JOINT STATEMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY The times we are going through are among the most difficult, but also among the most decisive for Albania and the Albanians. Faced with the need to accelerate the establishment of true democracy in Albania, the PD, PR and PSD consider further coordination of their political activities essential. They appeal to the Albanian people, their members and supporters, our diaspora wherever it may be, as well as democratic forces around the world, to support these joint political actions as a fundamental condition for preventing the return of dictatorship in Albania and for rapid national progress. Despite the achievements to date of the democratic revolution in Albania, the PD, PR and PSD believe that, in order to avert chaos and contribute to establishing stability as fully as possible, it is an urgent duty to undertake concrete joint political measures: 1. We demand the dissolution of the State Security service, which bears responsibility for the monstrous acts committed against the Albanian people and nation during the period of Enverist dictatorship. It is responsible for the strategy of violence and terror it employed during the period of pluralism, which cost the Albanian people dozens of victims and hundreds of wounded, and brought the country to the brink of civil war several times. It is responsible for the chaos and crime that currently exist, for the burning and destruction of schools and bakeries, and for the looting of humanitarian aid. We are convinced that the organizers of the mass exoduses are certain structures of the State Security service that have remained tools of the red leadership. We therefore demand the criminal prosecution, at every level, of the organizers of these exoduses. 2. The information media, RTV, ATSH, radio and technical services, and all party press organs. The executive committees of the districts, in accordance with the new conditions, are to appoint the editorial boards of local newspapers and place them under their authority. 3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not responding to the radical changes that have taken place in Albania, becoming a serious obstacle to establishing new relations between our country and other countries. The same people who served the policy of self-isolation, the division of our diaspora, the severing of its ties with the Homeland, and Albania’s separation from the advanced democratic countries continue to occupy positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy network. This ministry is taking no concrete measures to organize economic emigration and is doing nothing to reunite families separated as a result of the exoduses. Recognizing the great importance this ministry has in establishing new ties with developed democratic countries—ties vital to the full democratization of Albania—we demand the swift replacement of department heads and ambassadors. 4. In support of social justice and the will of the people, we demand that the blockist party officials who have abused their positions and stolen at the people’s expense be brought to trial as soon as possible. 5. All emblems and symbols of communist rule must be removed. 6. All those who were sentenced for their political beliefs during the Stalinist-Enverist regime must be granted amnesty. They must receive full political, economic and social rehabilitation. Real conditions for national reconciliation must be created, based on international human rights documents. 7. Conscious of the spiritual… aware of the spiritual, economic and political mutilation caused by the rule of the harsh Enverist dictatorship, we appeal to our people to rise above their misfortunes, as the only path to the democratic rebirth of the nation. All democratic forces and forces responsible for maintaining order must do everything to prevent crime and preserve public peace. To this end, disarming civilians is also essential. All these measures serve to increase confidence, maintain public peace, and create the conditions for economic recovery and the country’s stability. DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPUBLICAN PARTY SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY ... the organizers of the these exoduses. 2. The information media—RTV, ATSH, radio stations and local newspapers—continue to function as instruments of monism, censoring free democratic thought. We therefore call on the information authorities to reform themselves in accordance with the new pluralist structure of Albanian society. To this end: — The relevant parliamentary bodies should intervene to replace the heads of Radio and Television and the editors-in-chief. They should be replaced by people who have the consensus of the parties in the governing coalition. The parliamentary information commission should establish an interparty council to monitor RTV. — They should be placed on an equal material footing

It was officially announced that in September, October and November Italy will supply Albania with 100,000 tons of wheat, 23,000 tons of sugar, 8,000 tons of rice, 15,000 tons of cooking oil, 13,000 tons of meat, 2,400 tons of butter, 6,000 tons of powdered milk, 66 million eggs, 10,000 tons of flour, 3,300 tons of beans, and 2.6 million liters of soap and detergent. We thank President Kosiga, the government and the friendly, brotherly Italian people for this humanitarian aid at such a critical time for Albania. Germany, too, a traditional friend of our country, agreed to provide us with financial and technical assistance amounting to 50 million marks (28.5 million dollars). Most of the aid, around 34 million marks (19.4 million dollars), will be provided as long-term loans to secure food products, infrastructure and medical assistance. Bonn’s Ministry of Economic Cooperation announced that the new program will also include technical assistance worth 16 million marks (9.1 million dollars) for projects, including potato cultivation and coal and copper mining. All that remains is for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work, because we will have the help of Europe and SIBA. The future belongs to us, to democracy.

More than two weeks have passed since that bloody exodus took place, shaking all of Albania. It began in Vlora and ended in Durrës, like a march by the poet Veli. For two weeks journalists, investigators, government officials and writers have been talking, asking questions and turning the facts over in their minds in an effort to reach a conclusion. The first question everyone asks is: Was the exodus accidental, or was it a perfectly organized operation, as the lads know how to plan? There is not the slightest doubt that the latter is true. It seems unnecessary to us to present arguments for this. So where should we look for the hand that appears and reappears from time to time as soon as the country manages to catch its breath a little? Some newspapers find the culprits among the fleet’s own employees, from the ordinary sailor all the way up to the director. The first reason: Why did the ship Durrësi, with Captain Theodhor Baba, go to Vlora to take on water? He thought this was the “golden key” that confirmed the idea of an organized exodus involving fleet employees as well. But is that really the case? I am convinced it is not. Anyone who sits down to talk with the crews of these ships and the leaders of the Durrës fleet will undoubtedly reach this conclusion. Durrës has been without water for some time. He- from time to time, conditions at the port of Durrës become so critical that there is not even water there to wash the dishes. It may sound like an anecdote, but that is how it is. In particular, so that we can reach a clear conclusion without speculation, we will describe chronologically the movements of the ship Durrësi, from which the first refugees who marked the third exodus departed. On Sunday, 5.8.1991, at 01:30, the ship Durrësi left the port heading for Vlora to take on water. The order came from the fleet directorate. The ship remained at anchor in the roadstead until 05:30 in the morning. It arrived in Vlora at 10:30 and dropped anchor one mile from the shore. At 20:00 on Monday, the first tanker arrived; it finished unloading at 00:30. Around six o’clock on Tuesday morning, the captains of the ship Durrësi and the tanker decided that the ship Durrësi should move to within about 250–300 meters of the shore to make the water supply easier. (This move was approved by the Vlora harbormaster’s office.) The second tanker began unloading at around 08:00 on Tuesday. At around 12:30–13:00, via the tanker, GANI LEKA boarded. (Continued on page 3)

On 23 August, at the request of the Socialist Party, a meeting was held at the PR Central Headquarters with the socialist gentlemen Fatos Nano, Namik Dokle and Gramoz Ruçi, and the PR representatives, the gentlemen Sabri Godo, Viron Koka and Çerçiz Mingomata. The PS representatives voiced their concern regarding the joint statement drawn up by the PD, PR and PSD. After speaking about the statement, Mr. Godo once again asked the socialist gentlemen to approve its demands, to give the people reason to believe in their renewal. Nevertheless, there are many issues that cannot be easily overcome, because, with regard to many painful events such as burnings, destruction and veça- burnings, destruction and especially mass exoduses, public opinion is convinced that the destructive forces of the State Security service and the poor work of the Ministry of Public Order are involved—institutions directed by the PS, which has many leaders in parliament and in government. Among other things, Mr. Nano stres-sed that they too agreed that, in order to be democratic and more effective, parliament should have different people in its composition, but maintaining peace requires a major commitment from all political parties. Each side insisted on its own arguments, but it was agreed that further meetings would also be held.

On Friday afternoon at 18:00, a rally was held at the “Dinamo” stadium, initiated by the Tirana branch of the PD, to express the participation of several thousand citizens. Representatives of the Republican and Social Democratic parties were invited. The rally was opened by the chairman of the PD branch for Tirana, Prof. Dr. Ylli Vjesiu. His speech was accompanied by the participants’ chants of “Freedom-Democracy,” “Bring the arsonists to trial”... Dr. S. Berisha, chairman of the PD, Eduard Selami, secretary of the PD, and A. Hajdari spoke at the rally. The rally was also greeted by Mr. M. Haviari, chairman of the PR branch for Tirana, and Prof. Dr. S. Gjinhushi, chairman of the PSD. Those present held banners reading “The people want order and peace,” “Democracy will triumph without pain,” “Dictatorships everywhere in the world are destined to die,” “Remove F. Kumbaro and H. Lita from the leadership of RTV,” “Freedom, Democracy,” and so on. The rally was conducted in accordance with the rules. Correspondent of “Republika”

On Thursday, in the hall of the National Historical Museum, the Tirana branch organized a press conference with journalists, supporters and PR members, together with Mr. Sabri Godo, concerning current and national issues. The conference was opened by the chairman of the PR branch for Tirana, Mr. Makeim Haviari. “The economic situation is currently at risk,” said Mr. Godo. “Someone is working to destabilize the country. We are heading toward one of the most difficult and severe periods for the nation. The PR National Council discussed and approved a series of measures to stop this situation. This will benefit the people and serve the country’s interests. To this end, the PR will cooperate with the PD and PSD, as has been made known to the public in the joint statement.” The conference was made engaging by the many questions addressed to Mr. Sabri Godo about recent events, his clarification of many questions, and his impressions of his recent visit to the USA. Correspondent of “Republika”

These days, in the hall of the House of Culture in the city of Lushnjë, the PR branch organized an event for Kosovo. Members and supporters of the branch, as well as members of the «Kosova» association branch, attended the meeting. A delegation from the Republican Party of Kosovo, headed by its chairman, Mr. Reshat Nurboja, was also invited. The chairman, Mr. Shpend Sallaku, gave a brief overview of the PR’s reach and activities in Lushnjë. Then the chairman of the PR of Kosovo, Mr. Reshat Nurboja, spoke about democratic processes in Kosovo and the role of the PR there. There were also many questions and discussions at the gathering. In honor of the guests from Kosovo, the Lushnjë PR branch hosted a lunch at the Ardenicë tourist site. Correspondent of «Republika»

OUR ARTISTS IN THE WORLD For more than ninety years, the world of music has been astounded by Albanian talent. We need only recall the instrumentalists of recent years, T. Papavrami, A. Spahiu, K. Skënderi, and R. Ripo, who have been recognized as such by music critics. Although she has faced extremely difficult conditions and, above all, constant psychological pressure, amid general nationwide economic pressure, the fact that Mirza Adami, now 15 years old, took first place in the international piano competition offers us some consolation and reminds us that we are a people with long-standing traditions and that we have always stood out around the world. Always. It saddens us greatly that, while the world recognizes and admires our talents in various fields, we are so preoccupied with other troubles that we even ignore them. The case of Mirza Adami is highly significant. Preoccupied with our problems and the political struggle, we are forgetting that Albania is represented not only by footage of the exodus on foreign television, but also by the fragile talents who affirm our culture everywhere. It took letters from the Italian ambassador, Torquato Cardili, and the musician from the Dutch Academy «Minerva», Ben de Ligt, for us to learn that our talented pianist, the «Albanian prodigy» Mirza Adami, had won First Prize in the International Piano Competition, among 2,570 young people who had come from all over Europe. Mirza’s success reminds us of years gone by, when, at just 9 years of age, she began to stand out for her talent at various concerts in Albania. And her promising gifts, it seems, are becoming reality; in the near future, «Mirza will have a great career as a concert pianist», as Ben de Ligt also says. Nevertheless, something else concerns us. The aforementioned competition took place on 13 December 1990, while our information media have remained silent about this event (it is not known whether they have done so about others), which ultimately brings glory to the nation. We wish our talented pianist further success on the difficult and beautiful path of art. Correspondent of «Republika» Mirza during her performance.

By Order No. 42, dated 15.8.1991, the Minister of Justice, Dr. Shefqet Muçi, ordered the approval of the Humanitarian Political-Social Association of former prisoners, internees, incarcerated persons and politically persecuted people of Albania.