The Albanian world first became acquainted with the Republic’s concrete expression in Fan Noli’s political action. In our lives, and in the history of the ancient peoples and nations of Europe, the Republic’s face bears the apostolic spirit of democracy, independence and ethnographic borders. The Renaissance figures, Noli’s predecessors, made acceptable the idea that the Albanian nation deserved a Republic and that its true life would begin here, after so much misery. Ismail Qemali made it understood that the freedom and independence of a nation, even in exceedingly difficult and turbulent periods, can be won quite nobly and just as magnificently through dialogue, the patriotic awakening of the people, the sowing of love and respect, and the full commitment of all Albanians, wherever they may be, “where they call bread bread and water water,” to save the nation. At the moment when Esat Pashë Toptani demanded that he too be head of government—that is, when a dual state was being created that would lead to internal war and break up the nation—Ismail Qemali resigned. The old man of Vlora thus met this sacrifice of personal interests in power with these words: “The act of resigning as head of the Government and from the Government was as noble as the act of raising the flag in Vlora, …” Convinced that the Albanian’s sensitive spirit and patient character were closer to humanism than to brutality or savagery, as foreigners tried to brand them, Noli, psychologist and sociologist, humanist and politician of the proclamation of Independence. History repeats itself and takes the form of a ring, in which it is easy to become a historical spiral. This sacrifice of interests in power, which nourishes the standard of patriotic interests, took concrete form in Noli, for whom making Albania a Republic was a political and spiritual imperative. In concrete terms, he saw it at the Congress of Lushnjë, for which the Great War, the situation in Europe changed so much that the only form that could suit Albania was the Republican form. And I have defended this form of government since 1921, not because I was a fanatical, convinced republican, but because it seemed to me that it was what was best for Albania. From 1924 onward, and especially after the proclamation of the feudal, Zogist monarchy, I became fully convinced that the People’s Republic is Albania’s only salvation.” In the Republic, Noli saw the government of the people, not of beys and usurers. Thus, in a feudal environment dominated by usurpers with impoverished human spirits, among ordinary, uneducated people of the city and the village, all the way to the mountain peaks, Noli, shepherd of human souls, became their leader on the path toward a new, modern Albania. Noli’s Democratic Government was so short-lived that it could not even be called a Republic, and it was crushed by the most unscrupulous reactionaries with the help of the Serbs. Albania was undone once again after the upheavals brought by the First World War, but in the meantime it proved that “the fighters for freedom, however small they may be, are greater and stronger than all the great and powerful.” of the world.” From this truth, tyrants have reason to tremble, because their present is short; the future belongs to the fighters for freedom, democracy and true republicanism. The outstanding nationalist patriots, the republican democrats of Noli’s government, having made Albania democratic without bloodshed, agreed to leave power so that blood would not be spilled. (Continued on page 3) fifteen million for an army to protect it... tried to brand them, Noli—psychologist and sociologist, humanist and distinguished politician, accomplished diplomat at European and world negotiating tables, scholar and spokesman for the history of his own nation and of the world, and finally an economist and man of action—agreed to bring the Republic into being because he equated it with the pure Albanian spirit. In one of his 1931 articles, entitled “For the Republic, Not at All Against the Republic,” he would state: “After the War—

Dear readers, “The Republic” is your newspaper! We, its journalists, will try with all our heart and soul to meet your republican expectations, to express your feelings and thoughts, and to earn your respect. “The Republic” will fight for the process of democratization to move forward without stopping until victory, for it to put down healthy roots in every sphere of the people’s life, for it to be established in every corner of the Homeland, from Konispol to Vermosh, and for it to triumph fully and finally. Our program is the program of the Albanian Republican Party. We understand that this program has placed a heavy burden upon us. But we also understand that it is our duty to carry this burden, because it was placed upon us by the Homeland, its independence and its flourishing. We are fully convinced that, with your support and help, we will achieve our goal. Your reports from every corner of the country will, through “The Republic,” become the property of all readers. Your views will be conveyed to others, so that they may discuss and assess them. This will be the great dialogue of the Republican Party with all its members and with the entire people, about the most important issues facing our society. The nation’s sovereignty, the defense of the country’s freedom and independence, a new, democratic and prosperous life for all the people, friendship and cooperation with other peoples—these, in brief, are our aims. To achieve these aims, step by step we will take up the life of the people and reflect it in the pages of “The Republic” in their own language, because we aim for the organ of the Republican Party to be read by the worker, the farmer, the intellectual, men and women, the old and the young, the entire people, every Albanian, inside and outside the Homeland. We will speak with great joy about those who build, but we will sharply criticize those who would want to destroy. Albania needs to, must and can move forward toward the light, toward prosperity, toward happiness. It has everything it needs for this: songs and crafts, a wise people, fiery youth. What is needed is will, determination and, above all, that sweet thing—let us all enjoy it; if it is bitter, let it embitter those who cast poison into our lives. We will shut the editorial office’s door to fraud and lies. Otherwise, the reader—the people—will not forgive us. Deceit is not without consequence. It descends into a person’s conscience and remains there for life. Therefore, an Albanian may forgive you even his blood, but deceit—never. Dear reader, On January 10, 1991, the formation of the Albanian Republican Party was approved. On February 10, 1991, the day dawned on which the first issue of “The Republic” appears. Good morning, “Republic”! This is our first letter to you. Read it, but do not delay in answering us. Thank you! THE EDITORIAL OFFICE [?] sharply and will has everything it needs for this: we understand this; it has a wise people and all, work—quality work, and more work with discipline. In this way our pen, too, will write better, because for us the purpose of work is inspiration. We make one commitment: we will write the truth and only the truth, accurately and responsibly. We will write with a clear conscience, because truth itself is like that. If

Qamil Shijaku

The Republican Party (PR), born as a democratic aspiration of the people, expressed through the youthful voice of the students in advancing political pluralism, is a historic victory for Albania and a continuation of Albanian democratic traditions, especially those of the 1920s. It will fight to consolidate and develop this victory alongside all the country’s progressive forces. Bearing in mind the serious political and economic goal and in the interest of national unity, PR will conduct its activity through open political dialogue, opposing violence in every form, with the awareness that work and the main source of livelihood and public order are the fundamental outlooks of every citizen and country, and that the path to saving the country lies in full and comprehensive participation in the processes of European integration. CHAPTER I PR’s fundamental aim is for Albania to be a free, independent and sovereign Republic, with a profoundly democratic, multiparty system, where the people’s social and economic rights, human freedoms and rights, and individual initiative are protected, and where conditions are created for the free development of personality and the advancement of well-being for every citizen. To this end, PR: 1) Undertakes to resolutely defend the human rights set out in international documents, such as the 1948 United Nations Declaration, the Helsinki documents, the Paris Conference, etc. 2) Supports and assists the establishment and functioning of a state governed by the rule of law. It calls for the adoption of a constitution that guarantees the rights and the full development of political life, the economy and human rights, without the state being subject to distortions by political forces and decrees. 3) Will take an interest in [?], will support and assist the movement of Albanian emigrants. 4) The rights of national minorities in Albania must be respected, recognizing their full equality in all spheres of life. 5) PR will fight to limit the powers of the President as provided for in the draft constitution, and for the President to exercise his functions outside political parties. 6) It will fight for the People’s Assembly to be the effective bearer of the people’s power and to have the government and the entire state structure fully subordinate to it, with that structure separate from the activities of political parties. 7) It will fight for the structure and size of the armed forces to be adapted to our capabilities and for progress toward modernization and professionalization. The slogan “The entire people are soldiers” [and] the practical organization of defense, which commits manpower to practices and strategies that are now outdated. PR supports tax cuts alongside economic development. 8) As democracy develops, it will fight for a substantial simplification of the Internal Affairs bodies. It supports the setting, publication and monitoring of expenditure to maintain them. State Security must be renewed and transformed into a civilian institution, directed by a committee under the President. 9) It considers the resolute struggle against bureaucracy and the artificial expansion of the state apparatus its duty. Local government bodies must have broad powers of self-government. 10) It will fight resolutely for high moral standards and the elimination of corruption in every sphere of life, especially in the state apparatus. No state official, whatever their rank, may stand above criticism by public opinion, above the law, or enjoy privileges of any kind. PR supports the publication of the salaries of civil servants and officials at all levels. 11) It will fight for political pluralism to receive effective state support and for the financing of parties from uncontrolled sources to be avoided. PR supports funding parties from the budget and reviewing party property, buildings and existing assets accumulated under the monolithic system to date. CHAPTER II In order to integrate into current political life, while in every case safeguarding the country’s vital interests of independence and sovereignty, PR will fight: 1) For the pursuit of a peaceful, neutral foreign policy, outside present or future blocs, with active relations of cooperation and mutual respect with all states. Good-neighborly relations with the Balkan and Mediterranean countries should take priority. PR supports Albania’s earliest possible integration into the CSCE. 2) To devote great attention to the problem of our Kosovar brothers, aspiring to the unification of the nation while leaving this interdependent issue entirely to the wishes and right to self-determination of Albanians living in their lands in Yugoslavia. CHAPTER III Within the framework of national unity, PR will commit itself to an objective public review of all the processes that have taken place in the country’s life over the past decades, in order to identify both real achievements and the mistakes and distortions that have shaped today’s political and economic situation. To this end: 1) The Institute of Rehabilitation must function effectively. Those found to have been unjustly convicted must receive moral and material compensation. Every action must be carried out legally and guided by the principle of strengthening national unity. 2) PR will seek to root in social consciousness the unwavering conviction that there must be party pluralism; free thought and public debate will be enduring and vital elements of our progress and reality. No party, group or person may claim a monopoly on knowledge, truth or the optimal choice. 3) PR opposes discrimination on grounds of political views, social or national origin. All citizens are equal before the law. It opposes any interference in citizens’ family and private lives, correspondence, private homes, freedom of movement, or the right to choose a profession and place of residence. The right to private property, inheritance and free enterprise must be respected by law. 4) It calls for all legislation to be reviewed and for any antidemocratic spirit in it to be abolished. Ongoing court proceedings that have not been brought to a conclusion are to be considered unlawful until guilt has been established by a court ruling. PR supports abolishing the death penalty. (Continued on page 3)