Yesterday, leading figures of the Socialist Party from its Presidium and parliamentary group, comrades Sevet Pëllumbi, Luan Hajdaraga, Ethem Ruka, Musa Ulqini, Ermelinda Meksi, Enver Reçi, went of February 26 to express their condolences for the tragic loss of their loved ones. On this occasion, they expressed to the Osmani, Dume and Karamani families their indignation at the terrorist crime and their demand that the state take all measures to identify the real organizers and perpetrators of this heinous crime.

In search of the perpetrator of the terrorist act

The Albanian Helsinki Committee demands: Protests are being made against the detention of journalist Ylli Polovina and the journalists of the newspaper "Koha jonë" The Presidium of the Socialist Party of Berat demands that the real culprits be apprehended, and that journalist and respected citizen Ylli Polovina be released Page 3

Yesterday, at the Socialist Party headquarters, comrades Servet Pëllumbi, deputy chairman, and Ilir Meta, deputy chairman of the Socialist Party, received at the party’s headquarters a delegation from the “New Democracy” Party, which has come to visit our country. After the customary greetings, comrade Servet Pëllumbi gave the Greek delegation an overview of the views of the Socialist Party of Albania on developments in our country after the establishment of political pluralism, on the achievements and difficulties of the transition, and on the current tense atmosphere on the eve of the elections. He spoke in particular about the Socialist Party’s support for reform, the Party’s foreign policy, relations with neighboring countries and especially with Greece, the political role played by the presence of a Greek minority in Albania, and that of Albanians who live and work in Greece. On behalf of the Greek delegation, Ms. Maritsa Janako.Kutsiku [text cut off at the lower edge] …[continuation of the text visible in the right-hand column] thanked them for the warm reception; she outlined and emphasized the need for the constant development of relations between the two neighboring countries, bound by millennia-old historical ties and new ones. She considered the development of these relations and cooperation a necessity, regardless of which political force is in power in Athens or Tirana. In pursuit of this goal, she emphasized, despite our different political spectrums, we sought to hold this meeting and exchange views both on the situation in our two countries and on the possibilities for developing relations. The “New Democracy” delegation asked about our position on the law on genocide, the law on political figures, our forecasts for the election results, your Socialist Party’s views on the Greek minority, etc., to which comrade Servet gave the appropriate answers. The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Press spokesperson of the Socialist Party of Albania

Activities of the Socialist Party of Albania delegation in Poland During their stay in Poland, the deputy chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania and chairman of its parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, together with Shaqir Vukaj, chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Albania, were received by the chairman of Poland’s PSD, Mr. Jozef Oleksi, who has just replaced Mr. Aleksandër Kwasniewski in this post; the latter has just been elected president of Poland. After characterizing developments in the situation in Poland and Albania, representatives of the two parties focused on cooperation between the two parties. “The right has constantly attacked us over the past,” Oleksi said, “but we won by working for the future. That is how we won the parliamentary and presidential elections. People trust the left more in the countries of Eastern Europe because they want the transition to come at a lower social cost. They cannot cope with the radical measures of the right. After the election of President Kwasniewski, the political struggle waged by the right against us has become fiercer. But the more they attack us, the stronger we grow.” “A similar political struggle is taking place in Albania,” said comrade Namik Dokle. “It reached its peak with the political imprisonment of the chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, Fatos Nano. Now, on the eve of the elections, it is intensifying, but we believe in the socialists’ victory, because the people have become disillusioned with political revenge, unemployment and other radical measures, especially corruption in privatization. Your experience both in elections and in carrying out reforms will be very valuable to the Socialist Party of Albania.” The chairman of Poland’s PSD, Oleksi, and its international secretary expressed their solidarity with wished the Socialist Party of Albania victory in the upcoming elections, and expressed their hope for expanded relations between the two parties at every level. * * * The Socialist Party of Albania delegation also met with the chairman of the parliamentary group of Poland’s Democratic Left Alliance, who is also vice-president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr. Tomasz Ivinski. The meeting included an extensive discussion of the two parties’ positions on foreign policy. Both parties believe that the future of Poland and Albania lies in gradual integration into all Euro-Atlantic structures. Mr. Ivinski also spoke about the experience of the Polish PSD in its relations with the Socialist International, which it is expected to join soon. “You will always find support in our party,” he said. Views were also discussed and exchanged on the situation in the region and in Kosovo. Specific issues concerning Albania’s commitments to the Council of Europe were also addressed. * * * A detailed discussion was held with Mr. Bogdan Kriesiewicz, chairman of the Committee on Social Policy of the Polish Sejm, on social security, care for pensioners, and ways to reduce unemployment, areas in which Poland has good experience. He undertook to assist in developing concrete programs in this field. Press spokesperson of the Socialist Party of Albania

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