PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SP Interview with the Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, given to editor Hamdi Jupe — The PSSh’s program was published most recently. What does this program represent in general terms? We see the publication of the new program as an important event in the life of the Socialist Party, an achievement of considerable value that testifies to its contemporary vision, its intellectual and political potential, and the constructive character of the alternative it offers the country. In short, the new program shows that the SP is a party with a future. By publishing this program, following the path of the SP, we aim to meet a continuing demand from the many members and supporters of our party, especially young people, who—as the campaign for the November 5 Referendum also showed—have confidence in the SP’s alternative and support it. At the same time, this is also a concrete response both to the opposition, who now want to know what kind of party the Socialist Party is, and to those who have never stopped saying that the SP offers the country nothing concrete, that it merely aims to deepen the general situation, and so on. We tell them that democracy, which we all aspire to, is, among other things, also competition between alternatives. Let the people judge them. With our program, packed with ideas and rich in concrete solutions, we aim to convey to the Albanian electorate the message that “we want to build on what has already been achieved on the road toward a genuinely democratic society, but we can build better and at a lower social cost.” Hence our slogan: “Better with us”! — What changes have been made in the new program compared with the previous program? Compared with the previous version of the program, approved at the SP’s First Congress in June 1992, the new Program is more complete in content and form, higher in quality, and more thoroughly researched and developed. It is the result of the influence of new realities and of persistent, considered work by SP specialists and politicians on various problems throughout Albania, who have offered opinions and made requests for the SP program to find new solutions to the problems posed by this difficult transition to a market economy. At the same time, while preparing the new version of the program, we were able to consult many specialists and the programs of socialist and social-democratic parties in Europe, known for their outstanding contributions to the field of traditional and contemporary social-democratic theory and practice. More concretely: in principle, the new program sets out much more clearly our concept of the society toward which we aspire. “The society toward which we aspire,” states paragraph 1.3 of the program, “must be a society of freedom and social justice, of solidarity and peace; a society that frees human relations from oppression and exploitation; a society that improves the quality of life and makes social security a reality, and that develops the various forces of people, everywhere in Albania, who have offered opinions and made requests for the SP program to find new solutions to the problems posed by this difficult transition to a market economy. (Continued on page 3)

Yesterday, the hunger strike, which has been continuing for several days, entered its 10th day at the Palace of Culture in the Kukës district. The strikers are determined to have their demands met, while their condition is becoming increasingly difficult. Twelve people have now been admitted to the Kukës hospital. Seven, however, have been discharged and are continuing the hunger strike together with their comrades, while five others are in serious condition and remain hospitalized. All those confined in the strike are under medical supervision. Yesterday at 10 a.m., a rally was held in front of the Palace of Culture in this district. The hundreds of people who took part fully expressed solidarity with their comrades’ hunger strike and fully supported the demands they had put forward. One thing stood out during the rally: the forces and people responsible. The intervention of striker Besnik Oruci drew attention to how this situation does not seem to concern the government at all, as if nothing is happening. So far, we have also observed that the President of the Republic has made no statement whatsoever on this issue. Yesterday in Kukës, a joint meeting of the Municipality and the District Council was also held. They support the hunger strike and are working to have the strikers’ demands met. The strikers are determined to continue the hunger strike to the end. They told me that they will send [their demands] to international organizations, after which the strike committee will decide what to do next. (Continued on page 3)

Kukës: Hunger strikers speak Jahir Trota (Chairman of the strike committee): The second hunger strike we are holding, following the one in May, is a purely economic effort, and we do not want anyone to speculate about its character. The first time, Minister Musaraj and other ministers from Meksi’s government came and even used force, but they did not achieve their aim. We sat down for talks with the government because we thought we were dealing with a democratic state and that they would not deceive us. We held a dialogue with them and, given the difficult conditions in the country, accepted only the minimum of our demands. I think asking for a piece of land to feed our families and taking out a loan—which is, after all, a debt—is the bare minimum. The lands where we were to be settled were designated: Fushë Kames-Vorë-Qafë Zogu; but Deputy Prime Minister I. Koçiu changed the list, excluding [us] and relocating [us] to another area: Hamall Karavasta e Bedat - Spitalë. The areas that have been assigned to us (Continued on page 3)

THE MUNICIPALITY EASES ENERGY CONSUMPTION This is the decision made at the meeting of December 5. The electricity authority is to stop supplying all motor-powered equipment from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. This has been made known to users and all citizens. For its part, the electricity authority, in a notice of its own, urges citizens not to use electricity for heating. An initial improvement effort involving work on the network must be kept under control at the start of winter, with energy shortages and rising market prices.

The Albanian prime minister Aleksandër Meksi and French Foreign Minister Alain Zype signed a treaty of friendship in Paris. It is a treaty of cooperation and friendship between the two countries. Under this treaty, the two countries undertake to strengthen their friendship and cooperation on a bilateral and multilateral level. France views Albania’s prospects of accession to the European Union positively. The French Republic considers Albania’s participation in international organizations an important factor for stability; taking account of domestic developments, it supports the principle of Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. The two parties undertake to hold regular bilateral or multilateral consultations on matters of mutual interest and major international issues. The two republics support the development of economic relations between them and the establishment of direct ties between economic operators in the two countries. They will cooperate closely in sectors of particular importance to their future and in view of the creation of a European community. France undertakes to encourage ties and relations between Albania and the EU and BSP. After the signing, Zype emphasized that this treaty would give impetus to future French-Albanian cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural fields. Meksi emphasized that this treaty would contribute to expanding the French presence in Albania.

Yesterday in Tirana, an agreement to abolish double taxation between Albania and Italy was signed. It was signed by Albania’s Finance Minister, Dylber Vjollca, and the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Paolo Foresti. During the meeting, the minister proposed establishing joint commissions at the ports of Durrës and Vlorë. This agreement is the first signed between Albania and an EU country to abolish double taxation. According to Albanian finance officials, such an agreement means there are no longer any legal obstacles for Italian investors in Albania, and it may serve as an example for other agreements in the future. Albanian representative Berisha, at a meeting with representatives of the Italian delegation from the Ministry of Finance and the Italian Financial Police, said that he considers the development of relations with Italy a priority. Italian officials are quoted as saying that, for them, the Adriatic Sea is not a dividing border between the two countries, but a link connecting them and enabling cooperation with Albania.

The 21st Assembly of the World Veterans Federation concluded its work. From December 1 to 6, the 21st session of the General Assembly of FMAC (World Federation of Former Combatants and Veterans) was held in Bordeaux, France. A delegation from the Organization of LANÇ Veterans also took part, headed by the Chairman of the National Committee, Comrade Pirro Dodhiba. At this session, the Organization of LANÇ Veterans was admitted as a full member of the federation, with all the rights of membership. During the session, a series of resolutions were adopted, among which one concerning the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War was of particular importance. This resolution, among other things, emphasizes that the assembly unanimously condemned the rise of racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, the slogans and symbols of Nazism and Fascism, as well as attempts to rewrite history by justifying fascism and its collaborators, discrediting the symbols of the Resistance, and vandalizing and destroying cultural monuments commemorating veterans who gave their lives during the Second World War for freedom, understanding and international cooperation. It called on governments and other competent authorities to remain alert to these situations and to make every effort within their powers to ensure that they conform to the relevant values and standards that form the basis of the activities of the United Nations and its Charter. It also took note of the calls for activities and initiatives by the members of this united family, free from associations of veterans and states, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. At the final session of this meeting, Comrade Pirro Dodhiba, Chairman of the National Committee of LANÇ Veterans, was unanimously elected a member of the General Council of the World Veterans Federation. The Organization of Former Combatants and Veterans expressed its gratitude to him. The Albanian delegation, headed by Comrade Pirro Dodhiba, returned home. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

Ceremony for the first Albanian cardinal, Mikel Koliqi The first Albanian cardinal was appointed 18 months after Pope John Paul II’s visit to Albania, specifically in the city of Shkodër. A protocol ceremony was also held in the city of Shkodër on Wednesday for His Eminence, the cardinal appointed from among the clergy of Shkodër: the highly respected Mikel Koliqi, aged 95, a servant of the century, proclaimed by the Holy See and consecrated as cardinal by the Pope. The appointment of the first Albanian cardinal was described in Albania as a unique and historic event, an honor, and His Eminence’s appointment was announced today to all Catholic believers and to Albanian public opinion. The ceremony was held in connection with the arrival of the distinguished cardinal at his church in Shkodër on Sunday, for the sacred celebration. On this occasion, an event was organized at 10 a.m. on Sunday in the city’s Catholic church. The formal ceremony was held on Friday, and on Sunday at the city’s Hotel Turizmi. During the celebration of Mass, Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Ivan Dias delivered greetings on behalf of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. “The Pope has sent us, as a token of honor, his message of mercy and love for Shkodër. Cardinal Mikel Koliqi is the first cardinal in Albania and in the history of Shënkoll,” Mr. Dias emphasized. Meanwhile, the Bishop of Tirana and Durrës, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, described the appointment of the first Albanian cardinal as a special historic date. He said that for nearly 12 days there had been [unclear]: the bright days of the church’s birth are approaching, amid joy, when, for the first time, there is an Albanian cardinal. The announcements and solemn Mass. President Berisha also spoke at this Mass. The Mass and the reception at Hotel Arben were held in honor of Cardinal Mikel Koliqi. Afterwards, a reception was held at Hotel Turizmi. MUSA KURTULAJ

Silence over the disappearance of four people is unjustifiable Yesterday marked two weeks since the day the public began anxiously waiting to learn whether four residents of villages in the Qridhës area, who went to Montenegro to trade fuel, had been found. “Have all four of them been found?” This is the most common question in the district these days, accompanied by concern for their lives. While people remain worried, law-enforcement bodies continue to remain silent on the matter. District officials told us that it is the duty of the law-enforcement authorities to speak out and investigate the reported case. It has been reported as an incident. Not only that, but there has been no report and no action anywhere in the case to shed light on the matter. Their reprehensible silence is unjustifiable. Four people are involved, and their families and relatives are waiting to learn what has happened to them. “There are several facts that make you think that, if there were interest, resolving this mystery would be entirely possible. Specifically, Arben Demaj, 24, Xheladin Kurtaj, 24, Dedë Gjoni, 45, and Llesh Gjuri, 40, began their journey on November 28 at 8 o’clock with a mule in [illegible] of Shkodër, where they had loaded 60 barrels of fuel to take to Montenegro. At 1 p.m. that day, they crossed the border at the village of Plavnicë. This was confirmed by some of their fellow villagers, who said that when asked whether they would return, they replied, ‘We’ll be back in the afternoon, when—’ (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday morning, while he was in hospital receiving treatment for his heart, representatives of the joint enforcement team, backed by police officers and court bailiffs, removed the belongings from the home of Comrade Pirro Dodhiba, Chairman of the National Committee of LANÇ Veterans, and put them out on the street. We have learned that there had been a legal dispute with the former owner of the house, Sipëk, over the court ruling. Under the legislation in force, all those living in the apartments concerned have until December 1995 to vacate them, as homeowners are allowed to provide another apartment. We have also learned that the matter had been brought to the attention of the Court of Cassation and its president, who had given an assurance that no forcible action would be taken before then. In violation of the laws and court decisions, this arbitrary act took place; it was not only antisocial but also inhumane. There are many such unresolved disputes involving the eviction of tenants, and this is not the first. Government officials have moved into homes on the basis of regular decisions. Why, in this particular case, was the Chairman of the National Committee of LANÇ Veterans—and how many other people in similar circumstances—treated this way? This remains to be clarified. Meanwhile, Comrade Pirro Dodhiba, whose condition is worsening, was subjected to this forceful intervention in the matter of these homes. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

The meeting of the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation countries (PABSEC) began yesterday in Tirana. In his welcoming address, Pjetër Arboni underscored the importance of cooperation between R. SEC and PABSEC. In his welcoming address, Albanian President Berisha focused on the importance of cooperation in preventing conflicts. In his address, PABSEC President Oleksandr Moroz pointed to the major problems troubling the BSEC region, as well as the economic importance of the countries in the region. The decision they had previously made to establish a development and cooperation bank for these countries should be put into practice. Afterwards, representatives of various countries spoke about the issues of concern to their countries and the region. Addressing one of the most serious problems, it seemed that all the representatives favored a new vision for this new economic grouping, so that its activities would be effective and yield results. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”