Foreign Minister Serreqi declares “It is not the Albanian side that has cancelled visits to Greece, imposed conditions, or worsened the parallel between the rights of Albanians in Kosovo and those of the Greek minority in Albania,” Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi told local and foreign journalists at Friday’s meeting. On this occasion, the Albanian foreign minister mentioned his Government’s well-known position: to resolve problems of bilateral and regional interest without any prejudice, without accepting any interference, on the basis of reciprocity and parity, while respecting all the rules of the diplomatic and political ‘game’, in accordance with CSCE standards. The Lausanne Treaty, under which the Greeks of Anatolia were exchanged for Turks, the displacement of several tens of thousands of Çam people, the massacres immediately after the war—also in cooperation with the Gestapo—at a time when the best part of the Çam population had joined the struggle against the occupier, and then their mass expulsion in 1945–1946, cannot be ignored. To the question “Greece, the one that has set conditions, the one that has drawn a Serreqi told local and foreign journalists at Friday’s meeting. The minister described the Greek Prime Minister Micotaqis’s parallel between the Greek minority in Albania and the problem of Albanians in Kosovo as “absurd”, and said that the policy of the Albanian Government is an open policy, free of prejudices, and that, being such, it is realistic. He underscored this point when he mentioned to journalists the circumstances that had prevented any new progress in normalising relations between Albania and Greece. Serreqi said his government was ready to resolve issues of bilateral and regional interest without and equality, and in accordance with line with CSCE standards. He described the official Greek position on the issue of the Çam people in Greece as “extremely unacceptable” and said that the history of the Çam people is a very sad one; it is not only a human story, but also a story of territories, a story of Albanian lands. Answering questions from the journalists present, the Albanian Foreign Minister stated that the forced ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Çam population date back a long way and are not limited to 1945–1946. The Greek side’s manipulations in the Agreement of [...] are a clear example of Albanian diplomacy; he also replied to those who say that “we have not missed any opportunity to defend our rights.” The Albanian foreign minister also answered a series of other questions from journalists, generally concerning Greek-Albanian issues and their prospects, as well as other regional and broader matters. “Republika” correspondent

According to “Zëri i popullit”, PS leader Fatos Nano and other party officials met with representatives of the American Democratic Institute. “The PS chairman, Fatos Nano, wrote ‘Zëri i popullit’, praised the great value of the experience of countries with developed democracies, such as the USA.” “The remarks by the head of the PS come just three days after the fierce attacks ‘Zëri i popullit’ launched against the USA.”

“Journal de Geneve:” “... This parallelism (between the Greek minority in Albania and the Albanian territories of Kosovo—editor’s note) is somewhat daring. Albania recognizes the rights of 60,000 Greeks. Would Athens like these rights to be exaggerated? As a means of pressure, Greece can use the weapon of economic aid. But it relies above all on the Albanian Orthodox community, although the latter has been autocephalous since 1929. Faced with Athens’ great, rather undiplomatic determination, Tirana responds with arguments full of logic,” writes Kristof Shilke in “Journal de Geneve”, on 21 July 1993.

“Izvestia:” In one of its latest issues, Maksim Jusin writes in “Izvestia” that “relations between Serbs and Montenegrins are not so simple that

President of the European Parliament in Albania “At a very important historical moment for the European Community and for your country...” Egon Klepsh Almost a year and a half ago, President Berisha told the European Parliament of “Albania’s determination to build the rule of law and a market economy”. “I,” he says, “stand at the boundary between two eras: the total destruction of the economy and the hope of revival, a country in Europe and open to Europe.” Soon after this, “the European Community gave [its support] to the European Parliament, which is the guarantor of all of Albania’s democratic foundations.” What has been destroyed over twelve centuries cannot be rebuilt in a few months, but “Albania is now undergoing a radical transformation of all its foundations, based on the principles of democracy and a market economy.” There is a great deal to be built. First of all, Albania must help itself. “The European Community, and especially the European Parliament, are ready to integrate the Republic of Albania into the democratic community of nations and will do everything to make the path towards this easier.” In response to Europe’s determination, Albania “offers” its “commitment” to the rule of law, the principles of a market economy, and the principle of equality of citizens’ opinions. Albania has embarked on a path of development without forgetting the past, so as not to repeat its mistakes. “Albania should be on Europe’s side because it is now pursuing a moderate policy on the problems in the region,” as well as a policy of disengagement from the minority. After the visit to the Berlin Wall, other walls are desired for Albanians, while Albania itself offers community and understanding to peoples and states, and Europe itself “welcomes Albanian policy” and considers Albania “a bastion of peace in the region.”

“Izvestia” that “relations between Serbs and Montenegrins are not as trouble-free as they may seem. If, in the last elections, those seeking Montenegro’s departure from Yugoslavia made up 20%, today, according to some forecasts, they account for almost half the electorate.”

The largest Iraqi newspaper, “Babel”, whose editor-in-chief is Saddam Hussein’s son, wrote two days ago that “the USA is run by gangsters whose main aim is to bring misfortune upon American citizens and other peoples.” THE EDITOR

I recall a scene from Totò’s films, by the legendary comedian of Italian cinema, in which he plays an Italian-style petty thief, looking like an ordinary man, forced to get by through stealing. In other words, a “small-time” thief, specialising in swindling and robbing foreigners. The victims were usually Americans, attracted by old ancient Roman coins, later discovered to be fake, or by the Trevi Fountain. Imagination became reality and fiction became truth. He was the “average” Italian, after all still not bad and a little romantic, freed from the Fascist dictatorship; in the climate of a predatory politics that promised the average Italian many illusions and hopes, he traded away his freedom. The freedom of America, which millions of Italians had helped build before they even knew of it or knew that this continent existed. They came to know it through coffee, chocolate and sweets and, above all, through chewing gum, handed out by the Americans as they landed with their armies in Germany, in Italy, and soon afterwards in America. And all this suited him, not so much because Germany had emerged defeated from the Second World War, marking the end of Nazi aggression, as because the Italian spirit burned with a desire to imitate the lifestyle of the average American. This was the Italy about which Carosone sang: “Tu voi fa l’americano, ha sei nato male in Italy” — “You want to be American, but you were born in Italy.” Thus the American dream was born: Italy wanted, by every means, to keep up, forced to see itself left behind even by Germany. Germany grew; Italy continued to fail after the war, after the uncontrolled transition of that Republic born of revolt, after the fall of the monarchy and Fascism, after the bourgeoisie and the tradition of an enriched class had divided the Italian people into “corrupters” and “corrupted”. A communist republic that Plato hoped to fortify democracy through anarchism. Instead, it gave birth only to “pimps”. Italy also belongs to the honest people, to the few intellectuals who look back with nostalgia and pride on their homeland’s history in other times, to the Italy of honest workers and honest patriots. It is this Italy that feels within itself the desire to free itself from these naïve people, now so numerous, who could never have imagined that they would turn into unscrupulous swindlers, criminals, or worse, hired hands increasingly ready to enrich themselves by any means, at everyone’s expense, heedless of the poverty and death they cause. “Money is money; bread has set things right for me,” says the “Dominante”, or rather the “Padronti”; nothing else matters, they think. And in Albania the number of Italians who want to get rich with pasta made from radioactive stones, chicken meat produced as animal feed and sold at the border, “humanitarian” initiatives and cooperation with the “third world” is growing—all because Italians love Albania. But then the truths, lies and thefts are exposed. And the “third world” stays quiet and does not protest. It knows that it cannot even give thanks, and the Italians themselves do not expect anything of the kind. These are not parcels donated by Americans after the war to Italy’s poorest families; they are “gifts” that bring death: expired medicines, food meant for animals. They are products intended for the “third world”, for those people who are below the human level, those whom they have learned to ignore. The rich have now become the race of MASTERS, formed under democracy, communism, socialism and many other parties, ideological but closely allied; just as God created the world, they created “their world”, which finally became “ours”, expressing human concerns through the moral code: “It is money that matters, not human life.” Money alone. Thus, from pasta for “dogs” that they exported to this country, they invented pasta for America, still undiscovered. But when enriching themselves becomes difficult, Albanians are hated and their land is despised, because Albanians want to live without giving up their honesty, like those few Italians who have paid the price of their dignity and freedom; the others are bad people. Ethiopians have said it, Eritreans have said it, and Somalis say it too, addressing the representatives of “this better world”, the strongest, who want the “third world” to enrich themselves with drugs, uranium and, worse still, death. In the role of a criminal today, Totò would act badly, or perhaps refuse the part, because his conscience would torment him. The poor man is dead. The average Italian, once forced to become a “thief” in order to survive, died with him. I would add to Curzio Malaparte’s work, “Cursed Tuscany”, a crime that would leave the rest of Italy speechless too. That Italy made up of bad people, cursed Italians. We would say it were only Ethiopians, Eritreans or Somalis saying it, but it is the whole rest of the world.

Why the crazy N. of Tirana appeared on Friday and Saturday afternoon in a swimsuit, and even strolled around almost naked until late afternoon, was not understood—even when she began shouting at passers-by, most of them beachgoers returning from Durrës. “Why are you surprised? It’s beach season. Cold weather is coming from Italy, but in Albania, as you can see, it’s hot. Why shouldn’t I go to the beach too? We have plenty of troubles. I do, and so does deputy Beqiri, but the beach is the beach. It’s not a sign of emancipation, but my fellow deputies, my dear colleagues, should also be allowed to exercise this God-given right. Shame on you for not understanding! The deputies have played a little trick on you. I can prove that today, and yesterday too, I was at the beach with my fellow deputies. Want proof? Ask the deputies to undress and you’ll see that under their summer suits they’re wearing bathing suits. Beachwear is for the unprivileged, but it’s all red.” “The Platform for National Unity and Reconciliation is being drafted.” Read the new newspaper “Populli Po”. The price of the newspaper “ITA UNO” is going up. The company “SOPERA” is up for auction. Who will buy it? The price is very low: membership in the association of the politically persecuted. Micotaqis and Nano are on the eve of elections. Before the elections, both want to disorient Albania. Who will win the race? Competition: Was the “Demokracia” Printing House donated by the Americans, or was it Petro Dhimitri who stole it from the Americans? Whoever finds the answer will have a chance to be elected chairman of the National Unity Party. Nanik Hoti is excluded from the competition, since he sides with whoever wins. A left-wing politician who wears glasses to look right-wing is up for auction. Avdulla Kënan [?] seen for the first time on Television. The new programme he is preparing is a “Sulo Gradici” military incursion. The FBI chief’s candidacy, which also faced strong competition from Albanian representatives. Pobani Toza and Ramzi are hesitant about General Ruci too. The parliamentary group of the Communist Party boycotted the Albanian Parliament in good time. The decision is unjust. Parliament cannot be without communists. Who has an enemy for a brother? What if there is a Gomarë Ruci.

[text in cartoon: “Do MPs also think about our troubles”?] The Ruble ’93

- The former chairman of the Supreme Court will soon be in the dock. - An open trial for the former communist criminal nomenklatura. - Will the “opposition” play the card of revanchism? - In the file on the former chairman of the Supreme Court, will he agree to testify at the trial against Chairman Çela, or will he prefer to defend him? According to well-informed sources, Aranit Çela, the former chairman of the Supreme Court branded a criminal, will soon be in the dock in a courtroom unlike the closed courtrooms in which Çela presided over many trials to target and eliminate opponents of the communist regime with capital sentences, most of them for unproven and fabricated offences. The open trial of the criminal Çela, with journalists and witnesses present, will also have a special lawyer for the defence. The charges against Çela are genocide and crimes against prisoners of “high-ranking” status. For the first time in Albania since the overthrow of the dictatorship, a trial of Albanian communist criminals will be held. lists many monstrous crimes, substantiated by documents and living witnesses. Since Aranit Çela’s arrest, the opposition press has not commented on his defence, but perhaps it has not described it as a political process of revanchism by the government (continued on page 3).

To make it possible for the newspaper “REPUBLIKA” to resume publication twice a week, the Editorial Board thanks the management staff of the “SINDIKATA” Printing House and its workers.