In connection with this statement by the Socialist leader, the newspaper “Republika” asked the leaders of several Albanian political parties: 1. What is your opinion of F. Nano’s statement? 2. Which broad opposition front is being referred to? “We have not specifically discussed coordinating actions to demand the government’s resignation, but it is a fact that the highly constructive opposition front in Albania is broader than the PS. It is enough to recall the public and official positions, and those expressed in the press, of several other parties, which are now aligned in the opposition front, toward this manner of governing, to establish that they too have attacked this alternative.” (Fatos Nano, press conference, 8.3.1993) Sabri Godo, chairman of PRSH • Nano’s demand is a revanche for his party. He says the Socialists are capable of governing the country. They had the government in their hands in Nano’s time as prime minister and then with Ylli Bufin. Does he really think the people would want to try them once again? I do not believe these people would accept being deceived whenever Nano and his party wish. I do not believe these people will turn around, look back, and move backward. That is not in human nature. • As for the “very broad opposition front,” Nano himself had better speak about it, though I do not believe he will, because he would expose “...”. Eduard Selami, chairman of the PD: • I think that the “broad opposition front” Mr. Nano is talking about is a front which in fact is not all that broad, but consists of those variants of the Party of Labour that continues its game under different names, and some other party, among which I also have PAD in mind. There has always been an open alliance between them, but I am not aware that it has turned into an alliance of the kind where they declare themselves together. At least, I do not know of this having been made official. Nevertheless, politically, they have often shared the same view. But even with this new alliance, perhaps, I do not think Mr. Nano’s so-called opposition front is so broad. I would even say that those demands he has made are within the ranks of the PS. I think that even within the PS one cannot simply say that they are calling for new solutions. Likewise, as for the government’s resignation, there are people within the PS who see that such a move would be far more harmful than beneficial. In this respect, I think Nano’s demand is simply a party trick; it is far from reality. His demand is paradoxical, unmotivated, an unsubstantiated political demand, and, rather than a serious political demand, it unfortunately makes me suspect that behind it lie other personal reasons, or reasons belonging to a very narrow circle within the PS, which run counter to some of the more…

I expressed the opinion that there really are many things to put in order in Albania’s political structure, without naming them all, starting with the missing Constitution and going as far as relations between local and central powers, party relations and the composition of the government, and especially the government’s relations with the parties, whether parties considered to be in the coalition, or the government-opposition or government-trade union relationship. I would even say that the basis of political stability is more closely connected with putting these factors in order than with a mechanical relationship involving the government. Thus, we think that the first relationship, taken as a separate element, resolves nothing, because as long as relations and problems of [partly illegible] remain unexamined and tense, any government will have difficulty bringing about real improvements, even with a much more desirable composition. So, approached in this way, this is an artificial, spontaneous solution, whereas we believe solutions should always emerge from party discussions, with their full complexity taken into account. The word “front” is a grand claim, and forming a front requires at least 3–4 parties of some weight in the country. Since everyone knows the country’s main parties, their positions are also known. For now, only the PS has come out with such a statement.

- We have no connection whatsoever with the PS, and we have nothing in common with its position toward the PD; we are diametrically opposed. From this point of view, we say that our party has supported the Meksi government’s program, but, of course, when it comes to issues that may be objectionable and unacceptable, and whose correction would serve the country, the people and the transformation of democracy during this period of transition, we will do everything in our power to correct them. It depends on the government how capable it is of demonstrating this objectively, because we aim to engage forces in the direction of progress. - We do not agree to cooperate with any of these Socialist forces or their derivatives, because, in terms of their actions, aims and interests, they are diametrically opposed to us. We cannot objectively understand the “broad opposition front” that Mr. Nano claims exists, nor the claims made by Nano and the other PS leaders, or by ZP and other publishing bodies. We cannot understand what kind of front he is talking about. Prepared by: BARDHI SEJDARASI

On March 11, thousands of Tirana residents, as well as delegates from the districts and members of the “Property with Justice” association, gathered around 10 a.m. in front of the Ministry of Agriculture. On the participants’ banners and in their chants, they demanded the return of properties to their lawful owners. From there, the demonstrators assembled near the People’s Assembly to continue making their demands publicly. What is significant is that Bulgaria is returning land to its rightful owners, thereby privatizing its greatest national asset and laying sound foundations for the creation of a land market. (From the meeting of Bulgarian President Zhelju Zhelev with Albanian businesspeople, Tirana, 13 February 1993) Delegates from the districts. This public protest was also supported by the Republican Party, Balli Kombëtar, Legaliteti and Demokristriane, through their representatives, who spoke at the event. The speakers strongly criticized Parliament, the government, the President and the PD for slowness, injustice and fear, but stressed that they did not at all agree with the PS on the government’s resignation. Several deputies also joined the people gathered there. The large turnout of Tirana residents was particularly noticeable. At the end, Mr. Danushi declared that this was the last time they would express their protest in this way. The dispossessed explained that now, if their demands were not taken into account, they would use harsher methods, confirming that the movement was democratic.

On March 12, at the PRSH headquarters, Mr. Sabi Gordo met with Dr. Ilir Hoxha, president of the Green Movement in Kosovo; Dr. Sabi Tahiri, vice-president; Dr. Faik Sitaku, a member of the executive committee; and Xhelal Halili, representative of the Green Movement in Macedonia. They were accompanied by Mr. Novruz Maluka. The vice-chairman of the PRSH, Mr. Fatmir Mediu, also took part in the meeting.

On Friday morning, the madwoman N. scattered leaflets along the streets of Tirana in the early hours. Groups of people ran after the leaflets scattered here and there and began reading them aloud: “Trial for the democratic government, a great trial, the democrats in prison... The Social...ist Party of Labour calls for...”. That afternoon and the following day, the madwoman was not seen on any of Tirana’s streets. Someone insisted she had been seen at Rinas airport. Others insisted she had set off to hold a series of meetings with the sons of former communist leaders in the countries of former communist rulers. In the countries of PEOPLE’S DEMOCRACY. Someone else declared that after the meetings she would be admitted for treatment to one of the best-known psychiatric hospitals in the former Soviet Union. THE CHRONICLER

Dear Editor-in-Chief, I am leaving Albania today, after two years of an intensive diplomatic mission aimed at serving the interests of both countries and peoples by finding forms and ways to achieve ever closer cooperation. Unable to represent and bid farewell to everyone I have met and come to appreciate, I gladly fulfill my final act of friendship toward Albanian citizens and my compatriots residing in Albania through this open letter addressed to them. I am proud to tell them that over these two years we have made up for lost time, after almost half a century had passed with official relations between the two states, but little depth in the process of economic, social and cultural integration. Everyone can see Italy’s contribution to the birth of democracy in Albania. Thanks to the continuous supplies of food and medical aid distributed by Pelikani, it became possible to hold the free democratic elections that followed. The second two-year period has now also become part of the time we have left behind. Throughout the period I spent in Tirana, I worked with the sole aim of bringing smiles and hope back to people’s faces. When I arrived two years ago, faces were sad and worried; now they show the vitality of freedom and confidence in a better future. For many citizens I have been an adviser, a brother, a father, a son, seeking to ease their problems and, wherever possible, resolve them. More than any government recognition, the warmth shown to me spontaneously and without orders from above by the people of this wonderful country has been a special encouragement and source of satisfaction. I have received expressions of such deep and unselfish human feeling that I will always cherish unforgettable memories of them. With much affection, and a strong embrace for all citizens... Torguato Cardilli Ambassador of Italy