On the eve of the First Congress of the Albanian Republican Women TAMARA LUARASI member of the ARP Steering Committee TAMARA LUARASI, member of the ARP Steering Committee We are living through a special and important period; we are at the beginnings of a democratic state, after a 50-year dictatorship. It is a time filled with daily changes that stand in stark contrast to the past, when time had stood still. You can see these contrasts in a beautiful shop that did not exist yesterday; in streets filled with cars; in a television programme featuring rock music. But every change also creates political, economic and social problems. In the general rush to bring about change, everyone pauses for a moment to ask themselves questions, to understand the nature of change, what is good and what is bad. Not everyone has the same opinions and ideas; not everyone defines the future in the same way; not everyone has the same interests. From this arises the natural need to form groups, in order to achieve a shared environment and protection. This is the impetus that creates political parties, associations and organizations. No one can live as a wholly independent individual while belonging to human society. As half of society, women have paid for, and have had to deal with, these problems of their own. Nevertheless, we— I am a Republican, I have belonged to this party from the beginning and for some time have been on its Steering Committee. Other women like me have also chosen the Republican Party. It seems to us that this is the party that does the best job for us. In saying this, we do not in any way deny other women the right to defend, with equal conviction, the parties that work for them. Now we have grown in number. But around us we feel the respect of thousands of other women who do not join a party directly: women who like the Republican programme but do not want, at this point, to make a direct commitment. What is wrong with that? I think they should be asked to do so. Far be it from us to want a place where all people would be enrolled in political parties. For some time we have thought that a Republican Women’s Forum would be useful and worthwhile. For more than a year we feared that the former Union of Albanian Women might be repeated in another form, something belonging to the party that destroys women’s dignity and feelings. But a year ago, several energetic women in Durrës put an end to our hesitation and created the Republican Women’s Forum themselves. The question was then seriously raised as to how this Forum would be organized and what it would do. The Party Steering Committee answered the question as follows: Republican women should be a free association; they should draw up a statute and carry out activities corresponding to their needs and inclinations. It is understood that the association will accept our programme; we will only help them materially as far as we can, support them and rejoice in their development, with no direct or indirect dependence on the party. Some called this a somewhat cold attitude. While the governor of Banca d’Italia, Azeglio Ciampi, took over the leadership of the Italian government as prime minister several months ago, the governor of the Bank of Albania, Ilir Hoti, is now under arrest—he resigned two weeks ago—accused of embezzling large sums through abuse of office. This is a case that represents the height of state corruption, even though many things about it have not been clarified. But when the No. 1 treasurer of the Albanian state embezzles, and at Albanian customs the sums going into customs officers’ pockets rival the money collected in the state treasury, the entire social structure in Albania is called into question. There may be many questions in this scandal. Who appointed Ilir Hoti governor of the Bank of Albania, Ardian Xhyheri director of the Commercial Bank, Thoma Bicolli director general of Customs, and many other officials who have “taken” from the people’s money as much as they could? The most convenient answer would be: the times appointed them, the transition. Someone more practical would answer: someone had to be appointed. And what is always true in such cases is that people are always behind scandals. And indeed, someone is put in a position where they must choose between their conscience and the people’s money, between small, short-term interests and those things that make a person live on forever. It is precisely these “someones” who today have many things in their hands, including financial resources; but what could have an even greater impact tomorrow is that they may destroy everything achieved over the past two or three years. It is painful to be satisfied with the thought that justice will do its job. But alongside this matter, which will be resolved, there is another matter that requires a choice. Will this “someone” continue to make appointments based on people promoted from below, on the color of their party card, or will nepotism continue to exist? Sometimes strange things do happen. Hoti’s replacement was appointed within a day, while the director general of Customs has been absent for three months (continued on page 4). an armor in a media and shared protection. This is the pillar on which political parties, associations, and organizations are built. being part of human society. As the [unclear] of society, women have had, have, and will have their own problems. Nevertheless, when the interests of society as a whole come together, women act within it. At the beginning of democracy, women were an inseparable part of it, perhaps the most determined and eager part to gain freedom, because they had also been the most deprived. What I want to emphasize is women’s strong attentiveness, which often goes unnoticed. With their keen awareness and needs, women know how to distinguish subtle nuances of enduring truth from what is easy and fleeting. From Durrësi, the women’s movement for the Republican Forum spread to Korçë, Shkodër, Dibër, Vlorë, Lezhë and, most recently, Tirana, where a strong group of women doctors immediately joined, (continued on page 2)

Ilir Hoti and Thoma Bicolli arrested A few days ago, former Customs director Thoma Bicolli was arrested, accused of forging documents at Customs and abuse of office. Shortly after him, the governor of the Bank of Albania, Ilir Hoti, was also arrested; the charge against him is linked to the Arsidi scandal. This scandal may reach ministerial levels, because Hoti’s signature is followed by that of the current Minister of Finance. The events mentioned above show that the fight against corruption in Albania will intensify, without regard to party colors, as the opposition has promised.

Tirana is becoming the first European capital in which the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is investing in the construction of two modern tourist hotels. The project concerns the renovation of the Hotel Frances, for which 12 million dollars have been allocated, and another hotel in the area of the Palace of Congresses, to be built by the Austrian company Rogner, for which the EBRD has allocated 20.5 million dollars. Zhiskar D’Esten was extremely surprised by this and immediately informed the Queen of England, Elisabet, so that this would not happen during the visit that the Caushesku couple would later make to England. During the report it was mentioned that 40 fur coats and 2,000 fashionable tracksuits had been found belonging to the Caushesku couple. THE EDITOR

According to a report broadcast by the BBC’s Albanian-language section, Romanian president Nikola Caushesku and his wife stole all the valuable items from the bedroom during a visit to France at the time of their dictatorial rule. The then president of France, the Queen of England, Elisabet, so that it would not happen during the Caushesku couple’s subsequent visit to the Caushesku couple. THE EDITOR

While the governor of Banca d’Italia, Azeglio Ciampi, took over the leadership of the Italian government as prime minister several months ago, the governor of the Bank of Albania, Ilir Hoti, is now under arrest—he resigned two weeks ago—accused of embezzling large sums through abuse of office. been absent for three months (continued on page 4)

Read on page 3: Interview with Dr. MENTOR ÇOKU Read on page 3: What is the “mystery” of Trieste really about? Interview with Dr. MENTOR ÇOKU - First, I would say that that dinner did not have such an aim. As the “host,” I was trying to have a good dinner, like brothers meeting on foreign soil, setting aside merit. I noticed that Berisha and Nano occasionally exchanged a joke, which did not amuse me. But I followed the conversation very attentively, eager to learn as much as possible about the situation in Albania, its first steps towards freedom, which was sure to come very soon. I also took an active part in the conversation. At one point, Mr. Nano said he had no objection to the Democrats taking the presidency in Albania after Ramiz Alia was removed. Mr. Berisha replied that “we are having dinner at a friend’s house; things like that could be discussed in Albania and, in any case, after the elections.” …Like anyone, I would prefer not to be disturbed over things that never happened, or to have agencies make insinuations, dressing them up in sensational phrases under the guise of respect that is essentially fictitious. I did not say this because I wanted to explain myself, but to help clarify something that took on imaginary proportions in the newspapers.

On Thursday, the ARP chairman, Sabri Godo, the party’s deputy chairman, Fatmir Mediu, and its secretary-general, Çerçiz Mingomataj, received at the central headquarters the US Deputy Ambassador to Albania, Douglas Smith, as well as the political officer of the embassy, David Kostelansky. First, Mr. Smith gave an overview … agrees with many points concerning economic development and the way the economic reform is being implemented. We have declared the law on the division of land legally communist. This law hinders the development of agriculture as an important branch of our economy as a whole, the establishment of order, and the entry of foreign investors. In Albania, unlike the European reality, 65% of the population lives in the countryside. And I believe this country will never emerge from the crisis unless this problem is resolved, he stressed. In addition, the ARP has its own reservations about the way privatization is being carried out in Albania. Many properties are sold at minimum prices; in some cases they are purchased with loans provided by banks. In other words, the state buys itself, and this has enabled many incompetent and corrupt people to profit. All these causes have hindered the development of production and industry as the basis of economic progress; with only a few rare exceptions, nothing is produced anywhere, and the country has to be sustained by income from emigration and foreign aid. Mr. Smith, for his part, thanked Mr. Godo for the frank conversation and expressed his views on expanding political consultations and cooperation in resolving political, economic and social problems. & 's AV With 3 te PRS Godo, in secretary of Mingomataj, parliamentary representative levën, deputy of PSD Meske and Makjell of the Democratic Party After thanking [the visitors?] for their attention to Albania, Mr. Godo spoke about the political situation and ... in Albania, the PR emphasized... Sabri Godo, the deputy chairman of this party, Fatmir Mediu, and its secretary-general, Çerçiz Mingomataji, received at the central headquarters the Deputy Ambassador of the United States in Albania, Dagllas Smith, as well as the political officer of that embassy, Devid Kostelanki. First, Mr. Smith gave an account of the current situation in Albania, in which he had participated as a political representative of the United States. He then expressed his interest in the activity and political and economic position of the PRSH. Mr. Godo emphasized to those present that PRSH now represents a party with a complex organization, spread throughout the country and continually moving toward consolidation, with a qualified press in [unclear] and in several branches. With the alternatives it has put forward for solutions, as well as its practical progress toward a market economy, where property and workers are the basis of free initiative, PRSH has established itself as a truly Albanian right-wing party. As a member of the coalition, it has made and continues to make every possible effort to strengthen the democratic right wing against the social-communist threat. But when confronted with the concrete reality in Albania, PRSH does not...

VISAR ZHITI ...a page worse than war. This entire cruel arsenal, among other things, conceals a complex of boundless weakness. And it is precisely the fear this state instills that brings it down (naturally, first of all, economically). And the people of that state find it easy... In our corrupt state, paradoxically, its people are less corrupt, because, possessed by psychoses and orders, they have the mindset of eternity: their state, and within that eternity it oppresses, in its own way, will accomplish the miracle of everyone (understand: the good citizen who is permitted) and devotion to the little people as bureaucracy. When dictatorships are overthrown, problems arise that are so great and unforeseen that experience seems to hinder you; intuition and vision are needed... ...for the future, and bold action—followed by a response as to whether or not it is right. People once again expect things from the state, which prefers to weaken itself in order to strengthen the individual. In a democracy the state is demystified. Its task is no longer violence, but to be a regulator and organizer that opens up prospects. Many others treat the state as the breaking up and fragmentation of dictatorship, where each fragment is capable of punishing as much as the entire dictatorship once did. But the state strikes itself. This creates the misunderstanding and contradiction that people who have not yet secured their property, their work, their fate, keep waiting and waiting, casting hooks to cling to the state. This security is insecure. The later you break away from the state, the poorer you will be. Meanwhile, the state feels heavy, immobile, unchanging. On the contrary. And this gives its new people, its bureaucracy, a sometimes terrifying zeal... ...to get rich as quickly as possible, even unjustly. Using the state, its authority, and its laws, they want to become economically independent of it as soon as possible because, in any case, they do not believe in its eternity, but in a segment of time from which they must take the maximum. This creates the possibility of greater corruption (including theft), as far as the margin of the anti-dictatorial state allows. terrifying zeal. ...to protect... Therefore, a person must increase their faith in themselves, if they [can?] ... around them. This does not mean becoming hostile to the world, but ... the bridges that must connect them to it. To be yours and raised by... As for the opposition, which sometimes has the misfortune of being an avatar of the dictatorship’s (party-state), it loses its meaning, because its constructive efforts, its attempt to catch up with the times and its pain at regaining lost power, the absence of which among the people, the possibilities of everything, have disrupted its way of thinking. It is an opposition that has another vision for governing the country, that conceives ideas through mistakes and pain, but attacks the government, happy when things do not go so well, helping as much as possible with ... corrections, solely to take power—not to resolve issues, but to raise the privileges granted by the top of the pyramid. Such an opposition becomes [illegible?], and the government itself is thereby immunized against its criticism, thus ... creating the unwanted conditions of monism within pluralism (understand: a dust of parties). A state that protects its individual protects itself. By helping that individual, it has overcome obstacles, and the fewer obstacles there are between the state and the person, the better the political situation, which should be ... of utilitarian possibilities. ...atures always ... destroy their own state, and ... a giant machine, blind, deaf and fond ... Nevertheless, its limbs, ... act with a speed ... murderous ... ... the state under dictatorship, even ... are a physical part of it, ... of the state ... ... In democracy and dictatorship ...

On Saturday evening, the ... madwoman N of the capital climbed the marble steps of the former Enver Hoxha Museum and delivered this speech. “Honored people of the capital! As you have noticed, some shocking but not at all surprising things are happening. The officials who deal directly with this state’s money and accounts are heading for the doors of Fatos Nano. Thinking that the state’s economy is temporary, some officials know that the money is theirs too. In truth, this mad rush toward Fatos Nano’s cell is led by the Italian example. After all, our officials are no better than the Italians; they cannot resist temptation any more than they can, especially since they have also been very poor. They thought that corruption was now being fought, and that nobody would concern themselves with the others in blue. “Honest people! As you can see, the left-wing, independent and moderate-party newspapers have begun to defend, [unclear]ly, the officials who have been [unclear] because of corruption. This defense has ... To defend thieves becomes more ... fear that racha is coming. ... The important question: Are there corrupt ministers and chiefs in Albania? As is well known, we mad people have strange thoughts, and in the coming days I will present some facts that will leave ordinary people stunned. I want to assure you that, according to verification, none of the articles of the law on defamation apply to me, and the ... will be favorable. “The important thing is for you to know that a lot of money, earned without sweat, is amassed very quickly, but unfortunately handed over just as quickly. The corrupt in Albania are inexperienced, and organizing a major seminar at which the world’s more experienced corrupt people could share their reflections is essential. There is no shortage of foundations to finance such seminars in Albania. “Albanian prisons, accustomed for 50 years to enemy and sabotage groups, are having great difficulty getting used to thieves with hands and foreign red and blue ties.” KRONIKANI

parliamentarians. Represented by ...? deputy of the PSD, Meseke, and Majkëll ... of the Democratic Party ... After thanking [them?] for their attention to Albania, Mr. Godo ... the political situation and ... in Albania. The PR, he emphasized, [supports] free initiative based on ... private [property], shaped by the state ... which constitutes the necessary basis for successful economic and social development. Meanwhile, these legal provisions have not been ... favored; recognition of property in Albania appears very ... and debatable for ... economic reform. One main objection concerns the law on the division of the land, which constitutes a ... human problem, since ... the population’s approval of a ... characteristic of capitalism. The law ... passed by Parliament has created ... great confusion in Albania. Those who have received land under this law are [unclear] and do not ... (continued on page 2)