—From the speech by Mr. Sabri Godo at the meeting held on 7 July with the PR branch activists in Berat The expulsion of our emigrants from Greece is subsiding; we may say that the episode has passed, but we would be utterly naïve to pass over in silence the causes and consequences of this drama. First, I invite you to show, with applause, this meeting’s support for our Government’s Declaration of 5 July 1993. Long live the declaration. In it, the Government has wisely and clearly said what every Albanian would have wanted to say. A government rises to the proper level when it knows what its citizens want to say and says it on their behalf. For the second time, the Greek authorities carried out Operation “Broom” against our emigrants. It is a degrading name. Everyone knows what a broom is used for. And this is not a matter of “certain circles”; it concerns the Greek government itself, supported also by the powerful PASOK opposition, with which Nano’s party has almost merged into a single body. I was in Kavajë. The emigrants’ appearance is more or less as shown on television. Most of them do not want to speak. Some people say that 20,000 emigrants have passed through for every one priest. Our press called the operation a “witch hunt”. Some journalists borrow the phrase. This is not a case of calling it a “witch hunt”. In terms of its methods, this operation may have been among the greatest hunts since the pursuit of Aboriginal people in Australia at the beginning of the century, when people were paid $20 for capturing a “wild man”. A hundred years have passed since then, and now we see the same thing repeated—not in the forests of Australia, but in the towns and villages of Greece, which was once the shining cradle of world civilization. Why did this happen? Nine months ago, we addressed the DP, the President and the Government, verbally and in writing, explaining our assessment that what was happening in the south of our country, left at the mercy of Greek chauvinists, was catastrophic. The raising of Greek flags in several villages; slogans across walls claiming that our south was supposedly ancient Greek land; brochures, leaflets and sermons in churches; the distribution of Greek aid according to political criteria; the distribution of European Community aid under the Greek flag; shops where sales were made only in drachmas; and finally, the use of visas and identity papers to change the names, nationality and religion of tens of thousands of Albanians—all this proved, beyond doubt, that I was facing a carefully planned political, economic and psychological aggression. The ground was being “softened” and “prepared” for the annexation of the south at a convenient moment. These assessments of ours, made nine months ago, were accepted, as were the proposals ... The expulsion of the emigrants is not a simple episode that newspapers dealt with for a few days. Thousands of people, thousands of families, lived and are living through days of anxiety and humiliation. Tens of thousands of other emigrants in Greece are being pursued and live in insecurity; they may suddenly become victims of political incidents. In such cases, politics takes on other dimensions: it leaves the diplomatic cabinets and is played out on the people’s backs, with very serious consequences. From this event, we can draw several conclusions. Our foreign policy lacks a scientific national platform. This shortcoming cannot be made good through the practical work of a few leaders who believe they know everything. The most distinguished scholars, historians, political scientists, psychologists, lawyers and economists, from the country and the diaspora, must be called upon to establish the scientific truths, demands and strategies of our nation. Only then will our foreign policy have a secure backbone; we will be spared actions driven by the events and political emotions of the day, and protected from traps others may set for us. The expulsion of the emigrants is linked to aid ... (continued on page 2) The expulsion of the emigrants ... [text cut off at the upper edge] ... Greece. It was nearly like Mussolini’s Italy, which declared war on Greece over Daut Hoxha. set for us. The expulsion of the emigrants, with the help ... [text cut off] ... all the emigrants who have been ... more than 200,000 emigrants. They are paid, but are treated badly all the same. But the fact that they find work means that Greece needs them, and our emigrants accept the conditions, although they have no other option. So why should this emigrant population not be regulated and protected by an intergovernmental agreement? A professional politician may smirk at such a question, but simple human logic finds it difficult to accept the subtle influences of diplomacy. ... politicians who denounce the country abroad in order to settle domestic scores. I invited you to applaud our Government Declaration of 5 July. It came quite late, but at last it was made. Now we hope that further steps will be taken to place our relations with Greece on a basis of complete parity; we consider them to be of the utmost importance. The Greek “circles” must learn that, whatever our difficulties, we will never accept any infringement of our independence and national dignity. What is happening today should be traced into the future, which neither the Greeks nor the Albanians will want at all. We believe that on these foundations, and by relying on international documents, a lasting solution can also be found to the acute problem of emigration. As is said, more than 200,000 emigrants have found work in Greece. They are poorly paid and are treated badly in other respects as well. needs them, and our emigrants accept the conditions, even though they have no other choice. Then why not regulate and protect this emigration through an interstate agreement? A professional politician may smile difficult to accept subtle diplomatic influences.

The expulsion of our emigrants from Greece press called the operation this happen? that some journalists dealt with. other emigrants in Greece are also [text unclear] regarding measures to deal with the situation. Deadlines were set, but nothing was done. Further concessions were made to the activity of the so-called “Greek chauvinist circles”, which, even if they are separate circles, undoubtedly have central direction. Finding the field open, these “circles” thought they were dealing with a people brought to its knees, with a cowardly heart and the soul of a slave, and went to great extremes: they pushed the border as far as the Shkumbin, while declaring all Albanian Orthodox Christians to be Greeks. They forgot the past, when Albanians were considered one of the most warlike peoples; they forgot that Albanian Orthodox Christians have been and remain the most ardent patriots of their homeland. They also forgot that we can point to several maps drawn by internationally renowned scholars on which Albania’s southern borders include Janina, Arta and Preveza. They forgot that they expelled and violently uprooted 200,000 Cham Albanians from their lands. A Greek proverb says: “Where we owed, they now ask us for the ox as well.” Meanwhile, our political leaders, with the exception of the President, visited Athens, declaring that everything was going very well and that the emigrant issue would receive the proper solution. Yet all it took was the expulsion of one priest for all Greece to rise up against us. Greece over Daut Hoxha. that some journalists dealt with. as well.” [Text continues:] Things are being played out according to the character of that time. Those who lost power must finally understand that they must take account of this defeat and its consequences. But those who have come to power must not think that the GOALS proclaimed in those days HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED simply because they came to power. That would make things worse. And it is not right for things as precious as justice and democracy to be led down the road of disappointment. Rrapo Oblika

Dr. Pashko attacks Tirana from Spain It is reported that a few days ago, via the BBC, Doctor Pashko attacked Tirana from Spain. Taking the deterioration of Albanian-Greek relations as his starting point, Mr. Pashko, as usual, blames and holds the Albanian Government and state responsible. Albanian readers are already familiar with the fact that the intellectual Pashko was not attacked from within, but from outside. In this connection, it is worth mentioning the attack organized some time ago in London. In conclusion, it can be said that whenever the need arises, Mr. Pashko also comes to the aid of the Greek-Slavic attacks from abroad.

These days, the newspaper “Koha jonë”, which sells in Greece for 150 drachmas, informed all Albanians that the League of Professional Journalists of the Albanian language had been established. This League will include all those PROFESSIONAL journalists who work for Greek newspapers published in the Albanian language. Their professionalism has been tested by one of the most important figures in the Greek diplomatic mission in Albania, Mr. Niko Kanellos. It is important to emphasize that the diplomat Kanellos, who comes from Greece’s privileged classes, has done very good preparatory work. Despite his many recent duties, he found time to take part in and, from time to time, chair the meetings of a handful of journalists. We emphasize that the charming diplomat, Kanellos, was also very interested in the circulation of newspapers that do not belong to his League. Before this League was established, the diplomat in question was the seventh member and chairman of this League in Thessaloniki and Bulgaria. Now, on the eve of his transfer, Mr. Kanellos, among other things, is giving Albania a League of PROFESSIONAL Journalists and, as a farewell gesture, has put his expensive and extremely luxurious car up for sale. The Editor

† We were all there, in those days, that December of 1990, at the Beginning of the democratic movement, at the Beginning of the overthrow of the communist dictatorship, that December when the road opened to pluralism, to Freedoms and Human Rights. We were all there, that February 1991, when the Student Hunger Strikers called out in the Square: The overthrow of the Shadow—the monument to Enver Hoxha. Then, then we cannot forget; we have the right to forget, because it was better the way it happened. It was better that Peace defeated War; better that Life defeated Death. Undoubtedly much better. HOWEVER... H O W E V E R Because there are still former investigators who are still investigators, and former judges who still pass judgment, even in the name of democracy. Because there are still former PPSH hierarchs who wish to— —That this peace should not bring disappointment. —Let us not forget the dictator, or February 1991. —The overthrow of the dictatorship is only the beginning of justice. But what comes next? —Half a century of genocide against an entire people cannot pass like an election campaign. ...to remain democratic platforms and people... simply, those who have no reason to... Great Politics... ask: “What on earth did we do all this for?” Because there are some among Them who, while proclaiming themselves the greatest champions of democracy, preserve communist militarism and the communist mentality. Because many things we hoped for in those days have become distant, precisely because of this false Peace, in whose name pluralism gives former persecutors the opportunity to feel equal to their victims. Because former criminals and former thieves are unjustly protected by this “peace”, which talks and talks endlessly about human rights and... Now, at last, the time has come for political parties not only to reconcile but, if possible, to merge. Meanwhile, it has been announced that the Acropolis of Athens will be demolished after the monument to Sofo Lazri is built there. ... these should be put to use. [Text partially cut off] All of this, there, that February 1991, when the Student Strikers of the Bridge summoned the m...jen, a mënjigjëshdrejt toward the Square: The Overthrow of Hixhe’s monument to Enver Hoxha. Then, then we cannot forget it, when we have the right to forget; at least, we cannot all forget, all at once, what was the Objective of Everyone in those days. After Enver, another symbol was next in line: the Block. Those whom we call THE PEOPLE, the tens of thousands who set off toward the Block that day, could not be stopped. Facing them were guns and tanks, but it was still known that the People were invincible. They could be killed, yes, that could be done, but without a doubt the Block “would be killed” once and for all. Definitively. Without anything, without permission, without tolerance, it would have been “killed,” and that would have been that. Later, people would speak of the ... just as they speak, for example, of the killing of Ceaușescu. Nothing more. Perhaps... Perhaps it would have been better if things had been arranged that way. Perhaps. Nevertheless, most of us today say that more was done ... [text continues beyond the frame]

I had the pleasure and honor of meeting you in Athens, on the occasion of a [unclear] at an International Congress of Pediatrics. At that time you were president of the Institute of Child Health and Minister of Social Services and Health. Although several years have passed, I have continued to hold your scientific work and hospitality in high regard; I recall meeting you 16 years ago at the distinguished gathering at the ministry. We developed a way to exchange our scientific materials, particularly concerning the study of certain hereditary pathologies ... Albania, isolated and oppressed under the most brutal Stalinist communist dictatorship. I remember the high regard you expressed for the contribution of the Arvanites, the Albanians, to the Greek people’s wars to win independence and establish the first independent state in the Balkans. I was impressed by your knowledge of the history of our two peoples ... I have always taken a particular interest in the notable figures of the two peoples who, in order to free themselves from Ottoman rule, fought together in uprisings and wars. From you I heard the names of many heroes of Albanian origin, fighters for independence, who used Greek and Albanian with equal ease, such as Bocari, Xhovela, Gjikaj, the Arvanites of the Peloponnese, Attica, Boeotia, Livadia and Euboea, the sailors of the islands of Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Kulisë and many others. I also remembered the great respect enjoyed among colleagues by one of the founders of modern Greek pediatrics, Professor Choremis, who was also of Arvanite origin. ... For you, the true expression ... My colleagues and I have always shown concern for the welfare and protection of the physical health of the Greek [text missing], without any discrimination. At our Faculty of Medicine and at the other Faculties for minorities ... In Albania, conditions were created for our freedom and for the consolidation of institutions of law ... I wish to recall that after the Second World War our people offered every possible assistance and welcome to the large number of Greek refugees who stayed in Albania for a considerable period. I say this not to boast; I too, as a doctor, tried to provide ... the necessary ... materials that Albania had at the time. Democracy in Albania created conditions for full freedom and for the consolidation of institutions for rights ... These are ... ... the Albanian people do not [text missing] religious discrimination, but are very sensitive to cases in which political exploitation and political division are sought. A state cannot be denied the right to demand compliance with the country’s constitutional laws. Dear Professor Doxindis, I thought I should address this open letter to you to make dialogue and discussion possible—with you, with all our esteemed Greek colleagues, intellectuals and the entire democratic Greek people—in order to clarify the problems and events that may arise between neighbors. Clarification and dialogue between us will make it possible to ease the tension that, in my opinion, has been created by certain individuals and political circles. Given the tense situation in which the Balkans finds itself, understanding and dialogue between Albanians and Greeks are essential. I believe that never before has it been so easy, as it is now, to undertake the task of defending human health and life, outside any political spirit and without prejudice. I greet you with the highest esteem, Professor Doctor Selaudin Bekteshi, Member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania Tirana, 5. 7. 1993 [Text partially cut off] ... from Abbë ... the king’s ...min brought out ... Aegean), ... of a book ... the University of ... Crete ... Albania ... Therefore, ... the Greeks who ... part of ... director ... to make ... the Middle Ages ... from ... today, ... regional ... nation ... claims ... hold ... whoever ... more ... intended ... way ...

Interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana Mr. STEFAN NAOUMOV “We are on the same road; we face the same problems...” Interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana, Mr. STEFAN NAOUMOV ► Read on page 2

The madwoman N., at around 13:30 on 9. 07. 199..., in the blazing heat, appeared in a most unusual manner wearing a heavy coat and boots, because mad people always make the abnormal seem normal. If we were to accept this winter clothing as a symbol, we would say—or, more precisely, warn of—a winter with the Socialist Party, but the madwoman N. herself decoded the symbol, saying: “I feel like crying for the son of the left-wing party, Beqiri, who became especially important when he went head-to-head with all the right-wing political parties. He absolutely demands reconciliation with the judges, but as for national reconciliation, let them all go to hell. Meanwhile, esteemed gentlemen who are listening to my ramblings, let me ask you: who is the person who writes in the right-wing press and sends Ramiz Alia a letter saying, ‘Forgive me for having insulted you’? I have been informed that the Acropolis of Athens will be demolished, and a monument to Sofo Lazri will be built there, while the square will bear the same name. In miniature, there will be profiles of Mr. Lazri’s closest associates: one Lazlar and two Paskals. The production of Paskals must be increased, so that every party has one Paskal—perhaps every minist[r]y? Berisha did us Greeks in; we thought he had given us the South, but this is what we get! Someone has lied. Either the journalists we financed, or our officials, who have given us false reports. Before our eyes, Ali Pashë Tepelena was at Al[s]is of Tepelenasis. The Church of Goranzia was burned by Abdi Baleta... Deputies Angeli, Bej, etc., have seen it. I have a request. Since there will be no Greek priests in the Albanian Church, at least let them get their beards from us in Athens. What kind of nationalism is this? Are we going to Europe or not? If Albanians absolutely want nationalism, let them become Greek nationalists. The refugees who were driven out will take part in the arrangement, right? [text cut off at the bottom edge] ... THE CHRONICLER