This people also voted for democracy on March 22, so do not leave them halfway, gentlemen To the President of the Republic of Albania (Mr. Sali Berisha) To the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania (Mr. Aleksandër Meksi) To the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Petrit Kalakula) Since I am unable to meet with you to express the great concerns of the people of Gremine commune, I am addressing you through the press. I say I am unable to meet with you because I made three attempts and did not succeed, as you were busy with “great” problems. Gentlemen—the difficulties the people of Gremine commune are going through during the transition from a centralized system to a market economy, which we all desire, are numerous and are increasing all the time. In the March 22 elections, like all the Albanian people, the residents of Gremine commune gave their vote to democracy. In those elections, they were promised financial support. There are people who have not signed the payroll for two years, at least for their daily bread. You promised them work; around 5224 people (able to work) are unemployed. You promised them emigration, which is at zero; you promised a telephone in every home, but today there is not a single telephone in the entire commune; you promised implementation of the land law, but it is not being implemented; you promised... and what else did you not promise? And yet, more than a year has passed since the March 22 elections, and the people of Gremine commune are not seeing any action or change; indeed, as things stand, the prospects seem far from the stated aims. In the July 26, 1992 local government elections, people voted in the belief that something would improve, since the law on the organization and functioning of local government grants full powers to communes, as is the case in all European and world countries. But what happened next? All the provisions set out in the aforementioned law were replaced by government decisions. For now, the commune is not consulted about anything. State enterprises have taken all the powers into their own hands, disregarding local government (the commune). They are dismissing innocent, educated people and replacing them with loyal people who have no education. A Democratic Party section is asked to appoint someone to a job before a commune mayor or commune council elected by the free, democratic vote of the people is asked. And these people are kept in their jobs even when they are not capable of doing them. At the forefront are the water-supply enterprise and the waterworks enterprise. Although Gremine commune supplies drinking water to our district and to the district of Shkodër, for over a year these enterprises have failed to provide drinking water to villages such as Hysaj, Borci i Madh No. 2, Demiraj, and Kçar i poshtëm. To fetch drinking water, residents of the aforementioned villages have to travel for hours. (Continued on page 2)

— Papandreu and Nano agree to express the positions of the two parties in a joint declaration — Yesterday in Athens, PASOK Chairman Andrea Papandreu received the Socialist Party delegation led by Fatos Nano. The talks focused on an analysis of the current political, economic, and social situations in the two countries and the role of the various political forces, particularly the two socialist parties. The two parties’ views and positions on current developments in the world, Europe, and the Balkans were also expressed. Both sides stressed that the situation in our region has been very troubling of late, and that everyone must engage in order to achieve the most effective political solution, with the Balkan countries in particular playing a role. In this context, it was noted that the governments of the Balkan countries, by expecting problems to be resolved only in forums outside the Balkans, are failing to activate the great potential that the Balkans itself has for establishing peace and stability in the region. Views were then exchanged and information shared about the activities of the two parties, with the aim of successfully countering the right-wing revanche, which has gained considerable ground in both countries. The victory of the Spanish socialists was cited at the meeting as an encouraging example: despite being under heavy attack from right-wing forces, they convinced the majority of the Spanish people that the most realistic alternative is democratic socialism, not wild capitalism. After an extensive discussion of many important issues, the parties agreed to express their positions in a joint declaration, which will soon be made public in both countries. Political talks are continuing. Spokesperson for the Socialist Party

In the last days of May, Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, hosted around 20 delegations from Balkan youth forums and organizations at a conference on the theme “Stability in the Balkans.” Youth organizations from across the political spectrum took part in this conference, and that was a positive fact. The conference was opened and chaired throughout by the President of the PRS of Bulgaria, Ljubomir Nokollov. He stressed that the conference aims to pave the way for the strongest possible solidarity among Balkan youth and to increase their influence, their re-

A “Dental Unit” worth several thousand dollars disappears... FROM FIER On 6.5.1993, an inspection team found a “Dental Unit” with no documents whatsoever in the bathroom of the office of the director of the “Bylis” theatre. The theatre director is the chairman of the PSD in Fier. Asked about this strange item in the large bathroom of his comfortable office, Arqile Liçi replied: “This set belongs to an important comrade of the PSD.” Later, the equipment disappeared completely without leaving a trace, while Director Agrelia again says: “I gave it to those from the PSD.” Naturally, questions arise that require concrete answers: What is this modern apparatus doing on the premises of the “Bylis” theatre? Who brought it, and from where? Who took it, and where did they hide it again? At the clinic of the “m...-ndjeve të gojës” where the apparatus was supposed to be installed, we know nothing. Someone who knows is keeping quiet. But one thing is known for certain. Mr. Rexhep Uka promised Fier that he would bring a “Dental Unit”; it is a gift reportedly [?] from a popular [?] that ended up in the dirty hands of PD supporters. We do not believe the mysterious disappearance of the “Dental Unit” has anything to do with the modern clinic built in the centre of Fier, near the villas of PPSH leaders, by the chairman of the PD, Mr. Viktor Margjilli; besides, he is not a dentist but a veterinarian. In any case, he knows better than anyone else what happened to this much-coveted apparatus, which Mr. Uka sent us “posheshtë” from aid intended for the people. It must never be forgotten that the “Dental Unit” is worth several thousand dollars, so this is a theft on a large scale. Most recently, people say that the apparatus in question has been hidden in the PD offices. We await Mr. Uka’s response about the fate of the “gift” he sent to the people of Fier, so that it is not privatized without fixing any-

Yesterday at 9 a.m., the continuation of the trial against Aleksandër Frangaj, a journalist for the newspaper “Koha Jonë,” was scheduled to take place at the Shkodër Court of Appeal. We say “continuation,” bearing in mind that this case was brought before the Court of Appeal after being heard by the trial court in Lezhë. Journalist Aleksandër Frangaj, accompanied by his defence lawyer Spartak Ngjela, duly appeared at the time and place previously notified by this court. But the trial did not take place. At the outset, it was said that they were waiting for a judge to arrive from Tirana in order to make up the required number of members of the court panel, as this had been decided because the Shkodër court was short of several judges. The accused party waited until noon under this condition. After that hour, the chairman of this court, Mr. Mërgim Dragu, said that the judge appointed from Tirana had not arrived, and the trial would be held on another day. We will notify Mr. Frangaj of the date and time set, as was duly emphasized. Mr. Frangaj called it a continuing form of pressure being exerted on him; nevertheless, he stressed, I will not back down at all; I, with me, [unclear] the truth for justice in the sunlight.

The animal husbandry station on the road to destruction Well known not only in our country but also in many European countries with developed livestock farming, the animal husbandry station in Shkodër now finds itself at a crossroads. Although this station was declared an important facility nearly two years ago, it suffered considerable damage during the transition period. Despite these difficulties, the employees here have in fact tried to preserve the station, bearing in mind its great value as an irreplaceable centre for the breeding of cattle and other hoofed animals on a scientific and modern basis. But the workers’ concerns have not been answered by the officials of the relevant department, specifically the management of the Institute of Animal Husbandry in Tirana. Having no clear alternative for the station’s future, they have also encouraged questionable actions, which have greatly worried the employees here. Thus, in recent days, a private buyer from Lezhë bought 20 cows at this station. There have been various reactions to the way the purchase was made, because this private buyer had come to the station several times for this purpose, but his purchase request had been rejected by the station management, since everything had to be forced to sell dozens of head of cattle. It is even said that one of the deputy ministers of agriculture had stated that these cows must under no circumstances be sold. But, strangely, according to information we received at the station, on June 5 the private buyer in question came here again, this time with an order from the director of the Institute of Animal Husbandry in Tirana, Mr. Minella Spiro, to buy the 20 cows he had previously requested. He even took the finest cows, selecting them by the individual identification numbers for each animal that had been given to him in Tirana. Apparently, he was allowed to choose the best ones to compensate for the cheques issued. The patient one wins in the end, after all. In fact, both the workers and the specialists were outraged by this action, but what could they do? An order is an order! On June 8, Minella Spiro himself came to Shkodër for a face-to-face meeting. He met only with some of the managers and specialists at the station, insisting, as he said, that he would not meet with the workers of the two trade unions. One of the union leaders, Isa Barj, waited until the meeting ended and, through his insistence, met with Mr. Minella. Isa told us that, regarding the sale of the cows, Mr. Minella replied that this was a matter for and was none of their concern. As for the station’s future, he stated that it would be broken up into small farms of 20 cows each. The specialists here are incapable. Regarding the delay in paying the workers’ wages, he justified it by saying that the station was operating at a loss. Even this much is enough for anyone who knew the animal husbandry station in Shkodër before to understand what state it has been reduced to. But what state will it be reduced to next, when it is split into little herds and tiny plots? Today this station is apparently unnecessary, with incapable specialists and “zvezak” workers who want to interfere everywhere! Apparently Albania has no further need of it! The bureaucracy here has a job to do: perform miracles.

To youth’s role in establishing peace, dialogue, and progress in the Balkan region. Although this conference was organized at the initiative of the Socialist Youth of Bulgaria, youth organizations of the centre-right or right were not prejudiced against. This was further reinforced when the FRESSH delegation received an invitation from the President of the Bulgarian Democratic Youth, Ivan Attanasov. The conference adopted a declaration of solidarity It states: 1. Within the borders of Europe, the Balkans is the only region where war continues. At the end of the 20th century, the century of democracy and humanism, this is unacceptable and deeply distressing. 2. We, the youth, must not be prejudiced by the negative developments of history in international relations, and we are capable of communicating without prejudice in the name of peace, progress, and human civilization. 3. Youth organizations in the Balkans have a clear and categorical position on peace and solidarity in the region. We must make our modest contribution to building a new world, a world of peace, trust, and development. The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Zhelju Zhelev, also addressed the conference. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

I am a former reader of the first opposition newspaper, «Rilindja Demokratike». On 8.3.1993, an ECG machine and an ultrasound machine arrived from Fufarma in Fier, and were entered into the hospital warehouse without the corresponding price on 14.3.1993. (That is, after a week.) On 29.3.1993, Ms. Arjeta Avxhiu, director of the health service and number 3 of the PD in Fier after Viktor Fargili and Selami Morina, took charge of the ECG machine to take it back to Fufarma, perhaps because «its electrical system was not working properly». It should be emphasized here that the machine had never been put into operation, so this defect could not have been identified. At the same time, Ms. Haxhiu, as the person authorizing incoming and outgoing warehouse transactions, is prohibited by law from performing the duties of warehouse keeper, supplier, or cashier, especially since this is goods whose price has not been fixed. She might have justified herself to some extent if she had taken the machine to Fufarma that same day, but unfortunately for her, that is not what happened. When questioned, the lady in question herself stated that from 29.3.1993, when she took the machine from the warehouse, until 3.5.1993, a full 35 days, the machine was kept at the home of the laboratory technician Teuta Cobo. (The fact that her surname is the same as that of Argjile Cobo, chair of BSB Fier, is coincidental.) We do not know what motives or purposes led Ms. Avxhiu to carry out this entire illegal maneuver, but at the very least, abuse of office is plainly evident, while she herself knows the rest. In any case, this affair reeks. She has also been sharply criticized over this matter by several members of the PD council in Fier, but has been vigorously defended by the extremist majority that rules there. At the same time, the Minister, T. Shehu, was asked to dismiss her from her post. Even though Mr. Avxhia is not within its jurisdiction, the Executive Committee of the District Council should have acted more forcefully in this case of corruption. Ultimately, the fate of the ECG machine is unknown, while the ultrasound machine is still lying in the warehouse and is not being put to use for the people’s health, which is what it was sent for. Someone has an interest in keeping the machine from being put into operation, leaving it without a price, and waiting for it to be privatized for next to nothing after the erosion, when it is worth several thousand dollars. P.S. On this occasion, we remind Blerim M. Çela that since he is looking into the corruption surrounding the aid sent to Albania by the world, he should make a quick trip over here to Fier as well, where he will uncover plenty of other gems and become convinced about the «red caste» that is taking over economic power.

A shared concern I am a former reader of the first opposition newspaper, «Rilindja Demokratike». I say «former» because for some time now I haven’t felt like looking at what a state it has ended up in. Only once, the caricature drawn by those who chart the road ...