On 10. 6. 1993, the law-enforcement forces put an end to the hunger strike of the national association “Property with Justice” and the Association of the Politically and Economically Persecuted, forcibly sending the hunger strikers home.
The Government’s explanations do not justify this harsh and treacherous action.
The Republican Party supports the just demands of the two associations, which are in line with its programme. We have cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, with these associations, as well as with every other political and social force that genuinely serves democracy. We are against any action aimed at changing laws by force, including hunger strikes. We made this view clear from the very first day. We are against the violence used against the hunger strikers from both associations, because every opportunity existed for the conflict to be resolved peacefully, as it should be among Albanians who have fought together for democracy.
Both associations had the right to go on hunger strike, not to impose a change in the law, but to request that it be reconsidered in Parliament. The two hundred representatives of the associations went on hunger strike after their attempts to make themselves heard. On 31 March of this year, exercising the right guaranteed by Article 23 of the constitutional package, a proper petition bearing 20,000 signatures was submitted to Parliament, granting the association “Property with Justice” the right to initiate [judicial proceedings?]. The Presidium of the People’s Assembly ignored this petition too, violating Article 23 of the constitutional package.
This stance led the hunger strikers to the decision to [continue?]. The talks in the last 24 hours had opened up a real hope for an agreement. The administrative solution imposed by force, quite unexpectedly, constitutes a serious violation of human rights.
We are concerned by such actions, which damage democracy and leave bitterness in the hearts of citizens. We believe that lessons must be learned from this grave event. In resolving conflicts of this kind, dialogue must take the lead, and attention and tolerance must be shown, for the development of democracy, social peace and the interests of the nation.
The discussion, conducted with composure and full commitment, concerned the lawful demand of the “Property with Justice” association for Parliament to reconsider the land law. This does not demonstrate goodwill. For its part, the Republican Party has submitted a petition bearing 240,000 signatures for the reconsideration of this law and the recognition of property in its entirety. We will persist to the end, using every means permitted by law, to carry out the wishes of the citizens who signed this petition.
We once again call for dialogue and understanding to prevail in resolving the pressing problem of property in Albania.
The death of a man
I remember, in my early childhood, there in the distant village, a red Chinese tractor that year after year narrowed the piece of land called “our land”.
My parents had been living through this scene for some time. The red monster, indifferent and unconcerned, kept moving into our land, and no one could stand up to it: 30 dynym, 7, 3, 2, 500 square metres... And the land of my ancestors and my parents became everyone’s and no one’s. Although I was little, in front of my parents and fellow villagers I saw death for the first time—or, more precisely, the living dead. May such a death never befall anyone! What does one see now, in truth, but an ageing man, with an old bag hanging from his shoulder, worn by time? He was the chairman of the “Property with Justice” association. He comes and goes, and I feel uneasy; often I find myself looking him in the eyes. Tirana has now begun to fill with expensive, beautiful establishments. Sometimes I too have gone through their doors, and have seen how much those we said had lost power earn there—those who, when they left power, divided up and seized everything.
Their establishments are full all day, and money flows in. And there is Rrapo Danushi’s old bag. This old bag, torn by time, says more than anything else. I feel uneasy looking this man in the eyes...
Y. RAKIPI
Interview with the German ambassador, Mr. Vollers
Read on page 3
Azem Hajdari will shell the Assembly
According to well-informed sources, continuing the communist tradition of shelling the Assembly, Mr. Hajdari is expected, after his attack with sugar on the symbol of Parliament, to prepare to shell it from the Lake Hills with artillery—using precisely the same cannons that were fired half a century ago.
The Museum Guard
Long live Greater Serbia
PASCAL BRUCKNER
writer, essayist, philosopher, one of the most prominent in contemporary France
For two years now, a broad campaign of slander, directed by international forces, has been trying to tarnish the honour of the Serbian nation and its leaders.
And for two years the West has refused to understand that the Serbs are not attacking, but are defending themselves and fighting back against the genocide committed by the Croatian Ustashas, Muslim fanatics and Albanian aggressors. For this reason, the time has come to reconsider our policy in this direction. The Washington agreement is a first step towards engaging internationally with the authorities in Prishtina to organize the departure of the Albanians of Kosovo, illegitimate occupiers of a land that has been Serbian throughout all time.
Finally, allow me to offer a threefold greeting. In Paris, between 50,000 and 800,000 Serbian emigrants live; the notion is that of a proclaimed [?]. For us, the capital is that of Greater Serbia. Congratulations, finally, for having quoted all these Catholic antiquities [as stated].
Two News Items
Arshi Pipa will donate his library to the Historical Museum of Shkodër
Arshi Pipa, a renowned figure in national culture, according to an ATSH announcement, will donate his library to the Historical Museum of Shkodër.
. Arshi Pipa, a renowned figure in national culture, according to an ATSH announcement, The library, which will soon become the property of this museum and be placed at the service of national culture, contains up to 2,500 volumes, including bilingual subject books, two complete collections of magazines, collections of Konica’s “Albania” and Koliqi’s “Shejzat,” books on linguistics and sociology, the author’s correspondence, and more. In broad cooperation for two years, the President will not remember that the Serbs, if they are defeated, do not attack, but bravely resist the genocide committed by the Croatian army, Muslim fanatics, and Albanian abusers? very promising step. Starting now, the UN must be asked to use its very extensive means in the service of the following objectives: Lifting the arms embargo, solely for the benefit of the Serbs, who are tragically short of weapons. The unconditional surrender of Sarajevo and all the Muslim enclaves to the Bosnian Serb forces, who are their rightful masters. The voluntary return of Muslims to their original faith, the Orthodox faith, or their definitive departure from Bosnia. The return of Dubrovnik, Zadar, Sibenik, and Split to the armed forces of Belgrade, as compensation for the damage of the war. In broad cooperation for years, ON CROATIA ... [the portion cut off at the top and sides is not clearly legible]
A Fake Passport—or Rather, a False Step
A forged passport remains a stubborn opportunity for Albanians to get to Europe. According to information provided by the Criminal Police Department in the Tirana district of Rëndit, since June of last year more than 100 forged passports have been seized in Tirana alone, while 60 people have been prosecuted. They are mainly passports forged by Albanian “specialists”; the Criminal Police say that declarators working at one of the design institutes in Tirana and an assistant medical worker were caught, and forgery tools were found in their homes. Changing photographs, replacing names, and altering details and places of birth were the main activities of these “specialists,” who are hardly the only ones in this still-profitable profession in Albania. Entry visas for European Community countries have also been forged. German, Austrian, and Swiss visas are among the most sought-after. Another source of forged passports is Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia, as well as Macedonian citizens. Most sell their personal passports, which thus become raw material for Albanian counterfeiters. The name and photograph of the person paying for it are put on these passports, or buyers purchase them as they are, belonging to someone else, without alteration. In this case, the buyer intends to “travel” around the world under a false name. There have also been, and still are, genuine counterfeiters from beyond the eastern border—the so-called masters of dry stamps. Through their traders, they too have appeared on the Albanian market. But, in any case, it is becoming increasingly difficult for them now. The checks by the Albanian Border Police, as well as those of their colleagues at the border crossings of every other country, offer a real means of preventing consumers from engaging in this kind of trade, which is gradually unlikely to be competitive with other legally acceptable options.
It was an assistant; forgery tools were found in their home. acceptable options.
The Municipality of Gjirokastër
turns the first Albanian-language school into a café
According to an ATSH announcement, the Municipality of Gjirokastër decided that the first Albanian-language school opened in Gjirokastër 85 years ago, the “Liria” museum school, would be turned into a café. The city municipality defied both the District Council and the Ministry of Culture, which opposed the new purpose for the first Albanian-language school. According to internal sources in the Municipality of Gjirokastër, who did not wish to be identified, the socialist mayor of this municipality and the socialist members who dominate it have also uncovered old documents showing that, at least 100 years ago, the “Liria” school building was a modern café. Thus, the municipality’s decision does nothing but restore the lost honor of this old café. “The café,” the mayor said, according to these internal sources who do not wish to be identified, “is where I will have my coffee.”
Nationalism Cannot Be Minimized by Chauvinism
— Reply to the Balkan Press Center
In 1990, journalists, publishers, and employees of the “Përndja” Information Enterprise, on May 17, 1993, were supported by the UN Secretary-General, Boutros Gali, the President of Kiraton, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the European ambassador. Those responsible for the Conference on Former Yugoslavia in Paris, the representatives of the Reporters Without Borders organization in Paris, the International Organization of Journalists in Macedonia, the World Federation of Journalists, and others. This letter... [blurred text] an anachronistic anti-chair against the culture and information of a people, of a nation; thus, while 1,660 journalists and publishers of “Përndja” seek the opinion of international public and various organizations, those called the “Association of Journalists of Macedonia” and others are organizing a “Balkan Congress” in Thessaloniki on the theme “The Role of Mass Media in Minimizing Nationalism” and inviting Balkan media to the congress, including a newspaper published in Albanian; they invite, in particular, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Politika” and the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Tamuna.” Something similar—my question, published in the newspaper “Koha jonë” and in my newspaper, concerns a matter of value to society—will it...? IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT THAT THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF “POLITIKA” WAS INVITED TO THIS EVENT, WHILE THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF “BIRINDA” IS ABSENT. WHY? CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONALISM? I received no answer: first, the congress that was held also gave no answer; second, the Balkan Press Center, in its reply to me, did not manage to clarify matters; third, it cannot be claimed, as one of the organizers from the newspaper “Politika” does, that my question below arose from a lack of information, much less that it was unquestionably the result of my chauvinistic judgment, because the Thessaloniki congress delegates and its organizers—and especially OUR DELEGATES THERE—should, I believe, have known that ON JULY 8, 1990, THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES VIOLENTLY STOPPED THE BROADCASTING OF PROGRAMS IN THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE ON PRISHTINA RADIO AND TELEVISION, WHILE ON AUGUST 7, 1990, THESE SAME AUTHORITIES SHUT DOWN THE ONLY NEWSPAPER IN THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE. And just a few days before the Thessaloniki congress delegates discussed minimizing nationalism, it was these same Serbian authorities who ordered a total ban on the Albanian word. In the matter I raised at the so-called Thessaloniki “Congress” and in my requests to the organizers and the Balkan Press Center, the Greek press agencies in the Balkans, as is clear from the Balkan Press Center’s reply, have done nothing but contribute to removing the issue from the Congress! 2. Meanwhile, RTVSh, only three days ... (continues on page 4.)
I have seen many developing countries, but Albania is the first country where I have seen such strong similarities with Europe, although its economic situation is poor. That is what does not make me fear for Albania’s future. Albania has determined its destiny in Europe.
“I express my opinion... Serbia, especially not only Serbia, is shaking its head”
From the Chronicles
“The price of bread will be 4 lek on July 1,” the appointed N. of Tirana shouted on the streets of the capital on Friday morning. There will also be a kind of white bread that will cost only 5 lek. In the villages, too, corn bread will be increased, mainly in the winter season. They also call this pig’s bread. Some cooperatives whose workday is worth more may eat wheat bread all year. The other cooperatives, speaking of that of Kulla, will also use potatoes. The potatoes will be red, that is, Chinese. Comrade and Mrs. Çuko will give a speech on the importance of Chinese potatoes in the Myzeqe area; in the Northern region, Comrade Pali Miska will also give one, while a Central Committee of the Party team led by Naim Dokle will be sent to strengthen agricultural cooperatives in hilly and mountainous areas. But, with a comic touch, oil will cost 8 lek, sugar 8, pasta 5.5 lek. The assemblies of the cooperative assemblies will be held in every village. Party banners of the cooperatives. Observations and inspections by deputies in place of the Central Committee and the Political Bureau for the cooperative farmer ... From the Institute of ... [unreadable text] The appointed N., remembered for her striking oratory, describes the promenades of the people of the PPSH, saying: “Ah, Enver, if only you were alive!” “Who says there was no class struggle? Who? Can anyone say that there was class struggle in our cooperatives, in the cities, in the schools, in the prisons and in the camps of Albania? But, for the worse, they will mention a pilot school; your Tëza will be prepared by Edi Rama. This is needed because in Albania’s prisons the prisoner holds orgies every night, and in the morning they wash in front of the bushes that Edi’s bardal has made. A new political class is needed. Here Niko Bushi is mentioned, Lula against imperialism, and to take it faster. Is it when they take part with weapons in the intervention from beyond, General Rruga? ... [faint text]”