Yesterday in Strasbourg EUROPE OPENS ITS GATES TO DEMOCRATIC ALBANIA Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe—the greatest moral and political support Europe gives our country. Yesterday the Albanian parliamentary delegation set off for Strasbourg to take part in the meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe is a landmark event, because it leaves behind once and for all the policies of isolation and failed experiments, from which Albania gained nothing except a historic delay in its natural integration into Europe, to which it geographically belongs, as well as an undeserved state of backwardness. The message of this event conveys to Europe, and also to Albanians, the truth that there will be no turning back in Albania; that the Albanian state and all political forces in our pluralist society are determined to create new opportunities for Albania’s comprehensive political, economic and cultural integration into Europe. Among other things, this long-awaited event underscores how essential understanding and a spirit of dialogue and consensus among the country’s political forces are to the country’s democratic political life. The [party] seeking to maintain a monopoly on democracy in Albania has often appeared at the gates of Europe and its institutions, but has found itself disappointed precisely because it has not known how to foster the spirit of consensus Europe requires among the political forces of a country such as ours, following the overthrow of communism in Eastern Europe. It should be stressed that this was not a matter of party jealousy or claiming the banner of democracy: the consensus of the Socialist Party has also been one of the decisive factors, almost three years after Albania’s application for admission to the Council of Europe was submitted. The mechanisms of the Council of Europe were discussed with great responsibility, paving the way for Albania’s admission into this organization. As we express the natural joy of all socialists and their confidence that on 29 June 1995 Albania will see itself become a full member of the Council of Europe, we take this opportunity to stress that no one has the right to claim a monopoly over this entire difficult period of transition. By admitting us into its ranks, the Council of Europe has the opportunity, through its own mechanisms, to be more present and monitor the entire process of establishing the rule of law and developing democracy in Albania. It has been, and continues to be, particularly concerned that forms of revenge against opponents should not recur in our country’s political and constitutional life—as has happened from time to time—such as the case of Socialist Party chairman Fatos Nano, while insisting on a just resolution and an end to the paradoxical situation caused by his unlawful imprisonment. Europe is likewise concerned with the full independence of the Albanian judicial system and rigorous respect for citizens’ declared freedoms and rights. Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe is the greatest moral and political support that the developed countries of our continent are giving our small country and the steps it is taking to consolidate democracy. political in our solidarity, are determined to provide new scope This long-awaited event emphasizes, among other things, among the country’s political forces are to the country’s political life, and to opening the way for deeper democratic processes and the development of a market economy. The Democratic Party— While expressing on 29 June 1995 Albania will see itself as a full member of the CoE, the right to monopolize this event and present it as its own victory, much less to use it in the political struggle that has been kept inflamed and— Albania’s admission into this organization. continent are giving to our small country and to the steps it is taking to consolidate democracy, develop the market economy and advance the prosperity to which we aspire. —committed to the full independence of the Albanian judicial system and to the rigorous respect of citizens’ proclaimed freedoms and rights. The many guests from PS organizations, the main political force here, helped clarify the youth’s interests and address the issues. The district’s Euro-Socialist forum, its first conference, and that of the Euro-Socialist Youth Forum of Gjirokastër, among the first and most consolidated in the villages and nationwide. The weight of young Socialists’ views is strongly felt here. Of the 500 admissions shows the scope and freedom for youth activity within the PS. Their ideas, commitment and sense of responsibility are one of the key factors— —night-time branches. The establishment of comprehensive structures in towns and villages, at the university, in Lazarat, and among the minority. The conference addressed youth and district issues, discussed matters to be taken up by the Youth Congress, set tasks for creating prominent figures from among the FRESSH leadership, and elected delegates. Comrade Ilir Meta was the delegate at both conferences.

WE HIGHLIGHT THE FACT Democratic Party membership cards handed out in the street — Shkodër — Yesterday in Shkodër there was a young lad carrying a stack of Democratic Party membership cards in his hands and handing them out to various people in the streets of the city. At 12:30 he was on the road opposite the district DP headquarters, calling out, “Do you want membership cards!” Mostly out of curiosity, various people gathered around him, and some began taking the cards without even writing down their names beforehand. “You write your own name,” the lad told them. “We were unlucky,” one citizen remarked, “they don’t carry weight like they used to, when wherever you went to make a complaint you had to have a DP membership card in your hand!” Later, one of the members of the DP branch in the district, who happened to be passing by, was struck by what he saw. “How can membership cards be handed out like this in the middle of the street?!” He went to the DP headquarters to ask whether someone might have stolen them and was now coming out to make fun of them. But the district Police Commissariat has received no report of such a case so far. Nor has the DP branch lodged a complaint. Meanwhile, the lad continued calling out: “Do you want membership cards!”... This incident reminded us of the atmosphere in Shkodër four years ago, specifically after 2 April, when the PPSH, although in power, was preparing to leave it.

PESHKOPI On Sunday, with only 35 people present (compared with the 300 who had been notified in writing and orally), the Democratic Party meeting in the Dibër district was considered a failure. Those present, the party’s senior leaders and the district authorities, were assigned the task of filling the hall completely on Tuesday, with no one absent. And indeed the hall was packed. The DP now has an administration capable of filling several halls. The meeting, which was also attended by Mr. Dosti, deputy chairman of the PDSH, focused in particular on increasing the ranks of the DP and subscriptions to RD. To increase the party’s ranks, it was decided that no employee in any state sector who receives a salary should remain outside the party. Admission to the Party would be based on the familiar principle: “Your membership card or your job—you can’t sit on two horses.” As for subscriptions to RD, the order was categorical: No one is to remain unsubscribed. With the measures taken, the newspaper is to reach every village in the district. Next Tuesday’s party conference was set as the date for checking implementation of the decision. During the first three days after the meeting, secretaries and administrators from the district’s enterprises and institutions were seen heading to the PTT, using state funds to arrange official subscriptions to RD. Enterprise and institution heads were also seen hurrying to set a personal example after laying down the law to their subordinates at a special meeting about subscribing to RD. At the meeting, it is said, a heated debate took place over the seat of the DP chairman in the district. A third option from “below” was added to the two alternatives put forward “from above.” But what struck those present was a pronouncement from someone on the presidium, which made them turn and think. “You may vote for whomever you like, but the party above decides who will be chairman,” it was declared loudly in the hall. ABDURRAHIM ASHIKU

It also served as the founding day of the district’s Eurosocialist Forum. Its first conference therefore also took the form of a discussion about FRESSH’s role in the PSSH in fulfilling its aspirations through the PS program and the problems that have accumulated in the Delvinë region. GJIROKASTËR The conference of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum of Gjirokastër was held with broad participation and keen interest. It is among the first and most consolidated activities of its kind nationwide. The views of young socialists carry considerable weight here. Of the 500 people admitted over these six months, 300 are young people, which also shows the space and freedom for

Berisha–Mohamed press conference — 20 million dollars for apartment construction — The fate of Albanian emigrants in Malaysia forgotten — Malaysian Prime Minister Marathir Mohamed has concluded his official and private visit to our country. During his stay in Albania, as has been reported, he met and held talks with President Berisha and Prime Minister Meksi, focusing on expanding bilateral economic relations and the situation in the Balkan region, particularly the crisis in Bosnia, where Malaysia has several troops as part of the UN peacekeeping forces. These two issues formed almost the entire focus of the press conference that President Berisha and Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamed held this morning at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. In his remarks, President Berisha emphasized bringing economic relations between the two countries up to the very good level of their political relations. Malaysia has granted Albania a loan for housing construction. During these days, Malaysian businesspeople have explored opportunities to expand this cooperation. Berisha announced that Malaysia will support Albania’s aim to become a member of (Continued on page 4)

TIRANA — In addition to the four known demands, the strikers are also calling for the release of five detained comrades — “We inform public opinion at large,” the Lakanas strikers’ leaders say in a letter to “Zëri të popullit,” “that the strike is being conducted illegally, in a place whose location we do not wish to disclose.” They complain that government officials cannot “resolve” their rights in a democratic state with police and special forces, but only by enforcing the law. It is shameful, they say, for people armed by the state to assault unarmed people—men, women and children—who ask for nothing but their daily bread. The state is playing with these people’s fate by trying to find “agents” and security-service collaborators among them. They go on to demand that the four publicly known demands they have put forward be met at any cost, adding their newest demand: the release of five fellow strikers who are in prison. They also ask Albanian newspapers to help publicize this new initiative by the strikers.

The local government administration in Kurbin has been placed under an obligation: to subscribe to RD at any cost. The most notable among the department heads was the director of the Agriculture Directorate, Mr. Skënder Tola, who has carried out this task 100 percent in the department he leads. Some employees have been made to pay 780 new lekë, even though almost none of them, apart from Skënder himself, reads this newspaper. Sources who decline to be identified confirm that this obligation stems from an order from above.

Paradoxes of the times from Kurbin Fatmir Amuli, head of public order in the Kurbin district, who arrived a few months ago from Malësia e Madhe, where he was also head of public order, is in a fever of activity. His deeds in that district were “substantiated” in a denunciation by the General Prosecutor’s Office itself, which was also published in the PD press. But lo and behold, “in the blink of an eye, the proceedings against Fatmir have been closed.” As has been said, he is a “tough nut” for the PD. In Kurbin too, disregarding the law, he is taking part, fully committed, in the campaigns organized by the PD, including its latest “restructuring” campaign. The head of public order has also been seen taking part in admitting new members to the PD, in Milot and elsewhere, accompanying the PD “leaders” even in a police four-wheel-drive vehicle to tell people: “We are the party of the state.” Fatmir, the head of public order, has also been seen attending meetings of the leadership council as well as the PD presidium in Kurbin. Just as in the past, when public-order officials took part in meetings of the party’s highest forums. So, just as yesterday, without any change.

Violations of legal procedures Among the serious legal violations are cases involving a privileged category of people who enjoy the authorities’ support, as well as public officials who abuse private property and many of the properties acquired by this government, which, instead of providing a lawful entitlement, grant another unlawful favour. Undoubtedly, such an act, by abusing the freedom of action in these suspicions and other actions at this time, would raise questions and cause further developments to be viewed with suspicion and— Meanwhile, the law on the commission for the restitution of property, which, through unfounded actions, issues certificates out of thin air recognizing ownership, and the Durrës District Court, which by taking unlawful measures becomes the cause of legal scandals, stand alongside the rather obscure chairman, the rather obscure? signatory, the PD secretary Trifon Shehu, who submits such a request on the road of the enterprises, seeking recognition of ownership, a little-used plot and property? ... gain, violations of laws and decisions, further scandals over the unlawful acquisition of property, but under an agreement signed with? In a series(?) concerning a plot of land (on his own behalf), since it concerns 2,000 metres in neighbourhood no. 13 in the beach area, the head of the PD T. Shehu, for years opposite the citizen Asllan Çaparo, who for his part presents a claim of sale. For precisely this purpose, the latter submits the necessary documentation to the property restitution commission. But this commission, faced with pressure from one of the other beneficiaries, ... (Continued on page 2)

The postponement of district council meetings, postponements until they are forgotten, has become commonplace in Bulqizë. Sami Cara, head of the group of Socialist councillors on the district council, publicly asks the district council chairman: Where has the state subsidy for fuel gone—the subsidy from last year? The sums in question are 700 thousand lek for firewood, 200 thousand lek for coal and 100 thousand lek for kerosene. When asked what he thought about the question, he replied: “It may have been burned, or it may have gone into the ears of the bald man who was supposed to carry out the state audit.” Correspondent of «Zëri i Popullit»

On Tuesday, 27 June 1995, at 10:00, a meeting of the General Steering Committee of the PS will be held at the PS headquarters in Tirana, with the following agenda: “Putting into practice the ways of presenting the PS’s alternatives, a fundamental task of its commissions.” Members of the GSC and PS MPs are notified to attend the meeting. The PS Presidium.