It is clear that the events of the past two weeks are leading the country toward civil war, toward catastrophe. No one will gain from this. The people will enter a dead-end path, a bloodbath from which an entire generation will have to recover. The independence of the Homeland is also at stake, because there are outside forces that would benefit from our self-destruction. The first shots have already been fired, and the incitement continues. Can this be stopped? To answer that, one must know where the incitement is coming from and what its causes are. Such an analysis would take time, and there is no time. But one thing is known: the open clash began with the discussion surrounding the figure of Enver Hoxha and the acts that were carried out—the toppling of monuments and the tendencies to go further. A reaction was bound to come, and that is what is happening. The Republican Party believes there is a solution: all further action by both sides must stop, and the idea of a nationwide popular referendum on the assessment of Enver Hoxha’s figure must be accepted. This referendum should be held after the elections, with the approval of the People’s Assembly. Everything must be done to achieve national reconciliation. A great deal has been said about the dire economic situation, and it is now known that the first condition for emerging from it is free elections. Anyone who, in one way or another, sabotages these elections is once again driving the country toward total economic catastrophe and, from another direction, fanning the flames of civil war. Passions grow and flare up in acts of vandalism, or in threats and ultimatums. The tragic game is played by throwing the stone and hiding the hand, because no one dares to come openly before the people and call for civil war. The people would curse anyone who came out openly to do so for the rest of their life. That does not mean that the people’s deep hatred will not curse and punish the one who does it secretly, naively believing that they will remain hidden. We still have time to save the country, the Homeland. It is enough to stop for a while and reflect that, above all else, we are Albanians and civilized human beings. It is enough to remember that, whatever they may be, personal motives are a grain of sand compared with the interests of the whole people. As for political convictions and ideas, if they are genuine convictions and ideas, they can and must prevail only through debate. If we let ourselves be overcome by total astonishment, we will bitterly regret it, but it will be too late—far too late—because no one will reach out to save us. The people have confidence in the army, which they themselves created during the National Liberation War. For its part, the serviceman has sworn loyalty to the people and to them alone. Letters have been sent to our newspaper for publication, including a call, showing that some servicemen put their political convictions first. But for a serviceman, loyalty to the Homeland comes first and above all, and this is embodied in loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief. There can be no other understanding of a serviceman’s honor and oath. The Republican Party believes that our people will find the way and escape this anguish. We salute as a wise patriot the man from Skrapar who said that, if necessary, people should set out toward the border, but not toward Tirana. If something happens in Tirana that does not sit well with Skrapar, let them find a way by talking about what is best. Anyone who seeks to send groups of people against one another takes us back to the time of Esat Toptani. In the days we are living through, we must tell ourselves and our neighbor these words: «go to work» and «go home». This does not mean being a coward. This is genuine civic courage, a duty. For you may set out to shout in the street, and the person standing by your side by chance may be killed. Only the wisdom of the whole people can save the country. The unknown people, those seeking unrest and bloodshed, must be isolated at all costs. But if, tragically for us, they manage to gain control, then President Ramiz Alia should declare a partial state of emergency to protect the lives of the people. You remember how Dad would get angry when he came home tired from work and found nothing in the food cupboard. And you, Berti, would snap at Mother, as I did too, when we found nothing to eat on the table. And our grieving mother did not know what to do, how to calm us, after we had worked in the fields all day, we were lo— The army is being talked about a lot. About its depoliticization. And you, as a soldier, feel the weight of these events. Perhaps one day one of your superiors may order you to shoot at your brothers, with a rifle in your hands. We love this land, like every honest Albanian. Mother gave you a thousand pieces of advice the day you left for military service, but as your older brother I will give you one piece of advice too: do not join against your brother! Albania does not want blood. Do you know what happened to your friends and mine these past few days in our district? They were called to the military unit. They had been told they would be paid 25 lek for each day (I don’t know who wrote this down in the law). But when they found out that they would be taken to Tirana, I don’t know why, they told their superiors: «We are not going to Tirana». And they did not go. The peasant is increasingly understanding his position, and I believe he will no longer be deceived by the PPSH. You and I will fight to our last drop of blood for Albania, but not to protect the privileges of the bureaucratic caste. We have been deceived enough! Haven’t we, Berti? GANI LEKA Ndroq, 23.2.1991 ruined in one way or another, sabotages these elections is doing the same thing again, driving the country... ... November. Mikl (Continued on page 3)

Dear Berti! Last night I got home late. Mother was waiting for me, tense with worry. She follows the news on television, about the events taking place, and, as a mother, is weighed down by grief. She is horrified by violence and bloodshed. You know this. When we watched films with war scenes, she would tell us to turn off the television. Last night I got home late, very late. I tried to calm Mother. But she is worried about you too. It is not only that she misses you; she is also anxious about the days we are going through. All these days I have been a witness to the events in Tirana. You have followed them on television, though perhaps you have not seen them, because you may have been on guard duty or perhaps... In any case, I will tell you about fragments of these days, just as I saw them myself. You know what the students did. All of Tirana came to support them. Workers, peasants, intellectuals from various fields: directors, writers, journalists among the best-known in our country. Among the thousands of people with the students were some from our village. I do not want to remind you of what the village has been reduced to this year. But there are some things I cannot leave unmentioned. the fields all day, they were lo— [text appears damaged/incomplete] ... order. Not even the name of that policeman! But after this, the crowd turned away toward Skënderbej Square in another direction. Berti, a shiver ran through my body. I turned and went along with the people. Thousands upon thousands filled the streets of Tirana. Although angry, people kept their heads. And when they removed Enver Hoxha’s monument, I was there. A real clash with the police took place. Then, strangely, the police withdrew. Civilians and police officers embraced one another. There were also calls of «Now to Enver Hoxha’s grave!» No, Berti, that made me gloomy. It seemed to me a call beyond every human limit. Fortunately, people turned their backs on these calls. We are Albanians, and an Albanian does not touch the bones of the dead, whoever he may be. Other unwelcome acts also took place the next day. You hear people saying that now the Party House is next. No, these do not seem at all humane or democratic to me. Lastly, regarding these events, I will tell you that there were no calls of «We want blood!», as the government put it and as was broadcast in the news. This distortion seems to me to give rise to a mystery. in your hands. We love it, but—

The «wise» Oriental philosophy of Cheops is well known by now: around the pyramid, as many Lilliputians as possible—servile, incompetent little officials, paper-pushers, stamp-wielders, courtiers, trumpeters, janissaries—and then work, work, and only work, so that the slave has no time to become a human being. The courtly remnants of honor of such an Oriental court include Vasil Marini, Andon Liko, Naje Allkanjari, Naile Bali, Sotir Mita, Filip Boçi, Lulëzim Sinani and Niko Bano, to whom fate had foretold that they would be born to pursue an almost legendary career somewhere in the lands of Myzeqe. Vasil Majni: The golden archive of bureaucracy snatched him into its cage decades ago. He himself can no longer remember exactly when. He climbed the first rung of the fruit-bearing Olympus (they say Vasilli studied viticulture) as secretary of the district Party of Labour committee. Then he became assistant to the first secretary. He descends one floor. Later, a highly secret post: an official in the ominous biographies office, that is, head of personnel at the Party committee. From there, once again head of personnel at the executive committee. The justification: an order from Aunt Atena, as an experienced expert in that field. At last the Pahlavi dynasty falls in Iran. Vasili is also transferred around Lushnjë. But where to? Director of the enterprise known as the «revival» one, in fisheries. Now the palace official rests in peace and waits to retire. In fact, these days he is preparing for a democratic transfer to Italy. He will sign contracts with firms in Bari. The second crowned one: Andon Liko, a cadre for around 20 years. He himself now recalls his first promotion with nostalgia. Militant chairman of the cooperative in Çermë. Chairman in Çokëna. Director at NB 429. Since his trousers got caught in the fallow fields, they appointed the night-school agronomist director of the meat-and-dairy enterprise. Not even a year passes. Back again to the furrows of the fields. Longstanding affection calls him back. This time, director at NB Grabian. Every day, to bring him to the town where he also lives, his car travels more than 30 km round trip. This job could easily be done by a local agronomist and economist. The third crowned one: Naje Allkanjari. The most pampered of the palace. Eighteen years as chairwoman of the Lushnjë women’s organization. Eighteen strolls in the garden of the «kënavë». Her name became a symbol among the women of Lushnjë. Young mothers hoped to have a girl and then give her that name. After eighteen years she is relieved of her post as chairwoman of the women’s organization, only to be appointed to another office: head of the organization section at the committee. Meanwhile, she vegetates as director of social insurance. A reminder: her education—three years of secondary school in culture. The fourth crown of the court belongs to another lady: Naile Bali. Education: completed secondary school at night. She began her difficult but glorious path to power as an employee in the women’s organization. Then she became chairwoman of the city committee. From there, secretary for personnel of the Party of Labour committee. She descends from Olympus to the island of paradise, as chairwoman of the Front organization. The people of Lushnjë need her leadership abilities. She is now director at NTSH, where she also leads; the female deputy was elected for four consecutive legislatures to the People’s Assembly. The fifth crowned one: Sotir Mi— (Continued on page 3)

As a writer, as an ordinary intellectual, as a simple citizen, I cannot remain silent in the face of the events taking place before my eyes. Like anyone else, I cannot refrain from judging, even if my judgments are very harsh. Being democratically minded, although unaffiliated with any political party, I understand that we must fight to democratize life in Albania. As a writer, as an ordinary intellectual, as a simple citizen, I cannot remain silent in the face of the events taking place before my eyes. Like anyone else, I cannot refrain from judging, even if my judgments are very harsh. Being democratically minded, although unaffiliated with any political party, I understand that we must fight to democratize life in Albania, which is ours and of which we are a part! In any case, I am unhappy when we face shocking phenomena that do not lead us to democracy but take us away from it: whether they are manifestations of force and violence or anarchic and destructive acts. Extremes meet. May we be far removed from them! This is also the appeal: let honest people distance themselves from the «dark forces», from the «destructive forces», from the «destabilizers», from the «bloody confrontations», from the «ominous provocations». But how? All Tirana experienced the shocking, unforgettable events last night, February 20. An unforgettable day that ended with a decision by the Council of Ministers, according to which: «The University of Tirana, since it is to be reorganized, will no longer bear the name “Enver Hoxha”». This was the students’ demand. A large part of the people of Tirana supported this demand. «February 20» proved it. The question arises: why did the Council of Ministers not prevent «February 20»? What is the value of a wise word after the confrontation? Is a general strike not enough (asf-- But let us not stop here. The wise appeal is that we distance ourselves from ominous provocations! Let us distance ourselves... Even if «February 20» had not taken place, the days, subject to our Gregorian calendar, would have been followed by «February 21». A day that began (strangely) calmly. According to the news bulletin: work is proceeding normally in Valias. There are no worker absences at the «Misto Mame» combine. The students, too, are to start again at their usual time and have no further demands, and work has resumed at the other enterprises. There is no longer talk of a general strike. The [unclear] are calm too. And yet, a shocking midday! The «Dëshmorët e Kombit» Boulevard in turmoil! «Skënderbej» Square packed! Who stirred up the wave of silence? Who scratched open the wounds? Readers, forgive me for pausing here, even though I would like to «distance myself from the provocateurs». For better or worse, at 12 o’clock on «February 21» I was on «Dëshmorët e Kombit» Boulevard, one of the few eyewitnesses to the event. Please let me describe it and judge it, after you have… judged me! The two of us were coming from the University toward «Skënderbej» Square. The boulevard was calm, as on any ordinary day. A few passersby came and went. No group gathered to invite danger. No demonstration. Not one. From the corner of the Central Committee, [text unclear/cut] caught my attention… From the corner of … [text cut/illegible] My first thought: What do all these people want in the Bllok? Indeed, (question— (Continued on page 2) in the ... ha mar ajj ur. that why ar. why of a SHI IST anti net gen? Wha’ duk

The Monument of Skënderbeu in «Skënderbej» Square