On Thursday morning, in the hall of the Puppet Theater, the first meeting of the Democratic Party’s Vote Protection Commission was held. More than 1,000 activists and sympathizers from the main cities and districts of the country took part in this gathering. On the platform were the leaders of the Democratic Party’s leadership, as well as representatives of the foreign and domestic press. The chairman of the Vote Protection Commission, Mr. Sali Berisha, emphasized in his speech the historic importance of these elections for Albania and the need to guarantee a free vote. He pointed out that the Albanian people are entering a new stage, where freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law must replace the violence, deceit, and diktat of the past. In the many discussions, ideas and concrete proposals were presented for organizing the commissions, protecting the ballot boxes, checking the voter lists, and denouncing any violation. The need for observers, the discipline of local structures, and the role of young people and women in the campaign were discussed. The meeting closed with calls for calm, determination, and civic vigilance until election day.

To clarify this article, I will begin with the most delicate issue of these elections. What are we to do with the votes of people who come from communism? There are doubts, prejudices, and many questions. But one thing is clear: no one can deny that Albania belongs to everyone and that political freedom is not the property of one side. There are people who were communists out of conviction, others out of necessity, others because the times demanded it. There are also those who kept silent, adapted, and accepted without believing. In this long vortex of pressure, responsibilities are not the same. The one who gave orders cannot be called the same as the one who endured them. The PD must draw a clear line between guilt and manipulation, between conscious collaboration with evil and imposed submission. Democracy cannot be built on revenge. But neither can it be built on forgetting. There must be justice, impartiality, and guarantees that political crime will never return. If an ordinary communist, disappointed by the regime, understands that freedom and dignity stand above every ideology, then he has the right to vote for the PD. He does not forgive the crimes with his vote; he breaks away from them. And this break has political and moral value. Therefore the question is not only whether there are communists who will vote for the PD, but whether Albania will have enough courage to accept that democracy is open to anyone who renounces dictatorship.

(Continues on page 2) The entire Albanian people have made it clear that they have welcomed this important act in the life of our country with joy. The restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States marks a significant turning point in the country’s political and international life. This move has been seen as a step toward emerging from isolation, toward the recognition of pluralism, and toward the restoration of normal contacts with the democratic world. On the difficult road of breaking away from the totalitarian past, this decision takes on a special meaning. It is not only diplomatic, but also moral and civic. For years, Albanians have felt the lack of freedoms, information, and openness. Today, this news has kindled hope.

RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE Newspaper of the Democratic Party of Albania No. 21 Saturday, 16 March 1991 Year I of publication Price 1 lek Every Tuesday and Saturday Albania will not be the property of any regime

BERAT DISTRICT 1. Adil Husan Isaraj 2. Arben Muka Cenan 3. Niko Mone Karaj 4. Arben Muka Paska 5. Andon Lipe Bama 6. Andrea Nasi Zeji 7. Addullezim Geça 8. Hysen Sulku Halla 9. Vangjel Noli Çami 10. Roland Mani 11. Theodhori Misifli 12. Ismail Metaj Myrtaj 13. Nëzir Tusha 14. Ferial Toçi Çermeti ELBASAN DISTRICT 40. Agim Vjershi Çamaj 41. Iljaz Salih Galla 42. Islam Saliu Mito 43. Skënder Hazman Dila 44. Sherif Haxhi Lladinia 45. Lulzim Xhimi Prifti DIBËR DISTRICT 16. Gani Kadri Sula 17. Asllan Osman Qazimçeleo 18. Kamber Isuf Tabaku [?] 19. Ismail Vehbi Osmani 20. Arben Tair Jaupi 21. Auron Mahmud Nuretu 22. Murat Miftari Mëhilliu 23. Arian Mersin Kallarat 24. Sali Adham Ymeri 25. Avni Shefki Shimali 26. Avni Sulo Dema DURRËS DISTRICT 27. Zenel Zenuni Shijaku 28. Avni Çiu Zogu 29. Zija Din Hasa 30. Bardhyl Llesh Puka 31. Bashkim Halili Koklu 32. Shaban Hysa Koni 33. Nuri Demiri Haxhia 34. Sami Bexheti Cuka 35. Ymer Shefki Lusha 36. Fuat Mersini 37. Xhevdet Deliallisi 38. Halim Minar Suliaj 39. Ilir Xhevdet Hoxha FIER DISTRICT 46. Sotira S[?]li Alibej 47. Kudret Xhevahir Kulla 48. Nazmi Halit Hamzalli [Pedago] 49. Baki Sufi Llupa 50. Besim Bajram Paja 51. Kreshnik Sokol Bllojti 52. Sadik Xhemal Hoxha 53. Omer Vakili Sakshi 54. Omer Haxhiu Kryekurti 55. Nur Miftar Hoxhaj 56. Koli Fatjon Vrapopa 57. Nur Zaim Kara 58. Myrteza Sherif Hysko 59. Vefi Saliu Shyta

View from the PD electoral meeting (Continues on p. 3)

Jamemi Europe (European democratic group) European platform and an electoral team (Continues on page 6)