TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE USA, MR GEORGE BUSH Dear Mr President! The political changes after the 22 March 1992 elections in Albania brought to power a left-liberal government, but not a democratic Western-type government. Private property, which the barbaric communist regime of dictator Enver Hoxha had nationalized unjustly, arbitrarily and violently, and which President Berisha [sic], is not only not being returned to its lawful owners, but this government, relying on the anti-clerical and anti-democratic Law No. 7501 of 19 July 1991, drafted and approved by a communist parliament of chief criminals, is implementing this law by force and with police intervention, giving it to landless peasants while denying lawful owners their right of ownership over agricultural land, pastures, olive groves, etc. At a time when the Albanian state holds in state ownership everything that amounts to 120,000 hectares of some of the most fertile agricultural land, this state asset is enough to fully endow 40,000 Albanian peasant families without land, while currently all the peasants of Albania are being driven into turmoil [?] The Albanian state cannot be called either democratic or a state governed by the rule of law if it does not return property to all the lawful owners from whom it was seized by the communist dictatorial regime. We ask, and at the same time believe, that you, Mr President, the president of one of the most democratic states in the world, during your meeting with President Berisha, ask him to return without any conditions all movable and immovable property to its lawful owners. This act of yours, Mr President, will be considered a truly anti-communist deed in Albania. Communism is presently surviving in a phoney form and is keeping in poverty some 150,000 expropriated Albanian families, the majority of which were persecuted by the communist dictatorial regime through imprisonment and internment, and many members of these families were executed. Members of these families have been and remain the true anti-communist opposition. These are the true democrats of Albania and are loyal voters against the Democratic Party of Labour of Albania. So these are the democrats, and not those who think they can pose as democrats by placing the white veil of democracy over a dead body. For the Presidency of the National Association of Expropriated Persons of Albania With highest respect RAPO HAXHI DANSHI Tirana, 11 June 1992

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE REALISTIC ALTERNATIVE THE COUNTRY NEEDS, FOR TODAY AND FOR THE FUTURE The First Congress of the PR, which lasted ten [sic], held its work over two consecutive days, on 8 and 9 June, and once again affirmed the important role this party played in the overthrow of the dictatorship and the wise positions it has maintained at key moments, when the country was threatened by civil war. This view was underlined by the report of the Party chairman, Mr Sabri Godo, and by many delegates who took the floor at the Congress. The work of this Congress, marked by a diversity of views and constructive debate, in the new conditions of the country, created after the fall of the dictatorship, clearly and unequivocally defined the party’s political line and the basis on which it and its allies would rely. As a party with a clear profile, the Republican Party will rely on future small, medium and large property owners. No party in this pluralist state can now claim to represent, indeed it would be absurd to say so, that it belongs to the entire people. Individuals join a party according to their political views and, more importantly, the economic interests they have and seek to defend today and in the future. Naturally, this profiling makes it clearer already at the outset, because on the eve of the collapse of communist blocs and of a suffocating pressure that, in the so-called stability government and somewhat beyond, became devaluing, there can no longer be capitalist owners in the classical sense of the word. Almost all Albanians today are stripped of property. Tomorrow, the economic reform that has just begun will inevitably create economic differences among people and form distinct classes on the basis of economic outlook, which will fill the ranks of the parties they believe they belong to and in which they can fully find themselves. In this context, the Republican Party is open to every Albanian or minority member who today is in a social role, a simple worker, a simple farmer, an intellectual, a student or [m]. It is enough for him to have republican thoughts and views. The First Congress of the PR also affirmed the view that the Republican Party is a realistic alternative the country needs today and tomorrow. As such an alternative, it has fully shown itself over these 17 months in all positions related to the national question. Although such a stance has generally cost it. The Republican Party will always continue to adhere to its wise, prudent and determined positions in line with its programme. The new leadership, the National Council and the Steering Committee, democratically elected by this Congress, with young, capable and energetic people, is a sure guarantee of this.

STEERING COMMITTEE 1. Sabri Godo 2. Tamara Laurasi 3. Eduard Xhafa 4. Çerçiz Mingomataj 5. Alfred Karamuça 6. Aleksandër Cina 7. Xhevat Reçishti 8. Fatmir Mediu 9. Arben Burburia 10. Dalip Greca 11. Aleksandër Garuli Mr Fatmir Mediu was elected vice-chairman of the PR, while Mr Çerçiz Mingataj was elected secretary.

You have friends on the other side of the sea - Interview with Ottavio Lavagio, representative of PRI at the First Congress of PRSH. - - What would you like to say to the readers of “Republika”? - I am here at the first congress of your party to bring greetings from the Italian republicans, and I believe Albanian republicans are pleased to have friends on the other side of the Adriatic. Italy can play an important role in Albania’s economic future, and having relations with a party that has economic strength in Italy can be of benefit to PRSH. I believe it is very important to reaffirm our friendship with the Albanian republicans, regardless of the undesired result in the elections of 22 March. What is the role of PRI in Italian political life? In the latest elections on 5 April, PRI increased its votes and its seats in parliament, perhaps not as much as expected, but steadily: we went from 21 deputies to 27 and from 7 senators to 10. In particular, PR has shown a policy in Italy, and a republican Italian government is usually always weak. How well do you know the current Albanian reality in Italy? Albania has always been a mysterious country for Italians because of the lack of information for the past 40 years. I believe Albanians know much more about Italy than Italians know about Albania. I think Italy has historically had ties with Albania, despite the fact that we were colonizers and Italian rule in Albania was not very deep. I see that there is a sensitive attitude toward Italians, not only because Italy for Albania has been a myth created through television or because of food aid. The economic base in Albania needs to be revived, and I believe an important part of these investments will come from Italy. - Can you tell us something about the prospects for relations between PRI and PRSH? - Relations between PRI and PRSH have been very good and cordial since the creation of PRSH. We feel a certain responsibility to provide you with material assistance as well, because we know the conditions in which you work. We can offer you help both in ideas and in practice regarding organization. PR is not a major party in Italy, so it does not have the resources the others have, and it does not come like them, so do not expect to see thieves like those in the other parties offering you money for some operation or scheme. But you must know that you have friends on the other side of the sea... - Thank you! Interviewed by: LUTFI DERVISHI

LOOKING TOWARD EUROPE(??)... Remarks by Mr Çerçiz Mingomataj The aims of the democratic movement in the countries of the East, including our own, were crystallized in the slogan “Let us go toward Europe.” Citizens here have always sprung from Europe, not Africa. Thus it was proved that the concept is not geographical but social. The feeling of being outside Europe, that is, on an isolated island, was not created by some movement of the continent, but by social division and alienation. The fact that this feeling was shared by all the countries that lived under Stalinist communism proves that Stalinism itself is understood as the most un-European phenomenon, even though geographically it existed in Europe. This non-European condition in European countries has been expressed on a broad scale in these countries, in the way the state is run — toward Europe — as a symbol of the desired process of dismantling this nation, that is, the crystallization of one’s real identity. As such, it does not mean simply going to Europe, but becoming Europe; it does not represent a mechanical movement, but an inner process, both for the country and for the individual, namely the overcoming of Stalinism through European social and human values. The degree of this transformation, the extent of this success, is measured: First: by how much we have broken with Stalinist mindsets and practices; Second: by how much we have embraced these European values, mindsets and practices in life. From this failure to move away has often emerged the saying: “The farther from Stalinism, the closer to Europe.” This process is long and difficult within our consciousness, both as individuals and as a country; it represents our process of return, and it is precisely in this process that its success and outcome are decided. Looking at this process retrospectively and at present, I would say, unlike what Prime Minister Meksi says, that on 22 March 1992 the end of the struggle against communism did not come; rather, this struggle entered (Continues on page 2)

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PR 1. Sokol Stani 2. Lazër Sokoli 3. Fejzulla Bergani 4. Ndoc Lazri 5. Nikoll Ndreca 6. Luljeta Gjoni 7. Mehdi Guni 8. Shkumbin Spahiu 9. Lutfi Bruci 10. Sefer Lezi 11. Pjetër Laca[j] 12. Vladimir Agraja 13. Arben Dabameto 14. Qemal Preza 15. Mehmet Kotherja 16. Engjëll Matraxhiu 17. Tosun Liconji 18. Agim Doku 19. Alush Lamçe 20. Arif Lala 21. Sotiraq Hambi 22. Agron Llaci 23. Pirro Kice 24. Bektash Dervishi 25. Izim Çuçku 26. Vangjël Prifti 27. Ali Belshi 28. Ksenofon Mërtiri 29. Petrit Alimeta 30. Adnan Shehu 31. Agron Hazisi 32. Engjëll Xhaferi 33. Kristofer Rrumbullaku 34. Veli Hoda[j] 35. Dilaver Koçia 36. Sabri Godo 37. Tamara Lau[r]as[i] 38. Eduard Xhafa 39. Çerçiz Mingomataj 40. Ferhat Gruja 41. Alfred Karamuça 42. Edmond Berberi 43. Gazmend Turdiu 44. Aleksandër Çin[a] 45. Pirro Kostallari They are members of the National Council according to the statute, together with all the chairmen of the PR branches across the districts.

THE PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA, MR S. BERISHA, DEPARTED FOR THE USA Yesterday at 5:30 p.m., the President of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, together with his wife, Liri Berisha, departed on an official working visit to the United States of America. He is accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Al. Meksi, and the Secretary and Minister of Economy and Foreign Economic Cooperation, Arta[r] Hoxha. At Rinas Airport, President Sali Berisha was seen off by the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Dr Aleksandër Meksi, the vice-chairmen of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Tomor Malasi and Shaqir Vukaj, the deputy chairmen of the Council of Ministers, Bashkim Kopliku and Rexhep Uka, deputies, members of the government, representatives of political parties and associations, and others. Also present were the secretary of the American Embassy in Tirana, Mr Christopher Hill, the chargé d’affaires of the Italian Embassy in Albania, the ambassador of the Russian Federation, the representative of UNDP, and others. President Sali Berisha saluted the national flag and, accompanied by Mr Pjetër Arbnori and Mr Aleksandër Meksi, inspected the honor guard.

In this issue: On pages two, three and four of this issue you will read the speeches of the delegates at the Congress, most of which are published in full. Correction: Mr Eduart Laze did not speak at the Congress, as was stated in the article on this occasion, titled “At the Republican Assembly,” published in the previous issue of our newspaper.

We congratulate Mr Sabri Godo on being elected Chairman of PRSH On the occasion of your election to the position of Chairman of the Republican Party, I extend our congratulations. We are convinced that the Republican Party under your leadership will constitute the full federation of democracy in Albania. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC SALI BERISHA Tirana, 12.06.1992 To the President of the Congress of the Republican Party and the election of the new party leadership, Mr Sabri Godo. I experienced with joy the new act of Europe’s entry, also in the continuing development of democracy in Albania. Respectfully, VALER XHEKA On behalf of the Association of Independent Democratic Veterans of the War of the Albanian People, I feel great pleasure on the occasion of your election to the high office of Chairman of the Republican Party. We feel sympathy for the Republican Party, a fellow fighter alongside the Democratic Party in the struggle against the neo-communists. May you have a long life, light and victory on 22 March 1992, in the courtyard of our exploited people. Please accept our respects, dear comrade, and on this occasion we once again congratulate the Republican Party as a truly right-wing party. CHAIRMAN Napolon Polo Dear Mr Sabri Godo. I followed with particular interest the proceedings of the First Congress of the Albanian Republican Party, which took place in a truly democratic spirit, and I was pleased to learn of your re-election to the high office of Party Chairman. Extending my heartfelt congratulations on this esteemed responsibility, I wish you success in the future. Respectfully, METIN O[?]HEKOL Ambassador of Turkey