The people must go to the ballot boxes again, no longer to overthrow a system, but to bring to power those people and political forces that guarantee them more freedom, democracy, peace, ownership, justice, prosperity, and the rule of law The issue of early parliamentary elections is increasingly becoming a topic of discussion among and between political parties, in the party and independent press, at parties’ political activities with their members and supporters, and, most importantly, in public opinion at large. Naturally, positions differ. The Democratic Party, which currently holds power, opposes new early elections on the grounds that on 22 March 1992 it won the right to govern for four years, and therefore the right to legitimacy. It describes calls for new elections as destabilizing and does not hesitate to call the opposition “the enemy” for making this demand. At the same time, however, it is preparing for such a possibility through intensive political activity across Albania of an electoral-campaign nature, with the aim of winning and remaining in power for another legislature. The Socialist Party sees the demand for new elections as the only constitutional means of resolving the many problems that have now accumulated and removing the serious obstacles created to the normal continuation of democratic processes in Albania. It believes that a new political solution and a new formula for governing would better address the distortions in the situation, the deep divisions that have emerged among the electorate, the significant changes in the landscape of Albanian political forces, and the changes that have occurred in the effectiveness of parliamentary work. Other parties, which want more time to prepare before a new electoral campaign begins, take a centrist position. They side neither with the DP’s position nor with that of the SP, advancing the thesis that “the country is served equally well in opposition and in government, and our allies are patience and time,” even though they feel every day on their own backs the unlawful, antidemocratic, and inhumane stick of the Party that is restoring a neo-dictatorial regime. Still other parties waver from left to right, conduct polls to see where they can get the best deal, but also put pressure on the Party in power, or set conditions for cooperating with it, seeking to secure a larger slice in the various sectors of the current government. Or to push it further toward their own camp, chiefly the far right. In any case, they keep the possibility of new elections in view. There are also oracle-like judgments claiming that the opposition, chiefly the SP, is insistently demanding new elections “now or never” because, after two years, the current Democratic government will have achieved greater successes; because over the next two years it will correct many of the mistakes of its first two years and make far fewer new ones. Thus, they say, the opposition will win fewer votes than it expects to win if elections are held this year. Any political observer who coolly analyzed political, economic, and social processes in Albania would reach the conclusion that there are several objective factors making early parliamentary elections necessary. (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses, the conference “Albania and the New Europe” held its proceedings, at the initiative of the Albanian Foundation for Relations with Europe and sponsored by NATO. Yesterday, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses, at the initiative of the Albanian Foundation for Relations with Europe and sponsored by NATO. Politicians, members of parliament, intellectuals, university lecturers, journalists from various press and information outlets, diplomats accredited in Albania, and representatives of international organizations took part in the conference. The conference held its proceedings in three panels: The European Union and NATO; Albania and its role in regional security issues; and Europe and the Balkans need closer cooperation. The conference was opened by Dr. Agim Neço, director of the Albanian Foundation for Relations with Europe. Elio Germano, representative of the EU, spoke first, providing a detailed account of the role of the European Union in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, and particularly in the Balkan countries. Mr. Germano spoke about the major state reforms the European Union uses to assist the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, and especially the Balkan countries. On a bilateral level, he emphasized, the EU supports the political and economic reform process in interested countries. The first form has consisted of facilitating access to the EU market through trade concessions. The second form of assistance is the PHARE program. At the ecological round table, the facts and figures concerning the very extensive damage to Albania’s natural environment during the transition period were presented in a highly discussion-oriented manner. The press, too, has covered these cases with the expression “Albanian Chernobyl.” At this meeting, various ideas were put forward on cooperation among political and non-political associations interested in ecology. In the end, it was decided that these activities would continue in the future, with a view to further quantitative and qualitative expansion. The ecological round table concluded its session with closing remarks. created to support the process of restructuring and economic reforms in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, consisting of non-repayable financial assistance granted on the basis of annual programs for priorities negotiated bilaterally; and the third form of support is the extension of loan facilities to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Finally, Mr Germano stressed that the EU attaches great importance to regional cooperation, especially among the Balkan states, and that it is up to the countries of this region to develop this cooperation. Next, Mr Luc Fuhrmann, from NATO’s Political Directorate, spoke about NATO’s role in the European security space, as did Dr Paskal Milo, MP, and Prof. Franz Lotha Altman, director of the Institute for Southeast European Studies in Munich. Dr Petrit Nathanaili of the University of Tirana, Dr Ettore Greco of the Institute of International Relations in Italy, MP Arben Imami, and Dr Servet Pëllumbi, MP and deputy chairman of the Socialist Party, spoke about security issues in the region. At the panel “Europe and the Balkans: Seeking Closer Cooperation,” Prof. Dr Gramoz Pashko and Dr Anastas Angjeli spoke. The Conference also concluded its proceedings yesterday. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

- The thief was one of its employees - A theft took place in the warehouses of the financial police in Durrës

SKOPJE: The Albanian parliamentary group, Albanian ministers in the government of Macedonia, and other representatives of state institutions in Macedonia jointly discussed the propaganda being broadcast against them by the Albanian satellite program and the benefits of the democratic prosperity they represent. After this expanded meeting, the chairman of the Albanian MPs’ parliamentary group, or, as they call him here, the parliamentary group coordinator, Mr. Muhamet Hal’li, explained to us: We were compelled to hold such a meeting and make our position public because it has been going on for a long time that RTSH, and particularly the news included in its satellite program, is inaccurate. This is not simply an observation but a denunciation: in recent times this program has been intensifying its insults and offensive remarks against us day by day. Through RTSH microphones and its newspapers, mud is being slung at all the Albanian MPs and ministers of the PPD. On what grounds? We consider this activity openly anti-Albanian, aimed at further dividing the Albanian political factor in Macedonia. We know very well that this is being done to strengthen the position of the other group; the mysterious course being pursued is entirely wrong, insulting, and degrading. The chairman of the Albanian MPs’ parliamentary group in the Macedonian parliament concluded: We would like the media in Albania and Albanian newspapers to respect professional standards and provide the public with real and accurate information. But that is their business. However, when they talk about us, if they lie and slander, they must also answer for it. Today, through a statement, we made this repeated conduct by RTSH known. If this continues, we will be compelled to take them to an international court. You may say: is it appropriate for Albanians to take Albanians to court? And I will answer you: no, no! However, if someone lies, slanders, insults, and unjustly humiliates you, in other words, commits a wrong, they must answer for their wrongdoing.

- The thief was one of its employees - A strange in Durrës. For a month, it had been suspected that a quantity of goods was missing, but this could not be verified because the premises are cramped and unsecured. The mysterious thief was one of the financial police employees, who, whenever he was on night duty, stole Malboro cigarettes and majolica plates, which he sold to the traders he was supposed to inspect during the day. Following a swift operation, it was confirmed that the thief was financial police officer Fadil Dervishi, who has disappeared in an unknown direction and is being sought by the law-enforcement forces. The value of the stolen goods amounts to 311 835 new lekë. (ATSH)

On Wednesday, 20 April, at the initiative of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum branch at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, an event devoted to environmental protection and vital issues was organized for the first time. Interested students, invited lecturers, and the chairman of the environmental protection association, Mr. Leka Çe-ku, took part in the meeting. The meeting materials emphasized that ecology has been forgotten in our country today; no policy is being made and the issue is not being brought to public attention, while public opinion concerns itself with individual cases in which environmental damage has reached extreme and undeniable levels. closing remarks. Spokesperson of the Eurosocialist Forum

Incalculable economic losses, plus 600 workers on assistance; 370 of them will be laid off in the first phase When the national economy is put in a straitjacket The superphosphate plant in Laç on the verge of closure - Inc alculable economic losses, plus 600 workers on assistance; 370 of them will be laid off in the first phase - The superphosphate plant in Laç, an industrial complex that for many years served as a driving force behind the development of many branches of the Albanian economy, and whose production reached 14 product lines, is at risk of closing. And this is for entirely subjective reasons. The plant produces exceptionally high-quality goods that can compete and survive under market-economy conditions. But what is happening? The plant is at risk of closing solely because there is no market for selling its products. As things stand, around 12,000 tons of superphosphate, 600 tons of sulfuric acid and 160 tons of powder (sodium silicate, etc.) remain in stock, with a total value of around 65 million new lek. Despite the administration’s repeated efforts to find a market for the plant’s products, no success has been achieved so far. As we are told by the administration of this enterprise, the main obstacle has been the sale of imported fertilizers, leaving domestic products in stock. They “justify” this by saying that importing fertilizers is more profitable, since our products have higher costs. Another argument offered to us by the chief engineer of the superphosphate plant, Bashkim Shia, is untenable. Here, the association is losing its workers. So it is clear that this is being done solely to serve the narrow interests of this company. These actions, which seriously endanger domestic production, are being taken by traders whose only concern is making a profit. Parliament itself has addressed this with a decision, also decreed by the president, under which customs duties on these kinds of goods were lowered from 30 to 5 percent. Thus, traders have turned away from domestic products. This is also a serious obstacle to the evaluation of domestic products by the International Fertilizer Institute, based in America and operating in Albania, which, according to a “study” it conducted, reached the conclusion that “fertilizer production in Albania is not profitable!” Meanwhile, our specialists argue the opposite. And, unfortunately, the state remains silent. It gives priority to importing fertilizers from abroad, while our products fill the warehouses. A highly productive plant like the superphosphate plant in Laç is on the verge of closure. In addition to incalculable economic losses, around 600 workers will be put on assistance, 370 of them in the first phase; a list has been drawn up for them. According to independent information, the plant has contacted the enterprise restructuring agencies in Tirana two or three times. Only after their pressure did they receive the reply: “Keep working for a little while longer until ...?” Until when? How long will the Meski government continue to shut the doors of enterprises? BESNIK ZNËLI

As the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, the decision to recall the diplomats working at the Greek embassy has been cancelled until the planned meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Serreqi and his Greek counterpart Karolos Papulias has concluded. The number of people who will remain at the respective embassies will also be discussed at that meeting. Such a decision raises hopes that relations between Albania and Greece, as neighboring states, will be normalized, which is in the interest of both our peoples and our countries. It is also hoped that the practice of issuing visas to the many Albanian citizens will return to normal; this practice has been blocked in recent days, since the requests made by the Albanian side also affected the consular section of the Greek embassy. We have no information about the Greek government’s response, but the diplomats who had packed their suitcases did not leave. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

(Meeting of young Eurosocialists from the northeastern areas of Albania in the district of Mirditë.) All Albanians, and young people in particular, regardless of their differing political beliefs, seek the intensive development of Albanian society and the elimination of every negative phenomenon that hinders progress toward European standards. Now that we are in the phase of economic and political transition, the question arises: How will we achieve the changes we seek? What alternatives should we follow? Seen from this perspective, looking at the past is essential. The new alternative of democratic socialism that Albanian Eurosocialists seek to affirm cannot be developed without a cool-headed analysis of the totalitarian socialism applied in Albania under the leadership of the Party of Labour, which, among its many other mistakes, led to great economic backwardness compared with the great sacrifices made by the people. But what were the basic characteristics of totalitarian socialism that the alternative of democratic socialism wholly rejects, and that the interests of the popular masses demand must never be repeated: totalitarian socialism had a militaristic character and developed bureaucracy on an extraordinary scale. Politically, it was monist and did not accept pluralism; it led to economic, political, cultural, intellectual, and scientific poverty. Its totalitarianism caused major contradictions between individuals, such as class struggle, isolation, cults, etc. This was the Eastern model of socialism, or the socioeconomic model that ultimately failed. But there is a theory and practice of socialist and social-democratic parties in Western countries that has not only not failed, but has achieved results that no one can deny. Countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, etc., became what they are today thanks to the work of their people, but also thanks to policies stemming from the ideals of democratic socialism applied in those countries. Spain and Portugal experienced rapid development while implementing their own democratic-socialist alternatives. We can thus mention the major contribution made by the implementation of their programs by socialist parties in many Western European countries. The attempts and efforts of many Democratic Party politicians to direct the political struggle in Albania toward a struggle against the alternative of democratic socialism, by identifying this alternative with totalitarian socialism, have completely failed. This is why young Albanians must fight all the harder to affirm the alternative of democratic soci— (Continued on page 4)