- Nearly 200 miners have barricaded themselves on the 8th level - Their demands are purely economic BULQIZË Bulqiza, exhausted by unemployment and extreme poverty, is experiencing the terrible ordeal of a hunger strike. Nearly 200 miners, firemen, haulage workers, etc., have descended to the 8th level and barricaded themselves in a hunger strike. Yesterday morning we went to Shaft No. 2 and asked to make contact with the strikers. The entrances leading underground had been blocked by police and mine officials, who allowed no contact with the strikers or the strike leaders. At the 41-ish yard, in support of their comrades barricaded underground, more than 2,000 miners and surface workers had gathered, men, women, and family members of those barricaded inside. From the meetings we had with them, we learned that the barricade and strike were for purely economic reasons, the result of the dire economic situation prevailing in the town of Bulqiza. They are demanding payment of the 10 percent wage supplement; they want the corruption that has taken root in the mine to be investigated to the end—a corruption that the DP government continues to cover up in every way—and they are calling for economic reform on a legal basis. The strikers’ demands, published in a proclamation posted in the center of Bulqiza, one of the most …, have been removed by the authorities. The strike continues. ABDURRAHIM ASHIKU

– The delegation meets with High Commissioner for Foreign Policy Hans Van Den Broek and EU Commissioner for Energy, Tourism and Economic Policy Christos Papoutsis Yesterday afternoon, at the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels, Mr. Hans Van Den Broek, High Commissioner for Foreign Policy, received a delegation of the Socialist Party of Albania which, as previously announced, is in Brussels at the invitation of the European Parliament for a series of official meetings. The SPA delegation was headed by Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, deputy chairman of the Socialist Party. At this meeting, views were exchanged on the domestic economic and political situation in Albania; the continuation of reforms in all fields; the human rights situation; Albania’s current relations with the European Union and their further intensification; and developments in the Balkan region and relations with neighboring countries. Also yesterday, the delegation of the Socialist Party of Albania met with Mr. Christos Papoutsis, European Union Commissioner for Energy, Tourism and Social and Economic Policy. At the meeting, after expressing their gratitude for the assistance provided to Albania by the European Union so far, they discussed possibilities for further cooperation and assistance in the future. The delegation continues its meetings. Press and Information Office of the SPA.

SARANDË A strike began on Friday at Alba, the Albanian-Greek joint venture producing clothing. All 220 female employees have joined in solidarity; 176 of them, being members of the independent trade union, are now part of the confederation. The strike committee and the trade union leadership have the following demands: that the annual employment contract be maintained and that the director representing the Albanian side resign. The district trade union council has supported the strike and is meeting with the committee and the union; it is seeking a response from the administration, particularly an end to arbitrary dismissals, but insists that all the problems be resolved without the joint venture being broken up. A meeting was held between the strike committee and the trade union leadership and the Albanian and Greek administrators, but they did not accept the employees’ demands. Nevertheless, a meeting to provide a response has been announced.

ELBASAN The strike by 140 garment workers at the Italian-Albanian joint venture “Skënderbeg” has entered its eighth day. Talks with the Italian production director have not yet taken place. Conversations with representatives of the workers’ union reveal that the Italian side has repeatedly failed to meet its obligations. Indeed, the two previous strikes, one lasting a year and the other a single day, were aimed at securing certain basic conditions, especially payment of wages on time. The current strike is specifically a protest against the failure to pay wages every 15 days. The workers have still not received their pay for the first half of January. The reasons for the strike also include two other important demands. First, the failure to sign the collective labor agreement and, second, the Italian side’s failure to pay social insurance contributions of 6 (Continued on page 2)

The issue of population movement, mainly the movement of people from the northern areas toward the city of Durrës, is very troubling. In addition to residents who have been settled in several areas of this district by government decision, a considerable number of people, mainly from Dibra, have occupied land here that legally belongs to local residents. These are plots allocated by the property restitution commission in May and June. This concern persists in the Spitallë area, Kenetë sector; the disputes that have arisen are still not being brought forward for resolution by the local authorities. There are 50 families who, under the law, should receive social assistance but are not receiving it. In addition to disputes and concerns involving the newcomers, they must also cope with financial difficulties that are increasing because of intense pressure from unrestricted prices. Although these residents have approached the mayor, Tomor Golemi, as well as representatives of the district council for days and weeks, nothing has yet been resolved in this regard. Seeing the indifference of the local authorities, the residents of Spitallë [text unclear] to enable the sale of enterprises piece by piece, that is, individual production lines and departments. With this method of privatization, piece by piece, they say at the privatization branch, auctions have been used in more than 10 cases. Again, in these cases, the workers have been left with nothing. Has there been an opportunity for local corruption? this regard. It is worth noting that four days have now passed since the deadline set. The government has still not responded. (Continued on page 2)

Dr. Luan Hajdaraga, deputy chairman of the SPA, states in Mat: — Only the Socialist Party will eradicate corruption in Albania at its roots. — The SPA is open and will steer Albania toward comprehensive and effective relations with all the countries of the European Union, the USA, and beyond. — During the recent visit, Socialist Party organizations in the districts of Mat, Bulqizë and Dibër have broadened their reach and gained new members. The objectives for 1995 are to increase membership; as a Party and political force, we have a duty to accelerate this process. He then focused on the work that Socialist Party organizations must do to study the Party’s program, strengthen the ranks and increase the organizations’ capacity to implement it. These and other issues relating to the current work of the Socialist Party were the subject of a meeting held yesterday in the city of Burrel, attended by Socialist Party deputy chairman comrade Luan Hajdaraga, MP Alfred Palla, and others. The main focus of the Party’s work this year, comrade Luan Hajdaraga said, drawing on the conclusions reached in the discussions, is the new elections. We aim to make the elections non-concurrent, and we will fight for this. The entire Party is fully organized for the elections. Although the President issues the decree calling the elections, we, as a Party and political force, have a duty to speed up this process. He went on to discuss the work Socialist Party organizations must do to study the Party program, establish various committees under the governing committees, and address issues in their specific circumstances. Speaking about strengthening cooperation with local government structures, comrade Luan Hajdaraga emphasized the need for the Socialist Party to support them and provide concrete assistance to our representatives in local government: they operate on the basis of the law, but, since they were elected by us, they must receive the Party’s support. In this connection, he stressed the need for contacts among local government leaders and councillors— (Continued on page 2)

SHKODER With the privatization process so far, there can be no talk of workers benefiting. Of 76 enterprises assessed, 26 have been privatized. Another 25 are in the process of liquidation. The total value of the more than 50 enterprises in question has been calculated at 300 million lekë, including those involving securities. Who has become the owner of these enterprises? The vast majority are their managers or management staff, drawn from that small group who, naturally, can raise the money. Some of them have managed to collect securities from persecuted people in order to obtain the required amount. It is said that auctions were announced for the enterprises sold, but none were held. According to the privatization branch, this happened because, at the announced auctions, no more than one buyer came forward! This prompted a strategy to make it possible to sell departments. With this method of privatization, piece by piece, the privatization branch says, (Continued on page 2)

The Socialist Party has now published its program, and work is also under way on the electoral program for purposes that are well known. I believe it should be stated clearly in its program that the program will be judged on whether it reflects the essence of the studies prepared in this field and in specific areas and sectors. Since these will be presented to the people so they can assess what the SP aims to achieve over a four-year period, it is natural that their implementation should be supported. What should first be gathered are the desire for change and the contradictions arising from experience, as well as opinions, suggestions and objections based on experience in the fields of change, science and management practice, among others. The materials presented so far on the state, progress and prospects of the banking system are very weak. First: the existing banking system in Albania is in a miserable state and has a poor reputation both inside and outside the country. The banks are marked by pronounced opacity, bureaucracy and corrosive corruption. Commercial banks still apply working practices from the centrally planned economy. Specialists do not even dare to express their opinions and suggestions openly. In practice, the legal independence of the banking system leaves much to be desired. The banking system has become an obstacle and is creating a suffocating climate for transactions in the market economy we want to build. As I have repeatedly stated, I view the progress and dynamics of developments in our banking system not only as part of the progress of economic reform, but also because I believe banks and finance have a primary role. Today’s banks need to be restructured and reformed completely and thoroughly. Second: we believe that within a six-month period there are every opportunity to improve—

Yesterday, a high-level delegation from the United States arrived in our country for a two-day visit. It is headed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Joseph Nye, who will hold a meeting with the Albanian-American bilateral working group. Yesterday he was received by Defense Minister Zhulali. In addition to bilateral talks on defense issues, Dr. Nye will be received in separate meetings by Defense Minister Safet Zhulali, Foreign Minister Serezha, and the country’s highest-ranking personalities. Meanwhile, the joint Sorex 95 maneuvers concluded on Sunday. They were considered successful, and further exercises are expected in the future.

Unofficial sources report that on Sunday a document was signed removing Mr. Edvin Libohova from his position as director of the Savings Bank and replacing him with Mr. Bedri Collaku, director of supervision at the Bank of Albania. This also brings to an end the unexpected career of Mr. Everest Musta, who held the post of director of the Commercial Bank for only six months. It is understood that he will be replaced in this post by Mr. Xhaferr Ypi, former chairman of the National Committee of the Politically Persecuted. Without making any comment on Mr. Nusta’s promotion, it should be noted that from the outset people in Albania’s banking circles had been talking about his sudden emergence on the bank’s leadership scene. His principal achievement is said to be the issue of an apartment building constructed with bank funds, where all those who had housing through bank loans were accommodated—a matter that will be discussed in greater detail in forthcoming issues. In forthcoming issues, we will also try to provide the reasons behind the appointments, further figures, and an account of developments in appointments in Albania’s banking sector. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”

The tax figures: 96.8 percent to 3.2 percent Taxes amount to a total of 182 million lekë. Of these, national taxes account for 176 million and local taxes for around 6 million. The ratio of central to local taxes is therefore 96.8 to 3.2 percent. The figures are even more disproportionate for the road circulation tax. Of the 174 million in revenue, nothing has been allocated to local government for road repairs. THANAS DINO

— A novella by Neshat Tozaj — Published as part of this series of novels on current themes, writer Neshat Tozaj presents readers with his new novella, “Desecration.” Following the character Ali Saraci in the novella “The Parliamentarian,” in “Desecration” you will find the character of Pjerin Thoma vividly portrayed. The novella “Desecration” will be published in tomorrow’s issue of the newspaper “Zëri i Popullit.”