Statement by the Republican Party The trial of five Albanian citizens of Greek nationality marked an unprecedented outburst of political aggression by circles in Athens against Albania. The commitment of the Greek government and political forces to creating a united anti-Albanian front is a picture wholly divorced from reality, proving that Athens does not want good-neighborly relations with Albania. April 2 and August 21 also prove that the Greek side resorts even to military provocations. This absurd escalation, which has set our relations back almost 50 years, is entirely without cause and stems from Athens’s desire to bring tensions with Albania to a peak. As a small country with many problems, we cannot under any circumstances be provocateurs of tensions with our neighbors. But Greece must understand clearly that however much they imagine Albania on its knees, we will stand united in defense of our independence, whatever the consequences. Not threats and leaflets, but goodwill, sincerity, and honesty are the language Albanians can understand in relations between neighbors. The expectation is that, in response to the united front of Greek political parties, an Albanian front will be formed—not anti-Greek, but in defense of Albania. Spokespeople for some Albanian party sided with Greek propaganda, which is being used by [?] people. Papandreou, in order to declare that the Albanian government is separate from the party. Mercenaries have existed in every country and at every time, and their fate is well known. The people take note of such spokespeople; their political hooliganism cannot divide the people when the Homeland is at stake. The Republican Party supports reducing and eliminating tensions with Greece, but above all it demands unwavering determination to defend the independence and dignity of the nation.

Once again on the hunger strike The hunger strike by former political prisoners and persecuted people cannot be eclipsed by any event. As society and the Albanian state become increasingly democratic, respecting and restoring the dignity of its most persecuted group, they will be able to withstand even situations that test the national potential and the paternal integrity. In this context, the fate of the political prisoners’ hunger strike and its demands must not be forgotten. On the contrary, they should be put on a path toward resolution and dialogue. This is the only alternative for continuing this group’s integration into contemporary social life. Any delay, and even more so any deliberate attempt to bypass the problems highlighted by the atmosphere surrounding the strike, would only worsen the wound and, one day, cause its consequences to sound the alarm. The Republican Party believes that the practice of protracted strikes should be abandoned when a solution can be found through reason and realism. First and foremost, the “finale” that was staged with the end of the strike should be abandoned. Administrative measures should not be imposed on a group that has experienced, more than anyone, the violence of the old communist-dictatorship administration on its back and in its soul. Since comparisons between the police of the dictatorship and today’s police are inappropriate, given that many former persecuted people are among the latter, it is right that solutions be achieved by other means. This is the first and most appropriate condition for whether or not there will be dialogue. Law and authority must show that the object of their action (continued on page 2)

Greece intensifies the Cold War - A sense of guilt has thrown Greek politics into confusion. - Is Greece seeking an early solution in Albania?! - Berisha calls for dialogue. Greece: “Berisha will regret this” (!!!) Read page 2 Mr. GODO meets with a high-level delegation of the Council of Europe Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe is a necessity Photograph showing leaflets in Greek.

The judicial investigation of the five accused has concluded . The Greek confession is over. On the last day, before the video footage was viewed, the prosecutor stated that three of the defendants had been agents of the State Security Service. Bezhanai, Marto, and Qirjako admitted that they had been recruited by the Security Service. After hearing the five defendants and many witnesses, what leaves the strongest impression is that the espionage activity of the Greek secret services can be described in any way except “secret.” Such permission for an “open policy” by ASFALIA, whether intentional or not on the part of our state, proved very positive for the judicial proceedings. In recent days, the examination of witnesses enriched the court file with new facts. Testimony was given about meetings between the Omonia leadership and ASFALIA chiefs, held more than once (witness Dh. Stefa), and about the Omonia leadership’s activity in drawing up lists of dismissed officers. It was also explained how Omonia members were armed (witness Jorgo Bulka). The Institute for Studies at “V.E,” besides “studying,” distributed free shotguns, certainly to enrich Greek folklore. In addition to direct testimony about Greek activity in Albania, despite the defense’s objection, testimony from several other people who had been questioned was also read out. These were statements affirming that Bezhanai and others had been recruited by Astalia (witness Kristo Sharra). At the end of the investigative proceedings, documentary and physical evidence was also presented: pistols, shotguns, lists of officers, and newspaper articles. Finally, videotapes recording the questioning of the defendants and witnesses were presented as counter-evidence to the defendants’ claim that pressure had been exerted on the witnesses. Bezhanai was “Karfica,” while Qirjako and Marto were “Besnikë.” These were the codenames of the three defendants, former State Security agents, a fact revealed by the prosecutor on the final day of the trial. This was the reason they decided to record the investigation, “considering the defendants masters of deception,” as the prosecutor said. After the prosecutor requested several days to prepare his closing statement because of the voluminous court materials, the panel decided that the next hearing would take place on Monday, August 29, 1994. Meeting at the Republican Party headquarters. a.p.

Statement by the Union of Journalists of Albania While the open trial of five Albanian citizens of Greek origin continues in Tirana, where the presence of lawyers, investigations, the press, and information has been established and made clear, the Greek media are the most politicized; Athens and its politicians are currently adopting positions and interventions against Greek citizens working in Greece. The Greek media not only fail to inform public opinion about the massacres that Greek state structures have begun to inflict on innocent Albanians in Greece—as seems to be the sole aim of all Greek press and information—but have instead taken up a role of terror against Albania and against Albanians working in Greece. The Union of Journalists of Albania protests this manner of reporting and calls for it not to be alone in the policy of Greek attacks against Albania and against other Albanians in the Greek state. The Union of Journalists of Albania notes with concern that destabilizing policies, violence, and continuing threats against Albanians have stirred feelings of hostility through the Greek media. Statement of the Union of Journalists of Albania [partly illegible].

or “The PS distances itself from its leaders’ statements”? In a statement yesterday, issued in the name of the PS and broadcast by TVSH, it was announced that it was distancing itself from statements by any individual in this party concerning its position toward Greece in the current situation. Meanwhile, the Greek news agency ANA, the TV network “Antena” and the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini,” under the headline “Fire against Berisha from within Albania,” quote statements by several PS leaders, which we reproduce in full: “Nam ik Dokle is a veteran critic of the Berisha government, stressing that the trial of the 5 members of the minority, with this scale of warfare, is a burden on the minority, but also on Albanians living in Greece. He described it as a particular mistake by the Albanian government that, instead of dialogue and diplomacy with the Greeks, it used violence” “A socialist leader, Luan Hajdaraga, explains, said: ‘If the 5 members of the minority are convicted, we will immediately call for them to be released as soon as we come to power, together with all the other political prisoners’ (ANA) “Bashkim Zeneli said: ‘I can say that this trial will be a public trial.’ And later, following a few words from the specialist who [unclear] the remarks are concealed by TV Antena, Zeneli continued: ‘I feel [unclear] as the only instrument the massacre in Albania!’ (Television station “ANTENA”) [Parts of the text are partially illegible.] (Are Dokle, Hajdaraga and Zeneli leaders of this party, or at least ordinary members of it?)

Mr. GODO meets with a high-level delegation of the Council of Europe On August 24, Mr. Sabri Godo, Fatmir Mediu and Aleksandër Çina met with the high-level delegation of the Council of Europe, headed by Secretary General Mr. Daniel Tarschys and the current Chair of the Committee of Ministers, Mr. Stanislav Daskalov. The Council of Europe delegation asked for the Republican Party’s views on Albania’s admission to the CSCE and on the adoption of the Constitution. Mr. Godo said that Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe is imperative. Albania has shortcomings in the development of democracy and in economic reforms, especially in the recognition of private property, but Albania can address these more effectively by being inside the Council of Europe. Being left out, by contrast, would bring only negative consequences. Albania has been restrained for a year and a half, but it is the most closed country in Europe and can no longer remain outside the process of integration into it. This view was accepted as reasonable. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Tarchys, said that both sides would talk again, adding that the Council of Europe’s committee of rapporteurs assigned to Albania would also arrive here soon.

Greek policy toward Albania is not difficult to understand. Greece is interested in Albania always remaining a fragile state. Clearly, since Greece is its neighbor, in a fragile Albania no one would be able to exert greater political, economic and cultural influence than Greece. The first reason is economic. Greece plans to remain the economic power in the region. In other words, it is interested in all its neighbors being weaker than it is (apart from the trouble Albania causes it). Greece obstructs the recognition of Macedonia and Turkey’s admission to the European Community. Quite simply, Greece does not want Albania to become competitive in tourism, linen, or [unclear]. It should be borne in mind here that politics is not assessed only in the present. It is made for the next 30 years. And given the fact that new ethnic states are now being formed in the Balkans, as in the case of Croatia and Bosnia, the possibility that Kosovo and Western Macedonia will join Albania is real. This is not a matter of Albanian romanticism. Such a forecast has been made by American intellectuals and its intelligence services (CIA). Naturally, such an Albania (united with Kosovo and Western Macedonia) would control almost all the road junctions in the Balkans. In this way, Greece would be directly dependent on Albania. Aware of this, Greece is playing the “push and pull” card. That is, it uses chauvinism as a means of destabilizing Albania, but is not prepared to commit open aggression against it. Greece is aware that aggression against Albania would bring its expulsion from the European Union, an embargo, sanctions and blockades. Thus, even if it did not take Saranda, Gjirokastra and Dibra, Greece knows, on the other hand, that an attack on Albania might perhaps allow it to seize some territory for a time, but Albania is no pushover. It is precisely a Greek attack that could help the Albanians grow stronger and make them, once and for all, truly [illegible]. The West and [the possibility of] joining Albania are and for all, invincible. The West and [the possibility of] joining Albania are dependent on Albania. [The continuation discusses chauvinism, Greek-Albanian relations and political influences; parts of the text are unclear in the image.]

At the request of the PSD, a meeting was held on August 24 between Messrs. Skënder Gjinushi and Paskal Milo, and Sabri Godo and Fatmir Mediu. The issue of the Association of Former Political Prisoners and the adoption of the Constitution were discussed. Both sides agreed that the need should be made clear for Parliament and the Government to continue dialogue with the Association in order to meet its demands within the country’s means. Following the forcible dispersal of the hunger strike, the Association’s normal functioning should be restored. Regarding the Constitution, it was said that consultations with the parties should begin, so that views could be presented and a path to understanding found, enabling its adoption as soon as possible.

The national unification of Albanians is the only Albanian solution Page 3 Kosovo—a powder keg in the Balkans Page 3 Evidence of Greek crimes must not be forgotten Page 4 If you happen to miss it Page 2

“Did you hear?” said the madwoman. “Zëri i Popullit has taken the fate of Albania into its hands. Follow this newspaper’s example. In the veins of Bashkim Zeneli and Namik Dokle runs journalists’ blood, doctors of science. Those interested should apply at the offices of the political parties. “I,” said the madwoman, “will request several important interpellations with several ministers, about tenders. Candidates must be handsome. The colonel pilot who flew the plane against Albania was dead, said the madwoman. He got up at night and took the plane away. At night, you know, the Greek Government sleeps. The National Unity Party protests against the Greek Government, which sent only one plane. They should have sent 10,000. The national interest demands it, said Hydajet Beqiri. Mercenaries,” said the madwoman, “you want to [unclear] with sh... [unclear] and declarations of patriotism. The Greek front in Greece is weaker than the Greek front in Albania, said the madwoman. It must be strengthened. The Alliance must be proclaimed and strengthened. Who ordered the Greeks to take bread from the Albanian socialists? They were all—of course, with the Greek [unclear]—the madwoman [unclear]. They will be [unclear] in an election, following the newspapers’ rights, in the name of the people. rights, in the name of the people. [The column continues with satirical dialogue and mentions Zëri i Popullit, Bashkim Zeneli, Namik Dokle, Hydajet Beqiri, the Socialist Party, the National Unity Party and the Greek Government; many lines are partially illegible.]