— PS activists’ meeting in the Durrës district — Yesterday morning, the activists’ meeting of the Socialist Party in the Durrës district held its proceedings. It focused on the tasks facing the Socialist Party in this district so that it can better meet the political objectives of the Socialist Party of Albania for the new political year 1995, with a clear goal and better organization [?]. The meeting was attended by PS Deputy Secretary Dr. Servet Pëllumbi and its Deputy Chairman Namik Dokle. In his speech, the chairman of the Durrës PS, Bardhyl Agasi, presented a series of measures that the PS in Durrës has taken and will take to become better consolidated, so that it can, as always, respond to the objectives of the Socialist Party of Albania and to the political circumstances. He then presented the work platform of the commissions reorganized under the PS district governing council and stressed [?] that their effective functioning would greatly help solve the district’s problems today and in the future. (Continued on page 2)

— Speech delivered by PS Deputy Chairman Dr. Servet Pëllumbi at the Durrës PS activists’ meeting on 4. 3. 95 — What is happening in the DP cannot be explained simply and solely by the individual characteristics of the DP leaders, although these too cannot be underestimated. In other words, this is not simply a matter of a “Selami phenomenon” or a “Berisha phenomenon”; nor is it that the DP is supposedly unprepared for the “new political doctrine” put forward by Selami, because there can be no talk of any such doctrine. The issue is, in fact, summed up in the question: now that the elections are approaching, now that we have a 6 November life [?], a vote by a dissatisfied people, a government that does not govern, massive theft and plunder through handover privatizations, widespread disappointment over unfulfilled promises, Albania and the Albanian question left to languish, an outbreak of political revenge, and so on—who will answer for it? All together, or by blaming one another? This situation is not new. Berisha held the referendum thinking that it would put all his “troubles” behind him and, indeed, that he would consider how to shift the blame onto others, especially the DP. This is where the clash with E. Selami begins, who, it seems, after years in the role of the obedient follower and executor, decided to rebel. It may seem paradoxical, but it is a fact that Berisha, without realizing it, is helping to predetermine the outcome of the coming elections in favor of the opposition forces. First, by continuing to keep the PS Chairman, Fatos Nano, in prison, even though Albanian public opinion as a whole and authoritative European organizations are calling for his release. Second, by splitting the DP, demanding everything for his own camp and setting people against one another: DP Chairman E. Selami against Government Chairman A. Meksi. The opposition to Selami over his criticism of the implementation of investments has taken on a banal dimension. At the DP Conference for Tirana, Selami criticized the fact that only 40 percent of the investments for 1994 had been implemented. RTV, citing the Institute of Statistics as its source on 3.03.95, reported that 99 percent of investments had been implemented, while A. [?] One might get the impression that we are going to see a “final” after which everything will continue along a normal course; but we can say with confidence that the final may or may not remove Selami, and nothing will be resolved either way. Selami, Shehu, and others are in vain trying to present this as an expression of diversity within the DP, as a display of internal democracy through which it will emerge stronger. At the root of the disagreements lies the DP’s course: should it reform, or continue as before? That is the question awaiting resolution. The person who will overturn this situation, once again, will be Berisha, who can no longer rein in the outbursts of political revenge, not even “within his own ranks.” A typical example is the scandalous incident at the German Embassy during the meeting of parliamentary political forces with the German president. And a situation in which all boundaries between “friends” and “enemies” disappear, in which “shadows” take on bodies, helmets and spears in order to punish, and to confront them “heroically” throughout history, is extremely dangerous. But the situation is dangerous for democracy from another perspective as well. It is known that Berisha applies the “theory” of compensation— (Continued on page 3) … their integration in Europe.” The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Arbnori, thanked Mr. Herzog for the “speech he delivered… (Continued on page 5) ...a massive disillusionment caused by unfulfilled promises, the abandonment of Albania and the Albanian problem, an outbreak of political revenge, etc. Who will answer for it? All of us together, or will we leave it to him and, indeed, that he would win “the laurels of another historic victory,” which would secure not only an extension of his current term from 5 to 7 years, but also a second term that would let him surpass at least Zog in years in power. When November 6 overturned these wishes, Berisha began to

At the invitation of the Secretary-General of the Party of European Socialists (P.E.S.), Mr. Aksel Hanish, and Chairman of its Foreign Affairs Commission, left for Spain to attend the Second Congress of the P.E.S. The P.E.S. Congress will be held in Barcelona from 6–8 March. Press and Information Office of the Socialist Party of Albania

Bashkim Zeneli We are all enthusiastic about the visit of German President Herzog to Albania, the political messages he brought, and the principles and vision he set out for a genuinely democratic state and a clear Euro-Atlantic policy. It is also important that a joint Albanian-German Declaration was signed, of particular value for the present and the future, for strengthening cooperation between Germany and Albania and for Albania’s integration into Europe. The Socialist Party, like the other political forces in the country, has also regarded this visit as very important and hopes for Germany’s continued support for our country, as well as for the implementation of joint programs and partnership. President Berisha greatly valued Herzog’s visit, the messages he conveyed, the sincere friendship offered by the German president, and Germany’s support for Albania. “From this friendship,” Berisha declared, “Albanians want to derive only one benefit: the development and consolidation of democracy in Albania and their integration into for the “excellent speech” he delivered in the People’s Assembly. Arbnori spoke the truth: it was excellent. It was so because it contained clear messages and “rules” that must be respected and implemented if we want to build a just state and democratic institutions, integrate into Europe, maintain good relations with our neighbors, be admitted to the Council of Europe, and respect the standards it sets, as well as human freedoms and rights. We have a great deal to do—not because we must reach Europe in 3–4 years, but because we must do properly whatever we undertake. And it is precisely in this respect that we are behind. Under no circumstances should we be nihilistic about what has been achieved, which was achieved under the difficult conditions of the transition. Were Herzog’s messages the first to reach us in Albania? No! Other senior European politicians have also spoken in Tirana. But our own highest-ranking politicians have also listened at the tables of Brussels, Strasbourg, Helsinki, Washington, and who knows how many other capitals around the world! The messages have been the same. And all we have said is: successful visits, excellent messages. But to what extent has— (Continued on page 5)

TODAY: EXTRAORDINARY CONFERENCE OF THE DP Read on page 3: - On the eve of new political events - On 5 March, the chairman of the DP is of no concern to Albanians. - Albanians want the stolen money back - Loneliness - The great party man - A long political winter for the DP …asked the court to rule on his own standard-bearer, setting the Chairman of the DP, E. Selami, against the head of the Government, the implementation of investments took on a farcical scale. At the DP conference for Tirana, E. investments for 1994 had been implemented. RTV, on 3.03.95, citing the Institute of Statistics, reported that 99 percent of the investments had been implemented, while A. Meksi, in a television interview on the same date, 3.3.1995, claimed that investments had been exceeded by more than twice (meanwhile, the Institute of Statistics denies having issued or provided the figures broadcast over the air by RTVSH). At an extraordinary conference, tomorrow, KËRKJO...95 ←; BRENDA ZELAPAN; 5 MARCH 95

A factory was once established in Korçë to process milk and its by-products. Once upon a time, a factory was established in Korçë to process milk and its by-products. At its most active, 37 b-xho worked for it, along with two small factories, one in Bilisht and the other in Maliq, where around 300 workers were employed. The milk-processing factory in Korçë employed 150 workers, whereas now only 16 people remain, and even they are waiting from one day to the next to be put on assistance. Nothing has been produced there for more than a year. This is despite the fact that the Korçë district is known for its high livestock production yields, especially milk. From early morning, farmers from the plain, riding bicycles loaded with milk cans, rush through the city’s alleys and knock on door after door. Being close to the city is no small privilege for them. But what can the people of the mountain areas do, when livestock farming is the only hope of life that can help them in these difficult times? The farmers of Korçë worked hard to bring about the [?] of this factory’s activity, just as with all the others. First they paralyzed the dairy collection points, handing them over to their loyalists, who in most cases changed their purpose or completely destroyed them. At the time of the promises, the farmers were told that the state would collect their livestock products right at their doors, but the fulfillment of this promise, like so many others, has faded away. As part of privatization, perhaps it should have been the first factory given to its workers—

Once again, there is a risk of poisoning from expired products. The Shkumbin River has from time to time become a stopping place where all kinds of expired goods end up. In fact, through carelessness, they have traveled many kilometers, carried along by the river water. This time, as we were returning from Librazhd to Elbasan, on Monday afternoon, February 27, an unusual sight appeared between the villages of Labinot and Xibraka in Elbasan. Some villagers, over a stretch of about 1 km, were collecting 1.5-liter plastic bottles filled with orange drink, which the river had washed up along its banks. The more concerned villagers had filled … while others continued the “operation,” even wading into the cold water of the Shkumbin. We asked the villagers, and they told us these bottles had been thrown into the river the previous night. When we asked what they would do with them, one of them replied: “We also want to earn something.” So these bottles will return to the market, more precisely to the village bars in the surrounding area. Normally, the state should ensure that the orange drinks are collected, rather than letting them drift away with their labels intact, as they came out of the factory where they were produced. The greatest danger, in particular, is to those who may later consume the goods sold by the “merchants” of the river. SEDIN SEKKANI