FATMIR MEDIU The interweaving and harmonizing of ideas, practices and ways of acting make democracy possible and, on this basis, establish the fundamental principles of a democratic regime, which flourishes when citizens care for it. With the freedom they have won, citizens take part in social life, expressing their opinions in debate and accepting tolerance and compromise in the economic and political life of the forces they represent. Before every kind of political force, however powerful, lies the requirement that it not monopolize state life, because I would recall here that «DEMOCRACY» in reality guarantees nothing. It presents an opportunity to succeed, but also the risk of failing; economic success cannot be guaranteed by freedom alone, whereas economic failure is surely guaranteed by oppression in all its forms. The concrete ground being trodden today is unfamiliar as regards the application of practices, while the realm of ideas is broad and must continue to expand in favor of progress. Progress should be considered such when it does not conflict with the interests and rights of individuals, even when they constitute a minority; that is, the idea should be put into practice that problems are not assessed according to a rigid ideology, but tested in real application, where they are raised, discussed, accepted or rejected. The stubbornness of the Government and the party in power in remaining rigid in their ideas leads them to regard an opinion that differs from theirs, or conflicts with a practice they have wrongly applied, with hostility; this hostility reaches such levels that it manifests itself in [unclear] and distancing. The defeat of the communist system on March 22 was achieved by a powerful popular front, in which the PR also played its part. No two-sided criterion was created to determine who might call for democracy, just as membership in the PD is not a criterion for finding a job, because that opens the way to depersonalization and the devaluation of political servility, which some dictatorship spread. The criterion of ability among people who have loved and continue to love democracy, who have fought for it, is the only fair criterion. Civic commitment is what we Albanians most need to embrace, understanding that tolerance is essential, while conflict is unavoidable even when neither of the parties in conflict possesses the truth. This commitment has accompanied the Republican Party and its members throughout their activities and thinking, and as a «reward» they are receiving from friends in the PD—from those who were in the same trench—the removal from power of a member with someone? A member of the PD is out of work! After the July 26 elections, the change in the balance of forces in several districts made the development of democracy here difficult. The PS, etc., zealous and unrepentant in continuing its past, purged all democratic elements in these districts.

MR. S. GODO’S MEETING IN LEZHË On January 26, an expanded meeting of the Steering Committee of the Republican Party branch in Lezhë was held. The party chairman, Mr. Sabri Godo, attended. Those present discussed the current situation animatedly and seriously. The branch has established a good presence, but not uniformly throughout the territory. Sub-branches have still not been organized in the two municipalities, and support in one locality, as well as a more thorough verification of membership, are being carried out with [unclear] documentation and [unclear] votes. It was emphasized that people have little interest in political parties at present; nevertheless, the Republican Party has seen an increase in members. A special place is occupied by discussions on the overall conduct of relations with other political forces and the presentation of problems by the Republican Party. Mr. Sabri Godo said, among other things: «Today we may be going through a difficult time. People’s attitude toward political actions is understandable. Everyone has serious problems of their own; we should not be anxious if people are taking up private work. In our efforts, we must seek other ways to make progress and try in the sectors and fields where work can be done [unclear]. Nevertheless, one thing we have to do in politics is important. We are in the democratic camp in order to [unclear] people ...» Let us explain this sufficiently. In Lezhë, the branch enjoys sympathy. You received nearly 8 percent in the last elections. Your general standing will always correspond to what you achieve in elections and to the place you occupy in the governing administration? You have better understanding with the PD than in other districts, where a «purge» of Republicans from official jobs has indeed been confirmed. It has gone so far that party Steering Committee members such as Maks Begeja and Teodor Korce? have been dismissed as part of the «restructuring» process. It is clear that excesses have occurred, which President Berisha criticized. In Lezhë, you are right to cooperate with the PD, as long as they want the Republican Party at their side in the democratic camp. I believe cooperation in the democratic camp is necessary in Albania. But this should not deprive you of the right to speak openly whenever various criticisms are made. The danger is if some democrats vent every kind of political criticism on emigration? [unclear]. A situation like this would make democracy «[unclear]», just as it would make Albanian democrats «[unclear]» and produce a kind of [unclear] with democrats, so that «[unclear] democracy is monopolized» ...» (Continued on page 2)

VINCENZO SCIASCIA I wrote this article in a hotel in Tirana, somewhat sadly, while an Albanian friend was telling me about Albania’s usual problems, about the mysteries and injustices of this «world» that never changes. I admit it: I love Albania, and when I see it there are so many [unclear] that always surprise me. I do not hide my doubts when I read an article about the «Mafia» and the paradox of «Cosa Nostra» in an Albanian newspaper. I considered it something proper, if it was meant to inform the people, but just as improper if an Albanian journalist intended, arrogantly, to provide a definition of the Mafia. We Italians feel this problem, which has gripped Italian society like a pair of pincers, and I must admit that it is still difficult to understand. But it exists. I would like to understand the journalist’s interest and how this serves the Albanian people. Certainly, there is no doubt that the Mafia is the discreditable aspect of a civilized society, which has entered Italian social life and must be fought and eradicated. But certainly not with processions, propaganda newspapers or other pretexts, but through justice. This remains the duty only of the courts and of those Italians who are still honest: those who have paid a high price for their dignity and freedom and have fought corruption. This is the Italy of honesty: of those people who are still free and fight against injustice and disgrace. The people of the opposition. And I can assure you that there are many who, in their judgment, do not approve of the arrogance of criminal power, to which political power has joined itself, tearing away the high values of Italians. The truth must be exposed and [they] must be strengthened; indeed, this does not stop honest people from fighting. But you must do so in a striking way: why does the journalist write a whole page about the Mafia and not about the Hoxha trial, which is followed with honesty and freedom? And which does not contribute to improving its own country. (Continued on page 4)

- If Albanian is used in the Albanian church... «there will be serious consequences for Albanian-Greek relations» (?!?) Quite unexpectedly, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a press statement by its spokesperson, Avramopullos, has taken it upon itself to suggest (threaten) to the Albanian parliament what the nature of the Albanian draft law on the Albanian church should be (?!?) Even before the law regulating the relations and functioning of the Albanian Church has been discussed in our parliament, the Greek administration is hurrying to give instructions on how it should be regulated and

On 26.1.1993 the Secretary General of the Republican Party, Mr. Çerçiz Mingomataj, held a working meeting with Ms. Dr. Tardioli, Consul of the Italian Embassy. Issues of mutual interest were discussed.

A MATTER TO LAUGH OR CRY ABOUT - 600,000 ORTHODOX ALBANIANS AND 50,000 GREEK MINORITY MEMBERS - A MATTER TO LAUGH OR CRY ABOUT «Greeks make up the largest and most select part of Orthodoxy in Albania»?! - 600,000 ORTHODOX ALBANIANS AND 50,000 GREEK MINORITY MEMBERS - On Monday afternoon, the parliamentary groups discussed the draft law on «Religious Communities and Organizations». The following morning, the plenary session was expected to take place. After the service staff, the first person to appear in the courtyard of Parliament was an employee of the Greek embassy. With a smile that never left his face, he had several brief conversations with Socialist MPs, such as the writer? and the deputy? In this way, we do not doubt that some MPs have spoken in a manner solicited by the chauvinist circles in the south of the country; we do not doubt that some smile at foreign political representatives and that «the Greeks have no position? on any rule, and Parliament does not dare reject it». What could be said, as if a third party were involved? Under this [unclear], the main issue is Albanian national statehood? A threat that had also been directed at Parliament by the community of Orthodox Albanians in America. But it seems that some MPs are accustomed to not voting with their own heads and, «what is worse, this time not out of ignorance...» We would hope that the vote on this draft law will be normal, and that there will be accountability tomorrow as well. It is painful, but it is a fact that even religious issues are being exploited through old methods: petitions and telegrams. They are addressed to the highest institutions of the Albanian state. A petition is addressed to the People’s Assembly asking that «Jovanullatos remain archbishop of the Albanians...» Is this the people’s wish?... And at its end there is also a signature dated 1982. But petitions have become dangerous and highly suspicious, coming from various levels of emigrants and the people. In its January 22 issue, the newspaper «Onomania» published a petition from the «people» of the municipality of Finiq in the district of Delvinë which, after asking the President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Prime Minister to withdraw the draft law ...«according to which the state intervenes in and controls the finances of religious institutions, and at the same time this draft law calls for the removal of His Beatitude, His Eminence Mr. Anastas Janullatos...» concludes that Greeks make up the largest and most select part of Orthodoxy in Albania. Do Orthodox Albanians accept this claim that the Greek minority constitutes the largest and most select part of Orthodoxy in Albania? A Greek saying goes that appetite grows with eating. Let us see how far this appetite will go and how many officials will applaud it «on their feet». NIKOLLA DIMITRI

There is no longer an exodus by ship. There are no longer population movements from one village, region or city to another, with all sorts of belongings. Now there is a power with officials and agencies that also deals with emigration. It is an entire dictatorship. In any case, the results are still limited, because someone needs to change the machinery of this dictatorship so it can act on its own and communicate more freely with foreign companies. Our embassies, too, still in the process of being consolidated, are not in a very active position. Who better than they could know the demand for cheap labor and the favorable and unfavorable conditions? Thus the embassies have a special role. Nevertheless, the Albanian people should know well that at present organized emigration is extremely difficult. Europe, which emigrants enter legally or illegally, has a difference? ...

The madwoman N. of the capital? quite unexpectedly began shouting something on Wednesday morning opposite the «Evropa» café, facing the road to the Academy of Sciences. «The national donkey market is not in Kelçyrë; the national donkey market is here,» the madwoman N. shouted, gesturing with her hand. «I will announce Albania’s ten best intellectuals,» the madwoman N. shouted, while pulling a guard by the collar in a completely incomprehensible manner; when two police officers came over and tried to move her away, she continued shouting: «The intellectuals, the ten... best...» The donkey market... national... intellectuals...» The crowd that had gathered immediately dispersed, only to gather again when the madwoman N. appeared once more on Wednesday with red banners in her hands, having arrived without the horse [unclear] in front. The madwoman N. stopped and began shouting. «The testing has concluded to select the best intellectuals of the year... The ten best intellectuals of» (Continued on page 4)

Albanian church (?!?) Even before the law regulating the relations and functioning of the Albanian Church has been discussed in our parliament, the Greek administration is hurrying to give instructions on how it should be regulated and

The December students. My living generation, my dead generation

Starting with this issue, THE REPUBLIKA NEWSPAPER WILL BE SOLD FOR 5 LEKË. This price increase is due to higher transport and printing costs. WE APOLOGIZE TO OUR READERS FOR THIS UNAVOIDABLE PRICE INCREASE THE EDITORIAL OFFICE