Another August is scorching the Meksi government of Berisha. Yet another fact proving that it is incapable of finding solutions to the problems facing the country. The government of Albania does not know how to speak Albanian with its own people. Because it knows only the language of force. What a disgrace! The disgraced... March 1992 brought the DP to power. After many promises, after a great fanfare; after endless commotion. Such is democracy; it brings to power whichever party wins the majority of the people’s votes. After that, the first duty of every party is to put the country’s affairs in order. For parties in power, this is twice as much a duty. But... The Meksi government of Berisha does not know what democracy is. It does not know what dialogue or understanding is. It does not know what respect for the people is; it does not know tolerance. And it showed this in Poliçan; in Bulqizë; in Batër; in Kukës; in Kugovë; in Laç; in Sarandë; in Libofshë and Greshicë. It showed it again on this day throughout Albania, with the hunger strike of former political prisoners, who were among the principal forces that supported it and brought it to power. In all the cases mentioned, it has never chosen dialogue. Indeed, even when it has sat down to talk, it has deliberately provoked violence, as it did, for example, in Kukës with Minister Musaraj. Certainly, it is not easy for the government to meet everyone’s demands at this difficult time, but that does not mean it should not do everything possible. Yet it has made not even the most minimal efforts to solve what can be solved. In other words, the government lacks the goodwill to solve any problem, but it also lacks the ability to offer acceptable solutions. The Socialist Party said this two years ago through its leader, Fatos Nano. The facts proved that his course—changing the course of government through early elections, as a nationwide demand—was not only right but also necessary and salvational for the country. The intellectuals’ government officials chosen by Berisha did not fail to understand this; they simply had no interest. They did not come to power to govern the country and move it forward on the road to democracy, which is also the road to European civilization; they came to make themselves comfortable and to fill their medieval bank accounts. Fatos Nano was put in prison precisely because he was the first to denounce the other politicians’ own broken doors; because, at the head of the Socialist Party, he rose against Zhulal-Koplik’s violence in Polizaj, rose against criminal police killings such as in Lagj; and rose against the disastrous, Berisha-style course imposed on Albania. And Albania is accusing them. The deceived workers of surrounded Polican and the citizens of Laç are accusing them; the landless peasants of the Bulqizë and Kuzë mining area are accusing them, as are the homeless people of Batër; political officials are accusing them. A—workers; everyone. Meanwhile, the disgraced—some in luxurious villas on the seashore. They are the rulers of Albania, responsible for institutional violence.

Tomorrow, the trial of five Greek-minority leaders of the Omonia organization opens in Tirana. In connection with this trial, our editor Erion Braçe spoke to the vice-chairman of the Socialist Party and member of the People’s Assembly, Luan Hajdaraga, who stated: This trial is taking place amid deteriorating relations between Greece and Albania and in a tense political atmosphere within the country. For this reason, we believe that this trial carries a heavy and undesirable political burden, which will only worsen the already inflamed atmosphere between Greece and Albania. With this political burden, the trial of the five members of the minority cannot serve to reduce tensions between the two countries or to promote the understanding so necessary between Albanians and members of the minority. Disputed issues between the two countries should be resolved by the respective diplomatic services, with goodwill, dialogue and tolerance. Our peoples want good neighbourly relations, understanding and harmony. Official policy must respond to this. Diplomatic channels cannot be exhausted through court rulings. The statements by Foreign Ministry officials, Serreqi, that the independence of our courts is recognized worldwide, show that diplomatic means have now been replaced by court proceedings. This logic leads to the conclusion that, instead of understanding and dialogue, the path of heightened tensions will also be followed. This is undesirable both for relations between the two countries and for the need to reduce tensions in the region. In this situation, the Socialist Party once again reaffirms its well-known position: the difficulties that have arisen in relations between Albania and Greece must be overcome through understanding and dialogue, considering good-neighbourly relations between our two countries, the Albanian people and the Greek people, as a factor of peace and stability in the Balkans. This vital goal is served by strengthening cooperation and ongoing dialogue, not by aggravating and escalating relations, as is happening today. As a party interested in good-neighbourly relations and the country’s largest opposition party, we will follow the new situation seriously and responsibly, always with the will to do so through the mechanisms of friendship with the Greek people.

THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HUNGER STRIKE Shkodra has now become the epicenter of various forces and their rapid clashes; the hunger strike continues without interruption in the same building, even after yesterday’s operation to end the strike: Last night, in a unilateral intervention; at 20:00, the police station deployed police patrols around the building in question; this measure drew the attention of many citizens, who gathered there, apparently to see what was happening; what might follow. Indeed, many of them stayed throughout the night. The action was, in addition to guarding the hunger strikers: the police were also present during the day yesterday. One of its officers said, “We have now taken this building under our protection; people may enter to see the hunger strikers only with our permission; in accordance with the regulations for strikes of this kind.” However, we learn from the association’s leadership that they have begun arranging shifts among the hunger strikers, since some of them are now in quite poor health. “We are determined,” they tell us, “not to let the number of hunger strikers fall.” Those who have left for health reasons are mainly receiving treatment from private doctors. Throughout the day, many people stood in the square in front of the hunger strikers; members of the association and their supporters. Their proper and impartial conduct toward the police was noticeable. Meanwhile, a source informs us that a search has been announced for Dedë Kasneci. We were somewhat surprised by this report, given that Mr Kasneci has not taken part in the hunger strike and has been seen around town. Nevertheless, we were unable to confirm this information at the police station. The hunger strikers here spent their ninth day on strike, despite President Berisha’s statement, to which they reacted with indignation. They are waiting to see what the tenth day will bring. MUSA KURTULAJ

The Nano case in focus Fatos Nano, having now been tried by the highest level of judicial authority in Albania, the Court of Cassation, is finally imprisoned. The regime took every possible measure, the court issued every ruling, the prison directorate carried out the acts within its remit, and he was transferred to the high-security prison in Tepelenë. Anyone who knows Fatos Nano knows he is not someone who might try to escape from prison, because he is fighting for an Albania with no more political prisoners. Everyone knows that the Socialist Party is not made up of rebels who might forcibly get Fatos Nano out of prison. And yet the chairman of the Socialist Party, one of the architects of the peaceful transformation of Albanian society from dictatorship to democracy, is guarded by reinforced forces. The twisted minds of those who devise such scenarios aim to insult Fatos Nano even in prison; to treat him as an important common criminal. This is part of the political struggle waged by the regime against its opponents using the most perverse means. Now he is far from his family; far from Tirana; far from the Party, far from parliament, where he holds a deputy’s mandate, far from his [unclear]; far from the press. The power of Pontius Pilate seeks to bring about a closed life, to close the Nano file; it has washed its hands of him. But can an ideal be imprisoned? Never. During the long years of dictatorship, as many shocking truths are being brought to light today, titanic efforts were made to kill the ideal of democracy; great people were not lacking in this country. Many of them were imprisoned and persecuted, but the truth, their ideal, survived. And this happens because a just ideal unites people; they live by it because they need just thought as they need bread. For a moment, under the pressure of dictatorship, as history and the suffering of the Albanian people have shown. In this case, it is dictated there, in the words ... (Continued on page 3)

Invalidation of the elections in the commune of Libofshë The public is informed and convinced that this is one of the cases of ... [text continues, cut off] (Continued on page 3)

Is the hunger strike by former political prisoners in Përmet continuing? The secretary of this association, Mr Spiro Kajtazi, says: “In fact, we in Përmet should have started the strike earlier. We are the only association in the republic for which the government has done nothing; apart from police and Shikul officials, who can be counted on one’s fingers.” “We really were glad to be compelled by others,” says its chairman Llagu; “because I remembered Kaso’s words; after the bloody—bloodied wounds of our fellow sufferers—to gather together and [unclear] the concerns of the national political [unclear].” In any case, the hunger strike in this district has been established in people’s homes. Two families of politically persecuted people in Këlcyrë, Olimbi Qirici and Foti Steffani, have barricaded themselves inside their apartment in protest against the government. In their home, with little income... “We will not take shelter in its special funds or in its stale promises,” they say. For fear of threats, they also speak of barricading themselves? In Këlcyrë; in families in Përmet and in the villages of this district.

— 60 people, including Mr. Kurt Kola and MP Azem Hajdari, continue the hunger strike. While the Ministry of Public Order, in a statement released by RTV, says that the hunger strike in Tirana has ended. While the Ministry of Public Order, in a statement released by RTV, says that the hunger strike in Tirana has ended, sources close to the hunger strikers say that it is continuing even after the police intervention. Around 60 people, so far in hiding, are staying at two locations: 40 at one location and 20 at the other, continuing the strike in secrecy from the police. This news was confirmed to us yesterday, among others, by the chairman of the Association of Former Political Persecutees, Mr. Kurt Kola, who continues his hunger strike while under house arrest. From our contact with him yesterday evening, we learned that his health has worsened, partly because of the flu. The hunger strike is also continuing with the participation of MP Azem Hajdari, regarding whom it has been said that the many measures taken against him are attacks aimed at isolating him.

News agencies citing public-order bulletins in Tirana report that 6 participants in the hunger strike have been detained in the city of Vlora and 4 in Shkodra. They are accused of resisting the police.

Press conference by Ministers Serregi and Ljubanjakic After meetings arranged for them with Albania’s highest-ranking figures, including President Berisha, Prime Minister Meksi, Speaker of Parliament Arbnori and Minister of Defense Zhulali, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Irfan Ljubanjakic and his Albanian counterpart Serreqi held a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I have called this visit special,” Minister Serreqi said during his presentation, “because it represents a people with an ethnic territory in the former Yugoslavia, and because Minister Ljubanjakic is here immediately after our issue.” In his remarks, Mr. Serreqi mentioned that there is ancient evidence of friendship between the two peoples. The talks were characterized by open and similar viewpoints, the head of Albanian diplomacy added, “because we are facing a common process.” The Albanian government has expressed its appreciation for the struggle in Bosnia and Herzegovina and condemned Serbian aggression. For this reason, Albanians have made their position known: they support preserving Bosnia’s integrity and independence and immediately ending the war. “Here Minister Serreqi mentioned that ‘the international community has lost time and must therefore put an end to the bloodshed.’” After speaking about the situation in the region and Albania’s position on developments in regions with Albanian minorities, he focused on ... (Continued on page 4)

As news agencies reported yesterday, NATO Secretary-General Manfred Vërner died of cancer. A military officer of German nationality, he had been a member of the German parliament for 20 years in a row and later served as Minister of Defense. Vërner always boasted that he was the first German to visit our country, and he supported Albania’s integration into the Partnership for Peace. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

A greater contribution is needed

One of the new projects from Macedonia was inaugurated, along with a tourist hotel on the country’s coast. “Grand Hotel Dërmi” was built after the renovation of a workers’ camp at this coastal spot on our Riviera. *** Shkodra until October? with contributions from the SOROS Foundation and IN-SIG; where there is a percentage... from this and to make possible the construc-tion of ... new television channels in our country. *** Two serious traffic accidents on the outskirts of Durrës have caused the deaths of three people and injured a 50-year-old.

In Sauk, Tirana, two homes for orphaned families were inaugurated as part of a program by the American BEFANY Foundation from Michigan. *** Recently, the two murderers of the partisan V. C- the end of the murderer called V. Ca- ka?; have been caught in Elbasan. He was disguised on the street ... and by them with the aim of taking possession of her houses. * In the shipment of aid from England; q... q... and under the name “Skandal” ... and ... which ... is ...

As part of the twinning of the city of Durrës with the city of Constanța in Romania, a delegation from Durrës visited this friendly country. On this occasion, the first contacts were also established between the twin cities. The stars of Shijak and Medgidia, the small industrial city near Constanța. *** These days in Durrës, Abdurahim Sall-moni was sentenced to life imprisonment. On 24 October 1990, he hijacked a military motorboat, an incident that resulted in two victims.

The beverage factory in Durrës, despite its successful production, lacks suitable packaging, which is preventing the export of its products. *** On Mount K çuja, also known as Sarisalltik, the tekke dedicated to this mystic missionary who came from Persia in the 14th century was erected. This tekke had been covered over about a century ago. *** During the past six months, 1115 families suffering? were removed from the list of recipients of social assistance because their members had found employment. Meanwhile, 44 people were found to have remained... *** A group of 20 veterans from the commune of Lungani in the district of Korçë took part in the folk festival of Tërnova in Macedonia, where the 50th anniversary of the efforts to unite the Macedonian nation was commemorated.

This assistance ... during the month of June. More than 209 thousand le- that will be returned to the state budget as a result of the misuse of these funds. *** Some gymnastics athletes, as well as the firms «Sopot» and «Ndërtuesi SA», have contributed over 300 thousand lekë to help overcome the financial difficulties facing this city’s library. *** The association «Let’s Promote Beach Volleyball» organized the first championship of this sport in our country in Durrës in recent days. Nine firms sponsored the organization of this event.