In implementation of the PD's contract with the people -On the eve of New Year, further increases are expected and the price ceiling will become the floor According to the Institute of Statistics, the consumer price index in October 1995 rose by 11.9 percent compared with December 1993, recording an increase of 0.7 percent compared with the previous month. This increase is the result of a rise in the price index of the group "food, beverages, tobacco" by 0.7 percent, and of the group "clothing and footwear" by 2.5 percent. Likewise, the food price index has also risen. Increase, increase and only increase. Price increases, promises and words increase. Only wages and pensions have not increased, and even the 10 percent increase promised by the government has still not in fact come into force for many categories of workers. Read on page 5

The Meksi Government's decision not to keep any minutes and not to make any tape recordings or stenographic records at meetings of the Council of Ministers is a unique and unprecedented case, as if we were dealing here with meetings of mafiosi and swindlers who are afraid of documenting their activities, and not with the activities of the highest forum of executive power. Meetings of the Council of Ministers must not be a marketplace. They must be characterized by civic responsibility for the country's fate and by the members' commitment, high professionalism in the discussions, debates, proposals and solutions put forward, and the decisions taken. There each participant, right up to the prime minister, scrutinizes his own profile, so to speak, makes a self-portrait, lays down the first marks by which he is judged. Yet Prime Minister Meksi and his ministers have judged that it is better not to leave any trace, not to leave any document, any evidence for tomorrow. That is why they have decided on no minutes, no recordings at all. The attitude toward the document expresses the essence of everyone’s civic emancipation. It is there, too, that barbarity and obscurantism are distinguished from civilization, ignorance from culture. Therefore, when we denounce an illogical and unlawful act by the government and the prime minister, first and foremost we have precisely in mind correction as the first step toward avoiding the precedent. More than criminal responsibility for anyone who violates the laws and the discipline and ethics of work, citizens demand moral responsibility and awareness from whoever is guilty. All the more so when it is the government in question. Meksi’s word games and last night’s justifications do not convince anyone. They do not exonerate Meksi either; on the contrary, they accuse him even more seriously. For besides his characteristic nervousness, in the prime minister’s words last night insecurity and fear were clearly evident. The Prime Minister of Albania should know that he is not speaking before ignorant people or illiterates. Every Albanian who has worked even two days in a workplace knows that minutes and records are kept at every meeting. And do they know that seriousness, correctness, transparency, and a sense of responsibility begin there, and that the fulfillment of every promise begins there. Of course, tomorrow the Meksi government will not be judged only by whether or not meeting minutes were kept. Absolutely not. Tomorrow the Meksi government and the party in power will receive the reward of the people's judgment for what has been done since 22 March 1992, a judgment that was expressed more clearly than ever before with the exposure and rejection of the constitutional farce on 6 November 1994, and which will be redefined and will manifest itself with harshness and justice in the forthcoming elections. Meksi knows this very well, together with the whole government, and Berisha knows it even better. Luan M. Rama

Through a statement dated 10 November, sent to the Socialist Party of Albania, Piero Fassino, a member of the National Secretariat of the PDS (Democratic Left Party of Italy), confirms the visit of a delegation of that party to Albania on 24 and 25 November of this year. The visit to Albania by the PDS delegation headed by Mr. Fassino, which also includes Messrs. Antonio Borgano, deputy of the Apulia region, and Marko Bianchini, is being made in response to invitations from several Albanian parties, including the SPA. During the visit to Albania, the PDS delegation will hold meetings with the President of the Republic and with the main leaders of the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Party and the Party for Human Rights. The Socialist Party of Albania considers Mr. Fassino's visit to Albania to be one of particular interest for discussing important issues in relations between our two countries, the pre-election political situation in Albania and Italy, and for strengthening bilateral relations between the SPA and the PDS. Correspondent of "Zëri i Popullit"

Azem Hajdari demands the prosperity of Albanian politics from the criminals of the dictatorship Azem Haidari demands the prosperity of Albanian politics from the criminals of the dictatorship Black money? The prosperity of politics has been lost in it! -Azem Hajdari should start with Azem Hajdari "...Without a doubt, it will fulfill one of the most important points of the program, which is the cleansing of Albanian politics of criminal elements and the securing of a prosperity for Albanian politics within the framework of democracy." That is the "purpose" of the law "On genocide"—the "purpose of the law". On genocide", voted one month earlier by the Democratic Party. This time money did not have the courage to declare it unconstitutional—Azem Hajdari, an MP of the PDS, stated on London radio BBC, about whom this party's newspaper cast serious doubts one year ago. Indeed, doubts which, if proven to be crimes, are punished by criminal law with severe sentences. The law "On genocide" has until today been seen by Albanians as a blow to the "purpose" of this law—which the Constitutional Court four days ago (Continued on page 3)

PS Deputy Chairman Namik Dokle received the member of the board of directors of the Albanian-American Investment Fund, Mr. Michael D. Granoff Read on page 3

Interview with Prof. Dr. Sabit Brokaj Interview with Prof. Dr. Sabit Brokaj Page 2