THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY, RAMIZ ALIA, RECEIVED THE REPRESENTATIVES

On 16.12.1990, the workers of the copper-pyrite extraction mine in Qafë-Bari organized a strike with the demands listed below. 1. Raising wages in accordance with the work fronts and workplaces. 2. Improving working conditions. 3. Improving sleeping conditions. 4. Improving the implementation of Council of Ministers rules and decisions concerning food and clothing for workers and employees. The strike began in accordance with all the procedures prescribed by law. The police command was notified, and a notice was posted in the town of Fushë-Arrëz. For three consecutive days, the state authorities and the law-enforcement forces behaved lawfully. During this time, no charges were brought against anyone. On the following day, 20.12.1990, at around 8.00 in the evening, they announced a meeting in Qafë-Bari. The workers went into the meeting. It was chaired by the enterprise director, Fran Pjetri, a deputy. He did not hold any dialogue; instead, a list began to be read. Quite routinely, the workers whose names were read stood up. They were informed that they were being dismissed for «breaching work discipline and being employed in violation of the rules of the Labour Code». At a time when one was allowed to go and work in a mine even abroad! As the workers stood up, two or three policemen seized each of them and, using force and beating them with rubber batons and fists, put them on a bus bound for the destination designated by the Pukë district police. It is no exaggeration to say that the workers were of all ages, and there were also injuries. The violence continued all the way to the drop-off point. The workers were from the Shkodër district and complained to Tereza Marubi, who set 28.12.1990 as the date to meet with the workers at 8.00, but that date was postponed to 1991 without a new date being set, even though the workers had travelled 70–100 km to arrive on time. Martin Zef Gjoni, Fran Zef Gjoni, Zef Mark Ndoci, Lulosh Zef Marashi, Fran Mark Ndoci, Gjergj Llesh Guri, Kol Ndue Podja, Prendush Ndue Podja, Nard Prendush Podja, Gjek Mark Podja, Fran Zef Bregu, Lulosh Kol Marku, Zef Ndue Preka, Dak Pol Sharani, Ilir Gjeta Malaj, Gjovalin Gjoni, Safet Selman Bracaj, Ndrek Ndoci.

On Saturday at noon, two representatives of the DP Organizing Committee, Gramoz Pashko and Eduard Selami, met with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hekuran Isai. The DP representatives expressed their concern about the provocative stance being taken by the police and internal affairs authorities toward the rallies organized by the DP and its other activities. Such provocations have been observed in Shkodër after the rally, in Vlorë over the choice of the rally venue, in Fier, in Lushnjë, etc. The DP representatives stressed that such provocations could lead to bloodshed in the tense situation. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hekuran Isai, said that the Ministry of Internal Affairs authorities had taken action against the officer who fired a gun after the rally in Shkodër. He said he knew of no other cases and promised to prevent such incidents by the police. He also said that the rallies organized by the DP had been orderly, but that there had been uncontrolled actions after the rallies which had endangered public order, as in Korçë and Lushnjë. The DP representatives stressed that they were not responsible for events after the rallies, but wished for such actions not to occur. Those who provoke incidents will be held responsible before the nation.

POGRADEC: CLASHES BETWEEN CITIZENS PROVOKED Initiating committee member Arben Meçe, in agreement with the police, organizes a meeting of activists in the city’s Palace of Culture. Before the meeting begins, the building is surrounded by a large police force. The activists protest all the way to the centre against this unnecessary show of force by the police. The headquarters informs the Minister of Justice, but the cordon in Pogradec is not removed. Finally, the meeting begins and proceeds in accordance with all the rules. At 11.00, the police chief intervenes with a proposal and orders: The meeting is over! Leave now! To avoid provoking incidents, the activists con- [text continues outside the visible frame] They wanted to meet me as an old friend and hear my thoughts on today’s democratic developments. «I said from the outset that I am not a representative of any party and, in the brief conversation I had with them in the courtyard of the institution, I expressed only my views on the democratization of Albania. Meanwhile, as the conversation was taking place, around 20 policemen equipped with shields and helmets came over the institution’s wall, surrounded us and prepared to beat us. The deputy head of the Fier district Department of Internal Affairs, who was directing this “operation”, declared that the meeting taking place was illegal and that I had to leave together with the people gathered there, otherwise he would intervene with the law-enforcement forces. So that they could meet me in the hospital. Abdulla Bardhi and Alush Bajrami have been wounded by firearms and are receiving medical treatment. The first cannot speak, but his relatives explain that he was wounded at the old bazaar in the city. The second was wounded at the very place where he lives, twenty metres from his door. It is not known who shot him. The hospital director says that so far there are four people wounded by gunfire. The committee members try to contact the headquarters, but the conversation is cut off as soon as the number of wounded is given. The committee members set off for Tirana. At the entrance to Lezhë, two policemen take their documents and tell them they must report to the Department of Internal Affairs. The policemen hurry off with the documents in their hands. They report to the Department of Internal Affairs. There they are left waiting outside, and finally the deputy police chief comes out and tells the committee members: Forgive us, it was a misunderstanding! In fact, it was not a misunderstanding. Finally, from the DP headquarters, the committee members phone the Minister of Justice and tell him about the incidents in Shkodër. Surprised, he replies that he knows nothing about it. At ten o’clock, the news then reports the news about the shootings at the border? The Democratic Party, we were told at the DP headquarters, insists on its legitimate demand that the law-enforcement forces remain neutral in relation to the parties and their activities; it insists on the implementation of all laws that ensure security and prevent bloodshed; it insists that information not be concealed. Correspondent of «Rilindja Demokratike» At 11:00, the police chief intervened brazenly and ordered: incidents, the activists ended the meeting and left the hall. But the incident had without asking anyone’s permission, had gathered and were Is this in accordance with international rules on assemblies? … were lying in wait to strike him. At the entrance to the Fier district Department of Internal Affairs, whose officials were directing this “operation,” I was told had to leave along with the people gathered there; otherwise, they would intervene with the law-enforcement forces. To defuse the situation and avoid a scandal, I was forced to disperse my rally and hold a conversation with the deputy head of the Department, Mihal Qiqi, during which I became convinced that he had acted not solely on his own initiative. I demand that this action and its perpetrator be punished under the provisions in force concerning the violation of state premises, the insulting of a public official within those premises, and the breach of fundamental human rights. At the same time, I stress the need for law-enforcement bodies to be urgently freed from verbal orders issued by entities that are not legally accountable for the consequences of those bodies’ actions. Correspondent of “Rilindja Demokratike”

Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Ramiz Alia, received representatives of the Democratic Party at their request. Yesterday afternoon, Alia, received representatives of the Democratic Party at their request. At this meeting, the DP representatives presented the party’s demand to postpone the 10 February elections and amend the electoral law. They argued that these demands concern equality and partnership among the entities participating in the elections, whose postponement is dictated above all by the new political reality. Alia, said, among other things, that the vital interests of the people and the nation would be put at great risk if these legislative and executive bodies of the people did not immediately receive a vote of confidence from the people. Correspondent of «Rilindja Demokratike» (Photo: A. Babani) THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY, RAMIZ ALIA, RECEIVED THE REPRESENTATIVES

- Reforms must not be undermined by repressive measures - Regarding the latest events in Albania, Austria has called on the country’s leadership and authorities to do everything possible so that the democratization process, which has so far also been viewed positively by other countries, can continue along a peaceful path and with respect for human rights. A harmful change of course through the implementation of repressive measures would jeopardize Albania’s further opening up, a statement issued today by the Foreign Ministry in Vienna said. The Ministry expresses its full confidence that a democratic climate will indeed be created in Albania, as well as the conditions that will make it possible for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 10, 1991, to be held in a genuinely pluralistic environment. The introduction of an effective multiparty system would certainly represent an important step in Albania’s further democratization and its opening up to the outside world, particularly with regard to the country’s future participation in the CSCE, the statement said. In this regard, it continued, the decision by Albania’s head of state, Ramiz Alia, to permit political parties at this time should, in principle, be welcomed. These positive steps must ultimately lead to the full guarantee of civil rights and freedoms. They must not be undermined through the implementation of severe repressive measures, the statement concluded. (ATSH)

The Minister of Justice, Enver Haxhia, summoned representatives of the initiative group of the Ecological Party to the Ministry of Justice the day before yesterday. He familiarized himself with the program and other documents and, in accordance with the Constitution of Albania and the decree of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, communicated the order approving the request to permit the formation of the Ecological Party, as well as the registration of the document in this ministry’s archive.

On January 5, 1991, at 11:30, as director of the archaeological center, I arrived at the archaeological unit of the Fier district to attend the unit’s annual meeting. In the courtyard of the institution, about 20 people were waiting for me—well-known actors from the theater, library, and bookshops, with whom I had worked collectively during the six years I worked in Fi-

Saturday, January 5, 2:00 p.m. Members of the organizing committee, Arben Imami and Azem Hajdari, are in Shkoder, at the home of a member of the Shkoder branch. Then gunshots are heard. At around 5:00 p.m., someone reports that there are wounded people at the hospital. The members of the organizing committee immediately go to the scene. Upon arrival, they are attacked and surrounded by the crowd. They are not allowed to leave the house. At the same time, a local police officer addresses the people gathered there through a megaphone: “Calm down! Keep your heads, the party car will arrive in a few minutes.” Meanwhile, police-uniformed individuals emerge from behind the organizing committee, arrest both committee members, and take them to the Shkoder police station. At the station, they ask them what they are doing there and why they have come. the rules. At 11:00, the police chief intervenes brazenly and orders: “The meeting is over! Get out now!” To avoid provoking incidents, the activists end the meeting and leave the hall. But the incident has been prepared outside. A large group of officers and veterans, without asking anyone’s permission, have gathered and are chanting, “Party-Enver, we are ready at any time.” That is their right. Someone from the police ranks says: “Beat them, come on, beat them!” The DP activists keep their composure and disperse without responding to the provocations. The question arises: Is police permission required even for meetings in enclosed halls? Is this in accordance with international rules on assemblies? FIER: NERITAN CEKA TESTIFIES in Fi-

Our people are divided and torn apart piece by piece as they are today, as though it had been decreed that the history of current developments, too, should unfold piece by piece, fragmented... Why do we say this?! RAMË’S NIGHTINGALE BAJRAM MORINA

(Photo: A. Babani)

At 11:00, the police chief intervened brazenly and ordered: “The meeting is over!”

… were lying in wait to strike him. At the entrance to the Fier district Department of Internal Affairs, whose officials were directing this “operation,” I was told that the meeting taking place was illegal and that I had to leave along with the people gathered there; otherwise, they would intervene with the law-enforcement forces.

TO THE PEOPLE, MASTER OF THEIR OWN DESTINY, TO THE PEOPLE, CAPABLE OF THINKING, IT BECOMES THEM TO FIGHT NOT WITH WEAPONS, BUT WITH IDEAS FOR DEMOCRACY. THIS IS THE PRIMER OF TRUTH.