We are divided even in our minds... • Thoughts of the chairman of the agricultural cooperative of Mamurri LESH PREVATHI We are divided even in our minds, and in the cooperative as well. And you, the cooperatives of the districts and their livestock breeders, what do you think? They ask themselves and answer themselves. And that makes me think that first of all we must come to a common understanding, so that there may be a new cooperative. The quarrel has not started now, over when we will take our borders. I have had another concern as well: I felt this worry before the specialists and officials who come and go. Nevertheless, I am putting these lines down to show how I see the new cooperative. I have made exact calculations with my family. I have not placed my hopes in vain. 500 square meters of land divided per person, and more are being added. And with 2,000 people for a cooperative, there should be 100 hectares. There are also 8.5 hectares of vineyards. Just from this production there is good income. Added to this are orchards, olive groves and other ventures. I think the cooperative can be supported with livestock, since in 500 work units we have it in our hands to do so. The main thing lies in the way we start the work. For us cooperators, the work that matters is to increase it. People who work well earn more too. That is my opinion about the new cooperative. Don’t worry. Change my mind if you wish, with facts!

At the table and in the popular reading... At the table and in the popular reading you have always come across, on the map since I like to boil and to be stirred—our Albanian land shining. To you, for the honor of the eyes of the soul. Not that we pour out from, let me emphasize, that a person must at least leave it behind for a while. I have heard about the right and perfect moments, and a person must be determined, without wavering. We have been taught, over this long time, that democracy means beating your chest and saying whatever comes to mind. But that is not how it is. Democracy is responsibility, discipline, thought and civic behavior. It is not enough to say you are a democrat. You must behave like one. Democracy is neither insults, nor chaos, nor disorder. It is work, order, understanding. We must learn to walk this road without taking shortcuts. That is what I want to say.

Not just once. Many times... Not just once. Many times. Everything can be made to seem evil to you. But it is not possible for a thing with which a person has spent his whole life to be discarded so quickly. I have also heard that people talk, calculate, compare. They have begun to look for new paths. In some places other forms of organization are appearing. That seems right to me. We cannot remain hostage to legends. Life calls for work, not myths. What matters is what brings to the human table. So this legend too must be viewed with a critical eye. Only then do we move forward.

Instead of hating one another... Instead of hating one another, let us seek ways to speak openly and honestly. Democracy does not come with shouting, but with understanding. Being alone is not enough. We need unity, we need care, we need respect for the other person’s words. We are going through a difficult time, so every measured opinion matters. Insults are of no use to us, nor empty bravado. What we need is work and justice. That is my word.

I never support political pluralism... I never support political pluralism, pluralism and the word. The demand for another party is entirely correct. That does not mean we should leap into hostility. From the experience so far it is clear that people want to speak freely, to organize according to their beliefs and to take part in public life. This is a need of the times. There is no reason to be afraid of it. On the contrary, we must find a way to do this without division, without revenge, without harm to the country. Only then can pluralism have meaning.

From a man who, like so many others... From a man who, like so many others, until recently looked at the movement and events with a certain distrust and fear. You started the day, when we met, but in the evening to the question: — Why, is rice getting freedom too? — The answer went on farther. There was also mockery. But in reality the question concealed a great astonishment at the speed of the changes. Today it is becoming clear that the movement is heading toward a new reality. No one can stop this flow anymore. People are seeking the right to choose, to speak, to take part. This is not a game. It is a necessity. And whoever does not understand this is left behind. (Continued on page 2)