With a brief statement by the PR Steering Committee, made public on Monday, the Republican Party announced that it “does not consider further participation in the governing coalition possible.” PR, considered even by the highest-ranking PD leaders to be a “key ally,” ended its cooperation in government, bringing to a close one of the most controversial issues not only in Albanian political opinion but also within its own ranks. The three-party alliance PD - PR - PSD, announced on the eve of the elections of 22 March 1992, thus had anti-communism as its sole common ground. This alliance received support both domestically and internationally. The new government formed on this basis included representatives of PR and PSD. Almost immediately after its formation, disagreements arose between PR and PD. Throughout the coalition, while PD gained ground internationally by presenting the Government as an anti-communist coalition government, the Republican Party placed greater emphasis on the domestic situation. For the sake of political stability, given the very difficult conditions in which PD took over the country’s government, and to avert the social-communist danger, the Republican Party did not foreground its points of disagreement with the Democratic Party, which were numerous. Calmly analyzing the domestic situation and the political circumstances surrounding the country, PR called for—but did not make its participation conditional on—the coalition continuing until its Second Congress, held in October this year. In his speech at the Congress, Mr. Sabri Godo, while noting the achievements of the Meksi Government, emphasized serious shortcomings in the way the country was governed, since as a participant in the governing coalition he was responsible “for the bricks being laid crookedly in the foundations of the new state.” On the other hand, in his congratulatory speech, PD chairman Selami called for the coalition to continue, emphasizing the points PD and PR had in common: anti-communism and the national question. But at the Second Republican Congress, while declaring the party coalition suspended, the Republicans set conditions (although they were presented as requests) for the coalition to continue functioning, which up to that point they had described as “not only offensive, but also useless.” Among the requests put forward were: - Formalizing in writing the bilateral forum with the prime minister and obtaining the coalition’s prior consent on important issues. - Replacing, after consultation, ministers who are incompetent or who break the law. - Prohibiting state officials from conducting party propaganda. (continued on page 2) On 4 December, we informed the Prime Minister that the Republican Party The Republican Party participated patiently and willingly in the coalition, believing that this served political stability, which was essential to emerging from the crisis and advancing the country. The Republican Party has long denounced the coalition’s shortcomings and forcefully reiterated them at its Second Congress on 19 October, awaiting a positive response. The reconstruction of the Government offers no hope that the coalition will function in accordance with the demands we have put forward; therefore, our continued presence in the Government has become unproductive. The Republican Party will adopt a constructive position toward the Government and will provide its assistance in resolving the country’s serious problems. We sincerely wish Mr. Meksi’s cabinet success, while at the same time we will intensify our efforts to defend the Nation, develop democracy, and advance a just economic reform based on the recognition and return of private property. THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY (continued on page 2)

113 people have been confined for six days Today is the sixth day of the hunger strike by 113 representatives of former landowners, whose land was flooded when the reservoirs of the hydroelectric power plants on the Drin River were formed. Most of the strikers also took part in the first strike, held seven months ago, and the composition of the strike’s organizing committee is also the same. According to information we received yesterday afternoon from a source close to the strike, the strikers’ health is continuing to deteriorate. Many of them are staying near the building where the strikers have confined themselves. Meanwhile, as we mentioned, an attempt has been made by the Government’s representative, Agriculture Minister Mr. Hasan Halili, to meet with the strikers’ representatives. According to the chairman of the strike committee, Mr. Tahir Trota, the strikers are dissatisfied with the Government and are requesting a meeting only with the President of the Republic. The strikers’ main demands are: long-term credit, land to live on away from Kukës, and co-ownership of the hydroelectric power plants. The first strike ended with the promise that the Government would give priority consideration to the strikers’ demands, which seemed to be on their way to resolution with Government Decision No. 306. But delays in resolving problems—a distinguishing feature of the state bureaucracy—can have dangerous consequences in cases such as this. “Republika” correspondent A view of the area outside the building where the hunger strike is taking place Photo: A. Babani

CSCE Conference in Budapest: after the Cold War, will there be “cold peace” or “hot war”? At the Budapest summit, positions were openly stated and concrete initiatives put forward on European security and cooperation. Jelcin opposed NATO’s plans to expand eastward, considering them a risk to Russia and peace. Izetbegoviç accused the international community of cynicism and of certain countries’ support for the Serbs. “... I wish to reiterate to the Government of the Republic of Greece the arguments of the Greeks, so that we may begin working toward a bilateral cooperation treaty based on the principles of the CSCE.” With these words, President Sali Berisha made a public appeal to Greece to bring about a lasting improvement in relations. Such a public appeal should not go unanswered or unnoticed by Greece itself and international opinion, despite the dramatic speeches delivered at this meeting by Russian President Jelcin and Bosnian President Izetbegoviç. The prospects for Albanian-Greek relations taking a turn toward positive developments are quite remote, notwithstanding the validity of Berisha’s claims in his speech that all problems can be resolved within the framework of the current principles of the CSCE. In fact, the entire problem with Greece has been its claims concerning the rights of the Greek minority in Albania. And the actual issue of the rights of the Greek minority in Albania, despite Berisha’s claims concerning the rights of the Albanian minority in Greece, has never been unclear. Greece has viewed Albania as a country that should be subordinated through its relations with the two countries, which will be directly dependent on the political situation established in the Balkans. Nevertheless, given the political situation in the Balkans, where Greece diplomatically supports Serbia, it is unlikely that Berisha’s appeal will receive a positive response. Albania is in a way implicated in the open conflict in the Balkans because of the issue of Albanians in the former Yugoslavia, and it is unlikely that Greece will give up its dominance in creating a tense situation when this serves its Serbian partner. Thus, any request for, or improvement in, relations between the two countries the Balkans. The dramatic speeches by the Russian president, who is categorically opposed to Eastern European states joining NATO, considering this a path toward Russia’s isolation, and by the Bosnian president, who accused the international community of cynicism and inability, as well as of support for the Serbs by certain countries (England, France), also overshadow Berisha’s appeal for the normalization of relations with Greece, given the weight of the issues they address. A. P.

The CSCE summit in Budapest failed to adopt a declaration on Bosnia because of strong objections from representatives of the government in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Croats, Hungarian President Arpad Goncz announced. “Despite intensive consultations, it proved impossible to reach consensus.” The Bosnian representative, Mamir Jajamoviç, denounced in very strong terms the “capitulation” of the international community before the “Serb aggressors,” accusing it of having turned away and “encouraged” them. Russia vetoed a CSCE declaration that referred to “Serb aggressors” in Bihac and the “zone of aggression” in northwestern Bosnia. At the same time, Bosnia-Herzegovina rejected a call for a ceasefire in Bihac, which the great powers had agreed to, but which no longer referred to Serb aggressors. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl said he was very sorry that the call to end hostilities had not been adopted by 62 heads of state and government gathered in Budapest. CSCE Conference in Budapest: after the Cold War, will there be “cold peace” or “hot war”?

The ROJTER News Agency and the ROJTER Foundation are organizing a two-day seminar for the Media in Tirana on December 12–13. During the two-day seminar, participants will have the opportunity to learn about ROJTER’s world service news, including general political, economic and financial news. They will also be introduced to ROJTER’s photo service and graphic information. The seminar is free and will be conducted in English. The ROJTER News Agency is the world’s most authoritative voice in this field. “Republika” Correspondent On December 8–9, the Conference “How the Legislative Process Will Be Covered” will be held at the Palace of Congresses. The Conference is organized by the American Democratic Institute for International Affairs and the Association for Democratic Culture. Journalists from the leading newspapers in Albania, from Radio and TV, as well as representatives of the press from various political parties, will take part.

Italy MILAN, December 6 — An Italian court on Tuesday sentenced former Italian prime minister Betino Kraksi in absentia to five and a half years in prison for corruption.

“My independent opinion is that the country should be governed by three governments,” said the madwoman beneath the chief editor after glancing over Tuesday’s newspaper headlines. Nobody is understanding anybody else; newspapers doing the work of the Greek and the Serb have become nationalistic. God forbid the danger when they start writing about the Albanian minority in Greece! This has nothing to do with Greece’s change of attitude toward Albania. They understood it too, though a little late: nationalism is in fashion. Albania’s fate lies with the parties and politicians. It wouldn’t be bad to have a few parties with lepers, too. As for the politicians, we have artists. They just need to think a little less about Albania, since they have completely wasted away. First and foremost, the country needs them to be healthy. The people are entirely to blame for the situation that has arisen. Look, the politicians are in favor of the Constitution rally, but it is the people who are stupid. At the meetings she attends [continues outside the frame] PS, you are making a fuss about Enver Hoxha. They don’t say for nothing, “Your own is your own: even if he eats your flesh, he’ll spare your bones.” The PS insulted the PP, but only for appearances. Whoever says our parties can’t reach consensus, that they can’t understand one another, is wrong. Look, they agreed on the date and place of the meeting. They all gathered in the same place, at the same time. They didn’t agree on the topic of conversation, well... there have to be differences of opinion. They move society forward. If they agreed on everything, we would return to one-party rule. As a madwoman, I refuse the coalition offer. I can’t become a minister in a ministry with such a long name. It needs ministers with enough mental capacity to remember the name of the ministry they work in. I don’t have that ability. I don’t want to compromise the government. Long live the ministers of catastrophe with their long names. Why? I am myself the name of catastrophe. THE CHRONICLER

Islamic countries ready to replace Westerners in Bosnia Page 4 Conservatism as pragmatism, not utopia Page 3 Why not, once again, the toponyms Page 3 The social situation of young people in focus at Republican Youth Page 2

At the second meeting of the parliamentary parties, held on 5 December to discuss the constitution, no further progress was made. The party representatives sat around the table with welcoming smiles on their faces and distrust and hostility in their hearts. The Republican Party was represented at these meetings by its chairman, Mr. Sabri Godo, and deputy chairman, Mr. Fatmir Mediu. At the meeting on 5 December, Mr. Godo said that, if goodwill truly existed, an agreement could be reached within a short time. In principle, everyone declares that adopting the constitution is necessary, but at the same time political maneuvering is plainly apparent. So here we mostly sniff each other out and lie in wait, ready to attack and defend ourselves, knowing that the journalists are behind us. Without overcoming this situation, it is difficult to reach any conclusion. Mr. Godo said he viewed the initiative of PAD and PSD to convene the meeting positively, as well as the two parties’ presentation of a draft that could help get the discussion started, but this should in no way be seen as an obligation. Each party may present a draft or put forward its own views for discussion. The Republican Party believes that Parliament should elect a new committee to draft the Constitution bill. The committee should include representatives of all parties, and none should have a majority. Mr. Godo went on to explain PR’s view of the procedure that could be followed. He said that Article 16/2, or any other obstacle that might be raised in relation to this procedure, should not tie the hands of Parliament itself, which had voted for these articles. Mr. Godo said he considered the processing of Mr. Godo to be a good choice. During the discussion, Mr. Ali Spahia rightly left the meeting, because it was not acceptable for party insults to be made at meetings on important issues. In any case, the second meeting of the parties helped clarify their views and establish that a great service could be done for the country by resolving the disputes surrounding the constitution, if the political forces truly wanted to do so. The third meeting, held on 7 December, more or less confirmed the same thing: each party attaches importance to what it says itself and is not particularly willing to listen to what others say. Mr. S. Godo and Mediu, on behalf of the Republican Party, once again stated that the most acceptable course would be for a committee formed by consensus to draft the constitutional proposal, for Parliament to review the proposal and, regardless of the outcome of the parliamentary vote, for it to proceed to a referendum. The Republican Party accepts beginning the discussion with the Committee and proceeding step by step, since discussing the entire procedure at once could prevent an agreement from being reached. Since no concrete conclusion was reached, the Republican Party proposed a fourth meeting, giving everyone time to consult more broadly with their own party leadership. It is unacceptable to declare that the parliamentary political parties cannot reach agreement on the major issue of the constitution when a reasonable agreement is very close at hand.