- A Democratic Party delegation in Europe - - Leaders of European political parties and Members of the European Parliament pledge to support the Democratic Party and the democratic state for which it is fighting - (CHRONICLE OF THE DAYS 22–26 FEBRUARY) A Democratic Party delegation consisting of Eduard Selami, Preç Zogaj and Edmond Trako made a visit to Paris and Brussels last week at the invitation of several political groups in the European Parliament. It was the first official delegation from an Albanian political party to make contact with Western European political parties and Members of the European Parliament. For this reason, the interest of European political circles and the press in speaking with representatives of the Albanian alternative was greater than expected. For its part, the Democratic Party delegation was very interested in seeing at first hand how the political mechanisms of Western Europe function, establishing new contacts with like-minded parties, presenting its own ideas about the democracy that should be established in Albania, and calling on Europe to turn its eyes, mind and heart towards this backward country, exhausted under the long rule of the Bolshevik dictatorship. MEETING IN PARIS WITH MR. GISCARD D’ESTAING He raised a glass of champagne, expressing his pleasure at meeting representatives of Europe’s newest opposition. He assured the delegation of more fruitful cooperation in the future, with the aim of Albania joining the European family. But your visit to the country, he said, makes our commitment more effective. MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE «RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC» Also in Paris, the delegation was received by representatives of the Gaullist movement (Rally for the Republic), led by Mr. Jacques Chirac, Mayor of Paris and former Prime Minister of France. The French side’s talks were led by Mr. Robert Pandraud, the party’s head of external relations. These talks, which followed earlier discussions with Dr. Gramoz Pashko, focused mainly on the problems the Democratic Party faces in preparing for and winning Albania’s first free elections. The members of the delegation argued that the tension currently pervading life in Albania is part of a political game intended to intimidate the electorate and turn it away from the DP. In this game, those openly and zealously involved are precisely the conservatives, who do not want democracy but dictatorship. The French side viewed the arguments presented favourably and suggested that every effort should be made to maintain calm and stability, rather than a permanent state of alarm. Meanwhile, it is necessary to ensure genuine equality between the opposition parties and the party in power, as a condition for free, pluralist elections. You have been invited to join the Union of Popular Parties and Democracy in Europe (the previous day, the secretary-general of this union of parties, Mr. Tomas Jansen, had invited us to join, and the delegation had accepted the invitation); therefore, we can already speak as colleagues about how to face the election campaign, its position towards religious communities, and other matters. On their behalf, Mr. Klepsch responded positively to the delegation’s request to send observers from the European Parliament to monitor the elections and the election campaign. He said that the group of Members of Parliament from the popular parties would follow closely the transition from dictatorship to democracy. As far as I understand, the situation in Albania is highly charged. Eduard Selami spoke to the Belgian official about the developments that followed the removal of the statue and busts of … Relations between Albania and Greece and prospects for their development were also discussed. Several Members of Parliament, assessing recent developments in Albania, expressed concern that the 31 March elections might turn into a source of new confrontations. The DP delegation stated that the possibility of boycotting the elections always remains open if the newly formed Presidential Council and the new Albanian government do not take effective measures to ease the situation. It is now becoming perfectly clear who the dark forces on the Albanian scene are: the conservatives long indulged by totalitarian power and the extremist pseudo-democrats. The Democratic Party distances itself from them. The Members of Parliament considered it necessary to send observers to Albania. They also asked about the other political parties and the possibility of a coalition after the elections. The delegation explained that, if no party won the elections, the Democratic Party could form a coalition … In the photo: delegation members EDUARD SELAMI, PREÇ ZOGAJ, EDMOND TRAKO.

…to be established in Albania, and to call Bolshevik dictatorship. MEETING IN PARIS WITH MR. GISCARD D’ESTAING On the way to Brussels, the delegation spent a day in Paris, where it was received by Mr. Giscard d’Estaing, chairman of the Union for French Democracy (UDF), president of the Liberal-Democratic-Reformist group in the European Parliament and former President of the French Republic. Mr. d’Estaing, a distinguished political figure in France, gave the members of the delegation a very friendly reception. During the conversation, he asked about the Democratic Party’s objectives and the political situation in Albania. Eduard Selami, Secretary of the DP Steering Committee, warmly thanked the distinguished French guest for the welcome and told him about the main lines of the DP programme and the efforts the party was making to strengthen itself as a political force whose aim was to take power and establish a fully democratic system in the country. Albanian democrats and Albania, a European country long isolated from the continent, have placed great hopes in the support of Western democracies and, in this context, in France, with its distinguished democratic traditions, he said. “I greet you,” said Mr. d’Estaing. “You have given me the opportunity to complete[?] my information about Albania. I have great respect for your efforts as a democratic party. You will never lack our support and assistance. I am convinced that there are difficulties and that political goodwill alone is not enough; therefore, we are offering our assistance to bring about free elections in Albania and the triumph of democracy in your country.” Mr. d’Estaing then asked about the development of the election campaign in Albania and the Democratic Party’s progress in it. The delegation members spoke about organizing free elections and the DP’s principal programme. This new party, with a reputation among the people, has begun its struggle to win the elections by peaceful, democratic means, which are the only guarantee of bringing about democratic and pluralist change. “Our concept is the concept of Western democracy,” said Mr. d’Estaing. As he addressed the members of the delegation, who were gathered in … Mr. Pandro[?] said that Europe and France had always wanted Albania to embark on the path of democracy, respecting human rights, private property and so on. Your party’s programme opens this path, so we assure you of all our encouragement and assistance to triumph in the elections. We are already familiar with your messages, and have therefore decided to help you with various materials needed to conduct an election campaign. At Mr. Pandro’s request, the delegation drew up a list of materials, including photocopiers, cassettes[?], cars for DP branches in the districts, paper, and a printing press for bulletins and circulars. Three days later, the delegation was informed that all the requests had been approved and arrangements for their fulfilment had immediately begun. «WE WILL HELP AND PROTECT YOU», DECLARES MR. KLEPSCH Among the series of meetings and discussions with political groups in the European Parliament in Brussels, the reception given to the delegation by the group of Members of Parliament from the European People’s Parties and Democracy stood out. The group’s president is Dr. Egon Alfred Klepsch, a distinguished political figure in Europe and especially in Germany. Mr. Klepsch said: “We are delighted to welcome here in the European Parliament a delegation from a new but powerful party, one which, as I understand, also has young members in Albania, just the kind democracy needs to emerge in order to defeat dictatorships. This is the first step in our contacts, which will …” …These discussions, following those held earlier political game intended to frighten the electorate and turn it away from the DP. Those openly and zealously involved in this game free, pluralist elections. rights, private property and other principles. arrangements for their fulfilment had immediately begun. our contacts, which will…”

Of particular interest were the meetings the DP delegation held with officials from the foreign ministries of France and Belgium responsible for Southeastern European affairs. In Paris, Mr. Jacques Faure expressed France’s commitment to supporting and helping democracy triumph in Albania. The French Foreign Ministry, he said, is very interested in learning more about the situation in Albania, the activities of the Democratic Party and its objectives. The conversation with the French official covered a wide range of issues concerning the establishment of democracy in Albania and relations between our country and France. At the end, Mr. Jacques Faure said that we would convey our view to Parliament on sending parliamentarians and other observers to the 31 March elections. I assure you that you will have France’s support on every issue that contributes to establishing democracy in Albania. In Brussels, Mr. Bogart, adviser to the Foreign Minister, led the Belgian delegation in the talks. “I express the Belgian minister’s pleasure at your visit,” he said, “all the more so because Albania is on its way towards democracy. We are interested in sending prominent figures to discuss your new situation, as you are on the front line. I am not exaggerating when I say that we are ready to proceed with further steps. You have been invited to join the Union…” group of Members of Parliament from the popular and democratic parties would circulate information about the Democratic Party of Albania throughout Europe. “We will continue our discussions,” he said, “because I have invited you to dinner and you have accepted the invitation.” Also invited to the dinner hosted by Mr. Klepsch were Mrs. Luisa Kazamanjago, chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Political Committee; Mr. Otto von Habsburg, a member of the Political Committee; and Dutch, Greek and Italian Members of Parliament. In his toast at the dinner, Mr. Klepsch praised the Democratic Party and its struggle and efforts to put Albania on a democratic course. “We will help and protect you,” he said. “The future is yours.”

In Brussels, the DP delegation met and held talks with Members of Parliament from the political group of liberal-democratic and reformist parties in the European Parliament, which, as noted at the beginning, is chaired by Mr. Giscard d’Estaing. At this meeting, while the delegation’s success with the other groups was commended, the discussion covered the DP’s positions on the issues facing it during the election campaign, its stance on the elections and the removal of the statue and busts of Enver Hoxha in Shëngjin. He expressed the Democratic Party’s position that calm and stability must be ensured as a condition for free elections and genuine democracy with legitimacy. The other members of the delegation gave a brief account of the country’s grave economic and political crisis, which could deepen if the 31 March elections were manipulated by conservatives in the ruling Party and if Europe did not monitor the situation and intervene on Albania’s behalf. “Considering your situation, we are convinced that any assistance will benefit Albania,” Mr. Bogard said. “That is why we are here today, to see what we can do now and later. We can help you especially with setting up the processing industry, agriculture and developing farming in general. Belgium is not a country rich in financial resources, but it is very rich in technological and intellectual capabilities. If you win power, you can draw on our experience. We have small, flexible companies that can bring this experience to Albania. Belgium has also demonstrated an effective commitment in other former socialist countries of the East. Our parliamentary groups have helped in two areas: how local administration can function and how social assistance can function. These are two very important issues in the transitional phase. Meanwhile, we welcome your request to send observers both on election day, 31 March, and during the election campaign. I hope you achieve the victory you deserve. It will be a victory for freedom, which must be translated into an economic project.” Democratic Party could form a coalition with the Republican Party, but not with the Albanian Party of Labour, which, despite its sincere and full efforts concerning the country’s condition, had shown no visible sign of reform. Of particular interest were the discussions between the delegation and Lord Nicholas Bethell, a European and British parliamentarian, who will come to Albania on 27 March. The delegation also met Mr. Langer, who is tasked with chairing a European Parliament group dealing with Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. The Secretary-General of the European People’s Parties, Tomas Jansen, gave the delegation a warm and cordial reception. He received a copy of the Democratic Party’s statute and minimum programme, translated into English. During friendly and constructive discussions, they exchanged views on the party’s organization, the principles of contemporary democracy, the requirements for conducting an election campaign and other matters. Mr. Jansen was aware of the DP’s reputation in Albania and, having familiarized himself with its programme and statute, invited the DP to apply for admission to the Union of European People’s Parties. In Brussels, the delegation also held fruitful discussions with Belgian political parties. In the Flemish city of Ghent, the delegation visited the city’s renowned university, where they discussed the role of Albanian students in the country’s democratization process and the possibility of exchanging experience in the fields of the press, agriculture and electronics. The DP delegation’s visit received extensive coverage in the European and American press. The prestigious BBC, Radio France Internationale and Voice of America broadcast news reports and interviews with members of the delegation. The French news agency AFP also covered the visit; the renowned newspaper «Le Monde» published an article and interviews; American and German newspapers in Brussels followed the meetings and visits; and the Belgian press published news, reports and interviews. P. Z.

Now that «Rilindja...» has reached its 18th issue, we can say wholeheartedly that it is alive, that it has an age, that it has its own profile in the Albanian press, that it has set out and made its way to people in every town, every village, to so many families, bookstores and libraries. «Rilindja Demokratike» is eagerly awaited by thousands and thousands of people. For «Rilindja Demokratike», many, many people stay up through the night and, at the break of dawn, queue by bookstores or go out to the road to wait for the delivery van. It is an honour for «Rilindja», but it is also what «Rilindja» wants. Honour to the people who await the newspaper with affection and interest! But «Rilindja Demokratike» is not only its eighteenth issue; it also faces a number of difficulties and asks us for help. It asks people for help. First of all, «Rilindja Demokratike» is unhappy that people have to go out in the middle of the night and queue for it. People are tired of queues: queues for meat, queues for oil, queues for passports, queues for eggs, and now queues for a newspaper too. We have asked, and continue to repeat our request, that the state create the conditions for us to increase the newspaper’s circulation. «Rilindja Demokratike» is sorry when some people, seeing how limited the circulation is, sell it at a much higher price; the newspaper does not want profiteering. «Rilindja Demokratike» is concerned that it is not reaching all its subscribers either. The editorial office receives hundreds of telegrams and telephone calls from all over the country saying that the newspaper is not reaching the places where it should. Who is obstructing it? People are waiting for the newspaper. The government bodies that are paid and tasked with this work must help the newspaper get to the people. The newspaper does not want to fail to reach its destination. It also apologizes to its subscribers because it has not managed to deliver some issues, as it was obstructed. «Rilindja...» hopes this will be temporary.