The elections for local government bodies on July 26 are a very important event in the political life of the country, since through them the democratic reform of government is also completed at the grassroots level. They pave the way for the further development of democracy and pluralism, and for the implementation of economic reform. These are the reasons why the Republican Party calls on the electorate to recognize its responsibility and not remain indifferent to these elections. The best means of dismantling Communist structures at the grassroots level as well, and of fighting bureaucracy, is to establish democratic, pluralist government and decentralize local power. Local government, whose task is local self-government based on the principles of independence and a separate budget, while preserving the unique national character of the Albanian state, assumes decisive importance. At this difficult time for the country, the energetic and dedicated functioning of local government bodies, elected by one another [as printed], trustworthy, capable and important, as democracy requires, would revive the hopes of the residents of communes and municipalities for the full restoration of order, progress in privatization, the launch of investment, and the beginning of a civil and cultured life. It is precisely for these reasons that the Republican Party committed itself with all due seriousness to taking part in these local government elections. Putting the interests of the country first ALEKSANDER ÇINA (Continued on page 4)

The editorial staff of the newspaper «Republika» protests the conduct of the chairman of the Journalists’ Association, Mr. Sokol Muho, at the press conference of Mr. Azem Hajdari on 6 August 1992. Before the conference began, Mr. Muho announced that a press conference would be held and that people who had no business there should give their places to journalists. No one was allowed out of the hall and the chairs [unclear in source], and after several journalists left in protest, Mr. Muho declared the conference open. It would be good for the Journalists’ Association and the personalities holding press conferences to clarify once and for all whether press conferences are for journalists or are mixed events for journalists and supporters. P.S. We clarify that Mr. Sokol Muho was elected chairman of the Journalists’ Association at a conference where most journalists were absent.

When it comes to intellectuals and the intelligentsia, we are accustomed to keeping silent and listening to them. Ordinary people have bowed their heads before people of intellect, before their crown and mercy. Those called the people follow the intellectuals and, at times, this trust, this well-meaning conviction, has brought about phenomena of all kinds, which in turn have produced every sort of result. Not infrequently, negative ones. And yet the people are ready to follow the intellectuals. Not because of some eternal naivety on their part, but because reason and feeling have always guided human society. Cases in which people have rejected intellectuals have, on the contrary, reinforced the rule: the masses’ trust in them. This very thing has brought about the emergence of two camps among intellectuals. First: it has increased their responsibility toward the people’s trust; second, toward the large groups among them. From the ranks of this kind of intellectuals have emerged exceptional individuals who become true leaders, people who devote themselves unconditionally to the interests of ordinary people, who make up what we call the «crowd», the «gathering», the «people». These individuals are almost heavenly in the virtues they bear, or compel themselves to embody, at particular times. They make a name for themselves as uncompromising people who yield before no obstacle, as «people the nation needs». The people follow such individuals without hesitation. The second camp of intellectuals draws precisely on the kind of trust ordinary people place in them. It is difficult for the people to distinguish a true intellectual from a false one. For both kinds can stir people, indeed not infrequently, with greater beauty and greater sweetness. That is precisely why they are more confusing, more exploitative and more harmful. If one adds other, somewhat external conditions—such as being formed and acting under dictatorship, under democracy, or in the period between them—things become even more difficult. Even such questions become tangled: What is the role of intellectuals after dictatorship? What is their responsibility toward ordinary people, toward the «crowds», the «people»? Ultimately, how do intellectuals who serve dictatorship (communism) differ from intellectuals who have linked their own «fate» and their intelligence to democracy and to people who aspire to it? In Albania, as in every other respect, this too has been borrowed. At the beginnings of democracy, whoever could took to the streets. First of all, those who could not help coming out because of the difficult and tormented life of the various kinds [unclear in source], and, second, those who were certain that, at the very least, they would not lose by stepping «into the face» of this danger. Both sides opposed the dictatorship, finding themselves on the same side of power, undoubtedly because democracy unites rather than divides. But also because intellectuals are predisposed to rise above themselves, above their family circle or material interests, when it comes to democracy’s progress. Hope is always expressed in intellectuals. Our people are still placing their hopes in intellectuals today. By whom might our democracy be disappointed today? Undoubtedly by the second kind of «intellectuals». Especially when their own intelligence leaves much to be desired, and we lack genuine values. It is becoming clear that the «moderate» intellectuals are precisely the intellectuals of the dictatorship, renovated! They emerge as if from nowhere. One invokes «extremism of the right» as an «argument»; another uses some isolated phrase, taken out of the speeches of the true leaders of democracy, to align himself with their anti-democratic aims. One, in the name of human rights, asks us to forget the violation of the rights of an entire nation for half a century; another preaches reconciliation and social peace without first judging the phenomenon of class warfare and the monstrous crimes of the Communist dictatorship. It is clear that elementary facts are being confused, whether naively or maliciously. If naively, then we must accept that we are not dealing with responsible intellectuals; if maliciously, then democracy must separate its fate from that of such intellectuals. What the Chairman of the RP, Mr. Sabri Godo, said long ago has now come to the fore. Communism must be put on trial before the people. Moreover, the files must be made public as soon as possible, and the political and economic complicity of a number of dictatorship-era intellectuals must be investigated to the end. RAPO OBLIKA

Open letter to the Council of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Open letter to the Council of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church To all Albanian Orthodox believers and the entire Albanian public — As the entire Albanian and international public knows, including A. Z. Raja Reuters, etc., you, as the central council of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church, without obtaining the opinion of the autocephalous Orthodox councils of the districts or the approval of the body of Orthodox believers who pray and believe in God, tried, in an unlawful manner and with a very cynical tactic, to consecrate His Eminence, Exarch Anastas, as archbishop of Orthodoxy in Albania on August 2. Despite internal intrigues and the presence on the council of anti-Albanian and anti-religious elements, outsiders seeking legal material gains, you wanted to present the body of Orthodox believers, who attend church on Sundays, with a fait accompli, by attempting to carry out the consecration in passing at the Church of the Annunciation in Tirana, according to religious formalities and regulations that cannot be violated. But you know what happened: the people immediately understood what was being done and reacted at once, from the very start of preparations for the ceremony of proclamation, protesting loudly with the words «Anaxios» [unworthy]; in opposition to the Church’s law, which requires the candidate to be of Albanian nationality and requires the fulfillment of the duty demanded by God, and [reference to] «Papa Kristo Negovani», who had been murdered and was among the most desperate [defenders?] of the Albanian people against extermination by Ali Pashë Tolini. As the public knows, it was called off, and no one entered the church; we had [unclear passage in source] a decree and a rule. As if that were not enough, dishonest, anti-Albanian people with no concern for the fate of Albanian Orthodoxy, caring only about their wealth and their own pockets, and earning legal income like Mr. Aleko Dhima, claim that the consecration of His Eminence Anastas Janullatos as archbishop supposedly took place over lunch, which this Greek bishop’s friends had apparently organized at the Hotel-Tirana. This absurdity is absolutely contrary to the laws and traditions of all Christian churches of every denomination, which stipulate that such an act, elevation in the hierarchy, can take place only in a church, before the body of believers, and after asking the congregation’s opinion three times in succession with the words: «Worthy?» and receiving the response «Worthy» three times in succession. If even one of the believers present at this ceremony raises their voice to say «unworthy» (anaxios), the ceremony is automatically annulled. This is what happened in our church in Tirana on August 2, 1992, where not just one believer but a very large number of believers raised their voices loudly, shouted «unworthy» and repeatedly said «no» to this unlawful consecration. Mr. Aleko Dhima knows all this very well. As for the possible consequences that may follow in the future from the lies and deceptions, primary material and spiritual responsibility will rest with Mr. Aleko Dhima, secretary of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, as well as Mr. Leka Tase, a supporter of this anti-national and anti-church act. We have great respect for Exarch Anastas, but we remind him that, by making use of tools such as Mr. Aleko Dhima and his associates, he proceeded toward violating the laws of our Church’s statute, whose Article 39 states that the archbishop of our Church can be consecrated only if he is Albanian, or an individual of another citizenship but of Albanian blood. This canonical rule is in line with the Albanian ecclesiastical tradition of universal Orthodoxy. We believe that Exarch Anastas, whose position is rejected by the entire Albanian public, will wish to close this nonexistent matter and make way for an independent audit of financial and material affairs, as well as of all canonical and spiritual matters that may have taken place or may take place within that general church council, which, in our opinion, should be dissolved as soon as possible and replaced by a new council with the necessary moral and religious qualifications. Signed: Group of Orthodox Believers of the Albanian Orthodox Intolerance [as printed]

In recent days, the Albanian public has learned about the incident that occurred during the ceremony enthroning as Bishop of Tirana and Archbishop of all Albania a senior clergyman of Greek nationality and citizenship, sent by the Patriarchate of Constantinople to reorganize the Orthodox Church in our country after a long period during which the Communist regime had prohibited the practice of religion and destroyed religious institutions. At the same time, we learned of the sound decisions, imbued with a high patriotic spirit, that Parliament took in connection with this event. Immediately, journalist Petro Dhimitri, in RD dated 4.8.1992, with a pronounced Greekophile and Greek-servile attitude, pretends to criticize the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church for this «historical outrage», after offering the praise so necessary for His Eminence Mr. Anastas Janullatos, who, as the facts show, has not led a particularly distinctive life in Kanan [ ?], having been drawn into this by those who sent him here. With a very poor understanding of the subject he discusses, one that comes both from the long-standing Greekophile school and from Communist indoctrination, as he himself has acknowledged on more than one occasion, our now well-known journalist makes several mistakes, even if unintentionally. Thus, when he mentions Noli, he uses the title «Father» for him, although it is known that this title in the ecclesiastical hierarchy of both the Orthodox and Catholic faiths belongs to priests, whereas Noli was not a bishop; he should be addressed as we have always addressed him, Imzot Fan Noli. I do not believe this misrepresentation was intentional on Petro’s part, all the more so since he is Orthodox. Now the journalist, telling us about a Fan Noli, takes us back to 1908, when Archbishop Rua Platon, who ordained the Albanian priest from Libofshë Tepelena, asked him whether he was married. When he answered no, he told him that this was better for him, because then he could also become a bishop. And that is indeed what happened. It is appropriate now to remind Albania’s younger generations, who know Noli mainly as FATMIR AGALLIU (Continued on page 8)

In the next issue you will read: ALBANIA HAS NOT BEEN A COLONY, NOR WILL IT BECOME A FRENCH PROTECTORATE,

— COMMUNISM HAD TO BE PUT ON TRIAL IN A BROAD POLITICAL PROCESS —