At the invitation of the country’s Government of Stability, yesterday the Deputy Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Dr. Hans Dietrich Gensher, paid an official visit to our country; he also came in his capacity as Chairman of the CSCE Council of Ministers. At the invitation of the country’s Government of Stability, yesterday the Deputy Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Dr. Hans Ditrith Gensher, paid an official visit to our country; he also came in his capacity as Chairman of the CSCE Council of Ministers. At Rinas Airport he was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhamet Kapllani, the Minister of Construction, Emin Mysliu, and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also present was the chargé d’affaires a.i. of the German Embassy in the Republic of Albania, Kristian Nakonc. Mr. Gensher had a packed schedule of meetings with senior officials of our country that day. Thus, talks were held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, headed by Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani, and the delegation of the German Foreign Ministry, headed by Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Dr. Hans Ditrith Gensher. At the meeting, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani praised Mr. Gensher’s role in supporting and developing Albanian-German relations and stressed that the current visit was taking place at a time when Albania was experiencing historic moments on its path toward the comprehensive democratization of life in the country. He also stressed Albania’s readiness to sign and implement all CSCE documents, from the Helsinki Final Act to the Charter of Paris. Addressing bilateral relations, the German Foreign Minister stressed his government’s readiness to intensify these relations and advance the process of Albania’s economic recovery. The Minister of Construction, Emin Mysliu, also attended the meeting. Yesterday at noon, Prime Minister Ylli Bufi received German Foreign Minister Dr. Hans Ditrith Gensher at the Prime Minister’s Office. After welcoming him, the Albanian prime minister said, «I consider this visit another friendly gesture by the German government and by you personally, in support of the processes of democratization in Albania and, in this context, of the country’s Government of Stability.» «I have come at a very important moment for your country and for Europe,» said Hans Ditrith Gensher, adding that «in Germany we are following with sympathy the fact that Albania has embarked on the road to democratization.» Mr. Gensher also declared that the German government would support Albania’s admission as a full member of the CSCE, but that such a decision would be taken by consensus. He agreed with the Albanian prime minister that pluralism expressed in this country was something for which all the possibilities existed. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Dr. Gramoz Pashko also attended the meeting. The President of the Republic of Albania, Ramiz Alia, received Dr. Hans Ditrith Gensher at the Palace of Brigades. President Ramiz Alia welcomed Mr. Gensher to Albania and expressed his pleasure at meeting him again. He described the two meetings with Mr. Gensher as very important, held at two different times. The first time, he said, among other things, we met just after diplomatic relations between the two countries had been established. Now we meet at a time when, as in Europe and the world, many changes have taken place in Albania. Dr. Gensher welcomed the fact that, as in the world, transformations toward democratization and openness had also taken place in Albania, and described our country’s determination to advance this process as very important—a process that, as he stressed, also requires the implementation of the necessary economic reforms. The German minister praised the new political choice in Albania, the inclusion of political forces in the Government of Stability, as an act that builds confidence both within and outside Albania. He emphasized that no state can develop on its own and that Germany is ready to cooperate with Albania. An important matter, he noted, would be the establishment of relations between Albania and the European Community. Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani also attended the reception. Republic of Albania, Kristian Nako(n)c, was present at all the meetings. Yesterday, Dr. Hans Ditrih Gensher left our country. (ATSH) life in the country, when the Albanian people had great faith in Germany’s support, just as they hoped for the support of Europe. At the meeting, the Albanian wish was expressed that Berlin, which had now become the symbol of German unity, would also be the starting point for Albania’s full participation in the CSCE. Dr. Hans Dietrich Gensher welcomed developments and democratic changes in Albania and said that he had come here also as Chairman of the CSCE Council of Foreign Ministers, which would meet in Berlin. He expressed Germany’s support for the democratization processes in Albania and praised the commitment of Albanian political forces to cooperate in overcoming the difficult situation. He praised Likewise, Mr. Gensher declared that the German government would strive to have Albania admitted as a full member of the CSCE, but such a decision, he added, would be made pluralism, also reflected in the composition of the government, is a guarantee that fosters further confidence in the deepening of democracy in Albania. During the continuation of the talks, Prime Minister Ylli Bufi distanced himself from the previous positions of party and state officials on relations with Germany, which had stemmed from ideological prejudices. He asked the German government to commit itself to providing Albania with more substantial financial support as well. The German foreign minister stressed that problems of this kind would be discussed at a special bilateral level, so that economic and financial relations between Germany and Albania could make further progress.

The press conference given by the Italian Foreign Minister, Mr. Xhani De Mikelis, to Albanian and foreign journalists marked the close of a full day of intense diplomatic activity. But it was also the opening of a wide-ranging diplomatic effort that the Government of Stability will pursue with its many partners in Western Europe. Why did it begin precisely now and not earlier, when Albania had needed friends for a long time? It is clear. No one would offer such concrete support to a one-party government, a government of that party which, although it changed its name, would need the waters of the «Adriatic River» to wash away its bad Communist reputation, the virus that keeps Europe and the USA at the other corner of the world. So, then, a step was needed, and the opposition took it with courage and determination. Nearly 50 years had to pass before an Italian foreign minister came to Albania, because that is how long it took Albanians to open the heavy doors of the prison. Speaking figuratively, Minister De Mikelis said that we are no longer separated by a sea but by a river (the Strait of Otranto), clearly demonstrating his government’s readiness to be on the «Prima Linea» of European policy toward Albania. Asked what conditioned this position, he replied that, first and foremost, it stemmed from Western Europe’s response to the wind of democracy now blowing here. Second were geographical proximity and the historical, trade and cultural ties that gave Italy this advanced role within the European Common Market. A multicoloured government was needed so that not only Albanians but also Western Europe could breathe more freely. Thus, during the press conference, De Mikelis expressed his confidence that Albania would become a CSCE member on Thursday, following the establishment of diplomatic relations with the EEC, expected on Monday. These steps will lead to other developments, such as our country’s inclusion in Western programmes for the development of Eastern Europe, integration into European organizations and institutions, the IMF, the World Bank, etc. The optimism generated by this press conference in the press room of the Palace of Congresses was also evident in the attempts of some journalists to applaud, even as they tried to record every word in their notebooks: words of hope. Regarding Italy’s concrete assistance to Albania, the figure of 60 billion lire was astonishing: 28 billion in food, 2 billion in medicines and 30 billion in credit for industrial raw materials. This aid will also be followed by assistance from the other EEC countries. Deputy Prime Minister Gramoz Pashko’s visit to Italy this month will help make this plan concrete and also determine the main points of medium-term, three-year cooperation, as the Italian minister himself put it. By now everyone has understood, including those Labour conservative forces in parliament, that «the old is collapsing, a new world is blossoming in the German way». Only the completion of pluralist democracy and the long-awaited establishment of social peace can bring about an end to the general economic and spiritual crisis. The Western world has switched on its radars to pick up signals coming from Albania. So, no more of yesterday’s tortoise pace, no more weak intensity. Then, at last, they will extend a hand to us so we can make a start toward Europe.

(MILK, NOSTALGIA, MILK) — SATIRE — …Psssh psssh psssh. Well, Congress, eh! Did you see that, man? Heh, heh, heh! Those little devils with their damned brooms are driving us crazy. Some Congress! No drums, no “long live”. Do you remember how these things used to be done once upon a time? The cauldron was boiling a year in advance. Woooo, the newspapers. The radio, the festivals. Woooo, and the poets too. Come on, you remember, don’t you? And when they saw us off with bagpipes and zurnas. And when we turned the hall upside down with applause and cheering. Ah, those days are gone… What time is it? Two? Damn it, the night’s gone to pieces… So, what about the report, eh… what did you think of the report? Huh, nothing. No promises, no overfulfilment, no “long live”. Some report! Before, every five or seven Albanians would applaud and shout “bravo,” and all the little boxes would light up. Industry, so many percent… Bravo! Agriculture, no idea what… Bravo! The housing problem will be solved once and for all in two years. Bravooo! They clapped so hard our hands hurt! Ah, we were real fighters… These people today have neither blood nor soul. Heh, heh! Damn cough! That’s how it is: these ones can barely manage a few lifeless claps. Paf, puf. As if they hadn’t eaten. What did you say? They shouted a lot too? Oh, what do you call a lot, my friend? When we shouted, the walls shook. Say they didn’t, if you want. Whose bottle is this? Eh? The tenth. I didn’t mean in the queue, no. I meant the Congress. Heh, heh! Well, Congress. No drums, no “long live”. Remember how smoothly the words used to roll off our tongues back then? From Vermoshi to Konispoli, about the Party’s magnificent achievements… we… with unprecedented drive… Some were in folk costumes. Some wore qylafe. And there was music everywhere. Flags. And “long live”. And “bravo”. Ah, we really made it rock, no kidding. We were on fire. When we remembered, eh… What? Don’t you remember that I ever spoke up? Heh, heh! But… from the floor, man. From the floor. Oh, how many times we spoke and shouted, we from the floor—long live this and that. We were brave and happy. When we spoke, we were hoarse for a week afterwards. I swear. You remember, don’t you? Ah, and the speeches were long back then too, they were bullets, not like theirs, which… When we shouted, the Americans were scared stiff. Remember? The Americans were such cowards, eh? Say they weren’t, if you want. Heh, heh, heh! This damned queue has given us a chill… And the Russians! Oho, they’d cover their ears and scarper at full speed. Phew, what a stink they made… Come on, it’s true, isn’t it? The whole world had its eyes on us. It wanted to catch up with us, but couldn’t. Just check the time again. What? Three? Hm, time sure flies! Did you get the meat? Yeah, the ration coupon. I had mine yesterday too. The foreign kind, of course. These bastards (Continued on page 2) VANGJUSH SARO

MEETING BETWEEN PR REPRESENTATIVES AND MEMBERS OF THE WORLD BANK DELEGATION At the PR headquarters, on 12 and 13 June 1991, talks were held between Hysen Çobani and Teodor Kareco, members of the Republican Party’s Founding Commission, and World Bank representatives Thomas E. Daves, Çaba Csaki and Frank J. Lysy. They focused on the economic problems currently concerning the country in general and those of the countryside in particular, as well as the Republican Party’s programme and the alternatives it offers. The meeting took place in a spirit of cooperation and full understanding and was considered useful by both sides. Correspondent of “Republika” MEETING BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE PR BRANCH COUNCIL FOR TIRANA AND MR. MERI KETRIN, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ALBANIA AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN STUDIES IN WASHINGTON A working meeting and exchange of views was held at the PR headquarters for the Tirana Branch between the Tirana Branch Council and Mr. Meri Ketrin. The discussion involved an exchange of views and opinions on the issues currently concerning the country and the framework for developing democratization processes in the country. At the end, Mr. Meri Ketrin thanked those present for their assistance with her mission in Albania. The meeting was attended by Hysen Çobani, a member of the PR Founding Commission, and Maksim Havajari, chair of the Steering Commission for the Tirana Branch. Correspondent of “Republika”

What has happened to us when we think back on the 46 years gone by! We laugh—thank goodness for laughter. What fools we must have been! But a little later, a shattering shiver runs through our whole body, and we almost start to cry. It is hard to say what the present is like. We can say one thing, at least: from morning till night we are busy with politics, and even the two nerve fibres we managed to save from the pressure of the dictatorship are being worn down. And tomorrow? Hope for a smile. Just be careful not to shed tears too, without meaning to… THE IMMORTAL WORK IN THE GARBAGE BIN One day I went into a private snack bar. I ordered two shish kebabs and 0.5 lek’s worth of bread. I started eating with great relish, but immediately my eyes fell on the paper the kebabs were wrapped in. Through the grease stains, I read: «…how can a Communist be called revolutionary if he walks six times a day over the droppings that have filled the stairwell of his apartment building, and does not take the trouble to put an end to such a situation and educate all the building’s residents?» (E. Hoxha, Against Modern Revisionism; Collected Works 1965–66, page 404). I was disgusted by my food, so I got ready to leave the place. But a small sign at the entrance made me laugh. It clearly read: «We wrap things in works written by E. Hoxha. Price: 1 lek apiece.» ENOUGH, DE… MY SUIT’S GETTING OLD A Communist from the early days had been calculating for some time how much and how many things he could have bought, if only he had not been paying party dues all these years. A color television (in fact, he didn’t even have a black-and-white one), a refrigerator, and so on. If he hadn’t been obliged to buy all those books, how much would he have in his savings account now? A lot. Add the interest, too… quite a tidy sum. But what if?… “Enough of this kind of calculation,” he said to his wife one day. “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll hand in my party membership card, and with the savings I’ve accumulated I’ll have a suit made every year.” PAVLOV’S DOG In front of the gate of the villa, where Mother Teresa is carrying out her charitable mission together with the sisters accompanying her, many people are waiting their turn to meet her. Every day at the same time, around lunchtime, people are startled by a stray dog that circles around barking, then leaves in despair, with its tail between its legs. It is no wonder. Once, the happy resident of that villa was F. Muliu, Shkodra’s red Muliu, the coachman Muho Asllani. Every day at lunchtime, his wife, Lumi, used to feed the household’s only dog, which, it was said, ate two to three tollons—enough to make even the soldier guarding the door envious. The leftovers were eaten by Pavlov’s dog. Poor thing: although quite some time has passed, it still hasn’t realized that its generous friend has been transferred to Sukth. SPIRO LITO

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