Meeting of the General Steering Committee of the Socialist Party News report Under the chairmanship of Fatos Nano, a joint meeting of the General Steering Committee and the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party was held yesterday. The main issues discussed at this meeting were: 1. Analysis of the current political situation in the country and the region, and the Socialist Party’s further positions on it; 2. The Socialist Party’s denunciation of the government’s decision to privatize 500 enterprises as unacceptable and arbitrary; 3. Intensifying efforts to consolidate the party through meetings in the districts and the Party’s National Conference. Opening the meeting, party chairman Fatos Nano said that it was taking place in a heated political situation. In these circumstances, as the political crisis in the country deepens, it is essential that we reach conclusions together about the further position of the Party and its parliamentary group. As you know, he said, the parliamentary group is committed to… THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IS A CRISIS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S POWER Speech delivered by PS deputy chairman NAMIK DOKLE Albania is experiencing extremely difficult days, characterized by dubious political actions, the prolongation of the economic catastrophe, and severe social upheavals. Broad sections of the population have reached a critical point, moving toward the loss of all hope. The genuine democratic movement, and what was later called the victory of democracy with all its institutions, were administered in the most unscrupulous manner, with incompetence, dishonesty, nepotism, and a thirst to plunder everything. In every cell of our society, the way has been institutionally opened for a political situation characterized solely by revenge and revanchism. The strategists of this policy are former collaborators of fascism and the political forces that align with or represent them. Meanwhile, its most zealous mercenaries have become… …toward emigrants and the income they generate is not beyond reproach. Our rulers want their share and are extracting it in the most sophisticated ways. The government’s agrarian policy has devastated agriculture, and it will take years for it to reach its previous yields. At the same time, by directly intervening in the people’s discontent, it is rapidly building a police state. The Albanian Parliament has completely exhausted itself. With the anti-democratic laws it has passed, some of which were declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court; with its total inability to exercise parliamentary oversight of the government’s activities; and with its blatant violations of the democratic rights of the opposition and smaller groups, it has shown itself incapable of leading and… …been closely connected to the country’s and the people’s vital interests and prospects. In its politics, it has invested in honesty and sincerity with the people, realistic economic alternatives, the desire for the country to have as many friends as possible throughout the world, and especially in Europe; and in the conviction that the difficult times we are going through call for pluralist coexistence and democratic understanding among all Albanian political forces, so that the political and economic patterns of the past are not repeated, and so that a state governed by the rule of law can be built, guaranteeing every citizen freedom, well-being, and prosperity. The authority of the Socialist Party and people’s confidence in the choices it puts forward have grown considerably and are moving toward steady consolidation. In a survey conducted… by... [illegible text] to the question, “Which political party best expresses and defends your interests?”, respondents answered: Who is to blame, who will answer for it, and who will put things right? The police? One police force drives away the people waiting with its vehicles; the other police force across the way drives away the people’s young men. ... …political forces united above all to build a state governed by the rule of law that guarantees In a survey conducted by ... [illegible passage] your interests?”, respondents answered: was taking place amid a heated political situation. In these conditions, essential that we reach a shared conclusion on the Party’s and its parliamentary group’s future position. As you all know, he said, our parliamentary group is seriously committed to saving the effort to present the draft constitution to Parliament. The problem of the Constitution, Fatos Nano went on to say, is strongly political in nature and must be viewed as closely linked to the entire domestic situation and to developments in the region. In this regard, responsible commitment and the continued pursuit of an honest political struggle are required to overcome the situation. Until the problem of the Constitution is resolved, there can be no other solution in the country. All the actions of the party in power today show this. This is also evident in the violations of the laws on the privatization of the economy. The way privatization is being carried out—outside parliamentary oversight, with privatization boards dominated by the PD majority—is an alarm signal to all honest people. Those in power are seeking to sell off and plunder for themselves everything that remains of the national economy. At the same time, economic and military relations with foreign countries are being subordinated, calling Albania’s future into question. We should not be surprised if we learn that this or that sector, this or that strategic asset, belongs to foreigners. All this is happening because there is no parliamentary oversight, which can be ensured by a constitutional Parliament. It is no coincidence that these days an incident on the border involving a colonel is creating an obvious flashpoint. We must not allow such things either. Apparently, there is a plan for incidents that must be analyzed politically. It seems certain circles are seeking to create a situation of exhaustion, with Albania also being threatened by the idea that it needs to be linked to NATO or the UN. conditions, relations between fascist organizations The most zealous mercenaries have become the former commissars of the party-state organizations, former ambassadors, former advisers, and former pseudo-intellectuals from the dictatorship’s backrooms; the most zealous among them have sided with classes at home and abroad. The Democratic Party stands at the vanguard of anti-democratic practices. Its slogans—“no aid to municipalities” and districts where the Socialists have won; “not one brick should be given to them in the privatization process”; and “let the courts pursue them, put all political opponents in prison”—are typically fascist, typically dictatorial. This policy is supported by state bodies and their activities. The anti-democratic government has blocked reforms, paralyzed local government with its centralizing metastases, and excluded more than 40 percent of the country’s productive workforce from economic life. We mistakenly thought this was an expression of the government’s incompetence. In reality, a cancerous strategy is at work in the Albanian economy, one that aims to sell everything off to enrich a handful of scoundrels and mafiosi with the sweat and blood of poor Albanians. For the residents of the city, remittances from emigration are the only source of livelihood. Even the lack of political care, [text unclear] are trying to place Albania in dubious formations and alliances. The joint declaration of the Socialist Party of Albania and PASOK of Greece mentions drawing inspiration from addressing the region’s problems, while the rulers’ schemes help maintain a state of instability in the Balkans. Feeling its historic responsibility for the fate of true democracy, the Socialist Party has conducted intensive political activity among its grassroots, in Parliament, and through its own campaigning. Each of its actions has carried a great responsibility because... [damaged text] - PSSH - 48.60 percent - PDSH - 20.20 percent - PSDSH - 3.20 percent - PAD - 2.50 percent - PRSH - 2.00 percent - Legaliteti - 1.20 percent - Balli kombëtar - 1.00 percent - PUK - 0.90 percent - P. Popullore - 0.10 percent - Other parties - 1.10 percent - No party - 19.20 percent But much more clearly than this survey of a relatively limited number of people, activists’ mass activities and rallies organized in Tirana, Berat, Dibër, Bulqizë, Vlorë, Korçë, Pogradec, Kuçovë, Gramsh, Fushë-Krujë, etc., showed confidence in the Socialist Party. The people openly and forcefully demanded not only the resignation of the current government, but also the early dissolution of Parliament. They voiced their protest against the PD’s blank signatures, against unemployment and rising prices, and against the policies and governance leading the country toward ruin. The people forcefully demanded an end to the rule of the political, military, and financial cliques that have spread their metastases into... (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 2)

On Sunday afternoon, 25 June 1993, the Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano, and MP Anastas Angjeli paid a condolence visit to the family of Abaz Dojaka, former Chairman of the Patriotic Political Association «Çamëria», who died on 19.6.1993 after a serious and prolonged illness. On Sunday afternoon, 25 June 1993, and MP Anastas Angjeli former Chairman of the Patriotic Political Association «Çamëria», who died on 19.6.1993 after a serious and prolonged illness. At the home of the late Abaz Dojaka, Fatos Nano and Anastas Angjeli were received by members of the family, relatives, his friends, and members and leaders of the Patriotic Political Association «Çamëria». After offering their condolences in accordance with custom, and speaking about Abaz Dojaka’s character, Fatos Nano praised the standing he had managed to establish in public opinion as a patriot, a man of culture, a promoter of dialogue and nationwide understanding, and a defender of the interests of the Cham people in the spirit of good-neighborly relations with the Greek people and in accordance with European principles. Those present, concerned about the tense situation in the country and in the Balkans, naturally joined the discussion, recognizing the need for solidarity felt by every Albanian family today as an expression of national solidarity and peaceful solutions to today’s concerns. Spokesperson for the Socialist Party

KAKAVIJE It is a quarter to twelve. The sun is scorching, but a wind characteristic of this place, typical for crossing borders, raises an irritating dust, and papers and packaging seem unable to find a place to settle, even in the sky. The traffic of vehicles—buses, trucks and cars—from this side has increased. On the other side, the line of police buses returning refugees has grown longer. This time there are many more, and the operation is more intensive, more persistent, more brutal. It seems there will be no turning back from the «sfeska» that has fallen this time, after the incident with the ambush in Gjirokastër. Is it only a matter of the ambush?! One ambush, one case of exchange, and dozens and hundreds of other ordinary people, believers or not. It is difficult to give a simple answer. Whenever something is circumvented and becomes aggravated in Albanian-Greek and Greek-Albanian relations, politicians from all sides keep repeating the same things. The commander of the border crossing checkpoint says he is tired; the political struggle seems to have intensified greatly in recent days at the meeting point of the two states, but he gives no information about the number of refugees unless the journalist has authorization. He did not give it even to the journalist from Radio Gjirokastra. But perhaps it does not matter, since a TVP crew is filming the refugees who have been returned, and he will continue his commentary on the recent events. Continuing our articles and views on this subject, we can say that the two states must find a way to understand one another, since a policy of friendship is the best policy between two neighbors. How much goodwill is there, and what measures are being taken to achieve this? There seems to be little goodwill, and the measures are half-hearted and always belated. Mr Papuli-as has said that if PASOK forms the government, it will pursue a new foreign policy. This may… ... are also expressions of a difficult situation. Whenever the end becomes clear. Whenever something is bypassed and flares up because of it, as ... Albanian-Greek and Greek-Albanian relations, about which politicians of every persuasion say that “they should be better,” have become a point where the political rancor of the day and everything stirred up by old grievances of the past are unloaded: the refugees. The people’s children who return look like captives—is that how it should be? And how long will it go on like this?! who will put this situation right? The policemen? The police on this side drive away those waiting with their vehicles; the police on the other side drive away the people’s young men. ... that we be equal before the rule of law, which guarantees every citizen freedom, well-being, and prosperity. Whenever ... people’s politics does not come? ... With how much will, and through what measures, is this being sought? The will seems weak, and the measures half-hearted and always [unclear]. Mr Papulias has said that if PASOK forms a government, it will pursue a new foreign policy. The PS can do this too. It seems that, like many other things, the Democratic Party is incapable of doing this as a true democratic party. With a different political government, perhaps this landscape could change and this tragedy of emigration could end, a tragedy endured by thousands of young men and thousands of families among the people. THANAS DINO

— According to the BBC — The operation to extradite Albanian emigrants has not received unanimous approval from Greek political opinion or the press, among others, the BBC correspondent in Athens reported on 28 June. Thus, a statement by the left-wing coalition says that the unacceptable and provocative actions of the Albanian government cannot be answered with hostile language directed against Albanian economic migrants and society; “The response is not racism, but determination, composure and, above all, the aim of resolving the contradictions peacefully,” the BBC correspondent emphasizes.

Since yesterday, the chairman of the National Unity Party, Mr Idajet Beqiri, has been placed under arrest. Regarding this matter, the newspaper ... [illegible passage] Beqiri replied to the newspaper’s correspondent, who said: “On 22 June, an article entitled ‘Mr Berisha attacked me...’ was published in the newspaper ... We have ... in Albania, ...” President Berisha has filed a complaint against me with the General Prosecutor’s Office. On 20 June, criminal proceedings were brought against me on the charge of “Defamation and insult of the President of the Republic.” Today I was placed under house arrest, ending up in Bejri. I do not know whether Mr Berisha will himself be prejudged in this trial, which would be an extraordinary opportunity to prove the accusations. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

The Democratic Party has overcome fear In the village market of the city of Shkodër, the other day someone fired a gun and killed a farmer from the village of Shakotë in this district. Siga u ... only later was it established that this killing was prompted by an old blood feud. The murdered farmer was named Riza Zogu, the father of ten children. The killer drove away in a car; the police pursued him for two ... [illegible passage]. ... they identify and stop the driver in question, who had said, “I was forced to make myself available to them because they threatened me with a gun.” Only a few hours later, the victim’s relatives, in revenge, carried out the killing of ... [illegible passage]. (Continued on page 2)

It is a familiar saying that “today’s conservatives are yesterday’s liberals.” The establishment of the Democratic Party by decree in December 1990 marked the beginning of a new era in Albania, the era of pluralism. But the world has developed through opposites. Those who were the champions of pluralism yesterday now declare that they have every opportunity to continue passing any law they wish, at a time when the opposition has withdrawn from this parliament. It does not take much thought to understand that the Democratic Party in general, and its parliamentary group in particular, have been morally worn down. But Monday afternoon showed that the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group has also been exhausted materially and physically. Although a full hour and twenty minutes had passed since the time Parliament was supposed to convene, the quorum—the minimum number required to open the assembly—had still not been reached. So Parliament could not be opened. To be honest, having seen them, we are convinced that the Democratic Party’s MPs have had to make a great sacrifice just to be present for the opening of the session during these days when they have been working alone. This has been particularly torturous for the ministers, who had been ordered to remain in the Assembly without moving, at all costs, regardless of their other work. Nevertheless, we think that the Democratic Party leadership will know how to analyze the situation calmly and take measures based on the principle “the ball goes bang and Muço moves on,” so that in future the one-party parliament of Albania’s pluralist state can continue its work successfully. THE PARLIAMENTARY OBSERVER