For a very long time under the monist system, cooperative farmers openly and repeatedly, with insistence, demanded the right for men to retire on an old-age pension at the age of 60. They waited for this «with ears pricked up» at cooperative congresses or jubilee celebrations. But despite the promises made by former party leaders at meetings with farmers, this was not achieved. In recent years, in response to this demand from the farming population, when the draft statute of the agricultural cooperative was discussed in 1988, cooperative members could also retire at the age of 60, but only in cooperatives that were in an economic position to cover these pen-[text continues beyond the frame]… by taking a look at the publication «General Compilation of the Legislation in Force of the PSRA 1945–1985», volume one. In the chapter on Pensions, Article Four states: «A member of an agricultural cooperative is entitled to an old-age pension upon reaching the age of 65, if a man, and having 25 years of service, or the age of 55, if a woman, and having 20 years of service…» Later, an amendment to the State Social Insurance law stated: «After Article 17/a, Article 17/b is added, with the following content. A worker or employee who, under Article 17 of this law, has completed the required years of service, but needs no more than 5 years to reach the age required for a full old-age pension, may, at their request and with the consent of the workplace, receive an early pension amounting to 60 percent of the average monthly wage, calculated from the total wages received over 3 consecutive years within the last 10 years of employment…». With this amendment to the law, workers could retire at 55, while farmers were not taken into consideration at all. As if their pension arrangements were somehow different? Or is agricultural work easier? No citizen has asked to move from the city to the village. On the contrary, farmers are the ones who, with difficulty and by securing the support of the council chairman, the executive committee employee, or the enterprise director, come to work in the city, even in difficult jobs. And yet those who have worked for more than 30 years in rain and sunshine, those who through their sweat contributed so much to the country’s accumulation of wealth, must wait another 5 years to receive an old-age pension! I feel sorrow when I remember some farmer acquaintances of mine who enjoyed their pension for no more than 2–3 years, not to mention those who did not even live to retire because death took them prematurely. Therefore, we believe that in view of all this, the Government of Stability should correct this injustice that has been done to the farming population for years. Those who have reached the age of 60 should now be guaranteed a pension through State Social Insurance. Such a measure would increase the credibility of the Government of Stability among the farming population. …construction of the cooperatives or of the peasants. meetings with peasants, this demand from the peasantry, in 1988, cooperative members could that were economically able to cover these pensions from the reserve wage-guarantee fund. The first to do so were several cooperatives in Myzeqe. Meanwhile, the cooperatives in the mountainous areas hoped in vain for such a day, because they could not guarantee the planned value of a day's work, let alone provide a reserve wage-guarantee fund. Nevertheless, over the past two years, many management boards of lowland and hilly cooperatives, recognizing the work their members had done over a long period—25–30 years—and their growing physical inability to continue working in the cooperative, retired them at the age of 60. In other words, they paid them from their own funds. This was naturally very well received by the cooperative members, since at last they, too, would be able to enjoy a few days of rest in their old age, at least without having to shoulder physical labor. But what is actually happening to this category of peasant pensioners? As soon as the agricultural cooperatives began to break up, their pensions were automatically stopped. Their payments for medical certificates and maternity leave were also discontinued. “What will happen to us?” they asked. The first official answer was that they had to wait until they reached the full retirement age of 65. Meanwhile, many peasants in this category, outraged, have appealed to the State Social Insurance authorities, newspaper editorial offices, and even the government itself. Is it right to stop these pensions? There is now no doubt that the totalitarian socialist state has long done peasants an injustice. Indeed, in this respect they were not considered at all, even in comparison with the working class. This can be establi…

On 24 September, Mr. Sabri Godo, chairman of the ARP, accompanied by Mr. Vangjush Dushnica, chairman of the Party branch for Korçë, visited the former political prisoners who had declared a hunger strike and were confined in a building at this city’s station. The former prisoners welcomed the visitors with joy and warm affection, also because the Republican Party had been the first to raise its voice for thehis previous activity. Other former prisoners stated that they had been beaten to the point of torture by the head and deputy head of public order in Korçë on the occasion of the toppling of the bust of Enver Hoxha. With people like these at the head of SHIK and the law-enforcement bodies, there can be no talk of renewal and cleansing. Mr. Godo shared the same view and added that everyone who has served in the… of the former prisoners, to offer them an official apology and to make material amends in their favor for everything that can be put right, as soon as possible. Otherwise, there can be no talk of national reconciliation and social justice. The case of Urim Resul Elezi from Floq, Korçë, who suffered total blindness while being tortured, was particularly moving. This pris-[text continues beyond the frame] …the party branch for Korçë, the visitor went to see and were confined in a building at this city’s railway first to raise its voice in support of granting them full innocence, compensating them materially, and restoring them to work and to life with all their rights. During the conversation, the former prisoners said they did not believe the Security Service was being renewed. The head of SHIK has been appointed as Mr. Irakli Kocollari, who had previously drawn up charges to have people convicted of agitation and propaganda. Two of the former prisoners said they had a document signed by Mr. Irakli accusing five citizens. Of course, this cannot be the only document that the gentleman in question has signed… …assault by the chief and deputy chief toppling of Enver Hoxha’s bust. the law-enforcement bodies, there can certainly be no talk of renewal and purging. Mr. Godo agreed, adding that anyone who had served in the Sigurimi or collaborated with it could not remain in office, in government positions, or in the organizations of political parties that declared themselves opposition and democratic. Mr. Godo called the former prisoners fighters for democracy. Through their resistance and their severe, undeserved suffering, they deserve the respect, affection, and support of society as a whole. Yet in the eyes of some officials, they continue to be viewed as though they were criminals. From the very outset of its program in January, the Republican Party has advocated—and continues to advocate—their full and unconditional rehabilitation, and everything that can be done must be done of national reconciliation or social justice. The case of Urim Resul Elezi from Flogji, Korçë, was particularly moving: he had been left completely blind during torture. This strong, calm man said he would not end his hunger strike until the demands of their association were met. Men like him see through to the end what they say they will do. Mr. Godo promised to provide all the assistance he could for the treatment of this former prisoner and said at the same time that the Republican Party supported the hunger strike without hesitation. The former prisoners bade farewell to Mr. Godo with warm, brotherly embraces, saying that they had faith in the forces of democracy.

On 21 September, the PR branch in the city of Pogradec organized a meeting with Republican members and activists at the city’s Wood Processing Enterprise. After the customary greetings, the meeting was opened by Mr. Zija Kuqo, the enterprise director, who said, among other things, that it was a particular pleasure to announce today the establishment of the Republican section at our enterprise. After several discussions, a secret ballot was held, on the basis of which Mr. Ylli Muka, an engineer at the enterprise, was elected section chairman, and Mr. Sllak Duka secretary. Mr. Sabri Godo, chairman of the ARP, and Mr. Yvzi Çollaku, chairman of the PR district branch, were also present at the meeting. At the end, Mr. Godo addressed those present. * * * On 22 September at the Palace …

On 24.9.91, in the Concert Hall of the Palace of Culture in the capital, the PR organized the symposium «Learning Through Activities» to improve American schools in our country and their former students. Present were the PR vice-chairman, Mr. Vangjush Gambeta, members of the activity, former students, former journalists, educators, historians, etc. Also attending the symposium were Mr. Kristofor Hill, chargé d’affaires at the American Embassy; Mr. Xhon Luton, cultural representative at this embassy; and Mr. Teodor Kallcurnis, a member of this embassy. The opening address was delivered by Mr. Aleksandër Hoxhalla. Those present … (Continued on page 2) These are the words of former political prisoner Hysen Haxhiaj, who continues: «We are not Don Quixotes, nor criminals who overturn cars. We are ashamed to call ourselves more long-suffering than our people. We ask them to give us what the KSB gives us.» Pursued and persecuted, exhausted and worn down in the communist hell, they managed, in stages, to survive the 45-year monist system. But even now, when at least legally that system has come to an end, they once again find themselves without the government’s support. Although, when you meet them on this day full of pain, their minds have not lost their clarity or reason, and they are acting through democratic means. After meeting with the prime minister, they felt deceived because «our government’s transparency is unable to see their plight». Faced with this situation, they decided: «Until suicide…»

«WE DEMAND OUR HONOR, OUR SWEAT AND OUR BLOOD» …together, until their legitimate, reasonable, and necessary demands are fully resolved, they have gone on hunger strike. Their demands are clear to everyone who considers the present and the past in their proper relationship, without prejudice and without theorizing. Because, in the end, they are asking to receive what they created materially through their labor; they are asking for their honor—their innocence. Because they were innocent. They are asking for their homes, because they had homes. They are asking to be employed and educated, because they want to stand on equal terms with all the people of this land. — … our bodies have not been at peace… «…», says Viktor Martini as he reads inside the sports hall of «SK Tirana», where the former prisoners are confined, a message of greetings addressed to the rally of the people of Shkodër, who are expressing solidarity with their demands. He continues: «We will be happy even if we die in this strike, convinced that it will be of some value to our daughters and sons, who never knew happiness but inherited only our suffering and misery.» He reads a similar message in the eyes of the others, most of them elderly; he sees it in Pano Taçi, 62, the poet, who even here in the hunger-strike hall is creating poems drawn from the souls of those who accept self-sacrifice. At the same time, these souls are also brave. They thank the political parties, independent trade unions, those workers’ collectives, and those individuals who have supported their demands. Other former prisoners from the districts also come to the gymnasium door, wanting to join the strike. But its committee decided not to accept anyone else, convinced that their pain is everyone’s pain—both that of those who remained behind the barbed wire and that of those whose graves are unknown. Anyone who sees or hears scenes like these cannot help but ask themselves, or the person beside them: What is the government doing? Is this problem, which involves human lives, being taken seriously? It seems paradoxical to be in the CSCE and not address this problem according to its standards. Now that the eyes of many European economic organizations are turned toward us, let this matter be treated as a problem we have taken responsibility for. As I was talking with one of the former prisoners, the sounds of a small radio beside a reclining figure reached my ears: «The song by Toto Cutugno, “Insieme,” is playing. Together?» I asked myself. Yes, came the answer. That would be better. As I was leaving, I felt a touch on my elbow. I turned and saw two blind eyes say to me: «Still with tears and suffering. Won’t we ever be happy… again…»

— DECLARATION OF THE ALBANIAN REPUBLICAN PARTY — The Albanian Republican Party greets the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and expresses its strong support for the resolution of this Assembly, in which the Republic of Kosovo is defined as a sovereign and independent state-republic, with the right to participate constitutively in the association of sovereign states and republics in Yugoslavia on the basis of complete freedom and independence. Albanian Republicans are convinced that this national unity of Kosovo’s political parties, represented in the Coordinating Council, will be supported by the entire Albanian people and will find the backing and support of all progressive democratic forces in the world. The petition signed by hundreds of thousands of Albanians, «Kosovo — Republic», organized by the Republican Party, will be added to the popular referendum to be held in Kosovo from 26–30 September, which will declare the free and legitimate will of our Kosovar brothers. Albanian Republicans are convinced that this decision affirmed the wisdom and determination of the Assembly of Kosovo to uphold the undeniable right of Albanians to have their own republic, as a sovereign and independent state. STEERING COMMITTEE

DECLARATION OF THE ALBANIAN REPUBLICAN PARTY is following closely and with deep sorrow the tragic fate of former prisoners of conscience, who have been on hunger strike since Saturday. Albanian Republicans support the just demands of former prisoners of conscience and call for their innocence to be recognized for crimes they did not commit, and for the minimum, vital demands they are making to be met. We feel sorrow for their suffering, for their superhuman sacrifices, for their physical and spiritual tragedies. In the light of democracy, we call for political suffering to be brought to an end once and for all. The hunger strike adds to their pain and multiplies our own. The Republican Party expresses its indignation at the unjust position of that part of Parliament which did not speak out in favor of the innocence of all prisoners of conscience. The Albanian Republican Party considers the participation of former prisoners of conscience in all spheres of our social and state activity an absolute necessity in the period we are going through, beginning with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and so on. Their voice was the first to speak out against communism as theory and practice in the darkness of the Enverian dictatorship. Today, under democracy and pluralism, that voice must be heard everywhere, from Parliament to the simplest structures of state and social organization. Albanian Republicans once again appeal to the President, Parliament, and the Government of Stability to provide an immediate solution to the demands of the hunger strikers, former prisoners of conscience. STEERING COMMITTEE