Albanians in Macedonia have no reason to demand that they be state-forming because... Arben Popoci Because of the severe repression in former Yugoslavia (greater than in Kosovo), Albanians in Macedonia were never able to recover and form their own structure as a nation. Uneducated and deprived of the opportunity to participate in local government, they turned to work abroad and, as valued workers, learned and accumulated personal wealth. Most importantly, they are great patriots and spare nothing to win what belongs to them. But as far as political life is concerned, they always remained on the periphery. Of the few Albanian intellectuals from Macedonia educated in Kosovo, at least some returned to their homeland. Thus, for Albanians in Macedonia, Kosovo was the motherland; Kosovo was “Mother Albania.” With the disintegration of Yugoslavia, Albanians in Macedonia experienced “the great betrayal.” The Albanian political parties of Kosovo, which had been Albanian parties in Yugoslavia, raised the issue only as a matter concerning Kosovo. Albanians in Macedonia, together with those in Montenegro and southern Serbia, were left to fend for themselves. They organized one or two political parties, as if by magic, and said, “We want to be state-forming.” There are many reasons why this demand—the worst of all the possible ones—was put forward. First, the demand to integrate all Albanian territories in Yugoslavia was rejected by Kosovo’s political leadership. Even a declaration of autonomy was out of the question, let alone separation from Macedonia, because that could cause conflict, which was contrary to the Albanians’ peaceful policy, and because the International Community did not allow changes to internal borders. Thus, thanks to Kosovo’s “political analysts,” who judged that a disintegrating Yugoslavia would not break apart and that America would not allow internal borders to change, even as they were being changed in Bosnia, Albanians who had always fought for the destruction of that Macedonia now claim to be its “state-forming” nation. To make the irony even greater, these analysts accept that Yugoslavia disintegrated and that internal borders are changing, but, they emphasize, this was not the Albanians’ fault—and they stress this proudly. According to Albanian politicians, the Albanians’ demand to be state-forming is a compromise in response to the separation of Albanian lands from the Macedonian state. Can the demand to become equal with the Macedonians be a compromise? Would it be a compromise for an Albanian to become president of the Macedonian state tomorrow, or prime minister, or foreign minister? Macedonians would sooner give up the little territory they possess than have an Albanian become their president tomorrow—an Albanian who until yesterday was the sworn enemy of the Macedonian state. ALBANIAN POLITICAL ORGANIZATION in Macedonia can be seen in the political demands they make. In addition to this amateurism, there is also misuse of money, cooperation with Macedonians, manipulation of the people, and exploitation of the generally low level of education. Worst of all, when the people want to replace them, they defend themselves by claiming (lying) that they have imaginary mandates. For this reason, Albania’s official policy must state its position regarding events and Albanian political figures in Macedonia. Even more, the political strategy of Albanians in Macedonia is, and must be, in the service of the unresolved Albanian question. Thus, people whose political activity runs counter to Albanian interests should not enjoy the support of Albanians in Macedonia either. ALBANIA’S RECOGNITION OF MACEDONIA is not an issue that could have irreversible consequences. Macedonia was recognized by the USA and the EEC, and that was the most important thing for Macedonia. The motives for recognition are now well known, even though some appeared to lack a basis—for example, the idea that Macedonia’s recognition, because of its difficulties with Serbia and Greece, would make it turn away from its old Slavic-Orthodox allies. Macedonia could never have been persuaded to act against the bloc. The opening of an easier land route for Albanians and keeping Kosovo in place for a time are practical reasons that justify recognition. Macedonia will not exist as a state, because America will not allow it. The USA cannot allow a weak state with 40 percent Albanians to exist. Macedonia will be divided among the neighboring states. Why, then, was Macedonia admitted to the UN? For two reasons. First, because unrest in Macedonia would also set Kosovo alight, while the war in Bosnia has not yet ended. Second, the USA recognized Macedonia so that when war begins in Kosovo, Macedonia’s end will also put the Helsinki Final Act on the table. THE NEW WORLD ORDER does not envisage states that can be easily destabilized by pressure from ethnic minorities; nor does it accept quasi-states that cannot govern themselves. This principle condemns Macedonia to disappear from the political map, while placing Albania before an ultimatum to take its own territories, without which it will never be sovereign, because there is no place for crippled states in the new world order.

Just two days after the start of the student movement, the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Albanian Labor Party, namely Lenka Çuko, Spiro Dede, Abdyll Backa, Foto Çami, under the direction of Comrade Ramiz Alia, adopts a special secret decision, which readers will have the opportunity to see published, to make the sum of 400,000 dollars available to the newspaper “Zëri i popullit.”

Yesterday afternoon, a meeting was held at the PRSH headquarters between representatives of the International Republican Institute—namely, Ms. Charlotte M. Ponticelli, program officer for the Eastern Europe branch; Mr. I Kenneth Blackwell, former representative of the human rights commission in the USA; and Mr. Janusz Bugajski, director of the Society of East European Scholars—and the PRSH chairman, Mr. Sabri Godo, the deputy chairman, Fatmir Mediu, and member of the Steering Committee, Mr. Aleksandër Çina. Mr. Godo informed those present about the PRSH, its activities, and its political and economic vision. In particular, Mr. Godo explained the Republicans’ efforts concerning privatization and property, as well as the nationwide petition it had conducted on this issue. Those present were also informed of a considerable increase in the Republican electorate, confirmed in recent days by elections in the two northern communes of Luzni and Zerqan. At the request of the delegates, Mr. Godo then explained to the representatives of this institution that the PRSH had made every possible effort to raise Parliament’s and the government’s awareness in order to resolve effectively the problem of property and ownership, the only basis for the development of free enterprise. A cordial and very engaging discussion then took place among those present. PRSH Spokesperson

According to sources inside the prison, former president Ramiz Alia has lodged a … News Disagreement between the newspaper “Koha jonë” and Ramiz Alia According to sources inside the prison, former president Ramiz Alia has lodged a protest during this latest public appearance (entirely professional, owing to the newspaper “Koha jonë” staff’s high degree of professionalism). He did not want this newspaper published, Alia said. The (first) disagreement between Alia and “Koha jonë” cannot be explained by a short article in the latter which claimed that prisoners in Albania are prohibited from reading books. No kind of literature is prohibited once the sentence has been handed down by the competent authorities. “Koha jonë” wrote that Alia was being denied books. But the disagreement between Alia and the newspaper is unlikely to have been caused by the newspaper’s thoughtless publication of this article.

Former member of the Albanian Parliament, Panajot Barka, has openly come to the defense of the Albanians and their property. “Albanian citizens,” the Greek Barka told the “Sky” television station, “will lose their property rights if they do not return to Albania by October 3, 1993.” On Tuesday, the former Greek member of the Albanian Parliament presented some personal views on the loss of these properties, emphasizing that he was referring to the properties of Greek newcomers in some territories in southern Albania.

In one of its recent issues, “Elefteros Tipos” publishes a Greek cable concerning human rights (of the Greeks) in Albania. “Greece has addressed the Albanian Government,” writes “Elefteros Tipos.” The head of the Greek delegation and the commission’s deputy chair, Lazaros Etermoglu, spoke in Paris about the ongoing concern over the human rights of the Greek minority in Albania. Violations of the minority’s rights have not been reported only by the Greek side, but also by the Albanian media. “Aleanca,” one of the most widely circulated Albanian newspapers, has publicized the mistreatment of the minority.” (This refers to the newspaper of Përq Zogaj.) The Editor

The madwoman N. of Tirana was seen on the capital’s streets only on Saturday, carrying a sack of files in her hands. Pursued by passersby, she began running wildly. “I want a meeting with the politicians and newspaper directors,” said the madwoman, “even directors who run two or more newspapers. If they publish my speeches in their newspapers, I’ll get rid of the files,” she said. “You can’t get rid of them,” someone in the crowd that had quickly gathered to look at the pile of files said. “Even if you were Minister of Culture,” came a thin voice from one of the most eager onlookers, “is there any danger from the file?” “Get away from me!” said the madwoman. “I myself am a minister. I may be a minister, but I’ve never been a spolinu. Not even when I was young, in my tender years. Watch out, intellectual! Watch out, intellectual! You wretched intellectual, mini of Aromanian origin. Which will you admit to: that you were a mini and hid your origin, or that you were an intellectual?” she said. “I’m concerned about the files,” said a newspaper director. “So am I,” said someone accompanying the director, rubbing his mustache, “but I’m concerned about my father. Give us the files.” “I also have a protest from the Greek Government against the PS and Namik. Greece sharply criticizes the PS’s position, which calls for Albania not to be frightened into the Council of Europe. Long live the Minxhozi dynasty!” said the madwoman. “Rolshin minjote! A mouse with thinning hair, a comfortable voice, and grrr-yen grrr, grrr, grrr. Down with the Government that has raised taxes! The Government will make the memories of dissidents last for centuries, of some dissidents. One of the cabarets of our France—our former Minister of Stability is going to stabilize cabaret culture, but don’t be hurt. I need at least a photo of this former minister. Just not the file. Here, the latest poll: participants in early elections, and the madwoman. The parliamentary group of Egypt’s people in Albania, 20%; the group of Greeks who own half of Albania, 40%; the group of Aromanian intellectuals, 32%; the group of persecuted Serbs, 27%; the group of Israelis, 17%; the group of Bulgarians, 20%. It’s clear who gets what’s left! Beware of madness. Pigs don’t understand. Pigs make you dirty. But, as the former Minister of Culture said, if you haven’t made it dirty by now…” THE CHRONICLER

ALBANIAN LABOR PARTY SECRETARIAT OF THE CC “Workers of all countries, unite” Secret DECISION No. 101 Date: 10.12.1990 ON CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE SOLIDARITY FUND The Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Albanian Labor Party, on 10.12.1990, Decided: I. As part of propaganda expenditures, the sum of 400,000 (four hundred thousand) dollars from the Solidarity Fund is to be made available to the editorial office of the newspaper “Zëri i popullit” for the purchase of a printing press from the firm New Concept Printing and Publishing Service Ltd. Of this amount, 150,000 is to be disbursed in December 1990. II. The [Logjitim?] Sector of the CC of the Albanian Labor Party is charged with implementing this decision. FIRST SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE ALBANIAN LABOR PARTY RAMIZ ALIA No. 222 Prot. Date … To the Financial Services Sector C o p y Just two days after the start of the student movement, Party, namely Lenka Çuko, Spiro Dede, Abdyll Backa, Foto Çami, under the direction of Comrade Ramiz Alia, adopts a special secret decision, which readers will have the opportunity to see published, to make the sum of 400,000 dollars available to the newspaper “Zëri i popullit.” The decision, bearing the slogan “Workers of all countries, unite!”, explains that the 400,000 dollars to be made available to the newspaper of the Albanian Labor Party will come from the “Solidarity Fund,” a special fund (some of whose revenues will be put to use in coming issues), which has accumulated millions and millions of dollars to organize the Marxist-Leninist movement on almost every continent. But why is the head of the dictatorship rushing to invest these 400,000 dollars in its main propaganda organ, the notorious “ZP,” precisely in the final moments of its rule? We must believe that Alia and Dede, as educated men, must surely have known the value of the saying, “The most dangerous weapon against the enemy is the pen, the press.” Alia and Dede were preparing for the next day, 400,000 dollars for the dangerous weapon against the enemy: the next day, 400,000 dollars for the voice of deception and the murder of reason, dignity, and truth. Ramiz Alia is in prison. Dede is in cafés. Someone is playing the stock market with the dollars from the Solidarity Fund, with which other newspapers could also be financed, including those that now and then feel a hidden pain, a little nostalgia for Comrade Ramiz. With this money Dede could have a drink, and Përparim Xhixha and co. could carry out business operations. There is no reason why the justice authorities should not disclose this final page of the Solidarity Fund. P. SKENDERI (continued in the next issue)

The West helped the Communists come to power…

Selami “We say that UN troops should be deployed in Kosovo to deter Serbia; the PS declares that this is unnecessary because it is an internal problem of Serbia. Is this not selling out Albania?” (From the speech delivered in the Commune of Zërqan in Lushnje, published in RDP, September 17, 1993)

“Today the Albanian people must take their fate into their own hands” Interview with Mr. Christian Hauswirth, Ambassador of Switzerland to Albania • Albania has a very favorable climate for agriculture • Albania has great need for private investment • Procedures for approving the Constitution, the Civil Code, the Code of Obligations and other laws must be accelerated, in order to create a legal framework for foreign investors. • It is a mistake to think that the Swiss political system should be established in Albania.