PS conferences in the districts have begun Yesterday in Durrës, in the main hall of the "A. Moisiu" cultural palace, the 3rd Conference of the Socialist Party of the district was held. Thus begins the series of district conferences, on the eve of the electoral campaign for the new elections to the People's Assembly, and of the second congress of the PSSH Read on page 2

The great American writer Mark Twain, if he had lived in Albania, would have written: "that the Socialist Party is not anti-American is now known by everyone, even by somers, with the rare exception of the Democratic Party." But in this world there are not only somers, but also others who seriously do politics and who try to hold on to power by presenting themselves as anti or pro. Especially in relation to America, the wish for an anti-American Socialist Party is so great that it compromises even the hottest news about friendship with it. The fact is that the propaganda of the party in power lies with pencil in hand wherever it may be, looking for a reward or some word where it can find "anti-Americanism" in the PS and it spreads this loudly. It has never happened that any article in "Zëri i Popullit" praising American politics, American history and American democracy has been reflected in the official media and even in the Albanian section of "Voice of America." It seems as though there is a rush to have the Socialist Party, as if the Albanian nightmare, be against America. This is so true that even criticism of a poll by the Republican Institute is presented as criticism of America and its policy. But if someone in Albania really has, let us say, a dislike for Dickens, that does not necessarily mean that he is anti-American. In America, half of Americans have reservations about the work of the American president, even senators and congressmen!... But of course this time it is not love for America that dominates, but love for power. Love for it blinds the eyes of today's rulers, and the aim is precisely to undermine the socialist people's love for America. But the truth is that the membership of the Socialist Party is not linked to America simply by the political interest of the moment, but by family, regional and national interests. These cannot be dimmed by two articles in RD or even by some radio station that, whether deliberately or not, damages precisely its own honorable name. The United States of America has historically been allied precisely with the broad anti-fascist and democratic, socialist and all that social strata [sic], which have overcome in time the prejudices caused by the dictatorial system and see in America the ally and defender of the Kosovo cause, Albanian freedom and democracy in Albania. They greet every development that leads to even closer ties with it, even when such political developments really resemble those in the Democratic Party, because they support the Democratic Party not for partisan interests; friendship with America transcends party interests. But the daily anti-Catholic democracy applied by those who are called anti-American and even concoct such things leaves desire as desire and reality as something else. Thoma Gëllçi

Amnesty International stands up and raises the mass international protest and solidarity for the release of the prisoner of conscience - Fatos Nano In the prison of Bënça in Tepelenë Page 3

Dear friend, On the occasion of your appointment to the high office of Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, I have the pleasure, on behalf of the Presidium of the Socialist Party of Albania, to send you my best wishes and progress. Success and new achievements in carrying out your government program for the good of the friendly Greek people. I wish to take advantage of this happy occasion to confirm the political will of the Socialist Party of Albania, expressed in the joint declaration of our two parties in Greece in 1993, to further advance relations of friendship and mutual cooperation between our two countries, as well as stability, peace and comprehensive cooperation in our Balkan region. We express our confidence that you will find the same will and readiness with whoever heads the Government you have the honor to lead. With assurances of my highest consideration, Fatos Nano Chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania 19 January 1996

THE PRINCE DECIDES Story by Kiço Blushi ARTIST BIOGRAPHY The deserving sculptor Andrea Mano POETRY BY KOSTAS VARNALIS REVIEWS, PORTRAITS, BIOGRAPHY Pages 11 - 12 -13- 14

NOW ALSO IN THE MORNING FROM TIRANA. WITH THE TRAINS FROM BARI, BY THE AFTERNOON YOU ARE EVERYWHERE IN ITALY. THE ENTIRE JOURNEY BY PLANE AND TRAIN ROUND TRIP AROUND 299,000 LIRE. TEL. AND FAX: 273 06