THE «CARGO OF FEAR» HAS INVADED DURRËS, THE WAREHOUSES OF KAVAJË AND RROGOZHINË, AND IS ATTACKING LUNDRA — Strangely, the Russian ship «Odesky Komsomolets», carrying a cargo from the American base in Liverpool, has begun unloading after spending 10 days in port, a few days after President Berisha’s return from London. It must be said that the coincidence is entirely accidental. — The Minister of Health provides a signed guarantee that the biscuits being unloaded may be consumed by people. — While the Russian ship was unloading, Mr Nano was being condemned for bringing in sugar, rice, oil, powdered milk, etc., goods of European standard, at «high prices», to relieve the hunger of the Albanian people. accompanied by rags in the form of coverings and, to fill it so that nothing is left empty, with tiles

A Russian vessel, «Odesky Komsomolets», has been in the seaport of Durrës since 20 March 1994, carrying in its holds 70 percent biscuits from the ’60s; 61: 63; The remaining space is filled with bread ovens made in 1957 and 1958, barrels for hospital transport, kelp mattresses accompanied by rags in the shape of clothing, and, moreover, is filled with empty beasts, with concrete slabs. The «cargo of fear», after spending ten days in the port of Durrës, began its «invasion» on 31 March, with 30 trucks first heading to the warehouses in Kavajë, then to Rrogozhinë, and finally attacking Lundra as well. Why 31 March? Because it was precisely on this day that a positive response arrived at the General Directorate of State Reserves, with a positive assessment and the Ministry of Health as its representative. The Directorate of Standards and Quality, in a document signed by Minister Cikuli and Standards Director Arben Nati, stated, according to whom (the signatures oblige one to refer to them), that tests had shown the biscuits to be normal. «More or less the same thing was said by the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Mr Vullnet Ademi, who yesterday had declared to “Gazeta Shqiptare” that “since the biscuits have been kept in an official[?] environment, according to the specialists they can be stored for up to 100 years”. But, strangely, this support was qualified by Mr Cikuli’s opinion, who, in another letter dated 1 April addressed to the same Directorate… (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, the chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania and deputy of the People’s Assembly, Luan Hajdaraga, received at the Party headquarters a group from the American International Republican Institute, headed by Mr James M. Lombard. The PS Secretary for Foreign Relations, deputy Bashkim Zeneli, also took part in the meeting. Responding to Mr Lombard’s interest in the views of the PS of Albania on the political, economic and social situation in the country, Mr Hajdaraga stressed that the PS has neither denied nor denies the achievements in many fields in Albania over these past 2 years. Nevertheless, even the achievements made should not be compared with the dictatorial past, but with advanced European standards and beyond. We have appreciated and value the official support of the USA and its institutions for the institutionalization of democracy in Albania. We are open, without prejudice, to cooperation, dialogue and understanding with politicians, officials or various American institutions. Relations with the USA cannot be the monopoly of one party, because US support is also being given to the Albanian people. To Albania. The Socialist Party, Luan Hajdaraga continued, has conceived and continues to conceive of the political struggle in the country as a contest between alternatives and not as a struggle between enemies. If we have criticized and continue to criticize many anti-democratic phenomena or positions confronting Albania today, we do so from a constructive standpoint, but the authorities and those in power have never understood this. And this is not democratic. That is why we are labelled enemies. We have reservations about the attitude toward freedoms and human rights, violations of the law and the Constitution, the intolerable positions being contrived against journalists, etc. We have demanded and continue to demand that Albania have a Constitution. We have raised objections and cannot at all agree with the way privatization is being carried out. Equal opportunities must be created for Albanians[?]. Today, individuals’ professional abilities should compete, not political criteria. We have criticized and will continue to denounce the one-sided and entirely partisan stance of RTV, and its censorship of the opposition. The Socialist Party of Albania values Albania’s opening up to the world, but we cannot remain silent about an amateurish policy in our diplomacy, the lack of clear priorities, perspective and partnership. While there is much talk of opening up, it seems to us that this kind of opening is leading toward a new isolation, toward a cooling of relations with our partners in the region and in Europe. We welcomed President Berisha’s appeal for dialogue with the main political forces over the tragic events in Peshkëpi, Gjirokastër, but this must not remain an isolated initiative, especially on major issues of high national interest. Today the Balkans are more tense than ever, and we consider dialogue, understanding and tolerance the only path to achieving peace and stability. We seek this with Greece at this moment as well. We are neighbours, with a shared history of struggles for freedom and independence. The event in Peshkëpi was indeed a heinous crime by certain Greek chauvinist circles interested in destabilizing good-neighbourly relations between the two countries and peoples, and in the region as well. However, without making any concessions that harm national interests, our official policy must rise above incidents, take a broader view, recognize the need for long-term cooperation, and consider unity and understanding between the two peoples and their aspirations to live and cooperate as good neighbours. This requires dialogue between the two governments. It must be found, and it can be found. The ruling party does not hold a monopoly on defending national interests. Albanians do. The Socialist Party places nothing above these interests. Continuing, Luan Hajdaraga said that we consider cooperation and understanding in the Balkans more essential than ever, and that we should make efforts in good faith to overcome difficulties and find ways to achieve this. We have defended and will defend the just and fully legitimate cause of our brothers in Kosovo, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and everywhere. We welcome Berisha’s position in favour of dialogue between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, in the presence of third parties. We support an independent and autonomous Kosovo, where Albanians enjoy all political, economic, administrative and other rights. A just resolution of the Kosovo issue will certainly serve peace and stability in the region. Luan Hajdaraga thanked the American official for the initiative and appreciation shown in organizing several seminars in Albania. Mr Lombard thanked him for the clear and realistic presentation of the situation in the country and in the Balkan region. Press and Information Office of the Socialist Party

ACTIVE MEETING OF THE PS OF THE KORÇË DISTRICT Dr Servet Pëllumbi declares: - Fatos Nano was imprisoned because he led a constructive opposition that exposed the political demagoguery of the PD, - The economy—the field in which parties must show how much they care about the people’s hardships, - The proceedings of the Party’s active meeting [?] the new villages Kamenicë, mention the PD’s demagogic [?] from

Dr Servet Pellumbi declares: - Fatos Nano was imprisoned because he led a constructive opposition that exposed the political demagoguery of the PD, - The economy—the field in which parties must show how much they care about the people’s hardships, Dr Servet Pellumbi declares: - that exposed the political demagoguery of the PD, - they care about the people’s hardships, - The proceedings of the active meeting of the Socialist Party of the Korçë district, attended also by the deputy chairman of the PSSH, Dr Servet Pellumbi, were a powerful support for the political solution pursued by the Party to date and for the alternatives it is putting forward at the Second National Conference. Opening the active meeting, the chairman of the district Steering Committee, Niko Pandeli, clearly highlighted the growth of the Party organization and its activities among the masses. At the first meeting of this year, the villages of Kamenicë, Voskopojë, Pojan, etc. stood out for their new admissions. Among the new members there are many workers and, importantly, new students, young women and men from engineering and intellectual circles. The strengthening and expansion of the Party’s organizational structures everywhere has also increased the effectiveness of its work. “As a result,” comrade Niko Pandeli stressed, “we can say that in the Korçë district there are no longer PD stronghold villages that we could not enter two years ago. People everywhere have become disillusioned with the PD’s demagogic promises and with the failure of the reforms its government is implementing, and are showing ever greater interest in the Socialist Party’s alternatives.” These achievements were also highlighted by the deputy head of FRESSH in the Korçë district, Erget Cenolli, who, judging the path taken so far without euphoria, offered an assessment of the improvement in the work of the Forum’s own structures— (Continued on page 2)

- Interview with PSSH Deputy Chairman Ilir Meta, given to editor Hamdi Jupe - You recently visited Greece as part of a PSSH delegation. In what context did this visit take place? The PSSH delegation, which also included a member of its Presidium, Spartak Poci, went to Greece at the invitation of PASOK to attend the Third Congress of that party, which was also attended by numerous delegations from other European socialist and social-democratic parties. Your visit to Greece coincided with tensions in relations between our two governments because of the incident that took place in Peshkëpi, Gjirokastër, on 10 April. How did you experience these tensions, and what can you say about the accusations that the PSSH takes anti-national positions in its relations with PASOK? Our delegation went to Greece at a time when relations between the governments of our two countries were worsening, although the invitation had been issued well before the heinous crime in Peshkëpi took place. Our party’s position on this event has been clear. It has insisted, and will continue to insist, that the perpetrators of this crime be found and brought to justice. To this end, the PSSH has asked the governments of the two countries to cooperate in fully clarifying the incident. At meetings with representatives of PASOK and other socialist parties in Greece, we expressed this position of the PSSH. As for the accusations you mentioned, public opinion has already judged them, because the PSSH’s positions have been clear—clear also in its contacts with PASOK. In addition to political issues, other matters were discussed. Issues of good-neighbourly relations, a Balkan alliance and efforts to advance toward one were also raised. The Greek government’s position in the field of cooperation between the two countries has been different. We have acknowledged this inconsistency? What did the current PASOK Congress represent in the life of that party? The current PASOK Congress was a successful regular congress. It reviewed the work of the party during its time in opposition as well as its initial period in government. It discussed PASOK’s alternatives for addressing Greece’s current economic and social problems, PASOK’s strategies in international relations, as well as its rational policies, etc. PASOK’s readiness to establish better relations between Greece and Albania, also expressed at the current Congress, is worth emphasizing. The Congress set out PASOK’s priorities for the future and elected its leading bodies. Mr Andreas Papandreu was re-elected president. Did you meet representatives of other countries that took part in the PASOK Congress? The PSSH delegation’s participation in the PASOK Congress was accompanied by numerous meetings with leaders of other socialist and social-democratic parties participating in the Congress. I would especially mention the meeting with the vice-president of the Socialist International and, at the same time, president of the Belgian Socialist Party, Mr Filip Buskulin. The meeting discussed democratic developments in our country, the PSSH’s programme and role in these developments in Albania, as well as Buskulin’s willingness to help. Mr Buskulin expressed the Socialist International’s readiness to contribute in support of democratic developments in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and especially to promote the democratic-socialist alternative in these countries. In this connection, he said that a special committee for Central and Eastern Europe now operates within the Socialist International, with the aim of expanding the International’s role in these countries. What other meetings did representatives of your delegation have the opportunity to attend and with whom did they get acquainted there? During your stay in Greece, did you have the opportunity to meet Albanian refugees there and learn about their situation? During our stay of several days in Greece, we had the opportunity to meet many Albanian refugees, some of whom were friends and acquaintances. From our discussions with them, we understood that they are in a difficult situation and work under difficult conditions. For these reasons, given the work they do in Greece, they should be given the opportunity to support their families; Albanian society and the state must also recognize that, through their work and that of Albanian refugees in other countries, the country’s economic life is kept going today. In our meetings with PASOK representatives, in interviews with the press, etc., we asked the Greek authorities to ensure that incidents and tensions affecting relations between the two countries do not obstruct efforts to resolve the situation of Albanian refugees in Greece. Thank you.

From the press conference Selami declares: “unimaginable positive changes in Albania over the past two years; the demand for new elections is unfounded and destabilizing” “The interest of international forums in the ‘Nano Affair’ should surprise no one.” The Peshkëpi incident is a “continuation of certain circles with influence in the Greek government” The reason for yesterday’s PD press conference was the government’s second anniversary. Flanked at the press-conference podium by secretary Shuhu and deputy chairman Spaha, the chairman of the PD, Mr. Selami, answered questions. The other two appeared to be there only for decoration. In his remarks on Monday, Selami praised the “unimaginable positive changes” made during the two years of the PD in power, lauding shock therapy and forgetting how, until recently, he himself—and many PD figures—had another explanation for the party’s economic, social and market promises. These are two different economic and political outlooks, because they concern the state’s relationship to social problems arising from economic reform. Their governing of the PD without any sense of responsibility shows that either the party in power does not even know what path it is following, or its demagogic propaganda has crossed every limit. In this vein, Mr. Selami paraded the achievements, once again mentioning the fact that Albania has the highest production growth in Europe. Nevertheless, the PD chairman acknowledged that the response should be improved and made quicker, and that there is confusion and inefficiency in the state administration, especially at its middle levels. The press conference’s most sensational statement concerned the demand for new early elections. This was because time had reduced the force of this demand. There is a well-known “affection” for it in many cases, including among independent forces that seek to overthrow the present government. According to Mr. Selami, early elections should be held only if changes are made. But the demand for new elections under such circumstances is unfounded and destabilizing. These demands matter because they concern the state’s relationship to problems ... (Continued on page 4)

The miners of Gora have gone a month without receiving their wages: it is now April 21, and they have been unpaid since March 21, 1994. When will we get them? We are waiting. We look to God; our eyes are fixed on the sky. The sky gives us nothing, but will the government pay us the money for the time we have worked? Why are they holding us back? Who is putting pressure on them? The miners’ families are truly to be pitied—how are they supposed to pay their bills? Are we miners not the most discriminated against these days? Are we not the miners whose wages are lower than everyone else’s? Miners receive half a wage, if not less. An underground miner’s wage in the mine buys 1 kg of meat, three loaves of bread, a bottle of oil and a packet of cigarettes a day. But today, he cannot even afford 1 kg of meat, let alone the rest. Why is Minister Xhaja indifferent when miners cannot afford bread on that wage? Even worse, tomorrow it will be a full month without wages. What should be done? Why doesn’t the Ministry of Energy unblock its enterprises? The government and the ministry remain indifferent when miners are laid off. The enterprises used to have 1,275 workers, and today they have been reduced to 250. What will happen to all those families? In short, where and how will they get food? Is there anyone else? Why, if you do not care about the miners, could it be that someone always looks after the director who put them in this position, while the minister feels sorry for him because he lost his job and left? The miners, but perhaps also ... (Continued on page 4)