Hunger-striking students

Today the Albanian Parliament convenes. And today is the eighth day of the hunger strike in Vlora. Today Berisha lays claim to the throne for another 5 years. In Vlora, the lives of young men and women are being extinguished; in Tirana, the sycophants wait to flatter their leader. The throne can wait—what are we to do about death? Today Albanian parliamentarians will show how much

Today the Albanian Parliament meets. Today is also the eighth day of the hunger strike in Vlorë. Today Berisha expects the reservation of the throne for another 5 years. In Vlorë, throne can wait; what show how much militancy they have absorbed and how much humanity remains in their souls. If today's Parliament turns its back on Vlorë and fawns on Berisha, it will cover itself in mud. Today Mr. Arnori must ring the bell as Speaker of Parliament, not as a member of the PD; otherwise, tomorrow no one will hear that bell. Today hearts must beat in Parliament; otherwise, the MPs should find another people to represent in that chamber. Berisha's Vision 2000 is shrouded in fog. He vainly insists in halls (the squares are no longer the PD's) that the people love him very much. Going around Albania and crushing Vlorë beneath the hoof of silence does nothing but show cynicism. The President vainly tries to present in thousand-seat halls the opposite of what the 20,000-strong crowd in Flag Square and in the squares of other cities expresses. Halls are very different from squares: what they conceal is that in halls the invited guests attend under obligation and by list, while people go to the squares with their hearts. Today Parliament must deal with Vlorë, not Berisha's armchair. Parliamentarians must wake from the lethargic sleep in which the PD is rocking them. This time they must boycott the leader's chieftain-style rule and debate Vlorë. Many points in the students' demands could have been resolved long ago. But how can they be resolved when Berisha, his imitator Shehu, and the “dark joke” Meksi have no time—they go around the districts and meet with militants. It would be best for the parliamentarians to reflect on the tragic fate of the young women and men of Vlorë, confined in a fast unto self-sacrifice. They are angels who must not die. It is in the MPs' hands. Today the majority must submit to the armchair and turn its thoughts to Flag-bearing Vlorë. If they do not, they will prove themselves cowardly and servile. Today is the day of the great test. The angels must be saved. Will there be some men in Parliament who will stand up for them, when their lives hang by a thread? Beware: angels appear when the sky is pitch-black. The angels' mission is noble: to keep the dragon from ravaging the earth! Is it not worth taking the angels under our protection?

“Republika” gives you the numbers of the VEFA contracts being paid out today, February 27, as well as the repayment schedule for “SILVA” creditors for MARCH 1997

Hunger-strike visitors Photo: A. Bonomi Hunger-strike visitors. Photo: A. Bonomi

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GODO: It is an irresponsible stance for the authorities to continue keeping silent P. 5

The 14: “We are not a party of our own” P. 3

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