This natural civic concern stems from a number of reasons. First, it is underscored by the deafening silence and almost complete lack of transparency on the part of official circles and our official media, especially since the European Parliament itself, back in February of this year, called for the possibility of associating Albania with the European Union (EU) to be examined as soon as possible, as a major step forward in relations between them. Second, because this association is perhaps just as important and closely linked to Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe; third, because we are the only reforming country that does not yet have such an agreement, while our “sister” countries Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have been reaping its benefits for more than two years; indeed, Hungary and Poland are, so to speak, in the EU’s “antechamber,” whereas we are in a more democratic status—or at the very end. Ironically, in this case not even the excuse that “the dictatorship left us behind” holds water, because the countries mentioned above established relations with the EU only one, or at most two, years before us. Fourth, without wishing to underestimate cooperation in the military field, as is also emphasized in the fundamental CSCE documents, the Charter of Paris, etc., under democracy the best defense and security for countries comes from strengthening the economy; naturally, not according to figures compared with the declines of 1991–1992, but by advanced European standards. This is precisely where the association agreement, or “shok-sinjëhet ndryshe,” comes in; its decisive importance for Albania becomes clearer if we take a very brief look at: - Its prospects and benefits - Politically and institutionally, signing the agreement in question with the European Union would be a powerful confirmation of progress in fulfilling democratic processes as a whole; this would naturally improve the image of our country considerably of our country, which is so necessary. The benefits and opportunities in the economic and financial fields would be just as important. The assistance the EU has given and continues to give Albania has been substantial and vital to the country; nevertheless, it has always been aid provided within the framework of the Framework Cooperation Agreement signed more than two years ago. Association with the EU would open up major prospects for a significant increase, both in the amount and quality, of economic and financial assistance, mainly for development and projects. The EU’s well-known principle of “Trade and Aid”—that is, trade and assistance—would become a reality and extremely important. We stress that the main objective of association is to create free-trade areas between the parties concerned within a transitional period of about 10 years. This brings us perhaps to the most important aspect of Community assistance to Albania: opening markets to Albanian export goods, which, if not today, will in the very near future become the “Achilles’ heel” of the Albanian economy. Any economic growth, however high, would remain merely a propaganda slogan and a boomerang for propagandists if the European Union, as a giant of world trade, did not open its doors to future Albanian exports in every direction. What, for example, would happen to our agricultural products if protection by foreign products continued and Europe did not open its markets to us? Yet the much-discussed opening—which may perhaps still not be understood—can be achieved only through association. And finally, this association in fact constitutes a necessary stage in drawing closer to and integrating with the European Community. The question naturally arises: Why, then, is association being delayed, and, moreover, what are the: - Conditions and criteria - As the European Parliament’s February resolution on relations with Albania states quite clearly— (Continued on page 3)

Soaring price increases Who’s next? - Following the rise in the price of coffee, these days the price of cooking oil has also risen by more than 50 percent. Little by little, the price of cooking oil is approaching that of butter. If two weeks ago two liters of oil cost the same as 1 kg of butter, the situation is now quite different. Today in the Elbasan market—and elsewhere too—1 liter of sunflower oil is selling for 140 lekë (new lekë), up from 90 lekë just a few days ago. That is an increase of more than 50 percent, showing that prices here can apparently be set however people please. The soaring price of oil, to the point that buying one liter requires almost more than a day’s work, may be a paradox, but what about the prices of other food products? After coffee and oil, who’s next?

Romania: Perry begins his tour of Europe. U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry began his tour in Romania for talks on issues ranging from the civil war in the former Yugoslavia to joint military exercises. Perry, beginning a nine-country European tour, will hold talks in Bucharest on Monday with Romanian President Ion Iliesku, Foreign Minister Teodor Meleskanu and Defense Minister George Tinka. Perry said that during his European tour he would seek to expand defense ties with countries such as Romania, Albania and Bulgaria, and would discuss joint military exercises, officer-exchange visits and other bilateral issues with the leaders of these states. Romanian, Bulgarian and American warships will take part this month in a NATO naval exercise called “Partnership for Peace” in the Black Sea, together with units from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Greece, U.S. defense officials noted.

World Cup fans’ gossip The statement by the chairman of the Court of Cassation, Mr. Zef Brozi, who said he would not take part in the trial of Fatos Nano, sparked widespread discussion among lawyers, politicians and journalists, as well as among the many fans of the USA ’94 World Cup. Those gathered near the “Tirana” hotel were discussing it heatedly. The opinion of the person who linked the real reason for this withdrawal to what Zef Brozi claimed—that he had supposedly already expressed an opinion on Nano’s guilt, a priori—was considered correct. This, they said, was because even if he did not personally try the case, he could influence the decision to be made. Those who most strongly disagreed with Mr. Brozi’s statement argued that Zef Brozi had nothing to gain from it. In other words, he was chairman of the highest court, and “what else could he claim to want?” His house had already been fixed up and he had taken several specialization courses. The fact is, said the Italian fans, that the trial of F. Nano not only provided a new building for the court of first instance and the court of appeal, but also gave many judges, assistant judges, investigators and prosecutors new homes and highly beneficial training courses. For example, it raised someone who had been a simple investigator to the rank of Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic; gave him a house and sent him all the way to America. Judges, one after another, got houses and training, including homes in central Tirana, “Tipor” cars and chauffeurs and drivers, although it seems they had already got the hang of driving on the beach roads and drive themselves. That is why, say the Italian fans, there is no reason for Zef Brozi to take part in the trial of Fatos Nano. Only the Brazilian fans partly objected to this opinion, expressed on Saturday night, and the Bulgarian fans joined them. According to them, Zef is still young and should claim even more. But they too agreed with the Italian fans on one point: it would be worthwhile for the judges in Fatos Nano’s trial to be “poor devils,” without houses or training courses. For example, the Brazilian fans said, it would be better if Kristofor Peçi and Vangjel Kosta sat on the panel, since they have no houses and this trial might help sort them out. Or perhaps Agim Golekja as well. The latter suggestion was opposed because, unfortunately, a German fan happened to be there who said he would “bring Agim to account.” “No, no,” he said, “because he has a house.” But he could not object to the Bulgarian when he said it would also be good for the prosecutor in the case to be someone without a house. The issue of the prosecutor opened a long series of debates among fans of different teams. The bets were not about whether the prosecutor had a house or not, but how much he would get. One said half a house, another two and a half, but most added an extra room for three and a kitchen, since he could not get less than Judge Agimi. Toward the end of the conversation and gossip, the question of the trial date also came up. An American fan jumped in and said it would be very interesting if the trial were held on the 30th, the day Fatos Nano was arrested. But most of the fans firmly rejected this idea, saying in unison: - No, no! He should be tried on the 28th at 9:00. This emphatic declaration by the fans caught the attention of the traffic policeman, who was annoyed because he had not met his quota of fines that day, and he said: - And how do you know it’ll be on the 28th and not the 30th? - We know, we know, the fans said. It’ll be on the 28th, because that’s how things are. It was also interesting that, when the policeman asked how long Fatos Nano would be sentenced for, they replied: - We don’t concern ourselves with things everybody knows. And no bet was placed on that matter; instead, the question of how many houses the prosecutor would get came up again... HASAN VLASHi.

- 13 workers at the shoe factory have barricaded themselves in one of the factory’s rooms. Another hunger strike. Apparently the story of the Bata miners of Maçneshi is being repeated, along with that of the association of people displaced by the hydroelectric lake at

13 workers at the shoe factory have barricaded themselves in one of the factory’s rooms. Another hunger strike. Apparently, the example of the miners of Bata in Mac-neshi and that of the association of people displaced by the lake of the Cërkezë hydroelectric plant in Kukës, etc., have had an effect. The best way to resolve and meet economic demands is a hunger strike. Only then does the government sit down for talks and open its purse, filled with tax money. Yesterday, 13 workers at the shoe factory in Tirana barricaded themselves in a hunger strike. There are no political demands. Everything is connected with employment and putting food on the table. We will tell you more in tomorrow’s issue. Correspondent of «Voice of the People»

The trial should be postponed and, if possible, Janaq Hanxha-ta should not be convicted. — In Voskopojë, the situation is not in the PD’s favor. The trial should be postponed and, if possible, Janaq Hanxha-ta should not be convicted. — In Voskopojë, the situation is not in the PD’s favor. In the local government elections of July 26, the enigma of the contest for mayor between the representatives of the PD and PS was resolved through a runoff. The Korçë PD moved wholesale to Voskopojë. And through countless manipulations and a flood of promises, it managed to get its candidate, Janaq Hanzhara, elected. The people of Voskopojë had their reservations about his character, but thought he might have put his old vices behind him, all the more so because he had been nominated by the PD, which promised that if its representative won, it would bring heaven down to earth. But, as the saying goes, a wolf changes its fur, not its ways. Once the intoxication of the struggle for power had subsided! Then rumors and gossip about him began to spread. Some said he was misusing municipal funds; others that he was involved in smuggling and fake visas. But everything was confirmed last February, when many Voskopojë farmers testified before the Korçë investigators and denounced him as a fraudster. After an investigation was launched by the latter, and pressure from his friends in power, the investigators began proceedings against him around January, and his file was handed over to the Korçë court. Faced with compelling and irrefutable evidence, the court, after months of delay, began proceedings. But what is important and draws attention in the actions of the investigators and the court is their disregard for the law in investigating and trying a person vested with immunity. The first thing they should have done was remove it. The charge against him is serious: abuse of office and damage to the standing of a public official. There are many witnesses and much evidence they have presented. Meanwhile, his trial drags on like an endless marathon. The latest hearing in this trial was held on Thursday. And once again it was postponed for a completely absurd reason: a witness had not appeared! In fact, there are other reasons imposed on the panel hearing the Hanxhara case: fear of convicting him and, as one official in Voskopojë put it, the situation is not in the PD’s favor. So, in the event of new elections, there is no guarantee of victory. This statement by Korçë’s underground activists, no more and no less, expresses their doubts about Selami’s «concrete alternatives», with which he triumphed in Libofshë. In any case, however things may be, Hanxhara’s immunity must be lifted, even by the PD itself, to lend credibility to Selami in Mamlinas and show that his party is a party that has declared war on, and resists, both yesterday’s and today’s corruption. HYSEN IBRO.

The village’s drama. This year, wheat has not been harvested in the villages of Kurbin By now, the fields of «harvest and threshing» are [unclear], and in the villages of Kurbin there is «sp...» The Drama of the Village In Kurbin, these days in July... This year, no wheat has been harvested in the villages of Kurbin The fields of «harvest and threshing» are now [unclear], and in the villages of Kurbin there is «sp...» ... flattened. More precisely, the season for this campaign has ended. Very, very little wheat has been harvested this year. In one village, 15 dynym of wheat in all, across the entire village. The same in Mamëz [?]. In another, not a single sickle was used this year. Not even by the standards of the time, except for 10–15 dynym in Vilëzhu (?) and Sellit. A little more was harvested in Selitë. More than anywhere else, it was harvested in Gallatë. But even there, no more than 5 ha. Where the sickle was rarely used, and only with difficulty, they gathered no more than 10, 12 or 15 kv per ha. Why is this so? Isn’t wheat a tradition among the farmers of Kurbin? Yes, indeed, they had developed a valuable tradition. In the most remote villages, they once harvested 30–35 kv of wheat per ha. But now? Ah, the seed, as they say. But why aren’t the farmers of the Kurbin highlands harvesting wheat this year, or sowing it this year? Because seed is expensive, fertilizer has reached 3.5 thousand lek per kv, machinery has not entered the highlands at all, and so on. Empty pockets. (Continued on page 2)

Durrës: In a few words, that was the outcome of the meetings held by Messrs. Selami, Shehu and Hajdari, plus several ministers and local officials in the district of Durrës, with the people of Shijak, Sukth and Manzë a few days ago. «The concern that we are losing the electorate, that the situation is slipping out of our hands, and that something must be done» is the main preoccupation of the leaders of the Democratic Party, a concern that was clearly evident at the party’s latest meeting in Berisha’s and Selami’s district. Driven by this preoccupation, they have gone on the «offensive»: senior PD officials held meetings with the people concerned. With this aim, things unfolded as follows: they saw, miserably, that they had failed to justify themselves, including at their meetings in the district of Durrës. Apart from empty talk and the usual promises, and apart from halls packed with people, they raised choruses of...; no real alternative for rescuing the dire economic situation was put forward. The people were given no answer. A flood of words, more promises and attacks on the PS at the meeting in Shijak, in a hall packed with people in need who were asking for bread and work. But when the PD officials and leaders have nothing in their bags, they put Azem Hajdari forward to speak, as if he were some kind of figure from another planet. The meeting ended amid ironic jeers and mockery, and indignation, because the people of Shijak, to whom money had been promised, are barely managing to stay alive amid poverty and unemployment. A flood of words, promises and shrugging shoulders in apparent amazement: how could this be? We know... This was the scene at the meeting in Sukth, in a hall packed to overflowing with people, whatever television may show. None of the party’s delegates, who had given citizens no answers in Parliament, could provide the residents of Sukth—who are crushed by poverty and get their bread on credit—with any explanation of what would happen to the former workers and the land. The meeting with the minorities and the villagers of Manzë was held with the aim of simply getting it over with. For two years ministers have been touring around without doing anything; the minorities have been thrown out onto the street and their assistance has run out; the villagers are in a difficult situation, with no income at all; and the local government does not function because it has not been given any authority. Faced with the gloom of those gathered in the hall «to show respect» to the delegates of the party in power, Selami, Shehu, Hajdari and several ministers had nothing left to do but make promises, without even believing them themselves—or, to put it bluntly, they knew that the audience did not believe what they were saying and, so as not to spoil the «leaders’» mood, listened to them impatiently for 30 minutes. And so ended the «meetings» of the party leaders and Democratic Party officials with the people of Shijak, Sukth and Manzë. They came, saw, lied and left.

Shepherds want to «eat grass with shop» — We are shepherds without mountains, — says a shepherd; in Konispol, our livestock is trapped inside, we have nowhere to take it, hurry up and pass the grazing law. What strange shepherds: they do not want to be free; they want there to be a law. They are not used to eating grass without a shop; they are used to a shop. It is not known when Parliament will grant their wish.