Ever since Blerim Çela poured a cauldron of baseless accusations against Fatos Nano into the debate, a chorus of magpies has been fanning the immoral diversionary propaganda against the Socialist Party. At the head of this chorus stands the newspaper «RD». In recent months, its open allies have also included the supposedly independent Radio Television and ATSH, as well as several servile newspapers without power. Their aim, set out in the headquarters of the PD’s extremist circles, is the targeting and (if possible) destruction of the Socialist Party. With this aim fixed in their heads like a nail, the PD’s scribblers and megaphones have not hesitated to use the entire rusty arsenal of diversionary weapons, repeatedly, in a way that now sounds utterly banal. By attacking Fatos Nano with accusations and insults unacceptable in any kind of propaganda, they first tried to separate the party chairman from its leadership. And when this primitive method failed, the accusations and labels were directed at all the leaders of the Socialist Party. According to «RD» and its allies, in the Socialist Party only a few individual members are honest, and these should break away from the «thieves», «criminals», «corrupt» people, etc. It is clear that this propaganda strategy of the party in power is an old, easily withstandable tactic for the Socialists. It aims to liquidate the Socialist Party as the main opposition party and ... What can be observed from the outset, and with satisfaction, is that diversionary propaganda has not only failed to weaken the Socialist Party, but has instead strengthened it. This has been shown by party activities in the districts organized a few weeks ago, the mass protest movement in which thousands of PS members and sympathizers took part, the hundreds of new members swelling its ranks, and, most recently, the renewal of the party’s leading bodies with young activists. If diversionary propaganda aimed to destroy the PS, we can say emphatically that so far it has not managed to remove a single brick from it. These positions of the PS, growing stronger and more consolidated day by day, have made it a factor that the propaganda machine of the party in power either does not understand or does not want to understand. This is not simply a matter of a counter-reaction to the baseless attack by the governing party, which makes PS members close ranks around their party. There are more fundamental reasons. The Socialist Party is not a party built around the cult of an individual, and it is not simply the defense of Fatos Nano that makes Socialists stand together. If that were all, the PS would one day find itself in a difficult position. What protects Socialists (PS members and non-members alike) from the unscrupulous attacks of the PD is their awareness that, by attacking the chairman and leader of the PS, the PD is attacking the foundations of democracy in Albania. This ... moment ... ... political pressure on the judicial authorities. The scenes in parliament are still fresh in people’s minds, when Fatos Nano was not given the floor to defend himself and clarify the accusations being made against him for the public. The violation of parliamentary procedures for lifting his immunity is also clear, as are the hasty actions to arrest him, which expose their authors. People have their own heads on their shoulders with which to judge; they do not have the heads of the «RD»’s controlled newspapers. This gives them immunity from «advice» and calls «to distance themselves from the corrupt leadership of the PS», etc. In this regard, it is also worth recalling another factor that protects the PS from attacks by the party in power. As a party of democratic socialism, the PS is not protected by the allegedly «corrupt» conduct and activity of its party. The PS functions as a harmonious, working organism in which collective thinking takes the form of party decisions and open, democratic debates. There is no basis for factionalism and division within the PS, because the alternative views of its members and leaders are openly put forward for debate in ... …and these people must break away from the “thieves,” “criminals,” “corrupt individuals,” etc. It is clear that this propagandistic strategy of the party in power is extremely old and easily countered by the Socialists. It aims to eliminate the Socialist Party as the main opposition party and to abandon, in the most dignified manner, the broad interests of the population. As such, this kind of magpie storm from the party in power cannot find any cracks in the SP. This kind of propaganda also cannot go unanswered, although at a time of political and social tensions, a turbulent period during which Socialist propaganda should not be al- … …to find itself one day in the position of its own satire. What protects the Socialists (members or non-members of the SP) from the unscrupulous attacks of the DP is the SP, the DP is attacking the foundations of democracy in Albania. The time elapsed from the moment the first accusations against Fatos Nano were made until today has been sufficient for the Socialists to analyze and conclude that this is not about establishing justice and the rule of law, but about eliminating the DP’s political opponents through psychological terror and coercion… …that drives the Socialists to remain in the SP. If this were the only thing, the SP would one day submit to a particular position. This is what protects the Socialists from further unscrupulous attacks from the center down to the grassroots. Kushi does not understand this mechanism by which the SP functions; it would be best for him not to treat the opinion he has written as authoritative. The SP has not kept this mechanism secret but has made it public by reporting all its activities in the press, up to and including those of its highest forums. In this respect, today’s authorities may imprison not only the chairman of the SP, but its entire leadership. Nevertheless, nothing will change. The SP will… (continued on page 2)

Your illness has advanced considerably since 22 March and now threatens to seriously infect not only those who suffer from heart disease, but the entire people and what is called the Albanian nation. That is why people keep recalling the expressions of the «Albanian December». That is why the people you were elected by have abandoned you and left you alone. Alone... They are telling you this loudly (as they did for the last time on 30 July in «Skënderbej» Square), and they will keep telling you even more loudly, because millions of Albanians are now feeling the pains of Your illness. And they tell you in my name, because You have put not only me in prison, but them too. It is not to my credit that they protest against You with my name on their lips and in their hearts. It is your fault! You turned from the Messiah (savior) into Judas (traitor), and therefore people have the right to call out to you in the words of Jesus: «DOCTOR—HEAL YOURSELF». I singled out this expression of God, and no other, from the Bible long ago, but from the day You became Chief Doctor I have taken its meaning very seriously. And I have kindly expressed my concern to you that You do not understand this sacred message, ever since You first violated the sacred power of justice by punishing Maksim Haxhia like a feudal lord! Nevertheless, You continue to violate others, just as others violate You. Meanwhile, Your illness is progressing dangerously and no one is taking serious care of You. That is why the Lord’s instruction is urgent: «DOCTOR—HEAL YOURSELF!». Have You not noticed that You no longer speak of God? And people are crying out that You have strayed from the path of God, and so they are asking for another doctor and other men! I am convinced that You chose the wrong Advisers and Doctors to keep close to You. Instead of curing You, they are making You ill. You and the whole nation, because they are messengers of the Devil, not of the Holy Father; they are «Pharisees» and incompetent teachers of the Law, according to the Bible! Therefore, return to the teachings of God as soon as possible. «DOCTOR—HEAL YOURSELF!». I am ready to help You as much as I can, even from my cell. For You may imprison my body, but not my soul. I am ready for us to continue the dialogue where we left it, through Your fault. I am ready to explain to You again that, in Your case, the Lord’s advice «Doctor! Heal yourself!» means that You should help your flock govern the country better and help yourself truly rise to the position of Chief Doctor, so that Albanians may trust You again and truly see in You a symbol of Unity and «the messenger of God». If You delay, Your illness will not be curable even in the wards of the «Islamic Conference», since I do not believe they will accept You in this condition into the «Council of Europe»! As for those who, both now and previously, have tarnished the great name of America among Albanians, know that this is how they want You, too, and everyone: «sick» and incurable! All this was told to You long ago by a mutual friend of ours, the Albanian Professor, exiled to Italy by communist persecution and government, but unlike the advisers who have taken his place today, he does not suffer from the fever of revenge that has taken hold of You too, like the «Devil’s Fever». He told You this at the first symptoms of the illness worsening, when You began to use the word «I,...! I,...! I,...!» very often. He expressed his concern through his profession as a doctor, which is a warm bed for the development of Your illness, which history has proved deadly not only for the patient! He explained that, psychologically, a doctor accustomed to the adoration and veneration of patients, when he begins to lose their trust, becomes enraged and seeks to seize it by dictatorship! But You, although You agreed with the Professor on many things, have done the opposite in practice, and he, like many others, Albanians and foreigners alike, is losing faith in You. Therefore, You have no more time: «DOCTOR—HEAL YOURSELF»!. Finally, although You have isolated me, I am more connected than ever with the people. Meanwhile, You are becoming isolated from them, because they do not believe the accusations You have made against me or other opponents who wish well for You and for the people! Those around You do not wish You or the Albanians well, so draw close to honest people, lest they isolate You too, with number 5, tomorrow! And do not take revenge any more, even on the prison guards, because my soul is outside, among the people, and they are calling to You: «DOCTOR—HEAL YOURSELF»!. This soul could not be shorn or destroyed! With faith in God and in the people who follow His path, I close these lines with another of His counsels: «Whoever begins to plough and keeps looking back is of no use for the work of God». The prisoner in cell no. 5 of Tirana prison,

A dangerous conflict between the people and the police

The directorates of the General Directorate of Archives, in their response to the clarification in the newspaper RD, are making false claims about the implementation of Council of Ministers Decision No. 199, dated 20.5.1992, «On transferring to the administration of the General Directorate of State Archives the archival holdings of PPSH, BGSH, BRPSH, BPSH, FDSH». The actual truth is that implementation of the decision began on 4.12.1992. But those who hold the State Archives must be held legally responsible—not the leadership of the PS, but the truly responsible parties. Ask for it, and indeed look at the copies of the letters concerning the responsibility of the PPSH archive (which you also have), published by RD and sent to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Mr Aleksandër Meksi. We have established that Mr Malltezi asked Socialist Party leadership members who signed the decision about the Council of Ministers’ decision; a letter was sent to the President of the Republic and another to the Prime Minister. The latter, regarding the implementation of the decision in question, requested a reply on 4.6.1992! A reply was sent; we say that on 4.12.1992 the State Archives was notified to proceed. Written notification was delayed until 30.11.1992. We also have a copy of this letter. Following the undated letter you addressed to the PS leadership, in which you demanded that the decision be forcibly implemented (which you also published in RD), a letter was sent to the Prime Minister, who was informed of your request and of the steps taken to resolve the matter. So, regarding the letter about the implementation, remember, Mr Malltezi, you delivered it in person yourself. After that came the letter from the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, protocol no. 3067, dated 27.11.1992, received by the Socialist Party on 30.11.1992. And on 4.12.1992 work began, after the bilateral agreement on implementation of the decision had been concluded. So why are they trying to spread claims about this matter, Mr Malltezi? Is it to evade your responsibility, Mr Malltezi? You are wasting your time: you cannot keep the public misinformed with lies for long, nor can you expect protection from the already well-known scandal of the theft of documents from the Archive. Press Spokesperson of the Socialist Party 14.8.1993

KALAKULA DISMISSED FROM THE POST OF MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE According to well-informed sources, on the evening of 12 August the leadership of the Democratic Party met and discussed for hours what position to take toward MP Petrit Kalakula, who, as is known, declared in the People’s Assembly that «I consider it an honor to be a fascist». Sources say that all members of the PD Political Bureau, led by President Berisha, took a stand against this self-declared fascist and punished him. Specifically, it is said that he was dismissed from his post as Minister of Agriculture and Food and ordered to leave his position as Chairman of the PD for Tirana as well. Mr Kalakula resisted, confronting them with the logic he had already publicly declared, but in the meantime threatened them that his dismissal was not being carried out because of what had been discussed, but for the other reason that he had sworn to expose corruption within the government. «Whether or not I am dismissed as chairman of the PD for Tirana is not in your hands,» Kalakula said. In the coming days we will learn further, more important information about this meeting of the PD Political Bureau leadership. A. C.

Shocking events in Laç The city police chief, Ilir Dosti, was stabbed, while citizen David Leka died from beatings. Citizen David Leka died on Friday afternoon after being taken to the police station because he had stabbed the city’s police chief. But, according to what is being said among Laç residents, some uncontrolled police officers used physical violence against him in an act of revenge for their chief. What is the truth? The competent authorities are silent. The state media are silent too. However, in the hope that the investigative authorities will tell the truth, we emphasize that at Saturday’s gatherings there was also gunfire and that for several hours traffic from Tirana to the northern outskirts was blocked. At 1:30 p.m., police helicopters and rapid-response special forces arrived from Tirana, but the gathering did not disperse. For their part, the citizens chanted, «Down with the police!», «Down with violence!», «Find the murderer!» and so on. Yesterday morning, around 11:00, thousands of Laç citizens gathered and surrounded the building of the Public Order Department, creating a very dangerous situation. According to unofficial sources, the gathering was prompted by the death of citizen David Leka, who, it is said, lost his life as a result of beatings by police officers. police chief. But, as Laç residents say, and rapid-response special forces arrived from Tirana, but the crowd was not dispersed. «Find the murderer!» and so on. Note: This information reached the newspaper at 3:00 p.m. «Zëri i Popullit» correspondent

The Arsidi «enigma». The scandal of 1.6 million dollars. Tomorrow the trial begins in Tirana of Mr Vilson Ahmeti, former prime minister of the technical government, who has been under house arrest for months. Agron Saliu and Agim Tartari will also be with him; both are accused of the «disappearance» of the dollars and have been detained in cells for months. Will this trial shed light on the «disappearance» of 1.6 million dollars? Let us wait and see. What will the «intertwined» say, and how will the «free» respond? Are the investigative files «sewn» up well? Is this a «financial mystery»? Who are the «losers» and who are the «winners»? What will Mr Ahmeti testify, given that he has been hospitalized for months? These are not the only questions awaiting answers, and there are others too. The Arsidi affair has taken over the Italian and Albanian press. President Sali Berisha’s spokesman is debating with Italian Democratic MP Alberto Alessi, who states, as more than one MP and in his capacity as rapporteur of the Committee of Inquiry on Cooperation, that «the sum of 400,000 dollars was paid to Ilir Hoti and into a current account at the Office intended to finance the Democratic Party», linking the expenditure to the financing of political parties. Regime in Tirana. Tirana is trying to give it a political color. The bank governor, Hali, denies his words, a signature connected with this scandal. «Verify the witnesses,» he said several months ago in a parliamentary interview on this issue. Meanwhile… (Continued on page 1)

All of Europe, in August, is resting. But Albania? Albania works, works intensively; it arrests, convicts, imprisons, holds endless trials, stages demonstrations where people throw stones—in other words, it works, works intensively. It is August. All of Europe is resting. Sunbathing. Dozens of kilometers of cars block the highway, heading for their destinations: beaches, mountain resorts, heading for rest, for a holiday. But Albania? It too is in Europe. No, Albania isn’t in Europe, perhaps because it has sanctioned… this, perhaps because it is August in Europe too. But Albania? It is, it was, in Europe; it is the East, it is Africa. Is it not in…? the courage of the connection between these countries, even precisely with… But is Albania not the most highly organized European country? …the one delaying accession? And Albania, out of spite… Out of spite, it works, works, arrests. It arrests, convicts, holds endless trials, stages … and …