For two days in a row, the “depoliticized” television broadcast a political script prepared by those who seek to divide Albania and push it aside. None of the politicians who were targeted and denigrated by television holds a state office that would enable them to enter into agreements for military bases or to sell this or that part of Albania. Other people have the means, channels and requisite assistance to carry out such anti-Albanian and anti-national activity. The situation in the Balkans, including Albania, and those who want to destabilize it, “desisa” outside Albania seek destabilization, division, dismemberment and confusion; certain forces have been set in motion to cause harm, to keep the Democratic Party and its wing in power at all costs, putting the banner of “patriotism” in their hands. Now that the situation in Albania is moving toward elections, supporters of certain right-wing forces and clans, defenders of government corruption, crime and violence, are desperately trying to protect whatever they can. The Socialist Party has been clear and resolute in its position, in defending the national cause and Albania’s sovereignty. Its political, economic and social alternatives are realistic, well-argued and convincing. Its role and authority have been growing. This has also been helped by the evidence of the Democratic Party government’s policies: rising poverty, unemployment and insecurity, and the escalation of violence and violations of human freedoms and rights. In these circumstances, PD clans are trying to cling to the “patriotism” card. But their image, well known to Albanians, cannot carry this banner. Even opinions carefully collected and served up by political lackeys cannot help those who want to cover up crime, dictatorship and corruption. They do not express Albania’s public opinion, its healthy public opinion. In these circumstances, judgment and sound reasoning are needed to understand the game being played, this uproar being spread, and to stop the dark hands playing with Albania and its sovereignty. Albanian Socialists are determined to defend Albania, its freedom and its sovereignty.

Interview with PS Deputy Chairman Namik Dokle Question: Have you seen the television programs targeting some opposition politicians? Answer: Fortunately, I haven’t seen them, because there was no electricity in the neighborhood where I live, but people have told me a little about them. And, according to what they told me, it was a program inspired by a prosecutor who insults, disqualifies, accuses, condemns and manufactures prejudices. A program worthy of a television sneak who has spent half his life with only one pleasure: one morning, while reading the newspaper in the WC, Enver Hoxha had liked one of his articles about patriotism. The poor man has the other half of his life left! He hasn’t got enough for bread. This isn’t television, it’s a medieval inquisition. Why doesn’t it come and get our opinions? Why does it take phrases out of context and twist them as it pleases in Vjollca Vokshi’s mouth? Television suffers from an inferiority complex and doesn’t dare face opposition politicians. It didn’t have the courage to quote either my words in Vig, Mirditë, those in the newspaper «Koha Jonë», those on the BBC, or even those spoken on Greek TV. Question: What did you say to Greek TV? Answer: I published my reply and rebuttal word for word in «Koha Jonë». “How does Dokle comment on the trial of the five Greek minority members and the worsening climate between the two neighboring countries? Does he see a parallel between Nano’s trial and this latest one?” That was the question. And here is the answer: “No parallel can be drawn. Nano’s trial is a political trial, because Nano was and is being tried by his own fellow citizens. But the problem is that this trial was given, and is being given, a heavy political charge, a charge that should not be borne by the Greek minority in Albania or by Albanians working in Greece, who have begun to be deported. It is not at all normal for members of the minority and Albanians working in Greece to be turned into bargaining chips in the intergovernmental politics of the day. In this case, ‘people’s politics’—which is essentially joint governance (politicians call it ‘dialogue’)—means understanding and good neighborly relations... Let anyone who wants debate me on these statements. A public political debate, not manipulation. Question: And what did you tell the BBC? Answer: I made the BBC statement in an even more tense situation, when a Greek aircraft had violated our airspace. I will quote the beginning of the program in full: “The violation of Albania’s airspace by a Greek aircraft that took off from the island of Corfu, as well as the dropping of leaflets calling for the overthrow of the existing order in Albania and President Berisha, constitute a serious provocation and a shameful act, premeditated and organized—in fact, an adoption by Greece of Cold War methods against Albania. And how do Albania’s main parties assess this incident and the call to overthrow the government? Arben Manaj of the BBC section in Tirana reports:” “All the main parties in Albania, parliamentary and non-parliamentary, whether in the opposition or the coalition, are unanimous about the latest incident in Greek-Albanian relations. Specialists consider this act a dangerous escalation in the deterioration of relations between Greece and Albania and an interference in Albania’s internal affairs.” The Socialist Party’s deputy chairman, Namik Dokle, believes this provocation does not serve the Greek government or anyone else. “I think,” says Mr. Dokle, “that the only way to reach an understanding and resolve the problems between the politi- (Continued on page 3) nor those said TV? Answer: I published the question and answer word for word in «Koha Jonë». And how do you comment on the trial of the five Greek-minority Dokle? Do you was the question. trial was a political trial, because Nano was and is the number-one opponent of today’s regime; because Nano supports Albania’s integration, first and foremost into Europe; because Nano exposed corrupt and incompetent governance. Because Nano demanded that the property of Albanians be given to Albanians. The Nano case was a matter of Albanian domestic and foreign policy. Whereas the trial of the five members of the minority is a trial against five Albanian citizens who may or may not have committed an offense. Every state has the right…

Years ago, an acquaintance of mine, the manager of a bar in Tirana, was summoned to the police investigation office to testify that one of the musicians at Bar-Lulishte had played foreign music late at night, something that at the time was considered a serious offense. The poor cook was sweating profusely. But in the end he found a solution. “Fine, I’ll do as you say; but what are we going to do if the accused stands up in the courtroom and addresses me? You’re telling me he played foreign music. Is there any chance I could hum the whole melody of one of them? What am I to do, Comrade Investigator? I have a very poor voice; I don’t know even one foreign song. At my age, even if you sent me to school, I couldn’t learn them.” I don’t know how the familiar line from my acquaintance’s song came to mind, but, darn it, I don’t know why, before this ordinary incident, something else that we saw published in the newspapers and in party statements kept bothering me. The issue is that in Albania, both the government and the opposition, big parties and small parties, must all speak with one voice on the national question. You can’t argue with that demand; it stands firm. If things turn out otherwise, then there is a serious defect in the already difficult mechanism of governing the country. The state, the parties, propaganda and “speaking with one voice”—being summoned on TV and told that you are someone’s servant, that you are anti-national, and so on. Speaking with one voice is one thing; speaking with the voice of the head of state is another. So, on the national question and all its related aspects, and indeed generally on the problems of our country’s relations with others, near and far, once again, on these matters one must speak fully with one voice. I may be categorical about this, but it seems right to me. In this sense, it is perfectly normal to support “what the minister of state says, what the government says, what the foreign minister says,” and so on, even at lower levels. But what can you do when you don’t know the “position” of the President, the Prime Minister and the ministers? When the leadership of the Socialist Party issued a joint statement in which, among other things, it called for broad dialogue and a round table on current relations with Greece, it expressed the need for a political position for the country, and, in its view, a need for the state as well. Was there a response from the state to this request? Formally, no; but there was a response. The response was a special commentary in every news bulletin on Thursday about what the two political forces had said directly to Greek television: the Socialist Party and the Democratic Alliance. And then, on Friday, an edited montage of opinions intended to expose the opposition’s statements and, even more, to steer these scandalous and illegal programs toward sensitive issues, with serious accusations from people off the street. There, then, was the state’s answer. A few days ago, the Greek minister Papu- (Continued on page 3) it is stated that in Albania, position and [?] standing; large parties and small parties; right-wing and left-wing parties should speak with one voice on the national question. There is nothing to add to this demand; it has not budged from five. If things are done differently, then there is a serious defect in the not-easy mechanism for governing the country. The state, the parties, the propaganda should be concerned about this. Therefore, they rightly demand it. But the way they demand it is not the same. In official propaganda, it seems to be stated plainly. One must speak with the first voice of the state, with the voice of the party in power: with the voice of the head of government and even with the voice of the Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Otherwise, statements will be organized; letters; re-

Government spokesman Evangelos Venizellos told Rojter that Athens would block the 15-million-Ecu aid package ($18 million), the first tranche of the European Union’s 35-million-Ecu loan, despite assurances given to Albania at the beginning of this month that the money would be provided. “Since then, with the start of the trial, alongside other unjustifiable provocations, the Greek position has changed. This means that no macroeconomic aid will be provided,” he said. Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Public Order said the police had greatly increased their [unclear] in apprehending thousands of illegal Albanian migrants throughout the country and deporting them to Albania through the northern border crossings. “About 20,000 have been returned since the beginning of August. That is a much higher figure than the normal rate,” a government official said. Relations between the two Balkan neighbors have been strained for several years over Greece’s statements that Tirana mistreats its Greek minority and Tirana’s claims that Athens is encouraging separatist tendencies among its ethnic Greek population. Venizellos said border surveillance had been stepped up, leading to many being returned. “We have made a considerable improvement in the con- [?] of the b@ siderably border guard,” he said. On Wednesday, government sources said that Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreu and President Konstantin Karamanlis had discussed strengthening border controls and increasing deportations. They said the rate of deportations was likely to accelerate next week, coinciding with the verdict in the espionage trial in Tirana. The five on trial are members of the ethnic Greek organization “Omonia,” who were arrested in connection with an attempt to kill two Albanian soldiers in an attack on a Greek newspaper near the Greek border. (ROJTER)

Once again in Kakavijë, on the road of Albanian refugees. It rained all night. People walk across in clusters, with a feeling of [?] haste. Others arrive in a single file, as if frozen. Something is happening in these 50 meters that connect our gate with that of our southern neighbor. Those who left know this best; those who are coming find out when they get here. The former must surely remember that television film, scripted by Tepelena-Vokshi, which was shown in every news bulletin. But the gates are open, whatever the climate in people’s hearts may be. 1,300 returned on Thursday. Television reported 800. It is right, since, as the customs police officer told us, he cannot line everyone up and count them. An opinion poll would answer the questions accurately: why are these people returning? Hysni Xha-[?], 45, a teacher by profession with three children, from Mazhan i Pe-[?]meit, was driven by economic hardship (Continued on page 3)

- The number of refugees who have returned to Greece has exceeded 22,000. The Greek consulate in Gjirokastër continues its work, but with a station-[?] for issuing visas to the minority. *** - The Association of Improvements [?] of… and Producers of [?] [?] of Pidanë was established. The association elects [?] the board of directors, with Doctor [?] of Sciences Adam Sallaku as chair- [?], who teaches at the Agricultural University of Tirana. *** - The «11 Janari» secondary school […] Durhani, studi- [?] […] anës, with contributions […] […] in the field of histori- […]

- Fidel Castro is pressuring Bill Clinton, saying he will send 1 million emigrants from Cuba to America. *** - «Albanian Airlines» is expected to begin flying between Albania and [destination unclear] at the end of this month. *** - Around 20,000 Bosnian refugees from Bihać are trapped between the Serbian and Croatian wars on Croatian territory. *** - The Railway Directorate in Durrës has announced that these days a train carrying 480,000 litres of kerosene has arrived heading for Shkodër. Will this quantity go toward meeting the needs of the inhabitants of these districts?

someone else’s? *** - On Friday, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel arrived in Zagreb, where he met with his counterpart Granc and discussed with him the situation in Bosnia and in the regions of Croatia defended by the Serbs. *** - The School Textbook Enterprise reports that 67 percent of the textbooks have been distributed so far, while 1.5 million new textbooks have yet to be collected and distributed. *** - Albanian comedian and presenter Bashkim Rada died suddenly. He was laid to rest with respect and gratitude.

… by many comrades, friends and art-[?] of the capital. *** - The UN Children’s Fund reports that the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina has caused the deaths of 16,814 children since April 1992. *** - In Egypt, five of the 14 extremists belonging to an organization that had previously carried out an attack in which several people were killed and a minister was wounded were executed. *** - China and Russia are strengthening their ties. During Chinese President Zemin’s visit to Moscow next week, the two presidents are expected to sign a package of documents.

aimed at establishing full relations between these great powers. *** - The 50th national football championship is also being played in Albania, according to the following schedule: Besëlidhja - Partizani, Elbasani-Flamurtari, Teuta-Luçi, Tomori - Besa, Hirla (Lezhë) - Vllaznia, Shqiponja (Gjirokastër) - Albetrol. *** - Reports indicate that at their next meeting on September 27–28, Jelcin and Clinton will discuss nuclear materials as an absolute priority. *** - In December, 20,000 [?]

stolen last Thursday at the Kashar railway station in Tirana. The robber [?] was caught by law enforcement forces. *** - Bosnian Prime Minister Silajxhiç accused Serbia of continuing to arm the Bosnian Serbs with tanks, weapons and other military materiel. *** - The Ukrainian president today appointed veteran diplomat Genadi Udovënko foreign minister, replacing Anatoll Zlenko. *** - A time bomb discovered in Korçë—a manifestation of the systematic terror being carried out in this city. A police officer is wounded during a pursuit by the civilian police.

DECLARATION The Socialist Party of the Korçë district, following with concern and a sense of responsibility the current social situation in our city, which has ancient traditions and a democratic culture, notes that recently there has been a marked increase in criminal acts and manifestations of intolerance, arrogance and hooliganism, etc., which have also resulted in people being wounded and killed. Under these circumstances, we feel it is an important moral obligation to call on the entire public of the city of Korçë; political parties and associations; religious communities; local government; and the law-enforcement and prosecution authorities to mobilize their forces to prevent and avert all the above-mentioned acts, which seriously compromise the image of democracy as a whole and the relatively peaceful development of democracy in the city and district of Korçë. We believe that, for this purpose, we will also have the support of the residents of our city, as well as of other political forces and associations, which we invite to discuss this problem at a round table organized by the relevant local government authorities. The Presidium of the Socialist Party, Korçë