- Heavy makeup on the face of the Meksi government - These days, public opinion learned of the president’s decree on several changes to the composition of the government team headed by Mr. Meksi. The decree came only after a month, when the Socialist Party, seeing the failures of the reform designed by the DP in all its aspects, seeing the severe socioeconomic crisis gripping the country and the difficulties faced by urban and rural workers in overcoming it, called for the government’s resignation. That entirely justified request, and one within constitutional norms, was anathematized as an anti-national, destabilizing and anti-democratic act. Naturally, in raising the issue of the government’s resignation, the Socialist Party sought and still seeks, after the turning point of 22 March, for affairs in Albania to be administered better, for the economy to be revitalized, for order and calm to be established, for massive foreign investment to begin and, above all, for a prospect for the future to be restored. During the campaign before 22 March, promises on these matters flowed in abundance. But just one year of rule by the DP team proved the well-known saying that it is easier to take power than to hold on to it. This crisis in the DP government was not the sick imagination of a few individuals or circles in the Socialist Party, but a demand that was becoming increasingly widespread, especially among those bearing the hardships of the crisis. What was not said during this past month, especially as had been said since last 22 March, to portray the Meksi government in rosy colors, with capable and dedicated specialists, with fervent patriots who cared only for the smooth running of affairs and democracy. And then, quite unexpectedly, came this presidential decree. Let us try to unravel the concerns that have accumulated in the DP’s ranks and prompted these changes, which were imposed by a series of circumstances more than they were desired. Mr. Bashkim Kopliku, presented as the man who restored order in Albania with a single wave of his baton, and who proclaimed himself a half-jurist before he had even warmed the minister’s chair, is forced to leave the depart-

- PSSH Chairman FATOS NANO answers the «Voice of the People» journalist about the changes made to the MEKSI cabinet - The Socialist Party of Albania’s demand for the government’s resignation has been, and remains, an expression of the concerns of the majority of people in the cities and countryside regarding concrete commitments and programs by the state toward its citizens, to solve problems of employment, ownership, social protection, the reactivation of production, and genuine reforms of the market economy and the rule-of-law state. It was therefore made neither from a destructive position nor for careerist reasons, because the aforementioned issues of governing the country in transition are of national and bipartisan importance. Therefore, by the government’s resignation, we have understood and understand a change in the course and the current manner of governing by the DP, generally characterized by neomonism, by the anachronistic acts of blocking local government, by political purges in the name of «reform», by restoring the political and socioeconomic conditions of before March, etc. We have demanded and continue to demand that the country’s governance be oriented toward the future, toward contemporary European civilization and beyond. This cannot be achieved by «patching up» the current cabinet, but through fundamental changes of course that remove the revanchist tensions-

ndit public, to serve only as deputy prime minister overseeing the economic reform, as was announced. Had we been dealing with a capable economist or a trained jurist who had taught courses on economic policy issues, this move might have been justified. But we believe Mr. Kopliku’s move was imposed by other circumstances. Not only were order, calm and citizens’ security not restored during these 13 months of DP rule, but even today people are being killed and property is being stolen; moreover, he is responsible for two statements that are unbecoming not merely of a politician, but of a senior government official: one made several months ago in Macedonia and the other recently in Greece. You cannot become a politician by decree. The art of governing is among the most difficult. You may be a capable electronic engineer, and you may even lead a political party, but you cannot thereby become a government leader. With this departure from the post of minister, Mr. Kopliku, in order to govern— (Continued on page 4)

tist and their extremist associates from exercising power in the interests of a minority. The changes made do not yet indicate this, and people remain waiting to see, for example, whether the resolution of property issues, compensation for former owners and the restoration of their rights, or the fight against crime, etc., will continue to be obstructed and delayed as before by the «new» officials assigned these duties. I understand that responsibility and the burden of power generally make one more moderate, because they compel one to respect the interests of broader social groups, but I do not know whether this will happen with the new ministers, as it has with some of those who are leaving. I hope this redistribution of government posts will serve as a reflection of the struggle for power or a compromise among well-known extremist factions preserved within the DP itself. I also hope that President Berisha will not make concessions of this kind, but will help govern the country better and avoid bipartisan positions. Tirana,

Yesterday was 7 April, the first day of the anti-fascist resistance, when the Albanian people organized resistance to the fascist occupation 54 years ago. In connection with this epoch-making event in the history of the Albanian people, the committee ...

- Continuation of an interrupted exchange - At the question session with the Minister of Agriculture and Food, I had asked two questions: 1. What has agricultural policy to date done to support areas with little land and difficult conditions, such as Gramsh, Librazhd, Pukë, Mirditë, Kukës and other mountainous areas? 2. What policy to protect farmers from foreign competition has been considered? I tried to respond within the time allowed by the rules, but the great hardships cannot be talked through in a winter’s night, let alone in one or two minutes. So I am continuing my response... At first I wanted to make an «agreement» with Mr. Uka: to speak not as a member of parliament, but as a farmer from the poor mountainous districts, who voted for your party, and therefore also for your government—as a farmer from Bardhoc and Shishtavec, from Lenja and Dedaj i Shkrelit, from Iballa or Berisha, from Dërjan or Lura... I voted for you because the promises gave hope. But now?! - You promised me asphalt, but I have neither a bus nor an ambulance. The government gets around in private cars. Fair enough, since it has «spent» a lot to buy them. Are everyone here like me? No, they are not. I am a farmer, and I know that it was not just one farmer in Nikël who earned 1 or 2 million lekë from selling watermelons, as I heard on TV, but dozens and dozens of others like him. But I also know this: you are not the minister only for those who grow watermelons; you are also my minister, as I grow potatoes. You are not only the minister of those who voted for you; you are also the government for those who voted against you. You are also the government for a farmer from Kukës, Pukë, Tropojë, Gramsh, Shpat, Has, Malësia e Madhe, etc., etc. Let me remind you of a few facts: 1. The Shishtavec area: It has 6,000 tons of potatoes, or 80 million lekë, that are sitting unsold. Because the potatoes are blocked, each resident of this region loses 3,600 new lekë per capita. You may say, “What can we do? Greece gives us potatoes.” I understand that too, because I am a farmer. 2. The other mountainous areas... Pista, Arrëni, Nimë, Zapodi, Tejdina, Vila, Verrija, Bari, and many others. If you were to protect them, «every farmer is destitute. Many lands are … occupied by dozens and dozens, etc.» Likewise in Pukë... 3. According to the calculations... For 1,000 hectares, per m3, whereas previously it was 0.007, or 500 to 1,000 times cheaper. Irrigation must absolutely be subsidized by the state; otherwise these areas will be completely ruined. 4. Many farmers are being threatened by former owners, who say they will take over their homes, as in Kaçinar in Mirditë, in Domje in Tirana, and in several other villages. What are we going to do about them? These few points, too, I wanted to ...mountainous and poor regions, which voted for your party, and therefore for your government too—a farmer from Bardhoci and Shishtaveci, from Derjani or Lura... I voted for you because your promises gave hope. But now?! - You promised me seven kinds of bread; I cannot be sure of getting any, or I have to buy it on credit, on account, even the black bread. - You promised me European agriculture; I have nothing to pull the plough with, nothing to irrigate my field with, nothing to buy DAP (the famous fertilizer) with, and nowhere to find seed. - You promised me a telephone; even a telegram announcing a death does not reach my village. - You promised me bread and an end to poverty, while you yourself (text cut off) 1. The Shishtavec area: There are 6,000 tonnes of potatoes, or 80 million lekë, tied up. Just because the potatoes are blocked, every resident of these areas loses 3,600 new lekë per person. You may say there is nothing you can do. Greece gives us its potatoes for free. I understand that too, because I am a farmer and “you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” But could 100 trucks not be found somewhere to bring all the collected potatoes to the cities in ten days?! Surely you could have done this, but why you did not, you know. 2. There are villages in Kukës with less than 500 m² of land per person, such as Spahati, Hasit, Malësisë së Madhe, etc. Let me remind you of some facts; otherwise these areas would be completely ruined. 4. Many villagers are jumping at the former owners because their houses are going to be demolished, as in Kaçinar i Mirditës, Domje i Tiranës, and many other villages. What will happen to them? These are just a few things I wanted to tell you, Mr. Minister, in the interrupted exchange. Since someone has taken these words for poetry, tell me, fellow villagers: is there poetry in your hardships and your lives?! I see only your tragedy. NAMIK DOKLE Member of Parliament

Yesterday was April 7, the first day of the antifascist resistance, when the Albanian people, 54 years ago, organized resistance to the fascist occupation. Yesterday was April 7, people, 54 years ago, organized resistance to the fascist occupation. the Albanian people, the district veterans’ committee, the association for the nation’s fallen, and the leading committee of the Socialist Party organized a commemorative rally near the bust of Mujo Ulqinaku, where 54 years ago this distinguished son of the people stood up to the fascist hordes, knowingly and conscientiously, as a patriot, despite having been betrayed by King Zog. On this occasion, the deputy chairman of the veterans’ committee, comrade Muharrem Shabani, opened the rally, while the commemorative address was delivered by the chairman of the association for the nation’s fallen, comrade Kurt Zepi. In his speech, the speaker recalled that important historic moment and the great patriotism, carried through to the point of sacrifice, of the People’s Hero Mujo Ulqinaku, considering April 7 the glorious prologue to the beginning of the National Liberation antifascist movement, which would culminate in another glorious epilogue on November 29, 1944. The speaker also stressed that although certain political forces are trying to falsify history, dates, and events, they can never erase such epoch-making events as April 7 from the people’s minds or the pages of history. Mujo Ulqinaku’s children, Hamit and Rukie Ulqinaku, Mujo Ulqinaku’s fellow fighter Abdyl Uruçi, veterans of the antifascist war, citizens of Durrës, and young men and women attended the rally. Socialist Party deputies Bashdhyl Agasi and Miri Hoti were also present. On this occasion, wreaths were laid beside the bust of the People’s Hero Mujo Ulqinaku, and visits were made to Mujo Ulqinaku’s family. Although April 7 is an important event in the history of the people, our state television broadcast nothing about the commemoration of this date, leaving it in silence. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

A bust of the People’s Hero Vojo Kushi had stood in the square in front of the Institute of Physical Culture in Tirana. We say “had stood” because it is no longer there. It matters little whether they removed it by night or by day. What is certain is that this was done by the forces of darkness, by those filthy hands and souls that have attacked hundreds of memorials throughout Albania. There is no Albanian who does not know the deeds of Tarzani, the deeds of the legendary Vojo Kushi, commander of Tirana’s guerrilla units and the occupiers’ terror. Only a Mic Sokol like him would have stood up to the cannon. Only a Selam Musa could do that... It is true that you cannot protect monuments with policemen. The forces of darkness know what they have done. What they do not know, and can never understand, is that they cannot erase the great figures of history from the hearts of the entire Albanian people by removing a monument or bust. (text unclear)

On April 3, 1993, the Tirana Committee of Veterans of the National Liberation War held a meeting in one of the rooms near its headquarters to identify the families of martyrs and veterans in the city and countryside. The meeting was opened by the chairman of this committee, comrade Ismail Causi, who spoke, among other things, about the organizational and political importance of the campaign to distribute this document throughout the country. The campaign is being carried out pursuant to the decisions of the organization’s latest national conference and in accordance with its statute. This certificate also corrects a certain sectarianism that had been observed during the period of monist dictatorship, when, because of the infamous theory of class struggle, recognition as a veteran had to some extent been restricted for every active participant in the National Liberation War, as had recognition as a martyr for many patriots killed by the Nazi-fascist occupiers and their collaborators who were [continued on page 2].

(Meetings of Socialist deputies with residents of mountainous areas) On Saturday, April 3, a meeting was held in beautiful, mountainous Gjinar in Elbasan between deputies Servet Pëllumbi and Ilir Meta and residents of villages in the Shpat area (Elbasan). The meeting was very well attended, especially by young people; people had also come from the communes of Zavalinë and Shushicë. The head of the commune based in Gjinar informed the deputies of the many economic hardships facing the residents of these villages, who are deeply in debt just to put bread on the table. Nobody is giving any thought, he and the other speakers stressed, to how remote mountainous areas such as Shpat will be integrated into the market economy. Even before, they regarded us as «njerrkës» and did not treat us like the northeastern areas. We are not being treated any better today. Residents of these areas, like people everywhere in our country, thought, Deputy Servet Pëllumbi said in his address, that the July 26 elections, as the first free elections for local government, would pave the way for truly democratic local self-government. But that is not what is actually happening. With its powers being taken away by the central government through the creation of directorates for education, agriculture, and health, and the expansion of bureaucracies [continued on page 3]

As ATSH reports, citing foreign news agencies, Greek Prime Minister Konstantin Micotaqis visited Belgrade in recent days. According to reports, Micotaqis held meetings and talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosheviç, the president of the so-called Yugoslavia, Dobrica Qosiç, and the president of the self-proclaimed Republic of the Serbs of Bosnia, Radovan Karaxhiç. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Draft on providing relief

On Tuesday afternoon, the Assembly, in a plenary session, ratified the “Development Credit Agreement between the Republic of Albania and the International Development Association.” Under this agreement, a loan of 2.4 million dollars from IDA, an institution of the World Bank, is envisaged; the Rural Development Foundation will sign for this loan. As emerged during the session, this foundation was established by a government decision. The foundation’s representative in the Assembly said on the one hand that the foundation is autonomous, and on the other that it is chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers. The specified allocation of funds states that 2/3 will be used for rural repairs, water supply systems, schools, etc., and 1/3 for loans to farmers. A foundation specialist said that in the first phase these funds would be used in 12 districts, and mentioned Kukës, Has, Tropojë, Librazhd, Mat, Pukë, Peshkopi, Gramsh, and Skrapar. He could not remember the others. He also stressed that the foundation had repaired three roads in Elbasan and one in Librazhd. In Mirditë it began building a bridge but abandoned the work because it ran out of money. Deputy Ylli Bufi expressed his opposition to carrying out this investment. He did not approve of investments being implemented by a foundation whose accounts have never been audited. B. S.

We inform interested parties that the following vehicles are for sale at the «Albatrade» company, «Puntorët e Rilindjes» St., behind the Partizani cinema: - Sharpa van, priced at 290,000 lekë - Fiat Arxhenta, priced at 130,000 lekë - BMW, priced at 150,000 lekë - Peugeot 305, priced at 150,000 lekë Customs duties on the vehicles have been paid. «Albatrade» company