... When democracy is used against democracy = The people gave their verdict on political power on March 22. Never again with communism! The neocommunists of the Socialist Party must bear this in mind. No one prevents them from playing a fair electoral game, winning sympathizers or new members. But no one will allow them to oppose democracy; no one will accept their claim that these things are part of pluralism. Pluralism does not oppose democracy; communism or neocommunism does. But it is no longer possible to experiment with Marxist-Leninist ideology or its derivatives. This people has tried enough of that at its own expense. Along with outlawing the Communist Party, any other political force that is a direct continuation of the PPSH must also be deprived of the moral right to make this people’s life more difficult. March 22 was precisely the victory of anticommunism, as communism, represented by the various forms of the PPSH, was relegated to a minority. Undoubtedly, the emergence of its own [text unclear] and tolerance, by tolerating the «socialists» even when they operate as communists, as puniste or as dividers of the nation and of this people’s peace—this people has suffered enough from allamajisto-ML experiments. The people’s verdict of March 22 must be respected. It is in no way contradicted by the results of July 26. On the contrary, the shift in the July results, the fall in the percentage of voters, is proof of the real communist and so-called socialist danger. And no one has the right to squander the result of the political elections of March 22, with which the entire Albanian people bid a final farewell to communism in power. Democratic power must not be seen as a decorative ornament, as a moral or spiritual victory for the democratic spirit of the long-suffering Albanian people (like no other in Eastern Europe and on our planet), but as a practical opportunity to make democracy concrete and institutionalize it. Excessive tolerance would endanger democracy, and such a thing would be not only unforgivable but would also make the hesitant of the moment bear responsibility. Democracy above all is law, its exercise, and the consistent application of the law. And the law is now enacted by a democratic parliament to which this very people gave the breath of democracy. So why should it be tolerated that this democracy, this freedom of speech and action, be used against democracy, against the democratic and anticommunist aspirations of the people? FARUK MYRTAJ … to observe the life of this people, and the PPSH. March 22 was precisely the victory of anticommunism, because relegated to a minority. Undoubtedly, the emergence of a higher percentage for the Socialist Party is a shift to the left, when leftism, especially of the Enverist kind, has brought this people every misfortune. This must not be ignored, but neither should it actually be tolerated as a democratic act or as the consolidation of democracy. The former communists have lost the moral right to benefit from democracy, from democratic tolerance, or even from transparency. Until those responsible have been held accountable for what they wrote, the «socialists» cannot undertake political competition with the other parties of Albanian pluralism. For precisely this reason, the central political power must not present the degree of democracy aspirations of the people?

Interview with Father Artur Liolini given to «Voice of America» Question: Father Artur Liolini, we have learned that on August 2 His Eminence Anastasi Janullatos, of Greek origin, is to be consecrated as Archbishop of the Albanian Church. What do you know about this? Answer: It is an unexpected, unbelievable development and a hasty action, which runs contrary to the statute of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. We expected, and continue to await even today, fraternal cooperation in the spirit of Helsinki; these Byzantine provocations reveal anachronistic maneuvers aimed at nationalizing [text unclear]. To tell the truth, I have no official information on this matter. I read earlier in the news published in the Greek newspaper «Elenikos Koras» that three other Greek bishops have also been appointed for Gjirokastra, Korça and Saranda. I am surprised that a decision of such importance and with national consequences has not been made known to the wider public in Albania, but is being handled in a secretive and hasty manner, without seeking the views of the Albanian Church of F. Noli in America, in accordance with the statement made by His Eminence Metropolitan Anastasi, in the credentials letter he presented, concerning the conditions for self-government within the shortest possible time for the AFTER THE PROTEST ADDRESSED TO MR. MEKSI - Only PS and ZP are silent about the provocations of Greek chauvinists - After «Republika» published the letter from a group of Albanian Orthodox believers and intellectuals addressed to the Prime Minister, Mr. Meksi, concerning the enthronement of Exarch Janullatos as Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, our editorial office has received letters supporting that letter, accompanied by entire lists of names of the many believers and intellectuals who continue to add their signatures. In one of them we read: «We are sending you a list of Orthodox believers in support of the article “To Mr. A. Meksi”, who expressed their support for annulling the decision ... to enthrone Albania. This action is not in keeping with the current circumstances, as the article in question explains ...». Then follow 125 signatures. The editorial office continues to receive signatures from the city of Tirana and «from the districts». In general, the entire Albanian press has expressed its position on this important issue. Only PS and ZP are silent at this time The patriarchal [text unclear] is like a special Albanian envoy, for a period [text unclear] and under ... the members of our faith here, as in Albania, are very grateful today for the good work this missionary bishop has done to rebuild our faith. The question arises: Who now seeks to destroy these holy initiatives, or to take advantage of the present difficulties of our nation? Nevertheless, in a spirit of friendship, we express our wishes, though deeply concerned, to the Exarch and all the Orthodox people, that together they may continue to work and pray to God for the revival of the church, for the honor and glory of our Savior Jesus Christ. Question: Father Artur, was any representative of the diaspora invited to Sunday’s ceremony? Answer: No representative has been sent to Tirana today by the Albanian Orthodox Church founded by F. Noli. Question: Father Artur, do you think that all we have discussed shows that the Greek Orthodox Church is exerting some influence over the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church? Answer: I am not aware of this myself, but given the earlier history, which Albanians know well, and some reports and … the re-enthronement of issue. Only PS and ZP are silent, at a time when even Enver Hoxha himself did not remain silent about this issue. This is the only case in which PS distances itself from Enver Hoxha. … and a specified period with special responsibility. Second: the creation of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. I believe that all Albanian… … whether all that provocations coming from the South, we are concerned that such influence may exist. Thank you, Father Artur, and we hope to speak with you again. May God bless you! Interviewed by: Ilia Terecka

The chairman of PRSH, Mr. Sabri Godo, held two meetings in Dangëlli of Përmet. He met with the villagers of Kreshovë and Frashër, where the municipality is headed for a runoff. (Continued on p. 3)

The one who benefited immediately and directly from Democracy was the peasant. The most sacred thing was returned to him: the land seized by force by collectivist communism. Absurd Albanian socialism sought to prove that the peasant could exist without land, without livestock, without private property. In its very short life, democracy gave these things back to the peasant. No one can hide this. Today’s PS leaders were also PPSH leaders, and they constantly obstructed every sign of peasant private ownership. The land law, even if it is rather limited, nevertheless protected it by obligation from the first crack. I knew it, but it gave him back the land. The [text unclear] that had seized it from him as if… - You gave me the land, but you haven’t brought me any more soap for two months! This is what a peasant says to a democracy activist. He is not joking; he really has expressed his frustration and asks for neither justice nor help, with his [text unclear], which he expresses as his own… The creation of this little man, without a mind of his own, without free judgment… Everyone… - Democracy gave me the land, but it didn’t give me soap… Our peasant, poisoned and embraced! As if democracy could be exchanged so easily for two bars of soap—as though democracy didn’t offer the possibility of an entire life different from the previous one?! As if democracy meant never having soap again?!!! As if democracy were some evil thing, so that our peasant is ready to give his vote back to the cooperative chairman and secretary, to the workday there, to unbearable poverty. Would you accept the Socialist Party, even if it brought you soap fourteen times over?… … [text unclear] for the socialists to manipulate. They themselves have devised this apathetic creature, wholly without intellect, observation or criticism. That is why they know how to use him better; they know how to deceive him as they do, to move him like a marionette, precisely by using poverty as an electoral card. - soap… (!!!) Everyone … [text unclear] … After all this time, with breathing… you… … that you had become aware! We don’t know how else to put it: Things are plain to see, and let us not cover them up: we … . … but can you not forgive their weaknesses, when they have not yet been tested in their dealings with you, knowing that that so-called socialist will very soon return to fanatical communism—you have no idea how quickly, my peasant friend. And then…! Then you will shout in vain. For you yourself lost the chance to be different. You yourself deprived your children of the chance to live differently from you… You are not convinced, innocent victim? Then don’t hesitate at all: Vote for the Socialist Party in the areas where there is a runoff, in the second round! Vote so it can fully demonstrate the [text unclear] of the communists [text unclear]. Often, someone who has escaped from slavery instinctively returns to the slave owner. And the owner, acting properly, demands an accounting for the time he was away! May God save you from such temptations, my friend from the village.

As in fairy tales, just like in Dumas’s novel, he rose from his prison cell after 28 years, after betrayal, after humiliation. Praise be to God «who has preserved your memory», Pjetër Arbnori! Praise be to God that you have remained human, miraculously human, with a great soul! Now you walk along the road like a gentleman and… with a bell you can summon (or dismiss) the lordly deputies of democracy. The gods (of democracy) were persuaded by the prisoner’s words, by the words of a former prisoner. But… the gods (from before democracy) are now persuaded… The prisoner Pjetër Arbnori! You are one of them, not the only one, not the hundredth, not the thousandth! And you set the example first. A great lock for the dreadful Spahiu, for Qafë Bari, where people (oh God, people indeed) were brutally crushed by monstrous machines; for the prison and the other prisons, where people—entirely innocent people—were trampled, hanged and mutilated. A great lock, then, for the monstrous hell of the dictatorship, for Pjetër Arbnori, imprisoned for 28 years! Thank you for your magnanimity! (And for the wonderful magnanimity you show toward the gods of democracy.) You, with both your elbows against the sky… … cannot see what is theirs. Praise be to God for preserving our memory. Praise be to God for the great lock we put on Albania’s prisons. A lock on the prisons… But what are we to do with the guards? Nothing bad! Our former guards, don’t be afraid, nothing bad: It’s just that you… the former prisoner of twenty-eight years cannot take my former guard to guard the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly. No! You, former prisoner no. X, named Pjetër Arbnori, cannot fall! You are true to your magnanimity when you take my former guard on as a bodyguard. You could call your former guard—the one who humiliated you (if he could), who shackled you, dragged you along, threw you a crust of bread as one throws it to a dog, and wouldn’t let you write the truth under the outburst of… … where your guard may believe. So don’t bring my guard to ruin. What business does he have with you? Prisoner no. X, Pjetër Arbnori, why would you summon my guard to the cells? I have forgiven him. I have done the same as you have forgiven your guard. My father and I—our guard (Shabani, who bows to you every morning, every morning) drove us away as if we were dogs, and we have forgiven him. Why then don’t you forgive him, prisoner no. X, Pjetër Arbnori? Why? I have forgiven him. Why do you, former prisoner no. X, want my guard killed?! Why? Why? Why?