The sovereign is the best judge The Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, in the report to the Tirana Conference described the PD government as "a continuation of a wrong and anti-national path", one that will not only impoverish the Albanian people beyond measure, but is also placing them before social situations with unpredictable consequences. He then stressed: "In facing these consequences, we must provide solutions and correct alternatives. These are implemented by the most flexible, the most dynamic force, which is the Socialist Party". Emphasising that Albania's 1995 economy remains the most underdeveloped in Europe, he said that "the continuation of the policy implemented so far will lead us into an abyss". Dr. Pëllumbi then made a detailed analysis of the reasons that led to the loss of the 22 March 1992 elections, and then moved on to criticism of the work in the party's basic organisations. Further on in the report he said: "Much blame was thrown on the socialist leadership and government, many people were sacrificed, cadres and activists were removed and the party lost thousands of members. If we sum it up in a common denominator, it was all done in the name of criticism and self-criticism. Despite our sincere efforts, instead of self-criticism as a means of understanding reality and learning from mistakes, this self-criticism, under pressure from anti-communism, mainly took on the meaning of denying everything, even the undeniable values of socialism. It was used especially against the figure of Enver Hoxha. I propose that this be left to historians to analyse calmly and objectively, so that we may learn from history and not distort it". He stressed that the party will achieve victory if it manages to be close to the people, to stand by their concerns, as the only opposition force. Pëllumbi said that today's government constitutes a real danger to peace and stability in Albania. According to him, if this government continues with its anti-human and anti-social policy, "not only will the economic and social crisis deepen, but peace and stability in Albania will be put at risk". Finally, Dr. Pëllumbi emphasised the need for unity among socialists in the face of the challenge of the times. He set the task for the PPSH to coordinate its actions in all directions with the Albanian trade-union movement and other progressive organisations, and to create the possibility of a democratic action for the profound changes the country requires.

246 women and girls have chosen self-sacrifice so that the government hears their voice At one o'clock, the 12 workers of the garment workshop in Berat and others from the tailoring sector, 246 women and girls, began the hunger strike on the company premises. We contacted them by telephone at the Police Commissariat, where the medical team carried out the final check-up and the police commander, Viliam Hoxha, delivered the greeting from the Executive Board of the Albanian Professional Union. It declared its support for the strike. All the strikers belong to the so-called jobs created through private foreign investment and are facing the closure of these investments following the implementation of the notorious labour relations law. The workers have had very low wages, but they have been enough for their families to keep going. Article 40 of this law gives employers unlimited opportunities to push them out. Now the situation is created in which a staff member deemed highly unwanted by the employer can be dismissed whenever he or she wishes. These things were explained to the workers on behalf of the Textile Union by Arjani Konomi, who is on assignment and, despite numerous efforts, had failed to convince the local authorities to find them a job opportunity. He explained that the strikers themselves have not been included in the redundancy list and, as for the party members, most have been and will remain socialists. It should be noted that the government has not kept its promise of new investments, which were announced as replacements for the lost jobs. (Continued on page 5)

On the trail of the arms scandal According to the Bulgarian agency "168 Hours", INTERPOL and the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office are investigating a major arms buying and selling affair between the Russians and the Turkish Ministry of Defence. The leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party and former minister to Prime Minister Lyuban Berov and former defence minister Aleksandër Aleksandrov. MIA, the organ of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, reports that one of those arrested is the former chief of staff of the Bulgarian defence minister until March 1990. He was arrested in the Russian capital. INTERPOL is investigating the activities of several private firms based in Switzerland and the Netherlands, where the deals are thought to have been made. The name of one of the arrested is Antonov, who, according to this agency, was a senior expert at the Bulgarian Ministry of Trade and specialised in arms trade. According to it, arms smuggling from Bulgaria to Turkey began a year ago and continues. Millions of dollars are involved in the operation. (Continued on page 2)

ILA META: The Constitution where the given remains the selector of the PPSH The PPSH has already begun preparations and activities within the framework of the party Conference. Based on various consultations, consultations with its members and activists, it aims to clearly determine its alternative and the way it will present itself before the electorate. Within this activity, the Steering Committee of the PPSH in the district of Mati held its expanded meeting in the presence of the Chairman of the PPSH for the district and the local MP, Mr. Ilir Meta. After a brief presentation of the socio-economic and political situation and the growing dissatisfaction of the population, Mr. Meta focused on the current problems of combining work in the basic organisations with members and the broader electorate. "Reflection on the demands and interests of the electorate is a necessity in order to preserve and strengthen trust in its representatives," he underlined. Making an analysis of the concepts of the new Constitution, Mr. Meta stressed that it leaves ample room for strengthening the power of the president and that, naturally, this undermines democratic developments in the country. He also expressed appreciation for the foundations of the PPSH's economic programme, focusing on the necessity of reflecting its aspects in relation to the new socio-economic situation. (Continued on page 2)

"I am optimistic that the new tone of official Greek statements and this country's balanced orientation toward a friendly climate in the region will positively affect the development of Albanian-Greek relations"

"The will to solve problems peacefully helps one make progress"

The city in ruins The losses that are not irreparable, the consequences of the worsening situation, were at the centre of the meeting between the local MP Skënder Klosi and the structures of the district PS. At the meeting, the situation into which the city of flowers has fallen was analysed. Former processing industry, with new and irreversible dispossession and emptying, with units left without purpose and empty warehouses. The construction units have also disappeared. For hundreds of families, income is lacking. The city has reached 600 per cent of the minimum poverty threshold. Added to this reality is the closure of cooperatives such as those for timber and stone processing. Investments that had begun, such as the city's water supply system, roads, sewage, etc., have been blocked. In particular, Përmet's tourist potential has remained untapped. The city has lost almost all of its leisure and cultural infrastructure. Together with the MP, there was discussion about what should be done to activate local resources and maintain the connection with the electorate. Article in the next issue. Pilini and maji open the kitchen fund Undisputed analysts... [?] DILO VANGJO DINO