STATEMENT by the Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania For several days now, relations between Albania and Greece have been experiencing... [the text in the columns below is cut off at the edge of the image] The damage resulting from these past two decades. The expulsion, the mistreatment of Greeks by the Albanian authorities; the Greek government is responding with a violent purge of Albanian refugees working in Greece. Thousands of Albanian refugees are being sent back to the border crossings with Greece without any reason, after being beaten, mistreated and discriminated against by the Greek police. On the Albanian Embassy’s side in Athens, a protest rally is being organized, led by priests, with anti-Albanian and chauvinist slogans that do not even stop short of calls for war against Albania. The Greek government, gripped by anti-Albanian hysteria, immediately cancels several planned visits to Albania by 3–4 of its ministers... [The next column of the statement is cut off at the bottom of the image.] ...its. In these circumstances, the language of agreement and understanding between the two governments is being displaced by nationalist and chauvinist phobia, which may serve anyone, but certainly not the Albanian and Greek peoples or the friendly relations between them. Concerned about the situation that has arisen between the two states, and especially about the fate of our refugees in Greece, the Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania declares: The creation of a tense situation with our southern neighbour is not accidental. It is the consequence of the aims of certain anti-Albanian circles, which have always been present in Greece and which, unfortunately, are now openly being supported by the Greek government in order to destabilize the situation in our region. The ruling parties in the two countries, apparently following the concept of the positions pursuing their positions in the region, have provoked Albania. In particular, the Greek government has made efforts to inflame tensions in relations between the two countries. All these developments, which are in fact political provocations, have brought serious consequences for the Albanian people and relations between the two countries. We call on the friendly Greek people, the progressive forces and all progressive forces active in Greece to respond and contribute to finding solutions in the interests of our peoples and to preserving the friendship between the Albanian and Greek peoples; this would serve peace and stability in our troubled region! The Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania Tirana, 30.6.1993 Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania Tirana, 30.6.1993 The Socialist Party of Albania has repeatedly and publicly expressed its feelings of understanding for the Greek people, for the reception and employment they have provided to thousands of Albanian workers. These appreciative positions regard this as a friendly and humanitarian act, and as assistance to Albania in overcoming the difficulties it is going through. At the same time, we have denounced the notorious operation known by the code name “Broom,” expressed specific concerns about cases of discrimination against many Albanians in Greece, and called on the governments of both countries to make a greater and more genuine effort to grant them refugee status and, consequently, to respect all the rights attached to that status, as established by international instruments. The Socialist Party of Albania considers it essential to emphasize that it is opposed in every case to discrimination against refugees being used as a means of exerting pressure on Albania or intervening in its internal affairs. If we are in need, in these difficult periods that are bringing instability to our region, and especially in the face of the chauvinists of Belgrade.

Yesterday, on June 29, 1993, TV broadcast several times a statement by the DP parliamentary group. Among other things, the DP parliamentary group declares that the action of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly was wrong and unjust, especially that of its chairman, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, who agreed to include in the delegation that went to Germany the chairman of the SP, a person who had been convicted of documented corruption, on the basis of documents presented to the Assembly by the State Audit Service. In this statement, the justice authorities, and the Prosecutor’s Office in particular, are accused of inaction and delay. Regarding this point in the statement, it is worth mentioning the following: 1. We have a State Party operating here. The DP parliamentary group seeks to dictate its decisions to the state, putting politics first. 2. The DP group does not take into account... [continues beyond the edge of the image]

Regarding the mass return of Albanian refugees from Greece, the president of the Republic gave an interview to his media outlets (that is, RD and Co.). In a grave, almost mournful tone, while also wearing his characteristic smile at the corners of his mouth—something that makes one ponder all the problems of balance. In the interview, Mr. Berisha presented the real causes (according to him) of the deterioration in Albanian-Greek relations. As the first cause, he described Greece’s «now visible» sacrifice to Serbia. But he noticed the north-south Balkan gap far too quickly, along with the diplomats to whom he himself has handed the protocols where they quarrel! As the second cause, Dr. Berisha cited Greece’s testimony in the Macedonian question. From a logical point of view, this cause-and-effect connection does not really hold. And even if we were to discuss it in this direction, we would not allow it—especially those who play with the Albanians, the freedom and independence of our country, and the feelings and high interests of our people and of free Albania, whoever they may be and whoever may inspire them. And given the dangerous consequences of deepening this crisis, Greece... the Socialist Party of Albania calls for an end as soon as possible to the grave situation created in Albanian-Greek state relations. The governments of the two countries should cease their nationalist statements and begin dialogue, because the language of understanding is in the interests of our peoples. Moreover, the chauvinist, recidivist policy and the Greek state hardliners who echo it, or any incited action by our own officials, must in no way... [The columns continue, cut off at the bottom of the image.] From this logic, the president arbitrarily exempts every person or institution from blame solely because they always enjoy his respect (!?). One can imagine what he does to the opposition, for example, since he has more than once expressed his great respect for it! And then add the reaction! In reality, from more than 20 minutes of the interview, an honest and courageous citizen could summarize only a few lines. Is what is happening to Albania... the exclusive result of the DP’s lamentably dependent and excessively entangled foreign policy? ... when it has secrets; and this is its main bluff. But usually it is used successfully by those who ... ISMAIL ISMAILI As a second reason, Mr. Berisha again cited Greece’s testimony in the major issue. not really hold. And besides, if we are talking about testimony, it is not clear who holds that border, Greece or Albania, with “the intervention of that wise and farsighted one, and the change being granted without conditions, now that it has been recognized by the international community by ‘Binr k’.” An and of those and the others withdrew our permanently. It has now gone to court; according to me, about 800,000 Albanians will be in difficulty, assigned to others for the border. What is this, then, this position and these unknowns? ... the imagination of our army, the imagination that left 1 The Albanian state needed this discussion. It took into account not only the tradition of governance of advanced democracies. Most of the arguments favored the parliamentary form of government. This, the group emphasized, must Republic.” (For continuation, see page 4)

The night before last, a statement by the DP parliamentary group was broadcast on television. The Democratic Party deputies seemed concerned about several issues. Naturally, they have taken «Fatos Nano» to heart, for the nation and the people, and when a team of workers... the word belongs to others, especially the socialists. The hand that had written it seemed full of nervousness, and when it is like that, reasoning, logic and judgment are all lost. The points in this statement were commonplace in every party and every country. It is clear that the «delegation» had a delegation in Germany, Mr. Nano, What business is it of the DP parliamentary group, and who asked it, whom Fatos Nano will accompany? If the Socialist Party is in the delegation? If so, have we ourselves not asked about it, even in the DP? Why does no rule, no regulation, no article clarify it, unless we first take the matter into our own hands. In Albania, or under some rule, the socialist deputy, Fatos Nano. (The article continues on page 4)

- Deputy Bashkim Zeneli attends Yesterday, at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pezë e Madhe, a commemorative meeting was held for the 50th anniversary of the fascists’ massacre of 23 villagers from the Pezë area. On this occasion, villagers from the area, veterans who had fought alongside the martyrs, families and relatives of the martyrs, officials of the local authorities and Municipality, etc., had gathered. Also attending were the Socialist Party Secretary for Foreign Relations and member of the People’s Assembly, Bashkim Zeneli; the chair of the Socialist Women’s Forum, Merita Ndreko; officials of the Socialist Party in the city and Tirana district; members of the Presidium of the Tirana Social Democratic Party, Besnik Shahri; leaders of the Organization of

From the meeting of the SP parliamentary group - At the beginning of yesterday’s meeting of the SP parliamentary group, the establishment of working groups for specific issues concerning the draft constitution was discussed and approved. Seven working groups were set up to deal with the following matters: the fundamental principles of the Constitution; fundamental human rights and freedoms; the functions and duties of Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the President; self-government and local state administration; and the judicial system. As we also noted in the information published in yesterday’s newspaper, these working groups, in cooperation with relevant specialists, will prepare alternative positions on the most fundamental constitutional issues, to be discussed in the parliamentary group. The central subject of yesterday’s discussion by the Socialist parliamentary group was the reform of the system of government that the Albanian state will have. The new forms of democratic governance and the mandates of its branches were outlined. The deputies expressed their views on the forms of government appropriate for the Albanian state. This discussion took into account not only the tradition of governing the Albanian state and the concrete conditions of present-day Albania, but also the best experience of governance in today’s most advanced democracies. Most arguments favoured a parliamentary form of government. This, the group stressed, should be stated clearly in the Constitution: «Albania is a Parliamentary Republic». Speaking about the institution of the President, speakers stressed that even in a fully parliamentary republic, the President may be elected directly by the people. This practice is followed today particularly in the new democracies of Eastern Europe. This would make the institution of the President a necessary coordinator among the branches of government: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, thereby lending it greater credibility. It should be stressed that discussions about the institution of the President will continue in the coming days. At yesterday’s meeting, the Socialist Party parliamentary group also discussed the spirit in which the Albanian Parliament is working, following the withdrawal from its plenary sessions of the SP and PSD groups and the PPDNJ deputies. It is also clear that the deputies of the monist majority are trying to use parliament for political warfare against the opposition and for overt pressure on other deputies. This was clearly apparent from the barrage of statements broadcast on TV the previous day, in a plenary session whose atmosphere was clouded by political grudges, dishonest insinuations and slanderous conjecture. The DP deputies, seeking to stir up public opinion, the speakers in the SP parliamentary group said, made a spectacle that made them look ridiculous. Here, for example, they try to make insinuations by linking recent events on the Albanian-Greek border to «concern about refugees, the connections d...

Yesterday, from early in the morning, bread shops had turned into veritable popular rallies. For hours, people seemed to be competing, testing their patience to get a loaf of bread. What was it: nostalgia for finally «parting» once and for all from the queues, nostalgia for the old price, or a «happy» parting from the state, which was washing its hands even of supplying bread? These people act as though they had not heard our government officials’ optimistic statements at all—that the increase in the price of bread was for their own good. Could it be that they had not read the approving letter Jacques Delors sent to President Berisha, telling him that for free Albanians, half a dollar for a loaf of bread is nothing! So what was this panic to buy as much bread as possible, when even private traders raised its price by 50 percent before the gong had sounded? How difficult they must have found it to embrace the new prices, increased tenfold, especially those on assistance—or those who have been left with it; no wonder the government labelled it anti-reform and put them out of work! SH. M.