Yesterday around midday, for yet another time, the black shadow of the “razor”—that “angel in rags” of the Berisha regime—appeared around “Voice of the People.” The Prosecutor’s Office had ordered criminal proceedings against Thoma Gëllçi, editor-in-chief of “Voice of the People.” The charge: Article 106 of the Criminal Code, “Abuse of office.” The former “Voice of the People” journalists Medi Koxhaj and Selim Hoxha were also summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office. What is the crime of which they are accused? This “crime” boils down to signing a contract to purchase paper and authorizing the State Bank to carry out financial transactions for this purpose. Everything was done according to all established rules, on the basis of a regular contract for opening credit through the Bank. This is the official “crime.” But the real “crime” and the real accusation have nothing to do with purchasing paper and concluding contracts, nor with the newspaper’s editor-in-chief and its journalists. The real “crime” of these people who work at that workplace is that they have published “Voice of the People,” the newspaper cursed by today’s authorities, because they have sharply criticized real corruption and the genuine squandering of national wealth. There has been no misuse of the newspaper’s funds, as the State Audit Office claims in its blind accusation—this “Unit 326” of the democratic era. Using its own funds to buy paper is not theft or squandering the people’s hard-earned money, as the Palokë in RD are shouting, because these funds were lawfully used and generated a profit. But the issue is not Blerimi and Co. being concerned about the people’s money. Billions of dollars’ worth of national wealth went to waste in an illegal privatization, and Blerimi did not file a complaint. Billions more were burned up by the unemployed victims of the PD government’s modern policies, and Blerimi and his bosses remained silent again. They kept their heads down when public opinion was confronted with the spectacular theft at the bank of 1.6 million dollars belonging to the unfortunate Arsid and the licensor of influence-peddling. They stayed silent in hundreds of other cases, because the fence has broken down and then they turn on one another. That is when, according to the old Berisha formula, they say: “Catch the thief.” Now that the days of their mandate are being counted, it seems that their only remaining means of salvation is to set the State’s repressive administration in motion politically: the courts, the many police forces and, above all, the state’s chief policeman, Blerim Cela. Come on, as in Molière’s comedies: “Gendarmes, beams, ropes.” But this is not the road to salvation. It is only a mirage produced by the hotheads of what is called the rule-of-law state—a state that never applies the law and does not even deign to find its way into the eyes of the opposition. The strategy is clear: to crush “Voice of the People,” and to penalize as many people as possible, perhaps even the newspaper’s cleaner, because she surely signed the payroll and received her wages from the “terrorism fund,” so she too is guilty. To strike at “Voice of the People,” because that is how they create panic among the large socialist electorate. Only in this way can they create the conditions to steal as many votes as possible, as in Libofshë. But these are plans built on air, because the PD has already lost twice: on 26 July and 6 November. The PD has lost the constitutional struggle, the struggle over the principal institution of a lawful and democratic state, and has disintegrated in a premature reaction. The terror against “Voice of the People” will fail, however frontal and devilish the PD’s attack may be, because “Voice of the People” is no longer alone. A whole ensemble of the free press resounds alongside the shrill sounds of RD. The collective of “Voice of the People” calls on the opposition and independent press to support its just cause. We seek the help of our fellow journalists at home and abroad, and of the associations we belong to. We do not seek help from the monsters who defend crime and theft and call for their unfortunate colleagues to be thrown into prison. “Voice of the People” will not be brought to its knees by political attacks. VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

THE VLORE EUROSOCIALISTS AT THEIR THIRD CONFERENCE

Yesterday morning, the First Deputy Secretary of the PSSH, Dr. Servet Pëllumbi, received the Hungarian ambassador, Mr. Ferenc Poka, at the PSSH headquarters on the occasion of his departure from Albania. Dr. Servet Pëllumbi expressed to Mr. Poka the PSSH’s commitment to developing relations between our two countries, praised Mr. Poka’s contribution to the development of these relations to date, and wished him success in his new post. The meeting was also attended by Ilir Meta, Deputy Chairman of the PSSH.

Yesterday morning at 11, the inauguration ceremony of France’s new president, Zhak Shirak, was held. He won the second round of the presidential election on 7 May. Earlier, he met for more than an hour with outgoing president Fransua Miterand, who handed over the secrets of state to him as well as the code for launching French nuclear missiles. In his brief inaugural address, Shirak stressed, among other things, that the fight against unemployment in France would be his top priority. Shirak also took part in the solemn ceremony while the presidents of the Constitutional Court announced the official results of the 7 May election, proclaiming him president. In a brief inaugural speech, he said he would work to strengthen democracy in the country. As

- Theodhori Bej, PS: - The proposal put forward by the government is more political than economic or social, and is even motivated by narrow trade-union interests. - Genc Ruli, chairman of the Economy Committee, PD: - On this draft law, there were some in the committee who supported it and others who opposed it. I am with the latter. - Gjergj Rakaj, PSD: - Haste is always a bad adviser. In this case it will create room for passions among the unions. Another “wedge” by the PS, but this time with no small social and economic consequences. The draft law on certain amendments to Law No. 7703 of 15.5.1993, “On Social Insurance in the Republic of Albania,” submitted by the government to Parliament for approval, sparked a debate among the parliamentary groups, focused mainly on Article 11 of the draft law. The issue is the granting of an early pension amounting to 60 percent of the average monthly wage to underground workers who were employed underground on 1.1.1995. They are entitled to this until 31 December of this year. Approval of this draft law puts the scheme approved by Parlia- (Continued on page 2)

A purge attack on the Court of Cassation — Arbnori: Many do not have 7 years’ experience in the justice system. The highest Albanian court, the Court of Cassation, is to undergo a purge. Petrit Plloci and Tefta Zaka are the first two judges whose names have reached Parliament for a vote, together with a request for their dismissal. Last week, the Albanian Parliament had voted to put precisely this matter on the agenda. Yet while this was happening, none of the MPs had the document in their hands that contained the reason for and request for dismissal. A memorandum initially made available to the chairmen of the parliamentary groups explained that they (Continued on page 2)

SERVET PËLLUMBI: The PS’s activity is inseparable from the activity of FRESSH. No matter when the elections are held, before or after the PD’s term, the PD will not win them The third conference of the Vlore Eurosocialists conducted its proceedings at a high level and with democratic culture. Enthusiastic calls from Vlore’s young people, from the city and all the villages of Vlore. Cheers for the PS and Fatos Nano continued for minutes. Mirela Bajrami opened the conference. Genc Sakaj delivered the report on behalf of the FRESSH presidium, highlighting the achievements and successes of the Eurosocialist youth’s work, the growth in its ranks and the strengthening of its structures throughout the district, as well as the presence of young intellectuals with strong personalities and professional competence. The Vlore Eurosocialist youth has made and continues to make a contribution to ... (Continued on page 3)

Dear eurosocialist comrades of Vlora, It is a particular pleasure for me to greet you all and wish your Conference fruitful work and success. Your thoughtful discussions, the concerns and preoccupations you presented, and the concrete tasks you set yourselves are a clear indication of the high quality of your work. Your achievements are evidence of the vitality of the contemporary alternative represented by the Socialist Party, and of the high sense of responsibility of the eurosocialist youth of Vlora in contributing to the solution of the many difficult problems of the transition in the interests of democracy, social justice, and economic and social progress. The condition and standing of your organization, and your now-traditional enthusiasm, are a great inspiration to all the eurosocialists of Albania, and to all the members and supporters of the SP. Since its establishment on January 15, 1992, FRESSH, conceived and organically established within the structures of the SP, has achieved successive successes and grown both quantitatively and qualitatively. With its fresh mind, lively spirit, and characteristic vigor, the eurosocialist youth has demonstrated its irreplaceable role in renewing Albania and democracy, and in preventing the dangerous adventures of those who want to remain in power at any cost and by antidemocratic methods and means. Nevertheless, you have neither been intoxicated by success and swept up in euphoria, nor have you become disheartened by any failure and fallen into pessimism. With such political and social awareness and ability, you have withstood the constant diversionary efforts that the party in power, sections of the state, and other forces have directed and continue to direct against you. Therefore, today and in the future, all those who rack their brains over schemes of diversion and division, aiming to detach the eurosocialist youth from the SP, will fail—and will continue to fail—in the face of your strength, maturity, and determination! The indicators of the qualitative growth of eurosocialist youth are concrete, compelling, and encouraging. It has established itself as one of the SP’s most vital structures. The activities of the SP and FRESSH are one and indivisible. We have never regarded them as two separate entities, or as opponents of one another, but as parts of a single whole, structures that work in partnership while respecting the age-related characteristics and specific needs of eurosocialist youth. Such scope has enabled FRESSH to develop its political and social identity and its cultural and recreational activities. The international recognition of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum, its membership in the Socialist International, and its associate membership in the Youth Forum of the EU countries are well deserved and encouraging. Mass activities, active participation in all stages of the November 6 Referendum, etc., show that within the SP, eurosocialists have genuinely democratic and vital space. The conferences taking place throughout the country are demonstrating, organizationally as well, the growth and strengthening of eurosocialist youth. Last year, of the approximately 10,000 new members admitted to the SP, more than 5,000 were under 30. Even higher qualitative indicators have been observed in the first three months of this year, with Vlora, Korça, Tirana, Mati, Elbasani, Berati, Shkodra, Gjirokastra, Durrësi, Kukësi, etc. standing out. Over these two years, Vlora has ranked first in new admissions to the SP. And while 685 new members were admitted in 1994, 350 people have been admitted in just the first quarter of this year, more than 75 percent of them under 35. In general, a significant increase is evident among those aged seventeen and eighteen within the 18–35 age group. Data from the latest survey organized by the SP show that the 18–35 age group makes up 50.8 percent of its electorate. Nationwide, the role and influence of young people in tackling the difficult political, economic, and social problems Albania is facing today are growing markedly. This is the SP’s greatest victory, with powerful repercussions for the future. There is a reason for this. Young people are the segment of our society that has been hit hardest by the social costs of the reform and the PD’s failed governance, by corruption, nepotism, and political bossism. Mass unemployment, part of the PD’s failed social policy, has dealt a severe blow to the intelligentsia and the youth, the country’s most energetic and active force. The reduction in student admission quotas at higher education institutions has reached the point where today only one-third of the total number go on to university. The decrease in the number of schools and pupils throughout the education system, particularly in rural secondary education, will further reduce the number of those completing higher education in the future. Even those graduating from higher education today have no job security, because significant productive investment is lacking and no new jobs are being created. More than 80 percent of those who have emigrated to other countries are young, while 21 percent of the qualified intellectuals from universities and scientific institutes ... (Continued on page 3)

Changes for five members of the RTVSH Steering Council - Tirana — The timing of the changes to the Steering Council of RTV has yet to be determined. And Chairman Arbnori informed the MPs that the issue of changes to the Steering Council of the Albanian Radio and Television has been placed on the agenda. According to him, there are five positions, from which five current members of the Steering Council will be removed and replaced by five new members. Among them are three positions belonging to external members of this Steering Council, who will be replaced by three new external members, with two positions allocated to the Democratic Party and one to the Socialist Party. But according to Arbnori ... (Continued on page 2)

— Ministry of the Interior: Administrative measures have been taken on the basis of the contracts. Sensational information has become known: a group stationed in Linzë, Tirana, has a presence at various premises in Tirana. Around 80 people, part of the ... Rapid Intervention ... personnel ... (Continued on page 2)

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On Saturday, May 20, at 11:00, a meeting of the FRESSH General Steering Committee will be held at the PSSH Headquarters in Tirana. The FRESSH Presidium.