The EDU delegation at the PR On 19 July, the delegation of the European Democratic Union held a meeting lasting more than an hour with members of the presidium and Steering Committee of the Republican Party. The EDU delegation consisted of Prof. Dr Andreas Khol (Austria – Secretary-General of the EDU), Geoffrey Pattie (Great Britain), Hans Brunhart (Liechtenstein), Georgios Tzitzikostas (Greece), Klaus Well (Germany). First, Mr Pattie said, “Nearly a year has passed since our first visit to Albania. Albania is an important country for the European Democratic Union, and we are returning here to observe the progress of the democratic processes.” In this context, Mr Pattie asked to hear the Republican Party’s view on the progress of democratic processes in the country. Fatmir Mediu, deputy chairman of the PR, gave a brief presentation of the PR’s activities, the Party’s reach and organisation, the results achieved by the PR in the latest elections (the PR’s electorate grew from 4 to 12%), and presented the main issues that distinguish the Republican Party within the Albanian political spectrum. He highlighted the PR’s work on the National Question, its struggle against the communist mentality in Albania, and the PR’s efforts to repeal Law 7051 on land. Mr Mediu also handed the guests a copy of the PR’s draft law on the return of ownership of agricultural land and stressed that this issue is the point of divergence between the PR and the PD. Also, in connection with the problem of property ownership, Mr Mediu gave a brief overview of changes in the population structure over the last 50 years. Explaining why the Republican Party representative in Parliament voted against the draft compensation law, Mr Mediu said that one cannot speak of a securities market without returning property to its legitimate owners. Dr. Çerçiz Mingomataj, PR Secretary-General, added, among other things, “We are a party that has fought hard to change people’s mentality, and this will remain a priority for the PR in the near future as well. We are,” Mr Mingomataj said, “in favour of accelerated privatisation and modern legislation. In other words, the institutionalisation of the democratic state.” He insisted on the need for more attractive laws for foreign investors, to provide them with tax advantages and facilitate the transfer of capital. Alfred Karamuço, a member of the PR Steering Committee, spoke about the need to complete Albania’s legal framework and about the new civil and commercial codes. Mr Ylli Rakipi, editor-in-chief of “Republika”, speaking about the assistance that European institutions, and Western countries in particular, provide to Albania, said that the progress of democratic processes in Albania is also conditioned by developments in the region and the obstacles posed by our neighbours. The West, Mr Rakipi went on to say, should assess phenomena such as corruption and other developments in Albania in the same way as it assesses them in a Western country. The PR representatives also answered other questions. Mr Geoffrey Pattie, on behalf of the representatives of the Democratic Union, thanked the PR representatives for their presentation and said it was important to maintain contact with the PR, since “you represent a growing trend in political opinion in Albania.” He also provided the necessary information about the documentation and steps to be followed for the PR’s membership in this Union. “Republika” correspondent

Football has now left the “Cold War” behind and is moving forward, perhaps aiming for the “Star Wars”. There are no longer teams like Zaire, which conceded 9 goals (1974), Haiti with 7 (also in 1974), or El Salvador, beaten 10–1 by Hungary (1982). USA 94 is becoming the clearest example that football now belongs to our entire planet. Finding no untouched corner of it, the famous names in the advertising field have invented the Reebok planet, or the planet of football boots. For those who remain on earth, there should be only Adidas and Puma. After Germany, the reigning champion, which wins even when it does not play well, or is always second when it does not come first, there are now Ireland, Romania, and even Norway, all capable of beating Italy, three-time world champion, Colombia—which, according to Pelé, will be the best team at USA ’94—and even Mexico, twice host of the World Cup. Now we also see South Korea, capable of convincing us that a football match inexplicably lasts 90 minutes. Nigeria is another African team to begin a World Cup campaign with a positive record, following Tunisia (3–1 against Mexico in 1978) and Algeria (2–1 against Germany in 1982). Cameroon is no longer a surprise. Saudi Arabia could have been another, but, like Morocco, it was unlucky in its first matches. But where are the stars? Maradona has now returned completely to our memories of past World Cups, and his life off the football field, with drugs and other scandals, seems to have been left behind. “Humbled” in the service of (continued on page 4) The “Italian” Romanian Racudon made the star Valderama hold his head in his hands. The “Italian” Romanian Racudon made the star Valderama hold his head in his hands.

Article from the newspaper “STOHOS” (the newspaper of Greater Greece), dated 30.III 1994 Five Albanians, regardless of age or family relationship to one another—among those who are in Greece and have now been registered by the special teams for the security of Vorio-Epiros (MOABH)—will be executed in retaliation for the slightest “harm” to any Greek living in Albania. This was decided by the special units, which will begin carrying out this punishment on 1 May 1994, thus leaving “the barbarians” one month to “withdraw”, as stated in the minutes of their latest secret staff meeting—a document handed only to “STOXO”, the newspaper of Greater Greece, as they themselves claim. In the simple calculation of a secret war staff in Greece, it has been estimated, according to the newspaper “STOHOS”, that five Albanians working in Greece will be executed for every Vorio-Epirote harmed. It is known that around 250,000 Albanians work in Greece. Greek terrorists must therefore finally accept that there are 50,000 Greek Vorio-Epirotes in Albania, or five times fewer than the number of Albanians in Greece. Since they say “five Albanians for every Vorio-Epirote”, that means they are prepared to take revenge for a total of 50,000 Greeks. After this precise calculation, the terrorists must also calculate the Albanian counter-response. Generally, they do not count Greeks in numbers. The Observer MANIACS STANDING BY THE Enclaved, now more than fifty upheaval that began with the “Eng...” SOLO AS SOON AS A VORIO-EPirote IS TOUCHED FIVE ALBANIANS WILL BE EXECUTED Five Albanians, regardless of age or family relationship to one another—among those in Greece who have now been registered by the special Security Groups of the Vorio-Epirotes—will be executed

Legally, today they will be defended: Ramiz Alia, Aranit Cela, Zyltyftar Ramizi, Manush Myftiu, Adil Çarçani, Rita Marko, Hekuran Isai, Rrapi Mino, Veiz Haderi (and perhaps someone else whom we may have forgotten!). We say legally, because the absurdity is inevitable: They are being tried under the Old Law, but their defence is conducted in the spirit of the New Law. If Aranit Cela himself were presiding over the court, the trial would be held behind closed doors, the charge would be violation of the Constitution, and the sentence would be known: life imprisonment or death! There would also be other things missing; for example, there would be no lawyers, the relatives of R. Alia, H. Isai, R. Marko, A. Çela and Z. Ramizi would not be allowed into the courtroom; there would be no journalists or TV, and it would occur to no one that Çarçani and Myftiu are old men. Aranit would insist that Aranit Cela be sentenced! How fortunate they are! For this reason, they will be defended today. They have their lawyers, who are not only taking no risks, but are well paid for this kind of legal defence; they have their journalists, who will take exclusive interviews with them in which the “violation” of human rights will be made clear; and, moreover, they are certain they will not be sentenced to more than 10 years. Indeed, in this way they also secure pluralist dissent for TOMORROW! Today they will be defended, but their trial has already taken place. It has been over for some time. The Court’s final verdict is clear: They cannot deserve anything more than MERCY.

52 people from Albania won the visa lottery for America a year ago The deadline for receiving applications for US immigrant visas ends on 30 June—the easiest and most accessible way for everyone to fulfil the dream of the “promised land”, a dream that has now lasted for five centuries. Nearly 400 years ago, a stream of emigrants from Europe “conquered” the shores of North America. First the English settlers, and then millions of people from different European countries, built an almost new civilisation on a nearly untamed continent. “Never had the purpose been so well matched with the land as to make a place for people to live” (John Smith, founder of the Virginia colony, 1607). “America has long been the land of dreams.” The first restrictions on immigrants were introduced by law in 1924 and 1929, precisely when “the United States no longer saw itself as a great empire that needed to populate its territory, and was no longer willing to accept immigrants without limit.” (A Short History of America, p. 115) Since 1990, however, under paragraph 203(c) of the Immigration Act, a permanent immigration programme has been provided for. The law issues 55,000 visas each year to people from countries with low rates of emigration to the United States. This is the second year that the DV-1 immigrant visa lottery has also been held in Albania. Despite the many press announcements, to provide something more specific about this lottery and the procedure for obtaining a US visa, we spoke with the US Embassy’s consul in Tirana, Ms. MARY DRAJPER. “... The DV-1 immigrant visa lottery is a worldwide lottery; of the 55,000 visas, 24,000 are available to European countries, and each European country may receive between 0 and 3,000 visas. Applying is free. All you need is a sheet of white paper on which to write your first name, surname and address, and an envelope. All expenses are limited to the paper and envelope[?]. The deadline is this month. Winners will be selected by computer. Winners will need only $200 for the procedure. Some people are offering assistance to applicants, but they are private individuals; they do not pay the US government for the service they provide, but themselves. The only requirement for applicants is that they must have completed secondary school. — What is the procedure for obtaining a US visa? — The procedure is simple: you need a passport, an application and two photographs. That is the minimum. In some cases, additional documents are also required (school, financial and other documents). Those going to work in the United States must have authorisation from the immigration office in the USA. All requirements are written in the documents that are required. — Have you encountered cases of fraud? — There are people who lie every day. If someone is found out, they are considered ineligible to apply for a visa. The problem is that sometimes, because of the strictness intended to leave no room for liars, honest people also suffer. But if an applicant’s request is not approved at the first interview (appointment), that does not mean there are no opportunities to obtain a visa at another interview. — Can you tell us about a specific case? — We consider applications confidential, so I cannot give you any specific information. — Can you tell us generally whether there has been abuse by people in politics? We insist on this point, since these are people who in some way represent Albania... — In every sphere there are people who make others look bad. But in this case too, I cannot give you specific information. — Thank you.

Albanians in Macedonia do not take part Tetovo, 21 June – ATSH – Albanians in Macedonia did not take part, following the call of their political parties, in the census organised by the Macedonian Government, which began under the auspices of the Council of Europe and the European Union, AFP observed on the ground. The Party for Democratic Prosperity, the Democratic People’s Party, the Albanian Liberal Alliance and the Macedonian Antenna of the Party of Democratic Action concluded at a meeting last night in Tetovo (western Macedonia) that “all the conditions for Albanian participation had not been met”. The census has received no official request for “extensions”, said Risto Ivanov, chairman of the commission, for his part. Macedonia began a census today to determine as accurately as possible the population figures of this former Yugoslav republic, where most minorities believe they are more numerous than the official figures indicate.

Skopje, June 21 - Reuters - ATA - Macedonia protested to Yugoslavia today over a series of border incidents, including the arrest of Macedonian army officers and the seizure of a hill on Macedonian territory. The Macedonian Foreign Ministry accused the Yugoslav army of seeking to alter the Macedonian border “with potentially inevitable consequences,” according to an official statement. “The status of 50% of Macedonia’s Albanians (20% of Macedonia’s 2.3 million inhabitants, according to Shk-së) has not yet been resolved, although it was supposed to have been fulfilled, according to the Albanian parties. We are calling for a postponement of the population census that will allow this problem to be resolved,” an Albanian official who asked to remain anonymous told AFP. “The Commission of ...

Department, University or… p. 3 Will we continue to extract oil? p. 2 Was the number of martyrs equated with the number of land deeds? p. 2

The capital’s madwoman N wandered the central boulevards of Tirana on Wednesday evening in a torrential downpour, carrying a large bundle of “Zëri i Popullit” newspapers. When the rain let up, she unloaded the newspapers, now soaked and heavy, in front of the door of Tirana Prison. “What are these?” the policeman asked, puzzled, looking at the pile of newspapers. “It’s last week’s ‘Zëri i Popullit’ newspaper. I brought them for Comrade Ramiz and Comrade Fatos to read.” “Not allowed,” the policeman said firmly. “No kind of party propaganda is allowed for prisoners!” “It is allowed,” the madwoman objected. “Wet newspapers are allowed. They have nothing to do with dry newspapers and aren’t considered propaganda material.” “That isn’t written in the prison rules. Besides, what difference could there be between dry newspapers and wet ones?!” the policeman continued to wonder. “There is,” said the madwoman. “There’s a big difference that policemen don’t understand. When you put ‘Zëri i Popullit’ newspapers in water, they become depoliticized. It’s just like communist leaders when you put them in prison. After 20–30 years, they are renewed.” “Who gets renewed faster, Comrade Ramiz or Comrade Fatos?” the policeman asked. “It goes without saying that it’s Comrade Ramiz,” she replied. “You’ve seen it yourself: even ZP supports Ramiz more than Fatos. That’s because without Comrade Ramiz there would be no Fatos either. There are plenty of Fatoses, but there’s only one Comrade Ramiz.” “This is complicated politics,” the policeman said. “It is,” the madwoman concluded. In the evening she sat cross-legged on the steps of the Palace of Culture, opened a very large history book, and began to read: “The causes of the beginning of the First World War included...” “But why does Frok Çupi say that Daut Hoxha started the First War?” a curious onlooker asked. “Daut Hoxha served as a comrade in starting the Italo-Greek War,” the madwoman replied. “Since Frok Çupi is so fond of the Balkan wars, he took that war from Daut Hoxha for himself and gave him the First World War.” “Isn’t that called falsification?” another curious onlooker asked. “No,” said the madwoman. “Frok will organize the Third Balkan War, and all the old documents will be burned.” The Chronicler