A chronicle of a foretold dismissal A chronicle of a foretold dismissal PD doctors, with an appendicitis operation, remove as superfluous the chairman of the party and of the state Actors are those who value and respect values, principles and people for their contributions, merits, individual qualities. But not in Albanian politics. On its stage, values, principles and people are treated according to the criterion of utilitarianism. They are needed and respected for as long as they perform the service that is of interest to them. They are loved and valued as something necessary to them. But without crossing the limit that must not be exceeded. This applies not only to relations within parties, but also to relations with the state. These days the Albanian political scene resembles an absurd theatre. The President of the Republic did not grant the dismissal of the head of SHIK, and the President of the Republic accepted it. Between these two roles there is only a very small line. What happened? Was a plot uncovered? Was any legal violation established? Or did the attitude toward Gazidede change from trusted to untrusted? Nothing of the sort, because, as all PD political activists assert, they have been and continue to highly value Bashkim Gazidede as one of the important political figures. What happened is something else. It is linked to the threshold of tolerating a powerful man, who politically is no longer simply a civil servant. Not only the recent moves around Bashkim Gazidede caused a stir, but also the whole procedure by which this dismissal was carried out. It is clear that the move was not a measured and calm decision, but a crisis that broke out inside the leadership apex. The fact that the dismissal was issued with the familiar formula of “resignation”, then it was implied that it was a dismissal, and then softened with another appointment, shows that a temporary compromise was sought. This makes it even clearer that we are not dealing with a normal institutional process, but with a political operation to remove from the scene a figure who had gained weight. In our politics, those who grow under the shadow of a single man fall just as quickly as soon as that shadow turns into doubt. That is what is happening with Gazidede as well. Yesterday indispensable, today superfluous. Yesterday praised for vigilance, today gently removed from office. The way this is being done once again shows that in this system people are not measured by law, but by expediency. And when expediency changes, a person’s fate changes too. (Continued on page 2)

President Berisha has still not gone to Copenhagen; his non-participation has been confirmed THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OPENS President Berisha has still not gone to Copenhagen; his non-participation has been confirmed Two of the most powerful delegations in the world, the industrial countries of the G-7 and the bloc of developing states, had entered into frantic efforts yesterday for compromise, making last-ditch attempts to avoid a confrontation over the wording of the final declaration of the world conference that the United Nations is holding in Copenhagen. The group of poor countries, known as the “Group of 77”, was also negotiating for a compromise, worried that the final document will not include a concrete financial commitment programme. (Continued on page 4)

A festive image in the center of Tirana! Painted 10 years ago, that work, the famous “Mosaic”, still shines over the façade of the National Historical Museum. Together with the figures of the worker, partisan, peasant and intellectual, it recalls a bygone time, but also a language of symbols that continues to live in the center of the capital. On the eve of 8 March and in the days when the square takes on more colors, its image looks even more festive. (Continued on page 2)

Operation 'get out of the party, begin!' Den Kastro, Halit Shamata and the “mezists”, definitively unwanted It was the time when comrades of the ideal, and therefore of the opposition too, were mentioned by first and last name. Now the time of silent lists and gentle exclusions has come. At the PD headquarters another language is being spoken: no longer clear decisions, but sidestepping, shifting aside, silence and punishments without a stamp. This is why the removal of some figures is being called by everyone an “operation”. (Continued on page 2)

Three votes, thank goodness! The 1st vote failed with 19 votes in favor. The 2nd vote with 29 votes in favor. The 3rd vote with 36 votes in favor. In the end, the new head of the pink headquarters was finally elected. After all, internal party democracy also seems to have its own rites, with waiting, with doubts and with delayed victories. (Continued on page 5)

Teachers and students of the vocational high school 'Petro Nini Luarasi' after an activity full of cheers ... Meeting on the occasion of 7 March - Teachers' Day Teachers and students of the vocational high school «Petro Nini Luarasi» after an activity full of cheers ... (Continued on page 2)

(Continued on page 2)

- Yesterday’s prosecutors, today presenting the criminal case against the prosecutor by profession (Continued on page 3)

The management and some of the police continue the major campaign of pressure against the union, workers, and also the protesters. In search of the culprits for the crisis, they have once again chosen the miners. (Continued on page 8)

Welcome and goodbye! But what will Berisha do for the people?

ZËRI I POPULLIT — THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Organ of the Socialist Party of Albania Tuesday, 7 March 1995 Year 54 of publication No. 150 (8940) Price 5 lekë A Chronicle of a Foretold Dismissal The PD doctors, with an appendicitis operation, remove as excessive the chairman of the party and the state. The article argues that in Albanian politics people are valued only while useful. It comments on the dismissal/forced resignation of Bashkim Gazidede from SHIK, portraying it as a political operation rather than a legal or institutional process. THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OPENS President Berisha, although not yet gone to Copenhagen, has confirmed his non-participation. Two powerful blocs, the G-7 and the developing countries, were seeking compromise over the final declaration of the UN conference in Copenhagen. Festive image in the center of Tirana! The famous mosaic on the façade of the National Historical Museum still shines and evokes an earlier era. Operation “get out of the party” begins! Den Kastro, Halit Shamata and the “mezists” are definitively unwanted. Three votes, finally! After three rounds of voting, the new head of the “pink headquarters” was elected. Meeting on the occasion of 7 March – Teacher's Day Teachers and students of the vocational high school “Petro Nini Luarasi” after an activity full of cheers. Figures speak NOTE Welcome and farewell! But what will Berisha do for the people? Judicial farce Yesterday’s prosecutors today present a criminal case against the prosecutor by profession. They fall upon the miners Pressure continues against the union, workers and protesters.

ZËRI I POPULLIT — LA VOCE DEL POPOLO Organo del Partito Socialista d'Albania Martedì, 7 marzo 1995 54° anno di pubblicazione N. 150 (8940) Prezzo 5 lekë Cronaca di una destituzione preannunciata I dottori del PD, con un'operazione di appendicite, eliminano come superfluo il presidente del partito e dello Stato. L'articolo sostiene che nella politica albanese le persone vengono stimate solo finché sono utili. Commenta l'allontanamento/dimissione forzata di Bashkim Gazidede dallo SHIK, presentandolo come un'operazione politica più che un processo legale o istituzionale. SI APRE LA CONFERENZA MONDIALE SULLO SVILUPPO SOCIALE Il presidente Berisha, pur non essendo ancora andato a Copenaghen, ha confermato la sua non partecipazione. Due blocchi potenti, il G-7 e i paesi in via di sviluppo, cercavano un compromesso sulla dichiarazione finale della conferenza ONU a Copenaghen. Immagine festiva nel centro di Tirana! Il famoso mosaico sulla facciata del Museo Storico Nazionale continua a brillare ed evoca un'epoca precedente. Operazione “fuori dal partito”, si comincia! Den Kastro, Halit Shamata e i “mezisti” definitivamente indesiderati. Tre votazioni, finalmente! Dopo tre turni di voto è stato eletto il nuovo capo della “sede rosa”. Incontro in occasione del 7 marzo – giornata dell'Insegnante Gli insegnanti e gli studenti della scuola media professionale “Petro Nini Luarasi” dopo un'attività piena di applausi. Le cifre parlano NOTA Benvenuti e addio! Ma che cosa farà Berisha per il popolo? Farsa giudiziaria I procuratori di ieri oggi presentano il caso penale contro il procuratore di professione. Si abbattono sui minatori Continuano le pressioni contro il sindacato, i lavoratori e i manifestanti.