Yesterday, the chairman of the DP Steering Committee, Dr. Sali Berisha, and a member of this committee, Dr. Gramoz Pashko, returned to the homeland from the United States of America. Invited by the U.S. Department of State, they took part on 15 March in the historic ceremony marking the signing of diplomatic relations between the USA and Albania. During their stay in the USA, they were received by and held talks with senior officials of the U.S. Department of State and the White House. Thus, they met and spoke with representatives of the Department of (Continued on page 2)

We address the Presidential Council The DP is fully committed to truly free elections — The army, law-enforcement agencies and the judiciary must be depoliticized immediately. — Everyone who has no reason to possess firearms must be disarmed. — Albanian Television must remain impartial. — Albanian emigrants must be allowed to vote. On the occasion of the Democratic Party’s announcement of its candidates for deputies to the People’s Assembly, the DP Steering Committee decided to convey to you its message of full commitment to proceeding to the elections with calm, civility and social stability. Interested in truly free elections, convinced that in pluralist elections the entire people are the winners, and aware that we will all live in this space regardless of our views, the Democratic Party will do everything possible through its electoral activity to serve stability itself and to raise voters’ awareness of its program. The Democratic Party believes that a calm atmosphere during the election campaign depends on various factors beyond its control. We note with concern that some law-enforcement forces are making efforts to maintain a constant state of alarm and tension, using blackmail, pressure and even violence against citizens who are simply DP supporters or activists. These forces have considerably unsettled the previously calm situation in Elbasan, killing the young Ndriçim Duraku and seriously wounding Bashuk Vlashi and Skënder Duraku. Brutal actions that exceed the limits of the law have also been observed in Tirana, Korçë, Fier and Skrapar. The Democratic Party, which stands for the rule of law, strongly condemns and expresses its indignation at acts of violence that create insecurity, sorrow and anxiety among the people. It asks the Presidential Council to use its high authority to intervene and take the necessary measures to bring those responsible for these acts to account under the law. The Democratic Party reiterates its repeated demand for the immediate depoliticization of the army, law-enforcement agencies and the judiciary. At the same time, the DP considers it reasonable that everyone who has no reason to possess firearms should be disarmed. Committed to a fair election campaign in which political and social entities stand on an equal footing, the Democratic Party notes that Albanian Television has recently been showing clear signs of a partisan position. On the evening of Wednesday, 13 March 1991, television broadcast within one hour unsubstantiated reports that eavesdropped on or made insinuations against Meanwhile, the news about the DP’s electoral rally—the party’s most important event to date—was broadcast by television after events of a local nature. Facts of this kind compromise the impartial position that state television should maintain. We still hope that the Presidential Council will exercise its positive and indisputable role in this regard. The Democratic Party also hopes that this Council will, without delay, arrange for all young men and women who turn 18 by the election deadline to be registered on the electoral rolls, and will consider the possibility of emigrants voting, so that the new democratic government will have the legitimacy of the entire Albanian people. For the DP Steering Committee

On Sunday afternoon, a DP rally was held at the «Partizani» Sports Palace in the capital, where Prof. Dr. Ylli Vesiu, chairman of the DP Steering Committee for Tirana, presented to voters in the electoral district Dr. Aleksandër Meksi, a doctor of science and member of the DP Steering Committee, as a candidate for deputy. Also on Sunday afternoon, in the «Punëtori» cinema hall in the city of Shkodër, the DP branch for the city organized a meeting with voters from electoral district No. 186 to present Azem Hajdari, a deputy. At a large and enthusiastic meeting organized by the DP branch for the city of Peqin, known for its patriotic and democratic traditions and for its support of the DP program, Mr. Albert Kruja presented Murat Manehasa, a doctor of science, and physician Frederik Vokopola as candidates for deputy. At a rally attended by residents of the city of Delvinë and the surrounding villages, Aristotel Koçi, secretary of the DP sub-branch for Delvinë, presented Mr. Kosta Druri as a candidate for deputy. Physician Ilir Gazeli, Kosta Druri and Kujtim Llona, chairman of the DP branch for the Sarandë district, spoke about the electoral program and the prospects it opens up for our country if the DP program is implemented. Neritan Çeka, a member of the DP Steering Committee, spoke on behalf of the committee and emphasized Delvinë’s example of democratic cooperation between the Albanian and Greek populations in the Sarandë district. Arben Imami, chairman of the DP Electoral Committee, also spoke.

We are eager to race toward 31 March for many reasons. This day will go down in history because, after 46 years, it brings us truly free, pluralist, democratic elections. For the first time, we will read the ballot carefully and choose the candidate whom we are convinced deserves our trust. For the first time, with our own eyes and with our minds and hearts, we will carefully judge every candidate, every party or political force they represent. We also await 31 March impatiently because we have been—and still are—suffering from a profound crisis affecting every aspect of life, which has impoverished us to the point of leaving our tables bare of even the bread of life. We want 31 March to come as soon as possible so that, after a long period with de facto no government, we can have a strong, capable and dedicated government that will stand up for us and resolve our great and countless problems. We know well who brought us into this condition and trampled on the names «Albania» and «Albanian». But 31 March, by marking the victory of the DP and democracy, gives us the chance to make a great historic leap, to set out on the broad road of democracy and draw closer to Europe. The 250 candidates for deputy through whom the DP is represented in the 31 March elections are among the finest sons and daughters of our people, who love democracy with all their hearts. They are educated people working in their respective fields—economists, engineers, lawyers, doctors, military personnel, journalists, writers, etc.—with a standing earned through their culture, education and work, and not through nepotism, friendships and the principles of the (Continued on page 2)

— Says Dr. Sali Berisha —

— Declares Dr. Gramoz Pashko — As “Voice of America” reports, at the ceremony held on the occasion of the restoration of diplomatic relations between ...

— Declares Dr. Sali Berisha — In an interview given to “Voice of America,” Dr. Sali Berisha, chairman of the Steering Committee of the Democratic Party, described diplomatic ties between Albania and the United States of America as being of historic importance for Albania and as having delighted the democratic forces and the entire Albanian nation. The United States, Dr. Sali Berisha declared, have been the greatest defenders of Albania’s integrity. Today they represent a true university of thought and production, technology, science, culture, and human progress. Many, many countries and peoples have benefited from this universe; all humanity has benefited, and the Albanian people here have benefited as well. But because of its isolation in ideological labyrinths foreign to the spirit of our nation, Albania must make up for the time it has lost and work to build lasting, friendly relations. I feel very happy that, invited by the State Department, I had the great good fortune to take part in this historic ceremony, and I am absolutely optimistic about the rapid development of our relations. Albania has great friends here, and I hope that our people, too, with their tradition, will remain a friend and develop all-round ties and relations with this great country. During these days we have held many discussions, both at the State Department and in the American Senate and Congress, as well as at various independent American institutes, and I can say that the discussions have been open. We have found understanding on the issues we discussed, and what impressed me was the great willingness and readiness of the State Department, senators, and American congressmen to help the processes of democratization in Albania and to help the Albanian people. The meetings with Senator Klejbëll Pell have been particularly important. He is chairman of the U.S. Senate majority and also heads that Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee. In our discussion with Senator Pell about the situation in Albania, the current circumstances in the run-up to the elections, and the major economic and political difficulties our country is experiencing, Senator Pell and the other senators and congressmen we met expressed their willingness to support all democratic development and further economic developments, etc., through the presence of the world’s most powerful state, the United States of America. We are convinced that Albania’s self-isolation has caused this delay in restoring these relations as well. On the other hand, we consider this a great victory, a very great achievement, and hope it will help deepen the democratization process. It will help in two ways. First, there will be a presence of the United States of America and of American democratic opinion during this campaign, this political struggle taking place in Albania. Second, we hope the American presence will be even stronger after the elections, and we have been promised this. That is, through economic aid, investments, etc. With the signing of the memorandum on the restoration of relations, an abnormal period in relations between the United States and Albania came to an end. (Continued on page 5)

— Declares Dr. Gramoz Pashko — As “Voice of America” reports, a large number of American officials and prominent figures from the Albanian-American community attended the ceremony held on the occasion of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Albania and the United States of America. As “Voice of America” reports, a large number of American officials and prominent figures from the Albanian-American community attended diplomatic relations between Albania and the United States of America. Also present were Democratic Party, and Dr. Gramoz Pashko, a member of that party’s Steering Committee. According to “Voice of America,” the leaders of the Albanian opposition were in Washington on an official visit. They held talks with senior officials of the U.S. State Department. Regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and the United States, Dr. Gramoz Pashko described them as historic for Albanian-American relations. The restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and Albania, Gramoz Pashko declared, is taking place at a very important moment. It would have been better if this act had taken place earlier. States of America, would have been very beneficial for our country, for all democratic development and further economic developments, etc. came to an end.

— Statement by the Forum for the Protection of Human Rights — The Forum for the Protection of Human Rights welcomes the release of another group of political prisoners, convicted of various kinds of crimes against the state under the decree of the President of the People’s Assembly, dated 12. III. 1991. The number of those released from prison by 17 March 1991 has reached 123 people. On the other hand, the Forum finds that the question of the release of political prisoners has not been definitively resolved. The official statement issued on the occasion of the decree by the above-mentioned head of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, according to which there are no longer any political prisoners in Albania, does not reflect reality. Political prisoners from various categories still remain in prison. The Forum has become convinced that there are people who have been unjustly convicted on false charges or on statements extracted through physical and psychological violence, classified as (Continued on page 2)

The PPSH press, the Telegraphic Agency, and RTV devoted considerable space to rallies held in various districts after the statue of Enver Hoxha was toppled. They were by no means sparing in their coverage of the activities of an illegal association, such as the “Union of Enver Hoxha Volunteers,” while rushing to demonstrate the legitimacy of others. When “Rilindja Demokratike” mentioned and denounced some of the slogans that had been shouted, “Zëri i popullit” hurried to publish denials by local PPSH leaders. It is clear that the latter, having gone too far “with little things,” with several insults and cautious threats, sought to create an alibi. And while writing (or having written for them) these alibis, they forgot that they control the local newspapers, which, as ze?lshme as they are, hastened to publish the telegrams, ultimatums, and petitions. That is what “24 Maj” of Përmet did: on page 3 of its 27 February issue, it published a letter addressed to President Ramiz Alia in which, in addition to expressing indignation at the toppling of the statue of Enver Hoxha (that is their right), they also made several threats. Our newspaper’s readers have learned of these demands through Mr. Vasil Gjika’s letter, addressed to the chairman of the (illegal) association “Union of Enver Hoxha Volunteers.” We had not intended to return to this subject, were it not that what Vasil Gjika heard in Përmet made you ask us to respond to Përparim Xhixha, a “ZP” journalist in Tirana. As evidence to dispute the letter published in “RD,” Xhixha cites (according to his article of 12 March) what “Zëri i popullit” itself also says, with everything that was discussed, better yet, where? with my own ears, he replies, and, turning back, the people of Përmet, like everyone else. There, one can clearly read: “I took out the notebook in which I had written down everything [said] to the people’s representatives, accompanied by Ramiz Alia, at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. There I heard—” (Continued on page 2)

A Reply to Pjetër Arbëns I am one of those Communists who will vote for the DP. I am Kristaq Gjergji, son of a martyr, and a Communist myself. I have been a worker for nearly 26 years, a welder. As a Communist, I worked from one construction site to another. I do not regret this; on the contrary, I am proud that my hair turned white while serving the people and the homeland. I did not join the Party to extend my privileged life and positions, but because I sincerely felt that the Communist Party would be the workers’ party. Now I am disappointed, but I do not feel that I am to blame, because the CP had been presented to us as a great good for the people, but inside it was full of sawdust. I did not want to confuse my Party with a group of bureaucrats, which is why I endured it, but there became too many of them, truly too many bureaucrats. And these bureaucrats, who decorated me twice through the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, came to visit on May 5, but forgot that I, a Communist worker (Kristaq Gjergji), have a family, troubles, and needs; I am the father of six children. They forgot that I did not drink the liter of milk they gave me as a welder myself, but brought it home to the children, dividing it among them at half a glass each, and that sometimes I even had to sell my own blood to raise them. There is no newspaper that can shed light on my feelings about the bureaucracy and its treatment of the worker. And now that at last I have raised two or three [children], my large family is threatened with homelessness; I have kept knocking on a deaf door. There is no service for me because I hold no positions, I do not give [unclear], and I am not a toady. Now as I write, I feel like crying, but also laughing, because we are talking about my thousand-year [unclear], with whom I argued some time ago precisely over these words. Now, through this newspaper, I want to apologize to them and tell them they were right. To tell the truth, I also want to ask for help and an honest old age. I sent an article to “ZP,” thinking that as a Communist I should not address “RD,” but they did not publish it. The reply was: we cannot publish it because two important people, Xhelil Gjoni and Sotir Kocollari, would be offended. In “ZP” I was asking for housing for my son; now I do not want it, because an Italian gave him a place to stay. Today I spoke with my son on the phone and, to my surprise, learned that he had obtained citizenship, and that his wife would also be starting work that very day. She had been unemployed for three years, even though she had completed her economics studies. Truly strange, very strange. Is there no block of laws there, no Front presidium, no Party Committee of Region No. 3, no Executive Committee, no complaints office, no housing chief for Neighborhood No. 45? And no deputy president of the Trade Unions— In the end, I will vote for the DP. “Vote for us refugees too,” my son told me on the phone. KRISTAQ GJERGJI