Today in Parliament: The draft budget is being discussed - The Socialist parliamentary group asked the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Dylber Vrioni, for clarifications on the draft that was presented Today Parliament, on the penultimate day of the year, will discuss in plenary session the 1996 draft budget presented by the government. The manner and timing of this debate on such a fundamental law for a country, along with its positive side, namely the "respect of deadlines," also contain a rushed acceleration with consequences on the part of the government, in order to pass it within the year. Nevertheless, the PS parliamentary group, with the responsibility that belongs to it as the opposition for drafting a budget as realistic as possible that meets the demands of the objectives of acceleration, recovery and overcoming the serious situation the country is going through, met yesterday and discussed this problem seriously. An expression of this concern was also the request by this group that clarifications be given before it by Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vrioni. What was worrying the Socialist deputies? Certainly, they will lay these out in detail today, both as a group and individually, in their views and positions. However, in yesterday’s discussion it was emphasized that the draft budget submitted for approval aims to achieve the political and electoral objectives of the ruling party. Financial maneuvers and acrobatics have been put at the service of these electoral goals. Thus, in terms of a "social budget," the real foundations of this type of budget for which the PS has fought more than once and to which it has always dedicated itself and its "structures" have in fact been undermined. The budget situation, "even today," is unbalanced in economic achievements. It rests on an euphoric picture of achievements that are unbelievable, unrealistic. So, we are dealing with an unguaranteed budget. Even as it stands, it has failed to meet the essential vital needs with very great demands, such as education, health, agriculture, etc. And it is even worse when these figures that have been given offer no guarantee of being realized. Criticism was also made of the local budget. Here too, which is essential for ensuring the independence of the base and the fair allocation of funds, cutting off avenues for the speculation of power and central officials, a "small amount" is reflected. In conclusion, the draft budget constitutes a "social budget"; the submitted budget does not give the country and the people security of the desired developments, security of employment and housing, security of investments, protection from financial turmoil, from inflation and other prices, phenomena which, before such an unguaranteed budget, are always companions. - In the perspective of a "social budget," the real foundations of the budget have in fact been undermined - The submitted budget does not give the country and the people security of the desired developments, security of employment and housing, security of investments, protection from financial turmoil, from inflation and other prices, phenomena which, before such an unguaranteed budget, are always companions. Correspondent of Zëri i Popullit

... and the state "helps" them?! Shkodra, Lezha, Kurbin, and Kruja are once again victims of flooding as a result of the rains that have fallen in recent days. But they are also victims of state irresponsibility, victims of the war "to eradicate communism," from which even the pumping stations, drainage canals and motor pumps were not spared. The President did well to go to some flooded areas, but that alone is far too little. The first thing that needs to be done is the creation of an operational staff with concrete tasks and clearly defined deadlines for eliminating the consequences of the flooding. The government should be put immediately on alert. All state bodies should have had this as their main concern. But who can you tell that to? So, unfortunate people, do not expect anything from the government. It is incapable of solving the trouble you have. It has other problems and other concerns. Thus, you have no choice but to find comfort in the President’s press conferences and his refrain, "God bless you!" Read on page 7

We are the only country in Europe where the opposition leader Fatos Nano is kept in prison against every political, legal and human logic; moreover, further legal incriminations continue against him again for political motives, thus showing how far political madness and passions can lead. Read on page 3

La Gazzeta del Mezogiorno A group of Albanian students from the Faculty of Law of the University of Tirana writes to the Italian newspaper We, a group of students from the University of Tirana (Faculty of Law), in these days remember the student movement of Albanian youth in December 1990-91, which, with its revolt, brought about the overthrow of the totalitarian regime. Our hopes were great, but here we are again, after 5 years, mourning our spouses, to advance from the sea. Today, we protest by joining the loud voice from 5 years ago: “we want true democracy, greater human rights, and a better life. We no longer want the dead in the only sea that connects our shores. We absolutely cannot accept our president’s irresponsible statements during a press conference on 5.12.1995, broadcast by TVSH and Radio Tirana, according to which the issue of illegal emigrants cannot be compared with the events of March 1991 and, even worse, that the victims of that time have always existed and unfortunately will always exist. Page 10