In Durrës—the Tobacco and Cigarette Factory 9 days of general strike by the workers of the Tobacco and Cigarette Factory. No news from the state public information media, RTVPD. Not a word in the pro-government newspapers. Silence. Only the local newspaper «Adriatiku» is trying to issue a warning somewhere, in a barely audible voice. Meanwhile, government officials have prepared to begin their summer holidays in the former right-wing Block, or the New Block of the PD. But what are the reasons for the strike? The union is insistently demanding the dismissal of the PD director, Stefan Hereçuku, and the Board of Directors, since there is evidence that they have become involved in corruption. Here are just some examples: he bought a BMW car with the enterprise’s funds. He sold 25 tons of cigarettes without excise duty, favoring certain people. Who are these people? The state audit office, under pressure and following the union’s demands, is «investigating», but so far has not yet established all the facts. It is «difficult» for it, the workers say, because those who were favored are friends of PD deputies Bashkim Kopliku, Blerim Çela and Novruz Çela. It has been established that the enterprise’s accounts suffered damage of 50,000 dollars because of shady dealings in the cooperative operation of the sales and purchasing market, carried out without any criteria. The workers are also demanding improved working conditions, higher wages and lower production quotas. All these demands have been posted and sent in a petition to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, but the latter is determined not to respond or enter into dialogue with the workers. Indeed, pressure is being applied. One of the deputy ministers has threatened to throw the workers out of their jobs, while the enterprise’s managers have taken the striking workers to court. We understand that, after considering the managers’ complaint, the court dismissed it, deeming the strike lawful. It is regrettable that, although the independent union of the cigarette factory is standing firm on its demands, the leaders of the Independent Union in the district are trying to put an end to it, because they have no interest in challenging the interests of the PD officials, with whom they are allies—even if they sometimes launch a balloon, like the one on 20.5.1993, for a one-hour strike. The demagoguery about the «victory» of this strike, which merely tickles the Government enough to make it laugh, has been fully understood by the number of workers who are at work today. We emphasize that workers from other enterprises in the Durrës district are also showing solidarity with the just demands of the workers taking part in the general strike at the Cigarette Factory.

Meeting of SP vice-chairman Namik Dokle with residents of Lurë On 22 May, the vice-chairman of the SP and its parliamentary group leader, Namik Dokle, together with MP Halil Lalaj, were in Lurë. An invitation to the feast of Saint Nicholas, celebrated in this area, was the pretext for this visit. The people of this region, who had heard that the two MPs from Tirana were coming, gathered from all the villages of Lurë to talk with them about the problems troubling them and the hardships that needed to be addressed. As we observed at the meeting, the MPs were regarded in Lurë as two «rare species», because, as people said, no politician from Tirana had appeared in Lurë since the election campaign of 22 March. Their disappearance immediately after collecting the votes was not viewed favorably by the people of Lurë. Lurë had once again been forgotten, they said, and the campaign promises had been carried away by the wind. At the meeting, held seated cross-legged in front of the school, MPs Dokle and Lalaj answered the many questions from those present and held an open discussion with them about all the problems affecting the area. Among the many problems raised by the people of Lurë were these: Luka has very little land, only 300 square meters per family, so it is necessary to relocate part of the population to other, less crowded areas. All the enterprises have closed, with the exception of the forest exploitation enterprise, which is operating with reduced quotas. There is no organized emigration at all, and the men of Lurë set off for Greece in winter with their belongings in a sack. The supply of wheat is irregular, and the wheat that arrives is of poor quality. — of poor quality. Lurë has no telephone connection with any town in the country because the lines, both the one to Peshkopi and the one to Rrëshen, are badly damaged. (Continued on page 2)

INSTEAD OF A REPLY Not like this, Mr. retoucher In the newspaper «RD» of 25 May, I read the article by journalist Mentor Shehu entitled: «Fatos Nano’s shameful defeat in Dibër». It is not for me to judge this article, because I myself wrote the report on the same event in the newspaper «Zëri i Popullit» on the same day. Which of the two journalists is closer to the truth can be judged by the reader, especially the people of Dibër[?] who were present at the event. But on reading Mr. Shehu’s article, I cannot help saying: Not like this, Mr. retoucher! Your article is extremely stale. It is true that for many years you were a photo retoucher for the PPSH leadership at the «Bashkimi» printing house. As such, you gained experience and skill in retouching photographs of the leadership that were printed in newspapers. Only when your beard turned white did you take up journalism. But your article about the events in Dibër does not do credit to the whiteness of your beard. Your old retouching experience may serve you in your articles for «RD», but not to this extent. Not like this, Mr. retoucher! H. JUPE

— Statement by the Steering Committee of the SP of the Dibër district — 23 May of this year will be remembered for a long time by the citizens of Peshkopi and the entire district of Dibër. It was not merely an ordinary event in the period of failed «democratic» rule, but also a day of popular protest against this government, a day of police violence inflicted on a people that establishes power in order to govern, not to oppress, spy on and brutally abuse them. Two weeks earlier, the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party in the district had sent the Public Order Department a request to hold a peaceful rally in the square in front of Hotel «Korabi». In response to our request, the police chief confirmed the right to hold the rally in «Nazmi Rushiti» Square, which we accepted. Recognizing the full importance of this activity as one of the democratic forms of mass protest, we took all the necessary measures to ensure that it was organized as well as possible and achieved its purpose. We soon became convinced that participation would be broad, not only from town residents but also from the communes of Lurë, Reç, Kalisasë së Dodes, Selishtë, etc. The people were driven to this rally by their great hardships, their many disappointments with the disastrous PDist government, and their hopeless situation. Faced with this unwelcome situation, the PDist officials were alarmed when they learned that the leading figures of the SP and the Socialist parliamentary group would be coming to Peshkopi. The order from Tirana was unequivocal: sabotage this rally by any means. In carrying it out, the anti-rally headquarters was convened and roles were assigned. The propaganda of the ruling forces and their satellites had to be synchronized with the stance of the security forces. Initially, with a letter that sa— (Continued on page 2)

THROUGH THE WEB OF CORRUPTION: – Why, HAJDIN SEJDIA!... He has paid dollars to the glass factory strikers. – AGIM DOÇI, Hajdin Sejdia’s supporter among the strikers. – The heads of the Prosecutor’s Office have a difficult task before them: to defend the law or to defend corruption?!... – Time is moving faster than the PD leaders had anticipated, so they are hurrying to reach the end as soon as possible ... READ ON PAGE 3 THE STATEMENTS OF PAJTIM MEHMETI, ONE OF THE 22 STRIKERS AT THE GLASS FACTORY

The BBC announced at its May 21 meeting that the Albanian government is appealing and requesting a new status for its country; it has appealed to the relevant international organizations to move Albania to a lower level, reclassifying it from a developing country to a less developed country. Those who claim to rely on statistics and statistical classifications may say that this can be achieved, since we meet the requirements: our country has little production. The government is waiting eagerly, with a trembling heart, to see whether its appeal will be taken into account. How low have we sunk? Nevertheless, we should not despair, since classifications and categorizations are many and varied: according to Selami, the Democratic Party is the most successful party; according to its spokesperson, the democratic government is the most effective and the strongest governing force. So, what do we do? The country and its people have fallen one rung lower! Satisfied with the new status that is expected

On May 24, the commemorative day of the historic Congress of Përmet, one of the glorious events of the National Liberation War, the Leading Committee of the Socialist Party in the Përmet district organized a meeting with members and supporters of the Socialist Party, veterans of the National Liberation War who had witnessed that event, young European Socialists, and others. The commemorative address was delivered by the chairman of the SP District Leading Committee, Argjir Krishulla. Also on May 24, at 10 a.m., tributes were paid at the district’s martyrs’ cemetery, where wreaths of fresh flowers were laid. Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

To Mr. Koco Gaçe – Why are the competent authorities not holding those responsible for the announcement accountable? I offer my sincere condolences to you and your entire family for the loss of your son Romeo. As the investigator in the criminal case concerning your son’s killing, I was troubled by the report broadcast on TV, since some of its facts do not correspond to what actually happened on 15.05.1993. As an investigative body, we cannot make statements giving details of the incident either in the press or through other media. Nevertheless, we have held those responsible for the TV report accountable for the inaccurate accounts it contained. In the information provided by us to the Prosecutor General, we stated the truth: there is no evidence whatsoever that your son Romeo was responsible for misappropriating state property or anyone else’s property, and we have now established that your son had no knife and did not threaten any of the police officers at the time of the incident. I inform you that the police officer is being investigated by us in custody, accused of intentional homicide as provided for under Article 83 of the Penal Code. I ask for your and your family’s help so that the criminal case can be investigated as quickly and thoroughly as possible, and I assure you of my impartial and conscientious commitment to the investigation. I am available to meet with you at any time. Respectfully, MIRASH ZEFI Investigator at the Korçë District Prosecutor’s Office, 21.05.1993

The residents of Neighborhood 18 in the city of Korçë naturally came up with the idea of meeting the area’s MP, Bari Bregu. Just a few days earlier, as we reported in the newspaper, the young Romeo Gaçe had been killed there. They wanted to talk with him about their concerns as residents, the conduct of the security forces, the disinformation broadcast on radio and television about the killing, as well as their other troubles. Well, who else but the MP, whom the residents have elected, should they turn to with their problems, exchange views with, and ultimately raise their voices with to defend their rights and the truth—something fundamental for (continued on page 4)

– On 12.5.1992, a police officer from Precinct 2 struck a third-year medical student, breaking one of his front teeth, for no sufficient reason. After the police car arrived and the precinct chief himself came, a number of students gathered and informed him of what had happened. After the students protested, they managed to get the student, who had been put into the police car, released. – The following day, the same police officer beat a student at the Institute of Physical Education in the morning. – At the same time, the police, who are supposed to protect the students, are not taking appropriate measures against student troublemakers who disturb the order and peace in the dormitories and the «21 Dhjetori» neighborhood. ARTAN APOSTOLI third-year student, Faculty of Medicine

THROUGH THE THREADS OF THE WEB OF CORRUPTION: THE PD’S FRIENDS—