In a large part of the former communist countries of Eastern Europe, we are witnessing the return of former communists to power. The danger of a communist comeback must be viewed in economic terms Half-hearted policy on property has had its negative impact in this respect In a large part of the former communist countries of Eastern Europe, we are witnessing the return of former communists to power. Despite the real possibilities, in Albania too—starting from the aggressiveness of the left opposition, from a number of mistakes by the current government, but also from the restorative 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 pledges, it would have been more appropriate to study the areas[?] in order to see where mistakes were made, to identify the channels through which unwanted developments can infiltrate, developments that could lead us into the undesirable process of restoration. And after that, even though it is late, to see what needs to be corrected. The first question that should be asked is: “What were the reasons that brought the former communists of the East back to power? Do the same or similar conditions exist here as well? Were the measures taken by the authorities sufficient to uproot communism and reduce the chances of its return to Albania?” According to foreign analysts, the main factor that led to the return of the old elite in the countries of Eastern Europe was the economic one. In the countries of Eastern Europe, the former heads of the state economic dictatorship, the security chiefs, and those of local government have now returned to their former offices. But in reality, although they had apparently left political power, through economic means they had maintained their connections continuously. It was precisely these links, thanks to the privileged position they had held in the past, that ensured them a favorable start in the early days of the market economy. One of the areas in which they benefited greatly was the privatization process. Through it, a part of the communist hierarchy, usually hiding behind unknown names as well, has seized a part of the Continued on p. 5

One of the premises of the Socialist Party hosted a conference yesterday morning in which the left analyzed and discussed the problems and the current state of local government. The Socialist Party on local government One of the premises of the Socialist Party hosted a conference yesterday morning in which the left analyzed and discussed the problems and the current state of local government. Two vice-chairmen, Pellumbi and Hajdaraga, were present, along with members of the PS leadership invited from the Tirana district and other districts. Mr. Servet Pellumbi, in his speech, underlined the negative developments in today’s Albanian politics and accused PD and Berisha of launching attacks against the Socialist Party on the eve of the elections, attacks which, according to the Socialist vice-chairman, often “reach” absurdity. Vice-chairman Hajdaraga, for his part, pointed out the importance of local government and the manipulations that PD is trying to carry out against the executive and the chairmen in the districts. Members of local government from various districts of the country also took part in the conference. Correspondent of “Republika”

For the past 10 days, Mr. Meksi, accompanied by ministers and PD officials, has been holding campaign meetings in various districts of the country to explain the reforms and achievements over the past four years. The campaign has begun, it remains to be declared For the past 10 days, Mr. Meksi, accompanied by ministers and PD officials, has been holding campaign meetings in various districts of the country to explain the reforms and achievements over the past four years. The chronicle does not hide the request being made to vote once again for the PD. Although unannounced, the campaign has begun. 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 both the prime minister and the ministers holding mass meetings with the people if only because they are also deputies. It would be even better if every party did this during the three years of PD’s mandate, and not only on the eve of elections. With the declaration of the campaign, both Prime Minister Meksi and Parliament Speaker Arbnori, along with the PD minister-deputies, must come forward as candidates for PD deputies and ask the people’s vote again. Their work during the four-year mandate has already been passed by the PD through the filter of the electorate’s judgment.

In this issue 3,917 owners facing 37,229 hectares for compensation........................................p. 2 In seven families, one “basks in the sun”...........p. 3 I find it easy to sketch politicians................p. 4 At Europark, “A Woman’s Notes”.....................p. 4 The second death of Stalin..........................p. 5 Auction notices, crossword, humor, advertisements. pp. 7, 8

From the border crossings with Greece, at Kakavijë and Kapshticë, 13,725 Albanian emigrants have been returned by the Greek authorities so far in 1996. In less than two months 13,725 emigrants returned From the border crossings with Greece, at Kakavijë and Kapshticë, 13,725 Albanian emigrants have been returned by the Greek authorities so far in 1996. But what should be noted is that in many cases there have also been emigrants mistreated, as happened yesterday when Albanian citizen Genci Daku, who lives in Cërrik, was sent back mistreated by the police on the pretext of irregular documents. This pretext has also been used in the mistreatment of 35 other emigrants returned during these two months. In this period, two emigrants were also returned, killed by Greek police bullets (who, according to the accompanying documents, were killed accidentally). The toll of Continued on p. 3

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 stated at meetings with the Republicans of Tirana and Kruja, it seems it will probably be the Republicans’ stance in applying the criteria for the order of the candidates on the list. The people’s vote should also be respected in the candidates’ lists Let fair electoral competition take place within the party as well 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 stated at meetings with the Republicans of Tirana and Kruja, it seems it will probably be the Republicans’ stance in applying the criteria for the order of the 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 people’s direct vote, and more specifically the Republican electorate’s vote, but also creates a necessary precedent, successfully applied in parties with considerable democratic experience in Europe and especially in America, of fair electoral competition within a party as well. All the more so if one bears in mind the realistically credible view that by now, if it has not already passed completely, the period of genuine party voting by the Albanian electorate has faded in favor of voting influenced by name, personal reputation, abilities and other parameters of the personality that is running and supported by a certain political party. On the other hand, the democratic sense of respecting the personality of the deputy, without tying him to the shackles of blind or imposed loyalty to the party that brought him into Parliament (“loyalty” that has often forced deputies not to be Continued on p. 2

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