On Sunday, March 26, a meeting of the Albanian Right-Wing League with the citizens of this patriotic city was held at the Vlora Sports Palace. In the speeches by the leaders and other representatives of the LDSH constituent groups, the League’s platform was further elaborated, and those points that remained unclear to many people with right-wing orientations were clarified. After the speeches by the right-wing leaders, which were very well received, they also answered questions from the many citizens gathered at the Vlora Sports Palace. Speech by Mr. GODO, delivered at the Vlora rally on March 26, 1995 Our people once again find themselves at a crossroads. On one side, they are threatened by the return to power of the social-communists, who found room to strengthen themselves after the blow of March 22. On the other side, the people have to deal with the government they themselves put in charge, which, with its arbitrary tendencies and inability to govern, has led the country into a dead end. These conclusions naturally fostered in people’s minds a demand for a solution outside the two parties that have dominated political life. This led the forces that make up the Albanian Right-Wing League to unite and formulate a program that must be explained in order to secure the people’s support, so that it may bring [us?] to power or keep [us?] there. I will explain the League of the Right’s perspective on property and on two other aspects that poison our lives: corruption and the absence of order. The parties that make up the League have their own programs. We will not [unclear] the privatizations carried out in [unclear], without in any case setting aside the unwavering principle that property must be returned to the person who inherits it. The problem of property is so great that, together with the major issue of property as a basic element of human rights, private initiative, and the free market, [unclear]. The Left-Wing League—for there is a Left-Wing League on the question of property—also declares that property is sacred, but it is lying. There is no democratic state in the world that proclaims itself the general owner of land and distributes it to its citizens according to its own measure. On this particular issue, the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party wear the same clothes and are in the same trench. On March 22, Mr. Berisha said that a law on the sale and purchase of land was being prepared. They want to treat this great national issue as a simple administrative matter, and can easily pass it, because in Parliament the DP shares their view on this point. Statement of the Albanian Right-Wing League At the press conference of March 22, 1995, President Berisha announced that a draft law on the sale and purchase of land distributed under Law No. 7501, dated 19.07.1991, approved by the People’s Assembly and signed by former President Ramiz Alia, heir to Enver Hoxha, would soon be sent to Parliament. The adoption and implementation of this law by the democratic Parliament elected on March 22, 1992, will go down in history as a shameful and inexplicable act. Enacting a law on the sale and purchase of land without repealing Law No. 7501 and without returning the land to the landowners who inherit it would mean that the present government is presenting the future Parliament and government with a fait accompli, legally sanctioning, once and for all, the communist regime’s theft of land, and putting up signs on the wall declaring people owners. The Albanian Right-Wing League, whose program includes establishing private property as the foundation of the rule of law and economic development, will use every means available to prevent the land sale-and-purchase law from passing. This is not only about defending the unwavering principle of property, but also about preserving peace. ... Law No. 7501 has caused tragic conflicts; many people have lost their lives, and others—former political prisoners—have returned to the prisons of democracy because of this law. We tell the government that the owners will not sit idly by when they see their stolen land put up for sale, extinguishing every hope of redress in the future. Let us think about lowering tensions, not adding confusion, division, and even fratricide. Given the chaotic situation created by the division of land, let the sale-and-purchase law remain within the remit of the next Parliament, which must resolve this major national problem in accordance with the laws in force in every democratic country in the world. Chairman of the Rotation and Chairman of the Association of Formerly Persecuted People KURT KOLA Deputy Chairman of Balli Kombëtar HYSEN SELKO Chairman of the Democratic Union RENZI NDRU Chairman of the Legality Movement GURI DUROLLARI Chairman of the Republican Party SABRI GODO Former Kulaks HAKI HAJDARI Tirana, 25.03.1995 to secure the support of the people, who either bring you to power or leave you aside. I will explain this point of view of the Right-Wing League on property and on the have their own programs. We will not merge the programs, because we are not merging the parties, but we have signed a common position on the main issues of the nation, democracy and economic development. Point 7 of the League’s program states that the position on property is the dividing line between the Right and the Left. The Right-Wing League considers private property sacred; it will annul all confiscations and nationalizations carried out by the communist regime to the detriment of property, and will review the sales made by the boards. The Socialists wear the same clothes and are in the same camp. the expropriation of land was being prepared. They want to pass this major national issue off as a simple administrative matter, and can easily do so, since in Parliament the PD, PS, PSD and especially PDNJ all agree on this point. In this government, this step must not be taken. Once this law is passed, those who have obtained someone else’s land from the government with a title deed will hurry to sell it for a fistful of money, because a foreign mountain is one thing. This will increase anarchy and bring conflicts to a head. Land will enter the free market only once it has gone to its rightful owner, who can dispose of it according to their wishes, and not by having some deranged village elder imposed over them. We tell the owners that they will be their own enemies if they accept securities as compensation for their land. We are telling everyone that only by the Right coming to power will the communist processes concerning property be halted, and unless property is placed on its lawful foundations, Albania will not remain standing. Socialist propaganda, with which the Democratic Party also joins its voice continued on page 2 The Albanian Right-Wing Movement, whose program calls for establishing private property on the foundations every means available to prevent the law on the sale and purchase of land principle of property, but also about preserving social peace. The Right-Wing League abandon, before it is too late, any idea of putting land on the free market in its present condition. The law is... continued on page 2

Seeing this process, it was the wisdom of the Albanian right-wing forces to proceed sensibly with the creation of the LDSH. This League, made up of six political entities, is a coalition of the healthiest Albanian forces, which are the most convincing bulwark against the return of communism to power. We believe that there is room for other forces within democracy as well; we hope that the Christian Democratic Party, etc., will also join the League. Continued on page 3

At the meeting between the President of Romania and the party leaders, held at the embassy residence on March 27, Mr. Godo said, among other things: “I welcome you to Albania on behalf of the Republican Party. I am also authorized to convey to you the greetings of the five other chairmen of the Albanian Right-Wing League. ... Your visit to Albania and the other initiatives you have undertaken serve precisely this purpose: for the peoples of the Balkans to work together themselves.” At a time when our country had not yet won its independence, Romania was a second homeland for our Renaissance figures and patriots. As a people, we have a strong sense of gratitude, so we always welcome with joy everything that comes from Romania. We face problems of democracy, as well as problems in the field of reform. As is known, some problems are shared with you. But I am convinced that the Albanian people will ultimately find a solution, therefore [unclear] ... [The text continues with a passage about the League’s program to establish private property as the basis of the rule of law and economic development, using every possible means to prevent the land sale-and-purchase law from passing. It says property but also about preserving social peace. The League of the Right therefore calls on Parliament, the President, and the Government to abandon, before it is too late, any thought of putting land on the free market in the present circumstances. The law ...] In conclusion, I am pleased to tell you that we have never had problems in Albania with the Aromanians who live here; at all times they have fought and striven for the country where they enjoy citizenship. The Republican Party, thanks to the goodwill of Ambassador Miku, has had contacts with political parties in Romania, but we would like these contacts to be renewed and expanded.” “Republika” correspondent

From March 26 to 28, Romanian President Jon Iliesku visited Albania. He was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Teodor Meleshkanu, other members of his government, and a group of Romanian artists. As is also evident from the statements issued to the press, the main purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and examine opportunities to expand ties and exchanges in all areas of mutual interest. Continued on page 2

The celebration of the anniversary of the Allies’ victory over the Axis Powers became the subject of discussion regarding the participation of U.S. President Clinton. The cause was Russia’s intervention in Chechnya, which provoked negative reactions in Western political circles. Naturally, such a position was also taken by some politicians in the United States, particularly Clinton’s Republican opponents, who, above all, also command a majority in Congress. But while the issue for the American president was whether or not to attend the ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the victory in Moscow, the question for Albania is whether it will be invited to this ceremony or not. During these 50 years since the end of the Second World War, perhaps because of the situation created by the Cold War and later by the overthrow of communist regimes in the East, the question of whether Albania is also considered an Allied country in the Anti-Fascist Coalition has rarely been raised. This is closely connected with the invitation it may—or may not—receive from Moscow. Despite the blood shed in the war against the Nazi-fascist occupier and the destruction suffered during the Second World War, Albania has not been considered an Allied country. To understand this denial, let us refer to past facts concerning the assessment of the Albanian people’s contribution to the war against the occupiers, the war against the Nazi-fascist occupiers. Initially, Albania was not invited to the Peace Conference in Paris. “It is impossible to invite Albania,” said the U.S. representative, who was also supported by the British delegate. The reasons for this position were that Albania was treated as “an accomplice of Fascist Italy,” as “a defeated country,” “a non-ally,” etc. There were even debates about this between the Anglo-Americans, on the one hand, and the Soviets and Yugoslavs, on the other. It is understood that neither side was acting out of an interest in defending Albania, but rather in pursuit of its own interests and those of particular other countries. Thus, the Yugoslavs, bearing in mind the establishment of a “close relationship” with Albania, were especially interested in the fate of the Albanians, but also in their own interests in Albania. This also had consequences for the issue of war reparations for Albania, with the Anglo-American side claiming that “Albania did not take part in the war against Germany.” “Only a few isolated Albanians fought,” they said, while also remembering to mention those who, according to them, had fought alongside the Germans. Even after E. Hoxha [unclear], and Albania was summoned to Paris “for us and Ilisgjari” [unclear]; indeed, his going to Paris at that moment did not suffice to ratify Albania as an ally on the side of the Anti-Fascist Coalition. [The following passage is damaged/unclear.] After that conference and subsequently, Albania managed only to be removed from the list of states that had collaborated with the “Axis” forces and to be considered a “victim of the war,” but it was never considered an Allied country. Now, when many things have changed, it is interesting to know whether there will be any change in the attitude of the former Allies toward Albania. This will become clear from the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the victory in the war, organized in Moscow. In this regard, however, whether Albania was once classified as an Allied country or as a collaborator mattered greatly at the time, since the country’s future was at stake; today, such a thing is of little interest. The Albanian people know better than anyone the sacrifices they made and have no reason to seek recognition for this from others. For this reason, our government officials need not beg others for letters of praise for the Albanian people, not only for their contribution to the war but also for other things—especially when they are asked to make harmful concessions in return. Finally, it should not be forgotten that there is a strong possibility that our natural ally, Germany, and also Italy, which belonged to the “Axis” powers, will not be in Moscow. GA VROSHI LEVONJA

As reported in the regulations of “Republika,” the indignation of [unclear] together with “Transition,” the government of the Municipality of Tirana, [unclear] on April 19, in Tirana? ... seeks to appoint ... together with ... government of ...

As of March 26, 1995, the well-known Schengen Agreement entered into force in seven of the nine countries that signed it on December 22, 1994. It establishes complete freedom of movement for people between Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany. In this way, border controls between these states are now a thing of the past. While its implementation is a privilege for the citizens of the countries mentioned above, the Schengen Agreement’s provision for the unrestricted movement of citizens within what is known as the EU represents an important step toward creating a United Europe. On the other hand, the implementation of the Schengen Treaty also brings a certain degree of ease to citizens of non-EU states, who are given the opportunity to travel to one of the aforementioned countries. By obtaining an entry visa for at least one of them, they can move freely among the seven countries mentioned above. Moreover, with a visa valid for one month, three months, or up to six months, they can stay and travel in all the Schengen countries. As for the procedures for issuing visas by the states where the Schengen Agreement has entered into force, they will be the same as those applied up to now. But now, to obtain a visa for Belgium, Spain or another country that has no representation in Tirana, instead of waiting for months for the documents to travel to the countries where the formalities must be completed, the visa can be obtained at one of the Schengen countries’ embassies in Tirana. Thus, the German Embassy issues, in addition to visas for Germany, visas for Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg, while visas for Spain and Portugal are obtained at the French Embassy. It is expected that, as soon as the necessary technical conditions are in place, the Schengen Agreement will also enter into force in Italy and Greece. F. K.

The Congress of Përmet Page 3 Adoption or a child business? Page 3 Profits made by harming buyers Page 2 Karaxhici threatens to consider the blue helmets enemies Page 4

“I am the yardstick of democracy. Anyone who is not like me is not a democrat. Those who are like me have the doors open to the flourishing garden of democracy. How can you not understand that this is the best way to shorten the transition period? We asked for democracy, not transition. Down with transition! Long live democracy! A referendum should be held on how early elections are to be prepared. I propose that the early elections be held a month after the regular elections. This would contribute to the development of democracy in the countries of the East. Today the whole world is talking about how the Economic Boom of Sh... has surprised even the most pessimistic analysts. This kind of boom would not arouse any curiosity if the new and old demo-ist leadership were not behind it. Under the latest law on the sale of land, you can sell any plot of land whatsoever. You only need to meet these conditions: - the land must in no way be your property - you must sell it to some ignorant foreigner, because nobody else will buy it - if you find someone who will buy it, don’t forget to sell it for cash, because you never know what tomorrow may bring. - if you can’t find a buyer, then why not give it back to the owner? Hard times have come. You never know where trouble will find you. They put you in prison, and then some prosecutor comes along and tells you that you can get out of prison only if a Frenchman comes and testifies to your innocence. Where are you supposed to find a Frenchman these days! You can find a Greek or a Turk, sure, but a Frenchman? Well, well, France should not be trusted so much, as those before me said. It’s your fault for not taking their words seriously. Now we want the consequences. With the change of the clock, everything has changed. This does not apply to those for whom time stopped on March 22. KRONIKANI