REPUBLICAN PARTY ALBANIAN • 1991 March 31 THE REPUBLICAN PARTY invites you to … ALBANIAN REPUBLICAN PARTY • 1991. March 31. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY invites you to…

It is not difficult to criticize the situation in which our people find themselves today, and even less so to expose it. What matters is to point out the way forward, to find the means of overcoming the difficult and grave socioeconomic situation of our people, and on this basis to look with optimism and confidence toward their future. The Albanian people have always been distinguished by their wisdom and intelligence. Even in the most difficult moments of their lives, they have managed to survive, have known how to preserve their vitality and see the light of a future perspective. And they have done so through their wisest and most learned sons. The Republican Party, as a worthy continuation of the best democratic traditions of the people who gave birth to it, has made many valuable proposals at this time, when everything seems dark to us; it has offered many ideas and solutions which, most importantly, have been put forward and put into practice. Our present Albanian reality, from January until today, confirms this and obliges every Albanian citizen who has not joined a political party to consciously choose their political path and no longer remain waiting, “in the shadows,” but to become an active citizen at this moment, when the Fatherland needs them more than ever. The Republican Party’s economic program is distinguished by its originality. It will resolutely defend the economic interests of workers, peasants and employees. The Republican Party supports diverse forms of ownership, with a tendency toward expanding and strengthening private property. It views the transition to the free market, the only effective way for our economy to emerge from backwardness under today’s conditions of an excessively centralized economy, as a transition that must be made gradually. In our country, where 65 percent of the population lives in the countryside, the problem of the peasantry is especially pressing. Since the peasantry is the broadest economic stratum, it is now time for it to take its rightful place and to see and enjoy the development it deserves. The Republican Party will demand that the principle “The land belongs to the one who works it” be put into practice, with the question of distributing the land to be settled by law. Whether agricultural cooperatives exist or not will be decided by the village and the peasant, as the best judge of this matter. Let them decide what is best for themselves and the country. In its program, the Republican Party announces that it will seriously commit itself to providing assistance to increase mechanization and technical support, so that the sector can advance toward contemporary standards. It will fight for banks to provide low-interest loans to private farmers, groups or cooperatives for equipment, construction, livestock, seeds, etc. The issue of women, who make up more than half the population, cannot be outside the Republican Party’s concern. It wants women to be obliged to abandon more of the duties of the sea, with whom the chairman of the PRSH Initiative Commission, Sabri Godo, also met and spoke. The Republican Party will fight to create opportunities for young people to make contact with Europe and the world, and for every young person to be free to choose their education and type of work according to their inclinations. Throughout its activities, this party promises to pay great attention to the problem of our Kosovar brothers, aspiring to the unity of the nation, while leaving this matter to be entirely determined by the wishes and right to self-determination of Albanians living in their own territories in Yugoslavia. It will fight for the full respect of the rights of national minorities in Albania. I draw this lesson from its program, and it makes me happy. But for this new party to fully implement the program it has set for itself, it needs the support, help and contribution of everyone; therefore, by suppor… there… … the finest democratic traditions of the people that this time, when everything seems dark to us, and has offered many mature opinions which, more importantly, have been put into practice. Our present-day Albanian reality, from January until today, proves and forcefully confirms this. The Republican Party also deserves undeniable credit for the fact that today we are proceeding freely, without confrontations or clashes, toward the March 31 elections—the first free, pluralist elections since the liberation of the Homeland. Therefore, it is our duty… … the finest democratic traditions of the people that Therefore, it is our duty… In the conditions of the countryside, the issue of the peasantry becomes more pressing. Seeing the peasantry as the nation’s broadest social stratum, and as a force that will play a decisive role in the fate of the Homeland, the Republican Party gives the countryside its greatest attention. It was the Albanian countryside that yesterday bore on its shoulders the heaviest burden of the National Liberation War and carried the main weight of our economic development. In today’s conditions of an extremely centralized economy, it sees this as a transition that must be made gradually. the population, cannot be outside the Republican Party’s attention; it will fight resolutely for their legitimate rights in the city and the countryside. We are all aware of the heavy burden borne today by Albanian women. Its primary concern is care for the youth. Thousands of young people feel this great concern today; we feel it these days especially… banks should provide low-interest loans to private farmers and cooperative groups for work equipment, construction, animals, seeds, etc. For this new party to fully carry out the program it has set for itself, it needs everyone’s maturity, assistance, and contribution. Therefore, taking this opportunity, I would appeal to all those who do not belong to any political party, especially my friends, comrades, and acquaintances, not only to vote for the Republican Party, but also to become its supporters and members. AGIM FONA Candidate of pedagogical sciences at the Faculty of History and Philology

On my way to the refugees, I crossed half of Italy without seeing anything. A great worry makes smaller worries imperceptible. I had to meet the refugees, intervene on their behalf, get the lists, do something so that those 20,000 boys, girls and children could get in touch with their families as soon as possible. Because tens of thousands of families in Albania had suddenly fallen into the deepest anguish over their sons, who had set out on a “nine-point” sea, and no one knew whether they had made it alive to some shore. This anguish would have overwhelmed anyone undertaking the journey I made, an anguish that takes your breath away. But television and newspapers everywhere in the world preserve the subjects that make up the news. All the interviews had to be got through, along with the greetings from Brindisi’s municipal council, convened especially for the occasion, and the prefect’s greetings. I had to meet Latancio, the minister dealing with the refugees. He listened sympathetically to my requests, but also heard the shouts outside from a group demanding his resignation for incompetence in handling the Albanians. Meanwhile, the hours were passing. At last, the line of cars set off for the refugees. But where were they? A large number had been housed in schools, and that day they were being taken to camps and other towns. We had to go a long way to reach them. More meetings. Calls of astonishment and embraces. Boys on buses. Calls of astonishment and embraces. “Boys! Behave yourselves honorably, with strong hearts. As for the men, beware of drugs and the Mafia.” “Don’t worry, we won’t bring shame on ourselves. We’ll work for our families and Albania.” Will we be able to stay away from drugs, the Mafia and AIDS to the very end? Anyone who thinks about these things shudders here. But when you think of them, you stand firm. All you can do is listen while they make their promises. You can’t help murmuring “May God protect them,” even if you don’t believe in God. In the nearby camp, with 820 refugees, a certain atmosphere prevails. The food is good and plentiful. There is proper medical supervision, a television room, sports. After 40 days they will be distributed among other centers, for various jobs. Requests are coming from all over Italy to take Albanians on for work and give them shelter in homes. We go into the infirmary. There are two sisters from Shijak there, one of them pregnant. “Goodness, this one is from Albania!” They both burst into tears, cling to me and will not let go. One has left four children and her husband in Shijak. She had set out, dazed and swept along by the crowd, without managing to talk things over with her husband. From the moment the crowd carried her away until now, as she hangs around my neck, she has lived in anguish. She trembles and shakes, asking me about her children. The general and his entourage stand farther away, at attention. Outside, word spreads that an Albanian has arrived. The crowd presses in. “Long live democracy, long live the Republicans!” Everyone wants to kiss me, even just one of these shoulders; everyone wants to say something or hand over a note. One person slips a 500-lek note into my pocket for home. “Which home!” Five carabinieri step in to stop the crowd from pressing together. As the world swirled around me, I made out this voice: “What do you think, uncle, did we do the right thing by leaving?” “You did well to leave; now stand firm.” “Ah, thank you so much. Don’t worry, we won’t forget the Fatherland. Do you hear me?” “I hear you, and I believe you. The Arbëreshë did not forget the Fatherland for 500 years.” Meanwhile I hold tightly by the hand a 13-year-old boy. He has one brother in Sarandë, and perhaps the other is in Milan. The boy looks straight into your eyes, a local lad, handsome and strong. Why didn’t I write down his name? But what could I write down, what could I leave behind? Each of these thousands of boys has a story, a particular reason that forced him to set out across a rough sea, leaving behind everything he held dear. At 6 in the morning we enter a bar near the airport. A typically Italian man comes to the table and asks what he should do about the Albanians he has at home. His wife comes over too and starts to cry. The Albanian boy refuses even to eat; he doesn’t want charity, he wants to work. But the carabinieri won’t let him because of certain formalities, and the poor woman is waiting in the heat, all the way from Albania. A lump rises in my throat too, for the proud boy. “May I kiss your hand, ma’am?” “No, I’ll kiss yours.” And she gets up and kisses me three times. That is how people are here in Puglia. And almost every family in Brindisi took an Albanian into its home. That is also why registration is difficult: they have been scattered into the surrounding areas too. The colonel of the carabinieri says, “I swear by …” (Continued on page 3)

—GREETINGS FROM XHOZEF DIO GUARDI AT RINAS AIRPORT— Good afternoon! I am coming for the third time to the land of the Albanians, to your country and mine. Good afternoon! I am coming for the third time to the land of the Albanians, to your country and mine. As before, I am very happy to be among you and to share with you some of the most moving moments in Albania’s history. These days will be remembered as the era when Albania, after a very long interruption, re-enters the history of Europe. I agree with you that Albania belongs to Europe as an integral and organic part of it. Albania’s fate is bound up with Europe, its past is bound up with Europe, and its present cannot be built outside Europe. We have come to bear witness to this process and to offer our modest help in achieving your goal. We thank all those who helped us make this day possible, and we will do everything we can to serve your interests, the interests of democratization, and the interests of the Albanian people. Our position and duty are not to support or oppose one group or another. We will fulfill our duty only if we are impartial, and we assure you that this principle is of the utmost importance to us. Nothing is more contrary to democracy than democracy trying to impose itself on others. Democracy is synonymous with freedom, and only in complete freedom will you achieve your goal of building democracy in your country. We want to remind you that the whole world has its eyes turned toward Albania, waiting to see the maturity of this ancient people, the Albanians. The world expects you to show tolerance, understanding and cooperation for the good of your country and your people. Also remember that democracy accepts that even an opponent believes they are right. The challenge is to present convincingly that your cause is just, and to do so with civility. I can add that we bring you the best wishes and greetings of the ever-growing Albanian-American community, which stands with you at this critical moment. May God bless the Albanian people and their hope for a better life and greater freedom. Thank you! March 25, 1991.

We are four people discussing politics. We do not belong to any political party; just to be proper, we have “brought along” as a “consultant” or “observer” the father of one of us, who is a communist. Uncle Pilo does not get angry with us, because he loves us and we love him. We say again that we are neither politicians nor economists, but as educated people we will also have our say. We are in a predicament because, as we all know, for the first time we will … … truly, freely, and for whichever party we want. We say this because some time ago (a long time ago) voting was simple for us, so simple that we did not have to think about it at all. As we know, on election day we “would get up at night” (loudspeakers woke us, shouting because it was a celebration, along with the noisy knocking on apartment doors by Front activists so that we would not be late for voting); although we could hardly wait, we stood there full of joy at the gates of the polling station, where quite a queue had formed (we were used to that). There was often a queue, even though inside the polling station there was also the list… (Continued on page 4)

THE GREAT HISTORIC HOUR HAS ARRIVED; THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS VOTES FOR DEMOCRACY ARE VOTES FOR ALBANIA’S PATH TOWARD EUROPE

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY leads you toward THE REBIRTH OF THE FATHERLAND, TRUE DEMOCRACY, INTEGRATION INTO EUROPE.