Dr. Çerçiz Mingomataj Secretary General of the ARP At the beginning of this year, the ARP decided to launch the signing of a nationwide petition for the recognition of property rights. This decision further established the position adopted in September 1991 at the national conference on the land law and continued the new political line set by the first ARP Congress in June ’92. The demand of a significant part of the electorate was and remains the recognition of property as the cornerstone of the reform of the democratic state, because property determines a country’s economic and social system, because democracy can be built only on the basis of private property, which means independence and freedom of action, development and progress, all conditioned by the private initiative of the individual. We are moving toward a capitalist economy based on private property and stable relations. What the Republicans’ petition called for: - The land law should be returned to Parliament and built on the basis of inherited ownership. - Lawful owners should be returned, as soon as possible, their plots in towns, homes, shops, warehouses, workshops and factories. - All the laws of the communist regime concerning nationalizations and confiscations should be invalidated, and laws should be approved to return these properties to their lawful owners. - Because of this petition, which continues until the end of March, the RP was fiercely attacked, directly or indirectly, by quite a few political parties in the country. Naturally, these attacks aimed to politically and morally discredit the RP. The people with (continued on page 2)

On March 13, the Party Chairman, Mr. Sabri Godo, held a meeting at the Palace of Culture with Republicans and supporters in the city of Elbasan. Speaking about several current issues facing the country, Mr. Godo said that we are facing a stepped-up offensive by the Socialist Party, which began with meetings and rallies in the districts and reached a peak with Nano’s statement at the press conference. This offensive appears set to continue in Parliament and in the daily “dialogue” with the government through “ZP,” supporting newspapers and meetings that they want to turn into rallies. The social-communists believe they are on favorable ground for bringing down the government. Incompetence and bureaucracy in implementing the reform give them this illusion. In particular, the Republican Party believes that, under current conditions, cooperation among the political forces of the democratic camp must be strengthened. Consultation and cooperation must also extend to resolving the key problems of the economy and administration, at every level. Mr. Godo set out Republican views on the mistakes evident in the country’s governance and on ways to resolve them, which should always be subject to honest and open debate. Mr. Godo answered questions. The chairman of the Association of the Politically Persecuted also took part in the meeting. Mr. Rrapo Danushi also spoke, confirming that the “Property with Justice” association would fight without concessions until the final return of properties, in close cooperation with the RP and the other parties pursuing a just policy on property, and with the support of the diaspora and European structures that follow the principles of the Helsinki Charter. On March 24, Mr. Godo also took part in the activities held in Elbasan to celebrate the beautiful holiday of Summer Day.

Letter from Struga Sent especially to from Struga We need the guiding word of the mother state, not Fatos Nano’s fratricidal word The plane that exploded at Skopje airport brought even more grief to the Albanians. And here in Struga we had 11 coffins in our homes. We know the world has been informed. Albania and its government, and the president too. For the Albanians there, the border has brought misfortune and calamity has befallen them. Now our misfortune is yours too, because we are brothers. Mr. Fatos Nano came to console us as well. We know that Mr. Fatos Nano is the chairman of the Socialist Party. Moreover, he is also a member of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania. Moreover, Mr. Fatos Nano is also ... I don’t know what else he is. We know that Mr. Fatos Nano came especially to console the Albanians in Struga, Tetovo, Skopje, and Gostivar. But Mr. Fatos Nano came and visited two houses in Ladorisht of Struga, and then left for Budapest. He had that much to do. His business. His business, where he goes and where this gentleman runs off to, as they say. “My condolences to you and your family,” Mr. Fatos Nano placed two wreaths, one in his own name and one in the name of Mr. Bashkim Zeneli. He too is in the party, but he ... and goes to his parents’ ... and is also a member of parliament. Were they there as party leaders or as members of Albania’s Assembly? This is serious and important. They were Albanians. But Albanians do not go to two funerals and leave 10 other funerals unattended when they come as members of parliament and leaders of the Socialist Party. All right, that much, but Mr. Fatos Nano kept talking to us about the government and President Mr. Sali Berisha as if he were talking about the government of the shkau and the president of the shkau. The government in Albania, Mr. Fatos Nano said, is ... for the Albanians. President Mr. Sali Berisha speaks for the Albanians. Mr. Berisha’s government is ... ... Fatos Nano came to console us over the tragedy that befell us, but ended up speaking against Albania’s government and against the president, as though it were shkau... ... and about ... Albanians. Mr. Berisha’s government is ... the fratricidal word of Mr. Fatos Nano. We know that the mother state divided and split us—the mother state of Enver Hoxha—but today the mother state of Sali Berisha is ... and rich in bunkers. Why did Mr. Fatos Nano come to speak to us amid our deaths? Did he come to divide us? Did he come as an Albanian? An Albanian does not spit in the bread of mourning like the shkau. Mr. Fatos Nano spat in the bread of mourning. The person who spat in the bread of mourning of the Albanians is not an Albanian. Mr. Fatos Nano. Mr. Fatos Nano wants to become a king, a president, or something. But we want to tell him that our dead will not help him. Nor will they help him divide us. The shame is theirs, and that of the party he leads. We wanted to ask whether Mr. Fatos Nano’s party knows. Let it learn. The truth is this: Mr. Fatos Nano came to console us. Mr. Fatos Nano, who is otherwise an Albanian, came and spat on our dead, on the dead of the Albanians. DAUT HALLI Struga, March 10, 1993

Fatos Nano and his press conference have finally also been commented on by the Greek news agency “ANA”. Fatos Nano, - the agency emphasizes, - “also criticized the government’s overtures to Turkey and Islamism, stressing that Albania should not play the role of a platform for non-Balkan forces...” If, after this comment by the “ANA” agency, Fatos Nano does not offer an explanation for his responsibility in the matter, we have a small question: Is Turkey a Balkan country? Regardless of Fatos Nano’s answer, the newspaper “Republika” is giving this career politician geography books, specifically geography lessons for lower grades, special enlarged maps of the Balkans, and, at the earliest opportunity, we can sponsor a free trip for politician Nano around the Balkans, including, among other places, Turkey. THE OBSERVER “Every Albanian has a bust in their heart” Silva

Heard specifically on the newspapers “Republika,” “RD,” “Bashkimi” and “Zëri i Rinisë” Letter from Struga We are in need

The madwoman N had not been seen reigning for 18 days. Almost every day on the streets of the capital. She had been seen throwing ... from the Sharra cemetery. They had gathered about 30 people, but madwoman N later claimed there had been over 3000 people from the Confederation and from the elders of the city besieged in ... of the PP(S). Since a complete ... is not possible (madwoman N protested energetically against the indifference of RTU, RTSH and the press organs), we give a few excerpts: “... Comrade Fatos said it: we will overthrow the government. The PS has cadres for 10 cabinets that will ...” ... reigning for 18 days. Every member of the PS leadership is entitled to become prime minister once. The last prime minister, Ndre Legisi... “... We will bury Fatos in the best plot. Before the ceremony, ‘Kalle... Kalle’ will be sung. The PS Political Bureau will all be in a good plot. We will also bury the transition deputies in barren ground... Maqo Lefteri Lakroni, Arjan Çela, Bashkim Lilo Zeneli will be covered with white marble. Iliajet Beqiri and Kastriot Muça will also have a place in the good plot.” THE CHRONICLER