On 16.12.1990, thousands of miners from the Elbasan metallurgical combine set out on foot toward Tirana to demonstrate in Skënderbej Square. On their way, at the place called Shkumbin Peqin, the communist regime police blocked their path. After many efforts and thanks to the intervention of several PD deputies, the situation calmed down and, with buses provided by the police, the miners returned to Elbasan. To complicate their demonstration, the communist regime police sent reinforcements with special units from Durrës. But the people of Durrës showed themselves to be on the side of democracy and prevented the police from reaching Elbasan. Later, by order of the Durrës Internal Affairs Branch, the police headed toward Tirana. As soon as the port workers and other workers in Durrës learned of this, they placed fuel tankers and other vehicles in front of the police barracks, thus blocking their movement. They warned the police that they would calm down only when the police returned to the barracks. Around 9 p.m. the tankers left and the police [?] set off toward Tirana. Then the outraged workers broke the barracks doors and forced the police to return again to their units. Vehicles were placed in front of them and they were not allowed to move. A group of workers entered the police station to ask why citizens’ rights were being violated in this way. Instead of explanations, the workers were seized and taken to the police station. This is how the strike in Durrës began. Groups of workers were organized at 5 key points in the city. 1. They gathered at the place called Shënavlash. 2. The workers went to the Durrës-Tirana road junction. 3. The workers gathered at Dajlan Bridge. 4. The workers assembled at the road junction toward the station. 5. The workers gathered at the port steps. (Photo: A. Abani)

On Saturday at noon, two representatives of the PD, engineer Selim Mëhilli, director of the lllit Qershia, commune of Vranishti, secretary general of the PD, Dr. Demir Gjegji, member of the Central Commission of the PD, teacher in the village of Bublë, as well as the head of the Internal Affairs Branch in Krujë, Lieutenant Colonel Haki Haxhija, were summoned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tirana to discuss the demonstration of two weeks earlier. Together with them, the head of police also went as representative of the Internal Affairs Branch. There they met with the Deputy Minister of the Interior, General Lec Bushati. The talks were held in a spirit of fairness. We learn that the deputy minister was informed by the PD representatives about violations committed by police organs against citizens in a number of areas of the Krujë district and especially against PD militants. Evidence and arguments were presented for unconstitutional actions and for the violence used against the leaders and members of our party. The head of the ministry pledged that he would carefully analyze the complaints and, if they are proven, measures would be taken to punish those responsible. The PD representatives also presented at the meeting documents issued by the police, by which PD activists were denied the right to assemble and to demonstrate. This is a political right explicitly enshrined in the main provisions of the Constitution. The deputy minister pledged that he would carefully and objectively analyze all these problems.

POGRADEC, POGONI IS COOKING UP CLASHES AMONG CITIZENS On January 14, Madina Bardhi and announcer Altin Hoxha were injured for banal reasons, after a disagreement with a former high-ranking official of the communist regime. The Albanian opposition immediately denounced this act as a political provocation. On January 20, several innocent citizens were killed and injured near the Police Commissariat. On January 26, the city of Pogradec was shaken by two very serious incidents. In the yard of the citizen Haki Velo an explosive charge was placed, while a brutal attack was carried out against the trader Ramadan Sinani. On the same day in the evening, in neighborhood no. 1, near the place called "Kasollja", a police vehicle was found blocked by outraged citizens. The clash intensified when special forces intervened to disperse the crowd. Rubber batons, weapons, and tear gas were used. Several people were killed and injured in the clash. News spread in the city about numerous arrests and violence used against the families of Democratic Party activists. Citizens gathered in front of the police station and demanded the release of those detained. The situation remained tense until the late hours of the night. At the next session of the Municipal Council, responsibilities of the institutions and the damage caused are expected to be discussed. Written by: Petraq Konomi

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Ramiz Alia, received the representatives of the Democratic Party in Albania, Dr. Sali Berisha and Dr. Eduard Selami. The meeting discussed the situation created in the country and the need to avoid further tensions. The representatives of the Democratic Party raised the problems related to violations of citizens’ rights, the use of violence, and the arbitrary actions of law-enforcement bodies. For his part, Ramiz Alia emphasized the need to preserve calm and political dialogue. The announcement says that the parties agreed to continue contacts in order to find institutional solutions. Correspondent of "Lindja demokratike".

VALIASI AS STARI - TËRGU It exposes, as de Corso writes. Thus the independent Italian newspaper “L’indipendente” on 17 January about the recent events in Albania. “Valiasi has become the symbol of suffering and rebellion against the communist regime. In the coal mine, where workers live in miserable conditions, the protest erupted after the arrests and beatings of opposition activists. The images coming from Albania recall the poor industrial cities of Eastern Europe on the eve of major changes.” Further on, the article notes that “in this small town where people are used to silence and fear, open talk against injustice is now taking place. Women and children go out into the streets and demand the release of their relatives. Such an atmosphere reminds one of Stari-Tërgu”. Haxhi Shtëpani

The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, based in Vienna and with branches in many countries around the world, has appealed to the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ramiz Alia, to stop the use of violence against citizens and to respect fundamental human rights. In its letter, the federation stresses that the recent events in Albania have been followed with great concern by international public opinion. According to this organization, it is unacceptable for citizens to be arrested, beaten, and mistreated because of their political beliefs. It calls for cases of abuse to be investigated and for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Regarding the growth and development of the Ecological Party of Albania in the city of Krujë, the Democratic Party of Krujë has issued the following statement: All declarations made by local government officials and by the police to obstruct the registration of this party are unacceptable. Citizens have the right to organize politically according to their beliefs. This right cannot be restricted by administrative orders or police pressure. We express our solidarity with the representatives of this political force and call for respect for the law.

THE PEOPLE, MASTER OF THEIR OWN DESTINY, THE PEOPLE, CAPABLE OF THINKING, OUGHT TO FIGHT NOT WITH WEAPONS, BUT WITH IDEAS FOR DEMOCRACY. THIS IS THE ABC OF THE TRUTH.

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