Yesterday, in one of the premises of the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party, the party’s deputy chairman, Luan Hajdaraga, and a member of its presidium, Fatri Sinani, held a working meeting with representatives of several trade union organizations in the country. Higm ate Daja took part on behalf of the Union of Workers’ Trade Unions of Albania, Koçi Tahiri on behalf of the Private Farmers’ Trade Union, and Heshtem Graci on behalf of the Independent Textile Trade Union. At the meeting, the trade unionists raised a number of issues, such as those concerning securities, the draft Labour Code, the President’s decree on trade union property, the issue of early retirement for textile workers, and the provision of securities to rural workers who have no land. Correspondent of “Zëri i Popullit”.

SERVET PËLLUMBI: His divisive, unconstitutional stance has become evident and dangerous. ASKED BY OUR EDITOR TO COMMENT ON BERISHA’S SPEECH AT THE DP’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE PSSH, DR. PROF. SERVET PËLLUMBI, SAID: Yesterday, Berisha was in a state of complete panic at the DP assembly. His political decline, as is becoming clear, is total and beyond hope. His divisive, unconstitutional stance has become evident and dangerous. In yesterday’s speech he showed that he is ready to encourage those who call for turning guns on opposition members. He showed that the statements are accurate according to which Berisha committed himself at the DP’s Extraordinary Conference on 5 March 1995 to use three times more violence in the coming elections than in Libofshë, in order to prevent the Socialists from coming to power. Berisha cannot understand pluralism and cannot bear the weight of freedom, because it is equivalent to responsibility, which he apparently almost totally lacks. And, since he himself is not free, how could he accept the freedom of others, especially those who think differently? Against them, he even set in motion the most blatant deceptions, which astonished many of those present in the hall. But we say again to Mr. Berisha: dare to make such accusations and boastful claims in a popular referendum, and you and the others will be convinced: - That Albania has now been left without a President and without a functioning government. - That the DP has been left not only without a chairman, but also without sections or organizations. Finally, I would add that, judging by the content and arrogant tone of Berisha’s speech, the assembly participants would have served democracy better not by applauding, but by stamping their feet.

- Statement of the International Helsinki Federation - The International Federation for Human Rights expressed deep concern over a threat to the fundamental principles of the rule of law in Albania. The independence of the judicial system is at risk, as Parliament is being asked to consider the dismissal of two judges of the Court of Cassation, Petrit Plloci and Tefta Zaka, in violation of Albanian law itself. It is known that the Albanian Parliament rejected a similar attempt several months ago to remove Mr. Zef Brozi from his position as president of this court. Parliament elected these judges one after the other in November 1993 and January 1994. Albanian Law 7491 sets out the circumstances in which judges may be dismissed: commission of a serious crime and mental incapacity. Neither applies in this case. For this reason, a formal, technical argument has been cited, according to which the two judges had not met the seniority requirement when they were elected. President Zef Brozi has stated: “this argument distorts the spirit and meaning of the law, since judges Plloci and Zaka have sufficient experience… Moreover, Parliament was fully aware of their qualifications when it elected them.” The Court of Cassation has recently issued rulings based on international human rights standards, overturning several arbitrary decisions by lower courts. The International Helsinki Federation expresses its concern that this situation may be the result of political efforts to exert influence or establish complete control over the judiciary. This could endanger a free and independent judicial system in Albania; such a system cannot be achieved when judges are dependent on political entities, government influence and politics. A parliamentary decision to dismiss the two judges would be a step backward in the process of democratization and consolidation of the rule of law in Albania. The International Helsinki Federation calls on the Albanian Parliament to reject this blatant attempt to undermine the proper functioning of the rule of law and to create appropriate conditions for the courts in Albania to continue their work normally in the name of human rights. Vienna, 24 May 1995.

According to Berisha at the DP assembly, the Socialists have publicly announced that they will change the laws. According to him, this “has caused great concern throughout the Alternative of the Socialist Party is publicly declared and known to everyone. Sali Berisha himself knows it well. In this context, when the Socialist Party comes to power, it will also make changes through the observations that the Venice Commission has made so far on the draft constitution and the president’s powers. Because, by now, the main opposition parties have drafted and presented» have themselves been paralyzed, along with the Democratic Party. Because Berisha himself initiated this measure. As soon as he came to power as president, the first thing he did was give himself very extensive executive powers, without paying the slightest attention to the opposition. That is why Berisha is afraid. That is why Albania is not afraid. The time of Louis XIV, who said “The state is me,” has passed. BEQIR SKRELI

Yesterday’s plenary session of the People’s Assembly began with the reading of a joint declaration by the Parliamentary Women’s Commission concerning the treatment of Albanian women and children abroad for the purpose of making a profit. They all joined in this declaration, as well as in promoting legislation that will give force to the provisions of this Convention. The session then moved on to consideration for approval of the draft law on the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of Croatia concerning the abolition of taxation on

The issue of privatization vouchers has moved from the din and the great official propaganda to silence and calm. The very way they were distributed, the quantity and the deadlines set have done much to diminish the spiritual “commitment” of a large number of people to this subject and this problem—which is not insignificant; on the contrary, it is highly sensitive in a transition such as ours, where people expect to become property owners. Nevertheless, the government made some effort to keep this faint flame burning. (Continued on page 2)

- A new book published by the DP and sponsored by «Shqiponja» will soon be on sale; The DP’s Contract with Albania - Yesterday Tritan Shehu at a press conference «The DP will win the next elections»—Tritan Shehu, secretary general of the Albanian Democratic Party (PDSH), declared yesterday at a press conference, in notably «courageous» tones, described by the Albanian media as an «optimistic interview». As he had said, Tritan Shehu seemed to have drawn courage for such a statement from the words spoken the previous day by DP presidium member Mr. Sali Berisha. In conditions of uncertainty, and with PS polls not being conducted at the right time, Shehu said he believed many polls conducted by the specialized organizations that produce them. He mentioned «Eurobarometer», perhaps forgetting that this poll too puts the PS in first place in the event of elections on 18-10-shi. Starting precisely from this Albanian reality, the party secretary said that «the DP will prevent the Socialists from returning to power». Asked how the DP would achieve this, Mr. Shehu said that «the DP will use all democratic means. No one should be afraid; we will implement the people’s verdict, as on November 6,» Shehu said, confidently promoting what his party would do as an alternative, while forgetting that there would be no other way. DP Vice-Chairman Hysenbegasi said that one of the ways to prevent this would be to implement the DP’s program. Shehu added that the DP, or its propaganda department, had prepared an author and would put into circulation a booklet he called «The DP’s Contract with Albania». In it—continued

«We feel it is our moral and civic duty to commemorate the major events of the glorious epic of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War, and to honor the blood shed for freedom. The greatness of this war cannot be diminished either by official pseudo-historians or by today’s rulers.» This was said at a commemorative event organized by the veterans of the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War (LANÇ) of Elbasan on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the historic Congress of Përmet. On this occasion, former delegates to the congress spoke about the significance of this historic event and also shared their memories. S. CEKANI

It happened in Vlorë There is no doubt that the campaign of coercively drawing state administration employees, municipal and district staff, education and healthcare workers, and those few state enterprises into the ranks of the DP is the most intensive operation being carried out in Vlorë as well. In recent days we have met many officials working in these bodies who testify to the organized pressure being exerted by the DP’s «personnel offices» in Vlorë to force them either to join the DP or—otherwise, the message is clear—to leave their jobs. Naturally, they refuse to be identified in the press. But as citizens they are seriously concerned and oppose this political pressure, which grossly violates human rights. The use of power as a lever for the party is the most blatant manifestation of the role of party-state that the DP is seeking to play in Vlorë as well. The involvement of state officials in this political campaign to pressure teachers, doctors and other employees into joining the DP is a violation of their status as civil servants. The ultimatum facing officials in Vlorë—to be either DP members or unemployed—is absurd. As such, it has the opposite effect. G. TUSHE

The issue of privatization vouchers

For to him, this “has caused great concern throughout Albania.” This brings us to two issues. First, the changing of the laws, and second, the concern this has supposedly aroused throughout Albania. As for the first, it should be said that the Socialist Party has never declared that it will change all the laws. On the contrary. As part of building a state governed by the rule of law, it will facilitate the process of drafting laws to implement the new humane alternative for a social market economy, to ease the difficulties of the transition, to fight corruption, to ensure public order and peace for people, to guarantee human rights and freedoms in accordance with recognized international instruments, etc. Indeed, it has recently also presented an alternative draft constitution in cooperation with other forces. The Socialist Party’s alternative has been made public and is will also make changes to the laws. If it did not do so, then why would it come to power—just for nothing? We might as well keep Berisha, then, with the laws enacted by the majority. This is where the great concern supposedly “aroused throughout Albania” comes from! Here Berisha is engaging in sophistry. As is his habit, he confuses himself with Albania and identifies himself with it. It is Sali Berisha who is concerned, not Albania. He truly has reason to be concerned. Berisha knows very well that the opposition’s first legal action, once it takes power, will be to reduce the powers of the President of the Republic. The opposition will do this because the Albanian people demanded it in the referendum of 6 November 1994, which first rejected the President’s powers... Because Europe demanded it De-

Aleksandër Meksi in the role of secretary of the DP’s «AGIT-PROP» «...I think the presence of our people is essential; otherwise, the message and information given about Albania, the democratic parties and Albanian democracy in the outside world will come from the pages of “Zëri i popullit”, or “Alternativa SD” and other newspapers. This must not happen. Propaganda must be carried out by every means, first and foremost through RD, which must reach as far as possible, and which must carry articles by all the leaders in “Tribuna Demokratike”. Measures must be taken regarding the layout, which in my opinion, among other things, should be improved, should be clearly understood, and should also distinguish the things people want to find in it. RTV must be used; it should make its structural changes as soon as possible. At conferences, meetings, by every means, we must promote the program of the Democratic Party.... RD, 24 May 1995. P.S. Out of respect for the reader, we emphasize that the topic of the recent discussion with the Prime Minister is this: «This year will be decisive for reform and the advancement of democracy in Albania». B. J.