- From our special correspondents - The strike by the farmers barricaded in Kukës has entered its fourth day. Their conditi[ons] are extremely difficult; around 55 people are in a small room, some in quite serious health condition. Some police officers from Has also went to take the strikers out of their district, but were stopped by several hundred supporters of the strikers standing outside the building. Last night, the secretary of the district Socialist Party, Bajram Sula, was summoned by four police officers to the secret police department. The PS chairman and other citizens also went with him from the club. It is said that police forces are on standby near Kukës, but the strikers want dialogue, not violence. Late in the afternoon, the strikers were informed by the district council that Prime Minister Meksi wanted a committee of eight people to come for talks on Sunday at 10 o’clock. But the strikers want the prime minister in Kukës, because there are many of them and their problems are great. Although every effort is being made to politicize the strike, to create panic with scare tactics, and to accuse them of activities in favor of the Serbs and so on, the strikers remain determined in their economic demands. “We are determined,” says the strike chairman, “not to leave here alive before our economic demands are met. They tell us we have occupied the hall because it is of special importance. We have been asking for a hall for a long time. We came here to the authorities; we occupied the council club hall. We are not preventing the authorities from working. We don’t have the money to build a hall and then go on strike. We beg the government to solve our problems, not to use force.” Statements of support… “Leave us a piece of bread.” We are all of one voice, united for a piece of bread. We are like prisoners in a concentration camp. We have ended up complete refugees. I ask the prime minister to come here and hold a meeting with us. Political parties are no use to us. What we need is a piece of bread. We are freezing and have no bread. Question: How will this problem be resolved? Zylfi Pazs replies: “The problems can be resolved very easily. The President has been together with us in Berat, Meksi has been in Durrës at a celebration. He should find a solution to this plan. I guarantee these people that nobody will touch them. We voted for the PD and thought it would solve our problems. We are farmers. The land and our homes are flooded. Wherever we have gone, they tell us the land is ours. So get up and leave. Minister Musaraj came to Kukës and created chaos, so why isn’t he here?” Xhemil Kastrati from Kruma: “Last night the head of police came to Krumë and singled out two strikers again, threatening to take everything away from them, including their jobs.” Hajredin Hallaci from the village of Breg-Lumë: “We as a village are finished because our land is flooded by the river. We don’t even have drinking water. We have been left without bread. I am one of the PD organizers in the village. There are nine of us in the family and I don’t have a single person in work. I have seven dynym of land flooded by the lake, and today the water is about 200 m from the house.” But what do the strikers say? Fajik Kastrati. Has: The answer… …no political coloring. Strike chairman Jahir Troba, from the village of Kenete: “There are many old people and children in this strike. A small number may belong to parties, but even among them the majority are PD supporters. I myself belong to no party.” Fatmir Voka: “Minister of Public Order Musaraj came here to Kukës and started a wrestling match, because he used to be a wrestler. He said, ‘I can tame Kukës in a quarter of an hour,’ then went and had coffee at the tourist hotel.” Fadil Shehu: “Minister Musaraj betrayed our trust, because he told us nobody would touch them. The President should be better at judging people’s character. After what Minister Musaraj did here in Kukës, he would not even deserve the profession of shepherd, which is an honorable profession.” Strike chairman: “I asked Radio Kukës, and at the same time I added to the strike’s demands that the head of the Kukës police and the division commander not be suspended from duty, because according to information I had, they were suspended because they did not take part in the massacre carried out in Kukës.” Resim Zenel Troda says: “The President said some Enverists had organized it. Where are they? Why can’t we find them? I have only seen [them?]. Let him come here and check who is an Enverist and who is a democrat. The strike was started against no party; we have not come here to bring down the government, but we want bread. There is no bread. I am not a communist; in fact, I was persecuted. I was a political prisoner. I voted for the Democrats, but today in this strike I belong to no party. Who is the lord we should… turn to? Where is there a lord who can solve our problems? The strikers are determined in their demands.” … economic. They tell us we have built the hall of. … is of particular long time. We came to power here; we took over the council club hall. The government is not being pressed to act. We don’t have We ask the government to choose the halls, not to use force. Statements by strike supporters outside: Question: Who called on you to gather here? Hasan Doda answers: We were…

Tomorrow, 9 May — Victory Day over Fascism A few days ago, on 5 May, Martyrs’ Day, at the magnificent rally organized at the Field of Songs by the Eurosocialist Youth of Albania, the greatest democrats of Albania—the martyrs of freedom—were loudly acclaimed with emotion and gratitude. In remembrance of 9 May, we are publishing excerpts from the greetings read there.

Dr. Servet Pëllumbi Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party 5 May, Martyrs’ Day, is one of the holiest days of our people; it is the day of those brave men and women who, in one of the darkest periods for our nation, answered the call to fight the fascist occupiers and their collaborators: it is the day of the heroes Qemal Stafa and Margartia Titullani; Perlat Rexhepi and Zonjë Currë; Jah Salihi and Lefter Talo; Jordan Misja and Midhi Kosta-ni, Teli Ndini and Ganimete Terbe-shi and thousands upon thousands of others; who shed their blood to bring about the glorious 29 November 1944. 5 May is also the holy day of those young men and women who are now honored, white-haired veterans; who did not bow, did not break when their comrades fell in battle; did not withdraw from the efforts to rebuild Albania, impoverished and devastated by war; did not tire of working for the recovery and development of the economy, education, science and national culture; were not bent by other forces; did not bow in their achievements for the Albanian people, not even then, when the regime… (Continued on page 3)

Pandeli Majko Chairman of the Eurosocialist Forum Almost half a century ago, tens of thousands of young men and women who wanted, above all, Albania’s freedom took up arms against the Nazi-fascist occupier. They endured all the labels put on them, such as “kids” who “know nothing about politics,” up to the gravest accusation of being “traitors” or “Slav agents.” Time showed that neither terror nor Marx and Lenin drove these young men and women into the mountains, much less some phantom whose name… …of his. It would be quite wrong to attribute this great war, the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War, in which all Albanians took part, to a handful of people. This war arose from the very heart of a freedom-loving people, and especially its youth, who became its main protagonists. The more time passes, the more palpable this fact becomes, adding even greater value to this great event in our history. The martyrs of the War and their memory in the same— Almost half a century ago, young men and women with awakened consciences, who wanted above all the freedom of Albania, the labels put on them, such as “youngsters” who “know nothing about politics,” and even more serious accusations such as “traitors” or “Slav agents,” and attacks on “their morals.” Time showed that these young men and women were driven to the mountains neither by the terror of Marx and Lenin, nor by any less of a phantom whose name ends with the suffix “vic.” Our nation, in its struggle to survive, had had its fill of heroes and heroism, to the point that they had become part of its… the point that they had become part of its…

…of the people in Kukës. In response to a question about the new electricity prices and taxes, the President called them necessary for the reform and affordable for citizens. Why is the law on securities delayed? This was another question about economic problems. The President acknowledged that there had been delays and that this issue would be postponed, because it is an important and difficult matter. He said that certain categories of people would benefit most from the securities, such as former political prisoners, those whose property was expropriated, former wealthy people, etc. Thus, the President implied that this long-awaited law would be delayed for an indefinite period, perhaps also because national wealth continues to be appropriated unjustly. The President also left unclear how the securities would be distributed, when and where they could be converted into cash, and whether the matter would be discussed at the political parties’ round table. The experience of privatization so far, carried out by a government decision without going through parliament, makes one suspect that the government’s securities plan could take shape at the parties’ round table first, also without passing through parliament. Do you stand by the view that new parliamentary elections will be held only in 1996? In reply, the President said that the Socialist Party’s demand for early elections had not been serious. This demand was made as early as 23 March 1992, the President said, citing a statement by PS Deputy President Dr. Servet Pëllumbi: “If action were taken…”—the expression, as a kind of…—is not a demand for early elections. Deputy—

- From yesterday’s press conference - Five months after his last press conference, held in December of last year, President of the Republic Sali Berisha appeared again yesterday at a press conference with no specific subject. During this time, he said at the outset, important events had taken place, such as Nelson Mandela’s victory in the elections in South Africa, the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian agreement, positive developments in the Balkans, etc. It was the first time the President of the Republic had begun a press conference with important events abroad—even outside our continent. Nevertheless, over the past five months, important events in the country included the revival and start of production at the Koka-Kola cement factory, which he called a symbol for the countries of the East. The journalists’ questions showed that public opinion is more interested in the country’s problems, especially economic and social ones that affect people every day. Regarding the recent events in Kukës, President Berisha essentially described the strikers as people demanding an accounting of their families’ wages. The government has undertaken to resolve these demands, while some of the strikers are allegedly being manipulated, because their demands are unacceptable and the administration represents the interests of the majority of people. He, the President, condemned the occupation of buildings and offices and the blocking of roads, but did not assure [the press] that, beyond the government taking measures regarding the situation in Kukës, the families’ security [forces?] had been withdrawn two weeks earlier. Likewise, he said nothing about the selection of the police forces for… Deputy— Fajk Kastrati, Has: The president’s answer has not been… We are all unable to make a living. In our strike we do not distinguish … The chairman of the PS stated verbatim that, if democratic societies and opposition parties think about future elections the day after the elections have ended, thinking about future elections does not mean that you have asked for those elections to be held. Distorting phrases for political gain does no credit to politicians, whoever they may be. Early elections are held when a parliamentary crisis occurs, the president said. But the successful work of our parliament, as well as the fact that around 70 percent of Albanians support the market economy (according to GALLUP), make me believe that the next elections will take place in 700 days. In fact, according to our calculations, only 685 days now remain until the new elections, not 700. Nevertheless, this time the President of the Republic did not describe the demand for early elections as “unconstitutional” and “destabilizing,” as he had done before. Likewise, he accepted in principle that early elections are held when a parliamentary crisis occurs. This leads one to believe that the president does not rule out the possibility of early elections. We are dealing with a change in his position, however one may view his stance on this issue. Time will tell in the future. President Berisha tried to sidestep the request for his comment on the Nano affair, saying that the matter was for the justice system. Nevertheless, he warned that the corruption issue in this case was being dealt with in Italy. It is another matter that extends across both sides of the Adriatic,

In recent days, MPs Maqo Lakrori and Bashkim Koci held several meetings in the district of Gramsh. These aroused particular interest. The realistic assessment of situations at home and abroad, open dialogue, a spirit of discussion and warm communication with participants created the atmosphere people seek, and truly find, in the PS. The first meeting was held in the municipality of Kodovjat. Before speaking with the residents of this municipality, MPs Maqo Lakrori and Bashkim Koci took part in a meeting with the municipal councillors and village elders from several villages. The municipality’s chairman, Xhevit Kisha, a PS representative, briefed the MPs on the work done by the local authorities as well as on the difficulties created by excessive centralization in the area of… The meeting was held in one of the… “The tendency to strip local government of as many powers as possible,” the municipality’s chairman emphasized, “means that we are unable even to intervene to help the village, since we have no funds—not to prevent the destruction of forests, nor for irrigation pumps, nor for schools, healthcare, etc. We,” he said, “have been left by the government to deal with only two tasks that it cannot manage itself: implementing the land law and receiving people to whom we have nothing to give(*).” The government’s stance toward local government, Maqo Lakrori told those present, is political. “The PS will not stop working to change this situation; the PS, this authority…” The residents of this municipality showed particular interest in meeting the Socialist MPs. “It is a pleasure for us… Comrade Maqo Lakrori… that we are talking with the residents of this municipality…” … asks for you, because the people themselves have awakened and are interested in administering it as well as possible.” The deputies listened attentively to the participants and promised that they would use their influence regarding all the problems raised. The residents of this commune showed particular interest in the meeting with the Socialist deputies. “It is a pleasure for us …,” comrade Maqo Lakrori said in the film, “… to talk with the residents of this commune, renowned for its lofty patriotic and freedom-loving traditions, which has produced from its midst people of the rifle and the pen such as Asllan Shabani, Qazim Dërmyshi and many others …” (Continued on page 2)

Besides the scandal involving dollars and gold medals, will the democratic government also have a biscuit scandal? The information received from the Institute of Foreign Aid on November 22, 1993, informed the State Reserves Directorate in Tirana that the transport of humanitarian aid from England was beginning, in accordance with the signed agreement. And, strangely, immediately afterward, following the Greek river route—Preveza—the first shipments of tons of biscuits, two mattresses, sixty beds and used stretchers arrived at the Albanian-Greek border. Thus, collected at the Independence Agency, 24 tons of biscuits, 422 mattresses, 700 beds with slats and 500 stretchers were dispatched to Albania in the first days, from the total of 148 tons of biscuits and thousands of stretchers gathered at this agency. This was the first part of a very ... (Continued on page 2)