery is silent. Onions? There are still unsold stocks. The dilemma of transition has blocked their initiative. They have planted dill because they are certain that the PD government will not bring any of the seven types of bread it promised. Although spring has arrived, there is no fuel for planting, and no chemical fertiliser—the road toll consumes it. Without machinery and fertiliser, production will certainly remain at 50 per cent this year; from the 25 per cent increase last year, according to the President’s statement.

The Tirana Prosecutor’s Office orders house arrest for Aleksandër Frangaj, editor-in-chief of the newspaper «KOHA JONË» According to reliable sources at the General Prosecutor’s Office, yesterday at 2:20 p.m., investigator Arben Qelesh i and the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office imposed house arrest on Aleksandër Frangaj, the 24-year-old editor-in-chief of the newspaper «KOHA JONË». A case file, number 807, was opened against him, charging him under Article 124 of the Republic’s Penal Code with disseminating false information that causes panic. It was decided that Aleksandër Frangaj be confined to his home under mandatory house arrest at his residence in the city of Lezhë, in the «Besëlidhja» neighbourhood, building No. 81, Lezhë. His house will be guarded. Pressure by today’s democratic authorities on the independent newspaper «KOHA JONË» intensified yesterday with this arrest order against editor-in-chief Frangaj. It came immediately after the detention by the General Prosecutor’s Office of the newspaper’s 28-year-old director, Nikollë Lesi, and after the 30 groups of the Albanian State Control of Justice into this newspaper. We are informed that the editorial staff of this newspaper will send a letter to all international organisations and to all ambassadors of foreign states accredited in our country. As for President Berisha, a spokesperson for the newspaper told us, we have no intention of appealing to him, since he is the number one person attacking the newspaper «KOHA JONË» in order to shut it down or send its journalists to prison. The criminal proceedings against journalists of this editorial office, today Frok Çupi, are also clear evidence of this. The detention was made because a news report about the movement of tanks was published in the 24. 3 1993 issue of «KOHA JONË».

Some time ago, an article entitled “A Bulgarian driver writes to Bashkim Kopliku” was published in our newspaper. It emphasized the insecurity felt by foreign drivers traveling through the territory of Albania because of attacks on trucks aimed at stealing from them. The article was written in such a way as to make it seem that a Bulgarian driver was writing a letter to our Minister of Public Order. The truth is that the article was not written by a particular Bulgarian driver, but by a newspaper journalist who chose that format to convey the message above and to draw Minister Kopliku’s attention to the matter. We are making this clarification also for the respected Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, which was rightly concerned and made inquiries about the specific incident involving a citizen of its country. News about robberies and the insecurity of foreign drivers has also been reported by other newspapers, especially the newspaper “Koha jonë,” which covered the case of a Greek driver who had been robbed by several police officers. THE EDITORIAL STAFF