Mr. Agron Ismailati ended his speech with these words at the 2nd PR conference in Durrës, held on 18 May 1992 in the meeting hall of the «Aleksandër Moisiu» Palace of Culture. In this speech was reflected the state of mind of people, who today more than ever need to see courageous men at their helm. The country’s current situation, the various social problems that have become acute or will soon reach a critical point, people’s awareness of the situation, the contribution Republicans can make at this difficult moment of transition, when the foundations of democracy are being laid, the forthcoming local elections, public order, the issue of aid, the consolidation of the former red nomenklatura in the business sphere, and various PR problems—these were the main issues discussed two days ago in Durrës. The situation we are going through, said A. Garuli, secretary of the PR branch, in his speech, is making people aware and dispelling the illusion that a miracle can happen overnight. The situation is confirming the Republican postulate: «Albanians will build Albania». Under these circumstances, we offer our help in government, a task that our representatives in the previous government showed they knew how to carry out competently and honestly. Today, representatives of the PD want to minimize the participation of PR representatives in government. We will strongly support the PD as long as it does not put party demands above the interests of those who gave it their vote. We welcome the class of property owners, said Gj. Thanasi, but we are saddened when we see the former red nomenklatura and former State Security employees rushing into business. The only way is to speed up privatization in order to reduce to a minimum the opportunities for amateurs to gamble with state property. Many different questions were also raised at the conference. Finally, PR chairman Mr. Sabri Godo took the floor, answering the many questions from participants and presenting an overview of the general situation. Explaining the PR’s position on the 80-percent issue, the basic basket and other problems, he said that we are not going to oppose the democratic government, for which we fought, but we are not in favor of harsh social measures. People have been reduced to such a state that there is nothing more you can squeeze out of them. We will try to help this country emerge from this major and difficult operation with as little pain as possible. He then turned to the local elections and other issues... It should be noted that the conference proceedings were efficient; in general, the speakers discussed the issues raised with concern and a high sense of responsibility. Elections were held at the end. Mr. Aleksandër Garuli was elected chairman of the PR branch in Durrës, Mr. Petrit Xhaferi secretary, and Arben Babameto chairman of the governing council. Correspondent of Republika. Mr. Zef, not wishing to make this article longer, I nevertheless consider it impossible to separate the treatment of the agricultural land law, as everyone failed to choose and address the national grievances as well. (continued on page 4)

8 JUNE - 1st PR CONGRESS

Interview with Candidate of Sciences KUTJIM HASHORVA, given to our editor LUTFI DERVISHI. «Republika» - What is your opinion of the government’s industrial program and the possibilities for implementing it? Answer: It presents the government’s strategic objective, and the program sets out only the general lines of industrial policy. It can be said that the programs of all political forces are reflected there, including that of the current opposition. «Republika»: So, what is the difference between the industrial programs of the various parties? Answer: I think that no political force is excluded from choosing its own original profile for the country’s industrial development. As is known, the differences lie more in social policy, economic policy and tactics, and in the differences in how to achieve different results and make the transition from the economic system to a market economy as quickly as possible. «I think that, alongside the political and social problems that must be resolved, the development prospects and industrial priorities for our country must be formulated and elaborated in detail. «Republika»: Today there is a great deal of talk and writing about tourism. Answer: This area needs even more attention. It should be said that tourism is a major source of income for our country. But I think that, in reality, investment in tourism will bear fruit in Albania only with developed foreign investment. Investment is not enough: it is not sufficient to build hotels; you need road infrastructure, sewerage, historical heritage and services. Offering only the land or the landscape is an insignificant contribution to the joint investment. World experience shows that countries with developed agricultural activity are counted among the underdeveloped countries. The same can be said of countries whose economies are based mainly on extractive industry. Numerous typical examples are provided by many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as the countries of the East. Our country, meanwhile, has truly been a unique example, because despite several similar events in the system of governance and regime, we differed markedly from other Eastern countries: at least in those countries, the direction of the economy or of the country’s life was never entrusted to people who lacked even a basic education. «Republika»: Then, in your view, what would be a reasonable industrial policy? Answer: I think that in Albania the stages of industrial development priorities would be: - Food-processing industry, light industry, agro-industrial complexes, mechanical industry, with current priority given to assembly, the production of machinery, and also the production of construction materials and necessary minerals, which require greater investment. As for tourism, I think the private sector should be encouraged, since private individuals need to be encouraged to open businesses as quickly as possible and directly for the people. In most of the country, where facilities can be established, more than in any other case, it is not clear; exploitation can be increased effectively as quickly as possible for business, while the company itself in Albania would have only its own interests in view. «Republika»: What is the role of

The building of the Pluralist Executive Committee in Vlora stands alone, built by those foreigners. Its function has always been political. Far more people have left it than entered it: the many occupiers of the nation, in military or civilian uniforms with bow ties; bureaucrats and landlords under forty flags; scandalous leaders of the communist-socialist secretariat with an Asian outlook. Their model has long since been stripped away. The people’s desire has brought only great democrats up those steps, such as Ismail Qemali, Avni Rustemi, Fan Noli, Osman Haxhiu and other distinguished men, who left behind a legitimate government with a modern European vision, born of the people. The people kept the good tradition in mind on 22 March, too. They delivered their verdict honestly and wisely in favor of democracy. Today the new government, in the people’s name, is selecting new people. Steps forward, but carefully. Can the Education and Culture Section be left to the P(S), the most spiritual part of the people? What can one expect from contingents that are out of date, with superficial knowledge acquired in party schools, who keep Enver in their pocket as a symbol? What can one learn from those who, as party persecutors, reduced all that intelligentsia to such a state... They crushed it, stunted it... And what of all those party instructors, other pampered medical professionals with «scientific» titles, who still vegetate in closed circles, from the PS headquarters to offices or school directorates? It is essential, in the interests of the struggle against communism, that the three-party alliance not be broken. But... representatives of the Republican Party were driven out of government. The secretary of the Executive Committee, as well as the one for transport... were given to the PDNJ, «Omonia». Why this way? In the city it received no votes; it could be treated in the places where it won. Vlora is thoroughly Albanian. It speaks Albanian. Even the independent trade unions, which were not consulted at all, disagree with such a thing. In the situation we are going through, no one, whether from the older or younger generation, had foreseen this (unless someone claims to have said so long ago). And yet today this is being accepted. BESNIK VELAJ ARBEN BILLACI (Continued on page 3)

The old state apparatus of the monist regime is, almost without exception, rotten, corrupt and incapable, as a result of its appointment by the relevant party and state nomenklatura, which itself was entirely mediocre, and of the misguided principle that politics should come first rather than professional competence. By following these criteria, a genuine state of chaos has been created in our country, where almost no one works in the profession for which they completed their education. Most have family and friendship connections and have done as they pleased for years and decades with the work of the state and the sweat of the people. As a result of this policy, our apparatuses were filled with generals and fraudsters of every kind, who with their ignorance stifled free, progressive and forward-looking thought, repressed the initiative of cultured and educated people, slandered them, and degraded and humiliated them as much as they pleased, in order to show the PSH that they were capable and loyal to the cause of socialism. Almost all of them, without exception, left their own likenesses behind in the subordinate institutions, turning the state apparatus into a warm nest for people of every vice and depravity. None of these «proletarians» of proletarian madness made their own children workers; instead, they moved every stone to secure for them, by unjust means, comfortable jobs and positions, at a time when the children of the people were sent to difficult jobs. Ali, those from Taransa, the gentlemen’s pioneers, Alia, Kondi, Marko, Cuko, Miska; Bozo, etc., mocking democracy. Democracy has made the dividing line clear: it will never cooperate politically with monist bureaucrats, nor does it consider them beyond reform. It does not, of its own accord, fight people for their political convictions, but it also cannot coexist or cooperate with those who have done so much harm to the people and the Homeland. Therefore, removing them from the posts they hold must be regarded as an imperative of the times. Is that not true...? (Continued on page 3)

Letter addressed to Mr. Zef Rakacolli Members of parliament and government, take care! The land law is being implemented on a minefield! I am convinced that your article in the newspaper «Republika» dated 7.5.1992 will have been read both by those who know you and those who do not. This is not a commentary, since anyone would conclude that the writing is not merely an article, but an intellectual accumulation of your work in agriculture. My writing will not be a classical polemic, since it does not aim, as they say in our parts, to defeat one another in this field, which I consider extremely difficult; indeed, let us rather feel sorry for the government and the Central Commission, even though governments never thought to buy intellectual accumulation without paying for it. consider it impossible to separate the treatment of the land law from the current problems of agriculture and our peasant; neither Hugo of France nor our Mjeda could easily describe his stoicism. Everyone talks about the role of agriculture, but few know or appreciate its buffering capacity, especially in moments of social fluctuations, of which the current moment is the most typical. Everyone talks about agriculture, but not everyone analyzes this division that has descended into contempt for our peasant, whose status is lower than that of the Russian muzhik. It is regrettable that even now sentimental appeals are being made to help the village and agriculture, when it is known that solving the problems of the peasant and agriculture also solves the nation’s problems. Should we forget the peasant who, having received 3–5 lekë for a day’s work, kept inflation—now unleashed—in a latent state by working bent over? We have mentioned only one aspect of his drama, but even this is enough for you, gentlemen of government and parliament. If you forget him, his bread will kill you. Today everyone, without exception, talks and theorizes about the market economy and shock therapy. But given our country’s natural gifts, can we move to a market economy without the comprehensive development of agriculture and the village? It would hardly be fanciful to think and pro- IDRIZ XHAMARAJ (continued on page 4)

LET US CLEAR THE GROUND AND Steps forward, but with The monist state bureaucratic apparatus must

The Peqin branch of the Republican Party held its conference on 17.5.92 at 17:00. The report was presented by the branch chairman, Mr. Altin Kumbara, who critically analyzed all aspects of the activities of the area’s Republican Party branch. The following shortcomings were highlighted: 1. Weak links between the center and the grassroots 2. Poor work in the villages 3. More intellectuals should have been brought into the Republican Party branch. The report also mentioned the good work of all the followers, through which the number of members doubled; this was due to the successful cooperation in the work of the Republican Party branch council. The diligence of Sabri Godo, Çerçiz Mingomataj and Shpëtim Luzati was also noted here.