Zhelev: Returning land to its rightful owners is vital for the country’s future
Bulgarian Socialists have returned 62 percent of agricultural land to its owners
On Thursday evening, Bulgarian President Zhelju Zhelev, known for his anti-communist stance, which has caused numerous clashes with the Socialists who hold executive power, called on Bulgarian Radio and Television for the immediate return of agricultural land to its rightful owners from the period before communist rule was established in the country.
“I call on all local government bodies in the provinces to prepare the necessary documentation as soon as possible, complete it, and submit it to the presidency, parliament and Constitutional Court.” Zhelev pointed out that by 1995 more than 62 percent of agricultural land had been returned to its rightful owners, but he described this as far too little. For this failure to return agricultural land to its rightful owners, the Bulgarian president criticized the Socialists in power, who are obstructing such a necessary process. In addition to this act, Zhelev attacked the Socialists for introducing [sic] the president’s measures, are important for Albanians too, starting with the rightful owners of agricultural land, who continue to be shamelessly denied one of their elementary rights by representatives of various political forces, and extending to our government officials and members of parliament. In Bulgaria, a president who is in the minority against a Socialist majority is trying to return agricultural land to its rightful owners. According to Zhelev, returning agricultural land is a necessary action, and there is no reason to fear anyone over it. He said this is guaranteed by the sacred right to private property. In Albania, Mr. President instead greets a communist law, exploiting the saying, “May you enjoy someone else’s land.” In Bulgaria, the Socialists oppose returning land to its owners, whereas in Albania even the Democrats do so. Then we have the right to ask: what difference is there between Berisha’s Democrats and the Socialists? They lag behind the Bulgarian Socialists, who, regardless of their political orientations, have returned 62 percent of arable land to its rightful owners. You have made a notable contribution to the overthrow of the communist regime and the advancement of democracy, and today you enjoy a good reputation abroad. We were in the three-party alliance and for a time we went forward together as friends. But, as normally happens in a democracy, paths may diverge because of programs and strategies, and new groupings and alliances may be formed. That does not mean former allies should start tearing one another apart, or sink into banality. In his speech, Mr. Gjinushi stated some truths, but, also wishing to make people laugh, at times he got ahead of the facts. The Republican Party declared the three-party alliance ended at its Second Congress, on 20 October 1994, and also left the governing coalition. The referendum, meanwhile, was held on 6 November. It is not the Republican Party that goes wandering in pursuit of power. And as for Ramiz Alia, I met him for the first time, Mr. Gjinushi, on a difficult night in February 1991. I have come here to listen and offer my greetings, not to argue. And in keeping with that, I say that cooperation is possible even after alliances break up, when time confronts us with the same problems, as was the case with the Electoral Law. It is truly incomprehensible that, to this day, we have failed to issue even a single statement by all political forces in defence of Kosovo’s independence, for the rights of Albanians to co-govern in Macedonia, and for recognition of the property of the Cham people, who were forcibly driven from their homes. Cooperation on the great issues of the nation and democracy would prove that political forces in Albania are mature and responsible, and serve the country. You have the advantage of holding your Congress on the eve of the elections. These elections are of colossal importance because once again the question that has troubled us for centuries arises: which direction will Albania take? Therefore, everyone must be extremely careful about the path they follow and the alliances that may halt democratic processes. The Republican Party stands in the League of (continued on p. 3)
to prepare the necessary documents as soon as possible, complete them and submit them to the presidency, parliament and government,” the Bulgarian president said on television.
According to Mr. Zhelev, everyone, starting with landowners and the local authorities themselves, must join forces to bring about the swiftest possible return of agricultural land to its rightful pre-communist owners.
“Experience has shown,” Zhelev said, “that this cannot be achieved with words alone, but with concrete actions.” He said this is guaranteed by the right to private property, without which there can be no capitalism; by the country’s constitution, which protects property rights; and by the Constitutional Court. attacked the Socialists for creating artificial obstacles for private farmers, who have already received their land.
Zhelev said the efforts to prevent the return of agricultural land to its rightful owners stem solely from narrow party interests, political expediency and short-term political gains.
Zhelev described returning agricultural land to its pre-communist owners as an act of extraordinary importance for the country’s future and fate. In his view, there can be no talk of building true capitalism without returning agricultural land to its former owners.
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