It was quite a choice among the banners of anonymous writings posted throughout the day everywhere in the city of Peshkopi and even at its entrance! The names and slogans, accompanied by exaggerations, were suggestive. In various ways and forms, they tried to persuade people to vote not for the right-wing A) and D), but with all their strength against the communists! To give this wonder as much publicity as possible, irritated and astonished, I stopped with my friend in Peshkopi, the Albanian language professor, Mr. Xhezair Duka. Sitting calmly and with a kind of restrained revolt, filled with a sense of pride, Duka, after looking around, told me: "This is an election campaign. They call this pluralism!" All the more so when such a type of campaign with a political label was in complete contradiction with human and political ethics. It looked more like pressure and psychological terror against voters. This gave the impression that those who had filled the walls with these slogans and chants did not believe in their own strength, but in the fear they might create in others. To be honest, it is not difficult to understand that such a climate, prepared with zeal and sinister intentions, has nothing to do with real democracy, with pluralism, or with fair political competition. It reminded me of dark periods, when hatred toward the opponent replaced political argument. Instead of presenting people with programs, alternatives, and the best candidates, the parties chose the easiest path: slander, denigration, intimidation. There were also scenes and events that created the conviction that in these elections the PS was being openly and through low means invited not to take part as an equal force. And strangely, this was happening in a country where people had made great sacrifices to break away from the past and build their free life. Were elections not the most civilized way to express the popular will? Why should this process be distorted to such an extent? Further on, in conversations with various citizens, it became clear that disappointment with the current government was deepening. Unemployment, poverty, lack of order, growing insecurity, and unfulfilled promises had led a not insignificant part of the population to seek change. But this change should not be made with a vengeful rush and the language of hatred. Albania needed calm, strong institutions, the rule of law, and policies that serve people. Under these conditions, early elections appear not as a political whim, but as a national necessity. They are the way to restore confidence in the country, to put an end to the permanent political crisis, and to reestablish the moral legitimacy of governance. The people must go once again to the ballot boxes, no longer to overthrow a system, but to bring to power those people and political forces that guarantee them in abundance freedom, democracy, peace, prosperity, well-being, and the rule of law. (To be continued on page 4)

The conference “Albania and the new Europe” was held Yesterday, in a hall of the House of Culture, the event of the “Friedrich Ebert” foundation was organized, with the aim of presenting to the wider public the second part of the report “NATO and the new Europe,” with speaker Mr. Alan Dyer. At this meeting, which among others was attended by the German ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Werner Daum, the ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr. Jan van Vlijmen, the head of external relations in the PS, Mr. Fatmir Xhafa, the head of the PS parliamentary group, Mr. Luan Hajdaraga, and Ms. Arta Dade, director of the Institute of Contemporary Studies, Mr. Alan Dyer delivered a presentation on the topic “NATO and the new Europe.” Among other things, he stressed that, in his view, stability in Albania is one of the key elements for stability in the Balkans and beyond. At the same time, Mr. Alan Dyer stated that NATO needs a reconceptualization of its role in the new conditions of Europe after the Cold War. In the discussions that followed, participants addressed issues related to Albania's integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, the prospects for democratic developments, and the role of Albanian political forces in this process. (To be continued on page 4)

THE FINANCIAL POLICE WAREHOUSES ARE BEING STOLEN IN PUKËS IN PARËS SKOPJE: For a long time Gurri had remained lost in the warehouses of the state reserve, whether bought and inventoried, and consequently intentionally left unassembled. For, as is known, this equipment had been transferred by decision of the Council of Ministers to the ministry of order for the needs of the PTSH of Pukës. Later it was partially dismantled and disappeared. According to local sources, various individuals who had access to the warehouses and benefited from the lack of control were involved in this act. The case has caused considerable concern, since it concerns state property and a structure that was supposed to preserve order and the law. Meanwhile, legal specialists state that the case could take on international dimensions if the involvement of foreign parties or the violation of the relevant contracts is proven. This would bring the file before other instances and further damage the image of Albanian institutions. Documents, cargo movements, and individual responsibilities are being investigated. So far there has been no final official position. (To be continued on page 4)

The superphosphate plant in Laç on the verge of closure Looking at the situation today at the superphosphate plant in Laç, everyone naturally asks: how did this enterprise end up in this state? Once one of the important industrial facilities, today it is heading toward closure. Due to the lack of raw materials, worn-out equipment, lack of a market, and misguided economic policies, production has fallen to a minimum. The workers are in complete uncertainty, while specialists warn of serious consequences for agriculture and the domestic economy. The closure of this plant would further worsen the social situation in the area and increase unemployment. Instead of seeking ways to revive and modernize it, the institutions seem to be leaving this important asset in oblivion. (To be continued on page 4)

As stated by the spokesperson of the Yugoslav Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the height of the political and economic war waged by Greece against FYROM, the Yugoslav government will make a decision to expel 4-5 Greek diplomats. Such a decision has been taken by the Yugoslav government as a reciprocal measure against the Greek decision to expel a Yugoslav diplomat from Thessaloniki. According to foreign agencies, the situation between Athens and Skopje remains tense. Disputes over the name, symbolism, and several other political issues continue to burden relations between the two countries.

The alternative of democratic socialism, an alternative that offers the most optimal solutions in Albanian conditions The meeting with the young Euro-Socialists from the northeastern zones of Albania in the district of Mirditë.