The defeat of a system, of an era, of an ideology. The Communists lost political power. They were defeated by a spiritual movement whose roots lie in the elements of historical development and which has reached the culmination of democratic processes in Europe. The Albanian state, ruled by a dictatorial Communist minority and by the bureaucratic caste that emerged from its ranks, went through painful periods. These dictator Communists struck at the spirit of the people from whom they had emerged and from whom they had become detached. Their time came to an end. Albanian life changed its system, which did not correspond to the gulf between the people’s spiritual aspirations and desires and the Communist «ideal», which remained isolated, completely outside the nation’s sensibility: an «ideal» cut off from the great political currents of modern life, such as republican, democratic, social-democratic alternatives, etc. The crisis of the Communist «ideal» led to a state, political and economic crisis and made its rapid collapse inevitable, overturning even its own essential ideological, theoretical and practical substance. Even some «renewed» Communists who «understood» this began their «attacks» on the conservative Communist forces, calling themselves socialists. The victory of democracy responds to the nation’s profound needs, which cannot be politically renewed without being spiritually renewed. Albania accomplished its political rebirth. Now it will take steps toward a new democratic society, adhering to traditional principles and following the paths and ideals of the civilized world. The economic difficulties are great because the country is unprepared for this new life. Today we are economically ruined. This is the legacy left to us by the Communist politicians, who perpetuated this state of affairs for 50 years. This is the fruit of visibly immature work. (continued on page 4)

The day before yesterday, Italy’s Foreign Minister Xhani de Mikelis paid a short visit to our country. He was received at Rinas Airport by Albanian Foreign Minister Ilir Boçka and Minister of Relations with Foreign Countries Y. Qabiri. From Rinas, Mr. De Mikelis went to Durrës, where, in the hall of the district KE pluri-ndë, he held a meeting with the DP delegation headed by Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha. At 12:00, de Mikelis held a joint press conference with Mr. Berisha about the talks that had taken place, the future of Albanian-Italian relations, and the continuation of Italian aid to Albania. In response to a question about tensions in relations between the two countries, de Mikelis said: «Problems should not be created where none exist». When I came to Albania on June 12, I was received in a completely normal manner, and later Baker came, and was received by more people. There is no cause for jealousy here. After the press conference, Mr. de Mikelis, accompanied by the Italian ambassador in Tirana, visited the Italian fleet unit and the “Pelikan” operation center. There, de Mikelis met with the military and civilian personnel taking part in this operation, Operation Pelikan. He thanked the Italian military personnel for the work carried out over the past 6 months and General Kuintanen, who led this operation, which is a unique example in Europe of delivering essential food supplies to their final destination. «Republika» correspondent

Radio Croatia reports that the Autonomous Republic of Ilirida of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia has been proclaimed. The Assembly for the Political-Territorial Autonomy of Albanians in Macedonia, headquartered in Tetovë, proclaimed the autonomous Republic of Iliriada. The territory of the autonomous Republic of Iliriada includes the municipalities of Kumanova, part of Shkup, Tetova, Gostivari, Kërçova, Dibra, Struga, and settlements with Albanian populations in other municipalities which, with regard to the ethno-geographic element, according to the criteria of the Hague document, will enjoy the right to be included in the territory of this Republic. This is stated in the rationale of the Assembly for Territorial and Political Autonomy, signed by the Assembly’s chairman, Xhulijat Fejzullahu. In accordance with this act, the Assembly also proposes amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. Article 3 of the Constitution of Macedonia should be supplemented with a new paragraph stipulating that the autonomous Republic of Iliriada is within the Republic of Macedonia. Meanwhile, in Part Two of the Constitution of Macedonia, it is proposed that Point 4 incorporate a provision guaranteeing the autonomy of the autonomous Republic of Iliriada in economic and financial governance, the organization of banks, spatial planning, and the use of natural resources and cultural and other values within the territory of the autonomous Republic of Iliriada. At the end of the proposal to amend the Constitution of Macedonia, it states that if the Assembly of this Republic does not approve the proposal to amend the Constitution of Macedonia and does not define and guarantee the demands for political-territorial autonomy of Albanians in Macedonia, we will be compelled to advance our political determination in accordance with the natural, ethnic and historical right of the Albanian people to self-determination.

On the occasion of the parliament’s beginning its work, we conducted this interview with PR deputy Dr. Mehmet Çeliku. Republika: Doctor, you are not very well known in politics. What would you say to readers on the first day of Parliament? I come to this parliament as the deputy for electoral district no. 21 in the district of Elbasan, as a representative of the Republican Party. …genuine opposition alternatives in Parliament. This was not achieved as it should have been. I take this opportunity to express my satisfaction that the Republican Party is represented in this Parliament by only one deputy, directly elected by the people, and that it failed to overcome the conventional four-per… hurdle. …his ministers’ official public declaration to the Government of Stability, and through its firm position, took the first step toward escaping the trap of cooperation with the socialists. Republika: You are the only deputy representing the PR... As a deputy in this Parliament Republika: Doctor, you are not very well known in the field of day of Parliament? I come to this Parliament as a member representing electoral area no. 21 of the Elbasan district, as a representative of the Republican Party. The elections of March 22, 1992, were rightly described as a popular referendum, and, just as in a referendum, our people answered «yes» to democracy and «no» to communism, without alternatives or equivocation. The Democratic Party, as the strongest opposition party in our country, rightly enjoys the support of the entire population; in the March 22 elections, it was rewarded as the principal representative of democracy in Albania. Our people understood and correctly resolved the fundamental issue posed by the March 22 elections: the defeat of communism. Meanwhile, the other issue—that of the representation in Parliament of parties with different programs and alternatives, which is a fundamental issue in elections in every country with a consolidated democracy—took second place. Under the specific circumstances of the March 22 elections, it was the duty of the political parties to ensure, by legal means and through technical arrangements, the representation in Parliament of the other genuine opposition parties. This was not properly accomplished. I take this opportunity to express my regret only one member, elected directly conventional four-percent threshold in order to also be represented by members from the proportional list, even though the people recognize it as a genuine, constructive and serious opposition force. The Republican Party is among the first opposition parties and has contributed to this great victory. The RP stood by the Democratic Party during the most delicate moments for democracy in Albania. The Republican Party’s emergence on the political scene reassured our people and world democratic opinion that political pluralism had become a reality in Albania, and that the Democratic Party was not merely a front of popular resistance against dictatorship, facing a party in power. The formation of the Republican Party, with a political orientation close to that of the Democratic Party, provided the latter with great support at the right time. In this way, the RP opened a second front in the struggle against dictatorship in Albania. It was also the RP that took on genuine opposition duties in Parliament. express my regret only one member, elected directly it as a genuine, constructive and serious opposition force. Republika: You are the only member of Parliament representing the RP... As a member of this Parliament, I will try to convey the RP’s political thinking, to communicate the ideas and solutions this Party offers for various issues concerning the country’s development. I will also defend the interests of the voters in my electoral area, without forgetting to offer my own judgments and opinions as an intellectual on issues that concern us all. The genuine right-wing opposition forces should strive, while maintaining a united position on fundamental issues concerning the country’s development, to ensure a constructive exchange of the ideas and proposed solutions set out in their programs. Although I am the sole member representing a party’s point of view, I assure you that the Republican Party will sincerely and unreservedly provide its help to lead the country out of its deep crisis. I feel the heavy responsibility borne by this Parliament. Interview by: LUTFI DERVISHI

By means of a statement broadcast by Television and ATSH on 3.4.1992, the President of the Republic, Mr. Ramiz Alia, has decided to resign from the office of President of the Republic. He will submit this request officially in writing to the People’s Assembly.

Historical evolution, the people’s great efforts for a better life, and the struggle against tyranny brought us to democracy and the rule of law. European philosophical and political thought has given the rule of law and democracy several postulates since ancient times. The Greek philosopher Stagjir said that politics is «the art of governing free people», but, like every art, it naturally presupposes talent and responsibility. The state will never become obsolete, because human beings remain forever, as Aristotle said, «Zoon politikon» (political beings). Cervantes was right when he said that people, as soon as they emerge from their mothers’ wombs, come under a government. For now, the rule-of-law state is the most democratic and progressive state of human society. It was born of historical evolution and observation, the accumulation of social experience, generations’ disillusionment with dictatorships and totalitarian regimes, and the failure of ideologies. Modern society no longer tolerates a situation in which, as Raymond Aron says, «The totalitarian state seizes everything outside that does not fit into the official scheme». A profound understanding of human nature, with its positive and negative sides, the victory of pluralist democracy over ideologies and authoritarian rule, and the abandonment of failed utopias led to the birth of the rule-of-law state as the product of a free and open democratic society. The rule-of-law state is a state of people who do not live on unrealizable dreams, who see the world as it is and understand the category of the impossible. It abandons the practices of authoritarian states and takes on the role of guarantor of human freedoms and rights and of progressive social evolution. It takes as its foundation the autonomous individual, who historically came before political society, but, of course, not the selfish individual who takes his freedom to extremes at the expense of others. The supreme value in an open democratic society is not the state, but the human being, who is the measure of everything. The state is obliged to take into account all human dimensions and possibilities. Politics protects real people so that they may live well and flourish. Aristotle said politics serves humanity. He disagreed with Plato, who regarded politics as a science for reorganizing the world—or, rather, as a utopia. Such politics restricts individual freedoms. Their dispute marked, for the first time in history, the dichotomy of autocracy versus the rule of law. The rule-of-law state is a state of the free will of citizens, unlike the bureaucratic state, which intervenes in every sphere and paralyzes people’s activities. The dictatorship of the proletariat was the classic example of the perversion of politics. In a rule-of-law state, the image of the common good does not come from a blueprint; rather, it is realized as the sum of individual interests. The state assists diverse activities and can ease or eliminate social conflicts without violating people’s legitimate interests. In this sense, the rule-of-law state undoubtedly becomes the guarantor of individual and social prosperity. The French philosopher Zh. Marten says that only such a state can ensure the material well-being of all people and the values of freedom. VIRON KOKA (continued on page 8 - 3-4?)

The word «government» is an abstract thing, but in concrete terms, under our circumstances, it makes you work or not work, be full or go hungry, laugh or cry, be happy or suffer. So a government can bring you good things or destroy you with bad ones. Naturally, no one would wish for the bad, because by now we have seen it in all its forms. But for a government to be good, it must necessarily meet certain conditions. First: it must ensure security. This means that every honest, hardworking and law-abiding citizen should feel secure, should know that no one will touch their life or property, being convinced that the state stands behind them, helping and supporting them, and, in return, that the citizen should also help and support the state. At the same time, the wrongdoer should feel uncomfortable and insecure, and should be made to believe that the state can catch a hare with a cart. The government, too, works better when it feels secure. Second, it must be capable. This, as can be seen, is not easy and is no small matter. All those appointed to lead the state have studied how socialism can be built, whereas now we are asking them to establish capitalism. This is like defending yourself in the middle of a schoolyard and being sent to stand in the classroom. Third, it must create be- FERHAT GRUJA (Continued on page 4)

The Republican Party and the editorial staff of the newspaper «Republika» wish all Muslim believers a happy Bajram holiday and many happy returns. At the ceremony organized on this occasion, they were greeted by the Chairman of the PR, Mr. Sabri Godo, and the Deputy Chairman, Mr. Zef Bushati.