The Socialist Party on its second anniversary: Two years ago, amid rapid and profound democratic transformations and a severe economic crisis, which caused disappointment and demoralization among various sections of the population, amid chaos and destruction incited by right-wing revanchist forces on the Albanian pluralist political scene, a new party with a contemporary program appeared. This was the Socialist Party of Albania, which from the outset declared itself a faithful voice and defender of the interests of workers, peasants, intellectuals, small proprietors, and, in general, the country’s underprivileged classes. The birth of this party crowned the efforts of reformist and intellectual forces that understood the historic need for the alternative of democratic socialism. During this short, two-year period, throughout all its activities, the SPA has clearly expressed its firm programmatic positions against the concepts and practices of totalitarian socialism in the economy, [and has become] a fully consolidated force, capable of meeting all political challenges, present and future. At present, the Albanian socialist opposition responds positively to the nationwide demand for the adoption of the Constitution and the establishment of a state governed by law, and for changing the course and manner of government. The SPA, responsibly analyzing the current situation and developments within the country and internationally, will, in the face of the authorities’ obstinacy, also support the new popular demand for a new political solution, as a vital condition for adapting to the new balance of forces, which is no longer that of 22 March 1992. The SPA does not base its political positions merely on emotions and momentary circumstances. They are the fruit of its program, of the realistic alternatives it contains, and of the democratic principles of constructive dialogue and cooperation [continues below the fold]. Loyal cooperation with all genuine progressive parties and forces at home and abroad, among which it finds support and mutual respect. The SPA advocates a clear policy of European orientation and good-neighbourly relations with all countries, based on respect for sovereignty and national dignity, mutual interests, and national independence. It has stressed that it will always fight for Albania’s opening to the developed world and for its integration into European and international organizations. It opposes a policy of reckless isolation and disregard for the interests of the Albanian state and our people, wherever Albanians live. The alternatives in the SPA’s economic program offer hope for a fair and timely solution to the accumulated problems and those newly created by the governing incompetence of the DPA in the field of ownership and in implementing the reforms of the transition to a market economy. The SPA fights for all Albanians to become proprietors, and for people to rediscover the satisfaction of work. According to the SPA, the people’s hardships and difficulties cannot be resolved without organized social protection, without bringing into operation the mines, factories, industrial plants and other existing enterprises that can become productive, without exploiting domestic national resources and the full intellectual and physical potential of our talented people. The SPA’s alternatives for a just solution to the Albanian national question have found a broad response and support in Albania and Kosovo, among all Albanians living in their ethnic territories in the former Yugoslavia and beyond. Through a series of results, serious statements and concrete actions, the SPA has supported efforts to organize an assembly of national reconciliation and unity, in order to develop a unified, comprehensive strategy for resolving our national problems. The SPA has denounced various acts of the current Albanian government’s foreign policy, which lacks direction and a clear outlook, and which create new obstacles to resolving the Albanian national question. of the intelligentsia, small proprietors, and, as a whole, the unprivileged strata of the country. and intellectual forces who During this brief two-year period, throughout all its activity, the SSPA has clearly expressed its firm stance and programs economy, politics and social life as a whole; against the political organization of the dictatorship-of-the-proletariat type; against violations of human rights and democratic legality in the name of the absurd class struggle; against policies of the country's isolation, etc.—all of which formed the essence of the theory and practical activity of the ALP and its leader Enver Hoxha. Through these positions and concrete actions, Albanian socialists joined the ranks of the country's truly progressive and democratic forces. The critical stance toward the past, which was the subject of the First Conference of the SSPA (November 1991), has never been, and is not, an end in itself or a propaganda trick, but an integral part of its program and practical positions in defense of these programs. After two years of intense political life, the Socialist Party has now become known, inside and outside the country, for the alternative it represents, for the seriousness with which it has spoken and continues to speak to the people, for the balance of its views demonstrated in its critical assessment of the past, and for its clear and optimistic vision of the future. Clearly positioned on the Albanian political scene, especially after its First Congress (June 1992), the SSPA successfully weathered its move into opposition following the elections of March 22, 1992. This stance, an expression of its degree of democratic maturity, embodied the political philosophy summed up in the great idea that, under any circumstances, the SSPA is and will remain the party of the people's progressive aspirations and interests, and will submit to their sovereign will. Guided by this motto, the SSPA conceived of its position in opposition not as a withdrawal from responsibility and its task of democratization, but as a commitment to protect Albania's fragile democracy from the ugly manifestations of post-communist totalitarianism, revanchism and violations of human rights. Faithfully expressing the interests of a large and continually growing electorate, the SSPA is gaining, day by day, the standing of a steadfast and constructive opposition, loyal and vigilant, and one that will tolerate no violation of democracy. Thanks to its realistic programs and concrete alternative for resolving the people's hardships, it quickly established itself as the largest and most serious opposition force, concerned for the future of democracy in Albania. These positions ... [?] With a modern program, the active alternatives of its parliamentary group and party structures and grassroots, broad participation in local elections and the party's organizational activity, with its structures, functions, of the group of ... ... in progressive society, the SSPA ... ... The SSPA passing constructive dialogue and loyal cooperation with all truly it finds support and mutual respect. The SSPA supports a clear policy of European orientation and good neighborly national dignity, mutual interests and national independence. It has emphasized that it will always fight for Albania to open itself to the advanced It opposes a policy of narrow self-preservation our people, wherever Albanians live. The economic-policy alternatives of the SSPA offer hope for a fair and timely resolution of carrying out reforms for the transition to a market economy. The SSPA strives for all Albanians to become owners, and for people to regain their taste for work. According to the SSPA, social protection, without setting in motion can become productive, without using of our talented people. The SSPA's alternatives for a just resolution of the Albanian national question have found a wide living in their ethnic lands significant results and serious declarations, as well as concrete actions, the SSPA has supported efforts to organize an assembly for and comprehensive strategy for resolving our national problems. The SSPA policy, which lacks direction and a clear perspective and creates new obstacles to resolving the Albanian national question. Dear comrades, brothers and sisters, Today is the second anniversary of the SSPA. Two years is a short time in the life of a political organization. But in the case of the SSPA, these have been two years of active life that have affirmed, in the eyes of the country's popular masses, its national character and, above all, its political ability and maturity. It is aware that its two years of work have also had shortcomings and gaps, often imposed by the tense situations accompanying the transition period. But no effort has been spared, nor will the will and efforts ever be lacking, to correct everything that serves the Party's work and the interests of the country. The Party's National Conference, which will be organized soon, will give new impetus to its life and work. Let this event, so significant in the life of our party, help us successfully bring to a close the campaign to elect the parties and delegates for its Second National Conference. PRESIDIUM OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA 11.6.1993

- The Joint Declaration of PASOK and the Socialist Party of Albania is approved - Continuing the discussions and meetings between the SPA delegation, headed by Fatos Nano, and PASOK, another important and very friendly meeting was held yesterday morning in Athens with Aqis Xoxakopoulos, Secretary General of PASOK. The two sides responsibly exchanged views and expressed their positions on developments in both countries, in the Balkans and beyond. Of particular interest was the detailed briefing between the parties on recent political developments in Greece and Albania, and the regroupings taking place within the parties in power; this clearly reflects the crisis they are experiencing. The meeting emphasized that in many European countries the prospects are increasing for left-wing and progressive forces to gain ground and advance realistic alternatives, which will be presented in elections to be held in various countries, such as Sweden, Germany, etc. For this, it is necessary for European left-wing parties to support one another and undertake joint political initiatives that will also influence developments in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The final editing of the Joint Declaration of the two Parties was then completed. It sets out their positions on current developments in both countries, in the Balkans and beyond; the general principles of cooperation; and the need to take further political steps to Europeanize the Region as soon as possible. At the end, Xoxakopoulos, on behalf of PASOK, congratulated the Socialist Party on the second anniversary of its founding. Press and Information Office of the Socialist Party

On the eve of 16 June «The leadership of the PSDSH confirms the position of the parliamentary group not to participate in the discussion of any law unless the draft Constitution is presented to Parliament; this was confirmed on 16 June, in accordance with the prom- [text continues outside the frame]. The leadership of the PSDSH confirms the parliamentary group’s position not to participate in the discussion of any law if the draft Constitution is not submitted on 16 June. This decision stems from the view and position that without a constitution there can be neither stability nor a genuine state governed by law. The newspaper “Alternativa SD” does not ...

A few days ago, a truly comical incident took place at the Police Department in Fier. An SHIK officer stepped into his office for two minutes, and his bicycle was stolen—the one given to him by the newspaper and bearing the state’s official marks. SHIK’s offices are on the second floor of the central building of the Police Department, next to the offices of the Department’s officials, so the policeman-thief must have been a real expert, acting quickly and precisely as he came down the stairs carrying the bicycle, all [continues beyond the cut]. 43 steps. Adding to the bicycle theft a part of a mirror and just as much of an antenna from cars impounded at the Department, and a few [bananjë?] that the policemen fling at one another, it is fully proven that the head of personnel, Bedri Çoku, has not recruited a single thief into the Department’s force, but only his numerous relatives, for various purposes. Let us wait and see whether SHIK will discover the bicycle stolen by the Police Department. SHIKU JAVA

On 1 July 1991, the construction cooperative in Shkodër was established on the basis of the construction services section of the housing enterprise, with Ruzhdi Shkreli as director. This private cooperative, with a workforce of 72 employees, undertook to build private homes on credit and for cash. In the face of these workers’ efforts, a series of obstacles arose, mostly of a subjective nature, making it very difficult for them to take the initiative to work according to the demands of a market economy. The former owner took their warehouses. Because of a lack of materials, they are running at a loss under the contracts they have signed. All the vehicles they had have been impounded by the financial police because of negligence by the housing construction directorate. These and other concerns were presented by the cooperative’s union, after many confrontations but without finding a solution, to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Construction in a petition several months ago. So far, there has been no response. As we were informed by the district trade union council, the members of this cooperative have also begun a strike, suspending work until Monday. Among other things, they are firmly demanding wage increases, since they have still not received compensation for the rise in prices. They are demanding that the financial police carry out a thorough inspection of the cooperative’s finances. They are also demanding the immediate signing of a collective agreement. Fatmir Smajli, chairman of the district trade union council, says: “In my opinion, the director of this cooperative forced the workers to go on strike. Not only did he ignore their voices, but he also threatened to dismiss them and hire others. In fact, some have already been dismissed as a result of these pressures. He refuses to sign the collective agreement in accordance with the law that has been passed. He also does not make the income, expenses and profit clear to the workers, saying that they have no need to know these things. So, as can be seen, he himself is forcing the workers to go on strike.” MUSA KURTULAJ

IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE OF THE NEWSPAPER YOU WILL READ: The political accusations against Blerim Çela are falling apart - Authentic documents from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that discredit Blerim Çela. - Blerim Çela’s carpenters and sheet-metal workers cannot even do simple arithmetic at a third-grade level. - Blerim Çela does not know the units of measurement for weight. - The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs finds Blerim Çela’s 10 billion. - Blerim Çela’s “Azberg” cannot withstand the high temperatures of June.

They say that the director of the most powerful branch of «Iliria Holding», Mr Koqo Këkdhima, nearly lost his head when he had his spectacular split with Hajdin Sejdia. It seems that Mr Sejdia wanted his subordinates to be loyal to the very end and in every matter. After this split, the entire Fier public eagerly awaited news of who would prove to be Mr Sejdia’s true loyalist. Their curiosity was satisfied when Muharrem Stojku was appointed president of «Iliria Holding»’s branch in Fier, a member of the district PD leadership and director of the TEC, where after 22 March he managed to crush the striking workers. As soon as Sejdia’s Democrat took up his new post, he checked the branch’s accounts to see whether the former director had dared charge the PD branch in Fier rent for the «Mitsubishi» car that he had kept there. This car, worth millions, may also well have come from Sejdia’s generous gifts. It is not known whether the document was found proving that the Fier Holding financed the Republican Party branch, as the PD’s close ally allegedly did, HARILLA KEÇI