With the calls “We want bread!”, “We want full compensation for all citizens”, “We want higher wages”, “No to the total privatization of the economy”, trade unionists throughout Albania are taking part today in a one-day strike, causing a severe paralysis of the economy, schooling and other social and productive activities. The Meksi Government’s decision to liberalize the price of bread in July this year immediately provoked a fierce response from the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania, which called the decision illegal, arbitrary and antidemocratic. Following the farcical elections of May 26, this decision by the Meksi Government directly harmed the interests of the entire people and very quickly exposed the propaganda of the DP and President Berisha, whose demagogic slogan for staying in power once again was “With us, everyone wins.” In fact, the DP’s governing policy has proved to be misguided and deeply flawed, resting on the incompetence and corruption of DP officials, who care less than anything else about the interests of ordinary people and the country’s progress. The liberalization of the price of bread was followed shortly afterward by the liberalization of kerosene, liquefied gas, urban transport fares, telecommunications services, etc., without the Government giving any thought to compensating for them. All these anti-popular decisions and positions of the DP and Berisha Government, which the SP has repeatedly criticized, have caused great dissatisfaction among all our citizens. Confederation of Trade Unions Continued on page 8

US Undersecretary of State Wirth opened the door to Albania’s Foreign Minister Tritan Shehu on Wednesday. Berisha had shut the door on him a short time earlier. Wirth: Free local elections, a new constitution by referendum, new parliamentary elections as a logical consequence Page 3 WE WANT NEW ELECTIONS THANKS TO USA

Undocumented migrants make a “hop” from Vlora A surge of undocumented migrants from Albania to the shores of Puglia Police apprehend 70 Turks, 25 Macedonians, 15 Albanians More than 20,000 undocumented migrants have been heading from Albania to Italy over the past year Pages 6–7

Party leaders take part in large electoral meetings and present Socialist candidates. Reports on page 2

Rally at the “Asllan Rusi” Sports Palace on Friday, October 4, 1996, at 17:00. Trade unionists, unemployed workers and pensioners: attend the rally organized by the KSSH and the Tirana Trade Union Council in support of the demands addressed to the government for: Full compensation for the latest price liberalization. Declaration of the real subsistence minimum and its reflection in wages. Opposition to the total privatization of the economy. Everyone to the “Asllan Rusi” Sports Palace on Friday, October 4. Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania Tirana Trade Union Council

Recently, several citizens with secondary agricultural education from remote villages across the country have started working at Albanian Television. Given their intellectual background, “entertainment” means nothing more to them than a party with folk musicians and paid singers.