THE SOCIALIST PARTY MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HELSINKI CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY “The number of families receiving economic assistance increases every month” The current developments in the Albanian situation, the country’s foreign policy, the conduct of the PSSH monitoring mission in the Albanian parliament, its relations with the governing coalition, with the other opposition parties, etc., were at the center of a conversation between the secretary general of the PSSH, Pandeli Majko, and the executive director of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly and spokesperson for Albania for this organization, Steve Bennet, and the coordinator of the organization’s East European programs, Marko Juçiç. Dr. Ylli Vejsiu, director of the Albanian Center for Human Rights, which belongs to this assembly, was also present at the meeting. Then the secretary general of the PSSH, Mr. Pandeli Majko, answered the guests’ interest in the economic and social problems in the country. According to the latest data, the number of families receiving economic assistance has increased and reaches 130 thousand. If by the end of the year there is no visible improvement in the situation, this number could rise to 150 thousand families. Likewise, the differentiation between social strata is becoming increasingly apparent. Mr. Majko said that the government is making a great deal of propaganda about giving land to peasants, but is not providing them with the necessary means to work it. Those who have emigrated use the money sent by them to build houses or meet other family needs. In most cases, seeds, chemical fertilizers and agricultural machinery are lacking. Speaking about the country’s economic indicators, the secretary general of the PSSH said that the government keeps changing them and does not provide accurate figures. He further stressed that the basis of this economic development is not production but trade and other intermediary activities. According to Mr. Majko, the government is paying far too little attention to encouraging production, especially agricultural production. (Continued on page 2)

SHKODËR Truth and democracy are defended with courage and determination III Mala: Shkodra, supported by the will of the socialists and the delegates, has no right to exclude people, affiliations and different opinions! PSH, its unity and strengthening is the task of all socialists and its organizations. SARANDË: To confront with wisdom and courage the struggle against the opposition Dr. Server Pëllumbi Before the conference, the membership has not been known any better than it should have been and even earlier he took notes on the character of organization and construction. This party conference must be based on the will of the socialists and delegates, preserve unity and not turn into an instrument of exclusion. Democratic processes in the party have value only if they guarantee free participation and mutual respect. The conference of the Party of the Shkodër district called for restraint, patience and determination in the face of political pressures. According to the speakers, no one can impose solutions from above. Delegates must be the expression of the real membership and not the product of momentary deals. Message to Fatos Nano chairman of PS In his discussion, Dr. Server Pëllumbi pointed out that socialists do not need empty rhetoric, but clear guidance, courage and responsibility. He stressed that the political battle against the opposition is not won through internal division, but through civic conduct and organization. In his words, he called for the central leadership to listen to the voice of the base and intervene only to guarantee democratic order. Any deviation from this standard has consequences for the entire party. (Continued on page 2)

In the place known as “Gramsh” in the field of privatization, the state administration and local administration, no matter how sharp their imagination may be, cannot invent any other kind of privatization of state property except the creation of “a” quantity of private land. With privatized land, the same thing happens as with the public square that is “attached” to someone by a commission decision, or with the privatization of a building and then the land around it turns out to “belong” to someone else. This has commonly appeared in Gramsh, but one flagrant case is the land around the building of the former party committee and the former executive committee. This building was sold to a bookseller, and the claim of ownership over the land around it has put the local authorities in conflict with the private individual. On the one hand, citizens are told that public property is being protected; on the other hand, the acts and practices of selling suggest that everything has been left in a fog. In this context, the question arises whether privatization is being carried out according to the law or according to expedient interests. When transparency is lacking, not only doubts arise, but also unnecessary social conflicts. The case of Gramsh remains an example of how the mismanagement of state property can turn into a public problem.

The leaders of the PS conference continue their deals. At the June 30 conference at the “Butrinti” hotel, the center of the debate was not the political alternative, but the number of delegates, the chairing of the meeting, and the lists of participants. In the hall, attempts were noticed to impose pre-prepared decisions. The discussions also mentioned the inclusion in the party structures of people who had no direct connection with its activity. In this climate, ironic reference was made to the “youngest member” of the PS in Sarandë, which was used as a figure to show that memberships are being treated as an instrument of influence and not as a serious political process. This has caused dissatisfaction among many socialists in the city, who are demanding clarity, order and respect for the statute.

TIME OF WINDMILLS! (Pamphlet) The observation and inflation of boorish distortions[?], of unrest, of the burst of violent campaign winds, makes us turn our eyes once again to this time. The spectacle of the last few days has brought the same old tune: a lot of noise, little meaning, and even less responsibility. Our political scene seems to be filled with invisible horsemen attacking windmills. Words become weapons, but not to clarify matters for the public; on the contrary, to confuse it. In the name of saving the country, everyone seeks to bring down the other, while the ordinary citizen sees only fog. In this time of “windmills,” public morality dissolves into jokes, anger and slander. Those who preached moderation yesterday are now competing to shout louder. The irony is that there is less talk about people’s troubles and more about the next scenes. That is also why our pamphlet bears this title. (Continued on page 2)

“Deke” are set and the change-houses[?] that become roads Peshkopi The newspaper, in one of its reports, announces that the city cleaners have not been paid for months, while the management of the enterprise justifies itself with financial difficulties. Where service should be discussed, there is talk of lack of fuel, broken machinery and promises that never arrive. The city has begun to fill with garbage, especially in the peripheral neighborhoods, and residents complain about the bad smell and the health risk. What makes the situation even more serious is the fact that no one takes responsibility. The municipality remains silent, while the exhausted workers continue to work in fits and starts. If this is the reform of public services, then citizens are left only to wait for a miracle. But miracles are not part of administration. They are used only by those who want to hide failure behind words.

MOSA KERTELA During the past few months, local leaders of the PS have increased their hasty actions, creating division at the base. Instead of strengthening organization, many of them have become involved in disputes over representation and influence in the district conferences. Under these conditions, militants and supporters feel left aside, because the debate over the program is replaced by quarrels over seats and names. This distortion harms not only the party’s image, but also people’s trust in it. If no way is found to restore calm and order, then the ranks of the PS will continue to thin, not because of opponents, but because of the irresponsible behavior of some of its own members. (Continued on page 2)