TERROR IN SHKODËR: The chilling phenomenon of child abductions has also appeared in the city of Shkodër. The first case occurred on Tuesday morning in the Kiras neighborhood of this city, where three children were abducted. They are two brothers and a sister: Admir Osmani, 16, Ardit Osmani, 8, and their sister Valmira Osmani, 11. This is how Osmani begins: for three days he has been experiencing the terrible anguish of not knowing what has happened to the children. Nothing is known for certain about the circumstances of the children’s abduction, except that they had set out together to go to school. At 7:30, as various residents told the family, they were kidnapped. (Continued from page 3)

Continuing its unprincipled attacks on the largest opposition force, the Socialist Party, the right-wing newspaper RD devoted its leading article to a subject it had already exhausted completely. Under the headline “Who prevented Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe?”, it repeats its attack, trying to put the Socialist Party on trial, claiming that it—and it alone—has obstructed Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. As the saying goes, it would not be worth the trouble to deal with this article, were it not for the blind insistence evident throughout it on not giving up an inch of the entrenched position adopted by the leaders of the DP on the great issue of Albania and Europe. As can be understood, “Zëri i popullit”’s position—that the leaders of the party in power and of our state have no desire to join the Council of Europe, a lack of desire manifested in the political bossism that characterizes them—has stung them considerably. That is why they have tried to proclaim the DP’s program. But programs and words are one thing; reality is another. Europe has known your program, gentlemen, since before you came to power on March 22; it knew it when you submitted your application for admission to the Council of Europe, and when you presented the Draft Constitution for the November 6 referendum; it also knew it from the many meetings of the committees of the Assembly and the Council of Europe. Notes have been taken there about Europe’s criticisms of your government, but on the basis of these notes you have not ... On this matter the PS has no ambiguity. It is you who are confused, stubborn, resentful, and determined not to move from your uncivilized positions. We will try to speak using examples that are as concrete as possible. First, Europe sent you a message long ago that it wanted Albania to have a Constitution. You wanted to make a Constitution outside the European spirit, trampling on the fragile democracy being established in Albania. The people gave you their answer on this, but you learned no lessons. You opposed the opposition’s alternative draft because you insisted on introducing into the country’s political and constitutional life only a Constitution that, after judicial proceedings, would allow totalitarianism, violate the independence of the judiciary, and infringe citizens’ freedoms and rights. You wanted to foist all this on the people on November 6. You gained nothing. Do not imagine that European politicians are so naive that, when they say Albania could be admitted to the Council of Europe even without a Constitution, they will let you make the state’s fundamental law however you please. Second, Europe has always demanded—not only in its declarations, but in practice—the absolute independence of the judiciary from the other branches of power in Albania. This is essential. You have not taken Europe’s advice seriously; indeed, you have treated it as an object of study, fabricating the Brozi affair and seeking to bring the mandates of two senior judges before Parliament for discussion. Regarding his proposal, he requested a vote in a plenary session, calling it a necessity. Naturally, his proposal could not be accepted, so Mr. Malasi hastened to submit to the deputies the first draft law for discussion and approval, concerning the removal of turnover tax on Chinese goods purchased through barter, which had arrived in 1991 and was held up at the port of Piraeus in Greece. After that, a joint statement by Socialist deputies Baci and Koçi was read concerning the hunger strike being held by 40 families in Laknas, Tirana. In their statement they called for the government authorities to take immediate measures to resolve the problems they had raised. Gjinushi’s statement on opening the files was awaited with interest. From the very first days, he said, people, inspired by democracy and complete freedom, also expressed their desire to dismantle all the old structures of the regime, including those of the State Security service. Everyone declared in favor of opening them, but even after three years of the DP being in power, they remain closed. Many initiatives have been taken, but still nothing has been done ... (Continued on page 2) [The beginning of the sentence is missing] recognized, including when it submits its application to be admitted to the EC; it recognized it when it recognized it at the many meetings of the committees of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. There, we took note of Europe’s criticisms of your governance, but you have not reflected on these notes. Why? Because you are driven by the mentality that Europe will accept us into its fold whether it wants to or not. We sincerely hope that Albania will be admitted to the EC on June 29 and, as we have emphasized, we consider this a significant event in our history, a positive impetus for all the democratization processes in our coun- [The beginning of the sentence is missing]—[?] [Source begins with “thmë”]—not only in declared terms, but in practice, the power in Albania. This is essential. I warn you: you have not taken Europe’s recommendations seriously; indeed, you have studied them by fabricating the Brozi affair, seeking to bring the mandates of two Court of Cassation judges before parliament for discussion, placing the Constitutional Court in a servile position, and appointing and dismissing all kinds of judges with six-month courses as though they were pawns in a chess game. By doing this, you show that even today you are not aware of the need to create the necessary democratic space (Continued on page 2)

Gjinushi: We must not allow the damage caused by the dictatorship to become damage to democracy Yesterday in the People’s Assembly Yesterday’s plenary session of the People’s Assembly opened with approval of the work program for June–July 1995, which had been approved the previous day by the Assembly’s Presidium together with the chairmen of the parliamentary groups. Under this program, during the coming month the deputies will discuss and approve many draft laws, including the draft Labor Code, legislation on the construction police, the draft law on turnover tax, the Military Criminal Code, the pre-university education system, collective labor agreements, and so on. The program also includes changes to RTV, cancellation of the People’s Assembly decision concerning the three Court of Cassation judges, a motion of no confidence in Defense Minister Zhulali, interpellations with the ministers of Health and Agriculture and with Mr. Dylber Vrioni, an urgent question session with Interior Minister Musaraj, as well as with the Minister of Economy. Afterwards, deputy Kalakula called on Parliament to make a greater commitment and take effective measures to stop the disturbing phenomenon of child abductions. The other deputies shared this concern. Speaking about the issue, Dokle, chairman of the PS parliamentary group, said Parliament should urgently request information from the Interior Minister and supported the idea of a parliamentary debate. The majority deputies also shared this concern, and it was agreed that the Interior Minister would appear for a question session and that the deputies would organize a debate to be broadcast on TV. Then the PSD chairman, deputy Gjinushi, asked to speak. He requested that the session’s presiding officers read a statement and add to the agenda the draft law submitted to the Assembly Presidium on opening the files of high-ranking politicians. He called for his proposal to be put to a vote in plenary session, describing it as still nothing has been done ...

Yesterday, at around 11:00, hundreds of police officers arrived in Bathore, Kamëz, tasked with enforcing the Meksi government’s decision to demolish unauthorized buildings. The presence of the police immediately brought together around 1,000 residents, and Bathore became an arena for clashes between police forces equipped with helmets, firearms and rubber batons, and villagers who had come from the country’s northern regions and took up [unclear]. According to the information we have, from 12:00 until late in the day the national road to the North and the road to Zall-Herr remained blocked. The villagers built around 10 barricades. The police also used firearms. At around 15:00, the police forces withdrew to the premises of the Agricultural University. The situation remains tense. As announced, today is the deadline ... equipped with helmets, firearms and rubber batons, and villagers from the country’s northern regions, who used stones, sticks, axes, clubs and other improvised objects. There were injured on both sides. situation remains tense. As announced, today is the final deadline set by the government for the demolition of unauthorized buildings.

Another journalist has experienced the “civilized” vocabulary and then the blows of police officers. This time it was the correspondent of the newspaper «Alenca», an organ of the PAD, Mr. Besnik Basha-lliu, who was mistreated by the Elbasan police on Wednesday morning and held at the police station. S. ÇEKANI.

Meanwhile, the purge to remove Socialists from their jobs continues — Paradoxes of the times The campaign for restructuring elections in the PD in the district of Kurbin, too, is accompanied by new members joining the party ... under compulsion. People are confronted with this alternative: if you want to keep your job, join the PD, otherwise... This is what happened three days ago in Milot as well. Mr. Tomor Dosti went there, accompanied by Mr. Tomor Dosti? [text unclear] accompanied by the party? the ruling party? ... Without any prior warning from the district, without a decision, Dosti went ... and ordered them to join the PD. ... during the PD’s restructuring, the respected intellectuals of Milot ... and several others had to join the PD at any cost. ... for the others to follow them... And this was achieved. “An extraordinary victory for the PD.” Compulsory party memberships are being arranged because people are leaving the PD every day, including in Kurbin, even though they are members. This will be offset by the compulsory admission of salaried employees as well as Socialist workers into the PD. In recent days, Mr. Begaj Ahmeti, a senior agricultural specialist in the commune of Milot and a member of the PS leadership in Kurbin, was also dismissed from his job. The restructuring of the PD continues. B. ZENELLI

VLORA: The meeting with the people of the village of Gjorm brought to a close the visit of Shaqir Vukaj, Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, and MP Sabit Brokaj to the Mesaplik region. The conversation with members and supporters of the Socialist Party (PS), as well as other political parties, was simple and informal; it took place right beside the memorial where the first partisan unit in the Vlora district was formed, known as the “Çeta Plakë,” whose commander was Neki Ymer Hoxha, a son of this village. Opening the meeting, the PS chairman for the village, Nuro Lulaj, said that the Socialist Party in Gjorm had tried to find a path of understanding with the other political forces, in the interest of unity and without compromising. The history of our village, like that of all Albania, is glorious— [The beginning of the sentence is missing]—he continued—this village, as the gateway to the Mesaplik region, became a battlefield, but in the end many things were hushed up. Twenty-two young men were killed in this war, but their graves were also lost and are still unidentified. For 45 years we were saddled with the label “ballist of Gjorm”; nevertheless, through our ability and efforts, 40 young men and women from this village completed their university studies. We also contributed with all our strength to the democratic processes and were among the first, but we gained nothing. Yesterday they called us “ballists of Gjorm”; now they label us communists. We will do everything in our power to strengthen the Socialist Party in our area,” he concluded, while maintaining a tolerant and understanding attitude toward the political forces, which I respect— [The beginning of the sentence is missing]—me. Responding to questions from those present, Assembly, addressed some of the pressing political problems the country is going through. “As you can see,” he told those present, “the Democratic Party’s election campaign has begun.” This is worrying, he continued, because it is taking place in a tense situation and is accompanied by feverish propaganda against the PS and its leaders. In this context, these attacks on the Socialists are being used to claim that, if the Socialists come to power, all the laws will be changed. This is not true, because the PS has always supported, and continues to support, a state governed by the rule of law. The Socialist Party, with its stance— (Continued on page 3)

A few days ago, around 200 young men and women, members of the Eurosocialist Forum from the city of Korçë and the surrounding villages, gathered for their third conference. Through free, cultured debate of a high political level, they reviewed their achievements, critically assessed their shortcomings and weaknesses, and set tasks to improve their work in the future. University of «Fan Noli» student Elona Stefanllari, who opened the conference proceedings, said, among other things, that now, after nearly four years of the forum’s existence, our organization has become more influential among young people in schools and among the unemployed, as confirmed by their desire to join it. “During the period we have left behind, our ranks have grown and we have established ourselves in defense of the socialist alternative,” said the forum’s chairman, Eglant Pupa, in his speech. The Eurosocialist Forum of Korçë, he pointed out, now numbers around 350 members, of whom more than 23 percent are from the city of Korçë. These young people and their comrades carried the main burden in major political campaigns, such as the local elections and November 6. Our opponents’ attacks, aimed at driving us away from the PS, ended like a straw fire. And that is how they will end in the future, too. “The youth of Korçë will find their own values in the democratic system,” said Rahmi Ahmetari, secretary of the PS steering committee, in his greeting. At the end, the conference elected its governing bodies. University of «Fan Noli» student Eglant Pupa was re-elected forum chairman. M. MEKO

Around 400 employees of this company, through their trade union, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday with the Korçë Court against the company’s owner, whose name is Illa Damos. Wage deductions, delays in payment, and many other disagreements are what forced the employees to turn to the justice authorities for help.

Together with deputy Bashkim Koçi, I asked to make this statement about the problem of the hunger strikers in Laknas, in the district of Tirana. It has been nine days since 33 people went on hunger strike, using the last democratic means to resolve the vital problem of the fair distribution of the land of the former Laknas farm, where they have worked since 1955. That is nearly 40 years of work in the cooperative and later on the farm. There are 33 years, esteemed colleagues. [Text unclear] by speculators, by corrupt people who have fattened their pockets, even by selling the land. It is enough to look at the houses being built beyond the yellow line by families who have come here from the country’s northern districts; it is enough to look at the plots of land given for use to people who do not live in Laknas at all; it is enough to know the fact that these 40 families, who have received no land at all, buy grain from the families of ... families who arrived after the Government decision to dissolve the farms; it is enough to learn of the executive’s reluctance to verify whether the land was distributed fairly—a principal demand of the hunger strikers—and you will be convinced that there is more than negligence in Laknas. There has been outright corruption in the distribution of land in Laknas. Deputies have raised the issue of corruption, its prevention, and punishment several times. We, the deputies of the Socialist Party making this statement, request that the State Control, which is subordinate to Parliament, conduct a serious inspection of how the land was distributed in Laknas. We would be pleased if the Presidium of the People’s Assembly were to take action to fulfill this request of ours, which is also the request of the hunger strikers, thereby setting a concrete example in the fight against corruption. We also raised this request in the standing parliamentary agriculture committee, but it is for the Presidium to decide. Thank you. BASHKIM KOCI IBRAHIM BAÇI [The beginning of the sentence is missing] nine days since 33 people went on a vital problem of fairly distributing 33 people, dear colleagues, whose health is worsening day by day (this is also the opinion of the doctor caring for them). These people and their families are waiting for their rights to be upheld. There are 40 families in Laknas who have sent letters and petitions to various executive authorities, right up to the Albanian Parliament. For three years they have been making appeals, knocking on every door of officials at every level of state authority. All the political forces in the village have expressed support for the justice of their strike and their demands. Their demands and hunger strike have been supported not only by villages around Tirana, but also by people from other districts of the country. The Commune Council and the District Council also recognize that they are in the right. The irony is that although everyone agrees with them, their demands are not being resolved. Some levels of the executive authorities, both local and central, have issued instructions to resolve this problem. But the instruction is a long way from a solution. We think one of the main reasons a solution has not been reached is the sabotage of