15 March 1991 will remain a notable date in the history of the Albanian people, because it will open a new era for Albania. It was precisely on 15 March that a memorandum of understanding was signed in Washington between the government of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and the United States of America concerning the re-establishment of diplomatic relations. Beginning that day, as signed on the Albanian side by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhamet Kapllani, and on the American side by the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, Rajmond Saix, diplomatic relations between the two countries were re-established, to be followed by an exchange of diplomatic missions at ambassadorial level. Thus the long-awaited and welcomed day came for the Albanian people. After these relations had been severed for more than half a century because of the fascist occupation of Albania, the American people extended a friendly hand to begin a new era in relations between the two states. Albania and the Albanians, whether old or young, but having learned only recently the historical truths about these relations, thank from the heart President Wilson, who, after the First World War, forcefully opposed the plans of neighbouring chauvinist states, which sought to divide Albania like market spoils. The United States remained grateful to that statesman and to the people he represented. Every Albanian keeps in their conscience gratitude also for the great help and support given by our compatriots who set off into exile and found shelter in this great and powerful country, working there among the American people for their own well-being and their families’ happiness. They organized themselves into associations there, preserved their language and customs, and played a major role in helping every patriotic movement that arose in the motherland. Worthy of special mention is the contribution of the distinguished democrat Monsignor Theofan Noli, who dedicated his life to the national cause and genuine patriotic activities. The spirit of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect between Albanians and the great American people after the Second World War faded and broke down, because our country became completely tied to the socialist camp. The powerful wind of Stalinism blew through Albania and the Albanian Party of Labour, led by Enver Hoxha, instead of friendship, began an adventurous campaign against the United States of America. With Stalinist politicians, the ruling party did everything it could to instil hatred of the USA in the people and to sever every tie connecting our country with the Albanian sons living there. The democracy that was born, political pluralism, Europe’s latest developments and various other factors finally helped correct this historical mistake. The road to friendship was opened with the world’s most powerful and developed state, which is offering us its help. The sole condition of this humanitarian assistance is that the elections of 31 March truly be free and democratic, so that the people may decide their own fate as they wish, and that Albania fulfil its obligations concerning human rights under the Helsinki Charter. These are the demands of the State Department, senators and distinguished people of the USA, so that a mutually cooperative relationship may begin with Albania—the kind the Albanian people have awaited for a long time and will value as extraordinary assistance—so that our beloved homeland may make up for lost time and avoid the damage caused by socialism. As soon as possible. This is in our hands: to deepen the democratic processes further, so that the intelligent friendly hand of the USA—currently that of President George Bush and the Republican Party in power—will never again be absent. The Republican Party of Albania once again expresses its joy at the establishment of these relations and will do everything possible to develop and deepen them further. For the good of Albania, who of America insisted that Albania remain within the same borders it had had before that war. Thus, both the Albanians who worked and lived in America and every honest patriot who lived and worked in the homeland stood firm. [The fragment begins mid-word:] ...of the country, [he] launched Stalinist politicians whom the ruling party followed, [he] did everything possible to instill every tie connecting our country with the Albanian sons who lived and worked in America. But our people’s respect and high regard for the USA and its great people remained untouched in the heart of every Albanian. Fortunately, although it lasted 46 years, that era came to an end. The dawn

As our readers have been informed, by decision of the PRSH Founding Commission, the chairman of this Commission, Sabri Godo, went to Italy to inquire about the situation of the Albanian refugees and the Party’s press opportunities— As our readers have been informed, by decision of the PRSH Founding Commission, the chairman of this Commission, Sabri Godo, went to Italy to inquire about the situation of the Albanian refugees and the Party’s press opportunities. On the second day Sabri Godo visited Brindisi and met many refugees who had recently taken shelter there. These were warm meetings with workers; they will succeed, and many of them will return to the homeland. They all gave their word that they would always remain sons of their mother Albania, patriotic and proud of their country. On the same day Sabri Godo paid a visit to the Prefect of Brindisi and the City Council of this city. He also met and spoke with Mr Latancio, Italy’s Minister for Civil Protection, about the refugee problem, their accommodation and creating ways for them to communicate with their families as quickly as possible. The leadership of the Italian Republican Party has also taken up this matter and is providing concrete assistance. On the third day Sabri Godo held meetings and spoke with Mr Xhovani Spadolini, president of the Italian Senate, and Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Suzana Anjeli. He also held a conference with PRI senior officials. Sabri Godo also spoke with the PRI secretary, Mr Xhorxhio La Malfa. These meetings discussed the situation in Albania, relations between our two countries, and Albania’s needs to secure from Italy and the countries of the European Community the purchase of food supplies for the whole year, at cost-level prices and with long-term credit. They also discussed the possibility of purchasing raw materials for […] and their readiness to work to raise awareness among the institutions of the European Community and the Italian state so that these needs may be met. * * * As part of the ongoing cooperation between PRI and PRSH, on Tuesday, 19 March 1991, at the invitation of the PRSH Founding Commission, a PRI delegation headed by its secretary, Mr Xhorxhka Malfa, will arrive in Tirana for a visit. The delegation will also include the deputy secretaries Vitorio Olçeze, Khirolano Pelikano and Oskar Xhanino. Yesterday Sabri Godo returned to the homeland. «Republika» correspondent In conversation with Albanian refugees Meeting with prominent figures of Brindisi

On 14 March, in the hall at the headquarters of the PPSH, the Tirana branch announced to its members and supporters the candidates proposed for the 29 electoral districts of the Tirana district. It was an important moment in our many efforts to achieve that objective so desired by all the people of the capital and the entire Albanian people: to go calmly and freely to the first truly democratic elections on 31 March. It was work carried out amid many worries and obstacles, amid those shocking events at the end of February, amid the tension and uncertainty of those dark nights that made hearts tremble, but did not paralyse us on our path. We drew up list after list and met with many people from every profession to recruit candidates for parliament from among them. What would they be like? Like those we were used to seeing on television screens, sleeping in the front-row seats, or raising their hands unanimously for every decision or decree even when perhaps they did not know what it was? No! Albania, reborn after a 46-year-long shudder, no longer needs old politicians on their pedestals, in their frames and presidiums; it no longer needs, for the highest state body, […] or brigade commanders of the security forces? Their hidden fronts will be judged by society. We chose politicians with no public profile and those just beginning their careers; those who should take their place must be professional, honest and democratic people, people whom society has valued for their mature opinions. The PRSH envisioned its future MPs as such and chose them accordingly. We begin with Tamara Luarasi, not because she is the only woman candidate (women will forgive us for not maintaining the ratios of 40 percent women, 39 percent young people, 40 percent communists, as we were once perhaps instructed to do even when selecting a simple meeting presidium). She is a mathematician known for her seriousness and passion at work, and for her progressive opinions and judgments. Readers will know Ylvi Pustina as a renowned chess player and an honored master of sport, but he himself wanted first to introduce himself to the electorate of district 205 as a veterinary doctor. Candidate of sciences, chemical engineer and lecturer at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ilo Mele will be the candidate for residents of district 207. We could continue with Dritan Spahuni, a physicist at the Tirana Geophysical Enterprise; Kujtim Harshova, candidate of sciences and director of the Directorate of Cooperation and Coordination at DPIM; Thanas Qerama, editor-in-chief of the magazine «Horizonti»; Aleksandër Çlën, director of the Institute of Geology and Mines and chairman of the Geological Association of Albania; Viron Koka, doctor of historical sciences and chairman of the Tirana section of the Forum for Human Rights; Abdulla Kollazi, head of the Education section in Region No. 2; Fedor Kallajxhiu, member of the PRSH Founding Commission and deputy director of the Obetrokt Gynecological Hospital; Qenc Çela, mechanical engineer at QSPE. In district 209, Eduard Laze has been put forward: 30 years old, among the youngest candidates, and head of the planning department at the Autotractor Combine. Also known for his thoughtful writings published in the newspapers «Republik[a]», «Drita» and «RD» is the candidate of medical sciences, sports doctor Lluka Heqimi (sports fans will forgive us for not introducing him as the doctor of the national football team). We also mention the lecturer at the UT Faculty of Economics, Hilmi Vuthi; candidate of sciences and head of the design bureau for teaching aids at the Ministry of Education, Aleksandër Gjollma; UT lecturer and engineer Ruzhdi Karapici; mechanical engineer at the Ministry of Agriculture Maksim Begeja; and candidate of medical sciences, dentist Çerçiz Mingomata. And which MPs does the PR present for the rural districts of the Tirana district? They are doctor of agricultural sciences Hysen Çobani, member of our Party’s Founding Commission; Thanas Pashaj, a veteran agronomist who has served devotedly at many agricultural enterprises in the district; agronomist Ismail Malaj, specialist in Region No. 4; lecturer at ILB and candidate of sciences Hajri Ranin; agronomist at the Directorate of Farms, Xhenal Priska; engineers Agim Mallka and Luftulla Peza, well known in the sectors where they have worked and continue to work; Petro Biti, head of the eight-year school in Kërrabë; physics teacher in the village of Mëzez, Imir Kambo; and finally our two journalists, Petro Dhimitri and Gani Leka. These were the Republican candidates of the Tirana district for the next parliament. Get to know them, judge their work objectively, and give them your free vote.

The Founding Commission for the reopening of the Bektashi Tekkes has the honour of informing all believers of every faith that on Friday, 22 March 1991, at 10:00, the sacred ceremony for the reopening of the World Bektashi Headquarters, based in Tirana on «Ali Demi» Street (the former old people’s home), will take place. The Founding Commission These days, conferences of the Republican Party branches in the districts of Vlorë, Fier and Lezhë were held in those cities. Intellectuals, workers, women and young people took part. The chairmen and activists of the PR spoke about the party’s programme. In Vlorë, Petraq Jorgji, chairman of the branch district’s governing council, spoke; in Fier, Fatmir Mejdiu acquainted those present with the PR programme; while in Lezhë, Tonin Cobani opened the meeting and Pal Pali spoke. At these conferences, members of the PR Founding Commission also greeted those present and spoke: Hysen Çobani in Vlorë and Aqim Zeka in Lezhë, while in Fier the chairman of this commission, Sabri Godo, delivered the greeting.

57 million inhabitants divided among 327 municipalities, the fifth economic power in the world, the sixth military power... 12 thousand dollars per capita per year, homeland of art and culture, motherland of 12 December (the day of the rights of man and citizen). Led by the parties of the centre, only three of which together reach 51 per cent. Nevertheless, they have often preferred to be governed by all five parties. An expression of pure democracy and understanding. The symbol of democracy for Italians is the USA, where the Republicans have lost twice in the last three decades (against Kennedy and Carter); nevertheless, the Republican Party of La Malfa and Spadolini, which has been in the opposition since the war, is also highly respected and receives many votes. And they condemned the […] of our art. Italy. Italy of the «Ferrari» motor, the toy cars of Marlënelos, has today become the symbol of an economy that knows no ups and downs, but always moves forward. Today the Italian lira, together with the German mark, are two strong and stable currencies on the world market. And who more than us could benefit from this economic colossus developing no farther than 100 kilometres from us? It was in this way that relations with Italy fell to zero for five years, solely because of the Popaj family. Albanian fantasy politics has astonished the world. Italy. Italy of Marco Polo and Amerigo Vespucci. Italians have discovered and […] travelled the world. Paolo Pinto swims from Italy to Albania: an irony of fate. I know Italians who face negative consequences on «Asmara G-» Street (the location of our embassy in Rome), despite having all the required documents. (Continued on page 4)

In conversation with Albanian refugees