Half-hearted policy on property has had its negative impact in this regard In a large part of the countries of former communist Eastern Europe, we are witnessing a return of the former communists to power. Despite the real possibilities, also in Albania, starting from the aggressiveness of the left opposition, from a number of mistakes by the current government, but also from the restoration processes that have taken place in the East, an alarm has been raised about the danger that exists in this direction. But rather than dealing with slogans and anti-communist oaths, it would have been more appropriate to study the areas in order to see where mistakes were made, in terms of identifying the channels through which unwanted developments could infiltrate, developments that could bring us into the undesirable process of restoration. And after that, although it is late, to see what needs to be corrected. The first question that must be asked is: “What were the reasons that brought the former communists of the East back to power? Do the same or analogous conditions exist here too? Have the measures taken by the government in the direction of uprooting communism and reducing the chances of its return in Albania been sufficient?” According to foreign analysts, the main factor that led to the return of the old guard in the countries of Eastern Europe was the economic one. In the countries of Eastern Europe, the heads of the state economic dictatorship, the security chiefs or those of the local power have now returned to their former offices. But in reality they, despite the fact that in appearance they had moved away from political power, had maintained ties through economic means all along. It was precisely these ties, thanks to the privileged position they had enjoyed in the past, that ensured them a favorable start in the early days of the market economy. Another area where they benefited greatly was the privatization process. Through it, part of the communist hierarchs, usually hiding behind unfamiliar names as well, have taken hold of part of the Continued on p. 5

Let fair electoral competition take place even within the party Although this is still an unofficial view in the competent forums of the Republican Party, formulated by the Party chairman himself, Mr. Sabri Godo, and declared in meetings with the Republicans of Tirana and Krujë, it seems that this will probably be the Republicans’ stance in applying the criteria for the order of candidates on the list. Of course, without claiming a monopoly on fair elections, in essence such a practice seems to give the green light not only to respecting the direct vote of the people, and more specifically of the Republican electorate, but also creates a necessary precedent, successfully applied in parties with considerable democratic experience in Europe and especially in America, of fair electoral competition even within a party. All the more so if one keeps in mind the realistically credible view that, if it has not already passed completely, the period of genuinely partisan voting by the Albanian electorate has faded in favor of voting influenced by name, personal reputation, abilities and other parameters of the personality of the candidate, supported by a certain political party. On the other hand, the democratic principle of respecting the personality of the deputy, without tying him in the shackles of blind or imposed loyalty to the party that has brought him into Parliament, (“loyalty” that has often forced deputies not to be Continued on p. 2

In less than two months 13,725 returning emigrants From the border points with Greece, in Kakavijë and Kapshticë, for the period up to now in 1996, 13,725 Albanian emigrants have been returned by the Greek authorities. But what we must point out is that in many cases there have also been mistreated emigrants, as happened yesterday when the Albanian citizen Genci Daku, resident in Cërrik, was returned mistreated by the police on the pretext of improper documentation. This pretext was also used for the mistreatment of 35 other emigrants returned during these two months. During this period, two emigrants killed by Greek police bullets were also returned (who, according to the accompanying documents, were killed accidentally). The balance of Continued on p. 3

For the past 10 days, Mr. Meksi, accompanied by PD ministers and officials, has been holding electoral meetings in various districts of the country to explain the reforms and achievements over the past four years. The report does not hide the request being made to vote again for the PD. Although unannounced, the campaign has started. After Përmet, Arb[n]ori stopped yesterday in Shkodër, while a few days earlier Berisha stopped in Berat. It is a positive thing to see the prime minister and the ministers holding mass meetings with the people, if for nothing else than the fact that they are also deputies. It would be even better if every party did this during the three years of the PD mandate, not only on the eve of elections. With the campaign’s launch, both Prime Minister Meksi and Parliament Speaker Arbnori, as well as PD ministers and deputies, must come forward as candidates for PD deputies and ask for the people’s vote again. Their work during the four-year mandate, the PD has now passed through the filter of the electorate’s judgment.

One of the premises of the Socialist Party was yesterday morning the setting for a conference in which the left analyzed and discussed the problems and the current state of local government. Two deputy chairmen, Pellumbi and Hajdaraga, members of the PS leadership, took part, invited from the districts of Tirana and the district. Mr. Servet Pellumbi, in his speech, underlined the negative developments in current Albanian politics and accused PD and Berisha of undertaking, on the eve of the elections, attacks against the Socialist Party, attacks that, according to the socialist deputy chairman, often “reach” absurdity. Deputy chairman Hajdaraga, for his part, highlighted the importance of local government and the manipulations that PD is trying to undertake against the executive and the chairman in the districts. Members of local government from various districts of the country also took part in the conference. Correspondent of “Republika”

3917 owners facing 37,229 hectares for compensation........................................p. 2 In seven families, one “sunning itself”...........p. 3 I make politicians’ portraits easily................p. 4 At Europark “Notes of a Woman”...............p. 4 The second death of Stalin .......................... p. 5 Auction notices, crossword, humor, advertisements. pp. 7, 8

Due to the change of the Central Headquarters of the Republican Party, all interested parties are informed that, temporarily, contacts will be made at the telephone numbers 231-84, 292-03, 420-86. You may temporarily contact the editorial office of the newspaper “Republika” at the telephone number 324-12 at the address: Rruga “Ferit Xhajko”, 65/2, near Medrese, Tirana.