Yesterday in the capital, at the Socialist Party headquarters, Namik Dokle and Ilir Meta met Ms Doris Pack, chair of the European Parliament delegation for Southeastern Europe, who has come to Albania on a working visit. She expressed interest in learning the Socialist Party’s positions, as the largest opposition party, regarding the country’s political, legislative and economic developments. We said that the representatives of the Socialist Party value everything that has been done to overthrow the former totalitarian regime. The Socialist Party is a permanent opposition to the misuse or abuse by government structures of the opportunities offered by the democratic phase and the unreserved assistance of European Union countries and other democratic countries, she said. After an open exchange of views on many issues concerning the country’s further democratic development, Ms Pack particularly praised the Socialist Party’s position on Albania’s responsibility in being admitted to the Council of Europe and in integrating into other Euro-Atlantic structures. Press Spokesperson of the SP

An unshackled conversation in Bënça prison between Socialist Party chairman FATOS NANO and journalists Erion Braçe and Alfred Dalipi The chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania speaks directly to “Zëri i popullit” from Bënça prison—Tepelenë, where he is held by Berisha’s regime. His photograph, his words and his political statements fill the Albanian mass media every day, taking a prominent place in progressive Albanian political thought. For two years, the “Nano file” has been archived in European and world chancelleries, in Geneva, Copenhagen, Paris and Madrid, and in Strasbourg, only to return at last as a “thunderbolt” of tyranny. Fatos Nano broke out of prison! Do not forget, this is no cult. Fatos Nano rendered prison powerless! Not by escaping, but by standing firm in the face of “faceless people,” without brains, with nothing but stomachs and intestines, as state vengeance flows to feed and reproduce itself according to the conditioned reflex: “for a plate of food.” The Albanian legend centred on the pasha of Tepelenë, Ali Pasha, seems to be reappearing. But this time, not in the form of “The head in Istanbul, the body in Ioannina, they flay Ali Pasha, they flay him...” It is said that now, 200 years later, things are quite different. “As far as I am concerned as chairman, I assure you, without going into details, that I go to sleep in my cell and wake up among you”—thus the chairman of the Albanian opposition, Fatos Nano, once again reappears at a heated political moment. He reappears in an unshackled, free conversation, with political messages and political solutions to Albania’s economic and political crisis. He is also awaiting what Berisha should do, as referred to by Council of Europe rapporteur Columberg, and by Nano himself at the Council. “The time has come; this is precisely the moment for Berisha to apologize for all this—‘a presidential pardon,’” says the Socialist Party chairman. (Continued on page 3)

The festival began on Monday evening at the “Migjeni” Theatre, with 150 children from across the country taking part, including children who had come from Kosovo and Macedonia. Twenty new songs were performed. Nineteen songs were selected for the third night. At the end, the jury announced the song “Mos na gëntoni” as the first-place winner, with lyrics by Zhaneta Lazri, music by Roland Guli, and performed by Rodina Rasha, from Shkodra. The fashion shows and a ballet troupe also brought variety to the festival. Those attending the festival were also treated to a musical medley featuring pieces by the great composer Pjetër Gaci. M. K.

Meeting of PSSH deputy chairman Luan Hajdaraga with local government and Party structures in several southern districts On 31 May 1995, a working meeting was held in the city of Vlora with Socialist officials from the districts of Gjirokastër, Përmet, Tepelenë, Skrapar, Sarandë and Delvinë. In addition to the Socialist chairpersons of the district and municipal councils, the chairpersons of the respective district Socialist Parties also attended. Luan Hajdaraga, deputy chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania and MP for the Luçi Movement, also took part. Among other things, two points from this meeting deserve emphasis. First, the effectiveness of local government bodies led by Socialists in understanding and correctly implementing the laws was underlined. Alongside the positive experience shared in this field by local government representatives from the districts of Gjirokastër, Tepelenë, Skrapar and some other districts, the meeting noted that more careful work is needed in this area, particularly to ensure full implementation of the land law, to carefully consider alternatives, to use effectively the limited funds provided through the conditional budget, and to announce and organize tenders, among other things. Second, within the scope allowed by the laws and the requirements for their implementation, the meeting stressed that local government led by Socialists should offer alternatives that accord with, or advance, the Socialist Party’s program. In this area, the mayor of Gjirokastër, Mr Bashkim Fino, gave a very concrete response on encouraging investment by domestic and foreign investors to improve the situation. Alongside making use of assets for comprehensive urban planning studies and providing examples of management and licenses that allow artificial creation. The mayor of Gjirokastër shared the experience of this Municipality in creating internal financial resources. (Continued on page 4)

After a long and heated debate, during which the courts’ budgets and their independent funding and status were discussed, the ministers’ courts were also discussed. In this debate, the judge of the High Court, the lawyer, the prosecutor, the judge elected from among them, one of the Ministers, and the other judges spoke, expressing their views on the discussion. Representatives in Parliament made comments about ... [illegible] ... the courts also did so. ... their budget, to be determined by the new government, in a manner unprecedented by the Ministry of Justice. With the approval of this bill, Parliament opened a wide-ranging debate, over ten days, on passing the bill as a separate one, and all the courts for the year ’93. ... Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”

Yesterday morning, at his residence in Tirana, the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Mr Paolo Forest, held a press conference on the occasion of the national holiday of the Italian Republic. At the outset, he stressed that the celebration of Italian Republic Day coincides with the 50th anniversary of the overthrow of fascism, and called for messages of peace. This message is all the more important when a war has been under way for three years in our neighbouring countries. Mr Ambassador then spoke directly about relations between Albania and Italy, stressing that the foreign policy of the Italian Republic is directed toward peace and stability in Europe and the world, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations as instruments for preserving and maintaining international peace. Mr Forest then turned to relations between Italy and Albania, saying, “because we are neighbours.” He underlined that Italy’s political and state policy, and its relations with Albania, are based on the fundamental principles mentioned above. I mentioned June 2, ... [illegible] (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday in Durrës, an agreement was signed for the reconstruction of the commercial quay at the port of Durrës. The agreement was signed on behalf of the European Bank for Development by its vice-president Gennimatas, by deputy director Vriçoni, and by the director of the port of Durrës, Vpi. According to the port project, by the year 2000 revenues from the port will double, while the number of vehicles will increase by seven percent annually. According to ... this will mark and symbolize a new step in relations between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Investment and the Albanian Government. This amount has been secured from the development fund, by UNDP, the Program ... and the Albanian Government. Another agreement with the same bank is expected to be signed today to support the small and medium-sized private sector, for the amount of 10 million ECU.

RESOLUTION The First Congress of KSSH discussed the difficult economic situation resulting from the low wages of education and healthcare workers. The Congress unanimously supported the legitimate demands of the Trade Union Federation of Education and Science and the Health Federation for wage increases for workers in these sectors, and supported the gradual escalation of trade union action to defend these demands. The strikes announced by these sectors express their anger and outrage at the government’s attitude toward the demands of our trade unionists. The First Congress of KSSH strongly condemns the rigid and deliberate position the government is taking against the interests of the Confederation’s trade unionists, openly violating the agreements that the Government itself has signed with the Confederation. It appeals to the Government to put an end as soon as possible to these discriminatory and irresponsible positions. The Congress believes there is still time to resolve the demands of education and healthcare trade unionists through dialogue. If this does not happen, the Government alone will bear all responsibility. FIRST CONGRESS OF KSSH

Over the course of a week, the children’s cultural centre in Laç organized several activities for June 1. Over the course of a week, the children’s cultural centre in Laç organized several activities for June 1, International Children’s Day, including an artistic recitation contest among children from the town’s schools, etc. School No. 2 received first prize. A contest for young music instrumentalists was also organized, along with football and basketball matches. Yesterday in particular was filled with children’s activities at a “pallantë” concert at the cultural centre in Laç. Songs were sung, recitations performed, folk games organized, running races held, etc. The artistic directors F. Ceka, M. Nikolla and F. Prapama Buna, M. Gaqi, were ... [unclear]. First of all, all this, but good work was done organizing these activities. Correspondent of “Zëri i popullit”