Interpellation with the Minister of Agriculture The “Myrtekullira” of the coast - a jewel thrown into the abyss After a parade of promises, destruction reigns in Ksamil Mr. Speaker, Dear colleagues, Continuing my concern about the necessary steps that must be taken here to quickly solve the acute social problems that exist in the commune of Ksamil, today I place before you and, through you, before public opinion and the government, my concern about the unresolved problems that have become even more acute in the commune of Ksamil. It is unimaginable and incomprehensible how a commune with such great tourist and agricultural potential, with a work experience recognized by everyone, is being reduced to one of the poorest and most devastated areas of the country. The causes are many, and I will list the main ones in order: 1. The completely wrong policy pursued by the government toward this commune; everything valuable here is being wiped out and, although such a handicap has been created, no measures are being taken to stop it. Only honest employees and specialists have been removed from their jobs and replaced by militants without training. This applies not only to local government bodies, but also to the directorates of enterprises and other institutions. 2. The lack of investments and concrete programs for the development of the area. It is regrettable that despite numerous promises, Ksamil has been abandoned. The condition of the roads, drinking water, sewage, electricity, and other infrastructure is alarming. 3. The destruction of agricultural and tourist assets. Entire areas of citrus groves, olive groves, and other crops have been neglected. Likewise, the natural environment and beaches have been damaged by neglect and abuses. 4. The lack of prospects for the inhabitants, especially the young, who are being forced to leave. Instead of this area being a thriving center of tourism and agriculture, it is being emptied and impoverished more and more. Ksamil is one of the rare gems of the Albanian coast. It has a wonderful natural setting and a work tradition that must be supported with serious policies, investment, and capable leadership. Otherwise, we will have not only the destruction of a national asset, but also the loss of the inhabitants’ trust in the state and its institutions. I ask that the government give clear explanations about the situation in Ksamil and immediately present a concrete program of measures to lift this area out of crisis. (Continues on page 3)

SALI BERISHA - the main person responsible for every delay in Albania’s path toward Europe GOOD UNTIL 29 JUNE, BUT WHAT AFTER? SALI BERISHA - the main responsible person for every delay in Albania’s path toward Europe Europe does not want words, but concrete and constructive actions Mr. Speaker, The delay in land reform in our country, from the position of a deputy who from the beginning has been actively engaged in parliament on this issue, I am convinced that it is the result of a wrong policy that has not taken into account the interests of farmers and the development of agriculture. Repeated experiments have been made, laws and by-laws have been changed, but without creating security and stability for the peasant. Instead of providing real support to producers, administrative obstacles have increased and abuses have been encouraged. Many areas have been left without even the minimum infrastructure, without roads, without water, and without a market for their products. This has led not only to a drop in production, but also to further impoverishment of the rural population. Under these conditions, it is understandable why Albania remains behind on the road to European integration. Europe does not simply require political declarations; it requires real reforms, the rule of law, and functioning institutions. The main responsibility for the delays lies with President Sali Berisha and his government. We need a real turning point in economic and institutional policy, a responsible administration, and respect for democratic standards. (Continues on page 3)

It was in the spring of 4900 when the “first dividend” of the government of the dardan was being celebrated, that the chairman of the Socialist Party, accompanied by a group of deputies, went to Ksamil. That shocking and miserable visit, where everything had been left to oblivion and decay, showed what the DP government had produced in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. In Ksamil there was a lack of investment; the government had neglected agriculture, tourism, and the inhabitants themselves. It was clear that, after all the propaganda hype, the reality was different: broken roads, damaged water pipelines, a lack of care for citrus fruits and olives, as well as increasing poverty and unemployment. Ksamil, this pearl of the coast, was being destroyed before everyone’s eyes. For this reason, the Socialist Party raised its voice and demanded political accountability, denouncing the incompetence and abuses of the local and central administration. (Continues on page 2)

Can it mediate? ... Tirana: Laknasi: neither alive, nor on land (Continues on page 2)

TOMORROW IN PARLIAMENT Tomorrow the bill “On the distribution of investments in local government” - Minister Hilli “justifies himself...”

Police blackmail against the free press After last Sunday, in the newspaper of the Socialist Women of the Socialist International, “Socialist International Women,” an interview was published with the leader of the SP and chairman of the Socialist Parliamentary Group, Mr. Servet Pëllumbi, in which the terrorist acts in Albania were strongly condemned and it was added that “Fatos Nano has expressed in court his conviction that he was arrested for political motives,” the police seized 2,000 copies of the weekly from all kiosks. As of yesterday at noon the police had returned neither the publication nor any explanation for its action. Thus, a political weekly has become the target of police intervention and has been prevented from exercising the right to information, in violation of the constitution. Such an action cannot fail to recall the darkest periods of the Stalinist dictatorship. If this operation was undertaken by unauthorized police structures, those who ordered it and those who carried it out must be punished. If this is a deliberate policy of the government, then the entire system of free press and democratic processes in Albania is called into question. Public opinion and all political and social actors in the country must protest against such arbitrariness, so as not to allow the imposition of police censorship on the free press. The Editorial Board of “Zëri i Popullit”