Joint meeting of the General Steering Committee of the SP and its parliamentary group: The mandate as chairman of the Socialist Party, given to Fatos Nano by the Congress, cannot be taken away from him either by the lifting of his immunity or by his unlawful arrest Fatos Nano. Chaotic and directionless foreign policy, instability, servility, and political flirtations outside Europe have brought indifference toward Albania. The lack of public information about the talks and agreements signed by today’s rulers has gone so far that distinguished European figures have publicly declared that “Albania will be partitioned,” and so on. This political stance of the present government could not but cause, as it has caused, widespread anger and revolt every day, inside Albania and even beyond its borders. These two fundamental factors, connected with the political, social, and economic position of the Democratic Party government, are the main cause of the heightened tension in the country and the spreading wave of popular anger and revolt. The peaceful, orderly, entirely lawful rally organized in Tirana, and the rallies organized across the vast majority of the country, show the people’s desire and will for freedom and democracy, to secure their lives, to defend Albania, and not to allow one dictatorship to be replaced ... ... by political revenge that would widen still further the painful gulf between Albanians. These rallies are a profoundly democratic expression of freedom of speech, of the right to assemble, and of the people’s will for democracy. The present rulers’ attempts to sabotage them by various methods, including pressure and the organization of counter-rallies, are futile and deeply absurd; equally absurd and desperate are their efforts to distort the content and purpose of these rallies by portraying them as Enverist tendencies, attempts to restore the communist dictatorship, and so forth. In denouncing these actions, the Socialist Party declares once again publicly that it will not fall into the traps of political radicalism intended to strike at the opposition and, ultimately, eliminate pluralism in Albania. Through its program and concrete actions, the Socialist Party has shown that it remains committed to the ideals of democratic socialism, to the successful economic and social model in Europe; that it supports the development of a socially oriented market economy, stands for private property and free enterprise, and has called—and will continue to call—for economic reform to proceed, a reform that is now blocked and paralyzed. Propaganda keeps abusing and deceiving people by claiming that the SP will bring back the coo- (Continued on page 3)

Under the chairmanship of the Party’s vice-chairman, Doctor Servet Pëllumbi, a joint meeting was held yesterday of the General Steering Committee of the Socialist Party of Albania and its parliamentary group. The agenda of the meeting included an analysis of the political situation that has developed in Albania in recent days, particularly following the unlawful arrest of the Party chairman, Fatos Nano, and the determination of the Socialist Party’s tasks for the future. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi said that the extraordinary political circumstances created in the country in recent days call for extraordinary meetings of the Party’s governing bodies, from the center to the grassroots. This is why, at the meeting held one week after the Steering Committee meeting that took place just a few days ago, Servet Pëllumbi asked the members of the Steering Committee to assess the situation in their districts and the broad movement that has swept the country in protest at the unlawful arrest of the Party chairman, Fatos Nano. On the basis of this analysis, we will also determine the Party’s tasks for the future, and, in connection with the political situation, the Steering Committee will issue a public statement at this meeting setting out our Party’s assessment of the present situation. Furthermore, in order to successfully address the new and numerous tasks facing the Party in the future, a partial renewal of the Party’s governing bodies at the grassroots level is necessary, in accordance with the Party Statute. As for Party chairman Fatos Nano, no body can take away the mandate the Party Congress gave him—not the removal of his parliamentary immunity, nor his unlawful arrest. Those words of the Party vice-chairman were greeted with applause by those present at the meeting. From his cell in prison, Fatos Nano will know how to make the distinction between himself and the Socialist Party, Servet Pëllumbi said. He then thanked Party leaders in the districts of Tirana, Durrës, Kuçovë, Kukës, Korçë, Rrëshen, Tepelenë, Pogradec, etc., for their good work organizing the Party’s mass activities in protest over the arrest of their chairman. Next, members of the Steering Committee and MPs took the floor and discussed the political situation in the country’s districts and the position the Party should take in the future. The chairman of the SP in the district of Durrës, Bardhyl Agasi, said in his remarks: “... The demonstrations in Durrës have not been carried out, as have the mass rallies ... Fatos Nano ...” ... and, on 6 August 1993, country. It fully endorsed the message from the chairman of the Socialist Party, comrade Fatos Nano, who is leading from prison. The current situation is complex and tense, owing to a range of social, economic and political problems, also dominated by the mentalities and practices of a state of violence, and by the psychosis of political revenge on the part of revanchist forces that are increasingly usurping the Democratic Party and the segments it represents in the highest organs of state power. From an economic standpoint, the current situation is characterized by a further deepening of the crisis, mass unemployment, a drastic rise in prices, a painfully proportional(?) increase in the number of people living below the subsistence minimum, and even the emergence of hunger among particular groups. Although implementation of the reform is trumpeted loudly, the concrete economic reform program has never been made public and known to everyone. Anarchy, chaos and a lack of production dominate the country’s devastated economy. In these circumstances, people’s disappointment, despair and anger have continued to grow in the face of the luxurious lives of the rulers, who consider themselves gods at every level, and the speculation and corruption at every rank. From a political standpoint, the situation is extremely tense, characte... ... are doing so not only the members and supporters of the Party, but also other people, true democrats. The Party’s work must not be done(?) , Bardhyl Agasi said further. The protests and mass demonstrations must continue; we must respond to the attacks and threats of those in power with arguments and protests. At the rally organized in Durrës by Meksi and the other government officials, hysterical calls of a fascist nature were made, and these must not go unanswered. Spartak Poçi said that our political struggle should begin in Tirana. The form of political struggle should be the same as the one we will decide ... At the executive committee of the PS in the city of Tirana, we are working with organizations and mobiliz... The chairman of the PS of the Korçë district, Niko Pandel(i), said that the rally organized in Korçë was mobilized ... The Party must ... ... with the view that the departure of the PS representatives from local government should be the Party’s last resort in its struggle. He also said that it is necessary to keep our cool and not fall into the position(?) of making ill-considered statements, which are not in our Party’s nature. The mandate(?) of the Korçë socialists at their latest rally demonstrated the changes in the Korçë executive. Around 15,000 people took part in the rally, and immediately afterward 15 new members joined the Party. MP Lush Përpali said in his speech that lessons should be drawn from the Party’s recent activities, including the shortcomings that were observed. “Measures must be taken to eliminate ...”. ... on all the issues ... ... of it, Lush Përpali said further. Let us not think that the Party is only us, the members of the Executive Committee. In our political positions and our propaganda, we must make it clear to the public that, if we come to power, we will annul all the laws and decisions that we consider unjust. Everyone who today seeks to seize the people’s power illegally should understand this clearly. This strategy is also used by other European parties ... The chairman of the PS of the Pogradec district said in his speech that if there are cries and calls for Fatos Nano’s arrest and unprecedented enthusiasm for ... the Party ... There are ... (Continued on page 4)

SITUATIONS THAT DESTABILIZE ARE NOT CAUSED BY PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS, BUT BY THE POLITICAL PROVOCATIONS OF A STATE OF VIOLENCE At its meeting of August 6, 1993, the General Steering Committee of the Socialist Party analyzed with particular concern the latest political developments in the country. It expressed full solidarity with the message sent from prison by comrade Fatos Nano, chairman of the SP. The current situation is complex and tense, amid a range of socio-economic problems, and is characterized by the fascistization of life in the country, increasing repression and police violence, and the establishment of a revanchist government seeking revenge and settling scores, inciting fratricidal conflict, setting North against South and even fostering division, insults, and efforts to eliminate the opposition and pluralism in Albania by staging scenarios for the arrest of Socialist Party chairman Fatos Nano, with a neo-dictatorship, a state party with a party-state, a l... [as printed: “lukteklase”], and the people’s will for democracy. The attempts are futile and deeply ab-

The Department of International Relations of the Coalition of the Left and Progress expresses its deep concern over the detention and imprisonment of Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania. We consider that this action by the Albanian government does not serve the cause of democratic development in this neighboring country, nor does it help heal its wounds from the past. On the contrary, it represents the We believe that this climate, which also includes the Albanian government’s stoking of nationalist fervor, contributes neither to resolving the acute problems of the Albanian people nor to security and stability in our region. In this spirit, we call for the immediate release of the Chairman of the Socialist Party. The Coalition of the Left and Progress will continue to express its solidarity with all forces in Albania that are fighting for democracy, for the full protection of human and minority rights, and for the development of friendly relations and good neighborly ties with our country and the countries of the Balkans. Department of International Relations of Greece’s Coalition of the Left and Progress 6.08.1993

We highlight: The chairman has changed(?) his position: Mr. Fatos Nano is the chairman of the party with the second-largest number of seats in parliament, and of the party that is first in local government. The mass demonstrations in Tirana a few days ago showed parliament that if it strips Fatos Nano of parliamentary immunity, the people are ready to reaffirm it for him. (You can read Mr. Basha’s full interview in tomorrow’s issue of the newspaper «Dita Informacion».)

The executive committee of the Socialist Party of the Devoll district organized a peaceful rally on Tuesday to protest the violation of the rights of the opposition and individual freedoms, and to call for the protection of democracy and national interests. First to speak at the rally was Avdi Dulo, chairman of the executive committee of the Socialist Party of Devoll, who raised his voice in protest against the injustices being inflicted on the working and patriotic people of Devoll, who have been disappointed by the propaganda of the Democratic Party in power. Most of the residents of Bilisht are unemployed or on assistance; their only income is what comes from their sons in Greece, who, unable to find organized migrant work, lead precarious lives. The farmer of Devoll is likewise facing great economic difficulties. There, he has to pay much more for pesticides and fertilizer. At this rally, the people of Devoll protested against the government’s incompetence. In charge of local government, they said, are incompetent people who do not know how to find solutions to problems. All together, for all these reasons, the participants demanded that the government resign and that new elections be held as soon as possible. At the rally, the voices of members and supporters of the Socialist Party from the commune of Miras were represented by Përparim Hoxha; from the commune of Hoçisht, by Haxhi Rushikaj; from the commune of Bilçkë, by Namik Kotori and Gurali Buf(i). Artur Kacani spoke on behalf of the Euro-Socialists. The rally was greeted by the MPs Maqo Lakror, member of the presidium of the General Executive Committee of the Socialist Party of Albania, and Pandeli Majko, chairman of the Euro-Socialist Forum of Albania. The rally ended without incident and was held by the ... around ... did not ... testimony ... Alia ... Correspondent of Zëri i Popullit

Members of the Steering Committee 1. Dashamir Dini, teacher, Shkodër 2. Spartak Sako, doctor, Poliçan 3. Sinan Agolli, doctor, Devoll 4. Ilir ... 10. Eduart Alushi, economist, Vlorë 11. Shaqir Shehu, doctor, Kukës 12. Fatmir Sula, economist, Sarandë Members of the Presidium

4. Ilia Nika, mathematician, Patos 5. Besnik Bare, chemist, Tiranë 6. Rexhep Çuko, mathematic(ian), Tiranë 7. Monika Kryemadhi, student, Tiranë. 8. Miltiadh Mata, engineer, Lushnjë. 9. Thodhori Shia, teacher, Vlorë 12. Fatmir Sula, economist, Sarandë

1. Ilir Meta 2. Ermelinda Meksi 3. Spartak Poçi 4. Musa Ulqini

1. Ilir Meta 2. Luan Hajdaraga