As regards Parliament, in its draft program, the PR puts forward a new idea, always with the aim of raising the levels of democracy: a two-chamber system, the Senate and Parliament. This system, which prevails in all democratic countries, offers a series of advantages compared with the system we have now. First of all, the laws to be passed would be reviewed at more stages. This would bring more effective oversight to the process of making them. As an independent body, the Senate would help correct various anomalies, especially in the functioning of the state administration. First and foremost, the Senate would strengthen the guarantees of genuine independence for the judiciary, which, for now, is our “Achilles’ heel.” By carefully dividing responsibilities, the Senate would ensure effective oversight of foreign policy, which is vital to the country’s future. But most importantly, the Senate would establish a constant balance between Parliament and the powers of the president. In this way, it would minimize the consequences of the president’s dominance over Parliament, and vice versa. Continued on p. 4

Rome “Long live Albania!” was the greeting the Pope gave President Berisha yesterday at their meeting in the private library of the papal palace. The meeting lasted more than 20 minutes and took place in a very cordial atmosphere. This is the second time Berisha has met the Pope. Their first meeting was during Giovanni Paolo II’s visit to Tirana and Shkodër, the first visit to Albania by a Pope, on April 25, 1993. “I am very happy to meet the Holy Father,” President Berisha said before the meeting at a press conference. Berisha praised “the very important contribution Giovanni Paolo II made to the fall of communism and the great support he gave to the establishment of the new democracy, and particularly of Albanian democracy.” At the end of the meeting in the Vatican, the traditional exchange of gifts took place: Berisha gave the Pope a bust of a white eagle, while Giovanni Paolo II gave him a medal—a papal memento. Berisha later also met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. “Republika” correspondent

A wholly unusual phenomenon has been taking place in Vlora lately. There are 57 people, all named Enver, 31 of them from the city, who are making every effort at the city’s civil registry to change their shared name, Enver. The reason, though sometimes stated and sometimes not, appears to be the fact that the former dictator Hoxha bore this name. It is difficult to express approval or disapproval in the face of this situation. It is even harder to find a similar precedent anywhere else in the world. What is quite clear is that Vlora risks being left without a single Enver... “Sindik(alisti”, October 14, 1995

…With the same woman S.N. believed himself to have been officially married since July 1994, when he went to the Civil Registry office of the Tirana Municipality to complete the formalities. But after 15 months, he was told he had to marry again because no document could be found to prove the marriage. “I spent the whole morning searching through the registers, but in the ‘state’ records I appear to be single. “Now I have to bring two witnesses, the lokume, and listen once again to the oath formula that will allow the Civil Registry ceremony to be repeated,” says the “victim.” For the Civil Registry employee, this whole story is a simple oversight, while for the head of the household it is something that simply has to be done. Once again, the groom and bride must say “I do” in a barely audible voice, accompanied by lokume. The newlyweds now have to celebrate again with other people, while the witnesses, if they are the same ones, will feel more at ease, since the couple has already proved its marital devotion. In any case, we hope the second marriage will not cause trouble for the happy couple. I. d.

The [?] for genocide is condemning innocent criminals. They say the Socialist Party will be helped by the entire democratic world, on condition that it does not claim to take power in the coming elections. The unanimous conclusion of the specialists is that Albania badly needs the SP, but in opposition. Since the Socialist Party is finding no electorate in Burrel, it has turned its gaze toward Brussels. It is expected to get 87% of the votes there. We are in favor of someone having to pay and someone having to buy, but the opposite is happening. Sërvet Pellumbi greeted the new secretary of PASOKU with an overly hasty telegram of hope. So hasty that the recipient’s hand was burned. The telegram ended with “Yours, Sërvet.” After this wire, all the disagreements we have with our ancient, wise, educated and very well-educated neighbor will be tied up.

The freedom to have an abortion “kills” 35,000 children a year p. 4 A pope who recites like God! p. 8 A. BASHA – Record-holder in the 400 m hurdles for Athletics veterans p. 9