It has now become clear to everyone, inside and outside Albania, that Fatos Nano, chairman of the SP, was arrested for political reasons, imprisoned for political reasons, tried for political reasons, sentenced for political reasons, and is still being held in prison for political reasons, even though prestigious international organizations have repeatedly called for his release. The political clan responsible for this political crime is now also known: a crime committed not only against one person, but against an entire party that elected him as its chairman, against national public opinion, against Albanian justice, and against the democratic character of human freedoms and rights. And yet this political clan—or, more precisely, the Berisha regime—cannot release Fatos Nano. Indeed, it cannot release him; it is even thinking about how to lock him up more deeply, especially now that the severe crisis within the Democratic Party has been fully demonstrated: the quarrels and battles among its various factions, the continual decline of its authority, and the mass desertion of its ranks by both members and supporters. It cannot release Fatos Nano, especially in the circumstances created after the annihilating defeat Berisha and his party suffered in the referendum of 6 November, and after the shame suffered before the world by the man who inspired and “rode” it. It cannot release Fatos Nano, its most dangerous opponent, at a time when the authority of the Socialist Party, its role in the country’s political life, and the Albanian people’s trust in it have been growing and consolidating day by day. President Berisha and his party clan cannot release Fatos Nano for a number of other reasons as well, directly connected to the political line that He and his party’s top leadership—in short, his regime—have decided to pursue. It is pointless to expect President Berisha and his government and party group to show democratic culture and political maturity, as would logically be required in judging and resolving the Nano case. It is pointless to expect justice and respect from them for the independence of the judiciary, or implementation of the norms and principles concerning human freedoms and rights, which include the “Nano case,” regardless of the fact that a year ago our parliament approved an entire chapter on these freedoms and rights. It is pointless to expect honesty, patriotism, social solidarity, national traditions, or devotion to democratic ideals and Albanian interests from careerists, sycophants, speculators, plunderers of the people’s wealth, demagogues, and other types of the same ilk, who currently rule Albania. Unfortunately, political intolerance, class warfare, imposition, majority violence, and the replacement of justice with party and leader’s orders now dominate our country. Slander, deceit, demagoguery, insults against scientific and political figures, and other such outrages hold sway; the “Nano case” is one of their victims. But then the question arises: “How will the Nano case be resolved?” The Socialist Party has determined its tactics and strategy. So far, the path it has followed has produced the first very positive and highly encouraging results, both domestically and internationally. For the Berisha regime, the “Nano case” has become a source of trouble. Everything it sought to achieve has turned against it. The regime, the clan, and the person who created the “Nano case” are now bearing the weight of the prison sentence. But Fatos Nano must be free, among the Albanian people, in direct contact with socialist members and sympathizers, and at the head of the Party that elected him to lead it together with his many comrades in its leadership. That is why the call “Fatos Nano out of prison!” remains on the agenda at all times. It is freedom itself that demands Fatos Nano’s release from prison. The rule of law demands it; democracy, political pluralism, and justice—threatened as never before by the Berisha regime—demand it. The country’s political stability and violated civic security demand it. The climate for constructive dialogue demands it. The pan-Albanian national cause demands it. Albania’s well-being and prosperity demand it. Its prestige in the world demands it. EDI LENA.

Socialist Party Auditorium On the objectives for the political year ’95 - The zonal meeting in Tepelenë - Gramoz Ruci: 1995 is an election year and holds a brighter future for the Socialists. Leaders of the Socialist Party from the southern districts met on Saturday in Tepelenë and discussed the objectives for the political year 1995, the party’s activities at the grassroots and central levels, the functioning of party structures, the problems of today’s political struggle, etc. In the districts of this zone, the Socialist Party has great authority, a broad presence and considerable support; its functioning and the expectations placed on it must be met. As Gramoz Ruci, the SP’s secretary-general, also stressed, for the Socialists. The party’s objectives in the district for ’95 must also be linked to this. The party must take more intensive action in preparation for early elections. Electoral campaigns are the principal mission of parties in a pluralist system. You must prepare well for an upcoming campaign, drawing on experience from the referendum on the draft constitution, the conditions and working groups, bringing in intellectuals and young people, and the people’s mass support. The great electoral phobia of the DP should not become a wedge dividing people, who are known to belong to all the parties. The SP has been chosen to bring the left to power, but this should not be used for propaganda or fabrication. The reality is positive, but exercising power is difficult and entails great responsibility. The program is good, but the people who will implement it must also be carefully selected and brought on board. Other issues concerning party life were also raised at the meeting, discussed, and solutions were jointly proposed. THANAS DINO party in had been done on new admissions. The number of those admitted has risen significantly, especially after the referendum of November 6. But attention has focused more on the qualitative assessment of those who express a desire to join the PS. In this context, care has also been given to those elected to the governing forums. Particular emphasis was also placed on discussing several anti-social phenomena—

SHKODER CONSOLIDATING THE PARTY STRUCTURES, AN IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE OF DAILY WORK Dr. Luan Hajdaraga: - Regional and religious preferences are unacceptable to the Socialist Party. - - Cooperation with the rest of the world should be multifaceted, not merely focused on aid. - The consolidation and continuity of the party structures was the focus of the zonal meeting held yesterday afternoon in Shkodër by Dr. Luan Hajdaraga, deputy chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, with the leaders of the SP in the districts of Shkodër, Malsi e Madhe, Pukë, Lezhë, Mirditë, and Kukës. The chairmen of the SP in these districts and the other guests spoke about the work done by the presidiums, steering committees, zonal councils, and grassroots organizations to expand the party into every neighborhood and village. It was emphasized that fruitful work had been done to admit new members. The number of people admitted has increased considerably, especially after the referendum of 6 November. But greater attention has been focused on the qualitative responsibility of those who express a desire to join the SP. In this context, it has been deemed necessary to select members who are democratic and humane, and to reject practices that have been revived in recent years, such as crime, feuds, blood vengeance, rape, and so on. It was said that these matters have been analyzed from time to time; the SP has shown itself ready to help heal these wounds by making the law the foundation, but the sluggishness and inaction of state bodies continue, creating in quite a few people a mindset of taking the law into their own hands. The meeting also addressed the establishment of special commissions within the steering committees, as well as electoral commissions. The experience of several election campaigns over the past four years is being used for this purpose. However, it should be noted that there is some euphoria here and there, particularly during these months following the referendum. In the struggle against this euphoria, it is ...

The phenomenon of the ground shaking in the Blacë, Radomirë, and Alarup area of the Pogradec district continues to remain enigmatic, but also frightening. It has been going on for 4–5 months, with 3–4 tremors a day, whose intensity keeps increasing. Not only that, but the radius of these tremors is also continually spreading farther. The villagers in this area have been gripped by panic as they see their houses cracked and split, and have meanwhile taken measures to move their families to the homes of friends and relatives. Specialists in this field explain this phenomenon as movement in the underground formations of the area, but nevertheless insist that an answer is needed from the Seismological Institute as to whether this is an area of permanent or temporary activity, which would also reassure the residents themselves. Local government leaders tell us that they have contacted the leaders of the institute in question, but the response they received was that the special instruments are out of service. In any case, a qualified assessment would greatly reassure the approximately 2,500 families in this area.

exchange this dialogue: - Tirana. - Terribly cold. We’re in the grip of snow, and icicles are lined up along the roofs and trees. Send me one as soon as possible...

The Church of Saint Marena in the remote village of Lëniegë, in the district of Pogradec, could not escape a robbery, a memorable one. robbery, a memorable one. The Orthodox Church in Pogradec is truly shaken and saddened by the act. The small bell, the cross, and the stone epitaph of the two-headed Dragoi have been stolen; according to the church’s leaders, these represent a great loss to national culture. The epitaph, bell, and cross were of priceless value, they say, and had been preserved by ordinary people for decades, but have now fallen prey to common thieves. Thus, the theft of these objects constitutes another serious violation of our people’s spiritual culture. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Another 900 workers have been laid off at the well-known mine in Memaliaj, which was split into four parts under pluralism. But its very future has been put at risk. Groups of local government officials and administration employees meet and meet again, while specialists warn: if the mine closes, it will be hard to reopen it.

At the tax offices in Laç, we learn that revenues of 495 million lek were collected for 1994, a figure that has doubled compared with 1993. All these revenues came from those registered with the tax branch, a total of 761 natural and legal persons. Despite this, the tax administration, headed by Osman Alushi, is not very satisfied because, according to them, they have achieved only 80 percent of their target. Of the 627 million lek planned for 1994, they managed to collect 495 million lek. Meanwhile, the district leaders are satisfied even with this result, since the revenues collected by the tax offices cover all the expenses of the district of Kurbin. As can also be seen, the administration of this district lives off these revenues. As does the state itself. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

TIRANA: The stage of getting acquainted has been passed, and now the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense is being sought, emphasized Defense Minister Safet Zhulali, citing the joint communiqué signed by him and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Zhozel Nei. The stage of getting acquainted has been passed, and now the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense is being sought, emphasized Defense Minister Safet Zhulali, citing the joint communiqué signed by him and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Zhozel Nei yesterday at the joint press conference they held in one of the rooms of the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. Pointing to the signing of agreements and the joint exercise «AREX ’95» as successes, Defense Minister Zhulali emphasized that the bilateral meeting between the two armies once again demonstrated the positive steps taken in reforming the Albanian army and in building bilateral relations and a spirit of cooperation for peace in the region. Taking the floor, Dr. Nei described the bilateral relationship as successful and as evidence of U.S. policy in Central Europe based on three aspects: strengthening democracy, the free-market economy, and stable relations with the countries of the region. Expressing his satisfaction with the progress made so far in these areas in relation to our country, he expressed particular appreciation for military relations and confidence that the path embarked upon would continue successfully in the future. They then moved on to answer questions from the journalists present. Asked to assess Albania’s position in the troubled Balkan region, Dr. Nei stressed that Albania is critically important to Balkan stability and said that if the conflict in Bosnia were to spread farther south, it would be an even greater tragedy. In response to another question about the specific aspects of military cooperation with the United States in the field of defense, he said that the U.S. military had provided logistical assistance, that a management group would be established, and that the American side would provide military advisers on civilian control of airspace.

Press conference by DP secretary Tritan Shehu Shehu: We will fight corruption! Ruli, Uken, Brozi, and Hoxha were not mentioned at all in the National Council. «The National Council of the DP demonstrated excellent unity»—that was the slogan with which the PDSH secretary general came out yesterday at a press conference. Returning from the National Council meeting, delighted by this excellent unity, but legally factionalized (or without asking him—), Secretary Shehu announced his and the Party’s objectives for ’95. «The year of the reform drive, putting the decisions of the National Council into practice»—Shehu declared. On Sunday, he had appeared before the «Chairman of the DP», Berisha, on the main road opposite the «Museum», more than 30 minutes after the scheduled time. The members of the presidium, Berisha, and once again this time he imposed himself on his Party, which had waited for him anxiously and with concern, for more than the language of Mr. And although that is what happened, the National Council on Monday and Shehu on Tuesday confirmed that «Rinbala» or «Puppet» would initially be Party Chairman, although he is a prime minister. Although this was the essence of the meeting—as Secretary Shehu also reflected in the account of the meeting given to journalists—reliable sources, such as RD and TVSH, report that the National Council adopted 13 important decisions, ranging from defining the DP itself as a «promoter of reforms in alliances with extremists» to «women’s representation in the DP at 25 percent». But strangely, although these decisions—which are in keeping with Chairman Berisha’s line—the DP sees them as medicine for the open wounds of the three years it has been in government, they contain no antidote to cancer: corruption. Asked about this, Tritan Shehu said that «we will fight corruption without prejudice wherever it appears». — Still without a constitution. For him, once again, nothing at all has been discussed in the DP. The criminalization of new mindsets to prevent the return of communism to Albania, Shehu told journalists, mentioning the council he chaired: this will entail ... Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria have already passed the point of no return. All the more so because the continuation of the sequence: base-organization secretary, party chairman, president, over several years of activity has taken something from one’s age

The meeting also discussed the issue of setting up special commissions attached to the governing committees, as well as electoral commissions. For this, use is being made of the experience of several election campaigns in recent years. However, it should be pointed out that there is also the referendum. Greater persistence is essential in the fight against this euphoria. Every election campaign has its own specific requirements; complacency (Continued on page 2)

Events in Bulqizë The commune secretary Ymer Pervizi was sent to our village for the election of the village head. He came on foot, even though there is no road to Smallik and cars cannot get there in winter or summer. He was accompanied by four police officers. To be fair, they gathered the people. We cannot deny them credit for that: But then, to get everyone to vote: Ymer spoke, and Ymer voted. The police standing around the people voted too. The same man as before was elected village head. PËRPARIM SMALLIKU

It continues to remain enigmatic, but...

Between Peshkopi and Tirana, two people on a telephone line exchange this dialogue: - What’s the weather like in Dibër? asks the voice from Tirana. - Send me one as soon as possible...