Mr. Frok Çupi, Editor-in-Chief of «Rilindja Demokratike». Dear Mr. Editor-in-Chief: It seems like a dream to me that for the first time in my life I am writing to an organization in the Homeland. I knew that one day I would have this privilege, but not after such a long delay. Not a moment has passed when it was absent from my mind, ever since I left as an infant and ever since my father was forbidden, I was refused, and it was made impossible for my children. In other words, we were denied the right to Albania (?!). Today, I wish to convey my congratulations to you for the initiative of the newspaper RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE. Your mission to bring the newspaper of Democracy and freedom to light deserves everyone’s support. I hope you have not forgotten our national reality, nor our traditions and symbols as an ancient and intelligent nation. Our history has not ended, but has merely endured an unfortunate and obscure period. I hope that this newly launched spokesperson will respect the standards and ethics of journalism at the level of democratic Europe and win everyone’s trust. Make it known that the Berlin Wall has fallen, and that this is no time for slogans or praise of this or that dictator. Let it be made clear that Albania has not been and will not be the property of any regime or ideology. Secondly, the word «Party» is not limited to an autocratic clique; we too have pluralism, which will save the Albanian nation from the «Time Capsule», as they write in the West. The Albanian diaspora in America, large in number, very successful and freedom-loving, has been unjustly ignored for far too long. Our wish is for you to invite us to visit the Bay of Our Mother. Greeting you as friends, I send you my wishes for continued success. Yours sincerely, SEJDI BITICI New York

On Thursday morning, the first electoral assembly of the Democratic Party in Albania was held in the hall of the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tirana. It was attended by members of the Party’s Steering Committee, members of the district steering committees, members and activists from across the country who had been selected as DP candidates for parliament in the 31 March elections, representatives of the press, RTSH, ATSH and other guests. We have an opportunity to make up for lost time On behalf of the DP Steering Committee, its secretary Eduart Selami welcomed the assembly. Among other things, he said: The first meeting of free candidates after 45 years naturally carries historical significance. These are the candidates who will fight for a Democratic Albania. These are the candidates who carry on their shoulders a people’s suffering and the hopes of this nation; who have pledged to put an end to the country’s shocking backwardness. Along with us at this meeting, in the minds and hearts of all democratic Albanians wherever they may be, are ... While speaking about the country’s current political situation, Eduart Selami stressed: The main aim of our movement is not to criticize the past; time itself has done, and is doing, that better than anyone. Our main aim is to achieve democracy as quickly as possible, as the first decisive step toward national progress. as a nation, we have an opportunity to show our finest qualities; we have an opportunity to part forever from the bitter past. And we believe that we will achieve this. We are confident in democracy’s victory. The DP is determined to win the elections Next, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, chairman of the DP Political Commission, took the floor and delivered a report on the current political situation. For the new Albanian democracy that is being born, the days separating us from 31 March are decisive for the victory of democracy and comprehensive economic, social and political progress, or for a further deepening of the severe economic crisis that has engulfed the country. But it must be said that the authorities—and particularly the Democratic Party—... The DP is committed at every level of its structures to facing this campaign with the greatest possible mobilization, to realizing the democratic aspirations of the Albanian people and winning the 31 March elections. Going on to explain that the normal progress of the election campaign is also being obstructed by certain official state positions, he continued: On 3 February of this year, we, as the DP, asked President Ramiz Alia to depoliticize the army, law-enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Internal Affairs within an optimal timeframe, specifically by 31 March, and to approve the proportional system for the elections. To date, both the Presidium and the Presidential Council have sent back genuinely negative and unsubstantiated replies. If we win politically today, then undoubtedly we will win economically tomorrow as well in the Democratic Party. They are candidates who bear within themselves both the to put an end to the country's appalling backwardness. Together with us at this meeting are may be; with us today are the martyrs of Albanian democracy: At his proposal, all participants observed a minute of silence for all those who made sublime sacrifices for the country and the victory of democracy in our country. Below, Mr. current. victory of democracy, comprehensive economic, social and political progress, or the the country. But it must be said that the ruling Party's government has created numerous obstacles in our path. We are all witnesses to the strategy of tension, when the still unidentified «dark forces» were used as a pretext to create an unsuitable climate for the new political forces- If we win politically today, undoubtedly tomorrow we will also win economically. Candidate of economic sciences Genc Ruli addressed several fundamental issues in the DP's economic program. Free democratic elections are the fundamental condition for all future economic progress. The economy and democracy can develop only together—the emph- (continued on p. 2)

What prompted me to write this article was the meeting with Shkodër’s economists and intellectuals on 22 February at the «Punëtori» cinema. Six hundred and fifty intellectuals, DP members and sympathizers had been invited, as well as non-party members; there were even communists. Although the lights went out for nearly an hour, the people waited patiently and, when the lights finally came back on, a wonder occurred. Not only were there grown-up townspeople, but 1,200 people were in the hall—in other words, more than 500 people who had not been invited had also come in. Doctor Gramoz Pashko set aside the report he had prepared on the development of the DP’s economic platform and answered questions from the hall. Thus the meeting turned into a useful and civilized discussion. The question that came to me at the meeting itself was this: Are there communists who will vote for the Democratic Party? In my opinion, there are several kinds of communists. First, there are the utopian idealists. These good people were either killed in the war or saw that communist theory and its practice were as far apart as day and night. They became disillusioned, went into opposition, and became dissidents. Much has been said about the terror and persecutions inflicted on communists by fascism, imperialism, capitalism and anti-popular regimes. Nevertheless, it can be said outright that the one who has seized power, imprisoned, interned or persecuted communists more than anyone else is communism itself. Let statistics be compiled on what happened to the first 200 communists. How many of them were killed, imprisoned and interned by their own authorities? One could also swear to how many people were purged without provocation by the first Central Committee of the ACP, by the second Central Committee, and so on. How many communists were sentenced as agents of the CIA, the Intelligence Service, the UDB, Astatalia and all the world’s spy agencies, merely because they dared to express dissatisfaction? Which anti-communist regime has kept people in prison and internment for 20, 30 or 40 years, as Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship did to members of the Communist Party who did not suit him? Another category of communists consists of adventurers and careerists. They advanced by elbowing their way left and right, climbed high, and then someone more nimble made them give way and sent them tumbling down. The third and largest category consists of ordinary communists—workers, peasants and intellectuals—who joined the party believing they were on the right path. When they realized they were mistaken, they changed course and left it. There are also people who did not dare say no when invited to join the party, or others who thought that by becoming communists they would have greater security in their job, scholarship, housing or transfer. These communists are not our enemies; we have nothing against them, and they will feel freer and safer under a democratic regime than under a communist one. This is a tactic; it is a deception. In all the free democracies of the West, communists have enjoyed far fuller rights than in countries where one-party totalitarianism has flourished. This is why I think that some communists will vote for the Democratic Party with conviction. PJETËR ARBNORI

The entire Albanian people and all the democratic forces of our society joyfully welcomed the news ... and new horizons opening up in the history of our state. These messages from the heart of the people, In a broadcast dated 14 March, Radio «Voice of America» reported that «the spokesman for the United States Department of State said several days ago that the leaders of the DP had insistently requested that Washington normalize relations with Tirana as soon as possible and thereby demonstrate American support for the democratic processes in Albania. The American spokesmen stressed that they view the restoration of relations as an opportune occasion to support democratic reforms in Albania and encourage that country to play a constructive role in Europe». According to «Voice of America», Doctor Sali Berisha and Doctor Gramoz Pashko, who are visiting the USA, have appealed to the American government to provide Albania with urgent humanitarian aid, as it is facing evident economic problems. (Continued on page 6)

The European Parliament and the Albanian elections At its meetings on 5 and 7 March 1991 in Brussels, the Democratic Group decided to send two members to support the Democratic Party in Albania in the first elections for the Albanian Parliament, on 31 March 1991: Lord Bethell, Member of the European Parliament for North London, and Dr. Edward McMillan-Scott, Member of the European Parliament for York. Lord Bethell and Mr. McMillan-Scott are invited by the DP of

Scenes from the DP electoral assembly

BERAT DISTRICT 1. Abdi Hasan Baleta, jurist 2. Pandeli Lazar Cina, doctor, PhD in sciences 3. Agron Neki Musaraj, teacher 4. Namik Xhafer Dardha, geologist 5. Lili Aastas Dhame, geologist, candidate of sciences 6. Afërdita Nazif Zeri, engineer 7. Adem Idriz Goga, economist 8. Gjaliç Myslim Sina, doctor 9. Vangjel Noi Fani, veterinarian 10. Balil Baki Gjini, journalist 11. Theodhor Jani Maskuti, teacher 12. Kristaq Thoma Jani, engineer 13. Eduart Xhevit Zaloshnja, economist 14. Ermal Fethi Permeti, teacher DIBRA DISTRICT 15. Genc Kadri Bardhulla, teacher 16. Bashkim Osman Gazidedc, lecturer 17. Salih Ferhat Hoxha, chief physician 18. Aqif Adem Bodi, agronomist 19. Jashar Rexhep Hoxha, teacher 20. Basri Nuredin Neziri, doctor 21. Kamber Selman Farruku, journalist 22. Agron Ahmedan Qoku, teacher 23. Lutfi Rrem Manjani, teacher 24. Gafur Nazif Muka, mining engineer 25. Veli Sadik Zogu, cardiac surgeon, docent 26. Ahmet Zeqir Shahinaj, doctor DURRËS DISTRICT 27. Bardhyl Mustafa Balteza, engineer 28. Spiro Vlash Doraci, epidemiologist 29. Vangjel Petro Stamo, architect 30. Bashkim Bahri Kopliku, engineer 31. Emin Hamit Musliu, engineer, candidate of sciences 41. Rustem Sadik Gjata, jurist (lecturer, teacher) 42. Dhimitër Theodhor Miho, teacher 43. Skënder Ramazan Dika, painter 44. Petrit Haxhi Llafi, biochemical engineer 45. Lindita Ylli Prifti, agronomist ELBASAN DISTRICT 46. Argjir Jorgji Panariti, metallurgical engineer 47. Neritan Hasan Ceka, archaeologist, associate member of the Academy of Sciences 48. Fatmir Rushit Manushi, metallurgical engineer, candidate of sciences 49. Arben Ali Demeti, engineer (lecturer) 50. Qazim Hamdi Radoniqi, lecturer 51. Daniel Pandi Karanxha, lecturer 52. Petro Raqi Marku, economist 53. Omar Muharrem Kashahu, teacher 54. Frederik Hajdar Vokopola, doctor 55. Murat Rexhep Manahasa, veterinarian, doctorate, candidate of sciences 56. Edi Fuat Asllani, forestry engineer 57. Riza Pajo Hasa, archaeologist 58. Hamdi Shyqeri Gerlica, biochemical engineer 59. Peter Demir Asllani, agronomist 60. Alfons Shefqet Balliçi, composer, Merited Artist 61. Emin Dervish Qevani, agronomist 62. Ndriçim Vasfi Allai, agronomist 63. Myslym Daut Biçoku, forestry engineer 64. Sali Musa Pani, surgeon FIER DISTRICT 65. Sotiraq Serafin Aleksi, geodesist 66. Pellumb Xhevahir Kulla, director (lecturer) 67. Xhelal Muharrem Tahiri, mathematician, candidate of sciences 68. Muharrem Xhemal Gurguri, agronomist 69. Bardhyl Mazar Mezini, senior zootechnician 70. Përparim Haziz Hysi, teacher 71. Andrea Koxi Toska, physicist 72. Rrapi Halil Prifti, economist 26. Ahmet Z eqir Shahinaj DURRES DISTRICT 27. Bardhyl Mustafa Balteza — doctor 28. Spiro Vlash Doraci — epidemiologist 29. Vangjel Petro Stamo — architect 30. Bashkim Bahri Kopliku — engineer 31. Emin Hamit Musliu — engineer 32. Bardhyl Bexhet Reso — engineer 33. Naim Demir Kariqi — economist 34. Sali Ram Berisha — cardiologist, Dr. 35. Ismet Xhevit Ferizaj — teacher 36. Ejup Sherif Lusha — teacher 37. Muhamet Mustafa Shehu — economist 38. Hysni Murat Isufi — agronomist 39. Liman Nuredin Sheshi — doctor 40. Guljelm Balto Radoja — actor, Merited Artist 65. Sotiraq Serafin Aleksi — livestock 66. Pellumb Xhevahir Kulla — director (lecturer) 67. Xhelal Muharrem Tahiri — mathematician, candidate of sciences 68. Muharrem Xhemal Gurguri — agronomist 69. Bardhyl Mazar Mezini — senior zootechnician 70. Përrparim Haziz Hysi — teacher 71. Andrea Xoxi Toska — physicist 72. Rrapi Halil Prifti — economist 73. Kujtim Adem Demaj — petroleum engineer 74. Vasil Ndini Themeli — drilling engineer 75. Fadil Sali Çepele — construction engineer 76. Bahri Ismail Shanaj — drilling engineer 77. Pellumb Zace Sinanaj — agronomist 78. Hasan Ismail Halili — agronomist 79. Xhevair Riza Feneri — agronomist (Continued on page 2)

tiku! pp's citizen word way for it? Albania to, t arat hëqetat përkosh alën, e gjithë at e qytetan filan] bë h mënyra që u përson t gjy?