Democratic tendencies entice parties to develop new ideas for the future, whereas here this tendency brought political pluralism onto the scene, represented by political parties that began striving to give expression to these ideas. But, naturally, this is not easy, and becomes extremely difficult when politics is directed and dominated by one party, which often steps outside itself or falls prey to populist ideas simply to preserve or calculate its hold on power, thereby infringing on the interests of individuals or groups of individuals organised as political groups. The fatalism that has accompanied Albanian life has also become part of politics over these past two years, confronting it with the absence of a broad political spectrum. In his interview on the anniversary of the DP, Mr Selami said that Albania is an exception among other countries, because the victories of democracy brought the DP to power as the sole dominant force, a condition for stability. But I would say that, in conditions of general backwardness imposed by 50 years of isolation in every sphere, no party has the right to monopolise knowledge through its own people, however great a force it may be. This would give rise to one-sided tendencies that could lead to «ABSOLUTISM» and to laws in which concepts that contradict each other might coexist. Vajcerek has said: «A party is only one part of the whole; parties have been created to find better solutions in a service role, something that is essential among parties». Thus, through debate and disputes, parties should not only crystallise their convictions; they should also make the achievement of a goal that stands above all other goals their guiding principle, rather than allowing the convictions of one side or the other to become ends in themselves. All these statements are intended to define the goal of the contest, calling on parliament and the government to enact sound laws and draw closer to that much-desired order, though frightening to hear called «CAPITALISM», rather than speaking half-heartedly of «MARKET ECONOMY», etc. Clearly defining these aims and holding themselves responsible for achieving them keeps politicians from seeing a party as a means of advancing their careers. The basis of the «Capitalist» system is not social equality and prosperity for everyone—an empty phrase when one does not know how this prosperity is to be achieved. This does not mean equality of capital at all, but rather the creation of equal opportunities for individuals or groups of individuals

Through mafia labyrinths It is not hard to imagine that the biggest man in Albania, the unchallenged DHIMITER GAZHGA, did not gamble away Albania’s money all by himself. Even though he was a protégé and a trusted man, he could not have been left alone in his Hamletian undertaking: «to win or not to win?» In any case, for now only Gazhga is known; what we know about him is that he lives alone and in luxury in an enviable villa in Athens. As for the others... Because there were others, before and after the famous Gazhga. I don’t know who supported them; I don’t know who backed them with a thin veil of secrecy, (Continued on page 3)

Through the pages of the Italian press Tirana: «Every Albanian citizen has the right to submit an application for an Italian scholarship». It was the end of January this year, and the appeal in the «Come on, choose, come on» series, made on TV by the cultural attaché of the Italian embassy, Nikola Firmani, had the effect of a bomb. Nobody knew that the scholarship also had specific fields of study, but that mattered little: the prospect of going to study in Italy had stirred thousands of students from every corner of Albania. This became clear at the «selections», which consisted of a brief interview in an office with Firmani himself, near the Faculty of Philology at the University of Tirana. Those who passed the test only had to answer questions in Italian such as «How old are you, what is your name, why do you want to go to Italy, tell me a joke», and they received, as a prize, the forms needed to pay for the official scholarship application. Around 500 students who passed the next test, mainly those who were capable and had a good knowledge of Italian (these were the only requirements), already thought the scholarship was within easy reach. None of them imagined the comedy that was unfolding. Nor did most of the winners, even though they were not good students and had a very poor command of Italian, realise that they owed their good fortune to an important connection. And what is even more unbelievable: not to some pezzo grosso of the new democratic political class established by the 22 March elections, but to no- (Continued on page 3)

THE ADMINISTRATION’S BUILDINGS

«I LIKE COMMUNISM, BUT COMMUNIST INTELLECTUALS SEEM LIKE BEASTS TO ME» ZHAN POL SARTRI In the newspaper «Alternativa SD» dated 19.12.1992, as a response to my article, titled «Christ and Muhammad in Albanian politics», published in the newspaper «Republika» (which also mentions the PSD doctors), a note by the observer was published, according to which I am supposedly «crazy», because the newspaper «Alternativa»—apparently the newspaper «Alternativa», its staff and the party’s top leaders—have been unable to find arguments to support their ideas and refute what I have written. Their attack on me, as a communist, is because I once sympathised with the people’s enemy, those who did not believe in communism. Today they call me crazy. This shows the low level of the former leaders of this party. Many gentlemen who were appointed and whom I now see as crazy—I would have asked for them in the PP, and that is why they are pluralists, since they left the PP properly and thoroughly, and k… [partly illegible]… In the end… You were the first to abandon the ship, while you, held back by the reason of «wise» people, abandoned it last; Thirdly, you could not have been the first to abandon it because you were neither rats, nor passengers, nor ordinary sailors on the communist ship; and it is well known that the captain leaves last (even though the captain did not leave of his own accord, but was thrown into the sea by the others). It is not my fault that «wise» people like you write political nonsense. I stress that my aim was not to attack the esteemed «doctors», for example, by mentioning what they said and published in «ZP» before 31 March ’91, or by mentioning Dr Milo’s work «The European Common Market—complete …», but to debate the new ideas they are proclaiming today. They do not have the courage to refute or defend their ideas: whether you will isolate yourselves from Europe by relying on the Conference of Islamic Countries; whether the terms «Muslim» and «Christian» are used in present-day European politics; whether Haxhi Qamil’s rebellion can be compared with the rebellion of anti-communist forces in Albania; and so on, and so on. I do not understand how this can be refuted, because Berisha’s observer at NATO, and Skalfares’ in Albania, clearly safeguard Albania’s isolation from Europe, which the doctors are now talking about. Of course, they are so wise, so restrained in their own observations, lest it enter someone’s mind; they are still building the party and the mind, they are building the party and the mind. With revolutionary respect, BARDHYL MATRAK… [name partly illegible]

- The Minister of Education and Religion of the Hellenic Republic, acting on the request for assistance from the Minister of Education of the Republic of Albania, orders that substantial assistance be granted to Albanian education. This includes 9,000 desks... 14,000 seats, 500 blackboards... (According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Education) Europe, the world, is helping economically Albania, devastated by dictatorship. Greece, its people and the government that leads it are currently helping Albania in every way. The latest Greek assistance, according to the spokesperson of our Ministry of Education, is for schools. There is no doubt that thanks are due for Greece’s hand of friendship and assistance. Schools too (the schools we need above all else) are in ruins. In Shupal of Mirdita, or wherever there should be a school, there are only ruins. Our state (unfortunately very poor) needs to invest a great deal in schools. The Ministry of Education can also ask other countries for assistance for schools, and there is no shame in that. But Albania’s Ministry of Education cannot ask other countries for blackboards and desks, and that is shameful. The administration of the Ministry of Education: economic directors and a whole cartload of other officials should know that blackboards, benches for pupils to sit on, and desks for them are also manufactured in America, Japan... (It could submit requests to America and Japan for desks and benches too, and then publicize American or Japanese assistance, forgetting that it would be publicizing the shame of its own incompetence.) The administration of Albania’s Ministry of Education—economic directors, economists, auditors, specialists and who knows who else—should know that boards and desks are manufactured even in a village such as KRYEZIU in the district of Puka, not to mention at the Elbasan, Tirana, Ersekë and Fushë-Arrëz wood-processing plants; all these administrators need to do is get moving and cooperate with the relevant enterprises or departments. But of course, sending a fax is much more convenient. KLAUS MUSTAFA (Continued on page 4)

Have you heard what they call me in the streets? “Mad N, Mad N...” But I’ve learned not to pay them any attention. They’re not worth bothering with: don’t you see they’re still setting up more parties?! If I were really mad, I too would propose forming a new party: the Alliance of Those Who Are Seriously Mad. Since I’m not mad, I go out dressed in black clothes. I’m in mourning for those who believe we are divided. If that were really the case, wouldn’t I be there, all the more so, and wouldn’t they be reading my “nonsense” in their newspapers? If I were mad, I wouldn’t take offense if someone said such a thing to me. People today have so little reason to get worked up. Just look: the day has come when Kastriot Islami, chairman of the Socialist Party’s Electoral Commission, is publishing in “RD” too. I wonder why, you who still haven’t gone mad, ask yourselves. Or you who refuse to admit that you are. It’s all very well for the doctors to try to prove that he isn’t mad, but what’s “RD” getting out of it...? You others giggle and laugh when you hear my speeches; only Fllip Çakulli stays serious when everyone else laughs. Some time ago Fillip was accused of being pro-Greek. Even though he is as tolerant as his newspaper. Fillip got angry: Who said I was pro-Greek?! I’m pro-Albanian...! I have nothing to do with your elegy! As for how educated you have to be to join parties, you’d be better off at the steps of Arbi, listening to my nonsense. I want the members of the second communist party in Albania, something... [partly illegible] ... Nano has become more sensible, let it be. I won’t tell you why. “ZP” has become more sensible too, just like Nano. It writes only about almin. Just as it used to write, it also writes about American imperialism. Now the PSP is on good terms with America because Clinton won. Clinton can defeat Bush to ease Nano’s national reconciliation. That’s why Nano has become sensible... Oh Nano, oh, oh Nano, oh...! Kaçi publishes in “RD”, oh Nano, oh...! Panigj is no more than Sloboja. This is true, but it would be better for Millosheviçi to win, because the “Democratic Alliance” will defeat him through negotiations. They’ll put him in a club and there they’ll convince him that Kosovo isn’t Serbian. If they can’t convince him, they’ll also... and Millosh will come to his senses and speak to the Serbs about national reconciliation, federal reconciliation... At a party meeting, there are prejudices about membership from the ranks of another party. Then another writer, laughing, but having heard the arguments, expressed himself “in favor”—unanimously: “It’s a time for dialogue,” he said; “I’m the leader in my party, but... don’t you see Doctor Kristofiti?!” [Between columns, interrupted text:] ... chairman of the Socialist Party’s Electoral Commission. of it...? ... where in schools. KRONIKANI