The Albanian Right-Wing League is to launch a petition opposing the law on the sale and purchase of land The decision of the Albanian Right-Wing League to announce a nationwide petition against the law on the sale and purchase of land is not a propaganda campaign. The issue concerns all Albanians, and present and future economic developments. Law 7501 on the division of land per capita has been openly rejected by most of the population. In the northern and eastern districts, farmers returned to their properties through self-help at the beginning of the movement to reject communism. Where the law was imposed by force, conflicts have followed one after another, often ending in tragic incidents. This law does not recognize Albanians as equal citizens, because in one part of the country, as in the other, an imposed division of land remains in force, involving the seizure of owners’ property. This law has blocked agricultural production, something the authorities refuse to see but which can be felt at every turn. This law has become a barricade against foreign investment, which is essential in agriculture just as in every other sector of the economy. The government cannot fail to see this fact. The government made several attempts to create joint enterprises in Lushnje and elsewhere, and is now suffering the consequences of their failure. The authorities do not want to see the anarchy created by Law 7501. They want to carry this law through to the end by means of the law on the sale and purchase of land. This fatal step must be stopped at all costs. By taking responsibility for the petition opposing this criminal law, the Albanian Right-Wing League is doing the country a great service. The petition will show that the people are not willing to accept laws and decrees that destroy the right to property forever. The petition will show that our people want a state governed by law, the only path to European development and one that can genuinely take it to Europe, where such concepts as anything other than legally owned, inherited property are not recognized. The petition will demonstrate the growing strength of the Right-Wing League as the grouping capable of confronting the social-communist danger. A petition with 700,000 signatures will force Parliament to reject the law, or Parliament must be dissolved because it no longer represents the will of the electorate. The League’s coordinating committees in the districts will divide up the work for each constituency. Today, movement between municipalities and travel across the country are serious difficulties, but they must be overcome. The branches of the Republican Party must do their duty with the greatest commitment. This major practical activity of the League requires intensive cooperation. By rejecting the law on the sale and purchase of land, the League is serving the country; at the same time, it is serving itself, strengthening people’s confidence in its abilities and in the broad support it enjoys. The petition will also be the best practical preparation for the elections, which the League will contest with joint candidates. The newspaper “Republika,” which will closely follow the progress of the petition, will be open to articles and information from contributors.

After the latest Greek “reflection” Lately, we have witnessed a Greek political depression toward Albania. The recent Greek reflections and self-criticisms, regardless of whether they are spectacular, are no reason for our diplomacy to stop and take a break. On the contrary, this “period of Greek reflection” should be used to put the Çam issue on the table as well. If Greek reflection is truly sincere and is not merely a strategic retreat before launching an even harsher attack from another front, then the Greek diplomacy will also accept steps toward dialogue on the Çam problem. In fact, the attitude toward Çamëria should become a barometer of Greek goodwill toward a consistent policy of good neighborly relations with Albania. The Greek foreign minister, Papulias, during previous meetings with the Albanian side, has signaled—although not entirely openly—that it is not impossible to talk with Greece in order to resolve this issue. To begin with, to break the ice, the unfreezing of the properties of Albanian citizens could be requested, since Albania has shown no prejudice on this issue, having unfrozen the properties of American citizens. In this connection, American intervention in this matter could also be requested. Resolving this issue would open the way to other, more fundamental issues in the Çam tragedy, such as the return to their hearths and homes, or the restoration of their ancestors’ graves. If our officials remain silent about the Çamëria problem because Greece has been “rewarded” for its “step back” (which may very easily have been taken so that it can take two steps forward tomorrow), then this would be hypocrisy and would show that Çamëria is not a lasting concern for it, but only a bargaining chip for exchange-rate maneuvers. On the other hand, this could in no way be regarded as excessive remembrance, since even during the coldest periods in relations between the two neighboring states, official Albania has not hesitated to raise this issue. arben popoci

The Kosovo Information Center reports that the European Parliament adopted a new joint resolution in Strasbourg, condemning Serbian policies of violence against Albanians in Kosovo. The resolution, drafted on the basis of several earlier resolutions by parliamentary groups, is linked to the troubling developments and deterioration in Kosovo and Kosovo; it condemns Serbia’s policy of continuously violating the human rights of Albanians in Kosovo and describes these violations as a destabilizing factor for the explosive region of the Balkans. Referring to the points on Kosovo contained in the resolution in question, proposed by the Group of the European People’s Parties and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group, German MEP Doris Pack, who is also chairwoman of the European Union delegation for Eastern Europe, told the Kosovo Information Center that the European Parliament considers our political group seriously; it is concerned about the tense situation in Kosovo where, as she pointed out, unfortunately no improvement is apparent. ATSH

Mr. Sabri Godo’s meeting with the people of the Zadrima area The Lezhë branch of the Republican Party organized a rally with the people of this area in Dajç i Zadrimës on 5 April 1995. The chairman of the Republican Party of Albania, Mr. Sabri Godo, also took part, along with the member of the PRSh KID and head of Press and Information, Mr. Neritan Alibali, as well as the Central Office’s Organizing staff member, Mr. Shpëtim Luzaj. The rally was opened by the PR chairman for Lezhë, Mr. Agron Meta, who gave the floor to Mr. Sabri Godo. After thanking those present for their welcome, Mr. Godo told them that it was essential to exchange our views. Freedom of speech, this great victory of democracy, is not enough if the government does not listen to what the people say. Mr. Godo then spoke about today’s political situation and the great realization required of the country if it is to defeat socialism. “They are organizing themselves to take power,” Mr. Godo said, “but we must not allow them to.” Speaking about the problem of property in general and land in particular, the PR chairman called for a solution in favor of the legitimate owners. “Parliaments and governments come and go,” he said, “while property remains. The current land law blocked agricultural production in Albania and brought about bankruptcy. The Republican Party opposed this law in September 1992. It organized a nationwide petition, collecting 240,000 citizens’ signatures between December ’92 and March ’93. It supported the hunger strike of the ‘Property with Justice’ Association in May 1993, making the PR premises available for the association’s headquarters and the strike. This hunger strike, Mr. Godo said, was an effort by the people—the signatories and those who did not dare to take this courageous step. The current land law is still in force, and it is precisely this law that blocked agricultural production. In 1994, [the party] strongly opposed the government’s advance promotion of the draft law on the sale and purchase of land, calling it criminal. Within the framework of the LDSH, I opposed the paragraph concerning owners, and the sale and purchase of land will, we warned, cause social tensions in Albania.” Mr. Sabri Godo then spoke about the current problems troubling the country. Democracy is not developing properly, he said. There is corruption and incompetence. Privatization schemes are plundering national assets, and everyone is being made to pay for all the privatizations that have been carried out. Now privatization vouchers and securities are being prepared. But what is their value based on, when the objects being privatized have no value? We are being given securities and money that are worthless. The state must stand up for its citizens wherever they are, the Republican leader continued. It must take an interest in the 500,000 Albanian emigrants around the world and open a path for them to invest their money in Albania. Finally, Mr. Sabri Godo expressed the hope that Lezhë would remain a stronghold of the PRSh and the LDSH. The chairman of the PRSh then answered questions from those present.

The Republican Party has always called for Albania to be made—and in this case for the Constitution to be a constitution, rather than being filled with a series of promises which, in a matter of just two months...

Statement by the PRSh Press and Information Office on the current state of the Albanian press The financial situation of the free Albanian press is overburdened. The continuous increase in taxes and duties has seriously threatened its existence. The PRSh is following this situation with attention and concern. It considers a free press one of the most important pillars of democracy and a guarantee of its freedom of expression. The continuous increase in taxes and duties also directly burdens Albanian public opinion. It is our citizens who actually bear the high taxes and duties imposed by the government. Over these past four years, the Albanian press has made an undeniable contribution to dismantling the communist system and establishing democracy in Albania. This was achieved through the dedication and genuine commitment of many people, and through daily sacrifices and hardship. The press is a new institution. During this period, its efforts to help advance democracy and freedom in Albania have been evident. The PRSh calls on the present and future governments to improve and address the demands of the Albanian press, and urges governments to work to guarantee the quality and independence of the press and further improve the standard of living of the country’s journalists.

After the securities (worthless papers) given to political persecuted people as compensation for the long years of imprisonment under the red dictatorship (despite having committed no crime), on 20 March 1995 the Council of Ministers approved a decision to transfer the privatization vouchers from the Bank of Albania for the distribution of national assets among citizens. Anyone who was persecuted and is entitled to securities (or privatization vouchers) is naturally worried. They have asked: We have had them for two years, but have we managed to become owners? Even if they were cash, how could we make anything of these “vouchers,” when their market price ranges from 100% to 39%? That means that within two minutes you give away to a mazharaj, who was born with privatization bonds, municipal or district, about two-thirds of what you are entitled to as compensation for the horror of the prison years. When 80% of the persecuted still have them at home and do not want anything to do with them, suddenly, without warning or explanation, ten times the original quantity is put into circulation. It is difficult for anyone to understand what is going on. Does this state have economists or not? There are several reasons why we raise this question.

According to the head of the “Sam Shqipëria” mission, Albania respects the sanctions because it has closed its border with Serbia and Montenegro, something not done by all the other countries that share borders with them. Albania has blocked the electricity lines with Serbia and Montenegro. From the moment the state took action, a tendency emerged among certain individuals to break state laws in order to make economic profits; this is the smuggling being discussed. There are no elements or evidence to show that it is organized by the state. On the contrary, at all meetings and at every level, the Albanian authorities have expressed their political will and commitment to respect the sanctions. The Albanian authorities have taken action. Among the measures taken by the Albanian government is the pre-verification system, which regulates fuel imports from Greece and Italy into Albania; this system is helping considerably to control the situation. ATSH

The “Tirana” Ad’hatard Association and the “data Aja of the Political Persecution of Tirana” have proposed to the Municipality of Tirana that a memorial be erected in remembrance of the victims of the 50 years in the capital. Soon this memorial will also be placed in one of Tirana’s oldest and most traditional squares. Work is now at the stage of finalizing the memorial designs for a competition that will be held shortly. According to Mr. Burhan Kaceli, director of the Directorate of Culture, it will be a modest memorial, with a simple idea and light artistic treatment, commemorating the 50-year persecution of the 50 people. Tirana deserves such a memorial, since it suffered in a particular way during the 50 years of dictatorship. According to Mr. Shefqet Ndroqi, chairman of the “Tirana” Association, Tirana undoubtedly lost its shops, squares, properties and many monuments over these 50 years, and many years of support will be needed to rebuild what has been lost. “Republika” correspondent

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On the occasion of the reburial of the martyrs of Democracy, executed by the communist dictatorship in the Elbasan district, a solemn meeting will be held on Sunday, 9 April 1995, at 9:00, in the hall of the “Skampa” Theatre, followed by the ceremony accompanying them to the cemetery. THE COMMISSION

I will go to Argentina to buy a printing press. And this will serve the development of democracy. I will go and pay money because they do not give it without money, even though [unclear] brothers before faith and conviction. Today we have paid only for the lowercase letters. The uppercase ones remain unpaid. Who is the author of the chronicles article? I can only manage to combine the party that received the most with the one that received the least. These collaborators have taken inspiration from the Albanian people on the lower left. But they do not know that these people have no will for what was written. I came down completely, straight down. I did not pay, nor did I know; I know a lot [unclear]. One of the authors has shown great modesty by asking only for the period for his own party, even though he claims to have received more with the help of the workers [unclear]. Albania’s road to Europe passes through Greece. The road to Turkey also passes through Greece. The road may lead to Turkey, to Istanbul. There is also Altinokano e Shënjët there, and you can verify that...