Statement of the Albanian Right-Wing League On May 16, the Albanian Helsinki Committee published a statement in “ZP” denouncing a phrase used by Mr. Kurt Kola at the Second National Conference of the Association of Former Political Prisoners: “If it (the PS) were in power, we, as its eternal opponents, would not ask it for our rights with pleas and petitions, but would seize them with guns.” The Albanian Helsinki Committee denounces this expression as unlawful, as a call to exercise violence and use weapons. The authors of the statement have barely managed to restrain their desire to openly call for criminal proceedings against Kurt Kola. It cannot be said that the Albanian Helsinki Committee is unable to judge the true meaning of Mr. Kurt’s words, who said, “if it (the PS) were in power...” It is understood that this is a reference to the past, or, to put it plainly, if the socialists (the Labour Party) had continued to be in power. Then Kurt Kola and all those who want a free, democratic Albania would certainly have taken to the streets to overthrow the communist regime, even through violence and self-sacrifice, as happened in December–January 1990–1991. Mr. Kurt Kola is among the principal and most active initiators of the Albanian Right-Wing League and, on behalf of the Association he represents, has signed its programme. Point two of this programme states: “The ARWL supports the full development of pluralist democracy, the protection of individual rights and freedoms in all areas, and the inviolability of the free vote as the basis for changing the political forces that come to power.” There can be no doubt that Mr. Kurt Kola and all the constituent organizations of the Right-Wing League make “the inviolability of the free vote” a fundamental condition, which means full respect for the people’s decision. For this sacred principle, Mr. Kurt Kola has fought all his life in prisons and places of internment, since the age of 10. We wish to remind the Albanian Helsinki Committee that, while they have declared themselves in favour of freedom Continued on p. 2

— Mr. Godo, “Gazeta Shqiptare” of May 16 says that you are distancing yourself from Kurt Kola’s statement concerning armed opposition to the socialists? — I do not distance myself one step from the ideas defended by Mr. Kurt, because we signed them together. I explained by telephone to the correspondent of the newspaper in question that the Albanian Right-Wing League has, as one of the main pillars of its programme, unconditional respect for the free vote, and that we will submit to the people’s will without any debate in the forthcoming elections, which we will win. The Albanian Helsinki Committee has given a malicious interpretation to Kurt’s remarks at the end of his speech at the Association’s Second National Conference. On this occasion, I would ask “Gazeta Shqiptare”, for which I have respect, not to attribute to me statements and declarations that the journalist may need to attract the reader’s attention. I foresee no distancing from Kurti, either now or in the future, because our agreement is complete. Portrait of Sabri Godo

Since the Speaker of Parliament believes he enjoys the exclusive right to decide, in complete violation of the law, whether or not matters should be discussed by Parliament in this session, the Republican Party appeals directly to the MPs, to their dignity and conscience. Honourable Member of Parliament, We take the liberty of sending you the Republican Party’s draft land bill, in the hope that this bill, which offers a fair solution to the major problem of land ownership, will attract your attention. The draft bill was submitted by our MP to the Presidium of the People’s Assembly 15 months ago. In an open violation of the Constitutional Laws Package, which grants the right to initiate legislation to twenty thousand citizens or one MP, the Presidium of the Assembly did not even deign to consider the bill. Nothing is worse for a country than its own law-makers violating the laws. Sir, you may hold views different from ours regarding the land law. But we ask you to follow your fellow member, the Republican MP, in his request to consider and vote on our draft bill by secret ballot. This has nothing to do with the party, but with respecting a law that all of you have adopted for Parliament, and that is why we are addressing all MPs without distinction. With great respect, Chairman of the Republican Party SABRI GODO

No to communist Law 7501! p. 3 The Voice of the Intelligentsia on the National Question From defence to offence hkëlzen Maliqi p. 4 Private TV and radio stations could save RTSH p. 5 Bosnia at risk of being left without international protection p. 6 Sports, crossword, advertisements, announcements pp. 7–8

Who would have believed that the community could be superstitious? They do not say they believe in fate, but now they have started telling fortunes right on the front page of their newspaper. Only their fortune cannot come true, because they write it by looking at stars that went out five years ago, and only they can see them. The figures these stars show them are figures from outdated plans that they present as sociological polls. According to these polls, women turn out to be more left-wing than men. All foreign organizations are urged to react more often, and not only when they are told to from within, but not from outside, where they get their money. A law regulating the work of associations will soon be introduced, under which every association is expected to have its own left wing as well as a right one. Associations have become much too right-wing. Those capable of moving democracy forward should present themselves at the port of Durrës, because by looking too far ahead they are throwing it into the sea. Cartoon