Crisis in Albania - Statement from Communist Party of Albania.&
                         Albanian Communist speaks out.

>From the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Albania - 17th March,
1997.

 The present situation in Albania shows the total economical, political and
social crisis caused by the anti-people and anti-national government of
Berisha. This shows the development of the "democracy" in Europe and USA,
the policy and interference in the future deeds in countries from
Eastern Europe. This situation brought absolute poverty and destruction.

As it is known, this rage and explosion of the people came as indignation
accumulated during the government of Berisha. This rage and peoples's
explosion were caused by the robbery of the people's money which were in
several big firms, "pyramid" organisations: this sum comes to 3 billion
dollars.

After that, the ruling Mafia used a great amount of this money to strengthen
the regime and the dictatorship, the activity of the Democratic party and to
enrich the rulers. Some of the managers of such firms are already in prison,
so they cannot tell the truth.

The uprising of the people started with peaceful strikes and demonstrations,
strikes in which took part students in hunger strike from the towns of Vlora
and Girokastra, who were supported by all students and many schools. All the
attempts of the regime to suppress the movement led to its spreading all
over the country.

The state of emergency established by the Parliament of the Democratic party
inflamed the people in the towns of Vlora, Ljushna Fieri Saranda, Tepelena,
Girokastra and he whole of South Albania the people armed themselves and
chased away the representatives of the institutions situated in their
territory.

The uprising of the people and the sound of arms forced the media and the
diplomats of Europe and USA to start to talk about Albania and to think of
some political solution of the problem This forced the president to listen
to the opposition, which did not exist for him up to this moment. The
opposition, which didn't have the trust of the people was striving to win
from that movement of the people, but forgot what the opposition wanted and
was looking for the people.

And the result came: a compromise between the opposition and the
president-bandit along with a signed declaration which do not include the
new requests of the rebels: the resignation of the president and the return
of the money. The rebels answered that they will not surrender
their weapons until their decisions and requests are accepted. The most
important thing for them is to be accepted at the round table as a basic
opposition force.

After the announcement of this declaration, the opposition and the
international diplomats declared it for a great achievement but the people
did not accept it and started to capture new towns; Permet, Berat, Skrepar,
Kuchova, Ghpamsh...

The most important thing in the people's movement are the political requests.

The army and the police joined the people. The only armed forces which
supported and still supports Berisha are the armed bands and the special
services "SHIC" and two divisions of hired soldiers from Serbia and Kosovo.

The ex-military communists who governed the quarters and the council for
salvation of the people also take part in these events.

The Communist party and the communists gave orientations about the main
slogans and political requests.

As it is well known, the CP worked very hard to organize everything.

Of great importance are the revolutionary steps of the people.

The rebels show the power of the people and the rottenness of the fascist
regime. The only support of this regime was the imperialist powers.

*NW* President Berisha has said he will not resign and has ordered tanks to
the streets of Tirana, where fighting has broken out between the rebels and
forces loyal to the Berisha regime.

The new coalition government led by Socialist Party leader Bashkim Fino, has
appealed for an end to the revolt and this has been echoed by Fatos Nano,
freed from jail by the rebels last week.

But rebel National Salvation Committee, led by retired army Colonel Xhevat
Kociu, has said it will march on Tirana if Berisha refuses to go.

                          *********************

Albanian Communist speaks out

Published in La Nostra Lotta - Italy

Q:      What are  the  causes  that  have provoked   this great movement of
struggle?

A:       The collapse  of the financial schemes is due to the enemy of the
people,Sali Berisha, but this has only been the spark of the crisis. This
past year the social climate has become explosive due to the collapse of
almost all economic activity, the crisis of education,  the failure to pay
pensions, the mass  unemployment, the lack of goods of prime necessity, the
fall in living standards in general.

Q:      What is the political content of of this popular movement?

A:       We are undoubtedly dealing with a popular struggle against all the
pro-U.S. policies of Sali Berisha. Certainly in this movement all the
anti-Berisha forces are represented, however this is a struggle which on the
economic and social level pursues popular objectives, it is a defense of the
fundamental interests of the masses.

On the political level, freedom, national sovereignty, real democracy for
the people.

Q:      What is, in general, the situation of your party?

A:      Last summer, the party held a Congress (as did its youth
organization) in the conditions of absolute illegality imposed by Berisha
who has used all possible means of violence. Two comrades of the Central
Committee were arrested for the simple possession of political materials and
sentenced to three and a half years of imprisonment .The Communist Party of
Albania follows
the line of Comrade Enver Hoxha, for socialism, liberty and independence.

Lately the party has been greatly strengthened and is present throughout the
country, especially in the south and in the big cities in general, and it is
increasing its membership among the youth.

Q:      What is the ideological situation of the Albanian masses?

A:      It has undergone a major change. We had  an optimal
situation,despite some negative phenomena, in 1985 at the time of the death
of Comrade Enver Hoxha.

With the transformation of  the PLA (Party of Labor of Albania) into the
Socialist Party, reformism has been spread, which opened the way to the
"democratic" reaction of Berisha.

There were great illusions about what capitalism would bring, but after the
fraudulent election of Berisha in 1992 the masses very quickly changed their
minds.

Q:      What role is the Socialist Party of Albania playing?

A:      This party has betrayed the ideals of Socialism and Communism and the
interests of our homeland.

This party is linked to big European capital and has good relations with
U.S. imperialism. It also has unofficial relations with the party of Berisha
(who these days is using Serbian mercenaries) and is engaged with the
counter-revolution. This is becoming ever more evident to the people.

Nonetheless the Albanians love liberty and our homeland, and the immortal
examples of Skanderbeg and Enver Hoxha are in our hearts and memory.
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