STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNING COMMITTEE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY In recent days, the country’s extremely grave situation has been compounded by the government crisis. First of all, we observe that various groups are trying to use this crisis to weaken and divide the opposition. The Republican Party was forced to withdraw from the Government because it was not ensuring the leadership of the country at a time when despair and confusion prevail. The Republican Party was accused precisely because it dared to declare this truth. With the Democratic Party also leaving the Government, the crisis became complete. The Republican Party considers certain statements irresponsible, such as those made by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Construction, as well as by some other member of the Government. It is not true that the country has bread for only 6 days. The reserves are greater, and wheat is on its way. As the President himself says in his interview of 30 November, given to the newspaper «Zëri i Rinisë», bread is assured. These contradictory statements by the highest state authorities contribute to destabilization. As for public order, meanwhile, one cannot claim that the police forces are faced with the alternative of shooting at women and children or withdrawing. The people want order. The Republican Party took part in the Government meeting of 4 December and, at the same time, yesterday and today in the two meetings between the leaders of the five political parties and the President, with the full will to provide the swiftest possible solution to the crisis. We believe that, in the circumstances that have arisen, the only way out is the formation of a non-party caretaker government that would lead the country peacefully to the February elections. We consider it entirely possible to emerge from the government crisis, provided the President and the People’s Assembly do their duty to the people. Republicans will support the maintenance of public order by every means and will not withhold their assistance from the caretaker government. The Albanian people will know how to overcome this tragic situation, avoiding provocations by communist forces. They, and they alone, brought the country to this point. Tirana, 6.12.1991.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, MR. SALI BERISHA On 7 December, at 10:00, I went to the office of the President of the Republic, having been summoned for consultations concerning the government crisis. I found Mr. Neritan Ceka there. As soon as I sat down, we were immediately surrounded by RTV cameramen. Before the talks began, Mr. Ceka said, «I want to read a statement» and took it out to read. Finding myself caught in a political trap, I immediately left the President’s office, where I had understood I had been summoned for talks. An hour later, someone sent by the President came to the Democratic Party and gave me a letter notifying me of the times scheduled for consultations with the political parties. In connection with this, I immediately telephoned the President and told him the following: «Mr. President, I came to you because you yourself had summoned me, to offer my assistance in finding a solution to the crisis the country is going through. But in your office I fell into a despicable trap, which compelled me to leave immediately. In any case, that is your business. For my part, I must tell you that, at this critical time for the people and the country, it is unacceptable for you to allow yourself such disloyal intrigues. Your statements and those of Mr. Bufi on television, and the televised political traps organized today, are seriously destabilizing the situation in the country. Under these circumstances, the Democratic Party, despite its willingness and desire to contribute, cannot continue talks with you to resolve the government crisis. You, Mr. President, bear full responsibility for this, finding time to engage in such unworthy actions. As for Mr. Ceka’s statement, whose contribution and assistance to the democratic processes I recognize and value more than anyone else, I wish to add the following: First: This statement should not have been made in the office of the President of the Republic, thereby doing an unnecessary service for him, the person primarily responsible for the crisis the country is going through. Second: I think the moment he chose to leave the political scene was inappropriate. If Mr. Ceka had made this decision, he should have waited until the political crisis had been resolved. Third: Mr. Neritan and every leader and member of the Democratic Party know that my actions have been in accordance with the decisions of the National Council, and none of us—not even the Party’s presidium—has the right to postpone or change these decisions. Fourth, the claims in your statement are unfounded, since none of the points demanded in the statement of the Democratic Party’s National Council has been fully implemented. Finally, I want to tell my friend that this time he was wrong. But his merit and contribution to our democracy are such that they outweigh the mistake he made.»

Once again, a new crossroads has appeared on Albania’s ill-fated horizon. A forced political eclipse is becoming the watchword of these days. The political forecast is clearly warning of a new circulation. The political circle is closing in. Meanwhile, the president, from the «tower of Filizdishtë», is making «measurements» of Albania’s tense political climate, with three ministerial reshuffles. Those ministers certainly have the right to complain and explain their work in the government, but not to be dismissed. The President’s individual «democratic» «match» thus shows once again that he does not understand Albania’s new political life, as he signs an unjust decree—the prologue to a provoked crisis, provoked first and foremost by the entire political spectrum in power, and acknowledged by him as well. Political news bulletins are growing richer by the day against the exceedingly impoverished backdrop of a country on the brink of collapse. The Government sees fit, just as its own crisis is looming, to unleash anathemas that deform the nation: there is bread for only 6 days; negotiators are left with their cards exposed in their hands; negotiations for new agreements are left orphaned; aid is dwindling and the Western world is withdrawing. Appeals are being made in the name of the people that are as alike as two drops of water to the appeals made when Nano’s government was being formed, as if there were no one who had been deceived... as if the scenario had been ready-made. Why all this doom? Why all this noise on the eve of a new democratic dawn? This winter is difficult, but is it...

AT THE MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT ON 7.12.1991, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT CRISIS BEGAN WITH THE RASH AND IMPROPER ACTION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, WHICH PUT THE REPUBLICAN MINISTERS BEFORE THE ALTERNATIVE OF WITHDRAWING THE MEMORANDUM OR LEAVING THE GOVERNMENT. THIS WAS APPROVED JUST AS QUICKLY BY THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SAID THAT THIS GOVERNMENT, DESPITE ITS EFFORTS, FAILED TO JUSTIFY ITSELF FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, CAUSING A STEEP DETERIORATION IN THE ECONOMIC SITUATION. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BELIEVES THAT, TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAVE ARISEN, THE MOST ACCEPTABLE OPTION REMAINS THE FORMATION OF A CARETAKER GOVERNMENT COMPOSED OF PERSONALITIES

The first visible sign in my neighborhood, after Mr. Ylli Bufi’s «naivety»—our former socialist prime minister saying that we have bread for only 6 days—was the breaking of the windows of the bread bakery. This time there was no need to bring in the sambists or other destructive tools; that television alarm alone was enough to make people rush in, as if those 3–4 loaves would save them from starvation. But people are people, and when panic and mistrust take hold, nothing can clear their heads and calm them down. In wartime, anyone who causes panic is sentenced to a bullet, whereas in our «peaceful» days one dares to appear on screen the day after tomorrow and explain that when I said... I did not mean... that bread would be secured, that food would arrive. This clarification comes too late, Mr. Bufi. Look at what happened in Laç and Mamurras, with victims and destruction that are the direct result of your statement, which came alongside destabilizing elements, whatever their faction—or perhaps they were sent by the PS. As for the Republican Party, we say there is not, and will not be in the future, anyone among us who steals, robs, or slanders. But I have the right to ask: was that threat you made at the famous, historic meeting of your former government against the Democratic Party really naivety? No, certainly not, because that bell was also rung by the Minister of Agriculture and the Deputy Prime Minister in their predictions of events, and by the Minister of Construction, who offered us killings and bloodshed through his imagination. And all this in order to accuse the opposition, the Democratic Party, because you thought you had easily eliminated the Republican Party, so you declared its ministers undesirable because they had criticized you. Was that what you did, or did you criticize? Was that what you did, or did you criticize? you did, or did you criticize? At that meeting, following the familiar script of the year we are living through, everyone set upon the Democratic Party like an a cappella choir, with the exception of Mr. Godo, who responded at the right moments to show that we had not come to be called to account, but to find a solution for getting out of this situation. This sound advice fell on deaf ears, even among some Democratic Party ministers, who openly showed that they disagreed with the decision taken by the party to which they belong. That is their business and we cannot discuss it, but we cannot accept Mr. Ethem Mysliu going so far as to paint macabre pictures of the future, because it is not democratic to threaten an entire people because one party is leaving the government. Why did this opposition action take place, setting aside the Republican ministers’ memorandum and the Prime Minister’s and President’s immaturity in acting immediately? The joint statements by the PD, PRSH and PSD, as well as those issued separately, were not made on the whim of Mr. Sali Berisha, Sabri Godo or Skënder Gjinushi. Not at all. They came because the Albanian communists, led from behind the President’s hospital, wanted to obtain international assistance through the opposition—and they succeeded. The gates of Europe and the world’s democratic institutions were opened to Albanians. The image was created that this country, with its own parliament, was pluralist and democratic, while the communists made the law. They kept the Sigurimi intact; they maneuvered the forces of order or the dark forces outside that order, perhaps without the leaders of this new department even knowing. They manipulated the witnesses and the court quite openly in the Shkodra trial. Radio and television were put at the service of the regime and its people, while they publicly urged the withdrawal from the government of stability. The case that «shone»... We exclude the Republicans in order to divide the alliance, but even if it does not split and the Democratic Party leaves the government, then the actions of some of its ministers who oppose leaving will create a rift within the party itself. Then our gain will be twofold: first, to disorient the Democratic Party, and then it will be easier for us to pin all the blame on it and on the opposition. is leaving the government. (continued on page 4)

STATEMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF ALBANIAN WOMEN The Democratic League of Women will serve to strengthen democracy in Albania, and, concerned by the country’s grave social and economic situation and the misery our people experience every day, especially women, ... The Democratic League of Women will serve to strengthen democracy in Albania, and, concerned by the country’s grave social and economic situation and the misery our people experience every day, especially women, supports the decisions of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party to withdraw their ministers from the government of stability, considering this a courageous decision that [unclear] democracy. Under circumstances in which a black, invisible hand is directly at work, and the socialist-communists are accompanying the implementation of reform and democratic processes, the continued presence of opposition ministers in the government of stability compromises the genuine democratic forces. As is their custom, the remnants of the communist dictatorship will attempt blackmail and terror, but their actions will not be able to frighten not only our husbands, brothers and children, but also the brave Albanian woman. The President’s declaration was nothing more than another appeal to defend his presidential seat. The Democratic League of Albanian Women will stand in a united front with all the political and social forces of the opposition until democracy triumphs completely in our Homeland.

DECEMBER 1990 – DECEMBER 1991 Almost a year after the «allowing» of pluralism, during which numerous political formations were born or «created», Albania’s social and political landscape is dominated by a full-blown social crisis and an equally full-blown political crisis. Almost a year after the «allowing» of pluralism, during which numerous political formations were born or «created», Albania’s social and political landscape is dominated by a full-blown social crisis and an equally full-blown political crisis, while democracy is in complete anguish under the invasion and revenge of the communists, or neo-communists. HAS A DEMOCRATIZATION SCENARIO EXISTED? The «democratization» of Albania... It is experiencing this «democratization». The heads of Albanian diplomacy have sounded the trumpet and want to portray it as democratic in reality, emphasizing throughout the Albanian processes the progressive role of the «moderate forces» of the highest PPSH(S) leadership, and primarily of President Ramiz Alia. How communist nomenklatura members could lead the processes of destabilizing totalitarian states and bringing them onto the path of democracy and freedom is a paradox that only «renewed» analysts can explain. They say democracy is advancing. The opposition’s lineup is now complete. Even what was thought to be missing has been added. The Communist Party was also called onto the political stage, from which the Socialist Party is supposedly distancing itself. What has not changed is the President’s nomenklatura, who «led» all the processes and brought Albania bloodlessly onto the road to democracy. At the same time, voices from inside the country constantly «confirm» the existence of a carefully devised scenario for integrating Albania into democratic currents. It is quite strange, but immediately after pluralism was «allowed», Albania, under the iron armor of dictatorship, gave birth to an ecological party (?!). It became the people’s mass and soil, so to speak. Surely Albanians, persecuted in a red darkness, oppressed and degraded, impoverished and executed, needed a genuine opposition. And, it seems, it really did occur to someone to create an ecological party underground (?). (A week after the truth of the former se... (continued on page 2)