Republicanism has long been known in the world, and it is also known in Albania (remember the Rilindasit). Even today, the republican alternative constitutes an important factor in the country’s political life. The Republican Party has been and remains clear, firm and consistent in its ideas and program, which are now known and accepted by a good part of the population. It has drawn up a political and economic program that aims to establish and strengthen the Western capitalist order, recognize old and new property, pursue a policy of good relations with all anti-communist groupings, etc. Over the span of 16 months, elections were held three times in Albania, and the first thing that strikes you is the electorate’s immediate movement from one side to the other. There may be many reasons, and they deserve a separate analysis, but one thing can be asserted today: the (neo-)communist structures are capable of creating no small problems. In these elections the RP received a modest percentage, but it was increasing. In particular, a more noticeable increase was expected in the latest elections, but that did not happen. Many issues intersect here, but the most obvious is G-10 (the group of ten intellectuals). Their appearance (with a statement on the radio and a leaflet distributed throughout the country) precisely on the eve of the elections was no coincidence, and a group of 10 people, calling themselves republican intellectuals, appeared at newspaper editorial offices and Radio-Tirana. Throughout this period, up to the eve of the elections, their intellectual activity in the service of the struggle for democracy can be summed up in the drafting of a leaflet, which ended up being distributed into the hands of some watermelon sellers (buyers dubbed it the “watermelon leaflet”). It is true that democracy gives you the opportunity to express your thoughts freely. Fortunately, there is an abundance of newspapers in Albania today, and some of those who call themselves intellectuals presented their views in various publications. Naturally, it is not proper to delve into the biography of one person or another, nor is it worth wasting column space on people who seem to have nothing to do, but to make the picture as transparent as possible and for the wider public to get to know the “intellectuals” more closely, it is worth saying a few words about the leading figures on the list, headed by Hysen Çobani. Once Adil Çarçani’s favorite, he now thought he would become democracy’s favorite. He was on the RP’s Founding Commission. In the first elections (where he had worked and where we knew him best), he won 0.8 percent of the votes. The RP later also proposed him to the government of stability, which accepted him as deputy minister for agriculture, but... the doctor wanted the post of deputy prime minister (!). At the RP’s first conference, through manipulations that Mr. Zeka forgets to mention in his article in «Balli i Kombit», he tried to put himself at the head of the Party. The plan did not work, but Dr. Çobani was not discouraged. While publishing articles in «Republika», he was also working on other fronts. A few months later, over secondary issues, the RP’s right-wing faction was formed from one section of the RP, and the doctor was not only [continued on page 4] …, which did not happen. Many issues are intertwined ten intellectuals). Their appearance—with the country—right on the eve of the elections is no coincidence. On the eve of elections and major political events (such as elections), the emergence of “dissidents” is becoming a regular occurrence. And this current, if it does not share the same roots, is headed in the same direction as the (neo-)communist echelon—it strikes at Albania’s fragile democracy. Perhaps the unlimited diversity of opinions and extreme tolerance have also helped create such a situation. After the first congress of the PR,

— We already had a Government of Stability once, socialist comrades! — Nano, twice ousted as prime minister, is beating the drums for a coalition! Who knows why, who knows for what reason! Nano was blind when he used to shout loudly that the PPSH, and later the PSSH too, had the ability to form several governments. And no one doubted this, because we were talking about those kinds of governments in which ministers answered to the Political Bureau, which in turn answered to Party No. 1! Under pluralism, these cabinets would have—and will have—the same fate as twice-prime-minister Fatos Nano. The entire capital and the entire working class of the country rose then to demand Nano’s resignation, while he dug in his heels like... the communists, insisting on staying. He declared in London that he had nothing at all to do with communism, but two months later he emerged at the head of the former communists as chairman of the Socialist Party. Some time passed; he was forgotten, occupied himself with long-term strategy and... now the results are being sought: the SP is again asking for a coalition government! Good heavens, but we already had a Government of Stability once, and we could hardly get rid of it! Communism felt comfortable in it; the communists became millionaires under that government, and there was no sign anywhere that justice, which had been trampled underfoot, would be restored. And the people, already squeezed by dictatorship, were further exhausted by the post-dictatorship that was rotting under the name of fledgling democracy. At the time, the communists accepted a coalition government because they were unable to govern alone, not because they had accepted coexistence with democracy. Then even more «difficult» times came. The communists were forced to change their name, deceived dozens and hundreds of honest communists who had truly made sacrifices for other people’s privileges, and sought to put on a different skin: Socialists, democrats! They called on the poverty and ignorance that the dictatorship had sown in this land of violence and deceit, and... now we have turned to the card of understanding and national harmony, social peace and a NEW stability! They are fooling themselves! The people can no longer be deceived. Look at the election results of July 26 compared with those of the runoff on August 2. The Democratic Party and the opposition won an absolute majority. This happened as soon as ordinary people, even those worn down by poverty and seasonal conditions, remembered what was happening—that the communist danger still existed, hidden beneath social rhetoric. That is precisely why Fatos Nano’s Socialists have no reason to hope for a coalition. It is far too early, gentlemen, to hope for arrangements of this kind. The political trial of the past has not yet taken place, in which you bear the main responsibility; how can we begin to judge the innocent, all of us accomplices, all of us democrats, and feel safe that there will be no return to the past! It is far too early because you are pretending! You are being insincere with this people and our democracy, such as it is—with the sincerity and weaknesses of its beginnings, but with the purity needed to save this people once and for all! You are asking for a coalition, «socialist» comrades, but you cannot tell us: against whom are you seeking this coalition? Against democracy? To deceive this people once again? Do you believe anyone can sign off on this deception? RRAPO OBLIKA

I appreciate Mr. Tozaj’s efforts to criticize President Sali Berisha... Indeed, the President and the Government sh—

The election law was violated in the Municipality of Frashër. The names of some residents of this municipality were missing from the voter list, while several people who are currently in Greece had «voted». This latter case is a forgery by the SP, which the competent authorities should investigate. Furthermore, although the order was for voting to continue until 10:00 p.m., the SP members decided to close it at 6:00 p.m.

I appreciate Mr. Tozaj’s efforts to criticize President Sali Berisha. Indeed, the President and the Government should be criticized regardless of how successful they are and which party they belong to. Indeed, the President and the Government should be criticized regardless of how successful they are and which party they belong to. In fact, it is better to criticize the President and the Government even unjustly than not to criticize them at all. But Mr. Tozaj’s article in the newspaper «Koha jonë», entitled «Duality», is below every standard of sound logic. The problem is that when a writer expresses the fear that foreign citizens may become masters in Albania while current Albanian citizens become slaves, it shows the author’s great ignorance and, since he is a writer, scares off potential investors in Albania—unless we want successful citizens from around the world to invest in Albania, whether or not they are Albanian (with the exception of neighboring states that have territorial claims). Every normal state attracts its citizens to Albania.

The election law was violated in the Municipality of Frashër. from the voter list, while several people who were 6:00 p.m., leaving many voters unable to vote. Likewise, in Bulqizë, drunk people who were members of the SP provoked voters and polling commissions to the extreme, committing violations and low acts, including interfering with the ballot boxes. Among many other cases, it is worth mentioning the one in Tujan (Tirana), where the chairman of the polling commission took the ballot boxes to his home; and the case in the municipality of Levan (Fier), where disturbances were caused, etc. The RP protests these flagrant violations of the election law. Such actions undermine democracy and violate human rights. «Republika» correspondent

About two hundred meters uphill from the American embassy in Tirana stands a two-story building with a spacious yard around it. If you tried to guess what it is, you could not identify it. You might think it is a warehouse or, at any rate, an abandoned building, but... it is the home for children with intellectual disabilities, which looks abandoned both outside and inside. This is what it has become over these years. They say it was established here 30 years ago to help children with intellectual disabilities, or, as doctors call them, «antipatikatë». At first this home had the character of a hospital, but later they also brought in some teachers. But the work was entirely amateurish, because the teachers were not specialists in working with these children. The socialist state, which considered the solution of capitalism to be the most insane, knew how to care «socialistically» for children... both in terms of their material needs and their upbringing and education. As for the former, it is enough to say that the children have a very low food allowance; as for the latter, over all these years they have had only two specialists (of sorts). More of them, six people, studied in Romania: Luan Hajdari and Virgjil Nanon; they say Virgjil is an apostle. Tom [continued on page 2]

Some time ago, the former director of the International Centre of Culture, Mr Frrok Çupi, sent the newspaper «REPUBLIKA» a lengthy document reflecting a conversation between Mr Çupi’s lawyer and two representatives of the State Audit Office. Considering that the document was very long and contained nothing concrete, the editorial staff contacted the State Audit Office and deemed it appropriate to publish the following materials. 1. The institution operated without approved economic and financial indicators, in violation of Council of Ministers Decision No. 311, dated 11.11.1982, “Regulation on Accounting,” Article 3. 2. 19,100 dollars were used to purchase machinery and equipment, in violation of Council of Ministers Decision No. 320, dated 30.8.1991. 3. The economic and financial activity of the QNK did not serve the purpose for which it was established, using foreign currency for domestic trade in violation of Council of Ministers Decision No. 286, dated 8.8.1991. 4. Law No. 8042, dated 25.12.1984, on the circulation and movement of goods and money, as well as Council of Ministers Decision No. 70, dated 11.3.1985, were seriously violated, since no inventory results were produced, discrepancies were not reconciled, and personal responsibility was not assigned to those responsible. 5. Foreign currency was used and misused for all domestic commercial activity, 30.8.1991. Specifically, 21,800 dollars were used to purchase apartments [the source reads “aparta tensioni”]; dollar advances were made before the goods were released; an incorrect dollar-to-mark conversion with the SONY company caused an actual loss of 3,630 dollars; and 20,000 dollars were given to EUROPA Komerc, which used them for three months. These actions also violated Order No. 2, dated 12.11.1991, of the Government Commission for the Administration of Foreign Currency. 6. A sum of 7,500 dollars was handed in cash to an employee to conduct trade in Greece, in violation of Law No. 8042, dated 25.12.1984, and Council of Ministers Decision No. 70, dated 11.3.1985. 7. The employee Mirela Ha[s]ani was given 12,000 dollars, as well as another 1,500 dollars withdrawn from the cashbox (from turnover), which should have been deposited in the bank; the money was paid to a private individual for the purchase of two kiosks, on the basis of a personal agreement between Mr Çupi and the seller, without a commission to determine the price, 30.8.1991, and Law No. 6942, dated 25.12.1984. 8. Twenty passenger cars were purchased for resale for 29,970 dollars, of which 25,000 dollars were collected for nine cars. Eleven cars, valued at 22,200 dollars, remained in the QNK inventory. By order of Mr Çupi, the price of eight cars was reduced to 19,000 dollars, resulting in a loss of 3,200 dollars; Mr Çupi also ordered that they be sold for lek, bringing in 477,000 lek. Through these actions, 22,200 dollars were misused, while only 477,000 lek in revenue was generated, in serious the Administration of Foreign Currency; and Council of Ministers Decision No. 270, dated 8.8.1991, concerning authorization to sell imported passenger vehicles and consumer goods delivered for sale. 9. Premises were made available for temporary and long-term use without the approval of the National Privatization Agency. As a result of the incorrect calculations, third parties benefited by 17,938 dollars and 149,820 lek, while less revenue was generated.

The honest person catches the people’s eye Poverty is the greatest threat to human character; it attacks relentlessly. Through shortages of food and housing, and the lack of opportunities to enjoy the fruits of one’s labour with one’s children and family, it constantly wears you down and torments you, often forever. Poverty gnaws away without pause. It affects both the ordinary person and the person who takes on intellectual responsibilities, as well as those who lead progressive processes, such as the democratic processes we have experienced here. It may happen that an ordinary person grows tired; the children, their demands, and their poverty wear them down. Thus, this ordinary person, placed under the pressure of the times but thinking of their own life and that of their children, may agree to make a gain, sometimes by means that are not entirely honest. In the struggle and anguish, the power of reason may lead us to forgive. We try... But can we claim the moral right to turn a blind eye even when faced with the Intellectual who claims to remain a model for the times, a champion of democracy? Can we accept his “weakness” as tolerable at a time when ordinary people are coping with life with such difficulty? Do these kinds of intellectuals, who are regarded as democrats, have the right to preach Transparency and the justification of antigjlorë [as written in the source] to the people? It is difficult, gentlemen, very difficult! Let us not disappoint this exhausted people even further. After all this, can we blame Blerim Çela, who judges with the mentality of the people?