— MARCH 22 CALLS FOR AWARENESS... — THE SOCIAL-COMMUNISTS WILL WIN ONLY IF THEY LOSE — STOP FOR A MOMENT BEFORE THE BALLOT BOX AND REMEMBER WHY THESE ELECTIONS ARE BEING HELD!... Sunday's elections are extraordinary not only in their importance. They are also extraordinary in their timing. If we were voting normally, we would not be standing before the ballot box on March 22, but three years from now. More precisely, tomorrow's elections are compulsory. And it is the dictatorship that makes them compulsory. The dictatorship will part from us only when we part from communism. ... March 22 calls for awareness... On March 31 last year we made a mistake when we handed power to the communists. More precisely, they stole and seized this power, as only communists know how to do. And perhaps it is good that they seized it: within the span of a year (from March to March), the communists made this people aware; they taught them that those who ruled for half a century cannot rule a new century. But above all, the commu- «We promise nothing... except loyalty (!),» he declared. So the communists have only loyalty left... Fifty-year loyalty?! And it is a pity, because now even their promises have run out. That is why we will vote on March 22: to bring them to an end... Perhaps a good part of the communists will this time vote against themselves. By voting for the opposition, they will also vote for their own victories. So tomorrow Albanians will jointly oust communism from power. In any case, this does not mean that communism will die on March 22. Its death will be slow and difficult... ... March 22 calls for awareness... If the social-communists coveted victory, then there would have been no reason to hold these elections, because they had already won. And they could have held on to power for another three years, but the Communists are finally leaving power, convinced that they cannot hold on to it for even a moment. And it is essential that everyone understand this. By voting against them, we are simultaneously voting for their own good. Before casting your vote, stop for a moment and remember why these elections are being held... They will save the social-communists too. ... March 22 calls for awareness. This campaign is drawing to a close with the clear conviction that we must vote for democracy. The communist structures that have governed this country for 46 years must finally be removed. It was natural for the campaign to be fierce, because this is not about a change of parties in power, but about replacing the entire political, economic and legal system and moving toward a new society worthy of human beings. We are the last country in Europe to make such a transition, because the communist dictatorship here was harsher and lasted longer than in the other countries of the East. The Republican Party, which has fought for democracy for 15 months, wisely but without ever retreating, has long made clear how it believes Albania can become a free country and enter the path of civilized nations. The first condition is the establishment of a legal and social order in line with the most advanced standards, with justice that applies equally to everyone, without any revanchism, and with progress toward democratic unity. Full respect for individual freedoms, as set out in the charters of the United Nations and the European Community, is also a sacred right of Albanians. Economic development, without which democracy would remain like a tree without roots, must be based on private initiative, the only lever capable of releasing the energies of the entire nation, without denying the state’s regulatory role in areas concerning the common social interest. The countryside requires particular priority: recognition of each person’s ownership of the land they had on the eve of collectivization; assistance with equipment and credit; the removal of taxes for at least two years; and a series of other measures. The deep poverty and unemployment in the cities, as well as the many social problems facing women, children, former political prisoners, intellectuals, etc., will be addressed through reforms toward a free market and specific laws. We ourselves will return to work under different conditions, but cooperation with the outside world will also be very important. These main ideas are explained in detail in the Republican Party’s program. We now have 36 hours of rest ahead of us to think calmly about whom we should vote for. For some time, we as the Republican Party have said that it would have served the country’s interests to establish a coalition of opposition parties to finally defeat the social-communists. This coalition remained, so to speak, only on an ethical level, without being put into practice through the agreement on joint candidates. Many people write and say that the contest will be concentrated between the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party, denying the existence of other opposition parties, which are also an important factor in our political life. Such concentration would be harmful and wrong. First, it would take us back to a two-party parliament, denying pluralism, which would make parliament a fuller representative of the people’s will. Such are the conditions in Albania. Second, the absence of parliamentary pluralism would make a coalition in the next government extremely difficult. No single party, however large, can undertake to solve the extremely serious problems that have accumulated. All genuine opposition forces must coordinate as a solid bloc, to neutralize the social-communists’ counteraction after the elections and move the country forward. Anyone who does not understand this is showing political shortsightedness, to say the least. But if the opposition parties did not manage to form a coalition for the candidates, due to lack of time and other reasons, the people themselves can establish this necessary coalition by voting for the opposition party they prefer. This is by no means fragmentation. On the contrary, it is a strengthening of the democratic opposition. This is the only way to guarantee political stability in the next legislature. Vote for the Republican Party, which gives you confidence and will faithfully help the country with all its strength. On March 23, for the first time in history, we will be a free people. state, as only communists know how to seize it. And perhaps it was the communists of the PP(S) taught this people that they cannot hold on to power and, as a result, they will enter the March 22 elections in order to lose. This was the command of the times on March 31 last year too, but the communists had no way of understanding it then. Perhaps it is better that things happened this way; they needed to seize power for one more year in order to understand that tomorrow, on March 22, they will win only if they LOSE. Even the communist leader Fatos Nano finally admitted this. «Why are you frightening us with what would happen if we won?» he was asked at an election meeting in recent days.

Speech by Mr. Sabri Godo, delivered on TV at the close of the election campaign

The battle among the political forces in the electoral arena has now become extremely heated. Who will command the great treasure of votes? In this context, the thousands of votes cast by military personnel carry considerable weight. Who will they declare for in the current elections? The tide of speculation may fluctuate considerably, but one thing is certain. The overwhelming majority of the army will cast its votes in the opposition’s ballot box. This reality has recently injected the Socialist Party (PS) with the germ of rage. Its leaders are expressing their mad jealousy by... [The source text is garbled and repeatedly duplicates this phrase.] ... On the other hand, in an army made up of military personnel, in a massive operation the opposition is being threatened with a mass purge of the «sheshas» type if democracy and the opposition win. What won’t the socialist kitchen concoct, solely to make the military return like prodigal sons to their adored mother, the PP(S). Amen! Nevertheless, it is reassuring that in the PS’s electoral «reservoir» there is a certain contingent of military personnel: among them are representatives of the party-bureaucratic caste, kept directly occupied in the military sphere; cadres with ... brought in from the field and placed in privileged posts, which they have now lost; former employees of the military security’s green mafia; and a category of careerists, toadies, nostalgics and ... However much this fanatical phalanx is pumped up, it brings to mind the people’s saying «...». Moreover, the people’s ... has one kernel. Despite ... Who will the army vote for? It is pointless to create an image of a militia... the votes, skillfully, for democracy, the serviceman ... second ... With Mr. ... ... for democracy, the military ... face ... votes ... ... ... is not only for the Albanian Party of Labour (one [programme] to be implemented in practice), but above all for the Socialist Party of Albania. With full transparency, the SPA has published both of these programmes in its own press organs, ZP and «24 orë», and tomorrow the voters will the first programme was not implemented. The first (which we are marking P₁) was published without authors; the second (which we are marking P₂) with named authors. The first was organised, the second scattered.

— FIVE QUESTIONS FOR THE PR CHAIRMAN, MR. SABRI GODO — «Republika»: We have been very offended by «ZP», especially lately! Although they say that «ZP»’s insults are compliments, does anything remain?!... S. Godo: It is one thing to engage in slander and another to argue for the truth. But when it comes to «ZP», slander and truth are one and the same thing!... So it is not worth our while to engage with it!... «Republika»: In any case, the newspaper claims to report the truth. For example, that Lab mother who «spoke» in «ZP»... S. Godo: No foreigner has accompanied me, yet according to «ZP», it turns out that at meetings with the people I supposedly had a foreigner at my side! Apparently, foreigners have become invisible spirits to «ZP» and it cannot see them! If even the Tepelena boys have started to look like foreigners to them, that is not my fault, just as it is not my fault that the Lab mother invented by «ZP» did not speak with me but, who knows, with some anonymous «ZP» journalist! No one has asked me questions like those in «ZP», and if they had, I would have answered differently, in such a way that «ZP» would not have been able to publish them! In any case, «ZP» should preserve something, at least, of its professional honor. «Republika»: Your writings often call you «Sabri the farm-boy», or mention your properties in Vlora, ... S. Godo: According to the standards used for the biographies of the communist administration, I was classified as a middle peasant. Pluralism, it seems, also emphasizes the biographies of in-laws, and that is a sign of the PS’s renewal! «ZP» has been reprinting biographical files for 50 years; that is its business. In any case, I am a member of a party whose program has promised to recognize as private property only the land that a peasant owned on the eve of collectivization. The land will be divided according to the number of people in each household, and the differences will be compensated over the course of 10 years. If I had aspired to be a landowner, I would have joined another party. «Republika»: The social-communists accused you of distinguishing the small parties from the declared opposition trio. S. Godo: Perhaps «ZP» expected me to recommend voting for the left-wing anti-opposition, for the parties concocted by the Labour cabinet! In singling out the trio PD-PR-PSD, I have in mind that the victory of this democratic bloc is not a defeat for any of the other genuinely opposition parties, which, for now, have not yet had the chance to establish themselves. A year ago I said that pro-Republican voters should also vote for the Democratic Party, and I did not in the least intend to undervalue myself. Increasing confidence in democracy’s victory is a concern only for the PS and «ZP». «Republika»: Do you think that your CULT puts democracy and the Albanian people at risk, as «ZP» worries?! S. Godo: Why does «ZP» think it can make journalists joke at the expense of their colleagues! A journalist’s boast, even if harmless, cannot be called the cult of a politician. Interviewed by YLLI RAKIPI

Tomorrow is election day. Almost everyone agrees that the parties will not be judged by their programs, since there is very little difference between them. Mr. Spiro Dede likes this idea so much that he broke his cosmic silence, like a Buddhist fakir, and appeared in the press just to emphasize this idea once again, then sank back into silence. Yet there are sufficient signs to conclude that differences do exist, however small, not only between the programs of the two parties, but also that some parties have two programs. This applies not only to PKSH (one to be approved by the Ministry of Justice and one to be implemented in practice), but above all to PSSH. With complete transparency, PSSH has published both programs in its own press organs, ZP and «24 Hours», so tomorrow’s voters have no reason to demand an explanation as to why the first program was not implemented. The first (which we will mark P₁) was published without authors; the second (which we will mark P₂) with named authors; the first is organized, the second scattered. For voters, we are trying to organize this program too. A grotesque combination of PP ideals, «merits» and practices dressed in language that seems contemporary, this program can more or less be formulated as follows: I. THE REAL PROGRAM OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA It is almost a year since the first pluralist elections (P₁), in which PSSH, although it did not participate, won (P₂). During this year, the Socialist Party established itself as the leading political force in our society. (P₁). It was created in June 1991 and legalized on August 22, 1991. Its important and serious contribution is everywhere: in the peaceful transition from PP to PS, and in many other respects. (P₂) Therefore, during the past year we truly became freer (P₁), especially in a person’s life, which can be taken as hygiene (P₂), but also poorer; the economy has ground to a halt, unemployment is becoming alarming. Speculation, crime, inflation and prices (Continued from page 4) For the voters, we are trying to organise this programme as well. A grotesque combination of the ideals, “merits” and practices of the Party of Labour, dressed up in phraseology that seems contemporary, this programme has more or less been formulated as follows: I. THE REAL PROGRAMME OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA Almost a year has passed since the first pluralist elections (P₁), in which the SPA, although it did not take part, as the main ... June 1991 and was legalised on 22 August 1991. Its important and serious contribution is evident everywhere: in the peaceful transition from the Party of Labour to the Socialist Party, and in many other respects. (P₂) Therefore, during the year that has passed, we truly became freer (P₁), especially in the life of a person who may be taken for a halt, and unemployment is becoming alarming. Speculation, crime, inflation and prices ... (Continued from page 4)

NJERËZ, JU LUTEMI, LEXONI PROGRAMIN REAL TË PS