SOCIALIST LEADERS IN THE DISTRICT OF MAT - President Berisha is publicly invited to a televised debate to defend his accusations against the PS. - Let the PD publish its own program, too! The people will know how to compare. [Photo of two men at a meeting; photo of a rally.] “The Socialist Party” is not … socialist leaders presented their views on the political situation … the confidence of the people, which is constantly … Dr. Servet Pëllumbi. “They accuse us that ‘the PS is blocking reform’…

Tomorrow in Tirana: Greek Foreign Minister Papullas Bashkim Zeneli Tomorrow, Greece’s Foreign Minister, Papullas, is coming to Tirana. We welcome him and hope that the visit, the meetings and the conclusions will be successful with the representatives of our diplomacy and state. We had to wait until the spring of ’95 to begin jointly thawing the ice that had frozen relations between the two countries since last spring. A long wait, but better late than never. This “war” of confrontation cost both countries dearly; tomorrow, surely, it will lower its blades and give way to dialogue, tolerance and understanding. The Socialist Party has long expressed its clear, visionary and European positions in favor of good relations with Greece, despite the many immoral accusations made against it. Naturally, an agenda covering several issues will be on the table at the meeting between Serreqi and Papulias. And it is well known that these will not be resolved on the spot. The main thing is to speak with goodwill, openly and sincerely. If this is achieved—and there is no reason why it should not be—then the way will be opened to restoring trust and understanding, and the green light will genuinely be given to good-neighborly relations and cooperation in all fields. In other words, the process of understanding must resume. Both sides, Albanian and Greek, have called for this in joint statements. What matters now is how they will talk in order to achieve it. Let us leave behind primitive and archaic declarations of “who has more need of whom.” This should not be the measure. First of all, we are neighbors; we are peoples with an ancient history who have coexisted as good neighbors. Our civilizations have coexisted since ancient times; our struggles for freedom and national independence are well known. These are also a real foundation from which our will and official policy should spring, as well as the “cards” Greece has played. Both the European Community and the USA have an interest in normalizing relations with Greece and mutually restoring trust. This calls on us to be genuinely loyal and well-intentioned. Papulias is coming to Tirana perhaps following the letter he received from US Secretary of State Kristofer, who wants and calls for this normalization. But we have also received the messages of German President Hercog, who has said, regarding friendly and open relations with our southern neighbors, that “we Europeans are interested.” Hercog reminded us of German-French relations and the fruits of efforts at dialogue and understanding to achieve good-neighborly relations and comprehensive cooperation, with a willingness to swallow some things and make compromises. We hope this will be the language used at the table with Papulias. Good relations between the two countries are undoubtedly both a factor in and a contribution to relations in the troubled Balkans. And their solution begins with us Balkan peoples, through clear visions and contemporary principles. This also creates the necessary space for initiating cooperation among the countries of the region. And this should not be done merely for show. Naturally, there will be several issues to discuss with Mr. Papulias, perhaps a year’s worth. There are border issues; economic cooperation; the possibility of legalizing Albanian emigrants in Greece; consular issues, etc., etc. I would add that it would be of great interest to discuss the opening of an Albanian-Greek bank and issues concerning relations… goodwill to reach an understanding must spring. And for us to reach an understanding, we must set aside those emotional outbursts, or even blunders, that have marked our relations from one setback to another. Small things are set aside when one speaks in a European language, with a European spirit, a new mentality and realism. The peoples expect this language, and diplomacy should not undertake to speak otherwise. I believe it will also not be forgotten that Papulias is today better suited to talks, as a friend of the Albanians and a well-known initiator of good relations with Albania. Let us not see things in black and white, nor make a fuss over “who has more need of whom”! Neither Albania nor Greece seeks changes to the borders. This is fundamental. We must not equate the language and claims of chauvinist and nationalist circles with the language of official policy. They should be answered, exposed and condemned, while with official policy we should establish firm and credible milestones of understanding and cooperation. We have viewed, and must continue to view, good relations with neighboring Greece within the framework of respect for the national independence and sovereignty of our countries. We need this contemporary, civilizing mentality in our relations with friendly Greece. Until now this has not been done well, partly through … Economic cooperation issues, and issues concerning cultural relations and such exchanges, etc. During his previous visit to Tirana, Papulias expressed readiness to establish a commission to examine the Çam issue and the obligations connected with it. What will happen? Just as we have valued and continue to value the presence of Albanians who have gone to work in Greece and the need to legalize them gradually, within the framework of recognized international conventions, we have also valued and continue to value the presence of our minority brothers in Albania, so that they may enjoy all their lawful rights. Much has been done in this regard, but more must be done within the framework of the standards recognized and enshrined in European documents. So the range of issues will be broad, but I believe there will also be goodwill. Restoring trust is important in order to open the way to resolving the problems. The time has come for tense relations to be freed from momentary passions; the time has come for dialogue and mutual respect to replace intolerance. We hope and believe in this. Governments must not forget that “behind” them are the peoples, who want to live in good neighborly relations and cooperate in every field.

“The Socialist Party” is not confined to a few people in the leadership in Tirana; it is in all four corners of Albania, it is among you; it is everywhere, in your …, in your aspirations, in your thoughts, in your future. With this message—among dozens of others—the highest-ranking leaders of the PSSh, its deputy chairman Prof. Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, Secretary-General Gramoz Ruçi, and MPs Halil L alaj and Ibrahim Baçi, spent all day Friday in various areas of the district of Mat. For the first time, in the remote area of Dukagjin, in Derjan and Macukull, as well as in Shkallë and Xibër, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, Gramoz Ruçi and Ibrahim Baçi were warmly received in the afternoon at a large meeting with the people of Burrel. For more than two hours, socialists presented their views on the political situation in the country and their alternatives, and answered numerous questions from those present. “Nowhere in the world are opposition parties the ones that intensify and heighten tensions; such escalation and tension come from bad governance, from failing to meet people’s most vital needs and demands; economic reform has been blocked, privatization has turned into theft and plunder, political revenge has engulfed the Albanian leadership,” said PS deputy chairman Dr. Servet Pëllumbi as he analyzed the political situation in the country. “Seeing people’s dissatisfaction and their ever-decreasing confidence,” he continued, “threatens the reputation of the PS and the Albanian opposition. Berisha and his group have embarked on a strategy of permanent tensions, with dangerous consequences for the country. It is precisely as part of this,” said Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, “that the PS has been smeared, with the aim also of turning the electorate away from the PS and intimidating it. But that mud does not stain us, because it rebounds and falls on the smearers themselves—Berisha,” said Dr. Servet Pëllumbi. As part of this smearing, they accuse us of “wanting to bring back the past.” We reply that there will never be a return to the past. Our program, our open positions, our people show that this is a forward-looking force, a force that will solve problems with new thinking and platforms,” said Dr. Servet Pëllumbi. “They accuse us of ‘the PS blocking reform,’ but the opposite is true. The PD is blocking reform because of its own mentality and capabilities, which are not in Brussels. We asked the Political Committee of the European Parliament, Mr. Hans Van de Bruk, for an association agreement between Albania and Europe to be reached and not interrupted, but he was the one who said: ‘I appreciate your position and your demands as an opposition.’ Berisha labels us anti-reform, anti-national, anti-pluralist, anti-democratic, anti-Europe, and his ‘anti-’ accusations are set against the background of his personal and governmental failures, including his failure to ensure uninterrupted electricity for three years.” (Continued on page 5)

Interview with PSSH Deputy Chairman ILIR META, given to editor Lulzim Çota. 1) You took part in the second Congress of the Party of European Socialists. What does this particular event represent for European politics? The Party of European Socialists (P. E. S.) represents the union of the socialist and social-democratic parties of the European Union, and its members are also members of the Socialist International in Norway. This brings together the Labor and Socialist parties at European and national levels. In the European Parliament, the P. E. S. is the largest European group, both in the number of MEPs and in voting, and has the largest number of commissioners in the European Commission. The founding commission … * The P. E. S. is … … with the E. U. To prepare and establish support structures for closer cooperation among Europe’s socialist and social-democratic parties. To adopt a joint electoral program for the elections to the European Parliament. As a socialist party at the European level, it began in late 1992 after the Maastricht Treaty. But a socialist platform and an organization of this kind, connected with its position toward the European Community, began in the years 50–42. In 1940 R. Bert Shuman proposed his well-known plan for a European Coal and Steel Community (E. Q. S. C). This plan was discussed at the intergovernmental conference in Paris. As part of the preparations for this, the Socialist International formed a Special Committee for the European Union, composed of socialist and social-democratic parties of the European Community… After several rounds of talks, this Special Committee reached agreement on the policy toward the European Coal and Steel Community. This document constitutes the first declaration of socialist policy toward European integration. In January 1957, the Socialist Party became a member of the ECSC and held its First International Congress in Luxembourg. This congress focused on negotiations for two important treaties: that of the European Economic Community and that of the European Atomic Energy Community. At this Congress, it was decided to establish a Bureau of Socialist Parties in the member countries of the European Community, with the aim of developing common positions among European socialists toward the European institutions that were being brought together… From then until 1989, the Pa— (Continued on page 6)

This year, on the occasion of March 8, FGSSH organized extensive and varied activities throughout the country’s districts. The activities in Kuçovë and Fier were attended by People’s Artist Violeta Manushi, PS Presidium member Arta Dado, FGSSH chair Merita Ndreko, and Rexhina Nano, wife of the PS chairman. The socialist women of Tirana organized a large and lively meeting. Those attending included PS Presidium members Musine Ulqini and Arta Dede, PS leaders from the city of Tirana, as well as participants from the women’s forum in … and other associations. At all these meetings, those present enjoyed the performance by People’s Artist Violeta Manushi and the folk songs lovingly sung by the well-known singer Irini Qirjagi. An impressive meeting was held at the Lezhë cultural palace by the Socialist Women’s Forum in cooperation with the Eurosocialist Forum. Those attending included MPs and PS Presidium members Dr. Dritëro Agolli and Majo Lakrori, People’s Artist Violeta Manushi, FGSSH chair Merita Ndreko, and PS leaders from Lezhë. (Continued on page 3)

The strike by textile workers in Berat has for days dominated the thoughts and convictions of all the city’s residents and become a concern at every level of government. Although the strike is being led by the 3,000 current workers, many former workers from the plant are also joining their threat; more than two years ago they were thrown onto the street by the reform, ostensibly to restructure the plant. From the first days of the strike, in their protests, the workers and the union clearly and openly presented their demands, which essentially concern the normal continuation of work at the plant, an increase in workers’ wages, and their outright opposition to the restructuring process as it has been planned. Experience with restructuring shows that restructuring means putting more workers out on the street; some of those “restructured” will be left, along with a few workers and specialists who agree to take part in privatization, and there will be more desks from which to exercise power. This cannot be called restructuring; it is theft. The plant management has called the strike illegal and, for this reason, has brought a case before the judicial authorities against the unions and associations leading the strike. One reason was that the strike demonstration was not allowed to conclude in front of … (Continued on page 2)

80-38 … side … people … 38 …