Request for an urgent question to the Prime Minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi THE KUKËS STRIKE - GOVERNMENTAL INEPTITUDE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY Request for an urgent question to the Prime Minister, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi On behalf of the PS Parliamentary Group, we have always been and remain opposed to the irresponsible positions of the left opposition, with anti-state and unconstitutional activity in Has, Tropojë and Kukës. For the PS Parliamentary Group. Chairman Namik Dokle 9 December 1994 DEPUTY NAMIK DOKLE, ON BEHALF OF THE PS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, ADDRESSES THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. ALEKSANDËR MEKSI, WITH THE REQUEST FOR: JOURNALISTS OF "ZËRI I POPULLIT" MEET WITH THE STRIKERS WE WILL RETURN TO KUKËS WITHOUT RESOLVING ANYTHING WITH THE GOVERNMENT - Interview with Mr. Todi Yvra1 [?] and the editor of Kukës. In recent days the government and the other high state institutions have accused our party and the opposition as a whole of having supposedly encouraged the hunger strike of former workers of the Copper Plant in Bajram Curri and of them being used by the opposition for anti-national purposes. This deceit has been answered, and is being answered with facts to the wider social public by the chairman of the PS Parliamentary Group, Mr. Namik Dokle, among other things with the statement issued yesterday to the press. In it, he clearly points out that the Socialist Party of Albania and the opposition as a whole condemn the hunger strike as an extreme form of political struggle, but adds that in this specific case the striking people of Kukës are doing so as a result of their grave economic and social situation. On the other hand, the chairman of the PS Parliamentary Group asks Mr. Meksi for full clarification of what the real motive was for the degradation of the copper plant and the misery of its workers, also posing other questions concerning non-compliance with the constitution, the situation in the north and the irresponsibility of the Democratic Party government. Naturally, we will also address these questions and many other very sharp ones directly to Prime Minister Meksi, if he agrees to answer our journalists. Therefore, considering that the situation in Kukës is worsening every day, by order of the newspaper’s director and with authorization from the Presidency of the Socialist Party, three journalists from "Zëri i Popullit" left on Thursday for the northern city, where the hunger strike of 14 former copper-plant workers has entered its 12th day. After a journey full of difficulties and sacrifices through extremely difficult terrain, late last night they arrived in Kukës and phoned us the first questions they asked the strikers. Here is how they reply: - We do not forget that the sons of this former industry -

"ZËRI I POPULLIT" - fighter for progress defender of democracy Ongoing hostility against "Zëri i Popullit", a part of the independent press and the mobilization of other circles have made the hallmark of a reactionary act against the progressive against the initiative of the century itself. An old newspaper, "Zëri i Popullit", has been the organ of the Central Committee of the PPSH, just as the PS itself was later, as a party that emerged on the political scene in the early days of democracy. "Zëri i Popullit" today is no longer what it used to be. That newspaper has evolved, it has changed itself as well. The system in our country has changed together with the stage of democracy, and the newspaper is changing day by day. To say that today it is done by an "enemy of progress" is to close one's eyes to the truth. When Albania is going through a difficult social period, this newspaper cannot fail to defend the interests of ordinary people, workers, peasants, the broad popular masses, those who have paid more than anyone else the cost of the transition. "Zëri i Popullit" has the duty to be opposition, to criticize violations, to denounce injustices, to not remain silent before poverty, unemployment, inequality and the arrogance of power. This does not make the newspaper an enemy of democracy; on the contrary, it makes it an indispensable instrument of it. ( Continued on page 4 )

In recent days the government and other high state institutions have accused our party and the opposition as a whole of having supposedly encouraged the hunger strike of the former workers of the copper plant and of them being used by the opposition for anti-national purposes. In this strained climate, the pressure on the strikers has increased. Law-enforcement forces, local officials and unknown persons are exerting psychological pressure and threats to force them to give up the protest. The health condition of some of the strikers is reported to be serious. Their demand remains the same: a solution to the plant issue, payment of what is owed, and real attention to poverty and unemployment in the area. ( Continued on page 3 )

[?] What was expected has happened. A newspaper calling itself independent, playing the role of a joker-journalist with democracy, took upon itself the task of commenting on a sensitive national issue, namely the country's defensive force. Instead of offering a reasoned analysis, it used insults, distortions and insinuations against the army and its tradition. In such conditions it is necessary to clarify things for readers and to take a clear stand against any attempt to diminish the authority of national defense. ( Continued on page 3 )

During the election campaign, local representatives promised aid, jobs and improved living conditions. Today many families wander from office to office, seeking rights guaranteed to them by law. Economic assistance is delayed, documents go missing and the treatment is often contemptuous. If the state gives up its social obligations, then the burden of survival is borne only by the unemployed, pensioners and women. This is a reality that cannot be hidden with propaganda. ( Continued on page 4 )

Mirditë Talk and disputes are heard, and there are some communications from high-ranking officials, but the residents of the area are still asking about investments, energy and employment. They are asking for full clarification of the promises made and their non-fulfillment. If the government has forgotten these regions, then discontent will deepen even more. ( Continued on page 4 )

Ongoing hostility against "Zëri i Popullit", a part of the independent press and the mobilization of other circles have made the hallmark of a reactionary act against the progressive against the initiative of the century itself.

Korçë 9 - Zëri i popullit. (Continued on page 8) Tiranë N. Leka [?] (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 3) (Continued on page 4) 8. GJENI