ALBANIA: POLICE DESTROY TRADE UNION OFFICES IN ALBANIA: ACT NOW:

Albania, long the poorest country in Europe and the last holdout of unreconstructed Stalinism until the death of Enver Hoxha, seems to be continuing in its Stalinist ways, albeit as a client of the American Empire. Famous (or infamous) for its Potemkin Village style reception for George Bush in his last imperial tour of Europe where he was shielded from the sort of unpleasantness that greeted him every where else he went, for rolling power blackouts, for organized crime as ex-communist bosses continue their winning ways and for people attempted to flee to Italy in leaky boats Albania continues to demonstrate its "commitment to democracy" by attacking independent unions in the country.

On August 1st the Albanian police invaded the offices of the Trade Union federation of Building, Wood and Public Services (FSNDSH), the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania (KSSH). The raid came without warning, and all trade union property and documents were destroyed. The police were enforcing a court order involving property seized by the former communist government. For years now independent Albanian trade unionists have called on the government to negotiate so that trade unions can function normally in that country.

An international campaign of solidarity with the Albanian workers has been launched. To learn more or to join go to http://www.bwint.org/default.asp?Index=976&Language=EN