It refuses the pre-election social pact. In a newspaper cited yesterday, the spokesman for the parliamentary group of Democratic Party deputies, Ferdinand Xhaferi, criticized the opposition for the language it is using against the government. Since the beginning of the parliamentary session, he has almost daily accused the Socialists and, together with them, the opposition allies, of being anti-government parties. At the same time, the spokesman for the parliamentary group calls on the Socialists to take an active part in the bipartisan committee on electoral reform, but without any agreement or joint pre-election commitment. He is content with the statement that “the SP would do well to take part in the electoral reform committee,” at a time when this party and its allies have made their position on the pre-election social pact clear. The SP has proposed such a pact, also making its platform public. “The SP will seek this social pact with many other political forces and civil society. It regards it as a means of establishing dialogue among political forces and an instrument for avoiding conflict,” said the chairman of the National Steering Committee of the SP, Servet Pëllumbi, a few days ago at a press conference. By citing concrete facts, the opposition has in many cases argued its determination to continue the political struggle against the consequences of the deepening economic reform and the social crisis. Likewise, the daily accusations by the spokesman of the parliamentary group of PD deputies of “serious mutual insults,” “language of slander,” etc. directed at the opposition are part of the unscrupulous propaganda arsenal of this party and its government. By declaring that “the SP will take part in electoral reform without any conditions,” he deliberately minimizes the essence of the problem: creating a climate of political trust, guaranteeing equality among political subjects in elections, and preventing electoral manipulation. In this sense, the PD’s stance of rejecting the pre-election social pact is in line with its previous policy of compromising the opposition, branding it as destabilizing and obstructing any normal political cooperation. Instead of contributing to a genuine dialogue, it continues to demand formal participation in committees while rejecting political agreements that could create democratic standards acceptable to all.

Avoiding the truth Our voice is not alone, and the protesters on 28 June 1994 against anti-popular rule and economic corruption rightly join us. At the beginning of March, in an article published in the press, an alarm was raised about the serious condition of the Albanian banking system, the rise in bad loans, the lack of financial discipline, and the risk of bankruptcy of state banks. Instead of dealing with the real causes of the crisis, the government and the leaders of the State Bank try to play down the situation and blame the opposition. They speak of “shock” and “uncertainty” created by its statements, while the problems are the result of mismanagement, clientelism, and the lack of real control. Assessments made by economic specialists show that the level of unpaid loans has risen dramatically, while the banks’ financial resources have been used for narrow clientelist interests. Under these conditions, any attempt to hide reality or attack critical voices is not a solution, but a continuation of the bankruptcy policy. The government cannot be excused by propaganda. It must account for the way public funds have been managed, why loans without guarantees were allowed, and who benefits from the distorted banking system. Otherwise, political and moral responsibility falls on it and on the structures it has created. In the end, the problem is not only banking. It is part of the country’s general economic and social crisis, a crisis fueled by the lack of transparency, the capture of institutions, and the exclusion of the opposition from decision-making.

On 27 and 28 April, Mr. Hans Van den Broek, the EU Commissioner for External Relations, will be on an official visit to Albania. During this visit he will meet with President Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, as well as representatives of the opposition. His visit is taking place in the framework of Albania’s relations with the European Union and is expected to address issues related to reforms, the political situation, and economic cooperation.

(Continued on page 2) Killings and attempted killings continue to be reported in the city of Shkodra. Two days ago, a serious incident shocked public opinion: a young man was killed, while the police are investigating the circumstances and possible perpetrators. According to initial reports, the victim was shot with a firearm in a neighborhood of the city. Residents speak of growing insecurity and are calling for stronger measures from the law enforcement authorities. The local police have stated that they are working to identify the perpetrators and that several people have been questioned. However, the event adds to a series of criminal incidents that have concerned citizens and sparked debate over the effectiveness of public order in the city.

The goods have come from the Kryegjyshata, but the price reaches hundreds of thousands of old lek. In a market in Tirana, citizens complain that the items are being sold at extremely high prices and without any control. They are calling for intervention from the relevant authorities and transparency regarding the way supplies are obtained and prices are set. According to them, the increase is justified neither by the quality of the goods nor by the real cost of transport.

ITALY Dear Mr. Dajlani, On behalf of the Italian Socialists, we greet the victory of the candidate for the prefecture of Bari, Mr. Di Cagno Abbrescia, in the victorious elections on 23 April 1995. The candidate of the left-wing coalition won over the right-wing candidate with 52.4 percent of the vote, achieving an important success for the progressive forces. This result is a positive prospect for the left in Italy, as well as an encouragement for cooperation among democratic political forces. LIMBI, Deputy Chairman of the Socialist Party of Italy

10 Robert Shvarc 11 Sabri Hamiti 12 Teodor Laço 13 Nasho Jorgaqi 14 Vath Koreshi 15 Petrit Ruka 16 Bardhyl Londo 17 Vaso Tole 18 Visar Zhiti JURY The great writer Ismail Kadare has sent his latest work to the jury, expressing his wish that the “Kadare” competition, announced by the publisher “Onufri”, become an annual event. The publisher “Onufri” has announced that so far 1,994 works of various genres, published during 1994-95, have been submitted. The jury will deliver its verdict on 15 May 1995.