A magnificent rally in the square in front of the «Skënderbeu» stadium in the city of Korçë. The chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, the deputy chairmen Namik Dokle and Servet Pëllumbi, and MP Anastas Angjeli took part. Three days after President Berisha’s visit to Korçë, the people of Korçë, under the slogan «We want elections», protested against the adventurous policies of his party and government. The torrential rain, which at times turned to hail and continued unabated for 3–4 hours, did not stop the good people of Korçë and true democrats—the people of Korçë, examples of civic spirit and tolerance—from filling the square in front of the «Skënderbeu» stadium to express their protest and outrage at the policies of the corrupt and demagogic adventurers in the Democratic Party government. The entire square in front of the stadium was packed with people carrying the national flag, placards and banners, which were raised and waved, and it resounded with cheers and enthusiasm for the Socialist Party, for free speech and true democracy, for Albania and national dignity. It is important to note that thousands of citizens from Korçë, Mali- and many surrounding villages had come to the meeting with the sole desire of expressing their full support for the Socialist Party and for the wise positions, in the service of true democracy, taken by the Party, its parliamentary group and its leadership. The banners bearing the words «Freedom – Democracy», «Government, resign», «We want jobs», «We want bread», «We want social peace» best expressed the essence of the demands of the people of Korçë gathered at the rally. In Korçë, too, as everywhere else the Socialist Party has held rallies, the small group of PD supporters, represented by 20–30 people, tried once again to demonstrate its characteristic lack of culture and thuggishness. But all this was merely a desperate attempt, because in the face of the culture of the people of Korçë and the professionalism of the security forces, it all came to nothing. Chronicle of the Korçë protest All the people of Korçë who spoke at the rally, from the chairman of the district Socialist Party, Kostaq Duka, to Dhimitra Plasari, Shefqet Pojani, Sotira Bodo and others, spoke of the many hardships and problems they are experiencing, their lack of prospects and their concern for the future. The Instrument Factory, the knitwear combine, the quilt-production enterprise, the entire food-industry complex—all accuse through their silence. The young men of Korçë, most of them educated and graduates, have taken to the roads of the world, remembering, as it were... of Korçë are demanding new elections. The PD rally-goers make... The chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, addressing the people of Korçë as a friend, as a brother and as their son, told them: «Democracy cannot be bought; it is won through sweat, work and honesty. You, the people of Korçë, know this better than anyone. Along with all Albania, for two years you have been working, striving and making sacrifices to build a truly free and democratic Albania. But, as you have experienced and are demonstrating here, everything has remained only a hope. The situation is difficult not only politically, but also economically, because the reforms are not being led by specialists, but by adventurers. The situation is also grave socially,» Fatos Nano continued, «and I need not mention the crisis of trust, mass unemployment, the trampling of human dignity and the violation of people’s freedoms. The demagoguery of the Democratic Party’s government officials, their efforts every day to cover this up or, at worst, to justify it by invoking the so-called transition period, cannot change the truth. These are not all difficulties inherent in the transition period; they are the product of the unbalanced policies of the Democratic government officials. They are the fruit of the policies of various lobbies inside and outside Albania that have an interest in keeping the situation tense, so as to realize their old and new dream of turning Albania into their property. But you, honest people, and all patriotic and democratic Albanians wherever they live and work, with whom we are wholly united, will not allow their dream to come true. But for this to happen—that is, for the adventure to be averted,» the chairman of the Socialist Party continued, «it is essential that we join forces and stand by one another.» How much was stolen, how was it stolen, and who stole it? These are the first questions that immediately arise when one learns of this incident. According to inside sources at the bank itself, for a long time the premises of the State Bank, whose director is Faruk Berberëlli, have been under surveillance using wiretapping and alarm equipment. massive ...ing, freedoms. The demagoguery of the Democratic Party’s rulers advances and demonstrates the ground they have gained through that culture and honesty which have characterized Albanians throughout their history. But these “wonders” of the apparatus have not worked, for the simple reason that the theft has taken place. And

— Meeting between FATOS NANO and the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China The chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, received Mr. Tao Miao, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Albania, at the headquarters of the General Steering Committee. After wishing him success in his newly assumed post, Fatos Nano briefed the Chinese ambassador on the political and economic situation in Albania and the positions of the Socialist Party of Albania regarding it. More than ever, the country today needs cooperation, understanding among Albanians, dialogue and tolerance.

The State Bank has been robbed; silence once again! After the high-profile thefts at Durrës municipality, whose perpetrators, although known, have been «archived» by the criminal police, yet another theft has taken place. The State Bank has been robbed. How much was stolen, how was it stolen, who stole it?—these are the first questions that arise as soon as one learns of the incident. According to inside sources at the bank itself, it is learned that ... not a small amount, but 500 old mi[?]. It is also learned that before this robbery another theft took place, of [?] thousand lekë and 90 dollars. Someone might say that the sums are not large enough to cause concern for a bank. So be it, but the fact is that the theft did not happen in the bazaar, but in[?]. Someone carries out these oper[?] «operas», perhaps thinking they can take their fill without causing a stir, and h[?]? But however much they try to cover it up, these things eventually come to light. What about the thefts? It is certain that the bank director is very concerned.

All the people of Korçë who spoke at the rally, from the chairman of the district Socialist Party, Kostaq Duka, to Dhimitra Plasari, Shefqet Pojani, Sotiraq Bodo and others, spoke of the many hardships and problems they are experiencing, their lack of prospects and their concern for the future. «We had great hopes in the promises of the Democratic Party and President Berisha himself,» they said, «but these have become election-time inducements and deception by today’s government officials. The streets of Korçë have become [full of] unemployed people. The Korçë woman, renowned for centuries for her work, creativity and patriotism, has been turned into an animal and is now searching for bre- d. The Instrument Factory, the knitwear combine, the quilt-production enterprise, the entire food-industry complex accuse through their silence. The young men of Korçë, most of whom are educated and graduates, have taken to the roads of the world, remembering «that meadow of tears and its ill-omened bridle», as it were. The worthy intellectuals of Korçë, most of whom have been replaced in their jobs by people who are mostly less capable and less educated, other blue [party members], are another telling indication of the reactionary and obscurantist policy pursued by Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party.

All Albania learned a few days ago, through radio and television broadcasts, about President Berisha’s visit to Korçë, the rosy colors in which it was portrayed, the magic of the television tricks that were used, etc. But in reality the truth is different. To prove this, we will not dwell on an analysis of Sali Berisha’s demagogic statements, nor comment on his unbalanced phrases. We will point out just one fact: President Berisha held his meetings in closed halls. The next day, Korçë socialists gathered and voiced their protest in the very square where the PD held its first rally in Korçë. The parallel is clear: the Democratic Party has retreated indoors, into halls. The Socialist Party has taken over the squares. In the squares, the Democratic Party is represented by ordinary people: honest, true democrats, who radiate culture and civ- ility. PD rally-goers portray their party with street slang, while the socialists bear witness to the breadth of culture and honesty that has characterized Albanians throughout their history. The fact that at the socialists’ rallies the Democratic Party is represented by a handful of thugs is the most meaningful indicator of the forecast—one that does not need to be made by demagogues such as Berisha and Selami, or by people with hard faces and scowling expressions such as Ali Spahia. During the rally, as well as in the conversation Fatos Nano later held with Korçë intellectuals in one of the halls of the Socialist Party steering committee, nothing happened except that the full and unreserved support of the majority of Albanians for the Socialist Party was once again forcefully reaffirmed. LUAN M. RAMA Korçë, 4.6.1993

According to sources within the Democratic Party itself in Durrës, after it completed its purge of enterprise directors several months ago and responsibly appointed, in place of those it removed, people who “stood out” as activists and as people lacking intellectual and professional merit, it has now decided to reorganize once again. We have said before that the corruption of the rulers is rampant in Durrës at every level; it is obvious. The people can clearly see what they are doing. Faced with critical situations linked to the immediate stability of instability, they decided to act; the measures, as can be understood, are all out of desperation and not for the sake of the “people.” Now the directors of the cigarette factory, the flour mill, the bread factory, NFIU, and the narrow ... have been replaced, and they are waiting for other enterprises to be ... Will those appointed themselves be better than the previous ones? It is difficu-

...came today to Korçë and said to those present that the parliamentary leader and deputy leader of the Socialist Party, Namik Dokle, had not come to challenge President Berisha, but to show that they stood with the people in difficult times and with everyone who still believed in Sali Berisha’s democracy. But that was not so. ...came today to Korçë and sa- id to those present the parliamentary leader and deputy leader of the Socialist Party, Namik Dokle, not to challenge President Berisha, but to show that we are with you in these difficult times, to show that we are among all those who still believe in Sali Berisha’s democracy. But that is not so. Beyond analyzing the situation, there is no need to tell you what Berisha promises in his campaign, because you know all that very well. We have come to give our word once again that we will not leave you without support for eve- He focused his speech on the workers and Democrats of Korçë, without distinction, in the city, the countryside, and the highlands, who have made a good name throughout Albania because they have always embraced what is most progressive and honest, and have worked with dedication to serve the development of their district and Albania. Then deputy Anastas Angjeli took the floor. He spoke about the government’s misguided economic policy, the economic collapse and lack of prospects, the blocking of privatization, and the inability of PD officials to govern. Amid the applause and cheers of those present, the leader of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, took the floor, supported by the television system, which keeps broadcasting its own lies, while we are left raising two fingers. Nobody asks about our problems. I have gone several times to the chairman of the commune, Mr. Mondi Sallaku, and to agronomist Gjako Malo. Mr. Mondi—apart from the municipal workers, it seems to me nobody asks about him. I do not know whether it is because of his fate or his lack of competence, but I do know that I am fobbed off with comforting words: don’t worry today, don’t worry tomorrow. We also do not understand one thing. Does the government not understand the difficulties faced by local officials over the distribution of land, or does it suit them, so they turn a blind eye and a deaf ear? As a farmer deprived of the cooperative system, we had hoped for some help from the president during his visits to the Korçë district. To tell the truth, I was astonished when I heard Enver’s slogan from the mouth of the people’s president: “The struggle for wheat is the struggle for independence.” Well, E. Hoxha used to say: “The struggle for bread is the struggle for socialism.” But what are we poor farmers supposed to fight for—a piece of bread?!! The PD’s lies no longer hold water. Now we have understood the game being played at our expense. HALLI VATHI Arrameras-K. KUQE

Murder in the middle of Fier Three or four days ago, in broad daylight, 20-year-old Fredi Nano was killed in Fier. They say the murder took place for trivial reasons. So far the police have detained 7–8 people from the same family, but not the murderer. It is interesting that in another murder two months ago, the criminal was not caught either. The same thing happened in a third murder. We do not want to interfere in police matters, but in Fier people say that one reason criminals get away is that every citizen is very afraid of the thugs and hardened thieves who watch them and alert their associates to every movement and operation by the branch.

...Normally, Hajdari of the SHIK would have had all the complexes needed to bring Gazidedes down. Even when he had been removed from office, he had awaited important d-çlone from abroad. This reinforces our suspicions that a game is being played here: someone standing behind Az is interested in undermining Gazidede, who seems to have slipped out of their control, and is therefore pushing parliament; or, as we have noted, Aze is playing the role of a supposed instrument for continuing the infiltration at the center of the ves and public opinion, as people have become accustomed to; or someone is interested in creating such a spectacle to divert attention from the changes in the ruling party; or perhaps all three possibilities are true together. BEQIRI S - Hajdari once again claims that a file has been opened on him and that he was kept under surveillance under the codename «BUFI». - Hajdari protests the Television’s stance, saying it remained silent about the issue he raised in Parliament, and called the Television director, Mr. Qemal Sakajeva, an emissary of Milosheviç. The session held the day before yesterday opened with the «Hajdaraj» affair. That Gazidedja, through violations of the law and of the statute of the institution he leads, should not only be removed—he should have been dismissed long ago—but also held legally accountable, has been clearly proven by the press and by Parliament. What is new here is that Hajdari’s attack against him comes at the same time as that of several newspapers. As chairman of the Committee on Defense and Public Order, and

...“The land is yours,” the President said ...during his visit to the commune of Pojan... this promise is made when ...the title deeds. I opened my eyes to see if ...you said, Mr President, ... (Kësa) they tell him this ...: “What do I hear with my ...?” ...I: “What do I see with my own eyes ...for me.” After three major ... we had with the PD ... voted on 22 March ... 26 years? 1992. They ha- ...which has reached its limits. The television broadcasts understood the game being played at our expense.

- Hajdari once again claims that a file has been opened on him and that he was kept under surveillance under the codename «BUFI». - Hajdari protests the Television’s stance, saying it remained silent about the issue he raised in Parliament, and called the Television director, Mr. Qemal Sakajeva, an emissary of Milosheviç.

The eminent Greek statesman Kostas Papulias, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, now a member of the Greek Parliament and a member of PASOK’s Central Committee, gives an interview to «Zëri i Popullit» — How does he assess Greek-Albanian and inter-Balkan relations? — Is there foreign interference in Balkan affairs? — Can the problems of Albanian emigrants be resolved? — What are the relations between PASOK and the Socialist Party of Albania? And many other issues