We will vote for an Albania that will become more genuine and belong to all Albanians, and not just to a few. We will vote for an Albania that will be fully democratized as soon as possible, so that it can integrate into Europe as an entire nation. We will vote for an Albania where everyone will be absolutely equal before every law, and where there will not be one law for some and another for others. We will vote for an Albania where the privilege for each person will be to work according to their opportunities and abilities, and not according to their origins, connections, or favoritism. We will vote for an Albania where the undeserved privileges of the entire parasitic class will not be inherited by new parasites of the ruling clique. We will vote for an Albania where every Albanian’s freedoms, rights, and property will be protected by strict law from the arbitrary actions of any individual or the state. We will vote for an Albania where the people will be masters of the country, exercising sovereignty through worthy representatives, freely elected by them, and not, as until now, through the web of appointed bureaucratic apparatuses. We will vote for an Albania where the highest leader of the state will be the people’s foremost servant and never again their master. We will vote for an Albania where every Albanian will be happy enough to find happiness in our sacred homeland, where bread is called bread, and not in a foreign land. Note: I am publishing in full the greeting above, which I delivered at the electoral rally of the people of Berat held on 20.III.1991, because its essence is not clear in the version broadcast on Radio-Television.

(Is it really worth replying? )

The DP wins because democracy wins On Thursday, 21.3.1991, at 16:00, the local branch of the Democratic Party organized a peaceful rally in front of the stadium in the city of Elbasan. On Thursday, 21.3.1991, at 16:00, the local branch of the Democratic Party organized a peaceful rally in front of the stadium in the city of Elbasan, dedicated to the opening of the election campaign. The national anthem, sung by more than 60 thousand people in attendance and accompanied by the city band, and the release of dozens of doves marked the opening of the rally. The rally was introduced as the “Peace Rally” by Ndricim Allai, a member of the steering committee of the DP branch in the district, who presented once again to the people of Elbasan the 19 candidates put forward by the DP. He was followed by Fatmir Manushi, chairman of the DP branch in Elbasan and a parliamentary candidate. He spoke about Albania’s future after democracy’s victory, and about the changes and developments that would follow that victory. Representatives of the DP branches of Gramsh, Kavajë, Berat, Librazhd, and Peqin then addressed the rally. Beatrice Ballici, who spoke on behalf of the district’s League of Writers and Artists, said, among other things: «Freedom does not die, and the Albanian people have shown this». The rally was also greeted by the city’s Independent Workers’ Union and by the patriotic association “Cameria”. Amid extraordinary enthusiasm and calls of “Our votes are for you”; “Everyone will win in Elbasan”, Neritan Ceka, the district’s parliamentary candidate and a member of the DP steering committee, took the floor. He spoke of Elbasan’s patriotic, freedom-loving, and democratic traditions, and of the illustrious figures this region has produced, such as Kristoforidhi, Aleksandër Xhuvani, and the dozens of martyrs who gave their lives for Albania’s freedom and future. In his speech he said: «Express your great confidence in victory: the Democratic Party will certainly win on 31 March». Arben Demeti, a member of the DP steering committee and a parliamentary candidate in this district, spoke about the new paths opened up by democracy. In our struggle for freedom and democracy, we have never been alone; we have had all the democratic forces and international public opinion on our side. He also spoke briefly about the successful visit to the USA made by Sali Berisha, chairman of the DP steering committee, and Gramoz Pashko. Finally, Arben Demeti said: «This is the second rally we have organized in Elbasan, much more beautiful than the first. After the victory, we will be here again to celebrate it much more beautifully even than today». After the rally ended, as the residents accompanied the peaceful dispersal of the people leaving with music, we read a slogan: «The PPSH has stripped the nation bare; the Democratic Party will make it flourish». DRITAN ISLAMI …covered with pines. We wonder: «Would this village, lying in God’s bosom, be beautiful, embraced by the sea whose name it bears?» Suddenly, a feeling of sadness began to overwhelm all of us in the car. On the left side of the road, a swampy canal ran alongside us. Driver Iliri drove with great tension. Is this the road? he asked, quite rightly. It was a track flattened by the weary footsteps of the few people who walk for hours every day to get to work. - The village population, Sami broke the silence, consists of local residents and families who arrived here and have been interned here for years. We are approaching the “village” center, with a small number of hut-like, dilapidated houses amid the mud. A few houses, indistinguishable from one another, divided into two camps: trusted residents and internees. A few months earlier, when the first rays of light in our gloomy sky thundered out this call—Freedom-Democracy—the wave had reached even these forgotten huts by the sea. And trembling hands, those of sinners alongside those of the humiliated, reached toward one another and joined firmly, full of hope, while their chests loudly cheered Freedom-Democracy. This call filled the village’s little square. From a nearby hall came the welcoming sounds of a simple orchestra. We were at a celebration. The hall was full of young people, elderly people, soldiers, and children, sitting quietly together. Sallow faces, weary people, with dim yet bright eyes, looked on with hope. Perhaps fear still lingered like a shadow in their souls. «Dear sisters and brothers,» the candidate began to speak. His eyes were full of tears, and his warm voice astonished the hall: they were being called sisters and brothers. «Let us love one another, let us love one another because we are all Albanians. The class struggle has now been destroyed by democracy. Let us love and respect our homeland and one another, the democrat…

18 March 1991. The first meeting, in the Mamuras area, with the Democratic Party’s parliamentary candidate. At the center, we were welcomed by Sami Metalia, chairman of the DP branch in the Mamuras area, and other activists. We have decided to begin our meetings in the most distant village in our area, Adriatiku, Sami proposes. Adriatiku is a small village, about 15 km from Mamurras and about 5 km from the seashore. For about an hour and a half, we talked about the problems of the election campaign and the further development of relations between the two countries. They welcomed us; they were calling one another sisters and brothers. We still hear the words reverberating: “We want water, water, and a doctor, Mr. Candidate.” Should the appointment of a doctor really have to wait until after 31 March??? TATJANA-LUÇI …and the communist, those who are simple, honest people and deserve respect. Let us enjoy life in peace and unity, free from politics. The dictatorship is no longer inside us. It no longer exists…» Where is it? The word “dictatorship” was whispered as the mythical word «kuçedër», a bloodied kuçedër in its last throes, huddled in its lair to die forever. Faces prematurely furrowed with age brightened. For the first time, they heard a candidate say, «Let us love one another». The atmosphere grew warm. The dialogue was like a family conversation. The first question: - Will the land be sold to foreigners? - No, was the answer. Today, more than ever, we want to reunite Albania and the Albanians. Land will not be sold to foreigners. The first thing we demand is our homeland, our homeland above all. The questions continued; everyone was interested in a life that all could potentially enjoy. - We want water, Mr. Candidate, drinking water. They have been making promises to us for 45 years. - And a doctor, too. In the village we have only veterinarians, that is, no doctor for people. So it seems that here the human being is not, and has never been, the most precious asset. The roads should be paved. - Such modest demands! The «warm hand» of the Mother Party has not managed to reach even here. The meeting ends warmly. Hands reach out in embraces. The cries are loud: «Our votes are for you». The car starts to pull away into the darkness of night. It was rightly said: the village of Adriatiku, on the seashore, instead of being a beautiful Verona, had been turned into a concentration camp. Silence in the car. We could really have to wait until after 31 March???

…covered with pines. We wonder: «Would this village, lying in God’s bosom, be beautiful, embraced by the sea whose name it bears?»

…and the communist, those who are simple, honest people and deserve respect. Let us enjoy life in peace and unity, free from politics. The dictatorship is no longer inside us. It no longer exists…»

(Is it really worth having exchanges with the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly?) The facts show that the Albanian Party of Labour, regardless of its statements and positions adopted for public consumption, is neither capable of renewing itself nor willing, of its own accord, to accept the democratic developments and unrestrained deepening taking place in Albania. In essence, it has remained—and will remain—a slave to the concepts, dogmas, methods and actions of its anachronistic leadership. It may put on the costume of democracy to appear modern and thus continue to dominate, but it forgets that others cannot accept democracy as a fashion show. The Party of Labour does not experience the democratization of the country’s life and political pluralism as a victory for the Albanian people, but as a defeat for its undisputed feudal-monarchist-style power. From the position of an all-powerful patrician, granting itself the absolute right to curse and excommunicate, to bless and approve, without being answerable to anyone, the Party of Labour is now accusing all democratic opposition forces with one epithet after another. The opposition as a whole is being held responsible by the Party of Labour for deliberate blackouts, slander and rumors, for divisions and an attempt to liquidate the Albanian Party of Labour itself, for joining with every kind of reaction, and so on and so forth. Pluralism with the opposition parties (as the Party of Labour portrays it—if this depiction is accepted as real) is a regression and a disaster for the country and its destiny. This is what the workers are trying to achieve: to create such false beliefs. Nevertheless, if we follow the Party of Labour’s logic to its conclusion, we must admit that we owe even this “gift” to it, since it was the initiator that opened the way to pluralism and democracy in Albania. The leadership of the Party of Labour, of course, is trying with such political acrobatics to frighten the electorate and sow doubts. In short, it is essentially pursuing the same tactics and strategy embodied in the so-called class struggle, which oppressed us and sowed fear and terror for nearly 46 years. It is acting under the motto “divide and rule,” continuing to use the same dark language of the past, whose time has now passed forever. Is the Party of Labour itself not, at this moment... (Continued on page 2)

- The first meeting in Albania with representatives of American diplomacy As reported, on March 20, 1991, the first representatives of American diplomacy arrived in our country: Mr. Dejvid Suarc from the State Department, Ms. Suzana Sutton, an official responsible for Bulgarian and Albanian affairs, and Mr. Frank Shkreli, deputy director of the BS section at “Voice of America.” This first group arrives immediately after diplomatic relations with the USA were re-established. The first questions concern how developments in food, textiles and pluralism in Albania will unfold. At the invitation of Mr. Dejvid Suarc, on March 21, 1991, the Democratic Party held its first meeting with representatives of American diplomacy. The meeting took place in one of the halls of the “Dajti” hotel. The talks were attended by Mr. Genç Ruli, a member of the DP Steering Committee; Ylli Veseli, chairman of the Steering Committee for Tirana; and Mr. Afrim Karagjozi, a member of the Committee for Tirana and of the relations sections (Continued on page 6)

We are informed from Athens that the Chairman of the New Democracy Party, Kostandin Micotaqis, received the PDSH delegation consisting of Dr. Gramoz Pashko and Arben Imami.

“Voice of America” radio reports that on March 21 Italian Foreign Minister Xhani De Mikelis received and held talks with Dr. Sali Berisha, Chairman of the PDSH Steering Committee. The main issue discussed was Italy’s humanitarian aid to Albania.

(A telegram to the country’s leaders) The crew of the motorboat “Drashovica” left Brindisi for Vlora yesterday. We have been at sea for 24 hours without food. No representative of the fishing enterprise, the internal affairs authorities or the border authorities is taking any measures to berth the vessel, even though they know that they themselves sent us to Italy with refugees. Please intervene to resolve this problem. We want an answer by 12:30; otherwise, the vessel and its crew will set off for Italy, since they are not giving us shelter in Albania. Captain: NEKI KASEMI Motorboat “Drashovica,” Vlora Date: 19.3.1991

(A telegram to the country’s leaders) It is mid-March, springtime, they say, but in Bucharest the temperature has dropped to several degrees below zero. Nevertheless, on the Wednesday when the “Tarom” flight to Romania departs, there is a veritable commotion at Rinas Airport. Young men and women, parents with infants and children in their arms and underfoot, are ready to leave for private visits to Romania. They have neither foreign currency nor anyone to meet them at Bucharest Airport, but they have their small Albanian identity cards in their pockets, with which they will seek refugee status in the countries they will pass through illegally from Romania. At Rinas you find one of the places where the Albanian tragedy begins. But where does it end? Here is what Bucharest has to say; you can decide for yourselves where the boundaries of the Albanian tragedy lie at the end of this report. The “Tarom” arrives late from Rome, yet encounters patient people. Their patience ends the moment they board the plane. At every checkpoint, all the way to the aircraft stairs, people push almost brutally; the ultimate goal is to enter “Romanian territory” as quickly as possible—the plane! At last the aircraft takes off, packed full. Silence reigns inside. There is no joy, only bewildered faces, as if they were facing a calamity. During the journey of almost an hour and a half, no one speaks. Most smoke cigarette after cigarette. The children do not cry. Everyone is dazed. At last the plane lands in Bucharest without applause, and at the airport, chilled by the night drafts, the Albanians are forced to wait a long time at the checkpoint before entering Romanian territory. The airport police are suspicious and hesitate to stamp the travel documents. A few days earlier, five Albanians had been caught with forged passports. The Albanians are made to wait for a long time. They are cold, and now the children are crying. A few interpreters are found, but the police pay no attention to them either. The police call in the computers. Only after this thorough check is the separate group of Albanians allowed through. It is cold outside. From Tirana’s 15 degrees above zero, people have plunged into several degrees below zero. They are the only migratory birds flying from warm temperatures toward polar ones. And the birds scatter. Some sleep on airport benches because they cannot afford what the taxi drivers ask. The last bus on the route must have left. Meanwhile, another blow for the Albanians, shivering in Wednesday’s sudden cold: some young Albanian men who have come out to see who is arriving from Tirana this Wednesday bring the grim news that the dollar has fallen in Bucharest. It is no longer exchanged for 200 lei on the black market, but for 170!... “We have no luck,” sighs a parent holding a sleepy child in his arms, “as if death were following us!...” “We won’t be worse off here than we were in Tirana,” another consoles him. And they begin to doze on the cold benches, their heads drooping onto their chests. What dreams must these exhausted brothers and sisters be having in that terrible sleep, unlike anything seen before? The next day the birds gather outside the embassies. Unshaven, their faces marked by lack of sleep, unfed, they nevertheless stand for hours before the German embassy, the Czech one, the French one, the American one... Indifference everywhere. At last, completely worn out, as embassy office hours end, they begin to return to the “Vilor” hotel. This must be a good, inexpensive hotel in Bucharest for Albanians. A room with four beds and an adjoining bathroom costs 700 lei a night. There really are four beds, but in this cramped space they sleep as best they can, even in the bathroom, with the door open, brother and sister. There a newly married couple, a group of friends, a girl alone... all sleep together. A nightmare! Dante’s Inferno must be paradise by comparison! This is the first lesson the Albanian tragedies teach you! Evening falls at the “Vilor,” and a dim light glows in the corridors. in the corridors. Inhabitants of the sixth floor, where the Albanians are staying, begin to appear as eerie silhouettes. These are Albanians who have been in Bucharest for months, waiting to cross the Romanian border illegally into Hungary, and who are now without a penny in their pockets. They beg! One asks to borrow 200 lei, another wants to sell at a reduced price the wristwatch he bought when he arrived in Bucharest, someone wants to sell the blue jeans he had so long dreamed of in Tirana, someone asks for... bread or cigarettes! Amid this unimaginable horror, another scene: a man searching for his son in a hotel. He has come from Tirana solely to take his son with him and return the following Wednesday. They tell him his son left for Thailand by plane five days ago. The devastated father clutches his head in his hands and weeps. “I’m left without my son,” he says, wiping away his tears. Who can console him? They simply take him by the arm and lead him into a room. They make a bed for him and tell him to spend the night there. His son had slept in that room for two months in Bucharest. Silence falls in the room. In the other rooms, meanwhile, newcomers are told tales about the West—tales that are true for Albanians. A wave of ... has passed through during the night TEODOR KEKO (Continued on page 2)