GRAMOZ PASHKO THE POSSIBILITY MUST BE CLARIFIED Democracy in Albania was born in circumstances similar to those in the other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This also explains the fact that political pluralism, for a short time, retained within itself the values of a movement with an all-popular character. The demands for freedom and democracy, for a better life, were the norms that dominated the revolt of the students and the Albanian people against the dictatorship. Not only that, but the democratic movement was not directed against an external enemy, but against an anti-Albanian system. This made it quite popular and quickly won people’s hearts, without bringing any great cost to the majority of the population. Together with the long-awaited freedom, people also hoped to quickly gain economic abundance, welfare and happiness. Tens of thousands of Albanians protested against the communist regime, and their mass entry into the first Albanian Democratic Party merely confirmed that it stood at the center of this collective rejection. The PD thus became, for a short time, the dominant political alternative with a trusted name. Consequently, anyone who wanted to move away from the regime had to join its ranks. This gave the PD a politically defined character and physiognomy, which was often quite heterogeneous in composition. I say this because within it were found social strata from all categories, not only staunch opponents of communism, but also former communists who saw in it a new opportunity for the future. This entire large social group came together to be, for some time, a successful political force. But with the rise of the movement to power, with the assumption of the real responsibilities of governing the country, it became clear that the PD could no longer be a mixed body without a clear profile. It had to turn into a party with a defined identity, a distinct program, internal democratic mechanisms and a clear electoral base. Only then could it meet the challenge of governing. Under these conditions, the question arises: has the time come to form a new democratic party? This question is not a theoretical luxury, but a necessity of Albanian political reality. Because true pluralism does not end with the existence of two or three formally recognized parties; it begins when citizens have a real opportunity to choose among different programs, alternatives and political elites. A new democratic party would make sense only if it embodied a real social need, a new political ethic and a greater ability to govern. It must be neither a repetition of old mistakes nor a refuge for the next batch of the dissatisfied. On the contrary, it should appear as a force aiming at the modernization of society, the development of the market economy, the protection of individual freedoms and the institutionalization of the rule of law. In this sense, the debate over a new democratic force is useful. It helps citizens understand that democracy is no one’s property and that political competition is the best guarantee of freedom. But this debate must be conducted without demagoguery, without labels and without hidden personal ambitions. Fragile Albanian democracy needs responsible forces and free thought. Only in this way can we build stable institutions, a functioning economy and a European future for our country.

The newspaper will cost 5 lekë We are by no means pleased about this price increase, dear readers, but we have made every possible effort, hour by hour, to avoid this increase in price; not only did those efforts fail, but we have come under pressure from the heads of the publishing house, the printing press and the paper merchants, whose costs have been multiplied by the state in a completely senseless way by more than five times. It is completely impossible for us to absorb such an increase without touching the selling price at all. Therefore we are forced to sell the newspaper for five lekë. We hope to be understood by our readers, since we have also made our concern known to the ruling party and to everyone in the opposition regarding the negative consequences that will accompany this increase. A simple calculation is enough for anyone to understand that the difference for printing-house and labor costs alone is estimated at around 300 percent! We hold responsible not only the Albanian Communist Party for this increase, but also the Meksi government for not stopping it. So this is a carefully thought-out “attack” against the independent press. Today, when Albania needs a free and independent press more than ever, “Koha jonë” is facing daily economic pressure. We hope that this time the democratic government will put an end to this heavy financial burden on the revenues of the Albanian newspaper. Otherwise, for newspapers, you can ignore all the rhetoric about the so-called “fourth power.”

FROM THE CONVERSATION OF MR. HAJDARI WITH THE NEWSPAPER’S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MRS. ALISANDRA MANGA FROM THE CONVERSATION OF MR. HAJDARI WITH THE NEWSPAPER’S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MRS. ALISANDRA MANGA Therefore, I have just begun the analyses, (continues) Before the analysis, the newspaper presents as its position [...] [?] At one point he says he is continuing and making public a conflict with the chairman, then presents it as resolved. These moves show that he is wavering. Now the issue returns to his political and moral character. In 'PD' it was written by 'the free newspaper' [...] [?] There has also been a public reaction. What stands out is that for a long time he has been allowed to speak and circulate politically freely. This shows that there was tolerance, but no solution. Had he caused you any concrete harm? That is the question being asked. If so, there should have been a reaction earlier. If not, then why this outburst now? This is a story that speaks about the relations between power, the individual and political morality. And the question that remains is: is it the man who gives you power that you fight? (To be continued on page 2)

We inform all newspaper sellers of “Koha jonë” throughout Albania to collect their payment for newspapers sold from Monday, on the 20th, at 30 qindarka.

15 MORE PROVANE ARE ADDED TO THE PD NEWSPAPER As the entire free and objective public is learning, two more journalists close to the official propaganda of Mrs. Jozefina Topalli have been added to the newspaper “Rilindja demokratike.” ENOUGH!

DED KASNECI, THE AUTHOR OF THE BREASTPLATE OF STALIN’S BUST IN SHKODËR, PERLANON. He made a black movement and a class awakening. Pashko Hajdari, sir, “Dora, Doda...” published the article “The walls of dictatorship still stand,” in which he once and for all rejected all the fabrications about the “taking of the students” in Shkodër. What is this about? We note that all the statements in “Rilindja demokratike” and “Koha jonë” of the so-called people of Shkodër, Perlanon.