“Re-making” the Government does not mean replacing a few ministers It is now certain that, from one hour to the next, we will see the Government “re-made.” The times demand it, as does the development of democracy. No individual, and especially no party, should cling to the idea that a minister receives a mandate for a fixed number of years and that, if moved before its expiry, this constitutes a personal insult. The point is what a minister considers himself to be. According to the democratic concept, a minister is a senior public servant, paid out of the people’s taxes and required to serve the people for as long as he is considered capable. Once it becomes clear that his department has shortcomings, the minister must step aside, and do so willingly, without creating any problem for himself or others. When we have adopted this concept—which today seems truly remote—it will be easy to form and re-form governments according to the country’s needs, without dramatics. The Republican Party called for the Government to be re-formed because these issues were raised at the Second Congress. But we want to reiterate once again that selecting ministers and forming a capable, professional and ethical cabinet is only the first step. This would solve almost nothing if it were not accompanied by a change in the way the Government is run. The “style” of a government is a broad subject for discussion, but considering the current circumstances and the urgency of the problem, we have said that at the very least certain preliminary measures must be taken so that the Government can create a “self-defence” mechanism and aim to achieve the highest possible efficiency. We have put forward the following demands: - The Government should draw up a programme setting out the objectives it intends to achieve by the spring of 1996 and implement those objectives in a way that has popular support; otherwise, the Government will not receive the support it needs. It could even happen that the Government goes one way and the people another. - If it is to be a coalition government, it must necessarily function as one, according to the stated criteria for coalitions, and a “contract” between the parties on the coalition’s actual functioning must be concluded from the very first day. - The Government is in the service of the people and is accountable to Parliament as an institution, as well as to the President on constitutional matters concerning him. Ministers must not organise themselves into patriotic campaigns—which would mean abandoning their duties. - Corruption is the most pressing area in which the Government must act, first and foremost by cleaning up the administrative apparatus. A particularly symbolic example in this regard would be a law or decree categorically prohibiting ministers and all senior officials, in the centre and in the regions, from engaging in private business. A concrete fulfilment of this task would be Parliament’s swift approval of the civil service statute. This statute would determine whether a public servant may have another interest involving a person whose affairs are handled by his office; whether he may himself be elected to a position on the board of a company belonging to a family member; whether he may accept gifts throughout the year whose total value exceeds 500 lekë, etc. - The Government must free itself from the harmful burdens of centralisation by transferring to local authorities and managers virtually all social and economic activities of a local nature. The Republican Party wishes to be part of the governing coalition in order to make a sincere contribution to the country’s stability, but we consider it useless and impossible to participate in a coalition that does not meet at least the demands we have set out. Convinced that these demands are aimed solely at the good of the country and the Government, we hope that an agreement will be reached.

Ismail Qemali, precisely in the “ill-fated years,” when Turkey was defeating itself and was no longer an empire, understood that the Albanians could no longer delay the creation of the Albanian state. Until then, Albanians, accustomed only to fighting but not to creating their own independence—and even fighting “for others”—had still not managed to do what their neighbours, who were dividing little Albania all around, had done for themselves. The Albanians, who had been key participants in the Battle of Kosovo and in Greece’s struggle for independence, had still not reached the conclusion that first and foremost they had to establish their own state. Ismail Qemali, as a member of the Turkish Parliament and a perceptive analyst of the Albanian struggle, reached the great conclusion that Albania had to be created first. But Albania could no longer be created from afar; Albania could be created in Albania. Knowing the Orient, but also the inclinations of the Occident, Ismail Qemali landed at Europe’s eastern gateway, at the port of Durrës, which was and remains Albania’s gateway, with just one aim: to raise the flag of the Albanians, the flag of Albania. Only the flag was missing; Albania had been there for a long time. He could not do it in Durrës, but he raised the flag in Vlorë, as if to remain forever in the history that followed him with the name the Old Man of Vlorë. Everyone came to Vlorë, from every region of Albania. And Albania was what it was: what it had always been; from Kosovo to Çamëri, there stood the all-embracing state. Albania was declared independent, equal to itself. Albania of the [unclear]. The red flag with the black double-headed eagle, like the flag of Gjergj Kastrioti. A symbol was raised in Vlorë: the Flag. The word “symbol” itself means “a seal shared by two parties.” A state that was not yet fully formed was proclaimed; it would take shape later, resist later, flourish later; it has not yet become a state at the level of its dreams, at the level of the all-embracing state for which Albanians strive. But it is undoubtedly taking shape; it has begun to take shape. 1944 liberated [unclear] from [unclear], but not from its own rule; 1990 oriented it towards Europe, but there is a whole “gap” to be crossed. Not by means of [unclear], but through our national identity, through those values that can finally be proclaimed, just as independence was proclaimed by the Old Man of Vlorë. No one will open the way to Europe for you unless you make yourself count. And in today’s Europe, you can do so only through your identity, through your national values—which Albanians should not fear are in short supply. We need only respect the Flag raised by Ismail Qemali at the beginning of the century. We must unite around it, just as people gathered then, in 1912! FARUK MYRTAJ

Seminar of the Republican Youth On Friday, 25 November, the Republican Youth Forum organised a seminar on “Conservatism” at the Palace of Congresses. The seminar presented, for the first time in our country, some of the basic concepts of conservatism. Along with liberalism and socialism, this ideology has underpinned political theory and practice throughout the past two centuries. After the seminar was opened by the chairman of FRRSH, Mr Enkel Demi, proceedings continued with the main paper, delivered by Mr Hysamedin Feraj, a lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy. He discussed conservatism and neoconservatism. Mr Hysamedin’s paper was complemented by a presentation from Enon Ngjela, deputy chairman of FRRSH, who discussed the conservative understanding of history, tradition, authority and property. Likewise, Mr Ruben Avyahu, the Forum’s secretary for external affairs, addressed several conservative concepts concerning ideology, principles and morality, equality and freedom. Mr Fatmir Mediu, deputy chairman of PR, also took part in the discussion. On behalf of PR, those present were greeted by its chairman, Mr Sabri Godo. After questions and discussion, the seminar concluded with a reception.

The chairman of PRSH, Mr Sabri Godo, accompanied by a delegation that included Mr F. Mediu and the secretary-general, Dr C. Ngjopa, received the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China on 25 November. Mr Godo spoke about the current political situation in the country, focusing in particular on the urgent contribution that political forces must make to drafting the draft constitution. Mr Godo also spoke about Republican thinking on the re-formation of the Government, stressing that this should involve not only changes in personnel but also changes in the Government’s style and working methods. Regarding corruption, drugs and prostitution, Mr Godo stressed that these phenomena pose a serious threat to the Government itself and that every measure must be taken to stop them. The meeting also discussed the shared interest in expanding bilateral relations and the need for an exchange of party delegations.

In response to the article entitled “Forced corruption?”, with the overline “How can foreign investors be driven away?” and the subtitle “Is Koco Kaskaviqi all-powerful?”, published in the newspaper “Republika” on 24.11.1994 and authored by A. Avërin Ballvora, I hereby respond and publicly refute the claims as follows: The article in question constitutes a public insult to me personally, both as a citizen and as an official of the state administration, made for specific purposes. Since what the article’s author alleges does not accord with my character and nature as a citizen and public servant, I will not even begin to examine the truth, which is entirely the opposite of what is stated in the article… The note published by the newspaper “Republika” confirms the “corruption” “alleged” by Mr Avni Ballvora, stating: “By giving prominence to the phenomenon of corruption and publicly exposing it, we open the way to all articles dealing with similar subjects.” I am not opposed to the press or to the need for it to have greater freedom to expose corruption, but the truthfulness of the facts is the basic element on which a newspaper must rely. I can state publicly that the article’s author presented the facts in a distorted manner and that no compensation was approved for him. He talks about foreign investors, although nothing of the sort appears in any of the decisions of the KRTG he cites. Fortunately, the editorial office ends its note with the words: “On this occasion, we would ask the responsible state authorities to comment,” and in this way anyone can understand that not everyone who writes tells the truth. I also inform the public that I have referred this matter to the judicial authorities so that it can be brought to a conclusion. Arch. Koco Kaskaviqi Director of the Urban Planning Directorate Tirana Municipality ATSH

From the chronicles On Saturday afternoon, the “madwoman” of the capital was seen dragging a minister’s dummy along former Stalin Boulevard. “Let me go,” the dummy said. “Let me go! What have you got against me? I’m a minister.” “You have to leave. The madmen have taken command! You have to go!” “Why should I leave? Who will take my place?!” The [unclear] dragged the dummy around Stalin Boulevard for a whole hour, then dropped it in front of the steps of the National Bank and shouted: “Take him! Give him the [unclear] he earned by the sweat of his brow!” “What great respect for suffering, in front of the Tirana Municipality’s railings. Hypocrites! You want the names of the new ministers! I won’t tell you!” But don’t five Albanian citizens of Greek origin have the right to be left alone? The request made by Albanian parliamentarians Gjinushi and Peto was not taken into consideration because they considered it entirely [unclear]. In other words, diplomacy. A few days later they will say that the Greeks had been acting deceitfully. Independent journalists are asking for ropes. Albania’s prisons have more journalists than criminals, said a very well-known journalist, speaking objectively. Not one imprisoned journalist benefits from Berisha’s regime’s amnesty. I have an original idea. Since the ministers are [unclear] and corruption is everywhere, let’s get rid of them altogether. Let the deputy ministers do the work. This corruption plague is more dangerous than cholera, because it affects people who are [unclear] and in good health. Tirana Municipality is successfully achieving its objective of leaving the capital without a single patch of greenery. Imagine: in the second quarter of next year, green will exist only on kiosk signs and office stationery. And with the construction of kiosks getting under way, [unclear] is flourishing. The city’s blooming kiosks are coming from [unclear]. The street sweepers are [unclear] at their work during the day, and [unclear] from cleaning the streets by day. THE CHRONICLER

A beautiful and difficult road—the road of art Page 3 The misinterpretation of myth Page 3 A statesman and friend of the Albanian people Page 4 Stop, Mr. Papulias! Page 2

The President, the Board of Directors, the General Manager and the management staff WISH The President, the Board of Directors, the General Manager and the management staff WISH The President of the Republic of Albania, the Prime Minister, the Government, and the Albanian people wherever they live, at home and abroad, A HAPPY GREAT CELEBRATION: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF THE COUNTRY AND FLAG DAY Wishing success, development, progress and the unity of all Albanian minds in strengthening democracy in Albania.

At the Writers’ and Artists’ League The Assembly of the Writers’ and Artists’ League of Albania was held, reviewing the League’s work over the previous two-year period. Following the proceedings of the League’s leadership, chaired by Mr Bardhyl Londo, the Assembly continued with a series of discussions on the most important reforms needed by the Writers’ and Artists’ League. Its secretary was Mr Xhevahir Spahiu. Correspondent, “Republika”