SOCIALIST PARTY On 2 July 1994, a group of representatives of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly were received at the PSSH headquarters. The group included the chair of the assembly, Mrs Mary KALOOR (England), Eleni MYRIVIZI (Greece), Mient Jan FABER (Holland), Paulina LAMTSA (Greece), and Tatjana SIKOSKA (Rep. of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). They explained the objectives of their organization and asked about the political situation and human rights in Albania from the opposition’s point of view. The activists were received on behalf of the PSSH by its Secretary General, Gramoz Ruçi, and members of the PSSH Presidium, Dr. Maqo Lakrori and Dr. Et'hem Ruka. In the presentation by the hosts, explanations were given about the political and economic situation in Albania, and particularly about the state of human rights and the opposition, including information about the legal and procedural violations and the political sentence being imposed on the Chairman of the PSSH, Fatos Nanos. Press Spokesperson

Mr Gllozheni, appointed by the current authorities as director of the National Privatization Agency (the fourth in succession), is kindly invited to go and take a lesson in a small district such as Gramsh. Perhaps it has never occurred to him to visit the town, which few of today’s officials ever go to, and learn how privatization is being carried out there. Perhaps things were not done according to the authorities’ instructions, since of the 27 enterprises privatized, 24 were sold to their own work collectives. Even if the “directive-givers” may not be pleased—since they are selling many enterprises only to the authorities’ loyalists, at laughable prices—in the case we have mentioned, the people of Gramsh are satisfied with the straightforward solutions, as they have worked and sweated for years in these enterprises. SEJDIN CEKANI

The number of families receiving economic assistance from the municipality of this city has increased by 250 families each month. Thus, according to this figure confirmed by employees of the municipality’s relevant department, nearly 7,000 families per month will have received economic assistance during this six-month period. This is yet another significant indication of the difficult economic situation that continues to prevail in this city. Slightly less than one third of families live in the misery of economic assistance, which is almost symbolic in the face of rising prices. The relevant municipal department has also said that the possibility cannot be ruled out that some families are receiving assistance unfairly. Therefore, with the new documentation being prepared for the second six-month period, and in the hope that this process will be computerized, the department’s employees believe the way will be closed to abuse. As for the considerable expansion of employment opportunities—which would genuinely reduce the number of families receiving economic assistance and consequently raise their standard of living—there is talk of the best possible solution. “Zëri i Popullit” correspondent

While the PS conference was continuing its work, a note arrived in the secretariat from the hall. “I am a guest at this conference today, but now I wish to be accepted here as a member of the PS. Please, if you can, inform the delegates.” That was all that was written in the note from 18-year-old Elona Tyli. The session chair read it out to those present, and the hall resounded with applause as they approved and welcomed this young girl’s request. We met her during the break in the session and asked what had prompted her to become a member of the PS and why she had chosen this particular day. Elona replied: “The PS programme prompted me to become a member. I did not choose to express my wish to be accepted on this day for the sake of sensation, but because it is a special day that will remain a beautiful memory in my life.” Elona Tyli, the youngest member of the PS in Albania MUSA KURTULAJ

The announcement was made at the beginning of the Albanian Television news broadcasts on 3 July. The television announcer presented it as a “special event.” The journalist did not forget (as always on such occasions) to say that this mill was being built for the first time in our country. The Committee for Science and Technology, the General Directorate of Mechanics, and the “Dinamo” Plant had worked on the mill for a year. The chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology himself, Mr Maksim Komoni, attended the ceremony. They only forgot to say that this was a great achievement of the Democratic Government. But that was the impression the television report created. This “inauguration” took place a few days after President Berisha’s speech, in which he spoke of the “pole of high development rates” and of transformations of such a kind that Albanians would always be proud of them. Apparently, the newly built windmill, too, will enter the catalogues of the Democratic Government’s outstanding achievements, of which Albanians will always be proud! But a windmill remains a windmill. And the problem is not the windmill. Let such things be built too, if they are worthwhile, as they are built throughout the world. Let Albanians enjoy their mill, if it can quench their thirst. That is not the problem. The problem is everything else. The problem is when news of such events is given as the first item in every edition of the national television news. The problem is when they say that Mechanics, and the “Dinamo” Plant worked on this mill for a year. The problem is when the chairman of the Committee for Science and Technology himself attends the “inauguration” of a windmill. Why do we say this? Because Albanians learn the history of windmills as early as the seventh grade of school [?] And being here, in Albania, but with the wind, with the taste of cigarettes or with currency exchange. They are also abroad in exile, earning their children’s bread through menial jobs. They are the famous romantic instrument of Serven-[?] tes. But in the seventh grade, pupils learn the mechanical principles by which windmills work. Since compulsory education under the communist dictatorship lasted eight years, even the village blacksmith of Manati could have built these windmills, if he had a few sheets of tin and some steel pipes. But that did not happen. Only the cream of Albanian science was involved in this undertaking. That is where the problem lies. Where are Albania’s real scientists now? Where are the engineer-professors and doctors of science who have multiplied in recent times? Appointed by a decision of the Democratic Government? Where are the “university staffs” who, “for the first time in Albania’s history,” are now directing the country’s life? They are here, in Albania, but they sell cigarettes or engage in children’s bread through menial jobs. Those who [...?] ... designed and built hydroelectric plants of European standard, those who established the Azotiku, Nikëlokalbit and Ferrokromit plants, would be ashamed to get involved in building a windmill. Albania has scientists capable of doing great work. But they had to be prevented from working. Their work under the previous regime had to be disregarded, denounced, and dismissed by ignorant people and charlatans dressed in power. Only in this way could the propaganda of today’s Albanian political leader become credible—the propaganda according to which Albania is a scorched-earth country, Albania is a “zero culture” terrain, even in the field of science. Only against this backdrop of nothingness could a “magnificent victory” stand out, along with windmills. O times, O morals! Put an end to windmills, O age of windmills! (Pamphlet) HAMDI JUPË

Peshkopi — Two young men are killed in an ambush—a blood feud that must be stopped Three months ago, a chance quarrel turned into a tragedy. A.H., three days [?] ... Ushtelenca, died from a gunshot wound. The shooter had initially [?] an open blood feud. Three months later, the tragedy grew. Two brothers took the life of H. Gj. from Ushtelenca, aged 21, and A.K. from Arras i Cidhnes, aged 18, with an automatic weapon; besides their age, the two young men were also connected by a new family friendship. The two young men were buried. The first in Ushtelencë and the second 20 km away, in Arras. Grief gripped all of Dibër. Three young people lost their lives at a very young age. Three families, plunged into misery, became locked in a deep blood feud with one another; unless the kind and calming words of Anton Çeta are found, it is impossible to know how long it will continue. Dibër has bitter experience of this grave social wound. A. A.

During May and June, which coincided with the party’s new elections, PS organizations in the towns and villages of Shkodër district also took care of new admissions. Thus, 120 people joined during this period, with young people particularly prominent. In addition to admissions from nearly all areas of the city, the good work done in this regard in the villages of Mali i Jushit, Postribë, Juban, Kozmaç, Laj i Vaut të Dejës, etc., is worth mentioning. The party organizations are also discussing other applications, emphasizing that they should admit people not for the sake of numbers, but those distinguished by civic qualities, especially young people. This shows that in this district too, the Socialist Party, with its alternatives, is finding growing support. In addition to the work on new admissions, both the steering committee and the party organizations are now working to ensure that the district party conference is prepared as effectively as possible. (Continued on page 2) But the television report did create that impression. rates of development» and of «transformations of such a kind that Albanians will too, will be included in the catalogues of such achievements. The General Directorate of Technology. The Mechanical [text unclear] and the «Dynamo» Plant. The worst thing is that the chairman himself attended the «inauguration» of the windmill. The Committee for Science and Technology. of windmills in the seventh grade of primary school through ... later reinforced by the removal of telephones. Perhaps as in no other district, in Shkodër there is not a single Socialist employed in the state administration, although among them ... is necessary for resolving the many specific problems this district has. ... by selling cigarettes or exchanging currency. They are also abroad in exile, earning bread for their children through menial work. Those who ... today receive social assistance. Productive activity has been paralyzed, except for essential services. Private enterprise is still characterized by modest efforts, just enough to survive. In the countryside, with a few exceptions, land was not distributed according to the law but through self-help justice. Deep wounds have been inflicted in this district by murders over honor and blood feuds, among other things. Dozens of families in the town and countryside are living in confinement. The social climate is suffering severe blows. ... Oh, what times, oh, what morals! Put an end to the windmills, O age of windmills! HAMDI JUPË ... and something else: when a political force begins resorting to demagoguery, it is in decline, in crisis. Three families among thousands were confined, one alongside another, in deep enmity, and the eighth directed ...; the party organizations are also working to prepare the district party conference as fruitfully as possible. A. A. (Continued on page 2)

Truth and democracy are defended with courage and civic bravery Ilir Meta: Shkodra loves the Socialists because it has an educated culture; it loves the Socialists because it wants genuine political pluralism; it loves the Socialists because our program creates the conditions ... The Socialist Party conference in Shkodër, which held its proceedings on Sunday morning in the central hall of «Luigj Gurakuqi» University, opened amid loud chants of «Socialist Party, Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, Fatos Nano» from more than 400 invited delegates, members and supporters. The conference was also attended by Socialist Party deputy chairman Ilir Meta and Socialist Party KD member Fatmir Zanaj. The three years of life of the Socialist Party organization in Shkodër have been three years of struggle and all-round efforts to withstand a political climate of activity that has been heated to the point of brutality. We have fought to survive, the chairman of the party in this district, Sadedin Et’inski, stressed in his conference report. We have established ourselves as a balanced political force, offering solutions to troubled Shkodër through messages of understanding and tolerance. We have not agreed with ... We have waited ... The conference took place in an atmosphere ... (much text in the left column is illegible) ...

We, the Shkodër Socialists gathered today at the party’s regular conference, send you our greetings and at the same time express our solidarity in support of your work for the good of democracy. We have complete confidence that your rights will prevail over the injustices and unscrupulous slander of today’s regime. Through this message, we assure you once again that you will have our continued support for the development and consolidation of genuine democracy. Socialist Party Conference of Shkodër 3.7.1994

SARANDË: Dr. Servet Pëllumbi The party in power has never recognized the Socialist Party as a serious and constructive political party. The president’s words about the opposition are demagoguery from beginning to end. The conference of the party in the Sarandë district reviewed the party’s work and growth critically, and identified positive initiatives in the context of the political, economic and social situation and the many problems arising from the governing methods of the Democratic Party and its extreme political struggle against the opposition in general and the Socialist Party in particular. Sarandë is a district almost forgotten by the Democratic Party government. People, brought to their knees by the paradise promised two years ago, feel abandoned and without hope. This concerns the economy, around 6,000 unemployed people and hundreds more receiving assistance, the more than 1,700 families living on social assistance, and those workers whom the Democratic Party’s privatization boards have thrown out onto the street, making supporters of the party in power the owners. Sarandë is a tourist city. In the past, during the monist period, people used to say so, and those seeking to secure themselves seats of power promised once again a tourist paradise for the area from Borsh to Ksamil, and a city where tourists would be developed, etc. What does reality say today? Sarandë has become a city of shacks, kiosks and filth, with hundreds of illegal constructions that disfigure its tourist appearance. There are laws, but they are not implemented. Promises were made for more, but they are demagoguery. They speak of free enterprise, but people are prevented from genuinely demonstrating their abilities, especially in the service sector. It is only in this field of nothingness that they can manage to claim a «great victory» over windmills. There has been much talk about turning the Ksamil peninsula into a tourist area and building tourist infrastructure. Plans and projects have also been drawn up, such as those of the Italian firm «Siks», but they were suspended by the Meksi government. What is Ksamil today? An abandoned town, as Gëzim Hasani said in his discussion. More than 1,200 families have been left to the misery of their fate. On behalf of Ksamil’s residents, Kosta Kalci read a petition to the government at the conference about the dire situation in that town. The government decided to bring 150 families from Izvori in Tepelenë to Vrinë and allocate them land from the old section. This was an injustice that ... We, as a party organization, fought by raising awareness among the villagers ... Given this worsening economic and social situation, the delegates who spoke on behalf of party members and the electorate that supports us called for greater commitment from the party leadership and its parliamentary group to help resolve the many hardships people face today. Acknowledging that their concerns were justified, comrade Servet Pëllumbi said that the party leadership and parliamentary group were doing everything, but our demands, as we had ... were falling on deaf ears. We have told the electorate that this difficult situation can be overcome only by establishing a new political balance. Look, he went on, at how the party in power acts. Through demagoguery it seeks to conceal the bitter reality of Albania. At the latest meeting of the Democratic Party’s National Council, the President himself pompously spoke of «successes». Take note. He mentioned two poets and contemporary Albanian society ... (Continued on page 2)