. WHO HAS AN INTEREST - More than 400 thousand unemployed people to be “laid off” - For the most basic things not to be produced, such as soap, pasta, beer, bricks, porcelain, furniture, etc. - For heavy industry not to be reactivated - For goods produced domestically to turn out “rejects” The catastrophic state to which the country’s economy has sunk, and its dizzying downward spiral with no hope in sight, is the greatest tragedy for us Albanians. Despite the rulers’ claims in the propaganda media about the supposed revival and flourishing of the country’s economy, the truth cannot be concealed. It is clear that during the two years of the democratic “revolution,” everything was disrupted under the hysterical slogans of the leaders of the Democratic Party. Those who took power are not interested in producing accurate figures to tell the public who was “killed” and how many “victims” there were in their battles. And as long as they are in power, they will never draw up this “battle” tally, because the crime they committed against this people terrifies them. Nevertheless, despite all the disruptions and the damage done to the economy, it must be said that something remained that could and should have revived production, restored not only people’s chain of employment but also their supply with the most essential goods. But, unfortunately for this people, the hope of restarting work and production was “killed” right from the beginning. The rulers began their destructive activity in order to fulfil political passions that are now known to everyone. The economy was dealt a blow, left at the crossroads of total destruction—or, rather, pursued through a misguided policy aimed at bringing it completely to its knees before European “abundance.” Who benefits, and who are those interested in paralysing the Albanian economy? This is a direct question everyone is asking today. It demands an answer, but it also demands that those responsible and the main culprits be identified—those who, deliberately or otherwise, are laying waste to the country. This is not about difficulties or obstacles that the rulers are unable to overcome. Indeed, it must be said that, having no plan whatsoever for reviving production, these rulers are allowing it to die little by little. Take note: almost all the production lines, factories and plants working with raw materials have been shut down or are being shut down. (Continued on page 2)

Papandreou declares: For Greece, the rapid normalisation and development of Greek-Albanian relations remain a fundamental factor for stability and peace in the region. PASOK Chairman Andreas Papandreou gave the press the following statement on July 7, 1993: The contradictory and aimless foreign policy of the New Democracy Government is once again confirmed by the latest crisis in Greek-Albanian relations. From the very beginning, PASOK pointed out the failures of this policy, pursued by New Democracy through the establishment of bilateral party relations between Berisha and Mitsotakis, outside any framework of a national strategy and of the essential service of our national interests. PASOK’s policy, which aimed to develop relations of mutual trust and equal cooperation within the framework of a multilateral Balkan policy, was abandoned; this policy sought to guarantee and respect minority rights and to curb chauvinistic and aggressive tendencies. Our fundamental and unwavering position is the preservation of peace and stability in the region; respect for the inviolability of borders and the rules of international law; as well as international conventions and agreements. The Albanian government must understand that violating religious rights is an overt violation of the human rights of the Greek minority. And I repeat the statement I made in Ioannina in 1984: a vital bond links Greece with the Greek minority of Albania, which will continue to be a bridge of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. Greece is the only European country that, by employing hundreds of thousands of Albanian citizens, contributes decisively to addressing Albania’s major economic problems. But Greece cannot be, or become, a country of illegal immigrants. Police measures are not effective in solving the problems. The status of foreigners in all European countries, and especially in those belonging to the Community, is governed by international conventions and regulations that must be implemented within a framework of full respect for human dignity. Today is the moment to resolve this major problem through concrete agreements at the highest political level. is always

and sold for 500 in the city A loaf coming out of the modern bakery in Sofratikë sells in less than 10 minutes. Villagers flock there from the surrounding villages, as do travellers and city dwellers. Those who run the bread business buy it too: they get it for 300 lekë (old lekë) and resell it for 500. They come by car. It is hardly surprising that things turn out this way, when or 500 lekë. Huge profits are made even from the people’s daily bread. This is what you call profit and trade on a scale never before seen or heard of. 2. The reservoir has water, but the corn is drying up Whether it costs 40 or 400 or 500 lekë, for bread to be made, it does not look promising. And when is this happening? When the Doftia reservoir is full and has no use for its water. There is water, but there are no canals because they have been damaged, with all the departments having been put in disarray, and with little concern from the state and its directors over the years. But never mind, let’s not grow much corn; we’ll make up for it with fish. THANAS DINO

Mr Kudret, it seems that because you are very busy with your many duties, as well as with training trainees to become “staff of the lower courts of justice,” to whom you are imparting the entire body of knowledge from four years’ study in six months, in the reply you gave to the independent deputy Mr Jupë, you made a “small oversight”: you forgot Article 35, paragraph III, of the micro-constitution, which says: A member of the Council of Ministers [?] must not hold, in addition to a deputy’s mandate, any state or professional office, nor take part in the governing bodies of organisations and commercial enterprises. Was this an oversight by the Minister of Justice, or a momentary lack of transparency—something that could have happened to you that day, in which case the jacket you are wearing is to blame? I suggest, Mr Minister, that you change it as soon as possible, because... YOUR TRAINEE

A talented young player at the chess championship held on 6.7.93 in Hungary won the championship for chess players up to 14 years of age. The young Albanian chess player is Erald Dervishi, a 14-year-old member of KS «Teuta» of Durrës. At the end of this chess event, the Albanian won the European champion’s medal. This was a great success for our chess sport, and with this outstanding result it strengthened the tradition and the good work being done in the city of Durrës under the direction of the leaders of KS «Teuta», and especially of international chess master Fatos Muça, who is also the new European champion’s coach. JOSIF SALLAKU

In a notice from the Council of the Construction Federation, we are informed that yesterday, on 9. 7. 1993, the Council of the Trade Union Federation of Construction Workers met and discussed the notice published by Mr. Ylli Yme ri concerning this Federation’s withdrawal from the Confederation. After discussions, the Council of this Federation decided not to recognize Ylli Ymer’s arbitrary and unilateral action, and not to recognize him as chairman of this Federation. It was also instructed that work continue to further consolidate the Federation.

The presidium of PDNJ published a statement yesterday expressing its concern about the deterioration in relations between Albania and Greece. It calls the expulsion of Archbishop Hristostomos unjustified and condemns the police ban on the believers’ demonstration, as well as the misinformation spread by the media. The statement said that the Party Presidium believes the artificial heightening of tensions between Albania and Greece does not reflect the reality that exists between our two peoples. The statement went on to say that the meeting of the two PBDNJ MPs with the President and the Prime Minister demonstrated everyone’s willingness and good will to overcome the situation that had arisen. In this context, the Party Presidium expressed its readiness to continue in the future with the necessary initiatives for the gradual legalization of Albanian refugees in Greece, as well as any other initiative to reduce tensions. The statement concludes that the Presidium of that Party, being unable to present and declare its position on the events mentioned because it has been arbitrarily censored by all mass media, will consider the possibility of its MPs returning to parliament.

These days, the French Embassy in Tirana, in cooperation with the Soros Foundation, is organizing an event with the director Kosta Gavras. These days, the French Embassy in Tirana, in cooperation with the Soros Foundation, is organizing an event with the director Kosta Gavras, whose program includes several activities as well as screenings of some of his best films.

- If the president wants pluralism only to make a move toward power, let him gather us, the representatives of the political forces, and convince us, giving us reasons for the need for a new monism. - Work has been killed. There are 500,000 unemployed in Albania today, and if the 300,000 illegal refugees who left before this government was established had not gone, Albania would have turned into Somalia. - If the president wants pluralism only to make a move toward power, let him gather us, the representatives of the political forces, and convince us, giving us reasons for the need for a new monism. - Work has been killed. There are 500,000 unemployed in Albania today, and if the 300,000 illegal refugees who left before this government was established had not gone, Albania would have turned into Somalia. So this is the killing of all Albanians. Justice has been killed; it began with former Prosecutor General Maksim Haxhia and continues with every violation of the law imposed by those in power. This is the killing of all Albanians. The price of bread has risen 13 times, while wages have risen only three times. The situation has become like it was during the occupation, when bread was obtained on ration cards. This is the killing of all Albanians. No investor comes to Albania because the country does not pursue a tolerant policy or mutual understanding between political forces, because there is no stability in the country; this is the killing of all Albanians. To seek to outlaw an Albanian party that fights for national unification is the killing of all Albanians. To sabotage an all-national assembly for reconciliation and national unity, which calls for 15 million Albanians to be united; to leave no stone unturned in order to break up, together with your parties, the three round tables where 74 political forces express their views on the national cause—this is the killing of all Albanians. To deny these round tables coverage in the national media, when Macedonian television stations broadcast 30 minutes of their proceedings, is the killing of all Albanians. To topple the busts of war heroes, to demolish the monuments and commemorative plaques of the National Liberation War when you are dealing not only with the dead but with hundreds of thousands of living people, their relatives and friends—that means killing them, and so it is the killing of all Albanians. And to welcome, also to welcome, the war criminals and ...(Continued on page 3)

An event of gratitude dedicated to the Albanian partisans. At the initiative of a group of antifascists from several European countries who are in Rome as guests at the 9th International Festival of Peace and Reconciliation Among Peoples, organized by the House of Peace and Radio - Cita Aperta, a commemorative session dedicated to Albania as an antifascist country was held in Rome last night at 7 p.m., in honor of July 10, the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Albanian National Liberation partisan army. The first speaker at this event was Ms. Mirela Pelegri? Verdi, who, after recalling the centuries-long history of the Albanian people in its struggles for freedom and independence, focused specifically on the National Liberation War waged by our people and the leadership of the PKSH against the fascist occupiers and local collaborators, alongside the people of this land, the commanders and co... (Continued on page 4)

1. Bread is bought for 300 lekë in the village and sold for 500 in the city …while both the transitional governments and this one, which calls itself democratic, have for years been unable to ensure the population’s normal supply of bread. Whether it costs 40 or 400 or 500 lekë. Great profits are made; to make bread, wheat and corn have to be irrigated. Especially corn, and at this time of year. But in the Fushë of Dropull, the corn is not in good condition this summer…

Meeting of the Council of the Federation of Construction Workers In a notice from the Council of the Fede-