What the strikers say: Rasim Zenel Troda: We sent people even to the President, and the lake has covered our houses, they promised us something, but they never supported us. We submitted another petition and also set the date on which we would go on strike. Here in Kukës not a single window has been broken, not a single warehouse has been burned, nobody has been killed in the canals. They are very honest, very respectable people, but when you go hungry... We expect the Serb to attack us, but not an Albanian, an Albanian. We were harmed, but those who came here were harmed too. Why were they harmed? What have we done to the Minister? In Pogradec they know how to come even for celebrations, but they don’t come here to talk or to send us back to our homes. Sherif Sula: We are Albanians; we are asking for a just life. We have no political motives; we destroyed the regime we had. Nobody wants it anymore. We want democracy, and something better, but we want bread to eat. Is the land going to be worked by us? If the government continues like this, we will be very sorry. We are a generation of fighters; you yourselves are witnesses that we killed 12,000 Serbs here with stones and axes. Shame on those government officials who come here to start a war. They have their ears open to what is happening here. Let the people know what is happening. It will be a great catastrophe if they think they can settle this matter with [samsita?]. Why should we live with an orphan, brother? Ilia, you’d better tell the Serbs to kill […] us; it would be better for them to kill us than for you to kill us. We are asking for the problems to be resolved through dialogue too. If the government doesn’t [unclear], let them come and let us come to an understanding, but not with violence, terror, stones and bullets. What have we done to anyone? We ask for the problem to be resolved through dialogue and for no talk to start in January about the [samsitë?] in Pukë not being there. (Continued on page 3) Unemployment, hunger, isolation, disappointment, shattered hopes, betrayal—is this the situation in Kukës and among the people of Kukës? Enterprises are not operating, nor are the mines; the land has not been divided according to the law, the market is empty, people have nothing to eat; there is a great deal of hardship and little land. You have to be in Kukës to understand the poverty these noble, brave and courageous people are living in. But you don’t have to travel the road to Kukës to see this situation, even as a tourist. There are only difficult roads, no plains at all. You can travel mile after mile without seeing a single car, and people who are poorly fed and poorly clothed. What is a person from Kukës to do in this situation, with the mountains on one side and Serbian bullets on the other? They had hoped so much in democracy and in the so-called Democratic Party. But in vain; the government has other ‘concerns’. Our senior leaders have not gone there—no, not to Kukës! To them, Kukës does not exist. Despite its extreme poverty and many problems, the prime minister has never been there. Once Berisha and Meksi wanted the votes of the people of Kukës; now that they have crossed the river, they are afraid to go there again. Our self-proclaimed national television, on the very day the strikers were due to meet the government again (8 May), aired a specially selected program about the fate of the poor pelicans. This television had nothing—not even a documentary, let alone a film—about the fate of the people of Kukës, who were dying of hunger. Television... (Continued on page 3)

The “Nano file” awaits the reorganization of the court of appeal. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Socialist Party is being held in prison under conditions of strict surveillance. He is allowed to read only the Bible, although they have had him reading it for more than three months and no other kind of literature. One wonders whether the regime would be overthrown if Fatos Nano were to read the Albanian daily newspapers. The “high level of danger” posed to the regime by Fatos Nano’s presence is obvious. Both his imprisonment and this treatment by the state constitute a grave accusation against the state itself. They produce the opposite of what those who inspire and carry them out intend: those who violate another person’s freedom never emerge victorious. In the case of an intellectual, a politician, a member of parliament, and the chairman of the largest opposition party, the contrary effect produced by the state’s treatment of Nano is understandable. Fatos Nano is an intellectual. Although the medical stammerers at RD try to deny his contribution to democratic developments in Albania, the public does not believe them. It believes facts, not the manipulation and distortion of facts. Fatos Nano’s imprisonment and his sentencing by the court of first instance to 12 years’ deprivation of liberty is an attack on an intellectual. People are very sensitive to injustices, whoever commits them and whatever flattering label they give themselves. The trial of Fatos Nano, although it was not broadcast in full on television, was followed closely by the public. The fact that the person on trial was an intellectual, a member of parliament and the leader of an opposition party, and the fact that the right-wing and government press unlawfully and shamefully [unclear] the Chairman of the Socialist Party and MP Fatos Nano, [unclear] also to sentence the predecessor of the former communist Sali Berisha, Ramiz Alia, the first President of democratic and pluralist Albania, who was also [unclear] to make Sali Berisha president, in order to receive prison as a reward... People are very sensitive to the blows the state deals to intellectuals. And this has its own explosive effect. Indeed, when a particularly strong reaction to such an attack on intellectuals erupts, the “danger and social consequences” that follow become more [unclear], and the state’s serious [discrediting?] becomes more understandable. This explains the great public reaction to the arrest and imprisonment of Socialist Party Chairman and MP Fatos Nano, and to his trial and sentence, as well as to the journalists, etc. The point is that the values and opinions of the public should be heard more. This is in the interests of democracy, individual freedom, and the political and social emancipation of our society. It is a positive fact that, under the influence and pressure of public opinion at home and abroad, the President of the Republic announced the pardon of the sentences of several journalists in our country. They are now free, although the court’s decision declaring them “guilty” remains in force. Nevertheless, they are free, and this should be regarded as a victory for progressive public opinion, a victory for the entire intelligentsia. However, the sentencing of Fatos Nano, of newspapers, and of other intellectuals is an appeal to all Albanian intellectuals.

Parallel: Mandela’s message — Ramiz Alia in prison on the eve of the trial!... — Nelson Mandela, the man who is a legend, the myth of Black people and of all those who aspire to freedom, is the first Black President of South Africa, which for 300 years was ruled by the white people themselves with the sjambok. The Pretoria regime, the harshest embodiment of apartheid and violence, [unclear] dialogue. In this way he reaches out to the judiciary and Nano, [it] is preparing who also [unclear] resigned so that President Sali Berisha could take office, receiving prison as a reward... [He reaches out to] South African Vice-President De Klerk, his predecessor, who inaugurated and institutionalized dialogue. In this way he reaches out to the [unclear] of South Africa, without distinction. Mandela again. After the message of struggle and Promethean resistance for freedom, justice and equality, he gives another message: one of peace, understanding and coexistence in a civil, democratic society that seeks progress. Far from rancour, resentment and revenge. Meanwhile, Berisha’s regime in European Albania, which is far from South Africa, where the first Black President of South Africa was recently elected, [at] Mandela’s election ceremony, where Safet Zhulali was also present. and MP Fatos Nano, whom ... ...the representative of the former K...? communist Sali Berisha, the first President of democratic and pluralist Albania, Ramiz Alia, who resigned so that Sali Berisha could become president, only to receive prison in return (for? the time shorn. Not only para-dox!... It is not difficult to understand Mandela’s message.

BUCHAREST, 10 May. — The President of Albania, Sali Berisha, began an official visit to Romania on Monday, 9 May, at the invitation of Romanian President Ion Iliesku. During this visit, which is scheduled to last three days, the Albanian head of state will hold official talks with the Romanian head of state. The talks will be... followed by the signing of a treaty on cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the two countries, Romania and Albania. Romania and Albania have also signed a cooperation protocol for construction in Tirana and other cities in Albania, ...

Invited by the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, Namik Dokle, Vice-Chairman of the PS and Chairman of its Parliamentary Group, left for Spain. He will take part in the conference entitled “The European Order—Peace and Democracy in the 21st Century,” which will be held in Valencia from 12 to 15 May 1994. As a guest of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, Namik Dokle, Vice-Chairman of the PS and Chairman of its Parliamentary Group, left for Spain. He will take part in the conference entitled “The European Order—Peace and Democracy in the 21st Century,” which will be held in Valencia from 12 to 15 May 1994. As has been reported, the Chairman of the Socialist Party, MP Fatos Nano, was also invited to attend the conference, but the Berisha regime has subjected him to political imprisonment. Fatos Nano is expected to send a message of greeting to the Conference from prison. Many prominent figures in European politics will attend the Valencia Conference, including Mikhail Gorbaçov, Felipe Gonzales, Akile Oketo, Joan Lerma, etc. Socialist Party Press Office

The Mayor of Gjirokastër, Mr Bashkim Fino, met the leader of the Greek opposition, the chairman of the New Democracy Party, Mr Miltiadh Evert, at his request, during his recent visit to Gjirokastër. Mr Fino expressed his gratitude and thanks to the Greek people for the assistance provided in hosting economic migrants, and for the feelings of sincere friendship that the Albanian people cherish for their neighbour across the sea. Such feelings are also reflected in relations between Albanians and the Greek minority living in Gjirokastër, who have lived and continue to live together in a natural climate of good relations, understanding and brotherhood. Relations of this kind should also be better reflected in those between the two states, which have been aggravated and strained by the recent crisis. Mr Fino discussed with his interlocutor the economic and other problems concerning Gjirokastër and provided information about the activities of the Municipal Council and the community, where among those elected and employed are citizens of Greek nationality. Mr Evert thanked him for the opportunity and the information, and said he would work to facilitate relations between the municipalities of Athens and Gjirokastër.

On Monday, the first investigations began into this crime, which could result in the mine’s final destruction The entire conveyor belt at the Valias coal mine in Tirana has burned, causing enormous damage that could result in the final escalation of “Democracy,” as it was named immediately after the Democratic Party’s victory on March 22. The Valias mine, whose galleries hold a glorious history of strikes before March 22, will have to face even greater difficulties after that date. Over these two years, it has drastically reduced the number of miners working in its galleries because of severe financial difficulties. From the depths of the earth, along with the coal that rarely reaches the surface, “materials” also emerge on rare occasions—materials that embody the glorious outcome of the politically motivated hunger strikes of June 1991. And the paradox is extraordinary. Although the workers’ economic situation is extremely difficult, there has been no reaction at all. Nevertheless, since the early hours of Monday morning, when the damage to the conveyor (the mechanism that brings coal from the galleries to the surface) became known, the situation will worsen further. Meanwhile, various sources report that on Monday the relevant investigative authorities immediately went to the scene, including employees of the National Intelligence Service, which is also investigating this act of sabotage. So far, nothing is known about the perpetrators of this crime or the reasons that led them to commit it.

13 people detained by law-enforcement authorities On Monday, in the Bathore area of the Kamza municipality, where the so-called “ghetto” of Tirana has been established for months and whose residents are displaced people from northeastern areas of Albania, mainly from the districts of Kukës, Has, Dibër, Pukë and Tropojë, a serious confrontation took place between residents of the area and police forces. The cause of this confrontation and violence was the issue of land distribution, which the longtime residents of Kamza now say has been occupied. During the confrontation between officers from the Kamza police station and residents of the “ghetto,” well-informed sources report that special intervention forces arrived at the scene of the clash? ... Those involved in this confrontation were ... detained by the law-enforcement forces.

For the first 5 km of the Tirana-Durrës motorway, the Albanian government is allocating 4 million 250 thousand dollars. The day before yesterday, the start of work was inaugurated, attended by Prime Minister Mr. A. Meksi, the Italian Ambassador in Tirana, Mr. P. Forestti, the president of the implementing Italo-Albanian company “Euroeteoroma-Pequin sh.p.k.”, Mr. Paskalli, members of the government cabinet, etc. This is the first section of the first motorway built in Albania. All the procedures have been completed for the first 5 km of this motorway, which will connect the Albanian capital, Tirana, with the country’s second city, where its largest port is located—Durrës. The preliminary design, implementation design and detailed execution design have been completed; the winning company for the project has been selected, the Italo-Albanian company “Euroeteoroma - Peqin sh.p.k.”; all the necessary machinery has arrived; and the Albanian government has allocated 4.250 million dollars in consulting funds for this section. For the first time, Albanians will have a motorway in their country, which has never had one before. The marker signaling the start of work on this motorway was unveiled the day before yesterday at the exit from Tirana, where the Durrës road branches off from the road to Fushë-Krujë, in the presence of the Albanian Prime Minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, the Italian Ambassador, Mr. P. Forestti, and the president of the construction company, Mr. HN Paskalli. Work also began here—work for Albanians, which we hope will be followed by other projects in other sectors of the economy. The motorway will largely follow the existing main road, widening it on its right-hand side. The paved motorway lanes—two outbound and two inbound—with a median divider, two outer shoulders, etc., give the motorway a width of 25–26 meters. In addition to construction, the project contractor will also carry out high-voltage adjustments, drainage works, etc. Almost all the materials used to build the motorway will be locally sourced. It is due to be completed by April 30, 1995. “We will finish it by that deadline,” declared Mr. Xhovani Paskalli, president of the Italo-Albanian company, at the inauguration ceremony. In a meeting we held with the technical director, Mr. Nicola Maffa, he said: “Albanians are willing to work, they have technical skills, and we are very optimistic about the work we are doing.” The preliminary and implementation designs were prepared by the Albanian side, while the detailed execution design was prepared by the Italian side, which is entitled to alter the preliminary and implementation designs, naturally with the approval of the Albanian side. “That is precisely what,” explains Fatos Brovina at the General Directorate of Roads under the Ministry of Construction, “means that after the detailed execution design was completed, the 420 m-long Mëzez Bridge was removed and replaced with another arrangement that was more economically advantageous and, naturally, was accepted by the Albanian side.” It appears that this was done both technically and economically without affecting any functionality. Several Italian technical experts have been engaged to design and oversee the construction of this motorway, since such experts are lacking here. According to the engineers, by the technical classification of Italian motorways, this road falls into the first category. What comes next? Is there a project to extend the motorway as far as Vorë? Securing funds from domestic or foreign sources will make it possible to continue it.

I. invited by the Citizens’ Assembly of ...